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Apple recently announced its latest offering for 2024. Apple used the last week of October to show off new models of the Mac Mini, Macbook Pro, and the iMac. What is new about this new iMac that may lead buyers to upgrade their current Apple device or jump for the first time into the Mac ecosystem?
The New M4 Chip
Since introducing their own M-series chips in 2020, Apple has continued to increase speed and processing power. They claim that the new M4 in the iMac runs up to 2.1x faster than the M1 for processor-intensive work like photo editing and gaming. Apple also announced a new M4 Pro processor this year, but it is not currently available for the iMac.
New Colors
Those who want something more exciting than grey can now choose from seven new colors. The new iMac is available in vibrant shades of green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and blue, along with the now classic silver. To complete the look, every iMac comes standard with a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse (or optional Magic Trackpad) in the same color as the iMac.
New Nano-Texture Display
The iMac’s built-in display is one of its most beloved features, and it got even better this year. For the first time, nano-texture glass is available as an add-on. The option dramatically reduces reflection and glare, making the iMac more suitable for use in brightly lit environments.
12MP Center Stage Camera
The new and improved camera adds two features for video calls and streaming. Center Stage uses AI to keep everyone centered in the frame, even when there are multiple participants. Desk View simultaneously shows the user and a top-down view of their desk.
Four USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 Support
Whereas the last version of the iMac offered four USB-C ports, only 2 offered Thunderbolt support, and that was limited to Thunderbolt 3. The new iMac comes standard with 4 USB-C ports that all provide Thunderbolt 4. This means faster data transfer for external storage and multiple displays.
Let’s face it. Most of us are more dependent on our smartphones than we would like to admit. We also trust them with some of our most personal and critical information. That makes them tempting targets for cybercriminals. If you have an Android device, follow these tips to ensure your data stays safe and out of the wrong hands.
1. Use a Strong Password and Bio-metric Authentication
Some people don’t like the inconvenience of unlocking their phone every time they want to use it. However, a phone without a strong password is a gold mine for bad actors if your phone is lost or stolen. Fortunately, with fingerprint or facial recognition features, you don’t even have to type that password every time.
2. Keep Things Updated
Failing to keep your operating system and apps updated could put your data at risk. Updates often include security patches and bug fixes that will make your phone secure. When possible, enable automatic updates to stay protected without even thinking about it.
3. Avoid Risky Apps
The apps you install on your phone can potentially give criminals access to your data. It is best to only install apps from the Google Play Store. Even some of those can be risky, so it is best to look for apps from trusted developers with a lot of great ratings and reviews.
4. Be Careful What you Download
Whether you are on your laptop or your smartphone, hackers can try to gain access through compromised links or attachments. Be careful what you click on, especially if it comes via an email or text message from an unknown source.
Following these simple tips will help keep your device and your data safe and secure.
When we are in the market for the latest TV, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, we will encounter some of the latest in digital display technology. Flat screen technology, first introduced in the 1990s, makes it possible for devices to be smaller, lighter, and more energy efficient. Technological advances allow for stunning visuals through higher resolution and faster refresh rates. Now, consumers can even shop for devices with bendable and foldable displays.
The original flat panel displays depended on LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), Digital Light Processing (DLP), or Plasma. While you may still find LCD panels in some lower-end electronics, all of these have been replaced with newer technology that continues to help improve everything from TVs to smartphones.
Today’s devices are powered by five main advanced display technologies, each with advantages making them suitable for common electronics applications.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) – These are, essentially, LCD panels that use modern LED backlighting. This gives them improved brightness and color accuracy. They are often found on computer monitors and TV screens.
QLED (Quantum Dot LED) – QLED technology uses nano-scale crystals to enhance LED displays. These “quantum dots” emit their own light when hit by the backlight and improve the brightness and range of color. QLEDs are currently found mostly in high-end TVs and are especially suited to bright settings.
OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) – OLED is a breakthrough in that each pixel emits its own light. Because of this, no backlight is required, which leads to truer blacks and more vibrant colors. This display type is popular in high-end smartphones and premium TVs.
AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) – This technology adds a layer of semiconductors that provide faster response times. Their superior performance makes them popular for premium smartphones and tablets. They can also be manufactured to be flexible, which means you will find them in new foldable devices.