MagSafe Monday: O-Mag Magnetic Webcam Mount is the perfect way to use Continuity Camera on your Mac
There’s no sugar coating it: The iPhone’s camera is a drastically better camera for video meetings over the Mac’s webcam. Even as Apple has upgraded the Mac’s webcam in recent years, it still doesn’t hold a candle to the iPhone. allows you to mount your iPhone to your Mac easily. more…

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This Lego Apple Store model needs votes for a slim chance of getting made
A Lego Apple Store has surfaced on Reddit as its creator hopes to get enough votes to make it into an official Lego set — but it probably won't happen.Image credit: Reddit u/legotrumanRedditor legotruman has created a fan-made Lego Apple Store in hopes of it one day becoming a real LEGO set and is now asking folks to go vote for it on the Lego Ideas platform."The model is not based on any single Apple store location. We looked through a number of popular and famous Apple stores, tried to find to consistent design style, and made this model that can fit inside a Lego city (along with other Lego modular/ city sets)," the creator's comment on the post reads. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How to Identify Good Uses for Generative AI Chatbots and Artbots
Adam Engst explores how you can use generative AI chatbots and artbots productively by helping you identify good uses such as brainstorming, programming, summarizing lengthy PDFs, and drafting difficult email messages. He also examines the utility of AI in Internet searches.

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Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs blasts Apple as ‘caretakers’ in full-page ad
On May 27, 1986, Steve Jobs took a shot at Apple after the company fired Chiat/Day, the ad agency that created iconic "1984" Macintosh ad. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Improving iPadOS != making it macOS: iPad Pro Top Features
I’ve been using the new M4 iPad Pro for the last week exclusively, resisting any urge to use my MacBook...

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BenQ 4K display brings accurate colors for photo and video editing [Setups]
For graphic designers and photo/video editors, color accuracy is crucial. That's why today's user loves their BenQ 4K display. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple's iPad Pro designers talk about thinness and the Apple Pencil shadow
In a rare interview, key Apple designers reveal why they gave the new Apple Pencil that digital shadow, and how it's part of their overall goal for the iPad Pro.An iPad Pro showing designs for the digital shadow of the Apple Pencil ProWhen Apple launched the latest iPad Pro with an M4 processor, it also introduced the new and well-received Apple Pencil Pro. What it didn't do was point out a design feature that was delightfully spotted by users.If an iPad Pro user is hand writing on the device, the Apple Pencil Pro appears to throw a shadow that looks like a fountain pen. Or if the user is painting, the shadow is of a paintbrush. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Tested: Saramonic Blink 500 B2+ is a lot of iPhone wireless mic at a great price
If you’re looking for an iPhone wireless mic, there’s no shortage of options out there, ranging from the cheap-and-cheerful to the sophisticated. The Saramonic Blink 500 B2+ aims to bridge the gap between the two – and in my view, succeeds. For around half the price of similar systems from Røde and DJI, you get a twin-mic setup that connects to standalone cameras, Macs, iPads, iPolder iPhones with a Lightning socket, and current iPhones with a USB-C port … more…

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Get a sturdy 3-foot charging cable for just $7.99
Tired of fraying Apple cables you can't depend on? The 3-foot Avanta USB-A to USB-C cable is sturdy, inexpensive and reliable. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Interview with Ecobee CEO Greg Fyke, affordable home key lock, & Sonos headphones on HomeKit Insider
On this episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, Sonos launches a pair of new smart products, a new affordable Home Key lock emerges, and Ecobee CEO Greg Fyke joins us to talk about the future of home automation.HomeKit Insider PodcastIn the news this week we saw the launch of the Aqara U50 smart lock. This is a more affordable version of the U100 and lacks the fingerprint reader.It connects over Zigbee or Bluetooth and works with Matter when paired to a hub. There's an integrated keypad and it supports Apple home key. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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All the comedies and dramas coming to Apple TV+ in summer 2024
Get a sneak peek at what's coming to Apple TV+ in summer 2024: fun new comedies and thrillers with big-name stars. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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iPod Tetris game controlled by scroll wheel found on prototype
An unreleased iPod Tetris game has been found on a prototype of a 3rd-gen model, controlled by the scroll wheel … more…

