Apple Watch is FDA's first-ever approved digital AFib history device
The FDA has approved the Apple Watch's atrial fibrillation history feature under its stringent Medical Device Development Tools program that specifies what devices health professionals can rely on.Apple Watch health featuresApple Watch has had an atrial fibrillation feature since 2022, and the FDA approved its use just hours before Apple announced it. Since then, it has been credited with saving lives, including those of people who previously had no reason to suspect they had severe heart problems.Now on top of its allowing the sale of the feature, the Food and Drug Administration has also passed the Apple Watch's AFib history feature for its Medical Device Development Tools (MDDT) program. As first spotted by MyHealthyApple, this makes the Apple Watch the first digital health technology to qualify under MDDT for a non-invasive way of estimating atrial fibrillation. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple announces 2024 Swift Student Challenge winners, profiles three Distinguished Winners and their apps
The entries have been tallied, there were some incredible apps submitted, and Apple has profiled three of its “Distinguished Winners” of its 2024 Swift Student Challenge, their apps covering care, extreme sports, and breathing exercises. The company launched its 2024 Swift Student Challenge in February and selected 350 winners from their entries in March. 50 […] Source

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Rumor: Third-generation Apple Watch Ultra may see “almost no” hardware upgrades compared to the current model
If you were hoping for a new generation of the Apple Watch Ultra with a significant number of amazing new features you may be let down. Per Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple seems likely to release a next-gen Apple Watch Ultra this year, but the new model will have “almost no” hardware upgrades […] Source

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Boost your Mac’s abilities and potential with 16 macOS-friendly apps, only $40
Macworld While Apple consistently offers some of the best tech innovations, Mac users are due for some long-awaited tools to maximize their macOS device’s abilities. Fortunately, you can add a helpful arsenal of tools to your macOS device with the $40 Big Mac Utility Bundle, which serves up a collection of 16 productivity apps that can streamline virtually everything you do on your Mac. With a one-time payment for this bundle’s plethora of Mac-friendly apps, you’ll get lifelong access to 16 apps, which include minor updates as they’re released. Here’s what you’ll receive: Colori ToAnything Tidier FileUnhider Web2Mac AppKiller QRWizard SpeakMe Markdown+, And much more! Let’s dive into some of the apps. With AppKiller, you can easily clear out your running apps with a single click of a button. Need to connect to WiFi when you’re traveling or commuting? WiFi Radar Pro helps by scanning, monitoring, and resolving issues with connecting networks. If you work in-person at the office, FileUnhider can be helpful, as users can instantly hide and unhide their displayed files if they’re showing their screen to a colleague. Constantly copying and pasting? Use AllClips to manage your Mac’s clipboard and recover lost clippings. Boost your Mac’s potential and your efficiency by investing in The Big Mac Utility Bundle, now just $39.99.   The Big Mac Utility Bundle Only $39.99 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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MacCleaner Pro review: Clear the junk from your Mac
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsImpressive array of tools builds on previous versions of Mac Cleaner Pro.Makes customization and getting under the hood of the macOS simple.Decently priced for what you get.ConsOccasionally awkward user interface (occasionally asked permission to access macOS operating system after a function had begun).Drive space warning issued needlessly.Our VerdictHere are easy options for reclaiming drive space, clearing out system detritus, and getting under the hood of the macOS and customizing it. That and a good level of support make it worth your consideration. Price When Reviewed$74.95 (one-time purchase), $29.95 (one year subscription) Best Prices Today: MacCleaner Pro Retailer Price Nektony (free trial) Free View Deal Nektony $74.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket There’s no shortage of cleaning and optimization utilities for the Mac these days and Ukranian developer Nektony presents a handy, powerful selection of such tools in MacCleaner Pro. There are times when a good utility sticks to its roots, yet gets that much better in the subsequent version. There are also times when the developers leave an irritating reminder in the user interface that shouldn’t be there, making you wonder exactly what they were thinking as this version passed through developer Nektony’s QA department and went out across the internet and into the marketplace. This is a mix of the two (albeit the better elements win out in the long run). MacCleaner Pro (version 3.3 at the time of this review) is divided into a core app and several module apps, namely App Cleaner & Uninstaller, Disk Space Analyzer, Duplicate File Finder, Memory Cleaner, and Funter. The core app, which can perform an overall disk cleaning and help free up storage space by eliminating extraneous files, diverts to the modules as needed, par for the course for this genre of utility. MacCleaner Pro 3.3’s main screen, complete with overview scan options. MacCleaner Pro 3.3’s main screen, complete with overview scan options.Foundry MacCleaner Pro 3.3’s main screen, complete with overview scan options.Foundry Foundry As expected, MacCleaner Pro is easy to install, and you just grant it access to areas of your operating system such as your Desktop, Documents, Photos, etc. The App Cleaner & Uninstaller module works well, and allows you to see the app you’re removing as well as its support files. This module has been improved compared to version 3, and now offers you easier access to startup programs and extension files, allowing you to enable, disable, or remove them. A Remaining Files feature allows you to chase down loose files, while an Open With feature lets you assign applications to open certain file types. The Disk Analyzer module is interesting and features a good layout, but also scanned my M2 MacBook Pro’s SSD for more than 30 minutes before I paused it, then asked me to grant it full access to my hard drive as well as my Documents folder and iCloud Drive folder, which seemed to be a backward approach to the entire process. MacCleaner Pro 3.3’s Disk Analyzer module, complete with graphic layout of your hard drive and folder architecture. MacCleaner Pro 3.3’s Disk Analyzer module, complete with graphic layout of your hard drive and folder architecture.Foundry MacCleaner Pro 3.3’s Disk Analyzer module, complete with graphic layout of your hard drive and folder architecture.Foundry Foundry Once again, the Duplicate File Finder is a good module and it’s easy to specify file types to look for, such as audio and photo files. There’s also an impressive level of precise control via the Select Duplicates in Folders feature, and it’s satisfying to hunt down duplicates and get some of your drive space back. Similar to its previous version, the Memory Cleaner module offers an easy interface to show which applications and processes are consuming the most RAM. The module, which resides in the macOS Menu Bar, comes in handy and offers an Automatically Free Up option with which to optimize RAM usage to the best of its ability. Still, this is one of the peculiar instances in which a reminder pops up advising the user to clear disk space for a macOS Sonoma install, even though I was already running macOS Sonoma. Perhaps the understated jewel of MacCleaner Pro is the Funter module, which has been improved on since the previous version. Funter works as an outstanding tool for finding hidden files within your operating system. The search feature has been updated, and while it could take a considerable amount of time to index everything, this is still a powerful search tool for rooting through the inner workings of the macOS. Where the main MacCleaner Pro module was concerned, the Fast Cleanup option was able to clear up 11.45 gigabytes of drive space, most of these being application cache files, while the Deep Cleanup feature helped reclaim 65.4 gigabytes of drive space. The Speed Up module offers a good level of control over startup applications, heavy applications, RAM optimizations, and other tasks, making it easy to decide what to load within the macOS. There’s a lot that’s going right with MacCleaner Pro, and the software runs well, has a good feature base, builds well on previous elements and modules, offers good in-app guides and help, and doesn’t overreach by also offering to provide security services, such as antiviral and VPN protection, even though those are also products Nektony sells. The software is priced decently at $21.95/month (usually $29.80) for a 2 Mac license, $44.95/year (usually $59.90) with a 2 Mac license, or a one-time purchase fee of $119.95 (usually $150.90) for a 2 Mac license as of this writing, which feels reasonable. Download it here. Foundry Foundry Foundry As mentioned before, there are a few user interface elements that might make you shake your head, but they’re not deal breakers. A few of the modules displayed the macOS Sonoma drive space warning I mentioned earlier, even though I was already running macOS Sonoma. This seems a bit redundant. There were also times when the modules asked for permission to access certain areas of the operating system after a cycle has begun, as opposed to asking for full permission for everything upfront. This can feel a bit awkward, and while most of these decisions are one-time choices that stay after the first time, it feels like something that could be streamlined in a future update. Should I buy MacCleaner Pro? There’s a good utility to be found in MacCleaner Pro 3.3. Nektony has done a good job building out previous versions of the software, putting forth some easy options for both reclaiming drive space, clearing out system detritus, and getting under the hood of the macOS and customizing it without having to dive into the Terminal application and the command line. That and a good level of support and updates make it worth your consideration, despite a few user interface quirks. If you have doubts, the software is available to download and try out with no hassle, which is worth its weight in gold. Cleaning and Data Recovery Software, MacOS

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Apple Watch Ultra 3 might not pack any hardware upgrades
