Have you noticed the occasional—or frequent—dialog in Mojave, asking for permission for some app to take some action? Dialogs I’ve seen include Skype wanting to use my camera and microphone, SuperDuper! requesting Full Disk Access, and Keyboard Maestro asking to control BBEdit. These requests are caused by enhancements in Mojave aimed at improving your privacy.…
Author: Tonya Engst
macOS Updates Now Happen in System Preferences
In previous recent versions of macOS—such as 10.12 Sierra and 10.13 High Sierra—to configure how your Mac would handle downloading and installing updated software from Apple’s App Store, you’d go to System Preferences > App Store. And, to actually install an update, you’d open the App Store app, select Updates in the toolbar, view a…
Using Dark Mode and Trying New Desktop Wallpapers
Although macOS X 10.14 Mojave works much like previous recent versions of macOS, the default Desktop wallpaper—a scene from the Mojave desert—makes it look rather different. And, if the change from mountain scenery to desert wasn’t enough, Mojave also offers Dark mode. Dark mode changes the overall interface so text and controls generally appear as…
What Happened to Read Me First: A Take Control Crash Course?
Thanks for your interest in my ebook, Read Me First: A Take Control Crash Course! Written in 2014, this title was available for free from the Take Control website until midway through 2017, when it was withdrawn because the screenshots were dated and the information wasn’t always accurate for new versions of macOS. When I…
Try This Quick Tip for Making Your Pointer Easier to See
Yesterday was the first webinar for Take Control of Mac Basics, and I had fun sharing my actual Mac screen with viewers as I demonstrated some of my favorite Mac features. One viewer commented, however, that he had trouble seeing the mouse pointer. “Drat!” I thought, “I’m sure there’s a way to enlarge the pointer,…
Multi-device Movie Rentals Made Easier
In iTunes 12.6, Apple has added a long-awaited “rent once, watch anywhere” function. You can now start watching an iTunes Store rental movie on your Apple TV at home and then finish it on your next morning’s bus commute by streaming it on your iPhone. Previously, you could transfer rentals made on your Mac to…
A New Look for the MiniPlayer
In iTunes 12.6, Apple has given a facelift to the MiniPlayer, that small window that can replace your iTunes window while you listen to music. For details, read the Kirkville blog post [iTunes 12.6 Overhauls the MiniPlayer Window][]. []: http://www.kirkville.com/itunes-12-6-overhauls-the-miniplayer-window/
Opening a Playlist Window in iTunes 12.6
iTunes 12.6 adds a feature that has been absent for a few years, the ability to open a playlist in its own window. To make this happen, Control-click the playlist name in the sidebar and choose Open in New Window from the contextual menu.
What’s Interesting in tvOS 10?
tvOS 10 has a few new features that are worth knowing about. To make sure that your fourth-generation Apple TV is running tvOS 10, open the Settings app and go to System > Software Updates. If tvOS 10 is installed, you’ll see the version number at the lower left of the screen; otherwise, you should…
What You Get with a 1Password Individual Subscription
AgileBits is now offering a new way to pay for 1Password in the form of a monthly individual subscription. You can still pay for the app (or use the free version of the iOS app), just as in the past, but you can also switch to a $2.99 per month subscription (billed annually). Subscribers receive…