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Thoughtful, detailed coverage of everything Apple for 35 years
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Category: iPhone, iPad, & iOS

Adam Engst 16 comments

Apple’s x.4.1 OS Updates Patch Exploited Security Vulnerabilities

Apple has released updates for its primary operating systems to address two actively exploited security vulnerabilities. iOS users also gain fixes for wireless CarPlay, while macOS enterprise users see improved update reliability.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 3 comments

Restoring MagSafe to the iPhone 16e (Up to a Point)

The iPhone 16e, Apple’s new budget phone, supports Qi wireless charging but lacks MagSafe. Some have lamented this omission since MagSafe is standard on all other models and is a great convenience. Can you restore MagSafe to an iPhone 16e? To an extent, yes. Julio Ojeda-Zapata investigates the options.

Adam Engst 52 comments

Apple Releases iOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, and Other x.4 OS Updates

Apple’s latest operating system updates bring Apple Intelligence to more languages and regions, improve Photos organization, expand Mail categorization to the Mac and iPad, and address what must be a record number of security vulnerabilities.

Adam Engst 48 comments

How to Identify iPhone Apps That May Contain Location-Tracking Ads

Adam Engst explains how to determine whether any apps on your iPhone may have been unintentionally sharing your location with data brokers by relying on ads from the real-time bidding ecosystem.

Adam Engst 11 comments

Apple Updates Keep Malicious Web Content in the Sandbox

Apple has released operating system updates to address a serious WebKit vulnerability that surfaced 14 months ago. The latest version of this vulnerability also affects Google Chrome.

Adam Engst 38 comments

Apple Delays “More Personalized” Siri

In a rare move, Apple said it is delaying enhanced Siri features that would have offered awareness of personal context and the capability to perform complex actions across apps. Adam Engst argues that Apple should instead prioritize ensuring Siri works more reliably and consistently across devices.

Adam Engst 2 comments

Apple Speed Bumps iPads: iPad Air Goes M3, iPad Gets an A16

Apple’s latest iPad updates focus on processor upgrades. The iPad Air moves from the M2 chip to the M3 and receives a redesigned Magic Keyboard, while the base iPad jumps from the A14 Bionic to the A16 and doubles its starting storage to 128 GB.

Adam Engst 58 comments

Apple Replaces iPhone SE with Larger, More Expensive iPhone 16e

The iPhone 16e debuts as Apple’s least expensive model, displacing the iPhone SE. Adam Engst examines how it measures up to the iPhone SE and iPhone 16.

Adam Engst 17 comments

Keep Any iOS App Private with Biometric Authentication

If you want to ensure that someone using your iPhone can’t peek into private apps, read on to learn about a new feature in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 that lets you require Face ID or Touch ID authentication before the app opens.

Adam Engst 3 comments

iOS 18.3.1, iPadOS 18.3.1, and iPadOS 17.7.5 Block USB Restricted Mode Attack

Apple has released iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1 to patch a vulnerability that disables USB Restricted Mode. While the risk is low for most users, high-profile targets like activists and journalists should update immediately.

Adam Engst 15 comments

Streamline Event Planning with New Apple Invites Service

Adam Engst explores the new Apple Invites app that lets iCloud+ subscribers create and manage events in iOS 18 or on iCloud.com. Non-Apple users can easily RSVP and access event details through any Web browser.

Adam Engst 42 comments

Apple’s January 2025 OS Updates Enhance Apple Intelligence, Fix Bugs

Apple has released its third major operating system update, including macOS 15.3 Sequoia, iOS 18.3, and iPadOS 18.3. These updates improve the Apple Intelligence notification summaries, enhance Visual Intelligence for iPhone 16 users, bring Genmoji to the Mac, and add repeated operations to the Calculator app. They also fix a zero-day security vulnerability.

Adam Engst 32 comments

Apple Intelligence to Be Enabled on All Compatible Devices

Apple’s upcoming operating system updates will make Apple Intelligence the default, sparking widespread reactions. Adam Engst delves into why Apple is making this decision and offers guidance on the implications of embracing or deactivating the broad feature set.

Adam Engst 7 comments

iOS 18.2.1 and iPadOS 18.2.1 Fix Unspecified Bugs

Apple didn’t see fit to describe the bugs addressed by these updates, and they don’t address any security vulnerabilities, so there’s no need to update your iPhone or iPad right away unless you’re experiencing problems.

Adam Engst 53 comments

OS X.2 Updates Boost Apple Intelligence and More

Apple’s December 2024 updates bring substantial changes across the company’s ecosystem, from new Apple Intelligence features to Mail categorization, enhanced Find My item sharing capabilities, and natural language Apple Music searches.