THE POWER OF FREE

WHETHER YOU’VE BEEN lucky enough to get

Best apps and games of 2024

Apple editors name annual App Store Awards winners

> Smart devices at risk?

FTC finds 89% surveyed don’t confirm support

> Stop texting, FBI warns

IN LIGHT OF recent data breaches and ongoing

News in brief

A bite of the Apple

Apple in 2025

Apple looks set to have a very strong year with lots of software and hardware to enjoy

> THE SHIFT

JOHN–ANTHONY DISOTTO Will 2025 be the year that Apple Intelligence becomes a key reason to buy an iPhone, not just a nice–to–have extra?

BEST FREE APPS

Great ways to get more from all your Apple gear

Streaming

In the first part of our guide to Apple Music, we take a look at how to access your favorite tunes from all your Apple devices

Return of the MacBook

It has been nearly 10 years since Apple revolutionized portable Macs. Is it time for a comeback?

Manage your iCloud Drive

When your Mac is tight for space, let the cloud storage do the heavy lifting

Use Calendar and Reminders

Combine the power of Calendar and Reminders for extra organization

Customize the menu bar

Is your menu bar a mess? Then it’s time to tidy up with Hidden Bar

Create party invites

Produce eye–catching, personalized invitations and gather your friends

Master Camera Control

Use the iPhone 16’s physical button to adjust a range of camera settings

Improve movie sound quality

Use iPhone 16’s Audio Mix tools to improve your production values

Master Reader & more in Safari

Clean up websites for easier reading

Customize the Control Center

Easy access to superpower functions

Thunderbolt 5

Let’s get up to speed with Apple’s next–gen connectivity standard

ASK

TECH SUPPORT & TECHSPLANATIONS

Networking

We help to solve your Wi-Fi woes and connection conundrums

macOS

Shine a spotlight on the solutions to your most irritating Mac problems

reMarkable Paper Pro

Better in every way — except the price

Marshall Major V

Iconic on–ear headphones with incredible battery life

SCHiM

A shadow of one’s self progressing underneath the cover of darkness

BenQ MA320U

Ideal for using your Mac notebook as a desktop

A Little to the Left

Puzzles to keep your brain neat and tidy

Final Cut Pro 11

Get up to speed on the video editor’s powerful new tools

From Eva with Green

A pretty, peaceful take on pinball

Best of the best

Can’t find the hardware or app you’re looking for in our reviews section? Then check in here — we’ve highlighted the best in every major category, as voted for by us