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Love it or hate it, this is a great way to store gear [Setups]

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pegboard for setup storage
With the right accessories, you can store pretty much anything on a pegboard (shown at left of setup).
Photo: [email protected]

While many computer setups shown off on social media look suspiciously immaculate, the truth is we tend to live at our desks and make a big mess of them routinely. Stuff just piles up. But a great way to keep your workstation clean and organized is to deploy one of the best fixes — a pegboard for setup storage.

With pegboards, you can put practically anything right on your wall, like today’s MacBook Pro user does. We’ve seen some pretty strong negative reactions to them, but there’s no denying their effectiveness.

Today in Apple history: Walt Mossberg shows off his prerelease iPhone

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walt-mossberg-steve-jobs
Walt Mossberg was one of Steve Jobs' favorite journalists.
Photo: Joi Ito/Flickr CC

June 12: Today in Apple history: Walt Mossberg shows off his prerelease iPhone June 12, 2007: With iPhone frenzy hitting a fever pitch in the buildup to the device’s launch, journalist Walt Mossberg sends the Apple world into a tizzy by whipping out a prerelease unit during a speech. The Wall Street Journal columnist is one of a handful of tech writers given early access to Apple’s revolutionary smartphone so he can put it through its paces for a review.

Speaking at The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Presidents Forum, Mossberg says he isn’t sure whether he’ll give the iPhone a thumbs up. Worried doubters immediately fear Apple is about to drop a dud.

Pump up your summer jams with these on-ear JBL wireless headphones for $25

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Save 49% on quality JBL wireless headphones.
Comfort and sound combine with these $25 wireless on-ear headphones.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

JBL Tune 510BT wireless headphones were made with comfort in mind. If you don’t like earbud-style audio devices because they can hurt your ears after a while, these wireless on-ear ones offer a more comfortable alternative. Plus, they’re lightweight and foldable, so they’re perfect for on-the-go listening.

For a limited time, you can get a new, open-box set of JBL Tune 510BT wireless headphones for just $24.99. That’s a 49% discount off the regular price of $49.

Why you shouldn’t fear Apple Intelligence

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Screenshot of Apple introducing Apple Intelligence during the WWDC24 keynote.
Apple Intelligence: "AI for the rest of us."
Photo: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event: Judging by the reaction to Tim Cook’s post on X about Apple Intelligence, the internet is not ready for Siri integrated with ChatGPT. After Monday’s WWDC24 keynote, the Apple CEO posted a link to X about the new AI capabilities coming to Apple devices.

Immediately, dozens of critics — including Elon Musk — piled on. They slammed Apple for working with ChatGPT, which the vast majority of the commenters don’t trust.

“You’ve just ensured that no member of my family will EVER buy another Apple product,” wrote one. “Enjoy your spyfest!”

However, the hailstorm of surprisingly vitriolic and emotional comments seems based on a basic misunderstanding of how Apple Intelligence will work. As privacy-focused as ever, Apple put tons of work into making sure Apple Intelligence will keep your data secure, even from the prying eyes of AI companies it works with.

Here’s why it looks like Apple is doing AI right.

iPhone gets RCS for better texting with Androids

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iPhone and iMessage get RCS in iOS 18
iPhone and Android texting is better with RCS.
Image: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event:

Apple previewed support for RCS messaging in the iOS 18 Messages app at WWDC24. Adding Rich Communication Services will bring enhanced texting between iPhone and Android users, with features not possible before.

It’s a change Apple dragged its feet on for many years. Along with RCS support, Apple is also introducing new features like polls for iMessage, enhancing group chat interactions. Learn more about these changes.

Download new iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS 15 wallpapers

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new wallpapers for Apple devices
This macOS 15 wallpaper features retro icons.
Photo: Basic Apple Guy

Apple Let Loose Event: We found more precious nuggets in new software releases from WWDC24: new wallpapers for Apple devices. They include Mac versions that reference old-school icons, iPad landscape and portrait wallpapers in various colors, and similar pretty images for iPhone.

“This new dynamic wallpaper floats over old Macintosh iconography, Control Panel, and applications like the Calculator and MacWrite, Apple’s early word processor,” Basic Apple Guy said of the new-old Mac wallpaper he found.

Tap to Cash makes exchanging money between iPhones a snap

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Tap to Cash exchanging money between iPhones
Tap to Cash allows users to send and receive Apple Cash by holding two iPhone devices together.
Photo: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event:Sending money to another iPhone user is about to get as simple as holding the two handsets near each other. The upcoming feature is called Tap to Cash.

It’s a private and secure payment system. The two users don’t even need to exchange phone numbers.

Apple Maps updated with topographical data, suggested hikes

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Apple Maps in iOS 18
Apple Maps in iOS 18 will help you plan your hikes, whether through the wilderness or a city.
Image: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event:New features in Apple Maps in iOS 18 will be a boon to hikers. The app is getting topographic maps along with thousands of suggested hikes across national parks in the United States.

The app can also create custom walking routes.

Charge your iPhone from 0% to 55% in 30 minutes with this 50,000mAh power bank

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Save 33% on a 50,000mAh power bank.
Grab this 50,000mAh power bank while it's on sale for just $39.99.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

This fast-charging 50,000mAh power bank combines massive capacity with universal compatibility. It can charge an iPhone 14 a whopping 11 times, and is powerful enough to juice up Macs and iPads as well.

It can charge up to four devices simultaneously via one USB-C and three USB-A ports. And it’s on sale for the low price of $39.99 (regularly $59). It can charge up any device, anywhere you go. And it will help you forget about past struggles to find a power outlet.

Major iOS 18 update packs cool iPhone customization features [Updated]

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iOS Home Screen customization
You'll be able to customize your iPhone's Home Screen in fun new ways.
Photo: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event:In a major update, iOS 18 gives iPhone users big look-and-feel customization options as well as new generative AI-based functionality like a smarter Siri, Apple revealed during Monday’s WWDC24 keynote.

“iOS 18 is a big release that delivers more ways to customize your iPhone, stay connected and relive special moments,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering.

The iOS 18 update will roll out to developers as a beta first. Then, after rounds of developer and public betas, become public for all in September when the 2024 iPhones arrive.

iPhone finally gains T9 dialing with iOS 18

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iOS 18 bento box
iOS 18 brings a small but key improvement to the Phone app.
Image: Apple

Apple is finally adding T9 dialing support to the iPhone’s Phone app with iOS 18. The feature lets you search for contacts or phone numbers directly from the dialer.

T9, or text on 9 keys, is predictive text technology that enables you to enter a character with a single keypress for each letter.

Watch Apple’s WWDC24 keynote in just 90 seconds

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90 Seconds.
Watch the event in just 1.4% of the time.
Image: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event:During its WWDC24 keynote Monday, Apple laid out dramatic new software updates coming to iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Vision Pro — and the awesome Apple Intelligence features that will power them all.

But if you don’t have time to watch the full hour and 45-minute long affair, here it is in just 90 seconds.

Elon Musk threatens to ban iPhones from his companies over Apple’s OpenAI deal

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An illustration of an iPhone tapping into Apple Intelligence, used to illustrate concerns that prompted Elon Musk to threaten an iPhone ban at his companies.
How safe is your iPhone on Apple Intelligence?
Image: Apple

After Cupertino confirmed rumors that it would integrate ChatGPT into iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia as part of its Apple Intelligence framework, Elon Musk threatened to ban iPhones and other Apple devices from his company’s offices over security concerns.

“If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies,” Musk — who runs Tesla, X and SpaceX, among other things — said on the platform formerly known as Twitter. “That is an unacceptable security violation.”

Apple’s Calculator app finally comes to iPad

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iPadOS 18 includes a Math Notes calculator
iPadOS 18 sports a Calculator app worthy of an iPad.
Photo: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event:Pigs must be flying and hell has frozen over because the official Apple Calculator application is headed for iPad.  It’s a feature missing from the tablet since its launch in 2010 but iPadOS 18 will include one.

It goes beyond simply an expanded version of the iPhone app. Apple built in a Math Notes calculator that allows users to write equations with a stylus and have the iPad solve them.

iPadOS 18 brings bevy of AI and Home Screen improvements

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Highlights of iPadOS 18: Home Screen customization and Math Notes
Two highlights of iPadOS 18 are new Home Screen customization options and Math Notes.
Image: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event:iPadOS 18 includes many long-requested features, including greater Home Screen personalization options and a Calculator app, at long last. But it’s the many new AI-related enhancements that really stand out.

“Our most versatile device is becoming even more powerful and intelligent than ever with iPadOS 18,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering. “With fun new ways to personalize the Home Screen, a redesigned Photos experience, major updates to the Notes app, the addition of Calculator with Math Notes, and the groundbreaking introduction of Apple Intelligence, iPadOS 18 brings incredible new features designed for the unique capabilities of iPad, making it even easier for users to get tasks done.”

Platforms State of the Union explains Apple Intelligence and new OS features

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Developer State of the Union bento box
There was a lot to unpack at the Developer State of the Union
Photo: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event:After this morning’s WWDC24 keynote, the Platforms State of the Union explained the nitty gritty details on Apple Intelligence, code completion in Xcode, Swift 6 and the latest software updates.

Susan Prescott, Apple vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, opened the event by thanking the hard work of all Apple developers. “Thank you for making this such an incredible and exciting ecosystem.”

While the morning keynote has become more of a general interest event for the public to see what’s coming later this year, the State of the Union is a show for developers to see how they can adapt their apps to take advantage of the new APIs and software tools. There was a lot to talk about this year.

Apple Intelligence is AI, done Apple’s way

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Apple software chief Craig Federighi introduces Apple Intelligence during the WWDC24 keynote.
Apple software chief Craig Federighi introduces Apple Intelligence, the company's approach to adding AI to its devices, during the WWDC24 keynote.
Photo: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event: Apple unveiled its bold plan to weave artificial intelligence into its devices Monday, focusing on how the company plans to make AI personal. The new AI-powered features, which will launch in beta later this year under the umbrella term of “Apple Intelligence,” will follow Apple’s unique approach to computing.

“At Apple, it’s always been our goal to design powerful personal products that enrich people’s lives by enabling them to do the things that matter most as simply and easily as possible,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook as he took the wraps off Apple Intelligence during the WWDC24 keynote. “We’ve been using artificial intelligence and machine learning for years to help us further that goal. Recent developments in generative intelligence and large language models offer powerful capabilities that provide the opportunity to take the experience of using Apple products to new heights.”

AI-powered Siri is the new face of Apple Intelligence

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Introducing Siri with Apple Intelligence at WWDC24
Apple demoed how AI is giving Siri a hefty upgrade at WWDC24.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event:Apple’s much-maligned Siri voice assistant is getting a huge infusion of artificial intelligence. It’s part of a movement to bring AI features to a wide range of iPhone, Mac and iPad applications.

“Thanks to the capabilities of Apple Intelligence, this year marks the start of a new era for Siri,” said Kelsey Peterson, Apple’s Director, Machine Learning and Al, during Monday’s WWDC24 keynote.

watchOS 11 adds long-awaited fitness features

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The fitness app is now customizable and adds a host of powerful new features.
Apple's Fitness app is now customizable and adds a host of powerful new features.
Photo:

Apple Let Loose Event: watchOS 11 will monitor your Training Load, enable you to pause your Activity Rings when you’re sick, and track your pregnancy, Apple said Monday. These features, together with a new Vitals app, represent another major step forward for Apple’s health and fitness wearable.

Your Apple Watch face gets some love, too, with improvements to the photo face and widget stack.

AirPods Pro will let you answer calls by nodding your head

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Answer or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head while wearing AirPods Pro.
Answer or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head while wearing AirPods Pro.
Photo: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event: You’ll soon be able to answer or reject phone calls with a nod or shake of your head, Apple said Monday.

AirPods Pro will gain the ability to answer calls or reject them by silently nodding or shaking your head, Apple said during Monday’s WWDC keynote.

Image Playground and Genmoji bring AI images to iMessage and more

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Genmoji are custom emoji you can create in iOS 18.
Create a custom emoji tailored to the conversation.
Image: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event: In iOS 18, you’ll be able to use the power of Apple Intelligence to generate fun, relevant images in your Messages conversations. You can create brand new emoji and personalized artwork.

Apple calls the features Genmoji and Image Playground. “The Image Playground is going to make everyday conversations a whole lot more fun,” said Cyrus Irani, Apple’s Director of Human Interface.

With the Photos app, you can more easily search through the content of your photos and videos, and build custom memory videos without pilfering through your library by hand.

Apple Mail for iPhone, Mac and iPad gets a major AI upgrade

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Apple Mail with AI offers Writing Tools that can completely rewrite emails.
The demo of Apple Mail with AI at WWDC24 showed off Writing Tools that can completely rewrite emails.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event: Apple Mail for iPhone, Mac and iPad is getting a real dose of artificial intelligence. When it next version launches in the autumn, it will be able to summarize emails, assign them to categories based on their contents, and draft replies to messages so the user doesn’t have to.

“Staying on top of emails has never been easier,” promises Apple.

Safari surfaces web page highlights, summaries and video control

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Safari browser web page Reader
New Safari features will help you get a lot more out of your visits to websites.
Photo: Apple

Apple Let Loose Event:Apple’s Safari web browser will learn a few new tricks across Apple devices, including web page highlights and summaries, as well as better-integrated control of videos online, the iPhone giant pointed out Monday in its Safari updates at WWDC24 section of the Keynote.

“In this release, we’re making it even better with easier ways to discover content and streamline your browsing. When you’re on a site Safari can now help you discover more about the page with highlights,” said Beth Dakin, Apple’s senior manager, Safari Software Engineering.