There’s a new version of iOS 15 right around the corner, Apple has announced a new self-service repair program and Twitter is up to … stuff.
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Apple Announces Self-Repair Service Program⇢
Big news on the right to repair front:
Apple today announced Self Service Repair, which will allow customers who are comfortable with completing their own repairs access to Apple genuine parts and tools. Available first for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups, and soon to be followed by Mac computers featuring M1 chips, Self Service Repair will be available early next year in the US and expand to additional countries throughout 2022. Customers join more than 5,000 Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) and 2,800 Independent Repair Providers who have access to these parts, tools, and manuals.
Kbase Article of the Week: About the Mac OS 9 Utilities Read Me⇢
This document contains information about the utilities provided with Mac OS 9.
My favorite may be the 5xxx/6xxx Tester:
This program tests Performa and Power Macintosh 5200, 5300, 6200, and 6300 computers for a possible hardware problem. If you have a Performa or Power Macintosh 5200, 5300, 6200, or 6300 series computer, you should use the tester before installing Mac OS 9. See the document inside the Tester folder for instructions on using the tester.
Firing Shortcuts from a Stream Deck⇢
The Stream Deck has been a favorite of Mac users who are into automation for a while now, but the device’s utility has grown substantially for a couple of reasons. First, you can use the Stream Deck to run Shortcuts, which expands the device into an entirely new realm of automation.
Second, the Stream Deck opens up new ways to approach all automation on your Mac that aren’t possible with any single Mac app, allowing you to mix and match different kinds of automation in one interface. It’s a powerful combination that unlocks the ability to organize the automation tools you use to fit with the way you think and work.
HYPER Announces new Notebook Dock⇢
HYPER has unveiled a new USB-C dock for the MacBook Pro that adds a whopping 15 ports to the device. Juli Clover at MacRumors has the details:
There are three HDMI ports and three DisplayPorts, all of which support 4K displays at up to 60Hz, along with a Gigabit Ethernet port, a 100W USB-C PD port for charging purposes. two USB-C ports that support 10Gb/s transfer speeds, a USB-A port that supports 10Gb/s transfer speeds, two additional 5Gb/s USB-A ports, and an SD/micro SD card slot that supports transfer speeds of 104MB/s.
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Mac Power Users #614: The 2021 MPU Gift Guide⇢
Believe it or not, it is time for the annual MPU Holiday Gift Guide once again.
Drafts⇢
My thanks to Drafts for sponsoring the site this week. It lets you quickly capture, sync, process and share text, from any of your Apple devices.
FastScripts 3⇢
This is a great update to one of those apps that makes the Mac feel like the Mac.
Connected #371: Roast my iPhone Home Screen⇢
Everyone is bad at setting up their iPhones.
On Background⇢
Today, The Verge is updating our public ethics policy to be clearer in our interactions with public relations and corporate communications professionals. We’re doing this because big tech companies in particular have hired a dizzying array of communications staff who routinely push the boundaries of acceptable sourcing in an effort to deflect accountability, pass the burden of truth to the media, and generally control the narratives around the companies they work for while being annoying as hell to deal with.
Apple Business Essentials⇢
Today, Apple has announced a new beta service for small businesses that run on Apple products. Here’s a bit from the press release:
Apple Business Essentials is a complete solution that makes employee onboarding simple, allowing a small business to easily configure, deploy, and manage Apple products from anywhere.
Within Apple Business Essentials, Collections enable IT personnel to configure settings and apps for individual users, groups, or devices. When employees sign in to their corporate or personally owned device with their work credentials, Collections automatically push settings such as VPN configurations and Wi-Fi passwords. In addition, Collections will install the new Apple Business Essentials app on each employee’s home screen, where they can download corporate apps assigned to them, such as Cisco Webex or Microsoft Word.