Apple’s HomePods can recognize the sound of a nearby smoke or carbon monoxide alarm and notify your iPhone, alerting you when you’re away and allowing you to inform emergency services and neighbors.

If world events have you worried about your online privacy and security, you may be interested in minimizing your exposure. We recommend some simple steps that everyone can take and other actions for those who are especially concerned.

You can now create a link directly to text anywhere on a Web page with the handy Copy Link to Highlight command in many Web browsers. Here’s how to invoke the command and an example of why it’s so useful.

We won’t name names, but we’ve seen too many people saving important data in locations that are likely or even guaranteed to disappear. Here’s a list of places to avoid and another of spots that warrant caution.

The new iPhone Mirroring app in macOS 15 Sequoia lets you use your iPhone running iOS 18 in a window on your Mac. It’s a welcome feature that offers the possibility of increased productivity and fewer distractions.

Let’s take a step back from how technology can enhance productivity to appreciate watchOS 11’s new Photos watch face. The way it unearths photos from your photo library on every wrist raise is delightful.

If the wildfires in Los Angeles have you considering a fireproof safe to safeguard backups and important documents, make sure to research temperature ratings over time and be mindful of water and impact resistance.

Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16e for $599 and discontinued the iPhone SE and iPhone 14. It’s much more capable than the models it replaces, but the iPhone 16 may be worth $200 more. Read our buying advice here:

Have you ever needed to sign or annotate a PDF you received in the Mail app on your iPhone? With iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, you can manage PDFs directly in Mail. Once you’re finished, you can attach the modified PDF to a reply or a new message.

Cloud-based email services like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 provide excellent uptime and availability. However, an independent email backup solution is essential to protect against accidental deletion, cyber threats, and other data loss concerns.

Did you know that Apple’s Calculator app can repeat the last operation when you press = multiple times, which is helpful for tasks like calculating compound interest? Although this feature had briefly disappeared, it’s back now.

Apple’s third update to Apple Intelligence introduces changes to notification summaries (including disabling controversial news headline summaries), enhancements to Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 16, and Genmoji creation on the Mac.

The new Apple Invites app for iPhone simplifies inviting friends and family to social events for iCloud+ subscribers. Anyone can RSVP, even if they don’t use Apple devices.

In macOS 15.2 Sequoia, you can display the current weather conditions in your Mac’s menu bar. Here’s how to enable that feature.

When should you upgrade to macOS 15 Sequoia? There’s no need to install it today, but we think it’s safe for those who want to take advantage of the new features and integration with Apple’s other operating systems.

Apple’s built-in text replacement feature expands a short abbreviation you type into something longer, but a simple menu option can prevent it from working in a Mac app. Here’s how to fix it.

A noticeable change in iOS 18.2 is Mail Categories, which divides your incoming email into Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. It can be helpful, but you may want to adjust its settings, and if you still don’t like it, it’s easy to turn off.

Microsoft Office apps save documents in the cloud-based OneDrive by default, but you can easily switch to saving files elsewhere. The apps generally remember your change but may forget after an update.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 can help you hear more—or less. We examine both possibilities and explain how easy it is to use the AirPods Pro to take a clinically validated hearing test and enjoy the new clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature.

Many people don’t realize they can choose alternatives to Apple’s Mail and Safari on the iPhone and iPad. A new Default Apps screen simplifies reviewing your options and changing your defaults.