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Bradley C

Bradley C

Bradley started his career in telecommunications, working for the original IP TV provider in the US, and also was part of their fiber-to-the-home rollout. From 2009-2021, Bradley worked for a private school, running the information technology department and technology integration in the classroom. He manages a network of 15 switches, 100+ access points, hundreds of Macs and iPads, and multiple phone systems across four separate campuses across the city. He’s well-versed in enterprise Wi-Fi, macOS and iOS system management, school technology, and SaaS tools. Currently, he works at Cribl, where he runs content marketing, helping companies understand how to manage observability data best. At 9to5Mac, Bradley covers HomeKit technology, enterprise software, enterprise hardware, and how Apple fits into the enterprise environment.

If you have any tips, feedback, corrections, or questions, they can be sent to Bradley@9to5mac.com.

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Apple @ Work: Why iPhone OS 2.0 was critical to Apple’s enterprise success in 2023

iPhone 2.0 launch exchange

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Kolide, the device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your cloud apps.  If you have Okta, Kolide can help you get your fleet to 100% compliance.  They’re Zero Trust for Okta. Learn more or request a demo today.

When the iPhone was first released in 2007, it was primarily marketed as a consumer device. It quickly became a hit with consumers, but it wasn’t immediately clear how it would fit into the enterprise market. At the time, BlackBerry was the dominant player in the corporate world, and it seemed unlikely that the iPhone would be able to unseat it without changing how it worked. Some CEOs were able to get the Exchange email working with iPhone using IMAP, but Apple lacked the native Exchange support that was required for push email, calendar, and contact syncing.

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HomeKit Weekly: HomeKit or not to HomeKit, that is the question

Philips Hue Matter support | Living room scene

One of the biggest challenges with a smart home is knowing…when you’ve gone too far with your gear purchases and your home is so heavily tied to a smart home platform that without access to Wi-Fi, your home is fundamentally useless. For this week’s edition of HomeKit Weekly, I want to explain how I’ve tackled this problem and how to know when too much HomeKit is just too much.

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HomeKit Weekly: A roundup of the best Homekit-enabled air purifiers

HomeKit Air Purifier

With air pollution becoming an increasingly prevalent issue in many urban areas, finding ways to improve indoor air quality has become a top priority for many homeowners. Fortunately, with the advent of smart home technology, we now have access to a range of high-tech air purifiers that not only helps to remove harmful pollutants from the air but can also be controlled remotely using our smartphones or voice assistants. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the top HomeKit air purifier options on the market today, and explore how they can help you breathe easier and stay healthy in your own home.

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Apple @ Work Podcast: The identity problem in K-12 is solved with Clever

Apple at work podcast

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that fully integrates 5 different applications on a single Apple-only platform, allowing Businesses to easily and automatically deploy, manage & protect all their Apple devices. Over 38,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment,  management, and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

In this episode of Apple @ Work, I chat with Eric Krugler from Clever about their solutions for K-12.

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Apple @ Work: The role of professional services teams in Apple deployments can’t be understated

Macs for work

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that fully integrates 5 different applications on a single Apple-only platform, allowing Businesses to easily and automatically deploy, manage & protect all their Apple devices. Over 38,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment,  management, and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

Apple’s success in the enterprise market over the past few years has made waves among business owners and IT professionals. The company’s seamless integration into existing systems has been a major draw as they look to make their employees more productive without overhauling current infrastructure. Integration with existing IT infrastructure is increasingly important to businesses that have turned to Apple devices and services.

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HomeKit Weekly: Aqara Presence Sensor FP2 sets a new standard for motion sensor technology in the home

Aqara Presence Sensor FP2

Aqara is one of the best value brands for HomeKit products today. You can add its M2 hub as your starter kit, and then start layering on devices like the low-cost water leak sensor, motion sensor, and door sensors. Aqara continues to innovate with products that work great with HomeKit, and today, they’ve released a brand new product. The Aqara Presence Sensor FP2 is a new millimeter wave motion sensor that is taking smart home automation to the next level. This new motion sensor device is loaded with features that make it one of the most versatile and precise sensors on the market today. It does require an Aqara hub, but thankfully, there are plenty of options like the M2 I listed above or the M1S hub.

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Apple @ Work: What’s the role of iWork in a world dominated by Google Workspace and Microsoft 365?

iWork

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Kolide, the device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your cloud apps.  If you have Okta, Kolide can help you get your fleet to 100% compliance.  They’re Zero Trust for Okta. Learn more or request a demo today.

Apple’s Keynote, the presentation software that is part of the iWork suite, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Despite the dominance of Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 in the workplace, iWork still plays an important role in the productivity of many businesses.

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HomeKit Weekly: Matter support comes to smart plugs with the Meross MSS115

Meross MSS115

Back in November 2022, Meross announced the Meross MSS115. It was one of the first smart plugs with Matter support that was available to purchase. After a few months at the preorder stage, I finally got my hands on the product and was able to spend some time with it. Is it better than other products that focus on HomeKit only? Let’s dive in.

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Apple @ Work Podcast: Fleet announces open-source, cross-platform device management platform

Apple at work podcast

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that fully integrates 5 different applications on a single Apple-only platform, allowing Businesses to easily and automatically deploy, manage & protect all their Apple devices. Over 38,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment,  management, and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

In this episode of Apple @ Work, I chat with Mike McNeil and Zach Wasserman from Fleet about its new open-source, cross-platform device management platform.

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Apple @ Work: Apple’s separation of security and features – a game-changer for device security

Rapid Security Response

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that fully integrates 5 different applications on a single Apple-only platform, allowing Businesses to easily and automatically deploy, manage & protect all their Apple devices. Over 38,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment,  management, and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

As we increasingly rely on technology for communication, work, and entertainment, it’s crucial to ensure the security of our devices. Apple has long been a leader in this regard, and it continues to set the standard with their approach to security. In this week’s blog, I want to look at how I believe Apple is taking a critical step forward with its new Rapid Security Response protocol and how it’s charting a new path forward where security updates are separated from feature updates.

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HomeKit Weekly: SwitchBot Hub 2 brings Matter support to multiple Switchbot devices

SwitchBot Hub 2

As smart home technology continues to evolve and grow in popularity, manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to make their products more versatile and convenient for users. One such company is Switchbot, known for its innovative Button pusher devices that allow users to automate non-smart home devices with ease. Until recently, Switchbot products were not compatible with Apple’s HomeKit without the use of a Homebridge setup. However, with the emergence of Matter, a new smart home connectivity standard, that’s all about to change with SwitchBot Hub 2.

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Apple @ Work: Dear Apple, it’s time to retire the DUNS requirement for Apple Business Manager sign-ups

Apple Business Manager

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Kolide, the device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your cloud apps.  If you have Okta, Kolide can help you get your fleet to 100% compliance.  They’re Zero Trust for Okta. Learn more or request a demo today.

Apple Business Manager (AMB) is the tool that allows organizations to manage and deploy Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It’s a web-based portal that provides a centralized location to create and manage Apple IDs, configure device settings, and purchase and distribute apps and books. It’s also the centralized portal where device serial numbers are automatically added when purchased by a business through Apple or an authorized retailer. With ABM, device management becomes a streamlined and efficient process as it allows for a zero-touch deployment model.

There’s one problem with ABM: The sign-up process is a pain for everyone involved. Keep reading to learn how Apple should evolve Apple Business Manager to even better serve the needs of its clients by both simplifying the sign-up process as well as additionally allowing the flexibility of offloading that process to outsourced IT Managed Service Providers and other Apple consultants in the Apple Consultants Network.

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HomeKit Weekly: Starling Home Hub brings 24/7 monitoring to Nest smoke detectors with HomeKit compatibility

Starling Protect

One of the industries I have some prior experience with is home and business security systems. In my first job out of college, I helped an independent telephone company launch a new business line offering installation and monitoring services. It’s been an industry I’ve followed since then. In my home, I currently use the abode alarm system, and I love it. It offers HomeKit compatibility as well. What if you invested in a Nest Secure system or are using the Nest Smoke Alarms and want HomeKit compatibility and 24/7 monitoring? Google discontinued support on the Nest Secure in favor of the new ADT partnership, and there is no stand-alone smoke detector monitoring offered by Google. That’s the bridge the new service from the Starling Home Hub manufacturer aims to offer with Starling Protect.

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Eve HomeKit

Eve announces Matter firmware upgrades are coming on April 17 for a more reliable HomeKit experience

Eve has been at the forefront of the Matter upgrades for its products, and today, it has announced the release of its latest line of out-of-the-box Matter-enabled devices. Customers can now purchase the Eve Energy smart plug for North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom, while the Eve Motion and Eve Door & Window sensors will be available on April 17. Existing users of the latest HomeKit and Thread-enabled models of Eve Energy, Eve Motion, and Eve Door & Window can also upgrade their devices to Matter for free via the Eve app for iPhone and iPad starting April 17.

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Apple @ Work: Healthcare challenges with Apple devices

Apple at work podcast

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that fully integrates 5 different applications on a single Apple-only platform, allowing Businesses to easily and automatically deploy, manage & protect all their Apple devices. Over 38,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment,  management, and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

In this episode of Apple @ Work, I talk with Rachana Vijayan from Hexnode about the challenges of managing devices in a healthcare environment.

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Apple @ Work: Pigs sometimes fly or Apple allowed IdP integration for faster and more scalable deployments

Mac IdP integration

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that fully integrates 5 different applications on a single Apple-only platform, allowing Businesses to easily and automatically deploy, manage & protect all their Apple devices. Over 38,000 organizations leverage Mosyle solutions to automate the deployment,  management, and security of millions of Apple devices daily. Request a FREE account today and discover how you can put your Apple fleet on auto-pilot at a price point that is hard to believe.

As more and more businesses adopt Mac devices for their employees, the integration of identity providers (IdP) has become increasingly important for the enterprise. But what exactly is an IdP and why is it so crucial for Mac integration in the enterprise?

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HomeKit Weekly: Aqara brings HomeKit Secure Video to a battery-powered doorbell for the first time

Aqara Video Doorbell G4

Smart doorbells have become a popular option for homeowners who want to keep an eye on their front door while also triggering some HomeKit automation as well. Battery-powered doorbells are easy to install and offer a range of features that make them an excellent alternative to traditional wired doorbells. In this week’s HomeKit Weekly, we’ll look at the benefits of battery-powered doorbells and review the Aqara G4 video doorbell, a wireless smart doorbell that offers a range of features and benefits for folks looking for an easy-to-install HomeKit doorbell.

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Apple @ Work Podcast: Business banking made digital with American Express

Apple at work podcast

Sponsored by Kolide Kolide’s method means fewer support tickets, less frustration, and most importantly: 100% fleet compliance. Visit kolide.com/appleatwork to learn more or book a demo.

In this episode of Apple @ Work, I talk with Stewart Kendall and Catherine Lynn from American Express about “super apps” in finance and how business banking has evolved in recent years.

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Apple @ Work: 1Password gains deep integration with an Okta driven unlock option

1Password Okta

Apple @ Work is brought to you by Kolide, the device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your cloud apps.  If you have Okta, Kolide can help you get your fleet to 100% compliance.  They’re Zero Trust for Okta. Learn more or request a demo today.

As remote work continues to become the norm, businesses are finding it increasingly important to have a reliable identity management solution in place. Okta, a leading identity and access management platform, has become a vital component of this infrastructure for many enterprises. With its ability to manage user authentication and authorization across multiple systems and applications, Okta has become an essential tool for businesses that operate remotely. Now, 1Password has gained deeper integration with Okta – making both platforms that much more valuable.

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HomeKit Weekly: This one HomeKit item might save you thousands of dollars

HomeKit water leak sensor

I’ve always been paranoid about water damage in my home. We have hardwood floors throughout our home. If you’re a homeowner, you know the cost of repairing them if you have water damage. A slow drip from a leaky sink can turn into thousands of dollars in repair costs. Thankfully, with a HomeKit-enabled flood sensor from FIBARO, you can easily know when there’s water where there shouldn’t be before it turns into a major issue. Read on to learn why the FIBARO water leak sensor is the ideal option to use under all of your sinks.

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