The Weekender
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Mind your own business, Siri!

Mind your own business, Siri!

Here's how to make Siri stop interrupting you.

Lewis Wallace
July 08, 2023

Forget about Siri’s constant inability to give you the answers you want or to perform the tasks you need. Apple’s virtual assistant is never more annoying than when it’s butting into your life unbidden.

This week’s latest how-to will show you how to stop Siri from activating at all the wrong times.

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Sink your teeth into some piping-hot Apple rumors, including a roadmap for future AirPods, the latest on the Vision Pro headset and a possible price bump for iPhone 15 Pro Max.
You can get a bundle that includes a refurb iPad Air, Beats Flex headphones and other accessories for less than $100.
Hijack, the new Apple TV+ thriller starring Idris Elba, ramps up the high-flying tension this week. Here’s the recap.
Also on Apple TV+: Swagger continues to shoot and score, while The Crowded Room finally drove our recapper insane.
Find out how to use Threads, the new “Twitter killer” from Meta that’s definitely not going to kill Twitter.
Need a monitor for your Mac? Read our updated buying guide before pulling the trigger.
If you own an Apple tablet, don’t miss the Cult of Mac Store’s big sale on SwitchEasy iPad cases. Take 30% off for a limited time.

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

How-tos

How to stop Siri from randomly activating all the damn time

As if Siri's unhelpful answers were not irritating enough when you actually want them, Siri often interrupts a conversation, meeting or TV show when you haven't asked for anything at all. Here’s how to stop Siri from activating all the time.

How to use Threads, the new (new (new)) Twitter replacement

Threads is the new social media platform with Twitter-like features. But you’re not starting fresh again: You sign in with your Instagram account and instantly access the same network of people.

Pro Tip: Set your Apple Watch time a few minutes ahead

Nudge your Apple Watch a few minutes into the future and you might trick yourself out of running late every day. This is an officially supported feature, not a hack that’ll have cascading, annoying side effects.

News

Next-gen AirPods Pro could measure your body temperature

Apple wants to position the AirPods as a hearing aid replacement and is looking to add body temperature tracking features to the earbuds.

Plus, more Apple rumors:

iOS 17 developer beta 3: All the new features and changes

iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 developer beta 3 are here with several new features and changes. Here's a look at everything new.

Apple Watch may detect Parkinson's disease long before symptoms appear

A U.K. study looked at smartwatch wearers' speed of motion over just one week to predict who would get the neurological disease.

Judge blocks government from pushing social media censorship

The ruling is one of many upcoming that frame a fight over curbing social media's influence in light of First Amendment rights.

Jony Ive returns to hardware design with $60,000 record player

Working for free out of pure love, Jony Ive and his LoveFrom firm tweak a classic turntable's design for its 50th anniversary.

Apple TV+ has a lot more subscribers than you might realize

The streaming service’s subscriptions triple in just two years, pushing it into the middle of the pack in the battle for viewer eyeballs.

Deals

Get free shipping on a $20 cable that can connect to almost anything

Get the InCharge X Max, a 5-foot braided nylon cable with Lightning, USB-C, USB-A and micro USB tips, for just $19.97 with free shipping

Plus, more gadgets from Cult of Mac Deals:

Don't miss out: Get 30% off all SwitchEasy iPad cases

You can slash nearly a third off the price of a fantastic variety of iPad cases in the Cult of Mac Store. That's some real savings.

Get $200 worth of restaurant meals for just $20

For a limited time, you can get two $100 gift certificates to Restaurant.com for just $20 (regularly $200)!

Plus, more lifestyle savings from Cult of Mac Deals:

Get a deal on Instabridge eSIM and avoid internet charges when traveling

Traveling internationally? Get lifetime access to Instabridge eSIM Mobile Data Plan for just $129.97 (regularly $1,000), the best price online.

Reviews

‘Hijack’ hits cruising altitude by focusing on suspense [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★½☆

Apple TV+ terrorist thriller “Hijack” finally takes off this week, introducing real challenges and intense, investigative set pieces.

Plus, more Apple TV+ recaps:

Best monitors for your Mac in 2023

Desktop displays aren’t just for desktop computers anymore — 77% of you are buying MacBooks, but you probably want a nice setup when you’re at home. And if you do have a Mac mini or Mac Studio, you want to make sure you’re picking the right display.

Add fun to your vacation with this brilliant pico projector [Review] ★★★★☆

With the EZCast Beam J4a, you can carry a big screen TV everywhere you go. The pico projector works well with MacBook or iPad.

Budget-friendly 15.6-inch external screen makes you more productive wherever you go [Review] ★★★½☆

The Arzopa Portable Monitor A1C is a 15.6-inch, 1080P display ready to be connected to a Mac, iPad or gaming device. It's surprisingly affordable.

Setups

Mounts make the most of this MacBook Pro workstation

Mounts make key hardware easy to move around, and create extra space for other items on the desk, in this setup.

How would you fix this MacBook Air workstation?

An M1 MacBook Air setup user asked how to make his rig better and got plenty of advice. But he didn't agree with all of it.