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It only took Apple years too long, but we finally will get wireless charging with the new iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. Thankfully, this isn’t a feature reserved for the premium tenth-anniversary device. All of the new models Apple debuted today will have wireless charging, which means no more cables to required to charge up your devices. Just set your phone on any certified wireless charging pad and it’ll charge. Of course, after the company removed the headphone jack last year, you knew Apple had to come out with wireless charging. And to our surprise, your iPhone can charge with a standard Qi charging station instead of a proprietary wireless charging system as originally rumored.

Before the iPhone 5, all iPhones had a glass back. But that also made them more likely to crack or shatter. However, Apple has improved the glass back game by adding a reinforced aluminum band around the edge of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus and a surgical-grade stainless steel band to the iPhone X. Apple also used a special compound within the glass to provide added strength. It probably took more courage to reinstate the glass back than it did to remove the headphone jack last year, but we’re ready to give it a try. One thing is for sure, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X glass back looks stunning. And overall, it goes well with the new iPhone design. Let’s jump into some quick pros and cons of the glass-back iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X and see what you think.

Last year, Apple released the Apple Watch Series 2. The second generation of Apple Watches was a swim-proof model with a GPS chip. But it failed to deliver cellular capability. Well, welcome to 2017! At its fall event, Apple announced that the Apple Watch Series 3 will have a built-in cellular chip. Will you be able to resist the temptation of a cellular Apple Watch Series 3? Let’s check out its best new features.

Apple’s 10th anniversary iPhone release is upon us, and a new leak confirms rumors that Apple will release a premium smartphone named the iPhone X and will also announce an iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. Here’s our iPhone X rumor roundup with information on Apple’s big 10th anniversary event, including image mockups, potential release dates, and more, now updated to reflect this latest Apple leak.

Save the date! Apple has finally sent out invitations and confirmed the rumors that it will hold its 10th-anniversary iPhone announcement on Tuesday, September 12 at the Steve Jobs Theater at the company's new Cupertino headquarters. At its event, Apple is expected to release the iPhone 8 and possibly the Apple Watch 3 and 4K Apple TV. After sending out the official invitations this morning, Apple finally confirmed the day for its September event by simply saying, “Let's meet at our place,” a reference to Apple's new 175-acre campus.

To say I’m obsessed with speakers might be an understatement. In eighth grade, I was supposed to write an essay on my most valued possession. I chose my Sony boombox. As an adult, I now have a speaker in almost every room of my house. So when I watched Apple announce the new HomePod at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, I felt like a kid in a candy store. Then I heard the price ($349) and things got a little more complicated.

At the recent WWDC 17 keynote, the HomePod smart speaker was one of the biggest announcements of the day. The seven-inch HomePod will come in Silver and Space Gray and will be available in the U.S., U.K., and Australia in December 2017. The Siri smart speaker has better audio quality than Amazon Echo and Google Home and is smarter than the Sonos smart speakers. It's also significantly more expensive than the Echo and Home speakers and there is reason to doubt it will be as smart as the Amazon and Google smart assistants. However, unlike the Echo and Home, the HomePod promises a great deal more privacy to its users. Wondering whether you want to invest in Apple's latest gadget? Here's what you need to know before you make a decision.

This was a huge WWDC keynote event. Apple spent a solid two-and-a-half hours debuting all of the new operating systems and quite a few products too. It was a truly stunning event that included a look at the upcoming iOS 11, WatchOS 4, tvOS 11, and MacOS High Sierra. Apple also debuted its whole new line iMacs, Macbooks, and iPad Pros. And last but certainly not least, Apple revealed its Amazon Echo & Google Home competitor: HomePod, which is designed to work not only as a virtual assistant but also as an incredible home sound system. Apple definitely made up for not having a spring event. I think it’s safe to say that the company realizes there are huge expectations upon it this year, and Apple is showing the world that it’s prepared to deliver in a big way.

The new home of Apple headquarters, Apple Park, is nearly complete. With a spaceship for an office building, the 2.8 million square feet of space will be home to some 12,000 employees, bringing Steve Jobs’ vision for a new Apple campus to life. The campus spans a whopping 175-acres; and everything runs on 100 percent renewable energy, which is a massive feat for one of the largest office buildings in the world. Before his death, Steve Jobs worked to get the city of Cupertino to approve construction of the spaceship-like building. And now, at the highest point of the Apple Park campus stands the Steve Jobs Theater, which will no doubt be the auditorium of choice for the upcoming iPhone 8 release.

The iPhone camera keeps getting better and better, which makes us all want to improve our photography skills, whether we’re using an iPhone 6 or the fancy iPhone 7 Plus with its dual lens. But all the high-tech features won’t save your photos alone. Getting a foundation in iPhone photography techniques can help you take professional pictures on your everyday device, which is why we at iPhone Life have partnered with iPhone Photography School to bring you a comprehensive guide for beginners and advanced users alike. You’ll learn how to properly focus your iPhone camera, set exposure for well-lit pictures, use lighting to your advantage, and much more. When you become an iPhone Life Insider, you’ll get immediate access to this and all of our other awesome guides, as well as all the usual benefits of an Insider subscription.

The iHome iPLWBT5 Docking Clock Radio ($129.99) could really eliminate some of the clutter on your nightstand. It's a clock radio, which iHome has been making for years, but it also doubles as a dual charging dock for your iPhone 7 and Apple Watch. There's a Lightning dock on the top, which should accommodate most cases except really protective ones. For iPhones in protective cases or an iPad, there's a USB port so you can charge a device via your own Lightning cable. Finally, sitting on the side is an Apple Watch magnetic charging base. 

I switched to satellite-based DirecTV a while ago, when AT&T (owner of DirecTV) offered unlimited wireless data for DirecTV subscribers. It was a good deal, as we were anxious to leave Time Warner but not ready to cut the cable cord yet. But for those who prefer watching TV using apps, the company just announced DIRECTV NOW, an app-based streaming service that includes live TV as well as on-demand shows. It could be a bargain and it just got better.

Black Friday falls on November 25 this year; it’s the perfect time to save money on tech gifts for the holidays. Whether you’re looking for Black Friday iPad deals or Amazon gadgets, there’s plenty of Black Friday specials to go around. Target, in particular, has some of the best Black Friday deals this year, with Best Buy and Walmart tying for second. Amazon will feature its Echo at a great deal and cut back on tablet prices for Black Friday too. From iPhone and iPads to Apple Watches and the Amazon Echo, here’s the best deals you can expect on tech for Black Friday 2016.

If you think the American voters have had a bad year, at least the election is over. Samsung's year seems to be getting worse, not better. Between exploding washing machines and of course, Galaxy Note 7 explosions, the company has had an "explosive" year. Samsung has tried to do the right thing by voluntarily recalling the washers and the smartphones in question. It even took out full page ads in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Washington Journal offering an apology. But the damage is done. Between the fires and battery explosions, airlines won't let you fly with one of the recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones. How likely is it they'll let the next version fly?

Apple has removed the headphone jack from the new iPhone 7, and a lot of people are not happy. Was the move absolutely necessary for innovation? Or is just Apple running out of ideas? Now that we've had a couple of weeks to digest the news and people are getting used to their new iPhones, I’d like to offer an alternative explanation.

iOS 10 is Apple’s biggest operating system update since iOS 7. You can finally remove stock apps from Home screen, and soon you’ll be able to ask Siri to hail you an Uber. Voicemails are now transcribed, the Messages app is having it’s own party with fireworks and confetti, Apple Music has been redesigned, and your iPhone can tell you when to go to bed. Yet even outlining all that, I’ve only scratched the surface of what you can do in iOS 10, which is why we created an easy, fun-to-watch video guide for iPhone Life Insiders. If you’re not familiar, iPhone Life Insiders receive daily video tips for mastering their iPhone in one minute a day. Among other features, they also receive in-depth guides filled with helpful information each time Apple does something new. Check out a sneak peak to the guide below where we’ll show you how to send handwritten messages and delete unwanted stock apps in iOS 10.

Apple introduced AirPods, its wireless earbuds, to deal with the lack of a headphone jack on the new iPhone 7. But those earbuds come with their own problems. As separate left and right pieces, you could easily lose one (or both) and ruin your day. Many competing Bluetooth earbuds are sold in one piece with a strap connecting both sides. This helps keep them together, and if one falls out of your ear, it might not hit the floor because the other earbud is tethered to it.

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