Sony Xperia 1 VI Tipped to Offer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, Triple Rear Cameras, More

Sony Xperia 1 VI is speculated to go official on May 17. Ahead of its launch, the Sony Xperia 1 V successor has surfaced online in purported renders revealing its specifications and design. The Sony Xperia 1 VI is tipped to be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. It is said to feature an OLED display with a variable refresh rate and a triple rear camera unit ...

Comfortably listen to music with these $40 open-ear headphones

Macworld Tiredof invasive earbuds or over-ear headphones that constantly fall off? Meet the Mezzo Bone Conduction Headphones. Theseheadphones make your listening experience safe and comfortablethanks to their open-ear design . Now, you can score them for only39.96(reg. $69) with code MEZZO! Unlike traditional headphonesthatdeliver sound waves directly intoyourear canal,thesebone conduction headphones rest outsideyourears and transmit sound by bypassing the eardrums completely and delivering audio vibrations directly to the bones of the skull. That means you can wear these headphones all day withoutanypain or discomfort. Youll also stay aware of your surroundings as you listen, whetheryourerunning outdoors or biking in the city. Whether youre a music lover or podcast fan, the Mezzo headphones provide deep, rich bass and a dynamic audio range , ensuring every beat or word comes out in crisp clarity. These open-ear headphones also have IPX5 water resistance, making them great for sweaty gym sessions and durable against rain. Plus, they have an impressive 6 hours of battery life and dual noise-canceling mics so you can hop on calls without background interference. Enjoy a more comfortable and safe listening experience with the Mezzo Bone Conduction Headphones, now just$39.96 whenyou enter code MEZZO at checkout! Mezzo Bone Conduction Headphones Only $39.96 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

The best AirPods deals this month

Macworld Apples AirPods wireless headphones offer an iconic look, exceptional convenience, and strong audio quality. They come with a premium price tag, however, so its important to shop around for a good deal or find a bunch of tech experts wholl do this for you. Thats where we come in. In this article, we round up the best AirPods discounts and bundle deals to help you save money. Weve got the best prices on the 3rd-gen AirPods that were released in October 2021, the 2nd-gen AirPods Pro that launched in September 2022 as well as the updated 2nd-gen AirPods Pro with USB-C that launched in September 2023, and the premium AirPods Max over-ear headphones from 2020. Weve also got bargain deals on some older models, such as the early-2019 second-gen AirPods, where stock is still available. Here are quick links to the best deals; youll find more detailed advice and price comparisons for each model further down. U.S. Amazon, AirPods (2nd gen) : $89 ($40 off, MSRP $129) Amazon, AirPods Pro (2nd gen, USB-C) : $190 ($60 off, MSRP $249) Amazon, AirPods (3rd-gen, wired case) : $162 ($7 off, MSRP $169) Amazon, AirPods Max : $519 ($40 off, MSRP $549) U.K. At time of writing, there arent any savings to be had on Apples AirPods in the U.K.; there were some shortly before Christmas but these have now disappeared. In fact, wed advise readers to hold off on buying a set of AirPods, if thats an option, until decent discounts come back. You can check the automated price comparison tables below to see if any retailers have dropped their prices since we last updated this article. How much do AirPods cost? Some changes were announced at Apples September 2023 launch event, so make sure youre up to date with the latest prices. AirPods Max: $549 / 499 (was 549) 2nd-gen AirPods Pro with USB-C (2023): $249 / 229 (2nd-gen AirPods Pro with Lightning was $249 / 239) 3rd-gen AirPods with Lightning (2021): $169 / 169 (was 179) 3rd-gen AirPods with MagSafe (2021): $179 / 179 (was 189) 2nd-gen AirPods (2019): $129 / 129 (was 139) You should never pay more than the price above: weve seen unscrupulous retailers claim the MSRP/RRP is higher and work out savings based on that. Remember to take delivery and postage fees into account when evaluating deals; we include it in our list of prices but most retailers wont add it until youre at the checkout. And watch out for deals that seem too good to be true, but turn out to have no stock. We see this a lot. Good AirPods deals are rare and tend not to last long. If you see one (and youre sure the supplier is legit: look it up on TrustPilot if youve not bought from there before), grab it. Best AirPods deals Apple sells two sets of basic AirPods: the 3rd-gen model introduced in 2021 and the 2nd-gen model from 2019. Best Buy is worth a look for some worthwhile savings in the U.S., while U.K. customers can save a little money across the range. The 1st-gen AirPods have long been discontinued. You can buy direct from Apple , but youll find the best prices elsewhere in the automated tables below. AirPods (3rd gen, 2021, MagSafe) deals Apple updated the ultra-popular AirPods in October 2021, after a wait of more than two and a half years. The new models feature a more Pro-like design and a MagSafe-compatible charging case; they also have improved battery life and water resistance, and support for Spatial Audio. Get all the info you need in our AirPods 3 review . MSRP: $179 / 179 (was 189 in the U.K. prior to September 2023) New Refurbished Retailer Price $169.99 View Deal $179 View Deal $179.99 View Deal $201 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Apple AirPods 3rd gen (2021) MagSafe Charging case $179 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket AirPods (3rd gen, 2021, Lightning) deals There is also a cheaper version of the AirPods 3rd generation with a case that has to be charged via Lightning, rather than wirelessly. MSRP: $169 / 169 (was 179 in the U.K. until September 2023) New Refurbished Retailer Price $149 View Deal $161.99 View Deal $161.99 View Deal $169 View Deal $169 View Deal $169 View Deal $169.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Apple AirPods 3rd gen (2021) Lightning Charging case $169 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket AirPods (2nd gen, 2019) deals Apple still sells the older version of the AirPods. Note that this version of the AirPods comes with an Lightning charging case that needs to be plugged in, as opposed to the wireless MagSafe charging case. (You can buy a wireless charging case separately, however.) Check the automated table below for any deals that have popped up since we last updated this article. MSRP: $129 / 129 (U.K. price was 139 prior to September 2023) New Refurbished Retailer Price $89 View Deal $89.99 View Deal $99 View Deal $119.99 View Deal $129 View Deal $129 View Deal $129.99 View Deal $149 View Deal $149.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Apple AirPods 2nd gen (2019) Lightning Charging case $129 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Best AirPods Pro deals The AirPods Pro came out in 2019, but a 2nd-gen version was released in September 2022. Rather than introduce the third generation in 2023, Apple instead tweaked the 2nd gen AirPods Pro in 2023 to support USB-C for charging (including charging via the iPhone 15) For a while both the Lightning and USB-C powered AirPods Pro will be on sale, so be sure to make sure you are getting the model you want. The comparison tables below gather the lowest prices on the AirPods Pro 1st and 2nd gen Lightning and 2nd gen USB-C, so you can be sure not to miss out on any appealing deals. AirPods Pro (2nd gen, 2023, USB-C) deals This is the 2023 version with USB-C charging. You can also use an iPhone 15 to charge the case. MSRP: $249 / 229 New Refurbished Retailer Price $179.99 View Deal $189.99 View Deal $239.99 View Deal $249 View Deal $249 View Deal $249 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Apple AirPods Pro 2nd gen (2023) MagSafe (USB-C) Charging case $249 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket AirPods Pro (2nd gen, 2022, Lightning) deals This is the older version with a Lightning port for charging the case. You may still find them on sale. MSRP was $249 / 249 New Refurbished Retailer Price $224.99 View Deal $249 View Deal $249.99 View Deal $269 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Apple AirPods Pro 2nd gen (2022) MagSafe (Lightning) Charging case $249 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket AirPods Pro (1st gen, 2019) deals You may still find the original AirPods Pro on sale at a discountmake sure you factor in if they are refurbished before you decide its a good discount. But stock is starting to run short. If you dont see a price-comparison table below, that means there are no deals at all in your region. MSRP was $249 / 239 New Refurbished Retailer Price $249 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Apple AirPods Pro 1st gen (2021) MagSafe Charging case $219.99 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Best AirPods Max deals Right now, the AirPods Max are available to buy directly from Apple for $549 / 499 (they were 549 in the U.K. before September 2023). Find the latest prices in our automated table embedded below. For some time now, weve been seeing third-party retailers undercut Apple by a significant margin. New Refurbished Retailer Price $477 View Deal $519 View Deal $519 View Deal $529.99 View Deal $549 View Deal $549 View Deal $549 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Apple AirPods Max (2020) Sky Blue $549 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket For an in-depth look at your options here, read Where to buy AirPods Max . Other ways to save: AirPods Bundle deals The best way to get a good price on AirPods may be to bundle them with a phone, although this is mainly an option in the U.K. Phone network Three offers a variety of bundles that include the AirPods. Visit the companys accessories page to browse the best options for you. EE also lets you add AirPods to your plan for 16 a month spread over 11 months plus a 10 upfront fee. Thats the Lightning version, by the way. The AirPods Pro, including a MagSafe case, are 22 a month with a 5 upfront fee. In each case youll need to click Apple, then your choice of AirPods model. Vodafone and O2 arent currently bundling the AirPods with their iPhone plans, although O2 sells the 2021 AirPods , the early-2019 AirPods and the 2022 AirPods Pro on their own. Whichever bundle you go for, remember to check if youre getting the AirPods Pro, the early-2019 AirPods (sometimes called the second gen or AirPods 2) or the new 2021 AirPods (third-gen or AirPods 3). If youre getting the AirPods Pro, find out if they include the new MagSafe charging case. AirPods buying advice Wondering if a pair of AirPods is right for you? We have a guide to the Best AirPods , and you could read AirPods Pro vs AirPods to find out how the models compare, but lets quickly discuss the pros and cons. Apple has launched various AirPods versions, several of which are still on sale: 1st-gen AirPods (2016), discontinued 2nd-gen AirPods (2019) 1st-gen AirPods Pro (2019), discontinued 3rd-gen AirPods (2021), Lightning and Magsafe variants 2nd-gen AirPods Pro (2022/2023), Lightning and USB-C variants AirPods Max (2020) All four non-Max models are wireless, sitting in your ears and in theory staying there through snugness of fit alone. The advantages of this are clearthey allow you to go running or work out without worrying about snagging the cablesbut they may fall out once you pick up the pace. Our experience, however, is that the AirPods are among the best earbuds around in this regard. The AirPods Pro offer a snugger fit than the others because they have a choice of flexible ear tips, and are actually able to tell you whether youve selected the right tip or not. Sound quality is decent but not exceptional on the original and early-2019 models; the 2021 AirPods are better, while the AirPods Pro are a step above thanks in part to their better fit and implementation of active noise cancellation. What AirPods consistently do better than non-Apple headphones is coordinate with other Apple products, thanks to the W1 chip (in the 2016 model) and H1 chip (2019 and 2021) which makes pairing with an iPhone a breeze. Battery-wise, most non-Max AirPods will last around five hours, but thats not the end of the story: they come with a little charging case with its own larger battery, so you can pop them back in for a quick charge. The case should offer another 24 hours (give or take) before itll require charging. The 2021 AirPods, however, offer more in this department, with claimed figures of six hours out of the case and 30 hours in total. Weve got some advice on getting better AirPods battery life . Apples 2019 AirPods can respond to Hey Siri commands, charge wirelessly if you opt for the Wireless Charging Case, and offer more talk time than the originals. Those features are kept in the 2021 models, with Spatial Audio and Adaptive EQ added to the mix. The AirPods Max are over-ear headphones and essentially a completely different product to the rest of the AirPods range. They are a lot more expensive and a totally different proposition to the other AirPods. Audio quality is almost universally considered to be exceptional, but its debatable whether its exceptional enough to justify that premium price tag. And many reviewers have pointed out that the case is oddly designed, given that the one part of the headphones that it doesnt protectthe mesh headbandis the one thats most vulnerable to damage. The AirPods Max are an appealing prospect, but may not be practical for most budgets. For more detailed advice and thoughts on the best alternatives to Apples three cheaper AirPods models, read our guides to the Best wireless earbuds and the best wired headphones . Apple Inc, Headphones, Home Audio

Apple's 2025 M4 MacBook Air: What to Expect

Apple is working to introduce a new fourth-generation Apple silicon chip across the Mac lineup, and while the first M4 Macs are coming in 2024, the MacBook Air won't get updated until 2025. This guide highlights everything that we know about the next-generation MacBook Air so far. M4 Chips The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models were just updated with M3 chips in March 2024, so it's no surprise that they're not going to be the first devices to get the M4 chip. Apple plans to wait until 2025, so there will be about a year between the M3 and M4 chip lineups. Rumors suggest that the M4 chip will have a focus on artificial intelligence to support AI features that are coming with the next round of software updates. Most AI talk has been about iOS 18 , but Apple is expected to roll out AI integrations across its platforms. The M4 chip is expected to have a Neural Engine with more cores, with the Neural Engine handling AI and machine learning tasks. The M3 chip has a 16-core Neural Engine. While Apple is working on M4, M4 Pro, M4 Max, and M4 Ultra chips, the MacBook Air models are expected to get only the standard M4 chip. There will likely be at least two variants of the M4, with the difference being the number of GPU cores. For the current MacBook Air, for example, the base M3 chip has an 8-core GPU, but there is also a 10-core GPU option. The M3 CPU is the same for all versions, and that should be the case with the M4 as well. The M4 will be built on Apples 3-nanometer process, much like the M3. There won't be as big of a performance improvement between M3 and M4 as there was between M2 and M3 because there's no change in node size, but we can still expect modest GPU and CPU speed boosts. Design Apple overhauled the MacBook Air design in 2022, and we're not expecting the design to be tweaked with the 2025 refresh. Apple often waits several years between design changes, and there are no rumors that there will be a refreshed look. Apple is likely to stick with the 15.3 and 13.6-inch size options, and we can expect to see the same flat, MacBook Pro-style body with Force Touch trackpad, and display with notch. As of now, it looks like the 2025 MacBook Air refresh will be focused on internal updates. Launch Date According to Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman , the MacBook Air will get an update in the spring of 2025 . Spring starts on March 20, 2025, and ends on June 20, 2025. Related Roundup: MacBook Air Buyer's Guide: 15 MacBook Air (Buy Now) , 13 MacBook Air (Buy Now) Related Forum: MacBook Air This article, Apple's 2025 M4 MacBook Air: What to Expect first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's Q2 2024 Earnings Call Takeaways

Apple today held its earnings call for the second fiscal quarter of 2024 (first calendar quarter), with Apple CEO Tim Cook and Apple CFO Luca Maestri providing us with some details on Apple's performance, Vision Pro sales, services growth, AI plans, and other topics. We've highlighted the most interesting takeaways from today's earnings call. Next Week's Announcements Apple CEO Tim Cook said Apple is prepping for an exciting product announcement that the company thinks customers will love. Generative AI Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Apple is making significant investments in AI, and that it has some very exciting things to share with customers soon. Cook also said that he believes Apple has advantages that will differentiate the company, including Apple's hardware and software integration, Apple silicon with Neural Engine, and focus on privacy. There's a ig opportunity for generative AI across all of Apple's devices, and Cook said he is extremely optimistic about future consumer demand. Digital Markets Act Cook said that it's too early to determine the security risks and privacy implications of the changes that it has made to the app ecosystem in Europe. Apple is focused on complying while mitigating impacts to user privacy and security. Vision Pro Leading enterprise companies have been investing in Vision Pro, and Apple is seeing it used for things like aircraft engine maintenance, real-time collaboration for racing, and immersive kitchen design. Cook said that Apple couldn't be more excited about the spatial computing opportunity in enterprise. Services Apple's services segment set a new all-time revenue record of $23.9 billion, up 14 percent from $20.9 billion in the year-ago quarter. Transacting accounts and paid accounts reached a new all-time high, with paid accounts and subscriptions showing double digit growth. Apple has more than 1 billion paid subscriptions, more than double the number from four years ago. Mac Sales With the launch of new M3 MacBook Air models in March, Mac revenue saw growth, reaching $7.5 billion. Mac sales were at $7.17 billion in the year-ago quarter, for four percent growth. iPad Sales iPad revenue continued to drop with no new iPads released in 2024 as of yet. iPad revenue was at $5.6 billion, down 17 percent from $6.7 billion a year ago. iPad sales should see some improvement next quarter as Apple next week is planning to unveil new iPad Air and iPad Pro models. Wearables Wearables, Home and Accessories came in at $7.9 billion, down 10 percent compared to last year. Last year, Apple had launched the USB-C version of AirPods Pro , and there was a difficult compare this year. June Quarter Maestri said that Apple expects June quarter revenue to grow low single digits year-over-year, but Services is expected to grow double digits, as is iPad revenue. Tags: Earnings , AAPL This article, Apple's Q2 2024 Earnings Call Takeaways first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Tim Cook on Generative AI: 'We Have Advantages That Will Differentiate Us'

During today's earnings call covering the second fiscal quarter of 2024, Apple CEO Tim Cook again spoke about Apple's work on generative AI. He said that Apple has advantages that will differentiate the company in the era of AI, and some very exciting things will be shared with customers in the near future. We continue to feel very bullish about our opportunity in generative AI. We are making significant investments and we're looking forward to sharing some very exciting things with our customers soon. We believe in the transformative power and promise of AI and we believe we have advantages that will differentiate us in this new era, including Apple's unique combination of seamless hardware, software and services integration, groundbreaking Apple silicon with our industry leading neural engines, and our unwavering focus on privacy, which underpins everything we create. Rumors have suggested that Apple's first AI features are designed to run on-device rather than contacting a cloud service, which would make Apple's AI much more private and secure than an online AI option. Apple's plan to have generative AI available on-device will require significant CPU and GPU power, and Apple is planning to focus on AI with the upcoming M4 chip. We could see the M4 chip as soon as next week in new iPad Pro models, with Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman indicating last weekend that there is a chance Apple will unveil the chip in the iPad Pro models. Tags: Earnings , AAPL This article, Tim Cook on Generative AI: 'We Have Advantages That Will Differentiate Us' first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Reports 2Q 2024 Results: $23.6B Profit on $90.8B Revenue

Apple today announced financial results for the second fiscal quarter of 2024, which corresponds to the first calendar quarter of the year. For the quarter, Apple posted revenue of $90.8 billion and net quarterly profit of $23.6 billion, or $1.53 per diluted share, compared to revenue of $94.8 billion and net quarterly profit of $24.1 billion, or $1.52 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter . Apple set an all-time quarterly record for Services revenue at $23.9 billion, but iPhone revenue dropped by over $5 billion compared to the year-ago quarter. Gross margin for the quarter was 46.6 percent, compared to 44.3 percent in the year-ago quarter. Apple's board of directors also authorized an additional $110 billion for share repurchases and declared an increased dividend payment of $0.25 per share, up from $0.24 per share. The dividend is payable May 16 to shareholders of record as of May 13. Today Apple is reporting revenue of $90.8 billion for the March quarter, including an all-time revenue record in Services, said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. During the quarter, we were thrilled to launch Apple Vision Pro and to show the world the potential that spatial computing unlocks. We're also looking forward to an exciting product announcement next week and an incredible Worldwide Developers Conference next month. As always, we are focused on providing the very best products and services for our customers, and doing so while living up to the core values that drive us. As has been the case for over four years now, Apple is once again not issuing guidance for the current quarter ending in June. Apple will provide live streaming of its fiscal Q2 2024 financial results conference call at 2:00 pm Pacific, and MacRumors will update this story with coverage of the conference call highlights. Conference call starts at 2:00 p.m. Pacific - No need to refresh Loading live updates... var reportinglive = new reportinglive_module;reportinglive.init(); Tag: Earnings This article, Apple Reports 2Q 2024 Results: $23.6B Profit on $90.8B Revenue first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

iOS 17.5 beta feature makes sending in your iPhone for repair a lot friendlier

Macworld Sending your iPhone in for repair was always a little nerve-wracking. Not just because you no longer have access to what may be the most important gadget in your life, but because you never know if its safe. Apples recommended procedure for preparing your device for service is to back up your phone, turn off Apple Cash, remove all cards from Wallet, and then remove your iPhone from Find My. This also removes Activation Lock. The fine print says, Apple might not be able to service your device if Find My isnt turned off. Its all very worrying and not the smooth and seamless experience were used to from Apple. Thats about to change, it seems. MacRumors found a new feature in iOS 17.5 (currently in beta) that allows you to set your iPhone to a Repair State in which it remains fully functional and has Find My and Activation Lock enabled but still does whatever Apple needs to repair your iPhone. When you go to Find My, then your Devices list, and choose Remove This Device on your iPhone with iOS 17.5, youll get a message that says Cannot remove iPhone. Prepare this device for repair? Choosing Continue will retain your devices functionality and it can be tracked via Find My. It will have a stethoscope icon next to it in the device list. Foundry Foundry Foundry The feature is currently limited to iOS, but it makes sense that Apple would expand it to other devices, including the Apple Watch and Mac. Allowing users to track their devices as theyre sent in for repair, and keeping Activation Lock enabled, should hopefully give users a lot more piece of mind that it wont get stolen. iOS

Unreleased Beats Pill Speaker Teased by F1 Driver Daniel Ricciardo

Following this past weekend's sighting of NBA superstar LeBron James carrying an unreleased Beats speaker reminiscent of the former Beats Pill, F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has also been seen teasing the unreleased speaker at this week's Grand Prix stop in Miami. Details on the unreleased speaker remain unknown, but it features a similar pill-shaped design to the rest of the Pill family and includes a lanyard that has not been present on previous models. The most recent model in the Pill family was discontinued in 2022 , and this new one will likely include a USB-C port, updated Bluetooth specs, and other improvements. Beats has yet to officially announce the upcoming Beats Pill, so a release date similarly remains unknown. The Beats Pill teases come as part of a busy week for Apple's speaker and headphone brand, as Beats this week introduced the Solo 4 on-ear headphones and announced the all-new Solo Buds earphones that will be launching in June. Tag: Beats This article, Unreleased Beats Pill Speaker Teased by F1 Driver Daniel Ricciardo first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Best iPhone 12 Cases for 2024 - CNET

Protect your phone from unexpected drops, cracks and scratches with these iPhone 12 cases.

AT&T now makes you pay even more for its fastest 5G speeds

AT&T customers will now have to pay extra to get the fastest data speeds on their phones. The company calls this new add-on AT&T Turbo.

Best iPhone 15 Deals: Get a Free Phone With a Trade-In or New Line - CNET

The latest iPhone 15 lineup is the best yet and if you know where to look you can get one essentially for free.

Siri on HomePod Seems to Have Forgotten How to Give the Time

At some point in the last 24 hours, Siri on the HomePod and the HomePod mini seems to have forgotten how to relay the time. When asking Siri what time is it? Siri is unable to answer and directs users to the iPhone . I found some web results, I can show them if you ask again from your iPhone, is Siri's full response to the time question. If you ask what time it is in a specific location, Siri is able to respond, and Siri on iPhone, iPad , and Mac provides the time as usual when asked. This is a bug that Apple will be able to fix server side, so it will likely be addressed quickly. In the meantime, to get the time from Siri on the HomePod without having to swap to an iPhone, include your location. Siri has long been ridiculed for failing to understand requests and not providing the expected information, and small bugs like this are a bit embarrassing as Apple prepares for a major AI update. For the last several months, Siri has also been struggling with HomeKit commands, and there have been many complaints from smart home users. Asking Siri to urn off the lights in the living room, for example, often results in the lights being turned on or turned off in another room entirely. Hopefully some of these issues will be solved with a Siri overhaul in iOS 18 and its sister updates. (Thanks, Ben!) Related Roundups: HomePod , HomePod mini Tag: Siri Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Buy Now) , HomePod Mini (Neutral) Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology This article, Siri on HomePod Seems to Have Forgotten How to Give the Time first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra: news, rumored price, release date, and more

A Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra could be arriving before the end of the year. Here's more about this possible wearable device and when it might launch.

Apple Confirms iPadOS Will Get Same EU App Changes as iOS This Fall

Apple today confirmed that it will be bringing all of the app ecosystem changes made to iOS in the European Union to iPadOS in the fall. Earlier this week, the European Commission said that iPadOS is also a gatekeeper platform under the Digital Markets Act. EU developers will be able to distribute iPad apps outside of the App Store using alternative app marketplaces or websites, and all of the same terms will apply. The Core Technology Fee will be charged for apps that are distributed outside of the App Store and have more than one million first annual installs, though there are exceptions for small developers, which Apple also announced today. With iPadOS being added to the mix, Apple has also confirmed that users who install the same app on both iOS and iPadOS in a 12-month period will only generate one first annual install for that app rather than two, which should help developers keep below the CTF threshold. As with the changes to iOS, the upcoming changes to iPadOS only apply to developers who distribute apps in the European Union and iPad users in the EU. For the rest of the world, there are no changes and apps will continue to be available only from the App Store. Tags: App Store , European Union This article, Apple Confirms iPadOS Will Get Same EU App Changes as iOS This Fall first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Tweaks EU Core Technology Fee to Avoid Bankrupting Unexpectedly Viral Apps

Apple today announced that it is tweaking the terms of the 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee (CTF) that apps distributed using the new EU business terms must pay, introducing a solution that would keep small apps that go viral from being bankrupt. First, independent and small developers who earn no revenue at all will not have to pay the CTF. Students, hobbyists, and freeware app developers who distribute free apps and earn no money will not be charged the fee. Developers will need to declare their non-commercial status on an annual basis, and to maintain this status, developers must have no revenue in or out of the App Store for their app product. Second, to address fears of the CTF causing outrageous fees for an app that suddenly goes viral, Apple has implemented a three year on-ramping process for small developers. The three year period begins when a developer agrees to the new App Store business terms, and during this time, if an app goes viral and exceeds the one million annual install threshold that triggers the CTF, the CTF won't be charged if the developer earns less than 10 million euros in global business revenue, and the fee is reduced after that. Under 10 million euros: No CTF during the three year period. Between 10 million and 50 million euros: CTF must be paid, but it is capped at one million euros per year for the three year period. Beyond 50 million euros: Benefit is no longer available, and the full CTF has to be paid. After three years: Developers will pay for each first annual install after the initial one million first annual installs per year. Note that this ramp up period is only available to small developers who have not previously exceeded one million first annual installs, and it is calculated based on global business revenue rather than just App Store revenue. Apple says that 99 percent of developers will not be subject to the CTF to begin with, but the new ramp up period will go further to make sure that small developers who get a breakout hit will have time to scale their businesses before having to pay fees. Back in March, developer Riley Testut spoke with Apple officials at a workshop on the Digital Markets Act, and he asked what would happen if a young developer had an app go viral and unwittingly racked up millions in fees. Testut asked the question because when he was a high school student, he released GBA4iOS outside of the App Store. It was unexpectedly downloaded more than 10 million times, and that would have bankrupted him had he been subject to the Core Technology Fee. In response, Apple VP of regulatory law Kyle Andeers said that Apple was working on a solution because the company is not trying to stifle innovation. Apple believes that a free app going viral and being subject to exorbitant fees will be a rare occurrence, but the changes will keep that from happening. The CTF update will also be a welcome change for those who want to release entirely free apps outside of the App Store. The CTF is only applicable to apps that have opted in to the new App Store business terms in the European Union. Apps in the EU are now able to be distributed through alternative app stores and developer websites without having to rely on the App Store. Apple has more information about the new changes to the CTF on its updated CTF support page . Tags: App Store , European Union This article, Apple Tweaks EU Core Technology Fee to Avoid Bankrupting Unexpectedly Viral Apps first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Google pays Apple more than most companies make in a year for its prime iPhone slot

Macworld Its no secret that the iPhone is a valuable device, not just to Apple but also to many of its biggest competitors. According to unsealed court documents revealed in the antitrust trial between theJustice Department and Google, we now know exactly how valuable. As reported by Bloomberg , Apples senior vice president of servicesEddy Cue admitted that the deal with Google to be the default search engine in the Safari browser netter Apple $20 billion in 2022, a staggering increase of over the roughly $15 billion in 2021. Figures for last year werent disclosed in the trial but theyre likely higher than $20 billion. It was also revealed in documents and testimony that Microsoft tried to usurp Googles position by offering a staggering 90 percent of its advertising revenue with Apple to make Bing the default in Safari as well as other concessions including hiding the Bing brand. Microsoft CEO said default status on Safari is a game-changing position. But the deal is also lucrative to Apple. The document claims that Googles payments to Apple for default search accounted for nearly 20 percent of Apples operating income in 2020 when payments were likely about half of what they are now. The government is expected to wrap up its case against Google with closing arguments this week and a decision in the case will likely arrive later this year. iPhone

Amazon Discounts Popular Accessories From Anker, Eufy, and Jackery

Today we're tracking a few deals offered by Anker , Eufy , and Jackery , including a wide array of wall chargers, Bluetooth trackers, and other USB-C accessories. All of the products in this sale can be found on Amazon, and some will require you to clip an on-page coupon then head to the checkout screen before you see the final sale price. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. This week Eufy has a pair of discounts on its Find My-compatible SmartTrack Bluetooth tracker accessories exclusively for Prime members, including the SmartTrack Card for $19.99 , down from $29.99. You can also get the SmartTrack Link in multiple pack options if you have Amazon Prime, starting at $15.99 for the 1-Pack, down from $19.99. $10 OFF Eufy SmartTrack Card for $19.99 $21 OFF Eufy SmartTrack Link 4-Pack for $48.99 Switching to the Anker deals, you can get the 20,000 mAh Prime Power Bank with Smart Digital Display for $89.98, down from $129.99. If you need a bigger battery, you can get the Portable Power Station with Smart Display + Retractable Light for $109.99 with an on-page coupon, down from $149.99. Additionally, below you'll find more Anker accessories including speakers and USB-C products. $40 OFF 20,000 mAh Prime Power Bank with Smart Digital Display for $89.98 $40 OFF Portable Power Station with Smart Display + Retractable Light for $109.99 Anker is also hosting a BOGO sale this week on Amazon, allowing you to save 15 percent on select charging accessories when you purchase two at once. You can find the full lineup on this landing page , and it includes the MagGo 10,000 mAh Power Bank with Smart Display , Nano 10,000 mAh Power Bank with Built-in USB-C Cable , and more. Highlights of Jackery's deals include the Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station , available for just $119.99, down from $149.00. This is a miniature-sized portable power station that can fit in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2.13 lbs, while featuring a 31,000 mAh capacity and 128W output. Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout. $29 OFF Jackery Explorer 100 Plus for $119.99 Eufy SmartTrack Link 1-Pack - $15.99 for Prime members, down from $19.99 SmartTrack Link 2-Pack - $26.99 for Prime members, down from $35.99 SmartTrack Link 4-Pack - $48.99 for Prime members, down from $69.99 SmartTrack Card - $19.99 for Prime members, down from $29.99 Anker Audio Soundcore Motion 300 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker - $64.99, down from $79.99 Portable Batteries Nano Power Bank with Built-In USB-C Cable - $39.99, down from $49.99 Prime Power Bank 20,000 mAh with 100W Charging Base - $139.99, down from $184.99 Power Stations Portable Power Station with Smart Display + Retractable Light - $109.99 with on-page coupon, down from $149.99 3-in-1 MagSafe Charging Cube - $129.99, down from $149.99 SOLIX F2000 Portable Power Station - $1,499.00 with on-page coupon, down from $1,999.00 Wall Chargers 20W USB-C Charger - $9.99, down from $16.99 100W 3-Port USB-C Charger - $42.99, down from $74.99 6-in-1 Nano Charging Station - $49.49, down from $65.99 Prime 67W 3-Port Charger - $59.99, down from $65.99 Hubs 4-Port USB-C Hub - $15.99, down from $19.99 10-in-1 USB-C Hub - $74.99 for Prime members, down from $149.99 Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station - $119.99 with on-page coupon, down from $149.00 Solar Generator 300 Plus Portable Power Station - $499.00, down from $579.00 Expansion Battery Pack for 1000 Plus - $599.00, down from $799.00 Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station - $649.00 with on-page coupon, down from $999.00 Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station - $1,299.00 with on-page coupon, down from $1,899.00 Expansion Battery Pack for 2000 Plus - $1,259.00 with on-page coupon, down from $1,599.00 Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station - $2,499.00, down from $2,799.00 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Related Roundup: Apple Deals This article, Amazon Discounts Popular Accessories From Anker, Eufy, and Jackery first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

iPhone 15 and 15 Plus Proving Less Popular With Buyers This Year

Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models were its most purchased smartphones in the U.S. in the first quarter of this year, according to the latest Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) report . The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max accounted for 22% and 23% of all iPhones sold in Q1 2024, for a 45% combined share. The iPhone 15 Plus took a 9% share of all iPhones sold, while the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 were the third most popular, each taking 14% of the share. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max share hardly changed compared to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max the same quarter a year ago. However, Apple saw sales of the base model iPhone 15 decline relative to a year ago. The overall mix of iPhone 15 models was lower, accounting for 68% of all iPhone sales. By contrast, in Q1 2023 the iPhone 14 series had a 7% higher share of all iPhones sold, taking 75% combined. The percentages suggest that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus were more popular than the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus over the equivalent quarter the previous year. Noting the change, CIRP comments: We see this as a continuation of a trend from the past couple of quarters, as the lower- priced current models give up some share to older models. The once flagship, now base iPhone 15, is no longer the leading-edge choice, as the Pro and Pro Max models take that role. Last week, CIRP released a report indicating that new iPhone activations are down to a low not seen in the U.S. smartphone market for the last six years . CIRP said that Apple's installed smartphone base was higher than recorded activations, but Apple's share of new iPhone activations fell from 40% to 33% over the past year, suggesting a shift away from the higher market shares Apple enjoyed in previous years. Tag: CIRP This article, iPhone 15 and 15 Plus Proving Less Popular With Buyers This Year first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

How to clear cache on a Mac

Macworld Maybe your Mac isnt running as well as it used to. Maybe one or more of your apps are behaving strangely. Perhaps you are concerned about your privacy online or what companies and app developers know above you. All these are good reasons to clear the cache on your Mac. We are here to answer the question: How do I clear my cache on my Mac? So if you want to know how to clear cache on a Mac youve come to the right place! But before we run through how to do that well explain what cache is, why you might benefit from deleting it, what cache you shouldnt delete, and how you can delete your cache. What is cache? A cache is where data is stored to help your Mac speed up various processes. You have probably heard of the cache associated with web browsers. This cache contains the data that gets downloaded to your Mac and is saved so that the next time you visit the same website some of the data is already downloaded and it wont take so long to load up the page. PROMOTION CleanMyMac X | Clear your Macs disk Use CleanMyMac X to find hidden junk and free up the unseen cache files. Locate large old folders, background apps, and heavy memory consumers. Tune your Mac for maximum speed, and keep it malware-free and secure Download Free Edition Among other things, browser cache means you can browse the web faster, which sounds like a good thing, but there are quite a few disadvantages too. One disadvantage is the fact that you could find yourself browsing an old cached version of a webpage and another is that your browser cachewhich includes cookies and trackerscan give websites and advertisers information about you as you browse the web. The latter may be a concern for privacy reasons. There are two other kinds of cache: system cache and application cache. Application cache, sometimes referred to as user cache, includes data associated with your apps that is saved so that it doesnt have to be loaded up every time you use the application, this means your applications can work faster. Again, this sounds beneficial, but there are disadvantages. For example, if you work with high-resolution images, or large video files, your computer could be storing a lot of data related to the edits you make. Similarly, if you play games on your Mac you could find you are losing space to game saves. App data can take up a lot of space and if you are no longer using the app you are unlikely to require the cached data that could still lurk on your Mac. System cache, as youd probably expect, is where the data created by macOS that helps your Mac run smoothly is stored. Because its connected to the operating system we would recommend against deleting anything from your system cache, unless you are using a specific tool to do so. Deleting data from any of your Macs caches is a risky business if you dont know what you are doing, but even more so when it comes to system cache as you could accidentally erase files that ensure your Mac runs smoothly. There is another kind of cached data that is the result of sandboxing between apps, but this data is removed when you restart your Mac (which you should do regularly: see Should I shut down my Mac every night? ). Should you clear cache on a Mac? There are a few reasons why you might want to delete or clear cached data. Most commonly Mac users want to delete data from a cache because they are running out of space on their Mac and assume that clearing their cache could recover a few gigabytes. Perhaps youve been looking at whats taking up the space on your Mac (System Settings > General > Storage > Storage Settings in macOS Ventura and beyond, About This Mac > Storage in older macOS versions) and wondering what Other and System Data are and why so much of your space is given over to these categories of data. One thing to note in this case is that deleting data from the cache wont necessarily free up space as your Mac will recreate many of these cached files. Another reason to clear your Macs cache is for troubleshooting purposes. Perhaps your Mac, or just a particular app, is running poorly and you want to see it deleting data from the cache fixes the issue. This is probably the last case scenario after restarting the troublesome app, restarting your Mac, and possibly deleting and reinstalling the app. You may also be concerned about your personal data and how an app or website might be using it, which is a good reason to clear your browser cache from time to time. Another reason to clear browser cache is if you are finding that a website you use isnt up to date. If you dont clear the cache you may find you are loading up the version of a webpage as it was the last time you visited. The cache you can, and cant, delete Under no circumstances should you delete all of the data in your cache if you are thinking of doing something that drastic you would probably be better off wiping your Mac and doing a clean install of macOS . The reason not to delete all your cached files is that some of these files are needed by your Mac to run normally. If you delete cache files willy-nilly you might break something. Deleting cache thats related to an application can also be asking for trouble. Some apps keep important user information in cache folders and may not work without it. It can also be pretty inconvenient for you if you are in the middle of a big project in say Photoshop or Premiere Pro and you delete your cache associated with that. These are both good reasons to back up your Mac before you clear your cache, at least then you can recover your Mac to the state it was in before you started meddling, or at the least copy the cache files back to the folder you deleted them from. Thats what you shouldnt delete or at least you should be cautious about what you delete. How about what you can safely delete? Wed suggest that you can delete cache files that relate to apps you no longer use. In particular, if there is data in cache that relates to an app that you have removed from your Mac you should be able to confidently remove the associated files from the cache. In fact, a good app uninstaller, such as MacPaws CleanMyMac X , MacCleaner Pro from Nektony, or DaisyDisk from Software Ambience, will remove the associated data from your cache. For more of our Mac Cleaner recommendations see our round-up of the best Mac cleaner apps . Browser cache is a type of data you can be pretty confident about removing, but the advantages of keeping it may well be greater than any advantages of removing it. Deleting data from your browser cache can become an annoyance when afterwards you discover that you now have to re-enter your logins and other data that used to autofill. How to delete cache on a Mac Well look at each kind of cache separately since the process is different. Well cover how to delete data from your cache manually and well also look at some of the third-party tools you can use if you are concerned about making a mistake. Before we start, you may be wondering whether Apple provides you with the necessary tool to quickly delete cached files. If you are using macOS Sonoma, Ventura or later you can access the information via About This Mac > More Info. This takes you to System Settings where you go to General > Storage > Storage Settings. In macOS Monterey and older you can click on the Apple in the menu at the top of your screen and go to About This Mac > Storage. Whichever way you get there you will see a breakdown of the kind of storage on your Mac that indicates where there are files that you might want to delete, or move to iCloud, in order to free up space. For example, if you click on the i beside the section (in Ventura or later) then you can see all the files or applications you might want to delete. Foundry Foundry Foundry You might also see a large section called Other, or System, or System Data, depending on the version of macOS you are running. The kind of cached files you want to delete may well lurk in this section of your storage, so you may wonder if you can easily delete it from here. Unfortunately, you cant easily delete files from any of those sections from this view. But there are lots of other ways to free up space from these sections and elsewhere on your Mac. We discuss how to use this here: How to free up space on Mac and address the question of How to delete Other on the Mac and How to delete System on the Mac separately but read on for tips for clearing the cache on your Mac. How to clear browser cache The method here depends on which browser you use, be it Safari, Chrome, Firefox or something else. If you are a Safari user then the process is as follows: In Sonoma or Ventura Open Safari. Click on Safari > Settings in the menu. Click on the Advanced tab. You need to turn on the Developer view, so click on Show features for web developers (or Show Develop Menu). Now you will see a new Develop option in the menu at the top of your screen. Click on that. Click on Empty Caches. (You could also press on Option/Alt + Command + E.) In Monterey or older Open Safari. Click on Safari > Preferences in the menu. Click on Advanced. You need to turn on the Developer view, so click on Show Develop Menu. Now you will see a new Develop option in the menu. Click on that. Click on Empty Caches. You could also press on Option/Alt + Command + E. That method will delete your Safari cache. You may also want to clear your browsing history. To do that follow these steps: Click on History in the Safari menu. Click on Clear History. Finally, you can remove cookies by following these steps: In Sonoma or Ventura Click on Safari > Settings. Click on the Privacy tab. Click on Manage Website Data. Click Remove All (or go through the different sites and choose whether or not to allow them). Select Block all cookies to stop cookies in the future. In Monterey or older Click on Safari > Preferences. Click on Privacy. Click on Manage Website Data. Click Remove All (or go through the different sites and choose whether or not to allow them). Select Block all cookies to stop cookies in the future. Just note that removing this data can mean you are logged out of websites that you used to be able to automatically log on to so make sure you know your passwords. How to clear system cache Next up well run through how to clear system cache: A word of warning before you start: Back up just in case something goes wrong! If you delete something that turns out to be important you can at least return to the way things were before. If the thought of making a mistake fills you with dread take a look at one of the options below that will do it for you safely. Open the Finder. Click on Go > Go to Folder Type in Library/Caches/ Enter or click on Go. Open each folder and choose what to delete. You could sort by Data Modified to see what hasnt been added recently. Drag caches into the Trash/Bin. Dont forget to delete your trash. This is a long and boring process that also happens to be really risky so if you would rather reclaim your afternoon and not risk deleting something you shouldnt, we recommend using one of the apps below. How to delete application cache files Along with gaining back some space, clearing files from application cache is something you might want to do if an app isnt working properly, or if you want to speed a particular app up, but note it could have the opposite effect if you remove cached files that are required. For that reason, we again recommend that you back up your system before you start to delete. Open the Finder. Click on Go > Go to Folder Type in ~/Library/Caches/ (note that you need a ~ this time, its next to the Z). Enter or click on Go. Open each folder and choose what to delete. Drag caches into the Trash/Bin. Delete your trash. Again, if you arent 100 percent sure you know what you are doing, we recommend that you use a dedicated app to remove you application cache. Best Apps for removing data from cache We have a round-up of the best Mac cleaner apps where we run through some of our favorite options for deleting files and memory hogs. Among them, you will find some excellent solutions for removing cache files from your Mac. Below are three options that we recommend. How to use CleanMyMac X to clear cache Get CleanMyMac X CleanMyMac X from MacPawclaims to clear your cache safely, it refers to a Safety Database to do so. CleanMyMac X can be downloaded from MacPaws website . It costs 34.95/$34.95 for a one-year subscription, although from time to time the company offers discounts. Alternatively, you can buy the software for 93.95/$89.95 if you dont fancy forking out every year. You can download it for free , but if you want to delete anything you will need to pay up. Open CleanMyMac X and click on System Junk. Click on the Scan button. The app will start analyzing your system. Once the scan is complete you will see a message indicating how much space can be freed up. This includes User Cache Files, System Log Files, Language Files, Document Versions, User Log Files and System Cache Files. Click on Review Details to see more information. Here you get more details of the various cache files the software is offering to delete. So you could deselect anything you would rather not delete. (For example, you might prefer not to delete Document Versions, or you might want to keep some languages and not others. Plus you might prefer not to delete the cache associated with a particular app). If you are happy to go ahead just click Clean. You may need to enter your password and install a helper tool. Now wait while CleanMyMac X cleans your system. How to use MacCleaner Pro 2 to clear cache Get MacCleaner Pro MacCleaner Pro from Nektony is another option that is visually quite similar to CleanMyMac X. There is a free trial that is pretty much fully functional. To upgrade to the pro version costs 40.95/$44.95. Download it from Nektony . Open MacCleaner Pro. Click on Clean up Mac. Here you will see various types of files you can delete, including Caches, Installation Files, Language Files and Downloads. You can deselect any you dont wish to delete. Click on Clean Up. You will be asked to confirm that you are happy for the files to be deleted. Click on Review. You can click on the down arrows to see more information about each. Deselect any you dont want to delete. Click on Clean Up. Enter your password. The great thing about MacCleaner Pro is that it functions in trial mode, rather than just showing you what you can delete and then asking you to purchase the software. The trial is time-limited though. How to use CCleaner to clear cache CCleaner for Mac costs $29.95/29.95 for the Professional version. There is also a free version of CCleaner which you can download from the CCleaner website . Get CCLeaner Open CCleaner. Click on the Applications tab. Youll see which apps have files you can remove. Click on Analyze and wait for the software to examine what you can delete. It will then show you the files that can be removed. If you are happy to go ahead click on Run Cleaner. You will see a warning that the process will permanently delete files from your system. Confirm that you wish to proceed. You may need to install a helper tool, in which case: enter your password. Wait while the app removes the cache files. If youre on a budget, DaisyDisk which has a one-off cost of $9.99/9.99 is another solid choice for Mac cleaning, ranking #3 in our Best Mac Cleaners chart. For more advice read our tips for cleaning up your Mac to make it run faster. Cleaning and Data Recovery Software, Mac, MacOS, Personal Software

Take Your Apple Watch to the Next Level with These 7 Hidden App Store Gems - CNET

Commentary: Download these third-party apps to make the already-capable Apple Watch even more fun and useful.

5 phones you should buy instead of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is a great Android phone but so are these five alternatives.

Anthropic Announces Claude AI Chatbot App for iPhone and iPad

AI safety and research company Anthropic has announced the launch of its Claude iOS app, offering users easier access to the conversational agent from their iPhone . Similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT, the Claude chatbot operates by processing large amounts of text data to understand and generate human-like responses. Its architecture is based on machine learning techniques including large language models (LLMs). Whereas ChatGPT is foremost designed for versatility and scalability, Anthropic says its focus is on creating a steerable AI so that users can direct the model's style and content more effectively, thereby mitigating potential harmful outputs and biases from the outset. The AI company says its Claude iOS app features: Seamless syncing with web chats: Pick up where you left off across devices. Vision capabilities: Use photos from your library, take new photos, or upload files so you can have real-time image analysis, contextual understanding, and mobile-centric use cases on the go. Open access: Users across all plans, including Pro and Team, can download the app free of charge. According to Anthropic, early testers report that the Claude app is exceptional for brainstorming ideas on the go, getting quick answers to questions, or analyzing scenes and images from the real world. In March, Anthropic announced that its Claude 3 language model surpassed ChatGPT and Google's Gemini in various critical industry benchmarks. According to the company, Claude 3 excelled in areas including graduate-level reasoning and multilingual math and coding, among other metrics. Anthropic also highlighted that their most advanced version of Claude 3, named Opus, demonstrated capabilities close to human level, particularly in delivering quick responses, making it well-suited for complex and urgent tasks. Claude for iPhone and iPad is a free download available from the App Store . [ Direct Link ] Users can get 5x more Claude usage than its free plan allows and access Anthropic's most powerful model (Claude 3 Opus) by upgrading to a paid Pro plan , which is $20 per month. This article, Anthropic Announces Claude AI Chatbot App for iPhone and iPad first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Best iPhone SE deals of May 2024

Macworld If youre looking for an iPhone but dont want to spend a fortune, the third-gen iPhone SE , Apples cheapest current handset, is the phone for you. It features a powerful processor (the A15, which also appeared in the flagship iPhone 13 Pro from 2021) at an affordable price, starting at $429 in the U.S. or 429 in the U.K. For a phone thats even cheaper, however, you may want to consider the second-gen iPhone SE from 2020. Apple no longer sells this device itself, but other vendors may still sell you one for a bargain price. In this article we round up the best deals and discounts currently available on each iPhone SE model, as well as cheap bundle offers worth considering. We cover both SIM-free and contract deals, identifying which retailers which have the handsets in stock, and which offer the best price. If you want to get yourself an iPhone SE, read on for the best deals. How much does the iPhone SE cost? Apples most affordable iPhone starts at $429/429. (And you can get it for less if you trade in an older qualifying phone.) The 2022 model is currently available in three configurations: iPhone SE (2022, 64GB): $429 / 429 / AUD$719 iPhone SE (2022, 128GB): $479 / 479 / AUD$799 iPhone SE (2022, 256GB): $579 / 579/ AUD$969 Thats a slight price increase on the previous model. The 2020 iPhone SE is no longer available from Apple itself, but had the following MSRPs at launch: iPhone SE (2020, 64GB): $399 / 399 / AUD$679 iPhone SE (2020, 128GB): $449 / 439 / AUD$759 (If youre buying the iPhone SE we recommend that you avoid the lowest-capacity model. We explain in a separate article: Why you shouldnt buy the 64GB iPhone SE. ) Where to buy iPhone SE (2022) SIM-free Apple sells the iPhone SE starting at $429/429. You can buy from Apple right now. (Thats the U.S. store; depending on where you are, the U.K. store or the Australia store may be more suitable.) Its also available from other retailers, who may offer discounts on Apples price. But this phone is relatively cheap (at least by Apples standards), so youre unlikely to see any startling savings just yet. In the U.S., in fact, all the major retailers are sticking at Apples price. The best option in the U.K. at time of writing is AO, which has the third-gen SE for 419, a discount of 10. KRCS , meanwhile, is selling for 424.71. You can check the best and latest offers in our automatic pricing tables, below. iPhone SE (64GB), MSRP $429/429 New Refurbished Retailer Price $339 View Deal $429 View Deal $429 View Deal $449 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone SE (2022) 64GB Midnight Unlocked $429 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket iPhone SE (128GB), MSRP $479/479 Retailer Price $323.27 View Deal $479 View Deal $479 View Deal $499 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Numerous retailers are stocking the iPhone SE. Just make sure you get the third-gen or 2022 version of the iPhone SE: many will continue to stock the second-gen model from 2020, which features the older A13 processor and doesnt support 5G. U.S. readers should check the following stores: Amazon Best Buy Target Walmart U.K. readers, meanwhile, should check the retailers below. Affordable Mobiles Amazon Argos Carphone Warehouse Currys E2Save Giff Gaff John Lewis KRCS Mobiles.co.uk Mobile Phones Direct Very Where to buy iPhone SE (2022) on contract Try the following stores and carriers for the best iPhone SE contract deals. As mentioned above, make sure youre getting the 2022 model with the A15 processor and 5G. Its also bearing in mind that youll want the contract to include 5G support too: you need both hardware and contract to support the tech, and this may cost extra. If in doubt, ask a member of the sales support staff. AT&T T-Mobile Verizon U.K. readers can browse the best contract deals using the table below: If youd like to research further, try the following U.K. carriers: Affordable Mobiles BT Mobile Carphone Warehouse EE E2Save iD Mobile Fonehouse Giff Gaff O2 Sky Mobile Tesco Mobile Three Virgin Mobile Vodafone Mobiles.co.uk Mobile Phones Direct iPhone SE (2020) deals The iPhone SE model from 2020 is no longer sold by Apple itself, but there are good deals available from other vendors. Where to buy the iPhone SE (2020) SIM-free Youll see the lowest prices from third-party retailers in the automatic pricing table below. You can also buy the iPhone SE SIM-free from a number of other retailers. Try these U.S. stores: Amazon Best Buy Target Walmart U.K. readers should try the following: Affordable Mobiles Amazon Argos Carphone Warehouse Currys E2Save John Lewis KRCS Mobiles.co.uk Mobile Phones Direct Very Where to buy the iPhone SE (2020) on contract You can pick up the iPhone SE from a number of different networks in the U.S. and U.K.: AT&T T-Mobile Verizon U.K. contract providers: Affordable Mobiles BT Mobile Carphone Warehouse EE E2Save iD Mobile Fonehouse O2 Sky Mobile Tesco Mobile Three Virgin Mobile Vodafone Mobiles.co.uk Mobile Phones Direct Weve also compared the original iPhone SE to the iPhone SE 2 if you want to know what kind of upgrades and differences to expect. Trade-in discounts Dont forget you can save when you trade in your old qualifying phone with Apple or other retailers participating in a trade-in programme. Apple offers up to hundreds of dollars off the iPhone SE when you trade in your old iPhone (but if your phone is older, youll likely get much less). Youll have to select the trade-in option during purchase and answer a few questions about your existing phone model, storage capacity and condition. Youll need to provide your IMEI number as well. Read about Apples Trade In scheme in the U.S. and U.K. In the U.K. you could get even more money off if you trade-in via Currys PC World, which has offered up to 240 off previous iPhone SE models when you trade in an older iPhone. Head to Currys to see how much your device is worth. Amazon offers some good trade-in values, so you should see if you can get more there. Check out Amazons Trade In program in the U.S . U.K. readers can see how Amazon trade-in process works here. Apple reseller KRCS also offers a trade-in scheme . Refurbished deals You can save on the iPhone SE by opting for a refurbished model. This is an excellent option for the second-gen model from 2020. Although youre buying a device that has been pre-owned, buying refurbished isnt the same as simply buying second-hand, the main difference being that the product has been repaired and rigorously tested to ensure it works just like new. Refurbished devices often come with additional warranty arrangements for peace of mind if you are to run into any issues after purchase. Decluttr (better known as MusicMagpie in the U.K.) is a great source to shop for refurbished deals, although right now its prices are higher than Amazons. You reduce the rate if you choose to trade-in your old device or old tech for cashback. When shopping refurbished, look out for Apple Certified Refurbished products. These have been repaired, with parts replaced as needed, and thoroughly tested (and cleaned) to meet the Apple standard. You can find Apple Certified Refurbished iPhones from the Apple Refurbished Store . We have a dedicated guide on buying refurbished iPhones with everything you need to know, as well as the best refurbished iPhone deals. Wondering if theres a more affordable option than the SE? We answer the question What is the cheapest iPhone? in a separate article. Our iPhone buying guide , meanwhile, offers in-depth advice for those looking to buy or upgrade. iPhone

Best deals on iPhone 12 (and iPhone 12 mini and 12 Pro)

Macworld If youre looking to buy an iPhone 12 (or 12 mini, 12 Pro, or 12 Pro Max), make sure you get a terrific deal. Following the iPhone 15 launch, retailers will be looking to clear out any remaining stock; until they do, you can expect great deals on the iPhone 12 range, whether SIM-free or on contract. There are some great discounts on refurbished models too. In this article we look at every major retailer and contract provider to find the best deals for the iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max. In a separate article we round up the best iPhone deals overall; we also look at the best Apple deals in an even broader article. iPhone 12 range prices The 12-series iPhones were launched in fall 2020, but since then weve seen some significant changes to the range in terms of price and availability. Each model has gradually dropped in price before eventually disappearing from Apples store. When Apple released the iPhone 13 in September 2021, it discontinued the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max and dropped the price of the iPhone 12 and 12 mini. The following year the iPhone 12 mini was discontinued too, while the iPhone 12 got another price cut. The iPhone 12 was finally discontinued in fall 2023. Heres how the entry-level prices for each model (with the minimum storage allocation) have varied over the years. From this you can extrapolate to what would be a fair price when buying today. Launch price Fall 2021 Fall 2022 Current price iPhone 12 mini From $699/699 From $599/579 Discontinued Discontinued iPhone 12 From $799/799 From $699/679 From $599/649 Discontinued iPhone 12 Pro From $999/999 Discontinued Discontinued Discontinued iPhone 12 Pro Max From $1,099/1,099 Discontinued Discontinued Discontinued While the 12-series handsets are no longer available from Apple, they can often be found from other retailers: stock may be scarce, but if theyve got any handsets left you should be looking at a hefty discount. Check the price-comparison tables below to find the lowest price. Best iPhone 12 mini deals How much does the iPhone 12 mini cost? The smallest of the iPhone 12 range, the iPhone 12 mini features a 5.4-inch screen, which is only slightly larger than the iPhone SE (2022) . Apple stopped selling it following the launch of the iPhone 14, but we can look at past prices to get an idea of whats reasonable to pay now. Here are the original launch prices, from fall 2020: 64GB: $699 / 699 / AU$1,199 128GB: $749 / 749 / AU$1,279 256GB: $849 / 849 / AU$1,449 And here are the reduced prices, from fall 2021: 64GB: $599 / 579 / AU$999 128GB: $649 / 629 / AU$1,079 256GB: $749 / 729 / AU$1,249 In other words, it would be reasonable to assume that Apple would have knocked off another $100 or so in 2022, just as it did for the standard iPhone 12, discussed below. It might have got another price cut in 2023, for that matter. Its more than three years old now, so make sure youre not paying over the odds. Best iPhone 12 mini SIM-free deals You can keep up with the latest SIM-free prices across a wide range of retailers using our automated price-comparison table below. If the table isnt showing, that means there are no available supplies in your region, and youll need to consider an alternative. New Refurbished Retailer Price Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 12 mini 64GB Blue Unlocked $459 View Deal iPhone 12 mini 64GB Red Unlocked $459 View Deal iPhone 12 mini 64GB Green Unlocked $459 View Deal iPhone 12 mini 64GB White Unlocked $459 View Deal iPhone 12 mini 64GB Black Unlocked $459 View Deal iPhone 12 mini 128GB Black Unlocked $549 View Deal iPhone 12 mini 128GB Green Unlocked $549 View Deal iPhone 12 mini 128GB Blue Unlocked $549 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices Best iPhone 12 mini contract deals Here are the U.S. providers to check for iPhone 12 mini contracts. AT&T T-Mobile Verizon U.K. readers should try the following: Affordable Mobiles Carphone Warehouse EE O2 Sky Mobile Three Virgin Mobile Vodafone Best iPhone 12 deals How much does the iPhone 12 cost? The standard iPhone offers a 6.1-inch display and is available in white, black, blue, green, purple and Product(Red). Like all of the handsets in the 12-series range, the iPhone 12 is no longer available direct from Apple, but it survived long enough to get two price cuts, in 2021 and 2022. This is what it cost in summer 2023: 64GB: $599 / 649 / AU$1,049 (Was $829 / 799 / AU$1,349 at launch) 128GB: $649 / 699 / AU$1,129 (Was $879 / 849 / AU$1,429 at launch) 256GB: $749 / 809 / AU$1,299 (Was $979 / 949 / AU$1,599 launch) Best iPhone 12 SIM-free deals You can browse the latest prices in our automated table below. New Refurbished Retailer Price $816 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 13 128GB Blue Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 12 64GB White Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 12 64GB Black Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 12 64GB Blue Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 12 64GB Red Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 12 64GB Green Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 12 128GB Purple Unlocked $679 View Deal iPhone 12 128GB Green Unlocked $679 View Deal iPhone 12 128GB Blue Unlocked $679 View Deal iPhone 12 128GB Black Unlocked $679 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices Where you can buy the iPhone 12 Here are the main retailers to check when shopping around for the best price on an iPhone 12: Amazon (renewed) Best Buy Walmart Target U.K. readers should try the following: Amazon AO Argos Carphone Warehouse Currys PC World John Lewis KRCS Laptops Direct Very Best iPhone 12 contract deals Here are the U.S. contract providers to consider: AT&T T-Mobile Verizon U.K. readers can browse the best contract deals using the table below: But if youre interested in doing your own research, you can try the following providers: Carphone Warehouse EE O2 Three Sky Mobile Virgin Vodafone Voxi Best iPhone 12 Pro deals How much does the iPhone 12 Pro cost? The 12 Pro features a 6.1-inch screen like the standard iPhone 12 but has a much brighter display and a third (telephoto) lens on the back. The Pro and Pro Max are available in Graphite, Silver, Gold and Pacific Blue. Apple discontinued the 12 Pro and Pro Max when it launched the iPhone 13, but you can still find it from other retailers. Weve listed Apples original prices for the 12 Pro below: 128GB: $999 / 999 / AU$1,699 256GB: $1,099 / 1,099 / AU$1,869 512GB: $1,299 / 1,299 / AU$2,219 These were the prices when the device was brand new (back in fall 2020), so you should be looking to spend considerably less if buying today. New Refurbished Retailer Price $607.05 View Deal $1008 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB Pacific Blue Unlocked $899 View Deal iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB Gold Unlocked $899 View Deal iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB Gold Unlocked $999 View Deal iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB Graphite Unlocked $999 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Best iPhone 12 Pro SIM-free deals While you can no longer buy the iPhone 12 Pro directly from Apple, there are other retailers that still carry it. Check the following sellers if youve got time: Amazon Best Buy Walmart Target U.K. readers should try the following: Amazon Argos Currys PC World John Lewis Laptops Direct Carphone Warehouse The automated price table below will show the best offers currently available, but stock shortages may mean it comes up empty (or doesnt appear at all). In this case consider a refurbished model, which will also be cheaper. Try Decluttr in the U.S., or musicMagpie in the U.K. New Refurbished Retailer Price $607.05 View Deal $1008 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB Pacific Blue Unlocked $899 View Deal iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB Gold Unlocked $899 View Deal iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB Gold Unlocked $999 View Deal iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB Graphite Unlocked $999 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Best iPhone 12 Pro contract deals The following networks may still have the iPhone 12 Pro available on contract, but be prepared for disappointment at this stage. AT&T T-Mobile Verizon U.K. readers should try the following: Carphone Warehouse EE O2 Sky Mobile Voxi Best iPhone 12 Pro Max deals How much does the iPhone 12 Pro Max cost? Its been discontinued now, but heres how much the iPhone 12 Pro Max cost at launch: 128GB: $1,099 / 1,099 / AU$1,849 256GB: $1,199 / 1,199 / AU$2,019 512GB: $1,399 / 1,399 / AU$2,369 Its very important to note that these were the prices when the devices were brand new. Based on what Apple did to the 12 and 12 mini prices in previous years, these would have dropped significantly if the company decided to keep the 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max on sale. In other words, you should be looking to spend a lot less than the launch MSRPs if you buy today. Best iPhone 12 Pro Max SIM-free deals You can compare prices from top retailers in our automated price table below. But stock is running low, and it may therefore come up empty or fail to appear. Your best bet in fact, may be to buy a refurbished model, which will also be cheaper. Try Decluttr in the U.S., or musicMagpie in the U.K. Retailer Price $1104 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best iPhone 12 Pro Max contract deals You may struggle to find the 12 Pro Max on contract now that its been discontinued by Apple. The following networks are worth trying, however. AT&T T-Mobile Verizon U.K. readers can try the following, but again, you may struggle to find a provider willing to offer the 12 Pro Max: Carphone Warehouse EE O2 Sky Mobile Voxi Where to get iPhone 12 cashback deals The following retailers offer phones on contract from various networks and may have different deals to those youll find direct from the network. Many of these sites also offer cashback plans, if you want to save more in the long term. Affordable Mobiles Carphone Warehouse E2 Save Mobiles.co.uk Mobile Phones Direct Fonehouse Where to get refurbished iPhone 12 deals If you havent already, you may want to consider buying a refurbished iPhone 12 to save money (and the environment). Refurbished devices are thoroughly tested and repaired to work and look just like new. In some cases, you might see some signs of wearsuch as scuffs or scratchesbut most retailers will indicate the condition of the device before you buy it. Typically, youll see A, B, and C grades, with A-grade devices showing no or very, very minimal signs of use and C-grade devices showing obvious signs of wear. See our full guide to buying refurbished or second-hand iPhones for more on device grades. The first place to shop for a refurbished iPhone is on the Apple Refurbished Store . Here youre guaranteed that the device will be exactly like a new iPhone out of the box. Rest assured, the Apple Refurbished Store is where you can get the highest quality of refurbished iPhones. You may also want to consider the following refurbished resellers, which are likely to offer lower prices: Decluttr (known as musicMagpie in the U.K.) Envirofone Reboxed 4Gadgets Smartfone Store See our separate round-up of the best iPhone 11 deals , and for the best Apple deals 2021 see our dedicated deals hub . About the iPhone 12 range Apple launched the iPhone 12 range flagship phones at its Hi, Speed Special event on October 13, 2020: a fitting title, given these were the first iPhones to feature 5G connectivity, the A14 Bionic processor and Neural Engine, which also appeared in the iPad Air 4 for advanced image processing. While weve come to expect iPhones in three sizes, Apple introduced four models with the 12 range: the iPhone 12 , iPhone 12 Pro , 12 Pro Max , and a smaller iPhone 12 miniagain, all with 5G support. The iPhone 12 and 12 mini feature a Ceramic Shield front, glass back, and an aluminum frame, while the top-tier Pro and Pro Max add a textured matte glass on the back and a stainless steel band to the mix. Design aside, the Pro and Pro Max also feature an extra telephoto lens on the back, along with advanced photo and video capabilities, like AppleRAW support and recording and editing video in Dolby Vision. For everything there is to know about the new iPhone 12 range see this handy explainer . iPhone

iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro: Where to get the best deals this month

Macworld Its been a long time since you could only get aniPhonedirectly from Apple or from AT&T. Today, they are offered by all major carriers and big retailers, and many of them want to entice you to buy with them by offering special deals. Of course, you can still buy from Apple directly , either in-store or online, but you can probably find a lower price elsewhere. Thats particularly relevant if youre looking at devices that Apple itself no longer sells. The company still sells the iPhone 13 , but it discontinued theiPhone 13 Pro when the 14-series handsets came out in fall 2022, and dropped the 13 mini in fall 2023. If you want to buy one of those models, youll need to shop around other retailers. If youre in the market for a 13-series iPhone, then, youve come to the right place. This article offers a summary of the best deals and promotions offered by popular retailers to help you get the best deal.(If youre considering other models, check out our overall Best iPhone deals roundup.) iPhone 13 Read our review Price When Reviewed: $799 (base model) Best Prices Today: $629 at Apple | $629 at Apple United States | $629 at Straight Talk Best unlocked iPhone 13 & iPhone 13 mini deals Apple Store Buying direct fromApple is one of the few ways to buy an unlocked, SIM-freeiPhone 13, and its the go-to place to join the iPhone Upgrade Program . Apple will let you trade in your old iPhone (in good condition) as credit toward a new purchase, too. In the U.S., Apple is once again partnering with carriers to offer discounts on theiPhone 13. You get a $30 discount if you buy a phone activated on AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile/Sprint. Youll always pay full price at the Apple Store , but its a direct and simple way to get an iPhone, and in some cases the only place to buy one without activating it on a mobile network. Note that the iPhone 13 got a price cut when the iPhone 14 came out in 2022, and it dropped again when the iPhone 15 came out in fall 2023. At launch it started at $829, but this is what youll pay now: iPhone 13 prices: 128GB: $599 / 599 / AUD$1,099 256GB: $699 / 699 / AUD$1,299 512GB: $899 / 899 / AUD$1,649 Those are Apples prices, at any rate, but you may be able to find the iPhone 13 for less by shopping around. You can keep up with the best prices across a range of retailers by using our automated table below: New Refurbished Retailer Price $629 View Deal $629 View Deal Straight Talk $629 View Deal $779 View Deal $816 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price iPhone 13 128GB Midnight Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 13 128GB Pink Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 13 128GB Starlight Unlocked $629 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket The iPhone 13 mini has now been discontinued, on Apples store at least. (Its still available from other retailers.) At launch it started at $729, but it dropped in price when the iPhone 14 came out: iPhone 13 mini prices as of summer 2023 : 128GB: $599 / 649 / AUD$1,049 256GB: $699 / 759 / AUD$1,219 512GB: $899 / 979 / AUD$1,569 Best deals Naturally you should be looking to pay less than those prices above; if Apple had kept the 13 mini on sale through fall 2023, it would have received another price cut just like the iPhone 13. You can keep up with the best iPhone 13 mini prices across a range of retailers by using our automated table below: New Refurbished Retailer Price $599 View Deal $643.07 View Deal $720 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 13 mini 128GB Blue Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 13 mini 128GB Pink Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 13 mini 128GB Midnight Unlocked $629 View Deal iPhone 13 mini 128GB Starlight Unlocked $699 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Unlocked iPhone 13 Pro & iPhone 13 Pro Max deals Apple no longer sells either of these handsets. If Apple had carried on selling them, they would probably have seen price cuts in 2022 and 2023, but well never know exactly how generous those cuts would have been. The best we can do when evaluating third-party deals is look at the launch prices from 2021 and demand a significant drop to take into account the passage of time. iPhone 13 Pro prices at launch : 128GB: $999 / 949 / AUD$1,699 256GB: $1,099 / 1,049 / AUD$1,869 512GB: $1,299 / 1,249 / AUD$2,219 1TB: $1,499 / 1,449 / AUD$2,569 iPhone 13 Pro Max prices at launch : 128GB: $1,099 / 1,049 / AUD$1,849 256GB: $1,199 / 1,149 / AUD$2,019 512GB: $1,399 / 1,349 / AUD$2,369 1TB: $1,599 / 1,549 / AUD$2,719 Best deals You can keep up with the best prices across a range of retailers for the iPhone 13 Pro by using our automated table below. If you see no deals, that means stock has run out in your local area; this is a common issue with discontinued products. New Refurbished Retailer Price $984 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 13 Pro 128GB Graphite Unlocked $899 View Deal iPhone 13 Pro 128GB Sierra Blue Unlocked $1000 View Deal iPhone 13 Pro 128GB Gold Unlocked $1000 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Heres a similar table for the iPhone 13 Pro Max: New Refurbished Retailer Price $428.75 View Deal $1080 View Deal $1099 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB Silver Unlocked $999 View Deal iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB Gold Unlocked $999 View Deal iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB Sierra Blue Unlocked $999 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Carrier stores and contract deals If you want to buy the latest iPhone for less than the full retail price, youre probably going to need to get it from a carrier or mobile provider, and there will often be significant strings attached. These deals can be complicated, so be sure to read the fine print. AT&T (U.S.) T-Mobile (U.S.) Verizon (U.S.) EE (U.K.) O2 (U.K.) Sky Mobile (U.K.) Three (U.K.) Virgin Mobile (U.K.) Vodafone (U.K.) UK readers can also view the best current iPhone 13 contract deals in their area by perusing the table below. Where to get refurbished iPhone 13 deals If you havent already, you may want to consider buying a refurbished iPhone 13 to save money (and the environment). Refurbished devices are thoroughly tested and repaired to work and look just like new. In the case of official Apple refurbished iPhones, you get a brand-new body and screen, box, accessories, battery, and warranty. Its almost indistinguishable from buying a new iPhone. See our full guide to buying refurbished iPhones for more. The first place to shop for a refurbished iPhone is on the Apple Refurbished Store : Apple does now offer refurbished iPhone 13 models for sale. Rest assured, the Apple Refurbished Store is where you can get the highest quality of refurbished iPhones. It is often the most expensive place to buy refurbished handsets, however, so you may want to try the following resellers instead: BackMarket (U.S.) Best Buy (U.S.) Refurb.me (U.S.) Gazelle (U.S.) Reboxed (U.S.) Music Magpie (U.K.) Envirofone (U.K.) Reboxed (U.K.) 4Gadgets (U.K.) Smartfone Store (U.K.) iPhone

Experience Galaxy AI With Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Galaxy S23 Available Now at Unbeatable Prices on Flipkart! Limited Period Only

Apple Watch AFib History Feature Qualified by FDA to Evaluate Medical Devices

Apple's atrial fibrillation (AFib) history feature on Apple Watch has been qualified by the FDA under its Medical Device Development Tools (MDDT) program, the first digital health technology feature of its kind to do so. Since 2022, Apple Watch has supported AFib History, which allows users diagnosed with atrial fibrillation to view an estimate of how frequently their heart is in this type of irregular rhythm. The feature analyzes pulse rate data collected by a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor to identify episodes consistent with AFib and provides the user with a retrospective estimate of AFib burden (a measure of the amount of time spent in AFib during past Apple Watch wear). Apple says the feature is intended for individuals aged 22 years or older who have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. The AFib History feature received FDA clearance in the United States just prior to its announcement by Apple, after being validated in a clinical study. The MDDT program under which the feature was approved today is the FDA's method of qualifying tools that medical device sponsors can choose to use in the development and evaluation of medical devices. According to the FDA, the Atrial Fibrillation History feature is: The first digital health technology qualified under the MDDT program, providing a non-invasive way to check estimates of atrial fibrillation (AFib) burden within clinical studies. Designed to be used as a biomarker test to help evaluate estimates of AFib burden as a secondary effectiveness endpoint within clinical studies intended to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of cardiac ablation devices to treat. Designed to be used throughout the clinical study, both before and after cardiac ablation devices, to monitor a study participants weekly estimate of AFib burden. (Via MyHealthyApple.com .) Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9 Tag: FDA Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral) This article, Apple Watch AFib History Feature Qualified by FDA to Evaluate Medical Devices first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank review: Flat-out impressive

Macworld At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Fast charging times Flat design Includes transport bag and cable Cons Difficult to read display No display in watts Our Verdict The flat design of the Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank is practical for stowing in a bag or backpack. With its four connectors, it offers enough connection options, and the charging times are very good. Price When Reviewed $129.99 Best Prices Today: Baseus Laptop Powerbank PD 100W 20000mAh Retailer Price $99.99 View Deal Baseus $100 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket At first glance, the Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank 100W 20000mAh is the ideal laptop power bank. Its flat, not too heavy, has enough capacity for one charge, and its not too slow when charging. It does have impressive features: a capacity of 20,000 mAh; two USB-C power delivery ports with a maximum output power of 100 watts and an input power of 65 watts; and two USB-A ports with a maximum of 30 watts. It measures 5.27 by 5.27 by 0.7 inches (13.4 by 13.4 by 1.8 centimeters) and is flat with rounded corners, perfect for stowing in a bag. It also comes with a protective storage bag and a USB-C charging cable. The 20,000 mAh capacity is enough to charge a 13-inch MacBook Air M1 from zero to 100 percent once, with about 5 percent remaining on the Blade HD. During a 30-minute charging session, the Blade HD added 37 percent to an M1 MacBook Airs battery, 57 percent to the iPhone 15, and 30 percent to the iPad Pro. Its one of the fastest power banks weve tested. The Blade also recharges very quickly. it reaches 90 percent after just 90 minutes and is fully charged after just under two hours. The display on the top of the Blade HD is very practical. It provides information about the capacity percentage, voltage, and current, as well as the approximate time for the charging process. The major criticism is the poor readability of the display. It is far too dark and can only be read when there is no light on it. Also, the practical benefit of the display would be even greater if the power was displayed in watts and not in a combination of volts and amps. The Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank 100W 20000mAh has an informative display that can be difficult to read. The Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank 100W 20000mAh has an informative display that can be difficult to read. Thomas Bergbold The Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank 100W 20000mAh has an informative display that can be difficult to read. Thomas Bergbold Thomas Bergbold Should you buy the Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank? With its flat form factor, the Baseus Blade HD Laptop Power Bank 100W 20000mAh is the ideal companion in a notebook bag or backpack. Its easy to slip into a pocket, the charging performance is plenty fast, and it charges in a hurry, all of which make it a great option for MacBook road warriors.. For more power banks and portable battery packs, check out our roundup of our favorite models . Thomas Bergbold Thomas Bergbold Thomas Bergbold This article originally appeared on Macwelt and was translated by Roman Loyola . Laptop Accessories, Mac

Use these tips to make your passwords even stronger

Macworld The first Thursday of May is World Password Day, a day to remind ourselves of the importance of making our digital lives more secure. For better or worse, just about everything we do is connected, online, and digitalour phones are car and house keys, every penny we have is behind a few banking passwords, and our entire jobs and reputations can be destroyed with access to just a couple social media accounts. Its more important than ever to ensure our accounts and digital devices are as secure as possible. But of course, security has to be convenient as wellyoure not going to type in a 45-character alphanumeric password every time you want to unlock your iPhone! With that in mind, here are some straightforward tips for making sure your digital life is more secure. Some can be done in minutes, others may take some time to set up but will be fast and convenient after you do, but all of them will help make sure you dont end up with a disaster on your hands. What makes a bad password Every security expert will tell you that the biggest problem isnt that hackers are super skilled, its that they dont have to work very hard most of the time because people use bad passwords and the same passwords for multiple things. Left to their own devices, people will choose passwords that are simple for them to remember. Theyll use their spouses name, their dogs name, their favorite sports team or a recent vacation spot. Just look at the most common passwords for 2022 : password 123456 123456789 guest qwerty It takes no skill or ingenuity to guess one of those in seconds. You should also not use your childrens birthdays, anniversaries, a pets name, or any other set of numbers or words that is associated with your real life. How to create a strong password Instead, experts say to use long passwords made of multiple words togethera pass phrase , if you will. Something like super-sonic-headphones or walter-white-is-heisenberg is a lot harder for a computer to crack than vNe3R#1! because brute-force password cracking gets much harder as the password gets longer , not stranger . By using these following tips, people will be able to create easy to remember passwords that follow these typical requirements: at least eight characters long and with at least 3 of the following character types: upper-case letters, lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Substitute numbers for letters and vice versa. (o instead of 0, 4 instead of A, 1 instead of L, E instead of 3) Substitute words for numbers (one, two , three) Combine both the of above (0ne, thr33, f1ve) Use capitalization in random places (bLue, happY) Use special characters ( !@#$%^&*(){}[] ) to punctuate and separate words Create passwords out of words, numbers or phrases youll remember Misspell words Using these tips, you can create memorable passwords that will be nearly impossible to guess. Here are some examples of converting memorable information into a complex password Well start with some easy ones: Friday becomes frYday! Robert becomes #robERt# 867-5309 becomes 8siX753o9 19 Peach Place becomes: 0ne9peacHpl! I love Jill becomes: eYelov3Jill My dog Fritz becomes MeyedogfrltZ That should help you create a secure password, but youll need to create more than one, because using the password, or recycling old passwords and using passwords on rotation is bad. Read on to find out how to solve this password problem. Managing multiple passwords You should also use a different password for every single account you have, without exception. Huge lists of stolen passwords are frequently sold and traded among hackers, where they are then checked against millions of sites and services. If one of your accounts is compromised and you change the password, you can bet that same password will be tried on many other sites and services for years to come. Using long, complex passwords that are different for every account you have is a huge painyoull never remember them all. Thats where password managers come in! They help you store and fill in passwords across all your devices and can fill in things like address and payment forms too. A good password manager makes your life easier and more secure and is well worth the time to set up. You can use iCloud Keychain which is built into your iPhone, iPad, and Mac to help you manage passwords, but for even more flexibility try one of the Password Managers weve reviewed in our round-up of the Best Password Managers for Mac and iPhone. Take advantage of biometrics While your device is only ever as secure as your passwordbecause biometrics can be overridden by the passwordusing biometrics means you wont always need to type out a long and complicated password. Biometric password features like Face ID and Touch ID are not foolproof, but theyre much harder to crack than a string of six numbers, and theyre much more difficult to sell and trade around than big lists of passwords. You should change your iPhone or iPad passcode to a real password , and make it a good one, then use Face ID or Touch ID to avoid having to type it in all the time. Do this wherever possible: Use big complex unique passwords for your main password manager, for example, and let Face ID or Touch ID do the hard work of unlocking it for you. Apple, Microsoft, and Google have joined together to allow the use of biometric logins without passwords across their sites and services. This initiative, called Passkey, has been supported in Apple devices since macOS 13 and iOS/iPadOS 16 and is starting to be used across other sites and services. You can now log in to your Google account with Passkey , for example. Secure every account with 2FA where possible Two-factor Authentication (2FA), also called Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), is when you have to supply a password and something elsea short one-time use code sent to you via text message or generated by a special app, or a fingerprint or face scan, for example. These are really great ways to secure your account. Any time your password is correctly entered on a new device (such as when a hacker tries to use it), you must enter a code sent to you via text or generated with an app. The code can only be used once and is valid for a very short time. So even if a hacker steals or guesses your password, theyre not likely to be able to get into your account. Using SMS (texts) for this is commonplace and handy because it doesnt require an app, but SIM-jacking and other techniques can sometimes allow hackers to target individuals and access their texts, making this less secure than using a 2FA app like Auth , Google Authenticator , or Duo Mobile . Apple has its own 2FA system for your Apple ID, which you should definitely have enabled since many Apple services require it. Heres how to set up 2FA with your Apple ID . Youll want to enable 2FA on every other account you have, especially bank accounts and accounts where you can make purchases (like game services). Check out our guide to getting started with 2FA for more. And if you want the utmost security, you can lock down your Apple ID with a security key if youre running iOS 16.3 or macOS Venture 13.2 or later. Instead of a code, youll have a physical key (two actually) that stores your authentication and is impossible to steal or spoof remotely. Use Passkeys Since the introduction of iOS 17 and macOS 14 Sonoma, your Apple ID can support passkey authentication. This means that anywhere you need to sign in with your Apple ID, including websites and icloud.com, youll have a new option alongside the usual standard password login method. If you press a Continue with Apple button you will be able to scan a QR code with your iPhones camera and this will allow you to log in. Read more about using passkey in: How to use Passkeys on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Includes additional reporting by Michael Scalisi. iOS, iPhone, Mac, MacOS, Password Managers, Security Software and Services

The Honor Magic 6 RSR is my new favorite Android phone of 2024

There are endless choices for a good Android phone in 2024. But as of right now, the Honor Magic 6 RSR is my new go-to. Here's why.

Boost your Macs abilities and potential with 16 macOS-friendly apps, only $40

Macworld While Apple consistently offers some of the best tech innovations, Mac users are due forsomelong-awaited tools to maximize their macOS devices abilities. Fortunately, you can add a helpful arsenal of tools to your macOS device with the$40 Big Mac Utility Bundle, which serves upa collection of 16 productivity apps that can streamline virtually everything you do on your Mac . With a one-time payment for this bundles plethora of Mac-friendly apps, youll get lifelong access to 16 apps, which include minor updates as theyre released. Heres what youll receive: Colori ToAnything Tidier FileUnhider Web2Mac AppKiller QRWizard SpeakMe Markdown+, And much more! Lets dive into some of the apps. With AppKiller, you caneasily clear out your running apps with a singleclick of a button . Need to connect to WiFi when youre traveling or commuting? WiFi Radar Pro helps by scanning, monitoring, and resolving issues with connecting networks. If you workin-personat the office, FileUnhider can be helpful, as userscan instantly hide and unhide their displayed files if theyre showing their screen to a colleague.Constantlycopying and pasting? Use AllClips to manage your Macs clipboard and recover lost clippings. Boost your Macs potential andyourefficiency by investing in The Big Mac Utility Bundle, now just $39.99 . The Big Mac Utility Bundle Only $39.99 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

Best Phone Under $500 for 2024: Great Features at Lower Prices - CNET

Our favorite phone under $500 is so close to its more expensive sibling that there's no reason to pay more.

MacCleaner Pro review: Clear the junk from your Mac

Macworld At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Impressive array of tools builds on previous versions of Mac Cleaner Pro. Makes customization and getting under the hood of the macOS simple. Decently priced for what you get. Cons Occasionally awkward user interface (occasionally asked permission to access macOS operating system after a function had begun). Drive space warning issued needlessly. Our Verdict Here are easy options for reclaiming drive space, clearing out system detritus, and getting under the hood of the macOS and customizing it. That and a good level of support make it worth your consideration. Price When Reviewed $74.95 (one-time purchase), $29.95 (one year subscription) Best Prices Today: MacCleaner Pro Retailer Price Nektony (free trial) Free View Deal Nektony $74.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Theres no shortage of cleaning and optimization utilities for the Mac these days and Ukranian developer Nektony presents a handy, powerful selection of such tools in MacCleaner Pro . There are times when a good utility sticks to its roots, yet gets that much better in the subsequent version. There are also times when the developers leave an irritating reminder in the user interface that shouldnt be there, making you wonder exactly what they were thinking as this version passed through developer Nektonys QA department and went out across the internet and into the marketplace. This is a mix of the two (albeit the better elements win out in the long run). MacCleaner Pro (version 3.3 at the time of this review) is divided into a core app and several module apps, namely App Cleaner & Uninstaller, Disk Space Analyzer, Duplicate File Finder, Memory Cleaner, and Funter. The core app, which can perform an overall disk cleaning and help free up storage space by eliminating extraneous files, diverts to the modules as needed, par for the course for this genre of utility. MacCleaner Pro 3.3s main screen, complete with overview scan options. MacCleaner Pro 3.3s main screen, complete with overview scan options. Foundry MacCleaner Pro 3.3s main screen, complete with overview scan options. Foundry Foundry As expected, MacCleaner Pro is easy to install, and you just grant it access to areas of your operating system such as your Desktop, Documents, Photos, etc. The App Cleaner & Uninstaller module works well, and allows you to see the app youre removing as well as its support files. This module has been improved compared to version 3, and now offers you easier access to startup programs and extension files, allowing you to enable, disable, or remove them. A Remaining Files feature allows you to chase down loose files, while an Open With feature lets you assign applications to open certain file types. The Disk Analyzer module is interesting and features a good layout, but also scanned my M2 MacBook Pros SSD for more than 30 minutes before I paused it, then asked me to grant it full access to my hard drive as well as my Documents folder and iCloud Drive folder, which seemed to be a backward approach to the entire process. MacCleaner Pro 3.3s Disk Analyzer module, complete with graphic layout of your hard drive and folder architecture. MacCleaner Pro 3.3s Disk Analyzer module, complete with graphic layout of your hard drive and folder architecture. Foundry MacCleaner Pro 3.3s Disk Analyzer module, complete with graphic layout of your hard drive and folder architecture. Foundry Foundry Once again, the Duplicate File Finder is a good module and its easy to specify file types to look for, such as audio and photo files. Theres also an impressive level of precise control via the Select Duplicates in Folders feature, and its satisfying to hunt down duplicates and get some of your drive space back. Similar to its previous version, the Memory Cleaner module offers an easy interface to show which applications and processes are consuming the most RAM. The module, which resides in the macOS Menu Bar, comes in handy and offers an Automatically Free Up option with which to optimize RAM usage to the best of its ability. Still, this is one of the peculiar instances in which a reminder pops up advising the user to clear disk space for a macOS Sonoma install, even though I was already running macOS Sonoma. Perhaps the understated jewel of MacCleaner Pro is the Funter module, which has been improved on since the previous version. Funter works as an outstanding tool for finding hidden files within your operating system. The search feature has been updated, and while it could take a considerable amount of time to index everything, this is still a powerful search tool for rooting through the inner workings of the macOS. Where the main MacCleaner Pro module was concerned, the Fast Cleanup option was able to clear up 11.45 gigabytes of drive space, most of these being application cache files, while the Deep Cleanup feature helped reclaim 65.4 gigabytes of drive space. The Speed Up module offers a good level of control over startup applications, heavy applications, RAM optimizations, and other tasks, making it easy to decide what to load within the macOS. Theres a lot thats going right with MacCleaner Pro, and the software runs well, has a good feature base, builds well on previous elements and modules, offers good in-app guides and help, and doesnt overreach by also offering to provide security services, such as antiviral and VPN protection, even though those are also products Nektony sells. The software is priced decently at $21.95/month (usually $29.80) for a 2 Mac license, $44.95/year (usually $59.90) with a 2 Mac license, or a one-time purchase fee of $119.95 (usually $150.90) for a 2 Mac license as of this writing, which feels reasonable. Download it here . Foundry Foundry Foundry As mentioned before, there are a few user interface elements that might make you shake your head, but theyre not deal breakers. A few of the modules displayed the macOS Sonoma drive space warning I mentioned earlier, even though I was already running macOS Sonoma. This seems a bit redundant. There were also times when the modules asked for permission to access certain areas of the operating system after a cycle has begun, as opposed to asking for full permission for everything upfront. This can feel a bit awkward, and while most of these decisions are one-time choices that stay after the first time, it feels like something that could be streamlined in a future update. Should I buy MacCleaner Pro? Theres a good utility to be found in MacCleaner Pro 3.3. Nektony has done a good job building out previous versions of the software, putting forth some easy options for both reclaiming drive space, clearing out system detritus, and getting under the hood of the macOS and customizing it without having to dive into the Terminal application and the command line. That and a good level of support and updates make it worth your consideration, despite a few user interface quirks. If you have doubts, the software is available to download and try out with no hassle, which is worth its weight in gold. Cleaning and Data Recovery Software, MacOS

Macworld Podcast: Apple Let Loose iPad event and what to expect

Macworld Apple is having an event on May 7. What do we expect to see? New iPads, maybe a new Apple Pencil, and more! We talk about it all on this episode of the Macworld Podcast! This is episode 882 with Karen Haslam , David Price , and Roman Loyola . Listen to episode 882 on Apple Podcasts Listen to episode 882 on Spotify Get info Click on the links below for more information on what was discussed on the show. 2024 iPad Air: Everything you need to know about the 6th-gen model 2024 iPad Pro: Everything you need to know about Apples next flagship tablet Apple Pencil 3 with a new squeeze gesture could be coming soon The ridiculously long wait for iPads has reached 18 months New AirPods 2024: What to expect from the AirPods, Pro, Lite, and Max Subscribe to the Macworld Podcast You can subscribe to the Macworld Podcastor leave us a review! right here in the Podcasts app . The Macworld Podcast is also available on Spotify . Or you can point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader at: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/macworld To find previous episodes, visit Macworlds podcast page or our home on MegaPhone . iPad

Upgrade your cloud storage to 1TB with Koofr, now only $130 for life

Macworld Everybody needs cloud storagethese days, but nobody likes paying monthly subscription fees. Youlikeit even less when you run out of storage and suddenly have to payeven more per month. But what if you could pay once for enough storage to last a lifetime ? Now, you can since lifetime access to Koofr Cloud Storages 1TB planis only $129.97 using coupon code: KOOFRthrough May 5 at 11:59 PM Pacific. (reg. $810) through May 5. Koofr is an intuitive cloud storage platform that makes it easy to connect all of your existing cloud storage and bring your files together into a single hub. Users can link Dropbox, Google Drive, and more to create a centralized solution. With 1TB of cloud storage, youll have plenty of room for all your files, photos, and other media. For organization, Koofr offers a Duplicate Finder to remove copies and other file management tools. Another bonus of Koofr is that the platform never tracks users. All files are encrypted at rest and in transfer , ensuringyourcomplete security and privacy. Pay once and grab a lifetime subscription to 1TB of Koofr Cloud Storage for just $129.97 using coupon code: KOOFRthrough May 5 at 11:59 PM Pacific. Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) Only $129.97 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

Huaweis gorgeous Pura 70 phones just got expanded availability

The Huawei Pura 70 series, consisting of the Pura 70, 70 Pro and 70 Ultra, are confirmed to be hitting the European market with May 2 preorder availability.

Google Paid Apple $20 Billion in 2022 to Be Default Safari Search Engine

Google paid Apple $20 billion in 2022 to be the default search engine for Safari on iPhone , iPad , and Mac, reports Bloomberg . The information was revealed in court documents Google provided in its antitrust dispute with the United States Department of Justice. The DoJ has accused Google of having a monopoly on search, and in the lawsuit against Google, the search engine deal with Apple has been a major focus. In November, lawsuit documents indicated that Google was paying 36 percent of the total revenue that it earns from searches conducted on Safari, and now it turns out that equates to $20 billion. Google has been the default search engine on Apple devices since 2002, though the deal has been renegotiated several times. Apple and Google have worked to keep the terms of the search engine agreement under wraps during the trial and before, but it has been well known that Google is paying Apple billions per year . Last October, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella testified that the agreement between Apple and Google has made it impossible for search engines like Bing to compete. Microsoft at one point wanted Apple to buy Bing, but Apple was not interested . Microsoft blamed Google, but Apple's Eddy Cue said that Aplple was concerned that Bing could not compete in quality and capabilities. Cue claimed that Apple uses Google as the iPhone's default search engine because Apple has always thought it was the best. Google is the default search engine on Apple devices in most countries, but users can opt to swap to Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia as alternatives. Changing browser engines requires opening up the Safari settings. In Europe, the Digital Markets Act has required Apple to make changes to how browsers work. Users are able to choose a default browser when setting up their iPhone, and there are more options than the handful of providers that Apple allows in the United States. If Google loses the antitrust lawsuit against it, the deal between Apple and Google could be dissolved. Closing arguments are expected on Thursday and Friday, with the judge's ruling set to come later in 2024. Tags: Google , Safari This article, Google Paid Apple $20 Billion in 2022 to Be Default Safari Search Engine first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Grab a 4-pack of Apple AirTags while theyre on sale

The four-pack of the Apple AirTag is available from Walmart with a $19 discount, so you'll only have to pay $80 for this bundle of reliable Bluetooth trackers.

How to turn off Activity Status on Instagram

Your Instagram Activity Status is a small feature that tells everyone when you last used the app. Want to turn it off? Here's how.

The Rabbit R1 is hiding a big secret

The Rabbit R1 is one of the hottest AI gadgets on the market right now and it looks like it's hiding an Android-scented secret.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 with a free S Pen is down to $199

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite with a 10.4-inch Full HD touchscreen and the S Pen stylus is down to a very affordable $199 following Walmart's $150 discount.

T-Mobile Closes Mint Mobile Deal, Promises to Keep $15 Monthly Plan Option - CNET

Mint is officially now part of T-Mobile's assortment of brands.

iOS 17.5 Beta 4: Your iPhone Could Get These New Features Soon - CNET

Some developers and beta testers can try these features now ahead of the update's release to the general public.

Best prepaid phone deals: Android, iPhone, flip phone

If you need budget-friendly phones, these prepaid phone deals are the way to go so that you can grab phones for less than $100.

macOS 15: Everything you need to know about the next big Mac update

Macworld The next version of the Mac operating system, macOS 15, is expected to make its debut at Apples Worldwide Developers Conference , which kicks off with a keynote on June 10. After a beta period, the official release occurs in the fall. Rumors of what macOS 15 will entail are scarce as usualbecause software development doesnt rely on third-party production and manufacturing like hardware does, rumors about macOS dont happen often. But when rumors do leak, they will be tracked in this article. Heres everything we know so far. Updated 5/1/24 : Apple may upgrade Safari with several new features, and Calendar and Reminders may finally sync data. macOS 15 release date: When will macOS 15 arrive? Since 2013, Apple has released macOS during the fall season in the U.S. The company has established a pattern of releasing iOS first, followed a few weeks later by macOS. Here are the release dates from the past five years. macOS 14 Sonoma: September 26, 2023 macOS 13 Ventura: October 24, 2022 macOS 12 Monterey: October 25, 2021 macOS 11 Big Sur: November 12, 2020 macOS 10.15 Catalina: October 7, 2019 Apple will unveil macOS 15 at WWDC during a keynote on June 10, where it will show off the biggest new features. Apple will also start the developer beta period at that time, followed by a public beta a few weeks later. Apple releases beta updates semi-weekly before the official release in the fall. macOS 15 compatibility: Which Macs will get macOS 15? No reports have been made about the macOS 15 compatibility list. On average, Macs get 6.6 years of macOS updates , with models older than that only receiving another year or two of security updates and bug fixes. Also read: How long do Macs last . The compatibility list is becoming a pressing concern for users of Intel Macs. After Apple introduced its M-series Macs, the company said it will continue to support Intel Macs for several years, but it did not offer specifics. The last Mac to switch from Intel to Apple Silicon was the Mac Pro last year. The clock is ticking on Intel Macs, but its likely that the last generation of Intel Macs will be on the macOS 15 compatibility list. Here is the current compatibility list for macOS Sonoma : iMac from 2019 and later Mac Pro from 2019 and later iMac Pro from 2017 Mac Studio from 2022 and later MacBook Air from 2018 and later Mac mini from 2018 and later MacBook Pro from 2018 and later Apple launched its first M1 Macs (MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro Mac mini) in late 2020, so some Intel models will still get another year of updates with macOS 15. the most likely candidates to drop support are the 2018 models and the iMac Pro. To find out which version of macOS and older Mac can run take a look at our macOS compatibility list . macOS 15 name: What will the new version be called? Ever since Apple stopped using jungle cats with macOS 10.9 Mavericks, its used California places to identify its annual OS updates. The last several years have been Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, and Catalina. Were not sure yet what locale Apple will choose for macOS 15, but it has trademarked several unused place names , including Condor, Mammoth, Redwood, and Sequoia. macOS 15: Rumored new features Its possible that macOS 15 may not have a lot of new features. Last November, Bloombergs Mark Gurman reported that Apple shifted from developing new OS features to fixing bugs and improving performance. Since that report came a few months ago, Apple may have finished that task and returned to developing new features. Regardless, the switch impacted the development time for new features and that could mean macOS 15 has fewer than originally planned. AI everywhere Several reports over the past few months have stated that Apple is doing a lot of work towards AI, and that generative AI (using AI to create content) will have a big role in macOS. Bloombergs Mark Gurman reported in October 2023 that AI will be prominently featured in iOS 18 with macOS following at a later date. That seems to indicate that macOS 15 wont get as many AI features as iOS 18. If macOS 15 doesnt match iOS 18 feature for feature, its not known when Apple will bring those missing features over. It could decide to introduce them in updates throughout the year, or it could wait until macOS 16 in 2025. iOS has long been Apples priority, so it wont be surprising if macOS 15 doesnt have the same new features as iOS 18. However, its nearly certain that macOS will have some new AI features baked in. Accessibility A report by MacRumors states the macOS 15 will have several new Accessibility features. These include Adaptive Voice Shortcuts, which activates accessibility features by speaking a phrase; a Live Speech enhancement that lets users create categories; and expanded app support for custom font sizes. Freeform Scenes MacRumors reports that the Freeform app will get a new feature called Freeform Scenes, which will let the user select specific sections on boards to ease navigation. Scenes will reportedly work with iCloud for sharing and editing. Redesigned Calculator app AppleInsider reports that Apple is working on a new Calculator app. It may be redesigned to resemble the iOS version, and have new features including a history tape, revamped conversions, and a resizable window. Safari 18 AppleInsider reports that Safari 18, which will be in macOS 15, will include several new features, including AI-enhanced Intelligent Search, a Web Eraser, and a new page controls menu. An update in 2025 will provide an AI enhancement to Visual Lookup not just in Safari, but throughout the OS. Calendar and Reminders sync AppleInsider reports that the Calendar app will allow users to manage reminders from within the Calendar app, which will also have minor UI changes. Mac, MacOS

Blur Your Home in Google Maps Street View to Take Back Your Privacy - CNET

Don't want to show the world every detail of your home's exterior? Here's what to do.

iOS 18 Rumor: Calendar App to Feature Integration With Reminders App

Starting with iOS 18, the Calendar app on the iPhone will feature integration with the Reminders app, according to information obtained by AppleInsider . The report claims that iPhone users will be able to schedule and organize reminders directly within the Calendars app, without needing to open the Reminders app. Reminders are expected to be visible within the Day, Week, and Month calendar views. The change will extend to the Mac with macOS 15, the report says. The same publication recently reported that the Calculator and Notes app will also be integrated on iOS 18, and said that the update will include new Safari features such as Intelligent Search and Web Eraser. We recently recapped iOS 18 rumors on a per-app basis , with new features also expected for Apple Music, Messages, and more. Apple is expected to announce iOS 18, macOS 15, and other software updates during its WWDC keynote on June 10 . The first betas of iOS 18 and macOS 15 will likely be made available to members of Apple's Developer Program immediately following the keynote, and the updates should be widely released in September. Related Roundup: iOS 18 Tag: AppleInsider This article, iOS 18 Rumor: Calendar App to Feature Integration With Reminders App first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Watch 2024: Whats coming to Apple Watch 10, SE and Ultra in 2024

Macworld The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 may have only debuted in September 2023, but the clock is already ticking for the release of their successors. We gather up all the news and rumors that give us some clues about what we might find in the Apple Watch Series 10, Ultra 3 and whether there will be a new Apple Watch SE in 2024. Update 5/1/24 : A recent report claims the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will have almost no hardware upgrades from Ultra 2. Will Apple update the Apple Watch in 2024? Apple will likely update the Apple Watch in 2024 as it has done so every year. We expect to see a new Apple Watch Series 10, a new Apple Watch Ultra 3, and a third-generation Apple Watch SE. Apple has a pretty set release schedule when it comes to the Apple Watch range. Usually, the new devices are announced at the September events (alongside the new iPhones). The new Watch models then go on sale soon after. The only divergence from this pattern was in 2021 when the Apple Watch Series 7 didnt arrive until October. Heres when the past few generations of the Apple Watch were announced: Apple Watch Series 9 & Apple Watch Ultra 2 September 12, 2023 Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra 1 & Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) September 7, 2022 Apple Watch Series 7 October 18, 2021 Apple Watch Series 6 & Apple Watch SE (1st generation) September 15, 2020 Apple Watch Series 10 release date Going by the dates above, wed say its very likely that the Apple Watch Series 10 will make its debut in early to mid-September 2024. Apple Watch Ultra 3 release date Apple is also likely to update the Apple Watch Ultra at the same time as the Series 10. Expect an update in September 2024. Apple Watch SE 3 release date Apple doesnt update the Apple Watch SE every year. That model was introduced in 2020 and updated in 2022. Based on a two-yearly update cycle, we think we will see a new Apple Watch SE in September 2024. How much will the 2024 Apple Watch cost? Again, we need to look at the past pattern of pricing. Apple offers its Watch models in a variety of configurations, but heres how the baseline models lined up at launch: Year Apple Watch SE Apple Watch Series (41 or 40mm) Apple Watch Series (44 or 45mm) Apple Watch Ultra 2023 Series 9: $399 / 399 Series 9: $429 / 429 Ultra 2: $799 / 799 2022 $249 / 219 (was 259 at launch) Series 8: $399 / 419 Series 8: $429 / 449 $799 / 849 2021 Series 7: $399 / 369 Series 7: $429 / 399 2020 $279 / 249 Series 6: $399 / 379 Series 6: $429 / 409 Italics for products that are no longer sold by Apple. As you can see, prices of all variants of the Apple Watch have held steady in the U.S., with some fluctuations in the U.K. prices. Theres a good chance that we will see similar pricing for the Apple Watch Series 10, Ultra 3 and SE 3. We predict starting prices of $249 / 219 for the Apple Watch SE 3, Series 10 from $399 / 399, and Ultra 3 from $799 / 799. Apple Watch 2024: New features KRCS KRCS KRCS With the launch of 2024s Apple Watches still off in the distance, there hasnt been that much in the way of solid rumors so far, but heres what weve heard. Analyst and prime rumor-monger Ming-Chi Kuo posted a list of expectations for the Apple Watch via his Medium page in October 2023, including the Debbie-Downer prophecy that: The 2024 new Apple Watch will unlikely have significant innovative experiences. In May, a report from MacRumors quotes analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in saying that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will have almost no hardware upgrades from Ultra 2. Apple always accompanies the new Apple Watch with a new S-series SiP (system in package), even if its essentially unchanged from the year before. So we may see a jump from the S9 to the S10 this year, regardless of whether or not it delivers significant new performance or features. Display In that Medium article, Kuo indicated that we wont see Micro LED panels in the new version, which quashes one rumor that has been doing the rounds for a while. He goes on to state that the display technology may not even make it to the 2025 model, but rather be introduced with the Series 12 in 2026. Bloombergs leaker-extraudinare Mark Gurman has also discussed rumors about a new microLED display (although others say he could be referring to the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 model and not the Series 10. He also mentions In April 2024, The Elec reported that Apple could use a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) OLED display. This could make the display more power-efficient, thus preserving battery life. Apple Watch 2024: Health features Jim Martin / Foundry Jim Martin / Foundry Jim Martin / Foundry Over the years Apple has introduced sometimes life-saving health features with the Apple Watch, including heart rate and oxygen monitoring. Whats coming in 2024? Bloombergs Mark Gurman wrote in November 2023 that in 2024 Apple will add new health features to attract new customers and entice owners of older Watches to upgrade. Blood glucose monitoring Apple is know to have been long at work on blood glucose monitoring. However, it seems this feature still needs time to develop and may not be ready for a while, according to reports. Kuo thinks that blood glucose monitoring wont be available. This will come as unwelcome news to those who manage various blood conditions and were hoping for the Apple Watch to take some of the strain. Blood pressure monitoring Gurman wrote at the beginning of November 2023 that the next Apple Watch could gain the ability to see when the wearers blood pressure is elevated. While the watch wont provide systolic and diastolic readings it will log details in a blood pressure journal and warn the user if they should consult their doctor. Sleep apnea monitoring The 2024 Apple Watch could gain the ability to check for sleep apnea by monitoring the wearers breathing and sleep patterns, according to Gurman. Does Apple have plans for the 10th anniversary of Apple Watch? In an August Power On newsletter Gurman wrote that Apple is planning a redesign to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Watch, with a new Watch X bringing a slimmer case and new magnetic attachments for straps. This is all confused somewhat by the release date. April 2015 was when the Apple Watch first launched, so 2025 would be the 10-year anniversary (in the disorganized way that humans think), even if 2024 is when the Series 10 is due to be released. Huh, numbers. Other than these reports, weve seen very little so far about how Apple will approach the 10th generation of its hugely successful Watch. Obviously, we wont sit on this, as well continue to scour the internet for more news and rumours, then update this article as we find them. Until the next version comes around though, be sure to check out our roundup of the best Apple Watch deals currently available. Apple Watch

Best Verizon Fios new customer deals: Get 2GB/s internet in your home

Looking to save by bundling your internet, landline, and TV plans? We've got the best Verizon Fios deals here.

Safari to get an AI boost in iOS 18, macOS 15 with smarter search, web page eraser

Macworld Much of the noise being made about Apples efforts into AI has been focused on general improvements to iOS 18 and Siri as well as the upcoming M4 chip for the Mac. However, as we get closer to WWDC, more reports about the AI software that Apple will create are coming out, with the most recent one covering Apples efforts to enhance the next major version of Safari. AppleInsider reports that the company is working on a new Intelligent Search feature that uses on-device AI to summarize a web page. The language learning model that Apple has developed can identify key phrases and topics that give an idea of what a web pages content is about and create a summary for the user. Other features that Apple is working on include: A Web Eraser that gives users the option to remove parts of a web page. This includes ads, text, and images. Safari will remember the parts that have been removed when the page is closed, and if the page is revisited, Safari alerts the user that the page has been modified. A new page controls menu that appears in the address bar. This menu essentially collects user controls that are spread throughout Safari (text size, zoom, Reader mode, Privacy Report, and more). An AI enhancement to Visual Lookup that gives users product information. This feature could also be implemented system-wide, not just in Safari. Apple plans to implement the new Safari 18 features in both iOS 18 and macOS 15, which will be announced at WWDC24 on June 10. The report claims some features, such as the AI Visual Lookup, may not be available until 2025. That tracks with previous rumors that have suggested AI features will be rolled out in waves. AppleInsider also reported recently on Apples plans to update the Notes and Calculator apps. For the latest news and rumors, check out our iOS 18 and macOS 15 superguides. And learn more about WWDC24 in June. iOS, iPhone, Mac, MacOS

Will the New iPad Pro Really Have the M4 Chip?

