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- Friday September 20
- 02:08 pm∞ The Dalrymple Report: OSes, iPhone 16, and AI
The iPhone 16 is set to be available on September 20. Many people put in their preorders, but less than an hour after they started, shipping times were already pushed back to October. Early tests on iPhone 16 battery life are encouraging, and all of the new Apple OSes have been officially released. Of course, one of the big features that everyone is waiting for is Apple Intelligence, but it didn't arrive yet, but there is a schedule that shows the supposed times for its arrival. Follow this podcast Show Notes: iPhone 16 Pro Max Shipping Estimates Now Extending Into October iPhone 16 battery shows remarkable gains in Tom's Guide tests Apple Maps introduces new ways to explore the world tvOS 18 is now available visionOS 2 for Apple Vision Pro is available today watchOS 11 is available today iPadOS 18 is now available, taking iPad to the next level macOS Sequoia is available today iOS 18 is available today, making iPhone more personal and capable than ever Apple Intelligence Features Expected to Roll Out in This Order Between iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.4 Get temporary iCloud storage when you buy a new iPhone or iPad Shows and movies we're watching The Veil, FX Mayor of Kingstown, Paramount+ Godzilla minus One, Netflix02:08 pmTested: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 bone-conduction wireless headphones
I’ve long used Shokz bone-conduction wireless headphones as my go-to for voice and video calls, mostly because they are so comfortable I often forget I’m wearing them. I’ve been using the OpenComm model for a couple of years now, but switched to the new OpenRun Pro 2 for a couple of reasons – one of which was fixing my only real complaint … more…01:45 pmHow to get the latest HomePod software update
HomePod Software 18 is out. Here’s how to make sure your Apple smart speaker has the latest software version. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)01:30 pmBecome a Touch Bar convert when you get this MacBook Pro for $400
Multitask like mad with the 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 in this refurbished 2018 MacBook Pro. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)01:06 pmDiving in to iPhone 16 and Apple Watch on the AppleInsider Podcast
Both the new iPhone 16 range and the Apple Watch Series 10 have been described as merely incremental updates, but in practice there is such a lot more to them, even before Apple Intelligence arrives.The new iPhone 16 rangeThe perceived wisdom is that the iPhone 16 range is not complete until Apple Intelligence arrives — and that is true. But host Wesley Hilliard makes the case that, at least at first, Apple Intelligence is not going to make as gigantic difference as people assume.Plus he wants to make the case that what we have right now in these shipping models is excellent. In particular, the camera systems on the new Pro models are exemplary, and the new Photographic Styles are enormously more than simple filters. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:01 pmHere’s an exclusive discount on all Nomad iPhone 16 cases for 9to5 readers, plus prev-gen models from $9 (Today only) | 9 to 5 MacHere’s an exclusive discount on all Nomad iPhone 16 cases for 9to5 readers, plus prev-gen models from $9 (Today only)
It wasn’t easy, but we have managed to secure 9to5 readers an exclusive delivery day deal on the beloved Nomad iPhone 16 cases. The brand is a favorite around here among both staffers and readers, and for good reason, but it’s also not one that goes on sale very often – almost never on its brand new gear, in fact. Starting right now, for 24-hours only (or until the clock strikes midnight on the west coast), 9to5 readers can knock 10% off all of the Nomad iPhone 16 cases using code 9to510 at checkout. That might not seem like much, but Nomad gear going on sale this soon after it is made available to order is nearly unheard of. And on top of that, the code works on all of the previous-generation iPhone cases it offers too – this yields prices as low as just $9. more…12:56 pmNorton 360 for Mac review: How well does Norton protect your Mac?
Macworld At a GlanceExpert's Rating ProsCrisp, fast user interfaceGood performance and stabilityAble to catch the vast majority of/Good price point for a subscription and number of devices coveredMinimal performance impactConsStill unable to scan .zip archivesUnable to create initial backup set for Cloud Backup feature, no matter which web browser is usedMissed OSX.Proton malware, which had to be cleaned out with another utilityOur VerdictThe user interface is clean and friendly and the program ran briskly in both its foreground and background tasks with no crashes or slowdowns to speak of, but there’s a lack of attention to detail that’s concerning. Price When ReviewedFrom $49.99 for first year, then $119.99 a year (Norton 360 Deluxe with LifeLock: 5 devices) Best Prices Today: Norton 360 Retailer Price Norton Security (first year) $49.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Outfitted by a giant marketing budget and instant name recognition, Norton 360 has long stood tall in the antivirus industry. And with more on the line now than ever in the face of larger and larger hacks and data intrusions (including a hack in August 2024 that compromised billions of accounts throughout the United States, Canada and the U.K. that compromised the private information of almost everyone I know), Norton 360 for Mac has its work cut out for it. Like its previous versions, Norton 360 is easy to download and install from Norton’s website and the company offers a free 7-day trial in return for your credit and debit card information. The software requires Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or later to install and run and is available for $39.99/£24.99 for the first year of the Standard package, which offers protection for one device. To protect more devices you need Deluxe ($49.99/£29.99) or Select $79.99 (called Advanced in the U.K. for £34.99). All those prices are just for the first year, the price then goes up to $94.99 a year for the Standard package. Beyond its antiviral elements, the software provides 110GB of cloud-based backup, a password manager, a basic VPN client, and Dark Web monitoring. Like most utility applications for the Mac, Norton 360 is simple enough to download, install, and assign full access to your hard drive. The software runs smoothly, and the issue of it being an infamous resource hog in years past seems to have been resolved. Norton’s add-on programs tend to work fairly well, and although its VPN is more basic than a dedicated client, it’s easy enough to configure your preferred country of origin and initiate a connection. The password manager is reliable and includes a downloadable recovery key, should it be needed, and there’s an admirable level of possible customization on the firewall, albeit you’ll need some technical knowledge going in so as not to get yourself in trouble. For alternatives, read our roundup of the best antivirus software for Macs. Features Other utilities within Norton 360 for Mac include an intuitive Startup Manager module which offers a range of access to login items without getting too into the weeds. The File Cleanup module runs well but doesn’t feel like an original idea anymore, given that this is almost a de facto function for most utility programs these days. The software hunts down gigabytes of extraneous items in Application caches (both system and user), Downloads, and system and user Log Files, then offers a quick means of accessing them, choosing what to delete, and deleting these items. The Dark Web protection module also works well, and a quick scan noted that my information was available on the dark web via an Adobe hack, although I’d changed my password there long ago. Where antiviral monitoring and scanning are concerned, the news is mostly good, if not ideal. It’s easy to create white lists and exceptions as well as schedule scans. Targeting an external volume such as a USB thumb drive is easy using the Custom Scan feature, and Norton 360 for Mac catches a good amount of viral activity, noting 25 individual infections on a test drive after scanning it. The software teams up well with macOS’s Gatekeeper, and between the two of them working together, the vast majority of test infections were scanned, flagged, and quarantined. Setting up a Scheduled Scan in Norton 360. Setting up a Scheduled Scan in Norton 360.Foundry Setting up a Scheduled Scan in Norton 360.Foundry Foundry Norton 360 also arrives with extensions for your web browser of choice as well as Norton Private Browser, which is based on Google Chrome’s open-source code. These tools do a good job of warning you away from spam and phishing-based websites, but it’s not perfect and still allowed me to travel to questionable websites that appeared via my Gmail’s Spam folder. Unfortunately, there are still some bugs to sort out. While a full scan of my MacBook Pro’s SSD located dozens of infections and quarantined them, it still allowed for malware to be installed in the form of a fraudulent copy of Adobe Flash Player as well as the controversial Wave web browser, which has been used as the default tool in several recent phishing scams in 2024. Norton 360 for Mac also missed the OSX.Proton malware, which had to be cleaned out with a free copy of Malwarebytes. The results of a targeted scan on a USB flash drive. The results of a targeted scan on a USB flash drive.Foundry The results of a targeted scan on a USB flash drive.Foundry Foundry Arguably the most disturbing issue was a bug in the Cloud Backup feature which prevented any web browser (including Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox, and Norton Private Browser) from being able to successfully click the “Get Started with Backup” button and create an initial backup set for the cloud, thereby leaving the function useless. This seemed to indicate that the feature was little more than an afterthought, or another item to be tacked onto a bullet-point list of features. Finally, the application still can’t perform scans on .zip files, or at least couldn’t find the sample infections I had stored on a test drive until the archive had been decompressed. Should you buy Norton 360? There are some excellent elements to Norton 360 for Mac, and while the user interface is clean and friendly and the program ran briskly in both its foreground and background tasks with no crashes or slowdowns to speak of, there’s a lack of attention to detail that’s concerning. The fact that the Cloud Backup feature seems completely inoperable no matter which web browser is used is inexcusable, the OSX.Proton malware should have been flagged and quarantined and not needed to be removed by another utility, and as multiple Macworld reviews have pointed it out, one would expect Norton 360 for Mac to be able to scan .zip files by this point in its history. While there exists a cadre of handy tools and modules here, it feels like Norton’s marketing budget and efforts have outrun what the QA and development teams were on pace to deliver on. Should these departments slow down, get themselves in order, and match what’s being promised with what’s being delivered, there’s a considerable product to be had here, but in the short term, you might want to stick with either Norton 360 for Mac’s free trial or consider an alternative application for your antiviral needs.12:06 pmImmersed Visor aims to be a Vision Pro Lite for $1,050
Immersed Visor is a new headset aiming to fill the middle ground between simple ‘face monitors’ like the $440 Viture One XR and the self-contained $3,500 Vision Pro. Weighing about the same as an iPhone 16 Pro, it’s priced at $1,050, though there are some sketchier price models. Like lower cost monitor-in-glasses-format products, you can’t use it as a standalone device – it’s solely intended for use as a Mac monitor – but it does offer hand-tracking and eye-tracking … more…12:00 pmWith new AirPods, it’s a great time to sell your old buds
With new AirPods on the way, it’s a great time to sell your old buds. Apple won't buy back AirPods, but Cult of Mac will. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)11:59 amCustomers try out the iPhone 16 in Apple Stores around the world
As the new hardware lineup becomes available in Apple Stores around the world, Apple has shared images of customers trying out the iPhone 16 and other products for the first time.A visitor to Apple Jing'an, Shanghai, trying out an iPhone 16Following the "It's Glowtime" launch, Apple released its new products on Friday. The new items include updates to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, the Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and new colors of the AirPods Max and Apple Watch Ultra 2.Following the introduction at retail, Apple has started to share photographs of customers entering Apple Stores and seeing the new lineup. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:49 amUnboxing the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 10
Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 10 are larger devices — but they seem to come in smaller packages every year.Unboxing the iPhone 16 Pro MaxLet's see if Apple's Journal app picks up on today's unboxing and recommends an entry about it. While in every case it is the device itself we believe we've paid for, part of our money does go on the packaging — and it's remarkable how well Apple does this.It may seem a bit much to praise a box or two, but fine. The ever-shrinking Apple packaging is no casual afterthought, it is always precision designed to use the least material, but remain strong enough to survive being transported around the world. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:15 amWhy I’m switching from an iPhone 15 Pro Max to an iPhone 16 Plus
Macworld For the past several iPhone generations, I’ve owned a Pro model. First it was the size—I bought an iPhone 13 Pro Max before the Plus phone was a thing—but it’s other features as well: the ProMotion display, 5X telephoto camera, A17 Pro chip, Dynamic Island, and so on. I’ve never really considered not getting a Pro model… until this year. For the first time since the iPhone 12, I’m getting a “standard” iPhone this year, the iPhone 16 Plus. There’s a variety of reasons, which I’ll explain below, but the main factor in my decision is that the Pro features are higher-end than I need. The biggest exclusive new features this year are Dolby Vision up to 4K at 120 fps and slightly larger screens, neither of which makes the higher-end iPhones a must-have, at least for me. Of course, it’ll be a downgrade in some areas, mainly the display. While the iPhone 16 Plus is the same size as the iPhone 15 Pro Max it’ll be replacing, I’m giving up ProMotion and the always-on display. To prepare myself, I turned off always-on and limited the display to 60Hz (Settings >Accessibility >Motion >Limit Frame Rate) and it hasn’t been as bad as I thought. After a day or so, I barely noticed. Otherwise, most of the new features are available on the standard models, including Camera Control and the new Photographic Styles. And compared to previous years, the Pro and regular models aren’t all that different: Processor: After a generation gap on the iPhone 15 and 14 models, the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models each have an A18 chip. The main difference is an extra GPU core on the A18 Pro, but most users are very unlikely to notice. Camera: There still isn’t a telephoto lens on the standard models, but the hardware gets an upgrade to a 48MP Fusion camera, along with numerous new features, including spatial photos and videos, and the latest Photographic Styles. But the biggest upgrade to the standard phones is Apple’s excellent macro mode, which has been a Pro exclusive for years. Display: The Pro models get ever so slightly larger displays and still have ProMotion 120Hz displays as an exclusive feature for the high-end phones. As I said above, adaptive refresh is nice but Apple’s 60Hz screens are still quite good. And all phones get the one new feature this year: brightness that goes all the way down to 1 nit. Design: Once again, the iPhone 16 Pro models are made of titanium versus the aluminum on the standard models. (Though the Plus models are still slightly heavier than their standard counterparts.) The designs are very similar to last year’s model as well, but the standard models get a much smaller and svelter camera array. Colors: The Pro colors are once again very drab and dull while the standard models get much brighter hues. I ordered teal, and after using Natural Titanium for the last 12 months I’m looking forward to some color. Otherwise, the phones are essentially the same: 5G, faster MagSafe charging, and of course, Apple Intelligence. Apple has significantly diminished the gap between the standard and Pro phones this year, and while I’m going to miss some Pro features, the iPhone 16 Plus has nearly everything I need. So I’m going to try out the standard iPhone for a year. And save a few hundred bucks in the process.10:42 amIt’s iPhone 16 day: Official photos from Apple Stores around the world
The iPhone 16 is arriving in Apple stores today, and we’ve already seen people sharing photos from Apple Stores in Australia, Malaysia, Japan, and Germany. Apple has now started sharing official photos from Apple stores, kicking off this year’s collection with photos from China and South Korea … more…10:30 amThe ‘new’ AirPods Max are another lazy Apple update no one wants
Macworld Every fall, like clockwork, Apple announces a new generation of iPhones. But other products are refreshed on a more relaxed basis: the AirPods Max, for example, came out in December 2020 and didn’t get an update until earlier this month. Still, at least Apple made up for lost time and gave them a really thorough update, bringing them up to date with the latest audio developments, right? Right? Well. Look at it this way: a good hardware update fixes the problems with the previous model. (A revolutionary hardware update rethinks the entire product from the ground up, but we won’t set the bar that high for now.) My exemplar of a good hardware update is the mighty Apple Watch Series 2, which addressed the speed, battery life, and water resistance problems, as well as the lack of GPS, which reviewers had flagged with the original model. It didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it made the ride a whole lot smoother. So do the 2024 AirPods Max, available today for $549, match the Apple Watch Series 2? Do they feature fixes for the issues we highlighted in our review at the start of 2021? After all, Apple has had more than three and a half years to find a better way. Let’s look at the evidence, starting with the problems that were apparent at launch. Issue: The AirPods Max, while comfortable, are excessively heavy: 40-50 percent heavier than competing wireless noise-cancelling headphones.Fix: None. It’s the same design. Issue: Lack of sweat/waterproofing.Fix: Again, none. Issue: There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack.Fix: We still don’t get 3.5mm. The USB-C port is more versatile than Lightning but based on Apple’s announcement it appears to be for charging only, not music input. Issue: They still have a Lightning port.Fix: The AirPods Max now have USB-C. Issue: The Smart Case is very poorly designed and provides almost no protection.Fix: None. It’s the same! Issue: The AirPods Max are overpriced for what you get.Fix: The price remains the same in the U.S. There is a price drop in the U.K., however: from £549 to £499. And what about the areas where Apple has moved on since 2020, leaving the AirPods Max left behind? For example: Issue: The AirPods Max, despite being Apple’s flagship headphones, don’t support its own lossless audio format, launched in 2021.Fix: If the new models support lossless, Apple is keeping quiet about it. Issue: The latest AirPods Pro (and even the $129 AirPods 4) get a more advanced H2 chip, which improves battery life and ANC performance and is necessary for Apple’s adaptive transparency mode. But the AirPods Max are stuck on the older H1 without any of the new features.Fix: None. It still has the H1, farcically. Basically, nothing has been fixed. The AirPods Max are as outdated as ever, growing more so by the day. The AirPods Max look new, but they’re very much the same. The AirPods Max look new, but they’re very much the same.Apple The AirPods Max look new, but they’re very much the same.Apple Apple Minimum effort Perhaps I’m being unfair on the “new” AirPods Max. After all, Apple doesn’t label them with a 2nd-gen tag or separate the 2024 edition from the 2020 edition in the “Compare Models” section on its website. As far as Apple’s concerned, this is the same product, only with USB-C and some new colors. But that’s the problem, right there. Of all the products on Apple’s books, this is the one that most urgently required a full refresh. It needed to do what it did with the Apple Watch Series 2: acknowledge the mistakes and problems, and find a way to resolve them, instead of fobbing us off with this disappointment. And the worst part is that, now Apple has done an “update,” there’s little chance of an actual 2nd-gen model in the near or medium term. The thing is, this isn’t new behavior for Apple. It’s been phoning in “will this do?” non-updates for years. The 3rd-gen iPhone SE, for example, was a similar disappointment which, as our reviewer points out, updated the one part that didn’t need it, ignored all the problems, and didn’t touch the physical design. The iPhone SE got a similar treatment, with a bare-minimum update that didn’t fix any of its predecessor’s problems. The iPhone SE got a similar treatment, with a bare-minimum update that didn’t fix any of its predecessor’s problems.IDG The iPhone SE got a similar treatment, with a bare-minimum update that didn’t fix any of its predecessor’s problems.IDG IDG The Mac Pro, meanwhile, is supposed to sit at the top of its line, like the AirPods Max, but actually has one of the Mac lineup’s more outdated specs lists because Apple doesn’t update ultra-premium products often enough. The Mac Pro had been languishing on four-year-old hardware (sound familiar?), and when Apple finally gave it an update it didn’t change the design and installed chips that would quickly fall behind the company’s other machines. As my colleague points out, it feels symbolic that the lab shown in Apple’s Scary Fast video last year was running on Mac Studios, not Mac Pros. Ultimately this comes down to an age-old problem when dealing with Apple, which is that in many fields the company is so dominant that it isn’t really competing with other companies, but with its own legacy products. When Apple launches a new Mac, phone, or set of headphones, you just know that someone from marketing has been getting in the engineers’ ears: make sure you don’t advance things too much, because we’ll have to top this next time. Sure, you can release an incredible product and everyone will be happy at first. But you’re just storing up problems for yourself in the future. I mean, it’s not like customers are going to ignore the new AirPods Max and buy over-ear headphones from someone else, right? Right?10:08 amSamsung is now ripping off Apple design in a painfully awkward ad
Samsung is now mocking Apple over a perceived lack of new designs for the iPhone, and doing it with a nod to the famous "Think Different" ads — as well as doing it despite a lack of new designs itself.Notice the lowercase word "different", with a period, and in what appears to be the Garamond fontIf you want to argue that the iPhone 16 range is little different to last year's iPhone 15 releases, you have a point and you are far from alone. Equally, if you don't think design should be changed solely for the hell of it, you're on strong ground.It's when you take out an ad to mock Apple over this perceived issue and do so by bringing up an ad campaign that ended two decades ago. It's when your advertising centers on your claimed design superiority by showing a single feature that you first did five years ago. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums10:03 amHow to downgrade an iPhone from iOS 18 to iOS 17
Macworld Apple updates iOS every year without fail, bestowing upon our iPhones a range of new features and security improvements as well as the occasional redesign. In September 2024 iOS 18 made its debut. Most iPhone users will move to the new platform pretty much straight away, and the majority are sure to love the changes. But what if you want to go back to an older version of iOS? Is that even possible? In this article, we explore what options you have when wanting to downgrade iOS on your iPhone. Can I downgrade from one version of iOS to another? The answer to this depends on whether you want to download from a brand new version of iOS to an old version of iOS, a beta to a non-beta version, or just a point update within a few days of it being issued. In those scenarios, you can downgrade, but there is a time limit. If you are hoping to downgrade from iOS 17 to iOS 16, for example, that’s not something you can do anymore. And if you want to downgrade from iOS 16.6 to iOS 16.5, or iOS 16.6.1 to iOS 16.6, that won’t be possible either. The reason you can’t downgrade is that Apple is no longer ‘signing’ those versions of iOS, and these days Apple stops signing old versions of iOS within days of a new version being issued. But if you are quick enough you might be able to downgrade from a new version of iOS to the previous version, we’ll show you how. How to downgrade from a new iOS: iOS 18 to iOS 17.6.1 In this example, we will explain how we downgraded from iOS 18 to iOS 17.6.1 which right now is the last version of iOS 17 that Apple is still signing (it isn’t signing iOS 17.7). We did this downgrade within days of iOS 18 being issued, while Apple was still signing iOS 17.6.1. Theoretically, the same process should work for any update, as long as Apple is still signing the previous version. So before you even start this process check here to see if the older version is still being signed (if it’s been more than a few days since the new version came out it probably isn’t possible to downgrade anymore). An alternative way to get hold of the old version of iOS is to make a copy of it before the new one arrives. If you install the version of iOS using the Finder on your Mac (or iTunes on a PC), you can then find that version. In the Finder click on Go > Library > iTunes > iPhone Software Update (yes, it’s still in an iTunes finder on the Mac!) If you are lucky and the old version is still being signed, you still may prefer to stay on the new version because this process will wipe your iPhone. The only way to reinstall an older version of iOS is to wipe the current one from your device. This also means that if you restore from a backup made after the update you will be putting the newer version of iOS back on to the device. Go to IPSW.me and download the correct version of the iOS you want that matches your iPhone model. It needs to still be signed by Apple, which these days is a very narrow window indeed. The software should start downloading to your Downloads folder. (Note, it can take a long time to download an iOS from this site). On your Mac, open the Finder. Plug in your iPhone. You will need to turn off Find My on your device. Go to Settings and click on your ID information. Tap Find My > Find My iPhone and switch the slider to off. Enter your Apple ID password. Hold down the Option/Alt key and click on Restore iPhone. You should be able to select the version of iOS you wish to install on the iPhone from your downloads folder. Click on Open. A message will appear saying which version of iOS you will install – this should be the one you have selected. Click to confirm this and wait while your iPhone is restored. The phone will be wiped and the old version of iOS installed on the iPhone. When we did this the Finder wrongly identified the version, but it was the one we wanted. You then need to set up your iPhone as a new device, so beware of this if you don’t want to run the risk of losing data. This is what it looked like when we downgraded from iOS 16.6.1 to iOS 16.6. The process is the same – as long as the old version is still signed. This is what it looked like when we downgraded from iOS 16.6.1 to iOS 16.6. The process is the same – as long as the old version is still signed. Foundry This is what it looked like when we downgraded from iOS 16.6.1 to iOS 16.6. The process is the same – as long as the old version is still signed. Foundry Foundry How to downgrade from an iOS beta If you’re a part of the Apple Beta Software Program, it is also possible to revert from the beta version installed on your iPhone to the version of the previous iOS. But as above, you will wipe your iPhone or iPad in doing so. Another option, once the full version launches, is to leave the Beta program so that you no longer receive beta updates on your iPhone. You will then be able to install the full version of iOS. To stop receiving beta updates follow these steps: Open Settings. Tap General. Tap Software Update. Tap Beta Updates. Tap Off. If you want to receive beta updates again in the future just go back to this screen and select the ones you want. We cover the whole process in our how to remove an iOS beta from your iPhone guide. Why can’t I downgrade to an older version of iOS? As we said above, there is a very small window in which you can downgrade. When software is made available by Apple the company includes a signature that confirms its authenticity. This is for security reasons, so that you won’t accidentally install bogus software that claims to be iOS and then find yourself in a world of pain as all your data is stolen. Whereas in the past Apple would leave the signature valid on previous versions of iOS for a short time, in recent years the signature has been removed within days of, and sometimes almost simultaneously with, the release of the newer version. This isn’t a new scenario. At an Apple shareholder meeting back in 2016, the company’s senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, was reported as saying that Apple did “not provide a way to downgrade largely because each iOS update improves the security of your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. To downgrade iOS means that your device would be less secure, and easier for hackers to get into.” If the version of iOS you wish to reinstall doesn’t have this signature then you will not be able to install it on your iPhone or iPad. The best way to get back to a previous version of iOS If you simply must have a certain version of iOS, perhaps because an old app is stuck on that version and hasn’t been updated since, then there is a somewhat drastic solution. Buy an old iPhone. It sounds silly, but it’s probably the easiest way to ensure that you have the iOS version you need. We’d recommend scouring eBay or some of the refurbished outlets like Decluttr or Amazon Renewed (or Back Market, MusicMagpie, or Amazon Renewed in the U.K.) to see if someone is selling an older model still running the iOS you want. Needless to say, you should specifically ask the buyer to confirm this–don’t just assume that the iPhone will still be running the version of iOS that was current when it launched. But bear in mind, finally, that there’s a reason why Apple wants people using its latest software. Not only does this mean you get the newest features and design, but it should also be the safest one available as it has the latest updates. To see what has us most excited about the next iteration Apple has in store, take a quick look at How iOS 17 and iOS 18 compare and All the little details and hidden features in iOS 18 you won’t want to miss.09:44 amMake your iPhone 16 Pro Max last longer with this TORRAS Ostand Spin case
Macworld iPhone 16 Pro Max is the largest-screen iPhone to date, with a huge 6.9in display. It’s the ideal device for streaming video, playing games and for composing arty shots with its 48Mp Fusion camera. A screen and camera this good demand protection that can keep up in any scenario, and for this the Ostand 360 Spin Fusion case from TORRAS stands out. Indeed, it stands out, stands up, stands down, and from side to side, with a signature 360-degree spinning ring feature that lets you prop up or magnetically secure the Pro Max in any position you like. TORRAS TORRAS TORRAS With iPhone 16 Pro Max available in Black, White, Natural and Desert Titanium, TORRAS offers its 360 Spin Fusion in three complementing shades: Dune, Onyx and Ivory. The design language speaks to sparks of time and energy, with three subtle lines on the rear denoting hours, minutes and seconds, and adding a touch of style. The Ostand 360 Spin Fusion is a gently curved, skin-friendly case with textured edges that enhance grip and comfort, and ensure smooth finger movement and full access to the camera control, without adding bulk or detracting from the original iPhone 16 Pro Max design. It’s available from Amazon now for $45.99. BUY TORRAS OSTAND 360 SPIN FUSION Take iPhone 16 Pro Max anywhere The ring feature is fully compatible with MagSafe for connecting accessories such as Qi power banks and chargers, but its magnet is 40% stronger than competing devices, offering twice the peace of mind that attached MagSafe gadgets will stay securely in place. The ring gets even more interesting when you flip it out, though. It makes for a great finger grip for stabilizing iPhone 16 Pro Max for selfies, for when you are carrying multiple objects at once, or for simply holding the iPhone more securely for extended periods. TORRAS TORRAS TORRAS Moreover, it’s an ingenious kickstand that operates in any position. The TORRAS Ostand 360 Spin Fusion lets you hook your iPhone over a monitor or attach it to its frame for use as a second screen, prop up the iPhone at up to 90 degrees or magnetically attach it to any metallic object for photographic purposes, for FaceTime calls or TikTok viewing, or stand it in landscape mode for streaming YouTube and other online video. iPhone 16 Pro Max becomes accessible and easy to use in any scenario, from the kitchen to the bedroom, to the gym, the car and even the great outdoors – in direct sunlight, simply switch the kickstand angle to avoid glare. And when not in use, it’ll slide smoothly into a pocket or bag. Wherever you position iPhone 16 Pro Max, with the TORRAS Ostand 360 Spin Fusion case you know it will stay there. What’s more, it will stay safe. TORRAS TORRAS TORRAS Ultimate protection for iPhone 16 Pro Max The Ostand 360 Spin Fusion offers TORRAS’ top protection for iPhone 16 Pro Max. This is a super drop-resistant phone case with four-corner airbags and a 0.33mm raised lens protector that can also shield the camera. It’s been thoroughly tested by the TORRAS tech team for your piece of mind, with the case undergoing 26 drop tests and its spinning ring feature 10,000 bending tests. Plus, you get an 180-day extended warranty and 30-day return policy. The Ostand 360 Spin Fusion is also available with an iPhone 16 Pro Max screen protector. This GlassGo X protector is easy to install, and with milshock technology it’s shatterproof, offering edge-to-edge protection, and resistance to dust and fingerprints. Buy TORRAS Ostand 360 Spin Fusion iPhone 16 Pro Max case for $45.99 View Offer09:15 amLogoist 5 out the door, now available for the Mac, iPhone, and iPad
Sometimes Adobe needs a good competitor to challenge it in its market. This comes in the form of Logoist 5, which was created by Synium Software Company out of Germany and is now available for the macOS, iOS, and iPadOS operating systems. The art suite, which is available for any Apple Silicon Mac with an […] Source09:00 amRumor: Apple suspends contract with MacBook Air component supplier Kerson after high ball bearing defect rate noted | PowerPageRumor: Apple suspends contract with MacBook Air component supplier Kerson after high ball bearing defect rate noted
Apple is apparently irked at MacBook bearing supplier Kerson, has suspended its production for inspection purposes due to “quality issues,” and shifted orders to other suppliers through the end of the year. Per Taiwanese industry publication, the suspension came after Apple discovered a high defect rate with the supplier’s bearings for the month of August. […] Source09:00 amWhat to do when you can’t open an app you just installed in macOS Sequoia
Macworld In macOS Sequoia, Apple has added another stumbling block to launching software that has not gone through Apple’s baseline vetting process for apps. Generally, this can be a good thing, preventing naive users from accidentally installing malware or privacy-invading software. However, for users who rely on software created by people who don’t work within the lines painted by Apple and its App Store, here’s what you need to know. The Gatekeeper feature in macOS is something you never see called by that name. It’s designed to ensure that only certain apps can run on your Mac, even though macOS can execute any correctly constructed software for the platform. The only visible control is in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Security, where you can choose one of two options from the “Allow applications from” menu: App Store, or App Store & Known Developers. There’s a third category that Apple eliminated from this list in macOS years ago. (The menu used to appear as radio buttons in a different System Preferences pane.) Those are apps where the programmer chose not to pay the annual fee for an Apple Developer account, or they have such an account but didn’t run the app through a vetting system Apple uses that’s a big step below the App Store’s review process. When a developer submits an app to an App Store, Apple uses a combination of automatic and human review to ensure that the app doesn’t contain malware or software code from third parties that it doesn’t allow and that it more or less does what it says it does without being misleading. That process is full of human error and inconsistencies, but it has mostly led to safe apps in the App Store, even if some are scammy in their pricing intent or misleading about how useful they are. Mac developers can choose, instead, to have Apple notarize and sign an app. Notarization is the company’s process for checking for malware and for software libraries (bundles of code shared among apps) that could be swapped out for other components. If the app passes those automated tests, Apple uses a cryptographic process to sign it, which ensures the app can’t launch if it’s been modified since passing those tests. (Notarization was an optional step at one point, made mandatory in 2020; all apps signed since then have also been notarized.) Some developers prefer not to engage in that step. They don’t want to pay the annual developer fee, use components that Apple doesn’t notarize for macOS, or don’t want Apple to have a say-so on whether their software can run. Those unsigned apps can still run on your Mac. I’ve found fewer over the years, but they still exist and generally come from specialized academic and research fields. Sequoia has no Finder bypass for unsigned apps—click Done. Sequoia has no Finder bypass for unsigned apps—click Done.Foundry Sequoia has no Finder bypass for unsigned apps—click Done.Foundry Foundry In System Settings, you can choose to open an unsigned app despite Apple’s warning. In System Settings, you can choose to open an unsigned app despite Apple’s warning.Foundry In System Settings, you can choose to open an unsigned app despite Apple’s warning.Foundry Foundry Here’s what to do to launch such an app in Sequoia: Double-click the app. You’re warned that the app may contain malware or compromise your privacy. The only options are Done and Move To Trash. Click Done. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security. At the bottom of the settings list, you should see a message like “‘App name’ was blocked to protect your Mac.” If you want to open it, click Open Anyway. I urge you to continue to exercise a high level of vigilance around unsigned apps as you entirely rely on the developer to protect your security and privacy. However, few apps like that have enough reach that any malware practitioner would have an interest in exploiting a weakness. Ask Mac 911 We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, we’re always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to mac911@macworld.com, including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered; we don’t reply to emails, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.