iOS

After a rocky start, Apple has released a Rapid Security Response update to iOS 16.5.1 and macOS Ventura 13.4.1.

Apple released a critical security update to iPhone, iPad, and Mac on Monday that patches a known exploit. Unfortunately, the patch had a side effect of breaking how some websites load.

1 p.m. PT update: Public beta versions are also now available.

While all the action is happening around iOS 17 beta, Apple is continuing to prepare a more imminent iPhone software update for release. Apple has released the fifth iOS 16.6 beta for developer testing.

The popular fitness tracking app and Apple Editors’ Choice award-winner SmartGym for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch is out with a big update today. The release expands its database of exercises to almost 700, there’s a new Routine Progress feature, Apple Watch gets a number of upgrades, there’s a fresh history system, and more.

Hulu users are growing increasingly frustrated with a long-running bug affecting the ability to watch content in fullscreen on iPhone. Hulu says that it has been investigating this bug for over a month; a fix hasn’t been released, but there is a temporary workaround available.

Coming with the release iOS 16.5.1, macOS 13.4.1, and more today, Apple has shipped two important fixes for security flaws. The updates arrive for devices on the latest public software and those on older versions of its software. Notably, Apple has heard the flaws have been actively exploited.

Apple today announced it is officially rolling out a new ad format for the App Store. The new Today tab format is more compact than the previous full-height card design but is viewable immediately upon opening the tab on the iPhone. The previous design required the user to scroll down the page to see it.

A nonsponsored slot continues to take the first position, but the ad placement is now always above the fold. The new format also allows Apple to make it easier for advertisers to submit campaigns and get approved more quickly.

Zeera continues its streak of producing high-quality accessories for your Apple products. They stole the show earlier this year with the MagSafe Duo alternative, the 3 in 1 MegFold. The MegFold was less than half the price of the MagSafe Duo while also including a third charging pad for your headphones. See our review here.

Dark Mode on iPhone, iPad, and Mac is fairly flexible. You can toggle it on or off from Control Center or Settings, automatically switch based on time of day, or use local sunrise and sunset time to switch.

There’s one method for invoking dark mode that’s still missing, however, and watchOS 10 on the Apple Watch Ultra shows how it could work.

Since Apple released the AirTag, companies have been flying to create cases, lanyards, keychains, and so many other accessories. For the most part, these accessories work. I have one on my luggage, one on my dog’s collar, and another on my keychain, but there has been one solution missing: the wallet tracker. The biggest issue, at least for me, is that the AirTag is thick compared to credit cards, so when you put it in your wallet, there is a huge and ugly bulge.

Following up on the popular Nintendo Switch companion app Switch Buddy, indie developer Filip Němeček has released his latest app to let you track video game releases for any platform. Game Buddy offers a nice experience to discover new titles plus three handy widgets in multiple sizes to keep track of upcoming video game launches.

Two unique weather apps have received updates this week. Weather Strip which features a clever week-long timeline view has received minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts and more while Apollo Weather which is focused on athletes has gained Weather Groups and Route Analysis.

Included with iOS 16.5 comes a variety of important security fixes. There are 39 vulnerabilities addressed in the latest iOS update and Apple notes that three of them were reported as actively exploited.

Mozilla’s popular read-it-later app and service Pocket is out with a big update for its iOS app. The release comes with an all-new design that brings a fresh experience for Home, “My Lists” evolving to “Saves,” improved navigation, and more.

Amazon is joining in on the latest smart home protocol with support for Thread coming to its fourth-gen Echo smart speaker, bringing it in-line with Apple’s HomePod mini and more. The latest update also debuts iOS setup compatibility and Matter support for older Echo devices. And in more smart home news, the previously HomeKit-focused company Eve has made a big deal with Amazon.

Snowman first teased its major new mobile game in March and we got a closer look with the official trailer last week. Now the creator of the hit Alto’s Adventure/Odyssey series (and more) has officially released Laya’s Horizon for iOS and Android. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been playing the game over the last few weeks, here’s why I think you’re going to love it.

I do realize that it is far too late in the year to make a wish list that might get any traction re: things I’d like to see Apple implement into iOS 17, and that’s fine – I don’t care – but I have to document my hopes and dreams as a consumer and Apple loyalist somewhere, and with WWDC happening next month, I remembered that I have ideas. Read on to see what I would love, would absolutely die for, should Apple choose to implement any of the following into any of their products at any point in any future iOS release ever.

I have reviewed countless 3-in-1, 4-in-1, and all-in-one chargers that promise to be the best, from no-name brands to higher-end brands. For the most part, they get the job done. They are able to charge my three Apple devices, my iPhone, my AirPods, and my Apple Watch. But with each one there is always a sacrifice. Either it’s too expensive, made of the wrong material, the LED indicators are too bright, the stand doesn’t swivel enough, etc. But it seems like Zeera’s new VOXN Charging Station checks off pretty much every box I would ever need. Here’s what sets it apart from the rest.