Category: News

Apple has not updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, leading to expectations for a refreshed model this year. Recent insights from Apple’s code suggest that new AirPods may be on the horizon, featuring several exciting enhancements that could encourage upgrades.

One anticipated feature is health monitoring capabilities. Following the release of the Powerbeats Pro 2 with heart rate monitoring earlier this year, there are rumors that the AirPods Pro 3 might incorporate similar functionalities.

Additionally, in-ear temperature sensing is being considered, which could provide more accurate health data compared to traditional methods. Another significant improvement could be in audio quality.

Apple plans to upgrade the H-series chip within the AirPods, which may enhance audio performance. With the current AirPods Pro 2 supporting Lossless Audio when paired with Vision Pro, the next generation might extend this feature to other devices.

Adoption of Bluetooth 5.4 is also expected, promising reductions in audio latency. In terms of noise cancellation, the H3 chip would allow for rapid on-device processing, enhancing Active Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Audio capabilities.

The H2 chip already performs admirably, but the next iteration is set to outperform its predecessor significantly. A refreshed design is also likely for the AirPods Pro 3.

With the redesign of the AirPods 4—including a slimmer case and new button placements—similar changes may be anticipated for the Pro model. Possible updates could involve a compact in-ear piece and a shorter stem.

Finally, improved tracking is on the way, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to include Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wide Band (UWB) chip, which would allow for more precise location tracking through the Find My app. While previous rumors hinted at a Live Translation feature, this functionality is now available across all AirPods models connected to compatible devices.

The unveiling of the AirPods Pro 3 might coincide with Apple’s September event, where the company typically reveals its latest iPhone models.

Apple has not updated the AirTags since their introduction in 2021, even though they have gained immense popularity as item trackers. However, changes are on the horizon, with the anticipated release of AirTags 2 expected in the upcoming months, possibly in 2025. Mark Gurman from Bloomberg initially suggested that the next-generation AirTags would arrive in the middle of this year.

However, current reports from 9to5Mac indicate that the debut may actually take place in September, coinciding with Apple’s iPhone launch event. If Apple were aiming for a mid-year release, it’s likely that they would have been announced during the WWDC in June, which did not happen. Gurman mentioned that the updated AirTags are “nearly ready” for launch, but there’s still uncertainty surrounding how they will be introduced, with speculation that it could be via a press release.

While rumors suggest that AirTags 2 are imminent—likely between July and September—there’s no indication of a new design, which means they may closely resemble the original AirTag. The anticipated refresh also does not include a rechargeable battery, which is somewhat disappointing for fans. Nevertheless, AirTags 2 are expected to feature a second-generation UWB chip that significantly enhances tracking range.

This new technology would allow users to track an AirTag with Precision Finding from up to three times farther than before. Additionally, Apple plans to make the speaker more secure to deter misuse and increase its volume to make it easier to locate. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo speculated that AirTags could integrate with Apple’s Vision Pro for enhanced spatial computing, although the exact utility of this integration remains unclear.

Pricing and battery specifications are expected to remain consistent with the original model. What new features would you like to see in AirTags 2? Your thoughts are welcome in the comments.

I completely agree with the points made about budget films. When discussing poor-quality movies, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” often comes to mind as one of the most disappointing mega-budget films. Similarly, Bruce Willis’s “Hudson Hawk” falls short on all fronts and is widely regarded as dreadful.

For those seeking films so bad they’re almost entertaining, I recommend “The Battle of Los Angeles” from 2011 – not to be confused with “Battle Los Angeles.” It’s a painfully tedious experience, and I doubt anyone could endure watching it from start to finish. It’s noteworthy that the IMDb reviews for this film provide some hilariously scathing commentary.

Being produced by Asylum Studios, it’s no surprise that the movie is terrible, which is often the appeal of their productions. Asylum is infamous for creating “Mockbusters,” delivering low-budget films that parody popular titles. Among their offerings, the worst movie I’ve ever seen remains “Manos: The Hands of Fate.”

I can’t quite disagree with the opinion on Asylum’s work; their films are primarily comedic in nature, but “Battle of Los Angeles” completely misses the mark in that regard. If you find it on Netflix, check it out; it’s hailed as one of the worst ever made. On the anime front, my previous contender for the title of worst movie was “M.D.

Geist,” known for its superb animation but lackluster storyline. That was until I encountered the dubbed version of “Macross: Do You Remember Love.” While the original and fan-subbed versions are fantastic, the dubbed one is so awful it could deter anyone from watching anime again.

I had to rewatch the original “Macross” series and its spin-offs just to erase that horrible dubbing from my memory. If you ever come across a dubbed version of “Macross: DYRL,” I highly recommend you destroy it immediately!

Recently, I had a nostalgic moment reminiscing about some old Mac websites, particularly MacNN. This site was a significant hub for news and discussion among Mac enthusiasts back in its prime. The main news site seemed to vanish around 2015 or 2016, although I’m not quite sure of the exact date.

Despite the closure of the main site, the forums remained active for a considerable amount of time. It was surprising to see that the forums continued to operate for nearly ten years after the main site’s closure. However, a search using the Wayback Machine revealed that the forums eventually shut down around the beginning of April.

It was disheartening to see this online community come to an end after so many years, as it served as a space for sharing knowledge and connecting with fellow Mac users. The longevity of the forums was unexpectedly impressive, and their closure marked the end of an era for many of us who followed the Mac scene closely. While the tide of time has washed away many once-familiar digital spaces, the memories and connections forged within those forums remain.

It is always a little bittersweet to witness the decline of beloved communities, but they leave us with remnants of camaraderie and shared interests that define a significant part of our online history.

Hello everyone,

I am reaching out for some assistance regarding a laptop that could accommodate my medical needs. I am looking for a laptop that features true “touch sensitive” keys, meaning that the keys should not have any physical movement at all.

This is quite important for me due to my health condition. In addition to the touch sensitive keys, I would also appreciate a touchscreen, but the priority remains on having those completely motionless keys.

If anyone has recommendations or knows of any models that meet these criteria, I would greatly appreciate your input. Thank you for your help!

Best,
Bob

I’m experiencing an issue with my Apple TV 4K (1st Gen) that I’m hoping to clarify. The device seems to show a certain behavior at the start, but it doesn’t continue after that initial occurrence. This has raised some questions for me.

To provide context, my setup includes an Apple TV 4K connected to an LG C1 TV, and I’m using a Sonos 5.1 audio system through eArc. Additionally, I have enabled Dolby Vision along with all other available options related to display settings. I would like to know if this behavior is considered normal for this type of configuration.

If it isn’t, I am open to providing more detailed information about my setup or the specific issue I’m experiencing. Thank you for your assistance.

I often struggle to get enough sleep. On a good night, I might manage just a few hours, and that’s usually thanks to medication. I’m curious about how sleep tracking could be beneficial for me. Could it provide insights into my sleep patterns or help identify factors that are affecting my rest?

Understanding these details could be crucial for improving my overall sleep quality. Additionally, I want to know if the sleep tracking technology is capable of automatically recognizing when I fall asleep and when I wake up. Does it accurately record these periods, or will I need to input any information manually? Thank you for your assistance in addressing my questions.

Are others feeling frustrated with Apple’s approach to finding installed apps that aren’t visible on the Home Screen? When users opt for the “App Library Only” setting, they have to manually relocate their various apps to the Home Screen. This process can become tedious, especially when you want to reconsider which apps to display.

It would be a significant enhancement if the App Library could indicate which apps are currently on the Home Screen. One possible solution would be to add a marker next to each app or provide a summary feature, similar to the way “Hidden Apps” are organized in the Settings under Apps. I can’t help but feel there’s a substantial opportunity for improvement here.

Apple’s user experience could certainly be more intuitive by making it easier to track app locations. The current system can be cumbersome for those of us looking to streamline our Home Screen setup without additional hassle. Has anyone else encountered this frustration?

Do you also believe there is potential for a better solution? It would be interesting to hear if other users share similar sentiments. -MN

Hello everyone! I’m excited to introduce the latest version of Dory!

This update comes with some fantastic new features. First, you will find two stunning new menus to choose from: Palette and Fan.

Each menu is available in three different sizes to cater to your preferences. Another highly requested feature is now live: you can assign different letters to launch apps, even those that have been terminated.

Additionally, Dory now supports Progressive Web Apps (PWA), expanding its versatility. You’ll also notice that apps can be launched simply by hovering over them and releasing the button.

Plus, if you prefer a minimalist approach, you can configure the app list to display only on the main screen. Dory offers a seamless way to navigate through apps without shifting your hand from the mouse or memorizing complex shortcuts.

Simply click your middle mouse button—or the right Command key if you’re using both hands on the keyboard—and type the initial letter of the app’s name. You can search for apps using not just the first letter but also middle letters, acronyms, or similar names.

If there are multiple apps with that letter, just keep tapping it to cycle through your options. Alternatively, you can press the middle mouse button and start typing the app’s name directly.

An optional app list popup is also available for a smoother switching experience. Dory is user-friendly and works right out of the box, learning your habits over time to prioritize the apps you use most.

There’s no need for additional shortcuts or setup, making it easier than ever to manage your applications. The app is available for $3.99 as a one-time purchase with no subscription necessary.

Hello everyone,

I’m excited to share that I’ve recently launched my latest passion project, GalleryMagic, on the App Store. This app, which I released just a couple of weeks ago, is designed to be a straightforward HTML image and photo gallery generator. GalleryMagic is free to download and allows you to create galleries directly on your local machine.

For those looking to publish their creations online, in-app subscriptions are available. Some key features worth mentioning include the ability to drag and drop any number of images or folders right into the app, or you can select images directly from your Photos App. Additionally, GalleryMagic allows you to watermark your full-sized images, giving you creative control over how your visuals are presented.

You can also arrange your images in any desired order to showcase your work effectively. For users interested in taking their galleries online, an in-app purchase option lets you publish your gallery to the web, making it accessible to anyone with whom you share the link. I’m proud of what I’ve built and can’t wait for you to explore GalleryMagic.

If you want a sneak peek, you can check out one of the demo galleries on the app’s website. Your feedback and support would mean the world to me. Thank you for taking the time to read about my new app!