Macworld Apple unveiled iOS 18 at WWDC on June 10, 2024, and it’s arrived on our iPhones in September 2024, but the beta development continued and registered developers and those registered as public beta testers, could continue to get the latest updates and try out new features still not available to the general public for months following the release. The iOS 18 beta process is now drawing to a close with the release of iOS 18.5 to the public, but Apple’s about to start a new cycle as development of iOS 19 starts after WWDC in June 2025. Following June 9’s WWDC25 keynote, at which Apple will reveal the next version of iOS (as well as macOS 16, iPadOS 19 and more), the beta cycle will start up again. If you want to try out iOS 19 before its release, you will be able to download the developer beta or public beta—the developer beta is released first, with the public beta coming in July. Just know that you can expect significant problems: There will be crashes, some apps may not work, battery life may be poor, and so on. If you want to try our the next version of iOS when it arrives, and you don’t mind some bugs you can join Apple’s beta program. Apple always runs an iOS beta-testing program throughout the summer in order to produce a more polished release at launch and to give developers a chance to test and update their apps. If you are a beta tester you will continue to receive beta updates even after the final version launches. Development of iOS will continue after the September release with a number of “point releases” (e.g. iOS 19.1, iOS 19.2, etc.) that add additional features that weren’t available at launch and fix bugs/address security flaws. If you don’t want to continue to get the beta we cover that here: How to remove iOS beta. What’s new in the latest iOS beta Apple just finished work on the iOS 18.5 beta. Any further development of iOS 18 is unlikely to include new features, but there may be updates to allow Apple to make security-related fixes. How to get the iOS beta If you are keen to try out the new features, we recommend waiting for the public beta—the first developer beta releases tend to be quite buggy and unreliable. Just beware that any beta, public or developer, is likely to be buggy and cause issues with your iPhone, so our advice is not to run it on a secondary iPhone or have some backup plan in place. If you do want to revert back to an older version of iOS read: How to remove an iOS beta from your iPhone. Anyone with an Apple developer account can get access to the developer beta—it is no longer necessary to be a paid-up member of the Apple Developer Program. You can join Apple’s beta programs on Apple’s website. We explain how to get a free Apple developer account in How to become an Apple beta tester. How to get the iOS Developer Beta Each stage of iOS’s development cycle is rolled out to developers first, and then to public beta testers afterwards. If you’re a developer and need to test your apps against the most up-to-date version of iOS possible, this is the version to run. You no longer need a paid developer account to run the beta (just to publish apps to the App Store)—any Apple Developer account will do. You can create a free Apple Developer account using your Apple ID. First you need a developer account, then you will be able to download the beta on your iPhone. Follow the steps below. How to get an Apple Developer account If you want a free Apple Developer account so you can access the developer beta you can get this via Xcode, the Apple Developer app on iOS, or the Apple Developer enrollment site. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app (which is the simplest way): Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store. Open the app. Tap on Account. Sign in using your usual Apple ID.  If you want to sell applications to the App Store and sell them you’ll need to pay $99/£79 per year for a paid account. Sign up for the Apple Developer Program (here) or through Apple’s Developer App. You can register as an individual or a company. You will be required to add various bits of information and agree to the program license agreement, then enter your payment details (it’s an annual subscription that you can end up to a day before it renews). It can take a few days to verify you and make the account live. You can compare the free and paid accounts here. All set with your Apple developer account? Okay! Now to install the beta… How to install the iOS developer beta Back up your iPhone (because this is a beta you are testing!) Open the Settings app. Tap General. Tap Software Update. In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Developer Beta. Now wait a while while the beta installs. Foundry Developers can choose to get the Public Beta instead by selecting iOS Public Beta in the Software Update screen. Prior to iOS 16.4, it was necessary to download and activate a beta profile on your device. From iOS 16.4 onwards, Apple will simply check to see if your Apple ID is a registered developer and provide access in the Software Update menu. You may need to restart your iPhone for the option to appear. How to install the iOS Public Beta The developer beta is, as the name suggests, intended for developers only, but Apple does offer a beta testing program for members of the public who would like to try out new features and find bugs. Beginning with iOS 16.4, you no longer need to download and activate a profile to get the beta. You simply need to enrol and select the beta from the software updates section in Settings. You can install the iOS public beta using the following instructions. Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID. Log in to the Beta Software Program. Click Enroll your iOS device. Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update. In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta. Foundry If you want to uninstall the beta and stop receiving beta updates read this: How to remove an iOS beta from your iPhone. The beta includes a Feedback app that you can use to submit bug reports and broken features. Make use of it! It’s the best way for Apple to get well-documented, reproducible bug reports directly to developers, along with things like telemetry and screenshots that make it easy for them to figure out what’s wrong. Using the Feedback app every time you encounter a problem is the best way to make sure the final release of iOS 19 is a smooth upgrade for everyone. What’s a beta? Betas are pre-release testing versions. Nearly every iOS update goes through the beta phase before it’s officially launched, from small tweaks such as 18.5 to full-version game-changers like iOS 19. There are developer betas (for registered software developers only), and public betas. Both types go through multiple versions—probably half a dozen—before a major launch. Risks and precautions Note first of all that betas are test versions of upcoming software. They are by definition unfinished, and while they should include most or all of the features in the finished product, there will be cosmetic differences and, inevitably, some glitches and problems that will need to be fixed. The glitches and problems are why Apple bothers to beta-test iOS in the first place. In other words, don’t expect a perfect user experience. In particular, don’t expect existing apps (including ones that you may rely on) to work perfectly with the new version. In extreme cases, you may even find that your device is bricked by the beta, and cannot be used until the next beta comes along and hopefully fixes the problem. It’s not uncommon for early beta software to exhibit excessive battery drain, too. The closer we get to the final launch, the more polished and feature-complete the betas become. The counter to that, of course, is there will be less time left to wait for the official launch, so you won’t gain much by installing a beta. Assuming you decide to go ahead, we can’t stress enough how important it is to back up your iPhone before you install an iOS beta, or better still, use a secondary device rather than your main iPhone. You won’t lose everything if something goes wrong while the beta is installing, and you’ll be able to go back to the last version should you find that you don’t like the new software after all, or that it’s too buggy.

Macworld In a world dominated by subscriptions, Microsoft 365’s recent price hike has left many looking for a more cost-effective alternative. Instead of shelling out dollars monthly, get lifetime access to all the essential Microsoft apps—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams for just $69.97 (reg. $219.99) with Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac. This one-time purchase ensures you’ll worry less about rising software fees and more about what you can do with that software. Unlike subscription models, this lifetime license grants you full access to the software without monthly charges or renewals. It’s ideal for professionals, students, and anyone who needs reliable tools for work, school, or personal projects. Whether you need offline access while traveling or want the confidence of having all your documents stored directly on your device, this Office suite has you covered. With no internet required for use, you can stay productive anywhere. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev The convenience of owning your software outright means you can focus on your work, not on future pricing changes. Take advantage of this limited-time offer and make a smart investment in your productivity. Don’t miss out — this price won’t last forever. Grab Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 at $69.97 (reg. $219.99), available only until June 1 at 11:59 PM PST. Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime LicenseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Excellent charging performance Good thermal behavior Three ports Cons No even power distribution across the ports Our Verdict With the Universal Pro 65W, Laut has succeeded in creating a USB-C charger without major weaknesses, with compact dimensions and a favourable price. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed50 Euro Best Prices Today: Laut Universal Pro 65W Retailer Price Laut 49,99 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The Laut Wall Charger Universal Pro 65W has three ports: two USB-C and one USB-A. The power of 65 watts is distributed across the three ports. USB-C1 and USB-C2 deliver a maximum of 65 watts when only one device is connected, while USB-A delivers 18 watts. With two devices connected, the distribution is as follows: C1 45 watts and C2 20 watts, or C1 45 watts and USB-A 18 watts. If devices are connected to C2 and USB-A, only 15 watts are available together. With three devices, C1 and C2 share 45 watts and USB-A can provide 15 watts. We tested the charging performance with Apple devices. An iPhone 15 was charged by 52 percent after 30 minutes, an 11-inch iPad Pro by 35 percent, and a M 3MacBook Air by 49 percent. These are good values. Laut also supplies matching charging cables with its charger, which impressed us in practice with their flexibility and price. Unspectacular at first glance, the Universal Pro 65W impresses with its high charging power and uncritical thermal behavior. The design is compact enough to fit the Universal Pro 65W in any bag. The soft-touch housing is not only pleasant to the touch, but also pleasing with its curves. Much more important, however, are the three ports.

Macworld Adobe Acrobat may be the industry standard, but that comes with a $200+ price tag every single year. So when a Mac-friendly PDF editor comes along offering a lifetime of features for a fraction of the cost, it’s worth taking seriously.  If you only need app that can edit, annotate, and convert PDFs that you don’t have to pay for every month, then check out this lifetime subscription for PDF Expert. There are no recurring costs of any kind, you can use it on all current and future Macs, and it’s on sale for $79.97 (reg. $139.99).  PDF expert packs a lot of different tools into one easy-to-navigate interface. You can edit PDFs by changing the text, inserting images, or adding links. You can annotate to highlight or comment on different areas. You can also merge, re-arrange, or split PDF files. PDF Expert can also convert to and from JPG, PNG, Word, PPT, and Excel files.  Working with an older file? The OCR scanner can recognize almost any text and turn it into a searchable document. You can even enhance scans and remove shadows.  If you don’t want to pay every month to access files you’ll need forever, then get lifetime PDF editor for $79.97 (reg. $139.99). No coupon is needed to get this price. PDF Expert Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Mac)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld Summer’s just around the corner—and that means road trips, backyard BBQs, long weekends, and, let’s be honest, a lot of snack runs. If there was ever a time to join Costco, it’s right now. For $65, you get a 1-year Gold Star Membership plus a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card* to use on anything from bulk burgers to sunscreen to that 84-pack of freezer pops you definitely deserve. From beach supplies and patio furniture to grills, coolers, and enough s’more ingredients to get you through summer, Gold Star Members can easily get summer-ready in the store or online. And with membership perks like travel packages, access to Costco Gas Stations (with members-only fuel pricing), and an additional Household Card that can be used by an adult in your household, you’ll stretch your summer budget further than ever. Plus, the food court still serves up that iconic $1.50 hot dog combo (a national treasure, really), and you’ll gain access to all Costco locations across the U.S. (over 500), meaning no matter where your summer takes you, you’ll be stocked and ready. Whether you’re planning a big party or just gearing up for summer survival with kids at home, this Costco membership promotion can be your golden ticket to smarter spending and seasonal fun. Get a 1-year Gold Star Membership plus a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card* for $65. Costco 1-Year Gold Star Membership + $20 Digital Costco Shop Card*See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. *To receive a Digital Costco Shop Card, you must provide a valid email address and set up auto renewal of your Costco membership on a Visa® card at the time of sign-up. If you elect not to enroll in auto renewal at the time of sign-up, incentives will not be emailed. Valid only for new members and those whose memberships (Primary and Household) have been expired at least 18 months or more. Valid only for nonmembers for their first year of membership. Not valid for renewal or upgrade of an existing membership. Promotion may not be combined with any other promotion. Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed to the email address provided by the Primary Member at time of sign-up within 2 weeks after successful sign-up and enrollment in auto renewal. Digital Costco Shop Card is not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. Costco is not liable for incentives not received due to entry of an invalid address during sign-up. Digital Costco Shop Cards are not accepted at U.S. or Canada Food Court Kiosks. Neither Costco Wholesale Corporation nor its affiliates are responsible for use of the card without your permission.Use the provided single-use promo code when entering your payment information. A Costco Gold Star Membership is $65 a year. An Executive Membership is an additional $65 upgrade fee a year. Each membership includes one free Household Card. May be subject to sales tax. Costco accepts all Visa cards, as well as cash, checks, debit/ATM cards, EBT and Costco Shop Cards. Departments and product selection may vary. (Note: You will see a $0.01 deduction on your membership cost after the promo code is entered. This indicates that your promo code has been successfully applied).

Macworld One of the frustrations of setting up a new computer is downloading, installing, and logging into all the various applications I use every day. But whenever I set up a new Mac, I’m happy to download and install Rocket—the first app I install on any new Mac. In fact, it’s one of the utilities I miss most when I have to use a Windows PC. Rocket is a simple, free utility from Matthew Palmer that adds Slack-style emoji typing throughout your system. That’s it, that’s all it does. If you spend all day on Slack like I do, you know how fast and easy it is to add emojis. Type a colon (:) followed immediately by a search term, and a little pop-up emoji picker shows relevant emojis. You can pick one from the list (with the mouse or arrow keys) or keep typing to narrow it down and just press Enter. The Slack emoji picker is great. With Rocket you can have it everywhere.Foundry It makes using emoji, which I use a lot, an intuitive part of the typing process instead of a separate activity. Rocket simply makes that same emoji typing experience available system-wide. There are a few welcome options, such as the ability to disable Rocket when using certain apps in which it interferes, or when on certain websites. You can choose a custom skin one for relevant emojis, too. There’s a $10 Rocket Pro upgrade that adds the ability to build a library of custom GIFs or images that you can summon the same way, along with some stats and text expander snippets. I’m happy to pay, but I never use any of those features. If I had to make a request, it would be to allow for a simple way to look at emoji variants in the picker. Many emojis these days have multiple variations, and it would be great to find one with a few taps of the keyboard. The preferred default skin tone selection handles some of them, but you don’t always want to change up a whole default just to get the right variant of one or two emojis. And not every emoji variation is a skin tone. But hey, it’s free, it’s lightweight, it’s kept up to date, and it makes my Mac more enjoyable to use. It’s hard to complain about that.

Macworld Sure, we love Apple’s Magic Mouse, but despite its alluring design, it’s probably not the one we’d recommend buying. However, this Corsair M75 Air mouse is far more suitable for most users, and it’s only $40 right now, a savings of $90 off what Apple charges for the same mouse (although that model has RGB lighting and is slightly heavier). This wireless mouse brings clean lines and a classic design that’s comfortable to use for long hours. Equipped with a 26K DPI optical sensor, this Corsair mouse is highly sensitive, so the smallest of movements you make will translate well on the screen. The mouse also boasts 650 IPS tracking and up to 50G acceleration. The mouse is also super light, so you won’t feel like you’re lifting weights just moving this thing around. Your wrist will thank you because this mouse only weighs 60 grams. Our friends over at PCWorld reviewed the Corsair M75 Air, giving it a 4-star rating, their Editors’ Choice award, and said the model is “like the peregrine falcon of the gaming mouse world; streamlined, and with just the right amount of weight, it moves across your mouse mat with a smoothness and glide that you’d be hard pressed finding in any competitors.” At this point, the fact that you can get it for $40 seems like the cherry on top, so order your very own Corsair M75 Air sooner rather than later because you can never know how long the deal will last. Buy now at Amazon

Macworld Hey, it’s Friday! If you have plans to, I dunno, maybe hang out at the bar (or pub, for the UKers) or something like that with a bunch of PC-loving friends, well, ya’ll will have something to talk about tonight. Microsoft fired a salvo at Apple in the form of a video short that claims that “top Copilot+ PCs” are faster than the beloved MacBook Air. You can waste 12 seconds of your life watching it below. (I’ll give you a moment to wipe the spit take from your screen. Sorry about that, I should’ve warned you.) Cheesy production aside (“Was this comically low budget ad made with Windows Movie Maker 2 and a 5 MP camera from 2003?” commented @ItsRichieT), the major sticking point about this ad is that it makes comparisons to the M3 MacBook Air–you know, the laptop that was released in 2024 and replaced earlier this year by the M4 MacBook Air. So the M3 Air isn’t in Apple’s active product lineup. Granted, you can buy the M3 MacBook Air from third-party retailers and at Apple’s Certified Refurbished store. But it doesn’t look good when a company compares “top” products to competitors that aren’t being made anymore and have been replaced by something better. The thing is, Microsoft also claims the “top Copilot+ PCs” are faster than the M4 MacBook Air–it’s right on their website. But the results are nothing like the “up to 58 percent” touted in the ad. Microsoft says it recorded a Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core score of 866 for the M4 Air, and that eight Copilot+ PCs “all scored higher.” So, let me take the opportunity to do what Microsoft didn’t want to show you: how much faster those eight Copilot+ PCs are than the M4 MacBook Air (the Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core score is in parentheses). ASUS Vivobook S 14 with AMD Ryzen AI 9 365: 5.3 percent (912) Dell XPS 13 9345 with Snapdragon X Elite: 8.9 percent (943.3) HP OmniBook Ultra 14 with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375: 11.4 percent (965) Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x 14″ with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite: 18.9 percent (1029.6) Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x 14″ with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite 19.4 percent (1033.6) Lenovo Yoga Pro 7 with AMD Ryzen AI 9 365: 17.9 percent (1021.3) Microsoft Surface Laptop 15″ with Snapdragon X Elite: 9.7 percent (950) Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8″ with Snapdragon X Elite: 2.7 percent (889.6) The Lenovo devices are the fastest of the bunch (I don’t know why the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x 14″ is tested twice; drop me a line if you can fill me in), but those improvements aren’t big enough to make an impression. Imagine that video, but instead it says, “Top Copilot+ PCs are up to 19.4 percent faster than a MacBook Air with M4.” That will just get you stupid looks from the Microsoft marketing department. Heck, we here at Macworld see 15 to 25 percent improvement from one M-series chip to another, and our reaction to that is lukewarm. You can imagine what we think about a Copilot+ PCs offering a less than 20 percent boost over the M4 MacBook Air: Pfft. As for all the other PCs? You won’t notice the difference at all. We ran the same Cinebench 2024 test and got a score of 797 for the M4 MacBook Air, so clearly, results may vary. To sum up, for your PC-lovin’ buddies who want to bring up this ad over a few pints: Your “top Copilot+ PCs” are “up to 58 percent” faster than a discontinued MacBook Air? Cool! The “top Copilot+ PCs” faster than the M4 MacBook Air? That may be true, but no one can notice the difference in real-world usage. But hey, nice of you to catch up! The 12-second ad? Just another example of a corporation trying to relate to the young folks. And if they still won’t listen, just remember that they have to use Windows.

Macworld The battle royale between Apple and Epic Games over Fortnite doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon.  After a judge ordered Apple to allow developers to link to external payment systems, Epic Games rushed to deliver Fortnite to the App Store after a five-year absence. Earlier this week, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said the game was awaiting approval through the usual review process, and even submitted it a second time after Apple appeared to be dragging its feet. On Friday, Apple made its decision. Epic Games’ Fortnite X account states that “Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the U.S. App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union.” The company says Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it. The issue is far more complicated than the judge’s ruling. Back in 2020, Apple suspended Epic’s developer account in the U.S. after it broke Apple’s terms by offering a link to buy V-Bucks outside of the App Store. So Epic resubmitted Fortnite to the App Store this week using its EU account, which Apple apparently didn’t appreciate. It’s not clear what the next phase of this battle will be. As it stands, Fortnite is unavailable on iOS devices anywhere in the world, including the EU, where it’s delivered directly through the Epic Games Store. Apple allows “alternative app stores” in the EU after a ruling there forced the company to allow so-called sideloading. Sweeney says that since all Fortnite apps must update simultaneously, they will all remain offline until Apple resolves the situation. He’s also spent most of today posting and reposting comments about the situation that support Epic and blame Apple. So it seems unlikely either company will give in anytime soon.

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Outstanding performance Good display Useful battery life Bright display with anti-reflective coating Excellent build quality Cons High price for 5G No OLED No camera flash Few innovations since 2022 Our Verdict While we’d have liked to see the inclusion of an M4 chip instead of the M3, Apple’s new iPad Air is well worth a recommendation, offering an excellent display and strong performance for years to come. Paired with a good keyboard case, it could even replace your MacBook. Our only caveat is that the previous model with the M2 chip, which you can find at a lower price, might be an even better buy. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: iPad Air 11 Zoll (M3, 2025) New Refurbished Retailer Price €648 View Deal €669 View Deal €669 View Deal €673 View Deal €630.2 View Deal 629,00 € View Deal 634,60 € View Deal 638,90 € View Deal 644,00 € View Deal 648,00 € View Deal 648,00 € View Deal 660,05 € View Deal 679,99 € View Deal €680.38 View Deal 699,00 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price iPad Air M3 11 (2025) 7. Generation 128 GB – WLAN – Blau €649 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket The iPad Air has consistently been the best choice for most users, and this remains true of the new version, which offers the best balance of price and features among Apple’s tablets. Thanks to its new M3 chip, it has become significantly more powerful than the previous M2 model. However, this is otherwise quite a minor update. Surely you would expect a new iPad to boast the very latest chip (the M4 is currently available on the iPad Pro), a new design and some cool new features? Regardless of expectations, the iPad Air has remained visually unchanged for three years; this one looks exactly the same as the models from last year and 2022. Apple hasn’t even given the Air any new colors for 2025. The iPad Pro, by contrast, was given a more innovative, thinner design last year, higher performance and an impressive OLED display. The Pro models bring in the most money, which might suggest deliberate neglect of the Air models. Still, the iPad Air could be back next year with a new design. For now, let’s see if the new M3 Air is the right tablet for you. Design and build quality: Superb The iPad Air is an elegant device with first-class workmanship. The tried-and-tested aluminum frame makes the tablet solid and attractive, and iPads can generally be relied upon to remain presentable even after several years of intensive use. Externally, you won’t notice any difference from the previous model. Even the dimensions are exactly the same, down to a tenth of a millimeter; only the weight of the 11-inch model has fallen by 2g. The color options are again Space Gray, Starlight, blue, and purple. The colors are significantly less gaudy than those of the 11th-gen iPad and struck us as very subtle: even blue and purple look “grown-up” and the Starlight finish is barely distinguishable from silver. The 11-inch model in particular feels light and sturdy at the same time. With a weight of 460g, this can be used with one hand, while the 13-inch model is significantly heavier at 616g. However, even the large model is just half the weight of a MacBook Air. The Air has an appealing and successful design.Eugen Wegmann Benefits of the M3 chip The most important new feature of the iPad Air is the M3 chip, but you shouldn’t expect too much. On its website, Apple promises a significant increase in performance. The new Air, it says, is “nearly 2x faster than the iPad Air with M1 chip.” That’s not wrong, but it’s also a little misleading; the M1 model came out back in spring 2022. The comparison with the M2 model from last year, by contrast, is less flattering: in our tests the performance leap was rarely noticeable in everyday use. So we should think of this as a small refresh for the iPad Air, a kind of “speed bump.” For a proper speed boost, Apple would have needed to install the M4, and it’s pretty obvious why the company didn’t. The performance gap between the Air and the expensive top model has to be maintained. Still, while it doesn’t represent a startling improvement on the M2, don’t entirely write off the benefits of the new chip. Not only does it have a higher clock rate, it also offers new features such as support for hardware ray tracing–an important consideration for certain high-end games. The new media engine of the M3 supports higher resolutions and can now play HEVC videos up to 8K and H264 videos up to 4K, as well as using the ProRes and ProRES RAW formats. AV1 decoding is also supported, which could be very useful if you want to edit videos on the iPad. Performance: Moderate improvements The iPad doesn’t feature the same M3 chip that Apple used in the MacBook Air, and which was available in two versions (8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, and 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU). Instead, the iPad Air gets a third version of the M3 with an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU. Graphics performance therefore sits between the two earlier versions. The M3 brings a solid performance leap in single-core performance, since the M3 chip is clocked significantly higher than the M2. In the Geekbench 6 benchmark the M3 iPad scored 3,019 points to the M2 iPad’s 2,584 points. That’s almost 15 per cent more performance, which is available for tasks such as web surfing or Apple Intelligence. In the multi-core test, the M3 scored 11,749 points to the M2’s 10,074, an improvement of around 17 percent. This higher multiprocessor performance is helpful for more complex apps, such as image and video editing. The Geekbench 5 benchmark illustrates the current models’ improved performance.Foundry But when it comes to GPU performance the new chip offers far less improvement. In the 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme test, the M2 scored 6,443 points and the M3 managed just three points more at 6,446. In the Geekbench GPU test, things were a little better, at 46,007 points vs 41,902, but still below a 10 percent increase. However, the performance remains excellent in comparison with other iPads. The iPad (A16), which was launched at the same time, is less than half as quick in terms of graphics performance and scored just 20,123 points in Geekbench’s graphics benchmark. We also test how long a CPU can sustain top performance. (Performance levels often drop rapidly when the device heats up, as iPads have to cope without a fan.) According to our APSI test running 20 minutes of full load, the Air’s throttling remains within acceptable limits at 86.57 percent. Note that the new iPad Pro is better at 90.62 percent, and the 11th-gen iPad, with its far less powerful A16 CPU, heats up even less and performs even better with 93.94 percent. The Air supports the fast new Wi-Fi 6E standard, whereas the iPad A16 still has to make do with Wi-Fi 6. If you pay extra for cellular connectivity, which adds $150 to the price, then you can enjoy 5G support via eSIM. Storage performance: Nowhere near the iPad Pro The M3 gets the headlines, but don’t underestimate the importance of the iPad’s internal SSD when it comes to performance. Our 1TB model in the test delivered what we’d regard as adequate performance, achieving 1,646 MB/s when reading and 1,380 MB/s when writing. But this doesn’t come close to the performance of an iPad Pro M4, where we measured 3,362 MB/s and 2,017 MB/s for reading and writing respectively. It’s also possible to connect an external SSD via USB-C. As an experiment, we transferred some large video files between the iPad Air and a Lacie Thunderbolt SSD. We saw speeds of up to 700 MB/s via the Files app, which puts the Air somewhere in the iPad midfield: the 11th-gen iPad managed only 37 MB/s in the same test, but the iPad Pro M4 achieved 2,200 MB/s. Display: Lacking some Pro features As usual, the biggest difference between the iPad, iPad Air and iPad Pro product lines is the screen. With the iPad Air, you get a good 11- or 13-inch panel with IPS technology, which is still common among tablets and laptops. The resolution is 2360 x 1640 pixels (11 inches) or 2732 x 2048 (13 inches). At 600 nits, the 13-inch model is brighter than the 11-inch model, which only reaches a maximum of 500 nits. However, both displays are bright enough to work with outdoors. Compared to the cheaper 11th-gen iPad, the display scores points with a useful anti-glare coating, which means it reflects significantly less than the basic iPad. More advanced technologies such as OLED (and previously mini-LED) are unfortunately reserved for the Pro models, which support HDR content better as a result. An OLED display can also be considerably more frugal in terms of battery consumption. In addition to the sRGB color standard, the iPad Air supports the larger P3 color space, which is primarily used in the video sector. A matte display is only available as an option for the iPad Pro, and ProMotion is a Pro exclusive too. Gamers would certainly appreciate a faster display, but will have to make do with 60Hz on the Air. For most users, however, the lack of ProMotion is not a big deal. Size: Should you get the 11-inch or 13-inch model? For a long time, if you wanted a big 13-inch screen, you had to go for the iPad Pro. But since last year, the Air has also been available with a 13-inch screen too, and buyers are spoilt for choice. Ultimately, every buyer has to decide for themselves which form factor is better for them. Bigger doesn’t always mean better: the 11-inch model is easier to handle, especially if you’re using it on the move. It’s also significantly lighter. In my opinion, there are two main arguments in favour of the 13-inch Air. If you often use the device with an external keyboard, you’ll probably be more productive with the larger model. Managing several apps with Split View or Stage Manager is also more practical at this size. In my opinion, Stage Manager only really makes sense with these larger displays. On a 13-inch model, a single Safari window in full-screen mode is simply too large. With Stage Manager, you can have several apps open and work with Word, Mail, and Safari at the same time, just like on a Mac. In addition, an iPad with a 13-inch display is ideal as an external Mac display. If you use a small iMac as your main device, you can integrate the iPad as an additional display if required. While an 11-inch iPad is a little too small for this role, a 13-incher is really useful. My take is that the 11-inch model is better for consumption, and the 13-inch model is better for work. Battery life: Solid Battery life has hardly changed compared to the previous model. According to Coconut Battery, the battery of our (13-inch) test unit had a capacity of 9782 mAh, and this offers enough power for a day of office work and web surfing. Apple promises up to 10 hours of web browsing over Wi-Fi or video playback, but bear in mind that the company bases that figure on testing with a screen brightness of just 50 percent. In our tests we use maximum brightness, which is a lot more demanding. In our video test, where we let a current movie run in a continuous loop, the 13-inch Air lasted six and a half hours, which is a good result. In our second test, where a website is called up at rapid intervals, the Air lasted almost eight hours. This is all fine, but the unflattering comparison with the iPad Pro illustrates the drawbacks of an IPS screen: thanks to its efficient OLED display, the iPad Pro M4 lasted three hours longer in the surfing test and twice as long in the video test. The M3 chip can consume a lot of battery power when it’s at maximum load, for example when gaming or using 3D apps. This is a clear difference from iPads with a slow CPU such as the 10th-gen iPad. Having a slow CPU has plenty of drawbacks, but it reduces battery consumption. Keyboards, cases, and other accessories Apple has introduced a new keyboard alongside the new iPad Air, and this has led to a somewhat confusing range of accessories to choose from. Apple still sells a version of the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air M2 (from $299 for the 11-inch version), in either black or white. But now there’s a new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air M3, which is only available in white. The price for the 11-inch version is $269/£269, while the 13-inch version costs $319/£299. Apple has improved the keyboard compared to the previous version in a number of ways. For example, there’s a set of function keys, while the trackpad is larger. And it’s important to note that, rather confusingly and contrary to what its branding might suggest, this new accessory is compatible with the iPad Air M2 (and indeed the 4th- and 5th-gen Airs) as well as the iPad Air M3. However, there are a few compromises compared with the iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard; only the Pro version offers a glass trackpad and backlit buttons. It’s rather annoying that if you ever switch from the iPad Air to the iPad Pro, you’ll also have to factor in the (not inconsiderable) cost of a new keyboard if you want to get the full benefit of the upgrade. This keyboard is missing a few features from the Pro Magic Keyboard.IDG There are no new Smart Folios, but Apple has dropped their prices. Most third-party cases for the previous iPad Air models will also be suitable for the new model, such as the Logitech Combo Touch. Finally, like its predecessor, the iPad supports both the USB-C Apple Pencil and the more advanced Pencil Pro. Older Pencils can no longer be used. External display: A handy option The M3 Air offers support for an external display with a resolution of up to 6K at 60Hz, compared to a maximum of 4K on the 11th-gen iPad. Don’t underestimate the value of this option. If you connect your iPad to an external display via USB-C with a mouse and keyboard connected, the Stage Manager display option is automatically activated. You can then also use the mouse and keyboard and more efficiently edit long texts or videos. Photo and video: Better at video chats than stills photography The iPad isn’t an obvious choice as a photographic companion, but the new Air, as usual, is equipped with cameras on the front and back. These don’t compare with current iPhone cameras, especially when taking photos indoors: images quickly become noisy. And unfortunately you have to do without a flash, which would have been useful when taking photos of documents. The front-facing camera is positioned on the long edge as has become standard practice for Apple, which is the ideal position for video conferencing. Plus the Center Stage feature allows you to choose between auto-zoom or a wide-angle image. The Air is well equipped for video chats. Video recordings with the main camera are still possible at up to 4K and 60fps, and the Air gets video image stabilisation. Finally, here’s one area where the Air outperforms the iPad Pro: its rear camera module barely protrudes, which is more practical in everyday use. Audio setup: Impressive quality I was impressed by the sound quality of the two speakers located on the sides, which remains strong even at higher volumes. This is not only useful for music and videos, but also for presentations and video calls. In most situations there’s no need to add external Bluetooth speakers. Two integrated microphones ensure good recording quality during video conferences. The iPad Pro offers even better sound quality thanks to its four speakers and five microphones, but the Air is already at a high level in this area. Summary: The sweet spot Overall, the iPad Air is convincing. The iPad Pro is even better, but far too expensive. The iPad A16, on the other hand, is significantly slower and has a poorer display. This feels like a sweet spot. For most users, in fact, the iPad Air is the ideal choice: fast, ergonomic, and equipped with a good display. Our only caveat is that there’s hardly any reason to buy this model rather than the cheaper previous model with an M2 chip, which is barely less powerful; what’s more, there are some excellent deals out there. The M2 Air is, therefore my personal recommendation. Whether you choose the 11- or 13-inch model is up to you. Tech specs iPad Air (M3, 2025)11 inches13 inchesPrice (base model, Wi-Fi)$599$799Price (base model, cellular)$749$949Display11-inch Liquid Retina13-inch Liquid RetinaResolution2360 x 1640, 264ppi2732 x 2048, 264ppiDisplay technologyLED, fully laminated, anti-reflective coatingLED, fully laminated, anti-reflective coatingColor spaceWide color gamut (P3), True ToneWide color gamut (P3), True ToneBrightness500 nits600 nitsChipApple M3Apple M3CPU8-core CPU: 4 performance and 4 efficiency8-core CPU: 4 performance and 4 efficiencyGraphics9-core GPU9-core GPUNeural Engine16-core16-coreMedia EngineHardware accelerated H.264 and HEVC, AV1 decodingHardware accelerated H.264 and HEVC, AV1 decodingMemory8GB8GBStorage capacity128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB128GB/256GB/512GB/1TBCameras12MP wide-angle, f/1.812MP wide angle, f/1.8Front camera12MP landscape format, Center Stage, f/2.012MP landscape format, Center Stage, f/2.0Speaker, microphoneStereo speakers in landscape format, 2 microphonesStereo speakers in landscape format, 2 microphonesSensorsTouch ID in the power buttonTouch ID in the power buttonConnectionsUSB 3 (up to 10 Gbit/s), Smart ConnectorUSB 3 (up to 10 Gbit/s), Smart ConnectorPencil (optional)Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C)Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C)Wi-FiWLAN 6E (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMOWi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMOBluetooth5.35.3Mobile data5G/LTE/UMTS/HSDPA5G/LTE/UMTS/HSDPASIM cardeSIMeSIMColorsSpace Gray, Starlight, purple, blueSpace Gray, Starlight, purple, blueBatteryLithium polymer, 28.93 WhLithium polymer, 36.59 WhSurfing Wi-Fi10 hours10 hoursMobile surfing9 hours9 hoursDimensions (W/H/D)178.5 x 247.6 x 6.1mm214.9 x 280.6 x 6.1mmWeight460g (Wi-Fi); 460g (cellular)616g (Wi-Fi); 617g (cellular)Table: Thomas Armbrüster

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Robust Construction Effective fan Good data transfer rates Informative display Cons Not many extra ports Fan not silent No carrying case Our Verdict Anyone who opts for the Smart USB-C Hub 7-in-1 will do so mainly because of the option to integrate an NVMe SSD. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed129 Dollar Best Prices Today: Dockcase Smart USB-C Hub 7-in-1 with M.2 SSD Enclosure Retailer Price Dockcase 129,00 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket At first glance, what stands out most about the Smart USB-C Hub 7-in-1 with M.2 SSD Enclosure hub is its relatively large case with an equally large display. The 4.3 by 2.3 centimeter display shows, among other things, the connected devices and the current data transfer rate. It also serves as a touchscreen for settings such as data protection and fan speed. The large display looks playful, but is very informative. An integrated SSD health monitor issues early warnings. Speaking of that integrated SSD, inside the hub is a connector for an M.2 SSD module that you provide. It supports the compact 2230 and 2242 NVMe SSDs with a maximum capacity of 2TB. An optional read-only mode prevents unwanted changes or deletions and thus protects sensitive data, if required. An integrated, temperature-controlled fan and ventilation openings ensure efficient cooling of the NVMe SSD. Installtion an SSD module is effortless and Dockcase provides a small screwdriver. The ports on the Smart USB-C Hub are one USB-C and USB-A (both USB 3.2 Gen 2 at 10GBps), a 100W Power Delivery USB-C power, an HDMI 2.1 port with support for 4K at 120Hz, an SD card slot, and a TF port. If you want a hub that gives you more connectors, other hubs and docks are better suited in our Best USB-C hubs and adapters for Mac 2025 roundup. Not everyone needs a lot of extra ports; primarily, this is an external SSD enclosure with a few useful ports. The data transfer rate of the integrated NVMe SSD impresses across the board in the AJA System Test Lite with 875MBs for writing and 955MBps for reading. The fan occasionally starts up in the read/write endurance test; it is relatively quiet, but not silent. In our endurance test, however, the small NVMe SSD can get very warm after more than 30 minutes of intensive use. The write rate then decreases significantly. However, this is a respectable performance for a USB-C hub. With the fan deactivated for the test (the temperature was read via the internal sensor), the temperature rose during continuous operation of the SSD. After a short time, a warning was displayed at 69 degrees Celsius, and the data transfer rate dropped significantly in some cases. At 72 degrees Celsius, we activated the fan to protect the SSD and within a short time, the temperature dropped to below 60 degrees Celsius. The full metal housing is robust and also ensures good temperature equalization thanks to the many ventilation slots. However, the fan can be noisy and annoying to sensitive ears. Dockcase provides a fan control with four sppeds or the ability to turn it off completely–but doing so puts the SSD at risk. With an OWC Ultra SDXC memory card, we measured 253MBps for writing and 284MBps for reading–an excellent performance. with a Lexar Armor 700 USB-C SSD, the 890MBps for writing and 939MBps for reading are only aabout 100MBps below the values directly on the MacBook Air M3. Should you buy the Dockcase Smart USB-C Hub 7-in-1 with M.2 SSD Enclosure? Anyone who opts for the Smart USB-C Hub 7-in-1 will do so mainly because of the option to integrate an NVMe SSD. If you need an external storage device and could use card reader slots and an extra charging port, the Smart USB-C hub may work. But there are plenty of other options out there if you want to add more ports.

Macworld Who wants to spend $80 on a single Nintendo Switch 2 game? And that doesn’t even factor in the cost of the console. That’s why more people have been switching to third-party consoles like the Retropian, a handheld gaming console that comes with over 10,000 classic games pre-loaded, and it’s only $79.99 (reg. $129). A console that costs as much as a single game The Retropian Color is a fully loaded, compact gaming device that supports games from over 20 classic consoles, including NES, SNES, Game Boy, Sega Genesis, PlayStation 1, and even arcade systems like MAME and Neo Geo. It runs on an open-source Linux system, which means you can customize it or add new emulators if you want to expand your library. A 3.5-inch IPS screen brings crisp detail and vivid color to even the oldest pixelated favorites, and the 6-hour battery life means you can play through a full day of travel or downtime without constantly recharging. You also get modern features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for multiplayer gaming, plus a USB-C charger and stereo speakers for smooth setup and sound. It’s only $79.99 to get a Retropian Color. Retropian Color Retro Handheld Gaming Console (Green)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld Will the iPad ever become a true laptop replacement? The answer to that question heavily depends on who you ask. For certain students and professionals, the iPad Pro’s superior display, Apple Pencil input, and portability have made it the ideal productivity device. In fact, I earned my BA in English Language and Literature and worked as a TV script translator, all while relying solely on an iPad. However, it’s a different story for those with advanced workflows. Today, flagship iPads pack Apple’s M-series chipsets, similar to those powering the latest Macs. Nonetheless, the mobile operating system’s software limitations prevent the tablet from performing a range of desktop-class tasks. iPadOS 19 is rumored to address some of these shortcomings by improving multitasking, productivity, and window management. I’m all for that, but Apple needs to think big—these nine macOS features need to be at the centerpiece of the update to truly unlock the iPad’s full potential. App sideloading support macOS is the only Apple operating system that permits users to install apps outside the App Store without jumping through endless hoops. If an application fails the App Store’s unforgiving screening process, developers can still distribute it independently to users all over the world, which enables Mac users to install third-party apps that don’t necessarily comply with Apple’s guidelines.  I understand why Apple wants to keep sideloading away from the iPhone, but the iPad is a different animal. If your workflow depends on a noncompliant or niche app, there’s no straightforward way to obtain it on your iPad—and that’s a dealbreaker for many. To truly match desktop flexibility, iPadOS 19 should support direct .IPA file installation. Maybe then people can stop looking at it as a giant iPhone. Mac software compatibility The highest-end iPads now use the same processors as Mac computers. Yet, while macOS can run iPad apps, iPadOS still can’t run Mac software. Consequently, those relying on desktop-exclusive apps, such as Xcode, can’t completely ditch their computers. Similarly, those who already bought lifetime licenses for Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro on macOS can’t access these tools on their tablets (without paying recurring subscription fees for the mobile editions). Since the iPad has a cursor when connected to a Magic Keyboard, Apple could realistically address this limitation and expand the iPad’s app library by supporting Mac software on iPadOS 19. An improved cursor Speaking of the cursor, the one iPadOS has is significantly larger than that of macOS and features a magnetic effect that pulls it toward UI elements. I understand why it behaves that way, since iPadOS is a touch-first OS with large targets to accommodate human fingers, but it’s not conducive to getting serious work done. With iPadOS 19 and macOS 16 rumored to adopt similar looks, now is Apple’s chance to finally develop a more intuitive pointer for its tablet.  Window management needs to be priority No. 1 for iPadOS to be more like macOS.Foundry Enhanced window management Likewise, while iPadOS currently supports resizable app windows via Stage Manager, the feature is extremely limited compared to the Mac’s window management. The execution feels wonky and pushes me to use the traditional Split View and Slide Over multitasking features. iPadOS 19 is rumored to be getting a multitasking upgrade, and I can’t think of anything better than adopting a macOS-like approach that’s fully optimized for tablets. Upgraded built-in apps Ever since iOS and iPadOS split in 2019, Apple has been distinguishing its own iPad apps by offering new UIs exclusive to the larger displays. Nevertheless, in terms of functionality, these apps continue to mimic, even mirror, the iPhone and its limitations. So, macOS features such as Smart Playlists in Apple Music and system file browsing in Finder are absent from the iPad. To lure power users, iPadOS 19 should upgrade its stock apps by bringing over some of what we love about the Mac versions. Extended work environments Speaking of power users, the premium M4 iPad Pro still limits you to a single external monitor. Meanwhile, Macs support multiple physical screens and virtual desktops. This lets users jump between different sets of opened apps by creating several environments with distinct layouts based on the tasks they’re focusing on. Similar capabilities in iPadOS would help make it a much better platform for getting serious work done. Virtual desktops are a great thing for productivity and organization on the Mac, and they’d be just as good on the iPad.Foundry iPhone backup tools With a Mac and a USB-C cable, you can back up, restore, or update your iPhone just by plugging it in. While newer iPads can repair your bricked iPhone wirelessly, they’re incapable of creating local, full-device backups. Similarly, they can’t update your iPhone’s OS when it doesn’t have sufficient storage to download the package over the air. If Apple wants the iPad to be a true productivity device, it needs to have full control over the iPhone like the Mac. Multiple user profiles This is one that we’ve wanted forever. Many households have a single iPad shared by several people, but iPadOS is still tied to a single user. Apple has already built and shipped multi-user profiles, but confoundingly, it’s limited to iPads managed by educational institutions. We don’t know why Apple refuses to allow multiple users on the iPad, but that needs to change if Apple’s tablet wants to be more like the Mac. Continuity features Lastly, the Mac offers special Continuity features that work seamlessly with iOS. With macOS Monterey 12, Apple added support for AirPlay receiving, letting you cast media from your iPhone to the computer’s larger display. And with macOS Sequoia 15, the company introduced iPhone Mirroring, enabling users to fully control their iPhones, view iOS notifications, and more. Both of these features are missing from iPadOS, further chaining its potential. We don’t need to mirror our iPhone on the iPad as often as we do on our Macs, but it would be cool if we could.Foundry Could this be the year? The iPad seems to be stuck in limbo, and I struggle to figure out where it’s heading. There’s no denying that every annual OS update makes the device more capable, but ultimately, the new features all hit the same obstacles. For example, I had high hopes when Stage Manager was first announced, only to be disappointed by the same main set of limitations soon after trying it. When compared to Windows tablets such as Microsoft’s Surface, the iPad has a long way to go. But while I’m still skeptical, the iPadOS 19 rumors are a glimmer of hope. I’m doubtful that many of the features here make it to the iPad this year (or anytime soon for that matter), but iPadOS 19 is a chance for Apple to elevate the tablet above its iPhone roots and carve out a productivity niche for people who want something more versatile than a Mac. We’ll see if it happens.

Macworld When Apple introduced AirTag in 2021, the company also unveiled its own accessories for the tiny, hole-less tracker. However, since then, neither AirTag nor its first-party accessories have received any major updates. But it seems that Apple has now quietly discontinued one of the original AirTag accessories amid rumors of a new generation of the item tracker. The original AirTag Loop is no longer available in stores As spotted by Macworld, Apple is no longer selling an accessory known as the AirTag Loop. The accessory has disappeared from the company’s online store and is unavailable in many Apple Stores around the world. Sources familiar with the matter told Macworld that stores haven’t received new AirTag Loop supplies for months, and the product has also been removed from the catalog, suggesting that it has been discontinued for good. Although Apple sometimes faces supply shortages that impact the availability of some products, the company usually makes it clear in its store when a product is temporarily out of stock, sources said. For those unfamiliar, the AirTag Loop lets users attach the item tracker to objects such as backpacks and suitcases. Apple originally offered both leather and silicone versions of the Loop, but in 2023, it discontinued the leather version after announcing FineWoven as a replacement for its leather accessories. However, while Apple replaced the AirTag Leather Key Ring with a FineWoven model, it never made a FineWoven Loop, instead sticking with the silicone version as the only option. Apple’s FineWoven Key Ring for AirTag remains available both in retail and online stores. At $35, the company’s official AirTag accessories cost more than an AirTag, but Apple also promotes third-party accessories that are much cheaper. According to another source who spoke to Macworld, many customers who buy AirTags tend to opt for third-party accessories rather than Apple’s own. You can still find the original AirTag Loop in some other stores at prices as low as $13, likely discounted to clear out remaining stock. The AirTag Loop is no longer sold at Apple Stores.Foundry AirTag 2: What to expect Although the most likely reason Apple stopped selling the AirTag Loop is its low popularity among customers, the company may also be gearing up to launch a new version of AirTag with refreshed accessories in the near future. Based on the latest rumors, a 2nd-gen AirTag is already in the works and may launch later this year. The new version is expected to have a similar design to the current one but with an improved Ultra Wideband chip and extended range. The iPhone 15 and later models include an updated UWB chip with a range of up to 60 meters, compared to 15 meters for the chip inside the 1st-gen AirTag. The technology enables the Precision Finding feature, which shows the distance between you and the item you’re trying to track. Other reports suggest that AirTag 2 will also include stronger anti-stalking mechanisms, such as better protections to prevent people from disabling the tracker’s internal speaker.

Macworld Gorgeous, light, powerful, and even more affordable, the M4 MacBook Air is on sale over at Amazon right now for one of the best prices we’ve ever seen. You can get the version with all the bells and whistles—24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage—for just $1,245 right now, a savings of $154 off its $1,399 MSRP. If you frequently visit MacWorld, you know that we absolutely love this laptop. In fact, when we reviewed the 15-inch version, we gave it a perfect five-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award, with our main complaint being that we can no longer get it in Space Gray. We appreciated that you could hook up two external 6K displays at 60hz, the fantastic performance boost brought on by the upgrade to the M4 chip, and we even appreciated the new 12MP Center Stage camera. And of course, we loved the gorgeous Liquid Retina Display that will make working on the device great in any lighting conditions, allowing you to view crisp images with vivid colors anywhere, and speedy M4 chip. This specific configuration also features 24GB memory and 512GB, which is the recipe for the most decked-out version you can purchase right now. “This is the laptop for everyone,” we wrote at the time, and considering everything it has to offer, including the 18-hour battery life, it’s hard to argue—especially at this price. So snag your very own M4 MacBook Air for $1,245.26 at Amazon sooner rather than later because this deal may not stick around for long. Save 11% on this MacBook Air M4Buy now at Amazon

Macworld Ever since Apple unveiled its ambitious next-gen CarPlay in-car experience at WWDC 2023, we’ve been waiting for the first vehicles to arrive. Nearly two years later, the first models running the new system are finally rolling off the lot—and it finally has a proper name. Apple and Aston Martin announced on Thursday that CarPlay Ultra will be available as a standard feature on all new vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada, and will be available for existing models that feature Aston Martin’s “next-generation infotainment system” through an upcoming software update. The system, which “builds on the capabilities of CarPlay and provides the ultimate in-car experience by deeply integrating with the vehicle to deliver the best of iPhone and the best of the car,” appears to be very similar to the one that debuted at WWDC 2023. Aston Martin will be the first car maker to ship CarPlay Ultra support.Aston Martin According to Apple, CarPlay Ultra provides content for all the car’s displays, including the instrument cluster, with “dynamic and beautiful options for the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and more.” Drivers can also choose to show information from their iPhone, including maps and media, right in the instrument cluster. Like regular CarPlay, the system requires an iPhone to work and will default to the car’s standard infotainment system otherwise. CarPlay Ultra lets automakers tailor the look to their “distinct design philosophy” with custom themes, personalized color options, and unique wallpapers. Apple says many other automakers around the world are working to adopt CarPlay Ultra, including “newly committed brands Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.” CarPlay Ultra isn’t replacing CarPlay, which is still available for millions of cars worldwide. However, the Ultra branding suggests a top-of-the-line product, like the Apple Watch Ultra and M2 Ultra processor.

Macworld Users are often reluctant to switch from one music-streaming service to another, even if they find the price, features, algorithm, curation, or song library more appealing. And that’s because of playlists. A huge part of the streaming experience is being able to create cross-device playlists of songs for studying, working out, driving, sleeping, parties, and so on. There are ways to take these playlists with you when you move from Spotify to Apple Music, for example, but for many it represents enough of a hassle to keep them with the original service. It’s enough of a problem, in fact, that Apple is releasing a tool to migrate playlists for you. A support document published this week (spotted by MacRumors) reveals the existence of a new “Transfer Music from Other Music Services” function in Apple Music. At the time of writing, it appears to be undergoing testing in Australia and New Zealand only, but we’d expect it to roll out elsewhere if it proves popular. The way it works is appealingly simple. You go into the settings for Music on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device (or access Apple Music on the web), select the transfer function, choose the service you want to transfer from and what you want to transfer, then tap Add To Library. The software will flag up anything that isn’t available in Apple Music and suggest a similar track, but other than that, the process should be complete without further input. In the support document Apple is coy about who does the work, saying only that “Transferring music to Apple Music is provided by a third-party [sic].” That third party is SongShift, as we knew as long ago as February last year, when Apple’s plan leaked in an Android beta. In other words, the essential functionality isn’t new. But bringing this within Apple’s Music app reduces the friction of the process and is likely to make customers significantly happier to trust that their data won’t be misused. And anything that makes it easier to switch to Apple Music from Spotify (or Tidal, Deezer, Amazon Music, and so on) is good news for the company’s all-important services revenue.

Macworld Apple automatically performs math and offers suggested results in Messages for iPhone and iPad when you type in patterns it recognizes, such as formulas and units, after you type = (equals sign). These suggestions are grayed out inline in the message field until you tap the suggestion in the field or in the QuickType bar. Get conversions inline with Math Results. What if you don’t like these solutions? It would seem that going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Show Math Results and turning it off would disable formula and conversion autosuggestions. In testing, I found that I had to force quit Messages and relaunch it to have the change apply. (Swipe up from the bottom of your screen, then swipe Messages up to quit it.) Re-enabling happened immediately. Math results appear elsewhere, too. If you don’t want them provided at all, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, enable Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap Intelligence & Siri > Math Result, and set it to Disallow. This is a global switch. Turn off Math Results in all apps via Screen Time settings. This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by Macworld reader James. Frequent Mac 911 questions We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered.

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Good data transfer rate Quiet fan Cons Data rate drops during long, sustained data transfers No operation without fan Our Verdict With its quiet fan and attractive metal casing, the TurboMetal Portable SSD looks great. It offers a good transfer rate, but you can find faster drives. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed200 Euro Best Prices Today: Verbatim Turbometal Portable SSD Retailer Price 145,33 € View Deal €153.25 View Deal €249.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The Verbatim TurboMetal SSD comes in the classic NVMe form factor with a length of around 106 millimeters. The beautifully rounded metal housing is 55 millimeters wide and only 18 millimeters thin. At 150 grams, it is not too heavy despite the metal housing, but it is no lightweight either. As with many USB4 enclosures, Verbatim also relies on cooling with an active fan and cooling slots. The fan is temperature-controlled and starts automatically if the temperature gets too high. Verbatim specifies a USB4 data transfer rate of 3600MBps for writing and 3700MBps for reading. However, we were not able to achieve this on an M3 MacBook Air; in our 4K test with Aja System Test Lite, it was 2664MBps for writing and 3123MBps for reading. Although these are not bad values, the best USB4 drives we have measured so far achieve slightly higher values for writing, but no higher values for reading. A check on the M4 Max Mac Studio showed much better values, with 2869MBps for writing and 3499MBps for reading. In a 30-minute endurance test with the Backmagicdesign Disk Speed Test, the fan started up after ten minutes. The TurboMetal getting too warm was also noticeable after around nine minutes in the data transfer rate, which had dropped significantly to below 1000MBps. Shortly after starting the fan, the temperature of the SSD levelled off again, and the data transfer rate rose to its original value. The runs only when it has to. During the endurance test, the data transfer rate dropped again and again for a short time, only to stabilise immediately. We measured the temperature with DriveDX at around 46 degrees Celsius after using the fan. Once the fan has started, it does not switch off. The TurboMetal Portable SSD is available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. A USB4 cable around 20 centimetres long is included. The drive comes formatted as FAT32, so Mac users will want to reformat the drive in APFS. The software supplied is only for Windows. Should you buy the Verbatim TurboMetal SSD? The TurboMetal SSD is a rather inconspicuous USB4 drive. The data transfer rates are fine for regular everyday use, but if you depend on speed, some SSDs perform better. The regular dips in the data transfer rate are evidence of a thermal protection mechanism, but in practice, this is unlikely to cause a problem with most applications

Macworld If you’re on the hunt for an iPhone but your budget doesn’t quite stretch to Apple’s newest models, buying a used or refurbished iPhone is a great way to pick up a bargain. While this might sound like a risky option, it doesn’t have to be. Specialist retailers offer warranties and check devices before reselling them. We’ll help you find a reputable source for second-hand iPhones. Now that Apple has launched the iPhone 16 series, you can get excellent deals on older phones including the 15-, 14-, and maybe even the 13- series. (Apple still sells the standard iPhone 15 models, but has discontinued the 15 Pro and Pro Max, which means refurbished is the way to go with those models.) The older iPhone you’re prepared to buy, the bigger the savings you can enjoy. In this article, we cover everything there is to know about safely buying a refurbished iPhone, whether you’re looking to buy SIM-free or on contract. Best Refurbished iPhone deals You can save money buying the iPhone 15 from Apple’s refurbished store and from resellers such as BackMarket or Amazon Renewed. We have details of all the best resellers of refurbished iPhones below. Just be aware that the resellers can get a bit creative with the original pricing. Refurbished iPhone 15 deals U.S. Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB, $619 (save $110) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB, $699 (save $130) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 512GB, $1,019 (save $180) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 512GB, $1,099 (save $200) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB, $658 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, $772 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, $749 Refurbished iPhone 15 deals U.K. Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB, £589 (save £110) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB, £779 (save £140) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 256GB, £869 (save £150) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, £949 (save £170) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB, £586 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, £628 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, £730 Screenshot Older Refurbished iPhone deals U.K. In Apple’s UK refurbished store you can also get the following iPhones: iPhone 14-series, iPhone 13 series, including: Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 13 mini, 512GB, £639 (save £340) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 14 Pro, 256GB, £759 (save £240) You can find more deals on specific iPhone handsets in our iPhone deals round ups: iPhone 16 deals U.S. / iPhone 16 deals U.K. – for the best prices on Apple’s newest series of iPhones. iPhone 15 deals U.S. / iPhone 15 deals U.K. – including deals on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max which Apple no longer sells. iPhone 14 deals – including refurbished deals. iPhone 13 deals – including refurbished deals. Best place to buy a refurbished iPhone Apple itself should be your first port of call, if only to establish a benchmark of what is reasonable to pay for your chosen handset: check to see if the Apple Refurbished Store has the iPhone model you’re looking for. (That’s the U.S. store. British readers should try the U.K. Apple Refurbished Store.) At time of writing Apple is selling refurbished models of the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. Apple’s refurbished store tends to be the most expensive place to buy refurbished iPhones–although it’s still significantly cheaper than buying new. (The standard reduction on the Apple Refurbished Store is 15 percent.) But there are advantages that come with this higher price. The refurb phones all come with the same one-year limited warranty that you’ll find on the brand-new versions, for example. And it’s worth noting that any parts used in the refurb will be official Apple ones, and all devices come with brand-new batteries. It’s worth shopping around, however, to make sure you’re getting a good deal. There are plenty of other companies that make a living from refurbishing and selling iPhones. Here are some of the more prominent resellers of refurbished and used iPhones: Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.S. Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. Decluttr: A popular destination for refurbished devices, often with sales that slash even more money off. You can also trade in any of your old tech, gadgets, and media (including books and CDs) to get steeper discounts. The iOutlet on eBay: Offers competitive pricing for refurbished devices and also accepts other gadgets such as iPads, Apple Watches, and gaming consoles.  Amazon Renewed Store: This site’s greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product. Best Buy: Best Buy doesn’t offer a great deal of information on pre-owned iPhones’ condition, but you can return within 14 days if the item is “unopened or defective in any way.” Walmart: Walmart doesn’t sell refurbished iPhones directly; rather, they are sourced from other sellers. Return policies vary from seller to seller, but there are minimum requirements that apply universally. Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.K. Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. Music Magpie: The UK version of Decluttr and a good place to start looking for refurbished iPhones. You may find that sales reduce the price still further. Hoxton Macs: Don’t let the Mac in the name fool you. Hoxton Macs has started selling refurbished iPhones. Reboxed: Pledges that devices “are fully tested and in perfect working order.” All come with a 12-month no quibble warranty. The iOutlet or The iOutlet on eBay: Offers competitive pricing for refurbished devices and also accepts other gadgets such as iPads, Apple Watches, and gaming consoles.  Amazon Renewed Store: While you can’t really sell on Amazon Renewed unless you’re a business, those looking to buy a refurbished iPhone Amazon Renewed have plenty of options to choose from. Its greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product. Envirofone: Also allows you to trade in your old phone for credit towards purchasing a refurbished phone. 4Gadgets: Offers a 12-month warranty for all online orders. Smartfone Store: Look out for the additional 10 percent discount for students and young people. Refurb-Phone: Like most refurb sellers, this site offers a 12-month warranty. Less commonplace is its policy of allowing returns within 14 days if you simply change your mind. The Big Phone Store: Says it ensures refurb phones “are thoroughly tested, repaired, and cleaned before being sent out.” Backs this with a 12-month warranty. Laptops Direct: You get a 12-month warranty on parts and labor. Watch out for slightly confusing grading system: “A3,” for example, means “Average condition.” Where to buy a refurbished iPhone on contract You can pick up refurbished phones on contract as well from the following carriers and resellers: US carriers Verizon AT&T T-Mobile UK carriers GiffGaff Mobiles.co.uk O2 Like New Vodafone Carphone Warehouse Fonehouse  Outside of specialist retailers, there’s also eBay and eBay UK (just be sure to check the seller’s feedback and read the descriptions carefully), and, in the UK, CeX. Buying older iPhones new on contract Another way to dampen the financial impact of buying a new iPhone is to go down the tried and tested route of contracts offered by mobile providers. You’ll find older iPhone models in the online stores of many networks. Prices change all the time, so we’d recommend reading our Best iPhone deals guide on a regular basis to see which offers are currently available. Should I buy a refurbished iPhone? What is refurbished? You might be concerned about buying a refurbished handset, thinking that it would be like buying a second-hand iPhone, but there’s no reason to be worried. Remember: refurbished and second-hard aren’t the same thing. Refurbished iPhones are pre-owned but are wiped, tested, and repaired to work like new.  The iPhones Apple sells in the Refurbished Store were returned to Apple for a variety of reasons: The previous owner could have exercised their consumer rights and returned the handset unused within 14 days (as per Apple’s refund and exchange policy). The iPhone may have been used as a demonstration model. The iPhone may have been returned to Apple due to a fault. The third point on that list may concern you, but you can be sure that Apple will have identified and fixed any faults before reselling the device. The company says refurbished products undergo “full functional testing” and are provided with “genuine Apple part replacements (if necessary).” They also get “a thorough cleaning,” incidentally. There are plenty of benefits to buying a refurbished iPhone: You get a one-year warranty. You get 90 days of tech support. Because you’re buying from Apple directly, there are no shipping costs and free returns. You can also take advantage of Apple’s 14-day returns policy if you change your mind. (Note however that Apple isn’t the only seller to offer such a policy.) Refurbished vs second-hand: What’s the difference? If it’s not already clear, a refurbished iPhone is tested and repaired so the handset works like new (or as close to new as possible). A second-hand iPhone, on the other hand, is simply sold as is, which means the device may not last as long, and may have small imperfections or defects. The battery in particular will be a worry in the long term. There are other risks to buying second-hand too. If the previous owner hasn’t dissociated their Apple ID from the device you may get permanently locked out of the iPhone. Unfortunately, Apple’s customer service wouldn’t be able to help you unlock the phone either, as the company has strict security policies. Such a situation would be less of a concern if you know and can easily contact the previous owner (and they remember their Apple ID details), but we’d prefer avoiding such complications to start with. This is just another reason why buying refurbished is a more reliable route to go if you did want to pick up a previously owned iPhone. What does refurbished Grade A mean? When you shop refurbished you might see grade scores such as A, B, or C; this indicates the condition of the phone. Is it dinged up? Does it have scratches? Or is it completely blemish-free and pristine? The grade gives you a general idea. We say “general” because these grades aren’t set by an independent body, which means they can vary from retailer to retailer. This is how the grades usually break down: Grade A: Looks like new or has very few signs of wear Grade B: Might have some minor scratches and some wear Grade C: Looks used and has obvious signs of wear But some sites go with Fair, Good, and Excellent or some other variation. (One site we’ve visited appears to grade everything as A plus a number–so a comparatively poor handset would be rated as A3. This may strike some readers as a little confusing.) Needless to say, Grade A/A1/Excellent refurbished devices will be more expensive than Grade C, but you’ll still be paying far less than you would for a brand-new device.  Pay attention to refurbished warranties  Given that the quality of refurbished iPhone devices can vary from retailer to retailer, it’s important to pay attention to the warranty. How long is the phone covered? The warranty allows you to get help or free repairs from the seller if you run into any issues after purchase. Retailers typically offer a year, and many allow “quibble-free” returns if you change your mind within 14 days. Check the fine print. More refurbished Apple guides Should I buy a refurbished Apple Watch? Why you should buy a refurbished Mac Should I buy a refurbished iPad & best deals Where to buy a refurbished MacBook or Mac

Macworld It’s often said that Apple doesn’t do things first; it does them right. But not everything can be done right. And my fear is that the faults of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which launched this week a good four months before the iPhone 17 Air, are innate to this type of device rather than something that can be fixed. There are obviously positive points to this form factor, which is why Samsung and Apple are both going down the sub-6mm road. As well as being just 5.8mm thick, the S25 Edge weighs 163g, which is amazingly light for a phone with a 6.7-inch display and actually lighter than each of Apple’s current 6.1-inch handsets. I haven’t held one, but by all accounts, the Edge’s lack of heft is strikingly noticeable in the hand, and I can see why that appeals… it just doesn’t appeal to me. If you offered to make my 3.5-pound MacBook Pro lighter, I’d jump at the chance. Less weight in the rucksack when I take it to the office would be a welcome upgrade. Same for my iPad Air (460g) and AirPods Max (386g, plus another 135g for the stupid case). But weight simply isn’t a pain point for my iPhone 16 Plus (6.7 inches, 199g). And I’d go further and say that I would actively dislike it being made any lighter. Ever notice that a tennis ball is more difficult to catch than something harder and heavier, like a baseball or cricket ball? It’s because weight makes an object sink into your hand and stay there, while lighter objects need to be actively gripped. A 199g phone, plus case, sits nicely in my hand. A phone that’s 163g (which likely isn’t cased because you want to show off the groundbreaking slimline design) is far more likely to be dropped, especially if it’s almost entirely made of smooth glass. And then, enhanced crack protection or no enhanced crack protection, you’re risking disaster. What does this dubious gift of lightness cost us? Plenty. The S25 Edge comes with three main compromises: lower battery capacity (1000mAh less than the S25+ with significantly slower charging), a weaker camera system (no telephoto lens, hence worse zoom), and a higher price. Phone cameras have debatably reached a stage of evolution where any one of them is as good as almost anyone needs, but price and battery life are, unlike weight, active pain points. I find it baffling that someone would willingly pay more for a phone that lasts less time purely for the sake of making it thinner. It’s not like this is a particularly attractive design, either. It’s just the same old glowing rectangle, camera lenses arrayed vertically on the back in the usual Galaxy style, pinhole camera cutout on the front. And because of the design obstacle that is the USB-C port (if only there was some way to get rid of that…), the bottom edge looks wonky, with the port sitting closer to the rear of the chassis than the front. It’s just not a design that has anything to recommend it other than being thin. Anyron Copeman / Foundry All of these compromises—and more—are expected to afflict the iPhone 17 Air. Apple’s ultra-thin handset will reportedly have just one rear camera, a higher price than the iPhone 16 Plus, and battery life so bad that it will sell an accessory just so users can get through the day. Granted, people who have held dummies have come away very impressed with the design, but remember, these aren’t working models. First impressions are one thing; actually using it after the wow factor wears off is another. A common argument in favor of major change is to say that you’ll feel differently once you’ve had a chance to get used to it. And until now Apple watchers have been holding out hope that the iPhone 17 Air would pull off a similar trick, that while it seems impractical in theory, we’ll fall in love with the object once it’s in our hands, once we’ve spent some time with it and grown accustomed to its benefits. That’s why rival products are so important for our understanding of the 17 Air. They give reviewers a chance to actually experience the reality of a sub-6mm smartphone. The launch of the S25 Edge, then, has been an interesting exercise for Apple fans. But if this is what’s in store for the iPhone 17 Air in the fall, I feel less optimistic than ever. Not for me, thanks.

Macworld When WWDC rolls around in June, it’ll be two years since Apple announced visionOS and the Apple Vision Pro. In this episode of the Macworld Podcast, we examine the state of Apple’s spatial computing platform and what Apple could have in store at WWDC and beyond. Watch episode 934 on YouTube Listen to episode 934 on Apple Podcasts Listen to episode 934 on Spotify Subscribe to the Macworld Podcast You can subscribe to the Macworld Podcast—or leave us a review!—right here in the Podcasts app. The Macworld Podcast is also available on Spotify and on the Macworld Podcast YouTube channel.  Or you can point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader at: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/macworld To find previous episodes, visit Macworld’s podcast page or our home on MegaPhone. Apple

Macworld 2027 is the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, and it appears that Apple has some big plans in store. The Information and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple is going to dramatically redesign the iPhone with a mostly glass, curved iPhone (that will follow the release of Apple’s first folding phone). On Wednesday, a report by Electronic Times sheds a little bit of light on the display that will be used. Apple plans to use “four-sided bending display technologies” that would allow the display to wrap around the edges of the iPhone so that the phone would not have a bezel. Apple also plans to implement an OLED display driver chip that is based on a 16nm fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) process, a change from the 28nm planar process currently used. Implementing FinFET will improve power efficiency, but it is not clear if this results in longer battery life or if the power demands of a four-sided bending display and AI processing offset any gains. One way Apple may address the power demands of the new phone is by using new battery technology, according to the Electronic Times report. Current lithium-ion batteries have a graphite anode, but the 2027 iPhone could use a battery with a silicon anode instead. Silicon anodes store more lithium ions, resulting in higher energy density and longer battery power capacity. Previous reports have stated that Apple is making an effort to design this iPhone without any screen cutouts or minimize its use. The Information and analyst Ross Young have previously reported that Apple plans to most of the Face ID sensors underneath the display. The Information has also reported that the phone would have a small cutout for the front-facing camera, a cutout that would be smaller than the pill-shaped one in the current iPhone. It’s not clear whether Apple would still offer the Dynamic Island feature if the camera cutout shrinks.

Macworld You’re at your desk, you want to check your phone, but you also need to charge it, so keeping it plugged in and picking it up all the time can get annoying. This sleek OtterBox MagSafe charging stand will solve both your problems and you can get it for just $14.95 at Woot. Otterbox’s MSRP for this stand is $100, but it’s regularly on sale for more than half off—and still we’ve never seen it for this cheap. This Otterbox charging stand will fit right in with most Apple gear since it’s white and has a beautiful design. The station features a weighted base with a magnetic pad located at the top, at just the right angle. You can pop your iPhone onto the MagSafe pad to recharge anytime it needs, while still checking on notifications and using StandBy mode. And since it’s MFi approved, you’ll get full 15W charging. The charging stand also comes with a 20W wall charger, as well as a 6.6ft USB-C cable. That’s long enough to place the charging station exactly where you need it without worrying about how close it needs to be to the outlet. Honestly, that’s probably worth the $15 on their own. Woot deals expire when the timer runs out or when the stock runs out. So you should definitely hurry up and add the Otterbox MagSafe charging stand to your cart for $14.95 at Woot. Get full 15W MagSafe charging with this $15 standBuy now at Woot

Macworld For many people, the Apple Watch is primarily a fitness tracker and an extension to the iPhone. It conveniently mirrors iOS notifications, calls, and messages, letting users stay updated without taking their phones out. What a lot of wearers don’t know, though, is how powerful and feature-packed watchOS really is, and how much your smartwatch can accomplish. Below are ten Apple Watch perks you’re probably unfamiliar with. Timely gate access If you’re a watchOS user, chances are you’re already relying on Apple Pay to quickly make payments from your wrist. Similarly, the Apple Watch automatically syncs compatible tickets whenever you add them to the Wallet app on iOS. This lets you enter venues and board planes by double-clicking the side button and scanning the QR code on the smartwatch’s display. But what if your favorite gym, cinema, or airline doesn’t officially offer Apple Wallet cards for purchased tickets or memberships? Fortunately, you can manually create an Apple Watch card using any QR code. Simply download the Wallet Creator app on your iPhone, create the card, and add it to the Wallet app on iOS. In a few seconds, the newly created card should also appear on your Apple Watch when you double-click its side button. This spares you from digging through your emails or third-party apps whenever you need to cross compatible gates. Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Timeless texter It’s no secret that cellular-enabled Apple Watches can independently make calls and send texts. But did you know that regular Wi-Fi models can also do that, even when your iPhone is off or in a different location? As you’d expect, there are some requirements and limits, but it’s doable. The first and main condition is having Wi-Fi access. You can connect to any (unknown) network by inputting its password in the Settings app on watchOS. Once connected, you can send and receive iMessages and make FaceTime audio calls right from your wrist. This is especially helpful during emergencies if your iPhone dies or gets stolen. Speaking of iMessage, you can also use the Digital Touch applet in the Messages app on watchOS to send your actual heartbeat to a contact. Just place two fingers on the display, then swipe them down to send. If the recipient is also a watchOS user, their Apple Watch’s haptic feedback will mimic your heartbeat to replicate your pulse. It’s a cute, lesser-known way for couples to communicate. Web browser in disguise Another hidden Messages feature is the built-in web view that provides a basic Safari experience on watchOS. All you have to do is iMessage yourself a link, then open it on your Apple Watch. The feature also supports the Reader perk, which presents articles neatly and hides distracting items. Reading articles on a smartwatch’s tiny display is unlikely to become a regular habit, but it could come in handy in certain situations. Reincarnated iPod shuffle You probably already use your Apple Watch’s native Now Playing app to control the music streaming on your iPhone. However, many users miss out on watchOS’s native playback perk. Simply pair AirPods or third-party Bluetooth headphones to your smartwatch, and stream directly from Apple Music if you have an internet connection. For offline listening, both Apple Music and Spotify support downloading playlists to the wearable’s local storage, letting you leave your iPhone behind. This makes it possible to run outdoors with just your Apple Watch and a pair of wireless earbuds. Mahmoud Itani / Foundry The TV remote you’ll never lose watchOS also offers a native Remote app that lets you fully control your Apple TV. Even on this miniature screen, the interface manages to fit all of the main buttons, letting you switch apps, go back, navigate, control the volume, and more. It’s ideal for when you’re cooking or cleaning and don’t want to dirty the physical Siri Remote or your iPhone. Or those times when neither of those items are conveniently to hand. You can similarly control other smart home appliances that rely on the HomeKit infrastructure using the native Home app on watchOS. I often use it to change the color of my light bulbs when Siri—in typical Siri fashion—fails to process my voice commands. Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Radio check—do you copy? Apart from FaceTime and iMessage, the Apple Watch offers an exclusive communication tool that seemingly very few people use. Walkie-Talkie is a built-in app that lets you quickly contact other watchOS users using your voice. Once you add a friend there, you can communicate verbally in real time using the FaceTime audio technology. When you’re in a meeting or just don’t want to be reached, you can toggle off your availability. While most users probably prefer regular audio messages or phone calls, the Walkie-Talkie app makes it easier to get quick answers for minor questions—like what brand of milk to get from the supermarket. It mostly caters to best friends, family members, and partners, as having less intimate acquaintances reach you at any time would be too intrusive. Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Nighttime iPhone locator If you often misplace your iPhone, you’ve likely made use of the handy Ping toggle in the Apple Watch’s Control Center. When you tap it, your iPhone produces a loud screech if it’s within Bluetooth range. What you probably don’t know, though, is that pressing and holding on that toggle will also make your iPhone’s camera LED flash. This makes it possible to locate your phone in a pitch-black environment. It can tell the time! Did you know that your Apple Watch can tell the time? Literally, I mean. Once you enable the Speak Time toggle in Clock settings, you can have watchOS announce the current time audibly by holding two fingers on the watch face. I sometimes use this feature when I wake up in the morning to identify the time without opening my heavy eyelids. TickTock-friendly If you’re living the solo life and often need to record videos or take photos of yourself, this one’s for you. watchOS offers a built-in Camera Remote app that transforms your Apple Watch into a viewfinder for your iPhone’s Camera app. This ensures you’re in frame and helps you fine-tune composition before shooting. The app also offers handy shortcuts to some of the Camera app’s buttons, like the shutter, zoom, and flash. Your Apple Watch can do a lot more than count steps and track activiity.Foundry One more tip For the last tip, your Apple Watch can actually calculate how much you need to tip at restaurants. Just input the bill’s total in the native Calculator app and hit the Tip button. You can then choose the percentage and optionally the number of people splitting it, et voilà! Always on hand The Apple Watch has come a long way. What once used to be a dependent accessory can now perform most basic smartphone tasks on its own. That’s even more practical for those with an active cellular plan. It’s true that performing most of these tasks would be more practical using the wider iPhone screen. But there are still instances when the Apple Watch makes more sense. Sometimes your hands are occupied, other times your iPhone is out of charge—regardless of your reasons, it’s comforting to know that the wearable strapped to your wrist at all times can connect you to your loved ones, play your favorite tunes, unlock electric doors, control and find other devices, and much more. Over and out.

Macworld Stop renting space from cloud giants that mine your data and hike up prices. Internxt offers an open-source, end-to-end encrypted cloud storage platform here to replace Dropbox for good, and both their 10TB and 20TB cloud storage lifetime subscriptions are on sale. 10TB or 20TB cloud storage for life Internxt gives you full control over your files with zero-knowledge architecture and post-quantum encryption to help future-proof your privacy. Whether you’re backing up Final Cut Pro files or organizing project folders across iCloud and Finder, Internxt syncs seamlessly with macOS, iOS, and more—without the usual subscription baggage. End-to-End Encryption: Files are encrypted and fragmented before leaving your device Zero-Knowledge Design: Only you hold the keys to your data Post-Quantum Security: Protection built to outlast today’s threats Works Everywhere: Access your cloud from macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, or the web Open-Source & Audited: Transparent code and GDPR-compliant design Use code STORAGE20 by June 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription (10TB) for $279.99 Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription (20TB) for $399.99 Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription (20TB)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change

Macworld Apple is expected to show off a whole new look for iOS 19 at WWDC on June 9, but before that day arrives, the company is previewing some of the features that won’t make it into the keynote. On Tuesday, Apple spotlighted several new accessibility features arriving for the iPhone this year. First and foremost, the App Store will now have Accessibility Nutrition Labels, which will “give users a new way to learn if an app will be accessible to them before they download it, and give developers the opportunity to better inform and educate their users on features their app supports.” Similar to the existing  Privacy Nutrition Labels introduced in iOS 14, the new section on product pages will show whether the app supports important Accessibility features such as VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion, captions, and more. Also coming in iOS 19 is Braille Access, which turns your iPhone into “a full-featured braille note taker that’s deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem.” Apple says iPhone users will be able to use Braille Access to “quickly take notes in braille format and perform calculations using Nemeth Braille, a braille code often used in classrooms for math and science.” Also new this fall will be Accessibility Reader, a new reading mode that gives users greater customization with “extensive options for font, color, and spacing, as well as support for Spoken Content.” Other new features include Name Recognition, a new features part of Sound Recognition for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to know when their name is being called; support for Large Text in CarPlay; and more customizable Music Haptics with with the option to experience haptics for a whole song or for vocals only, as well as the option to adjust the overall vibration intensity. The first developer beta of iOS 19 is expected to arrive on June 9, with the general release coming in September.

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Macworld Apple on Tuesday announced several new Accessibility features coming to macOS later this year. The features will be part of macOS 16, which will be revealed at WWDC25 on June 9. The features are highlighted by a new Magnifier app with Continuity Camera functionality. Mac users are already familiar with Continuity Camera and its ability to use the iPhone’s camera as a webcam. Now, with the Magnifier app, a Mac can use the iPhone camera (or any other USB camera) to view the surroundings and zoom in. For example, users in a lecture hall can use the Magnifier app and iPhone camera to get a closer look at a whiteboard at the front of the room. The Magnifier will also be able to display multiple live session windows where a user can watch a presentation and follow along in a book at the same time using Desk View. Brightness, contrast, color filters, and perspective are adjustable, and views can be captured, grouped, and saved to add to at a later time. The new Accessibility Reader is a system-wide feature for making text easier to read. Text can be customized for color, font, and spacing, and users can also switch to Spoken Content. Since Accessibility Reader is system-wide, it can be used in any app, including the new Magnifier. Other new Accessibility features coming to macOS 16 include: Braille Access: Users can use a built-in app launcher to open any app by typing with Braille Screen Input or a connected Braille device. Braille Access lets users take notes in Braille and do calculations using Nemeth Braille. Braille Ready Format (BRF) files can be opened directly from Braille Access. Live Captions integration lets users transcribe conversations directly on braille displays. Background Sounds: Can be personalized with new EQ settings, playback duration times, and new actions for automations in Shortcuts. Personal Voice: Uses on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence for a smoother, more natural-sounding voice. Support for Mexican Spanish will also be available. Vehicle Motion Cues: Available in the iPhone and coming to the Mac, this feature can help reduce motion sickness when riding in a moving vehicle by displaying animated dots that correspond to a vehicle’s movements. Vehicle Motion Cues can help prevent motion sickness for those times you’re using your Mac as a passenger on a bus, train, or car.Apple Apple is also updating iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 with several new Accessibility features. Apple often takes the opportunity to showcase new Accessibility features about a month before the WWDC keynote. Last year, the company highlighted Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, and other features in iOS 18.

Macworld May 15 is Global Accessibility Awareness Day, and Apple always uses the occasion to highlight some of the new accessibility features coming to iPhones and Macs. This year, Apple’s got another announcement to share: three new Sound Therapy playlists on Apple Music available now. The South Therapy experience consists of three playlists—Focus, Relax, and Sleep—that play music from UMG artists including Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, Kacey Musgraves, and others. The songs are special versions, often extended, instrumental, or rearranged to be more soothing. Those songs are then blended seamlessly with specific sound waves that are said to help you get into a particular mental state. Gamma waves and white noise are supposed to help with focus, theta waves are to help you relax, and delta waves and pink noise are said to help you sleep. Apple has partnered with Universal Music Group and its music therapy science project, the Sollos initiative, on the feature. Apple’s press release says the feature is “Backed by scientific research and powered by UMG’s proprietary audio technologies,” but the science here is not by any means conclusive. Apple uses words like “could” and “might” in its press release whenever making a claim of effect, and includes a footnote that the feature is designed to “support a person’s overall wellbeing” rather than treat any specific medical condition. Similar claims have been made about similar therapies, such as “binaural beats,” for years, but research into the effects is often criticized for its lack of rigor or for making grandiose claims not supported by the evidence. Critics often point out that such therapies, when properly studied, show results no better than a placebo, or no better than using any other regular sounds to block out bothersome background noise. Still, there’s no harm in it, and it’s a new feature included with your existing Apple Music subscription. Regardless of whether there are special sound waves helping you achieve the focus or sleep you desire, you can give the playlists a listen the next time you can’t focus, relax, or sleep, and see if they work for you.