Lutron is the best in the business when it comes to reliable smart lighting solutions. Its Caséta line works great with Apple HomeKit and includes a wide range of switches, dimmers, and remotes. Today, Lutron is announcing two new entries to the Caséta portfolio: the new Diva smart dimmer ELV+ and new color options for the Pico Paddle Remote.
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Zac Hall is 9to5Mac Editor-at-Large with a focus on technology news, product reviews, and analysis. Zac previously served as 9to5Mac Editor-in-Chief, hosted over 400 weekly episodes of the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and has been a member of the 9to5Mac family since 2013. Zac has over a decade of experience in technology journalism, including as a tech columnist for the Clarion-Ledger newspaper, part of the USA Today network.
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These are the best anti-glare matte screen protectors for iPhone, iPad, and MacBook
I’ve been testing the new M4 iPad Pro with the nano-texture display, and it’s reaffirmed my preference for anti-glare displays. Naturally, this made me want to nano-texture all the things. Apple doesn’t currently offer anti-glare iPhones, other iPads, and MacBooks, however. Fortunately, you can get a lot of the way there with quality anti-glare matte screen protectors for iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. Here are the ones I’ve been using and endorse:
Expand Expanding CloseReview: You don’t have to be a bike rider to love the Waterfield Moto Front Sling
Welcome to 9to5Mac Gearbox, my new column where I mix my affinity for motorcycles and technology. While Gearbox is primarily written for motorbike riders, you’ll find that riding technology is never strictly just for bikers. Stay safe and enjoy the ride!
I’ve been wearing the Waterfield Moto Front Sling for two months now, and one thing is certain: you don’t have to be a moto rider to enjoy the Moto Front Sling.
Whether I’m riding, driving, or flying, the Moto Front Sling has gone from the East Coast to the West Coast and back with me this summer. My favorite feature? How it expands my everyday carry everywhere I go without being a full-blown backpack.
Expand Expanding CloseDelta retro game emulator for iPhone has over 10M users, iPad version rolling out
We knew the retro game emulator app Delta was popular, but over 10 million users on iPhone alone? That’s the stat that the team behind Delta shared today alongside the latest news about availability on iPad.
Expand Expanding CloseFlorida abruptly ends support for digital driver’s licenses on iPhone and Android
The years-long process of replacing physical driver’s licenses and ID cards with iPhone and Android has moved at the painfully slow speed of government. The number of states that support Apple’s digital ID feature in the Wallet app remains in the single digits.
Some states have issued digital ID cards through dedicated apps instead. However, one state on that list has abruptly fallen off for now.
Expand Expanding CloseTim Cook talks Apple Vision Pro as spatial computing goes down under
After launching in the United States in February, Apple Vision Pro is now making its way around the world for international customers. As part of the marketing push, Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke with EFTM’s Trevor Long for an exclusive interview.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s what makes AirPods Pro 2 special (and more reasons are on the way)
Apple continues to deliver updates to its best wireless earbuds: AirPods Pro 2. Gen-two hardware (Lightning or USB-C) launched with impressive Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and more. A year later, Apple dropped a big update that added Adaptive Audio mode, Conversation Awareness, and more. Later this year, Apple will release another feature update that adds even more enhancements.
Expand Expanding CloseMy favorite new minimal Apple Watch face
Sometimes you really have to hack around an Apple Watch face to make it feel like your own. For example, California. Using Shortcuts can also be helpful. In watchOS 11, my new fave is an off-label use of an updated face to create a watch face that otherwise wouldn’t exist.
Expand Expanding ClosemacOS 15 Sequoia: How to enhance Notes with collapsible sections and highlighting styles
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macOS 15 Sequoia will deliver a variety of new features to Notes, including the ability to make collapsible sections and use different highlighting styles. Here’s how the two features work to make your notes easier to parse and manage.
Expand Expanding CloseThey’re not quite AirPods Max 2, but they’re unique …
Keeping up with what’s new from Apple’s accessory store always fascinates me. The latest is one of the more interesting grab bags in recent memory.
Expand Expanding CloseUpdate to wireless CarPlay for under $100 [20% off]
Do wireless CarPlay adapters actually work? In 2017, I bought a Honda Civic that came with wired Apple CarPlay. I really wanted wireless CarPlay in the Civic, but replacing its entertainment system at the time seemed like overkill. Fortunately, there’s a solution for turning standard CarPlay into wireless CarPlay, and it works with iOS 18 and iPhone 15.
Expand Expanding ClosemacOS 15 Sequoia: How to use presenter preview and video call background replacements
9to5Mac is brought to you by CleanMyMac X, an all-in-one utility that removes clutter, optimizes performance and protects your Mac from malware. Get a 7 day free trial.
While Apple Intelligence may be the biggest change landing on the Mac this fall, macOS Sequoia includes a handful of other new features. Two features specific to video conferencing, presenter preview and background replacements, are already available in beta. As part of macOS Sequoia, these features are available in third-party video calling apps like Zoom and WebEx as well as FaceTime. Here’s how they work…
Expand Expanding ClosewatchOS 11 removes Siri face on Apple Watch
It was this month a year ago when I posed the question: Will the Siri face survive watchOS 10 and Apple Watch widgets?
To my knowledge, Apple has never retired a watch face. Some are hardware specific, others are redesigned, but watch faces don’t leave the Apple Watch. I think that’s why the Siri watch face still exists for now, but it will need some love to stay relevant.
As of watchOS 10, the Siri watch face is six versions old. It debuted with much potential and made steps toward realizing that potential before it stalled. Now there’s a new widget system on Apple Watch that turns the Siri watch face into an antique. It still has some uniqueness to it, but I’m not sure that will be the case this time next year.
Well, it’s “this time next year” now, and the Siri watch face on Apple Watch has not survived.
Expand Expanding CloseHow ChatGPT will complement Apple Intelligence on iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia
ChatGPT. What is it good for? That was a common question after the highly capable Apple Intelligence service was unveiled at WWDC 2024. Did Apple really need to make a deal with OpenAI for optional ChatGPT integration?
Apple’s answer during the keynote address for when ChatGPT would be needed in addition to Apple Intelligence was less than specific: broad world knowledge. That’s a broad answer. But it turns out there are at least two specific instances in which an Apple Intelligence user may want to call upon ChatGPT on iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia.
Expand Expanding CloseSwift Student Challenge winners reveal what it’s like to present to Tim Cook [Interview]
This week, Tim Cook surprised 14 Swift Student Challenge winners with a rare opportunity: present their work to the CEO of Apple. After having the chance to witness this special event on Sunday, I had the opportunity after the WWDC keynote to sit down with four of the student developers and ask what the experience meant for each of them. Here’s my chat with Elena Galluzzo (Care Capsule), Shinwon Lee (Melody), AJ Nettles (CryptOh?), and Dezmond Blair (MTB-XTREME).
Expand Expanding CloseIf you only watch one WWDC 2024 recap video…
…this one might not be the most comprehensive, but it’s a fine way to celebrate Apple Fellow Phil Schiller.
Expand Expanding CloseSandwich debuts Theater for Vision Pro with exclusive The Talk Show Live event in 3D video
Sandwich Vision is kicking off WWDC week with a brand-new app launching on Apple Vision Pro. The studio is also collaborating with SpatialGen to livestream John Gruber’s The Talk Show Live in stereoscopically-captured 3D video using high-end cameras and lenses.
Expand Expanding CloseApple is about to make major generative AI news; here’s how I’ve been using AI so far
In a few hours, we’ll learn what Apple has in mind for an AI-infused version of iPhone software. We expect AI to deliver quality-of-life improvements to iOS over the next year. In recent history is any indication, AI will advance such that iOS 19 and iOS 20 are as influenced by AI as iOS 18. We’ll see.
In the meantime, I want to set a marker for how generative AI is working for me prior to Apple’s anticipated contribution.
Expand Expanding CloseApple surprises Swift Student Challenge winners with exclusive Tim Cook demo op
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino kicks off tomorrow, and for a select group of Swift Student Challenge winners, the surprises have already begun.
This year Apple invited 50 Distinguished Swift Student Challenge winners to WWDC, and Tim Cook gave a surprise welcome to this special group of developers.
For an even smaller number of students, there was a once-in-a-lifetime experience unknowingly awaiting them: showing off their work to the CEO of Apple.
Expand Expanding CloseApple Vision Pro demo coming to Lowe’s home improvement retail locations
Want to try Apple Vision Pro? In-store demos have only been offered at Apple retail locations so far. However, a popular home improvement retailer will let shoppers try Apple Vision Pro starting this weekend.
Lowe’s is testing Apple Vision Pro demos for customers in select locations this month. The experience will focus on the Lowe’s Style Studio app on Apple Vision Pro, giving customers hands-on experience with the headset.
Expand Expanding CloseKino is a pro video capture app with a UX worthy of iPhone 15 Pro hardware
You probably know Halide, the pro camera app for iPhone. Who makes the Halide of video apps though? Turns out, it’s the makers of Halide themselves. Lux, the studio behind Halide, is launching their first pro video app for iPhone, called Kino. It’s a joy to use, with a design and user experience that matches the quality of the iPhone hardware.
Expand Expanding CloseWill there be a Ted Lasso season four on Apple TV+? This may be the best hint yet
Will there be a fourth season of Ted Lasso? As we approach the one-year anniversary of the season three finale, we still don’t have a definitive answer on whether the final episode was also the series finale.
However, Nick Mohammed, the actor who portrays Nate, just dropped a tease that would be too cruel if it were a red herring. While promoting the Ted Lasso S1-S3 Blu-ray disc and DVD box set, the actor appears to suggest there’s more story to tell.
Expand Expanding CloseNew AirPods Pro 2 firmware just dropped
AirPods firmware updates. Where do they come from? What do they do? We don’t need the answers to those questions to tell you that updated AirPods Pro 2 firmware was just released.
The newly pushed AirPods Pro (2nd generation) firmware is labeled version 6.5.7 (6F7) and belongs to the same build train. It’s available for both the Lightning and USB-C version of AirPods Pro 2.
Expand Expanding CloseApple’s 2024 Beats Pill specs: louder sound, 24 hour battery, Find My, IP67
Apple is preparing to launch its second Beats Pill product since acquiring the audio brand nearly a decade ago. After being bought by Apple in 2014, Beats introduced the Beats Pill+ that sold from 2015 to 2020. While it was discontinued without a replacement in sight, the forthcoming Beats Pill has been showing up everywhere from celebrity sightings to regulatory listings.
Seeing the unreleased Beats Pill is an effective tease, but it doesn’t tell us what’s different this time around aside from an apparent integrated lanyard for toting it. However, 9to5Mac has learned through sources what features and specifications will accompany the new Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker when it officially launches.
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