LETTER OF THE MONTH

Not only do I agree with Matt Bolton’s comments in the December 2019 issue (“If Apple is going to tinker so much, it needs to get better at communication”), but I would expand his remarks to include macOS.

I’ve used Macs since 1991. I am now 66 years old and, unfortunately, not as mentally sharp as I used to be. Having two Apple operating systems means having to try and use two similar Mac products in a different way. (If I included the Apple Watch in my argument, that would be three. Fortunately for me, I don’t own or use one.)

With the gradual but increasing lack of instructions and information about new macOS and iOS apps, upgrades, and firmware updates, I am increasingly befuddled and annoyed. The bugs and subsequent problems with apps, including iMessage (or is it Messages, as it is labeled on my MacBook Pro?), for example, have increased my dissatisfaction with Apple.

Perhaps the young(er) folks who use Apple products, and I imagine are the primary target for Apple marketing, don’t have the problems I discuss here. Then again, am I the only Apple product user, young or not, who experiences the challenges I do with their products?

I think of Apple as being less rigorous about their software and less attentive to customer communications. BRUCE STERN, MAC USER SINCE 1991

Many of the changes and new features aren’t always obvious in iOS, but the “Tips” app is a good place to start for getting the hang of things. Of course, there’s this very mag which has a lot of helpful guides for both iOS and macOS!