Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.
Sponsored by Kolide by 1Password: The device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your apps. Close the Zero Trust access gap for Okta. Watch the demo.
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| Read more »Watching what you want to watch on a hotel TV can be frustrating, especially now that so much of TV is dominated by streaming services. Customers rejoiced when Apple announced the iOS 17 feature at WWDC last summer that hotels would soon support AirPlay in a secure fashion on their hotel TVs, but the feature has taken quite a while to actually roll out.
Starting today, anyone with iOS 17.3 or later can use AirPlay at up to 60 select IHG hotels...
| Read more »Last year Astropad launched its impressive Rock Paper Pencil kit for iPad that delivers a reusable/removable matte screen protector plus a ballpoint-style Apple Pencil tip for a real pen-on-paper experience. This year the company delivered Rock Paper Pencil v2 with a NanoCling border, flat profile, improved Apple Pencil tip, and more. Here’s what I think after testing out the improved version.
| Read more »Enlarge (credit: PM Images | DigitalVision)
On Wednesday, Colorado expanded the scope of its privacy law initially designed to protect biometric data like fingerprints or face images to become first in the nation to also shield sensitive neural data.
That could stop companies from hoarding brain activity data without residents realizing the risks. The New York Times reported that neural data is increasingly being collected and sold nationwide. And after a...
| Read more »Enlarge / That is in no way what the Z button looks like or where it goes...
Apple's decision earlier this month to open the iOS App Store to generic retro game emulators is already bearing fruit. Delta launched Wednesday as one of the first officially approved iOS apps to emulate Nintendo consoles from the NES through the N64 and the Game Boy through the Nintendo DS (though unofficial options have snuck through in the past).
Delta is an outgrowth of developer Riley Testut's...
| Read more »Game Room is one of the best experiences on Apple Vision Pro, especially with newly introduced spatial Personas. The latest update to the Apple Arcade game introduces one of the most popular classics: checkers.
| Read more »Apple Watch is a must-have accessory for every cyclist. That’s become time and again it has proven critical for helping cyclists after a crash. Eric Zollinger from New York is the latest wearer to know firsthand.
| Read more »Upcoming 12.9-Inch iPad Air Might Have Same Screen as the Current Larger iPad Pro
The upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Air, scheduled to launch alongside the 2024 iPad Pro in the second week of May, could ditch LCD in favor of a new mini-LED display, according to a new report. The report, shared by analyst Ross Young, who is generally right about these developments, especially in display tech, shared details about the changes […]
This post Upcoming 12.9-Inch iPad Air Might Have Same Screen as the Current Larger iPad Pro appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »While every iPhone release generates tons of excitement, there are only a couple that were truly historic. And now you can own one for a fraction of its original MSRP: Amazon’s Woot is selling Grade A Refurbished iPhone X for as low as $180 in this rare sale.
The iPhone X was released in 2017 alongside the iPhone 8 as a complete re-imagining of the handset. Where all other models had a home button and giant bezels around the screen, the iPhone X...
| Read more »A New App Signals at Apple Vision Pro’s Imminent Launch in China
The release of a 3D shopping app specifically made for the headset by a major retailer suggests that the Apple Vision Pro will soon be available in China. As of right now, the Apple Vision Pro is exclusive to the US, but the rumor mill suggests it will be global before WWDC 2024. China appears […]
This post A New App Signals at Apple Vision Pro’s Imminent Launch in China appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »We’re expecting Apple to unveil a new set of iPads during the first week of May. A new report on Thursday may provide a peek into what could be in store, and it says a lot about what the company is doing with its iPad lineup.
Analyst Ross Young posted on X (subscription required) that, “The upcoming 12.9″ iPad Air has a MiniLED display,” which is the same display technology used by the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Young states that Apple is using leftover supply from production of that Pro model since it is expected to...
| Read more »iPhone and Mac users have to enter Apple ID details so frequently–when buying an app, accessing iCloud email or other services, updating an OS–that you wouldn’t think we’d forget our passwords. But we do.
Perhaps you got confused when Apple made you change to a new password; perhaps you picked one that was just too complicated to remember. (Here’s how to choose a strong password.) Whatever the reason, forgetting the password to your Apple ID account can be a serious pain, so we’re going to explain how to reset it.
Before we get started, let’s quickly cover two slightly different scenarios. First, your password might not be working because it’s been locked by Apple for security reasons; perhaps an attempt has been made to hack it. Should this happen to you, try this tutorial:...
| Read more »Have you noticed your iPhone jump onto a WiFi network when you’re away from home without asking first? Or maybe you want to check what networks your iPhone is auto-joining? Follow along for how to turn off iPhone WiFi auto-join for public and carrier networks.
| Read more »Today I learned two things. First, apparently Meta Quest headsets don’t work on planes? I guess Apple knew to prioritize that feature for Vision Pro. And second, support is reportedly on the way. Add this to the list of ways competition from Vision Pro is making a better product.
| Read more »A spring refresh may be around the corner, but in the meantime, you can save on Apple’s latest 12.9-inch iPad Pros from $1,029. It comes joined by a chance to save $265 on a stainless steel Apple Watch Series 9 and the first discount on Anker’s new . Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
| Read more »If you stay in one of the 60+ appropriately equipped hotels on your next trip, you may be able to use AirPlay from your iPhone or iPad to share content with the big-screen TV in your room.
| Read more »You probably have a lot of online accounts, and in order to remember your login details you are quite likely to reuse those same few passwords over and over again. Perhaps you even have a document with them all in. It’s perfectly understandable, but definitely not safe.
We know that it’s important to use an original password for each account and update them on a regular basis, but it can be a Herculean task trying to retain that information in our heads. This is made even more challenging with different sites requiring specific mixtures of characters: this one demands at least two symbols and no capitals, while that one requires a mixture of cases and a minimum length. And then you have to change yet another password and feel like crying!
That’s where password manager apps come in. They allow users to create one master password, after which the app takes care of logging into all other accounts. They even make...
| Read more »Apple Cut a Deal to Scrap Usable iPhones That Later Found New Homes in Asia
Whenever you’re on the hunt for a new iPhone (while owning one), you have many offers, including an option to trade in your current phone for a discount while purchasing another. Have you ever wondered what happens to these iPhones? The thing is, many of these devices function perfectly well and could remain usable for […]
This post Apple Cut a Deal to Scrap Usable iPhones That Later Found New Homes in Asia appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Razer has now unlocked the god-tier of mobile gaming. The company today is launching its latest smartphone controller grip for iPhone 15 and Android handsets. On top of just fully embracing USB-C, the new Razer Kishi Ultra steps up to deliver a more premium experience actually geared towards gamers with support for even larger devices like iPad mini 6. But that’s really just the tip of the iceberg for why this is .
| Read more »Apple just published a new Press Release:
| Read more »Ross Young of DSCC has great news for potential 12.9-inch iPad Air buyers. According to Young, the newly introduced larger iPad Air will use the same display technology as the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
| Read more »A smart MagSafe wallet could alert you if you leave a card behind after using it in a store, thanks to a simple approach described in a new Apple patent application.
The wallet could also better protect you against accidentally losing cards when carrying only one or two cards …
| Read more »Apple will reveal its AI cards on June 10 at WWDC, and Siri is surely going to be a key component. Generally, people want Siri to get good. You can’t just replace Siri intelligence with generative AI, however, but the two technologies make a powerful combination. What I want to see from an AI-infused Siri is actually simple.
| Read more »Refurbished Apple Watch Ultra 2 Units Are Now Available in China
China has become the first and only place where Apple is selling refurbished Apple Watch Ultra 2 units directly to customers. The refurbished versions have a 15% price reduction compared to equivalent brand-new ones. Apple rigorously tests, inspects, cleans, and repackages all refurbished products to guarantee optimal functionality and quality. Additionally, they come with a […]
This post Refurbished Apple Watch Ultra 2 Units Are Now Available in China appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Whether you’re trying to lose a few pounds and track your weight for other purposes, smart scales that sync data to the iPhone can be a fun and useful way to keep an eye your status.
If you want to easily collect your weight and other measurement data in the Health app on iPhone and iPad (new with iPadOS 17), the trick is to find a scale that works with HealthKit.
| Read more »Apple has pledged to buy US-made chips once TSMC’s Arizona plants come online, but the company may have to pay more for them.
TSMC’s chief exec has said that it plans to charge customers more for chips made outside of Taiwan, due to the higher production costs …
| Read more »Beginning today, more than sixty IHG Hotels & Resorts locations will support the new iOS 17 AirPlay feature, allowing guests to easily stream to the TV in their hotel with no additional hardware required.
Just like you would stream to an Apple TV at home, guests are able to seamlessly select their hotel TV as the AirPlay output to watch videos, view photos and stream music from their iPhone or iPad.
| Read more »Romance scams are getting a whole lot more convincing with the latest tactic: using two phones, one running a face-swap app, to conduct live video calls with victims …
| Read more »Apple has an ambitious goal to create a fully carbon neutral value chain for its products by 2030, and every year it charts its progress in its annual Environmental Progress Report. The 2024 report published today highlights a milestone achievement for emissions.
