Merchants in Japan can finally use Tap to Pay for iPhone
Apple Tap to Pay has rolled out in another country, with Japanese users now able to take card payments directly from their iPhone.Tap to Pay is now available to merchants in JapanTap to Pay is Apple's system to allow iPhone users to take contactless payments from phones and contactless credit and debit cards, without requiring a separate physical card reader. After a lull of a few months, the expansions have continued, with Japan the latest country to receive the feature.Announced late on Thusday, Apple writes that merchants can start using the feature with a number of payment platforms. Initial launch partners include GMO Financial Gate, Recruit Co's Air Pay Touch, and Square, with Adyen arriving within a few months. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

iPad Pro hands on: Luxury technology in an impossibly-thin package
There is a lot that seems impossible about the new iPad Pro, but above all, it's the pinnacle of what Apple's vertical integration can achieve — with a high price to match.13-inch iPad ProThere was a point where "pro" on an Apple product meant "best, but still for everyone," and that time may have come to pass. It now translates to something closer to "overkill for your needs, but it looks nice doing it."As my editor Mike Wuerthele pointed out in his hands on, the iPad Air has created a happy middle ground of compromises with feature sets and price. The iPad Pro has become the luxury edition that serves as a preview of what iPad Air will become in a few years, but pay more, and you'll get it now. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

iPhone 16 battery density increased; new stainless steel housing – Kuo
A new supply-chain report says that the iPhone 16 battery will have greater energy density than that of current iPhones. This could potentially give the device a longer battery-life, though Apple may instead opt to use a smaller battery. Additionally, the report says that Apple plans to swap out the aluminum battery housing for stainless steel, which has both pros and cons … more…

Read more »

These YouTubers bend-tested the M4 iPad Pro–here’s what happened
Macworld The new 11- and 13-inch iPad Pros are among Apple’s thinnest products ever. Which, of course, means that everyone’s wondering if they’re fragile. Fortunately, there are plenty of YouTubers around who are more than happy to put the new 13-inch iPad Pro (at 5.1mm thick) to the bend test. Let’s start with Zack Nelson at JerryRigEverything, who got a lot of attention when he did a bend test of the 2018 iPad Pro. Nelson spends most of the video performing other durability tests, including holding a flame to the glass and using a razor to scratch the glass and aluminum enclosure. (If the sound of a blade scraping against metal makes you cringe, be prepared. I wasn’t. Ack!) You need to get to the 8:30 mark of the 11-minute video for the bend test, where Nelson finds “suspicious black magic-levels of integrity going on” when bending it horizontally with his hands. He was able to crack the glass after putting more pressure than anormal situation ever would, but says, “That central spine is definitely providing enough structure for horizontal bends.” However, the iPad Pro didn’t hold up as well when Nelson switched to bending the iPad Pro vertically. It suffered a “catastrophic failure” at the USB-C port. With the glass removed, you can see the cowling that is used to dissipate heat and reinforce the iPad Pro. It runs through the center with the ends at the short sides of the iPad Pro–this layout is why the iPad Pro was able to withstand the horizontal bend better than the vertical. The next bend test video comes from Sam Kohl at AppleTrack. He spends most of his 13-minute video bending the 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro with his hands and found similar results as JerryRigEverything: The iPads hold up relatively fine during horizontal bends, but vertical bends lead to dramatic damage. After a horizontal bend, Kohl compares the 13-inch iPad Pro to the previous 12.9-inch iPad Pro and notices that the damage is very similar. Kohl was also impressed that the displays of the tested iPads still worked. Finally, we have a six-minute bend test video from MobileReviewsEh and Aaron Ho, who took a different approach to the bend tests. Instead of bending with his hands, he placed the iPad Pro on a platform and applied pressure to a central point, with the pressure increasing by adding weights. After 70 pounds, the iPad Pro showed some severe warpedness, but it still worked. it took 95 pounds of weight for the iPad to completely fail. In all, what does the 30 minutes worth of videos tell us about the iPad Pro? Well, it takes an extraordinary amount of pressure and effort to bend it. Chances are, if you’re stashing it in a bag or backpack, the iPad Pro is probably going to be alright. It’s still a good idea to get Apple Care+ for it, but unless it gets caught in an unusual situation, the iPad Pro is going to hold up. Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4, 2024) Price When Reviewed: $999 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $949.99 at Amazon$999 at Apple$999 at B&H Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4, 2024) Price When Reviewed: $1,299 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $1199 at Best Buy$1,290.45 at Amazon$1299 at Apple iPad

Read more »

Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag review: Stylish update to an urban icon
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsGreat design and styleTop-notch qualityQuick and easy access to what’s insideCustomizableConsSingle strap carrying may not be comfortableLarge size doesn’t hold a 16-inch laptop snuglyOur VerdictThe Classic Messenger Bag is a top-quality, stylish bag, designed with plenty of pockets and compartments for different types of stuff. While the bag is a great general carry-all, it’s ideal for someone who needs quick access to what’s inside. Price When Reviewed$99 (XS), $119 (S), $129 (M) $139 (L); custom bags start at $109 Best Prices Today: Classic Messenger Bag Retailer Price $99 View Deal Timbuk2 $99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket There was a time when a trip downtown was filled with the hustle and bustle of people. And a lot of those people sported Timbuk2’s Classic Messenger Bag–not just bicycle messengers, but also commuters going to work, tourists sightseeing, and anyone else trying to get where they need to go. The Classic Messenger Bag became more than just a bag. It became an urban icon. Times change, though. Downtown isn’t what it used to be–there are fewer people going to the office, delivery from Uber and DoorDash has replaced bike messengers, and tourists aren’t packing the street like they once were. Timbuktu’s Classic Messenger Bag has changed, too, and while it was always a great bag, it’s become even more versatile for the times when you go out–downtown, the suburbs, the park, the beach, on campus, wherever. Classic Messenger Bag design What makes the Classic Messenger Bag so appealing is that it’s designed for quick and easy access. Just flip open the front flap and your stuff is within easy reach. Close the front flap and it’s secured with Velcro and a couple of adjustable latches. I tested the large Classic Messenger Bag, which has plenty of room inside for a 16-inch MacBook Pro and other gear, so much room that it can slide back and forth in the bag. You might find that unsettling, though, so for a snug laptop fit, consider the medium or small sizes. The large size of the Classic Messenger Bag doesn’t hold a 14-inch MacBook Pro (pictured) or 16-inch laptop snugly. If a snug fit is what you prefer, look at the small or medium sizes. The large size of the Classic Messenger Bag doesn’t hold a 14-inch MacBook Pro (pictured) or 16-inch laptop snugly. If a snug fit is what you prefer, look at the small or medium sizes.Foundry The large size of the Classic Messenger Bag doesn’t hold a 14-inch MacBook Pro (pictured) or 16-inch laptop snugly. If a snug fit is what you prefer, look at the small or medium sizes.Foundry Foundry The inside has three large compartments, with the middle section ideal for a laptop, tablet, or documentation. The front compartment is a better fit for bulky items, like shoes, a water bottle, or boxes. The back compartment is where everything in-between can go. There’s also a four-pocket section for items like pens, USB drives, etc. and a zippered pocket. It’s not full of holders like some backpacks or other bags, which may or may not be to your liking. Underneath the front flap is what Timbuk2 calls a Napoleon pocket. On the large and medium bags, it has zippers on each side, and you can reach this pocket through the side openings when the front flap is latched. It’s a great place to put keys, a phone, or an earphone charging case, anything you need on hand but don’t want to have to go inside the main part of the bag. Again, it’s all about quick access. The Napoleon Pocket can be accessed while the front flap is closed. The Napoleon Pocket can be accessed while the front flap is closed.Foundry The Napoleon Pocket can be accessed while the front flap is closed.Foundry Foundry The Classic Messenger Bag is made of Eco Cordura, a synthetic material made using recycled materials. It’s durable and weatherproof, and the interior has been upgraded with a Thermoplastic Polyurethane waterproof liner. The bag is available in a wide variety of colors, and customers can personalize their bag by picking different color panels. Carrying the Classic Messenger Bag The Classic Messenger Bag has always had a single strap, but Tikbuk2 redesigned it with sateen webbing that’s soft and durable, and it can be removed and switched for left- or right-handed wearing. The adjustment buckle has also been redesigned; in the prior version, it was plastic, but now it’s aluminum, which makes it feel sturdier as you adjust it. The adjustment buckle works effortlessly for tightening or loosening the carrying strap. The adjustment buckle works effortlessly for tightening or loosening the carrying strap.Foundry The adjustment buckle works effortlessly for tightening or loosening the carrying strap.Foundry Foundry The main issue some people have with messenger bags in general is that a single strap means there’s a single pressure point on one shoulder. Timbuk2 includes an Ortholite shoulder strap to alleviate the pressure a bit, but there’s no way of getting around the fact that it fits differently from a backpack. Depending on what you carry, it may not be comfortable, so if you’ve never used a messenger bag before, it’s a good idea to see how it fits before buying. The straps for the flap latches have reflective tabs to make you more visible in the dark. When customizing a bag, Timbuk2 offers three reflective fabrics for the body panels of the bag to make yourself even more visible if you’d like.  Should you buy the Classic Messenger Bag? Even though the urban landscape has changed, the Classic Messenger Bag endures. It’s a top-quality, stylish bag, designed with plenty of pockets and compartments for different types of stuff. While the bag is a great general carry-all, it’s ideal for someone who needs quick access to what’s inside. But if your primary item is a laptop, look at the medium or small sizes. Accessories, Laptop Accessories

