Brahm Shank, Author at Make Tech Easier

How to Install AirPods Beta Firmware Update

Brahm Shank — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

By installing the AirPods Beta, you can gain early access to new features, such as Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, new mute controls, and Conversation Awareness, before they are available publicly. Learn how to install the beta firmware update on your AirPods!

Understanding AirPods Betas

Remember, installing beta firmware updates on your AirPods is a risky endeavor. Pre-release software is not yet fully developed and may contain bugs that could cause your AirPods to malfunction. Apple is likely to address reported issues, including connectivity problems and optimized battery charging inconsistencies, before the public debut. It is also important to note that there is currently no way to manually downgrade your AirPods if something goes wrong.

Tip: not a fan of AirPods? Check out our list of the best wireless headphone alternatives to AirPods.

Compatibility and Peripherals

To get started, you will need an Apple Developer account, an iPhone running iOS 17 or later, a Mac running macOS Ventura or later, and of course, the pair of compatible AirPods that you would... Read more

eM Client Review: Change How You Manage Your Email

Brahm Shank — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 17:25:00 +0000

Whether you are a busy professional, an avid member of the remote workforce, or simply looking to take control of your overflowing email inbox, eM Client is the perfect all-in-one solution that is zero-stress from the first click. I had the opportunity to test eM Client on my Mac, leveraging its robust platform tools to enable new levels of customization, convenience, security, and productivity. To say I was impressed would be an understatement, and I believe I have found the perfect email client to balance my personal and professional life.

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by eM Client. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author, who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored.

eM Client at a Glance

eM Client for macOS and Windows enables you to capably manage millions of email messages from your computer with ease. It combines powerful enterprise tools, including granular search options, tracking prevention, built-in language translation, and seamless integration with flagship services, making each feature approachable and effortlessly customizable. You’ll feel in control... Read more

VANKYO Leisure 470 HD Mini Wifi Projector with Roku Express Review

Brahm Shank — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 17:25:00 +0000

Entertainment centers – which typically include speakers, televisions, digital media players, gaming consoles, and streaming sticks – have become the most important gathering area in every home. Consumer-grade projectors remain a compelling replacement for these costly setups, and the VANKYO Leisure 470 HD Mini Wifi Projector with Roku Express included, sets new bars for quality and portability that will allow you to take the full-featured cinematic experience with you. Let’s take a closer look at its all-in-one feature set and key specifications.

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by VANKYO. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author, who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored.

Unboxing and Setup

Unboxing the VANKYO Leisure 470 HD Mini Wifi Projector with Roku Express was effortless and straightforward. The neatly-designed modular packaging style inspires confidence in the brand and the product overall. The product comes with two remotes: one for the projector, and one for the Roku Express streaming stick attachment, which is packaged separately.

BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station Review

Brahm Shank — Tue, 09 May 2023 17:25:00 +0000

Whether you live in an area that is prone to power outages, frequently camp or travel off the grid, or need a way to provide power for essential appliances and other devices in the event of an emergency, The BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station is a versatile and robust portable power station that can be used in a variety of situations. If you’re looking for a reliable and portable power source, the BLUETTI EB3A is a fantastic option. Let’s discover what it’s capable of!

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by BLUETTI. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author, who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored.

Unboxing Experience

The unboxing experience for the BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station is well-thought-out and straightforward. Undoing the singular front-facing pull tab allowed me to quickly slide the unit out of the box. The included items can be removed easily, echoing the spark of joy you feel when unboxing a flagship smartphone. BLUETTI also kindly grants every BLUETTI EB3A customer a 24-month... Read more

Ofuzzi Cyber 1200 Pro Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner Review

Brahm Shank — Mon, 08 May 2023 17:25:00 +0000

Keeping your pool in tip-top shape can be time-consuming and overwhelming, even for those who routinely maintain it with brushes, nets, and chemicals. Robotic pool cleaners are an incredibly convenient way to keep your pool spotless and free from settled debris while you go about your day. The Ofuzzi Cyber 1200 Pro Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner is a well-rounded and cost-effective pool cleaning machine that will give you peace of mind knowing that your pool is always clean and safe to swim in. Let’s take a closer look in this review!

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by Ofuzzi. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author, who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored.

