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INSIDE: iOS 15’S TOP 10 HIDDEN FEATURES

ISSUE 172

BACK TO SCHOOL BEST iPAD FOR STUDENTS

PLUS:

HOW TO GET AN APPLE STUDENT DISCOUNT

CONTENTS

23

NEWS 4 6 8 10

12 14

NEWS ANALYSIS Apple delays controversial iCloud Photo CSAM scanning Apple to slightly loosen iOS restrictions on ‘reader’ apps Apple allows developers to promote outside payments Future iPhones could use satellite communications for emergencies Apple acquires Primephonic music streaming service iPhone 12 not playing sound?

Apple has a service programme for that

2 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

16 19

Developers aren’t impressed ZLWK $SSOHşV $SSb6WRUH FKDQJHV +RZ $SSOH FDQ ʐ[ HYHU\WKLQJ wrong with the Samsung *DOD[\ = )ROG

iPAD 23 53

Best iPad for students How to get an Apple 6WXGHQWb'LVFRXQW

16

iPHONE 56

59

A much-needed Spotlight on the best iPhone feature nobody uses There’s a small crack in the iPhone’s foundation. How big will it get?

iCLOUD+ 64

iCloud+ Private Relay H[SODLQHG 'RQşW FDOO LW D 931

56

53

64

68 74

10 great hidden features \RXşOObUXVK WR XVH Apple is delaying one of L26b şV WRS IHDWXUHV 7KDWşVbD good thing

78

APPLE ARCADE 78

Best Apple Arcade games ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 3

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iOS 15

NEWS

Apple delays controversial iCloud Photo CSAM scanning 1HZ IHDWXUHV DUH FRPLQJ ŞODWHU WKLV \HDUş Roman Loyola reports

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pple has announced that the three features it revealed to stop the spread of Child 6H[XDO $EXVH 0DWHULDO (CSAM) will not be available at the DXWXPQ UHOHDVH RI L26 L3DG26 watchOS 8 and macOS 12 Monterey.

The company will make the CSAM

4 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

features available “later this year in XSGDWHVŢ ,Q D SUHVV UHOHDVH IDYH FR O W.0S $SSOH VWDWHG WKDW š7KLV SURJUDPPH LV DPELWLRXV DQG protecting children is an important UHVSRQVLELOLW\ 7KHVH HʏRUWV ZLOO HYROYH DQG H[SDQG RYHU WLPH Ţ $SSOH revealed the CSAM features in early

$XJXVW DQG ZKLOH PDQ\ LQ WKH WHFK community applauded Apple’s HʏRUWV WR SURWHFW FKLOGUHQ PDQ\ DOVR voiced concerns about the potential for how the technology behind the CSAM features could be used for RWKHUbVXUYHLOODQFH SXUSRVHV 2YHU policy and rights groups published DQbRSHQ OHWWHU XUJLQJ $SSOH WR FDQFHO its CSAM features.

The main feature that sparked controversy is the CSAM detection IHDWXUH ZKHUH LPDJHV RQ \RXU GHYLFH DUH VFDQQHG IRU KDVKHV DQG WKRVH hashes are then checked on a list of known CSAM hashes. The argument made against this feature is that it could be implemented for other XVHV b)RU H[DPSOH D JRYHUQPHQW FRXOGbGHPDQG WKDW $SSOH FUHDWH D similar process to check for images RIbRSSRVLWLRQ JURXSV Apple stated that in such VLWXDWLRQV LW ZRXOG WXUQ GRZQ VXFK D UHTXHVW EXW WKH GHFODUDWLRQ GLG QRW FUHDWH DQ\ FRQʐGHQFH ZLWKLQ WKH concerned. Governments can (and will) always create consequences IRU QRW REH\LQJ DQ RUGHU ZKLFK could cause Apple to change its policy. There’s also the possibility that Apple could decide to use the technology for its own purpose other WKDQ &6$0 WKRXJK GRLQJ VR ZRXOG

weaken Apple’s image as a company concerned about user privacy.

The other two CSAM features that DUH EHLQJ GHOD\HG DUH Messages communication safety: The Messages app will use on-device machine learning to warn children and parents about sensitive content.

Siri and Search: These functions will provide additional resources to help children and parents stay safe online and get help with unsafe situations.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 5

NEWS

Apple to slightly loosen iOS restrictions on ‘reader’ apps So-called ‘reader’ apps will soon be allowed to link to their own H[WHUQDO VLWHV IRU DFFRXQW PDQDJHPHQW Jason Cross reports

A

pple has long allowed what it calls “reader” apps (like 1HWʑL[ .LQGOH 6SRWLI\ $XGLEOH RU 'URSER[ WR bill users outside of Apple’s usual in-app purchase method (in which $SSOH WDNHV WR SHU FHQW RI

6 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

subscription or purchase revenue). +RZHYHU VXFK DSSV DUH IRUELGGHQ from mentioning that such a thing is SRVVLEOH DQG FDQQRW OLQN RXW IURP the app to their websites for account management (including subscription renewals or purchases).

Apple has announced that is making a small revision to this policy in order to close an investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission -)7& $SSOHşV SUHVV UHOHDVH VWDWHV “The update will allow developers of ‘reader’ apps to include an in-app link to their website for users to set up or manage an account. While the DJUHHPHQW ZDV PDGH ZLWK WKH -)7& Apple will apply this change globally to all reader apps on the store. Reader apps provide previously purchased content or content subscriptions for GLJLWDO PDJD]LQHV QHZVSDSHUV ERRNV DXGLR PXVLF DQG YLGHR “To ensure a safe and seamless XVHU H[SHULHQFH WKH $SS 6WRUHşV guidelines require developers to sell digital services and subscriptions using Apple’s in-app payment system.

Because developers of reader apps GR QRW RʏHU LQ DSS GLJLWDO JRRGV DQG VHUYLFHV IRU SXUFKDVH $SSOH DJUHHG with the JFTC to let developers of these apps share a single link to their website to help users set up and manage their account.”

7KH FKDQJH ZLOO JR LQWR HʏHFW HDUO\ LQ DIWHU DQ XSGDWH DQG review of the guidelines for App Store GHYHORSHUV ,WşV D UHODWLYHO\ VPDOO FRQFHVVLRQ WKH DSSV LQ TXHVWLRQ ZLOO not EH DEOH WR RʏHU WKHLU RZQ LQ DSS

ELOOLQJ DQG SD\PHQW SURFHVVLQJ DV apps that provide physical goods and services do (such as Amazon or Uber).

'HYHORSHU 'DYLG %DUQDUG H[SODLQHG ZKDW WKH FKDQJH ZLOO PHDQ IRU 1HWʑL[ FDOOLQJ LW šD ELJ GHDO EXW DOVR QRWŢ ,W GRHVQşW VRXQG OLNH WKH QHZ guidelines will allow the apps to even state that subscriptions or purchases DUH DYDLODEOH RQ WKH ZHE 5DWKHU WKH DSSV ZLOO EH DOORZHG WR šVKDUH D VLQJOH link to their website to help users VHW XS DQG PDQDJH WKHLU DFFRXQWŢ according to Apple’s release. That account management might include SXUFKDVLQJ RU UHQHZLQJbVXEVFULSWLRQV EXW LW VRXQGVbIURP $SSOHşV UHOHDVH DV if the single link in the app may not be allowed to say ‘subscribe for just e D PRQWKş DQG LQVWHDG PXVW VD\ something like ‘Account Management’ or ‘set up your account’.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 7

NEWS

Apple allows developers to promote outside payments Apple and developers reach an agreement in class-action suit.

Michael Simon reports

,

Q D VXUSULVH DQQRXQFHPHQW $SSOH announced several changes to its App Store terms as part of the resolution of a class-action suit IURP 86 GHYHORSHUV 7KH DJUHHPHQW ZKLFK LV SHQGLQJ FRXUW DSSURYDO LGHQWLʐHV šVHYHQ NH\ SULRULWLHV VKDUHG

8 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

by Apple and small developers” that will change several contentious terms that were being challenged in court.

The biggest change involves outside payments. While Apple isn’t DOORZLQJ GHYHORSHUV WR RʏHU WKHLU own payment methods inside iOS

DSSV LW LV DOORZLQJ DSS PDNHUV WR šXVH FRPPXQLFDWLRQV VXFK DV HPDLO to share information about payment methods outside of their iOS app”.

That means that iOS users who sign up for a free trial can be directly contacted by developers about outside payment methods without running afoul of the App Store terms.

Customers who make purchases outside the app won’t pay Apple the XVXDO SHU FHQW RU SHU FHQW FXW Apple and developers have agreed to maintain the fee in its current VWUXFWXUH IRU DW OHDVW WKH QH[W WKUHH years. That includes a reduced commission for developers making less than $1 million in annual revenue.

Apple is also increasing the number of price points available to GHYHORSHUV IRU VXEVFULSWLRQV LQ DSS SXUFKDVHV DQG SDLG DSSV WR PRUH WKDQ 7KHUH DUH FXUUHQWO\ WKDQ 100 price points to choose from.

Apple has also agreed to continue to base Search results on ‘objective characteristics’ such as the number RI GRZQORDGV UDWLQJV DQG UHOHYDQFH $PRQJ WKH RWKHU FKDQJHV DUH

• Apple agreed to create an annual transparency report based on $SSb6WRUH GDWD ZKLFK LW ZLOO VKDUH with developers.

• Apple will also establish a $100 million fund to assist small US developers who earn $1 million RUbOHVV The motion for the settlement is available online as a downloadable 3') Ŝ JR WR IDYH FR WL:K5J

• Apple has agreed to add content to the App Review website to help developers understand how the appeals process works.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 9

NEWS

Future iPhones could use satellite communications for emergencies 'RQşW H[SHFW WR XVH \RXU L3KRQH WR PDNH VDWHOOLWH FDOOV Roman Loyola reports

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LWK WKH L3KRQH release getting closer DQG FORVHU VSHFXODWLRQ is heating up about the features of the new phone. The latest

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FRPHV IURP DQDO\VW 0LQJ &KL .XR who states in an investor’s note that WKH L3KRQH FRXOG KDYH ORZ HDUWK RUELW VDWHOOLWH FRQQHFWLYLW\ ZKLFK would allow users to make phone calls

when cellular coverage is unavailable. $FFRUGLQJ WR .XR ZKR KDV D UHFRUG RI UHOLDEOH UHSRUWV WKH L3KRQH will be equipped with a custom Qualcomm X60 modem that works ZLWK ORZ HDUWK VDWHOOLWHV .XR DOVR says that Qualcomm has been working with Globalstar to use the company’s satellite communications service. +RZHYHU LWşV XQFOHDU DV WR KRZ the user can get access to a satellite VHUYLFH .XR H[SODLQV RQH ŞVFHQDULRş in which the user’s network operator KDV D SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK *OREDOVWDU DQG connecting to the satellites would EH GRQH WKURXJK WKH FDUULHU $OVR LQ WKLV VFHQDULR WKH XVHU GRHVQşW KDYH WR VLJQbXS IRU DQRWKHU SKRQH SODQ ,I WKH VDWHOOLWH IHDWXUH FRPHV WR IUXLWLRQ WKH L3KRQH ZLOO EH WKH ʐUVW FRQVXPHU OHYHO SKRQH ZLWK LW $FFRUGLQJ WR .XR RWKHU FRPSDQLHV ZLOO EH XVLQJ 4XDOFRPPşV ; PRGHPbWR LPSOHPHQW ORZ HDUWK RUELWbVDWHOOLWH FRQQHFWLYLW\ :KLOH LWşV DQ LQWHUHVWLQJ IHDWXUH KRZHYHU LWşV XQOLNHO\ WR EH RQH most consumers are going to use.

And that if it’s accurate. A Twitter thread by Sascha Segan of PCMag H[SODLQV KRZb.XR PLJKW KDYH KLV LQIRUPDWLRQbZURQJ GXH WR WKH intricacies of Globalstar and its QHWZRUNV Ŝ VHH IDYH FR O Q*P

+HbVXUPLVHV WKDWbWKH QHZ EDQG LQ WKH modem could be ground-based LTE rather than satellites. /DWHU 0DUN *XUPDQ RI %ORRPEHUJ cites “a person with knowledge of WKH VLWXDWLRQŢ LQ D UHSRUW WKDW FODULʐHV the situation. Apple is apparently working to enable limited satellite communications for emergency situations. Users would not be able WR PDNH SKRQH FDOOV RU HYHQ VHQG UHJXODU IXOO WH[W PHVVDJHV EXW ZRXOG instead get a new third class of ŞJUH\ EXEEOHş WH[W LQ 0HVVDJHV WKDW are shorter in length. Another tool could allow users to report major catastrophes like plane crashes or sinking ships.

While these could be done ZLWKRXW D FHOO QHWZRUN LW ZLOO EH QR substitution for cell service in any way. The messaging features are severely limited in a way that makes WKHP SUDFWLFDO RQO\ LQ HPHUJHQFLHV and it could take up to a minute to connect to a satellite. Both features are reliant on satellite coverage and local regulations. Gurman’s report says Apple is still working on the potential new feature and it won’t be UHDG\ XQWLO DW OHDVW QH[W \HDU

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 11

NEWS

Apple acquires Primephonic music streaming service $SSOH ZLOO UHOHDVH D VWDQG DORQH FODVVLFDO PXVLF DSS QH[W \HDU Roman Loyola reports

A

pple has revealed that it KDV DFTXLUHG 3ULPHSKRQLF a streaming media start-up with a focus on classical PXVLF ,Q D SUHVV UHOHDVH IDYH FR \1XS G $SSOH VD\V WKDW XVHUV will be able to access Primephonic SOD\OLVWV DQG H[FOXVLYH DXGLR FRQWHQW DQG WKDW D šGHGLFDWHG H[SHULHQFH ZLWK the best features of Primephonic” will eventually be available.

12 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

Digital music can be challenging to manage on streaming services – the PHWDGDWD V\VWHP IRU PXVLF ʐOHV ZDV created with popular music in mind.

Apple made some improvements years ago when Apple Music was called L7XQHV EXW LW VWLOO ZDV IUXVWUDWLQJ IRU classical music listeners. With the 3ULPHSKRQLF DFTXLVLWLRQ $SSOH VD\V LW FDQ SURYLGH D EHWWHU H[SHULHQFH with the ability to search by composer

DQG UHSHUWRLUH DV ZHOO DV šGHWDLOHG GLVSOD\V RI FODVVLFDO PXVLF PHWDGDWD SOXV QHZ IHDWXUHV DQG EHQHʐWV Ţ A note on the Primephonic website IDYH FR K Q:L. VHHPV WR LQGLFDWH that the three-year-old company saw the acquisition as necessary for it to achieve its goals. “As a classical-only VWDUW XS ZH FDQ QRW >VLF@ UHDFK WKH PDMRULW\ RI JOREDO FODVVLFDO OLVWHQHUV especially those that listen to many RWKHU PXVLF JHQUHV DV ZHOO Ţ VDLG WKH company. “We therefore concluded WKDW LQ RUGHU WR DFKLHYH RXU PLVVLRQ we need to partner with a leading streaming service that encompasses all music genres and also shares our love for classical music.”

Primephonic shut down on 7 6HSWHPEHU DQG LWV XVHUV ZLOO JHW VL[ PRQWKV RI $SSOH 0XVLF IRU IUHH Apple will release a dedicated app for FODVVLFDO PXVLF QH[W \HDU WKDW ZLOO KDYH features that Primephonic are familiar ZLWK SOXV ŞPRUH DGGHG IHDWXUHVş

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 13

NEWS

iPhone 12 not playing sound? Apple has a service programme for that Phones made between October 2020 and April 2021 could have a receiver module that fails during calls. Roman Loyola reports

A

pple recently announced a new service programme for owners of the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro who are having problems with sound playback.

Phones made between October

14 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

bDQG $SULO FRXOG KDYH D receiver module that fails during SKRQH FDOOV $SSOH ZLOO ʐ[ WKHVH SKRQHV IUHH RI FKDUJH According to an Apple support GRFXPHQW IDYH FR M.1= & XVHUV

PXVW KDYH WKHLU SKRQH H[DPLQHG ʐUVW WR GHWHUPLQH HOLJLELOLW\ IRU WKH service. You may bring your iPhone to DQ $SSOH $XWKRUL]HG 6HUYLFH 3URYLGHU YLVLW DQ $SSOH 5HWDLO 6WRUH RU FRQWDFW Apple Support for mail-in service via the Apple Repair Centre.

Apple advises users to back up their phone before having the service SHUIRUPHG $OVR LI D SKRQH KDV damage that hinders the service (such DV D FUDFNHG VFUHHQ WKDW GDPDJH ZLOO QHHG WR EH ʐ[HG EHIRUH WKH VRXQG service can be done.

7KH L3KRQH PLQL DQG 3UR 0D[ models are not part of this programme.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 15

NEWS ANALYSIS

Developers aren’t impressed with Apple’s $SSb6WRUH FKDQJHV Apple announced several changes to its App Store terms but developers don’t think they go far enough. Michael Simon reports

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DVW PRQWK $SSOH DQQRXQFHG an agreement with developers involved in a class-action lawsuit that involved several changes to the App Store. As part of WKH DJUHHPHQW ZKLFK VWLOO QHHGV WR

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EH DSSURYHG E\ D MXGJH $SSOH KDV made several concessions that will change the way developers can sell VXEVFULSWLRQV DQG LQ DSS SXUFKDVHV including allowing developers to promote outside payment

1. options free of Apple’s fees in FRUUHVSRQGHQFHbZLWK FXVWRPHUV +RZHYHU QRW DOO GHYHORSHUV DUH happy with the moves. As part of WKH DJUHHPHQW $SSOH DOVR VDLG LW will be keeping the App Store terms WKH VDPHbIRU WKH QH[W WKUHH \HDUV ZKLFK PHDQV $SSOHşV SHU FHQW cut for developers making over a million dollars a year stays in place. ,WşV DOVR QRW DOORZLQJ GHYHORSHUV WR RʏHU DOWHUQDWLYH SD\PHQW PHWKRGV LQVLGHbDSSV +HUHşV ZKDW GHYHORSHUV had to say after Apple announced WKHbDJUHHPHQW

2.

2. SMOKE AND MIRRORS Developer Ryan Jones pored over the terms of the agreement and concluded that Apple didn’t really

1. AN AGREEMENT FOR ONE Overcast developer Marco Arment KDVbEHHQ RQH RI WKH PRVW YRFDO FULWLFVbRI $SSOHşV $SS 6WRUH WHUPV RYHUbWKH \HDUV DQG KH GRHVQşW think Apple is giving anything to GHYHORSHUVbLQ WKLV DJUHHPHQW

3.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 17

NEWS ANALYSIS

4.

FKDQJH PXFK GHVSLWH KHDGOLQHV WRbWKHbFRQWUDU\

3. A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE Tweetbot developer Paul Hadad put the agreement in terms we can all understand.

4. MISSING THE POINT 1HZ <RUN 7LPHV 6LOLFRQ 9DOOH\ UHSRUWHU -DFN 1LFDV DJUHHV WKDW YHU\ OLWWOH KDV changed for Apple’s developers as part of this agreement.

18 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

5.

5. THE FIGHT CONTINUES Epic CEO Tim Sweeney vows to FRQWLQXH ʐJKWLQJ $SSOHşV $SS 6WRUH terms – which probably means Fortnite isn’t returning anytime soon.

+RZ $SSOH FDQ ʐ[ everything wrong with the 6DPVXQJ *DOD[\ = )ROG ,I D IROGLQJ L3KRQH LV FRPLQJ LW FDQ OHDUQ IURP 6DPVXQJşV PLVWDNHV Michael Simon reports

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ith the imminent launch RI WKH L3KRQH ZLWK (we hope) a smaller QRWFK XSJUDGHG FDPHUD V\VWHP DQG 3UR0RWLRQ GLVSOD\ 6DPVXQJ KDV ODXQFKHG D QHZ ʑDJVKLS

SKRQH RI LWV RZQ WKH *DOD[\ = )ROG The third generation of the original IROGLQJ SKRQH LWşV HDVLO\ RQH RI WKH most innovative smartphones in years with a stunning ‘undisrupted’ 7.6in ,QʐQLW\ )OH[ GLVSOD\ DQG 6DPVXQJşV ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 19

NEWS ANALYSIS

delayed for several months while Samsung redesigned key elements RI WKH KLQJHbDQG GLVSOD\ WR SUHYHQW widespread usability issues.

But while those early bumps have EHHQ VPRRWKHG RYHU WKUHH \HDUV later nothing has really changed. :KLOH WKH *DOD[\ = )ROG GHʐQLWHO\ ORRNV OLNH D SUHPLXP GHYLFH ZLWK DQ DOXPLQLXP ERG\ DQG VKDUS FRQWRXUV the dimensions of the phone are DESIGN EDVLFDOO\ WKH VDPH DV WKH RULJLQDO VR LW :KHQ WKH *DOD[\ )ROG VDQV =

still looks awkwardly tall and doesn’t DUULYHG LQ WZR WKLQJV ZHUH close quite right. There’s still a visible FOHDU 6DPVXQJ ZDV VHULRXV DERXW crease in the middle of the screen and making the folding phone a reality a gap near the hinge with a 1.6mm DQG LW KDG D ORW RI ZRUN WR GR ,Q IDFW GLʏHUHQFH DW WKH WRS DQG ERWWRP ZKHQ WKH ʐUVW YHUVLRQ RI WKH SKRQH ZDV FORVHG $W PP LWşV DOVR YHU\ WKLFN and not all that comfortable to hold or carry.

1RQH RI those tradeRʏV DUH acceptable for a company as obsessed with thinness and design DV $SSOH ,I Apple is going to design a folding The Galaxy Z Fold3 is a nice device, but it’s a little clunky as a phone.

SKRQH ,şG EH ʐUVW XQGHU GLVSOD\ FDPHUD %XW HYHQ after three generations of folding phones and a sizable lead on its FRPSHWLWRUV WKH *DOD[\ = )ROG LVQşW perfect – far from it actually. With rumours that Apple is working on a IHZ GLʏHUHQW SURWRW\SHV RI LWV RZQ IROGLQJ L3KRQH KHUH DUH WKUHH *DOD[\ = )ROG IHDWXUHV WKDW $SSOH PXVW improve on for it to be a success.

20 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

very surprised if LW IROORZV WKH = )ROG şV GHVLJQ Samsung’s hideaway hinge LV GHʐQLWHO\ LQQRYDWLYH but after three JHQHUDWLRQV LW QHHGV WR ʐJXUH RXW a way to make the = )ROG VLJQLʐFDQWO\ thinner. Because if Apple ever releases The proportions of the Galaxy Z Fold3 are basically like using two D IROGLQJ L3KRQH , phones side by side.

JXDUDQWHHbLW ZRQşW EH DV WKLFN DV WZR L3KRQH 0D[HV ELJJHU WKDW , FRXOG VWLOO FDUU\ LQ D EDJ ŜbQRZ \RXşUH RQWR VRPHWKLQJ FUNCTIONALITY You might think those two notions 7KH SUHPLVH RI WKH *DOD[\ = )ROG LV DUH WKH VDPH WKLQJ EXW WKH\şUH QRW VRPHZKDW VLPSOH <RX KDYH D LQ 7KH SURSRUWLRQV RI WKH *DOD[\ = phone when you want to make a call )ROG DUHQşW LGHDO IRU ZRUNLQJ RQ WKH RU UHDG D WH[W DQG D LQ VFUHHQ ZKHQ phone or the tablet because Samsung you want to multitask and get some designed it to be both things at once work done. The only problem is the and got the lesser of both worlds. premise is backward. While the tech 7KDWşV ZK\ WKH = )OLS ZRUNV VR PXFK LV FRRO WKHUH DUH YHU\ IHZ PRPHQWV better – it knows what it’s supposed LQ P\ GD\ ZKHQ , ZLVK , FRXOG WXUQ P\ to be and doesn’t try to be anything phone into something bigger – and PRUH ,WşV D VPDUWSKRQH WKDW ʑLSV that’s with an iPhone 12 mini. All RSHQ 7KH = )ROG GRHVQşW NQRZ LI LW WKURXJKRXW WKH GD\ P\ LQ L3KRQH wants to be a smartphone or a tablet.

LV ʐQH IRU ZULWLQJ ORQJ HPDLOV HGLWLQJ ,I $SSOH ZDQWV WR PDNH D IROGLQJ DUWLFOHV RU ʐQLVKLQJ D VWRU\ %XW D L3KRQH LW QHHGV D UHDVRQ WR H[LVW tablet that opened up into something ,şP PRVWO\ FRQYLQFHG WKDW WKHUH LV D ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 21

NEWS ANALYSIS

SODFH LQ WKH ZRUOG IRU IROGLQJ SKRQHV but Samsung hasn’t sold me on WKHLU FRQFHSW 1HLWKHU KDV +XDZHL IRU WKDW PDWWHU , WKLQN WKH DQVZHU lies in building a tablet that closes rather than a phone that opens. That might mean a folding iPhone has a GLʏHUHQW IRUP IDFWRU D GLʏHUHQW KLQJH PHFKDQLVP RU D GLʏHUHQW 8, Ŝ DQG maybe it’s not a phone at all.

PRICE ,WşV WUXH WKDW WKH *DOD[\ = )ROG LV Samsung’s cheapest full-sized folding SKRQH ,WşV DOVR WUXH WKDW LWşV RQH RI WKH PRVW H[SHQVLYH SKRQHV \RX FDQ EX\ DW e <HV LWşV JRW D 6QDSGUDJRQ SURFHVVRU * PRGHP +] GLVSOD\ DQG D WULSOH FDPHUD V\VWHP EXW VR GRHV WKH e *DOD[\ 6

You’re basically paying for the QRYHOW\bRI D IROGLQJ VFUHHQ ,şP QRW VD\LQJ WKH *DOD[\ = )ROG LV QHFHVVDULO\ RYHUSULFHG %XW UHDOLVWLFDOO\ LW QHHGV WR JHW WR D VWDUWLQJ SULFH RI DURXQG e WR become a device that’s attractive to more than the most die-hard IDQV $SSOH LVQşW H[DFWO\ NQRZQ IRU XQGHUFXWWLQJ LWV FRPSHWLWRUV EXW ,şG be surprised to see a folding iPhone FRVW DV PXFK DV WKH *DOD[\ = )ROG LI and when it ever launches.

0XFK OLNH WKH $SSOH :DWFK $SSOH ZLOO EH HQWHULQJ DQ H[LVWLQJ VSDFH ZLWK D IROGLQJ L3KRQH RQH WKDW Samsung dominates with years of H[SHULHQFH +RZHYHU WKHUHşV VWLOO SOHQW\ RI URRP IRU $SSOH WR LQQRYDWH DFFHOHUDWH DQG HQKDQFH WKH IROGLQJ phone – especially LI LW OHDUQVbIURP Samsung’s missteps.

The Galaxy Z Fold3 is basically the cost of two iPhone 12’s.

22 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

Best iPad for students :RQGHULQJ ZKLFK L3DG LV EHVW IRU VFKRRO FROOHJH RU XQLYHUVLW\" 5HDG RQ WR ʐQG RXW 0DFZRUOG VWDlj report

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Before you decide which iPad WR EX\ WKHUH DUH D IHZ WKLQJV WR note. The biggest is the fact that LI \RX DUH DbVWXGHQW D WHDFKHU RU DUH HPSOR\HGbE\ DQ HGXFDWLRQDO LQVWLWXWLRQ \RX FDQ JHW PRQH\ Rʏ a new Apple product by shopping in Apple’s education store. You can UHDGbDOO DERXW KRZ WR JHW DQ $SSOH 6WXGHQW 'LVFRXQW RQ SDJH ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 23

iPAD

BEST FOR BARGAIN HUNTERS: 10.2IN iPAD (2020) Price: e IURP IDYH FR ]-:[H) 6LQFH ZH H[SHFW WKDW VWXGHQWV DUH likely to be looking for a bargain we’d suggest that the 10.2in iPad is the closest you can get to a bargain L3DG ŜbHVSHFLDOO\ RQFH \RX DSSO\ WKH VWXGHQW GLVFRXQW Ŝ VHH SDJH The 2020 iPad was comprehensively outshone by the updated iPad Air at last year’s 7LPHb)OLHV HYHQW RʏHULQJ RQO\ D GXOO DOEHLW VLJQLʐFDQW VSHF EXPS ZKLOH LWV FRVWOLHUbVLEOLQJ JRW D UHGHVLJQ DQG UDIW of new features.

What Apple is calling the eighthgeneration iPad is in almost every respect the same as the 10.2in iPad $SSOH ODXQFKHG LQ ,W GLʏHUV only in having a processor that’s two generations newer – thereby SURPLVLQJbD KDQG\ ERRVW LQ VSHHG ŜbDQG EHLQJ YHU\ VOLJKWO\ KHDYLHU ,V that enough to justify the cost?

Almost certainly not if you’re WKLQNLQJ RI XSJUDGLQJ IURP WKH to 2020 models. But it’s important to note that the things tech journalists ʐQG DSSHDOLQJ VXFK DV GLʏHUHQFHV from the last generation) are not DOZD\V WKH WKLQJV WKDW PDNH D XVHIXO

The 10.2in iPad is perfect for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on a new tablet.

24 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

value-for-money product for the average consumer – especially if WKH\bKDYHQşW ERXJKW D QHZ L3DG LQ \HDUV LIbDW DOO 6R ,şP JRLQJ WR GR P\ EHVW WR review this tablet as a thing in its own ULJKW ZLWK RQO\ RFFDVLRQDO PHQWLRQV RI the similar model released last year.

Our review of the iPad (2020) tests its VSHHG DQG EDWWHU\ OLIH HYDOXDWHV WKH GHVLJQ DQG IHDWXUH VHW DQG KHOSV \RX decide if this is the right tablet for you.

Price 32GB: e 128GB: e 32GB, cellular: e 128GB, cellular: e ,I WKH DERYH SULFHV OHDYH URRP LQ \RXU EXGJHW \RX FDQ VXSSOHPHQW \RXU purchase with an accessory or two.

7KHbQHZ L3DG LV FRPSDWLEOH ZLWK WKH ʐUVW JHQHUDWLRQ $SSOH 3HQFLO VW\OXV ZKLFK DGGV e WR WKH FRVW DQG WKHb6PDUW .H\ERDUG e

Design The eighth-gen iPad has the same design as last year’s model. But to PRVW SHRSOH WKDW GRHVQşW PDWWHU LQVWHDG ZHşOO VLPSO\ VD\ WKDW WKLV LV D VOLP DWWUDFWLYH WDEOHW WKDWşV OLJKWZHLJKW WR SLFN XS ZKLOH RʏHULQJ

a display comfortably big enough LQ FRUQHUbWR FRUQHU IRU JDPLQJ DQG ZDWFKLQJ ʐOPV DQG 79 ,WşV J RU J LI \RX JR IRU WKH FHOOXODU PRGHO bDQG MXVW PP WKLFN $SSOHşV HQJLQHHUV ORYH WR ʐQG contrast between gloss and matte VXUIDFHV OLNH WKH SUHFLVH DQJOHG brushed-metal chamfer around the HGJH RI WKH JORVV\ VFUHHQ RU WKH VKLQ\ Apple logo in the middle of the matte EDFN <RX NHHS ʐQGLQJ WKHVH NLQGV RI VPDOO WKRXJKWIXO WRXFKHV Ŝ GHWDLOV WKDW DUH SOHDVLQJ WR WKH H\H RU ʐQJHU These elements have been around a ORQJ WLPH EXW LWşV DQ HOHJDQW RQH PLJKW VD\ FODVVLF GHVLJQ 7KH VFUHHQ WR ERG\ UDWLR KRZHYHU LV VWDUWLQJ WR ORRN D OLWWOH GDWHG WKH LQFOXVLRQ RI D +RPH EXWWRQ RQ WKH IURQW DQG FRPSDUDWLYHO\ WKLFN EH]HOV Ŝ DERXW PP DW OHIW DQG ULJKW and a positively chunky 20mm at the top and bottom – means you’re not getting as much screen ‘real estate’ IRUbWKH VL]H RI WKH FKDVVLV DV \RX ZRXOGbZLWK DQ DOO VFUHHQ GHVLJQ OLNH on the last two generations of iPad 3URbDQG WKH PRVW UHFHQW L3DG $LU The back edges of the iPad are curved whereas the front ones are sharp; this has the same ‘pick me up’ HʏHFW ZKHQ WKH GHYLFH LV ODLG GRZQ ZLWK VFUHHQ IDFLQJ XS WKDW $SSOH XVHG RQ WKH L3DG EDFN LQ $JDLQ LWşV ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 25

iPAD

You get a 10.2in display with a resolution RI [ DW SSL SL[HOV per inch). That’s absolutely standard for $SSOH URXJKO\ matching the iPad Air 1 from RQ WKH RQHbKDQG DQG The rear-facing camera doesn’t stick out from the main body. the iPad Pro LQb

D ZHOO ZRUQ GHVLJQ ODQJXDJH EXW , RQ WKH RWKHU %XW DJDLQ WKH ODFN SHUVRQDOO\ ʐQG LW PRUH ZHOFRPLQJ QRW RIbSURJUHVV GRHVQşW PDWWHU LI LW JHWV WR PHQWLRQ HDVLHU WR SLFN XS WKDQ WKH WKHbMRE GRQH DQG LW GRHV XQLIRUPO\ VTXDUHG Rʏ HGJHV RI WKH ,WşV D GHFHQW TXDOLW\ VFUHHQ newfangled Pro line. certainly good enough for most uses :HşOO ʐQLVK ZLWK WZR ROG IDVKLRQHG even if hardly envelope-pushing in elements of the design that we think WHUPV RI VSHFV ,WşV VKDUS EULJKW DQG almost everyone will applaud. The FRORXUIXO DQG ZKLOH WKHUH DUH EHWWHU HLJKWK JHQ L3DG KDV D KHDGSKRQH SRUW tablets out there in those departments and its rear-facing camera doesn’t WKH 3URV RʏHU QLWV EULJKWQHVV WR VWLFN RXW IURP WKH PDLQ ERG\ DW DOO WKLV GHYLFHşV IRU LQVWDQFH DQG LWşVbWRWDOO\ ʑXVK D VXSHULRU FRORXU JDPXW WKH L3DG GRHVQşW VXʏHU PXFK LQ FRPSDULVRQ Display The size is in my opinion a good We’ve established that the iPad does compromise point. iPad mini screens not have an all-screen design. But the can be a touch cramped for movies and screen still dominates the front of the ZRUNLQJ RQ WKH JR ZKLOH WKH ODUJHVW GHYLFH DQG ZLOO PRQRSROL]H \RXU XVH Pro falls down on portability; this is the RI LW ,V LW DQ\ JRRG" best of both worlds... although it would 26 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

it’s unlaminated.

What does that mean? There’s a tiny gap between the glass and the display tech XQGHUQHDWK DQG this means that when you press GRZQ ZLWK D ʐQJHU or stylus it ‘gives’ YHU\ VOLJKWO\ LW The iPad (2020) has a decent screen, though it’s hardly HQYHORSH SXVKLQJ LQ WHUPV RI VSHFLNJFDWLRQV ʑH[HV GRZQZDUGV a microscopic be better still if Apple could trim back amount. On a laminated screen (which those bezels. \RXşOO ʐQG RQ DQ\ L3DG 3UR WKH L3DG The touchscreen function is slick PLQL DQG ODWHU DQG DOO $LUV H[FHSW and seamless. You don’t get the WKH ʐUVW RQH WKHUHşV QR JDS DQG higher refresh rate and ProMotion consequently no give. dynamic switching of the iPad Pro ,WşV D VXEWOH HʏHFW VR SOHDVH GRQşW OLQH EXW LQ PRVW VLWXDWLRQV \RX ZRQşW imagine any kind of visible bending. be conscious that you’re getting a 5DWKHU WKH HʏHFW PDQLIHVWV LWVHOI ŞOHVVHUş H[SHULHQFH The combination of the screen tech DQG L3DG26 DUH enough to preserve the fundamental illusion EHKLQG DOO WDEOHWV WKDW you’re literally moving elements around on the VFUHHQ ZLWK \RXU ʐQJHU The last thing to say about the screen is that Apple has opted to use an unlaminated display here.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 27

iPAD

LQ D VOLJKW VHQVH RI FKHDSQHVV RI ŞSODVWLFN\QHVVş ,WşV QRW UHDVVXULQJ ZKHQ most iPad usage involves touching WKH VFUHHQ WR KDYH WKLV VHQVH bEXW LW certainly isn’t intolerable. ,QGHHG ZH FRXOG JR IXUWKHU DQG ask whether the average consumer ZLOObQRWLFH WKH HʏHFW DW DOO , XVH DQG UHYLHZ L3DGV DOO WKH WLPH my most commonly used tablet is D 3UR ,şP XVHG WR ODPLQDWHG VFUHHQV 6R ZKHQ , SLFN XS WKH L3DG LQ LW IHHOV ZHLUG %XW ZLOO LW IHHO weird to you? That depends on what you’re used to.

My sense is that one laminated screen will ruin unlaminated ones for \RX IRUHYHU DQG WKDW \RX ZLOO DOZD\V remember the way screens should IHHO %XW , PD\ EH ZURQJ DERXW WKDW EHFDXVHb, ZDV ZURQJ RQFH EHIRUH $ IHZ \HDUV EDFN , UHYLHZHG WKH L3DG LQ DQG FULWLFLVHG LWV XVH RI DQ XQODPLQDWHG VFUHHQ ZKLFK , VDZ DV D WKURZEDFN WR WKH L3DG $LU IURP and called “an economy too far”. And then everyone in the universe bought RQH DQG , IHOW OLNH D IRRO So you’ll have to go your own way RQ WKLV RQH EXW WU\ WR JHW \RXU KDQGV on the new iPad before buying if you FDQ ,I \RXşYH HYHU XVHG D ODPLQDWHG L3DG ZKLFK PHDQV PRVW RIbWKHP DQG FHUWDLQO\ DOO WKH H[SHQVLYH RQHV bWKHQ 28 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

this one will feel strange and a little FKHDS ,I \RX KDYHQşW WKHQ \RX SUREDEO\ won’t know what you’re missing.

Photography The iPad has an 8Mp camera on the UHDU DQG 0S RQ WKH IURQW ZLWK MXVW D VLQJOH OHQV LQ HDFK FDVH 1HLWKHU RI these will challenge a good phone FDPHUD IRU TXDOLW\ EXW SKRWRJUDSK\ tends not to be a priority for tablets.

Rear-facing camera performance ZDV VROLG ZLWK JRRG FRORXU UHSURGXFWLRQ DQG GHWDLO , ZDV particularly impressed by its ability WR KDQGOH PL[HG OLJKWLQJ FRQGLWLRQV with bright sun at the top of the shot QRW RYHUH[SRVHG EXW PRUH VKDG\ undergrowth at the bottom (crisp DQGbFRORXUIXO

,Q WKH RʒFLDO VSHFV OLVW $SSOH VD\V WKLV PRGHO RʏHUV +'5 UDWKHU WKDQ WKH H[SRVXUH EOHQGLQJ 6PDUW +'5 RI WKH L3DG 3UR RU 1H[W *HQHUDWLRQ 6PDUW +'5 RI FXUUHQW L3KRQHV EXW D JODQFH in Settings shows that Smart HDR is enabled by default; regardless of WKH WHUPLQRORJ\ WKH $ SURFHVVRU VHHPVbWR EH KHOSLQJ RXW EHKLQG WKH scenes in some capacity.

The front camera is more basic. A VHOʐH LQ JRRG OLJKWLQJ FDPH RXW ZLWK slightly soft edges and noticeable SL[HOODWLRQ ZKHQ ORRNHG DW FORVHO\

Rear-facing camera performance is solid, with good colour reproduction and detail.

6HONJHV FRPH out with slightly soft edges and noticeable pixellation when looked at closely.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 29

iPAD

, VXVSHFW WKDW WKH IURQW FDPHUD ZLOO primarily be used for FaceTime and RWKHU YLGHR FDOOV SDUWLFXODUO\ JLYHQ WKH VWDWH RI WKH ZRUOG DV , ZULWH WKLV <RXU face would certainly be rendered more DFFXUDWHO\ E\ D KLJKHU VSHFFHG FDPHUD EXW , DQG WKH FDOOHU DW WKH RWKHU HQG

DFWXDOO\ IRXQG LW ʐQH IRU )DFH7LPH 7KH L3DG KDV QR ʑDVK RQ WKH UHDU FDPHUD DQG RQO\ 5HWLQD )ODVK D UXGLPHQWDU\ DQG XQʑDWWHULQJ ʑDVK performed by lighting up the screen) RQ WKH IURQW \RX GRQşW JHW 1LJKW 0RGH bHLWKHU ,WşV WKHUHIRUH QR XVH DW all in very low light. There’s also no Portrait Mode.

Performance 6XEMHFWLYHO\ WKH QHZ L3DG SHUIRUPHG every task we threw at it with aplomb. ,WşV HDVLO\ IDVW HQRXJK IRU JDPLQJ LPDJH HGLWLQJ DQG HYHU\GD\ WDVNV DQG in real-world use we never managed to ʐQG D FHLOLQJ WR LWV SURFHVVLQJ SRZHU But that’s true of almost all EUDQG QHZ L3DGV DQG D PRUH UHOHYDQW TXHVWLRQ LV WKLV KRZ IXWXUH SURRI is it? Will it be able to run the most GHPDQGLQJ DSSV RI DQG " To gauge that we need to look deeper.

The headline spec is the A12 %LRQLFbSURFHVVRU D ELJ XSGDWH RQ ODVW \HDUşV $ ,W ZRQşW VXUSULVH \RX WR KHDUbWKDW WKH $ LV WZR JHQHUDWLRQV 30 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

QHZHU WKDQ WKH $ PRUH VSHFLʐFDOO\ $SSOH FODLPV LWşV SHU FHQW IDVWHU IRUb&38 SHUIRUPDQFH DQG WZLFH WKH speed for graphics. We’ll test those claims in a moment.

1RWH WKDW WKH $ ZKLOH QHZ IRU WKHbVWDQGDUG L3DG OLQH LV E\ QR PHDQV the latest thing in Apple processor ZRUOG 7KH L3DG 3URV IRU LQVWDQFH bKDYH WKH $ = D VRXSHG XS YHUVLRQ RI WKH $ ZKLOH WKH QHZ L3DG $LU IRU JHWV WKH $ <RX DOVR JHW *% RI 5$0 Ŝ WKDWşV WKHbVDPH DOORFDWLRQ DV ODVW \HDU DQG DWbWKH ORZ HQG RI ZKDW \RXşG H[SHFW from even a budget tablet. Apple WHQGVbWR DFKLHYH EHWWHU SHUIRUPDQFH than its devices’ specs would lead \RXbWR H[SHFW KRZHYHU WKDQNV WR clever optimization with iPadOS. 6XUH HQRXJK SHUIRUPDQFH LQ RXU speed benchmarks was impressive.

7KH QHZ L3DG VFRUHG LQ WKH multi-core segment of Geekbench XS SHU FHQW IURP ODVW \HDUşV 6LQJOH FRUH SHUIRUPDQFH ZDV XS D PRUH PRGHVW SHU FHQW IURP WR VXJJHVWLQJ WKDW the biggest gains will be seen in the PRVWbGHPDQGLQJ WDVNV 1RWH WRR WKDW WKH VWDQGDUG L3DG VWLOO isn’t close to rivalling the Pro models in multi-core; even the 2018 Pro was able WR VFRUH LQ WKH VDPH WHVW

similarly pleasing.

The iPad managed D SOD\DEOH ISV in even the most WD[LQJ RI *);%HQFKşV on-screen tests Ş$]WHF 2SHQ +LJKş

a test where many tablets languish in the single digits.

Our US colleagues found year-on-year The new iPad performed every task we threw at it with aplomb. improvements of Geekbench 5 (single-core) EHWZHHQ SHU FHQW DQG SHU FHQW iPad (2020): LQ '0DUNşV 6OLQJ 6KRW ([WUHPH WHVW iPad (2019): 771 :H OLVW WKH L3DGşV VSHFLʐFDWLRQV iPad Air (2019): LQ IXOO RQ SDJH $VLGH IURP WKH 11in iPad Pro (2018): performance-related specs discussed DERYH LWşV ZRUWK KLJKOLJKWLQJ WKH Geekbench 5 (multi-core) VWRUDJH RSWLRQV *% UHPDLQV WKH iPad (2020): EDVHOLQH DQG WKDW UHDOO\ LVQşW YHU\ iPad (2019): PXFK ,I \RX WDNH ORWV RI SKRWRV IRU iPad Air (2019): LQVWDQFH FRQVLGHU SOXPSLQJ IRU WKH 11in iPad Pro (2018): costlier 128GB model (or paying for more iCloud storage).

Our US colleagues set the 2020 L3DG DJDLQVW WKH L3DG $LU ZKLFK Battery life LVbDOVR EDVHG RQ WKH $ DQG IRXQG The iPad 2020 has the same battery that as far as CPU performance goes FDSDFLW\ DV ODVW \HDUşV PRGHO DW the two are essentially identical. They :K EXW LPSURYHPHQWV LQ RWKHU UHFRUGHG VFRUHV RI DQG areas – presumably the processor’s VLQJOH DQG PXOWL ZLWK WKH bL3DG JUHDWHU HʒFLHQF\ Ŝ HQDEOH LW WR DQG DQG ZLWKbWKH $LU noticeably outperform its predecessor.

Gains in graphical performance were This is despite Apple making the same ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 31

iPAD

claims for both GHYLFHV XS WR KRXUV RI VXUʐQJ WKH web on Wi-Fi. We put the Air through a punishing GD\ RI 1HWʑL[ JDPLQJ VSHHG benchmarks and photography – far more demanding than a typical day’s Performance in our speed benchmarks was impressive. usage – and it died DIWHU KRXUV DQG PLQXWHV 2XU \RX ,W KDV WZLQ VSHDNHUV EXW WKH\ DUH 86 FROOHDJXHV XQGHU VLPLODUO\ WD[LQJ close together on the Home button FRQGLWLRQV PDQDJHG MXVW RYHU KRXUV HGJH VR \RX GRQşW JHW D VWHUHR HʏHFW These numbers might sound For that you should be looking at GLVDSSRLQWLQJ JLYHQ WKH SXEOLVKHG TXDG VSHDNHU L3DGV VXFK DV WKH 3UR claims. But bear in mind a) that this is Sound is fairly warm and detailed at DQ LPSURYHPHQW RI DURXQG D ʐIWK RQ lower volumes but can get a little tinny WKH PRGHO DQG E WKH DYHUDJH DV \RX SXVK FORVH WR PD[LPXP Ŝ ZKLFK FRQVXPHU PL[LQJ YLGHR HPDLO DQG isn’t massively powerful in any case.

ZHEbVXUʐQJ ZLWK WKH RFFDVLRQDO EUHDN will get far longer life than this.

Software ,QGHHG LQ WKH *HHNEHQFK EDWWHU\ The iPad (2020) comes with iPadOS WHVW ZKLFK ZHşG VWLOO UDWH DV D PRUH SUH LQVWDOOHG LW ZLOO DOVR EH DEOH WR WD[LQJ DVVLJQPHQW WKDQ HYHU\GD\ install future iPadOS updates for free WDEOHWbOLIH WKH L3DG PDQDJHG IRU DURXQG ʐYH RU VL[ \HDUV

KRXUVbDQG PLQXWHV As a 2020 device the eighth-gen L3DG JHWV DFFHVV WR SUHWW\ PXFK DOObRI Audio WKH XSJUDGHV LQ L3DG26 ,W GRHVQşW ,I \RXşUH ORRNLQJ IRU WKH FRQVXPPDWH KDYH D /L'$5 VFDQQHU KRZHYHU bVR surround-sound multimedia misses out on some augmentedH[SHULHQFH WKLV LV QRW WKH WDEOHW IRU UHDOLW\bIHDWXUHV 32 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

L3DG26 LV LQ JHQHUDO D YHU\ VOLFN secure and easy-to-use operating V\VWHP DQG \RX FDQ GRZQORDG D KXJH number of reasonably well-vetted apps tailored to the iPad screen size(s) IURP WKH $SS 6WRUH RQH RI WKH ELJJHVW software ecosystems on the planet.

The rival Android OS has even more DSSV DYDLODEOH JUDQWHG DV ZHOO DV RʏHULQJ PRUH FXVWRPL]DWLRQ RSWLRQV But the apps are less well vetted and WKH RYHUDOO H[SHULHQFH ZHDNHU LQGHHG there are no Android tablets on the market right now that come close to the quality of an iPad.

Verdict ,I \RXşYH QHYHU RZQHG DQ L3DG EHIRUH or you own an iPad from a few years EDFN Ŝ WKH L3DG $LU VD\ RU WKH ʐIWK gen iPad from 2017 – then this is a great tablet to pick up for general XVH ,WşV OLJKW SRUWDEOH FRPIRUWDEO\ quick enough for any app you throw DW LW ULJKW QRZ DQG DʏRUGDEO\ SULFHG $QG \RX VWLOO JHW D KHDGSKRQH SRUW ZKLFK LV D G\LQJ OX[XU\ WKHVH GD\V Just bear in mind that this is very much at the bargain-basement end of what $SSOHşVbL3DGV KDYH WR RʏHU DQG WKHUH are inevitably compromises.

6WRUDJH IRU D VWDUW LWşV disappointing that Apple continues WR RʏHU MXVW *% DW WKH HQWU\ OHYHO

which will prove restrictive for those ZKR ZDQW WR VWRUH ORWV RI PXVLF SKRWRV DQG YLGHRV RQ WKHLU GHYLFH RU LQWHQG WR run a large library of games and other bulky apps. Cloud-based services such as Apple Music and iCloud Drive may help in some of these areas. ,Q WHUPV RI SHUIRUPDQFH LI \RX FDQ stretch to the new Air or one of the Pros then you’ll have a device that’s faster still – which might not matter much right now but will ensure it’s DEOHbWR WDFNOH WKH PRVW GHPDQGLQJ apps years into the future.

7KH GHVLJQ WRR ZKLOH D FODVVLF IRU a reason – it’s attractive and feels good in the hand – is starting to look dated in comparison with the models Apple sells without a Home button.

By removing that detail those devices DUH DEOH WR RʏHU PRUH VFUHHQ VSDFH IRU the chassis size and a generally more modern-looking appearance. )LQDOO\ GR WU\ WR JHW \RXU KDQGV RQ the screen before making a decision.

The unlaminated screen may not ERWKHU \RX DW DOO EXW LI \RXşYH WULHG a laminated version in the past it’s OLNHO\bWR IHHO SODVWLFN\ DQG FKHDS David Price

6SHFLNJFDWLRQV • LQ [ SSL 5HWLQD ,36 /&' FDSDFLWLYH WRXFKVFUHHQ ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 33

iPAD

• L3DG26 • Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) processor • +H[D FRUH [ *+] 9RUWH[ [ *+] 7HPSHVW &38 • $SSOH FRUH JUDSKLFV *38 • *% 5$0 • *% *% VWRUDJH • 5HDU IDFLQJ FDPHUD 0S I PP VWDQGDUG wP $) • 6HOʐH FDPHUD 0S I PP (standard) • :L )L D E J Q DF GXDO EDQG hotspot • %OXHWRRWK $ '3 ('5 /( • *36 ZLWK $ *36 */21$66 :L )L Cellular model only) • USB Type-C; magnetic connector • Fingerprint scanner (front mounted) • 1RQ UHPRYDEOH :K OLWKLXP polymer battery • [ [ PP • :L )L J FHOOXODU J

VXUSULVH Ŝ LWşV EDUHO\ GLʏHUHQW RQ ʐUVW JODQFH DQG \HV WKRVHbEH]HOV VXUH ORRN KXJH DIWHU WKH SDVW VL[ \HDUV RI FRQVXPHU WHFKQRORJ\bZRUNLQJ WRZDUGV EH]HO OHVV GLVSOD\V %XW ,şYH been pleasantly surprised by the iPad PLQL ʐQGLQJ WKDWb, SLFN LW XS ZD\ PRUH RIWHQ WKDQ , GR ZLWK D ODUJHU L3DG Using devices more is sometimes a EDG WKLQJ EXW WKLV L3DG OHQGV LWVHOI WR reading far more than it does scrolling WKURXJK HQGOHVV WLPHOLQHV ,WşV QRW DQ L3DG IRU ,QVWDJUDP RU 7ZLWWHU $W LWV KHDUW LWşV D JUHDW H5HDGHU QHZV DSS GLVSOD\HU DQG 1HWʑL[ HQDEOHU 8QOLNH $SSOHşVbRWKHU L3DGV LWşV QRW VWULYLQJ WR UHSODFH \RXU ODSWRS EXW instead does some things better than RQH ,I \RX GRQşW PLQG WKH DJHLQJ GHVLJQ WKH VPDOOHVW L3DG FRXOG EH D better option for you than any other.

Petit power

MOST AFFORDABLE iPAD: i3$'b0,1,

Price: e IURP IDYH FR <P;< 4 This wasn’t meant to happen. The iPad PLQL KDGQşW EHHQ XSGDWHG VLQFH DQG ZDV OHIW RXW LQ WKH FROG FRVWLQJ PRUH WKDQ WKH ODUJHU LQ L3DGV WKDW were released since. We thought Apple had left it for dead.

The introduction of the new L3DG PLQL FDPH DV D FRPSOHWH 34 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

There are two things that make the L3DG PLQL D JUHDW L3DG 2QH LV LWV SRUWDELOLW\ DQG RQH LV LWV VKHHU processing power. <HV ZH NQRZ WKLV LV EDVLFDOO\ WKH VDPH GHVLJQ DV WKH ʐUVW L3DG PLQL LQ EXW ZDLW (YHU VLQFH WKH LQ L3DG 3UR ZDV LQWURGXFHG LQ $SSOH KDV concentrated on larger tablet displays. :LWK WKH LQ VFUHHQV MRLQLQJ WKH

VWDQGDUG LQ L3DG VL]HV ZHşYH been led to believe bigger LVbEHWWHU b ,WşV QR VXUSULVH JLYHQ $SSOH DQG HYHU\RQH HOVH has done the same with their smartphones. But ZKHQ , VWDUWHG using the iPad You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the iPad mini. mini it reminded me of the pure convenience of a small KHOG SDUWLFXODUO\ IRU ODQGVFDSH JDPHV tablet – something around the size of The iPad mini is very powerful thanks D ERRN DQG GHʐQLWHO\ WKLQQHU WKDW to the A12 Bionic chip. This is the \RX FDQ FDUU\ DERXW XQQRWLFHG ,WşV same processor found in the iPhone RQO\ J DQG GLVSOD\V PRVW FRQWHQW ;6 DQG ;5 PHDQLQJ WKH L3DG PLQL LV better than your phone can. the cheapest Apple hardware with this With those phones getting bigger H[WUHPHO\ IDVW VLOLFRQ LQVLGH DQG EHWWHU \RX PD\ KDYH IRXQG By this point there’s not even \RXU WDEOHW XVH GHFOLQLQJ %XW , much point in comparing it to the found the iPad mini was irresistible $ SURFHVVRU LQ WKHbL3DG PLQL WKDW EHFDXVH RI LWV VL]H DQG , XVHG LW this new model replaces – the new LQ PHHWLQJV DW KRPH DQG RQ WKH RQH LV VR VR PXFK EHWWHU $W WKH WLPH EXV IDUbPRUH WKDQ WKH ODUJHU L3DGV RI UHOHDVH LW LV SUDFWLFDOO\ WKH PRVW WKDW ,şYH UHYLHZHG RYHU WKH \HDUV powerful mobile chip money can buy. ,W PHDVXUHVb [ [ PP %XW LI \RX UHDOO\ PXVW NQRZ KHUH thinner than an iPhone XS. \RX JR On the bottom are two stereo speakers which sound clear and have Geekbench 4 (multi-core) enough bass for a tablet this small iPad mini (2019): EXWbZLOO JHW FRYHUHG XS QDWXUDOO\ ZKHQ iPad Air (2019): ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 35

iPAD

11in iPad Pro (2018): 9.7in iPad mini (2018): iPad mini 4 (2015):

GFX Manhattan 3.1 iPad mini (2019): ISV iPad Air (2019): ISV 11in iPad Pro (2018): ISV 9.7in iPad mini (2018): 27fps iPad mini 4 (2015): 6fps Geekbench clocks the CPU speed and GFXBench measures the GPU – the latter shows the iPad Pro’s 120Hz IUDPH UDWHV DW SOD\ EXW QRWH KRZ PXFK PRUH SRZHUIXO WKH L3DG PLQL LV WKDQ şV ODUJHU UHJXODUbL3DG We also compared it to the iPad Air announced on the same day as the L3DG PLQL 7KH PLQL LV H[FHOOHQW YDOXH for the performance you’re getting KHUH 7KH PRVW H[SHQVLYH YHUVLRQ *% ZLWK * FRVWV e Ŝ e cheaper than the cheapest iPad Pro. $SSOHşV FODLP RIb KRXUV RIbEDWWHU\ OLIH ZKHQ ŞVXUʐQJ WKH ZHE RQ :L )L ZDWFKLQJ YLGHR RU OLVWHQLQJ to music’ proved accurate in our WHVWLQJ WKRXJK DV H[SHFWHG , IRXQG LW GUDLQHG PXFK IDVWHU ZKHQ RQ * RU YLGHR FDOOLQJ , KDG WR FKDUJH LW DERXW RQFH HYHU\ WKUHH GD\V EXW , DOVR personally never let my tech get down into the red.

36 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

iO-Yes ,QVLGH WKH L3DG PLQLşV IUDPH WKH $ drives a ferociously fast operating system. iOS 12 undergoes more scrutiny when it’s on an iPad Pro and VDLG WR EH DEOH WR UHSODFH D ODSWRS EXWbZKHQ LWşV UXQQLQJ RQ WKH VPDOOHVW iPad it’s undoubtedly the best software on a casual-use tablet. ,şYH UHYLHZHG PDQ\ FRQVXPHU Android tablets – none of them are preferable to the convenience and polish of an iPad. On the iPad mini apps open and close instantly and games ʑRZ XQKLQGHUHG HYHQ KLJK HQG demanding titles such as Fortnite. ,WşVbE\ IDU WKH EHVW VRIWZDUH H[SHULHQFH RQ D WDEOHW WKLV VPDOO DQG LV DV VPRRWK DV WKHbL3KRQH ;6bWKDW costs around £600 more if we are talking base mode pricing.

The LCD display is well calibrated and laminated so it does not have a gap between the surface and the VFUHHQ OLNH WKH FKHDSHVW LQ L3DG does. You also get True Tone for WKH ʐUVW WLPH RQ DQ L3DG PLQL VR the screen (optionally) adjusts the ZKLWHbEDODQFH GHSHQGLQJ RQ WKH ambient light. $QG ZKLOH LW VXSSRUWV WKH ʐUVW JHQHUDWLRQb$SSOH 3HQFLObDQG WKH UHTXLVLWH DSSV WKH VFUHHQ GRHVQşW

have Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion tech found in the iPad Pro models that makes scrolling even smoother.

Apple has admitted that it took ages to update the iPad mini because it assumed tablet buying would veer WRZDUGV ODUJHU GLVSOD\V ,Q WKH WHFK ZRUOG ZH NQHZ WKDW WKH DJHLQJ KDUGZDUH RI WKH L3DG PLQL ZDVQşW WKH EHVW EX\ EXW WKDW GLGQşW GHWHU SHRSOH from still buying it because of the size.

There’s clearly still demand for the LQ GLVSOD\ 7XUQV RXW PRVW SHRSOH don’t care about the large bezels.

You also get second-gen Touch ,' ZKLFK LV H[FHOOHQWO\ UHVSRQVLYH , GLGQşW PLVV )DFH ,' DOO WKDW PXFK WKRXJK WKDW PLJKW EH GLʏHUHQW ZKHQ it comes to an iPhone.

7KH WKLQJV , GR RQ WKH iPad mini don’t really require it.

DOVR LQ XVH FDVH 7KLV LV ZK\ , OLNH LW VRbPXFK :KDW , PHDQ LV WKDW , GLG QRW feel compelled to load up Twitter RU ,QVWDJUDP RQ LW EHFDXVH RI WKH VL]H ,QVWHDG , IRXQG P\VHOI RSHQLQJ the 1HZ <RUN 7LPHV $SSOH 1HZV RU )HHGO\bDSSV WR UHDG WKH PRUQLQJ headlines on the bus on a display that has room to breathe. :KLOH GRLQJ WKLV , SLQJHG RYHU WR Pocket Casts and got a podcast on the JR \HV WKHUHşV D KHDGSKRQH MDFN

6XUH , FRXOG KDYH GRQH WKHVH WKLQJV on a phone but without the constant PHVVDJH QRWLʐFDWLRQV UROOLQJ LQ DQG

Middle ground :KDW , IRXQG PRUH than anything (and this might not apply to you) is that the iPad mini managed to take me away from my phone and bring me down from P\ FRPSXWHU ,W VLWV LQ WKH PLGGOH LQ VL]H EXW

The New York Times app displaying the same front page on iPhone XR (left) and iPad mini (right).

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 37

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D ODUJHU GLVSOD\ to enjoy newspaper VW\OH FRQWHQW RQ , ZDV SHUVRQDOO\ FKXʏHG My use of the iPad mini took me away from the mental burn out of social media and WhatsApp and provided me with a device that let me read and didn’t distract.

This was 7KH L3DG PLQL VXSSRUWV WKH NJUVW JHQHUDWLRQ $SSOH 3HQFLO accentuated even more E\ WKH * UHYLHZ XQLW $SSOH SURYLGHG and the advantage of cloud-stored me with (the cheapest iPad mini is Winotes is evident. )L RQO\ , SXW P\ VHFRQG 6,0 LQ LW DQG Apple would of course like you to LW PHDQW WKDW , FRXOG ZDWFK <RX7XEH RZQ PXOWLSOH L3DGV DQG ʑLW EHWZHHQ RQ WKH EXV FKHFN SHUVRQDO HPDLOV DQG VL]HV DV WDVN GLFWDWHV EXW WKHQ DJDLQ UHVHDUFK D KROLGD\ Ŝ DJDLQ WKLQJV WKDW with two Apple Pencils that support we all do on our phones but is easier GLʏHUHQW PRGHOV WKLV LV XVHU KRVWLOH RQ D ODUJHU VFUHHQ EXW QRW D VFUHHQ VR ,Ib\RX ZDQWHG WKH L3DG PLQL DQG ODUJH WKDW , IHOW OLNH DQ LGLRW IRU XVLQJ LW Db L3DG 3UR \RXşG QHHG ERWK RQ WKH QXPEHU models of Pencil. $QG VXUH WKH VHFRQG JHQHUDWLRQ Pencil me in $SSOH 3HQFLO LV ŞEHWWHUş EXW WKH ʐUVW 2QH WKLQJ , SHUVRQDOO\ GLG QRW XVH JHQ 3HQFLO LV DEVROXWHO\ ʐQH DQG PXFK ZDV WKH $SSOH 3HQFLO ZKLFK paired with the base iPad mini it’s the WKHb L3DG PLQL QRZ VXSSRUWV FKHDSHVW ZD\ WR XVH RQH , UHPDLQ Apple’s suggestion that the iPad mini sceptical that many artists will opt for would make a great digital notebook the iPad mini over the iPad Pro with LV FXWH DQG \RX PD\ EH VRPHRQH ZKR its better display and larger digital would genuinely use the tablet as a FDQYDV EXW WKHUH PLJKW EH D QLFKH ,W ZD\ WR EDFN XS KDQGZULWWHQ QRWHV probably didn’t cost much for Apple 38 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

to add the support to the mini and eke out a few more Pencil purchases IURPbFXULRXVbFXVWRPHUV $QG \HV WKH L3DG PLQL KDV D FDPHUDbRQ WKH EDFN ,I \RX UHDOO\ want to be that person holding it at head height to take a picture of the (LʏHO 7RZHU WKHQ ,şOO WU\ QRW WR MXGJH you. The 8Mp lens is nowhere near DV JRRGbDV VRPHWKLQJ RQ DQ\ UHFHQW L3KRQH EXW LWşOO GR Better used is the front-facing 7Mp S )DFH7LPH FDPHUD , XVHG WKH iPad mini for a fair few video calls DQG LW ZDV D JUHDW H[SHULHQFH %XW any close inspection on still images from either camera shows these are QRW JUHDW TXDOLW\ SKRWRV ZLWK D ORW RI noise when zoomed in.

Verdict The iPad mini lives on in a very capable package that includes the EOD]LQJO\ IDVW $ FKLS b,WşV WKH cheapest hardware with Apple’s latest processor. The ageing design is a GRZQVLGH EXWbWKLV L3DG GHVLJQ LV D FHUWLʐHG FODVVLF DQG ZH GRQşW WKLQN LWşOO SXW PDQ\ SHRSOH Rʏ Ŝ LW GRHVQşW XV :LWK D KHDGSKRQH MDFN RXWVWDQGLQJ SHUIRUPDQFH 3HQFLO support and unrivalled portability in WKH WDEOHW PDUNHW WKH L3DG PLQL LV D VXUSULVLQJO\ H[FHOOHQW XSJUDGH RQ D

product we thought was about to bow out. Henry Burrell

6SHFLNJFDWLRQV • LQ [ SSL 5HWLQD ,36 /&' FDSDFLWLYH WRXFKVFUHHQ • L3DG26 • Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) processor • +H[D FRUH [ *+] 9RUWH[ [ 1.6GHz Tempest) CPU • $SSOH FRUH JUDSKLFV *38 • *% 5$0 • *% *% VWRUDJH • 5HDU IDFLQJ FDPHUD 0S I PP VWDQGDUG wP $) • 6HOʐH FDPHUD 0S I PP (standard) • :L )L D E J Q DF GXDO EDQG hotspot • %OXHWRRWK $ '3 ('5 • *36 ZLWK $ *36 */21$66 :L )L Cellular model only) • /LJKWQLQJ 86% • Fingerprint scanner (front mounted) • 1RQ UHPRYDEOH :K OLWKLXP LRQ battery • [ [ PP • :L )L J FHOOXODU J

BEST FOR FUTURE-PROOF FEATURES: iPAD AIR (2020) Price: e IURP IDYH FR Q K( \ 9LVXDOO\ \RX KDYH WR ORRN YHU\ carefully to notice that the latest ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 39

iPAD

L3DG $LU LVQşW DQ L3DG 3UR WKH DQJXODU nearly all-screen case design was previously reserved for the PRUH H[SHQVLYH WDEOHWV EXW $SSOH has found room for an Air in that H[FOXVLYHbFOXE This isn’t the only area where this release sees the Pro and Air lines come FORVHU WRJHWKHU Ŝ LQ WHUPV RI &38 LQ IDFW WKH $LU PRGHO LV WHFKQLFDOO\ two generations ahead. But let’s take WKLQJVbRQH VWHS DW D WLPH 2YHU WKH IROORZLQJ SDJHV ZH WHVW DQG HYDOXDWH WKH WDEOHWşV GHVLJQ QHZ IHDWXUHV SHUIRUPDQFH EDWWHU\ OLIH DQG WHFK VSHFV DQG KHOS \RX GHFLGH LI WKLV is the iPad for you.

Price 7KH QHZ $LU VWDUWV DW e ,WşV QRWLFHDEO\ PRUH H[SHQVLYH WKDQ WKH $LU UHOHDVHG ODVW \HDU DOWKRXJK DV ZH ZLOO GLVFRYHU LW RʏHUV QXPHURXV upgrades to justify this. There are four FRQʐJXUDWLRQV WR FKRRVH IURP £579: *% :L )L £729: *% :L )L £709: *% FHOOXODU £859: *% FHOOXODU

Storage 0RUH VWRUDJH LV DOZD\V EHWWHU DQG WKLV statement is just as true for Apple’s 40 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

tablets as it is for smartphones.

Especially if you like to edit photos or YLGHRV RQ WKH ELJ VFUHHQ ZKLFK TXLFNO\ racks up the gigabytes.

1HYHUWKHOHVV ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR HTXLSSLQJ WKH L3DG $LU ZLWK ʑDVK PHPRU\ $SSOH LV VWLFNLQJ WR LWV VWUDWHJ\ \RX HLWKHU JHW D OLWWOH RU \RX get a lot. You only have the choice EHWZHHQ RU *% 7KLV LV D GLʏHUHQFH IURP WKH 3UR PRGHOV ZKLFK DUH DYDLODEOH ZLWK RU *% RU even with 1TB. $ VLPLODU GLʏHUHQWLDWLRQ EHWZHHQ the Air and Pro lines can be found ZLWK WKH 5$0 DOORFDWLRQ 7KH QHZ $ %LRQLF FKLS LV KHUH VXSSRUWHG E\ *% RI 5$0 ZKHUHDV WKH $ = %LRQLF LQ WKH Pro models has 6GB. You can tell that WKHUH DUH VLJQLʐFDQW GLʏHUHQFHV XQGHU WKH KRRG ZKLFK LV ZK\ LWşV SHUKDSV better not to compare the iPad Air directly with the Pro models.

A better – and we’d say fairer – comparison would be with the direct SUHGHFHVVRU WKH L3DG $LU IURP

New display $W LQ WKH GLVSOD\ LV D OLWWOH ODUJHU WKDQ WKH LQ VFUHHQ RI WKH $LUşV SUHGHFHVVRU 7KH +RPH EXWWRQbKDV GLVDSSHDUHG \RX FDQ QRZbUHDFK WKH KRPH VFUHHQ Ŝ DV ZLWKbWKH 3URbPRGHOV Ŝ E\ VZLSLQJ XS

from the lower edge of the screen.

The resolution is now VOLJKWO\ KLJKHU ZKLOH brightness remains the VDPH DW D PD[LPXP RI QLWV :H PHDVXUHG QLWV XQGHU laboratory conditions LQ D GDUN URRP ZKLFK LV D GHFHQW SHUIRUPDQFH 7KH NJQJHUSULQW VHQVRU KDV EHHQ PRYHG WR WKH SRZHU EXWWRQ and even outdoors you VKRXOG UDUHO\ ʐQG WKDW \RX FDQşW VHH LQQRYDWLRQbWKDW $SSOH KDV QHYHU XVHG what’s on the screen. Don’t forget LQ DQ\ RWKHU SURGXFW WKH ʐQJHUSULQW WR SLFN XS D FDVH IRU WKH $LU LI \RX sensor moves to the power button on ZDQWbWR NHHS WKDW GLVSOD\ ORRNLQJ the upper edge of the iPad case.

QHZbIRU ORQJHU 7KLV PDNHV LW VLJQLʐFDQWO\ VPDOOHU 7KH FRQWUDVW UDWLR ZKLFK ZH and considerably narrower. Can it still PHDVXUHG DW DURXQG LV DOVR UHOLDEO\ UHFRJQL]H ʐQJHUSULQWV" :H D UHDVRQDEOH ʐJXUH EXW ZH DUH VWLOO D ZHUH LQLWLDOO\ VFHSWLFDO DQG WHVWHG long way from the dream numbers of WKHbIXQFWLRQ FDUHIXOO\ an OLED display. Whether OLED will 6HWWLQJ XS ʐQJHUSULQWV ZRUNV LQ WKH ever make it into Apple’s tablets is same way as with the conventional KDUGbWR JXHVV URXQG VHQVRU )LUVW WKH L3DG VDYHV WKH One consolation is that the Android PLGGOH DUHD RI WKH ʐQJHUWLS WKHQ WKH competition is also proving frugal HGJHV $V EHIRUH \RX FDQ VDYH XS WR in this respect. Only a handful of ʐYH ʐQJHUWLSV Ŝ ZKLFK UHDOO\ PDNHV PDQXIDFWXUHUV RʏHU 2/(' WDEOHWV ZLWK VHQVH QRZ EHFDXVH LI \RX RSHUDWH screens larger than 10in.

WKH L3DG $LU ZLWK WKH 0DJLF .H\ERDUG ZKLFK LW VXSSRUWV WKH SRZHU VZLWFK LV Touch ID in the power button RQ WKH OHIW $V D ULJKW KDQGHG SHUVRQ 1R PRUH +RPH EXWWRQ DQG QR )DFH \RX GHʐQLWHO\ KDYH WR LQFOXGH \RXU ,'" +RZ GR \RX XQORFN WKH QHZ OHIW LQGH[ ʐQJHU DV DQ XQORFN RSWLRQ iPad Air now? This brings us to a real otherwise there will be unpleasant ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 41

iPAD

contortions in front of the iPad. $IWHU DQ LQLWLDO IDPLOLDUL]DWLRQ SKDVH unlocking with the narrow sensor ZRUNHG ʐQH LQ SUDFWLFH 0D\EH ZH KDG a few more unsuccessful attempts than ZLWK WKH ODUJHU VHQVRU EXW DOO LQ DOO WKH narrow sensor worked surprisingly well. ,W FDQ EH DVVXPHG $SSOH ZLOO XVH this type of unlocking in other devices in the future. Fingerprint sensors still KDYH WKHLU DGYDQWDJHV HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHQ WKHUHşV D SDQGHPLF EHFDXVH )DFH ,' fails if you wear a mask. But Apple is NHHQ WR OHDYH RXW WKH +RPH EXWWRQ because this allows for larger screens.

7RXFK ,' LQ WKH SRZHU EXWWRQ LV D sensible compromise.

Staying connected

$V ZHşYH VHHQ ZLWK WKH 3UR PRGHOV Apple is slowly saying goodbye to the EHORYHG /LJKWQLQJ SRUW ZKLFK LV QRZ getting on in years. The new iPad Air comes with USB-C. This may mean chucking out a bunch of Lightning accessories \RX DOUHDG\ RZQ ZKLFK LV DOZD\V frustrating. But there are plenty of WKLUG SDUW\ FKDUJHUV RXW WKHUH DQG Apple bundles a 20-watt USB-C power adapter and cable. Using WKHVHbDFFHVVRULHV WKH iPad charged from ]HURbWR SHU FHQW LQbMXVW XQGHU WZR and-a-half hours.

We’ll admit there are possible annoyances in switching from Lightning to a new FRQQHFWLRQ VWDQGDUG but you can do a lot more with USB-C. Mass storage media such as USB sticks RU HYHQ H[WHUQDO The new iPad Air works with the Magic Keyboard. hard drives can 42 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

be connected directly and a large QXPEHU RI ʐOHV FDQ EH RSHQHG immediately using the Files app or copied to internal storage. Other peripherals such as USB Ethernet adapters will also work. Simply plug it in and a new item ‘Ethernet’ appears in the Settings app. :H DOUHDG\ DOOXGHG WR WKLV EXW thanks to three contact points on the back and a couple of powerful PDJQHWV WKH QHZ L3DG $LU ZRUNV ZLWK WKH 0DJLF .H\ERDUG $SSOH VHQW XV RQHbWR WHVW DQG LWşV DPD]LQJ KRZ quickly you get used to using the <RXşOO NJQG D 0S OHQV RQ WKH EDFN RI WKH L3DG NH\ERDUG DQG WUDFNSDG ,Q QR WLPH \RXbFDQ ZRUN ZLWK WKH L3DG MXVW OLNH when writing German. For most of us you’re using a MacBook.

WKRXJK WKDWşV QRW DQ LVVXH Whether it is actually a real replacement for a notebook depends – Photography as so often – on the software. There are Another big step forward compared still programs that you can’t get on an to the Air’s direct predecessor is the L3DG HVSHFLDOO\ GHYHORSHU WRROV VXFK EXLOW LQ FDPHUD RQ WKH EDFN ZKLFK QRZ as Xcode or professional software for has a resolution of 12Mp. DXGLR YLGHR HGLWLQJ (YHQ ZLWK D 0DJLF We took a few test photos with the .H\ERDUG DQG WUDFNSDG DQ L3DG ZLOO QRW iPad Air in autumnal surroundings and penetrate into these areas so quickly.

FRPSDUHG WKHP ZLWK WKH L3DG PLQL ,I \RXşUH DUWLVWLFDOO\ LQFOLQHG RU which has roughly the same camera as OLNH WR ZRUN E\ KDQG \RX ZLOO EH the previous Air. You can see that the happy to be able to use the 2ndiPad Air (2020) shoots sharper images JHQHUDWLRQ $SSOH 3HQFLO ,Q RXU WHVWV and the colours come out looking a the handwriting recognition that Apple OLWWOH FULVSHU DQG PRUH QDWXUDO ,Q WKH LV LQWURGXFLQJ ZLWK L26 ZRUNHG ZHOO PDFUR DUHD KRZHYHU WKH ORRN RI WKH although it struggled with umlauts L3DG PLQL LV VOLJKWO\ DKHDG ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 43

iPAD

In these two shots, you can see that colours look a little crisper and more natural in photos taken with the Air (2020).

44 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

Macro shots are less impressive on the iPad Air (2020).

A14 Bionic processor )RU WKH ʐUVW WLPH $SSOH LV XVLQJ D SURFHVVRU WKH $ %LRQLF WKDW ZDV FUHDWHG XVLQJ WKH QP SURFHVV 7KLV FKLS PDNHV LWV RʒFLDO GHEXW LQ WKH L3DGb$LU DOWKRXJK LW KDV VLQFH reappeared in the iPhone 12.

A lot has been written about the $ %LRQLF 1RZbZH FDQ PHDVXUH RXUVHOYHV IRU WKHbʐUVW WLPH CPU performance compared WR WKH $ LQ WKH L3DG PLQL DQG iPhone XS is between 12 per cent /LQSDFN DQG D ZKRSSLQJ SHU FHQW *HHNEHQFK PXOWL FRUH WHVW

EHWWHU ,QbJUDSKLFV VHQVLWLYH WDVNV LW

VKRZHG DQ LPSURYHPHQW RI SHU FHQWb '0DUN

7KH $ %LRQLF WKXV DFKLHYHV GHVNWRSbSHUIRUPDQFH ULJKW IURP the start and even outperforms HVWDEOLVKHGb,QWHO FKLSV LQ WKH Geekbench single-core test. This is more than enough power for an iPad LQbDOO VLWXDWLRQV DQG LW VKRZVbZKHUH $SSOH ZDQWV WR JR ZLWKbWKH $ $Q $ KRZHYHU RSWLPL]HG LQ a MacBook or iMac should provide unprecedented computing power.

(VSHFLDOO\ LI \RX DGG DFWLYH FRROLQJ which is not available in the iPhone bRU WKH L3DG $LU ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 45

iPAD

Battery life Despite the improved computing and JUDSKLFV SHUIRUPDQFH ZH IRXQG WKDW battery life remained essentially the same as on the previous generation. ,Q RXU H[FHSWLRQDOO\ GHPDQGLQJ ZRUVW FDVH WHVW ZH SOD\HG DQ 03 video in an endless loop at 100 per cent screen brightness. Here the iPad $LU UDQ RXW RI MXLFH DIWHU ʐYH KRXUV DQGb PLQXWHV 7KH L3DG RQO\ UDQ slightly longer here. ,Q D PRUH UHDOLVWLF EXW VWLOO GHPDQGLQJ ZHE EURZVLQJ WHVW ZH continually called up a variety of websites. Using this method the iPad $LU UDQ IRU KRXUV DQG PLQXWHV ŜbDJDLQ D YHU\ JRRG SHUIRUPDQFH ,Q HYHU\GD\ OLIH \RX VKRXOG H[SHFW the iPad Air to last an entire working day without any problems. What more FRXOG \RXbZDQW"

Verdict 7KH L3DG $LU LV D VLJQLʐFDQW step forward – especially compared WR LWV GLUHFW SUHGHFHVVRU ZKLFK LV MXVW over a year old. The gap between the $LU DQG 3UR PRGHOV LV VKULQNLQJ EXW remains noticeable in certain areas.

6WLOO LI \RXşUH WKLQNLQJ DERXW EX\LQJ D new tablet and don’t necessarily have SURIHVVLRQDO DPELWLRQV IRU LW WKH QHZ L3DG $LU LV H[DFWO\ WKH ULJKW FRPSDQLRQ 46 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

that will bring joy for many years to come. André Martin

6SHFLNJFDWLRQV • LQ [ SSL

/LTXLG 5HWLQD ,36 /&' FDSDFLWLYH touchscreen • L3DG26 • $SSOH $ %LRQLF QP SURFHVVRU • +H[D FRUH &38 • $SSOH FRUH JUDSKLFV *38 • *% *% VWRUDJH • 5HDU IDFLQJ FDPHUD 0S I ZLGH LQ wP GXDO SL[HO PDAF • 6HOʐH FDPHUD 0S I PP (standard) • :L )L D E J Q DF GXDO EDQG KRWVSRW • %OXHWRRWK $ '3 ('5 • *36 ZLWK $ *36 */21$66 FHOOXODU model only) • USB Type-C; magnetic connector • Fingerprint scanner (top mounted) • 1RQ UHPRYDEOH :K OLWKLXP polymer battery • [ [ PP • :L )L J FHOOXODU J

THE BEST HIGH-POWER OPTION: 12.9IN iPAD PRO (2021) Price: e IURP IDYH FR '2;;;+] 7KH GLʏHUHQFH EHWZHHQ WKH iPad Pro and last year’s upgrade was

The 12/9in iPad Pro is Apple’s top-of-the-range model.

so modest that the generation was largely overlooked with a yawn. But WKLV \HDU $SSOH VXUSULVHG XV ZLWK VXFK a dramatic upgrade that we thought we must have heard wrong.

The same lightning-fast processor as the Mac range? A mini-LED screen WKDW HYHQ WKH 0DFV KDYHQşW JRW" ,V WKLV ʐQDOO\ WKH ODSWRS UHSODFHPHQW that Apple has spent years trying WRbFRQYLQFH XV WKH L3DG FDQ EH" /HWşVbʐQG RXW

thicker). We still don’t get an iPad with screen bezels as narrow as those of the iPhone. Even the camera module on the back is the same.

This is not to say that the iPad 3UR LV D EDG GHVLJQ 2Q WKH FRQWUDU\ LW LV H[WUHPHO\ VROLGO\ EXLOW ZLWK FRQʐGHQFH LQVSLULQJ PDWHULDO FKRLFHV which makes it feel like a quality product in the hand. We just wanted it to look new on the outside as well.

Models and accessories Design There are major upgrades on the LQVLGH EXW YHU\ OLWWOH KDV FKDQJHG RQ the outside. The dimensions are the VDPH H[FHSW WKDW WKH QHZ VFUHHQ means the chassis is half a millimetre

$V EHIRUH \RX FDQ JHW WKH L3DG 3UR ZLWK DQ LQ RU LQ VFUHHQ 2WKHUbWKDQ VL]H DQG EDWWHU\ FDSDFLW\ bWKH PDLQ GLʏHUHQFH EHWZHHQbWKHVH RSWLRQV LV WKDW WKH larger model has a mini-LED screen ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 47

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with higher brightness and thus HYHQbEHWWHU FRQWUDVW Both have identical storage RSWLRQV ZKLFK QRZ JR XS WR D VOLJKWO\ FUD]\ 7% 7KH\ DOVR KDYH PRUH 5$0 *% JLJDE\WHV DV VWDQGDUG DQG *% for the terabyte-plus models. Both DUH DYDLODEOH HLWKHU ZLWK :L )L RQO\ RU ZLWK :L )L DQG * The colour choices are silver RU 6SDFH *UH\ ,I \RX ZDQW D PRUH FRORXUIXO L3DG \RXşOO KDYH WR WXUQ WR the iPad Air. A surprise was that the old USB-C port has been upgraded to 7KXQGHUEROW ZLWK 86% VXSSRUW This means you can connect lightning-

IDVW H[WHUQDO 66' GLVNV ZKLFK LV probably necessary if you want to WUDQVIHU PRYLHV DQG ʐOO XS WKRVH terabytes of storage space. But there’s also support for a 10Gb Ethernet connection. DisplayPort support allows you to connect it to a Pro 'LVSOD\ ;'5 DW IXOO . UHVROXWLRQ 7KH 0DJLF .H\ERDUG e IURP IDYH FR Z J*XQ LV VWDUWLQJ WRbORRN PRUH DQG PRUH OLNH D UHDO laptop keyboard. The keys have good stroke length and are at least DV FRPIRUWDEOHbWR W\SH RQ DV WKH VWDQGDUG ZLUHOHVV 0DJLF .H\ERDUG IRUb0DF 7KH\ DUH HYHQ EDFNOLW VR \RXbFDQ ZRUN LQ WKH GDUN

The Magic Keyboard looks like a real laptop keyboard.

48 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

The trackpad has a good feel and supports multiWRXFK JHVWXUHV 7KH ʑRDWLQJ design it gives the iPad is really nice and it’s smart that you can plug the charging cord into the keyboard when it’s connected.

Display The iPad Pro has long had DQ H[FHOOHQW VFUHHQ LW ZDV an early trailblazer for features like a 120Hz refresh rate (which the iPhone is We’re big fans of the iPad Pro’s screen.

VWLOO ZDLWLQJ IRU DXWRPDWLF adjustment to allow for changes in RI PLOOLRQ WR ZKLOH WKH W\SLFDO DPELHQW OLJKWLQJ DQG VXSSRUW IRU brightness has increased from WKH H[WHQGHG 3 FRORXU VSDFH $QG FG P2 WR LW FDQ LQFUHDVH now the iPad Pro pulls away from the WRb FG P2 ZKHQ QHHGHG 1RZ MacBook even more by being the we’re talking HDR. ʐUVW ZLWK D PLQL /(' VFUHHQ ZKLFK $V IDU DV ZH FDQ DVFHUWDLQ QRWKLQJ LQb$SSOH ODQJXDJH LV EUDQGHG DV special has happened to the sound.

Liquid Retina XDR. 7KHQ DJDLQ WKH L3DG 3UR DOUHDG\ KDG 1RWH WKDW PLQL /(' LV QRW D QHZ the best speakers we’ve heard on a VFUHHQ WHFKQRORJ\ ZKDW LW VLPSO\ tablet. Apple clearly believes in the means is that the backlight on the L3DG 3URşV DXGLR VHW XS DV LW KDV QRZ screen now consists of thousands used the same technology in the new of tiny LEDs. This allows the screen LQ L0DF 7KH QHZ L0DFV DOVR XVH D WR EH GLYLGHG LQWR DV PDQ\ DV similar set of microphones.

ORFDO GLPPLQJ ]RQHV VR ZKHQ SDUW RI WKH VFUHHQ KDV WR EH EODFN WKRVH Photography OLJKWV FDQ EH VZLWFKHG Rʏ FRPSOHWHO\ The only noticeable change for the Apple says this provides a contrast camera set-up is that the FaceTime ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 49

iPAD

and the like. People who take iPads into museums and obscure the view of everyone behind them should EHbH[SHOOHG The LiDAR scanner UHPDLQV RI FRXUVH which helps with SUHFLVHb$5 H[SHULHQFHV

Performance We’ve deliberately saved the most Centre Stage ensures everyone remains in the centre of the frame during a video call. spectacular revelation IRU ODVW 1DPHO\ WKDW WKH camera has been given a really smart iPad now has the same revolutionary QHZ IHDWXUH IRU YLGHR FDOOV &HQWUH Apple M1 processor that has appeared Stage. This zooms in on the person LQ WKH 0DF%RRN 0DF PLQL DQG PRVW KDYLQJ WKH FDOO WKHQ SDQV WR NHHS WKDW UHFHQWO\ WKH LQ L0DF 7KLV PHDQV person in the centre of the frame if performance has made the biggest WKH\ PRYH LW FDQ DOVR SXOO EDFN WR ʐW leap between two generations that in multiple subjects if someone else ZHbKDYH VHHQ LQ \HDUV turns up.

Overall performance has increased This feature works so well and so E\ SHU FHQW EDVHG RQ WKH $Q7X7X smoothly that we wish it was available speed test – and bear in mind that the on the iPhone and particularly on the SUHYLRXV JHQHUDWLRQ ZKLFK QRZ ORRNV QHZ LQ L0DF VR VORZ LQ FRPSDULVRQ DOUHDG\ UDQ 2Q WKH EDFN WKH 3UR UHWDLQV LWV circles around the competition.

12Mp wide-angle and 10Mp ultraGraphics performance has wide-angle lenses. This lack of an LPSURYHG E\ SHU FHQW DFFRUGLQJ upgrade doesn’t worry us because we WR RXU WHVW UHVXOWV LQ '0DUN :LOG believe that cameras on tablets are /LIH ([WUHPH :H KDG WR DEDQGRQ mostly a bonus for scanning receipts RXU '0DUN 6OLQJVKRW WHVW EHFDXVH 50 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

the iPad Pro hit the SHUIRUPDQFH FHLOLQJ Writing performance for storage has improved E\ SHU FHQW according to PassMark.

We will see what this means in the long run. Will we be able to run macOS software RQ WKHbL3DG LQ WKH same way that you can technically run iOS apps RQ WKH 0DF" $SSOHbKDV GLVPLVVHG VSHFXODWLRQ We were blown away by the iPad Pro's performance.

EXWbLQ WKH ORQJ WHUP WKH FRPSDQ\ SUREDEO\ KDVbVRPH VRUW D 0DF EHFDXVH LW PDNHV XV PRUH of plan to standardize the platform productive. The argument that it is a across its computers and tablets.

VPDOOHU DQG PRUH ʑH[LEOH GHYLFH WKDQ D ODSWRSbGRHV QRW KROG HLWKHU 7KH Can the new iPad Pro replace a QHZ LQ L3DG 3UR KDV EHFRPH J KHDYLHU 7RJHWKHU ZLWK WKH NH\ERDUG laptop? ,Q VKRUW QR LW FDQQRW )RU WKUHH LW ZHLJKV J ZKLFK LV J PRUH reasons. The iPad is primarily a device than the MacBook Air with the M1 IRU FRQVXPLQJ FRQWHQW RQ QRW FUHDWLQJ SURFHVVRU ZKLFK KDV D ODUJHU VFUHHQ LW 2I FRXUVH ZHşYH VRPHWLPHV VDW and a better keyboard.

RQ WUDLQV RU SODQHV ZLWKbDQ L3DG DQG ,WşV QRW HYHQ FKHDSHU $Q L3DG 3UR DQVZHUHG HPDLOV RU HYHQ ʐQLVKHG LQ ZLWK *% RI VWRUDJH *% writing an article using the keyboard.

RI 5$0 DQG ZLWKRXW * FRVWV e We’ve sat in cafés and cut together a $QG LI ZH DGG WKH 0DJLF .H\ERDUG IHZ YLGHR FOLSV RU HGLWHG D SKRWR DW WKDWşV DQRWKHU e $ WRWDO RI e D SUHVV FRQIHUHQFH ,W FDQ EH GRQH $ 0DF%RRN $LU ZLWK *% RI But when we sit at the desk and storage and 8GB of memory costs VWDUW ZRUNLQJ LQ HDUQHVW WKHQ ZH XVH e 2U LI ZH ZDQW WR PDWFK WKH ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 51

iPAD

SULFH ZH FDQ JHW D LQ 0DF%RRN 3UR M1 with 16GB of memory and the VDPH VWRUDJH IRU e

Verdict $SSOH LQFRUSRUDWHV WKH EHVW IDVWHVW and most delicious hardware in its new professional tablet. We have never seen this standard of performance or image quality on an L3DG Ŝ EXW LW LV YHU\ H[SHQVLYH DQG we’re starting to wonder why we have to wait for the corresponding progress on the MacBook range. Jonas Ekelund

6SHFLNJFDWLRQV • LQ [ SSL /LTXLG Retina XDR mini-LED LCD • L3DG26 • Apple M1 processor • Octa-core CPU • Apple GPU • *% *% 5$0 • *% *% *% 7% 7% storage • 7KUHH UHDU IDFLQJ FDPHUDV 0S I ZLGH LQ wP GXDO SL[HO 3'$) 0S I GHJUHH XOWUD ZLGH 72) ' /L'$5 VFDQQHU (depth) • 6HOʐH FDPHUD 0S I 122-degree (ultra-wide) • :L )L D E J Q DF GXDO EDQG KRWVSRW 52 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

• %OXHWRRWK $ '3 /( ('5 • *36 ZLWK $ *36 */21$66 *$/,/(2 4=66 :L )L &HOOXODU PRGHO RQO\

• 1)& • 86% 7\SH & 7KXQGHUEROW

DisplayPort; magnetic connector • )DFH ,' • 1RQ UHPRYDEOH :K lithium-polymer battery • Fast charging 18 watts • [ [ PP • J :L )L J *

How to get an Apple Student Discount Find out if you qualify for Apple’s Education Pricing and how to buy from Apple’s Education Store. Ashleigh Macro reports

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WXGHQWV WHDFKHUV OHFWXUHUV and those who work for an HGXFDWLRQDO LQVWLWXWLRQ VFKRRO university or college) can save PRQH\ RQ D QHZ 0DF 0DF%RRN RU iPad purchase thanks to the Apple (GXFDWLRQ 6WRUH ,Q WKLV DUWLFOH ZHşOO show you how to use the Apple Education Store to get a student discount from Apple.

Students are a big market for $SSOH ZKLFK LV ZK\ LW KDV DQ HQWLUH VHSDUDWH HGXFDWLRQ VWRUH WKDW RʏHUV hefty discounts on Mac computers and iPad tablets – and sometimes gives away products like AirPods as DQbLQFHQWLYH IRU FXVWRPHUV Most Apple customers aren’t DZDUH RI WKH $SSOH (GXFDWLRQ 6WRUH or don’t think the discount applies to ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 53

iPAD

WKHP %XW WKLV LV D PLVWDNH EHFDXVH Apple throws the education net quite ZLGH DQG WKHUHşV D JRRG FKDQFH \RX qualify if you are enrolled in a higher HGXFDWLRQ FRXUVH RU LI \RX ZRUN LQ D VFKRRO FROOHJH RU XQLYHUVLW\ ,I \RXşUH DOUHDG\ DW XQLYHUVLW\ RU KDYH EHHQ RʏHUHG \RXU SODFH WKHQ you should ensure that you make use of Apple’s student discount. %HIRUH ZH EHJLQ WKRXJK \RX might be interested to know that until 11 October you’ll get a free pair of AirPods with your qualifying purchase from the Apple Education store.

HOW MUCH IS THE APPLE STUDENT DISCOUNT? $SSOH GRHVQşW RʏHU D VLQJOH XQLYHUVDO GLVFRXQW ,W VHWV GLʏHUHQW SULFHV for each product range. These are currently available for Macs and L3DGV RQO\ 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ WKHUH DUH QR GLVFRXQWV RQ WKH L3KRQH $SSOH 79 RU $SSOH :DWFK RU RQ DFFHVVRULHV RU software for these items.

HOW MUCH IS APPLE’S iPAD STUDENT DISCOUNT ,Q WKH 8. \RX FDQ H[SHFW WR VDYH XS WR e RQ WKH PRUH H[SHQVLYH PRGHOV • L3DG PLQL IURP e XVXDOO\ e Ŝ e Rʏ 54 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

• iPad Pro from £711.60 (usually e Ŝ e Rʏ • L3DG $LU IURP e XVXDOO\ e bŜ e • L3DG IURP e XVXDOO\ e Ŝ e Rʏ

WHO CAN GET AN APPLE STUDENT DISCOUNT? There are three types of people who FDQ TXDOLI\ IRU D VWXGHQW GLVFRXQW • Students in higher education.

• People who are buying for HGXFDWLRQbLQVWLWXWLRQV • Parents of higher education VWXGHQWVbEX\LQJ RQ WKHLU EHKDOI Apple spells this out in more detail in its terms and conditions. These state that the following groups are “eligible to purchase from the Apple 6WRUH IRU (GXFDWLRQŢ Employees of any education institution: Any employee of D SXEOLFbRU SULYDWH HGXFDWLRQ LQVWLWXWLRQbLQ WKH 8.

Post-secondary Education Students: Students attending or accepted LQWR DbSRVW VHFRQGDU\ HGXFDWLRQ LQVWLWXWLRQbLQ WKH 8.

Parents of post-secondary students: Parents purchasing on behalf of their

$SSOH RljHUV GLVFRXQWV RQ DOO RI LWV L3DG PRGHOV

FKLOG ZKR LV D VWXGHQW FXUUHQWO\ attending or accepted into a public or private post-secondary education LQVWLWXWLRQ LQ WKH 8.

HOW TO GET AN APPLE STUDENT DISCOUNT &OLFN WKLV OLQN IDYH FR KT13X7 WR $SSOHşV 8. (GXFDWLRQ 6WRUH WR DFFHVV the Apple Education site.

Once there you’ll be encouraged to sign up on student discount website 81L'$<6 IDYH FR \4 JH WR access Apple’s educational discounts. $OWHUQDWLYHO\ 8. FXVWRPHUV FDQ DOVR XVH WKH ULYDO YHULʐFDWLRQ VHUYLFH 6WXGHQW %HDQV IDYH FR N: PQI

which works in the same way as 81L'$<6 2Q ZKLFKHYHU VLWH \RX XVH you’ll need to provide your email DGGUHVV DQG D SDVVZRUG \RXU QDPH

LQVWLWXWLRQ VXEMHFW RI VWXG\ \HDUV RI study and course length.

Once you have completed the registration process and signed in \RXbZLOO EH DEOH WR DFFHVV $SSOHşV student discounts. ,I \RX GRQşW ZDQW WR UHJLVWHU YLD D YHULʐFDWLRQ VLWH \RX FDQ DOVR FDOO $SSOH XVH $SSOHşV &KDW RQOLQH IHDWXUH RU YLVLW DQ $SSOH 6WRUH 7KH VWDʏ WKHUH will guide you through the process.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 55

iPHONE

A much-needed Spotlight on the best iPhone feature nobody uses L3KRQH VHDUFK LV JUHDW Ŝ DQG JHWWLQJ HYHQ EHWWHU LQ L26 6R ZK\ does Apple hide it? Jason Cross reports

,

FDQşW WHOO \RX KRZ PDQ\ WLPHV ,şYH been helping someone out with WKHLU L3KRQH Ŝ D QHLJKERXU IULHQG RU IDPLO\ PHPEHU Ŝ DQG , KDYH WR ZDON WKHP WKURXJK ʐQGLQJ VRPHWKLQJ ZLWK 6SRWOLJKW :KHQ , H[SODLQ WKDW D

56 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

simple drag-down on the home screen lets them search for anything on their SKRQH Ŝ DQ DSS FRQWDFW FRQWHQWV RI DQ L0HVVDJH RU HPDLO SKRWR Ŝ , FDQ SUDFWLFDOO\ VHH WKH OLJKW EXOE JR Rʏ $QG WKHQ LQHYLWDEO\ WKH\ JR ULJKW

EDFN WR SHFNLQJ DURXQG WKHLU VL[ SDJHV RI KRPH VFUHHQ LFRQV WU\LQJ WR ʐQG where they put the Settings app.

Spotlight is the most criminally XQGHUXVHG IHDWXUH RI WKH L3KRQH DQG LWşV JHWWLQJ EHWWHU LQ L26 1RZ LI RQO\ $SSOH ZRXOG ʐ[ LWV ELJJHVW SUREOHP GLVFRYHUDELOLW\

JUST SWIPE DOWN… NO, NOT THERE! ,I 6SRWOLJKW KDV D SUREOHP LWşV WKDW VR IHZ SHRSOH NQRZ LW H[LVWV 2K VXUH you probably use Spotlight every day. iPad & iPhone User readers tend to be a little more informed about the LQV DQG RXWV RI WKHLU $SSOH KDUGZDUH understandably. But out of the billionSOXV L3KRQH XVHUV LQ WKH ZRUOG LW consistently seems like a fairly small percentage of them seem to know about Spotlight search and what it can do. There are two ways to access 6SRWOLJKW VHDUFK DQG QHLWKHU RQH RI them seem to be obvious. )LUVW \RX FDQ VZLSH GRZQ IURP somewhere on the home screen (and ZLWK L26 HYHQ WKH ORFN VFUHHQ

(DFK WLPH , WHOO VRPHRQH WR GR WKLV they invariably swipe from the top HGJH RI WKH VFUHHQ RSHQLQJ WKH 1RWLʐFDWLRQ &HQWUH RU &RQWURO &HQWUH LQVWHDG RI 6SRWOLJKW 2RSV š1R VZLSH GRZQ IURP WKH PLGGOH Ţ , DOZD\V

VD\ ZKLFK PDNHV WKHP VZLSH GRZQ RQ WKH PLGGOH RI WKHLU QRWLʐFDWLRQV š6RUU\ , PHDQ RQ \RXU KRPH VFUHHQ swipe down on the middle…” and WKHUHşV D FKDQFH WKH SHUVRQ will actually get to the search page LQVWHDG RI RSHQLQJ WKH FRQWH[W PHQX for whatever icon or folder is in the middle of their home screen. Sigh.

The other way to get there is to VLPSO\ VZLSH ULJKW XQWLO \RXşUH ORRNLQJ at the widgets screen to the left of WKH ʐUVW KRPH VFUHHQ )UDQNO\ D ORW RI iPhone users seem unaware that this VFUHHQ H[LVWV 7KHUHşV D VHDUFK EDU DW WKH WRS IRU 6SRWOLJKW EXW LWşV QRW DW DOO FOHDU WKDW LW VHDUFKHV DOO WKH VWXʏ RQ \RXU L3KRQH SOXV WKH ZHE ,I D SHUVRQ LV DZDUH RI WKDW DW DOO WKH\ SUREDEO\ WKLQN LW MXVW VHDUFKHV WKH VWXʏ RQ WKDW screen and maybe widgets. That would Most iPhone users seem unaware that this search bar FDQ NJQG nearly anything on their phone and the web.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 57

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PDNH VHQVH ULJKW" 7KHUHşV D VHDUFK bar just like this at the top of the App /LEUDU\ DIWHU DOO DQG LW RQO\ VHDUFKHV WKH $SS /LEUDU\ <HDK LWşV DFWXDOO\ labelled ‘App Library’ but most users GRQşW VHHP WR JHW SDVW WKH VXSHUʐFLDO similarities to pay attention to that distinction.

SPOTLIGHT IS GETTING EVEN BETTER ,Q L26 $SSOHşV PDNLQJ 6SRWOLJKW search even better.

Your searches will deliver more UHVXOWV IURP \RXU SKRQH HYHQ WKH contents of photos (search for ‘sign’ or ŞFDUş RU HYHQ IRU WH[W ZLWKLQ SKRWRV

5HVXOWV IURP WKH $SS 6WRUH DUH EHWWHU and you can install apps right from the Spotlight results. Search for things like DFWRUV PXVLFLDQV RU PRYLHV DQG \RXşOO get richer details. You can get web LPDJHV EHWWHU GHʐQLWLRQV :LNLSHGLD OLVWLQJV DQG SUREDEO\ D EXQFK RI RWKHU VWXʏ , KDYHQşW IRXQG \HW +RQHVWO\ whether you’re looking for content on your iPhone or just want to search the ZHE XVLQJ 6SRWOLJKW VHDUFK LQ L26 may be the best place to start.

But for all of Apple’s welcome improvements to this already killer IHDWXUH LW VWLOO LVQşW PDNLQJ WKH RQH FKDQJH WKDW ZRXOG PHDQ WKH PRVW making people aware of it.

58 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

SPOTLIGHT, FRONT AND CENTRE Apple needs to make Spotlight a little PRUH REYLRXV 0D\EH WKLV LV FUD]\ WDON EXW , WKLQN LWşV KLJK WLPH WKH 'RFN JHWV replaced by something more useful. A GRFN PDNHV VHQVH RQ WKH 0DF ZKHUH ORWV RI WKLQJV DUH YLVLEOH DW RQFH but on the iPhone? All apps are full VFUHHQ VR WKH 'RFN LV KLGGHQ XQOHVV you’re on a home screen anyway. And EHWZHHQ :LGJHWV WKH $SS /LEUDU\ DQG IROGHUV WKH LGHD WKDW \RXşOO QHHG WKHVH WR NHHS WKHVH IRXU VSHFLʐF DSSV at the bottom of every home screen just seems outdated. On the Mac or L3DG LWşV DOZD\V DYDLODEOH EXW RQ WKH L3KRQH WKH GRFN LV MXVW DQRWKHU URZ of App icons you can only see when you’re on the home screen. , GRQşW NQRZ DERXW \RX EXW ,şG XVH a Spotlight bar a lot more than four DSS LFRQV , FRXOG MXVW DV HDVLO\ MXVW place anywhere else on my home VFUHHQ , GRXEW $SSOH ZRXOG JR VR IDU as to replace the dock with a search bar. But maybe a widget? Apple GHʐQLWHO\ QHHGV WR GR VRPHWKLQJ WR clue in everyday iPhone users that there’s this magic search feature that locates anything on their phone a lot faster than poking around DQG EURZVLQJ WKURXJK DSSV QRW to mention deliver lots of relevant ZHEbFRQWHQW

There’s a small crack in the iPhone’s foundation. How big will it get? $SSOHşV &6$0 SKRWR VFDQQLQJ LQWHQWLRQV DUH JRRG EXW WKDW PLJKW not be enough. Jason Snell reports

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pple’s out-of-the-blue announcement that it was adding a bunch of features WR L26 LQYROYLQJ &KLOG 6H[XDO Abuse Material (CSAM) generated DQ HQWLUHO\ SUHGLFWDEOH UHDFWLRQ 2U

PRUH DFFXUDWHO\ UHDFWLRQV 7KRVH on the law-enforcement side of the VSHFWUXP SUDLVHG $SSOH IRU LWV ZRUN and those on the civil-liberties side accused Apple of turning iPhones LQWRbVXUYHLOODQFH GHYLFHV ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 59

iPHONE

,WşV QRW VXUSULVLQJ DW DOO WKDW $SSOHşV announcement would be met with VFUXWLQ\ ,I DQ\WKLQJ LV VXUSULVLQJ DERXW WKLV ZKROH VWRU\ LWşV WKDW $SSOH doesn’t seem to have anticipated all the pushback its announcement UHFHLYHG ,W KDG WR SRVW D )UHTXHQWO\ $VNHG 4XHVWLRQV ʐOH LQ UHVSRQVH ,I Q’s are being FA’d in the wake of your DQQRXQFHPHQW \RX SUREDEO\ ERWFKHG your announcement.

Such an announcement deserves scrutiny. The problem for those seeking to drop their hot takes DERXW WKLV LVVXH LV WKDW LWşV H[WUHPHO\ complicated and there are no easy answers. That doesn’t mean that Apple’s approach is fundamentally ULJKW RU ZURQJ EXW LW GRHV PHDQ WKDW Apple has made some choices that are ZRUWK H[SORULQJ DQG GHEDWLQJ

APPLE’S COMPROMISE ,şP QRW VXUH TXLWH ZK\ $SSOH chose this moment to roll out this technology. Apple’s Head of Privacy LPSOLHV WKDW LWşV EHFDXVH LW ZDV UHDG\ but that’s a bit of a dodge – Apple has to choose what technologies WR SULRULWL]H DQG LW SULRULWL]HG WKLV one. Apple may be anticipating legal requirements for it to scan for CSAM. ,WşV SRVVLEOH WKDW $SSOH LV ZRUNLQJ RQ increased iCloud security features 60 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

WKDW QHFHVVLWDWH WKLV DSSURDFK ,WşV also possible that Apple just decided it needed to do more to stop the distribution of CSAM. The biggest clue about Apple’s PRWLYDWLRQV LV WKH YHU\ VSHFLʐF ZD\ this feature has been implemented. ,şOObVSDUH \RX WKH ORQJ H[SODQDWLRQ EXWbLQ VKRUW $SSOH LV FRPSDULQJ images against a hash of illegal LPDJHV FRPSLOHG E\ WKH 1DWLRQDO &HQWUH IRU 0LVVLQJ DQG ([SORLWHG &KLOGUHQ ,WşV VFDQQLQJ QHZ LPDJHV that are going to be synced with L&ORXG 3KRWRV ,WşV QRW VFDQQLQJ DOO WKHbSKRWRV RQ \RXU GHYLFH DQG $SSOH isn’t scanning all the photos it’s storing on its iCloud servers. ,Q VKRUW $SSOH KDV EXLOW D &6$0 detector that sits at the doorway EHWZHHQ \RXU GHYLFH DQG L&ORXG ,I \RX GRQşW V\QF SKRWRV ZLWK L&ORXG WKH detector never runs.

This all leads me to believe that WKHUHşV DQRWKHU VKRH WR GURS KHUH RQH that will allow Apple to make its cloud VHUYLFHV PRUH VHFXUH DQG SULYDWH ,I this scanning system is essentially WKH WUDGH Rʏ WKDW DOORZV $SSOH WR provide more privacy for its users while not abdicating its moral duty WR SUHYHQW WKH VSUHDG RI &6$0 JUHDW But there’s no way to know until Apple PDNHV VXFK DQ DQQRXQFHPHQW ,Q WKH

CSAM checks occur with images uploaded to iCloud, not on your iPhone’s photo library.

PHDQWLPH DOO WKRVH SRWHQWLDO SULYDF\ gains are theoretical.

WHERE IS THE SPY? ,Q UHFHQW \HDUV $SSOH KDV PDGH LW clear that it considers the analysis of user data that occurs on our devices to be fundamentally more private than the analysis that runs LQ WKH FORXG ,Q WKH FORXG \RXU GDWD PXVW EH GHFU\SWHG WR EH DQDO\VHG opening it up to pretty much any form of analysis. Any employee with the right level of access could also just ʑLS WKURXJK \RXU GDWD %XW LI DOO WKDW analysis happens on your device –

this is why Apple’s modern chips KDYH DbSRZHUIXO 1HXUDO (QJLQH component to do the job – that GDWDbQHYHU OHDYHV KRPH Apple’s approach here calls DOO RI WKDW LQWR TXHVWLRQ DQG , VXVSHFW WKDWşV WKH VRXUFH RI some of the greatest criticism of this announcement. Apple is making decisions that it thinks ZLOO HQKDQFH SULYDF\ 1RERG\ DW $SSOH LV VFDQQLQJ \RXU SKRWRV DQG nobody at Apple can even look at the potential CSAM images until a threshold has passed that reduces the chance of false positives. Only your device sees your data. Which LV JUHDW EHFDXVH RXU GHYLFHV DUH sacred and they belong to us. ([FHSWŧ WKDW WKHUHşV QRZ JRLQJ to be an algorithm running on our devices that’s designed to observe RXUbGDWD DQG LI LW ʐQGV VRPHWKLQJ WKDWbLW GRHVQşW OLNH LW ZLOO WKHQ FRQQHFWbWR WKH ,QWHUQHW DQG UHSRUW WKDWbGDWD EDFN WR $SSOH :KLOH WRGD\ LW KDV EHHQ SXUSRVH EXLOW IRU &6$0 and it can be deactivated simply by VKXWWLQJ Rʏ L&ORXG 3KRWR /LEUDU\ V\QFLQJ LW VWLOO IHHOV OLNH D OLQH KDV been crossed. Our devices won’t just EH ZRUNLQJ IRU XV EXW ZLOO DOVR EH watching us for signs of illegal activity and alerting the authorities.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 61

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IT’S NOT THE TOOL, BUT HOW IT’S USED

how it might be misused. Apple seems to have very carefully designed this IHDWXUH WR PDNH LW PRUH GLʒFXOW WR VXEYHUW EXW WKDWşV QRW DOZD\V HQRXJK ,PDJLQH D FDVH ZKHUH D ODZ enforcement agency in a foreign country comes to Apple and says that it has compiled a database of illegal images and wants it added to Apple’s VFDQQHU $SSOH KDV VDLG EOXQWO\ WKDW it will refuse all such requests. That’s HQFRXUDJLQJ DQG , KDYH OLWWOH GRXEW that Apple would abandon most countries if they tried to pull that manoeuvre.

But would it be able to say no to China? Would it be able to say no to WKH 8. JRYHUQPHQW LI WKH LPDJHV LQ question would implicate members of terrorist organizations? And in a

,Q PDQ\ ZD\V WKLV LV \HW DQRWKHU facet of the greatest challenge the technology industry faces in this era.

Technology has become so important and powerful that every new GHYHORSPHQW KDV HQRUPRXV VRFLHW\ wide implications. :LWK LWV RQ GHYLFH &6$0 VFDQQHU Apple has built a tool carefully calibrated to protect user privacy. ,I EXLOGLQJ WKLV WRRO HQDEOHG $SSOH WR ʐQDOO\ RʏHU broader encryption RI L&ORXG GDWD LW might even be a net increase in user privacy.

But tools are neither good nor evil. Apple has built this tool for a JRRG SXUSRVH EXW every time a new WRRO LV EXLOW DOO RI Would Apple be able to say no to China if it made demands to us need to imagine add images to Apple’s scanner?

62 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

&UHGLW *HWW\ ,PDJHV 1DWXUH

The risk for Apple here is huge. ,W KDV LQYHVWHG DQ DZIXO ORW RI WLPH in equating on-device actions with SULYDF\ DQG LW ULVNV SRLVRQLQJ DOO RI that work with the perception that our phones are no longer our castles.

GHFDGH RU WZR ZLOO SROLFLHV OLNH WKLV be so commonplace that when the moment comes that a government asks Apple or its equivalents to began scanning for illegal or subversive PDWHULDO ZLOO DQ\RQH QRWLFH" 7KH ʐUVW implementation of this technology is WR VWRS &6$0 DQG QRERG\ ZLOO DUJXH DJDLQVW WU\LQJ WR VWRS WKH H[SORLWDWLRQ of children. But will there be a second implementation? A third? $SSOH KDV WULHG LWV EHVW WR ʐQG D compromise between violating user privacy and stopping the distribution RI &6$0 7KH YHU\ VSHFLʐF ZD\ this feature is implemented proves that. (Anyone who tries to sell you D VLPSOLʐHG VWRU\ DERXW KRZ $SSOH MXVWbZDQWV WR VS\ RQ \RX LV TXLWH IUDQNO\ VRPHRQH ZKR LV QRW ZRUWK listening to.)

But just because Apple has done its due diligence and made some careful choices in order to implement a tool to stop the spread of heinous PDWHULDO GRHVQşW PHDQ WKDW LWşV Rʏ WKH hook. By making our phones run an algorithm that isn’t meant to serve XV EXW ZDWFKHV XV LW KDV FURVVHG D line. Perhaps it was inevitable that the line would be crossed. Perhaps it’s inevitable that technology is leading us to a world where everything we VD\ GR DQG VHH LV EHLQJ VFDQQHG E\ D

machine-learning algorithm that will be as benevolent or malevolent as the society that implemented it.

Even if Apple’s heart is in the ULJKW SODFH P\ FRQʐGHQFH WKDW LWV philosophy will be able to withstand the future desires of law enforcement agencies and authoritarian JRYHUQPHQWV LV QRW DV KLJK DV , ZDQW it to be. We can all be against CSAM and admire the clever way Apple has WULHG WR EDODQFH WKHVH WZR FRQʑLFWLQJ QHHGV ZKLOH VWLOO EHLQJ ZRUULHG DERXW what it means for the future.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 63

iCLOUD+

iCloud+ Private Relay H[SODLQHG 'RQşW FDOO LW D 931 The new privacy component will launch as a ‘public beta’ feature this autumn. Jason Cross reports

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KLV DXWXPQ $SSOH LV XSJUDGLQJ all paid iCloud accounts to VRPHWKLQJ LW FDOOV L&ORXG ,W includes several interesting QHZ IHDWXUHV RQ WRS RI WKH H[LVWLQJ L&ORXG VWRUDJH V\QF DQG FORXG IHDWXUHV EXW WKH PRVW LQWHUHVWLQJ might be something Apple calls iCloud

64 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

3ULYDWH 5HOD\ $W ʐUVW LW VRXQGV OLNH D 931 \RXU ZHE EURZVLQJ WUDʒF LV encrypted and sent through a relay WR KLGH \RXU H[DFW ORFDWLRQ ,3 RU WKH FRQWHQWV RI \RXU EURZVLQJ WUDʒF ,WşV QRW D 931 WKRXJK 1RW TXLWH 7KHUH DUH LPSRUWDQW GLʏHUHQFHV ZKLFK we’ll describe here. But iCloud Private

5HOD\ PD\ EH HQRXJK IRU PRVW SHRSOH JLYLQJ WKH PRVW REYLRXV EHQHʐWV RI D 931 WR PLOOLRQV RI XVHUV ZKR ZRXOG never consider signing up for one.

Here’s what this Private Relay feature LV KRZ LW ZRUNV DQG KRZ LWşV GLʏHUHQW IURP D WUDGLWLRQDO 931

WHAT IS iCLOUD 35,9$7(b5(/$<" 2QFH \RX XSJUDGH WR L26 \RXşOO ʐQG D QHZ VHWWLQJ LQ WKH L&ORXG 6HWWLQJV PHQX 3ULYDWH 5HOD\ Assuming you pay for any iCloud plan and therefore have the iCloud+ VHUYLFH \RX FDQ WXUQ RQ WKLV VZLWFK WR enable iCloud Private Relay. That’s it – QRWKLQJ WR LQVWDOO RU FRQʐJXUH 7KHUHşV DQ ,3 $GGUHVV /RFDWLRQ VHWWLQJ WKDW OHWV \RX SUHVHUYH \RXU DSSUR[LPDWH ORFDWLRQ RU XVH D EURDGHU ORFDWLRQ EXW most users can ignore that. :KHQ WKLV LV HQDEOHG DOO RI \RXU browsing activity in Safari will be URXWHG WKURXJK WZR ,QWHUQHW ŞKRSVş or relays. Your data is encrypted DQG WKHQ VHQW WR $SSOH VR \RXU ,63 can’t see any of your web browsing UHTXHVWV 2QFH DW $SSOHşV SUR[\ VHUYHU WKH '16 UHTXHVW WKH WKLQJ WKDW SRLQWV a domain name like ‘macworld.com’ WR D VSHFLʐF VHUYHU ,3 DGGUHVV DQG \RXU L3KRQH RU 0DFşV ,3 DGGUHVV DUH VHSDUDWHG <RXU ,3 DGGUHVV LV UHWDLQHG

E\ $SSOH ZKLOH \RXU '16 UHTXHVW LV SDVVHG RQ HQFU\SWHG WR D šWUXVWHG partner” that has the decryption NH\ DORQJ ZLWK D IDNH LQWHUPHGLDU\ ,3 DGGUHVV WKDW LV EDVHG RQ \RXU DSSUR[LPDWH ORFDWLRQ $SSOH GLGQşW QDPH LWV SDUWQHUV EXW VRPH ZHE VOHXWKV KDYH ʐJXUHG RXW WKDW WKH\ DUH PDMRU ,QWHUQHW EDFNERQH FRPSDQLHV VXFK DV $NDPL &ORXGIDUH DQG )DVWO\ This means that Apple knows your ,3 DGGUHVV EXW QRW WKH QDPH RI WKH VLWHV \RXşUH YLVLWLQJ DQG WKH WUXVWHG partner knows the site you’re visiting EXW QRW \RXU ,3 DQG WKHUHIRUH QRW ZKR \RX DUH 1HLWKHU SDUW\ FDQ SLHFH together a complete picture of both who you are and where you’re going.

The website you’re visiting W\SLFDOO\ JHWV \RXU H[DFW ,3 DGGUHVV DQG '16 UHTXHVW VR LW FDQ HDVLO\ EXLOGbD SUHWW\ GHWDLOHG SURʐOH RI H[DFWO\ ZKR \RX DUH ZKHUH \RX DUH DQG ZKHUH \RXşUH JRLQJ online. Combine that with a few FRRNLHV HYHQ LQQRFXRXV VHHPLQJ RQHV DQGbLWşV SUHWW\ VLPSOH WR have your entire online activity SURʐOHG WUDFNHG bWUDFHG DQG VROG WR DGYHUWLVHUVb DQG RWKHUV

What iCloud Private Relay does is make the websites you’re visiting WRWDOO\ LJQRUDQW RI WKLV LQIRUPDWLRQ VR LW FDQşW EXLOG SURʐOHV RI \RXU DFWLYLW\ ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 65

iCLOUD+

$SSOHşV WZR SUR[\ V\VWHP PDNHV LW YHU\ GLnjFXOW IRU DQ\ RQH FRPSDQ\ WR EXLOG D SURNJOH RI your web activity.

7KH ,3 DGGUHVVHV $SSOH XVHV in place of your real one are still URXJKO\ DSSUR[LPDWH WR \RXU JHQHUDO area; it’s not enough to identify you SHUVRQDOO\ bEXW LW ZLOO DOORZ VLWHV WKDW XVH \RXU ,3 DGGUHVV WR GHOLYHU ORFDO QHZV ZHDWKHU VSRUWV RU RWKHU LQIR WR NHHS ZRUNLQJ ʐQH 7KHUHşV DQ RSWLRQ WR XVH DQ HYHQ EURDGHU ,3 DGGUHVV but it might make some of those sites work incorrectly.

1RWH WKDW $SSOH GRHV QRW DOORZ \RX WR FKRRVH DQ ,3 DGGUHVV RU HYHQ D UHJLRQ DQG ZRQşW HYHU PDNH LW VHHP like you’re coming from a totally GLʏHUHQW SODFH ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV LI \RX want to use it to access geographically ORFNHG FRQWHQW LQ 1HWʑL[ RU RWKHU RQOLQH VHUYLFHV \RXşUH RXW RI OXFN 66 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

HOW IS iCLOUD PRIVATE RELAY DIFFERENT FROM A VPN? As cool as this Private Relay feature LV LWşV GHʐQLWHO\ QRW D 931 ,W ZLOO GR D JUHDW MRE RI SUHYHQWLQJ SURʐOLQJ RI your web activity based on your basic connection data. But it has a lot of VKRUWFRPLQJV FRPSDUHG WR D UHDO 931 6RPH RI WKHVH LQFOXGH ,W RQO\ ZRUNV ZLWK 6DIDUL QRW DQ\ RI the other apps or web browsers you XVH 7HFKQLFDOO\ VRPH RWKHU '16 LQIR and a small subset of app-related web WUDʒF ZLOO XVH LW EXW LWşV EHVW WR WKLQN of it as a Safari-only thing. ,WşV HDVLO\ LGHQWLʐDEOH DV D ŞSUR[\ VHUYHUş ZKLFK PDQ\ ODUJH QHWZRUNV like those at schools or businesses ZLOO QRW ZRUN ZLWK 0RVW JRRG 931V

disguise themselves to look like UHJXODU QRQ SUR[\ WUDʒF $V PHQWLRQHG LW FDQşW KLGH WKH UHJLRQ \RXşUH FRQQHFWLQJ IURP RQO\ \RXU VSHFLʐF ,3 ORFDWLRQ VR \RX FDQşW access content locked out of your region RU H[SHULHQFH ZHEVLWHV DV LI \RXşUH connecting from another country. ,I DOO \RX UHDOO\ ZDQW WR GR LV VWRS ZHEVLWHV IURP EXLOGLQJ D SURʐOH RI \RX and selling it around to advertisers DQG GDWD EURNHUV WKHQ XVLQJ L&ORXG 3ULYDWH 5HOD\ RQ \RXU L3KRQH L3DG RU Mac when it’s available in the autumn RI LV D JUHDW RSWLRQ ,WşV IDVW HDV\ DQG LI \RX DOUHDG\ SD\ IRU DQ\ DPRXQW RI L&ORXG VWRUDJH \RXşOO JHW LW for free.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 67

iOS 15

10 great hidden features you’ll rush to use Sometimes it’s the little things that really improve your iPhone H[SHULHQFH Ŝ LI \RX FDQ ʐQG WKHP Jason Cross reports

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YHU\ \HDU D QHZ YHUVLRQ RI L26 $QG HYHU\ \HDU VRPH ELJ new features can change the way you use your iPhone. But each new iOS release also comes with a bunch of tiny changes; hidden features and tweaks that you won’t

68 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

notice if you don’t know where to ORRN 6RPHWLPHV LWşV WKRVH FKDQJHV WKDW PDNH DOO WKH GLʏHUHQFH 2QFH GLVFRYHUHG \RXşOO ZRQGHU KRZ \RX JRW DORQJ ZLWKRXW WKHP +HUH DUH WHQ RI RXU IDYRULWH OLWWOH KLGGHQ \RX PLJKW KDYH PLVVHG WKHP IHDWXUHV RI L26

then Translate and enable On-Device Mode. You’ll have to also open up the Downloaded Languages menu and download WKH ODQJXDJHVbIRU ZKLFK \RXbZDQW WR HQDEOH RʓLQH WUDQVODWLRQ

2. KEEP AN EYE ON APP ACTIVITY

1.

1. TRANSLATE ANYWHERE :LWK L26 \RX FDQ WUDQVODWH WH[W MXVW DERXW DQ\ZKHUH ,Q DOPRVW DQ\ DSS ZKHUH \RX FDQ VHOHFW WH[W -XVW WDS DQG KROG RQ D EORFN RI WH[W WR VKRZ WKH WH[W VHOHFWLRQ ZLQGRZ DQG drag the start and end points – just as \RX ZRXOG LI \RX ZHUH JRLQJ WR FRS\ paste. You’ll notice the little popup menu has a new Translate option (in some apps you might have to hit the right arrow to see more options). <RXşOO JHW D ZDUQLQJ WKDW WKH WH[W LV going to be sent to Apple to process the translation. Tap Continue and a pop-up card will show the translated WH[W DQG JLYH \RX RSWLRQV WR FRS\ WKHbWUDQVODWLRQ FKDQJH ODQJXDJHV DQGbVR RQ Want to do the translation without VHQGLQJ GDWD WR $SSOH" 2SHQ 6HWWLQJV

Apple is always H[SDQGLQJ SULYDF\ IHDWXUHV DQG ZLWK L26 \RX KDYH D SRZHUIXO QHZ WRRO WR ʐQG RXW ZKLFK DSSV DUH DFFHVVLQJ your phone’s features and data.

2SHQ 6HWWLQJV WKHQ WDS 3ULYDF\ and scroll to the bottom to Record App Activity. You’ll have to enable this at the top of the screen.

2.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 69

iOS 15

This will record a 7-day summary RI H[DFWO\ ZKHQ DQG KRZ RIWHQ DOO your apps access things like your PLFURSKRQH RU PLFURSKRQH RU ZKLFK web domains they visit. Just come back to this screen a week later for a full report.

You can even tap Save App Activity WR H[SRUW D -621 ʐOH RI DOO WKH GDWD LI you’re into that kind of thing.

3. GET REAL-TIME PRECIPITATION ALERTS The Weather app and widget get some QLFH LPSURYHPHQWV LQ L26 EXW WKH RQH ZHşUH UHDOO\ H[FLWHG DERXW LV QH[W WLPH SUHFLSLWDWLRQ QRWLʐFDWLRQV This was one of the marquee IHDWXUHV RI 'DUN 6N\ DQ DSS DQG service Apple acquired in 2020.

3.

70 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

7R HQDEOH WKLV RSHQ WKH :HDWKHU app and tap the icon for the list of locations in the lower right. Then tap the ‘more’ button (three dots) in the XSSHU ULJKW DQG VHOHFW 1RWLʐFDWLRQV <RXşOO EH DEOH WR WRJJOH QRWLʐFDWLRQV for your current location and each VDYHG ORFDWLRQ LQGHSHQGHQWO\ :LWK WKLV HQDEOHG \RXşOO JHW D QRWLʐFDWLRQ ZKHQHYHU UDLQ RU VQRZ is going to start or stop within the QH[WbKRXU

4. SHARE WITH SIRI Sometimes it’s a pain to share that cool thing you found online. You KDYHbWR FRS\ 85/V RU LPDJHV VZLWFK WR 0HVVDJHV KROG GRZQ WR SDVWH KRSH LWbZRUNVŧ :LWK L26 \RX FDQ ʐQDOO\ MXVW ask Siri. Simply say “Hey 6LUL VKDUH WKLV ZLWK >QDPH@Ţ RU VRPHWKLQJ similar like “send this WR >QDPH@Ţ DQG 6LUL ZLOO VKDUHbWKH FRQWHQW RQ WKH screen to that person using Messages. ,WHPV OLNH LPDJHV ZHE SDJHV $SSOH 0XVLF RU 3RGFDVWV $SSOH 1HZV VWRULHV DQG 0DSV locations will share the actual content (or a link

to it). For content Siri FDQşW VKDUH LW ZLOO ZDUQ you it can only send a VFUHHQVKRW EXW 6LUL ZLOO still automatically take that screenshot and drop it in a Message to that person. ,WşV DOO YHU\ frictionless. Just ask Siri WR VKDUH VRPHWKLQJ DQG 5.

Siri will prepare the item LQ D ʑDVK DQG DVN šUHDG\ WR VHQG LW"Ţ 6D\ \HV DQG \RXşUH GRQH 1R ʐQGLQJ DQG RSHQLQJ VKDUH PHQXV QR FRS\ SDVWH QR ʑLSSLQJ EDFN DQG forth to the Messages app.

5. CHOOSE TEXT SIZE FOR EACH APP You’ve been able to change the V\VWHP ZLGH WH[W VL]H IRU DJHV EXW L26 DGGV WKH DELOLW\ WR FKDQJH WKH WH[W VL]H RQ D SHU DSS EDVLV )LUVW HQDEOH WKH IHDWXUH LQ &RQWURO &HQWUH 2SHQ 6HWWLQJV WKHQ WDS Control Centre and scroll down to add WKH 7H[W 6L]H FRQWURO 7KHQ ZKHQ \RXşUH LQ DQ DSS RSHQ Control Centre (swipe down from the top-right corner) and select the 7H[W 6L]H FRQWURO $ ELJ VOLGHU OHWV \RX FKDQJH WH[W VL]H ZKLOH D WRJJOH DW WKH bottom of the screen lets you choose

between All Apps or just the app you’re currently using.

6. SET RECOVERY AND /(*$&<b&217$&76 <RXU $SSOH ,' DQG L&ORXG DFFRXQW JHW PRUH LPSRUWDQW HYHU\ \HDU ,WşV IXOO RI SXUFKDVHV VHUYLFHV FORXG GDWD SKRWRVŧLI \RX ORVW DFFHVV D ORW RI WKDW VWXʏ ZRXOG EH JRQH IRUHYHU Apple has two welcome new IHDWXUHV LQ L26 $FFRXQW 5HFRYHU\ Contacts are people you trust that Apple can contact to help you reset your passcode if you ever lose it. They FDQşW DFWXDOO\ DFFHVV \RXU GDWD EXW LI you initiate a password reset but are ORFNHG RXW RI \RXU RZQ GHYLFHV WKH reset code can be sent to that contact.

7R HQDEOH LW RSHQ 6HWWLQJV WKHQ WDS RQ \RXU $SSOH ,' DW WKH WRS 7KHQ ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 71

iOS 15

FKRRVH 3DVVZRUG 6HFXULW\ WKHQ Account Recovery. You’ll see an option to Add Recovery Contact.

What about accessing all your FRQWHQW VKRXOG \RX SDVV DZD\" ,Q WKH HYHQW RI \RXU XQWLPHO\ GHPLVH a Digital Legacy Contact is a person who can request access to your data after you die. They’ll get access to 0HVVDJHV 3KRWRV 1RWHV &RQWDFWV &DOHQGDU HYHQWV $SS SXUFKDVHV DQGb\RXU GHYLFH EDFNXS EXW QRW \RXUbL&ORXG .H\FKDLQ RU OLFHQVHG media purchases. ,WşV SUREDEO\ D JRRG LGHD WR VHW up both of these things with trusted family members shortly after you XSGDWH WR L26

7. SCAN TEXT (ALMOST) ANYWHERE $SSOHşV QHZ /LYH 7H[W IHDWXUH OHWV \RXbVHOHFW WH[W LQ LPDJHV IURP WKH &DPHUD RU 3KRWRV DSS ZKLFK FDQ EH UHDOO\ KDQG\ (YHQ EHWWHU \RX FDQ

7.

72 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

XVHbWKLV WHFKQRORJ\ WR LQSXW WH[W almost anywhere. ,Q DQ\ WH[W HQWU\ ʐHOG LQ DOPRVW DQ\ DSS MXVW WDS WR EULQJ XS WKH WH[W VHOHFWLRQ SRS XS MXVW DV \RX ZRXOG ZKHQ GRLQJ D FRS\ SDVWH

,I QR WH[W LV VHOHFWHG \RXşOO VHH DQ RSWLRQ WR 6FDQ 7H[W ZLWK D VPDOO LFRQ RI VTXDUHbEUDFNHWV ZLWK OLQHV LQVLGH ,IbWKHUH DUH PXOWLSOH RSWLRQV \RX might see the icon alone.

6HOHFW WKDW DQG WKH NH\ERDUG will be replaced by a camera view.

3RLQW LW DW D EORFN RI WH[W RQ DOPRVW DQ\WKLQJ DQG \RXşOO VHH EUDFNHWV DURXQG WKH WH[W ZLWK D ELJ EOXH ,QVHUW EXWWRQ <RXbPLJKW VHH LQVWUXFWLRQV OLNH ŞVORZbGRZQş LI \RXşUH PRYLQJ WKH camera too quickly.

8. TRACK YOUR IPHONE WITHOUT POWER Find My iPhone is a great way to keep track of a potentially lost device. But LI VRPHRQH VWROH \RXU L3KRQH DOO

they have to do is power it down to GLVDEOHbWUDFNLQJ )LQG 0\ PD\ VKRZ your device’s last location (if you HQDEOHG WKDW LQ 6HWWLQJV EXW WKDWşV not much help. :LWK L26 DQ L3KRQH WKDW KDV EHHQ WXUQHG Rʏ ZLOO DFWXDOO\ HQWHU DQ ultra-low power state that keeps the %OXHWRRWK EHDFRQ DFWLYH HʏHFWLYHO\ turning your iPhone into an AirTag. <RXşOO VHH D OLWWOH ŞL3KRQH ʐQGDEOH DIWHU SRZHU Rʏş QRWLFH XQGHU WKH 6OLGH WR 3RZHU 2ʏ LQWHUIDFH WRR

9.

9. KEEP NIGHT MODE OFF )RU WKH PRVW SDUW 1LJKW 0RGH LQ WKH Camera app on modern iPhones is a JUHDW WKLQJ ,W FDQ DEVROXWHO\ WUDQVIRUP photos taken in very low light. ,I WKH &DPHUD DSS GHWHFWV D GDUN VFHQH 1LJKW 0RGH LV HQDEOHG DXWRPDWLFDOO\ EXW VRPHWLPHV \RX ZDQW WKDW GUDPDWLF GDUN HʏHFW DQG LWşV DQQR\LQJ WR GLVDEOH 1LJKW 0RGH WR JHW LW <RX KDYH WR WDS WKH 1LJKW 0RGH indicator and then slide the timer down to zero seconds. ,I \RX ZDLW D ZKLOH EHIRUH WDNLQJ DQRWKHU SKRWR LW ZLOO UH HQJDJH automatically. :LWK L26 \RX FDQ KHDG WR Settings > Camera > Preserve Settings WR ʐQG DQ RSWLRQ WR SUHVHUYH \RXU 1LJKW 0RGH VHWWLQJV DPRQJ RWKHU

WKLQJV :LWK WKLV HQDEOHG 1LJKW 0RGH will remember when it has been WXUQHG Rʏ DQG ZRQşW UH HQDEOH LWVHOI ,I \RX ZDQW WR WDNH D 1LJKW 0RGH VKRW \RX FDQ PDQXDOO\ WDS WKH 1LJKW 0RGH indicator to enable it yourself.

10. ADJUST VIDEO 3/$<%$&.b63((' Apps like YouTube have had variable VSHHG SOD\EDFN IRU VRPH WLPH QRZ but the default iPhone video player KDV QRW ,Q L26 WKH GHIDXOW SOD\HU (used for many web videos and by lots of apps) has playback speed controls. :KHQ SOD\LQJ EDFN D YLGHR WDS WKH RYHUʑRZ PHQX LQ WKH ORZHU ULJKW WKH three dots) and you’ll be able to select IURP XS WR ʐYH SOD\EDFN VSHHGV ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 73

iOS 15

Apple is delaying one RI L26b şV WRS IHDWXUHV 7KDWşVbD JRRG WKLQJ %\ HPEUDFLQJ LWV IRXO XSV $SSOH LV SXWWLQJ LWV XVHUV ʐUVW Jason Snell reports

Y

ou’d think that when Apple H[HFXWLYHV VWDQG RQ D VWDJH (or on some sort of set in a pre-produced video) and boldly announce all the new

74 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

IHDWXUHVbFRPLQJ WR LWV RSHUDWLQJ V\VWHPV LQ WKH DXWXPQ WKH\şG EH KLJKO\ FRQʐGHQW LQ WKH IHDWXUHV WKH\ were rolling out. (They certainly seem FRQʐGHQW GRQşW WKH\"

But the truth is that Apple’s operating system announcements aren’t set in stone. There might have EHHQ D WLPH ZKHQ WKDW ZDV WUXH EXW these days the company is keenly aware of the power of bad buzz – and it adjusts its direction accordingly.

Whether it’s bad buzz surrounding a feature that isn’t as well thought RXW DV $SSOH WKRXJKW RU EDG EX]] about a feature that’s just too buggy WR EH ZRUWK WU\LQJ WRGD\şV $SSOH spends its summer and autumn course correcting. And that’s why some of June’s WWDC announcements will QHYHU FRPH WR SDVV DQG RWKHUV ZLOO EH PLVVLQJ LQ DFWLRQ LQ L26 DQG PDF26 0RQWHUH\ RQO\ WR DUULYH ODWHU LQ WKH DXWXPQ ZLQWHU RU HYHQ VSULQJ

WHEN A FEATURE ISN’T READY Though people seem to be surprised ZKHQ $SSOH GHOD\V QHZ IHDWXUHV DV it did when it pulled SharePlay out of WKH ODWHVW EHWDV RI L26 DQG PDF26 0RQWHUH\ LWşV DFWXDOO\ EHHQ GRLQJ WKLV VRUW RI WKLQJ IRU \HDUV ,Q *URXS FaceTime was the casualty. Before that WKHUH ZHUH 0HVVDJHV LQ WKH &ORXG L3KRQH 3RUWUDLW 0RGH DQG $LU3OD\ all announced with a great deal of fanfare and then delayed. %HOLHYH LW RU QRW WKLV LV JRRG QHZV ,Q WKH EHWDV 6KDUH3OD\

DFWXDOO\ GLGQşW ZRUN YHU\ ZHOO $QG the same could have been said for all of the other delayed features – WKH\ ZHUH TXLWH VLPSO\ QRW UHDG\ to ship. Apple did the mature thing LQ HYHU\ FDVH DQG SXVKHG Rʏ WKHLU release a bit. The alternative would be to ship something that wasn’t UHDG\ LQʑLFWLQJbEXJJ\ VRIWZDUH RQ XVHUV ZKR H[SHFW EHWWHU RI $SSOH %DG SUHVVbZRXOG IROORZ $QG LW DOO FRXOGşYHbEHHQ DYRLGHG 6ORZO\ RYHU WKH \HDUV $SSOH has become more disciplined in communicating that some newlyannounced OS features won’t DFWXDOO\bVKLS ULJKW DZD\ 7KH ZHHN PDF26 0RQWHUH\ ZDV DQQRXQFHG Apple indicated that the new 0HPRU\b0RYLH IHDWXUH LQ 3KRWRV wouldn’t ship right away on macOS. Can a feature be delayed if it was never actually promised for an DXWXPQbUHOHDVH" This is why Apple needs to JR IXUWKHU LW QHHGV WR EH H[SOLFLW about the fact that when it makes DQ 26 DQQRXQFHPHQW LQ -XQH LWşV announcing what features will roll RXW DFURVV WKH QH[W PRQWKV 7KRVH of us who watch Apple closely have already come to the realization that WKLV LV WKH WUXWK RI LW EXW LW ZRXOG EH nice for Apple to acknowledge it.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 75

iOS 15

Pulling SharePlay was the right thing to do – it was buggy in beta.

WHEN A FEATURE IS A MISTAKE 7KHQ WKHUHşV 6DIDUL D GUDPDWLF rethinking that Apple proudly unveiled DW ::'& LQ -XQH RQO\ WR LPPHGLDWHO\ begin back-pedalling when criticism of the new design rolled in. , KDYH PDQ\ TXHVWLRQV DERXW KRZ WKH 6DIDUL GHVLJQ PDQDJHG WR JHW to the point of being announced – who pushed it through when it’s clear to me that many people inside Apple already knew it wasn’t very good?

But let’s leave them aside for now. ,QVWHDG , ZDQW WR SUDLVH KRZ $SSOH handled the criticism. ,Q WKHRU\ RʏHULQJ WKH VXPPHU DV a period for people to test Apple’s new software and give the company 76 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

feedback means that Apple is willing to listen to that feedback and make changes as necessary.

Any software that is in beta LV FKDQJHDEOH so long as the developer is willing to listen to its users and accept that it might have

made some mistakes.

2YHU WKH SDVW IHZ PRQWKV $SSOH KDV VHHPHG WR GR H[DFWO\ WKDW ZLWK 6DIDUL $SSOH KDV EHHQ WZHDNLQJ features here and there with every EXLOG VHHPLQJO\ WU\LQJ WR ʐQG DQ approach that solves the problems the GHVLJQ FKDQJHV ZHUH PHDQW WR VROYH while not adding the complications pointed out by people on the outside.

7KH ELJJHVW VWHS FDPH WKLV ZHHN when Apple seemingly relented with LWV PLQLPDOLVW GHVLJQ RQ WKH L3KRQH adding a toolbar to the bottom of the Safari window. (The iPad design UHYLVLRQV LQWURGXFHG D IHZ ZHHNV DJR ZKLOH IDU IURP SHUIHFW GR GUDPDWLFDOO\ LPSURYH WDE OHJLELOLW\ ZKLFK ZDV WKH

original design’s biggest liability.) <HV WKH 6DIDUL VWRU\ KDV JLYHQ Apple a little bit of a black eye this VXPPHU ,W DOO SUREDEO\ FRXOGşYH EHHQ avoided if the design had been given a bit more serious thought before being announced. But this summer’s NHUIXʓH DERXW 6DIDUL ZRXOG EH D tempest in a teapot compared to Apple dropping the original Safari bGHVLJQ RQ UHJXODU L3KRQH XVHUV LQbWKH DXWXPQ By listening to criticism and DGMXVWLQJ FRXUVH GXULQJ WKH VXPPHU Apple has had to eat a little crow and admit that its initial design choices were questionable. But it’s also avoided the huge PR hit that would’ve KDSSHQHG RQ WKH UHOHDVH RI L26 Whether it’s a feature that didn’t make it in time or a feature that needed to be rethought and UHGHVLJQHG RQ WKH ʑ\ $SSOH KDV RQFH again proven that it’s quite capable of PDNLQJ PLVWDNHV 7KH JRRG QHZV LV the company is willing to admit it and to lose a little face during the summer in order to avoid causing unnecessary XVHU SDLQ LQ WKH DXWXPQ ,WşV D YHU\ JURZQ XS WKLQJ WR GR DQG ,şP JODG today’s Apple is willing to do it.

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 77

&UHGLW *HWW\ ,PDJHV XOWUDPDQVN

APPLE ARCADE

Best Apple Arcade games The third part of our guide to Apple Arcade. David Price reports

O

ver the past two issues we’ve published our guide to the best Apple Arcade games. Here we continue our series.

We test primarily on iPhone. We also strongly recommend that you JHW D KDUGZDUH FRQWUROOHU JLYHQ KRZ PDQ\ RI WKH JDPHV EHQHʐW IURP RQH ZH WHVW ZLWK DQ ;ER[ FRQWUROOHU DQG a Rotor Riot wired controller to see if this works and how well it suits the gameplay. Many games support

78 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

Bluetooth controllers despite not mentioning this fact in their App 6WRUHbGHVFULSWLRQ

121. THE LULLABY OF LIFE Cheerful if limited music-themed SX]]OHU 7KH SURWDJRQLVW ZKR FDQ RQO\ EH GHVFULEHG DV D EORE activates triggers and opens barriers E\ SOD\LQJbWKH FRUUHFW VHTXHQFH RI VRXQGVbZKHQ SURPSWHG There’s more to that premise than \RX PLJKW WKLQN JLYHQ WKDW WKH EORE DV

well as playing KLV RZQ QRWHV can recruit new sounds and drag them along for the ride; obstacles limit the places to 121. which he can transport these KDQG\ VLGHNLFNV DQG VRPHWLPHV \RX have to make use of long strings and time-delayed loudspeakers to get a sound wave to its required destination.

But you’re unlikely to get stuck on a puzzle for long.

Puzzle • $JH • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers (and works well)

122. SCRAPPERS 7KLV WDNHV PH EDFN ,WşV D VLGH VFUROOLQJ EHDW ŞHP XS You control a robot dustbin PDQ DQG \RXU job is to collect rubbish and chuck it in a truck that follows you round.

Your rivals don’t 122. take kindly to

\RX HQWHULQJ WKHLU WXUI EXW \RX KDYHbD VROXWLRQ NLOO WKHP DQG GXPS WKHLU bodies in the truck.

Combat feels a bit button-bashy DQG ,şYH \HW WR ʐQG PXFK VXEWOHW\ WR LW there are combos – sort of – but these are generally to be avoided because the third attack is slower and can OHDYH \RX YXOQHUDEOH , VXVSHFW LW ZLOO work best as a multiplayer but it was unable to match me with any human teammates and there’s no option to ʐJKW DORQJVLGH $, SOD\HUV

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Fighting • $JH • SOD\HUV • Supports hardware controllers

you’re plunged into two-player duels DJDLQVW UHDO SHRSOH RU $,V

123. STELLAR COMMANDERS

Strategy • Age 12+ • 1-2 players • 1R controller support

*RRG ORRNLQJ VFL ʐ VWUDWHJ\ JDPH VHW on an adorably tiny planetoid that’s DERXW WR EORZ XS ,WşV WHUULWRU\ EDVHG and the idea is to conquer or destroy DV PDQ\ DV SRVVLEOH XVLQJ D PL[WXUH RIbJURXQG WURRSV DLUFUDIW DQG ORQJ range missiles.

A curious and disappointing omission is a single-player campaign ZLWK D GLʒFXOW\ FXUYH DQG SURJUHVVLRQ ,QVWHDG DV VRRQ DV \RX JHW WKURXJK WKH EULHI WXWRULDO ZKLFK XQXVXDOO\ IRU D PRELOH JDPH YHHUV RQ WKH VLGH RI under- rather than overeducating you)

123.

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124. EARTHNIGHT 'UDJRQV KDYH FRQTXHUHG WKH SODQHW and everyone is welcoming our QHZ UHSWLOH RYHUORUGV H[FHSW WKH bloodthirsty main characters in (DUWK1LJKW DQ DXWR UXQQHU ZLWK D VOLJKW resemblance to the great Tiny Wings.

Taking things one immense dragon DW D WLPH \RXşUH UXQQLQJ VOLGLQJ jumping and dash-gliding along the FUHDWXUHşV EDFN GRGJLQJ VPDOOHU monsters and collecting loose treasure (why hasn’t it fallen Rʏ" EHIRUH reaching the head and VWDEELQJ LW Shadow of the Colossusstyle. Then you jump Rʏ WKH VODLQ beast and free fall to WKHbQH[W The game ORRNV WHUULʐF

124. and the variety of dragons is pleasingly challenging. But the Tiny Wings FRPSDULVRQ LV LQVWUXFWLYH ZLWK IDU more movement options this cannot match that game’s elegant simplicity DQG DFFHVVLELOLW\ DQG LW QHYHU UHDOO\ H[SODLQV KRZ WR NLOO WKH GUDJRQV Ŝ although some players will like the IDFW bWKDW \RX KDYH WR ZRUN WKLQJV RXW for yourself.

Puzzle • $JH • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers

game that came out in DQG disappeared from the App Store in 3OD\HUV took the role RI DLU WUDʒF controller at a busy airport; HDFK WLPH D SODQH DUULYHG LW ZDV \RXU job to trace a path on screen that led LW WR D UXQZD\ RI WKH FRUUHFW FRORXU without hitting any other planes.

2XWWD &RQWURO LV WKH VDPH FRQFHSW H[FHSW LWşV VTXDEEOLQJ FKLOGUHQ LQVWHDG of aircraft. Which immediately makes OHVV VHQVH FKLOGUHQ GRQşW H[SORGH LI WKH\ EXPS LQWR HDFK RWKHU QRU GR WKH\ disappear conveniently after reaching WKHLU GHVWLQDWLRQ %XW ʐQH The game works because this is such a brilliant and enduring mechanic

125. LOUD HOUSE: OUTTA CONTROL Readers of a certain vintage will have fond memories of )OLJKW &RQWURO D bestselling iOS

125.

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– as is obvious from the wealth of Flight Control copycats available to WKLVbGD\ Ŝ DQG LWşV XQGHQLDEO\ DGGLFWLYH But Outta Control has nothing special RU QRYHO WR UHFRPPHQG LW XQOHVV \RXşUHbD IDQ RI WKH 1LFNHORGHRQ 79 series it’s based on.

Arcade • $JH • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers (but it’s PXFK PRUH GLʒFXOW ZLWK RQH

126. TALES OF MEMO 1HDW EXW OLPLWHG SX]]OHU EDVHG RQ those old number-matching memory games. Open two chests with the same number inside and you can make an ‘attack’ of that power; keep matching FKHVWV DQG \RX FDQ DGG PRUH QXPEHUV

126.

82 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

PXOWLSOLHUV HWF EXW \RX UXQ WKH ULVN RI DbFRXQWHU DWWDFN ZKLFK GDPDJHV \RX and closes all the chests you’ve got RQbWKH JR ,WşV SUHWW\ IXQ DQG ORRNV TXLWH QLFH DQG ODWHU OHYHOV KDYH WKH DGGHG GLʒFXOW\ RI WLPHUV DQG VKLHOGV WKDW protect your enemy unless you get DERYH RU EHORZ D VSHFLʐHG QXPEHU 6WLOO LW QHYHU IHHOV OLNH \RX SURJUHVV WDFWLFDOO\ WKHUHşV QRW D ORW RI GHSWK Puzzle • $JH • Single player only • 1R FRQWUROOHU VXSSRUW

127. PATTERNED Frazzled commuters will enjoy this VRRWKLQJ SX]]OHU ZKLFK EULQJV WKH pleasures of a Bank Holiday jigsaw to your mobile screen – in both landscape and SRUWUDLW PRGH which is an unusual bonus.

Each level begins life as a silent black-andZKLWH VNHWFK EXW as you place the right pieces on to the board the colours gradually reappear and

music plays. ,WşV DOO UDWKHU ORYHO\ DQG WKH back-to-front GLʒFXOW\ FXUYH Ŝ WULFN\ DW ʐUVW but easier as the pieces build up – is 127. generally satisfying. , ZLOO DGG KRZHYHU WKDW WKH OHYHO VSHFLʐF GLʒFXOW\ LV ZLOGO\ LQFRQVLVWHQW and there’s no apparent way to request DQ HDV\ RU DGYDQFHG SX]]OH ,W DOO depends on how repetitive the pattern LV DQG WR ZKDW H[WHQW WKLV UHSHWLWLRQ KDSSHQV WR PDS WR WKH JULG RQ .DZDLL &RRNRXW , NHSW JHWWLQJ SLHFHV WKDW ʐWWHG SHUIHFWO\ LQ IRXU GLʏHUHQW SODFHV which turned it into unsatisfying trial and error.

Puzzle • $JH • Single player only • 1R FRQWUROOHU support

in which a half-naked half-genie OHDSVbDERXW WKH VFUHHQ NLOOLQJ EDGGLHV ZLWK KHU KDLU DQG ODWHU PDJLF )DQV RI WKH VHULHV ZRQşW EH GLVDSSRLQWHG DOWKRXJK , IRXQG WKH RQVFUHHQ FRQWUROVbVXSHU IUXVWUDWLQJ IUHTXHQWO\ hitting jump instead of attack (or vice-versa) at critical moments – it’s PXFKbEHWWHU ZKHQ SOD\HG ZLWK D hardware controller.

Platformer • Age 12+ • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers

128. SHANTAE AND THE SEVEN SIRENS Polished but largely conventional action-platformer

128.

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129. SPIRE BLAST Your job here is to topple a precarious tower by shooting balls that disintegrate blocks of the same colour. ,WşV EDVLFDOO\ 3X]]OH %REEOH FURVVHG with Jenga.

7KH JDULVK SUHVHQWDWLRQ KDQG holding helper hints and obsession with power-ups are all strongly reminiscent of the money-grubbing freemium titles that plague the App 6WRUH DQG WKLV KDUGO\ IHHOV OLNH WKH sort of innovation that Arcade was supposed to be about. One suspects that Apple lost its nerve a little bit and asked devs to focus more on generic EXW UHOLDEOH RʏHULQJV DORQJ WKH OLQHV RI Grindstone. %XW LW LV UDWKHU IXQ , UHDOO\ OLNH WKH

129.

84 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

way you swipe to spin the tower when VHDUFKLQJ IRU D ZHDN VSRW DQG LW IDOOV LQ a very satisfying way. Generic it might EH EXW LWşV DGGLFWLYH WRR Puzzle • $JH • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers

130. SPONGEBOB: PATTY PURSUIT Who lives in a barnacle under the sea?

6SRQJH%RE 6TXDUH3DQWV ZKR KDV arrived on Apple Arcade in this tie-in auto-runner platform game. :H VD\ DXWR UXQQHU EXW LWşV DQ XQXVXDOO\ HDV\ JRLQJ H[DPSOH RI WKH JHQUH \RX FDQ JR EDFN WR JUDE things you missed and there’s no WLPH SUHVVXUH ,WşV DOVR QRW DV WLJKWO\ designed as such JDPHV WHQG WR EH with unresponsive tap controls (a joypad makes things better) and enemies that can be hard to spot.

6WLOO LW ORRNV JUHDW DQG IHDWXUHV voice work by the original cast.

9DULHW\ LV SURYLGHG by secondary characters who

130.

JLYH \RX VSHFLʐF DELOLWLHV DQG IXQQ\ transformations.

Platformer • $JH • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers

131. LEGO BRAWLS 2QOLQH PXOWLSOD\HU ʐJKWHU EDVHG RQ WKH popular brick-based construction toy.

7KH DFWLRQ LV VLPSOH EXW IXQ UXQQLQJ around one of several 2D arenas and battering one another with guns and

131.

handheld weaponry.

The more you SOD\ WKH PRUH PLQLʐJXUH parts are unlocked for you to customise \RXU FKDUDFWHU which is cosmetic but charming.

7KH JDPH LWVHOI LV HQMR\DEOH WKHQ EXW LW VHHPV WR EH HLWKHU H[FHVVLYHO\ dependent on a good network FRQQHFWLRQ RU XQGHUSRSXODWHG RU ERWK , KDYH \HW WR VXFFHVVIXOO\ VHW XS D 3DUW\ JDPH DQG RQ PXOWLSOH RFFDVLRQV HYHQ ZKHQ FRQQHFWHG WR ZKDW , believed to be reasonably decent WiFi) my Brawl games have been plagued E\ ODJ 7KLV LV D OLWWOH DQQR\LQJ JLYHQ $SSOH $UFDGHşV SURPLVHV RI RʓLQH SOD\ 7KH RQO\ RʓLQH part of the game is an uninspiring Training mode. )LJKWLQJ 6KRRWHU • $JH • 1-10 players • Supports hardware controllers (and virtually requires one) ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 85

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132.

132. DON’T BUG ME! Tower defence game which sometimes SUHWHQGV WR EH D ʐUVW SHUVRQ VKRRWHU <RXşUH D 0DUWLDQ H[SORUHU WU\LQJ WR hold out against the alien hordes surrounding your tiny base; sometimes you’re building defensive structures DXWRPDWHG ODVHUV H[SORGLQJ EDUULHUV HWF DQG sometimes you’re switching view and gunning them down personally. ,WşV DOO DERXW PXOWLWDVNLQJ WKHQ simultaneously keeping an eye RQ WKH UDGDU the condition of \RXU WRZHUV WKH available solar power for building 133. new towers and 86 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

your personal ammo supply. ,WşV D OLWWOH VWUHVVIXO IRU WKLV UHDVRQ and somewhat limited in VFRSH EXW pretty fun nonetheless.

6WUDWHJ\ 6KRRWHU • $JH • Single player only • Supports hardware FRQWUROOHUV EXW WRXFKVFUHHQ LV ʐQH and probably easier)

133. SUDOKU SIMPLE+ MobilityWare is good at these slick DGDSWDWLRQV RI FODVVLFV DQG ,şYH VSHQW D

lot of time on the company’s VROLWDLUH RʏHULQJ ZKLFK LV also in this chart. This sudoku number is also both faithful DQG ZHOO H[HFXWHG DOEHLW QRW quite as compelling. ,W RʏHUV WKUHH GLʒFXOW\ OHYHOV DQG ,şG UHFRPPHQG the hardest of these for WKH FRPSOH[ PXOWL VWHS deduction (“if that square is 134.

D WKHQ WKDW VTXDUH KDV WR EH D RU D ZKLFK ZRXOG PHDQ WKH ZRXOG EH WKHUHŧŢ ZKLFK PDNHV VXGRNX UHZDUGLQJ ,WşV MXVW D shame that there’s no way to annotate VTXDUHV ZLWK WKH SRVVLELOLWLHV DV \RX would with a Biro in a newspaper. ,W DOVR ODFNV WKH EULOOLDQWO\ compulsive daily goals element that keeps pulling me back into solitaire.

7KHUHşV D GDLO\ FKDOOHQJH EXW WKDWşV MXVW DQRWKHU SX]]OH 6WLOO LWşV JRRG for Arcade subscribers to know that MobilityWare has the basics covered so competently.

and then hop back up again as quickly DV SRVVLEOH ZKLOH HYDGLQJ EDG JX\V and obstacles. ,WşV D SOHDVDQWO\ VLPSOH DQG HOHJDQW FRQFHSW FRVPHWLFDOO\ UHPLQLVFHQW RI WKH V FODVVLF 4 EHUW EXW UDWKHU OHW down by the controls. On touchscreen \RXşUH VZLSLQJ ZKLFK GRHVQşW ZRUN terribly well for accuracy or speed; using a hardware controller improves matters a little but it’s still very prone to overshooting. This is frustrating in a game where time is short.

Puzzle • $JH • Single player only • 1R FRQWUROOHU VXSSRUW

Arcade • $JH • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers

134. DODO PEAK

135. TOWAGA: AMONG SHADOWS

Retro arcade number in which you (a bird) hop down the steps of a PRXQWDLQ WR UHWULHYH KDWFK \RXU HJJV

7RZDJD FDOOV LWVHOI D WZLQ VWLFN JDPH EXW WKDWşV KDUGO\ DFFXUDWH LWşV D ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 87

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PDQ\ HUURUV , didn’t feel like there was a lot of progression in the level GHVLJQ DQG found the stationary levels quite stressful.

135.

VLQJOH VWLFN UHDOO\ EHFDXVH RQ PRVW levels your character is locked to one place and your job is simply to shoot the baddies coming at you from all DQJOHV b)URP WLPH WR WLPH \RX DVFHQG to the stars and get the chance to PRYHbDQG VKRRW DQG LWşV D FUXHO reminder of how fun twin-sticks can EHbLI WKH\şUH DOORZHG 7KH ORRN DQG QDUUDWLYH ʑDYRXU DUH ERWK SOHDVLQJO\ RGG DOWKRXJK LWşV VKDPH WKDW WKH (QJOLVK WH[W FRQWDLQV VR

136.

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Shooter • Age 12+ • SOD\HU • Supports hardware controllers

136. POSSESSIONS Sharing numerous beats with Assemble :LWK &DUH 3RVVHVVLRQV DOVR ZHDYHV DQ understated story around a series of simple puzzles. And if that’s your jam you should undoubtedly try both. ,Q WKLV FDVH WKH SX]]OHV DUH VR HDV\ and the entire thing so brief (you’ll ʐQLVK LQ PLQXWHV WKDW LQ SXUH gaming terms it has to be ranked lower.

The ‘moral of the story’ is also rather simple (and probably guessable from the WLWOH EXW ,

137. love the game’s wordless delivery of WKDW PHVVDJH LW ʐUVW HQFRXUDJHV \RX WR H[SORUH DQG UHYHO LQ EHDXWLIXO VSDFHV and then makes you question what those spaces are really worth.

Puzzle • $JH • Single player only • 1R FRQWUROOHU VXSSRUW

137. SPELLDRIFTER ,şYH EHHQ KDYLQJ VRPH JRRG WLPHV ZLWK WKLV WXUQ EDVHG WDFWLFDO 53* ZKLFK LV GHHS WHQVH DQG EOHVVHG ZLWK H[FHOOHQW DUWZRUN %XW KHUHşV P\ UHVHUYDWLRQ the card-playing elements feel like an afterthought.

Deck building is a fashionable (and very rewarding) genre but blending it into an RPG framework is not easy.

6SHOOGULIWHU ZDLWV D IDLU ZKLOH SHUKDSV

WHOOLQJO\ EHIRUH OHWWLQJ \RX KDYH DQ\ FRQWURO RYHU \RXU FDUGV DQG HYHQ WKHQ you’re constructing your deck between ʐJKWV UDWKHU WKDQ LQ JDPH Ŝ LQ RWKHU ZRUGV LWşV PRUH 0DJLF 7KH *DWKHULQJ than Ascension. The cards themselves look great but they’re mostly just DWWDFNV KHDOV DQG EXʏV \RX GRQşW JHW a lot of the interesting combos and V\QHUJLHV WKDW \RX JHW LQ 'UHDP 4XHVW for instance. $OVR SDUHQWV RI VPDOO FKLOGUHQ PD\ ʐQG WKDW WKH FRFN URFN VRXQGWUDFN reminds them of Blaze and the 0RQVWHUb0DFKLQHV ZKLFK UDWKHU undercuts the atmosphere. &DUG 53* • Age 12+ • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers (but touchscreen is easier) ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 89

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138.

138. TINT 7KLV JRUJHRXV JHQWOH SX]]OHU SXWV you in the role of a back-garden watercolourist. On each level a few blobs of paint are dripped on to \RXU FDQYDV DORQJ ZLWK RQH RU PRUH ‘targets’ which you have to reach with D VSHFLʐF FRORXU E\ DSSO\LQJ VZLSHG EUXVK VWURNHV DQG IUHTXHQWO\ PL[LQJ two colours together.

This simple concept is quickly complicated by mazes of pre-painted lines and colour-cancelling water GURSOHWV DQG the levels get reasonably mindEHQGLQJ E\ WKH HQG while remaining SOHDVLQJO\ UHOD[LQJ at the same time.

But there’s a messiness to the 139. puzzles that’s 90 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

unsatisfying – sometimes you’re not sure if you’re doing the wrong WKLQJ RU GRLQJ the right thing clumsily (this isn’t helped by the puzzle being partially KLGGHQ XQGHU \RXU ʐQJHU $QG RIWHQ the solution turns out to be “go round the back of that blob that doesn’t look there’s enough room behind it”.

Puzzle • $JH • Single player only • 1R FRQWUROOHU VXSSRUW

139. SPEK Tasteful but slightly antiseptic puzzle game in which you manipulate SHUVSHFWLYH KHQFH SUHVXPDEO\ WKH name) to guide a ball around line-

drawn objects.

Undeniably cleverly GHVLJQHG 6SHN shares Monument 9DOOH\şV VHQVHbRI RSWLFDO PLVFKLHIbŜ and relatively gentle GLʒFXOW\ FXUYH Ŝ EXW not its heart. %RQXV SRLQWV KRZHYHU IRU WKH LQWHUHVWLQJ $5 PRGH where the puzzles 140. are projected on to the surfaces of \RXU KRPH RU RʒFH DQG \RX UHDFK D solution by physically walking around.

Puzzle • $JH • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers (but touchscreen is easier)

140. CUT THE ROPE REMASTERED Most of the App Store classics that ʑRRGHG $SSOH $UFDGH LQ VSULQJ are essentially unchanged from their JORU\ GD\V ZLWK RQO\ WKH WHOO WDOH sign to indicate that technically – and to get round Apple’s rules for the service – they are separate apps. But &XW WKH 5RSH KDV EHHQ šUHPDVWHUHGŢ which alludes to a more substantive alteration. Part of that is a bump

IURP ' WR QRPLQDOO\ ' JUDSKLFV which admittedly makes the game look more modern but loses some of its charm. There are also some new OHYHOV LWşV D PL[WXUH RI ROG DQG QHZ

but mechanically it’s very much more RI WKH VDPH IURP FXWWLQJ URSHV DQG SRSSLQJ EXEEOHV WR SXʒQJ DLU DQG rotating trampolines.

Hundreds of iOS physics puzzles owe a creative debt to Cut the Rope. %XW DW WKLV SRLQW LQ LWV OLIH , ZRXOG rather admire the game for its legacy WKDQ DFWXDOO\ SOD\ LWV OHYHOV ZKLFK even after being remastered feel (understandably) quite dated.

Puzzle • $JH • Single player only • 1R FRQWUROOHU VXSSRUW ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 91

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141.

141. MIND SYMPHONY This therapeutically themed game’s ʐUVW PRGH 5HOHDVH 6WUHVV LV DOO DERXW FDWKDUVLV WKURXJK IUHQ]LHG GHVWUXFWLRQ it’s a comparatively traditional bulletKHOO VKRRWHU H[FHSW WKDW HQHP\ PRYHPHQWV ZHDSRQ ʐUH HWF DUH V\QFHG WR WKH PXVLF ,WşV KDUG WR WHOO WKH GLʏHUHQFH EHWZHHQ SRZHU XSV DQG enemies but this part mostly works Ŝ SURYLGHG \RX KDYH D MR\SDG VLQFH the onscreen controls aren’t anywhere near quick enough. &DOP PRGH PHDQZKLOH LV LQWHQGHG WR EH PRUH UHVWIXO DQG GRHVQşW UHTXLUH \RX WR GR DQ\ VWHHULQJ GRGJLQJ RU aiming; you just have to tap when two circles overlap. Again it’s not totally clear what you’re supposed to be GRLQJ DQG WKH H[DFWLWXGH UHTXLUHG WR JHW D JRRG VFRUH Ŝ DQG VRPH PLJKW VD\ WKH IDFW WKDW \RXşUH EHLQJ VFRUHG DW all – makes it not actually very calming.

92 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

Mind Symphony is a curate’s egg RI D SDFNDJH essentially two unrelated games that are sometimes original and sometimes good but very rarely both at once. And the number of small issues – such as persuading it (unsuccessfully) to connect with $SSOH 0XVLF DQG WKHQ SHUVXDGLQJ LW WR stop trying without restarting the app Ŝ PDNHV PH H[WUHPHO\ GXELRXV DERXW LWVbSRVLWLYH LPSDFW RQ WKH SOD\HUşV VWDWHbRI PLQG Shooter • $JH • Single player only • Supports hardware controller

142. DECOHERENCE ,I \RX OLNH VLPSOLFLW\ ORRN HOVHZKHUH WKLV VFL ʐ QXPEHU EOHQGV HOHPHQWV RI WZLQ VWLFN VKRRWHUV WRZHU GHIHQFH and real-time squad strategy into an intimidating whole.

7KH FRUH RI WKH JDPH LV ERWV DW WKH start of each level you decide which bots you’ll be employing and where WKH\şOO VWDUW FXVWRPLVH WKHLU ORDG RXW and give them simple orders. Then

is right (with the occasional assistance of throwable decoy REMHFWV bDQG in this sense it reminded me a little of +LWPDQb*R only real-time

142. hit the start button and watch them WDFNOHbWKH HQHP\ DQG WU\ WR PHHW victory conditions. %XW LWşV QRW FRPSOHWHO\ KDQGV Rʏ <RXU SLORW LV WKHUH WRR DQG FDQ ZDQGHU around joining in with a gun (unwise) or clambering into a vehicle or mech (better). Some will undoubtedly HQMR\bWKLV EXW , IRXQG WKH GLʒFXOW\ FXUYH FOLʏ OLNH DQG VWUXJJOHG WR JHW into the game.

6WUDWHJ\ 6KRRWHU • Age 12+ • 1-2 players • Supports hardware controller

instead of turn-based.

7KH SUREOHP LV WKDW WDS DFFXUDF\ responsiveness sometimes lets you GRZQ ZKHQ UXVKLQJ DQG XVLQJ D joypad isn’t much better because it FRQWUROV D FXUVRU QRW \RXU FKDUDFWHU ,W FDQ EH KDUG WR VHH ZKDWşV JRLQJ RQ WRR EHFDXVH \RX KDYH QR FRQWURO RYHUbWKH FDPHUD The security-footage visuals are QLFH ZLWK RUDQJH GHWDLOV VXFK DV guard sight lines when you’re spotted) popping against the grainy mono background. But there’s not much

143. OPERATOR 41 Stealth puzzler in which a spy tries to negotiate a series of levels without getting spotted. The key is observing the routines of the guards and slipping past when the moment

143.

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VXEVWDQFH KHUH VLQFH WKHUH DUH RQO\ levels at time of writing and all but the ODVW RU DUH VWUDLJKWIRUZDUG WR VROYH – failures are far more likely to be a tap not registering than a puzzle being too ʐHQGLVK DQG WKDWşV D VKDPH Puzzle • $JH • Single player • Supports hardware controller

144. SECRET OOPS! ,Q WKH ZRUOG RI ERDUG JDPHV FULWLFV sometimes talk about a ‘pasted-on WKHPHş ZKHQ DQ DEVWUDFW FRQFHSW LV livened up with a surface narrative WKDWbGRHVQşW UHDOO\ OLQN WR WKH ZD\ WKH game actually plays. Which brings us to the likeable timing-based puzzler 6HFUHW 2RSV ZKLFK LV VXSSRVHGO\

144.

94 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

DERXW SURWHFWLQJ D FOXPV\ VS\ EXW LV really about pressing coloured buttons DW WKH ULJKW PRPHQW PXFK OLNH WKH V WR\ 6LPRQ 6SHFLDO $JHQW &KDUOHV D JHQWOHPDQ RI OLPLWHG LQWHOOHFW ZLOO EOXQGHU LQWR ODVHUV VHFXULW\ FDPHUDV DQG ERRE\ traps unless you disable them at the correct moment by... tapping them on your iPhone. Which doesn’t make a lot of sense. But this doesn’t stop it EHLQJ IXQ DQG WKH DQLPDWLRQ DQG QRQ verbal) voice acting when the spy gets caught is undeniably entertaining.

7KH FRQWUROV DUH ʐGGO\ DQG WKH doors in particular feel slightly XQUHVSRQVLYH ,WşV DOVR WRXJK WR JHW D FOHDU YLHZ RI ZKDW \RXşUH GRLQJ whether you’re scurrying around in the real world using the (very cool) AR PRGH RU VTXLQWLQJ at the non-AR mode in portrait orientation and discovering that you can’t rotate the level while zoomed LQ 7KHQ DJDLQ awkwardness PD\ EH WKH SRLQW like in Surgeon Simulator or

6SDFHWHDP D ORW RI the fun comes from GHVSHUDWHO\ WU\LQJ and frequently IDLOLQJ WR DFFRPSOLVK simple tasks XQGHUbSUHVVXUH Puzzle • $JH • players • Supports hardware controller

145.

145. FRUIT NINJA CLASSIC+ 9DULRXV SLHFHV RI IUXLW SRS XS RQ WKH screen like clay pigeons; by swiping ZLWK \RXU ʐQJHU VZRUG \RX PXVW VOLFHbWKHP LQWR FRORXUIXO SLHFHV while trying to avoid the bombs LQH[SOLFDEO\bPL[HG LQ ZLWK WKH IRRG $QG WKDWşV )UXLW 1LQMD ,WşV D FODVVLF IRU D UHDVRQ EXW , FDQşW KHOS IHHOLQJ PRELOH gaming has moved on.

Casual • $JH • 1-2 players • 1R controller support

0DUEOH RU QR \RX WUXQGOH DURXQG hammer the attack button when EDGGLHV DSSHDU WU\ WR ʐQG WUHDVXUH FKHVWV DQG RFFDVLRQDOO\ ʐJKW D ERVV The JRPG-style cut-scene graphics DUH QLFH HQRXJK EXW QRWKLQJ UHDOO\ VWDQGV RXW 7KH FKDUDFWHUV ʐW WKH XVXDO RPG archetypes without being in any ZD\ ŞURXQGHGş DQG WKH OHYHOV KROG IHZ VXUSULVHV $OVR KDYLQJ SOD\HG games like Slash Quest where coins DUH FROOHFWHG DXWRPDWLFDOO\ LW IHHOV unnecessarily laborious to have to go back after killing monsters to pick up WKHLU GURSSHG ORRW *LYH XV D EUHDN

146. MARBLE KNIGHTS The central gimmick – that all the knights have a marble in place of their legs – isn’t enough to save this action slasher from being generic.

146.

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Platformer • $JH • SOD\HUV • Supports hardware controller

147. ULTIMATE RIVALS: THE RINK ,WşV WKUHH RQ WKUHH LFH KRFNH\ EXW KHUHşV WKH FDWFK WKH SOD\HUV DUH GUDZQ IURP ʐYH GLʏHUHQW VSRUWV VR \RXU WHDP FRXOG EH PDGH XS RI D EDVHEDOO SLWFKHU DQ 1)/ TXDUWHU EDFN DQG D IRRWEDOO FHQWUH IRUZDUG ,WşV D ELW OLNH WKDW ROG 79 VKRZ ZKHUH .HYLQ .HHJDQ IHOO Rʏ D ELF\FOH RQO\ YDVWO\ PRUH 86 FHQWULF , wish they could have found room for Ben Stokes or Ronnie O’Sullivan.

6DGO\ LWşV QHYHU H[SODLQHG ZK\ DOO American sports have been folded LQWR LFH KRFNH\ QRU ZK\ VRPH RI the participants actually are hockey players – surely they would win every game with ease? Presumably the

147.

96 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

overwhelming info dump of a tutorial at the start of the game left no room IRU SORW H[SRVLWLRQ The game itself is fun but VXUSULVLQJO\ FRPSOLFDWHG ZLWK DOO NLQGV of manoeuvres and special moves WR PHPRULVH ,WşV QRW HDV\ WR KLW WKH ULJKW WRXFKVFUHHQ EXWWRQ DW VSHHG and playing on a hardware controller (which is recommended) leaves you without much guidance.

Sport • $JH • 1-2 players • Supports hardware controller

148. ROSIE’S REALITY Cute puzzle game in which you DUUDQJHbIXQFWLRQ EORFNV FKDQJH GLUHFWLRQ MXPS VSHHG XS HWF LQ WKH correct formation to get a robot from point A to point B. This is all pleasant

148.

HQRXJK H[FHSW IRU D FXULRXV ŞKXUU\ XS and wait’ aspect.

Your performance in each level is partially rated according to the time LW WDNHV \RX DQG WKH DYHUDJH SOD\HU will obviously take this (and the big š %XLOG Ţ FRXQWGRZQ DV D FXH to rush. This runs counter to the WKRXJKWIXO VSLULW RI PRVW SX]]OH JDPHV and the fact that you can’t stop and think about a level – WKHUH DUH WZR GLʏHUHQW SDXVH RSWLRQV EXW RQH keeps the clock running and the other hides the blocks – makes it a OLWWOHbVWUHVVIXO Working against 149.

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annoyingly slow at reassembling itself each time you start RU UHVWDUW D OHYHO WKH robots sprout wheels and drive to their VWDUWLQJ SRLQWV WKH blocks drop leisurely LQWR SODFH DQG QRQH of this is skippable.

Fast restarts are vital for non-annoying SX]]OH JDPHV DQG the game ends up being frustrating.

Puzzle • $JH • SOD\HUV • Supports hardware controller

149. SUPER MEGA MINI PARTY 1R VHOI UHVSHFWLQJ JDPHV FROOHFWLRQ LV complete without a few mini games; $UFDGH KDV WKLV DQG %LJ 7LPH 6SRUWV 6003 RʏHUV WHQ WKLQJV WR GR DOO RI WKHP ERWK VLPSOH DQG VWUDQJH UXQQLQJ

ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER 97

APPLE ARCADE

the gamut from pogo-sticking on lava to dynamite juggling.

This simplicity is both a strength and D ZHDNQHVV VLQFH you get the hang of each thing almost 150. immediately but then (when played on solo) tire of it quite quickly too. ,W ZRXOG XQGRXEWHGO\ KDYH PRUH sustained interest when played with PDWHV EXW , ZDV VDGO\ XQDEOH GHVSLWH WU\LQJ VHYHUDO WLPHV WR ʐQG D SDUW\ WR MRLQ ,WşV QLFH WKDW \RX KDYH WKH RSWLRQ to join a random group (something Pac-Man Party Royale sorely misses) as ZHOO DV OLQNLQJ XS ZLWK IULHQGV YLD FRGH but right now there doesn’t seem to be a big enough player base to make this a realistic option.

Arcade • $JH • SOD\HUV • Supports hardware controller

150. JUMPER JON Platformers tend to fall into two FDWHJRULHV VHDW RI WKH SDQWV WKULOO ULGHV DQG RQHV ZKHUH \RX QHHG D PDS This is the second type.

6R QR LWşV QRW H[DFWO\ RQH IRU adrenaline junkies. Even the jump mechanism – the sine qua non of the 98 ISSUE 172 • iPAD & iPHONE USER

JHQUH \RX PLJKW WKLQN Ŝ LV FXULRXVO\ VOXJJLVK DQG ʑRDW\ UDWKHU WKDQ WKH zippy bounce you get in something like Rayman Mini. This is frustrating when a boss keeps tagging you mid-jump. ,URQLFDOO\ HQRXJK WKH JDPHşV central gimmick does incentivise VSHHG DQ HYHU SUHVHQW VHFRQG timer will kill you if you can’t reset it E\ KLWWLQJ WKH QH[W FKHFNSRLQW LQ WLPH %XW JLYHQ WKDW V\UXS\ MXPS EXWWRQ not to mention the requirement IRU H[SORUDWLYH WKRXJKW LWşV DQ incongruous (if fun) inclusion.

Platformer • $JH • Single player only • Supports hardware controller

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ISSUE 171

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