Halide on iOS 18: Unlock Camera Access Directly from the Lock Screen – Finally!

September 16, 2024
Halide, one of my favourite iPhone apps can now be accessed from the lock screen - even when the phone is locked! This is thanks to iOS 18, which allows users to customise the torch and camera shortcut buttons on the lock screen. This is something I’ve wanted for ages, especially when the native iPhone camera app didn’t support shooting in RAW. Now that the default camera app lets you shoot in RAW, I don’t use Halide as much as I used to, but I often switch to it when I need more manual control. There are times when the…

iOS and iPadOS 18 Review by Federico Viticci

September 16, 2024
https://www.macstories.net/stories/ios-and-ipados-18-the-macstories-review/ This is the most definitive review you can read. Reading Federico’s past reviews sparked my love for technology and inspired me to write about it as well. I know what I am reading tonight.

Thoughts on the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, Pro, and 16 Pro Max

September 15, 2024
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus My initial impression of the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus was how great the colours are. They look cheery and vibrant, unlike the dull and muted shades of the iPhone 15. I’d say the colours are better than those on the Pro iPhones, but this has been the case for a while now. My favourite colour is the blue one. Apple, of course, has a different name for it—because “blue” would be too basic. “Ultramarine” is what Apple is calling it, and I think it’s a cool name. In terms of features, this is the…

Thoughts on the new 2024 AirPods

September 14, 2024
AirPods 4 The long stem design of the original AirPods is now gone, and the new AirPods 4 are an iteration of the AirPods 3. The original AirPods, launched in 2017 at £159 in the UK, whereas the new AirPods 4 cost £129 - making the entry price much lower. The case battery life has also been boosted to 30 hours. What’s new with this design is the introduction of ANC (Active Noise Cancellation), meaning there are now two models of AirPods 4 - one without ANC and one with. The ANC model raises the price to £179, but I’m…

Thoughts on the Series 10 Apple Watch and the Ultra 2

September 12, 2024
Apple Watch Series 10 When the Apple Watch was first introduced in 2014, it came in two sizes: 38mm and 42mm. Now, the smallest Apple Watch is 42mm (excluding the Apple Watch SE, which didn’t receive an update this year anyway). I don’t mind the smallest size being 42mm, but with each major design iteration, Apple seems to be increasing the size of the Watch. Where does this end? At what point does the smallest size become too big? On the wrist, every millimetre counts and can make a huge difference on how a watch wears and feels. Apple Watch…

The PS5 Pro: A Costly Upgrade, is it Worth the Price?

September 10, 2024
Sony just announced the mid-generation refresh of the PS5. Geoff Keighley’s tweet gives a very good summary of the three main features of the console. The price is set at £699.99 in the UK, without a disc drive or a vertical stand. I buy a lot of physical games, play them, and either keep them for replaying or sell them. Most of the games I've bought have been sold on Facebook Marketplace. I got a copy of Spider-Man: Miles Morales for £20, played it to completion, and sold it for £20 again ,meaning I didn't spend a penny to play…

A Year with the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: Insights and Impressions

September 4, 2024
Design When the iPhone 15 Pro Max was released last year, I wrote about how it is the nicest-feeling iPhone yet. And, I still think this is the best iteration of the flat-edged iPhone design. The titanium frame and the weight distribution do wonders to the hold-ability of the phone. This is especially noticeable if you're coming from the 14 Pro Max, as the phone does not feel heavy as before. The 15 Pro Max weights 19 grams less than its predecessor, but the distribution of weight on the phone has been refined, and it feels much more comfortable in…

Thank you AnandTech. The Internet will miss you.

August 30, 2024
https://www.anandtech.com/show/21542/end-of-the-road-an-anandtech-farewell I don’t know what else to say. AnandTech is a site I’ve been reading since I first got on the internet and realised that I loved tech. It’s a great, unbiased site on technology, and I will deeply miss it.

Apple announces iPhone event on the 9th of September

August 26, 2024
Apple just sent out invites for the 'It's Glowtime' event. New iPhones and Apple Watches are coming. It's happening! I upgrade my iPhone every year, and I've gotten to the point where a new iPhone doesn't really excite me. But upgrading yearly feels like a tradition at this point. Since the iPhone 6S Plus, I have always gone for the "plus" sized iPhone, except the iPhone X- it wasn't the biggest iPhone when it launched. The 8 Plus also launched that same year, and it was had a wider display. The rumour is that the Pro phones are even getting…