Apple Announcement: New AirPods Are Here!
By Leanne Hays
Right on the heels of the iPad Air and iPad mini 5 announcement comes another release we've been wishing for; Apple's second-generation AirPods are finally here! The new AirPods are faster and more efficient, offer extended battery time, improved sound quality, and even the option of wireless charging. Let's go over the features, pricing, and availability of the latest AirPods so you can decide if you'd like to invest in a pair of the Bluetooth earbuds.
How to Watch Apple's March 25 Services Announcement
By Sarah Kingsbury
Apple will hold a spring event on Monday, March 25, at 10 a.m. PT, at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California. You can easily watch the event on your device or Apple TV—we'll tell you how below. At the March event, Apple is expected to announce both a video streaming service featuring original content and a subscription service for news and magazines. In the days leading up to the event, Apple has quietly announced new iPads (including a new iPad mini 5!) and new AirPods via press release, mostly likely because the tech giant doesn't want any hardware announcements distracting the press from covering its services announcement on Monday. We'll be offering commentary during the event in our Facebook group and in the special podcast episode we'll be recording right after. Here’s how you can watch Apple's March event too.
Apple Updates iPads Ahead of March 25 Services Event
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the 106th episode of the iPhone Life Podcast, David, Donna, and Sarah share an overview of Apple's brand new iPad Air and iPad mini and explore the tradeoffs of the five tablets the tech giant now offers. They also discuss what to expect from Apple's March 25 services announcement based on the latest rumors. Tune in next week for a special episode immediately following the Apple Announcement. Note: After this episode was recorded, Apple announced the release of new AirPods with a wireless charging case.
Apple Announcement: iPad Mini 5 & New iPad Air Are Here
By Leanne Hays
An unexpected Apple announcement just dropped in advance of the March 25 event, and you're going to love it! Two new iPads are available for pre-order now and will be in Apple Stores by next week, a 10.5-inch iPad Air and the long-awaited iPad mini 5. I'm going to be the first to say I was wrong; in my iPad mini 5 rumors article I wrote that Apple was probably finished with the mini line since it's been so long since one was released and iPhone screens are getting almost as large as those on Apple's smallest tablet. Let's go over everything you'll want to know about the newest iPads including features, dimensions, finishes, and price so you can decide which of these tablets you'd like to buy.
Good news for everyone who was disappointed 2018 concluded without the announcement of AirPods 2, the AirPower Charging Mat, or a new set of over-ear headphones, potentially called Studio Pods: We may be getting at least one, maybe two of those devices very soon. Via press release, Apple has given us an official release date and specs of the AirPods 2. The rumors of an accompanying wireless charging enabled AirPod case, indicate that Apple may finally be ready to release the promised AirPower Charging Mat as well. In this rumor roundup, we'll cover every update about the new rumored new wireless earbuds and wireless charging case, as well as Studio Pods and AirPower related rumors.
What to Expect from Apple's March 25 Event
By Tamlin Day
It's that time again. For the last few years, Apple has hosted its first announcement of the year in March, and this year looks to be no exception. The official date, March 25, already has plenty of rumors flying around the blogosphere. From new Apple streaming services to AirPods and AirPower, we've got all the current rumors right here and ready for your perusal. So pull up a chair, grab your hot beverage of choice, and read on to learn all about what to expect from the upcoming March 25 announcement.
Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy the New iPad Pro
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the live taping of episode 96 following Apple's iPad event in Brooklyn, Donna, Sarah, and David tell you all the important details about the new iPad Pro line in order to help you make your purchase decision. Are Face ID, an edge-to-edge display, and an Apple Pencil that charges wirelessly enough to make the new tablet worth the expensive price tag? Also, tune in to hear why David thinks the newly released MacBook Air missed the mark.
Having already won the tablet wars, Apple could have simply refreshed its tablet line with a faster processor (it did), more storage (up to a terabyte) and a nicer display (you guessed it). While it certainly fulfilled this baseline expectation, Apple pushed the boundaries of tablet computing further today with the announcement of its new iPad Pro. Let's take a look at the most notable new features this next generation of the iPad has to offer.
What to Expect from Apple's October iPad Announcement
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the 95th episode, Donna, David, and Sarah delve into everything we’re expecting from Apple’s October 30 event in Brooklyn, New York. Tune in to hear the latest iPad, MacBook, AirPod, and AirPower rumors ahead of the big announcement day. Sign up for our live podcast following the event.
The first iPad was released on April 3, 2010, and Apple currently offers three different iPad models: the recently announced 9.7–inch iPad 2018, a 10.5-inch and 12.9–inch iPad Pro, and a 7.9–inch iPad mini. Now there's an Apple event scheduled for October 30, and we're hopeful that at least one new iPad, whether it be an iPad Pro or even an iPad Mini, will make its debut. We had hoped for one or more new iPads at September's special event, but although Apple did give us three new iPhones and the Apple Watch Series 4, we were a bit disappointed about the lack of new iPads. iOS 12, Apple's latest iPhone and iPad operating system, has given us tantalizing hints about the next iPad(s) and their features. Will some new iPad Pros will join this tablet lineup very soon, along with several long-awaited capabilities? What about the iPad mini 5? Let's discuss when the new Apple products may be released, which upgrades and improvements to expect, and all the other iPad hints and rumors we've been collecting for the past several months. There's no way to know exactly what Apple has in mind until October 30, but we can have fun piecing together clues and making educated guesses in the meantime!
Apple Announcement: Should You Buy a New iPhone & Apple Watch?
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the 92nd episode of the iPhone Life Podcast, Sarah and Donna weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each of Apple's new smartphones: the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. They'll also discuss how the Series 4 is making the Apple Watch an invaluable medical device.
The wait is finally over. After months of rumors and speculation, Apple has revealed the newest iPhone models shipping later this year; and oh boy, we can't wait to see them in person. Apple confirmed some of our hopes (and fulfilled a few wishes I didn't know I had). Read on to learn the specs, pricing, pre-order and shipping dates, and coolest features of the three newest members of the iPhone family.
How to Watch Apple’s New iPhone Announcement on September 12
By Sarah Kingsbury
Apple will hold its fall keynote event and officially release it new iPhones on Wednesday, September 12, at the newly constructed Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino. You can easily watch the event on your device or Apple TV—we'll tell you how below. At the September event, we're certain the new iPhones (maybe three iPhones!) will debut. Beyond that, we may see the new Apple Watch 4 and a new iPad Pro. Rumors have been flying about new AirPods and possibly StudioPods, so tune in and follow our coverage to stay up to date. We'll be offering commentary during the event in our Facebook group and a live podcast right after. Here’s how you can watch Apple's iPhone September 12 keynote event too.
Apple unveiled iOS 12 today at the WWDC 2018 Keynote, and we can expect exciting improvements and features when the iOS update is released in the fall. From overall upgrades to performance, privacy, and security, to app overhauls for the News and Stocks apps, to fun additional Animoji choices, as well as the brand-new Memoji option, Apple engineers have put together a well-balanced crowd-pleaser of an operating system that we can't wait to upload to our devices! Let's go over which devices are compatible with iOS 12, discuss all the new iOS features, and learn how to sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program to try out iOS 12 before the official release date.
Apple Watch Series 4: Rumors, Release Date & Features
By Leanne Hays
Since WWDC 2018, we've been eagerly awaiting the release of WatchOS 5 this September. Now that Apple has confirmed the official date for the September announcement (that's the 12th of September for those of you keeping score) we're more excited than ever to dive into the rumors surrounding the Apple Watch. What might the new design feature, and what do we already know about WatchOS 5? Read on to dig into all the rumors leading up to the big announcement.
What to Expect from Apple's September iPhone Launch
By Sarah Kingsbury
In the 91st episode, the iPhone Life team unpacks the latest blast of rumors as Apple's fall iPhone event quickly approaches. Tune in to learn when the September product launch will take place and how you can follow it. Plus, get the details on the three new iPhones we expect Apple to release, iPad Pro with Face ID, an upgrade to the Apple Watch line, and the likelihood of the AirPods 2 arriving this year.
Apple’s Struggle for Software Stability: Can iOS 12 Win Back Our Trust?
By David Averbach
Apple didn’t invent the personal computer. Nor did it create the first smartphone or tablet. Throughout the tech company’s history, from its origins with Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak tinkering in a garage all the way to the present, the key to its success has been in taking emerging technologies and making them user-friendly for the masses. One of Jobs’ catchphrases when introducing a new product was, “It just works.” He said it so frequently it might as well have been Apple’s motto. Apple’s ability to create user-friendly products has not only allowed it to sell products to the masses, but also to charge a premium in the process. Today there are countless Android phones and tablets on the market that cost a fraction of what Apple sells its products for. For example, you can buy a brand-new Kindle Fire for $80 whereas an iPad costs anywhere from $329 for an entry-level model to $1,279 for a fully loaded iPad Pro. It’s no exaggeration to say that Apple’s reputation for making easy-to-use products is its most valuable asset. In the past year, Apple has struggled to meet its own standard. With iOS 12, Apple is attempting to repair the damage incurred by iOS 11 and reclaim its mantra of “It just works.”
iPad Mini 5? New iPad Release Date, Features & Pricing
By Leanne Hays
The iPad mini 5; to be released, or not to be released, that is the question. I'd already come to my own conclusion about Apple's iPad mini line; I felt that with the advent of larger displays on iPhones, plus the less expensive 2018 iPad that was released earlier this year, iPad minis will be discontinued. It turns out that the Apple fans who vehemently disagree with me were correct, though; the iPad mini 5 was just announced! Below are the ideas we had about features to expect if and when the latest in the mini 5 was released, including release date and features might we expect to see in a new version of the iPad mini. Finally, we wondered how much the latest iPad mini would cost. Let's get started discussing the iPad mini 5 rumors, then you can compare them to the newly-released tablet and see how close we were to accuracy!
WWDC 2018 Recap: iOS 12, watchOS 5, tvOS 12 & macOS Mojave
By Sarah Kingsbury
In this live recording of the 85th episode of the iPhone Life Podcast, Sarah, Donna, and David sit down to analyze everything Apple announced at today's Worldwide Developers Conference. They analyze the event and explain all the coolest features of the forthcoming iOS 12, tvOS 12, macOS Mojave, watchOS 5, and more.
The 29th Annual Worldwide Developers Conference is taking place June 4–8 in San Jose, and Apple enthusiasts the world over are excited to hear whether rumors about software, tech, and services will be met, or even exceeded. The annual Apple conference features over 100 seminars and hands-on labs presented by Apple engineers, as well as special events including the WWDC Bash, an epic party and concert on the final night. Only Apple developers were allowed to enter the lottery for a chance to pay $1,599 for a WWDC ticket, and a select group of 350 students and STEM teachers earn a full scholarship to the event each year. For those of us who can't make it to one of the biggest Apple events of the year, the keynote address is the highlight of WWDC. This is because the Keynote speech is when we'll all finally learn about upcoming versions of iOS, macOS, and other Apple software, as well as rumored new devices like the AirPods 2, StudioPods, and 2018 iPad Pro. Let's round up all the 2018 WWDC rumors and make some educated guesses about what the Keynote will bring this year!