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Emoji Showdown: Comparing iPhone and Android Emoji Designs

Thursday September 7, 2023 11:47 pm EAT by Moses Johnson

Emojis have become integral to digital communication over messaging apps and social media platforms. Over 10 billion emojis are being sent each and every day, with 95% of internet users having sent an emoji at some point in time. While both Apple and Android offer a wide range of emojis, there are significant differences in the way they are designed and presented. In this article, we will take a closer look at how different emojis are on iPhone and Android.

What are emojis?

Emojis are those small icons—smiley faces, winking eyes, hearts of all shapes, sizes and colors—that we use in text messages, emails and social media. They are everywhere these days because they increase the precision and nuance of our often super-brief and open-to-misunderstanding communications.

According to ExpressVPN’s research, over 96% of people in France, Germany, Spain, and the U.S. use emojis regularly when communicating. These small, expressive icons have the power to convey emotions, reactions, and even complex ideas with just a single tap.

Unicode, the organization that approves new emojis, has been creating new emoji on an annual basis recently. While both iOS and Android are improving the range of emojis available to users, what we’re still lacking are cross-platform pictures that look the same on any device.

The basic emoji symbols are actually the same on iOS and Android, but Apple, Google and Samsung designers create different looks for each icon. Confusingly, the companies also add emoji support at different times.

The Evolution of Emoji Design: A Brief History

Emoji first originated in Japan in the late 1990s, and by the early 2000s, they had become a popular form of communication in the country. However, it wasn’t until the release of iPhone in 2007 that emojis started to gain global popularity. Apple’s decision to include an emoji keyboard on its devices was a game-changer, and soon, other smartphone manufacturers followed suit.

Over the years, emoji design has evolved significantly. In the early days, emojis were simple, pixelated designs that had limited color options. However, with advancements in technology, emoji design has become more complex, with more realistic and detailed designs. Today, emojis are available in a range of skin tones, and while different smartphone manufacturers have distinct emoji styles, emoji can translate across platforms, thanks to Unicode. This is why an iPhone user is able to receive the smiling pile of poo emoji from someone using a Samsung Galaxy.

Why are emojis different on iOS and android?

The reason behind the differences in iPhone and Android emojis lies in their design philosophy. Apple designs its emojis to have a consistent look and feel, with a focus on simplicity and clarity. On the other hand, Android emojis are designed to be more expressive and playful, with a greater emphasis on customization and personalization.

One factor that contributes to the differences is the software used to render the emojis. Apple uses a proprietary font called ”Apple Color Emoji” to render its emojis. This font is designed to work seamlessly across all Apple devices, ensuring a consistent experience for users. Android, on the other hand, uses the ”Roboto” font for its emojis, which is a standard font used across the Android platform.

Another factor is the cultural differences between the two companies. Apple is an American company, while Android is an open-source platform developed by Google, a multinational company with a global reach. This might explain why some emojis on an iPhone have a more Western-centric design, while on an Android device, they might have a more global appeal.

The last but not least reason why there’s an emoji gap between iPhone users and Android users is because Apple is great at getting its users to upgrade to the latest version of its software.

Android vendors, like Samsung or LG, aren’t as quick as Apple is to upgrade to the latest version of Android.

There are Android phones that get regular updates, most notably, Google’s own Pixel, which will get the latest Android update as soon as possible for at least a few years. But right now, most of the more popular Android phones, such as Samsung’s, don’t have that same promise.

Comparing Emoji Styles: iPhone vs Android

Apple has its own style for emoji on iOS and iPadOS, Google has its own style for Pixel phones, Samsung has its style for Galaxy phones, and so on. These companies want the emoji to blend in nicely with the overall look of their respective operating systems.

For example, a green-colored Pea Pod is among the newest emojis on iOS and Android. It illustrates a pea pod split open to reveal the peas inside. People use the Pea Pod emoji in a straightforward way, to refer to the vegetable, or as a statement of friendship. It can be used to explain recipes, and to express popular idioms like ‘two peas in a pod.

A tiny yet fun detail, which most people miss, is that the Pea Pod emoji has three peas on Android and five on iOS.

How Do iPhone and Android Handle Facial Expressions in Emojis?

Facial expressions are a crucial aspect of emojis, as they allow us to convey emotions through our messages. When it comes to facial expressions, there are significant differences between iPhone and Android emojis.

Let’s look at some examples.

First, the single-most used emoji on all platforms: Face with Tears of Joy. On iPhones and Pixel phones, the looks have closed eyes, a fully wide smile, and big tears that extend out of the face, while the Galaxy phones, the tears are much smaller.

Next, let’s look at “Nerd Face” from the same three vendors. On iPhones and Galaxy phones, the emoji has a small smirk with glasses, while the same emoji on Pixel phones could be seen as laughing or smiling very big.

Another expression emoji is “Person Frowning.” On iPhones and Pixel phones, the emoji definitely appear to be sad, while the same emoji on Galaxy phones actually looks angrier than sad.

These are just a few examples of how emoji are different on iPhone and Android phone. iOS and Android skins look very different, so it makes sense they’d want to emoji to fit in. Thankfully, you can easily check what every emoji looks like on other platforms. Emojipedia shows what emoji look like from Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, and a bunch of others.

We think it’s good for everyone to understand these things aren’t standardized, but we’re not expecting everyone to check what an emoji looks like on other platforms every time they send a message. That’s not realistic, and you shouldn’t have to do it.

Exploring Cultural Differences in Emoji Design on iPhone and Android

Emojis are a universal form of communication, but their design is not always universal. Different cultures have different ways of interpreting emojis, and this can lead to differences in design.

For example, the folded hands emoji, which is used to represent prayer or thanks, looks very different on iPhone and Android. On the iPhone, the hands are closer together, while on Android, the hands are further apart. This difference in design is due to the cultural differences in the way people pray in different parts of the world.

Similarly, the Maracas emoji looks different on iPhone and Android. A maraca is a percussion instrument. Per the emoji’s proposal submitted to Unicode, it can "symbolize a celebration or specific cultural holidays," particularly as a reference to Latin American culture. It’s meant to convey a feeling of joy and the music that’s an integral part of celebration. The Maracas emojis have a slightly different appearance on Android and iOS. While the former shows two Maracas instruments side by side with motion lines (red top), the latter shows static maracas, one over another.

The Impact of Updates: What to Expect from Future Emoji Designs on iOS and Android

The Unicode Consortium is continually approving and adding new graphics for use on Android, iOS, and other platforms. Both Apple and Android regularly update their emojis, adding new designs and features to keep up with the latest trends. In recent years, there has been a push for more inclusive emojis, with the introduction of emojis that represent people with disabilities and different skin tones.

In the future, we can expect to see even more diverse and inclusive emojis on both platforms. As technology continues to advance, we may even see the introduction of more interactive and animated emojis that allow us to express ourselves in even more creative ways.

Conclusion: Which Platform Has the Upper Hand in Emoji Design?

When it comes to emoji design, both iPhone and Android have their strengths and weaknesses. Apple focuses on simplicity and consistency, while Android focuses on personalization and customization. However, both platforms are constantly updating their emojis and adding new features, which means that the design differences are likely to become less pronounced over time.

Ultimately, the choice between iPhone and Android emojis comes down to personal preference. Some people may prefer the simpler and streamlined design of Apple’s emojis, while others may prefer the more realistic and detailed design of Android’s emojis. Regardless of which platform you choose, one thing is certain: emojis are here to stay, and they will continue to play an important role in our daily communication.

Tag: Emoji

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How to Gain the Upper Hand in Online Games on Your iPhone

Friday September 1, 2023 1:48 pm EAT by Moses Johnson

Online gaming has come a long way in recent years. With the ever-increasing power of iPhones, gamers can now enjoy console-quality games on their iOS devices. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore pro, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you gain the upper hand in online gaming on iPhone.

Tips and Tricks to Gain the Upper Hand in Online Games on iPhone

Consider upgrading your iPhone

The newest iPhones are much more gaming-friendly than older models. If your iPhone is several years old, you may want to upgrade to a new model before tackling your favorite online games.

Switch to a Fast Internet Connection

The speed of your internet connection affects your gaming performance. This is because your games need to send and receive data constantly. If your internet connection is poor, this data transfer takes longer. In turn, your chances of winning are minimized. Therefore, to achieve success in online games, try to use a faster internet connection when you play your games.

You can use any connection that’s fast enough. It could be a Wi-Fi connection or even a mobile data connection, especially if you have access to 5G. But if you play multiplayer games, note that you will get a much lower ping on your home Wi-Fi network than cellular data.

Use a VPN

A slow connection not only makes gameplay incredibly frustrating, it can also be the difference between completing a mission successfully or not.

In the past, online gamers stayed away from using VPNs precisely because of the adverse effect they could have on performance. However, these days, VPNs have improved by leaps and bounds. Many premium VPNs now have features specifically designed to improve your connection’s speed and overall performance.

Using a VPN can significantly enhance gameplay. In particular, switching to a server that’s closer to the game’s main server decreases the amount of time needed for data transfers, which minimizes lag and other speed issues.

Some VPNs also have features designed to bypass your internet service provider’s speed restrictions. This ensures your online gaming experience remains smooth, irrespective of how much bandwidth you’re using. If you want a little help with this task, you can download a top VPN for gaming like Surfshark, which will help you avoid data throttling by encrypting your data, making it harder for your ISP to figure out whether you’re gaming or simply surfing the internet.

Optimize your iPhone for gaming

Your iPhone’s settings can have a huge impact on your online gaming performance. You can make several important changes to help prep your iPhone for online games and make sure you can play them without a hitch.

Start with a system cleanup and update

You want your iPhone as clean and speedy as possible to dominate your opponents in online games. Start by making sure you are running the latest version of iOS, then take a look at your storage. Delete any apps and files that you don’t use or don’t provide much value for you to ensure your iPhone has as much free storage space as possible.

Check for and install any pending software updates in Settings > General > Software update.

Next, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and wait a few seconds while the information loads.

Go through the recommendations list to see what steps Apple suggests you take. Then go through the list of apps to see which are using the most storage. Tap an app to view more information, including options to delete data associated with the app.

Enable Gaming Focus Mode on iPhone

How often have you lost out on a game you were about to win, had it not been for the dreadful call that interrupted your otherwise flawless gameplay? More than you’d like to remember, we’re sure! This is where the gaming Focus Mode acts as a savior – it helps you decide which apps can send you notifications or which of those contacts on your iPhone can reach you even when you are gaming. Rest everything, and everyone will be blocked while you are busy enjoying your game session.

Here’s how to enable Gaming Focus Mode on iPhone:

Open the Settings app.
Tap Focus.
Tap the
button

at the top-right corner.

You’ll see a section named What Do You Want to Focus On? Tap on Gaming.
Under Gaming Focus, tap on Customise Focus.
Next, you will see options People and Apps. Select which apps can send you notifications and calls/messages from which contacts will be allowed when Gaming.

Disable Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode prioritizes longer battery life over device performance. It limits device and app performance, negatively impacting your iPhone gaming experience. Therefore, before you start playing an online game, ensure you disable the feature first.

You can turn it off from the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right of your screen, or via the Settings app by going to Battery and toggling off Low Power Mode.

Disable background processes to improve performance

iPhones tend to have background apps that are always running, collecting information or constantly updating. But for online gaming, you don’t want anything that’s going to take up your precious RAM, so it’s important to disable some unnecessary background processes on your iPhone.

To change which apps run in the background on your iPhone, head to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Here, you’ll see a list of apps on your iPhone that use background app refresh.

Simply disable the slider for an app, and it will no longer update in the background.

Tap the Background App Refresh field at the top to change how the function works globally.

You can also choose Off to never have apps refresh in the background on your iPhone.

Close your apps and start up a game

Take a final look at any open apps and close down all nonessential ones. You can use the App Switcher to see what apps, if any, are running on your iPhone. You want your game to be the only app running in the background when you begin.

To open the app switcher on an iPhone with Face ID, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to the center of the screen. Hold your finger in the center of the display for a moment until a preview of all the apps you have open appears. If you have an iPhone without Face ID, double-press the Home button to open up the app switcher. Then, swipe your apps up and off the top of the screen to close them.

Master Controls and Gameplay Mechanics

Spending time practicing and getting comfortable with the controls is crucial to achieving better accuracy and reaction time. In addition to controls, understanding the gameplay mechanics is essential for success in online games. Each game has its unique mechanics, such as weapon types, character abilities, and map layouts, which can help players make better decisions and outsmart their opponents. It is important to spend time learning the game mechanics, either through trial and error or by watching tutorials and guides online.

Develop strategies for dominating opponents

To achieve success in online gaming, it’s important to develop strategies for dominating opponents. One effective strategy is to focus on improving situational awareness. This means keeping track of your surroundings, such as the location of other players, available cover, and potential flanking routes. By being aware of your surroundings, you can anticipate and react to enemy movements more effectively.

Another effective strategy is to use teamwork and communication. In team-based games, coordinating with your teammates can be crucial for victory. This involves communicating information about enemy positions, sharing resources, and coordinating attack and defense strategies. Effective communication can lead to a more coordinated and efficient team, which can give a significant advantage over opponents.

Choose appropriate gaming accessories

If you’re serious about online gaming, consider using the right accessories. This includes gamepads, phone mounts, mouse, and keyboards. While casual gamers don’t need so many accessories, these are important if you want to gain the upper hand in online games on iPhone

Here’s a quick tip: If you’re playing MOBAs or MMORPGs, consider using a good set of Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. They would work well with shooter games as well.

A gaming controller would be the best fit for racing games and competitive FIFA online. They can also be a good substitute for the mouse and keyboard if you’re into battle royale games.

For example, you can get an external game controller to play online games on your iPhone. This controller can give you a more precise control over your games, which can be especially helpful for competitive games. For instance, you can connect your Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 controller to your iPhone over Bluetooth. There are a variety of controllers available for iPhones, so you can find one that fits your needs and budget.

Additionally, you can purchase a smartphone clip mount for your controller for the best handheld gaming experience. Most of these gaming accessory items are easy to install. You simply plug them into your phone, and they start working.

Utilize In-Game Resources and Power-ups

Many online games offer a variety of in-game resources and power-ups that can give players an advantage in battle. To gain the upper hand in online games, it is important to utilize these resources and power-ups effectively. This involves understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each item, and using them strategically based on the situation.

For example, in PUBG Mobile, players can find various weapons and equipment scattered throughout the map, such as helmets, armor, and scopes. In addition, there are various power-ups that can boost a player’s performance, such as adrenaline shots, painkillers, and energy drinks. Using an energy drink to boost movement speed can be useful when trying to outrun the shrinking play zone in PUBG Mobile.

Finally, take a look at game settings and see if making tweaks can improve your performance even more. Lowering some graphics settings, for example, may help if your game is running a little rough.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

If you’re stuck on a particular game, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of online resources available, such as forums, wikis, and YouTube videos. You can also find help from other gamers in your social circle.

Practice makes perfect.

Continuous practice is essential for success in online gaming. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at online gaming.

In online games, fast reaction times and accuracy can make the difference between victory and defeat. To improve reaction times, it is important to train your reflexes through practice and repetition. This can involve playing reaction time games, using aim trainers, or practicing in-game scenarios that require quick reflexes.

To improve accuracy, it is important to focus on crosshair placement and aim training. This involves placing your crosshair in the right position before engaging in a firefight, which can give you a significant advantage. Additionally, practicing aim training exercises such as shooting at moving targets or flick shots can improve your accuracy over time. If you’re struggling with a particular game, don’t give up. Keep practicing and you’ll eventually see improvement.

Here are some additional tips and tricks To gain the upper hand in online games:

Use a comfortable gaming chair or couch.
Take breaks if you start to get frustrated.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings and strategies.

Gain the Upper Hand in Online Games on Your iPhone"

If your iPhone is your primary gaming machine, the tips above will help you maintain a competitive edge and achieve greater success in online games.

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How to Fix Always On Display Not Working on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

Wednesday July 26, 2023 2:19 am EAT by Dave Johnson

Find out what you can do to fix the Always On Display on your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max when it’s not working.

There’s no denying that iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max Always On Display is great. It lets you stay up to date on the date, time, widgets and other important information on your iPhone without having to turn on your screen every time.

However, there are instances when it fails to function properly. Luckily, there are several solutions that you can use to fix iPhone 14 Pro Always On Display when it isn’t working.

Always-on display temporarily turns itself off

Despite its name, the AOD will occasionally shut off. Here is a list of instances when the display is turned completely off in order to conserve battery:

Your iPhone 14 Pro is face down
Your iPhone 14 Pro is in your pocket or bag
Your iPhone 14 Pro is connected to CarPlay
Your iPhone 14 Pro is connected to your Apple Watch and you walk away.
Your iPhone 14 Pro is idle for a while (according to Apple, your iPhone learns your patterns and turns the AOD off automatically)
Sleep Focus is enabled on your iPhone 14 Pro
Low Power Mode is enabled on your iPhone 14 Pro
You’re using Continuity Camera

All of the situations above will turn off the AOD temporarily.

How to Fix Always On Display Not Working on iPhone 14 Pro

If the iPhone 14 Pro Always On Display doesn’t show up at all, keeps switching off, or isn’t working for any other reason, here’s what you can do to fix it:

1. Make Sure Always on Display is enabled

The reason why Always on Display is not working on your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max could simply be that you inadvertently turned off the feature. So, before trying advanced fixes, you should first check whether you have accidentally disabled Always on Display feature on your iPhone.

Open the Settings app.
Go to Display & Brightness
Select Always on Display.
Toggle on Always on Display.

2. Turn off Low Power Mode

If you’ve enabled Low Power mode on your iPhone 14 Pro, that might explain why the Always On Display isn’t working. This is because Low Power mode mode will disable the Always On Display to save battery life.

Here’s how to disable Low Power Mode on your iPhone:

Go to the Settings app.
Select Battery.
Toggle off Low Power Mode.

3. Restart your iPhone

If the Always On Display isn’t working as intended, try restarting your iPhone. This can help because apps or processes running in the background might be causing problems, and a restart will fix them. Here’s how:

Hold down the side button and volume up button or volume down button.
When the power slider appears on your screen, drag it to the right to turn your phone off.
When the iPhone completely shuts off, hold down the side button to turn it back on.

4. Update iOS

The Always On Display can also stop working on your iPhone 14 Pro if the software is outdated. The good news is that checking for software updates is an easy process. Here’s how:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Tap Download and install if any update is available.

5. Check Your Proximity Sensor

The proximity sensor, which is usually located at the top of your iPhone screen, is designed to detect when your phone is face down, in a pocket, or held in your ear. It turns off the display when this happens to prevent accidentally hitting any buttons on the screen and to save power.

If the proximity sensor is covered by something like a case or screen protector, it might think the screen is covered and cause issues with the Always On Display on iPhone 14 Pro. To fix this issue, try removing any screen protectors or cases from your iPhone.

6. Disconnect your iPhone from CarPlay

When you use your iPhone in the car via CarPlay functionality, you interact with the car’s infotainment dashboard, therefore, iOS turns off the phone’s display. Here’s how to disconnect your iPhone from CarPlay:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap General.
Tap CarPlay.
You’ll immediately see a list of vehicles synced with your iPhone. Tap on the vehicle that you’d like to forget.
Tap the blue Forget This Car option on the next screen.
Tap the red Forget option in the pop-up to confirm you want to forget the vehicle.

