Apple today released iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1 come two weeks after the launch of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4.
The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
There have been complaints about issues with CarPlay and deleted apps being restored, and iOS 18.4.1 includes several bug fixes. According to Apple's release notes, the update includes bug fixes and security updates. It addresses an issue that could cause wireless CarPlay not to work in select vehicles.
Apple is already testing iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, updates that are available in a beta capacity right now. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 will likely launch in May.
Apple today released visionOS 2.4.1, a minor update to the visionOS 2 operating system that came out in September. visionOS 2.4.1 comes two weeks after the launch of visionOS 2.4.
visionOS 2.4.1 can be downloaded on all Vision Pro headsets by navigating to the Settings app, selecting the General section, and choosing the Software Update option.
To install an update, the Vision Pro headset needs to be removed, and there is a software progress bar available on the front EyeSight display.
According to Apple's release notes, visionOS 2.4.1 includes bug fixes and security updates, and the software is recommended for all users.
Apple today released tvOS 18.4.1, a minor update to the tvOS 18 operating system that came out last September. tvOS 18.4.1 comes two weeks after Apple released tvOS 18.4, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models.
tvOS 18.4.1 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the Apple TV. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 18.4.1 automatically.
Apple shares full release notes for tvOS in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each new version of tvOS comes out.
Apple has also released a new version of the HomePod Software 18.4.1 for the HomePod and HomePod mini. HomePod software is based on tvOS.
Google recently came out with the Pixel 9a, a mid-tier Android smartphone that rivals the iPhone 16e that Apple released earlier this year. We picked up a Pixel 9a to see how Google's lower-cost option compares to Apple's more affordable iPhone.
The Pixel 9a joins the flagship Pixel 9 and 9 Pro smartphones that Google released last year, much like Apple added the iPhone 16e to the iPhone 16 lineup. The Pixel 9a is priced starting at $499, so it's $100 cheaper than the $599 starting price of the iPhone 16e.
The iPhone 16e and the Pixel 9a don't look all that different, and both feature a minimal design with aluminum frames, a matte back, and a smaller camera setup than the flagship smartphones. The Pixel 9a has a plastic back instead of a glass back, so it's a little less premium but more durable.
While the iPhone 16e has a protruding single-lens rear camera, the Pixel 9a has an almost flush camera bump with two lenses instead of just one. There's a standard 48-megapixel wide-angle lens, and a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens, while the iPhone 16e is limited to a 48-megapixel wide lens. The Pixel 9a and the iPhone 16e both take solid images, and it's tough to tell the difference between them in most situations.
Google wins out when it comes to portrait mode images because of the better depth of field and the people limitation on the iPhone 16e, but Apple wins for video because the iPhone has some of the best video stabilization features available in a smartphone.
As for display, the iPhone 16e has thinner bezels and a higher resolution, but the Pixel 9a has 120Hz refresh rate support and an always-on display, features you won't get with the 16e. Android smartphone makers still can't match Face ID even after all this time, so the Pixel 9a also has a fingerprint sensor.
You're probably not going to run into performance issues with either smartphone, though the iPhone 16e may be better at high-performance games. The Pixel 9a unsurprisingly outperforms the iPhone 16e when it comes to AI, because Apple's AI features are just so far behind. Gemini is better than Siri and Pixel Studio beats Image Playground. Google does better at object removal in photos, and there are useful features for choosing the best image, adding people to a photo, and more.
Make sure to check out our video to see the AI features in action and to see our comparison photos.
Apple today shared new MacBook Pro ads, promoting features like the nano-texture display option and the long battery life.
The first spot features a man sunbathing on a rooftop with his MacBook Pro. The sun is blazing, but the Mac's display remains perfectly visible thanks to the nano-texture display.
Any of Apple's latest MacBook Pro models can be purchased with a nano-texture display option that's designed to cut down on glare when in sunlight and bright indoor lighting. For the anti-glare effect, Apple etches the glass at the nanometer level, and the etching scatters light to remove glare. Adding nano-texture is a $150 upgrade.
Apple's second ad features a man who lost his MacBook Pro charger, but he's unaware of that fact because his battery lasts so long. MacBook Pro models with the standard M4 chip can last for up to 24 hours when streaming video and up to 16 hours when browsing the web, marking the longest battery life in a Mac to date.
Both of Apple's ads link to Apple's "Mac Does That" website, which is aimed at people who are new to the Mac. It walks through all of the different Mac features, and has an FAQ on how to transfer from a Windows PC to a Mac.
An all new Apple "Vision Air" headset featuring a thinner, lighter design and a "Midnight" blue finish is in the works, according to the prototype collector and leaker known as "Kosutami."
In a new post on X, the leaker explained that the "Vision Air" will feature a thinner design and switch the battery enclosure and several of its internal structures to titanium to reduce the device's overall weight. Most of the exterior of the device will continue to be aluminum, except with a "Midnight" bluish-black finish. Today's Vision Pro is only available in silver.
The leaker also recently shared a series of images of a new, Lightning-style connector in Midnight purportedly for the next-generation Vision device.
Kosutami has a mixed track record for Apple rumors, but they were the first to say that Apple would replace its leather Modern Buckle band with a FineWoven version in 2023. They also went on to provide the first real-world images of the FineWoven Apple Watch bands prior to their official unveiling, the new Thunderbolt 4 cable released alongside the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 16 Pro's improved thermal design and redesigned battery, and more.
Apple today announced that it has now reduced its global greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 percent compared to 2015 levels, as part of its commitment to achieving full carbon neutrality across its entire business footprint by 2030.
The update was shared ahead of Earth Day as part of the company's 2025 Environmental Progress Report. The 60% milestone includes emissions from corporate operations, manufacturing, and the full product life cycle. The company aims to cut its emissions by 75% overall by 2030, with the remaining 25% to be offset through what it describes as "high-quality carbon credits." According to Apple, its efforts in 2024 alone prevented around 41 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
The report outlines several areas of recent progress, particularly in clean energy adoption across its supply chain and the use of recycled materials in Apple-designed components. As of this year, Apple has achieved the use of 99% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets across its product lines, including in the Taptic Engine found in the iPhone and Apple Watch. The company also reports 99% recycled cobalt usage in batteries that are designed in-house, which it says accounts for over 97% of its total cobalt consumption. The goal is to reach 100% for both materials during 2025.
Apple said that there are now 17.8 gigawatts of renewable electricity in use across its supply chain–a significant increase from previous years. In 2024, the renewable energy used by suppliers helped avoid 21.8 million metric tons of emissions, an increase of more than 17% compared to 2023. Suppliers are also working with Apple to improve energy efficiency, avoiding almost two million metric tons of emissions.
Apple has additionally focused on reducing emissions from the manufacturing of semiconductors and displays, processes that release potent fluorinated greenhouse gases. The company said that 26 of its semiconductor suppliers, as well as all of its direct display suppliers, have now committed to abate at least 90% of fluorinated emissions related to Apple production by 2030.
Since the launch of its Supplier Clean Water Program in 2013, Apple and its suppliers have apparently saved more than 90 billion gallons of fresh water. The company reports that 14 billion gallons were saved in 2024 alone, and that participating suppliers achieved an average reuse rate of 42%. Apple has set a target to replenish 100% of freshwater used in high-stress areas by 2030 and has now initiated partnerships expected to account for over 40% of that goal.
The company's "Zero Waste" program continued to expand last year. Suppliers involved in the program redirected roughly 600,000 metric tons of waste from landfills in 2024, bringing the total to 3.6 million metric tons since the program began in 2015. Moreover, the new MacBook Air is produced using more than 55 percent recycled content—the highest proportion yet in any Apple device.
As part of its Earth Day initiatives, Apple is encouraging users to recycle eligible devices by offering 10% off a new Apple accessory when recycling in-store before May 16. It is also launching a range of themed content and challenges; Apple Watch users will be able to earn a limited-edition award on April 22 by completing a 30-minute workout.
A new episode of Time to Walk featuring actress and environmental advocate Shailene Woodley will be available from April 21 in Apple Fitness+. Additional episodes of Time to Run explore locations such as Lake Tahoe, Zion National Park, and Yellowstone. These are accompanied by a guided ocean breathing meditation.
Apple TV+ is also promoting a selection of nature-themed content for Earth Day, including original series such as Prehistoric Planet, Tiny World, Earth at Night in Color, and The Secret Lives of Animals in a curated collection titled "The Future Is Up to Us." The Tips app now includes a dedicated Earth Day collection that suggests ways iPhone users can reduce environmental impact, such as identifying plants in the Photos app or using downloadable Maps for offline outdoor exploration.
Amazon today is discounting numerous models of the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch SE, including both GPS and cellular models.
Apple Watch Series 10
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Amazon has the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for $329.00, down from $399.00, as well as the 46mm GPS model for $359.00, down from $429.00. Both of these are solid second-best prices on the Apple Watch Series 10, and they're available in numerous case colors and band styles, all of which you can find in the lists below.
In addition to Series 10 deals, Amazon is discounting the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE to $169.97 today, down from $249.00. This is the best price we've tracked so far in 2025, and it's available in Starlight, Silver, and Midnight Aluminum color options.
Additionally, you can get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE at an all-time low price of $199.97 today on Amazon, down from $279.00. This one is also available in Midnight, Silver, and Starlight Aluminum colors, and multiple band sizes.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
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Apple today launched an Earth Day promotion that offers customers 10% off eligible Apple accessories when they recycle eligible devices at participating Apple Stores. The offer is available from today through May 16 in many countries, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, and others.
Keep in mind that this promotion seems to be geared towards devices that are not eligible for trade-in credit at Apple Stores. The idea is that you can help the planet by bringing in old electronics to Apple for free recycling, as has long been possible, but now with the added bonus of receiving 10% off an accessory for a limited time.
The offer is available at physical Apple Store locations only. Each customer may recycle up to five eligible devices for a promotional discount on eligible accessories. Recycling of the eligible device and purchase of an eligible accessory must be completed in the same transaction. Full terms and conditions can be found on Apple's website.
Eligible devices for recycling, according to Apple:
AirPods
AirPort
AirTag
Apple TV
Computers
Displays
Hard Drives & Storage
Headphones & Speakers
HomePod
Mice & Keyboards
Networking
Printers & Scanners
Smartphones
Tablets
Watches
iPod
Accessories eligible for the 10% discount:
AirPods 4
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
AirTag (1-pack)
AirTag (4-pack)
Apple Pencil
Apple TV 4K
HomePod mini
Apple Watch bands
Apple-branded adapters, cables, and chargers
Apple-branded iPhone and iPad cases
Magic Mouse
Magic Trackpad
Magic Keyboard (excluding the iPad version)
While a 10% discount is not massive, Apple rarely offers direct savings on its products beyond its annual Back to School and Black Friday events.
Update: Following the CVE Foundation's announcement (below), CISA has said the U.S. government is extending funding to ensure no continuity issues with the critical Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) program (via Bleeping Computer). Original story follows.
Apple, along with other tech companies, relies on the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) program to identify and track security flaws in its software. This critical cybersecurity resource now faces an uncertain future, after federal funding was today abruptly cut off.
In response to the crisis, a coalition of longtime CVE Board members announced today the formation of the CVE Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued operation of the vulnerability identification system.
"CVE, as a cornerstone of the global cybersecurity ecosystem, is too important to be vulnerable itself," said Kent Landfield, an officer of the newly formed Foundation. "Cybersecurity professionals around the globe rely on CVE identifiers and data as part of their daily work—from security tools and advisories to threat intelligence and response. Without CVE, defenders are at a massive disadvantage against global cyber threats."
The CVE program provides a standardized system for identifying and cataloging security vulnerabilities across all software and hardware, including Apple's macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and other products. When security researchers discover flaws, they're assigned unique CVE identifiers that allow companies like Apple to coordinate patches and updates.
MITRE Corporation, which has managed the program under contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, confirmed that government funding expired on April 16. Reutersreports that the expiry may be linked to the federal government undergoing a radical downsizing driven in part by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which is exposed to the downsizing, stated it is "urgently working to mitigate impact," as the sudden funding gap threatened to disrupt vulnerability management worldwide.
Security experts warned that without CVE, cybersecurity efforts would face "total chaos" as the common language used to communicate about vulnerabilities would effectively disappear. One researcher compared it to "suddenly deleting all dictionaries."
The newly established CVE Foundation aims to transition the program to a dedicated non-profit model that isn't dependent on a single government sponsor. The Foundation's organizers revealed they had been preparing for this possibility for the past year.
"For the international cybersecurity community, this move represents an opportunity to establish governance that reflects the global nature of today's threat landscape," the Foundation stated in its announcement.
The funding cut also affects the related Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) program, which helps companies like Apple identify potential security issues before they become vulnerabilities.
The CVE Foundation is expected to release more details about its structure and funding plans in the coming days. Apple and other major tech companies will likely play a significant role in supporting it as a critical part of cybersecurity infrastructure.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Anthropic, makers of the Claude AI chatbot, are close to launching a new voice assistant to rival OpenAI's similar option for interacting with ChatGPT, according to Bloomberg.
Unless plans change, the new "voice mode" feature could be released as soon as this month – nearly a year after OpenAI began rolling out its own equivalent to users.
The feature, which will be available in the Claude iOS app and likely elsehwhere, reportedly includes three voices named Airy, Mellow, and British-accented Buttery.
Anthropic has previously said it is working on a voice mode for Claude, but it has not officially revealed a planned launch window or any other details. The feature was discovered in Anthropic's code by app researcher M1Astra.
Anthropic recently launched a new feature for its Claude AI assistant called "Research," aimed at providing thorough, citation-supported answers by drawing from online sources and corporate customer data. The tool is Anthropic's answer to OpenAI's Deep Research, which debuted earlier this year.
In addition, Claude is gaining support for Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Docs, enabling users to query and interact with their Google Workspace content for more efficient task and information management.
Further details have emerged about the camera system on Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone, informally dubbed the "iPhone Fold."
Expected to launch next year, Apple's book-style foldable is rumored to feature a 7.8-inch crease-free internal display and a 5.5-inch external screen. According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the device will include a dual-lens rear camera along with front-facing cameras usable in both folded and unfolded states, ensuring comprehensive camera functionality in any configuration.
While previous reports noted that the unfolded state will utilize an under-screen camera (USC), there was less information about the front camera in the folded state – until now.
According to Korean news aggregator yeux1122, citing an unknown Weibo-based source, Apple has opted for a hole-punch front-facing camera on the outer display. The design is said to be "almost identical to current foldables" on the market, such as Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold (pictured below). The blog also cited previously revealed information on the display sizes and screen resolutions.
It remains unclear whether the hole-punch will be visible during active use or encased in a smaller Dynamic Island, but Face ID is not expected to be part of the equation. Instead, Apple is believed to have integrated Touch ID into the side button, in order to conserve internal space for other components.
Kuo says final hardware specifications will be locked in during the second quarter of this year (April 1 - June 30), suggesting some elements are still subject to change. However, analyst Jeff Pu claims the device has already entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn – a critical stage in Apple's product development cycle – indicating that key specs may already be finalized.
Mass production is reportedly scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, with a release expected late next year. The first-generation foldable iPhone is expected to carry a price tag between $2,000 and $2,300. A second-generation model is reportedly already in the pipeline, with mass production planned for the second half of 2027.
Ahead of when new versions of iOS come out, MacRumors forum members and readers often create wishlists for features they're hoping to see, and this year is no exception. Over on our forums, there are a couple wishlists of features that users have been contributing to since last June.
We've rounded up a few of the features that have been suggested. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments here or go visit the wishlist thread.
Apps
Custom password for locking Passwords app.
Option to add attachments in the Passwords app.
Option to snooze emails.
Swipe gesture to delete iMessage attachments.
Account balance and transaction history for all cards in Wallet app.
iOS 19 is rumored to be getting a major design update with visuals inspired by visionOS. It could have a floating, glossy look with a focus on transparency, along with simplified navigation and a reimagining of icons, buttons, and menu bars.
More Apple Intelligence features are in the works, including the updates to Siri that we were supposed to get in iOS 18. We have a list of all the iOS 19 rumors so far in our iOS 19 roundup.
Nanoleaf today announced the launch of the Pegboard Desk Dock, a desktop light that's also able to hold accessories and serve as a dock for peripherals like a keyboard and a mouse thanks to added USB-A and USB-C ports.
The Pegboard Desk Dock works with the Nanoleaf Desktop app, so it is able to change the color of the light to match the content on your Mac's display, making it ideal for gaming, watching movies, and similar activities. Like other Nanoleaf products, the Pegboard Desk Dock supports millions of colors, and can be set to different scenes, including those that respond to music.
Because the Pegboard Desk Dock is meant to work specifically with a Mac or PC using a physical connection, it does not connect to HomeKit like other Nanoleaf products, nor does it work with the Nanoleaf mobile app. Instead, it connects to a computer over USB-C. There's a built-in USB-C cable that needs to connect to a USB-C port on a Mac or a Mac's attached display, like the Studio Display.
Once connected, the Pegboard Desk Dock can be paired to the Nanoleaf Desktop app. More than one Dock can be paired to a Mac at once, but both need to be plugged into separate USB-C ports, or, alternatively, one can plug into the other. To power two, the host Dock's PD port needs to be connected to a power adapter via a USB-C cable, neither of which are included. You'll also need to plug in for higher powered peripherals like webcams and keyboards with RGB lighting.
The Nanoleaf Desktop app can be used to set colors and animated scenes where the lights will cycle through different colors using patterns. There is also the option to have the lights change based on what's on the display of your computer, which is a neat effect. Turning on this option requires Screen Mirroring to be enabled, and for that, the Nanoleaf app requires Screen and System Audio Recording capabilities.
While the Nanoleaf Desktop app itself is slow and somewhat laggy, the Screen Mirroring feature that actually displays the colors on the Pegboard Desk Dock works well with no latency. The Screen Mirroring option matches the color of the main window that you have active, so it's best for full screen games and entertainment. It's similar to light strips that change color based on what's on a display, but it is more versatile. Because the lights aren't designed to illuminate behind a display, the Pegboard Desk Dock works for setups where your desk is not in front of a wall.
An Orchestrator section of the app changes the light based on the audio of an app that's selected like Apple Music, and a Scenescapes feature plays sound and light for an immersive experience. There are scenes like aquarium, beach, at sea, fireplace, and rainfall. Orchestrator and Scenescapes are only available with one option without a Nanoleaf Premium subscription.
The Nanoleaf Desktop app is free to use and download, but Nanoleaf Premium costs $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year. Nanoleaf Premium is not needed to play scenes, change colors, or use Screen Mirroring, but it is needed for full Orchestrator and Scenescape access. When Screen Mirroring isn't on, there are user-created scenes to choose from, and these scenes provide one-click access to tons of color and motion options. There's plenty to access without a subscription.
The Pegboard Desk Dock is two-sided, so the light can be seen from either side. One side has the "pegboard" of the name, while the other is a plain, diffused LED. There are four hooks that can be attached to the pegboard side of the dock, and the size is ideal for game controllers or other similar objects.
There are two USB-C ports at the back of the Pegboard Desk Dock, another USB-C port on the side, and a USB-A port on the opposite side, so multiple peripherals can be connected. Aside from the built-in cable, there's a cable extender if extra length is needed to reach a Mac. The light portion of the dock pops out of the base, which makes it easy to swap designs.
Each light is 50 lumens, and the dock side is not too bright when it's next to a display, but the other side can be a little hard to look at if the colors aren't muted down somewhat. Given that these aren't super bright, they're best used for ambient lighting in a dim room.
OpenAI is developing a social network that's focused on ChatGPT's image generation features, reports The Verge. OpenAI is reportedly testing a prototype version of an image generator with a social feed, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been asking people for feedback on the project.
It's not clear if OpenAI will integrate its social network into ChatGPT or launch it as a standalone app, and there's also a chance that the app doesn't make it out of the prototyping phase.
Facebook parent company Meta is also planning for a social feed for its standalone AI assistant app, which would pit OpenAI's social AI app against Meta's social AI app. OpenAI would also need to compete with X (formerly Twitter), as X already integrates with the Grok chatbot. Grok's integration with X apparently has "made everyone jealous," especially the way that "people create viral tweets by getting it to say something stupid."
By developing a social network, OpenAI would have access to real-time data to further train its models. Meta and X both already have real-time social feeds to use for training purposes and for surfacing real-time information to answer queries.
Portable multi-device chargers are popular accessories for frequent travelers, offering the ability to keep your iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, and in some cases other devices charged up while away from home. Alogic's recently launched Roam 21,000mAh 6-in-1 Power Bank takes things a step further, pairing all of these chargers with an integrated battery to help charge your devices even while away from fixed power.
I've been testing out the Roam for a few weeks, including on a week-long multi-stop trip around the U.S., and I've found it to be a handy travel companion that gets the job done with a few sacrifices.
The Roam is essentially a fairly large 21,000 mAh (77 Wh) power bank equipped with a variety of charging surfaces, ports, and even an integrated USB-C cable to help charge whatever devices you're bringing with you on the road.
The whole thing folds down to a relatively compact rectangular body, but when you're ready to use it, the Qi2 magnetic phone charging pad and the Apple Watch charging puck swing up for optimal positioning while also revealing a recessed Qi charging surface for charging your AirPods. If you need to charge more devices like an iPad and/or a Mac, there's a short integrated USB-C cable that tucks in along the side of the Roam, plus a pair of USB-C ports on the rear.
The body of the Roam is primarily a matte black plastic that does pick up a few fingerprints over time, with a band of aluminum around the edges.
As noted, the phone charger on the Roam is a MagSafe-compatible Qi2 charger, and it supports up to 15 watts of charging power for most of Apple's recent iPhones. That's not quite as fast as the 25-watt MagSafe support introduced on the iPhone 16 series, but it's plenty sufficient. In my testing, the Roam was able to boost an iPhone 16 Pro Max battery by 50% in under an hour, similar to what I've seen with other Qi2 chargers. The folding pad works at any angle from completely flat against the body of the Roam to up to almost 90 degrees, and it remains solidly in position thanks to hinge tension, making it convenient to set up your phone to charge in either vertical or horizontal orientation, with StandBy mode supported.
The AirPods charging surface is revealed once the Qi2 pad is raised, and it's a simple 5-watt Qi charging pad without magnetic alignment, but it works fine for keeping wireless charging-capable AirPods cases charged up.
The Apple Watch charging puck swings up at the rear of the Roam, and it's a matte black color that blends in nicely with the rest of the Roam's surface, a pleasant deviation from the typical white Apple Watch charging pucks that tend to stand out visually. The puck's design supports Nightstand mode for the Apple Watch, but its placement behind the Qi2 charger means you probably won't be able to see it while charging multiple devices. The iPhone's larger-screen StandBy functionality is better for nighttime use anyway.
One potentially significant drawback for the Apple Watch charger is that it is NOT a fast charger and offers only 2-watt charging. As a result, my Apple Watch Ultra 2's battery only increased by around 25% in an hour on the charger, when a fast charger should be able to deliver around 80% charge in that amount of time. It's a non-issue if you want to leave your watch on the charger overnight, but if you're someone like me who likes to wear their watch overnight and usually tries to get a a quick charge in before bedtime, the Roam won't be able to deliver on that front.
For charging other devices, the Roam features an integrated ~5-inch USB-C cable supporting up to 100 watts of charging power, as well as two USB-C ports on the rear, one of which supports up to 100 watts and the other supporting up to 18 watts. It's worth noting that the Roam can deliver a maximum of 100 watts of simultaneous output, so you'll only be able to max out those 100-watt USB-C options if you have nothing else connected to the power bank, but you can still get a decent amount of power out of them even with other devices charging.
The Roam supports up to 65 watts of input charging through either the integrated cable or the 100-watt USB-C port, and it took about 90 minutes to recharge the Roam from 25% to 90% before things slowed a bit as it approached a full charge, reaching 97% after 120 minutes. Passthrough charging of other devices is supported if you are charging the Roam through the 100-watt USB-C port, but not if you're using the integrated cable.
To help you keep tabs on charging state, the Roam features a small LCD on the side that shows the current level of the Roam's internal battery, as well as some small green icons to provide information about charging input and output. There is also a power button on the rear of the Roam to help you turn it on and off and activate passthrough charging, but the bank also turns off automatically after a period of non-use to help limit battery drain.
With its 21,000 mAh battery that checks in at 77 Wh, the Roam is comfortably under the limit for carrying it on an airplane, though that internal battery does still bring some heft with it. The Roam checks in at 606 grams or around 1.3 pounds.
That's a decent amount of weight, but not unreasonably so to toss in a bag, backpack, or carry-on suitcase. Alongside everything else I was carrying in my backpack on my trip, the Roam's weight wasn't noticeable, but if I'd been traveling lighter it certainly would have made a difference. It measures in at 158 mm (6.2 inches) x 82 mm (3.2 inches) x 35 mm (1.4 inches), so it's roughly the footprint of a Pro Max phone but substantially thicker and nearly three times as heavy.
That bulk and weight is the price you pay to be able to have a fair amount of battery power with you, but just how much does that 21,000 mAh actually get you? Alogic says you should be able to charge an iPhone 16 four times from the Roam, and that seems pretty much in line with my observation of around three times for an iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max's battery is only 4,685 mAh, so in theory you should be able to charge it four times from the Roam, but due to inefficiencies in power storage and transfer you won't get quite that much out of it. An Apple Watch and AirPods obviously don't require much juice to recharge, but if you're looking to charge bigger items like an iPad or MacBook from the Roam, you're going to start running out of power pretty quickly.
You might be able to get a full charge of a 13-inch MacBook Air out of it, but a 15-inch model would definitely be pushing it and any MacBook Pro would come up short, and that doesn't even account for charging your iPhone and any other devices from the Roam.
So while the Roam would be plenty adequate for a weekend trip off the grid with your smaller devices, it's not going to be sufficient to keep an entire set of Apple portable products up and running for more than a single additional charge, if that. While it would be great to be able to keep an iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple Watch, and AirPods charged up for days' worth of use, the shortfall is simply the reality of how much power our devices need and the calculated tradeoffs of size and weight required to carry extra juice for them. As long as you're aware of the limitations and keep your expectations in line, the Roam can be a solid travel companion to keep your devices going when you don't have ready access to fixed power.
The other consideration worth keeping in mind is that the handy features of the Roam do add bulk, weight, and cost to the overall package. If you want a barebones power bank in the same capacity range, you can certainly find options that are much cheaper, a bit smaller, and on the order of half the weight, but you will need cables for each of your devices and potentially not be able to charge as many devices simultaneously as you can with the Roam. The Roam is a premium product offering convenience and travel simplicity, but if you're willing to pay a bit more and carry some additional weight around, it may be worth the tradeoffs.
The Roam 21,000mAh 6-in-1 Power Bank is available from Alogic's website and is normally priced at $197.99, but an Easter sale currently knocks 20% off, bringing it down to $158.39.
Note: Alogic provided MacRumors with the Roam power bank for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Alogic. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple will launch its next Apple Watch activity challenge on Tuesday, April 22 in celebration of Earth Day.
To complete the challenge, Apple Watch owners will be required to complete a workout that lasts for 30 minutes or longer, with the activity recorded through the Workout app or an app that adds information to the Health app.
On April 22, celebrate Earth Day and win this award with any workout of 30 minutes or more. Try to get outside for it!
Apple Watch owners who earn the award will unlock an award in the Fitness app, plus they will get a series of animated stickers that can be used in the Messages and FaceTime apps.
The April Earth Day challenge comes just before Apple's special Close Your Rings Day award on April 24, which is being offered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch.
Apple Watch users who close all three of their Activity rings on April 24 will earn 10 animated stickers and a digital award, plus Apple retail locations are offering a special physical pin while supplies last. The special Close Your Rings Day stickers are below.
The pin will be available at Apple Stores on April 24 on a first come, first serve basis.
Apple today seeded the first public betas of upcoming iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, and macOS Sequoia 15.5 updates, allowing the public to test the updates ahead of when they see an official launch. The public betas come a day after Apple provided the second betas to developers.
Public beta testers can download the updates from the Settings app on each device after opting into the beta through Apple's public beta testing website.
iOS 18.5 and macOS Sequoia 15.5 are relatively minor updates, and few new features have been discovered. The iOS Mail app has options for toggling off Contact Photos and Group by Sender for a look that's more like the iOS 17 Mail app, and there are some minor changes to how AppleCare info is displayed.
Apple has also released public betas of watchOS 11.5 and tvOS 18.5.
The software likely focuses on bug fixes and security improvements that are not outward facing. We're expecting Apple to release iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, macOS Sequoia 15.5, and the other software updates sometime in May.
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