Maintenance release for the macOS scripting utility. ($$39.95 new, free update, 4.8 MB, macOS 10.15+)

Introduces a new Audio Device Selection section for enhanced audio capture through Application blocks. ($64 new, free update, 37.1 MB, macOS 14.4+)

Macworld

From now until June 3, Apple is improving its trade-in offers for those giving up their old iPhones and getting a new one. The deal is good on any new iPhone purchase, as long as you’re trading in at least an iPhone 11 or newer.

The amount you get varies based on the model and condition of the phone, but trade-in values are going up from $10 to $30. An iPhone 13 used to have a trade-in value of $300, but you’ll get $320 until June 3, for example.

Apple is planning to launch the iPhone 16 in September, but if you need a new iPhone now, this is a great chance...

Apple’s Top Executive Visits Taiwan to Possibly Reserve All 2nm Chips

It’s no secret that Apple has been very interested in designing 2nm chips to power up its next-gen processors. Now, a new report from the Taiwan-based Economic Daily claims further progress. It notes that Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams held talks “secretly” with TSMC to secure the first batch of upcoming 2nm processors. Per report, Williams met with TSMC President Wei Zhejia to discuss […]

This post Apple’s Top Executive Visits Taiwan to Possibly Reserve All 2nm Chips appeared first on The Mac Observer

The “i” Prefix Might Need To Bow Out, Suggests the Man Who Named iPhone

As much as Apple is known for its bitten Apple logo, it is known for the “i” prefix before most of its successful product names. It is as if the “i” prefix is the ultimate mantra for everything Apple successful, and iPads, iPhones, and iMac are proven testimonials to this statement. The “i” prefix became an Apple thing as seen with services such […]

This post The “i” Prefix Might Need To Bow Out, Suggests the Man Who Named iPhone appeared first on The Mac Observer

Macworld

Apple’s list of currently available content for Apple TV+ continues to grow, and so does the list of upcoming projects in the works. Films, limited series, specials, and multi-season series—Apple’s got lots of irons in the fire.d

Some of these projects have been officially announced and acknowledged by Apple, while others have been reported by the Hollywood press, which always has its ear to the ground about what projects actors, directors, and producers are involved in.

We’ve divided this list in two: Coming Soon is a list of shows for which Apple has given an official release date or release window, and Further Out compiles content that is still in production or perhaps haven’t even begun yet.

Updated 05/20/23: Apple has announced...

I am all in on MagSafe Wallets. I am not sure I’ll ever return to a wallet not attached to my iPhone. It’s one less thing to keep track of day to day. They’re also small enough if I didn’t want to leave my iPhone behind, and they fit right in my pocket. I am on a mission to try all of them. Today, I am looking at the Spigen Smart Fold 2 with its strong and durable design.

more…

iPhone 16 Leak Suggests New Colors May Replace Two Existing Ones

The bars are being set high each passing day for the upcoming iPhone 16 series. As much as the anticipations say, it’s expected to debut a plethora of upgrades over the predecessor in nearly most departments. On the same note, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today revealed all the color options for the next iPhone 16 series, adding that two new color options will […]

This post iPhone 16 Leak Suggests New Colors May Replace Two Existing Ones appeared first on The Mac Observer

Macworld

In the latest Power On Newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple will be upgrading the AirTag in the middle of 2025. The upgrade would be the first since the tracking device was released in April 2021.

As for what the upgrade will include, Gurman states it will have “a better chip with improved location tracking.” The current AirTag has Apple’s U1 chip, which uses ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to give a device with the chip spatial awareness. With the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple released a second-generation UWB chip with better precision. So, it...

Incase has been a favorite Apple accessory brand for me since before my time at 9to5Mac started in 2013. Seriously, their steel-colored Bird’s Nest Snap iPhone 4 case was the perfect blend of chaos and expression for me in 2011. Fast-forward to 2024 and Incase has brought back another crowd pleaser with their ICON case line.

The Incase ICON case design is much more mature than the Bird’s Nest Snap case line that I favored back in the day. The ICON case line for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max is more like —just without the drama.

...

We learned new details about what Apple may ship as the new high-end iPhone in 2025 with a redesigned ultra-thin form factor. But with that change, we could see shorter battery life, particularly compared to the Pro Max model. Would an ultra-thin design be worth it to you at the expense of a smaller battery?

more…

Macworld

The M2 Max and Ultra Mac Studio were released at WWDC23 last June, and the M3 era of Apple’s System on a Chip started last November. So, with WWDC24 creeping up on us, it’s time to start looking forward to the next Mac Studio.

The rumors will start to increase as June 2024 approaches, and whatever is reported now can change (and likely will) before the new Mac Studio is released. We’ll keep track of what’s being said in this article. 

Update 5/20/24: Apple does not have the Mac Studio scheduled for release in 2024, which could mean Apple will skip the M3 series and deliver an M4-series Mac Studio in 2025..

M3/M4 Mac Studio: Release date

We’ve had two generations of Mac Studio. The first gen (M1 Max and Ultra) was released in March of 2022. The second-gen (M2 Max and Ultra) was...

Your Monday collection of the best Apple gear deals is now ready to go. Alongside a host of big-time early Memorial Day offers in our roundup and ongoing discounts on the new M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air, today’s deals are headlined by Apple’s maxed-out 13-inch M3 MacBook Air. Loaded with a 512GB SSD and 16GB of memory, you can score this one down at $1,350 alongside the return of $100 price drops on the latest M2/Pro Mac...

Macworld

If your Mac is slowing down, frequently freezing, regularly running out of RAM or just not behaving like it used to. Are you short of space on your Mac? Have you spotted the immense amount of room taken up by System Data and are now looking for a safe way to delete some of that data. What you need is a Mac cleaner app that will delete the clutter and digital debris from your system and free your RAM from memory hogs.

Thankfully, there are a wealth of tools available to rectify that can clean up your Mac and get it working properly again. We’ve picked some of the best Mac cleaning software below so you can find one that suites you.

The apps included in the list below all offer free trial versions. Some of these trials will merely show you how much space you can free up, but several are essentially free Mac Cleaners that will allow you to clean your Mac for free, albeit for a limited period. These include the trials...

iPhone SE 4 Rumored To Debut Under $500 During Spring 2025

iPhones are no doubt one of the most preferred options globally, but one thing may irk some of us. That is, its top-dollar pricing, especially when you’re eyeing an affordable smartphone. That’s where the iPhone SE comes into play, packing the ultimate iOS experience but doesn’t burn your wallet. Though the sad part is that the last one came more than two years […]

This post iPhone SE 4 Rumored To Debut Under $500 During Spring 2025 appeared first on The Mac Observer

With Chinese brand Huawei having risen from the ashes, a new report describes Apple heavily discounting iPhones in the country, offering up to $318 off the iPhone 15 Pro Max as it seeks to compete.

The latest round of discounts are much higher than those offered back in February, and really throws into contrast the US offer of ...

Macworld

Whether you have a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro, there’s one port you definitely don’t have: Gigabit Ethernet. But today you can add one for cheap: Amazon’s Woot is selling an official Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter for just $18, a savings of $11 and the best price we’ve ever seen.

Apple’s Ethernet adapter is simple: It has a USB-C cable on one end and an ethernet port on the other to provide and provides an RJ-45 port that supports 10/100/1000BASE-T networks. It measures just six inches and can easily fit in any bag for travel. To use it, just plug it into an available USB-C port...

A forged eBay listing of an alleged pass for employee #10, together with a hand-drawn map of Apple’s first campus, seemed superficially convincing, until some started questioning a few of the details. The question of its authenticity was then resolved by a man who really ought to know …

more…

We’re expecting the first stage of the Vision Pro international rollout to happen soon after WWDC, and there have been pointers to some specific countries. Canada and the UK are now said to be includedm after some earlier uncertainty.

There have so far been a number of clues to Apple’s plans for the next countries in line for launch, after the US …

more…

Macworld

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 Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too.

A long wait, no surprises

The problem with big build-ups is they create big expectations.

Apple kept us waiting longer than ever before for its latest batch of iPads. It went an entire calendar year with no updates, for the first time in the product’s history, and then delayed the announcement for a few extra months because of production problems. By the time the invitations dropped into our inboxes, Apple obsessives were ready for something huge to justify the long wait and the dedicated event… with the inevitable result that the new iPad Air and Pro ended up as a bit of anticlimactic.

The M2...

Macworld

Of the big Apple events of the year, WWDC is the most reliable: In each of the past 17 Junes, like clockwork, Apple has held a big get-together for its developer partners and announced a raft of important software updates. The September iPhone launch and the March/April spring event (which didn’t happen in 2023) seem almost unpredictable by comparison.

In this article, we list the major announcements (and some of the smaller titbits) you can expect to hear about at WWDC 2024. Some of these–updates to the five big Apple operating systems, most obviously–are as predictable as the timing of the event. But we reckon Apple will spring a few surprises this year.

Apple has announced that WWDC24 will be held from June 10-14.

When is WWDC 2024?

Apple will kick off WWDC24 with a keynote at...

Macworld

Flash drives are so ubiquitous that it’s easy to take them for granted. That is, until they unexpectedly run out of space. This dual USB-C / USB-A 3.2 flash drive solves that problem and many more, with a 1TB capacity and a clever design that can accommodate a range of devices.

One end of this drive fits a USB-A port while the other takes USB-C, which means that you can use it for quick data transfers off laptops, tablets, smartphones, and more. And when we say quick, we mean up to 30MB per...

It’s been three years since Apple introduced , its item tracker that integrates with Apple devices. However, little has been heard about Apple’s plans for a new generation except that it should arrive by 2025. Now we have more details on what to expect from the second-generation .

more…

Corroborating previous reports, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today tweeted his expectations for the iPhone 16 color lineup. For the Pro series, the blue titanium is being replaced by a new rose color.

In sum, that would make the new Pro lineup composed of black, white/silver, rose and natural titanium options. For the base iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, Kuo expects black, white, green, pink, and blue colorways.

more…

How to Right-Click on a Mac Without a Mouse

In this guide, we'll help you learn various methods on how to right click on your Mac without using a mouse.

This post How to Right-Click on a Mac Without a Mouse appeared first on The Mac Observer

It’s a great time to be an iPad Pro user. The newest iPad Pro model comes equipped with Apple’s most advanced chip ever, the M4, plus its best display in the Ultra Retina XDR, not to mention a thinner, lighter industrial design, and more.

The iPad Pro is the most versatile device Apple makes, with a host of accessories that can upgrade your day-to-day experience using the product.

Here are 10 accessories that can elevate your iPad Pro game.

For desk use

The iPad Pro is ultra portable, but it can also be a fantastic device for your desk. A great place to start is from KU XIU. It will raise your iPad closer to eye level, and can rotate into both landscape and portrait orientations. There’s also just something so nice about the magnetic grip.

Another valuable desk addition is this USB-C 5-in-1 hub from Anker, enabling you to connect a...

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I’ve been a Ubiquiti advocate for the past 5-6 years for the vast majority of enterprise networking installations. It’s not going to be the perfect fit for all installations. Still, I believe that it...

Some of us are old enough to remember the days when malware was strictly a Windows problem. Macs were more secure by design, but another key factor was that there weren’t enough of them in use to make Mac malware a sensible use of time for attackers.

