Apple plans to add a USB-C port to its Magic accessories lineup soon. These include the Apple Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad and the Magic Keyboard. The company is transitioning all its products with lightning ports to USB-C after the launch of the Apple iPhone 15 series.
USB-C Apple Magic Accessories To Arrive Soon
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Apple 2023 product lineup is an iterative upgrade until the company offers better USB-C integration across all products. Gurman claims these interim products will have modest upgrades to keep customers loyal to the Apple ecosystem.
The new Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad and Magic Keyboard will arrive with the USB-C port next month. It will launch along with the iMac next month. The company also plans to launch the standard AirPods with USB-C port next year. Apple has already released the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen with a USB-C port.
Adding the USB-C to the Magic lineup could be an interesting change, as the current models have been criticized for having a lightning port at the bottom. However, there is no information on whether Apple will change the position of the port or not.
Gurman further predicts the AirPods Max will also transition to the USB-C port but does not provide the exact timeline. He also claims accessories like the MagSafe Battery Pack and MagSafe Duo will return with the USB-C port.
The company is also working on the 10th anniversary Apple Watch, dubbed the “Series X”, with new features and design. It will be the most significant overhaul to the Apple Watch series, with a thinner case and a new way to attach bands. Furthermore, it will also have a blood pressure monitor and AI health coaching service.
Next year, Apple is also planning new iPads with OLED displays, an M3 processor for the MacBook lineup, bigger iPhones, and an Apple GPT AI model. Apple is expected to generate 123.5 billion dollars of revenue during the holiday season.
Using your MacBook in a public setting is risky. So, rely on these privacy tips to stay safe while you work.
Leaving home or your regular workplace and working somewhere public, like a coffee shop, could be a great way to improve your productivity. Sometimes, it might even be necessary if your regular workspace is unavailable.
However, working in public places can open you up to several privacy risks. You’re working where people you don’t know could find ways to view information on your MacBook. You can’t afford to take the same risks you would take if you were working in a more private environment.
1.Have a Password, and Don’t Use Password Hints Some people don’t think they need passwords on their devices, which might be founded if it’s permanently in a safe location. But, if you take your MacBook out into a public place, we strongly advise you to add a password.
You can add a password in System Settings > Touch ID & Password. Select Set from the Password section, and enter a new hard-to-guess password. Resist the temptation to add password hints because that could give someone that knows information about you clues as to your password.
2.Automatically Lock Your Mac When Inactive Because most public places you’d be working in might be places where you could also easily get food, drinks, or beverages, you may have to leave your MacBook to use the bathroom. That means you’ll likely leave your Mac unattended for a little while.
Whether it’s the bathroom or a little errand, you should set your MacBook to lock once you leave it unattended. Here’s how to set it up:
•Click the Apple menu in the menu bar and choose System Settings from the dropdown. •Select Lock Screen on the sidebar. •Set the options Start Screen Saver when inactive and Turn display off on battery when inactive to 1 minute. •Set the option Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off to Immediately.
3.Work With a Dim Screen or a Privacy Screen If you’re doing something sensitive on your Mac, and you’d rather someone beside or behind you can’t see it, you should lower its brightness as low as you can manage. Or, you could buy a privacy screen protector.
You can lower the brightness on your MacBook by pressing F1 on your keyboard or using the slider on the Touch Bar. And if you think that it’s not dim enough at its lowest, you can use an app to lower your Mac’s brightness even more.
4.Use FileVault Encryption One of the advantages of using a password on your Mac is that you can add FileVault on top of it. FileVault is Apple’s encryption technology for macOS that encrypts all the data on your hard drive once you lock your Mac, and it decrypts everything on the fly only after you unlock it.
5.Download and Install a Good VPN and Antivirus Add another layer of security while out on those public networks with a VPN and antivirus. A VPN will mask your IP address by encrypting your internet traffic, while an antivirus will proactively stop malware.
You don’t even have to spend money getting these types of software. Check out our guide on the best free VPN for macOS, and choose from our list of the best truly free antivirus software for your Mac.
6.Backup Your Data and Update macOS Regularly Other people, who don’t use public networks, have the luxury of delayed updates. But you, who uses public networks, don’t. That’s because Apple constantly rolls out security patches for macOS, and public network hackers could exploit old macOS security gaps.
Turn Automatic Updates on by going to System Settings > General > Software Update. Click the Info (i) icon next to Automatic updates and toggle everything on.
7.Disable Automatic Wi-Fi Connections Your Mac automatically connects to available Wi-Fi networks when there are no known Wi-Fi networks in range. This could open you up to joining risky public networks because they require no passwords.
Go to System Settings > Wi-Fi and toggle on Ask to join networks. This will prompt you with a notification alert when your computer wishes to join an unknown network, and you can either decline or accept.
8.Turn Off Bluetooth Unless You Absolutely Need It Bluetooth could be a big security risk, especially if your MacBook is discoverable. You can read more about the threats Bluetooth poses to your device’s security in our dedicated guide on that topic.
In any case, macOS is designed to keep Bluetooth on for functions like AirDrop and AirPods. However, you should consciously head to the Control Center (the switch icons in the top-right corner of the menu bar), click Bluetooth, and toggle it off before you head out. You should only turn it on when you really need it and avoid connecting to devices you’re not sure about.
Apple plans to add a USB-C port to its Magic accessories lineup soon. These include the Apple Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad and the Magic Keyboard. The company is transitioning all its products with lightning ports to USB-C after the launch of the Apple iPhone 15 series.
USB-C Apple Magic Accessories To Arrive Soon
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Apple 2023 product lineup is an iterative upgrade until the company offers better USB-C integration across all products. Gurman claims these interim products will have modest upgrades to keep customers loyal to the Apple ecosystem.
The new Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad and Magic Keyboard will arrive with the USB-C port next month. It will launch along with the iMac next month. The company also plans to launch the standard AirPods with USB-C port next year. Apple has already released the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen with a USB-C port.
Adding the USB-C to the Magic lineup could be an interesting change, as the current models have been criticized for having a lightning port at the bottom. However, there is no information on whether Apple will change the position of the port or not.
Gurman further predicts the AirPods Max will also transition to the USB-C port but does not provide the exact timeline. He also claims accessories like the MagSafe Battery Pack and MagSafe Duo will return with the USB-C port.
The company is also working on the 10th anniversary Apple Watch, dubbed the “Series X”, with new features and design. It will be the most significant overhaul to the Apple Watch series, with a thinner case and a new way to attach bands. Furthermore, it will also have a blood pressure monitor and AI health coaching service.
Next year, Apple is also planning new iPads with OLED displays, an M3 processor for the MacBook lineup, bigger iPhones, and an Apple GPT AI model. Apple is expected to generate 123.5 billion dollars of revenue during the holiday season.
Apple is known for being picky when offering products in different colours. The company could soon start offering a new colour on future MacBooks and iPhones. According to a new patent, the Cupertino giant could launch matte black iPhones and MacBooks in the future.
Matte Black iPhones and MacBooks to Arrive Soon
Apple filed a patent back in 2020 for the perfect matte black finish on a MacBook, and the company has now filed another patent describing the process. While the company has launched devices in a matte black finish in the past, the process itself has proven to be a challenge. Initially filed in 2020, the patent has now received approval by the United States Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO)
The process entails applying an anodized layer to the metal substrate and subsequently etching it to create light-absorbing properties within the material. Furthermore, it outlines various concepts for using this technology, including in devices such as tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, and laptops.
Apple Has Created Products With Matte Black Finish In The Past
Apple wants to produce a device with a genuine black tone having no gaps and reflections. The finish should be consistent enough to absorb under any angle or lighting conditions. The 2006 MacBook was the closest attempt of the company in achieving a matte black finish. The laptop was available in two variants: white and matte black, with the latter being more expensive due to its finish.
The main challenge is that anodized metal can reflect a lot of light and appear glossy. Apple has tried to solve this problem by describing its process in the patent. The company released the Apple iPhone 7 with a matte black finish but failed to garner enough interest.
Currently, it offers a Space Black and Midnight colour option on the Apple iPhone 14 series. Apple is all set to unveil the Apple iPhone 15 series at the Wonderlust event on September 12th, and it would be too soon to expect another iPhone in a matte black finish.
Using your MacBook in a public setting is risky. So, rely on these privacy tips to stay safe while you work.
Leaving home or your regular workplace and working somewhere public, like a coffee shop, could be a great way to improve your productivity. Sometimes, it might even be necessary if your regular workspace is unavailable.
However, working in public places can open you up to several privacy risks. You’re working where people you don’t know could find ways to view information on your MacBook. You can’t afford to take the same risks you would take if you were working in a more private environment.
1.Have a Password, and Don’t Use Password Hints Some people don’t think they need passwords on their devices, which might be founded if it’s permanently in a safe location. But, if you take your MacBook out into a public place, we strongly advise you to add a password.
You can add a password in System Settings > Touch ID & Password. Select Set from the Password section, and enter a new hard-to-guess password. Resist the temptation to add password hints because that could give someone that knows information about you clues as to your password.
2.Automatically Lock Your Mac When Inactive Because most public places you’d be working in might be places where you could also easily get food, drinks, or beverages, you may have to leave your MacBook to use the bathroom. That means you’ll likely leave your Mac unattended for a little while.
Whether it’s the bathroom or a little errand, you should set your MacBook to lock once you leave it unattended. Here’s how to set it up:
•Click the Apple menu in the menu bar and choose System Settings from the dropdown. •Select Lock Screen on the sidebar. •Set the options Start Screen Saver when inactive and Turn display off on battery when inactive to 1 minute. •Set the option Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off to Immediately.
3.Work With a Dim Screen or a Privacy Screen If you’re doing something sensitive on your Mac, and you’d rather someone beside or behind you can’t see it, you should lower its brightness as low as you can manage. Or, you could buy a privacy screen protector.
You can lower the brightness on your MacBook by pressing F1 on your keyboard or using the slider on the Touch Bar. And if you think that it’s not dim enough at its lowest, you can use an app to lower your Mac’s brightness even more.
4.Use FileVault Encryption One of the advantages of using a password on your Mac is that you can add FileVault on top of it. FileVault is Apple’s encryption technology for macOS that encrypts all the data on your hard drive once you lock your Mac, and it decrypts everything on the fly only after you unlock it.
5.Download and Install a Good VPN and Antivirus Add another layer of security while out on those public networks with a VPN and antivirus. A VPN will mask your IP address by encrypting your internet traffic, while an antivirus will proactively stop malware.
You don’t even have to spend money getting these types of software. Check out our guide on the best free VPN for macOS, and choose from our list of the best truly free antivirus software for your Mac.
6.Backup Your Data and Update macOS Regularly Other people, who don’t use public networks, have the luxury of delayed updates. But you, who uses public networks, don’t. That’s because Apple constantly rolls out security patches for macOS, and public network hackers could exploit old macOS security gaps.
Turn Automatic Updates on by going to System Settings > General > Software Update. Click the Info (i) icon next to Automatic updates and toggle everything on.
7.Disable Automatic Wi-Fi Connections Your Mac automatically connects to available Wi-Fi networks when there are no known Wi-Fi networks in range. This could open you up to joining risky public networks because they require no passwords.
Go to System Settings > Wi-Fi and toggle on Ask to join networks. This will prompt you with a notification alert when your computer wishes to join an unknown network, and you can either decline or accept.
8.Turn Off Bluetooth Unless You Absolutely Need It Bluetooth could be a big security risk, especially if your MacBook is discoverable. You can read more about the threats Bluetooth poses to your device’s security in our dedicated guide on that topic.
In any case, macOS is designed to keep Bluetooth on for functions like AirDrop and AirPods. However, you should consciously head to the Control Center (the switch icons in the top-right corner of the menu bar), click Bluetooth, and toggle it off before you head out. You should only turn it on when you really need it and avoid connecting to devices you’re not sure about.
