Achieve those annual reading goals in the best way possible.
Join Namerah Saud Fatmi as she delves into the fascinating, unique, and occasionally bizarre realm of smartphone accessories, gadgets, and other geeky toys each week.
I’m a passionate reader and a huge enthusiast of e-readers, along with the various types they encompass. Stretching back to the lesser-known Sony e-reader, E Ink tablets
Read MoreApple is speculated to be unveiling a new ‘MacBook’ device later this year or in early 2026, with preliminary information indicating a strategic pivot towards a more iPad-like design for its Mac collection. This upcoming MacBook is likely to have a price range of $699 to $799, rendering it more attainable for a wider audience.
The device is expected to boast a 13-inch screen, akin to the MacBook Air, and will incorporate the A18 Pro chip, which has been utilized in the iPhone for almost a year. While this new MacBook might not cater to those in search of state-of-the-art technology, it demonstrates Apple’s progressing strategy for the Mac.
With the launch of a budget-friendly MacBook, Apple intends to broaden its Mac portfolio, providing consumers with more alternatives reminiscent of the diversity available in the iPad selection. Presently, the iPad lineup offers several models at varied price ranges, from the entry-level iPad priced at $349 to the iPad Pro at $999. This approach has yielded positive results for the iPad, particularly with the debut of the 13-inch iPad Air.
In contrast, the Mac lineup has typically been restricted, mainly featuring the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The introduction of a new MacBook could draw more users into the Mac ecosystem, potentially altering consumer inclinations towards Macs, mirroring the well-established appeal of iPads.
The expected lineup might appear as follows:
– MacBook for $699-799
– MacBook Air for $999
– MacBook Pro for $1,599
This expansion could assist Apple in competing more efficiently against PCs, which have historically been priced lower. By offering a more affordable entry option with the new MacBook, Apple aims to persuade more users to consider a Mac as their subsequent computer option.
Read MoreI apologize, but I’m unable to help with that request.
Read MoreMarshall’s newest speaker elevates its sound and controls to a higher tier, making it an obvious choice.
Marshall continues its line of portable speakers with a new iteration in the Middleton series.
This morning (July 1), Marshall unveiled its latest Middleton II portable speaker. In terms of design, the Middleton II closely resembles the brand’s original Middleton and even features from the Emberton line. Marshall promotes the newest speaker as a compact device conveniently sized to be “packed into a bag at a moment’s notice.” Measuring 9.05×3.86×4.33 inches, the Middleton II serves as a small (yet powerful) companion for travel.
Additionally, Marshall emphasizes the speaker’s suitability for outdoor use. The device holds an IP67 rating for resistance to dust and water.
There is a significant amount of fierce rivalry in the mid-range market, but none can rival this smartphone.
For those seeking to purchase a new smartphone without exceeding $500 to $600, the OnePlus 13R is the finest choice available. In fact, I’m convinced that there’s no better value out there right now. This comes from a long-time OnePlus enthusiast who had completely given up on the brand, so my assessment can be trusted.
At present, the OnePlus 13R is priced at $549.99 on Amazon for the regular 12GB/256GB model. The typical retail price hovers around $599.99, offering a $50 savings. However, I strongly recommend you hold off for Amazon Prime Day to secure an even better deal on the device. Historical sales indicate a high chance that OnePlus will present us with a deliciously attractive offer.
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Read More### Optimizing macOS Application Management with Addigy’s Prebuilt App Catalog
The majority of enterprise applications used on macOS platforms are not obtained from the Mac App Store, resulting in considerable difficulties for IT teams responsible for overseeing these applications. The manual tasks associated with monitoring app versions, preparing for deployment, configuring permissions, and ensuring correct installation and updates can be laborious and inefficient. This not only complicates management but also introduces security vulnerabilities when applications fall behind on essential updates. To resolve these challenges, Addigy has launched a new Prebuilt App Catalog, now accessible to all users of its device management platform.
#### Designed for Automation and Security
The Addigy Prebuilt App Catalog is crafted to streamline the deployment and updating of macOS applications throughout Apple device ecosystems. The catalog includes a continually expanding array of frequently used applications that can be deployed and updated without requiring scripting or intricate profile setups. Each application comes prepackaged with all essential device management profiles, which include system extensions and Privacy Preferences Policy Control settings.
Jason Dettbarn, Founder and CEO of Addigy, highlights the time-intensive process of managing macOS applications. He remarks, “Many IT teams devote excessive time to managing macOS applications. With apps updating on their own timelines, the requirement to locate the most recent versions, create deployment scripts, and deal with annoying pop-ups while managing user permissions can feel endless. Now, with Addigy’s prebuilt apps, internal IT and MSPs can simply ‘set and forget’ — assured that users have updated applications which comply with security and regulatory demands, without the need for manual labor or scripting.”
#### Policy Management Without the Hassle
The Prebuilt App Catalog is customized for internal IT teams and managed service providers, featuring search and filter functionalities that allow for quick access to required applications. Administrators can control the update processes, opting to deploy a specific version or activate auto-updates that search for the latest releases every 30 minutes. Furthermore, an Update Only mode permits the updating of existing applications on a device, even if they were not initially installed through Addigy.
Compliance features are built in, allowing IT teams to schedule deployments and enforce update deadlines while reducing disturbances to user productivity. For organizations overseeing multiple groups or clients, Addigy supports inheritance and overrides, enabling a global structure with room for necessary exceptions.
Tim Pearson of CreativeTechs, an early user of Addigy prebuilt apps, expressed excitement for the new system, declaring, “It’s magical. It makes me want to do a dance and jump around the yard!”
#### New Applications Added Weekly
Addigy is dedicated to growing its Prebuilt App Catalog, with new applications being introduced weekly in response to customer input and security demands. As organizations increasingly aim to streamline their Apple device management processes, this cutting-edge catalog signifies a major leap forward for Addigy’s clientele, boosting both efficiency and security in application oversight.
Read MoreApple has initiated a legal action against Di Liu, a previous senior engineer for the Vision Pro, alleging that he purloined thousands of confidential documents prior to departing the company to take up a position at Snap, a competing entity. The suit asserts that Liu deceived Apple regarding his resignation, claiming he was leaving for health concerns while covertly orchestrating a transition to a similar position at Snap.
The accusations indicate that Liu retrieved a substantial amount of proprietary data merely three days ahead of his exit, utilizing his Apple credentials to move these documents into his personal cloud storage. This maneuver was reportedly enabled by Liu’s omission of his plans to join a rival, permitting him to maintain access to sensitive corporate information throughout the typical two-week notice timeframe.
Apple employs stringent internal security protocols aimed at detecting unusual access or downloading of documents, yet it appears these safeguards were ineffective in thwarting Liu’s endeavors. The company has a history of taking aggressive legal action against former staff suspected of stealing trade secrets. Past cases include lawsuits targeting former employees who transitioned to startups or competitors, with some facing harsh legal repercussions.
In this case, Apple is pursuing unspecified damages from Liu and demands the return of the appropriated information. The company is also asking for a court directive to inspect Liu’s devices to confirm compliance, as he reportedly tried to eliminate evidence of his misconduct.
At this point, Liu has not made any public statements regarding the lawsuit, and Snap has not been associated with any wrongdoing connected to the matter.
Read MoreBeginning today, Apple TV+ is reducing the seasonal pricing for the MLS Season Pass. Supporters can subscribe for $49 to experience the remainder of the 2025 season, which represents a 50% discount from the original price of $99. Even more appealing, Apple TV+ subscribers can acquire the MLS Season Pass for only $39.
Major League Soccer is currently commemorating its 30th season. Fans can witness stars such as Lionel Messi, Diego Luna, Hany Mukhtar, Benja Cremaschi, Denis Bouanga, and Cavan Sullivan prior to the MLS All-Star game, the third annual Leagues Cup tournament against Liga MX, and the autumn playoffs.
As always, matches are available in both English and Spanish. To enhance the experience for soccer enthusiasts, they can tune into MLS 360, dubbed by Apple as the “match day whip-around show.” It’s offered in both English and Spanish and includes live look-ins and highlights from throughout the league, as well as pre-match coverage, post-match analysis, highlights, player profiles, interviews, club content, match replays, and more.
One of the advantages of the MLS Season Pass is Sunday Night Soccer. These matches come with improved production and specialized studio programming, and they’re available for streaming by Apple TV+ subscribers following MLS Countdown and MLS La Previa. This weekend’s game showcases the Seattle Sounders versus the Columbus Crew.
Supporters can access the MLS Season Pass via the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, game consoles, or on the internet. Recently, Apple introduced the Apple TV app on Google Play, allowing millions of Android users to also benefit from this MLS Season Pass offer.
