iOS 18 is widely expected to be announced at WWDC 2024 on June 10, but there’s still plenty of life left in iOS 17 yet.
Despite a few weeks without a new beta, it appears we could see iOS 17.5 arrive as a beta later this year. This comes via a private social media account as seen by 9to5Mac, which the site says has “a strong track record”, and is backed up by 9to5Mac’s data.
As for what’s coming in iOS 17.5, there could be more concessions to satisfy the Digital Markets Act. iOS 17.4, which arrived in March, introduced alternatives to the App Store in the European Union, as well as additional features we’ve listed in full.
Could iOS 17.5 see developers allowed the option to offer their apps via download from their websites? Time will tell, but 9to5Mac suggests the update could arrive as soon as this coming week for beta testers.
(Image credit: Malte Helmhold on Unsplash)
iOS and the Digital Markets Act
It’s certainly not gone to plan for Apple when it comes to the DMA. The company reinstated Epic Games’ developer account following pressure from the European Union and the Fortnite developer, only to ban it again, and then reinstate it again after the EU asked further questions.
Big brands including Epic, Spotify and more branded Apple’s changes, including allowing additional digital storefronts, as ‘a mockery of the DMA’, suggesting the changes don’t go for enough.
And, while Apple isn’t expected to allow iMessage on Android to satisfy the EU or the DOJ in the US, RCS is expected to come to the iPhone later this year.
iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!
Vision Pro has been out for a few weeks, but only if you’re in the US. Apple’s headset hasn’t launched outside of the company’s home nation yet, but it appears we could be tiptoeing closer to the headset heading overseas.
A report from the French site watchgeneration.fr (thanks, 9to5Mac) suggests that Apple is inviting retail employees to attend what is likely to be Vision Pro training sessions this Summer.
Watchgeneration’s sources say Apple is referring to the training as a “Training Product Event” for a new product. Naturally, that doesn’t guarantee it’ll be for the Vision Pro headset, but France currently has access to every other Apple product found in the US so that rules out pretty much everything else.
(Image credit: Apple)
When could Apple Vision Pro launch in other countries?
Given Apple staff in the US began to receive Vision Pro training in January (after being invited for it in December), this could suggest Apple’s international expansion of Vision Pro could happen within weeks of the training being given.
With June marking the start of Summer, that could feasibly lead to Vision Pro arriving in France (or more widely in Europe) as early as July. That could make it an ideal announcement for WWDC 2024 on June 10, 2024.
Given code references to international keyboards, global job listings, and Apple aiming to launch in China this year, we shouldn’t have too much longer to find out. Here’s hoping for a UK rollout soon.
And hey, if you’re still trying to work out if Vision Pro is for you, why not check out the browser-based App Store?
iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!
We’ve been seeing more and more reports about the possibility that Apple intends to bring support for an Apple Pencil to the Apple Vision Pro and it’s been suggested that we may see more about this plan sooner rather than later. It’s thought the new feature could be part of the visionOS 2 software that Apple is expected to debut during the June 10 WWDC 2024 event. Now, there’s more fuel to the fire that something is afoot.
That’s the thought after the publishing of a new Apple patent that appears to hint at an Apple Pencil of sorts that can be used with the Apple Vision Pro. And while the patent doesn’t specifically mention an Apple Pencil, it does detail some kind of virtual pointer device.
According to the patent, Apple is aware that using an Apple Pencil-like device could be problematic due to the lack of resistance associated with writing or drawing on a physical surface. But it has a plan to deal with that.
Elastic pencil
The patent, which was first spotted by Patently Apple, details a method to deal with shaking hands and other unwanted movements by using elasticity.
“In some examples, to reduce undesirable artifacts (e.g., flaws due to handshaking and/or hesitations) from occurring in the virtual object, a virtual pointer element is offset from a portion of an input device and is used to generate the virtual object in a three-dimensional environment,” the patent explains. “In some examples, to improve the visual characteristics of the generated virtual object, an elasticity model can be applied which includes various modes of physics.”
However, it’s always important to remember that Apple patents almost everything its engineers come up with so there is no guarantee that this feature will ever see the light of day. But with ongoing rumors of Apple Vision Pro support coming at a time when the Apple Pencil 3 is thought to be weeks away, it’s entirely possible that it will do.
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Rumors of the launch of new OLED iPad Pro and refreshed 6th-gen iPad Air tablets have been rumbling for months and now it appears that we might finally have a timeframe for when they will be announced. After missing a rumored March 26 launch date, it now appears that May will be the month when Apple will finally take the wraps off its next tablet updates.
The new iPads are reportedly entering mass production overseas with the plan being to announce the new tablets in May, although a more concrete timeframe has not been shared. This is according to unnamed sources speaking with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman after the well-connected journalist had previously said that Apple may choose an April launch window depending on the availability of a required iPadOS software update.
The launch of the new tablets would be the first in more than a year after Apple went through the whole fo 2023 without any new tablets being announced.
May is the day
Gurman shared the news in a Bloomberg report which noted that the release “will center on revamped versions of the iPad Pro and iPad Air.”
The new iPad Pro is expected to feature an OLED display for the first time and be powered by an M3 chip. Apple’s new iPad Air is expected to use an M2 chip while the 11-inch version will be joined with an all-new 12.9-inch option for the very first time. The new tablet will be an alternative to the more costly iPad Pro for those who want a larger tablet but don’t need the extra power — or expense — of Apple’s top-of-the-line model.
Apple is also expected to unveil the Apple Pencil 3 as well as a new Magic Keyboard with a metal construction. There has also been talk of the Apple Vision Pro supporting the Apple Pencil, but it’s unclear if that will work with this model or a future one.
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iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!
If you enjoy using your Apple Watch to navigate when you’re in the middle of nowhere, look out for this new Apple Maps feature in iOS 18. According to code that MacRumors reviewed for the new software update, it looks like topographical maps on their way to the iPhone navigation app as well.
According to the code, the same fancy topographical maps we’ve been ogling on the Apple Watch since watchOS 10 are making their grand entrance on iOS 18, macOS 15, and, for those of you living in the future, visionOS 2. Topographical maps are kitted out with trails, contour lines, elevation, and points of interest. It makes them a must-have for anyone who’s ever looked at a hill and thought, “Yeah, I could hike that.”
So far, these maps have been playing hard to get, with support slowly spreading across the United States like jam on toast. Bringing them to the iPhone with the next major update would require more mapping to be following beforehand or shortly afterwards.
iPhone in the wild
With topographical maps making their way to the iPhone, the device in your pocket might make for a better navigation tool in the wild. It gives you access to a bigger screen, so navigating your surroundings will be easier. And since your iPhone can help you in the middle of nowhere with Emergency SOS via Satellite, you want that device with you anyway.
It’s unclear if Apple will roll out the maps with their current level of coverage, or increase the map database. This would likely come shortly before or shortly after the software update rolls out.
Apple is expected to preview the iOS 18 software update during its June WWDC 2024 event, but it won’t be released to the public until the fall — likely alongside the arrival of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.
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iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!
When you’re looking for a VPN, you’re going to come across a lot of claims that using a VPN encrypts your internet connections, shields you from potential cyber threats, and unblocks geo-locked content. Does a free VPN keep you safe in the same way? Well, it depends on which free VPN you choose.
While free VPNs may seem enticing, they often come with inherent risks. Fake free VPNs have been caught spreading malware on mobile app stores. Even if a free VPN actually works there’s still plenty of issues compared to a paid VPN, including compromised speeds, inserted ads, and even the possibility of your browsing data being tracked and sold to third parties. Not every free VPN suffers from these problems, so I’ve put together a list of the top five free VPNs to guide you through the minefield that is free VPNs.
The 3 best paid-for iPhone VPNs in 2024
Free VPNs are always going to come with some restrictions compared to a premium VPN. While the best free VPNs keep these restrictions to a minimum, most top-tier premium VPNs come with a money-back guarantee that allows you to trial them before you buy.
If you can’t find a VPN you like from the list below, it’s worth checking out our best VPNs page and the best cheap VPNs pages for more choices. Now, with that out of the way, let’s delve into the top contenders for best free VPN:
The risks of using free VPNs
There’s plenty of risks potentially at play when you use a free VPN. Although the free VPNs I’ve listed aren’t going to steal your data or hack your computer, you should still be aware of the less exotic limitations as well as the really scary stuff.
Logging and sale of your private data: Instead of protecting your data, free VPNs often log and sell that data to third parties. These VPN providers will track your online activities, including websites visited, search queries, and browsing habits. The data collected may be anonymized or not, but either way it’s going to be sold to advertisers to power their marketing efforts. That’s in the best case. In the worst case, even your personal information will be captured and sold on to hackers or fraudsters, compromising your privacy and security.
Limited security features: Compared to premium VPN services, free VPNs typically offer limited security features. They may lack support for the most recent VPN protocols like Wireguard, hide support for VPN obfuscation behind a paywall, or cut out vital VPN features such as Kill Switches. Generally, using a free VPN leaves your data vulnerable to identification by unfriendly ISPs and surveillance by malicious actors.
Presence of malware: Some free VPNs (especially those in mobile app stores!) are little more than trojan horses, using the offer of free security as a ploy to smuggle malware onto unsuspecting users’ devices. Users may unknowingly expose their devices to malicious software, which can compromise system integrity, steal sensitive information, or render devices unusable.
Use of your resources and internet connection by others: There are a few free VPNs out there that utilize a peer-to-peer network model, allowing other users to route their traffic through your device. Obviously, this is going to decrease your internet speeds. What’s worse is the potential exposure to legal issues if illegal activities are conducted through your connection. You might not even be aware this is going on! In the case of Hola, the provider was caught selling its users bandwidth to third parties who used those connections to carry out cyberattacks.
Data caps: Many free VPNs enforce data caps, limiting the amount of data you can transmit through their servers within a specified period. Once you exceed the data limit, your connection may be throttled or completely cut off until the next billing cycle, restricting your online activities.
Weak connections: VPN providers tend to allocate fewer resources to server infrastructure for free users, resulting in overcrowded servers and slower connection speeds. Having a throttled connection can disrupt your streaming, cause your file downloads to slow to a crawl, and kick you out of your current gaming session. It’s not ideal relying on a free VPN connection for your day-to-day browsing, especially when so many paid VPN providers offer high-speed connections.
Ads and pop-ups: The most common way a free VPN stays in business is by relying on advertising revenue. It’s a common model for a lot of freemium apps, but it’s counter to what most VPNs are claiming to do, which is improve your online privacy. Intrusive ads being served by your VPN app also degrade your overall experience and pose potential security risks if the ads contain malicious content. For the most part, I’d steer clear of an entirely ad-based VPN.
The best free iPhone VPNs in 2024
The best free iPhone VPN overall
(Image credit: Future)
A free iPhone VPN that feels like premium
Specifications
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Simultaneous connections: 1
Data limit: 10 GB at full speed, then unlimited via a single 1 Mbps location
Servers: 9
Split tunneling: Yes
Kill switch: Yes
Supported protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard
Support available via: Email, Knowledgebase
Reasons to buy
+
10GB full-speed data a month
+
Includes split tunneling
+
Unblocks US Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer
Reasons to avoid
–
Has a bandwidth cap
–
Only one simultaneous connection allowed
Subscribe if:
✔️ You want a free VPN that’s as close to the paid version as possible. Apart from a bandwidth cap, there’s basically no difference between the free and paid version of Privado VPN.
✔️ You’re trying to access Netflix on a free VPN. Privado’s free version comes with all of the geo-unlocking capabilities built into the paid VPN, with enough bandwidth to go through more than a few seasons of HDTV a month.
✔️ You need a free VPN with split tunneling. Privado allows you to choose which apps you want to cover under the free VPN and which use your home connection, which is great for preserving bandwidth.
Don’t subscribe if:
❌ You need a free VPN with unlimited bandwidth. The only real issue with PrivadoVPN is that once you’ve used up your monthly bandwidth, your connection slows to a crawl.
❌ You need a free VPN with more than one simultaneous connection. PrivadoVPN only covers one client at a time, you’ll need to upgrade to the paid version to cover ten devices simultaneously.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒 PrivadoVPN offers best-in-class free VPN functionality, with P2P access, streaming capabilities, a wide range of extra features such as SecureCore, and a great spread of free locations to cap it off.
A lot of VPN providers keep their best features locked behind a paywall. Often, the free version will just come with the absolute basics. I’m glad to report that Privado VPN is an exception. Not only does it offer the best overall experience for a free VPN compared to the rest of the providers in this list, but it’s almost entirely the same as the paid version. You get access to all of Privado’s stream unblocking capabilities, as well as useful client options such as a Kill Switch and Split Tunelling, and even their full selection of VPN protocols.
Out of Privado’s 64 locations in 47 countries, the free version offers access to 10 locations. This is way above the average for free VPNs, as you’ll find they usually offer between one and three servers to connect to.
PrivadoVPN’s 10GB free data package is also significantly higher than most VPN providers, especially considering you’re not being speed limited in any way. Privado doesn’t restrict your VPN use in any other way, and even when you’ve used up your VPN bandwidth for the month you’ll still be able to use the emergency 1Mbps VPN for accessing the internet. It’s not fast, but a lot of free VPN providers will cut you off entirely once your limit is used up.
That said, 10GB a month might not be enough for you. It’s certainly enough to check out a few TV shows, but you won’t be able to rely on it for the whole month as your only free VPN. If you’re looking for more bandwidth, it’s definitely worth checking out ProtonVPN instead as it impose any usage limits. There’s also nothing stopping you from swapping to some of the other free providers on this list such as Windscribe and Atlas, which also gives you a great opportunity to try out each one and compare them for yourself. Before you do, you should definitely try out Privado’s free VPN for yourself.
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PrivadoVPN test results:
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Colors are easy on the eyes!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Simple to connect and switch servers
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
Decent speeds, nothing special but will serve for streaming
⭐⭐⭐
Unblocking
Pretty good unblocking capabilities for a free VPN
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Security and privacy
Conceptually good but still requires a third party audit
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Customer support
Email support is better than their on-site FAQs
⭐⭐⭐
Price
Free!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The best free iPhone VPN for data allowance
(Image credit: Future)
An advocate for digital privacy with unlimited data allowance
Specifications
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
Split tuneling only available on Android and Windows
–
Small amount of server locations
–
Does not include P2P-enabled servers on its free plan
Subscribe if:
✔️ You want a free VPN with unlimited bandwidth. ProtonVPN really is free forever. No ifs, no buts, you can use the service as much as you want on their free plan.
✔️ You’re concerned about your privacy. ProtonVPN has been fully audited multiple times to demonstrate a real no-logs policy. In fact, ProtonVPN has been built from the ground up to preserve your privacy.
✔️ You need a free VPN with great speeds. ProtonVPN performed the best out of any free VPN on this list in terms of connection speeds.
Don’t subscribe if:
❌ You need a wide range of locations. While ProtonVPN has a better selection of free locations than it used to, it’s still beaten out by Privado and Windscribe.
❌ You want to use P2P services. ProtonVPN doesn’t include P2P-enabled servers on the free plan, so you’ll need to upgrade to a fairly expensive subscription for access to them.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
🔒 ProtonVPN is a privacy first VPN that’s built by a team that sees privacy as a right, not a privilege. Some of the features are locked behind a paywall, but you can use the core VPN forever without bandwidth limits.
ProtonVPN is another fantastic free VPN. It’s built by the same team of CERN scientists that banded together to create ProtonMail, which has a stellar reputation for protecting user privacy. ProtonVPN has a similarly spotless record, having passed several third-party audits to confirm their no-log status. This, of course, extends to ProtonVPN’s free VPN offering as well.
The first thing that stands out to me about ProtonVPN’s free version is that there’s no bandwidth limits. That’s right, none. Free really means free when you use ProtonVPN. Of course, you’d expect some limits compared to the paid version. There’s a smaller selection of free VPN servers compared to PrivadoVPN, as you’ll only be able to connect to servers in the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, or the United States. Previously, ProtonVPN only offered Netherlands, the US, and Japan, so it’s great to see an expanded selection to keep competitive with other free VPN providers.
▶ Try ProtonVPN for a truly free VPN, forever.
While you get some of ProtonVPN’s features for free, including a Kill Switch and the WireGuard protocol, the vast majority of ProtonVPN’s features are restricted to the paid version. This means you won’t be able to consistently unblock streaming content on ProtonVPN or use P2P services such as torrents without upgrading to the full version. You might get lucky with a few streaming services, but ProtonVPN makes no guarantees on their free version.
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ProtonVPN test results:
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
A dark purple theme that really ties the app together
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Easy to connect with enough depth to customize
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
Fastest free VPN speeds I’ve seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Unblocking
Spotty unblocking capability on the free servers
⭐⭐⭐
Security and privacy
No-logs claim repeatedly audited
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Customer support
Staff are helpful, support articles are clear
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price
Free! (But the paid plan is somewhat expensive)
⭐⭐⭐
The best secure free iPhone VPN
(Image credit: Future)
A free VPN that prioritizes security
Specifications
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
Data limit: 10 GB
Servers: 14
Server locations: 11
Split tunneling: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Kill switch: Yes
Supported protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Support available via: Email
Reasons to buy
+
Unlimited connections
+
Blocks ads and malware
+
Unblocks UK Netflix, BBC iPlayer
Reasons to avoid
–
Complicated user interface
–
Slower speeds compared to Privado and Proton
Subscribe if:
✔️ You need a VPN with unlimited device connections. Windscribe outperforms most paid VPN plans, allowing you to connect as many devices as you’d like under a single free account.
✔️ You need a free VPN that blocks ads and malware. Windscribe comes with a DNS level blocking feature that you can customize to your liking using category blocklists and custom IP blocks.
✔️ You need (another) free VPN that can unblock streams. If you’ve already run through all your Privado bandwidth for the month, Windscribe can be a great alternative with comparable speeds and unblocking capabilities.
Don’t subscribe if:
❌ You want a sleek free VPN with a simple interface. Windscribe is powerful, but it’s not the most user friendly VPN I’ve ever used. In fact, it’s possible to block a lot of regular sites if you don’t know what you’re doing.
❌ You need the fastest free VPN. Windscribe’s speeds are pretty good, but it could be better. ProtonVPN and PrivadoVPN still blow it out of the water.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒 Windscribe offers something no other provider on this list can: unlimited devices on a single subscription.
Windscribe delivers an interesting mix of free features and opportunities to increase your free VPN bandwidth allowance. It’s one of the rare VPN providers that doesn’t require you to enter an email to sign up, meaning that you can preserve your anonymity until you’re ready to commit to a subscription. However, you’re only allotted 2GB of monthly bandwidth. This increases to 10GB when you provide an email, plus you can bag another 5GB of bandwidth just by posting on Twitter.
One of Windscribe’s major selling points is its comprehensive ad-blocking technology, which uses DNS-level filtering to keep ads from ever reaching your device. This is available even on the free version, which lets you preview exactly how well it works on major news sites and Youtube. Unfortunately, Windscribe doesn’t work nearly as well as unblocking geo-blocked streaming services like Netflix. At least, not on the free version. This makes Privado a clear winner when it comes to streaming.
Where Windscribe really stands out is its choice of locations. On the free plan, you’re able to connect to 14 different locations across 11 countries, which is the highest number of free connections on our list.
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Windscribe test results
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Could do with a UI refresh
⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Difficult for beginners to get to grasps with
⭐⭐⭐
Performance
Okay speeds for a free VPN but not brilliant
⭐⭐⭐
Unblocking
Decent enough unblocking considering it’s free
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Security and privacy
Still needs an independent audit, but the app is open source
⭐⭐⭐
Customer support
Great responses from staff via emails and a strong repertoire of support articles
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price
Another great free plan with a pricey upgrade
⭐⭐⭐
Row 7 – Cell 0
Row 7 – Cell 1
Row 7 – Cell 2
Other VPNs I’ve tested and recommend
(Image credit: Future)
Speedy and secure plus extra data for Mac users
Specifications
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Simultaneous connections: 2
Data limit: 10GB (plus 2GB per day for Mac users)
Servers: 3
Server locations: 3
Split tunneling: Only on Android
Kill switch: Yes
Supported protocols: WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec
Support available via: Email, Knowledgebase
Reasons to buy
+
Extra 2GB of data per day for Mac users
+
P2P optimized servers available on the free plan
Reasons to avoid
–
Split tunneling only available on Android
–
No-logs policy has not been audited
–
Cannot consistently unblock Netflix
Subscribe if:
✔️ You need a free VPN with expanded bandwidth on MacOSX. While AtlasVPN offers fairly standard bandwidth limits on all other devices, the 2GB per day on OSX makes it very useful for Mac users.
✔️ You need to use a P2P client on a free VPN. AtlasVPN’s P2P-optimized servers are available even on their free plan. You might chew through your bandwidth quickly, but it’s better than nothing.
Don’t subscribe if:
❌ You need a free VPN with an audited no-logs policy. At first glance you might think AtlasVPN has performed a privacy audit, but it’s only audited as far as the code on its iOS version is concerned.
❌ You need a free VPN that can consistently unblock streams. While I’ve had some success unblocking Netflix using AtlasVPN, it’s apparent this hasn’t been the same for everyone using the service.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐½
🔒 AtlasVPN is a functional free VPN that offers decent speeds, and while it’s nothing special compared to the other VPNs on this list it’s a good choice if you’re torrenting on a Mac.
Finally, there’s AtlasVPN. There’s nothing particularly wrong with AtlasVPN, but it’s not really outstanding in any particular area either. The free version does offer several key features, such as a Kill Switch and WireGuard support. It’s also possible to use P2P clients on AtlasVPN, even over the free version.
▶ Give AtlasVPN a shot and take their P2P servers for a spin.
You’ll probably end up hitting the bandwidth cap pretty quickly if you’re torrenting, however. AtlasVPN offers a bandwidth cap of 10GB a month. For MacOSX, this limit is bumped up to 2GB a day. It’s unusual for a provider to change bandwidth caps between platforms, but if you’re a Mac user this is a definite plus. Proton and Hotspot both offer unlimited bandwidth instead, but neither has P2P optimized servers on the free plan.
You can connect two devices simultaneously, which puts it ahead of Privado, Proton, and Hotspot but pales in comparison to Windscribe’s unlimited devices. any other VPN provider I’ve mentioned so far.
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Atlas VPN Free test results:
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Simple and clean design with a charming mascot
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Very straightforward
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
Middle of the road speeds
⭐⭐⭐
Unblocking
Some unblocking capabilities
⭐⭐⭐
Security and privacy
Audit should be expanded to cover no-logs policy
⭐⭐⭐
Customer support
Email support and some well-written knowledge base articles
⭐⭐⭐
Price
A free plan with an inexpensive subscription available
⭐⭐⭐
(Image credit: Future)
No data limits, but has ads
Specifications
Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Simultaneous connections: 1
Data limit: Unlimited
Servers: 1
Server locations: 1
Split tunneling: No
Kill switch: No
Supported protocols: Catapult Hydra
Support available via: Online article
Reasons to buy
+
Unlimited bandwidth
+
Easy to use
Reasons to avoid
–
Free version has ads
–
Only one location to connect to
Subscribe if:
✔️ You’re looking for another free VPN with unlimited bandwidth. Hotspot Shield Basic will let you use the free service for as long as you like without throttling your connection or downgrading it after a certain amount of bandwidth has been used up.
✔️ You need a free VPN that’s easy to use. The Hotspot Shield Basic app couldn’t be more simple to use. You just click connect and you’re online.
Don’t subscribe if:
❌ You don’t want extra ads. Hotspot Shield Basic inserts extra ads into your browsing experience and bugs you to upgrade to a paid package.
❌ You need several different locations. Hotspot Shield Basic only comes with one location to connect to, whereas Privado and Windscribe offer around ten each.
Bottom line⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒 Hotspot Shield Basic is a no-frills VPN with minimal features, but it’s one you can use forever thanks to an unlimited bandwidth policy powered by ads.
Hotspot Shield is another free VPN that’s great on the surface but it comes with a few caveats that make Privado, Proton, and Windscribe better choices out of the gate. Hotspot Shield has a separate free client, Hotspot Shield Basic, which has a fraction of the features that the full client offers. This does make it very easy to use, as all you have to do is click the connect button. That’s it. There’s no additional options.
Your experience differs slightly depending on which client you’re using. On the Windows and MacOSX versions there’s only one location you can connect to, which is the US server. Connecting and disconnecting also brings up the Hotspot Shield page in your browser, which is a little annoying.
Hotspot Shield’s unlimited plan is a rarity amongst VPN providers, but if you’re annoyed by the advertisements I’d recommend you check out ProtonVPN instead. Hotspot Shield doesn’t guarantee unblocking streaming sites on its free plan, and doesn’t offer a Kill Switch. It’s a pretty anemic offering and it’s powered by ads, but unlimited bandwidth is unlimited bandwidth.
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Hotspot Shield test results:
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Minimalist chic
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use
Very simple to deploy
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
Functional speeds
⭐⭐⭐
Unblocking
Couldn’t unblock streaming services
⭐
Security and privacy
Really needs an audit
⭐⭐⭐
Customer support
Support articles only, support is limited to paying users
⭐⭐
Price
Free, but Hotspot always reminds you that you could be paying
⭐⭐⭐
How to pick a free VPN
When selecting a free VPN, there’s several things you need to bear in mind. Firstly, ensure that the provider you choose adheres to a strict “no-logs” policy. This policy explicitly states that the provider does not capture your IP address, internet traffic, session history, or any related data. However, you can’t just blindly trust any claims a VPN provider makes.
The most reliable way for VPN providers to demonstrate their no-logs policy is through third-party audits. This process involves engaging an independent auditor to conduct a thorough investigation of the provider’s servers, internal security measures and employee practices. Essentially, they’re looking at what data is stored and who has access to it.
Even the most well-intentioned VPN providers may inadvertently retain user data in some way. Going through an audit ensures that a provider’s no-logs policy is both genuine and technically accurate. These results are usually published online, so you can check out the auditor’s comments for yourself.
Another key indicator that you’ve picked a quality free VPN is its ability to effectively bypass geo-blocked content. You should pay particular attention to services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime, which actively block VPN servers from accessing their content. A VPN provider that can reliably unblock these streams is demonstrating consistent investment in high-quality servers.
On the contrary, if you frequently encounter blocks while trying to access services due to your connection being flagged as a VPN, it may suggest that the free VPN you’re using is being abused by its users. This is a red flag that the VPN provider you’re using doesn’t care about the quality of the actual service it’s providing, and is more interested in collecting your internet traffic than anything else.
You should also steer clear of VPNs that insert ads into your browsing data. Reputable VPN providers typically block advertisements from appearing in your browser because they pose a significant risk for malware infections.
Any VPN provider that attempts to subsidize a free version by inserting additional ads into your browsing traffic is not only causing inconvenience but also actively undermining the security of your connection. By intercepting and altering your browser traffic in this way, they can compromise the privacy of your online activities.
How we test free VPNs
Using a VPN isn’t a small decision. When you use one, you’re handing all of the trust over your browsing data to a third party. As such, I need to make sure that every VPN I recommend is thoroughly vetted and the risks associated with them are appropriately signposted.
If you want a detailed overview of how we evaluate VPNs, you can check out our full page on the subject. However, if you’re short on time, here are the key points:
We don’t simply list features from a VPN provider’s website and then crown the one with the most impressive claims as the winner. Each VPN is tested by an in-house team of experienced reviewers who know the ins and outs of how a good VPN should look and perform.
Every six months, we check in on VPNs we’ve already reviewed to see if there’s any new features, policy changes, price updates, and so on. After we’ve got an idea of what’s changed, we purchase a subscription, download the apps, and take the VPN for a test drive. The Windows application undergoes the most rigorous examination, where we attempt to stress-test features like the kill switch, verify leak protection, and assess connection speeds.
After we’ve got a good idea of how the Windows application performs, we compare it against the other applications a VPN provider offers, including those for Mac, iPhone, and Android. Each one is scrutinized as heavily as the Windows client to ensure it operates as promised by the provider.
If we run into anything weird while running the app, we might end up reading through the source code or dumping a client’s memory to check out what’s being stored.
During this stage, we also get a better idea of how the app looks and how easy it is to use. Of course, you might end up completely disagreeing with our judgment, and that’s fine! Ultimately, issues of UI and ease of use are as much a matter of personal taste as anything else. We try to point out free trials and money-back guarantees as much as possible to give you the freedom to trial these VPNs for yourself.
It’s also vital that we conduct streaming tests. Compatibility with major streaming platforms is a major selling point for most VPNs, so it’s important that we connect from a bunch of different locations to validate any VPN’s unblocking claims. We use several different content providers to test our VPNs, but Netflix’s widespread use and its VPN blocking policies means that it’s usually at the center of any provider test we carry out.
Is a free VPN better than no VPN?
While a free VPN might conceal your traffic from your ISP, it essentially transfers the trust of your internet browsing traffic to a third-party. If the VPN provider you’re using is less trustworthy than your ISP, it may be preferable to forgo using a VPN altogether.
Why I don’t always recommend a free VPN
While there are a few notable exceptions such as ProtonVPN and Windscribe VPN, most free VPN providers raise concerns regarding trustworthiness. There’s a significant risk that they may capture your traffic, insert ads into your browser, and compromise your overall data privacy.
Free iPhone VPN FAQs
Can you trust free VPNs?
As a general rule, it’s difficult to trust free VPNs, although there are some reputable providers that offer a free service alongside their paid VPN options. However, I would advise caution when considering a VPN that is entirely free.
How can I tell if my free VPN is safe?
A clear indication that a free VPN is safe is if it has a transparent revenue model, such as a subscription service. Additionally, it’s important to look for third-party audits to confirm that any free VPN you use adheres to a verified no-logs policy.
Do free VPNs track you?
Some free VPNs have been found to track your data and sell it to marketing companies and data brokers. Additionally, they can create vulnerabilities that hackers exploit to intercept your internet browsing traffic and steal your passwords.
What is the safest VPN?
While there is no VPN that can be completely safe, given that using a VPN inherently involves a degree of trust, there are some VPNs that have consistently demonstrated their commitment to providing VPN services that are safe, secure, and private. Examples include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Mullvad VPN.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
If you own an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro or just have an iPhone running iOS 17, the information held within it is now less secure than you might think. That’s after the company behind the infamous GrayKey device confirmed that iOS 17 is now no longer enough to stop law enforcement officers from gaining access to iPhones.
GrayKey devices are used by law enforcement throughout the world as a way to gain access to locked iPhones and other devices, but until now iOS 17 was not supported by those iPhone-cracking boxes. Now, that’s no longer the case after Magnet Forensics, the company that makes GrayKey boxes, announced the news that iOS 17 support has been added.
This news isn’t only bad for iPhone owners, either, with Magnet also confirming that the Samsung Galaxy S24 series of devices as well as Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 phones can also now be accessed even when locked.
Cracked
In a post on the company’s blog, Magnet said that it was “thrilled to announce that Magnet GrayKey supports the latest Apple iOS and Android devices” including those running iOS 17.
“The new OS and device support added in this huge release helps to ensure you have the tools necessary to access the mobile devices you encounter during your investigations,” the blog post added, noting that approximately 66% of all iPhones and iPads were running iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 as of February this year. The figure “jumps to 76% for devices introduced in the last four years,” Magnet adds.
The move means that even the latest iPhones can now be unlocked by law enforcement should the need arise.
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Before the Department of Justice began its legal proceedings against Apple, the biggest surprise of the week was Apple’s reported discussions with Google to bring AI to the iPhone.
That led many to ask why a company of Apple’s considerable means would look to potentially outsource what could be such a crucial part of iOS 18, but according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, there are multiple reasons for Apple to consider it.
“Apple could probably get Google or someone else to pay it ungodly amounts of money for premium status in the operating system,” Gurman explains.
“If it’s Google, the search giant could become the preferred generative AI service on both Apple and Android phones,” he adds, suggesting Google has plenty to gain.
Gurman also notes that Apple may not feel strongly enough to develop its own chatbot-style AI, while also knowing customers would like one.
Siri could get a Chatbot-style overhaul in iOS 18 (Image credit: iMore)
It’s not just Google
Gurman also notes that with generative AI being fraught with ethical and legal concerns, Apple could hand over the responsibility for that side of things to a third-party provider, while also having someone else foot the bill for the cloud-based infrastructure that such a service would demand.
A partnership “could help Apple integrate AI more quickly,” Gurman says.
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“For instance, it could tap local providers in China like Baidu Corp. — rather than deal with regulators and localize its own technology.”
We’re just a few short months from WWDC 2024, and while it’d certainly be a surprise to see Google make an appearance during the keynote, there are other negotiations that have happened, too.
Gurman says that discussions have been held with OpenAI and Anthropic, too, but that Google and Apple have held “the most active talks”. He also says that Apple could scrap the idea of a partnership altogether, but given the industry’s current focus on AI “that probably wouldn’t be a popular decision with either consumers or investors.”
Apple is a very serious company full of very serious people, and with a trillion-dollar valuation (and the rest), that’s no surprise.
Still, we rarely get a glimpse into things behind the scenes that humanize the company a little, and that’s exactly what AirTag users got this week.
Apple rolls out its firmware updates for AirTags, its portable trackers, in phases. This avoids the strain of every single one of them requesting the download at the same time, which could have a knock-on effect for other Apple services if the strain gets too much.
That’s the plan, anyway, but it appears this time around things didn’t quite go to plan as all AirTags got the latest firmware at the same time. And, as spotted by the X (formerly Twitter) account iSWUpdates, it’s the kind of thing that can happen to anyone.
Looks like Apple accidentally set the deployment dates for the 2.0.73 AirTag firmware to “m/d/24” instead of “m/d/2024” that has used in previous versions and which the AirTag update system uses as date format. As a result, AirTags think the deployment dates are in the year 24… pic.twitter.com/dH5s0FrgTyMarch 21, 2024
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“Looks like Apple accidentally set the deployment dates for the 2.0.73 AirTag firmware to “m/d/24” instead of “m/d/2024″ that has used in previous versions and which the AirTag update system uses as date format,” the account explained.
“As a result, AirTags think the deployment dates are in the year 24 and they just skip to the 100% rollout batch.”
In layman’s terms, Apple rolled out its update to the year 24, not 2024, and as someone still putting 2023 on my correspondence, that’s something I can appreciate.
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(Image credit: Future)
Does it matter?
In all honesty, no – your AirTags aren’t likely to take up much of your attention whether they’re updating or not, and your update may have been a little slower as a result of the sheer volume of requests. If nothing else, it’s a reminder there are humans working at Apple and we all make mistakes.
As for which new features are included in the firmware, there’s a good chance it’s a series of compatibility fixes, but we won’t know until Apple updates its AirTags support page for the new version, 2.0.73.
When the Apple Watch Ultra 2 debuted last year, it fell a little flat. Hardly anything had changed on the latest version of the best Apple Watch. But we didn’t mind! There were rumors about a Gen 3 Apple Watch Ultra, suggesting the smartwatch will come with a MicroLED display. That would be a huge upgrade, so we didn’t mind waiting. But more recently, it looks like the MicroLED Apple Watch has been called off.
Display analyst Ross Young was first to hint at this. He reported that one of Apple’s key display suppliers cancelled a mysterious “Project W” by one of its “strategic customers.” While unconfirmed, this “Project W” is believed to be the codename for the MicroLED Apple Watch Ultra. And now it looks like we’ve got confirmation this watch isn’t coming, thanks to a new report from Mark Gurman.
Per Gurman’s report, people in the know have “eased an in-house effort to create screens with MicroLED technology” for smartwatches. He continued, “For now, Apple believes that OLED is the best current solution for its smartwatch. But it’s still eyeing microLED for other projects down the road.”
NEW: Apple has killed its Apple Watch in-house displays plan, but is still invested in microLED for other future products. However, it’s cutting several dozen jobs in its displays organization. https://t.co/jhKGQXoDe3March 22, 2024
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That’s bad news for anyone holding out for the new MicroLED Apple Watch. Why do we care? These displays promise less power consumption, more accurate color reproduction, and the chance to slim down our devices even further. They’d have been a big upgrade for Apple’s smartwatch. But it appears the complexity and cost have proven too steep a hill to climb, even for Apple.
Wave goodbye to the MicroLED Apple Watch
With two major suppliers out of the picture and Apple’s in-house production at a halt, this really is the end of the road for the MicroLED Apple Watch. For now, it looks like OLED screens are here to stay, maintaining their reign as the go-to display technology for Apple’s smartwatch efforts.
But don’t let that dim your hopes! As Gurman said, Apple is still eyeing MicroLED for future projects. That means we could see the display tech make its way to the iPhone or MacBook, once Apple figures out production. And who knows, maybe Apple will revisit the MicroLED Apple Watch further down the road.
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Apple products work best if you stick within the ecosystem. They play nice together. Things just work. It’s one of the reasons iPhone users buy one in the first place, never mind the rest of the gear they add on after. So much so that Tim Cook’s jokey response to a reporter’s complaint about the best iPhones not having RCS support (which is coming later this year) was, “Buy your mom an iPhone.” Slightly tone-deaf? Perhaps. But everybody, including Tim Cook, knows things just work in the Apple ecosystem.
But the US Department of Justice doesn’t like tech that just works, apparently. The DoJ filed a landmark lawsuit against Apple today, alleging the company has a smartphone monopoly. In the suit, the government claimed that one of the world’s most successful and valuable companies has a stranglehold on phones, and stated bluntly that Apple uses it to extract more money from consumers. “Apple has gone from revolutionizing the smartphone market to stalling its advancement,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. You can read the full lawsuit here.
It’s a bold claim, make no mistake. And one that absolutely does not have merit. If we’re being honest, this entire lawsuit stinks. Not because of Apple’s alleged anti-competitive practices, but because the DoJ is coming after a company for being successful.
Success is anti-competitive, apparently
The DoJ seems to have a problem with Apple keeping its own toys – messaging, smartwatches, and digital wallets – away from the other kids. Why is this so bad, you ask? Because it makes ditching team iPhone a less appealing prospect. It’s not any one of these causes in particular that’s so bad, but rather the combination that’s allegedly anti-competitive.
According to the DoJ, casting Android users in green bubbles isn’t just inconvenient. It’s a Machiavellian plot to keep iPhone users in the fold, especially the teenagers, who can’t live without one. Then there’s the Apple Watch. The DoJ argues this exclusivity is less about innovation and more about keeping users locked into the Apple ecosystem. And don’t forget about digital wallets. The DOJ claims Apple’s NFC blockade is less about security and more about ensuring Apple Pay remains the top dog.
“These choices define us,” says Apple. And that’s true. It’s not exaggerated. It’s not an angry response to a lawsuit against a company that obviously won’t like the fact it’s being sued. It’s the truth. Apple’s ecosystem is a core part of the company. It’s the reason Apple devices are so popular. How can something so harmful to consumers become the best selling smartphone? Could it perhaps be that — brace for a shocker, here — Apple’s ecosystem isn’t an evil anti-competitive plot? Could it be that it gives Apple users the best experience? And could Apple have figured out how to do that while still making a profit? That’s exactly the case.
The DoJ’s top allegation against Apple is that it holds a smartphone monopoly. Apple’s share of the US smartphone market is just over 60% in the US, per GlobalStats. That’s not a monopoly. To try and make this case, the DoJ is throwing in Samsung (Apple’s polar opposite) and using revenue to make the case for a monopoly. This very argument proves Apple does not have a monopoly, of course: The existing of another company defies the description!
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In case that doesn’t fool anyone, the DoJ wants to create some made-up sub-market of “Performance Smartphones”, where Apple conveniently has a 70% market share. We can all bend statistics to represent the point we want – making up a sub-market isn’t proof of an monopolistic company. And if all that fails? They want to cry that Apple attempted to create a monopoly, which is also illegal.
One of the biggest arguments in this case is that Apple makes it hard for developers to make apps that work on Android as well. It cites super-apps like WeChat and cloud streaming game as examples of this. Such challenges make it difficult for users to switch phone platforms, apparently. What the DoJ might not realize is that super-apps like WeChat are cross-platform – on the App Store and the Play Store. How easy or difficult it is for developers to make that happen (hint: it’s pretty hard) isn’t the issue here – consumers are. Oh, and cloud gaming? Unless you’re in the EU, that’s only possible on Android devices. So much for locking you in to the iPhone, eh?
Then we move to Apple’s own products and services. The Apple Watch is exclusive to the iPhone, we all know that. But by not allowing third-party watches to work with iOS, the DoJ thinks Apple is being anti-competitive. What doesn’t seem clear to the DoJ is that an Apple Watch with Android support wasn’t doable because of technical limitations, per Apple’s own defense. As for Android watches on iOS, it seems the DoJ doesn’t quite have a grasp of the technical concepts here. Apple uses custom chips in its hardware, designed to work with one another. Third-party devices don’t have these, so are inherently not going to work as well.
As for Apple Pay, the DoJ claims that not allowing third-party payment apps makes it harder to switch platforms. But in reality, it’s the opposite. Apple Pay is a win for iPhones – it’s much more private than using regular cards, as it hides your card number (which can be used to collect data on you). It’s actually a reason to use the iPhone, not switch away from it.
(Image credit: Future)
Everything boils down to the argument that Apple’s products, services, and software work well together, thus making it harder to switch to competitors like Android. A competitive operating system that has almost 70% market share worldwide (per Statista), mind – which would actually be considered a monopoly. But intent seems the issue here. These features on iPhones objectively make Apple’s products and software better.
I’ll say it again: the Apple Watch, Apple Pay, and other ecosystem elements are reasons people want to use Apple products. Apple is making its own products and services better for its own customers. So it can sell more. You know, Econ 101. But apparently Apple has done too good of a job of this. Apple’s been too successful. The very features that make people want to use the iPhone are “unfair” to iPhone users because it means they can’t switch as easily. Talk about a Catch-22!
The fact of the matter is, most of these iPhone users don’t want to switch. A 2023 survey carried out by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners revealed 94% of iPhone buyers stick to Apple phones, and 91% of Android buyers stick to Android. And how many did defect? Only 4% of Android buyers came from an iPhone. People want to stick to what they’ve got, whether it’s an Android or iPhone. But, if you do want to switch, you can. You’re totally free to buy whichever phone you want – nothing is stopping you.
iPhone users like Apple’s ecosystem … you know, because it’s good. But the DoJ wants to pretend the very ecosystem that attracts users is bad for users. Apple’s success, is apparently too successful for the DoJ.
It’s that time of year and the BAFTA Television Awards 2024 nominations are here, with the Apple TV Plus streaming service picking up a baker’s dozen. How many will it win? We’ll have to wait until the awards are shared out on Sunday, April 28.
Apple is no stranger to awards nominations — nor indeed, wins — but it’s always interesting to see which of its shows, documentaries, and movies are being recognized by those within the industry. In this case, Apple TV Plus has proven popular among a number of different categories including best drama series, best entertainment, and best specialist drama while some individual nominations are also found in the supporting actor, editing: fiction, and make-up and design categories among others.
Among the nominations are big hitters like Gary Oldman’s Slow Horses and the popular Silo show while The Enfield Poltergeist and Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas also get a mention.
Awards incoming?
In a press release announcing the availability of nominations, BAFTA noted that “17 out of 44 nominees in the performance categories have received their first BAFTA Television Awards nomination.”
The nominations comprise 47 different categories, “recognising exceptional performances, craftsmanship and stories broadcast from 1 January – 31 December 2023.”
In terms of the Apple TV Plus nominations, we have:
Slow Horses
Slow Horses managed to pick up no fewer than six nominations including:
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Drama Series
Supporting Actor — Jack Lowden
Editing: Fiction — Sam Williams (Episode 1) and Zsófia Tálas (episode 6)
Make-up & Hair Design — Lucy Sibbick
Sound: Fiction
Silo
Silo, a TV show based on the popular book Wool, picked up four nominations:
Costume Design — Charlotte Morris
Special, Visual & Graphic Effects — Daniel Rauchwerger, Stefano Pepin, Richard Stanbury, Raphael Hamm, Ian Fellows
Production Design — Gavin Bocquet, Amanda Bernstein
Original Music: Fiction — ATLI ÖRVARSSON
The Enfield Poltergeist
A documentary series telling the story of a poltergeist in a London home, The Enfield Poltergeist picked up two nominations:
Sound: Factual — Nick Ryan, Ben Baird, Kirstie Howell, Jack Wensley, Jamie Mcphee, Alexej Mungersdorff
Specialist Factual
Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas
The Ted Lasso star presented Apple TV Plus’ annual Christmas show and picked up a single nomination in the Entertainment category.
Discussing the nominations, Sara Putt, Char of BAFTA, paid tribute to those involved.
“Water-cooler TV moments, brave documentaries which expand our world-view, and powerful real-life inspired dramas – these are just some of the BAFTA nominated TV programmes for audiences to watch,” Putt said. “I’m delighted to see so many first-time nominees, so much new and emerging talent and so many debut projects recognised today. At a time when budgets are tight and creative risk-taking can feel ever riskier, we hope our awards can play a positive role in reinforcing the value of nurturing new talent and ideas, as well as holding a mirror up to stubborn industry inequities, particularly for talented female directors who are still significantly outnumbered by their male counterparts when it comes to awards submissions.”
As for those with the most nominations, eight went to The Crown while seven went to the Demon 79 episode of Netflix’s Black Mirror. Slow Horses was joined on six by the HBO hits The Last of Us and Succession as well as The Long Shadow.
Want to check out the best that Apple TV Plus has to offer? You can watch now for $9.99 per month while those who buy a new Apple device will get three months for free. The subscription is also available as part of the Apple One bundle, too.
If you need to scan a document but don’t have access to a bulky scanner, then your iPhone camera can do the hard work for you. With the iScanner app for the iPhone and iPad you can snap a photo of a document and it’ll detect where it is, optimizing its shape and accommodating for different borders and angles.
Once you’ve scanned a document you can then save it or sign it, add text, insert photos or images, mark it up, add a watermark and much more. This is an ideal tool for students who might want to take photos of notes or any other profession that requires you to move between using offline documents and carrying out digital tasks.
How does iScanner work?
To get started you use the camera inside the iScanner app to take a photo of any document. You can select what sort of document it is to get the best results, like Passport, ID Card, Math or just Document for everything else. Once you’ve done your “scanning” you can save the results in the cloud and access your document from within the app or export it as a PDF, JPG, DOС, XLS, PPT, or TXT file.
The developers say there’s “advanced AI” in the app, which helps identify text in 20 languages, as well as straighten and edit your documents. This is ideal if you’re in a rush and scan something at a slight angle. Or if the lighting is a little low and you need to bump up the brightness.
There’s also an “Ask AI” feature, which goes one step further than scanning. You can ask it to carry out other simple tasks, like “Summarize” or “Simplify”. During my testing I found this worked well sometimes, but not all of the time. However, it is a handy tool to differentiate iScanner from similar document scanning apps.
There are several different ways to use iScanner. You can scan for free, but only get a limited amount of storage. For 100GB worth of scanning and document storage you can pay £20.99/$20.99 for a year, which works at only £0.40/$0.40 a week. There is an option for a 3-day free trial of the 100GB version which then requires you to pay $4.99/£4.99 a week. That’s a big price difference, so if you decide you want more storage and can afford to pay for the whole year, make that choice it straight away.
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If you’re someone who uses a screen protector you’re no doubt very familiar with the stress that can be associated with trying to install one. Whether it’s an iPhone 15 or something bigger like a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, installing a screen protector without any bubbles or alignment issues can be one of those things that should take a few minutes but can turn into a battle of wills we rarely win. And Apple knows it.
That’s probably why it’s been granted new design patents relating to “Tools for Installing Screen Protectors” which are all about getting that iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro nice and protected. The patents were both granted in Europe and included a number of images showing the devices in question.
It’s as yet unclear whether Apple intends to make this item available for the public to buy, but it’s important to remember that not all Apple patents are created equal and they definitely don’t all turn into products that can be bought at Apple Stores. That doesn’t make these particular patents any less interesting, however.
Getting sticky with it
The main issue when trying to install a screen protector is the alignment, especially when trying to ensure that the Dynamic Island isn’t covered on some screen protectors for Apple’s best iPhones. These patents, spotted by Patently Apple, appear to go some way to ensuring that alignment is right the first time, every time.
Apple has been Granted a Series of Design Patents in Europe covering ‘Tools for Installing Screen Protectors’ and iPhone 15 https://t.co/gC5ylBgPPU pic.twitter.com/ZfLMFhSTxEMarch 18, 2024
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One wrinkle here is the many Apple Stores dotted around the globe. Apple does offer a screen protector installation services at its stores so this collection of patents could relate to the hardware used in-store rather than anything that will be sold. That’s another reason not to get the hopes up just yet.
However, those who do want to try and make sure that their screen protector is perfectly aligned might want to choose one that comes with an alignment tool in the box. They aren’t as fancy as what Apple appears to have been working on, but by all accounts, they do actually work — and they can’t be any worse than eyeballing it, can they? As anyone who has installed a screen protector only to find that it isn’t quite right will attest, every little bit of help is appreciated.
Not everyone uses screen protectors but it’s arguably becoming increasingly necessary. In Apple’s quest to make iPhone displays harder to smash when they’re dropped it’s had to choose the lesser of two evils. Making displays more shatter-resistant means making them softer, and that can often mean making them easier to scratch as a result. Apple’s Ceramic Shield goes some way to helping here, but anecdotal evidence suggests it isn’t working as well as some would like.
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Both the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max have seemed particularly scratchable in my experience as someone who has gone careless for years and never used a screen protector. Recent models have scratches so easily that I never know how it happened and it’s gotten to the point where I’m starting to think that perhaps a screen protector is the way to go after all.
Now if only I could guarantee that I’d be able to install it straight.
“The company is planning to produce 20 million to 25 million units of the earbuds, an increase over prior new models,” Gurman explains, noting production is expected to begin in May at GoerTek Inc. and Luxshare Precision Industry Co. ahead of a September reveal.
The models are intended to replace second and third-generation models at the base of the AirPods lineup, Gurman says.
AirPods 2 and 3 could be replaced this year. (Image credit: Apple)
The future of AirPods
As for what’s new in the AirPods, Gurman has product details for two new versions.
“The updated versions are codenamed B768(E) and B768(M), with the E representing “entry” and the M standing for “mid-tier”.
“Both will have a new design, improved fit and charging cases with USB-C, but the mid-tier version will get active noise cancellation and Find My speakers in the case, making it easier to locate the product if it gets lost.”
That sounds an awful lot like the current AirPods Pro, and Gurman has previously reported on fresh AirPods Pro launching as soon as next year. Beyond that, Apple is considering adding small, low-resolution cameras to them which can scan a user’s environment.
According to Gurman, Apple’s next Apple Watch sensor addition will be a blood-pressure checker, but this may not come to current models.
iOS 18, slated for launch this year, will reportedly feature “serious AirPods-related software upgrades”, Gurman said. The company is also working on a hearing test feature for them.
