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Can’t hear or see well? IPhone settings to make hearing, seeing easier

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Can’t hear or see well? IPhone settings to make hearing, seeing easier

Technology is integral to our everyday lives, and for individuals who require assistance with vision or hearing, smartphones like the iPhone can be incredibly beneficial. We’ve compiled useful tips for those with vision challenges or who could use enhanced hearing support.

Before we dive in, if you’re an Android user, find out how to increase the font size on your Android here and learn how to unlock clearer sound here.

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Woman navigating vision feature on iPhone (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How the iPhone 14 and 15 can improve your reading experience with accessibility features

If you are looking for a phone that has features specifically designed to help those with poor eyesight, you may want to consider using the accessibility features available on both the iPhone 14 and Apple’s latest iPhone 15 hardware. Both phones offer features such as adjusting the text size, color intensity, and tint to make reading easier, using VoiceOver to navigate by listening and performing gestures and using Magnifier to zoom in on objects near you.

Make text easier to read on your iPhone

Here are some simple ways to make your iPhone more accessible for those of you with low vision or blindness. Here is how to increase and bold text.

  • On your iPhone, go to Settings
  • Tap Accessibility
  • Click Display & Text Size 
  • Enable Bold Text and Larger Text to make the on-screen text more readable

Steps to make Bold Text and Larger Text on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • When you click on Larger Text, you will want to toggle on Larger Accessibility Sizes to access even bigger font sizes. This will affect the text size in apps that support Dynamic Type
  • You are able to adjust the text size slider at the bottom of the screen to make the text larger or smaller

Step to adjust text size on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to increase the contrast on your iPhone

  • On your iPhone, go to Settings
  • Tap Accessibility
  • Click Display & Text Size
  • Turn on Increase Contrast to enhance visibility and make screen elements easier to distinguish.

Steps to increase the contrast on your iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: NEVER MISS A CALL AGAIN, EVEN WHEN YOUR PHONE’S IN ANOTHER ROOM

Zoom in on the iPhone screen

Many apps let you adjust the size of specific items on the screen. For instance, you can use two fingers to make things bigger or smaller in Photos or Safari. You can also use the Zoom feature to enlarge the whole screen or just a portion of it. You can choose between Full Screen Zoom and Window Zoom modes. Here’s how to set up Zoom to make content more accessible for those of you with low vision.

  • Go to Settings 
  • Tap Accessibility
  • Click Zoom
  • Toggle on Zoom
    Double-tap three fingers to zoom
    Drag three fingers to move around the screen
    Double-tap three fingers and drag to change zoom
  • Double-tap three fingers to zoom
  • Drag three fingers to move around the screen
  • Double-tap three fingers and drag to change zoom

Steps to zoom in on the iPhone screen (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

On the same screen, you can also adjust any of the following:

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  • Follow Focus: Track your selections, the text insertion point, and your typing
  • Smart Typing: Switch to Window Zoom when a keyboard appears
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Control Zoom using shortcuts on an external keyboard
  • Zoom Controller: Turn the controller on, set controller actions, and adjust the color and opacity
  • Zoom Region: Choose Full-Screen Zoom or Window Zoom
  • Zoom Filter: Choose None, Inverted, Grayscale, Grayscale Inverted, or Low Light
  • Maximum Zoom Level: Drag the slider to adjust the level

Zoom-in accessibility features on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Turn on Magnifier on iPhone

This feature helps you zoom in on small text or objects, making them more accessible. 

  • You can open the Magnifier app either by using Siri and saying something like “Siri, Open Magnifier” or by tapping on the app itself, which looks like a magnifying glass with a plus inside it. Also, on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can assign the Action button to open Magnifier.
  • To adjust the zoom, drag the slider left or right.

How to turn on Magnifier app on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

You can also use the Magnifier app to point and speak. All you have to do is just point your iPhone at anything and let it speak what it sees. Click here to find out more about that amazing feature.

Turn on VoiceOver on iPhone

VoiceOver is a screen reader that lets you use your iPhone with voice feedback. It tells you what’s on your screen, such as the battery level, the caller ID, and the app you’re using. You can change the voice speed and tone to your liking. When you touch the screen or drag your finger over it, VoiceOver speaks the name of the item your finger is on, including icons and text. Here’s how to set up VoiceOver on your iPhone. It’s important to note that VoiceOver changes the gestures you use to control your iPhone. When VoiceOver is on, you must use VoiceOver gestures to operate the iPhone. Here’s how to set it up.

  • Go to Settings 
  • Tap Accessibility
  • Click VoiceOver
  • Then toggle it ON
  • A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm your decision. Click OK

Steps to turn on Voiceover on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • You can also use Siri to turn on this feature by saying something like “Siri, Turn on VoiceOver.”
  • Siri knows when VoiceOver is on and often reads more information back to you than appears on the screen. You can also use VoiceOver to read what Siri shows on the screen.

Listen to articles on your iPhone with Speak Screen

This is a feature that lets you have any text on your screen spoken aloud by Siri. Here’s how to enable it.

  • Go to Settings
  • Tap Accessibility
  • Click Spoken Content 
  • Then toggle ON Speak Screen
  • Now you can use Siri to hear your iPhone speak the screen you want to listen to by going to the page you want it to read and saying something like: “Siri, Speak screen.”

Steps to turn on Speak Screen on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: ARE APPLE AIRPODS PRO AN ALTERNATIVE TO PRICEY HEARING AIDS?

Enhancing accessibility for hearing impairments

Here are some 7 tips and features to enhance the accessibility of your iPhone for hearing impairments, such as using hearing aids, Live Listen, visual alerts, RTT calls, FaceTime, video subtitles, headphone accommodation, and hearing aid apps.

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Individuals using sign language (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: 8 GREAT IPHONE ACCESSIBILITY TIPS TO MAKE LIFE EASIER

1) Made for iPhone hearing aids: These are devices that are designed to work seamlessly with your iPhone. They can stream audio from your iOS device directly to your hearing aids and let you adjust the volume and settings of your hearing aids from your device. You can also use your iOS device as a microphone to pick up sounds around you and send them to your hearing aids. To check compatibility with your Apple devices or for how to use them click here.

2) Live Listen: Turn your iPhone into a remote microphone that streams sound to your hearing aids or AirPods using Live Listen. This can be useful in situations where you want to hear someone more clearly, such as in a noisy environment or when they are far away from you.

To use Live Listen, follow these steps:

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  • Make sure your hearing aids or AirPods are paired and connected to your iPhone.
  • Go to Settings
  • Tap Accessibility
  • Click Hearing Devices or AirPods and turn on Live Listen.
  • Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen to open the Control Center.
  • Tap the ear icon, then click Live Listen.
  • Place your iPhone in front of the person you want to hear and adjust the volume as needed on your iPhone.

MORE: 8 INCREDIBLY USEFUL THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH AIRPODS

3) Visual alerts: Enable visual alerts on your iPhone by having the LED flash blink when you receive notifications. To enable visual alerts on your iPhone, you need to follow these steps:

  • Go to Settings
  • Tap on Accessibility
  • Tap on Audio/Visual under the Hearing section.
  • Turn on the switch for LED Flash for Alerts.
  • You can also turn on the switch for Flash on Silent Mode if you want the LED flash to blink even when your phone is on silent mode, or you can toggle on Flash While Unlocked.

Steps to turn on Visual Alerts on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Now, whenever you receive a notification, such as a call, message, or email, your iPhone’s LED flash will blink to alert you.

4) RTT calls: Real-time text (RTT) calls offer instant message transmission, useful for those with hearing impairments. The Real-time text (RTT) feature allows people with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate in real-time with text during a phone call. RTT calls are aided by real-time text, which is transmitted instantly and in real-time as it is typed, usually without clicking the send button. To use RTT, you can turn on the RTT feature in your phone’s settings.

  • Go to Settings
  • Tap Accessibility
  • Click RTT/TTY
  • Toggle on Software RTT/TTY

Steps to turn on RTT calls on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • If you want to see the text messages on the call screen, turn on Show Notifications. If you want to see them in the Phone app, turn off Show Notifications.
  • To make an RTT call, tap the RTT button when you dial a number or receive a call. You can also add RTT to your favorites or contacts by tapping the + button and choosing RTT.
  • To send a text message during an RTT call, type your message and tap return. You can also use dictation or Siri to enter text. To read a text message, look at the call screen or the Phone app. You can also use VoiceOver or Speak Screen to read the text aloud.

Once enabled, you can place a call with RTT or switch from voice to RTT during a call. During an RTT call, the text that you enter appears to the other person in real-time, unlike with chat messaging. RTT calls use call minutes, just like a voice call. It’s important to note that RTT is not available when roaming abroad.

5) Video subtitles: Video content with closed captions (CC) or subtitles also works well on both the iPhone 14 & 15 for those who are deaf and or hard of hearing (SDH). Here’s how to set it up on your iPhone.

  • Go to Settings
  • Tap on Accessibility
  • Tap on Subtitles & Captioning under the Hearing section.
  • Turn on the switch for Closed Captions + SDH.
  • You can also customize the appearance of the subtitles by tapping on Style and choosing from the presets or creating your own.

Steps to turn on Visual Subtitles on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • To watch video content with subtitles, make sure the video has a CC icon on the corner. Tap on the icon and select the language of the subtitles you want to see.

6) Headphone accommodation: Customize headphone audio settings to amplify soft sounds and adjust frequencies for your hearing needs. To make the most of this feature, you may want to consider downloading the TruHearing App. 

TruHearing App: The TruHearing App is a free app available on the Apple App Store that allows you to manage TruHearing brand hearing aids only. You can use the app to stay in touch with your hearing care professional, even when you can’t visit in person. The app lets you tailor your personal preferences right on your smartphone. The app also lets you easily contact your hearing care professional via text message, voice call, or video call.

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MORE: THESE HIGH-TECH GLASSES WILL SUBTITLE REAL-LIFE CONVERSATIONS

Kurt’s key takeaways 

Technology has the power to break down barriers and create a more inclusive world for individuals with vision and hearing impairments. Fortunately, the iPhone 14 and 15 offer a range of accessibility features, from text adjustments to voice feedback and real-time text calls, making them valuable tools for improving the digital experience for those of you with visual and hearing difficulties. We hope these tips and features empower you to navigate and interact with your iPhone more effectively so it enhances your overall quality of life.

What accessibility features are most important to you? Are there any that you would like to see added in the future? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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Congress just gave DHS another $70 billion

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Congress just gave DHS another  billion

Congress narrowly voted to fund President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda, giving the Department of Homeland Security $70 billion over the next three years.

The house voted 214 to 212 in favor of the reconciliation bill Tuesday, following the Senate’s 52-47 vote last Friday morning. The vote fell largely along party lines. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was the only Senate Republican to vote against it. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), initially voted against the bill — meaning it would have failed — but changed his vote after huddling with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK), according to The Hill. No Democrats voted in favor of the funding bill, which was done through a budget reconciliation process to avoid a Democratic filibuster.

In a speech on the House floor ahead of the Tuesday vote, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) criticized Republicans for using the budget reconciliation process to avoid negotiating with Democrats, and emphasized ICE’s lack of popularity with the American people.

“At its core, this Republican reconciliation budget bill is a statement about priorities, and the priorities represented in this budget bill could not be more out of step with the needs and values of the American people,” Scanlon said.

Scanlon noted that DHS has yet to spend $100 billion of the nearly $200 billion it received under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. She added that Trump has not only expanded ICE’s reach by increasingly going after legal immigrants but also weaponized DHS against its critics. The bill, she said, will “supercharge” Trump’s abuses.

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After the House markup last Friday, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, noted that the bill not only lacks sufficient reforms but also cuts funding for cybersecurity and TSA, whose workers went weeks without pay during the DHS shutdown.

The funding bill comes at a time of deep unpopularity for ICE. One recent poll found that just 33 percent of voters approve of how the agency is doing its job.

And it comes amid yet another threat from border czar Tom Homan to flood New York City with ICE agents. In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Homan said he would send “more ICE agents than you’ve ever seen” to New York City if the state government passed a bill limiting cooperation with DHS.

“Providing a quarter trillion dollars to an administration promising that the public ‘ain’t seen shit yet’ when it comes to mass deportation is a historic mistake,” Todd Schulte, president of the immigration reform group FWD.us, said in a statement. “Supercharging the funding for these already out of control systems will come with terrible human consequences and continue to be met with increasing opposition from voters.”

Correction, June 9th: A previous version of this story said Rep. Tim Walberg voted against the funding bill. He initially voted against it but then changed his vote to support it.

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Update, June 9th: This story has been updated to include comment from FWD.us president Todd Schulte.

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8 apps that can help you cut your food bill

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8 apps that can help you cut your food bill

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Food prices have a way of sneaking up on you. One week, your usual grocery run feels normal. The next week, a few basics suddenly cost a lot more than you expected.

That is why money-saving food apps are worth a closer look. All of these apps are free to download or sign up for, but you still pay for any food, groceries or purchases you make through them.

Some help you find discounted groceries before stores toss them. Others connect you with surprise meals, receipt rewards, free local listings or recipes based on what you already have at home.

The trick is knowing which app fits the way you actually shop. Here are eight apps that can help you stretch your food budget, reduce waste and maybe make your next receipt feel a little less painful.

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10 THINGS TO STOP PAYING FOR TO SAVE MONEY NOW

Food savings apps can help shoppers find discounted groceries, restaurant meals, receipt rewards and free local food listings. (iStock)

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1) Flashfood

Flashfood helps you find discounted groceries from participating stores near you. The app focuses on food that is still good but getting close to its best-by date. You browse local deals in the app, pay through the app and pick up your order in the store. Flashfood says shoppers can find grocery deals for up to 50% off. That can include produce, meat, dairy, pantry items and other staples, depending on what stores near you have available.

  • Best for: Discounted grocery pickup.
  • How you save: Buy marked-down groceries from participating stores before they go to waste.
  • Good to know: Availability depends on participating stores near you.

2) Misfits Market

Misfits Market delivers groceries to your door. The company says it offers high-quality rescued foods and lets you choose what goes in your order. After signing up, you receive a weekly shopping window. You can review your cart, remove items, add groceries and skip orders when needed. This can work well if you want grocery delivery and like the idea of reducing food waste at the same time. Misfits Market says there are no subscription fees or order obligations. You can skip, pause or cancel.

  • Best for: Grocery delivery with rescued food.
  • How you save: Order discounted groceries, including rescued or excess food, delivered to your door.
  • Good to know: Delivery depends on your ZIP code. Misfits Market says it serves nearly every ZIP code in the contiguous U.S., with limited service in select areas.

Misfits Market lets you customize grocery deliveries with rescued or excess food that may cost less than traditional shopping.

3) Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go helps you buy surplus food from nearby restaurants, bakeries, cafés and stores. The app uses “Surprise Bags,” which means you usually know the type of food and pickup window, but not every exact item inside. That surprise part can be fun, especially if you like trying local spots. It can also be less ideal if you need a very specific dinner plan. Too Good To Go says users can save and enjoy food at half price or less.

  • Best for: Discounted restaurant and bakery food.
  • How you save: Buy discounted Surprise Bags from local restaurants, bakeries, cafés and stores.

