It took far longer than necessary, but Meta introduced on Wednesday an Instagram application that takes advantage of the iPad’s large screen.
Meta emphasizes the new app’s ability to play Reels — short videos that collectively rack up billions of views a day.
In a pinch, you can charge your AirPods with your iPhone. This feature is very convenient if you know how to use it. You can also use your iPhone to charge your Apple Watch, or even another iPhone.
Here’s how to take advantage of this capability.
Apple must have heard the complaints about the cost and weight of the Vision Pro AR headset, because it’s reportedly working on a Vision Air that will be half as expensive and almost half the weight. That’s the word coming Tuesday from a source who’s built a reputation by often being accurate in predictions about future Apple products.
It’ll take Apple a while to develop the new product, though.
The new Komutr earbuds from Artronic Designs do a trick that any Apple AirPods user can envy. Their charging case uses MagSafe, so it magnetically attaches to the back of an iPhone.
“They’re almost impossible to lose,” boasts Artronic.
There is a significant drawback to the Komutr’s design, though.
Invasion season 3 is the most popular show on Apple TV+ and among the most watched series on any streaming service, according to a company that tracks ratings. New episodes resumed last week for the epic alien onslaught.
Speaking of sci-fi, the Apple TV+ adaptation of Foundation also found a large audience last week.
The United Kingdom government is reportedly still demanding a secret backdoor into encrypted Apple iCloud accounts, despite the Trump administration stating recently that the demand had been dropped.
Apple’s attempt to block the U.K. Home Office efforts to violate the privacy of Americans is headed for court.
A proposed Lego set for Apple’s iconic iMac G3 needs your vote. If enough people support the suggestion, it could be turned into a real Lego product.
The set is an homage to the original desktop iMac, with translucent Bondi Blue parts, and even the controversial mouse.
Apple dropped a teaser video for Powerbeats Fit, wireless earbuds the company has not yet formally announced, on Thursday. Details remain sketchy, but video of athletes wearing the in-ear audio devices revealed a bit about the hardware.
The video promises that Powerbeats Fit will be “fit for every move” when they launch this fall.
Say you’re in the kitchen and you hear an alarm going off on the iPad in your living room. Rather than walking across the house to deactivate it, you can use Siri on your iPhone or HomePod to shut off the alarm. This method also works with timers (and a variety of devices, too).
Here’s how to do a handy trick that everyone should know.
★★★★★
Love doesn’t have to be complicated. I can fall for a product just because it’s simply perfect, even though what it does isn’t very complex. That’s what happened with the new Casemade Leather Laptop Case.
It’s made of top-quality cowhide leather, with a wool interior… including a pocket. It zippers closed and cushions the computer without unnecessary bulk.
I’ve been happily carrying my notebook in this case because it’s simply beautiful and designed exactly right for what it does.
The just-launched Zagg Slim Book mini acts as a protective case for the latest iPad mini, but that’s only the start. It also adds a detachable keyboard that makes the tablet ready for serious productivity.
“With the Slim Book mini, we’ve taken the performance and typing experience people expect from a full-size laptop and packed it into a sleek, portable keyboard built specifically for the iPad mini,” said Brad Bell, SVP of global marketing for Zagg.
The graphic in the invitation to Apple’s upcoming “Awe dropping” product launch event looks like a thermal image, and that set off furious speculation Tuesday about whether it’s a hint about a feature coming to one of the many products expected to debut that day.
Could it refer to a way to cool the iPhone 17 Pro? Or a new Apple Watch sensor? Something else?
Apple sometimes uses its event invitations to hint about what it will announce, so it’s possible the company is clueing us in.
Wrap the brand-new GameSir X5s around your iPhone to play high-end games. But that’s only the start — the controller also works with iPad, Nintendo Switch, PC and Android.
It’s lightweight with a portable design but includes Hall Effect sticks and triggers, a gyroscope and rumble motors.
Even better, the GameSir X5s costs under $50.
One version of the invitation to Apple’s September 9 “Awe dropping” product launch event includes an Easter egg. Run your finger around on the Apple logo displayed on a touchscreen, and it’ll react.
It’s the latest in a series of Easter eggs hidden in Apple invitations.
Invitations went out Tuesday for a much-anticipated Apple press event on September 9. The theme is “Awe dropping,” and the unveiling of the iPhone 17 series should be the highlight.
Also likely on the agenda are the launch of Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Accessory maker Plugable just launched a collection of USB-C data-blocker charging cables. The cables transfer only power, not data, and therefore prevent “juice jacking” attacks at public charging ports.
The cables handle up to 240W and come in variety of lengths. Plus, a launch deal drops the prices!
Elon Musk’s xAI filed a lawsuit on Monday against Apple and OpenAI claiming they’re conspiring to stifle competition in artificial intelligence apps.
This comes two weeks after Musk took to social media to complain that the No. 1 Top Free App in the iPhone App Store at the time was OpenAI’s ChatGPT, not the Grok app from xAI, an AI startup that the billionaire owns.
The iPhone 17 is less than a month away, and early rumors are already stirring excitement. It may be Apple’s basic model, but it’s still expected to get a better, larger screen, enhanced selfie camera, as well as a faster processor and a new range of color options.
Those interested in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max should read our roundup of rumors describing those premium models. And we have an iPhone 17 Air rumor roundup, too. Plus one for the budget iPhone 17e.
AirPods Pro 3 could reach customers this fall, according to a reliable source. Earlier rumors said Apple’s next-generation premium wireless earbuds might not be out until 2026.
Expect at least one new health-related feature in the new version.
Add Google Gemini to the list of AIs that might go into the promised revamp of the Siri voice assistant if Apple can’t develop the tech itself.
Apple is working hard on its own large language models to provide Siri with a much-needed intelligence boost. But Cupertino is reportedly covering its bases by talking to other companies about using their AI instead. Google joined the list, according to an unconfirmed report published Friday.
Forget about the old 15W limitation on wireless charging. Belkin took the wraps off a trio of iPhone stands on Friday that support the new Qi2 25W standard, offering a 66% increase in speed.
The new models include the UltraCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock for use in the office, plus a pair of multidevice wireless chargers for travel.
The Twelve South PlugBug wall charger includes a feature that every travel accessory should have: Apple Find My support. So not only can it power two devices at up to 50W, you can be sure you won’t accidentally leave it in your hotel room.
To make the accessory even more enticing, a deal knocks 30% off the usual cost, dropping it below $50.
★★★★★
The Kuxiu M30 Magnetic Smart Connector Charger for iPad Pro/Air helps solve the irritating problem of limited iPad ports. It clings to the back of Apple tablets and charges them without taking up the computer’s sole USB-C port. It also reduces wear on the port.
I put the 35W charger through testing in my home office and came away quite satisfied.
And it’s on sale: 20% off!
The price for streaming Ted Lasso season 4 and other hits from Apple TV+ took a considerable jump on Thursday. The U.S. monthly fee went to $12.99, up from $9.99.
While that’s a 30% increase, it’s also the first to the streaming service in two years.
The newly announced Google Pixel 10 includes Pixelsnap, a system that lets wireless chargers and other accessories cling magnetically to the back of the phone. If that sounds familiar, that’s because Pixelsnap is another name for Apple’s MagSafe system for iPhones.
But this is not yet another example of Google stealing a good idea from Apple. Instead, Apple helped make MagSafe into the Qi2 standard so other companies would build it into their handsets. And that’s what Google did, though it felt the need to rebrand Qi2 as Pixelsnap. Whatever the name, the more handsets with Qi2, the more iPhone users benefit.