Category: News

The recent update to the AirPods Max has left many users feeling disappointed. After nearly four years without any significant changes, the new version of the headphones features only two modifications.

The most notable change is the introduction of a USB-C charging port, replacing the previously used Lightning port. Additionally, Apple has introduced new color options, which include Blue, Orange, Purple, Midnight, and Starlight.

Unfortunately, the updated AirPods Max still lack the H2 chip that was introduced with the AirPods Pro 2, which means they will not benefit from the Adaptive Audio features that enhance user experience. Furthermore, there are no improvements to the active noise cancellation, which remains unchanged.

This means the updated model is still equipped with the H1 chip from 2019. Despite the updates, the price of $549 remains the same, without any discounts to reflect the limited enhancements.

Customers can pre-order the new AirPods Max now, with availability starting on September 20. However, the lack of substantial upgrades has many questioning whether the changes justify the new release.

In addition to the AirPods Max update, there are ongoing discussions around new Apple devices and updates. Rumors about the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models suggest notable design changes, such as a shift to an aluminum frame.

Analysts expect the Apple Watch Ultra 3 to be released later this year, potentially alongside the iPhone 17 lineup. With numerous updates across various products, Apple continues to engage its user base, although the recent AirPods Max update has left something to be desired.

According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is set to begin mass production of a lighter version of its AirPods Max headphones in 2027. This development has generated interest, although Kuo did not provide specific details regarding the extent of the weight reduction planned for the over-ear noise-canceling headphones. The existing AirPods Max, which weigh 13.6 ounces (386.2 grams), received an update in September 2024, including a switch to USB-C charging and new color options.

Despite this recent update, *Bloomberg* noted in November that Apple currently has no significant plans for another update to the headphones in the near future. Apple has designed the AirPods Max’s headband to distribute weight and minimize on-head pressure. However, some users have expressed discomfort due to the stainless steel and aluminum construction, which can lead to pressure on the ears during extended use.

In addition to the lighter AirPods Max, Kuo mentioned that more significant updates for AirPods may not occur until 2026. At that time, he anticipates the introduction of AirPods equipped with infrared cameras, bringing new features to the lineup. As for other Apple products, the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are scheduled for release in the coming months, with various rumors suggesting changes to their design and features.

This ongoing innovation reflects Apple’s commitment to enhancing user experience through incremental improvements across its product offerings.

In the iOS 26 beta, Apple has rolled out a revamped design for the Clock app’s alarm screen, featuring a more streamlined appearance. The time display has been enlarged, and the buttons are now significantly bigger. When an alarm sounds, users will see two large, equal-sized buttons labeled Stop and Snooze, placed side by side at the bottom of the screen.

This redesign aligns with Apple’s ongoing visual refresh in iOS 26. However, it also appears to revisit a previously addressed issue: the risk of inadvertently pressing the Stop button rather than Snooze when you’re in a half-asleep state. Interestingly, past internal testing suggested that having both buttons of the same size could lead to more mistakes.

Jack Fields, a former Apple engineer and head writer at Kernel Extension, noted that the new layout contradicts findings from research he conducted during his time at the company. This testing involved tracking user interactions in a version of the Clock app, which used heat maps to determine where users were tapping on the screen as they woke up. The results were somewhat surprising; when the Stop and Snooze buttons were identical in size and placed closely together, users were 30% more likely to hit Stop accidentally.

This data ultimately led to the design choices in recent iOS versions, which feature a prominent, centered Snooze button, with a smaller Stop button further down the screen. Fields explained that this configuration requires users to be more awake to accurately hit the Stop button. While it is important to remember that this is beta software and changes may still occur before the final release, the redesign raises questions about whether a more symmetrical, simplified user interface is always beneficial.

Additionally, Apple has introduced a feature allowing users to customize the snooze length, which is a welcomed improvement. This flexible adjustment can range from 1 minute to 15 minutes, replacing the previous fixed snooze time of nine minutes.

Apple has announced iOS 26, which brings a range of exciting features and changes to CarPlay for vehicles. Users eager to explore these enhancements will need an iPhone running iOS 26, currently available in developer beta.

The final version is anticipated to be released to the public in September. One of the standout additions is the Liquid Glass design for CarPlay, which mirrors the aesthetic of iOS devices, featuring shimmering app icons and a more translucent user interface.

This visually appealing update enhances the overall user experience while using CarPlay. The new Messages app features in iOS 26 include the ability to respond to messages with standard Tapbacks, such as hearts or thumbs up, directly through CarPlay.

Moreover, users can view their pinned conversations, making it easier to access important chats. For phone calls, a compact view has been introduced, allowing users to see incoming calls without obscuring other vital information, like turn-by-turn directions.

Additionally, the Dashboard screen now supports Live Activities, enabling users to track important events, such as flight arrivals, effortlessly. CarPlay also expands its functionality with a new widgets screen, which provides direct access to calendar appointments and controls for HomeKit accessories.

Multi-touch support for mapping apps allows for zooming and panning with finger gestures, enhancing navigation ease. iOS 26 also introduces the capability to wirelessly stream videos to the CarPlay screen, though this feature will only be available when the vehicle is parked for safety reasons.

Furthermore, a Smart Display Zoom setting offers automatic resizing of CarPlay to fit various dashboard screen shapes, while new accessibility features include support for large text and sound recognition for identifying a crying baby inside the vehicle.

Mocking other users is strictly prohibited, and I completely support this policy. While the laugh reaction is generally intended for lighthearted jokes, it is often misused to ridicule the opinions of others. This misuse functions much like direct mocking and contributes to a negative atmosphere within the community. I genuinely believe that eliminating emoji reactions would promote a more respectful environment and discourage the belittling of differing perspectives.

While this change won’t create a perfect community where everyone agrees and gets along, it can certainly make a positive impact. Personally, I have experienced the negative effects of such reactions. When people respond to my opinions or perspectives with a laugh reaction, it feels disheartening and makes me less inclined to participate in discussions. This concern is not unfounded; just look at how many laugh reactions have been given to this very post.

It highlights the need for a shift in how we use features meant for engagement. To reiterate, removing laugh reactions may lead to more respectful interactions and lessen the tendency to mock. While it won’t solve all issues within the community, it is a step in the right direction. Ultimately, fostering a space where everyone’s opinions can be shared without fear of ridicule can enhance participation and enrich discussions for all.

Hello,

I wanted to share an update regarding MacRumors’ web app support for push notifications. Although this was introduced with Apple’s support for native iOS push notifications, we realized there were a few quirks that made the experience less than ideal. Fortunately, the issues have been addressed in the latest iOS 18 update. We have now deployed the improved functionality, so if you’re interested in receiving push notifications from MacRumors on your iOS device, here’s how you can get started:

1.

Visit MacRumors.com. 2. Tap on the share button in Safari. 3.

Select “Add to Home Screen.” 4. Open MacRumors from your Home Screen, where it will prompt you to enable push notifications. Please keep in mind a couple of important notes:

– You will need to re-login to the forums.

– If you don’t interact with the push notifications or fail to open the MacRumors home app over time, the push notifications may stop. This is likely a measure by Apple to determine user interest. However, reopening the web app should reactivate the notifications. We encourage you to give this a try.

Your feedback is always appreciated as we aim to enhance your experience. Thank you!

The Charity Shield is set to occur this coming weekend, a date that traditionally signifies the opening match for the upcoming football season. Though this match has evolved into a more ceremonial event, it still marks the start of the excitement surrounding a new season of football. In light of this upcoming occasion, it feels fitting to launch a discussion thread for the 2024-2025 football season.

This thread aims to provide a platform for fans and enthusiasts to share their thoughts, predictions, and excitement as we dive into another year of matches, teams, and rivalries. As we anticipate the unfolding of the season, an array of topics can be explored. Fans may discuss the latest signings, managerial changes, and the state of their favorite clubs as they prepare for competition.

The upcoming season promises to bring about intense matches, showcasing both seasoned players and new talents emerging on the scene. In addition to discussing individual clubs, this thread can also serve as a space for broader conversations about tactics, dos and don’ts from previous seasons, and potential standout performers to watch. As the season progresses, fans will have the opportunity to analyze crucial games, debate key decisions, and celebrate memorable moments.

Thus, let’s kick off the 2024-2025 football season with enthusiasm. Share your thoughts, insights, and predictions as we embark on this journey together in the world of football!

The issue you are facing with sending emails in Thunderbird after switching to IMAP is not uncommon. It’s crucial to note that if you want to resolve this effectively, you should try setting up your email account using Apple’s Mail app instead of Thunderbird.

It is worth mentioning that Comcast no longer manages its own email service; this responsibility has been passed on to Yahoo. As a result, you now send and receive Comcast emails through Yahoo’s system.

Understanding which Mac and operating system you are using is essential, as older OS versions may struggle with Yahoo’s authentication requirements. Many users, including myself, have encountered this problem.

Please provide your Mac model and the year it was manufactured, along with the version of the OS you have. If you’re using a newer Mac and OS, you can follow these steps: either delete the existing IMAP account (your emails will be retained on the Comcast/Yahoo server) or leave it as is for now.

Next, go to Settings, select “Internet Accounts,” and click “add account.” Try selecting “Yahoo” and create a new account with your Comcast email address and password.

If this doesn’t work, return to the add account panel and choose “add other account.” Enter your Comcast email and password again to see if this resolves the issue.

If you have an older Mac and OS, Yahoo may require an additional security step. You might need to create a “third-party app password” to authenticate your account during the setup process.

Remember to save this app password in a secure location, like a plain text document, for future reference. After creating the password, repeat the account setup using “other account” and substitute your regular password with the app password.

I hope this guidance helps you resolve your issue. Good luck!

My old iMac has suddenly stopped playing YouTube videos, and I am struggling to find a browser that still supports it. The machine in question is a 27-inch Late 2009 iMac with a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4 GB of DDR3 RAM, and an ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics card with 256 MB of VRAM. Currently, it is running macOS El Capitan. I am wondering if there is a way to upgrade to a newer version of macOS that would support a browser capable of handling YouTube’s requirements.

I have heard that it might be possible to use some legacy software to trick the system into running a compatible version, but I fear that if there are no viable options, I may need to dispose of the iMac. I primarily use this machine for GarageBand and Internet browsing, so it has been a reliable tool for my basic needs. However, the inability to play YouTube videos is a significant setback. It would be great to find a solution that allows me to keep using this iMac instead of having to replace it entirely.

If anyone has suggestions or methods for upgrading this older device to access modern browser features while maintaining functionality for my existing applications, your input would be greatly appreciated. I am keen to learn if there are any practical steps I can take to revive this machine for web use.

I am considering purchasing a second monitor for my MacBook Air M4. Currently, my primary monitor is an older 1080p Samsung model that has HDMI and DisplayPort 1.2 connections.

The new monitor I am looking at is the S60UD Viewfinity S6. It comes equipped with USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort options.

One of its features is the ability to daisy chain monitors, which leads me to my question. Can I connect the two monitors together using DisplayPort and then link them to my Mac via the USB-C connection on the new monitor?

Is this the standard method for such a setup? If it works as I hope, could I potentially connect a third monitor to the other USB-C port on the MacBook?

This proposed setup would greatly enhance my workspace, allowing for better multitasking and productivity. I would appreciate any insights or experiences regarding the daisy chaining capabilities, as well as recommendations for maximizing the use of my MacBook’s ports.

Having the right configuration is crucial, especially when it comes to meeting my daily needs for work and media consumption. Thank you for any advice you can provide!