Table of contents for August 2016 in Macworld

When you get a new Mac, how can you make sure you’ve set it up to be as secure as possible? If you walk through a completely fresh installation process, Apple tries to guide you into making the most-secure choices among alternatives, but it’s probably the worst time to try to sort out the options available and make those decisions. A reader asked for advice for the next time they start from scratch, and I can offer that in this column. However, all of my suggestion can work just as well as later additions, whether you’re reinstalling OS X, installing and then migrating from a different Mac, or just continuing to use an existing installation. It’s better to set this up first, but it’s never to late to add layers.…

A 2015 OR 2016 MACBOOK has a neat complement in the 1440p 27-inch Acer H277HU (on Amazon; go.macworld.com/accerh277hu) display. You can connect the MacBook’s sole USB-C port directly into the back of the H277HU using an included (albeit short) cable, and the H277HU acts as a second display while also charging the laptop and adds two USB 3.0 Type-A ports at the rear of the display. ACER H277HU PROS • Crisp, edge-to-edge display • Excellent brightness without motion artifacts • USB-C video and passthrough power CONS • High premium for USB-C support • Bad button arrangement for OSD • No height adjustment, limited tilt PRICE $500 The display is sharp, bright, and expansive, with its front glass extending to the top, left, and right edges. Hidden on-screen display (OSD) buttons…

VIVALDI, THE NEW BROWSER from some of the creators of Opera (opera.com), blends appealing looks with clever innovations. But while Vivaldi (vivaldi.com) deserves applause for trying new things and getting many of them right, it still strikes a few sour notes. VIVALDI 1.0 (MAC) AT A GLANCE A new browser from some of the team behind Opera, Vivaldi adds clever new design elements, but might take a toll on your CPU. PROS • Thoughtful, beautiful look and feel • Easy-to-customize interface • Useful Quick Commands and mouse gestures CONS • May eat up processor and battery power • Some features poorly implemented PRICE Free COMPANY Vivaldi Many browsers trade off between ease of use and customization, sacrificing one for the other’s sake. Vivaldi doesn’t. You can move and change nearly…

Taking your iPad Pro and iPhone out on the road? These apps can help you get some serious work done without a computer. Whether you’re on a business trip and forced to connect to random Wi-Fi networks, or you’re spending the day at a local coffee shop for a change of scenery, you can remain productive while keeping your data safe and secure. PROTECT YOUR DATA Something we hardly think about when we’re at home or in the office is someone snooping on our Wi-Fi traffic, looking for bits and pieces of personal information as we go about our daily tasks. But when you’re using public Wi-Fi networks, you should constantly think about just that scenario. You’ve probably used one without even thinking twice about it—I know I used to…

INSTAGRAM MAY HAVE popularized the “faux film” look on mobile, but Hollywood has to create it the hard way. As any filmmaker will tell you, the talents of a good color timer are crucial to creating the right atmosphere or mood for a feature film, and the process is far more involved than choosing the right preset. KOJI GO 1.0.3 AT A GLANCE Koji Go transforms videos and photos with the look of 35mm motion picture film, courtesy of filters created by acclaimed Hollywood color timer Dale Grahn. PROS • 19 professional 35mm film color looks • Works with videos and photos • iOS 9 Share extension support CONS • Only three basic looks included with app purchase • Single-frame video preview • Limited advanced controls • No native iPad…

It’s been several weeks since macOS Sierra was announced by Apple, and I’ve gotten a chance to spend some time using it. If you’ve only seen the highlights from Apple’s WWDC keynote, though, you may have missed a bunch of cool features that have flown beneath the radar. Here’s a look at some of those interesting features. STORAGE MANAGEMENT IS COMPLICATED Apple’s pitch about Sierra being better about freeing up your disk space (especially on comparatively cramped flash-storage drives) is true, but on stage Apple’s Craig Federighi presented a very simplified version of the concept. The reality is that this isn’t a single feature, but a whole collection of them. Yes, you can now sync your Desktop and Documents folders with iCloud, and (separately) give your Mac the option of…

Before you can begin using the NetInstall service, you need to make sure you have a few basics in place. Unlike setting up Profile Manager (go.macworld.com/pipm), we don’t need to worry about certificates, or Open Directory, or user accounts. In fact, you really don’t need to do much more than switch this service on and it just works. But there are a few things you need to make sure you have in place before you get started, otherwise you may discover that what should have been a boon turns out to be a boondoggle. What are the basic requirements? > ethernet > high-speed network switch > DHCP NETWORK The NetInstall service requires high-speed networking in order to work properly, which means an ethernet network with your server and all the…

Once you’ve created your first NetInstall image, which we did in the previous article, you have what you need to begin using the NetInstall service. But, to start the service up, you’ll need to configure some settings. To test the NetInstall service, in addition to your Mac running Server, you’ll need to have another Mac connected to your ethernet network to connect as a client. Remember, every Mac using this service needs to have an ethernet connection. CONFIGURING THE NETINSTALL SERVICE Before you set the service up, let’s take a look at what NetInstall looks like before you configure it. Open the Server app and click NetInstall in the Advanced section of the app’s sidebar and take note of the current settings: > The service is off. > The Storage…

When sharing an Apple ID creates iMessage and text message confusion Q: Our family has a single Apple ID/iCloud account. We keep getting each other’s text messages. How do we stop that from happening? — Danielle Gibbons A: Unfortunately, an Apple ID and the associated iCloud account are a single entity—there’s no way to split out multiple, different text messaging or iMessage delivery addresses. However, it is possible to use third-party messaging apps, like WhatsApp (go.macworld.com/whatsapp), and third-party apps that handle sending and receiving text messages, like Text Free (go.macworld.com/textfree), because you can set up a unique account with those services. WhatsApp is free to use, but all the people with whom you’re communicating have to also use WhatsApp. Text Free and other apps that support mobile-network SMS text messages…

While big updates like iOS 10 (go.macworld.com/ios10ishere) and massive rethinks like watchOS 3 (go.macworld.com/watchos3) might have commanded the lion’s share of attention during Apple’s WWDC keynote and the ensuing aftermath of discussion and Zapruder-level dissection, it’s worthwhile to pause for a moment and consider the state of Apple’s most venerable platform, the Mac. No longer burdened by its increasingly dated X-laden moniker, the rebranded macOS got a major addition in the form of Siri, as well as some more minor improvements sprinkled throughout the OS. But to me, the big message to take away from Apple’s recent presentation is that the company is all too happy for the Mac to share features and technologies where it makes sense, but to still let it stand on its own two legs and…

IT’S NOT HARD to spice up photographs in just a few clicks of the mouse these days. The more difficult part of the process is finding an app with quality filters worth using—and one of the better mobile solutions around has finally made the leap to the desktop. PRIIME STYLES 1.0.2 AT A GLANCE With more than 100 photo presets created by the world’s best modern photographers, Priime Styles for Mac delivers a professional look via the stand-alone app or extension support for Photos and Lightroom. PROS • 101 professional one-click photo filters included • OS X Photos extension, Adobe Lightroom support • Explore mode for previewing all filters at once • Batch mode (stand-alone or Lightroom only) CONS • Lacks editing tools found in iPhone version • No effects…

SCOSCHE MAGIC MOUNT POWER BANK The $60 Scosche MagicMount PowerBank (scosche.com) is a nifty Lightning connector battery pack that recharges an iPhone 6s or SE more than once through an attractive, damage-resistant case that connects firmly via a strong magnet. The MagicMount requires adhering a magnetic plate to the back of your phone or phone case, and it’s not cheap. But given its utility and inclusion of a Lightning connector, it compares favorably to other alternatives. The PowerBank has a 4,000 mAh internal battery, which, factoring in overhead and conversion loss, should be able to take the 1,715 mAh battery of an iPhone 6s or the 1,624 mAh battery of an iPhone SE from “dead” to full about twice. For someone who wants all the advantages and isn’t concerned about…

I’ve tested out a variety of fitness bands, from activity trackers disguised as analog timepieces to powerful cardio-focused watches and everything in between. There’s a different audience for every fitness tracker on the market, but I’ve found that most people are looking for a basic band that tracks daily stats and sleep. A solid app dashboard that presents information in an easy-to-digest way is also essential, otherwise there’s no point in tracking all that data. But if an activity tracker doesn’t fit into your life, you’re not gonna wear it no matter how many features it has. That’s why companies like Fitbit and Misfit, which was acquired by Fossil last year, have designed fitness bands that are fashionable and discreet enough to be worn all day and night, from the…

Before you begin using the NetInstall service, it’s a good idea to gain a basic understanding of how it works and to learn about the four different types of NetInstall images. During the course of this series, we’ll create basic versions of every type of NetInstall image and create images that incorporate some the NetInstall service’s more advanced features. The NetInstall service consists of three components: > NetInstall server > NetInstall image > NetInstall client The NetInstall server acts as a repository for NetInstall images, hosts the NetInstall service, and delivers NetInstall images to NetInstall clients. NetInstall images are specialized disk images designed to be hosted on a NetInstall server. A NetInstall client is any Mac that is using your NetInstall server to install an operating system or application package,…

A reader wants to customize the results of a Smart Album, but with some thought Glen Fleishman found a workaround. Photos for OS X and Smart Albums Q: I have created a date range Smart Album and there are specific pictures I want to remove from the album. However, when I try, it only gives me the option to delete the photo from my computer altogether. Is there a way to remove it from the album but not delete the photo entirely? — Bruce Martens A: My immediate thought was: No. Smart Albums match a set of criteria as opposed to regular albums, which you assemble intentionally. Deleting an item from a Smart Album de facto can’t work, because that photo only appears because it matches one or more conditions!…

