Search results for: “App”

  • Addigy Assist makes setting up Macs easier for IT crews and MSPs

    Addigy Assist makes setting up Macs easier for IT crews and MSPs

    Addigy, a company that helps manage Apple devices, just launched a new tool called Addigy Assist. It’s designed to make setting up Macs simpler for IT teams and managed service providers (MSPs). The tool comes with an Apple-style look, automatic steps, and live updates to smooth out the process.

    Setting up Macs has often been a hassle, with lots of hands-on work, problem-solving, and little info for users. Addigy Assist changes that by offering a fresh way to get new devices or new employees up and running, all tied into how macOS works.

    “Most tools for this job are either too tricky or too stiff, taking hours to get ready and fix issues. Users end up annoyed and keep calling IT for support,” said Tim Pearson from CreativeTech. “Addigy Assist fixes that. It took us under 10 minutes to set up once, and we were good to go. Employees now get a clear, easy start right away. We’re saving time, getting fewer complaints, and making new hires feel welcome.”

    The tool cuts down headaches for IT folks by handling boring, repeat tasks and showing setup progress as it happens. It’s also flexible, letting MSPs tweak it to fit different clients or rules they need to follow. “Addigy’s goal is to keep Apple device management simple and friendly. With Addigy Assist, we’re not just speeding up Mac setups—we’re making it feel like Apple built it,” said Jason Dettbarn, Addigy’s founder and CEO.

    Here’s what Addigy Assist brings:

    • Apple-like design: Matches macOS for an easy feel.
    • Multi-client support: This helps manage setups for different groups or places.
    • Live updates: Show users what’s happening during setup.
    • Auto-steps: Speeds things up by cutting manual work.
    • Smart fixes: Solves common hiccups like low power or Wi-Fi trouble.
    • Personal touch: Lets companies add their style to the process.

    Addigy Assist is out now for IT teams and MSPs who want an easier way to roll out Macs.

  • iPhone 17 Air might get a super-packed battery

    iPhone 17 Air might get a super-packed battery

    In a recent blog, Ming-Chi Kuo, an expert on Apple’s supply chain, shared some exciting news. He said the upcoming iPhone 17 Air will come with a “high-density” battery, which could mean better power for this super-slim phone.

    Kuo mentioned that this new iPhone, expected to fold, will use the same kind of battery as the ultra-thin iPhone 17. These high-density cells pack more energy into a small space. He didn’t give exact numbers for how much power they’ll hold, though.

    People have worried that the iPhone 17 Air’s thin design might mean a weak battery. After all, a smaller body leaves less room for a big battery. But it looks like Apple’s got some tricks up its sleeve! Three rumored features could help this phone last longer than expected. First, there’s that high-density battery. Second, Apple’s new C1 modem chip saves energy. And third, skipping the Ultra Wide camera frees up space inside for a bigger battery.

    Apple is likely to show off the iPhone 17 Air in September. Kuo says it’ll be just 5.5mm thick at its slimmest spot, making it one of the thinnest iPhones ever. With these smart design choices, the iPhone 17 Air might surprise us all with how long it can go between charges.

  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows hits Mac on March 20

    Assassin’s Creed Shadows hits Mac on March 20

    Apple shared exciting news today: Assassin’s Creed Shadows will launch on Mac on Thursday, March 20. The game will drop at the same time for Mac, PlayStation 5, Windows PCs, and Xbox, so no one gets left behind.

    Back in May 2024, Ubisoft revealed plans to bring this game to Mac, originally aiming for a November release. After a few delays, it’s finally set to arrive later this year. Fans can breathe easy knowing the wait is almost over.

    This action-packed roleplaying game takes place in 16th-century Japan and follows the main Assassin’s Creed storyline, coming after Assassin’s Creed Mirage. It dives into the clash between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order. Players can step into the shoes of two characters: Fujibayashi Naoe, a sneaky shinobi, or Yasuke, a tough samurai.

    Both characters bring something unique to the table. Naoe is all about staying hidden and moving quietly, while Yasuke shines in head-on fights. Each character has their skills, weapons, and growth paths, giving players different ways to enjoy the game.

    The world is huge and open, packed with stunning sights like busy castle towns, lively ports, calm countryside, and quiet shrines. The weather and seasons change as you play, making every moment feel fresh. Marc-Alexis Côté, Ubisoft’s executive producer, called Assassin’s Creed Shadows his team’s “biggest adventure yet.” They’ve poured a lot into it.

    To play on a Mac, you’ll need one with an Apple silicon chip. If you’ve got an M3 or M4 Mac, you’ll enjoy real-time ray tracing for extra-sharp visuals. Ubisoft is also bringing the game to iPads with M-series chips. Priced at $70, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is up for pre-order on the Mac App Store now, ahead of its March 20 debut. Get ready to explore Japan like never before!

  • Affordable new Magic Keyboard unveiled for iPad Air with cool upgrades

    Affordable new Magic Keyboard unveiled for iPad Air with cool upgrades

    Apple recently launched the M3 iPad Air and iPad 11, and now it’s introduced a neat new accessory to go with them. The Magic Keyboard for iPad Air has been updated with some awesome features borrowed from the M4 iPad Pro’s version. Let’s check out what’s new!

    iPad Air’s Magic Keyboard Gets a Fresh Look

    According to Apple:

    The redesigned Magic Keyboard for iPad Air makes it easier to get things done, all at a lower price. It has a bigger trackpad that’s super accurate for tricky tasks, plus a new row of 14 keys for quick controls like adjusting brightness or sound. It snaps on magnetically, and the Smart Connector instantly links it up for power and data—no Bluetooth needed. There’s also a sturdy aluminum hinge with a USB-C port for charging. Starting at just $269 for the 11-inch size and $319 for the 13-inch, this keyboard keeps its sleek floating style and comes in white. This updated Magic Keyboard for iPad Air picks up some of the best tricks from the M4 iPad Pro’s keyboard, which I adore.

    Here’s what they share:

    • A larger trackpad for easier use
    • A handy row of shortcut keys

    One small difference? The iPad Air version doesn’t have the fancy trackpad vibration feedback. It also skips the aluminum area near the trackpad. But overall, the two keyboards are pretty similar. Both come in 11-inch and 13-inch options. While it’d be cool to have just one Magic Keyboard for all iPads, the super-slim iPad Pro probably needs its special fit.

    Pricing and Which iPads Work with It

    The iPad Air’s Magic Keyboard is cheaper since it skips a couple of extras:

    • 11-inch: $269 (compared to $299 for iPad Pro’s)
    • 13-inch: $319 (compared to $349 for iPad Pro’s)

    It works with these iPads:

    • iPad Air 11-inch (M3, M2, 5th, and 4th gen)
    • iPad Air 13-inch (M3, M2)

    You can grab it now from Apple’s online store, with delivery by Wednesday, March 12.

  • Why is the iPhone 16e so close to having MagSafe?

    Why is the iPhone 16e so close to having MagSafe?

    One of the strangest things about the iPhone 16e is that it doesn’t fully support MagSafe. This missing feature surprised so many people that Apple felt the need to explain why they left it out. But here’s the twist: the phone seems to be almost ready for MagSafe, which makes the decision even more puzzling.

    Three Great Things About MagSafe

    The iPhone 16e comes with plenty of top-notch features, but MagSafe isn’t one of them. That’s a big deal because MagSafe brings three awesome perks. First, it makes wireless charging super simple. You just place your phone near the charger, and it snaps right into the perfect spot—no more fumbling around.

    Second, it speeds up wireless charging. Older Qi chargers topped out at 7.5 watts, but MagSafe and Qi2 bump that up to 15 watts. Other iPhone 16 models even hit 25 watts with the newest MagSafe chargers. Third, MagSafe unlocks a bunch of cool accessories—like car mounts, wallets, and camera stabilizers—that stick to your phone with magnets.

    Apple’s Odd Explanation

    Apple’s reason for skipping MagSafe? They say the people buying the 16e don’t use it. According to them, this phone is aimed at folks who prefer plugging in a cable over wireless charging. They think these buyers are upgrading from older models like the iPhone SE or iPhone 11, which didn’t have MagSafe. But that logic feels shaky—those phones didn’t have MagSafe, so of course those users didn’t rely on it!

    The iPhone 16e’s Hidden Surprise

    Here’s where it gets interesting. David Price from Macworld found that the iPhone 16e actually has some MagSafe magnets inside—it’s just not strong enough to work perfectly. I tested this myself by taking my 16e out of its case and placing it near an old MagSafe charger. To my surprise, the charger stuck to the phone! The connection was weak, but it held. Price even shared a video showing the charger lifting off a table to snap onto the phone.

    The catch? This only works without a case, and the magnets aren’t powerful enough to hold the phone on a standing dock. Still, it’s odd that Apple included some magnets but didn’t go all in on MagSafe. Why get so close and then stop?

  • New iPhone 16 Pro ad highlights audio mix with a brazilian carnival tune

    New iPhone 16 Pro ad highlights audio mix with a brazilian carnival tune

    Apple dropped a fresh iPhone 16 Pro advertisement this weekend, and it’s a real treat. To showcase the Audio Mix feature, they filmed a music video using the new iPhone, blending it with the lively spirit of the Brazilian Carnival.

    A Carnival Vibe for the iPhone 16 Pro

    The track, “Brasil em Cena,” sung by Brazilian artist Nilze Carvalho and composed by Jair Oliveira, brings energy to the ad. Apple says the video “honors Brazilian cinema with one of the world’s most exciting music styles” and pays respect to Brazil’s rich culture, where Carnival and movies come together for a memorable tale.

    The Audio Mix tool lets iPhone 16 and 16 Pro users tweak sound in cool ways. You can quiet down noises or voices that aren’t in the shot, cut out background echoes, or shift all voices to sound like they’re coming from the front for a movie-like effect. Plus, you can adjust the audio even after recording.

    In Brazil, this ad aired on TV during the 2025 Oscars, where the country cheered its first-ever win with “I’m Still Here” taking the Best International Feature Film award.

    Carnival Fun on Apple’s Brazilian Site

    To keep the Carnival party going, Apple spruced up its Brazil website with a festive look. Products like the new iPhone 16e and AirPods 4 pop up with confetti all around. They’ve also added a special Carnival playlist section on Apple Music for fans to enjoy.

    Apple’s Carnival Tradition

    This isn’t Apple’s first Carnival-inspired ad. They’ve done it before, like with the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone X promotions, showing their love for Brazil’s colorful celebration.
    With this latest ad, Apple mixes cutting-edge tech with Brazil’s joyful vibes, making the iPhone 16 Pro stand out in style.

  • New MacBook Air arrives this week: what’s coming?

    New MacBook Air arrives this week: what’s coming?

    Apple’s boss, Tim Cook, dropped a hint about a fresh product this week with a quick video saying, “There’s something in the Air.” The “Air” clue and the timing suggest we’re about to see new MacBook Airs with the M4 chip.

    • Design – The new MacBook Air will stick to two sizes: 13 inches and 15 inches. Don’t expect a big makeover—there’s no buzz about a new style. The last design update was in 2022, so the look should stay familiar, just like today’s models.
    • Screen – Apple’s fancy mini-LED screens are for the MacBook Pro, so the MacBook Air will likely keep its usual Liquid Retina Display (think LED). The MacBook Pro recently got a matte display option, and while it might show up on the Air, it’s not a sure thing—it could stay a Pro-only perk.
    • M4 Chip – The M4 chip is already in the MacBook Pro, iMac, iPad Pro, and Mac mini, so it’s no shock it’s coming to the MacBook Air. It’s got up to 10 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Built with a super tiny 3-nanometer process, it’s made for Apple Intelligence. It’ll beat the M3, but don’t expect a huge leap—think about 25% better performance.
    • Memory – Last year, Apple bumped the MacBook Air’s starting memory to 16GB from 8GB. That’s staying the same for the new ones—no changes here.
    • Battery – Thanks to the M4’s efficiency, battery life might get a boost. For example, the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro lasts up to 24 hours streaming video or 16 hours browsing online.
    • Camera – The MacBook Pro’s new 12-megapixel FaceTime camera could come to the Air. It has Center Stage to keep you in focus during video calls and Desk View to show off your desk from above.
    • Ports – Right now, the MacBook Air has two Thunderbolt 3 ports. The new ones might jump to three Thunderbolt 4 ports for faster connections.
    • Price – The M3 MacBook Air starts at $1,099, and no price hikes are rumored for the M4.
    • Old Models – The M2 MacBook Air, priced at $999, might get swapped for an M3 version—or stick around if upgrading costs too much.
    • Surprise “Air” Stuff? – The M4 MacBook Air is the star, but Apple could sneak in updates for other “Air” products like the iPad Air or AirTags next year.
    • Launch Details – No big event is planned—expect a press release and videos, with the MacBook Air possibly out tomorrow!
  • iFixit explores iPhone 16e and its new C1 Modem

    iFixit explores iPhone 16e and its new C1 Modem

    iFixit recently posted a teardown video where they carefully took apart the iPhone 16e to check out what’s inside. The iPhone 16e comes with a handy feature: its battery glue can loosen up with a small jolt of electricity, just like the other iPhone 16 models. This makes swapping out the battery a bit easier.

    A previous teardown showed that the iPhone 16e has a 15.55 Wh battery, which is larger than the 13.83 Wh one in earlier models. iFixit explains that Apple fit this bigger battery because the phone’s single-lens back camera leaves extra room inside.

    The teardown also gives us a good peek at Apple’s new C1 modem, tucked under the RF board. It looks a lot like the Qualcomm X71M modem, with a 4nm design and some memory built in. However, the 7nm signal boosters are separate from the modem itself.

    iFixit wasn’t too happy with some of Apple’s choices, though. For example, fixing the USB-C port is a hassle because you have to take out everything inside the phone first. Still, they gave a nod to some repair-friendly updates. Thanks to changes in iOS, parts pairing isn’t as strict anymore.

    Plus, there’s a small metal piece that keeps a delicate cable safe when you open the phone, which is a nice touch. In short, while the iPhone 16e isn’t perfect for repairs, it’s moving in a better direction with these small but helpful tweaks.

  • iOS 18.4: Developer Beta 2 arrives

    iOS 18.4: Developer Beta 2 arrives

    Apple recently rolled out the second beta of iOS 18.4 for developers. For folks in the USA, this update doesn’t pack big changes yet, but it’s a game-changer for users in other regions. Why? It finally unlocks all the Apple Intelligence features that were missing before. We’ve gathered the key updates for you to check out.

    In Beta 1, there were some cool additions, like better CarPlay features, support for robot vacuum cleaners through Matter, and smarter notification sorting. Now, with Beta 2, you can expect a bunch of fixes to smooth out the bugs from the first round.

    If there’s anything else sneaky or exciting hiding in this update, don’t worry—we’ll dig it up and let you know, just like always. This release keeps things moving forward for developers, giving them a chance to test and tweak their apps. For everyone else, it’s a peek at what’s coming when the final version drops. Stay tuned for more!

  • Why Siri’s big upgrade needs to be amazing by 2027

    Why Siri’s big upgrade needs to be amazing by 2027

    Apple used to be a top player in smart assistants, but in just 14 years, it’s fallen behind. Back in 2011, Siri felt like the future. Now, in 2025, Apple Intelligence feels weak compared to what’s out there.

    Siri’s 14-Year Journey

    I still remember the iPhone 4S launch when Siri stole the show. It wasn’t even Apple’s idea at first—it started as an app someone else made. Steve Jobs saw its potential, bought it, and put it into the iPhone. That move made smart assistants a must-have for phones. But after 14 years, Siri should be incredible by now.

    It’s not. In 2015, I wished Siri could work with my apps. It’s only starting to do that now, a whole decade later! Worse, in 2018, I listed simple things Siri couldn’t handle—and it still can’t do some of them. Today, Siri feels basic while tools like ChatGPT shine.

    Why Apple’s Behind

    Apple has reasons for lagging. One is reliability. Other companies like OpenAI raced ahead, even if their AI sometimes messed up big time—like ChatGPT inventing fake facts or Google’s Bard flopping in a demo. Siri’s spoken answers can’t afford those mistakes—it’d be risky to hear wrong info without a warning.

    Another reason is privacy. Siri sticks to two rules: process stuff on your phone when it can, and keep your identity hidden when it uses Apple’s servers. That’s safer but less powerful than rivals who use big data centers and know tons about you.

    The Privacy Win

    Last year, I said waiting for a smarter Siri would pay off because of privacy. Our phones hold so much—calendar, messages, health info—and soon, Siri can tap into apps we pick, all without leaving our device. That could make Siri as good as the competition, but safer. I want an assistant who knows me well but stays private. That’s what Apple’s aiming for.

    A Longer Wait

    We thought this new Siri would hit in 2026. Now, the word is it’s delayed to 2027—or later. That’s tough, but if it’s great, we’ll forget the wait. Still, by 2027, other AI like ChatGPT or Amazon’s Alexa will be miles ahead. Siri has to be spectacular to catch up. Apple’s got a big challenge, but I’m hopeful it’ll be worth it.