While Apple's upcoming iPad Pro models have been expected to feature the M3 chip for over a year, recent reports have unexpectedly suggested that the new devices will instead feature the as-yet-unannounced M4 chip. Last week, Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman said that he now believes there is a strong possibility that the upcoming iPad Pro models will be equipped with Apple's next-generation M4 chip , rather than the M3 chip that debuted in the MacBook Pro and iMac six months ago. He said a key new feature of the M4 chip will be an upgraded Neural Engine that boosts performance for AI tasks, and he believes Apple will market the next iPad Pro as an AI-powered device. Introducing the M4 chip in an iPad and only six months after the previous chip generation would be unprecedented moves. Yet this is not the first time that the new iPad Pro models have been rumored to feature the M4 chip. In March, the chip details of 16 new Apple devices were revealed by a source with a proven track record of sharing accurate information about Apple's plans. The disclosed technical information contained four identifiers for an unreleased chip that relates to the upcoming 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro models display sizes. This sequence of identifiers suggested that the iPad Pro will contain the M4 chip, rather than the M3. With Gurman now supporting this possibility and the potential of an AI focus, it seems like an increasingly likely eventuality. If Apple does introduce the M4 chip in the new iPad Pro, its Apple silicon roadmap would appear to be moving faster than expected. It is possible that TSMC's N3E production volume remains low, making it more suitable for a device like the iPad rather than the iPhone or Mac at this point in time. Apple is expected to announce the new iPad Pro models at its Let Loose event on May 7 . Do you think the new iPad Pro will contain the M4 chip and why? Let us know what you think in the comments. This article, Will the New iPad Pro Really Have the M4 Chip? first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

MacRumors 2024 Blood Drive

MacRumors is pleased to announce our Fifteenth Annual MacRumors Blood Drive , throughout the month of May 2024. Let's save lives together by encouraging donations of blood, platelets, and plasma. While most blood drives are specific to a geographic location, our blood drive is online and worldwide. Anyone can participate. Over the past 14 years, MacRumors Blood Drives have recorded donations of 1,305 units of blood, platelets, and plasma , cheered for donors, and celebrated new signups for the organ donor and bone marrow registries. We've heard from hundreds of forum members who donate or whose lives were saved by the donations of strangers. This year's featured donor is user Neil.gtis, a three-year forum member from England. Neil is a regular donor who has made 98 blood donations to date, and will reach his 100th donation this year. Whether you're a regular donor like Neil.gtis or someone overcoming apprehension to donate for the very first time, we congratulate you. How to participate in the MacRumors Blood Drive If you are an eligible donor (e.g., U.S. eligibility rules ), schedule a blood, platelet, or plasma donation ( FAQ ) at any donation center near you. Post in the MacRumors 2024 Blood Drive! thread to tell us about it. Also post if you register as an organ donor or register for the bone marrow registry ( FAQ ). We'll add all donors and registrants to our Honor Roll . If you aren't eligible to donate, such as for medical reasons, please encourage someone else to make a donation, and let us know. If they donate, you'll both be added to our Honor Roll . The FDA has changed the U.S. donor eligibility rules, by removing the blanket ban on MSM donors, so there are more eligible donors than ever before. Share our message with friends, relatives, and followers. Thank the forum members who post in the MacRumors 2024 Blood Drive! thread. After the MacRumors Blood Drive ends on May 31, please record your blood, platelet, and plasma donations on our Team MacRumors 2024-2025 page (see instructions ). We'll tally your donations and count them for the MacRumors 2025 Blood Drive next May. Tag: MacRumors Blood Drive This article, MacRumors 2024 Blood Drive first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Nomi is one of the most unsettling (and amazing) apps Ive ever used

This AI partner talks. It can send you selfies. It tries to fill voids, comfort, guide, and even fulfill fantasies. Some even built a family. This is Nomi.

LG TVs Gain Support for Dolby Atmos With Apple Music

LG has updated its Apple Music app to support Dolby Atmos, making it the first smart TV manufacturer to do so (via FlatpanelsHD ). The change allows users to experience immersive audio that enhances the spatial perception of sound, previously achievable only with external hardware. The feature was confirmed to be operational on the LG GX OLED TV from the 2020 lineup, with expectations that it will work on all LG TVs that are compatible with Dolby Atmos from 2020 onwards. While the TV's built-in speakers can utilize this new capability, LG suggests that the best audio experience is achieved with a compatible surround sound system, which can take advantage of the Dolby Atmos technology more effectively. The update to the Apple Music app on LG TVs circumvents the necessity for additional Apple hardware. Before this update, Apple Music's Dolby Atmos support was available on TVs singularly through the Apple TV 4K, paired with either Apple's HomePods or Sonos speakers connected through the Sonos app. Other smart TV manufacturers are likely to follow suit and add support for Dolby Atmos in their own Apple Music apps. Tags: LG , Apple Music , Dolby Atmos This article, LG TVs Gain Support for Dolby Atmos With Apple Music first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Turn Several Live Photos into a Single Video on iPhone

Did you know it's possible to take multiple Live Photos from your iPhone's photo library and turn them into a single continuous video? Keep reading to learn how it's done. On iPhone and iPad, Live Photos bring your pictures to life by adding a few seconds of video before and after the shot, creating a living memory rather than a static image. While Live Photos are great on their own, it's also possible to weave several together to create a video montage. This process transforms a collection of moments into a cohesive narrative, and offers an easier way to share and relive your memories. Whether it's a series of shots from a special event, a day out with friends, or a compilation of everyday moments, the following steps show you how to turn several Live Photos into a video that can encapsulate their essence in a way that a single photo or traditional video might not. In the Photos app, tap the Albums icon at the bottom of the screen. Scroll down to Media Types, and tap Live Photos . Tap Select in the top-right corner, then tap the Live Photos you want to include in your video so that a little checkmark appears on each one. Tap the circle icon containing three dots in the bottom-right corner. Choose Save as Video in the pop-up menu. That's all there is to it. To watch your newly created video, return to the Albums view and select Videos under the Media Types section. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MacRumors (@macrumors) Note that the video will be dated to when the Live Photos were originally taken, so they may not show as the latest video in your collection. Tags: Photos , Live Photos This article, Turn Several Live Photos into a Single Video on iPhone first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Speculation ramps up as Let Loose billed as different kind of Apple Event

Macworld With less than a week to go until the Let Loose event on May 7, Apple is doing its best to build hype with a series of enigmatic promotional messages. In particular, the phrase a different kind of Apple Event has prompted widespread speculation about what were going to hear about, and how its going to be presented. On social media, as spotted by The Apple Post , a number of sponsored posts have promoted the event. Were drafting up something special for you, the messages read in some European users feeds. Join us on 7 May at 3pm on apple.com for a different kind of Apple Event. The Apple Post The Apple Post The Apple Post Apples most recent event was also a little different, taking place at 8pm ET on October 30 and leaning into a spooky Halloween theme. It isnt clear in what way this event will be different, but that hasnt stopped the rumor mill from spinning. We already know that the date and time of the Let Loose event are highly unusual. Apple hadnt previously held a May event this millennium (WWDC came a month early in 1999), while 3pm London timeor 7am PT for U.S. readersis far earlier in the day than normal. Combined with confirmed events in London and Berlin, this strange schedule has prompted speculation that there will be announcements of particular interest to European customers: the launch of Vision Pro outside the U.S., perhaps. Its believed that Apple will stick to the pre-recorded or virtual style of event its been using successfully since the start of the pandemic, albeit with a possibly in-person component for hands-on sessions with the new products. But some pundits have wondered if the format could be different. The events apparent focus on the iPad and its artistic capabilities (hence the drafting pun in the promotional posts) might make it fun to have some or even all of the presentation in an animated style rather than the usual conventional live-action video. The animated Apple logos used in Tim Cooks tweet about the event might hint at some of the styles that could be used for the event. Pencil us in for May 7! #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/1tvyB7h450 Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 23, 2024 Whatever the company has planned for May 7 (and there is a distinct possibility it will be a low-key affair, with just new iPad Air and iPad Pro models and a new Apple Pencil ) Apple is proving to be just as good as ever at manipulating the tech hype machine. Join us on the day as we cover all the announcements. Apple Inc, iPad

Kuo: Apple Watch Ultra to Get 'Almost No' Hardware Upgrades This Year

Just over six months ago, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the likelihood of a new Apple Watch Ultra being released in 2024 was decreasing, but it now sounds like there will be an Apple Watch Ultra 3 this year after all. In a direct message shared with MacRumors today, Kuo said that while the Apple Watch Ultra will be updated this year, the new model will have almost no hardware upgrades compared to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Kuo did not reveal any specific changes planned for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which will presumably launch in September. A third-generation Apple Watch SE is also a possibility this year if Apple sticks to a two-year upgrade cycle for that model, but the successor to the Apple Watch Series 9 is not entirely clear. Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman previously reported about a redesigned Apple Watch X with a thinner case and magnetic bands, but he said it would be released in 2024 or 2025, so it is not clear if it will launch this year or next year. In any case, Gurman previously said the model that succeeds the Apple Watch Series 9 will offer blood pressure sensing and sleep apnea detection , and these features would almost certainly extend to the Apple Watch Ultra 3. The original Apple Watch was unveiled in September 2014, and launched in April 2015, so the device is approaching its tenth anniversary. Related Roundup: Apple Watch Ultra 2 Tag: Ming-Chi Kuo Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch Ultra (Neutral) Related Forum: Apple Watch This article, Kuo: Apple Watch Ultra to Get 'Almost No' Hardware Upgrades This Year first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

7 Apple Watch Apps That You Should Add ASAP - CNET

Commentary: Your Apple Watch is only as fun and useful as the apps you have on it. I found a handful that transformed my watch for the better.

How to Use Your iPhone or Android Phone to Sign Documents - CNET

Your phone has built-in tools that make it easy to quickly sign a document.

iQoo 12, iQoo Z9, Neo 9 Pro, More Phones to Be Discounted During Amazon Great Summer Sale 2024

iQoo has announced discounts on several of its smartphone models in India. These will be available to customers during the Amazon Great Summer Sale 2024, which is commencing on May 2 at 12pm IST for all users in the country. Amazon Prime users will have early access to the sale starting 12am IST on the same day.

This is one of the toughest smartphone camera comparisons Ive ever done

Which Ultra Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, has the best camera? I found out in this massive, in-depth comparison.

Report Examines GM's Controversial Move to Abandon Apple CarPlay

An in-depth Bloomberg report today resurfaced General Motors' decision to replace Apple CarPlay with its own software. Last year, GM announced that it planned to forgo Apple CarPlay in its new electric vehicles, starting with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. Instead, the automaker introduced a proprietary infotainment platform, aiming to control and customize the digital experience within its vehicles. This transition is part of GM's strategic pivot toward enhancing its software capabilities and establishing a stronger digital services revenue stream. However, the change has not been without its hurdles, with numerous customers and automotive reviewers reporting technical issues and a steep learning curve associated with the new system. CarPlay has become a staple of most new vehicles, offering drivers a familiar interface that mirrors their iPhone 's functionality onto the vehicle's dashboard. Apple reported in 2022 that 79% of car buyers in the U.S. insisted on CarPlay support when considering a new vehicle purchase. GM's new in-house system, Ultifi, is envisioned as a comprehensive digital platform that offers a range of services such as navigation and media streaming, enhanced by subscription-based add-ons to drive revenue. Despite these aspirations, the rollout of Ultifi has encountered significant obstacles such as software malfunctions that dealerships have struggled to resolve. GM's move is driven by a wish to reclaim customer connections and data insights from third parties, but customer resistance to abandoning a familiar and popular system like CarPlay that directly integrates with their iPhone poses a significant challenge to GM's strategy. The outcome of GM's decision could influence future industry practices significantly. If GM can refine Ultifi into a robust, user-friendly platform that rivals or surpasses CarPlay's functionality, it may set a precedent for other automakers to follow suit. Conversely, if consumers continue to prefer established systems like CarPlay, automakers may find themselves in a difficult position, needing to balance their corporate interests with consumer preferences. See Bloomberg 's full article for more insights into GM's move to abandon Apple CarPlay. Related Roundup: CarPlay Tags: Bloomberg , GM , General Motors Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology This article, Report Examines GM's Controversial Move to Abandon Apple CarPlay first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Everything coming from Apple in May 2024 including new iPads (finally!)

Macworld After months of false starts, it looks like were finally going to get new iPads in May! There hasnt been a new iPad released since 2022, and iPad sales are suffering for it, but the new models coming in May could actually bring some significant new changes and maybe even a surprise or two. Its really odd for Apple to release new hardware in May, much less hold an event for it, but thats exactly whats happening on May 7 with the Let Loose event . That will make a pretty exciting lead-up to WWDC, which begins on June 10 . New iPads! Finally! On May 7, Apple is holding an event with the tagline Let Loose. Given that one of the promotional images is an Apple logo with a hand holding an Apple Pencil, and the flood of rumors and leaks over the last few months, this is finally the release of some new iPads. Heres what we expect: iPad Pro: New 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models that are a bit thinner and feature a new OLED display. It should have the front-facing camera on the long edge, so its properly positioned when the iPad is in landscape orientation. A new tip suggests that Apple might skip the M3 processor altogether and introduce the M4 in this iPad , much earlier than we expected! iPad Air: The new iPad Air wont have an OLED display or an M3 or M4 processor. Instead, its supposed to get a bump up to the M2. Rumors say the existing 11-inch model is going to be joined by a 12.9-inch one. Beyond the larger size and a step up in processing power, it should also get a landscape-oriented front camera. Apple Pencil: Thats right, Apple might release yet another new Apple Pencil to go along with the new iPads. The thinner iPad Pro and landscape-oriented cameras may necessitate a new third-generation design. The new Pencil may have a squeeze gesture along with haptic feedback. Apple already sells no less than three products all named Apple Pencil with different capabilities and compatibility, to the extent that theres a chart on Apples website to help you understand whats different about them. We assume this new model will replace at least one of the current Pencils and maybe two of them. Other accessories: The thinner iPad Pros may necessitate new Magic Keyboards, which rumors say will have a few design tweaks. Theres no telling what other products Apple might introduce at the event new AirPods are expected this year, and weve heard of a new HomePod (perhaps one with a dock for the iPad?) for some time. Apps and software updates Were currently deep into testing a new round of iOS and macOS betas that do little more than add more compliance with EU regulations and make a minor tweak to Find Mys anti-stalking feature for item trackers. We expect it will be released before the new iPads are available, as they will probably need iPadOS 17.5 to support the new hardware and accessories. iOS 17.5: This release enables app downloads directly from websites in the EU (with a heap of caveats), and updates the anti-stalking measures in Find My to work with third-party trackers and not just AirTags. iPadOS 17.5: The chief improvement in iPadOS 17.5 is probably going to be support for the new iPads and their accessories. macOS 14.5: We havent seen any new features in the macOS 14.5 beta , just some bug fixes. Services Apple TV+ Here are the shows, series, and movies we expect to release on Apple TV+ in TK. If you want to know whats coming later, check our full guide to upcoming Apple TV+ content . Acapulco (season 3): In season three of Acapulco , its time to reconcile past mistakes and exciting new beginnings. In the present story, older Maximo finds himself returning to a Las Colinas he no longer recognizes.While in 1985, younger Maximo continues his climb up the ladder of success while potentially jeopardizing all the relationships hes worked so hard to build. May 1 Dark Matter: A series based on the novel Dark Matter ; an alternate-universe thriller about a man who is abducted, drugged, and wakes up in a reality in which he made different choices in the past. May 8 Hollywood Con Queen: A three-part documentary based on the reporting of investigative journalist Scott Johnson and his book, Hollywood Con Queen: The Hunt for an Evil Genius. It tells the story of a woman who pretended to be a Hollywood elite in order to lure young women to Indonesia where they are then scammed and exploited. May 8 The Big Cigar: A six-episode limited series that tells the story of how Black Panther leader Huey P. Newton relied on his best friend Bert Schneider, the Hollywood producer behind Easy Rider, to elude a nationwide manhunt and escape to Cuba while being pursued into exile by the FBI. May 17 Trying (season 4): In the exciting fourth season, we fast-forward six years, discovering that Nikki and Jason are experienced adopters having built a lovely little nuclear family, enriched by an extraordinary support network. May 22 Apple Arcade Apple releases most Apple Arcade games on the first Friday of each month. Check our Apple Arcade FAQ for a full list of Apple Arcade games and more details on the service. Occasionally, games are released with no forewarning, but youll usually see next months releases listed in the Coming Soon section. Dicey Dungeons+: This deckbuilding roguelike was one of the best indie games of 2019, now on Apple Arcade. May 2 Summer Pop!+: A colorful match-3 type puzzler. May 2 A Slight Chance of Sawblades+: Move left, right, and jump to dodge sawblades and chase the high score. May 2 iPad

