Feature AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content. With the varieties of USB and Thunderbolt terminology floating about, as well as new versions being adopted by Apple and other device producers, sorting out the mess can be a problem. Here's what you need to know about USB 3, USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4. For most users, there are two general families of multi-purpose connections: USB and Thunderbolt. Both have their benefits and their foibles, as well as sharing many characteristics, but the two technology trees are, largely, quite different. If you don't read any further, here's your main takeaway: The term "USB-C" by itself doesn't specify anything for data, charging, or video beyond the physicality of the connector. But, as you might expect, there are a lot of details behind USB … [Read more...] about USB 3, USB 4, Thunderbolt, & USB-C — everything you need to know
Ipod touch
Intel details Thunderbolt 4 spec, but ‘Apple silicon’ support is unclear [u]
Credit: Intel AppleInsider may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made through links on our site. The Thunderbolt 4 standard will be backward compatible with previous Intel ports and cables, and will also be cross-compatible with USB4 . Compared to Thunderbolt 3 , it'll offer a number of tangible benefits to consumers while retaining the USB-C connector type. For example, it'll allow for universal cables up to two meters long without needing to resort to active cables that leave out older USB standards. Thunderbolt 4 will also support accessories, such as docks, with up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports . The standard will double the minimum video and data requirements of Thunderbolt 3. Other features include the ability to wake up a computer from sleep by touching a peripheral connected to a Thunderbolt dock, and protection against physical DMA attacks . Thunderbolt 4 will debut on Intel's Tiger Lake Processors for laptops later in 2020. Intel … [Read more...] about Intel details Thunderbolt 4 spec, but ‘Apple silicon’ support is unclear [u]
Everything you need to know about USB-C & Thunderbolt 3 on Apple’s new MacBook Pro
Feature Lightning, USB-C and the original USB-A AppleInsider may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made through links on our site. Flex your power Like the Retina MacBook, the new MacBook Pro models no longer use MagSafe, Apple's quick release magnetic plug for delivering power. Power is now delivered via USB-C, which fits snuggly enough to pull your laptop off the edge of a table if something inadvertently tugs the cable hard enough. While many are weeping over the death of their beloved MagSafe, I've always been of the opinion that the connector was simply a proprietary effort by Apple to monopolize the resale market for charging adapters. The one-piece design of MagSafe adapters also meant that MacBook power adapters could only be used to charge a MagSafe notebook; the cable was also integrated into the adapter, so if the wire itself or its connector junction wears out or is damaged you have to replace both as a package. Another … [Read more...] about Everything you need to know about USB-C & Thunderbolt 3 on Apple’s new MacBook Pro
Just as it ends, ‘Defending Jacob’ looks like the most popular Apple TV+ show
Feature Article Hero Image AppleInsider may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made through links on our site. Since Apple TV+ launched in November 2019, it hasn't had seen any of its shows emerge as a massive, culture-grabbing smash. But in recent months, there have been various indications that Defending Jacob has been something close to a breakout for Apple. What are the "Defending Jacob" ratings? There are, it's important to point out, no "official" numbers for the viewership of Apple TV+ shows. Apple has never released such numbers, while Nielsen, usually the arbiter of network and cable TV ratings, does not measure Apple's shows. The first indication that Defending Jacob was a breakout hit came in a May 7 story on the entertainment industry news site Deadline . "According to sources, Defending Jacob ranks among the top three series premieres for Apple TV+, logging a big opening weekend with viewership continuing to … [Read more...] about Just as it ends, ‘Defending Jacob’ looks like the most popular Apple TV+ show
iPad revenue grew 41% in Q1 amid pandemic
The iPad saw 41% growth YoY in Q1 2021 AppleInsider may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made through links on our site. Apple spent 2020 refining its iPad lineup with hardware revisions across each model and improvements to iPadOS . After bringing desktop Safari and a mouse cursor to the OS users were able to perform more work from the tablet. Those improvements and the move to work and school from home drove the iPad to new heights. Apple CEO Tim Cook commented on the state of the iPad during the quarterly earnings call, calling demand "very strong." He later commented that some customers are using the device as a laptop replacement, others as a desktop companion. Apple CFO Luca Maestri offered some additional color to iPad sales. He said the iPad set an all-time record in Japan during the quarter. Further, 451 Research found a 94% customer satisfaction rate for the product. Finally, he noted that more than half of customers buying Mac and iPad … [Read more...] about iPad revenue grew 41% in Q1 amid pandemic
Review: MagSafe Duo is almost everything you need, but has too many compromises
Video Apple's MagSafe Duo charging solution is now available. After spending some time with it, we are on the fence about the company's latest iPhone 12 accessory. With Apple's latest iPhones, there are more ways than ever to charge. The most unique, is MagSafe . At the moment, the only official options are Apple's MagSafe charging puck or the new MagSafe Duo. Soon, third-party options will flood the market, including options from Belkin and Scosche, but for the time being, we have Apple's to consider. Subscribe to AppleInsider on YouTube MagSafe Duo - Design MagSafe Duo is a simple enough product. On one side is a MagSafe wireless charger and on the right is an integrated Apple Watch charging puck. The charging puck operates similar to Apple's own Apple Watch charging stand in that the puck is metal-encased and can flip up or lay flat. MagSafe Duo is powered by Lightning On the opposing side is the MagSafe charger. Unlike … [Read more...] about Review: MagSafe Duo is almost everything you need, but has too many compromises
Review: AirPods Max don’t make it easy to justify the price
Review The new AirPods Max are turning heads with a high price tag and excellent audio quality. But is what you get worth the $549? AirPods Max design AirPods Max come in five different colors, sky blue, green, pink, silver, and space gray. Each color is two-toned, featuring a lighter color on the anodized earcups and a darker one for the headband. AirPods Max have one of the most bespoke designs ever created for a set of headphones. The top portion of the headphones is made of stainless steel before being coated with a premium soft-touch material akin to silicone. The canopy is made from a proprietary mesh that is designed to wrest just atop your head. AirPods Max Each arm of the AirPods Max extend to accommodate user's heads of different sizes. Anodized aluminum makes up the cups themselves, which is lighter than the steel and allows for the svelte anodization Apple is known for. Each of the cushions on the earcups are a similar mesh … [Read more...] about Review: AirPods Max don’t make it easy to justify the price
Apple discontinues full-size HomePod, to focus on HomePod mini
Article Hero Image AppleInsider may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made through links on our site. Apple informed TechCrunch of the product's end of life in a statement today. HomePod mini has been a hit since its debut last fall, offering customers amazing sound, an intelligent assistant, and smart home control all for just $99. We are focusing our efforts on HomePod mini. We are discontinuing the original HomePod, it will continue to be available while supplies last through the Apple Online Store, Apple Retail Stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple will provide HomePod customers with software updates and service and support through Apple Care. The company plans to sell remaining HomePod units until stock is depleted, though Apple's online storefront is already sold out of Space Gray models. Support will also continue until the product is declared obsolete. Announced at WWDC 2017, HomePod was Apple's first foray into the smart … [Read more...] about Apple discontinues full-size HomePod, to focus on HomePod mini
HomePod mini updated with new Handoff experience in OS version 14.4
HomePod OS version 14.4 enables new Handoff experience with haptic feedback AppleInsider may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made through links on our site. The HomePod and HomePod mini run a specialized version of tvOS and receive updates sporadically when compared to Apple's other operating systems. Updates generally include bug fixes and improvements for features attached to the larger ecosystem. The last HomePod software update was for version 14.3 which was another bug fix update. HomePod Software Version 14.4 includes: Software version 14.4 includes bug fixes and the following new features with an Ultra Wideband (U1) equipped iPhone. Hand off music with visual, audible, and haptic effects from iPhone to HomePod mini Get personalized listening suggestions on iPhone when it is next to HomePod mini Media controls automatically appear without having to unlock iPhone when it is close to HomePod mini The last major update was … [Read more...] about HomePod mini updated with new Handoff experience in OS version 14.4
A deep dive into HomePod’s adaptive audio, beamforming and why it needs an A8 processor
Feature Article Hero Image AppleInsider may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made through links on our site. The first problem Apple and similar firms face when creating an intelligent speaker, like the HomePod , is to ensure there is an optimal audio experience for the user, regardless of where they are in the room. Hines, product manager of Spire by iZotope and guest on this week's AppleInsider Podcast , says the exact position of the user can dramatically affect the sound from a normal speaker, with the problem compounded by local acoustics. Moving a speaker around a room alters the sound reflections in a dramatic way, Hines suggests, such as a loss of bass frequencies when moving towards the corner of a room. While bouncing around the room, the reflections can multiply the sound in different ways, potentially causing some resonant frequencies to become inconsistently louder, an effect that is particularly noticeable for longer … [Read more...] about A deep dive into HomePod’s adaptive audio, beamforming and why it needs an A8 processor