Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.
Sponsored by Kolide by 1Password: The device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your apps. Close the Zero Trust access gap for Okta. Watch the demo.
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| Read more »Since the launch of Apple Vision Pro, we’ve seen some examples of surgeons using the headset to assist them during procedures. Now an orthopedic doctor in Brazil has used a Vision Pro to successfully operate on a patient with a rotator cuff tear.
| Read more »Incident began at 2024-04-19 14:12 (times are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)).
Our Engineering team has identified the root cause of the issue and rolled back a recent change.
Our engineers are taking additional repair actions for the rollback to take effect for the impacted customers.
We do not have an ETA for mitigation at this point.
We will provide more information by Friday, 2024-04-19 14:00 US/Pacific.
Affected products: Google Calendar
| Read more »Incident began at 2024-04-19 14:12 (times are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)).
Our Engineering team has identified the root cause of the issue and rolled back a recent change.
Our engineers are taking additional repair actions for the rollback to take effect for the impacted customers.
We do not have an ETA for mitigation at this point.
We will provide more information by Friday, 2024-04-19 14:00 US/Pacific.
Affected products: Google Chat
| Read more »Apple surprised everyone earlier this month with a change to the App Store guidelines that now allows retro game console emulator apps for its platforms, including iOS and tvOS. Following the success of Delta, the developers behind Provenance have now confirmed that they will soon release it on the App Store, bringing PlayStation emulation to iPhone and iPad users.
| Read more »A year and a half after Apple launched its Studio Display, Samsung released a direct competitor with its ViewFinity S9 5K monitor. With many of the same features as Studio Display plus some beyond, it’s an interesting alternative. Follow along for how Studio Display vs Samsung ViewFinity S9 stack up.
| Read more »Tap-To-Pay Coming Soon to Europe: Regulators To Approve Apple’s Plan Next Month
One of the steps Apple took in Europe to avoid further antitrust investigations was to make its NFC chips open to third parties. Apple did this with the release of iOS 17.4. This is something that isn’t available in any other country in the world. Now regulators could approve Apple’s plan and authorize this feature […]
This post Tap-To-Pay Coming Soon to Europe: Regulators To Approve Apple’s Plan Next Month appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Following a report that the Notes app will offer new math-based features, AppleInsider reports that the Calculator app will get a major overhaul in macOS 15. Apple is expected to debit macOS 15 at its Worldwide Developers Conference 2024 in June.
The changes to the macOS Calculator include:
Air purifiers are fantastic products to have in your home to ensure that your air is clean, and having them in HomeKit makes them even better. There are several on the market today, but WELOVE (part of the AiDot family) has just released the first Matter enabled Air Purifier so you can add it to the smart home platform of your choice.
| Read more »Incident began at 2024-04-19 14:12 (times are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)).
Engineering team potentially identified the root cause and working on mitigation.
We do not have an ETA for mitigation at this point.
Affected products: Gmail
| Read more »Emulator for PlayStation, Wii, SEGA Genesis, and More Coming to the App Store Soon
A few days ago Apple announced a change in the App Store policies to allow developers to submit emulators. Something that used to be unthinkable is now a reality. And the best thing is that many studios and developers are already working on it. That’s the case of Provenance or Delta. The lead developer of […]
This post Emulator for PlayStation, Wii, SEGA Genesis, and More Coming to the App Store Soon appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »For a limited time, Microsoft is partnering with Apple to offer Xbox owners a free 3-month trial of Apple TV+, Apple’s video streaming service. To redeem the offer, simply open the TV app on your Xbox console.
| Read more »The EU commission is set to approve Apple’s previously-announced policy changes regarding access to the NFC chip on the iPhone, with the view of increasing competition in the contactless payments market. The commission’s decision will be officially announced in the coming weeks, via Reuters.
With these changes, apps will be allowed to become the default wallet app that appears when users double-click the side button or hold their phone near a payment terminal. However, the relaxation of policy only applies to apps available inside the European Union, not worldwide.
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| Read more »Huawei this week revealed its super interesting new flagship smartphone, but around the corner still is the new “Watch Fit 3,” which does nothing to hide the fact that it’s a clear clone of the Apple Watch.
| Read more »If your Mac is starting to run slow the first thing to check is if you are running low on space. It’s generally advised that you should have 10% of your total space free on your Mac for the most optimum working. If you are down to your last few gigabytes then it’s time to do some housework and grab yourself some space back.
Over time, a Mac is likely to accumulate a large collection of duplicate files that take up this valuable space so that’s a good place to start. However, finding and deleting them can be time-consuming if you do it one by one, so in this article, we show you quicker ways to cleanse your system of these delinquent doppelgängers.
