Today in Apple history: PowerBook 540c is the best Mac laptop to date
On May 16, 1994, Apple launched the PowerBook 540c, one of the very best laptops in its history. This is what made it so special. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

Apple's popular 1TB 14-inch MacBook Pro is $250 off today
A steeper price drop has been issued today on Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro with an upgraded M3 Pro chip and 1TB of storage. Plus, take advantage of bonus perks like free 2-day shipping and a sales tax refund for store cardholders.The $250 markdown is in effect at Apple Authorized Reseller B&H Photo, bringing the Space Black 14-inch configuration down to $2,149 when optioned out with an upgraded M3 Pro chip with a 12-core CPU and 18-core GPU. This model also has a bump up to a 1TB SSD, double the amount of storage found in the standard model, which is also on sale.Buy for $2,149B&H also offers a few extra perks, such as free 2-day shipping within the contiguous U.S. on this MacBook Pro and thousands of other electronics. Payboo cardholders (B&H's store card) is also one of the best on the market due to the instant sales tax refund available in qualifying states. Continue Reading on AppleInsider

Read more »

Apple’s new 1TB 11-inch iPad Air with M2 $50 off, Apple Watch Series 9 GPS + Cell $100 off, AirPods, and more
Today’s best deals are headlined by an even better price drop on Apple’s new 1TB 11-inch iPad Air with M2. While we did see $30 deals on most configurations earlier this week, the maxed-out 11-inch is now $50 off for the best price yet. That deal joins Apple Watch Series 9 at $100 off, including 41mm, 45mm, and GPS + Cell models starting from $299, alongside ongoing Ultra 2 discounts, and AirPods offers. Head below for a closer look at today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break. more…

Read more »

Mac gaming lands big win with Assassin’s Creed Shadows launching same day as PC and consoles
Apple silicon’s arrival on the Mac has led to renewed hope of a robust macOS gaming market emerging. For as loved as Macs may be among the general population of users, when it comes to gaming, PCs and consoles have long proven necessary if you want to play the latest games. Apple’s success with gaming on iOS has not translated to the Mac. But things have started to shift. Last year Apple debuted a new porting tool that enabled PC games to more easily be brought to macOS, and we’ve started to see more AAA titles come to the Mac as a result. Typically though, those titles have launched only after extended runs on other platforms. Now, we may have evidence of even more hope for Mac gaming’s future, as one of this fall’s highly anticipated titles, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is coming to the Mac day-and-date with the PC and consoles. more…

Read more »

CleanMyMac X review
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsExcellent cleaning tools Large toolsetEasy to useConsUpdater feature still missed some app updatesMalware Removal still produces mixed resultsOur VerdictCleanMyMac X performs most of its functions admirably and provides an excellent means of clearing gigabytes of unused system detritus/gunk off your Mac. Unfortunately, the antivirus elements still aren’t up to scratch.  Price When Reviewed$34.95 per year, free 7-day trial available Best Prices Today: CleanMyMac X Retailer Price MacPaw $34.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket For years, MacPaw’s CleanMyMac X has been a good multi-purpose utility for the macOS operating system, and its bright, friendly user interface lends easy access to several handy utilities to clear up disk space, protect user privacy, optimize performance, update applications, uninstall software, and help prevent malware and adware. And while handy and worth keeping around, version 4.15.3, continues to suffer from the same overreach we mentioned previously when reviewing this software. Compare CleanMyMac to other Mac cleaner solutions – visit our round up of the Best Mac Cleaner software. What’s good Similar to past versions, CleanMyMac X 4.15.3 is as easy to download and install as ever, and it’s simple to either purchase the software for $34.95 for one Mac (usually $34.95), $54.95 for 2 Macs (usually $79.90), or $79.95 for 5 Macs (usually $199.75), or set up a seven-day trial in which MacPaw keeps your credit or debit card number on file. Once installed, simply assign permissions, allow the software and its modules to access various sections of your hard drive, and you’re off. The catch-all utility offers an assortment of modules with its core focus centered around identifying and cleaning out gigabytes upon gigabytes of unused system garbage. The modules are Smart Scan, System Junk, Mail Attachments, Trash Bins, Malware Removal, Privacy, Optimization, Maintenance, Uninstaller, Updater, Extensions, Space Lens, Large & Old Files, and Shredder. Each module performs various tasks. The Smart Scan is the overarching umbrella feature, hunting down extraneous files that can be deleted to clear drive space, performing a quick malware scan, and executing a speed test to look into optimization functions, such as freeing up RAM or quickly clearing system caches. The results from a CleanMyMac X Smart Scan. The results from a CleanMyMac X Smart Scan.Foundry The results from a CleanMyMac X Smart Scan.Foundry Foundry The other modules perform the functions they’re named after and offer a good level of customization. Still, CleanMyMac X’s standout features remain file cleanup, malware removal, privacy cleanup, easy access to system extensions, the app uninstaller, and the Large & Old Files locator, which helps hunt down multi-gigabyte files you forgot to delete and offers a quick means of deleting them to recover drive space. CleanMyMac X’s handy Large & Old Files module offers easy access to large files munching up space on your hard drive. CleanMyMac X’s handy Large & Old Files module offers easy access to large files munching up space on your hard drive.Foundry CleanMyMac X’s handy Large & Old Files module offers easy access to large files munching up space on your hard drive.Foundry Foundry The modules themselves generally live up to their purpose, and it’s handy to be able to do a general search for data that’s consuming large parts of your hard drive as well as drill down and enable or disable specific system-level extensions as needed. CleanMyMac X runs a handy set of maintenance scripts, such as clearing the DNS cache and repairing file permissions, which help to keep things in order. CleanMyMac X is routinely updated (in the 4.15 update in February 2024 the security components got a major update) and is well cared for by its developer. CleanMyMac X gained a handy Menu Bar item in version 4.11 that brought useful information, such as drive capacities, CPU speeds, system temperature, system load, and network activity readouts. This received a substantial update in 2023, bringing additional information such as your laptop’s battery, temperature, and health, your hard drive’s capacity and overall health, your free RAM capacity, and your CPU load and hardware temperature are on hand and readily accessible. The Space Lens feature that arrived with the 2023 update, and the Large & Old Files module, offer a quick and handy view as to what’s consuming the majority of your hard drive space, and it was easy to pick off large, forgotten multi-gigabyte video files as well as gigabytes upon gigabytes of unused language and cache files with the System Junk module. Click on the CleanMyMac X icon in the Menu Bar to access useful information such as remaining battery life, bandwidth, CPU load, and connected device information. It’s exceptionally easy to see what’s gobbling up the most space on your Mac’s hard drive. The features are well-integrated. To its credit, CleanMyMac X offers some nice surprises, and I was able to recover more than 30GB of drive space as the program found unused files and disk images galore via my iCloud storage. Other features such as the Disk Lens and Uninstaller offered a clear view as to which folders were consuming the most drive space and a quick means of removing applications.  Removing an app with CleanMyMac X’s Uninstall module. Removing an app with CleanMyMac X’s Uninstall module.Foundry Removing an app with CleanMyMac X’s Uninstall module.Foundry Foundry What’s not so good Unfortunately, it’s the same sticking points that I’ve mentioned in the past that seem to haunt CleanMyMacX 4.15. With Mac utilities, a multifaceted approach that offers several base functions can be excellent. But the danger is that the developer overextends themselves trying to be everything to everyone, and the result is that some features aren’t as good as others, making you wonder about the value of the total app. This is unfortunately the case with CleanMyMac X. CleanMyMac X has a couple of modules that are the app’s greatest hurdles: the Malware removal module and the Updater function. Both are well-intentioned and focused, but unfortunately, they don’t work as well as we hoped. Malware protection remains a mixed bag, and while the app works well with macOS’ Gatekeeper function in working to prevent malware installation on your Mac, it’s still possible to install a good amount of questionable software. Yes, the Malware Removal module was able to detect and quarantine several threats (such as OSX.EvilEgg, DazzleSpy, and parts of the AdWind malware), but it left segments of AdWind installed in tests, as well as missed the questionable WaveBrowser, a mock version of Adobe Flash Player Install Manager, Adobe album and the infamous MacSecurity app, which had to be removed with another application. This was disappointing considering MacPaw’s well-marketed and hyped use of the Moonlock Engine for this purpose. Other foibles within the Malware Removal module include the fact that while it’s easy to select for external volumes to be scanned upon mounting, there’s no clear display as to this happening, or an easy option to select a target volume and begin a scan, which would be a handy user interface option. For some better antivirus options, if that is what you are after read our round-up of the Best Antivirus for Mac. Malware protection settings in CleanMyMac X 4.15.3. Malware protection settings in CleanMyMac X 4.15.3.Foundry Malware protection settings in CleanMyMac X 4.15.3.Foundry Foundry If the Malware Removal module needs improvements, the Updater module is in even rougher shape. This section of the software feels as if almost nothing has been done with it, and the only update it was able to detect and install was a small screenshot AI update through Apple’s App Store. These scans missed significant app updates to critical programs such as GitHub, Slack, Google Chrome, Adobe Reader, VirtualBox, and others, and one wonders how it can be so hard to add support for these developers for the module to find and locate free updates that the developers would want the users to have in the first place? Verdict CleanMyMac X (version 4.15.3 at the time we updated this review) offers a good suite of utilities, but unless a major new version or upgrade is en route, MacPaw seems to be making the same mistakes again. Despite the company’s use of the Moonlock Engine for its Malware Removal module, it still left significant chunks of malware behind and this is concerning. The rough state of the Updater module once again leads one to consider the MacUpdater, which is $9.76 for an individual user, is tightly focused on its task, and has become my standby for locating just about every software update I could dream of for my Macs.  I don’t think MacPaw is ill-intentioned in its efforts by any stretch of the imagination and its customer service has always been responsive, but I do think it’s wandering into the same issues that any company has when it tries to make a Swiss Army knife of an application suite and keeps adding to its feature base. Some features invariably become better than others, and unless there’s a major new version or update that comes out, it seems as if these issues may not be fixed in short order. CleanMyMac X runs well, does its chief job of recovering space on a Mac superbly, and is available at a good price, but without a significant overhaul for its Malware Removal and Updater modules, it won’t be able to deliver on the vast amount it promises.  Cleaning and Data Recovery Software, MacOS

Read more »

Crazy-thin iPad Pro models hold up under early bend tests
Will "bendgate" return for M4 iPad Pro? It seems unlikely, given three new video tests showing the super-thin tablet's suprising strength. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

Warning: iOS 17.5 may resurface previously deleted photos
Macworld After installing the iOS 17.5 or iPadOS 17.5 update, you may find a surprise or two (or three or four…) in your Photos. According to several user reports online, the 17.5 update may restore photos that you have deleted long after the 30-day restore period has expired. Which could make for an embarrassing situation. A post on Reddit said that some of the resurrected photos had “nsfw material,” and another post said, “my photos appeared on my OLD iPad I gave to a friend.” One user in the Reddit thread claims to be an Apple QA employee and says that what’s happening is that photos that have been sent through Messages are being saved to the Photo library, and the solution is to delete the old Messages. However, a separate user replied that their restored photos were not messaged to anyone. Also, some users with this problem are using iCloud Photos, while others aren’t. As others have pointed out (in the Reddit thread and in other reports), when you delete a file–including a photo–the file isn’t really wiped out. What happens is that the reference to it is gone, but the file is still there until another file is written over it. Though you’d think that if a photo was deleted years ago and you’re regularly shooting new ones, there would be many opportunities for that old photo to be overwritten. Apple has not commented on the issue, but you can probably expect a point-one update to address it soon. Several users have reported that this issue existed in the 17.5 betas, but it’s not known if this is a widespread issue. I installed the iOS 17.5 update after its release on Monday and have not had any old deleted photos come back to haunt me, thank goodness. iOS, iPad, iPhone

Read more »

Apple brings AI-powered eye tracking to iPhone and iPad
Apple is set to release AI-enabled Eye Tracking on the iPhone and iPad as part of a new range of accessibility tools announced… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Keychron Q1 HE Review – Near-infinitely adjustable keyboard with impressive design
The Keychron Q1 HE is a keyboard designed — or, more accurately, over-designed — for demanding users with specific needs and is one of the most sophisticated and customizable keyboards I've ever tested.The Keychron Q1 HE looks great on a desk and feels great under hand as well.For most people, the stock keyboard that comes with a Mac is all they'll ever need. However, the standard keyboard might not be enough for a select few Mac users, most notably gamers, video editors, and a specific type of writer.Keyboards come in two types: mechanical and membrane. Membrane-style keyboards, like those in a MacBook or Apple's Magic Keyboard, push down on a thin film of material, which records a keystroke when enough pressure is applied. Unlike the Keychron Q1 HE, a membrane keyboard has no adjustment ability. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Teen Instagram addiction under investigation; TikTokers sue US government
An EU investigation has been opened into growing concerns about teen Instagram addiction, to determine whether parent company Meta is breaking the law by deliberately seeking to make its apps addictive. The investigation will also look into whether the company’s age-verification procedures are sufficiently robust, and the phenomenon of sending users down potentially harmful ‘rabbit holes’ … more…

Read more »

Samsung, how much creativity does it really take to parody an Apple ad?
Last week Apple released an ad for its new iPad Pro that was widely panned. The ‘Crush’ ad showed a variety of creative instruments being crushed and ultimately transformed into an iPad Pro. The message was simple: thanks to the iPad’s power and app ecosystem, all of these creative tools can exist together in a new form, an ultra-thin M4 iPad Pro. The image of destroying beloved creative tools, though, didn’t send the desired message. Apple later issued an apology. Now Samsung has released its own parody ad, ‘UnCrush,’ which itself demonstrates a continued pattern of lacking creativity. more…

Read more »

RetroArch and PPSSPP join growing list of retro game emulators for iPhone
Play classic retro games on your iPhone with new, free emulators. RetroArch and PPSSPP support a wide variety of consoles. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »