The official journal of the Wellington Macintosh Society Inc
INSIDE
Come to one of our meetings
Volume 33.09 – September 2016
Wellington
Monday, 26 September 7.10pm - 9.30pm Subject: New iOS, Watch & iPhones
Kapiti
Monday, 3 October 7.10pm - 9.30pm Subject: New iOS, Watch & iPhones
iPad Group*
TBA - October (Kapiti)
Help Desk*
TBA - November (Kapiti) See page 2 for more details of meetings
*Please register by emailing vp@welmac.org.nz
The President Writes p2
Disconnected Jottings p5 Keyboard Shortcuts p7 Committee Contact Details p8
Where to find us
Unless otherwise indicated, all meetings are held at
MacKenzie room of the conference centre at St John's church, corner of Dixon St and Willis St, Wellington. Kapiti meetings are held at the
Kapiti Uniting Church, Raumati Road, Raumati.
iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2
The president writes ...
David Empson president@welmac.org.nz Hi folks.
Wellington Meeting
Our main meeting in Wellington will be held on Monday 26 September, in the MacKenzie room of the conference centre at St John’s in the City, 129 Dixon St, Wellington, from 7.10pm.
The meeting will start with a Q&A session for those who have any technical issues. It would be appreciated if questions could be emailed in advance to president@welmac.org.nz so we can plan ahead.
Following Q&A we will have a light supper then the main topic.
Tonight’s main topic is Apple’s September Announcements. We will discuss the new products announced at the media event, including the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and Apple Watch series 1 and 2. We will also look at iOS 10 running on older iPhone and iPad models, and can discuss the changes in watchOS 3.
Unless a member attending the meeting got very lucky with an early order, I doubt we will have any new iPhones or Apple Watches at the meeting.
We will not have time to look at macOS Sierra in detail at this meeting. It will be covered next month.
Kapiti Area Meeting
The Kapiti meeting will start at 7.10 pm on Monday 3 October, at the Kapiti Uniting Parish, 27 Raumati Rd.
The meeting topic is the same as Wellington:
Apple’s September Announcements (iPhone 7 and iOS 10, Apple Watch).
If you would like to receive e-mail announcements about upcoming Kapiti meetings, please contact Don Niccol donnic@paradise.net.nz.
iPad Group
We expect to hold the next iPad group meeting at a member’s house in Kapiti in October. Please contact Shane Gordine vp@welmac.org.nz for details or to register.
Apple News
Apple’s now standard September media event has been held, and the new products announced are mostly available (at least to order).
I sent a summary to members via email on the day of the event, including detailed price comparisons. I won’t go over all that detail again, so if you did not receive a copy and would like one, please email me.
iOS 10
iOS 10 was released on 14 September (NZ time) and I have been running it on my iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Pro since then.
Apart from a teething problem for some people who tried upgrading on launch day, I’m not seeing widespread complaints about early problems, and it seems to be going well for me. The initial release was actually 10.0.1, but if you are concerned about stability of early releases, you might want to wait a little while for further updates.
If you are ready to upgrade to iOS 10, I strongly recommend ensuring you have a backup first, either using iTunes (preferably with encrypted backup enabled so passwords and health data are saved) or making sure your iCloud backup is up to date. That way if anything goes wrong you will be able to restore your data from backup.
There are quite a few changes and new features in iOS 10, which we can discuss in detail at the meeting. One in particular is likely to confuse some people: Apple has changed the unlock method.
Instead of swiping on the screen, unlock is now done by pressing the home button. I’m still getting used to this a week later. If you have a model with TouchID, there is a setting which might help:
Settings > General > Accessibility > Home Button >
Rest Finger to Open.
continued over page
iOS 10 and older models
The following models are not able to upgrade to iOS 10: iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad 3 (original retina display model with 30-pin dock connector), original iPad mini, iPod touch (5th generation).
These models will be limited to iOS 9.3.5 unless Apple does a rare late minor update for older models (e.g. to fix an important security or compatibility problem). These models will start to miss out on new and updated apps and future security updates, but they should be OK to keep using for a while yet.
The oldest models supported by iOS 10 in terms of processor generation are the iPhone 5, iPhone 5C and iPad 4 (retina display with lightning connector).
Reports indicate that iOS 10 is performing well on the iPhone 5 and 5C. I haven’t seen a report about the iPad 4 yet, but I expect it will also do well.
iTunes 12.5.1
The new version of iTunes has quite a few user interface changes. So far my impression is that they have improved the readability of text and visibility of controls in many areas.
For those using iTunes to manage, backup or sync iOS devices, iTunes 12.5.1 is the minimum version which officially supports devices running iOS 10. In particular, older iTunes versions cannot install iOS 10 on an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch (or do a full device restore). From my testing it appears that iTunes 12.4.3.1 is able to backup and sync with iOS 10, but that may not last with later minor updates of iOS.
iTunes 12.5.1 requires OS X 10.9.5 (Mavericks) or later, so OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) and earlier major versions are not able to support iOS 10. Furthermore, I tried iTunes 12.1.2 on Mac OS X 10.7.5 (Lion) and it is not even able to communicate with devices running iOS 10, so those still running Lion or Mac OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) are definitely not going to be able use iTunes with devices running iOS 10, or new models like the iPhone 7.
macOS 10.12 Sierra
Sierra is due to be released on 21 September (NZ time). As I’m writing this before the release date, I’ll send an email to members later in the week with early impressions of Sierra.
My usual advice stands: don’t rush into installing a major new macOS version on launch day. Wait for news about early problems and software
compatibility issues. It also helps to install updates for your applications before upgrading to a new OS version, where possible.
When you are ready to upgrade, make sure you have a full backup of your Mac, in case something goes wrong during the install.
Sierra can be installed on all Mac models introduced in Late 2009 or newer. It is not possible to upgrade directly from 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) to Sierra. The minimum version for a direct upgrade is 10.7.5 (Lion). Apple’s official path for 2009-2011 Macs running Snow Leopard is to install El Capitan first, then upgrade to Sierra.
watchOS 3.0
Original Apple Watch users get a substantial software upgrade this year, with major changes to button functions, access methods to apps, and performance improvements.
If you want to install watchOS 3, you will need to upgrade your iPhone to iOS 10 first.
If you are intending to replace your Apple Watch with a new model, the process is unexpectedly complicated: make sure you unpair your current Apple Watch with your iPhone first, so the iPhone has a backup of your watch’s data. If you are also replacing your iPhone with a new model, back up the old iPhone after unpairing the watch, then restore the new iPhone from the backup, then pair the new Apple Watch with the new iPhone and restore the backup of your old Apple Watch.
New Products
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
The latest iPhone models have been released. As usual, there is massive demand at launch, with lead times of several weeks for those who did not get in early with a pre-order. You might get lucky through cellphone companies or retailers, as long as you want an iPhone on contract. It will be a some time before supply catches up enough to allow straight purchase from a retailer.
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are the same dimensions as the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus but are slightly lighter.
Major new features are water resistance (the iPhone should survive rain or brief drops into shallow water), camera improvements (optical image stabilisation for the iPhone 7, dual camera continued over page
with 1x or 2x optical zoom for the iPhone 7 Plus), a brighter display with a wider range of colours, louder speakers (now in stereo), longer battery operating time, and a performance increase.
Storage has doubled at the same price points: the capacities are now 32 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB.
A fifth colour has been added: Jet Black (glossy), which is not available in 32 GB, and appears to be in heaviest demand. The previous Space Grey colour is now “Black” (matte). There is no change to the previous Silver, Gold and Rose Gold colours (including the white front).
The home button is no longer a physical button: it is now solid state and pressure sensitive, using the improved Taptic Engine (advanced vibrator) to provide feedback to simulate clicks.
A potential issue to be aware of: the new home button requires skin contact. It will not register a press through gloves, including most existing conductive gloves.
No Headphone Socket
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have no 3.5mm headphone socket. This is going to affect those who want to use existing headphones with a new iPhone.
The new iPhones come with a revised model of the EarPods, which plug into the lightning socket.
There is a lightning to 3.5mm adapter in the box, which can work with your existing headphones, as long as you don’t lose the adapter or forget to bring it. (Replacement adapters cost $15.)
An issue with using the lightning socket for audio is that you can’t charge the iPhone at the same time.
There are two solutions already: Apple’s Lightning Dock has a 3.5mm output, and Belkin has announced an adapter with two lightning sockets that allows using a double adapter arrangement (which looks too bulky to be practical).
A better option is to start thinking more seriously about wireless headphones, which have the disadvantage of also needing to be charged. There are already a fair number available.
Apple and Beats will be be introducing some easier to use models shortly: Apple’s “AirPods” (in- ear similar to the EarPods) are due in October, and Beats has three new series coming soon. All of these are based around a new “W1” wireless controller chip from Apple which allows much easier pairing with Apple products, while still supporting standard Bluetooth pairing with other devices.
Latest iPhones cost the same as last year Apple did not adjust the New Zealand prices for the latest iPhone models, despite the improved exchange rate. I worked out that iPhones in New Zealand are currently 16% to 19% more expensive than in the US (after allowing for GST). This is a much higher markup than other countries I checked (Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, UK and Canada).
As expected, the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus move down a price tier, replacing the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, but with double the capacity of the previous models.
The 64 GB iPhone SE is also cheaper.
Apple Watch Series 1 and 2
Apple has introduced two new series of Apple Watch models.
Series 1 is identical in features to the original Apple Watch, but about 50% faster. It is aluminium only and a little cheaper.
Series 2 has the speed boost plus new features aimed at fitness and outdoor use: water resistant to 50 metres (it supports swimming in fitness tracking), built-in GPS (for accurate route tracking while not carrying your iPhone), and a brighter display.
Series 2 is available in aluminium, stainless steel or a new white ceramic body (which replaces the solid gold model but massively cheaper).
Series 2 is about 1 mm thicker but otherwise both Series 1 and 2 look the same as the original Apple Watch, have the same battery operating time, and still require an iPhone.
No new iPads but they got cheaper
Apple has not released any new iPad models and I don’t expect any until at least March 2017.
iPads now have more storage and/or lower prices, so apart from needing to wait for retailers to catch up, iPads are now more cost effective.
No new Macs
There was practically no mention of the Mac at the event: Apple did announce the release date of macOS Sierra, which is September 21 (NZ time).
Apple has not adjusted Mac prices in New Zealand. There are still rumours of new models in October, so if you can wait, I suggest doing so.
That’s all, folks!! David Empson
To contact me, email president@welmac.org.nz, or you can ring me at home (976 9755).
Disconnected Jottings
by Steve Cooper
Third party cookies
Web browser cookies are small items of software that record aspects of your visit to a particular Web page that can be useful next time you visit that page.
For instance, when you visit a particular site, a cookie might direct you to the specific page that you viewed last on your previous visit, thus saving you the task of finding that page again yourself.
Cookies have come to be regarded as useful and unlikely to cause any trouble, and they still are, but...there's always a 'but'. The continuity added by cookies does have the potential to cause privacy leaks.
A new attack on your privacy named HEIST takes advantage of browsers’ ability to allow third-party cookies — ones that aren’t delivered by the site you’re visiting, but used by scripts or content delivered from other sites. Third-party cookies are most commonly used by advertising technology that serves up scripts and other media hosted elsewhere, and employs cookies to track you.
While browser authors could easily block third party cookies, the fact is that they can be particularly useful in some applications. Most authors, including Apple with Safari, have elected to provide for such blocking on an 'all or nothing' basis.
While an approach blocking all but specific sites would be preferable to address the new threat, use of the 'all or nothing' method can be set up right now to help at least. The required setting has been around for some time, but most of us will have carried over a less desirable one from earlier OS versions.
On the Mac, open Safari > Preferences > Privacy and under the heading 'Cookies and website data' choose 'Allow from current website only'. (The default and your likely earlier setting was 'Allow from sites I visit'.)
In iOS on the iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Safari and scroll down to the Privacy & Security section. Tap the Block Cookies line and choose 'Allow from Current Website Only'.
In the event that this causes a problem you can't live with, simply revert the setting to 'Allow from Websites I Visit' At least you'll have done what you could, pending browser changes.
Find My Mac/iPhone/iPad — status check
Being able to locate your Mac or mobile device in just a few seconds is both useful and amazing...if it works. Why wouldn't it? Well, it's probably quite a while since you set it up, and Location Services supports a number of other functions as well, so always supposing you did set it up properly in the first place, you might since have altered that original setting inadvertently. In any case, it's simple to check that Find My Mac/iPhone/iPad is working as expected.
Setup on the Mac
From the Apple menu choose System Preferences and click to select iCloud. Scroll down to Find My Mac in the applications list. If that item is ticked and no error alert is displayed, all is probably OK. (We'll check shortly.) If an alert is displayed, there will also be a Details button. Click that.
Follow the instructions, which begin with opening the Security and Privacy preference pane, and there selecting the Privacy tab.
Click the lock in the lower-left corner to enter your administrator password there, which will unlock the pane, and then tick the 'Enable Location Services'' box. Once you've done this, you can go back to System Preferences > iCloud to check that the error alert is no longer displayed.
Setup on the iPhone or iPad
Go to settings; then tap iCloud. If asked to sign in, enter your Apple ID and password. If Find My iPhone/iPad is turned off, tap to turn it on (showing green). Also tap to turn on Send Last Location.
Function check on the Mac
• In Safari, go to <icloud.com> and sign in using your Apple ID. On the iCloud home page, click the Find iPhone icon.
• You should now see a map showing the location of the Mac you are working and as well, that of any other device you have set up using the current Apple ID.
• For a clearer view of any one device and its available action options, select it from the All Devices menu at top centre of the page.
• If an expected device is not listed, it has most likely not been set up for Find My Mac/iPhone/
iPad with this Apple ID.
Function check on iOS devices
• In Safari, go to <icloud.com> and tap the button labelled Open Find My iPhone. Log in using your Apple ID and password.
• You should now see a map showing the location of the device you are working and as well, that of any other device you have set up using the current Apple ID.
• A list of all such devices provides a clearer view of any device selected from the list, and action options are found at the bottom of the page.
• If an expected device is not listed, it has most likely not been set up for Find My Mac/iPhone/
iPad with this Apple ID.
In all cases when viewing the map, there is a Help link that provides further information on this and related topics. On the Mac it's in the form of a question mark at top right of the page. On iOS devices it's the word Help at top left of the page.
Managing login applications in OS X
Every morning you arrive at your workplace, start up the Mac and after it has settled, launch Calendar, Mail, Safari, and your most-used applications one by one. Wouldn't it be great if you could automate this often lengthy process?
Well you can, at least to the point of having all your needed apps launch automatically.
If the applications you want are already in your Dock, you can right-click (Control-click) each in turn, choosing Options and then 'Open at Login' from the pop-up menus.
For other apps, go to System Preferences > Users
& Groups > current user >Login Items. Here you'll see a list of all the applications set to launch automatically when you log in to your account.
Among these will be some you don't recognize.
These are most likely 'helper' apps installed by apps familiar to you, such as iTunesHelper. It's probably best to leave these alone for now, though most will reappear after a restart if you've mistakenly deleted a needed one; otherwise you may need to reinstall the parent app.
To add a new application to the list, you can click the Add button (+ sign) and navigate to the wanted app in the Finder. Alternatively you can drag the app's icon from the Applications folder into the Login Items list.
To remove an application from this list, simply select it and click the Delete button (– sign).
If you have an application that you want to launch but keep hidden until you actually need to work with it, tick the box next to it in the list. Note that such a tick does not have any effect on whether an app launches or not — it relates solely to the 'Hide' function.
Safari — the Develop menu in OS X
Here are a couple of tricks so often handy that I think they should feature more prominently in Safari's menu system.
Open Safari and in its Preferences panel choose the Advanced tab; then at the bottom of the panel tick the box labelled "Show Develop menu in menu bar". Yes, I know you aren't a developer, but bear with me. Close the preferences panel and check Safari's main menu bar. Sure enough, there is the Develop menu.
Our first command of interest is the top one — Open Page With. This is useful when for whatever reason, Safari seems unable to open a web page correctly, with either cosmetic or functional problems. Someone suggests that you should try using the Chrome browser instead. That might work, but you still want to use Safari as your primary browser. No problem.
While viewing the problem page go to the Develop menu and choose Open Page With >
Google Chrome.
If that doesn't work, you could try Open Page With
> Opera instead. Notice that the Open Page With menu has automatically displayed all your installed browsers, making the process very easy. All the browsers I mention here are free to download, so that you will have some options to try.
Be aware though that if you are new to Firefox, it will try a few tricks to induce you to make it your primary browser in place of Safari. Resist! While you can work around this it's a pain, and rather spoils
the Open Page With experience; just try Chrome and Opera first.
The second useful command in the Develop menu is Empty Caches. When you visit a number of web pages with Safari, a copy of each is retained in a special area of the Mac's memory called a cache, so that if you ask to review an earlier page, it can be quickly loaded from the cache instead of having to be recalled from the Internet.
If it happens that a page in the cache is somehow damaged and won't load properly, you can recall the page as many times as you like, but the same cached page will be reloaded every time. The problem will recur endlessly.
What needs to happen here is for the contents of the cache to be trashed, forcing Safari to go to the Internet for a fresh copy from the original source.
With any luck, this will resolve the problem. Empty Caches is thus a troubleshooting command. It can be used at any time you have a Safari problem, and while it may not always work, it can do no harm.
Keyboard Shortcuts
The nature of iOS, where you are using your fingers most of the time on a virtual keyboard with no tactile response is such that keyboard shortcuts can make quite a difference. In iOS it tends to be one finger tap or tap and hold, and then multiple fingers making actions.
But in macOS you have use of the command, control, option and shift keys, all of which can be construed to specific actions. There are a number of applications, which extend the Apple given range of key combinations and allow you to develop your own. However I’m afraid I’m a bear of little brain and once I get to ⌘-⎇-X with a variation using the shift key, I just start to lose it. I just don’t have sufficient repetitive need of these complex operations to be worth remembering and using them. So what are the ones that I commonly use?
! ⌘-P Print a document
! ⌘-S Save a document
! ⌘-A Select entire text in document
! ⌘-C Copy selected text
! ⌘-X Cut selected text
! ⌘-V Paste selected text
! ⌘-Z Undo typing (when you’ve made a blue)
Yes, you’re right. It’s a pitifully small list isn’t it? I don’t even use ⌘-⇧-S for saving a document to another name and yet I’m well familiar with the command.
Nevertheless, I do have a couple of click tricks when writing documents and these I use quite a bit.
Set cursor and click twice to select the word
Set cursor and click three times to select the paragraph
When you’re working with a keyboard, the arrow keys provide a lot of facility, particularly in
positioning the cursor in text. You can also find a list in the system keyboard preferences.
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President David Empson 976 9755
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