G Ragu Review

Updated September 2026: in 2021, after Apple launched the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips and a display notch but no Face ID, I shared my view on why Apple might have left it out. I have rewritten it with what the Mac offers instead and how the question looks today.

Reviewers praised the new MacBook Pro models in late 2021, but many criticised Apple for putting a notch in the display without Face ID. I could see reasons for leaving it out. People spend long periods at a laptop, so a camera that authenticates automatically could approve a payment or password without the user meaning to. And if a family member or child used the Mac for a few minutes, Face ID might unlock for you just because you walked past. Apple could add settings to prevent this, but many basic users would not change them.

Has any Mac shipped with Face ID?

Not as of this update. Macs use Touch ID on the keyboard instead, and the notch holds the camera. Rumours about Face ID on the Mac appear from time to time, so treat any claims as unconfirmed until Apple announces it.

How does Touch ID on a Mac work?

You register fingerprints in System Settings, under Touch ID and Password. They can unlock the Mac, fill passwords, approve Apple Pay and authorise app purchases. Each user account on the Mac has its own fingerprints, which suits shared family computers.

Why might Face ID be harder on a laptop than a phone?

• Thickness: the sensors need depth, and laptop lids are very thin.
• Intent: on a phone you look at it to act; at a laptop you are looking at the screen all the time.
• Angles: the lid angle and your position change more than with a phone.

What else can unlock a Mac quickly?

An Apple Watch can unlock the Mac and approve some requests when you are wearing it nearby. It is a useful option on Macs without Touch ID or when the keyboard is out of reach.

Is the missing Face ID a reason not to buy?

Rarely. Touch ID is fast and deliberate, which avoids the accidental approvals I worried about in 2021.

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Updated September 2026: in 2021 I argued that Apple should bring iCloud+ features to older Macs like my 2012 MacBook Pro, which could not run the macOS version they required, while my iPhone and iPad could. I have rewritten it as a guide to what iCloud+ does and does not do on an older Mac.

I had used a 2012 MacBook Pro for years with no plan to replace it. When I looked at subscribing to Apple One, I found that the new iCloud+ features needed a newer version of macOS than my Mac could run. My iPhone 11 and seventh-generation iPad were on the latest software and could use them, but my Mac, where I did most of my work, could not. That made the subscription feel like poor value for me.

Which macOS version can a 2012 MacBook Pro run?

Officially, the mid-2012 MacBook Pro models stop at macOS Catalina. Apple's iCloud+ features such as Private Relay arrived with macOS Monterey in 2021, which does not support these Macs.

What still works on an older Mac?

• The extra iCloud storage, for iCloud Drive, Photos and backups, within the limits of the older macOS.
• iCloud.com in a browser, for Mail, Drive, Photos and account settings, including some iCloud+ settings.
• Features used on your iPhone and iPad, which are fully available there.

What does not work?

Private Relay in Safari on the Mac and the macOS settings for features like Hide My Email need a supported macOS version. An older, unsupported system also stops receiving security updates, which is a bigger concern than missing features.

Is Apple One worth it with an older Mac?

It depends on what else you use. If you already pay for Apple Music and more iCloud storage, the bundle can still save money even without the Mac features. If Private Relay on the Mac was the main reason, it will not help until you update your hardware.

Should you install a newer macOS with unofficial tools?

Some people use community tools to install newer macOS versions on unsupported Macs. That can work, but it carries risks: missing drivers, unstable updates and no official support. Back up fully first and only try it on a Mac you do not depend on.

When is it time to replace an old Mac?

When it no longer gets security updates and you use it for banking, email or work. That was the real cost of keeping my 2012 model, more than any single missing feature.

Keep reading

• Apple October 2022 Predictions: What Actually Launched
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Updated September 2026: in 2021 I shared a workaround for hearing Tamil, Telugu and Kannada songs with Dolby Atmos in Apple Music, when Atmos was mostly limited to English and some Hindi titles. I have rewritten it as a guide to finding regional songs in Dolby Atmos today.

When Apple Music launched Dolby Atmos, many listeners in India were disappointed that it covered mostly English songs and a limited number of Hindi ones. At the time I found a workaround: search for the song, tap the three dots, choose Show Album, scroll down to the music videos, and play the video version of the song, which gave me an Atmos or spatial experience for some regional tracks. That trick depended on how particular videos were encoded, so treat it as something that worked for me then rather than a reliable method.

Are regional Indian songs available in Dolby Atmos now?

Some are. The number of Indian titles mixed in Dolby Atmos has grown since 2021, including film music in several languages. Availability still depends on whether the label has released an Atmos mix, so many songs remain in stereo only.

How do you check if a song is in Dolby Atmos?

• Look for the Dolby Atmos badge on the album page or the Now Playing screen.
• Browse spatial audio playlists and categories in Apple Music, which group Atmos titles.
• Search the album, since some films have a separate Atmos version listed alongside the original.

Which settings do you need?

In your iPhone's Settings, open Music and set Dolby Atmos to Automatic or Always On. Automatic plays Atmos on supported headphones such as recent AirPods. Always On plays it on any headphones, which can sound different from the stereo mix, so try both.

What is the difference between spatial audio and Dolby Atmos?

Dolby Atmos is the format the song is mixed in. Spatial audio is Apple's way of playing it back, and with supported AirPods it can track your head movement. Apple also offers a spatialised stereo option for songs without an Atmos mix, which is not the same as a true Atmos mix.

What if your favourite song is not in Atmos?

Listen to it in lossless stereo instead. A well-produced stereo mix on good headphones often sounds better than a rushed Atmos version.

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Updated September 2026: in 2021 I made a comparison table of Amazon Music and Apple Music for listeners in India, covering price, catalogue, sound quality on AirPods Pro and voice control. I have rewritten it as a decision guide, keeping my original impressions and adding what to check now that prices and features have changed.

For a long time I could not decide which music service gave the best sound for a reasonable price. So I put together a simple comparison, based on my own use, for readers choosing between the two in India.

What did my 2021 comparison find?

• Price: Amazon Music came with Prime, so I counted roughly half the Prime fee as the cost of music. Apple Music was a separate subscription and worked out more expensive for me.
• Catalogue: Amazon felt larger. Apple Music needed more regional music.
• Sound on AirPods Pro: I heard a little graininess on beats and vocals with Amazon, and clearer sound with Apple Music.
• Voice: Alexa needed the app open on my iPhone, but recognised songs a little better. Siri was excellent for English songs and weaker for regional titles.

My verdict then was simple: Amazon Music if budget comes first, Apple Music if sound quality matters more than cost.

What has changed since then?

Prices and plans in India have changed more than once, and both services have added lossless and spatial audio options. Amazon's music offering is also split between what Prime includes and the separate Unlimited plan. Check the current plans on each service before relying on any older figures, including mine.

How should you choose today?

• Already pay for Prime? Try the music it includes before paying for anything else.
• Use an iPhone and AirPods? Apple Music fits more smoothly, with Siri and automatic device switching.
• Listen mostly to regional music? Search for your favourite artists and albums on both before deciding.
• Care about audio quality? Compare the same songs on the same headphones during free trials.

Is there a case for other services?

Yes. Spotify, YouTube Music and Indian services such as JioSaavn have strong regional catalogues and different pricing. The same checks apply.

Keep reading

• Apple Music vs Amazon Music: Spatial Audio and Voice
• Tamil, Telugu and Kannada Songs in Dolby Atmos
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Updated September 2026: in 2021 I wrote about why Apple Music's Dolby Atmos launch made me question my long-time use of Amazon Music, and why Siri suited me better than Alexa on an iPhone. I have rewritten it with how both services changed afterwards and what to compare today.

I had used Amazon Music for a long time and was a big fan. Then Apple announced Dolby Atmos and spatial audio for Apple Music, and said a large part of its catalogue would support it. At that point Amazon had not made a matching commitment for its app. The second issue for me was voice control. On my iPhone, Alexa worked only with the Amazon Music app open, while Siri could play Apple Music even when the phone was idle.

What did Apple announce in 2021?

In May 2021 Apple announced spatial audio with Dolby Atmos and lossless audio for Apple Music, available from June at no extra cost to subscribers. The number of Atmos titles has grown steadily since then.

Did Amazon Music catch up?

Largely. Around the same time Amazon added its HD and Ultra HD tiers to Amazon Music Unlimited at no extra cost, and it supports Dolby Atmos and other spatial formats on supported devices and apps. The details differ by plan and country, so check what your subscription includes.

Which is better for voice control on an iPhone?

Siri controls Apple Music directly, including from the lock screen. Other services rely on their own app's support for Siri or on their own assistant. On an Echo speaker the situation reverses, and Alexa works best with Amazon Music.

What should you compare before switching?

• Price in your country, including bundles such as Apple One or Amazon Prime.
• Catalogue, especially regional and independent music you listen to.
• Audio formats on the headphones and speakers you own.
• Devices, since each service works best with its own hardware.
• Your playlists, and whether a transfer tool can move them.

Is spatial audio a reason to switch?

Only if you hear a clear difference on your own equipment. Try the free trial of the other service with songs you know well before moving your library.

Keep reading

• Amazon Music or Apple Music in India: How to Choose
• Tamil, Telugu and Kannada Songs in Dolby Atmos
• Amazon's Vega OS Ends Sideloading On Every New Fire Stick

Updated September 2026: in 2021 I posted a short list of what to look for in an IT support vendor: flexibility, cost reduction, mature processes and continuous improvement. I have rewritten it into a fuller guide based on those points.

