Keyboard Shortcuts (quick list)

Hold Option (⌥) — and sometimes Shift (⇧) — with a key to produce symbols. If a combo doesn’t match your keyboard layout, use the methods below.

Punctuation & Quotes

• … (ellipsis): ⌥ + ;
• – (en dash): ⌥ + –
• — (em dash): ⌥ + ⇧ + –
• “ / ” (smart double quotes): ⌥ + [ / ⌥ + ⇧ + [
• ‘ / ’ (smart single quotes): ⌥ + ] / ⌥ + ⇧ + ]
• • (bullet): ⌥ + 8
• ¿ (inverted question): ⌥ + ⇧ + /

Math

• ÷ (division): ⌥ + /
• ≤ / ≥: ⌥ + , / ⌥ + .
• ≠ (not equal): ⌥ + =
• ± (plus/minus): ⌥ + ⇧ + =
• √ (square root): ⌥ + V
• ∞ (infinity): ⌥ + 5
• ∑ (sigma): ⌥ + W
• ∫ (integral): ⌥ + B
• ∂ (partial differential): ⌥ + D

Common Symbols

• © (copyright): ⌥ + G
• ® (registered): ⌥ + R
• (trademark): varies by layout — see search/replacements below
• ° (degree): ⌥ + ⇧ + 8
•  (Apple logo): ⌥ + ⇧ + K (in Apple fonts)

Emoji & Symbols (search anything)

Press Control + Command + Space (or the Globe key) to open the panel. Search by name (e.g. degree, sigma, en dash, tm) and double-click to insert. Add favourites for quick reuse.

Examples: search “degree” → °; “tm” → ; “arrow” → ← ↑ → ↓ ⇧; “math” → full operator set.

Keyboard Viewer

System Settings ▸ Keyboard → enable Show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar. From the input icon in the menu bar choose Show Keyboard Viewer. Hold ⌥ or ⌥+⇧ to reveal every hidden symbol for your layout; click keys to type them.

Character Viewer

Open via the same menu bar icon (Show Emoji & Symbols) or with Control + Command + Space. Browse categories (Math, Punctuation, Currency, Arrows) or search. Double-click to insert; the info sidebar shows Unicode and related characters.

Accents & Diacritics

• Press-and-hold a letter (e.g., e) for a popup: é è ê ë ē. Press the number or click.
• Dead-key combos (type accent, then letter):
  • Acute (´): ⌥ + E, then a → á
  • Grave (`): ⌥ + `, then a → à
  • Circumflex (^): ⌥ + I, then o → ô
  • Umlaut/Diaeresis (¨): ⌥ + U, then u → ü
  • Tilde (˜): ⌥ + N, then n → ñ

Unicode Hex Input (type any code point)

System Settings ▸ Keyboard ▸ Text Input ▸ Input Sources → + → add Unicode Hex Input. Switch to it from the menu bar when needed. Hold ⌥ and type the hex code, then release.

• ⌥ 00A9 → ©
• ⌥ 2122 →
• ⌥ 00B0 → °
• ⌥ 2192 → →

Tip: The Emoji & Symbols sidebar shows each character’s Unicode.

Text Replacements (auto-expand shortcuts)

Create custom expansions so typing (c) becomes ©, -- becomes – , or tm becomes .

System Settings ▸ Keyboard ▸ Text Replacements → + → add your shortcut and replacement. These sync via iCloud to your other Apple devices.

Currency & Layout Notes

Currency and a few symbols vary by keyboard:

• UK layouts have a dedicated £ key.
• €, ¢, and shortcuts differ by region. If unsure, use Keyboard Viewer or search in Emoji & Symbols.
• The Apple logo  displays only with Apple fonts (e.g., SF, Helvetica Neue on macOS); avoid it on the web unless you’ve tested fallback.

Quick Reference Table

Symbol	Name	Shortcut (typical)	Alternative
©	Copyright	⌥ + G	Search “copyright”
®	Registered	⌥ + R	Search “registered”
	Trademark	(layout-dependent)	Search “tm” or use replacement
°	Degree	⌥ + ⇧ + 8	Unicode 00B0
…	Ellipsis	⌥ + ;	Search “ellipsis”
– / —	En / Em dash	⌥ + – / ⌥ + ⇧ + –	Search “dash”
≤ / ≥	Inequalities	⌥ + , / ⌥ + .	Search “less/greater equal”
≠	Not equal	⌥ + =	Search “not equal”
√	Square root	⌥ + V	Search “square root”
•	Bullet	⌥ + 8	Search “bullet”
	Apple logo	⌥ + ⇧ + K	Apple fonts only

If in doubt, open Emoji & Symbols (Ctrl+Cmd+Space) and search — it’s the most reliable across versions and layouts.

The post How to Type Common Symbols and Special Characters on macOS appeared first on ChrisWrites.com.

Batteries with three different model numbers, A2466, A2431 and A2471, were listed on several sites, including China’s 3C and Safety Korea.

The first, A2466, is believed to be the 3,687mAh battery that will feature in the larger 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max, which is a lower capacity than the 3,969mAh battery in the current iPhone 11 Pro Max.

MySmartPrice claims that the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro will have a 2,775mAh battery, again down from the 3,046mAh battery in the iPhone 11 Pro.

Meanwhile, the new, smaller 5.4-inch iPhone 12 is expected to house a 2,227mAh battery.

Apple has made better battery life a priority during the last two years, and it touted the iPhone 11 Pro Max as the best iPhone ever with a charge that lasts around five hours more than the previous generation.

Reviews for the unit backed up this claim, revealing that it can go for almost 12 hours doing tasks such as web browsing.

After a recent bump in battery performance, iPhone customers may be a bit disappointed that the certifications point to lower values this time around.

However, the mAh numbers are not a clear indicator of performance, and Apple may have increased efficiency through its software to deliver similar gains to the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

The iPhone 12 is likely to be a more battery-intensive device, with rumours suggesting that it could have a high refresh rate display, 5G mobile tech, and an updated triple-lens rear camera system.

There are now just two months to go until Apple is likely to reveal its plans for this year’s iPhone, which is expected to go on sale in Q3 2020.

The post ‘iPhone 12’ models could have lower-capacity batteries appeared first on ChrisWrites.com.

On Friday, Kuo updated his roadmap for new ARM-based CPUs, claiming that the first device will be a MacBook Pro and that it is set to go into mass production in Q4 2020.

Recent rumours had suggested that the Mac line would debut before 2021, so this is not a great surprise, but his second piece of news is more interesting.

Kuo says that he also expected an ARM-based MacBook Air to go on sale in Q4 2020.

The two devices are likely to be similar in design to the recently launched MacBook Pro and MacBook Air devices, which are powered by Intel CPUs.

Kuo then expects a redesigned 14.1-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro to arrive with Apple Silicon and mini-LED displays in either Q2 or Q3 2021.

The later devices are tipped to have an “all-new form factor design”, which suggests that a slimmer and lighter build will accompany the new screen tech and processors.

One device that Kuo did not mention is the heavily rumoured 2020 iMac.

Recent reports have claimed that the desktop device will get a design overhaul and share the same aesthetic as the iPad Pro with slimmer bezels.

Apple is still expected to release a new iMac this year, but it probably won’t be powered by Apple Silicon.

Apple has set out a two-year transition period for its switch from Intel, so there is still plenty of time to launch updated devices.

MacBook sales have already been healthy recently, according to Kuo, and are forecast to rise to between 16m and 17m units for the year.

He also believes that the shipment volume could soar to 18m to 20m units in 2021 if demand is strong for the newly designed MacBook Pro models.

The post Analyst Kuo expects Silicon MacBook Pro and Air in 2020 appeared first on ChrisWrites.com.

In a statement on Thursday, Apple said that it remains “committed to the future of Thunderbolt” and confirmed that its new Apple Silicon Macs will continue to use “Version 4” of the tech.

Intel unveiled Thunderbolt 4 earlier this year, but it did not reveal the full spec sheet for it until Wednesday (8th July).

Intel said that it will support connections to a single 8K monitor or two 4K monitors and offer full speeds of up to 40Gb/s, which is more than double the 16Gb/s seen in Thunderbolt 3.

Apple’s decision to stick with Thunderbolt is not a complete surprise as it did work with Intel to design a hardware interface back in 2011.

However, Apple’s revelation at WWDC in June that it would start creating its own CPUs internally for Mac devices suggested that it could drop Thunderbolt in the future.

This does not appear to be the case for now and the first Apple Silicon Mac, which is set to go on sale in either Q3 or Q4 2020, should have a Thunderbolt connection.

An Apple spokesperson revealed: “Over a decade ago, Apple partnered with Intel to design and develop Thunderbolt, and today our customers enjoy the speed and flexibility it brings to every Mac.”

Apple has also said that it will continue to release Intel Mac computers despite it outlining a roadmap that will see a transition to ARM CPUs over the next two years.

Rumours suggest that the next Mac launch will be an updated iMac with a new design that is similar to the iPad Pro with slimmer bezels, updated internals and flash storage.

The post Apple “committed” to Thunderbolt despite ARM switch appeared first on ChrisWrites.com.

The “industry-leading” initiative will enable customers in the UK and other locations on the continent to get access to new repairs without having to venture to Apple’s own stores or use its online service.

Apple will now supply tools, parts and manuals to a number of repair shops that operate independently from the company.

The initiative started in the US last year after Apple finally relented and acknowledged a growing number of “right to repair” bills that had been put forward in Congress.

More than 140 independent companies in the US operating in 700 locations started providing repairs for iPhones late last year.

As of Wednesday (8th July), the scheme is now open to businesses in Europe and Canada.

Those interested can apply for the Independent Repair Provide Program, which is free of charge to join and includes full training without cost.

Apple’s chief operating officer Jeff Williams said that the company was “thrilled” to bring the repair programme to more countries and locations.

He added: “When a customer needs a repair, we want them to have a range of options that not only suits their needs but also guarantees safety and quality so their iPhone can be used for as long as possible.”

Apple has used “authorised” third parties for warranty-based work in the past, but these were limited to larger companies such as Best Buy, which is based in the US.

Smaller companies will now be able to offer services without having to worry about entry fees or high volume commitments.

For the time being, the new programme is limited to iPhones, but it could potentially expand to other devices such as MacBooks.

The post Apple expands indie repair shop service to Europe appeared first on ChrisWrites.com.

With only two months to go until Apple’s traditional unveiling and launch window in September, the company has shaved the trade-in prices for a number of different devices.

The prices are different in the US and the UK and customers in the former appear to be getting a considerably better deal for trading up to newer models.

For example, the iPhone XS Max price has been cut by $50 to $450, but this is still considerably more than in the UK where the trade-in value is now “up to” £350.

The XS Max and Max have had the biggest reductions in maximum values at $50.

The iPhone X is now $40 lower at $280, while the iPhone XR and iPhone 8 Plus have been reduced by $30 to $270 and $220, respectively.

Much older models such as the iPhone 6S Plus have only had trade-ins lower by $5.

In the UK, trading in an iPhone XS Max still wouldn’t be enough to cover half of the retail price of the iPhone, which is available for £729.

Apple currently uses the iPhone 8 Plus as a benchmark for trade-ins with its advertising on the front page of its website.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 6 and iPhone SE first-gen now only command a trade-in value of £50.

The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max have been on sale for around nine months, so customers wanting a new smartphone would probably be best served waiting for the new ‘iPhone 12’, which is expected to launch in late Q3.

There will be more options this time with four rumoured models starting with a new compact 5.4-inch device and topping out with a 6.7-inch Pro device.

All iPhones are expected to house OLED displays this year.

The post Apple trims iPhone trade-in values ahead of ‘iPhone 12’ launch appeared first on ChrisWrites.com.

The US Patent and Trademark Office published Apple’s applications for a “through display” solution with optical sensors on Wednesday, and it was quickly spotted by eagle-eyed observers.

There have been rumours during the last 12 months that Apple may look to bring some sort of fingerprint reading to the next iPhone, but this is the first time that the potential tech has been revealed.

The first patent shows a detailed process that makes use of micro-optic elements housed beneath a display that responds to a fingerprint.

The second, called an “optical fingerprint detection system”, aims to offset some of the issues with higher temperatures in OLED displays to ensure that the new system works consistently.

Both of the patents go into complex detail about the systems and how they would be effectively deployed.

Apple’s in-depth research and tech suggests that it would want to deliver the very best in-screen fingerprint experience if it did eventually bring this to smartphones.

This is not surprising as some of the fingerprint readers introduced on Android handsets struggle with thumb recognition, especially when users have cold or wet hands.

While the patent suggests that Apple is working on a new optical Touch ID reader, none of the recent rumours for the iPhone 12 point to it being included in new devices this year.

As the patents have just been published, it could be several years or even longer before Apple potentially adopts the tech.

