Stop closing your iPhone apps!

Here are three solid reasons why swiping apps shut is a bad idea.

Author

Lewis Wallace
December 02, 2023

Do you ever find yourself frantically closing iPhone apps like you’re playing a game of Whac-A-Mole or anxiously twirling a fidget spinner? (Remember those?)

If so, stop doing that!

Especially if you think you’re under the mistaken impression that shutting down apps will make your iPhone work better, or coax more life out of your iPhone’s battery. Because it really won’t. Find out why in this weekend’s new how-to.

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

How-tos

3 reasons you shouldn’t clear your open apps

It’s good to know how to close apps on your iPhone for those times when an app is acting buggy or becomes unresponsive. It’s really easy — but you really shouldn’t do it unless you absolutely have to.

How to find your music stats with Apple Music Replay

Apple Music Replay is a great way to find your music stats: your most-played songs, artists and albums from the past year. Here's how.

News

Take a rare look inside Apple silicon lab

Here's your chance to peek inside Apple's vaunted chipmaking operation.

Entire iPhone 16 lineup could feature force-sensitive Action button

Next year’s phones might add a capacitve Action button with a built-in force sensor to detect the amount of pressure applied.

Plus, more Apple rumors:

Important iOS and macOS patches close security vulnerabilities

Apple released iOS 17.1.2 and macOS Sonoma 14.1.2 with security patches for bugs that have been actively exploited by hackers.

You won't believe this bride's mind-bending iPhone photo

Tessa Coates was understandably freaked out by the photograph. Why on earth would she look different in the mirrors?

These apps and games won the 2023 App Store Awards

Apple has announced the 2023 App Store Award Winners, highlighting 14 apps and games across several categories and genres.

Plus, more year-end accolades from Apple:

‘Monarch’ is a Godzilla-size hit for Apple TV+

"Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" stomped onto the list of most popular shows on any streaming service this week.

Tiny fan makes MacBook Air perform like MacBook Pro

The thin membrane-based AirJet chip fits in Apple's lightest laptop and boosts its performance when needed.

Deals

Get up to 47% off compact magnetic chargers for all your Apple devices

There's nothing like plopping all your Apple devices -- iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods -- in one place to top them off.

Make password management easy with a lifetime Sticky Password sub, just $16

A good password manager makes your online experience smoother and more enjoyable. Grab a lifetime subscription to Sticky Password Premium.

Get Speidel's soft silicone Scrub Band for Apple Watch for just $6

Speidel makes these colorful, inexpensive silicone Apple Watch bands specifically for medical workers, but anyone can enjoy the sweet price.

Block ads and trackers to speed up your web browsing

Make your internet experience better with Control D. It works with any internet-connected device to block all kinds of ads and trackers.

Get a pair of Linksys mesh Wi-Fi 5 routers for less than $90

Get mesh Wi-Fi for less with two Linksys Velop dual-band Wi-Fi routers, now just $89.97. No coupon is required!

Reviews and recommendations

iPad gift guide: Pick the best tablet to give your loved ones

There's a wide array of iPad models to choose from. In this guide, we go through all the options to explore their pros and cons as gifts.

Plus, more gift guides:

Premium iPad stylus takes on Apple Pencil with pressure sensitivity and buttons [Review] ★★★½☆

Adonit Note+ 2 is an iPad stylus with all the usual features plus pressure sensitivity and a pair of programmable buttons.

This is the USB-C game controller your iPhone 15 needs [Review] ★★★★½

Wrap your iPhone 15 in the GameSir G8 Galileo game controller and you have the physical buttons, triggers and sticks needed for high-end gaming.

3 reasons to watch ‘Slow Horses,’ the acerbic Apple TV+ spy thriller

Gary Oldman's brilliant portrayal of greasy-haired, insult-slinging, fart-prone spy Jackson Lamb is just the start for "Slow Horses."

Plus, this week’s Apple TV+ recaps:

AI generates weird and wonderful wallpaper for Mac [Awesome Apps]

Gemoo's free AI Wallpaper Generator app lets you replace your background visual with whatever you can think of -- sometimes with odd results.

Solid standing desk doesn’t break the bank [Review] ★★★★☆

If you want a solid, reliable and attractive standing desk but you don't want to spend 0 or more, try this midrange Fezibo.

Inexpensive stand makes your Apple Watch into a desk accessory [Review]

Your Apple Watch can still be useful, even when you’re not wearing it. The HEDock holds the Watch up at a convenient angle while it’s charging.

Setups

6-display rig rocks Sonos home-theater sound

This Mac Studio and MacBook Pro setup features not only five exceptional displays, but a bonus sound system for its Sonos home-theater array.

'Winter edition' MacBook Pro rig boasts fine 5K display and top-shelf booze

A nearly full bottle of Lagavulin single malt Scotch whisky is hardly the least important tool in this computer setup.

Flexible device and display mounts make this home office

If you're not mounting your laptop, iPad and displays on stands and arms, you're limiting your computer setup.