Users experience iCloud Private Relay service downtime 
The iCloud Private Relay service experienced an outage for some users. Apple’s official System Status webpage shows that iCloud Private Relay is unavailable for some users, and that it may be unavailable or slow as the company tries to fix it. Outage apparently began around 2 PM in Easter Time, although it’s not a system-wide […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

Read more »

Fortnite to arrive on iOS AltStore in the EU
Epic Games’ battle royale shooter game Fortnite will be available on iOS through an alternative app store in the EU. The announcement was made recently to bring Fortnite to AltStore in the European Union, which means players can download it as soon as it arrives on the platform on their iPads and iPhones. AltStore PAL […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

Read more »

Apple might adopt quad-level cell storage in 2026
A report from TrendForce said that Apple might start adopting a quad level cell storage by the year 2026, which could mean iPhones with 2 terabytes of space. Triple cell technology is currently the one being used for iPhones, with quad level cell having a higher density when it comes to storage space. The improvement […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

Read more »

TikTok introduces Shazam-like feature that lets you find songs by singing them
You’re probably familiar with Shazam, an Apple-owned app that lets you find out the name of a song playing near you. However, TikTok wants to take this experience to the next level by introducing a Shazam-like feature that lets users find songs by singing them. more…

Read more »

White House Announces New AI Actions As Apple Signs On To Voluntary Commitments
The White House announced that Apple has "signed onto the voluntary commitments" in line with the administration's previous AI executive order. "In addition, federal agencies reported that they completed all of the 270-day actions in the Executive Order on schedule, following their on-time completion of every other task required to date." From a report: The executive order "built on voluntary commitments" was supported by 15 leading AI companies last year. The White House said the agencies have taken steps "to mitigate AI's safety and security risks, protect Americans' privacy, advance equity and civil rights, stand up for consumers and workers, promote innovation and competition, advance American leadership around the world, and more." It's a White House effort to mobilize government "to ensure that America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks of artificial intelligence," according to the White House. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Read more »

9to5Rewards: MacBook Pro giveaway + Chargeasap Connect Pro 100W cable [Giveaway]
This month we’ve partnered with our friends at Chargeasap to give away Apple’s latest MacBook Pro to one lucky reader to celebrate the launch of the company’s new Connect Pro 100W magnetic USB charging cables. You can head below now to enter the giveaway and check out the new ConnectPro by Chargeasap. more…

Read more »

Apple updates fourth betas of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 for developers
Apple has pushed out a revised fourth beta build for both iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. The unexpected update comes shortly after the initial beta 4… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Apple rolls out minor update to iOS 18 & iPadOS 18 beta 4
Late on Friday, Apple uncharacteristically issued an update to its current developer beta four of both iOS 18 and iPadOS 18.iOS 18On Friday, Apple released an update to its fourth developer beta for iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. The build numbers on both were previously 22A5316j and now are 22A5316K.Apple has not said what the update entails, so it's likely a security or urgent bug fix that couldn't wait for the next expected refresh. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple releases new version of iOS 18 beta 4 for developers
Apple has released an updated version of iOS 18 beta 4 for developers. The new version comes just days after the original developer beta 4. more…

Read more »

Meta’s WhatsApp hits 100 million monthly users in the U.S.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed this week that WhatsApp has surpassed 100 million monthly active users in the United States… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Keychron K10 Pro review: All-rounder and affordable keyboard
The Keychron K10 Pro mechanical keyboard is a great pick for Apple users who want a 100% layout that doesn't break the bank.Keychron K10 Pro reviewKeychron makes mechanical keyboards in all sizes and price ranges. The K10 falls in the middle of the road between budget models like the C3 Pro and the more expensive Q5 Pro.Whether you're all about customization or just want something to type on, the K10 brings something to the table. As-is, the typing and upkeep experience is fun and easy, and it's equally simple to mess around with key switches and macros. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Keychron K10 Pro review: All-rounder and affordable keyboard
The Keychron K10 Pro mechanical keyboard is a great pick for Apple users who want a 100% layout that doesn't break the bank.Keychron K10 Pro reviewKeychron makes mechanical keyboards in all sizes and price ranges. The K10 falls in the middle of the road between budget models like the C3 Pro and the more expensive Q5 Pro.Whether you're all about customization or just want something to type on, the K10 brings something to the table. As-is, the typing and upkeep experience is fun and easy, and it's equally simple to mess around with key switches and macros. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

