Category: News

I recently made a significant upgrade to my tech setup. Since I’ve ordered the new 5K iMac to serve as my main workhorse, I decided it was time to replace my heavy 17-inch MacBook Pro with something much lighter. I’ve opted for the 13-inch MacBook Air, which comes with 128GB of storage, a 1.7 GHz processor, and 8GB RAM.

This new laptop is going to enhance my productivity on the go, given its lightweight design. On another note, today I underwent LASIK eye surgery! It’s been a procedure I’ve considered for a long time, yet I was scared to take the plunge.

Despite my vision not being terrible, the thought of not having to wear glasses all the time is enticing. I can already tell that it’s going to be worth it. Just a day post-surgery, everything is much clearer, and I keep forgetting that I no longer need to rely on glasses or contacts.

My initial recovery period is about seven days, with full recovery expected in 2-3 months. However, the doctor anticipates I’ll heal even faster since I’m already at 75% healing. The actual procedure was something I was apprehensive about.

I had heard mixed reviews about it being rough, especially for someone like me who struggles with putting in contacts. Thankfully, the experience was manageable, and I would encourage anyone considering it to go for it! Finally, after two years without a dock for my iPhone or iPad Mini, I decided to invest in a Twelve South HiRise in black.

This addition is going to help keep my devices charged and organized neatly. Overall, it’s an exciting time with all these upgrades!

macOSX-tastic made a lighthearted comment about iGary, playfully asking if he really attached pieces of carpet samples to his wrist as a unique watch alternative. Rolex DaytonaChris3125 then chimed in, sharing a thought on watches. Dubbz mentioned that he had a watch, but his story took a different direction.

He shared his experience of no longer wearing watches after losing his previous one. It was an inexpensive digital watch that, while functional, served more as a reminder of time rather than a necessity. Dubbz reflected that he had come to rely heavily on his phone for telling time, which rendered wearing a watch unnecessary.

The convenience of technology had taken over what a watch traditionally offered. In a follow-up, Dubbz expressed his appreciation for watches, particularly mentioning macOSX-tastic and EJBasile. He acknowledged their taste, indicating an interest in quality timepieces despite his own decision to forgo wearing one.

This conversation highlights the evolving relationship many have with watches in the modern world, as convenience often shifts preferences towards multifunctional devices like smartphones. Nonetheless, the appreciation for well-crafted watches remains a common thread, suggesting that while some may choose practicality over style, the allure of a good watch endures among enthusiasts.

The Sixteenth Annual MacRumors Blood Drive will take place throughout May 2025. During this month, we encourage you to donate blood, platelets, or plasma to help those in need. Your contributions can be vital for individuals recovering from surgery, injury, or illness. In addition to blood donations, we also invite you to register for the bone marrow registry and sign up as an organ donor if you haven’t done so already.

You could potentially save the life of someone suffering from organ failure or provide a cure for life-threatening diseases such as leukemia. Participating in the MacRumors Blood Drive is simple. You can start by donating blood, platelets, or plasma at a nearby donation center. Choose a day when you can spare an hour or two to make an appointment.

If interested in becoming a stem cell or bone marrow donor, the process usually involves filling out a form and having your cheek swabbed. Registration as an organ donor is similarly straightforward; you can often register online depending on your location. If you are unable to donate blood yourself, you can still contribute by encouraging a friend or relative to do so. Both you and the donor will earn a spot on the Honor Roll as a token of appreciation for your efforts.

After donating or registering, please let us know in the designated forum thread, sharing details of your contribution or even a photo of your bandage. This is a way for us to publicly recognize your generosity. Additionally, help us to spread the word about the need for donations. Share your story if you or a family member has benefited from a blood transfusion, and encourage those around you to get involved in supporting this important cause.

I’m looking for advice on polishing liquids to eliminate fine scratches and revitalize the shine of the white plastic surfaces on my Mac accessories. My main focus is on an Apple iPod Hi-Fi I recently acquired secondhand. It’s in near-perfect condition without any yellowing, which is quite rare, though it does have some fine scratches and a noticeable loss of shine on the plastic casing. In researching potential products, I’ve come across various recommendations in older threads, but most of those products are no longer available.

Currently, there are only a couple of options still on the market that seem promising: the Novus Plastic Polishing Kit (Steps 1, 2, and 3) and Ice Creme from RadTech. Unfortunately, previous solutions like Applesauce Polish and the NewerTech Clean & Polish Kit are discontinued. Many threads I’ve read lean towards polishing products designed for metal surfaces, such as those used for Apple Watches. My project, however, is specifically aimed at restoring plastic surfaces, which requires different care.

Could anyone recommend which of the current polishing products may work best for my iPod Hi-Fi? Additionally, any tips on techniques or methods for effectively polishing the plastic would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help!

A new month has begun, and with it comes another 14-day challenge for me. I want to wish everyone good luck as we embark on this journey together. The rising temperatures are adding an interesting twist to this challenge, making it genuinely demanding this time around. It’s not just about completing the tasks; it’s about staying motivated and pushing through the heat.

As we dive into these two weeks, let’s remember to support one another. Sharing our experiences and tips can help make the process easier and more enjoyable. Whether it’s dealing with the heat or staying on track with our goals, community can be a powerful motivator. So here’s to perseverance and determination.

Let’s make the most of this challenge and come out stronger on the other side. Good luck to all!

Years ago, I owned a cellular version of the Apple Watch, but it ended up in a drawer and eventually fell apart. I became frustrated with the apps that were either difficult to use or didn’t function properly. I also worried about the device’s ability to stay dry while I counted my swimming laps. Tracking my walks was also a hassle; nothing seemed to work as I had hoped.

I wonder whether Apple has made improvements in these areas. I’ve heard of users struggling to locate the water lock icon or experiencing waterproofing failures on the Ultra model despite its high price tag. These stories make me hesitant to invest in a new model. I attempted to purchase a recent version—perhaps a Series 6 or 7—several years back, but it felt overly complicated to set up.

This experience reminded me of my old Series 3, leading to my decision to return it. The return process was a nightmare, especially since I bought it from an online retailer, which is a mistake I won’t repeat. Now, I’m looking to track my golf walks, and I hope to find a user-friendly yardage app along with a reliable way to monitor my swimming. I also have questions about its waterproof capabilities.

Does Apple still include fine print that might leave users in trouble if the seals fail? I genuinely want to be convinced to buy a new Apple Watch. I miss the excitement I once felt for Apple products. It seems like the innovations have faded over time, perhaps a side effect of shifting priorities within the company.

While I appreciate Tim Cook’s leadership, I can’t help but long for the earlier days when Apple sparkled with creativity.

iOS 18.6 Beta 1 has been released on June 16, 2025, with build number 22G5054d. While there are no new release notes for this update, developers and testers are encouraged to report any bugs via the Feedback app.

To access the app, users can enter a specific URL in Safari if they have their beta settings set to “None.”

For those looking to install the beta, Apple provides different methods depending on whether you are using an iPhone or a Mac. To install via iPhone, users need to enable Beta Updates under Settings, make sure they are signed into the correct Apple Account, select the desired beta version, and refresh the software update settings.

Before installation, backing up data to a computer or iCloud is recommended. Users can then proceed with the installation, and if desired, turn off Beta Updates afterward.

For installation using a Mac, users must acquire the Xcode beta or a MobileDevice.pkg, then backup their data. Holding down the Option key while clicking ‘Check for Update’ allows users to select the IPSW file they downloaded.

It’s crucial to connect to the internet during the restore process and keep a backup, as restoring will wipe all data from the iPhone. The update is compatible with a variety of device models across different iPhone series, from iPhone 16 down to iPhone XS, each with their specific build numbers.

Additionally, various carrier updates for different countries have been included, detailing regional compatibility. This comprehensive approach caters to a wide range of users worldwide, ensuring that the latest beta features are accessible as testing continues.

My iPad screen is broken, and since I have AppleCare, I want to utilize the express replacement option. However, I’ve encountered an issue: I do not own a credit card. While navigating the process for the replacement order, I reached a point where I could see the costs for the authorization hold and the service fee. I noticed that when I selected Apple Pay, Klarna appeared as a payment option.

I often use Klarna in tandem with Apple Pay for various transactions. I would like to know if it’s acceptable to use Klarna as a line of credit for the authorization hold. My understanding is that this hold should be reversed or canceled once I return the device as planned. Has anyone had experience with this situation?

I’m particularly interested in whether using Klarna in this context has worked for others. Any insights or advice shared would be highly appreciated. In summary, I’m hoping to clarify if Klarna can be utilized in this manner and if the process aligns with Apple’s policies for device replacement.

BatteryOptimizer for MAC is a simple Command Line Interface (CLI) tool that functions similarly to AlDente, allowing users to set battery charge limits and schedule battery calibration for MacBooks. The key difference is that this tool is entirely free and open-source.

One of the standout features of BatteryOptimizer for MAC is its lightweight design. It not only provides functionalities comparable to AlDente and coconutBattery but does so with significantly lower memory usage, approximately 1/20th that of AlDente and 1/30th that of coconutBattery.

This tool is a fork of the original battery utility, incorporating numerous new features and enhancements. It supports both Apple and Intel CPU Macs, and includes a sail mode that allows the battery to maintain a target percentage without charging.

Users can also schedule automatic calibration on specific days each month or on a recurring basis, enhancing usability. Notably, the charging limiter remains functional even when the MacBook is asleep or powered down.

For Intel CPU Macs, the charge limit can be set at a maintenance percentage, while Apple CPU Macs have a fixed limit of 80%. Additional features include a daily battery log, notifications for calibration steps, reminders to open the MacBook lid before calibration, and alerts for software updates.

For Intel Macs, the charge limit works across all models, but discharge and calibration features are only effective for models from 2014 or earlier. Efforts are ongoing to find a discharge method for newer Intel models.

The installation and usage details can be found on the GitHub page. BatteryOptimizer for MAC is free, but support to enhance its functionality is always appreciated.

It appears that Time Machine is retaining outdated backups of a device that I no longer use, raising concerns about storage space on my backup drive. Currently, I have Time Machine configured to back up my main internal drive, labeled as **Media**, and my external media drive, referred to as **iMac**.

A few months ago, I upgraded my media drive to a larger SSD. However, Time Machine is still showing backups of the previous drive, marked as **Media 1**.

This particular backup has not been updated since early April, and I initially thought that once Time Machine purged the last backup that included the old Media drive, it would free up storage space. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened, and I find myself with only about ten days’ worth of backup versions remaining.

The backup drive has a total capacity of 4 TB, while the combined data from my iMac and Media drive amounts to roughly 2 TB. I suspect that the lingering **Media 1** backup is consuming valuable space, which contributes to the limited history of my backups.

I am wondering if there are steps I can take to resolve this issue. Do I need to wipe the backup drive completely and initiate a fresh backup to eliminate the old **Media 1** backup?

Any guidance on how to fix this situation would be greatly appreciated.