Important tweaks for Air Tag

Apple said it would take steps to stop criminals from using AirTag for nefarious purposes, and the company is following through.

The first changes, pushed out in iOS 15.4 beta 4 this week, point out that it's illegal to use AirTag to track people without their consent (in most places around the world, anyway).

A new warning also makes it abundantly clear that, yes, the AirTag can be tracked back to its owner -- which probably isn't the kind of comforting message that creeps want to hear.

Apple made other changes, too, and these sound like good first steps. We wouldn't want Apple to do anything rash, like kill AirTag over safety concerns, right?

– Lewis Wallace, managing editor

P.S. Also today, we've got quick looks at a couple of interesting pieces of travel gear: a new GaN power adapter that can charge six devices at once, and a sleek, folding MacBook stand to give your aching neck a break. Who else is ready for a vacation?

A new AirTag setup warning points out that it is illegal to use the device to track people without their consent in many regions. In addition, Apple tweaked AirTag’s notification alerts to make it more difficult for unknown trackers to go undetected.

If you’re ready to start traveling the world again despite the ongoing pandemic, accessories maker Zendure thinks its new, 65W Passport III GaN travel adapter is just what you need. It said the charger works in 200 countries and can top off up to six devices at once.

You don’t need to settle for an uncomfortable work setup when you’re away from the office. Wiplabs’ new anodized aluminum Lift Stand elevates your MacBook so it’s easier to use, and folds down so you can easily transport it anywhere.

Once again, we’re offering a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac for just $49.99. The incredibly popular bundle includes six Microsoft apps at an incredible 85% discount.

“Exceptional work” brings an ugly incident to an end after an armed man in a balaclava stormed Apple Leidseplein.

Cupertino is fighting new rules in the Netherlands that say dating app developers should be allowed to use third-party payment systems, and Margrethe Vestager is not amused.

You still rarely see a computer setup with a 3D printer in it. Today’s featured setup is an exception. You can see the printer against the wall on the left in the photo above. Probably more workstations in the near future will have them. Why? Not only are they becoming more affordable, you can use them to make parts of the setup!

Tweet o' the day

One more thing ...

"He was a machinist by trade and worked very hard and was kind of a genius with his hands. He had a workbench out in his garage where, when I was about 5 or 6, he sectioned off a little piece of it and said. 'Steve, this is your workbench now.' And he gave me some of his smaller tools and showed me how to use a hammer and saw and how to build things. It really was very good for me." – Steve Jobs on his father's inspiring DIY approach

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