7. Toggle Raise to Wake off and On

When the iPhone 14 Pro Always On Display isn’t working, you can also try toggling Raise to Wake off and On. Here’s how:

Open Settings.
Scroll down to and tap on ”Display and Brightness.”
Raise to Wake is the middle item in the menu. If it’s on, the button next to it will be light green.
To turn it off, tap on the toggle so it’s not green anymore.
Toggle it on again.

8. Are you wearing an Apple Watch?

If your iPhone 14 Pro and Apple Watch are no longer within Bluetooth range, the display will go completely dark. iOS will turn the display back on when your Apple Watch establishes a connection with your iPhone again.

9. Disable Continuity Camera on iPhone

Continuity Camera is a feature that allows you to use an iPhone’s camera to scan documents or take a picture of something nearby and have it instantly appear on your Mac. If you’re using Continuity Camera, your iPhone 14 Pro will temporarily turn off its always-on display. Here’s how to turn off Continuity Camera:

On your iPhone, go to Settings.
Tap General.
Tap AirPlay & Handoff,.
Toggle off Continuity Camera.

10. Turn off Sleep Focus

If Sleep Focus is active, iOS assumes you’re asleep and shuts down the iPhone’s always-on display. Here’s how to turn off sleep focus on iPhone:

Open the Control Center by swiping down on the top-right of your screen
Tap the Sleep icon (the moon)
When you’re ready to reenable Sleep, you can tap the Focus icon in the Control Center to switch the feature back on.

11. Reset your iPhone’s settings

If the Always On Display isn’t working on your iPhone 14 Pro even after all the solutions above, go ahead and reset all iPhone settings. This should be seen as the very last option when all others have failed. Resetting all of your iPhone’s settings will erase all your Wi-Fi networks, preferences, and passwords. However, your personal data, like text messages, photos, and apps, will be kept intact.

Open the Settings app.
In the Settings, tap General.
At the bottom of the General menu, tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap Reset.
In the pop-up that shows up, tap Reset All Settings.
Enter your passcode (the one used to unlock your iPhone).

12. Contact Apple Support

If none of these fix your issue, your phone might have a deeper problem. Try bringing it to Apple to see what they have to say.

Keep Using the Always On Display

The Always On Display feature on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max can be a great addition if you don’t like having to unlock your phone every time you want to check the time or look at your widgets. Hopefully, one of the solutions listed above helped you resolve the iPhone 14 Pro Always On Display issue, and you are now able to make use of it as usual.

Tag: Always on Display

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Apple Watch Side Button Stuck or Not Working? 6 Fixes to Try

Saturday July 22, 2023 3:31 am EAT by Dave Johnson

Your Apple Watch side button is not working and you’re not sure why. Every time you try to press the button, nothing happens. In this article, I’ll explain why your Apple Watch side button is stuck or not working and show you how to fix the problem!

Why is Apple Watch Side Button Not Working?

The Apple Watch case is causing interference with the Side button.
A significant amount of dirt has accumulated around the side button.
Physical damage.
A software glitch that’s causing the side button to be unresponsive.

If your side button is completely damaged, then taking it for repair is the only option. But if it is stuck, slow, or working intermittently, here’s how to fix it.

The information in this article apply to the following Apple Watch models:

Apple Watch Series 3
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch SE (2020)
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch SE (2022)
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Ultra

How to Fix Apple Watch Side Button Not Working

1. Remove protective film or case from your Apple Watch

Try removing any protective films or cases that might block the side button and pressing the side button — is it working now? If it is, you’ll probably need to swap out your case. If the side button still isn’t working, keep reading!

2. Is The Button Stuck Or Can You Press It Down?

There are two distinct types of side button problems on an Apple Watch. Either the Apple Watch side button is stuck and you can’t press it at all, or the side button isn’t stuck, but when you press it, nothing happens!

If your Apple Watch side button is stuck and you can’t press it, you’ll probably have to get it repaired.

If you can press down your Apple Watch side button, but nothing happens when you do, it’s possible you’re dealing with a software problem. Anytime you press a button on your Apple Watch, it’s the software that decides whether or not something happens on the screen! To try and fix a minor software glitch, restart your Apple Watch.

Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch then go to Settings -> General -> Shut Down. Swipe the power icon left to right across slide to power off to turn off your Apple Watch. To turn your Apple Watch back on, place it on it’s charger — it’ll turn back on shortly after.

3. Clean the side button

Check for debris or dirt around the side button and clean your Apple Watch. Here’s how:

Hold the Apple Watch under a faucet running lukewarm water.
Repeatedly press the side button for 15-30 seconds.
Dry off your Apple Watch using a soft cloth.

It’s also a good idea to eject water from your Apple Watch’s speakers if your side button begins working. Swipe up from the bottom of the touch screen to bring up the Control Center, tap the Water Lock icon, and press and hold the Digital Crown until the device finishes chiming.

4. Unpair and re-pair your Apple Watch

If the side button is not responding because of watchOS bugs or other system abnormalities, go ahead and erase your Apple Watch using your iPhone. Once that’s done, you can pair it again.

With your Watch in range of your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Select the My Watch tab.
Tap All Watches.
Tap the info button next to your Apple Watch.
Tap Unpair Apple Watch.
Type your Apple ID password to disable Activation Lock, then tap Unpair.

Now, pair your Apple Watch to an iPhone using the built-in Watch app like you did the first time after purchasing it.

5. Make Sure Your Apple Watch software is updated

Apple regularly releases watchOS updates to fix known bugs and introduce new settings and features. Your Apple Watch side button may be unresponsive because your watch is running an outdated version of watchOS.

To update your Apple Watch, launch the Watch app on your iPhone and go to General -> Software Update. Tap Download and Install if a watchOS update is available.

6. Getting The Apple Watch Side Button Repaired

If your Apple Watch side button still isn’t working, is damaged, or works intermittently, you can set up a repair. When you’re ready to get the side button repaired, you have a couple of great options. If you have AppleCare , schedule an appointment at your local Apple Store’s Genius Bar.

Apple Watch Side Button: Fixed!

You’ve successfully fixed your Apple Watch side button, or you’ve chosen a great repair option. Next time your Apple Watch side button is stuck or not working, you’ll know exactly how to fix the problem! If you have any other questions, leave them in the comments section below!

Tag: Apple Watch Guides

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Can’t Update Your Apple Watch? 7 Ways to Fix It

Friday July 21, 2023 6:24 pm EAT by Dave Johnson

Can’t update your Apple Watch to the latest version of watchOS? Here’s what to do when your Apple Watch won’t update.

Apple just released a new watchOS update and you’re eager to try all of the new features it includes. You go to update your Apple Watch to the latest version of watchOS and BAM! Your Apple Watch won’t update. No matter how many times you try, error messages keep popping up or the Apple Watch takes too long to update, and it’s getting infuriating. In this article, I’ll explain why your Apple Watch won’t update and show you how to fix the problem.

Why is my Apple Watch not letting me update?

You might be unable to update your Apple Watch for one of these reasons:

Your watch doesn’t support the latest version of WatchOS
There isn’t enough available storage space on your watch
The update takes a long time to download
Your watch isn’t able to reach the update server
The update doesn’t complete

How to fix an Apple Watch that won’t update

Here’s how to fix your Apple Watch when it won’t let you update watchOS:

1. Charge Your Apple Watch

Let’s start with some basics before diving into more advanced troubleshooting. As you probably know, your Apple Watch won’t let you upgrade if you don’t have enough battery power. This is to prevent your watch from shutting off in the middle of an update, which can cause serious problems.

Make sure your Apple Watch has at least 50% battery charge before starting the OS update. It’s a good idea to leave it on the charger while the process runs, too. That way, if it takes longer than expected, your watch won’t run out of power.

2. Are Apple Servers Overloaded?

When Apple releases a new watchOS update, thousands of people are connecting their Apple Watches to Apple servers to download and install it. With all those people connecting at the same time, Apple’s server may struggle to keep up, which could be the reason why your Apple Watch won’t update.

If you receive an error when trying to update to the latest version of watchOS, try waiting for a while. You should have better luck later when the update servers aren’t under as much strain. Visit Apple’s website to see if their servers are working properly.

3. Make Sure You Have Enough Free Space

A lack of storage is a common culprit for a faulty update process. If you don’t have enough storage to update your Apple Watch, your Apple Watch might say that you need more available storage to install a watchOS update.

To check how much available storage your watch has, follow the steps below:

Open Settings.
Tap General.
Tap Storage.

Alternatively:

Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap General.
Scroll down, and select Storage. In this menu, you’ll see how much storage you have used and remaining.

If your Apple Watch doesn’t have enough room to store the update, try to free up storage on your watch, then try to install the watchOS update. You can free up storage on your Apple Watch by removing any music or removing any photos that you’ve synced to your watch. You can also remove some apps to free up more space.

4. Restart Your Apple Watch

A one-off bug can prevent you from updating your Apple Watch. Simply restart your Apple Watch, then try updating it again. Restarting your watch will restart its processes and hopefully clear up any temporary glitches.

Press and hold the side button until the Power icon appears at the top-right of your screen.
Tap the Power icon.
Drag the Power Off slider to the right to turn off your watch.
Turn on your watch by holding the side button till the Apple logo appears on the display.

5. Make Sure Your Apple Watch Has An Internet Connection

If you still can’t update your Apple Watch, the next step is to take a look at your internet connection. A slow or unreliable Wi-Fi connection means you may not be able to update properly.

Make sure you’re connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network when you try to update. It’s worth restarting your router if you haven’t done so in a while. If you have continued issues, you might also try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network and seeing if you have the same issue there.

6. Is Your Apple Watch Compatible With The New Update?

Almost every year, a few older Apple Watches lose their compatibility with new watchOS updates. It’s possible your Apple Watch won’t update because it’s not compatible with the new update. For example, watchOS 10 requires iPhone XS, iPhone XR or later with iOS 17 and one of the following Apple Watch models:

Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch SE
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Ultra

7. Unpair and update your Apple Watch

Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together as you unpair them.
Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
Navigate to the My Watch tab and select All Watches at the top of the display.
Tap on the info button next to the watch that you want to unpair.
Tap on Unpair Apple Watch.
Tap again to confirm your decision.

Next, set up your Apple Watch with your iPhone. When asked whether you want to set up as new or restore from a backup, choose to set up as new. Then follow the onscreen instructions to complete setup.

If you want to update to the watchOS beta, reinstall the beta profile after setup is complete.

Finally, update your Apple Watch.

My Apple Watch won’t update: Problem Fixed!

It’s frustrating when your Apple Watch won’t update. Hopefully, one of these fixes solved your problem and you can now enjoy the latest version of watchOS.

Aside from keeping current with updates, make sure you’re taking good care of your Apple Watch so it serves you for many years.

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What is a VPN and why is it important on a Mac?

Friday July 21, 2023 3:28 pm EAT by Dave Johnson

"Hold up," you’re probably thinking. "Isn’t macOS famously secure by default?" You’re not wrong, actually: All Macs and MacBooks ship with built-in antivirus software that blocks and removes malware, and any apps you download from the internet are swabbed for malicious code by Apple’s Gatekeeper tool. Furthermore, all of the data that lives on your macOS device’s hard drive is secured with FileVault 2, a full-disk program featuring XTS-AES-128 encryption and a 256-bit key.

It’s when any of your precious data ventures outside the localized protection of your Mac that things start to get dicey — and that happens every single time you connect to the web. Your Internet Service Provider, or ISP, tracks your every click to compile browsing logs they (sometimes) sell to marketers, who are champing at the bit to use your data for targeted ads. That information can also wind up in the hands of certain government agencies if your ISP is served with a subpoena. Thankfully, adding a VPN on Mac enhances protection and eliminates any cybersecurity risks.

In this article, we cover a few of the key reasons why you may want to consider downloading a VPN for your Mac. Or, if you already have one, highlight some of the less common VPN benefits you can take advantage of.

What is a VPN?

Before diving into all the benefits of using a VPN on your Mac, let’s quickly look at what it is. A virtual private network, or VPN, is an encrypted connection between your Mac and a private, remote server. In the most basic sense, it’s a service that keeps you totally incognito on the web by masking your online activities and making it seem like your connection’s coming from somewhere you aren’t. This makes it more difficult for third parties to track your activities online and steal data. The encryption takes place in real time.

How does a VPN work on an Mac?

The concept is pretty complex, but the general idea is relatively simple. A VPN establishes a direct connection and encrypts all its online traffic, thereby protecting the user’s activity and details.

Essentially, the VPN service sends all the Mac’s digital traffic through remote servers, which are typically located in different parts of the world. The service also hides the device’s real Internet Protocol (IP) address, replacing it with that of the service’s servers. This means the connection is secure, the device’s actual location is hidden, and hackers—or, indeed, internet service providers—cannot monitor activity over the connection or access any data.

Do I need a VPN on my Mac?

In a word — yes. It is very common now for people to use their computers for all sorts of digital activities, from making bank transfers and purchasing items online to sending emails and surfing the web. However, all of these actions require someone to input personal details that cybercriminals or businesses try to harvest. Here are some examples of why you do, in fact, need a VPN on your Mac:

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can view the Mac’s online activity and sell the data to third parties for targeted advertising.
ISPs can also use IP addresses to monitor internet use and throttle (slow down) connections if too much bandwidth is being used, such as with too much gaming and streaming.
Websites can use IP addresses to track the location of visitors, and search history, to gauge interest and create targeted advertisements and suggestions.
Some services are restricted to people in specific regions, for example, TV content, or videos from YouTube. If you are travelling, but still want to keep up with your favorite show, a VPN will allow you to do this.

As such, what a VPN does on an Mac is help protect the user’s online privacy and the security of the data they send. The service can secure sensitive data and personal information, such as bank details and credit card information.

Ensuring the security of an Mac by using a VPN service is important for any user. However, it is especially essential for remote workers and business people. This is because business MacBooks are often used to send and receive a lot of sensitive information, such as confidential documents and financial records. If these computers are hacked, all of this information can be leaked, causing problems or embarrassment for the business.

What are the benefits of having a VPN on my Mac?

As well as offering some security and privacy, a VPN has many benefits for those using an Mac. Computer users are becoming increasingly aware of what using a VPN on an Mac does and, as such, are increasingly choosing to use the service. Here are just some of the reasons:

Avoiding geo-restrictions: Not all online content is available everywhere. For example, some countries restrict the use of search engines like Google while certain streaming services, like Netflix and Amazon Prime, offer country-specific catalogs. Connecting an Mac to a VPN circumvents these types of geo-restrictions so that users can access the digital content they want.
Getting location-specific search results:The geographical location of your Mac can skew the results of search engines. As such, using a VPN ensures that the search results are relevant to the location the user wants. For example, using a VPN configured to use a Bangkok-based VPN can help narrow the search for a specific store in Thailand, even when the user is physically in the USA.
Avoiding targeting: IP addresses are often used to create targeted advertising and personalized suggestions for each website visitor. VPNs can change the user’s IP address, thus minimizing the ability of ISPs and third parties to make these bespoke adjustments.
Minimizing throttling: VPNs can help Mac users avoid bandwidth throttling from ISPs, especially if the computer is being used a lot for streaming and gaming, for example.

What are the potential drawbacks of using a VPN on my Mac

Although there are many reasons why users should add a VPN to their Macs, there are, of course, some disadvantages. Although this does not mean users should begin removing VPN services from Macs, it is important to take these into account:

Slower connection speeds: Because VPNs encrypt data and must re-route all traffic through remote servers, many users find their internet connections become slower. However, users of premium VPN services usually do not encounter this issue.
Insecure connections: Because free VPNs do not charge any fees, they are forced to monetize their service in different ways. This is often done by tracking user data and then selling it to third parties, which is what many users are trying to avoid in the first place. Because of this, paid services offer greater protection.
Subscription costs: The best VPN services available often charge basic fees, which some users may balk at. However, these subscription costs are usually negligible when weighed up against the security and privacy benefits.
VPN bans: Before setting up a VPN on their Macs, users should note that the service is banned or restricted in certain countries. For example, VPNs are illegal in North Korea and Belarus, while Russia and India only allow VPN providers that agree to log and share user data.

When should I use a VPN on my Mac?

By now, most users will be aware of what a VPN does on an Mac and why the service is important. At this point, many wonder whether they need to use a VPN connection all the time, or only under particular circumstances. The short answer is that using this service consistently affords the highest level of security, and so users should use it at all times. However, VPN connections are most critical when accessing bank information and making transactions, providing credit card information, downloading files, and sharing sensitive information through email and chat services.

Does my Mac’s macOS encryption offer enough security?

It is a common misconception that Apple’s macOS makes MacBookss, iPhones, and iPads impervious to hackers and other security threats. The security that macOS offers is limited to protecting passwords stored on the device and encrypting the device’s data when the device is locked. As such, macOS encryption does not extend to web traffic, leaving data sent or received on Macs vulnerable if they do not use a VPN.

Choosing a VPN for an Mac

It is tempting to think that all VPNs are created equal, but this is simply not the case. Services differ in their quality and functionality, and of course, how they handle user data. As such, it is important to do some research when choosing a VPN for your Mac. Here are a few important points to consider:

Connection security: Look at what encryption method the VPN provider uses—256-bit encryption is the minimum for a secure VPN.
Activity logging: Read the provider’s terms and conditions or privacy policies to ensure that it does not track or log user activity.
Monetization: Find out how the VPN provider makes money—if it does not charge a subscription fee, it might be selling user information to third parties for advertising.
Connection speed: Ensure that the VPN will not slow your internet connection—check reviews or test it during the trial period that most providers offer.
Usage caps: Some providers implement daily or monthly limits on their VPN connections, especially if they offer free and paid tiers—check to see what caps apply and whether this is acceptable.

Setting up a VPN on an Mac

After deciding that you do need a VPN on your Mac, setting up the service is simple. In most cases, once you have selected a provider, the process of configuring your computer with the VPN service should take just a few minutes. Here are the steps to take:

Create an account on the provider’s website—users may need to choose a subscription tier, provide payment details, and confirm their account by email.
Purchase and download the provider’s VPN app through the App Store.
Follow the provider’s setup instructions, which usually only require users to log into their account.
If not already done when creating the account, choose a subscription tier and confirm the account.
Connect to the VPN service using the automatic quick-connect function, or by selecting a location-specific server.
Go back to the app to turn off the connection when no longer required.

Removing a VPN from an Mac

Mac users who no longer need a VPN service on their devices can simply remove it. This can be done by navigating to the Mac System Settings, disconnecting the VPN service, and deleting the app.

Conclusion

While most people spend some effort to keep their smartphones, email, and bank accounts secure, computers are often a second thought. But because these devices are such a crucial part of daily life, it is especially important to ensure their security—even if the device in question is an Mac. Setting up a VPN service on an Mac provides many benefits. Security and privacy are, of course, two of the most important. But, users can also elude geo-restrictions, access more content and digital services, and minimize the chances of targeted advertising. As such, it becomes imperative to add a VPN configuration on Macs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is VPN for Mac?

A VPN—or Virtual Private Network—is a service that encrypts a user’s data and activities and masks their IP address while online. When an Mac’s settings are configured with an active VPN, the service will route activities through a remote server using an alternative IP address and masking all personal details and traffic.

Do I need a VPN on my Mac?

In a word, yes. Having a VPN an Mac ensures its security and privacy. Not only does this help protect sensitive data such as personal details, bank accounts, and credit card information, but it minimizes the ability of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and third parties to track activity and create targeted advertising.

What does VPN do on Mac?

The main function of a VPN setting on an Mac is to secure data sent to and from the device and ensure all web activity remains private. However, a VPN service can also be useful for circumventing geographical restrictions, accessing location-specific content,.

Tags: macOS, VPN

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9 Best Macs and MacBooks For Music Production in 2025

Tuesday January 14, 2025 2:29 pm EAT by Dave Johnson

These are the best Macs and MacBooks for music production according to our testing.

As a music producer, you know that the choice of equipment can make or break your music creation experience. When it comes to computers, Macs and MacBooks have set a high standard in the music production industry due to their superior processing power, seamless software integration, and remarkable stability. But which Macs and MacBooks are the best for music production in 2023?

We’ve tested every single computer from Apple, and we’re just the experts to help you find the best Mac or MacBook for music production. And, these MacBook and Macs below are our top picks.

For years now, Apple has produced some of the best laptops for music production. One thing to note is that with the launch of the new models, Apple has stopped selling the 2021 models of the 14-inch and the 16-inch. However, since other retailers may still have them in stock and could even offer MacBook deals on the older models, we’ve kept some of them on the list.

What Makes a Mac or MacBook for Music Production special?

An Apple computer great for music production has a few areas that need to be a focus that might not matter as much for a computer designed for journalism or business students, for example.

Music production computers must operate high-powered music creating applications in many windows. This could be a Logic Pro window, Ableton Live, and Pro Tools all open and running at the same time.

Because of this, the demand for high-end graphics cards, powerful processors, and increased RAM are higher than in the average computer. Where most Apple computers focus on a lightweight frame, long battery life or other specifications, these machines need to be able to perform advanced operations with ease even if it means that they don’t have all day battery life.

How did we choose the best Macs and MacBooks for Music Production?

To choose among the best Macs and MacBooks for music production, our team of expert musicians and producers started with extensive personal experience: All the computers here have been road-tested and reviewed in some way. Then, we added in-depth research by cross-referencing third-party reviews with specs sheets, first-party benchmarks and user experiences. Rest assured, we know the ins and outs of all these machines, so you can choose the perfect one for you.

The best MacBook and Macs for music production in 2023

Whether you want to make the switch to the macOS environment or are upgrading from your aging one, here are the best MacBook and Macs for music production on the market.

1. MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023)

The best MacBook for music producers who want a lot of power

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Apple M2 Pro (12-core) – Apple M2 Max (12-core)Graphics: Integrated 19-core – 38-core GPURAM: Up to 96GBScreen: 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR displayStorage: Up to 8TB

Pros

Gorgeous 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
Spectacular performance
Epic battery life
Generous port selection

Cons

Steep asking price
Nominal upgrade from 2021 model

Why it’s the best MacBook for music production

Starting with the top-end model, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023) sets the standard for music production. Regardless of what music production tasks you want to perform, the new MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023) can handle it. Thanks to Apple’s impressive in-house M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023) is more than capable of handling any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), virtual instrument, or plugin suite you throw at it. Plus, with a high-fidelity six-speaker sound system, you can monitor your mixes with unparalleled clarity.

Upgraded from the M1 Pro and M1 Max from 2021, the 2023 model provides even more performance, while also boasting an incredible battery life of over 20 hours. We found during our testing that this beast of a laptop pumps out impressive performance without draining the battery and doesn’t throttle its performance when on battery power.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro also comes with an incredible display, as well as plenty of ports including next-gen Thunderbolt 4 ports and a MagSafe charging port. All that performance does come at a price, as even the base model costs a lot. But, considering how powerful this laptop is, it’s worth the price of entry.

2. MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

The best MacBook for music production overall

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Apple M2 chip with 8-core CPUGraphics: Integrated 9-core – 10-core GPURAM: 8GB – 24GB unified memoryScreen: 13.6-inch (diagonal) 2560-by-1664 LED-backlit display with IPS technologyStorage: up to 2TB

Pros

Gorgeous new design
Very good performance
Long battery life

Cons

More expensive than the previous model
New colors are a bit tame

Why it’s the best MacBook for music production

It used to be that if you were a serious music producer, anything under Apple’s MacBook Pro line simply wouldn’t cut it for the processor and RAM intensive tasks put upon it by audio production. With the M2 chip inside the 2022 Apple MacBook Air however, we were convinced that this argument could largely be put to bed, at least for the majority of home producers. We found its performance to be exceptional during testing, tackling 4K video editing and music production workflows fast and in silence (thanks to its fanless design). In some benchmark tests, its single-core performance is even on par with the MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022).

It isn’t just its specs that saw an upgrade over its predecessor. Its battery life got a 5-hour uptick, giving it 16 hours of use on a single charge, while its screen is bigger and its design is better

3. MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

The best budget MacBook for music production

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPUGraphics: Integrated 7-core – 8-core GPURAM: 8GB – 16GB unified memoryScreen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 Retina displayStorage: 256GB – 2TB SSD

Pros

Fast and responsive
Great battery life
Silent in use

Cons

Fanless design could impact performance

Why is the best MacBook for music production

The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is the first thinnest and lightest laptop, putting it on the list of the most exciting Apple laptops for music production of recent years. During testing, it felt fast and capable. It was able to handle quite a few music production apps running all at once, keeping up brilliantly and with ease when we swapped between power hungry music production apps.

The fan-less design makes it remarkably quiet, which can be a significant advantage in a recording environment. We didn’t notice any major incidents of throttling, despite the fact that it has a fanless design and is therefore more susceptible to overheating.

With this new chip, the MacBook Air is better than ever, touting excellent performance alongside its brilliant battery life – without raising the price to keep it (fairly) affordable still. This MacBook is an excellent choice for most music producers.

4. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)

The best MacBook Pro for most music producers

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Apple M2 Pro (10-core) – Apple M2 Max (12-core)Graphics: Integrated 16-core GPU – 38‑core GPURAM: 16GB – 96GB unified memoryStorage: 512GB – 8TB SSDDimensions (W x D x H): 0.61 x 12.31 x 8.71 inches (1.55 x 31.26 x 22.12 cm)

Pros

Blistering performance
Vibrant mini-LED display
Superb battery life
Good port selection includes HDMI and SD Card
Faster Wi-Fi 6E

Cons

Expensive
Notch is distracting
No Face ID support
Price rise for UK and Australia

Why is the best MacBook for music production

If you’re a professional music producer and want the best performance that Apple has to offer, the MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023) is the laptop for you. The M2 Pro and M2 Max chip delivering incredible speed, especially when it comes to video editing. You also get a stellar mini-LED display, plenty of ports and over 14 hours of battery life. Yes, it’s pricey, but it’s capable of handling the most demanding music production tasks with ease.

It seems that every year, Apple is making the MacBook Pro 14-inch a lot more power than you’d expect. Its 2021 predecessor may have been an almost perfect laptop for music production, but this one blows it out of the water in terms of power, cementing the line’s status as a mobile workstation that’s reserved for music producers who can maximize its sheer performance.

The MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023) handled every music production task we threw at it during testing, whether we were editing videos in 8K, recording numerous instruments at the same time, or editing multi-track audio projects in Albeton Live 11. The active cooling system allows for sustained performance during long production sessions. And, its Liquid Retina XDR and mini-LED technology display with ProMotion adaptive refresh rates of up to 120Hz delivered vibrant colors and rich, deep contrast, making our creative experience incredibly immersive.

It keeps the same design as the 2021 model, but that’s no bad thing given the brilliant screen and solid build quality. It is, as with many creative mobile workstations, eye-watering expensive, however. That’s especially for UK and Australian consumers. So only invest if you can justify the price with your demands.

5. iMac (24-inch, 2021)

The best all-in-one Mac for most music producers

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU Graphics: Integrated 7-core – 8-core GPU RAM: 8GB – 16GB unified memory Screen: 24-inch 4.5K Retina display Storage: up to 2TB

Pros

Gorgeous display
Striking new design
Fantastic 1080p webcam
Speakers deliver rich, vibrant audio
M1 chip offers speedy performance

Cons

Lack of ports remains
Entry-level model lacks features for some

Why is the best Mac for music production

Apple’s new M1-equipped 24-inch iMac is a slender-yet-speedy machine packing great speakers, an excellent webcam, a Magic Keyboard, and a beautiful screen, providing the experience needed in a professional music production setup.

If you think that the new iMacs couldn’t possibly be as good as they look, you’d be wrong. They are not just an improvement over their 21.5-inch predecessor externally, touting a fresh new face that comes in several different colors.

They also come with fresh new specs, rocking Apple’s new M1 chip that makes it much more powerful than the previous Intel iMacs. Loading up Final Cut Pro to do some editing on an 8K video, it performed very well during testing, smoothly scrubbing through 8K content. If you’re a serious music maker, you may be best served by a more powerful Mac, but this one should more than suffice for most music producers.

There are six speakers built into the bottom of the new 24-inch iMac: 2 pairs of low-frequency woofers and one pair of high-frequency tweeters, with support for spatial audio via Dolby Atmos. What that means, in my experience, is that things sound real good coming out of the new iMac.

You’ll also be happy to know that you’re getting great value here, as you’re getting the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse included – in matching colors, we might add. And, while the port selection could be better, the upgraded 1080p FaceTime camera delivers better low-light performance and amazing image quality. In my experience, this 24-inch all-in-one is more than capable of handling whichever DAW or plug-in you might throw at it.