iCloud Private Relay Down: Here’s How to Turn It Off to Avoid Connectivity Problems
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay traffic anonymization service is down for some users, causing various connectivity problems in Safari and other apps. If you’re experiencing problems, turn off iCloud Private Relay temporarily.

Read more »

Use your iPhone to instantly identify plants with this AI-powered app
The Plantum plant ID app uses your iPhone for fast plant identification by photo. It even offers growing tips for gardeners! (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

Apple Music launches new ‘radio spins’ data for artists and labels
Apple is rolling out a new feature to its Apple Music for Artists platform this week. The company says that artists can now see “when and where” their music is being played on radio stations around the world… more…

Read more »

If Apple Mail won’t load images due to ‘network settings,’ here’s why
Macworld If you’ve opened your Mail app this week on your iPhone or Mac and had an issue loading images, it’s not your network. And it’s seemingly related to a feature you might not even be using. According to Apple’s System Status page, there is an issue with iCloud Private Relay this week. iCloud Private Relay acts something like a VPN to keep your DNS records and IP address hidden using a “single, secure connection to maintain privacy and performance.” When that connection gets disrupted, there can be problems. Since Thursday, Apple has reported an ongoing Private Relay outage affecting “some” iCloud+ users. which can affect the experience within apps that use iCloud+, including Safari and Mail. In this case, the issues appear to be manifesting as an error message that appears when new Mail messages arrive: “Your network settings prevent content from loading privately.” Based on the timing, it appears related to the Private Relay issue, which is preventing images from loading as a security measure. In this case, “network settings” doesn’t refer to your home Wi-Fi or wireless connection, but rather the Private Relay mechanism. As long as the problem persists, the message will appear, and Apple doesn’t offer any time frame for when it will be fixed. In the meantime, you have two options: Click the Load Content button under the error message when you need to see an image in an email. Turn off iCloud Private Relay in Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Private Relay. However, some iCloud+ users are still seeing the error message despite having iCloud Private Relay turned off on their account, so the issue appears to be affecting iCloud+ accounts that aren’t using the feature. Apple hasn’t updated its status page since the issue was confirmed at 2:34 p.m. PT Thursday, so it’s unclear how widespread the issue is or when it might be restored.

Read more »

Apple TV+ series ‘For All Mankind’ creator Ronald D. Moore give update on ‘Star City’ spin-off
Apple TV+ renewed its globally acclaimed, hit space drama “For All Mankind” for season five and announced a new spinoff series “Star City.” The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

The best MacBook for every student–and how to get the best price
Macworld When it comes to buying a MacBook for school, students are usually in a situation where personal budgets are tight and money needs to be spent wisely. It’s not enough to say that students need the right amount of processing power for the work at hand–students also need to get a good deal and a machine that will last for many years. Finding a good deal is a chore, but we’re here to help. Our automatically-updated price comparison tool helps to make sure you’re getting the best deal and on top of that, we hand-pick deals we think you should look at. What follows below are our MacBook recommendations for students, along with the top deals. Beyond that, we offer tips and information you should know about shopping as a student, so you can save money. Read on, or click the links in the Table of Contents to skip to the section you’re interested in. Read our guide for the best Macs for students if you’re interested in a desktop or laptop computer. Best MacBook Air deals right now Here are some of the best deals we are seeing right now. Best U.S. MacBook Air deals for students Walmart, 13-inch Macbook Air (M1, 256GB SSD): $649 ($350 off, MSRP was $999) Amazon, 13-inch MacBook Air (M2, 256GB SSD): $889 ($100 off, MSRP, $999) Amazon: 13-inch MacBook Air (M4, 256GB SSD): $999 ($100 off MSRP, $1,099) Best U.K. MacBook Air deals for students KRCS, 13-inch MacBook Air, M3 (10-core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB) £1,424 (£75 off, RRP £1,499) KRCS, 15-inch MacBook Air, M3 (10-core GPU, 256GB) £1,234 (£65 off, RRP £1,299) KRCS, 15-inch MacBook Air, M3 (10-core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB) £1,614 (£85 off, RRP £1,699) For more deals take a look at the best MacBook Air deals this month. Best MacBook Pro deals right now Here are some of the best deals we are seeing right now. Best U.S. MacBook Pro deals for students Amazon, 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 512GB): $1,399 ($200 off, MSRP $1,599) Amazon, 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 12-core GPU, 18-core GPU, 1TB): $2,200 ($199 off, MSRP $2,399) Amazon, 16-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 12‑core CPU, 18‑core GPU, 512GB): $2,349 ($150 off, MSRP $2,499) Best U.K. MacBook Pro deals for students Amazon, 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 10-core GPU, 14-core GPU, 512GB): £1,540 (£159 off, MSRP £1,699) Amazon, 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU), 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD: £1,700 (£199 off, MSRP £1,899) Amazon, 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro (11-core CPU, 14-core GPU), 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD: £1,880 (£219 off, MSRP £2,099) Amazon, 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro (12-core CPU, 18-core GPU), 18GB RAM, 1TB SSD: £2,230 (£269 off, MSRP £2,499) For up-to-date deals see: Best MacBook Pro deals this month. Best MacBook for high school: M2 MacBook Air The MacBook Air is Apple’s most popular laptop, and for good reason–it’s an excellent combination of processing power, portability, and price. Its M-series processor handles every task–writing papers, presentations, internet research, and even video and audio editing. And when your homework is done, kick back with an Apple TV show or escape with a video game. The best part is you can get one for less than $1,000. The M2 MacBook Air has a 13.3-inch Retina display, and inside its 2.7-pound (1.24-kilogram) body is an M2 processor with 8 CPU cores, 8 GPU cores, 8GB of memory, and a 256GB SSD. It has Wi-Fi built in for connecting to the internet, and two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports for connecting devices. And if you check Amazon or Best Buy, you can usually find it for $900 or lower. New Refurbished Retailer Price $899 View Deal $899 View Deal $989 View Deal $999 View Deal $999 View Deal $999 View Deal $1049 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price MacBook Air (2022) 13.3-inch – Apple M2 8-core and 8-core GPU – 8GB RAM – SSD 256GB $826 View Deal MacBook Air (2022) 13.3-inch – Apple M2 8-core and 10-core GPU – 8GB RAM – SSD 256GB $836.35 View Deal MacBook Air (2022) 13.3-inch – Apple M2 8-core and 8-core GPU – 8GB RAM – SSD 256GB $839 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Best MacBook for college: M3 MacBook Air In college, you’re taking a step up in your studies, so you need to step up your laptop with Apple’s M3 MacBook Air. It handles everything the M2 MacBook Air does, but its M3 processor is about 20 percent faster–you’ll appreciate the faster speed when you’re putting together complex presentations and videos. The display is also a little bigger and brighter. The $1,099 13-inch M3 MacBook Air has a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, and it has an M3 processor with 8 CPU cores, 8 GPU cores, 8GB of memory, and a 256GB SSD. It weighs 2.7 pounds (1.24 kilograms), comes with Wi-Fi, and has two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports. New Refurbished Retailer Price $899 View Deal $899 View Deal $989 View Deal $999 View Deal $999 View Deal $999 View Deal $1049 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price MacBook Air (2022) 13.3-inch – Apple M2 8-core and 8-core GPU – 8GB RAM – SSD 256GB $826 View Deal MacBook Air (2022) 13.3-inch – Apple M2 8-core and 10-core GPU – 8GB RAM – SSD 256GB $836.35 View Deal MacBook Air (2022) 13.3-inch – Apple M2 8-core and 8-core GPU – 8GB RAM – SSD 256GB $839 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Best for MacBook for graduate work: 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro Apple’s 14-inch MacBook Pro comes with an M3 Pro processor, which is 18 percent faster than the M3 in the MacBook Air. If you’re going into a field that involves a lot of data crunching–multimedia and the arts, engineering, or computer science, just to name a few–you’ll need a MacBook that can minimize the amount of time you’ll spend waiting to process data. The M3 Pro MacBook Pro is made for that. The $1,999 14-inch MacBook Pro has an M3 Pro with 11 CPU cores, 14 GPU cores, 18GB of memory, and a 512GB SSD. It has a Liquid Retina XDR display, three Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and an SDXC card slot. Retailer Price $1,699 View Deal $1749 View Deal $1999 View Deal $1999 View Deal $1999 View Deal $1999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket How to use Apple’s Education Store For college students, teachers, faculty, and homeschool teachers of all grades, Apple offers discount pricing in its Education Store. The discounts range from $100/£100 to $200/£200, depending on the MacBook model. You can visit the Education Store in your country by clicking one of the links below. U.S. Apple Education Store U.K. Apple Education Store Canada Education Store Australia Education Store Students need to show proof of school registration to shop at the Apple Education Store. U.K. students need to register with UNiDAYS. We have a separate article with details on how to get an Apple student discount at Apple’s Education Store. Other ways to find MacBook deals The Apple Education Store discount is nice, but you’ll often find the same kind of markdown from third-party retailers. You can use our price comparison tool to see what retailers are offering, and we also hand-select deals in the section at the top of this page. Here are a few other ways to get a good price on a MacBook. Buy a refurbished MacBook. Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store often has good prices on laptops that are both current and past models. Refurbished products are fully reconditioned and are like new–out of the box, you can’t tell the difference between a refurbished and a new MacBook. The price savings can be good–more than the Education Store discount. The only catch is that your choices are limited to what’s in stock, which changes often. Buy an older model. With Apple’s M-series chips, the MacBook’s performance has reached new heights–to a point where a lot of users aren’t anywhere near pushing the limit. Apple is currently on the M3 series of chips, which generally offers about 20 percent more performance than the previous M2 series. But that M2 series (or even the M1) is certainly no slouch, offering a significant boost over the Intel CPUs they replaced. The M2 MacBook Pro is not only worthy of your consideration performance-wise, but it also comes at attractive prices that are often much lower than those in the Education Store. For example, the 12-inch M2 MacBook Pro that was originally priced at $1,299 can be found online for $999.

Read more »

HomeKit Weekly: Smartmi E1 is the best-looking HomeKit air purifier on the market
Air purifiers are one of my favorite HomeKit accessories. Even though I live in an area with pretty decent air quality, I keep them running around our home to clean up the air for my family. I recently picked up the new Smartmi E1, the best-looking HomeKit air purifier on the market. more…

Read more »

These are the best Apple Watch bands for working out in 2024
Whether you're looking for a durable, sweat-proof, or waterproof Apple Watch band for working out — or something comfortable and stretchy for yoga class, we've got you covered.Best Apple Watch bands for working out.Regardless of your preferred workout style, it's important to have an Apple Watch fitness band made of high-quality material that is durable, long-lasting, and reasonably priced. Additionally, it should be distraction-free so you can concentrate on your workout.While the Apple Watch silicone band is a decent choice for workouts, you might find that the silicone gets grimy after a while, and the color fades. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »