Technologies

Got a new MacBook? You Need to Change This Setting ASAP

Apple has tap-to-click turned off by default, but you should turn it on.

Having unboxed and set up many MacBooks over many years, there’s one setting that drives me up the wall. So if you’re buying a new MacBook or got a new model for the holidays, you should always try clicking a few boxes in the System Preferences menu.

This trick will work in everything from the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro to the new M2 13-inch MacBook Pro and M2 MacBook Air, as well as older MacBooks.

One of the best things about MacBooks has always been the huge glass trackpad, which always felt more responsive and offered more surface area than the touchpad on most Windows laptops. The difference has narrowed over the years, but it’s still hard to beat a Mac trackpad. However, it makes me nuts to see (and hear) people clicking down on their touchpads to do anything. Guess what? These touchpads haven’t physically depressed when clicked on for years. Instead a clever bit of haptic feedback makes it feel like you’ve clicked down.

Windows laptops have long been set up for tap-to-click, which means a simple tap of your finger works the same way as a left mouse button (or ancient touchpad button) click would. A two-finger tap is the equivalent of a right mouse button click.

But every time I set up a new Mac, I spend several moments tapping on things with no effect, because MacOS has tap-to-click turned off by default. Why? I’m assuming it’s just to make my life more difficult. Fortunately, it’s easy to fix. And if you’re a determined clicker and have no intention of becoming a tapper, that’s OK — change these settings and you can still click away, but now the tapping will work, too.

As a bonus, while we’re doing this we’re going to turn on both Exposé, which is a useful multifinger gesture, and tap-and-drag, which is a much easier way to move things like folders around on the screen.

Fix Apple’s dumb default touchpad settings

System Preferences > Trackpad > Point & Click > Check the checkbox for Tap to click (which is unchecked by default).
System Preferences > Trackpad > More Gestures > Check the checkbox for App Exposé (fifth checkbox from the top).
System Preferences > Accessibility > Pointer Control > Trackpad Options > Check the checkbox for Enable dragging (without drag lock).

The instructions above work if you’re using MacOS Monterey or earlier OS versions. If you’re using the new MacOS Ventura system, expected to be widely available in the fall of 2022, the instructions are mostly the same, but you’ll be accessing the new System Settings menu, rather than the older System Preferences menu.

That’s it, your MacBook is now set up in a logical way.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im