Software

Finding what version and build number of macOS you have on your Mac

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated June 28, 2019

There come times when you need to know not only what version of macOS that you're running, but also where you may want to know the actual build number.

This information usually comes mostly in handy when you're running betas, but sometimes when filing bug reports with Apple, they might ask you to provide them with what version of macOS you are running on your Mac and the build number it shows.

In this tutorial, we'll show you not only how to find out what version of macOS you're running, but also where to find the build number of the version of macOS you have installed.

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Here’s how to add a WWDC 2016 countdown widget to your Mac

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated May 19, 2019

If you're waiting patiently for WWDC 2016 to see what Apple has in store for iOS and OS X this year, then you've probably marked your calendars, or you may even be attending the event in person.

Those of you looking forward to the event can now add a countdown widget to your Mac's Dashboard that counts down to the day of WWDC 2016.

In this tutorial, we'll show you how to get the widget and how to install it.

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Check out this endless runner game you can play from Notification Center

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 19, 2016

Knowing that Apple has been restrictive in the past on what is and what isn't allowed to pass in the App Store for a Notification Center widget, it can be fun when little gems find their way into the top charts section and you stumble upon them.

While looking through them, I discovered a free endless runner game called Steve - The Jumping Dinosaur, but unlike other endless runners you've played before, this game is played inside of a Notification Center widget rather than from the app itself.

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Downgrades no longer possible as Apple stops signing iOS 9.3 for some devices

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 18, 2016

On Monday, Apple has pulled the signing plug on its iOS 9.3 firmware for its lineup of iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads.

As a result, downgrades through iTunes to iOS 9.3 are no longer possible, and there's no way to upgrade specifically to iOS 9.3 from an earlier firmware.

Instead, users will be directed to install iOS 9.3.1 when restoring or updating their devices through iTunes.

Update: It seems that not all versions of iOS 9.3 have stopped being signed. It appears that iOS 9.3 is not being any longer for newer devices (i.e. iPhone 6s, iPad Air 2), but it is still being signed for older devices (ie. iPhone 5s).

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Quickly and easily record animated GIFs with Giphy Cam

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 18, 2016

Animated GIFs are fun, the only thing is, creating them generally requires a computer and either some fancy GIF-making software, or a website that can convert video files to animated GIFs.

Fortunately, for those of you that spend most of your time mobile, rather than at a computer, the free GiphyCam app from the App Store provides an all-in-one experience for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users.

We'll talk about GiphyCam in this piece and show you how you can use it to record your own animated GIFs right from your mobile device.

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Jailbreak tweaks of the week: Edge, SlideMe, & more…

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 10, 2016

It's Sunday again, and that means we'll be sharing a list of all the jailbreak tweaks that were released in Cydia this week.

Although Cydia isn't quite as busy as it is when there's a fresh jailbreak out and about for the latest iOS firmware, Cydia is still kicking with some interesting releases.

In this roundup, we'll show you our favorite jailbreak tweak releases of the week first, and then we'll get to showing you the rest.

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This Mac app tracks how often you slack off

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated February 8, 2018

A lot of us use our Macs not only for our daily lives, but also for our work. The problem is, with all of the internet at our fingertips, it can be hard to stay focused when the allure of social networking, like Facebook and Twitter, as well as other things you can do to slack off, are no more than just a click away.

That's the idea behind the creation of an awesome free app for your Mac called Escape by FocusList, which tracks how much you slack off each day and provides you with a daily report for your viewing pleasure.

In this piece, we'll give you a look at the software and how it works; you might even find interest in trying it out for yourself!

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FreeChat for WhatsApp brings a free native desktop app for WhatsApp to Mac

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated May 31, 2023

Anyone who uses WhatsApp Messenger who has been looking for a truly free native-style desktop app experience on their Mac has been hard-pressed to find a really good client that didn't have hidden costs and worked extremely well in the same package.

Fortunately, FreeChat for WhatsApp is an app on the Mac App Store that you can download on your Mac at no cost whatsoever, and it will work exactly how you would expect a WhatsApp Messenger client to work on your Mac without any hidden costs, ads, or caveats

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MacID update adds multi-Apple Watch support, improved battery life, pairing reliability, & more

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated June 22, 2018

The popular MacID app for iOS and OS X has received an update on Friday that adds support for new features in the newly-released watchOS 2.2 and iOS 9.3 firmware.

MacID has been made popular for its ability to unlock Mac computers with Touch ID or from an interactive notification on the wrist of the app's user by way of their Apple Watch, rather than having to type a pasword to unlock the Mac from a sleep.

Version 1.3.3 of MacID is now available in the App Store for iOS devices and Apple Watches, and version 1.3.3 of MacID for the Mac is available from the developer's website.

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Videos: hands-on with the iPhone SE

Anthony Bouchard ∙ March 21, 2016

Although a good portion of Apple's customers have migrated over to the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhones, it's just too hard for some people to let go of the tried-and-true 4-inch handset because it fits in their hands so well. As a result of the demand, Apple has breathed new life into the 4-inch iPhone with the new iPhone SE that the company unveiled during Monday's 'Let us loop you in' event.

Because the iPhone SE won't be available for pre-order until Thursday, March 24th, no one actually has one yet. On the other hand, a few publications have already gone hands-on with the device on Apple's campus post-event, and we'll share some of the first reputable videos to hit the internet right here in this post.

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