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Avatar for Bradley C

Bradley C

Bradley has worked at K-12 independent schools for much of the last 20 years, serving as the head of the information technology department and leading classroom technology integration. He’s well-versed in enterprise Wi-Fi, macOS and iOS system management, school technology, and SaaS tools.

Apple @ Work Podcast: What are the real-world benefits of Apple Business Essentials?

Apple at work podcast

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the leader in modern mobile device management (MDM) and security for Apple enterprise and education customers. Over 28,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment, management, and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

In this episode of Apple @ Work, Bradley is joined by Dan Tyke from North Shore Fire/Rescue and Max Williamson from Sock Club to talk about their experiences with Apple Business Essentials during the beta period.

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Apple @ Work: For enterprises that use Mac, consider 1Password or LastPass as a company-wide password management solution

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the leader in modern mobile device management (MDM) and security for Apple enterprise and education customers. Over 28,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment,  management and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

I am not sure when password management services went from a prosumer concept to enterprise tools, but I am glad it’s happened. For years, IT departments have told users to use complex passwords that aren’t repeated. That advice didn’t come with any solutions to help people properly manage them, though. Today, tools that were previously aimed at consumers now have strong enterprise offerings. For IT departments looking to ensure password security, both 1Password and LastPass have strong solutions.

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HomeKit Weekly: New Aqara motion sensor extends battery life to five years and adds new sensitivity levels

Aqara products have been an integral part of my HomeKit setup for nearly two years. With a competitive entry price and a range of accessories that are compatible with HomeKit, it’s the ideal way to start your smart home journey without breaking the beak. A new Aqara motion sensor is now available, and I’ve had the opportunity to spend a few weeks testing it in my home.

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Jamf unveils its next round of features for managing and securing Apple devices

Jamf Fundamentals

Today, Jamf is unveiling a host of new features aimed to streamline the lives of Apple IT managers who manage devices for businesses, but also in education. At its special spring event, Jamf unveiled updates to Jamf Protect, a new Jamf Trust end-user app, and Jamf Safe Internet. Read on to learn more about the new features as well as release timing.

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Apple @ Work Podcast: Google Workspace integration will drive the use of Managed Apple IDs

Apple At Work

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the leader in modern mobile device management (MDM) and security for Apple enterprise and education customers. Over 28,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment, management, and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

In this episode of Apple @ Work, I go solo for the first time and talk about Apple’s upcoming integration with Google Workspace for Managed Apple IDs.

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Apple @ Work: Tailscale is a first-principles approach to VPN technology with full macOS and iOS support

Tailscale

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the leader in modern mobile device management (MDM) and security for Apple enterprise and education customers. Over 28,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment,  management and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

There’s a concept of building from first principles that can create some pretty incredible products. For example, one of the technologies I’ve long thought was more complicated than it should be is VPN. VPNs came further into the spotlight with remote work and employees needing to access company resources from wherever they are. I recently came across a product that works great on macOS that takes that first-principles approach to how VPN connections work, and it’s called Tailscale.

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HomeKit Weekly: Have an old iPad lying around? Add a $20 wall mount and turn it into a HomeKit controller

Making it easier to work to control my HomeKit accessories is something I am always thinking about. As easy as using the Home app on my iPhone is or turning items off and on with Siri, sometimes you want to make it even easier – especially for guests and non-smart home fans. You could certainly use the Brilliant panel, but what if you want something a bit easier to install? For example, have you considered an old iPad mounted on the wall? Read on to see how easier it is to configure so it can only work in the Home app.

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OnMail Import

OnMail releases support for Gmail, iCloud Outlook, Yahoo, and more across all accounts

OnMail, the new email service launched by Edison in 2021, is releasing several updates to help users improve their email experience on iOS, Android, and the web. One key feature is a new account import for all users of OnMail. Previously only available for premium accounts, Account Import is now available for all users. Yahoo!, Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, IMAP, and AOL accounts can be added to OnMail so you can experience the unique features of the app all in one place across all your accounts.

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Apple @ Work: macOS 12.3’s challenges with cloud file providers highlights the benefits of managing corporate files in the browser

Safari in macOS Monterey walkthrough

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the leader in modern mobile device management (MDM) and security for Apple enterprise and education customers. Over 28,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment,  management and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

With the release of macOS 12.3, enterprise users of products like Dropbox and OneDrive had to be aware of some challenges related to the cloud-based files and the Files Providers API. Unfortunately, with macOS 12.3, Apple deprecated the kernel extension that was being used for this solution. While both companies have plans to resolve the problem, it highlights the need to audit your vendors and workflows continually.

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HomeKit Weekly: An upgraded Eve Water Guard adds Thread support while protecting your home from costly water damage

If you told me that you were going to buy one type of HomeKit product, I would recommend one that detects water leaks. Water damage in a home can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. One of my favorite products is the Eve Water Guard, and the new version that adds Thread support is now an even better value. So let’s dive in on how to set it up to protect one of your most significant investments best.

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FastBot iPhone app

FastBot hits the App Store to help you do one simple thing: limit your eating window

I’ve done intermittent fasting off and on for the past few years, and without a doubt, it’s one of the most underrated ways to improve your health. I read a study once that the average American eats 18 times a day (snacks included). The idea behind fasting is to limit your eating to a much smaller window than you’d normally do. FastBot, from the makers NapBot and CardioBot, is a brand-new fasting app that helped kick-start my fasting routine.

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Apple @ Work Podcast: Where device management meets device security

Apple at work podcast

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the leader in modern mobile device management (MDM) and security for Apple enterprise and education customers. Over 28,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment,  management and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

In this episode of Apple @ Work, Jamf CEO Dean Hager returns to the show to talk about finding turn-key solutions for device security (malware) and MDM.

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Apple @ Work: For a small business without an IT staff, here’s how to keep your Macs secure

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the leader in modern mobile device management (MDM) and security for Apple enterprise and education customers. Over 28,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment,  management and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

Usage of Apple products in the enterprise is growing at an unprecedented rate. The 2020 MacBook Air is still my daily driver, and it’s become prevalent in the enterprise. The balance of power and battery life is incredible at the price point. Even among small businesses, the Mac is increasingly becoming a popular choice. As we saw with Apple’s latest Apple at Work video, startups love Apple just as much as large companies. However, small businesses might lack the dedicated IT support to keep their Macs secure. Here is a round-up of tips and tricks for securing your Mac at work if you lack a dedicated IT staff.

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HomeKit Weekly: Why motion sensors are a key part of automating your entire house

Eve Motion Sensor

Tying together accessories across manufacturers is a key reason I love building around a smart home platform vs. picking manufacturers. One of the most underrated accessory types for HomeKit is motion sensors, and this week for HomeKit Weekly, I want to dive into it to look at the best options and how to make the best use of them.

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Apple @ Work: Using web apps on macOS is streamlined with site specific browser applications

Unite Figma

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the leader in modern mobile device management (MDM) and security for Apple enterprise and education customers. Over 28,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment,  management and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

I’ve written countless articles about the growth of software as a service applications. There are clear benefits to SaaS business models over one-time-use purchases. Many applications have morphed into windows into a cloud service. One “hack” that many IT administrators should consider to streamline their users’ experience is “site specific” applications designed to launch a single website.

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HomeKit Weekly: How to make any curtains Siri-controlled with SwitchBot and Homebridge

Over the past few months, I’ve been exploring many of the various use cases around Homebridge through the HOOBS all in one box. I have devices that can run Homebridge, but I like the streamlined approach of not needing to manage the nitty-gritty software. My latest experiment with HOOBS is adding the SwitchBot Curtain Motor to my HomeKit environment.

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What’s the best email app for the Mac (Updated for 2022)

plus addressing security privacy email leak gmail outlook icloud mail \

Despite all the new messaging services, project management tools, and chat-based ecosystems, email remains essential. Signing into iCloud (and email) is one of my first tasks when setting up a new Mac. Signing up for almost any service on the Internet requires an email address, so it’s a universal digital identifier. Even with the popularity of web-based services like Gmail, many still prefer a desktop app to pull in multiple email addresses, use desktop plugins, and have a more native Mac experience. So what’s the best email app for the Mac?

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What’s the best email app for iPhone? [Updated for 2022]

Apple mail app email

Email, like calendars, is something that is very personal. Over the years, email has morphed from a way to send electronic letters to turning into the digital hub of all we do online. Your Facebook account is tied to an email. Your Amazon account is tied to an email. Everything is tied to your email, so the app we choose matters. What’s the best email app for iPhone? Read on to find out.

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Apple Business Essentials is now available to all small businesses in the US, Google Workspace integration coming this spring

After a beta period with thousands of businesses, Apple is ready to extend simplified device management, iCloud Drive storage, and device repair solution to all small businesses. Originally launching in beta in November of 2021, Apple Business Essentials is designed to take the headache out of device management for growing organizations using Apple.

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Apple @ Work Podcast: EdFarm drives change in student’s lives through Apple’s technologies

Apple at work podcast

Sponsored by Kandji: A modern, cloud-based platform to manage and secure your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV devices. Kandji saves IT teams hours of manual work with features like one-click compliance templates and 150+ pre-built automations, apps, and workflows. Request access.

In this episode of Apple @ Work, Waymond Jackson from EdFarm joins the show to talk about starting a company right before COVID-19, working with Apple, and how education drives opportunities.

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Controller for HomeKit adds support for widgets, NFC Tags, and enhances smart folder support

Controller for HomeKit is a must-have application for HomeKit enthusiasts. Even if many of the features don’t interest you, I find it essential for one simple reason: It allows you to back up and restore your entire HomeKit setup. With version 5.12, the app adds HomeKit widgets and support for NFC tags, enhances smart folder support, and improves overall macOS performance. Read on to learn more.

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Apple @ Work: How Google Apps for Your Domain helped Apple grow its Mac market share in the enterprise

Apple Mac lineup MacBook Air Pro

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Kandji, the MDM solution built exclusively for organizations that run on Apple. Kandji is a modern, cloud-based platform for centrally managing and securing your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV devices, saving IT teams countless hours of manual work with features like one-click compliance templates and 150+ pre-built automations, apps, and workflows. Request access.

Employee choice when it comes to technology is something I applaud. Technology is deeply personal to many people, so using the tools you’re comfortable with improves morale and streamlines productivity. Unfortunately, employee choice with technology wasn’t always something employers considered. Many people give the iPhone credit for driving employee choice as it created a halo effect. The iPhone contributed that, but I want to argue that Google deserves a lot of credit here as well. Read on to learn more about how Google helped drive the concept of employee choice with technology.

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What’s the best podcast app for iPhone? (Updated for 2022)

When it comes to listening to podcasts on iOS, there are so many great options. The Apple Podcasts app comes built into every iOS device with syncing. It’s undoubtedly a great app, but is it the best? On iOS, users have countless third-party options. My goal for this article is to break down some of the major podcast apps and help you determine which is best for what you want out of an app. What’s the best podcast app for iPhone?

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Smart Home Diary: HomeKit decisions need to be made as construction kicks off

Last year, I wrote an edition of HomeKit Weekly that talked about building a new house and the smart home decisions that would go into that process. We’ve now broken ground, so I felt like it was time to update readers on what products I am leaning towards as I build out a new home and smart home from the ground up.

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