iPhones are powerful pocket computers with advanced chips, price tags largely exceeding $1,000, and they’re at the center of much of our lives. They also, since Apple debuted Continuity Camera in macOS Ventura, serve as pretty great alternatives to a dedicated webcam.

Unfortunately, as one writer discovered, the dream of keeping an iPhone charged while it serves as your webcam is just that: a dream only. Likely due to heat management features, iPhones tend not to charge when using Continuity Camera—and especially not if you’re using MagSafe.

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Logitech this week announced new products designed specifically for Mac users. The company is reintroducing some of its most popular accessories, including MX Keys S and Ergo Wave Keys, with exclusive layout and features for macOS and iOS.

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We’re not far from the first official look at iOS 18 at WWDC 2024 on June 10. Whether you’d like to test out the new OS as soon as the dev beta is available or you’ll wait for the public beta or public launch, follow along for when to expect the iOS 18 release date.

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Apple Vision Pro May Debut Internationally in July

The upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2024), where Apple will showcase iOS 18 and other operating systems with power-packed AI features, will mark one year since Apple first unveiled the Vision Pro. It’s been available in the U.S. for quite some time, but the demand for top-dollar mixed-reality headsets has slowed down over the period, […]

This post Apple Vision Pro May Debut Internationally in July appeared first on The Mac Observer

All of the hype around WWDC this year has centered around two letters: AI.

Even though a large portion of Apple’s keynote is expected to highlight AI-related features, there will certainly be a variety of other improvements on deck for iOS 18, visionOS 2, and Apple’s other software platforms.

Mark Gurman reports that one such change will be a redesigned Settings app across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

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Days out from WWDC and the AI rumor mill is active as ever.

Yesterday Mark Gurman reported that many of iOS 18’s AI features will require using an iPhone 15 Pro or later. It’s rare for many major software features to be exclusive to the latest iPhone, especially the latest Pro phone. But that’s exactly what iOS 18 seems set to deliver.

Which got me thinking: Apple’s marketing pitch for this fall’s iPhone 16 may center primarily on software, not hardware.

AI features in iOS 18 may be the biggest selling point for the iPhone 16.

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When Apple TV+ launched in 2019, it arrived with a laughably small selection of content. But this was for a very specific reason: Apple sought to distinguish TV+ from its competitors by focusing on creating the best original content possible.

Five years in, TV+ has a fairly solid track record for content quality, even if it’s dropped off a little recently. And today, Apple announced that its best reviewed series ever on TV+ is getting a new season soon: Pachinko season 2 debuts on August 23.

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We’re a little over a week away from the WWDC keynote, in which Apple is expected to announce a slew of new AI features as part of iOS 18.

This is expected to be the point at which Siri gets generative AI smarts, thanks to a deal with OpenAI to incorporate ChatGPT tech …

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Apple Finds a Way to Secure Its AI Cloud Data Ahead of Big Announcements

As we’re nearing WWDC 24, news about Apple’s AI plans is emerging daily. The deal with OpenAI is (reportedly) finalized, and rumors about new AI-powered features, such as text summarization and Siri improvements, are already circulating. While focusing on the end product is exciting, it’s also important to consider what’s happening behind the scenes. Fortunately, […]

This post Apple Finds a Way to Secure Its AI Cloud Data Ahead of Big Announcements appeared first on The Mac Observer

Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhone technology launched in Italy on Thursday, allowing sellers to use the iPhone as a contactless payment terminal. As with other international launches, the feature allows retailers to use the NFC chip inside more recent iPhones to accept debit and credit card payments alongside Apple Pay and other digital payment […]

Source

Macworld

When using macOS, you certainly know if you’ve opened a Pages file or are editing an email. But, below the surface are files that macOS uses that you don’t see–all the activity required for background processes, Time Machine backups, Spotlight indexing, and other system needs. When you want to eject a mounted volume, like a volume on an external SSD or hard drive, you can run afoul of macOS’s hidden needs.

You can try to eject a volume normally in these ways:

• Select it in the Finder and press Command-E.
• Select it in the Finder and choose File > Eject.
• Control-click/right-click the volume in the Finder and choose Eject “volume name.”

(If you don’t see the volume in the Finder, either choose Go > Computer or press Command-Shift-C, or choose Finder > Settings > General and check all the items under “Show these items on the desktop.”)

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In a little over a week’s time, Apple will unveil iOS 18 and its other new operating system versions, with a heavy focus on bringing AI features to its customers at a system level.

Apple is expected to use a combination of on-device and cloud for AI processing. But customers might need the latest and greatest to be able to use these new features. Mark Gurman writes that many of the upcoming on-device artificial intelligence will require the latest high-end, the .

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Although Apple already provides its own Home app to let users control and manage their HomeKit devices, there are multiple third-party apps that extend such functionality – and one of them is Controller for HomeKit. This week, Controller for HomeKit got a major update that adds a new “Floor Plan” feature for mapping your home in 3D.

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Benjamin and Zac discuss the curious rumors about a 20-inch foldable MacBook, and the latest Vision Pro content developments. iOS 18 may let users change the icons of the apps on their home screen, but how exactly? We also have more insight into Apple’s AI plans and its approach to handling user data privacy while remaining feature competitive.

And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Zac talk more about the genuine utility of ChatGPT in daily life.

• Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour.
• Sponsored by LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs helps you...

If you’re looking to take your desk setup to the next level, this is the guide for you. Head below for some of my favorite products that can improve your working setup, ranging from accessories to decorations and more. All the things on this list are things I’ve personally used and can vouch for.

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Enlarge / OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. (credit: JASON REDMOND / Contributor | AFP)

Apple and OpenAI have successfully made a deal to include OpenAI's generative AI technology in Apple's software, according to The Information, which cites a source who has spoken to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman about the deal.

It was previously reported by Bloomberg that the deal was in the works. The news appeared in a longer article about Altman and his growing influence within the company.

"Now, [Altman]...

Microsoft seems to be concerned about some of OpenAI's business dealings. From a report: Satya Nadella recently met with Sam Altman to discuss an apparent deal between OpenAI and Apple, The Information reported [hard-paywalled]. According to the outlet, the OpenAI CEO recently reached an agreement with the iPhone maker to incorporate some OpenAI services into Apple products. Nadella was reportedly concerned about the potential impact of a deal on Microsoft's product ambitions, per the report. Apple was said to be considering both Google and OpenAI for the deal, which could be worth billions.

If OpenAI has indeed reached an agreement with Apple, it would be a much-needed win for Altman. The tech boss has faced heightened scrutiny after former employees and board members publicly criticized him. Helen Toner, a former OpenAI director, recently accused Altman of lying to the board "multiple" times and "withholding information."

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Two weeks after launching a test for a new, TweetDeck-style interface for Threads on the web, today the new Threads for desktop has received the green light to begin a global rollout.

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Behind the Scenes of iOS Updates: Why Your Battery Suffers Every Time

Curious why you might be experiencing battery drain after an iOS update? Scouring the internet, it doesn’t take long to find folks claiming to experience issues with their battery after updating their iPhone. It’s possible that something disastrous happened while you were downloading the latest iOS release, but that’s a pretty hasty conclusion. I’m going […]

This post Behind the Scenes of iOS Updates: Why Your Battery Suffers Every Time appeared first on The Mac Observer

Incident began at 2024-05-30 14:23 and ended at 2024-05-30 17:11 (times are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)).

We're investigating reports of an issue with Google Drive. We will provide more information shortly.

Customer might see 5XX errors while using Google Drive.

Affected products: Google Drive

[Fix] Lock Screen Stuck on Photos: Can’t Switch to Calendar/Clock iOS 17

I’m eternally grateful for the number of screen customizations that Apple has introduced since 2022, like it’s great to edit fonts and add Lock Screen widgets. One annoying issue, however, is when your Lock Screen gets stuck on photos, and you can’t switch to your calendar or clock. This is particularly irritating if you have […]

This post [Fix] Lock Screen Stuck on Photos: Can’t Switch to Calendar/Clock iOS 17 appeared first on The Mac Observer

How To Fix iPhone Screen/Display Flickering on iOS 17: 7 Tips

A few days ago, I reached for my iPhone to check my messages, only to be met with a screen flickering like a strobe light. It was jarring, to say the least. Although I could still use my phone, it was clear something wasn’t right. Screen flickering on iOS 17 can stem from several issues, […]

This post How To Fix iPhone Screen/Display Flickering on iOS 17: 7 Tips appeared first on The Mac Observer

Apple’s WWDC keynote is fast approaching, where the company will unveil all its AI features for iOS 18, macOS 15, and more.

I’ve written previously about how Apple has the potential to make AI mass-market with iOS 18 in a way few other companies can. I expect Apple’s presentation to largely focus on AI features that are simple to use and serve existing needs in a more convenient way. There probably won’t be many jaw-dropping moments during the keynote, but rather a lot of nice-to-haves.

However, after seeing what a new third-party autobiography app is doing with AI, I’m convinced Apple could have a blow away moment if it showed off an AI-supercharged Journal app.

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Apple Reveals Rigorous iPhone Durability Testing Process

Apple has offered a rare glimpse into the extensive durability testing its iPhones undergo before they hit the market. Tech reviewer Marques Brownlee, aka MKBHD, shared details on X, revealing the various stages of water resistance testing and the use of specialized robots for drop tests. According to Brownlee, Apple has a dedicated room with […]

This post Apple Reveals Rigorous iPhone Durability Testing Process appeared first on The Mac Observer

SmartGym for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac is out with a major update today. The new release brings a top-requested feature – tracking multiple equipment lists as well as the ability to personalize weights, give alternative exercise suggestions, a new Summary Screen for Apple Watch, and more.

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Apple Notes to Soon Receive AI-Powered Summaries, Audio Transcriptions, More

Apple is readying up to include a wave of updates to its native Notes app with the release of upcoming iOS 18 and macOS 15. Cupertino is, notably, prepping up all AI-powered features under the internally dubbed Project “Greymatter” umbrella. According to good folks at AppleInsider, the revamped Notes app will likely include in-app audio […]

This post Apple Notes to Soon Receive AI-Powered Summaries, Audio Transcriptions, More appeared first on The Mac Observer

Macworld

At a glance
Pros

• Large battery capacity
• 140W (PD 3.1) charging power
• Compact size
• Dedicated app

Our Verdict

There are smaller high-capacity laptop power banks available, but the Anker Prime 27650mAh is a respectable mixture of power and portability—and is particularly well suited to the 16-inch MacBook Pro that can take advantage of its 140W charging and larger battery capacity.

Price When Reviewed

$179.99

Best Prices Today: Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W)

Retailer

Price

$179.99

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Macworld

The monitor might be the most important part of your Mac’s setup–after all, you can’t use any desktop computer without one and even the 16-inch MacBook screen can be extended to an external display twice that size. Because you’ll spend a lot of time looking at it, you’ll want to invest wisely. Not only will you want a monitor that provides a pleasing experience, but the quality of the images on the screen can also affect your work.

However, picking a new monitor can be daunting. Not only are there many manufacturers to choose from, but there are also lots of sizes, resolutions, and features to consider–and when we say lots, we mean lots. We’re here to help guide you while you shop, and we have some tips on what to look for in a monitor.

Apple sells displays for its Macs, and...

Apple has enjoyed a rare App Store antitrust win, as a Chinese court dismissed a lawsuit accusing it of charging excessive commissions.

The iPhone maker is facing an onslaught of antitrust legislation and lawsuits around the world, most notably surrounding the App Store …

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Macworld

Apple has placed a job ad for a senior Android engineer, in a signal that its walled garden strategy may soon have to change. The new recruit will work on an Apple TV app for Google’s mobile platform.

The ad, which inexplicably calls the platform “android” with a lower-case A in three out of five instances, says the Apple TV app team “is looking for a proactive, hardworking and experienced senior android [sic] engineer to lead the development of fun new features, and to help build an application used by millions to watch and discover tv [sic] and sports.”

There has technically been an Android TV+ app before now–the Chromecast version of the service runs on Android...

Copilot in Microsoft Word for Mac Will Greet You With AI Summary When You Open a Document

According to Microsoft's roadmap, Copilot in Word for Mac will soon provide an AI summary when you open a new document.

This post Copilot in Microsoft Word for Mac Will Greet You With AI Summary When You Open a Document appeared first on The Mac Observer

Meta is offering teenagers a strengthened version of its Instagram Limits tool. When set to its highest level, only Close Friends will be able to comment, reply, tag, mention, or message them.

It’s the latest development in the company’s protections for teens, after anti-grooming blocks and nudity blurring introduced earlier in the year …

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Macworld

At a glance
Pros

• Manager software
• Good price-performance ratio
• Many connections
• Wide range of setting options

Cons

• Plasticky design
• Ports difficult to access

Our Verdict

If you are looking for a screen for your MacBook or Mac mini, the overall package of the Dell U2723QE is well put together. This monitor is well-equipped, has an excellent picture, and is very bright. Its highlight is the built-in hub that not only brings a total of six USB ports but also an ethernet port. Thanks to the 90-watt charging power, the screen becomes a docking station–and it’s at a nice price.

Price When Reviewed

$549.99

Best Prices Today: Dell UltraSharp U2723QE

Retailer

Price

$549.97

If you love controlling home accessories via your iPhone, you’re going to like Apple’s upcoming iOS 17.6 update. After examining a recent public code repository, the discovery of implementation source code for Matter, an Apple-backed smart home standard has been found. Matter is also open source, hence its public-facing code repository. The changes reference new […]

Source

Apple may have found a way to process AI data while retaining a measure of user privacy. While the company will use WWDC to unveil its AI strategy within its operating systems, The Information has cited a method that Apple intends to employ confidential computing techniques, which will enable “black box processing”. Typically, cloud services […]

Source

Macworld

You may use the Notes app as a catchall for all kinds of scraps of thoughts, lists, long entries, shared financial details with family members, and much more. Apple lets you sync note entries across all your iCloud-linked devices to give you the broadest access to them. However, having access in more places can also make it easier to delete a note accidentally or not consider that it will be deleted everywhere. Or, you may have removed an entry and want to recover it.

Here’s how to find recently deleted notes, and make a last-ditch effort using Time Machine for older lost ones.

How to recover a deleted note

As in most of Apple’s library-based apps, Notes offers a Recently Deleted folder that acts as a “you may change your mind” holding area for about 30 days. When you delete an item, it winds up in this folder. You may not use folders in Notes routinely. Here’s how to find them:

• In macOS, click...

Apple Seeks Android Engineers to Finally Bring Apple TV+ on Androids

Apple is reportedly developing a TV and sports app for Android, which means that the company is finally bringing, or at least planning, its TV+ service to Google’s platform. The job listing, linked below, mentions developing “fun new features” and an “application used by millions to watch and discover TV and sports.” This makes it […]

This post Apple Seeks Android Engineers to Finally Bring Apple TV+ on Androids appeared first on The Mac Observer

We’ve been hearing a lot of rumors about Apple negotiating with OpenAI to use its GPT technology in iOS 18. Now a report from The Information has revealed that discussions have been going on since mid-2023, and Microsoft is worried about this deal between the two companies since it also relies on OpenAI.

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Apple is finally bringing the Apple TV app to Android phones and tablets, as reported by Bloomberg. The company is in the process of hiring engineers to help lead the effort and build out the software. Previously, the company has made an app for the Android smart TV platform, but not Android itself.

Until now, the go-to answer for what should Android phone users do if they want to watch Apple TV+ shows, or enjoy MLS Season Pass, was to use the web experience at tv.apple.com. But obviously, a native app is much more compelling and could support features like offline downloads.

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Apple is out with its latest ad for the and Apple Pencil Pro. The new spot features three different animators’ takes on the same green screen footage in a side-by-side video. Check it out below.

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Badges app icons in macOS Spotlight search results for easier identification. ($99.99 Standard Edition, free update for version 19 licenses, macOS 10.14.6+)

Bug fix update for the word processor. ($69.99 new, free update, 93.8 MB, macOS 10.13+)

Apple News Gains 60% Users in Last 4 Years, 3-4 Times Compared to Major Publishers Like NYT

Apple News is emerging as an important channel for news platforms struggling to monetize their work, according to a new report. The service, available on iPhones and other Apple devices, offers subscriptions for $12.99 per month or as part of a bundled Apple One package. The report shows a big rise in Apple News adoption […]

This post Apple News Gains 60% Users in Last 4 Years, 3-4 Times Compared to Major Publishers Like NYT appeared first on The Mac Observer

Your mid-week lineup of the best deals on Apple gear joins ongoing offers on the new M2 iPad Air and the M4 iPad Pro. First up, Apple’s 16-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro now up to $350 off in various configurations. Next, we have AirPods Pro 2 with the USB-C MagSafe case at one of the best prices of the year with a Geek Squad certification joining up to 44% off Apple’s iPhone 15 Silicone cases and a big-time deal on Level’s Apple Home Key Smart Lock+. Everything is waiting...

After a report on what Apple users do with their old iPads, analytics firm CIRP has released a study about how Apple News+ subscriptions in the US are growing compared to major publishers like the NYT, WSJ, and WP. Here’s what CIRP found.

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Apple Begins iPhone 16 Display Production, Pro Max Delayed

With the new line of iPhones just a few months away, Apple is already putting the necessary pieces together. The Cupertino giant has reportedly approved the mass production of displays for most of the upcoming iPhone 16 variants. According to the South Korean publication The Elec, Apple has given its three main suppliers – Samsung, […]

This post Apple Begins iPhone 16 Display Production, Pro Max Delayed appeared first on The Mac Observer

At WWDC, Apple will unveil its AI strategy as part of iOS 18 and its other operating system announcements. As previously reported by Bloomberg and others, the company plans to exploit a combination of on-device and server processing.

However, processing of user data on Apple’s server infrastructures raises privacy concerns, especially when Apple has been touting on-device approach for so many years. Today, The Information explains Apple has what it thinks is a solution to provide rich AI processing abilities in its cloud while maintaining strict privacy standards.

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