The Latest Mac ProductsReviewed & Rated JPEGMINI PRO is a handy Mac application (go.macworld.com/jpeg minireview) for reducing the size of JPEG image files with virtually no distinguishable difference from the original. At the time, it offered no way to optimize files directly out of my favorite image editing software, but I’m happy to report this oversight has now been addressed. JPEGMINI PRO FOR ADOBE PHOTOSHOP AT A GLANCE JPEGmini Pro adds an Adobe Photoshop extension to allow any file type to be saved as an optimized JPEG image in as little as a single click of the mouse. PROS • Fast one-click JPEG files from Adobe Photoshop CC • Displays storage space saved • Photoshop extension works with any source file type • More affordable bundle includes standalone, Lightroom versions…

There was a time when WWDC belonged to the iPhone. From the S cycle to the Retina display, FaceTime, and the App Store, some of the earliest iPhone breakthroughs were unveiled at Apple’s annual developer’s conference, with long stretches of keynote time devoted to specs and speed instead of software. These days there’s a better chance of an Android app making an appearance on the big stage than a new iPhone. But even as WWDC has consciously shifted away from splashy hardware releases, the iPhone is still very much the star of the show. The iOS portion of the presentation is both the longest and the most significant, not just because it spotlights major changes and feature upgrades, but also in how it sets the tone and direction Apple’s next…

IF YOU PREFER Apple Maps to Google’s own, Streets 3 provides the missing link that restores Street View to iOS devices. iOS 6 will be remembered as one of Apple’s more controversial product launches. It wasn’t only the decision to replace Google Maps with a less-reliable alternative that made iPhone users howl, but the lack of features we’d come to depend on, like panoramic street views, which remain absent nearly four years later. STREETS 3.1.2 AT A GLANCE Streets 3 provides Google Street View integration with Apple Maps for all of your iOS devices, complete with 360-degree panoramas on the Apple Watch. PROS • Google Street View, no Google Maps required • Slick Apple Watch support • iCloud sync for favorites, recent searches CONS • No option to disable “travel”…

iPAD CUTTING BOARD If you like to take your tablet into the kitchen, the $25 Bamboo iPad Cutting Board ($25 MSRP; fancy.com) is a nifty accessory: It includes a slot for displaying your iPad, a transparent screen shield to keep food from splattering onto the display, and side storage for up to eight knives. MICROSD READER The microSD Reader (coming soon; lexar.com/lexar-microsd-reader) is a Lightning-equipped device that lets you add memory storage to your iPhone or iPad. If you have extra documents, photos, videos, or music to save, the Reader can help you off- or on-load the content in a jiffy; you’ll just need to download the Lexar Mobile Manager app to help you keep things organized. DXO ONE We’ve written about the DxO One ($499 MSRP; dxo.com/us/dxo-one) before, and…

Before you can turn the NetInstall service on you need to create a network disk image to boot from. The easiest image to create is a NetInstall image, which lets you install or update an operating system on any Mac. DOWNLOAD A FRESH COPY OF EL CAPITAN Before you can create a NetInstall image you need to make sure you have a fresh copy of the El Capitan installer downloaded to your hard drive. 1. Open the App Store on your Mac with the Server app installed. 2. Click the Purchased tab in the App Store. 3. Locate OS X El Capitan in the list of purchased apps. 4. If you see OS X El Capitan in the list, make sure it says Downloaded on the button next to the…

When it comes to showing off your pictures and videos, nothing beats a great slideshow. Seeing your digital memories overtake your entire screen, set in motion through smooth animations and transitions, complete with background music, is a uniquely personal cinematic experience. Happily, the Photos application makes creating slideshows a snap both on your Mac and on your iOS devices. We’re not talking slideshow projects, wherein you spend hours crafting every single slide, oh heck no. In this column, you’ll learn how to make instant slideshows, where all you have to do is pick the images you want to include and then click a couple of buttons. INSTANT SLIDESHOWS ON YOUR MAC You can start an instant slideshow in Photos on your Mac in a variety of ways, depending on what…

For a long time, it was hard to beat the buzz around Adobe’s Content-Aware Fill feature, a function in Photoshop CC that “sees behind” unwanted objects to automatically fill in appropriate background content. Later, Adobe expanded content-aware capabilities with additional functions like Patch and Move. Now, Content-Aware Crop joins the arsenal in Photoshop CC 15.5, part of the company’s Creative Cloud (go.macworld.com/cc2016update) 2016 update. Other new Photoshop features in this release include Face Aware Liquify, Match Font, and a new Selection and Masking space. These join recently announced updates to Adobe’s video app suite (go.macworld.com/adobeccvr) and performance improvements. These updates are available immediately to all Creative Cloud subscribers. Why this matters: With Creative Cloud, Adobe needs to constantly add innovative features without disrupting the workflows of busy creative pros. This…