Tech Articles
Apple GEAR
iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. iPhone 11 Pro
In this article, I’ll explain why I decided to upgrade from the iPhone 11 Pro to the larger iPhone 12 Pro Max, instead of going with the smaller iPhone 12…
AirPods Pro vs. AirPods
The AirPods Pro are the best wireless headphones Apple has ever made. They are so good that I decided to ditch my Gen 2 AirPods and two sets of Bose…
Apple Watch Series 5: Is it Worth the Upgrade?
Everything you need to know about Apple’s new smartwatch and my take on whether or not the Apple Watch Series 5 is worth the upgrade.
Review of The Best iPhone Cases
In-depth review of the best iPhone cases in 2019, featuring protective cases, leather cases, wallet or folio cases for the iPhone XS, iPhone 8, iPhone XR and more.
JORD Wooden Apple Watch Band Review
I have reviewed a lot of Apple Watch Bands in the past, but I never tried one made out of wood. For this article, JORD sent me a wooden Apple…
Apple Watch Series 3 vs. Series 4 – Should You Upgrade?
Apple Watch Series 4 vs. Series 3 – Everything you need to know about how both models compare and what the better value is.
iPhone Xs vs. iPhone X – Full Comparison of All Models
Table of ContentsNew iPhone Models in a NutshellGeneral ImprovementsDisplay TechnologyCamera SystemPerformanceBatteryDurabilityFeatures Apple Didn’t AnnounceOther iPhone Xs ReviewsiPhone Xs vs. iPhone X – Upgrade Recommendation On 9/12 Apple announced its 2018…
HomeKit Light Switches & Dimmers – Review
Table of ContentsReviewed HomeKit Light SwitchesComparison of HomeKit Light SwitchesReviewed HomeKit DimmersHomeKit Dimmer ComparisonWhat You Should ConsiderReview of HomeKit Light Switches & Dimmers For this article, I have reviewed the…
Apple Watch Leather Cuff and Band Review
One of the benefits of the Apple Watch is that you can change its appearance by swapping out the watch band. Apple-branded leather bands are relatively expensive but, these days,…
Best Apple Watch Sports Bands
For this article, I have reviewed the best Apple Watch Sport bands for working out, including bands from Apple, Monowear, Nike, Nomad, Twelve South and WsC.
ZAGG Slim Book Keyboard For The iPad Pro Review
The ZAGG Slim Book is the best keyboard for the iPad Pro I have tested. In this article, I compare it to Apple’s Smart Keyboard that I had used with…
iPhone X vs. iPhone 7 Plus Review & Comparison
Table of ContentsiPhone X vs. iPhone 7 PlusDisplaySwipe Gesture vs. Home ButtonFace ID vs. Touch IDiPhone X vs iPhone 7 Plus CameraWater ResistanceA11 Bionic vs. A10 Fusion chipBattery lifeWireless chargingGlass…
Is the iPhone 7 Waterproof or water-resistant?
The iPhone 7 is IP67 water-resistant but not water-proof. That means you can submerge the device underwater for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter.
Gadget Reviews
Ember Temperature-Control Mug Review
My wife and I have used temperature control mugs from Ember for the past 1.5 years and absolutely love them. I’ve had some issues with the first-generation Ember Mug but…
Synology DS1520+ DiskStation Review
I recently decided to replace my aging data backup solution (LaCie raid) with a Synology DS1520+ NAS. In this review, I’ll tell you why I made the jump from DAS…
UniFi Dream Machine Pro Review
In this hands-on review of the UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM Pro), I share why I decided to upgrade from the UniFi Dream Machine I used to have and how…
Nomad Base Station – Apple Watch Edition Review
The Nomad Base Station Apple Watch Edition is an advanced wireless charging dock that can wirelessly charge your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods (or AirPods Pro) at the same time….
AmpliFi Alien Mesh Kit Review
After reviewing the standalone AmpliFi Alien router, it was time to test the new AmpliFi Alien Mesh Kit, consisting of the router and a dedicated meshpoint that extends the router’s…
Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien Review
I’ve tested the AmpliFi Alien in the 2,700 sqft two-story home we just moved into and I was impressed by the performance of this slick Wi-Fi 6 router.
Ubiquiti UniFi Review
An in-depth review of how I use Ubiquiti UniFi networking equipment, including the UniFi Dream Machine, in my home to provide perfect Wi-Fi and LAN coverage throughout the house.
AmpliFi vs. UniFi Review And Comparison
AmpliFi vs. UniFi is a review of the leading WiFi mesh networking technologies. For this article, I have compared both brands and explain why I decided to upgrade from AmpliFi…
Amplifi Wi-Fi System Review
An in-depth review of the complete AmpliFi mesh networking lineup and comparison to Eero, Google, Nest, Linksys, Orbi and others.
Sony WH-1000XM2 vs. MDR1000X Headphones [Review]
This is an in-depth review of the Sony WH-1000XM2 Bluetooth noise cancelling wireless headphones in comparison to their predecessor, the Sony MDR1000X.
The Best Universal Travel Adapters
Table of ContentsWhat Is the Best Travel Adapter?Why Should You Get a Travel Adapter?Download Adapter Comparison SheetWhat to Look ForAdapters vs. Voltage ConvertersPower Adapters vs. Plug ConvertersTravel Adapters and WattsTop…
Bitdefender Box 2 Review – Smart Home Cybersecurity Hub
The Bitdefender Box 2 is a smart home cybersecurity hub that protects your local network and all connected devices from malware, identity theft, hackers, and other threats. Cyber Threats and…
Jabra Evolve 75e Review and Comparison
Table of ContentsJabra Evolve 75e ReviewTechnical SpecificationsDesign and ComfortBattery LifeActive Noise CancellationMicrophoneAudio QualityConnectivityPlayback and Call ControlsSoftwareOther FeaturesHow Does Jabra Compare?Jabra Evolve 75e vs. Bose QC30Jabra Evolve 75e vs. Plantronics Voyager…
Zyxel Nebula Review – Cloud Network Management
Zyxel Nebula is a cloud-managed networking solution consisting of Wi-Fi access points, Ethernet switches, security gateways, and a management console. Zyxel developed Nebula to help business customers and their service…
Apple Technology
Best Productivity Apps for Mac
Here is a list of the best productivity apps for Mac users, based on my personal experience. Since I continuously stumble across new applications and services, I’ll keep adding to…
The Fastest Way To Charge An iPhone (And Android)
Table of ContentsReviewed Chargers and CablesCharging Speeds ComparedHow To Get The Fastest Charging SpeedsThe Fastest Way To Charge An iPhone Xs Despite the proliferation of wireless charging technology, you’ve probably…
How to Copy The Path of Any File in Finder
If you are working in a team that is using shared (Dropbox) folders to collaborate, it’s sometimes necessary to point team members to where they can find an individual file…
How to Change File/Folder Icons in macOS
Did you know that you can change the icon of files and folders in macOS? If you did not, in this article I will show you how it is done!…
How to Print to PDF On a Mac
macOS offers multiple options to print to PDF. In fact, you can save almost every file as PDF, regardless of if the application supports saving to PDF or not. In…
How to Install Fonts on iPhone or iPad using iFont
Have you ever noticed that “missing font” warning when you opened a document or spreadsheet on your iOS device that was created on a Mac or Windows machine? In this…
How to Encrypt a PDF Using AppleScript and PDFpenPro
I am a productivity and automation freak, and in this article, I will show you how to encrypt a PDF and redact sensitive information using a combination of Automator, AppleScript,…
How Handoff Between AirPort Base Stations Works
In this post, I’ll explain how handoff works in a network with multiple Apple AirPort Extreme base stations. With the influx of connected devices in modern households, good internet connectivity…
Fitbit and HealthKit Workaround
Table of ContentsFitbit Aria smart scaleWorkflow to the rescueOther workflowsWhere does that leave me with Fitbit?IFTTT – A better solutionWorkaround: Fitbit support for Health app and HealthKit Fitbit has made…
How Health.app Prioritizes Data From Multiple Sources
Have you ever wondered how iOS and more specifically the Health app handles and prioritizes data from multiple sources? I have an Apple Watch and an iPhone and both devices,…
Shortcut to Create Reminders in Any Mac App
Table of ContentsHow to create reminders in Apple MailApple Script and AutomatorCreate a service in AutomatorHow to use the service in Apple MailSuppress privacy pop upHow to create reminders from…
Home Automation
UniFi Video 3 vs. UniFi Protect [Ultimate Review]
The ultimate review of both UniFi Video 3 and UniFi Protect, plus a step-by-step migration guide from UV3 to the next-gen video surveillance platform.
eufyCam – Wireless Security Camera With a 365-Day Battery Life
Review of the eufyCam and eufyCam E, featuring 365 days of battery life and on-device facial recognition. Plus, comparison to Arlo Pro 2, Arlo Ultra and Nest.
Danalock V3 Smart Lock Review
I have used the Danalock V3 for the past few months in my home, and in this review, I’ll share my experience with this integrated smart door lock. Note that…
Ecobee vs. Nest – Hands-on Review and Comparison
Hands-on review, comparing the ecobee4 with the 3rd-Gen Nest Learning Thermostat. Also included: The cheaper ecobee3 lite and Nest Thermostat E.
Arlo Ultra Review and Comparison to Nest Cam IQ
Review of the new Arlo Ultra 4K home security camera and comparison to the previous leader in this segment, Google’s Nest Cam IQ.
Eve Home Automation Platform Review
Eve Home, formerly known as Elgato Eve, is a smart home automation platform that seamlessly connects devices and appliances and makes managing them a breeze. I had a chance to…
ecobee Switch+ Review – Smart Light Switch with Alexa & HomeKit
The ecobee Switch+ is one of the smartest light switches on the market, featuring advanced sensors and seamless integration with ecobee smart thermostats and home automation platforms, such as Apple…
HomeKit Light Switches & Dimmers – Review
Table of ContentsReviewed HomeKit Light SwitchesComparison of HomeKit Light SwitchesReviewed HomeKit DimmersHomeKit Dimmer ComparisonWhat You Should ConsiderReview of HomeKit Light Switches & Dimmers For this article, I have reviewed the…
ecobee4 Review And Comparison to ecobee3
ecobee just announced the newest version of its smart thermostat – the ecobee4 with built-in Alexa voice service. I own two of the original ecobee3 thermostats, and in this article,…
HomeKit-enabled Smoke Alarm [OneLink Review]
First Alert recently released Onelink; an Apple HomeKit enabled smoke alarm. I took that as an opportunity to get my feet wet with HomeKit and to start equipping our house…
BlogginG & SEO
Automatically Add Link Attributes in WordPress
In 2019, Google announced two new link attributes to mark sponsored and user-generated content on your webpage or blog. In this article, I’ll share with you a code snippet that…
How to Hide Posts or Pages in WordPress
In this article, I’ll demonstrate advanced techniques to hide posts or pages in WordPress from the main blogroll, home page, archive pages, search results, and RSS feeds without a dedicated…
Productivity
1Password Review
1Password is a password manager that I’ve used for almost a decade to keep my over 1,600 passwords and account credentials secure. In this review, I explain everything you need…
![How to Back Up Your Mac [And Avoid Data Loss]](https://cdn.michaelkummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Blog-Feature@2x.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
How to Back Up Your Mac or PC
Permanently losing data isn’t a question or “if” but “when.” That’s why it’s important to be prepared and to have a good backup strategy in place. In this article, I’ll…
Top 10 Email Productivity Ideas You Can Implement Today
Spending too much time checking email can hamper your productivity at work and make it difficult to stay focused on your to-do list tasks. Over the years, I’ve refined my…
Best Productivity Apps for Mac
Here is a list of the best productivity apps for Mac users, based on my personal experience. Since I continuously stumble across new applications and services, I’ll keep adding to…
Calendly vs. WhenWorks – Review of scheduling apps
In this Calendly vs. WhenWorks review, I compare two of my favorite calendar scheduling apps that I have used for the past few months. Both scheduling tools offer unique features,…
Dropbox vs. iCloud – Comparison of Cloud Storage Solutions
Table of ContentsThe benefits of cloud storageDropbox reviewFeaturesiCloud Drive overviewFeaturesDropbox vs. iCloud DriveConclusion Dropbox is without a doubt the leading cloud storage service. No other solution, including Apple’s iCloud, has come…
Backblaze vs. CrashPlan – Comparison of Cloud Backup Solutions
CrashPlan recently announced that it would exit the consumer backup business. As a result, the company will discontinue its CrashPlan for Home product and is advising customers to switch to…
2020/2021 Tax Estimate Spreadsheet
A free Excel spreadsheet that can help you to estimate and calculate your federal and state income taxes. Feel free to customize the formulas!
Troubleshooting
5 Simple Steps to Fix Email Problems on Mac, iPhone or PC
Here are five simple steps you can take if you’re unable to send, receive or delete emails on Mac (macOS), iPhone, iPad (iOS), Android or Windows PC.
AirPlay Mirroring Slow? None of the “Fixes” Work?
If you are having issues streaming videos via AirPlay to your Apple TV and none of the other fixes have worked, I might have a solution for you.
Mac Not Going To Sleep? This Might Fix It!
For the past few months, I have struggled with an issue that would prevent both my iMac and MacBook Pro from going to sleep or activating the screen saver. The…
Apple Watch Authentication Error on T-Mobile
Table of ContentsHow you are supposed to activate LTE on your Apple WatchApple’s new eSim could be the culpritT-Mobile customer care was unpreparedHow to fix the authentication error and activate…
iPhone 7 Soft-reset How-to
iPhone 7 soft-reset: Hold the LOCK and VOLUME DOWN button until you see the Apple logo. Then release the two buttons and let the iPhone boot up.
iCloud Photo Library & iPhone Storage Space
Be careful when deleting photos or videos on your iPhone/iPad or Mac if you use iCloud Photo Library. Doing so may permanently remove the deleted photos for all of your…
How to Bypass the iCloud Activation Lock
Are you trying to unlock your iPhone because of the pesky iCloud activation lock? Continue reading for tips on how to quickly remove the activation lock.
How to Reinstall macOS Without Losing Data
Table of ContentsOS X is now macOSHow to Reinstall macOSiCloud DataData Stored in DropboxPost-Installation TasksSometimes, You Have to Reinstall TwiceMy Post-Install ChecklistHow to Create a Bootable USB Drive with macOSHow…
Mac: Audio Issue With FaceTime Wi-Fi Calling
Since OS X 10.11 El Capitan was released to developers about a year ago, I have had intermittent problems when using my beloved Plantronics headset with FaceTime and other VoIP…
Troubleshooting Apple TV streaming issues
Table of ContentsApple TV Buffering ProblemsApple TV Connected to Wrong Base StationCongested Internet ConnectionIPv6 ConfigurationiCloud/iTunes BackendConclusion: Apple TV Streaming Issues Streaming movies from iTunes to Apple TV should be a…
Outlook for Mac Keeps Asking for Password of Office 365 Account
Many users have reported that Microsoft Outlook for Mac keeps asking for the password of their Office 365 account. Thanks to readers of my blog, we have finally fixed the issue for…
Apple Calendar Can’t Save Event to Exchange – Fix
In this post, I’ll explain how to fix the pesky Calendar can’t save event X to Exchange Server issue with Apple’s Calendar in OS X or macOS. The issue occurs…
Troubleshooting Apple’s Junk Mail Filter
Spam filters are a necessary evil and it’s annoying when they don’t work as expected. Apple offers junk mail filtering in Apple Mail as well as via iCloud.com. Unfortunately those two…
How to Move Contacts from On My iPhone to iCloud
In this post, I’ll describe a quick and dirty way to move contacts from the famous “On My iPhone” account to iCloud. On My iPhone I’m sure you have seen…