Blog

  • TV Screen Turns Black Momentarily Upon Powering On: Seeking Solutions

    I’m experiencing an issue with my Apple TV 4K (1st Gen) that I’m hoping to clarify. The device seems to show a certain behavior at the start, but it doesn’t continue after that initial occurrence. This has raised some questions for me.

    To provide context, my setup includes an Apple TV 4K connected to an LG C1 TV, and I’m using a Sonos 5.1 audio system through eArc. Additionally, I have enabled Dolby Vision along with all other available options related to display settings. I would like to know if this behavior is considered normal for this type of configuration.

    If it isn’t, I am open to providing more detailed information about my setup or the specific issue I’m experiencing. Thank you for your assistance.

  • How Can Sleep Tracking Assist Me in Managing My Insomnia?

    I often struggle to get enough sleep. On a good night, I might manage just a few hours, and that’s usually thanks to medication. I’m curious about how sleep tracking could be beneficial for me. Could it provide insights into my sleep patterns or help identify factors that are affecting my rest?

    Understanding these details could be crucial for improving my overall sleep quality. Additionally, I want to know if the sleep tracking technology is capable of automatically recognizing when I fall asleep and when I wake up. Does it accurately record these periods, or will I need to input any information manually? Thank you for your assistance in addressing my questions.

  • App Library vs. Home Screen: Key Shortcomings of iOS Discussed on MacRumors Forums

    Are others feeling frustrated with Apple’s approach to finding installed apps that aren’t visible on the Home Screen? When users opt for the “App Library Only” setting, they have to manually relocate their various apps to the Home Screen. This process can become tedious, especially when you want to reconsider which apps to display.

    It would be a significant enhancement if the App Library could indicate which apps are currently on the Home Screen. One possible solution would be to add a marker next to each app or provide a summary feature, similar to the way “Hidden Apps” are organized in the Settings under Apps. I can’t help but feel there’s a substantial opportunity for improvement here.

    Apple’s user experience could certainly be more intuitive by making it easier to track app locations. The current system can be cumbersome for those of us looking to streamline our Home Screen setup without additional hassle. Has anyone else encountered this frustration?

    Do you also believe there is potential for a better solution? It would be interesting to hear if other users share similar sentiments. -MN

  • Setting Up My New 13” M4 iPad Pro as a Replacement for My 15” MacBook Air

    I received my new 13” M4 iPad Pro yesterday, along with the Apple Magic Keyboard, a Spigen Aramid case, and an Apple Pencil. This upgrade was essential for me since I need a new portable setup after deciding to return my 15” MacBook Air due to redundancy. Having never owned an iPad of this caliber before, I conducted thorough research, watching various videos on YouTube about iPadOS 26.

    I was convinced that this device would meet my needs once the new operating system was officially released. To my surprise, it is already performing excellently, handling tasks in LinkedIn, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and the Adobe Suite without any issues. The Magic Keyboard has proven to be an excellent choice, and I am relieved that I opted for it over the Belkin alternative.

    I chose the 5G/wifi version of the iPad and set up a Three eSIM, which has connected effortlessly to 5G networks. The overall build quality of the device feels solid, making it a great addition to my tech collection. I managed to find a brand new, sealed iPad for £995 with free delivery and the Magic Keyboard for £200, also brand new and sealed, through eBay UK.

    This purchase has saved me a significant amount compared to other retailers like Amazon. Overall, my new setup offers both quality and portability, perfectly suited for my current situation.

  • Exploring Hidden Features and Unique Uses of Your Modern iPhone

    In today’s digital age, smartphones have become indispensable tools that facilitate our daily activities. They serve as alarm clocks, wallets, navigation systems, and communication devices, functioning as a central hub for most of our needs. While many users primarily rely on these functionalities, smartphones, particularly the iPhone, possess an array of advanced features that often go unnoticed.

    One underutilized capability of the iPhone is its powerful camera and editing software. Many individuals use their phone’s camera solely for casual snapshots, overlooking its potential for professional-quality photography. With modes like Night Photography and Portrait Lighting, users can take stunning photos even in challenging lighting conditions.

    Additionally, the built-in editing tools allow for significant enhancements right on the device. With a little knowledge, anyone can elevate their photography skills and create beautiful images that rival those taken with professional equipment. Another valuable feature is the iPhone’s accessibility settings.

    Options like VoiceOver, Magnifier, and AssistiveTouch can significantly enhance the smartphone experience for persons with disabilities but are useful for everyone. For instance, the Magnifier function allows individuals to enlarge text or objects they may find difficult to see, proving invaluable in various everyday situations. Furthermore, the Shortcuts app enables users to automate tasks and create custom workflows, streamlining repetitive actions.

    With this tool, users can set up personalized commands for various tasks, resulting in increased efficiency in daily activities. In conclusion, the iPhone is a multifaceted device that offers far more than the basics. By exploring its advanced features, users can unlock new potentials and enhance their daily lives.

  • Dory 1.1.0 – An App Switcher for Memorizing Shortcuts Now Available!

    Hello everyone! I’m excited to introduce the latest version of Dory!

    This update comes with some fantastic new features. First, you will find two stunning new menus to choose from: Palette and Fan.

    Each menu is available in three different sizes to cater to your preferences. Another highly requested feature is now live: you can assign different letters to launch apps, even those that have been terminated.

    Additionally, Dory now supports Progressive Web Apps (PWA), expanding its versatility. You’ll also notice that apps can be launched simply by hovering over them and releasing the button.

    Plus, if you prefer a minimalist approach, you can configure the app list to display only on the main screen. Dory offers a seamless way to navigate through apps without shifting your hand from the mouse or memorizing complex shortcuts.

    Simply click your middle mouse button—or the right Command key if you’re using both hands on the keyboard—and type the initial letter of the app’s name. You can search for apps using not just the first letter but also middle letters, acronyms, or similar names.

    If there are multiple apps with that letter, just keep tapping it to cycle through your options. Alternatively, you can press the middle mouse button and start typing the app’s name directly.

    An optional app list popup is also available for a smoother switching experience. Dory is user-friendly and works right out of the box, learning your habits over time to prioritize the apps you use most.

    There’s no need for additional shortcuts or setup, making it easier than ever to manage your applications. The app is available for $3.99 as a one-time purchase with no subscription necessary.

  • GalleryMagic: Effortless HTML Photo Galleries with One-Click Publishing

    Hello everyone,

    I’m excited to share that I’ve recently launched my latest passion project, GalleryMagic, on the App Store. This app, which I released just a couple of weeks ago, is designed to be a straightforward HTML image and photo gallery generator. GalleryMagic is free to download and allows you to create galleries directly on your local machine.

    For those looking to publish their creations online, in-app subscriptions are available. Some key features worth mentioning include the ability to drag and drop any number of images or folders right into the app, or you can select images directly from your Photos App. Additionally, GalleryMagic allows you to watermark your full-sized images, giving you creative control over how your visuals are presented.

    You can also arrange your images in any desired order to showcase your work effectively. For users interested in taking their galleries online, an in-app purchase option lets you publish your gallery to the web, making it accessible to anyone with whom you share the link. I’m proud of what I’ve built and can’t wait for you to explore GalleryMagic.

    If you want a sneak peek, you can check out one of the demo galleries on the app’s website. Your feedback and support would mean the world to me. Thank you for taking the time to read about my new app!

  • Does Final Cut Pro Feature DVD Burning Options?

    I am looking for software that allows me to take an MP4 movie, split it into chapters, add some introductory music or video, and then burn it to a disc. My videos typically average around 4GB in size. Can Final Cut Pro handle these tasks? Additionally, I sometimes need to convert both video and audio formats.

    Is this feature included in Final Cut Pro as well? I hope these questions aren’t too basic; given my current situation, this is the quickest way for me to gather information. I’ve been experiencing some challenges with computer screens since my concussion. I appreciate any insights or recommendations you may have.

    I am eager to return to using a Mac after dealing with Windows for a while, as long as I can efficiently complete my tasks on it. Thank you once again for your assistance. If you have any other tips or suggestions, I would love to hear them.

  • Unable to Write to Network-Shared exFAT Drive

    You are currently using a 1TB drive formatted as exFAT connected to a mini-PC running Ubuntu. This setup serves as your Plex media server and is directly plugged into the router’s Ethernet port. However, you are encountering difficulties when trying to copy files from your MacBook Air, which is running Sequoia 15.5.

    While attempting to transfer files, you are faced with the frustrating ‘nope’ circle when dragging and dropping. The copy and paste function also fails to work, despite Finder indicating that you are connected under your username. This situation suggests a possible permissions issue.

    To address this, you have made several modifications to the fstab and smb.conf files in hopes of resolving the problem, but unfortunately, there hasn’t been a noticeable change. The situation remains unchanged, and you find yourself looking for solutions to this apparent permissions dilemma. One potential solution is to check the actual permissions set on the mounted drive in Ubuntu.

    You can access the terminal and use commands like “ls -l” to inspect the permissions on the directories you are trying to access. Ensuring that your user account has the appropriate read and write permissions is crucial. Additionally, you might want to ensure that the Samba configuration in smb.conf is correctly set to allow access to your user account.

    Look for the “public” and “writable” parameters and verify that they are correctly configured. Finally, consider checking if the service is restarted after making changes to the smb.conf file, as changes may not take effect until then. By exploring these options, you may be able to resolve your permissions issue and enable file transfers from your MacBook Air.

  • Two OS Issues Including Unwanted Screen Splitting Discussed on MacRumors Forums

    I’m currently facing several persistent issues with my M1 MacBook Air (2020) running the latest version of Sequoia. Here are the main problems:

    First, my screen frequently splits unexpectedly, causing applications to shift to one side or the other. This behavior is quite disruptive and makes multitasking frustrating. I’ve searched for potential solutions but have yet to find one that resolves the issue.

    Second, I’m encountering numerous problems with clicking and selection. When I attempt to open a link, the system often tries to save the link instead of navigating to it. Although I can bypass this annoyance by using the “open in new tab” option, the extra steps are bothersome. Lastly, I’m experiencing erratic selection behavior.

    It frequently feels like the system registers a right-click when I’m not initiating one, leading to various unintended results. Previously, I was using an older Apple trackpad that may have been malfunctioning. Although I’ve since replaced it with a brand new one, some issues persist. I would greatly appreciate any feedback or suggestions to help resolve these problems.

    Thank you in advance for your assistance!