Skip to content
Thoughtful, detailed coverage of everything Apple for 34 years
and the TidBITS Content Network for Apple professionals
Julio Ojeda-Zapata

Julio Ojeda-Zapata

Julio Ojeda-Zapata is a technology reporter and blogger at the Pioneer Press in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has written books about Twitter, the iPad, and mobile productivity. Keep up with him at ojezap.com.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 1 comment

Google Keep Now Supports the Apple Watch, Apple’s Notes Still AWOL

Do you want content from your iOS notes app to show up on your Apple Watch? You’re out of luck with Apple’s Notes, but Google Keep now has watchOS support. It won’t likely trigger defections from Notes, but iOS users invested in Google’s ecosystem will be happy. Note, though, that other Apple Watch-friendly notes apps exist.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 12 comments

Should You Pay For Apple News+? Warning: It Has Issues

The new Apple News+ service seems like a bonanza for news junkies and magazine aficionados who get access to nearly 300 periodicals for just $9.99 a month. But would-be subscribers need to take a close look before plunking down money because Apple News+ still has a few issues.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 45 comments

Apple News+ Debuts With Magazines, Newspapers, and Web Sites

Apple has debuted Apple News+, a $9.99-per-month digital news service with access to about 300 top magazines along with a handful of major newspapers and digital publications. The new offering, built into Apple’s News app for iOS and Mac, will give multiple members of a Family Sharing group access for a single monthly fee, and it promises to shield users from advertisers.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 22 comments

Palm’s Tiny Phone Sucks, but How About an iPhone nano?

Most Apple users won’t be interested in the new Palm, a super tiny Android phone that’s also deeply flawed. But what might an iPhone with similar proportions look like? How would it work? And would anyone want it? Let’s take a flight of fancy!

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 19 comments

New iPad Pro: Power and Productivity, at a Price

Apple has released a third generation of its iPad Pro line with a top-to-bottom redesign and high ambitions to set the tablet in competition with notebooks. Unfortunately, although a revised Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio provide added flexibility, the iPad Pro remains hobbled at times by software limitations.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 2 comments

Google and Facebook Use the iPhone’s Portrait Mode for Fun Effects

Apple isn’t possessive of Portrait mode, the iPhone photography feature for creating shots with blurred backgrounds; it allows third parties to integrate the capability into their iOS apps. Google and Facebook are the latest to do it, each in their own way.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 20 comments

watchOS 5.1.2 Brings ECG to the Apple Watch Series 4

Apple announced in September that its new Apple Watch Series 4 is capable of taking electrocardiogram readings as part of its health-monitoring features. That feature didn’t ship with the watch, but it’s now available to users in the US with the watchOS 5.1.2 update, along with irregular heart rhythm monitoring on all supported Apple Watch models.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 12 comments

Luna Display Turns an iPad into a Responsive Mac Screen

Astro HQ’s Luna Display dongle for the Mac turns an iPad into a secondary monitor via Lightning or Wi-Fi. Others have pulled off such an iPad-as-Mac-screen maneuver using software, but Luna’s hardware approach taps into the Mac’s graphics acceleration to improve performance.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 7 comments

Ergotron WorkFit-TX Sit-Stand Desk Converter Works Well but Is Costly

For those whose offices cannot accommodate a full-size standing desk, a converter placed atop an existing desk serves the same function. Ergotron’s newest converter, the WorkFit-TX, remedies the flaws in other such products. It isn’t cheap, though.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 31 comments

It Lives! Apple Announces Pro-Focused Mac mini

The Mac mini, long believed to be on death’s door, has received an overhaul that brings it up to date and offers configuration options that will please professional users.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 2 comments

Overcast and Apple’s Podcasts Make the Apple Watch a Decent Podcast Player

With watchOS 5 and new apps, the Apple Watch comes into its own as a standalone podcast player. Apple has released an Apple Watch version of its Podcasts app, and developer Marco Arment has followed suit with Overcast.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 20 comments

Apple Watch Series 4: Bigger Screens, New Faces, and Enhanced Health Monitoring

Apple has announced the Apple Watch Series 4 models that morph a bit in size and shape and boast larger, edge-to-edge screens. Also new are health-monitoring capabilities courtesy of new hardware—including a Digital Crown that can take an electrocardiogram.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata No comments

The HomeKit-Compatible Arlo Baby Security Cam Is Not Just for Parents

The Arlo Baby security camera is officially a souped-up baby monitor. But look beyond its marketing and you’ll find a quality—if pricey—security camera with broad appeal. Though HomeKit is not yet fully integrated, other capabilities help make up for its limitations. Just ditch those animal ears.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 19 comments

Mailplane Goes Chrome and Adds Features

On the Mac, Mailplane is a good fit for Gmail users who like Google’s Web-based interface but also want desktop features. With version 4, Mailplane rolls out many changes, including a new reliance on the Google Chrome browser under the hood, enabling the use of Gmail-focused Chrome extensions.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 41 comments

Velop Provides First-Rate but Expensive Wi-Fi Mesh Networking

With Apple’s AirPort line of base stations gone to that Wi-Fi network in the sky, the Velop wireless system from Linksys is a solid alternative. Unlike Apple’s base stations, Velop is “mesh” hardware, with multiple units working in unison to bathe a residence in bandwidth. Velop works well but is costly. Luckily, there are less expensive options.