Got a tip for us?

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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Can an iPad Pro Replace Your Laptop? Here’s the Truth!

by GeeksModo Staff

The most common question I get from people is “Can an iPad Pro replace a laptop?” Short answer: in most cases it can, and it’s not as scary as you think.

After using the
iPad Pro
for sometimes now, I wanted to share some of the reasons I think it could replace a computer and some of the reasons iPad Pro can’t replace a computer at least for me.

Before we dive into it, it is important to note here that to consider an iPad Pro as a replacement for a computer or laptop, you need to get the Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio or any other iPad Pro keyboard accessory. I bought the
Smart keyboard Folio
for my 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Wi-Fi + Cellular.
See also:
Why I Choose the Smart keyboard Folio for the iPad Pro!
Ever since Apple announced their new line of iPad Pros, I kept wondering if I could get rid of my MacBook and only rely on an iPad and a keyboard cover.

iPad Pro appeared like the perfect device for me: it’s very portable, it has a stunning display, and the touch interface just makes it enjoyable to use.
The iPad Pro also seemed to be higher than macOS in Apple’s priorities. Apple seemed firmly convinced that the iPad could replace a laptop, and a lot of effort was put into software and updates to make this a reality.
That’s exciting, given that macOS lags far much behind in terms of innovations and integrations.

While switching to the iPad Pro was a bold move a couple of years ago, it’s now easier than ever to make the switch considering all the improvements Apple has made to iOS now iPadOS.
Having said that, switching entirely to the iPad from a laptop or even a desktop computer can be a tricky decision to make. So here are a couple of things you may want to know before deciding whether or not the
iPad Pro
would be a appropriate computing device for you.

The iPad Pro is Powerful Enough

I’m not going to quote Apple on this, stating the iPad is more powerful than 90% of the laptops on the market. I not sure if it’s true, and I don’t think it matters.
I have never been able to push my 12.9 inch iPad Pro to its limits. Maybe I don’t have the most intensive workflow of all, but I’m sure I use my iPad pretty thoroughly. I browse the internet, I write a lot, I manage social media, I edit pictures on Lightroom, I edit 4K videos on Lumafusion, I create designs on Canva and Photoshop etc.
Sure, some people push it further, but the question is, will you need to?

My iPad can perform some of these tasks better than my 2019 MacBook Pro. For instance, the video editing experience is much smoother on the iPad than on my MacBook. In addition, I don’t have to deal with the noise the fan of my Mac would make, which worries me since it gives me the impression than I am slowly killing my laptop.

File Management on the iPad Pro

Managing files and storage on the iPad Pro is better than ever. Files has always been a lighter version of Finder, but we now have a more capable interface, and that looks a lot better than it used to be. Moving, copying, and pasting files is very similar to using Finder on Mac. I still find the process a bit more extensive than on a laptop, but the iPad is quite capable of managing files.
The harddrive support works quite well. Again, managing files isn’t as practical as on a Mac, but it’s enough, and with a bit of practice, you won’t feel any difference at all.

The iPad Apps

There is an app for pretty much everything on the iPad, and chances are, most of the tools you use on a daily basis have an iPad version on the AppStore.
For anything web-based, the iPad should work just fine, as it now displays the desktop version of websites by default. So even if the iPad app is limited, you can still take advantage of the web version of the tools you use, and you should be fine this way.
The only task that I absolutely couldn’t get my iPad to do with either the iPad app or the website version of it was Squarespace. I can entirely edit my WordPress websites using Safari, but for some reason, I’m unable to edit some parts of my Squarespace website on either the app or Safari.

The Limitations of the iPad Pro

Although the iPad Pro appears like a perfect device, it has a few downsides.
Besides the limitations I pointed out above, most pro apps don’t have an iPad version. So Logic, Final Cut, Adobe Premiere aren’t compatible with the iPad at all.
There are some alternatives, but they aren’t as great and flexible as the original pro apps.
These alternatives are just enough for most people. But it also means that you have to learn an entirely new program to perform these tasks that you were so used to do before. Learning how to use Lumafusion properly, for instance, took me a few hours and made me scratch my head a bit. It’s a fantastic piece of software, and I’d say that you can get quite striking results with it. But it’s a lot more limited than Final Cut, and you may get discouraged not being able to edit your videos as freely as on a more professional tool.

So can an iPad Pro replace a MacBook?

I belief the iPad Pro can be a laptop replacement for many users, but at the same time, it can’t for some. It really depends on your use cases. The iPad is a perfect choice for people who are looking for a simple machine that they can bring with them wherever. If you are a real pro, and need a device that can handle powerful tasks such as thousands of RAW images and complex file management system, then the iPad Pro might not be the right choice. But if you are a creative that needs something flexible, capable, and enjoyable to use, the iPad is a lot better than a Mac, in my opinion.

