When Apple unveiled iOS 18 earlier this month, I was somewhat disappointed by the lack of significant new security and privacy features. I still feel that way to some extent. However, after testing the iOS 18 beta for over two weeks now, I want to highlight a few of my favorite features and ones that are noteworthy. Here’s my list in ascending order for dramatic effect.

Apple just announced iOS 18 a few weeks ago at WWDC, touting new home screen features, Apple Intelligence, and much more. Now, right on schedule, Bloomberg reports that Apple has already started development on iOS 19, macOS 16, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3 for next year.

According to a new report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is targeting to begin mass production of new “AirPods with camera modules” by 2026. This report comes after Bloomberg also noted Apple’s plans for developing AirPods with cameras back in February.

The special EU App Store rules were rolled out earlier this year in response to the Digital Markets Act, which forced Apple to open up the iPhone software ecosystem to include alternatives to the App Store.

So far, not many have taken up the opportunity, in part because of the hefty associated fees and compliance requirements enforced by Apple. Epic Games may be about to make a big splash, however. The company says it is has submitted both the game Fortnite, and the Epic Games Store, to Apple for notarization, as they near a launch.

Chargeasap has just introduced their new Connect Pro Magnetic charging cables. These cables are designed to solve a few different problems that most cables today face. Its magnetic nature provides modularity across products, it supports 100W fast charging, 27W Apple Fast Charging, and has a built-in power reader to enhance your experience. Let’s highlight the key features and specs that make the Connect Pro a standout among a sea of charging accessories and cables.

One of the most highly anticipated features announced at WWDC back in 2021 was support for storing IDs in the Apple Wallet application. Touted by Apple as the last step before you are “fully free of your physical wallet,” the feature is still only supported by a small number of states.

Nonetheless, there are now over 20 states working towards adopting digital IDs for citizens…

One of the big changes in iOS 18 is support for RCS, enabling significantly better messaing between iPhone and Android users. With the release of iOS 18 beta 2 earlier this week, carriers in the United States started enabling RCS for iPhone beta testers.

Curious if your carrier supports RCS on iPhone yet? Here’s how to check.

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I’ve written about Ubiquiti’s fantastic camera products in a few posts in recent months, but cameras are nothing without a backend system to manage and monitor them. Ubiquiti recently released UniFi Protect v4.0 with its re-architected NVR Core Engine.

Sider is an AI assistant that can be used to quickly understand any content. A handy browser extension lets you quickly analyze webpages using ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more. But the real exciting news is Sider’s just-launched iOS app, which features an innovative ChatScreen that can be quickly invoked via a shortcut to analyze any on-screen content without switching apps.

How does it all work? Watch our hands-on video of Sider’s browser extension and the new iOS app in action.

Since the launch of the iPhone 15 Pro with A17 Pro, Apple’s first chip with hardware-accelerated ray-tracing, Apple has been trying to convince major game developers to bring their titles to iOS. AAA Games like Resident Evil Village and Assassin’s Creed Mirage are now available on the App Store, but a new report shows that they’re not exactly a hit with iPhone and iPad users.

Apple teased during WWDC 2024 new content coming to Apple TV+ later this year, including new seasons of Severance, Silo, and Pachinko. And it looks like Apple’s efforts are paying off, as the market share for TV+ grew once again in the US during the last quarter.

If you’re looking to take your desk setup to the next level, this is the guide for you. Head below for some of my favorite products that can improve your working setup, ranging from accessories to decorations and more. All the things on this list are things I’ve personally used and can vouch for.

As we reported earlier this month, iOS 18 adds a new feature called “Tap to Provision,” which makes it much easier for users to add their credit and debit cards to Apple Pay in the Wallet app. The feature already seems to be working for some users running the latest beta on their iPhone, and we now have more details on how it works.

We are into the second developer beta of iOS 18, which means all of the new features (at least currently available) have been put through their paces for a few weeks. So we’re curious, what are your favorite new capabilities and features of iOS 18?

Permanent outdoor lighting can absolutely transition a bland space into an exciting one. Govee recently released its new Smart Outdoor Wall Light which offers 1500 lumens of brightness, plenty of color options, and HomeKit support over Matter. Read on to learn more about Govee’s Smart Outdoor Wall Light.

A major selling point for Apple Watch is the health features that come with the wearable. If you’re curious about what’s changed between the latest release and its predecessors, read along for Apple Watch Series 9 vs 8 and earlier for health and fitness capabilities.

If you want to get multiple new phones every year, AT&T is introducing a new program for exactly that. AT&T’s new “Next Up Anytime” early upgrade program allows you to get a new phone three times a year for an extra $10 per month.

On today’s episode of 9to5Mac Daily, we cover the Apple TV app’s new ‘Catch Up’ feature for live streaming MLS sports, and the expansion of Apple’s hotel TV AirPlay feature with Samsung. We also highlight the availability of OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Mac app to everyone. Plus, we delve into Apple’s decision to withhold certain intelligence from the EU and why the new Apple Intelligence won’t be supported on older iPhones or Vision Pro devices. Tune in for all this and more!

Sponsored by Chargeasap: Introducing Connect Pro Magnetic charging cables, the world’s first 100W magnetic USB cable with LED power reader. Available now with special launch pricing.

Included with iOS is the capability for iPhone to use T-Mobile’s 5G Standalone coverage in the US (in addition to other carriers globally). The option can offer speeds as fast speeds 3 Gbps using the power of carrier aggregation. Here’s how to make sure 5G Standalone is turned on with iPhone and how to verify your cellular connection stats.

The beauty of the iPad and iPadOS is that you have access to the app store. Some say that the iPadOS software tends to bog the user experience down, especially in a productivity setting, but I disagree. Between the nearly 2 million apps you have access to and the raw power from the iPad Pro chipset, I believe the iPad can be a more productive alternative to a traditional desktop or laptop experience. Here are the seven apps I use on my M4 iPad Pro to stay productive.

The in-app subscription market continues to grow, according to a new report, despite increasing consumer fatigue with the trend to turn everything into a recurring payment. Surprisingly, the most common subscription model is reportedly now a weekly one.

The switch from buying apps outright to paying for them on a subscription basis has been one of the biggest trends over the past 5-10 years – and one of the most controversial …

Apple TV+ today premieres its latest original film, Fancy Dance, which has garnered much critical praise in early reviews. The film stars Lily Gladstone, hot off her Academy Award nominated performance in Killers of the Flower Moon, a prior Apple release.

In Fancy Dance, Gladstone plays Jax, who is caring for her niece Roki since her sister’s mysterious disappearance. The pair set off on a road trip to try and find her sister, Roki’s mother. Meanwhile, Roki’s grandfather invokes a custody battle over Jax. Here’s how to watch …

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a new rule, under which carriers will have to unlock your iPhone or Android smartphone within 60 days of activation.

The proposal is intended to increase competition by making it easier for consumers to switch carriers …