Apple first introduced its standard Touch ID back in 2013 with the iPhone 5S, and while the vast majority of its devices, including the iPhone 11, now incorporate Face ID, the tech still lives on with the recently launched iPhone SE.

The post Apple patents reveal new under-display fingerprint tech appeared first on ChrisWrites.com.

Apple’s survey comes days after strong rumours that it will remove the charger and adapter from boxes when it ships the next-gen ‘iPhone 12’ later this year.

A few users on Twitter based in Brazil claimed that they had received the iPhone survey, which included several questions related to charger usage and habits.

The first directly asked: “What did you do with the USB Power Adapter that came in the box with the iPhone 7 Plus that you replaced?”

Respondents can select from multiple answers, including “Gave it to a family member or friend”, “Recycled it”, “Still have it, but don’t use it”, and “Still using it at home”.

While the survey does not provide conclusive evidence that Apple will remove important accessories from the iPhone box this year, it does suggest that it is open to the idea.

Multiple reports claiming that Apple will do just that have generated considerable controversy and discussion online in recent days.

Getting rid of the power adapter would cut down on the vast amounts of e-waste generated by smartphone manufacturers every year.

It would also enable Apple to slim down the size of boxes and make shipping more efficient.

Arguments in favour of the move claim that customers already have a number of compatible chargers and adapters at home.

However, others believe that essential accessories should be included, especially with premium iPhones that command a high price.

If Apple did go ahead and remove the charger, customers would have to either purchase a standard 18-watt adapter, a fast-charging 20-watt adapter, or a wireless charging solution after-sale.

EU officials have urged smartphone manufacturers to adopt a universal charger to limit e-waste, but it appears unlikely that Apple will switch from Lightning to USB-C anytime soon.

The post Apple surveys iPhone customers about old power adapters appeared first on ChrisWrites.com.

Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed earlier this week that Apple could remove all accessories from the iPhone box when it goes on sale later this year.

Kuo believes the move is primarily a cost-cutting measure as it would allow Apple to sell the base model at a similar price to the iPhone 11, which currently retails for £729 in the UK.

However, it could also reduce the company’s electronic footprint at a time when EU officials have criticised mobile manufacturers for using different chargers.

The continental bloc has called for a “one-size fits all” approach that would help to cut down on the 51,000 tonnes of waste generated by electronic products every year.

Apple responded by stating that switching from its Lighting adapters, which differ to the USB-C connections used in most other smartphones, would actually create more waste and inconvenience its customers.

Apple appears to have decided that removing the charger and adapter entirely is the best solution.

Customers would then have to buy either a standard charger or fast charging adapter separately.

Not including earbuds will also give Apple a chance to upsell new customers to the £160 Airpods or £250 Airpods Pro.

Recent leaks claim Apple will now adopt thinner, lighter packaging for the iPhone 12, which is expected to be the company’s first handset to support faster 5G mobile tech.

The post Apple could sell iPhone 12 without charger or headphones appeared first on ChrisWrites.com.

With just three months to go until an expected unveiling, Apple is reportedly doing everything it can to reduce delays with suppliers in the hope of hitting an early Q4 2020 release date for the iPhone 12.

Nikkei claims that Apple is facing up to “months of delay” as it attempts to move ahead with mass production.

The Japanese newspaper said that there is still a chance that it will be able to bring production forward but warned that further setbacks are possible.

Nikkei noted: “Some final iPhone assembly could be delayed to early October, and it wouldn’t be surprising if there are further delays because there are still a lot of tests going on now and the final designs have not yet been locked down.”

Factory lockdowns and workplace absences following on from the COVID-19 crisis could also be a problem.

The latest news comes just 24 hours after DigiTimes cited several sources within Apple’s supply chain that claimed that shipments of the 5G iPhone 12 could be slashed by 50% later this year.

DigiTimes said that Apple was looking to the early months of 2021 as a busier period for sales.

Nikkei believes that Apple is in a better position now compared to March, when the outbreak of the coronavirus threatened to derail its plans entirely and push the iPhone 12 back to next year.

If there are fewer iPhone 12 models ready for Q4, reports say that Apple is ready to ramp up the production of iPhone SE, iPhone XR and iPhone 11 models to make up for the shortfall.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently stated that production of the larger 6.7-inch ‘Pro Max’ model could be delayed a month longer than other models due to its more complicated design.

The post Nikkei expects iPhone 12 production delay to October appeared first on ChrisWrites.com.