iOS 18 beta 1: First impressions, and is it worth it?
Aka I installed the iOS 18 beta 1 so you don’t have to … I normally steer clear of the first developer beta of a new iOS release. This year I thought I wouldn’t be able to resist, as I was keen to play with the new AI features, but of course yesterday’s keynote quickly killed all hope of that. Every single one of them was billed as coming later. Still, there were a few things I did want to try, so I took a deep breath and pressed the button … more…

Read more »

As always, Apple does its best work inside its walled garden
Macworld Apple on Monday took the wraps off a ton of new features coming to our devices this fall. The headline feature, of course, is Apple Intelligence, which brings the world of generative AI to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac with writing tools, image and emoji creation, and a new era for Siri. But once again, the features that will delight us the most when they arrive this fall are the ones that take advantage of how everything in the Apple ecosystem works together. The coolest feature by far is iPhone Mirroring, part of macOS 15 Sequoia. It’s another fantastic Continuity feature—like Universal Control and Sidecar—and it allows you to view what’s on your iPhone and control it too, without having to reach for it. The demo was like watching one of Steve Jobs’s  “Boom!: moments, where something just works because, well, it’s Apple. You can literally access your iPhone wirelessly on your Mac and use it as if it was in your hand. Drag and drop photos and files between the two devices, launch iPhone apps on your Mac, and respond to notifications all while your iPhone stays locked in another room. It’s the perfect Apple feature and the reason why people willingly enter into the walled garden. No other company can deliver a feature so seamlessly—not Google, not Samsung, not Microsoft. Or take the iPad’s new Calculator. Yes, it’s ridiculous that it took 14 years to get a Calculator app on the tablet, but there’s a lot more to it than just digital buttons. Using the power of the Apple Pencil, iPad users can jot down numbers and symbols in their own handwriting and Calculator will still recognize equations as if they were plugged in the old-fashioned way. Again, magic. Where other tablets’ styluses are good, even great for writing and drawing, only Apple understands the relationship between its devices and how the relationship between them can be augmented through software. The iPad and Apple Pencil are already great, but Calculator and Math Notes take it to a new level only Apple can achieve. Take either out of the Apple ecosystem and the experience just isn’t the same. It’s a different form of Apple Intelligence, one that’s at its smartest when every device is in sync. As Apple’s family of devices has evolved and matured, features like Math Notes and iPhone Mirroring haven’t just become possible, they become commonplace. Apple’s devices complement each other in a way that makes users want to stay in the garden, no matter how high the walls may get.  iPad, MacOS

Read more »

iOS 18 gives iPhone 15 more charging limit tiers to protect the battery
Apple has updated its battery health settings in iOS 18 in iPhone 15 by giving more control to users over charging limits.The new iOS 18 adds more options for a hard charging limitAs introduced in 2023 with iOS 17, the Charging section of Settings on iPhone let users turn on a limit to how much a battery will be charged. The optional limit was 80%, and it meant that in order to extend the lifetime of the battery, it would never charge beyond that limit.Now in iOS 18, the same setting comes with a range of optional limits. Specifically, users can now set a charge limit of 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100%. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

WWDC: Apple announces messages via satellite protocol with iOS 18 update
Among the arguably cool and handy things announced during the WWDC keynote, Apple has stated that it will be adding Emergency SOS via Satellite features via messaging with the launch of its iOS 18 operating system. The introduction of Emergency SOS via Satellite provided users with a way to get assistance when they’re out of […] Source

Read more »

WWDC: Apple announces macOS Sequoia operating system
It wouldn’t be a WWDC keynote speech without mention of Apple’s forthcoming desktop operating system, and over in Cupertino, Tim Cook and company announced macOS Sequoia, the next version of the Mac operating system. Version 15 of macOS has AI features, many of which are also in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. Sequoia is expected […] Source

Read more »

WWDC: Apple releases short recap video of WWDC keynote speech announcements
This year’s WWDC keynote speech was impressive but at more than two and a half hours, it was also a bit of a slog. Apple, in turn, has released the following short video containing the highlights, such as details about its forthcoming iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia operating systems and its forthcoming Apple Intelligence AI […] Source

Read more »

Apple’s smartest new features leave the Intelligence behind
Macworld The Macalope regrets to inform you that we’re still talking about AI and probably are going to be for the rest of time if current trends continue. But at least it now stands for something else: Apple Intelligence. True fact: if you ask an LLM to show you a video of a “mixed bag on AI” it returns a video of yesterday’s keynote. True. Fact. (Hilariously, if an AI scans this article, it actually will subsequently be listed as a true fact.) Let’s take a look at the good, the bad, and those ugly generative images you can get. Apple says its AI will bring a host of features to the company’s devices ranging from editing people out of the backgrounds of photos (finally) to a Siri that has object permanence. Yes, Apple says you will no longer have to very precisely tell Siri what you’re talking about, it will be able to parse verbal stumbles as well as remember what you were just talking to it about. It will also be able to provide any number of suggestions based on the things that are on your device, without having to send it all to the cloud, and when it does need to send things to the cloud it will do so securely using Private Cloud Compute, a model that never stores your requests or gives Apple access to them and is verified by independent experts. In those instances where Apple Intelligence can’t (or would rather not try) to provide answers, Apple has partnered with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT integration to its platforms. Personally, the Macalope would prefer Apple partner with a more responsible AI company, but [looks around] he guesses that’s not an option. Which really is kind of the problem. AI has been crowned the “next big thing” and all companies must get aboard or be punished by the market, whether it’s responsible or ethical. To top it off, Apple indicated it is also hoping to bring Google Gemini and other AI models to iOS 18 for those who only have glue and rocks in their house and need a great recipe. No, no, everything is going great, why do you ask? Apple continues to try to jazz up messages. Emoji reactions are a welcome addition and probably all that most of us really wanted. But what about people who live in the Uncanny Valley? Well, they’re in luck. Enter Image Playground. Image Playground will create images based on photos in your library and prompt you to provide such as “my mom in a cape and costume but remove her soul” or “my friend in front of a birthday cake but remove her soul.” Anything as long as the soul is removed from a person. IDG IDG IDG All of Apple’s intelligence announcements will, of course, be considered too little, too late by many. This is to be expected. The company has, at least, implemented them with its usual eye for privacy even when using third-party solutions. Apple says privacy protections are put in place when using ChatGPT via Siri and Writing Tools, its new text suggestion system. Requests are not stored and IP addresses are obscured. While AI will, unfortunately, garner the lion’s share of the headlines, other than just a better Siri, it’s the non-AI announcements that have the Macalope more excited. A dedicated Passwords app, more home screen customization, being able to mirror your iPhone from your Mac, Mail improvements, and, heck, even inSights on TV+ shows are all going to provide the Macalope more long-term value than being able to get incorrect answers from a copyright-infringing tool with the real purpose of acting as a high carbon-footprint middleman. Not that the Macalope is cynical about AI. Apple Inc, iOS

Read more »

WWDC: Apple demonstrates the integration between Siri and ChatGPT
During the WWDC keynote, Apple dove hard into its plans for its new Apple Intelligence features for iOS 18, complete with its integration with ChatGPT. Through this method, Apple will allow users to sign into their OpenAI account and use ChatGPT models as needed. Once connected, users can select ChatGPT as their model to use […] Source

Read more »

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro: Where to get the best deals
Macworld It’s been a long time since you could only buy an iPhone directly from Apple or from AT&T. Today, they are offered by all major carriers and big retailers, many of which try to entice you with special deals. Of course, you can still buy from Apple directly, either in-store or online, but the lowest prices can generally be found elsewhere. If you haven’t yet put in your order for an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro, this article will help you to spend as little money as possible. We provide a summary of the best deals and promotions offered by popular retailers, plus automatically updated price-comparison tables covering the wider market, all of which will help you find the very best deal on your new iPhone.  If you’re looking for other models, check out our overall Best iPhone deals roundup. And if you can’t decide which iPhone to buy, read our reviews and take a look at our Best iPhone chart. iPhone 14 review iPhone 14 Plus review iPhone 14 Pro review iPhone 14 Pro Max review Where to get the best iPhone deals Buying direct from Apple is one option if you’re looking for an unlocked, SIM-free iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus, and it’s the go-to place to join the iPhone Upgrade Program. Apple will also let you trade in your old iPhone and get up to $650 in credit toward a new purchase. Find an unlocked or SIM-free iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus at Apple. Since the arrival of the 15-series iPhones in fall 2023, Apple has stopped selling the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, but they are still available from other retailers, as you will see below. In the U.K. we frequently see Amazon discount iPhones–although the biggest discounts tend to be on the older models, such as the iPhone 13 or iPhone SE. Best unlocked iPhone 14 series deals U.K. It’s possible to find deals on handsets bought unlocked in the UK, including the 14-series iPhones. We’ve spotted the following savings: John Lewis, iPhone 14: £599 (£100 off; RRP £699) Amazon, iPhone 14: £599 (£100 off; RRP £699) Amazon, iPhone 14 Plus: £599 (£200 off; RRP £799) Amazon, iPhone 14 Pro (256GB): £999 (£210 off last year’s price of £1,209, but note it has since been discontinued and would have seen a price cut anyway) Best iPhone 14 series carrier deals If you want to buy a recent iPhone for less than the full retail price, you’re probably going to need to get it from a carrier or mobile provider, and there will often be significant strings attached. These deals can be complicated, so be sure to read the fine print. In the U.S., Apple partners with carriers to offer discounts on the 2022 iPhones. You get a $30 discount if you buy a phone activated on AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile/Sprint, however, if you shop around there are some good deals to be found. U.S. AT&T: Get up to $800 in bill credits when you buy a new iPhone 14 and trade in your old phone, with a qualifying unlimited plan. T-Mobile: Get up to $800 in bill credits when you buy an iPhone 14 and trade in your old phone when you add a new line. Verizon: Get up to $1,000 in bill credits toward an iPhone 14 Pro with trade-in and select Unlimited plans. U.K. Contract offers vary quite widely in price, but you’ll need to check the fine print and the perks and extras that are thrown in. You can browse the best current deals using the tool below; click ‘Choose Smartphone’ to filter by model. Readers who would like to do their own research should try the following U.K. carriers: EE O2 Sky Mobile Three Virgin Mobile Vodafone Best iPhone 14 deals The 14 got a nice price cut when the iPhone 15 came out. At launch, the iPhone 14 started at $829 / £849 / AUD$1,399, but you’ll pay rather less now: 128GB: $699 / £699 / AUD$1,299 256GB: $799 / £799 / AUD$1,499 512GB: $999 / £999 / AUD$1,849 You can keep up with the best prices across a range of retailers for the iPhone 14 by using our automated table below: New Refurbished Retailer Price $729 View Deal $829 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 14 128GB – Blue – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $477.65 View Deal iPhone 14 128GB – Midnight – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $486.26 View Deal iPhone 14 128GB – Purple – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $489.39 View Deal iPhone 14 128GB – Starlight – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $495 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Best iPhone 14 Plus deals The iPhone 14 Plus has also seen a price drop since the launch of the iPhone 15. It started at $929 / £949 / AUD$1,579 at launch, but now costs less: 128GB: $799 / £799 / AUD$1,499 256GB: $899 / £899 / AUD$1,699 512GB: $1,099 / £1,099 / AUD$2,049 You can keep up with the best prices across a range of retailers for the iPhone 14 Plus by using our automated table below: Best iPhone 14 Pro deals The iPhone 14 Pro has been discontinued by Apple, so it no longer has an official MSRP/RRP. The best we can do is look at the prices when it launched in fall 2022, and knock off a little to account for the price cut it would have received in fall 2023. iPhone 14 Pro prices (fall 2022): 128GB: $999 / £1,099 / AUD$1,699 256GB: $1,099 / £1,209 / AUD$1,869 512GB: $1,299 / £1,429 / AUD$2,219 1TB: $1,499 / £1,649 / AUD$2,569 You can keep up with the best prices across a range of retailers for the iPhone 14 Pro by using our automated table below: New Refurbished Retailer Price $999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 14 Pro 128GB – Deep Purple – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $655.23 View Deal iPhone 14 Pro 128GB – Space Black – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $680.91 View Deal iPhone 14 Pro 128GB – Gold – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $701.48 View Deal iPhone 14 Pro 128GB – Silver – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $706.26 View Deal iPhone 14 Pro Max 128GB – Space Black – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $782 View Deal iPhone 14 Pro Max 128GB – Deep Purple – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $786.76 View Deal iPhone 14 Pro Max 128GB – Gold – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $802 View Deal iPhone 14 Pro Max 128GB – Silver – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $829 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket View more prices Best iPhone 14 Pro Max deals The 14 Pro Max has also been discontinued. If Apple had kept it around, we can assume it would probably have received a price cut in fall 2023. iPhone 14 Pro Max prices (fall 2022): 128GB: $1,099 / £1,199 / AUD$1,899 256GB: $1,199 / £1,309 / AUD$2,099 512GB: $1,399 / £1,529 / AUD$2,419 1TB: $1,599 / £1,749 / AUD$2,769 You can keep up with the best prices across a range of retailers for the iPhone 14 Pro Max by using our automated table below: New Refurbished Retailer Price Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 14 Pro Max 128GB – Deep Purple – Unlocked – Dual eSIM $786.76 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Where to get refurbished iPhone 14 deals If you haven’t already, you may want to consider buying a refurbished iPhone 14 to save money (and the environment). Refurbished devices are thoroughly tested and repaired to work and look just like new. In the case of official Apple refurbished iPhones, you get a brand-new body and screen, box, accessories, battery, and warranty. It’s almost indistinguishable from buying a new iPhone. See our full guide to buying refurbished or second-hand iPhones for more. The first place to shop for a refurbished iPhone is on the Apple Refurbished Store. At time of writing, Apple does not yet offer refurbished iPhone 14 models for sale, but that could change at any time. Rest assured, the Apple Refurbished Store is where you can get the highest quality of refurbished iPhones. You may want to shop at the following refurbished resellers instead: U.S. BackMarket Best Buy Refurb.me Gazelle Reboxed U.K. Music Magpie Envirofone Reboxed 4Gadgets Smartfone Store iPhone

Read more »

Apple releases visionOS 1.2 update for Vision Pro headset
Prior to all the WWDC keynote news and announcements, Apple released visionOS 1.2, the second major update for its Vision Pro wearable headset. The hefty update adds the following fixes and change: ‌‌The update can be found, downloaded, and installed by going to the Settings app on the Vision Pro, selecting the General section, and […] Source

Read more »

Game Mode in iOS 18 will boost iPhone’s gaming performance
iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 introduce a new Game Mode that will further boost your iPhone or iPad's performance for better gaming experience. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

This portable travel VPN is the road warrior’s best friend
Macworld Everyone understands the potential danger of their personal information falling into the wrong hands. And while that means creating home safeguards for all of your online activity should be a top priority, don’t sleep on the possible trouble when you’re not at home either.  The Deeper Connect Air Portable VPN Travel Router can be the answer to that problem, a decentralized Virtual Private Network (VPN) that provides all the security and protection of a traditional VPN without needing a VPN service subscription. For anyone on the road, remote workers, or even the highly security conscious, this router checks a lot of boxes. While a traditional VPN hides user information through a VPN service and their secured private connection, Deeper Connect builds a decentralized online gateway on its own. The unit utilizes blockchaining technology to create a stable web connection that’s both secure and anonymous. From a hotel room, airplane or a remote location anywhere around the globe, users can browse the web at up to 300 Mbps, watch their favorite streaming content and more on up to five devices, all with no monthly fees. Meanwhile, the router is stacked with premium security protocols, including military-grade encryption, full ad blocking and one-click parental control suites, and access to over 150,000 servers worldwide, ensuring the best, safest possible web connection. That’s all packed into a unit less than 8 inches long and weighing less than an ounce, all with plug-and-play compatibility and no configuration hassles ever. Protect yourself online no matter where you are with the Deeper Connect Air Portable VPN Travel Router, This $219 value is now on sale with a $60 discount, cutting your price to a one-time only charge of just $159 using coupon code: CONNECT at checkout.   Deeper Connect Air Portable VPN Travel Router – $159 Get connected for $159 StackSocial prices subject to change. VPN

Read more »

iPhone finally gains T9 dialing with iOS 18
Apple is adding long overdue T9 dialing support to the Phone app in iOS 18, which should make going through your phonebook easier. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

Apple published a new Press Release
Apple just published a new Press Release:WWDC24 Highlights

Read more »

Watch Apple’s WWDC24 keynote in just 90 seconds
If you don’t have time to watch the full hour and 45-minute WWDC24 keynote, here it is in just 90 seconds. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

iOS 18 includes these new privacy features: Lock and hide apps, improved contact permissions, more
Today at WWDC 2024, Apple introduced a slew of new iPhone features that will be available on all compatible devices later this Fall. While Apple Intelligence and enhanced customization were among the most heavily showcased, the next iteration of iOS will also introduce some nice new privacy features, including improved Contacts permissions, the ability to lock and hide apps, Private Cloud Compute, a standalone Passwords app, and more. more…

Read more »

If you only watch one WWDC 2024 recap video…
…this one might not be the most comprehensive, but it’s a fine way to celebrate Apple Fellow Phil Schiller. more…

Read more »

9to5Mac Daily: June 10, 2024 – Everything Apple announced at WWDC24
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by iMazing: Discover iMazing 3, the ultimate solution for managing your iPhone and Apple devices with powerful backup options, effortless media transfers, comprehensive message extraction, and Apple Vision Pro support, all in a sleek, redesigned interface. more…

Read more »

visionOS 2 tidbits: keyboard occlusion, Home View upgrades, more
Apple unveiled visionOS 2 at WWDC today, the first major update for Apple Vision Pro since last year. In addition to the features Apple highlighted on stage, there are a few other visionOS 2 tidbits worth pointing out, including keyboard occlusion. more…

Read more »

WWDC 2024 Recap: Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring and more on the AppleInsider podcast
Special edition: all the biggest news from Apple's major WWDC announcements, plus the first of what will surely be a lot of questions about just how the new Apple Intelligence will work for us.Apple's WWDC presenters about to jump from an aircradtThis year's WWDC was a firehose of information with new features, new apps, updates, improvements and, of course, Apple Intelligence or "AI for the rest of us." While we all resist installing the betas, here are the highlights — and the first questions Apple's presentation has still left us wanting answers for. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »