Latest Blog Posts

Latest Apple iOS and iPadOS Firmware downloads

iOS and iPadOS restore files (ipsw’s) are requested and downloaded on demand by your computer (iTunes on Mac/PC, or Configurator on Mac), but you can speed up your device management by downloading the ipsw's in advance of needing them.

Apple and AI

AI is anticipated to be a major talking point for WWDC 2024, with Apple expected to announce significant AI integrations across macOS, iOS/iPadOS and several stock apps.

How can KRCS help your business with Mac

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023

How Do I Update The Firmware Of My AirPods?

Firmware is the software built in to intelligent devices like AirPods. It tells them what to do when you do something like ‘double tap’, and provides enhanced features and reliability when updated.

Black Friday Buyers Guide 2022

We Bleed Six Colours

In business since 1984, opening our first Apple Centre in 1986 and with "KRCS, your local Apple experts" featuring in our advertising, we have and continue to work closely with Apple on all aspects of our business. That close working relationship helps ensure we know the products, from sales to support and repairs but, what about the wider Apple and tech landscape?

A Different Kind of Lockdown - How to Keep Your Organisation’s Macs Secure

As we’ve previously discussed, securing private data on Macs within an organisation is of vital importance. The global shift towards remote and hybrid working has also made this task more difficult to manage at scale than ever before, with portable endpoints more likely to be regularly used on insecure networks as well as being left unattended - however briefly - in public places.

Remotely Erasing T2/M1 Macs with Monterey

Whether you’re personally trading your pre-loved Mac in for one of Apple’s rather lovely new MacBook Pro models (and why not - they’re incredible!) or you’re an IT admin who needs to perform the annual refresh of your institution’s Mac fleet, it’s often been a bit of a head-scratching process to ensure that your Mac is fully erased and free of all personal data when required.

Bring Your Macs into Azure AD with Jamf Connect (Updated)

With many organisations and businesses now retiring their expensive on-premise Active Directory hardware and moving to a cloud-first Azure environment, or seriously making plans to do so in the near future, the big question we’re often asked by both customers and prospects is, “Where does this leave our growing Mac fleet?”

Apple Device Accessory Compatibility

Which cable do I need to charge this iPhone? How do I connect this hard drive to my Mac? Which version of USB can I use to connect my iPad to my laptop?! Matching an Apple device to a cable or accessory can be difficult, as connections can change and devices are frequently updated.

Working Digitally with Your Class: Who, what, where, when?

You’ve made it. A class set of iPad and one just for you. As a teacher in this situation for the first time, I had a mountain of questions about how to build the basics of digital classroom.

Low Monthly-cost Leasing for Business

At KRCS we offer business-friendly finance options for our customers to help spread the cost of purchasing over the equipment’s lifetime.

We Support, You Teach – making Apple technology effortless

Freedom of expression, creativity and problem solving - there's so much that Apple products and services bring to the classroom. But the benefits don't stop with the students. KRCS work closely with Apple and together, we can reduce teacher workload and take the burden off IT support.

Teaching the educators - Apple Professional Learning

Apple technology can help teachers give inspiring lessons, lighten their workload and simplify day-to-day teaching tasks. But only if teachers know how to use the devices and apps that are at their fingertips. That’s why KRCS provides teacher training for educators who use Apple in the classroom.

How to disable "Find My" for your Mac, iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch

We all know how useful Find My iPhone can be, just ask former England rugby captain, Will Carling, who used the service to track down his lost iPad in 2011. However, when you need to take your device to an Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP), like KRCS, we need you to remove the device from the service, before we can complete any repairs. Read on to see how to get this done!

iPhone Battery Life

The battery life of your iPhone is important to you. When you first get a new iPhone the battery is fresh and ‘full of life’. But after a few years, you start to notice that it may not be lasting as long as it once was. What’s happened? Why is it happening? How can I make it last longer again?

Blended Learning: Tech in Teaching is Simple

Let’s tackle what has become a hot topic in education: Blending Learning. At first glance, it may seem like teaching and learning has to be reinvented: teachers needing to be IT professionals and students not having equivalent access to resources.

Luckily, I’m here to say that’s not the case and Blended Learning works; is simple, effective and achievable for schools going into the 2020 - 2021 academic year. KRCS has been ready to support education with this for years: ready for distance, blended or even face to face learning using iPad and Mac to accelerate outcomes, autonomy and so much more.

KRCS awarded Apple Authorised Education Specialist accreditation

KRCS are pleased to announce that we’ve been awarded Apple Authorised Education Specialist (AAES) accreditation. This replaces the previous 'Apple Solutions Expert - Education’ or, ASE, which has been in place for many years.

Catalina and 32-bit apps

When Apple released the first Mac Pro over ten years ago they began the migration to 64-bit hardware and software.

That hardware migration completed some years ago with all current Macs have a full 64-bit architectures, but the software migration from 32-bit to 64-bit applications has had to take a little longer to allow developers to update their code.