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AI computer showdown – MacBook Air vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC
At launch, Apple said that the M3 MacBook Air is the fastest consumer-grade AI laptop, and Microsoft's has arrived to challenge it. Can Microsoft claim the crown with the Surface Laptop Copilot+?MacBook Air vs Surface Laptop Copilot+During Microsoft's special event on May 20, the company launched a new set of Windows PCs under the banner "Copilot+ PC." The initiative is to signal to consumers that they can take advantage of AI processing on sleek notebooks.Given Apple's use of the Neural Engine in its products, this is something the Mac lineup has had for years. First, it was used in its A-series chips for iPhone and iPad, before becoming a core part of its Apple Silicon strategy. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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OLED iPad Pro screens could hit 9 million shipments in 2024
Apple is anticipating a large number of orders for its OLED iPad Pro, with shipments now anticipated to reach over 9 million.iPad Pro M4 with Nano-textureThe launch of the new iPad Pro with Tandem OLED is set to make a big mark on the OLED market as a whole, according to a Monday report.Research firm Omida predics that the OLED shipment volume for tablets could hit 12.1 million units, reports DigiTimes. Approximately 8.12 million units will be for hybrid OLEDs, which so far the iPad Pro is the only iPad to use. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Microsoft Hits Hard With AI, but Is the PC the Right Platform?
Having Google I/O immediately followed by Microsoft Build, with both conferences focused on AI, provided an interesting contrast between the two companies’ approaches to AI. Microsoft is all about PCs for AI integration, while Google is all about smartphones. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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All of today’s generative AI is a beta – not just iOS 18
Mark Gurman’s latest newsletter suggests that Apple may choose to label the AI features in iOS 18 as a beta or preview, similar to the way the company labelled Siri when it launched. Gurman’s piece has a lot of impressive details about Apple’s plans for iOS 18, from customizable icon colours to AI-generated personal emoji. But it also contains a criticism I feel is unwarranted … more…

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Canal+ subscribers can now watch Apple TV+ for free inside the Apple TV app
A little over a year ago, Apple announced a landmark deal with French cable provider Canal+, which bundled Apple TV+ content at no additional charge. At that time, the way to access the free movies and shows was through Canal’s app. Fast forward a year, and now Apple and Canal have expanded their partnership further. You can now link your Apple ID with your Canal+ subscription, and unlock the Apple TV+ channel in the Apple TV app itself. more…

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Dear Microsoft: You’re never going to beat Apple, so stop trying
Macworld Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too. Surface tension Those who miss the days of full-time Apple/Microsoft beef will have been heartened last week by bold claims that the latest Surface devices are faster than the M3 MacBook Air. It’s fun to see Microsoft’s marketing department in a combative mood, but part of me wishes the company would stop trying so hard to show it’s better than Apple. For one thing, it’s difficult to imagine that Apple takes this especially seriously. The whole thing gives off the same energy as that elevator scene from Mad Men. (Ginsberg: “I feel bad for you.” Don Draper: “I don’t think about you at all.”) Surface devices have done reasonably well with reviewers and customers alike, but they’re not likely to knock the MacBook off its perch anytime soon. And the fact that Microsoft, not Apple, is rushing to make the comparison rather gives that fact away: as beleaguered British prime minister Rishi Sunak understands, it’s the underdog, not the favorite, who benefits from the rough and tumble of debate. The claim, like most stunt comparisons, also feels a little forced, not least because Microsoft is comparing its own brand-new devices to a four-month-old laptop that isn’t top of its own range or equipped with the latest chip generation. “It’s going to outperform any device out there,” says Microsoft VP Yusuf Mehdi, before settling on the M3 MacBook Air rather than the M3 Max MacBook Pro or even the M4 iPad Pro. I get that the Air is a closer match price-wise, but maybe don’t use the words “any device out there” if you’re then going to ignore the Pro-shaped elephant in the room. Or the existence of the M4 chip, which is currently confined to the iPad Pro but is likely to appear in a Mac before long. That’s before we even get to the fact that speed tests do such a poor job of summing up the Mac’s attractiveness. Most Macs, especially since the arrival of Apple silicon, are extremely fast. But that isn’t why people buy them—or at least not the main reason. It’s about beautiful design, a reputation for excellent security and privacy, and the smooth intuitiveness of macOS. But this is about more than nitpicking the details. It’s about fundamental strategy, and understanding a company’s place in the world. Apple grasps that it isn’t 2006 anymore, and that Mac vs PC is no longer the best way to approach customer decision-making; Microsoft needs to move on too. And maybe even accept that its best policy would be to work with Apple, rather than against it. After all, these are two very different companies with very different skill sets. Apple currently has a big advantage when it comes to design, and probably always will. Microsoft, on the other hand, has more experience working with business users. (If it sounds like I’m dropping back into the Mac vs PC mentality, I don’t just mean spreadsheets. Just consider the success of HoloLens in a wide range of enterprise applications, from healthcare to the military.) The two aren’t really targeting the same customers, and it makes more sense for them to collaborate rather than compete directly. Ensuring that their apps work flawlessly on one another’s platforms, for a start, would benefit everyone. In the past, companies would either refuse altogether to let their software run on rival platforms or allow it to run but make sure that platform had an older or less-optimized version–like the ancient version of iTunes you’d find on Windows for years. The thinking was presumably one of customer retention, with Apple in this case fearing that having access to all the same software would make Mac owners more likely to switch to a Windows machine. But while it still makes sense to follow this strategy on mobile, where iOS/Android switching is very much a thing, the Apple and Microsoft camps have moved so far apart that this is surely no longer an issue in the laptop market. Very few gamers or enterprise users are going to buy a Mac on a whim; nor are many designers and music producers going to be lured into buying a Surface on the strength of tenuous claims of higher speeds. Ultimately, of course, comparative marketing campaigns like Microsoft’s aren’t about rationally presenting the pros and cons of a buying decision, they’re about stirring up controversy and grabbing free publicity. (You’re welcome, Satya Nadella.) I can’t really be mad about that. Just as long as everyone concerned understands that a publicity stunt is all this is and that Microsoft is never going to beat Apple on these terms. Foundry Foundry Foundry Trending: Top stories The future of the iPhone is coming, but it’ll cost you dearly. We round up 12 incredibly useful ways to repurpose your old Mac mini. 9-core vs. 10-core M4: Is it worth paying more for the iPad Pro? Podcast of the week We haven’t even reached the midpoint of 2024, and Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is in a few weeks, but we’re already seeing unofficial reports on some of Apple’s plans for 2025. So we’re talking about those reports on today’s episode. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. Reviews corner Best antivirus for Mac 2024: Top security software compared. Top 12 Mac games for 2024: From RPGs to racing, shooting games to puzzles. Best wireless earbuds for iPhone: Our picks from Apple, Sony, Sennheiser, B&W, Bose and more. Best Mac cleaner software: Boost performance and disk space. Best VPN for iPhone: Unlock content with these recommended services, The rumor mill Here are the new AI features coming to your iPhone with iOS 18. A classic iPhone color is looking more likely than ever to return this year. Apple wants to price the iPhone SE 4 under $500. Google should be scared. Next year’s iPhone could feature a thin, redesigned ultra high-end model. Don’t expect the Mac Studio and Mac Pro to be updated at WWDC–or any time in 2024. Report: A new AirTag is coming next year (but not much is changing). Software updates, bugs, and problems Apple Wi-Fi network vulnerability could leak your location in real time. iOS 17.5.1 update fixes rare bug that caused some deleted photos to return. Yay! Systems Settings will get an interface tune-up in macOS 15. Beet, exhausted face, splatter emoji could be coming to your iPhone. And with that, we’re done for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, or Twitter for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley. Apple Inc

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Dear Microsoft: You’re never going to beat Apple, so stop trying
Macworld Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too. Surface tension Those who miss the days of full-time Apple/Microsoft beef will have been heartened last week by bold claims that the latest Surface devices are faster than the M3 MacBook Air. It’s fun to see Microsoft’s marketing department in a combative mood, but part of me wishes the company would stop trying so hard to show it’s better than Apple. For one thing, it’s difficult to imagine that Apple takes this especially seriously. The whole thing gives off the same energy as that elevator scene from Mad Men. (Ginsberg: “I feel bad for you.” Don Draper: “I don’t think about you at all.”) Surface devices have done reasonably well with reviewers and customers alike, but they’re not likely to knock the MacBook off its perch anytime soon. And the fact that Microsoft, not Apple, is rushing to make the comparison rather gives that fact away: as beleaguered British prime minister Rishi Sunak understands, it’s the underdog, not the favorite, who benefits from the rough and tumble of debate. The claim, like most stunt comparisons, also feels a little forced, not least because Microsoft is comparing its own brand-new devices to a four-month-old laptop that isn’t top of its own range or equipped with the latest chip generation. “It’s going to outperform any device out there,” says Microsoft VP Yusuf Mehdi, before settling on the M3 MacBook Air rather than the M3 Max MacBook Pro or even the M4 iPad Pro. I get that the Air is a closer match price-wise, but maybe don’t use the words “any device out there” if you’re then going to ignore the Pro-shaped elephant in the room. Or the existence of the M4 chip, which is currently confined to the iPad Pro but is likely to appear in a Mac before long. That’s before we even get to the fact that speed tests do such a poor job of summing up the Mac’s attractiveness. Most Macs, especially since the arrival of Apple silicon, are extremely fast. But that isn’t why people buy them—or at least not the main reason. It’s about beautiful design, a reputation for excellent security and privacy, and the smooth intuitiveness of macOS. But this is about more than nitpicking the details. It’s about fundamental strategy, and understanding a company’s place in the world. Apple grasps that it isn’t 2006 anymore, and that Mac vs PC is no longer the best way to approach customer decision-making; Microsoft needs to move on too. And maybe even accept that its best policy would be to work with Apple, rather than against it. After all, these are two very different companies with very different skill sets. Apple currently has a big advantage when it comes to design, and probably always will. Microsoft, on the other hand, has more experience working with business users. (If it sounds like I’m dropping back into the Mac vs PC mentality, I don’t just mean spreadsheets. Just consider the success of HoloLens in a wide range of enterprise applications, from healthcare to the military.) The two aren’t really targeting the same customers, and it makes more sense for them to collaborate rather than compete directly. Ensuring that their apps work flawlessly on one another’s platforms, for a start, would benefit everyone. In the past, companies would either refuse altogether to let their software run on rival platforms or allow it to run but make sure that platform had an older or less-optimized version–like the ancient version of iTunes you’d find on Windows for years. The thinking was presumably one of customer retention, with Apple in this case fearing that having access to all the same software would make Mac owners more likely to switch to a Windows machine. But while it still makes sense to follow this strategy on mobile, where iOS/Android switching is very much a thing, the Apple and Microsoft camps have moved so far apart that this is surely no longer an issue in the laptop market. Very few gamers or enterprise users are going to buy a Mac on a whim; nor are many designers and music producers going to be lured into buying a Surface on the strength of tenuous claims of higher speeds. Ultimately, of course, comparative marketing campaigns like Microsoft’s aren’t about rationally presenting the pros and cons of a buying decision, they’re about stirring up controversy and grabbing free publicity. (You’re welcome, Satya Nadella.) I can’t really be mad about that. Just as long as everyone concerned understands that a publicity stunt is all this is and that Microsoft is never going to beat Apple on these terms. Foundry Foundry Foundry Trending: Top stories The future of the iPhone is coming, but it’ll cost you dearly. We round up 12 incredibly useful ways to repurpose your old Mac mini. 9-core vs. 10-core M4: Is it worth paying more for the iPad Pro? Podcast of the week We haven’t even reached the midpoint of 2024, and Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is in a few weeks, but we’re already seeing unofficial reports on some of Apple’s plans for 2025. So we’re talking about those reports on today’s episode. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. Reviews corner Best antivirus for Mac 2024: Top security software compared. Top 12 Mac games for 2024: From RPGs to racing, shooting games to puzzles. Best wireless earbuds for iPhone: Our picks from Apple, Sony, Sennheiser, B&W, Bose and more. Best Mac cleaner software: Boost performance and disk space. Best VPN for iPhone: Unlock content with these recommended services, The rumor mill Here are the new AI features coming to your iPhone with iOS 18. A classic iPhone color is looking more likely than ever to return this year. Apple wants to price the iPhone SE 4 under $500. Google should be scared. Next year’s iPhone could feature a thin, redesigned ultra high-end model. Don’t expect the Mac Studio and Mac Pro to be updated at WWDC–or any time in 2024. Report: A new AirTag is coming next year (but not much is changing). Software updates, bugs, and problems Apple Wi-Fi network vulnerability could leak your location in real time. iOS 17.5.1 update fixes rare bug that caused some deleted photos to return. Yay! Systems Settings will get an interface tune-up in macOS 15. Beet, exhausted face, splatter emoji could be coming to your iPhone. And with that, we’re done for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, or Twitter for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley. Apple Inc

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Happy Memorial Day from O’Grady’s PowerPage
It’s Memorial Day here in the United States and the staff of O’Grady’s PowerPage will be taking the day to spend time with friends and family. Have a safe and happy holiday on your end, enjoy the day, and we’ll be back tomorrow with all the Mac, iPhone, iPad, and other mobile news, rumors, and […] Source

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