Sonos overhauls iOS controller app to simplify smart speaker streaming
Sonos is updating its mobile app, providing iPhone users with a simpler design to make streaming services through its smart speakers even easier.Sonos is updating its iOS appThe updated app, which will roll out on iOS as well as Android from May 7, streamlines the experience of accessing streaming content via the app itself. To accomplish that, the changes start with a considerably pared-down home screen, which provides quick access to the user's subscriptions.The redesigned home screen does away with tabs, and instead, it offers users a selection of recently played albums and stations, trending libraries, and direct access to subscribed services. At the bottom of the screen are the currently-played track and basic playback controls. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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New iPad Air & iPad Pro models are coming on May 7
In a surprise move, Apple has announced a new iPad event for May 7, with the iPad Pro and iPad Air expected to debut.The event called "Let Loose" is on May 7. However, it is scheduled a bit earlier in the day than normal, happening at 10AM Eastern time.Like other Apple events, it will be streamed to the public via the Apple website, as well as the Apple TV app and on YouTube.With no significant changes to the ranges in 2023, Apple's iPads are due a shakeup. Rumored models include a pair of iPad Air updates, with a 10.9-inch model accompanied by a 12.9-inch version. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Does Apple need a true low-end iPhone?
Vision Pro is now suffering from waning enthusiasm. Apple needs a true low-end iPhone to revive growth in a move that… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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This advanced jump starter can also charge your iPhone, AirPods and more
Prepare for emrgencies. Save on a Type S jump starter with a built-in USB-C cable and Qi-compatible charger for just $69.99 (regularly $119). (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Analysts see hopeful signs as iPhone sales slide in China
iPhone sales in China slumped in the first quarter of 2024, but analysts see ways Apple could turn things around. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple still has one more ‘season’ of FineWoven accessories in the works, but the end is near
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. more…

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Apple's next HomePod could be a desktop or TV sound bar
While most HomePod rumors have claimed that Apple will add a screen to a future model, new research shows the company is thinking about making it a horizontal sound bar.Proposed horizontal HomePodThe HomePod mini hasn't changed since its launch in 2020. Apart from its cancellation and then rebirth, the original HomePod hasn't changed a great deal since it was announced in 2017.So you'd think that it was Apple's second-least regarded product after the Apple Pencil. Behind the scenes, the company keeps plotting. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How to use Delta, the iPhone game emulator
If you want a game emulator on iPhone, the Delta app is now available on the App Store to play Nintendo games. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Sonos unveils app overhaul with customizable Home screen, search across all services, 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. more…

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Apple’s Q1 iPhone sales plummeted 19.1% YoY in China
China’s smartphone sales grew 1.5% YoY and 4.6% QoQ in Q1 2024, , but Apple’s iPhone sales dropped 19.1% YoY in Q1 as… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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If your Apple TV aerial screensavers stopped working, here’s why
Macworld 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 Rosensteel checked on a different Apple TV did not display the same behavior. It’s not clear how this started happening or why the tvOS system allows it, but we assume Apple is investigating a way to block it in tvOS 17.5. At the moment this is merely annoying. The Apple TV’s screensaver is, as you would probably expect from an Apple creation, visually sumptuous and well-designed. But the YouTube screensaver is simply a mishmash of low-quality still images from various videos. Or, worse still, if you’ve got one specific video open and paused, the app will loop the thumbnail art for that video. As Rosensteel quite reasonably observes, “Some of the worst sins of mankind exist in YouTube thumbnails, and they’re not