Mysterious "Other" folder occupying huge space in MacOS

The macOS shows up a mysterious huge space for "Other" when we get into manage storage. 

It is quite a bit of headache for folks with low SSD space (128/256 GB).

My search went in vain for a long time until I spotted about Grandperspective on an old archived reddit post. 

Though there are tons of other apps that claim to clean your mac space, I specifically suggest you to go for Grandperspective. 

Why Grandperspective ?

• Open source 
• Decent reviews
  

You do get a free version outside of App Store too. I downloaded through App Store though. 

What does it actually do ?

It gives a visual representation of files according to the size. Be careful when you are deleting stuff. Delete only stuff that you are sure of no use. I discovered one of my app was storing a lot of info in temporary cache that ran into GBs. 

 

Google playstore authorizations transaction from your credit card/debit card

Google play store actually does a authorization transaction of around 1$ immediately after you pay for some apps or in-app products. This is done to check the validity of the card. The transaction is usually reversed in few hours.

One star and a very bad review: it hurts badly 
 
One user of my app classify gave me a one star rating stating that he has paid for the pro feature and not getting the promised features.
The transaction was not actually complete from his side and only the authorization transaction message was delivered to him.
I had to explain step by step that it was google's normal system. Finally he agreed and upgraded to pro from different card and then removed one star and added five stars.
That made me to share this useful info to both app users and developers. This is crucial as such reviews can have a negative impact on other buyers. And also developers has to understand this process to better explain the customers that the amount will be reversed.


Useful info that I collected about this transaction 

Even iTunes and App store does such transactions  

Authorizations are transaction requests that occur between Google’s billing system and your bank's billing system in order to ensure that the card is valid and that the necessary funds are available in your account before the order can be successfully charged. Authorizations take place every time you update your credit/debit card or you place an order with Google Wallet.

Please note that these authorizations might remain visible in your account between 1-14 business days, depending on your card-issuing bank. However, keep in mind they are authorization requests only, not actual charges. We recommend that you contact your bank to check on when the authorization request will be removed.

Finally, you may notice a $1.00 transaction from Google on your bank statement. This also is only an authorization request and be sure you will not actually be charged.

iOS icon upload iTunes connect: No alpha channels or transparencies

The iTunes connect specifically says that the app icon cannot contain alpha channels or transparencies. Though you can create an image without any transparencies easily, it is hard to create one without alpha channels. The open source Inkscape software that I use always exports .png images with alpha channels. Here is an easy way to overcome this problem using MAc's own image preview software.

Creating images without alpha channels with Mac image preview 

• Open the image in image preview app 
• Go to file - export 
• Select the format to PNG and uncheck the ALPHA checkbox

Inkscape: Free open source alternative to adobe photoshop

Inkscape is probably the most appropriate alternative for abode photoshop for vector related content creations. I used this open source app fro designing my app icons.
The app is a bit difficult to grasp, but you can use it after some learning. There are plenty of videos available in YouTube to guide you around.
These were the icons that I created for my app classify.
Classify - android, iOS

Gboard for iphone: Google search is right inside your keyboard

Google's Gboard keypad for iOS brings google search right into the iOS keyboard. Gboard can be accessible through any of the applications. With google search included inside it, the Google has managed to enter into almost any app on the iOS. Will Apple let this go or will there be any violations of its terms...

El capitan mac OS: Write files on NTFS disk

For some mysterious reason, Apple does not allow to write on NTFS file format discs in Mac OS. But there is a hidden feature that allows us to overcome this problem.
Here is the link for the steps to activate writing in NTFS for Mac OS.
The only thing you need to take care in the above link is the details in the step 3
Note: If your DRIVE_NAME is made up of two words separated with a space, for example, “NO NAME”, you have to add a “\040” before the space for the system to recognize the space. For example, “NO\040 NAME”
Here, there should be no space after "\040", the correct code will be "NO\040NAME”

Running out of space frequently in iPhone? App thinning feature in iOS 9.0.2 to fix it

An app downloaded from Appstore earlier would have all the files related to that app irrespective of whether your present device supported the feature or not.
App thinning
App thinning is a feature that would only allow the software that is compatible with the specific iPhone to be downloaded. This would mean if your model is not supporting Apple pay, then the app that you downloaded will not contain files that would support the same.
iOS 9.0.2 update
Apple was supposedly introduce this feature in iOS9, but due to some bugs in iCloud the introduction was delayed. Now, 9.0.2 update has come up with app thinning feature so that the old iPhone model users have to think less about frequent out of space warnings.
Even after updating you are finding the error messages, then try this 3 things for overcoming the problem. 

Application occupying massive space in iOS

The control freak Apple does not even let users to delete the cache of applications. So everything is automatically done by the applications. The automatic cache removal of some applications may some times be erroneous so that a particular application like twitter which usually occupies space less than 100 MB will start to eat into the space in terms of GB.
The obvious solution to this problem is to delete the application and reinstall it as there is no way you can delete the cache manually in iOS.

iPad mini gets retinal display

The apple has pulled the iPad mini into the retina world. The iPad mini has been gifted with retina display with 2048*1536 resolution. It is powered with the same A7 chip which powers the iPad air and iPhone 5S. 
WiFi 16 GB model costs $399 and WiFi + 3G model costs 529$.

iPad goes into Air mode

Apple recently announced it's new iPad. And this is not called iPad 5, rather the surprising announcement is that; it is named as iPad air.
Thinner, lighter and more powerful having smaller bezel measuring just 1 pound. iPad air is powered by the new A7 chip which also powers the iPhone 5S.
Other features include 5MP iSight camera.
The price starts at $499 for 16 GBWiFi only and $629 for WiFi + 3G model.

Mavericks update gone free

Apple has just announced it's new Mac OS mavericks and the interesting news is that for the first time, the update is going to be free for consumers.
Apple has added tons of new features in this new OS. Check out the below link for new features. http://nishurs.blogspot.com/2013/06/highlights-of-new-mac-os-mavericks.html

A phablet iPhone might be a bad pill for Apple

An article in business insider speaks of a rumor of two large sized iPhone offerings. It also mentions a gigantic iPhone. A brief look into the reason why a gigantic phablet might hurt for Apple.
More bigger the iPhone, bigger the cut in the apple's apple logo
The cut in the logo might literally turn out to be a cut in sales of iPad, if Apple ever turns out to make a phablet similar to note series. The desire for the iPad tablet drastically reduces if there are phablets with iOS ecosystem kissing the 6 inches screen with retinal display. Apple could have had a forethought of this when they persisted with a modest increase in screen size for iPhone 5 and subsequent 5S and 5C.
Apple : A product centered company
Apple desires to maintain difference between its devices. If you want to a phone with smartness, go for iPhone. Want a consumption device, go for a iPad. If you want productive ones, go for MacBook or iMacs. Apple has to maintain these boundaries if it has to reap in more profits. The product centred culture profits from such boundaries and as far I feel they will continue to demarcate this line rather than blurring the lines as the Surface is trying to do with its Pro offerings.
Link to article in Business Insider
http://www.businessinsider.in/GOSSIP-Apple-Will-Release-Two-iPhones-Next-Year-One-With-A-Big-Screen-And-Another-With-A-Gigantic-Screen/articleshow/23832039.cms

iOS 7 : "define" not working

Define will not work in iOS 7 because the dictionary will not be pre-downloaded.

Steps to download the dictionary

1. Type any word 
2. Select that word and go to define
3. In the screen which mentions "no definition found", select manage at left bottom
4. Download from the list of dictionary which suits your needs

Type any word and select define

                      

Select manage : left bottom

Select relevant dictionary

Apple iPhone 5S fingerprint scanner vulnerability issues

Brought an iPhone 5 and have some concerns regarding security issues. CNET's senior editor has an advice for you, "Use fingers other than your thumb or index finger for authenticating fingerprints.

iOS 7 release timings

The iOS 7 is expected around 10AM pacific time.

Here is the probable timings for different regions to look out for an update
Eastern – 1 PM
Central – 12 PM
London – 6 PM
Moscow – 9 PM
New Dehli – 10:30 PM
Shanghai – 1 AM Thursday
Tokyo – 2 AM Thursday
Melbourne – 3 AM Thursday
Auckland – 5 AM Thursday

The mysterious C in iPhone 5C

The rumors were ripe that it was the cheaper version of iPhone, which will compete fiercely against low cost android phones. C for cheap is now out of bounds as iPhone 5C is actually a replacement for iPhone 5 but in a adorable colors.
Does C stand for Colors?
The innumerable color combinations points that C might stand out as a color and in fact it might be partly correct.

The alternative theories 
C = Confused product
Apple apparently were out of ideas to take on competition, so came up with 5C, a confused product; the sale figures will confirm or refute this theory.
C = Covert product
Apple knew from the beginning that 5C was a premium product, but still kept away from refuting the claims of cheaper iPhone. Make all to expect a cheaper version; show off at the end that it is a premium phone; covertly imply that Apple was and is a premium company which will never care for competition; increases brand value; increased sales - pretty cool covert idea.
C= Crafted by craftsmen
Apple's design manager speaks in the 5C video about converging of hardware and software as the prime factor in designing 5C. Some say it is a Jony Ive's pet product and the Apple's policy of harmonizing hardware and software has entered into design field with him.

Unable to download application : App store error's solution

Unable to download application : App store error is usually a transit error for the communication between the device and the Apple store.

The solution : Try till you succeed 

1. The error shows two options done and retry. 
2. Choose done.
3. Then click on the app once again.
4. If it again points to the error. Follow step 2 
5. Repeat these steps until the app shows waiting or loading.

Slideshark : The powerpoint app

"Powerpoint on iPad and iPhone, the way it was meant to be seen."
The slideshark websites displays these words and they are right in declaring these words. Slideshark app for iOS devices is the best in the market for both storing and viewing powerpoint presentations in iOS devices.

Slideshark : the advantage
Slideshark offers cloud storage for the powerpoint presentaions. In addition, it downloads the presentations in the exact format we get in Microsoft office. The compatibility issues for some smartart graphics and many animations and images are addressed efficiently. The laser pointer which can be controlled by other devices like iPhone is also a cool feature to look out. Slideshark team edition offers still more flexibility for working on cloud for multiple users.
Slideshark is a free app and offers 100 MB of free cloud storage. Additional storage can be purchased from available plans.

Link to Slideshark website 

Download on App Store

iPhone 5C : The cheaper colorful iPhone

The cheaper edition of iPhone is rumored to be named as iPhone C. The above empty cases substantiates the claim, although it looks like a certain fake photos. But wait, iPhone 5C could be for real. The C stands for Color as of the explanations provided now.

Photostream not syncing all the photos

One of the problems faced using photo stream is it doesn't sync all the existing photos into the new devices.

Photostream basically works like this

• New photos saved on the camera roll is synced to photo stream
• The photos which are synced with iTunes do not appear on photo stream in new devices
• Only photos which are not synced with iTunes appears

In short, what Photostream offers is;

• Access of all recently taken un-synced photos across devices
• But for access of old and synced photos; iTunes sync should be done