Hands-On Mac (Audio) (TWiT)

This episode sees Mikah Sargent walking through the newly announced Apple Invites app. This event invitation tool allows one to invite friends and family to an occasion (like a BBQ) even if the recipients don't have an iPhone. Importantly, a user needs to have an iCloud+ subscription in order to create an event.

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Mikah Sargent shares essential tips for troubleshooting Bluetooth issues on your Mac in this episode of Hands-On Mac. Learn how to resolve connectivity problems and get your devices working smoothly again with these step-by-step instructions.

In this episode, Mikah covers:

• Restarting your Mac: The simplest and often most effective first step in resolving Bluetooth issues
• Toggling Bluetooth on and off: Quickly turning Bluetooth off and back on in the System Settings can help re-establish connections
• Unpairing and repairing devices: "Forgetting" a previously connected device and setting it up again as new can fix persistent problems
• Accessing advanced Bluetooth information: Holding the Option key while clicking the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar reveals device addresses and firmware versions for connected peripherals
• Force quitting Bluetooth processes: Using Activity Monitor to quit the "bluetoothuserd" background process can help reset the Bluetooth system when other methods fail
• Checking for device-specific issues: Ensuring your Bluetooth devices are fully charged and running the latest firmware can eliminate connectivity troubles
• Minimizing interference: Keeping potential sources of interference, like microwaves, away from your Bluetooth devices can improve stability

By following these troubleshooting steps, you'll be well-equipped to tackle most Bluetooth problems on your Mac and keep your wireless peripherals connected and working reliably.

Bluetooth settings on Mac - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/bluetooth-settings-on-mac-blth8111/mac

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Mac at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

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In this episode of Hands-On Mac, Mikah Sargent explores the Print Center utility in macOS - an essential but often overlooked tool for managing printers and print jobs. Mikah gives a comprehensive walkthrough of the app's features, showing how it can help troubleshoot printer issues and manage your printing needs without requiring bloated third-party software.

Accessing Print Center - Mikah demonstrates multiple ways to open the utility, including using Spotlight (Command+Space), the menu bar search icon, or navigating through Finder to Applications > Utilities

Viewing connected printers - The sidebar displays all connected printers with status indicators

Adding new printers - Mikah shows how to add printers using the plus icon, explaining the three connection methods

Connection protocols - AirPrint is recommended when available as it makes the printer accessible across all Apple devices, not just Macs

Printer management options - The interface allows pausing print jobs, viewing detailed printer information, and checking supply levels for ink or toner

Scanner integration - For multifunction printers, Print Center provides access to the scanning functionality through the Image Capture app

Right-click menu options - Users can make a printer the default, add it to the Dock for quick access, or remove and re-add printers for troubleshooting

System Settings integration - The Printers & Scanners section in System Settings provides similar functionality but with additional options like printing test pages

Job history tracking - Print Center keeps records of completed print jobs, helpful for remembering which printer was used in multi-printer environments

Printer webpage access - Mikah highlights how Print Center provides direct links to printer web interfaces, avoiding the need to install bloated manufacturer software

Manage printers and print jobs - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/manage-printers-print-jobs-center-mac-mchl33bd189d/mac

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Mac at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

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Save space harmlessly on macOS! Mikah Sargent explores Hyperspace, a clever Mac app that helps users reclaim disk space without deleting any files. Unlike traditional cleaning apps, Hyperspace leverages the APFS (Apple Protected File System) to optimize storage by identifying opportunities to create space-saving clones of duplicate data. Traditional systems create entirely new files for each version, while APFS cleverly maintains one copy of the base data with different metadata references, saving significant space.

Users who have had their Macs for a long time or work with mixed file systems are most likely to benefit from Hyperspace, as they may have files that aren't optimized for APFS. The Hyperspace app (from Hypercritical) is free to download and scan with, but reclaiming space requires either a one-time unlock or subscription payment.

Hyperspace: Reclaim Disk Space - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hyperspace-reclaim-disk-space/id6739505345?mt=12

Hypercritical: Hyperspace - https://hypercritical.co/hyperspace/

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Mac at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Ever wondered how to level up your Mac gaming experience with built-in features most users don't know about? Mikah Sargent leads gamers into Mac's game mode and controller connectivity, revealing tricks for gamers and tech enthusiasts.

• Game Mode Overview
  A special Mac feature exclusive to macOS Sonoma 14 and Apple Silicon devices that optimizes gaming performance. When a game is in full screen, the system prioritizes the game's CPU and GPU access while reducing background task resource consumption.
  
• Game Mode Activation and Controls
  Automatically activates when a game is in full screen mode. Users can toggle game mode on/off through a small controller icon or by swiping with three fingers and accessing the main screen.
  
• Bluetooth Performance Boost
  Game mode doubles the Bluetooth sampling rate, improving wireless device performance. This is particularly beneficial for gaming accessories like controllers and wireless headphones, ensuring smoother audio and input synchronization.
  
• Controller Connectivity
  Modern Xbox and PlayStation controllers can easily connect to Macs via Bluetooth. The system provides detailed controller settings, including battery percentage, button mapping, and custom profiles.
  
• Advanced Controller Settings
  Mac offers comprehensive controller customization options, including: Button remapping, Haptic feedback adjustment, Light bar color customization, and Game-specific control profiles.
  
• Buddy Controller Feature
  A unique accessibility feature that allows two controllers to function as one, helping less experienced players (like children) participate in games more comfortably.
  
• Recording and Capture Options
  Users can set up custom controller buttons to trigger screen recordings and game captures, enhancing the gaming experience and content creation potential.

Use Game Mode on Mac - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/en-us/105118

Connect a wireless game controller to your Apple device - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/en-us/111099

Connect a PlayStation wireless game controller to your Apple device - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/en-us/111100

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Mac at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Mikah Sargent dives deep into Archive Utility on macOS, a powerful but often overlooked tool that works behind the scenes to compress and expand files on your Mac. From creating basic zip archives to encrypted files, this episode reveals all the hidden features of this versatile utility.

• How compression works - Compression algorithms look for repeating patterns in data to make files smaller, though already compressed files like JPEGs may not benefit much.
• Quick compression with right-click - The fastest way to compress files is selecting them, right-clicking, and choosing "Compress," which always creates a standard zip file.
• Opening Archive Utility - Access it directly by using Command+Space and typing "archive" to explore its full capabilities beyond the right-click option.
• Archive Utility settings - Configure where expanded files are saved, what happens to archives after expansion, and whether to automatically expand nested archives.
• Expansion options - Choose to keep, trash, or delete archives after expanding them, or move them to a specific location.
• Compression options - Similar settings exist for what happens to original files after creating an archive.
• Archive formats explained - Despite setting preferences in Archive Utility, the right-click "Compress" option always creates zip files regardless of settings.
• Creating CPGZ archives - These compressed archives must be created by selecting a folder through the File menu, not through right-click compression.
• Regular archives (CPIO) - Simple "briefcase" archives without compression, useful for bundling files without reducing size.
• Apple Archive (AAR) - A Mac-specific format that uses multi-threaded compression to efficiently compact files.
• Encrypted archives (AER) - Secure, password-protected archives that can be unlocked with Touch ID if saved to your keychain.
• Why ZIP remains the standard - ZIP format is used for the right-click compression option because of its universal compatibility across different operating systems.

Zip and unzip files and folders on Mac - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/zip-and-unzip-files-and-folders-on-mac-mchlp2528/mac

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Mac at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Mikah Sargent explores Keka, a feature-rich third-party archive utility for Mac that offers extensive compression and extraction options beyond what's built into macOS. This free and open-source tool provides advanced customization while remaining user-friendly.

The app supports creating archives in multiple formats including 7-zip, tar, gzip, dmg, iso, and many others. Keka can extract numerous file types including ZIP, RAR, JAR, ISO, DMG, TAR, EXE, and CPGZ files. Users can set Keka as the default archive utility system-wide or for specific file types. The app includes extensive compression settings like compression level, file naming preferences, and integrity verification.

The app is available free on Keka.io but purchasing from the App Store supports the developer!

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Mac at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

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Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Learn how Apple's latest macOS Sequoia update transforms the humble Notes app into a powerful calculator, allowing users to perform complex mathematical calculations right where they jot down their thoughts. Mikah Sargent breaks down the exciting new Math Notes feature that brings computational magic to your note-taking experience. From basic calculation capabilities to the defining of variables, this episode will get your brain ready to quickly crunch numbers on your Mac!

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Mac at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

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Learn the secrets to efficient photo management with the latest updates in macOS Sequoia 15.4. Join Mikah Sargent, as he unravels the enhanced features of the Photos app that are set to transform your digital album experience.

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Mac at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

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Mikah Sargent takes viewers on a comprehensive tour of the latest Control Center updates in iOS 18.4, demonstrating new features and reminding users of existing functionality they might have overlooked. Check out how Apple has enhanced this essential interface with ambient music options and expanded Apple Intelligence controls.

Navigation and customization - Learn how to switch between different Control Center categories by swiping up and down, including Favorites, additional controls, media controls, Home controls, and connectivity options.

Resizing controls - Controls with a "macaroni noodle" in the corner can be resized by tapping, holding, and dragging to make them larger or smaller based on user preference.
Adding new controls - Mikah demonstrates how to add controls by tapping "Add a Control," which suggests options based on what might be useful for the user.

Ambient music feature - A new addition in iOS 18.4 that allows users to quickly play background music from categories like Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Well-being directly from Control Center.

Apple Intelligence and Siri updates - New control options including "Talk to Siri" (to switch between voice and typing) and "Visual Intelligence" for iPhone 16, 15 Pro, and 16E models.

App shortcuts integration - Third-party developers can now add shortcuts to Control Center, like "Analyze photo with Claude," Instagram capture, and Snapchat options.

App-specific categories - Apps can create their own categories in Control Center, with examples from Carrot, ChatGPT, Controller, Documents, DuckDuckGo, and many others.

Print Center tool - Mikah highlights the often-overlooked Print Center utility that allows users to check the status of AirPrint jobs.

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Mac at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.