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Opening
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Opening Music
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Music is Say Anything by Manda and the Marbles
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News
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Apple playing with HTC VR tech
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MacRumors found a photo from iOS 14 that appears to be a generic looking controller for an AR/VR headset similar in design to the controller for the HTC Vive Focus headset
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Back in 2017 Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple was using HTC Vive hardware for internal testing
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We’ve also had a ton of rumors about Apple’s ongoing AR and VR R&D initiatives
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Rumors are that Apple could be planning some sort of AR/VR headset release in 2021 or 2022
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This setup is still likely just some internal testing stuff
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There does seem to be an AR app inside iOS 14 called “Gobi”
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Let’s you launch various AR experiences related to the Apple Watch, Mac Pro, Apple Store, Starbucks, and a movie poster via a QR code
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One experience is described as a “crosswalk bowling” game that can only be triggered at an intersection near an Apple office known as "Mathilda 3"
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Apple also recently partnered with a London based AR systems start-up called Dent Reality
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The two companies are collaborating on Apple Indoor Maps to provide indoor navigation.
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In an announcement on Twitter Dent said they were setting up project with Apple for later this year.
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New A12Z Bionic may not be that new
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Reports are surfacing from sites like Notebook Check and Anandtech that are questioning the "newness" of the A12Z Bionic chip that Apple features in their updated 2020 iPad Pro line up.
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Early benchmarks are showing only marginal performance improvements over the A12X Bionic that's in Apple 2018 iPad Pros
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Really the only difference in the A12Z is the addition of an 8th GPU core. Likely to used to add an additional boost to support the new, really cool, LiDAR AR camera sensor
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What's being questioned is if that 8th core is really new. Analysis of the A12X chip shows that it's GPU likely has an 8th core that was simply disabled.
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Also, the design and form factor of the A12Z Bionic appears to be identical to the A12X, so thoughts are that Apple simply enabled the 8th core on the A12X Bionic and rebranded it the A12Z.
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So is any of this a big deal? Not really. Technically the A12Z is a "new" version of the A12X with more GPU power.
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It's an iterative update that was given an interactive name. How Apple did it, IMHO, is besides the point
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The biggest take away for me is that it's just another indication that outside the new LiDAR and camera features there is not much need to upgrade if you already own a 2018 iPad Pro model.
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That said, that new LiDAR system is already looking incredibly cool.
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We're seeing some really neat demos and videos as developers are getting new iPads and playing with the tech.
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It's expected that this years updated iPhones will also adopt the tech and it will be game changing for AR and 3D apps
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Is 2021 the year of the Arm-Mac?
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Ming-Chi Kuo seems to thinks so according to his latest research note
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That might be sooner than some of us were expecting, but Kuo claims Apple has started up an "aggressive processor replacement strategy"
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In previous reports Kuo seemed to think Apple's plans could result in Arm based Macs appearing as soon as in the fourth quarter of this year, but now he seems to have revised that prediction.
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And he thinks the move will have numerous advantages for Apple
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Reduce the dependance on Intel and their processor roadmap
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Reduce processor costs by 40 to 60 percent
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Add more hardware differentiation from Windows PCs
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He also thinks when they're released demand for Apple's notebooks will increase.
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Apple currently sells about 20 million Macs a year and Kuo thinks that could go up to 30 million annually.
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What might be new with Apple Watch 'Series 6'
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New features could include sleep monitoring, a blood oxygen sensor, and Touch ID.
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The TouchID feature would supposedly be integrated into the digital crown.
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Other rumored feature enhancements
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Updates to Siri intelligence letting Siri do more on Apple Watch
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Support for LTE and Wi-Fi 6
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Larger battery to help support sleep tracking.
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improved electrocardiogram (ECG) capabilities
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The design of Apple Watch Series 6 is expected to remain the same
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watchOS 7 features may included
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A new workout demonstration app
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shareable watch faces
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A "kids mode" for the Activity rings
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Changes how daily goals are calculated to make them more appropriate for kids
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Move goals based on amount and kind of activity vs. calories burned.
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Watch OS 7 may drop support for Apple Watch Series 2
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We should see Apple announce and show off the new features of watchOS 7 at "virtual" WWDC in June
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Hardware will likely be announced in the Fall along side Apple's iPhone announcements.
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Apple betas Pro-Res support on Windows
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Enables playback of ProRes RAW and ProRes RAW HQ video files in compatible applications on Windows
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Support comes in beta form to several Adobe apps on Windows:
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Adobe After Effects (Beta)
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Adobe Media Encoder (Beta)
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Adobe Premiere (Beta)
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Adobe Premiere Rush (Beta)
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This is great news for pro video professionals. It's about time.
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Seems like Apple is maybe recognizing the advantages of offering support for cross-platform workflows?
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The latest on iPhone updates
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We could see an announcement of the "iPhone 8 SE 2" (iPhone 9) in the day (April 3rd).
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Three color options, White, Black, and PRODUCT (Red)
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64, 128, and 256GB storage options. Same form factor and design as iPhone 8 w/o 3D Touch.
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A single-lens rear camera, NFC support, and an A13 processor. (same as the iPhone and 11 Pro series)
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Possibly staring from USD $399
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A Belkin glass screen protector on Apple's website was listed as supporting the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 and iPhone SE.
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You may remember that the iPhone 8 is a VERY different form factor, just a 4-inch display, than the 4.7-inch iPhone 8
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New info on how the new "car key" feature might work
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Integrated into the Wallet app.
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Add keys for supported NFC-compatible vehicles
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Allow users to approach their vehicle, hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near an NFC reader in the vehicle, authenticate with Face ID, and have the vehicle unlock automatically
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You can also share "keys" and set the type of access. Trunk only, unlock only, and unlock and drive
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The iPhone 12 with 5G support still appears to be on schedule for an Fall release
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Manufactures are said to be beginning to get component orders lined up
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TSMC is is ready to begin volume production on the A14 5nm processors.
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Betas for iOS 13.4.5 indicate a new feature that will allow you to "share" songs from Apple Music on Instagram and Facebook Stories
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Tapping on a song in the Instagram story let's the user play the song on Apple Music (I assume w a subscription)
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Amazon’s Prime Video iOS and Apple TV apps now let customers make in-app purchases, including renting and buying films and TV shows
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A support video on Apple's official YouTube video on showed a screen shot of the Apple ID –> Find My –> Find My iPhone screen and in the description text for the feature there was a reference to AirTags
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“offline finding enables this device and AirTags to be found when not connected to Wi-Fi or cellular”
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AirTags have been rumored to be Apple "Tile-like" item tracker tags that take advantage of the new U1 UWB chips in the iPhone 11 and 11 Pros to allow you to locate real-world objects in the FindMy app.
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Apple acquires Dark Sky
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Dark Sky announced the acquisition in a blog post
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It also announced that the Android app will no longer be available to download and it's service will end in July
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Dark Sky for iOS will continue to be available in the App Store
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The API, used by 3rd party apps like CARROT Weather, will continue to work through the end of 2021
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It's suspected that Apple has plans to roll the technology into their Weather app in a future iOS update.
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Apple's current app uses data from the Weather Channel's Weather.com which is owned by IBM
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Sponsor: Linode
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Linode
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They just opened their newest datacenter in Mumbai, India.
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Built using their most up to date hardware and our Next Generation Network backbone, Linode allows you to comply with in-country data protection requirements while taking advantage of all Linode’s technology and tools.
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They are giving all new Maccast customers a $20 credit.
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More than just hosting. With Linode you have all the options and choices to build a server with the services and features you need
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You can build it on Linode - Dedicated CPU, distributed applications, hosted services, websites, and Continuous integration and continuous delivery environments.
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Featuring native SSD storage, a 40 Gbit network, with industry leading processors
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Pick from any of their 10 worldwide data centers
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Pricing is simple with no surprise fees. Your pay just for what you use with hourly billing across all of their plans and add-on services
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Their new cloud manager features an improved user interface which makes managing your Linodes and upgrading your plan even easier.
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Visit: linode.com/maccast to set up your first Linode and get a $20 credit.
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Feedback, commentary, opinions
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Apple TV App improvements
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Received a lot of great feedback Apple TV+ shows
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Now it looks like the App might be improving a bit.
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I noticed a new "row" called "Apple TV+" that finally shows all the Apple TV+ shows
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There is even a "See All" link to show you a grid.
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Also a new "Streaming Apps" section
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Way down in the interface
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Only shows the streaming Apps you have connected to the TV app
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Unfortunately looks like only some apps are supported so far and the content doesn't go too deep.
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I had Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and PlutoTV. But not ESPN or CW.
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Good advice from Jill
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Turn off, disconnect, any Apps that you don't subscribe to but might have installed
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I have CNN, ABC, CBS, etc. because they offer minimal "free" content
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When you turn them off you can "forget" the play history to clean things up even further in your suggestions.
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You still see a fair amount of "Promoted" channels and content in the "Watch Now" section
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I still find this annoying, but at least there are now some better ways to navigate around it.
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Tip. Pressing the “TV” button on your remote will also take you back to the root of the TV app. Also, press and hold the “Menu” button from anywhere to return to Apple TV “Home” screen.
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An iPad with a trackpad
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With the release of iPad OS 13.4 I had a go at using the iPad with my Smart Keyboard and my 2nd generation Magic Trackpad
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I have to say it was pretty darn great
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I have always dismissed the idea of Apple doing a touchscreen MacBook because of what I call the "planes" issue
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I just never have felt the experience of moving your hands between two different planes is an efficient (or comfortable) way of working
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Even using and iPad w/ the Smart Keyboard felt like a compromise.
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I had read that the Magic Trackpad Gen 1 and Magic Mouse Gen 1 along with 3rd party mice are not all fully supported with all features
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Additional 3-finger gestures
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Mouse scrolling, etc.
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I was confused when I couldn't seem to activate 3-finger gestures with my Magic Mouse 2
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Turns out there is a "Gestures" setting in iPad OS
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Settings > General > Multitasking & Dock
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Make sure the "Gestures" setting is enabled. (I think the default is On)
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Some helpful gestures
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Open the Dock. Use one finger to swipe the pointer past the bottom of the screen.
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Go Home. Use one finger to swipe the pointer past the bottom of the screen. After the Dock appears, swipe the pointer past the bottom of the screen again.
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On a Magic trackpad 2, Swipe up with three fingers.
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View Slide Over. Use one finger to swipe the pointer past the right edge of the screen. To hide Slide Over, swipe right again.
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Open Control Center. Select the status icons at the top right, then swipe up with one finger.
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Open Notification Center. Use one finger to move the pointer past the top of the screen near the middle.
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Magic Trackpad 2 gestures
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Open the App Switcher. Swipe up with three fingers, pausing before you lift your fingers.
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Switch between open apps. Swipe left or right with three fingers.
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Open search from the Home screen. Swipe down with two fingers.
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Secondary click. Click with two fingers to show the quick action menu
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Continuity Sketch and Markup
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Chris works for a school and while exploring ways to do remote learning was looking into how to "markup" papers electronically to send back to students
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He noticed that when he took a screenshot on his Mac and his iPad was nearby there was an icon of a screen with a pen next to it.
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Tapping that opens the screenshot on an iPad and as you add markup on your device, you see it happening live on your Mac
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You can start with a screenshot or any PDF or image in the Finder
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From the Finder on your Mac, find the PDF or image that you want to mark up. Then take one of these actions:
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Select the document, then press Space bar to open a preview window. Click the markup button at the top of the window.
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Or Control-click the document, then choose Quick Actions > Markup from the shortcut menu.
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From the markup toolbar at the top of the preview window, click the annotate button (screen w/ pen icon).
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A markup window opens on your device.
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You can now use an Apple Pencil or your finger with the sketch tools, or tap the plus sign and use the markup tools for adding text, a signature, a magnifier, or shapes and arrows.
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When you're finished marking up the document, click Done on your device
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To save the changes, click Done on your Mac.
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There is also a similar feature called Continuity Sketch
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With Continuity Sketch, you can use your Mac to request a new sketch from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, then insert the sketch into your Mac document.
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On your Mac, open a document and take one of these actions:
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From the menu bar, choose File > Insert from [device] > Add Sketch. In some apps, such as Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, this is in the Insert menu instead of the File menu.
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Or Control-click within your document, then choose Add Sketch from the shortcut menu.
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On your device, a sketch window opens, ready for you to create a sketch with your Apple Pencil or finger
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When you're finished sketching, tap Done on your device. The sketch then appears in your Mac document
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To use it you need
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iOS 13 and an iPhone 6s or newer, an iPhone SE, or an iPod touch (7th generation) or newer
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iPad OS and an iPad Pro (all models), iPad (5th generation) or newer, iPad Air 2 or newer, or an iPad mini 4 or newer
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macOS Catalina and a MacBook introduced in 2015 or later, MacBook Air introduced in 2012 or later, MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later, Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later, iMac introduced in 2012 or later, iMac Pro (all models), or a Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later
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Closing
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