How to reset Time Capsule and other AirPort Base Stations to factory default settings

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How to reset time capsule or other AirPort Base stations. If your Apple AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme or AirPort Time Capsule is failing to respond to your commands it may be time to do a factory reset. Additionally, this is an option if you’ve lost your password or your AirPort base station isn’t functioning as it has in the past. Lets learn how to reset Time Capsule and others with these quick tips.

It should be noted that a factory reset will not erase any of your files from the AirPort base station. However, as in other articles, we always recommend having a fail proof backup system or at least a quick temporary backup.

Apple likes to make things a little confusing when it comes to resetting. In fact, there are three types of resets: Soft, Hard and Factory Reset.

hard reset time capsule — Reset button location for: AirPort Extreme 802.11n (top) and AirPort Time Capsule (bottom)

For this how-to article we are going to assume you have a Time Capsule for simplification purposes. Don’t worry if you have an Express or Extreme you can follow the same procedures.

reset apple time capsule — Reset button location for: AirPort Express 802.11n (2nd Generation)

If you are interested how to reset Time Capsule and you still have control of your AirPort Utility (Applications > Utilities) then you can try a soft or hard reset first. You should start with a soft reset first and the main difference between a soft and hard reset of your Time Capsule is the amount of time you hold the reset button. If you can not access the AirPort Utility then do a full factory default reset of your Time Capsule.

Soft Reset

Press and hold the Time Capsule reset button for 1 second, then release (LED will begin flashing).
Open the AirPort Utility (Applications > Utilities).
After you select the Time Capsule, Click Edit.
The Time Capsule is now in Soft Reset Mode.
Simply move through the settings tabs and make adjustments as you see fit.
Click Update or Continue as needed.
Quit AirPort Utility.

Hard Reset

1. Press and hold the Time Capsule reset button for 5 seconds (LED starts to flash rapidly).
2. The Time Capsule will restart. (Takes about 1-2 minutes)
3. Open the AirPort Utility (Applications > Utilities).
4. Select the Time Capsule from Other Wi-Fi Devices, then click Edit.
5. Select the Other Options button, Click Restore Previous Settings and then Done.
6. Quit AirPort Utility.

Factory Default Reset

First unplug your Time Capsule’s power cord.
Press and hold the Time Capsule reset button.
While continuing to hold the reset button plug in the power cord to your Time Capsule.
Continue holding until the LED starts to flash rapidly.
Your Time Capsule has now completed the Factory Reset.

Always reset Time Capsule before trying other options. If the soft, hard and factory reset do not solve your problems with your Time Capsule it may be a sign of a more significant problem like hard drive failure. In that case we recommend contacting Apple support or visiting your local Apple store for help.

News

Recently leaked iPhone 7 images may be the real thing

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There’s one thing that you can be sure of in the months leading up to the next iPhone: many images of the device will be leaked. The vast majority of these images end up being fake and ultimately disappointing those who hoped the iPhone would look just like the leaked image. However, it appears that a recently leaked image of the new iPhone 7 may, in fact, be the real thing.

iPhone 7 May Have Smart Connector

AppleInsider was first to report on and share the leaked image last month. Initially, many believed that this supposed leak was fake because of the 3 dots on the back of the iPhone. These 3 dots represent Smart Connector, a feature that was first brought to the iPad Pro. Smart Connector allows the iPad Pro to magnetically connect to Apple’s Smart Keyboard. The connection also draws power from the iPad Pro, which means that the keyboard does not have to be charged prior to using it with the iPad Pro.

Smart Connector seems like an odd feature to bring to the iPhone 7, given the substantial difference in size when compared with the iPad Pro. However, it is possible that the iPhone 7 will use Smart Connector for another accessory besides a keyboard–perhaps a headphones accessory with rumors that Apple will be doing away with the headphone jack on the new iPhone.

iPhone 7 Design Is Nearly Identical to iPhone 6/6S

A recent report from Macotakara.jp, a Japanese blog that is typically very reliable, suggests that leaked image is actually the iPhone 7 Plus. They point to the outer shell/casing and the screen size as evidence that this is the larger version of the iPhone and not the 4.7″ iPhone 7. What’s more, the leaked iPhone 7 Plus is exactly the same size as the iPhone 6S Plus and iPhone 6 Plus before it.

This indicates that the new iPhone 7 Plus won’t be any thinner than the current model. It also indicates that the screen may be the same as the existing iPhone, with no upgrades to the resolution. For those hoping for a higher resolution screen like that which is found on the Samsung Galaxy S7, this may be a disappointment.

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Will Have Some Upgrades

However, it does appear that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will have significant internal upgrades. In the leaked image, you can see what looks to be a dual lens camera. This is rumored to be exclusive to the iPhone 7 Plus and may lead to DSLR quality photos with the iPhone. While the existing iPhone’s camera is quite good, this new dual lens camera could put it far ahead of any other smartphone on the market.

Additionally, it is expected that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will come with faster processors. Apple has a habit of putting a new processor in each generation of the iPhone, so a new one in the iPhone 7 is pretty much a given. A new processor will make the phone faster and more responsive.

The iPhone 7 may also see an upgrade to the RAM. The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus had 2GB of RAM, which is still less than what many Android phones have, for example the Samsung Galaxy S7 is rumored to have 4GB of RAM. What remains to be seen is how much RAM the new iPhone will have.

iPhone 7 Will Debut In September or October 2016

As with previous years, it is expected that the new iPhone will be available to the public in either September or October 2016. More leaks and information is expected to come out as we get nearer to this date.

News

Apple Watch 2 rumored to be expected late 2016 or early 2017

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It’s now been a year since Apple released the first Apple Watch. Although the Apple Watch sold roughly 10 million units in 2015 according to KGI Securities, some consider the first Apple Watch’s sales to be very underwhelming. Apple’s recent price cut of the Watch to $299 (compared to the original price of $399) and KGI’s forecast of shipments falling by 25% during 2016 are two more signs of the Apple Watch’s apparent “failure.” However, selling 10 million units of a new product type is nothing to sneeze at, especially considering how it took years for the iPhone to fully gain steam.

With these things in mind, it’s not surprising that Apple is already working on the Apple Watch 2. The recent price cut is a strategy they’ve used in the past with the iPhone and iPad months prior to releasing new models of these devices. Likewise, the plan to ship less units of the product on year 2 is something they’ve also done in the past with iPhones and iPads. All these signs point toward Apple getting ready to release a new Apple Watch later this year.

When Will The Apple Watch 2 Be Announced?

The current expectation among industry experts is that Apple will announce the Watch 2 in either June or September. Announcing the Watch 2 in June would make sense as this is when Apple has their Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Announcing the Watch 2 in September or October would also make sense, as this is typically when they announce new iPhones. September 2014 is also when they announced the first Apple Watch.

When Will The Apple Watch 2 Ship?

This is a bit more of a mystery. With the first Apple Watch, units of the Watch did not ship until April 2015, a full seven months after the initial announcement. Apple may take a similar route with the Watch 2 by announcing it in September alongside the iPhone 7 and then not shipping it until early 2017.

It is also entirely possible that Apple will ship the Watch 2 shortly after announcing it in September. Given the fact that Apple recently slashed prices of the first Apple Watch and they are planning to ship less units, it’s significantly more likely that they are getting ready to release another iteration of the Watch this year as opposed to 2017.

What Will Be Different About The Apple Watch 2?

As thin as the Apple Watch was, it is rumored that Apple will be releasing a new, much thinner version of the device. In fact, Apple Analyst Brian White believes that the new Watch will be 20-40% thinner.

The thinner design may be disappointing to those expecting better battery life with the Watch 2, as a thinner design almost guarantees that a larger battery will not be used. However, Apple could offset this by further optimizing the Apple Watch 2 OS.

Other rumored features include a FaceTime camera to make/receive FaceTime calls straight from the Watch, advanced WiFi capabilities, and the ability to use the Apple Watch without an iPhone or iPod. The latter would be particularly exciting to those who have held off on buying an Apple Watch because it is incompatible with their smartphone.

We here at MacMint will be closely following all of the Apple Watch 2 rumors and reporting on these in the coming weeks and months.

Apps

Which should I use? iCloud Photo Sharing or My Photo Stream

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Because Apple includes both iCloud Photo Sharing and My Photo Stream in iCloud this has become confusing to some people. Let’s bring some clarity to the issue by going over your options.

My Photo Stream is the most simplistic of the two options. It lets you store photos that you have taken with your iPhone or iPad and save them for 30 days. This allows you to store them or your Mac or PC granted you have your iCloud setup. The catch is that in order to back up your photos you’ll need to save them to your Mac OS X or iOS device.

Using iCloud Photo Sharing with iCloud Photo Library is the more ideal situation. With the Photo Library, all the videos and photos you take are kept up to date throughout all your Apple devices. Using iCloud Photo Sharing you can share your files with friends and family. You can share specific folders to groups of people you invite via iCloud email or even subscribe to other people’s shared albums.

With My Photo Stream there is no charge, however using iCloud Photo Library you’ll need to sign up for an iCloud storage plan. The first 5GB are free, if you need more you can opt in for 50 or 200GB which would cost you $0.99 or $2.99 per month respectively. With videos that initial 5GB can fill up fast so we would recommend you start with 50GB, after all its only roughly $12/year, and cheaper than most cloud storage plans.

iCloud Library will automatically sync all your files between devices, where as My Photo Stream will not. Turn on iCloud Photo Library and if you choose to use My Photo Stream it will appear in under the All Photos tab inside the Photos app similar to the way all your other photos and videos are organized by Year, Collection and Moments.

Your home computer will use My Photo Stream to download and store your files in high resolution. Where as your mobile devices, including Apple TV will use size-optimized resolutions in order to save space in those devices where space is limited.

However, using iCloud Photo Library you will be able to store full-resolution files (iCloud photos and videos) on all your Apple devices. Unfortunately you can not use iTunes to sync albums and photos from iCloud Photo Library. As well, be careful because your files will be removed if you quit using the service, although you will be warned.

So no you don’t need to use both My Photo Stream and iCloud Photo Sharing. It’s simple really if you don’t pay for iCloud storage then use My Photo Stream, if you do pay for iCloud storage then use iCloud Photo Library in conjunction with iCloud Photo Sharing.

Lastly if you are using iCloud storage and iCloud Photo Library go through all your devices and make sure everything you need is enabled. Check all the options on each device and make sure My Photo Stream is disabled. Using iCloud storage with iCloud Photo Library is the easiest way to keep your photos and videos synced and up-to-date across all your iOS, Mac or PC devices.

How-To

How to Sign Out of Game Center in iOS

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In previous versions of Apple iOS users were permitted to sign out of Game Center inside the stand alone app. Currently you are unable to log out of Game Center while in the app itself. This has caused some confusion with with iOS users leading them to ask “How do I sign out of Game Center?”

Signing out of Game Center and logging back in can resolve issues you may be having with your iPhone or iPad. Signing out of Game Center is easy but difficult to find if you are not used to iOS settings.

Steps to Log Out of Game Center:

Go to Settings > Game Center
Click on your Apple Id
Click Sign Out

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