StarTech.com Laptop Privacy Screens review: Stop lookie-loos in their tracks
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsCuts viewing angle from beyond 30 degrees of centerMagnetic attachment; removableGlossy or matte finishDoesn’t interfere with MacBook closingConsPriceyOur VerdictThe StarTech.com Privacy Laptop Screen (Black Magnetic Filter) does a good job of cutting down the viewing angles while providing clarity as you work. It’s easy to fit on the screen and take it off when you need to, and you can leave it on, and it won’t interfere with closing the MacBook. I usually work at home, but I like to go to a local coffee shop and work there while I grab some lunch. When I do go to the office, it’s an open space. In both of those situations, I feel a little exposed because people can easily see what I’m doing on my MacBook screen. We’ve all had that instance when we’ve caught someone peeking at the screen you’re working on–it’s awkward regardless of how discrete you care to be about what you’re working on.  You can maintain some of that privacy on your MacBook by using a screen overlay that cuts down the viewing angle of the MacBook. I’ve been using the StarTech.com Laptop Privacy Screen and it’s helped me feel less exposed and more comfortable in those open situations. With the Privacy Screen on a MacBook’s display, the viewing angle is reduced to 30 degrees left or right of center. Go beyond that, and the screen angle that’s farthest away from your view gets distorted. For example, when I’m centered in front of the display, everything on screen is clear, but as I move towards my right, the view of the left side of the display distorts, and the more I move over, the more distortion covers toward the center and the right of the display. I’ve used the Privacy Screen for over 50 hours and from the start I haven’t had issues with it getting in the way of my own viewing experience. If you do need to allow for viewing at wide angles, you can simply take the Privacy Screen off. The version of the Privacy Screen in this review has a magnetic strip at the top to attach to the MacBook, and the overlay lays flat over the screen. It has a notch cutout so it doesn’t interfere with the FaceTime camera and it provides complete coverage of the screen. How the MacBook Pro looks with and without the StarTech.com Privacy Screen from a left angle. How the MacBook Pro looks with and without the StarTech.com Privacy Screen from a right angle. The Privacy Screen is also reversible, with a glossy side and a matte side. The matte side does affect color vibrancy and sharpness, but it also cuts down glare. If you’re doing image or video work, you’ll want to use the glossy side that maintains the integrity of the display. The filter is thin enough to leave on the MacBook and doesn’t interfere when you close it. StarTech does provide an envelope for storing the filter, as well as a couple of adhesive strips and a cloth for wiping off dust. StarTech.com claims that the Privacy Screen cuts down blue light emissions from the display by 51 percent. I don’t have a way of gauging that, and I don’t usually experience eye strain or fatigue after prolonged computer use in the first place. But it seems like a nice secondary benefit of the overlay. StarTech.com makes Privacy Screens for the iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. The Privacy Screen I reviewed is part of the company’s Black Magnetic Filters line. The more affordable Black Standard Filters line uses adhesive strips instead of magnets. The Gold Standard Filters also use adhesives but also have a glossy side that has a mirror-like gold finish for blocking the view. Should you buy the StarTech.com Privacy Laptop Screen? The StarTech.com Privacy Laptop Screen (Black Magnetic Filter) does a good job of cutting down the viewing angles while providing clarity as you work. It’s easy to fit on the screen and take it off when you need to, and you can leave it on and it won’t interfere with closing the MacBook. It’s a little pricey; the one for the 16-inch MacBook Pro in this review is $61.99/£55.19, but you may be able to find it on third-party retailers such as Amazon for a lower price. Considering how well-made it is and how it works, it’s worth the price in exchange for a little bit of privacy. Laptop Accessories, MacBook

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Bartender app's new owner has burnt years of good-will with a lack of transparency
Popular app Bartender was quietly bought, and a shady certificate replacement, insertion of invasive telemetry, and a lack of transparent responses by the new owners has shaken confidence in the Mac communityBartender on SetappMenu bar organization tool Bartender has been around for a long time. For most of its life, it had an excellent reputation, and a responsive developer who communicated clearly with users.That appears to have changed, recently. It all started with a quiet pair of app certificate shifts which went mostly unnoticed. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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TikTok hack compromised CNN account; Paris Hilton and others targeted
A TikTok hack allowed attackers to take control of CNN’s account, while other high-profile accounts were also targeted. The nature of the security breach remains a mystery at present. It was said to have involved direct messaging, but was seemingly not a phishing attack … more…

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Apple is about the enter the world of AI–and nothing will ever be the same
