Bradley C

I’ve written countless articles about the Starling Home Hub, but the device keeps getting better with no subscription necessary for continuous updates. Earlier this summer, it added AirPlay to Google Nest speakers, and I’ve used it almost daily since then. Today, a new update is available that brings support for the latest Nest cameras to HomeKit.

Apple @ Work is brought to you 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.

The argument about “bring your own device” and company-owned devices has continued for much of the last two decades. Initially, there was almost no reason for a BYOD environment as enterprise networks were heavily tied to an Active Directory environment. As time has gone on, and we’ve moved to a cloud-first model, that argument has started to shift, though. So, in 2021, Does BYOD make sense – especially in an Apple-focused enterprise? This week, I want to explain why I think BYOD is a good strategy, and next week, I’ll look at the benefits of going institutional-owned.

Onvis has been a long-time HomeKit device manufacturer, but I’ve just recently started using its products. One of the easiest ways to build out a smart home is by adding motion sensors in your home to automate lightning based on if someone is in the room or not. This week, I am looking at the Onvis HomeKit Motion Sensor.

In this episode of the Apple @ Work podcast, Michael Covington from Jamf comes on the show to discuss their new report about the most requested permissions by popular iOS apps.

Sponsored by Direct Mail: Bring the power of email marketing to your internal communications, with Direct Mail for Mac. Create, track, and securely send right from your desktop. Request a free trial today!

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.

CarPlay is becoming an essential part of using iOS. What started as something only in high-end aftermarket stereos has turned into the default for new cars. Unfortunately, my car from 2017 doesn’t have it, and I am not interested in completely ripping the factory display out—as it’s a pretty unique shape and I am concerned it will look a little out of place. However, there’s a new solution for my situation, and it’s the perfect way to add CarPlay without replacing your existing stereo system. For the past few weeks, I’ve had the Car and Driver Intellidash Pro in my car, and it’s the perfect way to use your iPhone if your vehicle doesn’t include CarPlay.

Apple @ Work is brought to you 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 a recent Forrester study, research came out about the updated total cost of ownership for Macs running Apple Silicon vs. the competitors on the market. The study finds that organizations could save over $800 over three years compared to a PC. How is this so? Are Macs cheaper in the long run? Let’s look at the report in further detail.

A few months ago, I reviewed Qingping’s e-ink temperature tracking device. I loved the look of it, as it didn’t follow the trend of high-resolution screens. For the past few weeks, I’ve had Qingping’s Air Monitor Lite, and it brings another unique style to HomeKit.

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 22,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the 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.

As small businesses have followed the digital transformation trend of large businesses, having reliable technology has become ever more important. When devices run into issues, business owners need repairs, and they need them fast. Apple’s growing footprint Apple Store and the genius bar have become a lifeline for small businesses without dedicated IT departments.

I’ve written about a handful of HomeKit compatible light strips in the past few months, but a new model looks to be the best yet. The Onvis Kameleon Smart Light Strips bring some unique features to HomeKit that are worth checking out.

In this episode of the Apple @ Work podcast, long-time Mac Admin Tom Bridge from JumpCloud joins the show to call real or fake on Apple’s 11 reasons for using a Mac at work.

Sponsored by Mosyle: Managing Apple devices at work shouldn’t be difficult. Mosyle makes it easy.

Spotify’s ambitions from expanding from primarily a music platform to leveraging podcast and audiobooks are well known. Music royalties are expensive, so it makes sense for Spotify to focus on getting listeners to spend more time listening to content that isn’t as costly to the company. As Spotify seeks to become a destination for all audio content, I spent time using it as my primary podcast player to see how it stacks up compared to apps like Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, and Player FM.

I’ve been listening to podcasts since 2004, and the industry has grown up a lot during that time in terms of variety, but also in production quality. While most people think of podcasts as non-fiction talk show style, but there is a fast-growing industry fictional storytelling that is rising to the level of being considered a “movie in your ears.” QCODE’s new show, Electric Easy, is quite possibly the highest level of audio production I’ve heard in my life, and it’s worth checking out.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press has announced that it will spend $4.4 million on iPads to help subscribers transition to a digital-only version for its newspaper. The only printed edition of the paper that will continue after the project is finished will be the Sunday version. The paper will spend an additional $1.7 million on training and marketing to make sure its customers can continue to enjoy the newspaper.

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 22,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the 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.

Over the last 15 years, Apple has seen continued strong growth in the enterprise. On the strength of the iPhone, the iPad and Mac have been favorites for IT and end-users alike. In pondering the next 15 years of enterprise trends, I believe Apple is poised to pick up even more of the market share.

The August Lock is one of my favorite HomeKit devices I own, so when I came across the Yale Smart Cabinet Lock, it was something I was immediately curious to try to see how it worked with HomeKit, as I’ve not used an indoor lock before.

Thinka has launched their new Z-Wave Controller Thinka Z-Wave. The new controller is the first Apple HomeKit-certified Z-Wave controller and is designed to add more than 3,300 smart Z-Wave products for HomeKit users.

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 22,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the 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.

If you weren’t in the workforce before the iPhone was released, you don’t remember that Apple products used to be shunned by most IT professionals. Using a Mac at work was only for “designers” and “creative people.” IT wouldn’t offer much support on using them, so Mac users were left on their own. Today, a lot has changed. Macs are not only accepted, but many IT professionals also prefer to deploy Macs over PCs as well. I’ve been using a Mac at work since 2008, so I want to look at something fun today: the best Mac apps for work.

Since I’ve started working from home full-time as the Senior Digital Web and Marketing Manager for Cribl, I’ve had to rethink my desk set up in the short term. My wife and I are currently in the home building process, so this setup isn’t permanent, but it’s what I have for now. A few weeks ago, I added the HomeKit compatible Meross Smart LED Floor Lamp to my home office, and it’s become the perfect way to brighten up my video calls.