HEALTH-CONSCIOUS AMERICANS EMBRACE YUKA APP TO GUIDE GROCERY SHOPPING CHOICES

Food savings apps work best when they match how you already shop, pick up food, save receipts or plan meals. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

4) Olio

Olio connects people locally so they can give away food and other useful items. The app says you can browse free food from local shops and neighbors. You may also find books, toys, toiletries and household items. This one feels more community-based than a regular coupon app. It can be especially helpful if you live in an active area where neighbors and local shops often post.

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  • Best for: Free local food and household items.
  • How you save: Find free food and household items shared by neighbors or local businesses.
  • Good to know: Results depend heavily on your local community.

5) SuperCook

SuperCook helps you turn the food already in your kitchen into meals. You enter the ingredients you have at home, and the app suggests recipes you can make. That can save money in a different way. Instead of buying more groceries, you may find a way to use the half bag of rice, frozen vegetables or canned beans you already paid for.

  • Best for: Using up food you already have.
  • How you save: Turn ingredients you already have into meals, so you can avoid another grocery run.
  • Good to know: This one does not give cash back. It helps you avoid extra spending and food waste.

6) Ibotta

Ibotta gives you cash back on eligible purchases. Before you shop, you add cash-back offers in the app. After shopping in-store, you submit your receipt. Ibotta says you can withdraw earnings once you reach $20. It’s great because it can work with groceries and other everyday purchases. The key is remembering to add offers before you shop and submit your receipt after.

  • Best for: Grocery cash back.
  • How you save: Earn cash back on eligible grocery and everyday purchases after you submit receipts.
  • Good to know: You need to match the right offers and follow the redemption steps.

7) Fetch

Fetch turns receipts into points. You shop, snap receipts and earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards. Fetch says you can earn points from in-store or online shopping, plus offers from participating brands. This app can be simple because you do not always need to pick offers before you shop. Still, special offers can help you earn more points.

  • Best for: Turning receipts into gift cards.
  • How you save: Snap receipts to earn points you can redeem for gift cards.
  • Good to know: Points vary by receipt, brands and offers.

Fetch turns receipts into points you can redeem for gift cards from popular retailers.

10 TECH UPGRADES TO SAVE YOUR TIME, PRIVACY AND MONEY

Receipt rewards apps such as Ibotta, Fetch and Upside can help shoppers earn cash back or gift cards on eligible purchases. (SDI Productions/Getty Images)

8) Upside

Upside is best known for gas savings, but it can also work for groceries and restaurants where offers are available. You open the app, claim a cash-back offer near you, shop as usual and pay with a credit or debit card.

  • Best for: Cash back on groceries, gas and dining.
  • How you save: Claim cash-back offers on gas, groceries and restaurants at participating locations.
  • Good to know: Grocery and restaurant offers depend on participating locations near you.

For direct links to each app and any available CyberGuy savings codes, visit CyberGuy.com and search for “8 apps that can help you cut your food bill.”

Which app should you try first?

Start with the app that fits your normal routine. If you already shop at grocery stores in person, try Flashfood or Ibotta. If you save receipts anyway, Fetch is an easy add-on. If you order groceries online, Misfits Market may be worth checking. If you like trying local food, Too Good To Go can be a fun way to save. If your fridge is full, but dinner still feels impossible, SuperCook may help you avoid another grocery run. For gas and food cash back in one place, Upside deserves a look. For free local food and community sharing, Olio may surprise you, depending on where you live.

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A few smart tips before using food savings apps

Before you download every app on this list, take a moment to think about your habits. First, check whether the app works in your area. Some apps depend on local stores, restaurants or community activity. If there are no nearby offers, the app may not help much yet.

Next, watch pickup windows. Apps like Flashfood and Too Good To Go can save you money, but they also require timing. If you miss the pickup, you may lose the deal. Also, avoid buying food only because it looks cheap. A discounted item saves money only if you actually use it. Finally, read the app’s privacy settings. These apps often work through location, receipts, purchases and rewards accounts. Use only the permissions you feel comfortable sharing.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Food savings apps can help, but they work best when they match your real life. Flashfood and Too Good To Go are great for deal hunters who can pick up food nearby. Misfits Market works better for people who want groceries delivered. Ibotta, Fetch and Upside can help you earn something back from purchases you already make. SuperCook and Olio come at savings from a different angle. One helps you use what you already bought. The other connects you with local people and shops that share food and useful items. The biggest takeaway? Do not let the app make you spend more. Use it as a tool, not a temptation.

