Videos

In macOS Big Sur, you can easily customize your Memoji and use stickers in Messages. Start by opening Messages and clicking the app drawer, then select the Memoji stickers button and choose “More…” followed by “Edit” to enter the editing mode. Here, you can adjust your Memoji to your liking. Once you’re satisfied with the changes, click “Done.” To send Memoji stickers, simply click and drag a sticker onto a message, and it will be sent. This feature allows for personalized and expressive communication in your messages.

Summary:
– Open Messages and click the app drawer.
– Select the Memoji stickers button and click “More…”, then “Edit” to customize your Memoji.
– Make your desired changes and click “Done” to save.
– To send Memoji stickers, drag a sticker onto a message.
– Enjoy using personalized Memoji stickers in your messages.

In macOS Big Sur, you can customize your Safari start page by setting a custom background. First, open Safari and click the Customization button. Browse through the available images and choose one for your background. If you prefer to use your own photo, simply drag a picture from the Photos app to Safari. This will set your chosen image as the new background, allowing you to personalize your browser’s appearance.

Summary:
– Open Safari and click the Customization button.
– Choose a background image from the available options.
– To use your own photo, drag it from the Photos app to Safari.
– The selected image will set as your Safari start page background.
– This customization allows for a personalized browser experience.

To have your Mac speak selected text using a keyboard shortcut, start by opening System Preferences and clicking on Accessibility. Next, select Spoken Content from the list. In this menu, check the box labeled “Speak Selection” to enable the feature. Once activated, you can select text anywhere on your Mac and use a keyboard shortcut to have it read aloud. This feature makes it easy to listen to text without needing to manually read it.

Summary:
– Open System Preferences and select Accessibility.
– Click on Spoken Content.
– Check the “Speak Selection” box.
– Use the keyboard shortcut to have selected text read aloud.
– The feature allows text to be spoken from anywhere on your Mac.

To present using Keynote while video conferencing on your Mac, start by opening Keynote and selecting “Play” from the menu bar, then choose “Play Slideshow in Window.” In your video conferencing app, select Keynote from the share menu; the steps might differ slightly based on the app you’re using. Your presenter controls will appear in a separate window where you can show or hide slide thumbnails by clicking the Thumbnail button. Navigate through your slides using the arrow keys on your keyboard. This setup ensures a smooth presentation while managing your video conference.

Summary:
– In Keynote, select “Play” and then “Play Slideshow in Window” to start presenting.
– In your video conferencing app, share Keynote from the share menu.
– Presenter controls will be in a separate window.
– Use the Thumbnail button to show or hide slide thumbnails.
– Navigate slides using the arrow keys on your keyboard.

Starting in macOS Monterey, you can save time by automating tasks with the Shortcuts app. When you open the app, you may see shortcuts synced from your other Apple devices via iCloud, and personalized shortcuts from Siri. You can explore the Gallery for premade shortcuts organized by categories like accessibility and Siri. To create a custom shortcut, such as setting up two apps in split screen, select and customize the shortcut, then add it. You can run shortcuts from various locations like Spotlight or the menu bar by dragging them to the desired spot. It’s a simple, one-click process to streamline your tasks.

Summary:
– Automate tasks with the Shortcuts app in macOS Monterey.
– Sync shortcuts across Apple devices using iCloud.
– Explore premade shortcuts in the Gallery, organized by categories.
– Customize and create shortcuts, such as setting up two apps in split screen.
– Run shortcuts from the menu bar, Spotlight, or Siri for quick access.

To start using the Mail app on your Mac, open it and add your email account by entering your email address and password. You can choose to sync additional data like contacts and calendars. Once your emails download, you can send a new message by clicking the New Message button, entering the recipient’s address, adding a subject, and writing your message. You can also attach files and respond to emails using the Reply button. To organize your inbox, move messages between mailboxes or delete them as needed. Use the search function to find specific emails quickly.

Summary:
– Add your email account in the Mail app on your Mac by entering your email address and password.
– Send new emails by clicking “New Message,” entering the recipient, subject, and message.
– Attach files to emails and respond to messages using the “Reply” button.
– Organize your inbox by moving messages between mailboxes or deleting them.
– Use the search function to quickly find specific emails.

To save space on your internal hard drive when using Final Cut Pro, you can move your library to an external drive. Start by connecting and formatting your external drive with APFS, and remove generated files from the library for a quicker move. In Final Cut Pro, select the library, consolidate your media files, and then reveal the library in Finder. Quit Final Cut Pro, drag the library file to the external drive, and reopen it from there. Finally, select the library in Final Cut Pro, consolidate the media, and continue working while it consolidates in the background.

Summary:
– Connect and format your external drive with APFS.
– In Final Cut Pro, select the library and consolidate media files.
– Reveal the library in Finder and quit Final Cut Pro.
– Drag the library file to the external drive and reopen it.
– Consolidate the media in Final Cut Pro while continuing to work.

To update macOS and get the latest features and security enhancements, start by ensuring your Mac is plugged into power, connected to the internet, and backed up using Time Machine. For macOS Ventura, go to the Apple menu, select System Settings, then Software Update. Enable automatic updates if desired, or click Update Now and follow the prompts. For macOS Monterey or earlier, go to System Preferences and Software Update, then either select updates manually or choose automatic updates. During installation, your Mac may restart or dim; just wait for the process to complete, then log back in and continue using your Mac.

Summary:
– Ensure your Mac is plugged in, connected to the internet, and backed up.
– For macOS Ventura, go to System Settings > Software Update and enable or start updates.
– For macOS Monterey or earlier, go to System Preferences > Software Update.
– Select updates manually or enable automatic updates.
– Let the installation complete, then log back in to use your Mac.

To add video effects while using Continuity Camera for FaceTime on a Mac, start a FaceTime call and use your iPhone as a webcam. Open Control Center and click “Video Effects” to choose from options like Center Stage, which keeps you centered in the frame, Portrait mode to blur the background, and Studio Light to illuminate your face. You can apply one effect or combine multiple effects simultaneously for a polished look during your call.

Summary:
– Start a FaceTime call using Continuity Camera with your iPhone as a webcam.
– Open Control Center and select “Video Effects.”
– Choose Center Stage to keep you centered in the frame.
– Apply Portrait mode to blur the background or Studio Light to illuminate your face.
– Combine effects or use them individually for enhanced video during your call.

To edit a photo taken at an odd angle or skewed perspective on your Mac, open the Photos app and double-click the photo you want to edit. Click “Edit” in the top-right corner, then select “Crop.” You can adjust the crop by dragging the corners of the photo. Use the Straighten slider to modify the photo’s angle. For further adjustments, drag the Vertical or Horizontal sliders to correct the perspective. Once you’re satisfied with the edits, click “Done.” This process allows you to easily give your photos a new perspective and correct any skewed angles.

Summary:
– Open the Photos app on your Mac and double-click the photo you want to edit.
– Click “Edit” in the top-right corner and select “Crop.”
– Adjust the crop by dragging the corners and use the Straighten slider to change the photo’s angle.
– Use the Vertical or Horizontal sliders to modify the photo’s perspective.
– Click “Done” to save your edits.