Tested: Does Apple’s Dynamic Power Adapter really charge your iPhone faster?
Macworld When Apple introduced the new iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro/Max, it highlighted their even faster fast-charging abilities. With an appropriate USB-C charger that can deliver at least 40 watts, it can charge up to 50 percent in just 20 minutes, where prior iPhones took 30 minutes (50 percent longer). It also introduced an intriguing new power adapter. The 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max is nothing if not confusing. It’s small—surprisingly so for an Apple charger with this capacity—and seemingly made for iPhones. But what does “60W max” even mean? If it can go up to 60 watts, shouldn’t it just be called a 60-watt power adapter? And what is it even for, if none of the new phones need it to charge as quickly as possible? Let’s break down this new power adapter and what it can do. Dynamic Power Explained Apple’s new USB-C power adapter can sustain continuous power of up to 40 watts using the USB-PD (USB Power Delivery) standard. That’s up to 20 volts at 2 amps or 15 volts at 2.67 amps, if you want to get technical. But the adapter supports a new USB-C charging standard called AVS (Adjustable Voltage supply) that allows it to boost the power up to 3 amps without renegotiating the voltage delivery, going up to a possible 3 amps at 20 volts, or 60 watts. So if it can do 60 watts, why isn’t it just a 60-watt power adapter? Well, the power adapter can only hold that rate until either it or the device it is charging can’t maintain it. Usually, that happens because it gets too hot. According to some independent tests, it seems to take about 15-20 minutes at 60 watts for Apple’s power adapter to get too hot and back off. That’s why it says “60W max” rather than being listed as just a 60W power adapter: it won’t sustain 60 watts all the time. There’s another USB-PD standard called PPS (Programmable Power Supply) that is very similar to AVS, but actually a totally different protocol and completely incompatible. A number of existing third-party USB-C chargers support this standard, but Apple doesn’t. Each has its own tradeoffs from a geeky engineering perspective, but as far as consumers are concerned, they’re not all that different. The AVS standard seems to allow more rapid and fine-grain adjustments, so it can stay closer to the ideal power level as charging conditions change. Will it charge your iPhone more quickly? Short answer: Nope! While Apple’s new iPhones might support the new USB-PD AVS standard, they never really seem to draw more than around 25-28 watts, no matter what adapter you pair them with. Apple recommends at least a 40W power adapter to maximize charging speed (as no power adapter is perfectly efficient), but the boost up to 60 just isn’t necessary or helpful here. I tried the new “40W with 60 Max” power adapter on the iPhone 17 and compared it with a couple of other, older power adapters. In every case, the iPhone 17 charged at about the same rate. Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter: 20 minutes charged from 0 to 42 percent, the max power draw was ~26W. Apple 40W/60W Dynamic Power Adapter: 20 minutes charged from 0 to 41 percent, the max power draw was ~26W. No matter what power adapter you use, your new iPhone 17 isn’t going to draw more than 25-28 watts.Foundry However, this new Dynamic Power Adapter will deliver more juice to your MacBook or other higher-power modern Apple Device. We had no problem charging a M2 MacBook Air at a rate of 57 watts. Even a 3-year old MacBook Air draws nearly 60W from this adapter.Foundry While Apple’s new dynamic power adapter’s core benefit (the ability to boost to 60 watts for a while and continuously fine-tune charging rate with compatible devices) doesn’t really do a whole lot for iPhone users. iPhones just don’t draw enough power for it to matter. The higher max power rate is of benefit to those with modern Apple products that can draw more power, though, and we suspect this adapter is a bit of future-proofing for iPhones and iPads that may have a higher peak charge rate when using a power adapter that supports the USB-PD AVS standard.

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Razer Joro keyboard review: A gamer’s alternative to Apple’s Magic Keyboard
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Compact Pleasant typing feel Quiet keystroke Bluetooth and cable connection Many software functions of a gaming keyboard Cons No angle adjustment No Touch ID Expensive No U.K. layout Our Verdict The Razer Joro comes surprisingly close to the Apple Magic Keyboard—and could be the perfect alternative. It is compact, has a high-quality finish, a Mac layout and offers a very similar keystroke to the original—albeit quieter. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$139.99 Best Prices Today: Razer Joro Retailer Price $129.99 View Deal Razer $139.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The gaming brand Razer introduced the Razer Joro at the beginning of May 2025, a compact gaming keyboard designed for mobile use. For Mac users, there is an interesting novelty: the Joro is the first keyboard from Razer with Mac keys (or, strictly speaking, with double print). The Razer Joro is almost a perfect replacement for the Magic Keyboard. Design & workmanship Typical Razer: The Joro has a simple, completely black design. The body consists of a plastic base and an aluminum cover—where you touch the keyboard most often. This ensures a high-quality typing experience, but also reduces production costs and weight. Weighing only 13.2oz (374g) and with compact dimensions of 11.7 x 4.4 x 0.65 inches (29.8 × 11.2 × 1.65cm), the Joro can be easily stowed away in a MacBook backpack or bag. On the underside of the Razer Joro are four generously sized rubber feet.Michael Crider/Foundry The Joro has four rubber feet on the underside, which generally prevent it from slipping on smooth surfaces, but are not adjustable. Like Apple’s Magic Keyboard, the Joro has a fixed angle—the same angle, in fact—that you can’t adjust without jacking up the rear feet with other objects. However, I personally found the angle very comfortable and didn’t feel the need to change it. RGB lighting, on/off switch and USB-C port on the Razer Joro.Michael Crider/Foundry The USB-C port for charging and wired operation is located on the back of the Joro—next to it is a switch for switching between wired operation and Bluetooth, or in other words: an on/off switch. The keys on the Razer Joro are slightly smaller than those on a current MacBook, but still offer enough space for larger hands. They are made of plastic, are laser-engraved and therefore better protected against wear and tear. The key travel is a comfortable 1mm—ideal for fast typing without fatigue. On the inside, classic scissor switches are used, as found in laptops—including the MacBook. Accordingly, the keystroke is very similar to that of a MacBook and feels precise and familiar. The big difference lies in the sound: the Joro is noticeably quieter—much more restrained than Apple’s Magic Keyboard and also quieter than the MacBook keyboard itself. The special feature, as mentioned above, is the double imprint, because the Razer Joro not only comes with Windows keys, but also with Mac keys—very pleasing. There is also optional RGB lighting, “Razer Chroma”, which you can configure in the Razer Synapse software—now also available in the version for macOS. But be careful: the lighting draws so much power that the battery life suffers noticeably. I would therefore recommend only using it with a cable and not using it with a Bluetooth connection unless you are working or playing in complete darkness. Razer Joro next to the compact Razer Basilisk Mobile, which Razer introduced at the same time.Michael Crider/Foundry The Joro has a 75% layout, meaning no numeric keypad and a row of navigation keys—start, end, page up, page down—and the lock key vertically on the right edge. As is hardly surprising for a gaming keyboard, it also has arrow keys in full size instead of half size. The reduced size of the right shift key is noticeable, but this did not have a negative impact in everyday use. Also unusual: the space bar is slightly shorter than usual, as Razer has integrated an additional Fn key on the right-hand side. This proves to be a well thought-out detail in practical use, as it allows functions such as play/pause, volume, mute or track change to be conveniently controlled with just one hand using the navigation buttons. There is basically nothing to complain about the workmanship of the Joro, although the plastic base feels a little cheap in contrast to the aluminum plate on top. The Razer is incredibly stable and hardly gives way even under high pressure. The scope of delivery includes a very high-quality braided USB-C to USB-C cable, which is a little short at 1 meter in length, but supports charging currents of up to 60W—excessive for a keyboard, but very practical as a “cable for all occasions” when travelling. Software & functions As befits a gaming keyboard, the Joro comes with many functions that you don’t see in everyday keyboards, including N-key rollover and anti-ghosting. You can also activate the “Razer Snap Tap” function in the Razer Synapse software. If you make two inputs at the same time, “Snap Tap” prioritizes the second one. This is particularly useful in games, as a character would normally refuse to move in this case. With “Snap Tap”, however, it continues to move as usual. You can also activate the gaming mode in “Razer Synapse”, which deactivates certain Mac key combinations, such as Command Q (close programme), Command Tab (app switcher) and Command Spacebar (Spotlight), create macros and assign every single key completely differently than intended. You can save every change you make to the keyboard functions directly on the keyboard in up to five profiles and switch back and forth between them in future using a key combination, even if “Synapse” is not even installed. Apart from that, there are of course the usual suspects: Media control with Fn key combination, as mentioned above, all conceivable function keys in the F row, including Mission Control, display and keyboard brightness, etc. Touch ID is of course missing, as is the case with all other keyboards that do not come directly from Apple. Speaking of software: Overall, it looks like Razer wants to take the Mac as a platform a little more seriously than before, because for the first time the company has released a Mac version of “Synapse”. Previously, if you wanted to make adjustments to Razer devices in order to use them on a Mac, you had to do this on a Windows device or in a virtual machine beforehand. Razer Connection & battery life You can pair the Razer Joro with up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth and seamlessly switch between them using the first three buttons. In the future, the Razer Joro will also be compatible with the Razer Hyperspeed USB receiver via a firmware update, which establishes a faster and more stable wireless connection, although it is not included in the scope of delivery. Alternatively, you can also connect the Joro to your Mac using a USB-C cable, although, as mentioned above, the supplied cable is a little short at one metre in length. However, unless your Mac is in some far corner of your desk, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Razer is refreshingly transparent with the battery life of the Joro, although the company also initially advertises the highest possible energy savings and achieves a battery life of no less than 1,849 hours (77 days) in energy-saving mode. However, there is also a small slider on the product page that allows you to set the (theoretical) brightness of the RGB lighting and see how this affects the battery life. To my positive surprise, the figures are very close to reality. In standard mode and without lighting, for example, the Joro still lasts around 1,195 hours (just under 50 days). If you move the slider towards 100 per cent, you can see how much power such RGB lighting consumes: At 20 per cent, the Joro lasts 26 hours, at 50 per cent 11 hours and at 100 per cent only 5 hours. So if you are travelling and don’t know exactly when you can charge the Joro, you should switch off the lighting. You can of course continue to use the Joro while charging. After all, it is not an Apple Magic Mouse. Price & availability At $139.99 / £129.99, the Razer Joro is no bargain, but we like it so much we think it’s worth your money, at least compared to keyboards from some other third-party providers. If you compare it with the Apple Magic Keyboard, it actually doesn’t look too bad: The Apple equivalent without Touch ID is $50 cheaper but has fewer keys and even fewer functions. Should you buy the Razer Joro keyboard? The Razer Joro is one of the best Mac keyboards I’ve ever tested. There’s no Touch ID and U.K. users will have to get used to the U.S. layout but as a classy alternative to the Apple Magic Keyboard, it has a lot going for it.

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Inside iMovie for Mac — far more powerful than it's given credit for
There is still a perception that iMovie for Mac is for amateurs, but if it is, that's only in the sense that it is deliberately easy to use and its power features do not get in the way.Apple's iMovie is free on Mac — and very underratedTo be fair, iMovie for the Mac earned its reputation as being basic because it really used to be. To be unfair, it's also sometimes considered inferior to other video editing apps because it is free.It is still the case that if you need professional video editing features — because you're making broadcast TV or movies — then Apple's Final Cut Pro is the better bet. But, unlike with the iPad version of iMovie and Final Cut Pro, it is startling how similar Apple's free and paid video editing apps are on the Mac. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The iPad Pro has finally fulfilled its destiny, with a little help from the M5
Macworld It’s not quite right to say that for the first five years of its life, the iPad was an iPhone (or an iPod Touch) with a really big screen meant to be a lean-back consumption device. After all, the very first iPad shipped with a productivity accessory in the form of the Keyboard Dock. But ten years ago, Apple got serious. It shipped the very first iPad Pro, and began a decade-long conversation about whether the iPad could be used for work and even whether or not it was a computer. Today, the M5 iPad Pro and iPadOS 26 have settled a lot of old scores. But it’s been a long, strange journey from “Hey Siri” day in San Francisco to now. A big screen and accessories What made the original iPad Pro was its size and its collection of accessories. Though Apple would later add a smaller model, the first iPad Pro had a 12.9-inch diagonal screen, providing more space than ever before on an iOS device. What can you do with all that space? Shortly before the iPad Pro shipped, Apple shipped iOS 9, which added iPad multitasking for the first time in the form of Slide Over and Split View. Yes, it would take a decade for Apple to toss that approach entirely away and start again with iPadOS 26, but the ability to run two iPad apps at once, on that big screen, was a big deal. The other thing you can do with an iPad that’s bigger than ever before is attach a keyboard to it, and so Apple introduced the Smart Keyboard alongside the iPad Pro. By today’s standards, it was rudimentary–a thick multi-fold case with membrane keys and no trackpad. In fact, at the time, I felt that you’d be better off just using a case and a Bluetooth keyboard when you wanted to write on the iPad! But the most important thing about the Smart Keyboard is that it existed. Its existence meant that Apple felt that toting around a keyboard and using an iPad as an almost-laptop was an endorsed use case. It mattered. The other iPad Pro accessory introduced a decade ago was the Apple Pencil. Yes, today it’s easy to look at that original model (with its Lightning plug hidden underneath a cap!) and think about how far we’ve come. But the Apple Pencil was a game-changer. For years, artists had gravitated toward the iPad as a way to be freed from PC graphics tablets and work anywhere, at any time. This led to a cottage industry of styluses that tried to emulate the iPad’s finger-sensing touchscreen. They worked, to a degree, but it couldn’t be clearer that it was a use case Apple just didn’t endorse. Thiago Trevisan/Foundry The Apple Pencil changed everything. It allowed precision input on the iPad for the first time, with low latency. Not only were all the artists who had struggled to work on the iPad rewarded with a product designed just for them, but it also showed that Apple wanted the iPad to be used as a professional tool for those who make their living by holding a pencil (or equivalent). I’m someone who hates writing by hand, but the Apple Pencil even changed how I work. That’s because the Pencil didn’t just support drawing, but (after a few software updates) supported driving the iPad’s entire interface. I discovered that I loved using the Apple Pencil to edit podcasts. Using thoughtful iPad apps like Ferrite Recording Studio made even an inveterate stylus-hater like me into a true believer. The Apple Pencil is a great way to drive all sorts of apps. There’s nothing like it on any of Apple’s other platforms–and it all started with the iPad Pro. New sizes and changes Over the years, the iPad Pro and its accessories have evolved in numerous ways. For the last five years, the Magic Keyboard has provided iPad users with not just a keyboard, but full-on mouse pointer support. (It’s hard to even remember the Mouse Wars, but there was a time when saying that a pointing device might be useful on an iPad was controversial!) The Apple Pencil has also gotten better, with magnetic on-device charging and improved precision. And the iPad Pro itself has never been more impressive. Since the dawn of the Apple silicon era five years ago, it’s been powered by the same chips found on Macs. (You could argue that two special iPad Pro chips, the A12X and A12Z, were the testbed for the M series.) At this point, there’s no performance difference between a MacBook Air and an iPad Pro, because they generally run the same chips. And the tandem OLED iPad Pro display introduced in 2024 with the M4 model is legitimately the best display on any iPad, Mac, or iPhone, ever. The biggest change in the iPad Pro over the last decade has probably been where it sits within the iPad product line. The original iPad Pro started at $799–pricey! Today’s large iPad Pro starts at $1299… but there’s another option. The iPad Air is now basically what the iPad Pro used to be. (The large model even starts at the same price, $799.) The iPad Air supports the Apple Pencil Pro and a Magic Keyboard and offers a pretty great value… just without that OLED display with ProMotion, Face ID, ProMotion, and a few other niceties. The iPad Air is for a different audience than the iPad Pro, but it supports Apple Pencil and can do a lot of the same things.Britta O’Boyle In a decade, the iPad product line has progressed to the point where the iPad Air can possess a load of features that debuted in the iPad Pro in a lower-priced, “mainstream” iPad. Meanwhile, the iPad Pro itself has shot into the stratosphere, with cutting-edge processors and an outrageously good display, not to mention the thinnest body in any Apple device ever. Where the iPad Pro goes next is anyone’s guess, but it’s hard to deny that it’s changed the perception of what iPads are capable of. And thanks to the numerous multitasking upgrades in iPadOS 26, it feels like the iPad’s software has also embraced all the possibilities an iPad Pro offers. It took a little too long, I think. But a decade on, it feels like today’s M5 iPad Pro is fulfilling the original model’s destiny. Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, 2025) Price When Reviewed: $999 Best Prices Today: $999 at Amazon$999 at Apple$999 at Apple United States Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5, 2025) Price When Reviewed: $1,299 Best Prices Today: $1,249 at Amazon$1279 at B&H£1299 at Apple

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Log your weight in Apple Health quickly and cheaply with this iPhone-compatible smart scale
After my last WiFi-enabled smart scale broke and refused to connect to the Internet anymore, I sought something simpler and cheaper to replace it. The old scale had all sorts of fancy service integrations that I never used. I just wanted something that would track my weight and report the measurements to the Health app on my iPhone. The Eufy C20 smart scale is what I landed on and I’m very happy with it — and it’s pretty cheap too. Here’s how it works … more…

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Apple removes the Tea women’s dating app from the App Store, citing data breaches, privacy concerns
Following a significant amount of hype this summer and three serious data breaches, Apple has pulled the women’s dating safety app Tea from the App Store, citing that the app had failed to meet requirements that mandate content moderation and user privacy. The app, which is designed to protect women, has been effectively removed from […] Source

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West Virginia launches support for Digital IDs in Apple Wallet app
You can now use your digital ID in Apple’s Wallet app and on your Apple Watch to prove your identity in West Virginia. As of Thursday, the feature is available to residents of West Virginia. To set it up, open the Wallet app and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, select […] Source

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Macworld Podcast: M5 MacBook Pro review
Macworld Apple has released a new laptop, the M5 MacBook Pro. In this episode of the Macworld Podcast, we take a look at it, talk about our impressions, and whether it’s worth buying or not. Tune in and find out more!  This is episode 956 with Michael Simon, David Price, and Roman Loyola.  Watch episode 956 on YouTube Listen to episode 956 on Apple Podcasts

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Save $186 on Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac
Macworld TL;DR: Lock in forever access to productivity apps with a $42.99 Microsoft Office 2019 lifetime license for Mac (MSRP $229). Why pay $120+ to Microsoft 365 every year just to use Word and Excel? Unless you’re one of the few people that actually enjoy the spontaneous updates and AI integrations, it’s smarter to grab an Office lifetime license while they’re 81% off. While it isn’t the latest version, Office 2019 includes every staple app: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote at one of the greatest prices available today. And, unlike Microsoft 365, you’ll never have to worry about renewals or additional fees after the inital purchase. Once you buy it, you’ll receive your digital license key and download link instantly, so you can install the suite and start working in minutes — no waiting for a box to arrive or dealing with complicated setup. At just $42.99, this Microsoft Office lifetime license pays for itself in under five months. Start saving today before codes sell out (MSRP $229). Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for MacSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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OpenAI acquires ex-Apple Shortcuts team to supercharge ChatGPT for Mac
OpenAI has acquired a startup founded by former Apple engineers behind Workflow — the app that became Apple Shortcuts. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Ben Stiller’s touching documentary about his parents now available on Apple TV
Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, Ben Stiller’s documentary about his parents, is now available on Apple TV. Here’s what to expect. more…

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Apple decries ‘intense lobbying,’ threatens to turn off App Tracking Transparency in Europe
In a statement to the German Press Agency, Apple claimed that it may have to turn off App Tracking Transparency in Europe as a result of “intense lobbying efforts”. Here’s why. more…

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YouTube video player redesign & new icons roll out to Android, iOS
Following the announcement last week, the video player, icon, and app-wide redesign is now widely rolling out to YouTube for Android and iOS. more…

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How iCloud backups helped expose a mob-and NBA-linked poker cheating scandal
Digital evidence stored in iCloud played a key role in exposing a multistate poker-rigging scheme tied to organized crime and NBA players. Here's how, and what evidence was uncovered.iCloud data helps crack NBA and mob poker schemeFederal investigators used photos and data stored in iCloud accounts to uncover a multistate poker-rigging scheme involving NBA players and organized crime. Prosecutors said the group relied on modified shuffling machines and subtle signals to manipulate high-stakes games across state lines.The iCloud data included imagery of key evidence such as an X-ray table used to rig poker games, several DeckMate shufflers disassembled to show their circuit boards, and a computer program that tracked information from the altered machines, reports The New York Post. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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9to5Mac Daily: October 23, 2025 – A20 chip rumors, 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 Backblaze: Never lose a file again. Use code “9to5daily” at checkout for 20% off or try for free.  more…

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Price drop: Use OpenAI to find hot stocks to invest in
Build an optimized portfolio, track performance and fine-tune your investments with a lifetime subscription to this AI investing app. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple warns Europe could force it to turn off key privacy feature
Apple may be forced to disable its app tracking transparency feature in Germany and other European countries amid regulatory scrutiny and industry lobbying.Apple may have to turn off its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature in Germany and other European countries. The company says regulatory pressure and lobbying from the advertising industry could force the change, affecting how users control app tracking.ATT is a feature that gives users the option to control whether or not an app can track them across the internet and services. Unsurprisingly, many users take advantage and select "ask app not to track" when prompted."Intense lobbying efforts in Germany, Italy and other countries in Europe may force us to withdraw this feature to the detriment of European consumers," Apple said in a statement seen by DPA International, first spotted by MacRumors. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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With new acquisition, OpenAI signals plans to integrate deeper into the OS
The acquired firm was working on a tool to control macOS directly with AI.

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Apple Loses Landmark UK Lawsuit Over App Store Commissions
A UK tribunal ruled that Apple abused its dominant position by charging app developers unfair commissions through its App Store, potentially costing the company hundreds of millions in damages. It marks the first major tech "class action" victory under the UK's collective lawsuit regime. Reuters reports: The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruled against Apple after a trial of the lawsuit, which was brought on behalf of millions of iPhone and iPad users in the United Kingdom. The CAT ruled that Apple had abused its dominant position from October 2015 until the end of 2020 by shutting out competition in the app distribution market and by "charging excessive and unfair prices" as commission to developers. Apple -- which has faced mounting pressure from regulators in the U.S. and Europe over the fees it charges developers -- said it would appeal against the ruling, which it said "takes a flawed view of the thriving and competitive app economy." The case had been valued at around $2 billion by those who brought it. A hearing next month will decide how damages are calculated and Apple's application for permission to appeal. "This ruling overlooks how the App Store helps developers succeed and gives consumers a safe, trusted place to discover apps and securely make payments," an Apple spokesperson said. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Counterpoint: Mac shipments up 15% in Q3, nearly double overall PC growth
A new report from Counterpoint Research shows Apple outpacing the overall PC market in sales growth during the third quarter. Here are the details. more…

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