Science/Tech / Macworld
Macworld Beta testing for iOS 18.2 is in progress. While iOS 18.1 was the first release with Apple Intelligence features for supported phones, many of the most exciting features are coming in iOS 18.2. This release includes Visual Intelligence, Genmoji, the Image Playground app, the new Mail app with AI-sorted categories, and integration with ChatGPT. While the AI features of iOS 18.1 might make the average iPhone 16 user say, Is that it? the Apple Intelligence features in 18.2 will be a little
Macworld The latest version of macOS Sequoia arrived on Macs in September 2024, but the beta development continues and if you are a registered developer or registered as a public beta tester, you can continue to get the latest updates and try out new features still not available to the general public. In this article, well explain whats in the latest beta, what you need to do to get your hands on a copy, how to install it, and what you should bear in mind if you dont want to end up in a pickle.
Macworld Apples next big product launch might still be a long way off, but a new report has shed light on powerful new technology coming in the next version of Apples flagship Pro Display XDR. The 2nd-gen model will use state-of-the-art quantum dot technology, according to the respected displays analyst Ross Young (via 9to5Mac ). Young had previously reported that the M4 MacBook Pro, which was announced at the end of October, is the first Apple product to use quantum dot tech, but the next-gen t
Macworld If you have a new iPhone, the easiest and safest way to charge it is with Apples official MagSafe charger, especially when you can get one for crazy cheap: Amazons Woot is selling the 1st-gen MagSafe charger for $15 , a savings of more than 60 percent and the lowest weve ever seen. Woot says the product is brand new direct from Apple but wont ship in its original packaging. Instead, it will however arrive in a polybag or plain brown box. it comes with a 90-day Woot Limited Warranty. The
Macworld Back in 2016, the most hated accessory in the Apple ecosystem was a small dongle that came free with the iPhone 7 and cost $9 to replace. And now it looks like it might be gone forever. Of course, were talking about the much-maligned Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter. When Apple launched the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, it removed the headphone jack, leaving the Lightning port as the only way to plug in wired headphones. And since most people didnt have a pair of Lightning headphones,
Macworld When they already have the best phone on the planet, what do you buy an iPhone user? Were here to help you select the best iPhone gifts availableperfect gifts for Christmas, birthdays, Fathers Day, Mothers Day, anniversaries, and when you are just feeling generous. If not a brand new iPhone (check out our iPhone Buying Guide if your budget stretches that far), then how about one of the many available iPhone accessories? Throughout the year we have tested and reviewed the best iPhone acc
Macworld It doesnt take long for iPhone rumors to circulate. Its one of the most iconic and influential tech gadgets of all time, and everyone wants to know whats coming next. That Apple is so secretive only heightens the appeal of iPhone rumors and leaks. So it should come as little surprise that iPhone 17 rumors, leaks, and info started to circulate months before the iPhone 16 was even formally announced. Heres everything we know so far, but dont take any of it as solid info: even when early r
Macworld Ahead of the eagerly anticipated macOS 15.2 update , Apple on Tuesday released the macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 emergency update to patch a pair of scary vulnerabilities that have already been used in remote attacks. The two patches fix flaws in JavaScript and WebKit, and were both discovered by Googles Threat Analysis Group. Apple says both vulnerabilities may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems. Apple doesnt specifically say whether Apple silicon Macs are affected, but the
Macworld There are some iOS updates you can wait on, and there are some you should absolutely grab right away. This is one of the latter. Theres not much in the iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 update other than a pair of critical security vulnerabilities . But these are important updates to the JavaScript Core framework and WebKit that have been actively exploited already (on Intel-based Macs), according to Apple. The JavaScript vulnerability allows malicious web content to potentially execute arbi
Macworld Are you ready for one of the best Black Friday deals youre going to see on this years MacBook Pro laptops? Because you can get the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro for $1,400 right now , a solid $200 discount from its MSRP and the best price weve ever seen. Just note, youll need to check the coupon box in the listing to get the full savings. The MacBook Pro is one we deemed to be marvelous, giving the laptop a near-perfect score in our review . Our editor praised the laptops display, the high-qua
Macworld I recently wrote about the M4 Macs compelling lineup and its a great time to buy a Mac. However, one type of user will want to hold off on a purchase. According to Howard Oakley of The Eclectic Light Company , the new M4 Macs will not allow virtual machine software to run properly. Users who want to run macOS versions older than Ventura 13.4 through virtualization will find that the virtual machine will not boot and users end up with a blank screen. Since the virtual machine (VM) wont b
Macworld Whether you have an old Mac or a new one, adding extra storage in the form of an external SSD or hard drive is a great way to speed up your Mac by freeing up space in the internal drive. Its also a good idea to regularly back up your Mac and to do so you need a decent hard drive or SSD to back up to. With Black Friday approaching, now is a great time to look for a great deal on storage for your Mac. Black Friday is November 29 this year, but you dont have to wait until then for the deal
Macworld The big day is nearly here: Black Friday is the biggest shopping event of the year and if you are looking for a deal on a new MacBook Air or MacBook Pro you have come to the right place. We check all the best resellers in the U.S. and the U.K. all year long, so we always have our fingers on the pulse of the best deals which means we know exactly what are the best MacBook deals . In this article, you will also find shopping tips to help you get the best deals available on Black Friday (
Macworld It looks like the long wait for a new AirTag is almost over. After sparse and tentative rumors earlier this year that Apple was working on a 2nd-gen model, a new report indicates that the project has made firm progress and is on track for a launch in mid-2025. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman writes that Apple has been running manufacturing tests on the device (codenamed B589) and that thanks to progress in these tests, Apple is getting re
Macworld For several years back in the late 2000s and early 2010s, there were persistent rumors that Apple was making its own TV set (mostly stemming from analyst Gene Munster ). It made sense after allat the time, flat-screen TVs were attainable luxury items that fit well into Apples media-focused products, including the relatively new Apple TV streaming box. Obviously, those rumors never came to pass and as the years went by without a release, we assumed the project was dead. But a new report
Macworld Buying for the Apple fan who has everything Were entering 2024s holiday shopping season, which runs from Black Friday until Christmas. This means two things: great prices on superb tech products, and lots of difficult buying decisions. Its hard enough knowing what to buy for yourself, but how do you choose gifts for your friends and loved ones? In this article, we offer our advice on great gifts to buy for the Apple fans in your life. What you shouldnt buy First things first. Should you
Macworld A big tech company, assuming its managers are sensible, is always looking for new places to make money. Smartphones and laptops might be paying the bills right now, but that wont remain the case forever. Like sharks, tech giants must keep moving, or perish. And these movements can be alarming for the smaller fish. If youre a plucky young startup with a lightly profitable niche in some technological backwater, rumors of a big launch must be as terrifying in their way as the sight of a Vi
Macworld At a glance Pros Built-in USB-C cable 15W wireless or 45W wired charging Cons Less useful for older iPhone users Our Verdict The Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank boasts a high battery capacity, 15W Qi2 wireless charging, and the fastest wired charging weve tested so far on any iPhone power bank. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed $81.99 Best Prices Today: Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank Qi2 4
Macworld Whether you are updating your old MacBook laptop or planning to buy your first Mac part of the decision of which model to buy should be based on timing. Before you part with your money you should check that the model you are buying isnt about to be upgraded by Apple. There is nothing worse than buying a new MacBook Air only to see Apple update the models a month later. Luckily you are here reading this article so the chance of you making a mistake like that is slim (although you should
Macworld While Black Friday doesnt officially arrive until Friday, November 29 (with Cyber Monday following on Monday, December 2), the shopping season has already begun and its a great time to pick up a deal on a new monitor for your Mac. If youre unsure of which to buy, check out our best monitors for Macs roundup to read more about our favorite picks. Well be updating this page all throughout the Black Friday weekend, but in the meantime, you should also check out our round-up of the best App
Macworld I recently mused about how the Mac lineup has been the most compelling for a while , and one of the reasons is that Apple introduced worthwhile features besides the chip upgrade to the M4. For the M4 MacBook Pro, theres one more feature that Apple hasnt mentioned at all. According to display expert Ross Young , Apple now uses a quantum dot film in the MacBook Pros LiquidRetina XDR display. This QD film replaces a KSF phosphor film (also known as a narrow-band red phosphor) placed betwee
Macworld Black Friday is nearly here and its a fantastic time to pick up a deal on an iPad. While technically a single day (its the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S. or November 29) Black Friday has gradually expanded to encompass Cyber Monday (December 2), as well as the weeks leading up to the big weekend. This means you need to keep your eyes peeled all month long for killer iPad savings. Or, better still, let us keep our eyes peeled for you. This article is where we round up the best-value
Macworld Theres no bad time to buy an Apple Watch, but there are better and worse times. Apple releases new Apple Watch models (called series) on a yearly cadence, and the price rarely changes by all that much. So to avoid buying an Apple Watch that is outdated after just a few weeks, you want to time it right. Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 10 in September 2024, so now is a good time to buy. If youre in the market for a new Apple Watch, see our Apple Watch buying guide , and our round-u
Macworld The M2 iPad Air hasnt been around for a very long time, but its price has already dropped by an incredible $200 at Amazon in this early Black Friday deal. With an MSRP of $1,099, you can get the M2 iPad Air with 512GB of storage for just $899 . This is Apples first 13-inch iPad Air, featuring a gorgeous display, a great processor, and a fantastic design. It also has 8GB of RAM so its ready for Apple Intelligence, which arrived with iOS 18.1. More features will be rolled out over the com
Macworld In this article, we answer all of your questions about when you should and shouldnt buy a new iPhone including advice on when Apple is likely to discount the price of older iPhone handsets. There are certain times of the year when buying a new iPhone is a bad idea, and there are certain times of the year when you can get a bargain on a new handset. The trick is knowing when you should buy a new iPhone. Luckily we are here to help. Looking for a Black Friday deal: See Best Black Friday
Macworld I have been using Apple Vision Pro on and off for the last nine months. When it was released in February, I described it as a device with a ton of potential but with huge challenges to overcome . Now, with its first major operating system update available and plenty of time for developers to get on board, Im left with a more pessimistic view. For spatial computing to be a hit, its going to need more than the Vision Pro can deliver. The first major update fixed some issues and added welc
Macworld As someone who has reviewed Macs for a long time, Im often asked for shopping advice and whether now is a good time to buy a Mac. Its an excellent question since Apple has been fairly sporadic with its Mac releases. Macs are expensive and people want reassurance that theyre making a timely investment. No one wants to buy something, start using it, and realize they just couldve stuck with what they already had. Nor does anyone want to make a purchase only to have something better come al
Macworld Its nearly that time of year again Black Friday , the yearly shopping event where everyone hunts for the biggest deals. Apples AirPods are famously popular gifts and travel companions, and various models are often on sale throughout the year. So keep your eyes peeled for great deals on AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max as the Black Friday sales take off. With the AirPods 4 released this year, older models are being phased out, and were not seeing as many deals there. Even if you fin
Macworld Apples new M4 Macs started shipping last Friday, and we have the new Mac mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro in-house. Why are these some of the more exciting Macs to hit the market? Find out on this episode of the Macworld Podcast! This is episode 909 with Jason Cross , Michael Simon , and Roman Loyola . Watch episode 909 on YouTube Listen to episode 909 on Apple Podcasts Listen to episode 909 on Spotify Get info For more information about the topics discussed on the show, click on the links b
Macworld The AI wars are nothing if not persistent. Apple, Meta, OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are all charging ahead, doing their best to make their new AI tools an indispensable part of our daily lives. Googles latest multi-modal AI is called Gemini and it has been available for some time now, easily selectable with a single tap at the top of the Google app on iPhone. Now, in an effort to better promote it, the company has released a stand-alone Gemini iPhone app . The accompanying blog post d
Macworld If youve been waiting to get some AirTags, nows the time to do so because they just dropped to a brand-new low price. You can snatch a four-pack of AirTags for $70 right now , a 29 percent discount on its $99 MSRP and bringing the price down to just $17.50 per AirTag. If youd rather just get one, it will only cost you $19 , but you get an even better value from the larger pack. These AirTags are extremely useful because theyre affordable and can help you keep track of your keys, wallet,
Macworld If youre looking for a deal on anything Apple sellsan iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, MacBook, or anything else, theres no better time to get one than Black Friday . No matter what youre looking to buy, youre going to find a great pricepossibly the lowest ever. The sales start earlier every year, but the best deals are usually seen between Black Friday (November 29) and Cyber Monday (December 2). However, were already seeing fantastic deals, so you might not want to wait. Well be updating t
Macworld A class-action lawsuit filed this month accuses Apple of misleading AirPods Pro customers and failing adequately to address an audio defect reported shortly after the products launch in 2019. The suit (via ClassAction.org ) focuses on two seemingly widespread problems with the 1st-gen AirPods Pro: unwanted crackling sounds, and the failure of Active Noise Cancellation to work correctly. These issues were publicized within months of release, but it took Apple almost a year to address the
Macworld Black Friday is the biggest shopping event of the year, and its often the best time to get a good deal on a new iPhone, accessories, or other Apple gear. While Black Friday is really just the day after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, it has grown into an entire season unto itself, with sales extending several days after and well into December. Officially, Black Friday is Friday, November 29, and extends through Cyber Monday on Monday, December 2. But youll find deals that start earlier a
Macworld iFixit has posted its video teardown of the new M4 Mac mini, and as usual, its a fascinating study of how design, engineering, and technology come togetheror in this case, taken apart While a lot of people are interested in the inner workings of Apples products, the Mac mini might draw more interest than any other product. Theres a widespread belief that users should be able to perform a certain amount of customization and upgrades with desktop computers, even with Macs. And the Mac min
Macworld Apples brand-new MacBook Pro only just went on sale last week and it already has its first discount: Amazon has dropped the price to $1,474 , a savings of $125 off its $1,599 MSRP and a surprising price cut for such a new model. Running on a powerful M4 chip, the MacBook Pro will easily tackle any task you throw its way with extreme ease. And dont forget, it now comes with 16GB of RAM standard, double the previous model, and essentially a $200 price cut. The MacBook Pro already had a go
Macworld If you are concerned about your privacy and security online using a VPN could give you some reassurance. Apple provides various measures in macOS that make Macs more secure , but if you want to ensure that the connection between your Mac and the internet is protected, rather than the computer itself, you need a VPN. Using a VPN essentially makes you invisible on the webyour data is encrypted, your IP address is hidden, and you can even make it look like you are surfing from another coun
Macworld The all-important iOS 18.2 software update for iPhone is set to launch on December 9, based on an apparent gaffe by a U.K. carrier. Officially, Apple has announced only that iOS 18.2 will roll out in the month of December. But an additional clue was provided earlier this month when EE sent a notice to customers that its shared number service would no longer be available on MacBooks and iPads from December 9. As MacRumors notes, thats a change expected to take effect with the launch of i
Macworld Apple just wrapped up its slate of 2024 devices, but its never too early to look ahead. And according to a new report, big things are on the way. As reported by Bloombergs Mark Gurman , Apple is looking to launch a new wall-mounted display that can control appliances, handle videoconferencing and use AI to navigate apps. The device, which Gurman says could arrive as early as March, is a priority for Tim Cook, who is pushing to get it to market after more than three years of development.
Macworld According to security researchers, Apple has quietly added a new feature in iOS 18.1 that makes your iPhone harder to crack. 404 Media reported that iPhones stored by police in evidence were rebooting themselves, and it turns out its all due to a new Inactivity Reboot feature shipping in iOS 18.1. First reported by security researcher Jiska Classen , this new feature reboots your iPhone if it has gone unused for at least four days. This puts your iPhone into its Before First Unlock stat
Macworld After a year in which Apple launched the Vision Pro and updated nearly every device in its catalog, you might think Apple is going to rest for a while. According to a new rumor, thats very much not the case. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that Apple will make its first foray into the smart home IP camera market with a new device launching in 2026. It would represent Apples first standalone camera since 2003s iSight camera and its first smart home device. Its not clear whether the camera i
Macworld Easily the hottest feature of iOS 18 , iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 is Apple Intelligence , the brand Apple has chosen for its own particular suite of mostly-on-device, privacy-protected, personal AI features. But when you update your devices this September, youll probably be left scratching your head as to where all the AI features are. First, because Apple Intelligence is only going to run on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max (or iPhone 16) and M-series Macs and iPads, but also because many of the
Macworld Some deals just keep getting sweeter, it seems, as the Baseus PicoGo W2 wireless charger for your iPhone and laptop is available to buy for $48 at Amazon , a 31 percent discount from its $70 MSRP. This one was already available with a 14 percent discount, but an extra 20 percent off is available via an on-page coupon, so dont forget to check that box. The PicoGo charger is tiny and portable, and it opens up, allowing you to attach your phone to it and charge it while also keeping it at
Macworld Slow and steady wins the race. At least thats what the Vision Pro team seems to be banking on. And, hey, its worked out for Apple on any number of occasions. Its hard to think back that far now when history seems to be on some sort of speed runlook, history, the Macalope watched the guy who finished the Breath of the Wild in 34 minutes and while it was impressive its really not the best way to enjoy the game, okay?but the rollout of the iPod was not exactly blazingly fast. iTunes for Wi
Macworld Whenever Apple drops a new product, certain netizens rush to online corners like Reddit, Threads, and X to complain about the latest design choices. The case with the new Mac mini is no different. Despite the device featuring a competitively miniature, sleek build, many loud critics have fixated on the repositioned power button that now lives on its bottom side. Its classic Appledesign something gorgeous and impressive but all everyone wants to talk about is one head-scratching decision
Macworld Google on Tuesday revealed four new features for the Chrome browser on iOS and iPadOS. These features are currently available on Chrome for Android, but theyre making their iPhone debut. Here are the new features Google Lens: image and text search at the same time Chrome on iOS can do a Google search using an image from your photo library. Google has enhanced this feature so users can add words to the visual query in order to perform specific searches. In an example provided by Google,
Macworld With Apple already including built-in antivirus protection for Macs you might be wondering Do Macs need antivirus software? especially when confronted by pricy monthly subscriptions for services. In this article well explain why you need an extra layer of protection and how to get the best Mac antivirus software deals. Mac security software adds another layer of protection to what Apple already provides, with features that can help to protect your identity, passwords, and financial de
Macworld With Vision Pro failing to set the market alight-and being officially labeled as not a mass-market product the big question is how Apple plans to build a commercially viable product in the VR/AR space, if thats even possible. Ultimately, the most appealing option for a mainstream audience would probably be a slimline pair of glasses with smart tech built in, but the state of technology and Apples own developments mean this isnt likely to appear for some years yet. There are signs of pro
Macworld Thirty years ago, if you asked a member of the public about the future of technology, theres a fair chance youd hear the word miniaturization. Thats the way things seemed to be headed in the 90s, and you could hardly move for observational comedians doing tight fives about funny little camcorders and funny little music players and funny slightly less massive mobile phones. By 2024, we all assumed, a households entire collection of tech products would fit into a matchbox. In any event, i
Macworld Thanksgiving is a time to reflect upon the prior year, be thankful for what we have, gorge ourselves until were near bursting, and then settle into our favorite chairs and watch the first half of a TV show before the tryptophan kicks in. If you usually spend your post-meal time falling asleep to A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving , you wont find it on the usual broadcast or cable channelsits exclusively on Apple TV+. Before you wave that turkey drumstick in the air and curse the state of tele