Top Stories - page 22

A cutting-edge pair of AI sports glasses feature innovative audio technology from xMEMS Labs, the company said Tuesday. The new BleeqUp Ranger glasses, developed by Chinese startup BleeqUp, represents the first commercial use of a xMEMS solid state microtweeter in AI eyewear — but likely not the only one.

“xMEMS is proud to help power the next generation of AI wearables,” said Steven Bentley, VP of worldwide sales at xMEMS Labs. “The integration of Cowell into BleeqUp’s glasses not only showcases the high-fidelity performance of our MEMS speakers. We’re excited to help more companies accelerate their path to market with compact, high-performance audio solutions for AI glasses.”

Perhaps that, or the upcoming uses of xMEMS Labs’ Sycamore microspeaker, could signal a new direction for Apple if it revives its smart glasses project.

It’s time to break the habit of doing everything on your iPhone while overlooking what’s often a better alternative. Consider the Apple Watch pros: It’s a very capable little computer, and it’s right there on your wrist. Odds are you aren‘t taking advantage of half of what it can do for you.

Here are the simple tasks I used to do on my iPhone that are now easier because I do them on my Apple Watch. And all without needing any third-party software. The only apps required come preinstalled on every Apple Watch.

The quest for an affordable Apple Studio Display alternative got going right after Apple launched its premium 5K monitor in 2022, but now Alogic takes a bold step in a completely new direction. As this Alogic Clarity 5K Touch Monitor review points out, it’s not just another 5K display trying to undercut Apple’s pricing. It’s a technological breakthrough that brings something the Studio Display simply doesn’t offer: a fully functional touchscreen interface for macOS.

Odds are, you’re not taking advantage of all the useful things your Apple Watch can do for you. That’s because we all tend to grab our iPhone, even when it’s not the best option. I started using my smartwatch much more after I began asking myself one simple question whenever I grab my iPhone: “Would this be easier on my Apple Watch?”

You should try it, too.

The Sigma BF is a beautifully designed camera unlike any other. While testing it for this review, I found the full-frame camera to be as easy to pick up as a point-and-shoot. It’s a pleasure to use — a love letter to minimalism, precision and the pure joy of old-school photography.

With an aluminum unibody worthy of Jony Ive and a stripped-down interface that favors elegance over excess, this full-frame mirrorless marvel feels less like gear and more like art itself.

What it lacks in cutting-edge features, this gorgeous $1,999 camera more than makes up for with soul. And for Apple lovers, photo fans and design purists, that might be all that matters.

Keep reading for my in-depth Sigma BF review (and/or watch my video version).

GameBaby from Bitmo Lab is both an iPhone case and a game controller. Combined with the Delta retro game emulator, the accessory’s clever design allows you to play classic games on your phone with real buttons. And there’s nothing wrong with a new way to have fun.

For my GameBaby review, I tested it with my iPhone 16 Pro Max, and it’s the closest thing to a Game Boy I’ve played in much too long.

Plus, it’s available at a huge discount right now — 38% off. But the deal only lasts a few more days.

Apple Music vs. Spotify: While Apple Music still lags behind Spotify when it comes to paying subscribers, in my opinion, Apple Music is the better service. It offers more advanced features like live lyrics, karaoke, lossless and spatial audio.

And for music aficionados, you can upload your own ripped recordings and MP3s. You have full control over your music library. Plus the Apple Music Classical app gives you a first-class experience learning and discovering classical music.

Here are the nine things keeping me on Apple Music — and why you should switch away from Spotify. You can also watch the video right here.

Apple may soon release a lighter, thinner version of its Vision Pro headset that may go by the name of “Vision Air,” according to multiple leaks Wednesday and Thursday from a semi-reliable source. The new device would represent a significant redesign focused on weight reduction while potentially offering a more affordable alternative to the $3,500 Vision Pro. And it might come in a bluish-black color rather than Vision Pro’s silver.

ESR bills its new MagMouse Wireless Mouse, unveiled at CES 2025 in January, as the world’s first magnetic mouse with built-in charging cable. The mouse attaches via adhesive base to a laptop or tablet so you can take it with you. And a handy little USB-C charging cable stows under the mouse. I put it through some paces for my ESR MagMouse review.

You can preorder the mouse now but it’s officially available Monday, April 28, via Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. I happily tested it partly to see who it serves best. Not me, as it turns out — but plenty of others could find its unusual features quite useful.

You can now set DeepL Translate as the default translation application on iPhones and iPads, replacing Apple’s own app. Powered by artificial neural networks, the machine-translation service supports a wider range of languages than Apple’s Translate app. And in our testing, it delivered slightly better translation as well.

DeepL Translate is the first third-party app that can serve as the iPhone’s default translation app … it beat Google Translate to the punch. The option works for iPhone users in the United States and the European Union.

Here’s how to set DeepL as the default on your iPhone or iPad.

Apple reduced its global greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% compared to 2015 levels, the company said Wednesday. It marks substantial progress toward the company’s Apple 2030 initiative goal of carbon neutrality.

And, as part of its Earth Day run-up, the company also confirmed rumors of an Apple in-store recycling deal that offers 10% off accessories when you turn in an Apple device through May 16.

“We’re incredibly proud of the progress we’re making toward Apple 2030, which touches every part of our business,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, in a press release. “Today, we’re using more clean energy and recycled materials to make our products than ever before, we’re preserving water and preventing waste around the world, and we’re investing big in nature.”

Lost your water bottle again? Journey Reevus Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle could fix that, permanently — if you’re willing to pay for it. It’s pricey because it’s not just another insulated stainless steel bottle, but the first one that integrates with Apple Find My tracking and functions as a MagSafe iPhone stand. So at $90 (or $76.50 with launch discount), it’s kind crazy steep. But this Reevus smart bottle review finds it might actually be worth it, especially if you’re one of those people who carries around water bottles all the time and tends to lose them.

If you ever lose access to your Apple Account or iPhone, you’ll be happy you set up a recovery contact in advance. Once you do, a trusted person can remotely unlock your iPhone for you if you can’t recall your password.

It only takes a few moments to set up — and could be a huge weight off your shoulders if you’re desperate, frustrated and just want to unlock your Apple account. Once you designate a recovery contact (and they accept), you can easily ask them for help.

Here’s how it works.

Apple chose Samsung Display as the exclusive supplier of OLED panels for its first foldable iPhone, expected to launch in 2026, according to a new report. The decision marks a departure from Apple’s typical multi-supplier strategy. It could help ensure high quality and reinvigorate the foldable OLED market.

You can stop your Mac from sleeping if you want it to stay on indefinitely. This might prove handy if you find it locking when you don’t want it to, like during a class or meeting. You don’t need to wiggle the mouse every few minutes to keep the screen on.

There are a few different ways to set this up. The simplest and most permanent way is to disable sleep entirely in your Mac’s System Settings. However, if you just want a quick way to disable sleep temporarily, there’s a simple command you can enter in the Terminal. Or, if you want something more user-friendly and customizable, there’s a free app you can download that you can toggle on and off from your Mac’s menu bar.

Here are the three best solutions if you want to stop your Mac from sleeping.

The Espresso 15 Pro offers everything Apple users want in a high-end portable monitor. 4K? Yes. Gorgeous. Oh, yeah. Touchscreen? Got it. USB-C? Check.

It has an all-aluminum body that makes it look great from any angle. And as a bonus, it comes with an innovative stand that lets you position the screen where you want it, even above your notebook.

I used the Espresso 15 Pro display in my home office and when working remotely, and am simply blown away. Here’s why.

We hear plenty of stories about Apple Watch saving lives, but they rarely if ever involve cancer — until now. According to news from down under, Apple Watch’s persistent alerts about an elevated heart rate helped save a New Zealand psychiatrist’s life, leading to a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia just hours before potential organ failure.

How can you run Microsoft Windows on a Mac these days? Fifteen years ago, the answer was simple: Just install Windows using Boot Camp. Today, you have loads of other options — even though Boot Camp itself does not work on Macs with Apple silicon processors.

You can use a virtual machine, pay to access Windows in the cloud from a web browser, use special software to get access to a couple of essential apps or simply Remote Desktop in to a PC. Which path forward is right for you? I’ll run through them all.

The EZQuest WorldTravel 65W GaN 5 Port with PD Wall Charger can keep your notebook, phone, tablet and smartwatch powered up in more than 200 countries. It packs four USB-C ports plus a USB-A one for compatibility with a range of electronics.

Of course, the travel adapter includes retractable power prongs for Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and most of Asia. And EZQuest built in some welcome safety features.

I tested the 65W power plug adapter out, and it’ll certainly go on my next international trip. Here’s why.

Apple TV+ comedy The Studio brings a biting perspective to the entertainment industry, pulling back the curtain on Hollywood’s most absurd realities. The series, starring Seth Rogen, takes viewers deep into the chaotic world of a legacy movie studio struggling to survive in modern-day Hollywood, which is decidedly different from classic Tinseltown. So this The Studio review says green-light this one for your watchlist.

Unlike showbiz satires before it, The Studio focuses tightly on the clash between artistic vision and evolving corporate demands in a streaming-media world. And where else are you going to see Martin Scorsese weep and Ron Howard go ballistic? See three reasons to watch it below.

You can quickly tag photos on your iPhone with the names of your friends, family members and pets so you can easily find pictures of them later on. The Photos app will detect pictures of people automatically — you just need to give them a name. I’ll show you how to fine-tune the results as well.

I’ll show you how to find this long-standing feature in the new Photos app and make the most of it. Keep reading or watch our video guide.

President Donald Trump’s newly announced 54% tariff on Chinese imports sent shock waves through the tech industry, with Apple potentially facing billions in additional costs. This raises an urgent question for consumers: Should you rush to buy that new iPhone or MacBook before prices skyrocket?

You might want to accelerate the timing of that upgrade you had in the back of your mind. But those who aren’t desperate to upgrade might benefit from playing the waiting game. See the ins and outs below.

An apparent Apple Watch Series 10 prototype with a significantly different health sensor surfaced online Monday. Speculation suggests the prototype version might indicate work on advanced health monitoring capabilities like blood glucose monitoring — an Apple goal for many years.

It’s World Backup Day, a good opportunity to learn how to clear iCloud storage of old backup files made by iPhone and iPad. Are you running out of iCloud storage space? Worried about privacy? You might want to delete some old backups from the cloud.

The good news is erasing these files is easy if you know the steps to follow. Here’s how.

Apple rolled out its visionOS 2.4 update as a bit of a surprise Monday. It marks a significant spatial computing platform update, introducing Apple Intelligence features and new content discovery tools for Vision Pro users.