designed to be screensavers.” Aside from the poor quality of the artwork, many of the images he saw being used featured static text and logos, which isn’t ideal for a screensaver. But this may point to more pernicious behavior in the future because YouTube is unlikely to be interested in running its own screensaver for the fun of it. At some point, Rosensteel predicts, the company will try to leverage this real estate to run adverts or promote selected content. And other apps could attempt to horn in on the racket too. Right now, there’s a fairly easy solution to stop this happening. While the Apple TV’s screensaver kicks off after five minutes by default, this can easily be set to a lower value. Change this to three minutes and it will pre-empt YouTube and prevent its screensaver from ever being seen. If the YouTube app ever gets clever enough to detect the system settings and undercut them by two seconds, we’ll all be in trouble–but maybe Apple will step in and have a word. Apple TV

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Mozilla Waves Red Flag Over Data Hungry Dating Apps
Nearly two dozen dating apps were flagged by Mozilla's Privacy Not Included researchers as failing to meet privacy and security standards, sharing customer data with third parties, and excluding the right of a user to wipe their data from the app. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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The best of WWDC — the developer conference that shapes technology for the rest of us
Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference isn't as high profile as its iPhone launches. But, it has been the setting for moments that have radically changed the company — and all of our lives.Tim Cook announcing Apple Silicon at WWDC 2020The iPhone, the iPad, and even the Apple Watch — none of them were unveiled at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference. Major new products get their own event, or they were announced when Apple would attend the now defunct Macworld conferences.Yet every year since 1983 — albeit sometimes under different names — WWDC has kept developers and users up to date with Apple's latest moves. That did include showing developers the Mac in 1984, but it had already been unveiled to stockbrokers. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iMac vs MacBook Pro: How to decide between a laptop or desktop
Macworld At a Glance Our VerdictRight 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 ReviewedApple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3, 2023): $1,599Apple 24-inch iMac (M3, 2023): $1,299 base model Best Pricing Today for 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3) Retailer Price $1,449 View Deal $1499 View Deal $1599 View Deal $1599 View Deal $1599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket We’re comparing the 24-inch iMac with all sizes of Apple’s MacBook Pro here–there’s more to it than a straightforward comparison of desktop versus laptop. For each Apple product, there are variants that suit different customers. Some of you reading this may be hoping for advice about whether to choose a new M3 iMac or an M3 MacBook Pro, while others may be looking for a little bit more power and may be wondering if there is any reason to choose the iMac over the 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro, which have Pro and Max variants. Comparing iMac and MacBook Pro Prior to the spring of 2022 Apple also sold a 27-inch iMac and in the past it has also sold an iMac Pro. These Macs are no longer sold by Apple, although you may still be able to buy one from a reseller who still has stock. However, because they are powered by Intel chip rather than the Apple M-series, we would advise against buying one right now. There is a chance that the iMac Pro might be reborn at some point in the future, but so far that is only a rumor. Historically it’s been the case that a Mac laptop, even if it had comparable specs to a desktop, cost a little more because you are paying extra for the compact form factor. It now seems that the iMac is the Mac with a high price, when compared to a laptop with similar specs. The M3 Pro and Max versions of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro have even higher prices, but the specs are superior and there are some other benefits. For the latest money-off deals on any of these Macs read: Best iMac deals and Best MacBook Pro deals. Read our reviews of the products mentioned here: 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3) 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro) 16-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Max) iMac (M3) 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 vs 24-inch iMac M3 We’ll start by comparing the iMac with the similarly specced M3 MacBook Pro. 14-inch MacBook Pro24-inch iMacSystem on a Chip modelM3M3CPU8 cores (4 performance, 4 efficiency)8 cores (4 performance, 4 efficiency)GPU10 cores8 or 10 coresUnified memory8GB or 16GB8GBSSD512GB or 1TB256GB or 512GBDisplay14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display24-inch Retina displayPorts2 Thunderbolt/USB 43.5 mm headphone jackSDXC card slotHDMIMagSafe2 Thunderbolt/USB 43.5 mm headphone jackgigabit ethernet (mid and upper models only)2 USB-C (mid and upper models only)PriceU.S.: $1,599/$1,799/$1,999U.K.: £1,699/£1,899/£2,099Canada: $2,099/$2,349/$2,599Australia: $2,699/$2,999/$3,299U.S.: $1,299/$1,499/$1,699U.K.: £1,299/£1,499/£1,699Canada: $1,699/$1,949/$2,199Australia: $2,199/$2,499/$2,799 Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3, 2023) Read our review Price When Reviewed: $1,599 Best Prices Today: $1,449 at Amazon | $1499 at B&H | $1599 at Apple The $1,599 14-inch MacBook Pro and the 24-inch iMac both have M3 chips and are a good place to start. The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro was introduced in November 2023. It replaced the 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 chip. Read our 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro review. The 13-inch MacBook Pro was the last laptop with the Touch Bar. The 24-inch iMac design was introduced in May 2021 and it is completely different compared to the previous 21.5-inch model. In November 2023, Apple upgraded the iMac to include the M3 chip. There are three iMacs to choose from with various specs as standard (and many more build-to-order options). Read our 24-inch iMac (M3) review. Apple 24-inch iMac (M3, 2023) Read our review Price When Reviewed: $1,299 base model Best Prices Today: $1,199 at Amazon | $1199 at B&H | $1299 at Adorama Both the 24-inch iMac and 14-inch MacBook Pro have decent specs, for the most part, and both have reasonably priced entry-level models that may mean you don’t have to exceed your budget. We’ll run through price and specs in more detail below. Thomas Armbrüster Thomas Armbrüster Thomas Armbrüster What do you get for your money? The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,599/£1,699/C$2,099/A$2,699 and the iMac at $1,299/£1,399/C$1,699/A$2,199, but they don’t have matching specifications–that entry-level iMac has fewer GPU cores and a smaller SSD. You must pick the $1,699/£1,799/C$2,199/$A$2,799 iMac to get the same specifications as the entry-level M3 14-inch MacBook Pro. Here’s what you get for your money:  24-inch iMac, M3, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Retina 4.5K display, for $1,299/£1,399/CA$1,699/AU$2,199 14-inch MacBook Pro, M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD for $1,599/£1,699/CA$2,099/AU$2,699 If you have a little more to spend you have the following choices: 24-inch iMac, M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Retina 4.5K display, for $1,499/£1,599/CA$1,949/AU$2,499 24-inch iMac, M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Retina 4.5K display, for $1,699/£1,799/CA$2,199/AU$2,799 14-inch MacBook Pro, M2, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD for $1,799/£1,899/CA$2,349/AU$2,999 14-inch MacBook Pro, M2, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD for $1,999/£2,099/CA$2,599/AU$3,299 Note that while none of the iMac standard configurations noted here do not include 16GB RAM or 1TB SSD, they are available. A customer can select them as options for an extra fee. Foundry Foundry Foundry 14-inch & 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 Pro & M3 Max vs 24-inch iMac M3 If you want a more powerful Mac the MacBook Pro offers Pro and Max processor options, currently the iMac only offers the M3 chip. 14-inch MacBook Pro16-inch MacBook Pro24-inch iMacSystem on a Chip modelM3 Pro or M3 MaxM3 Pro or M3 MaxM3CPUM3 Pro: 11 cores (5 performance and 6 efficiency)12 cores (6 performance and 6 efficiency)M3 Max: 14 cores (10 performance and 4 efficiency)M3 Pro: 12 cores (6 performance and 6 efficiency)M3 Max: 14 cores (10 performance and 4 efficiency)16 cores (12 performance and 4 efficiency)8 cores (4 performance, 4 efficiency)GPUM3 Pro: 14 or 18 coresM3 Max: 30 coresM3 Pro: 18 coresM3 Max: 30 or 40 cores8 or 10 coresUnified memoryM3 Pro: 18GBM3 Max: 36GBM3 Pro: 18GB or 36GBM3 Max: 36GB or 48GB8GBSSDM3 Pro: 512GB or 1TBM3 Max: 1TBM3 Pro: 512GBM3 Max: 1TB256GB or 512GBDisplay14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display24-inch Retina displayPorts3 Thunderbolt/USB 43.5 mm headphone jackSDXC card slotHDMIMagSafe3 Thunderbolt/USB 43.5 mm headphone jackSDXC card slotHDMIMagSafe2 Thunderbolt/USB 43.5 mm headphone jackgigabit ethernet (mid and upper models only)2 USB-C (mid and upper models only)PriceU.S.M3 Pro: $1,999/$2,399M3 Max: $3,199U.K.M3 Pro: £2,099/£2,499M3 Max: £3,299CanadaM3 Pro: $2,699/$3,249M3 Max: $4,349AustraliaM3 Pro: $3,499/$4,199M3 Max: $5,599U.S.M3 Pro: $2,499/$2,899M3 Max: $3,499/$3,999U.K.M3 Pro: £2,599/£2,999M3 Max: £3,599/£4,099 CanadaM3 Pro: $3,299/$3,799M3 Max: $4,649/$5,299AustraliaM3 Pro: $4,299/$4,899M3 Max: $5,999/$6,899U.S.$1,299/$1,499/$1,699U.K.£1,299/£1,499/£1,699Canada$1,699/$1,949/$2,199Australia$2,199/$2,499/$2,799 Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M2 Pro, 2023) Read our review Price When Reviewed: From $1,999 | Model reviewed $2,499 Best Prices Today: $1749 at B&H | $1749.95 at Adorama | $1,749.95 at Amazon If you require a more powerful Mac, and have the budget, then in the past you might have considered the 27-inch iMac, or even the iMac Pro. Apple has discontinued both of these models, introducing the Mac Studio instead. See: Is Mac Studio a worthy replacement for a 27-inch iMac? Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M2 Pro, 2023) Read our review Price When Reviewed: $2,499 | $2,699 | $3,499 Best Prices Today: $1,998.99 at Amazon | $2099 at B&H | $2364 at Walmart The Mac Studio is a great option if you need a powerful Mac, as is the Mac mini with M2 Pro or M2 Max, but if you are looking for a Mac with a built-in display, the Mac Studio lacks one. If a built-in screen is important to you, you may well be considering the iMac due to its 24-inch display and comparing it to the MacBook Pro. Also read: Mac mini vs Mac Studio. What you get for your money For the purposes of this comparison, we’re going to look at the mid- and high-end iMacs, along with the 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro, which is the lowest-priced MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro chip. 24-inch iMac, M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Retina 4.5K display, for $1,499/£1,599/CA$1,949/AU$2,499 24-inch iMac, M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Retina 4.5K display, for $1,699/£1,799/CA$2,199/AU$2,799 14-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Pro, 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 18GB RAM, 512GBB SSD for $1,999/£2,099/CA$2,699/AU$3,499 One factor in favor of the iMac (perhaps the only factor) is the (obviously) bigger screen, which is a 4.5K display. The iMac screen is great, but it’s a LED display, which doesn’t produce image quality that’s as nice as the Mini LED displays on the MacBook Pros. If you want more screen space on the MacBook Pro, you can plug in an external display. See our round-up of the best displays for a Mac.  If you need a powerful machine, then the 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro is the one to choose. The iMac with M3 and MacBook Pro with M3 Pro or M3 Max do not compare very favorably right now. However, that may change if Apple re-introduces a larger, pro-level iMac. Read about what we expect Apple to do with the pro version of the iMac. Read more about the differences between the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro. iMac vs. MacBook Pro: Verdict We recommend all models of the MacBook Pro over the iMac. If you have more to spend and need a powerful machine, then it is worth considering the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with a M3 Pro or M3 Max chip–these chips are not available on the iMac. Learn more about the differences between the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips in our Mac processor comparison. However, the MacBook Pro isn’t necessarily the best Mac laptop you could buy – the MacBook Air might do the job just as well for even less money, in which case, read our comparison of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. Best prices right now 14-inch MacBook Pro, M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD (MSRP US$1,599/UK£1,699/CA$2,099/AU$2,699) Retailer Price $1,449 View Deal $1499 View Deal $1599 View Deal $1599 View Deal $1599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 14-inch MacBook Pro, M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD (MSRP US$1,799/UK£1,899/CA$2,349/AU$2,999) Retailer Price $1,599 View Deal $1599 View Deal $1799 View Deal $1799 View Deal $1799 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 24-inch iMac, M3, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD (MSRP from $1,299/£1,399/CA$1,699/AU$2,199) Retailer Price $1,199 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1299 View Deal $1299 View Deal $1299 View Deal $1299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 24-inch iMac, M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD (MSRP from $1,499/£1,599/CA$1,949/AU$2,499) Retailer Price $1,409 View Deal $1499 View Deal $1499 View Deal $1499 View Deal $1499 View Deal $1499 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 24-inch iMac, M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD (MSRP from $1,699/£1,799/CA$2,199/AU$2,799) Retailer Price $1,594 View Deal $1699 View Deal $1699 View Deal $1699 View Deal $1699 View Deal $1699 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 14-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Pro, 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD (MSRP: $1,999/£2,099/CA$2,699/AU$3,499) Retailer Price $1,799 View Deal $1799 View Deal $1849 View Deal $1999 View Deal $1999 View Deal $1999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 14-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Pro, 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, 18GB RAM, 1TB SSD (MSRP: $2,399/£2,499/CA$3,249/AU$4,199) Retailer Price $2,199 View Deal $2199 View Deal $2249 View Deal $2399 View Deal $2399 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 14-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Max, 14-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD (MSRP: $3,199/£3,299/CA$4,349/AU$5,599) Retailer Price $2,949 View Deal $2949 View Deal $2999 View Deal $3049 View Deal $3199 View Deal $3199 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 16-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Pro, 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD (MSRP: $2,499/£2,599/CA$3,299/AU$4,299) Retailer Price $2,299 View Deal $2299 View Deal $2349 View Deal $2499 View Deal $2499 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 16-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Pro, 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, 36GB RAM, 512GB SSD (MSRP: $2,899/£2,999/CA$3,799/AU$4,899) Retailer Price $2,694 View Deal $2699 View Deal $2749 View Deal $2899 View Deal $2899 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 16-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Max, 14-core CPU, 30-core GPU, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD (MSRP: $3,499/£3,599/CA$4,649/AU$5,999) Retailer Price $3499 View Deal $3,699 View Deal $3699 View Deal $3849 View Deal $3999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 16-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Max, 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 48GB RAM, 1TB SSD (MSRP: $3,999/£4,099/CA$5,299/AU$6,899) Retailer Price $3999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iMac, Mac, MacBook

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You can get a one-year Sam’s Club membership for only $14 with auto-renewal
Macworld 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 clothing. You can also shop on the Sam’s Club website or app and order curbside pickup, which may incur a small added fee. Aside offering incredible value on products, Sam’s Club offers several other perks for members. You can snag members-only fuel savings at select locations, and maintain your vehicle at the Sam’s Club Tire and Battery. See how you can stretch your family or business budget with a Sam’s Club membership in your wallet. Get a 1-year Sam’s Club Membership with Auto-Renewal for just $14, its lowest price ever, when you purchase now.   Sam’s Club 1-Year Membership with Auto-Renew Only $14 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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iPhone isn't secure enough for the South Korea military – but Android is
An iPhone ban in the South Korean military that has less to do with security and more to do with a poorly crafted mobile device management suite coupled with nationalism may be expanding to the rank-and-file.iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro MaxThe ban, in Samsung's backyard, has reportedly started in the country's Air Force headquarters. A report on Tuesday morning claims that the ban is on all devices capable of voice recording and do not allow third-party apps to lock this down — with iPhone specifically named."It's inevitable to block any kind of voice recording, not just formal communications including meetings, office conversations, business announcements and complaints from and consultations with the public, but also informal communications such as private phone calls (within military buildings)," the document distributed by the military reportedly says. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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FineWoven will join a long line of short-lived Apple failures
