shine a light
Best uses for Spotlight on iPhone and iPad
Spotlight search on iPhone and iPad can help you find things more quickly, from apps to notes to texts and more!
Spotlight
Hey Siri, do the thing!
How to use Siri and Spotlight to search your apps on iPhone and iPad
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In iOS 11, Siri can search deeper into your iPhone's data to help you find what you're looking for.
Around the Globe
Spotlight Suggestions now available in 7 more regions
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Spotlight Suggestions are now available to users in seven more countries and regions in iOS 9.
Wish list
I'd love a full-on Siri 'voice free' in iOS 10
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When you can't or shouldn't talk, imagine being able to access Siri through text.
Secret shortcuts
9 super-smart Spotlight search suggestions!
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Spotlight is Apple's built-in search system. It started life on the Mac, but Spotlight quickly moved to the iPhone and then iPad as well. Over the years, Spotlight hasn't just gotten more knowledgeable in more areas, but its gotten smarter. Now, with Spotlight Suggestions, it can not only help you find the information already on your device, but it can help you find out about what's...
iOS Shortcuts
How to quickly search Twitter usernames and hashtags
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Searching for Twitter users or hashtags on iPhone and iPad is now as simple as launching Spotlight. While most of us have our favorite Twitter apps, if you don't have yours handy, or you're already using Apple's Spotlight search tool, you can now bring up links to popular people and trending tweets by typing in an @username or #hashtag. Note: Spotlight isn't searching Twitter per se....
Instant system preference access
How to access any Mac system preference in one click
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Want to make a quick change to any System Preference setting? No need to open the System Preferences app, just click it from the Dock. Here's how! Apple guru Dave Marra recently tweeted a great Mac tip that I'm going to share with you. Make sure to check out his Marrathon.com site for more great Mac tips. I have to admit that I'm totally ashamed I didn't know this until just the other...
Add a second screen!
Duet Display turns your iPad into a second monitor
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Sometimes you just need more work space on your Mac. You could appease this by buying a second monitor, but it may well be that you need this space while on traveling — a place where a second full-sized screen becomes much more cumbersome than helpful. The solution? Use your iPad. Duet Display is a tethered second-screen option that lets you borrow your iPad's Retina display for your...
App Reviews
Astropad brings the Cintiq experience to your iPad
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The iPad's made great progress in the sketching world, but it's still been hampered by imprecise screen mapping and styluses that can't perfectly replicate pressure. The solution from Astro HQ's Astropad is to map the iPad to a different screen entirely — that of your Mac. Astropad does for creative pros what Duet Display did for second-screen enthusiasts: Not only does it provide a...
Accessory Spotlight
Add a swatch of Pantone color protection to your iPhone
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I'll be frank: I hate putting cases on my iPhone. They take away the fit and feel of the device in your hand, they can be overly bulky or clunky, and they almost always get dirty. But after breaking my iPhone 6's screen, I resigned myself to using some sort of cover — no caseless fit and feel is worth a broken glass screen. Luckily, I've found quite a few awesome iPhone 6 cases in the...