jokosun.solutions

Blog

  • What’s the Latest Movie You’ve Watched?

    Recently, I watched a psychological thriller that unfortunately didn’t resonate with me. While I won’t spoil the plot, it took an unexpected turn that could have been intriguing; however, the way it was executed fell short of my expectations.

    In contrast, I also revisited the Lord of the Rings trilogy for what feels like the hundredth time. These films are true cinematic epics that are rarely matched in today’s film landscape.

    Each viewing reaffirms their lasting impact and artistry. One fascinating aspect of the production is how they created the illusion of hobbits being much smaller than the towering characters.

    Beyond using shorter doubles for long shots, the filmmakers employed a technique called forced perspective. This method made it possible for the actors to convincingly appear next to one another, regardless of their height difference.

    The intricate details and the innovative filming techniques used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy continue to amaze me every time I watch it. The blend of exceptional storytelling, impressive visual effects, and unforgettable characters captures the magic of filmmaking at its finest.

    Whether it’s revisiting familiar scenes or discovering new nuances, this trilogy remains a remarkable experience that holds a special place in cinema history.

  • Why I’m Pleased with Apple: A Discussion on MacRumors Forums

    I have to admit that I’m genuinely pleased with my Apple products. From my initial iMac to the Mac Studio and Studio Display I currently use, my experience has been very positive. The iPad is the only device for which I’ve stood in line on launch day, and it has been a constant companion since. Transitioning to the iPhone felt like a natural step, and my Apple Watch Ultra, which replaced my Garmin, has become an essential part of my daily routine.

    The Apple TV serves as my primary streaming device, nicely complemented by HomePod minis. Do I believe everything is perfect? Absolutely not. However, I recognize that no ecosystem is flawless.

    What matters to me is how these devices interact and share data in a way that aligns with my needs. While I have encountered some bumps during updates and tech hiccups, I acknowledge those are part of the experience. Yes, these products can be pricey, but I have found that each Mac typically lasts between eight to nine years before needing replacement. One frustrating aspect for me is my HomeKit devices.

    They often work flawlessly for weeks, only to suddenly exhibit erratic behavior. I still haven’t pinpointed whether the problem lies with the devices themselves or with HomeKit, but I’m committed to finding a resolution. Nonetheless, I don’t let these occasional issues overshadow my overall satisfaction. In general, I am content with my Apple products.

    For now, I see no reason to switch, as they all serve my needs well. I apologize for this somewhat self-indulgent post, but I felt compelled to share some positivity. Wishing everyone a wonderful day! If you have a different opinion, that is completely okay—we can all have our own views.

  • Should You Buy a New Battery for Your S7 or Upgrade to the S10?

    My Series 7 GPS + Cellular 45mm watch is in excellent condition and functions well, but I’m facing an issue with battery life. It hardly lasts a full day, and my battery health indicates it is at 79%, which suggests that service is recommended. Upon reviewing the latest Series 10, I don’t see any major enhancements that would significantly impact my user experience.

    While it’s true the newer model is slightly faster and features a slightly larger screen at an additional 1mm, I’m not convinced that justifies the upgrade. One advantage of the Series 10 is that it will likely receive support and updates for a longer time in the future. Given these considerations, I am contemplating two options.

    The first is to visit my local Apple Store for a battery replacement, which costs $99. I’ve heard that the process may involve replacing the watch itself rather than just the battery, which could be a quick solution. The second option is to opt for the Series 10, priced at $429.

    However, the minimal upgrades to functionality make this option less appealing to me. In essence, I am weighing the practicality of a relatively inexpensive battery replacement against the investment in a new Series 10. If I choose the latter, I would be paying significantly more for features that don’t seem essential.

    Any advice on whether to go for the battery replacement or invest in a new watch would be greatly appreciated.

  • Disable Apple TV Remote Access from Your Lock Screen

    I recently updated to iOS 18, and I’m encountering a persistent notification on my lock screen. When I’m watching a video on Apple TV, a notification prompts me to access the Apple TV remote. After tapping on it, the Apple TV controls appear. However, I find this notification quite bothersome and would like to know how to disable it.

