Macworld (November 2023)

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NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 3 NOVEMBER 2023CONTENTS INCORPORATING MACUSER COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF APPLE MACUSER macOS 14 Sonoma is here, but these features are coming later 7 Add widgets to the Sonoma Desktop 9 Safari 17: Everything you need to know about the new features 13 Intel announces Thunderbolt 5 16 MacUser Reviews 19 Hot Stuff 26 iOSCENTRAL 3 new Apple features I’d literally be lost without 31 How to customize StandBy for the perfect full-screen experience 34 How to create and customize your Contact Poster in iOS 17 37 iOS 17: Crosswords with Apple News+ 39 RIP Lightning 42 iOS Central Reviews 45 WORKINGMAC Three overlooked Apple apps 71 Need help from Apple? Don’t go to social media 75 macOS Sonoma: Using web apps 77 Insert fractions in Word and Pages 82 PLAYLIST Sonos Move 2 review 87 PreSonus Eris HD10BT review 94 Review: Final Audio ZE8000 98 iOS 17: How to set and adjust crossfade in Apple Music 104 Apple connects Podcasts app with Music, News+, and other subscriptions 106 HELPDESK Find a picture that appears in a Photos memory; Share raw and HEIC photos from your iPhone; Set Messages to auto-reply while driving; What does ‘Allow More Data on 5G’ do an iPhone? 109 iPhone 15 Pro Max review 50 watchOS 10 rethinks Apple Watch 64

4 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 MASTHEAD EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Matt Egan EDITOR IN CHIEF, CONSUMER BRANDS Jon Phillips DESIGN DIRECTOR Robert Schultz EXECUTIVE EDITOR Michael Simon Editorial SENIOR EDITOR Roman Loyola STAFF WRITER Jason Cross SENIOR CONTRIBUTORS Glenn Fleishman, Rob Griffiths, Joe Kissell, Kirk McElhearn, John Moltz, Dan Moren, Jason Snell COPY EDITOR Gail Nelson-Bonebrake Design ART DIRECTOR Steve Traynor DESIGNER Rob Woodcock Advertising SALES INQUIRIES www.foundryco.com/contact-us/ INTERNATIONAL DATA GROUP CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Walter Boyd FOUNDRY CEO Kumaran Ramanathan

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 5 HOW TO CONTACT MACWORLD SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES Access your subscription account online—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—at http://go.macworld.com/mwcs. You can use online subscription services to view your account status, change your address, pay your bill, and renew your subscription. To get answers to frequently asked questions, visit macworld.com/faq. To report a missing issue or other problem, please email [email protected]. To start subscribing, visit macworld.com/subscribe. U.S. MAIL Macworld Subscriptions Department 501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107 (If you are writing about an existing account, please include your name and the email address at which you subscribe.) EMAIL [email protected] (Send your full name and the email address at which you subscribe.) The one-year (12-issue) subscription rate is $34.97; the two-year rate, $59.97; and the three-year rate, $79.97. Checks must be made payable in U.S. currency to Macworld. Please allow 3 to 6 weeks for changes to be made to an existing subscription. MACWORLD EDITORIAL The editors of Macworld welcome your tips, compliments, and complaints. Some stories and reviews from past issues can be located at www.macworld.com. We are unfortunately unable to look up stories from past issues; recommend products, or diagnose your Mac problems by phone or email. You can contact Apple toll-free, at 800/538-9696, or visit the company’s website, at www.apple.com. HOW TO CONTACT MACWORLD STAFF Our offices are located at 501 Second Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107; phone, 415/243-0505; fax, 415/512-7130. Macworld staff can be reached by email at [email protected]. BACK ISSUES OF MACWORLD Starting with the June 2003 Macworld, back issues can be downloaded in digital format, from www.zinio.com ($6.99; Mac OS X 10.1 or later required). REPRINTS AND PERMISSIONS You must have permission before reproducing any material from Macworld. Send email to [email protected]; please include a phone number. MAILING LISTS We periodically make lists of our customers available to mailers of goods and services that may interest you. If you do not wish to receive such mailings, write to us at Macworld, 501 2nd Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94107, or email us at support@ macworld.zendesk.com. PUBLICATION INFORMATION November 2023, Volume 40, Issue 11 Macworld is a publication of Foundry and International Data Group, Inc. Macworld is an independent journal not affiliated with Apple, Inc. © 2023 by Foundry (formerly IDG Communications, Inc.). All rights reserved. Create, Playlist, Mac User, Macworld, and the Macworld logo are registered trademarks of International Data Group, Inc., and used under license by Foundry. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.

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IMAGE: APPLE NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 7 M acOS Sonoma is here (fave. co/42cIBqT) and it brings a bunch of new features, such as desktop widgets (fave. co/3RzYK87), a new Lock Screen (fave. co/3taQT6Z), Game Mode (fave. co/3RCyycY), pet recognition in Photos, Mail updates, and a lot more. However, several features that Apple showcased at WWDC this past June won’t be available in the first release of Sonoma. As is the case for iOS 17, some features won’t be available until a future update later this year or in early 2024. Here’s a list of features to look forward to in macOS Sonoma. APPLE MUSIC macOS Sonoma has plenty of Desktop Widgets you can use, but the Music widget isn’t available yet. It allows users to control playback from the Music app, as well as show a dynamic list of the top charts and recommendations. macOS 14 Sonoma is here, but these features are coming later A few features will arrive in OS updates. BY ROMAN LOYOLA MACUSER News and analysis about Macs, macOS, and Apple

8 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 MACUSER MACOS SONOMA FEATURES TO COME Other Music features that will come at a later date: Playlist collaboration: Friends can put together a playlist and add, reorder, and remove songs. You can use emoji to react to songs. Favorite Songs playlist: This is just what it sounds like, a playlist of your favorite songs. You can ask Siri to play it. Favorites in Library: Your favorite songs, artists, and playlists are automatically added to your Library. MESSAGES Messages offers a bunch of new features, such as swipe to reply, verification code auto-delete, and enhanced audio messages. But these three features won’t be available until later: Stickers: A Sticker drawer will have Live Stickers, Memoji, or Animoji that you can use to react to a message. Catch-up Arrow: In a group conversation, an arrow appears in the top right corner. Tap it and you’ll jump to the first unread message. iCloud improvements: Messages in iCloud will be able to sync settings such as Text Message Forwarding, Send & Receive accounts, and SMS filters across devices. PDFS When you open a PDF, the Intelligent form detection can automatically identify PDFs with a field that needs to be filled out. Enhanced AutoFill can sense fields such as names and addresses and quickly populate them—but it won’t be available until a future update. INLINE PREDICTIVE TEXT When using English, Sonoma can provide single and multi-word predictions for text fields, based on what you are typing. You can then accept the predictive text suggestion by pressing the space bar. Like iOS 17, the feature is delayed until later this year. ■ In a later update to macOS Sonoma, group messages will have a catch-up arrow to take the user to the first unread message.

IMAGE: APPLE NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 9 T he key new feature in macOS Sonoma is the ability to add widgets to the Desktop. They’re no longer banished to the notification shade that slides open when you click on the time in the menu bar. In Sonoma, widgets can exist anywhere on the Desktop, so you can see them all the time. This new widget implementation gives you instant access to the information you need. Let’s look at how to add widgets to your Desktop. Check out our macOS Sonoma guide (fave.co/42cIBqT) for more information about the latest version of the Mac operating system. How to add widgets to the macOS Sonoma Desktop Widgets provide quick access to the information you need. BY ROMAN LOYOLA

10 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 MACUSER ADD WIDGETS TO SONOMA DESKTOP 1. EDIT WIDGETS When you first install macOS Sonoma, you can find your widgets as before by clicking the date and time in the menu bar. In the sidebar that appears, you’ll find a tab for the new Desktop widgets. You can click it to get started, but if you don’t see that section, just click Edit Widgets at the bottom of the column. You can also Control-click (or twofinger tap on a trackpad) on the Finder and select Edit Widgets in the pop-up menu. 2. PICK YOUR WIDGETS The widget browser will appear from the bottom of the screen. Peruse the browser until you find the widget you want. You’ll find that widgets are available in different sizes and styles. For example, the Clock widget has options for displaying the time in a different city, or options for a World Clock. 3. PLACE A WIDGET To place a widget, you can click and then drag the widget wherever you want on the Desktop. Or you can click it and it automatically appears in the upper left of the Desktop; you can then click and drag to move it. 1. 2.

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 11 4. CUSTOMIZE YOUR WIDGETS After you’ve placed a widget, it can be adjusted at any time. > You can move it by clicking and dragging. > Control-click on a widget for a pop-up menu to adjust its size or remove it. > Some widgets allow you to click on them to open the full app or to access an expanded interface. Some widgets, such as the Podcast widget, have a limited set of controls within the widget that you can use so the full app doesn’t have to be opened. If you drag a file, folder, or other item to the Desktop and on top of a widget, macOS places the item in the closest available Desktop space. It does not launch the file in the widget’s app. 5. WIDGET SETTINGS IN DESKTOP & DOCK The Desktop & Dock system setting has a few helpful options. Show widgets: Maybe y don’t want widgets at all on the Desktop. The Desktop section of this setting has a place where you can turn them off with the flip of a switch. Widget style: In the Widgets section of this setting, you have 3. 4.

12 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 MACUSER ADD WIDGETS TO SONOMA DESKTOP various options to adjust the color and appearance of widgets: > Automatic: Adjusts the appearance between Full-color and Monochrome. When you’re in the Finder, widgets appear as Full-color. Widgets will dim to Monochrome whenever you are in an app, and you can see the Finder in the background. > Monochrome: Displays the widget as it looks when it’s dimmed all the time, even while in the Finder. > Full-color: Displays the full set of colors all the time, even when widgets are in the background. Use iPhone widgets: This provides the option to allow or not allow iPhone widgets. The iPhone needs to be on the same Wi-Fi network or nearby for widgets to update. 6. ON EVERY DESKTOP If you like to use multiple Desktops, know that widgets will appear on all Desktops. For example, if you create a second Desktop in Mission Control, when you switch back and forth between the two, your widgets follow you. During the Sonoma beta period, Apple did not provide a way to assign widgets to specific Desktops. Whether Apple will provide this feature is unknown. ■ 5. 6.

IMAGE: APPLE NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 13 A pple’s built-in browser might be the most frequently used app on your Mac (yes, even more than the Finder, super Mac geeks). So Apple always adds helpful new features to Safari, its browser. In version 17, available with macOS Sonoma or as a separate download for macOS Ventura and Monterey, Safari helps you be more productive and secure, and it’s available for macOS Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma. Let’s take a look at the new features. WEB APPS Safari for Mac has finally caught up with iOS and iPadOS, which have had this feature for a while. A web app is basically Safari 17: Everything you need to know about the new features In Sonoma, Ventura, and Monterey, Safari helps you be more productive and secure. BY ROMAN LOYOLA

14 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 MACUSER SAFARI 17 a website saved as a self-contained app that appears in the Dock. Just click on its icon to launch it. We have a separate guide to web apps in macOS Sonoma (see page 77) that details how to make and manage them. PROFILES With a profile, you can set up separate browsing sessions based on topics. For example, you can set up a Work profile for all the sites that you use for your job, and you can then set up a separate Personal profile for when you’re using the web on your own time. You can get more specific with your profiles if you want, say, a profile for making travel plans, or another for your hobby. We have a separate guide to profiles in Safari with instructions (fave. co/3LC92kf) on how to set them up. PRIVATE BROWSING ENHANCEMENTS When you open a private window, fave. co/3rx8yFq (File → New Private Window, or Shift+Command+N), it opens a browser window that does not save the details of your session (such as the history), nor does it share the session with your other Apple devices. This has long been a part of Safari’s Private Browsing, but Apple has made a few more enhancements in version 17. Locked Private Browsing: When a private window isn’t being used (you step away from your Mac, for example), the window locks, and its contents are hidden. To open the window, you must enter the password of the active user account. Link tracking protection: Websites often use trackers in links, but now when you use Private Browsing (as well as links shared in Messages and Mail), the trackers are removed. Advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection: This prevents known trackers from loading on pages and from identifying your device. You can adjust this setting in Safari → Settings → Advanced, then check the box for “Use advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection.” You can always set it to work always or just when using Private Browsing. Extensions are turned off by default: Browser extensions can be turned on by going to Safari → Settings → Extensions and selecting the extension in the left column. Then in the main section, look for a setting checkbox for Allow in Private Browsing and check the box. MULTITAB SELECTION Multiple tabs can be selected by holding down the Shift key and clicking on each tab. Once you have your tabs selected, Control+click, and a pop-up will appear with options on what you can do.

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 15 FAVORITES BAR FAVICONS Before version 17, the Favorites bar showed links with just text labels. Now, a favicon is included so you can quickly spot the link. DESKTOP READING LIST WIDGET One of the key new features of macOS Sonoma is Desktop Widgets. Among the widgets you can use is a Reading List widget, which lets you access your Safari Reading List on the Desktop. Learn how to add widgets to the macOS Sonoma Desktop (fave. co/3RzYK87). PRIVACY PROTECTIONS FOR APP EXTENSIONS Per-site privacy settings are now available for app extensions, in addition to web extensions. ONE-TIME VERIFICATION CODE AUTOFILL WITH APPLE MAIL When you get a one-time verification code in Apple Mail, Safari can now grab that code for use in the browser. ■ After selecting tabs, you can open them in a new window, create a Tab Group, and do other tasks. Among the new Desktop widgets in macOS Sonoma is one for Safari’s Reading List.

16 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 MACUSER IMAGE: INTEL I ntel has just announced Thunderbolt 5 (fave.co/457JfYd), a new update to the Thunderbolt specification that doubles the bidirectional bandwidth to 80 Gbps (Thunderbolt 4 supports up to 40 Gbps). A feature called Bandwidth Boost provides up to 120 Gbps for video content. The standard is built on USB4 V2, DisplayPort 2.1, and PCI Express Gen 4 and is fully compatible with previous Thunderbolt versions. This performance is achieved using a new signaling technology called PAM-3, which should enable today’s printed circuit boards and passive cables (up to 1 meter) to achieve this performance. Apple includes Thunderbolt 4 connectors on many Mac computers and the iPad Pro, and it’s expected that future models will support Thunderbolt 5. Intel’s Intel announces Thunderbolt 5 with double the bandwidth The new standard will likely be available on Macs in 2024 or 2025. BY JASON CROSS

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 17 Intel’s comparison image shows the use cases supported by Thunderbolt 5 compared to Thunderbolt 4. Thunderbolt 5 offers up to 120 Gbps for video content. press release says, “Computers and accessories based on Intel’s Thunderbolt 5 controller, code-named Barlow Ridge, are expected to be available starting in 2024.” It’s unlikely that Apple will ship a product using its own controller before then, so it’s going to be at least 2024 and possibly 2025 before we see Macs or other Apple products with Thunderbolt 5 ports. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models feature 10 Gbps USB-C, not Thunderbolt 4. ■

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IMAGE: LIMINK NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 19 MAC MONITORS LIMINK AL ALLOY PORTABLE TRIPLE MONITOR (LK14) BY SIMON JARY While it is easy to connect external displays to your MacBook for expanded desk-based screen space, you can’t easily take this set up on the road with you or pack it neatly away in a drawer. The Limink Al Alloy Portable Triple Monitor (LK14; fave.co/3Zwdas1) is a foldable package weighing 3.3 pounds (1.5kg) that physically attaches to your MacBook to add a 14-inch 1080p HD screen to each side of the laptop screen. The Latest Mac Products Reviewed & Rated REVIEWS MACUSER

20 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 MACUSER REVIEW: LIMINK AL ALLOY PORTABLE TRIPLE MONITOR DESIGN We’ve tested some screen extenders that hang off one side of the laptop and look rather strange and lopsided, like a motorbike with a dangling sidecar. The LK14 is a much more symmetrical screen setup and looks impressive sitting next to a standard one-screen MacBook. The aluminum looks don’t detract from the Apple aesthetic, and the whole package is not as heavy or bulky as you might expect. The second and third screens measure 14 inches diagonally, and the system is compatible with 13-inch to 16-inch MacBooks. I tested it with a 14-inch MacBook Pro. Attaching the screens is easy. Simply unfold the screens, rotate a couple of metal clips at the top, pull a ring to force the stand to expand to fit the laptop screen, and snap into place. Then connect the required cables from the MacBook to each screen. Finally, go into your System Settings → Displays to arrange the screens in the right order and set the resolution of each screen (1). If you want the three screens to flow seamlessly together, you’ll need to make sure they are not set as separate Spaces; see our guide to how to set up two Mac monitors as a single screen (fave.co/48zESbi). The LK14 comes with a bunch of cables: two USB-C to USB-C, and two HDMI to Mini 1. Connect each side screen to your MacBook with a USB-C cable to the Thunderbolt port.

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 21 HDMI cables. There are also USB-C to USB-A cables in case you need to power the screens with a source other than the laptop, but MacBooks with three Thunderbolt ports should be fine with connecting just via USB-C, leaving one Thunderbolt port on the laptop free for power or a docking station. The USB-C cables are over 1m long and therefore hang around the back of the screens—they don’t get in the way but could surely have been shorter to reduce clutter, albeit unseen. The stand is adjustable and firm. I preferred to use my laptop stand, and the LK14 didn’t unbalance when atop it. After use, the MacBook can be quickly released, and the LK14 easily folded up and put away. It even comes with an attractive leather protection cover. PERFORMANCE The screens are not as sharp and clear as the MacBook’s own—available resolutions cover a range including 960×540, 1920×1080, 1600×900, or 1280×720 at 60Hz—but they are better than some other rival portable screens that we have tested. The 14-inch size is enough to host even quite dense spreadsheets, browser windows or other applications. Using the LK14 setup during a video call is a great use case. Leave the MacBook’s screen for the Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet window, and you can keep supporting apps open on either side. You can control the Brightness, Contrast, Black Level, ECO (Standard, Games, Movie or Text modes), DCR (Dynamic Contrast Ratio), image aspect ration, color temperature, language, Signal Source, Low Blue Light, and Freesync via a small wheel at the top of each external screen. Each extra screen has a brightness of 350-400 nits, compared to the peak MacBook brightness of 500 nits for standard SDR content. As with an external display, you can set extra screens to either mirror your laptop’s screen or extend it for more real estate.

22 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 MACUSER REVIEW: LIMINK AL ALLOY PORTABLE TRIPLE MONITOR As with an external display, you can set the extra screens to either mirror your laptop’s screen or extend it for extra real estate. For example, in Slide Show mode presentations can be split across the two screens—one showing the full-screen slides and the other for the presenter with the next slide and notes. Just click Swap Displays in PowerPoint, depending on how you want it. PRICE AND AVAILABILITY The Limink Al Alloy Portable Triple Monitor (LK14) is available in the U.S. and Canada at $699.99, and fits 13-, 14-, 15-, and i6-inch laptops. Plain non-Pro/Max M1 and M2 Macs are limited to connecting just a single monitor, but you can connect two displays to an M1 or M2 Mac (fave.co/3RbaED1) with some software and hardware solutions if you want to use the LK14 with M1/M2 MacBooks. VERDICT It’s not a cheap accessory, but having the option of two HD screens added to your MacBook’s integrated screen offers multitasking functionality on a grand scale. While a desktop solution with larger external displays offers far greater screen real estate potential, the LK15 can be attached and detached with ease and stored away when not in use. If you want a permanent large screen at home or in the office, buy a bigger external display. See our recommended best monitors for Mac (fave. co/435WyIB). But if you need a more portable solution that’s perfect for videoconferencing or working in multiple applications, the Limink LK14 is a premium, neat, and easy-touse, if pricey, solution. ■ mmmm Limink Al Alloy Portable Triple Monitor (LK14 PROS • Adds two 14-inch screens. • Portable. • Easy setup. CONS • HD screens, not 4K. PRICE $699 COMPANY Limink The aluminum looks don’t detract from the Apple aesthetic.

IMAGE: MCAFEE NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 23 ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE MCAFEE TOTAL PROTECTION BY CHRIS BARYLICK For years, the name McAfee has been synonymous with antiviral and security software. Its Total Protection suite for the macOS continues to be steadily updated (currently version 4.19.0.0) and offers a good suite of anti-viral, antimalware, identity protection, VPN, and scheduling tools. As expected, Total Protection’s bread and butter of antiviral and anti-malware tools remains ever present, and it’s easy to download the software, install it, give it its requisite access to your hard drive through the macOS Privacy and Security settings, update the virus definitions, and go from there.

24 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 MACUSER REVIEW: MCAFEE TOTAL PROTECTION The software allows you to perform a full scan of your hard drive as well as scan custom locations such as external volumes, schedule scan times, and control the actions of what Total Protection does when it finds suspect files, such as notifying you, quarantining them, or deleting the files. A real-time background scanning feature not only comes in handy but is able to catch suspect files as they surface and then offers you a choice as to what to do with the detected files. During my tests, it located and quarantined two suspected virus files I didn’t know about, thereby earning its keep. Total Protection’s ID Protection tool may be spartan, but it’s still effective. The program compares your email address to known data and password breaches, then offers a detailed view as to what information may have been compromised. It can’t fix the past, but it can tell you which of your subscriptions have been compromised and which passwords to reset. Where network security is concerned, Total Protection adds a reliable firewall and allows you to quickly set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) through its Secure VPN feature. This allows you to customize your location and functions as a basic VPN for when you might have to access a public Wi-Fi network or hotspot on the road. Devoted VPN clients offer additional features and customization, but this can work in situations where you’re on the road and have to hop online safely. McAfee still offers its WebAdvisor web browser extensions for free outside of the Total Protection suite, and they act as a filter but will need to be downloaded and installed separately from the Total Protection package. McAfee’s Total Protection package extends up to five devices on one account, so it’s easy to add the app to other Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Androidbased phones and tablets as needed, then log into your account on those devices. The software allows you to scan the wireless network you may be on and McAfee Total Protection locates two suspect files during a background scan.

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 25 gauges your security, offering suggestions as to how to improve it if needed. When we reviewed the previous version in 2021, McAfee Total Protection felt laggy when initially launched, and this hasn’t changed. While the software is quick and responsive after initially loading, this felt out of place on an M2-based MacBook Pro. The largest caveat is the fact that downloading and installing a 30-day free trial of the software requires you to not only create an account but also requires you to enter your credit or debit card information. Once this account has been created, you face the fine print, which can be found here (fave. co/48BMU3F). McAfee also makes it difficult to cancel your subscription, and you’ll have to go to this page (fave.co/3Zz8fq4) to turn off the auto-renewal function, which then generates two screens in which they cite the attributes of the program and make sure you want to stay. Should you decide to stay with Total Protection, the software will cost you $39.99/£34.99 (fave.co/3RFftqW, fave.co/3RGcOgC) for the first year, and will offer protection for up to five devices. After the first year that price goes up to $119.99/£95.99 a year. Alternatively, in the UK you can sign up for two years and pay £69.99 upfront. This deal doesn’t appear to be available in the U.S., unfortunately. VERDICT Total Protection spots and eradicates a wide range of potential threats and unwanted software activity, and it can cover mobile devices as well as Macs and PCs. We did notice an impact on our Mac’s performance during our tests, but overall it did its job well and was usually unobtrusive. ■ mmmm McAfee Total Protection PROS • Good, customizable set of security tools for multiple devices. • Background scanning feature comes in handy. CONS • Program feels laggy when initially launched • McAfee demands your credit or debit card to create an account and download and use the software, even on a 30-day trial basis. PRICE From $39 COMPANY McAfee Secure VPN setup in Total Protection.

26 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 MACUSER What we’re raving about Hot Stuff this month SATECHI VEGANLEATHER MAGNETIC WALLET STAND satechi.com Apple’s FineWoven alternative to leather has proven to have some serious flaws. Vegan leather, however, is a tried-and-true material, and Satechi’s Wallet Stand is a better investment over the long haul than Apple’s FiveWoven Wallet. It has the same functionality, with the bonus of being able to serve as an iPhone stand. The Apple Store online actually offers exclusive colors of the Wallet Stand that you won’t find on Satechi’s website.

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 27 WITHINGS BODY SCAN withings.com The Body Scan takes the idea of a weight scale to a whole new level. Step on it, and its sensors can check electrodermal activity, as well as your heart health with its built-in ECG. It has a special handle that you hold to help the scale determine your fat and muscle mass in your arms, legs, and torso. It can connect to an iPhone app so you can track all your health data. And it can check your weight, too.

28 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 MACUSER RAY BAN META SMART GLASSES meta.com The Smart Glasses have been updated with a better 12-megapixel camera that can shoot 1080p video, and a fivemicrophone array to record those special moments without you needing to hold up you iPhone. For social media influencers, Smart Glasses can be used to stream in real-time to Instagram or Facebook. The glasses also have speakers placed over your ears, so you don’t have to put in your AirPods. —ROMAN LOYOLA Hot Stuff

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IMAGE: BODNAR.PHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 31 iOSCENTRAL The latest on iOS, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and App Store A h, autumn: The time of year when hot summer days turn to crisp fall ones, leaves are burnished in shades of red and gold, and pumpkin spice begins its inexorable creep back into all our lives. But if you breathe deep, you can just barely smell something else in the air: fresh Apple software updates. Yes, Apple in September dropped a slew of revisions to almost all of its major platforms. You’ve no doubt already read of contact posters, new widget interfaces, and FaceTime on the Apple TV 4K, but I 3 new Apple features I’d literally be lost without iOS 17 and watchOS 10 get new features to help you find your way (and your remote). BY DAN MOREN

32 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 iOSCENTRAL 3 NEW FEATURES I’D LITERALLY BE LOST WITHOUT only does this feature work really well, but Apple has also provided an uncharacteristic amount of control over exactly how it functions, including letting you bookmark specific areas, easily and automatically update those maps, and even opt to use those maps when you’re still connected. But it can be a little difficult to find: It’s all squirreled away behind your profile picture in the Maps app. While there are a few places in the U.S. that I do travel to that have limited connectivity, one place I really foresee taking advantage of this is traveling abroad. Because it’s not limited purely to maps but also includes directions, estimated arrival times, and public transit information, it’s incredibly handy for getting around without having to spend a fortune wanted to take a few moments to wax rhapsodic about a few of my favorite overlooked features—and, specifically, features that help you not overlook things. Because this year’s updates all provide better ways to navigate the world around us, and even without a second-generation ultrawideband chip, you can still find exactly what you’re looking for. 1. NO GRID, NO PROBLEM For those of us of a certain age, it’s funny to look back at a time when we couldn’t rely on a device in our pocket to tell us where to go—unless that “device” was a gigantic folded-up piece of paper called a map. Nowadays, we’re so reliant on our devices to get to our destinations that it’s a real shock when we end up someplace where we can’t rely on them. Apple has finally addressed this omission in iOS 17 with offline maps, which let you download portions of its mapping data for reference even when you don’t have a network connection. Not iOS 17 introduces offline maps.

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 33 on international data plans or local SIMs. So maybe getting lost really is a thing of the past. 2. WALK THIS WAY I enjoy a good walk, especially when I’m exploring a new city, but it’s a pain to have to constantly pull out my phone and check Maps—not to mention the risk of looking like a tourist. The Apple Watch has long had walking directions, of course, but I’ve always felt like they weren’t particularly useful, cueing you only to the next turn you were going to take, with little context about your surroundings. In watchOS 10, Maps’ walking directions have gotten a significant and much-needed overhaul and it’s simply great. Rather than just providing text for your next turn, your Apple Watch will actually show you a bird’s-eye view of the map and your route along it. It’s a great use of the bigger and better display on recent Apple Watches and a far more useful way to navigate by foot. There’s no longer any need to pull out your phone. During the beta period, I was traveling in a city I’d never been to before, and used my Watch for walking directions between a couple of locations. Not only was it far more useful than relying on my phone, but somehow, unlike the previous version of this feature, it felt, well, futuristic. 3. REMOTELY INTERESTING If you’re an Apple TV user, one thing is for certain: You have misplaced your remote. That’s nothing to be ashamed about. It’s small and it fits perfectly between couch cushions, and if you happen to have an enterprising toddler in the house, that’s the best-case scenario—don’t ask me how I know. With iOS 17 and tvOS 17 installed, you can finally track down that errant little slab of silver with the Find Remote feature. It’s a little tricky to find: You need to open the Apple TV Remote from Control Center, select the name of your Apple TV at the top, and then tap the Find button that appears. Then you’ll be taken to an AirTag-like interface where you’re told, Grover-style, whether you’re far from or near the remote. Haptics cue your progress until you’re alerted that the remote is “here” and prompted to look around. Without an ultrawideband chip, this process isn’t as precise as with an AirTag, and the Siri Remote doesn’t have a built-in speaker to play sounds helping you zero in on its exact location, but at least it helps you narrow it down. On the very day Apple’s software came out, I used this feature to track down my remote, you guessed it, between the couch cushions. Honestly, I should probably just start by looking there. ■

34 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 iOSCENTRAL IMAGE: APPLE A pple has created an all-new “charging stand” experience for iPhones with iOS 17. Branded StandBy, this new feature turns your iPhone into a pseudo-smart-home hub whenever it is connected to power and turned to landscape orientation. You can view a digital photo album, see the time and date, and access widgets for weather, Home, and more. The feature works with any iPhone that runs iOS 17—all you have to do is turn it landscape (sideways) while connected to power, either plugged in or using wireless charging. On iPhones without an always-on display, your StandBy experience will be limited as the screen goes black after a few minutes, just as it always does. So this really seems like a feature aimed at those who have a Pro iPhone with an always-on display. How to customize StandBy for the perfect full-screen experience How to use StandBy in iOS 17 to display the time, photos, and other widgets on your iPhone when it’s not in use. BY JASON CROSS

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 35 ENABLE STANDBY StandBy is enabled by default in iOS 17, but if you need to make sure it’s turned on (or you want to turn it off), open Settings and choose StandBy. There are other useful features here, like the ability to hide Notifications (critical notifications will still display), enable or disable always-on display, and turn the Night Mode on or off. Night Mode gives the screen a dim red tint in ambient light, which is ideal if your phone is on your bedside table. SWIPE THROUGH DISPLAY LAYOUTS To use StandBy, just have your phone plugged in or on a wireless charger and turn it to landscape orientation while at the lock screen. It might take a few seconds for StandBy to kick in, so don’t worry if it doesn’t turn on immediately. The default StandBy screen shows a clock on the left and a calendar on the right. These are actually stacks of widgets—swipe up and down to go through them. If you swipe left on the screen, you’ll see a full-screen smart photo album. Swiping up and down cycles through the images. Swipe left again to enter the full-screen clock mode. Swiping up and down changes the clock type to one of five designs. CUSTOMIZE WIDGETS, PHOTOS, AND CLOCKS In any view, a long press allows you to customize further. On the widgets display, for example, long-press on either the left or right side to choose which widgets are included in each stack. You can also choose to enable or disable Smart Rotate and widget suggestions. This is where the real power of StandBy will be realized, as third-party developers will be able to make widgets optimized for the StandBy view. On the photos display, long-press to choose which photo types you want to display, and you can even add a folder from your Photos collection. The clock display doesn’t have as The default StandBy screen shows a clock on the left and a calendar on the right.

36 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 iOSCENTRAL iOS 17: HOW TO CUSTOMIZE STANDBY many options. It’s limited to changing color themes for each clock face. HOW TO CHOOSE THE CORRECT TIME FOR THE CLOCK IN STANDBY MODE If you find that the clock isn’t showing the correct time, follow these steps: 1. Long-press the clock in Standby mode. 2. Tap the plus sign (+) in the top left of the next screen. 3. Add the clock widget with the correct time to the list. This will now be the default clock. SIRI AND APP INTEGRATION StandBy isn’t all clocks and widgets! There are StandBy-optimized visual experiences for several of the things your iPhone can do. Start playing music, for example, and you’ll see a little animated waveform icon at the top of your StandBy display. Tapping this opens a music view that lets you control playback. Siri is a big part of the StandBy experience, too. With iOS 17, you no longer have to say “Hey”—it’s just “Siri” now—and the voice recognition model is a lot smarter. If your iPhone is in StandBy mode, there are new information displays for common Siri responses like weather, calendar events, reminders, and so on. It seems clear that StandBy is laying the groundwork for a future Apple product that integrates HomePod with a display, either built in or by docking your iPhone or iPad. Even if that doesn’t come, it’s a useful new display that makes us want a MagSafe charging stand (fave.co/3vXHzkx) more than ever before. ■ StandBy has new visualizations for common Siri functions. There are visualizations for music playback, timers, and other functions.

IMAGE: FOUNDRY NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 37 i OS 17 has arrived, and one of its coolest new features is the Contact Poster. It’s a large-screen visual you can customize—similar to your Lock Screen—that displays on other iPhone users’ screens when you call them or when they display your contact information. Apple’s making it easy to share it with others…you can swap Contact Posters just by holding the top of your iPhone next to someone else’s for a few seconds using Apple’s NameDrop feature. But first, you’ll need to get started by making your Contact Poster look just the way you want. Here’s how. 1. OPEN YOUR CONTACT CARD First, you need to open your Contact Card. There are several ways to do this— including tapping on the Contacts tab in How to create and customize your Contact Poster in iOS 17 It’s an all-new way to express yourself to those you call or message. BY JASON CROSS

38 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 iOSCENTRAL iOS 17: CREATE AND CUSTOMIZE A CONTACT POSTER like Messages. Tap Edit to change your Contact Poster and Contact Photo. On this screen, you can also disable name and photo sharing, edit how your name will appear, and choose whether to automatically share your contact poster with your contacts or to always ask if you want to share it. 3. CUSTOMIZE YOUR CONTACT POSTER To edit the current Contact Poster and Contact Photo, tap Customize. To create a new Contact Poster and Contact Photo pair, tap the Plus icon. Then choose the type of poster you wish to make: Camera (to take a new photo), Photos (to select from your existing photos), Memoji (choose an existing Memoji or Animoji, or create a new one), or Monogram (just your name and initials). When editing your Contact Poster, swipe left and right to change between filters, use two fingers to zoom, pan, and crop your image, and tap your name to adjust the font’s style, boldness, and color. ■ 1. 2. 3. the Phone app or opening the Contacts app. Whichever way you get there, your Contact should be at the top of the list. Tap it to open it. 2. OPEN CONTACT PHOTO & POSTER Underneath your main contact image and contact methods, you’ll see Contact Photo & Poster. Tap that. On the Contact Photo and Poster screen, you’ll see an animation that shows what your contact poster will look like during a call, in Contacts, and your round Contact Photo used in places

IMAGE: CLAUDIO DIVIZIA/SHUTTERSTOCK NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 39 W ith iOS 17 (fave.co/3swAnhn) and macOS Sonoma (fave. co/42cIBqT), Apple News+ subscribers (fave.co/ 3PXJVv4) get a new perk: a daily crossword puzzle built right into the News app. In fact, they get two: a standard one and a 5×5 mini. It’s a nice addition and a mainstay of traditional newspapers, but it’s not front and center when you open the News app, so you need to know where to look for it. Here’s how to find the Crosswords in the News app on iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma. 1. OPEN NEWS AND SELECT THE FOLLOWING TAB When you first open the News app, you won’t see any mention of crossword iOS 17: How to play daily crosswords with Apple News+ Your Apple News+ subscription includes a full-size and mini crossword every day. BY JASON CROSS

40 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 iOSCENTRAL iOS 17: PLAY DAILY CROSSWORDS 4. MACOS SONOMA: JUST CHECK THE SIDEBAR! In MacOS Sonoma, you’ll find Puzzles right there in the sidebar. Just select it and choose which crossword you would like to play. ■ puzzles or anything like that. Tap the Following tab. 2. SELECT PUZZLES At the top of the Following tab, select Puzzles. The only puzzles on offer are crosswords, but it’s interesting that it is labeled Puzzles, isn’t it? Apple is leaving room for other forms of puzzles in the future. 3. SELECT YOUR CROSSWORD Now, in the News+ Puzzles section, you can select from a list of recent daily crosswords and mini crosswords. 1. 2. 3. 4.

IMAGE: CHARNSITR / SHUTTERSTOCK NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 41 D early beloved, we are gathered here to bid goodbye to a titan of technology, a revolutionary among rebels, a connoisseur of connections, taken from us—well, perhaps not too soon. I speak, of course, of our friend and colleague, the Lightning cable. When Apple unveiled its latest iPhone in September, the Lightning port was finally supplanted by one of its eternal rivals, the USB-C connection. But let us not simply mourn what is being taken from us: Let us instead remember and celebrate what Lightning did with its life, the joy and happiness it brought to an entire ecosystem and its many users. Its presence will not soon or easily be forgotten. RIP Lightning: In lieu of flowers, please send dongles A eulogy for the little iPhone port that could. BY DAN MOREN

42 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 iOSCENTRAL RIP LIGHTNING meant there was no wrong way to connect it to the iPhone. (Well, mostly that was the case.) All in all, Lightning boasted an impressive resume with which to introduce itself to the world, and it quickly took Apple’s lineup by storm, spreading from the iPhone 5 to not only the iPod and iPad but the Mac and accessories as well. It seemed Lightning was well on its way to world domination. CHARGING POINT Of course, Lightning’s early days weren’t all smooth sailing. Many consumers protested its sudden appearance on the scene, clinging tightly to their many dockconnector cables and accessories. It would take some years for Lightning to win them all over, and in many cases, it was a war of attrition. And yet, despite its eventual success, Lightning never quite rose to the same prominence as its storied predecessor. Yes, there were third-party accessories with a built-in connector—portable batteries and speaker docks, and no end of adapters. But the world into which Lightning was born was very different from the world of the dock connector. A BOLT FROM THE BLUE Lightning was born on September 12, 2012 (fave.co/3PYJyQH), ushered into this world by Apple senior vice president Phil Schiller. Schiller touted the benefits it would bring over its predecessor, the 30-pin dock connector that had originated on 2003’s thirdgeneration iPod. “A modern connector for the next decade” was how Schiller presciently the new connector. (Had it been me, I perhaps would have gone for “a more elegant connector for a more civilized age,” but I digress.) Lightning boasted an all-digital design, improved durability, and an adaptive interface that let it handle whatever function was required: power, video, audio, data, and so on. Most importantly for Apple, it was 80 percent smaller than the dock connector, freeing up valuable space inside the iPhone. Most important for users, on the other hand, was probably the reversibility that iPhones started with a 30-pin connector (left), which was replaced by Lightning (middle), which will be replaced by USB-C (right).

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 43 For one thing, the evolution of technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi had already begun to supplant a lot of the uses for which the cable had once been considered king. Apple offered features like the ability to sync to one’s Mac via Wi-Fi or send audio via AirPlay, and the convenience of those features—not having to hunt up a cable when you needed one, or fiddle with connectors—was hard to beat. Moreover, the companies that had been so bullish to jump on the 30-pin dock connector integration in the heyday of the iPod and early days of the iPhone seemed to be rethinking things in the Lightning era. After all, why design a product to only work with one company’s devices if you could instead use a wireless standard that would work with any mobile device? Even Apple’s relationship with Lightning wasn’t entirely monogamous, as in recent years it’s introduced multiple ways to power up one’s iPhone without having to resort to a cable that you plug in: first Qi wireless charging, and then with its own improvement on the standard, MagSafe. Lightning might have been a solid standby, but it was hardly the undisputed champion of charging. A LONG, SLOW DECLINE And so we come to both praise Lighting and bury it. But for those who retain some fondness for the connector, never fear: Its demise will not be sudden and swift, but long and drawn out. I fully expect to be finding Lightning cables in my drawers for the next decade. The introduction of a USB-C iPhone is only one step in the end of Lightning’s journey—albeit a major one. The port has already been supplanted across the iPad lineup and even on the Apple TV’s Siri Remote, but it survives in Mac accessories, the AirPods, and the first-gen Apple Pencil (fave.co/3rqMmgl), at least for the time being. So let’s raise our glasses to Lighting and all it accomplished in the more than a decade it was on the scene. It did its job and it did it well, and now it goes to a well-deserved rest. In lieu of flowers, please send dongles. ■ Wireless technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have reduced the need for a cable.

It’s always been easier for me to help others As a Veteran, when someone raises their hand for help, you’re often one of the first ones to respond. But it’s also okay to get help for yourself. Maybe you want or need assistance with employment, stress, finances, mental health or finding the right resources. No matter what it is, you earned it. And there’s no better time than right now to ask for it. Don’t wait. Reach out. Find resources at VA.GOV/REACH than to help myself

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 45 The Latest iOS Products Reviewed & Rated REVIEWS iOSCENTRAL IMAGE: TWELVE SOUTH MULTI-DEVICE CHARGING STATION TWELVE SOUTH HIRISE 3 DELUXE: STYLISH 3-IN-1 iPHONE, APPLE WATCH, AIRPODS CHARGER BY SIMON JARY Many of us have bought wholeheartedly into the Apple ecosystem, with Mac computer, iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch. That can lead to a lot of different chargers and cables to keep under control on our desk, bedside table or backpack. A charging station that can power more than one Apple device is the taming solution to this mess of multiple chargers. We’ve reviewed the best

46 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 iOSCENTRAL REVIEW: TWELVE SOUTH HIRISE 3 DELUXE You can place your Apple Watch in Nightstand mode or flat on the base. The Qi charging base can accept either AirPods or a second phone. (15.4cm) tall, and weighs 14oz (396g). There’s just one model, in black—we’d have appreciated a white option to fit with alternative aesthetics. The MagSafe iPhone charger can angle and tilt by 35 degrees, and hold the device in either landscape or portrait—so great in StandBy mode. The Apple Watch Fast Charger can lay flat or pop up to power up your Watch in Nightstand mode. It comes with a 40W power adapter, with four international plug heads to choose from: U.S., U.K., EU and AU/NZ. The power cable is 5 feet (1.5m) long. PERFORMANCE Charging all three devices at the fastest possible speeds is the HiRise 3 Deluxe’s superpower related to its competition. In tests it charged an Apple Watch to 50% in iPhone chargers and best Apple Watch chargers, but some can tackle the charging demands of both, and handle an AirPods charging case and even a second phone at the same time. Twelve South makes some high-quality, stylish Apple accessories, and its HiRise 3 Deluxe is another premium hit. It is fully Apple certified, so can fast-charge any MagSafe iPhone (iPhone 12, 13, 14, or 15 models but not SE) at 15W as well as fast-charge an Apple Watch (Series 7, 8, 9, SE and Ultra) at 5W and Apple AirPods (2nd and 3rd generation AirPods, and all AirPods Pro) at 7.5W. You can even swap out the AirPods for a second iPhone (iPhone 8 and later) via 7.5W Qi rather than full MagSafe. DESIGN As with other Twelve South products, the compact HiRise 3 Deluxe will not shame your Apple products. It’s made of aluminum with a soft vegan leather– wrapped base, so it fits with Apple’s new no-leather mandate. It’s a small-footprint design—taking up about the same space on your desk as an iPhone Pro Max: 6.3×3.4 inches (15.9×8.5cm). It’s 6 inches

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 47 mmmmm Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe PROS • Charges Watch, iPhone, AirPods. • Fast-charges Watch. • 15W MagSafe for iPhone. • Small footprint. CONS • In black only. PRICE $149 COMPANY Twelve South 35 minutes, and to 100% in 84 minutes. A quick 10-minute blast will easily keep your Watch going through the night. At the same time it pushed a fading iPhone to 80% in around 100 minutes. Its closest competitor is Belkin’s Boost Up Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand with MagSafe (fave. co/3ZDFzfy), which is similarly priced. The HiRise 3 Deluxe wins with its Watch fast charging and also its tiltable MagSafe iPhone charging pad. The Journey Rapid Trio 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station (fave.co/3thuYLy) is cheaper and has a detachable Watch charger, but its charging speeds are not as fast, as it’s not fully Apple certified for fast charging (iPhone or Watch). Anker’s 3-in-1 Cube (fave.co/3ZDaSY6) can fast-charge an iPhone, but is not as fast as the HiRise at charging a Watch. ESR’s HaloLock 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set (fave. co/3LFGOVY) is great for portability—you’ll need a very large pocket to slip the 6-inch high HiRise in—but doesn’t offer fast charging for either iPhone or Watch. The 2-in-1 Zens MagSafe + Watch travel charger (fave. co/46afFm6) is likewise more portable but not a Watch fast charger—and can’t handle an AirPods case at the same time. We have reviewed more products in our roundups of the best MagSafe chargers (fave.co/3vXHzkx) and best Apple Watch chargers (fave.co/46b5LRh). PRICE & AVAILABILITY The HiRise 3 Deluxe costs $149.99 / £149.99 / €169.99, and is available direct from Twelve South (U.S., fave.co/ 3rwWbsZ, and EU, fave.co/461uhUZ) or the U.S. Apple Store (fave.co/3PWHclm). It is expected to hit the U.K. Apple Store by mid-October. VERDICT A multi-device charging station is a great way to declutter your desk or bedside table, removing multiple cables and wall chargers. The Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe is a small-footprint charging station for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods that is fully certified and so charges your Apple devices at the fastest possible speeds, unlike any other currently available 3-in-1 charger. We’d have loved a version in white, but it ticks every other top-specification box we’d expect from a premium charging station. It goes straight to the top of our charts for 3-in-1 Appledevice charging stations. ■

48 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 iOSCENTRAL IMAGE: ANKER MULTI-DEVICE CHARGER ANKER PRIME 67W CHARGER: THREE PORTS WITH POWER BY THOMAS BERGBOLD The Anker Prime 67W Charger is smaller than Apple’s original 67W charger (fave.co/46icSrd), which is a popular charger among MacBook owners. Apple’s new 70W charger (fave.co/ 3ZDMFAN) is as compact as the Prime 735, though the 67W Prime has a few features that make it more appealing. What gives the Prime 67W an advantage over Apple’s 70W charger is that it offers a total of three charging ports that can be used at the same time. The two USB-C ports support Power Delivery 3.0, and each USB-C port can handle a maximum of 65 watts. The 67W Prime’s USB-A port has a maximum of up to 22.5 watts. However, if more than one port is

NOVEMBER 2023 MACWORLD 49 mmmmh Anker Prime 67W Charger PROS • Two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. • Fast charging. • Doesn’t get hot. CONS • Recommended operating temperatures seem restrictive. PRICE $149 COMPANY Anker used at the same time, the Prime 735 divides the power between the devices. The charging times (using a single USB-C port) with the 67W Prime are impressive. Within 30 minutes, an iPhone 13 charges 51 percent, an 11-inch iPad Pro 11-inch charges 35 percent, and an M1 MacBook Air M1 charges 37 percent. The Prime 67W is a gallium nitride (GaN) charger, which helps with the compact design, and it does a more efficient job of transferring current than non-GaN chargers. Smaller chargers often are warmer to the touch, but this is where the Prime 67W surprises us. At full load with two devices connected, the charger gets warm, but not if you only have a MacBook connected, for example. The charger has a protective circuit called Active Shield 2.0 to make sure it doesn’t get too hot to handle. Anker recommends that the ambient temperature for operation should be 0 to 25 degrees Celsius, which seems a little restrictive. A cool feature is that the plug is foldable for both the U.S. and European plugs. Some manufacturers use an interchangeable plug that can simply be removed. The folding plug works very well in practice, and more importantly, the construction does not appear wobbly but quite robust. Another nice touch is that the packaging for the Prime 735 is mostly plastic-free, with only a recycled plastic bag used to protect the charger. The entire packaging is made from recycled paper, printed with vegetable soy ink. Anker also offers a 24-month warranty. VERDICT The Anker Prime 6&W Charger is very compact yet supports three connections with fast charging speeds, and it maintains a proper operating temperature. You get good performance for the price. If you’re looking for a new charger, the Prime 735 is one to consider. ■ The charger’s three ports can power three devices simultaneously up to a maximum 67W total output.

FEATURE APPLE’S LATEST MAY BE IMPROVED IN SEVERAL USEFUL WAYS BUT FEELS UNINSPIRED. BY JASON CROSS 50 MACWORLD NOVEMBER 2023 iPHONE 15 PRO MAX REVIEW: APPLE’S BEST, BORINGEST iPHONE