I’ve argued in the past that the longevity of Apple devices is one of the reasons the so-called ‘Apple tax’ is lower than it appears. Until now, there hasn’t been any hard data on the average lifespan of an Apple product, but one analyst thinks he has figured out how to calculate it from Apple’s own numbers …

more…

The California Highway Patrol is using decoy Apple and Google buses in an attempt to catch the person who has been shooting at the shuttles since January, breaking windows and putting drivers and riders at risk …

more…

When it comes to protecting your iPhone X, there are a slew of options to consider, ranging from the ultra-protective Otterbox and Lifeproof, to going completely case-less at the risk of scratching and cracking your $1,000 smartphone.

One option for people who want to preserve the thin and sleek feeling of the iPhone X, while also protecting from scratches and small drops, are ultra-thin cases…

more…

Instagram appears to be preparing to compete with one of Snapchat’s most popular features. TechCrunch has dug up icons in the Android version of the Instagram application that suggest the company is hard at work on developing a new video calling feature…

more…

Apple continues to face scrutiny over throttling older iPhones as their batteries age. In addition to questioning from lawmakers in the U.S. and other countries around the world, the company today testified in front of a House of Commons committee regarding the iPhone slowdown controversy…

more…

While taking a taxi, Uber, or even Lyft when you’re drunk is generally a good idea, it doesn’t prevent every poor decision. A drunk man by the name of Kenny Bachman took a ride ‘home’ to his house in the New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia. The issue is he was no longer in Philadelphia.

more…

Today we’ve got a new breakdown of Apple Watch market share compared to the competition, new details about Apple’s upcoming ClassKit framework and Classwork app, a sneak peek at the new Harry Potter RPG coming to iOS, and a new Fandango Apple Pay deal for saving money at the movies.

9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

more…

From time to time I like to make certain folders on my macOS desktop stand out. For example, I use automation to move screenshots saved to my desktop directly to a special Screenshots folder. Since I’m always looking for the screenshots that I take, I decided to tint the folder purple to make it stand out amongst the other items on my desktop. Here’s how you can go about easily doing the same. more…

This week Benjamin and Zac unpack the latest rumors about second-generation AirPods adding ‘Hey Siri’ support, the status of Apple’s special AirPower charging mat, new rumors about Apple making high end over ear headphones, fresh details about the so-called iPhone X Plus expected later this year, and much more.

9to5Mac Happy Hour is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play Music, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

more…

A new concept today from designer Álvaro Pabesio imagines how Apple could dramatically overhaul macOS when it finally makes the jump to ‘macOS 11.’ The concept depicts a redesigned menu bar with an iOS-like Control Center, as well as universal apps, a system-wide dark mode, and much more.

more…