    Additionally, I occasionally use the remote function for Apple TV, but only about twice a year. If I want to switch from controlling the Apple TV back to managing my iPhone’s media, what is the quickest way to do so with minimal taps? To address the first issue, the notification that appears on your lock screen can usually be disabled in your iPhone’s settings. Navigate to Settings, then go to Notifications.

    Look for the Apple TV Remote within the list and turn off notifications. For your second concern, if you are using the remote function and wish to return to controlling your iPhone’s media, you can simply swipe down from the upper-right corner of the iPhone screen to access the Control Center. From there, if you tap on the media controls, you can cease controlling the Apple TV. Just ensure you’re not actively using the Apple TV remote at that moment, or it may still try to take precedence.

    These steps should provide you with a smoother experience as you manage your media across devices.

  • iPhone XS Parasitic Data Drain Issue After Installing iOS 18.x

    As an advanced user, I’ve exhausted all possible troubleshooting methods for the persistent cellular data drain on my iPhone XS Max. Despite resetting network settings, performing factory resets, and toggling various settings, nothing has worked. I’ve sought help from AI and Apple support, but the responses are always the same: “reset network settings,” “factory reset,” or “disable this and that.” Unfortunately, they have not addressed the underlying issue.

    The significant data consumption seems to originate from the “General” category within System Cellular Services. Since updating to iOS 18.3 or 18.4, I’ve observed that when my phone connects to cellular data, it often drains a substantial amount of data—up to 112 MB in mere seconds—even with Wi-Fi enabled and Wi-Fi assist disabled. On days when I’ve monitored usage closely, I’ve noticed that apps consume only a few megabytes, while the “General” category reports no usage until I’m disconnected from Wi-Fi. Furthermore, I have documented instances where other system services continue to operate in the background, consuming data despite my disabling background app refresh and activating power-save mode.

    Most users are likely unaware of this issue since the “Enable Cellular Usage Statistics” option is turned off by default. I encourage anyone curious about their data usage to enable this feature and check if they, too, experience excessive drain under “General.” I have thoroughly examined every cellular option, toggling off all system services whenever possible, yet the “General” data consumption remains. While some might suggest an unlimited data plan, this is not a viable solution for those of us on strict data limits, especially when traveling abroad.

    This issue appears to be new, and I am sharing my experience for archival purposes, hoping it helps others who might be facing the same frustrating predicament. Apple remains silent on what precisely comprises “General,” but the data drain has been significant.

  • Struggling to Justify the Purchase of iPad Pro 13 + MK

    Is anyone else feeling the same way? The iPad Pro 13 with the M4 chip and the new Magic Keyboard is an impressive piece of technology, but it’s simply more than I need. My requirements are quite basic, encompassing web browsing, reading online forums, and light productivity tasks. Consequently, I opted for the iPad Air 11 with the M2 chip last year instead.

    I did consider the Pro as a potential laptop replacement, thinking I could keep the Air for casual tablet use. However, the cost is exorbitant. Moreover, I own an M3 iMac that is so efficient and powerful that it serves my needs perfectly when I’m at home. Truthfully, I rarely need a laptop; on the few occasions that I do need portability, the M4 MacBook Air seems like a better fit.

    At 999€, it offers superior battery life, a full operating system, a better keyboard, and more ports. In Europe, the starting price for the M4 iPad Pro is around 1400€. If I want the 5G model—my ideal choice—the cost jumps over 1500€, plus an additional 300€ for the Magic Keyboard. This is simply too much for a device that I wouldn’t consider essential in my situation.

    While the iPad Air 13 is a solid choice, I would lean towards the Pro if looking for a device to serve as a laptop alternative or just for fun. The better Magic Keyboard, 120Hz display, OLED screen, and Face ID are all enticing features. Perhaps once the new M5 comes out, prices will drop slightly, but given the recent trends in Apple’s pricing in Europe, I wouldn’t expect significant reductions.

  • Why Do iPhone Thieves Request Your Passcode?

    I recently encountered a concerning issue regarding the security of iPhones. I’ve come across numerous videos and screenshots depicting instances of iPhones being stolen, with thieves asking for passcodes. Surprisingly, I forgot my own passcode today, and I found the process of restoring my phone to factory settings to be incredibly simple.

    This ease of restoration is quite alarming. Interestingly, after I had completed the restoration, the passcode came back to me, but the straightforwardness of the process left me uneasy. It raises the question: what prevents a thief from stealing my iPhone and reselling it without any hindrance?

    The ease with which I was able to restore my phone feels like a significant vulnerability in the device’s security features. Moreover, I find it puzzling that people often ask for passcodes when a thief can easily restore the device without needing that information. This contradiction makes me wish for enhanced security measures on iPhones.

    It seems that while there are protections in place, they may not be robust enough to deter theft and unauthorized access completely. The question remains: how can Apple improve the security of its devices to protect users from theft and ensure that stolen iPhones cannot easily be restored and resold? Strengthening security protocols would greatly benefit users and provide peace of mind, knowing that their devices are better shielded from potential thieves.

  • iPhone 12 and iPad 10: WiFi Disconnects After Days on Charge

    I primarily use my cellular Apple Watch for on-the-go communication, which means my iPhone and iPad often remain unused and charging for several days. Unfortunately, after about two to three days of inactivity, I notice that the WiFi connection on both devices drops. The iPhone defaults to 5G while the iPad completely disconnects from the internet. They won’t reconnect automatically unless I physically unplug them and unlock the screens, at which point they reconnect to WiFi instantaneously.

    This recurring disconnection disrupts Handoff and Continuity features with my Mac. When my iPhone switches to 5G, my Mac fails to send or receive SMS messages and cannot accept FaceTime calls from the iPhone. Additionally, iPhone Mirroring does not work because both devices must be on the same WiFi network for synchronization. My Apple Watch is also affected, as it cannot receive calls or messages meant for the iPhone.

    I often realize this after returning from work, leading to missed communications. However, notifications to the Watch itself continue to function normally. I have confirmed that my internet connection is stable since various Android tablets, both old and new, maintain their WiFi connections without issue. I suspect this is an intentional ‘feature’ of the iPhone and iPad, as the problem persists even on iOS 18, so it cannot be blamed on a beta version.

    Is there a way to disable this disconnection feature? I would like to ensure that my devices remain connected to WiFi at all times.

  • 🌍📱 iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max Photo Showcase – Global Images Thread (2023-2024) 📱🌎

    Hello everyone,

    I hope you’re all doing great! I’m excited to welcome you to the new photo-sharing thread for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. In just under 24 hours, users in Australia and New Zealand will be getting their hands on the latest iPhones.

    This is an exciting time for tech enthusiasts and photography lovers alike! Feel free to share your photos taken with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max in this thread. We can’t wait to see what amazing shots you capture with these new devices.

    Are you ready to showcase your creativity? Let’s get started!

  • Devonthink 4 Released: New AI Document Access and Automation Features

    The latest iteration of DEVONthink marks a significant upgrade, bringing a modern, intuitive experience enhanced with numerous features. The announcement of DEVONthink 4 reveals an array of advancements that elevate its functionality, including support for generative AI models and robust versioning capabilities. Users can expect an improved text editor, automation features, a complete overhaul of the web interface, and a redesigned Help viewer, among other enhancements. One of the standout features is the integration of your preferred generative AI models.

    With DEVONthink 4, users can summarize texts, assign tags, and even engage in interactive discussions with their documents. The search capabilities have been enhanced to allow for natural language queries, and AI actions can now be seamlessly incorporated into automated workflows. Users can also generate relevant visuals directly within the application, enabling a more cohesive approach to managing materials. DEVONthink 4 supports both online models, including ChatGPT, Claude, and Mistral AI, as well as locally installed options like Ollama and LM Studio, emphasizing user privacy in AI utilization.

    Another major improvement is the automatic version control when editing documents. DEVONthink 4 retains older versions, allowing users to revert to previous iterations with ease. Furthermore, the introduction of audit-proof databases ensures that certain documents, like financial records or sensitive materials, cannot be edited without a trace, as it logs any deletions that occur. In terms of search functionality, DEVONthink now supports effective identification of PDF documents even without prior OCR processing.

    The new interactive Graph inspector enables users to visualize connections between documents, while new triggers, actions, and placeholders enhance automation capabilities. Frequent batch processing workflows can now be saved for quick access and reuse, streamlining the user experience further.