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How to invoke Siri with a keyboard shortcut on Mac

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated February 27, 2020

Your favorite assistant finally made its way to the Mac, starting with the macOS Sierra software update.

If you have used Siri on your iPhone or iPad before, then you'll probably feel right at home with the assistant on your Mac since it works in a similar way. However, unlike your iPhone, you don't have the ability to invoke Siri on your Mac by saying "Hey, Siri." Instead, you will have to click on the Siri icon in the Menu Bar, or in the Dock.

Another way to invoke Siri is by using a keyboard shortcut. Admittedly, this is my preferred way of activating the assistant as it feels faster and more efficient than reaching for the mouse or trackpad and clicking on the Siri icon.

Tweetbot for Mac updated with support for macOS Sierra, extended Tweets and more

Cody Lee ∙ September 20, 2016

Tweetbot users will be happy to hear that the Tapbots have updated their popular Twitter client today to support the just-released macOS Sierra software. The release brings the app to version 2.4.2, and it includes several improvements.

Among these improvements is support for extended Tweets—a change Twitter made to its service this week that prevents media URLs and Quote Tweets from counting against your 140 character limit. It also now supports extended videos.

How to remove built-in applications from iPhone or iPad

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated September 19, 2017

Just like you probably do, I have a folder on my iPhone whose sole purpose is to store all of Apple's apps that I don't use. Stocks, Compass, Voice Memos, Tips, etc. They're all in there because I can't get rid of them. But this is changing!

Beginning with iOS 10, Apple now allows you to delete some built-in applications from your iPhone or iPad to help you tidy things up and bit and rid you of apps you don't actually use.

This comes with some minor strings attached. For one, apps aren't technically deleted from your device. That said, the process to remove them and get them back on the Home screen is similar to how you handle other apps. We'll have a look at all this right now.

macOS Sierra software update is now available

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple on Tuesday released macOS Sierra for its laptop and desktop computers. The software update is free, and compatible with iMacs and MacBooks from 2009 or later, as well as MacBook Airs, MacBook Pros, Mac Minis and Mac Pros from 2010 or later.

If you own any of the above hardware, you can update to macOS Sierra by navigating to the Mac App Store and locating the macOS Sierra page (or you can just search the App Store for macOS Sierra). Click on 'Download' and follow the on-screen instructions.

How to transfer only Activity and Health app information to a new iPhone

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Each year when a new iPhone lands on my doorstep, I am excited to carefully unpack the new device and get everything installed. Like you, I prefer to think of loading up a new iPhone as one of the best digital experiences. It is like taking a new car for its first run on the highway. To ensure the best experience, those among us with strong opinions always start from a fresh iPhone and never restore from a previous backup. By starting from scratch, you guarantee no faulty details work their way into an otherwise fresh system.

However, with the advent of Apple Watch and encrypted Health and Activity data, the only way to transfer those precious Activity rings is via an encrypted backup. If there was just some way, to only restore the Activity and Health data...

Let’s Talk iOS 153: First impressions of iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2

Sébastien Page ∙ September 20, 2016

Design, Home button, display, cameras, speed, battery, sound: Cody and Sebastien discuss pretty much every aspect of their respective new iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7. Sebastien also talks about his Apple Watch Series 2 featuring snappier performances, brighter screen, and improved battery life. Y'all ready for this?

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Support Let’s Talk iOS: Want to get into HomeKit? Visit idevicesinc.com and use promo code iOS for 15% off your home’s evolution.

iPhone 7 outlasts Samsung Galaxy S7 in 35-foot water immersion

Anthony Bouchard ∙ September 20, 2016

When it comes to competition in the technology world, there’s nothing fiercer than that of what exists between Apple and Samsung.

Apple’s new iPhone 7 & 7 Plus handsets are water resistant, and recent water resistance testing has shown that it’s probably under-rated at IP67, but Samsung’s Galaxy S7 is rated to IP68 standards. So how do they compare?

iPhone 7 torture tests show low chance of bending, camera cover & Touch ID scratch easily

Anthony Bouchard ∙ September 20, 2016

Apple’s new iPhone 7 & 7 Plus are just now starting to get into consumers’ hands, and as a result, the run of the mill stress and torture tests have been ongoing since the end of this past week.

The iPhone 7 has proved to be very reliable in water resistance testing, as well as in drop testing, but there are other forms of durability tests too that might tickle your interest.

Enjoy 2 months of Apple Music for free with this gift card deal

Cody Lee ∙ September 19, 2016

Current (or potential future) Apple Music users are going to want to check out this deal from PayPal. The e-payment company is offering a gift card good for a 1-year subscription to Apple's streaming music service for just $99.

Since an individual subscription to Apple Music is typically $9.99/month, this makes for a ~$20 discount—or 2 free months of service. The gift card can be purchased via PayPal's eBay store and is delivered within minutes by email.

Media, polls and quoted tweets no longer count against Twitter’s 140-character limit

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2018

In May of this year, Twitter promised it would be stopping counting media and other non-text content against its 140-character limit. Today, the company announced that embedded photos, videos, GIFs, polls and quoted tweets no longer count toward your 140 characters.

Twitter originally promised to also stop counting user mentions like @iDownloadBlog, but didn't specify today when it'll drop @usernames from the character count.

Reports of iPhone 7 Home button and camera lens not covered in sapphire are false

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 19, 2016

I've seen a few reports on the web claiming that the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus do not use sapphire crystal to protect the Touch ID sensor on the non-moving Home button and the camera lens. It would make sense for everybody to stop worrying because these reports are simply not true.

According to Apple's marketing boss Phil Schiller on Twitter, both new iPhone models use sapphire protection for the Home button and camera lens, just like before.

65+ new Apple Watch features in watchOS 3

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 19, 2016

watchOS 3 released alongside iOS 10 with a bunch of new features, core technologies and user interface enhancements. With watchOS 3, navigating your watch is now intuitive, as it should have been from the onset. A new Dock feature lets you access your frequently used apps with a press of the Side button and they load way faster, even on the original watch.

Apps can also take advantage of Background App Refresh technology to stay up to date, Messages now supports stickers, enhanced Digital Touch features and even fullscreen and bubble effects, like in iOS 10, plus tons more.