Macworld WWDC24 is almost here and everyone expects it to be all about AI. As the eyes of the tech world turn back to Apple, there’s a lot of work to do. It’s got to establish that it’s been working on AI features for years, show off new features, catch up with AI features from competitors, and maybe even take the opportunity to show where it’s raising the bar. But this isn’t just Apple’s chance to show it’s doing AI right. It’s also an opportunity to redefine the conversation about AI to make it more substantive and results-oriented–and, of course, to make Apple look better while doing it. Adult in the room Let’s face it–for all its promise, the last few years of AI have also been kind of a disaster. Racism, bias, more bias caused by anti-bias training, recommendations to eat rocks or add glue to pizza–there is a constant drumbeat of stories about all the ways where AI fails spectacularly. This is, to put it bluntly, the fault of a tech industry that’s gotten way over its skis. In a rush to one-up one another, companies roll out features that seem like brilliant science fiction but fall apart into embarrassing and substandard functionality so immediately that the failures are often literally contained in the introduction of the product itself. But behind that wave of unreliable garbage, some amazing features emerge from using AI models. Apple has the chance to depict itself as the adult in the room, a company committed to using AI for features that make its customers’ lives better–not competing to do the best unreproducible magic trick on stage. In doing so, it risks being seen as dowdy and behind. But if Apple can see beyond the latest tech-industry hype cycle–and it’s generally good at doing that–it can bet on iPhone users being more interested in real features than impractical nonsense. Wrong way around Historically, Apple has been a company with a very strong philosophy about new technologies: they should be applied to solving the problems of real people. Most tech companies have historically had this backward: they take delivery of some whizzy new technology fresh off a manufacturer’s conveyor belt and shove it into a product. The result tends to be products that are solutions desperately searching for problems. The current AI hype gives off the whiff of that particular stink. This is an opportunity for Apple to focus on using AI technology to solve real problems and trump those solutions while, yeah, bragging that they used AI to solve them. Apple’s chips have had Neural Engines for years before other companies started having them. How many people really understand that it’s used for AI functions? Apple’s chips have had Neural Engines for years before other companies started having them. How many people really understand that it’s used for AI functions?Apple Apple’s chips have had Neural Engines for years before other companies started having them. How many people really understand that it’s used for AI functions?Apple Apple The truth is that Apple has been doing this for ages. It has used the phrase “machine learning,” recently discarded because AI is the catchphrase of the day, to analyze and process images in the Photos app for nearly a decade. AI features permeate Apple’s products already, and the company’s been shipping AI-enhanced Apple-designed processors–the Neural Engine, y’know–for years now. Given how long it takes to design and manufacture microprocessors, that means Apple has been planning for this moment for ages now. But now it needs to deliver. Careful to a fault The sign of Apple being “behind” in AI is that it entirely missed the boat on the AI chatbot and content generation craze. According to reliable reports, the company was taken aback by the rise of those tools and has rushed to catch up. That’s not the warning sign I’d point to, though. It’s more like a symptom of a larger problem within Apple, which is that the company can be incredibly conservative when it comes to certain kinds of technologies, including AI features. You may have noticed that Apple has a bit of a control freak streak: it really wants to have complete control over the user experience. The more you give an AI feature free rein, the more unpredictable it can be. This has led some corners of Apple to resist many AI technologies because they’re just not controllable. And I think that’s a good impulse, generally! Tech sites freak out when literally anything Apple ships has a problem, even if it’s a handful of defective iPhones that make weird noises or have green casts on their displays. By being conservative, Apple has saved itself lots of negative headlines about an “AI-gate” here or there. But… that careful approach also probably explains why Siri is generally considered to be lackluster at best and embarrassing at worst. More than five years ago, Apple hired away Google’s AI chief and put him in charge of Apple’s AI efforts. And yet here we are, five years later, and everyone’s clamoring for Apple to explain itself next week. I have to think that some of the reason Apple is in this spot is that it’s been reluctant to flip the switch on some AI features. By all accounts, there was a reckoning a year ago, and we’re about to see the result. Features matter I think Apple probably needed this kick in the pants from the rest of the tech world. The company operates at its best when it’s pressured by competition. It takes great pride in operating around the cutting edge–but with better approaches than its competitors. Siri was introduced 13 years ago and was the harbinger of Apple’s AI efforts. Instead, it symbolizes how lacking Apple’s efforts have been Siri was introduced 13 years ago and was the harbinger of Apple’s AI efforts. Instead, it symbolizes how lacking Apple’s efforts have beenApple Siri was introduced 13 years ago and was the harbinger of Apple’s AI efforts. Instead, it symbolizes how lacking Apple’s