When Apple posted its latest update to the App Store’s app review and submission policies for developers, it included language that appears to explicitly allow a new kind of app for emulating retro console games.

Apple has long forbidden apps that run code from an external source, but today’s announced changes now allow “software that is not embedded in the binary” in certain cases, with “retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games” specifically listed as one of those cases.

Here’s the exact wording:

4.7 Mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins, and game emulators

Apps may offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins. Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games. You are responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws. Software that does not comply with one or more guidelines will lead to the rejection of your app. You must also ensure that the software adheres to the additional rules that follow in 4.7.1 and 4.7.5. These additional rules are important to preserve the experience that App Store customers expect, and to help ensure user safety.

It’s a little fuzzy how this will play out, but it may not allow the kind of emulators you see on Android and desktop, which let you play retro games from any outside source.

Retro game emulators run what are colloquially called ROM files, which are more or less images of the game cartridges or discs that played on console hardware. By now, it’s well-established that the emulators themselves are completely legal, but the legality of the ROM files downloaded from ROM sites on the Internet depends on the specific files and circumstances.

There are ROMs that are entirely public domain or in some license where the creator allows distribution; there are ROMs that are technically copyrighted intellectual property but where the original owner no longer exists, and the current ownership is unknown or unenforced; and there are some ROMs (like many games made by Nintendo) where the owner still has an interest in controlling distribution and often takes action to try to curb illegal sharing and use of the files.

Additionally, many game publishers use emulators to run ROMs of their own retro games, which they sell to consumers either as standalone games or in collections for modern platforms.

It’s not completely clear from Apple’s wording, but our interpretation of Apple’s new rules is that it’s likely only the last of those examples will be possible; companies that own the intellectual property could launch emulator apps for downloading ROMs of their (and only their) games. So, for example, Sega could offer a Sega app that would allow users to download an ever-expanding library of Sega games, either as part of a subscription, for free, or as in-app purchases. Sega has offered its retro games on the iPhone before in emulation but with a standalone app for each game.

“You are responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws,” Apple writes. And it specifically says “retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games” in the list of exceptions to the rules against “software that is not embedded inside the binary”—but it doesn’t list any other method for retro game console emulator apps.

Whatever the case, this update is not limited to the European Union. Apple has been subjected to regulatory scrutiny in both the EU and the United States regarding its App Store rules. It’s likely the company is making this change to preempt criticism in this area, though it did not name its reasons when announcing the change other than to say it has been made to “support updated policies, upcoming features, and to provide clarification.”

https://arstechnica.com/?p=2015269

After leaving the iPad lineup untouched for the entirety of 2023, Apple is reportedly preparing to overhaul all of its tablets within the next few weeks, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. We should see major iPad Pro and iPad Air refreshes “around the end of March or in April,” says Gurman, along with a special build of iOS 17.4 that adds support for the new hardware.

We’ll talk about the specifics of these iPad rumors momentarily, but reading about them got me thinking about what it would take to make me consider an upgrade for either of the iPads currently rolling around my house—a third-generation iPad Air that is currently used mostly for watching Octonauts and assembling Super Mario Lego sets, and a fifth-generation M1 Air that I use mostly for reading and browsing.

At least for me, the answer isn’t “new hardware.” After a brief stint a few years ago using the iPad as a focused writing device, I’ve mostly relegated it to tablet-y content consumption, leaving behind the cottage industry of enthusiasts who keep trying to come up with workarounds to make the iPad into a Mac. To replace an iPad at this point, I would either need one of them to break or for Apple to dramatically change what the high-end iPads are capable of.

What’s coming this year?

By all accounts, both of these should be significant updates. The iPad Pro will reportedly see its first major redesign since Apple introduced the rounded, larger-screened iPad Pros back in 2018, along with an OLED display panel that will bring the iPad’s screen technology in line with Apple’s high-end iPhones. A thinner body and the new M3 chip are also fairly safe bets, and some rumors suggest that the tablets could support MagSafe wireless charging (not to be confused with the wired MagSafe 3 port on recent Macs). Apple may also increase the price of its Pro tablets, though sources can’t agree on how big those price hikes might be.

The iPad Air probably won’t see as big a design change, but the 6th-generation model will reportedly step up from the M1 to the M2, and Apple is said to be planning a first-ever 12.9-inch Air to complement the current 10.9-inch design. Like the 15-inch MacBook Air or the M2 Pro Mac mini, a 12.9-inch iPad Air could serve people who want a step up from Apple’s baseline iPads, but who find even more expensive iPad Pros difficult to justify.

Refreshes for the iPad mini and the low-end iPad(s) are also coming, but we’ll probably need to wait a bit longer; Gurman doesn’t mention them in his latest report, and rumors from late 2023 indicate that both models could see a refresh later in 2024. Both are long overdue for a bump; the $329 9th-generation iPad and the iPad mini were last updated in late 2021, and the oddball 10th-generation iPad is from the end of 2022.

A chance to course-correct

It’s looking like 2024 will be the biggest year the iPad has had in a while, though after a silent 2023, anything would look like a big year.

It’s also an opportunity for Apple to streamline the lineup—in particular, to finally get rid of the 9th-generation iPad along with its Lightning port and the first-generation Apple Pencil, making the 10th-gen iPad (or a slightly updated version of the same tablet) the new baseline. It’s also an opportunity to make sure that each iPad is clearly defined. The low-end iPad is the one you buy for basic browsing, messaging, gaming, and doodling; the Air is the step up for people who use the iPad as their primary computing device but don’t care about the Pro’s bells and whistles, and the Pro is the model for people with money to spend who just want the best hardware Apple can make.

The iPad lineup as it exists now reminds me of Apple’s MacBook lineup circa 2018, when the company sold the 12-inch MacBook, a non-Retina MacBook Air, a redesigned Retina MacBook Air, and an entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro all within a couple hundred dollars of each other. Today’s MacBook lineup still has a bit of overlap (the identical-looking M2 Air and M3 Air are separated by just $100), but generally you can point to any given model and describe who it’s for. With a bit of pruning and some price adjustments, the iPad could be straightened out, too.

https://arstechnica.com/?p=2009539

The new USB-C Apple Pencil is now available for sale through Apple’s website, with the first shipments arriving on November 3. It looks like it will be available in physical stores starting around November 8, too.

The $79 peripheral is the third Apple Pencil model, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s the best choice; it’s the new cheaper, entry-level option. The second-generation Pencil is the highest-end one, at $129.

What makes this Pencil different? Well, you can look at the gigantic table above from Apple’s website to see the features as they compare to other models—or you can read what we wrote a couple of weeks ago when it was first announced:

It doesn’t support pressure sensitivity, a key feature of the other two models. It can attach magnetically on its flat edge and supports hover previews like the second-generation Pencil. However, it can’t charge or pair wirelessly via that magnetic attachment like that model can, and it doesn’t support the double-tap gesture.

The only advantages the first-generation Pencil has over this newer, cheaper model are pressure sensitivity support and a Lightning port for plugging into older iPads.

The pressure sensitivity is the main thing you’re losing, and its absence is presumably the main thing that makes it so much cheaper than the alternatives. It’s likely a better choice for folks who want to write on their iPads than those who want to venture into the visual arts. In any case, it’s compatible with any iPad that has a USB-C port.

It makes for a confusing Pencil lineup; try explaining to someone who’s not following Apple or tech closely which Pencil to buy, and it might be an exercise in frustration. That said, the iPad lineup is similarly convoluted at this point, so there’s that.

Listing image by Apple

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1980400

Apple has announced a new version of its popular Pencil peripheral for the iPad. Simply dubbed “Apple Pencil” yet again, it is the cheapest option to carry the name yet.

The new Pencil is priced at $79; that’s $20 cheaper than the first-generation Apple Pencil and $50 cheaper than the second generation. Apple says it will work with any iPad model with a USB-C port.

In fact, the new Pencil has a USB-C port. That means you’ll use a USB-to-USB cable to charge it on your iPad, Mac, USB-C iPhone, charging brick, or whatever. The USB-C port is subtly hidden behind a sliding cap. This is a big improvement over the awkward “plug your Pencil into the iPad’s port” solution of old.

The new Pencil seems to co-exist in Apple’s online store alongside both older versions of the product.

It doesn’t support pressure sensitivity, a key feature of the other two models. It can attach magnetically on its flat edge and supports hover previews like the second-generation Pencil. However, it can’t charge or pair wirelessly via that magnetic attachment like that model can, and it doesn’t support the double-tap gesture.

The only advantages the first-generation Pencil has over this newer, cheaper model are pressure sensitivity support and a Lightning port for plugging into older iPads.

All told, Apple’s Pencil lineup is now quite confusing—especially since all three products are called “Apple Pencil.” It will probably get simpler if Apple eventually drops the Lightning-equipped first-generation as support for older iPads wanes in the future.

It’s nice to see a cheaper option in the lineup, though, since we’ve often complained in our iPad reviews that accessories like this are too expensive. This Pencil will be good enough for a lot of people.

Assuming you can sort the mess of a lineup out, you’ll be able to buy the new Pencil sometime in early November, according to Apple’s announcement.

This announcement comes days after a plethora of rumors about new iPads and iPad peripherals. Some predicted that some modest iPad refreshes would happen today, while others predicted a Pencil update. That said, this Pencil doesn’t resemble the one described in those rumors, which said it would have swappable tips for different tasks.

New iPads are still nowhere to be found, but they’re bound to arrive eventually. Don’t expect anything more than performance bumps until an eventual OLED iPad Pro update, though.

Listing image by Apple

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1976577

Apple is releasing the initial versions of most of its major operating system updates today, following its announcement at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June and the unveiling of new iPhone and Apple Watch hardware last week. Compatible devices can now download the iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17 updates without signing up for one of Apple’s beta programs.

The iOS 17 update this year is fairly mild; it includes a smart-display-esque feature called StandBy that can keep your screen on when your phone is plugged in and placed on a stand, plus “contact posters” that display full-screen photos when someone in your contacts list is calling, improved autocorrect, and live voicemail transcription.

Many of iOS 17’s announced features, including a new journaling app, several Messages improvements, and Internet-enabled AirDrop transfers, will come in later iOS 17 releases. This is a typical practice for Apple, though the list of “later this year” features (via MacRumors) seems longer than usual.

The iOS 17 update is compatible with the following iPhones, ending support for models like the iPhone 8 and iPhone X:

• All iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15-series phones
• iPhone XS and XR
• 2nd- and 3rd-generation iPhone SE

Apple’s iPadOS update includes most of the same improvements as iOS 17, but its headlining feature is something that the iPhone got last year—customizable lock screens, complete with user-configurable widgets. Widgets on your home screen are also interactive now instead of merely being informational stubs that open an app when tapped. Apple has also made mild improvements to the Stage Manager multitasking system for the M1 and M2-based iPads that can use it.

The iPadOS 17 update will run on these iPads, dropping support for 2017’s 5th-gen iPad and the very first generation of iPad Pros:

• 2nd-generation iPad Pro and newer (the 10.5-inch iPad Pro is supported, but the original 9.7-inch iPad Pro is not).
• 3rd-generation iPad Air and newer
• 5th-generation iPad mini and newer
• 6th-generation iPad and newer

In contrast to the sleepy iOS and iPadOS updates, watchOS 10 is a fairly major overhaul, rethinking many of the watch’s built-in apps and changing how the device’s buttons work. The side button is now used exclusively to launch the Control Center, while the digital crown can be pressed to bring up a list of apps or turned to scroll through a list of widgets called the “Smart Stack.” New watch faces and workouts have been added, too, along with features intended to help track your mental health.

Compatibility is easy for watchOS 10; it will run on anything currently using watchOS 9. That includes all Series 4-and-up Apple Watches, plus all models of the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Ultra. You also need an iPhone that can run iOS 17.

Finally, the tvOS 17 update adds a handful of new things, including an implementation of the Control Center, the ability for the 4K models to use FaceTime when paired with a compatible iPhone or iPad, and a “find my remote” feature that lets newer iPhones target 2nd-generation-or-newer Siri Remotes with pinpoint precision. It also adds a sixth column of app icons, improving information density on your home screen.

Like watchOS 10, the new tvOS release will work on anything that runs tvOS 16, going back to 2015’s 4th-generation 1080p-only Apple TV box.

The only missing piece of the puzzle is macOS Sonoma, which is being released a little over a week from today on September 26. It’s normal for the Mac’s new software to trail the updates for Apple’s other, larger platforms, but this is still ahead of schedule relative to the last few macOS releases, which have all come out in October.