Read more »

The M3 13-inch MacBook Air is $149 Off
Enjoy the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip at a $149 discount. Today, the 2024 MacBook Air with 8GB memory and 256GB SSD storage is down to just $949.99 from its original price of $1,100 on Amazon. Remember to clip the on-page coupon and get the instant rebate to get the new price. The […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

Read more »

Netflix boasts 40 million ad-supported subscribers
Streaming service Netflix recently reported that its ad-supported tier now has 40 million global monthly subscribers, up from 35 million on the previous year. The company held off on an ad-supported plan, but in 2022 had a lower-priced option to gain revenue. During its advertising presentation, Netflix says that there are 270 million subscribers around […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

Read more »

RetroArch game emulator arrives on Apple TV and iPhone
Popular retro game emulator RetroArch is set to arrive on Apple TV and iPhone. A bunch of emulators have sprung up on the App Store since Apple’s decision to allow them. RetroArch is the latest app to come to the platform- it’s a multi-support emulator software that allows Commodore, Atari, Neo Geo Pocket, NEC PC […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

Read more »

Best iPad Air deals this month
Macworld If you want a new iPad Air at a discounted sale price, you’ve come to the right place. We’re looking at all the best deals and prices for the iPad Air right now–including contract plans. The Air remains incredibly popular and is an excellent halfway house between the entry-level iPad and high-end iPad Pro–ideal for those who need some extra power but don’t want to spend hundreds of pounds on a device that may not replace their laptop.  Apple introduced a new iPad Air with M2 in May 2024 in two sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch. Read about Apple’s iPad Air M2. Have a look at our iPad Buying Guide if you aren’t sure which model you want. You may also like to read: best iPad for kids, best iPad for students and best iPad for seniors. Best iPad Air deals right now In the U.S: Amazon, 11-inch iPad Air, 128GB, WiFi: $559.99 ($12 off, MSRP $599) Amazon, 13-inch iPad Air, 128GB, WiFi: $764.99 ($35 off, RRP £799) In the U.K: KRCS, 11-inch iPad Air, 128GB, WiFi: £587.02 (£12 off, RRP £599) KRCS, 13-inch iPad Air, 128GB, WiFi: £783.02 (£16 off, RRP £799) Best 2024 M2 iPad Air deals The M2 iPad Air models launched in May 2024 and you can already get a deal on one of the new models. Look through the tables below to find the best discounts. These tables will always be up-to-date with the latest prices for each iPad Air. For even bigger savings, the previous generation of iPad Air models can be found in the section below this one. iPad Air 11in (2024, M4, 128GB, WiFi): MSRP $599/£599 Retailer Price $569.99 View Deal $599 View Deal $599 View Deal $599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iPad Air 13in (2024, M4, 128GB, WiFi): MSRP $799/£799 Retailer Price $764 View Deal $799 View Deal $799 View Deal $799 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best 2022 M1 iPad Air deals Below are the best iPad Air prices we have seen for the previous generation iPad Air, which will probably remain on sale for some time at resellers, despite being discontinued by Apple. Browse to find the model you want at the best price. Just beware that some prices may be for used iPads, so pay attention to the details. 64GB iPad Air (2022, Wi-Fi) MSRP: $599/£669 (WAS £569) New Refurbished Retailer Price $399 View Deal $539 View Deal $549 View Deal $559 View Deal $599.99 View Deal $599.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2014) 64GB – Silver – (Wi-Fi) $499 View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Starlight – (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Blue – (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Space Gray – (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Purple – (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Pink – (Wi-Fi) $599 View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2020) 256GB – Green – (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices 256GB iPad Air (2022, Wi-Fi) MSRP: $749/£849 (WAS £719) New Refurbished Retailer Price $599 View Deal $679 View Deal $699 View Deal $749.99 View Deal $749.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Space Gray – (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Purple – (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Starlight – (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Blue – (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Pink – (Wi-Fi) $749 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices 64GB iPad Air (2022, Cellular) MSRP: $749/£849 (WAS £719) New Refurbished Retailer Price $599 View Deal $678.99 View Deal $699 View Deal $749 View Deal $749.