Apple’s Data and Privacy portal lets you get a copy of your data report, request changes to the data you’ve shared with the company, and delete your Apple ID and associated data. Here’s how to use it!

Apple is an outspoken proponent of privacy and security of our personal data. Its CEO Tim Cook has gone on record, calling privacy a ”fundamental human right.” When you visit the Data and Privacy portal, you can learn about what Apple does to protect your privacy. You can also use the site to correct any erroneous personal information stored by Apple, delete your Apple ID along with its associated data, and get a copy of your data report.

How to use Apple’s data and privacy portal
How to correct your data using Apple’s data and privacy portal
How to delete your account using Apple’s data and privacy portal
How to request a copy of your data using Apple’s data and privacy portal

You can learn more about how Apple protects your data and your privacy here: apple.com/privacy

How to …

Are you intrigued by all the home automation options out there, but not sure where to start? I can totally relate to that. I’ve wanted to smarten up my home for a long time but I’m super overwhelmed by all the products and options out there, and I’ve never fully committed to a particular set-up. My lights are so dumb right now!

If you’re like me, you should definitely enter this giveaway. Ten winners will get to take home a Philips Hue Light Recipe Kit to either add into their existing gear or for use as a gateway drug into all things smart home. With the battery-powered dimmer switch, you can control up to 10 smart lights simultaneously. The switch can be removed from its wall mount and used as a remote control, and it allows you to dim and brighten your lights or cycle through four preset light recipes.

Scroll down to check out the giveaway and get entered!

The giveaway

THE PRIZES

10 winners will each receive (1) Philips Hue Light Recipe Kit E26.

THE GIVEAWAY: There are mu…

Get some exercise to win next month’s Activity Challenge.

What you need to know

Apple is getting ready for its first Apple Watch Activity Challenge in February.
The ’Heart Month Challenge’ will run from February 8th to February 14th.
Those who complete the challenge will win a medal and stickers.

If you are an Apple Watch owners and love to get involved with the Activity Challenges that Apple occasionally runs from time to time, now is another time of the year to get excited. Apple’s yearly ’Heart Month Challenge’ is set to kick off in less than two weeks.

Reported by 9to5Mac, this year’s ’Heart Month Challenge’ is set to begin on February 8th and run through February 14th. Apple Watch owners can complete the challenge by closing their Excercise Ring for seven days in a row. Being that February 8th to February 14th is seven days, you’ll have to close your ring every day of this challenge.

”Put your heart into earning this award! Close your Exercise ring for seven days in …

Apple has just announced its financial results for Q1 2020, covering the period between October 1 and December 28, 2019. The company posted quarterly revenue of $91.8 billion.

Press release:

Apple Reports Record First Quarter Results

iPhone, Wearables & Services Drive All-Time Record Revenue and Earnings

January 28, 2020 04:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today announced financial results for its fiscal 2020 first quarter ended December 28, 2019. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $91.8 billion, an increase of 9 percent from the year-ago quarter and an all-time record, and quarterly earnings per diluted share of $4.99, up 19 percent, also an all-time record. International sales accounted for 61 percent of the quarter’s revenue.

”We are thrilled to report Apple’s highest quarterly revenue ever, fueled by strong demand for our iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro models, and all-time records for Services and Wearables,” said Tim Cook, App…

iOS continues to dominate the mobile industry in adoption rate.

What you need to know

Apple has released new iOS and iPadOS adoption numbers.
70% of all iPhones are currently running iOS 13.
57% of all iPads are currently running iPadOS.

Apple has updated the App Store support page on its Developer website with new numbers highlighting iOS and iPadOS rates for its customers.

According to the information that was pulled as of January 27, 2020, iOS 13 is now running well into the majority of active iPhones today. Per the support page, ”77% of all devices introduced in the last four years use iOS 13.” This means that over three-quarters of customers who own the iPhone 11 and, all the way back to the iPhone 7, have already updated to iOS 13. Only seventeen percent of this group of customers still run iOS 12, with six percent still running an even earlier version of iOS.

When branching out to cover all currently active iPhones, ”70% of all devices use iOS 13.” So, no matter what iP…

How do you protect your photos, messages, and more from being hacked or stolen online?

Hackers have become too good, and security systems are still flawed. Longer complicated passwords created by generators like Safari’s iCloud Keychain or third-party apps like LastPass or 1Password can help, but the absolute best way to lock down your accounts is to add extra security options for a two-step verification or two-factor authentication (2FA). Here’s how to go about it.

How to set up two-factor for Apple and iCloud
How to set up two-factor for Google and Gmail
How to set up two-factor for Dropbox
How to set up two-factor for Amazon
How to set up two-factor for Twitter
How to set up two-factor for Facebook
How to set up two-factor for Instagram
How to se up two-factor for Tumblr
How to set up two-factor for Skype
How to set up two-factor for Nest
How to use Authy to manage two-factor

What is two-factor authentication?

Two-factor authentication asks you to authenticate that you are…

The difference between the two settings is small but significant.

The AirPods Pro’s most advertised feature is active noise cancellation. Less publicized, but perhaps equally important, is the built-in Transparency mode. Here’s a look at the differences between the two and how to activate them.

AirPods Pro vs. AirPods 2

In 2019, Apple introduced the second-generation AirPods. A few months later, the AirPods Pro arrived. The two devices are similar in many ways. Both, for example, offer Hey, Siri activation and an H1 chip that enables seamless pairing between devices. Both versions can also use Audio Sharing so you can share your audio between multiple pairs of AirPods.

The AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 also support Announce Messages, which automatically read messages for you as you receive them.

The newer model offers a fresh design with a more comfortable fit (and replaceable silicone ear tips). AirPods Pro also includes Adaptive EQ and IPX4-rated water protection. And then there’s…

This easy-to-use media server keeps your movies, TV, and music at your fingertips.

Think of Plex as ”iTunes, but for everything you didn’t buy from Apple.” With a Plex media server and apps on your computers, iOS devices, and Apple TV, you can store and stream your collection of non-DRM movies, TV, music, and more to any device, anywhere. Better yet, you can share all that media with your Plex-using friends, and enjoy streaming theirs in return. And that’s just the stuff you can do for free.

What Plex can (and can’t) do

Plex can catalog and play your personal, non-iTunes digital library of:

Movies
TV shows
Music
Photos

You can play these files over your local network or anywhere you’re connected to the Internet — at the gym, at a friend’s house, while traveling, etc. With the right tuner and a Plex Pass subscription, Plex can also play live TV — even remotely over the Internet – and work like a DVR.

Plex has also branched out into more Internet-based services:

Podca…

Sometimes you just need a little extra layer of security in life, especially when it comes to your gadgets. A goos screen protector is a great place to start. We picked out the best of the best Fitbit Versa (Gen 1) and Versa Lite Screen protectors to keep your fitness tracker secure n’ scratch-free.

Bye-bye damage

KIMLAR Fitbit Versa Waterproof Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Staff Favorite

Scratch-resistant? Check. Waterproof? Check. Affordable? Check. Highly-rated? Check check and double-check! The KIMLAR Fitbit Versa Waterproof Tempered Glass Screen Protector will keep your Versa’s screen in prime condition throughout the wear and tear of your daily life.

$6 at Amazon

Tempered glass = peace of mind

QIBOX Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Looking for a screen protector that’ll keep your Fitbit Versa secure and scratch-free? Then take a peek at the QIBOX Tempered Glass Screen Protector. Plus if you damage one screen, never fear: the QIBOX Tempered Glass Screen Protector co…