Q. Can Apple AirTags track my family pet?
A. I recommend against AirTags for pet locations. AirTags depend on iPhones, and they only report their location every once in a while. They can work in some circumstances, but they are not the right tool most of the time. If you want to track your pet, use a GPS collar.
The GPS I use is made by a company called Fi, and they have an entire line of trackers of different sizes and capabilities to fit different sized pets.
They require a subscription, which might be a dealbreaker for some users. But the feature set goes far beyond simple location tracking. It tracks your pet’s walking, sleeping, and water intake. You can share data with a family member or share your dog’s path with a friend or on social media. And it helps you find furry friend if he or she is lost. If you are not as pet crazy as I am, you may want to consider a simpler tracker, such as the Aorkuler Dog GPS Tracker 2.
No matter your choice, I believe that GPS is an excellent option for pet tracking, and when paired with microchip IDs, they make the world a safer place for your family pet.
Q. Sometimes my new MacBook only charges to 80%. Why is this happening and can it be fixed?
A. Lithium-ion batteries have a longer shelf life and perform better overall if they are not routinely charged to 100%.
For this reason, most battery-powered Apple devices support something labeled “battery optimization.” When switched on, the device does not charge to 100% automatically.
When the maximum battery optimization is set to something less than 100%, your battery will last longer. This is especially useful for laptops that are plugged into A/C power most of the time. And for those times when you expect a long day, you can use the battery menu at the top right of the screen (or in System Settings) to force a single charge to full.
The 80% level can be changed by the user, although the setting is hard to find. On macOS Tahoe, go to System Settings, Battery, and tap on the faint “i” icon to the right of the word “Charging.”
This will reveal a new dialog window with an on-off switch and a slider to control the maximum charge level.
Besides these user settings, newer Apple devices try to learn your behavior patterns and optimize accordingly. Even if you do nothing, you may see optimized charging behavior.
Rest assured battery optimization is a real feature, not just a gimmick. It is worth your time to understand how to make it work best for you.
Q. I tried using the Apple Reminders app to track my daily activities. I find it confusing, and wonder if there is something else, perhaps simpler?
A. There are hundreds of to-do apps on the App Store, each one attempts to make task-tracking easier. I wrote about one that I liked called GoodTask a few months ago.
One of GoodTask’s key features is that it stores data in the same place as the Apple Reminders app, so any changes in one app appear in both apps. By using Apple’s data store, you are never locked into an app that may be discontinued someday. It also allows you the ultimate flexibility to change apps to meet your needs. No matter which app you use, your data is safe in iCloud.
There are two other apps in this category to be aware of, one simple and one complex.
The simple app is called Unforgettable. If you find Apple Reminders too confusing, Unforgettable may change your mind. It’s designed for people with attention issues, and it works as a helper to keep you focused. That’s it. It’s simple but sophisticated.
The other app is Finalist. This app is something like a personal manager, featuring a journal, to-dos, projects, a habit tracker, weather, and more. It’s extremely customizable and attempts to be a personal assistant who tells you want you need to know, and when.
Each of these apps is powerful and adaptable, and they support both simple and complex scenarios. Try each app to discover which one best fits your life.
Bob has been writing about technology for over three decades. He can be contacted at techtalk@bobdel.com.