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Purple – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Blue – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Starlight – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Pink – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 64GB – Space Gray – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $749 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices 256GB iPad Air (2022, Cellular) MSRP: $899/£1,029 (WAS £869) New Refurbished Retailer Price $749 View Deal $799 View Deal $839 View Deal $899.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal $Not Available View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Purple – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Pink – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Starlight – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Blue – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal iPad Air (2022) 256GB – Space Gray – (Wi-Fi + GSM/CDMA + 5G) $899 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices Where to buy the new iPad Air If you want to buy the iPad Air direct from Apple, you can order on the Apple US or Apple UK site. There won’t be any discounts available, though Apple does offer occasional carrier deals and trade-ins. Of course, Apple isn’t the only place you can buy an iPad Air, the usual resellers around the world will also be stocking the new model including the following. You can see the best prices at these resellers in live price comparison boxes below. US retailers Amazon (see deal above) Best Buy Target Walmart Adorama BH Photo Video Looking for other ways to save money. Find out if you can save money buying Apple products from another country. UK retailers Amazon AO Apple Argos – check stock by post code BT Shop Box Currys eBuyer John Lewis Laptops Direct Very Apple has a number of Apple Premium Resellers who stock iPads in the UK, and also offer other services, try the following: KRCS often is the first to discount new products iStore Select Western Computer iPad Air education discounts Apple offers students and staff in higher education discounts on the iPad Air in its Education Store. Apple isn’t the only retailer that offers student discounts, however. In the U.K., KRCS offers up to 10 percent off for qualifying students. University students and teachers can also save on the iPad Air with Apple’s Education pricing. See our full guide on to how to get an education discount. Or head directly to Apple UK or Apple US to get the educational discount. iPad Air carrier deals If you’re after the cellular model and want to buy it on contract, here’s where to look: U.S. carrier deals Verizon: Save $100 with an Unlimited plan and up to $200 when you buy with an iPhone. U.K. carrier deals O2 – Get up to 6 months of Disney Plus (or 12 months of another streaming service); plans start at £28 per month, £20 upfront for 1GB data Vodafone – starting from £38 per month, £100 upfront for 2GB data EE – Get 4GB data for £42.50 per month, £100 upfront – existing customers get 10% off Sky – Currently out of stock, but usually has the best price on the market: 2GB of data for £22 per month and no upfront cost (36 months) iPad Air refurbished deals The deals you will see above are generally from Apple resellers rather than Apple itself – Apple rarely reduces prices. Apple does, however, sell reconditioned iPads in its refurbished store. So you can grab a bargain. The iPads in Apple’s refurbished store may be ex-display stock, or they may have been returned to Apple due to a fault, but they are fully reconditioned now and come with a full year’s warranty. It’s not like buying secondhand. The U.S. refurbished store has a selection that includes: Standard iPad (8th and 9th generation) iPad Air (4th generation) 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd and 3rd generation) 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th and 5th generation) iPad mini (5th and 6th generation) Compared to the original price, you can save as much as $320 on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Get a refurbished iPad at Apple's refurbished store (U.S.) In the U.K. you’ll find a similar selection of iPads available from Apple’s refurbished store. You’ll find the following: Standard iPad (9th generation) iPad Air (4th generation) 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd and 3rd generation) 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation) iPad mini (5th and 6th generation) There are savings of £480 on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, compared to the original price. There is a large refurbished market for the iPad Air. We’d recommend taking a look at these refurbished resellers for iPad Air offers: Amazon AWD Big Phone Store eBay Envirofone Affordable Mac Tech Trade 4Gadgets Handtec Laptops Direct Music Magpie Preloved Smartfone Store See our full guide to buying a refurbished iPad. If you are interested in one of the other iPads, or just want the best deal, we’re also tracking the best iPad deals if you want to see other top offers. Also, check out our best Apple deals. iPad

Read more »

Assassin’s Creed Shadows launching on m-series Macs
The newest game in the Assassin’s Creed franchise is heading to Apple Silicon Macs on November 15. Ubisoft recently announced the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows for Macs, the Xbox Series X and S, Windows, and the PlayStation 5. The video trailer is around four minutes in length and shows off the protagonist and realistic […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

Read more »

Twitter․com is now officially x․com, though with some glitches
Elon Musk may have rebranded Twitter to X last summer, but one of the more notable contradictions was that URLs remained as twitter.com. That has finally changed today. X users accessing via the web today have seen twitter.com URLs redirect to x.com. Musk announced the migration on Twi– er, X … more…

Read more »

The iPad Air only exists to sell other iPads
Macworld Here’s a fun thought experiment: what would Apple’s tablet range look like if you removed the iPad Air? Just the basic iPad at one end (accompanied by the outdated and unappealing iPad mini, which we’ll largely ignore for now) and the iPad Pro at the other. How would you approach that as a retail offering, and how would it affect your buying decision? The answer, for me at least, is that it wouldn’t be a range at all. It would just be two separate and isolated products with little to connect them. It would be like comparing the Mac mini and the Mac Pro. Or the Apple Watch SE and the Vision Pro, for that matter. There would be no point comparing their specs or weighing up their pros and cons, you would simply look at the one which is obviously aimed at you and buy it if the price is right. If you want a sofa computer you buy the standard iPad; if you’re a hardcore creative you buy the iPad Pro. It would make the decision a no-brainer. That feels like a good, thing, right? Surely Apple wants the buying decision to be a no-brainer, so there’s as little friction as possible to slow the process from “want iPad” to “own iPad.” Surely it wants to make things easy for the customer. Or maybe it doesn’t. Because here’s the thing: That isn’t just a thought experiment, it’s reality. For 99 percent of iPad buyers, there may as well just be those two options. For most of the people who ask for my advice, the “correct” choice is the basic iPad, because it’s more than capable enough for their requirements and (following a timely price cut) is great value. Very few iPad owners need a super-fast processor, a high-end screen, or a terabyte of storage. And for the small market of creative professionals who do need those things, the Pro makes a lot more sense than the Air, because it’s more future-proofed, delivers better color reproduction, has Thunderbolt, and so on. If the iPad is your work computer, you don’t skimp on the premium features. In most of Apple’s product categories, the inbetweeners are a canny choice, blending features and value for money. But when it comes to iPads, because of the binary way people use them, you should decide whether features or value are the priority for you and then lean fully into that. Give these people Air If that’s the case–if the iPad Air is irrelevant to most customers–then it raises the question of why Apple bothers to have an Air at all. And here at Macworld we have a theory. I said earlier that an Air-less iPad range just seems like two unrelated products–okay three, but honestly, the iPad mini is not worth your consideration until it gets an update–that have so little in common that no customer would bother to compare them. But what the Air does is bridge the gap between the standard iPad and iPad Pro and bring a sense of coherency to the range. Indeed it makes the range exist as a range, rather than standalone products. The iPad Air has the same sized screen as the 10th-gen iPad and 11-inch iPad Pro. The iPad Air has the same sized screen as the 10th-gen iPad and 11-inch iPad Pro.Petter Ahrnstedt The iPad Air has the same sized screen as the 10th-gen iPad and 11-inch iPad Pro.Petter Ahrnstedt Petter Ahrnstedt With the Air nestled in the middle, it becomes much more tempting to load Apple’s iPad comparison page and start doing head-to-heads on tech specs. And then the intrusive thoughts begin. An anti-reflective coating sounds nice. I like the look of that new Magic Keyboard, maybe I should get an iPad that supports it. What’s Wi-Fi 6E? Do I need 16GB of RAM? How many CPU cores are worth getting? In other words, the existence of the iPad Air introduces a whole lot of indecision that can actually help Apple, because it encourages customers to spend more on things they want but might not need. And for customers who are sensible and stay in their lane, it helps to reinforce the value for money of the standard iPad at the lower end and the capabilities of the iPad Pro at the top. For those who are considering a vanilla iPad, the iPad Air acts as a price anchor, quietly establishing in the customer’s mind the idea that $599 is the sort of price somebody might reasonably pay for a new tablet. In comparison to that, $349 seems like an absolute steal, especially for the same size screen and very similar design. And in comparison to the Air’s M2 processor, 6.1mm chassis, and laminated LED screen (all of which we know are excellent, because this isn’t the budget iPad we’re talking about), the Pro’s M4, 5.3mm chassis, and tandem OLED screen look truly world-beating. Which, let’s be clear, they are… but it’s nice to make sure customers appreciate what they’re getting for their money. I have no doubt that Apple sells plenty of iPad Airs, but the product’s value to Apple isn’t limited to the number of units it shifts. It’s all about the way it makes customers feel about the other iPads. And that sense of confusion you feel when you look at the iPad range might not be an accident after all. iPad

Read more »

Buyer taken for $1,000 by fake Apple badge on eBay
A vintage Apple employee badge on eBay was proven to be a brazen forgery — but not in time to prevent it being bought.The fake employee badge as advertised on eBayThis isn't the first time that someone has sold a fake related to Apple, but usually it's hardware. Now an eBay seller auctioned off what he or she described as Steve Jobs's badge, but was for Sherry Livingston, employee #10 — or rather, it wasn't.It was first spotted by Mastodon user Eric Vitiello, who initially believed the eBay listing. However, the details of the badge and of the accompanying hand-drawn map of Apple's office layout were then debunked. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Assassin’s Creed Shadows to arrive for macOS in November, will launch on the same day as other platforms
If you’re a fan of Assassin’s Creed, another installment in the series is en route to the Mac. Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” will be the first major AAA title to launch simultaneously on Macs with Apple Silicon through the Mac App Store. The game is set to arrive on November 15th and will be available […] Source

Read more »

Display complex data, numbers, and more with Microsoft Visio’s diagramming tools, just $19.97
Macworld While you may understand complex numbers or ideas for certain projects, the rest of your team may need a little help visualizing your findings to make informed decisions. If that’s the case, look no further than Microsoft’s top-rated diagramming software, Microsoft Visio Pro 2021. Designed for streamlined diagram creation and enhanced visualization, Visio is helpful for professionals in a variety of fields. Now, lifetime access is less than $20 until May 22. If you need help developing a visual presentation, Visio offers over 250,000 shapes to help users get started. There are countless shapes, stencils, and templates in Visio’s library, which can help you translate data into easier-to-understand concepts. With Visio, you can develop flowcharts, org charts, network diagrams, and more. Architects and designers can even benefit from this software, as it allows for floor plan creation. If you’re a project manager or entrepreneur, Visio is helpful for brainstorming through problems and discovering solutions. Use fishbone diagrams or SWOT analysis to troubleshoot and plan ahead. For even greater accessibility, Visio can automatically generate org charts from Microsoft sources like Excel and Exchange. Enjoy easier diagram creation with lifetime access to Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for Windows, now just $19.97 until May 22 at 11:59 PM Pacific.   Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for Windows Only $19.97 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

Read more »

First video reviews of M4 iPad Pro bend/durability tests published
Apple’s M4 iPad Pro has hit the market, and the bend tests are in, with some of YouTube’s most prominent content creators endeavoring to see how much pressure Apple’s thinnest device ever can take before breaking. Two approaches were taken in bend tests by prominent tech YouTubers. JerryRigEverything for example forcibly applied pressure by bending […] Source

Read more »

Apple TV+ shows and movies: Everything to watch on Apple TV Plus
Apple TV+ offers exclusive Apple original TV shows and movies in 4K HDR quality. You can watch across all of your screens and pick up where you left off on any device. Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month. Here’s every Apple original television show and movie available now on Apple TV+, as well as the latest trailers … more…

Read more »

iPhone 16 Pro Max to get new battery that could last longer
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will get a new battery that has a greater energy density than before, which means a longer life if Apple keeps the battery to the same size.A battery being taken out of an iPhone (Source: Apple)As the iPhone 16 range is believed to be starting mass production ahead of its September launch, most rumors have concentrated on the screen sizes and camera bumps in the range.However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that there is to be a quite radical redesign of the battery, specifically in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. As well as an increased energy density of the battery cells, it will also be encased in stainless steel instead of the previous aluminum. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Is your Mac sluggish or running hot? Here’s what to do
Macworld It’s happened to you, probably many times over the years: you’re using Safari, and it starts to feel like molasses. You’re working among several apps, and you start to have to wait for seconds or longer as you switch between them, adding frustration. Or you touch your laptop, and say, “Yowch!”–it’s much hotter than expected. What’s going on? The complex interplay of Mac hardware, macOS software, third-party background utilities and add-ons, and foreground apps can result in unexpected outcomes, like CPUs running hot, memory crunches, and sluggish performance. You can’t always pull one thread and untangle the problem. But you can pursue a few straightforward strategies to make things better without wasting lots of time. Try these actions the next time your Mac acts up. Quit and relaunch your browser Think back to the days in which browsers had windows only, no tabs, and didn’t automatically reopen tabs and windows after a restart. You could lose so much research progress. That’s far in the past, and now there’s essentially no penalty to quitting and relaunching. Browsers can experience memory leaks, in which they allocate some of your Mac’s volatile or active memory (RAM) and don’t release it when they’re finished. This can happen in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and others–Chrome was once a notable memory leaker and has gotten better, but Safari often swells, too. I’ve found sometimes that a single non-foreground tab might be burning 1GB, according to Activity Monitor, your best friend when it comes to examining system resource usage. Make sure you will have your tabs and windows reloaded: In Safari, make sure that Safari > Preferences > General has “Safari opens with” set to “All windows from last session.” In Chrome, go to Chrome > Settings > On Startup and choose “Continue where you left off.” In Firefox, go to Firefox > Preferences > General and check “Open previous windows and tabs.” Make sure you retain your open tabs and windows before relaunching Safari (or any browser). Make sure you retain your open tabs and windows before relaunching Safari (or any browser).Foundry Make sure you retain your open tabs and windows before relaunching Safari (or any browser).Foundry Foundry If your browser is sluggish or you’re having a system-wide problem, quit and relaunch the browser and see if things get better. I’ve found that solves my problems a good three-quarters of the time. Find the culprit The Activity Monitor app takes underlying system technical data and presents it in a much more friendly fashion. (Find it in Applications > Utilities.) In Activity Monitor, I look primarily to the CPU, Memory, and Energy tabs to figure out when macOS or a single app is slow, or I’m having peculiar problems with responsiveness. Click a column head in each tab to sort by the worst offender. In CPU, click % CPU until the arrow next to it is pointing down. In Memory, click the Memory column. In Energy, click the Energy Impact column. If your Mac is responding poorly, CPU and Memory can help. You might see the app you’re using or another app using a tremendous percentage of current CPU activity or a lot of memory. The chart at the bottom of the window shows overall load compared to available computational power for CPU, and overall memory in use for Memory. If macOS needs more memory than it has in the form of RAM, it can swap not-in-use parts of apps and data to the SSD, resulting in higher “memory pressure,” which is color-coded in that tab’s chart. The Energy tab can also be a useful tool in identifying an app consuming lots of resources and if you’re wondering why your laptop’s battery is draining so quickly. One evening my M1 MacBook Air was nearly scalding to the touch, even though it had been sleeping. Checking Activity Monitor led me to a tiny app that had, for no reason, gone out of control. I quit it, and it hasn’t tried to use that much CPU power since. Double-click the Safari item in Memory and you can see all the bytes required for each open tab, even if it’s not active. Double-click the Safari item in Memory and you can see all the bytes required for each open tab, even if it’s not active.Foundry Double-click the Safari item in Memory and you can see all the bytes required for each open tab, even if it’s not active.Foundry Foundry Try switching to a troublesome app and using File > Quit to exit. If it’s a utility, bring up its menu item and choose Quit or Exit; you may have to hold down the Option key while choosing the menu, or bring up another dialog to exit the app. If that fails, you can force quit the app or menu bar utility: Press Command-Option-Esc, select