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First time checking out this series? You’ll get the most value by starting at the beginning, however you can also use the series overview if you’d like to go buffet style.

Note for regular readers, the already tech savvy, and IT professionals: this series is designed as a resource you can share with those you are helping or for those looking to become tech savvy on their own.

Updating software on your Mac

Background, Expectations, & Best Practices

Staying up to date with software can sometimes be a confusing and frustrating task, these issues are usually caused by the various ways that different software is designed to update and where it was installed from. The good news is that Apple is continually improving how updates happen. With its latest operating system, macOS Sierra, there are some sharp features to make updating software more smooth and seamless. This won’t apply in all instances, but still helps provide an overall improved user experience.

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Filed under: Apple

Microsoft has quietly updated its Skype client for Mac to version 7.48 with a notable new feature for MacBook Pro users: Touch Bar support. The update, which is available now, allows MacBook Pro with Touch Bar users to more easily control their calls…

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Every so often we see an impressive work of development or art emerge that was made entirely with an iPad. This time, game studio 8BitMagicGames has released the first trailer for their upcoming game called Starsceptre. The game was developed entirely using Codea, a development suite that allows developers to code on their iPad…

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To coincide with this week’s App Store promotion featuring top iOS indie games, I thought it would be appropriate to devote tonight’s post to a few of my favorite iOS titles. In this video-free edition of Friday 5, I briefly discuss innovative new games like Mushroom 11, and timeless classics such as Super Hexagon. more…

Filed under: Apple

While Siri may not be the perfect companion some wish it was, the personal assistant’s voice can lend itself to our lives in a variety of helpful ways. For the past few months I’ve been using Siri to read all the text I want to read but don’t actually need to read. Having the personal assistant read articles to me means I can focus on other activities while essentially turning my reading lists and emails into a personalized podcast.

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Remember CurrentC, the mobile payment service that kept getting in Apple’s way when Apple Pay launched a few years ago? MCX is the merchant consortium that was behind the QR code-based mobile payment service that ultimately never launched, and today JPMorgan Chase announced that it has acquired MCX’s payment technology.

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Now that Apple’s HomeKit has matured and there is a growing ecosystem of Siri-controlled products that support the platform, it’s finally looking like a good time to seriously consider investing in home automation accessories. And now it’s an option for new home buyers too, with at least two homebuilders announcing plans to offer HomeKit upgrade packages that will see various accessories from lighting to security pre-installed in new homes. Would you pay more for a HomeKit-equipped home?

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This week I bought and played through my first audiobook in iBooks (Shoe Dog) after realizing I have a habit of buying a lot of books then rarely making time to actually read them. I finished the 13 hour 22 minute book over the weekend and really enjoyed the experience (and the book). I listen to a lot of podcasts, so playing audio in the background while running errands is something I know I enjoy.

iBooks on the iPhone is a solid audiobook player. It works with Apple CarPlay, 3D Touch from the Home screen, and to my surprise has arguably the best Now Playing screen of any Apple app. Apple currently has three different versions of its audio Now Playing screen between its Music, Podcasts, and iBooks apps, the audiobooks version has features that every Now Playing screen should adopt.

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Filed under: Apple

This week’s 9to5Rewards partner is lofree, with a typewriter-inspired mechanical keyboard with full Mac and iOS support. 

The company has two of its new lofree keyboards that launched this week to give away to two 9to5Mac readers this week. 

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Filed under: Apple

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Grab a 2nd pair of Apple EarPods with Lightning Connector for $18 (Reg. $29) at Best Buy

The DJI Phantom 3 Professional w/ 4K UHD Video Camera (Refurb) is available for $569 shipped (Orig. $1,259)

Angry Birds Star Wars for iPhone/iPad goes free for the first time in 8 months (Reg. up to $3)

PureVPN Protects Your Online Privacy at Lightning Speed, Lifetime Subscription now $60 

Best Buy offers nearly $200 off Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air, plus additional savings on certified open-box models

iTunes Movie Deals: Train to Busan $1 Rental, Harry Potter Complete Collection $60, $10 movie sale, more

Save on apps, games, movies, TV shows and more: $50 iTunes Gift Card for $42.50 w/ free email delivery (15% off)

9to5Rewards: The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild + Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Bundle [Giveaway]

App Store Free App of the Week: the Love You To Bits adventure/puzzler goes free for the very first time (Reg. $4)

• Mac Game Sales: Trine Trilogy $8, FTL Faster Than Light $2.50, BioShock Infinite $10, more
• Danmaku Unlimited 2 bullet hell shooter for iOS/Android goes free for the first time (Reg. $5)
• Table Tennis Touch is one of the best on iOS and is now matching its lowest price ever: $1
• The colorful puzzler Linia w/ more than 80 levels is now available for free (Reg. $2+)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

If you don’t mind the original Apple Watch, Amazon has the 38mm Stainless Steel model w/ Classic Buckle for $280 (Orig. $649)

• It’s time for some new NAS drives: WD Red 4TB Internal SATA Hard Drive for $120
• Smartphone Accessories: Anker SoundBuds Slim Wireless Headphones $22, more
• Get the sound you deserve with the Bose Solo 15 Sound System (cert. refurb) for $270
• Samsung 128GB microSDXC Card $35, Logitech MK530 Keyboard and Mouse $25, more
• AT&T rolls out aggressive new unlimited GoPhone plans, save $20 on an off-contract device
• Games/Apps: Super Mario Maker 3DS from $28, Halo Wars 2 $35, iOS freebies, more
• Give yourself a new BLACK+DECKER vacuum for under $50 shipped
• Honor 8  64GB Unlocked w/ accessory bundle for $319 (Reg. $400+)
• Stay comfortable with Hanes 75% off Clearance Sale men and women’s apparel
• Keep calm and cruise on: Swagtron’s T1 Hoverboard is selling for $300 (Reg. $350)

MORE DEALS STILL LIVE:

Apple’s Smart Keyboard for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is down to $109 shipped (Reg. $169)

Add Apple HomeKit to your outlets: Koogeek Smart Plug for $24 Prime shipped (Reg. $35)

Das Keyboard 4C Compact Mechanical Keyboard w/ USB Hub: $85 shipped (Reg. up to $114)

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Filed under: Apple

Pinterest introduced a new point-and-shoot discovery tool in February called Lens that lets you use your iPhone camera to find design inspiration and more. Now Pinterest is officially launching its new Lens feature to all users in the United States on iOS and Android.

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Filed under: Apple

Earlier this year we reported issues with using the LG UltraFine 5K Display with new MacBook Pros near wireless access points including Apple wireless routers. LG acknowledged issues caused by poor shielding, inventory was pulled from Apple Stores, and revised hardware with proper shielding is now shipping and should be in Apple Stores soon. This week we got our hands on one of the new models with shielding improvements to put to the test and see if the issues have really been resolved…

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Filed under: Apple

Germany-based homebuilder WeberHaus announced today that it will soon offer its pre-fabricated homes equipped with Apple’s HomeKit platform, a first for the European market. That means that new home buyers purchasing a house through the builder will be able to opt for a smart home package that consists of products like lighting, smart plugs and more, all controllable via iPhones, iPads and Siri.

The company says it’s been working with Apple to develop the HomeKit package for its customers:

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Filed under: Apple

Microsoft’s Cortana for iPhone app gets an update today that introduces a redesigned user interface and a few new features and enhancements that offer an improved experience for the Siri competitor.

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Filed under: Apple

Capital One today announced “Eno,” a new text message-based assistant that it says is the first natural language SMS chatbot from a U.S. bank.

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Filed under: Apple

This week Benjamin and Zac discuss the new iPhone ‘Edition’ rumor and other possible names Apple could use, the latest LG UltraFine 5K Display update, iOS app caching problems and possible fixes, Apple Watch charging time and sleep tracking, Apple Watch Nike+ compared to other Series 2 models, run training with Apple Watch, audiobooks through iBooks and iOS Now Playing design, and more. 9to5Mac’s Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

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Filed under: Apple

Somewhat careless wording by Wikileaks has led to widespread reports than messaging apps that use end-to-end encryption – like Signal, WhatsApp and iMessages – had been compromised by the CIA. There is in fact no evidence that this is the case.

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Filed under: Apple