We're expecting both an iPhone 16 series unveiling and a full release of iOS 18 at Apple's September 9 event next week – and it looks like the new iPhone software is set to downgrade the functionality of Live Activities in one important way.
According to 9to5Mac, Apple is restricting the rate at which these widgets can refresh themselves – which is going to cause problems for apps that want to show real-time activity information, such as cycling speed as you've moving.
These Live Activities widgets were introduced with iOS 16 in 2022, and they work like enhanced notifications on the lock screen or in the Dynamic Island: they can keep you up to date with sports scores, for example, or the estimated arrival time of an approaching cab.
In feedback sent to one developer, Apple says Live Activities were "never intended to be used to create real-time experiences", despite a mention of real-time fitness metrics on the official Live Activities guide for iOS developers.
The write idea
So it is official now. LiveActivities were never designed for real-time experiences :/ https://t.co/Zc1musx6ae pic.twitter.com/IjOq8uV2J7August 28, 2024
Apple goes on to explain that each update from a Live Activities widget requires data to be written to the storage on the iPhone – which, if it's happening constantly, can contribute to wear and tear inside the handset.
What's more, with iOS 18, each of those updates needs to be synced to an Apple Watch, if one is connected. While the downgrade will disappoint some, it should improve battery life and the lifespan of the internal iPhone storage.
It seems that update intervals are now set at 5-15 seconds, though this won't affect anything with a timer (like a notification showing a delivery driver arrival time): in this case starting the timer is just one action, with no refreshes needed in order for the timer to count down.
Apple announced a wealth of new features that will be arriving with iOS 18 at its WWDC 2024 event in June, and next Monday the beta-testing process for the software should be coming to an end – which means it'll then be pushed out to all compatible iPhones.
We’ve heard from several sources that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will have smaller bezels than their predecessors, with one going so far as to say that the iPhone 16 Pro Max could have the slimmest bezels of any phone, at just 1.15mm. And now thanks to a leaked comparison image we have a good idea of how much difference that might make.
Leaker Apple Hub (via NotebookCheck) has shared an image on X, providing a close up view of the bezels on the iPhone 15 Pro Max compared to those on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
As listed by the image, the former phone has 1.55mm bezels, and this source agrees with an earlier leak that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have 1.15mm bezels. Now, without an image it was hard to get a sense for whether that would actually make much difference, but here you can see that the rumored bezels on the iPhone 16 Pro Max really are noticeably smaller.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to feature the thinnest bezels on a smartphone 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rK9LEugcb1September 1, 2024
A dual-purpose change
This rumored reduction could serve two purposes. For one, it would obviously make the iPhone 16 Pro Max look more premium and modern than its predecessor, which will be especially desirable if the iPhone 16 Pro Max price is higher than the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s.
But reducing the bezels could also help ensure that the iPhone 16 Pro Max isn’t much bigger in the hand than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, despite rumors of it also having a larger 6.9-inch screen.
Of course, neither the bezel reduction nor the screen size increase are confirmed just yet, and nor will they be until Apple unveils the phone on September 9. But enough sources have pointed to both of these changes that we’re fairly confident they’ll happen.
Both these phones have the power to have a chance at the top spot of our best phones list and come with the power to run Apple Intelligence.
So without further ado, lets dig into the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max specs.
iPhone 16 Pro specs
As you'll see in the table above the core specs upgrades come in the form of the A18 Pro chip, which builds upon the already powerful A17 Pro.
The new slice of silicon promises plenty of power for running Apple Intelligence AI-centric features when they rollout to the Pro iPhones. Plus, a boost in gaming power, with improved hardware-accelerated ray-tracing performance was touted by Apple, which should make the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max more capable of running console-quality games like Death Stranding.
In day-to-day use, I doubt you'll see a huge boost in speed over the iPhone 15 Pro. But there seems to be plenty of headroom built into the chipset, meaning it should proved to be capable for several years to come at the very least.
The other notable upgrade is the addition of a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera, which offers crisper wide shots and has better low-light capabilities.
The display has also had a minor jump from 6.1 inches to a 6.3-inch panel, thanks to the trimming down of bezels.
iPhone 16 Pro Max specs
The iPhone 16 Pro Max's specs are basically identical to that of the iPhone 16 Pro, only offering a larger display and what's sure to be a larger battery; Apple doesn't officially list battery capacities but does quote a longer battery life than the 16 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Smartphone cameras may have been pushed aside by AI hype in the past two years, but they're still one of the biggest reasons to upgrade – and as TechRadar's former cameras editor, I'm particularly excited about the iPhone 16 Pro.
