On Wednesday, Elevation Lab announced TimeCapsule, a new $20 battery case purported to extend Apple AirTag battery life from one year to 10 years. The product replaces the standard CR2032 coin cell battery in the Bluetooth-based location tracker with two AA batteries to provide extended power capacity.
The TimeCapsule case requires users to remove their AirTag's original back plate and battery, then place the Apple device onto contact points inside the waterproof enclosure. The company recommends using Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries, which it claims provide 14 times more power capacity than the stock coin cell battery configuration.
The CNC-machined aluminum case is aimed at users who place AirTags in vehicles, boats, or other applications where regular battery changes prove impractical. The company sells the TimeCapsule through its website and Amazon.
Cybersecurity experts, who work with human rights defenders and journalists, agree that Apple is doing the right thing by sending notifications to victims of mercenary spyware — and at the same time refusing to forensically analyze the devices.
In theory, it ought to be as good a time as ever to be a gamer on the iPhone.
Classic console emulators have rolled out to the platform for the first time, and they work great. There are strong libraries of non-skeezy mobile games on Apple Arcade and Netflix Games, streaming via Xbox and PlayStation services is continuing apace, and there are even a few AAA console games now running natively on the platform, like Assassin's Creed and Resident Evil titles.
Some of those games need a traditional, dual-stick game controller to work well, though, and Apple bafflingly offers no first-party solution for this.
On Wednesday, OpenAI launched a 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478) telephone number that anyone in the US can call to talk to ChatGPT via voice chat for up to 15 minutes for free. The company also says that people outside the US can send text messages to the same number for free using WhatsApp.
Upon calling, users hear a voice say, "Hello again, it's ChatGPT, an AI assistant. Our conversation may be reviewed for safety. How can I help you?" Callers can ask ChatGPT anything they would normally ask the AI assistant and have a live, interactive conversation.
During a livestream demo of "Calling with ChatGPT" during Day 10 of "12 Days of OpenAI," OpenAI employees demonstrated several examples of the telephone-based voice chat in action, asking ChatGPT to identify a distinctive house in California and for help in translating a message into Spanish for a friend. For fun, they showed calls from an iPhone, a flip phone, and a vintage rotary phone.
ChatGPT is coming to phones. No, not smartphones — landlines. Call 1-800-242-8478 (1-800-CHATGPT), and OpenAI’s AI-powered assistant will respond as of Wednesday afternoon. “[Our mission at] OpenAI is to make artificial general intelligence beneficial to all of humanity, and part of that is making it as accessible as possible to as many people as we […]
The author, not pictured, found that decluttering her digital life helped her focus more.
Drazen_/Getty Images
When the world followed the advice of Marie Kondo and decluttered, I did too.
I soon discovered my digital life needed to be decluttered just as much as my house once did.
A weekly routine helps me manage digital clutter so it doesn't become overwhelming.
Like most people, I have too much stuff. But it's not just physical stuff; the amount of digital clutter I amass is nothing short of spectacular. Between bookmarking apps, "watch later" lists, and email newsletters, it all adds up to one big mess of distraction that lingers at the edge of my subconscious and calls for my attention — attention that could be better spent engaging with the real world.
I didn't always know that my digital stuff was a problem, but I realized my physical stuff had gotten out of control when I (finally) read Marie Kondo's, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up." The book launched me into a love affair with minimalism, resulting in a complete declutter of clothing, books, old papers, and dozens of boxes of stored possessions I hadn't touched in over a decade.
It felt amazing to wave goodbye to every load I donated, recycled, or threw away. But the invisible problem of digital clutter still weighed heavily in the back of my mind. I had to face reality: My digital life was a complete and total mess, and I was overwhelmed.
Tackling a physical declutter made me realize I had too much digital stuff
"Read later" apps were a big part of my problem. I'd been saving anything that looked even remotely interesting since my family first got a PC in 1998. As bookmarking options got more sophisticated, I tested several tools (and saved dozens of links) before settling on an organization app called Bublup.
The app's engaging interface, handy browser extension, and catch-all "Review Later" folder made it easy to save all types of content with a few clicks or taps. Between Bublup, the "Your Episodes" list in Spotify, and YouTube's "Watch Later" list, I managed to stockpile links to hundreds of articles, podcasts, and videos that I intended to look at — you guessed it — some nebulous later time that rarely materialized.
Things got worse when I briefly fell down the rabbit hole of second brains and Zettelkasten, systems that promised I could reclaim some of my attention by organizing digital clutter into a magical note taking app that would somehow free my brain to make new connections between the ideas contained in what I saved. But for that to work, I had to shoulder the task of taking detailed notes on every piece of content, categorizing them, and implementing an intricate cross-referencing system that would supposedly enable me to access entire hubs of externalized knowledge at a moment's notice instead of scrolling through endless bookmarks.
It was exhausting.
I finally had to admit that I needed a digital declutter
I started to feel like I was going nuts — until books came to my rescue once again.
Nicholas Carr's "The Shallows," Nir Eyal's "Indistractable," and Cal Newport's "Digital Minimalism," all opened my eyes to how my constant bouncing across content and tools was stealing attention from other, more important, areas of my life—things I truly enjoyed, like reading, knitting, and face-to-face interaction with friends. And the authors armed me with practical steps to refocus that attention on what mattered.
I dove into digital minimalism with enthusiasm, starting with Eyal's suggestions for dumbing down my smartphone. I turned off the color, shut off notification tones and badges, and moved distracting apps to a second home screen I couldn't access when the phone was in Focus mode. Then it was time to corral the collection of content that had run wild across my bookmarking and media apps.
It took days to go through the majority of my bookmarks, delete what I no longer wanted, and organize the rest with a system of subfolders and tags. As I had done during my physical declutter, I waved goodbye to content and apps that had long been taking up space and my fragmented attention started to unify for the first time in years. It was as if the brain I'd had when I was a kid was coming out of hibernation, the brain that could read an entire book in one sitting and had no problem staying focused on a game or craft for hours.
It felt like I was waking up.
I have to keep on top of my digital clutter every week
Is my system perfect? Of course not. But I've developed a weekly routine that helps me reign in digital clutter on a regular basis. Each week, I take about 30 minutes on Friday or Saturday to sort through anddelete saved content that no longer interests me. I turn the remaining content into reminders on my weekly schedule so I have something to read, watch, or listen to each day that's actually worth my time.
I often get busy and miss a week or two of digital cleanout. But learning about digital minimalism and doing a digital declutter has helped me become more focused—and think more seriously about how I spend my time and attention.
Apple plans to launch a foldable giant iPad and a folding iPhone, according to multiple reports.
The foldable tablet device is reportedly the size of two iPad Pros.
Apple could also introduce a thinner iPhone next year, the reports said.
Apple is developing a foldable iPad and a foldable iPhone, according to multiple reports.
Apple is working towards bringing the foldable iPad, said to be the size of two iPad Pros when unfolded, to market around 2028, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in the "Power On" newsletter on Sunday.
The company is unlikely to bring its folding iPhone to market before 2026, Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal reported.
Despite years of working on the new form factor, Apple has faced hurdles in bringing foldable devices to market. Critical components, such as a reliable hinge mechanism and a display screen protection cover for the display, have delayed progress, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Rival tech firms already offer foldable dual-screen products, such as Microsoft Surface Pro and Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Fold. Similarly, Apple is the only major smartphone company without a foldable device. There have been many reports about a prototype folding iPhone in recent years, including that Apple has been working with LG and Samsung on displays for the collapsible devices.
Apple wants its new iPad to be free of the crease that's present in other foldable devices available on the market. Gurman said the new device has an almost invisible crease.
The Cupertino-headquartered company also plans to introduce a thinner iPhone next year. Apple wants to offer the "thinnest and lightest products" on the market, Gurman wrote in June.
The range of new devices in development is part of Apple's broader strategy to diversify its hardware offerings as it seeks new avenues for growth.
Apple said in its most recent annual report that its future devices might not be as profitable as its iPhone business, which made up nearly half of its total revenue in its fiscal fourth quarter.
In a note to investors in the report, Apple said, "New products, services and technologies may replace or supersede existing offerings and may produce lower revenues and lower profit margin."
It added that it could "materially adversely impact the company's business, results of operations and financial condition."
Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.
The author and her husband decided against getting a smartphone for their son (not pictured).
Getty Images
My preteen feels left out because he's one of the few kids in his class without a cellphone.
My husband and I are concerned he lacks the impulse control for a phone or smartwatch.
We decided against getting him one for now, but will keep an open conversation about the topic.
My 12-year-old feels left out at school because he's not in a group chat with his classmates. He says he's one of the only kids in his class without a phone or smartwatch. At first, I was surprised, but Common Sense Media reported that 71% of 12-year-olds had their own smartphone as of 2021.
I don't want my son to feel left out. However, he already owns a Nintendo Switch, a Kindle, and an iPad. Even with strict screen usage limits, his access to the digital world feels robust enough for his age.
At the kitchen table a few nights ago, my son wrote a persuasive essay about why he should be permitted a smartwatch or a phone. It was well-researched, including this zinger: "I only need to use it when I go out with friends, so you don't worry about me. I can leave it on the charger when I'm at home."
It sounds innocent enough — a tool that will keep him in contact with us when he isn't home. However, I doubt the device will live on the charger. I've heard from other parents whose preteens are in the school group chat, that the messages come in fast succession and often at odd hours. With access, my son will likely obsess over the influx of messages, making his emotional attachments to friends even more complex.
I worry about the consequences of getting him a phone
For preteens, a phone or other tech device often has more consequences than only staying connected, Dr. Kyra Bobinet, a physician and behavioral expert, told Business Insider. Because the prefrontal cortex, which manages impulse control and decision-making, is still developing, "introducing phones too early may overwhelm a preteen with constant notifications and endless online options, making it harder for them to self-regulate," she said. These distractions can make it hard for them to form boundaries around screens.
Our preteen already melts down when his timer rings to turn off his devices, and he sometimes attempts to sneak more screen time. In my experience, he lacks the impulse control and self-constraint for a cellphone or smartwatch.
Dr. Zishan Khan, a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist, said that because preteens (children between ages 9 and 12) are in critical stages of emotional and cognitive development, devices can expose them to adult content, peer pressure, and social media dynamics they aren't ready for.
Excessive screen time can impair their ability to focus. He added that it can also contribute to sleep disruption and interfere with their development of healthy coping strategies and positive social skills. Khan also said that preteen phone usage comes with other risks, such as cyberbullying and privacy and safety concerns.
"They may not fully understand the implications of oversharing on the internet, whether through text, photos, or geolocation features," he said. "It never ceases to amaze me how many times a very intelligent, well-meaning, and genuinely innocent child is coerced into doing things totally out of character, even being convinced to share inappropriate pictures.
My preteen is more tech-savvy than I am. Even if we give him a phone with boundaries, it's possible he'd outsmart our restrictions.
While we decided against it, we're keeping open communication about the issue
My husband and I took a few simple steps immediately following our son's request. We communicated with our son why we don't feel he's ready for a phone or smartwatch, including a conversation about his current behavior patterns.
We told him that we don't know when he'll get a device, and we also assured him that when we do get him a phone or smartwatch, we'll need to enforce healthy boundaries and restrictions. In the meantime, we offered him a compromise. He can use our phones to text friends until the time comes to get him his own device. We also promised to schedule intentional time with friends outside school so he doesn't feel as left out.
Although my preteen isn't happy with the decision, my husband and I strive for open, honest dialogue at home. I hope this will create bridges in our relationship instead of building walls because, like all well-meaning parents, we want to enter the teenage years with a strong relationship.
There's something liberating about traveling without your computer. Your load is lighter, your battery needs are fewer, and you don't have to risk damaging or losing one of your most important and expensive devices. Besides, most of us are already carrying around a pretty powerful and conveniently compact computer 24/7: our smartphones.
My problem, though, is that I prefer doing most things on a laptop rather than on a phone. Whether working, writing a detailed email, or shopping around for something online, I can complete my task quicker and more accurately if sitting at a table, typing on a physical keyboard, and navigating with a mouse.
So, in the interest of having my cake and eating it, I've gathered a collection of gadgets that help me get the most out of my iPhone when traveling. With these accessories, I can use my iPhone as if it were a desktop PC, peripherals and all. See you later, laptop.
Thousands of victims have sued Apple over its alleged failure to detect and report illegal child pornography, also known as child sex abuse materials (CSAM).
The proposed class action comes after Apple scrapped a controversial CSAM-scanning tool last fall that was supposed to significantly reduce CSAM spreading in its products. Apple defended its decision to kill the tool after dozens of digital rights groups raised concerns that the government could seek to use the functionality to illegally surveil Apple users for other reasons. Apple also was concerned that bad actors could use the functionality to exploit its users and sought to protect innocent users from false content flags.
Child sex abuse survivors suing have accused Apple of using the cybersecurity defense to ignore the tech giant's mandatory CSAM reporting duties. If they win over a jury, Apple could face more than $1.2 billion in penalties. And perhaps most notably for privacy advocates, Apple could also be forced to "identify, remove, and report CSAM on iCloud and implement policies, practices, and procedures to prevent continued dissemination of CSAM or child sex trafficking on Apple devices and services." That could mean a court order to implement the controversial tool or an alternative that meets industry standards for mass-detecting CSAM.
Apple iOS 18.2 update is available for iPhones, with new AI features available to owners of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 lineups.
Cheng Xin/Getty Images
Apple's iOS 18.2 update launched on Wednesday with new AI features and improvements.
The new Apple Intelligence features include ChatGPT integration, Genmojis, and Image Playground.
The new features are available to iPhone 16 models as well as the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
If you shrugged at Apple's first AI features, you might find the new batch that launched Wednesday with iOS 18.2 to be more meaningful.
Apple's AI software suite, Apple Intelligence, launched its first set of features on October 28. The upgrade included a revamped Siri, AI writing tools, smart replies, an updated Photos app, and a new focus mode called Reduce Interruptions.
It was a fraction of the flashy AI features Apple showed off at its Worldwide Developer Conference earlier this year, as the company decided to do a staggered rollout.
The second wave of features, which began rolling out to iPhone users today, will be followed by additional ones launching next year.
So what can you expect when you update to iOS 18.2?
Features in the December update include tools like Genmojis and Image Playground, among others. Like the earlier Apple Intelligence features, the newest AI features are available for all iPhone 16 models and most of them also work with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
ChatGPT integration
Apple's iOS 18.2 introduces ChatGPT integration.
Apple
Siri received some enhancements in the iOS 18.1 update, but the iOS 18.2 update further improves the voice assistant and allows integrated access to ChatGPT.
With iOS 18.2, users have access to the popular OpenAI chatbot through Siri and Writing Tools, and they'll be able to access the tool by talking to the voice assistant or typing to it.
Visual Intelligence
Apple's visual intelligence feature is expected in iOS 18.2
Apple
The new update also allows iPhone 16 users to gather information by pointing their device at an object (sorry iPhone 15 Pro owners, you're out of luck).
The tool is similar to Google Lens, which does reverse image searches and helps identify landmarks, plants, and other objects or places.
Genmojis
Create a personalized "Genmoji."
Apple
For those who prefer to communicate with emojis over the written word, Genmojis could be a game changer.
The new update allows users to be more playful and interactive in their messages, creating custom emojis right from the keyboard and animated Genmojis of themselves, similar to Bitmoji.
Image Playground
Image Playground was introduced at Apple's WWDC 2024.
Apple
Apple's Image Playground is its answer to popular AI image generators like OpenAI's Dall-E or Midjourney. The tool was first demonstrated at Apple's WWDC conference earlier this year.
Image Playground users can create images based on a specific description or concept and can select different formats like animation. The tool is available as its own app and is also accessible through third-party apps.
You can also use the tool as an extension in messages.
Photo updates
iOS 18.2 introduced several photo updates, including video enhancements like improvements for navigating Collections and the ability to view a video more finely, which can be helpful with editing. Users also have the option to clear their Recently Viewed and Recently Shared album history, and Favorites appear in the Utility and Pinned Collection.
Other updates
Apple's Mail app is getting an AI makeover that categorizes emails based on their priority level. The update gives access to the "digest" view, which organizes all emails from a sender in one place.
Apple's internet browser Safari also received some changes, including new customizable background images for the start page
The update also has some non-AI updates, including an AirTag enhancement that allows you to share the location of a lost item with friends or airlines. Users can also now choose their favorite Podcast categories and get relevant recommendations in their library.
To update to iOS 18.2, navigate to your Settings app on your iPhone, then to General, and finally tap on Software Update.
When Apple introduced what it currently calls MagSafe in 2020, its marketing messaging suggested that the magnetic attachment standard for the iPhone would produce a boom in innovation in accessories, making things possible that simply weren't before.
Four years later, that hasn't really happened—either from third-party accessory makers or Apple's own lineup of branded MagSafe products.
Instead, we have a lineup of accessories that matches pretty much what was available at launch in 2020: chargers, cases, and just a couple more unusual applications.
One of Apple's most popular features was started by an intern.
Shutterstock
Apple's Find My feature started from an intern's idea to track lost devices.
It began with the Find My iPhone app, announced at the 2009 Worldwide Developers Conference.
The feature evolved to include Find My Friends and AirTags for all Apple devices.
If you've ever done the dreaded pat-down of your pockets when you realized your phone is missing, Apple's Find My feature has probably been a lifesaver.
And, according to Apple's senior vice president of services, Eddy Cue, the company's idea for the feature was found through surprisingly humble origins.
Cue, in an interview earlier this year with tech YouTuber Safwan AhmedMia (better known by his moniker SuperSaf), said that the company's Find My ecosystem was actually started by an intern.
The now ubiquitous tool for more forgetful users "started with the idea of somebody losing their phone on the couch," Cue said. After an intern recognized the universal panic of misplacing your phone, the company worked to develop a solution.
"I remember one of the first things was if you have your phone in silent mode, it better override silent mode, or you're not going to see it," he said.
The original Find My iPhone app was first announced in 2009 during Apple's 26th Worldwide Developers Conference. It was released the following year alongside the iPhone OS 3, initially only available to members of Apple's now-defunct paid MobileMe service.
With the introduction of iCloud in 2011, it became free for all users. Later that year, the feature was extended to Macs with "Find My Mac" and has since become preinstalled on all iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches.
And now it's not just for lost devices but people and, say, misplaced luggage.
"Look at where it's led to," Cue said. "It went to Find My Friends to now AirTags because you're finding your suitcase somewhere in the airport."
Find My Friends, which allows users to share their locations with each other, was announced in 2011 on the day before Steve Jobs' death.
Ten years later, the AirTag was released, allowing people to trace personal items with the physical tracking device that's now popular for luggage, keys, and other accessories.
Apple has since announced further integrations with airports, allowing customers to share their AirTag location with airlines like Delta to help track down lost luggage. The feature, Share Item Location, is expected to launch in December with iOS 18.2.
Other companies have introduced similar tech to Apple's Find My features, including Google, which announced earlier this April that its own Find My Device feature would now be available for Android phones and tablets.
But when it comes to Apple, "this is a great example of one where you go, 'Well sure, that's pretty easy. It didn't take a genius to think that,'" Cue said. "But nobody thought of it until we did it."
