Broadcom makes VMware Fusion 13, VMware Workstation Pro available for free for personal use
If you’re hankering for full virtualization goodness on your Apple Silicon Mac, VMware has you covered for free. VMware, which was acquired by Broadcom in November 2023, has announced that both its Fusion Pro and Workstation Pro products are now available for free. The applications allow Mac users to operate virtual machines to run non-macOS […] Source

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Worker killed in blast at TSMC's Arizona construction site
A worker has died after being caught in an explosion at the Arizona site where iPhone processor manufacturer TSMC is building a new plant — and has previously been accused of using dangerous construction methods.TSMC investing $40 billion in Arizona fabsThe previous accusations against TSMC included it being described as "easily the most unsafe site I've ever walked on," according to Luke Kasper of the sheet metal workers' union. TSMC has denied all accusations, but now a new incident has reportedly seen a fatality.According to Bloomberg, an explosion caused the death of the driver of what's described as a chemical truck. TSMC said it was a waste disposal truck, and the Arizona State Building and Construction Trades Council (Arizona BTC) has confirmed the death. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iMore notes 13-inch M4 iPad Pro HDR screen glitch, Apple says software fix is en route
The new M4 iPad Pro is out, it’s impressive, but several users have reported that a screen glitch has been identified with the high-end tablet. The cool cats at iMore noted that while testing the 13-inch model, a niche issue that some users may never notice appeared in the device. The glitch should only be […] Source

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How to get an Apple student discount at Apple’s Education Store
Macworld Students, teachers, and those who work for an educational institution can save money on a new Mac, MacBook, or iPad by shopping at the Apple Education Store, which offers discounts all year round. In this article, we will explain how much the Apple education discount is and who qualifies for an Apple student discount, before explaining how to get an Apple student discount at the Apple Education Store. Click the link below to go to Apple’s education storefront in your country: Apple’s U.S. Education Store Apple’s U.K. Education Store (in the UK you will need to verify your student status via UNiDAYS). Apple’s Canada Education Store Apple’s Australian Education Store What products does Apple discount for students? The discounts are only available for iPads, MacBooks and Macs. We have just updated this article to include the new pricing for the 10th gen iPad and iPad mini as well as the 2024 iPad Air M2 and iPad Pro M4. Education discounts are not available on the iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Watch, HomePods, accessories, or software (Adobe and Microsoft both offer student discounts though). AirPods aren’t discounted for students either, but Apple has been known to give away AirPods as part of a student-focused deal during the back-to-school buying season. For example, in January-March 2024 Brazil and South Korean students could claim free AirPods with purchases, but Australian and New Zealand students get Apple gift vouchers. Apple’s Back To School offer runs between June and October each year in the northern hemisphere and between January and March in the southern hemisphere – this year’s deal will start in the U.S and Canada in June and Europe and the U.K in July, it’s likely the giveaway will be Apple vouchers. Students can also get Apple Music for half price with free Apple TV+ included. How much is the Apple student discount? Apple doesn’t offer a single, universal discount to students. It sets different prices for each product range. Students can save up to $200/£220 on Macs and up to $50/£60 on iPads. Here’s how the iPad MSRP compares to the student price: ProductU.S.U.K.AustraliaCanadaiPad (10th gen) MSRP$349£349$599$499iPad (10th gen) Student Price$329£329$559$469iPad mini MSRP$499£499$829$679iPad mini Student Price$449£449$749$609iPad Air (11-inch, M2) MSRP$599£599$999$799iPad Air (11-inch, M2) Student Price$549£549$919$729iPad Air (13-inch, M2)MSRP$799£799$1,299$1,099iPad Air (13-inch, M2) Student Price$749£749$1,219$1,029iPad Pro (11-inch, M4) MSRP$999£999$1,699$1,399iPad Pro (11-inch, M4) Student Price$899£899$1,529$1,249iPad Pro (13-inch, M4) MSRP$1,299£1,299$2,199$1,799iPad Pro (13-inch, M4) Student Price$1,199£1,199$2,029$1,649Apple’s discounted price for students compared to the usual price. Here’s how the Mac MSRP compares to the student price: ProductU.S.U.K.AustraliaCanada13.6-inch MacBook Air, M2, MSRP$999£999$1,599$1,29913.6-inch MacBook Air, M2, Student discount$899£899$1,439$1,16913.6-inch MacBook Air, M3, MSRP$1,099£1,099$1,799$1,44913.6-inch MacBook Air, M3, Student discount$999£999$1,649$1,29915-inch MacBook Air, M3, MSRP$1,299£1,299$2,199$1,74915-inch MacBook Air, M3, Student discount$1,199£1,199$1,999$1,59914-inch MacBook Pro M3 MSRP$1,599£1,699$2,699$2,09914-inch MacBook Pro M3 Student discount$1,499£1,589$2,529$1,96914-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Pro MSRP$1,999£2,099$3,499$2,69914-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Pro Student discount$1,849£1,939$3,239$2,39916-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Pro MSRP$2,499£2,599$4,299$3,29916-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Pro Student discount$2,299£2,389$3,949$2,939iMac M3 MSRP$1,299£1,399$2,199$1,699iMac M3 Student discount$1,249£1,349$2,109$1,629Mac mini MSRP$599£649$999$799Mac mini Student discount$499£539$829$669Mac Studio MSRP$1,999£2,099$3,299$2,699Mac Studio Student discount$1,799£1,889$2,969$2,429Mac Pro MSRP$6,999£7,199$11,999$8,999Mac Pro Student discount$6,599£6,789$11,309$8,479Apple’s discounted price for students compared to the usual price. MacBook student discounts Below are the discounts on the base model Macs, there are bigger discounts on the more expensive models. How much can students save on the 13-inch MacBook Air, M2? MSRP: $999 / £999 / AU$1,599 / CA$1,299Student: $899 / £899 /AU$1,439 / CA$1,169 Students save: $100 / £100 / AU$160 / CA$130 How much can students save on the 13-inch MacBook Air, M3? MSRP: $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,799 / CA$1,449Student: $999 / £999 / AU$1,649 / CA$1,299 Students save: $100 / £100 / AU$150 / CA$150 How much can students save on the 15-inch MacBook Air, M2? MSRP: $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$2,199 / CA$1,749Student: $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$1,999 / CA$1,599 Students save: $100 / £100 / AU$200 / CA$150 How much can students save on the 14-inch MacBook Pro, M3? MSRP: $1,599 / £1,699 / AU$2,699 / CA$2,099Student: $1,499 / £1,589 / AU$2,529 / CA$1,969 Students save: $100 / £110 / AU$170 / CA$130 How much can students save on the 14-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Pro? MSRP: $1,999 / £2,099 / AU$3,499 / CA$2,699Student: $1,849 / £1,939 / AU$3,239 / CA$2,399 Students save: $150 / £160 / AU$260 / CA$300 How much can students save on the 16-inch MacBook Pro, M3 Pro? MSRP: $2,499 / £2,599 / AU$4,299 / CA$3,299Student: $2,299 / £2,389 / AU$3,949 / CA$2,939 Students save: $200 / £210 / AU$350 / CA$360 How much can students save on the Mac mini, M2? MSRP: $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$1,999 / CA$1699Student: $1,199 / £1,289 / AU$1,849.00 / CA$1,569 Students save: $100 / £110 / AU$150 / CA$130 How much can students save on the Mac mini, M2 Pro? MSRP: $599 / £649 / AU$999 / CA$799Student: $499 / £539 / AU$829 / CA$669 Students save: $100 / £110 / AU$170 / CA$130 How much can students save on the iMac? MSRP: $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$2,199 / CA$1,699Student discount: $1,249 / £1,349 / AU$2,109 / CA$1,629 Students save: $50 / £210 / AU$330 / CA$270 Get the student discount at: Apple’s U.S. Education Store Apple’s U.K. Education Store (in the UK you will need to verify your student status via UNiDAYS). Apple’s Canada Education StoreApple’s Australian Education Store You may be able to get better discounts if you shop elsewhere. We round up the best MacBook Pro deals, the best MacBook Air deals, the best iMac deals, and the best Mac mini deals. We also have a guide to the best Mac for students that you might find useful. iPad student discounts Apple Apple Apple Below are the discounts on the base model iPads, there are bigger discounts on the more expensive models. How much can students save on the iPad mini? MSRP: $499 / £499 / AU$829 / CA$679Students: $449 / £449 / AU$749 / CA $609 Students save: $50 / £50 / AU$80 / CA$70 How much can students save on the 10th gen iPad? MSRP: $349 / £349 / AU$599 / CA$499Students; $329 / £329 / AU$559 / CA$469 Students save: $20 / £20 / AU$40 / CA$30 How much can students save on the 11-inch iPad Air? MSRP: $599 / £599 / AU$999 / CA$799Student: $549 / £549 / AU$919 / CA$729 Students save: $50 / £50 / AU$80 / CA$70 How much can students save on the 11-inch iPad Pro? MSRP: $999 / £999 / AU$1,699 / CA$1,399Students: $899 / £899 / AU$1,529 / CA$1,249 Students save: $100 / £100 / AU$170 / CA$150 Get the student discount at: Apple’s U.S. Education Store Apple’s U.K. Education Store (in the UK you will need to verify your student status via UNiDAYS). Apple’s Canada Education StoreApple’s Australian Education Store You may find a better deal or discount if you check out our deals round-ups: best iPad Air deals, best iPad mini deals, best iPad 10.2in deals, and the best iPad Pro deals. If you’re thinking of buying an iPad for college or university you also might like to read our guide to the Best iPad for students. Who can get an Apple student discount? Now we have told you how much you can save, the big question is whether you can save anything at all. Do you qualify for Apple’s student discounts? In order to shop at Apple’s Education Stores and take advantage of the lower prices you need to qualify as a student or work in an education institution. If you were hoping that you could get a discount for the Mac you want to buy your 13-year-old the bad news is that you can’t, unless you are employed by the school and buying for the institution, or you are a home educator. Students in high school don’t qualify for this discount. There are three types of people who can qualify for a student discount: Students in higher education (post-secondary education, e.g. university, college). People who are buying for education institutions. Parents of higher education students buying on their behalf. Home-based educators. Apple spells this out in more detail in its terms and conditions. For the U.S. these state that the following groups are “eligible to purchase from the Apple Store for Education:” K-12 staff: Any employee of a public or private K-12 institution in the United States is eligible, including homeschool teachers (this doesn’t include people educating their children during lockdowns). In addition, school board members who are currently serving as elected or appointed members are eligible. PTA or PTO executives currently serving as elected or appointed officers are eligible. Higher education staff and students: Faculty and staff of higher educational institutions in the U.S.; and students attending, or accepted into a higher educational institution in the U.S. are eligible to purchase. Purchases from the Apple Store for Education Individuals are not for institutional purchase or resale. Higher education parents: Parents purchasing on behalf of their child, who is a student currently attending or accepted into