After meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook in Brussels Tuesday, European Union head of industry Thierry Breton called on the tech company to open its ecosystem of hardware and software to competitors.
Apple adds 100+ podcasts with improved access
Now you can listen to more than 100 new podcasts from various apps and services in Apple Podcasts, the company said Tuesday.
“Subscribers to Apple Music, Apple News+ and participating apps like Calm and Lingokids can connect their subscriptions to access new shows and more,” Apple noted.
Download cozy new Autumn Gradients wallpapers
Designer and Apple fan Basic Apple Guy put out four pretty new wallpapers for Apple devices Monday, his Autumn Gradients lineup.
“It’s been a minute, but I wanted to reappear from my hideyhole and share four colourful, Autumn-inspired gradient wallpapers for your Apple devices,” he wrote.
Don’t miss this Apple accessories blowout sale, up to 91% off
Amazon bargain site Woot! offers a blowout sale on Apple accessories — 40 items! — through September 30 at 10 p.m. PT.
The discounts on official Apple gear extend to up to 91% off in some cases! (And those are literally iPhone cases, btw).
Could this be a top Apple-display alternative for gamers? [Setups]
Quite a few excellent alternatives to Apple’s pricey Pro Display XDR and Studio Display exist for those in need a good external monitor to go with their Mac. Today’s featured Mac mini setup brings up another one — the 34-inch Samsung Odyssey G8 series curved gaming display.
If you like curves and especially if you like gaming, read on the see if the display might be a good choice for you.
iPhone 14 Pro trounces trashed iPhone 15 Pro in first drop test
In what is most likely the first drop test of the new titanium iPhone 15 Pro, a reviewer flew to Sydney, Australia, and pitted the handset in a series of drops against the stainless steel iPhone 14 Pro.
It wasn’t pretty. In fact, after doing OK in a few little drops, how the iPhone 15 Pro fared in bigger drops was shocking — even disturbing. The older iPhone won, to say the least.
All you need to turn a MacBook into a workstation [Setups]
These days, MacBook laptops are more than powerful enough to handle most users’ computing needs. So if you don’t need an even brawnier desktop Mac, why not build your laptop into a full workstation with a few peripherals and accessories?
Today’s setup gets by with a 3-year-old MacBook Pro hooked up to a CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 dock and a nice LG 4K display, plus Logitech input devices and a few other items. It’s a complete workstation whether or not the user ever takes the MacBook Pro to go.
Warning: Update iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data
Apple advised iPhone 15 buyers Friday that they need to install the latest software update, iOS 17.0.2, before transferring data during the device setup process. The update fixes a problem that could prevent the data transfer and freeze up the new iPhone.
Apple releases security updates for iOS, iPadOS and watchOS alongside final macOS Sonoma beta
Apple issued emergency software updates Thursday for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch that patch security vulnerabilities the company says may have been actively exploited. Among other things, the release notes for iOS 17.0.1, iPadOS 17.0.1 and watchOS 10.0.1 indicate the updates fix a problem that could allow a malicious app to bypass signature validation.
The updates, which Apple recommends all users download as soon as possible, come just days after the company pushed its latest operating systems live. However, if you plan to pick up an iPhone 15 tomorrow, you might want to hold off. If you update your current phone to iOS 17.0.1, you would need to update your new iPhone as well before setting it up from a backup.
First iPhone 15 Pro teardown showcases repairable innards
The first YouTube video showing a complete teardown and reassembly of the new iPhone 15 Pro highlights its cool components, like the compact A17 Pro chip and the three highly capable cameras.
And it also scores the handset reasonably well on repairability, something Apple has markedly improved in recent years.
How much (actual) crap would you go through to get back a lost Apple Watch?
Like many people, you probably love your Apple Watch. But would you lower yourself down through a toilet into the business end of an outhouse to get it back? That’s what a Michigan woman did.
The good news is she found the watch. The bad news is she got stuck in the crap and had to be rescued.
Making the endlessly inventive Snoopy watch face for Apple Watch
If you love Charlie Brown’s dog Snoopy, as generations of Peanuts fans and product marketers do, you better get the new Snoopy Apple Watch face now available in watchOS 10.
After all, a ton of work went into making its endlessly inventive animations, according to a new report.
Ultra 2 reviews: Small upgrades strengthen ‘ultimate’ Apple Watch
Apple Watch Ultra 2 reviews are out, and they’re positive. Modest upgrades like a brighter display, double-tap gesturing and a faster processor might not make current Ultra owners shell out for the new one, but it’s highly recommended to anyone else who wants the best rugged smartwatch.
Conspiracy looms in first look at spy thriller Slow Horses season 3
Jackson Lamb and his team of misfit MI5 agents return soon for season three of espionage thriller Slow Horses. Apple TV+ offered a first look Wednesday with some photos and plot tidbits about the trouble they will get into.
The award-winning show debuts December 1 with the first two episodes of the new season. As a big fan of the show and the books it’s based on, I can’t wait.
Two powerhouse MacBooks drive dual Studio Displays [Setups]
Not many folks get to flaunt two late-model, powerhouse MacBook Pro laptops along with two Studio Displays in their computer setup — but it certainly becomes more likely when an employer contributes gear. Today’s featured setup comes from an art director in just that situation.
His Apple-all-the-way setup won much praise, but some commenters on social media had fits over a backward-facing MacBook Pro — and provided a fix for the flagrant flub.
Soundcore’s new pint-size Bluetooth speakers pack a hi-res punch
Summer’s ending, but the new Soundcore Motion 300 and Motion 100 portable high-fidelity Bluetooth speakers can still give you stereo sound for outdoor activities this fall and winter, the company said Wednesday.
The $80 Motion 300, available October 9, is a 30-watt speaker with Wireless Hi-Res Certification and 13 hours of playtime. The similar $60 Motion 100, which lacks the 300’s SmartTune EQ, will ship in November, Soundcore said.
Pump up gaming and streaming with new Yeti mics and Litra lights
The new Logitech G Yeti GX microphone, Yeti Orb microphone and Litra Beam LX light came out Tuesday to pump up sound and immersive play for gamers and streamers, Logitech’s gaming division said Tuesday.
iPhone 15 Pro/Max review roundup: In high demand for a reason
High demand for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max is well-deserved, according to the first reviews, thanks to the new models’ lightweight titanium frames, immersive screens, beefed-up cameras and numerous incremental improvements,
Several reviewers noted how smartphone changes are always incremental nowadays. But the upgrades to the iPhone 15 Pro models seem like some of Apple’s best in years.
Build an army of cute ‘robots’ to conquer charging needs [Review] ★★★★☆
If you like cute, Ugreen’s got you covered. Its new Ugreen Nexode RG fast chargers are adorable little “robots” that can charge iPhones, iPads and more. “RG” stands for “Robot GaN,” meaning they’re gallium nitride (GaN) chargers.
And they really only look like robots. They’re not going to walk your dog or rise up and destroy humanity or anything. Probably.
The company sent me a trio of the little cuties to check out. You could get several for different electrical outlets, and when they’re not plugged in, they could stand guard over your computer setup.
Here’s what Thread networking can do for iPhone 15 Pro
Thread wireless mesh networking is strongly associated with the Matter smart-home automation standard, so some people found it surprising Apple would include Thread radio technology in iPhone 15 Pro models in addition to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity.
A new report surfaced theories about what Apple’s up to and what future impacts it might have.
tvOS 17 brings FaceTime to Apple TV 4K
Apple TV 4K became a more versatile living room device with Monday’s launch of FaceTime on tvOS 17, Apple said, referring to it as “a powerful integration of hardware and software.”
“Users can make calls directly from Apple TV 4K, or start calls on iPhone or iPad, and hand them off to Apple TV 4K,” Apple noted. “FaceTime on Apple TV 4K takes advantage of Continuity Camera support to wirelessly connect to iPhone or iPad, and leverages the devices’ cameras and microphones to bring participants together on the TV.”
Bring new life to an old Intel-based iMac or Mac mini [Setups]
If you have an aging Intel-based iMac or Mac mini that’s slowing down like an old codger, today’s featured iMac setup shows a relatively simple way to revitalize your machine and keep using it.
All you need is an external solid state drive (SSD) and the knowledge, below, to make it your computer’s replacement startup disk.
Protect iPhone 15’s screen with tough new UltraGlass 2
Belkin’s new ScreenForce UltraGlass 2 Treated Screen Protectors for iPhone 15 models are made of its strongest and most durable glass yet, the company said Thursday.
You can pick up the protectors at either Belkin.com or Apple.com. And when they arrive by the end of the month in Apple Store locations, you can take advantage of a free precision fitting service.
Tim Cook’s favorite iPhone 15 Pro color is …
Lots of folks agonize over choosing a new iPhone color when fresh handsets like the 15 series come out — even Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Or so he said in a brief interview sometime around iPhone 15’s release Tuesday. But in explaining his choice of Natural Titanium, he managed to praise every available color equally, and even in exactly the same way.
Try the cheap way to get an Apple display [Setups]
The No. 1 complaint about Apple displays? They’re too expensive. People love them, but not everyone will pony up the cash to grab a $1,600 Studio Display or, heaven help us, a $5,000 Studio Display XDR.
Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup provides a much-cheaper alternative that might work for some people. It uses a pair of old-but-beautiful Cinema Displays that cost a grand total of $74.