We all know one person who just can’t use Siri in a calm tone. Is it you?
Apple's new gear: An $800 watch and $1,200 phone
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Set a reminder for Monday, Sept. 18. That’s when iOS 17 is dropping — and it’s the one thing Apple just announced at its big Wonderlust fall release event that won’t cost you anything.
I’ve been on the beta version for months and wrote up my favorite new features for the Daily Mail. Today, let’s take a closer look at the latest hardware dropping this fall.
The phones
The 15 and 15 Plus are essentially the iPhone 14 Pro, with bigger batteries, screens and fun new colors. Yes, I like the pink one.
The star of the show is the iPhone Pro Max, with a 6.7″ display (soon we won’t be able to fit these things in our pockets), titanium case and processor Apple says can challenge some high-end PCs. Yes, Apple sometimes overstates performance, but there’s no doubt this thing is fast.
Apple watches
The $799 Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a big screen that is bright enough to see in full sunlight, with 72 hours of battery life and a titanium case. Say what you want about Apple, but it’s the best smartwatch out there.
That model and the $399 Series 9 both get “double tap,” a new gesture where you tap together your pointer finger and thumb to do things like answer calls. Pretty sweet.
RIP, Apple lightning connector
All four of the new iPhones and the Apple Watches charge with a USB-C cable. Rejoice, now you can plug in at a friend’s house if they have an Android. I’m all for getting every device in my house charging on the same kind of cord.
Bummer: No more details on the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, aside from it’s on track to launch in 2024.
Bottom line if you need a new phone
Is your iPhone speaker too quiet? The likely culprit will gross you out
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What’s dirtier — your phone or toilet? The answer probably won’t surprise you. Your gadgets get constant use, and this adds to the grime. Here are the top five dirtiest devices.
Apart from spreading germs and turning your stomach, a dirty phone can cause you to question your hearing. We’ll explain below.
Update your iPhone: iOS 18 is live for every model newer than the iPhone X. No Apple Intelligence (aka Apple’s take on AI) until next month, but it’s still worth updating. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Follow the on-screen steps, then you’re good to go.
🤢 Phone got you carsick? Apple found a way to get rid of motion sickness while you text. Hallelujah. Vehicle Motion Cues show animated dots on the edges of your iPhone or iPad screen that move with the car’s direction, tricking your brain and calming your queasy stomach. ETA: Later this year.
Tech tip: What really happens when you unsend a text on your iPhone
If you have an iPhone 8 or later, you’ve probably already updated to iOS 16. The latest operating system has many new security features you should be using.
A super-secure mode was designed for politicians, activists, and journalists. I think there’s a great case to suggest this iPhone option for the elderly and vulnerable people in your life. Tap or click here for a closer look at Lockdown Mode.
Have an older iPhone or iPad? You need to update NOW
Zoom became popular during the onset of the pandemic and still has millions of daily users. Are you one of them? A security flaw was recently discovered that could put your computer at risk. Tap or click here for our report on the critical vulnerability and how to avoid it.
How to download iOS18 Beta
The latest iOS update, 18, is in beta and you can try it on your phone now. We’ll walk you through the process. A word of warning: Beta software is still in the buggy phase, so not everything will work smoothly.
Tips for better iPhone battery life
Phone dying too fast throughout the day? Try one or all of these tips for more juice.
How to download maps to your phone (Apple and Google Maps)
Long road trips can be stressful if you’re going through places with spotty service. This hack will help you stay on your path no matter how many bars you have.
Apple's Vision Pro: Hands on review
Yeah, I want one of Apple’s Vision Pro mixed-reality headsets. Check out this hands-on review. This comment made me laugh: “Not gonna lie, I’m getting the strongest real-life ‘Black Mirror’ vibes I’ve ever had from this and it feels absolutely surreal.” Oh, Netflix won’t work with the new Apple headgear at launch.
Lights, camera, action
Apple hypes up its keynote events like no other, and you better believe a ton is happening behind the scenes. This fun video breaks down everything that goes into filming Apple’s events. It’s incredible how much of what you think is live is not. Reminds me of a Disney ride.
The excitement that comes with unboxing an original iPhone
The iPhone has been around for more than 15 years. It has had dozens of different iterations since its initial release. But what is it like to open an actual original iPhone that was released back in 2007?
True or false: Macs are immune to malware and viruses
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There is a common misconception that Apple’s Mac computers can’t get viruses or malware. The belief is that only Windows-based systems suffer from malicious code and nasty bugs.
There is no consensus on where the claim originated. But it might have been Apple itself. Until 2012, Apple’s marketing for its Mac computers included the line that “a Mac isn’t susceptible to the thousands of viruses plaguing Windows-based computers.”
Don't be fooled! Criminals are using these tricks to get malware apps on your iPhone
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Before some iOS apps are made available on the App Store, they often go through public beta testing. Therefore, you would need a unique app, called TestFlight, to access the early versions of an application. Tap or click here to see how Apple made it easy to report App Store scams.
iPhone 13: All the new features in Apple's latest smartphone
Apple.com
Apple makes an event of all of its major releases, whether it’s hardware or software. Even when public gatherings are discouraged, the Cupertino company drums up excitement with streaming presentations.
This year’s Worldwide Developers Conference is focused on iOS 15. iPadOS 15 and watchOS 8 are also rolling out. Tap or click here for our WWDC roundup.
Belkin just released all kinds of magnetic iPhone gear - Are these accessories worth it?
Nearly a year ago, Apple released the iPhone 12 and resurrected a feature once exclusive to certain Mac computers: MagSafe. That opened the door to all kinds of magnetic chargers, mounts, wallets and just about any other kind of accessory you can think of.
Komando DIY: 7 must-try iPhone tricks
Since its debut over a decade ago, the iPhone has revolutionized the smartphone world. But you might not know some of its secrets hiding in plain sight. Customize alerts, move multiple apps at once, and even automatically forward or delete messages.