Why do I have duplicate files?
In most cases these will be mistaken downloads (caused by clicking on a link twice), Mail and Messages attachments, a convoluted filing system, a bad habit of dragging things to your desktop, or a number of other possibilities....
| Read more »The 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro may be Apple’s fastest laptop, but other than a new color and a slightly faster chip, there isn’t much to get excited about. So when we see a fantastic deal on the M2 mode, we’re going to let you know: Official Apple reseller Expercom (via Amazon) is selling the 16-inch M2 Pro MacBook Pro with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM for $1,999, a savings of $500 and the lowest price we’ve ever seen.
Compared to the M3 Pro model, you’re getting a slightly slower M2 Pro chip with a 12‑core CPU and 19‑core GP with this MacBook Pro—and that’s really it. Otherwise, the machines are identical, with the same...
| Read more »Friday’s best deals come headlined by Apple’s new 24-inch M3 iMac, which starts from $1,199. It comes joined by the 9to5-favorite Anker MagGo Cube 15W MagSafe Charger at $112 and Satechi’s new USB-C Dual Dock Stand for MacBooks at $120. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
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| Read more »Cops Can Make You Unlock Your iPhone, but There’s a Catch
Can cops force you to unlock your phone? Well, it depends on how you lock it. If you use a password or passcode to lock your device, police can’t make you unlock it. However, if you use biometrics such as Face ID or Touch ID, police can force you to unlock it. Something similar happened […]
This post Cops Can Make You Unlock Your iPhone, but There’s a Catch appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Apple delivered a solid update to its best wireless earbuds with the launch of . Apple has since turned it up to 11 with five more features added to gen-two AirPods Pro.
| Read more »Apple to Overhaul Calculator on macOS 15 With Math Notes, Real-Time Currency Exchange, and More
The Calculator app is one of the most fundamental ones in macOS. Although there’s still no version for iPad, it seems that Apple continues to focus on improving it in its other operating systems. According to AppleInsider, the company is reportedly readying an overhaul of its macOS app. We should be able to see it […]
This post Apple to Overhaul Calculator on macOS 15 With Math Notes, Real-Time Currency Exchange, and More appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »China ordered Apple to remove some of the world's most popular chat messaging apps from its app store in the country, the latest example of censorship demands on the iPhone seller in the company's second-biggest market. WSJ: Meta's WhatsApp and Threads as well as messaging platforms Signal, Telegram and Line were taken off the Chinese App Store Friday [non-paywalled link]. Apple said it was told to remove certain apps because of national security concerns, without specifying which. "We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," an Apple spokesperson said in a statement.
These messaging apps, which allow users to exchange messages and share files individually and in big groups, combined have more than three billion users globally. They can only be accessed in China through virtual private networks that take users outside China's Great Firewall, but are still commonly used. Beijing has often viewed such platforms with caution,...
| Read more »The number of Netflix subscribers increased by 9.3M last quarter, to hit 270M globally – way higher than analysts had expected. However, the company says that it won’t (normally) reveal subscriber numbers in future …
| Read more »Since the first iPhone launched with a 3.5-inch screen back in 2007, Apple has followed a path of slow but steady increase, from the 4-inch iPhone 5 in 2012 to the 6.7-inch 15 Pro Max last year. But one reliable analyst has predicted that next year, one iPhone’s screen will get smaller.
Ross Young, an analyst who specializes in the displays supply chain and has an enviable track record, this week released a report (via 9to5Mac) in which he makes the startling claim that the iPhone 17 Plus will...
| Read more »Now that the iPhone’s port is USB-C there is a whole new world of wired headphones available for iPhones.
If you have one of the iPhone 15 generation handsets, or a recently purchased iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad mini or iPad 10th-genertion then at the base of your device is a UBC-C port, rather than Apple’s Lightning port. This is good news if you are on the hunt for a pair of headphones with a wired connection because you now don’t need an adaptor to use USB-C headphones.
There are a number of benefits to using USB-C headphones. Wired connections (generally) deliver better audio quality because the audio doesn’t need to be compressed as much as with wireless, so near-lossless audio can be possible. However, you should still expect expensive, high-quality wireless headphones to sound better than a pair of cheap USB-C headphones. You can only get true lossless playback with a wired connection. The only issue really...
| Read more »Police officers were allowed to force a suspect to use his thumbprint to unlock his phone, according to a federal court ruling.
