An anonymous reader shares a New Yorker story: Ultimately, the iPhone 16 does little to meaningfully improve on the experience I had with the 12, besides, perhaps, charging with a USB-C, as my laptop does, cutting down on the number of cords I have to keep track of. Instead, the greatest leaps in Apple's hardware are largely directed at those niche users who are already invested in using tools such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality. The company has announced that, within a month or so, the new phones will be able to operate its proprietary artificial-intelligence system, which means that users may soon be relying on A.I. to perform daily personal tasks, like navigating their calendars or responding to e-mails. The 15 and 16 Pros can take three-dimensional photos, designed for V.R., using the Apple Vision Pro. Thus far, I don't use A.I. tools or V.R. with any frequency and have no intention of doing so on my iPhone.

The fact that I do not need an iPhone 16 is a...

The Camera Control button, or what we presumed was going to be called the Capture Button, is a new physical control on the side of the entire iPhone 16 lineup. Here's everything you need to know, and how to get the most out of it.


Use the Camera Control button to improve your photos
Apple's Camera Control buttin is both physical and touch sensitive. With a firm press it will click like a real button, but a light-press gives you Taptic feedback like with Apple's Mac trackpads.

Subscribe to AppleInsider on YouTube{"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"VideoObject","name":"iPhone 16 Camera Control Button: Everything You NEED To Know!","description":"Have a new iPhone 16? Here's how you can get the most out of...

If Apple has its way, the very newest accessory for an iPad could be broadcast television as received through an Apple Pencil for some reason.


Yes, that is an Apple Pencil acting as a TV aerial for an iPad. Obviously.
If you really wanted to, you could argue that Apple has a history of working with broadcast television, since it even had a Macintosh TV in 1993. Not the most successful Mac design ever made, it was painted black, came with a built-in TV tuner, and is said to have sold only around 10,000.

It also didn't include everything you needed to get the about-320x200 broadcast television of the day. You still had to plug a TV aerial or a cable connection into the back of the card before it could show you anything.


...

The EU's AI Pact has a lot of big-name tech companies pledging to develop AI in a safe way, but Apple and Meta are the two outliers who aren't getting involved.


An iPhone running Apple Intelligence, in front of the EU flag
The European Commission announced on Wednesday that it had secured over a hundred signatures from companies signing up to the EU Artificial Intelligence Pact. Made up of voluntary pledges, the pact asks companies to work to ensure that AI is safe and produced in a responsible way.

The list of companies taking part in the pact includes quite a few major names, including Adobe, Google, IBM, HP, Qualcomm, Microsoft, and Open Ai, the creator of ChatGPT. However, that list doesn't include two major names in AI: Apple and Meta.


...

A letter has been sent from Congress to the Department of Defense claiming China's subsidizing of display producers is a security risk to the US, with an endgame that could result in forcing Apple to change its supply sources.


BOE has been linked to the iPhone SE 4, which could look like the iPhone 14
Apple's global supply chain relies on multiple companies to provide displays for its iPhones, iPads, and Macs. However, while Chinese producer BOE has had a troubled existence within the supply chain, its status may become a little tougher to maintain.

John Moolenaar (R-MI), chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party,...

Longstanding Apple site iMore will no longer be publishing new content, but at least its 15 years of archives will remain online for posterity.

Read original article

Disney is coming down hard on users that share accounts across households, with the company forcing users that are doing so to add a paid sharing add-on to their account.


Disney+'s password crackdown
Streaming services often miss out on subscription revenue because of the common practice of password sharing. Families often use the same account credentials between houses, which saves them money.

However, Disney has decided to try and recoup the missed-out subscriptions for Disney+, by clamping down on the practice.


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Apple's efforts with bringing technology to young people in education has been honored with a Michigan 4-H Citation Award.


Michigan State University
Apple has been working in 4-H — "Head, Heart, Hands, and Health" — with its Community Education Initiative since 2019. More recently, Apple has established a Detroit Developer Academy, and worked with the University of Michigan on hearing studies that have led to the new functionality in the AirPods Pro 2.

Now Michigan State University (MSU...

Apple has officially added nine Mac models from 2015 and 2016 to its obsolete list, signaling the end of service and repair support for these devices. Notably, the first MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar, released in 2016, is among the models now considered obsolete. This move marks the latest update in Apple’s ongoing efforts […]

Apple took down the 18.1 beta software for the HomePod after many users experienced device “bricking.” This issue caused their HomePod units to stop working entirely. Reports first appeared on AppleInsider forums, where affected users detailed their experiences. Users Share Complaints About the Beta One user, Jeromec, said two of their HomePod mini units became […]

The Action Button on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 provides one-click access to features, but strangely it can only perform one action. With a quick workaround in the Shortcuts apps, it's possible to use the Action Button to trigger up to eight applications or automations.


The iPhone Action Button is more powerful than you may think.
The Action button has several default functions, including toggling silent mode, launching an app, setting focus, and more.

The Action Button can only be assigned to perform a specific task, which is unusual when Apple uses double and triple clicks on the AirPods to perform different functions.


...

Former Masimo CEO Joe Kiani may have won the war against Apple, but he has resigned after losing a fight with a hedge fund.


Apple Watch Series 9 and newer are sold with a deactivated blood oxygen sensor
After spending over $100 million and betting the company he founded on principle alone, Joe Kiani is out at Masimo. However, the reason he has resigned as CEO has nothing to do with Apple or a patent dispute.

Reuters has the story, stating that Kiani stepped down after being removed from Masimo's board by shareholders. The move came after a proxy battle with hedge fund Politan Capital Management.


...

A union representing Apple Store employees in Oklahoma City are celebrating after achieving its first collectively-bargained contract with Apple, the second in the U.S. to do so.


Apple Store workers picketing in August [Central OK Labor Federation (@OKCOLF on X)]
The Apple Retail Union-CWA Local 6016 has been working on a new collectively-bargained contract with Apple for some time. The agreement, which will last for three years, will grant workers with various terms to improve their employment situation.

With the members voting to ratify the contract on September 24, the union covering the Penn Square Mall Apple Store is only the second to secure such an agreement. The first was the Towson Town Square store in Maryland...

A swing-and-a-miss from MKBHD. Criticism of the app is on two separate levels, but they’re being conflated. Level 1: the app is not good. Level 2: a paid wallpaper app? — LOL, wallpapers are free on Reddit. That second form of criticism — that there shouldn’t even exist a paid wallpaper app — is annoying and depressing, and speaks to how many people do not view original art as worth paying for. But it also speaks to the breadth of Brownlee’s audience, which I think is more tech-focused than design-focused. Scott Smith, on Mastodon, observed:

It’s really interesting to compare the reaction from the indie iOS
community of @Iconfactory’s Wallaroo to the mainstream tech
...

Microsoft is trying to simplify its Xbox gaming apps for iOS, by merging its Xbox Game Pass into the Xbox app.


Xbox app for iPhone
At the moment, Xbox players have access to two separate apps. Soon, there will only be one to use, in Microsoft's bid to simplify its offerings.

The Xbox Games Pass provides subscription-based access to a variety of games that can be downloaded to an Xbox. The Xbox app is one that gives more access to the console, including streaming games, as well as social elements.


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Amazon has launched record-breaking price cuts on the Apple Watch Series 10 today. And for those interested in the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2, steeper discounts are in effect on 2024 models with a black titanium case.


Save on Apple Watch Series 10 & Apple Watch Ultra 2.
The Apple Watch Series 10 lineup sees its first significant markdown on the aluminum case this Wednesday, with Amazon now offering the 42mm GPS version in Rose Gold Aluminum for $369, down from its usual $399.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider

As 2024 winds down, now is the season for cozying up in front of the TV with the classics — here's how and when you can watch all your favorite "Peanuts" holiday specials this year for free.


For many of us, Charlie Brown and the "Peanuts" gang mark some of our very first movie memories. That's why Apple is ensuring everyone can revisit those warm and fuzzy childhood feelings, regardless of whether or not they have an active Apple TV+ subscription.

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" follows the "Peanuts" crew on their Halloween adventures, from trick-or-treating to waiting for the mythical Great Pumpkin. It will be available on Apple TV+ to stream for free on Saturday, October 19, and Sunday, October 20.

The Peanuts kids celebrate friends and family alike in "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," which is available to watch for free on Saturday,...

Torras has an innovative duo of iPhone 16 cases with an embedded ring stand that's MagSafe compatible while staying sleek and flat when closed.


Torras Ostand 360 Spin Case for iPhone 16 Pro Max
New iPhones mean new cases, and Torras is out of the gate with updates to its handy Ostand 360 Spin Case lineup. The iPhone 15 series version of Ostand 360 Spin proved to be a durable and versatile option, and now there are two models.

The Torras 360 Spin Case for the iPhone 16 lineup brings back the signature kickstand with rounder curves and two-tone layered designs. Customers can choose between the classic transparent cases and the new flagship Ostand Spin cases for the entire iPhone 16 lineup.


...

Originally marketed as a high-yield account, Apple Card Savings has once more had its interest rate reduced.


Apple Card Savings has cut its interest rate again
Following its first cut from 4.5% to 4.4% in April 2024, the annual percentage yield (APY) for Apple Card Savings is now to be 4.25%. That's still higher than the savings account's original 4.15% in 2023, however.

When the account first launched, that rate was not the best but was considered high yield. Subsequently, though, many other banks have increased their APY.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider |...

The latest beta test version of HomePod 18.1 has been withdrawn by Apple after multiple reports have surfaced of the devices crashing after install.


Apple's HomePod mini
Hours after releasing its latest round of developer betas, Apple has reportedly pulled what it calls HomePod Software Version 18.1. As reported in the AppleInsider forums, the update was causing some devices to fail.

"Two HomePod minis bricked after trying to install software 18.1 beta 5," wrote user Jeromec on the AppleInsider forums. "Cannot restore them — the light goes white, then red, then vanishes instead of continuing with 3 audio beeps — they don't even show up as USB devices in System Info on my Mac."
...

Brings support for macOS 15 Sequoia and a variety of improvements to the keyboard-driven launcher. (£34 new, free update, 5.5 MB, macOS 10.14+)

Brings a variety of improvements and bug fixes to the Fantastical calendar app. ($56.99 annual subscription new, free update, 67.2/29.9 MB, macOS 12+)

After spending a weekend with the iPhone 16 Pro, Adam Engst feels even more confident in his earlier recommendation of the iPhone 16 for most people. The iPhone 16 Pro’s increased size and weight, along with the lack of noticeably better macro photos, make the standard model a better choice for most.

Despite online criticism that continued through multiple betas of macOS 15 Sequoia, Apple has maintained the monthly permissions prompts for screen recording permissions. Adam Engst explains why these prompts reduce security and are examples of poor interface design before suggesting a way of eliminating them for a period of time.

Meta and Apple have increasingly been rivals, and Mark Zuckerberg only expects their competition to intensify in the coming years. From a report: "I think in a lot of ways we're like the opposite of Apple," Zuckerberg said. "Clearly, their stuff has worked really well too. They take this approach that's like, 'We're going to take a long time, we're going to polish it, we're going to put it out,' and maybe for the stuff that they're doing that works, maybe that just fits with their culture."

Zuckerberg went on to say Meta approaches product releases differently, saying, "there are a lot of conversations that we have internally where you're almost at the line of being embarrassed at what you put out." "You want to really have a culture that values shipping and getting things out and getting feedback more than needing always to get great positive accolades from people when you put stuff out," he continued.

He also took the opportunity to critique Apple's approach. "If...

Apple's VP of camera software engineering Jon McCormack has affirmed the company's commitment to traditional photography in an interview, contrasting with Google's "memories" approach for Pixel cameras. (A Google executive said last month of the AI usage in the pictures Pixel smartphone owners take: "What some of these edits do is help you create the moment that is the way you remember it, that's authentic to your memory and to the greater context, but maybe isn't authentic to a particular millisecond.") The Verge: I asked Apple's VP of camera software engineering Jon McCormack about Google's view that the Pixel camera now captures "memories" instead of photos, and he told me that Apple has a strong point of view about what a photograph is -- that it's something that actually happened. It was a long and thoughtful answer, so I'm just going to print the whole thing:

"Here's our view of what a photograph is. The way we like to think of it is that it's a personal celebration...

Adds support for macOS 15 Sequoia, improves customization of the menu bar, and enhances Internet Access Policy support. ($59 new, free update, 27.4 MB, macOS 14+)

Mac and iPad users are the most satisfied among computer users, according to a survey, with it pulling ahead of Samsung to be the sole company at the top of the list.


MacBook Pro
Apple frequently tops the list of satisfaction surveys, with its hardware and software often revered among hardware producers. After reaching a tie with Samsung for the 2023 results, the 2024 edition of the American Customer Satisfaction Index's Household Appliance and Electronics Study puts Apple firmly on top.

The 2024 ACSI results table upgraded Apple's score from 83 in 2023 to 85 in 2024. By contrast, Samsung moved from its 2023...

Thanks to iOS 18, AirPods Pro are getting even better. We go hands-on with all of the new features for Apple's high-end earbuds.


AirPods Pro 2 get better with iOS 18
AirPods Pro 2 were released in 2022 yet Apple is still adding major new features. It's impressive to see how much Apple can change just via firmware updates, in part thanks to its custom H2 chip on the inside.

The first major feature is also found in the new AirPods 4 — gestures. You can now respond to Siri hands-free and voice-free just by moving your head.


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The Apple Watch will have a new feature in the form of Sleep Apnea Detection and will debut in more than 150 countries. Apple recently released watchOS 11 after beta testing, with Sleep Apnea Detection included in the list of new things. It’s available on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 9, and […]

The post Sleep Apnea Detection debuts in 150+ regions appeared first on iLounge.

Apple customers in the US can avail of the buy-now, pay-later scheme via a partnership with Affirm. Apple Pay Later was discontinued in June, and a new replacement service has been introduced. Qualifying customers can apply for an Affirm loan in a buy-now-pay-later scheme starting with iPadOS 18 and iOS 18. Affirm officially announced the […]

The post iOS 18 introduces Affirm loans after Apple Pay later exit appeared first on iLounge.

Macworld

The new Apple Watch Series 10 has been on sale but doesn’t start shipping to customers until this Friday, September 20. But on Tuesday, the embargo for early reviews was lifted and posted to the web. The initial impression from these reviews is that the Series 10 is yet another solid offering from Apple.

Victoria Song at The Verge usually wears an Apple Watch Ultra 2 because of its large display but found that with the Series 10, she doesn’t miss the Ultra 2. “The bottom line is the Series 10 is a sleeker, more wearable Ultra,” according to Song. Song also appreciates the thinner profile: “It fits easily under jacket cuffs, doesn’t catch on the straps at my Pilates class, and doesn’t slide up and down my arm when I run.” Song points out that the new Sleep Apnea detection feature requires a longer time period to test, but she...

One of the biggest changes in iOS 18 is the all-new Photos app, which has been redesigned from the ground up. Apple says the new Photos design is meant to make it easier than ever to “find and relive special moments.”

One of my favorite parts of the new Photos app in iOS 18, however, is that it’s completely customizable.

more…

"Fortnite" and other Epic-published games have returned to the iPad — though technically only for those in the European Union.


Fortnite returns to iPadOS
This is largely because an update to iPadOS 18 now allows users to download apps from third-party app stores on the iPad. Of course, this is restricted exclusively to the EU as part of Apple's push to comply with regulators.

The Epic Game Store for iOS was previously green lit by Apple in early July but only after the publisher complained that Apple...

Apple may have abandoned its Apple Car project, but the tech continues to be granted patents related to vehicles. The latest is for “Modular Charging Systems For Vehicles.”

The post Apple granted patent for ‘Modular Charging Systems for Vehicles’ appeared first on Apple World Today.

Reviewers are saying the Apple Watch Series 10 is thinner and better than ever, but Apple could've pushed harder to rejuvenate the popular smartwatch line.


Apple Watch Series 10
The initial reviews of Apple's latest wearable device have started to surface. The initial wave appears to agree that the redesign is a success, thanks to its thinner body and bigger screen.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is available to preorder now, starting from $399 for the aluminum 42mm model, $429 for the 46mm. The titanium version, replacing the stainless steel variant, starts from $699.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our...

Macworld

At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros

• Full HD (1920×1080 at 60Hz) IPS display
• Lightweight  
• Integrated folding travel cover and stand
• 85W pass-through charging
• 2x downstream 10Gbps USB-C ports

Cons

• Not 4K if you need it

Our Verdict

This 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display doubles most laptops’ screen space and is simple to setup and connect, and then disconnect and lightweight enough to carry away when you’re done.

Price When Reviewed

$199.95

Best Prices Today: Plugable 15.6-inch USB-C Portable Display

Retailer

Price

$179.95

...

Macworld

Whether you’re looking to gift an Apple product or just pick one up for yourself, we’ve scoured the web for the best prices on everything from Macs to MacBooks, iPads to iPhones, Apple Watches to Apple TVs, and more.

If you are wondering if Apple has sales, prepare to be disappointed. Apple rarely discounts its own products–even during its annual Black Friday shopping event, it traditionally elects to give out gift cards rather than actual price reductions. It also offers year-round discounts to students, including a Back To School event where students can get up to $150 in gift cards when purchasing certain Apple products. There’s also the...

Plugable, a company that specializes advanced connectivity has launched its first portable monitor, the Plugable 15.6” USB-C Portable Display (USBC-PDMON).

The post Plugable debuts 15.6″ USB-C Portable Display With Hub Functionality appeared first on Apple World Today.

By default, macOS Sequoia leaves a neat gap between windows when they are tiled — but if you don't like that, it's easy to change it.


Tiled windows have a gap, or margin, by default, but you can change that.
If you use Apple's new Window Tiling feature in macOS Sequoia to just tile one window over the side of your screen, you'll never notice this. But as soon as you tile two next to each other, you'll see a gap.

It's the same kind of gap that Apple imposes when you drag widgets onto the Mac screen, the same kind of thing where it's trying to make things neat. It isn't a mistake, it's a conscious choice by Apple — but you can still change it if you like.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider |...