Apple’s September Event: The Year I Want Everything

Apple’s event was one of those keynotes where it felt like every product category took a big leap forward. From AirPods to Apple Watch to the iPhone lineup, Apple dropped upgrades that make me want to reach for my wallet at every turn. The problem? I honestly don’t know what to buy first because I want them all.

AirPods Pro 3: Audio Meets Fitness and Translation

Apple kicked things off with the AirPods Pro 3, and it’s safe to say these aren’t just earbuds anymore. They are edging into fitness tracker and travel companion territory.

Highlights

  • Sound: Redesigned airflow system boosts bass, widens the soundstage, and makes vocals sharper.
  • Noise cancellation: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is up to four times stronger than the first Pros. ANC uses microphones and advanced processing to block outside noise so you can focus on your music or calls.
  • Translation: Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence lets you understand and communicate across languages.
  • Fit and durability: Smaller earbuds, five ear tip sizes, and IP57 sweat and water resistance.
  • Fitness: Heart-rate sensing and calorie tracking directly through AirPods, with data syncing to the Fitness app.
  • Battery: Up to 8 hours with ANC, 10 hours in Transparency mode.
  • Price and availability: $249, available September 19.

These feel like a must-have. The ANC leap, fitness integration, and translation features make them tempting even if you already own AirPods Pro. AirPods haven’t been my friend in the past since my ears are too small, but I would like to try these. I like my AfterShokz, but I want tighter integration with the Apple ecosystem.

Apple Watch: Health, Safety, and Adventure

The stories Apple shared about the Watch saving lives were moving, but the new lineup really shows how much the device has grown beyond just fitness tracking.

Apple Watch Series 11

  • Durability: New ceramic-coated Ion-X glass for double the scratch resistance.
  • Connectivity: First Apple Watch with 5G cellular.
  • Health: Hypertension notifications and a new sleep score feature.
  • Battery: Up to 24 hours.
  • Finishes: Recycled aluminum and titanium cases with refreshed Nike and Hermès bands.
  • Price: Starts at $399.

I am torn here. I just got a Watch Series 10, but the hypertension feature is compelling. People on ADHD medication or anyone who needs to monitor blood pressure could find this feature especially convincing.

Apple Watch SE 3

  • Always-On display available for the first time on SE.
  • Gestures: Supports double-tap and wrist flick.
  • Health: Temperature sensing, sleep apnea notifications, and sleep score.
  • Convenience: Play media directly through the built-in speaker.
  • Battery: 18 hours with new fast charging; about 8 hours of use from a 15-minute charge.
  • Connectivity: Supports 5G.
  • Price: Starts at $249.

Apple Watch Ultra 3

  • Display: Larger, brighter, and with thinner borders.
  • Connectivity: Adds satellite SOS, Messages, and Find My.
  • Battery: Up to 42 hours.
  • Materials: Recycled titanium with new bands.
  • Price: Starts at $799.

I would love the Ultra for its satellite safety and massive battery, but it is simply too big for me.

iPhone 17 Lineup: Thin, Powerful, or Pro-Level Cameras

iPhone 17

  • Display: 6.3-inch with ProMotion 120 Hz, Always-On, and 3000 nits brightness.
  • Durability: Ceramic Shield 2 with three times better scratch resistance.
  • Chip: A19 with faster Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence.
  • Battery: Faster wired charging, up to 50% in 20 minutes.
  • Cameras: 48 MP Dual Fusion main + 2× telephoto, new 48 MP Ultra Wide, and Center Stage front camera with auto-framing.
  • Price: Starts at $799.

iPhone Air

  • Design: Thinnest iPhone ever at 5.6 mm, titanium frame, Ceramic Shield front and back.
  • Display: 6.5-inch ProMotion, Always-On, 3000 nits.
  • Chips: A19 Pro, new N1 wireless chip, and C1X modem.
  • Cameras: 48 MP Fusion system with enhanced telephoto and Dual Capture video (front and back).
  • Battery: All-day life; with new MagSafe Battery up to 40 hours video playback.
  • Price: Starts at $999.

iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max

  • Design: Forged aluminum unibody with vapor chamber cooling.
  • Chip: A19 Pro with Neural Accelerators in every GPU core.
  • Battery: Up to 39 hours video playback on Pro Max.
  • Cameras: Three 48 MP Fusion sensors, telephoto with 4× (100 mm) and 8× (200 mm) optical-quality zoom, up to 40× digital zoom.
  • Video: ProRes RAW capture and Genlock support for professional workflows.
  • Price: Starts at $1099, with a 2 TB option on Pro Max.

I am torn again here. I produce video, and the features for video on the Pro models are amazing. But I also can’t stop thinking about the thinness and elegance of the iPhone Air. I am not sure what I will do yet.

Final Thoughts

This year’s Apple lineup is overwhelming in the best way. AirPods Pro 3 alone could justify an upgrade. Apple Watch Series 11 feels like the everyday health champion, while Ultra 3 is unmatched for outdoor safety. The iPhone family is split between the elegant thinness of iPhone Air and the powerhouse cameras of the iPhone 17 Pro.

My honest problem: I want all of them. I don’t actually use earbuds consistently, but these new AirPods Pro 3 make me want to give them another try, especially with the improved fit and Apple ecosystem integration. If I had to decide today, I would start with the iPhone because that is the device I rely on the most every day. From there, Series 11 is a strong contender for the health features, and I would still be torn between the thin elegance of iPhone Air and the brute force of iPhone 17 Pro.

Pre-orders open September 12, with devices shipping September 19.

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What I thought About Everything Announced at WWDC 2025

Apple Intelligence: AI That Respects Your Privacy

Apple took a bold step into the AI space with Apple Intelligence—its new on-device AI framework aimed at redefining productivity, creativity, and daily tasks. The most notable aspect? It does all this while fiercely protecting your privacy.

I’m personally intrigued by how Apple’s foundation models will compare to giants like OpenAI and Anthropic. Will the quality match or even exceed what we’ve come to expect from industry leaders? Only time and real-world usage will tell.

As a developer myself, I’m thrilled about the new Foundation Models framework that enables apps to tap into Apple Intelligence directly. I’ll be installing every beta available—this is too exciting to wait.

Some standout features include:

– Smart Summaries for emails, notifications, and notes.

– Genmoji and Image Playground for custom, expressive content.

– Clean Up tools to declutter photos.

– Smart Replies for context-aware communication.

– Private Cloud Compute to ensure no sensitive data leaves your device.

iOS 26: A Radical Redesign with Liquid Glass

This is the biggest visual overhaul since iOS 7. Apple introduces Liquid Glass, a UI material that reimagines interface depth, interactivity, and responsiveness.

Major highlights:

– Dynamic Lock and Home Screens with adaptive typography.

– Recrafted app icons and widgets that reflect environment and usage.

– Realistic spatial photo effects.

– Streamlined Camera and Photos apps.

– Floating UI elements in Safari and FaceTime.

CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra: Smarter Driving

– Integrated widgets and Live Activities for real-time info.

– Messaging improvements including Tapbacks and pinned threads.

– CarPlay Ultra allows deep integration with vehicle functions like climate control and infotainment layouts.

Phone App and Messages: Communication, Evolved

– Unified call view simplifies access to Favorites and Voicemails.

– Call Screening quietly identifies unknown numbers—a game-changer for someone like me who gets spammed daily.

– Hold Assist can save time for people stuck in queues, like when calling Social Security or utility services.

– Messages get group polls, customizable backgrounds, and Apple Cash integration for groups.

– New spam filters and sender screening keep your inbox clean.

Live Translation: Real-Time, On-Device Language Support

– Works in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone—entirely on-device.

This could be a lifeline for communicating when English isn’t shared—Apple is finally making global conversation seamless.

Music, Maps, Wallet: Smarter Everyday Apps

Apple Music now includes Lyrics Translation and AutoMix for DJ-style transitions.

Apple Maps supports smarter commute predictions and lets you revisit previously visited locations with full privacy.

Apple Wallet now supports U.S. passports—though I really wish Texas would implement digital IDs already.

I use Apple Pay constantly, so order tracking and installment options are a welcome upgrade.

Introducing the Games App

– Personalized game suggestions, real-time competitions, and social gaming return in a modern reimagining of Game Center.

This is nostalgic and functional—I love that Apple is bringing Game Center’s soul back.

Visual Intelligence: Search Anything on Your Screen

– AI-driven visual search lets you take action on anything visible—screenshots, app content, or live camera views.

– ChatGPT integration provides smart follow-ups and questions without app switching.

Apple Watch and watchOS 26: Motivated by Design

– Liquid Glass brings a richer look and feel.

– Workout Buddy analyzes trends to motivate with personalized audio feedback.

– Wrist Flick gesture expands accessibility.

– Context-aware suggestions like sharing your location in Messages is smart design.

tvOS 26: A Cinematic Experience

– Enhanced visuals with Liquid Glass.

– Apple Music Sing turns your iPhone into a party mic.

– Auto Sign-In and personalized profiles streamline the viewing experience.

macOS Tahoe: Productivity and Personality

– Liquid Glass transforms macOS aesthetics while keeping it distinctly Mac.

– Spotlight now supports actions, clipboard history, and natural language—perfect for accessibility workarounds potentially.

– iPhone Mirroring and Live Activities enrich continuity between devices.

iPadOS 26: Pro-Level Multitasking and Content Creation

– Finally, real window management: resizable, tiled, and intuitive.

– Menu bar adds true desktop-style productivity.

– Preview and enhanced Files app boosts creative workflows.

– Local Capture and audio enhancements hint at a Loopback-style experience—could this be a dream come true for iPad content creators?

visionOS 26: A Spatial Future

– New widgets, spatial browsing, and more realistic Personas.

– Exciting accessory support including PlayStation VR2 and Logitech Muse.

– A future of immersive spatial experiences is taking shape faster than expected.

Developer Tools: Foundation Models and Xcode Assist

– Developers get direct access to Apple’s AI models.

– Xcode Assist + ChatGPT = coding joy.

– Swift enhancements and App Intents simplify app-building for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Apple’s WWDC 2025 was bold, broad, and deeply aligned with where tech is heading. I’ll be installing all the betas on day one—I need hands-on experience with everything Apple Intelligence promises.

As a dev and tech lover, this is the kind of evolution I live for. Can’t wait to see how the community leverages all this power.

If you’re considering jumping in, now’s the time. The future of Apple platforms is bright—and brilliantly intelligent.

Check more of my work on Substack

iOS 18: The Ultimate Upgrade

iOS 18 Icon

Apple has unveiled iOS 18, a major update packed with new features, enhancements, and improvements that redefine the iPhone experience.  This release introduces Apple Intelligence, a suite of personalized features that make your iPhone more intuitive and helpful. Here’s an in-depth look at everything iOS 18 has to offer.

Apple Intelligence: Your Personalized Assistant

Apple Intelligence is the highlight of iOS 18, offering a new level of customization and smart capabilities across the entire operating system. Designed to understand your personal context, Apple Intelligence suggests actions, assists with writing, and offers tailored recommendations. This feature brings a smarter, more context-aware Siri, new writing tools, and more precise notifications, making your iPhone experience more seamless and intuitive. I currently use the iPhone 14 and look forward to upgrading to take full advantage of these features—this is the highlight for me.

Enhanced Siri Experience

Siri has received a significant upgrade in iOS 18, featuring improved language understanding and contextual awareness. Siri now anticipates your needs, offers real-time suggestions, and understands commands based on your current activity, integrating even more closely into your daily routine. A potential application I am exploring is whether Siri’s screen-aware feature can read unlabeled buttons on the screen, which would greatly enhance usability.

Customization at Your Fingertips

iOS 18 allows you to personalize your iPhone like never before:

– Rearrange Apps and Widgets: Easily customize your Home Screen layout by rearranging apps and widgets.

– New App Icon Look: Choose a Dark mode look, tint app icons with any color, or let iOS suggest a color based on your wallpaper.

– Locked and Hidden Apps: Secure sensitive apps with Face ID, keeping your data safe when sharing your device.

Redesigned Control Center

The Control Center receives a complete overhaul with new groups of controls that are accessible with a single swipe. You can customize controls, resize them, and group them as you like. The new Controls Gallery allows you to add your favorite controls from various apps, enhancing personalization.

Photos App: A New Way to Relive Memories

The Photos app has been completely redesigned, making it easier to organize and access your library:

– Browse by Topic: Collections organize your photos by recent days, people, pets, and trips, providing a more intuitive browsing experience.

– Customize Collections: Pin your favorite collections, ensuring your most cherished photos are always easy to find.

Messages: More Fun and Functional

iOS 18 brings exciting new ways to communicate in Messages:

– Text Effects: Apply animated effects to text, words, or emojis, with suggestions appearing as you type.

– Tapback with Any Emoji or Sticker: Express yourself with a wider variety of emojis and stickers in your responses.

– Messages via Satellite: Stay connected without Wi-Fi or cellular, using satellite technology on supported iPhones.

– Schedule Messages: Use the Send Later feature to schedule messages for a specific time, ensuring you never forget to send an important text. This feature is a welcome addition as it allows scheduling communications at the most appropriate times.

Mail: Coming Soon with New Features

Later this year, iOS 18 will introduce Mail improvements with automatic categorization and a focus on important messages. The new Primary category will help users manage their inbox more effectively, prioritizing time-sensitive and significant emails. With the volume of emails I receive, this enhancement will be transformative in streamlining my communication management.

Safari: Smarter Browsing

Safari in iOS 18 introduces Highlights, automatically detecting relevant information on a page and making it easily accessible. A redesigned Reader mode now includes a table of contents and high-level summaries, allowing users to get a quick overview of articles before diving in.

Maps: Explore Like Never Before

iOS 18 brings new topographic maps and trail networks, making it easy to plan hikes and outdoor activities. Users can create custom routes, download maps for offline use, and access detailed hiking information, including trail length and elevation. I am particularly interested in exploring whether the custom route’s function can work like waypoints, enhancing navigation similar to Good Maps.

Game Mode: Elevate Your Gaming Experience

Game Mode minimizes background activity to maintain high frame rates and reduce audio latency, especially when using AirPods and wireless game controllers. This ensures smooth gameplay and an immersive gaming experience.

New Wallet Features

The Wallet app now supports Tap to Cash, allowing iPhone users to complete transactions by simply bringing their devices together. This new capability will make Apple Cash transactions even more convenient. Additionally, users can now pay with rewards and set up installment payments for Apple Pay, offering greater flexibility in managing payments.

Enhanced Accessibility Features

iOS 18 introduces revolutionary accessibility updates:

– Eye Tracking: Control your iPhone using just your eyes.

– Music Haptics: Sync the iPhone Taptic Engine with the rhythm of songs, enhancing the music experience for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.

– Vocal Shortcuts: Record specific sounds to trigger actions on iPhone, assisting those with atypical speech in communicating more effectively.

Privacy and Security Enhancements

Privacy remains a priority with redesigned Privacy and Security settings, offering easier ways to manage what information you share with apps. New contact-sharing controls and improved Bluetooth privacy provide users with more control over their data.

Additional Updates

iOS 18 brings a host of other features, including:

– Live Call Transcription: Record and transcribe phone calls directly from the Phone app. This feature is invaluable for capturing discussions and sharing notes within my team.

– New Calculator Features: Access the Math Notes calculator and explore unit conversion and history features in a new portrait mode, potentially revolutionizing accessibility in math.

– Freeform Updates: New diagramming modes, alignment tools, and improved sharing options make Freeform boards even more versatile.

iOS 18 Release Date and Compatibility

iOS 18 is set to be released on September 16th and will be compatible with a wide range of iPhone models, from the iPhone 11 up to the latest iPhone 16 series. With so many new features, iOS 18 promises to be the most powerful and personalized iPhone experience yet.

#iACast 150 – Apple, Microsoft, and Sony Level up

Xbox Series X with black controller

Show Description

On this episode, Michael and Jason discuss Apple’s new M1 Macs. Michael shows off his iPhone 12 Pro Max, prompting a discussion comparing the sound of the iPhone 12 line to the iPhone 11. Finally, they talk about the new Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Sony’s new Playstation 5. They also discuss videos that have been circulating online showing smoke coming from the Xbox Series 5. These videos appear to have been Faked.

