Table of contents for Autumn 2025 in Mac & MacBook User

Remove Unwanted Features 1 In the Photos app, find and open the picture you want to edit and then tap the Edit button, found in the top-right corner. On the next screen, tap the new option, Clean Up, found in the toolbar at the top. 2 After a few seconds, items you might want to remove are identified. Click one you do indeed want gone. Apple Intelligence removes it and fills in the background behind it, so it looks like it was never there. 3 If there are any features Apple Intelligence hasn’t identified as something you might want to remove, click and drag over that particular feature to remove it manually instead. You don’t have to be accurate when drawing. 4 Get it basically right, and Apple Intelligence will know what you mean.…

1 Open a new note, or find a suitable space for a recording on a current note. Having done so, click the waveform icon shown here in the toolbar. 2 You see this screen. In the note, the left sidebar has the audio recording (0 seconds long, as we haven’t done it yet), the right the recording tools. 3 Click the red button at the foot of the right-hand column to start to record. When done, click the Pause button to stop recording, then Resume to restart. 4 Click Pause then Done (bottom right corner) when you’ve finished. The right-hand sidebar disappears, and an AI-generated text summary is created. 5 You can write on the note if you wish – give it a headline, make a few notes, and so on. Click on the Play…

1 Open the System Settings app on your Mac. In the sidebar, look for a new setting option, Apple Intelligence & Siri. Click on this option. 2 Tap Learn More to read about Apple Intelligence. If you dislike the feature, cllick the switch at the top of the screen to turn it off. 3 Click the chevron next to ChatGPT for the ChatGPT settings. You can set it up here, and choose whether to allow Siri to suggest using it. And There’s More… Reduce Interruptions A new Apple Intelligence-powered Focus keeps interruptions to a minimum, while still allowing urgent or important ones through. Privacy Apple Intelligence respects your privacy. Most of the processing is carried out on your Mac, so the personal information it uses is not sent to another party, even Apple.…

You can tap directly into Apple Intelligence models, either on-device or with Private Cloud Compute, to generate responses that feed into the rest of your shortcut, maintaining the privacy of information used in the shortcut. For example, a student can build a shortcut that uses the Apple Intelligence model to compare an audio transcription of a class lecture to the notes they took, and add any key points they may have missed. Users can also choose to tap into ChatGPT to provide responses that feed into their shortcut.…

iPadOS 26 introduces powerful new features that help users work with, control, organise and switch between app windows. You can fluidly resize app windows, place them exactly where they want and open even more windows at once. Familiar window controls let you seamlessly close, minimise, resize or tile your windows. Window tiling is designed for the unique capabilities of iPad, and lets you to arrange windows with a simple flick. If you previously resized an app, it opens back in the exact same size and position when you open it again. With Exposé, you can quickly see all your open windows spread out, helping you easily switch to the one you need. The new windowing system works great with Stage Manager for those who want to group their windows into…

On the Apple Watch, watchOS 26 offers a beautiful new look and even more intelligence. A new design with Liquid Glass makes features like the Smart Stack, Control Center, the Photos watch face and in-app navigation and controls more expressive, while maintaining the instant familiarity of watchOS. Across apps, Liquid Glass enables a vibrant and expressive experience that reflects and refracts content using real-time rendering, which brings even more focus to content and makes using Apple Watch even more delightful. Smart Stack widgets, Smart Stack hints, notifications, Control Center and in-app controls and navigation will adopt the new design. The Photos watch face is enhanced with numerals made of Liquid Glass, allowing users to see even more of their photo. Apple Intelligence Workout Buddy incorporates a user’s workout data and…

Groov-e Atlas 2 alarm clock radio URL: www.groov-e.co.uk Price: £29.99, $34.99, 29,99 € This great little bedside FM radio does more than get you up in the morning. It has a 5W wireless charger on the top for your phone, and a USB port to charge devices that don’t support wireless charging. QDOS SnapStand Qi2 URL: www.qdossound.com Price: £79.99, $??, ??€ SnapStand Qi2 is a great travel charger. Powered by Qi2 technology, it offers a fast, stable charging experience up to 15w for any Qi2 smartphone or MagSafe iPhone. It also speedily charges smartwatches (up to 2.5w) and earbuds (5w). TOZO T20 Earbuds URL: www.tozostore.com Price: £39.99, $42.99, 38,06 € Earbuds don’t have to cost the Earth. This very affordable set offers a performance that belies its price, and has…

DxO PureRAW 5 introduces powerful local adjustments, allowing photographers to fine-tune noise reduction and lens sharpness optimisation on the most complex and demanding images with absolute precision. For images that require detailed fine-tuning, photographers now have the option to focus the levels of denoising and detail extraction on specific parts of the image, and tailor levels of sharpening exactly as required. PureRAW’s automated processing is unmatched, but when an image needs a precision-focused approach, Local Adjustments provide the perfect solution. Users can draw multiple masks and adjust the Force Details and Luminance sliders to dial exactly what they need. In addition, it’s possible to target sharpening more precisely, focusing on specific parts of the image. Processing engine DxO PureRAW 5 includes the third generation of DxO’s original neural-network-powered RAW processing…

Using Writing Tools 1 Writing Tools can be used almost anywhere in macOS where you can write. Here we’re using it in the Mail app, but you can also use them in Pages, Notes and more. First of all, you need to write something. Writing Tools cannot (yet) generate original text for you, but it can revise text you’ve written. 2 When you’ve finished your first draft of whatever it is you’re writing (here, it’s an email), tap the Writing Tools icon which is found in the toolbar at the top of the email window. This brings up the Writing Tools window, from where you can choose how to manipulate your piece of text. 3 First of all, we’ll use the Proofread option. There are plenty of errors in our original email. Tap…

1 Apple Intelligence can help you search for specific photos and videos. Tap the Search field, and then type a description using natural language; write it just like you would speak it. 2 You can use names of people you’ve identified in your Photos app too (see the Photos tutorial for details). You’re presented with search results. Choose one, or tap the Return key to search. 3 All the photos that fit your search description are offered. Albums and Collections are also offered, at the top of the results. The first row of results are the best matches for your search.…

1 Emojis are the smiley faces and similar pictures we use along with our text. When typing, tap the smiley face next to the text field to open them. 2 In the top right corner of the emoji picker, you see the outline of a smiley face with a plus sign next to it. Tap this to open the New Genmoji generator. 3 The Genmoji maker works like other Apple Intelligence tools. Type a description of what you want in the text field, and wait for Apple Intelligence to work its magic. 4 Apple Intelligence produces several Genmoji based on your description. Click the left and right chevrons to review them. Click to the end to make new ones. 5 Click Add (top right) to choose one of the Genmoji pictures in your app. Click…

At WWDC25, Apple previewed a beautiful new software design that makes apps and system experiences more expressive and delightful while being instantly familiar. It’s crafted with a new material called Liquid Glass. This translucent material reflects and refracts its surroundings, while dynamically transforming to help bring greater focus to content, delivering a new level of vitality across controls, navigation, app icons, widgets, and more. For the very first time, this new design extends across platforms — iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26 — to establish even more harmony while maintaining the distinct qualities that make each unique. Inspired by the depth and dimensionality of visionOS, the new design takes advantage of Apple’s powerful advances in hardware, silicon and graphics technologies. The new material, Liquid…

The forthcoming iOS 26 is a major update that brings a beautiful new design, intelligent experiences and improvements to the apps you rely on every day. The new design provides a more expressive and delightful experience across the system while maintaining the instant familiarity of iOS. Integrated system and built with privacy from the ground up, Apple Intelligence gets even more capable. Updates to the Phone and Messages apps help you stay connected while eliminating distractions like unwanted calls. iOS 26 also introduces new features in CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps and Wallet, as well as Apple Games, a brand-new app that gives players a single destination for all their games. A beautiful new look The new design makes apps and system experiences more expressive and delightful, while keeping iOS instantly…

macOS Tahoe 26 introduces a stunning new design and powerful capabilities that enable users to get even more done. With the new design, iconic elements of macOS will feel more expressive, delightful, and personal while remaining instantly familiar, including the desktop, Dock, in-app navigation and toolbars. Users can further personalizse the experience with an updated Control Centre and new colour options for folders, app icons and widgets. Continuity gets even better with the Phone app arriving on Mac, so users can access familiar features from iPhone — including Recents, Contacts, and Voicemails — and new ones like Call Screening and Hold Assist. And with Live Activities from iPhone, you can stay on top of things happening in real time, like an upcoming flight, right on your Mac. Spotlight gets its…

TvOS 26 makes Apple TV even more immersive, enjoyable, and convenient. Featuring a stunning new design with Liquid Glass, tvOS 26 is designed to keep the focus on what’s playing so you never miss a moment. The Apple TV app also now showcases cinematic poster art that makes it fun and easy to discover what to play next. Enhancements to profile-switching and a streamlined way to log in to apps make it easier than ever to access entertainment, while updates to Apple Music Sing bring users new ways to enjoy singing along with friends using iPhone. The new design introduces a new material called Liquid Glass. It gives Apple TV the same vibrant look as Apple’s other devices. The Apple TV app is redesigned with beautiful new poster art that…

We’ve got some great goodies for you this issue’s Showcase. If you’re after a new printer, check out the HP Smart Tank 7005, and kiss those expensive cartridges goodbye. TRIBIT Stormbox Blast 2 is an excellent portable speaker set, and for photographers, DxO PureRAW 5 adds some great new features. There’s a couple of AI-powered apps to peruse, and two awesome games.…

Featuring an 80W subwoofer with diamond reinforcement ribs, dual 45W mid-range drivers and two 15W silk dome tweeters, the StormBox Blast 2 delivers precise beats and notes. Its 2.1 channel design, powered by two advanced TI amplifiers, ensures balanced and dynamic sound, while dual large passive radiators enhance the bass for deeper resonance. You can also host the ultimate karaoke party with the TRIBIT speaker! Featuring professional-grade karaoke with adjustable Reverb effects, this versatile speaker supports dual wired and wireless microphones. With two 6.35mm inputs for wired mics, you can easily adjust the volume and bring the party to life!. Big battery To give your day the perfect soundtrack, the 30-hour playtime provides enough power to see you to the end of the party. And with TRIBIT’s innovative X-3D algorithm,…

The Image Playground App 1 Open the Image Playground app. If you don’t have it, download it from the App Store. You see a blank page; it’s time to make a picture. Remember, at the time of writing Image Playground is still in beta, so the results you get as you follow this tutorial might not be exactly what you expected. 2 First of all, let’s describe a scene and get Image Playground to draw it. Click on the field called ‘Describe an image’ and type what it is you want the picture to show. When you’ve typed it, hit the return key on your keyboard and Image Playground makes it for you. Here we asked for a flying cat. 3 The three-dots icon next to the thumbs let you copy, share or…

1 If you have an iOS device, you might well have created custom memories on it using the Apple Intelligence feature. You can also view these memories in the Photos app on your Mac if you wish. 2 Click Memories in the sidebar, and then click the ‘Created’ button found in the toolbar at the top of the screen. Memories you’ve created are shown here; click on one to view it in the Photos app. Switch it On To turn on Apple Intelligence across macOS, open System Settings, and click on Apple Intelligence & Siri in the sidebar. At the top of the right-hand panel, make Sure Apple Intelligence is switched on.…

1 Click the top bar icon or say Siri/Hey Siri to activate the Siri feature. A glowing text field in the top-right corner of the screen shows it is active. 2 In the right-hand side of the Siri text field is a microphone icon. Click it and you can speak your Siri request instead of typing it. 3 Siri is so deeply integrated into macOS, you can ask it how to do something on your Mac and you’re told. It’s great if you’re stuck. 4 Thanks to Apple Intelligence, you can correct yourself in a Siri request, or follow on from a previous one, and you will be understood. 5 If you don’t get the response you wanted from Siri, try using ChatGPT. Make your request again, prefixing it with ‘Use ChatGPT to…’ 6 When…

The new operating systems offer more than a great new style. There’s also new Apple Intelligence features that elevate the user experience across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro. Apple Intelligence unlocks new ways for users to communicate with features like Live Translation, do more with what’s on their screen with updates to visual intelligence, and express themselves with enhancements to Image Playground and Genmoji. Additionally, Shortcuts can now tap into Apple Intelligence directly, and developers can access the on-device large language model at the core of Apple Intelligence, giving them direct access to intelligence that is powerful, fast, built with privacy and available even when users are offline. These Apple Intelligence features will be available to users with supported devices set to a supported language this…

iPadOS 26 is the biggest iPadOS release ever, taking a huge leap forward and pushing the unique capabilities and versatility of iPad even further. Like the iPhone, the tablet benefits from Liquid Glass, giving it a great new look. Of course, many of the other improvements that come with iOS 26, such as the Apple Intelligence features, Genmoji improvements and super-powered Shortcuts come to the iPad with iPadOS 26 too. While maintaining the simplicity of iPad, iPadOS 26 introduces an entirely new powerful and intuitive windowing system with new features that help you control, organise, and switch between apps. The supercharged Files app offers new ways to organise files and customise folders. And with Folders in the dock, users can conveniently access downloads, documents and more from anywhere. The Preview…

macOS Tahoe introduces Apple Games, a dedicated app that gives players a home for all their games, making it easier to jump back into favourites, discover new games tailored just for them, and play with friends in whole new ways. With the new Game Overlay, you can conveniently adjust your system settings, chat with friends or invite them to play, all without having to leave your game. You can also turn on Low Power Mode, which extends gaming sessions and maximises playtime on battery. There are some great games coming to the Mac. Look out for Crimson Desert, InZOI, Cyberpunk 2077, Cronos: The New Dawn, Architect: Land of Exiles, Lies of P: Overture, HITMAN World of Assassination, EVE Frontier, Where Winds Meet and more.…

VisionOS 26 adds support for 180-degree, 360-degree and wide field-of-view content from Insta360, GoPro, and Canon. With support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers, players can enjoy a new class of games on Apple Vision Pro.Across the Apple ecosystem, widgets offer personalised and useful information at a glance, and with visionOS 26, widgets become spatial, integrating seamlessly into a your space and reappearing every time you put on Apple Vision Pro. Widgets in visionOS 26 are customisable, with a variety of options for frame width, colour and depth. Beautiful new widgets — including Clock, Weather, Music, and Photos — all offer unique interactions and experiences. Shared Experiences Users love how visionOS lets them connect with family, friends, and colleagues remotely, and with visionOS 26, you can share spatial experiences with other…

The worst thing about home printing is the cost of the cartridges. Whatever brand you buy, you have to choose between expensive ink cartridges and messy refills. Thankfully, there’s now a new option; HP’s Smart Tank system. Instead of cartridges, the printer has in-built tanks which you refill from disposable bottles. It’s easy, far cheaper and a lot better for the environment. With the HP Smart Tank 7005, printing is seamless from start to finish with a cartridge-free printer designed for the whole family. You can create a variety of outstanding-quality colour documents at a low cost, with up to three years of Original HP ink included in the box.”. Print with ease The HP Smart Tank 7005 can speed through multi-page documents with automatic two-sided printing. You get faster,…

Seagate’s new Ultra-Compact SSD is a lightning-fast, ultra-compact storage solution that meets the on-the-go demands of contemporary living. A powerful thumb-sized drive that easily attaches to your keyring, it gives access to your work or personal data at the flick of your wrist. With rapid transfer speeds of up to 1,000MB/s, you can quickly free up space on your PC, phone, tablet or gaming device on-the-go. It’s built to withstand the rigours of travel, and can withstand being dropped from three metres. It also features IP54 dust and water resistance, and a removable rubber sleeve for extra protection.. Eco aware The Seagate Ultra-Compact SSD is very eco-aware. Sustainability focused, it’s made with a minimum of 35% recycled materials by weight. It’s cable-free too. You can experience true plug and play…