Hands-On Mac (Video)

Discover the incredible power of Apple's Magnifier accessibility tool as Mikah Sargent provides a comprehensive walkthrough of this feature that's about to make its way to macOS. Far more than just a simple magnification tool, Magnifier offers a suite of detection capabilities that can help anyone better interact with their surroundings.

-Activities feature - Mikah demonstrates how to create and save custom "Activities" that configure Magnifier for specific use cases with different controls and detection settings.

-Detection capabilities - The detect feature can identify and describe scenes, people, furniture, doors, text, and even what you're pointing at with impressive accuracy.

-Capture functionality - Users can take photos of text or objects to zoom in on them later or have the content read aloud through the reader option.

-Customizable filters - Various color filters including black and white, red on black, yellow on black, and others help users with colorblindness or those who need specific contrast settings.

-Advanced settings options - Mikah details the extensive settings that allow users to customize primary and secondary controls, detection preferences, and feedback methods.

-Door detection features - The tool can outline doors and provide detailed information about their color, material, shape, handle position, and even whether they should be pushed or pulled.

-People and furniture detection - Magnifier can detect people at various distances with changing audio cues as they get closer, and can identify furniture including whether it's occupied.

-Point and speak functionality - Users can point at objects to have Magnifier identify and read text from that specific location.

Detect text around you and have it read out loud using Magnifier on iPhone - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/detect-text-read-loud-iph29dbe3fb6/ios

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Unlock the Full Power of Spotlight Search in macOS Sequoia
Mikah Sargent takes you on a comprehensive tour of Spotlight, macOS Sequoia's built-in search powerhouse that does far more than just find files. Learn how to access, customize, and troubleshoot this essential Mac feature to boost your productivity.

-Accessing Spotlight - Three different ways to open Spotlight: clicking the magnifying glass in the menu bar, using Command+Space keyboard shortcut, or pressing the dedicated Spotlight key (F4) on many Mac keyboards.

-Search capabilities - Spotlight displays results organized by category including files, websites, images, music, and more, with indicators showing which results will take you to web sources.

-Navigation tricks - Use arrow keys to move through results, double-click to open items, and hold down the Command key to reveal a file's location in Finder.

-Settings searches - Search for system settings like "VoiceOver" to quickly access specific preference panes without navigating through menus.

-Quick actions - Spotlight offers contextual actions for certain searches, like sending an email when you search for an email address.

-File management - Drag files directly from Spotlight results to the desktop or Finder windows, and use "Search in Finder" for more specific file searches.

-Calculations and conversions - Instantly perform math calculations, convert temperatures, currencies (like yen to USD), and measurements (feet to inches) right in the search field.

-Time zone lookups - Quickly check local time in different cities around the world.

-Customizing search categories - Control which categories appear in results by adjusting Spotlight preferences in System Settings.

-Privacy options - Turn off Siri suggestions or disable location services to limit Spotlight's scope, and use Search Privacy settings to exclude specific folders or drives from searches.

-Troubleshooting Spotlight - Fix problems by rebuilding the Spotlight index through a simple but effective technique involving temporarily excluding your entire hard drive.

Search for anything with Spotlight on Mac - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/search-with-spotlight-mchlp1008/mac
Choose suggestion categories for Spotlight on Mac - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/choose-suggestion-categories-for-spotlight-mchl3e00eae9/15.0/mac/15.0
Prevent Spotlight searches in files on Mac - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/prevent-spotlight-searches-in-files-mchl1bb43b84/15.0/mac/15.0
Turn off Siri Suggestions for Spotlight on Mac - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/turn-off-siri-suggestions-for-spotlight-mchl62db64f5/15.0/mac/15.0#apdd1e1b05619144

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac/episodes/181

Host: Mikah Sargent

Mikah Sargent demonstrates how to use iPhone mirroring, a powerful feature that allows you to control your iPhone directly from your Mac. This detailed walkthrough covers setup, requirements, and practical applications of this impressive Continuity feature that keeps your devices connected.

Setting up iPhone mirroring - Learn how to access the app through the dock or Spotlight search, and the initial setup process requiring passcode verification on both devices.

System requirements - Both devices need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, must be signed into the same Apple ID, positioned within 30 feet of each other, and running macOS Sequoia (or later) and iOS 18 (or later).

Interface navigation - Mikah demonstrates how to use the trackpad to navigate, access the app switcher, and return to the home screen using the menu bar at the top.

App interaction - Right-clicking apps provides additional options like converting apps to widgets or accessing app shortcuts that would normally require tap-and-hold gestures on iPhone.

Notification management - See how iPhone notifications appear on your Mac and how to customize which app notifications are displayed.

File transfers - The feature enables drag-and-drop functionality for moving photos, documents, and other files between your Mac and iPhone.

Privacy benefits - Your iPhone stays locked during mirroring, and the iPhone screen doesn't display what you're doing on the Mac side.

Multiple iPhone support - You can connect several iPhones to one Mac, though only one can be used at a time.

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Mikah Sargent takes viewers on a comprehensive tour of the Passwords app in macOS Sequoia, demonstrating how this robust tool serves as a complete credential management system. From passkeys to verification codes and shared passwords, Mikah explores how Apple has created a secure yet user-friendly solution for managing all your login information across devices.

Passkeys - These are created automatically when you set up passkey authentication on websites, with limited editing options but the ability to add notes or modify the associated website.

Verification codes - Users can add two-factor authentication codes either by entering setup keys manually or scanning QR codes.

Wi-Fi - The app stores Wi-Fi network credentials, displays network security information (WPA2/WPA3), and lets users generate QR codes for easy sharing.

Security recommendations - The app alerts users when passwords may be compromised in data breaches using Apple's differential privacy techniques that protect user privacy.

Password sharing feature - Users can create groups to share specific login credentials with family members or others, with granular control over which passwords are shared.

Password importing - The app supports importing passwords from CSV files, though Mikah strongly recommends deleting these files immediately after import for security.

Cross-device synchronization - All passwords sync across Apple devices with end-to-end encryption via iCloud.

Windows compatibility - Even Windows users can access their passwords through the iCloud Passwords app, making it a versatile solution.

Passwords User Guide - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/passwords/welcome/1.1/mac/15.4.1

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Mikah Sargent demonstrates how to set up and configure an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) with macOS, showcasing how this essential device can protect your Mac from sudden power outages and allow for graceful shutdowns to prevent data loss. This practical guide walks users through the various places macOS displays UPS information and how to customize shutdown settings for optimal protection.

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Mikah Sargent takes viewers on a comprehensive tour of the latest Control Center updates in iOS 18.4, demonstrating new features and reminding users of existing functionality they might have overlooked. Check out how Apple has enhanced this essential interface with ambient music options and expanded Apple Intelligence controls.

Navigation and customization - Learn how to switch between different Control Center categories by swiping up and down, including Favorites, additional controls, media controls, Home controls, and connectivity options.

Resizing controls - Controls with a "macaroni noodle" in the corner can be resized by tapping, holding, and dragging to make them larger or smaller based on user preference.
Adding new controls - Mikah demonstrates how to add controls by tapping "Add a Control," which suggests options based on what might be useful for the user.

Ambient music feature - A new addition in iOS 18.4 that allows users to quickly play background music from categories like Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Well-being directly from Control Center.

Apple Intelligence and Siri updates - New control options including "Talk to Siri" (to switch between voice and typing) and "Visual Intelligence" for iPhone 16, 15 Pro, and 16E models.

App shortcuts integration - Third-party developers can now add shortcuts to Control Center, like "Analyze photo with Claude," Instagram capture, and Snapchat options.

App-specific categories - Apps can create their own categories in Control Center, with examples from Carrot, ChatGPT, Controller, Documents, DuckDuckGo, and many others.

Print Center tool - Mikah highlights the often-overlooked Print Center utility that allows users to check the status of AirPrint jobs.

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Learn the secrets to efficient photo management with the latest updates in macOS Sequoia 15.4. Join Mikah Sargent, as he unravels the enhanced features of the Photos app that are set to transform your digital album experience.

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Learn how Apple's latest macOS Sequoia update transforms the humble Notes app into a powerful calculator, allowing users to perform complex mathematical calculations right where they jot down their thoughts. Mikah Sargent breaks down the exciting new Math Notes feature that brings computational magic to your note-taking experience. From basic calculation capabilities to the defining of variables, this episode will get your brain ready to quickly crunch numbers on your Mac!

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Mikah Sargent explores Keka, a feature-rich third-party archive utility for Mac that offers extensive compression and extraction options beyond what's built into macOS. This free and open-source tool provides advanced customization while remaining user-friendly.

The app supports creating archives in multiple formats including 7-zip, tar, gzip, dmg, iso, and many others. Keka can extract numerous file types including ZIP, RAR, JAR, ISO, DMG, TAR, EXE, and CPGZ files. Users can set Keka as the default archive utility system-wide or for specific file types. The app includes extensive compression settings like compression level, file naming preferences, and integrity verification.

The app is available free on Keka.io but purchasing from the App Store supports the developer!

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Mikah Sargent dives deep into Archive Utility on macOS, a powerful but often overlooked tool that works behind the scenes to compress and expand files on your Mac. From creating basic zip archives to encrypted files, this episode reveals all the hidden features of this versatile utility.

• How compression works - Compression algorithms look for repeating patterns in data to make files smaller, though already compressed files like JPEGs may not benefit much.
• Quick compression with right-click - The fastest way to compress files is selecting them, right-clicking, and choosing "Compress," which always creates a standard zip file.
• Opening Archive Utility - Access it directly by using Command+Space and typing "archive" to explore its full capabilities beyond the right-click option.
• Archive Utility settings - Configure where expanded files are saved, what happens to archives after expansion, and whether to automatically expand nested archives.
• Expansion options - Choose to keep, trash, or delete archives after expanding them, or move them to a specific location.
• Compression options - Similar settings exist for what happens to original files after creating an archive.
• Archive formats explained - Despite setting preferences in Archive Utility, the right-click "Compress" option always creates zip files regardless of settings.
• Creating CPGZ archives - These compressed archives must be created by selecting a folder through the File menu, not through right-click compression.
• Regular archives (CPIO) - Simple "briefcase" archives without compression, useful for bundling files without reducing size.
• Apple Archive (AAR) - A Mac-specific format that uses multi-threaded compression to efficiently compact files.
• Encrypted archives (AER) - Secure, password-protected archives that can be unlocked with Touch ID if saved to your keychain.
• Why ZIP remains the standard - ZIP format is used for the right-click compression option because of its universal compatibility across different operating systems.

Zip and unzip files and folders on Mac - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/zip-and-unzip-files-and-folders-on-mac-mchlp2528/mac

Host: Mikah Sargent

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