The current global political and trade tensions are causing a lot of uncertainty in the tech industry, especially for Apple. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives has issued a serious warning about what could happen if iPhone production is moved back to the United States. His analysis suggests that costs could rise dramatically, and the global tech industry could be reshaped in major ways.

Ives focuses on how deeply connected Apple’s supply chain is to Asia, where most iPhones are currently made. He points out that moving even a small part of this complex system would require a huge amount of money. According to his estimates, relocating just 10% of Apple’s supply chain to the U.S. would cost an enormous $30 billion. This massive expense would almost certainly lead to much higher prices for consumers.

Per CNN, Ives predicts that an iPhone made in the U.S. could end up costing an astonishing $3,000. This is far more than the price increases other analysts have predicted due to tariffs alone. Reuters estimates that tariffs could raise prices to over $2,200 with a 40% tariff, and CNET estimates that tariffs would rise by $3,200 if tariffs rose by 104%. A basic iPhone 16e, which starts at $599, could jump to $1,222 in the worst-case tariff scenario. Other models would likely see similar price hikes.

Tech expert predicts soaring prices for iPhone

But Ives’s concerns go beyond just higher prices. He warns of a potential “Armageddon” scenario for U.S. tech. He argues that America’s reliance on Asian manufacturing is key to staying ahead of China in technology. If the supply chain is disrupted by trying to move production too quickly, it could hurt U.S. tech progress and even help China take the lead.

Building new factories would take time—about four to five years—making the challenge even harder. Ives suggests that rushing to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. could have serious long-term consequences.

Other analysts also see big challenges ahead. UBS predicted the iPhone 16 Pro Max could go up by $350, while JPMorgan Chase estimated a 6% global price increase to cover U.S. tariffs. Still, all these estimates show that tariffs and possible factory relocations will put a lot of pressure on Apple and the rest of the tech industry.

These changes could have wide-reaching effects. For consumers, it could mean much more expensive iPhones and other tech products. For Apple, the choices are tough: take on huge costs, raise prices for customers, risk losing sales, or spend years and billions moving production. For the U.S. tech industry as a whole, the decisions made now could shape its ability to compete globally for years.

In another case of billionaires behaving badly (as they so often do), Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly has plans to donate $1 million to the inaugural committee of Donald Trump. 

That’s right, rather than fixing whatever the heck the new iOS update is, Cook is donating the eye-watering sum (which for him is probably just pocket change) to the body in charge of the president-elect’s inauguration. The inaugural committee — now sitting pretty on a mountain of cash — will organize both the ceremony and its related activities, with the date of that fated day slated for later this month. 

Barring any interruptions (you know, like a Trump-led insurrection), the president-elect will take the oath of office for his second term on Jan. 20, now with at least $1 million extra to spend on inviting musical guests who almost certainly won’t perform. In any case, Cook’s contribution is somewhat expected, since the billionaire last month dined with Trump at what is now basically the second White House; Mar-a-Lago. That dinner (in which Trump probably ordered McDonald’s) adds on to Cook’s previous meetings with Trump during his first term, with the pair reportedly having many phone calls and sharing meals on multiple occasions. 

Sadly, Cook isn’t the only high-flyer who’s Cook[ed] it (sorry) with his donations, with a host of fellow billionaires contributing to Trump’s second inaugural fund in the past few weeks. Ken Griffin, CEO of the hedge fund company Citadel, also reportedly intends to donate $1 million, and so too does Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, OpenAI’s Sam Altman and the Mark Zuckerberg-owned Meta. Since these of my nightmare blunt rotation are throwing money around like hotcakes, could you help a sister out? I just winced after buying a morning coffee, so I’ll take $999,994, if that’s easier. 

With all that cash, Trump’s second inaugural fund is projected to rake in more than $150 million, breaking the previous fund record of $107 million, which was set in 2017 by… you guessed it, friend of billionaires Donald Trump. I’m not too sure how well that paid off, since Trump’s first inauguration (jump scare) drew in record low crowd numbers and featured a performance by someone called… Jackie Evancho? Anyway, this kind of from the C-suite class is no surprise, since Trump has made a name for himself as perhaps the only billionaire who treats spelling and punctuation as more of a suggestion. 

The president-elect has surrounded himself with billionaires in recent months, spearheaded by X owner and jumpy McJumpjump Elon Musk. In a sentence that still boggles the mind, the world’s richest man even has a place in Trump’s advisorial orbit, as the co-head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. For extra measure, that department is also being led by billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, but they aren’t the only two deep-pocketed figures with their fingers in the Trump pie (yuck, sorry). 

Also in Trump’s second istration is investment banker Howard Lutnick, venture capitalist and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and wrestling magnate Linda McMahon, all of whom are billionaires. For those keeping track, the combined wealth of those three names and Ramaswamy exceeds $340 billion, which is larger than the gross domestic product of 11 dozen countries, according to The Independent. You don’t need to be a fan of The White Lotus to know the kind of mayhem that occurs when that many rich people congregate. Hint, it ain’t good.

Apple has recently agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement that could affect tens of millions of Siri across the United States, and you might be one of them.

Siri, introduced by Apple in 2011, revolutionized how people interact with their devices. As a voice-activated virtual assistant, Siri is designed to help s perform tasks, answer questions, and control their devices through natural language commands. s typically activate Siri by saying “Hey Siri” or pressing a designated button, after which the assistant listens for commands and responds accordingly. This technology has become deeply integrated into Apple’s ecosystem, appearing in iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, Apple Watches, HomePod speakers, and Apple TVs.

However, the convenience of voice-activated assistance comes with privacy implications. The lawsuit, filed in Oakland, California federal court, centers on allegations that Apple’s Siri voice assistant recorded private conversations without s’ consent. According to court documents, the unauthorized recordings occurred when Siri was inadvertently activated, capturing personal discussions that s believed were private. More concerning, these recordings were allegedly shared with third parties, including rs, leading to targeted ments based on private conversations.

s reported receiving targeted ments for products they had only discussed verbally near their devices. For instance, two plaintiffs in the lawsuit reported seeing ads for Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden restaurants shortly after mentioning these brands in private conversations. Another plaintiff claimed to receive ments for a specific surgical treatment after discussing it privately with their doctor. Finally, a whistleblower revealed to The Guardian that accidental activations were common, with something as simple as a zipper sound potentially triggering Siri.

The proposed $95 million settlement comes after a five-year legal battle initiated by the 2019 report from The Guardian, which revealed that Apple’s third-party contractors regularly heard confidential information. While Apple has maintained its denial of any wrongdoing, the company has agreed to settle the case, potentially offering compensation to customers who owned Siri-enabled devices between September 2014 and December 2024.

How and when can you submit your Siri settlement claim?

Currently, you cannot fill out the Apple class action lawsuit form online. The settlement is still pending preliminary approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White in the Oakland federal court, and no claim submission process has been established yet. Once the settlement receives court approval, which could take several weeks or months, eligible individuals will likely be able to submit their claims through an official settlement website. The settlement is expected to compensate qualifying s with up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, with claimants able to submit claims for up to five devices. Granted, it’s not much, but this value could increase should the settlement be refused to pressure Apple to adequately compensate its s.

To qualify for the settlement, s must confirm under oath that they experienced Siri listening to a “conversation intended to be private” without specific activation. Eligible devices include iPhones, iPads, HomePod speakers, Mac computers, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs purchased during the specified period. Beyond monetary compensation, the settlement require Apple to confirm the deletion of Siri audio recordings collected before October 2019 and create a webpage better explaining their opt-in “Improve Siri” program. However, potential claimants should note that accepting settlement money means forfeiting their right to sue Apple for related claims in the future.

For now, interested parties should stay informed about the settlement’s progress through official channels. Once the court grants preliminary approval, details about the claim submission process will be made public, allowing affected s to seek their portion of the settlement. The preliminary approval hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14, 2025, after which more specific information about the claims process should become available.

If you were one of Musi’s 66 million s, you might have noticed it suddenly vanished from the App Store in September 2024. Musi, a popular “YouTube wrapper” app, has been around since 2016, offering an alternative way to stream music for free using YouTube’s vast content library. 

For years, Musi allowed s to make playlists, listen to music, and enjoy an audio-only mode without needing a YouTube . But now, Musi’s absence has left a lot of fans wondering what’s gone wrong with the beloved app.

Musi’s rise: A free music alternative

Back in 2016, Musi launched with a unique approach—delivering YouTube’s content through its own simplified interface. Instead of charging s or restricting music access, Musi generated revenue by showing its own ads. The app allowed s to make playlists of YouTube videos, listen to music with audio-only options, and organize favorite songs. While this setup sounded perfect, it always hovered in a bit of a legal gray area, making people question if the app was legit. For years, Musi insisted that it played by the rules, and claimed that artists were getting paid for streams and that its service fully complied with YouTube’s of service. But as Musi’s popularity grew, it also got the attention of major record labels, and eventually, YouTube itself.

The problem with “YouTube Wrapper” apps

“YouTube wrapper” apps like Musi don’t directly stream from YouTube’s official API but instead use their own interfaces to present YouTube content. This type of app can violate YouTube’s , especially if it offers YouTube features, like background play or audio-only streaming, for free. According to YouTube’s API guidelines, any app that isolates or separates the audio from the video is off-limits, and this became a central issue for Musi. Musi claimed to have been in talks with YouTube in 2021, hoping to work out any issues around their service. 

YouTube reportedly raised three main concerns: Musi’s use of YouTube’s non-public interfaces, Musi’s ad model, and whether Musi violated rules against profiting off YouTube’s content. Musi countered that its app didn’t access non-public data and merely used YouTube’s public website in a way that respected the company’s . Even with these assurances, YouTube appeared unconvinced and let the matter simmer until 2023. That year, YouTube raised its concerns with Musi once more, and things reached a boiling point in August 2024 when YouTube reportedly took its complaint to Apple.

What happened to Musi?

Once YouTube got Apple involved, things took a swift turn. According to Musi, Apple informed the app that it needed to work out the issue with YouTube or risk being removed from the App Store. Musi claims it provided evidence of repeated outreach attempts to YouTube, but YouTube reportedly told Apple that Musi was unresponsive. Apple sided with YouTube, and without further discussion, in September, Musi was removed from the App Store. For fans, this meant that one of their favorite music-streaming apps disappeared overnight. Musi’s response was quick, with the team jumping onto Reddit to explain the situation. They told s the app was temporarily down and that they were working to address “some comments relating to the App Store,” but offered no timeline for when, or if, Musi would be back.

The Lawsuit: Musi takes Apple to court

With the App Store door seemingly closed, Musi decided to take the legal route, filing a lawsuit against Apple. In its complaint, Musi argued that Apple removed the app based on vague accusations from YouTube, without any actual proof of policy violations. Musi claims that it didn’t rely on YouTube’s API at all and instead used a unique interface that allowed s to access YouTube’s public site within Musi.

This setup, Musi argues, didn’t violate YouTube’s , as it wasn’t a commercial use of YouTube’s service. Musi is seeking several things through its lawsuit. First, it wants Apple to reinstate the app in the App Store and stop responding to third-party complaints by removing apps without proof of infringement. Musi also wants damages for lost profits, arguing that the app’s reputation and bottom line took a major hit from the sudden App Store removal.

Musi’s fate now hangs in the balance. The lawsuit may bring some resolution, especially if Musi can prove it didn’t break any rules. The app has built a huge base over the years, so if it wins the case, fans could see Musi return to the App Store. However, if Apple and YouTube maintain their stance, Musi might remain off the platform permanently.

I’ll it, I’ve always been a staunch defender of the wired headphone regime — those tangled ambassadors of audio purity that never required a “quick recharge.” But here I am, eating humble pie (straight out of the fridge. Where I left my dignity), as Apple’s latest innovation has made me reconsider my Luddite leanings.

So, if you haven’t yet fished out your AirPods from the Bermuda Triangle that is your desk drawer — or worse, that vindictive little jeans pocket angry at being ignored — it’s time to pay attention. Millions of people already own these, and while you might just be using them to jam out to your favorite tunes, catch up on the latest MrBeast stunt, or lead a team of talented individuals like our managing editor, your AirPods Pro 2 are about to take on a whole new role.

With the FDA’s approval of Apple’s Hearing Aid and Hearing Test software, the unassuming earbuds can now transform into a powerful tool for enhancing your hearing. The landmark approval paves the way for s to test their hearing and adjust their audio environment directly from their iPhones or iPads. You can tweak volume, tone, and balance for an enhanced auditory experience. And yes, while battery life hovers around five to six hours, it’s a small price for accessibility. The best part? You won’t have to spend thousands of dollars or endure countless visits to a stuffy audiologist’s office to get your hands on a pair. A set of AirPods Pro 2 will run you $249 from Apple.

However, the real game-changer here isn’t just the convenience or the cost savings — it’s the way the AirPods Pro 2 challenges our perceptions of what a hearing aid looks and feels like. Gone are the days when wearing earbuds in social situations was considered the height of rudeness. When you consider the fact that these earbuds are now doubling as hearing aids, it’s time to retire that outdated notion of etiquette once and for all. 

And let’s face it: traditional hearing aids burden s with a stigma of disability — unsexy and a loud declaration of imperfection. The AirPods Pro 2, however, sidesteps these stereotypes, with its stylish alternative that many might wear (and are already wearing) with less hesitation.

And the timing couldn’t be better

A notable study, part of the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) project, found that hearing aid use reduced cognitive decline by 48% over a three-year period among older adults who were at increased risk for dementia. Untreated hearing loss can be a precursor to serious mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. The isolation that often comes with hearing loss can lead to a lack of social interaction.

Of course, the AirPods Pro 2 aren’t perfect. They’re certainly not designed for those with severe hearing loss. Plus, with a battery life of just five to six hours in a hearing aid mode, you might find yourself reaching for your charger more often than you’d like — or worse, dealing with the occasional iPhone-style glitch. Despite these drawbacks, this is a huge step forward in making hearing aids more accessible, affordable, and dare I say, cool. Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 hearing health features will begin rolling out from Oct.28, 2024.

An iPhone has taken to TikTok to share her suspicions around a new Apple update and the coincidental release of the new iPhone 16, asking the tech company to “explain yourself.” 

The video, ed by Sarah Doses (@sarahdoses), claims that the timing of the iOS software update so soon after the release of the new iPhone model is a cause for concern, especially since the settings update left “broken”, “frozen [and] overheating.” 

Doses begins the video, which has now been viewed over one million times, by addressing Apple directly, before listing off the range of problems she encountered after installing the iOS update. “Why, when I update my phone, it suddenly doesn’t work?”, she questions, while claiming her device is “broken… the storage is full [and] it’s lagging.” 

“It just doesn’t want to work,” Doses said of her phone following the update. The iPhone 15 went on to call out the coincidental crashing of her device in the same month that Apple released its newest iPhone 16. “Suddenly you have an update,” Doses said, “when the new phone comes out?”.

Doses went on to suggest that Apple purposely offers iOS updates that diminish the phone’s health so that s are forced to buy the new model. She said the tech company is basically saying “’we’re gonna ruin your phone so you can buy the new phone,’” and was particularly angry about the situation since her current model had never lagged before and “was working perfectly until you decided to update.”

Doses went as far as calling for Apple to rename their iOS updates as “software downgrades,” and vowed to not buy the new iPhone 16. “Stop trying to steal my money,” Doses said, “I need an answer now, Apple. Comment below.” In the replies to Doses’ video, many phone s cited similar situations, some claiming they avoid updating their software for the same reason.

One TikToker said they went as far as selling their iPhone after they encountered similar issues, while others listed problems with storage, battery health and lagging following iOS updates. At the other end of the spectrum, however, some iPhone s claimed their devices had been “working fine” since the update and suggested that Doses invest in a Samsung phone to avoid the issue altogether. 

What Doses is referring to is not unfounded, since Apple was the subject of a lawsuit in 2017 that alleged the company deliberately slowed down some iPhones as they got older. The lawsuit has since been settled, with Apple claiming the lawsuit was “baseless” and that the company had never intentionally shortened the life of its products.

Doses isn’t the only Apple to take to TikTok to share grievances about their phone, with one man recently lamenting the fact that the iPhone voice assistant Siri is able to leave outgoing voicemail messages. With so many iPhone debacles, I’m sure Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker is taking copious notes for the season, using videos like Doses’ as evidence.  

Our technologies are slowly taking over our lives, from the ever-present necessity of the mini-computers in our back pockets to the rise of smart TVs, smart devices, and even full-blown smart homes. 

AI assistants are also becoming more and more prevalent in our increasingly technological world, and two supreme options are vying for the crown. Amazon’s Alexa has been slowly honing its approach, graduating from glorified DJ to full-blown virtual employee, managing schedules, operating smart homes, and even doing our shopping for us. 

Siri is much the same — some would argue even better — but, as with anything, the Apple staple has a few shortcomings. One of which was recently flagged by TikTok  David Seung, a comedian who stumbled across a hilarious but inconvenient gap in the virtual assistant’s capabilities. 

Noting that he’s been leaning on Siri’s “Korean man” voice to help teach him Korean — no, it isn’t working — Seung plunged into a hilarious explanation of exactly why you shouldn’t follow in his footsteps. For one thing, his reliance on Korean man Siri is really only resulting in missed exits — it’s hard to follow directions in a language you don’t speak — but more importantly, asg Siri a new voice has some unforeseen consequences.

Most notably, it turns out the virtual assistant fills in any gaps you’ve missed in your cellular experience. And, if you’ve failed to create your own voicemail message, that duty lands in Siri’s lap. 

Which, at least in Seung’s case, leads to a very confusing, nearly unintelligible outgoing voicemail message. Due to his decision to tap Korean man Siri as his virtual assistant of choice, Korean man Siri steps in to fulfill the task, and tries “his best in English.” 

The result is a hilariously garbled message, as Korean man Siri attempts to inform callers that the person they’re trying to reach is not available and invites them to record a message after the beep. For an AI that doesn’t speak English, it’s actually incredible, but for anyone attempting to leave a message, it’s probably all but impossible to understand.

Noting that he uses “this phone for work,” Seung laughingly asks the powers that be, “Why would Apple do this?” It’s a great question, and one that viewers shared once they got an earful of Korean man Siri’s shoddy attempt at an outgoing voicemail.

With numerous commenters noting that “he’s just trying his best,” there’s more praise than criticism for the AI’s valiant attempt in the comment section. “Why does Korean Siri sound so wholesome though,” one commenter asked. “I want to do this just to confuse people but don’t want to miss my exit,” another added.

That ambition is common among commenters, as is distress over the discovery. People everywhere learned, thanks to Seung, that their own outgoing voicemails are similarly AI-created, and the revelation is answering a lot of questions. 

Issues like the one faced by Seung and so many commenters are increasingly common in this day and age, but they’re also nothing new. After all, virtual assistants have been around since the mid-60s. They were certainly a far cry from what we’re working with today, but those early attempts paved the way for Alexa and Siri. For decades we’ve been slowly honing the approach, and in the early 2010s we got our first glimpse of the dazzling AI that would become Siri and Alexa. They’ve evolved massively from those early days, but virtual assistants are actually a tried-and-true staple of technology. 

There’s still a long way to go, however, as Seung’s video makes clear. It’s a hilarious gap in Siri’s capabilities, and one that most certainly led to plenty of confusion, but it’s also quickly becoming a feature rather than a bug in the eyes of viewers. Since Millennials hate picking up the phone so much, we may as well make the voicemail process a little more fun for the people we’re ignoring.

One of the buzzier things rolling around the tech world right now is the Apple iOS 18 release, which is Apple’s true foray into the world of AI, with new features deemed “Apple Intelligence” features. One of those fancy new bells is called the Genmoji feature. Is there a specific release date for Genmoji? Kind of. Read on to find out more.

With Genmoji, s can just describe an emoji and the Apple Intelligence will generate it for you, hence the “gen” part of the word. Apple used the example of a “Smiley relaxing wearing cucumbers,” and sure enough one popped up.

Kind of creepily: it knows the people in your library and can make specific Genmojis based on friends. For example, you could turn a friend with a fear of bees into a beekeeper – the sky’s the limit. You can also react with Genmojis or use them as stickers and you can even put them in the middle of messages.

So when do we get our hands on the Genmojis, and all the other exciting new stuff Apple has on the horizon? It’ll all come out with iOS 18, which will be available in a public beta that looks to be dropping in July.

The complete release is expected in September. Don’t think you can wait that long? There is one option, although it’s kind of dicey. The iOS 18 developer beta is out and anyone can use it. Anyone with an iPhone can the Apple Developer Program (ADP) as long as they have an Apple ID.

This version, however, is super buggy, so it’s not recommended unless you happen to have an extra iPhone just lounging around. But, you get Genmojis really early. Tough call!

You know that moment when you understand how a simple smiley face just won’t cut it, or how a misinterpreted eggplant could lead to a social faux pas of catastrophic proportions?

Emojis are supposed to make our digital conversations more expressive, but half the time, I find myself scrolling through endless pages of tiny pictures, trying to find the perfect one to capture my mood.

Fortunately, Apple has heard our cries of despair and has graced us with a solution: Genmoji. With the roll-out of iOS 18, Genmoji is the latest addition to Apple’s “Apple Intelligence” lineup. Yes, they have actually coined the term “Apple Intelligence.” It’s not like they could just call it “AI” like everyone else. Classic Apple.

Genmoji, short for “generated emoji,” allows s to create custom emojis using AI technology. No more settling for the generic smiley face or the overused thumbs up. Now you can create emojis that perfectly capture your mood, your inside jokes, or even your friend’s goofy expressions.

How to use Genmoji: A step-by-step guide

First, open up the Messages app. You know, that thing you use to text your friends and pretend to LOL at their memes. Once you’re there, tap on the emoji keyboard icon. It’s usually right next to the text input field.

Next, navigate to the shiny new Genmoji tab. It should be right next to all the boring, standard emoji categories. This is where the magic happens. You’ll see a text box where you can type in a description of the emoji you want to create. Want a unicorn riding a rainbow while eating a taco? Type it in! Want an emoji of your best friend’s face when they realized they forgot to turn off the stove? Go for it! The possibilities are endless.

Once you’ve typed in your emoji description, sit back and let Apple Intelligence work its magic. It’ll generate a selection of emojis that match your description. Now, I can’t promise they’ll all be winners. You might end up with a few that look like they were drawn by a toddler with a crayon. But hey, keep trying!

Finally, choose the Genmoji that speaks to your soul. Or, you know, the one that looks the least ridiculous. Tap on it, and voila! Your very own custom emoji is ready to be sent out into the world. Get ready for your friends to be equal parts impressed and confused.

Now go forth and emoji-fy your feelings like the tech-savvy trendsetter you are!

The latest MacBook Air doesn’t seem to have a lot to bring to the table — at least, that’s what tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee seems to think. But what were his main criticisms of the new Apple product?

The biggest and most important update the new MacBook has to offer is the inclusion of Apple’s M3 chip; something which has already been introduced in the iMac and MacBook Pros already. The new chip is faster and more efficient compared to the previous M2 and according to MacRumors the M3 outperforms it “by about 17% in single-core tasks and 21% in multi-core tasks.” The GPU was also measured to be around a 15% improvement over the M2. 

The only other change worthy of note was the anodization on the outside designed to prevent fingerprints being left on the surface when it’s picked up. So overall, the changes do bring an improvement when compared to the MacBook Air with the M2 chip.

Marques Brownlee’s issues with the MacBook Air explained

The MacBook Air has long been seen as an entry level computer for those who have never used a Mac before; they’re frequently used for regular internet browsing, watching videos, streaming, and playing music. Brownlee’s issue is that most people who buy a MacBook Air won’t even notice the benefits that the M3 offers, such as higher graphics, ray tracing and whatnot. Besides, people can play triple A games on their phones now.

It might be better than the previous generation, but the increase in price doesn’t justify what you get. In his video, Brownlee argues that most people who use MacBook Airs wouldn’t really notice a difference between one with an M3 chip and one with an M2 chip or even an M1 chip. The M3 is around $1099 whereas the M2 is $999 — also, Apple has discontinued MacBook Airs with M1 chips, but they are still available to buy in some places like Walmart for under $700. When you take this into , the regular could end up paying a higher price for benefits they won’t really notice. 

Also, that price for the M3 is only for the base spec; if you want more RAM or storage, Apple’s markups on the higher specs are incredibly high, so you could end up paying over $2000 for a MacBook Air that has more than the bare minimum. This is another thing that Brownlee criticizes Apple for, considering the company knows that customers can’t upgrade the product. So if they want something that has longevity, they’re going to pay for the upgrades, and Apple is making them pay through the nose for it. Doesn’t Apple make enough money already?

Brownlee its that the new MacBook’s powerful chip allows s to do a lot more stuff that would typically require a bigger computer, such as a desktop. However, if a person is just looking to do basic stuff with a computer, then they’d be better off getting the MacBook Air M2 (or even the M1), which is a lot cheaper than the base spec M3. Oh, and he also wasn’t a fan of the anodized surface, as he showed fingerprints could still be left on it.

So in the end, it all depends on what you’re using your MacBook Air for; if it’s only regular use then you could go with an older model. If it’s more high end stuff then it works, but it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg thanks to Apple’s exorbitant prices.

Apple is one of the biggest brands on the planet.

Its also one of the most expensive — just ask my bougie sister, who insists on owning only the newest Apple products. It puts some serious strain on the wallet, but the followers of Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs’ company, founded in conjunction with Ronald Wayne, are ionate about their tech. And, in their opinions, Apple produces the best products on the market.

That claim is up to debate, of course, particularly by the loyal Android s struggling to read this on their glitchy phones, but a huge bulk of the population prays to the Apple gods, and buys up each fresh product the company puts out. Steve Jobs isn’t profiting off the company’s success anymore, unfortunately, but — though he is no longer in a traditional role at the company — Steve Wozniak is still attached to the Apple brand. He reportedly still held a ceremonial position within the company as of 2020, which should make his impending medical bills — the tech pioneer was hospitalized in Mexico in early November — much easier to manage.

Not that medical bills should daunt one of the men behind Apple, one of the most profitable companies on the planet. The company was worth a full $122.03 billion in 2022, after all, so Wozniak should be absolutely rolling in cash.

Steve Wozniak’s age and net worth

Wozniak’s hospitalization in Mexico sparked concern across the Apple co-founder’s fanbase, but the 73-year-old still has plenty more good years in him. He’s getting up there, sure, but — considering the culprit behind his hospitalization doesn’t seem serious — he’ll likely recover just fine.

Which leaves the man with plenty of time to enjoy that nest egg. Its not nearly so impressive as it should be, considering the tens of billions of dollars Apple is worth now, but $10 million still isn’t anything to scoff at. Its shockingly low when compared to Jobs’ net worth at the time of his death, however, which Celebrity Net Worth estimates at more than $10 billion. To be fair, Wozniak left the company in the mid-’80s, after which it became the insanely profitable behemoth it is now, which likely restricted him from raking in the massive amounts of cash Jobs eventually earned.

Still, $10 million is a solid number for a 73-year-old to boast. He’s got a cozy retirement ahead of him, and one he well-earned through his groundbreaking work in tech.

With so much talk about the much-anticipated iPhone update known as iOS 17, it’s worth wondering: is the Apple software upgrade available to on my phone now?

You will need to make sure your iPhone is a model from 2018 or newer for the update to work on your phone since older models won’t be eligible to install it. From there, you will be treated to a number of nifty upgrades, such as adding gesture-triggered 3D augmented reality effects, such as fireworks or confetti, to videos. With the update’s emphasis on personalization, you’ll also be able to do things like create your own custom stickers from your photos to use in iMessage and customize the screen that others see when you are calling them. Now let’s get to the nitty gritty: is the update available now and how can it be installed?

Update release window and how to install

If you’re eager to install iOS 17 on your device, you’re in luck: the upgrade is available now. However, you may be wondering how to install it. What you’re going to want to do is go to Settings, the application with a gear illustration. From there, go to “general” (which has another gear icon), then select Software Update.

Once you’ve got iOS 17 installed, you can enjoy the many benefits it offers, including Live Voicemail, a real-time transcription that shows you the words from a voicemail you receive while the message is being recorded. You’ll also now be able to leave a video voice message when doing a Facetime call in the event the person on the other end does not answer you. Other Apple products that received software updates on the same day as iPhone include Apple Watch, Apple TV, and iPad.