Apple & Mac Musings

Yesterday,  Apple  released software updates for almost all of its hardware. Macs running macOS Sierra (10.12) can update to 10.12.6, and security updates were released for Macs running El Capitan (10.11) and Yosemite (10.10). People with iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches running iOS 10 can update to iOS 10.3.3. AppleTVs running tvOS 10 can update to 10.2.2, and Apple Watch owners can update to watchOS 3.2.3. There was also an update to iTunes. While these are relatively minor updates with a few bug fixes and security patches, it's always a good idea to back up your device before applying a system update. Here's how to back up each device category. Macs: If you are using Time Machine, make sure your backup drive is connected and turned on. The Time Machine icon in the menu bar will show the time and date of your last completed backup. If you aren't using Time Machine, follow your usual backup procedure. If you don't have a backup procedure, you need to get one. If y...

Yesterday, Apple released updates to iOS (recent iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches), macOS (recent Macs), tvOS (4th generation AppleTVs), and watchOS (all Apple Watches). There was also an update to iTunes. While these are relatively minor updates with a few bug fixes and security patches, it's always a good idea to back up your device before applying a system update. Here's how to back up each device category. Macs: If you are using Time Machine, make sure your backup drive is connected and turned on. The Time Machine icon in the menu bar will show the time and date of your last completed backup. If you aren't using Time Machine, follow your usual backup procedure. If you don't have a backup procedure, you need to get one. If you don't, you'll regret it sooner or later. iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch: Either connect your device to iTunes on your computer, or make sure iCloud Backups are turned on in Settings. Both iTunes and Settings will show when your ...

Good news for AppleTV users! According to Buzzfeed , Amazon will be releasing a Prime Video app for the AppleTV this summer. The app will allow anyone with an Amazon Prime subscription to watch the library of free videos Amazon includes with a Prime subscription, as well as any videos you've purchased through Amazon's streaming service. Since Apple released the 4th generation AppleTV, the only way to watch Amazon Prime videos on an AppleTV was to use the Amazon Video app on an iPhone or iPad and then AirPlay the stream to the AppleTV. While this method works, it's cumbersome, and can overload weak WiFi networks, resulting in low-quality video. Until now, Apple and Amazon had been choosing to compete in the streaming video market rather than cooperate. Now it looks like that's changing, at least a little, and that's good news for consumers. You can read the full Buzzfeed story here:  https://www.buzzfeed.com/johnpaczkowski/apple-will-announce-amazon-prime...