News

Apple releases M1 versions of the Mac. The current lineup contains the 13 inch MacBook Air, the 13 inch MacBook Pro, and the Mac mini.

Ad

Perspective AI.
Perspective AI is an app in development that will allow you to point the camera of your phone at text to have it read out loud. It will also be able to read currency, describe objects, and so much more. If you’d like to help test the app, you can get in touch with us, and we will add you to the TestFlight beta. We also have a WhatsApp group if you’d like to chat about the app and provide feedback there as well. If you’d like to join, let us know. We always want to hear your thoughts. You’ll find our contact info at the bottom of this post.

Picks

Jason: Network Effect by Martha Wells
Michael: Titans available to stream from HBO Max

Providing Feedback

We love hearing from you, so feel free to send an email to feedback@iaccessibility.net. You can follow us on Facebook, and Twitter. You can also find us on Reddit, and all around the web. Also, don’t forget to check out our YouTube page, and for all things iACast, check out our iACast page. If you’d like to help support us, you can do so via our PayPal and Patreon pages. If you wish to interact with us during our podcasts live then please do join us on our Slack channel.

On this episode, Michael and Jason discuss Apple’s new M1 Macs. Michael shows off his iPhone 12 Pro Max, prompting a discussion comparing the sound of the iPhone 12 line to the iPhone 11. Finally, they talk about the new Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Sony’s new Playstation 5. They also discuss videos that have been circulating online showing smoke coming from the Xbox Series 5. These videos appear to have been Faked.

News

Apple releases M1 versions of the Mac. The current lineup contains the 13 inch MacBook Air, the 13 inch MacBook Pro, and the Mac mini.

Ad

Perspective AI.
Perspective AI is an app in development that will allow you to point the camera of your phone at text to have it read out loud. It will also be able to read currency, describe objects, and so much more. If you’d like to help test the app, you can get in touch with us, and we will add you to the TestFlight beta. We also have a WhatsApp group if you’d like to chat about the app and provide feedback there as well. If you’d like to join, let us know. We always want to hear your thoughts. You’ll find our contact info at the bottom of this post.

Picks

Jason: Network Effect by Martha Wells
Michael: Titans available to stream from HBO Max

Providing Feedback

We love hearing from you, so feel free to send an email to feedback@iaccessibility.net. You can follow us on Facebook, and Twitter. You can also find us on Reddit, and all around the web. Also, don’t forget to check out our YouTube page, and for all things iACast, check out our iACast page. If you’d like to help support us, you can do so via our PayPal and Patreon pages. If you wish to interact with us during our podcasts live then please do join us on our Slack channel.

#iACast 147 – The Future Of Computing

16 inch MacBook Pro

Show Description

On this episode, Michael, Aleeha, Leslie and Jason discuss the current state of computing, and where it could be headed. They also discuss Apple’s decision not to allow cloud gaming apps into the iOS App Store.

News

Samsung unveils new phones and products at it’s Unpacked 2020 event. Google has discontinued the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, though they should still receive OS and security updates until October 2022.

Ad

iAccessibility has a new website. This new website should be easier to use thanks to the new WordPress theme for 2020. It is still being updated, but please feel free to let us know what you think.

Providing Feedback

We love hearing from you, so feel free to send an email to feedback@iaccessibility.net. You can follow us on Facebook, and Twitter. You can also find us on Reddit, and all around the web. Also, don’t forget to check out our YouTube page, and for all things iACast, check out our iACast page. If you’d like to help support us, you can do so via our PayPal and Patreon pages. If you wish to interact with us during our podcasts live then please do join us on our Slack channel.

iACast 144 – WWDC Speculations

WWDC 2020

Show Description:

On this episode, Jason, Michael, Leslie and Aleeha discuss their expectations and their thoughts on WWDC and future Apple devices and features.

News

Ambeos are no longer being produced. The Android 11 Beta is out.

Picks

Jason: book series by Nathan Lowell Trader Tales

Leslie: The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey

Aleeha: LaCie Hard Drive

Michael: Text Expander

Providing Feedback

We love hearing from you, so feel free to send an email to feedback@iaccessibility.net. You can follow us on Facebook, and Twitter. You can also find us on Reddit, and all around the web. Also, don’t forget to check out our YouTube page, and for all things iACast, check out our iACast page. If you’d like to help support us, you can do so via our PayPal and Patreon pages. If you wish to interact with us during our podcasts live then please do join us on our Slack channel.

#iACast 141 – Our Perspective on New Tech

iAccessibility Logo

Show description

On this episode, Michael, Aleeha, Leslie and Jason discuss new phones and devices released by Apple and Samsung. They also talk about a new app in development by iAccessibility called Perspective AI. If you’d like to get early access and help shape the future of the app, you can install the TestFlight version. Once installed, you will be able to send feedback.

News

Samsung releases the Samsung S20 Series
Apple releases new iPad Pro, MacBook Air Mac mini, and Power Beats.

Picks

Michael: Doom Eternal

Aleeha and Jason: Google Pixel 4

Leslie: Victor Reader Stream

Providing Feedback

We love hearing from you, so feel free to send an email to feedback@iaccessibility.net. You can follow us on Facebook, and Twitter. You can also find us on Reddit, and all around the web. Also, don’t forget to check out our YouTube page, and for all things iACast, check out our iACast page. If you’d like to help support us, you can do so via our PayPal and Patreon pages. If you wish to interact with us during our podcasts live then please do join us on our Slack channel.

#iACast 139 – Past Innovations

iAccessibility Logo with year 2019 instead of iA

Show description

On this episode, Aleeha, Jason, Leslie, Meaghan and Michael discuss some of the great technology released in the last decade. While talking about the Amazon Echo devices, the comical Echo Silver Video from Youtube came up and we thought we would share the link with you for your entertainment.

Ad

A new podcast will premier in a few weeks. Hands-On Safety will be a monthly podcast discussing topics pertaining to personal safety and awareness for people with disabilities.

Picks

Meaghan: Apple TV+
Leslie: Amazon Echo Show
Jason: Beats Solo-Pro
Aleeha: 2019 16 inch MacBook Pro
Michael: Star Trek Picard

Providing Feedback

We love hearing from you, so feel free to send an email to feedback@iaccessibility.net. You can follow us on Facebook, and Twitter. You can also find us on Reddit, and all around the web. Also, don’t forget to check out our YouTube page, and for all things iACast, check out our iACast page. If you’d like to help support us, you can do so via our PayPal and Patreon pages. If you wish to interact with us during our podcasts live then please do join us on our Slack channel.

#iAUnboxCast 43 – Apple 16 inch MacBook Pro

16 inch MacBook Pro

Show Description

 

On this episode, Michael, Aleeha, Chris and Jason unbox the 2019, 16 inch [MacBook Pro](https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro-16/(.

 

Providing Feedback

 

We love hearing from you, so feel free to send an email to feedback@iaccessibility.net. You can follow us on Facebook, and Twitter. You can also find us on Reddit, and all around the web. Also, don’t forget to check out our YouTube page, and for all things iACast, check out our iACast page. If you’d like to help support us, you can do so via our PayPal and Patreon pages. If you wish to interact with us during our podcasts live then please do join us on our Slack channel.

Accessory Review: Powerbeats Pro

Jason Earls with PowerBeats Pro pointed at camera

Introduction

When Apple announced the Powerbeats Pro in April, I was excited. I had had my AirPods for around two years, and was noticing that my use time between charges was getting shorter and shorter. Also, they didn’t stay in my ears as securely as I would like, causing a reduction of sound quality as they moved around. I had purchased covers that would go over them to help with the fit and sound, but I couldn’t simply drop them in the case for charging, or put them in my ears when I needed them because the covers did not fit in the case. That ease of use, of course, is one of the selling points of the AirPods. I have dropped covers more than once, but somehow managed to not lose them for extended periods of time. Talk time, that is, the amount of time the battery lasts while you are using the AirPods in a call, wasn’t quite long enough for me either. Yes, I could use one AirPod at a time, switching them out as needed, but being used to earbuds and headphones with a wire connecting them, it was always easier to just have both buds in my ears, and I’ve gotten use to that. This led me to use my AirPods in the same way, putting both of them in my ears, even if I was just using them for a call. Then, something happened. I started coming across articles in my newsfeed speculating about new AirPods with a longer talk time, and grips to help them stay in your ears. Hey Siri support, and lower Bluetooth latency were also discussed as possible features. Could these new AirPods be what I was looking for? I wasn’t quite sure, but I was going to keep them on my radar.

The AirPods were finally announced and as we all know, they don’t have any grips, but they do have the lower latency, longer talk time, and Hey Siri support. They also have wireless charging, but that isn’t something I am all that fussed about. I seriously considered buying them anyway, even though I would still have problems with them staying in my ears. Before I had decided what I was going to do, Apple announced the Powerbeats Pro in April. They had everything I wanted in wireless earbuds. Ear hooks to help them stay in my ears, silicone tips to help with sound isolation, sensors to detect when you insert them in your ears so they can play and pause music, Hey Siri support via the H1 chip, and physical buttons to manage audio playback and answer/end phone calls. If that wasn’t enough, they have a rated play time of 9 hours, and talk time of 6 hours. Naturally, all of these features come at a price. In this case, it’s $249.00 in the US. Some might say that $249 is a lot to spend on wireless earbuds, especially considering that noise canceling is something the Powerbeats Pro does not do, but I didn’t care. I bought them. I’ve had them for a few days now, and I thought I’d post my initial impressions.

Packaging

The box features an outer sleeve that, when removed, reveals the box with the charging case resting in an indention on top, with the earbuds inside. This acts as a sort of removable lid. Under this, you’ll find printed instructions, the lightning charging cable witch I believe to be black rather than white, and a circular plastic container containing multiple sizes of replaceable tips.

The Case

Several reviews talk about the size of the charging case for the Powerbeats Pro, and I see why. It’s not exactly small when compared to the case of the AirPods, and it is a bit baulky, but it’s not really been an issue for me so far. The case is a clamshell style, with magnets to help keep it closed. There is a tactile Beats logo on the top of the case, and a rounded flat section on the bottom. Opening the case will reveal the earbuds. The “system button”, for pairing to non Apple devices, is located inside the case, on the bottom edge if it is facing you.

Connection and setup

The setup process matches that of the AirPods. For more information on setting up the Powerbeats Pro and AirPods, you can visit the Beats website, and for the AirPods, check out this Apple article. When switching devices, the Powerbeats Pro play a slightly different sound than the AirPods, but everything else is the same as you would expect. Interestingly, VoiceOver describes the Powerbeats Pro as AirPods when checking the battery status with the battery widget in iOS. This, however, is likely a bug which will be fixed in a future iteration of the operating system. 

The Earbuds

One of the first things you’ll notice about the earbuds when removing them from the case are the ear hooks on each one. These hooks are flexible, so you can adjust them to best fit your ears after you’ve inserted the earbud. The buds are made from a smooth feeling plastic, and are really light when placed in the hand. They feature two physical buttons. The volume button is on the top of the bud, and there is a Beats logo button on the side for managing audio playback and calls. You can also use the Beats logo button to bring up Siri, or another virtual assistant on non Apple devices. Because each bud features the same controls, you can use them independently of each other, or together, depending on your preference.

For charging, there are magnets that help guide the buds in place inside the case, making it really easy to remove them from your ears and drop them in the case to charge.

The earbud is mounted at a bit of an angle to assist with insertion and help with comfort, but it makes it a little more complicated for me to pull them from the case and put them in my ears. This may become easier as I use them more.

Removing and attaching the ear tips can be a bit of a challenge as well, as they will bend if you apply too much force when putting them on the earbuds. It helps to turn the tips inside out, grab the stem, and push it on the bud. Fold the tips back down, and you should be good to go. The Powerbeats Pro come with 4 different sizes of ear tips. The largest tips seem to work the best for me.

Sound

Before I describe the sound, let me start off by saying that sound is very subjective, and what I like or dislike about the sound of the Powerbeats Pro may differ from what you experience.

I’ve read some reviews that talk about how the Powerbeats Pro have a treble push, and that is definitely the case. It took me a while to get used to it when I first started listening to them. Beats is known for it’s bass, and you do get a great deal of it with the Powerbeats Pro, but it’s nice and controlled. The sound isn’t as thin as the Beats Solo 3 which are on ear headphones, and I found that to be a pleasant surprise. It does sound like there is a bit of a dip in the lower mid range, but all in all, these are great sounding wireless earbuds, and I really enjoy listening to them. I’ve listened to several different musical genres on them, and haven’t yet found any that sound bad on the Powerbeats Pro. I also didn’t experience any noticeable distortion when I set the volume to max.

Call quality is also pretty good. They sound very similar to the second generation AirPods. They support Wideband audio for calls, which is a must for me in Bluetooth headphones or earbuds.

If there was one thing for me to complain about regarding the sound, it would be that the Powerbeats Pro sound best with the Beats ear tips. I tried the tips from my AMBEO smart headset (the factory ones and the memory foam tips I bought to replace the factory tips,) but I was unable to get the same level of sound isolation that I do with the Beats tips.

Speaking of sound isolation, while they won’t block out all sound, they do block out enough for me to clearly hear what I’m playing, at least in a somewhat loud environment. That’s exactly what I want.

Battery Life

While the earbuds are rated for 9 hours per bud for audio playback, and 6 hours per bud for calls, I feel as though I get slightly longer than that, though I haven’t actually tested this. What I can say for sure, is they do last a lot longer than my AirPods ever did.

Conclusion

While the earbuds aren’t the easiest to pull from the case and insert into my ears, they take everything I loved about my AirPods to the next level. If you are looking for an amazing pair of wireless earbuds, and especially if you have Apple devices, I highly recommend the Powerbeats Pro if you routinely listen to music, podcasts, etc.

They are available in Black, Ivory, Moss, and Navy.

#iACast 136 – November New Tech Reviews

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Show Description

On this episode, Michael, Aleeha, Jason, and Chris focus on the tech news of the past few weeks.

News

Apple releases the Beats Solo Pro.
Apple released AirPods Pro.
Apple TV+ has launched.
Google launches Google Play Pass.
Microsoft is set to discontinue the Cortana app for iOS and Android.
Disney+ is now live, and you can check out our DemoCast, where we show off the apps for both iOS and Android.
Apple releases the 16-inch MacBook Pro. You can listen to the sound of the built-in microphones and learn more by clicking on this Vector video.

Picks

Aleeha: Disney+
Jason: Apple TV+
Michael: AirPods Pro

Providing Feedback

We love hearing from you, so feel free to send an email to feedback@iaccessibility.net. You can follow us on Facebook, and Twitter. You can also find us on Reddit, and all around the web. Also, don’t forget to check out our YouTube page, and for all things iACast, check out our iACast page. If you’d like to help support us, you can do so via our PayPal and Patreon pages. If you wish to interact with us during our podcasts live then please do join us on our Slack channel.

Quick Tip: How to Share Shortcuts in #iOS13

Shortcuts app icon

We are still in the beta season for iOS and iPadOS, but anyone can try the new features offered by Apple by signing up for the public betas. One of the many changes that Apple has made is that Shortcuts are now built in to the OS. This allows deeper integration with features, but it also means that Apple has made changes to allow Shortcuts to be more secure. You might notice that the share button is disabled and that is because Apple does not allow the sharing or opening of untrusted shortcuts by default. Fortunately, you can still turn this feature back on. Here is how this is done.

Enabling Untrusted Shortcuts

  1. Open the Settings app and tap on Shortcuts
  2. Turn on, “Use Untrusted Shortcuts”
  3. Return to the Shortcuts app
  4. find a shortcut and go to more details.
  5. Find the share button at the bottom of the screen next to the run shortcut button

That’s it! you can now share and open shortcuts. that you make, or that you get from online sources. Turning this on will also allow you to install shortcuts that can compromise the security of your device, so it is important to know what shortcuts you are installing, and check the actions that are in the shortcut so that you do not open your phone up to malware or unauthorized access.

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