Ridiculously Simple Tech

Getting a new iPhone is exciting, it can almost feel like getting a new toy. Nobody likes a toy that makes you read a lengthy manual just to figure out how the darn thing works! If you've already had an iPhone (or maybe several), then chances are you already know how it works. But, the iPhone X will throw you a curveball because the Home button has been removed. I'll help make sure you know how to use the shortcuts and gestures that go along with this transition. It will, of course, also cover all the new features added into iOS 12. This guide is formatted in a way to help you use your phone (and all its powerful features) as quickly as possible. I purposely have written this guide to be a little more casual and fun then what you expect from most iPhone manuals. The iPhone is a fun gadget, and any guide you read should be an equally fun read. Each chapter starts with bullet points on what will be covered, so if something you already know, you can skip right ahead, if you only need to know how to use new features, the book is also formatted in a way that these stand out. Are you ready to start enjoying your new iPhone? Then let's get started!

Every September, Apple holds a press conference to get us excited about the newest gadgets that are certain to suck your wallets dry. And every September, almost as an afterthought, something else is mentioned--something that is actually free! The latest version of Mac OS. You, of course, need to own a Mac computer (such as MacBook, Mac Mini or iMac) to get it, but Apple keeps updates absolutely free. When Mac updates it's OS, it tends to follow the formula as iOS: there are lots of changes, but a lot of them are not very obvious. The purpose of this book is twofold: one, to help you understand all the biggest features; two, to help you if you've never used a Mac before. This book is intended for people who want to get started quickly. For that reason, it's not as comprehensive as other guides. If you want to know about some feature buried deep under the hood that you'll never use, then there are other books for you--I'm sure they'll make good doorstops when you finish. If you just want a simple guide that tells you what you need to know, so you can use your computer already, then this book is for you. If you're new to Mac--perhaps switching over from Windows, then this book will help you figure out all the similarities and differences; because so many people come to Mac from Windows, this book is written in a way to help with that transition. I purposely have done my best to make this handbook a little more casual and fun then what you expect from most Mac OS manuals. Mac OS is an operating system, and any guide you read should be an equally fun read. Each chapter starts with bullet points on what will be covered, so if something you already know, you can skip right ahead; if you only need to know how to use new features, the book is also formatted in a way that these stand out. Are you ready to start enjoying the new Mac OS? Then let's get started!

In 2011, Google disrupted the computer industry when it introduced the Chromebook. The lightweight computers with small price tags were the perfect solution for schools already using Google's suite of free cloud-based tools (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc). To the average professional, Chromebooks have been more of a novelty best suited for casual use. In 2013, Google tried to change this with the Chromebook Pixel--it's first higher end Chromebook. While most saw it as a worthy first effort, it was not largely viewed as ready for primetime. Google discontinued the Chromebook Pixel in 2017 and announced its successor in October of 2017: The Pixelbook. Everything about the successor proved that Google had learned from previous generation Chromebooks and was ready to seriously compete with the Windows Surface and Macbook. The hardware alone matched high-end Mac and Windows computers, but the software is where the Pixelbook really shines. In addition to Google Assistant, a Siri-like tool for productivity, the computer also is amongst the first Chromebooks to be able to run Android apps-combined with a convertible touchscreen, this means you can leave your tablet at home. For a better comparison of how the computer ranks against Windows and Mac, see Appendix A. In 2018, Google was at it again. This time their interest had shifted from hybrid laptop / tablet to full on tablet with the Google Pixel Slate. It seemed like a direct response to what Google sees as their biggest threat: the iPad and Microsoft Surface. If you've used any computer then both the Pixelbook and Slate will be easy enough to use as soon as you open it up for the first time. If you really want to take advantage of all the features and be as productive as possible, then this guide will help. Almost everything in this book will also apply to other Chromebooks. Let's get started!

In 2016, Google announced it was getting into the home assistant business with Google Home. The smart device allowed users to essentially, have a computer controlled by their voice. Google was just getting started. In 2017, Google released two more devices: the Google Home Mini and Google Home Max. Finally, in 2018, Google announced that its smart speaker would get a whole lot more, visual with the Google Home Hub. The Google Home Hub is a hybrid of two worlds, a device that works best with both your voice and by touch. The same voice commands as the non-touch Google Home's are there, but a screen gives it the extra touch you need to control things in your home like security cameras. It's original, powerful, and just a little weird! It's unlike anything you've ever used, not quite a tablet, not quite a voice assistant, not quite a computer-it's a Hub! Because it's a little weird, it takes some getting used to; this guide will walk you through what you need to know to get the most out of the powerful display. Ready to get started?

The stage was set in September 2018. It was iPhone's big event. The day where journalist and Apple fans alike lusted over the latest and greatest iPhone. But a funny thing happened on the way to the announcement: Apple Watch Series 4 took everyone's breath away! The Apple Watch has, of course, been around for three years and seen several updates. But 2018 was different: the watch was finally ready for the masses. This wasn't a watch for early adopters or fitness buffs--this was the watch your parents and grandparents would get behind. In addition to all the great features Apple Watch has always had, series 4 is slimmer (yet with a screen that is somehow bigger), has optional cellular for making phone calls and streaming music without your phone, and drop detection (so if you fall and can't get up, the fire department is dispatched to your location). Everything about it was designed to motivate you to be more active. As amazing as all the new features are, it's not quite as easy to use as an iPhone; the lack of buttons, the smaller screen, and general UI can make a frustrated initial experience. The point of this book is to help new Apple Watch users (and users updating to Watch OS 6 from an older device) get the most out their investment. Are you ready to start enjoying your new Apple Watch? Then let's get started! Note: This book is not endorsed by Apple and should be considered unofficial.

MacBook Pro is like every other MacBook except for two key differences. One: Power. Two: Touch Bar. This book is intended for people, who want to get started quickly with the MacBook Pro (this book can also help you with other non-Pro MacBooks and iMacs, the only difference is a section on Touch Bar). For that reason, it's not as comprehensive as other guides. If you want to know about some feature buried deep under the hood that you'll never use, then there are other books for you, I'm sure they'll make good doorstops when you finish. If you just want a simple guide that tells you what you need to know, so you can use your computer already, then this book is for you. If you're new to Mac-perhaps switching over from Windows, then this book will help you figure out all the similarities and differences; because so many people come to Mac from Windows, this book is, written in a way to help with that transition. I purposely have done my best to make this handbook a little more casual and fun, then what you expect from most Mac OS manuals. Mac OS is an operating system, and any guide you read should be an equally fun read. Each chapter starts with bullet points on what will be covered, so if something you already know, you can skip right ahead; if you only need to know how to use new features, the book is also formatted in a way that these stand out. Are you ready to start enjoying the new MacBook Pro? Then let's get started!

Every September, Apple holds a press conference to get us excited about the newest gadgets that are certain to suck your wallets dry. The 2018 event, of course, introduced us to the latest Apple Watch and iPhone. This year, however, Apple proved it wasn't quite done yet. In October, it held a conference to remind everyone of something that many had forgotten: The MacBook Air. It had been 10 years since Steve Jobs wowed us all by pulling a laptop out of an envelope; and it had been 5 years since the last update to the slim computer. Apple never stopped selling Airs, but most assumed its days were numbered-it's power, graphics, and design just didn't cut it anymore. Then October came, and Apple proudly reminded everyone that it had not forgotten about the once beloved device. It introduced a new MacBook Air with all the features you'd expect from a modern slim computer: retina display, top of the line processor, memory, and amazing battery life. MacBook Air was suddenly relevant again. If you have purchased the notebook or are just curious about seeing more about what Mac OS can do for you, then you'll see it in this book. This book is intended for people who want to get started quickly with the MacBook Air. For that reason, it's not as comprehensive as other guides. If you want to know about some feature buried deep under the hood that you'll never use, then there are other books for you--I'm sure they'll make good doorstops when you finish. If you just want a simple guide that tells you what you need to know, so you can use your computer already, then this book is for you. If you're new to Mac--perhaps switching over from Windows, then this book will help you figure out all the similarities and differences; because so many people come to Mac from Windows, this book is written in a way to help with that transition. I purposely have done my best to make this handbook a little more casual and fun then what you expect from most Mac OS manuals. Mac OS is an operating system, and any guide you read should be an equally fun read. Each chapter starts with bullet points on what will be covered, so if something you already know, you can skip right ahead; if you only need to know how to use new features, the book is also formatted in a way that these stand out. Are you ready to start enjoying the new Mac OS? Then let's get started!

The iPad has long been a companion to the computer; it's the device you use casually when your computer isn't practical. But computer replacement? That's a bit of a stretch. Until now! The next generation iPad Pro has introduced a level of power that is making a lot of people think twice about replacing their computer outright for the tablet. Is it time for you to make the leap? This book introduces you to the newest iPad's and shows you things brand new to generation: notably new gestures that have been introduced because there is no longer a Home button, and what you need to know about the newest Apple Pencil. This guide is for the user who needs to know all the basics to get started in as little time as possible. I purposely have written this guide to be a little more casual and fun then what you expect from most iPad Pro guides. The iPad is a fun gadget, and any guide you read should be an equally fun read. Each chapter starts with bullet points on what will be covered, so if something you already know, you can skip right ahead; if you only need to know how to use new features, the book is also formatted in a way that these stand out. Whether you are thinking about switching from a computer to an iPad, or if you want to use both, but just want to learn your way around iOS 12, then this guide will cover what you need to know. Are you ready to start enjoying the newest iPad Pro? Then let's get started!

Google and Apple have always taken a different approach to developing their Operating System (OS). Apple's iOS is often seen as a wall gardened; it's an OS built for one thing and one thing only: the iPhone. Unlike Apple, Google built an OS that anyone could use; in fact, Google didn't even have a phone when it released the Android OS in 2007. Its flagship phone was called the HTC Dream, and it was built, as the name suggests, by HTC. Google was never a hardware company, but a few years back, they decided it was time to start being one. They had created an OS that was arguably superior to the iPhone, and it was time they had an official phone to go with it. The Pixel phone was first introduced in 2016. It wasn't a terrible phone, but it simply did not stand up against the big guns of the Android OS world-like the Galaxy and Note. Google learned a lot and the next year released a far better phone: the Pixel 2. In 2018, Google released its best phone yet: Google Pixel 3. Photographers and critics alike praised the camera, which many consider the best mobile camera on the market. Google was finally ready for its close up. Whether you are switching from an iPhone or another Android device, this book is for you. It will break down everything you need to know about the device and keep it ridiculously simple! Ready to learn more? Let's get started!