The new M4 Mac mini buys Apple time for a larger iMac
While we were very confident beforehand that we wouldn’t be seeing a larger iMac this week, there are still plenty of people waiting impatiently for at least a new 27-inch iMac. Many are hoping for 30-inch, 32-inch, or even bigger. But while I do still think that’s in the works, the launch of the M4 Mac mini relieves a lot of the time pressure, for a couple of reasons … more…

Read more »

Your AirPods Pro 2 can now work as a hearing aid–here’s how
Macworld With the iOS 18.1 release (and a corresponding AirPods firmware update), you can use your AirPods Pro 2 to take a “clinical-grade” hearing test, and then optionally use them as over-the-counter hearing aids or just adjust media playback to match your hearing loss. It’s a fantastic new feature that we recommend everyone make use of. Hearing loss is far more common than most people realize, and even if you don’t suffer significant loss of hearing or don’t want to use your AirPods 2 as hearing aids. What you’ll need To run the hearing test and use your AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids (or just adjust media playback to match your hearing profile) you’ll need three things: An iPhone running iOS 18.1 or later AirPods Pro 2 (either the Lightning or USB-C version) AirPods Pro 2 updated to firmware 7B19 or later That last one might be tricky. There isn’t a way to force an upgrade to the new firmware, but it will automatically install when the AirPods are in their case and charging. However, it can take hours or even days to get the latest firmware. To check your firmware version, open your AirPods Pro 2 case and then head to the Settings app on your iphone, select your connected AirPods (near the top), scroll down past all the options to the About section, and look at the Version line. You can also find this information in General  > About  > [name of your AirPods]. How to test your hearing Start by putting your AirPods Pro 2 in your ears and then open Settings. Tap on your AirPods (near the top of the Settings page) and look for the Hearing Health section. You’ll see options for Hearing Protection, Hearing Assistance, and Take a Hearing Test. Tap that to get started. Before you begin, several screens will describe the process for you, and direct you to make sure your AirPods Pro 2 are secure in your ears with a good fit (it will run through the fit test to be sure). You’ll also want to be in a quiet environment to take the test. Foundry The test takes about five minutes. You’ll hear a series of tones at different intensities and frequencies, beeping three times each. Just tap the big moving circle in the middle of the screen when you hear a tone. Your left ear will be tested by itself, then your right ear. Foundry There will be times when you don’t hear anything at all for several seconds at a time. The tones are meant to play at different intervals so you can’t game the system by just tapping the screen every few seconds. Don’t be alarmed if 10 or so seconds go by without a sound, just take your time and don’t try to “win”—it’s not a game and there’s no high score, and trying to anticipate the tones and get a better result won’t do anything but make an inaccurate model of your hearing. When it’s done, you’ll get a result that shows the hearing loss for your left and right ear across a wide frequency range. It is common to lose hearing in high frequencies as you age, but this test is most concerned with how much hearing loss you have in the spoken voice range between around 90 Hz and 300 Hz. These results will be stored in the Health app where you’ll find them in the Hearing category. Though I have some loss at high frequencies, I have very little hearing loss in the frequencies at which people speak.Foundry Tune your Hearing options Once you have taken a hearing test, the Hearing Assistance menu will gain lots of options for you. Apple will suggest Hearing Aid be enabled only if you have mild-to-moderate hearing loss in the spoken word frequencies, but not if you are losing high-frequency hearing. In a case such as mine, where my hearing is fine for speaking but is starting to fade in high frequencies, Apple will suggest enabling Media Assist. This will alter the volume of various frequencies across the entire spectrum to match your hearing results exactly, restoring the exact frequencies you may have trouble hearing individually for each ear. It’s active when playing back music, videos, making calls, or using FaceTime. The difference can be dramatic! Start playing some music and then come back to this Settings menu to toggle Media Assist on and off to see what a difference it makes. If you enable Hearing Aid, you’ll have some options to set in the Adjustments menu. You can change the level of sound amplification, adjust how much noise reduction to apply, enable conversation boost, and more. Foundry The Hearing Protection feature is enabled by default whenever you’re using Transparency, Adaptive, or Noise Cancelling modes. It reduces loud noises by 25-30 dB in Noise Cancelling or Adaptive Audio modes (losing a bit of efficacy for lower-volume sounds in Adaptive mode) and can shave off 11-18 dB for noises over 100 dB when in Transparency mode. It doesn’t handle very sudden loud noises like fireworks or gunfire, though, so be aware that it’s more about reducing sustained loud noises like a loud rock concert or motorcycle engine.

Read more »

A clever hack fixes the new Mac mini power button's awkward location
Following the news that the New Mac mini has its power button on the underside, fans with 3D printers have been proposing how to make it more accessible.A power lever for the new Mac mini — image credit: Ivan KuleshovThe first of what just might become a wave of Mac minipower button tools have begun to spread across social media, but maybe the archetype of them all is from engineer Ivan Kuleshov. He previously redesigned the Magic Mouse so that it got a charging port on the front.Believe it will work pic.twitter.com/dZkYFAPDik— Ivan Kuleshov (@Merocle) October 30, 2024 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

New AirPods guide: What’s next for AirPods, AirPods Pro and Max
Macworld Apple’s AirPods–which dropped with a bit of controversy and little interest back in 2016–hit some kind of inflection point around 2018, and suddenly became the hot thing. This was handily timed for the 2019 updates, as the 2nd-gen and then Pro versions of the AirPods launched to a newly receptive public and sold like the proverbial hotcakes. Then came the AirPods Max in late 2020, the 3rd-generation AirPods in 2021, and the 2nd-gen AirPods Pro in 2022. Where next, then, for the AirPods? In this article we will look at all the different AirPods, evaluating when Apple might next update them and the new features that could arrive with the next generation. At the Apple Event on September 9, Apple unveiled the new AirPods 4, replacing the 2nd and 3rd generation AirPods. There are two models, a cheaper AirPods 4 and a more expensive AirPods 4 with ANC. The cheaper version matches up to the expectation that Apple was planning to launch AirPods Lite. Apple also updated the AirPods Max with a USB-C plug, and refreshed the colors. Nothing else has changed about those models though. In addition, Apple revealed that new hearing-related features are coming to the AirPods Pro in 2024. On September 12, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it authorized Apple’s “Hearing Aid Feature” for the AirPods Pro. The technology then arrived in late October 2024. Read about How to set up AirPods Pro 2 to work as a hearing aid. Read on for more information about the newest AirPods and what’s expected for the models Apple still hasn’t updated. We also have a comparison of all the AirPods. Are there new AirPods? AirPods 4: Apple updated the standard AirPods in September 2024. The AirPods 4 replace the 2nd-gen AirPods and the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) replace the 3rd-gen AirPods. Read our AirPods 4 with ANC review and AirPods 4 vs old AirPods to find out what’s new. AirPods Max: The AirPods Max also had an update in September 2024, nearly four years after they were introduced in December 2020, but Apple isn’t acknowledging it as a generational update. Instead, Apple introduced “New colors” and has updated the plug to USB-C (replacing lightning). AirPods Pro 2: While the 2nd-gen models were introduced in 2022, in September 2023 they were updated. Apple didn’t consider this update significant enough for a generational change, so they are still known as the 2nd generation AirPods Pro, but the ‘new’ model that was introduced in September 2023 comes with a USB-C charging case (replacing the lightning port) and slightly better dust proofing. Alongside the USB-C charging case, there is also a change to their IP rating, now IP54 (which indicates better dustproofing). They went on sale on September 22, 2023. In September 2024, Apple revealed that new hearing-related features are coming to AirPods Pro. These features arrived in October 2024 with the iOS 18.1 update. EarPods: Apple last updated the wired EarPods with a USB-C cable at the September 2023 event, they previously had a Lightning cable. AirPods 4 release date: When will the new AirPods come out?  On sale from September 20 Below you will see the pricing and where to buy information for the new AirPods where you are, and the best prices from third parties. Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) Read our review Price When Reviewed: $179 with Active Noice Cancelation Best Prices Today: $168.99 at Amazon | $169.99 at Best Buy | $174.95 at B&H Apple AirPods 4 (without ANC) Price When Reviewed: $129 without Active Noise Cancelation Best Prices Today: $119 at Amazon | $119.99 at Best Buy | $125 at B&H How much do AirPods cost? The rumors suggested that Apple was going to introduce AirPods LIte at a lower price, possibly as little as $99. Ming-Chi Kuo referred to $99 as the price target for the AirPods Lite in January 2023. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case and the entry-level AirPods 4 are $129/£129, while if you want Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that will cost $50 more at $179/£179. Here’s how much each AirPod model costs right now in the U.S. and U.K.: Apple Earbuds: $19/£19 AirPods 4: $129/£129 AirPoids 4 with ANC: $179/£179 AirPods Pro 2nd-gen $249/£229 AirPods Max $549/£499 Apple used to sell versions of the AirPods with and without a MagSafe charging case, the MagSafe option cost $10/£10 more. This is no longer available. Prior to September 2024 pricing was as follows: Apple Earbuds $19/£19 AirPods 2nd-gen $129/£129 (was £139) AirPoids 3rd-gen (Lightning) $169/£169 (was £179 at launch) AirPoids 3rd-gen (MagSafe) $179/£179 (was £189 at launch) AirPods Pro 2nd-gen $249/£229 (was £249 at launch) AirPods Max $549/£499 (was £549 at launch) We have a round-up of the Best wireless earbuds for iPhones and the best wired headphones if you’d like to consider alternatives to AirPods. Also read AirPods Pro vs AirPods to find out how the models compare. New AirPods features The AirPods 4 introduce the following new features: New design to make them the “most comfortable AirPods ever”, according to Apple New acoustic architecture, low-distortion driver, and high dynamic range amplifier Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking H2 chip for “low wireless audio latency and excellent voice quality” USB-C charging (AirPods 4 with ANC can charge using an Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger) 50mm wide charging case (smallest in the industry, according to Apple) Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness (for ANC model) The AirPods Max (2024 update) introduce the following new features: New colors: midnight, starlight, blue, purple, and orange USB-C charging capabilities The AirPods Pro 2 gained new hearing features in October 2024 including: Loud Sound Reduction Hearing Test Hearing Aid features On September 12, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it authorized Apple’s “Hearing Aid Feature” for the AirPods Pro. This new feature arrived with the iOS 18.1 update on October 28. Bloomberg’s Gurman had predicted that hearing health was going to be an area of AirPods innovation, writing in March 2023 that Apple’s looking at the “ability to get hearing data of some sort.” In a report in July 2023, Gurman predicted, a “new hearing test feature that will play different tones and sounds to allow the AirPods to determine how well a person can hear. The idea is to help users screen for hearing issues.” The AirPods Pro models already had Conversation Boost and Live Listen that go some way to turn them into semi-hearing aids. AirPods updated we are waiting for That’s where we are so far, but what new features are expected for the remaining AirPods? AirPods Pro (3rd-gen): Rumors and release date Current model: AirPods Pro 2nd-gen – launched September 2022, updated September 2023 Next model: AirPods Pro 3rd gen – predicted launch 2025 The 2nd generation AirPods Pro have been on sale since September 2022, although Apple did make some changes to them in September 2023. The next update to the AirPods Pro probably won’t happen until 2025. When the 3rd-generation AirPods Pro do arrive the indications are that they will get a new design and some new health-related features. AirPods Max (2nd-gen): Rumors and Release Date Current model: AirPods Max 1st-gen – launched December 2020, updated September 2024. Next model: AirPods Max 2nd-gen – predicted launch 2025 In the winter of 2024 the AirPods Max will be four years old and due an update–especially in the light of competition from other headphones, including Apple’s own Beats Studio Pro. The AirPods Max cannot even play Apple’s lossless audio which is an omission that needs to be rectified. In September 2024 Apple made a few updates to the AirPods Max, including a new range of colors and the addition of USB-C, but there are still missing features, some of which we discuss here: Apple needs to scrap the AirPods Max and start over these include: Lighter and foldable. USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable. A proper case. Ability to use them as wired headphones. Better sound quality, noise cancellation, and transparency. Gurman suggested in an October 2023 report that the new AirPod Max will come in new colors and offer USB-C, but they “won’t see many other changes.” Gurman’s predictions were correct. It was thought that Apple would incorporate the H2 processor found in the newer AirPods Pro, but it seems that it hasn’t done so yet, so that can be expected for the 2nd generation. The AirPods Max may not be a big concern for Apple though. While Gurman notes in a December newsletter that “Apple also looks to breathe new life into the AirPods Max headphones,” he allows that: “The cans don’t sell well enough for the company to invest in entirely new hardware or software features”. Other new features coming to AirPods There are a few limitations that Apple may be addressing with new AirPods. Lossless audio One area ripe for improvement is the ability to play Apple’s hi-res lossless audio, which the company introduced in June 2021. Bluetooth headphones–including all of Apple’s AirPods–aren’t capable of playing audio at this resolution. Apple will no doubt be looking for a way to bring this technology to the AirPods Max. The AirPods Max, despite their high price, aren’t currently capable of playing Apple’s hi-res lossless audio. An update in 2023 did bring some capacity to play high-res audio on these headphones if they are used in the wired format. Users can plug in the AirPods Max via the Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable and enjoy better quality sound, but Apple indicates that “Given the analog-to-digital conversion in the cable, the playback will not be completely lossless.” Crash Detection An Apple patent describes a way that motion sensors inside AirPods could aid Crash Detection. There have been reports of the iPhone and Apple Watch triggering emergency calls, so it is likely Apple will have to mitigate against this happening with the AirPods. Temperature sensor The big new features for the 3rd-gen AirPods Pro will apparently be health-related. Apple is said to be looking at body-temperature and health tracking. The Apple Watch already incorporated a temperature sensor, used primarily for the ovulation tracking feature. Apple is said to be keen to build in body temperature measurement features to its earbuds, the ear canal is being a better and more accurate source of such data than a Watch. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is working on adding a temperature sensor to a future set of AirPods. However, we may have to wait a little longer as Gurman isn’t convinced that this will be ready for the fourth generation. If you’re keen to hear the latest rumors about Apple’s 2025 plans, the best place to start is our roundup: New Apple products 2025. Those interested in the current range should take a look at our roundup of the best AirPods deals for the latest bargains.

Read more »

The M4 Mac mini illustrates Apple’s unhealthy power button obsession
Macworld I’ve been thinking a lot about the new M4 Mac mini. When I saw it on Tuesday, I decided that, contrary to widespread allegations, it does not look like an Apple TV 4K; it’s more like a shrunken Mac Studio. But I’m prepared to concede that the new mini is quite a bit more Apple TV 4K than we expected. Case in point: have you ever seen an on/off button on your Apple TV? Of course not, because it hasn’t got one. And based on recent developments it might not be long before the same policy applies to the Mac. Apple appears to think that you switch a Mac on once, and then work with it for years without switching it off. You just send it to sleep or let the software shut it down and start it up again during an operating system update. Since you never need to turn the Mac off, it stands to reason that you don’t need to be able to find the power button. On desktops, Apple hides it rather coyly around the back. The equivalent button on a MacBook is slightly more prominent–at the top right of the keyboard–but since it now has Touch ID built in, there’s no label, and it’s pretty inconspicuous. With the Mac mini M4, however, Apple has taken its quest to hide the on/off switch to the next level. It’s now located on the bottom of the housing. Seriously. Instead of awkwardly reaching behind the Mac mini to switch it on, you now have to awkwardly lift it slightly to find the power button. Who came up with this nonsense? It wasn’t Jony Ive, but his aversion to buttons and ports obviously still runs deep in Apple’s DNA. Apple’s climate contradictions Let’s get back to the idea of never having to switch off a device. If you don’t use the Apple TV 4K for a while, it shows pretty pictures from around the world and then goes to sleep on its own. But if I really want to switch the thing off, I press and hold the power button on the remote control and the TV goes to sleep too. Does the Mac mini M4 have a remote control? No! So I switch it on once and never switch it off again… how does that fit in with Apple’s claim of carbon neutrality? Yes, I cover part of my electricity needs with a solar panel on the roof. And yes, my local provider uses some renewable energy too. But this is still going to involve coal and gas getting burned somewhere along the line. It may well be that the aluminum in the casing is 100 percent recycled, as is the gold in the conductors and sockets inside. It may also be that Apple is now saving even more material in the packaging and not using plastic. It may also be that my Mac mini M4 came by ship from China to Rotterdam and was then transported from there by rail. Okay, the M4 is damn efficient and requires far less energy with far higher performance than my Intel mini from 2018. But I still want to switch off the Mac mini if I don’t need it for a long time, as it draws a few watts even when it’s idle. And when I switch it on again, I don’t want to have to lift the thing, no matter how light it may be. Current best prices: Mac Mini M4 Retailer Price $599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket

Read more »

Watch: Hands-on with M4 MacBook Pro, iMac and the new Mac mini
YouTuber Brian Tong brings us a nice video of Apple’s Los Angeles hands-on showroom event on Wednesday, which let creators get their first hands on with the new M4-powered Mac product lineup. You can see size comparisons with the new Mac mini next to the old Mac mini, and the Apple TV. They also had demos setup showing Final Cut running on the new M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pros … more…

Read more »

Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition to arrive for Apple Silicon-based Macs in early 2025
If you loved Cyberpunk 2077, it’s officially coming to the Mac through the Mac App Store and Steam with a release slated for early 2025. The release will be exclusive to Apple Silicon Macs, and will take advantage of Apple’s M1, M2, M4, and M4 chips. The game supports path tracing and frame generation, which […] Source

Read more »

Apple announces M4, M4 Max-based MacBook Pro models
Apple’s week of product announcements continued with the company announcing M4 and M4 Max-based versions of its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro notebooks, alongside a new entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the M4 chip. As had been previously leaked, the M4 and M4 Max notebooks arrive with a minimum of 24GB of Unified Memory, […] Source

Read more »

Macworld Podcast: M4 iMac, M4 MacBook Pro, M4 Mac mini now available
Macworld This week is full of treats from Apple! We’ve got a new iMac, new MacBook Pros, and a new Mac mini, all sporting the new M4 chip. We talk about the new products and more on this episode of the Macworld Podcast! And we promise, no tricks! This is episode 907 with Jason Cross, Michael Simon, and Roman Loyola. Watch episode 907 on YouTube Listen to episode 907 on Apple Podcasts

Read more »

How to block annoying texts with a few taps on your iPhone
Macworld Apple hasn’t yet provided a simple way to mark unwanted incoming text messages and block and delete them. Nor do they identify texts for patterns–as the Mail app and iCloud.com does to mark commercial and fraudulent emails–to see if they look like something that should go right into the bit bucket. Here are a few things you can do to block annoying texts on your iPhone. Use SMS filters You can install third-party SMS filters, an option Apple allowed starting in 2017. These filters do see the contents of your SMS messages, which is a privacy risk, but one that the companies involved have detailed policy statements about and bear the liability for if your messages were to be breached. I wrote about how to use these filters in 2017, and the process remains identical today (though in iOS 18, the configuration is handled at Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown & Spam). To find apps that offer SMS filtering, go to the iOS App Store and search on “SMS filter.” The App Store doesn’t have a category specifically for this task. Apple lets you work with third-party apps that can examine your SMS messages for junk. Tagged messages are sorted into a filtered category.Foundry Due to the end-to-end encryption and privacy intent by Apple for iMessage, Apple doesn’t offer third-party filtering for that category of message. However, because all iMessage posts require validated Apple ID accounts, you can reliably block the source of an iMessage—they can’t just generate endless iMessage accounts, unlike the potential of creating false originating phone numbers for text messages. Develop a manual reflex I’ve developed a quick set of actions for blocking unwanted texts that I wish I could make into a Shortcut in iOS, but which appears to require too many elements that aren’t available in Shortcuts. When I receive an illegitimate text, or one from a real source that I didn’t give permission to text me, here’s what I do: Tap the conversation to view the message. Tap the profile link at the top. Tap the Info button. Tap Block Caller. Tap the back button in the upper-left corner (

Read more »

Apple Vision Pro to launch in South Korea and UAE this November
Apple's Vision Pro continues its slow international expansion and will go on sale in South Korea and the United Arab Emirates starting November 15. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

Apple announces Vision Pro international expansion in two more countries
Following an exclusive launch in the US in February, Apple began the international expansion of Vision Pro in June. Now the company is ready to bring Apple Vision Pro to even more countries, as the company has just announced another expansion for next month. more…

Read more »

Apple Vision Pro launching in United Arab Emirates & South Korea November 15
Apple Vision Pro will be available in a dozen countries and regions after a November 15 launch in the United Arab Emirates and South Korea.Apple Vision Pro is slowly being rolled out globallyIt has been a glacially slow launch for Apple Vision Pro, with the United States release in February and a global rollout beginning in June. The high price and lack of exclusive software and media have made it a tough sell overall.The global expansion continues with two more countries getting the headset soon. An X post from Greg Joswiak revealed that the United Arab Emirates and South Korea would get Apple Vision Pro on November 15. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

GitHub releases public preview of Copilot for Apple’s Xcode
GitHub this week announced an important update coming for developers working on a Mac. That’s because the first preview of GitHub Copilot for Apple’s Xcode is now available, so developers can try out the new AI-based feature to improve their workflow. more…

Read more »

Nintendo Music app now available on iPhone
Nintendo Music is a new iPhone app that lets Nintendo Online subscribers listen to a growing collection of music from games across the catalog.Nintendo Music launches on iPhoneIt's not difficult to find video game music on streaming services like Apple Music or websites like YouTube, but Nintendo is offering a more official solution. So, if you want to listen to video game soundtracks with a bit more curation and control from Nintendo, there's now an app for that.Nintendo Music launched Wednesday night as a surprise from the company. It is available to download for free from the App Store. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Official Nintendo Music app debuts today to deliver 40-years of iconic tunes to your iPhone
Update: The new Nintendo Music app is now live on Apple’s App Store and Google Play.  After stretching its P-wings a little bit into the (sort of) smart alarm clock world with the new Alarmo earlier this month, today the Mushroom Kingdom is moving over to your smartphone with the new Nintendo Music app. Nintendo has nearly 40 years of absolute iconic soundtracks under its belt at this point, and it is now ready to bonk the Music Block on your iPhone to serve them up to fans, on-demand and at no additional cost…providing you’re a that is.  more…

Read more »

All the things an Apple Watch can do without an iPhone
Macworld The Apple Watch is one of the most complete experiences you’ll find in the company’s product offerings. Since its introduction in 2015, the electronic timepiece has become one of the dominant players in the wearable technology sector. It is, by far, the most popular watch of any kind in the world. Over different generations Apple has added features such as GPS, LTE, and weatherproofing that make the Apple Watch ever more a standalone device in its own right. But is it possible to untether it from the iPhone entirely? In this article, we explain what exactly an Apple Watch can achieve without the assistance of an iPhone. Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm) Read our review Price When Reviewed: $399 Best Prices Today: $367 at Amazon | $369 at Walmart Electronics | $379 at Best Buy Can you use an Apple Watch without an iPhone? Yes and no. When you first get an Apple Watch, it requires an iPhone to set it up. There’s no getting around that. The Watch app on the iPhone does most of the heavy lifting, and without it you just have a pretty bracelet that cost far too much. Without an iPhone you won’t be able to set up the Apple Watch. Apple regards the Apple Watch as a companion device to its smartphone, so much so that you can’t even use a Mac or iPad to help get it up and running. So why did we say “yes and no”, rather than just “no”? Well, although you can’t set up an Apple Watch without an iPhone, you can set up an Apple Watch for someone who doesn’t have an iPhone–a child or another family member–using your iPhone. They will still be able to use many of the features of the Apple Watch. You will need an Apple ID and you’ll need to add them to your Family Sharing Group, and their Apple Watch needs to be connected to the internet to take full advantage–although this doesn’t need to be a cellular connection as the Apple Watch only needs to be able to connect to a Wi-Fi network to send or receive data. The only times they will need to be in range of your iPhone update the software on their Apple Watch and to tweak a few specific settings. Similarly, you can still enjoy plenty of features on your own Apple Watch even if you left your iPhone at home. We’ll run through the things your Apple Watch doesn’t need an iPhone for below. Does Fall Detection/ Crash Detection on Apple Watch work without cellular/iPhone? If you are thinking of purchasing an Apple Watch for an elderly parent because the Fall Detection feature could give you peace of mind, you may be wondering whether it will work without an iPhone nearby, or at least a cellular connection. Similarly, the crash detection feature may appeal. But what if you don’t have a phone nearby, or a WiFi connection, when it happens? These features require Apple Watch Series 8 (or later), Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), and Apple Watch Ultra. Your Apple Watch can contact emergency services if it detects that you have been in a car crash, or fallen over, but it does need to either be on a cellular network, or connected to a Wi-Fi network to place the call. Apple What an Apple Watch can do without an iPhone These are all things that an Apple Watch can do without requiring you to have an iPhone in your pocket. In some cases, your Apple Watch will require a connection to a Wi-Fi network or cellular. Track Activity and Workouts Want to close your rings, but don’t fancy dragging your iPhone out on a run or long walk? The Apple Watch will happily record all of those steps and other health information while out and about. The data will sync with your iPhone when you return home. Use other Health features Even if you have no iPhone, Wi-Fi, or cellular connection, you can still use the following Apple Watch features: Check heart rate (all models) Take an ECG (Apple Watch Series 4 or later) Measure your blood oxygen (Apple Watch Series 6 or later) Track sleep (Apple Watch Series 3 or later) Track medications (Apple Watch Series 4 or later) Track menstrual cycle (Apple Watch Series 1 or later) Use the stopwatch, set alarms and timers Listen to music If you want some pumping tunes while running or just fancy listening to a podcast or album while you potter about in the garden, then you can store plenty of tracks on the Apple Watch itself, all of which you can listen to without the need for an iPhone. Of course, as there is no headphone jack on an Apple Watch, you’ll need a pair of Bluetooth headphones – unless you want the tiny little speaker to ruin your exercise session and relationship with the neighbors. You can also stream music from Apple Music – if you are connected to Wi-Fi or have a cellular connection. We explain how to use Bluetooth headphones with an Apple Watch and how to play music on Apple Watch separately. Listen to podcasts and audiobooks If you have synced podcasts and audiobooks with your Apple Watch you will be able to listen to them even if there is no Wi-Fi or cellular connection. And if you can connect to a Wi-Fi or cellular network then you can stream them too. Read news This is another one you will need a Wi-Fi or cellular connection for, but even without your iPhone nearby you can still check the latest stories on the News app, or track stocks. Make and receive phone calls If you have an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with cellular capabilities or are connected to a Wi-Fi network, you can set up the Watch to act as an extension of your iPhone. With this in place, you’ll then be able to make and receive calls directly on your Watch, even if your iPhone is in a drawer back home. There are additional costs to using the eSIM feature, but you’ll find them far less onerous than the normal plans offered by carriers. For more information read: How to make or answer a phone call on Apple Watch. Send and receive text messages As with phone calls, as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data you will be able to send and receive messages on your Apple Watch. Read and send emails and view your calendar The same is true of emails – as long as you are on a Wi-Fi or cellular network you don’t require your iPhone. Look at photos Sync your favorite photos and you can look at them on your Watch whenever you like. Use Maps Another very useful feature that’s available on an Apple Watch is the ability to use the Apple Maps app without an iPhone nearby. Again, this will require a cellular contract or a Wi-Fi connection. With that in place, you’re free to roam without an expensive and heavy iPhone-shaped bulk in your pocket. See how to use Apple Maps on Apple Watch for all you need to know. You can also use the Compass to work out which way is north without needing any network connection. Foundry Use Apple Pay You might not realize it, but once you’ve set up Apple Pay on your Apple Watch, there’s no need to have your iPhone with you when paying for things at the checkout. Just double-press the Side button and hold the Watch over the contactless sensor, and the payment should go through automatically. If you haven’t used this feature yet, then a quick read of how to use Apple Pay on Apple Watch will speed up those moments at the checkout. You may also be able to load up transit cards and ID cards on your Apple Watch. Can you use an Apple Watch with an Android phone? No. If Apple doesn’t want the Watch working with iPads and Macs, then you can be assured that Android phones are well down the list. It’s possible that Apple sees the Watch as a system-seller, in that people will stick with the iPhone just to use the Apple Watch. There’s no great temptation for the company to open up the devices to new platforms any time soon. If you’ve yet to take the plunge on an Apple Watch or need to update your existing model to take advantage of some of the features listed above, be sure to check out best Apple Watch and best Apple Watch deals.

Read more »

Save up to $200 on Apple's M4 14-inch & 16-inch MacBook Pro
Apple's brand-new MacBook Pro is eligible for exclusive coupon savings, with triple-digit discounts on a variety of M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max models from the 14-inch and 16-inch lines.Save on Apple's brand-new M4 MacBook Pro - Image credit: AppleAppleInsider readers can be first in line to snag discounts on Apple's brand-new M4 MacBook Pro that was announced on Oct. 30. With promo code APINSIDER, shoppers can save $100 to $200 on both 14-inch and 16-inch M4 models. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

All Macs now start with at least 16GB RAM
In 2016, the MacBook Air with 4GB of RAM was discontinued and Apple made 8GB RAM the base standard across its Mac lineup… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

The Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro M4 just dropped to its best price
Macworld With a gorgeous ProMotion display, all you need to turn your iPad Pro into a MacBook Pro is the right keyboard, and that’s exactly what the iPad Magic Keyboard case is—and today it’s available for a brand new best price. Amazon is selling the Magic Keyboard for the M4 iPad Pro 11-inch for $250, a savings of $50 off its $299 MSRP. This new Magic Keyboard is sleeker than previous models, and it was created specifically for the new iPad Pro models that were released earlier this year. It’s thinner than other Magic keyboards, and there’s even a function row to allow you to quickly control volume, brightness, or media, just like you would on a laptop. The new trackpad is also larger and comes with haptic feedback. It also supports various Multi-Touch gestures, enabling you to scroll, swipe, or zoom. Another nice touch is that the keys are backlit, making them easier to see when you’re using the tablet in the evening. We know the iPad Pro M4 is rather pricey, but it does deliver a fantastic performance thanks to the new chip and all the other upgrades Apple delivered. It’s so good that we gave it a super-rare 5-star rating. But adding the Magic Keyboard will give you a more MacBook-like experience while also offering the tablet the protection it needs when you travel. So snatch the Apple Magic Keyboard for the M4 iPad Pro for $250 at Amazon, the best price yet. This is the best price we've seen for this new Magic KeyboardBuy it now at Amazon

Read more »