However, it said the issue was a finely-judged one, and its ruling should not be interpreted to mean that this is lawful in all circumstances …
| Read more »3 Ways To Delete Favorite Songs Playlist on Apple Music
Apple Music automatically compiles all your Favorite Songs in a single playlist, which you can’t delete from your library. Most people are indifferent to it. If you regularly use Music, however, you might feel annoyed that the app suggests it so often. Luckily, there are some unofficial yet effective workarounds—here’s what you can do. How […]
This post 3 Ways To Delete Favorite Songs Playlist on Apple Music appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »A new Best Buy Vision Pro app uses augmented reality to let you see how things like big-screen TVs, furniture, kitchen appliances, and more would look in your home.
Once you find something you like, you can also buy it from within Vision Pro by opening the product page in Safari and completing the purchase there …
| Read more »Remember Tim Cook Staring Down ‘Mother Nature’ at iPhone 15 Launch? It’s Paying Off
Apple released its 2024 Environmental Progress Report this week. The report shows progress towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral across its entire value chain by 2030. The report comes after a memorable scene during the iPhone 15 launch, during which actress Octavia Spencer portrayed Mother Nature, holding Apple accountable for its environmental impact. Apple’s […]
This post Remember Tim Cook Staring Down ‘Mother Nature’ at iPhone 15 Launch? It’s Paying Off appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Senator Elizabeth Warren has tweeted a somewhat bizarre one-minute video in which she says that green texts are “ruining relationships” and that this is “just one of the dirty tactics that Apple uses to keep a stranglehold on the smartphone market.”
Warren uses the to-camera piece to voice her support for the DOJ’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple, but has chosen a rather peculiar argument to do so …
| Read more »Negative criticism is fun, as Anton Ego so wisely observed. And I had a lot of fun this week watching Marques Brownlee’s polite demolition of the Humane AI pin, which he described as “the worst product I’ve ever reviewed.” Not just a solution in search of a problem, but a future in search of a present.
Humane’s product, a chunky AI-powered pin that sits on your lapel and operates by voice and gesture rather than possessing any kind of screen, is riddled with problems. Some of these feel like temporary issues that will be ironed out in version 2.0, such as battery life, mild overheating, and slow query response times. Others are more fundamental: will a projector interface coupled with gesture controls ever match...
| Read more »If you’re looking for hotels with AirPlay-compatible TVs in the room, IHG is starting to cover the bases on this. IHG Hotels and Resorts announced on Thursday that more than 60 of its properties in North America will allow guests to connect their iPhone or iPad to the in-room TV. This will allow guests to […]
| Read more »At a glance
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Time Machine remains an outstanding solution for local backups on your Mac, but backups require an external drive, no cloud backups here.
Best Prices Today: Apple Time Machine
Retailer
Price
$0
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| Read more »Apple’s Alternative App Store Implementation Sparks Developer Backlash
The arrival of AltStore, the first officially sanctioned third-party app store in the European Union, has been met with a wave of criticism directed not at AltStore itself, but at Apple’s implementation of the system. Developers are expressing frustration with the user experience, citing excessive complexity and a slew of technical issues. According to a […]
This post Apple’s Alternative App Store Implementation Sparks Developer Backlash appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Fix: AirPods Pro 2 Connected to Samsung TV With No Sound
Is there no sound coming from your AirPods Pro 2 despite having a stable Bluetooth connection with your Samsung TV? Troubleshooting two devices at once is tedious. If you just want to zone out and watch your shows, follow these solutions—they address the most likely causes behind this issue. How To Fix AirPods Pro 2 […]
This post Fix: AirPods Pro 2 Connected to Samsung TV With No Sound appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Any professional knows that data is critical. However, what may be more important is breaking down large or complex data sets into a manner that other collaborators or colleagues can understand. Microsoft offers top-rated diagramming tools in Microsoft Visio Professional 2021, and through April 22, lifetime access is only $19.97 (reg. $249).
In addition to the shape and tool library from the standard edition of Visio, the Professional version adds a broader library that can be expanded with online...
| Read more »Apple’s rumored 12.9-inch iPad Air is rumored to be equipped with a mini-LED display that could be similar or identical to that of the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. Per Young, the move to mini-LED technology for the 12.9-inch model would provide increased brightness for HDR […]
| Read more »Best Buy Envision App for Apple Vision Pro Lets You Shop Using Augmented Reality
Online shopping has been available for nearly half a century, but it saw a major spike during the pandemic across the world. Of course, it’s sometimes tough to rely on e-commerce because you can’t see the products in person, but with augmented reality, things might get a little easier for everyone. Personally, I have relied […]
This post Best Buy Envision App for Apple Vision Pro Lets You Shop Using Augmented Reality appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Efficiency and clarity in digital communication are essential, no matter what your business. So, it only stands to reason that having the tools to support those efforts could be a game changer. Jott Pro is an AI-powered image extractor, transcriber, and more, and through April 21, a lifetime license is currently on sale for only $34.97 (reg. $199).
This user-friendly tool has many features that can streamline everyday tasks for work, home, or school. Use it to seamlessly ...
| Read more »HomePods Could Get a Touch Display According to New Leak
Rumors suggest that Apple is revamping its HomePod speaker with a proper touchscreen LCD display. A leaked image on X from Apple product collector Kosutami shows a component that appears to be the top part of the new HomePod, featuring a large curved glass panel. This leak coincides with previous rumors suggesting Apple has been […]
This post HomePods Could Get a Touch Display According to New Leak appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Apple Forced to Pull WhatsApp and Threads from China App Store
Apple has taken down Meta-owned popular apps, WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China, citing government orders, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. Apple explains that it did so to comply with China’s internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration, due to national security concerns. “We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where […]
This post Apple Forced to Pull WhatsApp and Threads from China App Store appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Apple has removed two Meta apps from the App Store in China, reportedly at the request of the Chinese government. Both WhatsApp and Threads have been made unavailable in the App Store, preventing new installs for the messaging and social apps.
| Read more »Apple is rumored to be working on a new HomePod with a touchscreen LCD display on top, and we’ve already seen some images of this unreleased device floating around the web. Now Apple product collector Kosutami is back with a new image showing another part of one of these HomePod prototypes with a display.
| Read more »Adobe on Thursday officially launched its new Adobe Express app with Firefly AI for iOS and Android. This version of the app has been available to beta testers for some time, and can now be downloaded by anyone. Read on as we detail everything that’s new with the Adobe Express update.
| Read more »Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.
Sponsored by Kolide by 1Password: The device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your apps. Close the Zero Trust access gap for Okta. Watch the demo.
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| Read more »Watching what you want to watch on a hotel TV can be frustrating, especially now that so much of TV is dominated by streaming services. Customers rejoiced when Apple announced the iOS 17 feature at WWDC last summer that hotels would soon support AirPlay in a secure fashion on their hotel TVs, but the feature has taken quite a while to actually roll out.
Starting today, anyone with iOS 17.3 or later can use AirPlay at up to 60 select IHG hotels...
| Read more »Last year Astropad launched its impressive Rock Paper Pencil kit for iPad that delivers a reusable/removable matte screen protector plus a ballpoint-style Apple Pencil tip for a real pen-on-paper experience. This year the company delivered Rock Paper Pencil v2 with a NanoCling border, flat profile, improved Apple Pencil tip, and more. Here’s what I think after testing out the improved version.
| Read more »Enlarge (credit: PM Images | DigitalVision)
On Wednesday, Colorado expanded the scope of its privacy law initially designed to protect biometric data like fingerprints or face images to become first in the nation to also shield sensitive neural data.
That could stop companies from hoarding brain activity data without residents realizing the risks. The New York Times reported that neural data is increasingly being collected and sold nationwide. And after a...
| Read more »Enlarge / That is in no way what the Z button looks like or where it goes...
Apple's decision earlier this month to open the iOS App Store to generic retro game emulators is already bearing fruit. Delta launched Wednesday as one of the first officially approved iOS apps to emulate Nintendo consoles from the NES through the N64 and the Game Boy through the Nintendo DS (though unofficial options have snuck through in the past).
Delta is an outgrowth of developer Riley Testut's...
| Read more »Game Room is one of the best experiences on Apple Vision Pro, especially with newly introduced spatial Personas. The latest update to the Apple Arcade game introduces one of the most popular classics: checkers.
| Read more »Apple Watch is a must-have accessory for every cyclist. That’s become time and again it has proven critical for helping cyclists after a crash. Eric Zollinger from New York is the latest wearer to know firsthand.
| Read more »Upcoming 12.9-Inch iPad Air Might Have Same Screen as the Current Larger iPad Pro
The upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Air, scheduled to launch alongside the 2024 iPad Pro in the second week of May, could ditch LCD in favor of a new mini-LED display, according to a new report. The report, shared by analyst Ross Young, who is generally right about these developments, especially in display tech, shared details about the changes […]
This post Upcoming 12.9-Inch iPad Air Might Have Same Screen as the Current Larger iPad Pro appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »While every iPhone release generates tons of excitement, there are only a couple that were truly historic. And now you can own one for a fraction of its original MSRP: Amazon’s Woot is selling Grade A Refurbished iPhone X for as low as $180 in this rare sale.