a public or private higher educational institution in the U.S. are eligible to purchase. Apple has a similar set of terms and conditions for eligibility in the U.K.: Employees of any education institution: Any employee of a public or private education institution in the U.K. Post-secondary education students: Students attending or accepted into a post-secondary education institution in the U.K. Parents of post-secondary students: Parents purchasing on behalf of their child, who is a student currently attending or accepted into a public or private post-secondary education institution in the U.K. If you’re attending higher education, or have been accepted into a higher education/post-secondary institution, you qualify for an Apple discount. (In the U.K. post-secondary means university, or any other formal education that takes place after secondary education is complete. Therefore, this excludes sixth-form colleges, although it may be worth inquiring at an Apple Store to see if the company is prepared to relax the rules.) Parents of post-secondary/higher education students do not qualify when buying for themselves, but they can pick up a discounted Mac for their child from the education store. Anybody who works in an educational environment qualifies for a discount on certain Apple products. It’s not just limited to teachers and lecturers but also covers administrative workers and other staff members. Essentially, it’s anybody who works at or for a school, college, or university. (This is not limited to post-secondary institutions. Apple refers to “any education institution.”) This does mean that you can’t get a discount for a Mac or iPad for your child who is currently at school, although the school could make the purchase and provide the equipment for students. If you don’t qualify for an Apple Education Store discount, we’d recommend instead checking out the Apple Refurbished Store, which offers discounts for everyone. You can’t apply a student discount in Apple’s Refurbished Store. We also recommend that you check our round-ups of the latest and best Apple deals we find at various Apple resellers. How many products can I buy? According to this Sales Policy document on the U.S. Apple site and the same on the U.K. Apple Education site, students can purchase the following with education pricing: Desktop Mac: One may be purchased per year Laptop Mac: One may be purchased per year iPad: Two may be purchased per year Accessories: Two accessories with Education Pricing may be purchased per year How to get a student discount at Apple Having established that you qualify for an education discount, how can you get money off at Apple? You may think that all you need to do is visit the Apple Store for Education and you will find the products you want at a lower price. However, before you can access Apple’s Education Store you will need to verify that you are a student or that you qualify in another way (e.g. you work in a school or college). Different countries have different sequences of steps to go through, which we will run through below.  How to get an Apple student discount in the U.S. If you are a student in the U.S. it is quite easy to get an Education discount at the U.S. Apple Store–in fact, a loophole may mean it is possible to get a student discount without any proof that you are a student. If you are a student you should follow these steps: Visit Apple’s U.S. Education Store. Choose the Mac or iPad you want and click on your selection. Once you have customized your Apple product, click Continue. Enter your delivery details and check out. Beware that Apple can request to see evidence that you are a student at any point during or after the purchase and will charge an additional fee if you fail to provide it. If you have any problems, we recommend you get your student status verified with UNiDAYS or log on from your university network. Make sure you have quick access to some form of official identification that proves you qualify for the education discount. Your student ID is a good choice. In January 2022, Apple changed the U.S. Education Discount Store to require validation from UNiDAYS before students can get a discount, but it then removed the requirement. Apple could re-implement this validation step that students in other countries have to go through. If it does it may still be possible for non-students in the U.S. to avoid the validation step, as per this Reddit post. Canadian students can follow the same steps as the U.S. Start shopping at Apple’s Canada Education Store. How to get an Apple student discount in the U.K. U.K. students will need to register with UNiDAYS before they can get a discount from the Apple Education Store. Visit Apple’s U.K. Education Store to access the Apple Education site. Once there you’ll be encouraged to sign up on the student discount website UNiDAYS. You can also use the alternative service Student Beans to register for Apple’s educational discounts. On whichever site you use, you’ll need to provide your email address and a password, your name, institution, subject of study, years of study, and course length. Once you have completed the registration process and signed in you will be able to access Apple’s student discounts. If you don’t want to register via a verification site, you can also call Apple, use Apple’s Chat online feature, or visit an Apple Store. The staff there will guide you through the process. How to get an Apple student discount in Australia Visit Apple’s Australian Education Store. It’s usually best to log on from your university network if you can. You will also want to make sure you have quick access to some form of official identification that proves you qualify for the education discount. Your student ID is a good choice. However, you may find you don’t actually require any sort of login or ID to order from the Apple Education Store–but beware that Apple can request to see evidence that you are a student at any point during or after the purchase and will charge an additional fee if you fail to provide it. How to buy Apple products for an education institution If you have been tasked with buying new Macs or iPads for a school, college, or university then Apple has a different store for you. This store is designed for those who are buying a Mac for an educational institution (for students to work on rather than for individual students to own). You should visit the U.S. Apple Store for Education Institutions, the U.K. Apple Store for Education Institutions, or the Australian equivalent. You’ll need to search for your Educational Institution: enter your institution’s details and click on search.  If your institution is found you will be able to sign in to access your institution’s store. You may still need to register before you can use the store. If your school, college, or other institution isn’t found then you may need to call Apple to discuss registering your school. How to get a student discount for Apple Music and Apple TV+ Apple’s student membership scheme for Apple Music offers those in full-time education a 50 percent subscription discount and this deal is better than ever right now because the Student Apple Music deal also includes Apple TV+ for a limited time (following a 2023 price hike Apple TV+ now costs $9.99/£8.99 a month, up from $6.99/£6.99 per month). If you are a student, here’s how to get Apple Music for half price. Apple regularly offers three months free for new subscribers to Apple Music, so you might want to take that up first. Get three months free here or read How to get Apple Music for free. The student discount brings the monthly cost of Apple Music membership down from $10.99/£10.99 to $5.99/£5.99, with identical schemes in Ireland, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and Denmark, each offering half off the usual price. And with Apple TV+ bundled in for free, it’s a great deal! To qualify for the student discount, you’ll need to prove that you’re enrolled at an eligible university or college. The Student Membership tier is the third membership tier Apple has offered to consumers, alongside Individual Membership ($10.99/£10.99 per month) and Family Membership ($16.99/£16.99). Visit Apple’s site for more details and to sign up. If you’re a student and signing up for Apple Music on your iPhone or iPad, tap where it says “Are you a University Student?” and you’ll be directed to a verification system. If your college or university is eligible you’ll get a reduced subscription rate. Read our guide to Apple Music and How to get Apple Music for free for the best trial options. iPad, Mac, MacBook

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Best iPad for seniors 2024
Macworld If you’re an older user looking to pick up an iPad or someone wanting to gift an Apple tablet to Grandad or Grandma, which is the best iPad to choose? There’s a fair selection in the current Apple catalog, from the diminutive iPad mini all the way up to the incredibly powerful (not to mention very expensive) iPad Pro. It can be intimidating, especially as different users have different needs. To help you make sense of it all, here’s our guide to finding the best iPad for seniors. What makes an iPad good for older users? iPad owners don’t magically transform into timid technophobes on their 70th birthdays, and there isn’t one right answer to this question. Any iPad model might turn out to be the right choice for a specific older user, depending on that user’s precise requirements. But there are a few criteria that tend to become more of a factor when our bodies begin to age. Screen size is one element, with eyes not being as strong as they once were. Weight/portability can also become more important; some older users have arthritis, while others find they tire more easily than they used to when using a tablet for extended periods of time. We will also want to think carefully about price versus power and features, since you don’t want to spend lots of money on a device with capabilities you’ll never really use. But, as we say, these can be true for any user, so it’s always best to talk to the person in question about their particular needs if you want to pick the perfect tablet. If you were to put us on the spot, however, we do have some thoughts about the iPads that are most likely to suit an older user. Here’s our selection. Best affordable option: iPad (2022, 10th generation) Pros Affordable A14 Bionic processor Support for Apple Pencil (USB and 1st Gen) Solid performance Cons No Home button Base 64GB storage is quite low Price When Reviewed: From $349 (64GB) | $499 (256GB) Best Prices Today: $334 at Amazon$349 at Adorama$349 at Apple At $349, the 10th-gen iPad may well be the cheapest iPad model in Apple’s current lineup, but that doesn’t mean it’s a truly ‘budget’ device in the pejorative sense. For many (perhaps most) people, this iPad will deliver everything you want from a tablet and not cost you a small fortune in the process. Apple’s A14 Bionic chip powers the iPad and it’s ideal for surfing the web, watching streaming services, and shopping online. It’s an older processor–Apple is using more-recent M-series chips in the more-expensive iPad Air and iPad Pro, but it’s a chip that should be supported by Apple for a few more years. For FaceTime calls there’s a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera that offers advanced features such as Center Stage (which allows you to move around on video calls while the iPad tracks you so you don’t disappear out of view) and 1080p video. This iPad was the first to place the camera on the longer side of the iPad, so when you use it, the iPad should be in landscape mode. Why are these features particularly good for seniors? Well, having an excellent video-call experience will allow them to keep in touch with the grandkids, friends or family around the world, without looking grainy or like they’re calling from the early 2000s. The 10.9-inch display is also large enough for eyes that might be starting to diminish, while the touch targets on the screen will be easy to hit with unsteady hands. Of course, many seniors are full of more life and vigor than their grandchildren, and the ability to connect an Apple Smart keyboard and first-gen Apple Pencil makes this a perfect companion for traveling while writing memoirs or creating art. It’s also the only remaining iPad to feature a headphone jack, which could be very useful if the intended recipient hasn’t yet embraced the wireless charms of the AirPods or AirPod Pros. Another major change Apple made with the 10th-gen iPad (in addition to moving the front-facing camera) is that it no longer has a Home button. iPadOS features many great swipe gestures for navigating through apps and menus, and to get to the Home screen, you swipe up from the bottom center of the display. Touch ID is now located on the power button. The 10th-gen iPad comes in these storage options, priced as follows: 64GB: $349/£349 256GB: $499/£499 If you want to add cellular capabilities then those are also available: 64GB (cellular): $499/£499 256GB (cellular): $649/£649 It isn’t just the best choice for older users, but probably for most users. If you prefer an iPad with a Home button, you can probably find a 9th-generation iPad, which is the last one with a Home button, You may be able to find stock at a third-party retailer. Apple sells refurbished iPads in its Certified Refurbished Store (U.S. or U.K.) but the inventory availability fluctuates a lot, so it may not be in stock when you check. Be sure to check back at a later time. Read our full 10th-gen 10.9-inch iPad (2022) review Best lightweight option: iPad mini (2021) Pros Lightweight Modern design A15 Bionic processor Cons Smaller screen size Higher price than former iPad minis 64GB storage on base-line model Price When Reviewed: From $499 (64GB) | $649 (256GB) Best Prices Today: $399.99 at Target $469 at Amazon$469 at Walmart It’s a sad fact that as we age our bodies can lose some of their strength or gain some conditions that we avoided when younger. If you’re looking for a lightweight iPad, and therefore easier to hold for longer periods, then the iPad mini (2021) is the one to choose. At around 0.65lbs/293g it’s roughly half the weight of the 9th gen iPad discussed above. This is made possible, as the name suggests, by the smaller display. But the 8.3-inch panel is still an excellent size for the web, not to mention better as an e-reader thanks to being easier to hold. Under the hood, the iPad mini is a powerhouse, with an A15 Bionic chip (as seen in the iPhone 13), 5G capabilities on the LTE models, plenty of storage, and powerful cameras with the same Ultra Wide front-facing module as on the 9th-gen iPad. It’s compatible with the Apple Pencil (2nd gen) and various Bluetooth keyboards, so you can use it as a small laptop if you want to get stuff done. It’s a lovely package that offers the most portable solution for those who want to take their iPad with them. The iPad mini (2021) is available in these configurations: iPad mini (2021, Wi-Fi) 64GB: $499/£569 iPad mini (2021, Wi-Fi) 256GB: $649/£749 iPad mini (2021, Wi-Fi + cellular) 64GB: $649/£749 iPad mini (2021, Wi-Fi + cellular) 256GB: $799/£929 Check our guide to the best iPad mini deals to see if you can get one for a lower price.  Apple is likely to update the iPad mini in 2024, and when it does a new processor is likely, but we don’t anticipate many other changes. Read our full Apple iPad mini (6th gen, A15, 2021) review Best all-rounder: iPad (2022, 10th generation) Pros 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display Modern design Landscape camera Various colors USB-C port Cons Higher price than previous generations 64GB of storage on base modell Price When Reviewed: From $449 Best Prices Today: $449 at Apple The newest device on this list is the 10th generation iPad, which arrived in October 2022 without the Home button design of its forebears and follows the aesthetic established by iPad mini and iPad Air. Although the Home button is gone, this iPad still features Touch ID, it’s just that the sensor is now part of the power button that resides on the top edge of the device. This allows Apple to fit a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display into a chassis that’s almost the same size as the 9th generation iPad, which has a 10.2-inch screen. This increased screen real estate will be attractive to those who prefer larger fonts and should make tapping on-screen buttons a little easier for unsteady hands. One of the main new features, aside from the overall design, is that Apple has finally moved the front-facing camera from the traditional top bezel to the longer side one. This essentially turns it from portrait to landscape, hence the name Landscape Ultra Wide camera. The upside of this is that you can sit the iPad on its longer side when making FaceTime calls, which will have you looking into the middle of the camera rather than it being off to the side. There’s also support for Centre-Stage, so if you move around, the software will keep you in the center of the shot. This makes it the best iPad for FaceTime calls with family. The included A14 Bionic chip, which previously powered the iPhone 12 range (including the Pro models), means there’s plenty of performance available for most. You can use the 1st generation Apple Pencil on this device, and the new USB-C port opens up a world of peripherals you can plug into the iPad. These include keyboards, external storage, and even monitors if you want a pseudo-desktop PC. One drawback of this switch is that owners of a 1st generation Apple Pencil will need to buy an adaptor to be able to charge it from the iPad. If you buy a new Pencil from Apple, the adapter is now included in the box. The iPad comes in four attractive colors (Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Silver). These are the available configurations: 64GB: $349/£349 256GB: $499/£499 64GB (cellular): $499/£499 256GB (cellular): $649/£649 As with the other iPads on this list, you might want to consider opting for the 256GB storage variant, as 64GB can fill up pretty quickly if you like to store photos and videos on the device itself. Apple also offers a new keyboard case called the Magic Keyboard Folio, which is nice but costs an eye-watering $249/£279, so we’d advise looking for cheaper (and often just as good) third-party products instead. See our iPad keyboard roundup. Like the iPad mini the iPad may also get an update in 2024. For more information, take a look at our Everything you need to know about the iPad 10.9-inch (10th Generation) guide. Best performance option: 11-inch iPad Air (2024) Pros M2 processor USB-C port Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) support Smart connector Cons Getting expensive Price When Reviewed: $599 (128GB, Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $569.99 at Amazon$599 at Apple While it’s true that the iPad Pro models are the most powerful iPads available, for most people they are simply overkill. Also, they come with Pro-level prices, which isn’t great if you’re only going to use them to watch videos and FaceTime the grandkids. For the more discerning user who requires plenty of power but at a reasonable price, the iPad Air is an excellent solution. There’s not much to differentiate the 10th-gen iPad and the 11-inch iPad Air. but, when you look closely, you can see from where the extra expense comes. The two devices are around the same size, and both sport a Liquid Retina display, but the one on the Air is fully-laminated, so there’s no air-gap between the glass and digitizer, which makes it feel like you’re touching the actual pixels and makes using the compatible Apple Pencil (2nd gen) that much smoother. They feature the same 12MP cameras on the back and front on the longer side of the device. But, under the hood the Air has the incredibly powerful M2 processor, which was previously found in the last generation of iPad Pros, not to mention several recent Macs. This takes things to another level. If someone wants to play games, use graphically intensive apps or just wants a really fast user experience, then the M2 delivers that in spades. The iPad Air has often been called the iPad Pro for normal people, and that’s exactly what it is. The USB-C port allows you to connect various external devices, such as storage or monitors, so it can easily transform into a laptop with a processor that’s desktop-class. Apple offers the sleek Magic Keyboard folio case, but at $299/£319 it’s way overpriced, so we’d suggest a third-party Bluetooth keyboard and case as a more frugal option. The iPad Air base configuration has 128GB of storage, twice that of the base 10th-gen iPad. That should be plenty for most people; you can rely on iCloud storage if you’re worried that you’ll run out of space. You can also go with the more expensive 256GB configuration.   You can pick up the 11-inch iPad Air in the following configurations:  iPad Air (2024, Wi-Fi) 128GB: $599/£599 iPad Air (2024, Wi-Fi) 256GB: $699/£699 iPad Air (2024, Wi-Fi) 512GB: $899/£899 iPad Air (2024, Wi-Fi) 1TB: $1,099/£1,099 iPad Air (2024, Wi-Fi + Cellular) 128GB: $749/£749 iPad Air (2024, Wi-Fi + Cellular) 256GB: $849/£849 iPad Air (2024, Wi-Fi + Cellular) 512GB: $1,049/£1,049 iPad Air (2024, Wi-Fi + Cellular) 1TB: $1,249/£1,249 Also read our roundup of the best iPad Air deals too, so you don’t miss out on any great offers.  Best luxury option: iPad Pro (2024) Pros Insanely powerful Best iPads money can buy ProMotion displays Cons Very expensive Too much power for most people Price When Reviewed: $999 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $949.99 at Amazon$999 at Apple For those to whom money is no object or require the highest-end performance an iPad can deliver, the iPad Pro is the only choice. Recently upgraded to the latest M4 processor, these are devices that absolutely fly. Every appointment is top-notch, from the Ultra Retina XDR display with super-smooth ProMotion technology to the USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt 4. These are Pro devices. With that is the caveat that most people won’t necessarily see these benefits unless they are using pro-level apps that push the device hard. The Pro comes in two sizes, 11-inch and 13-inch, with the latter being an absolute whopper. If you need a large screen then this is as big as it gets. Apple offers a 13-inch iPAd Air that’s cheaper, but its screen isn’t as nice as the Pro, and the Air is actually heavier than the Pro. (Go figure.) To anyone other than a professional designer, animator, or digital specialist who can harness the power of the iPad Pros, these are simply too much and your money would be better spent on the iPad Air. But, if that’s you or you just want a luxury iPad to enjoy, then this is the premium end of the street. The iPad Pro 11-inch (2024) is available in the following configurations: 256GB: $999/£999 512GB: $1,199/£1,199 1TB: $1,599/£1,599 2TB: $1,999/£1,999 If you want 5G cellular capabilities, then these are the options: 256GB (Cellular): $1,199/£1,199 512GB (Cellular): $1,399/£1,399 1TB (Cellular): $1,799/£1,799 2TB (Cellular): $2,199/£2,199 The iPad Pro 13-inch (2024) is available in these configurations: 256GB: $1,299/£1,299 512GB: $1,499/£1,499 1TB: $1,899/£1,899 2TB: $2,299/£2,299 Here are the prices for the cellular-equipped models: 256GB (Cellular): $1,499/£1,499 512GB (Cellular): $1,699/£1,699 1TB (Cellular): $2,099/£2,099 2TB (Cellular): $2,499/£2,499 Check out our roundup of the best iPad Pro deals to see if you can get a good bargain on these flagship devices. iPad

