WhatsApp now lets users tag other people in Status
WhatsApp has been working on a lot of new features recently, and there are more coming soon. The Meta-owned platform will soon let users tag other accounts in Status, WhatsApp’s Stories-like feature. more…

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Apple releases iOS and iPadOS 18.0.1 to fix launch bugs and M4 iPad support
Macworld Apple has issued an unusually-timed iOS update to fix a few critical iOS 18 launch bugs. The iOS 18.0.1 version was released on a Thursday afternoon–very unusual for Apple OS releases–and it fixes a few of the more significant bugs with the new iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 release. Notably, iPadOS 18.0.1 is available for iPads with M4 processors, after Apple released and then quickly pulled iPadOS 18 for those devices after some users found it rendered their pricey new iPads unusable. iOS 18 release notes The iOS 18 release notes are as follows: This update provides important bug fixes and security updates for your iPhone including: – Touch screen may be temporarily unresponsive in certain circumstances on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models– Camera may freeze when recording macro mode video on the Ultra Wide camera in 4K with HDR turned off on iPhone 16 Pro models– Messages may unexpectedly quit when replying to a message with a shared Apple Watch face – Performance may be impacted due to an issue with memory allocation on some iPhone models. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/100100 The security page lists two fixed security flaws. The iPadOS 18 release notes contain the Messages and Performance notes above in addition to fixing the M4 bug. How to update to iOS 18.0.1 To update your iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap General, then Software Update and follow the on-screen instructions.

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macOS 15 Sequoia superguide: What you need to know about the Mac update
Macworld macOS Sequoia is now available. If you want to know what the new features are and whether your Mac will be compatible with Sequoia, read on. We are also tracking any problems, the latest updates, and what’s new in the beta. The new version of macOS is called Sequoia, named after the Californian National Park and, more specifically, the world’s largest trees. Among the new features coming to Macs in Sequoia are iPhone mirroring, which puts your iPhone screen on your Mac’s display and lets you interact with it via your mouse and keyboard, a new Video conferencing presenter preview, and changes to Safari. In addition, developers will be easily able to port games between iPhone, Mac, and iPad. order iphone 16 The free software update brings a raft of interface tweaks, bug fixes, and new features. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about macOS 15 Sequoia including how to download it. We also link to various tutorials about how to use the new features. Some features will only work on Macs with an M-series chip, including several Apple Intelligence features that will offer help with writing, creating images, editing photos, and more. Some people have been running Sequoia for some time thanks to Apple’s beta testing program. In this article, we also discuss the latest versions of both the developer and public beta. UPDATE: On October 3 Apple released macOS 15.0.1 with important bug fixes. macOS Sequoia: Release date Launched on September 16 Apple released macOS Sequoia to the public earlier than usual, alongside iOS 18 on Monday, September 16. iOS 18, watchOS and iPadOS 18 were released at the same time. macOS Sequoia: Latest version macOS 15.0.1 The latest version of macOS Sequoia is macOS 15.0.1, which was released on October 3, 2024. It does not contain new features, but it does include two important bug fixes. One bug fix corrected the error that lead Messages to quit when replying to a message that shared an Apple Watch face. The other fix was for compatibility with third-party security software. Apple is also working on macOS Sequoia 15.1, which includes Apple Intelligence features. This is in beta and not officially released. For information about what is coming in the next version look at the latest version of the Sequoia beta section below. macOS Sequoia: Problems & bugs Several third-party security tools have reported issues with the new version of the Mac operating system. Read more here: Hold off on updating to macOS Sequoia if you’re using cybersecurity tools. CrowdStrike referenced “changes in the network stack” in an alert sent to its customers and has held off on support for the new OS. ESET indicated that there is a problem is with ESET Cyber Security version 6, an older version that “will be End of Life soon.” Firefox apparently has firewall-related issues with Sequoia. Messages could quit if a message including an Apple Watch face was replied to (fixed in macOS 15.0.1) Compatibility with third-party security software was addressed in macOS 15.0.1. Having problems with Sequoia? Read: How to downgrade macOS Sequoia to Sonoma macOS Sequoia compatibility: Which Macs will be able to run macOS 15? The following Macs get support for macOS 15. iMac from 2019 and later Mac Pro from 2019 and later iMac Pro from 2017 Mac Studio from 2022 and later MacBook Air from 2020 and later Mac mini from 2018 and later MacBook Pro from 2018 and later There are two 13-inch MacBook Air models from 2018 and 2019 running Sonoma that won’t be able to install Sequoia. The compatibility list is becoming a pressing concern for users of Intel Macs. After Apple introduced its M-series Macs, the company said it would continue to support Intel Macs for several years, but it did not offer specifics. The clock is ticking on Intel Macs, but the last generation of Intel Macs remains on the macOS 15 compatibility list with a few Intel Macs that can run macOS Sequoia. However, only Macs with an M1, M2, or M3-series chip will support the new AI features referred to as “Apple Intelligence.” That includes the following: iMac from 2021 and later Mac Pro from 2023 Mac Studio from 2022 and later MacBook Air from late 2020 and later Mac mini from late 2020 and later MacBook Pro from late 2020 and later If your Mac can’t be updated to Sequoia that doesn’t mean you are completely abandoned by Apple. Apple will provide security updates for some Macs that don’t run macOS 15. Generally, Apple provides software updates for the past two versions of macOS. See: How long does Apple support Macs? On average, Macs get 6.6 years of macOS updates. To find out which version of macOS and older Mac can run take a look at our macOS compatibility list. macOS Sequoia: Should I install Sequoia? As long as your Mac can run it, we recommend updating to Sequoia. The new features–all of which we discuss below–look enticing enough. We address how macOS Sequoia compares to Sonoma? in a separate article. We also run through 6 reasons why you need to upgrade to macOS Sequoia. However, it’s wise to wait a week or so for the inevitable issues with the early release to be addressed: despite the beta program, there are often issues once the software update gets out into the wide Mac world. It’s also wise to wait because the download will likely take a lot longer if you try soon after it becomes available. Refer to the problems and bugs section above to see if any of the identified issues might affect you. macOS Sequoia: How to install Installing macOS Sequoia is a breeze. Open System Settings and go to General > Software Update; macOS will check for any available updates and guide you through the process of installing them. You simply have to follow the instructions, which we explain in our macOS updating guide. And it’s easier still if you’ve turned on Automatic Updates, which you can do from the same screen. However, if you do encounter problems the following may be useful: How to install macOS Sequoia on your Mac How to get your Mac ready for macOS Sequoia How to fix macOS installation problems macOS Sequoia Beta: Latest version Apple’s beta testing program for developers and public testers has been running since June/July and will continue even after the launch of macOS Sequoia to the general public. There is a separate macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta that includes Apple Intelligence features. Below you can find information about the latest beta versions and how to install them. If you want to run the developer beta, you need to be a registered Apple software developer, which has both free and paid ($99/£79) versions. Since June 2023 Apple has opened the beta to all registered developers–so now everyone can get the earliest possible access to the macOS beta without paying a penny. Anyone can sign up for the Public Beta, which should be more stable than the developer beta, but it may still be unstable. By nature, beta software is not as stable as the final version–features may be implemented and then withdrawn, or they may not work properly, UI can change, and third-party app compatibility isn’t guaranteed. Once registered, when you go to System Settings > General > Software Update on your Mac, you’ll see a new tab for Beta Updates, which will list the version of the beta you’re running. For example, if you want to install the developer beta select macOS 15 Public Beta, alternatively, if it’s the public beta you want, select macOS 15 Public Beta. We explain How to join Apple’s beta program separately, including details of how to get a free developer account. If you want to install the beta, follow our macOS beta installation guide. If you then want to uninstall it, we have a guide for that: How to remove macOS beta. The beta testing will continue even after Apple releases macOS Sequoia to the general public as Apple develops new features unavailable at launch. Read How to join Apple’s beta program for more advice. Latest developer beta macOS 15.0 macOS Sequoia 15.1 – developer beta 4 – Latest version September 17, 2024 Apple began the beta program soon after it revealed the details of macOS 15 at WWDC. The developer beta is available for anyone who wants to run it, but it should be noted that betas can be buggy, so we don’t recommend installing it on a primary device. Read: How to install the Mac beta. The second version of the developer beta arrived on June 24. This version brought iPhone Mirroring–the ability to access an iPhone through a Mac. (See the new features section below for more details). The third developer beta arrived on July 10. The macOS Sequoia 15 developer beta 4 was released on July 23. Developer beta 5 was released on August 5. Developer beta 6 was released on August 12. Developer beta 7 on August 20, and developer beta 8 on August 28. The RC final version of the macOS 15 developer beta arrived on September 9. On July 29, Apple started work on the macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta and introduced some Apple Intelligence features. This separate beta development was necessary because the initial launch of macOS 15 Sequoia wouldn’t include the AI features. On August 12, Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 2. Beta 3 of macOS Sequoia 15.1 came on August 28. And the fourth version of macOS Sequoia 15.1 came on September 17. This is a developer beta and will only run on M-series Macs. A report by 9to5Mac states that Apple Intelligence will not run if the 15.1 beta is running on an external drive. It’s not known if this condition will remain when Apple officially releases 15.1. Latest public beta macOS 15 – RC – Latest version September 9, 2024 macOS 15.1 public beta released September 19, 2024 Running alongside the developer beta is the macOS Sequoia 15 public beta. A public beta of macOS 15.1 with Apple Intelligence was released on September 19, 2024. Apple released the macOS Sequoia public beta on July 15, 2024 (in 2023 Apple Apple released the first public beta of macOS 14 on July 12). The second update to the pubic beta came on July 23, 2024, and the third on August 6. The Sequoia public beta 5 was released on August 20, 2024. Apple released the Sequoia public beta 6 on August 28, 2024. The final release candidate arrived on September 9. The first public beta of macOS Sequoia 15.1 was released on September 19, 2024. macOS Sequoia: All the new features Many new features arrived in macOS 14 Sonoma in 2023 including changes to Widgets, a new Game Mode, the ability to easily turn web pages into web apps, and fun additions to video conferencing apps. Rumors suggested that there wouldn’t be many new features in macOS 15, with AI-related improvements in iOS 18 taking most of the development focus. However, some AI improvements are coming alongside iPhone mirroring on your Mac display, a new Presenter Preview for video conferencing apps, and Game Porting Toolkit 2 for porting games between Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Apple has announced numerous new features for the update which we will describe below. Not all the new features will be available at launch though. Some new features will come “later this year” in a subsequent software update. iPhone mirroring iPhone mirroring is a new development of Continuity. Continuity is a feature that has existed on Macs for a number of years that means you can use your Mac together with other devices in a seamless way, making cut and paste, screen sharing and mouse and keyboard sharing possible across devices. With the new ability to mirror an iPhone on a Mac’s display, it will be possible for a Mac to connect to an iPhone and display the iPhone screen on the Mac’s display. This way a user will be able to control their iPhone from their Mac, using the keyboard and mouse to interact. Drag and drop between the Mac and iPhone will also be possible. Users can also mirror the iPhone in a window on the Mac. It will also be possible to launch their iPhone apps via their Mac. Any audio from the iPhone will play through the Mac’s speakers. During any manipulation of the iPhone via the Mac, the iPhone will remain locked so nobody can see what is being done. It will also be possible to use the phone normally while it is connected to the Mac. Users will also be able to receive iPhone notifications on a Mac. They will appear alongside Mac notifications. These can be interacted with even when the iPhone isn’t nearby. Click on a notification and be taken into the app on your iPhone via the Mac’s display. Read: How iPhone Mirroring lets you access your iPhone on your Mac in macOS Sequoia Apple Apple Apple Window Tiling macOS Sequoia will bring a new, neater, way to arrange windows. When a user drags a window to the edge of the screen it will show a place on the desktop that you can slot that window into. This will make it easy to quickly arrange tiles side-by-side so that more apps are in view. There will be new keyboard and menu shortcuts to help users organize tiles even faster. Read: Why you don’t want to ditch your tiling window manager just yet Apple Apple Apple Video conferencing A new presenter preview will show users what they’re about to share before they share it. This feature will work with Zoom and other apps, as well as FaceTime. It will also be possible to apply built-in backgrounds with color gradients and wallpapers. Users will also be able to upload their photos. These Background replacements can be applied in various video calling apps, even mid-call. Apple Apple Apple Safari 18 Safari 18 will include several new features including a new Highlights feature which will help users discover information. The Reader feature is also getting a redesign to minimize distractions when you are reading an article. Joining the more streamlined version of the article that can already be accessed, users will see a summary and a table of contents for longer articles. If there is a video on the page it will be placed front and center and the user will have access to playback controls and picture-in-picture playback will also be possible. Other rumored features included a “Web Eraser,” and a new page controls menu. An update in 2025 is also said to be bringing an AI enhancement to Visual Lookup not just in Safari, but throughout the OS, although we are awaiting confirmation. Read: How to use Distraction Control to remove ads and This new Safari feature lets you snap away annoying ads. Apple Apple Apple New Passwords app Apple is bringing the iCloud Keychain into the 21st century. Apple says the new Passwords app will make it even easier to access passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and other credentials all in one place. It will seamlessly syncs between both Apple devices and Windows with the iCloud for Windows app. Apple Apple Apple Calculator It had been rumored that Apple is working on a new Calculator app. It may be redesigned to resemble the iOS version, with new features including a history tape, revamped conversions, and a resizable window. Apple did reveal that it will be possible to see previous calculations with a history feature. Calendar and Reminders The Calendar app will allow users to manage Reminders. Users will be able to view events and tasks from Reminders in the Calendar. An updated Month View will also be available and both apps will see UI changes. Other new features iCloud – Apple is adding a “Keep Downloaded” option that prevents the file from being moved to iCloud and keeps the file on the device. Read about the new Keep Downloaded option. Installing apps – Apple is removing the double free space requirement to download and install an app. Read: macOS Sequoia makes it easier to install large apps. Security & Privacy – The beta indicates that macOS Sequoia will require regular permission checks when using certain apps. Gaming improvements In 2023 Apple introduced the Game Porting Toolkit to help developers bring their games to Apple devices faster than ever. Now Game Porting Toolkit 2 adds the most-requested capabilities from game developers. In addition, improvements to Game Mode on the Mac will unlock smoother frame rates, and advanced power management features boost performance across the Mac lineup. Apple proudly shared details of several gaming titles that will be coming to the Mac, including: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Control Ultimate Edition Frostpunk 2 Palworld RESIDENT EVIL 7 biohazard RESIDENT EVIL 2 RoboCop: Rogue City Sniper Elite 4, Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown World of Warcraft: The War Within (coming later this year). Wuthering Waves Apple noted that they are “leveraging powerful software technologies like MetalFX Upscaling to accelerate performance and deliver high-quality visuals across the Mac lineup” and that they are “taking advantage of the latest M3 family of chips to deliver breathtaking visuals with ray tracing.” Personalized Spatial Audio will result in significantly reduced audio latency with AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Apple Intelligence features Several reports over the past few months have indicated that Apple is doing a lot of work towards AI, and that generative AI (using AI to create content) will have a big role in macOS. Those reports weren’t wrong. Apple’s new personal intelligence system is coming to Mac, iPhone, and iPad with macOS Sequoia, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18. Apple Intelligence will only be supported by Macs with an M-series chip though, so Intel Macs will not offer these new features. Read: Apple Intelligence FAQ: What it is, what it does, and when you’ll get it Writing Apple Intelligence will help users enhance their writing and communications. Writing Tools are built in systemwide that will offer to rewrite, proofread, and summarize text in writing-focused apps such as Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps. Apple Apple Apple Images New image capabilities will also come to M-series Macs. In Image Playground, users will be able to create images in three styles: Animation, Illustration, or Sketch. Photos A new Memories in Photos feature will create a video from photos and videos based on a description provided by the user. Apple Intelligence will pick out the photos and videos, develop a storyline based on the photos, and arrange them into a movie. In addition, a new Clean Up tool will identify and remove unwanted objects from the background of a photo. Siri Siri is also getting some AI updates and ChatGPT is integrated into Siri. Because some queries will be handled off-device Apple is introducing Private Cloud Compute so that when data is sent to server-based models for processing it is not stored or made accessible to Apple One of the simplest changes to Siri is that it will be easier to type to Siri rather than having to speak to the on-device assistant. Apple may have finally twigged that people don’t always want to talk to their phones. Next version of macOS Since Apple stopped using the names of jungle cats with macOS 10.9 Mavericks, it’s used California places to identify its annual OS updates. The last several years have been Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, and Catalina. Apple has trademarked several other place names, including Condor, Mammoth, Redwood, and Sequoia. But it’s anyone guess which Californian location macOS 16 will be named after. But what next in terms of software? Expect even more Apple Intelligence features to come in the late 2025 update to macOS and expect that iOS, iPadOS and macOS will be closer than ever. In the recent past, the release has come several weeks after the new version of iOS ships. Here are the release dates for the previous five versions of macOS: macOS 15 Sequoia: September 16, 2024 macOS 14 Sonoma: September 26, 2023 macOS 13 Ventura: October 24, 2022 macOS 12 Monterey: October 25, 2021 macOS 11 Big Sur: November 12, 2020 macOS 10.15 Catalina: October 7, 2019 macOS 10.14 Mojave: September 24, 2018

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First iOS 18 and iPadOS patches fix serious bugs
iOS 18.0.1 fixes a bug affecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro touchscreen. And M4 iPad Pro users can safely install iPadOS 18.0.1. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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visionOS 2.0.1 now available for Apple Vision Pro with multiple bug fixes
Two weeks after releasing visionOS 2 to the public, Apple is now rolling out visionOS 2.0.1. The update doesn’t add any new features, but it does bring multiple bug fixes that should make the device run more stable. more…

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macOS Sequoia 15.0.1 now available with important bug fixes
macOS 15.0.1 is now rolling out with some key bug fixes for Mac users. The update addresses problems in the Messages app as well as compatibility issues that had affected third-party security software. Head below for the full release notes. more…

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watchOS 11.0.1 now available with fixes for Apple Watch battery life and more
Alongside iOS 18.0.1 and iPadOS 18.0.1, Apple is also rolling out a new update for Apple Watch users. watchOS 11.0.1 is now available with fixes for the Music app, battery life, and more. Head below for the full release notes. more…

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Point updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS & the rest released with bug fixes
Apple has released iOS 18.0.1, iPadOS 18.0.1, watchOS 11.0.1, visionOS 2.0.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.0.1 intending to address iPhone touchscreen issues and other bugs.Apple has released a software update to iOS 18.0.1Ahead of the expected iOS 18.1 release bringing Apple Intelligence features in October, Apple has brought out an update ostensibly focused solely on fixing a series of problems found by iPhone and iPad users. The most significant is a fix for how the initial iPadOS 18 bricked the M4 iPad Pro.It still isn't clear how many users were affected by this, or why it occurred with some peoples' M4 iPad Pro and not others. It is clear, though, that the problem only emerged when iPadOS 18 came out of testing, and Apple then pulled the release. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 18.0.1 now available for iPhone, here’s what’s new
As expected, Apple is now rolling out iOS 18.0.1 to iPhone users. This update comes three weeks after iOS 18 was released to the general public. Head below for the full release notes and details on what’s new. more…

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iPadOS 18.0.1 now available with key fix for M4 iPad Pros
Today Apple has released iPadOS 18.0.1 for all compatible iPads. The update includes, most importantly, a fix that brings iPadOS 18 back to M4 iPad Pro users after Apple had previously pulled the update more than two weeks ago. more…

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Apple TV+ to stream Messi’s first MLS postseason match for free on October 25th
Major League Soccer already is making preparations for superstar Lionel Messi's MLS Cup playoff debut, even though his Inter Miami CF… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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iPhone SE 4 to sport Apple’s first 5G modem, A18 chip, 48MP wide camera
Apple has been working on its next-gen of the iPhone SE, and a recent report revealed that it should launch sometime next year… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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UnifyDrive UT2 portable NAS review: Hardware has promise, software is terrible
A battery powered and portable network attached storage device sounds like an excellent idea, but in early access the UnifyDrive UT2 has a few too many limitations to recommend it whole-heartedly.UnifyDrive UT2 reviewData storage is a big problem for content creators working on the go, or in the field. While you can offload memory cards or wait until you go back to base, it would be better to have the option to do it while on location.External drives may also be seen as an obvious answer to the problem. But even then, you don't get the benefits of redundancy in a multi-disk setup like a network-attached storage device. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPhone SE 4 to feature Apple’s first 5G modem, A18 chip, same cameras as iPhone 15
Apple has been working on a new generation of the iPhone SE, and a recent Bloomberg report revealed that it should be introduced sometime next year. 9to5Mac’s reliable sources, who also told us precise details about the iPhone 16 in advance, have now told us more about what to expect from the iPhone SE 4. more…

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Boost your Mac’s storage on the cheap during Samsung external SSD sale
The Samsung T9 SSD is quick and it’s very portable. Plus, for a short time, it’s up to 45% off. There's a hefty sale on the cheaper T7, too. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple has never had a bigger software year, here’s how it’s going
It has been an unprecedented year for Apple software. The company is supporting more platforms and devices than ever, and the number of new features shipped and soon-to-arrive is impressive. So how is all of that going? Here’s a report card-type look at the good, bad, and ugly with Apple’s 2024 software. more…

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Why didn’t Apple invest in OpenAI’s $6.6 billion funding round?
OpenAI’s huge funding round has attracted notable backers including chip-maker Nvidia and further support from Microsoft. Apple opted out… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Get two 20W chargers for your iPhone for $13
Macworld If you’re once more in the situation where you purchased the latest iPhone and got exactly zero wall chargers to go with it, then you may find use in these Anker 20W dual-port adapters will work just fine. Since they’re available for $13, a solid 32 percent discount from its $19 MSRP, now’s the best time to get this bundle. These Anker chargers are not only fast, but they’re also compact and easy to carry. As mentioned, there are two ports available: one USB-C with a max output of 20W, and one USB-A with a maximum output of 18W. If used at the same time, you’ll get 7.5W per port, so make sure to adjust your charge time expectations accordingly. The bundle doesn’t just include two dual-port wall chargers but also two 5-foot USB-C cables. If you’re still using an older iPhone model, then you’re going to need your own USB-to-Lightning cables. Get two Anker 20W wall chargers for $13 at Amazon while these are still on sale. Get two chargers for a great priceBuy it now from Amazon

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9to5Mac Daily: October 3, 2024 – AirPods repairability, more
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by SUPCASE and I-Blason: Protect your brand new iPhone 16 in style with rugged cases. more…

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Apple smart display rumors, new Apple products in early 2025, and cheaper Vision Pro details
Benjamin and Chance discuss the latest Apple leaks of the week, headlined by details about Apple’s upcoming smart home display product, expected to launch in 2025. The iPhone SE and iPad Air are also getting refreshes early next year, and component leaks perhaps give us insight into what Apple is planning for its cheaper Apple Vision Pro headset. And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin struggles with the trials and tribulations of choosing a new Wi-Fi router to buy. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Oracle: Take a free test drive of OCI at oracle.com/HAPPYHOUR more…

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India iPhone 15 buyers get free orange Beats Solo Buds for Diwali
As part of its seasonal offers to celebrate Diwali, Apple is offering buyers of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus in India a bonus of special edition Beats Solo Buds.Beats Solo Buds Festive Special Edition for Diwali in India [Apple]To capitalize on major festivals and celebrations, Apple often offers customers discounts and bonuses with purchases to capitalize on the situation. For people in India celebrating Diwali, they can pick up some nice audio accessories with an iPhone.The regional online Apple Store for India has an offer for buyers of the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus who purchase the smartphone during the festival. Running until October 4 or while supplies last, buyers get a pair of Beats Solo Buds Festive Special Edition. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The best Apple deals: Incredible savings on Mac, iPad, AirPods, Apple Watch, and more
Macworld Whether you’re looking to gift an Apple product or just pick one up for yourself, we’ve scoured the web for the best prices on everything from Macs to MacBooks, iPads to iPhones, Apple Watches to Apple TVs, and more. If you are wondering if Apple has sales, prepare to be disappointed. Apple rarely discounts its own products–even during its annual Black Friday shopping event, it traditionally elects to give out gift cards rather than actual price reductions. It also offers year-round discounts to students, including a Back To School event where students can get up to $150 in gift cards when purchasing certain Apple products. There’s also the Apple Refurbished Store where you can sometimes grab a bargain. But if you want a new Apple device right now, other stores often offer up Apple discounts worth grabbing. In this article, you’ll find real-time pricing at all major retailers for Apple’s current lineup, and we’ve also highlighted some of the top discounts each week. Plus, for even more deals, we’ve linked to our dedicated deals round-ups for each product category. Use the table of contents to jump to the best deals right now for the Apple product you want–including the new iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10 and the AirPods 4 which were announced in September 2024. Best AirPods deals Foundry Foundry Foundry New AirPods were announced by Apple in September 2024. We aren’t seeing any deals on the new AirPods 4 yet, but they will be listed here as soon as we see any discounts. There are new colors for the AirPods Max to look out for too. Following the launch of new AirPods, the AirPods 2nd-gen and AirPods 3rd-gen were discontinued, however, we expect to continue to see deals on those products until stock runs out. U.S. Amazon, AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C case): $199 ($50 off, MSRP $249) Amazon, AirPods 4: $119 ($10 off, MSRP $129) Amazon, AirPods 4 with ANC: $179 (No discount, MSRP $179) Amazon, AirPods (3rd gen, wired case): $130 ($39 off, MSRP was $169 DISCONTINUED) Amazon, AirPods Max (Lightning): $449 ($100 off; MSRP was $549 DISCONTINUED) U.K. Amazon, AirPods (2nd gen): £109 (£20 off, RRP was £129 – DISCONTINUED) Amazon, AirPods (3rd gen, MagSafe): £159 (£20 off, RRP was £179 – DISCONTINUED) Amazon, AirPods Pro (2nd gen, USB-C): £199 (£30 off, RRP £229) See our dedicated round-up of the best AirPods deals Best iPhone and accessory deals Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry In the U.S. specific iPhone deals are hard to come by apart from carrier offers for new signups and trade-ins. We recommend checking Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile’s sites if you’re looking to change carriers or add a new line. Apple also offers trade-ins and carrier deals through its website. We also recommend that you look at our round-up of iPhone 14 deals as well as iPhone 15 deals for U.S. readers, and with the arrival of the iPhone 16 we will be tracking Where to get the best iPhone 16, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max deals in the U.S. In the U.K., we frequently see Apple-certified resellers discount unlocked iPhones. Look for money off at Amazon, Currys, and Very. We are recording all the best prices of iPhone 15 in the U.K. separately and we are tracking the best deals for the iPhone 16, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max separately. It is possible to find discounts on most iPhones in the UK, including older/discontinued handsets, including the following deals, but remember Apple has reduced pricing in the U.K. for the new range of handsets, so the discounts may not be as good as they look. Amazon, iPhone 15, 128GB, £681 (RRP was £799, now £699) Amazon, iPhone 15, 512GB, £999 (RRP was £1,099, now £999) Amazon, iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB, £799 (RRP was £899, now £799) Amazon, iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB, £899 (RRP was £999, now £899) AO, iPhone 15 Pro, 512GB, £1,199 (RRP was £1,299, now £1,199) Amazon, iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, £1,099 (RRP was £1,199 now £1,099) Amazon, iPhone 14 Plus: £599 (RRP was £699, now £599) Amazon, iPhone 14 Pro (256GB): £999 (£210 off 2022’s price of £1,209, Apple discontinued this phone in September 2023) Amazon, iPhone SE (64GB): £379 (£50 off, RRP £429) Amazon, iPhone SE (128GB): £429 (£50 off, RRP £429) Also see our dedicated round-up of the best iPhone deals and: iPhone 15 & iPhone 15 Pro deals (US) iPhone 14 & iPhone 14 Pro deals iPhone 13 deals Best iPhone SE deals U.K. readers can browse contract deals using the tool embedded below. Click ‘Choose Smartphone’ to register which model you’re interested in. Best iPad deals Dominik Tomaszewski/IDG Dominik Tomaszewski/IDG Dominik Tomaszewski/IDG You can save a decent amount on most iPads, from time to time we do see really good discounts, especially on the larger capacity models. U.S. Amazon, 10th-gen iPad (64 GB): $329 ($20 off, MSRP $349) Amazon, iPad mini (64GB): $380 ($119 off, MSRP $499) Amazon, 11-inch M2 iPad Air (128GB): $549 ($50 off, MSRP $599) Amazon, 13-inch M2 iPad Air (128GB): $746 ($53 off, MSRP $799) Amazon, 11-inch M4 iPad Pro (128GB): $949 ($50 off, MSRP $999) Amazon, 11-inch M4 iPad Pro (512GB): $1,099 ($100 off, MSRP $1,199) Amazon, 13-inch M4 iPad Pro (128GB): $1,198 ($101 off, MSRP $1,299) Amazon, 13-inch M4 iPad Pro (512GB): $1,399 ($100 off, MSRP $1,499) U.K. Amazon, 10th-gen iPad (64GB): £319.99 (£29.01 off, RRP £349) Amazon, 10th gen iPad (256GB): £459 (£40 off, RRP £499) Amazon, 11-inch iPad Air (M2): £559.97 (£39.03 off, RRP £599) Amazon, 13-inch iPad Air (M2): £749.97 (£49.03 off, RRP £799) Amazon, 6th-gen iPad mini: £469.97 (£29.03 off, RRP £499) KRCS, 11-inch M4 iPad Pro (256GB, Wi-Fi): £979.02 (£19.98 off, RRP £999) KRCS: 13-inch M4 iPad Pro (256GB, Wi-Fi): £1,273.02 (£25.98 off, RRP £1,299) See our dedicated round-ups of the best iPad deals below Best iPad 10.9-inch deals Best iPad Air deals Best deals iPad Pro deals Best iPad mini deals Best Apple Watch deals Jason Cross/IDG Jason Cross/IDG Jason Cross/IDG The Apple Watch Series 10 arrived in September 2024. It’s going to be a while until we start to see discounts, but when we do you’ll find them here. The arrival of the Series 10 marks the end of the Apple Watch Series 9, which Apple discontinued. The Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Ultra 2 haven’t been updated and remain on sale. U.S. Amazon, Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm): $386 ($13 off, MSRP $399) Amazon, Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm): $417 ($12 off, MSRP $429) Amazon, Apple Watch SE 2 (40mm): $189 ($60 off, MSRP $249) Amazon, Apple Watch SE 2 (44mm): $229 ($50 off, MSRP $279) Amazon, Apple Watch Ultra 2: $759 ($30 off, MSRP $799) Amazon, Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm): $299 ($100 off, MSRP was $399 DISCONTINUED) Amazon, Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm): $329 ($100 off, MSRP was $429 DISCONTINUED) U.K. John Lewis, Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm): £349 (£50 off, RRP £399) John Lewis, Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm): £379 (£50 off, RRP £429) Amazon, Apple Watch Ultra 2: £769 (£30 off, RRP £799) Amazon, Apple Watch SE (40mm): £209 (£10 off, RRP £219) See our dedicated round-up of the best Apple Watch deals Best MacBook deals IDG IDG IDG U.S. Walmart, 13-inch Macbook Air (M1, 256GB): $649 ($350 off, MSRP was $999) Amazon, M2 13-inch MacBook Air, 256GB: $849 ($150 off, MSRP $999) Amazon, M3 13-inch MacBook Air, 256GB: $999 ($100 off, MSRP $1,099) Amazon, M3 13-inch MacBook Air, 512GB: $1,199 ($100 off with coupon, MSRP $1,299) Amazon, M3 15-inch MacBook Air, 256GB: $1,149 ($150 off, MSRP $1,299) Amazon, M3 15-inch MacBook Air, 512GB: $1,299 ($200 off, MSRP $1,499) Amazon, M3 14-inch MacBook Pro, 512GB: $1,299 ($300 off, MSRP $1,599) Amazon, M3 Max 14-inch MacBook Pro, 1TB: $2,899 ($300 off, MSRP $3,199) Amazon, M3 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro, 512GB: $2,324 ($175 off, MSRP $2,499) Amazon, M3 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro, 48GB RAM, 1TB: $3,499 ($500 off, MSRP $3,999) U.K. Amazon, 13-inch MacBook Air, M3 (8-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB) £947 (£152 off, RRP £1,099) Argos, 13-inch MacBook Air, M3 (8-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB) £1,129 (£170 off, RRP £1,299) John Lewis, 15-inch MacBook Air, M3 (10-core GPU, 256GB) £1,099.97 (£199.03 off, RRP £1,299) Currys, 15-inch MacBook Air, M3 (10-core GPU, 512GB) £1,129 (£370 off, RRP £1,499) Amazon, 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU), 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD: £1,500 (£199 off, MSRP £1,699) Amazon, 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU), 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD: £1,649.98 (£250 off, MSRP £1,899) Amazon, 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro (11-core CPU, 14-core GPU), 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD: £1,899 (£200 off, MSRP £2,099) Amazon, 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro (12-core CPU, 18-core GPU), 18GB RAM, 1TB SSD: £2,230 (£269 off, MSRP £2,499) Amazon, 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro (12-core CPU, 18-core GPU), 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD: £2,339.97 (£259 off, MSRP £2,599) Amazon, 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro (12-core CPU, 18-core GPU), 36GB RAM, 512GB SSD: £2,729 (£270 off, MSRP £2,999) See our dedicated round-ups of the best MacBook Pro deals and the best MacBook Air deals. Best Mac desktop deals iMac iMacIDG iMacIDG IDG Apple doesn’t only make laptops, if it’s a desktop you are after take a look at these discounts for the iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Studio. U.S. Amazon, M2 Mac mini, 256GB: $499 ($100 off with coupon, MSRP $599) Amazon, M2 Mac mini, 512GB: $690 ($109 off with coupon, MSRP $799) Amazon, M2 Pro Mac mini, 512GB: $1,218 ($81 off, MSRP $1,299) Amazon, Apple Studio Display, $1,349 ($250 off, MSRP $1,599) Amazon, M3 iMac, 8-core GPU, 256GB: $1,228 ($71 off, MSRP $1,299) Amazon, M3 iMac, 10-core GPU, 256GB: $1,299 ($200 off after coupon, MSRP $1,499) U.K. Amazon, 24-inch M3 iMac, 8-core GPU, 256GB: £1,259 (£140 off, RRP £1,399) Amazon, 24-inch M3 iMac,10-core GPU, 512GB: £1,679 (£123 off, RRP £1,799) Amazon: M2 Mac mini, 512GB: £774.99 (£74 off MRSP £849) Amazon: M2 Pro Mac mini, 512GB: £1,254.97 (£144 off MRSP £1,399) AO, Mac Studio M2 Max: £1,906 (£193 off, MSRP £2,099) Currys, Apple Studio Display 27-inch 5K Standard Glass: £1,469 (£30 off) For more Mac deals check out our round-up of the best Mac Studio deals and the best Mac mini deals, plus our dedicated round-up of the best iMac deals.

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Best AirPods 2024: AirPods, AirPods Pro or Max?
Macworld If you’re thinking of buying AirPods any time soon, you’ve got a few options to choose from. Apple currently has four models in the range, but how do they compare in terms of features? In this article, we take a look at which AirPods are the best for your needs, not to mention your bank balance. What types of AirPods are there? Apple sells various types of AirPods. These range from the standard AirPods right up to the over-the-ear AirPods Max and as the models vary quite a bit in terms of construction and features, the range also encompasses a wide span of pricing. In September 2024 Apple announced a hearing aid update for the AirPods Pro 2 and two different versions of the new AirPods 4. More about that update below. Apple’s AirPods lineup as of September 2024: AirPods 4: $129 at Apple U.S./£129 at Apple U.K. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelation: $179 at Apple U.S./£179 at Apple U.K. AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, with USB-C): $249 at Apple U.S./£229 at Apple U.K. AirPods Max: $549 at Apple U.S. / £499 at Apple U.K. Those aren’t the only earphones that Apple sells. Apple also sells the $19 Apple EarPods/£19 Apple EarPods (either with Lightning connector, USB-C connector, or 3.5mm plug). Plus, Beats is a subsidiary of Apple, so Beats headphones often include Apple-specific features. If you are happy to consider alternatives to AirPods, take a look at our roundup of the best wireless headphones, best USB-C headphones and best over-ear headphones. There are some AirPods that are no longer sold by Apple, we’ll mention them here because you might still find one of these older models on sale elsewhere, so you should be aware of them: AirPods (1st generation): Launched in December 2016 and discontinued in March 2019. AirPods (2nd generation): The version that came with the MagSafe case is no longer sold. AirPods (3rd Generation) with Lightning or MagSafe charging case, discontinued in September 2024. AirPods Pro (1st generation): Apple discontinued the 1st generation AirPods Pro when it introduced new Pro models in September 2022. AirPods Pro (2nd generation with Lightning): Apple discontinued the Lightning version of the 2nd-gen AirPods Pro when it introduced the USB-C equipped models in September 2023. AirPods Max with Lightning, replaced by USB-C equipped version in September 2024. You may be able to get any of the above AirPods at a discounted price from an independent reseller, including the generations no longer on sale. We’ll include the best pricing for Apple’s AirPods right now in the sections below, but we also have a separate roundup of the best AirPods deals that we update monthly. AirPods 2 (left), AirPods 3 (middle), AirPods Pro 2 (right) AirPods 2 (left), AirPods 3 (middle), AirPods Pro 2 (right)Apple AirPods 2 (left), AirPods 3 (middle), AirPods Pro 2 (right)Apple Apple What can AirPods do? You may be thinking of Apple’s AirPods as earbuds, earphones, headphones, or whatever you call them. Perhaps all you want to do with your AirPods is listen to music, but there is so much more that they can do. Here are a few of the benefits of having AirPods: Simple setup: the AirPods are easy to set up to use with all your Apple products. You can instantly pair them with every device linked to your iCloud account just by tapping the AirPods once on your iPhone or iPad. Bluetooth headphones: that’s not to say AirPods can only be used with Apple products. You can connect to PCs, Android phones, game consoles, and TVs via Bluetooth. See: AirPods compatibility: What Do AirPods work with. Automatic switching: You can seamlessly move from listening to audio on your Mac to answering a call on your iPhone. They are intelligent: They sense when they’re in your ears, pause when you take them out and resume when you put them back in. They recognize when you’re speaking and filter out external noise so that your voice is clear. Audio Sharing: You can share an audio stream between two sets of AirPods. Want to listen to your favorite album or Podcast with a friend? Bring their AirPods near the iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV you’re listening to and they will connect. You can listen together and each of you will have independent volume control. Conversation Boost: helps you hear people talking to you. Live Listen: helps you to hear people across the room by working with your iPhone to pick up sound from a distance. Access to Siri: Siri, your AI assistant, can read your messages or alerts as they arrive. You can even get Siri to reply to messages using voice commands. Free Apple Music: if you haven’t previously had a trial you can get 6 months of Apple Music free See How to get Apple Music for free. Hearing aid: The AirPods Pro 2 is getting a software update that will allow it to function like over-the-counter hearing aids. AirPods comparison If you are wondering what the main differences between the various AirPods read on. We also cover elements like design, controls, waterproofing, noise cancelling, sound quality, charging times and battery life, below. First we’ll run though the key differences between the various AirPods sold by Apple, starting with the most expensive model. You can also see the best prices right now. Apple AirPods Max Price When Reviewed: $549 Best Prices Today: $429 at Amazon$449.99 at Walmart$459 at B&H At more than twice the cost of the AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max are the definition of a considered purchase. Thanks to the size of the ear-cups, Apple is able to put a H1 chip in each one, as opposed to the single chip that appears in all of the other AirPods. Like on the Pros, there are features such as Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode and Spacial Audio, but the Max doesn’t have the custom high-dynamic range amplifier found in the 3rd gen and Pro AirPods, or (more surprisingly) any form of waterproofing. The smart case is also different in that you can’t use it to charge the AirPods Max, but this isn’t as bad as it sounds, as the onboard batteries provide around 20 hours of listening time. Again, thanks to the size of the AirPods Max, controls are handled not by taps but a Digital Crown similar to that found on the Apple Watch, and a dedicated Noise Control button. There are also multiple microphones to aid with noise cancellation, plus updated sensors for better performance. For a comprehensive look at the AirPods Max, read our full review. Read our full Apple AirPods Max review AirPods Pro 2 USB-C Price When Reviewed: $249 Best Prices Today: $157.95 at B&H$249 at Apple$249.99 at Best BuyNot Available at Amazon The AirPods Pro had a significant update in 2022, bringing Find My to the charging case, better battery life, improved noise cancellation and enhanced audio quality, new extra small ear tips and so much more. Then in 2023 Apple switched Lightning on the case for USB-C and added a few new features including a case that charges with USB-C instead of Lightning, the ability to use an iPhone 15 to reverse your AirPods case, better protection against dust, and Lossless Audio with ultra-low latency for Apple Vision Pro. In September 2024, Apple announced that the AirPods Pro 2 will get a firmware update that will add hearing aid features to the earphones. The update should be available before the end of 2024. Learn more about the hearing aid feature. The AirPods Pro are better than ever, but the price is still high. We haven’t reviewed the USB-C model yet, but here is our full review of the 2nd gen AirPods Pro. Read our full AirPods Pro 2 USB-C review Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) Price When Reviewed: $179 with Active Noice Cancelation Best Prices Today: $178.99 at Amazon$179 at Adorama$179 at Apple The AirPods have been redesigned with each generation, each one promising a better fit. The AirPods 4, according to Apple, has a design with “a natural and secure fit for more people than ever.” The company said it used an “unparalleled data set” to make “the most comfortable AirPods ever.”  The effectiveness of the AirPods 4’s active noise cancelation is heavily affected by the open design. The AirPods 4 don’t absolutely cancel the noise around you, which might be preferable, depending on your situation. If you’re in conditions where you need to muffle as much as possible, you’ll want to turn to the AirPods 2’s snug ear tips. Like the AirPods Pro 2 case, the $179/£179 AirPods 4 with ANC case has a speaker to play alerts through Find My. It also supports USB-C or wireless charging–it works with the Apple Watch charger as well as Qi chargers. If you use active noise cancelation, it shortens the AirPods 4’s battery life—when fully charged, Apple states a 4-hour listening time with the earbuds and 20 hours of charge with the case. Turn off ANC, and fully charged earbuds can last 5 hours, and the case adds 30 total hours.The AirPods 4 with ANC for $179/£179 are a much better value than the 3rd-gen AirPods with numerous pro-level features. They sound great, the active noise cancelation is extremely useful and works surprisingly well, they fit better than previous AirPods, and the wireless charging and Find My speaker on the case are much-welcomed conveniences. Read our full AirPods 4 with ANC review. Apple AirPods 4 (without ANC) Price When Reviewed: $129 without Active Noise Cancelation Best Prices Today: $119 at Amazon$129 at Adorama$129 at Apple Apple offers the AirPods 4 without Active Noice Cancelation for $129/£129, a $50/£50 lower price than the model with ANC. Apple identifies this product as the AirPods 4. The earbud and case designs are the same as the $179/£179 AirPods 4 with ANC. However, the $129 AirPods 4 does not have the following features: Active Noise Cancelation (as well as Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode) Conversation Awareness Wireless charging case Speaker on the case for Find My alerts Otherwise, they’re the same. The AirPods 4 have an H2 chip like the ANC model as well as the same audio quality, fit, and features. So you’ll have to consider if those features listed above are worth the extra $50. AirPods features: How to choose the best AirPods We’ll now run through all the differences between the various AirPods, looking at the design, controls, waterproofing, noise canceling, sound quality, compatibility, charging times and battery life to help you decide which AirPods will meet your needs. Design All earbud style AirPods are available in white, just like the iPod earbuds that were so iconic. However, if you are willing to spend more on a pair of over-ear Apple headphones then the AirPods Max come in a variety of two-tone colours including Blue, Midnight, Orange, Purple, and Starlight. The AirPods Max are designed to create an acoustic seal around your ear to aid noise cancellation. There’s a Digital Crown on one side for volume control. There was an expectation that the AirPods Pro would have shorter stems when Apple updated them in 2022, but this wasn’t the case. This means that to distinguish between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) you need to look to the earbud. Only the AirPods Pro come with silicone ear tips to create a seal in your ear. There are four sizes: XS, S, M, L