Granted, some of that enthusiasm may be because my daily driver is a creaking iPhone 11 Pro, which has now reached classic car status in smartphone terms. But lately, I've felt the allure of shooting with something more discrete and pocketable than my Fujifilm X-T5 – and rather than a Ricoh GR IIIx, it's the iPhone 16 Pro that's caught my eye.
We're still very much in rumors territory for Apple's next flagship phone ahead of its launch on September 9. But after closely following the speculation this year, it looks to me like the iPhone 16 Pro could be the ideal pocket camera to complement my beefier Fujifilm X-series body and lenses.
So why am I thinking of finally upgrading this year, rather than waiting for the iPhone 17 Pro or the rumored iPhone 17 Air next year? Here are the top five photographic reasons why I'm preparing to take the plunge on the smaller Pro model, based on the latest rumors...
1. Apple's best ever ultra-wide camera
The rumor: iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max tipped to get 48MP ultra-wide camera
Apple filled in some of the gaps in the iPhone 15 Pro Max's focal range with its digital 'focal lengths', which will presumably also appear on the iPhone 16 Pro series. (Image credit: Apple)
This could be the most useful iPhone 16 Pro camera upgrade for me, if the rumors are true. According to respected tech analyst Jeff Pu, Apple is planning to add a new 48MP ultra-wide camera onto both of its iPhone 16 Pro models – and won't be keeping it exclusive to the Pro Max.
That would be a pretty big deal. The iPhone's ultra-wide camera has traditionally been its weakest link. My iPhone 11 Pro came with Apple's first ultra-wide and it's distinctly average, thanks to its slow f/2.4 aperture and fixed-focus lens. It's certainly improved over recent generations, but the iPhone 15 Pro still only has a 12MP sensor and an f/2.2 aperture.
The benefit of a new 48MP sensor would be that the iPhone 16 Pro's ultra-wide could use the same pixel-binning technique as its main camera to boost image quality in challenging light. If it can produce 24MP files (made from a combo of a 12MP and 48Mp image) with some of the quality I've seen from the iPhone 15 Pro's main camera, the ultra-wide would become a far more usable option.
2. A mature 5x telephoto camera
The rumor: iPhone 16 Pro to inherit the 5x telephoto camera from the 15 Pro Max
Last year's Apple graphic for the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 120mm lens (above) was slightly misleading, as its 5x telephoto can't zoom and has a far smaller equivalent aperture than the f/2.8 lens depicted. But I'm still tempted by its versatility (Image credit: Apple)
Okay, it was also because I didn't particularly want to lug around a 6.7-inch smartphone, which was my only option because Apple made its tetraprism technology exclusive to the Max model. Not so this year, according to the latest iPhone 16 Pro camera rumors – the 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro is highly likely to get the same 120mm equivalent camera as its bigger brother.
I don't think having a 120mm camera is necessarily better than a 72mm equivalent, which is what the iPhone 15 Pro offers. In fact, leafing through my Lightroom catalogue, I mostly shoot in the 35mm-70mm range on my Fujifilm X-T5. But then again, I use my phone for different kinds of shots – and the flexibility of being able switch from 14mm to a refined 120mm telephoto, all on my phone, is very alluring.
Apple's impressive stabilization and image processing managed to eke out some solid, sharp results from the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 5x telephoto camera – after a year of software refinements, I'm expecting that to have improved again this year.
3. The rumored Capture button
The rumor: Apple to introduce a new 'Capture' button across the whole iPhone 16 series
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
One of my biggest issues with smartphone cameras is their ergonomics – they simply aren't as fun to shoot with as the best mirrorless cameras. While you can improve this to an extent with cases like the Shiftcam ProGrip, recent rumors suggest Apple is also planning to introduce a more camera-like experience to the entire iPhone 16 series with a new Capture button.
There are mixed reports on whether this new button will be capacitive or mechanical, but all of them agree that it'll be focused on shooting photos and videos with a two-step action that lets you first lock focus and exposure, then take a shot. A report from The Information in January suggested that you'll also be able to swipe across the surface of this button to zoom in and out of your scene.
Physical shutter buttons, the return of horizontal snapping – sign me up.
4. AI photography future-proofing
The rumor: iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max to get new A18 Pro chip for Apple Intelligence features and graphically-intense apps
(Image credit: Apple)
I mostly edit photos using Lightroom Classic or the Lightroom app on iOS, and the latter got its equivalent of Google's 'Magic Eraser' tool back in May. But now Apple is entering the AI-powered photo editing game with tools like Clean Up, I want to make sure my next iPhone is future-proofed (to an extent) for similar iOS innovations – and it sounds like that'll be the case with the iPhone 16 Pro.
The latest iPhone 16 spec predictions suggest that, while every model in the series will get 8GB RAM, the Pro models will get a new A18 Pro chip (compared to the standard A18 chip on the iPhone 16). Exactly what that'll be capable of remains unclear, but the latest rumors point to it having a more powerful graphics processor – which would be particularly useful for gaming and, yes, computational photography.
The reason this matters for Apple's own Apple Intelligence tools, like Clean Up, is because it prefers to run them on-device rather than, like Adobe, via the cloud. I may still largely stick with Lightroom for editing, but if I'm offline then Apple Intelligence features could become helpful photographic backups for quick edits.
There's already talk that next year's iPhone 17 Pro Max might get exclusive Apple Intelligence upgrades, so I'm under no illusion that the 16 Pro will able to handle all of Apple's best AI features in the future. But it's certainly more future-proofed than the poor iPhone 15, which is already locked out of the AI party due to its 6GB of memory.
That extra processing power could also help improve non-AI features like Apple's Cinematic Mode for video, which has slowly been improving over the years (despite its depth-map errors).
5. New camera lens coating
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
The rumor: iPhone 16 Pro series to get new lens coating to reduce artifacts
According to a well-known Apple tipster, a new camera lens coating (using a technique called atomic layer deposition, or ALD) is being used on iPhone 16 Pro models to help reduce artifacts like flares and halos, which are pretty common in iPhone photos.
I don't pretend to understand the specifics of that particular manufacturing process, but if that's true it would be a helpful quality-of-life upgrade for the iPhone 16 Pro's cameras. In theory, it should also help reduce ghosting in fast-moving objects.
Final thoughts
If the iPhone 16 Pro gets most of these rumored features, I'll almost certainly be upgrading and hitting those iPhone 16 preorders on September 13 (when they're rumored to be starting).
Even if its main camera stays the same with a 48MP Quad Bayer sensor and f/1.8 aperture, a new 48MP ultra-wide and 5x telephoto would be huge hardware upgrades – and I also like the sound of the Capture button. Combine that with the power and future-proofing of the rumored A18 Pro chip, and the iPhone 16 Pro is shaping up to be quite a pocket camera.
Apple may be lagging behind Google when it comes to AI-powered features like Add Me and Reimagine, but as something of a photography traditionalist that doesn't bother me too much. iOS has always had the best camera apps, so most gaps can be filled with third-party software – and there's also the prospect of dabbling with spatial photos and video, which I'd argue is more exciting than AI-generated photography.
This year, like most years, we’re expecting four new iPhones to land, each of which should mark an improvement over their respective predecessors. But it’s the Pro models that are likely to house the biggest upgrades.
With Apple’s September 9 showcase (read: iPhone 16 launch event) fast approaching, it's no surprise that we've heard myriad rumors about what these upgrades will be, so while nothing is confirmed just yet, we have a fairly good idea of what to expect from Apple's next best iPhones.
Below, then, you’ll find details of the biggest new features and upgrades we’re expecting in the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Bigger screens
The iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
With its 6.7-inch screen, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is already one of the larger mainstream phones on the market, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max looks set to be even bigger, as numerous leaks have suggested that it'll have a 6.9-inch display.
However, this increase in screen size might not translate to much of an overall size increase, as leaks suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max could have smaller bezels than the current models. In other words, they might just make better use of the already available space.
This design change would, however, give you a larger iPhone screen to enjoy videos, games, and apps on, without making the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max much harder to operate with one hand.
A powerful A18 Pro chipset
Honkai Impact on the iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
It’s probably no surprise to hear that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are rumored to be more powerful than their predecessors, since a chipset upgrade is the one thing you can be almost certain of in each new iPhone model.
Still, this is a potentially exciting improvement, as while the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max remain among the most powerful phones on the planet, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are likely to race ahead of all rivals.
That extra power could be beneficial for numerous things, including powering the on-device AI features we’re expecting as part of Apple Intelligence. So, if you want one of the best AI phones, then the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max could be well worth considering.
A new button
The iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Not so long ago we were hearing rumors of a buttonless iPhone, and while such a product may still be in Apple’s future, for now, the company seems to be going in the other direction, with numerous reputable sources claiming that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will actually gain a button.
This is thought to be called a ‘Capture’ button, and leaks suggest that you’ll be able to use it as a physical shutter button to take photos and record videos. But some sources add that you might be able to focus the camera with a light press, before taking a photo with a harder press, and that swiping across it may allow you to zoom in and out. So, this 'Capture' button could be quite a versatile key.
What's more, having a physical button to take pictures with should make operating the iPhone camera feel a lot slicker and more like a bona fide camera.
Better cameras
The iPhone 15 Pro Max camera array (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Speaking of cameras, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max both look set for some upgrades in the photography department, too.
This 5x zoom camera is said to be the same as the one already boasted by the iPhone 15 Pro Max, so it could close the gap between the Pro and Pro Max models. That said, there’s an outside chance that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will get a new ‘super telephoto’ camera, offering even longer distance zoom – though that particular upgrade is not looking particularly likely, as no recent leaks mention it.
There's just a week and a bit to go until Apple unveils the iPhone 16 series, and a newly leaked image gives us an idea of the gold titanium color that's rumored to be coming to the Pro and Pro Max models this year.
The image was shared by 9to5Mac and created by an inside source who has been accurate with information in the past. The picture shows the back of an iPhone 16 Pro in a case, and we can also see a cut out for the new Capture button we're expecting to see.
Several previous rumors have hinted at this new color, though there's been some debate about exactly what shade of gold it's going to be, and the official name Apple is going to use for it: gold? Brown? Bronze? Desert?
It will be a single word followed by Titanium to match the other colors, and here 9to5Mac goes with gold. It's set to replace the Blue Titanium option we saw with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which launched in 2023.
Going for gold... again
The September 9 Apple event invitation (Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
If this gold shade does show up on the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, then it would actually be an old color returning – gold has been available each year on at least some iPhone models since the iPhone XS in 2018, with the exception of the iPhone 15 series.
So the four colors we're expecting for the Pro and Pro Max in 2024 are these: Natural (or Gray) Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium, and Desert Titanium (remember titanium was introduced as a material on the Pro-level iPhones last year).
However, nothing is certain until Apple CEO Tim Cook is telling us what the colors are in another polished video presentation – we've also heard rumors of a rose color, as well as plenty of leaks around the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus shades.
All will be revealed on Monday, September 9, and of course we'll be covering the whole event live – you can also watch along online. As well as the iPhone 16 models, we should also see the Apple Watch 10, the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and the AirPods 4.
Some years Apple heavily differentiates its Pro Max models from the Pro models, and other years they’re quite similar. For example, leaks suggest that this year the iPhone 16 Pro Max won’t be dramatically different to the iPhone 16 Pro, but we’re now hearing that next year’s iPhone 17 Pro Max could be significantly better than the iPhone 17 Pro.
This is according to Ming-Chi Kuo – a leaker with a great track record for Apple information – who, posting on X, has claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be the only iPhone 17 model to get 12GB of RAM, with all the others stuck at 8GB.
We’re expecting every iPhone 16 model to have 8GB of RAM, as that seems to be the minimum required for Apple Intelligence (Apple’s upcoming AI features), so this would mean that only the iPhone 17 Pro Max gets a RAM boost next year.
Among the 2025 new iPhone models, only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the following specifications:1. 12GB DRAM (while the ultra-thin iPhone, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and SE4 will all have 8GB). Enhanced on-device AI capabilities will likely be a major selling point for…August 29, 2024
And, speaking of AI, the same source claims that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will exclusively have “enhanced on-device AI capabilities”, presumably enabled by all that extra RAM.
Finally, Kuo also claims that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have an upgraded cooling system, which combines vapor chamber technology and graphite sheets, while the rest of the iPhone 17 line will reportedly just use graphite sheets, like current models.
So in other words the iPhone 17 Pro Max should be more adept at keeping cool, which should help with sustained performance when carrying out demanding tasks, such as running high-end games and using on-device AI.
An iPhone 'Ultra', and a couple of iPhone Same-Olds
All of these upgrades combined could make the iPhone 17 Pro Max something along the lines of the long-rumored iPhone Ultra, though there’s no current suggestion that it will have ‘Ultra’ in its name.
In any case, Kuo notes that Pro Max models currently account for almost 40% of iPhone shipments, meaning they’re by far the most popular models, so it makes sense for Apple to focus on improving the Pro Max.
That might mean the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro feel a bit neglected and lacking in upgrades, although there is at least also talk of an iPhone 17 Slim or an iPhone 17 Air, which could provide something a bit different and new for anyone who doesn’t want to shell out on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Unbox your new MacBook and get ready to dive into the world of Apple. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the initial setup process, ensuring you’re up and running in no time. Additionally, we’ll provide tips on optimizing your MacBook’s performance and exploring the built-in apps that come with your device.
Go through the basics
When you first turn on your MacBook, a setup assistant will walk you through the process of configuring your computer. The assistant will prompt you to select your country and language, as well as create a user account and Apple ID, if you don’t already have one.
You’ll also be asked if you want to enable the following services:
FileVault – encrypts your hard drive iCloud Keychain – manages passwords and Wi-Fi credentials on Apple devices Find My – helps track down lost Apple devices together with the Find My app Touch ID – MacBook’s built-in fingerprint reader, which can be used for signing in to the device and apps, switch users, and approve Apple Pay purchases
Check for updates
Apple releases regular updates to macOS. If a new one has been released since your MacBook was built, there’s a way to ensure you don’t miss out on the latest features and patches. Simply click the Apple icon on the upper-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences. If any updates are available, install them by clicking on Update Now or More Info to see the details about the updates.
Choose a default browser
Safari is the default browser on Apple devices, and many users prefer it over other browsers for several reasons. But if you don’t like Safari, you can easily change your default browser to Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox. Simply go to System Preferences > General and select the browser of your choice.
Configure the Dock
The Dock is used to launch and switch between applications on macOS devices. By default, it’s located at the bottom of the screen, but you can move it to the left or right by going to System Preferences > Dock. Under “Position on screen,” choose Left or Right.
You can also make room on the Dock for the apps that you frequently use. To add an app to the Dock, open it and right-click on its icon in the Dock. From the menu that appears, go to Option > Keep in Dock. To remove apps that you don’t need from the Dock, click on its icon and drag it to the desktop until “Remove” appears above the icon, and then release it.
Set up Siri
Apple’s virtual assistant is enabled by default on your MacBook, but if you prefer not to use it, go to System Preferences > Siri and uncheck the box for “Enable Ask Siri.” You could also switch Voice Feedback to Off if you want to mute Siri and get responses to your queries as text displayed on your screen.
If you do decide to keep Siri around, you can choose a language and voice for your assistant as well as the apps Siri can learn from and make suggestions for. You can also customize a keyboard shortcut to activate Siri.
Flip the scrolling direction
By default, moving two fingers down a MacBook’s trackpad makes the view scroll down an open document or website on your screen. You can change your trackpad’s scrolling direction so that the same gesture makes the view scroll up. Go to System Preferences > Trackpad, and under the Scroll & Zoom tab, uncheck “Scroll direction: Natural.”
Set your screen to lock automatically
Keep unauthorized users out of your MacBook by setting the screen to lock automatically after the system has been idle for a while. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. Under the “Require password…after sleep or screen saver begins” option, select Immediately from the drop-down menu.
Download and install iOS apps
The newest and most advanced crop of MacBooks run on Apple’s M3 chip, but the process is the same across the board, even on M1 and M2-chipped MacBooks. This means that MacBooks and iOS devices now share the same processor architecture. This allows you to install and use compatible iOS apps on your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or Mac Mini.
To download iPhone and iPad apps onto your MacBook, go to the Mac App Store. Note that not all apps in the store are macOS-compatible, but developers are working on optimizing their apps for MacBooks, which means it may only be a matter of time before your favorite iOS apps become available for your new computer.
Got questions about your MacBook or other Apple devices? Get the answers you need and more from our experts. Give us a call today.
Tailor your MacBook experience to your unique preferences with our simple setup guide, where we’ll cover the basics, such as creating your Apple ID and customizing your desktop. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a first-time Mac user, this guide will help you make the most of your new MacBook.
Go through the basics
When you first turn on your MacBook, a setup assistant will walk you through the process of configuring your computer. The assistant will prompt you to select your country and language, as well as create a user account and Apple ID, if you don’t already have one.
You’ll also be asked if you want to enable the following services:
FileVault – encrypts your hard drive iCloud Keychain – manages passwords and Wi-Fi credentials on Apple devices Find My – helps track down lost Apple devices together with the Find My app Touch ID – MacBook’s built-in fingerprint reader, which can be used for signing in to the device and apps, switch users, and approve Apple Pay purchases
Check for updates
Apple releases regular updates to macOS. If a new one has been released since your MacBook was built, there’s a way to ensure you don’t miss out on the latest features and patches. Simply click the Apple icon on the upper-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences. If any updates are available, install them by clicking on Update Now or More Info to see the details about the updates.
Choose a default browser
Safari is the default browser on Apple devices, and many users prefer it over other browsers for several reasons. But if you don’t like Safari, you can easily change your default browser to Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox. Simply go to System Preferences > General and select the browser of your choice.
Configure the Dock
The Dock is used to launch and switch between applications on macOS devices. By default, it’s located at the bottom of the screen, but you can move it to the left or right by going to System Preferences > Dock. Under “Position on screen,” choose Left or Right.
You can also make room on the Dock for the apps that you frequently use. To add an app to the Dock, open it and right-click on its icon in the Dock. From the menu that appears, go to Option > Keep in Dock. To remove apps that you don’t need from the Dock, click on its icon and drag it to the desktop until “Remove” appears above the icon, and then release it.
Set up Siri
Apple’s virtual assistant is enabled by default on your MacBook, but if you prefer not to use it, go to System Preferences > Siri and uncheck the box for “Enable Ask Siri.” You could also switch Voice Feedback to Off if you want to mute Siri and get responses to your queries as text displayed on your screen.
If you do decide to keep Siri around, you can choose a language and voice for your assistant as well as the apps Siri can learn from and make suggestions for. You can also customize a keyboard shortcut to activate Siri.
Flip the scrolling direction
By default, moving two fingers down a MacBook’s trackpad makes the view scroll down an open document or website on your screen. You can change your trackpad’s scrolling direction so that the same gesture makes the view scroll up. Go to System Preferences > Trackpad, and under the Scroll & Zoom tab, uncheck “Scroll direction: Natural.”
Set your screen to lock automatically
Keep unauthorized users out of your MacBook by setting the screen to lock automatically after the system has been idle for a while. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. Under the “Require password…after sleep or screen saver begins” option, select Immediately from the drop-down menu.
Download and install iOS apps
The newest and most advanced crop of MacBooks run on Apple’s M3 chip, but the process is the same across the board, even on M1 and M2-chipped MacBooks. This means that MacBooks and iOS devices now share the same processor architecture. This allows you to install and use compatible iOS apps on your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or Mac Mini.
To download iPhone and iPad apps onto your MacBook, go to the Mac App Store. Note that not all apps in the store are macOS-compatible, but developers are working on optimizing their apps for MacBooks, which means it may only be a matter of time before your favorite iOS apps become available for your new computer.
Got questions about your MacBook or other Apple devices? Get the answers you need and more from our experts. Give us a call today.
Make the most of your new MacBook with our in-depth setup guide. We’ll look at the essential steps like creating your Apple ID, customizing your desktop, and connecting to Wi-Fi. But that’s just the beginning. We’ll also guide you on how to use your MacBook’s basic built-in features that can enhance your productivity and enjoyment.
Go through the basics
When you first turn on your MacBook, a setup assistant will walk you through the process of configuring your computer. The assistant will prompt you to select your country and language, as well as create a user account and Apple ID, if you don’t already have one.
You’ll also be asked if you want to enable the following services:
FileVault – encrypts your hard drive iCloud Keychain – manages passwords and Wi-Fi credentials on Apple devices Find My – helps track down lost Apple devices together with the Find My app Touch ID – MacBook’s built-in fingerprint reader, which can be used for signing in to the device and apps, switch users, and approve Apple Pay purchases
Check for updates
Apple releases regular updates to macOS. If a new one has been released since your MacBook was built, there’s a way to ensure you don’t miss out on the latest features and patches. Simply click the Apple icon on the upper-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences. If any updates are available, install them by clicking on Update Now or More Info to see the details about the updates.
Choose a default browser
Safari is the default browser on Apple devices, and many users prefer it over other browsers for several reasons. But if you don’t like Safari, you can easily change your default browser to Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox. Simply go to System Preferences > General and select the browser of your choice.
Configure the Dock
The Dock is used to launch and switch between applications on macOS devices. By default, it’s located at the bottom of the screen, but you can move it to the left or right by going to System Preferences > Dock. Under “Position on screen,” choose Left or Right.
You can also make room on the Dock for the apps that you frequently use. To add an app to the Dock, open it and right-click on its icon in the Dock. From the menu that appears, go to Option > Keep in Dock. To remove apps that you don’t need from the Dock, click on its icon and drag it to the desktop until “Remove” appears above the icon, and then release it.
Set up Siri
Apple’s virtual assistant is enabled by default on your MacBook, but if you prefer not to use it, go to System Preferences > Siri and uncheck the box for “Enable Ask Siri.” You could also switch Voice Feedback to Off if you want to mute Siri and get responses to your queries as text displayed on your screen.
If you do decide to keep Siri around, you can choose a language and voice for your assistant as well as the apps Siri can learn from and make suggestions for. You can also customize a keyboard shortcut to activate Siri.
Flip the scrolling direction
By default, moving two fingers down a MacBook’s trackpad makes the view scroll down an open document or website on your screen. You can change your trackpad’s scrolling direction so that the same gesture makes the view scroll up. Go to System Preferences > Trackpad, and under the Scroll & Zoom tab, uncheck “Scroll direction: Natural.”
Set your screen to lock automatically
Keep unauthorized users out of your MacBook by setting the screen to lock automatically after the system has been idle for a while. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. Under the “Require password…after sleep or screen saver begins” option, select Immediately from the drop-down menu.
Download and install iOS apps
The newest and most advanced crop of MacBooks run on Apple’s M3 chip, but the process is the same across the board, even on M1 and M2-chipped MacBooks. This means that MacBooks and iOS devices now share the same processor architecture. This allows you to install and use compatible iOS apps on your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or Mac Mini.
To download iPhone and iPad apps onto your MacBook, go to the Mac App Store. Note that not all apps in the store are macOS-compatible, but developers are working on optimizing their apps for MacBooks, which means it may only be a matter of time before your favorite iOS apps become available for your new computer.
Got questions about your MacBook or other Apple devices? Get the answers you need and more from our experts. Give us a call today.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are set to be Apple’s top phones for 2024, so it’s reasonable to expect the company will try and make them look as good and premium as possible.
Does that mean drastic design changes compared to the iPhone 15 line? Well, not necessarily, as Apple’s handsets are undeniably well-designed already. But leaks and rumors do suggest some changes are coming for these approaching models.
Below, we’ve detailed all the design leaks we’ve encountered so far, which combined provide a fairly clear picture of what to expect visually from the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
iPhone 16 Pro design predictions
A leaked image of iPhone 16 Pro dummy units (Image credit: Sonny Dickson)
The iPhone 16 Pro could be bigger than the iPhone 15 Pro and packing an additional button, but otherwise look similar to its predecessor, if leaks are to be believed; see the leaked iPhone 16 Pro image above.
On the size front, while we aren’t sure of the exact dimensions yet, multiple sources have claimed that the iPhone 16 Pro will have a 6.3-inch screen, up from the 6.1-inch display of its predecessor.
So that will probably make the overall handset bigger than the 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3mm iPhone 15 Pro, that said, the iPhone 16 Pro’s bezels are apparently smaller, shrinking from 1.71mm to 1.2mm.
We’d think the likely increase in screen size will also mean it weighs more than its 187g predecessor, though hopefully there won’t be a drastic difference in weight.
The other particularly noticeable design change we’re expecting is the addition of a Capture button positioned alongside the power button. This widely rumored feature would reportedly let you take photos and shoot videos, while a lighter press might engage the autofocus, and swiping across it could zoom in and out.
Beyond this and some new iPhone 16 Pro colors, we expect Apple’s upcoming Pro phone to look much like its current model, with a glass back, a titanium frame, the same basic shape and button layout, and the same camera arrangement.
One early leak did suggest the Face ID components could be hidden under the screen, making the Dynamic Island much smaller, as it would only have to house the front-facing camera. But we haven’t heard this reported elsewhere, so we doubt it will happen.
iPhone 16 Pro Max design predictions
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An unofficial render of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max (Image credit: MacRumors)
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A leaked photo of iPhone 16 Pro Max dummy units (Image credit: Sonny Dickson)
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is likely to have the same design as the iPhone 16 Pro, just in a larger size. Which is to say it will probably also look similar to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, just larger and with an extra button.
That button is thought to be called a Capture button, and as detailed above it will reportedly control the camera, and be housed under the power key on the right edge.
One leak details the exact dimensions of the iPhone 16 Pro Max though, claiming that it will be 163.024 x 77.575 x 8.26mm. That would make it taller, wider, and thicker than the 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mm iPhone 15 Pro Max, though not by much. Part of that change in dimensions could also be down to a rumored 19.6:9 aspect ratio for the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s display, rather than the 19.5:9 of its predecessor.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is likely to also be heavier than its 221g predecessor, but for now we don’t know by how much.
Other than that, and the possibility of some new colors, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will probably look much like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, complete with a titanium frame, a glass back, and the same general layout and shape, as you can see in the leaked iPhone 16 Pro Max images above.
Finally, one source has suggested its Dynamic Island could be much smaller, with the Face ID components hidden under the screen, but we’re skeptical of this.
Time is an interesting concept: humans have been on Earth for some six million years, yet the planet is 4.5 billion years old. We’re not far away from it being 20 years since the first iPhone launched yet, the first telephone was invented 148 years ago. So the length of time is relative. But one thing is for sure, it feels like it’s been a long time since we had a new iPhone SE.
There have been three generations of Apple’s most affordable iPhone. The first arrived in 2016 to win attention as one of the best cheap phones at the time. Four years passed before the year of the COVID-19 pandemic came calling, with a second-generation SE also popping up. Then 2022 saw the current iPhone SE.
As such, there’s no real established cadence to iPhone SE releases. Yet with the current version sporting a design that would have felt outdated some six years ago, let alone two, I think the cheap-ish Apple phone is overdue for an update and an overhaul.
Yet the rumors around the so-called iPhone SE 4 are scant. As we draw closer to September and a likely phone-centric Apple event, unofficial info around the likes of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models have gathered pace.
But there’s precious little about a new SE, which would make a good ‘one more thing’ for the next Apple showcase.
A decent chip can also be expected, though how powerful it might be is a bit of a guessing game. And I’d expect USB-C charging to be a given.
All that being said, the lack of substantial iPhone SE rumors does make me wonder when we might expect to see one. Or if Apple even plans on actually making another affordable iPhone – after all, when new models arrive, a selection of older ones are still offered but at cut prices.
Part of me thinks Apple will wait for 2025 when its work on the AI-centric Apple Intelligence has had time to mature and bed into other devices.
And come next year, there could be enough A17 Pro chips, or similar, floating around for Apple to make an iPhone SE that has the power to handle the AI workloads, and thus can help bolster the adoption of Apple Intelligence; keeping it just for the high-end Pro iPhones could see the adoption of next-gen smart tools and software wither on the vine.
Alternatively, Apple could simply offer a capable and affordable iPhone that skips the Apple Intelligence capabilities – especially as some people might not give a hoot about AI.
Of course, this is all educated speculation and I can’t really answer when we’ll see a new iPhone SE with any certainty. But I feel there’s still hope for an affordable iPhone for all.
Unbox your new MacBook and get ready to dive into the world of Apple. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the initial setup process, ensuring you’re up and running in no time. Additionally, we’ll provide tips on optimizing your MacBook’s performance and exploring the built-in apps that come with your device.
Tailor your MacBook experience to your unique preferences with our simple setup guide, where we’ll cover the basics, such as creating your Apple ID and customizing your desktop. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a first-time Mac user, this guide will help you make the most of your new MacBook.
Make the most of your new MacBook with our in-depth setup guide. We’ll look at the essential steps like creating your Apple ID, customizing your desktop, and connecting to Wi-Fi. But that’s just the beginning. We’ll also guide you on how to use your MacBook’s basic built-in features that can enhance your productivity and enjoyment.
