Mastering Focus modes

May 11, 2022

I never really understood Focus modes until I read our latest how-to.

Apple's Focus feature is a new way to customize do-not-disturb settings. Instead of simply switching your iPhone to silent, you can adjust it to very specific situations to keep from getting distracted.

For example, you can set up a Focus mode for work that allows email and Slack through, but what if you're in a meeting? Well, you can set a special Focus mode for meetings that blocks everything.

It's a very powerful tool that can be customized in all kinds of ways.

You can change your Home screen based on Focus modes and set up automations that trigger at certain times of the day or in particular locations or settings.

Check out the Focus mode for driving, for example, which I set up myself and found to be great. Everything I need is at my fingertips, and everything I don't is banished. No more distracted driving for me!

-- Leander Kahney, EIC.

Apple’s new Focus feature is like Do Not Disturb on steroids. It works on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, and is much smarter than the Do Not Disturb of old. Since not all work or relaxation is created equal, you can set up Focus modes for specific situations to keep unwanted distractions at bay. How do you set this all up? Keep reading to find out.

Six months after its launch, people are still griping about Apple Watch Series 7. Many have moaned that it lacks new features, with some even suggesting it was a last-minute rush-job on Cupertino’s part. Personally, I don’t believe a word of it. I love my Series 7 and I think the haters have got it all wrong. Here’s why.

Only a day after Cupertino discontinued its last dedicated portable music player, some iPod touch configurations are already sold out in the Apple Store. Others remain for sale “while supplies last,” as Apple said of its fast-dwindling stock.

For anyone who wants to use their iPad like a desktop computer or laptop, with proper ergonomics in mind, the SwitchEasy MagMount Magnetic iPad Stand can help. And you can get it for 20% off the regular price in the Cult of Mac Store through May 16. That’s $20 off.

According to a new report, the European Commission could release a draft law this week requiring tech companies like Apple and Google to better police their platforms for illegal images of child sexual abuse, known as CSAM. The law would require tech companies to detect, remove and report images to law enforcement.

Aura Devices updated its health-metrics-focused smart band for Apple Watch on Wednesday by slimming it down and adding a fitness-oriented subscription service. The second-generation Aura Strap 2 records metrics like body fat percentage, muscle density and water levels.

The new Speedport chargers, designed to power up iPhones, iPads and Macs, come in 30W and 67W sizes.The ultra-compact wall chargers are available exclusively from Apple or Mophie’s parent company, Zagg.

It looks like Apple is finally preparing to make the switch to USB-C on its iPhone lineup. Based on his latest supply-chain survey, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts Apple will ditch the Lightning connector in 2023.

Obviously, with a Mac mini you also need some sort of display and input devices, as in a keyboard and a mouse or trackpad. Yes, the Mac mini is small enough to tote around, but is packing all that extra gear worth it? Or would a MacBook of some sort be better?

Tweet o' the day

One more thing ...

"There are lots of examples where not the best product wins. Windows would be one of those, but there are examples where the best product wins. And the iPod is a great example of that." -- Steve Jobs

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