Technical Specifications

The Ofuzzi Cyber 1200 Pro Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner features impressive capabilities, delivering speed, efficiency, and durability that exceeded my expectations, given its affordable price. Here are its key specifications:

6600mAh battery capacity
Maximum cleaning surface: approx. 1076 sq. ft. or 100 sq m.

TOPDON 2000A Peak Battery Jump Starter Review

Brahm Shank — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 00:25:00 +0000

Whether you are stranded on the side of the road or simply looking to top off the battery on your favorite accessories during your next adventure, the TOPDON 2000A Peak Battery Jump Starter can jumpstart cars, trucks, motorcycles, yachts, lawnmowers, ATVs, SUVs, and snowmobiles up to 40 times on a single charge. It also keeps your favorite devices – including your smartphone, tablet, and laptop – charged when you do not have access to AC power. This review takes a closer look by analyzing its key specifications against real-world use.

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by TOPDON. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored.

TOPDON 2000A Key Specifications

The rugged temperature-resistant design of the TOPDON 2000A Peak Battery Jump Starter allows you to take it anywhere, and an equally premium, crush-resistant carrying case, made of the same material used for shock absorption in running shoes, is also included. Find out more about the specs and what’s included below:

JS2000 Advanced Portable... Read more

UGREEN 9-in-1 USB-C Docking Station

Brahm Shank — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 17:25:00 +0000

Having more than one computer monitor can level up productivity for PC power users, casual creators, and avid multitaskers alike. However, the ultimate workstation offers extensive and accessible I/O. With multiple ways to connect, high-speed charging capabilities, and a premium design, the UGREEN 9-in-1 USB-C Docking Station is an essential tool for external display owners, no matter how you work.

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by UGREEN. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored.

First Impressions

The UGREEN 9-in-1 USB-C Docking Station features outstanding build quality that was immediately felt the moment I took it out of the box. Opening the box, you’ll find:

UGREEN 9-in-1 USB-C Docking Station
UGREEN USB-C to USB-C cable
User manual

The top and bottom of the device are comprised... Read more

How to Connect a Game Controller to an iPhone or Mac

Brahm Shank — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 05:25:00 +0000

Apple has continued to expand support for wireless gaming controllers that work with its devices since rolling out support for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One controllers in iOS 13 back in 2019. Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 16, allows hardcore gamers to connect a number of game controllers to Apple products, including those from well-known manufacturers, such as Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and more. This guide explores everything you need to know about connecting a wireless game controller to your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV.

Gaming Gear Requirements

Before you attempt to connect any game controller to your Apple device, ensure that your device is running the following software to ensure proper compatibility:

iOS/iPadOS 16 or later on an iPhone or iPad
tvOS 16 or later on an Apple TV
macOS Ventura 13 or later on a Mac

Tip: to update your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to the latest software, navigate to “Settings -> General -> Software Update -> Download and Install.” To update your Apple TV, navigate to “Settings... Read more

UPDF Review: Feature-Rich PDF Editor

Brahm Shank — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 18:25:00 +0000

Whether it be a simple form, an important contract, flyer, or even a company brochure, managing every PDF that finds its way into your documents library can be a challenging task. Thankfully, the UPDF app for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android remains a cost-effective solution. It is a feature-packed digital hub for your PDF documents with support for essential PDF editing and management tools. This review take a look at what UPDF is capable of!

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by UPDF. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored.

UPDF at a Glance

The UPDF PDF Editor and Converter is an all-in-one PDF viewer and editing app that focuses on six major features, including easy-to-use tools for:

Viewing PDFs
Editing PDFs
Organizing PDFs
Annotating PDFs
Converting PDFs
Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

I had the opportunity to... Read more

How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos From iPhone and iPad

Brahm Shank — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 01:25:00 +0000

Every iPhone and iPad user knows that the built-in Photos app has functions far beyond storing photos. Dedicated albums for screenshots, people, and pets keep your photos organized, while robust machine learning allows you to identify and delete duplicate photos. Whether it be a photo of a receipt, a crucial address, or a cherished memory, we have all accidentally deleted more than one important photo. Learn how to quickly recover deleted photos from your iPhone and iPad.

Recover Deleted Photos Using Your Device

When you delete a photo or video from the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad, it is transferred to a hidden album labeled “Recently Deleted.” If you delete a photo or video by accident, you have 30 days to retrieve it from the Recently Deleted album before it is permanently deleted. Recover your photos by following the directions listed below.

Recover From Recently Deleted Photo Album

Open the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.

DDPAI Mola N3 Pro Dual View Expert Review

Brahm Shank — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 18:25:00 +0000

A dash cam is an essential tool that many drivers will never understand the value of until they use one for the very first time. Owning a dash cam, especially an advanced unit like the DDPAI Mola N3 Pro Dual View Expert, offers drivers a new sense of security both on and off the road. In this review, we examine the DDPAI Mola N3 Pro Dual View Expert in its entirety by analyzing its key specifications, full feature set, and smartphone integration.

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by DDPAI. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored.

Specs and Features

Just in case you have not caught on to this already, the DDPAI Mola N3 Pro Dual View Expert is a name that describes more than one product: it is actually two cameras! An equally impressive rear view camera, the RC1, enables the “dual” in “dual view,” featuring an ultra-compact design that connects to the standard DDPAI Mola N3... Read more

Pages Keyboard Shortcuts

Brahm Shank — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 18:25:00 +0000

Pages is a powerful word-processing application for Apple devices. The program offers an intuitive interface, robust collaboration tools, and advanced formatting options. You can create stunning documents and format them to your heart’s content with customized fonts, beautiful graphics, and more. Then you can print, share, or even export your documents in any file format you want.

Its diverse capabilities make Pages a competitive productivity offering capable of replacing Microsoft Word on both your iPad and your Mac. Pages is also available on the web, making it incredibly easy to open, edit and convert Apple Pages files on Windows. Best of all, Pages comes free with every Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

Download this Cheatsheet

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How to Fully Secure Your Mac

Brahm Shank — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 16:25:00 +0000

Macs are quite secure by default, but that doesn’t make them impenetrable. Use these tips to make sure you secure your Mac as much as necessary.

Tightening up security on your Mac is just one of the more than 10 ways you can improve your Mac experience with macOS Ventura.

1. Turn on FileVault

FileVault is a whole-disk encryption system. It wraps all of the contents of your disk in a layer of encryption. Even if attackers have access to your physical hard drive, they cannot decrypt the data without your password.

FileVault is turned on by default in all new Macs. But if you have an older Mac or used a Time Machine clone to copy your Mac’s files to your new machine, FileVault might not be turned on. You can adjust this under the “Privacy & Security” pane in the System Settings app.

Tip: Running an older version of macOS? These tips are just as effective no matter... Read more

6 Ways to Troubleshoot an Unresponsive Apple TV

Brahm Shank — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 22:25:00 +0000

Troubleshoot Apple TV in no time and get back to binging with these tips and tricks to fix a glitchy or unresponsive Apple TV. This guide covers some of the most common Apple TV issues and how you can quickly fix them using the Apple TV remote or a simple software workaround.

Apple TV Compatibility

The following fixes work for all versions of tvOS, including tvOS 16. Troubleshoot Apple TV with the workflows provided in this tutorial. These workflows are compatible with the following Apple TV models:

Apple TV HD (4th generation)
Apple TV 4K (all models 2017 to 2022)

Tip: having trouble trying to identify your Apple TV model? We can help you quickly determine which Apple TV you have based on a handful of key factors.

Identifying Your Apple TV Remote

The type of remote control that was included with your Apple TV when you purchased it varies based on when your Apple TV was manufactured or released. Every Apple TV released... Read more

Forgot Apple Watch Passcode? Here’s How to Reset Your Apple Watch

Brahm Shank — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 01:25:00 +0000

If you forgot your Apple Watch passcode, the only way to regain access to your Apple Watch is by factory resetting the device before pairing it to your iPhone again. You can reset your Apple Watch with or without your iPhone on hand. However, you will need your iPhone to initiate the pairing process and to retrieve a backup of the data from your Apple Watch, once you have reactivated it. Here is everything you need to know the next time you get locked out of your Apple Watch.

How to Reset Apple Watch Without iPhone

If you are out of range of your iPhone, you can reset your Apple Watch with a few simple taps. It is required that you place your Apple Watch on its charger while you complete the following steps:

Press and hold the side button (highlighted below on your Apple Watch) until you see the power button icon in the upper right corner of the display, then let go of the side button. If you have an Apple Watch Ultra, be sure not to press the Action Button by... Read more

How to Disable Screenshot Thumbnail Previews on Mac

Brahm Shank — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:25:00 +0000

Modern versions of macOS feature a floating thumbnail preview for screenshots that allows users to quickly apply edits to their screenshots before they save them. If you find this interface too obtrusive, or simply prefer to edit your screenshots later using the Preview app, Here is how you can disable this screenshot behavior in macOS in a few clicks.

