The Vision Pro’s price may put you off buying one, but you may also be struggling to work out how it fits into your daily life or workflow.
An Apple device is, in many ways, only as good as its available apps (just look at the iPhone or iPad), and it can be difficult to ascertain which of your favorite tools makes the jump to visionOS.
Thankfully, it just got a lot easier. As spotted by 9to5Mac, Apple has launched a web-based version of the Vision Pro app store that you can find here. This works alongside the previous system of being able to look at apps individually.
That makes it much simpler to flick through available apps when making a purchasing decision – although it’s still not quite as easy as picking up an iPhone or MacBook since you’ll still need to have your headset sized.
It’ll be much easier to find your favorite Vision Pro apps. (Image credit: Future / Apple)
Vision Pro App Store curation matches other platforms
Depending on who you ask, Apple’s App Store curation is second-to-none or confusing, but here the company has kept things uniform across its platforms.
The Vision Pro’s web-based App Store (say that 10 times fast) has categories for new releases, popular weekly releases, and apps you shouldn’t miss, as well as genre/type groupings for Productivity, Sports, Entertainment and other standard categories.
iPhone and iPad Games have their own section, likely to help differentiate them from native visionOS ones, while Apple Arcade has its own subhead.
You’ll also find the latest editorial ‘Stories’ that you’ll find on other platforms, grouping together similar apps but also highlighting nifty “Vision Pro Picks”.
We’d best get to updating our Vision Pro app list.
Apple’s Shortcuts are great, aren’t they? They’re surprisingly malleable, and they keep getting more and more opportunities to shine with things like the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max ‘Action button,’ which allows you to trigger them from just about anywhere.
Still, there was one platform that did it first, and that was the Apple Watch when the Ultra debuted in 2022. Suppose you went back in time and told someone a few years ago that Apple would be adding more buttons to devices, given the company’s then-recent history of ditching the Home Button and even the function row of a keyboard. In that case, you’d likely have been met with no small degree of skepticism.
Still, the Action button on my Apple Watch Ultra is so handy that I found myself constantly switching between Shortcuts. Shall I start tracking a workout? What’s my next task? It’s pretty simple to make your own ‘super Shortcut’ that acts as multiple options in one. Here’s how.
(Image credit: Future / Apple)
What the Shortcut does
This Shortcut lets a user pick from four different options via a menu, each with its own assigned app to open.
It’s not really a secret (I’ve been using it now for well over a year), but if you’re yet to get your hands dirty with Shortcuts you may not realize the latent potential the system can offer.
Put simply, you press the Action button on your Apple Watch Ultra, and you’ll be able to pick from four items on a multiple-choice menu, each with its own processes.
“What’s the point,” I hear you ask, and you’d be surprised at how helpful such a simple Shortcut can be. By minimizing the apps I need on my Apple Watch face, my device just looks cleaner, and it doesn’t hurt that I rarely have to jump into the scrolling list or ‘honeycomb’ app library. It’s also helped me avoid rewiring my brain somewhat to stop pressing the side button to reach the control center since the widgets I use most are a button away.
So, what do I use it for? I’m glad you asked.
Messages: Making it easy to see who’s contacted me with a button press and a tap, which is particularly useful in Focus modes where my notifications are silenced.
Things 3: My task manager of choice, having Things 3 available quickly helps me check my task list for the day without potentially being distracted when doing the same on my phone.
Workout: I use Apple’s Fitness App to track my walking and some running, so it’s always nice to have it to hand if I’m walking to pick up my son from school or dashing to the shops.
Fitbod: My favorite workout app, I use Fitbod with every gym session (three or four times a week). Having it ready means once I’ve triaged my recommended workout on my phone, I can hit the button and just get going.
(Image credit: Future / Apple)
Installing and Customizing the shortcut
While I’d love to say I built the Shortcut, I found it on Reddit which is basically a treasure trove of automation. In fact, you can install Shortcuts just like these with a few taps if you’re browsing it on your phone or Mac.
You can download something similar to this one here, or my customized version is here. Looking to put your own Shortcut together? Check out our guide.
Once the Shortcuts importing menu opens, press the blue ‘Add Shortcut’ button at the bottom of the page
Once it’s installed, it’s relatively simple to just remove the apps from the Prompt section at the top and replace them with your choice of alternatives (don’t forget the emojis!).
As for setting them to trigger from your Action button, you’ll need to do the following:
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone
On the ‘My Watch’ tab and select ‘Action button’
Once there, select the Action at the top of the page as ‘Shortcut,’ and then pick the Shortcut as ‘Action button Menu’, or whatever your chosen Shortcut is called
You can also disable the Siren functionality here if you don’t want to run the risk of accidentally triggering it while activating the Shortcut
Once that’s done, you’ll have a few options to choose from when you hit that Action button. Which will you be using? Let me know in the comments!
Digital clutter can be just as distracting and overwhelming to sort through as a physical mess. Which means finding an efficient way to manage the files on my Mac is a breath of fresh air. There are plenty of manual tasks I carry out regularly to keep my MacBook Pro clutter free, and I use GrandPerspective to see where things need tidying. But I’ve also started using Folder Tidy to streamline the process even more.
Folder Tidy offers a seamless way to transform chaotic folders into neatly organized subfolders. This powerful tool stands out not only for its simplicity but also for its deep customization capabilities, making it a must-have for anyone looking to simplify their digital workspace. The one-time purchase price of $4.99/£4.99 grants lifetime access, making it a cost-effective solution to digital disorganization.
Why is Folder Tidy worth the money?
One of the most appealing features of Folder Tidy is its one-click organization capability. With a single click, cluttered files are swiftly sorted into appropriately categorized subfolders. Whether dealing with pictures, music, spreadsheets, or source code, Folder Tidy efficiently assigns them to their proper place.
The app’s customization options really stand out for me. Users can create rules for sorting files with precision, such as relocating pictures older than 2020 to an “Old Pictures” folder or directing Word documents tagged as “Work” into “My Office Work Files.” With more than 18 predefined rules – and the option to create personalized ones – Folder Tidy adapts to fit to your organizational needs.
You can sort files into subfolders based on more than 18 predefined rules or craft your own for more tailored organization. The app allows you to specify which file types to clean up and set items to ignore, ensuring that only the intended files are moved. You can choose custom destinations for these organized files, adding an extra layer of personalization to the process.
For those concerned about potentially irreversible changes, Folder Tidy’s Undo feature offers immediate peace of mind by restoring files to their original locations at the click of a button. The app also includes a historical undo feature, offering the flexibility to reverse any organization action for days or weeks after. This safeguard allows you to experiment with different organization strategies without the fear of permanent misplacement.
In summary, Folder Tidy is more than just a file organization tool; it’s a comprehensive solution for managing digital clutter. Its blend of simplicity, customization, and safety features make it a must-have for Mac users seeking an efficient and worry-free way to maintain a tidy digital workspace.
If you have recently bought one of the best Apple Watches, only to find a key feature is missing, there’s a chance it will come to your device in the future — but you may be waiting a while.
Back in January, after a lengthy patent dispute over the blood oxygen monitoring feature in Apple Watches that saw the two top models pulled from shelves, the wearable line went back on sale without the offending feature.
As originally spotted by ip fray, newly-published court documents reveal how exactly Apple has complied with the Apple Watch import ban ruling, confirming that all the requisite hardware for blood oxygen monitoring is still featured in the Apple Watch.
As part of the ongoing agreement that lets Apple continue selling the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9, Masimo, the company with the original patent, has to be able to test the fix Apple has employed to remove blood oxygen monitoring from the models.
Masimo discovered that you could enable the blood oxygen monitoring feature with a jailbroken iPhone and a newly issued Apple Watch. Despite the fact Massimo could technically access the feature, this was not deemed sufficient enough a reason to stop the sale of Apple Watches as it required significantly changing the device. However, it does tell us something interesting about these Apple Watch models.
What does this mean?
As Apple didn’t take the physical components out of the device, it could opt to allow them to work again in the future through a simple software update.
Apple could potentially appeal Massimo’s patent dispute allowing the feature to work on Apple Watches. If this doesn’t work, it could wait for Massimo’s patent to expire in August 2028 to push out an update. By this point, we would likely be running up to the launch of Apple Watch Series 14 and iPhone 20, if current naming conventions prevail. In the same article from above, ip fray “believes Apple has at least a 30% chance of a successful appeal, and may adjust that number when briefing is complete”.
Apple has today announced another major change to app downloads in the EU, direct web distribution, more commonly known as sideloading.
Apple says it is “providing more flexibility for developers who distribute apps in the European Union (EU), including introducing a new way to distribute apps directly from a developer’s website.”
The changes, coming “with a software update later this spring,” will let “authorized developers distribute their iOS apps to EU users directly from a website owned by the developer.” The apps will be created by authorized developers using APIs “that facilitate the distribution of their apps from the web, integrate with system functionality, back up and restore users’ apps, and more.” For users, it will mean residents in the EU can download apps directly from the websites of software vendors, rather than through an app store, just like macOS.
Sideloading on iPhone
Apple’s effective introduction of sideloading to the iPhone is a massive app store change, arguably more seismic than its alternative app marketplace plan. Apple says that developers who want to take advantage must meet “specific criteria” and commit “to ongoing requirements that help protect users.”
Apple has made two further changes. From today, alternative app marketplaces can offer a catalog of apps exclusively from that developer, for instance, Meta (Facebook) could create an app marketplace that only features WhatsApp, Messenger, and Facebook.
Apple is also letting developers design their own in-app promotions, discounts, and deals used to direct users to make transactions on their websites, and has provided design templates to link out to web purchases.
The news follows tweaks Apple has already made to its initial plans to comply with the DMA, announced earlier this year. It’s unclear whether this was a planned shift, or whether Apple is making continual tweaks and adjustments to its DMA changes in order to appease the EU.
As with app marketplaces, to qualify for Web Distribution on iPhone, developers must be enrolled in Apple’s Developer Program and “Be a member of good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more.” They must also “have an app that had more than one million first annual installs on iOS in the EU in the prior calendar year.” The latter requirement will disqualify smaller and first-time vendors, indicating this is a change brought in largely to benefit bigger entities.
Vendors must also agree to “Be responsive to communications from Apple regarding your apps distributed through Web Distribution, particularly regarding any fraudulent, malicious, or illegal behavior, or anything else that Apple believes impacts the safety, security, or privacy of users,” as well as publish transparent data collection policies. Apple’s Core Technology Fee also applies to apps downloaded via Web Distribution, with developers required to pay €0.50 for each first annual install over one million.
The biggest winners will likely be apps such as Spotify. However, Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, might be left out in the cold. The requirements state that to be eligible for Web Distribution developers must “be a member of good standing in the Apple developer program for two continuous years,” a requirement for which it would not currently qualify. Furthermore, the company’s developer account was terminated until very recently, precluding it from the one million app download threshold.
There is a massive deal on the iPad 10th gen currently at Amazon — although if you go to the product page on Amazon now, you’d be mistaken for thinking that the saving is no longer available.
It is still there, but you have to look harder at the page. There’s a small coupon tick box under the price tag: Click that and you’ll get the $80 saving so that you can enjoy the continued lowest price ever for the mid-range iPad.
The iPad 10th gen is one of the best iPads for a reason, packing in a lovely 10.9-inch screen, and powerful A14 Bionic chip. It’s not as potent as the more expensive Air or Pro models, but it brings plenty to the table that makes it well worth the asking price.
For one, it’s moved the front-facing camera to the side of the device so that you can more easily have FaceTime calls in landscape mode. There’s support for the Apple Pencil 1st gen and Apple Pencil USB-C for the artists in the crowd, and the USB-C port on the bottom lets it fit in with Apple’s current range of devices. Take this on holiday with your iPhone 15, for example, and you’ll only need one cable.
This is still the lowest price we’ve ever seen on the 10th gen iPad, and while there are rumored new iPads on the horizon, we can’t see it dropping again in the future. If you’re looking for a new iPad right now, or if you’ve had your eye on one for a little while, then now’s the time to drop the hammer.
The M3 MacBook Air is a fantastic laptop (we said so in our review) that’s easily worth picking up for the majority of Mac users who don’t need the power or significant heft of the MacBook Pro lineup.
And yet, as with prior models of Apple laptops that featured the M2 chip, the MacBook Air is getting pretty hot. How hot, you ask? Well, 114 degrees Celsius.
That comes via the team at Max Tech, testing whether the fanless design can keep up with the power of the M3. After all, no fan in the chassis means quieter running and one less thing to drain the battery.
On the other hand, we saw with the M2 how it would build up heat and then throttle performance since it wasn’t able to cool itself with an active cooling solution.
Max Tech’s 15-inch M3 MacBook Air’s core temperature reached that staggering figure of 114 degrees Celsius via a 3DMark benchmarking test, with 46 degrees Celsius on the chassis.
You can see the video below.
iPadOS 18 could skip a few devices (Image credit: Gerald Lynch / Future)
What are the risks of thermal throttling?
The good news is that the Mac will naturally bring its temperature down to avoid causing damage to itself (and others). It dropped to around 100 degrees Celsius, which is about what you’d expect from similar devices, but doing so can cause a performance drop in tougher workloads.
In our review, our reviewer said “[the fanless design] can lead to some thermal throttling under extreme load, but I never noticed anything to the detriment of my work. And that silence is golden.”
Should you be worried about the M3 MacBook Air being a danger to use, though? It’s unlikely, but the Pro is usually a better option for sustained performance across tasks like video editing and conversion.
We’ll keep an eye on further developments in any case, but it’s something to consider when you’re considering your next MacBook purchase.
The rumors have heavily suggested that Apple is getting ready to launch a new round of iPads within the next few weeks and it’s the very top end of the lineup that’s expected to receive the attention. Updates to its best iPad lineups are long overdue, and we’ve been told to expect some new iPad Air tablets to go with brand-new OLED iPad Pros. There’s a lot to be excited about across both of those lineups, but a new report has added an interesting new twist, and it’s one that you might not have expected.
The twist relates to the placement of the FaceTime camera that will adorn the new iPad Air and iPad Pro models with the suggestion being that Apple will take some design inspiration from the opposite end of the iPad lineup. If correct, Apple will use the 10th-gen iPad’s FaceTime camera placement as a jumping-off point for the upcoming iPad Air and iPad Pro products.
The placement of the FaceTime camera might not initially seem all that interesting. but it’s actually a rather notable aspect of a tablet’s design — especially at a time when Apple is once again trying to convince potential iPad buyers that its tablets can act as laptop replacement devices. To do that, they need to be attached to a keyboard and trackpad accessory which automatically places the tablet in landscape orientation. And if people want to then place a video call, having the camera to the side of the display is less than optimal — which is why Apple might be moving it to the top of the screen in landscape (or the side when in portrait.)
FaceTime maneuvers
The placement of the FaceTime camera has long been a bone of contention for people who found that the current configuration doesn’t really work well when placing a video call. Those on the other end of the call feel like the iPad owner is looking off to the side, likely because they are, in a way that doesn’t seem to affect laptops with the camera at the top of the display. For this reason, Apple moved the camera on the 10th-gen iPad and it received rave reviews for that decision. Now, the same chance could be coming to other iPads as well.
That’s according to a post on Chinese social network Weibo by the leaker Instant Digital that was first spotted by MacRumors. According to that report, Apple will switch the FaceTime camera of the iPad Air and iPad Pro to the top of the display when it is placed in landscape orientation.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a hint that this might happen, however. A January report suggested that such a thing could be in the offing after references in iOS 17.4’s beta hinted as much.
As for the new tablets, the iPad Air is expected to receive a refreshed 11-inch model while a new 12.9-inch iPad Air is expected to be added to the mix. Both tablets are likely to use M2 chips.
The iPad Pro is expected to sport a new OLED display for improved colors and contrast while the M2 or M3 chip is likely to be used. 11-inch and 12.9-inch models are expected.
Rumors have suggested that all four new tablets will debut within the next few weeks, either in March or the early part of April.
Apple’s iOS 17.4 software update was released earlier this week and among other things, it enabled support for third-party app stores in EU member countries. Dubbed “alternative app marketplaces” by Apple, access to these third-party app stores is mandated by the new Digital Markets Act in the European Union, but no such requirement exists outside of the bloc. As a result of that, Apple took the decision to only enable alternative app marketplaces in the EU, leaving those elsewhere to use the App Store. But it isn’t quite that simple.
As part of Apple’s enabling of support for such marketplaces, it requires that users have an EU Apple ID while the iPhone has to physically be in an EU country as well. That’s to ensure that people in other parts of the world can’t gain access to third-party app stores by pretending to be in the EU, and it’s a stance that isn’t wholly surprising. However, the requirement for an EU GPS fix does potentially raise issues — like when people go on vacation.
Apple had previously said that it would give EU citizens a period of graze for which third-party app stores would continue to work even when they left the EU, but it hadn’t clarified how long that period would be. That has today changed, with some clarification offered in an updated support document that details exactly how things will go down.
30 days and gone
The updated document confirms that in order for alternative app marketplaces to be available “the country or region of your Apple ID must be set to one of the countries or regions of the European Union, and you must physically be located in the European Union.” Apple notes that “device eligibility for alternative app marketplaces is determined using on-device processing with only an indicator of eligibility sent to Apple,” adding that “to preserve your privacy, Apple does not collect your device’s location.”
But what happens when iPhone owners leave the EU? Apple now has an answer for that, too.
“If you leave the European Union, you can continue to open and use apps that you previously installed from alternative app marketplaces,” Apple begins. “Alternative app marketplaces can continue updating those apps for up to 30 days after you leave the European Union, and you can continue using alternative app marketplaces to manage previously installed apps.”
That all seems unlikely to cause too many issues, but there’s a caveat. “However, you must be in the European Union to install alternative app marketplaces and new apps from alternative app marketplaces,” Apple warns. That appears to suggest that as soon as an EU citizen leaves the EU, they won’t be able to install anything outside of the App Store. Whether or not that will be something the European Commission takes issue with, remains to be seen. After all, an EU citizen is an EU citizen even after they leave the EU.
Apple has already been accused of making a mockery of the DMA in the way it has chosen to comply with it. These limitations may be another example of that, but it will be left to the European Commission to decide on that. The EC has already demanded Apple explain why it has chosen to ban Epic Games’ developer account and it seems more butting of heads could follow, too.
There have been ongoing rumors that Apple intends to add support for monitoring blood glucose levels with the release of a future Apple Watch but so far it’s a feature that the company simply hasn’t been able to make happen. Now, it seems that the closest thing that we’re going to get is a third-party device that can offer the same functionality and connect to an iPhone via Bluetooth — and now it’s here without the need for a prescription first.
A future Apple Watch feature?
Following an FDA assertion that any smartwatch that claims to be able to measure blood glucose levels is simply lying, the same outfit has now given the go-ahead for Dexcom’s Stelo Glucose Biosensor System to be offered without the need for a prescription. The product connects to an iPhone via Bluetooth and while the FDA says that it isn’t intended for use by people who have been diagnosed with low blood sugar or have been prescribed insulin, it’s still likely to be of use for those who are non-insulin-dependent diabetics.
“The Stelo Glucose Biosensor System uses a wearable sensor, paired with an application installed on a user’s smartphone or other smart device, to continuously measure, record, analyze and display glucose values in people 18 years and older that are not on insulin and who do not have problematic hypoglycemia,” the FDA explains. “Users can wear each sensor up to 15 days before replacing with a new sensor. The device presents blood glucose measurements and trends every 15 minutes in the accompanying app.”
However, the FDA also notes that “users should not make medical decisions based on the device’s output without talking to their healthcare provider.”
The device does appear to be accurate, which is a key factor for anything like this of course. “Data from a clinical study provided to the FDA showed that the device performed similarly to other iCGMs,” the FDA says. “Adverse events reported in the study included local infection, skin irritation, and pain or discomfort.”
Of course, non-invasive blood sugar measurement devices are the main aim for companies right now and that’s exactly what Apple wants to offer with a future Apple Watch product. There have been persistent rumors of such a thing being on Apple’s roadmap but so far it has not been able to make the product work in a way that would be acceptable.
It’s likely that we will one day see an Apple Watch capable of monitoring a wearer’s blood glucose levels but it’s something that seems to be years away from launch. That means that we’re highly unlikely to see it arrive in 2024 alongside the release of the so-called Apple Watch X.
The FDA previously made a lot of noise about how unreliable smartwatches are in terms of measuring blood glucose as Reuters reported last month. The health regulator warned that it was “working to ensure that manufacturers, distributors, and sellers do not illegally market unauthorized gadgets that claim to measure blood glucose levels.”
Apple’s iOS 17.4 iPhone software update has been in beta testing for weeks, but it’s finally now available for download by everyone. And while there are new features and changes for all, those in the European Union will notice more than most.
The iOS 17.4 software update is available for all the same iPhones that were able to install iOS 17 and subsequent releases, including the latest and greatest iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models. The update is of course free to download and can be found in the Software Update section of the Settings app.
While the biggest changes are of course available to those in the EU, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t something here for everyone.
Big changes for the EU
There’s only one place to start and that is undoubtedly with the changes that are exclusive to those who are using iPhones in the EU. With the Digital Markets Act about to come into force, Apple has been forced to make changes to the way the iPhone works in EU member countries, not least allowing third-party app stores onto the iPhone for the first time.
While stopping short of allowing sideloading in the way some had expected, iOS 17.4 does allow third-party app stores, or marketplaces, to be launched within the EU. apps will then be downloaded via those marketplaces allowing apps to be made available outside of the App Store in a way that simply wasn’t possible before — and remains impossible outside the EU. Apps will also be able to offer third-party payment options, too.
Another EU-only change will see third-party web browsers able to use their own engine, removing the requirement for them to use Apple’s WebKit. This could open the door to faster web browsers with different features, but it remains to be seen how many browsers will offer two versions of their app — one in the EU using a different engine and another in the rest of the world powered by WebKit.
Continuing the EU changes we have the ability for third-party wallet apps to access the iPhone’s NFC chip, allowing them to make contactless payments in a way similar to Apple Pay.
Podcast transcriptions
(Image credit: Apple)
The Apple Podcasts app now supports transcripts, allowing people to follow along with their favorite show and read what the hosts are saying as they go. The feature works in much the same way as Apple Music’s lyrics feature, with the words highlighting as the podcast progresses.
New emojis, and more
Other notable improvements include a slew of new emojis including a mushroom, phoenix, broken chain, and a slice of lime. New faces showing horizontal and vertical movement can also be used to show a nodding and shaking of the head, too.
Apple has already announced its new iMessage security upgrade with PQ3 technology, and that’s part of this iOS 17.4 update. Designed to help protect iMessage from future attacks using quantum computing, the new feature won’t be visible to users but is future-thinking to ensure Apple’s messaging protocol remains secure in the future.
Finally, Apple has improved the Stolen Device Protection feature to allow people to always require a delay when changing security settings while a Siri tweak enables the assistant to read messages in additional languages, not just the default system language.
While it looks the same as the MacBook Air M2, its got loads of extras inside to make it a more powerful option than the previous machine. The M3 chip inside is incredibly powerful, and it will support Apple’s latest macOS features.
The last model
The MacBook Air M2 might not be the most powerful Air on the block anymore, but it’s got it where it counts. It’s also recieved a price drop after the most recent announcement, so it’s perfect if you don’t want to spend over $1000.
The MacBook Air M2 barely feels like it’s had time to bed in, especially if you’ve only just bought yourself one of the newer MacBook Air 15-inch models. That’s not stopped Apple from unleashing new models, however, with the M3 MacBook Air range featuring the firm’s latest and greatest in-house silicon.
But are there any extras beyond the M3 processor that the new models bring to the table, and how do the two laptops compare? Let’s take a look at the M2 MacBook Air and the M3 MacBook Air side-by-side.
MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: Price
(Image credit: Apple)
When it first launched, the MacBook Air M2 cost $1,099. That’s the same as the launch price of the MacBook Air M3, although since the latest announcement the M2 model has dropped to $999. If you want the 15-inch MacBook Air, then you can now only choose an M3 model— that will cost you $1,199. Apple will no longer sell the M2 15-inch MacBook Air, though third-party retailers will likely stock it for some time to come.
That price drop makes the M2 a great option if you don’t need the latest and most powerful model, saving you a decent sum while getting you a still-powerful computer.
With the 15-inch MacBook Air M2 now discontinued, it becomes one of the shortest-lived Apple products for some time, barely on shelves for 8 months. Farwell, sweet prince, we barely knew you. It could also make those who’ve only recently bought a 15-inch M2 model a little frustrated, making them think that they could’ve waited a few months for the latest model.
MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: Screen and external display support
(Image credit: Apple)
The displays on the M2 MacBook Air and the M3 MacBook Air are the same 13- and 15-inch Liquid Retina panels that we’ve come to love. They are absolutely stunning, featuring incredible color reproduction, crisp quality, and wicked brightness. If you’re looking for something with a higher refresh rate then you’re out of luck, unfortunately. You’ll want to opt for a MacBook Pro with the ProMotion feature.
New with the M3 however, is something that’s going to please a whole load of MacBook Air users — native dual-screen support. Now, there are is a caveat; you can only use the dual screen mode with the laptop closed. For getting more work done, however, this is going to be what many love most about the new MacBook Air — especially given that the MacBook Air M2 couldn’t do it.
MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: Processor
(Image credit: Gerald Lynch / Future)
This is the biggest change between the two laptops, although you wouldn’t know if you just took a glance at the spec sheet. Both the M2 and M3 chips feature 8-core CPUs that have 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, and both have 10-core GPUs. Those are identical numbers.
Internally, however, things have changed more than you might think. Comparing the two chips means you have to take into account the new 3nm production process, which fits more transistors into the same space as would have been possible with an older chip. The M3 uses this process, and it gives significant boosts to performance. The M2, on the other hand, uses the older 5nm process, which means it doesn’t fit as many transistors in its surface area.
The M3 now has 25 billion transistors whereas the M2 only has 20 billion. What does this mean for power? It means that the M3 performs faster in editing and workflow tasks, with Apple estimating that there’s 20% better CPU and GPU performance.
MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: Design
(Image credit: Apple)
The MacBook Air 13 and 15-inch with M3 and the M2 versions have identical chassis, featuring the same super slim aluminum design. It’s no problem, they look incredible and feel unreasonably thin. If you were hoping for a massive visual upgrade, however, you’re not going to find it here.
That doesn’t mean that the MacBook Air looks stale at all, far from it. It’s a glorious angular machine, smothered with glorious premium aluminum. The colors on offer are lovely too, with Starlight, Midnight, Space Grey, and Silver options available.
MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: RAM
(Image credit: Apple)
The RAM options also remain the same between the two processors, with 8GB, 16GB, and 24GB available to choose from. As always with MacBooks you’ll want to choose the amount you’ll need over the life of the laptop, as Apple won’t let you upgrade once the machine has already been put together.
The upgrades will cost you as well, and they’re not cheap. For the 16GB upgrade, you’ll pay an extra $200, and then a further $200 for the 24GB. That’s a lot of money to add to an already costly machine, but the performance upgrades are well worth the spend. If you can afford it, of course.
MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: Storage
(Image credit: Apple)
Storage options also remain the same from the previous model when you buy an M3 MacBook Air, letting you choose between 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB SSDs. Like the RAM, you can’t add more storage into the laptop once it’s been delivered, although it’s less important to be picky here given that you can stick a USB-C hard drive in one of the ports if you run out of space. Make sure you choose enough to install all your apps, however, no matter the MacBook Air you buy.
It’s worth bearing in mind here that the base 256GB M2 models, in our testing, only had single-channel SSD speeds whereas previous models had dual-channel. This, in turn, led to data transfer bottlenecks, and slower transfer speeds. It’s not known yet whether the M3 model will have this issue. The higher storage options didn’t have this issue, moving back up to dual channel. Either way, this limitation was only likely to be felt by the most demanding of super-users. Even in single-channel scenarios, the SSDs are incredibly fast.
MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: Battery life
(Image credit: Gerald Lynch / Future)
Battery life on the two versions of the MacBook is exactly the same, with Apple saying you’ll get up to 18 hours in normal use with both M2 and M3 devices. That will go down depending on what you’re using the MacBook for, so if you’re doing loads of video editing then you’ll see that battery indicator plummet faster than if you’re just doing some writing or web browsing.
Of course, it’s not quite a like-for-like battery experience though. You’ll be able to do more demanding tasks with the M3 chip than you would over the same space of time that you could with the M2 chip. So it’s a more efficient workhorse across that single battery charge than with the previous generation.
MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: Extra Features
(Image credit: iMore / Gerald Lynch)
All of the extras here are shared between the two laptop models, although they are all important parts of the MacBook Air experience. The webcam, port layout, keyboard, and trackpad are all excellent on the MacBook Air no matter the model you buy, but it’s still worth talking them over.
The FaceTime camera is a highlight of the current crop of MacBooks, with the 1080p webcam found in the display notch providing some top-quality video for those FaceTime calls at work or with friends. There’s some impressive computational image improvement going on here as well, making for some good-looking video call footage.
Ports-wise, you’re going to get 2 USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a MagSafe charging port. The MacBook Air has never been known for its massive selection of ports, but the two ports on the current models are a useful addition. The MagSafe port is one of the best elements however, as it frees up one of the ports that’d otherwise be required for charging, and it means that you won’t send your $1,000+ laptop tumbling to the floor when you accidentally stand on the charging cable. The magnetic connection will just snap off, leaving your MacBook safely in place.
The keyboards and trackpads are lovely too. The keys are clicky with plenty of travel, and while it doesn’t compare to your home keyboard, it’s the perfect typing companion when traveling. Both models feature a full-size row of function keys. The trackpads are large and responsive, and thanks to their Force Touch panels they allow for multi-touch gestures and pressure sensitivity.
There’s a high-impedance headphone jack on both models so that you can connect more power-hungry headphones, and they each support Spatial Audio with their internal speakers. You can connect AirPods for head-tracked personalized Spatial Audio as well.
MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: macOS
The M2 and M3 MacBook Air models both support the latest version of Apple’s operating system, macOS 14 Sonoma. Given the two versions are only a year or so apart, they’re likely to be supported by Apple for longer than older machines might be.
One thing to note, however, is that the AI focus of Apple’s messaging around the M3 models shows that there could well be features in later versions of macOS that are either only supported by the latest M3 MacBooks, or that will work better on them. If you’re really into the AI-scented future that Apple seems to be looking to delve into, then you’re going to want the M3 chip.
MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: Which should you buy?
(Image credit: Apple)
If you’re looking for a new MacBook Air and you want to get the latest and greatest, then the MacBook Air M3 brings some massive power gains to the table that make it well worth the extra cost. If you want to save some money and you’re not bothered about the latest device, however, then you might want to consider grabbing the now-reduced MacBook Air M2. Apart from the processor, it’s almost the same computer.
For our money, we’d opt for the latest model with a little extra RAM. That gives you a mighty machine that’s going to be powerful for some time to come, as well as being ready to handle any future AI applications that Apple might stuff into macOS. It might cost more, but it will handle future workloads much better.
MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: Should you upgrade?
That’s a resounding ‘no’ on that one. The MacBook Air M3 brings loads of power, yes, but it’s not enough to justify the need to buy the latest version of the MacBook Air if you’re already working on an M2 machine. Instead, wait another couple of years and enjoy the most bang for your buck possible with your current MacBook Air M2.
But what about older Air models? Check out our breakdown of the benefits and drawbacks of the M3 MacBook Air vs M1 MacBook Air.
Apple’s rumored March event may not happen at all, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
In his Power On newsletter, Gurman said that a lack of an event wouldn’t correlate with a lack of announcements, though, with Mac, iPad and accessories in line for a revamp.
Expect the long-rumoured iPad Air with a 12.9-inch display to arrive, as well as the debut of an OLED iPad, likely the iPad Pro. According to Gurman, there could be new Apple Pencil models and Magic Keyboard offerings to accommodate the new models, too.
For Mac buyers, the MacBook Air may be shifting to a 3nm chip, with M3 versions of the 13 and 15-inch models of the popular laptop.
Gurman notes that many of the new products mark significant updates to the existing lineup, so what about the event?
“Apple is instead planning to announce the new products on its website with a series of online videos and marketing campaigns,” Gurman explains, also noting that production is likely underway on all of the above.
(Image credit: Gerald Lynch / iMore)
When could we see new iPads and Macs?
When it comes to nailing down a rough timeframe, Gurman expects the new devices to be compatible with a version of iOS 17.4 which is expected to ship by the end of the month.
“I’d expect the devices to arrive sometime in March or April,” he says, noting that once those launch Apple will begin to focus on preparations for WWDC 2024, where it’ll showcase its advances in generative AI technology – advances which may be revealed sooner than Apple would like.
It’s been a long time coming, but Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile is finally dropping onto iOS and Android in just a few short weeks.
The mobile version of the incredibly popular PC and console battle royale, Warzone Mobile was announced almost a year ago, and can be pre-ordered on the App Store so you’re ready to jump in on March 21, 2024.
Unlike its big-screen counterparts, Warzone Mobile will cap out at 120 players instead of 150 in the main Verdansk map, while Rebirth Island will offer 48-player matches. The former will even carry the Gulag across from the existing versions, letting players fight for a second chance if they’re eliminated early.
Call of Duty Warzone had previously been delayed, but it’s good to see the battle royale finally approaching the drop zone – especially with Fortnite targeting its own Gulag-style iOS comeback later this year.
You can check out the launch date reveal trailer below.
What is Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile?
Aside from its main battle royale modes, Warzone Mobile will also include more traditional Call of Duty modes, including classic maps. Players can enjoy Team Deathmatch, Domination, and more.
That’s got Call of Duty: Mobile players a little worried their game might be closed down, but despite new owner Microsoft suggesting it’ll be phased out, it appears set to exist alongside Warzone Mobile.
If you missed it on console or PC, the original Call of Duty: Warzone was the franchise’s second attempt at the popular battle royale genre, and smashed all kinds of player number records when it arrived in 2020.
It’s since been superseded by Warzone 2.0, which will offer shared progression with Warzone Mobile, including paid skins.
Activision says over 50 million users have pre-registered for the game’s launch, and those who do so will unlock an Operator skin for Ghost, two weapon Blueprints, and other cosmetics.
With the release of iOS 17.4 this month Apple will finally allow people to install third-party app stores on their iPhones, a move that will stop short of allowing sideloading but still allow Apple to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act. But the company continues to argue that the move, which it opposes, will make iPhones less safe for those who use them in the region.
Apple has been beta testing the iOS 17.4 update for weeks and is expected to release it to the public next week ahead of the DMA’s March 6 deadline. That deadline will require a number of things, including support for third-party app stores, with Apple saying that it has had to build more than 600 new APIs and developer tools to allow it to fully comply with the EU’s requirements.
Now, in a new paper published on the company’s security website, Apple says that its requirement for all apps to be distributed via the App Store has allowed it to protect users effectively, and that’s about to change. It argues that ” iOS has never allowed a widespread consumer malware attack on users, adding that it’s “exceptional for a 17-year-old, modern computing platform.” The new changes being forced by the DMA, it argues, ” mean we will not be able to protect users in the same way.”
Security matters
The document, titled Complying with the Digital Markets Act, argues that there will now be a difference between the levels of protections afforded iPhone users in the EU and those in the rest of the world. However, it says it is working to ensure iPhones remain as safe as possible despite the requirement to support app stores other than its own.
“While the changes the DMA requires will inevitably cause a gap between the protections that Apple users outside of the EU can rely on and the protections available to users in the EU moving forward, we are working tirelessly to make sure iPhone remains the safest of any phones available in the EU by reducing the risks introduced by these necessary changes — even though we cannot entirely eliminate such risks,” the document explains.
The document then goes on to detail the steps Apple is taking to try and ensure user privacy, security, and safety. Those steps include requiring that all apps be notarized regardless of where they are downloaded from as well as requiring that developers agree to a Developer Program License Agreement regardless of their chosen method of distribution.
Apple also confirmed that it will display app installation sheets “that empower users to make educated choices about the apps they download.”
“The sheets display information reviewed during Notarization, such as the app name, developer name, app description, screenshots, and system age rating, and identify the marketplace a user is downloading the app from, all in a clear, standardized form,” Apple says. “Developers will not be able to change the content of this sheet after their apps are notarized without going through the process again.”
The DMA also requires that Apple allow third-party payment systems to be used and it intends to warn iPhone owners of the risks associated with that, too.
Apple’s document continues, outlining the risks that have been reduced, but not eliminated, by the safeguards it will put in place with the release of iOS 17.4.
Notably, the document — which is on Apple’s security website and appears to be designed to detail its security plans — also includes emails Apple says its CEO Tim Cook received in support of the App Store and railing against sideloading and third-party alternatives.
You can read the full document, including those emails, on the security portion of Apple’s developer website ahead of iOS 17.4’s release next week.
