Denon adds Siri to smart speakers (with one big catch)
Hey, Siri works with Denon speakers now -- but only if you have a HomePod or HomePod mini in the house, too. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple News+ introduces Quartiles, a new original spelling game, and Offline Mode for subscribers
Apple News+ introduced Quartiles, a new original spelling game, and a new Offline Mode that automatically provides recent and… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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The 11-inch OLED iPad Pro is $49 Off
Apple’s newly-launched iPad Pro has received a fresh $49 discount. Today, the 11-inch iPad Pro 256GB WiFi model is down to just $949 from its original price of $1,000 on Amazon. The iPad Pro is billed as the ‘ultimate iPad experience’ with a weight that’s even lighter than the current iPad Air models. With an […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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AT&T outshines T-Mobile and Verizon for customer satisfaction but this MNVO beat them all
In addition to revealing the latest customer satisfaction for smartphones, the 2024 ASCI study reveals how Americans feel about their wireless carrier. In an interesting twist, AT&T beat out T-Mobile and Verizon to claim the top spot again for major carriers. However, a value MVNO carrier handily beat them all. more…

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watchOS 10.5 releases with new watch face
Apple has launched watchOS 10.5 with a new watch face. watchOS 10.5 is the fifth update for the watchOS 10 operating system, two months after watchOS 10.4 was released. watchOS 10.4 primarily introduced bug fixes for Apple Watch users. The fifth iteration is mostly the same, but there’s a new Pride watch face that pairs […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Ars Technica reviews Apple’s M4 iPad Pro: ‘a technical marvel; impressively quick’
Apple earlier this month unveiled the groundbreaking new iPad Pro in a stunningly thin and light design, taking portability and… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple Vision Pro may arrive in other countries after WWDC
The Apple Vision Pro is expected to launch in other countries after this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Bloomberg recently reported that headset sales will soon begin in other countries, with Apple employees flying to different retail shops for training sessions and to demo the Vision Pro. Apple had a similar process when the […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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ChatGPT for Mac to launch soon
Open AI recently announced that its large language model technology will be arriving on the Mac as a desktop app. During its spring update event, OpenAI said that the app will be available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers and have a wider launch ‘in the coming weeks.’ The press release also said that a simple keyboard […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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What Meta glasses lack is what most excites me about Apple Glasses
When I tried Ray-Ban Meta glasses last week, I described the AI features as largely a gimmick at this point, but still making me feel excited for a future Apple Glasses product. Several commenters noted that the glasses do somewhat better when given follow-up questions, and I tried out this feature on another walk, to reveal a mix of hits and misses. But what’s really missing at present is integration … more…

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Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Pad) review
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsCharges iPhone, AirPods, Watch15W Qi2 (MagSafe) for iPhoneFast charge Apple WatchAdjustable iPhone padOur VerdictDecluttering your desk or nightstand of multiple cables and wall chargers, the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Pad) can wirelessly fast-charge an iPhone at 15W and Apple Watch at 5W, as well as power up compatible AirPods as quickly as possible without sticking in a cable. Price When Reviewed$99.99 Best Prices Today: Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Pad) Retailer Price $99.99 View Deal Anker $99.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If you own multiple Apple portable devices such as an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods as many of us do, a one-piece charging station is a great way to save desk space, tidily gather everything together and reduce cable clutter. You can then relax in the knowledge that you don’t have to root around for three or more separate cables and wall chargers. Everything is immediately at your disposal. Multi-device chargers come in various shapes and sizes: flat pads, taller stands, folding travel packages and power banks. The Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Pad) is a long flat strip with flexible charging modules for iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch. It uses the latest Qi2 wireless charging technology that is based on Apple’s own MagSafe standards. Qi2, like MagSafe, ensures a perfect charging position by magnetically clamping the iPhone to the charger. As such it can wirelessly charge an iPhone at the same 15W power as a certified Apple MagSafe charger. Magnetic but non-MagSafe or non-Qi2 chargers are merely “MagSafe-compatible” and are limited to a more pedestrian 7.5W speed. We’ve reviewed the best iPhone chargers and best Apple Watch chargers, and the Anker MagGo chargers are some of our recommended favorites. Anker is a well-known and trusted maker of premium Apple accessories and is one of the first to launch a range of Qi2 chargers. The MagGo 3-in-1 Pad can fast-charge any MagSafe iPhone (iPhone 12, 13, 14 or 15 models, but not SE) at 15W as well as fast-charge an Apple Watch (Series 7, 8, 9, SE and Ultra) at 5W and Apple AirPods (2nd and 3rd generation AirPods, and all AirPods Pro) at 5W. You can swap out the AirPods case for a second iPhone (iPhone 8 and later) via 7.5W Qi rather than full MagSafe. The connection isn’t magnetic so you need to be more careful with the phone placement to get the charge right. Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Design The Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Pad) is a horizontal strip measuring 9 inches long, 3.4 inches wide and half an inch high (23-x-8.5-x-1.4cm). It weighs 12oz (340g) so is light enough to travel with you in your bag but remember that you need to plug the MagGo into a wall or desktop charger so pack a cable and charger with you. Thankfully, the MagGo 3-in-1 Pad comes with its own USB-C charger at a decent 40W—enough to charge up a 13-inch MacBook if you wish—but it will also plug into any USB-C charger. We’ve tested the best USB-C chargers in case you prefer a multi-port charger to be at base or with you at all times. What we particularly like about the MagGo 3-in-1 Pad is that its iPhone and Watch charging modules can be adjusted to suit your needs. Rival charging pads, such as the $149.95 Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe, look similar but lack the flexibility on the iPhone-charging pad— meaning the iPhone has to be charged flat and you can’t then use StandBy mode or position the phone usefully while it is charging. The MagGo on the other hand has its iPhone charging pad on a 2-inch (5cm) arm that can raise the iPhone’s height about 4.5 inches (11cm) from the desk and can have its angle adjusted between 90 and 180 degrees. The iPhone can be positioned in either landscape (for Apple’s StandBy mode) or portrait orientation. When compared side by side with the Belkin 3-in-1 Charging Pad, it’s the same width but a little less long and deep (Anker: 9-x-3.4-0.5 inches; vs Belkin: 9.3-x-3.4-x-0.8 inches). The Anker is also noticeably lighter (12oz vs 16.8oz) so is more bag friendly. It is also a third of the price of the Belkin charger. Both are available in either black or white colors. Charging Pad vs Charging Stand Choosing between a charging station pad like the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Pad or a charging station stand is all about personal preference. A pad’s strip of charging points is lower level and more travel friendly than a stand, while a stand has a smaller footprint and displays the charging devices more obviously. The MagGo Pad is clever in that it offers the best of both worlds with its adjustable iPhone charging module. It will still take up more horizontal space on your desk or nightstand than most stands, however. Some may prefer a more upright 3-in-1 charging stand, such as Anker’s Qi2 MagGo 3-in-1 Stand. Some may prefer a more upright 3-in-1 charging stand, such as Anker’s Qi2 MagGo 3-in-1 Stand.Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Some may prefer a more upright 3-in-1 charging stand, such as Anker’s Qi2 MagGo 3-in-1 Stand.Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Anker does have a stand version: the rather predictably named Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Stand) shown above. This is a good-looking and fast-charging stand but is not our favorite stand, which remains the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe, which can angle and tilt a charging iPhone by 35 degrees and also charge a Watch either flat or in Nightstand mode. The Anker MagGo stand is less flexible with no tilt or movement on either charging point. Maybe the best of both worlds: the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Foldable Stand. Maybe the best of both worlds: the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Foldable Stand.Foundry Maybe the best of both worlds: the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Foldable Stand.Foundry Foundry The MagGo family is varied in looks but not in name, and the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1), pictured above, is another Qi2 option. Similarly priced ($109.99/£99.99), this super compact 3-in-1 charger is about the size of a credit card (3.5×2.36 inches; 8.9×6cm) but an inch (2.5cm) deep, and is lightweight at 6.9oz (195g). You can raise the foldable Qi2 pad to create a mini stand for your iPhone. You can also charge an iPhone with that charger folded and the Qi2 pad on top. You need to unfold it only if you want to charge some AirPods or use the Qi2 pad as a stand. The 5W Watch-charging module is tucked away on the underside and can lie flat or sit up at an angle for Nightstand mode. Above the base is the Qi wireless charging pad that will 5W charge your AirPods when inside a wireless charging case. Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Price & availability The Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Pad) costs $99.99 / £99.99 / €109.99, and is available direct from Anker (U.S. / U.K. / E.U.) or Amazon in the U.S. | U.K. | Germany. It is cheaper than rival 3-in-1 charging strips, probably because Anker doesn’t have to pay Apple for its badge of MagSafe certification—yet it matches certified MagSafe in terms of charging speed. In comparison, the equally long-named Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe costs $149.99 / £139.99. Should I buy the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Pad)? Decluttering your desk or nightstand of multiple cables and wall chargers, the Qi2-based Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Pad) can wirelessly fast-charge an iPhone at 15W and Apple Watch at 5W, as well as charge compatible AirPods as quickly as possible without sticking in a cable. The flexibility of its adjustable iPhone charging point literally raises it above the competition. You can view and use your iPhone while it is charging, which is usually only possible with a stand. For that and its reasonable price, it’s our number one low-level 3-in-1 Apple-device charging strip. Mobile Phone Accessories, Mobile Phone Chargers, Power

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StreamSaver bundles Apple TV+, Netflix and Peacock at a discount
Combine Apple TV+, Netflix, and Peacock for a reduced price. Discover the new StreamSaver streaming bundle option for cordcutters. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple & Samsung tied for top spot in customer satisfaction study
Apple and Samsung sit at the top of the heap for satisfaction among smartphone buyers, but the Galaxy edges out the iPhone when it comes to 5G users.Apple's iPhone 15 Pro (left) and Samsung's Galaxy S24Apple is habitually at the top of satisfaction surveys and analysis of hardware sales throughout the year. In a new survey from the American Customer Satisfaction Index, it's something that Apple continues to do with the iPhone.In the ACSI Wireless Phone Service and Cell Phone Study 2023-2024, the overall phone industry saw an improvement in customer satisfaction. The 2024 figure of 81 is a 3% increase from 2023's result, and an all-time high score. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple, SpaceX, Microsoft return-to-office mandates drove senior talent away
"It’s easier to manage a team that’s happy.”

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Logic Pro now lets you record a fully AI-built band across iPad and Mac
Last week at its iPad event, Apple demoed the future of Logic Pro when it previewed Logic Pro 2 for iPad. The new update leans heavily into AI-driven features, including powerful automatic stem-splitting and the ability to record a fully AI-built band. These Logic Pro updates are now available on both iPad and Mac. Here are the details. more…

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Comcast plans cheap Apple TV+, Netflix, Peacock bundle
Comcast is preparing to offer consumers a bundle of three streaming services, combining Apple TV+ with Peacock and Netflix in a discounted package.Comcast's bundle will combine Peacock with Apple TV+ and NetflixCord-cutting has been growing over the years, as consumers ditched cable channel bundles in favor of streaming services. To try and reduce customer churn through cancellations, Comcast will be offering users a selection of streaming services in a single package.Called the StreamSaver bundle, Variety reports it is an option for broadband, TV, and mobile customers. It will consist of three services, with Peacock combined with Netflix and Apple TV+. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPhone forced to share smartphone satisfaction crown with this competitor, says study
The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) released its latest report on how consumers feel about their smartphones. After just edging out the competition last year, Apple’s iPhone has lost its title as the sole winner of the study. more…

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Hands-on with Setapp Mobile, as limited beta launches in the EU
Setapp Mobile launches as an invitation-only beta in the EU today, offering European iPhone owners a far easier way to get access to multiple apps for a single monthly subscription than the clunky US experience. Even better, for the lucky ones given access to the early beta, it’s free for now … more…

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Apple wants iPhone-like touch surfaces to be able to wrap around spheres
A flat touch surface isn't enough — thirty years after it retired the trackball in favor of touch-sensitive trackpads on PowerBooks, Apple could be planning to combine the two ideas into a new input device for the MacBook Pro.If Apple did make a trackball again, it would be a touch-sensitive one.First Apple did that thing of putting the trackball at the front of a laptop while moving the keyboard to the back — and everyone followed suit. Then in 1994 it introduced the PowerBook 500 series that had a trackpad, and everyone followed suit.In 2024, a newly-granted patent suggests that Apple could be finally putting two and two together, to get a touch-sensitive trackball. That is definitely one clear example use case for the patent "Spherical or highly curved touch-sensitive surfaces." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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M4 iPad Pro reviews praise what it looks like but not what it does
Macworld Just a week after Apple’s Let Loose event, the first reviews of Apple’s new flagship tablets have arrived. And as with all iPad Pros that came before, two things are true: The hardware is incredible, but the software is lacking. Design Writing at The Verge, David Pierce calls the M4 iPad Pro “a genuine achievement in tablet design” in the very first sentence. He remarks how the device “feels like a piece of glass in your hand” and it’s so thin that “the USB-C plug I use to charge the 13-inch Pro I’ve been testing is already thicker than the iPad itself.” Samuel Axon at Ars Technica writes that the iPad Pro is “a prime example of Apple flexing its engineering and design muscles … with one of the best screens I’ve ever seen, performance that few other machines can touch, and a new, thinner design that no one expected.” Engadget’s Nathan Ingraham calls the iPad Pro “an undeniable feat of engineering” with a thin design that “radically” changes the experience and makes the 13-inch iPad Pro easier to handle. Jason Snell at Six Colors agrees, saying the 13-inch model is “less awkward to hold in one hand now.” Display All reviewers praised the OLED screen, with CNET’s Scott Stein saying it is “the display I want in every Pro-level Apple computer, or just every Apple device period.” Blacks and HDR content were particularly praised, with Pierce pointing out that “the letterboxes above and below a video just disappear into the bezel, and photos look much more dynamic.” Snell writes that watching movies on the M4 iPad Pro is “uniformly great” and “a huge leap from a more traditionally backlit display.” Words like “gorgeous,” “delightful,” and “vibrant” peppered nearly every review and it’s clear that the display is the best reason to upgrade. The iPad Pro’s display is richer and deeper than that of any tablet Apple has ever made. The iPad Pro’s display is richer and deeper than that of any tablet Apple has ever made.Petter Ahrnstedt The iPad Pro’s display is richer and deeper than that of any tablet Apple has ever made.Petter Ahrnstedt Petter Ahrnstedt Processor and battery life The M4 processor brings a big boost over the previous model’s M2 and the current M3 in the latest MacBook Airs, but reviewers agree that it’s overkill in an iPad. Stein sums it up best: “It’s hard for me to figure out how to push the M4 in meaningful ways, and that’s because a lot of apps optimized for it aren’t here yet.” Nevertheless, benchmarks show the chip to be extremely fast, with Geekbench 6 multicore scores of nearly 15,000. That’s better than all but the highest-end M3 Macs on the market, a fact that several reviewers pointed out as somewhat strange, especially since iPadOS is optimized for older chips and doesn’t have many apps to take advantage of such high-end silicon. Even with extra efficiency cores and an OLED display, battery life for the new iPad Pro is still roughly the same as the M2 model, enough to last all day but less than a MacBook Air. According to YouTuber Dave2D, it actually lasts slightly less than the M2 model, but not enough where anyone would notice. 13-inch iPad Pro (2024) Price When Reviewed: $1,299 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $1299 at Apple Conclusion Ultimately, the biggest drawbacks to the new iPad Pros are the same as with every previous model: the high price, and the underpowered software. The new iPads cost $200 more than the M2 models across the board, which Axon and others call “overkill” when other iPads run the same software as every other model which, as Pierce writes, “has let its hardware down for years.” Our colleagues at Macworld Sweden were more succinct, calling iPadOS “lame” and challenging Apple to add features and capabilities to the operating system. In the end, reviewers agree that the M4 iPad Pro is a stunning piece of technology with cutting-edge hardware that probably won’t be matched for years. But unless money is no object, you’re probably better off with an iPad Air. iPad

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