Technical professionals. Trusted advisors. Certified expertise.

HCS Blog

Problem-solving by Apple Certified Professionals
Jan
02

Everything You Need to Know about Taking Screenshots on the Mac

Everything You Need to Know about Taking Screenshots on the Mac

Many people use screenshots to clip portions of their Mac screen for later reference. For example, you could save a screenshot of an error dialog to show tech support, store a confirmation number from a Web page, or keep a chat from social media. You can even record screen movies to show a developer how their app is misbehaving.

Years ago, Apple introduced a floating control bar that makes accessing features for taking screenshots and recording screen movies easier. The hardest thing about using the control bar is memorizing its keyboard shortcut: Command-Shift-5. (The even older shortcuts of Command-Shift-3 for full-screen screenshots and Command-Shift-4 for windows and portions of the screen also still work.)

Continue reading
Jan
02

Improve Your Digital Security in 2024 with These New Year’s Resolutions

Improve Your Digital Security in 2024 with These New Year’s Resolutions

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2024! For many of us, starting a new year means reflecting on fresh habits we’d like to adopt. Although we support any resolutions you may have made to get enough sleep, eat better, exercise more, and reduce social media usage, allow us suggest a few more that will improve your digital security and reduce the chances that bad things will happen to you online.

Back Up All Your Devices

The most important thing you can do to stave off the slings and arrows of digital doom is to make regular backups. Bad things happen to good people, such as a Mac’s SSD failing, an iPhone accidentally falling off a boat, an Apple Watch breaking in a fall, or loss due to theft, fire, or flood. With a good backup strategy, you can recover from nearly any problem.

Continue reading
Dec
01

Lift Objects from Photos on the iPhone

Lift Objects from Photos on the iPhone

Have you ever wanted to extract an object from a photo for use in another context? Starting with iOS 16 on a relatively recent iPhone, you can do that with many photos. In the Photos app, touch and hold the object, and if Photos can extract it, you’ll see a highlight run around its edges. Raise your finger, and a popover lets you copy the object, look up information about it, turn it into a sticker (in iOS 17), or share it. Or you can start dragging the object, switch apps with your other hand, and drop it into another app, like Messages. With Universal Clipboard, you can even lift an object on an iPhone, copy it, switch to Preview on your Mac, and choose File > New from Clipboard. File this one under Arthur C. Clarke’s Third Law, which states, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

(Featured image by Adam Engst)

Continue reading
Dec
01

Locate a Featured Lock Screen Image in Photos

Locate a Featured Lock Screen Image in Photos

iOS’s Photo Shuffle wallpaper does a great job of identifying attractive photos for your Lock Screen. However, if you’re like us, you’ll sometimes wonder when or where you took a Lock Screen photo. Here’s how to figure that out. Touch and hold the Lock Screen when it’s displaying the photo in question, tap Customize, tap the Lock Screen wallpaper, tap the ••• button in the lower-right corner, and tap Show Photo in Library. Then you can swipe up to reveal more information about the photo, swipe left and right to see the photos on either side, or pinch to see it in the context of your entire photo library.

(Featured image by Apple)

Continue reading
Dec
01

The Best Apple Gifts for 2023

The Best Apple Gifts for 2023

We’re moving into the holiday shopping season, and if you’re looking for the perfect gift for that special someone, Apple-related gifts always go over well. Here are our recommendations this year.

AirTag

Do you know someone who’s always misplacing their keys, purse, or backpack, or who’s planning a trip? They might appreciate Apple’s AirTag trackers. Attach one to a keyring or backpack (with a separate $29 AirTag Loop or $35 AirTag FineWoven Key Ring—there are also lots of third-party clips and holders, such as for bikes) or store it deep in a bag pocket, and from then on, they can use the iPhone’s Find My app to see where they left their stuff. AirTags leverage the Find My network, so wherever the item is, nearby Apple devices that detect it can securely share its location with you. AirTags are especially helpful for tracking down checked luggage that hasn’t arrived at its destination—we wouldn’t travel without them anymore. One AirTag costs $29, or you can get a four-pack for $99. You can even have Apple personalize each AirTag with custom text and emoji. In iOS 17, you can better share AirTags with family members, too!

Continue reading

Locations


New York

Connecticut
Florida
Louisiana
Chicago

Corporate Headquarters
New York

80 Orville Drive Suite 100
Bohemia, NY 11716
Tel: (866) 518-9672
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Connecticut

65 High Ridge Road #510
Stamford, CT 06905
Tel: (866) 518-9672
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Florida

3321 SW 194th Terrace
Miramar, FL 33029
Tel: (866) 518-9672
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Louisiana

218 Barksdale Drive
Broussard LA 70518
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Chicago

4 Knollwood Place
Joliet, IL 60433
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

London

10 Grosvenor Court
Rayners Road
London SW15 2AX UK

Stay Connected

© Copyright 2023, HCS Technology Group. All Rights Reserved.