MacFormat September 2022

Making regular backups of the files on your Mac often feels like one of those housekeeping jobs that you should do, but rarely get around to – like tidying the garage or clearing out the shed. It’s often when you can’t find something on your Mac only to find that it’s vanished without a trace that you realise the importance of Time Machine and a backup scheme. This month’s lead feature (p20) will provide you with all the tips, tricks and techniques you need to knock your backups into shape – and keep your Mac clear of clutter at the same time. The aim being to help you get ready for the arrival of macOS Ventura this autumn. Talking of new things, this month’s lead review (and our cover star)…

HOT TOPIC! Apple is set to unleash a deluge of new products in late 2022 and early 2023, according to a prominent Apple journalist. That could include iPhones, Macs, iPads, a near-mythical top-secret project, and even some old devices resurrected and given a new lease of life. The news comes from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who has a strong track record with previous Apple leaks and rumours. Let’s see what he had to say. iPhone mini waves goodbye Starting with the iPhone, Gurman explains that Apple will release four models this autumn: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone mini is noticeably absent, being replaced by a larger 6.7-inch version of the iPhone 14. Gurman says one of the main features of…

Log on and see next issue’s big question! twitter.com/macformat facebook.com/macformat ‘Many upgrades’ for AirPods Pro > If you’ve been holding out for major AirPods Pro upgrades, you might be in luck. A report from 52Audio claims that AirPods Pro 2 will retain the current design, but almost every other aspect will be improved. That includes an updated chip, support for Find My, heart rate and temperature detection, audio quality improvements, and a USB-C port. You might even be able to use them as proper hearing aids. Some of these rumours have been touted in the past. Suggestions that the chip and audio capabilities will be improved seem sensible enough, and the hearing aid function would tie in with Apple’s push for device accessibility.…

Apple’s forthcoming mixed-reality (MR) headset is finally approaching its launch date, according to rumours. We’ve seen a new round of details emerge, giving hints as to what we can expect. As we covered on the previous pages, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman believes the headset will be powered by Apple’s M2 chip. That’s in contrast to other leaks, which have stated it could come with two chips rather than just one. Either way, we’re sure Apple will use its own silicon to ensure the chips stay cool, helping to keep the headset comfortable. As for a release date, Apple tipster Ming-Chi Kuo has alleged the headset will be announced in January 2023. Kuo believes it will be a “game-changer” with “significant competitive advantages” that will force rivals to play catch up, “leading…

When Apple unveiled the M2 MacBook Pro at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2022, it was clear the device was a ‘point five’ update rather than a revolutionary upgrade. Now, however, it seems the performance of its M2 chip is even more restrained – and in some cases disappointing – than we expected. The revelation comes from YouTube channels Max Tech and Created Tech, who each put the M2 MacBook Pro to the test. Both discovered that the M2 MacBook Pro’s SSD performance was as much as half that of the previous-generation M1 MacBook Pro. How could this be? It seems that in lowercapacity models such as the 256GB M2 MacBook Pro, Apple has used only a single SSD NAND chip, rather than the two used in the…

APPLE BROWSER CHOICE ISSUE MISUSING POWER, SAYS ENGINEER > Aformer Google and Microsoft engineer has claimed that Apple has used its power to “undermine browser engine diversity” and reduce user choice. Alex Russell says Apple forces developers to use WebKit on iOS while maintaining a “skeleton” staff on its development, and has been sluggish to let people change their default web browser. This leads to a lack of choice and sub-par experience on iOS, according to Russell. iPAD MINI TO GET PROMOTION? SKETCHY RUMOUR SEEMS UNLIKELY > Reports have surfaced that the next iPad mini will come with a 120Hz display. However, the claims have been met with scepticism by display industry analyst Ross Young, who says they would be “surprised” if the rumours were true as the iPad mini’s a-Si…