With Macs now very much a mainstream choice for consumers and businesses alike, they’ve also become a far more attractive target for cybercriminals – and Mac malware is a real and growing problem …

more…

Apple has made significant changes to the App Store guidelines in the European Union in order to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust legislation. One of these changes allows developers to release iPhone web browsers with their own engine, but the company is making it difficult for developers to test their apps before releasing them to users in the EU.

more…

Apple Plans a Thinner iPhone 17 for 2025, To Cost More Than Pro Max

While we await the upcoming iPhone 16 series, the rumors about the iPhone 17 series are already knocking on our doors. A new report from The Information, citing people in the know, spills the beans on an upcoming addition to next year’s iPhone lineup. It says Apple could launch an all-new “significantly thinner” iPhone 17 model with a major redesign. What’s even more […]

This post Apple Plans a Thinner iPhone 17 for 2025, To Cost More Than Pro Max appeared first on The Mac Observer

Apple is developing a significantly thinner version of the iPhone [non-paywalled source] that could be released as early as 2025, The Information reported Friday, citing three people with direct knowledge of the project. From the report: The slimmer iPhone could be released concurrently with the iPhone 17, expected in September 2025, according to the three people with direct knowledge and two others familiar with the project. It could be priced higher than the iPhone Pro Max, currently Apple's most expensive model starting at $1,200, they said.

The people familiar with the project described the new iPhone, internally code-named D23, as a major redesign -- similar to the iPhone X, which Apple marketed as a technological leap from previous generations and which started at $1,000 when it was released in 2017. Several of its novel features, such as FaceID, the OLED screen and glass back, became standard in subsequent models.

...

iPhone and Apple Watch include a wide range of valuable health features and a couple of them that don’t get much attention include measuring ambient and headphone noise levels. Read along for a look at how to protect from hearing loss by checking decibel levels on iPhone and Apple Watch.

more…

Apple's grudging accommodation of European law -- allowing third-party browser engines on its mobile devices -- apparently comes with a restriction that makes it difficult to develop and support third-party browser engines for the region. From a report: The Register has learned from those involved in the browser trade that Apple has limited the development and testing of third-party browser engines to devices physically located in the EU. That requirement adds an additional barrier to anyone planning to develop and support a browser with an alternative engine in the EU.

It effectively geofences the development team. Browser-makers whose dev teams are located in the US will only be able to work on simulators. While some testing can be done in a simulator, there's no substitute for testing on device -- which means developers will have to work within Apple's prescribed geographical boundary. Prior to iOS 17.4, Apple required all web browsers on iOS or iPadOS to use Apple's...

Macworld

One of the reasons why customers opt for Apple’s iPhone Pro Max is because of the larger battery. The current iPhone 15 Pro Max offers up to 29 hours of video playback and that might improve with the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s top-end iPhone is getting a boost in battery life but not by making the battery bigger–it’ll stay the same size as the 15 Pro Max. Kuo reports that Apple has increased the energy density–...

Friday’s best deals on Apple gear and accessories are now ready and waiting below. We are now tracking $300 in savings on what might very well be the best 16-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro configuration alongside the best prices yet on the brand new 13-inch M2 iPad Air models. From there, we are tracking some relatively rare offers on unlocked iPhone 14 Pro models via Amazon’s Premium Renewed program, some of the best , amazing leather cases, and more. Everything is waiting below.

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Unlike the Mac, there’s no 24-inch iPad screen size, or even a 15-inch model. Apple’s tablet tops out at 13 inches (for now), making every inch of screen real estate especially valuable.

But did you know that, with one simple setting tweak, you can adjust the size of content on your iPad to fit more things on screen?

more…

Macworld

The Apple AirPods Max are back on sale, marking only the third time this year that they’ve been available at such a steep discount. This limited-time offer allows you to save $100, bringing the price down to $450 from the original $549. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to own these high-quality audio products at a significantly reduced price. 

While not the lowest historical price, which was $429 way back in 2021, it’s the best you’re you’ll get for now. The best chance you have to save that extra $20 is to wait until Prime Day on the off-chance they’ll go that low then. Still, that’s two months away, and it may very well not happen. 

The...

Macworld

Large over-ear headphones have taken a bit of a backseat in recent years, overshadowed by the success of Apple’s AirPods and other pocket-size earbuds (sometimes referred to as true wireless stereo headphones, or TWS). Larger over-ear headphones do still have some important advantages, though, and they’re starting to make a bit of a comeback.

There are a lot of low-cost over-ear headphones that only use Bluetooth to provide wireless audio, but the best over-ear models also tend to provide one or more wired connections via a USB-C interface or a 3.5mm audio connector (or both).

Apple has always focused purely on Bluetooth for wireless audio, ignoring the fact that you really need a wired connection to play the high-quality...

iPhone 16 Pro Max Rumored to Feature Better Battery Life

Apple might be planning to boost the battery capacity of the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max, as per analyst Ming Chi-Kuo. Kuo observes that Apple will use cells with increased “energy density,” meaning the cells will hold more power. This is why the iPhone 16 Pro Max could provide improved battery life without requiring a larger battery size. Alternatively, Cupertino could […]

This post iPhone 16 Pro Max Rumored to Feature Better Battery Life appeared first on The Mac Observer

Macworld

At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros

• Great design and style
• Top-notch quality
• Quick and easy access to what’s inside
• Customizable

Cons

• Single strap carrying may not be comfortable
• Large size doesn’t hold a 16-inch laptop snugly

Our Verdict

The Classic Messenger Bag is a top-quality, stylish bag, designed with plenty of pockets and compartments for different types of stuff. While the bag is a great general carry-all, it’s ideal for someone who needs quick access to what’s inside.

Price When Reviewed

$99 (XS), $119 (S), $129 (M) $139 (L); custom bags start at $109

Best Prices Today: Classic Messenger Bag

Retailer

Price

$99

...

Macworld

If you want a new iPad Air at a discounted sale price, you’ve come to the right place. We’re looking at all the best deals and prices for the iPad Air right now–including contract plans. The Air remains incredibly popular and is an excellent halfway house between the entry-level iPad and high-end iPad Pro–ideal for those who need some extra power but don’t want to spend hundreds of pounds on a device that may not replace their laptop. 

Apple introduced a new iPad Air with M2 in May 2024 in two sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch. Read about Apple’s iPad Air M2.

Have a look at our iPad Buying Guide if you aren’t sure which model you want. You may also like to read: best iPad for kids...

Macworld

Here’s a fun thought experiment: what would Apple’s tablet range look like if you removed the iPad Air? Just the basic iPad at one end (accompanied by the outdated and unappealing iPad mini, which we’ll largely ignore for now) and the iPad Pro at the other. How would you approach that as a retail offering, and how would it affect your buying decision?

The answer, for me at least, is that it wouldn’t be a range at all. It would just be two separate and isolated products with little to connect them. It would be like comparing the Mac mini and the Mac Pro. Or the Apple Watch SE and the Vision Pro, for that matter. There would be no point comparing their specs or weighing up their pros and cons, you would simply look at the one which is obviously aimed at you and buy it if the price is right. If you want a sofa computer you buy the standard iPad; if you’re a hardcore creative you buy the iPad Pro. It would make the decision...

How To Connect Apple Pencil to iPad Without Plugging In

While some Apple Pencil models offer wireless connectivity, not all versions support this feature. If you’re considering purchasing an Apple Pencil, or already one, it’s important to know which versions you can connect without plugging in. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand this feature. Apple Pencil Pro and Gen 2 Apple Pencil Gen […]

This post How To Connect Apple Pencil to iPad Without Plugging In appeared first on The Mac Observer

Macworld

While you may understand complex numbers or ideas for certain projects, the rest of your team may need a little help visualizing your findings to make informed decisions. If that’s the case, look no further than Microsoft’s top-rated diagramming software, Microsoft Visio Pro 2021.

Designed for streamlined diagram creation and enhanced visualization, Visio is helpful for professionals in a variety of fields. Now, lifetime access is less than $20 until May 22.

If you need help developing a...

Apple Vision Pro Could Use Skin Deformation for Bio Authentication and Voice Commands

One of the biggest problems with Siri is the background noise. The voice assistant is unreliable in crowded spaces with background noise. It is a significant limitation on devices such as Apple Vision Pro, AirPods Max, and AirPods Pro. Apple’s latest patent talks about addressing the issue with the help of self-mixing interferometry sensors to detect user […]

This post Apple Vision Pro Could Use Skin Deformation for Bio Authentication and Voice Commands appeared first on The Mac Observer...