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

Paid Apple Intelligence features won't come until at least 2027

In the forthcoming Apple Intelligence features, there was no mention of any fees or subscription charges. That could change as early as 2027.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Work on second-gen Apple Vision Pro & new smart glasses is progressing

Despite reportedly weak Apple Vision Pro sales to consumers, Apple is working on both a less-expensive version as well as a second-generation model, alongside research on a "smart glasses" type device.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Pixar has reused an Apple Watch face to make the new 'Toy Story 5' trailer

One of the world's biggest entertainment powerhouses has put together a teaser trailer for 2026's Toy Story 5 by re-using Apple Watch animations from 2017.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Former Xbox head credits Apple watch with life-saving low heart rate alerts

Veteran tech executive Peter Moore credits his Apple Watch with an alert that ended up saving his life, resulting in the implantation of a pacemaker to regulate his heartbeat.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Apple to reclaim wetlands near its Iowa data center

Apple is applying to the City of Waukee in Iowa, just west of Des Moines, to return some of its land surrounding its iCloud data center back into a freshwater marsh, also known as a "prairie pothole."

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Here's what iOS 18 has for owners of older Apple devices

Apple's line in the sand for Apple Intelligence still leaves many new features in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, and macOS Sequoia for older devices - with a few caveats.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

New Macs in 2025 rumored to get at least one major design refresh

The Mac update cycle for the rest of 2024 and into 2025 will include the expected M4 chip updates — and at least one major product design refresh, according to a new rumor.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Apple Intelligence rollout timetable won't delay iPhone 16

Although the much-touted Apple Intelligence features will only begin showing up weeks after the initial release of iOS 18, Apple reportedly has no plans to delay releasing its annual update of the iPhone 16.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Butterfly keyboard MacBook owners compensation payments are arriving

Just over six years after the first class-action lawsuit over Apple's flawed MacBook Pro butterfly keyboard design was filed, settlement money will finally be reaching owners who were affected by flaws and reliability issues.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Apple Intelligence features will probably wait until iOS 18.1

Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI-based enhancements, are probably not going to arrive with iOS 18, and will probably arrive starting in iOS 18.1

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Apple in talks to bring ad-supported Apple TV+ option to UK, US

Apple has long been rumored to be in talks with various ad agencies in an effort to bring some level of advertising to its Apple TV+ service. While the service remains ad-free currently, this could be changing — at least in the UK.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Apple, Amazon target Twitch users for new Apple TV+ trial promotion

Apple and Amazon have teamed up to offer a new three-month free trial of Apple TV+ to Twitch users who subscribe to any Twitch streamer.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Apple reaches agreement with unionized Maryland Apple Store workers

Some 85 employees of the first unionized Apple Store in Towson, Maryland will vote on the first union-negotiated agreement with Apple to improve working conditions on August 6th, 2024.

Charles Martin | 3 months ago

Apple TV+ gifts PlayStation owners a three-month trial offer

Sony PlayStation 4 or 5 model users who have a PlayStation Network account and have or create an Apple ID can get a three-month free trial of Apple TV+, the company's on-demand video service.

Charles Martin | 4 months ago

Apple keeps pushing AI industry forward with more open-source models

Apple's Apple Intelligence research team have released two new small but high-performing language models used to train AI generators.

Charles Martin | 4 months ago

Apple financial partner Green Dot slapped with millions in fines over hidden fees

Green Dot Bank, an Apple financial partner for Apple Cash and other services, has been fined $44 million by the Federal Reserve over its tax-preparation service. The penalty is unrelated to its role in any Apple services.

Charles Martin | 4 months ago

Australian swimmer caught in riptides rescued using his Apple Watch

A 49-year-old experienced swimmer in New South Wales used his Apple Watch to call for help after becoming caught in an ocean current that was dragging him further out to sea.

Charles Martin | 4 months ago

Delta 1.6 classic game emulator now available for iPad

The Delta emulator app that allows players to use their own ROM files for various retro gaming systems on an iPhone is now also available for the iPad.

Charles Martin | 4 months ago

'Find My' feature helps diver recover lost Apple Watch nearly two years later

A YouTuber who lost his Apple Watch while swimming and diving in the summer of 2022 has had it returned to him, thanks to the Find My feature.

Charles Martin | 4 months ago

Figma disables AI-powered 'Make Design' feature after Weather app rip-off

Figma has announced that the company will temporarily disable its primary AI App UI design tool following accusations of training the model on Apple's Weather app.

Charles Martin | 4 months ago

Apple Watch SE may switch to an all-plastic chassis to lower costs

Apple is reported to have tested replacing the metal portion of the current Apple Watch SE case with rigid plastic to lower the cost.

Charles Martin | 4 months ago

Apple Watch Series 10 & Ultra 3 will be faster, but not an anniversary redesign

After initial rumors popped out of the supply chain predicting a blockbuster 10-year anniversary Apple Watch redesign, as the release date grows closer, hopes of that are dimming.

Charles Martin | 4 months ago