efforts have beenApple Apple That’s what Apple’s announcements should be. Instead of chasing ridiculous demos, it should remember that it’s building solutions to real problems. The features it builds matter because its customers don’t actually care about Apple checking the “has AI” box or keeping up with a tech industry leaderboard. They do care that they can remove something annoying from the background of a photo, get a clear summary of their notifications while in Focus mode, or ask Siri for something and get a clear and accurate answer without getting frustrated. As you watch the WWDC keynote and read reactions to the announcements here and around the web, keep this question in mind: Will this make iPhone, Mac, or iPad users happy? Or is it just happening to appease investors, journalists, and other tech-industry insiders? The more times Apple does the former, the better its announcements will be in the long run. Apple Inc

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Detroit has high hopes of getting its first Apple Store
Repeated rumors of Apple opening a store in downtown Detroit have taken on new life as construction begins on a prestigious but as yet unnamed retail site.Exterior of what is claimed to be a forthcoming Apple Store in Detroit (Source: Detroit Free Press)Detroit is already home to one of Apple's Developer Academy programs, which was made in partnership with local Gilbert Family Foundation in 2021. Separately, co-founder Dan Gilbert owns the building that is now seeing retail construction work.According to the Detroit Free Press, two unnamed local people say that construction workers have told them they are working on an Apple Store. There is certainly retail construction work underway, behind three covered-up storefronts between 1426 and 1434 Woodward. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple releases updated iOS 17.5.1 build, addresses bug associated with 10th-gen iPad
It’s something of a vague update, but if you just bought a 10th-generation iPad, you might want to get this. Apple has issued yet another update for iPadOS 17.5.1. The new build is intended to fix an as-yet-unspecified bug on the new iPad. On May 20, Apple released updates for iOS 17.5.1 and iPadOS 17.5.1 […] Source

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Apple @ Work Podcast: WWDC preview
Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. In this episode of Apple @ Work, I talk with Jason Dettbarn from Addigy about their new compliance tools and a WWDC preview discussion around platform SSO and on-device AI. more…

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Folium Nintendo 3DS emulator launches to the App Store
If you were hankering for game emulators to appear in the App Store, they’ve begun to arrive. Software developer Folium has released the first Nintendo 3DS emulator for the iPhone via the App Store, albeit with some caveats. First, the emulator retails for $4.99, making it the first to arrive with a price tag. Developer […] Source

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For three days only, you can save an additional $50 on Babbel
Macworld Whether you’ve always wanted to master French or have a Positano Coast vacation scheduled this summer, there’s something you can’t forget to bring along with your walking shoes, sunscreen, or chargers: knowledge of the local language. Knowing a few phrases (and at least how to say “hello!”) in your destination’s native tongue could enhance your adventure, and the best way to learn a new language is with Babbel. For $149.97, you can get lifetime access to Babbel, but only until June 7. This platform offers 14 different languages, though you can only study one at a time. Lessons are designed to fit any busy schedule, ranging from 10 to 15 minutes long, and can be accessed on almost any device. Unlike the repetitive, boring language classes you took in high school, Babbel approaches language learning more practically. It provides lessons focused on developing conversational skills so you can ask for directions, call a cab, order food, etc. Thanks to Babbel’s speech recognition technology, you can impress the locals with your pronunciation. This technology ensures your accent is parfait (perfect!). Need to review a few items before getting on your flight? Babbel also offers personalized language review sessions. You only have June 5-7 at 11:59 PM Pacific to get your lifetime subscription to Babbel for $149.97. No coupon needed!   Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription Only $149.97 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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The everything gift guide for Mac users
Macworld What do you buy your favorite Mac user for birthday, or Mothers/Fathers Day? We’re going to help you select the best gifts available for users of the MacBook, iMac, and Mac mini. Father’s Day: Sunday 16 June 2024 (U.S. and U.K.) If not a brand new Mac (check out our Mac Buying Guide if your budget stretches that far), then how about one of the many available Mac accessories, starting at just $10 for something we think everyone should have in their tech kit bag? Throughout the year we have tested and reviewed the best Mac accessories from Apple and trusted companies, and we can recommend the best ones for the people on your list. Whether your friend or family member owns a MacBook Air or Pro, an iMac or a Mac mini, we’ve got some great Mac gift suggestions for you (and them). In this Mac gift guide we’ll look at some great MacBook bags, power banks, docking stations, chargers, monitors, mice, cables and cheaper but still super-useful accessories, including affordable flash storage. Mac user Gift Guide: Bags and sleeves The MacBook makes an excellent static computer, especially when hooked up to an external screen or Mac docking station, but it is of course also an excellent portable computer. MacBook owners are likely to carry their Mac laptops around with them either on a daily basis or every now and again. We have tested the best MacBook bags and sleeves and most are available for all sizes of MacBook. Check that list to see the widest range of MacBook bags and sleeves you can select as a gift. here we’ve picked out a few of our favorites, from simple sleeves to rugged backpacks. 1. Journey NEXA 4-in-1 Laptop Sleeve – Wireless Charging MacBook sleeve Pros Luxury sleeve Includes MagSafe wireless charger Price When Reviewed: $129.99 Best Prices Today: $119.99 at Journey Here’s a modern-looking MacBook sleeve with some very modern extras: not only will this padded vegan leather sleeve keep a MacBook safe from bumps and scrapes, it also includes two wireless chargers (one MagSafe compatible at 7.5W for your iPhone, and another 5W Qi charger for your AirPods) and can work as both a deskpad and mousepad to free your workspace of clutter. Read our full Journey NEXA 4-in-1 Laptop Sleeve with Wireless Charging review 2. Troubadour Apex 3.0 Backpack – Super-stylish MacBook backpack Pros Super stylish Plenty of storage Hidden iPhone and AirTag pockets Price When Reviewed: $245 Best Prices Today: $225 at Amazon$245 at Troubadour$469 at Walmart Available in Black, Navy, Air Force Blue and Obsidian Green, this 25L MacBook backpack oozes chic luxury and premium design. There’s a generous selection of storage pockets, including one for your iPhone hidden in one of the straps, and there’s even a special pocket for an Apple AirTag. The laptop section is at the back and easy to access, with easily enough space for a 16-inch MacBook Pro. For more details read a full Troubadour Apex 3.0 review at Tech Advisor. 3. Bellroy Laptop Sleeve – Premium MacBook protection sleeve Pros Premium feel Magnetic closure Price When Reviewed: $55 Best Prices Today: $19.91 at Walmart$55 at Amazon$55 at Belkin Available in Black, Slate, Navy, Bronze and a leather-free Saltbush., the Bellroy Laptop Sleeve is a quality protector for your precious laptop. Outside, the woven, water-resistant material is made from 100% recycled PET bottles. Inside, the quilted microfiber lining features a soft ridge that holds your laptop in place. The sleeve snaps shut with a magnetic bumper. Mac user Gift Guide: MacBook power banks You might think that power banks are just for iPhones, and we have tested the best MagSafe power banks. But there are larger-capacity power banks that carry enough charge to revitalize even a MacBook that has run out of juice. MacBook users shouldn’t leave home without one when heading off into the wilderness, on a road trip and flying long haul. 1. Anker Prime – MacBook power banks Pros Up to 27650mAh portable power Up to 250W total power output Up to 3 ports Price When Reviewed: $179.99 Best Prices Today: $179.99 at Amazon$179.99 at Anker$179.99 at B&H Compact enough to fit into a travel bag, but powerful enough to totally recharge a 14-inch MacBook Pro, the Anker Prime 27650mAh Power Bank makes a great gift for Mac users. This USB-C airline-safe battery pack has a mighty 27650mAh power pack, plus two 140W USB-C ports and one 65W USB-A Power Delivery port. The screen shows the remaining battery capacity as well as the charging usage of each port. Anker also sells two smaller power banks, one at a still powerful 20000mAh battery capacity and more compact than the 27650mAh model, and an even smaller one with a decent 12000mAh battery that could power up a 13-inch MacBook Air to about two-thirds charge. Each has three USB ports. Read our full Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W) review 2. Ugreen 145W Power Bank for Laptop – MacBook power bank Pros Portable 25000mAh power 145W total power output 3 ports Price When Reviewed: $149.99 Best Prices Today: $119.99 at Amazon$149.99 at Ugreen Boasting a meaty 25000mAh battery, this air-travel-friendly laptop power bank can recharge a fading MacBook Pro back to full power and still have enough power over to fast-charge your iPhone—indeed you can charge both at the same time, along with your AirPods or Apple Watch as this MacBook power bank has three USB ports. A handy LED battery-capacity percentage indicator shows you how much power is left before you leave home. Mac user Gift Guide: Docks and hubs A docking station or hub gives your connected MacBook access to multiple ports, many of which are more powerful than the few that are built into the MacBook. Look out for fast USB ports, Ethernet for wired Internet access, video display ports, card readers and more. For more details and options, read our Best Picks roundup of the best Mac docks and hubs. For cheaper alternatives, check out the best USB-C adapters for Mac. 1. Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock – Extra storage MacBook docking station Pros Thunderbolt 4 19 ports Built-in speedy SSD enclosure 100W PD 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Price When Reviewed: $299.99 Best Prices Today: $299.99 at Amazon$299.99 at Sonnet It’s certainly an expensive gift but the Sonnet Echo 20 is our favorite Thunderbolt 4 dock, boasting a ton of fast ports plus an SSD enclosure so you can add up to 8TB of inexpensive flash storage to your MacBook’s desktop setup. With two downstream TB4 ports and a dedicated HDMI 2.1 port you can add up to two 4K displays at 60Hz or a single 6K screen at 60Hz—Macs packing a M2/M3 Pro/Max/Ultra chip support up to 8K for the single display option. Read our full Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock review 2. Alogic DX3 Triple 4K Display Universal Docking Station – Add multiple displays Pros 12 ports 100W PD Triple 5K displays Price When Reviewed: $299.99 Best Prices Today: $254.26 at Amazon$299.99 at Alogic It’s not Thunderbolt but this USB-C dock offers support for up to three 5K displays if you install DisplayLink software—even with for MacBooks with plain (non-Pro or Max) M1/M2/M3 chips. It also packs a bunch of non-display ports, such as three USB-A and a spare downstream USB-C port, plus fast SD and MicroSD card readers and Gigabit Ethernet. 3. Caldigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub – Add eight super-fast ports Pros 4x Thunderbolt 4 ports 4x 10Gbps USB-A ports 150W total power Price When Reviewed: $199.95 Best Prices Today: $199.95 at CalDigit You don’t need a full docking station if you add some adapters to the eight ports on this compact, powered Thunderbolt 4 hub. As well as three downstream TB4 ports, there are four fast USB-A ports. You can add Ethernet adapter and a card reader to create your own customizable and updateable dock. Read our full Caldigit Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Element Hub review. 4. Twelve South StayGo USB-C Hub – Super-portable MacBook dock Pros 8 portable ports Price When Reviewed: $99.99 Best Prices Today: $75 at Amazon$75 at B&H$99.99 at Twelve South It might be only USB-C rather than Thunderbolt but this hub offers a lot in a very portable form: 85W passthrough charging via USB-C, 4K HDMI Port, three USB-A ports (including one that can charge at 7.5W), Gigabit Ethernet port, and both SD and MicroSD card readers. It comes with a 1m USB-C cable plus another 5-inch travel cable that sits within the hub case. There’s a cut-down version, the StayGo Mini, that has HDMI, one USB-A port and a headphone jack that’s built for the iPad but works just as well with a MacBook. 5. Baseus 7-in-1 USB-C Hub – Great-value USB-C hub Pros 7 ports inc 4K HDMI 100W PD Great value Price When Reviewed: $39.99 Best Prices Today: $19.99 at Amazon£39.99 at Baseus You might not need 15 or more extra ports for your MacBook, and this USB-C hub has seven that should cover most needs, including 100W passthrough power and an HDMI port that supports a 4K display at 60Hz, as well as card reader ports for inexpensive extra storage. If you need Gigabit Ethernet the Baseus 9-in-1 goes that step further. Mac user Gift Guide: MacBook chargers Who wants to unwrap a present to find a USB-C charger inside? We think you might be surprised. Apples chargers are great but they are dull and mostly can charge just one device. Premium third-party USB-C chargers boast multiple ports and are still much smaller than the charger that Apple shipped with its MacBook. Some (wall chargers) plug straight into the wall socket, some have a longer power cable, and some USB power strips even include extra AC power sockets. 13-inch MacBooks require at least a 45W charger; 14-inch MacBooks can charge with a 65W charger but work best with 100W. The mighty 16-inch MacBook Pro demands a 140W charger for fast-charging. For more details and options, read our Best Picks roundup of the best MacBook chargers. 1. Ugreen Nexode RG 65W USB C GaN Charger – Robot-shaped MacBook charger Pros Cute robot-shaped charger 3 ports Price When Reviewed: $49.99 Best Prices Today: $49.99 at Amazon$49.99 at Ugreen Chargers might ordinarily be quite dull, functional products but three cheers for Ugreen is at least trying to add some humor and personality into the market with the RobotGaN series-available in black or friendly robot purple. This micro-sized wall charger offers 65W power—enough to charge even a 14-inch MacBook Pro—and three ports: two USB-C and one old-school USB-A port. The LED screen shows a different expression based on the charging status and even the robot’s little boots are magnetic. If any charger makes a user smile, it’s this little but powerful cutie. 2. Anker 715 Nano II 65W Charger – Tiny MacBook charger Pros Compact 65W Foldable plug (U.S.) Price When Reviewed: $32.99 Best Prices Today: $32.99 at Anker$48.99 at WalmartNot Available at Amazon Suitable for all the MacBooks apart from the mighty 16-inch MacBook Pro, this dinky little charger is selected as a great gift because it is so tiny that it will delight anyone used to lugging around a giant charger. 3. OneAdaptr OneWorld135 – Travel-friendly MacBook charger Pros 135W Four ports plus one power socket Travel plug adapter Price When Reviewed: $129 Best Prices Today: $109 at OneAdaptr If your Mac user friend is a keen traveler, then this triple-function charger will save them from foreign-socket frustration. Not only does it boast four USB ports—two at 100W, enough for any MacBook plus a couple of other devices—it includes a passthrough power socket that will fit just about any nationality plug type and works as an adapter into US, European, Australian/NZ/Chinese and British wall sockets. There is also a slightly cheaper OneWorld100 available in Black if you don’t need all that simultaneous charging output. 4. UGreen Nexode 140W Charger – Best MacBook Pro charger Pros 4 ports 100W Foldable plug (U.S.) Price When Reviewed: $149.99 Best Prices Today: $69.99 at Walmart$109.99 at Amazon$149.99 at UGreen Suitable for all MacBooks, the four-port Ugreen 100W wall charger, with a foldable U.S. plug, is an excellent choice of versatile power adapter. It may not be as pocketable as some mini chargers, but it is still highly portable. It has multiple charging options, such as 65W for laptop and 30W PD for light-laptop powering plus lower outputs for phones and other devices. Using three ports you could charge at 45W, 30W and 22.5W. Using all four, it can support laptop power delivery at 45W and 30W plus two devices each at 10.5W. And it can fast-charge a 14in MacBook Pro using one of the 100W PD ports. 5. Ugreen Nexode 100W 2-in-1 GaN Desktop Charger – USB-C MacBook and MagSafe iPhone charger Pros 3 ports Compact 2-in-1 charger 100W 15W MagSafe adjustable iPhone stand Price When Reviewed: $179.99 Best Prices Today: $179.99 at Amazon Here’s a compact desktop charger that offers two 100W USB-C ports and one 22.5W USB-A port at the front and a fully certified 15W MagSafe tiltable charging pad for iPhones 12/13/14/15. Using all four charging options you could power at 15W (iPhone), 45W MacBook via one of the USB-C ports, 25W with the other, and the remaining 10W via USB-A. It comes with a 2m power lead to connect to your wall socket. Read our full Ugreen Nexode 100W 2-in-1 GaN Desktop Charger review Mac user Gift Guide: Mac monitors They’re not the cheapest Mac gifts but a monitor sure does look impressive wrapped up. For cheaper Mac gifts, keep scrolling. Every Mac mini needs a monitor but you can treat a MacBook user to a bigger screen, either connected directly or via a Mac docking station, see above. Here we have picked out a budget and a touchscreen monitor, and you’ll find more of our favorites in our feature on the best Mac monitors. 1. Samsung M8 Smart Monitor, 32-inch – Great budget 32-inch monitor Pros Great price Bright, colourful 32-inch display Adjustable stand (tilt and height Price When Reviewed: $530 Best Prices Today: $649.99 at Amazon$699 at Samsung Unlike Apple’s 27-inch Studio Display, Samsung’s M8 provides a larger 32-inch display with 4K resolution and also allows you to adjust the height of the screen without paying an extra £400/$400. It doesn’t support color standards for graphic design or professional-level video-editing, but it does support the sRGB standard and HDR10 to produces a bright, colorful image that will work well for general office work and web browsing, as well as streaming video and simple graphics and photo-editing work. 2. Alogic Clarity Pro Touch Display – Touchscreen display for Mac Pros Impressive 4K 60Hz touchscreen Fantastic adjustable stand Price When Reviewed: $1,199 Best Prices Today: $888 at Amazon$1199 at Alogic Apple doesn’t offer any screens with a touchscreen display outside of its iPhones and iPads. The Alogic Clarity Pro Touch offers Mac users a large, premium touchscreen on a monitor that boasts one of the best height-adjustable, tilt and pivot stands that we’ve tested. It’s a precision, 10-point multitouch, One Glass Solution (OGS) touchscreen that combines the monitor’s protective layer with its input layer via a conductive medium keeps the Clarity Pro Touch’s screen as thin as the other Clarity monitors, while maintaining the monitor’s bright picture. Mac user Gift Guide: Mac mice Apple pioneered mouse use back in the 1980s but its own mice have always aimed for minimalism rather than functionality. There are better third-party mice out there for Mac users: check out our roundup of the best Mac mice. You don’t get a mouse included when you buy a MacBook, but we find them much easier to use than the laptop trackpad. 1. Logitech MX Master 3 – Our favorite Mac mouse Pros High-speed mode Horizontal scrolling Price When Reviewed: $99.99 Best Prices Today: $99.99 at Amazon Logitech’s MX Master 3 mouse has a smoothly curved surface that fits the palm very well, along with a thumb rest for extra comfort. It has the usual left/right buttons and a scroll wheel, but the scroll wheel works in two different modes, with a high-speed mode for zooming through long documents and web pages, as well as a slower mode that provides greater precision and tactile feedback. There’s also a second wheel on the side, which allows you to scroll horizontally, and two more buttons that can be programmed using the Options app. Battery life is good too, at around two months–twice that of Apple’s Magic Mouse or Trackpad. 2. Satechi M1 Wireless Mouse – Great budget Mac mouse Pros Allows for very accurate scrolling Curved ergonomic design USB-C charging Price When Reviewed: $29.99 Best Prices Today: $26.41 at Amazon$29.99 at B&H$29.99 at Satechi Having a spare mouse is useful if your Apple Magic Mouse runs out of juice and you have to charge it with the cable port unhelpfully situated on its base, leaving it unusable while charging. And MacBook owners will appreciate a mouse to free them from continual finger action on the MacBook’s trackpad. Mac user Gift Guide: Mac mini gifts We love Apple’s compact desktop Mac mini—twinned with your own choice of external display (see above), it’s much more flexible than the 24-inch iMac. We don’t appreciate its lack of front-mounted ports or the fact that you can’t add internal storage after purchase. But we do have some tips on how to upgrade a Mac mini and a Mac mini gift idea that will delight your mini friends. 1. Satechi Stand Hub for Mac mini with SSD Enclosure – Add ports and storage Pros SSD bay Front-facing ports Card readers Price When Reviewed: $99.99 Best Prices Today: $99.99 at Amazon$99.99 at B&H$99.99 at Best Buy This inexpensive USB-C hub adds much-needed ports to the front of a Mac mini setup. These ports include SD and microSD card readers, which are lacking from the mini itself. You can buy a slightly cheaper version without the SSD enclosure but we advise spending the extra as it gives you the chance to add extra internal storage later. If your Mac mini has a 512GB internal SSD, then a 1TB or greater SSD within the hub offers excellent and speedy Time Machine backup or just extra space for your files. The latest version accepts faster and cheaper NVMe SSDs. Read our full Satechi Stand & Hub for Mac Mini with NVMe SSD Enclosure review Mac user Gift Guide: USB-C cables Oh come on, you’re seriously suggesting a power cable makes a great gift? Yes, we are. The cable that shipped with the MacBook is fine but there are more able, more colorful, and more robust cables that we’d be happy to unwrap from shiny gift paper. Modern Macs use Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 cables, which look like USB-C cables but are capable of faster data transfers and charging. In general, buying a Thunderbolt 4 cable makes the most sense as it will be backward compatible with USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 and also future-proofed even if you don’t yet own a newer Mac. Check out our roundup of the best USB-C and Thunderbolt cables for Mac. Pair one of these with a USB-C charger, see above, for the fastest charging, or connect and daisy-chain multiple devices via a Mac docking station. 