included in the box. The extra small size is new with the AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro are the only other AirPods to offer external noise cancellation. Apple Apple Apple You might not be keen on pushing something inside your ear, in which case it’s worth noting that the AirPods Pro 2 offer a vent system for pressure equalisation so that it feels comfortable to wear them. This vent system combined with the silicon ear tips means you may find the AirPods Pro 2 more comfortable to wear than the standard AirPods with their hard plastic tips that sit in your ear. The most obvious difference between the new AirPods 4 and the older AirPods 2 and 3 is the size of the stem. There’s a lot else that is visibly different though, as you can see from the image above. Size is another difference, that may or may not matter to you since it doesn’t really impact comfort or fit. The AirPods 4 are lighter than the AirPods Pro 2, which are 5.3g (0.19oz). The AirPods Max weigh a lot more at 384.8g (13.6oz). Controls One of the benefits of using any kind of AirPods is that you can also tell Siri (the artificial intelligent assistant) to do things for you. However, you don’t have to use Siri to control your music playback (luckily). You can use a combination of taps and swipe depending on which AirPods you have. On AirPods 2nd generation you use a double tap to play, skip or answer the phone. AirPods 3 and 4 use a force sensor. It’s one press for play, pause or answer call, two presses to skip forward, and three presses to skip back. Press and hold to activate Siri. AirPods Pro 2 use touch control with different presses for different features. It’s one press for play, pause or answer call, two presses to skip forward, three presses to skip back. You press and hold to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Transparency, swipe up and down to adjust volume, and you Say Hey Siri to trigger the voice assistant. AirPods Max feature a Digital Crown that you turn to control volume, press to play, pause or answer a call, press twice to skip, three times to go back, and press and hold to activate Siri (or say Hey Siri). There’s also a Noise control button to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. There’s a Noise control button to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode on the AIrPods Max. There’s a Noise control button to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode on the AIrPods Max.Apple There’s a Noise control button to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode on the AIrPods Max.Apple Apple Waterproofing: Are AirPods waterproof? Given that a lot of people like to wear headphones when exercising or walking around outside, so the question “can AirPods get wet” is a fair one. The answer to the question is that the AirPods 4 generation and AirPods Pro 2 are sweat and water resistant (IPX4 rated), according to Apple. Which means you can wear then when exercising, in the shower and in the rain but not in the swimming pool. The AirPods aren’t considered water resistant. Noise cancelling: Are AirPods noise cancelling? The AirPods Max, AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 offer Active Noise Cancellation. Noise cancellation works by using a microphone to detect external sounds and then countering them by playing anti-noise. The AirPods Pro 2 offer better noise cancellation thanks to a new driver and improved acoustic algorithms as well as better microphones and a new speaker grille on top of each earbud to help filter out outside sounds. Apple also offers the AirPods 4 without Active Noise Cancelation. Active Noise Cancellation isn’t the only sound related feature in the AirPods. There is a Transparency mode available on the AirPods Pro or AirPods Max that lets the outside noise in when you need to hear what’s going on around you. You can switch between these two modes by tapping on a location on your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max (indicated by the blue arrows in the image above). There’s a difference between the Transparency Mode on the AirPods Max and the Pro: the AirPods Pro 2 offer Adaptive Transparency, which will minimise the intensity of loud noises like sirens, so you won’t be deafened if an ambulance passes while you are using Transparency Mode. Conversation Boost is a feature that came to the AirPods Pro in an October 2021 software update. The feature can be used to enhance the voice of the person talking beside you, which could be helpful for the hard of hearing. The feature can be turned on in iOS Accessibility settings, here’s How to use Conversation Boost to turn your AirPods Pro into a hearing aid. Another related feature is Live Listen, which can be used in conjunction with an iPhone or iPad to help you listen to someone speaking from across the room or in a noisy place. You can use Live Listen with AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and also Powerbeats Pro or Beats Fit Pro. Read How to use Live Listen. Sound quality: Which AirPods have the best sound quality? We’ve never had any reason to criticise any AirPods sound quality, although they aren’t necessarily the best sounding headphones you can buy. However, we were glad to find that the AirPods 4 and the AirPOds Pro 2 use the same H2 chip that processes sound, so the audio quality is similar in both, which the differences due mostly to the eartips in the AirPods Pro 2. Another way that AirPods can create personalised sound is via Personalized Spatial Audio , which requires iOS 16 on iPhones with the TrueDepth camera and is compatible with 1st and 2nd generation AirPods Pro, AirPods, and AirPods Max. It can also be used with Beats Fit Pro. A personal profile based on your unique ear shape is set up for you based on a photo of your head and each of your ears in order to create a three-dimensional audio experience when you move your head. Dynamic head tracking can also be beneficial in group FaceTime calls. All AirPods support Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio in Apple Music, but only the 3rd-generation AirPods or either generation of the AirPods Pro support Spatial Audio for video with head tracking. Charging and battery life AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 3 and AirPods 2 in their charging cases AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 3 and AirPods 2 in their charging casesApple AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 3 and AirPods 2 in their charging casesApple Apple Before we get onto battery life, a few words on charging. The $129/£129 AirPods 4 case charges only through USB-C. The $179/£179 AirPods 4 with ANC has USB-C charging but also can charge wirelessly. The charging case for the AirPods Pro 2 includes USB-C and wireless charging. But perhaps even better, you don’t need to find a power adapter to plug the cable into: you can reverse charge the 2023 version by plugging the case into any iPhone 15. You can also charge the 2nd-gen AirPods Pro and the MagSafe-equipped 3rd-gen AirPods wirelessly. Here’s how the battery life of the different AirPods Apple sells compares: AirPods 4: 5 hours listening or 4.5 hours talking, plus 30 hours listening or 20 hours talking from charging case. AirPods 4 with ANC: 4 hours (with ANC on) or 5 hours (with ANC off) listening or 4.5 hours talking, plus 20 hours (with ANC on) 0r 30 hours (with ANC off) listening or 20 hours talking from charging case. AirPods Pro 2: 6 hours listening or 4.5 hours talking, plus the AirPods Pro 2 charging case can add a total of 30 hours of listening or 24 hours talking. AirPods Max: 20 hrs on one charge, but no charging case boost here. These battery life measures are claimed by Apple. It’s worth noting that the AirPods Pro 2 battery life if superior to the 1st generation of that model (previously 4.5 hours and 24 hours listening time). To check the remaining battery life users can hold AirPods next to their iPhone or ask Siri “How’s the battery on my AirPods?”. Should AirPods need charging a notification will appear on the paired iPhone. Prospective buyers will also want to know how quickly the AirPods will charge – or how quickly you can charge them before leaving the house. AirPods 4: 5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of battery life. AirPods Pro 2: 5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of battery life. AirPods Max: 5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of battery life. Again, those are the times quoted by Apple. You won’t always be in a hurry to charge your AirPods of course. Under more usual circumstances the AirPods have a variety of ways in which they can be charged. All but the AirPods 4 without ANC can come with a wireless charging case. There did used to be a version of the AirPods 2 that came with a wireless charging case, but Apple no longer sells that model. Compatibility We mentioned already that AirPods don’t only work with Apple products. They are Bluetooth headphones and as such can connect to any device that supports Bluetooth. In that respect there might be some difference based on the fact that both generation of AIrPods and the AirPods Max support Bluetooth 5.0 while the AirPods Pro 2 support Bluetooth 5.3, which brings improvements such as less interference and improved sound quality. So, if you were wondering if AirPods can connect to your PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Android or even Samsung phone, the answer is yes. You just need to connect via Bluetooth. One last thing to note: if you have a really old iPhone and want to use AirPods, only the AirPods 2nd gen work with iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 5s and the iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2 and iPad Air (1st generation) and iPod touch (6th generation). Other AIrPods won’t work with those ageing devices. But we can’t imagine many AIrPod users will have such old Apple devices. We cover various scenarios separately: How to use AirPods with PlayStation or Xbox How to pair AirPods with a Nintendo Switch (without an adapter) How to connect AirPods to Apple TV Which AirPods to buy The AirPods that are right for you will no doubt depend on a variety of factors. Perhaps you want the cheapest option, in which case the 2nd generation AirPods at $129/£129 might look the most attractive. But if you are a real music lover the AirPods might not be enough for you. The AirPods Pro offer noise cancellation, superior sound and many more benefits (including USB-C and reverse charge from the iPhone following the 2023 update). They cost a lot more though, at $249/£229. We think they are worth the extra expense, but you might not. If you have money to spend though then the AirPods Max, which have a very high price in comparison with the rest of the range, at $549/£549, do have a lot of appeal. But those who would appreciate what they offer can look beyond Apple’s offering and probably find something just as good, or better. One other factor influending your decision though is if you find a good deal on a new or old pair of AirPods. Check out the deals below to see if the AirPods you want are discounted – then perhaps you can afford to splash out on the AirPods Pro instead of the AirPods. For more advice read AirPods vs AirPods Pro. Also read: New AirPods: What to expect from the next-gen AirPods.

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How to set up and manage a guest user on your Mac
On occasion, you may want to allow other people in your home to access your Mac, but not your personal account. We'll show you how to set up and manage temporary guest users.User accounts listed on the login screen of the author's MacIf you are routinely sharing your Mac with someone else, it might be best to set up a second administrator or just a Standard user account for them. For short-term access, for visitors as an example, you can create a Guest User account.Doing so allows limited use of your computer without a password needed, or any access to your other accounts. It is important to note that nothing is retained in the Guest User account once the guest logs out. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Sources say Ted Lasso season 4 begins production in 3 months
If "Ted Lasso" season 4 production starts in January as claimed, fans of the Apple TV+ soccer comedy will finally have reason to "believe." (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Easily track PlugBug wall charger with built-in Find My support [Review] ★★★★☆
PlugBug is the first USB-C wall charger/power supply to support Apple's Find My technology, making it very hard to misplace. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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'Ted Lasso' season 4 rumored to start filming in London in early 2025
The rumored fourth season of the Apple TV+ sports comedy "Ted Lasso" will allegedly start production in early 2025, but it's still unclear if the star of the show will be involved.Ted Lasso [Apple TV+]Rumors about the supposed fourth season of the Apple TV+ hit show Ted Lasso have previously given hope to fans about its existence. It now appears that the show will start pre-production within months.According to sources of Sigmund Judge, the fourth season will begin pre-production in January. Shoots for the show will start in London from early 2025, the X post continues. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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New Oura Ring 4 enhances comfort and dynamic health sensing
Shipping of the new health-tracking Oura Ring 4 -- sure to spark new speculation on when Apple will launch its own -- begins October 15. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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