Macworld 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 how worn down the cases look after a short time compared to the leather cases of old. We won’t know for sure until September if Apple is truly planning to discontinue the line of accessories, but if it is, FineWoven will have some well-known company in the annals of short-lived Apple products: Macintosh XL (3 months) If the Macintosh precursor Lisa was troubled, the Macintosh XL, released in January 1985 at the tail end of Lisa’s run, was downright doomed. It wasn’t for the lack of specs or interest—in fact it sold quite well—but the line was overshadowed by the cheaper Macintosh. Resources and parts were scarce for the Macintosh XL and Apple ran out of stock forever just three months later. Macintosh TV (4 months) The original Apple TV before streaming was a thing, the Macintosh TV was supposed to be the device that combined personal computing with home entertainment. With a built-in 14-inch Sony Trinitron display and all of the necessary audio/video inputs including a coaxial cable input, the Macintosh TV combined Apple’s iconic all-in-one design with “new media capabilities that create a whole new category of computing and entertainment devices.” It didn’t catch on and Apple pulled the plug on its first TV project just four months later. The Power Mac G4 Cube was built for success, but never got off the ground. The Power Mac G4 Cube was built for success, but never got off the ground.RR Auction The Power Mac G4 Cube was built for success, but never got off the ground.RR Auction RR Auction Power Mac G4 Cube (11 months) The Power Mac G4 Cube made a huge splash at Macworld New York in 2000. A mini high-end tower packed inside a beautiful floating acrylic square with an ingenious handle to access the internal parts, the Power Mac G4 Cube should have been a runaway hit. Instead, the high price and various cosmetic and performance issues kept sales at bay, and less than a year later, Apple put the whole project “on ice.” eMate (11 months) Before the iBook there was a small translucent portable Mac called the eMate 300, which was geared toward the education market. The ultraportable laptop had a 25MHz ARM CPU, 1MB of RAM, and 2MB of flash memory for a very affordable $799. The eMate was ultimately a victim of Apple’s new direction under Steve Jobs, but that’s not the last we would see of transparent plastic cases. iPod Hi-Fi (19 months) Back when the company’s iconic music player was at the height of its popularity, Apple tried to cash in on the dedicated speaker market with the iPod Hi-Fi, a high-end audio system made specifically for the iPod. The boombox-esque design with exposed speakers and glossy white chassis was extremely big and heavy and had one job as a somewhat precarious $349 iPod dock. It lasted less than two years—during which time another new product named the iPhone arrived. That one would last a little longer. iPhone, Mac

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Apple's iPhone skid in China continues, with another big hit to start 2024
Apple is having a tough quarter in China, with new research claiming that Apple's iPhone sales are down 19.1% year-over-year.Apple's iPhone 15All smartphone sales have been in decline in China for some years, but recent reports had said the market was stabilizing. Other reports have said that iPhone sales in the country dropped 56% between January 2024 and February 2024, though this is traditionally when Apple's sales are lowest.Now new figures from Counterpoint Research have compared like for like quarters, charting Q1 2024 against Q1 2023. Citing Huawei's 69.9% year on year growth as the major factor, Counterpoint says that the iPhone dropped 19.1% over the same period. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple acquires French startup Datakalab, may have gained additional AI, computer vision tools
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 […] Source

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Apple's FineWoven cases rumored to get one final release
Apple has probably stopped production of its poorly-received FineWoven cases for the iPhone, but a new report from the same herald of its death says there is one last set of seasonal colorways coming.Apple's range of FineWoven casesFineWoven is Apple's name for its leather-free cases for the iPhone 15 range. They've not been a hit.Consequently, Apple was reported to have cancelled production of it, presumably as the company works to find a replacement. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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