Apple says its overall greenhouse gas emissions have more than halved since 2015, down 55%. However, there is still more work to be done as the company will need to attain a 75% reduction to meet its 2030 targets.
| Read more »Almost 100,000 iPhones which Apple paid a contractor to scrap were instead stolen and shipped off to China, according to an in-depth report.
Apple sued the company concerned, but now appears to have abandoned the lawsuit, with the report suggesting this is to avoid publicly admitting that it orders the shredding of perfectly usable devices, in stark contrast to the company’s environmental stance …
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| Read more »Enlarge / Here it is: two virtual Mac displays in Vision Pro. (credit: Samuel Axon)
Apple's Vision Pro headset holds the promise to be a powerful extension of your Mac workflow, but the Mac integration it shipped with is just neat, not a big step forward. Now, an app by established independent developers Jordi Bruin, Mathijs Kadijk, and Tom Lokhorst aims to fix that.
Called Splitscreen, it enables you to use two virtual displays at once while working with your Mac and wearing Vision Pro. By contrast, Apple's default implementation only supports mirroring a single Mac display to a resizable virtual one.
Further, the developers are working on achieving what I said I'd like to see from Apple when I wrote up my first impressions of the headset: the ability to move...
| Read more »3 Key Benefits of Using iPhone’s Night Shift Mode
iPhone users are divided on the benefits of Night Shift. Some make far-reaching claims about it helping them sleep better, while others think it’s just one of Apple’s marketing gimmicks. Regardless, you should take these opinions with a grain of salt. To help you decide when and how to use this feature, let’s dive into […]
This post 3 Key Benefits of Using iPhone’s Night Shift Mode appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »[Solved] Apple Watch Charging Slow on watchOS 10
A strong battery makes a strong device, which is why an Apple Watch charging slowly after moving to watchOS 10 can be detrimental. Luckily, the primary factor for this issue is a feature from Apple that is supposed to protect the health of your battery. Let’s explore the solutions. How To Fix Apple Watch Charging […]
This post [Solved] Apple Watch Charging Slow on watchOS 10 appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The Satechi 145 W USB-C Gan Travel Charger makes life easier when traveling. You can replace all your chargers with this one. It’s also just as perfect to keep at home on your desk. Plenty of wattage and ports (as well as different plugs) make it a great buy.
Price When Reviewed
$119.99
Best Prices Today: Satechi 145W USB-C GaN Travel Charger
Retailer
Price
$119.99
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| Read more »We’re expecting 2024 to be the year Apple builds generative AI features into iOS 18, and the company has announced a $250M investment to support ongoing work in this field. The Apple Singapore campus is growing from one building to three, to provide space for ‘new roles in AI and other key functions.’
Apple says that the expansion and refit will allow for greater collaboration between its growing teams in the country …
| Read more »When the iPhone 16 line launches this September, we expect it to usher in a new A-series processor. As has been the case in the last few years, the top-end “Pro” models will get a new processor while the regular iPhone 16 non-Pro models will likely get a version of the A17 Pro chip found in this year’s iPhone 15 Pro.
As we do every year, we’ll look at the history and performance of the A-series processors from the last several years, along with the recent rumors and overall industry trends, to anticipate what we might expect from Apple’s new iPhone silicon this fall. As always, this is all just guesswork; Apple is a famously secretive company, and the details about its products are often not fully revealed until they are released.
To “Pro” or not to “Pro”?
Last year, Apple introduced what might be an all-new wrinkle into the expected upgrade pattern. Changing the name from “A17 Bionic” to “A17 Pro” for the...
| Read more »Comcast on Wednesday launched NOW, a new tier of low cost and prepaid connectivity offerings, with speeds up to 200 Mbps as well as unlimited 5G data for mobile plans along with access to more than 40 networks for live and on-demand content. The new plans function as low-cost, no-contract options for customers, as details […]
| Read more »If you lost one or both left and right pieces of your Nintendo Switch controller or simply want an upgrade in your Switch gaming’s style and function, this deal is for you. Save 27% when you order this Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch, which features RGB lights, while it’s on sale for only $30.99 (reg. $42).
