Macworld Australia - January 2019-2

HELPDESK M AC 9 11
mac.com but not bill@example.com. Apple ID account you want to adopt the
But if you’re using what Apple calls email address from your other account.
a “third-party” email address, you have 7. Follow steps 2 to 5 above using the
two choices: email address of the other account.
> You can change it to any other 8. Add the previous main email
non-Apple address, and still be able to address for this Apple ID as a “rescue” or
change it again later. “reachable at” address.
> You can change it to an icloud.com, Any purchases made with the old
me.com, or mac.com address, which account and any data stored in iCloud
doesn’t have to be associated already with remains accessible by using whatever
the Apple ID, but then you can only address you set in step 4 above. However,
change it in the future to another Apple- if you want to dump the old account
associated address as above. forever, Apple offers an account deletion
Here’s how to make the switch. (For a process at its Privacy website (go.
non-Apple address, first sign out of all macworld.com/pr1v). Follow the
Apple services and devices.) instructions there, and your account,
1. Log into your old Apple ID at appleid. stored data, and access to any associated
apple.com (go.macworld.com/appd). purchases are gone forever. ■
2. At the Account section at the top,
click the Edit button at right.
3. Under Apple ID, click Change Ask Mac 911
Apple ID. We’ve compiled a list of the most commonly
4. Enter a new email address that’s asked questions we get, and the answers
something else, at least temporarily. This to them: go.macworld.com/mac911faq to
can’t be registered with another Apple ID. see if you’re covered. If not, we’re always
If the address is currently one that ends looking for new problems to solve! Email us
icloud.com, me.com, or mac.com, you’ll at mac911@macworld.com including screen
see a list of addresses at the same captures as appropriate.
domains from which to pick. (If none exist, Mac 911 can’t provide direct email re-
you may need to create one in order to sponses or answers for every question and we
have one to change to.) don’t provide direct troubleshooting advice.
5. Follow the confirmation and For that, turn to AppleCare, an Apple Store
verifications. Genius Bar, or the Apple Support Communities.
6. Log out of that account and into the
124 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019

JANUARY 2019
P CLOSE WITH APPLE’S NEW
MACBOOK AIR
OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW
INSIDE
THE NEW MAC MINI

AFFORDABLE, IMPRESSIVE POWERHOUSE
I N C O R P O R AT I N G M A C U S E R
January 2019 CONTENTS

MACUSER
Why the MacBook Air might spell the end
of configurable Macs 7
13-inch MacBook Pro SSD service
program FAQ 10
Final Cut Pro X is updated 12
The best console controllers for playing
games on a Mac 14
Mac User Reviews 21
Hot Stuff 34
iOSCENTRAL
Top 10 iPad features we’d like to see in
iOS 13 39
iPhone 2019 wishlist 44
MacBook The iPhone XS Max is making me

neglect my iPad 50
Air review Does the new iPad Pro have a
72 bending problem? 54
iOS Central Reviews 59
What’s new at the App Store 65
Mac mini 6 great iOS games 66
review 83
WORKINGMAC
Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac review 95
Which backup method should you
use? 99
CleanMyMac X review 101
How to use Migration Assistant to move
a user account to another Mac 105
PLAYLIST
An Apple TV stick could make Apple’s
video streaming service an instant hit 109
More Apple products need multi-user
support. Here’s why. 113
Marley No Bounds XL speaker review 117
HELPDESK
Mac 911: Restore missing iCloud photos,
modify iOS notifications, and more 120
COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF APPLE JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 3

MASTHEAD
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Matt Egan

EDITOR IN CHIEF, CONSUMER BRANDS Jon Phillips
DESIGN DIRECTOR Robert Schultz
SENIOR EDITOR Roman Loyola
Editorial
STAFF WRITERS Jason Cross, Michael Simon
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Leif Johnson
SENIOR CONTRIBUTORS Glenn Fleishman, Rob Griffiths,
Joe Kissell, Kirk McElhearn, John Moltz, Dan Moren, Jason Snell
COPY EDITOR Sue Voelkel
Design
DESIGNER Rob Woodcock
Advertising
SALES INQUIRIES www.idg.com/contact-us/
INTERNATIONAL DATA GROUP CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Walter Boyd
IDG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. CEO
Kumaran Ramanathan

HOW TO CONTACT MACWORLD SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
Access your subscription account online—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—at www.macworld.com/customer_service or service.
macworld.com. You can use online subscription services to view your account status, change your address, pay your bill, renew
your subscription, report a missing issue, get the answers to frequently asked questions, and much more.
To start subscribing, visit subscribe.macworld.com.
U.S. MAIL Macworld Subscriptions Department
11 Commerce Boulevard, Palm Coast, FL 32164
(If you are writing about an existing account, please include your name and address at which you subscribe.)
EMAIL subhelp@macworld.com (Send your full name and the address at which you subscribe; do not send attachments.)
PHONE 800/288-6848 from the U.S. and Canada; 515/243-3273 from all other locations
The one-year (12-issue) subscription rate is $34.97; the two-year rate, $59.97; and the three-year rate, $79.97. Checks must
be made payable in U.S. currency to Macworld. Please allow 3 to 6 weeks for changes to be made to an existing subscription.
MACWORLD EDITORIAL
The editors of Macworld welcome your tips, compliments, and complaints. Some stories and reviews from past issues can
be located at www.macworld.com. We are unfortunately unable to look up stories from past issues; recommend products; or
diagnose your Mac problems by phone, or email. You can contact Apple toll-free, at 800/538-9696, or visit the company’s
website, at www.apple.com.
HOW TO CONTACT MACWORLD STAFF

Our offices are located at 501 Second Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94107; phone, 415/243-0505; fax, 415/512-7130.
Macworld staff can be reached by email at firstinitiallastname@macworld.com.
BACK ISSUES OF MACWORLD

Starting with the June 2003 Macworld, back issues can be downloaded in digital format, from www.zinio.com ($6.99; Mac OS
X 10.1 or later required).
REPRINTS AND PERMISSIONS

You must have permission before reproducing any material from Macworld. Send email to permissions@macworld.com;
please include a phone number.
MAILING LISTS
We periodically make lists of our customers available to mailers of goods and services that june interest you. If you do not wish
to receive such mailings, write to us at Macworld, 11 Commerce Boulevard, Palm Coast, FL 32164, or email us at macworld@
emailcustomerservice.com.
PUBLICATION INFORMATION
January 2019, Volume 36, Issue 1
Macworld is a publication of IDG Communications, Inc., and International Data Group, Inc. Macworld is an independent
journal not affiliated with Apple, Inc. Copyright © 2019, IDG Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Create, Playlist, Mac
User, Macworld, and the Macworld logo are registered trademarks of International Data Group, Inc., and used under
license by IDG Communications, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.
JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 5

Kailee M.
Everything you say and do

creates an impact.
becauseofyou.org
MACUSER News and Analysis About
Macs, macOS, and Apple
Why the MacBook Air might spell

the end of configurable Macs
Apple’s approach to iPads and iPhones may dramatically change how we shop
for Macs in the future.
BY JASON SNELL
T
here’s been a lot written about apps running on the Mac) and hardware
the potential merging together (the potential of future Macs running
of the software that runs (and Apple-designed ARM processors), the new
runs on) the Mac and the iPad. MacBook Air got me thinking about
2019 is shaping up to be a huge year, as another way Apple’s approach to iPads
Apple’s devices get closer together than and iPhones may dramatically change how
they’ve ever been before. we shop for Macs in the future.
But while the focus on Apple’s
smooshing together of its platforms has AS LONG AS IT’S BLACK
been primarily about the software (iOS The new $1,199 base-model MacBook Air
IMAGE: APPLE JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 7

MACUSER MAC B O O K A I R MI G H T S PE L L T HE E ND OF CO N F I GU RABL E M ACS
comes with a 1.6GHz dual-core Core i5 steadfastly refused to do this. Every

processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz. model-year of a given model is generally
If you max out all of its specs, on the other powered by the same processor across
hand, you’ll walk away with a $2,600 the board.
computer…with the very same 1.6GHz It’s conceivable that Apple might roll
processor. Apple will let you expand out a new ARM processor across several
storage (to 1.5TB) and memory (to 16GB), Macs and have each one have a different
but the processor you get is the processor clock speed or number of cores—but even
you get. then, I have a hard time imagining that
On every other Mac model Apple sells— Apple will let customers configure what
even the 12-inch MacBook!—you can processor goes in what Mac when they
choose from different processor options. order them. It seems more likely that Apple
(Okay, on the base-model non-retina will offer what it feels is the right processor
21.5-inch iMac you can’t, but there are other configuration for a model—and if you want
21.5-inch iMacs available.) In contrast, Apple a more powerful processor, your option
doesn’t sell different versions of the same will be to buy the next model up.
product with different processors anywhere It’s an open question about how Apple
else in its product line. The new iPad Pro will approach this for professional Macs.
comes in a single processor option, the As long as Intel is Apple’s chip supplier
A12X. The iPhone XR and XS are powered and Intel is offering a variety of different,
by the A12. That’s it. compatible chips, Apple will almost
And it got me thinking: This feels like certainly keep offering choice. But the
the future of the Mac, certainly on the moment that ARM enters the picture, all
consumer end of the product line. With bets are off.
the new MacBook Air, Apple has picked a
processor and stuck with it. Would any of WHAT CHOICES ARE LEFT?
us be surprised if it did the same with a On the iOS side, buyers are given very
future update to the MacBook? Or low- limited options for customization. The
end iMacs? primary differentiators are storage and
Looking a bit further into the future, if screen size. (Other than screen size, the
Apple starts building Macs with ARM two iPhone XS models and two iPad Pro
processors, is it going to want to offer models are identical.) On the iPad, you can
different classes of processors within also add cellular connectivity for an extra
those models? On iOS, Apple has fee—and while I’d be thrilled if a move to

ARM processors coincided with Apple
making a cellular-capable Mac laptop for
the first time, I’m not holding my breath.
There can be some variation in RAM on
iOS devices—the new iPad Pro models
have 6GB of RAM, rather than 4GB, if you
order them with 1TB of storage. But Apple
doesn’t talk about it or market it, and
unless you read sites like this one you’d
never know. As with the processor, RAM
feels like a configuration option that might
very well disappear when Apple makes
the move to ARM. Instead, Apple will pick
a RAM configuration that feels right for a
given product, and stick with it.
What does shopping for a Mac look like
if all you can choose is how much storage
and how big your display is? A lot like
shopping for an iPad. That’s not necessarily
a bad thing, especially when you consider
that Apple is currently making six different
laptop models. Even if it cuts that number
down a bit, it’s quite likely that the company
will offer choices. Even if the MacBook Pro
were to end up with an ARM processor, I’d
Except for size, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS
imagine that Apple will do what it does
Max are the same phone.
now—namely, offer a few different
variations with a mix of features at various even Apple knows for sure—after all, it
price points. You may not be able to sure feels like Apple wasn’t even
configure a faster processor in a future planning on bringing the MacBook Air
ARM MacBook Pro, but Apple may just offer back before a year or two ago. But if I had
a faster model for a higher price. to guess, I’d predict that the days of
Is the MacBook Air’s single processor configuring which processor you want in
option the future of the Mac? I’m not sure your new Mac are numbered. ■

MACUSER
13-inch MacBook Pro SSD

service program FAQ:
Everything you need to know
Go get your MacBook fixed before you lose valuable data.
BY MICHAEL SIMON
D
espite Apple’s push to turn all WHAT IS THE 13-INCH
Mac professionals into Touch MACBOOK PRO (NON TOUCH
Bar devotees, the 13-inch BAR) SOLID-STATE DRIVE
MacBook Pro with a traditional SERVICE PROGRAM?
row of function keys has remained popular. Apple has announced a new solid-state
If you own one, you might be able to take drive replacement program for certain
advantage of a new SSD service program. 13-inch MacBook Pro models due to an
Here’s everything you need to know: issue that affects “a limited number of
10 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019 IMAGE: APPLE

128GB and 256GB solid-state drives.” menu bar, then select About This Mac. The
According to Apple, some machines have serial number is the bottom item on the list.
“an issue that may result in data loss and
failure of the drive.” WHICH MACBOOK MODELS
ARE AFFECTED?
I JUST BOUGHT A 13-INCH According to Apple, this issue solely
MACBOOK PRO. AM I affects the drive, so the specific processor
AFFECTED? and memory configuration of your
Apple says units with affected drives were MacBook shouldn’t matter.
sold between June 2017 and June 2018.
WHAT IF I UPGRADED TO A
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY DRIVE 512GB OR 1TB DRIVE?
IS ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR? Apple only mentions 128GB and 256GB
You can enter your Mac’s serial number in drives on its support page, so higher
the search field on Apple’s support page capacities are presumably not affected.
(go.macworld.com/nntb).
I HAVE A TOUCH BAR MODEL.
HOW DO I FIND MY MAC’S IS MY DRIVE OK?
SERIAL NUMBER? According to Apple, the issue only affects
Click the Apple logo at the top left of the non–Touch Bar models. ■

MACUSER
Apple updates Final Cut Pro X

with third-party app integrations,
batch sharing, and more
Apple has issued major updates to its professional video-editing app,
as well as for its Compressor and Motion software.
BY ROMAN LOYOLA
A
pple recently released Final party apps and services.
Cut Pro X version 10.4.4, a In its announcement of the update,
major update to the company’s Apple highlighted three workflow
professional video editor. extensions that are now available to Final
Available through the Mac App Store (go. Cut Pro X users:
macworld.com/f144) the big change is that > Frame.io (go.macworld.com/fmio), a
the app now supports workflow extensions service for team collaboration, review, and
that allow users to directly access third- approvals.
12 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019 IMAGE: APPLE

Final Cut Pro X 10.4.4 has a new floating timecode window.
> Shutterstock (go.macworld.com/shut) perform comparisons while color grading.

for accessing stock videos and > A resizable, floating timecode
photographs for use in FCP projects. window with color-coding.
> CatDV (go.macworld.com/ctdv) for > SRT-formatted closed captions.
media asset management. > Improved marquee selection.
OTHER NEW FEATURES UPDATES TO COMPRESSOR

In addition to the new workflow AND MOTION
extensions, Final Cut Pro X includes Apple’s Compressor (go.macworld.com/
several new features that the company cmpr) app was also updated to version
says were requested by users. These 4.4.2, which is now a 64-bit app that is
include: backward-compatible with 32-bit formats.
> Batch sharing, where a user exports Other updates include support for the SRT
multiple clips or projects in one step. This close-caption format, and automatic
is helpful for on-set productions when configuration of MXF and QuickTime
immediate results are needed or multiple settings with source media.
versions of a project are required. Motion 5.4.2’s (go.macworld.com/
> Drag-and-drop noise video noise m542) new features include advanced
reduction effect. color grading, Comic and Tiny Planet
> Comparison Viewer that lets users filters, and Core Text Engine. ■

MACUSER
The best console controllers for

playing games on a Mac
It’s a lot easier to play Mac games with a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One controller than you
might think.
BY LEIF JOHNSON
C
onsidering the awkwardness the “support” exists only through the
of almost every other aspect generosity and dedication of a few
of Mac gaming, I was a little modders. Even so, you’re not entirely nuts
shocked to discover how if you assume you can pick up your
easy it is to pair popular console PlayStation or Xbox controller and use it
controllers with my MacBook. Sure, you’ll with your MacBook without dropping any
need to tweak a few things. Yes, some of extra cash.
14 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019 IMAGE: LEIF JOHNSON

There’s a catch, of
course (and there always is):
It’s easier to pull this off with
some controllers over
others. You’ll sometimes
need to download separate
drivers, and you might need
to reboot the system to see
those drivers take effect.
You’ll almost certainly have a
better time if you use a wired
gamepad. For that matter,
there’s no guarantee that
every controller here will As with the rest of the controllers, you shouldn’t need any
work with every game special mapping app to use the DualShock 4.
(although you’ll have a better
chance if you play games downloaded immediately. Power to the players, indeed.
through Steam). But if you don’t feel like paying $60 for
Luckily for us, it is possible. You just what’ll likely amount to a dongle for
might have to do a little work, so that’s why another dongle, you can plug the
I’ve listed each controller here according controller directly into your Mac with a
to ease of use and setup, with the easiest Micro USB cable. It should work
being at the top. immediately. If you’re having trouble, you
You’re in luck if you own a PlayStation can see if your Mac is properly recognizing
4. Sony may be the company that the device by opening About This Mac,
infamously resisted crossplay with other clicking System Report, then USB, and
console systems to the point of absurdity, seeing if Wireless Controller is listed (yes,
but it’s also the only major console maker even if you have it plugged in).
that made an official adapter that’s partly Alternatively, you can simply pair it
aimed at Mac users. Just buy the $60 through Bluetooth. First, open the
DualShock 4 USB Wireless Adapter (go. Bluetooth menu under your Mac’s
macworld.com/sds4), plug it into your Mac, System Preferences. Then reset the
and your DualShock 4 controller (go. DualShock 4 by slipping a paperclip into
macworld.com/ds4w) should work the tiny hole near the DualShock’s L2

MACUSER BEST CONSOLE CONTROLLERS FOR MAC
button (on the back). Hold it down for a any effort on the part of Microsoft itself.
couple of seconds. You can’t even pair a wireless version
After that, activate the DualShock 4’s through Bluetooth thanks to Microsoft’s
Discovery Mode by holding the Share and proprietary software, so you’ll need to
PlayStation button at once for a few keep it plugged in with the cable
seconds. The controller should appear in regardless of which model you use.
the Bluetooth menu, and hopefully you’ll Fortunately, courtesy of the modder
soon be shocked by how well it works. FranticRain, you can get it to work simply
by downloading a driver from Github (go.
XBOX 360 CONTROLLER macworld.com/ftrn). It works perfectly (so
Plenty of folks still claim the aging wired long as you’re not using it wirelessly). Just
Xbox 360 controller (go.macworld.com/ download the .dmg file, run it, and let it
xbwr) is the best gamepad for the PC, and install. You’ll then have to restart your Mac,
as far as I’m concerned, that remains true but after it boots up you should see Xbox
for the Mac as well. Alas, it’s not through 360 Controllers on the bottom row of your
An oldie but a goodie.

System Preferences.
Even better,
FranticRain keeps it up
to date. As of the time
of writing, the file was
updated just two days
ago. You’ll simply need
to be running macOS
10.11 (El Capitan) or
later for it to work.
XBOX ONE
CONTROLLER
The mod from The mod makes it extremely easy to customize the controller.
FranticRain I
mentioned above also works with the you’ll need to restart your Mac before it
Xbox One controller (go.macworld.com/ takes effect.
xbct), but not as smoothly. You’ll still need
to have it connected to the Mac through a STEAM CONTROLLER
Micro USB cable, but you’ll likely also Okay, so it’s not a console controller per
need to head to System Preferences, se, but the Steam Controller (go.macworld.
click on Xbox 360 Controllers at the com/stmc) was designed for use with
bottom (assuming you’ve installed the Steam’s Big Picture mode, which delivers a
mod), and then click Advanced. home console-like experience for Steam’s
At the bottom, you’ll see an option to staggering library of PC and Mac games.
PretendTo Be An Xbox 360 Controller. But more importantly for our purposes, it
Check it. You shouldn’t have any other fully works with Steam on the Mac out of
troubles beyond that. Plenty of other users the box. Just plug in the USB adapter (with
claim it works fine without this option for a dongle) and it should work immediately.
multiple games, but it only worked if I Sure, this sounds great, but I’m going
checked this option on my MacBook, my to be frank: I can’t stand the Steam
MacBook Pro, and my iMac. Controller. It’s comfortable to hold and
As a reminder, if you’re installing looks sort of cool, but Valve designed it
FranticRain’s mod for the first time, with indented circular touchpads rather

MACUSER BEST CONSOLE CONTROLLERS FOR MAC
you can also bring

it along for good
times on the Mac.
Connected
through a USB-C
cable, it’s
ridiculously easy
to set up—at least
if you’re playing
your games
through the Steam
beta client (go.
macworld.com/
stbc). Here, you’ll
I get easily...steamed when using this.
find support for
the Pro Wireless
than two traditional thumbsticks and a Controller under Preferences → Controller,
D-pad. A couple of years later, I still where you’ll select Use Nintendo Button
haven’t made it over the learning curve. I Layout so you don’t have to deal with the
wouldn’t suggest buying it solely for its confusion of a Nintendo controller acting
ease of setup, but it’s a worthy option if
you’ve already bought one for
your PC.
NINTENDO PRO
WIRELESS
CONTROLLER
At $70, the Nintendo Pro
Wireless Controller (go.
macworld.com/nspr)
packs a pro price tag, but
if you’ve already bought
one for Nintendo’s wildly Nintendo Pro Wireless
popular Switch console, Controller

like one for the Xbox. And yes, if you 3 (go.macworld.com/dls3) is a little
were wondering, you can use the complex (and not guaranteed to work,
Switch’s regular Joy-Con controllers with judging from reports from other users),
your Mac if you pair them through the which is why I’ve listed it last.
Bluetooth interface in System First, reset the controller by slipping a
Preferences. The problem is that the Mac paper clip in the tiny hole on the
will register them as two separate controller’s backside near the L2 button.
controllers—which, of course, they Hold it down for a few seconds. This
technically are. As I see it, it’s not worth unpairs it from any other device.
the effort. After that, plug the DualShock 3 into
the Mac with the Micro USB charging
DUALSHOCK 3 FOR cable. Press the PlayStation button and
PLAYSTATION 3 then the four lights on the top of the
The DualShock 4 is your best bet for controller should light up. When you see
playing Mac games with a PlayStation the lights, disconnect the cable.
controller, but you’ll be fine if you only You should see a pairing request from
have its predecessor. You just won’t have your system for PlayStation 3 Controller. If it
support from Sony’s official adapter and asks for an access code, enter 0000.
you’ll likely need to play it wirelessly. This should work. Even so, numerous
The pairing process for the DualShock people claim it doesn’t always work with
older versions of macOS,
and other people claim
they never see the
code request. So if
you’re going to go
out and buy a
console
controller, take
our word for it:
Buy one of the
other
controllers
DualShock 3 for
instead of the
PlayStation 3
DualShock 3. ■

This moment brought
to you by dad.
Take time to fatherhood.gov

be a dad today. #DadJokesRule
MACUSER
The Latest Mac Products

Reviewed & Rated REVIEWS
VIDEO-EDITING SOFTWARE The new version of Adobe Premiere

ADOBE PREMIERE Elements (go.macworld.com/pe19) may be
a bit lighter on new features that most
ELEMENTS 2019: people are used to, but the 2019 version
MOVIE EDITOR WITH puts a laser focus on automated
operations that make quick work of editing
AN AI SPIN your family videos.
BY JACKIE DOVE With increasing reliance on its Sensei
(go.macworld.com/sens) artificial
intelligence engine, Adobe assists users
with tedious and complex tasks like
picking the best photos or videos for a
collage or trimming the fat out of movies
before splicing them together.
The first place you encounter improved
automation is the brand-new Home
Screen, identical to the one in Photoshop
Elements 2019 (go.macworld.com/19rv). It
IMAGE: ADOBE JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 21

MACUSER REVIEW: ADOBE PREMIERE ELEMENTS 2019
lets you access new auto-

generated collages and
slideshows derived from the
photos and videos you loaded into
the Organizer, the built-in asset
manager that ships with the
program. Premiere Elements dives
into your photos and videos to
create presentable and sharable
social media posts, some of which
are specifically designed for
Instagram and Facebook.
Premiere Elements 2019 now supports HEIF (High Efficiency Image File), both
Variable Frame Rate (VFR) as well as highly-compressed image and video
HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) and formats that Apple adopted for its newer
The Smart Trim interface lets you choose presets that will select areas from your video to cut.

This alert tells
users that if
they started
to cut their
video, using
the preset
later would
erase their
work.
mobile devices and macOS High Sierra. that govern the pathway into the
The app also features a complete program and how you approach editing
overhaul of its Quick Edit mode. There are your video.
only two new guided edits, but they are “Trim a video clip” helps you
creative and unique.
AUTOMATED
EDITING
Premiere Elements’
revamped Quick Edit
mode is the heart of
the program that lets
you trim your videos
and splice them
together into longer
and more complex
movies. The new
Quick Edit gives you The presets look for scenes containing action and faces to
two simple buttons determine where to cut.

With the Sceneline feature, titles, fades, transitions, and music are all in one place.
automatically trim without your having to

to make the feature more familiar to
manually scrub through it to make cutsnovice users. The Smart Trim feature
yourself. You certainly can do that if you
always selects the first few seconds of
want to, but the automated feature is each clip to show you how to select
pretty good at selecting areas of yourvideo. You can also click the Show Preset
footage that have a mix of people and button, which automatically directs the
action, the major focus of interest inapp to concentrate on Action, People, or
most family-style videos. a mix of the two on a sliding scale. A
The concept behind the interface was
notation I found confusing—which you
a bit confusing at first, in Adobe’s effort
can dismiss after the first use of the
preset button—warns
The concept behind the interface was a bit users that if you first tried
to cut the video yourself,
confusing at first, in Adobe’s effort to make using the presets later
the feature more familiar to novice users. would wipe out your edits.
You can opt to dismiss

that notation after the first appearance, restore others either by using the preset
and I suggest doing that. Letting the slider or by manually choosing which
presets work their magic first is a good frames to add or cut.
start, and from there I was able to The Combine photos and videos to
manually remove additional bits and create a single movie debuts the new
Sceneline feature,
a storyboard view
that lets you
assemble multiple
clips and still
images on the
timeline, giving
you a broad view
of how your
movie is
organized.
Sceneline brings
all the cinematic
elements you
need into a single
workspace so
you can access
titles, sound, pan
and zoom, and
trimming features
directly from the
timeline.
Sceneline is an
elegant solution
that lets you edit
each clip
individually while
The image gradually begins to fade in and out as the transition staying on the
progresses. storyboard.

GUIDED EDITS
This year’s roster of
guided edits is slim,
but they are easy to
use and create
some special
effects that you
don’t see every day.
Luma fade
transitions. These
are, first and
foremost, transitions
designed to last just
a second or two to
connect one clip to
another. It uses a still
image derived from
the video to fade in
colors from darkest
to lightest. It seems
to work best with
facial or object
close-ups as
opposed to busy
scenes. I found that
increasing the
softness control and
making the transition
a little longer
enhanced the effect.
Make glass pane
effect. This unusual
special effect makes
your video look like The Glass Pane effect dynamically moves through your video.

it was shot through glass. Adobe seeks to make the Home Screen
The app provides several
different glass pane
an independent reference and resource
templates, and you can use that is always available to users regardless
multiple ones in the same of whether they are in the editing process.
video. It’s an intriguing way
to present footage, but it’s
not suitable for every video. areas, both of which rely on its Sensei AI
engine. Users will appreciate the Auto
ADOBE ID, HOME SCREEN, Creations feature, accessible from the new
NO 360 SUPPORT Home Screen because you literally don’t
Despite it being a stand-alone app with a have to do anything but hit the Share button.
perpetual license, all users must sign in with With its overhaul of the Quick Edit mode, the
an Adobe ID to use the Elements apps. program channels two major kinds of edits
Elements has separated out the Home to their most useful interface and then
Screen from the rest of the program so provides all the tools needed to accomplish
that you now have two dock icons open as the editing task. It is remarkably streamlined
you edit your footage. Adobe and will make for a faster and
seeks to make the Home easier workflow for most home-
Screen an independent mmmm based moviemakers.
reference and resource that is Adobe Premiere As with most Adobe
Elements 2019
always available to users PROS
Elements upgrades, which are
regardless of whether they are • Supports HEIF and HEVC delivered like clockwork every
formats.
in the editing process. year, it is always fine to skip
• Sceneline feature makes
And despite the popularity editing multiple clips easier. particular versions if you have
• Useful and easy new guided
of 360 video for VR edits.
bought or upgraded the
presentations, Adobe still CONS program fairly recently. New
considers that a pro feature • No feature updates to the users will find Adobe Elements
Organizer.
supported by Premiere, but • Can’t resize the Home fun and easy to use, which
Screen.
not by the consumer app. takes so much of the daunting
• Must sign in with an Adobe ID.
PRICE
challenge out of video editing.
BOTTOM LINE $99 Owners of older versions have
COMPANY
Adobe Premiere Elements 2019 much to look forward to with
Adobe
concentrates on two major the 2019 version. ■

MACUSER
GAME It’s hard to love a swamp. Mountains have

ELDER SCROLLS majesty, deserts have mystery, but what do
wetlands have? I imagine some Joe on the
ONLINE: MURKMIRE street would boil it down to something like
REVIEW: AT LAST, “muck, malaria, and mosquitoes.”
Even so, Famia Mercius, an antiquarian
LOVE FOR THE who’s a great admirer of the Elder Scrolls
LIZARDS series’ lizard-like Argonians, is trying to get
BY LEIF JOHNSON me to love the surrounding marsh as she
does. She’s not doing such a hot job. She
slaps a gnat off her neck while in the
middle of a giddy introduction, and her
stone house suggests she retains some
reservations about living like the locals. I
can’t say I blame her. After all, the place
(and the name of the DLC) is called

Murkmire, which hardly
sounds like it’s going
to rival Tahiti in
vacation listicles
anytime soon.
Murkmire is a risky
setting; I doubt it could
have sustained one of
Elder Scrolls Online’s
largest “chapters” like
Morrowind (go.
macworld.com/mrwd)
or Summerset (go.
macworld.com/smrs). The story gets a little…sappy.
You won’t find
traditional fantasy crowd pleasers like stuffed with blow-dart traps and spikes, but
snowswept peaks and elven towers here. I sometimes got the feeling that developer
Instead, I spent roughly half my 10 or so ZeniMax Online was trying to minimize the
hours with Murkmire sloshing and time you spend here. Murkmire isn’t even
slooshing through a
flat expanse of
puddles punctuated by
a thousand spindly
trees; the rest of my
time consisted of
sloshing and slooshing
through puddles
pooling between
rocks. Murkmire
occasionally
channeled Indiana
Jones by sending me
into long-abandoned
Argonian ziggurats It looks like the area where I grew up. That’s not a compliment.

MACUSER REVIEW: E LD ER SCR O L L S O NL INE
that big: You’ll only find

two new delves and
two new world bosses,
although there’s quite
a few new gear sets
and motifs for crafting.
BORN ON THE
BAYOU
And yet it’s needed.
After all, Elder Scrolls
is often at its best
when it runs us along
the rough edges of The ghosts of lizards past.
fantasy worlds.
Longtime fans know the Argonians proud culture; Murkmire, though, hints that
come from the Black Marsh, but in the past they might represent forced poverty.
we’ve only caught glimpses of it in zones Murkmire lets us see Argonian life
like Shadowfen. There, the lizardkin when they live on their own terms. The
remain overshadowed by cultural forces main city of Lilmoth is an agreeable one
that have loomed over
them for years, be they
the Dark Elves that use
them as slaves or the
Imperials that hold
them in only slightly
better regard. They’re
treated like turds
under the world’s
boots, forced to live in
muddy hovels on the
edges of towns. I used
to see those muddy
huts as evidence of a You’ll find some skellies, too, if you need your Halloween fix.

(and one you may spend a lot of time in, Murkmire tell of maturity rituals involving
considering that crafting benches are as pottery; missions from wanderers emphasize
close together here as they are in player- the importance of roots from a hist tree. In
favorite Rawl’kha). side quests we catch glimpses of the
Here, they live in wooden, comfy changes Argonian inclusion in the wider
homes with stilts that raise them above world has brought, be it conniving over
the muck. Occasionally you’ll find some property or betrayals for the sake of nursing
of these huts built around a hist tree— skooma addictions. Through it all, the
which Argonians revere as other races inhabitants of Murkmire remind us that theirs
revere gods—creating a structure that’s is a social society that has changed its
at once a village and a treehouse. perception of itself, right down to forsaking
Frankly, I’d kind of like to live in one of their old ziggurats—the “stone nests”—for
these huts myself, but the only new the impermanence of their wooden
player house here is a staggeringly large structures.
half-sunken ziggurat with the lower level
magically sealed off to serve as an THERE GOES THE
aquarium. Considering the state of the NEIGHBORHOOD
rest of Murkmire, I’d be worried about It’s hard to blame them; change comes as
gentrifying the neighborhood. frequently as the rain in Black Marsh. It’s
Here, so far away from the world’s fitting, then, that Murkmire’s best stories
usual comings and
goings, the Argonians
retain their pride.
Some clans even
retain their ferocity,
undulled by
generations of
bondage weighing
down their kin
elsewhere.
Virtually every quest
allows a peep into
Argonian society. Books
found throughout What a relief.

MACUSER REVIEW: E LD ER SCR O L L S O NL INE
deal with the outside world’s attempts to while promising characters like the Khajiit
change the swamp for its exploitation. mercenary Zadaza get too little screen
Famia herself is a part of that heritage: time. All the same, I admire the story at its
She’s here to collect artifacts and cart core, along with its handling of the complex
them off to the Imperial City because and sometimes counterintuitive alliances
“Argonians just don’t care about their that come out of a colonial legacy.
history that much.” Her heart’s in the right And if you’re sick of swamps and the
place, but it’s an argument that’s been like, don’t worry—much like many ESO
used for bad ends too often in the past. patches, it gets trippy. Murkmire’s main
But her investigations lead to a story goes places I never would have
fascinating glimpse into the depths of the guessed based on its fens and its Tomb
Argonian relationship with the hist, even if Raider–style romps.
the overall main story slips too easily into You’ll never see those trippy settings
the formula of betrayals and gotchas that outside the main story. The mire itself is so
make up so many of ESO’s tales. Key soaked in Argonian culture that foreign
characters pop into the narrative with the additions stick out like a blight. The most
startling swiftness of a jack-in-the-box, notable of these is the new four-man
It’s not quite a gelatinous cube, but it’s close!

beauty and rich
variety in things
we too quickly
dismiss as ugly.
Murkmire may
look bland in
comparison to a
wonderland like
Summerset, but
that’s only when
you’re drinking in
the big picture.
Look more
closely, and you
Don’t drain the swamp.
see new species
Blackrose Prison arena, an abandoned such as “swamp jellies” and “catapult
Imperial structure that’s now home to a cabbages.” You’ll find waterfalls where
band of ruffians who are holding a random you expected to find stagnation. For
Wood Elf’s friend hostage. Much like the some of us, I imagine it’s a metaphor for
Maelstrom Arena, it’s a brutal place. I like appreciating the Argonians themselves,
the design; too often ESO has stuck to who reveal a depth that arguably exceeds
traditional arena designs for these kinds of that of the other races when you examine
things, while Blackrose sends you battling them more closely.
through rooms with varying challenges Like Famia, like me, you may learn that
and layouts. Ultimately, the prison will likely you can grow to love a swamp.
be the reason why you return to Murkmire Elder Scrolls Online’s Murkmire DLC
after finishing the story. is freely accessible with an
But the story and the zone mmmm ESO Plus subscription (go.
together represent one of those Elder Scrolls macworld.com/esop).
rare moments when ESO Online: Murkmire Alternatively, you can
PRICE
distinguishes itself by bringing Free with an ESO Plus buy it for roughly $20
something genuinely new to the subscription through ESO’s in-game
COMPANY
Elder Scrolls universe. It’s one ZeniMax Online Studios
Crown Store (go.macworld.
big reminder that there’s often com/crwn). ■

MACUSER
Hot Stuff What We’re

Raving About
This Month
EVE ROOM
evehome.com
The Eve Room is the second generation

of Eve Systems’ popular indoor air-qual-
ity monitor. This HomeKit-enabled
accessory comes with an iOS app that
displays the current room temperature,
indoor humidity, and an air-quality rating
shown as a five-star scale. The Room
collects measurements over time, and
the Eve app can display these in graph
or list form for tracking and comparison.
The app also allows you to configure
settings and share data, and is an
elegant way to interact with the Room
device.—MICHAEL ANSALDO

CURRANT WIFI
SMART OUTLET
currant.com
Smart outlets are rapidly becoming a

commodity, but Currant’s new Smart
Outlet is shaping up as one of the best.
The Outlet uses Wi-Fi to connect to your
network, and with the mobile app, you
can perform advanced scheduling
based on sunrise/sunset, set timers that
shut a device off after a set amount of
time, and use a geofencing mode that
turns devices on when you arrive home
and off when you leave. The device also
uses AI to learn how you use your
outlets, and it will suggest rules based
on criteria it believes will help you save
power.—CHRISTOPHER NULL

MACUSER
Hot Stuff
SONY XBR65A9F 4K UHD OLED TV

sony.com
The A9F’s most outstanding feature is its 4K UHD (3840x2160) OLED panel. There’s
nothing in the LED-backlit LCD universe that can match the blacks and overall rich
image of OLED, though there are those who prefer the brightness that can enable a
good LED TV to make high dynamic range (HDR) material really pop. The viewing
angles are very wide, there are no lighting artifacts, and screen uniformity is nigh on
perfect. And actually, the A9F truly sounds good enough that you should wait on
buying a soundbar or other outboard audio system until you’ve unboxed this TV and
listened to it. The A9F supports most of the surround-sound formats with the excep-
tion of Dolby Atmos, and the A9F is the first OLED to support eARC (enhanced Audio
Return Channel), with its ability to transmit eight channels at 192kHz.—JON L. JACOBI

1 IN 3 ADULTS
HAS PREDIABETES.
COULD BE YOU,
YOUR BARBER,
YOUR BARBER’S
BARBER.
WITH EARLY DIAGNOSIS,

PREDIABETES CAN BE REVERSED.
TAKE THE RISK TEST.
DoIHavePrediabetes.org
If you’re thinking of finishing your high school diploma, you have more
support than you realize. Find free adult education classes near you
by texting FINISH to 97779 or by visiting FinishYourDiploma.org.
iOSCENTRAL The Latest on the iPhone, iPad,
Apple Watch, and App Store
Top 10 iPad features we’d like

to see in iOS 13
The new iPad Pro hardware is great and Apple needs to invest in upgrades for iOS
to take advantage of it. Here are a few ideas for new features.
BY JASON SNELL
R
eviewers can’t agree whether take? Leave it to reader Mike R from
the iPad Pro can be used for Twitter to boil this down to the right
“real work,” but there’s one answer (go.macworld.com/l565)—it’s time
thing they all seem to agree on: for a David Letterman-style Top 10 List. So
the new iPad Pro hardware is great and here it is, ready to be delivered to the
Apple needs to invest in upgrades for iOS home office in Cupertino, California, the
to take advantage of it. Top 10 iPad Features We’d Like To See in
But what form should those upgrades iOS 13:

iOSCENTRAL 1 0 i PA D F EATU R E S W E’ D L IKE TO S EE IN iO S 1 3
the idea: What if

Apple’s forthcoming
external display,
presumably designed
for the new Mac Pro
(go.macworld.com/
mpro), was also a
touchscreen? Then
you could buy that
display and use it with
a Mac Pro, Mac mini, or
iPad Pro.
This actually seems
Using an iPad Pro with an external display would be better if UI less far-fetched than
improvements were made. my “Menu Bar mode”
idea, because it
10. MENU BAR MODE doesn’t change the iPad’s interface at all—
The iPad Pro supports 4K and 5K external it just lets it extend to a large external
displays, which is great, but since iOS is display. It would be a way for Apple to
almost entirely touch-driven, that pretty create something like the Surface Studio
severely limits the utility of those displays. without actually building an enormous iPad
What if, when docked to a large on a hinge.
display, the iPad adapted its interface to
add a menu bar and cursor support? I’m 8. KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
not asking for the iPad to be a Mac—but I FOR F-KEYS
am sort of asking for the iPad to act more One of the things that’s disappointing about
like a Mac when it’s plugged into a big the new Smart Keyboard Folio is that it, like
display like a Mac. the Smart Keyboard, lacks an extra row of
function keys. Now, Apple’s clearly not a fan
9. EXTERNAL TOUCHSCREEN of the function row—witness the Touch
SUPPORT Bar—and the truth is, I don’t long to press
Don’t like the idea of having an iPad Pro F7 while I’m using my iPad Pro.
be more Mac-like when it’s attached to an What I do miss are all the functions that
external display? How about this spin on Apple reassigned to those keys over the

7. MORE MATURE
AUDIO SUPPORT
I do a lot of podcasts (go.
macworld.com/incm), and I
basically can’t do them on iOS
from start to finish because the
audio subsystem of iOS is
incredibly primitive. Time for an
overhaul, so that—at minimum—
two apps can access the audio
input at one time. That would
let me talk to someone on
Skype while recording the
conversation with a
different app.
Apple seems to have something against functions keys, which Even better: Support
are not on the Smart Keyboard Folio. for multiple audio input
and output devices, and
last few years. Whether you’re on a Mac or an API to let developers capture system
an iPad, you can reliably turn to the audio as well as device audio.
function row to adjust brightness and
volume and control media playback. But 6. DEVELOPER TOOLS FOR iOS
on the Smart Keyboard Folio, no dice. Some people believe that to be a
Here’s a proposed workaround: Add legitimate, stand-alone computing
more support for systemwide keyboard platform, you’ve got to be able to develop
shortcuts in iOS, including assignable software on that platform. Those people
shortcuts for media control. On my iMac, I are all software developers, and I don’t
actually don’t use the function keys to play subscribe to their point of view, but I do
and pause my music—I’ve got that admit that it would make an awful lot of
reassigned to Command-Option-Spacebar, sense for Apple to bring some sort of
a shortcut I’ve used since the days of the developer tool—if not Xcode, perhaps a
AppleCD Audio Player app in Classic Mac next-generation version that runs on both
OS. Let’s make this happen on iOS, and I Mac and iOS—to the platform.
promise not to miss the function row. While I think the iPad is a real

iOSCENTRAL 1 0 i PA D F EATU R E S W E’ D L IKE TO S EE IN iO S 1 3
more effectively and also use

multitouch gestures to move
between apps without having
to disengage from the
keyboard and reach upward.
4. PRO APPS ON iOS

If Apple wants pro users to
use the iPad Pro, it’s time for
the company to bring its
own pro-focused apps
It’s time for Xcode—or something like it—for iOS. to the platform. That
doesn’t mean iMovie
computing platform already, I also think and GarageBand, it means Final Cut Pro
that developers would love to be able to and Logic Pro.
write iOS software right on iOS. If Adobe can do it with Photoshop, it’s
time for Apple to do it with its apps. I want
5. EXTERNAL POINTING to be able to start editing a podcast on
DEVICE SUPPORT my Mac and then move to the iPad, and
Leaving aside the more radical approach back again.
of Menu Bar mode, the fact is that iOS has
had a cursor for a few years now, used 3. SHORTCUTS ADDITIONS
only in text editing. (You can use it on the The Shortcuts app was a huge addition in
iPad by putting two fingers down on the iOS 12. Now it’s time to take that
keyboard as if it were a trackpad, by 3D functionality further, by letting Shortcuts
Touching on an iPhone keyboard, or by run commands via timers and keyboard
long-pressing on the iPhone’s spacebar, if shortcuts. Timed shortcuts would let users
you didn’t know (go.macworld.com/iosm).) build automations like grabbing the
If we’re going to have a cursor, why not morning’s new headlines, turning on lights,
support external Bluetooth pointing starting a coffee maker, and playing a
devices? I’m not asking for a little black sound to wake you up. Keyboard shortcuts
arrow that follows me around as I work, would let you press a few keys anywhere
like on the Mac. I’m asking for support for in iOS and have a Shortcut fire off—
an external trackpad so I can edit text incredible convenience similar to what we

can do on the Mac today with Automator, without the need for unreliable third-party
Keyboard Maestro, and other apps. apps, and when I’m recording podcasts
(Oh, and another request while we’re at on the road, I can import audio files
it: I want to be able to tell Shortcuts to run directly into Ferrite, my iOS editing app of
without showing me code running every choice (go.macworld.com/frte), rather than
step of the way. Shortcuts are useful and using the weird hardware workaround
fun and powerful, and I don’t need them in (go.macworld.com/sdcd) I currently carry
my face all the time.) with me.
2. EXTERNAL STORAGE 1. YOUMOJI?!

IN FILES Look, the Letterman lists always end with a
People use the iPad Pro to do work. weird punch line that’s not usually very
Sometimes the files you need to do work funny. So, sure, let’s do something else
are on a local file server, not the cloud. with Animoji and Memoji. iPad Pro users
Sometimes they’re on an external storage have access to that fancy TrueDepth
device, like an SD card or flash drive or sensor—and we like to have fun
hard drive. iOS has a file-browsing app sometimes, too.
that’s capable of connecting to iCloud, but But it’s fine if I don’t get this one, so
not the Mac mini server I keep in my long as I get the other nine. ■
garage. It’s capable of
reading attached SD
cards—but only the
photos and video files
on them.
This is silly. Apple
should add native
support for external
storage, including
USB volumes and
SMB file servers. That
way, I can connect to
my local server and
browse or copy files Now that the iPad Pro has TrueDepth, it’s time to take Animoji
back to my iPad and Memoji to the next level.

iOSCENTRAL
iPhone 2019 wish list: Our hopes

for the future of Apple’s most
important product
A faster processor and better camera are a given, but we have a few other ideas.
BY JASON CROSS
T
he days of Apple’s fortunes But it is still the most important product
being tied entirely to the iPhone in Apple’s entire portfolio. It has the most
are over. Between iPads, Macs, cultural significance, the broadest reach,
the HomePod, the Apple TV, and the greatest cachet, and it is for most
Apple Watches, not to mention a very people the entry point into the all-
rapidly growing services business, Apple’s important Apple ecosystem.
most famous product is not necessarily the The iPhone XS was a predictable “S”
only one that matters. model phone, taking the major design and

features of the previous
year and improving
performance and camera
quality. For 2019, hopefully
Apple goes further. Here’s
what’s in the hope chest
for the 2019 model iPhone.
Note that general
software improvements are
not included here. Anything
software related that isn’t
tied specifically to the new
hardware is covered in an Apple’s Neural Engine got a lot more powerful in the A12. I
iOS 13 wish list (go. think the A13 should focus on it again.
macworld.com/wish).
Apple will give the Neural Engine the lion’s
AN EVEN MORE POWERFUL share of new chip real estate. This is the
NEURAL ENGINE part of the chip specialized to processing
It’s probably a given that the iPhone in machine learning and AI algorithms, which
2019 will come with a new A-series increasingly factor into everything Apple
processor, which Apple will likely call the does. It’s a big part of Siri, the camera app,
A13 (if it’s not superstitious). Apple’s the Photos app, Augmented Reality, and
manufacturing partners will almost more. Developers can use CoreML to
certainly not be ready with the new 5nm target the Neural Engine and run their own
manufacturing process in time for next machine learning code faster.
year’s iPhone—TSMC expects to make Let’s see an A13 with double the Neural
5nm chips for partners like Apple in 2020. Engine performance of the A12. Take it from
That means another chip built on the 5 trillion operations per second to 10 trillion.
same 7nm process. We probably can’t The CPU and GPU are already so much
expect huge leaps in performance and faster than the competition, they don’t need
battery life, but Apple will probably still add a boost. But as AI and machine learning
to the transistor count and give us a bigger increasingly becomes the core of iOS and
and more powerful chip. its apps and services, speeding up the
Hopefully, just as it did with the A12, Neural Engine can have a big impact.

iOSCENTRAL iPHONE 2019 WISH LIST
A CRAZY-GOOD CAMERA software photography features. Google’s

Every iPhone has a better camera than the new Night Sight mode is a perfect
one before. That’s been true since the example of the kind of semi-experimental
very first model and it’s not going to stop feature that iPhone users would love to
anytime soon. play with. Nvidia’s technology to generate
But it’s time for Apple to do more than slow-mo footage from regular footage (go.
just improve the image processing. A third macworld.com/mjvi) is the kind of feature
lens on the back, perhaps a wide-angle that would match perfectly with the Neural
shooter, could allow for some interesting Engine in Apple’s latest chips.
new computational photography options in Of course, regular snapshots should
addition to simply giving iPhone users look better, but we should be able to do
another way to take pictures. more. The iPhone needs to be able to let
An additional wide-angle camera on us take the kinds of pictures we never
the front might be even more useful—it’s in could before.
taking selfies that people seem to have
the most trouble getting everything they A SECOND-GENERATION
want in frame. TRUEDEPTH MODULE
But beyond new hardware, Apple has In the iPhone XS, Face ID is faster than it is
to really break out all the stops with new on the iPhone X. That’s mostly due to
improvements in the
speed of the secure
enclave and the Neural
Engine. The actual
TrueDepth module itself
hasn’t really been
improved.
I’d like to see a
second-generation
TrueDepth hardware
module. It’s probably too
much to hope for it to
magically shrink to the
Is it time for a third camera in the back? Or maybe a second wide- size that could fit in the
angle selfie camera? tiny iPhone X bezel

SWITCH TO USB-C
Macs charge via USB-C,
iPhones and iPads charge
via Lightning.
But the new iPad Pro
(go.macworld.com/iprf) has
switched to USB-C, so that
throws the whole “USB-C is
for Macs and Lightning is for
iOS” division out of whack.
It’s time to unify the
system. Apple’s all-in with
Face ID is great, but a second-generation TrueDepth module USB-C on the Mac; it
could take it to the next level. doesn’t put any other ports
on Mac laptops, and iMacs
without a notch, but it could work better at have an abundance of USB-C ports. Just
its current size. It should work with your make everyone’s life easier and swap
phone turned to any orientation, as it does Lightning for USB-C on all iPhones and
on the new iPad Pro. It should be more iPads. Give us one cable to rule them all.
reliable in more lighting conditions, Sure, it might require that the iPhones
including those where there’s a bright light be a tiny bit thicker to accommodate the
behind you (using Face ID with
the midday sun overhead can
sometimes be a challenge). The
angle of view should be a bit
wider, so it works with the phone
resting on the desk next to you.
We can all remember how
much better Touch ID got when
the iPhone 6s introduced a
second-generation module.
Imagine that leap in quality, the
“magical” it-just-works feeling, It’s time for Lightning to be replaced by USB-C. Rip off the
applied to Face ID. band-aid. It’s the right thing for the future of the platform.

iOSCENTRAL iPHONE 2019 WISH LIST
port, but that’s okay. That just gives Apple A FAST CHARGER IN THE BOX
room for… Apple still ships thousand-dollar phones
with a 5-watt charger in the box. The
…A BIGGER BATTERY phones are capable of charging much
I never hear anyone complain that the faster, but you’d never know it if you don’t
iPhone isn’t thin enough. Or that other go out and buy another charging adapter
premium phones, like the Galaxy S9 or the (go.macworld.com/wadp).
Pixel 3, are too thick. I hear everyone Earlier this year, we heard several
complain that they want longer battery life. rumors (go.macworld.com/ifrm) of an 18-watt
Here’s the pitch: make the new iPhone USB-C adapter replacing the 5-watt in-box
just one millimeter thicker. That would take adapter. Sadly, they were not proven true.
it to 8.7mm, less than a half-millimeter It’s time to put a fast USB-C charger in
thicker than the iPhone XR! It would still the box. This penny-pinching from the
look and feel ultra-premium, and you might world’s most successful tech company, at
even be able to get rid of the camera the expense of the user experience, on
bump for an amazingly flush design. some of the most expensive phones
That would leave room inside for a money can buy, is just shameful.
thicker, higher-capacity battery, and room
for the USB-C plug, too. It’s a win-win-win. AN ALWAYS-ON DISPLAY
Technically, Apple could add
this to any of its phones with
an OLED display with an iOS
update, but it wouldn’t
surprise me to see the
company make it exclusive
only to a new model.
Showing the time, date,
and some other simple
glanceable info (like the
weather, and maybe an
unread messages count) at
all times on the screen could
iPhone battery life is certainly not bad, but everyone always easily be accomplished with
wants more. A bigger battery is the simplest way to get there. minimal power draw.

down to 5.2 inches or so would really
make a lot of those small phone
lovers happy.
Yeah, a smaller phone would
have room for a smaller battery. But
the display being smaller would help.
And did I mention that the new
iPhone should be thicker, to
accommodate a larger battery?
Rumors of a USB-C fast-charging adapter in the A PRICE REDUCTION

iPhone box didn’t come true this year. HA! Who are we kidding. In the iPod
days, Apple used to give us more
It would be good for the fight to reduce every year for less money. But the iPhone
screen time, too. How often do we pick up price seems to only go in one direction,
our phone just to check the time, date, or and Apple’s expanding cost-of-entry
weather only to get sucked into a sea of shows no sign of stopping.
notifications. If a quick glance down at my A really good set of prices for the new
desk could give me that info without even iPhones would be: $699 for the more
touching my phone, I would pick it up less affordable model (the successor to the
often, and get distracted by never-ending iPhone XR), $849 for the iPhone XS
social network arguments a lot less. successor, and $949 for the iPhone XS
Max successor.
MAKE THE SMALL Those would still be high-end,
ONE SMALLER premium phones, but maybe a little bit
If Apple’s going to make three iPhone easier to afford.
sizes again, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to Since Apple is almost certain to
make the smallest one a little bit smaller. maintain its sky-high iPhone prices (if not
Currently, the 5.8-inch iPhone XS doesn’t raise them even higher), how about giving
quite scratch the itch of those who pine for us a little more value? Put the headphone
a new iPhone SE. Some people are really adapter back in the box, give us a USB-C
attached to small phones, and while I don’t fast charging power adapter, and maybe
think Apple needs to specifically target even raise the base storage to 128GB (at
that market with a four-inch model, a shrink least in the most expensive models). ■

iOSCENTRAL
The iPhone XS Max is making

me neglect my iPad
And I really don’t mind.
BY LEIF JOHNSON
A
fter getting my new iPhone XS does many of the tasks my iPad Pro does
Max (go.macworld.com/xsmx), I more comfortably and efficiently. And I
didn’t used my iPad Pro for highly doubt I’m alone in that thinking.
days. In fact, I forgot it existed
until I guiltily realized I’d buried my longtime A WORLD IN AN INCH
daily writing companion under a pile of Nothing about the iPhone XS Max won me
papers as though it were a piece of trash. over quite like its gorgeous 6.5-inch
But the guilt passed quickly. Within display. That’s “only” a diagonal inch larger
seconds my attention had already turned than the iPhone 8 Plus, but that extra inch
back to my new iPhone, a device that makes the iPhone XS Max good enough

for activities that used to
leave me reaching for my
iPad. Heck, it sometimes
makes my iPad feel
superfluous. That extra inch
blurs the transition line
between the iPhone and the
iPad, to the point that I feel
confident saying it effectively
eliminates any chances of an
iPad mini reboot.
The iPhone XS Max is
now my go-to content Naturally, I do a lot of that content consumption in landscape
consumption device. On top mode instead.
of listening to music and
taking photos, I also find the iPhone XS creation. Sometimes I even find myself
Max ideal for watching Netflix in bed, typing up drafts on my iPhone XS Max with
reading Kindle books, sifting through RSS the help of a Bluetooth Magic Keyboard I
feeds, reading drafts, and consulting keep stashed in my bag, and it serves me
notes. The iPhone could do these things well so long as I don’t worry too much
in the past, of course, but even with the about editing in the drafting phase. If the
larger models the screen felt cramped iPhone only had some kind of native
and claustrophobic. split-screen multitasking feature as we find
These days, though, I can’t even on the iPad, there’s a chance that I’d never
confidently say that the iPad is look at my iPad at all.
unequivocally better for playing games, as I know a few other XS Max users who
recently Aspyr proved that a game as big feel the same way, but I believe we’ll hear
as Civilization VI (go.macworld.com/cvvi) similar opinions from other iPhone users
could play quite well on Apple’s handset. I once the iPhone XR drops on October 16.
even watched a couple of episodes of After all, it still has a 6.1-inch display,
BoJack Horseman in a car with a friend, allowing budget-conscious iPhone buyers
and never once did she complain the to pick up a similarly sized phone for
display wasn’t big enough for both of us. $350 less than we iPhone XS Max
I also find the iPhone useful for owners paid.

iOSCENTRAL i P HO N E X S MA X I S MAK ING ME NE GL EC T M Y iPA D
The MacBook is thicker than the iPad, but not by much. And the iPad will usually be in a case.
BACK TO MAC research and the reading; the MacBook is

Before the iPhone XS Max, I was already where I do the work. The iPad frankly
somewhat sidelining the iPad Pro, in part doesn’t fit well in this formula—at least
because it no longer fit well in my with my carless existence where I pay
workflow. Apple’s tablet was once my close attention to what I carry in my bag—
workhorse, but these days I find the and so it’s just another thing to haul
12-inch MacBook handily replaces it. For around. And everything is easier on the
one, both devices take up roughly the MacBook, partly thanks to the absence
same amount of space in my bag, and of a mouse on an iPad. It’s easier to
arguably less since there’s little need to shuffle text in drafts. It’s easier to work
worry about a special keyboard case with with photos and videos. Multiple windows
the MacBook. Both devices only have one and an actual desktop make it far
port, but you can attach a lot more easier to multitask. Yes, the iPad can do
peripherals to the MacBook through that a lot of these things, but as I’ve said
slot if needed. before (go.macworld.com/5rsn), it’s
And so the iPhone is where I do the always a bit of a hassle.

LONG LIVE THE iPAD perfectly capable $329 9.7-inch iPad (go.
Keep in mind I’m not declaring the death macworld.com/329i) now on the market,
of the iPad. I simply believe the iPhone XS the main appeal appears to be the price,
Max renders it more a device for particularly if you don’t need the sprawling
specialists than it was before. It’s still a displays of the Pros.
magnificent tool for artists, and I’m a great As such, Apple really needs to wow us
admirer of the wonders achieved with the with whatever it has planned for the next
Apple Pencil. iPad Pro, which we’ll hopefully see toward
It’s fantastic for taking notes by hand the end of the month or in November.
(the benefits of which are backed by Current rumors suggest the new Pros will
multiple studies), all the better because it have features like Face ID that can be
does this without mowing down forests. As used in both portrait and landscape
anyone who’s spent more than a couple of mode, but aside from some speculation
hours in San Francisco can tell you, it also over a mystery port, there’s little else new
makes a great point-of-sale system. And on the table.
yes, with features such as split-screen For now, though, I find myself admiring
multitasking and a fairly comfortable digital the “Max” in the current iPhone’s name.
keyboard, it’s still ultimately better for work It’s one of the best things in Apple’s
than the iPhone itself. current lineup, even to the point that it
But I do believe the iPhone XS Max robs eclipses some of the Cupertino
the iPad of some of its enchantment. The company’s star products. ■
few feature limitations of the
iPhone XS Max over the iPad
seemed forced to a degree,
and the iPad once again looks
like a huge iPhone.
Especially with the A12
Bionic chip, we’ve reached a
point where the iPhone is
almost as useful as the iPad.
For those of us who use the
lightweight MacBook, there’s
little reason to pick up an iPad
at all. At the moment, with a Seriously, though, that’s a big deal.

iOSCENTRAL
Does the new iPad Pro have

a bending problem?
A YouTuber deliberately bent a huge slab of metal and glass,
and we’re supposed to be scandalized.
BY LEIF JOHNSON
J
udging by a YouTube video from integrity would be weakest.
JerryRigEverything (go.macworld. It’s definitely something we’ll keep an
com/jery), we’re supposedly on the eye on, but I’m not really sure what other
verge of a new “Bendgate.” Holding outcome people were expecting.
the edges of the new 11-inch iPad Pro in the To be sure, it does feel structurally
video, host Zack Nelson jams his thumbs weaker than previous models. I’m holding
into the back of the tablet, pulls, and—shock, my 12.9-inch model right now, and I can
I guess?—the $799+ tablet cracks and then easily see how I could work the same
folds together like a chapbook of college magic if I handled it with the same violence.
poetry. The bend specifically happens near Maybe even more easily, since it’s a larger
the microphone hole, where the structural device and so offers more leverage.
54 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019 IMAGE: JERRYRIGEVERYTHING

That’s partly due to the wide, flat being slightly bent below the volume
expanse of aluminum on the back, but the buttons. But phones go through different
new flat edges for charging the Apple hells than tablets. We drop them. We stick
Pencil may also be at fault. The metal on them in the back pockets of skin-tight
my first-generation iPad Pro feels slightly jeans. As Apple’s Screen Time feature
more resistant, possibly because of the reminds us, we spend perhaps too much
tapered edges on the old design. time with them in our hands.
Make no mistake, though: If I wanted to But tablets? It’s harder to lose track of
bend back the older iPad Pro, I could. them, and I’d say the majority of us hold
Fortunately, I’ve managed not to do that them in ways that are less likely to lead
since 2015. I don’t think there’s much cause to bends. Even so, most people I know
to worry, as I already put the latest device use their iPads with some kind of
through a trial by fire for my review (go. keyboard case, which tends to keep
macworld.com/18pr) through my own such accidents from happening as a
carelessness. I’d cram it in the same thin matter of course. For that matter, iPads
slot in my backpack where my 13-inch have gigantic glass screens, and I
MacBook Pro was already stuffed (although personally handle them with a little more
I almost always kept it in the Smart care than my phone as a result.
Keyboard Folio case). I also crammed my Something like this is more of a serious
bag with everything from Bose Quiet scandal for phones since they’re tiny
Comfort 35 headphones to bottles of pocketable devices and should be more
mineral water, and then I’d lean against the sturdy for that reason alone. Tablets,
whole bag while standing in cramped San though, basically amount to massive
Francisco subway cars. At one point I even sheets of glass and metal sandwiched on
used my bag for a pillow. I did this for days. top of each other.
In other words, the 2018 iPad Pro has Sure, every single tablet I’ve handled
had plenty of chances to bend just in the will bend or break if I jam my thumbs into
tumble of my everyday life, and it hasn’t. the back and push with all my strength. But
The only thing I haven’t done is sit on it by then again, so will my MacBook’s display—
accident, and I’m in no hurry to try that. and far more easily. And yet we never hear
about controversies with them.
OPEN THE -GATES So take this as a lesson: Don’t
“Bendgate” for the iPhone 6 was a very forcefully try to bend your iPad. As for a
real thing, and even my phone ended up new Bendgate? I think we’ll be fine. ■

iOSCENTRAL
Google Fi wireless service now

works with iPhones and most
Android phones, but there’s a catch
You’re really only getting T-Mobile service.
BY MICHAEL SIMON
L
ook out Verizon, AT&T, and won’t be getting the full Fi experience.
T-Mobile, there’s a new carrier in To mark the expansion, Google has
town. Google is opening up its renamed the service to Google Fi (or just
Project Fi nationwide wireless Fi for short), because it’s no longer a
service (go.macworld.com/mtfi) to way project. It’s now a real-deal network, using
more phones, including the hottest three mobile 4G LTE networks and more
iPhones, Galaxy phones, and GSM-only than two million secure Wi-Fi hotspots to
Android phones of the year. But, sadly, you create a blanket of coverage.
56 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019 IMAGE: MARTYN WILLIAMS

Where the service was
previously limited to a handful of
handsets designed for Fi—
namely Pixels, the Moto G6, and
a couple LG ThinQ phones—the
new service expands availability
to phones made by Samsung,
Huawei, Nokia, Essential, Apple,
Green means go on
and others. And it’s not just the Google Fi’s coverage map.
newest handsets either—
compatibility goes all the way back to the But the newly compatible phones won’t
Galaxy S6 and iPhone 5S and SE. be getting the full Fi experience. While
Google Fi for iOS (go.macworld.com/ handsets designed for Fi get cellular
fios) is still in beta, so Google warns that coverage across T-Mobile, Sprint, and U.S.
not all Fi features will be supported. Most Cellular and Wi-Fi hotspots, Fi-compatible
notably, visual voicemail won’t work and phones will only have nationwide access
you’ll need to update your iPhone’s MMS to T-Mobile’s network, as the phone won’t
settings in order to send and receive texts be able to switch between the networks
with non-iPhones. iMessage works out of and hotspots.
the box, however, according to Google. So if you’re using more than 6GB of
But that’s a small price to pay for Fi data per month, going directly through
compatibility. And speaking of small prices, T-Mobile is probably the better deal, as it
Google Fi is based on a pay-as-you-go charges just $70 per month for unlimited
model, so your bill might go down service, including taxes and fees. With
significantly. Google charges $20 for Google Fi, the same data will cost you more
unlimited calls and texts, and $1 per 100 than $90 with taxes and fees. However,
megabytes (or $10 per gig) for data. So if Google Fi seems to support way more
you only use 2.6GB one month, your bill phones. A quick check of models and
will be $46 (plus taxes and fees). And the carriers showed a large number of Verizon
maximum you’ll pay is $80 a month, as phones ready to support Google Fi.
Google caps the data fees at $60 or 6GB. But if you sip megabytes and hate
If you go above 15GB, however, your paying for data you don’t use, Google Fi is
speeds will be throttled unless you agree worth consideration for your iPhone or
to pay $10 for each gigabyte over 15. Galaxy phone. ■

Tweet
Streaming
Selfie
Search Results
Connected
t
FIND A PARK OR FOREST NEAR YOU AT
iOSCENTRAL
The Latest iOS Products

Reviewed & Rated REVIEWS
MACBOOK BAG
I was getting fed up with bags. I’m a
SUTTER TECH SLING: carless San Franciscan, so good bags rank
right up there with good shoes among my
ONE OF THE BEST priorities, but for months I’ve struggled to
URBAN DAILY find something that nails the sweet spot
CARRIES between comfort and convenience.

Backpacks win for comfort (and they’re
BY LEIF JOHNSON
better for my back), but getting anything
out of them usually demands convoluted
acrobatics. Messenger bags win for urban
convenience, but they gnaw into my
shoulder when I’ve crammed them with
MacBooks, iPads, and regular books.
IMAGE: LEIF JOHNSON JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 59

iOSCENTRAL REVIEW: SU T TER TEC H SL ING
But then I found

the Sutter Tech Sling
from WaterField
Designs. The name
makes it sound a bit
like a 1920s-themed
shindig in Silicon
Valley, but it comes
as close to perfection
as anything I’ve ever
used. Comfort?
Check. Convenience?
Check. And as with
almost any product The smaller Standard model here looks cool, but it’s really only
from WaterField, it’s helpful if you use the 9.7-inch iPad for most of your work.
made with Apple
products specifically in mind. it’ll never deliver the full comfort you’ll get
I picked up the larger 14-inch by 9.5- from a backpack, but it comes closer to
inch by 3-inch Full version, but WaterField the mark than most other cross-body or
also makes a smaller Standard model that sling bags I’ve worn.
looks a bit like a hefty fanny pack slung We can thank the cam-lock for most of
across one’s back. It’s supposedly good
enough to hold the new 11-inch iPad Pro,
but it’d never do for the larger MacBooks I
need to carry for work.
But the Full version? This is my jam.
Being a sling bag, its strap reaches across
my chest in the style of a messenger bag
while the bag itself rests against my back
like a slanted backpack. I’ve tossed loads
in there that would have had me wincing
with my favorite messenger bags, but
heavy loads with the Sutter Sling cause me
mild discomfort at most. That slant means The cam lock, open and ready to pull.

that. It’s a latch on the
strap that lets you
adjust the slack in mere
seconds, which makes
a massive difference
when the bag’s load
puts undue tension on
your spine. Just flip up
the latch, pull it up or
slide it down, and the
bag slips into a more
comfortable position.
The large D-ring the The Sutter Tech Sling makes it easy to switch sides.
strap attaches to aids in
this comfort, as it lets the strap swivel to “bottom” openings, allowing me to pull out
the same position regardless of how tight my sunglasses, AirPods, or similar small
the strap is. items with the ease of opening a purse.
It’s magnificent, really. I can’t count the Impressively, it works this way
times I’ve tolerated badly balanced loads regardless of whether you’re right- or
in other bags because I dreaded taking left-handed. The single back strap snaps
the bags off on busy sidewalks or crowded to one of two D-rings on the bag’s lower
subway cars, to say nothing of the side, which in turn determines whether you
frustrating guesswork of adjusting straps to wear the strap on the right shoulder or the
comfortable lengths. That’s never been a left and how the front compartment aligns
problem with the Sutter Sling. when you pull the bag around.
It’s a smart design, so long as you’re
EASE YOUR BURDENS smart enough to keep track of which side
The city dweller in me loves that I never you’ve opened. During my first few days
have to take it off during commutes. It with the Sutter Sling, I’d open a random
works as a backpack on the sidewalk, but I side of the front compartment when it was
can pull around the whole bag on the train off my back and then forget I’d left it open.
or bus so it sits on my lap. While in my lap, I had a bad habit of opening the “wrong”
the two zippers on either side of the front side, so everything would tumble out when
compartment become the “top” or I’d hoist it on my back at 5:00. Fortunately,

iOSCENTRAL REVIEW: SU T TER TEC H SL ING
material—and you’ll find WaterField’s

signature gold honeycomb lining that
makes everything inside stand out
more starkly than it would with darker
material. In the back of the main
compartment you’ll find a padded
laptop sleeve that’s roomy enough to
hold both a 13-inch MacBook Pro and
2018 12.9-inch iPad Pro at once,
although it’ll be a bit of a tight fit.
In other words, imagine this, but on the bottom.
SHARE THE LOAD
four days sufficed to break the habit. It’s still a small bag compared to most
The Sutter Sling looks fantastic, too, backpacks, but you’ll still find a wealth of
which you won’t hear me say about many room in the main compartment. Indeed, I
other slings. WaterField crafted it with the once managed to stuff a 15-inch MacBook
same rugged waxed canvas that’s a hit with Pro in there, although the zipper was tight
its other bags, although you can buy it in a and I couldn’t cram in much else.
sleeker “black ballistic” variety if you find On a typical day, it carries almost
the canvas clashes with your suit. The everything I need: my Bose QuietComfort
leatherwork is minimal, save for the 35 headphones, my little pouch of cables
shoulder strap and a 7.75-inch
by 14-inch slab of leather that
looks snazzy and smells
delightful. Flip it on the back,
and you’ll find a mesh lining
that both pads your back from
the weight and lets the bag
“breathe” in hotter climes.
Some bag makers scrimp
on the inside, but not
WaterField. Open the main
zippers—each covered with a
rubbery water-resistant Here’s a comparatively light load.

and wall chargers, and my pencil pouch.
There’s usually enough room left over for
at least two bottles of water, and one day I
even managed to stuff my clean gym
clothes in there. Along with a key fob,
you’ll also find some smaller pockets lining
the wall opposite the laptop sleeve. Four
of them mainly exist to hold the Apple
Pencil (or real pens and pencils), although
there’s a larger pouch that’s roomy
enough to hold two Magic Mice and a
deck of cards. Nope, that strap isn’t going anywhere.
So there’s just one problem: that dang
shoulder strap. It’s made out of leather, but strap is crafted from one stitched piece
it’s very thin leather, and so it often and so replacing it is out of the question.
bunches up on my shoulder when I’m in a Everything else about the Sutter Tech
hurry. The whole point of this bag is that Sling is so good that this doesn’t bother
it’s easy to adjust the bag along the strap, me much. It’s the perfect bag for
but those frequent adjustments often navigating the streets of WaterField’s
leave the shoulder pad hanging native San Francisco, as I can
pointlessly on my chest or (more load up my gadgets from work
mmmmh
annoyingly) against my back but quickly access my wallet
Sutter Tech Sling
after I’ve swung the bag around. PROS
from the same bag when I
Should I try to adjust it, it usually • Easily adjusts for saunter into bodegas. I can carry
right-handed or left-handed
ends up bunching on my users. my gadgets comfortably on the
shoulder again. • Cam-lock strap allows for sidewalk, but pull the bag over to
easy adjustments.
I’m tempted to cut it off. The • Roomy main compartment my lap in one motion when I sit
despite overall small bag on the train.
Sutter Sling is still comfortable size.
without it, although the pad CONS No other bag does this so
mitigates the weight of heavy • Flimsy leather shoulder well. It’s too bad about the
pad.
loads enough to justify keeping it PRICE shoulder strap, but even so, it’ll
around. I long to replace it with a $169 be hard to find a bag that beats
COMPANY
thicker pad I love from a the Sutter Tech Sling for my
WaterField Designs
competitor, but the cam-lock everyday carry. ■

8 kids a day are accidentally killed
or injured by FAMILY FIRE.
FAMILY FIRE is a shooting involving an
improperly stored gun, often found in the home.
ENDFAMILYFIRE.org
iOSCENTRAL
WHAT’S NEW AT THE
APP STORE Old School Runescape

There’s Lord of the
Rings Online’s “Legend-
ary” servers. And right
here on our iOS
devices, there’s Old School Runes-
cape (free, go.macworld.com/osr).
The original simple mouse controls
translate well to iPhones, and there’s
a breathtaking variety of often
humorous fantasy content that
should keep you busy for years. Just
keep in mind that you’ll have to pay
an $11 monthly subscription fee if you
want to get the most out of it.
Tesla vs Lovecraft
In life, Nikola Tesla was
no match for the
dastardly Wizard of
Menlo Park, but pit him
against the tentacle-beard horror
from the mind of H.P. Lovecraft, and
REIGNS: GAME OF he’s the apocalypse on legs. That’s
the idea behind Tesla vs Lovecraft
THRONES ($8.99, go.macworld.com/tvl), a
relentless twin-stick shooter.
Reigns: Game of Thrones ($3.99, go.macworld.
com/rgot) is as simple as Tinder, but it’s one of the NBA 2K Mobile Basketball
Gosh, but NBA 2K Mobile
finest games to come out of George R.R. Martin’s
Basketball (free, go.
beloved fantasy universe. You’re thrown on the macworld.com/n2k) looks
Iron Throne as Jon Snow, Sansa Stark, or many good. This is the game
other characters familiar from the HBO series, and Apple showed off during its October
iPad Pro reveal, highlighting the
you swipe left and right or make decisions that tablet’s “console-like” graphical power
affect your standing among the military, the and leading crowds to gasp in wonder
church, and the people. Through it all, you at the sight of sweat rolling from an
athlete’s face. Fortunately, it’s also fun
struggle to stuff your coffers with gold.
(though a bit of a battery hog).

iOSCENTRAL
6 GREAT iOS GAMES

FROM THE PAST MONTH
Thanksgiving may be over, but we’re still thankful for the amazing games that dropped for iOS
throughout October and November. These range from graphically and strategically complex
games like Civilization VI to charming puzzlers like Eloh. By Andrew Hayward
STARDEW VALLEY
go.macworld.com/sv
Viewed from afar, Stardew Valley ($7.99) looks a lot like the 1991 fantasy adven-
ture The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. But the fantasy here has nothing to
do with swords and sorcery. Instead, it’s the fantasy of escaping the bustle of
office life in favor of running an inherited farm outside a cozy coastal village. You
can clear land and harvest crops, and you can tromp into caves to sift through
ore. Beyond that, you can hobnob with the local folk and get married. Remark-
ably, it rarely feels repetitive.

KINGDOM RUSH VENGEANCE
go.macworld.com/krv
Tower defense games are among the great clichés of iOS, but Kingdom
Rush Vengeance ($4.99) manages to show that the genre has plenty of life
in it yet. The time, you’re playing as the evil Vez’nan the Wizard, who uses
his dark influence to build towers for destroying the good-guy minions who
starred in the series’ previous games. Remarkably, its limitations make it fun.
You can only enter a round with a custom load out of five towers, but you
can choose from an impressive 11 free ones and five premium towers and
equip them with up to three boosts. Fortunately, it’s not too hard on you if
you don’t plunk out cash for the extra towers.

iOSCENTRAL 6 GREAT iOS GAMES
ASSASSIN’S CREED REBELLION

go.macworld.com/acre
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition, but any longtime fan of the
Assassin’s Creed series knew it was only a matter of time before we
could expect a game set in the era. And so we have Assassin’s Creed
Rebellion (free), a fun, cartoony free-to-play adventure about building a
base for assassins who dish out pain in post-medieval Spain. The action
sequences distill the best stealth and stabby elements of the popular
console games to an iPhone-sized package, and harvested DNA
strands let you unlock anachronistic series favorites like Ezio Auditore
da Firenze or Odyssey’s Cassandra. It’s a bit grindy (in true freemium
fashion), but as for the satisfaction for unlocking the perfect three
assassins to bring along on a mission? It’s killer.

CIVILIZATION VI
go.macworld.com/cvi
As I said in an impressions piece in October, Civilization VI (free; $60 for

full game) is one of those games that once seemed far too complex to
ever come to phones. Here it is, though—the full base 4X game running
beautifully on iPhones and iPads. You can play 60 turns entirely for free,
but then you’ll have to pay a whopping $60 to unlock everything else.
After all, it is the full Civ. It’ll also only run beautifully if you have a newer
iPhone or iPad. In particular, it’s a good fit for the iPhone XS Max, which
boasts enough memory to sustain your kingdom even in the graphically
crowded late games.

iOSCENTRAL 6 GREAT iOS GAMES
BARBEARIAN
go.macworld.com/bear
The camera in Barbearian ($8.99) stays zoomed out so far that I

initially thought this was a game about a ticked-off teddy bear
unleashing hell with a double-bladed axe. (And I would have
loved that game.) Alas, it’s just a regular ol’ bearskin-clad barbar-
ian who’s been transported to a mysterious new world—a world
that’ll soon be sparsely populated, if he has any say in it. It’s
gloriously cathartic, and satisfyingly challenging on all difficulty
levels. He swings his axe, and 10 skeletons fall. He swings again,
and down go another 20! This hack-and-slash orgy is the core of
Barbearian, and it’s a surprisingly good fit for mobile.

ELOH
go.macworld.com/eloh
Eloh ($2.99) isn’t a rhythm game, but it makes music as central to the
experience as that thumpin’ genre. It’a a puzzle game about shuffling
stone heads around the screen, the better to bounce streams of sound
off them so that they slip into a goal. Sometimes you’ll have to work with
different heads; sometimes you’ll have to match differently colored
streams with the properly colored idols. A funky beat plays through all of
this—even when you’ve bungled it seemingly beyond all hope—but it
grows funkier as you approach perfection.

FEATURE
R E V I E W:
MACBOOK AIR
OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH
THE NE W, FOR BET TE R OR WORSE
THE NEW 2018
MACBOOK AIR IS
ESSENTIALLY THE
12-INCH MACBOOK,
MADE LARGER.
BY JASON CROSS

A
pple says the MacBook Air is and giving us three color options, among
“the most beloved notebook other things. But it feels a bit like Apple
ever,” and it’s not wrong. The threw out the baby with the bathwater,
huge success of the original Air jettisoning some features of the MacBook
had ripple effects throughout the industry, Air that make it so well-loved.
but it has languished in recent years. For In fact, it would be more accurate to
the last three years or so, Apple had kept call this a 13-inch MacBook than an all-
up with neither technological nor design new MacBook Air. Depending on how
advances in its most important laptop. you look at it, this is either a great
Now, the MacBook Air has finally been up-sized upgrade to the 12-inch
brought up to modern Mac laptop MacBook (go.macworld.com/mcb7),
standards, skipping forward three or a disappointing reinvention of the
generations of Intel processors, adding a MacBook Air that throws out half of
Retina display and Thunderbolt 3 ports, the things we really loved about it.
The new Retina display looks great, and the thinner, black bezels are a huge improvement.

FEATURE REVIEW: M AC BO O K A I R
edge as the best

non-Apple laptops,
it’s a huge
improvement.
The slimmer
bezels give the whole
system a smaller
footprint than the old
The new MacBook Air (top) has almost the exact same dimensions Air. It’s almost exactly
as the 13-inch MacBook Pro (bottom), save for a tapered front edge. the same dimensions
as a 13-inch MacBook
A RETINA DISPLAY, FINALLY Pro, in fact. The back edge is just a hair
The marquee feature of the new MacBook thicker than the MacBook Pro, but it tapers
Air is its Retina display. It has a resolution down toward the front in the familiar
of 2560x1600, giving it a pixel density of wedge-shaped fashion. This shaves off
227 pixels per inch—that’s the same pixel about a quarter pound of weight: it’s 2.75
density as the 12-inch MacBook and the pounds, instead of three pounds for the
MacBook Pro, and four times the pixels of 13-inch MacBook Pro and old MacBook Air.
the old Air. It has a 48 percent broader
color reproduction than the old MacBook ALL THUNDERBOLT 3,
Air, but it’s still limited to the SRGB color ALL THE TIME
gamut, just like the 12-inch MacBook. The One of the things we loved about the
DCI-P3 color gamut is reserved for MacBook Air was the MagSafe charging
MacBook Pro displays and iMacs. connector. USB-C charging is convenient in
Those wide, silver, 2010-era bezels a “you only need one cord” sort of way, but
around the display have shrunk buy half there is almost no old-school Mac laptop
and are now black, with the glass going all user that doesn’t have a dozen stories
the way out to the edge of the lid. It’s the about how the magnetic breakaway
look you know from every other Mac charger saved it from certain doom when
laptop, and while it’s not quite as edge-to- someone tripped over the power cord.
Apple is all-in on Thunderbolt 3 (go.
VIDEO: MACBOOK AIR macworld.com/t3ad) and USB-C now. The
(2018) REVIEW new MacBook Air has two 40 Gbps
Watch now at go.macworld.com/mba8
Thunderbolt 3 ports on the left side and a

headphone jack on the right, and that’s all. From podcast microphones to game
Both USB-A ports are gone, as is the SD controllers, most everyday peripherals still
card reader. expect a USB-A connector. It would be
It’s easy to understand Apple’s easier to forgive Apple’s USB-C zeal if it
intention to drag the world kicking and was consistent across all its products, but
screaming into the USB-C era, but it feels the iPad and all iPhones still come
premature, particularly on its least exclusively with USB-A cables in the box.
expensive mass-market laptop. All your The fact of the matter is, almost
thumb drives probably have USB-A everyone who buys the new Air is going to
connectors. Did your digital camera come have to shell out for at least one dongle
with a USB-C cable? No? Neither did mine. (go.macworld.com/ad19), if not more.
Would it have killed Apple to put
a single USB-A port on the right
side? Still, at least there are two
Thunderbolt 3 ports rather than
just the one on the 12-inch
MacBook, so you can charge your
Two laptop and still plug in other stuff.
Thunderbolt 3
ports are better than
one (on the 12-inch NEW KEYBOARD,
MacBook), but there’s no TRACKPAD, AND
reason to ditch USB-A entirely. SPEAKERS
All other aspects of the MacBook
Air have been brought into line
with the rest of the modern Mac
laptop line. That means the old
keyboard with its scissor-switch
mechanism, universally hailed as
one of the best on any laptop,
Isn’t it odd that has been jettisoned in favor of
Apple sees value in a the ultra low-profile third-
“legacy” connection like generation keyboard with its
a headphone jack, but not
in USB-A ports? butterfly-switch mechanism. It’s
the same one you’ll find in the

FEATURE REVIEW: M ACBO O K A I R
The new butterfly-switch keyboard,

with its low travel and noisy clicking, is a
downgrade from the old scissor-switch keyboard.
new MacBook Pro (go.macworld.com/ for the Force Touch trackpad you now find
mp15), complete with the silicone on every other modern Mac laptop, which is
membrane that helps keep dust out and a good thing. It doesn’t have quite the
makes typing a little quieter (it helps, but satisfying tactile response of the old model,
it’s still too loud). but it’s larger, clicks evenly everywhere (the
Depending on who you ask, this is old one was hard to click along the top
anything from a side-grade to a major edge), and allows you to do neat stuff in
downgrade. It’s worth nothing that it didn’t macOS, like force-clicking on any word to
really allow Apple to make the laptop any get dictionary and thesaurus entries for it, or
slimmer; the old Air was only 7 hundredths on an address to get a Maps preview.
of an inch thicker at the wide end but 5 The speakers are a lot better than
hundredths of an inch thinner at the small those on the old MacBook Air. They’re
end. Apple didn’t increase the size of the noticeably louder, and the sound is a lot
battery, either. The old Air had a 54 watt- less tinny. Don’t expect them to fill your
hour battery, the new one is 50 watt-hours. living room with music, but at least there’s
The old trackpad has been swapped out some bass response now.

Touch ID and the T2 processor encryption, processes audio, has an
There’s no Touch Bar on the new image signal processor for the FaceTime
MacBook Air, but there is Touch ID. That camera (which is a disappointing 720p
means you have physical Function keys resolution and still not very good in low
and a real ESC key, but can still use your light), even disconnects the microphone
fingerprint to log in, authorize purchases, when the laptop’s lid is closed.
and authorize password manager apps
like 1Password (go.macworld.com/1psw). NOT THE CPU UPGRADE
This is the best of all possible outcomes— WE EXPECTED
the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro is a The most recent MacBook Air refresh was
failed experiment that adds significant in 2017 where the Core i5-5250U
cost, but until now it was paired exclusively processor was ever-so-slightly upgraded
with Touch ID. to the Core i5-5350U (go.macworld.com/
As much as I miss the superior and i535) (a Core i7 version was also available).
quieter typing action of the old Air’s That’s a processor introduced in 2015 with
keyboard, the fact that this is now the only a 15-watt TDP (thermal design power). It’s a
keyboard with both Touch ID and physical little embarrassing for a laptop that costs
Function and ESC keys
makes it the best keyboard
on any modern Mac laptop. GEEKBENCH 4
I sincerely hope next year’s MacBook Air 4,393
MacBook Pro models offer (late 2018) 7,902
Core i5-8210Y 20,938
an option to have Touch ID
MacBook 3,996
without the Touch Bar. (mid 2017) 7,156
Core m3-7Y32 18,007
The addition of Touch
ID means the addition of MacBook Air 3,335
(mid 2017) 6,119
the T2 processor, as it is Core i5-5350U 18,263
necessary to provide the
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000
secure enclave to store
your fingerprint data. The CPU: Single-core CPU: Multi-core Compute: OpenCL performance
Longer bars are better

T2 has lots of other
benefits, too (go.macworld.
In Geekbench 4, the new CPU is about 30 percent faster than
com/t2rv). It provides the one in the old Air, but only about 10 percent faster than
secure boot, handles disk last year’s 12-inch MacBook.

$999 to still use use such an old two-core, four-thread processor, but with
processor, and thankfully, the new lower base clock speed (1.6GHz instead of
MacBook Air has jumped up to a state-of- 1.8GHz) and a higher boost clock speed
the-art model. It’s just not the one we (3.6GHz, up from 2.9GHz). There is no other
wanted or expected. processor option available. Those higher
The CPU in the new Air is a Core boost clocks help make the new CPU a
i5-8210Y (go.macworld.com/i582)—still a little bit faster than the one in the old Air
( jumping from a
fifth-generation
CINEBENCH R14 CPU Intel processor to
MacBook Air 128 an eighth-
(late 2018)
Core i5-8210Y 286 generation one
ought to do that).
MacBook 121
(mid 2017) This new CPU
Core m3-7Y32 266
has a TDP of just
MacBook Air 116 7 watts. Intel’s “Y”
(mid 2017)
Core i5-5350U 277 series processors
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
are what it
Multi-thread Single-thread
sometimes calls
its Core-M series,
Cinebench’s CPU test shows far more modest CPU performance gains. and they are
somewhat less
capable than the
CINEBENCH R14 OPENGL “U” series
MacBook Air processors in the
(late 2018) 34.96
Core i5-8210Y old MacBook
MacBook
(mid 2017)
Air—base clock
26.05
Core m3-7Y32 speeds, cache,
MacBook Air
(mid 2017) 26.38
and GPU
Core i5-5350U
performance is
0 10 20 30 40 sacrificed to
OpenGL Longer bars are better keep power
consumption and
Graphics performance is up about 30% from the old Air and 12-inch MacBook. thermals down.

The SSD is quite
fast for such a
thin-and-light
laptop
Core-M and Y-series processors are used 15-watt CPU, and the GPU would be a lot
in the 12-inch MacBook, for example. faster, too. I would gladly sacrifice an hour
The new MacBook Air is essentially or two of battery life for a Core i5-8250U.
just as thick as before, so why is there a Whatever the reason, Apple’s
need to drop from 15-watt processors to a processor choice is a disappointment. The
7-watt one? A Core i5-8250U would give one and only CPU you can get in the new
us double the cores and threads and 50 MacBook is only a little better than the
percent more cache. I can only assume Core-M you get in the 12-inch MacBook,
it’s an issue of battery life. Despite being and it’s a far cry from taking the aging
just as thick, the smaller footprint only 15-watt CPU in the old Air and replacing it
leaves room for a 7 percent smaller with a modern 15-watt model.
battery, but the display on any laptop is a Fortunately, Apple didn’t skimp on
huge power draw. The new Retina display storage performance. While the starting
must use significantly more power, and capacity of 128GB seems a little low, at
the only way Apple could keep its least the SSD is blazing fast for a laptop of
promise of “all-day” battery life is to use this size. A quick run of the BlackMagic
a lower-power processor. disk speed test (go.macworld.com/blkm)
For an idea of how much faster the shows read speeds of about 2 gigabytes
Core i5-8250U would be in a similar-sized per second, and write speeds just under 1
laptop, check out PCWorld’s review of the gigabyte per second.
Dell XPS 13 (go.macworld.com/nxps). Frankly, after looking at the
Spoiler: The new Air would be twice as performance of the A12 and A12X in the
fast in multitasking operations with a latest iPhones and iPad Pro, I’m ready for

the eventual switch to Apple-designed laptop. I spent five hours working and
processors in MacBooks. browsing the web with the display
brightness at about 70 percent and still
THAT SAME GREAT ALL-DAY had 50 percent charge remaining. The
BATTERY LIFE MacBook Air is still a battery champ.
Being able to use your laptop—really use
it—over an entire transcontinental flight is a IS IT A BIGGER MACBOOK, OR A
key part of what made the MacBook Air REDESIGNED MACBOOK AIR?
famous. Happily, quadrupling the pixels in There are two ways to look at the new
the display hasn’t killed that feature. Apple MacBook Air. Apple pitches it as a
says you’ll get up to 12 hours of wireless web ground-up redesign of its most beloved
browsing (the same as the old Air) and up to laptop, and by that measure it’s a little
13 hours of movie playback (an hour more disappointing. It’s slightly more compact
than the old Air). and a little bit lighter, and it has Touch ID,
I looped a movie in iTunes with the Thunderbolt 3, a better trackpad, and
brightness calibrated to 150 nits, and the better speakers. And of course, it has a
new Air ran for and impressive 10 hours Retina display. In all those ways, it is better
and 45 minutes. That’s an hour less than I than the old MacBook Air.
got repeating the same test at the same But it has also taken away the best
brightness with a 2017 12-inch MacBook, keyboard ever on a laptop and replaced it
but still quite fantastic for a high-res 13-inch with a noisy and uncomfortable short-throw
BATTERY LIFE
MacBook Air
(late 2018) 645
Core i5-8210Y
MacBook
(mid 2017) 705
Core m3-7Y32
0 200 400 600 800
iTunes movie playback (minutes) Longer bars are better
The new MacBook Air didn’t last as long as the 12-inch MacBook in our battery rundown test,
but nearly 11 hours of HD movie playback is still fantastic.

keyboard that nobody seems to really love.
It’s dropped USB-A entirely, so you’re going
to have to buy dongles and new cables to
use all your accessories. The SD card slot is
gone, which will annoy photographers.
MagSafe is gone, so now you have to use
up one of your two USB-C ports to charge
up. It’s not much faster, either—not nearly as
much as it could be if Apple didn’t drop
from 15-watt processors in the old MacBook
Air to a 7-watt processor in the new one.
And it’s quite a bit more expensive,
too. The old Air started at $999 for a
system with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of making the entry-level price of this bigger
storage, and let’s face it, over time it and better version $100 cheaper, or the
became overpriced for what you got. The price with the same amount of storage $100
new Air starts at $1,199 for the same RAM more. That’s a perfectly reasonable price for
and storage (and you’ll definitely want to this upgrade.
spring for the 256GB storage upgrade, If you’re familiar with the 12-inch MacBook,
bringing the price to $1,399). using the new MacBook Air
Retina and Touch ID are mmmm makes it immediately obvious that
wonderful additions, but every- Apple MacBook Air this is a slightly updated and
1.6GHz dual-core
thing else seems like it’s just Core i5, 256GB SSD scaled-up version of that model,
playing catch-up on a product that PRICE with the “Air” name attached. If
$1,399
had fallen way behind the times you’ve been waiting for years for
COMPANY
despite holding on to its Apple Apple to finally re-imagine the
thousand-dollar price tag. MacBook Air in a way that will
On the other hand, you could once again revolutionize the
mmmm
look at this as a 13-inch variant of thin-and-light laptop market, you’re
Apple MacBook Air
the MacBook; larger and a little bit 1.6GHz dual-core going to be disappointed to find
Core i5, 128GB SSD
faster, with a second ThunderBolt 3 PRICE that it has only been brought up to
port, Touch ID, and better $1,199 the standards of other modern
COMPANY
speakers. The 12-inch MacBook Mac laptops, with all the good and
Apple
starts at $1,299 with a 256GB SSD, bad that goes with that. ■

ION OF STA
IAT TE
OC
SS
FO
NAT ONAL A
RE
STERS
FO 0
U N D E D 192
$799 IMPRESSIVE
MAC MULTI-CORE
PERFORMANCE
FROM APPLE’S
MINI
MOST
AFFORDABLE
NEW MAC
REVIEW
Apple’s smallest Mac is a mighty mite of a machine. By Roman Loyola

FEATURE REVIEW: M AC MI NI
The Mac mini has proven popular with general consumers and demanding professionals.
A
pple says the MacBook Air is happy for any improvements. On the flip
“the most beloved notebook side, because the mini hasn’t been
ever,” and it’s not wrong. The updated for four long years, you may have
huge success of the original Air convinced yourself that Apple would make
had ripple effects throughout the industry, dramatic changes—yet the update is pretty
but it has languished in recent years. For much limited to a processor upgrade.
the last three years or so, Apple had kept If you were anticipating a major
up with neither technological nor design overhaul, your disappointment is
advances in its most important laptop. understandable. But get over it, because
It’s been ages since the Mac mini the new Mac mini is a worthy Mac for $799.
received an update, so we can see how In fact, in our benchmarks, its performance
fans of Apple’s smallest Mac would be is fast enough to give the iMac some

competition. If you’re buying a new Mac, of its affordability. Apple’s Mac mini
you should definitely consider the Mac mini, website calls the new Mac “All workhorse”
because you could end up saving some and the whole “switcher” messaging of the
money—and still get a solid, fast Mac. original Mac mini is gone.
And if you own an older Mac mini and But that doesn’t mean the mini is no
love the form factor, you’ll want to upgrade. longer for switchers and everyone else. It’s
The performance—especially with multi-core still a good Mac for the general consumer,
professional software—is worth the money. and in fact, it offers considerable bang for the
This review takes a look at the $799 Mac buck. The main drawback is that there’s no
mini, which is now Apple’s cheapest Mac. longer a sub-$500 price tag in Apple’s Mac
lineup (though the $799 Mac mini is $300
WHO IS THE MAC MINI FOR? cheaper than the entry-level 21.5-inch iMac).
The Mac mini made its debut in 2005
(go.macworld.com/mn05), and was INSIDE THE MAC MINI:
marketed as the affordable entry point for CPU, SSD, RAM, T2
Mac newcomers. All it needed was an During a briefing, Apple told us that faster
external display (the first mini came with a Mac mini performance was at the top of
VGA-to-DVI adapter) and USB input customers’ wish lists. With that in mind,
devices. With the base model priced at Apple upgraded the CPU with eighth-
$499, it lagged behind Apple’s faster, generation Intel Core processors—
more expensive Macs, but it was a good desktop CPUs, not mobile CPUs. Apple
performer for the price. says the new Mac mini is up to five times
But as it turned out, the Mac mini found faster than the previous one (which, after
a market with pro users thanks to its small all, was released in October 2014).
footprint. It’s been popular with software The CPU in the $799 Mac mini is a
developers and content creators, and has 3.6GHz Core i5. This is a quad-core
even found a home in co-location data processor that offers two more processing
centers. In response, Apple changed its cores than the chip in the previous Mac
Mac mini message, targeting professionals mini. Note that this particular Mac mini’s
and touting the mini’s performance instead CPU doesn’t support Turbo Boost, a
feature that allows for a processor to run
VIDEO: NEW MAC MINI faster than its stated frequency if the
UNBOXING processor is running under its limits for
Watch now at go.macworld.com/mmu
power, current, and temperature. However,

Turbo Boost up
to 4.1GHz is
available in the
3.0GHz 6-core
Core i5
processor
that’s spec’d
for the $1,099
Mac mini.
You’ll also
find a per-
formance
upgrade in the
Mac mini’s
storage
hardware—sort
of. In the past,
The plastic bottom cap pops off, but then you’ll find an aluminum hatch
you could held in place by six Torx screws. And when you get the hatch off, you’ll find
choose from a that the insides are not readily user accessible.
hard drive (slow
but spacious), a Fusion Drive (the capacity money for an upgrade.
of a hard drive but with better speed), or The $799 Mac mini comes standard
flash storage (a fast and pricey solid-state with 8GB of 2666MHz DDR4 memory,
drive). Now, Apple offers only solid-state installed as a pair of 4GB SO-DIMMs. The
drives, which offer the best speed. mini supports a maximum of 64GB, and
The $799 model comes with a 128GB you can upgrade the memory later, but
drive, but if that isn’t enough, Apple Apple doesn’t consider the Mac mini to be
offers upgrades all the way up to 2TB if user-configurable, and it recommends that
you’re willing to pay. The SSDs are PCIe memory upgrades be performed by a
cards and Apple doesn’t consider them certified Apple service provider. Doing it
user-upgradeable. So, if you prefer to on your own will void the warranty.
house your storage inside the computer You can easily open up the Mac mini
instead of attaching an external drive, on your own: The circular plastic cap at the
you might consider shelling out more bottom of the Mac mini pops off to unveil

an aluminum hatch that’s kept in place with HOW FAST IS THE MAC MINI?
Torx screws. But what you’ll find when you To test the speed of the $799 Mac mini, we
remove the hatch is that the memory is used the Geekbench 4 benchmark tool (go.
placed in a sort of a cage, and you’ll need macworld.com/gbk4). We compared the Mac
to remove the fan and other components mini’s results to the three Mac mini models
to get access. It’s not a trivial task. from 2014, the current $1,499 iMac, and the
The Mac mini includes a T2 Security Chip 2013 3.5GHz 6-Core Xeon E5 Mac Pro.
to offload security features away from the Not surprisingly, the $799 Mac mini,
main CPU. The T2 handles the Mac mini’s with its eighth-generation 3.6GHz Core i3
secure boot feature and storage encryption processor, offers a nice single-core boost
for FileVault, and it houses a co-processor over its 2014 predecessors. We saw a 29
for Secure Enclave, which operates Touch percent jump over the $999 2.8GHz Core
ID. Unfortunately, there currently isn’t any i5 model, a 34 percent boost over the
keyboard with Touch ID support that can be $699 2.6GHz Core i5 model, and a 45
attached to the Mac mini. That said, the iMac percent improvement over the $499
is due for an update soon, so maybe we’ll 1.4GHz Core i5 Mac mini.
see a new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID But are these improvements enough
when that desktop machine arrives. for owners of the 2014 Mac mini to
upgrade? Even in
GEEKBENCH 64-BIT SINGLE-CORE single-core apps (e.g.,
mail, browsers, iTunes,
Mac mini (late 2018)
4,793
and even some
3.6GHz quad-core i3
consumer-level video
1.4GHz dual-core i5 3,018 and image editors),
the boost is
3,403
2.6GHz dual-core i5 significant, thanks to
3,581
eighth-generation
2.8GHz dual-core i5
Intel chip improve-
iMac (mid 2017)
3.4GHz quad-core i5 5,006 ments and the clock
Mac Pro (late 2013)
speed bump. So, if
3,811
3.5GHz 6-core Xeon E5 you have a 2014-
vintage $499 or $699
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000
Mac mini, you’ve
probably gotten your

money’s worth from the machine, and mini, its multi-core performance will draw
upgrading to the new $799 model is a more attention than before. The $799 Mac
good investment. And even if you mini has four processing cores, two more
bought the 2014 $999 model, upgrading than in the previous models. So the newer
should be a serious consideration. CPU and extra processing cores combine
Interestingly, the single-core perfor- to make the $799 Mac mini a mighty
mance of the $799 Mac mini isn’t far off machine for apps that can use multiple
from the 2017 21.5-inch 3.4GHz Core i5 cores (pro-level video and image editors,
iMac that sells for $1,499. The iMac is only as well as developer tools, for example).
4 percent faster.
Another
interesting data GEEKBENCH 64-BIT MULTI-CORE
point: The new
Mac mini 3.6GHz quad-core i3 14,453
outperforms the Mac mini (late 2014)

1.4GHz dual-core i5 5,398
2013 3.5GHz
Xeon E5 Mac 2.6GHz dual-core i5 6,471
Pro by 23
6,809
percent. Keep in 2.8GHz dual-core i5
mind that this is iMac (mid 2017)

3.4GHz quad-core i5 14,537
in single-core
Mac Pro (late 2013)
performance, 3.5GHz 6-core Xeon E5 17,979
and the Mac
mini versus Mac 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000
Pro story
changes in our
next suite of
GEEKBENCH 4 COMPUTE OPENCL
tests.
Because Mac mini (late 2018)
3.6GHz quad-core i3 20,990
Apple has
changed the iMac (mid 2017)
55,931
3.4GHz quad-core i5
marketing
message with 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000
the new Mac

In the Geekbench 64-bit Multi-Core When you compare the $799 Mac mini
test, the $799 Mac mini more than to the $1,499 21.5-inch iMac with a quad-
doubled the performance of the three core 3.4GHz Core i5, you’ll find an eye-
older models. Bottom line: If you use apps opening result: the Geekbench 4 scores
that can take advantage of multiple cores, are practically the same. We ran a few more
you’re going to see a huge speed benchmarks to compare the $799 Mac mini
increase with the new Mac mini. It’s well to the $1,499 iMac, and we found that when
worth the cost of upgrading. it comes to graphics performance, the iMac
and its 4GB
GEEKBENCH 4 COMPUTE METAL Radeon Pro 560
graphics card
22,250
gives it a
3.6GHz quad-core i3
significant edge
iMac (mid 2017)
3.4GHz quad-core i5 56,752 in frame-rate
performance
0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000
over the Mac
mini’s Intel UHD
Graphics 630.
CINEBENCH R15 OPENGL But in two other
benchmarks—
3.6GHz quad-core i3 123 the Cinebench
iMac (mid 2017)
R15 CPU test (go.
94
3.4GHz quad-core i5 macworld.com/
0 40 80 120 160
cr15) and the
Longer bars are better Blender BMW
render test (go.
macworld.com/
CINEBENCH R15 CPU
bbmw)—the Mac
Mac mini (late 2018) mini and the
3.6GHz quad-core i3 588
iMac finished
iMac (mid 2017)
585 neck and neck.
3.4GHz quad-core i5
The Mac
0 150 300 450 600 mini, however, is
slower than the

currently
BLENDER BMW focuses on
Thunderbolt/
3.6GHz quad-core i3 686 USB-C.
The Mac mini
iMac (mid 2017)
682
3.4GHz quad-core i5 comes with four
Thunderbolt/
0 200 400 600 800
USB-C ports,
and you can
connect two
2013 6-core 3.5GHz Xeon E5 Mac Pro, or three displays through these ports,
which is five years old and costs $2,299. depending on the screen resolution used
Still, when you consider the price for each display. If you don’t have a USB-C
difference, the Mac mini’s multi-core speed equipped display like the LG UltraFine 4K
is impressive. Display (go.macworld.com/uf4k), you will
need an adapter (we have a Thunderbolt 3
CONNECTIVITY AND PORTS adapter guide [go.macworld.com/t3ad] to
ON THE NEW MAC MINI help you find the ones you need). You can
One of the reasons the Mac mini has also connect an HDMI-equipped display
been such a beloved machine among to the Mac mini’s HDMI 2.0 port.
Mac users is that it comes with so many If you have a lot of USB-A devices to
ports in such a small package. connect, you’ll be disappointed in the
Fortunately, it still has a lot of ports, but reduction of USB-A ports from four down
Apple has updated the equipment to to two. But if you don’t use all of the Mac
match its current philosophy, which mini’s USB-C ports and you want to
Here are the

2018 Mac
mini’s rear
ports. Got
more than
two USB-A
devices?
You’ll need
to buy a hub.

connect a USB-A
device, you can
use a USB-C to
USB-A adapter,
like the $19 one
from Apple (go.
macworld.com/
ad19). An even
better invest-
ment would be a
USB hub, such
as the Anker
4-Port USB 3.0
Data Hub (go.
macworld.com/
MacStadium co-location center uses thousands of Mac minis. It looks as
ak4p), which though installations like this one influenced Apple’s decision to stick with
connects to the the Mac mini design.
Mac mini via
USB-A, or the AmazonBasics USB 3.1 writers and editors certainly haven’t been
Type-C to 4 Port USB Hub (go.macworld. shy about our thoughts (go.macworld.
com/ab4p), which connects via USB-C. com/mmgp) on the subject (go.macworld.
For networking, the Mac mini comes com/lwpr). Much of the speculation
standard with a gigabit ethernet jack and focused on the Mac mini’s form factor,
Wi-Fi. Apple does offer a $100 upgrade to and many of us thought the new machine
10Gb ethernet, which will be of interest to could be smaller than the 2014 model, an
pro users, render farm implementations, idea inspired by small PC devices, such
and more. The Mac mini also has as the Intel NUC (go.macworld.com/inuc)
Bluetooth 5.0 and a headphone jack. and even the Raspberry Pi (go.macworld.
com/rasp).
SAME MAC MINI DESIGN But in the end, Apple decided not to
AS BEFORE change the Mac mini’s design at all, except
The long gap between updates lent itself for now it’s in space gray instead of silver.
to speculation, with Apple fans compiling It’s the same shape and size as before, a
wish lists for the new Mac mini. Macworld square with sides measuring 7.7 inches, a

height of 1.4 inches, and rounded corners. BOTTOM LINE

You can stack it on top of the previous There are customers who lament the fact
Mac mini, and it lines up perfectly. Like that Apple no longer offers a Mac for
the MacBook Air (see page 72), the Mac under $500, and that Apple went from
mini’s case is made of 100 percent offering three desktop Macs for under
recycled aluminum. $1,000 to just offering one. But this is the
Probably the main reason why Apple new reality: $799 is the new entry point,
stuck with the design can be seen in “The and it’s not going to go any lower.
secret world of Mac mini” feature (go. That being said, at $799, the 3.6GHz
macworld.com/scwd) that the company quad-core Core i3 Mac mini offers an
published during the Mac mini intriguing combination of performance and
announcement. Among other clever uses value. In many instances—especially with
for the Mac mini, we see them in a multi-core apps—the Mac mini is as fast as
co-location data center where 8,000 Mac the current $1,499 21.5-inch 3.4GHz quad-
minis are deployed. The photo of core Core i5 iMac (which was released in
MacStadium’s facility is impressive, with 2017). You could decide to buy a refurbished
row after row of Mac minis, but could you 4K display and input devices with a $799
imagine what you’d have to do to replace Mac mini instead of a $1,499 iMac, and you’ll
all those old minis to save a little bit of money while
accommodate a new form mmmm getting comparable
factor? It certainly may Apple Mac mini performance.
3.6GHz quad-core
discourage upgrading the Core i3 (Late 2018) Whether you should upgrade
machines in enterprise PROS from the previous Mac mini is a
• Good bang for the buck.
environments. no-brainer: Do it. If you use
• Similar design as previous
Perhaps it would be nice if Mac mini. apps that can take advantage
the Mac mini were smaller, • Speed is competitive with of multiple cores, you’ll see a
the 2017 iMac.
lending itself to even more uses, CONS
huge improvement that’s well
but it seems Apple determined • Expecting a new, radical worth the cost. Even if you don’t
design change? You didn’t
a footprint reduction wasn’t a get it. use multi-core apps and use
priority. For a majority of people, • Its two USB-A ports may only consumer-level software,
not be enough.
the Mac mini’s size works, and PRICE
you’ll see a marked improve-
the new Mac mini can simply $799 ment in speed. You may have to
COMPANY
slide into the space of the old buy a USB hub and a video
Apple
one, no muss, no fuss. adapter, but it’s worth it. ■

how
well
do
you
know these girls?
Learn more about your

breast health at
KnowYourGirls.org
WORKINGMAC Tips, Tricks, and Tools to Make You
and Your Mac More Productive
Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac

review: Supercharged
virtualization has arrived
BY JR BOOKWALTER
V
irtualization software like I’ve been able to safely tinker with Apple’s
Parallels is usually associated latest developer or public beta by using
with running Windows on a virtualization to run them right inside the
Mac, but virtualization can be current stable release of macOS. I also
used to also run other versions of macOS. keep older operating systems around to
IMAGE: PARALLELS JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 95

WORKINGMAC REVIEW: PA R A L L EL S D ESK TO P 1 4 F O R MAC
Forget Boot Camp or a dual-boot partition. Parallels Desktop 14 allows Mac users to run
Windows, Linux, and even Android side-by-side with macOS.
occasionally run software like Final Cut Pro claims. In this case, they have good reason
7, which was orphaned with last year’s to boast—on my Mac, the software
macOS 10.13 High Sierra. launches in under five seconds flat.
Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac (go. Since Mac owners do rely on Parallels
macworld.com/pd14) is now available and Desktop to run one or more flavors of
is fully optimized for macOS Mojave. Windows on their preferred OS, a lot of
Version 14 focuses less on whiz-bang new energy this time around has been devoted
features and instead wisely focuses on to enhancements on this front. Windows
where it counts: Under-the-hood VMs now start up to 35 percent faster, as
performance improvements. You’ll notice do applications that run inside them. The
the difference each and every time you results are quite remarkable; as a longtime
launch the application, which is the fastest Parallels user, this is the closest to running
it’s ever been by as much as 80 percent, Windows 10 on actual PC hardware I’ve
according to the company’s marketing ever seen.

At least some of this improvement can valuable storage space from individual
be attributed to the way Parallels Desktop virtual machines (VMs) for some time now,
14 automatically adjusts video memory this option has been incorporated into a
usage for best performance. Rather than new window that also consolidate
guess how much you might need or snapshots (which now take up 15 percent
accepting the recommended settings, the less space) and resume/shut down tasks,
software now dynamically balances as well as the ability for Pro Edition
between what’s available and what’s subscribers to archive lesser-used VMs
needed. Sadly, the automatic setting only for even more savings.
works with recent flavors of Microsoft’s Having everything in one place is not
OS—Windows 10 and 8.1 worked for me, only convenient, it makes a lot of sense for
but not Windows 7 or XP, nor any VMs those of us juggling multiple open VMs at
running macOS, Linux, or Android. any one time. Such users will also be happy
to know PD14 introduces a Resource
KEEP IT CLEAN Monitor window, which keeps real-time tabs
Another step in the right direction with on CPU and RAM usage for your Mac as
Parallels Desktop 14 is the new Free Up well as all running VMs. Now you’ll no
Disk Space feature. While the software longer be left in the dark about which virtual
has been able to manually reclaim machines are consuming precious system
The new Free Up

Disk Space wizard
consolidates four
features into a
single window,
making it a snap to
reclaim lost space
from your virtual
machines.

WORKINGMAC REVIEW: PA R A L L EL S D ESK TO P 1 4 F O R MAC
With one option

checked, Parallels
Desktop 14 allows
Windows 10 to
take advantage of
multiple displays
just as elegantly as
the Mac does.
resources.
MacBook owners
will appreciate
enhanced Touch Bar
support for popular
Windows apps like
OneNote, AutoCAD,
and SketchUp, and
these and others also
benefit from OpenGL improvements that application size has been reduced by
deliver impressive graphics performance. I about 150MB (courtesy of support
really love the way PD14 handles documentation moving to the
multiple monitors in full-screen mmmmh web), but automatic disk
mode on Windows 10; in true Parallels Desktop 14 monitoring could save as much
for Mac
Mac style, there’s no fudging PROS
as 20GB for those who have
around with settings, it just • Faster application, multiple VMs. In my case, I
Windows VM launch times.
works. (I just wish this were • Automatic disk monitoring,
regained a few gigabytes, which
possible while running macOS Windows video memory I was all too happy to have back.
usage.
virtual machines, too.) CONS
Whether buying Parallels • Automatic video memory, BOTTOM LINE

multi-monitor optimizations
Desktop 14 for Mac for the first limited to Windows VMs. Saving valuable disk space
time or taking the annual • Required for users upgrading and delivering real-world
to macOS Mojave.
upgrade plunge, I wouldn’t PRICE
performance enhancements
hesitate to install this version. $65 make this a must-have upgrade—
COMPANY
You’re even likely to reclaim a and you’ll need it to run on the
Parallels
little internal storage space. The latest macOS Mojave. ■

Which backup method should
you use for making constant
archives of your data?
Not all automatic backup methods use the same frequency.
BY GLENN FLEISHMAN
Y
ou’ve probably heard it dozens frequencies by which they push updates
of times: It’s important to back to an archive. When evaluating these
up your data. Apple has Time methods, ask yourself: How many copies
Machine to help you get on a are made? How and where is the data
regular backup routine, but are there other stored? How securely is data locked away,
methods you should be using? both physically and with encryption? And,
Different backup methods use different often the most important, how recent?
IMAGE: THINKSTOCK JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 99

WORKINGMAC BEST BACKUP METHOD FOR CONSTANTLY ARCHIVING DATA
Here are a few popular methods for

consumer backups:
File synchronization services: These
services, including Dropbox, typically
monitor particular designated areas of
your Mac’s storage device and update
changes immediately.
Local backup software: Apps like Time
Machine perform backups on a regular
interval, which can sometimes be selected.
Internet-hosted backup services:
Services such as Backblaze can perform system and network load and freshness
continuous backups, but may not be as up (go.macworld.com/imdb).
to date as a syncing service. Time Machine and similar local backup
Why do these backup methods act so software tries to balance drive and
differently? It has to do with the computer activity with having current files,
computational effort to index files without and Apple chose to go hourly. You can
burning up so many CPU cycles that your force a Time Machine backup at any time
system slows down. from the Time Machine menu. Otherwise,
Dropbox and its category aren’t Time Machine uses the Spotlight index,
technically backup services, although which macOS updates continuously as
they do hold archives and revisions. files are changed, to figure out what new
Because they monitor relatively few files and changed files to add.
or directories, with a decent broadband Services like Backblaze that archive
connection, they can stay right on top files to cloud storage work typically much
of things. like Time Machine, but often have a
If you need almost instantaneous different backup frequency approach as
backup of documents as they change it, a well. For Backblaze, users can set the
sync service is the way to go, but read frequency to Continuously, but that
their support documents to make sure doesn’t mean “immediately.” As the
they really do start to upload changes as company explains on a support page
soon as you save a file, even an open (go.macworld.com/cnmn), throttling CPU
one. Dropbox has a lengthy explanation usage means it can take as long as three
of how the software tries to balance hours to update a given changed file. ■

CleanMyMac X review:
Tune-up Mac app hampered
by its malware detection
BY CHRIS BARYLICK
C
leanMyMac X is MacPaw’s universal updater for all of your application
catch-all software crud and programs. This is in addition to CleanMy-
gunk remover for the Mac. This Mac X’s core functions, which include tools
version swings for the fences, for smart cleanup, system junk, mail attach-
with new features such as a malware ments, iTunes junk, trash bins, a large and
scanner, extensions manager, and a old files scanner, privacy scanner, and
IMAGE: MACPAW JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 101

WORKINGMAC REVIEW: MAC PAW CL E A NMY MAC X
embrace a fair degree of customization

and specify what they want looked into
and to what extent. CleanMyMac X has
built on its core strengths of finding
gigabytes of assorted crud—cache files,
unused language files, and duplicate
files—to clear up room at a speedier pace
than previous versions.
HANDY MODULES
New modules such as Extensions and
Updater come in handy. With the
Extensions module (which almost harkens
back to Mac OS 9’s Extensions Manager),
you can quickly manage extensions
without having to dive too deeply into the
macOS. The applications updater, in turn,
CleanMyMac X’s new menu-bar menu. provides a quick means of finding every
application you have and updating them
application uninstaller. on the fly, which becomes almost addictive
CleanMyMac X is also complimented in its ease of use and functionality.
by an improved menu bar menu that can As with CleanMyMac 3, the Large &
be clicked to take note of handy Old Files module helps you quickly see
information such as available hard drive what files are devouring the most space
space, available RAM, network on your hard drive and quickly erase them
connectivity speed, CPU usage, and a at will. This pairs well with the Uninstaller
quick means of opening your Dropbox module, which helps you quickly locate
account. An improved Notification system your application programs and erase them
lets you know which programs are lagging as well as their support files to rid them
or suspended, but isn’t as obtrusive as from your Mac forever.
seen in previous versions of CleanMyMac. All this combines with a decent new
As with previous versions, the modules Maintenance module, which offers an
work well, and users can either performed assortment of system-level clean up scripts
generalized, overarching system scans or (Free Up RAM, Run Maintenance Scripts,

The Large & Old Files module.
Flush DNS Cache, Speed Up Mail, Rebuild entirely questionable utilities that purport to
Launch Services, Reindex Spotlight, Repair speed up your Mac yet historically find
Disk Permissions) to help free up resources. “infections,” change your web browser and
The effort is appreciated, but free utilities such search engine preferences, activate the
as Titanium Software’s Onyx (go.macworld. speaker to tell you that your Mac has been
com/0nyx) have historically done this better corrupted, and advise you to call an 800
with more modules and customization. number where a technician can help
resurrect your computer for a fee.
MALWARE MODULE Upon running CleanMyMac X’s Malware
Unfortunately, the Malware module is where module, which claims to be able to find and
things fall apart. Over the course of days of clean out malware with confidence, the
testing, I installed several pieces of known module missed every beat, locating none of
Mac malware and adware on a MacBook the malware or adware and happily
Pro running macOS 10.14.1 Mojave. These reporting back that my Mac was clean,
samples included MacKeeper, assorted devoid of malware and ready to go. I used
free-and-questionable video players, and a free version of Malwarebytes (go.

WORKINGMAC REVIEW: MAC PAW CL E A NMY MAC X
The Malware module

reported a clean
sheet during testing,
despite the fact that
we purposely installed
known malware on the
test platform.
macworld.com/mlwr) to
locate the malware,
quarantine it, delete it,
reboot my MacBook
Pro, and ensure that the
malware was gone. BOTTOM LINE
This presents an enormous problem and CleanMyMac X has a fair amount going for
unless MacPaw improves upon the malware it, especially in terms of its speed, new
module, this feels like you’ve opened the modules, and improved user interface, and
gates to malware and adware on your Mac if it could represent a significant step
you’re only using CleanMyMac X forward for the program. Sadly,
for protection. MacPaw says that the Malware module seems to
mm
they are working on an update to be where MacPaw has shot itself
MacPaw
address this issue. CleanMyMac X in the foot and will need to
PROS
CleanMyMac X retails for spend a number of caffeine-
• Speedy, easy to use, good
$39.95 for a one-year subscription user interface fueled evenings fixing this in a
improvements
for a single user and $89.95 for a • Excellent new modules,
forthcoming update. Still, this
one-time payment for a single user such as Updater and doesn’t have to be an absolute
Extensions, allow for quick
with the MacPaw store offering application updates and deal breaker, and, if coupled
system-level customization
different purchase tiers depending with a focused malware utility
CONS
on licensing needs (go.macworld. • Malware detection and such as Malwarebytes,
removal module seems
com/mymc). The software is incapable of locating
CleanMyMac X does offer its
available in a trial version, which malware, reports own advantages with its core
everything back as fine.
lets you run as many scans as you PRICE
advantage of removing
want, clean up to 500MB of $65 gigabytes upon gigabytes of
COMPANY
system junk, and run assorted system junk in tact and worth
MacPaw
tools a limited number of times. consideration. ■

Use Migration Assistant to move
a user account to another Mac
If you’re splitting up accounts or setting up a new machine, the process is similar.
BY GLENN FLEISHMAN
A
pple makes it relatively painless example, you have kids on a shared
to migrate data on one Mac to computer who now own their own, or if you’re
another. But you can also leaving a job and want (and are allowed) to
selectively migrate and split up take your home directory with you.
multiple users on a single Mac into users Migration Assistant is the app you use
across multiple Macs. You would do this if, for to perform a user migration. It’s found in

WORKINGMAC MOV E A U SER AC CO UNT TO A NOTH E R M AC
the Applications folder’s

Utilities folder. This flexible
The simplest way to shift one user to
software can work in a another is when you can put both Macs
variety of ways to transfer near each other with Wi-Fi enabled.
all or part of the
applications, user files,
and other settings on one Mac to another. 5. You may also see a security code
You can start from Time Machine backup, that will be the same on both screens, used
another Mac, or a Mac drive configured as to eliminate any risk of someone acting as a
a macOS startup volume—including a disk man in the middle. Click Continue on both
image backup. Macs if no code is shown or if the code is
The simplest way to shift one user to the same. (If the code is different,
another is when you can put both Macs something is terribly wrong!)
near each other with Wi-Fi enabled. 6. On the Mac to which Alice is
(Ethernet, FireWire, and Thunderbolt used migrating, now select what items you want
to be options for connecting Macs for to move in the Select the Information To
migration, but Apple no longer Transfer list. In many cases, you will want
recommends these.) to leave everything checked except all the
Assuming the new Mac is set up from users excluding Alice (see notes below).
scratch with at least one user, here’s how You want only Alice checked among the
to use Migration Assistant to move a user users listed.
from one Mac to another. 7. Click Continue and wait for the
1. Launch Migration Assistant on both process to complete.
Macs and click Continue on both. 8. After making sure the Alice account
2. On the Mac with the user you want works correctly on the Mac you’ve copied
to move (let’s call this account Alice), it to, make a full backup.
choose To a Mac and click Continue. 9. On the original Mac, log into to an
3. On the Mac to which you want to administrative account, and open the
move Alice, choose the From a Mac, Users & Groups preference pane.
Time Machine, or startup disk option and 10. Click the lock icon in the lower-left
click Continue. corner and enter the account’s password.
4. On that same Mac, choose the Mac 11. Select Alice in the account list and
with Alice’s current account from the items click the minus (-) sign at the bottom.
that appear for selection. 12. In the prompt that appears, select

the deletion option that makes the most the user’s home directory, storing its
sense (I explain more below). contents in a Deleted Users folder in the
13. Click Delete User and confirm. Users folder. The second, Don’t Change
A few notes: the Home Folder, deletes system account
> You can copy applications as part of information, but leaves user files along.
this process, but if they are licensed to a The last, Delete the Home Folder, deletes
different Apple ID than the one Alice system information and files.
uses, “Alice” may need to enter that > If the Macs are in different physical
other Apple ID’s password every time places, the easiest migration is via a Time
she updates apps. You should also Machine backup made to an external drive
check licensing to make sure you’re not that you can carry from one place to
accidentally pirating apps. another. The steps above are nearly
> For deleting users, you’re presenting identical, except you omit step 2, and
with three choices (as shown in the screen choose Time Machine in Step 3. In step 4,
capture above). The first, Save the Home select the drive and specific backup. No
Folder in a Disk Image, removes the security code appears in Step 5 before
account information from the system and you click Continue. ■
When deleting
an account, you
can opt to retain
the files that
went with it.

PLAYLIST Everything You Need to Know About iOS,
Apple TV, and Mac-Based Entertainment
How an Apple TV stick could

make Apple’s video streaming
service an instant hit
Expanding the Apple TV ecosystem could turn out to be key to the success
of Apple’s upcoming video service.
BY JASON SNELL
Y
ou might have missed it Up to now, Apple has been steadfast
between all the turkey brining in holding the line on Apple TV pricing.
and Black Friday sales, but When the company introduced the Apple
recently The Information TV 4K, it didn’t even drop the price on the
reported that Apple considered making a fourth-generation model—they’re still
tiny Apple TV “stick” (go.macworld.com/ both for sale, at starting prices of $149
tvst) similar to those made by competitors and $179, respectively.
like Amazon and Roku. Compare that to the competition: You

PLAYLIST APPLE TV STICK & APPLE’S VIDEO STREAMING SERVICE
can buy a Fire TV Stick for $40 and a 4K

version for $50, and comparable devices
from Roku cost $30 and $40, respectively.
Yes, these sticks are underpowered
compared to Apple’s box—Roku’s
Apple TV–equivalent box is $100—
but no matter how you measure it,
Apple’s not competitive in the TV
If Apple made an Apple TV stick like
box market when it comes to price. Amazon’s Fire TV Stick, would the device
That’s Apple for you. It’s never been the have all the Apple TV features?
low price leader. The difference is that in
2019, Apple’s going to launch a new video or even $100 it would be dramatically
streaming service (go.macworld.com/tvsv), cheaper than the $149 entry price into the
featuring more than a billion dollars in Apple TV today.
content that it’s been buying for more than What sort of functionality would an
a year now. And while people will be able Apple TV stick provide? It’s easy to say
to watch that stuff on their iPads and that it might not offer support for 4K and
iPhones and Macs, it won’t be easily HDR, but I’m a little hesitant to write those
accessible on a TV without an Apple TV. off. 4K and HDR are where the TV market
We are in an era where Apple is trying is at now, and Apple will no doubt be
very hard to grow its services revenue, from boasting about how all the programming
the App Store to iCloud to Apple Music to, on its video service are in 4K HDR. Would
yes, this new video service. The question is, Apple build a new TV product in 2019 and
is the growth of Apple’s video service not offer 4K HDR support? I suppose it’s
important enough to abandon high margins possible, but it seems like a weird choice
and prices of hardware products like the to me. Maybe a better option would be for
Apple TV? According to The Information, Apple to offer two models, as Amazon and
Apple has at least thought about it. Roku do—a non-4K version for $75 and a
4K edition for $100, let’s say.
STICK IT TO ’EM Another possibility would be for Apple
The appeal of TV stick products is that to remove functionality from the current
they’re small, unobtrusive, and cheap. I Apple TVs in order to differentiate the stick
have a hard time believing Apple would from the “real” Apple TV. The Siri Remote
sell one for $50, like Amazon, but at $75 could potentially be omitted. (Apple could

even tell buyers to use the Remote app on and includes an inducement to the new
their iPhones or iPads to control the video service. What if the prices of the
device.) Apps could be restricted, so that two boxes are cut to $79 and $99, or
only video apps appear in the App Store. $99 and $129, or whatever—and then
Then there are the more radical Apple offers new buyers six free months
possibilities: What about a TV stick that of the new video service? It’s a way to
only runs the TV app? You could still motivate people to pick up a box and try
subscribe to third-party streaming services, out the service without cutting the price
but only by using Apple as a reseller. (This for every customer.
feels too restrictive to me.) Or what about There are a lot of options here. A lot of
a device that does nothing but AirPlay? (It them don’t make a lot of sense, but then
strikes me as being far too restrictive and again, selling your TV boxes for $149 and
unfriendly to force people to figure out $179 doesn’t make a lot of sense either.
how to use AirPlay and tie up their devices
in the process.) APPLE TV INSIDE A TV?
I also wonder if, rather than making a Thinking of ways for Apple to expand
much cheaper product, Apple simply access to its ecosystem in general and its
discounts the Apple TV and Apple TV 4K video service in particular, it’s worth at
least considering the idea that Apple
should also license some or all of the
Apple TV technology to TV manufacturers.
My current 4K HDR TV, made by TCL,
has integrated Roku software. Essentially,
the entire TV input interface is driven by
Roku’s software. There’s basically a Roku
box inside my TV set. There are also
TV sets that now have Amazon’s Fire
TV technology embedded inside. Is it
unreasonable to think that Apple could
make a deal with a few TV partners to
offer embedded Apple TV technology on
Apple TV
their high-end 4K HDR sets?
In the old days, when Apple measured
success by the margins it managed on

