Fantastical 3.8.16
Brings a bevy of bug fixes to the calendar app. ($56.99 annual subscription, free update, 66.4 MB, macOS 11+)

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BusyCal 2024.2.2
Displays ongoing and upcoming events with a countdown timer in the menu bar. ($49.99 new, free update, 67.6 MB, macOS 10.15+)

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Apple Apologizes for Tone-Deaf “Crush!” iPad Pro Ad
After significant backlash, Apple has apologized for and pulled its “Crush!” ad showing creative and cultural objects pulverized by an industrial press. Was the ad just an ill-considered effort to shock or an all-too-accurate metaphor for today's tech industry?Read original article

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Apple plans to smarten up Siri with generative AI infusion
A new report suggests that Apple's Siri virtual assistant is undergoing a major revamp with the integration of generative AI… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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How to call someone who blocked your number on iPhone
Macworld It’s possible to call someone even if they’ve blocked your number on their iPhone, because the iOS blocking feature relies on your caller ID being visible… and you can hide that fairly easily. Whether it’s advisable, ethical or even legal to do so is another matter. In this article we explain how to hide your caller ID and bypass an iPhone call block – but this is for emergencies only. Please don’t get yourself in trouble with the law. Note: The iOS feature Silence Unknown Callers makes it so that the method discussed here probably won’t work. If the person you are calling has turned on this feature and your number is not in their Contacts then their phone will not ring. Read about how to silence unknown callers here. What is iOS call blocking? iOS 7 brought in a useful new feature: the ability to easily block phone numbers from nuisance callers. We explain how to do this in our article How to block a number on iPhone. This feature has been retained in every iOS update since. But if you’re the one who’s been blocked (to find out, read How to tell if someone has blocked you), is there any way to override the block and push your call through in an emergency? If you fell out badly with a loved one but now need to pass on urgent news about a family illness, for instance. Or if you want to return the engagement ring to your ex-fiancé but he was so upset he blocked your number. In fact it’s incredibly easy – worryingly so, really – to bypass iOS’s number-blocking feature. But before we explain how it works, a quick final warning. Is it legal to bypass a call block? The method we explain involves hiding your caller ID, which is a simple feature available to anyone. This in itself is completely legal. However, it’s entirely possible that use of this method to call someone after they have made it clear they don’t wish to be contacted will get you into legal hot water somewhere down the line; it could be regarded as harassment. That’s before we even get to the ethical side of things. Simply put, we don’t endorse the use of this method in any but the most extreme of emergencies. Please respect people’s privacy, and realize that if you carry on ringing someone after they have made it clear that they don’t want you to, and have even blocked your number, you’re heading in the direction of a restraining order. Macworld takes no responsibility for the legal consequences of harassing behavior. Hide your caller ID Before we start, be warned that while this method gets you past the block itself, it’s no guarantee that they will actually pick up. Your number won’t appear, but the iPhone will say that the caller ID has been hidden. This looks suspicious to the best of us, but to someone who recently blocked a nuisance caller it’s a huge red flag. With those caveats out of the way, here’s how to call someone who has blocked you on their iPhone. You need to disguise your caller ID, which will prevent the receiving iPhone from knowing which number is calling. Open the Settings app. Scroll down and select Phone. Select ‘Show My Caller ID.’ Slide this to the off position. Now you can call the blocking iPhone and it will ring normally, since it doesn’t know you’re the person it blocked. Whether the owner will pick up such a suspicious-looking call is debatable. Other possible ways to call someone who blocked your number There may be some other ways to hide where you’re calling from. Here are some suggestions, though they aren’t all simple and quick: You can stop your caller ID being revealed by using the relevant code for your country. For instance, *67 in the U.S. or 141 from a UK landline. Use a different phone number with a second SIM–many modern iPhones have dual SIM (or eSIM) capability. You may have to set up a new number with your cellular provider first. See our guide for setting up dual eSIMs on iPhone. Use a virtual number through a service like Google Voice or Zoom. Setting up a whole new phone number, either on a second SIM or eSIM or with a virtual phone provider, is a lot of effort just to maybe get through to someone who might not even answer a call from a number they don’t recognize, so consider it a last-ditch effort. Is it possible to actually block someone, so they can’t call? This article is written from the point of view of someone who has been blocked but needs to get in touch in an emergency. But the rest of us are likely to be horrified by how simple can be to bypass a call block. Is it possible to set up a call block that actually works? Yes it is. For one thing, simply understanding the method outlined in this article gives you a better chance of defeating it: if you’ve blocked someone unpleasant and then start getting calls with the ID hidden or from an unknown number, don’t pick up. But it’s possible to do better than that. We’ve updated our ‘How to block numbers on your iPhone’ article to include a section on dealing specifically with the method outlined in this article: strategies for blocking or ignoring callers who known to hide their caller ID, including third-party apps and subscription services. Read How to block people who hide their Caller ID for more info. Are they using Do Not Disturb mode? There’s one more possibility that we haven’t addressed so far in this article: the contact who isn’t picking up your calls or answering your texts may be using Do Not Disturb rather than blocking you individually. Do Not Disturb is a bit like a temporary way of blocking everybody. The symptoms of Do Not Disturb are similar in many ways to those of being blocked but the workarounds if you need to get in touch in an emergency are slightly different. Calling at different times of day, for instance, and calling twice within a short of space can both get through a DND barrier but would never be helpful in bypassing a call block. For more information in working out whether your friend is using Do Not Disturb mode, and how to call them anyway, read How to tell if someone is using Do Not Disturb. iPhone, Personal Software

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RenAIssance: How Apple will drag Siri into the modern era
Apple's digital assistant Siri is poised to receive a considerable upgrade in the near future, involving an awful lot of generative AI and machine learning changes.Siri already has AI elements, but it can be betterSiri was once considered a great introduction to the iPhone and the Apple ecosystem. Over the years, the shine certainly wore off the digital assistant, with Google Assistant proving to be a highly capable rival.Since the rise of ChatGPT and other large language model (LLM) AI initiatives in recent times, there's been an AI gold rush. With Siri seemingly staying static and being passed by by rivals, there is now an expectation for Apple to make considerable changes to its smart feature. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple using AI to make Siri more useful
A broad outline of Apple's plan to improve the Siri voice assistant with artificial intelligence leaked out Friday. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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M4 vs M3 and M2: What’s improved with the new Apple Silicon?
The new iPad Pro has debuted as Apple’s first device with the M4 chip, jumping up from the M2. How does the latest Apple Silicon improve over its predecessors? Here’s a detailed look at M4 vs M3 and M2 on CPU, GPU, Neural Engine, and more. more…

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Apple’s latest Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Pro offers array of new and improved features
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro delivers an amazing typing and trackpad experience in a sleek, portable new design with an aluminum palm rest… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Security Bite: Apple updates Platform Security guide with first-ever details on App Store security, BlastDoor, more
Apple this week updated its Platform Security guide, which contains in-depth technical information on security features implemented in its products. First released in 2015, the latest update adds six new topics, including first-ever details on BlastDoor 0-click protection and App Store security. 9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Making Apple devices work-ready and enterprise-safe is all we do. Our unique integrated approach to management and security combines state-of-the-art Apple-specific security solutions for fully automated Hardening & Compliance, Next Generation EDR, AI-powered Zero Trust, and exclusive Privilege Management with the most powerful and modern Apple MDM on the market. The result is a totally automated Apple Unified Platform currently trusted by over 45,000 organizations 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. more…

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Concept imagines Apple Watch X with Ultra-inspired design and FaceTime camera
We’ve been hearing a lot of rumors about a completely redesigned “Apple Watch X” to be introduced later this year, as the Watch is about to turn 10. We still don’t know for sure what this new Apple Watch X will look like, but a group of designers have created a concept imagining something like a thinner … with a FaceTime camera. more…

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HomeKit Weekly: Aqara releases new M3 Matter hub focused on privacy and local automation capabilities
has released several smart home hubs over the years, and they have been a critical part of how the company has integrated with HomeKit. The company recently released the new Aqara M3 Matter hub, focusing on privacy and local automation capabilities. more…

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Apple to unveil brand new Siri at WWDC powered by generative AI
Apple is preparing to unveil a major revamp to Siri at WWDC in June, as reported by The New York Times today. The report says the new version of Siri will be powered by generative AI, allowing it to be more conversational and understand more types of requests. Rather than focus on open-ended requests like a loquacious ChatGPT clone, Apple is using the new foundations to make Siri better at handling tasks like setting timers, creating reminders and more. more…

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Apple Might Bring AI Transcription To Voice Memos and Notes
Apple's plans for AI on the iPhone could bring real-time transcription to its Voice Memos and Notes apps, according to a report from AppleInsider. The Verge: The new feature is expected to arrive with iOS 18 and will reportedly let you see a running transcription of your audio recordings in either app. While Notes currently doesn't let you record audio, a separate rumor from AppleInsider suggests Apple plans on adding this capability in iOS 18 as well. Audio transcription in either app sounds especially handy for students or journalists, who can save time transcribing a lengthy lecture or interview. It should also be helpful for anyone who just wants to take a quick look at their Voice Memos without having to listen to their recordings. As for Notes, Apple reportedly plans to go beyond transcriptions by adding AI-powered summaries. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Enjoy a Rare $170 Discount on the 2022 MacBook Air with M2 Chip
Buying a previous-generation MacBook Air still makes sense if it’s capable enough, and more so if there’s a huge discount. Today, the 2022 MacBook Air with M2 chip and 256GB SSD is down to just $829 from its original price of $1,000 on Amazon. The M2 chip is great for all sorts of work and […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Baldur’s Gate 3 skipping iPad version
Blockbuster RPG Baldur’s Gate 3 was rumored to arrive on the iPad, but the game’s developer has put an end to it recently. Game developer Larian replied to an X post from a user by the handle ‘Dame Tech’ that Baldur’s Gate 3 will be released in 2025 for the iPad Pro and possibly iOS. […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple’s ‘Crush’ ad draws criticism
Apple’s newest ad featuring the iPad Pro has drawn criticism on the internet. ‘Crush’ is a one-minute video that shows a giant crushing machine bearing down on a number of things, including toys, guitars, paint cans, and sculptures. When the weight lifts up, an iPad Pro is revealed. Apple CEO Tim Cook released an X […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Blu-ray version of Ted Lasso arriving on July 30
Apple TV+ hit show ‘Ted Lasso’ will have a Blu-ray option starting on July 30. ‘Ted Lasso’ is a comedy drama series that tells the story of an American football coach coming to England to coach a soccer team. The show stars Jason Sudeikis as the titular protagonist, along with Brett Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham, Nick […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple’s belated AI reveal had better not be ‘off the mark’
If the company misses the mark when it unveils its belated AI features next month, Apple stock could be in a lot of trouble… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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iPhone 16 Pro rumored to feature new display with 20% higher brightness
Mere days after debuting the M4 iPad Pro featuring what Apple calls “the world’s most advanced display,” a new rumor indicates that the iPad’s Ultra Retina XDR isn’t the only display innovation the company has up its sleeves this year, with the iPhone 16 Pro due for a leap forward too. more…

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