Chance Miller

The popular podcast player Overcast has gotten a big update today with a new listening stats feature. The app can now show you which podcasts you’ve listened to most over the last two years.

Today’s Overcast update also adds an incredibly useful new 48-hour history and undo feature to help you recover from accidentally skipping a podcast.

Philips Hue bulbs are one of the easiest ways to give your existing light fixtures smart home capabilities, including through Apple’s HomeKit platform. The problem with Philips Hue bulbs, however, is that whenever a wall light switch is flipped off, the smart lights become unresponsive.

The Lutron Aurora dimmer is a simple yet ingenious way to solve this problem, and it should be at the top of every smart home fan’s holiday wish list.

Plus, they are currently on sale for 20% off on Amazon…

Apple released iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 with important security fixes. In an update to its security website, Apple has further detailed these vulnerabilities and says that they may have been actively exploited in the wild.

Apple is rolling out macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 today with what it says are important security fixes. The update comes three weeks after macOS Sequoia 15.1 was released to the public.

Last week, analyst Ross Young revealed that the new M4 MacBook Pro is the first Apple device to use new quantum dot display technology.

In a follow up blog post, he says that this same technology will also make its way to the next-generation Pro Display XDR. Young also offered a timeline in a message to 9to5Mac, saying there are a no concrete plans but the current expectation for a next-gen Pro Display XDR is late 2025 or early 2026.

Apple analyst Jeff Pu is out with a new investor note this week with more details on what to expect from next year’s iPhone 17 lineup.

There’s also an interest twist on what to expect from the so-called iPhone 17 Air’s design…

Apple has shared its full holiday gift guide for 2024 shopping season and as usual, it covers most of the major product categories. Here’s everything you need to know, and how to score some big savings on Apple’s recommendations.

Updated November 18, 2024 with the latest pricing and deals.

Following the introduction of MagSafe charging on the iPhone 12, Apple unveiled a MagSafe Battery Pack accessory. With deep iOS integration and unique reverse wireless charging support, it was a compelling accessory for iPhone users and earned a spot in my everyday carry.

Unfortunately, it went on to be yet another one-and-done Apple accessory that was discontinued with the iPhone 15.

iOS 18.2 is currently in beta testing with the next round of Apple Intelligence features, such as Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, and Genmoji.

While those Apple Intelligence features are garnering most of the attention, there are other notable features coming to the iPhone next month. Head below for a roundup of all the non-AI features coming to your iPhone as part of iOS 18.2.

The new M4 Mac mini features an incredibly impressive design that shows the prowess of Apple Silicon. But what if you took that Mac mini and converted it into another one of Apple’s most iconic Mac designs: the iMac G4?

That’s exactly what Action Retro on YouTube has done…

Benjamin and Chance debate the curious report from Bloomberg about what the upcoming Apple smart display will look like, and how it will work. Ming-Chi Kuo also says Apple is working on a new smart home camera. iOS 18.2 beta 3 changes the narrative about the Camera Control, and the rumored ‘iPhone 17 Slim’ may not be so slim after all.

And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin talks about getting a car for the first time … and an iPhone 16 Plus. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

• Sponsored by LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/HAPPYHOUR.
• Sponsored by HelloFresh: America’s #1 Meal Kit. Get 10 FREE meals at HelloFresh.com/freehappyhour

Apple is aiming to release its first Apple Intelligence-powered smart home device as early as March, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The product will take the form of “a wall-mounted display” that resembles a traditional home security panel.

Apple’s hope is that it will serve as a “command center for the home” with a combination of Apple apps, Apple Intelligence, and integration with HomeKit.

Ford fans rejoice: it’s our turn to add widgets for our cars to Control Center. Ford is rolling out a new version of the FordPass app with Control Center toggles as well as a new Home Screen widget.

After a false start back in January, the Apple Music Classical app has officially launched on CarPlay. The app also now integrates with Siri, allowing you to ask Siri to play your favorite content using Apple Music Classical.

There’s yet another battle brewing between the European Union and Apple. In a press release today, the European Commission announced that it has “notified Apple” that it may be violating the EU’s anti-geo-blocking rules with Apple Media Services, including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+, and more.

Apple released iOS 18.2 beta 3 to developers today. It’s not as dramatic of an update as the first two betas, but there are a couple of changes worth pointing out.

iOS 18.2 beta 3 adds another new toggle for personalizing the iPhone 16’s Camera Control. Now, you can open the Camera app with a single press of the Camera Control even if your display is off.

Last week, a report from 404 Media highlighted concerns from law enforcement officials about iPhones automatically rebooting themselves.

While law enforcement officials had erroneously speculated that iPhones were secretly communicating with each other to reboot, that’s not actually the case. Instead, Apple added a new security feature in iOS 18.1 that forces iPhones to reboot after a period of inactivity.

iOS 18.2 beta 3 is here. The update is now rolling out to developer beta testers and it comes after last week’s release of the second beta. iOS 18.2 will be released to everyone in December and includes new Apple Intelligence features, upgrades to Find My, and more.

As part of its dramatic redesign, Apple moved the power button on the M4 Mac mini from the back of the machine to the bottom. In a new interview, Apple executives Greg Joswiak and John Ternus addressed this surprisingly controversial decision…

In the latest beta of iOS 18.2, Apple upgraded the Find My app with support for sharing a link to the location of a lost AirTag or Find My network accessory.

Now, Apple has published a press release detailing the new feature – including partnerships that will see more than 15 airlines begin accepting Find My item location links.