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Five Mac Apps Worth Checking Out - April 2019
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The real question is why didn’t Apple make connecting AirPods with the Mac as convenient as connecting them with the iPhone?
Thanks for the mention. I'd never looked at LS alternatives.
Blocking Chrome updates was a pain.
They're very different apps.
TripMode is just a very simple on/off switch for each apps internet access, designed to reduce data usage when travelling.
Little Snitch gives far more fine-grained control over every single connection every app wants to make. Meaning you can block some connections but allow others for each app. It's more security and privacy focussed than data saving (although does do that).
Unshaky basically performs what's called a 'debounce' which is a very common function in electronics that deal with key/switch inputs (because mechanical switches aren't perfect) and would definitely be part of the MacBooks keyboard firmware already. But is just not tuned well enough to prevent these double keystrokes. I'm surprised Apple didn't update that firmware to mitigate these keyboard issues themselves.
They seem so resistant to doing any kind of mid-life redesign whatsoever, even if it solves a big issue. I remember the old Plastic MacBooks, they went through 3 different model releases which all had the same problem: The palmrest cracking due to the closure magnets putting too much pressure on it (combined with a pressure strip that concentrated this force on a tiny area).
Instead of making a mid-life update, introducing a fix with one of the new model generations or even replacing the screen bezel with lighter magnets or one with a wider plastic strip, all they did was boneheadedly replacing the same palmrests over and over. Mine went through 3 of them. They're so stupid sometimes.
Does the fact that anti-virus apps are a THING (that is 100% necessary) for Windows reflect badly on Microsoft?
Been using Little Snitch seems like forever. Love it.
Recommendation: SpamSieve
https://c-command.com/spamsieve/
Hands down the best email spam filter plugin app. Works with a variety of email apps, but I only use it with Apple Mail.
Its accuracy is 99.9% and you can train it when needed to block or whitelist email addresses or domains with ease. I leave my Mac at home running 24x7 and it filters all email so junk does not show up on my phone. I can even remote train if needed from my phone.
Absolutely love this app. Highly recommended. I have been using it for over 10 years and it is updated regularly.
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I have always referred to it as a Reverse Firewall. A standard firewall will only blocks incoming connections. LS blocks outgoing connections as a primary function.
Recommendation: SpamSieve
https://c-command.com/spamsieve/
Hands down the best email spam filter plugin app. Works with a variety of email apps, but I only use it with Apple Mail.
Its accuracy is 99.9% and you can train it when needed to block or whitelist email addresses or domains with ease. I leave my Mac at home running 24x7 and it filters all email so junk does not show up on my phone. I can even remote train if needed from my phone.
Absolutely love this app. Highly recommended. I have been using it for over 10 years and it is updated regularly.
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I have always referred to it as a Reverse Firewall. A standard firewall will only blocks incoming connections. LS blocks outgoing connections as a primary function.
Uh oh... are you implying that the next gen mac laptops are going to have failed keyboard mechanisms as well ?
I can put my AirPods in my ears, turn on Bluetooth, connect, but AirPods do NOT appear in my Preferences > Sound as a device for output. The AirPods DO APPEAR under Preferences > Bluetooth. The cheap Bluetooth knockoff AirPods connect as soon as they are turned on by pressing the button on the battery pack/volume control/mic, and then my music is played through them. They don't appear as an output device, either.
My AirPods connect to my Android phone as soon as I remove them from their case and put them in my ears.
Perhaps you can tell me why they don't appear as an output device.
Bookmarks are available to everyone already.
Mine do not appear as an output device even though they appear to be connected. Maybe this $5 app will do the trick.
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I don't understand what this does that I can't do by simply clicking the bluetooth symbol in my menu bar and choosing to connect to my AirPods.
Even when connecting to my iPhone, I don't hold the case near the iPhone. That is only done as part of the initial setup.
Couldn't log into my normal accoun(why?), but wanted to share, I've been using cloudapp everyday the past few years, sounds simple but its a lifesaver for me.
I don´t need AirBuddy, but I am such a saddo I had to buy it. Works well and looks like it was done by Apple (as it should have been).
Yes.
But not a great analogy, because Microsoft are not writing malware, but Apple are making substandard keyboards.
I still have Little Snitch, but it's usually turned off. It's just too paranoid. It started to drive me crazy after a while.
Re Littlesnitch
Did you tinker with the settings? IT starts out like that but once configured its great
Little Snitch is one of the first apps I install on a new Mac. I used to find it a bit heavy-going, but usability has improved massively since 4.0.
ToothFairy and AirBuddy both break the connection of my AirPods 2 with my iPhone (maybe all iOS devices but haven’t tested).
After connecting my AirPods via either of the two apps to my Mac (rMBP late 2013), the AirPods refuse to connect to my iPhone even through AirPods show up as an available device.
I’m forced to forget the AirPods and then set them up with my phone again.
Anyone else?
After connecting my AirPods via either of the two apps to my Mac (rMBP late 2013), the AirPods refuse to connect to my iPhone even through AirPods show up as an available device.
I’m forced to forget the AirPods and then set them up with my phone again.
Anyone else?
Microsoft is writing software susceptible to malware. Apple is creating keyboards susceptible to typists.
I have noticed this. Most manufacturers will bring out revised/modified models or change the manufacturing procedure if they discover an issue, not Apple. The last model in a series seems to be the same as the first irrespective of any design / manufacturing issue/s.