Apple and the European Commission came to an agreement on opening up iPhone to rival digital wallets and tap-and-go systems. The days of the iPhone’s NFC capabilities being limited to just Apple Pay are at an end. In Europe, anyway.
But in the rest of the world, it’s Apple Pay or nothing.
It’s now possible to transfer images and videos stored on Google Photos directly into iCloud Photos. Apple and Google cooperated to make this possible.
Wow, these two rivals actually worked together on something.
Apple’s next new product should be a smart ring. No, not so you can scroll through Instagram on a teeny-tiny display. The Apple Ring would be packed with health sensors that allow wearers to track their exercise and fitness goals while carrying no other device.
It wouldn’t even require developing new technology. All that’s needed is for Apple CEO Tim Cook to make the decision to offer a new type of health tracker.
Samsung unveiled Galaxy Ring on Wednesday, showing that this type of wearable is going mainstream. It’s time for Apple to step in and show its rivals how it should be done.
No PC maker is growing faster than Apple. Mac shipments increased 20.8% year over year in Q2, according to market analysts. That’s a growth rate that dwarfs larger rivals.
It’s the second quarter in a row of double-digit growth for Apple.
A bit of the user interface for a rumored HomePod smart speaker with a large touchscreen reportedly turned up in the latest beta for tvOS 18.
We’ve heard leaks and rumors about such a smart home device since at least 2021, but now the product seems to be moving nearer to release.
Apple’s chip-maker TSMC will begin trial production of 2 nm processors next week. This is months earlier than expected, and raises the possibility that the company’s next generation production process will be ready in time for the A19 chip in the iPhone 17.
The improvement over the current 3nm process should bring a jump in performance without affecting battery life.
★★★★☆
Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 for iPad is the portable keyboard for those who need to type on the go but don’t want a keyboard built into their tablet’s case. It’s a standalone accessory designed to travel with a tablet or be left behind when it’s not needed.
I tested the very slim and lightweight product with my iPad Pro and my iPhone 15. Its extreme portability makes it useful in situations that more typical keyboards are not.
Hold the Insta360 Flow Pro and walk around and the stabilizer always keeps your iPhone camera pointed at you or your subject thanks to Apple’s DockKit and Deep Track 3.0. It’s designed for content creators on the move.
The gimbal includes a selfie stick, tripod, power bank and tracking ring light.
A revving engine drowns out the thunderous sound of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” in the first teaser trailer for F1, Brad Pitt’s upcoming Apple TV+ film about Formula One racing.
You’ll hear precious little dialogue in the trailer, released Sunday by Warner Bros. Pictures. Instead, the promo spot focuses on harrowing racetrack footage shot during actual Grand Prix weekends in collaboration with Formula One teams.
Sugar, Colin Farrell’s homage to classic film noir detective movies on Apple TV+, is well worth watching for anyone who enjoys top-notch acting, a mystery wrapped in an enigma, and a really huge twist.
But go in knowing that the drama series gets darker and darker as it goes along.
Outlanders 2: Second Nature, a town-building strategy game, offers new players new tropical and wintery environments to build in, much more resources to work with, and more challenges.
It’s one of three games to launch on Apple Arcade on Wednesday, along with Punch Kick Duck+ and Zen Koi Pro+.
The world’s most unlikely highwayman will be back — Apple TV+ reportedly renewed The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin for season two on Wednesday.
The comedy-adventure series stars British comedian Noel Fielding as a ludicrously impossible version of the legendary British criminal.
Apple TV+’s share of the U.S. streaming market grew in the second quarter of 2024. It’s now ahead of Paramount+ and just behind Hulu.
The streaming service has increased significantly in popularity — three years ago, it had a third of the market share it does now.
Apple TV+ gave a series order on Tuesday to The Dispatcher, a crime thriller starring Patrick Brammall.
The upcoming series will follow an Australian police detective hunting for his missing daughter.
Resident Evil 7 biohazard by Capcom launched Tuesday on iPhone 15 Pro, top-tier iPad models and M-series Macs. The horror title is the latest AAA game to hit these Apple devices.
Two other games in the series are already available for premium Apple devices, and Resident Evil 2 Remake is in the process of being ported, too.
★★★★☆
Pitaka MagEZ Folio 2 case both protects your iPad when you’re carrying it around and offers an origami kickstand when it’s time to use the tablet. It can be configured to hold the tablet at a variety of angles, in both portrait and landscape modes. Plus there’s a strap to hold an Apple Pencil in place.
I tested the version with my new M4 iPad Pro, and I like the sleek, lightweight design. Read on for more of my thoughts on this case.
With the summer travel season in full swing, it’s time to think about keeping your Apple devices ready for the road. Here are some of the best wireless travel chargers for powering up your iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time.
I’ve been a frequent traveler for many years, toting Apple devices across three continents. I’m happy to share my experience.
It won’t be long before parents can hand their iPhone or iPad to a small child and be sure they don’t go on the web or accidentally make a phone call. The ability to lock apps so that they require Face ID to open is coming in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. Apple has consistently introduced new features to enhance privacy and security, as seen in updates covered by apple.news.
I tested the new feature, and while it isn’t as useful as being able to make separate accounts for different users would be, it’s still a welcome change.
Soccer fans can watch the rest of the MLS season for $49. That’s half what Apple typically charges for an MLS Season Pass.
Subscribers can stream every match plus analysis and exclusive content. No Apple device required. If you’re wondering how much is MLS Season Pass, you can find more details in the first look at iPhone 17 Air’s alleged design.
Apple TV+ subscribers are getting new comedies and thrillers to enjoy in summer 2024. And there are plenty of big-name stars, too. Eight new shows debuted between the beginning of June and the end of August (and a film to boot).
Here’s what’s new on Apple’s streaming service or coming in the next two months.
Margrethe Vestager, the European Union’s commissioner for competition, said Thursday that Apple’s decision to not offer its artificial intelligence upgrades for iPhone and Mac in the European Union is an admission that the company knows the features are anticompetitive.
In contrast, Apple says interoperability requirements in EU law would make the AI features a risk to user privacy.
Vision Pro launched in Apple Stores in China, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore on Friday. It’s the first time the AR headset has been officially available outside the United States since it debuted in February.
In addition, the product went up for preorder in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the U.K. on Friday. Delivery will come in July.
Some people complain that the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad lacks a backlight for the keys. Turns out the accessory really has one but the controls aren’t where you might expect.
Here’s how to find the control for the Magic Keyboard in the Control Center. And how to adjust the backlight, too.
Blake Crouch, who wrote the bestselling novel Dark Matter that was adapted into a hit Apple TV+ series, said this week he’s open to the idea of making season 2.
The sci-fi thriller’s season one finale premiered Wednesday.
★★★★☆
UGR Tech Dual USB-C + USB-A 3.2 High Speed Flash Drive plugs into your new Mac or iPad but it can also be used with devices that still have an old full-size USB port.
It’s a low-cost flash drive so I was very suspicious. But the aluminum exterior is quite rugged, the design is clever and the accessory passed a fraud test.