Warmer weather has us spending more time outside, and sometimes we bring our favorite devices along. But is your iPhone waterproof? What if you splash water on your Mac? Spilled water on Apple keyboard? Do you need a waterproof iPad case? Can you wear an Apple Watch in the pool? I'll answer all these questions and tell you how to dry your wet phone or other Apple device safely!
AirPods
How to Connect AirPods to Laptop
By Elisabeth Garry
Can you connect AirPods to PC? Yes, yes you can! In this article, we'll show you how to connect your AirPods to your laptop—specifically, your Windows laptop.
How To Find AirPods by Making Them Ring
By Ashleigh Page
Misplaced your AirPods, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max? We'll cover how to find lost AirPods by making them beep. If you've lost one or both AirPod earbuds or AirPods Max headphones in your nearby area, this handy tip can save you considerable time searching for these inconspicuous Apple devices.
Tech Gift Guide: The Best Apple Products & Gadgets of 2021
By Susan Misuraca
In the 172nd episode, David and Donna share all of the best headphones, speakers, cases, smart home gadgets, and more for everyone on your shopping list this holiday season.
Buyer's Guide 2021: Best AirTag & AirPods Accessories
By Elisabeth Garry
iPhone Life is supported by readers like you. When you buy products through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. All products are independently tested, rated, and reviewed by our team of editors. Learn more.
As some of the smallest Apple devices, AirPods and AirTags are easy to misplace or damage. Luckily, with these cool AirPod cases, AirTag keychains, and more, you'll have a breeze keeping your devices secure while you're on the go.
Everything Apple Announced at October Event: New MacBook Pros, AirPods 3 & Colorful HomePod Minis
By Sarah Kingsbury
Apple introduced new MacBook Pros at its October 18 'Unleashed' event, with the option to purchase with the M1 Pro or M1 Max chip. While the latest iterations of the M1 chip are impressive, Mac fans will probably be just as excited about all the new ports, the 1080P FaceTime camera, mechanical function keys in place of the Touch Bar, and the return of MagSafe to MacBooks. While the MacBook Pro was the main event, Apple also unveiled third-generation AirPods, additional color options for the HomePod mini, and a voice-only Apple Music subscription tier. Here's everything you need to know about the latest MacBooks, AirPods, and HomePod minis, including when you can get your hands on them!
The New Generation of AirPods Arrives with Pro Design & Spatial Audio
By Elisabeth Garry
Meet the new generation of AirPods! On October 18, Apple announced the new AirPods (3rd generation) at its second fall event of 2021, 'Unleashed.' Even before their release, rumors abounded about AirPods 3; let's see which came true and which we'll have to do without.
Everything We Might See at the October 18 Apple Event
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
Apple announced its second event of the fall with a peppy graphic and the word "Unleashed!" While we didn't get any details beyond the time and place—October 18 at 10 a.m. PDT—there are a few significant releases we've been expecting for this year that we haven't yet seen. Most predominant among these are new MacBook Pros and perhaps a new generation of AirPods. Let's take a look at everything we might see on Monday.
Follow Our October 2021 Apple Event Coverage
By Erin MacPherson
Apple will hold a second fall event on October 18, when we hope we'll hear news of the products we didn't see in the September event, such as AirPods 3 and possible AirPods Pro 2, plus a new MacBook and maybe even a Mac mini. Our editorial team will be watching the Apple event live stream, and we'll post our in-depth coverage of the event in our Facebook group as we publish expert reviews and reactions to the things Apple reveals during the event. We'll also record a special podcast episode after the announcement, where we’ll discuss everything just announced. Read on to learn more about how to be a part of our event coverage.
October 2021 Apple Announcement: When & How to Watch
By Erin MacPherson
Apple's second fall event of 2021 will broadcast digitally Monday, October 18,
at 10 a.m. PDT. We may get confirmation of rumored new products we didn't see in the September event, such as AirPods 3 and possible AirPods Pro 2, plus a new MacBook and maybe even a Mac mini. Will this be the year to splurge on the hottest new MacBook? We'll bring you our expert analysis and reactions for everything announced at the event, so check out our Facebook page for event coverage and tune in to our post-event podcast to get the scoop!
Will There Be Another Apple Event This Fall? New AirPods & MacBook Pros Could Still Be Announced in 2021
By Elisabeth Garry
The Apple Event California Streaming came and went on September 14 without any word on new MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs, AirPods 3, or AirPods Pro 2. Might these devices and more be coming in an October or November Apple Event? We'll have to wait and see. While we wait, let's dive into rumors about what we can expect from these new devices, whenever they arrive.
Every fall, Apple's events shake up the tech world with exciting product releases! This year, we expect several events, announcing a series of new iPhone 13, Apple Watch 7, AirPods 3, two new iPads, a new MacBook Pro, and maybe some brand new devices. Let's dive right in!
Follow Our iPhone 13 Event Coverage on September 14
By Leanne Hays
Apple will hold a fall event, called California Streaming, on the 14th of September at 10:00 a.m PDT. We'll finally find out if the rumors are true about the new iPhone 13 line, as well as other devices such as the Apple Watch 7, new AirPods Pro and AirPods 3, new iPad mini and iPad ninth generation, and a possible new MacBook Pro. Our team will be watching the Apple event livestream, and we'll host a conversation in our private Facebook group as the event happens; you're invited to join in, ask questions, and share your opinions. We'll tape a special podcast episode after the announcement, where we’ll discuss everything just announced. Read on to learn more about how to be a part of our event coverage.
Are Apple AirPods Waterproof? Everything You Need to Know
By Erin MacPherson
Owning a late-model iPhone means that you don't have a headphone jack on your iPhone. For many people, AirPods are the solution they've chosen to get excellent audio quality with cord-free ease. These convenient Bluetooth accessories have made living without wired headphones a breeze, but did Apple make AirPods waterproof? We’re here to help you with that and provide some other important AirPod information.
AirPods Settings: How to Customize Your AirPods' Features
By Leanne Hays
Did you know that you can customize how you'd like your AirPods' controls and settings to work? Using the iPhone paired with your AirPods, you can name your AirPods and decide which functions you'd like to engage when you double tap your right or left AirPod, such as activating Siri to adjust the volume on your iPhone. Let's get started learning how to change your AirPod's settings with your iPhone!
How to Connect AirPods to Non-Apple Devices
By Ashleigh Page
Whether you're a brand new Apple Airpods owner or have recently purchased a non-Apple device, the process to set up your AirPods is easy! We've already covered how to pair AirPods with Apple devices, and in this article, we'll focus on how to connect your AirPods to Android, Windows, Chromebook, and other non-Apple devices. To pair your AirPods, all you need to do is make sure your device Bluetooth is on, enable AirPods pairing mode, and select your AirPods from the Bluetooth device list. Let's get started.
How to Rename Your AirPods on Your iPhone
By Hallei Halter
You can rename your AirPods, AirPods (2nd Generation) and AirPods Pro using your iPhone. Renaming your AirPods can save you a headache if you have multiple pairs of AirPods in your household. Here's how to change the display name of your AirPods, making them quick to find if you need to do some adjustments. Note that your AirPods will need to be paired and connected to your iPhone to change their name.
Apple's over-ear headphones have been rumored for over two years, and now, they're here. Apple announced the AirPods Max on December 8; they're currently available for pre-order and ship on December 15, just in time for Christmas. Apple calls these headphones "the ultimate personal listening experience... radically original, completely reimagined, and elaborately simple". The high-fidelity, wireless AirPods Max and offer Active Noise Cancellation with Transparency mode, Adaptive EQ, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, and more. The catch is... the price is $549! If you're an audiophile, that price point won't make you blink but, for everyone else, it seems a bit outrageous. So, what makes the AirPods Max so expensive and, how do they compare to similar high-quality headphones from Bose, Sony, and Beats?
One of my favorite takeaways from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is finding gadgets that have no batteries or circuitry of any kind but exist to enhance our use of electronic gadgets. One example is the JURA ANCHOR carabiner for AirPods & AirPods Pro (starting at $24.99). It's not an AirPods case but it adds a carabiner key chain through some clever magic. The carabiner has a Lightning connector that has no electronics, instead it acts as an anchor that supports up to 15 times the weight of the AirPods case. You plug the JURA into the Lightning port, again with no electronics, and the molded connector keeps it in place. Then you can use the carabiner on the other end to attach your AirPods to a backpack, keychain, etc.
Review: Affordable Trackeroo AirPods Case Accommodates Most Trackers
By Todd Bernhard
If you're worried about losing your expensive AirPods you will want to connect a Bluetooth tracker to the AirPods case, but there's no practical way to do so. Fortunately, the folks at Trackeroo have developed the simple but brilliant Trackeroo AirPods Case (starting at $6.95). Trackeroo gave me a case to try, but at that price, the company probably paid more for postage sending it to me! It's truly a bargain given that it could save you $150 on a lost set of AirPods!