2 Apple tips everyone should know

One's pure fun, the other's completely pragmatic.

Author

Lewis Wallace
November 11, 2023

This weekend’s top how-tos will show you two very different ways to make the most of your Apple devices.

The first one’s pure frivolity: It shows you how to turn your photos into fun stickers that you can share with friends and family.

The other one’s much more sensible: It outlines six reasons you should set up Family Sharing ASAP if you’re not already using this excellent Apple feature.

While that might not be as much of a gas as turning your puppy pix into adorable stickers, the benefits of Family Sharing are undeniable. Don’t miss out!

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

How-tos

Make stickers from your own photos for fun group chats

Stickers that you make from your own pictures are a lot of fun to send in group chats. You can even add fun, realistic sticker effects.

6 reasons to set up Apple's Family Sharing ASAP

Apple makes it easy to link your digital lives together with just a little bit of setup. Here are the top six benefits of using Family Sharing.

How to ping an Apple Watch from an iPhone

If you take your Apple Watch off at the end of the day, you may not remember where you left it the following morning. Now, you can quickly find a lost Apple Watch from your iPhone.

How to download maps in Apple Maps for offline use

iOS 17 lets you download maps for offline use and generate turn-by-turn directions with them. Here's how to set that up.

How to fix software updates on your brand-new MacBook Pro

Some lucky owners of the new MacBook Pro booted up to find a broken version of macOS that can’t install software updates. Here’s how to fix the rare problem.

How to use SD and microSD memory cards with iPhone

While your iPhone doesn’t have a built-in microSD card reader, adding a plug-in memory card reader is easy.

News

2023 iMac reviews: Speedy M3 chip makes all the difference

The first reviews of the 2023 iMac are out, and they're full of praise for performance gains that that come with the new Apple M3 processor.

Plus, more on Macs:

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: 5x telephoto shootout

The Google Pixel 8 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max both feature 5x optical zooms. But which phone has a better telephoto camera?

iOS 17.2 beta 2: All the features and changes

The second iOS 17.2 beta is now available, with some minor enhancements and changes. Find out everything new in iOS 17.2 beta 2 here.

Plus, more Apple software news:

Even more reasons Humane’s Ai Pin is a total bust

Humane's tedious and awkward 10-minute introductory video for the Ai Pin all but confirms that we are seeing the next hilarious Silicon Valley failure in real time.

First ‘Masters of the Air’ trailer reveals toll on pilots of WWII bombing runs

Those eager to watch the new Steven Spielberg/Tom Hanks series coming to Apple TV+ should be thrilled by the first teaser trailer.

Plus, more Apple TV+ trailers:

This one simple change would make every USB-C cable better

Wouldn't it be great if companies simply labeled every USB-C and HDMI cable with bandwidth capacity and data-transfer speed?

Deals

AirTag 4-pack nears all-time low in pre-Black Friday deal

A 12% discount means you can get four of Apple's excellent tracking tags for just $86.88.

Plus, more deals on Apple gear:

Add wireless CarPlay to your vehicle for just $90

Affordable car touchscreen lets you enjoy Apple CarPlay (or Android Auto), like navigating, calling and listening to music while driving.

Snag a 5-piece iPhone accessories bundle for only $35

Get this five-piece accessory bundle for iPhone 13, 14 or 15 for just $34.97 until November 16 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific (regularly $129).

Pre-Black Friday deal: Get a lifetime of web hosting for just $30

Why pay more for web hosting? Get a lifetime subscription to iBrave Cloud Professional Web Hosting for just $29.97.

This $35 power bank charges iPhone, Apple Watch and more

Get the imaginatively named Multi-Device Wireless Charger for just $34.97 and you can charge iPhone, Apple Watch and more on the go.

Reviews

New USB-C Apple Pencil is lower in price but not usability [Review] ★★★★½

The new USB-C Apple Pencil does not come with all the features of Apple's premium iPad stylus, but it costs considerably less.

‘For All Mankind’ season 4 launches with a painful look back [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★½☆

Catch up with the first episode of "For All Mankind" season four. The show is tinged with grief over the past as it looks ahead to a new kind of space race.

Find Italy's best restaurants with this must-have foodie app [Awesome Apps]

The best Italian restaurant finder app gets better. Osterie d'Italia, now in English, showcases Italy's most soulful slow-food restaurants.

Plus, more Awesome Apps recommendations:

This solid metal boom arm mounts your microphone and more [Review] ★★★☆☆

The Kuxiu X36 Boom Mic Arm is a solid metal piece of gear for mounting a microphone to your desk. But after some months of testing, I was surprised to find a much better use for it.

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

Mifa makes a hardy EDC watch band for every model of Apple Watch. The nylon is sturdy, the Velcro is strong and the stitched leather is high-quality.

Plus, more Apple Watch accessories:

Keep your old NVMe SSD useful with this rugged enclosure [Review] ★★★★★

Have an M.2 NVMe drive you want to use with your MacBook or iPad? This will do the trick.

Setups

Stunning Mac mini streaming rig took 2 years to perfect

This formidable M2 Pro Mac mini setup rips through gaming and streaming tasks using an awesome lineup of gear.

Killer MacBook Pro misses top billing in monstrous AV rig

When an M1 Max MacBook Pro with 64GB of unified memory isn't the biggest deal in your computer setup, you must have something special.

‘Star Wars’ fan converts old iMacs to Cinema Displays

Got an old or damaged iMac lying around? You can turn it into a version of Apple's classic Cinema Display like this user did.