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know your apple glossary - common apple terms


Airplay
A protocol for streaming sounds and video from an Apple device to a set of compatible speakers, or a device such as an Apple TV. It’s wireless, and easy to use as well.

 App
Short for ‘application’, another name for a computer software program. Apps can be downloaded from the Mac App Store.

 App Store
The App Store is where you can download free and paid programs to your device using your Apple ID.

 Apple ID
This is the email and address and password that you have registered with Apple. It’s required to access many online applications on your Mac, including iTunes, App Store and iBooks.

 Dock
The opaque strip at the bottom of the screen. Apps in the dock are easy to access and open, and you can customize it to best suit your requirements. Apps that are currently running are also shown in the dock.

 FaceTime
You can make video and audio calls to other Apple devices using the FaceTime app. These are made over the Internet so are free unless using mobile data.

 Finder
The Finder is the Mac’s user interface. It deals with management of folders, windows, and menus and more. Its feature set has grown the years, with recent introductions including tabbed Finder windows and tags.

 Force Quit
The act of forcing an application to close down, perhaps because it’s crashed or frozen. It’s achieved by right-clicking its dock icon, or opening the Apple menu and selecting Force Quit.

 Gestures
These are actions performed with your fingers on the Mac’s trackpad. You can use gestures on a notebook trackpad, an Apple Magic Trackpad or to a limited extent, an Apple Magic Mouse.

 iBooks
This is Apple eBook application, which is available for free from the App Store. It handles the standard electronic publishing formats protected by FairPlay DRM, and also PDF documents. It was introduced in 2010 along with the iPad.

 iCloud
The collective name for Apple’s online services, it replaced MobileMe and integrates with all iOS devices Mac computers.

 iMessage
A text message that’s sent from one Apple device to another. iMessages use the Internet rather than the mobile phone network, so they’re sent free of charge from iPhones and iPads.

 iOS
Apple’s mobile operating system. iOS is the software the powers the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Apple TV.

 iTunes
Mac and Windows music playing software, also used to activate and sync iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. It is also used to purchase and manage music, movies, TV shows, apps, books, and other media.

 LaunchPad
Found in the dock represented by a rocket icon, the LaunchPad is an easy way of opening apps. It resembles and behaves like an iOS home screen.

 Lightning
The cable connection used by modern iPads and iPhones. It replaces the old 30-pin dock connectors, and is used to charge these mobiles devices and sync them with your Mac.

 OSX
It is the operating system on which the Mac runs.

 QuickTime
Apple’s 2D video and graphics player, used to play movies and other video on your Mac.

 Retina display
This is Apple’s term for its high-resolution screens. The pixels are so small it’s impossible to distinguish between them at a normal viewing distance, making the on-screen images very smooth and clear.

 Safari
Apple’s web browser, similar in function to Microsoft Explorer or Google Chrome. It’s available for both Macs and iOS devices, and it lets you surf the worldwide web.

 Siri
Apple’s voice activated digital assistant. You can give Siri spoken instructions and the service replies by giving you the information you asked for; or by activating the requested function.

 Trackpad
The controller device used in notebook Macs. You control your on-screen pointer by dragging you finger across the trackpad. Apple’s Magic Trackpad is available for desktop computers.

 Excerpts from - The Complete Mac Manual, BDM Publications.

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