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John Voorhees

Managing Editor

Mastodon: @johnvoorhees@macstories.netEmail: voorhees@macstories.net

John, MacStories’ Managing Editor, has been writing about Apple and apps since joining the team in 2015. He also co-hosts MacStories’ podcasts, including AppStories, which explores of the world of apps, MacStories Unwind, a weekly recap of everything MacStories and more, and MacStories Unplugged, a behind-the-scenes, anything-goes show exclusively for Club MacStories members.

An AI Tool Check-In and Roundup

An AI Tool Check-In and Roundup

I can’t think of any technology that I’ve ever felt more conflicted about than artificial intelligence. I’ve spent enough time with various LLMs and tools built on top of them to recognize that we’re witnessing the early days of a fundamental shift in computing. That’s exciting. AI has the potential to accelerate advances in a wide range of domains. At the same time, though, all that potential is buried under layer after layer of hyperbole from win-at-any-cost grifters.

It’s all a lot, but it’s also the sort of area where I think MacStories can add a lot of value for readers. This isn’t our first hype cycle. What we can do for readers by wading through the muck ourselves is explain what AI is good at now and where things seem to be heading while dispensing with the nonsense. So today, I thought I’d recap some of the tools I’ve been trying and the AI uses that I think are worth looking into if you haven’t yet.

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App Debuts

APP DEBUTS

Noteworthy new app releases and updates, handpicked by the MacStories team.

Claude

Claude added widgets this week. With the latest update, you can start a new session, have a photo analyzed, or open the app’s dictation mode from your Home Screen or Lock Screen. The update is modest but notable since so many web-first apps never support native features like widgets.

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Recharged: A New Approach to Charging My iPhone

MACSTORIES EXTRAS

More stories for Club members.

Recharged: A New Approach to Charging My iPhone

Happiness is a fresh iPhone battery. Source: Apple.

There was a time when it was hard to get through the day without topping off your iPhone’s battery at least once. Most days, I’d go to bed with barely any battery left, so I’d plug it in and let it charge all night, ensuring my phone had a full battery by the time I woke up and a fighting chance at making it through another day without running out of juice.

Plugging in overnight became a habit that was reinforced by features like StandBy. To display the weather and my calendar during the day and an alarm clock at night, I found that my iPhone was almost always charging via its MagSafe interface. Most days, my battery level barely dipped at all between the Qi charger on my desk and the USB-C cable I use to access CarPlay when I’m away from home.

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MacStories Weekly Returns to Fridays

MacStories Weekly Returns to Fridays

Beginning next week, we’ll be moving Weekly back to Fridays. Why? It’s pretty simple. Since the beginning of a new year, our schedules have changed, and we’re hoping to spend less time working on weekends. Plus, it gives everyone a full weekend to dig into the latest issue no matter what time zone you live in. Beyond the timing of publication, nothing else is changing, so we’ll see you again in six days.

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The iPhone SE 4's Potential to Be More than a Budget-Friendly Choice

THE EXTENSION

Exploring topics beyond our day-to-day coverage.

The iPhone SE 4's Potential to Be More than a Budget-Friendly Choice

Source: Apple.

There are rumors that a new iPhone SE is just around the corner. As someone who has always bought a Pro iPhone, you might expect that I wouldn’t be interested in a new SE. That would be a good bet to make most of the time, but this SE promises to be something different, and I’m very interested in it. Here’s why.

The iPhone SE has played an important role in Apple’s iPhone lineup by appealing to budget-conscious customers. For instance, the SE reportedly accounted for 22% of U.S. iPhone sales in the third quarter of 2020. It also sells well in emerging markets, according to S&P.

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