macOS Sierra and it's secrets

macOS, the new name given to the mac operating system and while the only thing I hate about this name is the fact that it starts with a small "m" as opposed to a capital "M", everything else seems right about this move from Apple. Now let's talk about the new macOS Sierra.

In short this update is "enough of a handful for most people", however for others it may be short of a handful. Nevertheless, macOS Sierra main feature is Siri. We knew Apple will do this sooner than later. It's something that Apple users were eyeing out for quite a while, mainly after Microsoft embracing Cortana with Windows 10. However, there is still one question, do people even use Siri?

I have asked few people that I know are quite heavy iOS users and most of them have said 'NO'.
A big fat 'NO'. Personally, I am still not getting around using Siri even on my iPhone after almost 4 to 5 years. Even after this update, I have not used Siri on my mac, maybe it is because it feels a bit 'out of workflow', if that makes sense. I mean I have all my most used apps on my dock, instead of asking Siri to open one of them, I can easily drag my mouse cursor and click on it.

I use Spotify and Siri doesn't all me to play music through this app. Yes, there are some people that simply change their music streaming service just to justify the fact that they use and appreciate Siri. So yes, Siri is a major feature but I am sorry to say it's still something that Apple have not been able to execute perfectly, quite like the Apple Watch.

One thing which is missing from mac is the ability to invoke Siri using a keyphrase like 'Hey Siri'. I am sure Apple will add it in the next update. Instead of waiting for that, there is a way you can invoke Siri through that key phrase, and I show you how to set it up in the video below.

However, moving on, the next feature that I really do enjoy using is the PIP for online videos. It's a brilliant feature and works quite well and something that is very useful when you are typing an article and at the same time don't want to miss out on a podcast or a video.

Universal clipboard is another brilliant feature which allows users to copy text/picture on iPad/iPhone and paste it in your Mac document etc.

Truth be told, the new updates in macOS are quite subtle but something that you would use more often than not. There are however, some not so know features and tips and tricks that I  show you guys in my latest video(below).



I am happy with the macOS Sierra update, however, now the next thing I am curious to see from Apple is what aesthetic changes they will bring to the macOS platform in the next update as it's a department that we have not seen change much in the last couple of years.

Apple Music and Taylor Swift - The Whole Conundrum Explained!

Not too long ago Apple unveiled a music streaming service called Apple Music. Jimmy Lovine took the stage and just talked about the basics. How a streaming service should be and blah blah! And then he compared Apple Music with other streaming service. To which Spotify's CEO reply was exceptional! Oh Ok. (Which he later deletes)

Now here is where the whole conundrum starts. In order to get more customers, Apple announced that for the first 90 days, Apple Music will be free. Brilliant move right? Yes, indeed. Those who have invested heavily in other streaming platforms would love to try out Apple Music for free. However, one thing that was not in our knowledge was the fact that for these 3 months, Apple will not be paying artists.

This came as a sudden shock to many thanks to the open letter from Taylor Swift to Apple. She said:

We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.

I’m sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free 3 month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I’m not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company. 

This is not about me. Thankfully I am on my fifth album and can support myself, my band, crew, and entire management team by playing live shows. This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year’s worth of plays on his or her songs. 

Within few hours time Apple announced that they will be paying all the artists  during the 3 month free trial. It's absurd how one artist will work day and night on a song and Apple will use his song to make their streaming service successful while not paying the artist for his part. Streaming music isn't the easiest thing to do. But I still don't know how many people will actually ditch other music services and start using Apple Music.

Well only time will tell, but for now, I am happy with my Spotify.

Apple Product Lineup - It's a confusing mess! (OPINION)

I have been meaning to write such an article for a while now and now I have got the time to do it, so let's begin! I have been going through Apple's product lineup and I sense danger. Danger that Apple has been familiar when Steve Jobs was fired from the company. I think that the Apple product lineup is really confusing. They need to clean it up and fast!



Let's start with the cleanest product line up, and that must be the Macs and iPods. So currently there are 5 Macs (including desktop and notebooks) that Apple is providing. We have an iMac (Normal and Retina ), Macbook Pro (Retina), Macbook Air (11" & 13") and the 12" Macbook (Retina). Even though this is much less confusing than their iPhone and iPad lineup there are still some issues with this lineup.

Macbook Pro without the retina display is available for purchase at $1099, while the new Retina Macbook Pro starts at $1299. Why do they still have the 13" Non- Retina Macbook Pro still available for purchase. This just adds more to the confusion. Secondly, why have 11" Macbook Air when the 12" Macbook Retina is available. The only main reason for this is the fact that 11" Macbook Air costs $899 while 12" Macbook is priced at $1299. With this lineup Apple might not bring Retina Macbook Airs since the 12" Macbook with Retina replaces 11" MBA for most people.