Apple Security - Are they really virus-free?

"Macs don't get viruses" is a line often heard and usually delivered with a nonchalant shrug by many Mac users since the '90s. Assessing if this is the reality, however, is a worthwhile exercise in the light of the recent statements from Malware Bytes, a producer of anti-malware software.

Refresh & Recycle: Innovation is a process

With careful budget planning being required in all areas of public life, education is no exception, schools must make the right investments in their I.T. Longevity and value are frequently used in conversations we have with schools and careful planning can help to deliver on this. It’s where the KRCS Education team can help.

iPad Deployment Models: What are they?

As educators, the chance of having an iPad as part of our education tool kit is thrilling. Our minds race thinking of all the possibilities: “We could go paperless!” “Imagine not taking any books home to mark!” “There’ll be so many resources at my fingertips!

Supporting inclusion with the AV1 tabletop robot

How to get the most from the Touch Bar on a Macbook Pro

Apple has recently updated the MacBook Pro range, and when we originally reviewed the first Macbook Pro to include a Touch Bar, we focused on the benefits for a creative business. Now that all models come equipped with a Touch Bar, it feels like a good time to have an in-depth look into what can be done with the Touch Bar, and how you can set it up to suit your own needs and requirements.

iPad Deployment Foundations

In this short article we will cover the fundamental technologies and programmes which should underpin an iPad deployment of any size in enterprise or education.

Planning Essentials - Getting you Started with your Education Vision.

We work side by side with educators to equip them with technology and knowledge to deliver the best education to their students. As an AAES (Apple Authorised Education Specialist) we currently manage thousands of iOS devices, hundreds of macOS machines and many tvOS devices so schools, colleges and universities can focus on teaching and learning, not technical hassle.

Malware, Virus, Ransomware... What's the difference?

Virus. Malware. Ransomware. All scary words when it comes to computing. What are they? What’s the difference between them? How do I protect myself? This post will help you understand what they are and how you can keep your device and data safe.

ToothFairy for Mac

AirPods, like most Apple devices – they just work. They’re an easy product to use on a day-to-day basis if you’re using them with an iPhone or iPad, and once you have paired them up, they will also seamlessly work with all your other iCloud devices as well. However, switching your AirPods between your other iCloud devices can be a tedious process. If you want to quickly and easily pair with your Mac, this is where the ToothFairy app comes in.

Fitness and the Apple Watch

Since it’s launch in April 2015, the Apple Watch has evolved to become one of the wearable market’s leading products, alongside those from Garmin, Fitbit, and Samsung. Encompassing fitness tracking, health, wellness, communications and more, so-called “smartwatches” are believed to be a $25 billion market in 2019.

Everyone Can Create

We have talked about creativity in education as a recurring theme for many years. So, what’s so different about Apple’s latest offering? The Book series “Everyone Can Create” promises to change how we look at and implement, creativity in the classroom.

They are a free resource, so definitely worth adding to your Books collection and they provide what is, in essence, a free scheme of work for you to use with your class. Maybe the title should have been “Everyone Can (have a free scheme of work to help them) Create”.

Apple in the SEN classroom

Apple has always had a strong commitment to ensuring that its products have been as accessible as possible, for all users. Even in the 1980s, early versions of the Mac operating system had a number of features designed for visually impaired users to aid them with magnification, text sizing, and contrast. These are features which are still incorporated in today's operating system releases. To Apple, access for all is still a high priority almost thirty years on.

Apple in education; Affordability and value

The topic of affordability is always on the agenda when we discuss iPad & Mac projects with schools.

KRCS director and school governor, Robert Woods, has some valuable insights on ensuring your school's investments are affordable and giving your school the best value for your budget.

Mac deployment in Active Directory environments

A great plan for the upgrade of existing Macs or a new deployment needs an understanding of both the technology and teaching practices.

Updated 23/01/2019

Should you get a “cheap” iPhone screen repair?

Whether or not to get a “cheap” iPhone screen repair, as opposed to a genuine screen replacement, has been something that many of us have pondered when we’ve been unfortunate enough to break ours. With the number of unofficial, 3rd party repairers around, some of whom seem very professional, you’d be forgiven for thinking they were all offering genuine Apple service.

The reality is, there’s only one way to get a genuine Apple screen repair, which is to go via an Apple Authorised Service Provider, like KRCS or, another official Apple outlet. So what is it that the other guys are offering?

WiFi Woes

WiFi woes... We’ve all been there.... A Netfilx binge is ruined by buff-er.....ing, or a software download that seems to be taking an aeon to download. We have 10 sure fire tips to help!

(Updated 22/01/2019)

iPad and SEN

Apple offers a huge range of innovative accessibility features which are built into all iOS devices as standard. With great features such as VoiceOver, AssistiveTouch and Guided Access, students of all ages can enjoy interacting with new technology.

(Updated 21/01/2019)

Managing iOS Storage Limits

With many still using older 16GB iOS devices, and photo libraries growing all the time, many people are experiencing storage issues. Many more people visit our stores unable to be back-up to iCloud due to a lack of available space, this post aims help you to make the most of the space available on your device. 

Updated 21/01/2019

Water Damage

All too often KRCS see liquid damaged Apple products in our workshops. Liquid and electronics don’t mix particularly well, so here are a few tips that may save you from an expensive repair or loss of your data.

Updated 18/01/2019

MyScript Calculator

In the KRCS education team, we’re often asked for App recommendations and ideas to help teachers get started with the App Store. We think you should check out MyScript Calculator.

Updated 16/01/2019

TrilbyBookclub

The newly launched TrilbyBookclub is a simple way to collect, publish and access your ebooks.

Updated 16/01/2019

Duolingo

Ever wanted to learn French, German or Spanish? Or even High Valyrian and Klingon?! Duolingo offers a completely free solution for helping you or your pupils take on a new language with ease.

Updated 16/01/2019

3D printing in education

3D printing, the revolutionary technology originally conceived back in the early 80s, is quietly making a revolution. From robotic hands to iPhone cases to architectural models, almost anything is possible with 3D printing

Apple TV in education

It will surprise most people that the Apple TV was launched over a decade ago. It’s been through several physical changes and many price changes too, since the early models which included a 3.5” hard drive and cost well over £200.

Subsequently, having shrunk dramatically in size, lost the embedded hard drive, added fantastic new built-in applications and dropped in price, it has come to be a must-have item not just for the ‘connected home’ but for the education market, too.

iMac at Twenty : The past and present

It’s twenty years since the release of the original bondi blue iMac – the iconic desktop computer that credited with bringing Apple back from the edge. We’ve seen many design changes, new connection standards introduced and fall away, new features and technologies arrive which have since become the norm. What will the next twenty years of iMac bring?

The new Apple App Stores

Anyone who has recently updated to the latest Mac or iOS will most likely have noticed a lot of changes. The well recieved dark mode or the dynamic desktops on Mac OS Mojave or the speedier apps and new photo features on iOS 12 are all obvious and welcome parts of the updates. What might have passed some people by, is the huge improvements to Apples' App Stores.

Annual Learning and Technology Conference

KRCS were proud to hold the exclusive Learning and Technology Conference on the 27^th of June at the historic National Brewery Centre in Burton upon Trent. Here are our highlights from the day.

Beginning with Anchor-Buoy

Chloe, one of our FIlemaker developers, writes about her experience with the Anchor Buoy ruling, and how it helps her with visualising the relationships in her projects.

WWDC 2018: Daily Blog

Monday marked the start of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, California. If you weren't lucky enough to be invited to watch the keynote in person, you can watch it on Apple's Youtube channel.

Please keep checking back on our blog with updates on each days highlights from the 2018 Apple WWDC.

Is now the time to switch from laptop to iPad?

When choosing your next device for work, or even personal use, it largely comes down to what sort of work you are doing, and what you need from your device. There is an increasing overlap between laptops and the iPad, especially now that the iPad has become more powerful, and apps are able to do more. Is now the time to consider iPad, rather than a laptop, as the next device for you, or your workforce? Let’s look into the details.

iOS 11.4 is here and it's important

With the release of iOS 11.4 came two notable updates, Messages in iCloud and the long-awaited AirPlay 2. So, what do they both do exactly? Let's take a look.

iOS Deployment: A device management checklist

The summer term is the most popular time of year for institutions to review their ICT provision. Whether they have previously invested in an iPad solution and expanding or whether this is your first ever step with Apple devices, with new budgets in place, it’s an ideal opportunity to think and plan ahead.

The new iPad... But, whats new about it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯?

Apple recently released a new iPad, replacing the previous 5th generation. With key new features and a lower price, the iPad reclaims its crown as the best overall tablet on the market today.

ePOS Hardware & Services

With the Retail Business Technology Expo (RBTE) just gone, many business owners will be looking at their current technology, and how they can improve on it, or how they can embark on their first steps into retail technologies. Although KRCS didn’t exhibit, it doesn’t mean we can’t help. Partnering with both Lightspeed and Vend, and with over 17 years of retail experience ourselves, we are in a prime position to help, and not just with your technology.

Managed Service for Education

Planning wisely and budgeting ahead in this current economic climate, is a must. School finances are being squeezed across all departments. ICT equipment and services are not immune.

Every student can experience iPad with Managed Service

FirstClass Managed Service for Schools is a subscription plan, and an important part of our FirstClass Programme. The service is underpinned by an industry leading MDM, Jamf Pro. By incorporating best practice techniques from Apple, we ensure that your devices are deployed, and managed, effectively and efficiently, for up to 3 years.

Apple Special Event, March 2018

The Apple special event, with it's tagline of "Let's go on a field trip", was held on the 27th of March at a high school in Chicago. Given the tagline and the location, it had the expected focus on education. Apple showcased new products, software and initiatives designed to "Ignite the creativity in every student", with a special focus on a revised 9.7-inch iPad.