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Connectivity abounds with this tablet docking stand, which offers eight ports for $55
Macworld While tablets are incredibly useful for bringing entertainment and work on the go, they’re not very functional due to their lack of connectivity options. Fortunately, it’s easy to enhance your tablet experience with this docking stand, which holds your tablet at the ideal viewing angle and offers up to eight connectivity options. Now, this versatile tablet docking stand is only $54.99 (reg. $69), which beats Amazon’s pricing. The first part of this tablet accessory is its 180° tablet holder. You can comfortably view your work documents, spreadsheets, and more, as this stand will hold your device at an ergonomic angle. Plus, the stand itself is easily adjustable and can be set up to 70°, promoting a healthier sitting position while using your tablet. This tablet docking stand not only displays your device in an ergonomic position but also increases its connectivity options. You’ll gain the following ports: One PD/100W port for speedy charging One HDMI port to connect your tablet to additional screens One SD card slot One microSD card slot One 3.5mm audio port for connecting wired earbuds Three USB 3.0 ports to connect a mouse, keyboard, hard drive, etc. Whether you’re working at a coffee shop or working while traveling, you can easily transform your tablet’s functionality with this accessory. Grab this 8-in-1 Tablet Docking Stand for just $54.99 — a price that beats Amazon’s. StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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New iPad Pro performs well in extreme bend test, beats previous-gen
The is here and the inevitable YouTube stress tests are already online. JerryRigEverything and AppleTrack posted their bend test videos, and both seemingly came to the same conclusion: the new iPad Pro holds up well to extreme force and seems pretty resistant to bending during normal use. AppleTrack repeated the same bends with the M2 iPad Pro and the new M4 iPad Pro to compare, and whereas the M4 iPad Pro came away almost unscathed, the M2 iPad Pro had a definitive curl in the corner near the cameras. JerryRigEverything praised the device for its “black magic levels of structural integrity”, at least when bent horizontally. more…

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Samsung mocks Apple’s controversial “Crush” iPad Pro ad
Samsung has taken a dig at Apple's widely criticized M4 iPad Pro ad with a new "UnCrush" advert of its own. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Amazon launches hidden M3 MacBook Air discount, dropping the laptop to $949
On the heels of Best Buy's weekend M3 MacBook Air promotion for Plus members, Amazon is following suit with its own $949 deal — only a membership isn't required.Get a bonus on-page coupon discount on the M3 MacBook Air.The hidden Amazon discount — which is in the form of a $100 instant rebate stacked with a $49.01 on-page coupon — is valid on Apple's standard M3 MacBook Air in your choice of finish. The 2024 model is equipped with 8GB of unified memory and 256GB of storage, making it best suited for light users looking for an alternative to an iPad Pro plus Magic Keyboard combo.Buy for $949.99 Continue Reading on AppleInsider

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Amazon launches hidden M3 MacBook Air discount, dropping the laptop to $949
On the heels of Best Buy's weekend M3 MacBook Air promotion for Plus members, Amazon is following suit with its own $949 deal — only a membership isn't required.Get a bonus on-page coupon discount on the M3 MacBook Air.The hidden Amazon discount — which is in the form of a $100 instant rebate stacked with a $49.01 on-page coupon — is valid on Apple's standard M3 MacBook Air in your choice of finish. The 2024 model is equipped with 8GB of unified memory and 256GB of storage, making it best suited for light users looking for an alternative to an iPad Pro plus Magic Keyboard combo.Buy for $949.99 Continue Reading on AppleInsider

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Amazon launches hidden M3 MacBook Air discount, dropping the laptop to $949
On the heels of Best Buy's weekend M3 MacBook Air promotion for Plus members, Amazon is following suit with its own $949 deal — only a membership isn't required.Get a bonus on-page coupon discount on the M3 MacBook Air.The hidden Amazon discount — which is in the form of a $100 instant rebate stacked with a $49.01 on-page coupon — is valid on Apple's standard M3 MacBook Air in your choice of finish. The 2024 model is equipped with 8GB of unified memory and 256GB of storage, making it best suited for light users looking for an alternative to an iPad Pro plus Magic Keyboard combo.Buy for $949.99 Continue Reading on AppleInsider

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How to use Startup security in macOS to protect your Mac
There are several utilities you can use on your Mac to secure it at startup. Here's how to use them to keep your Mac and data safe.There are ways to shore up startup security in macOS. Computer security is an important topic in today's digital world and most electronic devices are at risk to one degree or another.Apple has gone to great lengths to make its platforms secure, but there are still ways attackers can break in, steal data, and compromise Apple systems. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Follow-Up on Apple No Longer Including In-Box Stickers With New Products
I conducted the same poll on Twitter/X, Mastodon, and Threads: “Thoughts on Apple no longer including stickers with new devices to reduce waste?”, with two options: 👍 or 👎.

