On Apple and Headphone Jacks

“Courage,” said Phil Schiller, in 2016, when he announced that Apple was removing the headphone jack from the iPhone 7. I recall that, when I heard this, I was stunned by how a key Apple executive used this word in a marketing presentation. Courage was Rosa Parks not moving to the back of the bus; courage was Nelson Mandela spending 27 years in prison. Courage is not removing a technology that works in order to push people toward wireless headphones.

Apple and headphone jacks… I don’t know why this is something that is often problematic. Take, for example, the AirPods Max. I recently bought this headset, and, while it’s a Bluetooth headset, it can also be used plugged into a headphone jack (if you buy the $35 Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Cable).

But there’s a problem. The lightning port on the AirPods Max is on the right. Traditionally, cables are on the left of headphones. And the headphone jack on the new iMac is on the left. So if I want to use this with my iMac, the cable will run accros my keyboard and get in the way. (On my previous iMac, the headphone jack was on the right side, on the back of the device.)

Yet on my MacBook Air – and pretty much every Mac laptop I can recall – the headphone jack is on the right. So if you have standard headphones, the cable will cross the keyboard on those devices.

Apple pays attention to small details in some areas, but not in this one. This is something that should be consistent, and take into account how headphones work.

Intego Mac Podcast, Episode #197: Prepare for the End of 3G Networks

Apple has released security updates for all its operating systems. We discuss the new disclosures about Pegasus spyware, and Apple’s response. And we look at what will happen when mobile phone carriers shut down their 3G networks; you may have 3G devices that you don’t think about. And Josh has a new laptop; finally.

Follow the The Intego Mac Podcast, which I co-host with Josh Long. We talk about Macs and iOS devices, and how to keep them secure.

The Next Track, Episode #214 – Chris Connaker on Music with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio

With Apple offering some music with Dolby Atmos and/or Spatial Audio on Apple Music, we talk with Chris Connaker about whether this is a Good Thing for music.

Help support The Next Track by making regular donations via Patreon. We’re ad-free and self-sustaining so your support is what keeps us going. Thanks!

Support The Next Track.

Find out more at The Next Track website, or follow The Next Track on Twitter at @NextTrackCast.

Write Now with Scrivener Podcast, Episode No. 3: J.T. Ellison, Thriller Author

J.T. Ellison has written more than 25 novels: standalone thrillers, three series, and has recently published the first in a series of co-authored young adult novels. She co-hosts a literary TV show, and is also a publisher. She also “loves Scrivener with the passion of a thousand fiery suns.”

Show notes:

Learn more about Scrivener, and check out the ebook Take Control of Scrivener.

If you like the podcast, please follow it in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. Leave a rating or review, and tell your friends. And check out past episodes of Write Now with Scrivener.

Kirk’s Picks No. 12 – Sonos Roam [speaker]

The Sonos Roam is a small, portable speaker that works with both Bluetooth and wi-fi.

Theme music: Honest Labor, composed and performed by Timo Andres.

If you enjoyed the podcast, follow it on Apple Podcasts or in your favorite podcast app. For show notes and links to my pick, go to kirkville.com/picks. You can support this podcast by purchasing items via my affiliate links, or you can sign up for my Patreon and donate a few bucks a month.

Kirk’s Picks No. 11 – MUBI [streaming service]

MUBI is a movie streaming service that presents arthouse and festival films.

Theme music: Honest Labor, composed and performed by Timo Andres.

If you enjoyed the podcast, follow it on Apple Podcasts or in your favorite podcast app. For show notes and links to my pick, go to kirkville.com/picks. You can support this podcast by purchasing items via my affiliate links, or you can sign up for my Patreon and donate a few bucks a month.

3G Networks Are Shutting Down; What Will Happen to Your Older Devices?

When it comes to mobile phone technology, 5G is the big thing. Apple promoted 5G connectivity last year when introducing the iPhone 12. Even though most people won’t get the speeds that Apple touted, 5G is moving forward, with installations covering more and more areas, as mobile phone carriers plan for the future.

At the same time, carriers are shutting down older 3G networks. As a result of this, people with older phones, or basic “feature” phones, will no longer be able to use them. But killing off these slower networks will affect much more than just phones: millions of cars have 3G systems, as do many alarms, security cameras, and other devices.

Here’s how the 3G network shutdown will affect you.

Read the rest of the article on The Mac Security Blog.

Intego Mac Podcast, Episode #196: Screenshots and Shortcuts

Apple is fixing a bug that could disable network access on devices connecting to wi-fi networks containing weird characters, and Ring rolls out end-to-end encryption for doorbells. We take a close look at how to shoot screenshots on the Mac, and we discuss the new Shortcuts coming to macOS Monterey

Follow the The Intego Mac Podcast, which I co-host with Josh Long. We talk about Macs and iOS devices, and how to keep them secure.

Personalize the Scrivener Binder with Custom Icons

The Binder is the heart of your Scrivener projects. It’s where you build the structure of your work, whether it’s a novel, essay, or screenplay, and it’s a constant reminder of how your project is formed. Some people may only use a couple of folders and texts in the Binder, and others may break down their projects into dozens of elements.

The ability to use folders and texts in the Binder is one of Scrivener’s most powerful features. But when you’re working on a complex project, it can be helpful if the Binder gives you some visual idea of what these items contain. Scrivener sets bland folder and file icons for the Binder’s elements by default, but you can modify these, using dozens of alternate icons, and even add your own. Here’s how.

Read the rest of the article on The L&L Blog.

To learn how to use Scrivener for Mac, Windows, and iOS, check out my book Take Control of Scrivener 3.