The Weekender
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10 tricks to kick your iPhone addiction

10 tricks to kick your iPhone addiction

These pro tips will make your iPhone less distracting.

Lewis Wallace
May 27, 2023

The iPhone is one of the greatest devices ever made — and also one of the most distracting.

If you find yourself spending too much time with your iPhone, the simple tips in this week’s top how-to will help you cut down on wasted time and unwanted interruptions.

Make your iPhone time quality time instead of an endless stream of distractions.

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Our post on how to add your driver’s license to your iPhone is very helpful — if you happen to live in a forward-looking state.
We’re likely just a week away from the first 15-inch MacBook Air. Here’s what we know about this dream machine.
New Apple TV+ comedy Platonic made a big splash this week. But it’s not Apple’s only show that’s making waves. In fact, Apple TV+ boasts three undeniable hits that are putting rival streamers on notice.
While we’re on the subject of Apple TV+, Irish black comedy Bad Sisters didn’t make that list of chart-toppers. However, the morbidly funny series keeps racking up awards. Here are three reasons you should be watching it.
The “world's first AR laptop” lets you view a 100-inch virtual screen. Is this a glimpse of what we’ll get with Apple’s upcoming AR/VR headset?

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

How-tos

10 tricks to kick your iPhone addiction

If you feel the impulse to unlock your iPhone at every empty moment, or scroll through an app when you feel like you should be getting to bed, here are some tips for making your phone a bit more boring.

How to add your driver’s license to Apple Wallet

In several states, iPhone and Apple Watch can carry a digital copy of the user's driver's license in the Wallet app. Here's how.

Rotate, skew and crop photos on iPhone

You can precisely rotate and skew perspective on photos from your iPhone, for those times when you don’t realize your picture is slightly to the side or slightly tilted until much later.

How to reset your Mac to factory settings

Looking to sell or trade in your Mac? You should always factory reset your computers before passing them on to someone else. Here’s how to do it.

How to use ChatGPT on iPhone for good, not evil

ChatGPT stirred up enormous controversy, but these tips will show you how to use the new iPhone version in positive ways.

News

What to expect from the first 15-inch MacBook Air

Two weeks from today, Apple will launch the first 15-inch MacBook Air. Here's everything we know about it so far.

Plus, more Apple rumors:

Here's what we know about iOS 17 so far ... [The CultCast]

This week on Cult of Mac's podcast: iOS 17 might turn your iPhone into a dashboard for your smart home. But wait, there’s more!

How Final Cut Pro for iPad differs from the Mac version

Wonder how Apple's video editing software works in the new iPad version? Here's a comparison.

3 Apple TV+ hits are more popular than almost anything else on streaming

Two Apple TV+ series and a film all show up in this list of the most-watched streaming movies and TV shows.

View a 100-inch virtual screen with 'world's first AR laptop'

Spacetop has no dedicated display. The user dons AR glasses to view tabs across a curved, 100-inch virtual space that no one else can see.

Adobe Firefly turns Photoshop into effortless AI image generator

With Generative Fill in Photoshop, users can select an area in their image, then simply tell the app what they want added.

Deals

Score major deals on Apple accessories in our Memorial Day Sale

Until the end of the day Monday, you can grab great deals on accessories for Apple gear from leading brands.

Ending soon: Get Microsoft Office for life for just $29.99

Snag a lifetime MS Office license for either Mac or Windows, currently available for a one-time purchase of $29.99 for a limited time.

Plus, more software deals:

Charging stand turns Apple Watch into tiny retro computer

Elago's W9 Stand for Apple Watch Ultra and all other series transforms your wearable into a retro computer while it charges. On sale now!

M1 MacBook Air drops to its lowest-ever price

Want to buy a new MacBook Air? Apple's old but still powerful M1 MacBook Air is available with a whopping $199 discount on Amazon.

Sharpen knives like a pro chef with this discount kitchen gadget

If your favorite knives could use a refresh, grab the Angle Pro Knife Sharpener with angle gauge for just $59.97 (regularly $199).

Reviews

Prep to be friends with actual benefits in new comedy ‘Platonic’ [Apple TV+ recap]

In the new Apple TV+ comedy, Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne play old pals who, after taking a hiatus from their intense friendship, learn that rekindling such a thing is a fraught proposition this far into their lives.

Plus, more Apple TV+ recaps:

Stick your iPhone to this foldable MagSafe stand [Review]

The SwitchEasy Orbit Universal Magnetic Stand is an incredibly handy little iPhone stand that’s sturdy and easy to use.

3 Reasons to Watch: ‘Bad Sisters’ on Apple TV+

Here's why you should stream "Bad Sisters," the Irish black comedy that keeps winning awards for its spectacular first season.

Sit on your favorite Mac with a Throwboy pillow [Review]

Throwboy pillows are soft, squishy and resemble iconic Apple products. You can decorate your living room with astonishingly accurate facsimiles of fan-favorite machines.

A high-quality, EDC band for your Apple Watch [Reviews]

Mifa makes a hardy velcro EDC watch band for every model of Apple Watch. The nylon is sturdy, the velcro is strong and the stitched leather is high-quality. Now in two new colors.

‘Prehistoric Planet’ is the best dinosaur doc in a generation [Apple TV+ review]

Season two combines cutting-edge CGI and paleontology to create a series that's stunningly beautiful and exciting to watch.

Who needs HDMI? This gadget connects Mac or iPad to TV wirelessly [Review]

EZCast Pocket lets Mac or iPad connect wirelessly to an external display. The wireless video adapter takes the place of a cumbersome cable.

Setups

Developer's Mac Studio rig looks like an Apple ad

This setup is all Apple, from the Mac Studio and Studio Display to the Apple input devices and audio gear.

3 Pro Display XDRs but only 1 highly recommended mount

When you've got a big, heavy, super-expensive display, what's the most solid, safe and wiggle-free mount to use with it? This one.

MacBook Pro setup depends on Studio Display stand-in

Not every big-selling 4K monitor is designed to look like it belongs in an Apple setup. Alogic's Clarity 27 fits right in, though.