Spotlight is the powerful built-in search engine on Mac. Not only will it find just about any file or folder buried on your file system or attached drives, but it also doubles as a fantastically quick application launcher, dictionary lookup tool, and so much more.

If you aren’t using Spotlight on a regular basis yet you really should start doing so, and perhaps it’s just a matter of learning some great tips and shortcuts to help get you started.

With that in mind, here are 13 (11 original keystrokes + 2 bonus) helpful keyboard shortcuts and tricks to assist you in getting the most out of the excellent Mac search feature.

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iOS 5.1 was released a few days ago but some people are still having problems when trying to update. The download can time out, not start at all, or sometimes throw an error message saying “Unable to Check for Update. An error occurred while checking for a software update.” or “The network connection could not be established.”
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iTunes now allows you to convert higher bit rate songs to three options: 128 kbps, 192 kbps, and 256 kbps. Enabling this option lets you save storage space on an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad by compressing the music stored on the device. While intense audiofiles and those who want the absolute highest audio quality of their music will probably not want to use this feature due to the compression, most of us can’t tell the auditory difference between how a 256kbps AAC file vs a 192kbps ACC file sounds, thus it makes sense for many users to use. To use this feature, you’ll need iTunes and an iOS device, here’s what you’ll need to do:
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You may have noticed that with new versions of iOS on iPhone and iPod touch, the behavior changed for how to access the lock screen camera compared to iOS earlier versions. That camera change actually happened with iOS 5.1 and has carried forward to iOS 6, iOS 7, and iOS 8, and it has has caused some confusion as to how it works compared to earlier versions.

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The new iPad is a beautiful thing and will attract many more people to the platform, and so the big question is; which iPad 3 should you get? The answer is pretty simple: buy the 16GB Wi-Fi model. Here are four reasons the base model is perfect, and an attempt to answer questions about color and the never-ending Verizon vs AT&T debate.

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If you’re spending the time and money to develop an iOS app, don’t skimp on the icon. This may sound like silly advice, but the fact is a good icon can make your app stand out in the App Store and on a users home screen, encouraging both downloads and use.
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A version of Redsn0w has been released to jailbreak iOS 5.1 tethered. While easy to do and easy to reverse, be sure to understand the difference between a tethered and untethered jailbreak. Put simply, tethered means the device must be connected to a computer to boot properly and become usable. Some consider this annoying and therefore it is not always recommended.

Requirements

• Compatible with: iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 CDMA & GSM, iPod touch 2nd, 3rd, & 4th gen, iPad 1
• Download iOS 5.1 and update if you haven’t done so already
• Download Redsn0w 0.9.10b6, Mac & Windows versions are available

Notice that iPhone 4S, iPad 2, and iPad 3 are not supported by this jailbreak.

Jailbreak iOS 5.1 Tethered with Redsn0w

• Turn the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch OFF
• Connect the iOS device to the computer using the power cable
• Launch Redsn0w (run as Admin from Windows)
• Put the device into DFU mode: hold the Power button and home button together for 10 seconds, then release the Power button while continuing to hold Home for another 10 seconds
• Click “Jailbreak” in Redsn0w to start the jailbreaking process and click “Next” when asked, you’ll see some console gibberish appear on the screen and when finished you’ll be back at the iOS home screen



• Now you must boot tethered, put the iOS device back into DFU mode (hold Power button & home button for 10 seconds, release Power and hold Home for 10 more seconds) and launch Redsn0w again, click on “Extras” and click on on “Just Boot”



• When the iOS device boots, it will be fully usable

Every time the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is turned on or off it will need to be booted using the Redsn0w tether. This means if the battery dies or the device is rebooted for any reason, you will need to connect the iOS device to a computer running Redsn0w and choose the same “Boot Tethered” option from the Extras menu. If you jailbreak and have the white Cydia icon this means you did not perform a tethered boot, launch redsn0w and do so to resolve that.

Currently iBooks does not work either, if you’re in the midst of reading a page turning novel you may want to avoid this jailbreak for the time being.

The latest version of iOS 5.1 is already jailbroken thanks to the iPhone Dev Team’s newest release of Redsn0w. The jailbreak is tethered however, meaning that each time the iOS device is rebooted it will need to be connected to a computer running redsn0w for boot assistance. iBooks doesn’t yet work either, but an update is expected to resolve that issue shortly. If neither of these two things bother you, grab the jailbreak and enjoy.

Redsn0w 0.9.10b6 works with the following devices running iOS 5.1: iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 CDMA & GSM, iPod touch 2nd, 3rd, & 4th gen, iPad 1. Not supported are any A5 based hardware, including iPhone 4S, iPad 2, and iPad 3.

Download Redsn0w 0.9.10b6

• Download now (Mac)
• Download now (Windows)

For those jailbreaking from a Windows machine, remember to run Redsn0w in administrator mode in order to work properly.

If you like watching Apple keynotes and you want to see a presentation on the iPad 3, you don’t want to miss the March 7 2012 event video. Because who better to show you the new iPad 3 and Apple TV 3 than Apple themselves?

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Alongside the new iPad, Apple has started to air a new TV commercial for the device. The ad focuses on the iPads new Retina display, which by all accounts is simply gorgeous in person. Text of the commercial is as follows:

“When a screen becomes this good, colors are more vibrant, words are pin sharp, everything is more brilliant. Because when a screen becomes this good, it’s simply you and the things you care about. The stunning retina display, on the new iPad.”

The resolution of the new iPads display is 2048×1536, twice that of it’s predecessor. The screen is also said to have better color reproduction and improved saturation.

You can pre-order the new iPad right now, the release date is set for March 16.

iTunes 10.6 has been released alongside iOS 5.1. The update includes 1080P support for movies and TV shows downloaded from iTunes Store, but otherwise is fairly minor and includes several bug fixes and improves song matching and how album art is handled.

You can grab the 10.6 update directly from Apple at the link below, through Software Update, or through iTunes itself.

• Download iTunes from Apple

If you intend on performing a manual iOS 5.1 installation through firmware, you’ll want to download iTunes 10.6 beforehand as well.

iOS 5.1 has been released, alongside the new iPad 3 and new Apple TV. The update brings a variety of new features and bug fixes to iOS including the ability to delete images from Photo Stream, camera shortcut visible by default on lock screen, improved camera face detection, Japanese language support for Siri, genius mixes for iTunes Match, updated AT&T network indicator, improved battery life, and more.

You can get the iOS 5.1 software update directly on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch by using OTA Update, otherwise you can update through iTunes or by downloading the IPSW and performing a manual upgrade.

We have included links to the firmware files below, they are hosted by Apple.
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The all new iPad (iPad 3?) has just been announced, and pre-orders start now March 7!

The actual release date is March 16, and you can expect the traditionally giant lines and sell-outs as usual. because of this, pre-ordering is highly recommended if you don’t want to wait in lines at Apple Stores, or deal with the inevitable supply deficits that have occurred with every major new iOS product launch.

You can now pre-order on Apple’s Online Store, either directly on the website or through the mobile app. If you’re having problems checking out through store.apple.com, download the free Apple Store app from iTunes and check out there instead.

It should be noted that the March 16 release date is for the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia.

International customers will get the new iPad on March 23, including the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Puertostan, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

Also available for order today is the new Apple TV 3 with 1080p, that device will also ship next week and has the same release date.

Thanks to Engadget live stream for the latter images

The new iPad has been announced by Apple! As expected, it has an amazing retina display, a big performance boost, and a new model with high-speed 4G LTE capabilities alongside the standard Wi-Fi fare. Here are some more details of the latest iPad:

iPad 3 Features & Specs

Here is what we know about the next iPad:

• Retina display, with a resolution of 2048×1536, 3.1 million pixels at 264ppi
• A5X Processor, quad-core graphics
• 1GB of RAM
• 5 megapixel iSight camera
• 1080p video recording
• Voice dictation, similar to Siri without the questions
• 3G & 4G LTE connectivity
• 10 hour battery life, 9 hour battery on 4G
• 9.4mm thick, weighs 1.4lbs
• Pre-orders start TODAY, available on March 16
• iOS 5.1

4G support comes to both Verizon and AT&T. Outside of the USA, 4G LTE will also be offered on Rogers, Bell, and Telus initially, presumably with more carriers to come down the road. The iPad can also be used as a personal hotspot with it’s 4G speeds, although the price of that varies per carrier.

New iPad 3 Prices

Both black & white models will be available, as usual:

New iPad with Wi-Fi Prices

• 16GB Wi-Fi – $499
• 32GB Wi-Fi – $599
• 64GB Wi-Fi – $699

New iPad with 4G LTE Prices

• 16GB 4G LTE – $629
• 32GB 4G LTE – $729
• 64GB 4G LTE – $829

(Officially, the new iPad is called “iPad” and referred to as the “3rd generation” model, but many people will call it iPad 3 anyway.)

Apple announced a new Apple TV today, physically the device looks the same as the old version, but that’s where most of the similarities end. The new Apple TV is more powerful, and boasts 1080p output, and includes a completely redesigned UI with iCloud integration.

Here’s what we know so far:

• All new user interface, looks more like iOS
• 1080p output
• Single Core A5 Processor
• Supports iCloud movies
• Connected to iCloud, including Photo Stream, iTunes, Netflix etc
• $99
• Shipping starts March 7

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The next time you’re reading a web page that you want to share with someone else through email, just hit Command+Shift+I while viewing that website. A new email draft will open in the default email application, with the web pages title as the message subject, and the URL contained within the message body.

The keyboard shortcut works in Safari and Chrome only, and will open the new email draft in Mail by default. If you have Gmail set as your default email client that will open in a new window instead.

What happens when you merge classic Super Mario Bros with the modern classic Portal? It’s hectic, it’s a ton of fun, it’s Mari0. Basically you get old school Mario re-imagined with a portal gun and a variety of Portal puzzles and mechanics. There’s also an insane four player co-op mode, level editor, and downloadable third party map packs.

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You probably know by now that you can get album art from iTunes via the Advanced menu. That will fill in most missing album covers, but bands that don’t sell their music through iTunes or music downloaded from Soundcloud and blogs often don’t have any artwork attached. In this case you can manually add artwork yourself to either an album or group of songs:

1. Find the intended artwork using Google Images or Bing Images search, generally adding an ‘album’ suffix to the search will find what you’re looking for instantly, save it somewhere like the desktop so it’s easy to retrieve
2. Launch iTunes and select the album or group of songs you want to add artwork for, right-click on that group and choose “Get Info”



3. Mark the checkbox next to “Artwork” and drag and drop the album artwork image you found earlier onto the box



4. Click “OK” to process the songs album artwork

To add a single piece of artwork to a large group of songs or albums, it’s helpful to use the iTunes search feature and then selecting all. You can always unselect certain songs in a large group by holding down the Command key and clicking on them manually, anything not selected won’t be updated. Remember to check Apple’s album cover art servers before going alone, simply because it’s easier.

Any artwork added will sync to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch the next time such a device is connected, and will also appear as the Dock icon if you replaced it with DockArt.