Table of contents for September 2023 in Macworld UK

It’s still going to be a few weeks until we get the next round of new products, but Apple is hard at work on the software running on our existing devices. This week alone, Apple released new betas for iOS 17, macOS 14, watchOS 10 and the rest of the software updates coming this autumn, as well as a slew of updates to the current operating systems. Apple has released numerous updates for both new and old devices going all the way back to the iPhone 6s. They are free of new features, but they include numerous security updates, several of which are critical: iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 Security updates: 16 iOS 15.7.8 and iPadOS 15.7 Security updates: 10 macOS Ventura 13.5 Security updates: 29 macOS Monterey 12.6.8 Security…

A pple has been all-in on AI for years now, using it to improve your photos, recognize and interpret your voice, lift subjects out of images, and more. But the hottest trend today is with generative AI, as exemplified by services like ChatGPT, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, Bard and Microsoft’s new Copilot feature in Office 365, and Apple is largely absent. There are loads of third-party apps that give access to these generative AI services, but Apple didn’t seem to be interested in creating its own generative AI the way Meta and Google did or partnering to integrate someone else’s tech into its product as Microsoft has done with Open AI. A new report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg (fave.co/43zsLHM) claims that Apple hasn’t been ignoring this exciting new field of…

For years, I’ve written articles warning people away from installing pre-release versions of Apple operating systems. Sure, beta season is exciting, what with Apple unleashing brand-new features that promise to transform your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. By downloading a beta, you can live in the future – today. But the price… is bugs. And incompatibility. As Macworld’s Michael Simon wrote recently (fave.co/3YlEV64), if you’re patient, you’ll get what you want this autumn, and without spending a summer complaining about bugs and bad battery life. But I’ve changed my tune about public betas. You might not want to throw caution entirely to the wind, but it’s the summer of 2023, and I think if you want to install an Apple beta, you should just go ahead and do it. Really. APPLE…

Preparing for student life can be exciting and stressful. To make things easier, it’s good to know that you have the right tech to help you write your essays, take notes in lessons, and be able to kick back with Netflix and games when all the work is done. The iPad has evolved in recent years to something that can now act as a laptop replacement for many students, with accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil making it one of the most versatile devices you can buy. Choosing one can be tricky though, as Apple currently offers a wide range of models with different prices and features. No problem, here’s our guide to buying an iPad for your student days. Before you decide, you should also know that…

Apple’s Mac line-up offers a model for every user, which is great because more choices are always good for the customer. But with that comes a bit of confusion as to whether a particular Mac model is actually a good deal. When researching a new Mac purchase it can become dizzying when comparing models and prices. Apple’s online comparison tool can help, but some customers may find sorting through the different specifications intimidating, and it doesn’t include pricing. Fortunately, there are some clear-cut choices on which Macs you should avoid. There are three models that stand out, not because they’re bad performers, but because you can get more for your money. Here are the three Macs you should avoid and the Macs you should consider instead. AVOID: M1 MACBOOK AIRGET:…

Apple’s MacBooks are great, but – as with all laptops – using one isn’t that great for your back or neck. Continual bowing of the head to see a screen can lead to a stiff neck and what doctors call spinal stenosis, which can compress blood vessels and displace nerves – cutting off blood supply to the brain. That’s not a good thing. Your screen should be at a comfortable height that doesn’t make you bend your neck down to see it. Try to make sure your eyes are in line with the screen while sitting with a straight back. This also helps when making video calls, so the other people aren’t staring up your nostrils. Some stands raise the laptop to eye level, and others – known as ‘vertical’…

The ability to create a web app has been a feature in iOS and iPadOS for years and it’s finally coming to macOS. While most Mac users work in dedicated macOS apps, it’s not unusual to use a web app, and the new ability to create a standalone web app can help users navigate software more efficiently. What is a ‘web app’ in the first place? Basically, it’s software that is using web-based tech – most people just call them ‘websites’. If you’ve ever used a social network in a browser, you’re using a web app. Other web apps include services (Uber, DoorDash), stores (Amazon), any of Google’s services or even iCloud.com. Web-based tools such as Microsoft Office 365 or Adobe Creative Cloud are more familiar as web apps. On…

With the launch of the Mac Pro and M2 Ultra chip at WWDC in June, all eyes are now on the next phase of Apple silicon and the highly anticipated M3 processor. And according to a new report, every Mac in Apple’s line-up will be getting in on the action. In his latest Power On newsletter (fave.co/3OdQiIn), Mark Gurman reports that an M3 Mac mini is “a sure thing”, as is a new MacBook Pro with M3 Pro and M3 Max processors. The Mac mini has previously gone years between updates, so it’s notable that Apple plans to refresh it so soon after the release of the M2 model. Gurman previously reported (fave. co/3Oi9jte) that Apple is planning to launch the M3 chip alongside three new Macs: the 13-inch MacBook…

The 1990s were a strange time for Apple, marked by the launch of its first PDA, a failed gaming console, a wacky camera and, of course, the iconic iMac. But perhaps nothing is stranger than a pair of Omega Sports sneakers adorned with the Apple logo – and you can now own a pair. Sotheby’s Auction House (fave. co/44OI3JS) is selling the trainers as an immediate purchase for $50,000 and describes them as “one of the most obscure in existence and highly coveted on the resale market”. While Apple had a brief line of clothing in the mid-80s, these shoes were never sold to customers but were rather a “one-time giveaway at a National Sales Conference”, according to Sotheby’s. It’s not clear how many pairs of shoes were made. The…

At the end of June, I said that we probably won’t be getting any new Macs for the rest of the year, based on reports that Apple’s chips cycle had been affected by production issues. However, new reports indicate that Apple could release new Macs this autumn. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (fave.co/3Oi9jte), Apple may release new Macs this October that feature the M3 chip. Either Apple and TSMC (the chip manufacturer) have been able to address the production issues, or the reports of a delay were exaggerated. In any case, Gurman reports that the first Macs to get the M3 are the iMac, the 13-inch MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The 13-inch MacBook Pro. It’s the misfit of Apple’s Mac line-up, but if there’s any doubt that…

Students, teachers, and those who work for an educational institution can save money on a new Mac, MacBook or iPad via the Apple Education Store, which offers discounts all year round. Apple throws the education net quite wide, so if you think you may not qualify, there’s a good chance you might. In this article, we will explain who qualifies and how much the Apple education discount is before explaining how to shop at Apple’s UK Education Store (fave.co/3QB6C53). HOW MUCH IS THE APPLE STUDENT DISCOUNT? Apple doesn’t offer a single, universal discount to students. It sets different prices for each product range. The discounts are only currently available for iPads and Mac computers (iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini). Education discounts are not available for the iPhone,…

With the introduction of the M2 Ultra, bringing us Mac Studio updates and the Mac Pro with it, Apple has completed its transition away from Intel and wrapped up the M2 family of processors. Now, all eyes are looking ahead to M3. Reports say that Apple is already testing new laptops with the M3 and the first possibly arriving later this year. We don’t know much about the M3 yet, except that it will likely be made using TSMC’s 3nm manufacturing process. If we want to have some idea of what to expect with the M3, we can look at the evolution of M-series processors and how they relate to the A-series used in iPhones and iPads. Nobody really knows what the M3 will bring until Apple tells us, but…

Price: £349 from fave.co/3KpH2zP Some of Apple’s best AirPods aren’t AirPods, they’re Beats. The company’s other headphone brand regularly breaks out products with nearly all the same features and technology as AirPods but with better style, compatibility and pricing. If you’re in the market for a set of over-the-ear headphones and considering AirPods Max, you now have a better option. The new Beats Studio Pro may not be made of aluminium and steel with a fancy mesh headband, but they cost £200 less and deliver better sound, broader compatibility, and most of the important AirPods features. Oh, and they come with a real carrying case. EXCELLENT APPLE SUPPORT The main reason to get AirPods over other headphones is their seamless integration with your Apple ecosystem. They pair just by holding…

WATCH OUT FOR UNEXPECTED NFC TAG ALERTS ON YOUR iPHONE Near-field communications (NFC) allow very short-range transmission of data from a device that can be battery-free. The field generator by the NFC reader produces the tiny amount of power required to trigger a signal. Starting with AirTag support in the iPhone 6s in 2015, all iPhone models have had some kind of ability to activate and read NFC tags. (Starting with ever earlier iPhones, all Watch models and many iPads), NFC transmission or encoding is used for Apple Pay.) You might have received certain kinds of NFC tag notifications. The most common are: AirTag: Tapping an AirTag after receiving an alert that one is near you. AirTags that aren’t registered to you will be identified by your iPhone. When brought…

The App Store has seen its revenues grow rapidly in recent years, bringing in around $20 billion per quarter. However, Apple is under fire for the commission it charges app developers to distribute apps on the App Store, and UK developers are the latest to take the company on with a class action lawsuit. App developers who distribute apps on the App Store have to pay Apple between 15 and 30 percent. Apple has been criticised for charging this commission by app developers and competition authorities in several countries because apps can only be distributed via the App Store. 1,566 UK app developers are the latest to file a claim with the Competition Appeal Tribunal against Apple, demanding £785 million in damages from Apple. Their case is led by Sean…

Apple’s Vision Pro headset doesn’t arrive until next year, but developers can get their hands on one now. It’s unclear whether Apple is charging for the Vision Pro developer kit as it did with the Developer Transition Kit for Apple silicon, but regardless of cost, developers might want to read the terms and conditions before applying to receive loaner units. Among the terms and conditions developers must agree to are that the Vision Pro is never moved from the address and is never left unattended when in use. That’s fair, but they only get more stringent. Here are some of Apple’s terms in the agreement (DK stands for Developer Kit): • You agree that all access to, usage of and storage use of the DK will be in a private,…

Thinking of buying a Mac or MacBook for school, college or university? Here, in our best Mac for students guide, we take a look at Apple’s current line-up to evaluate which Mac is best for students. We’ll compare the MacBook Air versus MacBook Pro for college and examine whether another Mac might actually be a better choice. Choosing the best Mac for college or university depends on what you are going to be studying as well as how much you have to spend. Luckily, registered students can save money on a new Mac by shopping at Apple’s Education Store, or with one of Apple’s partners. We discuss How to get an Apple student discount at Apple’s Education Store separately (see page 43). MACBOOK AIR VERSUS MACBOOK PRO 1. 13.6-inch MacBook…

In July, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple could release an update to the 13-inch MacBook Air this autumn. This new laptop will likely replace the current M2 13-inch MacBook Air that’s £1,149. Gurman didn’t mention the 15-inch MacBook Air, which was introduced in July 2023, but it would be unusual if both Macs are on the same update schedule. Here’s everything you need to know about the next gen MacBook Air, including the latest rumours, speculation based on current information and Apple’s history, and confirmed data. WHAT ABOUT THE 15‑INCH MACBOOK AIR? You’ll notice that Gurman only mentioned the 13-inch MacBook Air. It would be a strange decision on Apple’s part to update the cheaper 13-inch MacBook Air to an M3 while leaving the 15-inch MacBook Air untouched, so…

Software – good software, at least – is in a continual state of evolution. It’s one of the most impressive things about the current state of affairs in technology, even if it’s something most of us take for granted. Once upon a time, you bought a device, and how it was at that point was basically how it was for the rest of its lifetime. But software can change and improve. Case in point: a recent story in the Wall Street Journal suggested that opinions on Apple Maps have changed in the decade since its tumultuous release. Once the (rightful) butt of jokes, it’s now become a respectable piece of mapping software in its own right, a worthy competitor to Google Maps. And it’s not the only piece of Apple…

If you’re a developer, or just curious about what the next version of macOS will be like to use, you can install the beta of the upcoming version on your Mac. But what do you do when you no longer want to run the beta? If it’s causing havoc with your Mac, you are fed up with having to set aside hours each week while the latest update is installed or you want to keep the most recent stable version rather than spoil things with the next update read on. We’ll run through the simple steps to revert from the Sonoma beta to the full version of Ventura, before running through the more complex process. HOW TO STOP GETTING THE MACOS BETA The first thing to do is remove yourself…