The original post argued that an IT support model should be scalable and flexible, so a client can choose services to match business needs. It listed cost reduction through the right staffing and the ability to absorb peaks in demand, mature processes built on the vendor's knowledge management and experience with similar clients, and continuous improvement through problem management and long-term fixes that stabilise systems.

What should you look for in an IT support vendor?

• Flexibility: the ability to scale support up or down, and to add services as needs change.
• Relevant experience: support for similar applications and industries.
• Mature processes: incident, problem and change management that follow a recognised framework such as ITIL.
• Knowledge management: documented fixes that reduce dependence on individuals.
• Continuous improvement: fewer repeat incidents over time, not just faster fixes.

How do you compare vendors fairly?

Give each the same data: ticket volumes, applications, hours of cover and current pain points. Ask for a transition plan, a staffing model and service levels with penalties. Speak to their existing clients, ideally ones they did not choose for you.

Where do cost savings really come from?

From fewer incidents and less rework, not only from lower rates. A vendor that fixes root causes can reduce ticket volumes year on year. Ask how they will measure that.

What service levels matter most?

Response and resolution times by priority, user satisfaction, and the backlog of open problems. Too many measures dilute attention; five or six well-chosen ones work better.

What are the warning signs?

Vague answers on staffing, reluctance to share references, and service levels without consequences. A good vendor is specific about how it will earn your trust.

How long should the first contract run?

Long enough to cover transition and a period of stable service, often two to three years, with a review point and the right to exit if service levels are missed repeatedly. A clear exit plan protects you if the relationship does not work.

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Updated September 2026: in 2021 I wrote about a large opportunity where the offshore delivery lead said, in front of everyone, that he wanted a senior lead rather than team members like me, and my manager agreed and offered himself instead. I have rewritten it as a guide to responding when your manager does not back you in public.

After a long gap, my whole team was pulled into a large opportunity, and my manager was asked to support it as well. I joined the discussion at the last minute with no background, so I mostly listened. Then the offshore delivery lead said he wanted a senior lead to support him, not team members like me. I expected my manager to defend the team in front of everyone. Instead he went along with it and said he would support the lead himself.

Why does this hurt so much?

Because it happens in public. A dismissive comment is bad enough, but silence or agreement from your own manager suggests they share the view. It also affects how others on the call see you.

Should you respond on the call?

Usually not. Arguing in the moment rarely changes minds and can look defensive. A short, calm line is enough if you want to say something: "Happy to support wherever it helps. I can share what I have done on similar deals." Then move on.

How do you raise it with your manager?

• Ask for a private conversation soon after, not weeks later.
• Describe what happened, without guessing at motives.
• Explain the effect, for example that it undermines you with the delivery team.
• Ask what they need to see to be comfortable putting you forward next time.

Your manager may have had reasons, such as wanting to calm a demanding lead or protect you from a difficult deal. You will only know by asking.

How do you change the delivery lead's view?

Through work, not words. Take a clear piece of the opportunity and deliver it well and on time. Share relevant past examples. Most people revise their opinion once they see results.

When is it a pattern rather than a one-off?

If your manager regularly takes credit, sidelines you or fails to support you in front of others, note specific examples and discuss them in your one-to-ones. If nothing changes, it may be time to look for a team where your work is backed.

Keep reading

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Updated September 2026: in 2021 I wrote a short explainer on the role of a functional group in IT projects. I have expanded it with how the group works with other teams, what good looks like, and common problems.

A functional group in IT is a team of experts who take business requirements for one area, such as finance, sales or supply chain, and make sure the enterprise platform delivers them. In large projects, especially ERP and CRM rollouts, each business area usually has its own functional group, sometimes called a project operating group.

What does a functional group do?

• Plans the work for its area and helps the project management group fit it into the overall plan.
• Assigns tasks to team members and reviews progress against the plan.
• Coordinates technical and functional work day to day, so what is built matches what the business asked for.
• Aligns with other areas, so a change in finance does not break something in sales.
• Reports status to the project management office or business owners.

How is it different from the technical team?

The functional group owns the "what": business processes, rules and acceptance. The technical team owns the "how": configuration, code, integrations and infrastructure. In practice they work side by side, and a functional consultant often writes the specification that a developer builds from.

Who is usually in a functional group?

A functional lead, functional consultants or business analysts for each process, and key users from the business who know how work is really done. Testers often join during testing phases.

What makes a functional group effective?

Clear ownership of each requirement, early involvement of real users, and regular checks with other functional groups on shared data. Groups that work in isolation tend to discover conflicts during testing, when they are expensive to fix.

What problems are common?

Requirements that keep changing, key users who are too busy to take part, and gaps between areas that nobody owns. A simple list of cross-area decisions, reviewed weekly, catches many of these early.

Is functional work a good career path?

For people who enjoy understanding business processes and explaining them to technical teams, yes. It combines business knowledge with platform skills, and experienced functional consultants are in steady demand.

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