I got the Jet Black Apple Watch again.
I’ve been through my fair share of Jet Black Apple watches (two to be exact), and this one doesn’t have any issues with unpainted bezels.
Plus it was a good deal at $70 off.
Looks like 3rd time is the charm.
If there is a defect in the Jet Black finish, it will most likely be at the junction between the screen and the flat part of the body the screen is joined to. The flat part is not smooth and painted to the same extent as the shiny outer finish of the watch, and that could be why it is more prone to showing bare aluminum.
I’ve been through my fair share of Jet Black Apple watches (two to be exact), and this one doesn’t have any issues with unpainted bezels.
Plus it was a good deal at $70 off.
Looks like 3rd time is the charm.
If there is a defect in the Jet Black finish, it will most likely be at the junction between the screen and the flat part of the body the screen is joined to. The flat part is not smooth and painted to the same extent as the shiny outer finish of the watch, and that could be why it is more prone to showing bare aluminum.
Apple sued for its privacy stance towards its employees.
Rushil Agrawal from Android Authority:
Apple, the tech giant that has built its reputation on safeguarding customer privacy, is now facing a lawsuit that claims its own employees aren’t getting the same treatment. Amar Bhakta, an employee in Apple’s advertising technology division, has accused the company of prying into workers’ personal lives through iCloud accounts and non-work devices.
The main issue here is the blending of personal and work iCloud accounts, and Apple “actively discouraging” the use of separate iCloud accounts:
The heart of the issue seems to be Apple’s policy of requiring employees to use Apple devices for work, which, combined with restrictions on company-owned devices, often leads employees to use their personal iPhones and Macs. This, in turn, necessitates the use of personal iCloud accounts, allegedly exposing personal data to company scrutiny.
For employees who’d rather not have their personal lives exposed, the alternative isn’t much better. The suit claims Apple “actively discourages” setting up separate iCloud accounts for work purposes, making it nearly impossible to avoid this blending of work and personal data.
Active discouragement of employees to use separate iCloud accounts for work will be what the case will revolve around.
Could just be a controlling manager, or something much bigger.
Not a good look for Apple.
Rushil Agrawal from Android Authority:
Apple, the tech giant that has built its reputation on safeguarding customer privacy, is now facing a lawsuit that claims its own employees aren’t getting the same treatment. Amar Bhakta, an employee in Apple’s advertising technology division, has accused the company of prying into workers’ personal lives through iCloud accounts and non-work devices.
The main issue here is the blending of personal and work iCloud accounts, and Apple “actively discouraging” the use of separate iCloud accounts:
The heart of the issue seems to be Apple’s policy of requiring employees to use Apple devices for work, which, combined with restrictions on company-owned devices, often leads employees to use their personal iPhones and Macs. This, in turn, necessitates the use of personal iCloud accounts, allegedly exposing personal data to company scrutiny.
For employees who’d rather not have their personal lives exposed, the alternative isn’t much better. The suit claims Apple “actively discourages” setting up separate iCloud accounts for work purposes, making it nearly impossible to avoid this blending of work and personal data.
Active discouragement of employees to use separate iCloud accounts for work will be what the case will revolve around.
Could just be a controlling manager, or something much bigger.
Not a good look for Apple.
People know your Wi-Fi password, and it can get you hacked.
With iOS 16 and later, Apple has made it a lot easier to find your Wi-Fi password and other Wi-Fi passwords that you have connected to.
With iOS 18, it’s way easier since you can do it from the Passwords app.
I didn’t even know you could look at a Wi-Fi password when someone shares it with you, until I looked at the Wi-Fi category in the Passwords app.
I went to a relative’s house recently who likes to keep a low profile, and they are always reluctant to share their Wi-Fi password. They don’t even keep bluetooth on, so they have to manually type their password into my phone or my kids’ devices whenever we come over.
Once he entered the password on my iPhone, I just went into the Passwords app, went under the Wi-Fi category, and voila! There was the password.
They were surprised to find out how I knew it, but it shows you why you need to make sure that password is not used anywhere else. A lot of people (around 78%) use the same password for multiple accounts, and if you’re using your Wi-Fi password for something else, now is a good time to change it.
With iOS 16 and later, Apple has made it a lot easier to find your Wi-Fi password and other Wi-Fi passwords that you have connected to.
With iOS 18, it’s way easier since you can do it from the Passwords app.
I didn’t even know you could look at a Wi-Fi password when someone shares it with you, until I looked at the Wi-Fi category in the Passwords app.
I went to a relative’s house recently who likes to keep a low profile, and they are always reluctant to share their Wi-Fi password. They don’t even keep bluetooth on, so they have to manually type their password into my phone or my kids’ devices whenever we come over.
Once he entered the password on my iPhone, I just went into the Passwords app, went under the Wi-Fi category, and voila! There was the password.
They were surprised to find out how I knew it, but it shows you why you need to make sure that password is not used anywhere else. A lot of people (around 78%) use the same password for multiple accounts, and if you’re using your Wi-Fi password for something else, now is a good time to change it.
How to get the maximum brightness on your iPhone.
By default, Apple has auto-brightness on your iPhone set to ON.
When you are indoors, you will never achieve the max brightness that your phone can achieve with this setting turned on.
Yes, even if you go to control center and slide the brightness all the way up, it will not be its brightest.
To unlock your maximum brightness and really see it shine, I need you to follow this process:
Go to a dimly lit area.
Make sure your phone has Dark Mode turned OFF.
Open your Control Center and maximize your brightness. Now you are setup to see eye-blinding brightness.
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display and Text Size, and scroll all the way down and disable auto-brightness.
Watch the screen and notice how much brighter it gets!