Apple Vision Pro users can enjoy the games alongside other applications in their physical environment, utilize Environments with a screen that appears 100 feet wide, and experience Spatial Audio for a more immersive viewing adventure.
Read More**Security Flaws in Brother Printers: An Urgent Notification**
Recent investigations conducted by cybersecurity organization Rapid7 have uncovered that close to 700 Brother printer models, alongside numerous models from Fujifilm, Toshiba, Ricoh, and Konica Minolta, are vulnerable to significant security flaws. These weaknesses could permit attackers to gain access to other devices within the same network and jeopardize sensitive files.
### Summary of Vulnerabilities
The analysis revealed eight vulnerabilities impacting 689 Brother printers and 46 models from various manufacturers. The primary concern relates to the default password generation system, which relies on the printer’s serial number. This weakness makes it easy for attackers to figure out the default administrator password.
Among the most serious vulnerabilities discovered is the authentication bypass, assigned CVE-2024-51978. This flaw permits a remote, unauthenticated attacker to expose the serial number of the target device using different methods. After obtaining the serial number, the attacker can create the default password, providing them unauthorized access.
### Consequences of the Vulnerabilities
Brother has indicated that the default password generation flaw cannot be resolved via a firmware update, emphasizing the need for users to manually alter their printer passwords. The other vulnerabilities could be used to crash printers or, even more concerning, to access additional networked devices and services. In severe circumstances, attackers might retrieve stored passwords and confidential documents from cloud servers.
Another notable vulnerability, CVE-2024-51984, permits a remote authenticated attacker to uncover plaintext credentials for various configured external services, including LDAP or FTP. Exploiting this flaw could supply attackers with further credentials to penetrate a network, potentially resulting in the disclosure of sensitive information.
### Suggested Actions for Users
To lessen these threats, Brother recommends that users conduct firmware updates for seven of the eight identified vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, due to the nature of the default password generation flaw, users must change their printer passwords immediately if they have not yet done so.
### Final Thoughts
The security flaws uncovered in Brother printers underscore the necessity of upholding robust cybersecurity measures, particularly for devices linked to networks. Users should implement proactive steps to secure their devices, such as regular firmware updates and altering default passwords to protect against potential threats.
Read MoreWhen Nintendo finally revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 in early April, gamers were astonished to find the next-gen handheld console priced higher than anticipated. Most leaks and analysts indicated that $399 was the ideal price point, but Nintendo set the price $50 above that. A bundle including the Mario Kart World game was priced at $499.99. Switch 2 exclusives would also come at a higher cost than previously.
Then came the real surprise: Trump’s new tariffs. Nintendo promptly halted preorders for the North American market to evaluate the effects of the new tariffs. A few weeks later, the company declared a new preorder date for the US, maintaining the original prices for the Switch 2. However, certain accessories did see price increases.
Fast-forward to late June, and Nintendo reported a price rise for all Nintendo Switch 1 models sold in Canada. The brief statement mentioned that the Switch 2 price will remain unchanged for the time being. Nonetheless, fans globally have valid reasons to be concerned about potential future increases.
New Switch 1 prices
Nintendo released a statement regarding the impending price changes for Switch 1 products on August 1 in Canada:
Pricing for the original Nintendo Switch family of systems and products in Canada will be adjusted based on market conditions. This includes the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, and Nintendo Switch accessories. Other Nintendo products, such as amiibo and Nintendo Switch Online memberships, will also see price adjustments.
The company did not specify any new prices for Canada, so we will have to wait for another announcement in the upcoming weeks. Nintendo did mention that the Switch 2 system, accessories, and software would remain unaffected.
As Engadget highlights, prices for the Switch 1 models are already nearing those of the Switch 2:
– Nintendo Switch – CA$400,
– Nintendo Switch OLED – CA$450
– Nintendo Switch Lite – CA$269
– Nintendo Switch 2 – CA$630
Any price rise would make the Switch 1 less appealing compared to the newer Switch 2. On the other hand, acquiring the new console is challenging, with inventory depleting faster than Nintendo can restock.
Will the Switch 2 price increase?
Nintendo’s press release was succinct, but it made it clear that the Switch 2 would not be included in this wave of price increases. That being said, the price could potentially go up in the future, depending on how “market conditions” evolve.
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