Macs are pioneers of the computing world. They have been the number one choice for students, young professionals, and CEOs all over the globe for decades.
With so many uses within a wide range of industries and sectors, they are the obvious frontrunner when it comes to selecting a brand-new desktop computer or laptop. But despite their popularity, their full potential is often overlooked. Read on to familiarise yourself with a number of handy built-in tools on your Mac that you were probably unaware of and how to access them.
1: Dictation
The latest addition to the ever-expanding list of tools on a Mac is dictation. Patented technology allows you to talk to your laptop and receive feedback. You can voice commands and even translate words into text. This can come in handy if one or more keys on your keyboard have stopped working or are stuck. It can also speed up and improve the accuracy of interviews during the transcription process. You must be explicit with your punctuation and state each new instance aloud. For example, in order to insert a full stop or comma, you must actually say those words out loud as you speak into your computer. This may seem unnatural at first but leads to greater accuracy of your transcripts. The original version of this tool requires a strong internet connection. However, recent updates have given users the opportunity to dictate without the need for an active internet connection. To access dictation, select Dictation & Speech from your System Preferences menu.
2: Sharing
Screen sharing is screen recording in real-time. This tool allows you to connect with and share your current screen with another Mac user regardless of the distance or time between both users. This can be beneficial during training courses, online tutorials, and how-to guides. You can screen share to report and request help for a computer error, collaborate on a shared team project, or just get some work done on the go. Screen sharing can save time and money, improve communication between employees and clients, and boost overall morale and productivity within the office. To screen share with a friend today, simply select Sharing from your System Preferences menu. To learn how to share your screen with others, visit https://setapp.com/.
3: Wi-Fi Diagnostics
As well as introduce you to a wide range of additional life-improving tools, your Mac can also improve the existing functionality of your laptop. Wi-Fi Diagnostics can make changes to your Wi-Fi connection to ensure it is running at full speed and capacity. It monitors signal strength and makes adjustments as necessary until it reaches optimal performance levels. Observing what affects your signal speed and strength over a prolonged period of time can be a fascinating journey. Once you know how and where to look, it can be difficult to stop. This handy tool will also inform you if anyone attempts to access and connect to your network. It then creates a log of dates and times so you can take the appropriate action. To access Wi-Fi Diagnostics, quit all open apps. Hold down the Option key and select the Wi-Fi status icon on the menu bar. From there, open the Wi-Fi menu and select Wi-Fi Diagnostics at the bottom of the list.
4: Automator
Automator takes the hard work out of your daily routine and streamlines the entire process. Despite its complex user interface, it is a relatively simple tool and one worth knowing about. It can take a bit of time and patience to get used to, but it is worth it in the end. Automator allows you to save time by renaming multiple different file names at the same time, shut down certain applications at set days and times, and convert text-based files into audio in little to no time at all. It can also enable you to build custom workflows to perform simple and complex tasks and combine various PDF documents with ease. Automator Workflow receives set instructions from the user, performs a series of actions, and then distributes the results. By removing the need for manual intervention, you can free up time for more pressing matters relating to the daily running of the business. With Automator, the options are limitless. Spend some time getting used to this nifty little tool before getting stuck in and seeing for yourself how it can improve your life. To find out how, simply select Automator from your Applications list.
5: Grapher
Grapher is a calculation-based computer software tool designed to simplify both easy and complex mathematic equations. Whether you consider yourself a maths geek or just find yourself intimidated by numbers, Grapher can visualise the formula on-screen and convert it into an easy-to-read solution. It can even display and solve multiple different equations at the same time. With a streamlined user interface to suit users of all skills and backgrounds, Grapher is a truly life-changing tool. Most users are unaware it even exists but are thankful when they discover its benefits. To find out how you can up your maths game, simply select Grapher from your list of Applications today.
6: Preview
Most Mac owners are familiar with the Preview tool but have yet to uncover its full potential. It is a truly underrated tool in your Mac arsenal. Aside from doubling as a PDF viewer, it can also enable users to insert new pages, annotate files, magnify, and electronically sign documents. You can also crop, rotate, and resize images contained within a wide variety of file formats. These include JPEG, GIF, PNG, and TIFF. To access the Preview tool, visit your Applications folder and select Preview.
Most Mac users are familiar with the endless capabilities of their Apple desktop or laptop. But with so many features and tools to choose from, it can be impossible to know about them all. By familiarising yourself with the wide range of handy tools contained within your Mac, you can simplify your life and streamline your work routine today.
Have you used any of these handy tools? Comment and let us know!
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