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MacworldKids love iPads. The simplicity of tapping on the screen when they want things to happen means they can learn to use them in seconds, but theres plenty that Apples tablets can do. Whether its educational games, entertainment apps, using them to create art with an Apple Pencil or just something to stop them getting bored on car journeys, iPads can be a godsend.Choosing the right one can feel a bit daunting. After all, dont they all do the same things? Whats the difference between the normal iPad and the iPad Air? Well, were here to simplify things so you can be sure youre buying the right one. You can also read our best iPhone and iPad apps for kids guide to get them off to a good start. Plus, we have a roundup of the best iPhones for kids if you want to immerse them fully in the Apple world as they grow up. Should I get an iPad for my child? Theres been lots of research published about how much screen time our kids should be allowed. Some parents might argue that kids shouldnt be exposed to screens at such a young age, but frankly, in a world where everything is dominated by technology we think that we owe it to our kids to make sure they are comfortable in that environment, hence the introduction of an iPad is good for their education.That said, just sticking them in front of an iPad rather than interacting with them probably isnt great: Disney+ shouldnt really be babysitting your kids for hours on end, but if it allows you a few minutes of peace to make dinner then fair enough.With that out of the way, there are many reasons why you should be confident about getting an iPad for your kids to use. There are, after all, many other tablets on the market, most of which are cheaper than the iPad. So, if you are looking for some reassurance on is whether the iPad is the best option for your child, here are a few compelling reasons:The App Store is full of great apps designed specifically for kids.Many of those apps will be ideal for school children of various ages, or even toddlers.There is an ecosystem of great accessories designed to work with the iPad.iPadOS is easy to use, especially if your child has used your iPhone. The bonus is your iPhone apps will be available on your iPad too and vice versa.If you have older children, then take a look at our guide to the best iPads for students.What iPads are there to choose from?At the time of writing, Apple offers four categories of iPad, which are as follows. iPad iPad mini iPad Air iPad ProIn all honesty, we wouldnt recommend the iPad Pros for children, as youd just be paying quite sizeable amounts for performance and compatibility features that they just wont need. The standard iPad and iPad mini range offer plenty of scope and power for younger users, and the iPad Air will satisfy the more demanding teen. Our advice is to stick with those and ignore the Pros. When it comes to older students though, its a potentially different argument, but the good news is you can put that off for a few years and save up for the more expensive iPad in the meantime.Speaking of savings, check out our round-up of the best iPad deals you can get on the whole range of iPads here: The best iPad deals.Is 64GB enough? This depends on how you want to use the iPad. For long trips, you might want to download lots of movies, TV shows, or games to entertain the kids in the car or on the plane. In that case, more storage is better. Otherwise, any apps you purchase can always be deleted and then downloaded again, plus public Wi-Fi can often be available as an easy solution for the little ones streaming a few episodes of their favorite shows. Our advice would be to get more than 64GB storage if you can. The iPad mini (A17 Pro) that launched in October 2024 starts at 128GB storage now, rather than 64GB as it did before, and as the standard iPad still does. If you compare the standard iPad with 64GB for $349/329 to the 128GB iPad mini which costs $499/499, its well worth spending $150/150 more to get the extra storage and everything else the mini offers. And if you want even more storage, the iPad mini with 256GB costs $599/599 compared to $499/479 for the 256GB iPad. If you are buying a refurbished or used iPad, then wed strongly advise against a 32GB or lower, it simply isnt enough storage and you will regret it. For more advice regarding buying a used or refurbished iPad read: Why a refurbished iPad could be the best tablet for you.Do I need cellular?Probably not. It adds $150/150 to the price of the iPad and wed suggest that money was better spent on upgrading the storage, or getting a better model. If you want to add cellular capabilities to your kids iPad, we recommend that when you are outside the house you hotspot from your own iPhone rather than spend money on a contract for your child. That said, most apps will work offline and you can download movies to the device when heading on a long trip.Best iPad for kids and toddlersHeres our advice on which iPad to choose when buying for a child.iPad mini (A17 Pro) Best for small handsProsLightweightPowerfulApple Pencil Pro support ConsSmaller doesnt mean cheaperPrice When Reviewed:599 EuroBest Prices Today: RetailerPrice579View Deal599View Deal599View Deal599View Deal631.9View Deal550,58 View Deal569,00 View Deal569,00 View Deal599,00 View Deal599,00 View Deal599,00 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket579 at Computeruniverse599 at Alternate599 at AppleView more prices from notebooksbilliger.deJACOBtease-Shopdigitalo.deClose Best Prices Today:iPad mini (A17 Pro) Best for small handsRetailerPrice579View Deal599View Deal599View Deal599View Deal631.9View Deal550,58 View Deal569,00 View Deal569,00 View Deal599,00 View Deal599,00 View Deal599,00 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketWhile the iPad mini might be the smallest member of the family, dont let that fool you, theres plenty of power and features packed into the diminutive frame. The only negative is the price, which is a little higher than the bigger iPad, so its not quite as much of a bargain for kids.The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display is gorgeous. Like all the modern iPads, there is no Home button Apple ditched that a generation ago and instead put a Touch ID sensor in the Power button on the side.Under the hood, theres an A17 Pro driving things, this processor is the lowest spec required to run Apple Intelligence features. If you are choosing between the iPad mini and cheaper iPad and are curious about Apple Intelligence, only the iPad mini, iPad Air and Pro will support it). Even if Apple Intelligence doesnt peek your interest, the A17 Pro chip means there is no lack of power in this smaller iPad, ensuring the latest games and apps will absolutely fly on this device. It also has support for the Apple Pencil (USB C) or the Apple Pencil Pro, meaning your child can use if for doodling, creating art or note-taking at school when they get a bit older.The compact dimensions of 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm at 297g make it small and lightweight, which can be easier for little ones to hold. There are also four different colors to choose from, including soft shades of Purple and Blue. Oh, and there are 5G versions if you want to add a fast data connection for streaming and messaging on the go.The iPad mini is available in these configurations:iPad mini (A17 Pro) 128GB $499/499iPad mini (A17 Pro) 256GB $599/599iPad mini (A17 Pro) 512GB $799/799iPad mini (A17 Pro, cellular) costs $150/150 more than the non-cellular versions. Check our guide to the best iPad mini deals to see if you can get one for a lower price.Read our full Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) review iPad Air (M2) For bigger kids ProsInexpensiveApple Pencil Support (1st Gen)A13 Bionic Processor, Headphone JackConsLower quality screen than other modelsOlder design.No longer in productionBest Prices Today: RetailerPrice0.01View Deal649View Deal649View Deal659View Deal699View Deal633,15 View Deal649,00 View Deal652,31 View Deal658,64 View Deal699,00 View Deal699,00 View Deal714,00 View Deal740.82View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket0.01 at idealo649 at Computeruniverse649 at notebooksbilliger.deView more prices from AlternateAppletease-ShopnotebooksbilligerClose Best Prices Today:iPad Air (M2) For bigger kids RetailerPrice0.01View Deal649View Deal649View Deal659View Deal699View Deal633,15 View Deal649,00 View Deal652,31 View Deal658,64 View Deal699,00 View Deal699,00 View Deal714,00 View Deal740.82View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketWe said in the introduction that the iPad Air is probably overkill for kids, but that does depend a bit on the age of the child. For some there will be a lot of appear in the 11-inch iPad Air (M2), with its 11-inch display, modern design, low weight (462g), great cameras, and hugely powerful processor, and as we recommend in our round up of the Best iPads for Students it is a great choice for students.Unfortunately, its a bit on the pricey side, starting at $599/599 (higher education students get a discount but not school aged children). Thats still only $100/100 more than the iPad mini though, and it has a lot more to offer. Not least the M2 chip than makes it the perfect combination of power, storage and features.The M2 processor is the same chip that powered the previous generation of iPad Pro models, not to mention several Macs. If your kid enjoys gaming on their iPad then the iPad Air will likely meet their needs (for anyone else then theres always the iPad Pro, which has an M4 and the addition of ProMotion for faster screen refreshes, but that really is overkill for kids!) The camera is a 12MP Wide lens (also like on the iPad Pro) and the front-facing camera is a 12MP Ultra-Wide that is positioned on the longer side of the chassis to allow landscape views during FaceTime calls.There are some nice colors to choose from including pale Purple and Blue shades (that are similar to those on the iPad mini). Theres also the standard Starlight and Space Grey. You can use the Apple Pencil Pro ($129/129) and Apple Pencil USB-C ($79/79) with the iPad Air. See: Apple Pencils compared: Which Apple Pencil works with your iPad?The iPad Air (M2) is available in these configurations:11-inch iPad Air (M2) 128GB $599/59911-inch iPad Air (M2) 256GB $699/69911-inch iPad Air (M2) 512GB $899/89911-inch iPad Air (M2) 1TB $1,099/1,09911-inch iPad Air (M2), cellular) costs $150/150 more than the non-cellular versions.If they want a larger display, there is also the 13-inch iPad Air (M2) that comes with all the same specs and features. It starts at $799/799. Read iPad Air (M2) vs iPad Pro (M4) to find out how the iPad Air compares to the iPad Pro.Read our roundup of the best iPad Air deals.Read our full iPad Air 11 Zoll (2024) review 10th-gen iPad (2022) Budget optionProsModern design10.9-inch Liquid Retina DisplayUSB-C for chargingVibrant colorsCons64GB SSDA14 Bionic processor doesnt work with Apple IntelligenceBest Prices Today: RetailerPrice399View Deal401View Deal445.6View Deal339,00 View Deal349,00 View Deal372,70 View Deal376,32 View Deal376,45 View Deal379,00 View Deal399,00 View Deal408,00 View Deal408,51 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket399 at Apple401 at Alternate445.6 at JACOB339,00 at amazon.deView more prices from amazon.deOTTOdigitalo.deSMDVClose Best Prices Today:10th-gen iPad (2022) Budget optionRetailerPrice399View Deal401View Deal445.6View Deal339,00 View Deal349,00 View Deal372,70 View Deal376,32 View Deal376,45 View Deal379,00 View Deal399,00 View Deal408,00 View Deal408,51 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketIn 2022, Apple gave its standard iPad a makeover when it launched this 10th-generation model, replacing the classic Home button design with the mini/Air approach of gesture-based controls. There is still Touch ID available, but now youll find the sensor embedded in the power button on the top edge. This means theres more space for the display, which increases from the 10.2-inch panel in the 9th generation iPad to 10.9-inch in this 10th generation model.As with the previous standard iPad models, the display isnt laminated, meaning there is a slight air gap between the glass and the display beneath. This is a minor thing and probably wont even be something you notice, unless you use an Apple Pencil often, in which case youll probably experience a slight lag as you write. Its all good though, and after no time at all, youll be able to incorporate that into your technique and scribble away with the best of them. This model supports the 1st generation Apple Pencil or the Apple Pencil (USB C).Apple fits the 10th-gen iPad with an A14 Bionic processor, which is the same tech that powered the iPhone 12 range (including the Pros). That processor is a little on the old side now, and doesnt support Apple Intelligence, of which Apple is making a big deal right now. Apple Intelligence has some features that might appeal to students, so it could be a benefit, then again it might lead your child to cheat on their homework That said, the A14 chip will still provide adequate performance for playing basic games, streaming content, and running educational apps. Another notable feature is the inclusion of a USB-C port rather than Lightning. This opens up a world of peripherals that you can use with the iPad, and you can even connect it to a compatible monitor if your child needs a desktop-style experience.Of course, you can always pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to create the perfect, compact laptop for homework and any creative endeavors your child wants to try. The iPad comes in four bright, bold colors (Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Silver), so your child can pick one that reflects their personality or just the one with the hues they like the most.One of the best features of the 10th generation iPad is its low price. You can pick them up for the following prices:iPad (10th gen) 64GB $349/329iPad (10th gen) 256GB $499/479iPad (10th gen, cellular) costs $150/150 more than the non-cellular versions. We recommend opting for the 256GB storage variant, as 64GB can fill up pretty quickly if youre downloading games, large apps, or TV/movie content. At this point you might be better served by the iPad mini (A17 Pro) 128GB at $499/499 though, which is why this iPad isnt our top choice right now, but that may change when Apple gets around to updating it in 2025. Read: New iPad 11th generation rumours. Check our guide to the best iPad 10th-gen deals to see if you can get one for a lower price.Read our full Apple iPad (10th gen, A14, 2022) review

Apple has had a busy year in enterprise tech. Apple Intelligence, spatial computing, the war to protect the user experience against excessive regulation, security, privacy and continued improvements to Apple Silicon and valuable OS improvements for enterprise deployment have occupied much of its time. With this in mind, its a good time to speak with Apple device management and security leaders from Jamf, Kandji, Jumpcloud, and Fleet to find out what mattered most in 2024, and what they expect in 2025.Fleet: Crowdstrike was important to AppleI spoke withFleetCEO Mike McNeil. Fleet is anopen-source MDM providerthat now supports iPhones, iPads, Macs, Windows, and Linux devices.In 2024, what were the three most important Apple-related moments for enterprise users?One of the most significant Apple-related events occurred despite not directly affecting Apple itself. This was the CrowdStrike out(r)age.Apples ongoing innovation with VisionOS not only challenges businesses to think creatively and find innovative ways to work but also enhances accessibility in the workforce.Apples first release of AI capabilities, allowing users to access them without privacy violations or security issues, is a pretty significant milestone. Its like the promise of Siri is finally coming true.Looking ahead to 2025, what do you expect will be the biggest concern(s)/challenge(s) for Apple in the enterprise? As more organizations enroll more personal devices and BYOD programs, the attack surface for adversaries expands significantly meaning, if you manage to pop one employees phone, you can now access whatever they could on their phone, McNeil said. Consequently, people who manage devices need to invest more in preventing both traditional malware-based attacks and sophisticated social engineering tactics.What do you think enterprise users most need from Apple that it does not yet provide? A comprehensive and robust declarative management framework that enables devices to maintain a known good state irrespective of their network connectivity or environmental conditions.Apple would be very well served by investing more in getting people to adopt existing features rather than adding more product managers and names for slight variations of the same things.How do you see the future of Apple in business across the next 12 months? Apple is such an amazing company. We are only going to see more and more Macs in the enterprise this year, as user choice programs and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs evolve and become the standard practice rather than an exception. With Managed Apple IDs catching on, well see more secondary computing devices like Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro in enterprise environments.Jumpcloud: Identity, security, and AII got the following thoughts from Joel Rennich, senior vice president for product management atJumpcloud. The company earlier this year published survey data that shows abig switch in favor of using Apple devices in the enterprise. They expect this to continue.In 2024, what were the three most important Apple-related moments for enterprise users?The introduction of Apple Intelligence not so much in the sense that it will change the world, although it might, but more so in how its challenging Enterprise IT departments on how to respond to a new way of doing AI. With Apples use of on-device and Private Cloud Compute processing, a new dimension has been added to thinking about how to engage with AI with sensitive data.Changes to how Managed Apple Accounts, formerly known as Managed Apple IDs, are created and used. Beyond a name change, MAAs have become a lot more functional to the point where most enterprises should be able to start using them. With the introduction of OpenID Connect Federation (OIDC) and System for Cross-Domain Identity Management (SCIM) flows to Apple Business Manager and giving organizations a lot more control over how MAAs are created in the first place I expect adoption of Apple accounts to go up significantly. Theres still more work to be done, and organizations will still get annoyed by some of Apples insistence on being Apple, but most IT departments will be able to make good use of the changes today.While this one isnt entirely of Apples making, they are certainly championing the use of passkeys across the board. The speed at which passkeys have taken over OTP and push as MFA or as full on authentication has been astonishing. If youve never used a passkey on your iPhone to sign in to a website on your PC, you should run, not walk, to experience that. Its a simple thing, using a QR code with some Bluetooth help, but the security underlying all of this and the general ease of use of the process is astounding.Looking ahead to 2025, what do you expect will be the biggest concern(s)/challenge(s) for Apple in the enterprise? While there are a number of global threats and other issues that impact Apple as much as other vendors, the biggest challenge for Apple in the enterprise is Apple itself. This is the same as it has been since Apple started making inroads into enterprise with the original iPhone. The aspects that make Apple great in the consumer space are many times inherently at odds with what enterprises are looking for, and in most cases Apple refuses to compromise on aspects like user privacy and experience. I dont expect Apple to change much here. As it continues to expand its enterprise offering, customers will consistently ask foreven more controls and abilities to take away from the experience end users expect from Apple products.What do you think enterprise users most need from Apple that it does not yet provide? Apple has made real strides with their Platform SSO functionality. However, it still doesnt do the most basic function that enterprises are asking for, which is the automatic creation of the first new user on the system. Instead, customers still have to cobble together a combination of a number solutions to achieve this. Its clear that Apple was intending PSSO for a different set of problems the establishment of a SSO session from a user login but customers still need this functionality.[Users also need] a consistent method to enforce system updates. Apple keeps almost getting this right, but then missing something important. While Declarative Device Management can help, theres still a lot of consistency in the process thats lacking. This is a serious miss for Apple as they control the entire chain here.How do you see the future of Apple in business across the next 12 months? Apple will do fine. With the recent refresh of almost their entire hardware lineup to the M4 and consistent improvements to the software, Apple will continue to grow incrementally in the enterprise space. Mobile will still be the biggest reason that enterprises need to ensure they understand what Apple is doing, but solving for mobile pretty much ensures a good experience for any Mac users.Apple devices will continue to be at the upper end of the hardware quality spectrum and the MacBook Air will become even more attractive with the M4 chip and the price points staying low. The Apple Vision Pro wont break out into the mainstream in 2025, but Apple will continue to refine, and some developers will continue to work with it as they look for a compelling reason to make VR/AR more commonplace.Kandji: Device management, spatial computing, and AIWeldon Dodd, senior vice president of global partnerships atKandji made four substantial predictions for the coming year, supplementing his expectations aroundenterprise deployment of Apple-supporting AIfrom earlier in 2024.Hybrid work will drive innovation in device management: The hybrid work model will hit a tipping point, as employers push for more in-office presence while employees increasingly demand flexibility. This growing divide will catalyze innovation in device management. Many companies have already invested in streamlining onboarding and remote support, but now the challenge will be adapting those systems to also serve in-office environments. The key will be prioritizing automation and efficiency, which reduces the need for manual fixes and enhances the user experience across all work settings. As businesses navigate this tension, the future of device management will focus on creating seamless and flexible solutions that balance both employee autonomy and the need for in-person collaboration.Spatial computing becomes (more) mainstream: Apple Vision Pro will continue to evolve in 2025, becoming the more accessible productivity-focused tool that Apple has always wanted. Apple is expected to make the device more affordable, widening its appeal to consumers, while also maintaining its strength in workspaces especially with the recent software updates that allow for ultra-wide displays and seamless Mac integration.This shift could change how consumers interact with their devices, bringing spatial computing closer to the mainstream. In addition, rumors of a new Siri-powered kitchen device suggest Apple aspires to make daily life even more convenient with smart, hands-free solutions that leverage the growing capabilities of Apple Intelligence. Together, these innovations will drive deeper integration of Apples ecosystem across both personal and professional spaces.Businesses will use proprietary LLMs and RAG to unlock their own data: We are going to see a big shift as businesses start using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and LLMs with their corporate data. Rather than relying solely on third-party models like OpenAI, companies will begin asking these models more specific questions about their business, such as, Is there anomalous behavior happening on this device we manage, or What does this data tell me about our device management security?By connecting LLMs with internal data, businesses will be able to get answers that arent just based on general world knowledge, but are much more tailored to their needs. As companies make this move, theyll also need to pay close attention to data governance and privacy, especially as regulations like GDPR implement stricter guidelines regarding the handling of customer data. If done right, this approach could unlock valuable insights, but businesses must balance the power of AI with well-established data practices to keep afloat.Apples M4 Chip will enable on-device AI: Apples M4 chip will make on-device AI the new standard, enabling more AI processing to happen directly on devices rather than relying on the cloud. For consumers, this shift means faster, more personalized experiences with greater privacy. This is because less data will need to be shared or stored remotely. For businesses, the impact could be substantial, particularly related to Apple-managed accounts, making it easier to deliver tailored services. And for the business user that requires top level speed and performance think video editing, software deployment or AI development using LLMs the M4 is going to be untouchable by the competition.What Jamf sees comingA veteran of the Apple device management space, Jamf also focused on AI and the part it will play in the coming year. The companyrecently introduced a host of new toolsfor Apple device management and deployment.With generative AI quickly becoming a pervasive fixture in the technology landscape, businesses are reacting with catch-all policies to restrict usage and control how sensitive information and intellectual property flows outside the organizations data protection boundary, said Michael Covington, vice president of portfolio strategy. For many, this means blanket policies forbidding the use of AI until reviewed by an oversight board.While oversight is good, it can significantly delay the adoption of useful tools if the process is not streamlined to allow for timely decision-making. The recent release of Apple Intelligence serves as a good case study on how AI keywords can trigger restrictive business policies, despite an implementation that keeps private data on-device and includes controls to govern the use of third-party AI models.In order to enable business leaders to more effectively cope with the onslaught of AI-enabled tools and to minimize an oversight bottleneck the industry will need to develop a set of foundational rubrics to guide in more timely assessments of AI technologies. As a result, I predict we will see a renewed focus on data classification labels, a better understanding of AI processing locations, and a demand for confidentiality assertions from vendors as private data traverses their infrastructure.As the industry transitions to an application-driven phase of AI, it is imperative that organizations be equipped to make thoughtful and timely decisions about how the technology can be used responsibly to drive business objectives.As genAI becomes demystified, the true effectiveness and value of solutions for enterprises will become clearer, said Jamf CIO Linh Lam. (Many) companies quickly entered the genAI market over the past year or two. Its a crowded space that can easily overwhelm even leaders of technology companies who are looking to select the right genAI solution for their businesses. In 2025, while the hype cycle will continue to evolve, well see the more effective solutions surface and more customers focusing on solutions that bring the most real value to their businesses.As with any hot new tech on the block, the buzz around this latest emerging technology will start to calm, and well start to see genAI mature. Well start to see what value these tools can provide for businesses, and which perform better than the others. Its going to be a year of cutting through the noise, and those who can break through that will be the companies that stick around for years to come.You can follow me on social media! Join me onBlueSky, LinkedIn,Mastodon, andMeWe.

Despite low sales, the Apple Vision Pro is reportedly shaking up the VR/MR industry and moving the trend of headsets from entertainment to productivity and innovation.Apple Vision ProThe global VR and MR headset market is expected to grow steadily in 2024, with shipments projected to reach 9.6 million units, an 8.8% increase year-over-year, according to a new report by TrendForce. Apple Vision Pro, despite moderate growth, is setting new standards.Launched in 2024, Apple Vision Pro has already claimed 5% of the market, a significant achievement given its high price. Starting at $3,499, the Vision Pro is not positioned as a mass-market device but rather as a high-end product aimed at professionals and early adopters. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Maybe we'll see more movies made for Apple Vision Pro now there's a Blackmagic Camera, and maybe we'll see different cameras on the iPhone 17 Slim, but we'll never see the end of Apple nonsense on TikTok.The new Blackmagic Camera for spatial videoThere's also the never-ending and sometimes ever-increasing set of rumors about Apple making folding devices. This time the claim is that we'll see a foldable iPad Pro, but it's definitely not coming soon and co-host Wesley Hilliard has reasons to lower our expectations of it happening at all.What is definitely happening is that Apple Vision Pro is getting more entertainment in the form of short films and documentaries. It's also definitely happening far too slowly, though, so the launch of a dedicated spatial video camera from Blackmagic is welcome even if it's costly enough that only studios will be able to afford it. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Spam calls are a seemingly endless nuisance with no solution, but there are several ways to get relief built into your iPhone and through services like those provided by Incogni.Stop spam calls with Incogni's robust service. Image credit - IncogniIt's not just you robo calls, spam calls, telemarketing calls, and scam calls can inundate your call logs, email inbox, voicemail, and Messages app incessantly. Though, there is no need to give up and waste countless hours sifting through the garbage left by unwanted calls.First, you need to take a few important and necessary steps to prevent spam calls from ever making it through. Second, you need to take the fight to the problem data brokers. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

A winner has been crowned in the international competition to deliver a new welcome pavilion and public realm design at the British Museums north and south entrances. The London-based Studio Weave emerged from a shortlist of five teams that was announced in October. Joining them for the project are Wright & Wright Architects, Webb Yates Engineers, Tom Massey Studio, and Daisy Froud. The museum expects construction to be ready by spring 2026.

These annual rankings were last updated on December 20, 2024. Want to see your firm on next years list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studios ranking.Being a country that is famous for its ancient origins, and which is believed to be the place where the legendary city of El Dorado was located, Colombias architectural story is deeply rooted in its pre-Columbian civilizations. Its modern architectural fabric however, has been greatly shaped by architects like modernist Rogelio Salmona and avant-gardist Giancarlo Mazzanti. Operating in an increasingly open society, Salmonas Torres del Parque in Bogot redefines how brick and concrete create spaces that seamlessly blend with the citys natural landscape and invent new ways of building residential architecture.Today, Colombian architects continue to embrace sustainability, cutting-edge technology and cultural context in their designs. One remarkable example is the Metrocable system in Medelln, a transportation structure that addresses the difficult topography of the region without spoiling the citys natural landscape. This infrastructure project generated global recognition for its transformative impact on public spaces and social dynamics and acts as a testament to the forward-thinking vision of contemporary Colombian architecture.With so many architecture firms to choose from, its challenging for clients to identify the industry leaders that will be an ideal fit for their project needs. Fortunately, Architizer is able to provide guidance on the top design firms in Colombia based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.How are these architecture firms ranked?The following ranking has been created according to key statistics that demonstrate each firms level of architectural excellence. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firms ranking, in order of priority:The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2024)The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2024)The number of projects selected as Project of the Day (2009 to 2024)The number of projects selected as Featured Project (2009 to 2024)The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2024)Each of these metrics is explained in more detail at the foot of this article. This ranking list will be updated annually, taking into account new achievements of Colombia architecture firms throughout the year.Without further ado, here are the 20 best architecture firms in Colombia:20. Ruta4 Arquitectura Ruta4 ArquitecturaRuta4 Arquitectura is an architectural practice in Pereira, with projects mainly focusing on residential architecture.Some of Ruta4 Arquitecturas most prominent projects include:Casa Ensamble Chacarra, Pereira, Colombia The following statistics helped Ruta4 Arquitectura achieve 20th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 19. Sergio Reyes Rodrguez Arquitecto Sergio Reyes Rodrguez ArquitectoSergio Reyes Rodrguez Arquitecto is an architectural practice in Bogota. The firms projects are mainly centered around residential architecture.Some of Sergio Reyes Rodrguez Arquitectos most prominent projects include:Casa 40, La Calera, Colombia The following statistics helped Sergio Reyes Rodrguez Arquitecto achieve 19th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 18. TAP Taller Piloto Arquitectos TAP Taller Piloto ArquitectosThe workshop is an open and collective space, where we seek the encounter, the influence and even the conflict of multiple disciplines that allow an architecture with the capacity of transforming life.Some of TAP Taller Piloto Arquitectos most prominent projects include:Races Educational Park, El Peol, Colombia The following statistics helped TAP Taller Piloto Arquitectos achieve 18th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 17. Arquitectura Plus Arquitectura PlusWe are a passionate collective in design and construction, with a different conception of living spaces. We have fun every time we work together, managing to capture that Manifest Memory in each commission for our clients and friends in different areas such as residential, commercial, corporate, institutional, retail and interior design.Some of Arquitectura Plus most prominent projects include:Casa Tribu, Bogot, ColombiaCaffa Bistro Coffee Shop, Bogot, Colombia The following statistics helped Arquitectura Plus achieve 17th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 2 16. Vicaria Arquitectura Vicaria ArquitecturaWe are a company specialized in architectural and space design. We are moved by the strength to do things right, with high value in design, ethics, commitment to our values, our people and our environment. We dream of a new form of architecture based on the art and challenges of humanity. We are global, avant-garde, versatile, daring and memorable.Some of Vicaria Arquitecturas most prominent projects include:CASA PIANO, Rionegro, ColombiaBIKE HOUSE, Medelln, Colombia The following statistics helped Vicaria Arquitectura achieve 16th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 2 15. Darp, de Arquitectura y Paisaje Darp, de Arquitectura y PaisajeDARP. De Arquitectura y Paisaje, is a studio based in Colombia. The work of DARP explores the field between landscape and architecture, seeks to generate in each project a social and cultural development in relationship with territory, looking for a practical, creative and sustainable answers. Founded in 2012 for MArch Landscape, Jorge Emilio Buitrago and Arch. Jaime Eduardo Cabal Meja, formed an interdisciplinary team with professionals from different areas which make possible to offer integral answers, guided to the contribution in the society, the culture and the life quality.Some of Darp, de Arquitectura y Paisajes most prominent projects include:THE EDUCATIONAL PARK FOR RECONCILIATION, ColombiaEDUCATIONAL PARK OF KNOWLEDGE, ColombiaTROPICARIO, Colombia The following statistics helped Darp, de Arquitectura y Paisaje achieve 15th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 3 14. Simon Velez : GIGAGRASS Simon Velez : GIGAGRASSSimon Velez is a prize winning architect from Colombia, most famous for his innovative use of bamboo as an essential building component. He is the winner of the Principal Prince Claus Award 2009.Some of Simon Velez : GIGAGRASS most prominent projects include:The Nomadic Museum, Mexico City, MexicoZERI Pavilion Expo Hannover, Hanover, GermanyCrosswaters Ecolodge, Huizhou, ChinaPrivate Residence, Colombia The following statistics helped Simon Velez : GIGAGRASS achieve 14th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 4 13. Alsar Atelier Alsar AtelierAlsar Atelier is a post-pandemic architecture and design studio based in Bogot, Colombia. The practice focuses on investigating the low-cost aesthetics resultant of the constant state of emergency in Latin America & the global south. So far, the studio has engaged with projects within the private and public realm that explore concepts of sustainable materialities, ephemerality, user adaptability and low cost tectonics.The practice is led by Alejandro Saldarriaga, former co-founder of colab-19, which has been long-listed in the Royal Academy Dorfman Awards in the category of emerging architect and was featured as Emerging Talent in Metropolis magazine 2020 Jul-Aug Edition. In 2020 he received the Golden prize in the Design that Educates Awards under the category of Responsive Architecture.Some of Alsar Ateliers most prominent projects include:Growing Shade , Cambridge, MassachusettsWasteland Pavillion , Bogot, ColombiaInvisible Architecture for the Unheard Voices of the Public Realm, Bogot, ColombiaA Community Built Fog Catcher , Bogot, ColombiaA Pavillion for All The following statistics helped Alsar Atelier achieve 13th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 19 12. La Rotta Arquitectos La Rotta ArquitectosLa Rotta Arquitectos is an architectural practice in Bogota, with projects mainly focusing on educational architecture.Some of La Rotta Arquitectos most prominent projects include:Pontificia Universidad Javeriana School of Arts, Bogot, ColombiaBiblioteca La Quintana Tomas Carrasquilla, Medellin, Colombia The following statistics helped La Rotta Arquitectos achieve 12th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 2 11. aRE Arquitectura en Estudio aRE - Arquitectura en EstudioWe are a professional architecture and design firm based in Colombia. Creating exciting and inspiring spaces is our passion. Dont hesitate to drop us a line. We would be glad to discuss your next project. Weve had experiences developing architecture and interiors projects both locally and internationally. Our work ranges from large urban interventions to institutional buildings, residential projects, houses and interior design.Some of aRE Arquitectura en Estudios most prominent projects include:NAOS Business Campus, Bogot, ColombiaCasa 3 at Colinas de Payand, Villeta, ColombiaCasa 7A, Villeta, ColombiaCasa 5, La Calera, ColombiaColegio El Nogal, Bogot, Colombia The following statistics helped aRE - Arquitectura en Estudio achieve 11th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 5 10. taller de arquitectura de bogot taller de arquitectura de bogottaller de arquitectura de bogot is an architectural practice in Bogota, with a variety of projects from residential to commercial and office architecture.Some of taller de arquitectura de bogots most prominent projects include:8111, Bogot, Colombia The following statistics helped taller de arquitectura de bogot achieve 10th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: A+Awards Winner 1 Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 9. Velez Valencia Arquitectos Yeferson Bernal SantacruzWe are a team of architects focused on public solutions that add value to the interests of our clients. We are the mix of global experience with local knowledge.Some of Velez Valencia Arquitectos most prominent projects include:Casa Condina, Pereira, ColombiaThe D.V. house, Pereira, ColombiaOmnes Mall The following statistics helped Velez Valencia Arquitectos achieve 9th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 3 8. DANIEL BONILLA ARQUITECTOS DANIEL BONILLA ARQUITECTOSDaniel Bonilla Architecture and Urbanism started formally in 1997 even though Daniel Bonilla had practiced architecture in several firms internationally. The practice is a very well known Design Studio, providing three basic services: urban, architecture and industrial design. This variety gives us a wide vision on design in every scale, from urban planning to the development of delicate industrial pieces.Some of DANIEL BONILLA ARQUITECTOS most prominent projects include:LOS NOGALES SCHOOL CHAPEL, Bogot, ColombiaNOGALES CAFETERIA, Bogota, ColombiaLOS NOGALES HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, Bogot, ColombiaLOS NOGALES SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, Bogot, ColombiaLOS NOGALES SCHOOL ARTS CENTER, Bogot, Colombia The following statistics helped DANIEL BONILLA ARQUITECTOS achieve 8th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 5 7. Juan Pablo Ortiz Arquitectos TALLER Architects, Juan Pablo Ortiz ArquitectosWe are a team of professionals with 15 years of specific experience in the design of high quality buildings and institutional spaces, personally directed by Juan Pablo Ortiz, professor and researcher at the University of the Andes in Bogota. Juan Pablo Ortiz architects is a studio specialized in the integral development of unique buildings with a great communicative projection. Our experience based on the research and execution of projects in this field of architecture, has allowed us to understand the commitment that our professional work has in the material and cultural construction of society.We believe that architecture is a service aimed at improving the daily life of the communities with which we work; understanding this service as the will to give additional values to simple construction. We are convinced that an architecture of excellence is built with ideas. Hence, our work stands out for the continuous search for fresh, proactive and innovative concepts and operational ideas, which allow us to project habitable, efficient, useful, durable, responsible spaces in the use of energy, beautiful and significant; all this within a framework of respect for local traditions and the natural landscape in which it is implanted. In addition, our buildings operate with a conscious and rational use of resources, which we understand as sacred. This way of exercising architecture becomes a sustainable construction in its social, economic and environmental facets.Some of Juan Pablo Ortiz Arquitectos most prominent projects include:Engineering Laboratories | Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogot, Colombia The following statistics helped Juan Pablo Ortiz Arquitectos achieve 7th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: A+Awards Finalist 2 Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 6. Alejandro Restrepo Montoya Arquitectura Alejandro Restrepo Montoya ArquitecturaAlejandro Restrepo Montoya Arquitecturahas developed urban and architectural projects in the recent context of urban transformation of Medellin and has received international and national awards in recognition of his architectural work.Some of Alejandro Restrepo Montoya Arquitecturas most prominent projects include:RV HOUSE, Medelln, ColombiaUB House, Medelln, Colombia The following statistics helped Alejandro Restrepo Montoya Arquitectura achieve 6th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 2 5. CONNATURAL CONNATURALCONNATURAL (formerly known as Laboratorio de Arquitectura y Paisaje) is situated in Medellin, Colombia and founded by the architects Edgar Mazo and Sebastian Mejia in 2011. Through its investigative work the office tries to establish a constant and mutual dialogue between art, architecture and landscape. This dialogue becomes evident through interventions and operations of territory.Some of CONNATURALs most prominent projects include:GARDEN HOUSE, Medellin, ColombiaMEDELLNS AQUATIC COMPLEX, Medellin, ColombiaEDUCATIONAL PARK ENTRERRIOS, Entrerros, ColombiaROW HOUSE, Medellin, ColombiaPOOL FOR A SCULPTOR, Medellin, Colombia The following statistics helped CONNATURAL achieve 5th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 3 Total Projects 5 4. Taller Sintesis Mauricio CarvajalTeller Sintesis is an office of architecture and urbanism founded in 2008 in Medellin, Colombia. The firm was a winner of National Award of Architecture in Colombia at the XXIV Biennale architecture, and a first mention in the Pan American International Architecture Biennale of Quito in 2014.Some of Taller Sintesis most prominent projects include:EL PORVENIR CHILDREN CENTER, Rionegro, ColombiaHOUSE OF MEMORY AND COMMUNITY SPACE, Turbo, Colombia29 de Noviembre School Reconstruction, Nueva Colonia, ColombiaRURAL CLASSROOMS IN MONTES DE MARIA, Ovejas, Sucre, Colombia The following statistics helped Taller Sintesis achieve 4th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 3 Total Projects 4 3. DEB DEBD.E.B. is an architecture studio committed to a thoughtful and inclusive approach to spatial design. Their work spans various scales and historical periods, allowing the proposal of practical solutions in urbanism and architecture, while maintaining a keen focus on interior and furniture design. Established in Barranquilla, Colombia, the studio draws inspiration from the citys cultural richness, fostering an approach that connects people and places. From clients to communities, individuals are at the heart of their architectural philosophy. D.E.B.Some of DEBs most prominent projects include:Ecoparque: Cinaga De Mallorqun, Barranquilla, ColombiaKCP Student Center, Puerto Colombia, ColombiaMasterplan Cinaga de Mallorqun, Barranquilla, ColombiaLuriza Forest Pathways, Vereda Luriza, ColombiaEl Diario Caf, Barranquilla, Colombia The following statistics helped DEB achieve 3rd place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: Featured Projects 4 Total Projects 15 2. plan:b plan:bplan:b is an architectural office that defines the work through a practice in which equal status is given to dialogue, drawing, travel, layout, construction, etc. and which are handled continuously, professional or academic situations, publication of books, college classes or construction of buildings. Plan:b trust in working collaborative, to make of it a statement on the architecture and understands the practice and the architectural project as open situations, interim agreements, not imposed phenomena embedded in eco-social networks, either local or worldwide.Since 2000 to 2005, this working group was led by architects Felipe Mesa and Alejandro Bernal, from 2006 until 2010 was led by Felipe Mesa, and is currently led by Felipe Mesa in partnership with Federico Mesa. The plan:b work is generated primarily through participationin architectural competitions, and collaborating with other professionals in those projects is constant and diverse.Some of plan:bs most prominent projects include:ParkUp, Taipei, TaiwanVG House, Rionegro, ColombiaSan Antonio de Prado KindergartenCHAIRAMA SPAV House The following statistics helped plan:b achieve 2nd place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: A+Awards Finalist 1 Featured Projects 9 Total Projects 18 1. EL EQUIPO MAZZANTIBy Rodrigo Davila - EL EQUIPO MAZZANTIEL EQUIPO MAZZANTI is a Colombian design studio specializing in socially driven architectonic design and academic research. With over twenty-five years of experience, the studio has gained wide national and international recognition. The studios practice is characterized by open, collective and non-hierarchical working processes, which bring together architects, urban planners, sociologists, artists and other professionals. On-going questioning and discussion, as well as a motivation to transgress given limits, constitute part of the development of every project.EQUIPO MAZZANTI believes architecture is one of the keys for the construction of a more competitive and sustainable society. The studio reaches out to contribute towards social transformation and well being, devising detailed contextual research, and involving local actors throughout its design processes. The studio produces innovative design based on the observation of day by day interactions, which hold unpredictable spatial and programmatic possibilities.Some of EL EQUIPO MAZZANTIs most prominent projects include:Top image: Expansion of Santa Fe de Bogot Foundation, Bogota, ColombiaEcoparque: Cinaga De Mallorqun, Barranquilla, ColombiaTimayui Social Kindergarten, Santa Marta, ColombiaCHAIRAMA SPAV House The following statistics helped EL EQUIPO MAZZANTI achieve 1st place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia: A+Awards Winner 1 Featured Projects 11 Total Projects 16 Why Should I Trust Architizers Ranking?With more than 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the worlds largest online community of architects and building product manufacturers. Its celebrated A+Awards program is also the largest celebration of architecture and building products, with more than 400 jurors and hundreds of thousands of public votes helping to recognize the worlds best architecture each year.Architizer also powers firm directories for a number of AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, including the official directory of architecture firms for AIA New York.An example of a project page on Architizer with Project Award Badges highlightedA Guide to Project AwardsThe blue + badge denotes that a project has won a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals details of the award, including award category, year, and whether the project won the jury or popular choice award.The orange Project of the Day and yellow Featured Project badges are awarded by Architizers Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a projects likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:Project completed within the last 3 yearsA well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphsArchitectural designwith a high level of both functional and aesthetic valueHigh quality, in focus photographsAt least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the buildingInclusion of architectural drawings and renderingsInclusion of construction photographsThere are 7 Projects of the Day each week and a further 31 Featured Projects. Each Project of the Day is published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Stories, while each Featured Project is published on Facebook. Each Project of the Day also features in Architizers Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.Were constantly look for the worlds best architects to join our community. If you would like to understand more about this ranking list and learn how your firm can achieve a presence on it, please dont hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.The post 20 Best Architecture and Design Firms in Colombia appeared first on Journal.

Even in a year as packed with remarkable indie releases as 2024 has been, Red Candle GamesNine Solsstands out as one of the years best, and though it has until now only been available digitally, physical collectors will be able to get their hands on it soon enough- on one platform, at least.Taking to Twitter, Red Candle Games has announced thatNine Solswill get a physical release on the Nintendo Switch at some point in 2025, courtesy of a partnership with Fangamer. When exactly it will launch next year or whether physical releases are also planned for other platforms is unknown. Red Candle Games also says Fangamer is currently the exclusive retailer forNine Solsphysical Switch release.In our review ofNine Sols, we awarded it a score of 9/10, saying, Whether you seek an addictive platformer, a substantial action experience with incredible presentation, or a new challenge, Nine Sols offers all this and more. Read the full review through here.Nine Solsis available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with @Fangamer to release the physical edition of Nine Sols for the Nintendo Switch! Please note that @Fangamer is currently the exclusive retailer for the Nintendo Switch physical copy. Stay tuned for our latest updates! pic.twitter.com/JXnmklAQa0 redcandlegames (@redcandlegames) December 17, 2024