New iPhone verdict Should you get the 11, Pro or Pro Max?
Watch rated The best smart watch in town
Screen upgrade Budget Mac displays tested
MAC
iPHONE
iPAD
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Everything you need to master the new update!
Catalina Your essential guide
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19 pages of mac & ioS tips HOW TO : Back up iCloud photos Manage your Mac settings Use public Wi-Fi safely Master AirDrop for Mac/iOS
best apps for Playing music Taking photos To-do lists Budgeting And much more!
>>> Contents
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Catalina calling!
The best apps for...
Just what is AirPlay 2?
This year’s big, bold macOS upgrade could make your Mac feel like a new machine. We show you everything you need to know about it...
There’s a world of choice on the App Store, but if you want to know the best app for a particular task, we’ve got the pick of the bunch right here!
Our experts explain Apple’s evolving media streaming format, and show you exactly how to make the most of it in your home.
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56 – Adobe Fresco
06
07
08
10
11
12
Consider
49 – Capto
42 iPhone 11
56
44 iPhone 11 Pro & Pro Max
58 Agenda 6
Digital Life
46 Apple Watch Series 5
59
Mario Kart Tour
Sign up to the newsletter for more Mac|Life.
48 Bear 1.7
59
NeuralCam Night Mode Camera
iPhone 11 in demand
49 Capto
Production is up as buyers rush for the new model
60
Prizmo 5.1
49 Sidenotes 61
Plex 6
That’s a wrap!
50 Garmin Dash Cam 62
6 apps to make more of a city break
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Microsoft To Do
65
Gris
65
Dark Noise
66
Best of the best
68
51
iStorage Datashur Pro 2
The Shift
51
Klipsch Earphones
Matt Bolton reckons Apple needs to get better at communicating.
52 Group test: sub 27–inch monitors
IFA 2019 Mac|Life’s pick of the best apps and hardware
AirPlay 2 at home The past, present and future of AirPlay 2 explained, how to use it with macOS, plus the best speakers to go with it.
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Are wraparound screens the new folding?
The hottest new Apple tech from Berlin.
14
Adobe Fresco
The editor on all things macOS Catalina.
Ask Our experts solve your Mac and iOS problems.
78
Back up your iCloud photos
80
Master the Mac App
82
Manipulate video footage in iMovie
84
Fix exposure problems
86
Manage your Mac’s storage
88
Play with stickers and GIFs
90
Manage Wi–Fi and Bluetooth
92
Stay safe with a VPN
94
Summary sheet in Numbers
96
Share files with AirDrop
98
Apple Quiz
Crave The gear we’re lusting after this month.
51
Klipsch T5 True Wireless Earphones
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>>> Feature
C ata This year’s big, bold macOS upgrade could make your Mac feel like a new machine Written by Adam Banks 16 Dec 2019 maclife.com
macOS Catalina
lina T
he new version of macOS is finally here, and is available to download on your Mac. There’s been no lack of ambition in what Apple has done under the bonnet in macOS 10.15 Catalina. It brings increased privacy and security, lets developers code Mac apps just like iOS apps, boosts games performance, and brings artificial intelligence to more everyday tasks. Well, that’s all very well, but what’s actually going to be different on your screen when you start it up? And hey — just where in the heck have they put everything? Over the next 12 pages, we’ll walk you through it all, exploring the brand new apps that replace iTunes and the additions and enhancements that take familiar features further. We’ll also show you how to get to grips with things, so you can make the most of Catalina right away. Keep a pinch of salt handy for a few final tweaks that Apple might still throw in before you see it, but based on our detailed first dive into the caverns of Catalina, here’s your guided tour.
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>>> Feature
The
t s e b Apps $
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There’s plenty of choice on the App Store, but if you want to know the best app for a certain task, we’ve got the pick of the bunch right here Written by Kenny Hemphill
>>> Whether you’ve just bought your first Mac or are looking for an app for a specific task, deciding which one to invest your time and money in can be tricky. Apple has tried to help with the App Store, showcasing apps and publishing user reviews. But, of course, not all apps for the Mac are on the Mac App Store and user reviews aren’t always helpful. So here’s our guide to the best apps in 13 categories for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
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The best apps for…
Budgeting We all need to manage our money, but no one likes doing it, so let an app take the strain > You Need a Budget $Free (IAPs) From You Need A Budget, youneedabudget.com Features Budgeting advice + can hook into your bank accounts + goal tracking
There’s no shortage of personal finance apps available for the Mac and iOS. They vary widely in quality, however, and it often seems like the best budgeting apps are not Mac compatible. Also, the advent of open banking means there are a growing number of apps that can move your money around automatically, for example by rounding up the cost of a coffee to the nearest pound and putting
YNAB has a big list of categories so you can be sure you’re entering all your outgoings.
the remainder in your savings account each time you buy another cup. Some of these new– breed apps, though, are tied to specific banks, like Monzo. For those yet to embrace the banking revolution, there is one budgeting tool available for Mac, iPhone and iPad that stands out from the crowd: YNAB, or You Need A Budget. Money matters YNAB has apps for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, and can be used on the Mac via a web browser. It’s built around a key principle:
YNAB coaches you gently to help you manage your finances and stick to a monthly budget. zero–based budgeting. That means you only work with money you actually have in your account. It’s built on four rules, such as “embrace your true expenses” and “aim to spend money that’s at least 30 days old”. However, YNAB also advocates flexibility and does everything it can to avoid scolding you for over– spending. YNAB also recognizes that most of us need help when it comes to budgeting and provides lots of content to coach and tutor users in the budgeting principles it advocates. You can choose whether to connect YNAB to your bank accounts or to enter transactions manually. If you don’t want to be constrained by YNAB’s rules, or aren’t comfortable with a subscription-based service, Savings 2 and MoneyWiz allow you to import data from your bank, credit card and PayPal accounts and manage them in one place, making it easier to monitor your transactions and budget for the future.
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>>> Reviews
42 Dec 2019 maclife.com
Tough testing, trusted ratings
iPhone 11
Buying a new iPhone? This is the top choice From $699 From Apple, apple.com Features A13 Bionic, 64, 128, or 256GB storage, 6.1–inch LCD display with True Tone, P3 gamut and 326 ppi pixel density, dual 12MP ultra–wide and wide cameras (rear), 12MP camera (front), IP68 splash, water and dust resistant
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he iPhone 11 is Apple’s big surprise for 2019. Unlike its previous “entry–level” iPhone — the XR — the iPhone 11 isn’t to be seen as the poor man’s choice. It’s the iPhone that will appeal to most people thanks to a brilliant blend of features and a seriously welcome price tag of just $699 (lower even than that of the XR when it launched). it’s all about the cameras Though the glass and aluminium design of the iPhone 11 is mostly unchanged from last year’s XR, aside from some new colors to pick at checkout, the raised camera system on the back is certainly unique. Housed in glass, with two sensors (both 12MP), it allows you to capture ultra–wide snaps alongside the standard wide photos. With the addition of the new lens you can fit loads more into the frame, which is great for landscape photos, or just getting a new angle on your shots. Though the ultra–wide is best in daytime shots, low–light performance with the standard wide lens is much improved over the previous iPhone. A new feature called Night Mode gives you dramatically better photos in low light thanks to AI which captures multiple shots at different exposure and sharpness levels, merging them together for the best possible shot. With the addition of the second camera, Portrait mode has been significantly improved over last year’s XR, the extra lens giving the OS greater accuracy when distinguishing between foreground and background, for better bokeh, and although not always perfect, it’s an improvement.
