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Safari Isn’t Responding, Keeps Crashing or Hanging, Fix

by GeeksModo Staff

Safari is not working as expected? In this article, I’ll explain exactly what you can do if Safari doesn’t respond, and keeps freezing or crashing on your Mac. You may also see the rotating color wheel or “spinning beach ball”. A couple of users have also stated that Safari crashes when they open the Preferences pane.

Safari is a great and solid browser. However, performance-related problems (freezing or crashing) may occur every now and then.

Sometimes, you may see “Safari quit unexpectedly” error messages.

An unresponsive Safari may cause your Mac to freeze as well If you are experiencing this problem, please try the following steps. Launch Safari between step to see if your problem is fixed.

1. Update

Ensure that your Mac is running the latest versions of the macOS software. Safari is within macOS. That means, updating your Mac also includes updates to Safari. Here is how to update macOS:

  • If your Mac is running macOS Mojave or higher: head over to System Preferences and Software Update. Otherwise, you can click the Apple menu > About This Mac > Overview and then Software Update. And if you see an update, hit the Update Now button then follow the onscreen prompts.
  • If your Mac is running macOS High Sierra or older: Launch the App Store on your Mac and click Updates.

2. Empty Cache in Safari

Emptying all Safari caches may resolve your issue. It is recommended to do this in Safe Mode because Safe Mode clears your Mac’s system cache and may fix glitches. This is also a good thing because if your experience Safari crashes when you want to open Safari Preferences. Here’s how:

  • Power off your Mac.
  • Power on your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
  • Keep holding the key until the login screen appears. Then release the Shift key and log in.
  • Your Mac is now in Safe Mode. Your MacBook may be a bit slower in Safe Mode. Don’t worry, this is normal.
  • Next, head over to the Finder.
  • From the menu bar, hit Go and head over to Folder (or press Command, Shift, G keys together).
  • Type in the command below and hit Go:
    ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/
    • Erase files by dragging them to the Trash.
    • Next, exit Safe Mode by restarting your Mac normally. Don’t press the Shift key this time.
    • When your Mac turns on, try to open Safari to see if it now crashes or freezes.

3. Safari Extensions

You may be experiencing this problem because of third party extensions you may have. There are two troubleshooting steps you should take:

  1. First off, ensure that if your issue caused by an extension.
  2. If an extension is the problem, then we will need to pinpoint the problematic extensions. Here is how:

Please follow the steps below to turn off extensions to figure out whether they are causing the problems:

  1. On your Mac, launch Safari and in Safari, click Safari and Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab. Then uncheck all of the extension’s checkboxes to disable them.
  3. Now exit Preferences and check if Safari is working. If your problem is not fixed, you can now reenable the extensions as they are not the culprit. If your problem is resolved, it means that your problem is triggered by one of your extensions. Simply re-enable the extensions one after another until you identify the problematic extension. When you find it, you can simply hit the uninstall button to remove it, update, or
    contact its developer
    for more help.
Tag: Safari
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How To Set & Use iPhone Without An Apple ID: Know Here

by GeeksModo Staff

Don’t want to use an Apple ID on your iPhone? no problem. Here’s how to set up your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch without an Apple ID.
How to use an iPhone without an Apple IDDuring the initial set up of your new iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, you are asked to sign in using existing Apple ID or create a new Apple ID.
Apple ID is the account that is used to sign in to all Apple services.
While an Apple ID is important, not everyone is comfortable sharing their information with Apple. Luckily, it is not obligatory to have an Apple ID, and in
this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up your iPhone without creating an Apple ID.
If you want to use your iPhone without an Apple ID, there are a few simple steps which you need to follow.
here is the step-by-step guide which will help you to set up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch without an Apple ID.

Steps to set up an iPhone without an Apple ID:

Whether you just purchased a brand-new
iPhone,iPad or iPod touch, or have erased your existing Apple device, you are required to
Set it up from the scratch upon powering it on.
Follow these steps to set up your iPhone without an Apple ID:

  1. Power on your iPhone by
    Pressing and holding down the device’s power button until the Apple logo appear.
    you’ll see hello in the first screen.
  2. choose your preferred language and select your region.
  3. Next up, you will see two options: Quick Start or set up manually. Tap Set
    Up Manually option to continue.
  4. Next on, you need to connect to a Wi-Fi network. If you have already inserted your SIM card,
    You can use cellular data to activate and continue setting up your device.
  5. You can now create a passcode, set up Face ID or touch ID. In case you don’t want to use these features, you can tap set up later in settings however, we recommend setting them up
    To unlock your iPhone and make purchases.
  6. Next up, you will see an option to restore or transfer your data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone, but since this is a new set up without an Apple ID, tap Set
    Up as New iPhone.
  7. Finally, you will see a sign in screen where you enter your Apple ID and password. Instead, tap the Forgot password or don’t have an Apple ID.?
    You will see three options:
  • Forgot password or apple id?
  • Create a Free Apple ID?
  • Set Up Later in Settings.
<li>Tap set up later in settings. A dialog box asking if you're sure you don't want to use an Apple ID will pop up. Tap Don't Use to confirm and you’ll be able to finish setting up your iPhone without an apple ID.</li>That's pretty much it, you’ll now be able to use your iPhone without an Apple ID. You can still sync data across your devices using apps

Such as: One Drive, Google Drive, Google Photos, and more.
Moreover, cloud services such as google drive can help you access your data, no matter the type of device You have.
Questions?
Let us know in the comments section below. We also have plenty of other articles that I suggest you check right now.

Tags: Apple ID, iPhone Tips
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AirPods 2 Vs. BeatsX – FIGHT!

by GeeksModo Staff

So, you’ve got a gorgeous iPhone. And you notice something awful. Something horrible. You don’t have a headphone jack.

What will you do?!? How are you going to listen to music on that flashy, new Spotify subscription? I mean… you could use the EarPods that came in the box- the ones with the lightning connector instead of a 3.5mm jack. You could spend $10 on a tiny adapter to… well… adapt your old, trusty headphones.
Or you could spend some bucks on Bluetooth headphones and make wires (mostly) a thing of the past.

What is dead may never die.
But which wireless headsets should you purchase? I mean, there are an array of Bluetooth headphones out there, however, I’m not here to discuss every option you could possibly purchase. Let’s discuss two of Apple’s own choices instead. Because if Apple expunged the headphone jack intentionally, they have to have their own options to listen to your music, right?

Granted, there are possibly better options than the AirPods 2 or the BeatsX- for instance, the AirPods Pro or the PowerBeats Pro, which Apple also made- but you’re on some sort of budget; after all, you just paid for a brand new iPhone. And possibly an Apple Watch. And you had to purchase a case for your iPhone. And an AppleCare+ protection plan. Now’s not the time to go nuts spending on wireless headphones that will, in effect, do the same thing those free EarPods with a lightning connector will do.

In this article I’m comparing the
AirPods 2
And
the BeatsX
since they are competitively priced and offers similar features. It’s up to the fight to determine which are the better choice. Set?
3… 2… 1… Fight!

Price

Let’s start by comparing the price before comparing the features. They aren’t cheap, and that’s a fact; the BeatsX will cost you $99, while the AirPods 2 will set you back $159, or $199 if you chose the version with a wireless charging case (you might be able to get the original AirPods for slightly less, but I mean slightly less).

$60 is a huge chunk of cash, but are the AirPods worth that additional bucks? Both options are still much cheaper than their Pro counterparts, but far more costly than options from companies such as Jlab and Sony.
But we can’t really tell whether the price is worth it or not until we talk about what each headphone brings to the table. Therefore, for the moment, this category has no winner.

Winner: Tie… for the time being.

Battery Life

Those freebie EarPods ($30 if you want to purchase a replacement pair, if we’re still hung up on prices) have one thing up on any pair of wireless buds: they don’t need to charge. So long as your iPhone has battery power, so do the EarPods.

Since you’ve chosen to go wireless, you should consider how long your headphones will last. Apple says that the AirPods themselves will last about 5 hours, with 24 hours of charge from the handy dandy charging case. The BeatsX, in contrast, should last you 8 hours.

Having said that, the AirPods are far much better when it comes to battery management. They are only connected while they are in your ears; because of the built-in accelerometers, each AirPod disconnects immediately you take them out of your ear or put them into the charging case. In contrast, the BeatsX will stay connected- and draining their battery- until you turn off the headphones manually with the power button located in the right hand side of the neckband.

To be precise, during my testing, I unplugged the BeatsX around 8:30 in the morning. I didn’t use them at all, and they were down to 91% by 10 am. That’s almost 10% in an hour and a half with no actual usage other than being connected (during playback, they dropped about 10% after an hour). By comparison, in two hours of using the AirPods (the Pods themselves went from 100% to 76%) and popping them into the charging case, the AirPods charging case went from 80% to 75% (charging the Pods back up to 100% in that time). Someone who is better at math could probably tell you just how much longer the AirPods would last, but the long and short of it is that the AirPods provide substantially more use time, particularly if you are using them on and off throughout the day as they will pop back up to 100% each time you place them in the charging case for about 15 minutes. The charging case itself will also stay a couple of days before needing a recharge of its own.

The way you charge the headsets is certainly something else to consider with the AirPods and the BeatsX. Both sets of headphones will charge with a lightning cable, meaning you can use the same charging set up that you use with your iPhone (It’s worth noting, the AirPods ships with a full length lightning cable, whereas the BeatsX ships with a short cable). Again, if you opt to spend double the price of the BeatsX for the AirPods with a wireless charging case, you can charge them with the same nifty charging pad that charges your iPhone. Both deliver fast charging, though the BeatsX will definitely charge more rapidly; they offer 2 hours of use with only 5 minutes of charging time, and will fully charge in under an hour. The Cupertino based company indicates that 15 minutes of charge will give the AirPods three hours of use time (for anyone doing math, fifteen minutes on the BeatsX should give you about six hours of use). Online estimates say it takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge the AirPods charging case.

Also it’s worth noting that you can’t use the BeatsX while they are charging. Sure, it would be a little cumbersome to try, particularly with the short cable Beats offers in the box. But with the AirPods, you can use the Pods while the case is plugged in.
It’s an interesting crossroads; the AirPods will give you more use time, but the BeatsX will charge more rapidly when you do need to plug up. It all depends on which will work better with your lifestyle in this area, but the winner for me is the AirPods, simply because I stand more chance of having them around all day long, especially if I forget to turn off the BeatsX when I’m not using them (which is a constant).

Winner: AirPods 2. Faster charging is good, but headphones that stay charged all day is absolutely fantastic.

Connection

If you aren’t connecting your headphones with a good old wire, then how are these headphones gonna speak to your devices?

We all know how cumbersome it is to switch Bluetooth headphones from one device to another. Most nowadays support syncing with multiple devices, but switching usually means unpairing from one device to pair to the other (or turning of Bluetooth signal on the device you don’t want connected, which could interfere with other gadgets that are linked to the device). But Apple has come up with a way to make switching nearly as seamless as unplugging your wired headphones from one device and plugging into another (as long as those devices are made by apple). They’ve done this through proprietary chips (because of course they have).

Both pairs of headphones feature Apple’s proprietary chips that make connecting to your i-devices a breeze (the BeatsX have the W1 chip while the AirPods 2 pack in the newer H1 chip). Those chips are the reason these headphones are two of the very best options to use with your iPhone; once you sync it to one device, it becomes pretty easy to switch between all devices linked to your iCloud account. No need to unpair your headphones from your iPhone to use them on your iPad. Just simply tap on the headphones in your AirPlay menu and they switch to the device you are currently working with.

Apple says the H1 chip in the AirPods 2 (the same chip that is also in the pricier AirPods Pro and the PowerBeats Pro) provides a much faster connection when switching between devices and reduces latency when watching a video or playing a game, but honestly that speed is negligible; you probably won’t notice it in day to day usage. The AirPods 2 also has Bluetooth 5, whereas the BeatsX features the older 4.2, meaning the AirPods 2 will have a stronger connection when you use them with devices that don’t have an “i” in their title. The newer chip and Bluetooth signal also mean that the AirPods 2 are a tiny bit more future proof; this makes sense, as the BeatsX are a few years older than the AirPods 2.

In day to day use, both version of headsets are just about as easy to use as the other one, however, I did notice that my devices recognized the AirPods more often than the BeatsX when first connecting, and Occasionally, the BeatsX weren’t listed as an available device although they were turned on.

Another strange connection issue with the BeatsX came when using Siri. With the AirPods connected to my iPhone, when I used Siri on my Apple Watch, the audio responses from Siri and the recording of what I was saying to Siri happened on the AirPods. It appeared the BeatsX were trying to do the same, but unfortunately the microphone didn’t pick up anything I said, as if it was confused as to which microphone to use (I’m assuming the one in the Apple Watch is disabled if headphones are paired and listening).
The AirPods aren’t without their connection issues. One that I can’t decide if it should be classified as a connection issue or in the features section causes the AirPods to revert back to my iPhone even if that wasn’t the last device that they were actively connected to. For instance, if I was watching Netflix on my iPad Pro during my lunch break, once I’ve returned to my office and double tap the AirPods to resume playback, they start playing music from my iPhone instead. Of course, I wanted music and not Netflix at that juncture, so either the AirPods are anticipating which device and service I want audio from, but it could also be a glitch that has them reverting back to my iPhone after they’ve been put into the charging case for a few minutes. Whatever it is, the BeatsX don’t do it.
Both will connects seamlessly with your iPhone, but AirPods have the upper hand here.

Winner: AirPods 2. Both offers the magic of Apple’s seamless connection, but the AirPods just felt more seamless than the BeatsX.

Features

It’s not enough for these headsets to just play music in your ears, right? No, if these things are costing you a fortune, you need something more than Beyonce voice echoing in your head.

Neither pair of headsets disappoint, but they are quite different, either, and a lot of that comes down to their form factor. The AirPods are true wireless, which means they look like you just chop the cords off your EarPods and pop them in your ears, while the BeatsX are connected by a cord and a slightly stiff neckband that goes… well… around the back of your neck.

The AirPods includes tap controls which are customizable in Settings on your iPhone. A double tap on either Pod can either play/pause, activate Siri, jump to the next track, or go back to the previous track (or the beginning of the current track). Personally, I set mine up so that the right AirPod skips to the next track and the left goes to the previous track. Since the AirPods 2 have the H1 chip, they support “Hey, Siri,” so tapping for Siri is somewhat redundant, and, likewise, taking one AirPod out of your ear pauses the media, which is faster than double tapping to pause (and makes more sense, as you are probably going to take out the AirPods immediately after pausing anyway). The AirPods don’t have volume control other than to say “Hey, Siri, turn up (or down) the volume”, which can be a bit weird in public.

The BeatsX, unfortunately, do not offer any of those features, but they do include some unique features of their own. They include an inline controller that provides pretty much the same music controls that tapping gets you on the AirPods (plus, volume control), and while they don’t support “Hey, Siri,” you can launch Siri with a long press of the center button (and “Hey, Siri” will work with them if your phone or Apple Watch is nearby enough to hear the command, although the aforementioned confusion with the microphone may or may not interfere with your request). Being around the neck headphones, the BeatsX are also fantastic for when you aren’t using them, as you can just let them drop and rest instead of fumbling around with the charging case (or leaving the loose AirPod sitting at your desk). The BeatsX have no an automatic pause feature when you take one of the headset out, unfortunately, but you don’t really need that with the inline controls. If you are not a fan of that feature you probably won’t miss it, but it can be irritating if you realize your headphones have been playing music for no one for a couple of minutes and sucking that precious battery life.

Another feature to take into consideration with both headphones is the ease of misplacing your headsets. AirPods are pretty easy to lose, and although the Cupertino based brand has a “Find My AirPods” feature to help you locate a stray Pod, if one falls out of your ear while you are on the move, recovering the lost Pod might prove difficult. You can get a replacement for each Pod (or the charge case), but you’ll have to fork out about $50 per missing piece (and more for the case).

The BeatsX, by comparison, are fairly harder to lose. Along with the around the neck design, each bud is also magnetized, so when they are not on your ears, they stick together to form a sort of necklace. Unfortunately, if you happen to place the BeatsX down in some place and forget where that place was, they don’t seem to appear in Apple’s Find My app. One of many small things that honestly makes the BeatsX feel Apple compatible but not Apple made, despite being entirely owned by Apple.

Winne: It’s another close call for me here, and really depends on your preference. The AirPods have the more revolutionary features, but the BeatsX do a better job at not getting lost. Still, in day to day use, I find the AirPods more convenient. So I give this to AirPods, but this category is more subjective.

Fit and Sound

Now, all of this stops short if the headsets sound like crap. So, how do they sound?

I’ll be straightforward; the BeatsX sound better. This is mainly because of the design; BeatsX are in-ear buds that have a couple of different tips to find the best fit for your ear. Because of that, they isolate sound and block the outside world. They don’t feature active noise cancelling, but they definitely blocks up some of the noise. This also means you don’t have to have the volume up as high to hear the music. I’m not an audiophile, but the BeatsX definitely offer better bass and sound more balance than the AirPods.

The AirPods, in comparison, definitely leak a lot of sound from the outside world, which isn’t fantastic for listening to music, but works if you want to keep abreast of your surroundings. This is because their design is basically the same as the EarPods (without the wire), and they don’t include any kind of tips to make a better fit or seal. They are one size fits all, which means they will work- and therefore sound better- to some people than to others. Sound quality is basically the same as the EarPods, as well, which isn’t that bad, but there isn’t much depth to the music either. Treble and Bass all seem a little flat, particularly compared directly to the BeatsX. Likewise, to hear the music in louder atmospheres, you will have to raise the volume to a higher level, which may not be best for your eardrums (maybe that Apple Watch can tell you what decibel the music is at).

But sound quality is subjective to some extent, and it depends on what you are going to use these headsets for. If you prefer sound isolation and better depth in your music, the BeatsX are your best bet, but if you would rather keep abreast of your surroundings while listening and don’t mind sacrificing audio quality to do so, the AirPods might suit your needs.

The AirPods are also capable of working together or on their own; depending on if you pulled one or both out of the case, the audio will automatically switch between stereo sound and mono. I prefer this at work, since I can listen to music but it is great to be able to keep abreast of my surroundings; I usually put just the right Pod in so I can keep in touch with the outside world. The BeatsX only play music in stereo, meaning you might miss part of the song if you don’t have both buds in.

Winner: This one is completely subjective. If audio quality is your first priority, the BeatsX are your best bet, for certain. But if you are looking for something to add more of a background soundtrack to your day without sacrificing alertness, the AirPods are going to be the better option. But I’m not going to pick sides on this category.

Conclusion

So… where do we go from here?
The BeatsX clearly have better sound and clarity (if you’ll pardon the pun), but worse battery life and frankly horrible power management when it comes to standby time.
In contrast, the AirPods have decent-but not outstanding – sound but stellar battery management and performance, as well as more revolutionary features (and design).
By my own categories, AirPods seem to have taken the lead, but really, it is hard for me to say one wins out over the other, as these headsets are trying to do different things. What matters to you? What is most important to you? Do you need the best sounding headsets (between these two choices; there are definitely better sounding headsets out there without Apple’s branding on it)? Do you mind charging you headsets daily (and will you remember to turn off the headphones when you aren’t using them)? Or do you need an excellent battery life, notwithstanding the sound quality?
The choice, dear reader, is yours. Or, you know, save your cash. After all, your gorgeous iPhone did come with perfectly usable wired EarPods. And retro tech is in these days.

Tag: AirPods
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A Brief History of Apple’s Haptics

by GeeksModo Staff

today, I am going to discuss the History of Apple’s Haptics From the Apple Watch to the MacBook Pro.

What are haptics?

Haptic Touch
is a 3D Touch-like feature that Apple first introduced in the 2018 iPhone XR and later expanded to its entire ‌iPhone‌ lineup.

Haptic Touch uses the Taptic Engine and provides haptic feedback when you press on a display of one of Apple’s new iPhones. A Haptic Touch is a touch and hold gesture, and it can be used across a wide range of Apple Devices.

Haptic Touch
can be used by pressing in a relevant location until a little haptic pop is felt against the finger and a secondary menu appears, with content varying based on where you’re using the feature. A simple tap will activate one of the options on the secondary menu that appears.

Currently, Apple is The leading company when it comes to haptic feedback, but that wasn’t always the case.
Before 2014, Apple had not dived into haptics much, besides the ringtone vibrations in the iPhone.

Then, in late 2014, The Cupertino based company introduced the Apple Watch, which featured an Apple-designed Taptic Engine, with the ability to produce a tap-like sensation on your wrist.
The Taptic Engine was triggered when you received a notification or a phone call, and it also added physical feedback to certain actions on the watch.
With the Taptic Engine, the hardware and software of Apple Watch felt inseparable.

In early 2015, Apple released a MacBook with a lot of new features. Some of the best features included the Force Touch Trackpad.
This trackpad was entirely different from previous trackpads, in that it didn’t physically move. Instead, it used force sensors and a Taptic Engine to simulate a click, and “trick” your finger into thinking that the trackpad actually moved.
The effect is absolutely realistic, and if you haven’t tried a Force Touch Trackpad, I suggest trying one at the Apple Store to experience for yourself.

after the success of the Taptic Engine in the Apple Watch and the MacBook, used it in the iPhone 6s in the fall of 2015.
In the iPhone, the Taptic Engine didn’t play quite as huge a role as on the Watch, but it still performed one similar function, augmenting digital interactions with physical feedback.
In this regard, those digital interactions were delivered in the form of 3D Touch.
New to the iPhone 6s, 3D Touch measured the pressure of your finger on the screen, and offered contextual actions based on what you pressed on.
The Taptic Engine fired when you used 3D Touch to press on something, and it added a physical layer to the digital interaction. Haptic feedback played a vital role in 3D Touch.
In later iPhones the Taptic Engine played a more significant role. System toggles, animations, and picker wheels are all elements with haptic feedback.
today, the Taptic Engine is used in an array of devices, playing a significant role in the user interface.
While I would love to see the Taptic Engine come to iPad somehow, I’m satisfied with the feedback it offers on the iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac today.

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iPhone 12 release date, leaks, price and what we know

by GeeksModo Staff

New iPhones are around the corner. Apple is gearing up for releasing their most innovative smartphones in years with the iPhone 12 series.
“The design is not just what it looks like and feels like. The design is how it works”
— Steve Jobs
Let’s discuss all the rumours that we’ve heard about the new 2020 iPhones.

Design & Build

according to
EverythingApplePro
the new 2020 iPhones will reportedly feature an angular or flat edge design, reminiscent of the iPhone 4 lineup or iPad Pro series. The aim of this design change is to reduce the impact of metal on network transmission, which will also allow implementing bigger antenna lines, perhaps to accommodate 5G. The high-end iPhone 12 Pro Max will be slightlytaller and thinner than the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Reports indicates that 2020 lineup will feature four new iPhones: 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max, 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro, 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Max and a 5.4-inch iPhone 12. The top of the line iPhones will feature stainless steel body, while the low-end iPhone 12 Max and 12 lite will feature an aluminium body sandwiched with an all-glass design on all models.

The colour options of the new iPhones are quite difficult to predict since Apple always tries to come up with a different lineup every year. But just like last year, the low-end iPhones will feature more colour options, while the top of the line Devices will feature industrial colours.

Display

Apple’s displays are considered to be the best on the market. One-upping last year all the iPhones this year will include OLED displays to facilitate a flexible design. The lower end devices (iPhone 12 Max and iPhone 12) will include a Super Retina OLED display made by BOE (a Chinese display manufacturing firm) and the top of the line iPhones will use a Super Retina XDR OLED made by Samsung.

Pro-Motion Display

The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max will feature a high refresh rate 120Hz display which will be known as a Pro-Motion display. Whereas the low-end devices will feature a regular 60Hz display. High refresh rate in top of the range models will enhance the video watching experience and enhances the experience of the OS. Games can take real advantage of Pro-Motion displays, which will give an edge for players in online multiplayer games.
Anyhow high refresh rate displays will drain the batteries quite quickly if this by any chance won’t meet Apple’s battery standards, Apple may get rid of this feature from its devices altogether.

Internal Hardware

A-14 Chipset

Apple’s homemade mobile processor is termed as the powerhouse of the mobile chipset market by both iPhone and Android users. Reports indicates that the new iPhones are going to use a 5-nm A-14 chip made by TSMC(Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company). This processor will be more focused on artificial intelligence and enhancing raw performance.

RAM & Storage

Rumors points out that the 2020 iPhone Pro models will come with 6GB RAM with a base storage of 128GB, while the iPhone 12 and lite iPhones will come with 4GB RAM and a base storage of 128GB.
iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max come in 3 storage variants 128GB, 256GB and 512GB while the iPhone 12 Max and iPhone 12 will have only 2 storage variants 128GB and 256GB.

5G

All the iPhone 12 models are expected to support5G. Instead of using Intel’s modem, The Cupertino based company is looking to use Qualcomm’s 5G modem in 2020 lineup. The Pro models will feature mmWave, while iPhone 12 Max and iPhone 12 will feature sub-6GHz. 5G which will be only enabled in countries where 5G is currently supported. In other countries, the 5G will be disabled in all models.

Software

Apple’s iOS is what makes the iPhones more user friendly than Android phones with complete software lockdown, iOS is the most secure operating system than any other operating system out there. iPhone 12 series will come with iOS 14.

iOS 14 will include a number of improvements and to address the bugs from iOS 13. iOS 14 might give users the ability to add widgets on the home screen. Features to iMessage like mentions are going to be added in the new iOS release. Apple might be looking to release new applications such as fitness app, AR app, sleep tracking app and much more. With this release, users can set third-party apps as default apps. Apple might release the beta software in June and the final release could be in September if all goes to plan.

Cameras

Rear Cameras

2019 iPhone models are already one of the best camera Smart phones with
triple camera set up
on
iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
2020 iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max will most probably use the same setup from 2019 models and might try to enhance the overall experience, AI photography and other camera improvements.
2020 iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max will feature a 3 camera setup on the back, while base models will have a dual-camera setup.

Reports even States that the Pro models of this year will include LiDAR Scanner which Apple introduced in it’s iPad Pro 2020 lineup. LiDAR (light detection and ranging) is used to determine distance by measuring how long it takes light to reach an object and reflect back. It’s a great way to get a much more accurate 3D representation of the scene in front of the camera, which is useful in computational photography and especially in augmented reality.

Front Cameras

The 2020 iPhones will feature a smaller notch because of a smaller front camera module. This change will also result in an increase in screen to body ratio. Apple will improve once again on Face ID technology with a new TrueDepth front-facing camera. All the jingles from the 2019 iPhone models will make an appearance in the tiny notch with a slightly different placement. The 2020 Face ID will improve on unlocking angles to support wider angles.

Price

2020 iPhones will start at a relatively lower price tag compared to previous 2019 models. The 5.4-inch iPhone 12 with a 128GB storage is expected to start at $649 and will cost you $749 for bigger storage model. The 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Max will cost $749 for its base model and $849 for its 256GB storage model.
iPhone 12 Pro is expected to start at $999 for 128GB, $1099 for 256GB and $1299 for the 512GB model, while iPhone 12 Pro Max will start at $1099 and will cost you as much as$1399 for the fleshed-out model.

Release Window

Due to the current global pandemic, the production of the new iPhones was delayed by over a month. The volume production of the iPhones is expected to start in the first few weeks of July. Due to this few of the models will be released in tranches. Few reports indicates that sub-6HGz iPhone 12 models will be released early than mmWave 5G iPhone Pro models.
Rumors points out that the new iPhones won’t be launched until October or November and will ship only after a week after the launch date.
Based on what was leaked so far, the 2020 iPhones surely are the best iPhones Apple has ever made. What are your thoughts on the 2020 iPhone lineup? Are you going to buy one?
See also:
9 Enhanced Features We Want in iPhone 12

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Why Does Rebooting Your Mac (Always) Fix It?

by GeeksModo Staff

When you ask a geek for help because of some issues with your Mac, iPhone, but also printer or internet connection, the first question they throws at you is always the same:
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
But why rebooting a device solves almost, all the problems?
As a software engineer I’m aware that every system has glitches , it is impossible to have a flawless application. And often glitches only occur under certain conditions when specific events happen. If a problem occurred at every startup, it would be resolved immediately.

Occasionally, a certain combination of conditions and events causes the MacBook or iPhone to crash. A process could possibly accumulate RAM space, with a glitch known as
memory leak.
By restarting, the memory resets, execution starts again, the program is reloaded, and the software variables are initialized. The conditions that caused the anomaly no longer exist. They may reoccur by executing the same operations, or the cause may not even appear any longer, since it might be caused by something not directly related to how we used the software.

As for network devices , like routers or switches, some routing tables might be corrupted for some reason. Or the connection to some service might be lost, like a DNS server, whose work is to translate web addresses into IP addresses. In these cases, or in similar cases, restarting the device will clean the internal tables and force a reconnection with the other network components, often resolving the problem.

Lastly, I recommend that you restart your devices once in a while, even if they work. It doesn’t hurt to reboot your iPhone or your Mac every now and then and give it a fresh start!
See also:
How To Force Restart a MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro

Tag: MacBook Pro
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Apple iPhone 12 Preview: Everything We Know So Far

by GeeksModo Staff

New iPhones are around the corner. Apple is gearing up for releasing their most innovative smartphones in years with the iPhone 12 series.
“The design is not just what it looks like and feels like. The design is how it works”
— Steve Jobs
Let’s discuss all the rumours that we’ve heard about the new 2020 iPhones.

Design & Build

according to
EverythingApplePro
the new 2020 iPhones will reportedly feature an angular or flat edge design, reminiscent of the iPhone 4 lineup or iPad Pro series. The aim of this design change is to reduce the impact of metal on network transmission, which will also allow implementing bigger antenna lines, perhaps to accommodate 5G. The high-end iPhone 12 Pro Max will be slightlytaller and thinner than the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Reports indicates that 2020 lineup will feature four new iPhones: 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max, 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro, 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Max and a 5.4-inch iPhone 12. The top of the line iPhones will feature stainless steel body, while the low-end iPhone 12 Max and 12 lite will feature an aluminium body sandwiched with an all-glass design on all models.

The colour options of the new iPhones are quite difficult to predict since Apple always tries to come up with a different lineup every year. But just like last year, the low-end iPhones will feature more colour options, while the top of the line Devices will feature industrial colours.

Display

Apple’s displays are considered to be the best on the market. One-upping last year all the iPhones this year will include OLED displays to facilitate a flexible design. The lower end devices (iPhone 12 Max and iPhone 12) will include a Super Retina OLED display made by BOE (a Chinese display manufacturing firm) and the top of the line iPhones will use a Super Retina XDR OLED made by Samsung.

Pro-Motion Display

The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max will feature a high refresh rate 120Hz display which will be known as a Pro-Motion display. Whereas the low-end devices will feature a regular 60Hz display. High refresh rate in top of the range models will enhance the video watching experience and enhances the experience of the OS. Games can take real advantage of Pro-Motion displays, which will give an edge for players in online multiplayer games.
Anyhow high refresh rate displays will drain the batteries quite quickly if this by any chance won’t meet Apple’s battery standards, Apple may get rid of this feature from its devices altogether.

Internal Hardware

A-14 Chipset

Apple’s homemade mobile processor is termed as the powerhouse of the mobile chipset market by both iPhone and Android users. Reports indicates that the new iPhones are going to use a 5-nm A-14 chip made by TSMC(Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company). This processor will be more focused on artificial intelligence and enhancing raw performance.

RAM & Storage

Rumors points out that the 2020 iPhone Pro models will come with 6GB RAM with a base storage of 128GB, while the iPhone 12 and lite iPhones will come with 4GB RAM and a base storage of 128GB.
iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max come in 3 storage variants 128GB, 256GB and 512GB while the iPhone 12 Max and iPhone 12 will have only 2 storage variants 128GB and 256GB.

5G

All the iPhone 12 models are expected to support5G. Instead of using Intel’s modem, The Cupertino based company is looking to use Qualcomm’s 5G modem in 2020 lineup. The Pro models will feature mmWave, while iPhone 12 Max and iPhone 12 will feature sub-6GHz. 5G which will be only enabled in countries where 5G is currently supported. In other countries, the 5G will be disabled in all models.

Software

Apple’s iOS is what makes the iPhones more user friendly than Android phones with complete software lockdown, iOS is the most secure operating system than any other operating system out there. iPhone 12 series will come with iOS 14.

iOS 14 will include a number of improvements and to address the bugs from iOS 13. iOS 14 might give users the ability to add widgets on the home screen. Features to iMessage like mentions are going to be added in the new iOS release. Apple might be looking to release new applications such as fitness app, AR app, sleep tracking app and much more. With this release, users can set third-party apps as default apps. Apple might release the beta software in June and the final release could be in September if all goes to plan.

Cameras

Rear Cameras

2019 iPhone models are already one of the best camera Smart phones with
triple camera set up
on
iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
2020 iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max will most probably use the same setup from 2019 models and might try to enhance the overall experience, AI photography and other camera improvements.
2020 iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max will feature a 3 camera setup on the back, while base models will have a dual-camera setup.

Reports even States that the Pro models of this year will include LiDAR Scanner which Apple introduced in it’s iPad Pro 2020 lineup. LiDAR (light detection and ranging) is used to determine distance by measuring how long it takes light to reach an object and reflect back. It’s a great way to get a much more accurate 3D representation of the scene in front of the camera, which is useful in computational photography and especially in augmented reality.

Front Cameras

The 2020 iPhones will feature a smaller notch because of a smaller front camera module. This change will also result in an increase in screen to body ratio. Apple will improve once again on Face ID technology with a new TrueDepth front-facing camera. All the jingles from the 2019 iPhone models will make an appearance in the tiny notch with a slightly different placement. The 2020 Face ID will improve on unlocking angles to support wider angles.

Price

2020 iPhones will start at a relatively lower price tag compared to previous 2019 models. The 5.4-inch iPhone 12 with a 128GB storage is expected to start at $649 and will cost you $749 for bigger storage model. The 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Max will cost $749 for its base model and $849 for its 256GB storage model.
iPhone 12 Pro is expected to start at $999 for 128GB, $1099 for 256GB and $1299 for the 512GB model, while iPhone 12 Pro Max will start at $1099 and will cost you as much as$1399 for the fleshed-out model.

Release Window

Due to the current global pandemic, the production of the new iPhones was delayed by over a month. The volume production of the iPhones is expected to start in the first few weeks of July. Due to this few of the models will be released in tranches. Few reports indicates that sub-6HGz iPhone 12 models will be released early than mmWave 5G iPhone Pro models.
Rumors points out that the new iPhones won’t be launched until October or November and will ship only after a week after the launch date.
Based on what was leaked so far, the 2020 iPhones surely are the best iPhones Apple has ever made. What are your thoughts on the 2020 iPhone lineup? Are you going to buy one?
See also:
9 Enhanced Features We Want in iPhone 12

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Is the new (2020) MacBook Pro worth the investment?

by GeeksModo Staff

Apple has finally said goodbye to the butterfly keyboard forever as new
13-inch Macbook Pro
comes with Apple’s new and improved Magic Keyboard. I am currently writing this on a
2019 13-inch MacBook Pro,
so will I be upgrading to the new one?
Without any further ado, let’s discuss what’s new with the 2020 13-inch Macbook Pro. Before the arrival of this, we saw the release of the new 16-inch MacBook Pro and smaller and lighter MacBook Air with the new Magic Keyboard. Therefore, it was only a matter of time before Apple applied the same treatment to the 13-inch Pro model. There had been rumours for a 14-inch MacBook Pro, but we haven’t seen one…yet.

So, what’s new? Well, not much with the basic ones. The bottom two models of the new 13-inch are pretty much the same as the 2018 Macbook Pro except you get double the amount of storage to start off with.
Now starting at 256gb, this is an excellent Computer for those who don’t really care about performance, but then again, if you are in that group then you may as well get the MacBook Air for a few hundred pounds cheaper?
But the real changes appear in the more impressive 2.0GHz Quad-Core MacBook which starts at £1,799 and this is the one to go for. It now comes with a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor instead of the 8th gen on the older one. It also comes as standard with 16gb of RAM which is a first for the 13-inch models. Before this, they started at 8gb. This more expensive one also comes with two more USB C ports than the cheaper ones which is always a bonus.

On top of this, you can now opt for up to 4TB of SSD storage which is a massive improvement. My concern, however, is that once you have specced up a top of the line 13-inch MacBook Pro, you are already looking at nearly £4,000 and by that point, you may as well get the 16-inch for £2,399.

Apple’s update is an unusual one, as in this particular case, the level of changes seen depend on whether the customer opts for a lower-end or higher-end configuration. Across the board, the Magic Keyboard and higher storage capacity starting points will be welcomed.

However, while that’s largely the story for the lower-end options, the higher-end arguably gets more of the changes. Shifting from eighth-generation Intel chips to tenth-generation versions will give a considerable performance advantage, while the faster memory and higher memory capacities will further push the 13-inch MacBook Pro as a portable powerhouse.

Even the maximum storage capacity of 4TB is only available to those with deep pockets to go for the higher-end configurations from the start. That price premium would buy a lot of network or Thunderbolt 3 storage.

For those looking to buy a new 13-inch MacBook Pro to replace their existing model, there isn’t really that much to write home about for the lower-end versions. Sure, the Magic Keyboard is a nice addition, but aside from a storage bump, there isn’t much in the way of groundbreaking elements here.

Anyone considering the upper end of the range, however, will see considerably more changes and huge performance boosts. Those with a bigger budget will fare better for their upgrades than people who go for the frugal option this time around.

Tag: MacBook Pro
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Apple gave me a new MacBook Pro for FREE! Here’s why

by GeeksModo Staff

Here’s how you can do it too but only if you qualify…

As you may already know, the first generation of the MacBook Pro with a touch bar suffered from keyboard issues. It came with Apple’s butterfly keyboard which was meant to be thin and streamlined but turned out to be a right pain in the butt for many of those people who used it.
I happened to be one of those people. Now, I actually enjoy using the butterfly keyboard which is a very controversial statement but I like the way it feels but what I don’t like is when it fails on me. The keyboard begun failing on me just as I was really getting into the groove of writing about a year ago.
The problem was with certain keys sticking such as the enter key, backspace, tab, shift and a range of letters spread across the keyboard. This was a real nightmare and lead to many hours of frustration as the keyboard would often put the same letter ten times. I even resorted to an external keyboard for a while which meant typing out and about was a hassle.

So, I conducted some research online and found out that I wasn’t the only one who was facing this issue. And to my excitement, Apple offered a keyboard replacement programme for my MacBook which was very nice
So, I
made a genius bar reservation
and got on the next train to Leeds to get this issue resolved. I arrived and they were very friendly and had obviously had people complain before about these problematic keys. So, I showed them the problem and they were more than happy to get it sent off for me which was perfect.
It took around five days I think in total which was Great and I went back into Leeds to pick it back up. When I got it back I was blown away to find out Apple had pretty much just given me a whole new laptop for free.

The internals were still the same, and it was my MacBook but they had made some changes. They gave me a new display, a new metal case, top and bottom, a new battery, new trackpad and a brand new keyboard which had been updated to the 2019 version. This keyboard works much better than the previous one and even has some changes to the backspace key and option key.
The total for this repair job amounted to $359.83 and I wasn’t charged a penny. This was great news as not only was I low on cash but I had also just bought a Pret lunch which really meant I had no cash to spare.
I am using that keyboard exactly a year on to type this blog post on and it handles it no problem which is Great news.

If you think you qualify for this and are experiencing keyboard issues on your MacBook between 2016 and 2019 then
visit this link
to check out Apple’s repair programme.

Tag: MacBook Pro
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7 amazing tips to Protect Your iPhone and Privacy in 2025

by GeeksModo Staff

Apple has always been committed to privacy and honestly, an iOS device is more privacy oriented than an android device. However, you can tweak a few settings on your iPhone to preserve your personal privacy even more.

Apple prides itself on setting a high standard for user privacy and data security on every device it makes. However, your iPhone might not be as secure as you think.

It’s true that iPhones are more difficult to hack than their Android competitors, as they are produced by one manufacturer dedicated to keeping them secure. Tons of companies manufacture Android devices, which means greater risk of vulnerabilities.

However, malicious attackers have found creative ways to steal your sensitive data from the iPhone apps collecting it on a daily basis. They could grab your browsing history, personal images, current location, and even passwords without your knowledge.

What’s more, Apple has no control over where your information travels once it’s collected by apps. Some app providers harvest and sell your data, which means that iPhone privacy concerns go well beyond the risk of hacking.

The good news is that, there are many steps you can take to minimize your risks, and they are all FREE. Below, we’ll detail the best ways to protect your privacy on your iPhone, so that none of your sensitive information ends up in the wrong hands.

Why It’s Important to Keep Your iPhone Private

The possibility of someone watching you or sharing pictures and videos of you without your knowledge is disturbing at the least, and dangerous at worst. Unfortunately, it can happen, and it’s just one of many ways your iPhone can put your privacy at risk.

Hacking and Malware Risks

Security researcher
Felix Krause
found out that hackers can spy on you through your iPhone camera, thanks to apps they create by abusing iOS permission settings.

When you download an app from the App Store, it asks your permission to access different features of your iPhone – your camera, photos, location settings, and much more. Once you give permission to the app, it can access those features each time the app runs.

That means an app compromised by hackers can silently snap photos and record videos of you, or even run facial recognition software in an attempt to steal your identity.

Besides making you vulnerable to spying, compromised apps could infect your iPhone with malware.
“Jailbreaking”
your iPhone to download third-party apps not offered by the Apple Store greatly increases the risk of a hacking or malware attack.

With that in mind, the first step toward securing your data and device is quite easy, since all you have to do is nothing: Do not jailbreak your iPhone.
See also:
Can an iPhone Get a Virus? Know Here

Device Theft

We’ve all had those moments of distraction, not realizing we left our Smart phones at the coffee shop or grocery store until hours later. Then panic sets in. Passcodes and a fingerprint touch ID should prevent anyone who finds your iPhone from accessing your data, but will they, really?

In spite of these security measures, there is a chance a dishonest person who finds your iPhone could get into everything – your contact lists, your messages, and so much more.
See also:
Found a Lost or Stolen iPhone? Do These Things!

Data Harvesting and Other Privacy Concerns

Although your iPhone’s security features do their job and no one ever accesses your phone without your Consent, your privacy is still at risk any time you use an app. App providers and your ISP continuously collect your data, often selling it to third-party data brokers.

At a minimum, the sale of your data means you’ll be dealing with the annoyance of targeted marketing – and remember, these advertisers know your phone number. But the effects of data harvesting could be far worse than that.

Much of the data collected about you makes its way to agencies that run background checks. So whether the information is accurate or not, your data can be used against you when you make critical life decisions, such as buying a home or finding a new job.

Some sites suggest that the best way to protect your privacy is to delete all your iPhone apps, but doing that basically turns your $800 device into a flip phone. Here are some more practical tips to secure your iPhone and your data.

The Seven Best Ways to Keep Your iPhone Protected

So the hard truth is that although we’d like to imagine iPhone security risks as far-fetched scenarios, iPhones have very real vulnerabilities. The good news is that, there’s no reason to panic.

These seven simple tips will give your iPhone the boost of protection it needs to combat almost any security threat.

#1. Set a strong passphrase

It may sound obvious, but the first step is to defend your privacy from those who have direct access to our iPhone. Our smartphones holds sensitive information, personal photos, work emails and much more. Yet, I bet many of you have your date of birth as your phone’s unlock code. Bad idea!
Instead, create a robust and unpredictable password to protect your iPhone from the curious snoopers or malicious thieves.
Also, be sure to activate
Face ID or Touch ID,
so you don’t have to type in the long password every time and greatly improve the usability of your iPhone.
Here’s how to do it: Head over to Settings -> Face ID/Touch ID and set an alphanumeric password. Also be sure to carefully select what you want to be available from the lock screen. For instants, you may need to disable the Notification Center or Wallet, or maybe shut Siri down, which is sometimes a little too indiscreet. Lastly, if you use your iPhone for work and have really important Data, you can have all your data deleted after 10 failed passcode attempts, to make sure your data doesn’t go into the wrong hands.
Setting a password for your iPhone has another benefit, the data stored inside it is encrypted, making impossible to access it without unlocking the Device. Even if you connect it to a computer or take it apart, you can’t access the information inside it.

#2. Check your Find My settings

Find My
is a Super useful feature that allows you to locate your iPhone in case it gets lost all stolen. Make sure you have enabled this feature to have the possibility to delete the contents of your iPhone in case of loss, preserving your privacy.
Also make sure you don’t activate the sharing of your location with your friends, unless you want to do it on purpose.
To manage these settings: head over to Settings -> Apple Account Management -> Find My -> Find My iPhone.
See also:
How To Track a Lost iPhone, iPad, or Mac With Find My

#3. Check your location settings for Apps

Our location is arguably the most sensitive information inside our iPhone. So be sure to give each application permission to access your location only when necessary.
Of course we have to give permission to navigation apps, otherwise we won’t get directions, but maybe we can revoke permission to access our location to a video game or bank app.
To do this: head over to Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services to find the list of installed apps. For each of them you can select whether to allow access to the location, and eventually let the application use GPS in the background as well.

#4. Check your location settings for System Services

Most iPhone users do not know that iOS itself uses the position very often. Thanks to the location our iPhone can give us personalized suggestions. For instants, it can send a notification with traffic information, calibrate the compass or provide targeted advertising.
By heading over to Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services -> System Services we have the option to disable some entries, so that we can limit the amount of data collected by our iPhone operating system for the various suggestions.

Disable the access to your location for the System Services you don’t need
From the same screen you can also disable location data that is otherwise used to improve Apple products.

#5. Check your privacy settings for Apps

What most threatens our privacy are the applications. When we download an app from the App Store we are often asked to give access to a series of permissions, and most of the time we allow permission without paying too much attention, perhaps because we are in a hurry to use the app just downloaded.
In this case it’s good to apply a golden rule: give an app only the permissions strictly necessary for its operation.
By heading to Settings -> Privacy we can choose which applications to allow access to our contacts, our reminders, our calendar, our photos and much more. As we did for the localization, it’s a good idea to ask ourselves: “is it really necessary to authorize this app to access these data of mine?
Always use common sense: it’s obvious that an app that manipulates photos should be able to access our gallery, but it shouldn’t have access to our microphone. It’s obvious that a messaging app needs access to our contacts, but you probably don’t need to allow it to access our health data.

#6. Uninstall useless Apps

As I pointed out, applications are what most endanger our privacy. Applications represent a point of access to our iPhone, a way in which developers, often unknown, can gather a range of information about us.
Some applications may also have vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers to attack our iPhones and steal our Data.
So, try to only install the apps you really need, keep them updated, and delete them when you no longer need them. This way, we limit the possibility of our data being exposed to malicious attackers.

#7. Hide notification previews on lock screen

The last tip is to deactivate the notification preview when the screen is locked. This prevents other people from being able to see your messages and other potentially sensitive information.
If you are the owner of the iPhone and you have Face ID, you just need to look at your Device to see the previews. Otherwise, you will only have to place your finger and use Touch ID.
To disable the Notificationpreviews: head over to Settings -> Notifications -> Show Previews.
See also:
14 Tips To Protect The Private Information On Your iPhone ..

Tag: iPhone Tips
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