The iPhone X was released in 2017 alongside the iPhone 8 as a complete re-imagining of the handset. Where all other models had a home button and giant bezels around the screen, the iPhone X...
| Read more »A New App Signals at Apple Vision Pro’s Imminent Launch in China
The release of a 3D shopping app specifically made for the headset by a major retailer suggests that the Apple Vision Pro will soon be available in China. As of right now, the Apple Vision Pro is exclusive to the US, but the rumor mill suggests it will be global before WWDC 2024. China appears […]
This post A New App Signals at Apple Vision Pro’s Imminent Launch in China appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »We’re expecting Apple to unveil a new set of iPads during the first week of May. A new report on Thursday may provide a peek into what could be in store, and it says a lot about what the company is doing with its iPad lineup.
Analyst Ross Young posted on X (subscription required) that, “The upcoming 12.9″ iPad Air has a MiniLED display,” which is the same display technology used by the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Young states that Apple is using leftover supply from production of that Pro model since it is expected to...
| Read more »iPhone and Mac users have to enter Apple ID details so frequently–when buying an app, accessing iCloud email or other services, updating an OS–that you wouldn’t think we’d forget our passwords. But we do.
Perhaps you got confused when Apple made you change to a new password; perhaps you picked one that was just too complicated to remember. (Here’s how to choose a strong password.) Whatever the reason, forgetting the password to your Apple ID account can be a serious pain, so we’re going to explain how to reset it.
Before we get started, let’s quickly cover two slightly different scenarios. First, your password might not be working because it’s been locked by Apple for security reasons; perhaps an attempt has been made to hack it. Should this happen to you, try this tutorial:...
| Read more »Have you noticed your iPhone jump onto a WiFi network when you’re away from home without asking first? Or maybe you want to check what networks your iPhone is auto-joining? Follow along for how to turn off iPhone WiFi auto-join for public and carrier networks.
| Read more »Today I learned two things. First, apparently Meta Quest headsets don’t work on planes? I guess Apple knew to prioritize that feature for Vision Pro. And second, support is reportedly on the way. Add this to the list of ways competition from Vision Pro is making a better product.
| Read more »A spring refresh may be around the corner, but in the meantime, you can save on Apple’s latest 12.9-inch iPad Pros from $1,029. It comes joined by a chance to save $265 on a stainless steel Apple Watch Series 9 and the first discount on Anker’s new . Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
| Read more »If you stay in one of the 60+ appropriately equipped hotels on your next trip, you may be able to use AirPlay from your iPhone or iPad to share content with the big-screen TV in your room.
| Read more »You probably have a lot of online accounts, and in order to remember your login details you are quite likely to reuse those same few passwords over and over again. Perhaps you even have a document with them all in. It’s perfectly understandable, but definitely not safe.
We know that it’s important to use an original password for each account and update them on a regular basis, but it can be a Herculean task trying to retain that information in our heads. This is made even more challenging with different sites requiring specific mixtures of characters: this one demands at least two symbols and no capitals, while that one requires a mixture of cases and a minimum length. And then you have to change yet another password and feel like crying!
That’s where password manager apps come in. They allow users to create one master password, after which the app takes care of logging into all other accounts. They even make...
| Read more »Apple Cut a Deal to Scrap Usable iPhones That Later Found New Homes in Asia
Whenever you’re on the hunt for a new iPhone (while owning one), you have many offers, including an option to trade in your current phone for a discount while purchasing another. Have you ever wondered what happens to these iPhones? The thing is, many of these devices function perfectly well and could remain usable for […]
This post Apple Cut a Deal to Scrap Usable iPhones That Later Found New Homes in Asia appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Razer has now unlocked the god-tier of mobile gaming. The company today is launching its latest smartphone controller grip for iPhone 15 and Android handsets. On top of just fully embracing USB-C, the new Razer Kishi Ultra steps up to deliver a more premium experience actually geared towards gamers with support for even larger devices like iPad mini 6. But that’s really just the tip of the iceberg for why this is .
| Read more »Apple just published a new Press Release:
| Read more »Ross Young of DSCC has great news for potential 12.9-inch iPad Air buyers. According to Young, the newly introduced larger iPad Air will use the same display technology as the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
| Read more »A smart MagSafe wallet could alert you if you leave a card behind after using it in a store, thanks to a simple approach described in a new Apple patent application.
The wallet could also better protect you against accidentally losing cards when carrying only one or two cards …
| Read more »Apple will reveal its AI cards on June 10 at WWDC, and Siri is surely going to be a key component. Generally, people want Siri to get good. You can’t just replace Siri intelligence with generative AI, however, but the two technologies make a powerful combination. What I want to see from an AI-infused Siri is actually simple.
| Read more »Refurbished Apple Watch Ultra 2 Units Are Now Available in China
China has become the first and only place where Apple is selling refurbished Apple Watch Ultra 2 units directly to customers. The refurbished versions have a 15% price reduction compared to equivalent brand-new ones. Apple rigorously tests, inspects, cleans, and repackages all refurbished products to guarantee optimal functionality and quality. Additionally, they come with a […]
This post Refurbished Apple Watch Ultra 2 Units Are Now Available in China appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Whether you’re trying to lose a few pounds and track your weight for other purposes, smart scales that sync data to the iPhone can be a fun and useful way to keep an eye your status.
If you want to easily collect your weight and other measurement data in the Health app on iPhone and iPad (new with iPadOS 17), the trick is to find a scale that works with HealthKit.
| Read more »Apple has pledged to buy US-made chips once TSMC’s Arizona plants come online, but the company may have to pay more for them.
TSMC’s chief exec has said that it plans to charge customers more for chips made outside of Taiwan, due to the higher production costs …
| Read more »Beginning today, more than sixty IHG Hotels & Resorts locations will support the new iOS 17 AirPlay feature, allowing guests to easily stream to the TV in their hotel with no additional hardware required.
Just like you would stream to an Apple TV at home, guests are able to seamlessly select their hotel TV as the AirPlay output to watch videos, view photos and stream music from their iPhone or iPad.
| Read more »Romance scams are getting a whole lot more convincing with the latest tactic: using two phones, one running a face-swap app, to conduct live video calls with victims …
| Read more »Apple has an ambitious goal to create a fully carbon neutral value chain for its products by 2030, and every year it charts its progress in its annual Environmental Progress Report. The 2024 report published today highlights a milestone achievement for emissions.
Apple says its overall greenhouse gas emissions have more than halved since 2015, down 55%. However, there is still more work to be done as the company will need to attain a 75% reduction to meet its 2030 targets.
| Read more »Almost 100,000 iPhones which Apple paid a contractor to scrap were instead stolen and shipped off to China, according to an in-depth report.
Apple sued the company concerned, but now appears to have abandoned the lawsuit, with the report suggesting this is to avoid publicly admitting that it orders the shredding of perfectly usable devices, in stark contrast to the company’s environmental stance …
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| Read more »Enlarge / Here it is: two virtual Mac displays in Vision Pro. (credit: Samuel Axon)
Apple's Vision Pro headset holds the promise to be a powerful extension of your Mac workflow, but the Mac integration it shipped with is just neat, not a big step forward. Now, an app by established independent developers Jordi Bruin, Mathijs Kadijk, and Tom Lokhorst aims to fix that.
Called Splitscreen, it enables you to use two virtual displays at once while working with your Mac and wearing Vision Pro. By contrast, Apple's default implementation only supports mirroring a single Mac display to a resizable virtual one.
Further, the developers are working on achieving what I said I'd like to see from Apple when I wrote up my first impressions of the headset: the ability to move...
| Read more »3 Key Benefits of Using iPhone’s Night Shift Mode
iPhone users are divided on the benefits of Night Shift. Some make far-reaching claims about it helping them sleep better, while others think it’s just one of Apple’s marketing gimmicks. Regardless, you should take these opinions with a grain of salt. To help you decide when and how to use this feature, let’s dive into […]
This post 3 Key Benefits of Using iPhone’s Night Shift Mode appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »[Solved] Apple Watch Charging Slow on watchOS 10
A strong battery makes a strong device, which is why an Apple Watch charging slowly after moving to watchOS 10 can be detrimental. Luckily, the primary factor for this issue is a feature from Apple that is supposed to protect the health of your battery. Let’s explore the solutions. How To Fix Apple Watch Charging […]
This post [Solved] Apple Watch Charging Slow on watchOS 10 appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The Satechi 145 W USB-C Gan Travel Charger makes life easier when traveling. You can replace all your chargers with this one. It’s also just as perfect to keep at home on your desk. Plenty of wattage and ports (as well as different plugs) make it a great buy.
Price When Reviewed
$119.99
Best Prices Today: Satechi 145W USB-C GaN Travel Charger
Retailer
Price
$119.99
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| Read more »We’re expecting 2024 to be the year Apple builds generative AI features into iOS 18, and the company has announced a $250M investment to support ongoing work in this field. The Apple Singapore campus is growing from one building to three, to provide space for ‘new roles in AI and other key functions.’
Apple says that the expansion and refit will allow for greater collaboration between its growing teams in the country …
| Read more »When the iPhone 16 line launches this September, we expect it to usher in a new A-series processor. As has been the case in the last few years, the top-end “Pro” models will get a new processor while the regular iPhone 16 non-Pro models will likely get a version of the A17 Pro chip found in this year’s iPhone 15 Pro.
As we do every year, we’ll look at the history and performance of the A-series processors from the last several years, along with the recent rumors and overall industry trends, to anticipate what we might expect from Apple’s new iPhone silicon this fall. As always, this is all just guesswork; Apple is a famously secretive company, and the details about its products are often not fully revealed until they are released.
To “Pro” or not to “Pro”?
Last year, Apple introduced what might be an all-new wrinkle into the expected upgrade pattern. Changing the name from “A17 Bionic” to “A17 Pro” for the...
| Read more »Comcast on Wednesday launched NOW, a new tier of low cost and prepaid connectivity offerings, with speeds up to 200 Mbps as well as unlimited 5G data for mobile plans along with access to more than 40 networks for live and on-demand content. The new plans function as low-cost, no-contract options for customers, as details […]
| Read more »If you lost one or both left and right pieces of your Nintendo Switch controller or simply want an upgrade in your Switch gaming’s style and function, this deal is for you. Save 27% when you order this Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch, which features RGB lights, while it’s on sale for only $30.99 (reg. $42).
This controller’s new chip technology offers a more responsive, connected experience. It’s also made with durable, non-slip ABS material so your...
| Read more »If you’re looking to organize your Mac’s screenshots, this might come in handy. Developer Aptonic has recently released ScreenSnapAI, its new organization utility to help wrangle your screenshot files. The software offers the following features: ScreenSnapAI retails for $9.99, is available via the Mac App Store, and requires macOS 10.13 (Ventura) or later to install […]
| Read more »Apple is doubling down on 8GB of RAM for many of its entry-level Macs, claiming that it's "suitable for many tasks," including browsing, video streaming and even "light" video and image editing. As of this writing, all MacBook Air laptops, the Mac Mini, and the MacBook Pro 14 all start with a base configuration of 8GB RAM -- which can't be upgraded at a later date since the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard. "That might have been OK were it not for the fact that Apple charges a ridiculous $200 to upgrade any of those machines from 8GB to 16GB," notes PC Gamer's Jeremy Laird. Even if an 8GB Mac does some of the previously stated tasks tolerably well, Laird argues that "8GB still isn't acceptable." From the report: That's because a Mac with 8GB can easily run out of memory just browsing the web. That's particularly true with Chrome, which just so happens to be the most popular browser around. Regular Chrome users will know what a memory hog Chrome can be. Right now, I have about...
| Read more »2 Ways To Find Your Apple ID Password Without Resetting It
Are you also trying to find your Apple ID password without resetting it? Most people rely on Face ID or Touch ID to use Apple Pay, App Store, or to log in to any website. So, it’s very easy to forget the password. Luckily, you don’t need to reset it. You can retrieve your password […]
This post 2 Ways To Find Your Apple ID Password Without Resetting It appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Install the April 2024 iWork update and you’ll gain access to a “new” feature that’s decades old: noncontiguous text selection. Put simply, it means you can select text that doesn’t flow continuously from one letter to the next. This lets you select multiple areas of text for manual formatting or character styles all at once instead of one at a time. (Apple doesn’t let you use Find & Replace to select everything that matches the Find field, however.)
To make a noncontiguous selection:
You can remove text from the selection by dragging or Shift-dragging while keeping Command...
| Read more »This year, Apple wants to make a big impression with its AI efforts, and we’re starting to get a peek as to what we could expect, and it starts with Apple’s chips. We talk about the upcoming A18 Pro and the M4 chips and Apple’s plans, in this episode of the Macworld Podcast.
This is episode 880 with Jason Cross, Michael Simon, and Roman Loyola.
Listen to episode 880 on Apple Podcasts
Listen to episode 880 on Spotify
Get info
Click on the links below for more information on what was discussed on the show.
Streaming your faves at home is so convenient, but it really is nice to get out of your sweats and out to enjoy a movie on the big screen. And the fact that you don’t have to make your own snacks is a bonus. This $12 deal helps you save some cash with a 33% discount on most standard 2D showtimes at Regal, as well as premium format tickets (though surcharges may apply).
You won’t have to worry about any blackout or expiration dates for this purchase. However, there are some restrictions, like it not being...
| Read more »[Fixed] Mac Messages Shows Contact Numbers Instead of Names
Does the Messages app on your Mac show contact numbers instead of names? You’ll have a harder time keeping track of incoming FaceTime calls and iMessages if your saved contacts aren’t syncing. Thankfully, there are several troubleshooting solutions that you can try—let’s go through the most effective ones. What To Do if Messages Is Showing […]
This post [Fixed] Mac Messages Shows Contact Numbers Instead of Names appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Fix: iPhone 15 Pro Makes Repeated Noise When Charging
I get how annoying it is to hear your iPhone 15 Pro make a repeated beeping and buzzing noise while charging. Being unable to use the basic functions of a new, expensive smartphone seems quite unfair. That said, you don’t necessarily have to send your device for hardware repairs. Several software issues and bugs can […]
This post Fix: iPhone 15 Pro Makes Repeated Noise When Charging appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »How To Install tvOS 17.5 Developer Beta 2
Apple released the second tvOS 17.5 Developer Beta version on April 16th. While the specifics of tvOS beta updates are typically kept confidential, you have the opportunity to explore these features and changes firsthand by downloading the version yourself. Here’s how to do it. How To Download & Install tvOS 17.5 Developer Beta You must […]
This post How To Install tvOS 17.5 Developer Beta 2 appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »5 Questions You Should Never Ask Siri: Avoid These at All Costs
Having an iPhone or Apple Watch is great, especially since it comes with the powerful personal assistant, Siri. However, there are some things you should never ask it. As someone who has owned an iPhone since it first came to my carrier, I’ve spent far, far too much time asking Siri stupid and silly questions. […]
This post 5 Questions You Should Never Ask Siri: Avoid These at All Costs appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »AltStore PAL has become one of the first alternative app marketplaces to launch in the European Union. Developed by Riley Testut, AltStore PAL is marketed as an open-source project designed to distribute apps from independent developers. MacRumors reports: At launch, it features two apps, including Testut's Delta game emulator and clipboard manager app Clip. Delta is also being simultaneously released in the App Store outside of the European Union, but it looks like EU customers will need to download it from AltStore. Testut says that once AltStore PAL is "running smoothly," third-party app developers will be able to submit their apps for distribution outside of the App Store. The app marketplace is designed to be decentralized with no directory, so developers will need to self-promote their apps and direct users to their websites to install an app through AltStore.
Distributing apps through AltStore is free of charge, but it is worth noting that apps that see more than one...
| Read more »One of the many great benefits of Apple Silicon is the ability to run iPhone and iPad apps on the Mac. For baseball fans, this meant support for using the iPad version of the MLB app on macOS.
Sadly, the 2024 MLB season is off to a rocky start for Mac users (just like it is for Cincinnati Reds fans).
| Read more »Is the arrival of game emulators on iOS making you nostalgic? Check out these fun Game Boy wallpapers for iPhone as a neat way to relive your handheld gaming memories or get close to the Game Boy you always wanted but never had.
| Read more »Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.
Sponsored by Kolide by 1Password: The device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your apps. Close the Zero Trust access gap for Okta. Watch the demo.
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| Read more »Logitech is known for its computer accessories such as keyboards and mouse. On Wednesday, the company announced the new M750 Wireless Mouse – which looks like any other Logitech mouse. However, this is the company’s first “Signature AI Edition” mouse with a dedicated ChatGPT button.
| Read more »As I’ve written in the past, Soulver is one of my must-have apps on the Mac and iPad. It’s essentially a smart notepad calculator, with live data, natural language calculations, and more. Starting this week, Soulver is now available on the iPhone.
| Read more »iPhone 17 Plus Screen Size Might Be Smaller Than Current Plus Variant, Says Report
Over the years, Apple has increased the screen size for its iPhones, and Cupertino will likely continue the tradition with the iPhone 16 Pro series. And if leaks and rumors about the iPhone 16 series weren’t enough, some tipsters have begun winding up the rumors about next year’s iPhone 17 series. One such rumor comes […]
This post iPhone 17 Plus Screen Size Might Be Smaller Than Current Plus Variant, Says Report appeared first on The Mac Observer
| Read more »Google’s new Find My Device network works nearly identically to Apple’s Find My network with a few exceptions: Google’s design offers more anti-stalking and privacy features than Apple.
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