COMPUTER CONNECTIONS � February 2013
Apple has released three firmware updates that will fix issues with older batteries in their MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptop computers. This update addresses an issue where a battery has been charged more than 1,000 times and the laptop shuts down or stops working unexpectedly. You must be using OS X 10.6.8, 10.7.5 or 10.8.2.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1625
Apple now has a new iPad, similar to their current 4th generation ones but has more storage now. It doubles the 64GB memory to 128GB. You can still purchase the 16GB, 32Gb and 64GB models for the current prices. However, this new 128GB model will set you back $929 for Wi-Fi and cellular, or $799 for Wi-Fi alone. You get a 9.7� retina display, FaceTime HD camera, iOS 6.1 and A6X chip inside the iPad 128GB. Thanks, for the memory, Apple!
http://store.apple.c...pad/family/ipad
Twitter hack � now, we have to have stronger passwords. Since someone broke into Twitter and escaped with 250,000 peoples information, it�s a good idea to revisit all of your existing passwords for strength and change them to a more secure one. Put upper and lower case letters in there. Punctuation and numbers will help too. Don�t use words found in a dictionary, or common names either. These are easy for hackers to quickly find. Passwords should not include any of your personal information. Don�t use the same password twice. Also, try to make it easy for you to remember.
If this seems too hard, try these:
1)Password Safe (a password manager) � download from PC world. No cost, and it will make a random password for you using rules you set. Plus, it will organize your passwords into groups and can insert your login and password into a Web form.
2)Two factor authentification � Users can set Facebook and Google to send a temporary PIN to your cell phone when you sign in from an unfamiliar machine. This Pin must be provided along with your password from that new machine.
It�s not just Twitter that has been hacked. The Washington Post, The NY Times and The Wall Street Journal all were recently hacked.
Change your passwords to more secure ones ASAP!
Apple has told its resellers that as of March 1, 2013 they will have to stop selling the Mac Pro desktop system to the European Union countries. An amendment (IEC 609501 Amendment 1) that deals with safety and electrical standards makes the Mac pro non-compatible with this ruling. This is because the Mac Pro has issues with the placement of fan guards and the power provided to the I/O ports. If you live in a non-EU country, you can still buy the current Mac Pro. Tim Cook, Apple CEO, says that the successor to the Mac Pro desktop is in the works. So, buy the Mac Pro now if you can�t wait. Otherwise, the new Mac will probably be compatible in the EU.
(We are here in the good ole� USA, so we can buy any Mac anytime � nayh nayh, nayh nayh, nayh nayh!).
Is your Mac running slow? Try these fixes:
1)Restart the Mac. I know this sounds obvious, but it is the simplest way to reset all the volatile settings that disappear upon a restart and may solve the slowness.
2)Check memory usage � is there a program or APP slowing the Mac down? Try using only one program at a time, and add others until you see a slowdown. Then you know your limit, and can decide what you need open. It�s nice to have lots of apps and programs running at the same time for convenence, but one or more may be slowing you down. Also, virtual memory (hard drive space used as memory) is slower than physical memory. Your Mac uses a combination of these types of Memory. An exception would be SS drives (Solid State drives � no spinning discs � all electronic like physical memory). But since they are relatively new, and most of you don�t have them yet, stick to the following: check swapfiles (relating to virtual memory) � select Go > Go to Folder in the Finder, type in /var/vm and click Go. Swapfiles make the Mac slowdown as they use up disk space.
If there is heavy swapfile use, buy a larger hard drive, or one that rotates faster than 5400 RPM (if that�s your hard drive speed). If this is above your talents, the Genius Bar at the Apple store can help. Adding memory (as much as you can afford), up to the Mac�s limit can�t hurt either.
3)Is the Internet slow? Go to www.speedtest.net to find how fast your connection is. If it�s slow, is it the speed you are paying for? If so, upgrade your plan to faster Internet. If it�s fast, and that�s a relative statement � 5MB/sec is fast for most people�s text and surfing and simple video viewing. For fast downloads or complex video or HD video, 10 to 20MB/sec speed is better. Still slow? Maybe your Internet cache hasn�t been emptied in a while. Check your browser for a way to empty the cache. A small donation will get you Onyx (from Titanium Software) � a cache emptying utility that can help. Again, if this is beyond you, get a Mac literate friend or trod over to the Genius Bar at your local Apple store. Also, a reset of your modem and router (not the reset button) � just unplug AC cord and wait a minute and replug. Pressing a reset button on a router or modem resets the settings � and your Internet may not work at all after that! Also, if there is more than one Mac on your network, see if all are slow. This will help in troubleshooting the network or the slow individual Mac (Did I mention the Genius Bar lately?)
If all the above fails, maybe your Mac needs to be sold or donated, and you treat yourself to a new shiny faster new one!
Apple TV 5.2 update has been released. New features will be added to this set-top box when updated: iTunes in the Cloud support � stream and browse iTunes purchased from iCloud without having the need to stream from another computer on the network. It works for users without iTunes Match too; Bluetooth keyboard support � now use your Bluetooth wireless keyboard with the Apple TV. Pair the keyboard, after the update: Settings > General > Bluetooth; AirPlay now will be able to send audio to other Apple TV units, Airport Express or AirPlay enabled speakers. As with all updates, stability and performance will also be improved, as well as security and compatibility with other processes and Apps. Update your Apple TV by selecting update from the menu on your Apple TV.
Apple released iOS 6.1 for the latest iOS mobile devices. This update adds LTE compatibility to iPad and iPhone carriers offering the faster wireless phone service to iPhone 5, iPad 4th generation and the iPad mini. Also added back is iTunes Match ability to download individual songs directly to your iOS device. Siri gets a tweak too! Now, use it to purchase movie tix using Fandango (only in the U.S. and must have the Fandango app installed). A Passbook tweak � the intro screen that lets users visit the APP Store�s inventory of Passbook-enabled software becomes its own �pass� � it remains after you add the first digital pass. Now you will always have access to the App store collection (unless you delete the pass).
One more feature � a new button that allows users reset the Advertising Identifier (find this under Settings > General > About > Advertising). The Advertising Identifier is a non-permanent device identifier that apps will use giving users control of advertisers tracking methods. This non-personal identifier can be reset at anytime, as you may choose to limit ad tracking. Then, apps won�t use the Advertising Identifier to deliver targeted ads to your device. Also included are some security fixes (and we need these!). Updating is easy: on your IOS device you go to Settings > General > Software update and press download to update to IOS 6.1!
Cisco sells Linksys to Belkin � ooh noo! What does this mean? Belkin keeps the Lynksys brand and all existing warranties. Cisco pulls out of the consumer business to focus on being an enterprise vendor. Belkin is located in Playa Vista, close to Irvine, home of Lynksys. This acquisition will give Belkin 30% of the United States market for small business and home networking. Also, a collaboration with Cisco will give Belkin access to specialized software solutions that Belkin didn�t have before this sale. Cisco will still help market and distribute products for service providers. A win-win for all of us (I own a Lynksys router ☺).
Thanks for being a loyal reader!
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