• vision pro

    Apple Vision Pro Pre-Orders Start Today

    January 19, 2024 /

    At 8:00am this morning, Apple began taking pre-orders for the new Apple Vision Pro, their new mixed reality spatial computer. Worn over your face, Vision Pro is able to add Apple software into your environment while allowing you to also interact with your environment and the people in it. Unlike a Mac that uses a mouse or an iPhone that uses touch, Vision Pro is controlled with your eyes, hand gestures, and your voice.

    Rather than try to explain it, you can now visit the new Vision Pro Guided Tour website.

    The pre-order process was pretty smooth. Unlike this past September’s iPhone 15 launch, I was able to get my pre-order in pretty quickly. The iOS Apple Store app promptly opened at 8:00am ET, I was able to pick my SKU, enter information about my eyeglasses prescription, and set the location, date, and time for my in store fitting and pick up. The whole thing was over in just about five minutes.

    So, what did I get you ask?

    After my Mac Studio with Studio Display setup, the Apple Vision Pro is the second most expensive piece of gear that I’ve purchased. To keep costs as reasonable as possible, I chose the least expensive Vision Pro possible: the 256GB storage model. I also told myself that I wasn’t going to buy the rumored OLED iPad Pro this year because I was buying Vision Pro. I choose the 256GB model based on the storage usage on my iPhone. If I end up taking a lot of spatial videos, I’ll have to offload some of them if I start to run low on space.

    There are other accessories that you might want to consider if you are thinking about buying an Apple Vision Pro. I also purchased the $49 Belkin battery clip – mostly because I’m an idiot – but I wanted to make sure that I didn’t catch the power cable on something. You can also purchase a $199 backup battery. Keep in mind, that the most optimistic runtime for Vision Pro is 2.5-hours. If you are going to be traveling on a plane and what to use Vision Pro, you might want to get a second battery. Me? I’ll risk it for now. The final accessory that will likely be a popular one, and one frankly, I feel should have been included in the box, is the $199 Travel Case. I haven’t purchased it yet, but I have a feeling come Feb. 9, I’ll end up buying it in the store.

    I know that I said I wasn’t going to buy one of these, but a have to say, the FOMO is real.

    Congratulations to everyone else who bought a Vision Pro with me today. I hope we really enjoy it!

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  • apple,  homepod,  troubleshooting

    HomePod mini Troubleshooting Hijinks

    December 28, 2023 /
    HomePod mini in colors white, blue, orange, yellow, black.

    Yes. I admit it. I bought another HomePod mini. This time, I wanted to do something very specific with it – create a stereo pair with my older HomePod mini and use that stereo pair with my Apple TV as replacement speakers when watching movies and TV shows that I purchased from the thing formerly known as iTunes.

    1

    While attempting to add my new HomePod mini to my digital home setup in the Home app, my new HomePod was getting stuck at the “Downloading” or “Configuring” stages. The other four Home Pods – two original “biggies” and two current HomePod minis – joined the Home app with no issue. But not HomePod #5. This is a common occurrence based on the Apple support forums threads and how-to explainers.

    Adding to the knowledge base that is the Internet, here is how I fixed my issue with a current generation HomePod mini (2020), iOS 17.2.1 (21C66) on iPhone 15 Pro, and Mac OS Sonoma 14.2.1.

    1. Unplug all of the Home Hub devices (HomePods and Apple TVs) in your setup except the new HomePod and the device you want to be the “active” (my word) Home Hub. You can leave other HomeKit and Matter devices like lights and thermostats connected.
    2. Load the latest version of HomePod OS on the stuck HomePod. Depending on how your HomePod is stuck, you may need to hard reset it first. Then, connect the HomePod USB-C cable into your Mac. An orange/red light will start swirling on top of the HomePod.
    3. After a few minutes, double-click the Macintosh HD icon on your desktop to open a Finder window. Click on the HomePod text link in the left column.
    4. Use Finder to Restore the HomePod. Full directions are available on Apple.com. In my case, the HomePod shipped with HomePod OS 15.4 (released 3/14/22) meaning my new HomePod mini was sitting on a shelf for a long time. The upgrade process to HomePod OS 17.2 took less then 10 minutes.
    5. Disconnect the HomePod after the upgrade is complete. I put my HomePod mini back on the TV stand. Unplugging and replugging in power restarted HomePod mini. I also plugged in the HomePod mini I wanted to make the other half of the stereo pair.
    6. Using my iPhone, run the HomePod setup wizard again.
    7. After a successful setup, you can then go back around your home and plug in your other Apple TVs and HomePods.

    All told, it took me six attempts and several hours to get everything setup. After creating the stereo pair “TV Pods”, I ended up having to reboot both HomePod minis, the family room Apple TV, and my iPhone 15 to get everyone on the same “page” an agree that there was in fact a stereo pair of HomePod minis called “TV Pods” made of up “Left TV Pod” and “Right TV Pod”.

    The entier process was messy and very frustrating for a day after Christmas project. In my opinion, HomePod (hardware, software), Apple TV (hardware, software), and Music (app, service) are third-class citizens after iPhone, subscription services revenue, and the Mac.

    Hopefully, this post will help save you some time and aggravation setting up your next HomePod.

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  • app clip,  apple,  ios

    Apple App Clips in the Wild

    December 26, 2023 /

    You will be forgiven if you don’t remember App Clips feature that was released as part of iOS 14 (Sept. 2020).

    The Apple iOS 14.0 Software Update screen from September 2020.

    App Clips is a feature that loads a small sub-set of functionalities of apps in the App Store to complete a transaction without having to find, install, setup, and then use the app. The examples often cited by Apple include transactions like paying for take-out meals, renting bikes or scooters, or setting up a home automation device.

    The whole point of an App Clip is to speed things up for customers who do not have your app installed. To Use an App Clip, you pull out your iPhone, open the Camera app, and point the lens at a QR-like code that only Apple would take that the time to make look good and work well.

    Up until now, the only place that I have seen App Clips used was in Apple Stores on the accessories walls.

    Exxon Mobil gas station pump with an App Clip sticker.

    While running around in the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle, I needed to stop to put gas in the car. While filling up at an area self-service Exxon Mobil station, I noticed an App Clip sticker on the pump.

    Here’s how the process works:

    1. Scan the App Clip icon with the Camera app.
    2. Tap on the yellow Exxon Mobil pill button to start the App Clip.
    3. Tap Open.
    4. Use Sign In with Apple to use your payment options in Apple Wallet.


    One real world use for App Clips that I wish was available is when I need to park my car downtown. There have been two occasions this month and at least one next month were I will need to park my car in a public parking garage. It would be really nice to have the App Clip option to pay for parking. Unfortunately, the company that manages this parking garage hasn’t added App Clip support to their app yet.

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  • lifestyle

    Merry Christmas

    December 25, 2023 /

    May the new born Christ Child bring peace, love, and mercy to you and your family. Amen.

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from your friends at Smartphone Fanatics!

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  • lifestyle

    Happy Thanksgiving

    November 23, 2023 /

    This year, I am thankful for my family and friends who are helping me through a difficult time.

    I am also thankful for the many things that I have, including my healthy, and my job, and you, the reader of this blog.

    Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

    -Alan

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  • apple,  iphone 15

    Happy iPhone 15 Day!

    September 22, 2023 /

    Today is the day that Apple fans have been waiting for all year long: iPhone 15 Launch Day!

    You can follow our pick up adventure with the iPhone 15 playlist on my YouTube channel.

    My Dad and I will be picking up our new iPhones at our local Apple Store this morning. For folks who pro-ordered like we did, I hope your pickup experience goes well.

    For folks who are hoping to score a new iPhone 15 today, I hope that you are able to find the iPhone in the color and size that you are looking for.

    Have a great day everyone, and congratulations on your new iPhone purchase!

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  • apple,  iphone 15

    Happy iPhone 15 Pre-Order Day

    September 15, 2023 /

    Today, Sept. 15, at 8:00am Eastern, the one true time zone in my opinion, Apple will begin taking pre-orders for iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. You will be able to pre-order your iPhone using the Apple.com website, or via the Apple Store app on your current iPhone.

    This year’s iPhone 15 line up has a similar pricing ladder as last year.

    iPhone 15 $799
    iPhone 15 Plus $899
    iPhone 15 Pro $999
    iPhone 15 Pro Max $1,199

    Last year’s iPhone Pro Max 128GB storage tier has been dropped and the 256GB storage tier has remained at the same price. So, in effect, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has gone up $100 in price if you wanted then 128GB version or has stayed the same year-over-year if you go for the 256GB tier like I do.

    People who get their pre-orders in this morning will likely be able to reserve their new iPhone 15 for in-store pick up or delivery next Friday, 9/22.

    Good luck to everyone who will be pre-ordering today! I hope you get your pick for launch day.

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  • apple,  power mac,  repair,  retro computing,  vintage

    How-To: Open a Sony MPF52A Floppy Drive

    September 10, 2023 /

    I have been working on restoring an Apple Power Macintosh 7100/80, first released in 1994. While tearing it down to remove the original PRAM battery from 1994, I decided to also pull out the 3.5-inch floppy drive to service it before attempting to power on the Mac.

    What I discovered was that I couldn’t find any documentation (service manual, blog post, YouTube video) about how to open the drive without breaking the plastic faceplate. So, I made a video of me fumbling around trying to open the drive so you don’t have to wonder how to open it or break any plastic clips.

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