Welcome back! 🍎
Here’s the latest with Apple.

• Mac storage is changing (but not from Apple)

• Noteworthy software updates

• & more!

📊 Poll

Last week, we asked: Would you buy a thin iPhone despite its smaller battery?

Here were my favorite replies:

This week: Would you upgrade your Mac’s storage if it were less expensive? Why or why not? More on this later.

🗞️ The Latest

🍎 Cheaper Mac Storage is Coming

Removable storage is making a comeback for the Mac and it’s coming at the perfect time! Here are the details.

• French company Polysoft spent the past 2 years reverse-engineering Apple's proprietary storage modules for the Mac Studio.

• They successfully manufactured their own custom SSDs, sent them to users to test, and launched a now-sold-out Kickstarter campaign.

• These SSDs come in 2TB ($421), 4TB ($843), and 8TB ($1,158) options.

• These cost roughly half the price of Apple’s storage, which is widely regarded as overpriced.

• Disk speeds will also be improved, even compared to external NVMe SSDs, as noted in the chart below.

• Polysoft customized and designed their boards differently than Apple’s, so they could add over-voltage protection to protect the NAND flash memory from data loss in the event of voltage regulator failure.

• The install for the Mac Studio is simple, no soldering is necessary.

• Polysoft plans to launch the Studio Drive in January.

• The M4 Mac mini uses different storage modules, so these won’t work on the mini. However, it could be coming later down the road.

My take: This is a fabulous development! Even if you don’t own a Mac Studio, it’s exciting to see that something like this is possible.

Could this eventually come to the MacBook and all other Macs? Time will tell!

I plan to order an 8TB SSD module for my Mac Studio as soon as they’re available (and before Apple has a chance to shut them down).

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⚙️ Software Updates

• On Thursday, Apple finally launched the RC (release candidate) build of iOS 18.2 (and many other updates) to Beta testers. Here’s what’s new.

• The final version is expected to launch next week with major new features, such as ChatGPT integration, Genmoji, a redesigned Mail app, and much more.

Tesla’s Apple Watch App

• The Apple Watch now has a native Tesla app, no 3rd party apps are necessary!

• This app will allow you to unlock your Tesla and perform quick actions, such as opening the trunk/frunk, adjusting the AC, flashing the lights, honking, and more.

• The Apple Watch app is live, but it won’t unlock your Tesla or perform any of the actions until the Tesla itself receives its next software update.

Action Mode Perspective

• Apple shared a powerful video showcasing how Action Mode has become a major hit for those living with hand tremors from Parkinson’s disease.

• The video shows a personal example of how Rodrigo can record his iPhone videos without any shakiness, despite his hands shaking the entire time.

• Action Mode is a camera feature that stabilizes shaky video. It’s available on iPhone 14 and newer.

Apple Card Savings Cut

• The Apple Card Savings Account saw its interest rate drop from 4.1% to 3.9% this week.

• This is due to the Fed cutting rates last month. This isn’t an Apple Savings-only thing, interest rates have dropped across the board.

• Here’s a comparison of how Apple’s Savings Account stacks up to other popular high-yield savings accounts.

My take: The iOS 18.2 launch will be a big one, both for casual users (Genmoji) and advanced users (ChatGPT). Expect extensive coverage next week for both the iOS and macOS releases!

📰 Quick Bites

• Tim Cook Wants Apple to Literally Save Your Life

• Coinbase Now Supports Buying Crypto With Apple Pay

• Verizon's hidden fee just went up without anyone noticing

• OpenAI Launches $200/Month ChatGPT Pro Plan

• Apple Releases iCloud Passwords Add-On for Firefox

• Kuo: New HomePod With Smart Home Display Arriving in Late 2025

• Report: Apple Struggling to Adapt Apple Intelligence for China

• Foldable Smartphone Market Stalls in 2024 and 2025

• Apple to Keep Titanium Chassis for iPhone 17 Pro Models, Claims Leaker

• Fun macOS App Adds Christmas Lights to Dock & Menu Bar

• SmartRent Debuts First Smart Lock With Apple Home Key Integration Designed for Rental Properties

• Employee lawsuit accuses Apple of spying on its workers

• 6 ex-Apple employees arrested for defrauding charity program

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