Good to know: Need to sign an important document? The Markup tool and Preview app make it easy to sign a PDF document on your Mac.

Disable Screenshot Previews

You can access the Screenshot utility in macOS by locating it in your Applications folder or by using a keyboard shortcut.

Open the Finder app. Navigate to the “Applications -> Utilities” folder. Double-click on the Screenshot app to launch it (you can also launch the Screenshot tool by pressing Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard).

Tip: Having trouble finding your applications? You can discover how to make... Read more

Netflix vs. Amazon Prime Video: Which Is Best?

Brahm Shank — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 22:25:00 +0000

Netflix vs. Amazon Prime Video is one of the longest-lasting debates among both avid streamers and casual movie buffs. The two powerhouses of online movie and TV streaming both contain and produce a number of titles. But which is better? Grab your favorite popcorn and get ready for our Netflix vs. Amazon Prime Video showdown as we explore several factors, including the TV/movie catalog, pricing, content availability, and more for both platforms.

Netflix vs. Amazon Prime Video Movies and TV

Probably the most important thing to compare is the actual size and quality of both services’ catalogs of movies and TV. After all, if you are not interested in what’s offered, then neither service is worth paying for.

If this were a pure numbers game, then Amazon Prime would be the winner, with a total of over 20,000 movies and TV shows available to watch on its service in the United States (as of November 2022). Netflix, by contrast, only has only 17,000 titles that are available to watch in the U.S. (as of October 2022).

How to Use Emergency SOS on iPhone

Brahm Shank — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 22:25:00 +0000

The next time you need help and happen to have your iPhone on hand, you can quickly access emergency services with a feature called Emergency SOS. Instead of frantically thumbing through the Phone app to access the keypad, you can use the side or top button on your iPhone to promptly contact emergency services. This tutorial includes everything you need to know to configure and use Emergency SOS on your iPhone.

What Is Emergency SOS?

The Emergency SOS feature allows you to swiftly call the local emergency number in your area and instantly notify your emergency contacts of your whereabouts via location services. You can even set up a digital Medical ID on your iPhone to help first responders access critical information about your health from your Lock Screen.

Tip: don’t have an iPhone? Don’t worry! You can set up and configure your Medical ID on Android too.

Note that if you are using Emergency SOS in a country or region outside of the United States, you may need to configure the feature to contact a specific service.... Read more

How to Write In MLA Format In Google Docs

Brahm Shank — Sat, 24 Dec 2022 01:25:00 +0000

Whether you are a student trying to deliver your next A+ paper or an aspiring scholar looking to share your ideas with the world, you can utilize the MLA format to establish credibility behind your content while also bringing order to even the most complex concepts. Thankfully, Google Docs contains everything you need to make the grade when it comes to perfecting the MLA format. Ready to get fancy with your formatting?

Tip: this guide follows standard MLA formatting rules according to the widely-used Purdue OWL guidelines. It is strongly recommended that you clarify the formatting requirements with your instructor, publisher, department, etc.

MLA Format at a Glance

The easiest way to interpret MLA format, short for Modern Language Association format, is to think of it as a style guide for research and academic papers. Much like the way social media templates or distinct company branding can bring uniformity to content, the goal of MLA format is to optimize written works for maximum readability and optimal reference. Listed here are the key aspects of MLA format that you will need to remember:

How to Factory Reset Your iPhone

Brahm Shank — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 22:25:00 +0000

Whether you have lost your iPhone, are switching to a new smartphone, or perhaps passing on your existing iOS device to a friend or family member, it is important to learn how to factory reset your iPhone. While the process to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch is fairly straightforward, follow the steps in this guide to securely back up and erase the sensitive information stored on your device.

Note: if you’re looking to factory reset your Mac instead, we can help!

How to Back Up the Data on Your iPhone

If you need to migrate the data on your existing iPhone to a new iPhone, you will need to create a copy or backup of all of the information on your phone. You can do this using a wired connection to a Mac/PC or wirelessly via iCloud.

Back Up Your iPhone Using iCloud (Wireless Backup)

Locate and open the Settings app on your iPhone.