The iPhone 11 shoots 4K at 60fps, as well as dramatic slo–mo 1080p videos at 240fps. Though that’s the same as last year’s iPhones, you now get extended dynamic range up to 60fps. This is a must for anyone who captures a lot of footage on the move, but will really appeal to YouTubers wanting to make a living without the cost and unwieldiness of a pro setup. Though it obviously won’t rival a “pro” setup, it’s a step up from the iPhone XS, with improved exposure and contrast. The front side also recieves quite a big upgrade, with a new 12MP front– facing camera which, remarkably, is also capable of 4K at 60fps, as well as taking slow–mo selfies or “slofies” (Apple’s phrase, not ours) at 120fps. Gimmicky, but the results are good. it’s also faster, for longer The iPhone 11 gets the same new A13 Bionic chip that’s housed in the bigger 11 Pro, and it returned a Geekbench score of 3186, making it significantly faster than last year’s A12 Bionic processor. Though last year’s iPhones were, frankly, already quick enough, and you’ll be hard pressed to notice apps responding any quicker, it’s nice to have the power, and some of the new games coming out for iPhone — such as Pascal’s Wager — show what the extra processing power is capable of, with incredible console–like visuals. That said, even the all–singing, all– dancing A13 can be overwhelmed at times — most noticeable within the Camera app which is a little slower than expected when saving or sharing (admittedly processor–intensive) large photos or videos.
Buy an iPhone 11 and you get a year’s subscription to Apple TV+ thrown in. Despite the added performance, the battery life has actually been improved over the XR, which had the best battery life of any iPhone we’d seen. Apple says it gains an extra hour battery over the XR, and there’s no disputing that with its all–day battery life. It’s a good thing, really, as Apple still insists on selling the iPhone with a snail–slow 5W charger. Another feature that hasn’t been improved over the XR is the screen — it uses the same 6.1–inch LCD display which isn’t as crisp or vibrant as the iPhone 11 Pro’s OLED screen, nor does it support HDR. But for the money it’s still perfectly clear, bright, and sharp. the bottom line. The iPhone 11 is the best bang for your buck. Gareth beavis/nick Odantzis iPhone 11
Spectacular camera capabilties Hugely powerful Impressive battery life Great price tag awesome
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>>> Reviews
Best displays
under 27–inch A selection of displays that won’t stress your wallet or swamp your desk Reviewed by Keith Martin
Tough testing, trusted ratings
W
hile it’s easy to get distracted by the latest high–end, high–price 4K and 5K displays, most of us find it better to place something more humble on our desks. This applies even more when you’re setting up a home office, and the price of 24–inch HD–level displays has reached very affordable levels. We selected four monitors at the 24–inch level, as well as a 22–inch and 27–inch model, and put them through their paces to see which comes out on top once cost, build and performance have been taken into account. Price is an important factor here, but it is still important to select a display that will do a good job. Never forget that you will be staring at your screen far more than any other bit of technology that you own. Well, possibly apart from your iPhone, but that’s a discussion for a different time. The ergonomics of a display are also important, from the initial setup — which proved to be quite easy with all five of the devices we tested — through to the methods of adjusting them, both in physical terms (monitor tilt and so on) and
in how they can be fine–tuned for best display quality. It’s easy to overlook these things, but they do make a difference to your ongoing satisfaction. We test the color accuracy of displays to gain an objective understanding of their capabilities. If you’re looking for something just for surfing online and using standard productivity software, precise color rendering won’t be your prime concern, but you should still aim to avoid displays that struggle to show things accurately. These five displays all did a good job (and achieved very similar scores) considering their price range, so they’re all worth your consideration in that respect.
How we tested These are budget– friendly displays, but they should still do a good job. We used a Datacolor Spyder5Elite colorimeter to check a number of factors, particularly color accuracy. On–screen controls are often difficult, so we explored making adjustments with these, and we also considered the range and ease–of–use of their physical adjustments.
As well as price, display and ports, you need to assess a monitor’s physical adjustment options. Higher…
Things to consider… Everything you need to know before getting started Display height Having your monitor positioned appropriately — with your eye level roughly a third of the way from the top, facing straight on to the screen — helps with posture, but it also helps you see color and contrast accurately. This is particularly important with VA—based LCD panels, but it’s good practice for all displays.
1
Input types 2 This is a world of acronyms, but the different display connector types all have their own advantages and disadvantages. VGA is strictly old–school and should be avoided unless you have no choice. HDMI is fairly universal, but DisplayPort can drive screens at a faster refresh rate. If there are two DP sockets, you can
Image rights clockwise from left: Samsung, Eizo, BenQ.
daisychain from one screen to another for extra screens. USB–C is an “all in one” connection for data as well as display. USB types If your Mac has USB–C then it makes sense to get a display with this as an input type. If not, then if you want to use the USB hub in one of these displays you’ll need a USB–A to USB–C cable. The USB–A ports in these are only for ‘downstream’ connections with peripherals.
Eizo ColorEdge CS2420 eizo.com From $859 Where image quality and precision is paramount and price isn’t an object, Eizo’s ColorEdge CS2420 is a great, if costly, option.
3
Color spaces Adobe RGB and sRGB are two color “spaces” that help show color consistently. sRGB is not as wide as Adobe RGB, but it’s the de facto online standard so it’s vital a screen can display this at or near 100%.
4
…or lower?
BenQ GW2470HL benq.com Around $110 If price is critical then the BenQ GW2470HL is worth considering. It’s a couple of years old but still a good wallet– friendly option.
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home LIFE Better living through smarter technology
> Just what is…
AirPlay 2? Apple’s evolving media streaming format explained BY alex cox
onos launched its multiroom audio solution in 2002, utilizing a circle controller suspiciously similar to that of Apple’s crazy–popular iPod. Rather than unleashing its team of legal attack dogs, Apple responded in kind with the Sonos–esque AirTunes, released alongside iOS 4 in 2004. This enabled the sending of audio from iTunes to a speaker– connected AirPort Express, though AirTunes was, given the benefit of hindsight, a fairly limited protocol. It wasn’t until 2010, when Apple upped its abilities to go beyond audio streaming, that the rebranded AirPlay came into its own. It’s a very easy system to understand: a sender device (an iPhone or iPad, a Mac or Apple TV) plays some media, and a receiver device (a speaker, a TV, or anything else with AirPlay capabilities) plays that media back. Pretty basic. Some devices, notably the Apple TV, can pull double duty, acting both as a sender and a receiver, and there’s a certain level of two-way communication between all but the dumbest device and your media source, since on-board controls will allow you to pause, tweak the volume, skip tracks et al. Everything in the chain needs to be Wi–Fi connected, although if you run a guest network alongside your main SSID AirPlay is smart enough to traverse the two. The third major step change came last year, when AirPlay 2 hit the scene: this turned AirPlay from a one–to–one streamer to a one–to–many, allowing
S
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multiple AirPlay 2 devices to play the same media at the same time. Multiroom is arguably a feature which should have been part of AirPlay 15 years ago, but let’s not pick holes: it’s here now. It’s also far from the only improvement. On the audio side, AirPlay 2 introduced shared playlists, meaning anyone on your network can queue up the songs — possibly a blessing, possibly a curse, depending on your friends’ tastes. Brain boost AirPlay 2 bumps up the smarts in a whole load of other ways. If you’re an Apple Music subscriber, you can ask Siri to play different songs on different AirPlay 2 compatible speakers around the home, for
The Apple TV+ app will be rolling out to a number of TVs over the coming months — as will AirPlay 2 and HomeKit compatibility.
Image rights: Apple.
AirPlay 2 can bring you tunes just about anywhere in the home.
> The future of AirPlay 2 Given that deals have been made with a number of manufacturers, we can say for certain that Apple is being a lot more friendly and open with its streaming protocol. This means there’s a whole lot of expansion waiting to happen. Don’t expect AirPlay to come to Android phones, but do expect a growing list of speakers, TVs, and mixed multimedia devices to support it in the coming years. Affordable AirPlay The Apple TV 4K is a perfectly capable device, but it’s also two years old — a new version as a combined Apple TV+ and AirPlay 2 flagship would not be outside the realms of possibility. Similarly, the HomePod is not old, as such, but the demise of Airport Express may lead Apple to add a new product in that sector. A cut-down, audio–only equivalent to the Apple TV, perhaps, for upgrading existing stereo systems? Given that the price of the HomePod is its one real detriment, a lower–cost speaker–free option (perhaps even incorporating Siri, a la Amazon’s Echo Connect) may be a perfect driver to further AirPlay 2 adoption.
Could Apple follow Amazon’s lead and make AirPlay anywhere a sales driver?
>>> Create
Master the Mac App We’ll help you find the Mac apps you need REQUIRES An Apple ID you will learn How to find new apps and download them, how to update your apps, and how to redeem Mac App Store gift cards IT WILL TAKE 10 minutes
If you want to install new apps for your Mac, there’s a good chance that you will find them on the Mac App Store. Apple’s app repository was totally redesigned in macOS Mojave, with a much greater emphasis on discoverability and editorial content, making it much easier for you to find whatever it is you’re looking for. Apple keeps a firm grip on the Mac App Store, reviewing every single app before it’s allowed to be distributed. That allows Apple to catch dodgy apps and malicious code before they reach you and your Mac. If you install apps from third-party websites, on the other hand, you must trust that they’re safe. There are numerous clear benefits to using the Mac App Store that make it well worth learning the ropes. That’s where this handy guide comes in: we will show you everything that you need to know to find the apps you want and get more from the Mac App Store. Alex Blake
How to Find your way round the Mac App Store
Sign in First things first, you’ll need to sign in to the Mac App Store before you can do anything else. Click Sign In in the bottom–right corner, then enter your Apple ID and password. Alternatively, click Store > Sign In in the menu bar.
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App stories Apple’s app stories are a great place to start if you’re looking for new apps. Some are based around a theme and have a list of useful apps, while others focus on one app, telling its “story” and giving tips on how to get more from it.
Use the search bar There are other ways to find new apps. The search bar recognizes keywords and categories, so you don’t just have to search for app names. Or you can use the Categories tab in the sidebar to browse for apps.
Image rights: Apple.
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How to do anything on your Mac, iPhone & iPad
Search for apps If you need to quickly look for an app, category or keyword, use the search bar in the top–left corner.
Scan the sidebar The Mac App Store’s sidebar is divided into several categories — start here if you want to browse.
JARGON BUSTER Some apps offer in-app purchases. These are paid–for extras within the app — read the app’s info before downloading to see what they are.
Find useful new apps Notable apps are featured prominently at the top of the App Store — great for discovering new content.
Download an app Once you’ve found an app you want, click on Get or its price in the top–right corner. Click Buy App to confirm (if it’s paid–for), then click Install. The Mac App Store will indicate next to this button if it has in–app purchases.
Image rights: Apple.
Story time Want to be more productive, speed up your Mac, or learn a language? Apple’s themed app stories can help with this.
Genius tip
View your info All your account information is stored here. You can view all your purchased apps, redeem a gift card, and change your settings.
Got a friend who’d enjoy an app story? Click Share in the top–right to send it to them using Mail, Messages, AirDrop and more.
Update your apps The Mac App Store is also where you update any installed apps. Click the Updates tab in the sidebar, then click the update button. This is also where you can see recently updated apps in case you need to check what changed.
Redeem a gift card If you have a gift card for the Mac App Store, you can redeem it by clicking your profile name in the bottom–left corner, then Redeem Gift Card in the top right. Enter the card’s code and click Redeem to credit it to your account.
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