Search results for: “s pen”

  • How to stop your Mac from automatically waking up

    How to stop your Mac from automatically waking up

    Apple’s latest Macs with their own special chips are set up to automatically turn on when you open the lid or plug them in. But if you’re not a fan of this, there’s a way to stop it in macOS Sequoia.

    In a helpful guide, Apple explains how you can tweak your Mac so it doesn’t start up when you’d rather it stay off. Here’s what you need to do:

    • Check your macOS: Ensure your Mac with Apple’s chip is running macOS Sequoia or a newer version.
    • Open Terminal: Find the Terminal app in the Utilities folder under Applications.
    • Enter the Command: Type one of these commands into Terminal, then hit Enter:
      • To stop startup when opening the lid or plugging in: [sudo nvram BootPreference=%00](https://x.com/i/grok?text=sudo%20nvram%20BootPreference%3D%2500)
      • To stop startup just when opening the lid: [sudo nvram BootPreference=%01](https://x.com/i/grok?text=sudo%20nvram%20BootPreference%3D%2501)
      • To stop startup just when plugging in: [sudo nvram BootPreference=%02](https://x.com/i/grok?text=sudo%20nvram%20BootPreference%3D%2502)
    • Password Time: You’ll need to enter your admin password (you won’t see the characters as you type), then hit Enter again.

    If you decide you want your Mac to wake up automatically again, just open Terminal and type [sudo nvram -d BootPreference](https://x.com/i/grok?text=sudo%20nvram%20-d%20BootPreference) to undo the changes.

    This little trick lets you control when your Mac decides to come to life, keeping you in charge of your device’s power management.

  • Apple talks about ads on X again

    Apple talks about ads on X again

    The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has been in discussions with X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, about bringing their ads back to the site. These talks happened just recently.

    In the past, Apple decided to stop its advertising on X back in 2023 after Elon Musk, X’s owner, made some controversial remarks that were seen as antisemitic. There were also concerns because Apple’s ads were appearing next to posts that supported Hitler.

    The situation got more complicated when Musk did something at Donald Trump’s inauguration that many thought looked like a Nazi salute. This has made some people question if Apple should even think about advertising on X again.

    However, Musk is very close to Trump and has a big influence in his administration. This might make it easier for Apple to decide to advertise on X again since Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, gave a significant donation to Trump’s inauguration and was there in person. Other tech leaders have also been making financial moves to stay in good graces with the new administration.

    According to the Wall Street Journal, other big companies are also rethinking their advertising strategies on X. Amazon, for instance, is planning to increase its ad budget on the platform, which could help X manage its financial issues. Musk himself has admitted that X isn’t doing great; he’s said user numbers aren’t growing, and the site’s income isn’t much to brag about.

    Given the political and social aspects of this topic, we’ve placed the discussion in our Political News forum. Everyone can read the thread, but you need at least 100 posts to join in the conversation.

  • Apple’s new school year deal now live in Japan

    Apple’s new school year deal now live in Japan

    Apple has kicked off its yearly “Back to School” deal in Japan, following earlier launches in places like Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and South Korea. This year, instead of giving away free AirPods or Apple Pencils like in other countries, Japan’s promotion includes Apple Gift Cards when you buy certain Mac or iPad models.

    Here’s how it works:

    • Buy a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or an iMac, and you’ll get a 22,000 yen Apple Gift Card.
    • For those interested in iPads, picking up a new iPad Pro or iPad Air will net you a 15,000 yen Apple Gift Card.

    The offer runs from January 30 to April 9, specifically for students and educational staff. If you’re a student at a university, college, or vocational school, or if you work as a teacher or staff member at any educational level, you qualify. Just make sure to verify your status through UNiDAYS when you place your order.

    This promotion is a great way for students and educators to save on new tech for the upcoming school year, making it easier to get equipped with the latest Apple devices.

  • Apple warns about noise levels during Super Bowl LIX

    Apple warns about noise levels during Super Bowl LIX

    Apple, in partnership with the University of Michigan, has shared new findings from the Apple Hearing Study, focusing on how noise levels spike during Super Bowl events. These insights come right before Super Bowl LIX, set to happen in New Orleans on February 9th.

    Using data from more than 115,000 Apple Watch users through the Noise app, the research shows that noise levels during the last four Super Bowls were 1.5 to 3 decibels higher than on typical Sundays. Although 3 decibels might seem small, this increase means the sound energy doubles, posing a risk to our hearing.

    The study found that noise was particularly loud in states hosting the Super Bowl or where teams playing were based. This suggests more people in these areas were watching the game in big, noisy groups.

    Apple also pointed out some of its tech designed to protect your ears. The Noise app on the Apple Watch can warn you when sounds around you get too loud. Plus, the AirPods Pro 2 have a feature that helps lower the noise when you’re in a loud place, protecting your hearing while you enjoy the event.

    This study reminds us to be careful with our hearing, especially during big celebrations like the Super Bowl.

     

  • Apple named world’s most admired company again

    Apple named world’s most admired company again

    For the 18th year in a row, Apple has been named the World’s Most Admired Company by Fortune magazine.

    Apple Logo

    The Fortune survey involves 3,380 business leaders from various sectors. They rate companies on nine different aspects such as innovation, how good they are for investors, how responsible they are towards society, and how well they attract new employees. Apple came out on top, with Microsoft and Amazon right behind, continuing their tradition of being among the best.

    This year’s 2025 rankings show that tech companies are still leading the pack. Nvidia has climbed to fourth place, a first for them, thanks to their big role in the world of artificial intelligence and making graphics processing units. Nvidia’s chips are key in the AI models created by companies like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft.

    However, it’s not just tech; other types of companies are also doing well. Berkshire Hathaway, Costco, and JPMorgan Chase are also in the top seven. New entries this year in the top 50 include ServiceNow, Taiwan Semiconductor, and Novo Nordisk. An interesting point from this year’s list is that all ten of the highest-ranked companies are from the United States, showing a strong American presence at the top for the second year running.

  • 50 new and exciting iPhone features added since iOS 18

    50 new and exciting iPhone features added since iOS 18

    Since the launch of iOS 18 in September 2024, Apple has rolled out numerous updates, enhancing the iPhone experience with iOS 18.1, 18.2, and 18.3. Here’s a look at 50 features and improvements you might have missed:

    • Reset Your Control Center: If you’ve messed up your Control Center customization, iOS 18.1 lets you reset it to its original layout. Just go to Settings > Control Center and choose ‘Reset’.
    • Share AirTag Location: iOS 18.2 offers a new way to share the location of lost items with airlines or trusted friends. This feature works with AirTags and other Find My Network items, providing a link that can be viewed on any device.
    • Learn About Places: With iOS 18.2 on iPhone 16 models, you can get instant information about places by using Camera Control. Hold down the button, snap a photo, and see details like opening hours or make reservations right from your screen.
    • More Control Center Options: iOS 18.1 added new toggles for Satellite and AirDrop, giving you more control over connectivity options right from the Control Center.
    • Camera Control Activation: Now, with iOS 18.2, your iPhone’s screen needs to be on before you can use Camera Control, preventing accidental activation.
    • Add Events from Visuals: iOS 18.3 allows you to add calendar events directly from posters or flyers using Visual Intelligence on iPhone 16 models.
    • Selfie Mode: With iOS 18.1, switch to selfie mode by swiping on the Camera Control button, making selfies easier than ever.
    • Lock Focus and Exposure: iOS 18.2 introduces a way to lock focus and exposure on iPhone 16 models with a light press of the Camera Control button.
    • Share Music on TikTok: iOS 18.1 lets you share songs from Apple Music directly to TikTok, broadening your music-sharing options.
    • Identify Nature: iOS 18.3 enhances Visual Intelligence to help identify plants and animals in real-time on iPhone 16 models.
    • Full-Screen Video: The Photos app now offers a full-screen viewing mode for videos, making your memories more immersive.
    • Sleep Apnea Alerts: iOS 18.1 added sleep apnea detection for Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2, alerting you to potential issues after gathering data over time.
    • iPhone Mirroring with Hotspot: iOS 18.2 allows you to mirror your iPhone to your Mac even when using Personal Hotspot.
    • Search with Camera: Visual Intelligence in iOS 18.2 lets you search online for items by taking a picture, handy for shopping or identifying unknown objects.
    • Proofread Your Text: iOS 18.1’s Writing Tools include proofreading functions to catch and correct typos, making your writing clearer.
    • Track Downloads: With iOS 18.2, you can monitor your Safari downloads directly from the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island.
    • Rewrite Text: Change the tone of your messages with iOS 18.1’s Rewrite tool for more effective communication.
    • Safari Data Management: iOS 18.2 provides new ways to manage your browsing data, including exporting and importing.
    • Volume Control on Lock Screen: iOS 18.2 reintroduced the ability to adjust media volume directly from the Lock Screen.
    • Summarize Emails: iOS 18.1 helps manage your inbox with email summaries, letting you quickly understand long messages.

    These updates, among many others, show Apple’s commitment to continuously improving the iPhone experience, making it more intuitive, personal, and capable. Keep your iPhone updated to enjoy these enhancements!

  • When will we see Apple’s new budget iPhone?

    When will we see Apple’s new budget iPhone?

    Apple introduced its high-end iPhone 16 series last fall, bringing lots of new technology, including Apple Intelligence. But soon, there’s going to be a new, cheaper iPhone with similar cool features. Here’s when you can expect the iPhone SE 4 to come out.

    When Will the New iPhone SE Come Out?

    Rumors suggest that Apple is planning to release the iPhone SE 4 in early 2025. Specifically, March 2025 seems to be the most likely month.

    Apple doesn’t usually launch big products in January or February, except for the Vision Pro last year. However, they often have new product announcements in March or April. Given what we know about how they’re making the iPhone SE 4, March looks like the best guess.

    Here’s when past iPhone SE models were released:

    • iPhone SE 3: March 18, 2022
    • iPhone SE 2: April 24, 2020
    • iPhone SE: March 24, 2017

    The only time Apple released an SE in April was during the global health crisis, hinting that March might be more typical for these launches.

    What’s New with the iPhone SE 4?

    The upcoming iPhone SE 4 is set to be a major step up from the current model. Here’s what you might see:

    • A screen that goes from edge to edge, with Face ID instead of a Home button, and a notch at the top
    • Powered by the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16
    • 8GB of memory
    • Support for Apple Intelligence
    • A 48MP camera matching the iPhone 16’s quality
    • A USB-C port for charging
    • Apple’s first self-made 5G chip

    While this new model won’t have every fancy feature of the pricier iPhone 16, it’s expected to offer great value. The current iPhone SE starts at $429, but the new one might start a bit higher, perhaps at $499 or less, and definitely with more storage space.

    The iPhone SE 4 is shaping up to be an excellent choice for anyone looking for a lot of features without spending a fortune.

  • Play over 2,000 games on Vision Pro with NVIDIA GeForce NOW

    Play over 2,000 games on Vision Pro with NVIDIA GeForce NOW

    The Vision Pro might not be known for its gaming capabilities yet, but a new update is set to shake things up. Thanks to NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Vision Pro users can now dive into over 2,000 games, making gaming a whole lot more exciting.

    Cloud Gaming Boosts visionOS Gaming

    NVIDIA announced earlier this month that their cloud gaming service, GeForce NOW, would soon be compatible with Apple’s Vision Pro. Now, with the recent update, this support is live, bringing a significant boost to the gaming scene on visionOS.

    High-Quality Gaming at Your Fingertips

    GeForce NOW allows Vision Pro users to enjoy games in stunning 4K resolution at 120 frames per second. It also supports ultrawide displays with very little delay, and you can use your game controller. There are now more than 2,000 games available, and over 100 of these can be played for free, even without a subscription.

    All this gaming magic works through the Safari browser on visionOS, making it easy for users to jump into their games. Although it’s not clear how the latest visionOS 2.3 update impacts this new feature, updating your device before you start playing is a good idea.

    What This Means for Vision Pro Gamers

    While this update doesn’t solve the shortage of games specifically designed for VR on the Vision Pro, it does open up a vast library of games to explore right on your headset. With 2,000 new games accessible through a big Safari window, there’s plenty to keep gamers busy. Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of more gaming enhancements for Vision Pro this year.

    For more details on how to set up GeForce NOW on your Vision Pro, check out NVIDIA’s support page to get the best gaming experience.

  • When will Apple roll out the iOS 18.4 test version?

    When will Apple roll out the iOS 18.4 test version?

    Apple just released iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3 on January 27, which means we’re all set for the next round of testing. People are excited because the upcoming betas might bring big new features to Siri with Apple Intelligence. But when can we expect this software to come out?

    How Soon Will the New Betas Come?

    Usually, Apple doesn’t wait long between updates. They might drop a new beta just one or two days after the latest software release. However, sometimes there’s a wait of a couple of weeks, especially if there are significant features like in iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4.

    Looking back at past releases can help us guess when the .4 betas might appear:

    • From iOS 17.3 to iOS 17.4 beta: 3 days
    • From iOS 16.3 to iOS 16.4 beta: 24 days
    • From iOS 15.3 to iOS 15.4 beta: 1 day
    • From iOS 14.3 to iOS 14.4 beta: 2 days
    • From iOS 13.3 to iOS 13.4 beta: 57 days

    What’s New in iOS 18.4?

    Since some Apple Intelligence features announced at WWDC in June are still pending, we can expect them in iOS 18.4. Here’s what might be included:

    • Siri Updates: Siri will get smarter with new abilities.
      • Siri’s Personal Context: Siri will remember details from your emails, messages, and photos to help you with tasks like finding files or recalling information.
      • Siri Onscreen Awareness: Siri will understand what’s on your screen, allowing you to do things like adding an address from a text to a contact or sending a photo you’re viewing.
      • Deeper App Integration: Siri will manage tasks across apps, like moving files or editing and sending photos.
    • More Countries: Apple Intelligence will expand to more languages and countries, including English (India), English (Singapore), and languages like Chinese, French, German, and more.
    • New Emoji: The update might introduce new emoji from Unicode 16, like a face with bags under eyes or a shovel.
    • EU Changes: EU iPhone users might soon choose different default navigation or translation apps, thanks to new regulations.

    iOS 18.4 Release Prediction

    After testing through March, Apple is likely to release iOS 18.4 in April 2025. This fits with Apple’s earlier mention of new language support for Apple Intelligence coming in an April update.

  • Easy payment options with Apple Pay and Citi

    Easy payment options with Apple Pay and Citi

    Apple Pay now works with Citi’s monthly payment plan, making it easier for people in the U.S. with Citi credit cards to spread out their payments when shopping.

    Apple Pay and Citi’s Payment Plan

    If you’re buying something that costs more than $75, you can use Citi’s payment plan through Apple Pay. By default, you have three months to pay it back, but if you need more time, there are other options available, though they might come with a small monthly fee. You can use this plan for shopping online or within apps.

    Here’s how to use it: First, make sure your Citi credit card is linked to your Apple Pay. When you’re ready to buy something, choose your Citi card at checkout and look for the “Pay Later” option. Then, pick the payment plan that works best for you.

    Apple used to have its own “buy now, pay later” feature called Apple Pay Later, but they stopped it last year. Now, they work with other companies like Citi, Affirm, Klarna, and Synchrony to offer these payment options in the U.S. This partnership allows Apple Pay users to manage their spending more flexibly without having to pay everything upfront.