Tag: macs
Gurman: watchOS 10 to Have Notable Changes, macOS 13.4 to Support New Macs
In his weekly newsletter, Gurman added that only modest hardware changes are expected for new Apple Watch models coming later this year.
Apple is expected to announce watchOS 10 at WWDC, scheduled for June 5 through June 9. At its annual developer conference, Apple is also expected to introduce iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, and tvOS 17, while Gurman continues to believe that Apple’s long-rumored AR/VR headset and its xrOS operating system will be unveiled at WWDC.
In the meantime, Apple has seeded its latest round of betas, including macOS 13.4 for the Mac. Gurman said Apple will add support for new Macs in macOS 13.4, which is likely to be released to the public in May. Apple is rumored to be planning a new Mac Pro with an M2 Ultra chip and new MacBook Air models with an M3 chip.
This article, “Gurman: watchOS 10 to Have Notable Changes, macOS 13.4 to Support New Macs” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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The best antivirus software options for keeping PCs and Macs protected
Best deals on antivirus software this week
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Bitdefender Internet Security
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$32.99 for 3-Devices on 1-Year Plan(List Price $84.99)
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Norton AntiVirus Plus
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$19.99 for 1-Device on 1-Year Plan(List Price $59.99)
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Bitdefender Total Security
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$35.99 for 5-Devices on 1-Year Plan(List Price $94.99)
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McAfee
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$89.99 for Unlimited Devices on 1-Year Advanced Plan(List Price $199.99)
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Webroot SecureAnywhere
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$23.99 for 1-Device on 1-Year Plan(List Price $39.99)
It’s important to have a great antivirus software package that can protect your PC from threats while you browse online. Viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing threats are all potential dangers when you’re online, even if you think you’re being careful. New threats are emerging every day, which is why many antivirus software manufacturers take a holistic approach, protecting your system from all kinds of potential threats, not just the obvious ones.
There is no shortage of options out there for protecting your system from viral threats, but it’s important to have the right solution for you. Free apps are available of course, but they typically offer far fewer features and can sometimes be updated less frequently and reliably than paid antivirus software. Generally, you get what you pay for, and when it comes to keeping your PC secure from security threats, who wants to scrimp on protection?
A dangerous virus or piece of ransomware can lock you out of your system, meaning if you don’t have a reliable backup, you could lose banking details, private documents, and personal photos that can never be recovered. Fortunately, if you install the right paid antivirus software, you won’t have to worry about that being an issue.
It’s worth remembering that even though it might seem like having multiple antivirus software apps installed is the best solution, this often causes issues. A far better idea is to pick one and stick with it so that they don’t clash with each other. Nowadays, many threats emerge from phishing attempts such as scam emails or websites that are disguised as something reputable. The best paid antivirus software appreciates that, so it looks out for anything that could be suspicious as well as more obvious virus files.
It’s also important that your antivirus software has an on-demand malware scan as well as checks for vulnerabilities along the way. That way, it can keep an eye out for issues before they develop. Some paid antivirus software also detects files that are behaving suspiciously, giving you a head’s up so you can determine if you want to trust it or not. Viruses and security issues are fast-moving, so this is a great method for ensuring that potential issues are spotted even before a new virus is officially identified.
I have a Mac. Do I need antivirus software?
Plenty of people tout Macs as impenetrable fortresses when it comes to viruses and other issues of the like, but they’ve been misled. While Macs are generally more secure than PCs — Apple software and hardware are all in-house, where Windows tends to have security vulnerabilities because they work with multiple manufacturers — that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Albeit smaller than PCs, there are still holes in the system that can be infiltrated.
So yes, if you have a Mac, that doesn’t mean you should immediately write off picking up a high-quality antivirus software package. Many Mac users who carry the notion that they cannot be affected by malware tend to skip out on antivirus software because they feel like they don’t need it, and malicious hackers have caught onto this. As a result, Mac users are more targeted than ever when it comes to cyber attacks. (We have a roundup of antivirus software *just* for Mac users as well.)
Don’t be a part of that statistic. Protect your computer, whether it’s a PC or a Mac.
Viruses, malware, and ransomware
There are slight differences between them, but they’re worth knowing about so you can spot issues more easily as they come up. Just like all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares, all viruses and ransomware are malware, but not all malware is a virus or ransomware. Got it? No? Well, let’s go a little deeper.
Malware, which is a term used for malicious software, covers any software that is meant to cause harm to a computer, server, network, or the user themself. This ranges from the seemingly innocuous nuisance, like pop-up ads, to the actually dangerous situations, like webcam hacking (maybe pick up a webcam cover, just to be safe).
Now that we’ve established the malware umbrella, we can understand what a virus is. Viruses are a form of malware that self-replicates, effectively causing an “infection” on your computer (hence “virus”). Viruses can be picked up from things like email attachments, links with dangerous code embedded in them, disguised pop-ups, and downloads that haven’t been properly vetted.
Ransomware is another form of malware that has a different purpose from a virus. A ransomware attack blocks access to a specific system until a “ransom” is paid, basically creating a hostage situation. Average computer users don’t have to be all that concerned about ransomware, as these types of attacks usually target larger institutions and businesses that hold a lot of capital.
A good antivirus software package will work to fight all of these things, and while it still won’t make your device 100% impervious to attacks, it’ll still supply you with enough protection and peace of mind to keep your anxieties from running wild about getting hacked all the time.
Get a VPN, too
If you use a public network in any capacity, a VPN is a great thing to have by your side, and many antivirus software packages include them. Unsecured public networks are a hacker’s dream, which you can find present in places like coffee shops, airports, hotels, and more. Since connecting to public networks requires no authentication, hackers are easily able to get in and wreak all kinds of havoc.
Thankfully, VPNs add a level of encryption that most public networks do not — they connect you to a secure server and provide you with an extra layer of protection around your data. Next time you’re on a public network, a secure VPN can keep you safe from people eavesdropping on your emails, stealing personal information, or sending you malware. Plus, they’re great for watching exclusive Netflix offerings that are specific to other countries, as a little bonus.
Password managers — are they necessary?
A lot of us do it: We repeat the same password for every single account we make, or at least some variation of that password. Even though it’s the more convenient option, seeing as you don’t have a billion passwords to remember at all times, it can also potentially be very dangerous. Think about it — if a hacker can get access to that master password of yours (which isn’t all that difficult, FYI), they can then get access to anything you used that password with, whether it’s your Amazon account or your online banking information. Bad news.
That’s where a password manager comes in, and most antivirus software packages thankfully include them. A password manager has the ability to store all of your passwords in one place so that you don’t have to remember them, meaning you can create a completely new and unique one every time you need to without worrying about possibly losing it. This will make it way harder for anyone trying to get access to any of your multiple accounts across the internet, which is better for you in every way.
So, what’s the best antivirus software?
There are a lot of options out there, but we were able to narrow it down to eight packages that we think are worthwhile for you to check out. Here are our top picks for the best antivirus solutions, no matter your network situation:
Plex Media Server Is Dropping Old Windows PCs and Macs
Plex allows you to host your own collection of movies, TV episodes, and music to stream on all your other devices, and even share your library with friends and family. However, Plex Media Server is about to drop support for old Windows PCs and Macs.
Read This Article on How-To Geek ›
Apple’s Work on Touchscreen Macs: What We Know So Far
This guide highlights everything that we know so far about Apple’s work on a touchscreen Mac.
Possible Models
According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple engineers are “actively engaged” in the development of a Mac with a touchscreen, and one of the first Macs with a touchscreen could be an OLED version of the MacBook Pro.
How Touchscreen Macs Will Work
The first touchscreen Mac is expected to continue to feature a traditional laptop design, complete with a trackpad and a keyboard.
While a standard notebook design will continue to be used, the machine will feature a display that supports touch input like an iPhone or an iPad.
Operating System
Gurman says that the first touchscreen Macs are likely to use macOS, the operating system that runs on the Mac. Apple is not looking to combine iPadOS and macOS at this time, though the lines have blurred between the operating systems with the launch of Apple silicon Macs.
iPhone and iPad apps are already able to run on Macs with Apple silicon chips, unless a developer opts out of the cross platform functionality.
Touchscreen Mac History
Apple executives have said many times over the years that Apple does not have plans to release a touchscreen Mac. In 2021, for example, Apple hardware engineering chief John Ternus said that the best touch computer is an iPad, with the Mac “totally optimized for indirect input” rather than touch. “We haven’t really felt a reason to change that,” he said.
Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi in 2020 said that Apple believed Mac ergonomics require the hands to be rested on a surface, claiming that “lifting your arm up to poke a screen” is “fatiguing.” Touchscreen laptops from other companies were also not compelling to Apple. “I don’t think we’ve ever looked at any of the other guys to date and said, how fast can we get there?”
Later in 2020, Federighi said that a touch-based interface was not considered for the Mac and that Apple had no secret plans to change the way the Mac works. Apple has been dismissing claims of a touchscreen Mac for almost a decade at this point.
The Competition
Almost all PC manufacturers make some kind of touch-based tablet/laptop hybrid device, many of which are positioned as all-in-one or convertible machines.
HP, Lenovo, Dell, Asus, Microsoft, Google, and Samsung all have notebook options with touch displays. Major Apple competitor Samsung, for example, offers the Galaxy Book, which has a traditional keyboard and trackpad paired with a touchscreen.
Release Date
The first touchscreen Mac could come out as soon as 2025, but there is time for Apple to change its plans.
This article, “Apple’s Work on Touchscreen Macs: What We Know So Far” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Apple’s Huge 3nm Chip Orders for iPhone 15 Pro and M3 Macs Helping to Maintain TSMC’s Fab Utilization Rates
DigiTimes reports that TSMC’s 5nm fabrication capacity began to loosen in November 2022 as a result of reduced orders from Apple, amongst other partners, with orders for iPhone chips alone having been slashed by 30%. However, the Taiwanese manufacturer has apparently been able to keep its utilization rate at 70% or higher thanks to Apple’s thirst for 3nm:
TSMC continues to improve its capacity utilization for 3nm process technology, which is expected to approach 50% at the end of March, the sources said. The foundry will also grow the process output to 50,000-55,000 wafers monthly in March, with Apple being the main customer.
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to feature the A17 Bionic processor, Apple’s first iPhone chip based on TSMC’s first-generation 3nm process, also known as N3E.
The first-gen 3nm process is said to deliver a 35% power efficiency improvement over TSMC’s 5nm-based N4 fabrication process, which was used to make the A16 Bionic chip for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. The N3 technology will also offer significantly improved performance compared to current chips manufactured on 5nm.
Apple’s next-generation 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models are both expected to be equipped with an M3 chip, which is also likely to be manufactured on the 3nm process for further performance and power efficiency improvements. Apple is also reportedly planning to release an updated version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 chip. The M2 chip and its higher-end Pro and Max variants are built on TSMC’s second-generation 5nm process.
Orders for new AI processors from Nvidia and AMD, as well as Apple’s new iPhone chip, are expected to help TSMC avoid further fab utilization declines in the second quarter, DigiTimes‘ sources said.
This article, “Apple’s Huge 3nm Chip Orders for iPhone 15 Pro and M3 Macs Helping to Maintain TSMC’s Fab Utilization Rates” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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How to Access ChatGPT From Your Mac’s Menu Bar
ChatGPT is a next-generation language model that’s designed to understand and generation human-like response to natural language input. Using a form of AI called deep learning, ChatGPT generates text that’s similar to what a human might say.
ChatGPT is trained on a large corpus of text corralled from the internet, which allows it to answer a wide variety of questions and generate coherent responses to many different types of prompts.
That’s why Microsoft has added its Bing GPT chatbot to the Taskbar with the latest Windows 11 update, and why Google plans to integrate its Bard experimental conversational AI service to Google Search.
Sadly, Apple doesn’t have a chatbot service similar to ChatGPT, and there’s no indication that the company will launch one soon, so macOS integration is likely some ways off. However, thanks to one developer, it is possible to interact with ChatGPT right from your Mac’s menu bar.
Developed by Jordi Bruin, MacGPT is a free download that reproduces all of the options found on the ChatGPT website and makes them accessible inside a tidy little Mac app. From within the MacGPT interface you can start new conversations with the chatbot and resume old ones.
In the app’s settings, there’s an option to make the MacGPT window always on top, so it floats over other windows. You can also record a keyboard shortcut that launches the chat window.
The app even adds a convenient brain icon to your Mac’s menu bar, so you can have another app in fullscreen mode and still be able to access ChatGPT, ensuring the rich information resource remains just a click away, whatever you’re doing.
MacGPT and the ChatGPT website aren’t the only ways to access conversational AI chatbots on your Apple devices. Microsoft recently rolled out new Bing, Skype, and Edge apps for the iPhone and the iPad, all of which feature the chat-based AI-powered search capabilities. However, as of writing, these apps are available only in a preview capacity for those who are on the Bing preview experience, and there is a waitlist.
This article, “How to Access ChatGPT From Your Mac’s Menu Bar” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Apple Increases Trade-In Values for Select iPhones, iPads and Macs
Trade-in values have gone up for the iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and iPhone 7 Plus, with the new pricing listed below.
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: Up to $600 (vs. $570)
- iPhone 13 Pro: Up to $500 (vs. $470)
- iPhone 13: Up to $400 (No Change)
- iPhone 13 mini: Up to $350 (No Change)
- iPhone SE 3rd generation: Up to $160 (Newly Added)
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Up to $420 (vs. $400)
- iPhone 12 Pro: Up to $330 (No Change)
- iPhone 12: Up to $300 (No Change)
- iPhone 12 mini: Up to $250 (No Change)
- iPhone SE (2nd generation): Up to $100 (No Change)
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Up to $280 (No Change)
- iPhone 11 Pro: Up to $230 (No Change)
- iPhone 11: Up to $200 (No Change)
- iPhone XS Max: Up to $200 (No Change)
- iPhone XS: Up to $160 (No Change)
- iPhone XR: Up to $150 (No Change)
- iPhone X: Up to $130 (No Change)
- iPhone 8 Plus: Up to $100 (No Change)
- iPhone 8: Up to $75 (No Change)
- iPhone 7 Plus: Up to $60 (vs. $50)
- iPhone 7: Up to $40 (No Change)
There have also been some minor tweaks to iPad and Mac trade-in values.
iPad
- iPad Pro: Up to $445 (No Change)
- iPad Air: Up to $320 (vs. $230)
- iPad: Up to $165 (vs. $160)
- iPad mini: Up to $240 (No Change)
Mac
- MacBook Pro: Up to $730 (vs. $670)
- MacBook Air: Up to $515 (vs. $460)
- MacBook: Up to $125 (vs. $110)
- iMac Pro: Up to $575 (vs. $600)
- iMac: Up to $570 (vs. $530)
- Mac Pro: Up to $1,250 (No Change)
- Mac mini: Up to $375 (vs. $340)
Apple Watch
- Apple Watch Series 7: Up to $165 (vs. $160)
- Apple Watch Series 6: Up to $105 (No Change)
- Apple Watch SE: Up to $70 (vs. $65)
- Apple Watch Series 5: Up to $80 (vs. $75)
- Apple Watch Series 4: Up to $50 (vs. $45)
Note that while trade-in value have gone up, many of these prices are still lower than 2022 prices as Apple decreased trade-in values back in January.
A full list of trade-in values, including those for Android smartphones, cis available on Apple’s trade-in website.
This article, “Apple Increases Trade-In Values for Select iPhones, iPads and Macs” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Apple Now Charging More for Out-of-Warranty Battery Replacements on iPhones, iPads and Macs
Battery replacements for the iPhone 13 models, for example, now cost $89, up $20 from the prior repair cost. The $89 price is applicable to the iPhone X through the iPhone 13, with Apple charging $69 for repairs on the iPhone 8 and earlier. Out-of-warranty battery replacements for iPhone 14 models remain at $99, pricing Apple introduced back in September.
Pricing on the iPad is up by $20 for many models, including the fifth-generation and later 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, the third-generation 11-inch iPad Pro and earlier, 10.5 and 9.7-inch iPad Pro models, all iPad mini models, and all iPad Air models. It will now cost $119 for a battery replacement on these devices.
Apple’s battery prices are increasing today by up to $50 for select iPhone, Mac, and iPad devices. Ours aren’t.
Get a battery replacement for your Apple device without the price hike. Available in Part Only or Fix Kit form backed by our Quality Guarantee.https://t.co/2EJjUMKRc6 pic.twitter.com/IldKhbP07V
— iFixit (@iFixit) March 1, 2023
Battery replacements on the most recent iPad Pro models continue to be priced at $179 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and $149 for the 11-inch iPad Pro.
Mac battery replacements have increased in price by $30 to $50, with all MacBook Air battery replacements now priced at $159 and all MacBook Pro battery replacements priced at $249.
Note that these prices are for out-of-warranty battery replacements on devices that do not have AppleCare+ and where the one-year warranty has expired. If you have AppleCare+, battery replacements are free if your battery has degraded below a certain level.
The pricing in the article also applies to the United States, but battery replacement costs are also up in other countries as well. Apple began warning customers of the increased prices in January, and estimates for replacement costs are available on Apple’s Mac, iPad, and iPhone repair websites.
This article, “Apple Now Charging More for Out-of-Warranty Battery Replacements on iPhones, iPads and Macs” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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