Author: Bob Levitus

Bob LeVitus, often referred to as “Dr. Mac,” is a well-known authority on all things Macintosh, OS X, and Apple devices including the iPad and iPhone. One of the Apple community’s most trusted advisors for almost thirty years, he’s known for his trademark humorous style and unerring ability to translate “techie” jargon into usable and fun advice for regular folks. He's written more than 80 books including macOS Sierra For Dummies, iPhone For Dummies, and iPad For Dummies. And, for the past 20 years, he's written the Dr. Mac column for the Houston Chronicle (which he still does). He's also been writing for The Mac Observer for almost as long (he still does that, too). Bob has been published in more than a dozen computer magazines over the past thirty years including: a three-year stint as Editor-in-Chief of the irreverent and unpredictable MACazine and four different columns in MacUser magazine: Beating the System, Personal Best, Game Room, and the Help Folder (with Andy Ihnatko, and later, Chris Breen). Though best known for writing, he’s also dabbled in broadcasting with a radio show (Inside Mac Radio, CNET Radio, 2001-2002) and hosted a popular television series (Mac Today, Syndicated, 1992–1993). Another of Bob’s loves is teaching, which he's been doing at University of Texas Informal Classes for over a decade, with well-loved courses including, iPhone for Smart People, Making Music with GarageBand, and soon, Working Smarter for Mac Users. Always in-demand as a speaker, Bob has presented more than 200 seminars, workshops, conferences, and training sessions in the U.S. and abroad, and given Macworld Expo keynotes in three countries, He's also done presentations at countless Apple Stores, and at least three world-famous Geek Cruises. Last but not least, Bob won the Macworld Expo MacJeopardy World Championship three times before retiring his crown. He did not, however, return the Rocket J. Squirrel Memorial Cup, which is still displayed prominently in his office. Prior to giving in to his obsessions with Apple technology and productivity, Bob worked in advertising, producing television commercials, radio spots, and print ads for Kresser & Robbins and SelecTV, in Los Angeles. Bob holds a B.S. in Marketing from California State University and lives in beautiful (and over-crowded) Austin, Texas with his beautiful wife, Lisa, and Zeke the Wonder Vizsla, with occasional visits from now-adult children Allison and Jacob.

DO YOU THINK CONSUMER REPORTS WILL RUN THIS IN THE SELLING IT COLUMN?

Bob Levitus
Posted by: Bob Levitus Date: March 31, 2016
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You know how Consumer Reports magazine has the Selling Itcolumn on the inside back cover? You know, the one that pokes fun at goofs and glitches in ads and solicitations? I recently received this direct mail piece from none other than Consumer Reports:  I thought the way they redefined the word “free” was a goof (or, at least a glitch), so I submitted it last month. I’d say the odds of it running in the magazine are slim and none. But I could be…

ITUNES MUST DIE! NOW A FREE DOWNLOAD!!!

Bob Levitus
Posted by: Bob Levitus Date: March 26, 2016
2 Likes 465 Views

After being rejected by the iTunes Store and selling a whopping two copies, I’m giving up on my dream of becoming the next Weird Al. So, if you’d like to download and enjoy a free copy of iTunes Must Die,click here. If you’d like to download the lyrics and guitar chords to iTunes Must Die, click here. And by popular request, here are two short excerpts from the uncompleted music video for iTunes Must Die: Note that both movies were shot with…

SWITCH APPS ON YOUR IPHONE 6S OR 6S PLUS WITHOUT TOUCHING THE HOME BUTTON!

Bob Levitus
Posted by: Bob Levitus Date: March 24, 2016
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I usually switch apps using the “double-tap the home button to access the app switcher” shortcut, but recently learned that there’s an easier way. Excuse me if you already know this one, but it was new to me (a few months ago) and most of the people I’ve shown it to have been surprised. I made a short (42 second) video that shows both techniques—the old school double-tap the home button technique first, followed by the newfangled 3D press/swipe on…

A $25 STAND-UP DESK + A MICROSOFT TECH SUPPORT JOKE

Bob Levitus
Posted by: Bob Levitus Date: March 21, 2016
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In addition to making progress on my Working Smarter for Mac Users eBook and online course last week, I managed to write both a column and an editorial for Mac Observer, something I rarely have the time or inclination for.  The column is: A Usable Stand-Up Desk for $25? Yes! And, in fact, I thought the $25 stand-up desk—called Oristand—was so cool I made a video of assembling one in under 30 seconds. The editorial is: Microsoft OneDrive Drives Me Nuts, and it includes a hilarious (and totally appropriate) Microsoft…

DESKTOP PRINTER INK WARS PARTS I & II

Bob Levitus
Posted by: Bob Levitus Date: March 10, 2016
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I was understandably excited when not one but two printer makers offered me an opportunity to test their new initiatives for making inkjet printer ink more palatable to consumers.  Epson’s approach features five new “EcoTank” printers, which include huge ink reservoirs that are big enough for up to two years worth of ink—the equivalent of 20 sets of ink cartridges. Hewlett-Packard (HP) has a radically different approach, offering the Instant Ink program, “designed to save consumers up to 50 percent on the cost…

WHAT ARE YOUR RABBIT HOLES?

Bob Levitus
Posted by: Bob Levitus Date: March 8, 2016
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So… Having confessed to being a serial procrastinator, I’m curious: What are your biggest rabbit holes—the things you find yourself doing instead of real work. Mine include (but aren’t limited to): guitars, social media, Logic Pro or GarageBand, and that damn Strike Skilz bowling game I keep playing on my iDevices.  I’d love to know what your rabbit holes are… so I can help you figure out the best way to avoid them when you’re working. That’s all for now. Thanks…

CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL PROCRASTINATOR

Bob Levitus
Posted by: Bob Levitus Date: February 20, 2016
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Or, “How I learned to get stuff done after learning I have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).” I’m tryin’ to think, but nothin’ happens.—Curly Stooge So here I am, trying to write the first piece for my new Working Smarter for Mac Users blog and newsletter. But, as Curly Stooge was so fond of saying, “I’m tryin’ to think, but nothin’ happens.” Then, the little voice-inside-my-head starts in with, “Just play a little Real Racing 3 and your creative juices will flow like wine.” Once…