If you are on the fence and looking to make a decision on whether you want to buy an iPad Pro as a computer replacement then please don’t hesitate to drop me a line in the comments if you have any questions and I’ll answer them

Tags: iPad Pro, Productivity
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Why I Choose the Smart keyboard Folio for the iPad Pro!

by GeeksModo Staff

in this article, I’ll tell you exactly why I chose the Smart Keyboard Folio instead of the Magic Keyboard And whether I regret it.
I had thought about buying the Smart Keyboard Folio for my 2018 12.9 ” iPad Pro for a while but at $179, I could never make a leap. When the Magic Keyboard was launched, like many other people, was drooling. The design was outstanding and the capabilities it added to the iPad Pro was thrilling. Not only did it finally give the iPad Pro a “real keyboard” it also gave it something brand new, a trackpad. The Magic Keyboard seemed ready to finally answer the question “Can an iPad Replace a Laptop?”
I was certain I would get the Magic Keyboard. Until I didn’t. Instead, I bought the Smart Keyboard Folio. This is why:

Cost

If I were to buy the Magic Keyboard for my 12.9 ” iPad Pro, it would set me back $299. That’s a lot of money. It’s a lot of money by itself but even more when you consider I already paid $999 for the iPad. It’s a huge investment to make my iPad Pro work more like my MacBook Pro.
If I already own a MacBook Pro, do I need to spend $299 to make my iPad Pro function more like MacBook Pro? Although yes, the Magic Keyboard adds a trackpad as well as a keyboard but does what I do on my iPad support the need for both of those?
This was the issue I started pondering the more I considered parting with the considerable amount of money.
Now, compare that $299 price tag to $179 for the Smart Keyboard Folio. Like I pointed out, I already had a difficult time convincing myself the Smart Keyboard Folio was worth buying. Let the internal fight begin.
Yes, the Magic Keyboard is gorgeous.
And yes, it has a “real keyboard” with real keycaps and actual key travel. Gone are the woven-fabric keys of the Smart Keyboard Folio.
And yes, it has an additional USB-C port for charging, so you can free up the one on the iPad for accessories.
And yes, it comes with a trackpad for a whole new way of interacting with the iPad Pro.
But for $299, I had to make sure the things I did on my iPad Pro versus my MacBook Pro justified that price tag.

Uses

The
Magic Keyboard
is an absolute solution for a very specific category of iPad users. If you are someone who is deeply entrenched into the iPad and iPadOS and has long desired to replace your traditional laptop with it, the Magic Keyboard makes that a very real possibility.
If the things you care about are web browsing, word processing, email, and media consumption then the Magic Keyboard now lets you get the best of most worlds.
You get a great typing experience with backlit keys, more viewing angles, and an extra USB-C port. And you get a trackpad that gives you more control of your apps.
However, if you are like me and you want your iPad to be the best device you can get, one that lets you surf the internet, watch movies and TV shows, and play some games from time to time, one that doesn’t replace your laptop but complements it, you should reconsider the
Smart Keyboard Folio
as I did.

Besides wanting the best tablet, I also want to be able to sit down and easily reply to an email, type a new blog post, or take some notes.
When I need something with more power and capabilities, I take my MacBook Pro with me. When I need something more portable and handy, I take my iPad Pro with me.

Weight and Portability

Unfortunately, Due to the pandemic, I didn’t get a chance to try the Magic Keyboard myself. I was, however, watching all the unboxing and review videos I could find. A commone theme came up in every video, the weight.
My 12.9 ” iPad Pro, with no case, weighs 631.00 grams. The Smart Keyboard Folio weighs 297 grams compared to the Magic Keyboard at 601 grams. The Magic Keyboard by itself weighs almost the same as my iPad Pro. I needed something that would offer me a more comfortable typing experience without sacrificing portability.

Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio is the best option if you truly value portability. It’s a slim case that attaches magnetically to the back of the iPad and flips around like a laptop, with two angles that you can snap the screen into. The fabric-covered keys have very shallow travel but actually offers a pretty comfortable typing experience. I prefer them to Apple’s current MacBook keyboards, and they’re certainly less likely to break.

One thing that separates the Smart Keyboard Folio from the park though, is its convenience. It’s the only iPad Pro keyboard to make use of the Smart Connector on the back of the tablet, which handles pairing and power automatically. You never have to charge the keyboard or dive into Bluetooth settings. It’s also really easy to remove whenever you just want to use the iPad as a tablet by itself, and it’s by far the thinnest and lightest keyboard option out there. Actually, it’s arguably the only keyboard that really makes sense as a basic protective case at times when you’re unsure whether you’ll be doing any typing.

While the combined weight of my iPad Pro and the Magic Keyboard, at 1232 grams or just about 2.8 pounds, would still be less than my 13 inch ” MacBook Pro at 3.02 pounds, it was getting close. To me, the Magic Keyboard would actually add a lot of weight to my iPad and affect one of it’s best features, it’s portability.

Final Thoughts

I was waiting for the Cupertino based company to announce the “next-gen Smart Keyboard Folio” just as much as the next person. I had long wanted to get the Smart Keyboard Folio and was excited to see what Apple would do to eventually get me to buy it. As it turned out, they announced a brand new keyboard instead.

Like I said, the Magic Keyboard is one of the best keyboard for the iPad pro out there. It certainly offers the best typing experience you can have with an iPad and I think the trackpad will surely be a game-changer for the iPad Pro.
But at the moment, for the stuff I do with my iPad on a daily basis, I couldn’t justify spending the cash on it.

I purchased the Smart Keyboard Folio because it lets me get an fantastic typing experience on my iPad Pro without sacrificing weight, comfort, or portability. I can still take notes using my Apple Pencil without having to take off the folio. The Smart Keyboard Folio hasn’t forced me to change the way I use my iPad Pro whatsoever, it has just made one part of what I do with it, typing, a much better experience.

If I needed to replace my laptop with my iPad or didn’t have a laptop and wanted my iPad to be able to do more things a traditional laptop can do, then I would have considered getting myself a Magic Keyboard.

I think the iPad Pro together with the Magic Keyboard is a fantastic set-up for a student or writer but even though, if you purchase the cheapest iPad Pro at $799 and the Magic Keyboard for $299, you’re looking at almost $1,100, which is more than the base MacBook Air. It’s a tough decision to make and one that requires some thoughts about what you plan to use it for.
Definitely, the Magic Keyboard made my decision to purchase the Smart Keyboard Folio easier. It compelled me to consider what I use my iPad for and how each keyboard would fit into that. The Smart Keyboard Folio is a perfect fit for what I use both iPad Pro and MacBook Pro for. I have enjoyed using the Smart Keyboard Folio and it has made me grab my iPad Pro over my MacBook Pro more times than I might have in the past. I don’t regret my purchase and recommend anyone considering the two options to take a closer look at what you do with your iPad Pro and what you want out of it. Keep in mind, there is no single best iPad Pro keyboard for everyone.
See also:
A few reasons the iPad Pro can’t replace the MacBook, even with the Magic Keyboard

Tag: iPad Pro
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Can You Use an iPad as your Main Computer? Know Here

by GeeksModo Staff

The iPad Pro is more powerful than many of the entry-level laptops lining the shelves at Best Buy. It earns that “Pro” name with a processor that’s on par with a mid-level PC and a screen resolution that exceeds many of those same laptops, and the graphics power of an Xbox 360. And when you combine these specs with an operating system that supports slide-over and split-screen multitasking and a virtual touchpad, it’s about time to reevaluate the iPad as a laptop killer.

You can use an iPad as your main computer if …

The most common tasks people perform on their laptop or desktop PC are the very same tasks in which the iPad excels: exploring the web, checking email, finding out what friends and family are up to on Facebook, playing games, balancing the checkbook, writing a letter or a paper for school, etc.

YOU USE MICROSOFT OFFICE

Productivity has also become increasingly easy on the iPad. The virtual touchpad makes manipulating text easier; the iPad supports Microsoft Office and includes a free version of Apple’s iWork; and if you need to do a lot of typing you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard.

YOU FILM AND EDIT VIDEOS

Perhaps just as importantly, the iPad can do some tasks even better than a laptop. It has a back-facing camera, so you can film your own home movie. And with the 9.7-inch iPad Pro’s 12 MP camera, the movie will look fantastic. You can also edit the video right on your iPad. Need to get online while on the go? You don’t need to look for a coffee shop with Wi-Fi. If you buy the 4G LTE version of the iPad, you can connect anywhere you can connect with your smartphone.

YOU PLAY PORTABLE GAMES

The iPad has increasingly become a portable gaming machine as well. It won’t compete with a high-end PC, a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox One in terms of hardcore gaming, but it’s more than enough for most of us. The graphics are nearly on par with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and with its touch controls and motion sensors, the iPad can deliver unique ways to play some very good games.

You can’t use an iPad as your main computer if …

The number one reason why you can’t use an iPad as a primary computer is if you’re tied to a proprietary piece of software that’s not available for the iPad. While businesses are increasingly leaning toward cloud-based solutions—which is a fancy way of saying they’re building software on the web—many of them still use software that requires Microsoft Windows.

YOU USE PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE

And proprietary software isn’t found just in the workplace. Any application you run on your Windows PC or Mac would need a replacement for your iPad. This substitution is easy for email and web browsing, but can be more difficult for other types of software. The iPad has become increasingly competent for photo and video editing, and you certainly won’t miss iMovie on your Mac when you have a very capable iMovie on the iPad. But if you need professional video-editing software like Final Cut Pro, the iPad isn’t quite there yet. The iPad Pro may have the power to do it, but Apple still needs to make a version for its newest heavyweight tablet.

YOU NEED A LOT OF STORAGE SPACE

Another challenge with the iPad is storage space. While the internal storage of an iPad can range up to 256 GB with the latest models, this space still doesn’t compete with the storage offered by many laptops. The offset of this is that the iPad doesn’t require as much storage. For example, simply running Windows 10 will cost you around 16 GB of space. The iPad’s operating system takes up less than 2 GB of space. The same is true for software, with Microsoft Office taking around 3 GB of space to install on a PC and less than half that on an iPad.

The portability of an iPad makes it great for videos, photos, and music—all of which consume storage space.

The best solution for the iPad is cloud storage, like iCloud, which also provides a great backup for this data in case anything happens to your iPad, but it may cost a monthly subscription fee to get enough storage to support your photo collection.

YOU’RE A HARDCORE GAMER

Hardcore gaming is another area where the iPad won’t be able to compete with a PC. For Xbox and PlayStation gamers, this limitation might not be a big issue, but if your idea of fun involves cutting back the demonic hordes in World of Warcraft, farming for the best loot in Star Wars: The Old Republic, or throwing some beat-down in League of Legends, you simply won’t find the same experience on the iPad. There are some really good games there, but nothing that will rival a game like Skyrim.

Tags: iPad Pro, Productivity
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Why is the iPad So Successful? Here’s the Truth

by GeeksModo Staff

As you may already know, the Apple iPad is that one tablet people look stupid taking mirror selfies with. Well, it’s way more than that. Surprisingly.
The Cupertino based brand released the
first generation iPad
in April of 2010. Initially, people treated it as a gimmick and it was seen as more of a cash grab on Apple’s side. People generally used it to consume media and maybe, just maybe, do some light web browsing.
Since then, Apple has made a variety of iPads that ranges from 7.9 inches to 12.9 inches display.
So, why is the iPad so successful?
Now that iPads have become more reliable and attractive in terms of design, people seem to have gotten the memo and bought into Apple’s strategy of making this a widely used piece of technology. Not only has the iPad transitioned from being perceived as just a bigger iPod but it’s become a staple in a lot of people’s lives, ranging from students in a university to veterans using it to connect with their loved ones.
The biggest game-changer in the evolution of Apple’s iPad was the introduction of the Apple Pencil back in 2015.

– [ ] This introduction was revolutionary since people finally had the chance to use this tablet in a manner that is familiar to everyone. People finally used it to write their to-do lists, take notes, sign documents, highlight important text, etc. It was the first time a product allowed people to go completely paperless.
Not only did it become a common device among the working population, it became something young adolescents saved up money for months, sometimes years for. As someone who interacts with students every now and then, I can confirm that a lot of today’s college youth is perceiving this Apple device to be an essential in College, and even in High School.
Note-taking apps such as “Goodnotes” and “Notability” have become very popular among note-takers. “Procreate” is an app all new age artists have heard about, and the list continues.
In addition to the young adolescent’s perceived essentials, people have started and maintained entire businesses on this tablet. Doctors use it to reinforce anatomy information. Even kids are a huge fan of this tablet.
So should you invest in one?
Today, you can get the premium iPad experience not paying any more than 329$.
– [ ] The Apple iPad is designed to be fast, slick, and usable. It even offers multitasking if you need to have multiple apps open at a time. It’s the ultimate personal data consuming device. If you read, watch or listen to stuff, the iPad gives you the best experience due to its larger screen size and improved battery life compared to a smartphone.
– [ ] Second, tablets are getting better at creating content. With an attachable external keyboard you can have the same experience as a laptop, sometimes even better. The apps are optimized for touch, which makes interfaces more user-friendly. Many people find that the iOS versions of these apps work more efficiently than the Mac OS or Microsoft versions.
– [ ] You can also choose an iPad screen size that best suits your routine, and it’s still lighter to carry around than the average laptop (a decent laptop is twice as expensive).

An iPad is said to be more of a consumption device – video, music, email, web, etc., but those are the the very things we spent most of the time on a PC anyway. However, if one wants, an iPad can double as a creation device as well – word processing, spreadsheets, slide shows, email composition, etc. Of course, processor rich tasks like design, programming, etc. would still need a powerful Computer, although since most of us don’t do that stuff. So computers, like trucks – in Steve Jobs’ parlance, are becoming a niche product.

See also:
If It Weren’t For This Feature, The iPhone Wouldn’t Exist
All in all, it depends on your preference, if you find all of the aforementioned things attractive and think a smaller tablet might improve your efficiency, I say go for it!

Tag: iPad Pro
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