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iPadOS 18: Everything we're expecting
The first official iPadOS 18 preview is just a few months away!
Last fall, iPadOS 17 launched on the latest iPad models. It introduced features like an overhauled, customizable lock screen, dedicated Health app, communication upgrades, and much more. Despite all of this, this operating system is still relatively lacking in terms of power user features, especially since Apple has marketed this device as a laptop replacement. That's why we hope that iPadOS 18 introduces new features that cater to Pro workflows. While we don't officially know what's to come with iPadOS 18 just yet, the first beta is expected in June with a stable release set to follow next Fall. Rumors are already flowing about what's to come, plus we have a wishlist of our own.
iOS 18: 4 features and changes coming to the iPhone in 2024
Take a look at all the rumors and leaks related to iOS 18, which Apple will preview at WWDC 2024 in just a few months.
We're officially starting to look forward to iOS 18, the next version of Apple's operating system for the iPhone. The update is still many months away from a public release, but Apple recently announced the dates of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference. WWDC 2024 will be held from June 10 through June 14, and the first day of the event will feature an opening keynote that will include the first iOS 18 preview. That's when we'll get the full picture of all the features and changes Apple will debut in iOS 18. Until then, let's review what we've learned so far through various rumors and leaks about the next operating system upgrade coming to all the best iPhones.
AirDrop not working on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac? Here are 10 ways to fix it
AirDrop not working? Here are some tips to fix it.
I use AirDrop almost daily between my iPhone and MacBook Pro. It’s such a simple way to get photos, videos, and other content from the mobile device to my computer for editing or adding to a presentation, article, or gallery. Chances are you might want to use it, too, either between your own devices or to AirDrop something, like contact information, to someone else’s device. It’s a fairly foolproof feature, but sometimes, you might run into an issue where AirDrop doesn’t work. Chances are, there’s an easy fix.
Apple's App Store guidelines are disrespectful to developers
The Cupertino firm evidently doesn't care about iOS app developers
Every WWDC, Apple dedicates a few minutes to highlighting how its products enable users to build powerful, handy apps. It then proceeds to showcase some of the best iPhone apps developers have recently created. And while there's no doubt that the latest Macs are some of the greatest computers for coding, the App Store guidelines are far from being developer-friendly. And with the recent App Store rule changes, Apple has explicitly (and shamelessly) shown how it has no respect for the developer community. Instead, it prioritizes maximizing its profits now over preserving its reputation in the long run.
On this day 14 years ago, Steve Jobs unveiled the first-gen iPad
And the iPad single-handedly brought tablets to the forefront of the tech industry
Whether you love or hate Apple products, their influence on modern technology can't be understated. The earliest Macintosh systems, despite being commercial failures, popularized the concept of GUI. In a similar vein, the iPhone was a game-changer with its sleek design, intuitive interface, and solid app catalog.
Siri is infamous for its restrictions and lack of logical interpretation skills. While Apple's virtual assistant has gained some smarts throughout its lifetime, it still fails to compete with the likes of Google Assistant. And, now that even mightier AI-powered tools are available to the masses, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google Gemini, Siri's shortcomings have become even more apparent. To catch up with the competition, Siri could learn a few things from Microsoft Copilot, which continues to deliver advanced features that help users with everyday tasks.
By limiting iOS improvements to the EU, Apple is signaling to the US it needs regulation
Apple is adding features to iOS based on government orders, and as a result, only made it more likely that the U.S. gets involved.
For decades, the United States completely dropped its trust-busting attitude, allowing companies to grow and merge together with nearly zero limits. That's starting to change, in part because US lawmakers have no doubt taken inspiration from the European Union. The EU has managed to reign in big technology companies with a degree of success we haven't seen before. It's all connected to the Digital Markets Act, which is a piece of groundbreaking legislation that forces some companies to stop their anticompetitive practices within EU countries. Goals like interoperability, cross-platform support, standardized connectors, and more are not just coming to reality — they're becoming law.
iCloud Private Relay doesn't work the way you think it does
You're not as invisible as you may believe
For a few years now, iCloud Private Relay has been available as an exclusive perk to iCloud+ subscribers. This feature, from afar, may appear as a VPN service baked into iOS 17 on a system level. However, some core differences exist between regular VPN services and Apple's solution. While they share a couple of aspects, they cater to different types of customers and use cases. So, let's clear these common misconceptions and clarify what iCloud Private Relay really does.
13 ways to keep your iPhone battery healthy
You're probably familiar with the many ways you can conserve iPhone battery life, but it's also important to take stock of the overall battery health.
By now, you probably know plenty of ways to extend your iPhone battery life, from putting it in airplane mode when you don't need an active connection to leveraging low-power mode if you're in the red. But what about the overall battery health? As with any electronic device, the battery of your iPhone will degrade over time. The battery lifespan will inevitably shorten over time. Eventually, if you use the iPhone for many years (though you should always consider upgrading on at least a three- or four-year cycle), it will need to be replaced. There are things you can do, however, to get the most out of your iPhone battery and maximize its health.
5 ways the switch to USB-C on iPhone has impacted me
Ditching Lightning has had both positive and negative effects on my life
From the customizable Action button to the new titanium build and upgraded camera, there's a lot going on in 2023's flagship iPhones. Now that I've been using an iPhone 15 Pro Max for over three months, the significance of the switch from Lightning to USB-C has become particularly apparent. While there have been a couple of drawbacks, my experience of this port switch has been mostly positive. However, one particular downside stands out.
4 meaningful ways to customize a phone case and make it your own
You don't have to go for a mundane phone case if you want some protection
Smartphones have become an extension of ourselves, and they follow us wherever we go. That's why it's important to protect your smartphone with a case at all times, especially if you're someone who drops it frequently. It becomes even more vital if you have a modern glass-backed, metal-framed phone that's just waiting to slip out of your hand.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy breakdown: What's different?
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy powers the Galaxy S24 series in the U.S. and the S24 Ultra globally, but what's different?
Continuing on a trend that started last year, Samsung and Qualcomm announced that there's a specific version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Samsung phones, dubbed the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. It's not just a regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, though it doesn't mean a whole lot either. This chipset is really just a clock speed bump that we've been able to piece together from spec sheets.
Samsung Galaxy S24 series hands-on: The AI stuff really works
Samsung’s brand new Galaxy S24 series gets some improvements, but they're mostly all on the inside
Samsung's flagship Galaxy S24 series has just been unveiled, and as has been teased for a few weeks, the phones are all about new generative artificial intelligence features. I got to try all three phones for a couple hours ahead of the launch, and I have mixed feelings.
The OnePlus Open has the best multitasking system I’ve ever used on any phone or tablet
Open Canvas, as OnePlus calls it, is the most dynamic and intuitive multitasking system I've used, and I want it on all my other computing devices
I'm not sure if the OnePlus Open has sold enough units to make a dent in Samsung's foldable market share since not having carrier subsidies in North America is an obstacle, but it sure has stolen most of the thunder from Samsung on the critical front. I don't have an exact stat, but the OnePlus Open seems to have been hailed as the best foldable phone of 2023 by every tech publication or tech reviewer peer I've come across. And it's well deserved: Not only does the Open have objectively superior displays and camera hardware than rival foldables from Samsung and Google, but it also has arguably the best foldable software.
5 ways your iPhone can help you stick to your New Year's resolutions
iOS can push you to become a better version of yourself, if you want it to
Every January 1st, millions of people worldwide say New Year, new me. This overused statement generally refers to the resolutions we have in store for the upcoming twelve months, which typically revolve around bettering ourselves. In reality, however, many people lose motivation soon after and disregard whatever goals they have planned for the new year. If you've been struggling with sticking to your New Year's resolutions and need a small push, the new iPhone you bought during the holiday season can assist.
19 years ago today, the iPod Shuffle became one of the smallest portable music players
On this day in 2005, Apple introduced its most portable music player ever
Once upon a time, Apple used to put out creative products that impacted many industries. That's changed over the past decade. So, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max is undoubtedly a solid phone, it isn't as groundbreaking as some of the devices Apple launched in the 2000s. A prominent example is the iPod Shuffle, which was announced on this day 19 years ago. At the time, it was one of the tiniest portable music players on the market, and it truly revolutionized how people consumed digital music, much like the first iPod did.
5 things I miss about live Apple events
Pre-recorded keynotes have their appeal, but I miss live ones
Once upon a time, Apple held live keynotes, where its execs would take turns to showcase the new products it was launching. That, however, changed when a certain virus altered the way we experience everyday life. Since 2020, the Cupertino firm has opted for pre-recorded keynotes with movie-style effects and visually appealing transitions. And while this reimagined format truly polishes the new iPhone, iPad, and Mac introductions, I still miss the classic Apple events for several reasons.
Apple is famous for its "it just works" philosophy, with a wide suite of products that behave intuitively with each other and the way users expect. This execution largely depends on the company's tight ecosystem, in which iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma work as a single unit through system-level interoperability. As a result, once a customer gives in and adopts the company's hardware, software, and services, they will likely feel stuck with these devices.
Apple’s Vision Pro is going to spearhead improved AR eyewear in 2024
Apple's Vision Pro headset is likely too expensive for most people. But it will lead to a surge in superior AR eyewear from other brands
The previously nascent AR smart glasses market grew quite a bit in 2023, with companies like TCL, XReal, Rokid releasing vastly improved gen-two (or even gen-three) products that were well-reviewed. The team at XDA tested all the best smart glasses, and while we found them very useful for watching movies and working on the go (my colleague Karthik spent a week using the XReal Air 2 in place of a proper monitor), ultimately they are mostly just a portable, wearable screen, without doing any real "augmenting" of our reality.
5 security features that all Apple users should be using
Apple is known for being a leader in security and privacy, but the best features are only useful if you know how to use them.
Apple is known for being a company that values security and privacy, and it routinely adds features designed to keep user data safe. Some benefits are enabled automatically, like end-to-end encryption for some types of data stored on iCloud. However, other tools and features need to be enabled manually before they can be used. Unfortunately, you might not realize you need a data safety feature until it's too late, which is why it's essential to be proactive when it comes to online security.