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- Thursday November 14
- 09:00 amWhy Apple maxes out at two active SIM/eSIMs on its hardware
Macworld Why can’t you have three cellular network IDs on your iPhone or iPad active at once–two eSIMs and one SIM or three eSIMs? Or even more? You might think Apple is trying to frustrate you. But it’s a hardware limitation that’s designed around what Apple thinks represents the vast majority of its users’ needs. The short answer is that Apple has the necessary hardware built into some iPads and iPhones could allow two (iPad) or three (iPhone) cellular subscriptions at once, but the architecture of those devices only allows one (iPad) or two (iPhone) to be in use at any given time. Newer U.S. models of iPhones have only the circuitry required to manage two active cellular subscriptions, not three, making it an entirely moot point. Let’s dig into the details. SIMpathy for the traveler The SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) is a way for a device with cellular capability to identify itself to any compatible network nearby. It’s essentially an ID connected to a billing account. When a cellular phone, watch, or other device connects to a cell network base station, the SIM serves as a unique identifier that allows the operator of that base station to check for active service–all in a split second. During the explosion of smartphones, the Mini SIM format was dominant and measured about 1 by 0.6 inches (25 by 15 mm). Most of that was a plastic surround to protect the circuitry. However, the form factor shrunk over several years to Nano, about 0.5 by 3.5 inches (12.3 by 8.8 mm)—otherwise known as “the size that when you drop it, it will slip into any crack and be lost forever.” Wikipedia (Jbond2018) An eSIM (embedded not electronic SIM) does away with the packaging and the ability to remove it. But it’s still a SIM: an eSIM is circuitry built into a phone, tablet, watch, or other hardware that can load SIM information. It acts like and looks like a SIM to a cellular network. Apple and other companies use software to program the eSIM with subscriber information. Due to high roaming costs, SIMs were a convenient way for travelers to cut costs by installing a SIM for a local service plan in the country or region they arrived in. A common task for many people upon entering a country other than their own was to find an airport kiosk or convenience store, purchase a SIM with a cheap plan, find a paperclip or SIM removal tool, and carefully swap out the SIM. You could eventually pre-purchase these SIMs, but I recall a very tedious time of swapping four Nano SIMs for my family on landing in London after 14 hours of flying. The eSIM does away with the need to have a physical item. Using one of a few methods, the eSIM is loaded with the correct subscriber information and activated just like a SIM card. Apple began including an eSIM module with the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR; the list of starting models for iPads with eSIMs has nine entries! The limits on total SIMs With a SIM/eSIM iPhone or iPad, you can activate the eSIM as the only cellular plan on your device. In Apple’s peculiar phrasing, you can install “eight or more” eSIMs–why not one or more if the company doesn’t specify the top limit? An iPad can only have a single SIM or eSIM active, but you can use the Dual SIM feature starting with those iPhone models above with iOS 12.1 or later. To use 5G this way, you need an iPhone 12 series phone or later with iOS 14.5 or later installed. The Dual SIM lets you activate a SIM and eSIM or, starting with the iPhone 13 series, either that or two eSIMs at once. Apple eliminated the SIM module from iPhones sold in the United States, starting with the iPhone 14 models. Because an eSIM is a physical piece of hardware, the limitation on how many SIM/eSIMs you can use is physical, too, not an arbitrary software restriction: On iPhones that support Dual SIMs with two eSIMs, Apple has two eSIM modules in the phones. On iPhones that support a single SIM and one eSIM, Apple has the SIM card slot and a single eSIM module. On an iPad that can handle a SIM or eSIM and on iPhones with the capability of a SIM/eSIM or dual eSIM option, Apple made a choice: it clearly built the hardware to route just one SIM signal, even though it could have had two (iPad) or three (iPhone). For that last choice, I assume Apple didn’t think the extra cost of supporting a SIM plus two eSIMs made any sense for its user base, particularly since the company was already moving to reduce the cost of goods with its shift to eSIM-only iPhones in the United States. Eventually, when eSIMs are supported by the vast majority of carriers (a point we’re nearing) Apple will certainly ditch the SIM slot on all iPhones and iPads worldwide just as it got rid of the headphone plug on iPhones years ago. This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by an anonymous Macworld reader. 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.08:45 amApple silicon speed test: Here’s every iPhone, iPad, and Mac processor compared
Macworld At the heart of every Apple device is an Apple processor. Apple has been using its own chips in its iPhones and iPads for more than a decade, while Apple silicon in the Mac is already in its fourth generation. What’s remarkable about Apple silicon is its performance and power efficiency. But all chips aren’t created equally. Understanding the performance differences between each chip will help with your buying decisions, especially when you’re deciding between iPhone 16 or MacBook models. Knowing how each chip performs gives you a better idea of what products to buy and whether or not it’s worth your money to step up to a higher model. Let’s take a look at how the new processors compare with the rest of the processors in the iPhone, iPad, and Mac lineup and see how each performs and what that means to you. For the sake of consistency, we’ve used Geekbench 6 benchmarks. Here’s every chip and how the benchmarks compare with each other. Update November 13, 2024: Added benchmarks for the M4 chips. Every current processor compared07:29 amApple faces £3 billion legal claim over alleged competition law breaches
Macworld Around 40 million Apple customers in the U.K. could be entitled to an average payout of £70 if a major new legal challenge is successful. The consumer publication Which? has announced what it describes as a landmark legal claim against the company for alleged breaches of competition law. It contends that users have been unfairly locked into “rip-off” iCloud prices by anticompetitive behavior, and is launching an action worth £3 billion (around $3.8 billion) to obtain compensation. “Which? believes taking this action is essential to changing the behavior of huge companies like Apple that use their market dominance to engage in anti-competitive practices that reduce choice and drive up prices for consumers,” the publication said in a press release. The central claim is that Apple’s iOS ecosystem is monopolistic and that the company uses its power over the platform to give preferential treatment to iCloud, its cloud storage service. “A key tactic to achieve this,” says Which?, “has been encouraging users to sign up to iCloud for storage of photos, videos, and other data while simultaneously making it difficult to use alternative providers, including because Apple does not allow customers to store or back up all of their phone’s data with a third-party provider.” This directs revenue into Apple’s own coffers, at the expense of rival offerings. This in turn enables Apple to charge what the publication believes are above-market-rate prices: Which? claims consumers are overcharged by an increasing amount each year, up to £13.36 in 2024. Over many years these additional costs add up, and Which? believes the average consumer will be owed £70 in damage, although this will vary depending on how long they have been paying for iCloud. This isn’t the first time Apple has been accused of monopolistic behavior; indeed the company has been fighting off such claims for years. (Unsurprisingly, Apple’s official position is that it isn’t a monopoly.) Earlier this year, the company was sued by the U.S. Justice Department for its alleged iPhone monopoly. Similar investigations have been conducted in the U.K. and the EU. If you’re a U.K. consumer who has paid for iCloud at any point since October 1, 2015, you may be entitled to compensation. Visit www.cloudclaim.co.uk for more information about the action and to register to receive updates on its progress.04:52 amFinal Cut Pro 11 for Mac’s AI features will supercharge your editing workflow
Apple is rolling out major updates to Final Cut Pro for Mac, Final Cut Camera, and Final Cut for iPad with new AI features. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)04:28 amHow to use Search and other new features in the iOS 18 Journal app
The release of iOS 18 brought a number of new features to Apple's Journal app, including the new ability to search and sort entries.Some of the many new features that came to the Journal app in iOS 18. Image credit: AppleApple's Journal app was originally introduced in December 2023 alongside iOS 17. In October 2024, it received its first major update, as part of the iOS 18 upgrade.There's new support for noting one's state of mind, if desired, along with the ability to print individual entries, and more. The biggest new addition to Journal in iOS 18, though, is the arrival of search and sort functionality. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:35 amEvery Mac deserves a quality PDF reader like this one
Don't miss your chance to get PDF Reader Pro for Mac for just $29.97 (regularly $59). This is a lifetime license (available for PC, too). (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)12:09 amBluesky reaches 15 million users as more people look for alternatives to X
Bluesky, one of the many microblogging platforms, has now officially reached the milestone of 15 million registered users. A month ago, Bluesky still had 13 million followers, which shows that the social network is growing rapidly as more people look for alternatives to X. more…Wednesday November 1311:48 pmApple releases Final Cut Pro 11, along with updates to Logic Pro for Mac
Apple's professional apps, Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Camera, and Logic Pro, have all received major updates. Here's what you need to know.Final Cut Pro 11 is now available for macOS, while Logic Pro has also received an update.On Wednesday, Apple updated its music production application, Logic Pro, to version 11.1. Notably, the update includes an all-new Quantec Room Simulator plugin, which lets users add naturalistic acoustic space to their music via Quantec QRS, while preserving its sonic character.The plugin uses code and simulation algorithms created by Quantec founder Wolfgang Buchleitner, allowing for more accurate modeling of acoustic spaces via the Quantec Yardstick. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:28 pmFinal Cut Camera can now capture Log-encoded HEVC video, more
Following the release of updates for Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro, Apple has also updated its Final Cut Camera app for iPhone. With the new version of the app, users can finally capture Log videos using the HEVC codec, as well as preview Log videos with the Apple Log LUT and more. Read on as we detail what’s new in Final Cut Camera. more…11:25 pmApple published a new Press Release
Apple just published a new Press Release:Final Cut Pro 11 begins a new chapter for video editing on Mac11:07 pmApple releases Final Cut Pro 11 with spatial video editing, transcribe to captions, and more | 9 to 5 MacApple releases Final Cut Pro 11 with spatial video editing, transcribe to captions, and more
As expected, Apple today took the wraps off the next big version of Final Cut Pro, and it comes with a whole host of new features that will surely make video editors happy. Included in Final Cut Pro 11 is support for spatial video editing, transcribe to captions, magnetic mask, and more. It’s noteworthy that Final Cut Pro 11 is the first release that isn’t a 10.x release since Apple dropped the ‘X’ from its name back in 2020. Apple also released an update to Final Cut Pro for iPad, version 2.1, and an update for Final Cut Camera. These updates come hot on the heels of Logic Pro 11.1, which also released today, and features several significant enhancements for pro creatives. more…11:03 pmMactracker 7.13
Adds detailed information about all recent hardware and operating system releases, including the M4 Macs, iPhone 16 models, and macOS 15 Sequoia. (Free, 232.7 MB, macOS 10.12+)11:01 pmMellel 6.1
Adds a new Equations feature to the word processor. ($69.99 new, free update, 101 MB, macOS 10.13+)10:58 pmBeware of Copyright Infringement Link Insertion Scams
Website owners should be aware of a relatively new scam email claiming that their site features an unauthorized image, demanding the addition of attribution and a link. At first glance, the message and supporting materials may appear legitimate, but they crumble under closer inspection. Here’s how to recognize these scams.10:45 pmApple updates Logic Pro for Mac and iPad with Quantec Room Simulator
Apple on Wednesday released a major update to Logic Pro, its professional audio workstation software. Both Mac and iPad versions of Logic Pro are getting multiple new features, including a Quantec Room Simulator and improvements to Sound Browser on iPadOS. Read on as we detail everything that’s new with the latest Logic Pro update. more…10:20 pmResident Evil 2 remake creeps onto Mac, iPhone and iPad in December
The updated version of Capcom’s classic “Resident Evil 2” horror game launches on recent iPhone, iPad and Mac computers in under a month. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)09:49 pmEvercore names Apple a stock to watch in President Trump’s second term
Evercore released a post-election investor note, naming Apple as a stock to watch during President-elect Donald Trump's second term… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.09:24 pmOura CEO baits Apple with smart ring shade: ‘it’s hard to do this product category right’ | 9 to 5 MacOura CEO baits Apple with smart ring shade: ‘it’s hard to do this product category right’
Oura’s has led many to wonder if Apple would ever create its own competing ring product. Oura’s CEO apparently doesn’t think so, and his reasons include some clear bait for the tech giant. more…09:24 pmDevelopers can now apply to be featured on Apple’s App Store
Apple promotes many apps through the App Store, which has its own editorial board to choose the best apps and highlight them for users. However, there wasn’t much transparency about how Apple chooses these apps, but that’s changing now as developers finally can apply to be featured on the App Store. more…09:21 pm9to5Mac Daily: November 13, 2024 – Apple’s upcoming smart display product
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 9to5Mac Daily Plus: Get ad-free versions of every episode by visiting 9to5mac.com/join. more…