Is the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar a goner?

January 16, 2021

From CES product unveilings to juicy rumors, this week suffered zero shortage of Apple news.

I don't want to slow you down on your way to the week's top stories. But if you use Safari (and you really should), don't miss our new series of how-tos on getting the most out of Apple's web browser.

Enjoy!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

News and opinion

The next-gen MacBook Pro reportedly will come in 14- and 16-inch sizes, pack a wide array of ports and run on new Apple Silicon chips. But the new laptops might be missing a marquee feature that never really caught fire.

Plus, more Mac rumors:

A powerful processor and 5G wireless networking might force Apple to build a vapor-chamber cooling system into the 2022 iPhone.

Smartwatches could detect infections a week before the wearer feels sick or would test positive for the novel coronavirus.

Any iPhone, iPad or Mac user can see a hidden hint that Apple is about to add support for item trackers to the Find Me application.

This new stand turns an iPad into a desktop. The tablet magnetically attaches to the stand, and a USB-C connection adds a range of ports. It's even got built-in wireless chargers!

How-tos

Are you an unwitting Safari tab hoarder? It’s easy to forget to close old tabs you no longer need — especially on iPhone, where the dozens of open tabs you’ve forgotten aren’t always visible. But Safari can clear all your old tabs for you.

If you prefer an undiluted experience when browsing the web on your iPhone, you probably find yourself frequently loading websites in desktop mode. Here's the way to make it happen every time.

It's long been the default, but Google is definitely not your only option. This quick settings change will let you swap it out.

How many times have you downloaded something and then spent way too much time trying to figure out where it went? If your answer is "*#$@!" ... this tip's for you.

Deals

From a tracking gimbal to help you capture professional-looking content, to the handiest magnetic wireless charger, you’ll love these accessories that personalize the way you use your iPhone.

Plus, more Apple charging essentials:

It’s 2021, which means many of us have been working remotely for nearly a full year. It's high time you make your best impression on all those conference calls.

Get a breathtaking view of plants, critters and everyday household items with this sweet wireless microscope.

These top-rated creator kits are the easiest way to get started coding, and they're on sale for an amazing 84% off the regular price.

Reviews

The brainchild of producer/director M. Night Shyamalan and writer Tony Basgallop returns to Apple TV+ for a second season of perversity, cultish derangement and exquisitely photographed food. Here's why you should be watching Servant.

The palm-size Aukey Omnia Mix wall charger offers a USB-C port that can handle just about anything, plus a USB-A port for other electronics like an Apple Watch.

The postmodern show about 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson ambles closer to the edge of its hero’s fame and madness in this season’s fourth episode on Apple TV+.

If you're like us, there are so many electronic devices scattered around your home and office that a multi-port charger like this one makes a lot of sense.