Apple Announces New iMac with the M4 Chip, a Nano-Texture Option, and USB-C Accessories

Today, to kick off what Apple-watchers anticipate will be a string of daily announcements, Apple announced a brand-new iMac. Highlights of the update include the M4 system-on-a-chip, a nano-texture display option, a 12MP Center Stage camera, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and new colors. T … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 28 days ago

Apple’s Commitment to AI Is Clear, But Its Execution Is Uneven

The day has finally arrived. iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1 are all out and include Apple’s first major foray into the world of artificial intelligence. Of course, Apple is no stranger to AI and machine learning, but it became the narrative that the company was behind on A … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 28 days ago

iOS and iPadOS 18.1: Everything New Besides Apple Intelligence

Today, Apple released iOS and iPadOS 18.1, the first major release since the operating system versions that launched in September and were reviewed by Federico. As you may know, the main highlight of this new release is the first wave of Apple Intelligence features available to t … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 28 days ago

Photomator: The Ultimate Photo Editor for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro [Sponsor]

Photomator is the best way to edit your photos across all of your Apple devices. The app works seamlessly across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro with advanced tools to make your photos look their best. Photomator’s state-of-the-art tools are texture-aware. That lets you pre … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 28 days ago

The Latest from Comfort Zone, Magic Rays of Light, and MacStories Unwind

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: Comfort Zone Chris has the brand new iPad mini, Matt made a big change to his RSS, and Niléane introduces a new segment: Our Tech Stories. Then the gang gets fun, weird, and thirsty in the game picks. Magic Rays of Li … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

The Latest from AppStories and NPC: Next Portable Console

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: AppStories Federico and John announce that AppStories is now on YouTube and discuss the Club MacStories Fall Membership Drive and listener follow-up before digging into Federico’s iPad mini review and the concept of “ … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

New Developer Betas Released for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS with Image Playground, ChatGPT Integration, and More Apple Intelligence Features

iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1 aren’t quite out the door, but Apple has already updated its developer betas with the next round of upcoming Apple Intelligence features. Developer betas of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS 15.2 are now available for download and include the … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

A Video Version of AppStories Debuts Today on the MacStories YouTube Channel

Today, we’re expanding our podcast AppStories to include video on YouTube. AppStories debuted in 2017, and with over 400 episodes recorded, it’s long past due for a video version. So beginning today, you can watch AppStories on the MacStories YouTube channel: Today’s episode was … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

iPad mini Review: The Third Place

The new iPad mini. My first reaction when I picked up the new iPad mini last Thursday morning was that it felt heavier than my 11” iPad Pro. Obviously, that was not the case – it’s nearly 150 grams lighter, in fact. But after several months of intense usage of the new, incredibly … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Postcards and a Mac: Niléane’s Desk Setup

It’s been a while since I last showed off my desk. The last time I did so as part of MacStories Weekly Issue 405 in February, I had just acquired an 11-inch iPad Pro, and my desk looked quite different than it does now. It had an imposing corner shelf holding a variety of plushie … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Apple’s AirPods Pro Hearing Health Features Are as Good as They Sound

The Verge’s Chris Welch has an in-depth look at Apple’s AirPods Pro hearing health features, which include hearing protection, a hearing test, and hearing aid features. On hearing protection, Welch notes: With iOS 18.1 and the soon-to-be-released AirPods firmware update, the AirP … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Kicking Off Club MacStories’ Fall Membership Drive with Deals and Perks

Last year’s Club MacStories Fall Membership Drive was a big success, so we’re doing it again. There are more details below, but from now through November 1st, we’re offering 20% off on all annual Club MacStories plans plus special columns, a live Discord event, giveaways, deals, … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

The Latest from Comfort Zone, Magic Rays of Light, and MacStories Unwind

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: Comfort Zone Niléane is fired up about the state of tech, Chris is enjoying the sweet, sweet sounds of a V12 engine, and Matt is really into a new web browser. Magic Rays of Light Sigmund and Devon highlight Shrinking … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

MacPaw Updates CleanMyMac with a Fresh Design and New Tools

MacPaw has released a new version of its cleanup and maintenance utility CleanMyMac, dropping the “X” from its name, refreshing the design, and simplifying the app substantially. The latest version is divided into six modules that host a variety of tools: Smart Care Cleanup Prote … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Traveling with the Vision Pro

Excellent deep dive into the Vision Pro’s travel capabilities by Azad Balabanian, who’s used Apple’s headset extensively on various flights: The Vision Pro has quickly become an essential item that I take onto every flight. It’s a fantastic device to travel with—Be it by train or … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

The Latest from AppStories and Ruminate

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: AppStories This week, Federico and John share the changes they’ve made to their desk setups in recent months and the philosophies that have driven those changes. On AppStories+, Federico and John share their reactions … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Join the MacStories Team: Advertising Sales Position Opening

As MacStories has continued to grow, so have the opportunities to offer sponsorships to the makers of apps, other products, and services on MacStories.net, our podcasts, and YouTube. To help us find and make the most of those opportunities, which allow us to fund an expanding and … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Native Union’s Voyage Charger: A Versatile Travel Companion

The Native Union Voyage with USB-C cable and canvas pouch. Last week, I abandoned the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Wireless Charger because of a recent recall. Fortuitously at about the same time, Native Union sent me its Voyage 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger to test. Although I pref … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Apple Announces a Minor Update to the iPad mini

Source: Apple. Apple has updated the iPad mini, with a revision that is sure to leave some fans of the device disappointed. That’s because there have been virtually no changes to the device’s screen, cameras, or authentication systems. The new iPad mini features an A17 Pro chip t … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Photomator 3.4 Adds Photo Flagging, Rating, and Filtering

Today, Photomator 3.4 was released, adding flagging, rating, and filtering, which should substantially enhance how photos are organized with the app. I haven’t spent much time with Photomator 3.4 yet, but the features it adds today will be familiar to anyone who has used other ph … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Video Production, Automation Hardware, Gaming, and More: My Desk Setup Update

Earlier today, we published an episode of AppStories covering the latest changes that Federico and I have made to our desk setups and other gear. I last updated my desk setup in July, before we started recording a video version of NPC: Next Portable Console. Since then, I’ve also … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

I Shared my iPhone Home Screen and More on the Home Screens Podcast

I joined Lee Peterson on his podcast, Home Screens, for a tour of my iPhone Lock Screen, Home Screen, and Control Center pages. The theme that ties it all together is ‘quick entry.’ Whether it’s a task, idea, link, or something else, I’ve picked apps and widgets and arranged my i … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

The Latest from Comfort Zone, Magic Rays of Light, and MacStories Unwind

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: Comfort Zone Niléane is back and she’s brought the long-awaited Mastodon 4.3 update, Matt brought Omnivore, and Chris rounds out his new Apple product reviews with the Apple Watch Series 10. Then we see who took the b … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Developers Demonstrate AAA Windows Gaming on M1 and M2 Macs Using Linux

Yesterday, developer Alyssa Rosenzweig gave a talk at the XDC conference in Montréal, Canada about gaming on Asahi Linux installed on M1 and M2 Apple silicon-based Macs. According to GamingOnLinux: They announced their “Asahi game playing toolkit” which brings together their Vulk … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

New NPC and AppStories Additions to the MacStories YouTube Channel

We’ve begun publishing more than podcasts on YouTube. In addition to MacStories’ six podcasts, we’ve added bonus content for NPC: Next Portable Console listeners. Whether you watch the video version of the show or not, we kicked off a playlist of bonus content this week with two … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Apple Releases Immersive Short Film Submerged and Announces Upcoming Immersive Content

Alongside today’s debut of Submerged, the first scripted film captured in Apple Immersive Video, Apple also released a behind-the-scenes look at the film as well as details of immersive content coming to Apple Vision Pro users in the U.S. later this year. The Making of Submerged … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Adding to My Mac’s Swiss Army Knife: A Raycast Extension Roundup

If you have ever heard or seen me talk about my macOS setup, you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of Raycast. A few years ago, Raycast took off on the Mac as an incredible alternative to Spotlight and the long-time Mac power user favorite, Alfred. Today, it has cemented itself as an e … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

The Latest from NPC: Next Portable Console and AppStories

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: NPC: Next Portable Console This week, Federico, Brendon, and John cover the latest in Nintendo emulation, a mysterious Nintendo device appears at the FCC, John has a Switch surprise, Microsoft reveals its best-looking … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

New Items and Deals on Federico’s Desk Setup Items

It’s been a few months, which is why it’s once again time for a setup update. This time, Federico has added several items to his desk setup. Below, you’ll find a selection of top picks from the changes he’s made, but be sure to visit the Setups page to see everything he’s current … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

My Top Picks for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days

Amazon Prime’s Big Deal Days runs today and tomorrow, so just as I did for Prime Day before it, I’ve scoured the thousands of available deals for the best gear that I’ve used, tested, and love. For more of the gear that Federico and I use, check out our Setups page, too. Here are … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Apple Announces Swift Student Challenge Timeline for 2025

Apple has announced that the 2025 Swift Student Challenge will be held for three weeks in February 2025. According to Apple’s press release: Students, educators, and their advocates can find out how to prepare for the challenge and sign up to be notified when applications open at … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

POP Icon Keys: Logitech Brings Automation to a Budget-Friendly Keyboard

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about and showed off Logitech’s MX Creative Console, a two-piece device made up of a keypad and dialpad, that takes the Elgato Stream Deck head-on. Well, today, Logitech is back with a slightly different approach in the form of its POP Icon Keys key … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Submerged, Apple’s First Scripted Immersive Film, Is Coming This Thursday

Today, Apple released the trailer for Submerged, a short film from director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) that the company is touting as the first scripted film created using its Immersive Video format. Available free this Thursday exclusively on Apple Vision Pro … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

The Latest from Comfort Zone, Magic Rays of Light, and MacStories Unwind

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: Comfort Zone Surprise! Matt got a new iPhone (you’re shocked 😅) and Chris brings the new AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (yes, that’s the name!). Then it’s time for movie corner and a review of 2023’s … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Tabletops Closes Shop

Every so often, you come across a writer who cares so much about their subject that it smacks you in the face. You can’t ignore it, and it sucks so much of the oxygen out of a topic that no one else even tries to cover the beat. That’s how I’ve always felt about Michael […] | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

After Five Years of Pro iPhones, I’m Going iPhone 16 Plus This Year

My iPhone 16 Plus. If you asked me two weeks ago which iPhone model I’d be getting this year, I would have answered without hesitation: my plan was to get an iPhone 16 Pro Max and continue the tradition of the past five years. I’ve been using the largest possible iPhone since the … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

The Latest from AppStories and Ruminate

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: AppStories This week, Federico and John share their favorite app updates that take advantage of what’s new in iOS 18. On AppStories+, John expands on his first look at the Logitech MX Creative Console, and Federico an … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Croissant: A Beautifully-Designed App for Cross-Posting to Multiple Social Media Accounts

Social media has splintered across multiple services since the decline of Twitter. I’ve always managed a lot of social media accounts between my own and ones for MacStories, but today the situation is worse than ever. There have always been services like Buffer that make it easie … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Forever ✱ Notes: A Simple, Flexible, and Free Approach to Organizing Your Apple Notes

The best workflows are the hardest to design because they require restraint. It’s easy to throw complexity at a problem to create the illusion of a grand solution, when it’s often the simplest solutions that reflect the most thoughtful approach to a problem. That was my immediate … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Becca Farsace on Why the iPod Nano’s Camera Is Her Favorite Camcorder

Becca Farsace’s latest video is all about her favorite camcorder: the iPod Nano: It’s a terrific video about a different time when simple devices like the Flip Video were everywhere, taking low-quality video. What made the Flip and, later, the Nano’s video camera great wasn’t the … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Bitmo Lab Updates BANG!CASE to Accommodate the Camera Control and Releases GAMEBABY to Turn Your iPhone into a Retro Console [Sponsor]

MacStories readers love to automate their iPhones, which is what makes the BANG!CASE the perfect choice whether you’re using an iPhone 14, 15, or 16 Pro or Pro Max. The BANG!CASE’s retro-futuristic design combines cool aesthetics with its integrated motherboard and independent po … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Using Apple Journal to Track Home Screen Setups

I love this idea by Lee Peterson: using Apple’s Journal app (which got some terrific updates in iOS 18) to track your Home Screen updates over time. Every so often, I see screenshots from people on Threads or Mastodon showing their Home Screens from over a decade ago. I routinely … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

The Latest from Magic Rays of Light, Comfort Zone, and MacStories Unwind

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: Magic Rays of Light Devon and Jonathan highlight new Apple Original Spanish-language medical drama Midnight Family, share their iPhone 16 Pro and Apple Watch Series 10 first impressions, and check in on Slow Horses mi … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

Clockwise 573, ‘Five Legs and Way Too Many Fingers’

Earlier this week, I joined Lex Friedman on Clockwise, the Relay show hosted by Dan Moren and Mikah Sargent. On episode 573, ‘Five Legs and Way Too Many Fingers,’ we covered a bunch of topics including: the Apple Watch faces we use and why; our feelings about Apple marketing its … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 1 month ago

A Single Apple EarPod Has Become My Favorite Wired Earbud for Gaming

Nintendo Switch with Hori’s Split Pad Compact controllers, Steam Deck OLED, and Ayn Odin 2. Also, you should play UFO 50. Picture this problem: Because of my podcast about portable gaming NPC with John and Brendon, I test a lot of gaming handhelds. And when I say a lot, I mean I … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 2 months ago

The Latest from NPC: Next Portable Console and AppStories

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: This week, Federico and John cover the highlights of macOS Sequoia, a good update that feels unfinished. In the latest episode, we share our thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2 rumors, Sony’s PS5 nostalgia-fest, and mor … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 2 months ago

First Look: Logitech’s MX Creative Console Is Poised to Compete with Elgato’s Stream Deck Lineup

Source: Logitech. Today, Logitech revealed the Logitech MX Creative Console, the first product that takes advantage of the technology underlying the Loupedeck, a company it acquired in July 2023. I’ve been a user of Loupedeck products since 2019. When I heard about the acquisitio … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 2 months ago

Austin Mann’s iPhone 16 Pro Camera Review

Unlike most reviewers who were given an iPhone to test, Austin Mann didn’t head home, he headed to Kenya. Mann, whose iPhone camera reviews we’ve covered many times in the past, took the new iPhone 16 Pro on safari (not the browser), photographing a variety of wildlife, landscape … | Continue reading


@macstories.net | 2 months ago