Apple Releases Security Update For Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch
On Monday, May 3rd,
GameStop PS5 / Xbox Series X
Flash Alert For Gamers Looking For Next-Gen Consoles
In an email sent today (April 28th, 2021), GameStock announced a limited number of Playstation 5 / Xbox Series X in stock.
The email reports to clear cart, log in and stand by. Check Gamestock.com for availability.
For those trying to get either system.
GOOD LUCK!
Update: The limited availability of Xbox Series X and Playstation 5 units gone again.
Source
- GameStock – Email sent via GameStock
Apple Releases iOS 14.5 Update
Apple Releases iOS 14.5 Update That Includes App Tracking Transparency
Apple Releases Updates for MacOS 11.3
Apple Releases macOS Big Sur 11.3
On Tuesday, Apple has released the latest update to macOS Big Sur
News: LG Exiting Mobile Phone Market
LG Announces Exit Of Mobile Phone Business
One of the BIGGEST rumors, since January 2021 is now a reality.
Deal Alert: Apple Lightning to USB3 Adapter
The Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter On Sale At Amazon
For those looking to connect a digital camera
News: Apple Releases Emergency Updates
Apple Has Released An Emergency Update For iOS, iPadOS, and WatchOS
How To: Change How Many Months Of Emails You See In Outlook (Windows)
Change How Many Months Of Emails You See In Outlook For Windows.
One of the more common questions IT staff get involves “not seeing all of the emails” in their inbox. The issue involves Cached Exchange Mode, and today’s post will go over how to adjust the settings so that you can see more of your emails. Change How Many Months Of Emails You See In Outlook
The end-user usually says, “I’m having some trouble trying to find emails older than 6 months”. By default, if Cached Exchange Mode is enabled the user will only see a specific amount of emails within Outlook. This is done to keep the Outlook file smaller which allows you to browse the emails faster.
Changing Cached Exchange Mode Length Of Time
To change how much of your email history is downloaded to Outlook, follow these steps, once you have Outlook open.
Click Account Settings on the File tab, and then click Account Settings.
In the Account Settings box, double-click your Microsoft Exchange account on the Email tab.
In the Change Account dialog box, drag the Mail to keep offline: slider to the desired number of months. Followed by clicking Next.
- Step 4
Alert: FB/Workplace Chat May Be Having Issues (Updated)
You May Be Seeing Issues On FB or Workplace Chat
If you are trying to communicate on either Facebook Messenger or Workplace Chat things may not be working properly at this time. Here is what we know so far.
The issue with Facebook or Workplace Chat
The issue appears to be an outage with the FB or Workplace Chat (which is the business version of FB), where users see No Internet or Connecting in their chat window.
As of now, FB does not have any outage posted on its status page, however, if you look at the Down Detector status page, we do show issues currently with FB Messenger
Unfortunately not many more details as of yet. Will post more if we get any.
UPDATE: 11:35a (NY USA Time)
As of now, Facebook has not posted any status of an issue. However, if you look at Down Detector, they show more issues on FB properties, to include Facebook itself and Instagram.
This info for FB
This info for Instagram
Latest reports of issues for FB Messenger / Workplace Messenger
Update: 2p (NY USA Time)
Facebook has not explained the issues (that we could find anywhere), but as of 2p (EST) services seem to be back to normal.
Source(s)
- Facebook – FB Status Page
- Down Detector – Down Detector Status Page
News: Apple Releases macOS 11.2.2 Update
Apple Releases macOS 11.2.2 Update
For MacBook users, Apple has released a small update (Feb 27, 2021) macOS. With the release of macOS Big Sur move to 11.2.2. Today’s post will review the updated details. Apple Releases macOS 11.2.2 Update
All software makers release updates. The updates improve performance, add features, or address vulnerabilities found in the software. You know if it is a major or a minor update based on the number of the version. In the case of macOS
11 – Version of operating system
2 – second major update of version
2 – first minor update to the 2nd major update
About macOS 11.2.2
macOS users should be seeing a pop-up saying An update is available for your Mac or can go into System Preferences -> Software Update to trigger the update.
The information on 11.2.2 says it is to prevent MacBook Pro (2019 or later) and MacBook Air (2020 or later) laptops from being damaged by non-compliant 3rd party USB-C hubs and docks.
There are no other fixes included as part of 11.2.2.
Final Thought
This is a minor update for Apple, but this one is important for anyone who is using a USB-C dock or hub that did not come from Apple.
Source(s)
- Apple – What’s New in update 11.2.2
News: Apple Releases macOS 11.2.1
Apple Releases macOS 11.2.1 Update
For MacBook users, Apple has released a small update to the operating system
Alert: Google Play Music Library/Data Last Chance
Last Chance For Google Play Music Users To Download Their Library / Data
Google has sent a notification to all users of Google Play Music. Former Google Play Music users have until February 24, 2021, to download their library/data. After that date, Google will be deleting all of the data from the Google servers.
Today’s post will cover what you need to do if you were a previous Google Play Music user.
What Was Google Play Music
For those not familiar with Google Play Music, it was a music and podcast streaming service and online music locker. The service was operated by Google as part of its Google Play line of services. The service announced on May 10, 2011; after a six-month, invitation-only beta period, was publicly launched on November 16, 2011. In August 2020, Google announced that the service would start gradually shutting down in September. It was replaced by YouTube Music and Google Podcasts in December 2020.
What the majority of the Google Play Music user base liked was that it was a simple player and podcast app. Google Play Music didn’t try to do too many things and it just worked. The service allowed users to upload their music collection so that they had their music easily available in one place.
Running Out Of Time To Get Your Music Library / Data Downloaded
On Saturday, February 6th, 2021, Google sent out an email notice to former users of the service reminding them that they have until February 23rd to download any data and the music in the user’s music library. Google’s statement,
So if you haven’t downloaded your data from Google Play Music, you have just over 2 weeks to do so.
How To Download Google Play Music Data / Library
To download your playlist, radio station info, music track info, and uploaded audio files, go to Google Takeout. From the Google Takeout page, do the following
- Start by clicking on deselect all on the top right side of the page, unless you want to download ALL of the data that Google has for you. Once you do that, scroll down and select only Google Play Music. Once Selected scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and click the Next Step button.
- On the next step page, you will be able to select if you want an email link sent to download the files, or if you want the files added to Google Drive, Dropbox, One Drive, or Box. Besides, you will be able to select the file type (which I suggest you leave as a zip), and how big the individual folders with your data are (also suggest leaving that at 2GB).
As soon as the selection is made, click on Create Export. Keep in mind, depending on how many files, and the size of the files, it may take a little while to get the download link or for the files to appear on one of the other services (if you selected one of the storage services as delivery method). Because of the time, it will take to get your data, you really should NOT WAIT to do the export.
- When you receive the files, your data will be in the .csv (Excel) format, and your music will be in the .MP3 format.
Final Thought
Those of us who used Google Play Music miss the app, because it just worked. Unfortunately, YouTube Music which is what Google replaced Google Play Music with, tries to do too many things and doesn’t do any of them well.
Source(s)
- Creating the Export – Google Takeout Screenshots
- About Google Play Music Info – Wikipedia
Alert: Google Chrome Users Need To Update
If You Use Google Chrome You Need To Make Sure You Are On Latest Version
How To: Update Google Chrome
Making Sure Google Chrome Is On Latest Version
Google Chrome has been the more prominent of the internet web browsers for many years now. Google makes sure to release updates regularly to try and keep the browser running properly. These updates also protect the browser from any known exploits that the bad guys are trying to use online. However, Google Chrome may not always update on its own. Today’s post will explain how to check and how to update Chrome is needed.
Where Is My Google Chrome Update
Under normal circumstances, you should not have to worry about a Google Chrome update. Chrome is designed with an auto-update feature that will update the browser when they close the browser or reboot the computer. Some people rarely reboot or close the browser. The “I just shut the lid” user
because it would be too much trouble to close and reopen all 30+ tabs they have open on the browser. If this is is you or someone you know, then you may not have the latest version of Google Chrome. So how do you know if your copy of Google Chrome has been updated to the latest version?
Updating Google Chrome
The way to update Chrome varies between Computer, iOS Devices, and Android Devices. The following steps will show you how to update for each.
- Computer Update
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, look for the
icon.
- If an update is pending, it will show next to the
- Green: An update was released less than 2 days ago.
- Orange: An update was released about 4 days ago.
- Red: An update was released at least a week ago.
If an update to Google Chrome is pending:
- Click the Update button on the top right of Google Chrome.
- Click Relaunch.
Important: If you can’t find the update button, you’re on the latest version.
- iOS Update (iPhone / iPad)
- On your iPhone or iPad, open the app store.
- At the top right, tap Profile
.
- Scroll down to ‘Available Updates’, and search for Chrome
.
- Find Chrome on the list, tap Update to install.
- If asked, enter your Apple ID password. The updates will download and install.
- Android Update
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Play Store app
.
- At the top left, tap Menu
My apps & games.
- Under ‘Updates’, find Chrome
- Next to Chrome, tap Update.
Final Thought
As much as it may not be convenient to reboot your device, you really should reboot regularly. At least once a week, at minimum. Reboots allow for old files and applications to close properly, cause the system memory to clear which will make the computer run faster, and allow for updates.