Charles Martin

Weekend editor

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.

Latest Articles from Charles Martin

Apple hasn't abandoned microLED tech, despite recent setbacks

Despite claims to the contrary, Apple is said to be still planning the use of microLED in future products such as the Apple Watch Ultra and a rumored follow-on to the Apple Vision Pro.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

macOS Sequoia can run on Valve's Steam Deck with hacks

A Hackintosh enthusiast has managed to get a version of macOS Sequoia running on Valve's Steam Deck handheld gaming device in an exercise they admit is "pointless."

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

Apple to launch MacBook Air, iPad Air refreshes in early 2025

A new report claims that Apple is pushing back the release of its next MacBook Air and iPad Air models into the first half of 2025.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

New M4 Macs are expected to launch on November 1

Apple's next hardware event will take place in late October, with at least the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iPad mini expected to ship on November 1.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

Apple beats patent troll, wins suit over Secure Enclave tech

Apple has won a court victory in a battle against patent troll Identity Security LLC, with a jury deciding that Secure Enclave, used originally to enable Touch ID, did not violate four patents.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

Apple kicks off blitz of worldwide visionOS developer events

Apple has kicked off a series of developer events centered around helping devs build visionOS apps and content for the Apple Vision Pro, including labs and a four-week workshop.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

Apple expected to open four new retail stores in India by end of 2025

In addition to its existing stores in Delhi and Mumbai, it appears that there are plans in India for four new Apple retail stores, all expected to open in 2025.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

iPhone 16 Pro Max is being smuggled into India to beat the country's high prices

Government tax levies are adding hundreds of dollars to the price of an iPhone 16 Pro Max in India, with the result that customs officials are seeing more cases of smuggling.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

Indian authorities looking into fire at iPhone parts factory

A fire that broke out on September 28th at a factory that supplies iPhone components in Hosur, India has forced the plant to temporarily close.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

Apple's long-rumored homeOS may arrive in 2025 with Home Hub

Apple may ship the long-rumored HomePod with display in two versions in 2025, and at the same time rebrand tvOS for a wider focus on home automation and similar products.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

iPhone 16 Pro Max beats all comers in battery life test

It's not surprising that the largest smartphones by the likes of Apple and Samsung have the longest battery lives, because they have the biggest batteries — but new testing shows that the iPhone 16 Pro Max beats them all.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

Big Tech-funded TV facing a 'schism' in production styles claims Jon Stewart

Comedian Jon Stewart says that tech giants like Apple and Amazon have wrought an "earthquake" in the way stream-on-demand shows like those on Apple TV+ are made.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

Judge not impressed with Apple's request for more time in Epic case

A magistrate judge has denied a last-minute request from Apple for a delay in producing about 1.3 million documents related to App Store changes it made in January.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

Apple is reportedly not investing in OpenAI

Apple is said to have dropped out of a new funding round for OpenAI at the last minute, but this will have no impact on its plans to integrate optional ChatGPT queries into Apple Intelligence.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

YouTuber adapts hidden first-gen HomePod debug port to carry USB audio

A repair specialist on YouTube specializing in HomePod and other Apple device remediation has discovered that the debug port on the bottom of first-gen HomePods can be adapted to be used as a direct speaker for Mac.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

In with the new, out with the old: Apple discontinues the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 13

It's still possible to get a new iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max from retailers if you hurry, but Apple has officially discontinued both 2023 models, as well as the iPhone 13 and other products as part of its annual streamlining.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

Repair site praises new iPhone 16 line as the most repairable yet

The traditional teardown by repair site iFixit has given the iPhone 16 lineup the highest repairability score of any previous iPhone, thanks to three key changes in the design and internals that make it easier to access components.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

iOS 18's slow rollout will phase in Apple Intelligence over the next six months

Apple will be rolling out Apple Intelligence features to qualifying iPhones as quickly as it can, with as many as three updates before year's end. Some major components, including big changes to Siri, may have to wait until early 2025.

Charles Martin | 2 months ago

Apple executives celebrate, reflect on the first decade of the Apple Watch

In a new interview, a trio of Apple executives reflect on the Apple Watch Series 10 and how some of its original innovations came from influences outside the company.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

RCS-enhanced iMessage in iOS 18 still has security issues when adding Android users

Apple's adoption of the RCS protocol in iOS 18 has improved communications in iMessage between users of iPhones and Android, but some security issues remain. Apple and Google are working together to fix them.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Protests at Apple Stores in multiple cities mar iPhone 16 launch

Demonstrators in a dozen cities in the US and other countries took advantage of the publicity of the iPhone 16 launch to call for a boycott of Apple products. The protests included some current and former Apple employees.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus may have been the bestsellers in debut weekend

Basing his analysis on slipping ship times from Apple's ordering web page, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple is seeing lower demand for the high-end iPhone 16 models and higher sales for the regular iPhone 16, along with the iPhone 16 Plus.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

iOS 18 Repair Assistant forces parts pairing for users

Repair Assistant is coming in iOS 18 to handle the proper configuration of new or used Apple parts — but potentially plaguing some users of already-repaired iPhones.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago