MacFormat February 2023

With millions of apps to choose from on the App Store for iPhone and iPad and the Mac App Store on Mac, you’re never far away from some truly great software. On the Mac, of course, you have even more choice, thanks to the ecosystem that exists outside Apple’s walled garden, and a highly creative community of developers who produce all kind of niche and varied fare. Best of all – whisper it – some of the apps are available at low cost or, better still, completely free. To that end, starting on p14, you’ll discover some of the very best apps you can use on your Mac, iPhone or iPad for free – from photo-editing apps to useful utilities. We have included streaming services too. While some content requires…

Apple is making some far-reaching changes to the way security and A privacy are handled on its devices and services, with the changes being rolled out over the next few months. The biggest change is that Apple is expanding the number of apps and services that can use end-to-end encryption on iCloud from 14 to 23. Photos, Reminders, Voice Memos and Safari Bookmarks are just some of the additions to the list that already includes information such as your Health data and iCloud Keychain. Additionally, the encryption uses what Apple calls Advanced Data Protection, which means the only devices that can access your data are the ones you already trust – apersonal iPhone or iPad, say, a work Mac or your family Mac. It also means even if your iCloud…

Apple’s Self-Service repair programme has finally arrived in the UK and Europe, just 13 months after its debut in the United States. The program provides the tools, parts and know-how you need to carry out repairs on a limited number of Apple devices, and has been driven by both Right to Repair legislation and growing consumer demands for devices to become more repairable. Currently limited to the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 and Apple silicon-based Macs, the Apple Self-Service programme has its own store at selfservicerepair.eu/en-GB/home Apple says more than 200 parts are available with tools to buy or rent. Tool rental is £54.90 per week, while an iPhone 13 Battery Bundle (new battery, display adhesive and screws) is £70.78. Self-service repairs for Mac are currently limited to the 2020 M1…

If you’ve always wanted to show off your singing skills (or lack of them) then a new service from Apple Music might just be for you. Launched last December, Apple Music Sing piggybacks onto the service’s ability to display live lyrics while music is playing – only this time you can adjust the volume of the vocals, so you can sing-along instead. Apple Music Sing works on iPhone, iPad and the new Apple TV 4K, and there will be 50 dedicated Apple Music Sing playlists to help you host the perfect karaoke night. Apple Music Sing should also work on almost any song where live lyrics are available on the service. All togther now [sings]: “Swede carrot lime, duh-duh-duh...”…

APP STORE PRICE PLAN FROM £0.29 TO £11,999.99 > If the rules introduced by Apple last December are anything to go by, then Apps on the App Store will soon be available in a far wider range of prices. It’s now offering developers up to 700 new price points, in addition to the ones they had before, with apps, subscriptions and in-app purchases (IAPs) available from as little as £0.29 to as much as £11,999.99, with price levels set in increments of £0.10 to £0.50. LIGHTNING MAKES WAY EU MANDATES USB-C iPHONE CHARGING > All new iPhones available to buy from December 2024 must have a USB-C rather than a Lightning port for charging. Or at least according to the European Union (EU), with the Council of Ministers ratifying the…

You have another three years to save up for that Apple Car you’ve been craving – although you’ll need deep pockets, if the latest rumours are correct. The Apple Car – codenamed Project Titan – has been rumoured now since at least 2014, with the project taking all kinds of twists and turns. Rumours have ranged from imminent launch dates to news that Apple had abandoned plans with the project going through multiple shutdowns and team changes, as well as gossip around partner manufacturers and more. The latest news, though, is that the Apple Car is now on schedule for release in 2024 with a price below $100,000 (£97,828). While that’s still a heck of a lot of money for a car, it is $20,000 less than previous rumours have…