New Apple user, must have apps/tip.

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › New Apple user, must have apps/tip.

Echoe

155 posts

Master Geek

#237936 25-Jun-2018 17:24

I have just come across to the Apple ecosystem, been a loyal Android and Windows user. Just wondering if anyone has tips or tricks they would recommend.

Also if anyone has some must use apps for either macOS or iOS.

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671 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2043700 25-Jun-2018 17:49

The first thing that springs to mind is turn off “Wifi Assist”. Otherwise you may be using cellular data when you think you’re on wifi. Settings - Mobile/cellular, then right down the bottom.

gehenna

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#2043702 25-Jun-2018 17:54

https://support.apple.com/en-nz/explore/new-to-iphone

antoniosk

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#2043756 25-Jun-2018 19:26

Turn icloud on. $1.49 for 50GB backup that is nigh-on moron proof is genuinely really helpful.

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Antoniosk

Dairyxox

1594 posts

Uber Geek

#2043761 25-Jun-2018 19:33

Microsoft’s “officelens” is really handy. It turns the camera into a document scanner.

Touchvoicemail is excellent if you’ve got plenty of voice minutes (it forwards unanswered calls to a 3rd party voicemail service) - it gives you visual voicemail for “free” (change the default message ASAP)

Get an AppleTV it’s an excellent companion device.

If you’re with ANZ, you can do Apple pay contactless payments at any payWave terminal. The goMoney (ANZ) app is good and supports touchID too.

The “google” app is pretty neat.

scuwp

3885 posts

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#2043772 25-Jun-2018 20:08

Chrome for browsing and Outlook for email.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

maslink

131 posts

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#2043777 25-Jun-2018 20:19

As always it depends on your use...but here are a couple of mine for OS X

Utilities:

Magnet (Window snapping tool)
BetterTouchTool (customise TouchBar / Mouse / Trackpad actions)
iStat Menus (Stats/Monitoring system)
Daisy Disk (track disk space usage)

Apps:

Affinity Designer
Affinity Photo
MS Office (if you need more than Pages/Numbers)
Visual Studio Code
Audacity

lNomNoml

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#2043778 25-Jun-2018 20:22

Google Maps.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

tdgeek

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#2043780 25-Jun-2018 20:24

Dairyxox: Microsoft’s “officelens” is really handy. It turns the camera into a document scanner.

Touchvoicemail is excellent if you’ve got plenty of voice minutes (it forwards unanswered calls to a 3rd party voicemail service) - it gives you visual voicemail for “free” (change the default message ASAP)

Get an AppleTV it’s an excellent companion device.

If you’re with ANZ, you can do Apple pay contactless payments at any payWave terminal. The goMoney (ANZ) app is good and supports touchID too.

The “google” app is pretty neat.

If you do, get the Remote App. While the ATV remote is cool, its a bit finicky, the iPhone Remote app makes it far nicer to search and type search words

jarledb

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#2043847 25-Jun-2018 23:15

OS-X:

If its a Macbook: Caffine (its a small little app that you can use when you don't want your computer to fall asleep)
Bartender (Makes sure you can customise what is shown in the top menubar)
1Password (both for Mac and iPhone/iPad): Manages and syncs your passwords accross devices so you don't reuse passwords anywhere.
Screenflow - Screen recording

Things you should be aware that you have access to on OS-X:

Terminal: Since OS-X is at heart built on FreeBSD you can do a LOT via the terminal with *nix commands.
Automator and Applescript: You can automate a LOT of things on OS-X.
Preview is powerful - The OS-X preview app gives you access to a lot of editing tools, for things like PDFs, images etc.
When in finder you can hit the space bar to have a quick look at documents. In the next OS-X version this is getting even more powerful with tools like the ones you find in Preview today.

Thats a few litte things. You have all the Apple software things like Garage band, Pages (Word processing), Keynote (Powerpoint killer), Numbers (Spreadheets) etc. that comes with your Mac for free as well.

Let me know if you have any special type of software you are looking for, I am sure you can get a lot of great tips here.

Jarle Dahl Bergersen | Referral Links: Want $50 off when you join Octopus Energy? Use this referral code
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rugrat

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#2043861 26-Jun-2018 03:54

To scan documents go into notes, hit the plus button when making note, and you’ll see scan document.

I use it to scan my shopping receipts.

Batman

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#2043869 26-Jun-2018 07:01

What diary app to use for people with complicated lives/schedule? The stock ios calendar app is next to useless even for simple things like reminding birthdays.

Best if not a paid locked down private app. I have Google calendar but not sure if it's any good.

DaveDog

336 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2043908 26-Jun-2018 09:02

scuwp:

Chrome for browsing and Outlook for email.

Chrome for browsing is a must - but not sure about Outlook for email - that would depend on what you're using it for... I use Outlook in my work environment (by choice) and the MacOS/iOS Mail app in my home life (again by choice)... Both have their pros and cons depending on functionality and usage.

Batman

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#2043915 26-Jun-2018 09:18

I have to say chrome app is rather buggy. But not sure how it compares in proper testing

jarledb

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#2043956 26-Jun-2018 10:08

Batman: What diary app to use for people with complicated lives/schedule? The stock ios calendar app is next to useless even for simple things like reminding birthdays.

Best if not a paid locked down private app. I have Google calendar but not sure if it's any good.

Love Google Calendar, it runs my life. Shared calendar with wife, and several different work calendars. The Google Calendar app on OS-X is good too.

Google Calendar works nicely to invite people to meetings, they don't have to use Google Calendar for it to work (As far as I know). And you can have reminders in the app, as SMS and by email for important appointments.

FineWine

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#2044012 26-Jun-2018 11:49

1Password - brilliant across all Apple iDevices

iStat Menu's - macOS brilliant I mainly use it customised menu bar clock and Network display

TimeMachine (comes with macOS) have it permanently connected to external drive and switched on for: hourly, daily, weekly & monthly backups. Has saved me lots of times

Carbon Copy Cloner - macOS I use for my grandfathered off site backups

Onyx - macOS free utility maintenance program for that under the hood grease & oil change. I use it pre & post OS updates or about once a month.

MagicPrefs - macOS improve the functionality and configuration options of the Apple Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad and the MacBook glass trackpad.

AppCleaner - macOS is a small application which allows you to thoroughly uninstall unwanted apps.

EasyFind - macOS alternative Finder

Pedia's by Bruji - Book, DVD, CD & Game cataloguing programs for macOS, iOS & tvOS

Pixelmator - macOS & iOS better alternative to Photos

FireFox - have used and CUSTOMISED it for years, sticking with it so far though Safari is getting better

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

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