Shortcuts are easier to make and more productive with iOS 18 redesign
Apple's new iOS 18 hasn't brought major changes to the Shortcuts app on iPhone, but it has added features, and most significantly has improved how you find them.Shortcuts has added more actions to control Apple appsIf you use Shortcuts on the iPhone then you tend to love it, you tend to want more features, and you tend to have the same gripes. In iOS 18, Apple has gone a little — but important — way towards adding what you want.Apple has gently redesigned Shortcuts by changing how actions are found, and by adding new actions to choose from. It appears, so far, to have also smoothed out problems that made it hard to drag an action to exactly where you want it. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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11 hidden iOS 18 features Apple did not tell you about
iOS 18 is not all Apple Intelligence. Discover other small but important changes and hidden improvements coming to your iPhone with iOS 18. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Don’t expect Apple’s Siri to get markedly better until 2025
Many "Apple Intelligence" features won’t be ready until 2025 - and in languages other than American English years later - including Siri…  The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple podcast transcription feature took six years from first launch
The Apple podcast transcription feature was officially launched in iOS 17.4, but the company says that it actually introduced a very limited version way back in 2018. Apple says that it took so long to launch as a fully-fledged accessibility feature because the company wanted to make it universal, and to incorporate learnings from Apple Music lyrics … more…

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How Apple Outperformed Google and Microsoft in AI Rollout
Over the last several weeks, we’ve had Google I/O, which highlighted the rollout of Google’s Gemini AI engine for smartphones; Microsoft Build, which focused on its Copilot+ rollout for PCs; and Apple’s WWDC24 video, which showcased the rollout of AI on both PCs and smartphones. Let’s explore these AI product rollouts this week. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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Dr. Fone review
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsA la carte pricing.Simple interface.Platform agnostic.ConsPricey with all features included.Pop-ups feel cheap.Crashes are unfortunate.Our VerdictA fantastic “one-stop-shop” for iPhone (and Android) device management, Dr. Fone is less a data recovery tool and more a Swiss army knife of potential – if you’re willing to pay for each feature. Price When ReviewedData Recovery from $59.95 per year (usually $68.95); Full Toolkit $99.95 a year (usually $139.95); Perpetual license $115.95 (usually $162.95). Best Prices Today: Dr. Fone Retailer Price Wondershare $59.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If need to recover some lost data from your iPhone there are a number of apps in our of the best data recovery apps for iPhone, with Dr Fone being one, though, calling Dr Fone a “data recovery app” is a little of a misnomer. That’s because Dr. Fone is absolutely packed to the gills with features. Some are very useful, some are fairly useful, and some won’t be very useful at all, but the exact categories each of those find themselves in is largely down to user intent. Thankfully, you can just buy the things you want or need from Dr. Fone’s repertoire of tools, meaning that while it may set you back $100 for the whole kit and kaboodle, it’s well worth a look for each of its individual pieces, too. First Impressions Pop Up: Dr. Fone doesn’t make the best first impression. Pop Up: Dr. Fone doesn’t make the best first impression.Foundry Pop Up: Dr. Fone doesn’t make the best first impression.Foundry Foundry I’ll admit that Dr. Fone didn’t put its best foot forward when I was testing. For one, it took a couple of tries to get the Mac app to connect to my iPhone (hooked up to my Mac via USB-C), while it also displayed what appeared to be a broken pop-up window that I simply could not close. I did start to wonder if installing it may have been a mistake, but I persevered – and I’m glad I did. With a whole host of tools and a rundown of your connected devices on the left-hand side of the screen, it’s easy to get around the Dr. Fone interface. It’s pretty boilerplate in terms of modern apps, but I was impressed by the replication of app icons on the sidebar to make it easy to know where I needed to look. Dr Fone features Start Screen: Dr. Fone does pretty much anything. Start Screen: Dr. Fone does pretty much anything.Foundry Start Screen: Dr. Fone does pretty much anything.Foundry Foundry As I’ve already mentioned, there’s a whole host of features here. The “Toolbox” menu is essentially your starting point, and features the option to remove Apple ID and locks, spoof your GPS location for games like Pokemon Go, and transfer Whatsapp data to other devices. There’s also a way to copy data to a new phone, erase that data, or recover passwords from a phone. It’s worth remembering that whatever you do, you’ll need to plug your phone in, unlock it, and deem your computer trustworthy before you can do anything. Phone Status: Dr. Fone can find plenty of information about your device. Phone Status: Dr. Fone can find plenty of information about your device.Foundry Phone Status: Dr. Fone can find plenty of information about your device.Foundry Foundry Still, we’re here for data recovery, and I was impressed at how deep into my deleted files and data the app could get to. I saw WhatsApp images from chats going back years, messages I could recover, and much, much more. It’s impressive stuff, even with some performance concerns I’ll cover shortly. There are some offers right now, so the whole package will set you back $99.95/£78.86 a year (usually $139.95/£110.42) or $115.95/£91.48 on the perpetual plan (usually $162.95/£128.57). Note that tax is added at the point of sale as is a “download insurance service” which includes 24 months warranty ($4.95/£3.91), the latter can be removed. Without the insurance the perpetual license is $139.14/£109.78 currently. However, you can save money by just buying the data recovery access for $59.95/£47.30 per year (usually $68.95/£54.40), or $69.95/£55.19 (usually $63.08) as a one-off fee, and this works for up to five devices. Again, tax is added at point of sale as is the insurance, so the U.K. price is actually £66.23 for the perpetual license, £56.76 for the yearly license. Dr Fone annoyances Data Recovery Menu: There’s not a lot Dr. Fone can’t recover. Data Recovery Menu: There’s not a lot Dr. Fone can’t recover.Foundry Data Recovery Menu: There’s not a lot Dr. Fone can’t recover.Foundry Foundry I believe Dr. Fone to be a great piece of software, but one that feels a little like it’s creaking under the weight of its ambition at times. Once you install it, it’ll open up smaller apps to deal with your individual queries. The Data Recovery tool, for example, pops out into its own app, but these apps can be a little temperamental. On more than one occasion the data recovery tool flat-out crashed on my M1 Pro MacBook Pro during the initial scan, so I’d definitely recommend letting it do its thing. For me, the initial scan took around 80 minutes, but I was impressed with what it managed to dredge up. The Bottom Line Viewed purely as a data recovery device, Dr. Fone is an impressive piece of software with an array of extras you may not need. Viewed as an all-in-one toolbox, it’s impressive and expensive. Your mileage will vary, but for grabbing that lost file or deleted photo, you can buy each feature piecemeal. Cleaning and Data Recovery Software, iOS, MacOS

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Xgrid lives — a new project resurrects the promise of Apple's dead clustering software
Evoking the old Xgrid days, a new project connects Mac Studios together with Thunderbolt cables, and uses them in tandem for massively parallel computing tasks.If you have two Mac Studios, maybe you can cluster themA very long time ago, I was involved in cluster computing, and assisted with a few Mac-centric cluster builds in Virginia. Near the end of Xgrid availability from Apple, I also built an Xgrid cluster using beige G3 motherboards. You know, just because I could.While the corporate- and federally-funded Xgrids were pretty good, the self-build projects were pretty janky, and fragile hacks. Apple's Xgrid worked very well in extremely specific circumstances, but very poorly outside of those scenarios. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Watch Series 10 could get larger but thinner
The upcoming Apple Watch Series 10 could get a size bump to 45mm and 49mm, with the overall watch itself getting thinner. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Philips Hue Twilight bedside lamp simulates sunrise and sunset – leaked images
Leaked images have revealed that a new Philips Hue Twilight bedside lamp is on the way. In addition to a standard angled lamp, there are separate LEDs at the rear which can be used to simulate sunrise and sunset. Philips already released the Philips Hue Signe gradient lamp back in 2022, with bedside tables one of the suggested uses, but the Twilight appears to take a more focused approach to bedroom use … more…

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Logic Pro for Mac 11 review: Out of the garage and onto the main stage
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsPowerful and vast in scope with tons of sounds, virtual instruments, and effectsRidiculously affordable for a top-tier DAWSupports a wide variety of hardware and file formats, including surroundNew session players create a virtual backup bandConsComplexOccasionally clunky workflowOur VerdictThe sheer scope, power, and unique affordability of Logic Pro 11 make it a top-tier DAW that every musical Mac user should own. Version 11 brings new play-along bass and piano intelligence to join the existing session drummer. Is it now the real “Garage Band”? Price When Reviewed$199.99 (free as an upgrade) Best Prices Today: Logic Pro 11 Retailer Price $200 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket It would take a hefty tome indeed to cover all of the features offered by Apple’s powerful mainstay digital audio workstation, Logic Pro–the three user guides total nearly 2,600 pages! Instead, we’ll cover the basics and then let you in on what’s new with version 11. And there’s plenty. What is Logic Pro 11? Logic Pro 11 is a digital audio workstation (DAW), i.e. a program that allows you to record and manipulate audio files and MIDI information. Like other DAWs such as Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Cubase, Digital Performer, and Studio One, Logic Pro seeks to emulate a full-on recording studio with the equipment (recorders and FX), engineers, instruments–and unique to Logic Pro, the musicians. The kicker: Logic Pro is only $200! The cheapest competitor that’s listed above is fully twice the price, and several are considerably more than that. Why? Logic Pro functions as basically a loss leader to get you to buy Apple’s excellent but often dauntingly-priced hardware. As I tell my Windows friends who constantly harp on the price of Macs (believe me, I understand), there are some mitigating factors: (relatively) cheap powerful software, low power consumption, and of course gorgeous displays. Logic Pro 11: Basic features Logic Pro is very much old-school in emulating the classic mixing console, recorders, and outboard effects processors that inhabit a traditional recording studio. Indeed, its basic design and workflow will likely feel more comfortable to engineers than artists. Not that it doesn’t accommodate both. Logic Pro lets you edit audio, as well as MIDI in various guises–including musical notation. Logic Pro lets you edit audio, as well as MIDI in various guises–including musical notation. Logic Pro lets you edit audio, as well as MIDI in various guises–including musical notation. The array of editors includes a clip (or region in Logic-speak) arranger timeline, wave editor, MIDI piano roll editor, step sequencer, event list editors, and even pleasantly-capable musical notation. Logic Pro 11 takes the studio environment emulation further by providing software instruments and–again, uniquely–virtual musicians. These are proprietary to Logic, as are its vast set of high-quality instruments and effects. In fact, with Logic Pro there’s really no need for third-party plug-ins, which makes the $200 price tag seem even cheaper. Logic Pro does support other vendors’ efforts, the vast majority of which are available in Apple’s AU format–the only one supported by Logic at the moment. While Logic Pro provides a bang-up recording studio emulation it also features a launch grid, à la Ableton Live. It facilitates live performance by letting the user launch/play various pre-recorded regions, mixing and matching them to create mixes, etc. on the fly. These regions, or clips can be anything from a one-bar loop to an entire song (mixed down). Logic Pro also features a clip launcher for live performance à la Ableton Live. Logic Pro also features a clip launcher for live performance à la Ableton Live. Logic Pro also features a clip launcher for live performance à la Ableton Live. Logic Pro supports a wide variety of external controllers and hardware (Apple’s OS-level Core Audio takes care of most of this) and audio recording up to 7.1.4 channel, 32-bit float, 192kHz wave, AIFF, or CAF audio files. It’s also Dolby Atmos capable. Unlike Apple’s consumer-level DAW, GarageBand, Logic Pro is actually one of the least proprietary programs when it comes to import and export; supporting wave, MIDI, AAF, Final Cut Pro XML, MusicXML (score notation), and Dolby Atmos ADM. In other words, you can use Logic Pro X in conjunction with other DAWs without a whole lot of pain–at least no more pain than with other DAWs. The industry has yet to settle en masse on a comprehensive project-sharing format, though one has been developed by Presonus and Bitwig called, naturally enough, DAW Project. Logic Pro 11: What’s new Now that we have the basics out of the way–here’s what’s new. Probably the most salient additions to Logic Pro 11 are the new Session Piano and Session Bass players/instruments. Added to the existing Session Drummer, they form a pretty decent backing band. Three tracks showing the Bass, Piano, and Drummer Session player tracks. At the bottom are the controls for the bassist. Three tracks showing the Bass, Piano, and Drummer Session player tracks. At the bottom are the controls for the bassist. Three tracks showing the Bass, Piano, and Drummer Session player tracks. At the bottom are the controls for the bassist. What exactly is a Logic Pro Session Player? It’s a virtual (software) instrument that uses a database of rhythmic and harmonic patterns (beats/hits, chords, scales, etc.) to emulate what a real musician might play. In fact, the patterns were originally played by real musicians. Not exactly AI as Apple (and everyone else) claims. While all three session players follow the current tempo, and optionally try to match the rhythmic pattern of another track, the piano and bass also take harmonic cues from Logic Pro’s new editable global and regional chord tracks. A session player region with a chord track. Of course, the Session drummer doesn’t use this, but the piano and the bass players do. A session player region with a chord track. Of course, the Session drummer doesn’t use this, but the piano and the bass players do. A session player region with a chord track. Of course, the Session drummer doesn’t use this, but the piano and the bass players do. As a guitarist, I’m both slightly offended and grateful that Apple didn’t include a Session Guitarist (I’m sure they will eventually). Beyond that, I find the session player technology impressive. While I would never stick simply with what it plays, it is akin to getting input from other musicians, in a somewhat limited fashion of course (without any egos to worry about!). The rest of the improvements may not be as sexy, but some are extremely useful. Take Internal MIDI In for instance. It allows a track to input MIDI data from other MIDI tracks without delving into the extremely powerful but confusing and now well-hidden Logic Environment (still available via Command+0). Along the same lines, regions can now be automatically transposed using pitch sources (key sign, etc.) that you choose. Or not. Karaoke fans will love the ability to extract vocals, drums, bass, and “other” (a.k.a everything else), from a mixed audio file. The utility is called Stem Splitter, a stem being an instrument or track in DAW-speak. Stem Splitter works remarkably well, or not so great, depending on the material. I had great results with commercial material; with my own, not so much, though Stem Splitter did get the vocals and drums correct. This no doubt means I need to mix my stuff better. Logic Pro’s Stem Splitter can separate vocals and instruments out of a mix. Success varies according to the source material. Logic Pro’s Stem Splitter can separate vocals and instruments out of a mix. Success varies according to the source material. Logic Pro’s Stem Splitter can separate vocals and instruments out of a mix. Success varies according to the source material. Note that Logic Pro could already extract tempo changes from audio files, as well as MIDI from single-instrument audio via Flex Pitch. Indeed, you can take a stem created by Stem Splitter and extract the MIDI notes from it using said Flex Pitch. I wish I’d had something like this when I was first learning songs by ear. I should warn you that extracting specific instrumentation from audio, while vastly improved over the decades, is still not perfect. Many instruments operate in similar frequencies, making extracting them a very difficult task. Hence a lot of stuff is lumped together in the “Other” track. I still marvel that extraction works at all, let alone this well. Logic Pro X 11’s new ChromaGlow saturation (like tube amps) plug-in. Logic Pro X 11’s new ChromaGlow saturation (like tube amps) plug-in. Logic Pro X 11’s new ChromaGlow saturation (like tube amps) plug-in. A new saturation (tube “warmth”) plug-in, ChromaGlow has been added; Dolby Atmos features have been enhanced; and there are new producer sample/loop packs: The Kount, Corey Wong, and Hardwell. Other new features include more key commands for the marquee (area highlighting), real-time bouncing of external instruments, and input monitoring for software instruments. Apple has also switched the default recording format from AIFF to the ubiquitous WAV, which allows for longer recordings and easier import into other programs. Complex and occasionally odd So far, I’ve heaped nothing but praise on Logic Pro 11. But the fact is, it’s been around since the 1980s, first as Creator and Notator on the Atari ST, then as Emagic Logic on Windows and macOS, then was purchased by Apple and became the macOS-exclusive Logic Pro. The point of the history lesson is that Logic has a lengthy heritage that includes some baggage, such as the aforementioned Environment patch bay. As a result, Logic Pro’s learning curve is steep and the workflow is not always as straightforward as it might be. Look up MusicTechHelpGuy on YouTube for some of the best tutorials. The Logic Pro X routing Environment. The Logic Pro X routing Environment. The Logic Pro X routing Environment. Fortunately, the Logic Pro UI is also highly configurable, so you can hide interface elements and features you don’t need, and then work your way up to them. You can also reassign the keyboard (computer) shortcuts to taste, making it easier to adapt to Logic or move back and forth between DAWs. Should you buy Logic Pro 11? Yes, though if you’re an existing user, you don’t have to–it’s a free upgrade. That’s another thing about Logic Pro: Apple has improved the program significantly over the years at a nominal cost to the user. To be fair, Apple can afford to do this, while other vendors can not. The fact remains. On the other hand, if you’re new to the DAW game, you won’t find anything else on the Mac that offers Logic Pro’s capabilities for anywhere close to the price. We barely scratched its functional surface in this review. Even if you own another DAW, you’ll likely find something useful in Logic Pro. And for $200, without recurring upgrade charges? Come on now–Apple even offers a free 90-day trial for Logic Pro. Personal Software, Professional Software

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Siri improvements, ChatGPT, Apple Intelligence and more – when will each arrive?
The iOS 18 beta 1 has brought some of the promised new changes, but it doesn’t include Siri improvements, ChatGPT access, or many of the Apple Intelligence features (though there are a few exceptions). Apple hasn’t revealed a precise timeline for each of the new features, likely wanting to avoid making promises it can’t keep, but there are some indications of what we can expect when … more…

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Rudimentary RCS support is in the iOS 18 beta — with some big caveats
With some "special magic" some iOS 18 developer beta users claim to have been able to turn on an extremely limited and very early version of RCS messaging between iPhone and Android.RCS support will be added to the iPhone sometime in 2024Apple confirmed during its WWDC keynote that RCS (Rich Communication Services) support will be coming to the iPhone, but said only that it would be introduced in a software update later in 2024. Unsurprisingly, Apple is already testing the functionality, but now users of the developer beta of iOS 18 claim to have been able to use it, at least partially.RCS comes to iPhone. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple still has no idea what to do with the iPad
Macworld Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too. The problem child We’ve had a week now to digest Apple’s latest pronouncements at the WWDC keynote, and sometimes a little distance can be helpful. The febrile atmosphere of an Apple hype-fest can be fun, but it doesn’t exactly lend itself to a sense of perspective. A few days along, the impression remains that Apple had a lot to talk about, and has come up with some seriously substantial software updates for 2024. I have mixed feelings about the Gen AI elements of Apple Intelligence, but iOS 18 is undeniably a momentous release, blending long-requested customization options with big, risky innovations. macOS Sequoia, too, was able to back up the longer-term hopes of Apple Intelligence with a brilliantly appealing new feature (iPhone Mirroring) and a tiled interface layout that seems both nice-looking and convenient. But what about iPadOS 18? This seemed well short of a home run. Unlike the poor neglected Apple Watch, the iPad does get to be part of the cool Apple Intelligence crowd, but that’s not going to be here at all for a while and may not work well for longer still. The other OSes managed to offset this with more immediate benefits, but the iPad gets very little other than Calculator, an app it should have had more than a decade ago. Granted, the Math Notes feature is so good that Calculator for the iPad might just be worth that ridiculous wait. But a flash of brilliance like this just makes it all the more frustrating that Apple hasn’t elevated the iPad past what it was back in 2010. Is the iPad a high-end creative tool? Is it a laptop replacement for business users, or a note-taker for people in hospitals and building sites? Or is it what it’s overwhelmingly used as right now, which is a low-end, instant-booting web surfer for users to mess around with on the couch while someone else watches Netflix on the big TV? Apple can try to hit all of these different markets by selling multiple hardware variations (albeit at the risk of making the buying decision intimidatingly complex) but it will keep bumping up against the fundamental problem that the operating system isn’t suitable for more advanced applications. If Apple wants the iPad to replace the MacBook, it needs to bring iPadOS closer to macOS in scope and organizational structure. It’s not like the software department at Cupertino hasn’t tried: numerous multitasking features and modes have been added to iPadOS over the years. But we’re still at a point where doing two things at the same time is a lot more of a hassle on an iPad than it would be on a Mac, and as long as that’s the case, you can’t expect it to take off as a mainstream laptop replacement. Conversely, turning iPadOS into a sophisticated desktop-style OS will shrink the iPad’s appeal for its current userbase, by taking away the simple qualities that they value. And there’s no easy way to make both groups happy. iPadOS gained less than the other big Apple platforms this year, but it needed more. Whereas customers know what the iPhone and Mac are for, the iPad is drifting around in commercial limbo, and something radical was needed to turn it around: not the needless addition of a ludicrously overpowered M4 chip, but a rethink of the software platform itself. And as exciting as WWDC 2024 was, it didn’t offer any real answers to the iPad question. Foundry Foundry Foundry Trending: Top stories Apple’s iOS 18 announcements leave us one thought: Steve Jobs would never have allowed this. Apple Intelligence is nice, but Apple Laziness is my jam. As always, Apple does its best work inside its walled garden. Apple Intelligence is Sherlock and Watson all over again. Apple’s smartest new features leave the Intelligence behind. When it comes to iPhone customization, Apple is finally letting you have it your way–kinda. Forget the harmless “Crush” ad. Apple’s AI announcements revealed real contempt for creatives. The iPad’s new Calculator actually might have been worth the 14-year wait. Apple just sent a bunch of devices into obsolescence. Everything Apple announced in its jam-packed WWDC keynote. Podcast of the week On this episode of the Macworld Podcast, we dive deep into the highlights from Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference. What will it be like to use Apple Intelligence, and what stood out with iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia? You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. Software updates, bugs, and problems iOS 18: The biggest new features coming to your iPhone this fall. iOS 18: 5 delightful little features that didn’t make the WWDC keynote. But these features won’t be part of iOS 18 when it launches this fall. macOS Sequoia introduces iPhone Mirroring, Tiled interface, and AI features. watchOS 11 brings a raft of new apps and features to the Apple Watch. These three features will make your AirPods better this fall. VisionOS 2 will let you turn any flat photo into a spatial one, and also brings big Mac Virtual Display enhancements. Small but welcomed Apple TV and Home updates are coming this fall. And with that, we’re done for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, or Twitter for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley. Apple Inc

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iOS 18 Emergency SOS feature to support live video
Apple’s forthcoming iOS 18 update will offer live video support for its Emergency SOS feature. Once the Emergency SOS feature has been activated, streaming video and recorded media can be sent to emergency personnel. Emergency dispatchers can send a request for a user to share either live video or a video from the camera roll, […] Source

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Adobe Acrobat Review
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsCross-platform software available on all relevant operating systems.Offers some advanced PDF manipulation tools.Supports signature collection from other users.ConsMac app is bloated and lags even when performing basic tasks like scrolling.Free version is too limited when compared to macOS’ built-in tools.Paid subscriptions are expensive and don’t offer one-time purchase options.Our VerdictAdobe Acrobat is potentially the most popular PDF companion and many users’ go-to solution for viewing and editing these files. Despite its fame and large user base, however, it’s far from being the best app for all things PDF. With so many valid alternatives offering well-optimized apps and more flexible pricing, I personally wouldn’t opt for Adobe Acrobat. Price When ReviewedAcrobat Reader: free; Acrobat Standard: from $12.99 a month; Acrobat Pro: from $19.99 a month Best Prices Today: Adobe Acrobat Retailer Price Adobe (Monthly) $12.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket When you first open the Adobe Acrobat app on your Mac, you will be welcomed by its main Home view. There, you will find different banners prompting you to perform various tasks. These include two Acrobat Pro ads, recommended tools, and a prompt to set the app as the default PDF viewer. None of them are dismissible, and they certainly disrupt what could’ve been a cleaner Home page. Foundry Foundry Foundry In the Home page’s sidebar, Adobe Acrobat features some convenient shortcuts to popular destinations. So you get to easily navigate between shared files, agreements you’ve signed, document scans, connected cloud storage services, and more. Once you load a PDF in Acrobat, the tools you can use will populate in the sidebar. Those marked by a blue star when hovering the cursor over them require a paid subscription for access. Overall, the user interface is generally acceptable, albeit not the sleekest out there. More importantly, though, the experience may be frustrating to some, as the Acrobat app is somewhat bloated and frequently slows down. Tasks as simple as scrolling a small, uncomplicated PDF file can get the app to lag on my MacBook Air M2. Why the free Acrobat tier is not worth it If you’re seeking a free PDF viewer or editor for your Mac, then Adobe Acrobat is almost objectively not worth it. The free tier offers basic annotation tools that are present in Apple’s built-in Preview app. In fact, Preview’s execution is far superior in most cases. (Compared here: Apple Preview vs Adobe Acrobat). For example, both Adobe Acrobat and Apple Preview offer a form-filling feature. However, the latter app automatically detects fields and allows you to fill them easily. With Adobe’s solution, you have to manually align your text boxes on the PDF’s fields, as the app seemingly can’t detect them on its own. Furthermore, Apple’s solution offers free tools that Adobe has paywalled, such as PDF page organization/deletion, password protection for PDF files, document scanning, and much more. So, if you’re not planning to pay for Adobe Acrobat, then Apple Preview may make more sense to use. It is preloaded on your Mac and offers a faster performance, sleeker design, and more refined tools. Looking for a free PDF editor? Read: Best free PDF editors for Mac. What paying for Adobe Acrobat gets you If you don’t mind paying at least $12.99/£13.14 per month, then Adobe Acrobat is certainly one of the best PDF editors available. By subscribing to the premium service, you’re accessing pretty much every PDF editing functionality you may need. The paid versions offer more control over the PDF’s content, allowing you to freely edit the text and media. Similar to Apple Preview, you also get to reorganize the entire document’s layout by inserting, deleting, or rearranging pages. Foundry Foundry Foundry Beyond editing, you can fill and sign forms, request signatures from others, and collect feedback. This adds a social aspect to Adobe Acrobat and makes it more suitable for collaboration. The app also gives users flexibility when exporting PDF files, allowing them to pick between different file formats, add passwords, compress the size, and more. That’s not to mention some of the more advanced tools it packs, such as object measurements, accessibility preparation, JavaScript support, and search index insertion. Chances are the paid Adobe Acrobat app supports all PDF editing features you may need at any given time. Pricing and availability Acrobat is available across the latest versions of macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Windows, Android, and even the web. So, you can access it from pretty much any modern computing device. While Adobe offers PDF viewer Acrobat Reader for free, most of Acrobat’s editing functionalities are paywalled. The Standard plan costs $12.99/£13.14 a month and unlocks most of the commonly needed PDF editing tools, such as text/image editing, file format conversion, password protection, PDF splitting, and more. Meanwhile, the Pro version goes for $19.99/£19.97 a month and unleashes Acrobat’s full potential, which bundles even more power-user features. These include permanent redaction, web form creation, PDF comparisons, accessibility checks, audio/video insertion, and much more. At the time of writing, Adobe is also offering its AI Assistant add-on for a discounted $4.99/£4.98 a month. Both free and paid plan users can opt for it if they’re interested in adding more smarts to the Acrobat app. The bottom line As our breakdown reveals, Adobe Acrobat can be a handy PDF editor—but only when you’re paying for it. Though, given its relatively high monthly fees and the lack of a one-time payment option, casual users likely won’t justify paying for it. It’s better suited for those who professionally deal with PDF documents on a daily basis and rely on workflows that integrate and harness its advanced features. So, if you’re looking for basic annotation and page organization, Apple Preview may serve you better. Otherwise, if you need some basic editing tools, then you will find less powerful apps that support text editing for more reasonable price tags. Ultimately, you’ll have to check the comprehensive list of features and compare it to those of other apps to find the best deal that caters to your needs. Based on my experience using Adobe Acrobat, though, I can safely say that average users with common PDF editing needs can settle for better alternatives elsewhere. MacOS, PDF Editors

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Apple Watch Series 10 to be thinner and have larger screen size
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that the Apple Watch Series 10 is getting tenth-anniversary redesign that will bring it the same screen size as the Apple Watch Ultra.Apple Watch Series 10 could have the same screen size as this Apple Watch UltraRumors of the Apple Watch Series 10 or Apple Watch X being a major redesign have been circulating for years, most recently with a report that it would be thinner. Now Ming-Chi Kuo backs up that claim of a more thin design, but also says that the overall screen size will increase.2H24 Apple WatchSeries 10/3D / The focus of the 2H24 New Apple Watch: Series 10 and BLT/3D Printinghttps://t.co/5KIdhvec0d— (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) June 17, 2024 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Kuo: Apple Watch Series 10 to feature larger display and thinner chassis, approaching Ultra screen size
In his latest note, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrote that he believes the upcoming Apple Watch Series 10 will feature a thinner chassis and a larger display, compared to . What is perhaps most surprising is just how much bigger Kuo believes the screens are getting. Kuo says the Watch will increase from the current 41mm and 45mm sizes to about 45mm and 49mm respectively. Remember, unlike other Apple devices, these sizes measure case height of the watch, not diagonal screen size. Naturally, a taller case also means a bigger display. For comparison, the current Apple Watch Ultra is also measured at 49mm case height. more…

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Get lifetime access to 500GB of cloud backup for 66% off
Macworld Cloud storage is essential in today’s digital working world. For the many of us who have come to rely on Google Drive, there’s an intuitive, easy-to-use, and affordable alternative that’s on sale for a limited time only. You can get 250GB with FolderFort for only $39.99, and 500GB for $59.99. FolderFort is great for small teams of collaborators because it supports creating unlimited workspaces. It features shareable links that you can use to easily share files and data with co-workers, clients, or collaborators. You can also set links to public or private to make sure they’re accessible to only those you deem qualified.  Store files affordably with this simple and intuitive platform. Save on either of these lifetime deals:  FolderFort 250GB Storage Plan lifetime subscription, on sale for $39.99 (reg. $107) FolderFort 500GB Storage Plan lifetime subscription, on sale for $59.99 (reg. $179) StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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iOS 18: top 18 features and changes for iPhone [Video]
In this initial hands-on walkthrough, I discuss 18 of my favorite new changes and features from the first iOS 18 beta for iPhone. I explain why you should be excited about new long-awaited updates to the iOS Calendar app, Reminders, Notes, Messages, and more. Watch our hands-on video, and be sure to subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more hands-on iOS 18 coverage. more…

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This incredible $18 Anker power bank will fit into your palm
Macworld When you’re out and about, it’s always a fantastic idea to have a portable power bank on you because you never know just how fast your phone will drain. The Anker Nano portable charger is a fantastic choice since it’s only $18 at Amazon, down from $26, and it’s the best price yet. This is a super compact portable power bank that will even fit into women’s pockets. I just recently got one of these, and it performed super well, keeping my phone alive during a Coldplay concert. The Anker Nano has a 5,000mAh capacity, which should provide you with a full charge for your device – or pretty close to it. Whether you’re binge-watching your favorite series on a long journey or need to make sure your phone still has juice to call an Uber after the concert’s done, the tiny Anker Nano has you covered. The Anker Nano has a built-in Lightning connector, making it incredibly convenient for Apple users. You won’t need to carry any extra cables or anything—you just plug it into your smartphone and go about your day. Since this is the Lightning connector version, it won’t work with the newer iPhone models. The Anker Nano’s USB-C version is on sale for $19 at Amazon. Since the connector flips into place, I suggest you hold onto both the battery and your phone while it’s plugged in. The Anker Nano is fairly light, but you’ll still feel its weight, and you really don’t want it to drop to the ground. The power bank has 12W fast charging capability, which allows you to power your device quickly and efficiently. Since the Anker Nano is only $18 at Amazon right now, there should be nothing keeping you from adding this tiny thing to your cart straight away. Buy the Anker Nano 5K portable charger for $18 at AmazonView deal at Amazon Mobile Phone Chargers

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