6 Fixes If One AirPod is Louder Than the Other
As a music lover, nothing’s more frustrating than when one AirPod is louder than the other. It completely ruins the groove. Getting a new pair of these pricey headphones isn’t ideal; luckily, there might be a few easy solutions. Try these troubleshooting steps before heading to the Apple Store for replacements or repairs. How Do […]
This post 6 Fixes If One AirPod is Louder Than the Other appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Some YouTube Music for iOS users today are facing a bug where the app opens to a black screen on certain Google Accounts with no ability to play songs.
| Read more »Apple on Tuesday announced that it will hold a special event on May 7. Although the company doesn’t usually discuss the topics of the event, the invitation artwork makes it clear that it will be all about iPad – as we can see an Apple Pencil in it. To add fuel to the fire, Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted that we’ll see at least a new Apple Pencil 3 next month.
| Read more »Apple will announce new iPad models next month, and this includes a new generation iPad Pro powered by the M3 chip and featuring OLED displays for the first time. However, the 11-inch version may face supply problems due to OLED display shipments, which could make it more difficult to buy one at launch.
| Read more »Last week, Apple was forced by the Chinese government to pull four apps from the App Store in China: Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Threads.
Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has now responded to the situation, arguing that Apple was the real target of China’s request. There are more than a few problems with this spin, though…
| Read more »Anticipate new iPads, possibly along with a new Apple Pencil and updated Magic Keyboards. But will the announcement make the iPad exciting again?
| Read more »Enlarge (credit: Apple/Andrew Cunningham)
Last year, Apple introduced the ability to set multiple timers at once in the Clock app on its various platforms.
“We truly live in an age of wonders,” deadpanned Apple’s Craig Federighi in the company’s official presentation, tacitly acknowledging the gap between the apparent simplicity of the feature and the amount of time that Apple took to implement it.
The next version of iPadOS may contain another of these "age of wonders" features, an apparently simple thing that Apple has chosen never to do for reasons that the company can't or won't explain. According to MacRumors, iPadOS 18...
| Read more »Apple's iPhone sales dropped sharply in China in the first quarter of this year as the company saw strong competition from domestic brand Huawei, according to a new report from market research firm Counterpoint Research. CNBC: Apple saw sales of its iPhones fall 19.1% in the first three months of the year, Counterpoint's data showed, as Chinese telecommunications and consumer electronics giant Huawei saw a resurgence in its smartphone business. The Shenzhen, China-based firm saw sales of its smartphones surge a whopping 69.7% in the first quarter, Counterpoint said.
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| 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 Roborock: Get a special deal on the S8 MaxV Ultra Robot Vac & S8 Max Ultra with free gifts for a limited time.
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| Read more »Our wait for new iPads is nearly over. Apple today announced a special event for May 7, with the tagline “Let loose.” The event will almost certainly focus on new iPad hardware and accessories, and we want to know: what are you most excited to see?
| Read more »Apple Rolls Out visionOS 1.2 Beta 3 to Developers
Apple has rolled out the third beta update of the upcoming visionOS 1.2 to developers, following the second beta update released last week. Interestingly, the visionOS 1.2 public update may roll out in early May if everything goes according to schedule. But take this information with a grain of salt until an official confirmation comes […]
This post Apple Rolls Out visionOS 1.2 Beta 3 to Developers appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Apple Releases Third Betas of iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5 and macOS Sonoma 14.5
Apple has rolled out the third beta updates for upcoming iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5 and macOS Sonoma 14.5 to developers, coming hot on the heels of the second beta updates, which Cupertino had rolled out last week. The third beta updates for iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 come with build number 21F5063f. Meanwhile, macOS Sonoma […]
This post Apple Releases Third Betas of iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5 and macOS Sonoma 14.5 appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Did you hear the big iPads news today? No, not that news! Sources have told MacRumors that iPadOS 18 will include the longest-awaited feature of the iPad: a Calculator app. It’s expected to be part of the iPadOS 18 unveiling at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10.
Apple’s plans with the Calculator app have been making the rounds lately. AppleInsider reported last week that the company plans...
| Read more »An anonymous reader shares a report: Apple has dropped the number of Vision Pro units that it plans to ship in 2024, going from an expected 700 to 800k units to just 400k to 450k units, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Orders have been scaled back before the Vision Pro has launched in markets outside of the United States, which Kuo says is a sign that demand in the U.S. has "fallen sharply beyond expectations."
As a result, Apple is expected to take a "conservative view" of headset demand when the Vision Pro launches in additional countries. Kuo previously said that Apple will introduce the Vision Pro in new markets before the June Worldwide Developers Conference, which suggests that we could see it available in additional areas in the next month or so.
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| Read more »In addition to new artificial intelligence features, Apple’s next round of OS updates will reportedly offer some big new features for the … Calculator app. Multiple rumors over the last week say that Apple is planning to make the Calculator app more powerful, add math features to Apple Notes, and bring the Calculator app to the iPad for the first time.
| Read more »The second major point release of visionOS, the operating system for Apple Vision Pro, has just entered beta testing. When visionOS 1.1 landed a month ago, it mostly polished up a few sore spots from the release version (like the inability to reset your device). There’s no telling what visionOS 1.2 will bring–Spatial Personas has already come to all Vision Pro headsets before the 1.2 release.
Updated April 23: The third beta of visionOS 1.2 is now available.
What’s new in visionOS 1.2
We don’t know yet what is new in visionOS 1.2, but we’ll update this section as new features and changes are discovered.
This release appears to be primarily concerned with fixing bugs....
| Read more »iPad Could Finally Get the Much Needed Calculator App with iPadOS 18
iPads are no doubt one of the best tablets available in the market, but they do come with a catch: there’s no official calculator app on iPads. While you can always turn to the App Store for third-party alternatives, the lack of an official option seems a compromise for many. Well, it seems that the next iPadOS […]
This post iPad Could Finally Get the Much Needed Calculator App with iPadOS 18 appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »The iOS 17.5 beta train continues today with the third developer release. Apple is also testing macOS Sonoma 14.5, visionOS 1.2, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5, and HomePod 17.5.
| Read more »There are plenty of cheap charging stations for your Apple devices, but most of them are clunky and don’t look all that great on a desk or side table. Anker’s MagGo Magnetic Charging Station is different. It’s compact, cute, and clever, and today it’s 30 percent off as well: Amazon is selling the Anker MagGo Magnetic Charging Station, Qi2 Compatible 15W Ultra-Fast MagSafe Wireless Charger for $70, a savings of $30 and the best price we’ve ever seen.
The spherical charging station has a large magnetic front to attach to an iPhone 12 or later, as well as several ports around the back, including 2 USB-C and 2 USB-A ports, and 3 120V AC outlets for charging a...
| Read more »Apple has slashed its shipping estimates for Vision Pro, according to a new Ming-Chi Kuo analyst report. Kuo says that Apple is now targeting shipments between 400,000 and 450,000 units for Vision Pro this year. This is down from the initial market consensus of between 7000,000 and 800,000 units.
The changes have reportedly prompted Apple to revisit its overall strategy for the headset market…
| Read more »You may have arrived at this article because you have just encountered the nightmare scenario of having your Mac fail without a backup, or perhaps you know someone who has had such a dreadful situation befall them and you want to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.
Or maybe you just messed up a document you were working on, saved over something you didn’t want to lose, or realized that you deleted a chunk of work by accident. Recovering unsaved of deleted Word documents can be a particular challenge. If only you had a backup and could recover an earlier version.
Whatever your reason for wanting to find out the best way to back up your Mac, we aim to help you come up with a Mac backup plan. We’ll look at the various kinds of Mac backups you can have, including local wired or wireless backups, live backups, remote backups, and online backups.
We’ll also examine the best Mac backup solutions, including...
| Read more »Apple Adds 8 Suppliers in China; Why? 50% India-Made iPhones “Not Good Enough”
Despite ongoing efforts to spread production across Asia, especially India, the tech giant recently added eight new suppliers in China. China remains the undisputed kingpin in Apple’s manufacturing network. According to a recent analysis, over a third of Apple’s 187 disclosed suppliers have factories in mainland China. This dominance was highlighted by CEO Tim Cook’s words last month, when he publicly […]
This post Apple Adds 8 Suppliers in China; Why? 50% India-Made iPhones “Not Good Enough” appeared first on...
| Read more »A chance to score Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 with Lightning charging case at $150 headlines Tuesday’s best deals. You can also save $60 on Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen styles or just outfit your existing Apple wearable with an official Apple Watch Link Bracelet for the all-time low of $209. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
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| Read more »Enlarge (credit: Apple)
Apple is going to announce some new things on Tuesday, May 7 at 10 am Eastern, according to an invitation the company sent out to members of the press (and posted to its website) this morning.
The name Apple has given the event (“Let Loose”) doesn’t tell us much about what the company might announce, but the art does: It’s a hand holding an Apple Pencil, which almost certainly means the event will be iPad-focused.
Apple has reportedly been on the cusp of releasing new iPads since late March, and the rumor mill has already delivered most of the key details. The headliner is...
| Read more »Last year Nomad launched a fun limited edition Glow in the Dark Sport Band for Apple Watch. It ended up selling out in the first day. Now the company is back with a new and improved Glow 2.0 Sport Band plus a Sport Case for iPhone 15 Pro/Max – available for a short time.
| Read more »iPhone and Mac feature native access to see battery health, but interestingly, Apple hasn’t made the same available for iPad. Whether you’re curious about your battery health or you’re having issues with iPad battery life, it’s still possible to check on your own. Here’s how to see iPad battery health and charge cycles, tips on when it’s time to get a replacement, charge cycle expectations, and more.
| Read more »On Tuesday, Apple sent out invitations to a special press event next month. Taglined ‘Let Loose,’ the event takes place on May 7 and begins at 7am PT. It seems to be an online-only event, with recipients invited to tune in at apple.com rather than attending in person.
This is a major surprise. The company frequently holds events in the spring, either in March or in April, and always holds an event (WWDC) in June. But there hasn’t been an Apple event in May this century. The timing is also strange, as Apple typically holds its events at 10am PT, three hours later than this event.
The most likely explanation is that Apple was planning to have a spring event this year (they’re pretty common; they happened in 2021...
| Read more »Apple Announces Special Event For World Athletics Day
Apple has teased a special event called “Let Loose” for May 7. It’s an online event and will begin at 7 AM PT on World Athletics Day. Besides showcasing an Apple Pencil, the teaser doesn’t go into much detail to reveal what to expect from the event. While the image suggests that a new Apple […]
This post Apple Announces Special Event For World Athletics Day appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »We’d given up hope for a Spring event this year, but Apple has just issued invites to an event on May 7, 2024. So it turns out that big things are brewing at Apple Park after all, and we will find out what they are very soon.
In this article, we explain what you need to know about Apple’s Spring Event in 2024, how to watch it live, and what products you can expect to be unveiled.
Apple’s spring event is one of the three or four big events in Apple’s yearly cycle of announcements. We get the big software announcements at WWDC in the summer, the iPhone launch in September, sometimes we see Apple make Mac and iPad announcements in October or November, and (most years) we get some hardware reveals at a spring event in March or April. Apple executives will hit the stage–whether real or virtual–and boast about some recent successes, before revealing what new products are about to launch. For more detail on Apple’s...
| Read more »Apple has announced a special event for May 7, teasing “Let Loose.” The event will be online and take place at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET. It’s expected to focus on new iPad hardware and accessories, with a new iPad Pro, iPad Air, Apple Pencil, and Magic Keyboard all rumored.
| Read more »When released a few years ago, the Dream Machine Pro became a popular device for small and medium-sized businesses. I’ve deployed and managed a handful of them in various environments and found them to be a great device. It’s a really easy and affordable way to get started, especially when you want to use various UniFi apps (camera, network, etc). Today, Ubiquiti is releasing the new Dream Machine Pro Max, bringing that same all-in-one approach to larger deployments with more demanding needs.
| Read more »T-Mobile has announced the expansion of its 5G Home Internet with a premium tier for the standard service plus a new “Away” plan for those who need a reliable connection on the go without having to rely on a traditional hotspot.
| Read more »Apple’s FineWoven Accessories Might Continue to Live On
It has been a year since Apple launched a new lineup of FineWoven cases. The cases have taken a flak from users right from the beginning. Apple’s FineWoven case is plagued with complaints about durability. Recent rumours claimed that Apple will ditch the FineWoven cases. Now, the same source claims that the company will launch […]
This post Apple’s FineWoven Accessories Might Continue to Live On appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Over the weekend, it was rumored that Apple had ended production of FineWoven cases and watch bands. As it turns out, Apple does apparently still have one more iteration of the oft-maligned FineWoven accessories coming soon in new colors, but the end is near.
| Read more »Sonos has revealed what it’s calling its “most extensive app redesign ever.” The new iOS and Android experience (plus web) does away with tabs and puts everything on a single Home screen that’s faster, customizable, has one search bar for all of your streaming services, features improved system control, and more.
| Read more »One of the most underrated features of Apple TV is its gorgeous screensavers that show aerial views of breathtaking locations in vivid 4K. In a mildly alarming development, it’s been reported that the YouTube app for Apple TV has recently been set up to override the system screensaver and run its own lower-quality equivalent.
By default, the Apple TV begins showing a screensaver after it’s been left idle for five minutes. But if you’ve got the YouTube app open, this will instead trigger its own screensaver just before that point, according to the visual effects artist and podcaster Joe Rosensteel. This appears to be a recent development, given that an earlier version of the app that...
| Read more »After Losing the Top Spot Internationally, iPhone Sales Drop by 1/5th in China, Worst Since COVID
Apple saw a huge decline in iPhone sales in China during the first quarter of 2024. According to Counterpoint Research, sales fell 19% compared to the same period in 2023, which makes the company’s weakest performance in the country since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Imagine if COVID had not been hit; I believe […]
This post After Losing the Top Spot Internationally, iPhone Sales Drop by 1/5th in China, Worst Since COVID appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »At a Glance
Our Verdict
Right now we’d recommend the MacBook Pro over the iMac. The 14-inch MacBook Pro offers better value for money and the MacBook Pro boast the M3 Pro and M3 Max options that are superior to the base M3.
Price When Reviewed
Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3, 2023): $1,599
Apple 24-inch iMac (M3, 2023): $1,299 base model
Best Pricing Today for 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3)
Retailer
Price
$1,449
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| Read more »If you want to stretch your budget further, a membership to Sam’s Club could help. For a limited time, you can get a 1-year Sam’s Club membership for just $14. That’s the lowest price ever for a year-long membership, and it comes with auto-renew for the ease of uninterrupted access.
As a member, you get access to all that the Sam’s Club warehouses have to offer. You’ll be able to peruse the aisles and find savings on a variety of items, from groceries and household essentials to seasonal products and...
| Read more »After a little more than a half-year on the market, a new report claims that Apple has stopped production of its beleaguered FineWoven products, which were introduced in September as an eco-friendly alternative to leather iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands.
The accessories are made from “68 percent post-consumer recycled content” as part of Apple’s long-standing efforts to significantly reduce carbon emissions, but even customers who wanted Apple to get rid of leather were less than thrilled about the new material, which Apple says “may show wear over time as the fibers get compressed with normal use.” Pictures posted all around social media have shown...
| Read more »As is sometimes the custom, Apple may have snagged yet another company that specializes in artificial intelligence to help move it closer to its technological milestones. Apple is reported to have acquired Datakalab, a Paris, France-based startup specializing in both AI compression as well as computer vision technology. Per French business magazine Challenges, the acquisition […]
| Read more »As expected (and as Apple and any company tries to accomplish prior to releasing a new or updated product), Apple’s retail stock of the current iPad Air model has begun to dwindle ahead of the anticipated arrival of the next-gen iPad Air in May. Per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who cited sources at Citing sources at […]
| Read more »Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple.
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....
| Read more »If you’re finding that your device’s performance is lagging or you need to set up a refurbished device, consider investing in a powerful OS.
The top-rated OS for any PC is Windows 11 Pro, Microsoft’s most popular edition, which offers innovative security features, productivity tools, and more. Now, lifetime access is only $29.97 (reg. $199) until April 30.
With Windows 11 Pro, you’ll get a powerful and user-friendly interface. You can boost your productivity with tools like snap layouts, customizable widgets, improved voice...
| Read more »Most pet owners may agree with this statement. We love our dogs and are constantly looking to care for them as best we can. Now, you can gain insights into how to look after them more lovingly and learn about their genetic history with a simple test.
With the DNA My Dog test, you can delve into your dog’s genetic makeup to uncover valuable insights. Now, it’s only $67.99 (reg. $79).
Thankfully, running a DNA My Dog test is as straightforward as conducting a human genetic test. Just use the sterile applicator to...
| Read more »Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Finally Feature Full Apple Music Integration
Ray-Ban Meta glasses users can now play Apple Music without having to touch their phone. Popular eyewear brand Ray-Ban and Meta launched the successor to the Ray-Ban Stories in 2023. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses look very similar to that first model. The product features cameras, speakers and microphones to record video, play audio and more […]
This post Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Finally Feature Full Apple Music Integration appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »5 Ways To Fix an iPhone SE That Keeps Restarting
Is your iPhone SE restarting every few minutes? Based on my experience, it’s hard to fix anything when your phone powers off repeatedly. The Apple Community suggests sending it in for repairs, but I don’t want to spend multiple days without my smartphone. Thankfully, I found some quick, effective solutions that got my device back […]
This post 5 Ways To Fix an iPhone SE That Keeps Restarting appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Emulation on iOS: What to Know About Retro Gaming on iPhone
What a time to be alive: emulation has officially arrived on iOS. This means iPad and iPhone owners can enjoy a variety of virtual game consoles directly on their device and Apple is totally cool with it. As exciting as this may be, there is a lot to know about this subject and what exactly […]
This post Emulation on iOS: What to Know About Retro Gaming on iPhone appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »How To Enable Pop-Ups on Mac in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox
Knowing how to enable and disable pop-ups on a Mac can be useful for several reasons. While you might need them for interactive website functions like login forms and notification alerts, you might want to turn them off if they become intrusive. Here’s how to configure these settings in the three most popular web browsers. […]
This post How To Enable Pop-Ups on Mac in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »One of the best features of the Apple TV is its robust collection of Aerial screen savers. When your Apple TV sits idle for a few minutes, tvOS switches to these soothing Aerial videos while it awaits your return.
YouTube, however, thinks you’d rather see random slideshows of images and video thumbnails instead…
| Read more »Incident began at 2024-04-22 12:00 (times are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)).
Summary:
Google Classroom is experiencing an increased error rate in Brazil (for State of Paraná)
Description:
We are experiencing an intermittent issue with Google Classroom.
Our engineering team continues to investigate the issue.
We will provide an update by Tuesday, 2024-04-23 09:00 US/Pacific with current details.
Customer Symptoms:
A subset of users in the state of Parana, Brazil would encounter intermittent error while accessing Google Classroom. However, the impact is only limited to the state of Parana, no impact to customers to the rest of the world.
Workaround:
None at this time.
Affected products: Classroom
| Read more »According to French business magazine Challenges, Apple has acquired Datakalab -- a Paris-based startup specializing in artificial intelligence compression and computer vision technology. 9to5Mac reports: Datakalab described itself as "experts in low power, runtime efficient, and deep learning algorithms" that work on device. On its LinkedIn page, Datakalab highlights "industry leading compression and adaptation to deploy embedded computer vision that is fast, cost-effective and precise." Prior to the Apple acquisition had between 10 and 20 employees.
From Datakalab's now-defunct website: "Datakalab is a French technology company that develops computer image analysis algorithms to measure flows in public space. The images are instantly transformed into anonymized statistical data processed locally in 100ms. Datakalab does not store any images or personal data and only keeps statistical data. Datakalab products are built according to the principle of 'Privacy by Design.'"...
| 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 Roborock: Get a special deal on the S8 MaxV Ultra Robot Vac & S8 Max Ultra with free gifts for a limited time.
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| Read more »Now that the iPhone 15 lineup is on shelves, and now we can officially start thinking about the iPhone 16. Naturally, any rumors or leaks you see this early are going to be fluid at best–even if they are accurate now, plans can and do change and there’s still plenty of time to do so before the iPhone 16 enters production.
With all that said, here’s what the most prolific leakers and tipsters say we can expect about the iPhones coming in the fall of 2024.
Update April 22: A new report claims that Apple will switch to solid-state capacitive buttons for the volume and power button of the iPhone 16 line.
When is the newest iPhone coming out?
The iPhone lineup is...
| Read more »It’s been a while since Meta launched its own smart glasses in partnership with Ray-Ban, and I’ve already written about them here on 9to5Mac. Now those who own Ray-Ban Meta can enjoy deeper integration with Apple Music thanks to Meta’s latest update.
| Read more »Our friends at GRID Studio are running an Earth Day sale this week with some impressive discounts on their iconic deconstructed wall art. The Grid 4, for example, showcases a deconstructed iPhone 4 and is available for just $99 (down from $170).
| Read more »MagSafe accessories continue to be where a lot of the innovation around the iPhone tames place. The ability to snap your iPhone into place unlocks a lot of fun use cases. This week, I am taking a look at the that’s designed to keep your iPhone connected to your Mac for quick phone calls, Zoom calls, and much more.
| Read more »Proton is out with the latest upgrade for its users on a paid tier. Dark web monitoring is here to help you keep your online credentials as safe as possible with alerts when you need to update passwords due to data breaches and more. Here’s how it works.
| Read more »It has been a while since we last year about Apple’s plans to ditch the physically moving buttons on the iPhone in favor of non-moving buttons with touch-sensitive capacitive sensors. That rumor was last floating around about a year ago when it was believed that the iPhone 15 Pro models would feature these “solid-state” buttons.
Of course, that never came to pass, and we haven’t heard a thing until now about the possibility of Apple making this change on any iPhone 16 model.
Now, a report from the Chinese state-owned paper Economic Daily claims that ASE Investment Holdings has secured a very large order...
| Read more »It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Charles Edge, a prolific author, blogger, and podcaster who was one of the best-known figures in the Mac admin community.
| Read more »In addition to a new iPad Pro lineup, there’s also a new iPad Air on the way this year. In fact, this could be the biggest update to the iPad Air lineup ever, with Apple planning a big-screen model for the very first time.
Here are five things to expect from the new iPad Air lineup…
| Read more »Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories, according to reliable Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami." From a report: In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kosutami explained that Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories due to its poor durability. The company may move to another non-leather material for its premium accessories in the future. Apple introduced FineWoven, a soft fabric material, last year. The company claimed that the material is made of 68 percent post-consumer content and is overall more environmentally friendly compared to the company's previous line of leather accessories. As part of the introduction of FineWoven case, Apple also discontinued the use of leather for new Apple accessories. Reviewers didn't like FineWoven, calling it "bad. Like, really bad."
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| Read more »When the Apple Watch Series 9 launched in September, the biggest change was Apple’s decision to ditch the leather bands in favor of a new FineWoven material. But while they may be friendly on the environment, the reception of the new bands has been quite unpleasant, with a new report claiming Apple has ditched the material altogether.
But while Apple doesn’t sell leather bands anymore, Amazon’s Woot is running a sale on the remaining stock of old ones. Today you can get the...
| Read more »Enlarge / The M2 Pro Mac mini. (credit: Andrew Cunningham)
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman thinks that Apple's M4 chips for Macs are coming sooner rather than later—possibly as early as "late this year," per a report from earlier this month. Now Gurman says Apple could completely skip the M3 generation for some Macs, most notably the Mac mini.
To be clear, Gurman doesn't have specific insider information confirming that Apple is planning to skip the M3 mini. But based on Apple's alleged late-2024-into-early-2025 timeline for the M4 mini, he believes that it's "...
| Read more »Apple is doubling down on soccer as an integral part of its sports strategy for Apple TV. According to a new report from The New York Times, FIFA is nearing a deal with Apple for the worldwide television rights to a new World Cup-style tournament being played in the United States next year.
| Read more »Like the modern MacBook Pro laptops, Apple’s latest MacBook Air models support fast charging which can give up to 50% battery in as little as 30 minutes. However, by default, both sizes of the Air ship with a charger that doesn’t support the feature. Here are the requirements and details for how to fast charge MacBook Air.
| Read more »Enlarge / Don't expect to see this on the iOS App Store any time soon. (credit: OatmealDome)
Last week's release of the Delta emulation suite finally gave iOS users easy, no-sideloading-required access to classic Nintendo game emulation up through the Nintendo 64 era. When it comes to emulating Nintendo's subsequent home consoles on iOS, though, some technical restrictions imposed by Apple are making it difficult to get a functional emulator on the App Store.
In a recent blog post,...
| Read more »Ecosia Launches a Cross-Platform Browser on Earth Day
Ecosia, the search engine that uses a percentage of its search ad revenue to support tree-planting projects, has released a new cross-platform browser on Earth Day. In an effort to provide users with a more environmentally friendly option than Google Chrome or Apple Safari, the company describes its browser as the “greenest browser on Earth.” […]
This post Ecosia Launches a Cross-Platform Browser on Earth Day appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Back in January 2022, Apple discontinued the years-old Beats Pill+ without announcing a replacement of any sort. It looks like that could be about to change, at least based on a teaser this week.
| Read more »Monday’s best deals kick off with Apple’s latest Mac mini starting from $499. The perfect companion discounts are also live, dropping Satechi’s Stand and Hub for Mac mini which was just updated with an NVME SSD slot to $90 alongside Samsung’s 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Thunderbolt Monitor at $700 off. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
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| Read more »Video conferencing app receives a new name, new color schemes for the user interface, and more improvements. (Free, 123.3 MB, macOS 10.13+)
| Read more »Maintenance update for the Swiss Army knife of graphics programs. ($39.95 new, free update, 261 MB, macOS 10.13+)
| Read more »Brings a grab-bag of improvements and bug fixes to the password manager. ($35.88 annual subscription, free update, 4.8 MB, macOS 10.15+)
| Read more »Maintenance release for the Open/Save dialog utility. ($39.95 new, free update, 17.4 MB, macOS 10.13+)
| Read more »Update focused on new features and improvements for Outlook. ($149.99 new for one-time purchase, $99.99/$69.99 annual subscription options, free update, macOS 10.15+)
| Read more »If you organize events that require significant numbers of volunteers, you know how much work it is to track everything manually in a spreadsheet. A better option is a volunteer management system like Helper Helper, which Adam Engst has used for over a year.
| Read more »Apple’s much-maligned range of FineWoven accessories, made of an imitation-leather material for environmental reasons, has now been completely killed off, according to a new report. The same source indicates that the company intends to replace FineWoven with another leather-replacement material, but hopefully one which suffers from fewer problems.
Twitter/X user Kosutami, a tech leaker who has posted some accurate rumors in the past, posted Sunday that “FineWoven has gone… Since its durability were bad,” and that production of the cases has now ceased.
... | Read more »Apple has reportedly acquired Datakalab, a Paris, France-based startup specializing in artificial intelligence compression and computer vision technology. According to French business magazine Challenges, the acquisition was finalized in December.
Datakalab described itself as “experts in low power, runtime efficient, and deep learning algorithms” that work on device.
| Read more »Rumors that Apple is hoping to switch a future iPhone model from physical to capacitive buttons persist. Now, a new supply chain report suggests that Apple has placed a supply chain order for a new capacitive button system that will replace the physical buttons on the iPhone 16.
| Read more »Apple doesn’t participate in big industry-wide events such as CES or E3. The most valuable company in the world holds its own events, thank you very much. Several times a year, Apple invites the press and industry professionals to Apple Park to hear all about its latest products and services. Apple calls these ‘events,’ and streams them live online to millions of watchers.
In 2023 there were three such events: WWDC in June, the Wonderlust iPhone event in September and Apple’s second fall event on October 30 (or October 31 if you weren’t in the U.S.). Similarly, in 2022 Apple held three events: a spring event on March 8, WWDC on June 6, and the iPhone 14 launch on September 7. In other years Apple has held four events though. Will Apple hold four events in 2024?
Read on to find out what events and new Apple product launches the...
| Read more »Ukraine Asks Apple To Withdraw Gambling Apps From the App Store
It’s been more than two years since the Russian-Ukrainian war started. Well, technically, it started over a decade ago, but its latest and most impactful part started more than two years ago, in February 2022. After these tough times, Ukraine seems to face a different and rather unexpected problem with the army. According to President […]
This post Ukraine Asks Apple To Withdraw Gambling Apps From the App Store appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Apple’s MacBooks are great, but—as with all laptops—using one isn’t that great for your back or neck.
Continual bowing of the head to see a screen can lead to a stiff neck and what doctors call spinal stenosis, which can compress blood vessels and displace nerves—cutting off blood supply to the brain. That’s not a good thing.
Your screen should be at a comfortable height that doesn’t make you bend your neck down to see it. Try to make sure your eyes are in line with the screen while sitting with a straight back. This also helps when making video calls, so the other people aren’t staring up your nostrils.
Using a laptop stand also makes using a separate keyboard and mouse much easier. See our roundups of the best Mac keyboards and...
| Read more »iPhone 16 to Feature Capacitive Buttons With Haptic Feedback
The iPhone 16 buttons won’t be mechanical, and will feature a haptic system similar to the iPhone SE’s Touch ID, according to a report. Prior to the announcement of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, there was a lot of speculation about Apple replacing its mechanical buttons with haptic-responsive ones. However, the company reportedly […]
This post iPhone 16 to Feature Capacitive Buttons With Haptic Feedback appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
We really liked the High Coast Foldsack 24 as an everyday backpack. Fresh colors, slim, light, and flexible to use. The workmanship is excellent and the price is reasonable.
Best Prices Today: Fjällräven High Coast Foldsack 24
Retailer
Price
Fjällräven High Coast Foldsack 24
€109.99
...
| Read more »Apple Watch Users With WatchOS 10 Reportedly Facing Extreme Battery Life and Draining Issues
Apple Watch users are reporting significantly reduced battery life after updating to watchOS 10, with some models draining as quickly as 4-5 hours. The issue appears to be affecting users across various Apple Watch models, including Series 4, 5, 7, and even the as new as Series 9. While some users have found relief with […]
This post Apple Watch Users With WatchOS 10 Reportedly Facing Extreme Battery Life and Draining Issues appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too.
Air quality
Interesting developments in the iPad rumorsphere, where the theory emerged last week that the next iPad Air, already expected to get a massive 12.9-inch display, will also enjoy an upgrade from LED to mini-LED screen technology. That’s what you currently get from the iPad Pro, and should deliver excellent power efficiency and improved image quality. Good news, right?
Wrong.
It’s always been understood that the Pro models are where you go to get the very best hardware Apple can offer....
| Read more »Customers Are Losing Interest in Apple Vision Pro Ahead of International Launch
People seem to be losing interest in Apple Vision Pro, Apple’s mixed reality headset. The company announced it during WWDC 2023, and it became available in the United States in February of this year. Since then, people could go in-store to try a demo, as well as buy them in person and online. Now, Bloomberg‘s […]
This post Customers Are Losing Interest in Apple Vision Pro Ahead of International Launch appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Wireless headphones are essentially the standard now, with Bluetooth being convenient and the sound quality difference to wired not being that noticeable to typical people (we realize audiophiles ‘know’).
The market is huge, but here are the best wireless earbuds we’ve tested for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Macs. If you do want a wired connection some of these do offer it in addition to Bluetooth, but we also have a round-up of the best wired headphones and a comparison of over-ear headphones read our comparison of AirPods Max vs other over-ear headphones.
Updated April 2024 with Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 review.
Best headphones and earbuds for iPhone
1. Bose...
| Read more »Sometimes you’ve got to throw in the towel on an accessory. Per a post on X (formerly Twitter), noted leaker “Kosutami” has cited that Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories due to its poor durability. The company may move to another non-leather material for its premium accessories in the future. Kosutami has offered accurate […]
| Read more »Google Chrome’s Quick Delete Feature Will Soon Be Available on iOS
Google Chrome seems to be working on expanding the “quick delete” feature for iOS users. The quick delete feature is already available on Android, allowing you to delete all browsing data from the last 15 minutes. A flag named “Quick Delete for iOS” is being added, which suggests the development of this feature for iPhones, […]
This post Google Chrome’s Quick Delete Feature Will Soon Be Available on iOS appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Accessory Maker is Already Selling Cases for the Much Rumored 12.9″ iPad Air
Rumors about the imminent launch of new iPads have been swirling, mainly because it’s been a while since Apple last updated its iPad lineup. One of the most talked-about rumors is the introduction of a larger iPad Air for the first time, and some accessory makers are already ahead of the game, offering cases for […]
This post Accessory Maker is Already Selling Cases for the Much Rumored 12.9″ iPad Air appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Developed by over 100 expert linguists and academics from Yale University and the City University of New York, Babbel focuses on helping users learn practical conversational skills in a new language. Just select from one of Babbel’s 14 languages to begin, and study your new tongue with lessons ranging from 10 to 15 minutes.
Discover how to ask for directions, order food, hail a cab, and more in your chosen new language. You can develop a precise accent with help from...
| Read more »There have been many rumors about the launch of new iPads soon given that it has been over a year since Apple last updated its tablet lineup. As the company is rumored to introduce a larger iPad Air for the first time, accessory makers are already selling cases for the yet-to-be-released 12.9-inch iPad Air.
| Read more »At this year’s annual hacking conference, Black Hat Asia, a team of security researchers revealed how cybercriminals are sneakily using stolen credit cards and Apple Store Online’s ‘Someone else will pick it up’ option in a scheme that has stolen over $400,000 in just two years.
9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Making Apple devices work-ready and enterprise-safe is all we do. Our unique integrated approach to management and security combines state-of-the-art Apple-specific security solutions for fully automated Hardening & Compliance, Next Generation EDR, AI-powered Zero Trust, and exclusive Privilege Management with the most powerful and modern Apple MDM on the market. The result is a totally automated Apple Unified Platform currently trusted by over...
| Read more »If you have kids, pets, or simply want the luxury of immaculately clean floors without having to do the work yourself, then look no farther than Roborock’s next-gen S8 MaxV Ultra – the industry’s most technologically advanced robot mop and vacuum system. It’s no surprise Roborock has recently taken the number one spot for robotic vacuum sales worldwide of any brand. Designed to revolutionize the way you clean your home, it comes fully decked with enhanced suction power, advanced robotic intelligence, and an innovative self-maintenance feature with heated washing and drying and dirt detection. A true tech marvel in the home cleaning space.
| Read more »Apple Halts Production of FineWoven Accessories Amid Criticism Over Poor Durability
When Apple launched the iPhone 15 in September last year, they introduced a new material for their accessories: FineWoven. Apple decided not to use leather in their products, so they replaced it with this synthetic material made of “durable micro-twill”. The issue is that many users have complained about the poor condition of their products […]
This post Apple Halts Production of FineWoven Accessories Amid Criticism Over Poor Durability appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Apple To Skip M3 Mac mini to Launch M4 Version
The Mac mini is Apple’s entry-level computer. It’s a compact device, with a wide range of ports, discreet, quiet, and it’s well priced. It’s true that you have to connect it to a display, and it comes without a mouse and keyboard, but in the end it’s an entry-level device. It was among the first […]
This post Apple To Skip M3 Mac mini to Launch M4 Version appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »LeBron James Leaks New Beats Pill Speaker
In 2014, Apple acquired the audio company Beats for 3 billion dollars. It is to date the largest amount of money ever spent by Apple on an acquisition of this kind. Since then, the company has launched several products, the latest being the Beats Studio Pro. Now, LeBron James has been spotted with a Beats […]
This post LeBron James Leaks New Beats Pill Speaker appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Apple launched its range of and Apple Watch bands last fall to much fanfare, as an environmentally-friendly alternative to the leather accessories. However, buyers quickly complained the material was prone to attracting dirt, scuffs and other durability issues. FineWoven also simply felt far less premium than the leather lineup it replaced, albeit Apple charging the same prices.
According to Twitter leaker Kosutami, Apple is giving up on the effort and the production lines for FineWoven are being shuttered. The company will probably try again with a different leather alternative option, .
| Read more »
