6 tricks to master Preview

Built-in app is a handy gem

Author

Leander Kahney
October 21, 2023

For us Mac users, the Preview app is an underrated gem.

Ostensibly, it’s a bare-bones app for previewing images and PDFs. But under the hood, Preview hides a bunch of handy features.

It can be used to do a ton of useful things, including image resizing, basic color correction, document annotation, filling out forms and signing papers. I regularly use it for all these things, and that’s only scratching the surface.

Did you know it’ll also open a ton of obscure image file formats? Me neither!

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Enjoy your weekend!

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

How-tos

6 tricks to master Preview on the Mac

You might only use Preview on the Mac when you need to read a PDF or zoom in on a picture, but there’s much more than meets the eye. It’s a pretty robust editor, too.

Apple Watch widgets: How to use the hot new feature

Apple Watch widgets are a great new way to quickly access apps by turning the crown when you’re on the watch face. It’s a fast way to get information, see live activities, and launch apps. Here's how to set it up for maximum benefit.

How to get the latest AirPods Pro 2 firmware update

Apple pushes out firmware update 6A305 for AirPods Pro 2. Here's how to make sure you've got the bug fixes.

News

X-rays show crazy complexity of Apple's Thunderbolt 4 cable

Thunderbolt cables cost far more than standard USB-C ones, and a series of X-ray scans of various options reveals why.

Get ready to grab the first budget Apple Pencil

Apple just took the wraps off a lower-price version of its iPad stylus that's clearly intended for users of the budget iPad.

No, fast charging doesn't speed up iPhone battery drain

A new test conducted over a year showed almost no battery-health difference between fast-charging and slow-charging iPhone 14.

iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro: Should you upgrade?

Wondering if you should upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro from your 2-year-old iPhone 13 Pro? Read this comparison to find out.

Deals

Slash $1,900 off this powerful MacBook Pro plus other major deals

Need a MacBook Pro? Get some of 2021's hottest models for more $1,000 off, or newer M2 models for $200 off.

Charge Apple devices on the fly with Momax AirBox Go (and get about half off!)

This 3-in-1 charging station keeps your gadgets going wherever you are. It's on sale, and Cult of Mac readers can pay about half price.

Reviews

Best rugged bands for Apple Watch Ultra

Give your Apple Watch Ultra a quick and easy makeover by slapping on a brand-new band. Here are the best rugged bands you can buy.

Samsung T9 portable SSD offers big, fast storage in a tiny package [Review] ★★★★½

The Samsung T9 solid-state drive is small enough and tough enough to go almost anywhere, but can hold up to 4TB. We go hands-on.

PNY dual Lightning/USB drive is ready for iPhone and Mac [Review] ★★★★☆

This PNY flash drive includes both a Lightning connector and USB-A connector so it's ready to use with either iPhone or Mac or Windows.

Get in the habit of reading, track flights, and use iPad as a monitor [Awesome Apps]

In this week's Awesome Apps roundup, we have a book-reading app that will help you make reading a habit; a free app that turns an iPad into an external monitor, and more.

Setups

New home calls for new-and-improved workstation [Setups]

I went from a PC laptop propped up on a box a while back to a dual-monitor M1 MacBook Pro workstation on a standing desk.

Separating work and personal life with 2 MacBooks and 3 displays [Setups]

Say what you will about social media, but sometimes solid answers to difficult questions rise up above the noise.

Old and new MacBook Pros work in harmony [Setups]

Today's featured setup relies on a new M2 MacBook Pro for most of the real work, but a 2015 Retina model still contributes regularly.