The second beta of iOS 17 that Apple released to developers yesterday includes a setting that makes the haptic feedback feature activate faster than before, which some users may prefer. An Accessibility option, faster haptic feedback can be activated in the Settings app by going to Accessibility > Touch > Haptic Touch. From there, the options are Fast, Default, and Slow. Toggling on Fast speeds up ‌Haptic Touch‌, and the duration can be tested using the image in the Settings app. In iOS 16 and the first beta of ‌iOS 17‌, options for ‌Haptic Touch‌ included Fast and Slow, with "Fast" previously being equivalent to the Default option in the new interface. The new Fast toggle is a step up…

Macworld Apple on Tuesday announced that its Self Service Repair program will be expanded to include the current iPhone 14 lineup and M2 Macs. The company also changed its iPhone System Configurator process, and in some countries added new components that can be self-repaired. Starting on June 21, each iPhone 14 model, the M2 13-inch MacBook Air, the M2 Pro MacBook Pro, and the M2 Max MacBook Pro are part of the Self Service Repair program. Anyone wanting to repair these devices can use the same parts, tools, and manuals the Apple Store locations and Authorized Service Providers use. These items are available at the Self Service Repair Store. In Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the U.K., and…

Macworld In a decision with intriguing strategic undertones, Apple has announced that, starting on 15 August, it will no longer offer financing to customers buying SIM-free iPhones. The Apple Card Monthly Installment (ACMI) option will be limited to those committing to a connection with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon. The news, reported by 9to5Mac, is a surprising change to the previous system. Until now Apple has been happy to provide financing to iPhone buyers who wish to “Connect to a carrier later,” which opens up the possibility of using any number of carriers or even using the device without a cellular connection, as long as they make the purchase online. (In-store ACMI purchases were already limited to carrier-connected iPhones.) The new…

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsImpressive processing power, especially GPUPort flexibilityEnhanced HDMI with expanded display supportFan noise is very quietConsMemory and SSD are not user upgradeable (and never will be)Our VerdictIf it’s speed you need, the Mac Studio fits the bill. Apple’s primary offering for professionals is a complete package of processing power, features, and design. The Mac Studio had a splashy debut last year, a new desktop design with speed that filled the needs of the most demanding professionals. But it also raised a few questions at the time: Does it replace the Mac Pro? And if it doesn’t, will Apple continue the Mac Studio line once the Apple silicon Mac Pro arrives? Would the Mac Studio end up…

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsImpressive processing power, especially GPUPort flexibilityEnhanced HDMI with expanded display supportFan noise is very quietConsMemory and SSD are not user upgradeable (and never will be)Our VerdictIf it’s speed you need, the Mac Studio fits the bill. Apple’s primary offering for professionals is a complete package of processing power, features, and design. The Mac Studio had a splashy debut last year, a new desktop design with speed that filled the needs of the most demanding professionals. But it also raised a few questions at the time: Does it replace the Mac Pro? And if it doesn’t, will Apple continue the Mac Studio line once the Apple silicon Mac Pro arrives? Would the Mac Studio end up…

UBS Group AG in a note to clients on Monday lowered its Apple stock rating to “neutral” from “buy,” while raising its Apple target price to $190 from $180. Subrat Patnaik for Bloomberg News: Even as Apple Inc.’s shares have powered their way to a fresh record high, worries over cooling demand for iPhones and sputtering growth at its services business have left the biggest US company with the fewest bullish analyst ratings in more than two years. UBS Group AG is the latest broker to take a step back, cutting the technology behemoth this week to neutral from buy. That leaves Apple with buy ratings from 67% of the analysts who follow the company, the lowest since late 2020…