Rode MagSafe mount lets you easily attach video lights and mics to your iPhone
While shooting professional-standard video is possible with an iPhone, it generally requires the use of accessories like lighting and external microphones. The new Rode MagSafe mount is designed to let you do this at an affordable price. If your video accessory needs are more demanding, there’s also a MagSafe Phone Cage with five cold shoe mounts, as well as plenty of 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch threads for use with tripods, handles and other accessories … more…

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Apple wants an iPhone camera module maker in India
As part of Apple's continued shift to increase iPhone production in India, the company is now trying to secure suppliers for camera modules within the country.iPhone 15 Pro Max camera moduleApple has spent years trying to move away from China-centric production into one with multiple manufacturing bases. While Apple wants to significantly increase its iPhone production in India in the coming years, it has to solve multiple problems that can slow progress.One of the issues is component sourcing, which Apple solved in China with supply chains optimized to deliver components to assemblers in the region. For the moment, many components have to be shipped to India to be assembled there, but that could eventually change. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple CEO Cook vows to increase investment in Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Apple CEO Tim Cook Cook met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Tuesday and said that Apple… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Make music like a pro with the best audio interfaces for Mac
For great sound quality in your audio recordings, you need the best audio interface for Mac. We'll help you find the right one. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple Developer Academy expands to Bali, Indonesia
Today Apple announced it will open Indonesia’s fourth Apple Developer Academy in Bali, expanding on its investment to increase… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Zuckerberg has no personal liability in child addiction lawsuit [U]
Update: A court has ruled that Mark Zuckerberg cannot be held personally liable for claims that Meta sought to make its apps addictive to children. Lawyers will be able to re-file, this time claiming against Meta rather than Zuckerberg. Two separate reports today accuse Instagram and Facebook parent company Meta of ignoring reports of parents sexually exploiting their own children for financial gain using paid subscription tools … more…

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Apple is researching how to make the ultimate MagSafe wallet and iPhone carrying case
Apple has been granted a patent for a new accessory that would hold a user's credit cards, charge their iPhone, and be worn on the wrist or around the neck.New luggage-label-like accessory designed by AppleApple's FineWoven cases for iPhone may not have been the most well-received ones that the company has made, but it isn't giving up looking for new accessories. In a newly-granted patent called "Accessory device for electronic devices," Apple proposes an accessory that looks like an over-sized luggage tag.As depicted in the patent's drawings, the accessory is a holder for an iPhone that comes with a strap for attaching it to, perhaps, baggage. Depending on the size and length of the strap, though, this could also be a lanyard, or a way of attaching the iPhone to a wrist. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple accepting political ads without complying with the law, says Mozilla report
Apple is accepting political ads without properly complying with legal requirements in Europe, says a new report, which also scored the compliance of 11 other tech companies. Five companies – including social network X and Microsoft’s Bing search engine – scored close to zero, while Apple got a yellow rating indicating “big gaps” in the information it is legally obliged to provide … more…

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Apple loses No. 1 spot in smartphone market after steep sales dip
Macworld Following a brief sojourn at the top of the table, Apple has dropped down to the number-two spot (by units shipped) in the global smartphone market. According to IDC’s figures for the first quarter of 2024, Samsung has moved back to the top position with 60.1 million shipments, a market share of 20.8 percent. Apple is in second place with 50.1 million (17.3 percent) while the Chinese firm Xiaomi sits in third place with 40.8 million units and a share of 14.1 percent. Samsung outperformed Apple across 2023 as a whole, but the Cupertino company did top the table at the end of the year. Apple traditionally performs especially well in the fall/early winter period following its annual iPhone refresh in September. Nevertheless, Apple’s drop back to second spot isn’t just about the expected difference between its seasonally hot Q4 and slow Q1. The company’s year-on-year comparison was markedly worse than that of Samsung, and indeed of all the other companies in the top 5. While Apple’s Q1 2024 was 9.6 percent down on Q1 2023, Oppo was down by 8.5 percent and Samsung by just 0.7 percent. Third-place Xiaomi and fourth-place Transsion (which has a strong foothold in Africa) were both up year on year, by 33.8 percent and 84.9 percent respectively. “While Apple managed to capture the top spot at the end of 2023, Samsung successfully reasserted itself as the leading smartphone provider in the first quarter,” commented IDC group vice president Ryan Reith. “While IDC expects these two companies to maintain their hold on the high end of the market, the resurgence of Huawei in China, as well as notable gains from Xiaomi, Transsion, Oppo/OnePlus, and vivo will likely have both OEMs looking for areas to expand and diversify.” It’s worth emphasising, however, that (while second place isn’t bad by any means) Apple would do considerably better if the terms of the analysis were tweaked. For one thing, measuring by unit shipments punishes Apple (and, to a lesser extent, Samsung) for selling premium, high-margin phones rather than focusing on volume. If the table was organized by revenue or, better still, profit, a lot of Apple’s rivals would fall by the wayside. Secondly, while Apple has strong rivals on the global stage, the company’s dominance in its home market is profound. If you asked a random group of U.S. teenagers which brand of phone they intend to buy next time, the proportion naming Apple would be startling. Still, aside from inter-brand squabbles, IDC’s figures appear to paint a rosy picture of the industry as a whole, with overall shipments up 7.8% on the same period last year. “The smartphone market is emerging from the turbulence of the last two years both stronger and changed,” said IDC research director Nabila Popal. iPhone

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iPhone 16 Pro 256GB rumor makes sense, but is by a known falsifier
The new rumor that the iPhone 16 Pro could start with 256GB of storage across the board is a logical extrapolation, but has been made by a one-time serial leaker with a record for falsehoods.iPhone 15 Pro MaxThe Apple rumor mill contains both leakers with valid sources and people with less reliable ways to get information. In some instances, the leaker can be offering up details that are presented as a genuine rumor, but could also just as easily be an educated guess thrown out for consumption.Late on Monday, leaker "LeaksApplePro" posted to X a rumor that the iPhone 16 Pro lineup will start at 256GB of storage. Expanding the reasoning via a Mac Observer post penned by the leaker, they go on to cite "people close to the industry" on the matter. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How To Leverage Gen AI Without Losing the Corporate Shirt
As technologies like ChatGPT exemplify, generative AI is rapidly evolving, prompting businesses across industries to refine their application strategies. The challenge in 2024 is to leverage these new technologies to drive positive business outcomes and enhance customer satisfaction effectively. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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Apple Developer Academy: Anyone in the world can apply for the Bali program
The rollout of the Apple Developer Academy continues, with the company announcing the latest one in Bali, Indonesia. However, you don’t have to be based in the country to participate – it welcomes applications from anyone in the world. The academy program has now been operating for more than a decade, and Apple says that 90% of graduates go on to “find meaningful employment” … more…

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Satechi USB-C Multiport 8K dock review: A pint-sized powerhouse
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsFast standards on every portFour USB-C data ports with three at 10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2)8K video output (up to 30Hz)85W of passthrough power over USB-CWell-labeled ports ConsNo dedicated Micro SD slotOur VerdictThe Satechi USB-C Multiport 8K dock provides four USB-C data ports (three at 10Gbps USB 3.2), gigabit ethernet, the latest in SD Card standards, 8K video, and 85W of passthrough USB-C power making it a compact powerhouse sized correctly for mid-range laptops. Price When Reviewed$99.99 Best Prices Today: Satechi USB-C Multiport Adapter 8K With Ethernet V3 Retailer Price $99.99 View Deal Satechi $99.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Satechi has updated its already well-conceived USB 3 mini-dock to version 3, dubbing the new release the USB-C Multiport Adapter 8K With Ethernet V3. This update has nearly the same array of ports, but almost all of them have some additional oomph: greater speed, power, or display resolution. The dock’s basics are four USB-C data ports, gigabit ethernet, 85W of passthrough energy on a dedicated USB-C power port, HDMI, and an SD Card slot. Sounds good, but dig into the details, and it’s even better. This version 3 dock from Satechi provides significant updates, sporting three 10Gbps USB 3.2 ports (two shown, one on the opposite side). This version 3 dock from Satechi provides significant updates, sporting three 10Gbps USB 3.2 ports (two shown, one on the opposite side).Satechi This version 3 dock from Satechi provides significant updates, sporting three 10Gbps USB 3.2 ports (two shown, one on the opposite side).Satechi Satechi Three of its four USB-C data ports work at up to 10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen2); the fourth is 5Gbps (USB 3.1). That’s handy when you need to make fast connections to SSDs or computer-to-computer connections and need ports beyond what’s built into your Mac. This is a step up from three USB-C data ports on the V2 unit, all of which were 5Gbps. Using HDMI, you can connect an 8K display at up to 30Hz; several Mac models allow this resolution and refresh rate (or faster). You can also connect a 4K display at up to 120Hz. (Your Mac has to support these resolutions and refresh rates as the dock isn’t a video card, just a passthrough.) The V2 version of the dock maxed out at 4K/60Hz, so this is a significant update for those using more advanced displays. To make room for an extra USB-C port, something had to give, and Satechi shed the dedicated Micro SD slot while retaining a UHS-II full-sized SD Card port. You’ll need an adapter to use Micro SD on the mini-dock, but if you’re like me, you have a few card-sized adapters scattered around from your Micro SD purchases. The gigabit ethernet port tests handily at 1Gbps, less a small amount of network overhead. Available in three colors (silver, space gray, and midnight) the mini-dock is compact at 4.5 by 2.1 by 0.65 inches and 4.25 ounces. It has a 6.7-inch long USB-C cable tail that can’t be removed. The adapter works with an iPad with USB-C as well as Macs; the maximum data rate or resolution of each part of course depends on the particular iPad. If you wonder about the performance limits of each port without having the manual nearby, the USB-C data ports and the HDMI port have sharply printed text on the metal noting “10Gbps,” “5Gbps,” or “8K/30Hz.” Satechi even got the colors right: the labels are white on the midnight-color adapter and black on the silver and space gray versions. The passthrough power port lacks a note that it can manage up to 85W, but since that’s close to the maximum 100W managed by most older USB-C buses, it doesn’t feel like an oversight. The Satechi adapter works just as well as with an iPad with USB-C. The Satechi adapter works just as well as with an iPad with USB-C.Satechi The Satechi adapter works just as well as with an iPad with USB-C.Satechi Satechi Should you buy the Satechi USB-C Multiport Adapter 8K with Ethernet V3? If you own a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro that lacks all the ports you want on demand, you could do no better than this Satechi adapter, particularly at the price. It pairs well with a laptop that docks in a home or office where ethernet, one or more external displays, and other peripherals are available. Adding high-speed USB-C 3.2 ports lets you devote any Thunderbolt 3/4 ports on your Mac to higher-speed purposes. You would probably find this useful for a Mac mini as well, and potentially for a Mac Studio if you’re filling up USB-C ports or, with two or more displays, want to avoid a standalone USB-C-to-HDMI adapter that takes up an entire connection. For more hubs and docks, visit our roundup of the best Thunderbolt and USB-C docking stations. The next step up from this mini-dock of an adapter would be to a powered unit with even more ports and possibilities or to a Thunderbolt mini-dock. Satechi has pushed the limits of a USB-C/USB 3.x/USB4 adapter and met the mark. Docks and Hubs, Mac

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iPhone 16 Pro storage ‘leak’ is nothing more than speculation
Here we go again. LeaksApplePro is back, this time with a claim that iPhone 16 Pro storage tiers could start at 256GB, up from the 128GB starting point of last year’s model. As we’ve noted before, the supposed source is an account with a history of just making stuff up, and we’re mentioning it at all simply because coverage elsewhere means readers might be misled into giving it credence … more…

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Best Apple Watch chargers, stands, power banks & docks
Macworld Apple ships a simple but effective charging cable with the Apple Watch that will fast-charge an Apple Watch Series 7 or later (Watch 8/9, Watch Ultra 1/2). You won’t find a faster charging accessory but you can also choose from a wide range of stylish and practical charging stands, docks and power banks for your Apple Watch—including some that can also charge other Apple devices such as your iPhone and AirPods. Here, we round up some of the best Apple Watch chargers, docks and charging stands—some of which can charge your other Apple devices at the same time. Most should be compatible with all generations of the Watch, but be sure to check compatibility before buying. There are simple charging cables, multi-device chargers that can power up your Apple Watch plus your iPhone and AirPods, chargers that are built for portability and travel, designer models that look great at home or in the office, and handy Apple Watch power banks. Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable – Best Apple Watch charging cable Pros Fast charge Watch Simple Cons One use only Price When Reviewed: $29 Best Prices Today: $29 at Apple$29.99 at Adorama$29.99 at Amazon Watch fast charge: Yes Size: 1m cable Weight: 2.6oz (73g) Colors: White Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum) Apple ships its Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable with its Watch Series 7 and later models, including the Watch Series 8/9 and Watch Ultra. The Apple Watch SE (including the current model) and Series 6 and earlier Watch models shipped with the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable that lacks the fast-charging function. Both cables are Apple white and a meter long. The latest version features an enhanced charging puck. The 7.5W Fast Charger Cable can charge 33% faster than the older 5W cable—charging a compatible Watch battery from 0-80% in just 45 minutes. An eight-minute charge will support eight hours of sleep tracking. Without fast charge, it takes about 1.5 hours to charge an Apple Watch to 80%, and about 2.5 hours to 100%. Fast charging requires at least a 20W USB-C charger, like you’d use to charge an iPhone; find our recommended best iPhone chargers for a wider choice that the plain Apple 20W charger. While you can still buy the older Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable, there’s little benefit as the newer Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable is backwards compatible with older Watch models, looks the same, and is the same price. You can use the old cable on a later Watch but obviously without fast charging. Third-party Apple Watch Chargers – Beware cheap imitations Pros Affordable Cons Pot luck on quality Slow charging No-name brands Price When Reviewed: $9.99 Best Prices Today: $7.99 at Amazon Watch fast charge: No Size: 1m cable Colors: White, Black Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum) Apple’s official Watch Charger is fast and reliable but expensive compared to the knock-off Watch chargers you can find online. This is a shame as having a spare in your bga or lying around at home is useful given the Watch’s pretty dreadful battery life. Usually there is a trusted third-party provider with an alternative to Apple’s simple charging cable but we could find none for the Apple Watch that were cheaper than the Apple version. We are sure that the Satechi USB-C Magnetic Charging Cable for Apple Watch is trustworthy but it’s actually pricier than the Apple and doesn’t support fast charging—so why bother? There are some great third-party Apple Watch charging stands and adapters—many of which we review below. But you are taking a chance (albeit a very affordable chance) by picking a cheapo simple Watch charger from Amazon, Temu or other online retailers. If you must, then scan the user reviews but we can’t vouch that the good ones are genuine and others often state problems with durability and extremely slow charging. Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe – Best 3-in-1 Apple Watch charging stand Pros Charges Watch, iPhone, AirPods Fast charge Watch 15W MagSafe for iPhone Small footprint and tilts Cons Only in black Price When Reviewed: $149.99 Best Prices Today: $149.95 at Apple$149.99 at Twelve South Watch fast charge: Yes iPhone charge: 15W Size: 6.3 x 3.4 x 6 inches (15.9 x 8.5 x 15.4cm) Weight: 14oz (396g) Colors: Black Requires USB-C charger: 40W wall charger included If you’ve got an Apple Watch, chances are you also own an iPhone and maybe a set of AirPods, too. Here’s where a charging station, which can power up all three devices simultaneously, becomes essential if you want to rid yourself of a snake’s nest of cables. The HiRise 3 Deluxe (available at Apple) can wirelessly charge three devices—iPhone 12/13/14/15 but not SE, Apple Watch 7, 8, 9, SE and Ultra, and Apple AirPods (2nd and 3rd gen AirPods, and all AirPods Pro). The AirPods-charging Qi wireless pad can alternatively be used to charge any iPhone from iPhone 8 up. And all the charging points are top-end—iPhone 15W, Watch 5W and Qi pad 7.5W—so all can be fast-charged. The Watch can either lie flat or in Nightstand mode, and the iPhone in iOS 17’s StandBy mode. You can angle the iPhone by up to 35 degrees. It’s taller but much smaller than Belkin’s Belkin Boost Up Charge Pro Wireless Charging Pad, reviewed below, so will save space on your bedside table or desk. Read our full Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe review Journey Trio Ultra 3-in-1 Fast Wireless Charging Station – Best white 3-in-1 Apple Watch charging stand Pros Charges Watch, iPhone, AirPods Fast charge Watch 15W MagSafe for iPhone Small footprint Cons Only in white Price When Reviewed: $169.99 Best Prices Today: $169.99 at Journey Watch fast charge: Yes iPhone charge: 15W Size: 6.7 x 5.3 x 3.4 inches (17 x 13.4 x 8.6cm) Weight: 11.5oz (325g) Colors: White Requires USB-C charger: 30W wall charger included If you own an Apple Watch it’s a fair bet that you also have an iPhone, and, go on admit it, some AirPods, too—you’re well invested into the Apple ecosystem. This 3-in-1 charging station from Journey has a tiltable MagSafe-certified pad (15W) for all iPhones 12/13/14/15, plus a Qi charger for AirPods that have a wireless charging case. Important to us here, though, is the Apple Watch charger at the back, which can fast-charge your Apple wearable. The Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe, reviewed above, is similar and features a tiltable Watch charger at the front rather than the back. If you want a 3-in-1 fast charging stand in white, then pick this Journey stand; if you prefer black, go for the Twelve South. There is a cheaper version, the Journey Trio 3-in-1 Charging Station, which features a detachable Watch charger that you can slip into your pocket and plug into a USB-C charger, including your MacBook, away from the base unit. While that is a neat feature (and might save you $40 on a standalone Watch adapter) the MagSafe pad is only compatible so charges at 7.5W and the Watch charger is slower than the one featured on the Trio Ultra 3-in-1. Satechi USB-C Magnetic Apple Watch Charging Dock – Portable Apple Watch charger Pros Portable Cons No Watch fast charge One use only Price When Reviewed: $39.99 Best Prices Today: $39.99 at Amazon$39.99 at b&h$39.99 at Satechi Watch fast charge: No Size: 2 x 1.73 x 0.45 inches (5.1 x 4.4 x 1.1cm) Weight: 1.1oz (31g) Colors: Space Gray Requires USB-C charger: Any USB-C charging port Small enough to fit in your pocket, this little 5W Watch charger from can plug straight into a USB-C charger or a USB-C charging port—for example, the Thunderbolt on your MacBook or iPad, or a USB-C car charger—or USB-C output power bank. When you get an alert telling you that your Watch battery is fading, you don’t always have your meter-long Apple charging cable with you but you are likely nearer a USB-C power point, and this little Watch charger can live at the bottom of your back for when you need it most. Twelve South ButterFly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger – Best portable 2-in-1 Apple Watch charger Pros Charges Watch and iPhone and Can swap Watch for AirPods Fast charge Watch 15W MagSafe for iPhone Portable Small footprint Cons Expensive Price When Reviewed: $129.99 Best Prices Today: $129.95 at Apple$129.99 at Twelve South Watch fast charge: Yes iPhone charge: 15W Size: 2.4 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches (6 x 6 x 2.35cm) Weight: 4.2oz (119g) Colors: Aluminum Requires USB-C charger: 30W wall charger included Twelve South makes our favorite 3-in-1 iPhone/Watch/AirPods charger, the HiRise 3 Deluxe reviewed above, and it has triumphed again with this pocketable 2-in-1 charger that can handle iPhone and Apple Watch or iPhone and AirPods, charging the two devices simultaneously. Technically it can’t be beaten—it is fully Apple certified, so fast wirelessly charges the Watch at 5W and the iPhone at 15W. But its wonder is its clever, dinky foldable size and MacBook-like styling. Unfurl the charger and the two wireless charging pads are revealed. You can even fold 180 degrees and place the Watch in Nighstand mode. Flip it round, and you can set the iPhone in landscape StandBy mode. It chips with a super-compact 30W USB-C wall charger that comes with interchangeable international plug heads: US, UK, EU and AU/NZ. Read our full Twelve South ButterFly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger review Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1) – Best compact 3-in-1 Apple Watch charger Pros Charges Watch, iPhone, AirPods 15W Qi2 iPhone charging Fast charges Apple Watch Compact, light and portable Price When Reviewed: $109.99 Best Prices Today: $109.99 at Amazon$109.99 at Anker Watch fast charge: Yes iPhone charge: 15W Size: 3.5 x 2.4 x 1 inches (8.9 x 6 x 2.5cm) Weight: 6.9oz (195g) Colors: White, Black Requires USB-C charger: 40W wall charger included The first 3-in-1 device charger based on the fast MagSafe-like 15W Qi2 magnetic wireless charging tech, the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station not only boosts wireless charging speeds that match Apple’s MagSafe but wraps up everything into a solid, foldable and compact yet flexible design. Apple Watch fast charging is the cream on the top. Foldable and super compact, the Anler MagGo Wireless Charging Station is a great portable option for your travels. The Watch-charging module neatly folds into the base of the charging station. We also like Anker’s 3-in-1 Cube, reviewed below—but while it’s gorgeous, it is heavier than the MagGo and doesn’t feature Watch fast charging. Read our full Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1) review Belkin Boost Up Charge Pro Wireless Charging Pad – Best 3-in-1 Apple Watch pad Pros Charges Watch, iPhone, AirPods Fast charge Watch 15W MagSafe for iPhone Cons Large footprint Price When Reviewed: $149.95 Best Prices Today: $149.95 at Apple$149.95 at Apple United States$149.95 at b&h Watch fast charge: Yes iPhone charge: 15W Size: 9.3 x 3.4 x 0.84 inches (23.7 x 8.6 x 2.1cm) Weight: 22.8oz (476g) Colors: White, Black Requires USB-C charger: 20W wall charger included Belkin’s Boost Up Charge Pro Wireless Charging Pad 3-in-1 charger (available at Apple) is the fastest way you can wirelessly charge both your Apple Watch and iPhone (12/13/14-series models), plus AirPods that come in a wireless charging case. It boasts both Watch fast charging (7.5W) and iPhone MagSafe fast charging (15W). The included 20W USB-C wall charger is a little underpowered if charging all three devices simulataneously. A 30W or 40W charger would better handle that situation. The Watch can either lie flat or in Nightstand mode, but because the iPhone lies flat you can’t take advantage of iOS 17’s StandBy mode. The Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe, reviewed above, is a better option if you want to view your iPhone while it’s charging—and it also comes with a more powerful 40W power supply. The magnetic charging module features a precision dial that can adjust the height for the best Watch, depending on the screen size. Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe – Stunning compact 3-in-1 Apple Watch charger Pros Charges Watch, iPhone and AirPods 15W MagSafe for iPhone Portable Small footprint Cons No Watch fast charge Heavy Price When Reviewed: $149.95 Best Prices Today: $112.46 at Amazon$149.95 at Anker$149.95 at Apple Watch fast charge: No iPhone charge: 15W Size: 2.49 x 2.3 x 2.3 inches (6.3 x 6 x 6cm) Weight: 14.5oz (410g) Colors: Gray Requires USB-C charger: 30W wall charger included Charge your Apple Watch plus your other small Apple gadgets with this dinky (if weighty) designer 3-in-1 cube that is MagSafe certified so can wirelessly charge an iPhone 12/13/14 at 15W. Watch and AirPods charge at a more sedate 5W, so no Watch fast charge. The beauty of this compact charger is its portable 3-in-1 power options, all contained in one tiny-footprint device. The Watch charging part can be hidden away within the Anker Cube when not in use. Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Dock with MagSafe 15W – Designer 2-in-1 Apple Watch charger Pros Designer looks 15W MagSafe Fast Apple Watch charging Price When Reviewed: $129.99 Best Prices Today: $129.99 at Belkin Watch fast charge: Yes iPhone charge: 15W Size: 4.1 x 3.1 x 2.75 inches (10.5 x 7.8 x 7cm) Weight: 15.9oz (540g) Colors: Gray Requires USB-C charger: 30W wall charger included The BoostCharge Pro looks rather like a paperweight and will delight interior designers. Compact and low-level in an elegant organic shape, the bulb-like charging stand is made from at least 60% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic and has pleasingly soft edges and a texture that makes you stroke it longingly. The chrome Watch-charging pad sticks out from the back of the stand, and can’t be folded in when not in use, as is possible with some compact multi-device chargers such as the Anker 3-in-1 Cube.  It features fast wireless charging for both Watch and iPhone. While it lacks an AirPods charging module like the 3-in-1 charging stations reviewed here, you can charge the AirPods wireless charging case on the top when the charging pad is flat and not charging your iPhone. Read our full Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Dock with MagSafe 15W review Journey SWIV 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Station – Best 3-in-1 Apple Watch travel charger Pros 3-in-1 charging Foldable for travel Super compact design Price When Reviewed: $119.99 Best Prices Today: $119.99 at Journey Watch fast charge: Yes iPhone charge: 7.5W Size: 5.2-x-2.9-x-1 inches (13.3-x-7.4-x-2.5cm) closed Weight: 5.2oz (147g) Colors: White Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum) There are few foldable 3-in-1 iPhone/Watch/AirPods portable chargers on the market but we think this is the neatest. It’s a little larger than the Evolved Foldable Charger but noticeably lighter. It measures 13.3-x-7.4-x-2.5cm when closed, and 2.1-x-7.4-x-1.3cm open. The Apple Watch charging module flips up so the Watch can be shown in Nightstand mode; it can also lie flat. It is also the only one to offer fast charging for the Apple Watch. None of them offer 15W certified MagSafe charging for the phone—for that you’ll need a less flexible 3-in-1, of which we have reviewed several here. Its design is neat because the MagSafe charging pad folds over and magnetically locks to the Watch module. if traveling with the SWIV, it’s just a matter of putting it in your bag, and you won’t notice it weighing down your luggage. It comes with a 1.5m USB-C cable. Read our full Journey SWIV 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Station review Alogic Lift 4-in-1 MagSafe Wireless 10000mAh Power Bank – Best 2-in-1 Apple Watch power bank stand Pros High 10K battery power bank Can charge 4 devices at once 2x USB ports Built-in stand Cons No Watch fast charge Price When Reviewed: $99.99 Best Prices Today: $99.99 at Alogic Watch fast charge: No Colors: White Dimensions: .25-x-2.7-x-0.95 inches (10.8-x-6.8-x-2.4cm) Weight: 8oz (228g) Requires USB-C charger: 20W to recharge the power bank This is the smallest iPhone and Apple Watch charger that doubles up as a power bank. It’s a great portable solution when you are away from a power source, and it can charge not just your Apple Watch and iPhone simultaneously, but two more devices via its USB ports (one USB-C for fast 18W iPhone charging and one USB-A). The Watch charging module flips up from the back of the power bank’s pull-out stand. It chargers at 3W rather than 5W so doesn’t support Apple Watch Fast Charge but it will inject the juice that your Watch requires when you need it. If you’re carrying your Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable, you can connect it here to achieve fast Watch charging. In our tests, using an iPhone 15 Pro, the power bank wirelessly charged close to 150%. The OtterBox Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger, reviewed lower down, can fast charge a Watch and can wired-charge an iPhone but not act as a wireless iPhone stand. OtterBox 3-in-1 Charging Station with MagSafe Pros Charges Watch, iPhone, AirPods Fast charge Watch 15W MagSafe for iPhone Small footprint Price When Reviewed: $149.95 Best Prices Today: $149.95 at OtterBox Watch fast charge: Yes iPhone charge: 15W Size: 5.6 x 4.6 x 4.6 inches (13.9 x 11.7 x 11.7cm) Weight: 18.8oz (534g) Colors: Black or White Requires USB-C charger: 36W wall charger included Matching the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe in terms of charging speed, the OtterBox 3-in-1 Charging Station is a super-fast iPhone/Watch/AirPods charger with a small footprint—indeed, it’s a little smaller than its rival. The charging points for iPhone and Apple Watch are fully certified—iPhone 15W and Watch 5W. At 5W, the lower Qi pad is slower than the Twelve South. Where we prefer the HiRise 3 Deluxe is its tilting iPhone MagSafe pad and more flexible Watch module. But if the white color option fits your decor better than the black-only HiRise, the OtterBox 3-in-1 is a great choice. Read our full OtterBox 3-in-1 Charging Station with MagSafe review Belkin Boost Charge Pro Portable Fast Charger – Best Apple Watch charging stand Pros Fast charge Watch Nightstand Portable Cons One use only Price When Reviewed: $59.95 Best Prices Today: $59.95 at Apple$59.95 at Apple United States$59.99 at Best Buy Watch fast charge: Yes Size: 3.8 x 3.8 x 0.63 inches (9.7 x 9.7 x 1.6cm) Weight: 6.8oz (192g) Colors: White, Black Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum) The Belkin Boost Charge Pro Portable Fast Charger for Apple Watch is a long name for a fairly simple square, rubberized Apple Watch charging stand. It’s one of the few Apple Watch accessories that can fast-charge the Watch (Series 7 and later), and, weighing just 6.8oz (192g), is portable, too. The magnetic charging module allows the Watch to be raised to work either lying flat or in Nightstand mode. Its built-in 4-foot (1.2m) USB-C cable wraps neatly around the underside of the dock, so keeping your space clutter-free. There’s a precision dial on the bottom of the dock to raise the puck height depending on the size of your Watch. Available from Apple. Evolved 3-in-1 Foldable Charger – Smallest 3-in-1 Apple Watch travel charger Pros 3-in-1 charging Foldable for travel Super compact design Cons No Watch fast charge Price When Reviewed: $89.95 Best Prices Today: $89.95 at Evolved Watch fast charge: No iPhone charge: 7.5W Size: 3.5-x-2.4-x-0.9 inches (9-x-6.1-x-2.3cm) Weight: 6.9oz (195g) Colors: Metallic gray Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum) You can use this charger as a fat wireless iPhone charging pad or height-adjustable and tilting phone stand. But you want to know about its Apple Watch charging credentials. In the battle of the foldable travel MagSafe iPhone and Watch chargers, we crown the Evolved 3-in-1 Foldable Charger as the best for Apple Watch users. It’s heavier and deeper than the ESR HaloLock 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set, reviewed below, and doesn’t come with the smart case and USB-C charger, but it wins because its Watch charger is built-in rather than a separate module. Its also also an inch shorter and a little less wide, and can raise your iPhone higher and is more adjustable. Lamicall Watch Stand – Best budget wired Watch stand Pros Affordable stand Cons Requires charging cable One use only Price When Reviewed: $11.99 Best Prices Today: $9.99 at Amazon Watch fast charge: Yes, with Apple fast-charge cable Size: 3.54 x 5.31 x 1.85 inches (9 x 13.5 x 4.7cm) Colors: Black, Silver, Gray, Rose Gold Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum) Lamicall’s Apple Watch Stand is a super-affordable wired Watch-charging stand, available in four different colors. Keep in mind that you will still need to use a separate charging cable as this is only a stand and won’t charge your Apple Watch on its own.  It’s a nifty little bedside stand if you don’t want to splurge more than you need to. ESR HaloLock 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set – 3-in-1 travel charger with detachable Watch charger Pros Charges Watch, iPhone & AirPods Foldable & portable Cons No Watch fast charge Price When Reviewed: $89.99 Best Prices Today: $59.49 at Amazon$86.99 at ESR Watch fast charge: No iPhone charge: 7.5W Size: 4.3 x 2.6 x 0.67 inches (11 x 6.5 x 1.7cm) Weight: 5.2oz (148g) Colors: Black (Watch module is white) Requires USB-C charger: 20W wall charger included iPhone charging stands are usually quite bulky given that they need to hold a vertical-oriented iPhone, but this 3-in-1 Watch/iPhone/AirPods charger folds to a very compact and lightweight form factor. The Watch-charging module is separate and plugs into the charger via its integrated USB-C connector. It’s built with Apple’s first-generation charging module that doesn’t support Watch fast charging. It’s also white, which doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the black charger but this shouldn’t really matter. What impresses us is that this certified Made for Watch device can charge three Apple devices at the same time, and slip into your pocket when you’re done—obviously you need either the included 20W charger (and 5ft cable) or your own USB-C charger and cable. The iPhone charger is MagSafe compatible (7.5W). Handily, the whole package fits into an included smart travel case. Zens 2-in-1 MagSafe + Watch travel charger – 2-in-1 Apple Watch travel charger Pros Charges Watch and iPhone 15W MagSafe for iPhone Portable Cons No Watch fast charge Best Prices Today: $99.99 at Zens Watch fast charge: No iPhone charge: 15W Size: 2.36 x 2.36 x 0.79 inches (6 x 6 x 2cm) Weight: 6.4oz (182g) Colors: White Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum) This pocketable 2-in-1 Apple Watch and iPhone charger from Zens is a quality travel accessory for Apple users. The foldout Watch arm works as a kickstand for the iPhone in either landscape or portrait orientation. It doesn’t support Apple Watch fast charging but is MagSafe-certified for full 15W MagSafe charging for iPhones 12 and later. There’s a cute hard-shell travel case so you can keep the included braided USB-C cable and the charger protected in transit. Its a great charger in its own right and doesn’t need to be reserved for just travel duties. OtterBox Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger – Best Apple Watch power bank Pros Fast charge Watch Portable Charges Watch, iPhone, AirPods Cons Battery capacity low compared to others Price When Reviewed: $49.95 Best Prices Today: $49.95 at Otterbox Watch fast charge: Yes Colors: Silver Dimensions: 3.2-1.3-x-1.6 inches (8-x-3.4-4cm) Weight: 6.6oz (188g) Requires USB-C charger: 20W to recharge the power bank This portable 3000mAh power bank can fast-charge an Apple Watch at 7.5W, and also wirelessly charge AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and wired-charge an iPhone (or any other device) at 15W. Four LED battery indicator lights let you know when it’s time to recharge the power bank itself. In testing, we recharged a flat Apple Watch 8 nearly four times (3.8x). Its battery capacity is great if you’re going away on a five-day camping trip away from a wall power socket and only need to charge your Watch, but its relatively low in power if you also want to juice up your iPhone, too. Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro Apple Watch power bank has three times the capacity, but is bigger and heavier. The Otterbox Apple Watch Power Bank weighs 6.6oz (188g). Pass-through charging means you can wirelessly charge your Apple Watch when charging the power bankIt ships with a 20-inch (50cm) USB-C to USB-C cable. The Alogic Lift 4-in-1 MagSafe Wireless 10000mAh Power Bank, reviewed above, is more functional, acting as a wireless iPhone/Watch charger and stand as well as a power bank. Belkin BoostCharge Pro Apple Watch 10K Power Bank Pros Fast charge Watch Portable Charges Watch, iPhone, AirPods High 10K battery capacity Price When Reviewed: $99.99 Best Prices Today: $84.99 at Amazon$99.99 at Belkin Watch fast charge: Yes Colors: Black Dimensions: 5.3-2.2-x-1.1 inches (13.5-x-5.6-2.9cm) Requires USB-C charger: 20W to recharge the power bank Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch + Power Bank 10K might be pricier and heavier than the OtterBox Apple Watch Power Bank, but it packs a mighty 10000mAh capacity that can fast-charge an Apple Watch at 7.5W or wirelessly charge AirPods Pro (2nd generation), as well as wired-charge an iPhone (or any other device) at 20W. While it’s bigger and heavier than the OtterBox, its 3x battery capacity makes it a more sensible choice if you need to charge Watch and iPhone multiple times. It can charge a Watch eight times over, or twice for an iPhone 14. The likelihood is that you might need to charge both at least once, which this battery pack can handle easily. It ships with a 12-inch (30cm) USB-C to USB-C cable. Read our full BoostCharge Pro review Belkin Boost Up Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe Pros Charges Watch, iPhone, AirPods Fast charge Watch 15W MagSafe for iPhone Cons Large footprint Price When Reviewed: $149.99 Best Prices Today: $129.99 at Amazon$140 at Walmart$149.95 at Apple Watch fast charge: Yes iPhone charge: 15W Size: 5.7 x 5.3 x 5.3 inches (13.7 x 13.5 x 13.5cm) Weight: 22.4oz (635g) Colors: White, Black Requires USB-C charger: 20W wall charger included, with 1.2m cable This 3-in-1 Watch/iPhone/AirPods charging station from Belkin takes up some space on your bedside table or desk but it looks great and can wirelessly charge an iPhone 12/13/14/15 model at the full MagSafe 15W. It is also compliant with Watch fast charging. The stand lifts the charging iPhone to a height that makes it easier for FaceTime or watching videos, and supports iOS 17’s StandBy mode. Why watching Netflix, sorry Apple TV+, why not hang up the Apple Watch for a charge as it’s no use to you anyway while you are sat down. Alogic Matrix Universal Apple Watch Charger – Modular portable Apple Watch charger Pros Portable Cons No Watch fast charge One use only Price When Reviewed: $39.99 Best Prices Today: $39.99 at Alogic Watch fast charge: No Size: 1.7 x 1.4 x 0.4 inches (4.2 x 3.6 x 1cm) Weight: 0.85oz (24g) Colors: Silver Requires USB-C charger: Any USB-C charging port This portable wireless Watch charger from Alogic works like the Satechi portable USB-C charger, is fractionally smaller and lighter, but is just as flexible. In some ways it’s more flexible as It’s part of a modular Alogic Matrix family, which means it can be part of a 3-in-1 iPhone/AirPods/Watch charging station, like the one reviewed in our roundup of the best MagSafe chargers. This flexible system can include a removable MagSafe-compatible power bank in the stand or outside with you. STM ChargeTree Go – 3-in-1 Apple Watch travel charger Pros Charges Watch, iPhone & AirPods Foldable & portable Qi so best for iPhone 8-11 Cons No Watch fast charge Not MagSafe for iPhone 12-15 Expensive Price When Reviewed: $119.95 Best Prices Today: $101.99 at Amazon$119.95 at Dell Home Home Office$119.95 at Lenovo USA Watch fast charge: No iPhone charge: 7.5W Size: 6 x 3 x 1 inches (15 x 7.5 x 2.4cm). Weight: 7.8oz (221g) Colors: White, Black Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum) This 3-in-1 charger is similar to the ESR HaloLock Travel Wireless Charging Set, reviewed above. It can simultaneously charge Watch (3W, so not fast charge), iPhone (7.5W) and AirPods (5W), and folds away to make it ideal for travel. Its Watch charger is integrated–not detachable like the ESR’s—and is tucked away when not in use with a push. One limitation is that its iPhone wireless charger isn’t magnetic or in any way MagSafe compatible. The iPhone instead rests on a ledge, with the charger being Qi compatible, but it can charge in both portrait and landscape modes. This shortcoming in fact makes it a great choice if your iPhone is older than MagSafe, so iPhone 8 to iPhone 11. It ships with a 1m USB-C cable and cloth carry bag. i.VALUX Portable Wireless Charger for Apple Watch Pros Portable Apple Watch power bank Cons No Watch fast charge MicroUSB cable Price When Reviewed: $20.99 Best Prices Today: $19.99 at Amazon This keyring power bank (1000mAh) should store enough charge to keep your Watch going until you are near a proper power source again. Four PEDs on the bank show you how much power remains in the bank. It’s available in a range of colors, depending on where in the world you are. You recharge the power bank with the included cable—sadly fiddly old MicroUSB. Spigen S350 – Simple dock for Apple Watch cable Pros Affordable stand Cons Requires charging cable One use only Price When Reviewed: $14.95 Best Prices Today: $11.99 at Amazon$14.95 at Spigen Watch fast charge: Yes, with Apple fast-charge cable Size: 2.2 x 2 x 1.8 inches (5.6 x 5.1 x 4.6cm) Weight: 11oz (312g) Colors: White, Black, Blue, Pink Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum) This is a simple, secure stand that you slip your Apple charging cable into so that you can set your Watch in Nightstand mode by your bedside or at your desk if you prefer to charge during the day so that you can track your sleep at night. Note that it’s just a stand so you still need the Apple charging cable. From Spiegen. Elago Vintage Stand – Best novelty charger for Mac users Pros Looks like a tiny Mac Cons Requires charging cable Price When Reviewed: $24.99 Best Prices Today: $13.99 at Amazon$14.99 at Walmart Watch fast charge: Yes, with Apple fast-charge cable Colors: Beige, Black Requires USB-C charger: Yes (20W minimum) Here’s one for the Apple enthusiasts that have been following the company since long before all this fancy touch-screen malarkey started. Elago’s cute W3 Stand (a.k.a. the Apple Watch Vintage Stand) turns your Apple Watch into a tiny original Macintosh while it’s charging. It even sits at a slight angle to match the original Mac, and uses Nightstand mode to make sure the screen is aligned correctly. For more advice about accessories for your Mac, iPad or iPhone see all our Best Picks. FAQ 1. How much time does Apple Watch take to fast charge? The Apple Watch battery life is notoriously short between charges so fast charging is a great way to keep your smart timepiece topped up and ready for action. Using a Fast Charger cable, such as the Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable, or stand, such as the Belkin Boost Charge Pro Portable Fast Charger for Apple Watch, you can charge a Watch 33% faster than using an older cable or stand. Fast charging will get a compatible Watch battery from 0-80% in 45 minutes. An eight-minute charge will power your Watch for eight hours of sleep tracking. Fast charging requires at least a 20W USB-C charger. See How to fast charge Apple Watch for more information. 2. Which Apple Watch models can fast charge? The following Apple Watch models support Fast Charge: Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2. The Apple Watch SE does not support Fast Charge. 3. How can I see my Apple Watch battery percentage? To see how much power remains on your Apple Watch, hold the bottom of the screen and swipe up to open the Control Center. You can add the battery life percentage to the watch face by adding a battery complication, in this way: Hold the display, then tap Edit Swipe left to the end to see if the watch face includes a possible battery complication Tap the complication to select it, then turn the Digital Crown to choose the battery complication To save your changes, press the Digital Crown, then tap the face to switch to it. You can also add a battery widget to show the battery percentage of a connected Apple Watch on your iPhone. 4. How to save power on the Apple watch When you can’t get to your Apple Watch charger fast enough and the Watch battery is dangerously low, you can eke out the remaining battery charge by saving power. The easiest way save battery life is to turn on Low Power Mode. This turns off Always On Display, background heart rate and blood oxygen measurements, plus heart rate notifications. Cellular access is also turned off in Low Power Mode. Apple states that “other notifications may be delayed, emergency alerts may not arrive, and certain cellular and Wi-Fi connections are limited. When the Watch battery is charged to 80%, Low Power Mode turns off automatically. Other Apple Watch battery saving tips include: Don’t use an Exercise or other tracking Turn off Always On Display in the Settings app Turn off background apps: push the side button (not the digital crown) and release it; then scroll through the running apps using the digital crown; close the apps by swiping from left to right and tapping on the “X” Turn off the heart rate monitor and advanced health tracking in the Watch app on your iPhone: Privacy > Health > Turn off voice assistant Siri—which is always listening for your commands—in Apple Watch Settings Turn on Theater mode, which prevents the Apple Watch display from turning on when you raise your wrist, and also turns on Silent Mode Turn on Silent Mode Use a darker watch face as black pixels use less power than bright ones such as Mickey Mouse or the Activity Face In extreme circumstances when you know you’ll need your Apple Watch later but not right now, turn off your Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button until you see the Power Off slider Unpair AirPods from your Apple Watch in Settings. See: How to improve Apple Watch battery life for more advice. 5. How to turn on Low Power Mode on the Apple Watch When its battery charge falls to 10% or lower, your Apple Watch alerts you and suggests that you enter Low Power Mode. Hold the bottom of the Watch screen, then swipe up to open Control Center. Tap the battery percentage icon, then turn on Low Power Mode. Scroll down, and tap Turn On Low Power Mode. Accessories, Apple Watch, Mobile Phone Accessories, Mobile Phone Chargers

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Tim Cook meets with Vietnamese officials, developers, and students
Apple CEO Tim Cook has spent a second day in Vietnam, discussing investment with the country's prime minister, as well as being shown developers working on Apple Vision Pro apps.Tim Cook visits a school in VietnamOn the second of his two-day visit to Hanoi, Tim Cook once again met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. They discussed Apple increasing its investment in the country, and the government creating a working group to help with the company's expansion efforts."There is no place like Vietnam, a vibrant and beautiful country," said Tim Cook in an announcement on Apple's Vietnamese site. "I am extremely excited to come here to connect with students, creators and customers, understand more about the diversity in the way they use our products to do extraordinary things." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple can learn a valuable lesson from the Humane AI pin disaster
Macworld Son, your mother and I want to talk to you about AI. No, don’t get up. Look, we don’t want you to learn about it on the streets. Because it’s an ugly business. The Macalope probably doesn’t have to detail the many problems with AI. First of all, it’s a misnomer. Calling today’s large language models “artificial intelligence” is like calling the first combustion engine a warp drive. Second, much like a coal furnace, all these various constructs have to be fed a corpus of content in order to be able to generate anything at all. Where does all the come from? Uh, blurgle frangle blooble hammer, we, uh, just found it lying around! No, actually, you didn’t, you used a whole bunch of other people’s work and you didn’t pay a damn thing for it. Then, of course, the results you’ll get from your model will vary based on the inputs. If you only 4chan comments, I wouldn’t go asking it for any medical advice. Part of which is why the result are spotty or often just really bad and verging into dangerous. Other than these problems, though, it’s great and this is why Apple needs to have AI right now! Look, if even Jony Ive is jumping off a well-chamfered bridge, don’t you want too as well, Apple? “Jony Ive AI device could get $1B funding from Laurene Powell Jobs” And what is this device, exactly? Well, we don’t know and, while it’s possible that Ive and collaborator Sam Altman have a rock-solid idea of what it should be, we have a very real example of people being given a mess of money before they really knew what they were doing and also shipping before they knew what they were doing. That is the Humane AI pin. And how did that work out? Well, Marques Brownlee called it “the worst product I’ve ever reviewed” is how that worked out, thank you for asking. The Macalope would like to talk to a market purist about this because this is not an efficient distribution of capital. It is rich people who know each other throwing big piles of money at one another and hoping something comes of it. It doesn’t have to be this way. The Macalope’s been hard on Humane mostly because his instincts are activated by the smell of flop sweat. He doesn’t know anything about the funding behind the Limitless pendant, but it doesn’t have that. The horny one doesn’t know if it’ll be successful, but it is at least a thing that knows what it wants to be: a device that helps you keep track of things. That’s not to say that it doesn’t come without its own concerns–privacy and consent being at the top of the list–but Limitless addresses those issues head-on. It remains to be seen if their technology works like advertised or offers the protections they claim, but it’s nice to hear someone talking about it. IDG IDG IDG It also costs just $99 and doesn’t have a recurring subscription (which they announced by cleverly jabbing Humane’s price). Not only is the AI realm woefully short on discussions of its problems, but a lot of its proponents seem to be saying “Please don’t talk about its problems (such as licensing) because if we do then we can’t have AI and we really want it.” AI is the hot new thing right now, so Apple has to be in the game, or at least appear to be in the game. Or just say it’s about to be in the game as the case may be. Is it surprising that our quarterly-results-driven financial community wants results on AI now no matter what the consequences? Ha, no. The Macalope’s kind of surprised Wall Street hasn’t demanded someone make the Torment Nexus already. Apple is not immune to such pressure, but it still does things its own way. On the licensing front, at least Apple seems to be paying for access to works that it uses to feed the hungry maw of its AI efforts. “Apple struck deal with Shutterstock to license millions of images for AI training” Which is good because, like it or not, it seems that AI is coming to its products. “The M4 chip is coming sooner than we thought–and it’ll be packed with AI tech” “Some iOS 18 AI features might be limited to the iPhone 16 Pro models”“ Limitless notes the inherent difficulties in doing everything on-device and says its Confidential Cloud technology will keep your data safe, even from the prying eyes and ears of the government. They even say they’ll be HIPAA compliant. Great! Because we’ve certainly never gotten a notice from a company in the healthcare industry saying “Oopsies! Data breach!” have we? Ha-ha! Uhnnnnnnnn. The Macalope doesn’t even know why someone would want his medical records. They’re disgusting. It’s 99 percent “Is this mole cancerous?” “No, this is a deer tick.” In this furry observer’s opinion, on-device might be slower, but maybe slower is better here. Paying for content might be more expensive, but it’s the right thing to do. iOS

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Several possible iPhone 4 technical specifications leaked
Several of the technical specifications of Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE 4 may have just been leaked to the public. The leaks largely focus on AI-based camera features and how the handset may resemble the iPhone 13 more than the iPhone 14. The leaker, Nguyen Phi Hung, who has no Apple-related track record, has stated that […] Source

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