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Would you try an app that sells surprise food bags, or do you want to know exactly what you are getting before you pay? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Apple dials down Liquid Glass, and the Mac looks way better for it

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Apple dials down Liquid Glass, and the Mac looks way better for it

MacOS 27 Golden Gate will usher in a bunch of changes to the Mac when it’s released later this year, with its biggest new features revolving around Siri AI. But for now, using the first developer beta, Siri AI is only offered through a waitlist. So what’s available to try is mostly about how the upcoming operating system looks and feels.

You’re not welcomed with any fanfare when you boot up the macOS 27 developer beta (that’ll probably come later), but there’s reason to celebrate. Jump to the appearance settings, and you find that Apple now has a Liquid Glass slider, allowing users to set the amount of UI transparency in macOS. On one end of the slider, it’s as seethrough as Liquid Glass gets, and on the other end the transparent accents are heavily frosted. Golden Gate starts you in the middle of the slider by default, for just a touch of frosting — perhaps a gentle admission that the original look went too far. You sadly can’t go fully opaque, but this frosted look does greatly reduce the distracting elements of Liquid Glass.

After spending just a short while with Golden Gate, I already prefer the minimum transparency look. I’d crank that slider in the full version and never turn back. For the strongest Liquid Glass haters out there, the Reduce Transparency option is still available in the Accessibility settings, but using it is like taking a hammer to all that glass — introducing lots of harsh gray and black backgrounds to the dock, Menu Bar, and Control Center.

The absolute wins for macOS 27’s design is the return of edge-to-edge sidebars with colorful icons and the increased corner radii of windows across the OS. The former is basically a backtrack to the way sidebars used to look (which looked better and easier to parse, with less wasted space). And the latter is just logical. How on Earth did Apple get so high on its own design supply that it allowed windowed apps to have mismatched corners?

I do have my nitpicks — the new battery icon taken from iOS is less legible (really, I hate it). Also, after Apple finally added the most basic window snapping feature in Sequoia, it hasn’t refined it one bit. Both Tahoe and now Golden Gate are leaving me wanting better and faster tiling controls like Windows 11, as well as the simple ability to rename virtual desktops. But so far, nothing.

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Apple says Golden Gate is supposed to feel snappier, with faster search indexing. It’s too early to tell how much of a difference this makes on the MacBook Neo I’m testing it on — especially since dev betas are notoriously buggy and unstable. Using Spotlight search for local files on Golden Gate performed similar to another Neo I had on-hand running macOS 26 Tahoe. And opening apps on both systems side-by-side led to mixed results: Golden Gate opened Lightroom Classic and Slack faster, but Tahoe was faster to open Photoshop and Steam. I hope Apple’s under the hood improvements to memory and CPU usage will really show on the MacBook Neo, which could use all the efficiency it can get, but the jury’s out for now.

There’s still more to come with further beta releases of macOS 27, where we’ll at some point be able to fully test Siri AI, Visual Intelligence, and the revamped Spotlight Search. Last year’s power user-focused Spotlight with clipboard history was a nice improvement, but I’m skeptical that Siri AI being baked into Spotlight will be quite the gamechanger Apple’s billing it as. I’ll keep an open mind and be looking to find out once I’m off the waitlist.

For now, I’m relieved Apple is slightly backpedaling on Liquid Glass. While the look was never quite as bad on the Mac as it was on iOS, it’s a welcome change to be able to turn down these transparencies and get a little closer to the old looks from Sequoia. That and the other bits of UI polish are a nice upgrade on their own. Now, Apple has to show that it can nail all the new AI features, too — I’m eager to see how it fares.

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