This year's Apple Watch Ultra 3 might have "almost no" hardware upgrades, making it a minor update over the current-gen model. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Upgrade your cloud storage to 1TB with Koofr, now only $130 for life
Macworld Everybody needs cloud storage these days, but nobody likes paying monthly subscription fees. You like it even less when you run out of storage and suddenly have to pay even more per month. But what if you could pay once for enough storage to last a lifetime? Now, you can since lifetime access to Koofr Cloud Storage’s 1TB plan is only $129.97 using coupon code: KOOFR through May 5 at 11:59 PM Pacific. (reg. $810) through May 5. Koofr is an intuitive cloud storage platform that makes it easy to connect all of your existing cloud storage and bring your files together into a single hub. Users can link Dropbox, Google Drive, and more to create a centralized solution. With 1TB of cloud storage, you’ll have plenty of room for all your files, photos, and other media. For organization, Koofr offers a Duplicate Finder to remove copies and other file management tools. Another bonus of Koofr is that the platform never tracks users. All files are encrypted at rest and in transfer, ensuring your complete security and privacy. Pay once and grab a lifetime subscription to 1TB of Koofr Cloud Storage for just $129.97 using coupon code: KOOFR through May 5 at 11:59 PM Pacific.   Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) Only $129.97 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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Macworld Podcast: Apple ‘Let Loose’ iPad event and what to expect
Macworld Apple is having an event on May 7. What do we expect to see? New iPads, maybe a new Apple Pencil, and more! We talk about it all on this episode of the Macworld Podcast! This is episode 882 with Karen Haslam, David Price, and Roman Loyola. Listen to episode 882 on Apple Podcasts Listen to episode 882 on Spotify Get info Click on the links below for more information on what was discussed on the show. 2024 iPad Air: Everything you need to know about the 6th-gen model  2024 iPad Pro: Everything you need to know about Apple’s next flagship tablet  Apple Pencil 3 with a new squeeze gesture could be coming soon  The ridiculously long wait for iPads has reached 18 months New AirPods 2024: What to expect from the AirPods, Pro, Lite, and Max Subscribe to the Macworld Podcast You can subscribe to the Macworld Podcast—or leave us a review!—right here in the Podcasts app. The Macworld Podcast is also available on Spotify. Or you can point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader at: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/macworld To find previous episodes, visit Macworld’s podcast page or our home on MegaPhone. iPad

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Apple mulling new deal terms to change how it pays creators of its TV+ shows
As the frantic investor hype around streaming dies down, every studio is re-evaluating the way they do business, what shows they are commissioning, and their relationships with creators. The financially-rich Apple has less pressure to do this than most, but we have seen changes at Apple Studios too, albeit perhaps to a lesser extent compared to other streaming outlets. The Ankler reports today in its Dealmakers column that Apple is talking to producers and agents about a potential new deal structure for their originals going forward. more…

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Google paid Apple whopping $20 billion to remain iPhone’s default search engine in 2022
Court documents confirm that Apple received $20 billion from Google in 2022 for making it the default search engine on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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How to use Siri in CarPlay with or without your voice
Being able to make a request using Siri while driving helps keep your eyes on the road, but just asking for Siri may not work on older cars or in certain other circumstances. Here's the fix.For most people using CarPlay, being able to call the vocal assistant Siri up by simply saying its name — or preceded with "hey" — is a great convenience. From asking for directions to checking where you need to go next, it makes driving safer.Occasionally, however, you may find Siri doesn't respond when called for. This can have a variety of causes, but it seems to happen more often with wireless CarPlay compared to when the iPhone is plugged into a USB port. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Google paid Apple $20 Billion to be default search engine in 2022
The ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Alphabet by the Justice Department has revealed that Google paid Apple a staggering $20 billion in 2022 for default search engine status.In 2022, Alphabet paid Apple $20 billionGoogle's relationship has been under heavy scrutiny during an antitrust lawsuit accusing the company of using its size as an advantage to prevent competitors from entering the search market. One of the biggest issues in question is how much it pays Apple, which was previously estimated to be nearly $20 billion — a figure proven true by a new court filing.Despite attempts by Google and Apple to keep the payment confidential, details emerged during the trial through testimony and accidental disclosures. According to a report from Bloomberg, court documents revealed that Google paid Apple $20 billion in 2022 to be the default search engine on Apple platforms. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Here’s how much Google paid Apple to be Safari’s default search engine in 2022
It’s no secret that Google pays Apple a lot of money to be the default search engine for the Safari web browser on iOS and macOS. In 2021, the company paid $15 billion to keep Google as the default search engine on Apple platforms. Now a report has just revealed how much Google has spent to keep the deal going in 2022. more…

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The Apple Pencil 2 is Now Only $79
The Apple Pencil 2 is the de facto stylus for those who need it for work or creating content. Today, it’s down to just $79 from its original price of $130 on Amazon. With the Apple Pencil 2 you can take notes, mark documents, color, sketch, and draw on your iPad and it’s similar to […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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New USB-C Apple Pencil firmware launches
Apple has released a new firmware update for its Apple Pencil with USB-C port. The newest firmware version of the USB-C Apple Pencil is 10M6060, with the previous one being 10M5164. When connected to a device, the firmware number will read 37377.37377.16.0. As always, Apple does not disclose the full information whenever it releases an […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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‘Repair State’ feature added to iOS 17.5
The upcoming iOS 17.5 will have a ‘repair state’ option that allows iPhone users to send their devices for service without the need to disable Activation Lock and Find My. In previous versions of iOS, an iPhone to be sent for repair is required to have the Find My network turned off, or else it […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple drops MLS Season Pass price
Apple has discounted its MLS Season Pass to entice more subscriptions. The 2024 Major League Soccer season is about a third through, and Apple has dropped the price of MLS Season Pass to gain more viewers. Usually $99, the MLS in the US is now only $69 for the whole season. Meanwhile, Apple TV+ subscribers […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Anthropic Brings Claude AI To the iPhone and iPad
Anthropic has released its Claude AI chatbot on the App Store, bringing the company's ChatGPT competitor to the masses. Compared to OpenAI's chatbot, Claude is built with a focus on reducing harmful outputs and promoting safety, with a goal of making interactions more reliable and ethically aware. You can give it a try here. 9to5Mac reports: Anthropic highlights three launch features for Claude on iPhone: Seamless syncing with web chats: Pick up where you left off across devices. Vision capabilities: Use photos from your library, take new photos, or upload files so you can have real-time image analysis, contextual understanding, and mobile-centric use cases on the go. Open access: Users across all plans, including Pro and Team, can download the app free of charge. The app is also capable of analyzing things that you show it like objects, images, and your environment. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Anthropic Brings Claude AI To the iPhone and iPad
Anthropic has released its Claude AI chatbot on the App Store, bringing the company's ChatGPT competitor to the masses. Compared to OpenAI's chatbot, Claude is built with a focus on reducing harmful outputs and promoting safety, with a goal of making interactions more reliable and ethically aware. You can give it a try here. 9to5Mac reports: Anthropic highlights three launch features for Claude on iPhone: Seamless syncing with web chats: Pick up where you left off across devices. Vision capabilities: Use photos from your library, take new photos, or upload files so you can have real-time image analysis, contextual understanding, and mobile-centric use cases on the go. Open access: Users across all plans, including Pro and Team, can download the app free of charge. The app is also capable of analyzing things that you show it like objects, images, and your environment. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Anthropic Brings Claude AI To the iPhone and iPad
Anthropic has released its Claude AI chatbot on the App Store, bringing the company's ChatGPT competitor to the masses. Compared to OpenAI's chatbot, Claude is built with a focus on reducing harmful outputs and promoting safety, with a goal of making interactions more reliable and ethically aware. You can give it a try here. 9to5Mac reports: Anthropic highlights three launch features for Claude on iPhone: Seamless syncing with web chats: Pick up where you left off across devices. Vision capabilities: Use photos from your library, take new photos, or upload files so you can have real-time image analysis, contextual understanding, and mobile-centric use cases on the go. Open access: Users across all plans, including Pro and Team, can download the app free of charge. The app is also capable of analyzing things that you show it like objects, images, and your environment. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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