Apple Updates Mac Studio with M4 Max and M3 Ultra Chips

Apple has updated the Mac Studio by swapping the M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips for the M4 Max and new M3 Ultra. The M3 Ultra version also offers a new memory ceiling of 512 GB and a new storage max of 16 TB. It’s a monster machine.

HomePods Can Alert You of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Apple’s HomePods can recognize the sound of a nearby smoke or carbon monoxide alarm and notify your iPhone, alerting you when you’re away and allowing you to inform emergency services and neighbors.

Apple Speed Bumps iPad with A16 and iPad Air with M3

Apple’s latest iPad and iPad Air updates make them faster and more appealing without increasing prices. If you’re in the market for an iPad, the iPad remains a steal and the iPad Air offers all the performance most people will ever need.

Create Links to Selected Text in Long Web Pages

You can now create a link directly to text anywhere on a Web page with the handy Copy Link to Highlight command in many Web browsers. Here’s how to invoke the command and an example of why it’s so useful.

New Seventh-Generation iPad mini Adds A17 Pro for Apple Intelligence

Apple has updated the iPad mini with an A17 Pro chip for Apple Intelligence, along with more storage, faster connectivity, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro. It’s still $499 and remains an excellent option for anyone wanting a smaller iPad.

Apple’s Tips App Provides Extensive User Guides and Helpful How-Tos

If you haven’t explored Apple’s Tips app on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac recently, check it out. Apple has added a lot more content, including device and app user guides, highlights of new features, and interactive practice guides.

Watch Out for PayPal Invoice Phishing Scams

Beware of PayPal invoice scams that might even appear to come from Apple. Should you receive one, report it to PayPal to help protect other people, but don’t mark the message as spam.

Use Guided Access for Securely Allowing Others to Use an App on Your iPhone or iPad

If you’d like to allow a child, friend, or colleague to enjoy a specific app on your iPhone or iPad while keeping them focused and preventing access to everything else on the device, check out Apple’s Guided Access feature.

Restrict Access to Sensitive Apps in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18

Keep prying eyes — or mischievous children — out of sensitive or important apps by requiring Face ID or Touch ID access before the app opens. You can also hide such apps so they appear only after you authenticate.

“Apple Account” is the new “Apple ID”

Apple has renamed Apple ID to Apple Account everywhere as of macOS 15 Sequoia, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and watchOS 11. Nothing has changed functionally, but keep it in mind when reading tech articles or support documentation.