6. MacBook Air 15-inch (2023)

The best 15-inch MacBook for music production

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Apple M2 chip with 8-core CPUGraphics: Integrated 10-core GPURAM: From 8GB unified memoryScreen: 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True ToneStorage: From 256GB SSD

Pros

Bright and vivid 15-inch display
Sleek, elegant design
Extremely portable
Blazing-fast performance
Better speakers than 13-inch

Cons

Skimpy port selection
Supports just one external monitor
Less portable than 13-inch model

Why it’s the best MacBook for music production

The new MacBook Air 15-inch M2 is a super-sized version of the 13-inch model, featuring stellar performance, epic battery life and a gorgeous display in a sleek, elegant chassis. It’s arguably the best 15-inch laptop for music production.

In its own right, the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (2023) is a fantastic laptop with its impressively thin and light design, fantastic performance, and brilliant screen that gives you about two extra inches than the regular Air. Music producers hoping for a screen real estate upgrade in their notebook will be overjoyed, especially if you’ve got a slightly aging MacBook Air 13-inch (2021) or older.

This laptop performed really well on test, with macOS Ventura feeling fast and responsive, and it was able to handle multiple music applications simultaneously. And it does live up to Apple’s promise of up to 18 hours of video playback, scoring 18 hours and 52 minutes in our looped 1080p video battery benchmark. It’s truly one of the best 15-inch laptops for music production you’ll find in 2023.

And honestly, this would have ranked higher on this list, had it not been for the fact that this is essentially a 13-inch Air M2 with a bigger screen – complete with the same specs and everything. In fact, our benchmark results show that it offers the same level of performance as the 13-inch, which means that if you’ve got that, there’s really no reason to spend a whole lot of money on this. Just invest in a monitor if you need the extra screen real estate.

7. MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021)

Older but still great for professional music producers, especially those on a budget

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Apple M1 Pro 8-core – M1 Max 10-coreGraphics: Integrated 14-core – 32-core GPURAM: Up to 64GBScreen: 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR displayStorage: Up to 8TB

Pros

Blisteringly-fast performance
Gorgeous mini-LED display
Epic battery life
HDMI, SD memory and MagSafe return
Comfy Magic Keyboard
1080p webcam

Cons

No USB-A port
No update to $1,299 model

Why it’s the best MacBook for music production

The MacBook Pro is now its truest self with the launch of the MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) and its 16-inch counterpart. Armed with the new M1 Pro and M1 Max, MacBook impresses with breathtaking power and equally breathtaking battery life – just what every music maker needs and deserves.

Our review model worked exceptionally well during testing, allowing us to create and edit complex 3D scenes in Cinema 4D quickly and smoothy as well as edit 8K video on Final Cut Pro impressively seamless. Its unified memory also helps it handle demanding music production workloads beautifully.

Apple then rounds it all out with its XDR display with 1600 nits of peak brightness and a wide color gamut. There’s also an SD card slot, an HDMI port, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports (all of which can stay available thanks to MagSafe charging being back.) It’s among the most expensive MacBook Pros ever launched, but it’s also certainly among the best Apple laptops for music production.

8. Mac Studio

A compact Mac for professional music producers

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Apple 10-core M1 Max or 20-core M1 UltraGraphics: Integrated 24-core – 32-core (M1 Max) or 48-core – 64-core (M1 Ultra) GPURAM: 32GB – 128GB unified memoryStorage: 512GB – 8TB SSDDimensions (H x W x D): 9.5 x 19.7 x 19.7 cm

Pros

Blazing-fast performance from M1 Ultra
Great design
Plenty of ports
Whisper-quiet

Cons

Expensive for what you get, especially at the high end

Why is the best Mac for music production

Apple’s Mac Studio can deliver more power than almost any other computer on the market, and it packs it all into a quiet, well-designed chassis that looks good on a desk. It’s an excellent desktop for music producers.

The Mac Studio is like a super-charged Mac mini for music makers. Apple’s newest Mac, this is an impressively compact computer that comes packing some serious power. Thanks to a choice of the M1 Max chip, or the brand-new uber-powerful M1 Ultra, the Mac Studio is well-equipped for demanding music production tasks.

The Mac Studio is a formidable machine when it comes to video editing, coding and 3D modeling, in particular. It proved during testing that it the graphical grunt to handle 18 streams of 8K footage on the fly, allowing us to view, edit and add effects on Premiere Pro easily. We also saw it load up an incredibly detailed 3D scene that took up more memory than most discrete professional PC GPUs come with.

The level of performance on offer here will be overkill for many music producers, but if you’re looking for a workstation PC for heavy creative workloads, such as editing 8K footage or rendering complex 3D scenes and animations, then the Mac Studio will be a great choice. It’s expensive, but worth the investment.

9. MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022)

Apple’s most affordable MacBook Pro for music production with powerful internals

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Apple M2 with 8-core CPUGraphics: Integrated 10-core GPURAM: 8GB – 24GBScreen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 display with P3 and True Tone technologyStorage: 256GB – 2TB SSDDimensions (H x W x D): 30.41 x 21.24 x 1.56 cm

Pros

Blazing-fast performance
Amazing battery life
Sharp, vibrant display
Comfortable keyboard

Cons

Same old design
720p webcam
Limited ports

Why it’s the best MacBook for music production

The Apple MacBook Pro 13 inch (2022) delivers mind-blowing performance thanks to its M2 processor along with class-leading battery life. It might not come with a new design update, which makes it look and feel a bit redundant, especially because the M1 version is pretty impressive in its own right. However, while there’s nothing exciting about its outside, Apple’s brand-new M2 chip certainly makes up for it in a massive way.

If you already have the M1 MacBook Pro 13-inch, this might not be worth an upgrade – unless, of course, you need a bit more power. In our tests, this 2022 model achieved better performance in both single and multi-core CPU tests. That means a noticeable boost in its multitasking capabilities, allowing music producers to open and utilize various applications open at once. It also scored around twice as much as the Intel Core i7-1185G7-powered Surface Laptop 4, and lasted almost two hours longer than the M1 MacBook Pro 13-inch in our battery life test. That’s while keeping the same price tag as before.

How We Test The Best Music Production Laptops

To find the best Apple laptop for music production, we run each through our gauntlet of benchmarks and real-world tests, and then use them as our main computer for as well. Only then are we comfortable recommending them (or not) for your purchase.

We use a Klein K-10A colorimeter to test each Mac’s screen to find its average brightness and color quality (so we don’t just assume Apple’s ratings are correct). When it comes to general performance, we use the Geekbench 5 (CPU performance) benchmark, and time how long the Macs will take to transcode a 4K video to 1080p.

We also run the BlackMagic storage speeds test to see how fast these Macs’ SSDs are (spoiler alert: they’re all pretty fast). Then, we run our custom battery test to see how long each MacBook (at 150 nits of brightness) can last browsing the web over Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

We’ve also tested various computer games on MacBooks, with Civilization VI: Gathering Storm being one of our current favorites to run because it runs well on both macOS and Windows, giving us a good point of comparison.

No matter which Apple MacBook you buy, be sure to check out these MacBook Ventura tips and tricks to make the most of your Apple laptop.

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8 Reasons Why Every Mac User Should Use a VPN

Wednesday July 19, 2023 5:14 pm EAT by Moses Johnson

Make your Mac more secure than ever before.

Apple’s MacBooks are renowned for their robust security. After all, how often do you hear about Macs getting infected with viruses? But despite Apple’s stringent security measures, there’s still always a chance that your Mac could be compromised. A simple measure to further boost security on your Mac? Install a VPN.

Consumers across the globe are using VPNs for security. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to using a VPN on Mac. Think better internet accessibility, improved gaming – even, in some circumstances, better pricing on online shopping!

In this article, we discuss a few of the key reasons why you may want to consider downloading a VPN for your Mac. Or, if you already have one, highlight some of the less common VPN uses you can take advantage of.

Without further ado, here are the main importance of a VPN for Mac users.

1. Access geo-blocked content

There’s a common problem with streaming services: geo-blocking. This is when a service prevents users from viewing or installing content because of their geographical location. For example, when you’re unable to find a title on Netflix but your friend in a different country has access to it. And, sometimes, a streaming service may not even be available where you are, like HBO Max, which is only present in the US.

Using a VPN for streaming is handy for bypassing geo-restrictions because it connects you to servers in other countries. To a streaming service provider, your internet traffic looks local, so it unlocks that region’s catalog for you. With a VPN on your Mac, you can unlock a new world of entertainment on the go and, when you’re travelling, make sure that you can still watch what you’d normally be able to at home.

2. Tunnel through restricted apps

Whilst connected to your school or office WiFi, you may have faced restrictions when trying to access social media or other websites and apps on your Mac. This is because most schools and many companies limit internet use, and they set up firewalls on the network to prevent users from accessing certain websites.

Although it’s best to comply with the rules set out by your school or workplace, if you urgently need to access a blocked website, a VPN can help. It’ll tunnel right through the firewall to securely access all the content that’s blocked. A VPN also encrypts your internet traffic data, so your online activity will be private.

3. Security on Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is convenient but comes at the expense of security. When you’re answering emails at a local coffee shop, someone may be tracking your online activity.

Using a VPN protects your data while you are on other networks, hiding your browsing history, banking information, account passwords and more from ill-intentioned internet strangers.

Now most credible apps these days are getting much better at securing your data, but the VPN will further encrypt the network data across all the applications on your Mac, making it even harder for intruders to read your online activity or steal your credentials.

4. Better deals on services and products

If you are willing to put in a little research, a VPN can help you save money via its location spoofing capabilities. Many types of businesses, such as subscription services and airlines, offer the same amenities or products for different prices.

A VPN can help you with this. For a website to inflate pricing on its services or products, it needs to gather your IP address details and cookies. A VPN on your Mac (or phone) will anonymize your identity, preventing the website from collecting your data and targeting you.