Jamf Infrastructure Manager Introduction & Setup Guide

The Jamf Infrastructure Manager (JIM) is a tool which allows you to securely integrate an LDAP service with Jamf Pro in the cloud, without having to make your directory service visible to the internet.  An LDAP integration in essential to most Jamf Pro solutions because it allows enrolment of devices to be authenticated against your organisations directory service, scoping of policy and profiles to LDAP users and groups and content of configurations to leverage information held in the LDAP

What is GDPR and why does it matter to you?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a new data protection regulation that comes into force on 25th May 2018. Why does this matter to you? How does it affect your retail store?

IT Theft Prevention for Schools

Computer security is an ongoing problem and, whilst recorded theft offences are on the general decline in the UK, the aftermath of a break-in, and the consequences of losing essential IT equipment, can be devastating

How to customise your Mac

Apple has a reputation for knowing what is best for their customers, and making certain choices for you. However, the truth of it is, they try and keep you from breaking things accidentally by hiding certain settings, but there is still a lot that you can customise to your own style.

So what do we think of HomePod?

There are already big name options for voice control in your home, but today, the biggest name of them all has joined the battle.

iMac Pro First Impressions

With a sleek Space Grey look, the new iMac Pro certainly looks the part. Before you rush out to buy one, read our first impressions to help you make sense of the new options.

RAID storage: A guide

The concept of aggregating your data across several hard drives is nothing particularly new. Early arrays of hard drives first appeared on the market during the late 80’s and early 90’s and were used in large commercial data storage environments. In the last few years RAID drives have become better understood and have been adopted in more mainstream environments. For those who aren't so familiar, let us help you catch up.

Little things add up to big things

Here at KRCS we work with many customers of all different sizes and needs. But fear not. No matter how big or small a school you are, we can help you.

Is Photoshop Worth The Money?

One application has become as synonymous with photo editing, as Google has with searching the web. Photoshop. Photoshop is the market leader, and first port of call for many photo editors, both professional and hobbyists; but should it be?

Great iPad games this holiday season

So you’ve just got a shiny new iPad, you’ve quickly installed the must have apps like Facebook, Twitter and you’re ready to binge the latest Netflix show but, what about some games? The iPad has gone largely unnoticed as a handheld games console and that really is a shame, because you know what? It’s really good! I’ve always been of the mindset that gaming should be left to consoles and PC’s, but as iPad gets more powerful and the games get bigger and better, it’s not only a games console now but, one of the most popular ones too.

We’re keen gamers here at KRCS, and we thought we’d share some of the games we’re really hooked on at the moment.

Apple Support has launched it’s own YouTube channel

Group conversations can get busy fast, is there a way you can keep down the notifications, without leaving? Well, now there's a YouTube channel that will help answer that query, and more. Even better, the advice comes from Apple themselves!

CompuCover : Warranty and Insurance products

For many of us, our Macs and iPads are our most used pieces of technology away from our smart phones. In an educational setting, technology is now at the core of the curriculum, enabling teachers and students alike. Unfortunately, some institutions never consider the impact that a faulty, broken or worse, a stolen item, could have on a workflow or on a classroom.

Black Friday for Business

It’s nearly upon us. The pumpkins are mouldy, festive music is playing in the shops, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis have released their Christmas TV ads…. That’s right, Black Friday is nearly here!!

Why we love the notch on the iPhone X

With the introduction of the iPhone X, the iPhone finally has a bezel-less display. Unlike other edge-to-edge displays though, Apple hasn’t kept the top bezel totally intact. In a move that has now caused quite the storm online, Apple has created, ‘The Notch’. Terrible right? Well no, not really. Let us explain…

How to unlock an iPhone from a UK network

We’re often asked if we can remove a network lock from an iPhone. Unfortunately, we can’t as the lock is with the network provider, however, we’ve provided the details for how to go about it with the major UK networks (as of June 2017) below.

Going over your monthly data allowance?

That awkward moment when you hit your data limit for the month and its only the 12th... The rest of the month is spent begging for WiFi passwords and trying to stay on top of your Snapchat streaks, post your selfies to Instagram and keep up with Facebook and Twitter. Bad times, as they say...

In the UK 56% of 16-24 year olds say they use their phone "too much". Average monthly data usage is on the rise, from 500MB per month in 2010 to 2GB at the start of this year. Experts forecast this to rise to over 5GB p/m in the next few years. We all know the pain of not having any data left, so we wanted to share with you some useful tips and tricks that can help you eek-out your GB's for a few extra days on your iPhone or cellular iPad.

Great AR apps for iOS11

With the release of iOS11 and the upcoming launch of iPhone X, augmented reality, or AR, has come to the App store. Some developers have already created incredible apps that demonstrate what might be possible when they manage to take full advantage of Apple's new ARKit and hardware. 

Apple Cache Server

Whilst you probably know the exact size of your school’s iPad or Mac deployment, whether its 30 or 300 devices, and you may have complete control of them via a Mobile Device Management solution, you probably don’t have an clue of how much bandwidth is regularly used in downloading content from Apple and its online servers.

Whilst your site may be benefitting from faster and faster broadband service, when you have dozens of users within the school competing for the same bandwidth, nothing beats the speed and responsiveness of local network storage.This is where a caching service comes in.

VPNs or Profiles causing internet connection issues?

A frequent issue we’ve seen on iOS devices brought in to our stores and service centres recently is lack of connectivity to the internet. A lot of the time, the inability to connect to the internet is down to Profiles and VPNs. Get the benefit of our experience and solve your own connectivity woes!

Parallels: Best of both worlds

Do you use Apple devices at home, but not at work? Do you want to introduce an iMac or Macbooks in to your business, but think you can’t? Parallels Desktop for Business is designed to help overcome these and many other obstacles, let's take a look how.

Remember when the iPhone was different and new?

The iPhone is 10 years old this year and it’s fair to say that it changed a lot of things in the technology industry. It changed the way we connect, share, play, and much more. The product that some people speculated would fail horribly, ended up shaping the entire smartphone industry. To the point now, where the majority of smartphones look and feel incredibly similar.

Congratulations on your recent Adobe Creative Cloud Purchase…. Now what?

The Adobe cloud software purchasing process.. We’ve sent you a quote, you’re happy to go ahead and so you’ve sent us an order. Now you’re probably wondering what’s going to happen next. In this short blog we hope to give you step-by-step insight into how the process works and what you need to do to actually get up and running.

Adobe Creative Cloud for Teams

Adobe have moved their software to a subscription based service, rather than a one-off purchase. If you are using CS5 or before you may want to consider upgrading.

But why should you bother?

iOS Charging Solutions

Many schools and educational institutions are now investing in classroom sets of iPads and are hoping to transform the learning experience of their pupils. However, has anyone thought about the practicalities of supporting these devices, and particularly, how you're going to ensure they're fully charged and ready to use throughout the school, every single day?

September is just around the corner

Your school or college life is over. Your A level results have come in and you’ve got your university place (congratulations!). But what now? If you’ve read the news, you’re now faced with increased tuition fees, housing and living costs, as well as the cost of textbooks and equipment. In the run up to September, you’ll be making some essential purchases and hopefully learning to blag as many freebies as you can!

September is just around the corner... iPad or Mac?

September is fast approaching, your loan paperwork is sorted, you’ve got a room in halls and your uni acceptance letter is getting liberally flashed around for every discount you can get. The question is though, you’re going to need something to type up all those class notes, read through the online course material, to write that late-night, caffeine fuelled essays whilst kicking back with Netflix or iTunes. Which laptop do you get? Do you even get a laptop at all..?

Swift Playgrounds

One of the last, and most significant announcements made at Apple’s 2016 WWDC (WorldWide Developers Conference), was Swift Playgrounds. Playgrounds is an iOS app and is designed to introduce children to the world of programming and forms the core of Apple’s “Everyone Can Code” initiative.

5 great apps that work with Touch Bar

Apple released the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar in October 2016, almost a year ago at the time of writing. The new Touch Bar is a smooth piece of glass that seamlessly fits above the keyboard, where previously the function (f) keys were. The Touch Bar is a new interface innovation for Apple and Mac users were keen to see what developers could create.

We’ve put together a list of 5 applications that will put the Touch Bar to great use.

Great Summer Accessories with KRCS

When you’re like me, your tech goes with you everywhere, the right accessories can help make a good holiday a great one. Whether it be your camera, laptop, or mobile device, there’s going to be an accessory that can enhance your experience.

At KRCS we offer a number of great which could help you make the most of your tech whilst you are away.

iPad Pro in the Workplace

To date, 99% of Fortune 500 companies use iOS devices in their businesses; but it’s not just for the big boys. With over 230 000 business apps on the App Store, as well as you being able to create your own, iOS enables you to work however you want.

APL and other three letter acronyms…

So you have decided iPad is the way forward for your school. SLT have had various meetings and the governors have agreed to buy the iPad solution. Where do you go from here?

Relaunch by KRCS

The original iPad was introduced in January 2010 and much has changed in the intervening years. Greater performance, improved specifications and incremental operating system updates have helped make the iPad the first choice for the classroom.

However, the management of workgroups of iPads has taken some time to fully mature an this is why Mobile Device Management – or MDM – solutions have now become the tool of choice.

What does this change mean for you – practically – in the classroom?

Productivity from an Application

Applications have become a massive part of our daily lives. They help us reach people through instant messaging, allow us to post pictures of a lunch or the coffee we’ve just had, and can even track our health and exercise information. Applications can also help productivity though. Whether you’re a student, self-employed or work in an office there’s going to be an application to help you.

Here at KRCS we use a lot of applications to aid productivity so we thought we’d go around the office and see which ones are used most frequently. Maybe some of them can help you too!

iPhone X Unboxing

Watch as we unbox the iPhone X. Take a look at its stunning new display, design and features in our latest video! 

Heading into WWDC 2017

Every year around this time Apple rumours start picking up ahead of the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). WWDC tends to be more software orientated rather than hardware but minor updates to existing products are sometimes announced. That, however, doesn’t stop the rumour mill or at least the people atop it. Apple have built quite the cult following and this brings massive amounts of speculation across their entire product line.

Apple Volume Purchase Program

Apple’s ‘Volume Purchase Program’, or VPP, is Apples’ system which allows educational institutions to find, buy and distribute apps (…and books) in bulk. It also a source of many questions for our partner schools and institutions as teachers and administrators look to make the most out of their investment in Apple equipment in their schools.

Two simple steps to protect your Apple devices

The big tech news this week has been the rapid and unprecedented spread of the WannaCry ransomware, grinding huge organisations like FedEx, Deutsche Bahn and the NHS, to a halt. The good news is that we MacOS and iOS users aren't vulnerable to this specific attack, but its all too easy to think we're not affected.

iPhone and the car

The recent crackdown on “phoning and driving” has been driven (pardon the pun) by the disregard for the laws which were already in place, with numerous drivers continuing to text, call or even post selfies. As phones have become a more an integral part of our everyday life it seems some of us have no regard for how dangerous using a mobile device in the car can actually be.

Thunderbolt 3 Adapters

Looking at the new MacBook Pros? Have you bought one already? Do you need to connect external monitors, hard drives or other devices? Here is our round up of the adapters you will need to connect all your existing kit.

iPad cases : Insurance-approved protection

Once you’ve decided on which iPad your school, institution and increasingly your business, is investing in, keeping it safe and secure against damage should be your next investment decision.

Apple Repair & Exchange Programs - Current programs and KRCS involvement

Apple employ some of the best manufacturing processes in the world to maintain their renowned quality and reliability, but as is inevitable with volumes manufactured they do infrequently identify manufacturing issues with certain components.

These are the programs that KRCS as an Apple Authorised Service Provider can facilitate on behalf of Apple.

Small-Business Backups Made Simple

When using Mac computers in your business, as with any other computer, your data is important. 
Let’s look at the different ways you can backup your data and find the right way for you.

Passwords, why they need more of our attention.

Passwords, they need more of our attention. We are now living in an age where having the ability to access our data online has become a necessity. The blending of your online and ‘real’ life isn’t out of the ordinary.

Restrictions and Settings using an MDM with iOS

Managing restrictions on an iOS device give a certain amount of control, but to enable full control of settings and restrictions that are not available on the device you need to enrol the device in to an MDM (Mobile Device Management) server.

Our Top 5 Applications for the classroom

Education is a massive part of what we do here at KRCS. We are always trying to introduce new and exciting opportunities for students and teachers to not only experience themselves but experience together. So we thought we’d introduce some apps (in no particular order) that our education team think are perfect for the classroom and often recommend on visits.

How the new MacBook Pro can help a creative business

Apple’s much anticipated update of the MacBook Pro’s was finally revealed to the public last Thursday evening. There are lots of new features, so we wanted to delve into them and see how they can help your creative business.

Stress-Free Travel with Apple

I love to travel. If I’m not actually travelling, I’m planning for trips that I’ll be taking soon.

There is however, one issue with travelling. The actual getting to your destination part can be a pain. Getting to the airport two hours early, endless queues for security, staring intently at the departure board to avoid the last-minute gate change dash that leads to you to sprinting halfway across a terminal… Even finding your seat on a flight, there are a many things that can take the edge off that awesome holiday feeling.

Five Hidden Gems in Mac OS X

With iOS seemingly taking centre-stage for Apple, many people seem to have forgotten the wonders of the Mac.

Four reasons why I love my Apple Watch

A month in with Apples most personal product yet and four reasons why I love my Apple Watch.

iOS 10 Public Beta First Look

First shown during WWDC 16, iOS 10 appears to be the biggest iOS update yet, so we couldn’t wait to download the public beta onto an iPhone 6s and have a look for ourselves. So, let’s take a look!

10 ways your iPhone can help you succeed at the gym

If I'm not at work, then I'm working out. My local takeaway has taken a substantial financial hit but, fitness has now become a large part of my life.

My phone is almost as important a part of my fitness as my gym membership. I realised that I had created an ecosystem for succeeding built around my iPhone and wanted to share what I've learned about apps, built-in features and accessories which have helped me get the most out of my time in, and out of, the gym.

Apple Watch - A personal experience

Its been just over a year since Apple launched the Apple Watch, being an early adopter I eagerly awaited April 10th. I spent most of the morning constantly refreshing both Apple’s website and their iOS Store application waiting for them too come back online and order Apple’s first truly new product in recent years. Now I've had time to form a proper impression of the Watch and what it can do, I wanted to share with you my experience.

What is FileVault?

Apple’s forward-thinking stance on it’s users security is not new, in fact, they offered a simple way to securely encrypt a users files way back in 2003. Introduced in Mac OS 10.3, “Panther”, FileVault was fairly rudimentary by today’s standards, but it allowed users to protect their data by encrypting their home directory.

5 Reasons why the Mac is the perfect tool for musicians

So why should musicians buy a Mac? Coventry’s in-store music experts, Mat and Cameron, have 5 reasons why every musician should have a Mac as their studio whip.

My First Mac - Clamshell iBook

The first post on how we came to the Mac, by Jonn, our Nottingham store manager on his beloved clamshell G3 iBook.

How to set-up and use Mail app on an iOS device

The team at our Doncaster store walk you through the basics of how to get an email account set up and how to use Mail app on your new iPad, or other iOS device.

Why you're not taking your online security seriously

Our Derby store manager, Rob, is worried that you don't take your online privacy and security as seriously as you should. Read why.

Why HomeKit faces competition from a surprising place..

Why HomeKit faces competition in the "smart” home from a surprising place...

The KRCS Free Unboxing Service

We want you to love your new iPhone or iPad when you purchase it from us in store, thats why, with all new iPhone and iPad purchases from us in store, we’re now giving you a free in-store unboxing service.

The iPad, your little ones and you

Our Nottingham store manager Jonn, Dad to an very active 6 year old boy, and a little girl aged 4 (going on 16!), who both grew up with iOS from a very early age, has some great tips to share as a parent, for parents of smaller iPad users.

Shared iPad and Classroom app from iOS 9.3

Steve from our head office sales team, has put together some thoughts on two of the more significant aspects of the iOS 9.3 updates and how they can benefit those schools who use an iPad in the classroom.

iPad Pro 9.7-inch Display - Our Thoughts

Now the team at KRCS Hull have spent some quality time with the new iPad Pro 9.7”, they’ve had plenty of opportunity to get hands-on with it, as well as hearing feedback from their customers who’ve used it in the wild. It’s already finding it’s place in Apple’s ecosystem, and here are a few of the benefits they're hearing time and time again.

LaCie Rugged Drive Mini-review

The LaCie Rugged’s design is practical and yet retains a modern look beneath the bright orange bumper sleeve. The Rugged has been drop tested to 1.2m, pressure tested to 1-ton, and is also rain resistant. It definitely looks as though it can take some serious bumps & scrapes! A mini-review from our Wakefield store.

Your iPhone and Medical ID might save your life

Do you know that you can store and access emergency contacts and medical information on your iPhone, that can be accessed even when it is locked? A great post from Glyn on our education team.

Unboxing, setting up and demonstrating the all-new Sonos Play:5

Our Wakefield team unbox, set up and demonstrate the magnificent, all-new Sonos Play:5. Beautifully packaged, easy to use and amazing sound, this is the best Sonos speaker yet.

Handoff with iOS devices and Macs

Our Derby store team walk you through the basics of Handoff, a feature which allows you to switch between using your iOS devices and your Mac, to seamlessly complete tasks.

Should schools be leasing new Apple Equipment rather then buying it?

In the past the words “lease rental’ have been something that can make schools particularly nervous.

Introducing and setting up the Apple Pencil

A brief introduction and setup guide from the KRCS Hull team for the latest Apple accessory, the Apple Pencil for iPad Pro.

Personalised Learning with iPad

The personal and portable nature of iPad, along with a great selection of workflow Apps, means that the iPad is a fantastic tool for truly independent learning

Unboxing the new Apple TV

James and the team at KRCS Wakefield unbox and talk us through the brand new Apple TV and Siri Remote and theres a great piece on how to get the most out of your new box from Ben and the team at KRCS Hull.

KRCS awarded CPC supplier status

KRCS Group are proud to announce that we have officially been awarded supplier status with Crescent Purchasing Consortium - CPC. This framework offers best value purchasing arrangements for Further Education, Academies, Free Schools and Schools sectors.

Introducing Beats Solo 2 Wireless

Let Shaun from KRCS Doncaster, introduce you to the new Beats Solo 2 Wireless headphones. A simple set up and handy how-to guide!

iOS 9.3 - A breakthrough for Schools

Usher in the most significant commitment from Apple to schools since they launched the iPad.  iOS 9.3.

iOS 9.3 is due for release in Autumn, and the beta version already available has revealed a number of amazing new tools and features.

Pixels!….Pixels everywhere!!

Whichever way you look at it, the new display on the iMac Retina 5k has a lot of pixels!

Magic Keyboard Unboxing

The team at KRCS Coventry talk us through an unboxing of the Apple Magic Keyboard.

Setting up iCloud storage on iOS

The team at KRCS Derby show us how to set up iCloud storage on an iOS device

File Management with iPad

One of the questions that comes up whenever I speak to schools thinking of deploying iPad or extending their deployment from an initial few, is how to manage the files that have been created on the devices.

iPad Pro in education

Did we need a bigger iPad? We didn’t know until now, so where does it fit in education? The iPad Pro presents a wonderful opportunity to do something different.

Sonos Playbar & Sub unboxing and set-up

Our Doncaster team unbox and set up the mind-blowing Sonos Playbar and Sub.

iOS9 and shared devices

Anybody who has deployed iPads in significant numbers as shared devices will understand why preparation for the deployment was essential.

Apple have taken a step back and tried to look at this whole process from a different perspective, and the results are fantastic.

How to set up your Personal Cloud

If you’re using an iPad in your personal or business life, the chances are that you are using some form of cloud storage for your documents.  Typically iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Microsoft One Drive or DropBox amongst many others.

There is an alternative to internet hosted cloud storage like these providers offer.  Set up a cloud right in your own home or office!

Education Technology and it’s changing pace

We are at a crossroads where technology is moving faster than ever and Education must keep pace in order to stay relevant. The term ‘we are teaching children for jobs that don’t exist yet’ is truer than ever.

iCloud Photo Library

Our photos are some of our most coveted items, yet they are the number one thing people lose and are also the most upset about losing, on lost, stolen or broken iOS devices.

Baker Days

The school summer holiday is over and Autumn appears to be here, so for the KRCS education team, that means there will be schools to visit to deliver Apple Professional Development training.

Apple hiring AI experts

Reuters broke the story of Apple hiring 86 new staff for machine learning projects yesterday. What might that mean for iOS 9 and Apple and why you shouldn't necessarily expect an i-Robot anytime soon.

Storage options for iPad in school

Once you've decided to invest in iPad, along with deciding on which iPad that best suits your chosen deployment model, amongst the associated additional items, you also need to consider how you are going to store your new devices.

Upgrades – Getting new life out of old bones

Keeping an eye on the budget and balance sheet is as important as its ever been in these tough financial times.

Beats Solo2 Wireless Review

Chris reviews the new Beats Solo2 Wireless Headphones in Gold and thinks Beats have come a long way since he bought his first pair.

Sonos Wireless Music System Review

"I had heard a lot of great things about Sonos before we started stocking it at KRCS, a few months later, I’m now a serious Sonos addict." Craig, from our Hull store, gives us his take on the Sonos Wireless Music System.

Back to School

Getting your Mac or iPad ready for a new term is important, whether you’re a student or a teacher.

iPad, iPhone and iPod touch repairs - Preparing your device for service

In this article we will take you through the recommended steps to complete before submitting your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch for service.

Focusrite iTrack Solo Review

I spent some time with Focusrite’s iOS-compatible audio interface to see if they’ve really found that magical balance between quality, affordability and simplicity of use. Sound too good to be true?

Osmo Unboxing and Review

The groundbreaking Osmo system, fosters social intelligence and creative thinking by opening up the iPad to the endless possibilities of physical play. Including the iPad stand and reflector, compatible with iPad 2 and iPad Mini onwards, the Osmo includes four games, Masterpiece, Words, Tangram and Newton.

Apple updates iTunes U to v3.0

Apple has updated iTunes U to version 3.0 with even more powerful tools for teachers and educators to deliver courses and content to students.

5 common mistakes schools make when deploying iPad

Securing Portable Drives

Data security is vital when transporting key files, its easy to encrypt and protect your data with Mac OS X.

Bose QC20i Earphone Review

Bose Quiet Comfort 20i Noise-Cancelling Earphones are some of the best around. Our Derby manager gives us his review.

Mac OS X and Keychains

We cover the basics of how keychains work, how issues can occur and how to deal with them when they do

QuietYouTube

There are a huge number of educational and inspirational videos on YouTube, some of which you may want to show to your students in class or colleagues in a meeting.

MacBook Unboxing

We were so excited to get our hands on the new MacBook, we wanted to share the experience with you.

Arbourthorne Community Primary School

In 2013 Arbourthorne Community Primary School were able to achieve a One to One deployment in Year 6 with the help of KRCS.

Hazel Oak School

The children and teachers at Hazel Oak School, Solihull, have embraced technology with the help of KRCS.

GarageBand for Mac Update

With the launch of the new Apple Music, Apple have recently updated their hugely popular GarageBand for Mac with a huge collection of new software instrument sounds, 1000 new loops, Force Touch integration and new ways to share.

Griffin Wired Keyboard

Are you trying to connect hundreds of iPads within the school to Bluetooth keyboards? Griffin Technology have a solution.

Pitch. Explain. Inspire.

Adobe’s Spark Video (formerly Adobe Voice) empowers users with a simple, fast and superbly fun app for creating your very own stories for the world to see. No filming necessary, with access to over 25,000 iconic images (along with all of your own) all you need is your voice to get a story across. 

Updated 18/01/2019.

Apple Schoolwork – a powerful tool for teachers

Schoolwork makes it easy to create assignments, view student progress, and more.

Read More

Apple September 2018 Event - "Gather Round"

Another September, another packed Apple event! New Apple Watch, iPhone and accessories announced as well as software reveals galore. "Gather round" for our round-up and initial thoughts.