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The Latest from AppStories and Ruminate

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

This week, Federico and John tackle Apple’s updates to iOS and iPadOS 18 and Federico’s review of both.

In a special AppStories+ segment available as a special review season perk to all listeners, Federico explains what led him to take a different approach to this year’s annual review.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. Try it for free.

Robb goes on an epic quest and fails, John has been writing reviews, and the they discuss Astro Bot.

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iOS and iPadOS 18 Review Extras: eBooks, Wallpapers, Screen Saver, and a Special Edition of MacStories Weekly

A short time ago, Federico published his annual iOS and iPadOS 18 review. As in past years, we’re releasing a wide variety of perks exclusively for Club MacStories members throughout the week, but this year, the perks are a little different – just like the review.

Here’s our friend Chris Lawley with the details:

First of all, we’re releasing this week’s episode of AppStories+ to everyone who listens to the show for free.

AppStories+ is the extended version of our flagship podcast that’s typically released a day early and ad-free in high-bitrate audio. The show is part of a Club Premier or AppStories+ subscription, but this week, everyone gets the extended version of the show. If you’re not a subscriber, you’ll still get an ad with the episode (we do have bills to pay), but you’ll also get the full extended version of the episode in high bitrate audio, just like subscribers. It’s our way of saying thanks to everyone who has listened to AppStories through the years and share why this year’s review is not just different, but part of an editorial evolution of MacStories.

As Chris explains in his video, we have an eBook version of the review for all Club members. We’ll also publish a special making-of edition of MacStories Weekly, our Club newsletter, on Saturday.

If you’re not already a member, you can join Club MacStories for $5/month or $50/year using the buttons below:

A short sample of one of the six screen savers for Club Plus and Premier members.

A short sample of one of the six screen savers for Club Plus and Premier members.

Also, this year, there will be even more perks than ever for Club MacStories Plus and Premier members, including:

  • More eBooks of my macOS Sequoia review, Jonathan Reed’s watchOS 11 review, and Devon Dundee’s visionOS 2 review;
  • A bonus eBook that collects tips and tricks from Federico’s iOS and iPadOS 18 review;
  • High-res wallpapers of the delightful illustrations created for Federico’s review by Scout Wilkinson; and
  • A screen saver developed by James Thomson that brings Scout’s artwork to life on your Mac.

To unlock all of these additional perks, use the buttons below to join Club MacStories Plus:

or Club Premier:

Now more than ever, an indie publication like MacStories depends on income from members who want to directly support what we do and our ability to collaborate with people like Scout and James more often. As always, though, we aim to provide as much value as we can to Club members, so we have more details after the break, for anyone who wants to learn more about this year’s perks and Club MacStories before joining.

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The Latest from Magic Rays of Light, Comfort Zone, and MacStories Unwind

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

Sigmund and Devon break down the exciting announcements from Apple’s It’s Glowtime event and grade their event predictions.

It’s all challenge this week as the gang brings (and defends) their phone home screens. Rules were followed by all, but of course there’s a little twist this time as well.

This week, as we approach the release of Apple’s updated OSes, Federico and I check in on where our reviews stand and the one distraction we’ve both allowed ourselves in the final stretch.

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Apple Will Make Alternative App Marketplaces and Browser Engines Available on the iPad in the EU Starting Monday

Next week is going to be fun. Not only is every OS being updated on Monday, but Apple is opening up the iPad to alternative app marketplaces and browser engines in the EU according to a post by the company on its developer news site.

You may recall that in April, the European Commission has added iPadOS to the products and services subject to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Before then, the DMA only applied to the iPhone, meaning that, if you live in the EU, changes to iOS, like browser default choices and alternative app marketplaces, are currently only available on your iPhone. That changes on Monday, according to Apple:

Starting September 16:

  • Users in the EU can download iPadOS apps on the App Store and through alternative distribution. As mentioned in May, if you have entered into the Alternative Terms Addendum for Apps in the EU, iPadOS first annual installs will begin to accrue and the lower App Store commission rate will apply.
  • Alternative browser engines can be used in iPadOS apps.
  • Historical App Install Reports in App Store Connect that can be used with our fee calculator will include iPadOS.

It’s good to see this change happening alongside the update to iPadOS. The App Store and browser experiences on iOS and iPadOS are effectively the same, and having that be different based on which platform users were on didn’t make much sense. It may have taken a nudge by the EC to make it happen, but it’s the right call for Apple’s EU customers.

The Latest from NPC: Next Portable Console and AppStories

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

This week, Federico and John finish their tour of the apps they use for work and play to be productive.

On AppStories+, Federico has an iPad surprise for John.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Memberful – Help Your Clients Monetize Their Passion

This week, Anbernic comes through with another retro handheld, PC makers announce new Windows handhelds, an iPhone case built for the Delta emulator, and Federico declares his love for a gaming pillow.

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Apple’s September 2024 Media Event: All the Small Things

Apple’s presentation moved fast yesterday, and since the event concluded, more details have emerged about everything announced. We’ve been combing Apple’s product pages, social media, and other sources to learn more about everything announced, which we’ve collected below:

You can follow all of our September 2024 Apple event coverage through our September 2024 Apple event hub or subscribe to the dedicated September 2024 Apple event RSS feed.

Apple Announces AirPods 4, Minor AirPods Max Update, and New AirPods Pro 2 Features

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

At today’s Glowtime event, Apple unveiled new AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Pro Max with a range of new features.

One of the biggest updates was to the AirPods 4, which now come in two varieties. Both versions look more like the AirPods Pro than before, but without the in-ear silicone tips and are powered by the H2 chip, which Apple says provides better audio range, adaptive EQ, and clearer phone call quality. The AirPods 4 are IP54 rated for sweaty workouts too.

The AirPods 4 also feature a smaller case that can be charged using a USB-C cable or Qi-compatible wireless charger. With the new case, the AirPods 4 have 30 hours of listening, too. The updated headphones also add gestures, allowing users to shake their heads or nod to respond to Siri prompts. Apple says it has updated the force sensor in the device for toggling playback and muting or ending phone calls.

The biggest change, though, is that Apple is offering a second model of the AirPods 4 that includes Active Noise Cancellation. That’s not unheard of in an open-ear style set of headphones, but it’s rare. Apple claims that the AirPods 4’s upgraded microphones and H2 chip allow it to offer noise cancelation as well as Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, and Conversational Awareness. I’m very keen to see how well these work.

The AirPods 4 can be ordered today for delivery on September 20th. The base model AirPods 4 are $129 and the model with active noise cancelation is $179.

New features were also announced for the AirPods Pro 2 to help prevent hearing loss, test for hearing loss, and assist people with mild to moderate hearing loss. For more on these features, be sure to check out Niléane’s story.

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finally, the AirPods Max received a minor update with new colors and USB-C connectivity. The latest iteration of the headphones comes in midnight, blue, purple, orange, and starlight and adds Personalized Spatial Audio too. The price remains $549, with ordering available today for delivery on September 20th.

You can follow all of our September 2024 Apple event coverage through our September 2024 Apple event hub or subscribe to the dedicated September 2024 Apple event RSS feed.

Apple Announces the New Apple Watch Series 10 and a New Color for the Apple Watch Ultra 2

Going into today’s ‘It’s Glowtime’ event, there were high expectations for a significant redesign for this, the tenth version of the Apple Watch. We’ve been burned before by rumors of a redesign, but thankfully, this year’s rumors turned out to be true. The new Apple Watch Series 10 looks like a noticeable upgrade; however the Apple Watch Ultra wasn’t upgraded and only received a new color option.

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