Reviews

In today’s audio landscape, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to high-quality sound systems for your home. Whether you’re in the market for a Bluetooth speaker, a powerful home stereo setup, or the convenience of Wi-Fi streaming from your iPhone via AirPlay, each option brings its own set of features to elevate your listening experience. In this article, I’ll share my favorite options across these categories, highlighting what makes each one stand out in terms of sound quality, functionality, and ease of use. Whether you’re a casual listener or a dedicated audiophile, this roundup will help you find the perfect audio gear to transform any space into your personal listening room.

Ditch Duolingo? Digital Language Learning Beyond the Bird

I will be the first to admit that I am not an expert linguist. I was a Russian major in college and even spent a few months in St. Petersburg (the one in Russia), but I graduated college in 2011. By 2022, I had forgotten almost everything I spent four long years learning. And back when I was learning Russian, I had the benefit of long-tenured professors teaching clueless college students all six Russian cases. I’m not a natural language learner, either! My father took five years to graduate college because he couldn’t get through his German requirement, and I inherited those skills.

Home Office Upgrades to Make Your Mac Happy

They say your work is only as good as your tools. A MacBook can do a lot all on its own, but adding a good-sized monitor, keyboard, and mouse really unlocks its potential both for work and for play, and those accessories are just the start. We're always on the hunt for ways to make our offices more unique, beautiful, and functional, and here are the top Mac office accessories we've found lately.

Student Gear: Essentials for a Successful School Year

Back to school shopping for my kids is pretty different than it was during my own academic career. In my day, we’d select notebooks, folders, pencils, and pens. These days? Kids have a lot more options, to say the least! Smart supplies and tools are available for every part of the school day, from waking up in the morning, to lunchtime, to practices, to field trips, to hitting the hay at the end of the day.

iView: Is the iPad Pro the Right Laptop for Retirees?

I was one of few voices in the 1990s writing columns urging manufacturers to create a super-sized handheld. So, naturally I bought an iPad as soon as Apple introduced it in 2010 and have owned one ever since. Then in fall of 2022, my old laptop died. I wondered, should I stick with Windows, make the switch to a MacBook, or go for a budget-friendly Chromebook?

From Zero to Gym Bro: Home Fitness Tech

After receiving a pre-diabetes diagnosis at my yearly physical, it was clear I needed to exercise more than just an occasional walk or monthly outdoor activity. I hadn't been to a gym in a very long time and never went with much of a plan, so I had some hurdles to overcome. As a massive techie, I ended up on the track of researching smart gym equipment and decided to go with the Speediance Gym Monster.

Opinion: I Have Seen the Future with Apple Vision Pro, & It Sucks

Color me a virtual-reality optimist. Alongside writing for iPhone Life, I’m a video game developer, 3D artist, and sci-fi author. I own a Meta Quest 3 and use it all the time to play games and view 3D models as I work. My first experience of VR on a Valve Index is a cherished memory—it was so much fun to explore video game environments as if actually visiting them! When Apple announced its premium augmented reality headset, the Vision Pro, I was about as excited as anybody could be. That is, until I tried it.

What Is a VPN on iPhone & How Does It Work?

You may have heard or read the acronym VPN in recent news stories about internet privacy and security and wondered, "What does VPN mean on iPhone?" VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, an extension of a private network over a public one that allows users to send and receive data safely, securely, and anonymously so that hackers, websites, and advertisers can't access it. Before picking the best VPN service for your needs, there are a few things to learn. Let's get started familiarizing ourselves with Virtual Private Networks.

What's the best way to charge your iPhone? What is MagSafe? What's the difference between fast charge and Quick Charge? Do you have to use Apple charger cables to charge your iPhone? There are so many questions about how to safely charge your phone. Don't worry, we've got your back. In this article you'll learn which charging method will work best for your iPhone, if fast charging is bad for your battery, which MacBook adapters can charge your iPhone, why third-party charger cables may hurt your phone, and other top charging tips. Let's get to it: here's Charging 101. 

How to Sell Used Apple Products That Apple Trade In Won’t Accept

While Apple's Trade-In Program will offer store credit in exchange for most used iPhones, iPads, Apple computers, and Apple watches, the only option the company offers for some Apple products is to have them recycled. In this article, we'll cover what devices Apple won't accept in trade, how to prepare your device to sell, and how to sell your device to a third-party service or private party. 

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