MacLife November 2019

The new iPhone 11 has arrived, and though it may not be the most scintillating version yet (more on that on p8, along with the new Apple Watch, and entry–level iPad), it does have one thing going for it: it’s now “only” $699, making the entry point into ownership more affordable than previously (at least, in the case of the XR). But worthy of note: this is no longer a “budget” iPhone as it may have come across before; it’s just the iPhone, unless you really need the extra capabilities of the new iPhone 11 Pro or Pro Max that are, naturally, pricier. As expected, iOS 13 has neatly launched in tandem with the iPhone 11 on–sale date. Of course, if you’ve purchased the latest iPhone, you’ll already be met with…

AT ITS ANNUAL Fall special event in September, Apple introduced iPhone 11 and also its first “Pro” smartphone line, iPhone 11 Pro, which comes in two sizes, including a “Max” version. The new–generation iPhones raise the bar in several ways, including faster Gigabit–class LTE, Wi–Fi 6, Ultra Wideband precision location technology, Dual SIM capability (with eSIM), and the Apple A13 Bionic chip, which Apple says is 20% faster than its predecessor. But most notable is the new dual–camera system in iPhone 11 and triple-camera system in iPhone 11 Pro. In iPhone 11, the 12–megapixel f/1.8 Wide camera has a sensor with Focus Pixels covering 100% of its area, promising up to three times faster autofocus in low light. This is joined by an additional 12MP Ultra Wide camera with f/2.4 aperture and…

LAST YEAR’S APPLE WATCH series 4 was widely hailed as a milestone, so what could Apple do to improve on it this year? Series 5 is an incremental rather than a radical update, but introduces three very appealing new features. First, for the first time, Apple Watch now has an always–on Retina display, which intelligently dims when lowered, and brightens when raised or tapped. Yet series 5 still boasts all–day 18–hour battery life thanks to a new ambient light sensor and some clever ultra–low–power tech “including the industry’s only low–temperature polysilicone and oxide display”. Second, series 5’s updated location features include a built–in compass, and a compass app that can display your heading, incline, elevation, and latitude and longitude. Third is international emergency calling, available in more than 150 countries, even without an…

EARLIER THIS YEAR, Apple introduced an all–new 10.5–inch iPad Air and a revamped 7.9–inch iPad mini. Now it has finally updated the regular iPad, last updated March 2018. The biggest change is that instead of the well–known 9.7-inch screen, the seventh-generation iPad has a larger 10.2-inch Retina display (2,160 x 1,620 pixels, 264ppi). The price is unchanged, starting at $329 (Wi–Fi model) or $459 (Wi–Fi + cellular). Also new is support for the (1st–gen) Apple Pencil ($99 extra), and the full–size Smart Keyboard ($159) through a standard Smart Connector. The case is now 100% recycled aluminum, and there is Gigabit–class LTE connectivity in the cellular model for up to three times faster cellular data connection, Apple says. At the heart of the new iPad, however, the A10 Fusion chip is the same as…

APPLE ARCADE, APPLE’S exciting new game subscription service, is available on the App Store for $4.99 per month, with a one–month free trial. Users get unlimited access to the entire catalog of over 100 new, exclusive games, all playable across iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Apple TV. APPLE’S STREAMING SERVICE Apple TV+ launches November 1. It will be available on the Apple TV app worldwide or online at tv.apple.com, for a subscription of $4.99 per month, with a one–month free trial, or free for one year when you purchase any new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV.…

RECENTLY, IN THE US, Apple launched a whole new type of product. I watched online as tech pundits and Apple fans snapped it up on day one, sharing pictures and subtle boasts about who got it earliest. It had the full halo of a new Apple launch. But it was a credit card. The Apple credit card, which means it’s really a Goldman Sachs product available through Apple. But it has an Apple logo on, and is offered by Apple, so it’s an Apple product, so everyone had to have one. This is… concerning. This isn’t like lining up for an iPod because you want to have a whole collection of them, or a laptop because you’re excited to get a speed bump. It’s a personal finance decision, and not in the…