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Trick 17: This is how you get all of your music onto your iPhone with one click

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a button on the Music app that allows you to download all of your music? There is no such thing, but it works with a little detour. Apple doesn’t allow you to download all of your music. At least not in the simple way that you only have to tap a button, for example. Nevertheless, you can download all the songs from your personal music library and even keep them up to date without having to do anything in the future. To do this, you need a Mac with the music app or iTunes and your iPhone or iPad. Here’s how to download your entire music library Open the Music app on your Mac and click on “File> New Smart Playlist” in the menu bar. If you’re using macOS Mojave or earlier, continue in iTunes. After “Contains” select the option Music “and set the property” Playing time is greater than 00:01 “. Remove the tick in front of the maximum objects. Check the box below in front of “Update automatically” and then click on “OK”. Now set a name so that you can quickly find your playlist again. If the “Sync library” option is activated in “Music> Settings> General” in the music app on the Mac and also in “Settings> Music” on your iOS device, the new playlist will appear in your library after a short while. The playlist should now appear under “Recently added” in the “Media library” tab. Select it and tap the cloud icon next to the title cover. The download can take a few minutes or even several hours, depending on the size of your media library and the speed of your internet connection. So you should be patient and have enough storage space. It is also advisable to connect your iPhone to the charging cable so that you don’t run the risk of running out of battery when you need your smartphone.

iOS 14: Apple lets you control your iPhone with the back – this is how it works

It might sound strange in the absence of new hardware, but iOS 14 lets you use the back of the iPhone as a new input method. iOS 14 introduces many new features that should make it easier for you to use your iPhone. However, Apple did not address a very special feature at the WWDC keynote: “Tap on the back”. This allows the back of your iPhone to be used for simple commands. There are two gestures to choose from: double-tap and three-tap. A basic selection of 24 commands is available for each of the two options, which you can, however, expand with your own shortcuts from the Shortcuts app.  What can the new function in iOS 14 do? The “Tap on the back” function allows you to use the following basic functions with a double or triple tap: Without, app switcher, lock screen, screenshot, one-handed mode, home, control center, shortcut, volume up, volume down, message center, shake, Siri, spotlight, mute, scroll up and scroll down. These accessibility aids are also available: AssistiveTouch, Speak Screen, Magnifying Glass, Invert – Smart, Invert – Classic, VoiceOver and Zoom. In addition, the function can be used system-wide. This includes the home screen, all apps and even the lock screen.  How do you enable “Back Tap” in iOS 14? To set up the feature, open the Settings app, then tap Accessibility> Tap. There you will find the new entry “Tap on the back” at the bottom. Tap it, then choose whether you want to turn on Double Tap or Three Tap. Now choose an action.  We recommend a function like the control center or the notification center, as these are often harder to reach and require a second hand. Alternatively, there are of course also your own shortcuts.

iPhone 8: That’s why the Aldi bargain is not worth it (and what the better alternative is)

As of today, Aldi has been selling the iPhone 8 at an affordable entry-level price. While the price sounds tempting, there are some arguments against it. We tell you why you should ignore the apparently bargain. iPhone 8: Apple’s discontinued model As a price-conscious smartphone buyer, it doesn’t always have to be the latest device. For this reason, Apple also offers older iPhone models. But you can find real bargains with the numerous third-party providers. Aldi is currently offering you the iPhone 8 for 369 euros (north) or 379 euros (south) with 64 GB of storage space. Not a bad deal when you consider that they were charging more than double that from Apple recently. But you can’t compare it because something is different. Aldi’s offer has a catch Unlike Apple and other providers, Apple sells you a refurbished iPhone 8. Specifically, this means that it already had a previous owner and Aldi had the device completely dismantled and checked for functionality. There should be no differences compared to a new device. According to Aldi, the devices have “no discoloration on the LCD display, no gaps, no signs of damage from liquids and only minimal scratches up to a maximum length of 0.5 millimeters”. You also get a two-year guarantee. However, it is not a new device and should not be viewed as the same.  Alternative 1: Another provider Aldi’s bargain is tempting and is sure to make buyers happy. However, you should look around if you are already considering a refurbished device from the discounter. Rebuy is therefore a very good and reliable alternative. There you can get an iPhone 8 with 64 GB in “like new” condition for 355 euros, which roughly corresponds to the completely overhauled status of the Aldi model. There you also have a large selection of colors and can opt for another storage option for an additional charge. What makes Rebuy significantly better than the Aldi bargain, however, is the fact that you get a 36-month guarantee, while Aldi only offers 24 months. Before you buy from Rebuy though, we would like to introduce you to a better alternative or the best price-performance ratio. Alternative 2: a new model Both the iPhone 8 and the processor have almost three years on the camera hump and this is not to be underestimated if you want to use the smartphone for another three to five years. During this time Apple could stop software support and the extended warranty will no longer help you. You should therefore take a look at a similar device: the iPhone SE (2nd generation).  The iPhone SE (2020) appeared only a few weeks ago and looks like the iPhone 8 down to the last detail. However, Apple has installed the latest processor – the A13 – which is also used in the iPhone 11 Pro. In addition, the device has the camera from the iPhone XR, which is further enhanced by the A13 chip. Even if the surcharge of 100 euros compared to the Aldi or rebuy offers may sound like a lot, it should be mentioned that from 466 euros you get a completely new smartphone with the latest processor technology that will be supported for many years to come.

Apple’s beta program: how to sign up for iOS 14, macOS 11, and watchOS 7

The time has come: after developers have been able to try out iOS 14 and Co. for two weeks now, ordinary users can also test the betas – for the first time also watchOS 7. Register for the Apple Beta Software Program – Here’s how At WWDC 2020, Apple not only announced beta for developers, but also confirmed a public beta test. While previously only tvOS, iOS and macOS versions were available in advance as part of the beta program, interested users can now also try out watchOS 7 in detail. The latter operating system in particular makes people sit up and take notice and hope that Apple will focus on stability and optimization this year. But how do you register for the public beta test? First, you should register on Apple’s official beta website . To do this, click on “Register” and then log in with your Apple ID and password. Then you just confirm the conditions of participation.  Now select the desired operating system and follow the respective instructions. For the beta of iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and watchOS 7, you had to visit the website with your smartphone or tablet, as you need to install a beta profile in order to update to the beta version. This is particularly easy with tvOS 14. Once you have registered for the beta, you can activate the public beta updates on your Apple TV with the same Apple ID in “Settings> System> Software update” and then update them from there.  Note : Before you sign up for the beta and install a pre-release version on your device, you should not only make a backup, but also be aware that it is not an official version. Rather, Apple offers you the opportunity to try out the new software and to help remove possible errors from the final version until it is widely released in autumn. You should therefore not install a beta on a device that you absolutely need, as full compatibility with all apps is not guaranteed and errors can lead to data loss.

Mail: Are you being haunted by unread phantom emails? You can do that about it

Apps show you whether there is new content with a label on the app icon. The Mail app is no exception. However, there is an error that does not reset the counter even though all mails are marked as read. We’ll tell you what you can do. Actually, it is very helpful if you can see on the home screen how many unread emails there are in the Mail app. However, a strange mistake prevents the correct display, so that the license plate counter shows unread mails, although one has read all of them. Fortunately, there is a simple trick that doesn’t require resetting the device as the cause is different. Why does the Mail app show me unread emails even though they are not? Apple’s mail app doesn’t have the best reputation. Nevertheless, it offers a practical application that is more than sufficient for the average user. However, it should be noted that the iOS app in particular can do less, so that, for example, no intelligent mailboxes can be created or no rules are possible. On the Mac, you can use rules to automatically sort mail from specific senders or specific words in the subject into other mailboxes, thus saving you time. Since mail is synchronized on both platforms, you can also benefit from it on the iPhone and iPad. While the Mac automatically classifies incoming e-mails, it can take a moment under iOS or iPadOS and sometimes errors occur. If you open an email while moving it or shortly before, the system can get mixed up and show you an unread email accordingly. This is how you avoid the problems Basically, you have several solution methods to choose from. It is probably easiest if you use a different e-mail app or do without the rules on the Mac so as not to confuse the application. However, this is counterproductive and misses the point behind the function. If you open the Mail app on the iPhone or iPad, we recommend waiting a moment for the mails to sort themselves in order to prevent the problem. There is also the possibility that one of the mail services you use uses its own filter. On the associated page, you can often make settings and deactivate them, for example. Because even such filters can sometimes overwhelm the mail app.  As a last alternative, you can select a mailbox under “Settings> Notifications> Mail” and deactivate the indicator and you will not see a notification counter on the home screen.

Apple Watch: This is how you deactivate route guidance when using CarPlay

The Apple Watch is the perfect companion on the go and helps with navigation. CarPlay takes over in the car. But what if both systems want to lead you to your goal? This can be annoying, but there is a solution. It’s actually pretty handy if you start route guidance on your iPhone and your Apple Watch then always gives you notification instructions for turning. So you don’t have to dig out your iPhone every time to know when to turn. This is a great solution to a simple problem – especially when traveling in an unfamiliar city. However, this can be disruptive in combination with Apple’s CarPlay. By default, both your vehicle and your smartwatch will want to inform you about the route guidance and this can prove to be annoying, especially due to the constant vibrations of the Apple Watch. Fortunately, Apple gives you the option to prevent this from happening. Deactivate navigation via Apple Watch and CarPlay – Here’s how As already mentioned, Apple has therefore provided a software update that deactivates the turn-by-turn instructions on the Apple Watch when using CarPlay. To do this quickly and easily, first open the Watch app on your iPhone. At the bottom of the screen, tap the “My Watch” tab. Then select the entry “Cards” from the settings list. Once in the navigation settings, pull the slider next to “Drive with CarPlay” to the left. In addition to this, you can also switch off the “Driving” option in this way. Then you will no longer receive any turn-by-turn instructions if you are going with someone.  We generally recommend deactivating the function. The reason for this is simple. The Apple Watch has an increased energy requirement due to the navigation and since CarPlay shows you the route, this would be extremely unnecessary.

Comparison: This is how the new iMac fares compared to the old model

After weeks of rumors, Apple has now released the new iMac. But how does the new model compare to its predecessor and the iMac Pro? Design: Nothing new Unfortunately, the rumors have not come true. With the 2020 upgrade, Apple is still sticking to the familiar design that has been used for more than 10 years. Therefore, it cannot be seen from the outside whether it is the latest model or an older version. Only the iMac Pro stands out with its housing in space gray. There are no other changes on the outside either, so the connections can still be found on the back and the display still has a wide border. Display: Small changes and big options Basically, the displays are almost identical. All models have a resolution of 5,120 x 2,880 pixels, the maximum brightness of which is 500 nits, and which cover the large P3 color space. However, the 2020 iMac offers several important innovations. For the first time, it is a true-tone display that adapts to the ambient light and color – similar to a sheet of paper. This should be easy on the eyes. However, one new option is particularly interesting. Apple has borrowed the nanotexture glass from the Pro Display XDR and offers it for an extra charge of almost 600 euros – but not for the iMac Pro. The glass is designed to reduce glare in bright sunlight without losing color fidelity. A clear plus point for the new device. Processors, graphics options, SSDs and RAM The iMac Pro remains the king of performance in our comparison. Still, the new iMac can compete with the Pro model. Apple introduced a new option with a strong 10-core processor of the 10th generation that is clocked at 3.6 GHz and is thus significantly above the basic model of the iMac Pro. Compared to its predecessor, the new iMac is said to deliver up to 65 percent better performance. The new graphics units, however, should be up to 55 percent faster. The processors are also supported by the new T2 chip, which was previously used in Mac notebooks and the iMac Pro. This takes over the encryption of the data and manages important system processes such as the startup process, thereby relieving the CPU. This also gives the iMac the “Hey Siri” feature. The main memory is almost unchanged. As with the 2019 model, Apple integrates 8 GB DDR4 memory with 2,666 MHz as standard. However, the maximum value has been doubled from 64 GB to 128 GB. However, the standard model still does not come close to the iMac Pro. This supports up to 256 GB of RAM and remains unchallenged. Incidentally, the Fusion Drive has had its day. While it was previously the standard option, it is no longer even available as an option on the 27 “iMac. Apple is now relying on SSD storage. The smallest base model is 256 GB and the other models are equipped with 512 GB even choose up to 8 TB. Audio, video and connections With the new iMac, Apple is doing a lot better. As in the iMac Pro, the FaceTime HD camera finally has a resolution of 1080p and thus turns its back on the 720p resolution, which brings a significant improvement in quality, especially at web meetings. The microphone was also improved so that no additional hardware was required. In contrast to the predecessor, a ring of three microphones was now integrated – as was the case with the 16 “MacBook Pro. This is intended to filter background noise and at the same time raise the speech quality to a studio level.  If you still want to connect accessories, the potential buyers have typical fare that Apple has been offering unchanged for years: two Thunderbolt 3 ports, four USB-A ports, an SD card reader and a headphone jack. Only the iMac Pro has two more Thunderbolt 3 ports. However, if you want to connect a network cable, this is also possible. However, Apple also optionally offers a 10 Gbit Ethernet port, which means that the iMac continues to catch up with the iMac Pro, where this is standard. On the other hand, if you look at the wireless communication, then you have to find sobering that Apple doesn’t offer Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ax WLAN on any Mac. The new iMac is no exception. Nevertheless, we can be pleased that the new model now also has Bluetooth 5.0. Conclusion: more power than you need Apple also offers the new basic configuration for just over 2,000 euros and offers a good leap in performance. It should also be noted that the “normal” 27 “iMac can be configured in the basic configuration similar to an iMac Pro, thus saving a lot of money.  The big downside, however, is the design. Even after more than ten years, Apple still offers the iMac unchanged. According to analysts and leakers, a new model is in the works that is expected from 2021. This should then also use Apple’s own processors and representa clear departure from the current appearance. If you can wait at least six to twelve months, you’ll get the biggest upgrade in years. If you need a new iMac now, you can get it now. With the exception of Wi-Fi 6, Apple offers the latest technology and great performance. The small improvements in particular, such as the optional nanotexture glass, the 1080p camera and the new microphone array, bring g

iOS Basics: How to Move Apps on the Home Screen

At least once a year it comes over us and then we want to tidy up or rearrange the home screen. You should do this too. We’ll explain how. Move apps on the home screen – here’s how Right from the start, you could arrange your home screen yourself by dragging apps from A to B. Of course, iOS does not allow empty fields like Android, but sorting – even in folders – is a long way of doing things. While Apple will make further simplifications in iOS 14 and, for example, add new apps to the app library so as not to clutter the home screen, so far you have no choice but to sort the apps manually. However, this works pretty easily. Hold your finger on any app until the icon begins to wobble. Alternatively, you can wait a little shorter and select “Edit home screen” from the context menu. Now drag the app with your finger to another page or to another app to create a folder. As soon as you are done, you either swipe up from the bottom or tap on “Done” in the upper right corner. Move multiple apps at the same time Moving apps individually can be very tedious and also extremely time-consuming. Apple therefore integrated the ability to move several apps at once – for example to a new folder.  To do this, hold your finger on any app until the app icons start to wobble. Let go now. Hold your finger on the app that you want to move and slide it slightly to release it from the home screen. Now you can tap apps with a second finger that should also change places. These are stacked behind the first app. Move them to the new location or folder, then lift your finger to drop the apps. Finally, tap “Done” in the upper right corner or swipe up from the bottom.

How to use the Apple Watch’s walkie-talkie function

Even when Apple announced the Apple Watch, people were talking about a walkie-talkie function, which, however, was only introduced with watchOS 5. This is how you use it. Areas of application for the walkie-talkie function Of course, many situations can be solved with messages or “real” calls. But sometimes it is much more practical if you can contact the recipient directly. Instead of calling across the house to let them know that the meal is ready. Can you use the walkie-talkie and know that you can reach someone even if you don’t have a phone at hand? If you lose sight of yourself while shopping, you can also use the function. You no longer have to hope that the other person will see the message or answer the phone.  The great advantage of the walkie-talkie function, however, is that you can always contact the other person. You always make a conscious decision in favor of an answer so that there is no spying.  requirements  To use the function, you need an Apple Watch Series 1 or newer on which watchOS 5.3 or newer is installed. FaceTime should also be set up on your iPhone. In addition, at least iOS 12.4 (or newer) should be installed on it. Use the walkie-talkie function Before you can start chatting with your friends, you should first activate the function. To do this, open the Walkie-Talkie app (yellow icon) on the home screen. Now scroll through your contacts with the Digital Crown and tap on the name you want. Then confirm your entry and tap on “Speak” to establish the connection. Your selected contact should now confirm the connection. Until then, however, you have to wait. As soon as the connection is established, the app automatically returns and you can talk to each other via “Talk”. If you are connected to a friend, you can see this on the watch face too. Instead of the notification symbol, a yellow symbol is now displayed here that you can tap to return to the conversation.

iPhone basics: How to turn off the camera sound on the iPhone

It’s actually only a small thing, but the iPhone’s camera sound is not desirable in every situation. We would therefore like to show you how to deactivate it. While you can activate or change many functions, Apple does not give you any option in the settings to switch off the camera sound. For example, if you want to photograph a sleeping baby without waking it, you have several options that have different effects on the system sound. How to turn off the camera sound on the iPhone The easiest way to deactivate the camera sound is to use the small switch on the left side of your iPhone. This mutes the device as a whole, but is a simple and above all quick method. However, you should also note that devices from some regions such as Japan always emit a camera sound and the muting does not change anything. Apple writes the following on the support page : You can also mute the shutter sound with the “Ring / Off” switch on the side of the iPhone. (The mute function is disabled in some countries or regions.) Alternatively, you can simply reduce the volume and thus the tones accordingly. However, you should do this before opening the camera app, otherwise you will take a photo or, with newer models, start a video. If you are already in the camera app, you can regulate the volume via the control center. The third method to prevent camera audio is to use the Live Photos function. If you have activated the feature so that the symbol appears yellow, no sound is triggered either and a “Live” appears at the top. The reason for this is simple. A short video is recorded in Live Photos. This includes 1.5 seconds before and after the photo. If the sound were on, the trigger would be heard clearly in the video. It is also unclear why Apple does not allow you to deactivate the sound directly in the settings.