We often hear about how smartphones today are almost as powerful as low-power laptops, but thats only talking about their potential. In practice, its not that convenient to use a smartphone as a regular computer, and not just because of the mobile operating system theyre running. The very form factor of the phone, which is basically all screen, isnt conducive for anything but the most limited of interaction gestures, forcing people to peck away at a screen to type anything of significant length.Of course, there are technologies that allow a smartphone to function as a laptop or even a desktop with the right peripherals, such as Samsungs DeX or Motorolas Ready For, but those arent always portable and take away the phones handheld charm. Short of having a BlackBerry-like QWERTY keyboard, your only recourse for such unconventional use cases would be an equally unconventional accessory, like this 3D printed case that transforms one such smartphone into a handheld laptop or, in more dramatic terms, an actually functional pocket cyberdeck.Designer: Jeff Zimmerman (TypingCat)Those familiar with ancient devices like the HP Jornada 720 or the Nokia Communicator will probably know how these were too far ahead of their time. They tickled the imagination with their full-length QWERTY keyboard that made them look like miniature laptops, but they fell completely short of expectations because of the modest hardware and paltry software capabilities of their times. Now we have phones that can even run Windows XP in a virtual machine, taking us a bit closer to that fantasy.Sadly, no manufacturer today will design and sell such a handheld device anymore, so its up to makers and tinkerers to come up with their own solutions. This 3D printed case for the Pixel 6 Pro, for example, not only gives the phone some protection but also adds a hinged section for a Bluetooth keyboard. Call it a handheld laptop or pocket cyberdeck, the design offers the potential to let you type faster, presuming thumb-typing with a physical keyboard is your thing. Alternatively, you can also type on it like a laptop, albeit with a more cramped hand position.Given how its designed specifically for the Pixel 6 Pro, it wont work with other phones without some major modification. That said, the 2021 Google flagship has plenty of muscle to show even today, and running some Linux desktop distribution is certainly within the realm of possibility. Whether you should just because you could is a different question, of course, but this design at least gives owners a new use for this smartphone that may have already been replaced by a newer model.The post Turn your old Pixel 6 Pro into a handheld laptop with this DIY case first appeared on Yanko Design.

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MacworldThe start of the year and all those health resolutions youve made are the best excuse to get yourself a new Apple Watch Series 10. Especially since its now available for $329, a savings of $70 off its MSRP, a fantastic price point for the best smartwatch you an buy.This gorgeous smartwatch has a large, fairly bright display that makes it easy to read any information available on it, from app notifications to texts and map directions. There are tons of health features built into this tiny wearable device, from taking ECGs to sending out alerts for high or low heart rates, tracking sleep habits, and so on.We reviewed the Apple Watch Series 10 and gave it a near-perfect score, as well as our Editors Choice award. We really appreciated the easier-to-read display, how fast it charges, and just how great it looks. While we dont love the limited battery life, its nothing that cant be fixed with a daily recharge. The double-tap gesture where you control things on your Apple Watch is perhaps one of the coolest features because you dont even have to physically touch the screen to answer or end calls, control music, and so on.Dont miss out on the years first Apple Watch 10 deal and get one for $329 at Amazon.Buy now at Amazon

MacworldExpectations are high that Apple is planning a number of new product releases in the spring 2025 time frame, but will the company hold a spring event, and if it does, when will Apples spring event take place. Apple doesnt always hold a spring event, but when it does, it usually takes place in March or April. However, in 2024, when we had almost given up hope of a spring event, Apple surprised us by issuing invites to an event on May 7. In this article, we explain what you need to know about Apples spring event, including when it might be held, how to watch it, and what products you can expect to be unveiled.Will Apple hold a spring event in 2025?In the past ten years Apple has held seven spring events, with the exception of 2023, 2020 and 2017 (and there would undoubtedly have been one in 2020 if it wasnt for the pandemic). Apples spring event is one of the three or four big events in Apples yearly cycle of announcements. Theres the big iPhone/Mac software announcements at WWDC in the summer, the iPhone launch in September, sometimes we see Apple make Mac and iPad announcements in October or November, and (most years) we get some hardware reveals at a spring event in March or April. At these events Apple executives hit the stagewhether real or virtualand boast about some recent successes, before revealing what new products are about to launch. For more detail on Apples calendar of events, read When is the next Apple event?But will there be an event in spring 2025? There was no second fall event in 2024, with Apple choosing instead to issue press releases regarding M4 series of MacBooks, iMac, and Mac mini. These announcements could certainly have been made at an event if Apple had wished: the new M4 Pro and M4 Max were worthy of attention, as was the new design of the Mac mini. But Apple settled on press releases spread over a few days. Could this be the start of a trend to avoid the immediacy of an event, where smaller news gets dwarfed by the big stories, in favor of a more controlled, staggered release. Probably not, although such a release may be better suited to Macs, which dont attract the same interest as iPhones do. Its because there is possibly going to be an iPhone related release in the spring that we think that Apple may hold an event. The new iPhone SE is expected to launch in that time frame and Apple is likely to want to attract as much attention as possible for that iPhone and its support for Apple Intelligence. (Heres how to get Apple Intelligence on your iPhone if you have a compatible model.)When is the Spring Apple event 2025?We dont yet know when (or if) there will be an Apple event this spring. But we can make some educated guesses based on when the event has been held in the past, and other events happening around that time. Its typical for Apple to hold events (other than WWDC) on a Tuesday or a Wednesday. If Apple holds the event on March 11, 18 or 25 it could be selling the new products before its second quarter ends on March 30. Alternatively, If Apple waits until April we wouldnt expect the event to fall too close to the easter time frame, so April 8 or April 29 would be the most likely dates. Apple held a Spring event on the following dates:2024: Tuesday May 7: (Let Loose): 11 & 14-inch iPad Pro M4, 11 & 14-inch iPad Air M2, Apple Pencil Pro2023: no event2022, Tuesday March 8: (Peek Performance, virtual): New iPhone SE, new iPad Air, Mac Studio and Studio Display, and new iPhone color options2021, Tuesday April 20: (Spring Loaded, virtual): New iPad Pro and iMac, Apple TV 4K, AirTags, new iPhone color options and iOS 14.72020: no event2019, Monday March 25: (Its show time): Apple Card, and the News+, TV+, and Arcade subscription services2018, Tuesday March 27: (Lets take a field trip): New iPad and education announcements2017: no event2016, Monday March 21: (Let us loop you in): iPad Pro, iPhone SE, and software updates2015, Monday March 9: (Spring Forward): Apple Watch, a new MacBook, and iOS 8.22014: no event2013: no event2012, Wednesday March 7: (We have something you really have to see. And touch): 3rd-gen Apple TV and 3rd-gen iPadWhat time will Apples spring event start?You can still watch the spring 2024 event on YouTube.Apples events generally start at 10 am in local (California, PT) time, but in May 2024 the event started at 7am PT.Heres what that time translated to in various locations around the world:U.K.: 3 pm (BST)Central Europe: 4 pm (CEST)U.S.: 7 am (PT), 8 am (MT), 9 am (CT), 10 am (ET)Canada: 7 am (PT), 8 am (MT), 9 am (CT), 10 am (ET)India: 7.30 pm (IST)Singapore and China: 11 pmJapan: next day at 2 am (JST)Australia: 11 pm (AWST), 11.30 pm (ACST), midnight (AEST)New Zealand: next day at 2 am (NZST)If Apple holds the event at the usual time of 10am PT the timing will be as follows (allow for daylight saving time changes, which happen at different times around the world).U.S.: at 10 am (PST/PDT), 11 am (MST/MDT), noon (CST/CDT), 1 pm (EST/EDT)Canada: as above, and 2 pm (AST/ADT)U.K.: at 6 pm (GMT/BST)Europe: at 7pm (CET/CEST), 8 pm (EET/EEST)India: at 10.30 pm (IST)Australia: Next day at 1 am (AWST/AWDT), 2.30 am (ACST/ACDT), 3 am (AEST/AEDT)New Zealand: Next day at 5 am (NZST/NZDT)Apple events generally last between one and two hours.What will Apple announce at the spring event?Weve mentioned the iPhone SE a couple of times, but there are other Apple products due an update:M4 MacBook Air The MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac mini already have M4 chips so its time that the MacBook Air got upgraded to the M4. More here: MacBook Air M4 rumors.11th-gen iPadThe 10th-gen iPad launched back in October 2022 and is the only model that doesnt support Apple Intelligence, so an update to the same A17 Pro chip as the iPad mini seems likely. See: 11th-gen iPad rumors.iPhone SEIts expected that the new iPhone SE will support Apple Intelligence, which means we will see a processor jump that takes it beyond the iPhone 14 and 15 models still on sale. Rumor has it that this will be known as the iPhone 16 SE. Read: iPhone SE rumors.Other new productsWe could also see some updates to the Home products. There have been rumors of a faster version of the Apple TV, a HomePod with screen, or a product that combines the two products. Well probably be waiting until WWDC in June for the Mac Pro and Mac Studio updates.What is the spring event tagline and what does it mean?When Apple announces the tagline for the spring 2025 event there will be a lot of speculation as to what it might indicate about the product announcements. For the May 2024 event the tagline was Let Loose, a phrase that suggested freedom and the idea that creativity will be let loose. The image accompanying the invite was of an Apple Pencil drawing. So when a new range of iPads and a new Apple Pencil were launched it was no real surprise. Since an iPhone announcement is expected, a tagline relating to the iPhone and AI seems likely. How to watch Apples spring event liveThe best way to watch would be to get an invite to attend in person, but most of us wont be so lucky. Fortunately, Apple will also live stream the presentation so everyone can watch along.The first place to try is right at the top of this article where we will have embedded Apples YouTube stream. You can also watch on Apples events page, which will have the live stream on the night. Indeed, the main Apple.com home page usually shows the presentation while it is happening.If youve got an iPhone, an iPad, an Apple TV, or a Macassuming the device has sufficiently up-to-date softwareyou can watch the stream on the TV app. PC owners can also watch, but will need to visit Apples site as mentioned above.After the event is finished, it will also be available to rewatch in the Podcasts and TV apps, and on Apples website.Finally, Apple has for certain events in the past held broadcast events in Apple Stores, so it may be worth contacting your nearest outlet to see if they have anything planned.More information about watching the event here: How to watch Apples event.AppleWhat has Apple launched in past spring events?Heres what Apple has announced at previous spring events:2024: Tuesday May 7 2023: no event2022, Tuesday March 8: (Peek Performance, virtual): New iPhone SE, new iPad Air, Mac Studio and Studio Display, and new iPhone color options2021, Tuesday April 20: (Spring Loaded, virtual): New iPad Pro and iMac, Apple TV 4K, AirTags, new iPhone color options and iOS 14.72020: no event2019, Monday March 25: (Its show time): Apple Card, and the News+, TV+, and Arcade subscription services2018, Tuesday March 27: (Lets take a field trip): New iPad and education announcements2017: no event2016, Monday March 21: (Let us loop you in): iPad Pro, iPhone SE, and software updates2015, Monday March 9: (Spring Forward): Apple Watch, a new MacBook, and iOS 8.22014: no event2013: no event2012, Wednesday March 7: (We have something you really have to see. And touch): 3rd-gen Apple TV and 3rd-gen iPadWhat happens at an Apple event?Like most tech-company launch events, it will feature both fluff and substance. Expect some tedious bragging at the beginning; this may cover such topics as operating system adoption rates, hardware customer reviews, and eco-friendly manufacturing policies. But Apple wouldnt hold an event if there wasnt something worth hearing, and we should get into proper announcements within 10 minutes or so.Generally, you can expect multiple separate announcements at an Apple event.

Scammers are continuing to bring scam apps to the App Store, with the latest discovery being a fake port for the popular game "Baldur's Gate 3."Baldurs Gate 3 promo artwork - Image Credit: LarianThe popularity of major game releases can often lead to gamers hoping for a mobile release of the title in the future. However, this also opens the door to bad actors taking advantage of the situation.Baldur's Gate 3 is a massive AAA release, but Larian Studios has no plans to bring the role-playing blockbuster to mobile at all. However, Videogamer reports there's a scam app in the App Store that preys on the game's fans. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Rebellion's award-winning tactical shooter, "Sniper Elite 4" is now available on select iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.Sniper Elite 4 | Image Credit: RebellionThe World War II sniper experience takes the player to 1943 Italy. Playing as Karl Fairburne, they must use an array of authentic weaponry to defeat a new Nazi threat.The game is best known for its "X-ray Kill Camera," which shows an internal view of enemies as they are hit by bullets. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The Screen Actors Guild has announced its award nominations for 2025, with Apple TV+ getting all of its nods for the thriller "Slow Horses," and the comedy "Shrinking."Gary Oldman in "Slow Horses" image credit: Apple TV+In 2024, Apple TV+ scored 11 SAG-AFTRA nominations, led chiefly by "Ted Lasso." For the new 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards, it's received four nominations, all for just two shows.Gary Oldman is nominated as Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for his role in "Slow Horses." He's competing against Eddie Redmayne for Sky/Universal's "The Day of the Jackal," Jeff Bridges for FX's "The Old Man," and both Tadanobu Asano and Hiroyuki Sanada for "Shogun." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums