Charles Martin

Charles Martin is a Contributing Editor for AppleInsider, and former editor for the late, lamented MacNN. He is a writer, performer, podcaster, and broadcaster, specializing in smart tech and bad jokes. He lives in Victoria, BC.

Apple MacBook Pro Deals

Exclusive Prices
Best MacBook Pro deals offer 100s in savings

Latest Articles from Charles Martin

article thumbnail

Apple Music Classical's best feature is lost on Apple's headphones

1 day ago

Apple Music Classical's best feature is lost on Apple's headphones

Apple Music Classical is here, but if you want to listen to it at the maximum quality that the recording allows, you can't use Apple's headphones wirelessly. Here's why.

By Charles Martin | 1 day ago

18

article thumbnail

Photoshop Web beta hands on: Nifty, but no match for the competition

2 weeks ago

Photoshop Web beta hands on: Nifty, but no match for the competition

Currently free, the Photoshop on the Web beta is an impressive feat — but seems aimed at casual users who need quick fixes and a simpler toolset, at least for now.

By Charles Martin | 2 weeks ago

1

article thumbnail

Intel has a faster processor than M2 Max, but at what cost?

1 month ago

Intel has a faster processor than M2 Max, but at what cost?

Yes, Intel has come up with a chip that can equal or outperform the M2 Max. Specs can be deceiving, and we look at the sacrifices Intel made to get there.

By Charles Martin | 1 month ago

81

article thumbnail

How to recover Apple ID accounts with Advanced Data Protection turned on

1 month ago

How to recover Apple ID accounts with Advanced Data Protection turned on

Apple's standard data-safety practices, along with its new ultra-secure protection option, come with some risk if you forget your Apple ID password. Here's what to do if that happens.

By Charles Martin | 1 month ago

article thumbnail

Element Case Special Ops Apple Watch band review: For those who like to play rough

2 months ago

Element Case Special Ops Apple Watch band review: For those who like to play rough

The Element Case Special Ops Apple Watch band brings military style, extra protection to a case-and-band combo for the Apple Watch Series 7 and 8.

By Charles Martin | 2 months ago

2

article thumbnail

Advanced Data Protection: Improved security, with some exceptions

2 months ago

Advanced Data Protection: Improved security, with some exceptions

Users can optionally beef up iCloud security, but iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar can't fully use end-to-end encryption. Here's why.

By Charles Martin | 2 months ago

1

article thumbnail

Apple has its own social networking services, but won't call them that

2 months ago

Apple has its own social networking services, but won't call them that

After a few failed attempts at building wider social networks, Apple has hit upon a smaller-scale strategy that allows users to share items to the big social sites with ease, and on a more personal level as well.

By Charles Martin | 2 months ago

8

article thumbnail

How to use email aliases and Hide My Email in iOS 16

3 months ago

How to use email aliases and Hide My Email in iOS 16

Hide My Email is a great way to subscribe to things or use online, but an iCloud mail alias can give you up to three alternate email addresses for business or pleasure.

By Charles Martin | 3 months ago

article thumbnail

Excitrus 105W Power Bank Ultimate: Power to go and to spare

3 months ago

Excitrus 105W Power Bank Ultimate: Power to go and to spare

The Excitrus 105W Power Bank Ultimate is a powerful battery bank that can charge all of a road warrior's accessories, from earbuds to notebooks, with style.

By Charles Martin | 3 months ago

2

article thumbnail

iCloud Shared Photo Library vs. Shared Albums in Photos

3 months ago

iCloud Shared Photo Library vs. Shared Albums in Photos

Shared Albums and iCloud Shared Photo Library have restrictions and can be confusing — but both work well in some scenarios. Here's what Apple got right with the new iCloud Shared Photo Library, what they got wrong, and how to use it.

By Charles Martin | 3 months ago

12

article thumbnail

Mophie Powerstation Plus review: Enough portable power for iPhone & iPad

3 months ago

Mophie Powerstation Plus review: Enough portable power for iPhone & iPad

Mophie's Powerstation Plus is an all-in-one package that will give sufficient portable power to most — with a bonus or penalty of built-in cables for both Lightning and USB-C, depending on how you use it.

By Charles Martin | 3 months ago

0

article thumbnail

NovaPlus A8 Duo review: Inexpensive Apple Pencil-like stylus for iPad

3 months ago

NovaPlus A8 Duo review: Inexpensive Apple Pencil-like stylus for iPad

The NovaPlus A8 Duo is a lightweight Apple Pencil clone, and is a nearly-flawless option for iPad-centric sketchers, note-takers, and more.

By Charles Martin | 3 months ago

2

article thumbnail

The best Live Activities in iOS 16.1

4 months ago

The best Live Activities in iOS 16.1

Live Activities made its debut with the release of iOS 16.1, promising a new way of getting up-to-date information where users want to see it. The feature works with every iPhone that supports the latest iOS.

By Charles Martin | 4 months ago

4

article thumbnail

How to combine images using Shortcuts

4 months ago

How to combine images using Shortcuts

Built into macOS, iOS, and iPadOS is a handy way to take multiple images and make them into one image, without having to use an image editor. Here's how to use Shortcuts to get it done.

By Charles Martin | 4 months ago

article thumbnail

The best search engines to use, if you're tired of Google

4 months ago

The best search engines to use, if you're tired of Google

Google is undisputed king of the search engine hill, by volume of users alone. But, there are better and more private options. Here are the biggest Google alternatives.

By Charles Martin | 4 months ago

2

article thumbnail

From X10 to Matter: The smart home evolves again

4 months ago

From X10 to Matter: The smart home evolves again

The new standard Matter will enable easy, secure communication between smart home brands and devices — and existing devices may be able to be updated to support it.

By Charles Martin | 4 months ago

9

article thumbnail

The best HomeKit motion sensors to add to a smart home

5 months ago

The best HomeKit motion sensors to add to a smart home

Finding the right HomeKit motion sensor grants some new abilities to Apple's Home app, and with Thread technology this will "Matter" even more going forward.

By Charles Martin | 5 months ago

article thumbnail

How to clear the DNS cache on a Mac

5 months ago

How to clear the DNS cache on a Mac

Although it's very rarely needed, flushing the DNS cache might help clear up mysterious internet connection issues. Here's why, when, and how you do it.

By Charles Martin | 5 months ago

article thumbnail

From Lightning to USB-C: The long road, and the road ahead

5 months ago

From Lightning to USB-C: The long road, and the road ahead

Apple, an early adopter of USB-A and USB-C connectors, will likely be forced to phase out Lightning over the next two years. Here's why, and what's likely to happen along the way.

By Charles Martin | 5 months ago

14

Latest comparisons

article thumbnail

16-inch MacBook Pro vs LG Gram 17 - compared

article thumbnail

Downgrading from iPhone 13 Pro Max to the iPhone SE 3 is a mixed bag

article thumbnail

iPhone 14 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra - compared

article thumbnail

14-inch MacBook Pro vs Galaxy Book 3 Pro 14 - compared

article thumbnail

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs iPhone 14 Pro - compared

Latest Videos

article thumbnail

Sonos Era 300 review: Spatial audio finally arrives

article thumbnail

Tesla Wireless Charging Platform review: A premium, Tesla-branded AirPower clone

article thumbnail

How to use ChatGPT on Apple Watch

article thumbnail

Hands on with Apple's yellow iPhone 14

article thumbnail

2022 iPad Pro M2 review: Six months later, powerful and still stale

Latest tips

article thumbnail

How to add and transfer eSIMs to iPhone

article thumbnail

Best disk space analyzer apps for monitoring your Mac's storage in macOS

article thumbnail

How to use ChatGPT on Apple Watch

article thumbnail

How to reset HomePod and HomePod mini

How to use Activity Monitor in macOS Ventura

Latest Reviews

article thumbnail

Maono WM821 review: Affordable wireless mic system with accessories

article thumbnail

Sonos Era 100 review: Puts HomePod on notice

article thumbnail

Uze 100W GaN Charger review: A lot of power in a small body

article thumbnail

Audio-Technica AT-LP7 review: A very nice turntable for under $1,000

article thumbnail

BenQ e-Reading lamp review: screen-friendly desk lighting