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Ditch the subscriptions with lifetime pCloud secure storage for the whole family [Up to 65% off]
Cloud storage prices keep increasing, especially for all the subscriptions out there. Then it’s multiples more to cover your whole family. pCloud sets itself apart with not only more affordable prices but importantly lifetime plans. That means you pay once for all the storage your family will ever need. Here are all the details on how to get up to 65% off pCloud for Family encrypted storage for life. more…

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Assassin's Creed Shadows launches on Apple Silicon Macs November 15
Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows will be the first major AAA title to launch simultaneously on Macs with Apple Silicon through the Mac App Store.'Assassin's Creed Shadows' launches on Apple Silicon Macs November 15Ubisoft's upcoming release of Assassin's Creed Shadows on November 15th marks a significant milestone in the Mac gaming industry. Unlike previous AAA titles that often arrived on macOS long after their initial release, Assassin's Creed Shadows will be available on launch day.Set for release on November 15th, the game features two main protagonists: a Shinobi assassin and a legendary samurai. The dual-character approach provides diverse gameplay mechanics and storylines, allowing players to switch between stealth and combat-oriented missions. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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You can actually use your old Magic Keyboard with the M4 iPad Pro – but it won’t look good
With the launch of the , Apple also introduced a new version of the Magic Keyboard with improvements such as a row of function keys and an aluminum finish. However, because of the iPad’s new design, Apple says that the old Magic Keyboard doesn’t work with the – although users have already figured out that there’s an unconventional way to use it. more…

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Samsung's half-hearted attempt to capitalize on Apple's Crush ad misses the point
Days after Apple learned its lesson, apologized, and removed its controversial "Crush" ad for iPad Pro, Samsung is here with another poorly thought out ad promoting Galaxy Tab with AI.Samsung's 'UnCrush' ad tries to be clever praising creatives while advertising AIApple's Let Loose iPad event was a celebration of the company's advancement of tablet technology intermixed with creatives taking advantage of the new hardware. However, an ad for the iPad Pro proved to be quite the speed bump that some interpreted as Apple destroying creative devices to make way for its cold aluminum slate.After the outcry, Apple apologized and won't air the "Crush" ad anymore only two days after the event, but six days later, Samsung is here to mock the company by firmly inserting its foot in its mouth. A new ad called "UnCrush" showcases a person playing a broken guitar on a paint-covered industrial press, using a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 to read sheet music. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Music reveals next 10 albums on 100 Best Albums of All Time list
Apple Music this week announced the release of its 100 Best Albums of all time, a celebratory list of the greatest records ever… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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9to5Mac Daily: May 15, 2024 – Apple previews iOS 18 accessibility features
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. Subscribe to support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock: Ad-free versions of every episode Bonus content more…

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Apple Brings Eye-Tracking To Recent iPhones and iPads
This week, in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple is introducing several new accessibility features. Noteworthy additions include eye-tracking support for recent iPhone and iPad models, customizable vocal shortcuts, music haptics, and vehicle motion cues. Engadget reports: The most intriguing feature of the set is the ability to use the front-facing camera on iPhones or iPads (at least those with the A12 chip or later) to navigate the software without additional hardware or accessories. With this enabled, people can look at their screen to move through elements like apps and menus, then linger on an item to select it. That pause to select is something Apple calls Dwell Control, which has already been available elsewhere in the company's ecosystem like in Mac's accessibility settings. The setup and calibration process should only take a few seconds, and on-device AI is at work to understand your gaze. It'll also work with third-party apps from launch, since it's a layer in the OS like Assistive Touch. Since Apple already supported eye-tracking in iOS and iPadOS with eye-detection devices connected, the news today is the ability to do so without extra hardware. [...] There are plenty more features coming to the company's suite of products, including Live Captions in VisionOS, a new Reader mode in Magnifier, support for multi-line braille and a virtual trackpad for those who use Assistive Touch. It's not yet clear when all of these announced updates will roll out, though Apple has historically made these features available in upcoming versions of iOS. With its developer conference WWDC just a few weeks away, it's likely many of today's tools get officially released with the next iOS. Apple detailed all the new features in a press release. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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