Now we’re not suggesting that this will work every time, but if you’re continually seeing flight, hotel and other tariffs shooting up after the first time you looked, then hopping on to another server and trying again may save you some cash.

5. Avoid bandwidth throttling

Bandwidth throttling is a major inconvenience for heavy internet users in some parts of the world. Internet service providers (ISP) use bandwidth throttling to slow down a user’s internet and provide stable speeds to everyone on the network.

One of the downsides of using a VPN is that it inherently slows your internet connection, at least by a little. There are instances where a VPN boosts your Mac’s internet speed, though. Some internet service providers throttle certain types of content.

If you stream a lot of videos, play data-heavy online games or frequently download large files, some ISPs will track that you’re consuming a lot of data and potentially limit you.

One way to try and avoid this is by installing a VPN on your Mac because it’ll mask your IP address. This way, your ISP will not know what activity of yours is using up data, and they won’t throttle your bandwidth.

Make sure you choose a good VPN for your Mac. Low-quality providers will not give you a good speed for your online activities and free VPNs often have their own server speed limits in place – so completely counterproductive.

6. Extra security for online banking

Any sensitive online data must be handled with care, and that’s exactly why online banking has high-grade security. Multiple levels of security make it difficult for hackers to breach through and access crucial financial information.

Of course online banking apps and services are getting more secure all the time and banks go to great lengths to protect their customers from cybercriminals. To have an even safer banking experience on your Mac, you can use a VPN. This will set up a secure and encrypted data tunnel to the VPN’s server so that bad actors have even less opportunity to intercept or steal your information.

7. Bypass VoIP restrictions

VoIP is the technology that applications like Skype use to make calls over the internet. As the world grows more connected, VoIP helps us to communicate at low costs with people living far away from us and is a crucial means of communication in a lot of the developing world.

VoIP apps are banned in certain countries like UAE and China, but a VPN can help you bypass such restrictions. Keep in mind that you’ll need a top-of-the-line VPN for this because not all VPNs are capable of working around blocks imposed by the government and letting you unblock WhatsApp and others.

8. Improved online gaming

Believe it or not, a VPN can help with gaming too. When playing online battle royales, timing is key, and that’s why even a little lag can give another player a competitive advantage over you. If you’re experiencing lag on your normal network, a VPN can help by reducing the ping (lag) so that you have a more responsive gaming experience.

Since a VPN encrypts and reroutes your data, it generally slows down the internet speed a bit. But if you select a VPN server that’s fast and close to your game’s server, you’ll experience better speeds. Not all VPN providers give you access to good quality servers, so pick one that has servers optimized for gamers.

Tags: macOS, Security, VPN

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How to choose the best VPN for your Mac?

Wednesday July 19, 2023 4:28 pm EAT by Kevin Hollington

Thinking about choosing a VPN for your Mac but don’t know where to start? Here’s what you need to check before signing up to a VPN service.

A VPN is an invaluable way to protect your privacy, but choosing a VPN provider is an exercise in trust. You are handing over access to much of your online data to a third party, so you need to be sure they will protect your information and not misuse it. If you’re new to using a VPN, it can be tough to know which providers are reputable.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to check out a VPN provider before making a commitment. In this article, I’ll show you how to assess a VPN provider, so you can see for yourself whether they are worthy of your trust and your money.

What Is a VPN on an Mac?

A virtual private network, or VPN, sets up a secure and encrypted pathway between your Mac and the internet. A VPN server can be used to reroute your internet traffic, which will disguise your IP address and keep your online activities private from hackers, ISPs, government agencies and other third parties.

Why should I use a VPN on Mac?

Many Mac users have come to believe that macOS as a whole is an incredibly secure platform. That may be true to an extent, but vulnerabilities still exist. More obviously, these vulnerabilities may not exist in macOS themselves but rather third-party apps that implement poor code.

Using a VPN on an Mac offers several benefits:

Enhanced privacy and security: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, making it unreadable to anyone who may try to intercept it. This includes hackers on public Wi-Fi networks, ISPs monitoring your browsing habits and government surveillance.
Bypass internet censorship: VPNs enable you to bypass internet censorship and access blocked websites by connecting to a server in a different country. This can be useful for accessing georestricted content, such as streaming services or news websites that are not available in your region.
Prevent online tracking: VPNs help protect your privacy by hiding your true IP address, making it difficult for advertisers and other third parties to track your online activities and build a profile based on your browsing habits.
Secure data transfers: Using a VPN on your Mac is particularly important when transferring sensitive information, such as when conducting online banking or accessing confidential business files. The encryption provided by a VPN ensures that your data remains secure during transmission.
Improved network performance: In some cases, using a VPN may improve network performance by avoiding ISP throttling or congestion on heavily used networks.

How To Choose the Best Mac VPN

An Mac VPN can protect your privacy on the go and at home. Here’s what you need to know about choosing the best one.

Essential VPN Features

Strong encryption: Get a VPN with industry-standard encryption protocols such as OpenVPN and WireGuard for better security and privacy.
Number of Servers: For convenience, you want a VPN provider with plenty of servers for you to connect to.
Strict no-logs policy: No-logs policy assures that the VPN provider doesn’t store any info on your internet usage, making it impossible for them to share your data with other people.
Kill switch: This feature automatically severs your device from the internet if the VPN connection disconnects, ensuring there are no data leaks.
DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection safeguards your DNS queries, keeping your browsing activity private and secure.
IPv6 leak protection: This feature prevents IPv6 leaks, which can expose your real IP address and compromise your privacy.

macOS Compatibility and Multi-Device Use

Most Mac VPNs also work on other Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch. Additionally, many VPN providers offer apps for non-Apple products, including Android and Windows devices, allowing you to secure multiple devices under a single subscription. However, some providers have protocols built for specific devices (for example, hide . me has Bolt for Windows).

Pricing

Users should expect to pay for premium VPNs on a subscription basis, typically monthly or annually. Standard Mac VPN rates are around $7 to $10 per month if paid month to month, but users can save significantly by opting for longer-term plans. Annual and multi-year subscriptions often come with considerable discounts, lowering the average monthly cost.

There’s usually no difference in pricing for computer VPNs compared to mobile as most VPN providers offer multi-platform support within the same subscription plan. However, additional features such as a dedicated IP address, which provides you with a unique IP for enhanced privacy and access to certain services, may come at an extra cost.

To reduce VPN costs, you can:

Look for promotional offers or seasonal discounts provided by the VPN provider.
Choose a longer-term subscription plan, which often comes with a lower average monthly cost.
Compare various VPN providers to find the best balance between price and features.
Give the VPN service a test run with a free trial or a money-back guarantee.
Keep an eye out for special deals, such as student discounts or referral programs that offer rewards for bringing in new customers.

Don’t always go for the cheapest option–consider value, features, security performance and customer support when choosing a VPN for your Mac.

Speed

When evaluating VPNs, it’s essential to consider the average download and upload speeds they offer to ensure an optimal browsing experience. Speed is crucial for a variety of online activities, such as streaming video, online gaming, video conferencing and file transfers. Fast speeds provide a seamless internet experience, while slow speeds can lead to buffering, lag and a frustrating user experience.

Fast VPN Speeds

A fast VPN should provide download speeds of at least 50 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps or more. These speeds are generally sufficient for most online activities, including HD video streaming and large file downloads. Faster speeds mean better user experiences, especially for those on high-speed connections.

VPN Throttling and Speed Reduction

It’s important to note that using a VPN can sometimes result in slower internet speeds. This is because your data must travel through the VPN server, which can add latency and decrease speed. The level of speed reduction largely depends on the VPN provider, server distance and network congestion.

Some VPNs also implement bandwidth throttling, intentionally limiting users’ connection speeds to manage server load or encourage users to upgrade to a higher-priced plan. However, many top-tier VPNs prioritize providing fast and stable connections without throttling.

To maintain fast speeds while using a VPN, consider the following:

Choose a VPN with a large server network: A VPN with a vast server network can distribute user traffic more efficiently, reducing the likelihood of server congestion and slow speeds.
Connect to a nearby server: The closer you are to the VPN server, the lower the latency and the faster the connection. Selecting a server in your country or a neighboring country can help improve speeds.
Use a VPN with WireGuard or similar protocols:WireGuard is a cutting-edge VPN protocol that offers faster speeds and improved performance compared to older protocols such as OpenVPN and IKEv2. Many top VPN providers now support WireGuard or have developed their own high-speed protocols.
Test different servers: If you’re experiencing slow speeds, try connecting to a different server. Some servers may be less congested or offer better routing to your destination, resulting in faster speeds.
Check your base internet speed: Your VPN speeds can’t exceed your base internet connection speed. Ensure you have a fast internet connection to make the most of your VPN’s capabilities.

Customer Support

Quality customer support is crucial when using a VPN. Look for providers with various support channels including email, live chat and ticket systems. Support that is 24/7 ensures you can receive assistance at any time, while comprehensive knowledge bases and FAQs can help you troubleshoot common issues independently.

What’s next for VPNs and macOS?

Discussions around VPNs will continue to occur so long as security is in the forefront of user’s minds. Until Apple rolls out its own VPN, users will have to rely on their own intuitions on which to pick from.

Tags: macOS, VPN

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Do VPNs Protect Mac From Malware and Cyber Threats? Debunking myths

Monday July 17, 2023 8:02 pm EAT by GeeksModo Staff

In the vast and wild world of the Internet, the term VPN — or Virtual Private Network — has been thrown around quite a bit. For many, it’s synonymous with online security, acting as the ultimate shield against cyber threats. But can it really protect your Mac from malware and cyber threats? Let’s debunk some common myths.

What is a VPN, and What Can it Do?

Put simply, a VPN is software that works to increase your level of anonymity on the web.

While VPNs have numerous benefits, their capabilities and limitations are often misunderstood, resulting in myths and misconceptions. So, let’s play the role of a myth-buster and clear up what a VPN can and cannot do when it comes to protecting your Mac from malware and cyber threats.

Myth #1: : A VPN can protect my Mac from all kinds of malware

A common misconception is that a VPN can protect your Mac against all kind of malware. While VPNs play a vital role in securing your online connections, they are not designed specifically to protect your Mac from malware and viruses. That’s the job of antivirus software.

Malware typically enters your system when you download infected files or visit compromised websites, activities a VPN doesn’t necessarily prevent. A VPN can’t inspect the contents of your downloads or the scripts on websites you visit for potential malware threats. So, if a website tries to plant a Trojan horse on your Mac, your VPN won’t leap into action and save the day. In fact, like any computer program, VPNs are susceptible to malware and online attacks. If infected, a VPN’s security benefits are nullified.

The likelihood of attacks and security breaches is increased by using a free VPN service. To recoup their business costs, "free" VPN services may sell user data or run ads that could be infected with malware.

Some VPN services come with built-in malware blockers that can add an extra layer of protection. These tools can block known malicious websites, prevent tracking cookies, and sometimes even scan downloads for threats. Yet, this doesn’t make a VPN a comprehensive solution for malware, as these features are typically supplementary to the main offering and can’t replace a full-featured antivirus.

To protect your Mac from malware, it’s crucial to employ a robust antivirus software alongside a VPN. Antivirus software continuously scans your device for any hints of danger. It compares running programs to known types of malware and assesses your computing activity to make sure there’s nothing out of the ordinary.

If the antivirus finds a suspicious code, it isolates it and removes the threat automatically. By combining the encryption provided by a VPN with the malware detection capabilities of antivirus software, you can significantly enhance your Mac’s security.

Myth #2: A VPN provides complete protection against all cyber threats.

Although VPNs are indispensable for online security, they can’t protect you from everything. Here are a few cyber-threats that a VPN can’t protect you from.

Malicious Software (Malware): Unless it has a built-in malware blocker, a VPN won’t protect your Mac from malware downloaded from the internet. Antivirus software is the only thing that can provide complete protection from malware.
Social Engineering & Phishing Attacks: By using personal data, like your email, name, workplace and names of relatives, a hacker can send targeted attacks, such as phishing emails, that seem to come from a legitimate sender — like the IRS or your boss — most of the time assuming a threatening tone. Because phishing attacks and other social engineering methods happen over email or other forms of communication, there’s nothing a VPN can do to protect you from them.
Software Security Flaws: Software, including operating systems, can have serious flaws in their security. A skilled attacker could exploit software vulnerabilities to gain access to your Mac, install malware, and even lock your device and demand ransom
Human Error: Even with the best VPN, antivirus and password manager, you can still fall prey to a cyberattack. By visiting a malicious website, acting on a phishing email or inadvertently downloading an infected file, you could become the victim of a cyberattack, regardless of the cybersecurity tools you use.

You need to use a multilayered approach to fully protect your Mac online, including using antivirus software, a password manager and two-factor authentication.

Myth #3: I don’t need antivirus software if I have a VPN

Another common myth is that a VPN can entirely replace the need for antivirus software on your Mac. As we’ve already pointed out, VPNs and antivirus software serve two different purposes. VPNs primarily focus on securing your internet connection and protecting your data in transit. As a result, every bit of incoming and outgoing traffic is encrypted, meaning you can’t be tracked online and spied on by your ISP, hackers, or anyone else.

While a VPN adds an extra layer of security to your online activities, it cannot replace the comprehensive protection provided by antivirus software. A VPN will NOT protect you from viruses and malware, although some of them have these features as an addition — NordVPN, for example.

Still, A VPN’s function is to ensure online privacy and allow you to hide your browsing activities. On the other hand, antivirus software is specifically designed to identify and eliminate malware from your system.

Antivirus software uses a variety of techniques, including signature-based detection, behavior monitoring, and heuristics, to detect and remove malware. It constantly updates its database with the latest malware signatures, ensuring that your Mac is protected against the newest threats. While a VPN can help protect your data while it’s in transit, antivirus software is essential for safeguarding your Mac from malware that may be present in files, applications, or malicious websites.

Myth #4: VPNs Make You Completely Anonymous

Many people believe that using a VPN can make them completely anonymous online. While a VPN is a great tool to help separate your location (and in many ways, you) from your data, it doesn’t obscure everything about you. In fact, no internet privacy tool can completely hide your online presence. A VPN can encrypt your data, obscure your IP address, and even protect you from online trackers, but entire anonymity isn’t possible.

If you take a Facebook quiz or like a post on Instagram, the app you are using while connected to the VPN is still able to use your behavior to tailor in-app ads and content. They might not know where you are browsing from, but they will still know what you are doing on their apps.

Similarly, if cookies are enabled on your Mac, companies can follow you while you are on their site–and after. Your full data isn’t obscured with a VPN alone. Combining a VPN’s protection with Tor, an open-source tool that allows you to browse the web anonymously, and other security measures are necessary for a fuller security.

Myth #5: VPNs Are Only Necessary When Using Public Wi-Fi

Many VPNs are designed to stop nefarious users from hacking into your network. That’s something that mostly affects public connections and is unlikely to happen from home.

However, while using your own private network means you can restrict who has access to your Wi-Fi connection, it’s not 100% private. That’s because you’re still connecting directly to your ISP. By doing so, your ISP is able to see what sites you’re browsing.

By using a VPN, your data is encrypted so your ISP never knows where you’re browsing or what you’re doing online. A good quality VPN doesn’t keep logs so there’s no way to trace what you’ve been doing or when.

While accessing a public Wi-Fi network is where the biggest dangers are, threats are still viable everywhere. By using a VPN at home, you’re much safer than before and you know you’ve covered all the bases.

Crucially, no one wants their ISP to be selling their data, and using a VPN stops that. Most VPNs are available for a very low price too, meaning there’s hardly anything to lose in using one.

Myth #6: All VPNs offer equal protection

Here’s the kicker. All VPNs are not created equal. Not every VPN will necessarily protect you and some actively compromise your privacy. This is especially true with free VPNs, because if you’re not paying, your data is probably being harvested. A free VPN service usually sells your data. Even worse, one study found that 85% of free VPNs have permissions or functions that could compromise user’s privacy, while 35% of VPNs expose a user’s traffic, and 18% contain potential malware or viruses. Bottom line? Chances are good that, with free VPNs, you’re not protecting your privacy, you’re actually putting it at risk.

It’s far better to opt for a reputed, paid VPN–but beware, three popular VPN services have been hacked in recent years. Paid VPN services are the better choice because, since you are paying customer, they’re not incentivized to share your data and actively compromise your privacy. That said, paid VPN services can still have security flaws and aren’t always upfront with their customers about security breaches that puts their data at risk. Case in point: when NordVPN, which has regularly been rated the best VPN service, was hacked, they only acknowledged the attack after rumors began to circulate that a hack had occurred.

When it comes to selecting VPNs or other tools to protect your privacy, always do a thorough assessment before deciding, researching the different discussions and assessments of a tool so that you can understand its features, limitations and any security flaws. It can be tempting to opt for the free option but a good rule of thumb to remember is that if you’re not paying, your data is probably being harvested. It’s also important to be aware of what the tool _does _protect you from and what its limitations are–no single tool is going to solve all your privacy problems. A reputed VPN will protect your browsing history and other information you submit from outside eyes. It doesn’t protect you if you submit information over an insecure site or download something malicious. And even after you decide on a tool, stay alert. Keep an eye on the news and any conversations about the privacy tools you use so that if a breach _does _happen, you know immediately and can take steps to protect your data.

Role of a VPN in Cybersecurity

While it’s clear that a VPN can’t single-handedly protect your Mac from all forms of malware and cyber threats, it doesn’t imply that it’s useless. Quite the opposite, a VPN plays a vital role in your overall cybersecurity strategy.

A VPN ensures that your data is encrypted and your online activities are anonymized. This is especially important when using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, where attackers can easily snoop on your data. By masking your IP address, a VPN also makes it harder for advertisers and websites to track your online behavior.

Moreover, as mentioned earlier, some VPNs come with additional security features such as malware blockers, tracking cookie blockers, and protection against suspicious downloads. These can provide an added layer of security, although they should not be relied upon as a primary defense against malware.

A Multi-Layered Approach to Cybersecurity

To effectively protect your Mac from malware and other cyber threats, a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity is necessary. This means combining the use of a VPN with other security tools and good cybersecurity practices.

Use a reliable antivirus software: A robust antivirus software will scan your system for malware, quarantine detected threats, and protect your Mac from various kinds of viruses, ransomware, and other threats.
Install a firewall: A firewall controls the data that enters and leaves your system. It can help block malicious software from gaining access to your computer.
Keep your system and applications updated: Regularly updating your Mac and installed applications ensures that you have the latest security patches, reducing the risk of hackers exploiting known vulnerabilities.
Practice good cyber hygiene: This includes not opening suspicious emails or attachments, avoiding sketchy websites, and refraining from downloading files from untrusted sources.

Conclusion

While a VPN offers significant advantages in terms of data privacy and security, it’s not a silver bullet solution for protecting your Mac from malware and cyber threats. It can provide essential encryption and anonymity but falls short of being a comprehensive security solution.

Employing a multi-layered approach to security–combining a VPN, a good antivirus, a robust firewall, regular updates, and good cyber hygiene practices–is the most effective way to protect your Mac from the varied landscape of digital threats.

Hopefully, this article has debunked some common myths and provided you with a clearer understanding of the role and limitations of a VPN in protecting your Mac from malware and cyber threats. In the ever-evolving landscape of digital threats, understanding the tools at your disposal is the first step in fortifying your digital life.

Tags: macOS, Security, VPN

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