This controller’s new chip technology offers a more responsive, connected experience. It’s also made with durable, non-slip ABS material so your...
| Read more »If you’re looking to organize your Mac’s screenshots, this might come in handy. Developer Aptonic has recently released ScreenSnapAI, its new organization utility to help wrangle your screenshot files. The software offers the following features: ScreenSnapAI retails for $9.99, is available via the Mac App Store, and requires macOS 10.13 (Ventura) or later to install […]
| Read more »Apple is doubling down on 8GB of RAM for many of its entry-level Macs, claiming that it's "suitable for many tasks," including browsing, video streaming and even "light" video and image editing. As of this writing, all MacBook Air laptops, the Mac Mini, and the MacBook Pro 14 all start with a base configuration of 8GB RAM -- which can't be upgraded at a later date since the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard. "That might have been OK were it not for the fact that Apple charges a ridiculous $200 to upgrade any of those machines from 8GB to 16GB," notes PC Gamer's Jeremy Laird. Even if an 8GB Mac does some of the previously stated tasks tolerably well, Laird argues that "8GB still isn't acceptable." From the report: That's because a Mac with 8GB can easily run out of memory just browsing the web. That's particularly true with Chrome, which just so happens to be the most popular browser around. Regular Chrome users will know what a memory hog Chrome can be. Right now, I have about...
| Read more »2 Ways To Find Your Apple ID Password Without Resetting It
Are you also trying to find your Apple ID password without resetting it? Most people rely on Face ID or Touch ID to use Apple Pay, App Store, or to log in to any website. So, it’s very easy to forget the password. Luckily, you don’t need to reset it. You can retrieve your password […]
This post 2 Ways To Find Your Apple ID Password Without Resetting It appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Install the April 2024 iWork update and you’ll gain access to a “new” feature that’s decades old: noncontiguous text selection. Put simply, it means you can select text that doesn’t flow continuously from one letter to the next. This lets you select multiple areas of text for manual formatting or character styles all at once instead of one at a time. (Apple doesn’t let you use Find & Replace to select everything that matches the Find field, however.)
To make a noncontiguous selection:
You can remove text from the selection by dragging or Shift-dragging while keeping Command...
| Read more »This year, Apple wants to make a big impression with its AI efforts, and we’re starting to get a peek as to what we could expect, and it starts with Apple’s chips. We talk about the upcoming A18 Pro and the M4 chips and Apple’s plans, in this episode of the Macworld Podcast.
This is episode 880 with Jason Cross, Michael Simon, and Roman Loyola.
Listen to episode 880 on Apple Podcasts
Listen to episode 880 on Spotify
Get info
Click on the links below for more information on what was discussed on the show.
Streaming your faves at home is so convenient, but it really is nice to get out of your sweats and out to enjoy a movie on the big screen. And the fact that you don’t have to make your own snacks is a bonus. This $12 deal helps you save some cash with a 33% discount on most standard 2D showtimes at Regal, as well as premium format tickets (though surcharges may apply).
You won’t have to worry about any blackout or expiration dates for this purchase. However, there are some restrictions, like it not being...
| Read more »[Fixed] Mac Messages Shows Contact Numbers Instead of Names
Does the Messages app on your Mac show contact numbers instead of names? You’ll have a harder time keeping track of incoming FaceTime calls and iMessages if your saved contacts aren’t syncing. Thankfully, there are several troubleshooting solutions that you can try—let’s go through the most effective ones. What To Do if Messages Is Showing […]
This post [Fixed] Mac Messages Shows Contact Numbers Instead of Names appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Fix: iPhone 15 Pro Makes Repeated Noise When Charging
I get how annoying it is to hear your iPhone 15 Pro make a repeated beeping and buzzing noise while charging. Being unable to use the basic functions of a new, expensive smartphone seems quite unfair. That said, you don’t necessarily have to send your device for hardware repairs. Several software issues and bugs can […]
This post Fix: iPhone 15 Pro Makes Repeated Noise When Charging appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »How To Install tvOS 17.5 Developer Beta 2
Apple released the second tvOS 17.5 Developer Beta version on April 16th. While the specifics of tvOS beta updates are typically kept confidential, you have the opportunity to explore these features and changes firsthand by downloading the version yourself. Here’s how to do it. How To Download & Install tvOS 17.5 Developer Beta You must […]
This post How To Install tvOS 17.5 Developer Beta 2 appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »5 Questions You Should Never Ask Siri: Avoid These at All Costs
Having an iPhone or Apple Watch is great, especially since it comes with the powerful personal assistant, Siri. However, there are some things you should never ask it. As someone who has owned an iPhone since it first came to my carrier, I’ve spent far, far too much time asking Siri stupid and silly questions. […]
This post 5 Questions You Should Never Ask Siri: Avoid These at All Costs appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »AltStore PAL has become one of the first alternative app marketplaces to launch in the European Union. Developed by Riley Testut, AltStore PAL is marketed as an open-source project designed to distribute apps from independent developers. MacRumors reports: At launch, it features two apps, including Testut's Delta game emulator and clipboard manager app Clip. Delta is also being simultaneously released in the App Store outside of the European Union, but it looks like EU customers will need to download it from AltStore. Testut says that once AltStore PAL is "running smoothly," third-party app developers will be able to submit their apps for distribution outside of the App Store. The app marketplace is designed to be decentralized with no directory, so developers will need to self-promote their apps and direct users to their websites to install an app through AltStore.
Distributing apps through AltStore is free of charge, but it is worth noting that apps that see more than one...
| Read more »One of the many great benefits of Apple Silicon is the ability to run iPhone and iPad apps on the Mac. For baseball fans, this meant support for using the iPad version of the MLB app on macOS.
Sadly, the 2024 MLB season is off to a rocky start for Mac users (just like it is for Cincinnati Reds fans).
| Read more »Is the arrival of game emulators on iOS making you nostalgic? Check out these fun Game Boy wallpapers for iPhone as a neat way to relive your handheld gaming memories or get close to the Game Boy you always wanted but never had.
| Read more »Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.
Sponsored by Kolide by 1Password: The device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your apps. Close the Zero Trust access gap for Okta. Watch the demo.
...
| Read more »Logitech is known for its computer accessories such as keyboards and mouse. On Wednesday, the company announced the new M750 Wireless Mouse – which looks like any other Logitech mouse. However, this is the company’s first “Signature AI Edition” mouse with a dedicated ChatGPT button.
| Read more »As I’ve written in the past, Soulver is one of my must-have apps on the Mac and iPad. It’s essentially a smart notepad calculator, with live data, natural language calculations, and more. Starting this week, Soulver is now available on the iPhone.
| Read more »iPhone 17 Plus Screen Size Might Be Smaller Than Current Plus Variant, Says Report
Over the years, Apple has increased the screen size for its iPhones, and Cupertino will likely continue the tradition with the iPhone 16 Pro series. And if leaks and rumors about the iPhone 16 series weren’t enough, some tipsters have begun winding up the rumors about next year’s iPhone 17 series. One such rumor comes […]
This post iPhone 17 Plus Screen Size Might Be Smaller Than Current Plus Variant, Says Report appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Google’s new Find My Device network works nearly identically to Apple’s Find My network with a few exceptions: Google’s design offers more anti-stalking and privacy features than Apple.
| Read more »iPhone Enjoys About Double the Popularity of the Mac Among Apple Users, reveals Study
Undoubtedly, Apple products are as popular as anything across oceans, but the company’s largest market share is the U.S. A new report from CIRP reveals how deeply Apple customers, especially those in the United States, are invested in the Apple ecosystem, meaning any user owns at least two Apple devices for interconnectivity. According to the […]
This post iPhone Enjoys About Double the Popularity of the Mac Among Apple Users, reveals Study appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Apple has released the second beta of the Sonoma 14.5 update to developers and the public. The beta 2 comes two weeks after the first beta was released. The full version will likely arrive for all users in late April or early May.
macOS 14.5: Beta 2 developer notes
The following are the release notes for the macOS 14.5 beta 2 release to developers. These notes are often different from the notes provided in the official release to the general public.
FaceTime
Known Issues
• Users might not be able to approve or decline a FaceTime link call because notifications might not be received on the caller side for them to accept or decline the call. (125617787)
... | Read more »You Can Now Download the Delta Emulator From the App Store
The App Store now officially permits emulators, with Riley Testut’s Delta emulator being the latest addition. This announcement comes after Apple recently removed the iGBA emulator, which was riddled with ads and tracking and was just a copy of Delta’s predecessor GBA4iOS. Delta is a multipurpose emulator that can run GBA, SNES, Nintendo DS titles, […]
This post You Can Now Download the Delta Emulator From the App Store appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Apple Plans To Manufacture Camera Modules in India but Not Their Phones With 3 Cameras
Apple is reportedly in discussions with Indian companies Murugappa Group and Tata’s Titan Company to source camera modules for iPhone production within the country. This move aligns with Apple’s strategy to diversify its manufacturing base and reduce dependence on China, especially after the recent news from Vietnam and Indonesia, where Tim Cook visited, possibly to […]
This post Apple Plans To Manufacture Camera Modules in India but Not Their Phones With 3 Cameras appeared first on The Mac Observer...
| Read more »In a new report today, analyst Ross Young says that Apple has an interesting twist planned for next year’s iPhone 17 lineup. According to Young, the iPhone 17 Plus will actually feature a smaller screen than the ‘Plus’ model does now.
| Read more »The game emulation situation on iOS just got real. The oft rejected game emulator Delta has finally made its way to the App Store. Additionally, the Delta developer has also published their alternative marketplace, AltStore, in the EU today.
| Read more »Benjamin and Chance discuss the latest in Apple news, including Web Distribution for EU users launching in iOS 17.5 beta 2, we get our first sense of the M4 Mac release scheduled and the company opens up its third-party repair policies further. Also, the Humane Ai Pin debuts to a very mixed critical response.
And in Happy Hour Plus, we talk about our multitasking and window management habits on macOS. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Note from Chance: We had some technical difficulties this week, so the audio quality isn’t up to our normal standards. We apologize and will be back to normal next time!
| Read more »Comcast is out with some new 5G offerings today. The new plans are simple and affordable with speeds up to 200 Mbps for fixed wireless home internet and unlimited 5G data for both the home and mobile plans. Meanwhile, NOW TV includes access to 40+ networks for live and on-demand content.
| Read more »Double good news for fans of the hit sci-fi series “For All Mankind” on Apple TV+. The alt-history space race drama is returning for a fifth season, and a new spinoff series dubbed “Star City” has been announced.
| Read more »Existential question time: how do you take a selfie with your iPhone? This subject just hit the 9to5Mac Slack. That’s because Tim Cook is currently on tour in the eastern hemisphere, and at least two tweets include someone taking what I’ll call a reverse selfie with the Apple CEO.
| Read more »The Notes app in iOS and iPadOS 18 could be in for a couple of big new features, according to a report by AppleInsider. iOS 18 is expected to be revealed at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, which holds its keynote on June 10.
Sources have told AppleInsider that Apple plans to introduce the ability to record, save, and play voice memos into Notes, and the recordings are embedded within the Notes entry. Users can make further notations, either written or with images, within the entry. This could be handy for, say, students attending a lecture, or...
| Read more »Wednesday has some fresh Apple deals to share, including one of the best prices ever on the latest 16-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro. Complete with 18GB of memory, you can save $249 alongside a chance to drop iPhone 14 down to $475. Plus, Belkin’s just-released 15W Qi2 MagSafe 2-in-1 charger falls to $50. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
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| Read more »Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram messaging app, has accused tech giants Google and Apple of threatening to censor content on smartphones [YouTube link]. In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Durov claimed that these companies told Telegram to comply with their guidelines or face removal from their app stores.
"Those two platforms, they could basically censor everything you can read, access on your smart phone," Durov said. With 900 million active users, Telegram is expected to cross the one billion mark within a year.
| Read more »This must-read from The Verge weaves background about the undersea fiber optic connections that make the modern Internet possible with the story of what one maintenance ship went through repairing cables in the aftermath of the 2011 undersea earthquake off the coast of Japan.
| Read more »Remember that TikTok Photos app rumor? More recently, the unreleased app has been going by the name TikTok Notes. Although the name is changed, the game is still the same: take a swing at Instagram.
| Read more »SIM swaps are one of the biggest security threats we face, allowing criminals to access most services protected by two-factor authentication. The situation could be about to get even worse, as we learn of an apparent large-scale attempt to bribe T-Mobile and Verizon workers to facilitate the swaps.
While new rules and security features are supposed to make these attacks harder to pull off, now would be an excellent time to ensure your accounts are protected by authenticator apps rather than text messages …
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| Read more »WhatsApp Introduces Chat Filters To Help Declutter Your Messages
WhatsApp is making it easier to find the chats you need with the introduction of Chat Filters. Scrolling through a massive list of conversations to find that one message can be a chore, especially for heavy WhatsApp users. More and more people rely on WhatsApp for daily communication, filling your chats with a mix of […]
This post WhatsApp Introduces Chat Filters To Help Declutter Your Messages appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »WhatsApp Is Working on a Feature To Pin Channels for iPhone
WhatsApp is working on a new pin channels feature for iOS, which might be available in a future update. Folks at WABetaInfo spotted this feature in WhatsApp beta version 24.8.10.75 for iOS. WhatsApp is testing a new feature to let users pin their preferred channels at the top of the list and might make it […]
This post WhatsApp Is Working on a Feature To Pin Channels for iPhone appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
LastPass remains a good password manager, but time seems to have passed it by when compared to some of its rivals.
Price When Reviewed
Free tier (one device); $3 per month, billed annually
Best Prices Today: LastPass
Retailer
Price
LastPass (annually)
$36
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| Read more »Tim Cook made a diplomatic comment about the possibility of Apple manufacturing in Indonesia, after the country’s president pressed him on the issue. The country is an important market for Apple, as the world’s 4th most populous country after China, India, and the US.
Indonesia is one of a growing number of countries to use the threat of import tariffs as a way to encourage foreign companies to invest in the local economy, and Apple has so far used an indirect method to escape these …
| Read more »Apple just published a new Press Release:
| Read more »Report: China Might Be the Culprit Behind Recent Apple Spyware Attacks
A new security blog surfaced online, suggesting LightSpy, a piece of spyware that seems to have Chinese connections, was responsible for the most recent attack on Apple iPhones. Apple warned users in 92 countries on April 11, 2024, about a “mercenary spyware attack” that it thought may have impacted them. With regard to the attack, […]
This post Report: China Might Be the Culprit Behind Recent Apple Spyware Attacks appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »WhatsApp chat filters are the latest feature to be added to the popular messaging app, a few weeks after allowing users to pin multiple chats. You can now separate out only chats with unread messages, as well as separate group chats from individual ones …
| Read more »iOS 18 Set To Bring Major Boosts to Apple Notes
The Apple Notes app is expected to bring a ton of new features with the release of iOS 18 and macOS 15. According to a report by Apple Insider, the upcoming update will introduce key improvements to the Notes app, making it more versatile and user-friendly. One notable addition is the integration of audio recording […]
This post iOS 18 Set To Bring Major Boosts to Apple Notes appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »We’ve today received an update on Apple’s 2030 environmental goals, one of which is for the company’s entire supply-chain to be carbon neutral by that date.
The company says more than 320 suppliers – representing 95% of the company’s “direct” manufacturing spend – have made the transition to clean energy …
| Read more »Phil Schiller has told a court in an antitrust case that he doesn’t know for sure whether the App Store is profitable, and never considered the return on investment when launching it.
He’s also explained the reason that there are very few written records of decisions made around the launch of the store is because Apple co-founder Steve Jobs felt that meeting notes were unnecessary – and the company still doesn’t record minutes for meetings between senior execs …
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| Read more »Canada is introducing a new digital services tax starting this year, which will see foreign tech giants like Apple and Google receive tax demands for income earned in Canada but not currently taxed there.
This follows the example of several European countries, including France, Italy, and the UK – and is designed to address tax avoidance …
| Read more »If you weren’t on X/Twitter over the weekend, you missed out on the latest iPhone outrage. As first spotted by British television presenter Rachel Riley, when the word “Jerusalem” was typed using the stock keyboard, one of the suggested emojis was the Palestinian flag, which Riley and others saw as a deliberate provocation.
In her post, Riley asked Apple to “explain whether this is an intentional act by your company, or whether you have no control over rogue programmers.” Both Israel and Palestine claim Jerusalem as their capital, though neither claim is officially recognized globally. She noted that dozens of other cities...
| Read more »Do Wireless CarPlay adapters actually work? My Honda Civic came with wired Apple CarPlay. I really wanted Wireless CarPlay in the Civic, but replacing its entertainment system seemed unwise. However, there’s a solution for turning , and it works with iOS 17.4 and iPhone 15.
| Read more »Apple No More Suggests Palestine Flag When You Type Jerusalem, Putting an End to Controversy
Apple added a search bar for emojis and suggested emojis as you type in iMessage with iOS 14 update in 2020, but today, that’s not the focus, though it’s somewhat connected. About a week ago, some people on Reddit said that Apple suggests the Palestine flag when you type “Jerusalem” in iMessage or search for […]
This post Apple No More Suggests Palestine Flag When You Type Jerusalem, Putting an End to Controversy appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Great tools, password management features, and a surprisingly generous family and friends package, makes Dashlane one of the very best password managers around.
Price When Reviewed
$4.99 per month, $59.99 a year
Best Prices Today: Dashlane
Retailer
Price
Dashlane (annually)
$59.99
...
| Read more »Last week, my family and I–like so many others in the U.S.–hopped in a car to try and catch sight of a total eclipse. And, like so many other parents, I planned to distract my kid for some part of this lengthy adventure with an iPad.
As my kid is still under two, there hasn’t been a lot of time spent with screens, aside from occasionally “playing” a game on our phones or watching some videos of trains. This marked the first time I planned to actually hand over a whole device–albeit still with the idea of just watching some downloaded videos–and I found as I set up the iPad what likely a legion of parents before me has also discovered: setting up an Apple device for a kid is kind of annoying.
... | Read more »iOS 18 is en route and is rumored to feature privacy-focused AI with processing done directly on the iPhone without connecting to cloud-based services. Per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in the Sunday edition of his PowerOn newsletter, the AI-related functions in iOS 18 “will work entirely on device.” In practice, these AI features would be able […]
| Read more »Apple @ Work is brought to you by Kolide by 1Password, the device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your apps. Close the Zero Trust access gap for Okta. Learn more or watch the demo.
The role of Microsoft Office on the Mac is critical. When Bill Gates appeared on video at WWDC many years ago to commit to new versions of Office for Mac, the Mac with a robust Office program was a critical part of Apple’s enterprise growth. While competing alongside it are Google Workspace and the Google Drive ecosystem, iWork is Apple’s free option with Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. These platforms are good but are simply part of a company’s larger product portfolio. What if there was an option from a company that simply wanted to make great productivity apps? That’s what I’ve...
| Read more »The rumor mill has it that all models of the next-gen iPhone will be getting an Action button. Whether or not this changes your life or makes you a billion times more productive, that’s a different thing altogether. Last September, Apple debuted its much-anticipated Action button with the iPhone 15 Pro models, offering faster access […]
| Read more »If you’re a Nintendo Switch gaming fan, you may want a smoother way to transition your Switch to TV mode, as well as an accessory that charges up your Switch without harming it. The solution? This portable Switch dock charger brick, which is now only $35.99 (reg. $39).
The nearly 2-inch, 36W dock is ultra-portable and can easily slip into a pocket for on-the-go play wherever you go. It’s outfitted with a 4K@60Hz HDMI output, making it simple to...
| Read more »At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
An easy to use and reliable password manager with strong security and useful features.
Price When Reviewed
$2.99 per month, $36 a year
Best Prices Today: 1Password
Retailer
Price
1Password (annually)
$36
...
| Read more »USB-C is the modern connection standard shared by most new devices today. It comes in several different formats but they all have the same reversible connector at the end. By the end of 2023, most of Apple’s devices will use USB-C for charging and data transfers.
Lightning was also reversible—where it doesn’t matter which side of the connector faces up or down as you plug it in—so no big change there, but USB-C is much more than just a symmetrical design.
It can transfer data faster—pushing Lightning’s 0.48Gbps to up to 40Gbps (USB4 and Thunderbolt use the same Type-C connector), and next year to 120Gbps.
Apple’s iPhone 15 has a USB-C port, replacing the old trusty but proprietary Lightning cable that has been a part of iPhones and older iPads since 2012. Apple...
| Read more »Can’t Download ICICI Bank App on iPhone? What to Know
To install the ICICI bank app, you’ll need an iPhone running iOS 17 or later, as it’s only compatible with newer models. This limitation leaves few options for users with older iPhones. Here’s what you can do. How To Download ICICI Bank App on iPhone Unfortunately, the ICICI bank app requires an iPhone running iOS […]
This post Can’t Download ICICI Bank App on iPhone? What to Know appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Editorial mistakes & covering rumors at The Mac Observer
We acknowledge and would like to offer our public apologies for the editorial mistake that happened yesterday, April 16th, in MacObserver’s newsroom. The views of one of our contributing writers, known as leaksapplepro (https://twitter.com/LeaksApplePro), were made public on our website without proper verifications from our news editor. The article in question (now retracted) was […]
This post Editorial mistakes & covering rumors at The Mac Observer appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »How To Stop ‘Other Devices’ High Data Usage on Personal Hotspot
Recent iOS update bugs and software glitches can spike your Other Devices data usage in Personal Hotspot. You might even notice unexpected charges on your monthly phone bills. To help you manage your data better, here are the troubleshooting steps for removing unknown background data users. What Does ‘Other Devices’ Mean on iPhone Personal Hotspot? […]
This post How To Stop ‘Other Devices’ High Data Usage on Personal Hotspot appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »How to Make the Constant Menu Bar Dot in macOS Sonoma Disappear
The colored dots on the macOS Sonoma menu bar are helpful when checking which functions apps use, but they shouldn’t stay visible 24/7. Seeing these indicators unnecessarily pop up can feel alarming. You might worry that your camera is still running. Thankfully, there are several easy fixes—let’s look at the best ones. What Do the […]
This post How to Make the Constant Menu Bar Dot in macOS Sonoma Disappear appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Ready to travel on your own but not comfortable with your grasp of your destination’s local language? You can make language barriers disappear with a pair of translation earbuds.
With the ability to translate 37 different languages to eliminate language gaps, the Mymanu CLIK S could become your new travel best friend. Through April 21, they’re on sale for only $89.97 (reg. $157)
These translation earbuds earned the 2019 CES Innovation Award and a Red Dot Award for their ruggedness and...
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