Mac OSX – How To Connect To A Remote Mac Using Apple Screen Sharing, For Free!

This article describes how to remote view another Mac using Apple Screen Sharing. There is no need to run any third party software as it can all be done using apple’s built in Screen Sharing services, for free! I’m using OS X EL Capitan, Version 10.11.13.

There is just one catch; both devices must use the same iCloud account. If you’re looking to connect to a Mac using different iCloud account then VNC is a good option. For now, I’ll concentrate on connecting to another Mac logged in with the same iCloud account.

Step 1: Open System Preferences on the Mac you plan to connect to from another device. click the Apple icon in the top-right bar, then select System Preferences…

Step 2: Click the Sharing icon.

Step 3: Tick Screen Sharing in the Service list

Step 4 (Optional): That’s all the configuration required to access you Mac remotely if on the same WLAN/LAN. The following step is required if you plan to connect to your Mac from a separate network. Head back to System preferences then select iCloud.

Tick Back To My Mac.

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Step 5: Head over to your other Mac device and open Finder. You should now see your remote Mac’s name under Shared devices. Click your device, then click Share Screen…

NOTE: If your remote Mac doesn’t appear in your Shared list, you may need to re-start Finder to scan for your device. (Apple Menu —> Force Quit… —> Select Finder and hit Relaunch)

The Share Screen button will Launch Apple’s built in Screen Sharing app allowing you to view and control your remote Mac.

You can right-click the Screen Sharing app icon from the dock while the app is running, then click Options, then Keep In Dock. This makes it easier to find the app in future. When the app is closed you can you can now right-click the app icon from the dock, then select your remote Mac to quickly connect.

 

 

 

iOS / Objective-c – Simple NSTimer

Here’s a simple use of NSTimer to repeatedly trigger a method call every X seconds in Objective-c, for iOS.

Declare NSTimer variable in header file

NSTimer *myTimer;

Initialise myTimer at the appropriate point in code. Could be viewDidLoad on iPhone or willActivate on Apple Watch. My example triggers the method named updateDisplay at 5 second intervals. Note that I’ve set repeats: YES.
You can trigger the method for a one off call after X seconds by setting repeats: NO.

myTimer= [NSTimerscheduledTimerWithTimeInterval:5.0

target:self

selector:@selector(updateDisplay)
userInfo:nil
repeats:YES];

The above code both primes and starts the timer.

To end the timer. Could be didDeactivate on apple Watch, for example

[myTimer invalidate];
myTimer = nil;

How to take a screenshot on Apple Watch

It’s a little tricky but you can take a screenshot on Apple Watch, handy when you want a live shot of an app your developing. Or perhaps you want a lasting reminder of some notification or other. Either way, follow these steps:

1. Get a good grip of your Apple watch.

If you wear with the side buttons facing your hand:

Placing your thumb on the smooth side
Rest your first finger over the digital crown
Rest your middle finger on the side button

If you wear with the side buttons facing your elbow:

Placing your first finger on the smooth side
Rest your thumb over the digital crown and the side button

2. Press the digital crown and side button at the same time.

The two buttons pressed at the same time will result in a screenshot of the current display. A flash of the screen accompanied by the camera shutter sound signifies a successful screenshot.

3. View and share the image

The screenshot from your Apple watch is saved to the paired iPhones camera roll. Open photos on iPhone to view your screenshot. Tap the share button to view the options.

P.S. you can see the full Apple Watch user guide here: apple.co/1IPuZoa

iOS – How long do Apple take to review your iPhone app?

LAST UPDATED: 25/06/2014

This is a difficult question to answer considering the varied range of complexities involved in testing an iPhone application.

I can however share my experience using Apple’s Developer Program and iTunes Connect.

Number of apps on the App Store: 42
Average time between submission and approval: 8.17 Days

Average time Waiting For Review: 6.74 Days
Average time In Review: 1.55 Days

Maximum time between submission and approval: 14 days
Minimum time between submission and approval: 5 days

Maximum time Waiting For Review: 13 Days
Minimum time Waiting For Review: 4 Days

Maximum. time In Review: 16 Days
Minimum time In Review: 30 minutes

Looking for an iPhone app? I can build it… get in touch 0844 833 0700 or rob@reactivapps.co.uk