iCloud Keychain review: How good is Apple’s built-in password manager?
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsFree and built-inAuto-fill passwordsSyncs across your Apple devicesConsNot great for non-Apple devices Lacks the polish of rivalsOur VerdictApple’s own password manager has enough features and security provisions to satisfy most users. Plus, it’s built right into the operating system. You’re probably already using it and haven’t realized.  Price When ReviewedPart of iCloud: Free on 5GB plan Best Prices Today: iCloud Keychain Retailer Price Free View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Password managers have become very popular recently, with the ability of an app to remember all your login details and fill them in automatically being an absolute godsend. But Apple products come with a password manager baked into the operating system – iCloud Keychain. So, how does it stand up to some of the competition and is it safe to stick with Apple’s free offering rather than shelling out for another subscription service? Software & Features Built into macOS, iOS and iPadOS Auto-fills passwords No dedicated app iCloud Keychain is a bit different to other popular password managers like Dashlane and 1Password, as it doesn’t have a standalone app on the iPhone, iPad or a desktop app on Mac. Instead, it’s part of the operating system itself, and therefore can be found in the iCloud section of Settings/System Settings.  While an app would improve the experience somewhat, iCloud Keychain still has a good selection of the standard tools found on other password managers (read our round-up of the Best Password Managers for Mac and iPhone). You can store login details for your various accounts, credit card details for payments, Wi-Fi passwords, and it syncs your data for Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Messages so that your iPhone, iPad and Mac all stay up to date with each other.  If you’re committed to the Apple universe, then iCloud Keychain can quietly manage all your secure data in the background. On the Mac you can create passwords, edit them, and be warned if any have appeared in security breaches or have been reused too many times to remain safe.  Martyn Casserly Martyn Casserly Martyn Casserly As with most password managers, iCloud Keychain can help you create complex passwords to replace the blend of your birthday and the name of your first pet. It’s not as advanced as some rivals, which allow you to specify the length of the passwords and whether it includes numbers, different case letters or special characters. iCloud Keychain does offer the ability to remove special characters (which is a requirement by some sites), but that’s about the extent of control you have over the new password. On iPhone you have the ability to have the service create a random, complex password – but you have no control over the outcome. These are stored in a separate place to the iCloud section of Settings, so you’ll need to look for the Passwords option on the general Settings page.  The service does support Passkeys though, which are slowly beginning to replace passwords, so maybe that’s the better option. Also, if the site/service you’re entering the details of allows for multi-factor verification codes, then iCloud Keychain will help you set them up and store them safely on your device.   There’s no doubt that there’s an impressive selection of features and convenience with iCloud Keychain, although the interface does feel old and not very well thought out when compared to the polished offerings of Dashlane and 1Password. Also, and this is a big issue, if you want to use Windows or Android devices, then getting iCloud Keychain to work with them is not as intuitive as it is on Apple devices. There’s an iCloud Passwords app for both platforms, but at this point it feels like a token effort when compared to paid password managers.  Security & Encryption AES 256-bit end-to-end encryption Zero knowledge (Apple can’t see your passwords) Supports multi-factor authorization As you’d expect with Apple, security on iCloud Keychain is very solid. The service uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is the same as you’ll find on most of the leading password manager apps. Your data is encrypted while stored on your device and during transmission across the web (to log onto sites etc.) so it should be safe from any hacker trying to gather your passwords. In fact, Apple operates a Zero-Knowledge system, so even it can’t see your passwords.  As mentioned above, there’s also support for passkeys and multi-factor authorization, all of which is protected further by the biometrics (Face ID & Touch ID) that already keep your device secure.  You don’t get the dark-web monitoring that’s a feature on several rivals, nor the VPN that comes with Dashlane, but as iCloud Keychain is free, you can always invest in the latter if you want to increase the security of your online life. Take a look at our roundups of the best VPNs for Mac and best VPNs for iPhone to see which services we recommend.              You can also read our best password manager for Mac & iPhone chart to see what iCloud Keychain is up against.  Price and Availability iCloud Keychain comes free with every iPhone, iPad and Mac, as it’s part of the operating system on all those platforms. Support for Passkeys is a new feature though and requires iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, tvOS 16, or later.  If you want to take full advantage of the iCloud service, you’ll want to sign up to one of the premium plans that give you more storage as well as access to iCloud Private Relay and Hide My Email. You can read about the iCloud storage plans to see what’s on offer.  Should I use iCloud Keychain? If you use only Apple products, and intend to do so in the years ahead, then iCloud Keychain is quite a tempting service. It features good security, lives on the operating system of your devices, and seamlessly integrates with how you use your iPhone, iPad or Mac.  It doesn’t have the polish or expanded options of some of the paid password managers, but if you want something simple, easy to use and which will mean you never have to remember more than one password (your Apple ID), then it’s certainly worth trying out. In fact, you probably already are and don’t know. That’s how easy it is to use.  iOS, MacOS, Password Managers

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The iPad Pro’s OLED display will be ‘by far the best’ of any tablet
Macworld The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is already the best iPad you can buy, with an M2 processor, mini-LED display, and Face ID, but a new report claims the upcoming model will be even better—by far. We already expect the new iPad Pro to get an OLED screen, which would be Apple’s first tablet with the high-end display tech. We already know the benefits—deeper blacks, better efficiency, and superior color handling—but a report from Ross Young at Display Supply Chain Consultants claims the OLED panels in the next iPad Pro will be the best in the business. Young writes that the OLED panels used in the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro “are expected to be by far the best OLED tablet panels on the market with LTPO, 120Hz refresh, a tandem stack and glass thinning resulting in ultra-thin and light displays with high brightness, extended battery life and long lifetime.” While the iPhone uses a single-stack OLED, previous rumors claimed the iPad Pro would adopt a new OLED material from LG called “RDE” that stacks two OLED layers for greater energy efficiency and a longer lifespan. The iPad Pro will also reportedly have a thinner design made possible by the reduction in display thickness. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the new iPad Pro may also be the first Apple product to get an M4 processor, the first time an M-series chip has debuted in a device other than a Mac. Apple will unveil the new iPad Pro at its Let Loose event on May 7. iPad

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Bernstein says buy Apple while stock price is low
Investment firm Bernstein is recommending clients buy Apple stock, and expects issues such as declining Chinese demand for the iPhone to be cyclical, especially with an AI iPhone.Apple is dealing with regulatory pressures and other unknownsBernstein's position goes against that of JP Morgan, which does expect a boost from AI for Apple, but not until 2026 and the iPhone 17. Morgan Stanley has said that it is bullish about Apple, yet it also downgraded its stock price.Now Bernstein has retained its $195 target price, but it's upgraded Apple to "outperform" status. Speaking with CNBC, Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi said that Apple's currently lower stock price makes this a good time to buy. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Wait, is Apple actually doomed for real this time?
Macworld You might want to sit down for this. … Apple saw its smartphone sales in China plummet by 19.1% year-over-year in [Q1 2024]. Counterpoint Technology Market Research (April 23, 2024) That’s a lot of percents, but it is only China (lol, “only”). Surely the company is doing better elsewhere. What about the U.S.? The Macalope seems to remember it was doing gangbusters there. Over the past four quarters, iPhone share of activations fell from 40 percent to 33 percent… Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (April 24, 2024) That number is a new low for iPhone activations. Wait, can an old high be a new low? Is an old high retroactively a low or does it remain a high until it is surpassed then repeated and then becomes a low? Do the changes flow both forward and backward through time? We’re going to need some starships. What if we just picked a market share for each vendor and they stuck to that, huh? Apple wouldn’t need to be on top, it’s just that the Macalope’s been talking about market share for 15-plus years and he’s really tired of it. Okay, so things aren’t currently great for the iPhone (although these decreases come off of some pretty high numbers). Surely, Apple’s doing great elsewhere. Well, are you still sitting? If not, sit down again. Actually, you should probably just remain seated for the rest of this column. Who doesn’t like a nice sit, anyway? The Macalope isn’t telling you to lie down, but he would not tell you not to, either. It’s how he writes these things, so why not? The Vision Pro isn’t doing so great, either. Apple has cut its 2024 Vision Pro shipments to 400–450k units (vs. market consensus of 700–800k units or more). Apple cuts 2024 & 2025 Vision Pro shipment forecasts, unfavorable to MR headset Well, wait, who came up with those previous estimates? Turns out it was Ming-Chi Kuo. And while he did say that Apple asked suppliers to expand production to 700 to 800k units for 2024, he suggested himself that 2024 shipments would be more like 650 to 700k. According to the Macalope’s calcamalator, the revised estimates are still above the 350k estimate some suggested before the Vision Pro was released and the the 150k units others guessed at just after the device was announced. The Financial Times also has a report confirming Kuo by stating Apple is making “drastic cuts” and will “make fewer than 400,000 units in 2024.” Oh, I’m sorry. That report is from July 2023. So, in nine months we’ve gone from “drastic cuts to 400k units” to… uh, “drastic cuts to 400k units.” Surely a new, lower-priced Vision Pro will cause all this to change, though, right? Well, Mark Gurman now says there will be no new Vision Pro until late 2026. That might seem like a long time but, remember, that’s only because it is. IDG IDG IDG There are a few precedents for this, however. The first AirPods shipped in December of 2016 and the second generation didn’t ship until March of 2019. The first HomePod shipped in February of 2018 and the HomePod mini was not released until November of 2020. The first isn’t a great comparison because it’s more of an accessory than a stand-alone product and the second isn’t a great example because, well, the HomePod isn’t really a tentpole Apple product. Ultimately, Apple’s drop in iPhone share must be taken into the context of it doing exceedingly well in prior quarters, much as when people say the Macalope has “let his pants down” you have to remember how high he had them hiked in the first place. Honestly, he could do it four or five more times before you’d even see his belly button. The Vision Pro, on the other hand, is setting an entirely new watermark and, at the price it sells for, it was never going to be very high. Still, the FOMO seems to have mostly drained out of this device. If Apple doesn’t have another in the queue for two more years, it might want to speed up releasing apps and experiences for the Vision Pro. If the company ever gets desperate, it can always make an iPhone mini again. They’d get at least one sale. iPhone

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Next-gen iPad Pro could receive “the best OLED tablet panels on the market”
Samsung is rumored to have reportedly had difficulties adapting its production line to the two-stack LED for the upcoming iPad Pro, which is reputed to be the best OLED tablet panel on the market. Per a report issued on Monday afternoon by Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), Samsung is the majority manufacturer […] Source

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TubeOnAI sums up all your favorite videos and podcasts in text or audio for only $79
Macworld For most of us, learning isn’t something we can devote hours and hours to. If you’re looking to expand your mind in a way that maximizes the limited hours in your day, look no further than TubeOnAI. This platform can streamline the process of keeping up with all your favorite educational YouTube videos and podcasts, and it’s now on sale for only $78.99 (reg. $224) for a limited time.   TubeOnAI leverages cutting-edge technology to streamline content consumption from all of your favorite online sources. The app automatically downloads video transcripts of any YouTube and podcast video, puts them under the AI microscope of GPT-4, then generates succinct summaries of that content in real time.  Whether it’s text or exclusive audio playback, TubeOnAI summaries are tailored to how you best consume your information, ensuring you stay up-to-date effortlessly and efficiently. Researching topics and prepping for meetings or presentations gets a whole lot easier when TubeOnAI can boil it down to a digestible paragraph or audio clip in a matter of seconds. All of those summaries are easily accessible from TubeOnAI web, iOS, and Android apps. There are even customizable notification settings so you can get instant updates or scheduled reminders on your preferred platforms. Lock in a lifetime subscription to a TubeOnAI Premium Lite Plan for just $78.99 for a limited time.   TubeOnAi Premium Lite Plan: Lifetime Subscription Only $78.99 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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Delta game emulator en route to iPad
Following the kerfuffle as to game emulators on the App Store and Apple’s finally changing its App Store rules to allow for retro game emulators, developer Riley Testut has confirmed that the Delta emulator is almost ready to launch on the iPad. In a post shared on Threads over the weekend, Testut said the iPad […] Source

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Apple has poached dozens of Google AI experts for its Zurich lab
Apple's Zurich Vision Lab has moved on from the Apple Car and has been poaching Google staff to work on the future of Apple's AI products.ZurichIn 2017, AppleInsider reported on the existence of what's believed to be called the Zurich Vision Lab, an Apple Research facility in Switzerland. It was then understood to be concentrating on the now-defunct Apple Car project.By 2023 the facility was believed to be looking at all future Apple projects, including AI. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple has poached dozens of Google AI experts for its Zurich lab
Apple's Zurich Vision Lab has moved on from the Apple Car and has been poaching Google staff to work on the future of Apple's AI products.ZurichIn 2017, AppleInsider reported on the existence of what's believed to be called the Zurich Vision Lab, an Apple Research facility in Switzerland. It was then understood to be concentrating on the now-defunct Apple Car project.By 2023 the facility was believed to be looking at all future Apple projects, including AI. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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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…

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A 1-year Costco Gold Star Membership comes with a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card* for $60
Macworld Are you looking to stretch your shopping dollar further on household necessities, groceries, and tech gadgets? Becoming a Costco Gold Star Member can help you access savings on a plethora of items — and it’s all under one roof.  For only $60, you can get a Costco Gold Star Membership for one year and get a complimentary $40 Digital Costco Shop Card*.  With this deal, you’ll have a full year to peruse the aisles for everyday groceries, household supplies, furniture, tech, and more, as well as holiday and seasonal items in one of Costco’s over 500 warehouses nationwide. You can also shop on Costco’s website to find incredible value on goods, including brand names like Kirkland Signature™, Dyson, KitchenAid, LG, and more. Select items may even be available for same-day delivery. In addition to discovering great value on various products, Costco Gold Star Members can earn extra perks. Enjoy member-only gas prices at Costco Gas Stations (at select locations only), or keep your vehicle in tip-top shape by dropping by the Costco Tire Center. If you’d like to share your shopping responsibilities, a Costco Gold Star Membership gets you one complimentary Household Card for an individual living in your home aged 18 and over.  Looking to stay on budget and reduce your shopping trips? Grab a 1-year Costco Gold Star Membership and a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card* for just $60 for a limited time.   Costco 1-Year Gold Star Membership + a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card* Only $60 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. *To receive a Digital Costco Shop Card, you must provide a valid email address at the time of sign-up. If you elect not to provide a valid email address, a Digital Costco Shop Card will not be emailed. Valid only for nonmembers for their first year of membership. Limit one per household. Nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. New members will receive their Digital Costco Shop Card by email within 2 weeks of sign-up. Costco Shop Cards are not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. Digital Costco Shop Cards are not accepted at Gas Stations, Car Washes, or Food Court Kiosks. A Costco membership is $60 a year. An Executive Membership is an additional $60 upgrade fee a year. Each membership includes one free Household Card. May be subject to sales tax. Costco accepts all Visa cards, as well as cash, checks, debit/ATM cards, EBT and Costco Shop Cards. Departments and product selection may vary. Accessories

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Best Apple Watch to buy for kids
is something parents are embracing more and more. The New York Times once reported that Apple Watch adoption is happening among children as young as five. Parents are finding the Apple Watch more appropriate for kids wanting smartphones. The Apple Watch gives kids a way to stay in touch with parents, share location, and build responsibility without the full cost and complexity of a smartphone. Wondering if it may be time to consider adding more connectivity without the commitment of a smartphone? Read this first… more…

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iPhone 15: Should you get the Pro for $200 extra?
Apple released the iPhone 15 series last year – bridging the gap between the standard and the Pro series ever further. The standard iPhone 15 is a fantastic phone – solid battery life, great camera, bright and sharp screen, and now USB-C, along with more features. The iPhone 15 Pro does stand out with its […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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How to transfer files between two Macs with a cable
Even with AirDrop's convenience for Mac users, transferring large files or navigating software incompatibilities often requires a more robust solution. Here are some options for using a cable.How to transfer files between two Macs using a cableApple equips you with several intuitive methods for transferring files between Macs. These include Ethernet for straightforward wired connections, Target Disk Mode for transforming one Mac into an external hard drive accessible by another, and Thunderbolt networking for high-speed data transfer.Using a cable to transfer files between Macs often proves much faster and more reliable than wireless alternatives like AirDrop, particularly for large or numerous files. This method shines in scenarios where speed is critical, and data volume is substantial, offering a streamlined solution that enhances your workflow. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How to transfer files between two Macs with a cable
Even with AirDrop's convenience for Mac users, transferring large files or navigating software incompatibilities often requires a more robust solution. Here are some options for using a cable.How to transfer files between two Macs using a cableApple equips you with several intuitive methods for transferring files between Macs. These include Ethernet for straightforward wired connections, Target Disk Mode for transforming one Mac into an external hard drive accessible by another, and Thunderbolt networking for high-speed data transfer.Using a cable to transfer files between Macs often proves much faster and more reliable than wireless alternatives like AirDrop, particularly for large or numerous files. This method shines in scenarios where speed is critical, and data volume is substantial, offering a streamlined solution that enhances your workflow. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How to transfer files between two Macs with a cable
Even with AirDrop's convenience for Mac users, transferring large files or navigating software incompatibilities often requires a more robust solution. Here are some options for using a cable.How to transfer files between two Macs using a cableApple equips you with several intuitive methods for transferring files between Macs. These include Ethernet for straightforward wired connections, Target Disk Mode for transforming one Mac into an external hard drive accessible by another, and Thunderbolt networking for high-speed data transfer.Using a cable to transfer files between Macs often proves much faster and more reliable than wireless alternatives like AirDrop, particularly for large or numerous files. This method shines in scenarios where speed is critical, and data volume is substantial, offering a streamlined solution that enhances your workflow. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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First Apple Card holders to get new titanium card as original is about to expire
Apple Card was launched in 2019 in the US, and although using it with Apple Pay is the best solution, the company provides a physical card made of titanium so that holders can make purchases in stores that don’t accept contactless payments. Interestingly, the first Apple Cards issued are about to expire, and Apple is now shipping new ones to cardholders. more…

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The EU Will Force Apple To Open Up iPadOS
As reported by Bloomberg (paywalled), Apple's iPadOS will need to abide by EU's DMA rules, as it is now designated as a gatekeeper alongside the Safari web browser, iOS operating system and the App Store. "Apple now has six months to ensure full compliance of iPadOS with the DMA obligations," reads the EU's blog post about the change. Engadget reports: What does Apple have to do to ensure iPadOS compliance? According to the DMA, gatekeepers are prohibited from favoring their own services over rivals and from locking users into the ecosystem. The software must also allow third parties to interoperate with internal services, which is why third-party app stores are becoming a thing on iPhones in Europe. The iPad, presumably, will soon follow suit. In other words, the DMA is lobbing some serious stink bombs into Apple's walled garden. In a statement published by Forbes, Apple said it "will continue to constructively engage with the European Commission" to ensure its designated services comply with the DMA, including iPadOS. "iPadOS constitutes an important gateway on which many companies rely to reach their customers," wrote Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy at the European Commission. "Today's decision will ensure that fairness and contestability are preserved also on this platform." Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Apple published a new Press Release
Apple just published a new Press Release:Apple launches “Made for Business” in select stores around the world

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Peacock announces price increase for both new and existing subscribers
Paying for streaming platforms has been getting more expensive, and now there’s some bad news for Comcast’s Peacock subscribers. The company announced this week that subscription prices will increase soon for both new and existing subscribers. Read on as we detail more about this price increase. more…

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