XDA Basics: How to insert Special Characters on a Mac

Every language has its own unique special characters. If you need to type any of those special characters on a Mac, it’s easier than you might think. Also known as “diacritical marks”, these can be anything from the German umlaut (Müller) to “Smith née Jones” (indicating a person’s former name). Spanish also has its own special characters, such as the word “años”.

So how are these special characters typed on a Mac keyboard? Unless you have a country-specific keyboard with the special characters for that country already on the keys, this is what you will need to do.

Select Special Characters On Mac On-Screen Menus

This is probably the easiest way to make the special characters on a Mac appear, but it doesn’t work everywhere. For example, when I tried doing this in LibreOffice, it failed. But it works in browsers and Apple programs such as Pages and TextEdit. But if it doesn’t work in your preferred program, just open up a TextEdit document, insert the special character over there, then copy and paste it over. A bit more time-consuming but it still gets the job done.

Quite simply, when you need to insert a special character above a particular letter, hold that letter down on the keyboard and a menu will immediately pop up with the different possible special character combinations. Then either type the number underneath the one you want or click on the one you want with your mouse/trackpad. It will then appear on your screen.

The Keyboard Viewer

There are so many special characters, besides the obvious ones, and it’s entirely possible that you don’t have a clue as to the full extent of them all. To get an immediate overview, or to locate one that is eluding you, you can turn to the keyboard viewer.

To activate the keyboard viewer, go to “System Preferences”, then select “Keyboard”. Once there, click on the “Input Sources” tab and tick the checkbox labeled “Show Input menu in menu bar”.

This will then appear in your top menu bar next to the battery and clock, which you should right-click to reveal a menu. Choose “Show Keyboard Viewer”.

The Keyboard Viewer will now appear on the screen.

You’ll immediately notice that a couple of the keys are outlined in orange. This means that if you hold down the Option key in conjunction with one of these keys, several special character options will be presented to you in a menu for you to choose from.

If you hold down the Option key while the Keyboard Viewer is open, the keyboard will change to show you all the possible special character combinations you can have. To get that special character, just hold the necessary key down on the keyboard.

Country-Specific Keyboards

If you are going to be making a regular habit of typing certain special characters on a Mac, such as German umlauts, then it may be worth buying a QWERTZ German keyboard that has these keys already there. If this interests you, you can pick one up at Amazon.

The post XDA Basics: How to insert Special Characters on a Mac appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/31Qizgq
via IFTTT

Google just might have leaked the Pixel Buds A itself

Google’s first foray into the world of Truly Wireless Stereo (TWS) earphones came in the Pixel Buds. Launched during the Made By Google event in 2019, the second-gen Pixel Buds not only fixed many flaws of its predecessor but also improved the overall sound quality while getting rid of the wire. Last month, we learned that Google was working on a more affordable pair of earphones called Pixel Buds A. This was followed by a new report a week later that revealed some more info about the earphones, including their color schemes. Now Google might just have accidentally given us a first look at the Pixel Buds A.

In a recent email sent to Google Nest users (via Droid-Life), Google has attached a promotional slide showcasing various Nest products. Among these devices, there’s a small image of TWS earphones in a green colorway which seemingly fits the description of the rumored Pixel Buds A.

The image shows the earphones in an all-green color, with the interior of the case and inner plastic part also sporting the green color scheme. For reference, the existing Quite Mint model’s charging case has a black interior and inner plastic part, and ear tips are also black.

The shade of green is also much darker than the Quite Mint Pixel Buds. This matches the earlier report, which said the new Pixel Buds would sport a darker forest green color. Finally, the case shown in the image shows the charging LED located towards the top — close to the case lid. This charging light sits at the bottom on the current model, as you can see in the left image above.

The new Google TWS earphones are expected to retain the overall design of the 2nd generation Buds, but would likely ditch some features and functionality in favor of a more affordable price tag. Google already offers a more affordable version of the standard Pixel for the last 2 generations, and looks like the Mountain View giant is now looking to extend this same approach to its earphones lineup. Google hasn’t yet confirmed when it plans to unveil the Pixel Buds A, but there’s a good chance we might see it launch alongside the rumored Pixel 5a.

---

Featured image: Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) in Quite Mint

The post Google just might have leaked the Pixel Buds A itself appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3rXNeDg
via IFTTT

The best OnePlus 9 clear cases of April 2021: Spigen, Poetic, and more!

You purchased the OnePlus 9, now it’s time to grab a case! If you picked up the beautiful Winter Mist colorway of the new flagship though, you may be reluctant to put a case on it and hide away the color. That’s where clear cases come in! You can have the best of both worlds, with protection as well as letting your phone’s color shine through. Some clear cases even have some neat patterns and effects to give your phone a neat look, too. We’ve rounded up the best OnePlus 9 clear cases below, so you don’t have to hunt for them yourself.

These cases are for the standard OnePlus 9. They will not fit the OnePlus 9 Pro. Make sure to check out our OnePlus 9 Pro case round-ups to cover your premium flagship.

Profer Shockproof Case

Clear and Shockproof

This is a transparent case that will protect the corners of your phone. If you don't like the bulkiness of full rubber protectors, this will be the case to get.

View at Amazon

Qitayo Case and Screen Protector Combo

Protect Front and Back

Get a clear case, plus some screen protectors! With Qitayo's offering, you'll be be able to easily protect your OnePlus 9, front and back.

View at Amazon

Spigen Ultra Hybrid Case

Rubber Sides Protect

Spigen is always a good case brand, and the Ultra Hybrid doesn't disappoint. The rubber edges are not transparent, but they'll be sure to protect your phone from shocks and falls.

View at Amazon

Poetic Affinity Case

Military Protection with Texture

Poetic Affinity provides military grade protection, and they also have a neat pattern on the transparent back of the case. It's not camo, but it does make your phone look pretty military-like.

View at Amazon

Chenlingy Clear Case 3-Pack

Fun Designs and Corner Protection

Why only get one case, when you can have three? Each of these clear cases has a different design on the back, so you can choose the one you like most, and switch it out whenever!

View at Amazon

Moingo Clear Case

Wild Design Blends with Phone

This clear case has a really cool effect on the back that plays with your phone's colorway. If you want a unique look, this is the case to grab!

View at Amazon

If I had to pick a favorite out of these best OnePlus 9 cases, I’d have to go with Moingo’s case. It just looks so cool! I love how the pattern uses your phone’s colorway to make a really neat-looking effect. If you’re just going for something that protects while seeing the back though, I’d go with Spigen’s case. It protects all of the OnePlus 9’s sides and allows your phone’s colorway to still be seen. If you are looking for more options including ones with opaque backs, you can also check out the best OnePlus 9 cases.

If you still need to grab your OnePlus 9, check the link below!

OnePlus 9

The OnePlus 9 is here! Enjoy 5G and the Hasselblad cameras for a reasonable price.

Order at OnePlus

The post The best OnePlus 9 clear cases of April 2021: Spigen, Poetic, and more! appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3mqvNtK
via IFTTT

Google Play Music’s final update lets you hide the app on your phone

The Google Play Music app on Android is receiving one final update that brings a new option to help you hide the app from your phone’s app drawer. The update comes just weeks after Google removed the option to let users download their Play Music library using Google Takeout.

As per a recent report from 9to5Google, the last Google Play Music update (v. 8.29.9112-1.W) has already started rolling out to users via the Play Store. Although you’ll still see a “Google Play Music is no longer available” screen following the update, the app now has a new “Free up space” section at the bottom. This section will help you “delete the Google Play Music local data from your device to free up space.”

Screenshots: 9to5Google

The new Free up space section in Google Play Music includes three options — Hide app, Delete all local data, and Open app info. The Hide app option lets you hide the app from your phone’s home screen and app drawer, the Delete all local data option removes saved data from your device, and the Open app info option brings up the “App info” page. The Hide app option is the final nail in the coffin for Google Play Music, as it not only removes the app from your app drawer but it also prevents you from opening it.

The new Google Play Music update addresses a key concern for those who have devices that came with the app pre-installed. On such devices, Google Play Music is installed as a system app, and, therefore, it can only be disabled from the “App info” page. Thanks to the update, users will now be able to easily remove the app and all local data from their phones.

The update makes no difference for devices that came with YouTube Music pre-installed. That’s because you can uninstall Google Play Music on such devices just like you would uninstall any other app downloaded from the Play Store. If you have such a device, you should see an uninstall button on the app’s Play Store listing.

Google Play Music (Free, Google Play) →

The post Google Play Music’s final update lets you hide the app on your phone appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2OsPNiZ
via IFTTT

AutoSheets is a new Tasker plugin to automate spreadsheet editing on Google Sheets

Popular automation app Tasker today received a new plugin, called AutoSheets, that will let you easily automate spreadsheet editing on Google Sheets. The new plugin comes a few weeks after Tasker received an update on the beta channel that introduced a new feature to help users create custom sleep trackers.

As per a recent blog post by Tasker developer João Dias, the new AutoSheets plugin will let you automate just about anything in Google Sheets. The plugin supports a wide variety of actions at launch, including:

• Add Rows: append rows of data to the end of a sheet or insert them somewhere in the middle of the sheet
• Add Sheet: add a new Sheet (tab) at the bottom of your spreadsheet
• Create Spreadsheet: create a whole new spreadsheet
• Delete Cell Content: clear the contents of cells without actually removing lines of columns from the sheet
• Delete Rows/Columns: remove rows and columns from sheets along with their content
• Duplicate Sheet: Create a new sheet inside a spreadsheet which is a copy of an existing sheet
• Format Cells: change the appearance of cells on your sheets like background or text color
• Get Cell: a simple way to get the value of a single cell on your sheet based on its location or the value of a cell on a different column (great for Cloud Variables)
• Get Data: get multiple rows/columns of data at the same time. Optionally name the output data as multiple arrays for easier data parsing
• Get Spreadsheet: get info on a spreadsheet itself like its ID, sheet names, etc
• Insert Empty Rows/Columns: Simply insert new rows/columns with no content
• Update Cells: update the content of cells without inserting any new rows/columns

The following video shows how you can use the aforementioned actions to log events in a spreadsheet automatically:

You can use the AutoSheet Tasker plugin to log notifications from specific apps on your phone automatically. For example, you can use it to log notifications from your banking apps to keep track of your daily expenditures. It can also be used to automatically log fitness data, home automation data, and location data. Furthermore, experienced Tasker users can utilize the new plugin to store Tasker Variables in a spreadsheet.

Want to give it a shot? Check out a few sample AutoSheets projects to get a feel for the plugin by following this link. If you’re new to the automation app, make sure to check out our Tasker forums for tips and tricks that will help you make the most of it.

Tasker ($3.49, Google Play) →

AutoSheets (Free, Google Play) →

The post AutoSheets is a new Tasker plugin to automate spreadsheet editing on Google Sheets appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3s0POIy
via IFTTT

Signal starts testing a privacy-focused payments feature

Signal has rolled out several new features over the last couple of months to capitalize on the recent backlash against its biggest competitor WhatsApp. The privacy-focused messaging service has rolled out support for encrypted group calls, custom wallpapers, animated stickers, and more. It has also received a new backup feature that lets you transfer chats to a new device easily. In order to give users a viable alternative to WhatsApp Payments, Signal has now started testing a new privacy-focused payments feature in the UK.

As per a recent blog post from Signal’s developers, the latest beta update for the app brings support for a new feature called Signal Payments. The feature will let you send and receive payments on the platform using MobileCoin.

MobileCoin is a privacy-focused payments protocol that offers users a digital wallet and a companion cryptocurrency called MOB. The latest Signal beta update lets users in the UK easily link a MobileCoin wallet to the app to send and receive funds. It also offers a simple interface to help you keep track of your balance and review your transaction history.

Due to the way in which MobileCoin is designed, Signal will not have access to any of your payment info. The blog post notes: “As always, our goal is to keep your data in your hands rather than ours; MobileCoin’s design means Signal does not have access to your balance, full transaction history, or funds. You can also transfer your funds at any time if you want to switch to another app or service.”

If you’re willing to give Signal Payments a shot, you can sign up for the beta program by following this link. The latest beta release will become available on the Play Store after your registration is complete. Once you have your MobileCoin wallet set up on the app, you’ll be able to purchase MOB on FTX and other exchanges for your transactions. As mentioned above, the feature is currently limited to users in the UK, but we expect it to expand to more regions soon.

Signal Private Messenger (Free, Google Play) →

The post Signal starts testing a privacy-focused payments feature appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3wCvctU
via IFTTT

Here are the best HP laptops to buy in April 2021: Spectre, Envy, Omen and more

HP is a reliable name in the computing world and it has had its fair share of the market. It’s one of the leading PC manufacturers, with a large portfolio of laptops and desktops catering to all kinds of users, be it enterprise, students, gamers, creative professionals, and many more. If you are in the market looking for a new laptop, specifically from HP, then you’ve come to the right place. We have listed down some of the best HP laptops to buy in 2021 featuring the latest hardware to offer you the best of performance.

Navigate this article:

• HP Elite Dragonfly G2
• HP Spectre x360 14
• HP Envy x360 15
• HP Omen 15
• HP Chromebook x360 14
• HP Envy 17

HP Elite Dragonfly G2

The new and refreshed HP Elite Dragonfly G2 is one of the most premium offerings from the company. Announced back in January earlier this year, the 2-in-1 laptop is primarily targeted at business users and comes with the latest Intel 11th-gen Tiger lake processor options with up to 32GB of RAM. The 13.3-inch IPS display is offered in different screen options, including a full HD low-power version, a full HD version with HP’s Sure View privacy feature, and a UHD option that supports HDR400 with 1,000-nits of brightness. There is also an improved keyboard with spill-resistance and a unique feature where it can detect if the laptop is on your lap by determining how steady and even the surface is and adjusting the temperature accordingly. Other notable features include a webcam privacy shutter, fast battery charging, Wi-Fi 6, and an optional Tile tracker that helps you find your device even when your PC is turned off using the dedicated app. It is also one of the only laptops that currently offers the option of a 5G modem. Speaking of which, if you are interested, here are the best 5G laptops on the market today.

HP Elite Dragonfly G2

The new HP Elite Dragonfly G2 is one of the most premium offerings from HP with great design and hardware including the latest Intel 11th-gen CPUs and the option of 5G modem

Buy from HP.com

HP Spectre x360 14

Rated as the best 2-in-1 laptop in our list of the best laptops of 2021, the new HP Spectre x360 14 is as good as it gets. An update from last year’s Spectre x360 13, the new model offers a slightly taller 3:2 13.5-inch display that is available in a standard full-HD resolution with 400-nits of brightness. You can also opt for a 3K2K (3000 x 2000-pixels) OLED panel or even a 1,000-nit option that comes with a special anti-reflective technology for better privacy. The laptop is available in a base model that starts with the above-mentioned full-HD panel, a Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8GB of memory, and 256GB of storage with 16GB of Intel Optane. The top variant comes with the Intel Core i7-1165G7, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage with 32GB Intel Optane, and the OLED display. Notably, if you opt for the anti-reflective display option, that also gets you 2TB of storage. The new Spectre x360 14 comes in three color options just like the previous model, including Nightfall Black, Poseidon Blue, or Natural Silver.

HP Spectre x360 14

One of the best 2-in-1 laptops, the new HP Spectre x360 14 now offers a taller display with the newest hardware including Intel's new 11th-gen CPUs and the option of a 2K3K display.

Buy at Amazon

HP Envy x360 15

The Envy series is also a great option if you don’t want to stretch your budget. HP offers the Envy x360 15 with the latest Intel 11th-gen processors and only recently announced a refresh where you can also get the laptop powered by the new AMD Ryzen 5000U series of processors meant for thin and light notebooks. The standard configuration features a 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080-pixel) IPS touchscreen offering 250-nits brightness and 45% NTSC color gamut coverage. It can also be configured with a 4K OLED panel. On the AMD side, you get the option of an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U with a 256GB NVMe SSD or AMD Ryzen 7 5700U with 512GB NVMe SSD. Both variants will be offered with 8GB DDR4 memory clocked at 3200MHz, although it will not be user upgradeable.

On the Intel side, you can get the laptop with Core i5-1135G7 or Core i7-1165G7 options. While most of the features are similar, the Intel variants feature Wi-Fi 6 AX201, and if you opt for the Core i7 model, you can get 12GB of DDR4-3200 RAM along with 512GB PCIe storage and 32GB Intel Optane memory. The Core i5 version will offer 8GB of RAM and 256GB NVMe SSD. The Intel SKUs will also feature a Thunderbolt 4 port with USB 4 which means data throughputs of up to 40Gbps.

HP Envy x360 15 with AMD

The new HP x360 15 2-in-1 laptop has been refreshed this year that offers slight changes in design and the option of the latest AMD Ryzen 5000U CPUs

Buy at Best Buy

HP Envy x360 15 with Intel

The new HP Envy x360 15 delivers the best performance at its price with Intel's new 11th-gen Tiger Lake CPUs in an affordable 2-in-1 form factor.

Buy at Best Buy

HP Omen 15

HP has its dedicated Omen brand for gamers, and currently, the best option is the Omen 15, which comes with a sleek design and excellent performance. Powered by the Intel 10th-gen Core i7-10750H six-core processor, you can configure the notebook with 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and NVIDIA’s latest GeForce RTX 3070. With this hardware combination, you can be assured that you get the best gaming experience even in the most demanding AAA game titles. HP offers the Omen 15 with a 15.6-inch 144Hz refresh rate panel having a full-HD resolution. Notably, the company also has options with the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 series of processors, but those models are currently selling exclusively from HP’s own website.

HP Omen 15

The new HP Omen 15 is now offered with the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU with Intel's 10th-gen CPU. It is also available with AMD's new Ryzen 5000 series CPU.

Buy at Best Buy

HP Chromebook x360 14

If Windows is not your thing, then HP has some Chromebook options too. The HP Chromebook x360 is one of the best Chromebooks available from the company that features up to a 10th-gen Intel Core i7 processor but as of now, it is available with the Core i3-10110U that is paired with 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of flash memory that can be expanded using a microSD card. The 14-inch touchscreen panel on the laptop comes with a full-HD resolution, and since it has a 2-in-1 design, the screen can be folded all the way to be used in various modes. Additionally, HP offers a fingerprint scanner for added security, while connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, two USB 3.1 Type-C ports, a USB 3.0 Type-A port, and a standard 3.5mm audio jack.

HP Chromebook x360 14

A 2-in-1 laptop powered by Google's Chrome OS, the HP Chromebook x360 14 should be an excellent companion for your everyday tasks especially if you are a student.

Buy at Amazon

HP Envy 17

Looking for a laptop with a large screen real estate? The new Envy 17 that HP announced last month comes with a slight improvement in performance and design. The notebook was already selling with the latest 11th-gen Intel Tiger Lake Core i7-1165G7, but you now get an updated GPU that includes the NVIDIA GeForce MX450. The laptop comes with a 19% larger touchpad compared to the previous generation model and a lighter chassis which now starts at 2.5kg. The 17.3-inch display is offered with either full-HD or 4K resolution LCD. As for the memory and storage, the laptop comes with 12GB of DDR4-3200 non-user accessible memory and a 512GB PCIe SSD along with 32GB of Intel Optane H10 memory. Consumers can also opt for up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB PCIe storage. The new Envy 17 also comes with a physical camera shutter, AI noise removal, HP QuickDrop, and more.

HP Envy 17

The HP Envy 17 was recently updated and now offers a more refined design along with the option of new NVIDIA MX450 graphics.

Buy at Best Buy

---

We have been listing some of the best laptops in various categories so you can make an informed decision before buying one. Do check out our monthly buying guides and let us know what you think about our recommendations. To get you started, here are the best cheap laptops that you can buy on a tight budget. If you have a wider budget and do not have any strong brand preferences, here are the best laptops you can buy right now.

The post Here are the best HP laptops to buy in April 2021: Spectre, Envy, Omen and more appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2ReZkv5
via IFTTT