the app, and click Force Quit. Hold down the Option key and Control-click/right-click the app’s icon on the Dock and choose Force Quit. In Activity Monitor, select the item in the list and click the X in an octagon icon at the left end of the toolbar. When prompted, click Quit to try a normal app exit or Force Quit if that doesn’t work. Use the Force Quit Applications dialog to kill apps quickly. Use the Force Quit Applications dialog to kill apps quickly.Foundry Use the Force Quit Applications dialog to kill apps quickly.Foundry Foundry This may alleviate the problem instantly, and you can get back to work (or fun). If you’d like to monitor system usage and receive automated alerts while seeing CPU and other statuses at a glance, I recommend buying either TG Pro (Tunabelly Software, $10) or iStat Menus(Bjango, $11.99), both of which are Macworld Gems. Restart your Mac It sometimes seems like Mac users feel that restarting their computer is a moral failing, a blight on Apple, or a huge time waster. While I can’t absolve Apple of falling short of perfection, I would like to absolve you of shame and disabuse you of concerns about time. As with Safari, macOS has come a long way in dealing with both intentional and forced restarts. Typically, most apps store data as you’re making changes or you’ve internalized the Command-S shortcut to save frequently. When you choose   > Restart, you can opt to check “Reopen windows when logging back in,” which automatically reopens all apps when the system comes back up, almost always restoring you to their previous working state, either because of built-in defaults or because they consult the system-wide preference at   > System Preferences > Desktop & Dock (disable “Close windows when quitting an application”). Some apps may require that you manually reopen project files. Ensure your Mac will reopen your apps after restart by checking that box. Ensure your Mac will reopen your apps after restart by checking that box.Foundry Ensure your Mac will reopen your apps after restart by checking that box.Foundry Foundry The time it takes to restart and be back to a functioning macOS, all ready to go, has dropped substantially over the last decade. I can remember a time that it might take as long as 15 minutes for the restart, plus all the apps and background utilities loading and settling down. If it worked, which it didn’t always. With a late-model Intel Mac with an SSD startup volume or any M-series Mac, you will likely lose about 1 to 2 minutes before you’re ready to go. That’s a worthwhile investment if you’re cursing at your screen or waiting seconds for actions to complete that should happen instantly. I have recently hit the point a few times with Sonoma (though not with the very latest update, fortunately) where something went deeply off-track in macOS. Not only did apps not fully quit when exited (normally or via Force Quit), but the menu-based restart failed. Remember that, in those circumstances, you’ve got two fallback plans if you can’t restart normally. Warning: Both options instantly restart your Mac, so you may lose unsaved data if all your apps have saved their files or ones with unsaved data are unresponsive. If you can launch Terminal, do so and type sudo reboot plus Return, then enter your password when prompted. Failing that, hold down the power button on your Mac for about 10 seconds or until you see it shut off, such as its power indicator becoming unlit. Wait just a couple of seconds, then press the button to start up. Ask Mac 911 We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, we’re always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to mac911@macworld.com, including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered, we don’t reply to email, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice. Besides email, you can submit your question to Mac 911 via the form below. Submit your question to Mac 911 Submit a form. Mac, MacOS

Read more »

Store up to 1TB’s worth of files, photos, and more on FolderFort, now $80 for life
Macworld Cloud storage is a must-have for your small business, personal projects, and day-to-day needs. However, it can be difficult to find a trusted cloud storage provider that offers sufficient space without requiring recurring fees. FolderFort is the solution to your cloud storage needs, providing users with reliable storage, secure file encryption from BackBlaze, and more. Now, a lifetime 1TB plan is only $79.99 (reg. $251).  With 1TB from FolderFort, you’ll have plenty of space for everything from important personal files to family vacation photos. It has an incredibly user-friendly interface for easy organization and storage and is compatible with PCs, Macs, and other mobile devices. FolderFort lets users create unlimited workspaces and add however many people you’d like to access your workspaces, files, etc. You can also easily create shareable links for your files and folders, as well as customize them. Make public links so anyone who has it can view your media. Or, you can restrict viewing access for certain users. If you ever have issues with FolderFort, you can reach out to customer support on the phone or through email during all hours of the day, seven days a week. Invest in a reliable cloud storage solution when you grab lifetime access to the FolderFort 1TB Storage Pro Plan, now just $79.99, the best price on the web.   FolderFort 1TB Storage Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription Only $79.99 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

Read more »