Apple’s Spring 2021 event kicked off with the announcement of the addition of Family Sharing features to the Apple Card. Starting in May, families in the U.S. can apply to co-own an Apple credit card thanks to the Apple Card Family program. Up to six people can share the account and build a credit history together, unlike most credit cards where the primary cardholder is the main beneficiary of any credit building. Children ages 13 and up can also have accounts with optional spending limits, while those 18 and up also have the opportunity to build credit history as a participant or co-owner on an Apple Card account.
Apple Events
New iMacs, Finally! M1 Chips, Slim Profile, Lots of Colors & a Better FaceTime Camera
By Erin MacPherson
The long-awaited new iMac comes with a whole host of features never before seen in a Mac. Apple claims users of the new iMac will love the new processing, Retina display, as well as long-overdue camera and audio upgrades. What remains to be seen is whether such a large device will support high-powered use running off the same chip from Apple’s much smaller 2020 M1 MacBook models.
Everything Apple Announced at the April 20 'Spring Loaded' Event
By Sarah Kingsbury
Tim Cook kicked off today's virtual Apple event with a nod to Earth Day by giving a rundown of Apple's progress toward its goal of being entirely carbon neutral by 2030. While previous virtual announcements felt stilted and unevenly paced, today's event went in the opposite direction, with the camera swooping around the Apple campus, colorful graphics darting across the screen, and Tim Cook cosplaying Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. Overall it was a packed hour with lots of exciting product announcements. Here's our rundown of everything Cook and team introduced today, including M1 iMacs, the surprise addition of the M1 chip to the iPad Pro, a new Apple TV 4K with redesigned Siri remote, the long-awaited AirTag Bluetooth tracker, subscription tiers in Apple Podcasts, an Apple Card for the whole family, and a purple iPhone 12.
Apple Podcasts to Add Premium Subscriptions to Its Redesigned App
By Cullen Thomas
Apple Podcasts will soon offer paid subscription options, letting podcasters earn income in a new and accessible way. The tech giant announced that it will be updating the Podcasts app starting in May 2021 in 170 countries. The update will add the ability for podcasters to create a premium tier of content seperate from their normal free podcast. At the same time, listeners will be able to sign up to pay their favorite podcasters monthly. This will empower podcasters to monetize directly from their audiences, while listeners might gain ad-free versions of shows, extra episodes, early access, and bonus content. Further updates starting with iOS 14.5 promise long-overdue improvements to the Podcasts app, which has languished behind some of its competitors in both features and ease-of-use.
What to Expect from Apple's April 20 Spring Event
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
When is the next Apple keynote? Apple has officially announced an April 20 event, and it looks like we could be seeing AirTags, AirPods 3, a new iPad Pro, the iPad mini 6, Apple TV 6, a new iMac design, and AirPods Pro. So let's dive into these possibilities of what we could be seeing on Tuesday.
Follow Our Coverage of the Spring 2021 Apple Event
By Elisabeth Garry
Apple will hold its spring event on April 20, and we'll get a chance to see what new goodies Tim Cook and company have cooking for us. Will the existence of the elusive AirTags finally be confirmed? Will we get a 2021 iPad Pro and one or more new low-cost iPads? A new generation of AirPods? What about an M1 iMac or new Apple TV? Our editorial team will be watching the Apple event live stream, 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 record a special podcast episode immediately after the announcement, where we’ll discuss everything just announced. Below we'll cover how to be a part of our event coverage.
Apple Confirms April 20 Event, Mac Tips & Should You Be on TikTok?
By Ashleigh Page
In the 157th episode, David and Donna recap all of the products you can expect from Apple’s newly confirmed April 20 event. Other topics include rumors of an Apple TV and HomePod hybrid, how old is too old for TikTok, and how to unlock your Mac and iPhone using just your Apple Watch.
In the 155th episode, David and Donna dig into what to expect from the next Apple event. From AirPods 3 with shorter stems and spatial audio to an iPad Pro with a mini-LED display and 5G support, learn what Apple devices could be coming your way this spring.
Apple introduced MagSafe accessories for its new iPhone 12 lineup today at its October 13 iPhone event. MagSafe will make charging your iPhone 12 easier and faster than previous wireless generations; the frustration of placing your iPhone "just so" for wireless charging will also soon be a thing of the past. The line of MagSafe accessories includes cases, chargers, and wallets that connect to your iPhone with magnets. Read on to learn about MagSafe improvements to the iPhone 12, how MagSafe accessories work, what kind of gear you'll be able to purchase, and what MagSafe means for the iPhone accessory market. If you enjoy learning about wireless charging, fast charging, and charging myths, we can also give you the 411 on how to safely charge your device, MagSafe or otherwise.
MacBook Air 2021 Rumors: Thinner Than Ever & the Return of MagSafe
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
Rumors about a 2021 MacBook Air are heating up, and there are two big buzzwords we keep hearing: "thinner" and "MagSafe." Yes, the new MacBook Air is rumored to be thinner than ever and to bring back the MagSafe chargers Mac users were so fond of and so sad to see go. There's a lot that seems pretty definite about the new MacBook Air release, and some things seem a bit more murky. So let's jump in and take a look at what we know, what we think, and what we probably won't see.
Everything You Need to Know about the New Mac Mini with M1 Chip
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
The new Mac mini has caught my attention. Announced at the November Mac event—the third Apple event this fall—and starting at $699, the Mac mini (2020) is currently the cheapest Mac desktop available. Since the Mac mini lacks the portability of a laptop and the processing power of a full desktop (even with all its boasted improvements over the older model), many may wonder what the point of this computer is. However, this is the first desktop Apple has produced that uses an ARM chip, which is a significant change as previously they were only used in iPhones and iPads. As I'm looking to purchase both a desktop and my first Mac computer, not only the price tag but also the compact nature of the Mac mini call out to me. I'm also intrigued by the M1 chip, which may bring more iOS functionality to the Macs. My processing needs aren't very high, and I'm looking to set up a more stable home office thanks to the shift toward working from home in 2020. For others, though, the Mac mini may not have much to offer. Let's take a look at what the Mac mini (2020) is promising us and what type of buyer might be the right fit.
Should You Buy a 2020 Mac? Apple’s New M1 Processor Is a Gamble
By Cullen Thomas
Apple has officially launched its new line of laptop and desktop processors with the M1, announced today. The M1 offers exciting pros and cons and a vision of a different kind of computer experience. The processor is faster (aren't new processors always faster?) and offers better graphical performance and better integration with iOS and iPadOS, but many familiar applications may not function. Apple is gambling big, trying to unify all their products, but what about you? Should your next upgrade be an Apple M1-equipped Mac?
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?
New MacBooks Air & Pro: Everything You Need to Know about Prices, Specs, Release Dates
By Erin MacPherson
With the third installment in a series of fall announcements, Apple has finally delivered on Tim Cook's promise of Apple Silicon Macs, made during the June 2020 WWDC keynote. We saw the release of two updated MacBooks: a new 13-inch MacBook Air and a new 13-inch MacBook Pro. They, along with their desktop cousin, the Mac mini, are the first three Macs ever to utilize an Apple-made processing chip as opposed to the Intel chips the computers have used for many years. The M1 chip may be a game-changer. As expected, the the industry leader in personal technology has made eyebrow-raising claims of huge increases in speed, efficiency, security, and convenience. We'll review prices, availability, and tech specs for these new Mac models, and we'll compare them to their predecessors so that you can make an informed decision if you're considering making your first MacBook purchase, or upgrading your existing Mac laptop.
Everything Announced at the November Mac Event
By Sarah Kingsbury
During a brief, 45-minute virtual event presided over by Tim Cook, Apple introduced the first Macs to use its own M1 silicon chip and announced it would release Big Sur later this week. The new 13-inch MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini represent the first step in Apple's transition from using Intel chips to using its new propietary chip in its computers. Here's everything you need to know about the new Macs, including what you should keep in mind about the M1 chip if you're considering upgrading.
Apple Announces New Macs with M1 Chip
By Donna Schill
In the 147th episode, David and Donna are joined by iPhone Life's CTO Raphael Burnes to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the M1—the first Apple-designed processor for the Mac. Tempted to buy the 2020 MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, or Mac mini with an M1 processor? Listen to this first!
Apple to Release MacOS 11 Big Sur on Nov. 12
By Leanne Hays
Apple is set to release macOS 11, dubbed Big Sur, on November 12. So, which Macs will be able to run macOS 11? What new features can we expect from the upgrade, and how will Big Sur's performance differ between an older Mac and a 2020 model powered by Apple's own M1 chip? Let's find out.
It's official! The third fall 2020 Apple event will take place on Tuesday, November 10 at 10 a.m. PST. It's likely that Apple will announce the new features, specs, and release date of the first Macs powered by Apple's new silicon chip. It's also possible that Apple will finally reveal Tile-like Bluetooth trackers called AirTags, over-ear headphones called AirPods Studio, and maybe even a new Apple TV. 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 iPhone reveal too.
One More Thing: Follow Our November 10 Event Coverage
By Leanne Hays
Apple will hold a third fall event on November 10 at 10 a.m. PST, where we're expecting the first Macs powered by Apple's new silicon chip, as well as other possible devices such as AirPods Studio, AirTags, or even a new Apple TV. Our editorial 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.
One More Thing: Apple Announces November 10 Event
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
Apple just announced its third fall event this year, taking place on November 10 at 10 a.m. PST. Aptly named One More Thing (a phrase regularly used by Steve Jobs to announce significant products), it is likely to focus on the first Apple Silicon Mac and the launch of macOS 11 Big Sur, but it may also cover AirPods Studio, AirTags, and a new Apple TV and Siri remote. Like the other fall events, this will be entirely virtual, streaming from the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. Let's take a closer look at the details of the event and what may be announced.