1. Cable Matters Retractable USB-C 2.0 Charging Cable – Reduce cable clutter Pros Retractable 60W Tangle free Price When Reviewed: $16.49 Best Prices Today: $16.49 at Amazon It’s USB-C rather than Thunderbolt and is pretty hopeless at data transfer (limited to USB 2.0’s 480MBps compared to Thunderbolt’s 40Gbps) but this is a neat travel cable or spare charging cable that won’t tangle in a pocket, bag, or drawer. 2. Casetify PowerThru USB-C to USB-C Cable – Fun and colorful Pros Colorful 60W Price When Reviewed: From $28 Best Prices Today: $28 at Casetify$38 at Amazon Let’s face it, cables are just too black or white, so this colorful and robustly braided USB-C to USB-C charging cable should brighten anyone’s day. 3. Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable (1m) – Best Mac cable Pros 240W Power Delivery 40Gbps data transfer 8K monitor support Robust braided design Price When Reviewed: $39.99 Best Prices Today: $39.99 at B&H$39.99 at Satechi$40 at Amazon Thunderbolt 4 is backwards compatible and future-proof so is worth spending extra on when considering a new or spare cable for your Apple device. Yes, it’s more expensive than USB-C but this tough cable supports 240W PD 3.1 laptop charging, 40Gbps data transfer, and full 8K video support. Mac user Gift Guide: Desirable storage and other small gifts Aside from the gift ideas listed above, there are some great gifts available for smaller budgets. 1. SanDisk 128GB microSDXC Memory Card – Super-cheap portable storage Pros Inexpensive portable storage Price When Reviewed: $25.99 Best Prices Today: $18.35 at Amazon Laptop storage is super expensive, but adding more storage in a tiny portable form is now possible at ridiculously low prices with MicroSD cards. With the included adapter this will slot into the current MacBook Pro range or connect with any Mac via a docking station or hub. Storage capacities go all the way up to 512GB— that’s half a terabyte! 2. PNY Elite-X Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 1 Flash Drive Pros USB-C flash drive (64/128/256GB) Inexpensive portable storage Price When Reviewed: FRom $11.99 Best Prices Today: $10.25 at Amazon$11.99 at PNY We’ve all got a drawer full of flash memory sticks with the old-school USB-A connector, but few of us have a USB-A port on our Macs anymore—now we have USB-C and Thunderbolt ports. Now you can delete those drives and throw them away or use them as locked-away backup drives, and replace them with USB-C flash drives that will fit your newer Mac and also will fit in whichever way up or down you place it in the port! There are quite a few USB-C flash drives available now but we’ll pick out the PNY Elite-X Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 1 Flash Drive, available in capacities from 64GB to 256GB and Read/Write speeds as high as 200/100MBps. 3. Pureport Multi-Tool Phone Cleaning Kit Pros Cleans fluff from USB ports Cleans cable connectors Price When Reviewed: $24.99 Best Prices Today: $24.99 at Amazon If your device stops charging via its cable, it’s understandable to think it’s old and broken. What is more likely the reason that your wired charging isn’t working is a dirty charging port or duff cable. Ports full of fluff is more likely with an iPhone that goes in and out of your pocket but if you travel often with your MacBook or leave your desktop Mac in one place uncleaned for months then you run the risk of messy ports. It’s good practice to occasionally clear out the ports (very gently!). This cleaning kit is designed for phones but will also work on Macs with Thunderbolt ports, cleaning ports, and cables. It will, of course, also come in handy with your iPhone. If your iPhone is older than the 15 family, you’ll need the version for Lightning ports. iPhone Gift Guide: Tech organizer bags Where do you keep all your accessories when not in use? Over at sister site Tech Advisor, we have tested the best tech organizer bags and there should be one that’s a perfect gift, whether as a desk tidy or for travels. 1. Tripped Tech Traveler Pros Multiple compartments Color choices Price When Reviewed: $44.95 Best Prices Today: $34.95 at Amazon Available in a range of colors, the Tripped Tech Traveller is a premium, medium-sized tech bag that’s as happy sitting on your desk or in your tent as it is in your suitcase or backpack. It boasts multiple compartments and is tough enough for travel—made from tough 900D Polyester with weatherproof YKK zippers, soft protective padding, and a leather handle and zipper pulls. There are two internal pockets (one mesh so you can see what’s inside) for extra security for your most valuable kit, such as SD cards or a mini SSD. One external side pocket is big enough for your phone or whatever else you need fast access to. In the center, there are nine different-sized, divided, tight pockets for cables and small devices. 2. Bellroy Tech Kit Pros Color choices Tough shell Price When Reviewed: $59 Best Prices Today: $59 at Amazon$89.58 at Walmart We also love this tech case that is very well organized and will open flat so you can easily see all your cables and gadgets at a glance. If you know a friend who carries a lot of gear with their iPhone, there’s no better gift. Accessories, Computer Accessories, Laptop Accessories

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Fly high with $50 off this 4K obstacle-avoiding drone
Macworld Want to fly a drone, but worried that you’re going to crash it? This 4K dual-camera drone is built for novice flyers, complete with automatic obstacle avoidance, at a special low price through June 9th. This 4K drone has a suite of easy-fly features, starting with the one-button start and stop function. A three-way obstacle avoidance system ensures that you keep your drone safe, away from wires, poles, and other crash hazards. It also has optical flow positioning, which has the drone lock onto a subject and hover, so you can record smoother footage without riding the sticks. The front camera has a 90-degree view with a belly camera offering 120 degrees, so you can easily capture anything you’re looking for. Gesture control adds another ease of use feature, or connect your phone to the included controller. The included battery offers 15 minutes of flight time, more than enough to fit in practice sessions, and the unit folds up for easy storage, making it ideal for beginners and pilots in need of a backup. Get in the air with this beginner-friendly dual 4K camera drone for $69.97, $50 off the $119 MSRP now through 11:59PM PST June 9th.   4K Dual-Camera Drone for Beginners with Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance – $69.97 See Deal ccStackSocial prices subject to change. Drones

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Apple wants to bring Apple TV+ to China
Apple and China Mobile were in talks in 2023 to bring Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade to China, but it's unclear if they have finalized a deal. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Now Qualcomm Went Long
The core genius at the heart of the original “Get a Mac” campaign is that while Long’s Mac character was likable, John Hodgman’s PC — ostensibly the foil — was lovable.

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How to extract audio from video on Mac with built-in tools
Whether you need the soundtrack for a project or want to enjoy music without visuals, extracting audio from video on a Mac is easy with built-in tools.Extracting audio allows for detailed edits, improved sound quality, and integration into multimedia projects. Various people can use extracted audio, such as teachers using audio clips in the classroom or those wanting to add to their music collections.Two built-in Mac apps — QuickTime Player and iMovie — provide efficient methods for extracting audio. QuickTime Player is ideal for quick, straightforward tasks with a simple export function. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Popular Mac app ‘Bartender’ acquired by new unknown developer
Bartender is a popular Mac app that lets users customize and add new functions to the macOS Menu Bar. However, the app was recently acquired by new and unknown developers without disclosure, which raised concerns among current Bartender users. more…

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Apple Vision Pro demo coming to Lowe’s home improvement retail locations
Want to try Apple Vision Pro? In-store demos have only been offered at Apple retail locations so far. However, a popular home improvement retailer will let shoppers try Apple Vision Pro starting this weekend. Lowe’s is testing Apple Vision Pro demos for customers in select locations this month. The experience will focus on the Lowe’s Style Studio app on Apple Vision Pro, giving customers hands-on experience with the headset. more…

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How to find your lost Apple TV remote with your iPhone
Need to locate a missing clicker? A handy feature in iOS 17 and tvOS 17 lets you find your lost Apple TV remote with just your iPhone.  (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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This 6-in-1 multiple charging cable can charge practically anything
Reduce clutter with this 5-foot, six-in-one multiple charging cable, which includes Lightning, USB-C, USB-A and mini-USB. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple will give up to $200 for Apple Card Family sign ups
A returning Apple Card Family promotion can provide a user up to $100 and a family unit up to $200 in rewards for bringing new users to a family group.Apple Card Family promoApple runs various incentive programs to attract new users to the Apple Card. Oddly, the incentives generally involve existing users bringing new members, and those new members get the reward, not the original user.The latest promotion is a returning one that was last run in August 2023. An Apple Card holder can invite new participants or a co-owner to take advantage of the promotion. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Flash sale: learn a new language on your iPhone or Mac with a lifetime of Babbel for $149.97
The flash deal knocks $450 off a lifetime Babbel subscription for 72 hours only, with access to all 14 languages.Save $450 on Babbel for 3 days only.Babbel is a leader in the language-learning sector and for three days only, AppleInsider readers can save $450 on the lifetime subscription through StackSocial. Get access to all languages offered by Babbel for just $149.97.Buy for $149.97 Continue Reading on AppleInsider

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