MacLife February 2023

ONE THING I look forward to every day in my job as editor on Mac|Life is opening the mag’s email inbox, and perusing through the lengthy list of emails to see what goodies wait for me inside. I say goodies, but the majority of my emails tend to be press releases for products or software that aren’t particularly interesting, and there’s always a modicum of what I like to call “casual” spam, but occasionally I’ll get an email from you — the reader. If I’m honest, I definitely don’t hear from you enough, but I appreciate we all live busy lives and we don’t always have time to check in, or perhaps we don’t even consider doing so — after all, if you’re happy with the reading experience, why would…

ONE THING I look forward to every day in my job as editor on Mac|Life is opening the mag’s email inbox, and perusing through the lengthy list of emails to see what goodies wait for me inside. I say goodies, but the majority of my emails tend to be press releases for products or software that aren’t particularly interesting, and there’s always a modicum of what I like to call “casual” spam, but occasionally I’ll get an email from you — the reader. If I’m honest, I definitely don’t hear from you enough, but I appreciate we all live busy lives and we don’t always have time to check in, or perhaps we don’t even consider doing so — after all, if you’re happy with the reading experience, why would you?…

iPHONE 14 PRO models may be in short supply for some time. In November, Apple took the unusual step of warning supplies would be constrained over the holiday season because “COVID–19 restrictions have temporarily impacted the primary iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max assembly facility located in Zhengzhou, China.” However, things seem to be more complicated than that. Apple’s main contractor in China, Foxconn, routinely hires seasonal staff to meet peak demand. In 2022, at Apple’s request, it started its annual recruitment drive two months early, offering big sign–on bonuses to attract the estimated 100,000 extra staff required. Local authorities also attempted to mitigate the impact of government–mandated lockdowns by inviting retired military personnel to help. However, mass protests — widely described as “riots” — broke out in late…

iPHONE 14 PRO models may be in short supply for some time. In November, Apple took the unusual step of warning supplies would be constrained over the holiday season because “COVID–19 restrictions have temporarily impacted the primary iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max assembly facility located in Zhengzhou, China.” However, things seem to be more complicated than that. Apple’s main contractor in China, Foxconn, routinely hires seasonal staff to meet peak demand. In 2022, at Apple’s request, it started its annual recruitment drive two months early, offering big sign–on bonuses to attract the estimated 100,000 extra staff required. Local authorities also attempted to mitigate the impact of government–mandated lockdowns by inviting retired military personnel to help. However, mass protests — widely described as “riots” — broke out in late November, with…

AR COMES TO Google Maps. Google Maps has introduced Live View, which displays information on top of the scene you’re viewing through your phone camera. Live View works on iOS and Android, and is initially rolling out in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo. You tap the Live View icon and point your camera at buildings, street signs, or any element of scenery that Google Maps can match against Street View data in the area. Once it recognizes where you are, it will overlay AR pop–ups on the scene with info such as ATM, coffee shop, and store locations, opening times, and prices. Tap the carousel at the foot of the screen for more, such as offers and ratings. It also highlights out–of–sight points of interest.…

AR COMES TO Google Maps. Google Maps has introduced Live View, which displays information on top of the scene you’re viewing through your phone camera. Live View works on iOS and Android, and is initially rolling out in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo. You tap the Live View icon and point your camera at buildings, street signs, or any element of scenery that Google Maps can match against Street View data in the area. Once it recognizes where you are, it will overlay AR pop–ups on the scene with info such as ATM, coffee shop, and store locations, opening times, and prices. Tap the carousel at the foot of the screen for more, such as offers and ratings. It also highlights out–of–sight points of interest.…