I think the Macbook Air lineup is in danger of extinction if Apple drops price of the 12" Macbook. Even if they keep the Macbook Air lineup as it is, no one will consider buying it because it has non-retina display, and even if they do update their Air lineup with Retina display, then people will be confused between 12" Macbook or 11" Air. (CONFUSION)

Now let's talk about iPods. Well there isn't much to talk about it as Apple hasn't updated their iPod lineup in more than 2 years. It's a bit disappointing how the Cupertino based company is ignoring one of their major product line ups. iPod is how one gets into the Apple iOS ecosystem and lets not forget how the click-wheel iPod brought Apple back in the tech business. Currently we have an iPod Touch with a 5MP camera, a retina display (4") and sub-par specifications. Then we have an iPod Shuffle and the iPod Nano. It's the most cleanest and easy to understand Apple lineup!

The iPhone lineup is less confusing but it is a bit odd. We have 4 iPhone models currently available. The iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5s. The only odd thing about this lineup is that iPhone 5c. Why do we have a phone that has a plastic body, no Touch ID and poor specifications. I don't think anyone  buys this phone over iPhone 5s. Had there been an iPhone 5 in the place of 5c then it would have made more sense. It's odd having a plastic phone between top-level phones.

The iPad lineup is very confusing. So essentially we have 5 iPads currently available. We have iPad Air 2 and iPad Air. Then iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 2 and iPad Mini 1. And here is the pricing. iPad Air 2 starts at $499 and the iPad Air starts at $399. Then we have iPad Mini 3rd Gen that starts at $399, then the iPad Mini 2 that starts at $299 and iPad Mini 1st gen which is available for $249. Alright now lets analyse this. The iPad Air 2 and iPad Air pricing seems perfect to me. However, the confusion arises when the iPad Mini 3 having same specifications as the iPad Mini 2 is $100 more in pricing and is same in price as the iPad Air. So if you want to get Touch ID on a larger iPad, then you have to go for the $499 iPad Air 2 and if you want to get the Touch ID on iPad Mini then you have to purchase iPad Mini 3 for $399 however the specifications of iPad Mini 3 and 2 are same. This is where Apple confuses users. Just for a Touch ID you are paying $100 more while the specifications are same. This is bizarre!

Adding more to the confusion is the iPad Pro which is becoming more and more of a reality after the introduction of iOS 9. Check out this link for all the iOS 9 content. The iPad Pro will just add more confusion to this mess. Here is what Apple should do about the iPad lineup! Keep the iPad Air 2 and iPad Air. Discontinue the iPad Mini and iPad Mini 2 and lower the price of iPad Mini 3 to $349. So we have just one product from the iPad Mini line up and 2 from the bigger iPad . Then they can put iPad Pro in there as a third option. And one more thing Apple, next time when you update a device, please update the specifications as well. Just adding a sensor and charging $100 more is absurd.

Last but not the least is the Apple Watch. Apple Watch has 3 versions. Sports, Watch and Edition. Each of these versions have different configurations and models. Well for more details on the sky high pricing of these useless watches check out Apple's website! For those who don't know I am not a huge fan of Apple Watch hence I called it "useless". I am waiting for the Apple Watch 2, hopefully its more useful!

So here is a detail analysis of Apple products and how they are priced! iPad is the most confusing lineup followed by the Apple Watch. What do you think about it? Leave your feedback down below in the comment section!

Cellular Continuity Explained!

Last year Apple introduced Continuity with iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite. Essentially it allowed users to take phone calls on other devices such as a Mac or an iPad. However, up till now you need to have both devices under same wifi connection.


That changes now with iOS 9. With iOS 9 now you can use continuity even if the devices are not under the same wireless connection.

Native Print Preview now in iOS 9

With iOS 4, Apple announced AirPrint, a feature that allowed users to print directly from their device. Up till now there has been no print preview option. So essentially when you are printing a document you are just doing it blindly. Well now with iOS 9 Apple provides us with an option of print preview.

iPad Pro to feature 2732x2048 resolution display according to iOS 9

It's not uncommon in the world of technology to be able to find traces of a company's next major product in its current product line up. Well this is what just happened with Apple and iOS 9.
According to iOS 9, the next major Apple product which is rumoured to be release sometime later this year will be supporting a mammoth screen resolution of 2732x2048.

What's on my Android? (Nexus 5) - June 2015