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1968990

For most of the last year, the rumor mill has indicated that the first wave of Apple’s M3 Macs will be hitting sometime this fall—perhaps in October, a month Apple has often used for iPad and Mac announcements that can’t be crammed into its iPhone and Apple Watch-focused product events in September.

But according to reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company won’t launch those models before the end of the year. Kuo didn’t share specifics, but he has sources inside Apple’s manufacturing supply chains that often give him reliable information about the company’s plans.

Apple’s timing shifted similarly last year when M2-based MacBook Pro and Mac mini designs that were apparently intended for late 2022 launched in January 2023 instead.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the source of most of what we know about the various M3 chips, has also changed his tune about the possibility of some kind of October Mac announcement. He believes that Apple will have some products to launch after September, including a possible iPad Air refresh, but that Apple is more likely to launch those products via press releases rather than prerecorded announcement videos.

It’s also worth noting that Kuo’s post only refers to MacBooks and not other products within Apple’s lineup. The iMac is particularly long overdue for a refresh as the only Mac in Apple’s entire catalog not to get some variant of the M2 chip. Other non-MacBooks in the lineup, like the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro, have been updated with M2 chips more recently.

The 13-inch M2 MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro are due for an update—they were last refreshed in July 2022—but the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air is only three months old. It remains to be seen whether Apple updates all of these models simultaneously or if the 15-inch Air gets the M3 a few months after the 13-inch Air does.

Apple’s M3 will reportedly be manufactured using a new 3 nm process from Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC), which will allow Apple to squeeze more performance out of its chips without increasing power consumption. Most M3 chips—and we’ve heard things about the basic M3, as well as the M3 Pro and M3 Max—will include a few more CPU and GPU cores than the M2 versions, and they’ll also benefit from whatever architectural improvements that Apple has made.

For people whose Intel Macs are getting dropped in macOS Sonoma (or are otherwise slowing down and feeling their age), the M3 generation ought to be a refresh worth waiting for, and it may even be a tempting upgrade for early adopters of the very first M1 Macs back in late 2020.

If Apple has anything to say about its Mac lineup at its September event, we’ll be covering the announcements live starting at 1 pm Eastern on September 12.

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1966995

Tablets looked to take the computing world by storm during the iPad’s meteoric rise, but they have now stabilized into their role as a secondary device oriented around convenient content consumption and portability—at least as far as at-home use goes. Still, tablets are hugely popular, especially with families where kids and adults each want their own computing solution, but not everyone has room for a desk.

And given that younger generations are touch-first, keyboard-and-mouse second, and there are plenty of reasons to spring for one or more tablets these days. While Google has struggled to translate its Android smartphone operating system into a viable tablet platform, Apple’s iPad dominates the market, with Amazon’s Fire lineup covering a lot of other users.

There’s also the sort-of-tablet Surface line of products from Microsoft, which are aimed more at productivity and power users. Today we’ll go through our best tablet picks for different types of users and use cases based on our time reviewing these devices. Let’s dig in!

Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

The ideal tablet for most people: iPad Air 5th generation (2022)

Ars editor Samuel Axon has said it again and again in our reviews: the iPad Air is “the best deal in Apple’s tablet lineup in terms of performance and features you get for the price.”

Sure, if you just need a good, reliable tablet for the basics and want to spend as little as possible, the 9th-generation iPad is there. (And it’s our budget pick found below.) But for a step up to the latest design, colors, faster USB-C charging, and more performance than a tablet of this kind needs, then we recommend the latest iPad Air.

The Air is nearly the same dimensions as the 9th-generation iPad, but it fits a slightly larger 10.9-inch screen (as opposed to the 9th-gen’s 10.2) into its frame, thanks to a more modern design with slimmer bezels. It replaces the older iPad design’s home button with gestures that only take a short time to learn. You also get a markedly upgraded display that covers much of the DCI-P3 color gamut. But unlike the even-more-expensive iPad Pro, the Air still doesn’t get FaceID—instead, the Touch ID sensor is relocated to the power button atop the iPad. We’ve never had any big complaints about Touch ID in its current implementation, though.

The real star of the iPad Air is the M1 chip, which puts this consumer tablet in the same performance class as the lowest-end MacBook Air as well as the 24-inch iMac. Apple also equipped the Air with 8GB of RAM, making this iPad quite the powerhouse for those who’d like to work, game, or multitask heavily. In the unlikely event that you’re going to do a lot of creative productivity work, it will actually serve you quite well.

Add Apple’s Magic Keyboard or a less expensive, backlit keyboard like Logitech’s Combo Touch to complete the productivity package.

The good

• A display that’s about as good as LCD displays get in this size
• Modern design with slimmed-down bezels
• Supports the latest and greatest Apple Pencil
• M1 processor will serve just about anyone’s tablet needs

The bad

• Optional Magic Keyboard is an ultra-expensive add-on

Budget alternative: iPad 9th generation (2021)

Many people will get by just fine with Apple’s entry-level iPad. Like its pricier cousins, it has an unmatched app ecosystem. Add in Apple’s lengthy software support —usually around four or five years, and even longer for critical security updates—and you’ve got a secure Internet device that bests most of what is offered in the Android camp.

For those who want a tablet for consuming media, web browsing, and occasional productivity, the 9th-generation iPad (2021) is a reliable choice with solid hardware to meet the task. Remnants from Apple’s aging design archives, like the home button and Touch ID, may make the standard iPad look stale compared to other devices in the company’s lineup, but as we noted in our review, Apple “doesn’t skimp on construction and materials, so your hardware still looks and feels nice despite being a bit dated.”

Running on the same A13 chip design as the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro with 3GB RAM and 64GB storage, the 9th-generation iPad will be a smooth operator for most tablet tasks, like watching movies or browsing the web. You’ll need to up the performance to play the latest 3D games, though, and the screen is just fine by today’s standards, whereas the higher-end iPads really up the ante there for HDR movies and the like.

The 12-megapixel front-facing camera supports Center Stage, leveraging artificial intelligence to keep you in the middle of the frame on FaceTime calls. That said, this feature can be a bit wonky at times, so it may not be to everyone’s taste. If you think you’ll do some note-taking, emailing, or document editing, you can add Apple’s $160 Smart Keyboard. Our reviewer preferred Logitech’s $150 Combo Touch keyboard for its superior typing feel, trackpad, and loop to store your Apple Pencil.

A couple of things to note: This iPad uses a Lightning cable to charge (versus newer iPads that use USB-C) and only supports the first-generation Apple Pencil. Rumor has it Lightning may soon be sunsetted in Apple’s lineup, so in that sense, it’s not the most future-proof. Many people will be just as happy with the first-generation Pencil as the newer one, but it’s worth noting that it has a bizarre charging solution that’s a bit unwieldy, and it just doesn’t feel as nice to use on the iPad’s cheaper screen.

The good

• Relatively affordable price
• Access to robust catalog of iPadOS apps
• Support for keyboard, mouse, and Pencil
• Long period of time for software support

The bad

• Charges via Lightning instead of USB-C
• Apple Smart Cover keyboard case is expensive
• The screen is just OK
• Lacks the Mac-like performance of more expensive iPads

Another option for kids: Amazon Fire 7 Kids, Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids

If you have kids between the ages of 3 and 12 and want to spend around $100 on a tablet, Amazon’s Fire tablets have some great options.

The Fire 7 Kids tablet is designed with children in mind. It’s a 7-inch slate with a colorful 1.1-inch thick case and built-in adjustable kickstand, doesn’t have ads, and comes with a two-year “Worry-Free Guarantee.” Amazon says, “If it breaks, return it and we’ll replace it for free.”

It also comes with a one-year Amazon Kids+ subscription with access to a range of kid-centric apps and shows, including original content and some from Disney, Nickelodeon, Lego, PBS, and more. There’s also a set of configurable parental controls. And with 16GB of RAM, USB-C charging, and a microSD card slot, this kid’s tablet checks off a lot of boxes.

For older kids, a slightly larger Fire HD 8 Kids tablet provides more screen canvas for content and up to 13 hours of battery life. The thicker case and slightly heavier weight make the larger variant less ideal for younger children, but you’ll still get access to the same year-long Kids+ subscription, two-year warranty, and access to fun and educational content.

If your child is a little past the age of having a thick, colorful, nearly indestructible case and could benefit from a larger tablet, the regular Fire HD 10 is a great step up. The Fire HD 10 is a more grown-up tablet, lacking the chunky child-proof case of its smaller siblings, though it still comes in fun colors. For that trade-off, you get the larger screen, options for 32GB and 64GB models, and the option for use with a keyboard case that only adds about $30 to the price.

The Fire 7 Kids version is regularly on sale for between $60 and $70, but the full retail cost is $110. It’s still a decent value at full price, but with frequent sales, we’d recommend buying when a discount pops up.

The good

• Excellent warranty
• Frame is bulky but adds to durability
• Pre-loaded educational content

The bad

• Amazon Kids+ subscription limited to one free year

The hybrid alternative: Surface Pro 9

If you want a computer first and a tablet second, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 should be at the top of your list. It has a nice 13-inch screen with an option for a 120 Hz refresh rate, a range of processors and storage configurations to choose from, and access to a robust ecosystem of apps and programs designed for desktop Windows. These features make this tablet one of the best laptop replacements on the market today.

Its iconic form factor integrates a built-in, adjustable kickstand and pairs with a magnetic, optional backlit keyboard cover that could be angled upward for better ergonomics. When the optional keyboard cover is attached and used with the kickstand, it may be an issue for those who like to use their notebooks on their laps.

You can also add the Surface Pen to take notes, sketch, and act as a mouse with right-click functions. For other peripherals, like external displays or portable solid-state drives, the Surface Pro 9 has two Thunderbolt-compatible USB-C ports.

The Surface Pro 9 runs Windows 11, which means it can run any Windows-compatible program, as well as Android apps available on Amazon’s Android app store with the Windows Subsystem for Android support.

The entry-level model (Intel i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, 128GB) is often the same price on sale as the 256GB model, so you can get a little more for your money. From there, you can option the Pro 9 all the way up to an i7 processor with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage, with eight configurations in between. Microsoft also offers a 5G version that comes with a Qualcomm-made Microsoft SQ3 Arm processor.

The good

• Slim tablet that runs Windows 11 with access to complete Windows ecosystem of apps and programs
• Robust multitasking capabilities
• Elegant and premium design
• Choice of Intel or Arm-based processors

The bad

• Keyboard cover is not included in the box
• Lap-comfort issues with kickstand and keyboard cover
• Arm version suffers from some sluggish performance

Best for Android users: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

Samsung’s premium Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is a tablet that does it all, with a spacious 14.6-inch display. And though portability is hindered with such a large screen—don’t be fooled, however, as the Tab S8 Ultra still manages to pack in plenty of features into a slim 5.5 mm form factor—productivity is elevated with a vivid AMOLED display for content consumption, a bundled digital S-Pen stylus for creativity tasks, and Samsung’s One U.I. multitasking software to juggle multiple apps at the same time.

Like the iPad, Samsung’s support for the Android operating system makes the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra a touch-first computing device. And similar to its Apple competitor, you can add Samsung’s Book Cover Keyboard case for productivity. The case includes a trackpad, a kickstand cover for the tablet, and a backlit keyboard, which comes in handy to write notes, compose emails, and enter passwords as a laptop alternative. Where the Galaxy Tab excels is multitasking, and Samsung’s approach to juggling multiple windows simultaneously with its DeX interface combines the best of the iPad and Surface Pro in one slim device.

Like the iPad, you get access to a robust library of mobile, tablet-first apps, but like the Surface Pro, you run multiple resizeable windows simultaneously. In standard Android mode, the tablet can snap together multiple windows on its screen, running them smoothly side by side. This makes the Galaxy Tab S8 one of the closest desktop replacements for a consumer slate that doesn’t run Windows.

For productivity and content consumption, Samsung’s large screen has its advantages, but there are some disadvantages if you prefer to use your device handheld as a tablet. With a wider aspect ratio in landscape mode that allows the tablet to feel like a laptop, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is horrible ergonomically in portrait orientation with a longer, top-heavy screen. This is really a shame, as the bundled pressure-sensitive S-Pen is a joy for drawing, doodling, and note-taking. And even though some users complained about the notch in the display to accommodate the front-facing camera due to the Tab S8 Ultra’s slim bezels, we got used to the peculiar design and weren’t too bothered by it in daily use for video calls; just don’t try to use this unwieldy tablet as a replacement for a camera or smartphone. If you need to use the slate in portrait orientation as a tablet, we’d recommend the standard Galaxy Tab S8 or Galaxy Tab S8+ instead.

The large footprint of the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra allowed Samsung to squeeze in an impressive 11,200mAh battery, which can give the Tab S8 Ultra a range from 8 to 13 hours.

Most users who adopt the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra will find the tablet’s prosumer features appealing. The tablet can serve as a Wacom replacement for digital artists who want to doodle or draw on the large screen. And while Samsung’s One U.I. software can be polarizing—the company’s first-party apps confusingly overlap with native Google offerings—we appreciated that the software was able to truly take advantage of the slate’s hardware and deliver an unrivaled multitasking experience on a mobile device.

If the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is too pricey for your budget, Amazon has recently entered the productivity slate space with its Fire Max 11. Amazon’s tablet ships with an 11-inch screen. Like the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, can be configured with an optional keyboard case with kickstand and pen; the Fire Max 11‘s productivity bundle comes in at a little more than half the cost of Samsung’s 11-inch Galaxy Tab S8 without the keyboard cover for comparison. And while both slates run Android, Amazon uses a forked version of Google’s OS. The retailer also replaced Google’s Play Store with its app store. Unlike Samsung, there’s no DeX equivalent on the Fire Max 11 for those who prefer a desktop-like UI with resizable windows.

The good

• Samsung DeX multitasking mode combines the best of Android and Windows multitasking in a consumer tablet
• Large, vibrant display for entertainment and work
• Access to a large catalog of touch-first Android apps
• Pen is included and can magnetically charge on the tablet

The bad

• Doesn’t run pure Android; comes with Samsung’s One U.I. overlay.
• Keyboard folio case is optional and adds to the cost of the tablet
• Tablet use is awkward with screen aspect ratio that’s too long in portrait mode

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1946193

Brydge, a company that once aimed to make high-quality iPad keyboards that all but transformed them into MacBooks, has gone out of business. The company’s website is just a logo, employees and preordering customers haven’t heard anything in months, and 9to5Mac has a detailed telling of Brydge’s downfall, supported by conversations with nearly a dozen former employees.

You should read the whole investigation if you want to know how badly managed growth, a hostile workplace, the pandemic, and the nerve-wracking nature of trying to work with and alongside Apple led to Brydge’s shuttering. You’ll read about business, leadership, and marketing decisions that, with hindsight, point toward an inevitable conclusion. But there’s also an inside story about what it’s like trying to hitch your wagon to the whims and preferences of the world’s largest technology corporation.

Brydge is best known for making Apple accessories, and particularly keyboard cases for iPads, with a focus on materials, design, and functionality that aimed to go further than Apple’s own accessories. They were made from aluminum, had a more laptop-like hinge, and their keyboards were backlit. In October 2019, Brydge tried to get a six-month jump on Apple by releasing the trackpad-included Pro+ for iPad Pro. Because iPadOS 13 didn’t have native trackpad support—that would arrive with iPadOS 13.4 in March 2020—Brydge’s keyboard used an Assistive Touch accessibility workaround. The trackpad and its implementation disappointed critics like Six Colors’ Jason Snell.

When Apple’s Magic Keyboard arrived in April 2020, it stepped up with not only full trackpad software support and a great Apple-made pad, but multi-finger gestures that Apple wouldn’t offer to Brydge. However, Apple offered them to industry leader Logitech for its Combo Touch Case. Brydge was obviously caught off-guard by Apple and Logitech’s products launching mere months after its own. When Apple reached out to Brydge to offer better access to its trackpad, Brydge gladly accepted—and soon got a lesson in power dynamics, according to 9to5Mac’s sources.

“Apple wanted Brydge to take the lead on unpacking its framework used by the Magic Keyboard in a way that allowed third-party accessory use,” writes Chance Miller. Apple offered support, but Brydge’s questions would trigger questions by Apple as to whether Brydge was a worthwhile partner, and if it needed Apple’s help “too early in the process.” Apple refused to provide debugging tools and would answer questions from engineers with suggestions rather than direct fixes.

All the while, Brydge’s not-quite-fixed Pro+ suffered a return rate of over 20 percent. Brydge could not tell customers about its work with Apple on its trackpad, under a non-disclosure agreement. Full trackpad support shipped in February 2021, nearly a year after Logitech’s and Apple’s products. The company continued to spend marketing money on the Pro+, a vital product that would fund further expansion. Having made it this far into the post, you’re likely aware of how that will work out.

From there, Brydge would hungrily chase acquisition, first by Razer and then Targus, and possibly even Foxconn. High product return rates, exceptionally high employee turnover, and a lot of financial question marks would follow. Employees laid off after one failed acquisition in January are still owed their final payouts, and most people who preordered the ProDock in January have yet to hear anything. Brydge issued a press release that its brand and intellectual property have been “acquired by a third party via a foreclosure process initiated by its senior lender” and has ceased operations.

Once again, you can read more about what happened at 9to5Mac.

Listing image by Brydge

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1937044

With the limited launch today of a new service called Apple Pay Later, Apple will now lend money directly to users through the Wallet app on devices like the iPhone.

We first  heard about the service in 2021, and it was officially announced at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2022. It faced several delays, though, as iOS 16 began to roll out last September.

Now Apple is “inviting select users to access a prerelease version of Apple Pay Later.” The service will roll out to everyone “in the coming months.”

Those who can use it now can apply for loans ranging in amount from $50 to $1,000—but they’ll only be able to spend the lent money with merchants (online or otherwise) that accept Apple Pay.

The loan payoffs will be split into four payments, and users will have six weeks to pay the loans off with no interest. The payments need to be made with a debit card, Apple says.

When users initiate the loan, Apple performs a soft credit check before making an offer. A screen appears on the user’s device that outlines the payment plan. Additionally, there is a screen within the Wallet app wherein users can track their loan balance and future payments on a calendar.

Apple Pay Later builds on Apple’s existing relationship with Mastercard and Goldman Sachs; the service is “enabled through the Mastercard Installments program,” which Apple says allows the service to work immediately with merchants that already accept Apple Pay. “Goldman Sachs is the issuer of the Mastercard payment credential used to complete Apple Pay Later purchases,” Apple says.

That said, Apple formed a subsidiary to finance Apple Pay Later loans—something it didn’t do with Apple Card or Apple Pay before. The subsidiary will start reporting loans to US credit bureaus this fall.

As smartphone adoption has slowed down somewhat recently, Apple has spent several years branching beyond profits based on hardware sales, diversifying within a wide range of services like streaming entertainment, cloud backups, fitness, and financial productions.

Listing image by Apple

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1927427

Feb 14, 2023 Marina Londei News, RSS, Vulnerabilità 0

---

Apple ha rilasciato poche ore fa un aggiornamento di sicurezza per la vulnerabilità zero-day identificata come CVE-2023-23529 e presente in iOS 16.3.1, iPadOS 16.3.1 e macOS Ventura 13.2.1. Ad annunciarlo è stata la stessa azienda con due post sulle pagine ufficiali di supporto.

Come riportato dall’azienda, gli attaccanti, in caso di successo dell’attacco, possono eseguire codice malevolo sui dispositivi compromessi, dopo aver aperto una pagina web dannosa creata ad hoc. Non solo: un attaccante sarebbe in grado anche di accedere ai dati personali dell’utente ed eseguire codice coi privilegi di kernel.

Apple ha affermato che la vulnerabilità potrebbe già essere stata sfruttata dagli attaccanti, ma non ha ancora reso note informazioni più dettagliate sugli eventuali attacchi andati a segno.

I dispositivi vulnerabili

La vulnerabilità impatta molti device dell’azienda, dai più vecchi ai più nuovi; tra questi troviamo tutti i modelli di iPhone dalla versione 8 in poi, tutti i modelli di iPadPro, gli iPad Air dalla terza generazione in poi, gli iPad e gli iPad mini dalla quinta generazione in poi e tutti i Mac con sistema operativo macOS Ventura.

Al momento Apple non ha reso noti ulteriori dettagli sulla falla: l’azienda ha deciso di non divulgare queste informazioni per evitare che altri attaccanti possano sfruttarla, dando tempo agli utenti di aggiornare tutti i loro dispositivi. Per ora sappiamo solo che riguarda Safari WebKit, il motore di rendering del browser di Apple.

Gli utenti sono invitati ad aggiornare i propri dispositivi il prima possibile con la nuova patch e a seguire eventuali indicazioni pubblicate sul blog dell’azienda.

---

---

---

https://www.securityinfo.it/2023/02/14/apple-patch-vulnerabilita-zero-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=apple-patch-vulnerabilita-zero-day