PLAYLIST APPLE TV STICK & APPLE’S VIDEO STREAMING SERVICE
selling its hardware products, I’d say yes. bought on his TV set. A situation like this
But today’s Apple is about that services should be a no-brainer—and if Apple
business and the ecosystem. Getting that made it cheaper to connect his TV set to
ecosystem into more TV sets is probably its ecosystem, he’d be buying TV series
more important than whatever Apple TV on iTunes and trying out Apple’s TV
sales revenue it might forego. service when it comes out. But he’s not
spending $150 on an Apple TV.
EXTENDING THE ECOSYSTEM This is the kind of person Apple needs
I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it to reach, some way or another.
sure feels like Apple’s previous culture is Let’s face it: Apple’s fortunes are
rowing hard against Apple’s current never, ever going to rise or fall based on
business focus. People who already have revenue generated by Apple TV
a foot in Apple’s ecosystem need a reason hardware sales. It’s an afterthought of a
to step further in. product, a minor accretion to the overall
This past weekend I talked to a friend ecosystem at best. But it could turn out to
who was excited about one of Apple’s be a key part of a larger strategy to get
iTunes TV series sales. He’s got an iPad people paying Apple money every month
and an iPhone, but no Apple TV—and he to watch its new video service.
wanted to watch the TV episodes he Your move, Apple. ■

Why the iPad, HomePod, and
Apple TV need multi-user support
The myth of the single-user device.
BY DAN MOREN
I
n Apple’s ideal world, we’d all have show on our personal Apple TV. And for
our collections of our own personal anything that might require it, we retreat to
devices—preferably Apple-branded. our personal MacBooks or iMacs.
We’d never leave the house without For some of us, this dream might be a
our iPhone or our Apple Watch (or reality. For others it sounds like a bit of a
probably both); we’d sit down on the nightmare. After all, many of us live in
couch, browsing the web on our own households with more than one person.
iPads while binging the latest hot new How many Apple TVs or iPads do we

PLAYLIST M U LTI - U SE R SU P PO RT
need, really? Yes, an iPhone or an Apple their email (and they can access yours),
Watch is certainly a personal device, but they’re not logged in to their social media
why does that need to be the standard accounts, and, most criminal of all, their
across the board? Netflix viewing habits are going to muck up
It’s time for Apple to accept that some the algorithm’s suggestions for you.
of us share our devices. I know! The What the iPad needs in this case is
horror! How could we let anybody, even nothing less than separate accounts,
our nearest and dearest, get their grubby linked to separate Apple IDs and iCloud
paws all over our beautiful slabs of steel accounts, providing access to each user’s
and glass? Well, sometimes it’s about individual settings, apps, and media. Each
convenience, sometimes it’s about user has a separate passcode to log in to
principle, and sometimes it’s just about their account or, better yet, on the new
saving a little money. But the sooner iPad Pro, it simply recognizes who you are
Apple accepts that fact, the sooner it can via Face ID.
start making its devices more friendly to Believe it or not, there’s actually
multiple-user households. precedent for this system on the iPad.
Apple offers a multi-user Shared iPad
MORE OF A “WEPAD” system for educational use, providing
Arguments abound (see page XX) over different accounts so that any student can
whether or not the iPad is really a pick up an iPad and have it be their iPad. It
“computer,” but in one way it
definitely isn’t: this is not a
device designed for people
to share.
Sure, it’s doable; you can
pass your iPad to your
significant other if they want to
look something up on the
web, or maybe even watch
something on Netflix. But it
very quickly becomes clear
that they are merely a guest in
someone else’s house. They The True Depth camera and Face ID can be used to
can’t get their iMessages or differentiate users on an iPad.

would be great to see a
similar system brought to
all iPad users, and perhaps
even combined with the
Family Sharing features
that users already have.
That way you can manage
not only which users can
do what, but also enforce
Screen Time limits so your
kids don’t end up fighting
over whose turn it is to
play on the iPad. Another product that needs multi-user support: the HomePod.
MI HOMEPOD ES SU helpful for the HomePod to be able to

HOMEPOD handle that for more than just a single
Apple’s smart speaker provides great person in a household. At the same time,
audio, but on many of its other capabilities, it would help ensure that other people in
it falls short of competitors. And, it won’t the house aren’t (by accident or on
surprise you to hear, one of those purpose) getting someone else’s
limitations is that it doesn’t recognize personal messages.
multiple users. While I’m sure there are Admittedly, this is a harder problem
plenty of folks who live alone and are than your conventional multiple user
perfectly happy to have their HomePod setup, given the relative lack of user
work for them and them alone, many of us interface, but given that the “Hey, Siri”
would welcome multi-user support. training feature on iOS devices already
Now, many of the HomePod features helps prevent other people from
work fine for multiple users: anybody can triggering the virtual assistant on your
set a timer, or ask for the weather, or iPhone or iPad, it seems like that’s a good
(assuming someone’s Apple Music stepping stone on which to build more
subscription is hooked up to it) play a robust multi-user support. Plus,
song. But when it comes to accessing competitors like Amazon and Google are
calendars, or making calls, or sending or already offering this feature on their smart
reading your iMessages, then it would be home speakers; it’s another place Apple

PLAYLIST M U LTI - U SE R SU P PO RT
could stand to follow the example of its the iPad, it would be helpful to create a
rivals, and potentially even surpass them. mode of the Apple TV that parents can
manage via Family Sharing and Screen
TV FOR ALL Time, making sure that the kids aren’t
While you might have more than one TV in firing up the TV when they should be
your house, you may not have them each doing their homework. Different profiles
assigned to one specific person. The could be protected by PIN codes or, if
same should be true of your Apple TV, and you want to get really fancy here, make
yet, the set-top box is intrinsically linked to that $59 Siri Remote earn its keep by
a specific iCloud account—which means all building in a Touch ID sensor to recognize
of its apps are likewise attached to just who’s using it.
one person. To Apple we might all be customers,
Some services, like Netflix and Hulu, but we’re not interchangeable cogs. The
have made their own end-run in this case, company should realize that we’re not
allowing you to create multiple profiles on necessarily going to go out and buy that
a single account, and that’s a great start, slew of products for each person in our
but it would be best if Apple were to household and stop willfully ignoring the
embrace that philosophy throughout the reality of how we use our devices. ■
entire tvOS.
Then, for
example, the
TV app could
allow us to
track our
watchlists
separately
from the other
people in our
households;
after all, we
don’t all watch
the same
things.
And as on Apple TV is linked to a single iCloud account.

Marley No Bounds XL Bluetooth
speaker review: Floatable,
sustainable sonics
BY JON L. JACOBI
H
ouse of Marley touts the use of you want to float. Aha!
cork in the construction of its Yup, the No Bounds XL is about as
No Bounds XL Bluetooth pool-friendly as they come, sporting an IP67
speaker. Asked to explain this rating. That means it can be submerged in
odd choice of material, the company’s PR up to one meter of water. (Dive to the
person replied that cork is “vibrationally bottom of the pool with it and you’re on
resistant.” Most speaker enclosures your own.) This speaker is also dustproof, if
employ materials that resonate to some you want to head inland to drier areas.
degree, so that explanation didn’t make a The other reason House of Marley chose
lot of sense. Unless of course, you’re cork is that it’s been recycled, as have some
talking about a waterproof enclosure that of the other materials used in constructing
IMAGE: HOUSE OF MARLEY JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 117

PLAYLIST REVIEW: H O U SE O F MA RL E Y NO BO UND S X L BLUE TOOT H SP E AK E R
the No Bounds XL. Major props for

considering the environment. More
companies, and more of us,
should do the same.
DESIGN AND
FEATURES
The No Bounds XL can lay on
its cork back/base with the
speakers facing up (as it floats in the The Marley No Bounds XL is roughly the
pool), or on one of its sides with its shape of a smallish loaf of bread.
speakers firing forward and up at a slight
angle. The side that faces down is 10-watt amp, and a pair of 0.75-inch
recognizable by two slender feet. It’s also tweeters powered by a 5-watt amp.
the side without buttons, though said The volume up/next track and volume
buttons aren’t particularly obvious at first down/previous track (short press/long
glance, being the same marble pattern press) buttons, as well as the play/pause
(gray or black) as the rest of the unit. button and dual microphones (there’s a
The No Bounds XL measures 10 speakerphone mode) are on the top of the
inches long, 4 inches wide, and 3.5 unit, while the power and Bluetooth (4.2)
inches deep. It weighs a hefty 3.75 pair buttons are on one of the short sides.
pounds without its AC adapter, which Incorporated into the cork base is a
would be a bit of load in a backpack. As
such, you probably wouldn’t want to take
it on long hikes.
The base (or back, depending
on how you orient it) of the unit,
which is the part that’s obviously
made of dense cork, has slots
on the side to let out sound
A captive
generated by the down-facing
rubber plug in
passive radiators. The active the No Bounds XL’s
speakers consist of a pair of cork base protects its USB
2.5-inch drivers powered by a port and 3.5mm analog audio input.

rubber plug that covers a standard Type A is the emanations from the speakers
USB port (for charging phones or other stepping on each other.
devices from the unit’s 2200mAh battery), Once you crank it, on the other hand,
a micro-USB port for charging the No the No Bounds XL starts to come into its
Bounds XL itself, and a 3.5mm analog own. The volume is decently loud,
audio input. there’s no distortion that I could hear, the
House of Marley apparently has a bass pumping largely disappears, and in
no-waste policy when it comes to a setting where you’re listening around
documentation as well. The multi-lingual the picnic table or pool, the sound is
user’s guide sheet is barely adequate. quite acceptable.
Hence my hint about short press/long Condensing all that, the No Bouds XL
press above. isn’t the speaker you want for quiet,
contemplative listening, but it will do the
SOUND trick for parties. Run time in my tests
Alas, while the No Bounds XL has a lot was around 18 hours, almost in line
going for it in terms of rugged design with the 16 hours Marley claims. Your
and looks, the sound it produces is just mileage will vary.
middling, especially at low
volume. Speakers using mmmh BOTTOM LINE
materials and design that are House of Marley No The No Bounds XL is more than
Bounds XL Bluetooth
waterproof aren’t generally speaker competitive with most outdoor
PROS
audiophile class, but even speakers in this price range in
• Rugged design.
given that, the No Bounds XL • Manufactured using terms of features, nature-
isn’t the best effort I’ve heard sustainable materials. resistance, and lack of guilt
• IP67 rating means its
from the genre. water- and dustproof. (relatively). The sound is slightly
Specifically, the midrange is a • Decent sound when below average at low volumes,
cranked.
bit muddy, there’s no brilliance on CONS but at least average when it’s
the top end, and the bass leans • Mediocre sound at low loud. Combined with another No
volume
farther toward punch rather than Bounds (no other vendor)
• Less-than-satisfying bass
boom. Good bass is a nice response at moderate speaker in TWS (True Wireless
volume levels.
balance between the two. I also PRICE
Stereo), it perks up quite a bit
noticed some bass pumping/ $145 as well.
pulsing, which might have been a COMPANY Quietly on a desk, no. In the
House of Marley
Bluetooth artifact, but more likely pool or on the patio, yes. ■

HELPDESK Answering Your Questions and Sharing Your
Tips About Getting the Most From Your Mac
Mac 911
Solutions to your most vexing Mac problems.
BY GLENN FLEISHMAN
RESTORE MISSING PHOTOS care in particular if you’re using iCloud

AFTER DOWNGRADING Photos: Downgrading your storage plan
iCLOUD STORAGE doesn’t immediately delete photos and
iCloud storage (go.macworld.com/ht20) videos, but it does make some of them
isn’t expensive, especially compared to inaccessible.
Apple’s competitors. If you use iCloud It’s not clear when (or if) Apple
Photos (the new name for iCloud Photo deletes the content you’ve uploaded in
Library), it’s easy to exceed the 5GB of excess of a downgraded iCloud storage
free storage included with iCloud and then plan, but the company doesn’t promise to
outstrip the 50GB ($1 a month)—and the retain it indefinitely.
200 GB tier ($3 a month). If you find that, for instance, images are
For folks paying for iCloud storage, it missing from an iOS Camera Roll after
might be tempting to cut out those lowering your storage plan, the likely
recurring subscriptions and just store culprit is that combination.
media locally—typically on a Mac. But take Warning: Please note steps 5 and 6
IMAGE:MACWORLD
120 APPLE JANUARY 2019
carefully below. Following step 6 will click the trash can icon to delete. Repeat
permanently delete all your images and this for all moments.
videos in iCloud Photos. You must ensure 7. Downgrade iCloud storage.
you have everything downloaded and
then perform a full backup in step 5, or MODIFY iOS NOTIFICATIONS
you may wind up deleting up media you SETTINGS AT THE LOCK
wanted to keep. SCREEN
To restore your missing media: Notifications are one of iOS’s best
1. Upgrade iCloud storage to the features, letting apps and the iOS system
previous level. alert you about important updates: a new
2. On a Mac or an iOS device with episode of a show is available, a new text
sufficient storage, enable full-resolution has arrived, your Lyft is on its way, and
downloads. more. But you can wind up with apps that
3. When downloads are complete or if either notify you too often, or change
you already had full-resolution downloads their notification pattern after you’ve
enabled, disable iCloud Photos on all given permission.
your devices. You can dive into Settings →
4. Use iTunes to manage photo backup Notifications, swipe to find the app,
and syncing, or iPhoto or Photos to import and adjust settings there. But Apple
images from iOS devices to ensure you introduced a nifty way in iOS 12 to change
don’t run out of storage or lose them. notification settings from within a lock
5. Make sure you have a full backup of screen alert.
all your images.
6. Delete all your media
from iCloud Photos via the
website. If you don’t your
iCloud storage will remain
overfull for other purposes.
Apple doesn’t have a delete-
all option, but in the Photos →
Moments view on the website,
view a moment, click the
Share button (which selects all
the images and videos), and Swipe left and you can tap Manage.

HELPDESK M AC 9 11
WHAT METHOD SHOULD YOU

USE TO MAKE SURE YOUR iOS
PHOTOS ARE BACKED UP?
With iOS backups, it’s still a little confusing
about what happens to photos taken on
an iOS device. When you perform a
backup (automatic or otherwise), do your
photos and videos get copied too? It
varies!
> Do you have iCloud Photos enabled?
> Do you back up via iCloud or via
iTunes to a computer?
From answers to those questions,
you can figure out whether your backup
contains your images and movies, and if
You can “peek” (press lightly) and get a
number of notification control options from not, how to make settings changes to
the lock screen. fix that.
iCloud Photos enabled: If your iOS
1. From the lock screen, either swipe device has this turned on, then neither
left and tap Manage, or “peek” (press iTunes nor iCloud makes backups of
lightly) to preview the notification and then images or video. The photo/video backup
from the preview tap the three dots (...) in is instead entirely handled as part of the
the upper right corner. iCloud sync. (Also note that Apple
2. A pop-up menu offers Deliver Quietly recently changed the name from iCloud
or Turn Off, as well as a Settings link. Photo Library, if you’re used to seeing
3. Tap Delivery Quietly and the that anem.) iCloud Photos retains the full,
notifications will only appear in Notification high-resolution versions of all your photo
Center from now on. and videos.
4. Tap Turn Off and confirm by tapping iCloud Photos disabled: In this case,
Turn Off All Notifications. The app’s iTunes will copy all photos and videos
notifications are fully disabled. locally. You can also use the Photos (or
5. Tap Settings and it dives you right to iPhoto) app to import images into a library,
that app’s specific notification settings, and delete and manage what’s stored on
where you can tweak them your phone or tablet through those apps

or Image Capture. you can shift an email from one Apple ID
iCloud backup: An iCloud backup is a to another if the email isn’t one issued
different matter. Apple notes on its support by Apple.
page only (go.macworld.com/ht68), “iCloud This is often useful if you’re going to
Backup may include photos and videos in lose access to an email address—leaving
your Photos or Camera Roll.” a job, for instance—or if you were
That’s hardly reassuring, and I’ve never maintaining multiple accounts, and want to
been able to get a more definitive answer settle on just one. It can also be very
from Apple nor in testing! (I don’t think it’s useful if you had Apple IDs registered in
a plot to push people to iCloud Photos, but different countries and want to migrate to
it could explain the circumstances better.) a single one in a country you’ve settled
If you’re using iCloud backup and not into it.
iCloud Photos, you should consider There’s a set of warnings and
routinely downloading images to ensure limitations to consider (go.macworld.com/
you don’t lose any. ht67), too:
If your Apple ID ends in icloud.com,
SHIFT AN EMAIL ADDRESS me.com, or mac.com, it can only be
FROM ONE APPLE ID TO changed to another similar address, and
ANOTHER that address has to be associated with the
You can’t merge two Apple ID accounts, account as a “rescue” or “reachable at”
those hubs of your iCloud, iTunes, and address (go.macworld.com/ht56). That is,
other Apple online identities. However, foo@icloud.com may be changed to bar@
You can change

an Apple ID
with a non-
Apple address
to any other
address.

Macworld Australia - January 2019-2

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Macworld Australia - January 2019-2

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

HELPDESK M AC 9 11

124 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019

P CLOSE WITH APPLE’S NEW

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

THE NEW MAC MINI

January 2019 CONTENTS

MacBook The iPhone XS Max is making me

COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF APPLE JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 3

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Matt Egan

INTERNATIONAL DATA GROUP CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

4 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019

HOW TO CONTACT MACWORLD STAFF

BACK ISSUES OF MACWORLD

REPRINTS AND PERMISSIONS

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 5

Everything you say and do

Why the MacBook Air might spell

IMAGE: APPLE JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 7

comes with a 1.6GHz dual-core Core i5 steadfastly refused to do this. Every

8 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 9

13-inch MacBook Pro SSD

10 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019 IMAGE: APPLE

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 11

Apple updates Final Cut Pro X

12 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019 IMAGE: APPLE

> Shutterstock (go.macworld.com/shut) perform comparisons while color grading.

OTHER NEW FEATURES UPDATES TO COMPRESSOR

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 13

The best console controllers for

14 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019 IMAGE: LEIF JOHNSON

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 15

An oldie but a goodie.

16 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 17

you can also bring

18 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 19

Take time to fatherhood.gov

The Latest Mac Products

VIDEO-EDITING SOFTWARE The new version of Adobe Premiere

IMAGE: ADOBE JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 21

lets you access new auto-

22 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 23

automatically trim without your having to

24 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 25

26 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 27

GAME It’s hard to love a swamp. Mountains have

28 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019 IMAGE: LEIF JOHNSON

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 29

that big: You’ll only find

30 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 31

It’s not quite a gelatinous cube, but it’s close!

32 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 33

Hot Stuff What We’re

The Eve Room is the second generation

34 MACWORLD JANUARY 2019

Smart outlets are rapidly becoming a

JANUARY 2019 MACWORLD 35