How to bring back old password-entry grid on fourth-generation Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 26, 2019

To me, the new software keyboard in tvOS is absolutely the biggest pain point and a major step back from the old password-entry grid on previous Apple TV models.

As ridiculous as it sounds, Apple has opted to put all the characters in a single line, two-row layout. This isn't just odd from a user experience standpoint, the new keyboard design in tvOS is a lot slower and clunkier to maneuver than the previous grid-style one.

And with the amount of passwords needing entering in third-party video apps, it's especially annoying and cumbersome. But as it turns out, there's a way to bring back the old password-entry grid to speed up typing those passwords.

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Watch the iPad Pro go toe-to-toe with a MacBook Pro when exporting 4K video

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

If you haven't guessed by now, I'm extremely excited about the iPad Pro and what it brings to the table. It features a super-powerful A9X system on a chip, 4GB of RAM, and improved memory architecture. It's a beast of a machine, no doubt.

But is the iPad Pro beastly enough to go toe-to-toe with an 2.3 Ghz Intel i7 equipped MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM? Surely that's crazy talk, no? Watch my video to find out...

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WordPress launches native Mac app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

If you blog in any capacity at all, chances are you're on WordPress, the world's top blogging platform that now powers one out of each four websites on the Internet. Automatic, the company behind WordPress, has been updating its mobile blogging app on a regular basis and today they're introducing a brand new WordPress for Mac app.

Billed as “a new way to write,” the free app lets you manage, edit and publish content to your WordPress-hosted or self-hosted sites and WordPress VIP ones.

The Mac app is available now alongside a thorough redesign of wordpress.com, both of which are also going open-source today with the launch.

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This flexible mounting system attaches Apple TV and Siri Remote to the back of your telly

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 23, 2015

A United States company called Innovelis today announced that its brand new flexible mounting system for the fourth-generation Apple TV set-top box and Siri Remote is available for purchase exclusively via Apple's retail and online stores around the world.

Retailing for just $29.95, this useful accessory is especially convenient for Apple TV fans with a wall-mounted TV.

Dubbed the TotalMount Pro, it attaches your Apple TV directly to the back of a television set, helping eliminate both the clutter and the need to tunnel the HDMI cable through the wall from your TV area.

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Cool Google promotion asks you to join the Dark or Light sides of the Force

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 4, 2017

Tons of Google properties are getting Star Wars-themed Easter eggs today in an interesting new promotion celebrating the arrival of Disney's highly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie, which opens on December 18, 2015.

Just point your browser at google.com/starwars/ and log in with your Google Account.

You'll then be asked to choose between the Dark or Light sides of the Force. Depending on your choice, a number of Google's most widely used web properties will be skinned and themed accordingly, including Gmail, Chrome and Google Maps.

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MasterCard now offering free public transit to Apple Pay users in London

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 23, 2015

As part of its Fare Free Mondays promotion, global financial services corporation MasterCard is now offering Apple Pay users free public transit in London for a limited time. The promo starts today, November 23, and is valid over the next four consecutive Mondays ending December 14, 2015.

During those Mondays, customers in London can take advantage of Apple Pay on their iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch to use London's public transit network at no charge. That is, up to £27.90 in daily fares per customer is included in the form of refundable funds.

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Skype for iPhone and iPad gains Maps integration and other improvements in latest update

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 23, 2015

Microsoft's Skype for iPhone and Skype for iPad apps received an update this morning in the App Store, bringing out new features including integration with Apple Maps. Now you can check locations in Maps directly from highlighted addresses and also call a phone number using Skype Credit directly from highlighted numbers.

The app is now easier to multi-task as well: you can now return to a call by pressing the Active Call banner in Skype.

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Review: the Aukey outdoor Bluetooth speaker is a nice shower companion

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

This might sound weird, but the idea of listening to music and podcasts while in the shower has always appealed to me. It’s one of the reasons that I initially looked forward to the Apple Watch, thinking that I was going to be able to use it to listen to podcasts directly from the Apple Watch itself.

While that outlook has yet to materialize, I do appreciate the ability to easily control my iPhone’s music player via my Apple Watch while in the shower. But the iPhone’s speaker leaves a lot to be desired. I need a proper Bluetooth speaker that can take being exposed to the shower.

I recently acquired said Bluetooth speaker from Aukey, and it has proved to be the answer that I needed. It looks a bit weird, but its IPX4 waterproof rating and rugged design makes it a great option for a precarious environment like the shower.

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Review: the $10 iPad Pro Smart Case

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Earlier today, I got my hands on the JETech Smart Case for iPad Pro. The JETech is an uber-cheap iPad Pro case offering that's currently available for purchase on Amazon.

As you're probably aware of, Apple hasn't produced an all-in-one Smart Case solution for the iPad Pro. Instead, users wanting full 360° coverage will need to opt for both a Smart Cover and a Silicone Case. That combination, while certainly premium feeling, also comes with a premium price at around $140 before tax. In contrast, I was able to pick up the JETech case for a hair under $10.

The JETech isn't perfect, but its exceptionally low price will tempt more than a few iPad Pro adopters. Of course, you do tend to get what you pay for, so should you even bother?

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PowerMe will turn any device into a power source

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 25, 2016

A new accessory that launched earlier today on the crowdsourcing platform Indiegogo attempts to solve an important concern with mobile devices—battery life—with an interesting twist.

Dubbed the PowerMe, this tiny multi-purpose dongle turns almost any mobile device outfitted with a microUSB port into a mobile battery pack for your other gadgets, including Lightning-enabled iPhones, iPads and iPods.

In addition, the PowerMe lets you share photos, music and other documents between devices and it's small enough to easily snap onto your keyring.

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Blackberry Priv geometric wallpapers for iPhone

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

The Wallpapers of the Week section has continued for longer than two years! Over this time and more than 100 posts, we are able to see certain trends in popularity. Other than starry galaxy wallpapers, geometric wallpapers seem to be the biggest hit each time they are posted.

Today, the new Blackberry Priv wallpapers fit the geometric category. These wallpapers were optimized by @AR72014. Follow him online to see a steady stream of creativity and other images. Step inside for a download of the five new Blackberry Priv wallpapers. Additionally, find links to some of our previous posts with similar themes.

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