Apple TV+ gets freaky and fun

January 22, 2022

Apple TV+ is on a roll, in case you hadn't noticed.

Week after week, the streaming service adds new movies and shows. This week, subscribers get season three of Servant -- M. Night Shyamalan's increasingly creepy psychological thriller about a most unusual family -- and a fresh reboot of Jim Henson's oddball '80s puppet show, Fraggle Rock.

Plus, Apple TV+ unleashed a fusillade of new trailers about upcoming shows loaded with big names and intriguing ideas.

With all the star power, nominations and awards, Apple TV+ is enough to make Jon Hamm jealous.

And Godzilla hasn't even arrived yet! (Didn't see that one coming.)

-- Lewis Wallace, managing editor

Apple TV+ spotlight

The Turner family and their mystic nightmare nanny have finally turned some corners from which they cannot return. Now it’s time to see what Servant's writers have planned for this gang of thieves, liars and sinners. Find out why you should be watching the "bleakest and most thrillingly deranged show on Apple TV+" if you're not already.

Legendary’s MonsterVerse is coming to Apple's streaming service in a live-action show about humanity’s battle to survive in a world populated with city-crushing behemoths.

Plus, watch new Apple TV+ trailers:

Thanks to its partnership with The Jim Henson Company, the creative force behind The Muppets and Sesame Street, Apple TV+ has finally given the people what they want: more Fraggles.

News and opinion

The vulnerability allows websites to view your browsing habits and Google account details. And, because it’s a bug in WebKit — Apple’s browser engine used by Safari and third-party apps in the App Store — it affects virtually all iOS and iPadOS browsers, including Chrome. The fix is coming soon.

The U.S. Apple Store for Education reversed a recent change — it no longer requires shoppers to prove they are a university student or teacher before they can get products at a discount.

Previous rumors indicated the high-end desktop would stick with Intel chips until Apple’s next-generation “M2 Pro” chipset became available. But we might get a Frankenchip instead.

Plus, more Apple rumors:

Getting access doesn’t require buying a new iPhone. If your iOS device supports 5G, it can use the new slice of the wireless spectrum.

The watchOS 8.4 release candidate that rolled out to beta testers Thursday eliminates a frustrating Apple Watch bug that surfaced a month ago.

Plus, more on the latest Apple betas:

Tesla refuses to add CarPlay to its vehicles, so you’re stuck with the company’s own infotainment system — which doesn’t have its own Apple Music app. Or you can hack together a CarPlay upgrade by yourself.

How-tos

iOS and iPadOS 15 let you enjoy FaceTime calls with Android and Windows users for the first time. Here's how you can invite them.

If you spent $19 on Apple’s fancy washrag, you should know how to properly look after it so it doesn’t get ruined. You can’t just throw it in the washing machine with your mucky laundry!

Feeling distracted? A new feature lets you set up different notification profiles based on your activities.

iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey allow you to use tags inside the Notes app to keep everything organized. Here's how.

Deals

It’s 2022. You don’t need a separate charger for each of your devices anymore. This 3-in-1 Fast Wireless USB Charging Station is a powerful fast charger for your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch. And during our January sale, you can get it for $46.74 (regularly $114) with code JAN15.

You can get the Infinity Cable with three types of magnetic tips — Lightning, USB-C or Micro USB — that snap onto the cable’s end. As with MagSafe, the tip will snap away if you trip over the cable while it’s plugged into your device.

iOS can prove a little restrictive when it comes to file management. That’s why the super-smart iMazing app is a game-changer. Get it now for just $14.99 (a 57% discount).

Plus, more Mac software deals:

Whether you want to make a career change or start a lucrative side hustle, web development is one of the most valuable skills you can have. Get started today with the 2022 Web Development for Beginners Bundle.

Reviews

The InnoView 15.6-inch Portable Monitor might be everything you’re looking for in a second screen for your MacBook. First off, it’s beautiful. And it’s very slim and lightweight. Plus it works with a wide variety of devices: Mac, iPad, even iPhone with the right adapter.

Writing on an iPad with a fingertip is ridiculous, but an Apple Pencil is overkill for many people. The Adonit Neo Duo is an active stylus with a fine tip that works well for taking notes or sketching. As a bonus, press a button and it also writes on iPhone.

Setups

Gamer and 3D animator Jazinity was a Windows user for most of her life. Then M1 Macs caught her eye and she made a nearly wholesale switch, going from a tri-display PC gaming station to a “cozy but productive” M1 MacBook Air situation.

If your rig had three screens – including a MacBook Pro, an iPad and a 32-inch external monitor – would you make the iPad the center of attention? Would you put your screened devices on stands, or leave them at or near table level? This smart setup tweak might save its owner years of physical therapy.

This banging setup, with a souped-up 16-inch M1 Max MacBook at its core, belongs to an out-and-out audio engineer.