Apple Vision Pro: Everything you need to know

Macworld Apple Vision Pro went on sale in the U.S. on February 2, 2024. Its a mixed reality headset (Apple calls it a Spatial Computer) that marries an M2 processor with a lot of custom silicon, sensors, cameras, and more. The starting price of $3,499 and limited availability means that its a niche product, but its the first in a new category that Apple believes will be critical in the coming years. Apple Vision Pro release date: UK, Canada, Europe, Australia Apple is yet to say when Vision Pro will be available to buy outside the U.S. beyond saying that it will be shipping to more countries later in 2024. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that the Vision Pro will be launched outside the U.S. before WWDC in June . He believes that will be necessary to enthuse the developers attending Apples Worldwide Developers Conference. With Apple set to hold an event on May 7, 2024 , we may get clarity on the release dates for the Vision Pro outside the U.S. on that date. A global launch prior to WWDC on June 10 would allow developers not based in the U.S. to test the device and consider developing for it. Apple Vision Pro price and availability Apple Vision Pro Read our review Price When Reviewed: $3,499 Best Prices Today: $3499 at Apple The headset was first announced at WWDC in on June 5, 2023, with pre-orders starting January 19, 2024 and availability on February 2. The starting price is $3,499 for 256GB of storage, with a 512GB model available for $3,699 and a 1TB model for $3,899. Apple Vision Pro is only available in the United States to start, with other territories coming throughout 2024. You can only buy it online directly from Apple or at an Apple Store. Part of the reason for this is the necessity to get a proper fit and optical inserts. Apple takes a scan of your face (you do this yourself with your iPhone if you are buying online) to select a proper face seal size. If you wear prescription eyewear or need readers, you can order special Zeiss inserts for $99 (readers) or $149 (prescription); the headset does not work with your own eyewear. If you want to buy the Vision Pro you can order one from Apples website , or by using the Apple Store app on your iPhone. You can also go to an Apple Store for a fitting and to purchase one. Apple Apple Apple There are also other accessories available for purchase, including a travel case ($199), battery ($199), Belkin Battery Holder ($50), Solo knit Band ($99), Dual Loop Band ($99), Light Seal ($199), and Light Seal Cushion ($29). AppleCare+ is also available for $499. Apple Vision Pro review In our Apple Vision Pro review , we found the technology very impressive, but the comfort and softwareboth apps and operating systemquite limited. Theres a lot of potential there, but it will take quite a while for the software to mature enough to unlock it, and for most users, the Vision Pro will never be worth the price. Will there be a cheaper Apple Vision Pro? We take the fact that the Vision Pro has the word Pro in its name as a big hint that a more affordable version will be coming down the line. An Apple Vision Air, if you will. Bloombergs Mark Gurman believes that a cheaper headset will arrive in 2025. He reported in October that Apple is already working on the sequel to the headset, which will be cheaper than the original model. The Vision Pro is likely to follow the example of the HomePod with the expensive pro model paving the way for a cheaper option down the line. But it could be a while before the economies of scale and advancements in technology make a cheaper Apple Vision product viable. Apple Vision Pro compatibility The Vision Pro is its own product with its own software ecosystem. It has its own App Store, and runs software independent from other Apple products (though apps like Messages and Photos can sync via iCloud with your other Apple products). There is support for iPad apps, however. By default, all iPad apps are made available for use on Vision Pro and can be found in the Vision Pro app store, but developers can opt not to allow their apps to be used on the device. White many iPad apps are available, prominent exceptions include YouTube, Spotify, and Netflix. Apple Vision Pro specs The Vision Pro is powered by an M2 processor with 8 CPU cores and 10 GPU coresthe same as you would find in a MacBook. It has 16GB of RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of flash storage. There are 14 cameras on the inside and outside, a LiDAR scanner, multiple IR illuminators, an accelerometer, gyroscope, and multiple microphones. A custom R1 processor is made to process the vast amount of data from these sensors very quickly, for lightning-fast eye tracking and a delay for the video pass-through of only 12 milliseconds. When wearing the Vision Pro you look through custom catadioptric pancake lenses at a pair of micro-OLED displays, one for each eye. About the size of a postage stamp, each of these displays has a stunning resolution of about 3,386 pixels per inch, more than 4K per eye. Of course, what matters is pixels per degree when looking through the lenses, which on Vision Pro is around 34 pixels per degree (less than youd see looking at an iPhone display, but more than most other VR headsets). Apple does not disclose the field of view for the Vision Pro, but it appears to be somewhere around 110 horizontally and 90 vertically. The Vision Pro is actively cooled, with a fan inside, but the fan runs so quietly you cant hear it. There are two individually amplified drivers inside each audio pod on the side of the headset near the headband connection. They deliver Personalized Spatial Audio based on the users own head and ear geometry. As a result, the sound feels like it is coming from the space around you. Vision Pro also matches the sound to the room using audio raytracing. The Vision Pro also recognizes the users iris via a new method to unlock the device and authenticate passwords and purchases called Optic ID. Like the iPhone and Mac, all data is stored on a dedicated SecureEnclave processor. On the outside of the headset is an OLED display with a lenticular lens over it that Apple calls EyeSight. It projects a rendered image of your own eyes with correct perspective, so others can see you looking at them. If you are in a fully immersive environment and cant see anyone, the EyeSight display shows a blueish haze. Apple Vision Pro battery life Apple Vision Pro connects to an external battery via a custom tether, and the battery lasts for around 2 to 2.5 hours. The battery pack has a USB-C port that can only be used to recharge it, though you can use the Vision Pro with the battery plugged in. Weight & Dimensions According to Apple Vision Pro tech specs, the headset weighs 21.2 to 22.9 ounces (600 to 650 grams) depending on the Light Seal and headband configuration. Thats about the weight of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (24 ounces/682grams). Its not necessarily heavier than other VR headsets but quite a bit heavier than the Meta Quest 3, which weighs 18.2 ounces (516 grams). The weight is very front-heavy, mostly in the metal and glass out in the front of the face seal instead of distributed around the sides. The battery pack weighs 12.5 ounces (353 grams). What it is like to use Vision Pro With a Vision Pro headset users will be able to watch a movie, listen to music, browse photos, look at 3D objects, and even collaborate on a presentation. Users experience a three-dimensional interface and input system that they control with their eyes, hands, and voice. You select things by looking at them and pinching your fingers together, then dragging objects around or flicking your hand to scroll. A virtual keyboard is used to enter text where appropriate, either by poking at the keys or looking at each key in succession and pinching your fingers together. You can also use voice input to enter text, or a bluetooth keyboard. Apple has posted a 10-minute guided tour explaining how navigation and gestures work as well as several apps. Apple Apple Apple When you first put on Vision Pro you see your surroundings. You can freely move apps to fill the space around you and they can expand into your space. The digital crown lets you adjust volume or the degree of immersion in your environmentfrom fully immersed in a virtual space to seeing passthrough video of your own space. Heres an primer on what the Vision Pro buttons do . A user can bring Mac wirelessly into Apple Vision Pro just by looking at it and choosing to connect to it, if it is logged into the same Apple ID. The Mac display will blank out and be replaced by a big 4K virtual display in your Vision Pro environment; youll continue to use the Mac keyboard and touchpad, however, and audio will still play from the Mac. Apple Vision Pro software and apps The Vision Pro headset runs visionOS, an operating system that Apple has designed from the ground up for visual computing. The latest version is visionOS 1.1 , which includes support for managed profiles, improved Personas, and lots of bug fixes and minor improvements. There will also be a number of well-known Apple apps available at launch, such as Safari, Messages, and FaceTime. Apple launched Vision Pro with more than 600 optimized apps . Apple Vision Pro terms As with many Apple products, the company has some of its own branding around things that may be better understood by other names. Here are some of the things you may see associated with Vision Pro and what they mean. Spatial Computing: Computing that appears to happen in the environment around you rather than inside a computer (or phone). A sort of umbrella-term that encapsulates AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), and MR (Mixed Reality). It is not inaccurate to call Vision Pro and Mixed Reality headset. Spatial apps: Apps designed with the Vision Pro hardware in mind, as opposed to iPad apps running in a window. Some Spatial apps are fully immersive experiences, others are almost indistinguishable from iPad apps. Fully immersive: A fully immersive experience is one in which your surroundings are not visible: youre completely surrounded in a virtual environment. In other words Virtual Reality. Spatial Audio: Audio that seems to come from specific places in your environment. Persona: A 3D digital recreation of you, created by scanning your face using the Vision Pro cameras. It is meant to be used to represent you in video conferencing apps like FaceTime or Zoom, since the Vision Pro has no cameras that can actually see your face (just specialized internal cameras for eye tracking). Spatial Video: A new 3D video format that can be captured with either the Vision Pro or an iPhone 15 Pro. Spatial Videos can be viewed using a Vision Pro or even a Quest headset, and look a bit like a 3D diorama of a memory. Its an emotionally charged and effective way of capturing the moment. Apple Inc, Computer Accessories, Virtual Reality

Google Pixel 8a: news, rumored price, release date, and more

The Google Pixel 8a is coming soon, and we know a lot about it. From its rumored price and specs to its design and more, here's what you need to know.

Microsoft Visual Studio can help you code like a pro for only $40

Macworld Whether youre a budding coder or a developer with years ofdevelopment under your belt, you can always benefit from tools that make programming more seamless .The best solution? Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022. For a limited time, lifetime access to Microsofts top-rated programming tool is only$39.97 (reg. $499). It could help you and your coding team write more accurate code and streamline large development projects. From novices to seasoned developers, Visual Studio Professional features a cohesive package for writing, editing, and debugging codesothedevelopment processgoes more smoothly and efficiently. Whether youre building cross-platform mobile and desktop apps with .NET MAUI, creating responsive web UIs in C# with Blazor, or debugging and testing .NET and C++ apps in Linux, Visual Studio Proputsall those featurestogether andhelp streamline every step of the development process. Use IntelliCode to get coding suggestions , whetherthatsfor a block or a line. With LiveShare,its easy for various coders to work together, speeding up the production cycle so everyones code stays consistent and works in sync. Enhance your coding experience withlifetime access to Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for Windows, now just $39.97for a limited time. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for Windows Only $39.97 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

Remove Suggested Contacts From Your iPhone's Share Menu

When you go to share something on your iPhone , iOS tries to be helpful by displaying a row of suggested contacts at the top of the Share menu. Keep reading to learn how to get rid of them. Whenever you go to share something on your iPhone or iPad using the Share button, iOS brings up a Share menu often called the Share Sheet at the top of which is a row of suggested contacts with whom you've interacted recently. Swiping along this row reveals more contacts, and the icon in the corner of each profile picture indicates the app that you often use to communicate with that person. These suggested contacts are useful if you share a lot of things with the same people, but there may be times when you'd prefer not to see specific contacts there, for example if someone is a duplicate suggestion over multiple apps, or if you don't want to draw attention to your regular comms with a certain someone. Whatever the reason, you can actually steer these sharing suggestions to appear less often, or not at all. Here's how. Make Contacts Appear Less Often in the Share Menu Tap the Share button (the box with an arrow pointing out) in any app to bring up the Share Sheet. Long press on the suggested contact that you want to see less often in the Share menu. Tap Suggest Less in the popover menu. Bear in mind, doing this won't guarantee that the contact doesn't appear in the Share Sheet again in future, but if you keep repeating it whenever they do show up, iOS will eventually get the message. Remove All Contacts From iPhone Share Menu Short of deleting their contact in the Contacts app, the only way to guarantee that someone doesn't keep turning up on your Share Sheet is to disable the contact suggestions row completely. Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap Siri & Search . Under the Suggestions From Apple section, toggle off the switch next to Show When Sharing . That's all there is to it. Now the next time you invoke the Share Sheet, you won't see any contact profiles at the top. You can reverse the change just as easily by switching on the Show When Sharing toggle again. This article, Remove Suggested Contacts From Your iPhone's Share Menu first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Discounts MLS Season Pass

Apple today dropped the price of the MLS Season Pass for the rest of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, which is about a third of the way through. MLS in the U.S. now costs $69, down from $99 when the season began in February. For Apple TV+ subscribers, the pass is now just $59. The MLS Season Pass offers access to every live Major League Soccer match, including Leagues Cup, and All-Star games. Apple offered a similar discount last year, but it came later in the season in September. The 2024 Major League Soccer season will run through October 19, and the MLS Season Pass also includes live coverage of the playoffs that are expected to start in mid-October. The MLS Season Pass is available in the TV app on Apple devices and on Apple TV 4K. Tag: Apple TV Plus This article, Apple Discounts MLS Season Pass first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Xiaomi 14 SE Tipped to Launch in India in June; Said to Be a Rebranded Civi 4 Pro

Xiaomi recently launched its flagship numbered series in India. Called the Xiaomi 14 and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the premium phones are priced well above the Rs. 50,000 mark. A recent report has now shed light on yet another premium Xiaomi smartphone coming to India. As per a tipster, Xiaomi is eyeing the segment below the Rs. 50,000 mark with the Xiaomi 14 SE. While off...

Learn about the world youre driving through with this iOS app, now $39.99

Macworld Next time youre on the road, pull up Autio if you want to learn about the world as it passes you by. Autio is a unique travel companion that tells you about the places youre driving through . This location-based story app is like your own personal narrator teaching you about the history, geography, and local sights all around you. These beautifully edited audio storiesplay while youre driving and have automatic and seamless transitions so you dont get distracted. There are already over 23,000 stories in the Autio library , but more are being added all the time. You might even recognize some of the voices. Many of these audio storiesare narrated by celebrities. Kevin Costner might tell you about the geographical formations on your left or get restaurant recommendations from John Lithgow. Phil Jackson could be the voice in your ear telling you about the original settlers of your hometown while youre out buying groceries. You can even listen in offline mode. Just download relevant stories ahead of time. Take your learning on the road and get an: Autio Unlimited Plan: 3-Year Subscription for $39.99. Autio Unlimited Plan: 5-Year Subscription for $69.99. Autio Unlimited Plan: Lifetime Subscription for $199.99. Autio Unlimited Plan: Lifetime Subscription $199.99 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

TikTok May Be Breaking App Store Rules by Avoiding Commissions on Tips

TikTok appears to be quietly showing some users an option to purchase coins on the web instead of through in-app purchases, circumventing the commission that Apple receives on digital purchases. As noted by David Tesler (via TechCrunch ) TikTok has been offering a limited number of TikTok app users an option to purchase coins on TikTok.com instead of in the app. Try recharging on tiktok.com to avoid in-app service fees, reads the text. You can save the service fee and get access to popular payment methods. TikTok might get banned from the app store next week Why? It looks like theyre circumventing apple fee by directing users to purchase coins via external payment methods pic.twitter.com/VG8ihvsRmv David Tesler (@getdavenow) April 30, 2024 Following through and opting to purchase from TikTok.com brings up an interface for using payment options such as PayPal or a credit/debit card. Save around 25% with a lower third-party service fee, the app suggests. The purchase workflow can be completed entirely in the TikTok app with no requirement to use in-app purchase. TikTok's coins are used as a way for users to provide Gifts to creators. Users pay real money for a certain number of coins, and those coins are used for little gift emoji that can be provided to creators. TikTok says that gifts are used to determine the number of diamonds awarded to content creators, and diamonds can be redeemed for money. A TikTok coin is worth about half a diamond, and 100 diamonds is worth 50 cents, so TikTok is collecting quite a bit of money during the conversion. Apple requires in-app purchase to be used for digital goods and services, and TikTok's coins presumably count as a digital good. If TikTok is indeed offering customers a way to purchase coins without in-app purchase as suggested by the screenshots from Tesler, then TikTok is breaking Apple's App Store rules. TikTok coins would likely be considered tips, and Apple has forced other major social networks like Facebook to use in-app purchase for a creator tipping feature. What TikTok is doing is actually similar to the direct purchase options that Epic Games added to the Fortnite app back in 2020, a move that ultimately led to the banning of the Fortnite app and a multi-year legal battle. Most TikTok users are only able to purchase coins through the in-app purchase interface, and the option to purchase direct from TikTok with a credit or debit card is allegedly a feature showing up only for a small number of users. The option is perhaps being limited to those who have spent a lot of money on coins in the past. This article, TikTok May Be Breaking App Store Rules by Avoiding Commissions on Tips first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

iOS 17.5 Includes 'Repair State' Option That Doesn't Require Turning Off Find My for Service

With iOS 17.5, Apple is adding a Repair State feature that is designed to allow an iPhone to be sent in for service without deactivating Find My and Activation Lock. The fourth iOS 17.5 beta that came out today adds a Remove This Device option for all devices in Find My, and using it with an iPhone puts that iPhone into the new Repair State. Right now, sending an iPhone to Apple to be repaired requires turning off Find My , and Apple says that it might not be able to repair devices that have Find My activated. Turning off Find My disables Activation Lock, an important anti-theft security feature that prevents an iPhone from being used with another Apple ID . Apple currently uses Find My and Activation Lock as a way to ensure that a person sending a device in for repair actually owns that device, and that it's not stolen. An iPhone sent in for repair with Find My disabled cannot be tracked, and it is not protected from theft, so if it is lost or stolen at some point in transit during the repair process, there is no recovery method available. Removing Find My also has a hitch with Stolen Device Protection, as there is an hour wait when turning off Find My, which can be inconvenient for repair purposes. The new repair state leaves Find My turned on, so Activation Lock remains enabled, and the iPhone continues to be trackable with the Find My app while it is being repaired. When enabled, the device in the repair state has a Ready for Repair label. This device remains fully functional in the repair state, reads the text. In the list of devices, an iPhone put into a repair state has a small stethoscope icon, and it can be marked as lost. While in repair state, the iPhone is fully functional. As of right now, using the Remove This Device option in Find My to enable a repair state appears to be limited to the iPhone. Using it on other devices like an iPhone, Mac, or Apple Watch shows a warning that the feature will remove the device from the Apple ID account, allowing it to be used by someone else. Note that an iPhone must be online and trackable through Find My for the repair state option to pop up. An iPhone that is offline will display the standard removal text. It is also worth noting that repair state cannot be disabled at the current time. Repair state is a feature that is still in development, so it might work with other devices when iOS 17.5 and its sister updates launch in May. Related Roundups: iOS 17 , iPadOS 17 Related Forums: iOS 17 , iPadOS 17 This article, iOS 17.5 Includes 'Repair State' Option That Doesn't Require Turning Off Find My for Service first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Beats tackles the low end with new $80 Solo Buds, Solo Beats 4 refresh

Macworld Apples other company, Beats Electronics, is often overlooked in favor of the eponymous AirPods. But they shouldnt be: Beats offers more colors, often better fit or different sizes/styles, and most of the same features you get with AirPods. And today, the company has announced a long-overdue update to its most affordable headphones and a new pair of super-affordable earbuds. Beats Solo 4 Its been eight years since the Beats Solo 3 were released in 2016. Clearly, an update is long overdue. The new Beats Solo 4 maintain the same on-ear size and styling as the Solo 3, with a few notable upgrades. According to Beats, the new model is upgraded in the following ways: Refined acoustics with improvements to the transducer, voice coil, and more for lower distortion. USB-C charging Lossless audio over USB-C or the 3.5mm audio jack (which works battery-free) Up to 50 hours battery life (and 5 hours with a 10-minute recharge) A new proprietary platform that supports most Apple and Android features That last feature is perhaps the biggest upgrade. Beats Solo 3 used Apples W1 chip which only worked with Apples easy pairing features and such, but the new proprietary system supports both Apple and Android features, and more of them. You get personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking now, for starters. Apple users get easy one-touch pairing and iCloud pairing, hands-free hey Siri, and support for Find My. On the Android side, you get support for Google Fast Pair, support for multi-point pairing, and support for Find My Device. As with all Beats Solo products, there is no active noise cancellation. Beats Solo 4 are available now for the same $199 price as Beats Solo 3. They come in Matte Black, Slate Blue, and Cloud Pink. Beats Solo 4 Price When Reviewed: $199 Best Prices Today: $199 at Beats Beats Solo Buds New to the Beats lineup is Beats Solo Buds, taking the affordable Solo line to the true wireless earbuds category. At only $79.99, theyre definitely the most affordable product Beats makes. These little buds have an impressive 18 hours of playback time and a really tiny charging case. The charging case is so small because theres no battery in ityou use it to plug in a USB-C cable to charge the buds, but the buds do not charge when just placed in the case liek the AirPods or Beats Studio Buds+. Beats Beats Beats Like Beats Solo 4, the company uses its own proprietary platform to offer support for both Apple and Android connectivity features. That includes one-touch pairing, automatic account setup, and support for Find My (Apple) and Find My Device (Android). Like AirPods they also have touch controls. Beats Solo Buds will be available in early June for $79.99 and come in Matte Black, Storm Gray, Arctic Purple, and Transparent Red (the case is transparent, the buds are opaque). Beats Solo Buds Price When Reviewed: $79.99 Best Prices Today: $79.99 at Beats Accessories, Headphones

Apple Releases New Firmware for USB-C Apple Pencil

Apple today released a firmware update for the USB-C Apple Pencil that came out last year. The new firmware has a version number of 10M6060, up from 10M5164. On device, the updated firmware version number will be 37377.37377.16.0. There is no word on what features, fixes, or updates might be included in the new firmware, and Apple does not offer release notes for Apple Pencil software releases. The USB-C Apple Pencil is nearly identical in design to the Apple Pencil 2, but it is shorter and has a hidden USB-C port for charging and pairing. It cannot wirelessly charge, and it lacks some of the features available with the more expensive Apple Pencil models such as pressure sensitivity. Apple does not have an established procedure for updating Apple Pencil hardware, but in the case of the USB-C Apple Pencil, connecting it to an iPad with a USB-C cable and powering on the iPad should be enough to spur the update to download. Tag: Apple Pencil Related Forum: iPad Accessories This article, Apple Releases New Firmware for USB-C Apple Pencil first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

What to Expect From Apple's Earnings Report This Week Following Vision Pro Launch

Apple will report its earnings results for the second quarter of its 2024 fiscal year on Thursday, May 2 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Apple's CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri will discuss the results on a conference call with analysts a half hour later. Keep reading for some key things to know about the quarter, including a recap of new products announced, revenue expectations, and more. New Products During Quarter The quarter ran from December 31, 2023 through March 30, 2024, according to Apple's fiscal calendar. The following products launched during this period: Apple Vision Pro 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip Revenue Expectations Apple has not provided formal revenue guidance since before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the average Wall Street estimate for Apple's second quarter revenue is $90 billion, according to Zacks Investment Research . This would be around a 5% decline compared to the $94.8 billion revenue the company reported in the year-ago quarter . Maestri provided the following commentary on Apple's earnings call last quarter: As a reminder, in the December quarter a year ago, we faced significant supply constraints on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max due to COVID-19 factory shutdowns. And in the March quarter a year ago, we were able to replenish channel inventory and fulfill significant pent-up demand from the constraints. We estimate that this impact added close to $5 billion to the March quarter's total revenue last year. When we remove this impact from last year's revenue, we expect both our March quarter total company revenue and iPhone revenue to be similar to a year ago. Conference Call Cook and Maestri will hold a conference call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday to discuss the company's quarterly earnings results. The call should last around one hour, and it will include a Q&A segment with analysts. A live audio stream of the conference call will be available on Apple's Investor Relations page , and a recording will be available later in the day for replay. What's Next Apple's current quarter runs through June 29. Apple has yet to announce any new products during the quarter, but it is expected to unveil new versions of the iPad Pro, iPad Air, Apple Pencil, and Magic Keyboard at its Let Loose event on May 7 . AAPL is trading above $172 as of writing, down from a 52-week high of $199.62. Tags: Earnings , AAPL This article, What to Expect From Apple's Earnings Report This Week Following Vision Pro Launch first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Are you having iPhone alarm problems? A fix is coming soon

If you've missed your iPhone alarm, it may not be your fault. Apple has confirmed there's a known bug where alarms have no noise.

Best cell phone plan deals: T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Mint Mobile and more

If youre on the hunt for a new wireless service, weve rounded up the best cell phone plan deals available.

How to reset Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro

Are your Apple AirPods or AirPods Pros acting up? Most issues can be resolved with a factory reset. Here, we show you how to do it.

Best iPhone 14 deals: Unlocked and refurbished

The iPhone 14 makes for some of the best iPhone deals around, and we've tracked down all of the best iPhone 14 deals to shop right now.

How to turn off call forwarding on iPhone and Android

Missing calls on your iPhone or Android smartphone? It might be because call forwarding is on. Here's how to turn it off.

