What will Apple ‘Let Loose’ at its May 7 event? [The CultCast]
This week on Cult of Mac's podcast: The surprise Apple "Let Loose" event on May 7 looks like an iPad and Apple Pencil extravaganza. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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This $28 pop-up tent is an outdoor techie’s paradise
Save 65% on Pop-A-Shade, a pop-up tent that accommodates three and quickly sets up, offering techies a versatile way to spend time outdoors. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Today in Apple history: Psystar’s clone Macs go rogue
On April 27, 2008, the first Psystar Open Computer Macintosh clones started shipping to customers. The era of clone Macs won't last long! (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple @ Work: Dashlane adds Splunk integration to analyze user activity data
Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. Password managers are now a table-stakes product for the enterprise, and with that comes the activity data that goes along with the usage. Dashlane is helping IT and security teams with analysis by adding Splunk support to monitor user activity data. This secure integration with Splunks allows Security and IT administrators to access Dashlane’s Activity Logs and events reporting data directly in Splunk alongside data from other sources. more…

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Some users are randomly getting locked out of their Apple ID accounts
Overnight, a notable portion of iCloud users were getting logged out of their accounts across all of their devices, and the only way back in was to perform a password reset.Web-based iCloud login pageThe log-outs weren't — or aren't, it's not clear yet — happening on one particular class of device. And, if you were impacted, it's across nearly all of your devices including HomePods, Apple TV hardware, iPhone, iPad, and Mac.One AppleInsider staffer said that whatever the cause of the issue, it impacted app-specific passwords as well. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple users report mysteriously being locked out of their account
Several Apple users report being abruptly logged out of their Apple account across all their devices with no clear reason. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Keep your adventures well-lit with this $40 outdoor flashlight that doubles as a flame simulator
Macworld Spring is here and summer is on its way. For those taking to the outdoors, ensure you’re set up with the right equipment, especially a reliable flashlight for getting around in the dark and exploring nature’s delights. Fortunately, you can get ambient lighting and a reliable power supply with this multi-purpose outdoor flashlight. It’s on sale for only $39.99 (reg. $62) for a limited time. Offering ultra-bright LED lights for great visibility in almost any situation and COB technology for even beams, this portable flashlight is handy outdoor and travel accessory. Aside from providing powerful light, this flashlight additionally acts as a flame and fireplace simulator. You can create a cozy ambience with this flashlights’ realistic and adjustable flame settings all without setting an actual fire. Need a quick smartphone charge? This flashlight provides a 2,400mAh power bank that’s fueled by solar energy or can be juiced via a Type C charger. When full, it offers up to 24 hours of use time. Add this outdoor flashlight with a power bank and fireplace simulator to your hiking or camping arsenal for just $39.99.   Outdoor Flashlight with Flame Simulator & 2400mAh Powerbank Only $39.99 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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These open-ear headphones pack both sound and safety for less than $40
Macworld If you’re a sensitive listener or simply dislike in-ear audio options, consider upgrading to these open-ear headphones. These Mercato headphones have an open-ear design for comfort and crisp audio, all while keeping you aware of your surroundings. Now, they’re on sale for only $39.95 (reg. $69) with code GET10. Boasting an ergonomic open-ear construction, the Mercato headphones rest outside your ears and loop around them to ensure they stay put and remain comfortable all day. Music, podcasts, and other sounds gets sent through their directional audio technology, and you can enjoy premium bass and dynamic acoustics. Since these headphones have an open-ear design, you can listen in peace without sacrificing awareness or safety. Plus, they have IPX5 water-resistance to withstand sweat and rain. They also boast 6 hours of battery lfie on a full charge, so you can get through workouts and the work day with your tunes. Enjoy high-quality audio and situational awareness with the Mercato Open-Ear Bluetooth Headphones, now just $39.95 when you enter code GET10 at checkout. It’s the best price online!   Mercato Open-Ear Bluetooth Headphones Only $39.95 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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Apple restarts talks with OpenAI over iOS 18’s AI features
Apple could go with both Google and OpenAI to power iOS 18's generative AI features, as it has resumed its talks with OpenAI. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple users are being locked out of their Apple IDs with no explanation
There appears to be an increasingly widespread Apple ID outage of some sort impacting users tonight. A number of people across social media say that they were logged out of their Apple ID across multiple devices on Friday evening and forced to reset their password before logging back in… more…

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Apple said to have restarted discussion for OpenAI integration into iOS 18
A report suggests that Apple is still looking across the spectrum of AI providers for iOS 18, with OpenAi again in conversations with the iPhone maker.There's not a lot to Friday's report from Bloomberg that hasn't already been discussed. The key point from it, is that discussions have started again, or are perhaps continuing with OpenAI for potential inclusion in iOS 18, somehow.Previous rumors made it clear that Apple had discussions with OpenAI. Friday's report says that the technology could make it to iOS 18 in the form of a chatbot. Whether this is to supplement or replace Siri, isn't clear.If the report is accurate, OpenAI is not the only generative tech that Apple is considering integrating. Rumors suggest Apple is in talks with Google to provide iOS 18 users access to Gemini, somehow. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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It’s okay to admit that you’re wrong sometimes, Apple
Apple has trouble admitting when it’s wrong. The company’s marketing has always been about excellence, and admitting that something isn’t right seems to be out of the question for Apple. For us customers, this means having to deal with problematic products for longer than we’d like. Yes, I’m talking about – but Apple has had other FineWovens in its past, and it should’ve learned that it’s okay to admit you’re wrong sometimes. more…

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Apple has reportedly resumed negotiations with OpenAI to power AI features in iOS 18
Some reports last month revealed that Apple was in talks with Google to use Gemini to power new AI features coming to iOS 18. Earlier this year, 9to5Mac also reported that Apple had been running internal tests with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Now a Bloomberg report claims that Apple has resumed negotiations with OpenAI for a potential partnership. more…

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Preparing for the Unthinkable: A Brief Guide to Digital Legacy Planning
Losing Charles Edge recently caused Adam Engst to think morbid thoughts that turned into advice about how planning for the unexpected can make life a little easier for those left behind.

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Apple fortifies supply chain in China while increasing presence in India and Southeast Asia
In a strategic balancing act, Apple is simultaneously increasing ties in China while also expanding in India and Southeast Asia and India… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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How to instantly remove the background from any image on iOS
Did you know that iOS makes it very, very easy to instantly remove the background from any image? This feature was first introduced with iOS 16, and I’ve found it to be one of the best and most useful capabilities over the last 18 months. Here’s how it works. more…

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This Apple Watch band’s secret weapon is a concealed wireless charger
Why carry a separate cable when you can wear an Apple Watch band with built-in charger on your wrist? That's PowerBand, and it's on sale! (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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The iPhone 16 Pro is getting even bigger, but is that a good thing?
One of the big changes for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max is that both models will feature larger displays. This will mark the first time iPhone screens have gotten bigger since the iPhone 12 was introduced in 2020. Is this a good thing, though? more…

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How to charge an iPhone properly
Macworld iPhones are remarkable devices, but they lose their lustre once the battery runs dry. That’s why it’s important to look after the cell inside and ensure that you always charge it properly. In this article we explain the steps you need to take if you want your iPhone to last till the late hours each day and keep doing so for as many years as possible. How to charge an iPhone with a cable The fastest way to charge an iPhone is using a cable. Until the iPhone 15, this meant using a USB to Lightning cable. From the iPhone 15 on, you need a USB-C to USB-C cable. But it’s not quite as easy as that. For the fastest charge, that Lightning cable needs to connect to a USB-C charger so you need a USB-C to Lightning cable and not an old USB-A to Lightning cable. While Apple states that a 20W charger can fast-charge an iPhone, newer iPhone models will charge faster if you use a 30W or faster charger. Read about the best Lightning cables and the best USB-C to USB-C cables for iPhone. How to wirelessly charge an iPhone From the iPhone 8 on, you can charge wirelessly. From iPhone 8 to iPhone 11, this used the Qi wireless charging standard. From iPhone 12, you can use Qi chargers or faster MagSafe chargers that clamp to your iPhone using a ring of hidden magnets for a more efficient fit and therefore faster wireless charging. Qi chargers range in power from 5W to 15W; MagSafe chargers from 7.5 to 15W. Because of the magnetic fit MagSafe chargers will be faster even if at the same wattage as Qi, so got for a MagSafe charger if you can (and your iPhone is version 12 or later). Read our recommendations for the best MagSafe chargers and also the best MagSafe power banks. The latest Qi2 chargers should match MagSafe on 15W charging speed; see What is Qi2 for more details. How to charge an iPhone using a power bank Portable power banks offer the ability to charge an iPhone on the go when you’re not near an outlet or don’t have time to sit for 15 minutes. They range from a few thousand milliamp hours to more than 15,000, which is enough to change an iPhone 15 Pro Max nearly three times. Most power banks need a separate charging cable that connects to the iPhone, though some have built-in cables that are stored somewhere inside the device. Some higher-end power banks have magnetic pads for charging wirelessly as well. Using a power bank is simple. Make sure you charge it before you head out and then when you want to fill up your iPhone, use it as you would use a regular charger—either with a cable or wirelessly. Most power banks have LED lights to let you know how much charge is remaining. You can learn more about MagSafe power banks and read our best picks in our roundup. How to use the iPhone’s Charging Optimization settings Inside the Battery tab in Settings, Apple has a Charging Optimization option that lets you turn on features to preserve battery wear over time and conserve energy. They are: Optimized Battery Charging: Your iPhone will learn from your daily charging and usage habits so it can limit charging to 80 percent until you need to use it. 80% Limit: Your iPhone will stop charging at 80 percent most days and only charge to 100 percent to “maintain battery state-of-charge estimates.” Clean Energy Charging: Your iPhone will attempt to charge when lower carbon-emission electricity is available in your area based on your daily usage habits. You can turn on any of these options in Settings or opt for None, which will charge to 100% when you plug it in as normal. How to choose the best iPhone charging accessories There are two things to consider when shopping for new iPhone charging gear: the charger and the cable. The iPhone comes with an Apple USB-C cable that supports charging of up to 60 watts, more than enough to fast-charge any iPhone, but only USB 2 speeds (480Mbps) for data transfers. If you’re buying a second or replacement cable for charging, we recommend getting one that supports at least 5Gbps for data transfers. You’ll also need a power adapter, and we recommend getting one that’s at least 30W for the fastest charging. If you don’t want to carry around multiple adapters, buy one that has two or more ports and can charge two devices at once (60W or higher will be best). Check out our roundup of the best USB-C power adapters for iPhone and MacBook for a good selection for any budget. FAQ 1. Can I leave my phone charging overnight Ever since smartphones arrived, the most common way of recharging them has been to plug them in when you go to bed, then disconnect them in the morning with a full charge to last the day. This made a lot of sense when batteries took a long time to get up to full charge, as the eight hours in bed gave both the user and device time to recover from the previous day’s exertions. But now, as the period it takes to charge a battery has dramatically reduced, it’s time to reconsider how you top up the tank. iPhones use Lithium-ion batteries because, Apple states, they “charge faster, last longer, and have a higher power density for more battery life in a lighter package”. These are all fine features, but one thing that Li-On is not really keen on is being reduced to 0 percent and then back up to 100 percent each day. Apple recommends, as do many others, that you try to keep an iPhone battery between 30 and 80 percent charged. Topping up to 100 percent isn’t optimal, although it won’t necessarily damage your battery, but letting it regularly run down to 0 percent can prematurely lead to a battery’s demise. There is an exception, as it’s considered good form to do a complete 0-100 percent charge about once a month, just to keep the battery in good shape. For all other instances, though, the best practice is to top your battery up periodically during the day so that it stays in that sweet spot. Hopefully, this should keep the cell healthy for as long as possible. To make this easier to achieve we recommend keeping an extra charger at work or in your car so that you can pop the iPhone on to it when you see the battery beginning to fade. There’s more on why you shouldn’t charge a phone overnight here. 2. Can I use any charger to charge my iPhone? The generala dvice is that you should use the charger that came with your device. If you have an iPad, then the charger that came with it is also compatible and may actually get your iPhone up to a full tank quicker than its own charger. But there are faster, smaller and cheaper chargers that beat Apple’s own. There are various third-party charger offerings on the Apple store itself, but, just for you, we have tested the best iPhone chargers to make your choices much easier. Charging an iPhone via a cable is the speediest way to get back up to full power but wireless charging is often more convenient. From the iPhone 12 on, Apple has added a magnetic technology called MagSafe that makes wireless charging more efficient and therefore faster. Avoid cheap knock-off products, as in some cases these have been known to damage devices. See our Are cheap iPhone chargers safe? feature for more details. 3. Does fast charging damage an iPhone? No. So long as your iPhone has the Fast Charge capabilities (from the iPhone 8 and later) then the battery and iOS work together to ensure that it won’t overheat or cause any harm. If you have a thick protective case on your iPhone, it might be a good idea to remove it while using a fast-charger, just so the heat dissipates easily and doesn’t trigger the software warnings to slow down the power flow. Learn the fastest ways to charge an iPhone. 4. Is it safe to store a charged iPhone? Should you find you are travelling without your device or need to leave it unused for multiple weeks or months, you’ll want to ensure that it’s charged to around 50 percent before turning it off. This will protect the battery cell from dying while left idle. The battery will still lose charge at a slow but steady rate, so after six months it will need charging back up to 50% once more. For more ways to get the best energy performance from your iPhone see our How to improve iPhone battery life guide, or if you’re worried that the cell might be experiencing problems then read How to check iPhone battery health. Apple Inc, iPhone, Mobile Phone Chargers, Power

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Apple battles AI deepfake apps in what may be an unwinnable war
After an investigation by 404 Media into AI deepfake apps that advertised that they could generate non-consensual nude images, Apple… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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