Blog

  • iPhone Provides Travel Time to Destination for Wife: Discussion on MacRumors Forums

    My partner isn’t particularly tech-savvy when it comes to her iPhone, so I often help her set it up to connect via USB in her car. Recently, I observed something quite intriguing. Last night, as she prepared to head to her yoga class, she got into the car without any navigation system set up.

    To my surprise, her iPhone spontaneously announced, “22 minutes to the yoga den.”

    This isn’t just a one-off occurrence; it seems to happen regularly. For instance, every Friday she goes grocery shopping, and just like before, her phone will chime in with, “7 minutes to Aldi,” after which she completes her shopping and hops back into the car. Once she finishes there, it also announces, “5 minutes to Tesco.”

    It’s astonishing how her iPhone seems to have learned her weekly routines, recognizing her frequent destinations and travel times.

    It feels almost like magic or witchcraft, the way technology can predict her habits so accurately. Now, I’m left wondering how to turn off this feature. It seems to be part of some artificial intelligence built into the phone.

    I appreciate the convenience of having navigation so readily available, but the level of insight it has into her schedule feels a bit intrusive. If anyone knows how to disable these automatic updates and predictions, I would really appreciate some guidance.

  • A Discussion on Choosing Between Two iPads

    As an Apple enthusiast, I have a particular fondness for the iPad mini. Its compact design and functionality have always appealed to me; however, I also need a practical device that can serve as a temporary laptop replacement if my MacBook requires repairs.

    Recently, I purchased a new iPad Air with the M3 chip. While it’s an impressive device, I’m reconsidering whether it was the right choice for my needs.

    For the price I paid, I could have opted for a standard A16 iPad, especially if I managed to find it on sale or as an open box item. Additionally, I could look into acquiring a used 5th generation mini, which would meet specific needs.

    The iPad mini is fantastic for streaming content and can also serve as a white noise machine while I sleep. In contrast, the iPad Air would be more suitable for tasks like email, editing documents, and other productivity needs.

    However, I’m struggling with the question of whether I truly need the full capabilities of the Air M3. Is it essential to invest in the latest technology, or would a more budget-friendly option suffice?

    I find myself questioning if I need all the advanced features and the Apple Intelligence that comes with a higher-end device. In a practical sense, the A16 iPad combined with a used mini may better suit my lifestyle while providing the functionality I require.

    Ultimately, I must weigh the benefits of having cutting-edge technology against the practicality and functionality of alternative devices that could serve my needs just as well.

  • Adjust Keyboard Input to Respond to Keydown Instead of Keyup

    A few years ago, Apple modified the keyboard functionality to register the key released (keyUp) instead of the key initially pressed. This alteration has frustrated many users, but fortunately, there is a way to revert the setting. To restore the original behavior, navigate to Accessibility, then to Touch Accommodations, and enable the option labeled “Use Initial Touch Location.”

    By activating this setting, your device will recognize the key you first pressed, rather than the key your finger was hovering over when you lifted it off the screen. This change has been a source of annoyance for me, so I am relieved to know that I can adjust the keyboard settings to behave in the way I prefer. This feature is particularly beneficial because it does not require the touch accommodations to be turned on, making it accessible to anyone seeking to modify their keyboard experience.

    By making this simple adjustment, you can enhance your typing accuracy and comfort, returning control to how your device interprets your input. It’s a straightforward fix that can make a significant difference for those who rely on their keyboards daily.

  • Is It Worth Fixing Water Damage on My Mom’s iPad Pro?

    I wanted to share my experience with two iPads, specifically the iPDPRO 9.7″, that fell into a bathtub several years ago. I enjoyed listening to music while relaxing in the tub and used a small table to hold my iPads, both protected by third-party cases. Unfortunately, one of the iPads slipped into the water one day, and although I managed to retrieve it quickly, the damage was done. Two years later, the second iPad met the same fate, despite my belief that the case would keep it secure.

    After the first incident, I dried the wet iPad with a towel; however, it shut down immediately. The second iPad failed to turn off and “died” shortly after I pulled it from the water. I diligently tried to absorb any leftover moisture from the lighting port using soft paper and a Q-tip to minimize the risk of a short circuit. However, realizing I would soon need a replacement, I decided to buy a new iPad, specifically an 11” M1 model.

    The loss wasn’t catastrophic, as I had limited data; I mostly lost about two months of content since my last backup. I accepted the mishaps and placed both iPads in a moderately warm area for about a week. I charged them annually using a 5W charger from my old iPhone, even though they showed no signs of life. Remarkably, after a couple of years, one of the iPads just powered on while charging recently, and to my surprise, it was fully functional and retained all its data.

    The other iPad, however, still has a black screen. This experience has taught me that despite severe water damage, perseverance can sometimes yield positive results. I believe waiting a year before attempting to charge was wise, as immediate attempts could lead to dangerous short circuits. It shows that if maintained carefully, recovering data and devices is still possible.

    Now, my older iPads, including the first one I purchased in 2012, might serve new purposes, such as remote controls for various devices. They still seem in good condition despite their age, suggesting that the slow charging method may have aided in their recovery.

  • Why I’ve Developed a Passion for Stage Manager on iPadOS

    I want to share my thoughts on Stage Manager in iPadOS, a feature that I have grown to appreciate. Before upgrading to an iPad Pro that supports this feature, I had only heard negative feedback about it. Initially, my experience with Stage Manager was challenging.

    It took me three tries to really grasp how it worked; each time I would turn it on, get frustrated, and eventually give up. However, once I moved past that initial learning curve, I discovered how transformative it is. What truly stands out is how Stage Manager brings the iPad closer to resembling a full-fledged operating system.

    It enhances multitasking, making it more fluid and dynamic. The ability to work with overlapping windows and switch tasks effortlessly feels liberating compared to the conventional split-view layout. It’s not simply a matter of having multiple apps open; it’s about how you can organize and interact with them in a seamless manner.

    Despite its strengths, I recognize that Stage Manager isn’t perfect and there’s certainly room for improvement. Nevertheless, it has fundamentally changed my iPad experience for the better, even though I don’t engage in heavy tasks like coding or video editing. I’m curious whether others have had a similar experience.

    Did you give up after just one attempt, or would you consider giving Stage Manager another try? If not many people use this feature, I wonder what that means for the future of a more advanced iPadOS.

  • How to Utilize the iPhone 15 Pro: Tips and Tricks on MacRumors Forums

    I recently found myself in a bit of a dilemma with my iPhones. I own both an iPhone 13 mini and an iPhone 15 Pro. Unfortunately, after an incident where the 15 Pro was exposed to water, it stopped working. Meanwhile, the 13 mini had been sitting unused in a drawer until I needed a phone.

    With AppleCare+ and all the additional coverage, I’m unsure of my next steps. One option I’m considering is obtaining a trade-in credit for my 15 Pro through Apple. I’m curious whether I can do this while also canceling the remaining coverage of my AppleCare+. Additionally, I’m uncertain if I need to repair the 15 Pro before trading it in.

    If I am indeed required to fix the 15 Pro for the trade-in, I wonder if there might be better trade-in options outside of Apple. It’s worth exploring. On a positive note, I’ve enjoyed using my iPhone 13 mini. The smaller form factor is a definite plus for me, even if I sometimes wish it had the superior camera optics of the newer models.

    I don’t particularly miss the 120Hz display feature, as comfort and portability are my main priorities. Overall, I’m weighing my options carefully regarding the trade-in and what to do with my AppleCare+. If I can trade in the broken 15 Pro without repairs or find a better alternative, that would make the transition much simpler.

  • Problems with ProRAW 48 on Stock Camera App

    When I first got the 15 Pro Max last year, I shared my concerns about the poor quality of ProRAW 48 images taken with the stock app, especially when compared to the 14 Pro Max from 2022. At that time, I genuinely believed it was a temporary bug that Apple would fix in no time. Unfortunately, they did not address this issue. With the release of the 16 Pro Max, I hoped for improvements in image quality, but it appears to have the same overprocessed and overly denoised results as the 15 Pro Max.

    This consistency in performance has been disappointing for users seeking better photography capabilities. Fortunately, there are third-party apps that offer higher quality 48MP shots on the iPhone. Options like Halide, Firstlight, and ProCamera provide excellent alternatives. For a clearer comparison, I analyzed 100% crops from images taken with Halide and the stock app, revealing a stark contrast in quality.

    If you’re looking to capture high-resolution photos on your iPhone, I highly recommend experimenting with some of these third-party applications. They can deliver results that far exceed what the stock app can achieve. What I really wish for is that Apple would permit third-party apps to shoot regular raw images at 48MP resolution without the need for remosaicking. This would significantly enhance the shooting experience for many photography enthusiasts.

    Until such features are available, exploring alternative applications remains the best route for securing high-quality photography on iPhone.

  • Mobile Data Usage for Continuity Camera: Discuss on MacRumors Forums

    I recently received a notification from T-Mobile indicating that I was approaching my 50 GB limit for high-speed data, which would mean a reduction in speeds if I surpassed it. This was surprising to me, as I rarely use much data—typically staying under 10 GB each month.

    The only other time I received a similar alert was when I was streaming a lot of videos while away from home, so that felt justified. At first, I dismissed this notice as a minor inconvenience.

    However, a few days later, a message appeared on my Mac stating that the Continuity Camera feature was not functioning properly over Wi-Fi, which resulted in my phone being disconnected from the home network. Interestingly, I’ve never actually used the Continuity Camera before.

    It’s possible that it became enabled during a recent operating system upgrade, or perhaps I inadvertently accepted a prompt at some point. Given the circumstances, I can’t help but wonder whether anyone else has experienced a significant increase in mobile data usage since they began using Continuity Camera.

    It’s possible I’ve not paid attention to similar notifications in the past, but if my phone is frequently disconnecting from Wi-Fi while I’m at home, it would certainly help explain the unexpected spike in my data consumption. I’m curious to hear if others have faced this issue with their mobile data when using Continuity Camera, particularly if it interferes with their Wi-Fi connections.

  • UK iPhone 16 Series Pre-release, Orders, and Dispatch Discussion

    I couldn’t locate the UK thread this year, so I’m starting a new discussion. I’m curious to hear everyone’s opinions on the recently released models. They seem to have generated a lot of excitement, and it would be great to share thoughts on their features and performance.

    Have any of you had the chance to explore them in detail? Additionally, does anyone have updated information about the UK pricing for these models? Knowing the costs would really help potential buyers in making informed decisions.

    It seems like the pricing can vary quite a bit, and it would be useful to keep track of any official announcements or updates. I look forward to hearing your insights and experiences!

  • File Cabinet Pro for Mac: A New Menubar File Manager for OS X

    Hello everyone! This is my inaugural post on the MacRumors forums. I’m here to introduce my Mac application, File Cabinet Pro, after someone suggested that I share it with this community. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

    File Cabinet Pro serves as a file manager conveniently accessible from the OS X menubar. It enables users to open, move, rename, compress, tag, trash, and copy files—all from the menu bar, making file management simple and efficient. The application supports numerous file types for opening natively or by launching other applications, and it offers various viewing options, including icon view, list view, and column view. One of the standout features of File Cabinet Pro is its versatility as a document-based application.

    It includes a built-in text editor, image viewer, PDF viewer, and media player. The application can handle a range of file types, including plain text files, PDFs, various image formats, and audio/video files, ensuring that you have a comprehensive tool for your file management needs. Some key features of File Cabinet Pro include the ability to create subdirectories for better organization, an innovative drag-and-drop interface with iCloud support, file tagging options, and the functionality to easily view files in Finder. You can also rename, copy, paste, and trash files, as well as preview selected items using Quicklook.

    Additional features include automatic app launching upon login, version control for editable files, a global hotkey function, and the ability to share files through supported apps. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your feedback and any questions you may have!