Author: angel

The holidays are near, so you might be getting a new iPhone for Christmas. If so, here’s what you should do first.

The iPhone, and more specifically the iPhone 14 series, will be a popular gift for Christmas this year. If you do end up getting the latest Apple phone, there are many new features to look forward to, like the always-on display and the Dynamic Island, but you’ll also have the chance to explore the latest software update — iOS 16.

Before you get into all the hidden features or most annoying settings, if this will be your first experience with iOS 16, there are three things you should do first before anything else, to improve your iPhone experience. In this story we’ll show you what these things are, and how they’ll make your life better.

No. 1. Create a new wallpaper option for your iPhone lock screen
Apple has completely redesigned the lock screen on iOS 16, allowing you to fully customize various elements, like the date and time, add tiny widgets to let you keep up with the weather and popular news, and create multiple wallpaper profiles that you can easily switch to and from.

And if that sounds appealing, customizing your lock screen should be the first thing that you do after installing iOS 16.

To customize your lock screen, press your finger down anywhere on the screen while it’s locked and then unlock your device when prompted. Once you do that, a brand-new lock screen interface will appear, where you can shuffle through and customize your various lock screen wallpapers.

If you tap the + button at the bottom right to create a new wallpaper, you can browse through various Apple wallpapers, featuring weather and astronomy, emojis and more. A few of these wallpapers contain built-in widgets, but you can also just add them later.

If you choose to upload your own photo, look for one that features a person or object clearly in the foreground. If you adjust the image just right, you’ll be able to use the new depth effect feature, which pushes the time behind whatever object is in focus, creating a layered sort of look.

You can then tap any of the lock screen elements, like the date and time, to customize the look. If you hit Add Widgets, you can add tiny transparent widgets to that section of your wallpaper.

When you’re finished, tap Add and choose whether you want to use the wallpaper only on your lock screen or on your home screen as well. Here’s how Apple is changing the lock screen on iPhone 14.

No. 2. Set up a Focus profile so that you’re not distracted by notifications
Last year Apple introduced Focus, the evolution of Do Not Disturb, which you can configure to receive only important notifications and alerts and block everything else out. But the productivity feature has been heavily reworked on iOS 16, and it’s worth checking out and setting up if you want to reduce distractions on your iPhone.

In Settings, go to Focus and then choose a profile or profiles that you want to configure. Inside a Focus profile, you can then choose to receive notifications from certain people and apps, show silenced notifications on your lock screen, hide notification badges and make it so that your lock screen and home screen wallpapers automatically change when your Focus profile is turned on.

Additionally, you can schedule when you want your Focus profile to be turned on (when you go to sleep) and back off (when you wake up). If you use the Health app, you can retrieve your sleep information to choose an adequate schedule for Focus.

And finally, you can use Focus filters to customize how apps and system settings interact with you. For example, you can add an app filter to Safari so that only certain tabs show up, or add a filter to the Mail app so only some email messages get through to you. For system settings, you can throw on a filter to automatically turn on Dark mode and Low Power mode whenever your Focus profile is turned on.

Once your Focus profile is finished, you can swipe down from the top-right side of the screen to access the Control Center and then tap on the Focus control to turn on whatever profile you’ve created.

No. 3. Set up iPhoto to remove duplicate photos and videos to clear up clutter and free up storage
And if you need a quick way to clear some space on your iPhone, there’s now a built-in feature in Photos that scours your camera roll for any duplicate photos and videos. This is a great way to not only do some spring cleaning but also remove files that are taking up storage on your iPhone.

In Photos, go into the Albums tab, swipe all the way down and tap on Duplicates. Now you can go through all your photos and videos and either hit Merge for each set of duplicates or tap Select > Select All > Merge to delete all of the duplicates at once. At the bottom of each photo or video you’ll see the size of the files, so you’ll want to prioritize bigger files first.

Fix your 2022 Mac Studio and more with genuine Apple parts and tools.

Apple on Tuesday again expanded the Self Service Repair program it launched earlier this year, adding more desktop models. You can now personally try to fix your 2021 M1 iMac, 2020 M1 Mac Mini or 2022 Mac Studio and Studio Display, the company told CNET via email.

You can replace or repair components such as the display, speakers, fan, Wi-Fi antenna, logic board, audio board and more. Visit the online Self Service Repair store to buy Apple parts or rent the tools you need for a repair.

Earlier this month, the repair program spread to eight European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

See more information on Apple service and repairs here.

OnePlus’ next phone and earbuds now have an event date. On Monday the Chinese smartphone maker announced that its “OnePlus Cloud 11 Launch Event” will take place on Feb. 7 in New Delhi, India.

The company says that the Cloud 11 name “represents the upgraded technology and performance delivered by the brand’s latest products, and to elevate the user experience from Cloud 9 to Cloud 11.” As for what those products will be, the company has confirmed that its next flagship phone — the OnePlus 11 5G, complete with a Hasselblad camera system and returning alert slider that was absent on the 10T — and Buds Pro 2 earbuds will appear with OnePlus also teasing additional products as well.

It wasn’t immediately clear what those other products will be, though OnePlus has already started talking about its upcoming mechanical keyboard in India. While the company sells only phones, a watch and earbuds in the US, in other markets it has a wider product portfolio. In India, for example, OnePlus also sells televisions, monitors and additional wearables.

OnePlus says it will share additional information about the February event “in the coming weeks.” In the interim, those thinking about their next upgrade now have an idea of when at least one major Android phone may arrive.

Samsung, Google and OnePlus have new phones in the works too. Here are the top ones to watch based on rumors so far.

This year isn’t quite over, but rumors about new phones are already buzzing. While it’s hard to know what’s exactly in store for the smartphone industry in 2023, it’s possible to make some educated guesses since companies like Apple, Google and Samsung mostly stick to the same launch routine each year.

The iPhone 15 lineup, for example, is expected to arrive in September — possibly with USB-C charging for the first time. If Samsung maintains its typical release cycle, the Galaxy S23 will be one of the first new phones we see in 2023.

Such launches would come after the smartphone space took subtle but important steps forward in 2022. The iPhone, for example, gained satellite connectivity for emergencies and car crash detection, while Google found more ways to make use of its custom Tensor chip in the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. Samsung, meanwhile, gave its flagship Galaxy S lineup a fresh look and an upgraded camera.

Here are the new phones we’re likely to see in 2023 based on previous launch cycles, rumors and reports.

What we’re expecting: Apple’s new iPhone family usually launches in September, and we have no reason to believe 2023 will be any different. The adoption of USB-C charging is one of the biggest changes we’re expecting to see on Apple’s next-generation iPhones. The European Union recently mandated that all new phones sold in the region must support USB-C charging by 2024. Apple said it would comply with these rules, but did not specify whether that means we’ll see a shift to USB-C starting in 2023. It’s also not confirmed if a USB-C iPhone would get a global release, or if it would remain solely as a European model.

Otherwise, we’re likely to see routine changes such as some camera upgrades and a new processor. TF International Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is known for making predictions about upcoming Apple products, also says Apple may do more to distinguish the iPhone 15 Pro from the regular iPhone 15.

It already made a step in that direction with the iPhone 14 generation by keeping features like the Dynamic Island and new A16 Bionic processor exclusive to the Pro line. What’s more interesting, however, is the idea that Apple could further differentiate the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max from the smaller iPhone 15 Pro, according to Kuo. The main difference between the regular Pro and Pro Max comes down to screen size. Giving the Pro Max some extra perks could further convince shoppers to splurge on Apple’s biggest (and most expensive) iPhone. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also believes Apple could change the name of the iPhone Pro Max to the iPhone Ultra in the future to better align with other products like the Apple Watch Ultra.

Why I’m excited about it: The iPhone’s long-anticipated transition to USB-C is arguably the biggest reason to get excited about Apple’s next smartphone. The switch means iPhone users will finally be able to charge their iPhone, iPad and Mac with the same type of charging cable, reducing friction and making the iPhone that much more convenient. I’m also looking forward to seeing whether Apple further distinguishes the iPhone 15 Pro Max from the iPhone 15 Pro. I’ve argued that Apple needs to give its supersized iPhones more functionality that takes advantage of their larger screens, similar to the iPad.

What we’re expecting: Based on the rumors, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 could bring some noteworthy upgrades to the camera and design — two areas that have traditionally been a big focus for the South Korean tech giant.

The rumored Galaxy S23 Ultra could include a 200-megapixel main camera, according to a prolific leaker who goes by the name Ice Universe on Twitter. That sounds like a huge jump from the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 108-megapixel main sensor on paper. But it’s important to remember that factors like sensor size and speed also play a very important role in image quality. The new 200-megapixel sensor is only said to be slightly larger than the iPhone 14 Pro’s and is reportedly a bit smaller than other Android flagships, according to Ice Universe.

Samsung may also give the regular Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus a tweaked design that more closely matches that of the Ultra model. Images from reliable leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer suggest Samsung will eliminate the camera bump from the S23 and S23 Plus, replacing it with the protruding lenses found on the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The images were published on the tech blogs Digit and Smartprix in partnership with Hemmerstoffer.

Although we don’t know precisely what to expect in terms of performance, Samsung usually puts Qualcomm’s latest mobile chip in the new version of its phones that launch in the United States and certain other markets. That means we will likely see the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in Samsung’s next Galaxy phone. The new chip offers better power efficiency, ray tracing for improved aesthetics in mobile games and upgraded AI that can better separate you from your Zoom background, among other enhancements. The analyst Kuo even believes Samsung could ditch its own Exynos processors and rely solely on Qualcomm for the Galaxy S23.

Why I’m excited about it: Smartphone cameras have already gotten so sophisticated that I’m curious to see whether Samsung’s 200-megapixel sensor actually makes a meaningful difference. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see how Samsung pushes the camera experience forward in the S23 lineup given the increased competition from Google’s Pixel series in recent years. I’m also in favor of the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus’ rumored design change to more closely resemble the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Based on the renders, it looks cleaner and sleeker compared to the Galaxy S22’s camera bump.

What we’re expecting: If Google maintains its tradition, we could see a cheaper version of the Pixel 7 known as the Pixel 7A launch in the spring or summer time frame. Rumors about the Pixel 7A are scarce right now. But developer Kuba Wojciechowski claims to have found details possibly pertaining to the Pixel 7A in the Android codebase, suggesting that some fairly significant upgrades are in store.

Wojciechowski’s findings indicate the Pixel 7A could have a screen with a higher refresh rate of 90Hz and wireless charging — two characteristics that are noticeably absent from the Pixel 6A. Leaked renders from Hemmerstoffer that were once again published on Smartprix also suggest the Pixel 7A will have a very similar design as its predecessor.

The Pixel 7A could also include the same Tensor G2 processor that powers the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro as well as a camera setup that includes wide and ultrawide sensors. That’s if the Pixel 7A follows in the same footsteps as the Pixel 6A, of course.

Why I’m excited about it: Google’s A-series Pixel phones are seriously impressive from a value standpoint. That’s why the Pixel 6A has received a CNET Editors’ Choice award and is our favorite Android phone under $500. If Google manages to address the Pixel 6A’s very few shortcomings while maintaining the same price of $449, it’ll be an even more formidable challenger to Samsung in the affordable phone space.

What we’re expecting: Google’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are only a couple months old, but rumors have already started to surface about the Pixel 8 family. German tech blog WinFuture claims to have found references to two unreleased Pixel smartphones in publicly available code. The findings indicate that these two devices are codenamed “Shiba” and “Husky” and that they’re powered by a new processor codenamed “Zuma.” The code also suggests these devices will run on Android 14 and include 12GB of RAM, according to WinFuture.

Why I’m excited about it: There haven’t been many rumors about the expected Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, which means there isn’t too much to get excited about yet. But what I’m most interested in is what new features Google’s next-generation chip will bring to its future phones. Google’s current Tensor chips have enabled features that seem practical and useful in everyday life, such as Magic Eraser and Face Unblur for improving photo quality and the ability to add speaker labels to transcripts in the Recorder app. That makes me excited about where Google could take things next.

What we’re expecting: Samsung may be best-known for its Galaxy S devices, but its series of Galaxy A phones are worth your attention if you’re shopping on a tighter budget. The next phone in this series is expected to be called the Galaxy A54 5G, following the Galaxy A53 5G’s launch last spring.

Based on the few leaks that have surfaced so far, the Galaxy A54 5G will be a modest improvement over the A53 5G. It’s expected to have a 6.4-inch screen, which is slightly smaller than the A53’s 6.5-inch display, and a triple rear camera. That’s according to the leaker Hemmerstoffer, who shared renders claiming to show the Galaxy A54 5G’s design with the tech blog 91Mobiles. A report from the Dutch tech site Galaxy Club also suggests the A54 5G could have a slightly larger battery than its predecessor.

Why I’m excited about it: When I tested the Galaxy A53 5G around the time of its launch, I thought it felt much more expensive than it actually was. It’s not perfect, but Samsung provides a well-rounded package for the price with the Galaxy A53 5G. I’m hoping the success of Google’s Pixel A series motivates Samsung to up its budget phone game even further.

What we’re expecting: Even though foldable phones are still new to most people, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold will be on its fifth generation in 2023. The next version of Samsung’s phone-tablet hybrid could have a slot for storing Samsung’s S Pen stylus, a lighter design and a less noticeable crease, according to Korean news outlet The Elec. The report didn’t definitively say the Z Fold 5 will have these improvements, but did say Samsung has cited them as barriers that must be overcome to make foldable phones more popular.

Otherwise, we can probably expect to see routine improvements to the camera and processor in the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Samsung also added some new multitasking features to the Z Fold 4 this year, such as the ability to use the bottom portion of the screen as a mini trackpad when the display is folded halfway. So there’s a chance we’ll see other software enhancements in the future, too.

Samsung typically releases its new foldable phones in August, meaning we’re likely to see the next Z Fold around that time next year.

Why I’m excited about it: The Galaxy Z Fold 5 needs a lot more than an included S Pen to bring foldables into the mainstream. But making the S Pen a bigger part of the experience could go a long way in further defining who the Z Fold is for and why it exists in the first place. Samsung is promoting the Z Fold 5 as a productivity-oriented device, so having an embedded S Pen seems like a natural move. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 3 are both compatible with the S Pen, but they must be purchased separately.

Apple added Advanced Data Protection in its latest iOS update. It can mean big privacy changes — if users turn it on.

Apple is giving ultimate encryption power to its users by adding end-to-end encryption as an option to shield data on iCloud from both cybercriminals and law enforcement. What you save on your iCloud can truly be for your eyes only — and it comes with its own set of complications.

This extra layer of security has the FBI “deeply concerned,” as the agency told the Washington Post. And yet, privacy advocates, like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, are thrilled. The opt-in feature — which launched in the latest update to iOS — puts more responsibility on users to not get locked out of their accounts and have backup keys if they forget their password.

Apple, a company that makes security a selling point, is setting a new standard for privacy. And as explained in the video embedded here, it also means other tech companies will very likely follow suit to compete.

Here’s how to easily save your phone’s battery and data.

If your phone’s battery is dying fast, people have probably given you the advice to close your background apps. Some say it conserves your battery, boosts your phone’s performance and saves data. Others, including executives from Apple and Google’s Android team, say no, background apps don’t take up enough of your phone’s resources to affect its performance.

Both groups of people can be right, though. While background apps may not use your phone’s resources on their own, Android phones and iPhones will refresh background apps periodically by default. This uses your phone’s battery and your data. While background apps refreshing don’t drain your resources as much as screen brightness and cellular connection, stopping apps from refreshing can help conserve your battery and data for when you really need them.

Low Power Mode for iPhones and Battery Saver for Android phones both stop background apps from refreshing, too. However, they also pause or change other settings, like screen refresh rate and device performance. These options will certainly save your battery and data, but they cause more dramatic changes compared to stopping background apps from refreshing.

Here’s how to stop background apps from refreshing, helping your battery last longer and saving your data.

Stop background apps from refreshing on iPhone
If you have an iPhone, here’s how to stop background apps from refreshing.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Background App Refresh.
4. Tap Background App Refresh again.

Here you can choose to turn background refreshing Off, limit background apps to refresh when you’re connected to Wi-Fi, or allow background apps to refresh on Wi-Fi & Cellular Data.

If you select Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi & Cellular Data, you can also select which apps can refresh in the background. For that, follow the first three steps above. Then you should see a list of apps near the bottom of the page and select which can refresh in the background.

Stop background apps from refreshing on Android
If you have an Android device, here’s how to stop background apps from refreshing.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Network & internet.
3. Tap Data saver.
4. Toggle Use data saver on.

Data saver will stop background apps from using data unless your phone is connected to Wi-Fi. Some apps you’re actively using might not load things like images, unless you tap on the image, which can be annoying. You can tap Unrestricted data just below Use data saver, and this lets you choose three apps to have unrestricted data access even with Data saver on.

You can also allow certain apps to use background data. Here’s how.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Network & internet.
3. Tap Mobile network.
4. Tap App data usage.
5. Tap the app you want.
6. Toggle Background data on.

Now you can decide what apps refresh in the background, potentially saving your battery and data.

For more phone tips, check out how to clear your iPhone’s cache and how to clear your Android’s cache.

Expect the update to bring your iPhone a new app, enhanced security and bug fixes.

We’d known it was coming for some time, and now it’s here. Apple released its iOS 16.2 update for iPhones earlier Tuesday, along with iPadOS 16.2, Watch iOS 9.2 and MacOS Ventura 13.1, according to an Apple support page.

The highlight of the update is the new app Freeform, a shared whiteboarding tool designed for “working creatively with friends or colleagues on Mac, iPad and iPhone.”

Other new features of the iOS 16.2 update include Apple Music Sing, a singalong-focused upgrade to the Apple Music app, and new lock screen functions. After downloading the update, you’ll be able to hide wallpaper or notifications when Always-On display is enabled on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. There’s also the Sleep widget, which keeps you informed of your sleep data, and the Medications widget to send you reminders of when to take your medicine.

Speaking of widgets, the Activity widget now lets you see what games your friends are playing from your Home Screen. Additionally, the update includes SharePlay support for multiplayer games in Game Center, enabling you to play with people you’re on a FaceTime call with.

The update also enhances iCloud security by increasing the number of data categories that are protected using end-to-end encryption. And, like with any good software update, there are a few random bug fixes and other minor improvements.

Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

This is a great chance to get your hands on an Apple phone for less, as long as you can live with some dings and scrapes.

Looking for a way to get your hands on an iPhone for less? While there are plenty of deals out there, most of the best offers will require a trade-in or lock you into an installment plan. If you prefer to own your phone outright, you may want to consider a refurbished mode. You can save hundreds compared to shopping new with no strings attached, and today only Woot has a variety of refurb iPhone models to choose from, with prices starting at just $290. This sale expires tonight at 9:59 p.m. PT (12:59 a.m. ET), so be sure to get your order in before then if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

According to Woot, all the iPhones at this sale have been graded as “scratch and dent” grade refurbs. That means that they have all been thoroughly inspected, repaired and returned to full working condition, but may exhibit signs of wear and tear. But if you can live with some dings and scrapes, this is one of the easiest ways to get your hands on an iPhone for less.

The most recent model available at this sale is the iPhone 13, which is just one generation behind the latest model. Featuring a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, 5G support, a six-core CPU and 4K video recording, this older model is still a great pick for most people, and right now you can pick up the 128GB model for $580 or the 256GB model for $640. And if you want a slightly more compact and affordable model, the iPhone 13 Mini is also on sale for $540.

If you don’t mind going another generation back, there are also plenty of iPhone 12 models on sale as well. You can even pick up upgraded models like the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which features a larger screen, upgraded cameras and more powerful hardware, and is on sale starting at $550 for the 128GB model. The standard 6.1-inch iPhone 12 is also on sale and starts at just $370.

And if you’re really after the most affordable option, the iPhone 11 series is available starting at just $290 for the base model with 64GB of storage. There are also iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max models available as well, starting at $350 and $390 respectively.

Don’t let digital data clog up your internet browsers.

Your iPhone is just like every other piece of technology — it needs a little routine maintenance. And while you should definitely keep it in good physical condition, like regularly cleaning its screen, some of it should happen digitally, too. Even behemoths like the new iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max can get bogged down if you’re not keeping them optimized. One of the simplest pieces of upkeep is clearing your iPhone cache every month.

Believe me, I get it. We all have a laundry list of things to remember to do each month. Pay your rent or mortgage. Give your home a deeper clean than the weekly sweep. Talk to that person you meant to talk to last month. Those little tasks add up, which makes them easy to forget. But this is such a small task, you can do it in seconds after reading this guide.

Whether you’re browsing in Chrome, Safari or elsewhere on your iPhone, your cache builds up digital clutter over time. Clearing your cache gives your browser a new start, which can speed up your browsing whether you’re using iOS 15 or iOS 16. (And if you’re trying to get your phone to run faster, try managing your iPhone’s storage.)

Think of your browser cache like a digital storage closet. Over time, an iPhone stores website data like photos and banners in that closet so it can retrieve them when you visit a site. Most of the time, this speeds up your browsing. Before too long, though, that closet starts to get cluttered, and the contents may no longer match what you need.

Eventually, your browser’s cache becomes outdated and the data being retrieved no longer matches the data actually being used on the website. The result? Slower load speeds and wonky formatting.

That’s why clearing your cache can help: It gives sites a fresh start in your browser and frees up some space in your storage. Note that clearing your cache will sign you out of sites you’re currently logged into. Still, it’s generally worth that mild inconvenience every month or so to keep things moving quickly.

Here are step-by-step guides on how to clear your cache on your iPhone based on the browser you use.

How to clear your iPhone cache in Safari
Safari is the default browser on iPhones, and you can clear your Safari cache in a few short steps. Starting with iOS 11, following this process will affect all devices signed in to your iCloud account. As a result all your devices’ caches will be cleared, and you’ll need to sign in to everything the next time you use them. Here’s what to do.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Select Safari from the list of apps.
3. Go to Advanced > Website Data.
4. Scroll down and select Remove All Website Data.
5. Choose Remove Now in the pop-up box.

The much-anticipated headset likely won’t arrive in mass volumes until the second half of 2023, a noted Apple analyst says.

Mass shipments of Apple’s apparently upcoming augmented reality and virtual reality headset may be pushed back until the second half of 2023 due to unspecified “software-related issues,” according to information shared Sunday by noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Shipments of the much-rumored AR/VR headset are still expected to begin in the first half of the year, but not at the same volume previously predicted, Kuo wrote in a series of tweets.

Kuo had previously reported that the iPhone maker was looking to ship 1.5 million units of the face-mounted device in 2023 at a price of up to $2,000. He reported in August that Apple was expected to announce its headset during a January 2023 event and that the company had already presented the device to board members.

Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Apple’s first headset is expected to be pricey. One rumor last year suggested the company’s first VR headset would be “far more expensive” than other VR products that come in under $900, though it’s unclear if it would cost more than the $1,500 Meta Quest Pro.