Remember one thing: this is great for indoor brightness only.
If you do want the highest brightness outdoors, you need to keep the auto-brightness setting ON. That is the only way to get peak brightness on your iPhone when outdoors. Apple limits this so your screen doesn’t max out at 2000 nits of brightness all day long and either destroy your screen or your battery life.
Instead of having to go through settings each time to toggle this on and off, you can ask Siri to either, “Turn on auto brightness” or “Turn off auto brightness.”
If you want to change the setting in silence, add this shortcut to take you right to the auto brightness toggle with a single click:
Note: Tested on iOS 17 and iOS 18.2 Developer Beta
By default, Apple has auto-brightness on your iPhone set to ON.
When you are indoors, you will never achieve the max brightness that your phone can achieve with this setting turned on.
Yes, even if you go to control center and slide the brightness all the way up, it will not be its brightest.
To unlock your maximum brightness and really see it shine, I need you to follow this process:
Go to a dimly lit area.
Make sure your phone has Dark Mode turned OFF.
Open your Control Center and maximize your brightness. Now you are setup to see eye-blinding brightness.
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display and Text Size, and scroll all the way down and disable auto-brightness.
Watch the screen and notice how much brighter it gets!
Remember one thing: this is great for indoor brightness only.
If you do want the highest brightness outdoors, you need to keep the auto-brightness setting ON. That is the only way to get peak brightness on your iPhone when outdoors. Apple limits this so your screen doesn’t max out at 2000 nits of brightness all day long and either destroy your screen or your battery life.
Instead of having to go through settings each time to toggle this on and off, you can ask Siri to either, “Turn on auto brightness” or “Turn off auto brightness.”
If you want to change the setting in silence, add this shortcut to take you right to the auto brightness toggle with a single click:
Note: Tested on iOS 17 and iOS 18.2 Developer Beta
Belkin recalls their famous fast charging Apple Watch battery bank.
Rajesh Pandey from Cult of Mac:
Belkin is issuing a voluntary product recall for model no. BDP005, citing a manufacturing defect. It says this defect can lead to the “portable wireless battery charger’s lithium cell component to overheat,” leading to a fire hazard. Fortunately, the company has not received any reports of injuries so far.
The BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger stood out for its 10,400mAh cell and its ability to fast charge Apple Watch Series 7 and newer models. The USB-C port also supports 20W power output, enabling it to quickly top up your iPhone or iPad.
To get a refund, you must file a recall form. This includes providing your contact information, product serial number, photos of the power bank, and the purchase receipt. If you don’t have the latter, Belkin will reject your refund request.
I remember this being the only battery bank with a fast charging Apple Watch puck built-in when it came out, and how The Verge was really excited about its prospects:
I do not know whether this Belkin BoostCharge Pro will live up to its promise. I’ve been burned so many times that I’m trying to temper my expectations. But the idea that this little divot in the picture, the one where it looks like I can securely strap my Apple Watch to it and plug in my phone? And potentially eliminate two or three extra cables from my bag? And give me confidence that if I grab this one thing, I’ll be 100 percent confident it will fast-charge my device? And maybe let me toss my smartwatch cables in exchange for an assortment of 3-5 power banks? For once, enough hope burns in my shriveled heart that I preordered the damn thing to test it myself.
Bless Belkin for even trying to conjure this into existence. Bless the army of copycats that will likely get on board and do it for a cheaper price. Bless the inevitable copycats of copycats that will do this for Samsung, Google, Fossil, and other smartwatches.
Kudos to Belkin for initiating the recall and offering refunds for it.
In terms of another battery bank with fast Apple Watch charging built-in, this is the only one I found that seems legit.
Rajesh Pandey from Cult of Mac:
Belkin is issuing a voluntary product recall for model no. BDP005, citing a manufacturing defect. It says this defect can lead to the “portable wireless battery charger’s lithium cell component to overheat,” leading to a fire hazard. Fortunately, the company has not received any reports of injuries so far.
The BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger stood out for its 10,400mAh cell and its ability to fast charge Apple Watch Series 7 and newer models. The USB-C port also supports 20W power output, enabling it to quickly top up your iPhone or iPad.
To get a refund, you must file a recall form. This includes providing your contact information, product serial number, photos of the power bank, and the purchase receipt. If you don’t have the latter, Belkin will reject your refund request.
I remember this being the only battery bank with a fast charging Apple Watch puck built-in when it came out, and how The Verge was really excited about its prospects:
I do not know whether this Belkin BoostCharge Pro will live up to its promise. I’ve been burned so many times that I’m trying to temper my expectations. But the idea that this little divot in the picture, the one where it looks like I can securely strap my Apple Watch to it and plug in my phone? And potentially eliminate two or three extra cables from my bag? And give me confidence that if I grab this one thing, I’ll be 100 percent confident it will fast-charge my device? And maybe let me toss my smartwatch cables in exchange for an assortment of 3-5 power banks? For once, enough hope burns in my shriveled heart that I preordered the damn thing to test it myself.
Bless Belkin for even trying to conjure this into existence. Bless the army of copycats that will likely get on board and do it for a cheaper price. Bless the inevitable copycats of copycats that will do this for Samsung, Google, Fossil, and other smartwatches.
Kudos to Belkin for initiating the recall and offering refunds for it.
In terms of another battery bank with fast Apple Watch charging built-in, this is the only one I found that seems legit.
Hidden Accessibility feature in the Password App.
If you touch and hold your username or password, there’s an option to, “show in large type.” Not only is it larger, but it comes with color coding for each type of character:
Brown = upper case letters
Black = lower case letters
Blue = special characters
Orange = numbers
No more confusion between a 1 and a l, and between 0 and O.
This is helpful for everyone, especially the visually impaired.
If you touch and hold your username or password, there’s an option to, “show in large type.” Not only is it larger, but it comes with color coding for each type of character:
Brown = upper case letters
Black = lower case letters
Blue = special characters
Orange = numbers
No more confusion between a 1 and a l, and between 0 and O.
This is helpful for everyone, especially the visually impaired.
How to tell the difference between AirPods Pro 1 and AirPods Pro 2
Whether you get them mixed up or you have some shady person trying to sell you AirPods Pro 2 at a discount, you should know the difference between the two.
The outer casing is a dead giveaway with the speaker holes and the lanyard slot, but how would you tell the actual buds apart?
The heads of the buds on the Pro 2 have two black speaker/sensor cutouts vs the single one on the 1st generation.
The stems are identical.
Whether you get them mixed up or you have some shady person trying to sell you AirPods Pro 2 at a discount, you should know the difference between the two.
The outer casing is a dead giveaway with the speaker holes and the lanyard slot, but how would you tell the actual buds apart?
The heads of the buds on the Pro 2 have two black speaker/sensor cutouts vs the single one on the 1st generation.
The stems are identical.
AirPods Pro 1 (left) vs AirPods Pro 2 (right).
Apple Watch Ultra 2 with all 4 Milanese Loops - Ultimate Comparison
The Black Apple Watch Ultra 2 this year was not the only hardware change the Ultra lineup saw this year.
The Ultra watches also got new Titanium Milanese loops, which is good news for mesh band lovers, but also begs the question:
Which Milanese loop is right for you?
Now you have two different Milanese bands to choose from:
Stainless Steel Milanese loop
Titanium Milanese loop
It might seem obvious to get the titanium band with the titanium watch, but you would be surprised. There might even be some deal breakers.
The Black Apple Watch Ultra 2 this year was not the only hardware change the Ultra lineup saw this year.
The Ultra watches also got new Titanium Milanese loops, which is good news for mesh band lovers, but also begs the question:
Which Milanese loop is right for you?
Now you have two different Milanese bands to choose from:
Stainless Steel Milanese loop
Titanium Milanese loop
It might seem obvious to get the titanium band with the titanium watch, but you would be surprised. There might even be some deal breakers.
Stainless Steel Milanese Loop
This has been around since the launch of the Apple Watch, and is a tried and true band. The rounded and polished mesh of the band gives it an elegant look, without being too flashy.
Pros:
Magnetic clasp which makes for easy adjustments throughout the day.
Looks surprisingly good on the Ultra 2.
$100 cheaper than the titanium milanese loop.
Satisfying magnetic “click” each time you “fling-snap” it in place.
Complete control of the watch’s movement when taking it off since the loosening point is in your hand.
Tighter and smaller mesh pattern makes the loop stick out less on smaller wrists.
Cons:
Not as seamless of a look on the Ultra 2 compared to the titanium band.
It does get loose during the course of a day, and also during workouts which makes it…
Not ideal for swimming and scuba diving.
Even though the stainless steel bands are polished and the Ultra 2 is matte, the only part that really clashes is the part no one will really see, which is the side attachment point. The front attachment point is brushed and fits nicely with the watch’s matte titanium body.
Titanium Milanese Loop
Newly introduced this year for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, this band is made up of a flat and matted mesh that has a thicker pattern, giving it an industrial yet elegant look.
Before we get into the pros and cons of this band, make sure you learn the anatomy of the clasp.
Got it?
OK, let’s talk.
Pros:
Seamless and perfect look with the Ultra 2.
Buckle and clasp mechanism means it will not get loose.
Satisfying click when buckling the watch.
Great for extreme activities like swimming and scuba diving.
Cons:
$100 more expensive than the stainless steel band.
Clasp’s chin is very rigid, making it harder to adjust.
Looks worse on smaller wrists than the stainless steel band.
Less control over the watch when removing it from your wrist.
Thicker mesh pattern makes the loop twice as thick as the stainless steel band.
The titanium band does have a more seamless look and fits perfectly with the titanium watch, but you lose a bit of flexibility. When you initially put on the band, you have to adjust the clasp at the right spot where you will then snap it in place. You pull up the chin, and shift the clasp around as you see fit. Once you have found your comfort spot, you snap the chin back in place. From that point forward, you just have to click the buckle in place. Now your watch will always have the same tension throughout the day.
You could adjust the clasp throughout the day if you wanted to, but it is very stiff and adds an extra step. It becomes especially hard if you have really short to no fingernails. It isn’t meant to be adjusted too often, just like your car seat. Once you're dialed in, you don’t touch it again. Just find that sweet spot and you’ll be fine.
The one downside with this band is the clasp mechanism gives you less control when you want to take off the watch. If you depress the ears of the clasp, the band immediately starts to loosen and the buckle will hit the glass on your watch face.
Ouch.
I did this multiple times initially when first receiving the watch, but thankfully nothing happened to the screen. This slapping of the watch face with the buckle is worse if you prefer the loop end of the band at the bottom of the watch. You just have to train yourself to unbuckle the band with the watch facing you and pulling the ears ever so slightly to unclasp the watch. Not a deal breaker, but be wary when unclasping your watch.
Which combination of watch and watch band should I get?
There is no right or wrong answer here, and that is why I have provided you with galleries of photos showing every Slate and Natural Ultra 2 watch combination with every Slate and Natural Milanese Loop band so you can make your own decision. Black and white always works together, and none of these mix and match combinations look bad.
After trying out all these band combinations with my 160mm wrist, here are some considerations to keep in mind:
You cannot buy an Ultra 2 with a mismatching Titanium Milanese loop color (at least online). You would have to buy the mismatching band separately. I will try and see if it’s possible to buy a mismatching set when I get a chance to go to a store.
Pick the band size that has your measurement as close to the middle as possible. For example, for my 160mm wrist, I picked the medium titanium Milanese loop which fits 155-185mm wrists vs the small band which fits 130-160mm wrists.
I could have technically gotten the small band, but there is no leeway for me with that small size if I like a looser fit. For the stainless steel bands, the small-medium band fits 130-180mm, while the medium-large band fits 150-200mm. I purchased one of each for the slate and natural bands, and the smaller size was better. The larger band, as you can see in some of the photos, had the magnetic clasp almost looping around to the front of the watch.
What watch faces are included with the Apple Watch?
Note: This information is based on watchOS 11.
This is a loaded question, and it really comes down to what Apple Watch you have.
Here are all the Apple Watch faces included with watchOS 11.
Not all of these are available on all watches, so let’s mention the exceptions and highlights:
If you have an Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch Ultra 2, congratulations because you have all of Apple’s watch faces, including the Wayfinder and the Modular Ultra watch faces which are exclusive to the Ultra lineup.
If you have a Series 7, 8, 9, or 10, you have all the watch faces, excluding the Wayfinder and Modular Ultra watch faces from the Apple Watch Ultra.
Lastly, if you have the Apple Watch SE 2nd generation or Series 6, you get all the watch faces from the Series 7 thru 10, excluding the Contour and the Modular Duo watch faces. These 2 watch faces were introduced with the release of the Series 7 that had bigger displays. The SE and Series 6 have the smaller 40mm and 44mm displays instead of the bigger 42mm, 46mm, and 49mm displays.
Now if these watches were not enough to satisfy your deep pockets, you can distinguish yourselves from your fellow plebeian and get the Apple Watch Hermès Series 10. You get all the watch faces from the Series 10, plus 5 additional Hermès exclusive watch faces: Radial, Circulaire, Hermès, Horse, and Circuit H.
If you opt for the Apple Watch Hermes Ultra 2, you get all the watch faces from the regular Ultra 2, plus 3 bonus Hermès watch faces: Hermès, Radial, and the new Maritime watch face. You do not get the Horse and Circuit H watch faces. I can’t seem to find any information if the Circulaire watch face is included.
Note: This information is based on watchOS 11.
This is a loaded question, and it really comes down to what Apple Watch you have.
Here are all the Apple Watch faces included with watchOS 11.
Not all of these are available on all watches, so let’s mention the exceptions and highlights:
If you have an Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch Ultra 2, congratulations because you have all of Apple’s watch faces, including the Wayfinder and the Modular Ultra watch faces which are exclusive to the Ultra lineup.
If you have a Series 7, 8, 9, or 10, you have all the watch faces, excluding the Wayfinder and Modular Ultra watch faces from the Apple Watch Ultra.
Lastly, if you have the Apple Watch SE 2nd generation or Series 6, you get all the watch faces from the Series 7 thru 10, excluding the Contour and the Modular Duo watch faces. These 2 watch faces were introduced with the release of the Series 7 that had bigger displays. The SE and Series 6 have the smaller 40mm and 44mm displays instead of the bigger 42mm, 46mm, and 49mm displays.
Now if these watches were not enough to satisfy your deep pockets, you can distinguish yourselves from your fellow plebeian and get the Apple Watch Hermès Series 10. You get all the watch faces from the Series 10, plus 5 additional Hermès exclusive watch faces: Radial, Circulaire, Hermès, Horse, and Circuit H.
If you opt for the Apple Watch Hermes Ultra 2, you get all the watch faces from the regular Ultra 2, plus 3 bonus Hermès watch faces: Hermès, Radial, and the new Maritime watch face. You do not get the Horse and Circuit H watch faces. I can’t seem to find any information if the Circulaire watch face is included.
Are RCS messages encrypted?
The short answer is no, but the devil is in the details.
With iOS 18, Apple has introduced RCS messages, which is a new industry standard in messaging that allows you to send high quality videos and photos instead of those abysmally low-resolution photos and videos you currently send to your fellow Android users.
RCS also supports delivery and read message receipts just like iMessage.
In a nutshell, it makes your interaction with non-iPhone users more like iMessage, while still keeping the green bubble.
Not all carriers support RCS, but remember one thing.
One very important thing.
RCS is not end-to-end encrypted.
According to Apple’s site:
Apple’s implementation of RCS is based on the industry’s standard. RCS messages aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they're not protected from a third-party reading them while they're sent between devices.
Besides the messages themselves, What other sensitive information about you can be transmitted when using RCS?
More than you think:
User identifiers are exchanged for your carrier and their partners to authenticate your device and provide a connection. These identifiers could include but are not limited to your IMEI, IMSI, current IP address, and phone number. Your current IP address might also be shared with other RCS users.
It’s funny how all the news around RCS focuses on high end photo and video transmission, but no one emphasizes that it is just as insecure as regular SMS/MMS.
If you really want to have secure group chats that allow high quality images and videos, stick with a more secure platform such as WhatsApp.
Or better yet, you could just convince your friends to get an iPhone and use iMessage, which is end-to-end encrypted.
The short answer is no, but the devil is in the details.
With iOS 18, Apple has introduced RCS messages, which is a new industry standard in messaging that allows you to send high quality videos and photos instead of those abysmally low-resolution photos and videos you currently send to your fellow Android users.
RCS also supports delivery and read message receipts just like iMessage.
In a nutshell, it makes your interaction with non-iPhone users more like iMessage, while still keeping the green bubble.
Not all carriers support RCS, but remember one thing.
One very important thing.
RCS is not end-to-end encrypted.
According to Apple’s site:
Apple’s implementation of RCS is based on the industry’s standard. RCS messages aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they're not protected from a third-party reading them while they're sent between devices.
Besides the messages themselves, What other sensitive information about you can be transmitted when using RCS?
More than you think:
User identifiers are exchanged for your carrier and their partners to authenticate your device and provide a connection. These identifiers could include but are not limited to your IMEI, IMSI, current IP address, and phone number. Your current IP address might also be shared with other RCS users.
It’s funny how all the news around RCS focuses on high end photo and video transmission, but no one emphasizes that it is just as insecure as regular SMS/MMS.
If you really want to have secure group chats that allow high quality images and videos, stick with a more secure platform such as WhatsApp.
Or better yet, you could just convince your friends to get an iPhone and use iMessage, which is end-to-end encrypted.
Your new iPhone is going to get stolen unless you watch your window like a nerd.
Tyler Lacoma from CNET discussing how criminals are stealing iPhones this holiday season:
They follow package deliveries and nab the shipment the moment it's dropped off. In most cases, these thieves run up and grab a package from a porch or doorstep only seconds after the delivery person leaves.
Reports indicate that these thefts are frequently occurring with AT&T iPhone purchases and FedEx deliveries, although the details can vary.
Across the United States, especially on the East Coast. Cases have been reported in New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Pennsylvania and other states. In some cases teens and young adults have been apprehended and accused of stealing these packages, while in other cases the thieves have not been caught.
How are thieves able to do this?
Two important reasons. First, these thieves are somehow getting tracking numbers or similar tracking information for iPhone deliveries, so they get real-time updates about when and where packages are delivered, allowing them to swoop in the moment the package status changes.
Second, AT&T is one of the few telecom companies that -- in many cases -- doesn't require signatures for high-value deliveries like iPhones. That allows thieves to steal packages when they are left unattended.
Yes, having a signature required is a step in making sure your device isn’t stolen, but I have never been asked for a signature even though UPS requires it too. They just ring the bell (sometimes) and walk away. With their crazy schedules, I doubt any delivery carrier will get signatures to the extent they need to, especially during the holiday season.
Assume you’re at risk regardless of which carrier you’re getting your phone from, not just AT&T.
Your best bet is to be home and have someone watching the window.
Tyler Lacoma from CNET discussing how criminals are stealing iPhones this holiday season:
They follow package deliveries and nab the shipment the moment it's dropped off. In most cases, these thieves run up and grab a package from a porch or doorstep only seconds after the delivery person leaves.
Reports indicate that these thefts are frequently occurring with AT&T iPhone purchases and FedEx deliveries, although the details can vary.
Across the United States, especially on the East Coast. Cases have been reported in New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Pennsylvania and other states. In some cases teens and young adults have been apprehended and accused of stealing these packages, while in other cases the thieves have not been caught.
How are thieves able to do this?
Two important reasons. First, these thieves are somehow getting tracking numbers or similar tracking information for iPhone deliveries, so they get real-time updates about when and where packages are delivered, allowing them to swoop in the moment the package status changes.
Second, AT&T is one of the few telecom companies that -- in many cases -- doesn't require signatures for high-value deliveries like iPhones. That allows thieves to steal packages when they are left unattended.
Yes, having a signature required is a step in making sure your device isn’t stolen, but I have never been asked for a signature even though UPS requires it too. They just ring the bell (sometimes) and walk away. With their crazy schedules, I doubt any delivery carrier will get signatures to the extent they need to, especially during the holiday season.
Assume you’re at risk regardless of which carrier you’re getting your phone from, not just AT&T.
Your best bet is to be home and have someone watching the window.
Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack 3 years later - why it is still the most versatile battery pack.
Announced back in July 2021, Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack was the first official MagSafe battery bank. Although it doesn’t have the capacity of many cheaper alternatives in the market, it arguably has the most versatility.
That versatility all comes down to its lightning port.
Apple is phasing out the lightning port, but the fact is there are still millions, if not hundreds of millions of people who still use a lightning iPhone.
You and I might have switched to USB-C, but we all probably know at least one person in our families that has a lightning iPhone.
If you plug in your MagSafe Battery Pack with a lightning cable and have your iPhone attached, it will charge both the battery pack and the iPhone. That’s a given.
What most people find surprising is that if you plug in your iPhone via USB-C to charge while the battery pack is attached, it will charge your iPhone and reverse charge your battery pack.
If you are ever stuck in a pinch and need to borrow someone’s “iPhone cable,” you don’t have to worry about what cable they hand you because you can top up both devices with either lightning or USB-C.
I have mine since launch day back in July 2021, and it has still held up well. I recently tested it on my 15 and 16 Pro Max devices, and the software integration is still there, with some false promises:
iPhone can charge to approximately 90% while using a MagSafe battery pack.
Not sure why it says that because the most this battery could charge an iPhone is 70% for an iPhone 12 or 13 mini.
In actuality, my 16 Pro Max charged from 20% to 59%, which is on par with Apple’s claim of 40% for the 12, 13, and 14 Pro Max.
This device technically is not supported on any of the iPhones 15 and 16 according to their website, but it still works.
Once again, not the most capacity, but still has great versatility for those situations where all you have access to is a lightning cable.
Even though it is discontinued, you can grab one on eBay for less than $50 compared to the $99 it was when new.
Announced back in July 2021, Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack was the first official MagSafe battery bank. Although it doesn’t have the capacity of many cheaper alternatives in the market, it arguably has the most versatility.
That versatility all comes down to its lightning port.
Apple is phasing out the lightning port, but the fact is there are still millions, if not hundreds of millions of people who still use a lightning iPhone.
You and I might have switched to USB-C, but we all probably know at least one person in our families that has a lightning iPhone.
If you plug in your MagSafe Battery Pack with a lightning cable and have your iPhone attached, it will charge both the battery pack and the iPhone. That’s a given.
What most people find surprising is that if you plug in your iPhone via USB-C to charge while the battery pack is attached, it will charge your iPhone and reverse charge your battery pack.
If you are ever stuck in a pinch and need to borrow someone’s “iPhone cable,” you don’t have to worry about what cable they hand you because you can top up both devices with either lightning or USB-C.
I have mine since launch day back in July 2021, and it has still held up well. I recently tested it on my 15 and 16 Pro Max devices, and the software integration is still there, with some false promises:
iPhone can charge to approximately 90% while using a MagSafe battery pack.
Not sure why it says that because the most this battery could charge an iPhone is 70% for an iPhone 12 or 13 mini.
In actuality, my 16 Pro Max charged from 20% to 59%, which is on par with Apple’s claim of 40% for the 12, 13, and 14 Pro Max.
This device technically is not supported on any of the iPhones 15 and 16 according to their website, but it still works.
Once again, not the most capacity, but still has great versatility for those situations where all you have access to is a lightning cable.
Even though it is discontinued, you can grab one on eBay for less than $50 compared to the $99 it was when new.
This is the one reason why you need iPhone Mirroring on your Mac.
With macOS Sequoia and iOS 18, you can now seamlessly mirror your iPhone to any of your Macs.
It might seem pointless since whatever you can do on your iPhone you can do bigger on the Mac, but there is one reason, one critical reason, why you need this feature.
As much as we love our Macs, there are always times where it just doesn’t want to work as magically as Apple would make you think.
You get an iMessage on your iPhone, but it doesn’t show up on your Mac.
You get a WhatsApp message on your iPhone, but it doesn’t show up on your Mac.
You need to login to your bank and need your 2-factor code that was texted to you, but it doesn’t show up on your Mac.
Are you getting it?
With iPhone Mirroring, you will never miss a message from any app since you literally have your iPhone on screen. No more frustration and forcing yourself to reboot your Mac right then and there when you are in the skin of it in order to make all the things sync perfectly.
Just mirror your iPhone and reboot later when it’s convenient for you.
With macOS Sequoia and iOS 18, you can now seamlessly mirror your iPhone to any of your Macs.
It might seem pointless since whatever you can do on your iPhone you can do bigger on the Mac, but there is one reason, one critical reason, why you need this feature.
As much as we love our Macs, there are always times where it just doesn’t want to work as magically as Apple would make you think.
You get an iMessage on your iPhone, but it doesn’t show up on your Mac.
You get a WhatsApp message on your iPhone, but it doesn’t show up on your Mac.
You need to login to your bank and need your 2-factor code that was texted to you, but it doesn’t show up on your Mac.
Are you getting it?
With iPhone Mirroring, you will never miss a message from any app since you literally have your iPhone on screen. No more frustration and forcing yourself to reboot your Mac right then and there when you are in the skin of it in order to make all the things sync perfectly.
Just mirror your iPhone and reboot later when it’s convenient for you.
Great macOS Sequoia tips Apple didn’t tell you about.
Quinn Nelson put up a great video a few weeks ago, showcasing some of the more useful and nerdy features of macOS Sequoia. It’s a long video, but you can easily use the time stamps in the video description to find the features that you like most.
The biggest helping feature for me in macOS Sequoia? The ability to tile your windows more effectively and easily with simple keyboard shortcuts.
Quinn Nelson put up a great video a few weeks ago, showcasing some of the more useful and nerdy features of macOS Sequoia. It’s a long video, but you can easily use the time stamps in the video description to find the features that you like most.
The biggest helping feature for me in macOS Sequoia? The ability to tile your windows more effectively and easily with simple keyboard shortcuts.
Traded in your iPhone for a new one? Apple might owe you money.
Michael Burkhardt from 9to5Mac:
Apple users across the globe have been reporting that they’re receiving refunds for AppleCare+ on iPhones they purchased and traded in years ago. Seemingly, there isn’t anything specific triggering the refund, but there are a number of varying cases.
Some refunds were over $200 which is unusual since AppleCare+ only costs $199, and some refunds were just a couple of bucks. The high refund could also be due to Apple charging you for AppleCare+ monthly after you had already traded in your device.
The best way to get your refund is to call Apple instead of waiting for them to send you the refund since you could be waiting 3 years.
Michael Burkhardt from 9to5Mac:
Apple users across the globe have been reporting that they’re receiving refunds for AppleCare+ on iPhones they purchased and traded in years ago. Seemingly, there isn’t anything specific triggering the refund, but there are a number of varying cases.
Some refunds were over $200 which is unusual since AppleCare+ only costs $199, and some refunds were just a couple of bucks. The high refund could also be due to Apple charging you for AppleCare+ monthly after you had already traded in your device.
The best way to get your refund is to call Apple instead of waiting for them to send you the refund since you could be waiting 3 years.
iPhone Mirroring on a desktop Mac only works well if you have these devices.
To put it simply, you need a Magic Trackpad or a Magic Mouse to get the full iPhone mirroring experience. If you use any other mouse, the experience is not good.
Transitions stutter, and clicking and holding your normal mouse to swipe left and right on your home screen is imprecise. Very often the iPhone triggers “jiggle mode” to edit your home screen when you just wanted to swipe left or right. Scrolling with the click wheel is also not smooth at all.
And yes, I have a very capable wired mouse.
Swiping left, right, up, and down on the Magic Trackpad just feels more natural for operating iOS since it is a touch-based OS. The experience is very similar to my iPad Pro with a Magic Keyboard.
I haven’t tested the Magic Mouse, but if you love the Magic Mouse, I am sure it will work just as well since it uses a similar touch interface.
Thankfully, Apple’s Magic Trackpad is worth the cost compared to the Magic Mouse, especially now that it is USB-C.
To put it simply, you need a Magic Trackpad or a Magic Mouse to get the full iPhone mirroring experience. If you use any other mouse, the experience is not good.
Transitions stutter, and clicking and holding your normal mouse to swipe left and right on your home screen is imprecise. Very often the iPhone triggers “jiggle mode” to edit your home screen when you just wanted to swipe left or right. Scrolling with the click wheel is also not smooth at all.
And yes, I have a very capable wired mouse.
Swiping left, right, up, and down on the Magic Trackpad just feels more natural for operating iOS since it is a touch-based OS. The experience is very similar to my iPad Pro with a Magic Keyboard.
I haven’t tested the Magic Mouse, but if you love the Magic Mouse, I am sure it will work just as well since it uses a similar touch interface.
Thankfully, Apple’s Magic Trackpad is worth the cost compared to the Magic Mouse, especially now that it is USB-C.
Buy the M4 MacBook Pro if you are a true display enthusiast.
The new MacBook Pro has been lauded for its M4 line of chips and increased RAM for the same price as last year.
Now we have even more great news.
It turns out that Apple has updated the displays without mention to a quantum dot display, which provides better motion performance and punchier colors.
Ross Young, who has over 25 years in the display industry, has confirmed the transition to quantum dot display film.
Even the blur busters confirmed the M4’s visual performance vs an M1 MacBook.
The new MacBook Pro has been lauded for its M4 line of chips and increased RAM for the same price as last year.
Now we have even more great news.
It turns out that Apple has updated the displays without mention to a quantum dot display, which provides better motion performance and punchier colors.
Ross Young, who has over 25 years in the display industry, has confirmed the transition to quantum dot display film.
Even the blur busters confirmed the M4’s visual performance vs an M1 MacBook.
3 security reasons why you should upgrade to iOS 18.
iOS 18 is Apple’s latest software update for iPhones, and with it you get 3 very important security features that will make it harder for others to snoop around your devices and make it easier for you to manage your ever-growing digital footprint.
1. Passwords app
This is an underrated feature, but having a dedicated Passwords app from Apple breaks the barrier for most people to start organizing their passwords. Apple already had its own password manager in the past, but it was buried in the Settings app making it hard for most people to use.
You can even create shared group where you can share passwords with others, which is great for families.
The app also has a built verification code system like Google Authenticator, so you can save all your 2-factor authentication codes all in one place. (do they sync over the cloud?)
You can even create new passwords from the app so you don’t have to come up with them yourself. Check out Apple’s website for more info on the passwords app.
2. Locking and hiding your apps
Every app can now require authentication, either via Face ID or Touch ID. Simply tap and hold any app, and select the “Require Face ID” option (It will say Touch ID if you have an iPhone SE 2nd gen or later). This is an easy and secure way to protect your most private information from people who also might share your device.
For all 3rd party apps, you can also require Face ID and hide the app from your homescreen. This does also disable notifications and critical alerts from the app, so be careful.
To “un-hide” the apps, you just need to go to your hidden apps folder under App Library, and tap on it to initiate Face ID, and it will reveal the hidden apps. Touch and hold the app of your choice and select, “Don’t require Face ID.”
3. “Inactivity Reboot”
This is the hero feature of iOS 18.
This feature was added by Apple in iOS 18.1 as an extra security and safety measure against hackers and thieves. If your phone goes unused for 3 days (72 hours to be exact), the phone automatically reboots itself even if it has plenty of battery power.
It was initially thought to be 4 days, but it has been confirmed to be 72 hours.
This reboot puts your iPhone in a more secure state, also known as “Before First Unlock,” or BFU state. Every time your iPhone reboots, it requires your password before it enables Touch ID or Face ID, making it harder for hackers to retrieve information from the phone with older hacking devices since the data is encrypted.
Per TechCrunch:
“Inactivity reboot” effectively puts iPhones in a more secure state by locking the user’s encryption keys in the iPhone’s secure enclave chip.
Once someone unlocks their phone with their password, the phone is now in “After First Unlock,” state or AFU.
Security researchers use their own simplified terms. Phones that have had their password entered are “hot” devices, while freshly rebooted phones are “cold” devices:
Tihmstar said that many forensic companies focus on “hot” devices in an AFU state, because at some point the user entered their correct passcode, which is stored in the memory of the iPhone’s secure enclave. By contrast, “cold” devices are far more difficult to compromise because their memory cannot be easily extracted once the phone restarts.
Although it might be a nuisance for law enforcement, it is another deterrent for thieves and hackers until they find more sophisticated ways to steal data from your iPhone.
For the general consumer, it is another victory for data privacy and security.
iOS 18 is Apple’s latest software update for iPhones, and with it you get 3 very important security features that will make it harder for others to snoop around your devices and make it easier for you to manage your ever-growing digital footprint.
1. Passwords app
This is an underrated feature, but having a dedicated Passwords app from Apple breaks the barrier for most people to start organizing their passwords. Apple already had its own password manager in the past, but it was buried in the Settings app making it hard for most people to use.
You can even create shared group where you can share passwords with others, which is great for families.
The app also has a built verification code system like Google Authenticator, so you can save all your 2-factor authentication codes all in one place.
You can even create new passwords from the app so you don’t have to come up with them yourself. Check out Apple’s website for more info on the passwords app.
2. Locking and hiding your apps
Every app can now require authentication, either via Face ID or Touch ID. Simply tap and hold any app, and select the “Require Face ID” option (It will say Touch ID if you have an iPhone SE 2nd gen or later). This is an easy and secure way to protect your most private information from people who also might share your device.
For all 3rd party apps, you can also require Face ID and hide the app from your homescreen. This does also disable notifications and critical alerts from the app, so be careful.
To “un-hide” the apps, you just need to go to your hidden apps folder under App Library, and tap on it to initiate Face ID, and it will reveal the hidden apps. Touch and hold the app of your choice and select, “Don’t require Face ID.”
3. “Inactivity Reboot”
This is the hero feature of iOS 18.
This feature was added by Apple in iOS 18.1 as an extra security and safety measure against hackers and thieves. If your phone goes unused for 3 days (72 hours to be exact), the phone automatically reboots itself even if it has plenty of battery power.
It was initially thought to be 4 days, but it has been confirmed to be 72 hours.
This reboot puts your iPhone in a more secure state, also known as “Before First Unlock,” or BFU state. Every time your iPhone reboots, it requires your password before it enables Touch ID or Face ID, making it harder for hackers to retrieve information from the phone with older hacking devices since the data is encrypted.
Per TechCrunch:
“Inactivity reboot” effectively puts iPhones in a more secure state by locking the user’s encryption keys in the iPhone’s secure enclave chip.
Once someone unlocks their phone with their password, the phone is now in “After First Unlock,” state or AFU.
Security researchers use their own simplified terms. Phones that have had their password entered are “hot” devices, while freshly rebooted phones are “cold” devices:
Tihmstar said that many forensic companies focus on “hot” devices in an AFU state, because at some point the user entered their correct passcode, which is stored in the memory of the iPhone’s secure enclave. By contrast, “cold” devices are far more difficult to compromise because their memory cannot be easily extracted once the phone restarts.
Although it might be a nuisance for law enforcement, it is another deterrent for thieves and hackers until they find more sophisticated ways to steal data from your iPhone.
For the general consumer, it is another victory for data privacy and security.
AirPods Pro 2 gets approval to be used as a clinical-grade hearing aid.
The engineering put into the AirPods Pro 2 is just phenomenal, but it also begs the question:
What percentage of hearing loss can be attributed to AirPods?
Or the even bigger question:
Since Apple was part of the music revolution with the iPod in 2001, what percentage of hearing loss can be attributed to Apple?
It’s not fair to blame Apple for hearing loss since they’re not forcing anyone to listen to music (or anything else) on absurdly high volumes, but it’s still something to think about.
At least they’re trying to raise awareness and fix it with the newly updated AirPods Pro 2.
The engineering put into the AirPods Pro 2 is just phenomenal, but it also begs the question:
What percentage of hearing loss can be attributed to AirPods?
Or the even bigger question:
Since Apple was part of the music revolution with the iPod in 2001, what percentage of hearing loss can be attributed to Apple?
It’s not fair to blame Apple for hearing loss since they’re not forcing anyone to listen to music (or anything else) on absurdly high volumes, but it’s still something to think about.
At least they’re trying to raise awareness and fix it with the newly updated AirPods Pro 2.
How to tell if your iPhone is charging slow.
Tim Hardwick from MacRumors:
In iOS 18, Apple has introduced a clever new way to identify if your iPhone charging setup is running at less than optimal speeds. The new feature appears directly in Settings, making it easy to spot when you're not getting the fastest possible charge.
This is a good way to test out any suspicious 3rd party chargers that claim fast charging when in fact they are not. Just go to Settings > Battery, and you will see the slow charger warning.
The article also contains more interesting details about other factors that cause slower charging:
If you keep accessories like headphones connected during wireless charging, your device automatically limits power to 7.5W to meet safety standards. Running demanding apps, playing graphics-intensive games, or streaming video at high brightness while charging can also reduce charging speeds as your iPhone manages power and heat. Lastly, it's worth bearing in mind that charging in a warm environment may cause your iPhone to temporarily pause charging until the temperature falls.
The slow charging warning is not something to be alarmed about as Apple clarifies on their website:
With iOS 18, if iOS detects that your charging experience could be improved, you'll see a Slow Charger message in Settings > Battery. This doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with your iPhone or charger; it just means that your iPhone could charge faster by using a higher-wattage charger.
I did verify that my 8-foot USB-C cable rated at 240W connected to an Apple 67W power brick was slow charging my iPhone, which was a surprise to me.
Tim Hardwick from MacRumors:
In iOS 18, Apple has introduced a clever new way to identify if your iPhone charging setup is running at less than optimal speeds. The new feature appears directly in Settings, making it easy to spot when you're not getting the fastest possible charge.
This is a good way to test out any suspicious 3rd party chargers that claim fast charging when in fact they are not. Just go to Settings > Battery, and you will see the slow charger warning:
The article also contains more interesting details about other factors that cause slower charging:
If you keep accessories like headphones connected during wireless charging, your device automatically limits power to 7.5W to meet safety standards. Running demanding apps, playing graphics-intensive games, or streaming video at high brightness while charging can also reduce charging speeds as your iPhone manages power and heat. Lastly, it's worth bearing in mind that charging in a warm environment may cause your iPhone to temporarily pause charging until the temperature falls.
The slow charging warning is not something to be alarmed about as Apple clarifies on their website:
With iOS 18, if iOS detects that your charging experience could be improved, you'll see a Slow Charger message in Settings > Battery. This doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with your iPhone or charger; it just means that your iPhone could charge faster by using a higher-wattage charger.
I did verify that my 8-foot USB-C cable rated at 240W connected to an Apple 67W power brick was slow charging my iPhone, which was a surprise to me.