Fortnite will return to the iPad in the EU, Epic Games vows

Macworld Fortnites lengthy exile from the iPhone and iPad looks set to end soon, at least in the EU. Having declared back in January its intention to bring the popular game back to iOS in 2024, Epic Games today boasted that it will also return to iPadOS this year. Back in 2020, Epic tested the limits of Apples App Store policies by adding a direct payment option to the game. Apple, predictably, responded by removing Fortnite from its platforms (Google did the same) and deleting the companys developer account. While Epics account has since been reinstated , Fortnite remains unavailable in the App Store. The companies have spent the last three and a half years litigating the dispute to determine whether it is lawful for app store owners to forbid direct payment options, among other issues. On a global scale that remains unresolved, but the Digital Markets Act (DMA) appears to decide the matter in Epics favor in the EU. Indeed it goes further and sets the stage for developers to sell iOS apps via their own stores, with more latitude and lower fees as of iOS 17.4 . (Albeit perhaps not very much lower .) The DMA affects tech companies in numerous ways and Apple itself has acknowledged that it expects to make further business changes as a result of the legislation. And a triumphant Epic tweeted in January that Later this year Fortnite will return in Europe on iOS through the @EpicGames Store, explicitly thanking the DMA for making this return possible. Its not clear when Apple will comply with the ruling, but presumably in the fall with iOS 18 at the latest. Today, the European Commission said that iPads will also need to comply with the Digital Markets Act Were moving full steam ahead to bring Fortnite and the @EpicGames Store to iPhones in the EU soon and iPads this year! https://t.co/MHh6EGVinC Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) April 29, 2024 All of which brings us finally up to date, and to todays tweet boasting that the European Commission has ruled that the iPad is subject to the same laws and that Fortnite (and Epics store) will appear on the iPad before the end of 2024. This is bad news for Apple, but its hard to disagree that its good news for iPad owners in the EU, assuming Apple doesnt have some counterploy up its sleeve. iPad

iOS 18 Rumored to Add New Features to These 15 Apps on Your iPhone

Apple is expected to announce iOS 18 during its WWDC keynote on June 10 , and new features have already been rumored for many apps, including Apple Music, Apple Maps, Calculator, Messages, Notes, Safari, and others. Below, we recap iOS 18 rumors on a per-app basis, based on reports from MacRumors , Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman, and others: Apple Maps: At least two new Apple Maps features are expected on iOS 18, including custom routes and topographic maps . Custom routes would allow users to choose specific roads to travel on while navigating, while topographic maps include details such as trails, contour lines, elevation, and points of interest for hiking. Topographic maps were added to the Apple Watch with watchOS 10. Apple Music: With iOS 18, Apple Music will reportedly be able to auto-generate playlists . Calculator: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 are rumored to feature a revamped Calculator app with several new features , including a sidebar that lists recent calculations, an improved interface for converting units, integration with the Notes app, and more. That means the Calculator app will finally be available on iPads . Freeform: iOS 18 is rumored to add a new Scenes option to Apple's drawing app Freeform . This feature would allow users to select specific sections (scenes) on the canvas for easier navigation. Health: Apple is reportedly planning new AI-powered features for its Health app , but no specific details are known yet. Keynote, Numbers, and Pages: Alongside iOS 18, Apple reportedly plans to update its iWork suite of productivity apps with new generative AI features for auto-generating slides in Keynote, writing faster in Pages, and more . Mail, Photos, and Fitness: These apps will reportedly be overhauled with iOS 18 , but no specific details are known yet. Messages: iOS 18 is expected to add RCS support to the Messages app , which will improve the messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices by allowing for higher-resolution photos and videos, audio messages, typing indicators, read receipts, Wi-Fi messaging, and more. It has also been rumored that the Messages app will use generative AI to auto-complete sentences more effectively. Notes: With iOS 18, the Notes app is expected to be able to display mathematical notation , allowing users to include more types of algebraic equations and formulas in notes. The app is also rumored to gain a built-in audio recording tool, eliminating the need to switch over to the Voice Memos app. Safari: iOS 18 is likely to add a browsing assistant to Safari , which could summarize web pages and more . A new Web Eraser feature that would allow users to remove certain elements from web pages has also been rumored. Shortcuts: With iOS 18, users will reportedly be able to automate complex tasks more easily with the Shortcuts app. While they are not dedicated apps, it has also been rumored that generative AI technology will allow the iPhone's virtual assistant Siri and built-in search tool Spotlight to respond to more complex questions and search queries . For even more rumors, read our iOS 18 roundup . Related Roundup: iOS 18 This article, iOS 18 Rumored to Add New Features to These 15 Apps on Your iPhone first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

iOS 17.5 beta 4 arrives a week before the May iPad event

Macworld Its been a month since the release of iOS 17.4 , which introduced a few minor tweaks (like new emojis) for all users, but it has a massive change to app distribution for those in the European Union. In compliance with the Digital Markets Act, that version allowed alternate app stores, changed policies and terms around apps, browsers that use their own engines, and more. Typically, a new iOS version is followed almost immediately by a beta of the next point release, so the month-long absence of any iOS beta is a strange occurrence. We expect the beta to continue for at least a few weeks; the final release of iOS 17.5 might not even come until May. Update April 30: Apple has released the fourth beta of iOS 17.5. We can probably expect the final release next week, when Apple introduces the new iPads . Whats new in iOS 17.5 We dont know everything that we can expect in iOS 17.5 as there are no patch notes yet, but we keep this section updated with significant new features and changes as they are discovered. App downloads from websites (EU only): Another feature in compliance with the EUs Digital Markets Act, iOS 17.5 enables users to download apps directly from websites. In order to offer these downloads, developers need to clear significant hurdles (including being a registered developer for two years and having existing apps with more than a million downloads in the prior year). Unwanted item tracking: According to 9to5Mac , the 17.5 beta includes references to a new anti-stalking feature that works with third-party trackers as well as AirTags. The new language in the Find My app reads: This item isnt certified on the Apple Find My network. You can disable this item and stop it from sharing its location with the owner. New Apple Pencil and squeeze gesture (iPadOS only): MacRumors has found code within the iPadOS 17.5 beta that references a new V4 Apple Pencil and a potential new squeeze gesture for certain actions. A new Apple Pencil has been rumored to be on the way at the same time as a new iPad Pro and iPad Air , which may launch in May. iOS 17.5: How to install the public beta If you want to be among the first to install iOS 17.5, you can sign up for the public beta and get the release candidate now. The process for installing a beta has changed in iOS 16.4. Heres how the new process works now: Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID. Log in to the Beta Software Program. Click Enroll your iOS device . Open the Settings app, tap General , then Software Update . In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta. It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update. iOS 17.5: How to install the developer beta Youll need to be registered as an Apple developer. Beginning with iOS 17, you dont need to be in the $99 per year developer program to access the developer beta. A free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Heres how to do it via the Apple Developer app: Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store. Open the app. Tap on Account. Sign in using your usual Apple ID. Registered developers can choose to get the Public Beta instead by selecting iOS Public Beta in the Software Update screen. It may take a little time after registering as a developer for the option to appear in Software Updates. Find out everything you need to know about iOS 17 in our iOS 17 superguide . iOS

macOS 14 Sonoma superguide: Everything you need to know

Macworld The newest version of macOS, aka macOS 14, aka Sonoma (named after the Californian wine region), is now available. Among the new features Sonoma brings to Macs are changes to widgets, a new Game Mode, the ability to easily turn web pages into web apps, and fun additions to video conferencing apps. Read on for the lowdown on all the new features and further improvements coming throughout 2024. Update April 30: Apple has released the fourth beta for macOS 14.5. macOS 14 Sonoma: Latest version The full version of macOS 14 was released to the general public on Tuesday, September 26 (the earliest macOS release date since 2018). That was version 14.0. Many smaller point updates have been released since then, however: The latest version is macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 , which arrived on March 25 and brought several important bug fixes. These include an inability to recognize USB hubs connected to external displays (see the entry for Sonoma 14.4, below), and Java apps quitting unexpectedly. The macOS Sonoma 14.4 update, released on March 7, brought new emoji, updates to the Podcast app, an icons only option for the Safari Favorite Bar, and security and bug fixes. However, it appears this version included a Java bug and a USB problem , with users complaining that external displays with USB hubs connected have stopped working. There was also an iCloud Drive bug, with iCloud Drive no longer preserving saved versions of a file . If you are experiencing these issues you can follow our guide to revert a macOS update . macOS Sonoma 14.3.1 arrived on February 8 and fixed a problem where text may unexpectedly duplicate or overlap while typing. macOS Sonoma 14.3 arrived on January 22 and brought Collaborative Playlists for Apple Music. It also includes a patch for a zero-day vulnerability that may have been exploited in the wild. macOS Sonoma 14.2 arrived on December 11, 2023, and brought Enhanced AutoFill, Contact Key Verification, and various app updates. More details about whats new are below. macOS Sonoma 14.1.2 arrived on November 30 and fixed two exploited zero-day WebKit flaws that were also patched in iOS and iPadOS with 17.1.2. Apple also released Safari 17.1.2 for Ventura and older to address the same exploits. Previously, macOS Sonoma 14.1.1 arrived on November 7. It includes bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users. Before that macOS Sonoma 14.1 , was released on October 25. There will be a lot of updates over the coming months, both minor point releases for bug fixes and security updates and major releases that add some of the Sonoma features that werent available at launch. macOS 14 Sonoma beta: Latest version and release date Even though macOS Sonoma has arrived, Apple continues to develop new features for the operating system. The company regularly issues updates to the developer version and public version of the beta. On April 2, Apple released the first beta of macOS 14.5. On April 30, Apple released the fourth beta. Its possible the official release could happen in early May, perhaps not long after the May 7 Let Loose event . macOS 14.4: New features As we said above, there are a few problems with the macOS 14.4 update, including a Java bug, a USB problem, and an iCloud Drive problem, so if you havent updated yet you might want to wait. If you are experiencing these issues follow our guide to revert a macOS update . As for what new features macOS 14.4 brings: New emoji : including Broken Chain, Brown Mushroom, Head Shaking Horizontally, Head Shaking Vertically, Lime, and Phoenix, as well as several alternative direction emoji. Updates to the Podcast app. An icons only option for the Safari Favorite Bar . iMessage update : Apple is introducing a new iMessage protocol that will use post-quantum cryptography to encrypt for conversations. Fixes : There are also various fixes coming that should resolve issues with CreateML, the Finder, Messages, and Passkeys. An issue where it wasnt possible to update to macOS 14.4 from macOS 11.0-12.3.1 is also addressed. Read more about macOS 14.4 here . macOS 14.3: New features macOS 14.3 brought the following new features: Collaborative Playlists for Apple Music. Emoji reactions for tracks in collaborative playlists. AppleCare & Warranty in Settings shows details of all your eligible devices. StoreKit : new features and bug fixes for developers. SwiftUI : new features and bug fixes for developers. Apple has also revealed there will be several bug fixes coming in the update. In the 14.4 beta release notes the company lists fixes for an issue with CreateML, a resolution for a Finder issue, an issue with stickers in Messages. Updates from macOS 11.012.3.1 to Sonoma may not work, in which case Apple recommends updating to macOS 12.4 first. macOS 14.2: New features New features in macOS 14.2 include: iMessage Contact Key Verification : Improved security for contact key verification users. StoreKit : Price, currency, and currencyCode are now available on Transaction. PDFs : An Enhanced AutoFill feature uses Contacts data to fill out a PDF or scanned document. While the new Journal app is a feature of iOS 17.2, which arrived on the same day, it is not (yet) a Mac app. The following features, which also arrived in iOS 17.2, will be available in the equivalent apps on macOS: News app : The News app will support Live Activities. Apple Music : You will also be able to disable the listening history in Apple Music so it doesnt impact Apple Music suggestions. TV app : There will no longer be separate Movies and TV Shows tabs. Just a Store tab. Messages : You can react to iMessages with any emoji or sticker. Warning for stickers if you have enabled it for Messages. Weather : You can now see wind and rain on a map. Clock : You can run multiple timers. macOS 14.1: New features The macOS 14.1 update included: Apple Music : New Favorites playlist. Coverage section in the General System Settings that includes Apple Care information. Fix for an issue with Remote Widgets . Addressed issues with Wallet and WidgetKit . Theres more detail about whats in macOS Sonomaand whats comingbelow. How to install macOS 14 Sonoma We cover how to install macOS Sonoma in a separate article, we also cover some of the issues you might encounter installing Sonoma , so if you do have any difficulties check out that article. It should be simple enough to install macOS Sonoma though. Go to System Settings (System Preferences in older versions of macOS). Click on General . Click on Software Update and your Mac will search for the update. If its the day that Sonoma arrives, you may have to wait a while before it shows up. Click on Upgrade Now and wait for the macOS installer to download. Once the installer has downloaded click on Install and wait while the software is installed on your Mac (during which time you wont be able to use the Mac.) macOS 14 Sonoma: How to install and remove the beta If you are a beta tester you may want to stop receiving beta updates once the full version of Sonoma arrives. In this case, you can go to Software Updates, click on the (i) beside Beta updates, and turn them offthat way you shouldnt receive any more beta versions of the software and will be able to update to the full version of macOS 14. This process is a little more complicated if you want to downgrade from the iOS 17 beta to iOS 16, or from a subsequent beta of iOS 17 to the original version. If you then want to uninstall the beta, we have a guide for that: How to remove macOS Sonoma beta . If you havent been part of the beta but want to join, installing the beta is simple, especially since Apple changed the beta process in macOS 13.4. It used to be necessary to download the BetaAccessUtility for every device, but now you only need to register your Apple ID for the beta program to install betas on every Apple device that is signed into that account. Then when you go to Software Update, youll see a new tab for Beta Updates , which will list the beta versions that are available to you. If you want to install the public beta, select macOS 14 Public Beta . Just remember: betas are not as stable as the official versionfeatures may be implemented and then withdrawn, or they may not work properly, UI can change, and third-party app compatibility isnt guaranteed. If you want to install the beta, follow our macOS beta installation guide . For more on joining the beta program read: How to join Apples beta program and try out new software . macOS Sonoma compatibility: Which Macs will be able to run macOS 14? Apple dropped support for some 2017 Macs from the Sonoma compatibility list . These are the Macs that are able to run macOS Sonoma: iMacfrom 2019 and later MacProfrom 2019 and later iMacProfrom 2017 MacStudiofrom 2022 and later MacBookAirfrom 2018 and later Macminifrom 2018 and later MacBookProfrom 2018 and later When Apple released macOS Ventura , the following Macs could run it: MacBook models from 2017 or later MacBook Air models from 2018 or later MacBook Pro models from 2017 or later Mac mini models from 2018 or later iMac models from 2017 or later iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro models from 2019 or later Mac Studio (all models) A Mac may be compatible with macOS 14, but unable to run some of the new features. Some new features may require Apple chips and not run on Intel-based Macs. To find out which version of macOS older Macs can run take a look at our macOS compatibility list . macOS 14 Sonoma features Here are the new features in macOS Sonoma. Some arrived with the first release and others will come later. Read our comparison of macOS Sonoma and macOS Ventura for more details about whats changed and find out which Sonoma features are coming later to find out which ones will arrive later. Apple Apple Apple Login Screen changes From the moment that your Mac starts up in Sonoma you will notice the difference. Apple has redesigned the login screen so that you enter your password at the bottom rather than the middle of the screen. We explain how to navigate the new Lock Screen and set your preferences here: How to customize and navigate the new login screen. Desktop widgets Youll be able to add more Widgets from the Widget Gallery and place them anywhere on the screen. Apple has gone to lengths to make sure they arent distracting, they will essentially fade into the background. You will also be able to add Widgets from an iPhone using Continuity, the iPhone just needs to be nearby, on or same Wi-Fi network. Read: How Apples upcoming widget revolution will change our screens forever. Learn how to add widgets to the macOS Sonoma Desktop. Apple Music The ability to easily mark Favorites and create a Favorite Songs playlist arrived with macOS 14.1. macOS 14.3 is expected to bring Apple Music Playlist collaboration. Login screen Apple made some changes to the login screen and added a new immersive animation that leads into your desktop. Wallpapers Apple added some beautiful animated wallpapers showing locations from around the world. See: The best wallpapers included in macOS Sonoma . Personal Voice A new Personal Voice feature allows you to train your Mac to talk with your voice and then use that to convert text to speech. We explain how to use it here: macOS Sonoma: How to train your Mac to talk in your voice Game Mode This new mode ensures that games get the highest priority on GPU and CPU, which should help with playability. It will make gaming on Mac more immersive, according to Apple. Other changes should reduce latency with controllers and improve in-game responsiveness. Apple announced that more Mac games are coming, and demonstrated Death Stranding: Directors Cut (which is unfortunately not a new game). Apple also explained how it will help game developers bring their games to the Mac with a new Game Porting kit that includes tools that devs can use to quickly port their games to the Mac, significantly reducing the game development time.Read: Apples Game Porting Toolkit is the first real step to fixing Mac gaming. We also explain How to use Game Mode to boost performance. Read our round-up of the Best games for Mac. Video conferencing You will appear in front of your presentation. You will appear in front of your presentation. Apple You will appear in front of your presentation. Apple Apple When you share your screen during a presentation your presence can get lost. To fix this issue Apple has devised a new video effect called Presenter Overlay that will overlay your face over the presentation, separating you from the background. This can appear like the picture above, or be a smaller bubble with your face in (which may cover less of the presentation). Other new features include the ability to add a reaction to your video to show how you feel about something. For example, if you show two thumbs up a fireworks animation will play. These features can also be used as video effects with other video conferencing apps, so its not tied to FaceTime. Safari You will be able to create Safari Profiles so you can separate accounts between work and home/school profiles. Safari and WebKit gain new typography. Users will be able to block private browsing windows when they arent being used. It will be possible to share Passkeys and Passwords with family members. This will be end-to-end encrypted via iCloud Keychain. See: Safari 17: All the new features coming to your Mac this fall Web apps It will be easy to make a website you use a lot into a Web App. Just open the webpage and choose File > Add to Dock to add a webpage to the Dock as an icon and open it to get an app-like appearance for that web page that opens outside of Safari. Learn how to make and manage Web Apps in macOS Sonoma . PDFs and Notes The AutoFill for PDFs feature arrived with macOS 14.2 in December 2023. It works with Contacts to select the information needed and makes it easy to fill out PDFs faster and securely. You will also be able to view PDFs in Notes, link related notes, and open a Note in Pages to update it there. Apple Apple Apple Keyboard Changes to the keyboard include improved Autocorrect accuracy and inline typing predictions. Messages You can expect improved Search of the Messages app, being able to refine your search as you go. Theres a new Sticker drawer, catchup for group conversations, and improvements to Messages in iCloud. There will be warnings about potentially sensitive videos and photos before you open them, and as of macOS 14.2 warnings about Stickers. Security Improvements to Lockdown Mode will help protect against cyber attacks. Lockdown Mode makes it easy to protect your Apple devices and your data if you are the victim of a cyberattack. In macOS Sonoma Apple simplified the use of 2FA on websites. Safari will automatically fill in the code you are sent (as a text or email) and automatically delete the email or text afterwards. Another security-related feature in Sonoma is a simplification of the process for sharing passwords with friends and family. Users can create a group and share a set of passwords to that group. Its end-to-end encrypted. In Safari you can set a new Private Browsing Lock to appear on the screen to stop onlookers from viewing your screen when you arent present. MacOS

Apple Seeds Fourth Betas of iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available]

Apple today seeded the fourth betas of upcoming iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released the third betas . Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the Beta Updates option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Developer Beta. An Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta. Most of the features that Apple promised would be coming in iOS 17 have now been released, but iOS 17.5 adds additional app ecosystem changes in the European Union. App developers can offer apps for download on the iPhone directly from their websites , in addition to through app marketplaces. There are also code changes that hint at new Apple Pencils and a Battery Health feature for the iPad , with more information on what's new available in our iOS 17.5 beta features post . Related Roundups: iOS 17 , iPadOS 17 Related Forums: iOS 17 , iPadOS 17 This article, Apple Seeds Fourth Betas of iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available] first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds Fourth Beta of macOS Sonoma 14.5 to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available]

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.5 update to developers, with the software coming a week after Apple released the third beta . Registered developers can opt in to the beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. Note that an Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta. We don't yet know what is included in macOS Sonoma 14.5, and no new features were found in the first three developer betas. Fresh release candidate versions of macOS Ventura 13.6.7 and macOS Monterey 12.7.5 have also been seeded to developers. Related Roundup: macOS Sonoma Related Forum: macOS Sonoma This article, Apple Seeds Fourth Beta of macOS Sonoma 14.5 to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available] first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds Fourth Beta of visionOS 1.2 to Developers

Apple today released the fourth beta of an upcoming visionOS 1.2 update to developers, allowing them to test new features ahead of the software seeing a public launch. The fourth visionOS 1.2 beta comes one week after the release the third beta . The visionOS beta can be downloaded by going to the Settings app on the device and toggling on developer betas. A registered developer account is required, and Apple recommends making a backup before installing new software. Apple may make further improvements to Personas, EyeSight, and other features with visionOS 1.2, but no major new additions were found in the first three betas. Related Roundup: visionOS Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro This article, Apple Seeds Fourth Beta of visionOS 1.2 to Developers first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds Fourth Beta of watchOS 10.5 to Developers

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming watchOS 10.5 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the release of the third beta . To install the watchOS 10.5 update, developers need to open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under General in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 10 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required. Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 10.5 can be downloaded under the same Software Update section. To install software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life and it must be placed on an Apple Watch charger. We don't yet know what's included in watchOS 10.5, and there were no new features found in the first three beta updates. Related Roundup: watchOS 10 Related Forum: Apple Watch This article, Apple Seeds Fourth Beta of watchOS 10.5 to Developers first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds Fourth Beta of tvOS 17.5 to Developers

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming tvOS 17.5 to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the release of the third beta . Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 17.5 update by opting in to the beta through the Settings app on the Apple TV . A registered developer account is required. tvOS software updates are often minor in scale compared to other operating system updates, focusing primarily on smaller improvements rather than outward-facing changes. We don't yet know what's included in tvOS 17.5. Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document , which is updated after each tvOS launch, but Apple does not provide notes during beta testing. Though we don't always know what's new in tvOS betas, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download new software upon release. A related HomePod software update 17.5 beta has also been seeded. Related Roundup: Apple TV Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Caution) Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater This article, Apple Seeds Fourth Beta of tvOS 17.5 to Developers first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums