Author: Admin

New features are coming to Apple’s Messages, but you’ll have to wait to get your hands on them (unless you’re a developer). Apple revealed its iOS 17 software update Monday. The iOS 17 update makes some major changes to Messages, adding abilities like turning pictures into stickers, transcribing voice memos, keeping your friends and family notified on your way home and more.

News about the iOS 17 Messages update came during the keynote address at the Worldwide Developers Conference at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California. Apple traditionally uses the annual event to give developers a preview of updates to its desktop and mobile software, and sometimes it introduces new hardware too. On Monday, the company unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Vision Pro.

Live Stickers coming to iOS 17

The update to Messages will be part of iOS 17, which will arrive this fall. With the new features, people will be able to take their photos and turn them into stickers they use in text conversations, alongside standard emoji, which can also be used as stickers. People can customize their stickers with effects — like shiny, puffy, comic and outline — and keep them in a new drawer in the keyboard for streamlined access, Apple said in a press release. Stickers will be available systemwide, including in third-party apps.

To make a photo into a sticker, you’ll touch and hold an object in a photo. Then you can style your object with various effects, outline it or create animated Live Stickers with Live Photos. To use the sticker in Messages, you’ll add them in the bubble from the Tapback menu.

Watch this: Apple Reveals iOS 17

16:43

Search in Messages, Check In and more

Also coming is a refined search feature. People will be able to apply additional filters to their Messages search to more quickly find the exact conversation they’re looking for. Plus, when you’ve received lots of texts in a group chat, you’ll be able to use the catch-up arrow to locate where the conversation left off last.

iOS 17 Messages will also transcribe voice memos you receive, if you don’t have the time to listen to them. Apple also announced a new feature that will let you keep track of your friends by viewing their location in your text conversation.

Another new location sharing feature is Check In. If you want to keep a friend or family member updated on your journey home, for example, you’ll be able to use Check In, which notifies the person of your whereabouts and lets them know if you’re having trouble getting home. “If they are not making progress toward their destination, useful information will be temporarily shared with the selected contact, such as the device’s location, battery level, and cell service status,” Apple said in the press release. Check In will be end-to-end encrypted, so only you and the person you’re sharing this information with is privy to your location.

Developers can try out iOS 17 today, and everyone can try out the public beta in a month. These iPhones will be able to run the update.

Other iOS 17 updates

The iOS 17 updates don’t stop at Messages. Apple also introduced Live Voicemail, which will give people the ability to see the message a person is leaving you as it is being recorded. This could help with deciphering between important calls that unknown numbers leave and spam.

The iOS 17 update for FaceTime includes audio and video messages, so people can leave their friends and families a FaceTime voicemail of sorts.

Also, if people want to share a contact with one another, they can use the new feature NameDrop. By bringing two iPhones or one iPhone and one Apple Watch close together, contact information can be transferred from one device to the next.

Apple kicked off WWDC by unveiling a 15-inch MacBook Air and offering details on its latest desktop software, MacOS 14 Sonoma. Also at WWDC, Apple revealed its brainiest Mac chip yet and upgraded its Mac Pro to M2 Ultra Silicon. There are new features coming in Watch OS 10 too.

After years of carriers failing to agree on a universal rich communications service, or RCS, text messaging standard that supports advanced chat features between networks, Google says AT&T is on board to use its Jibe RCS platform.

Google Senior Vice President Hiroshi Lockheimer tweeted the news late Friday that AT&T’s default Android messaging will use Jibe “so their users will get the latest RCS features instantly.”

Unlike SMS and MMS, which send messages over cellular networks, the RCS standard uses data networks to send long messages, uncompressed photos and large group chats without a hitch.

Apple’s iMessage and chat apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger already use data to get those features, but it’s been a struggle to get these advanced text features on basic messaging for Android devices.

Read more: Best Android Phone of 2023

When is RCS coming to mobile devices?

Though carriers had tried instituting their own separate RCS standards and support rich text features on each other’s networks via a collaborative initiative in 2019, Google bought the Jibe platform in the same year to start its own efforts at RCS multinetwork support.

In 2020 for T-Mobile and by 2021 for AT&T and Verizon, all three major carriers agreed to have Google’s RCS-packing Messages app preloaded on phones to give users access to an app with rich texting features. Friday’s news means AT&T’s default messaging system will now use Jibe, however.

Google has been introducing more RCS smart texting features in its Messages app, like adding emojis to replies, in efforts to catch up to Apple’s iMessage. Despite jabs from Google, Apple has been in no rush to adopt the messaging standard — and at Vox Media’s Code Conference last year, CEO Tim Cook even told an attendee that if he wanted to have seamless messaging when chatting with family, “buy your mom an iPhone.”

Lockheimer also noted that at Google I/O 2023 last month, the company announced that over 800 million people currently use RCS, which it expects to grow to 1 billion users by the end of 2023.

Read more: Best Phone to Buy for 2023

Hundreds of thousands of people have signed up for new Netflix subscriptions in the days since the streaming giant started charging people extra if they have other users on their account.

That’s according to stats from streaming data analyst Antenna, as reported earlier Friday by The Wall Street Journal. Antenna says Netflix has seen “the four single largest days of US user acquisition” since Antenna started recording subscriptions on the service four and a half years ago.

“Based on the most current data available, Netflix saw nearly 100,000 daily signups on both May 26 and May 27,” Antenna said in a post. “These exceed the spikes in signups Antenna observed during the initial US COVID-19 lockdowns in March and April 2020.”

Cancellations have also gone up since Netflix changed its policy on who you can have on your account, but not as much as new signups.

Netflix didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more: Crackdown on Netflix Password Sharing: What It Means for You

How much extra does Netflix password sharing cost?

Netflix introduced the extra charge for password sharing late last month, and it now costs you an additional $8 on top of your subscription fee to have someone not from your household share your account.

If you pay for Netflix’s Premium tier at $20 a month, you can add two more people to your account. If you’re on the standard plan for $15.50, you can have only one extra member. The $10 basic plan doesn’t allow for extra members, and if you’re on Netflix’s new ad-supported plan — which already has 5 million subscribers — and pay just $7 a month for the streaming service, you also can’t add extra members.

Netflix with ads is missing some shows and movies, but on the other hand, ads don’t play over everything, CNET’s review of the service found.

What to do if you’re being booted from a Netflix account

If you’ve been sharing someone else’s account for the past few years, your run of letting them foot the bill for your streaming service may be over. If they’ve said they’re planning to send you packing, one thing you can do is transfer your existing profile to a new membership you pay for yourself.

If you decide Netflix is no longer worth it, other streaming services, like Max, Disney Plus, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, don’t currently have an extra charge for password sharing.

For more on streaming, here are CNET’s tips on how to pay less for your streaming service, and here are our picks for the best streaming services of 2023.

Apple is allowing anyone with a compatible phone to install the iOS 17 developer beta — for free.

The company first announced iOS 17 at WWDC on Monday. Shortly after the keynote event, Apple released the first developer beta version of iOS 17. Typically, you have to pay $99 to officially download and install any Apple developer beta software, but this year the company is letting anyone get a crack at iOS 17 — as long as they join the Apple Developer Program.

Read more: Apple Unveils iOS 17 for the iPhone at WWDC 2023

iOS 17 emphasizes communication, with several new features for the Phone, FaceTime and Messages applications, including personalized contact posters, video messages, a more intelligent autocorrect, improved AirDrop options and the Journal app.

Before you go on and install iOS 17, you should know that developer beta versions like this aren’t intended for general use, especially because they may have unfinished features and issues that can make the iPhone difficult to use. These early beta releases are, instead, for developers, to help them keep their apps up to date and get early access to the upcoming features.

In short, you probably shouldn’t install the developer beta on your primary iPhone. If you really want to get iOS 17 right now, try to find a spare iPhone that is new enough (iPhone XS or later) to work with the latest software.

Read more: iOS 17 Is Coming This Year. Will It Work on Your iPhone?

For folks who still want to dive in, we’ll show you how to install the iOS 17 developer version on your iPhone, as well as what to do in case you want to revert to iOS 16.

Want to learn more about the stuff unveiled at WWDC? Here’s what you need to know about Vision Pro, Apple’s new augmented reality headset. And here’s all the dope on the new 15-inch MacBook Air and MacOS Sonoma.

Watch this: Apple Reveals iOS 17

16:43

What to know before you download the iOS 17 developer beta

Because the iOS 17 developer beta is an early prerelease version, the software could have bugs and other issues.

Again, if you’re thinking about downloading iOS 17, do it on a backup or secondary phone, if available. The iOS 17 developer beta’s issues could cripple your iPhone and make it difficult to use, disabling phone calls or text messages or making it extremely laggy. However, if you only have your main phone or tablet available, make sure to back up your iPhone on iOS 16.5 (the latest version of iOS 16) before updating to iOS 17. That way you have the option to return to iOS 16 if there are too many issues on the new OS.

Also, you must have an iPhone XS or later to run iOS 17. iOS 17 is not supported on the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X, all of which supported the iOS 16 developer beta last year.

And most importantly, to download the iOS 17 developer beta, you must be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program. The full membership is $99 a year, but as mentioned above, Apple is now offering a free membership option, with limited tools and resources, that allows pretty much anyone to download and install the iOS 17 developer beta for free.

You can also wait to join the Apple Beta Software program next month, which will provide a more stable iOS 17 upgrade than the developer version.

How to enroll in the Apple Developer Program, for free

If you’re only interested in testing out the iOS 17 developer beta for fun, you don’t need to pay for an Apple Developer Program membership. You can easily use your existing Apple ID to sign up for the developer program and download developer software onto your iPhone.

1. Go to Apple’s Developer website, tap the three-dash menu in the top-right and hit Account.

2. Sign in with your existing Apple ID.

3. Read through the Apple Developer Agreement, check the boxes at the bottom and then hit Submit.

You now have a free Apple Developer Program account. You can skip the next step to download and install the iOS 17 developer beta on your iPhone.

How to enroll in the paid Apple Developer Program

If you’re a developer, and want full access to development tools and the ability to distribute apps on the App Store, then you’ll want to pay for the Apple Developer Program. On your iPhone, here’s how you can enroll:

1. Download the Apple Developer app from the App Store, launch the app, go to Account and tap Enroll Now.

2. Sign in with your Apple ID credentials, read through the various benefits and instructions, enter your personal information and scan your ID to verify your identity.

3. Once this information is submitted, you must choose your entity (individual for most people) and agree to the program license agreement.

4. Finally, pay the Apple Developer membership fee (with Apple Pay), which is $99 (about 80 or AU$140) a year.

After you successfully make the payment, you’ll be redirected to your Account page in the Apple Developer app. Here you can verify that you’re now enrolled, and you can also check out the date of your membership’s expiration next year.

You can install iOS 17 with an over-the-air update on your iPhone

The easiest way to download the iOS 17 developer beta is with an over-the-air update — the way you would update to any other new software release on your device. Once you’re a member of the Apple Developer Program, free or paid, you’ll automatically have the option to install iOS 17 from your settings. Here’s how:

1. On your iPhone or iPad, go to the Settings > General > Software Update.

2. Next, go into Beta Updates and tap iOS 17 Developer Beta.

3. Go back and tap Download and Install under the new “iOS 17 Developer Beta option” that appears.

You’ll need to then enter your passcode, agree to the terms and conditions and wait for the update to be installed. The process can take over 20 minutes, depending on your internet connection. Once your phone reboots, you should have access to the iOS 17 developer beta.

Or download the iOS 17 developer beta using your Mac

Over-the-air updates require a certain amount of storage, and if you don’t have that available, your computer is really the only way to update to iOS 17 beta without manually clearing out space.

1. On your Mac, go to the Apple Developer Program download page, find “iOS 17 beta,” click Download Restore Images and download the iOS beta software restore image for your specific device.

2. Connect your device to your computer and enter your device passcode or hit Trust This Computer if prompted.

3. Next, open Finder, click your device in the sidebar under Locations.

4. Hold down the Option key, click Check for Update and choose the iOS 17 beta software restore image you just downloaded from the Apple Developer page.

The iOS 17 beta software will install on your device. Wait for a few minutes and when your phone reboots, you should have access.

While you’re here, check out the best iPhone model you can get in 2023. And if you’re looking for a new computer, check out these laptops you might be interested in.

Bold Moves Plus, a mix between a puzzle and a word game, joined the Apple Arcade library Friday. If you subscribe to Apple Arcade ($5, 5 or AU$8 a month), you can play this game free of cost, ads or in-app purchases.

Developed by Red Games, the studio behind family-friendly game Crayola Create and Play, Bold Moves Plus is a mashup of popular match-three games, like Candy Crush, and the perennial evening TV show Wheel of Fortune (sadly, Pat Sajak and Vanna White aren’t in the game).

Your objective is to solve for the inspirational phrase at the top of your screen. You unlock letters for the puzzle by grouping shapes together on the bottom half of the screen. You have only a certain number of moves per stage, so matching lettered shapes should be your priority.

The game is what you’d expect from a match-three game. It isn’t too difficult, but you still have to strategize about which shapes to reposition so you don’t run out of moves. Overall, it’s a pleasant game to play if you’re trying to unwind from a busy day.

Apple Arcade See at $5 at Apple Arcade

You can access this game, and others, in Apple Arcade for $5 a month, or $60 annually. You can also try Apple Arcade for free for one month with your first signup, or you can get a three-month free trial when you buy a new Apple device. To access Apple Arcade, open the App Store on your iOS device and tap the joystick in the menu bar.

Watch this: What You’ll Find on Apple Arcade

00:21

Apple’s latest software is coming to iPhones this fall, and many exciting changes are coming with it. Apple previewed iOS 17 at its WWDC event on June 5, noting that it’ll be available to download this fall, but not all iPhone users will have access. As with all of the major Apple software updates, several iPhones are getting left behind, including the iPhone X from 2017.

If you’re not sure which iPhone you’ve got, a quick check in your settings can show you. Open your Settings app and tap General > About. Next to Model Name, you’ll see which iPhone you have.

We’ll tell you how to find out whether your iPhone will be compatible with iOS 17. If you’d like to try out the iOS 17 beta, the public beta will be available in July. Want to know more about iOS 17? Apple will turn your photos into stickers with Messages.

iPhones that are compatible with iOS 17

If you’ve got one of these iPhones, you’ll have access to iOS 17 when it’s available this year, Apple said.

• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (second generation and later)
• iPhone 14 (including Plus)
• iPhone 14 Pro

What if your iPhone isn’t on the compatibility list?

If your iPhone isn’t listed above, it won’t support iOS 17 and you won’t get a notification to download the newest software. For instance, if you have an iPhone X or older, the latest software you’ll ever be able to use on that phone is iOS 16.

For more about WWDC, check out the new 15-inch MacBook Air and Vision Pro. Also, new features are coming to WatchOS this year.

Although the iPhone 12 may be a couple generations old now, there’s still a wide variety of phone cases on the market for it. It’s always a good idea to give your iPhone 12 some extra protection from dents, scratches and cracks, so that it stays in good working condition and may retain some trade-in value when you’re ready to upgrade. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of phone case options worth checking out.

Read more: Best MagSafe and Magnetic iPhone Accessories for 2023

The iPhone 12 has what Apple describes as “an array of magnets” embedded around a charging coil that can pull up to 15 watts of power. That’s twice as powerful as wireless charging on previous iPhones, but on par with the power that many Android phones can draw from standard Qi wireless chargers. So the best iPhone 12 case will support that 15-watt charging speed while also protecting your phone.

Watch this: iPhone 12 cases for every type of user

08:44

To get 15-watt charging, you’ll need an Apple MagSafe charger or an Apple-approved MagSafe charger from a third-party accessory maker, but your phone will still charge at up to 7.5 watts with standard wireless chargers that support that speed or higher. Most of the cases on this list are compatible with wireless charging and some are Apple-certified MagSafe cases with integrated magnets. If you’re looking for the best iPhone 12 case, just keep scrolling to see our picks.

Read more: Best Eco-Friendly iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Cases

Speck Cases

Hard to beat

$45 at Speck

I have expensive tastes, and I personally like Speck’s Presidio2 Armor Cloud (white model on the right in the photo). But the Presidio2 Pro (gray case in the photo) is also excellent. If you want an apple clear case, Speck has several models for iPhone 12 case to choose from, including the Presidio Perfect-Clear with Grips.

All the new models have very good drop protection (13 to 16 feet, depending on the model) as well as Speck’s Microban antimicrobial protection.

$45 at Speck

Spigen Ultra Hybrid

Top cheap case

$14 at Amazon

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If you’re looking for a cheap clear case for your iPhone 12, Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid is a good value at around $12 to $15, depending on the trim color and which version of iPhone 12 you have (yes, there are a few color options).

No drop rating is listed for the case, but Spigen’s transparent cases feel like they offer reasonable protection. If you want a tough case with stronger protection, the Spigen Tough Armor case is an option for $17, but I personally prefer Spigen’s Ultra and Neo Hybrid cases. Note that a lot of these cheaper clear cases have a habit of turning yellow and degrading over time (and becoming less translucent), but they’re cheap enough that you probably won’t mind shelling out for a replacement case for your Apple iPhone if that happens.

$14 at Amazon

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Clckr Cases

Built-in stand and grip strap

$35 at Clckr

I’ve recently become a fan of Clckr’s cases, which feature a built-in stand and grip strap that folds out and clicks into place on the back of your phone. Clckr sells just the stand-strap accessory to stick on the back of your phone or on a case, but the case with the integrated stand accessory is better and comes in a few different styles, including clear (I like the Saffiano blue but it’s currently only available in black).

The cases aren’t rugged but they’re protective enough, with raised edges to protect the screen. The one I used with my iPhone 11 Pro for several months held up well.

With the stand clicked in place, you can use your device hands-free in either portrait or landscape mode. Note that you can wirelessly charge your phone with this case on, though you have to be more careful about placing it in the right spot on a wireless charging pad for it to work. The new models have antimicrobial protection.

$35 at Clckr

Cyrill Cases

Excellent under $20

$20 at Amazon

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I only recently learned that Cyrill is a sister brand to Spigen and its cases are arguably slightly better, although they cost a few bucks more. We’re linking to the Leather Brick case, pictured here in tan and navy (it’s faux “vegan” leather), but the Silicone case (pictured in light blue) and transparent Cecile cases are also good. The Silicone case is basically a knockoff of the Apple Silicone case without the MagSafe feature.

$20 at Amazon

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OtterBox Symmetry SeriesBest slim OtterBox case

Best slim OtterBox case

$30 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for OtterBox Symmetry SeriesBest slim OtterBox case

OtterBox’s super protective Defender series case is available for all the iPhone 12 models with Magsafe compatibility, but most people want something less bulky. The Symmetry series is slim with beveled edges, making it a good mix of sleek and protective. A raised bumper helps act as a screen protector.

Multiple color options are available, including clear, and I’m digging the clear version of the Symmetry Plus Pop case, pictured in the middle, which integrates a PopSockets PopGrip and is wireless charging-compatible, which is important.

OtterBox’s Commuter case offers slightly more protection and is also pretty slim and has grips on the back.

$30 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for OtterBox Symmetry SeriesBest slim OtterBox case

Casely Cases

Artist-inspired

$25 at Amazon

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Brooklyn, New York-based Casely makes “cute and protective” cases that have a variety of graphic artists behind their designs. The cases usually cost $25, but the online store often offers discounts.

$25 at Amazon

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Apple Cases with MagSafe

Enhanced MagSafe option

$49 at Amazon$49 at Apple

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MagSafe accessories will still stick to your phone if you have a standard thin case, but not nearly as well as if you use one of Apple’s MagSafe cases, which have their own set of embedded magnets that line up with the magnets in your phone.

Apple’s Clear Case with MagSafe is nice because it allows you to show off your phone’s colored finish and the embedded markings tell you exactly where to attach the MagSafe charger for optimal charging speeds (you apparently need Apple’s 20-watt USB-C charging to get the maximum 15-watt wireless charging speeds). The only issue with the clear case is that it leaves the bottom of your phone exposed.

If that bothers you, the Silicone case (pictured, left) with MagSafe is the better option. It works the same way as the Clear case does, with an embedded magnet ring, you just can’t see it. The Silicone case is available in eight color options.

MagSafe stuff isn’t cheap, but it is fun to play with magnetic objects and they do offer some conveniences. The bottom line is that if you do want to try MagSafe accessories and to protect your phone with a case, you’re best off with one directly from the Apple Store, or another MagSafe-certified case.

$49 at Amazon$49 at Apple

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KerfCase Plywood Case

Best wood case

$50 at KerfCase

KerfCase has been making handmade wooden cases for a while, and its new Plywood case is not only more durable but less expensive than some, starting at $50, with 6-foot drop protection and a limited lifetime repair warranty. I like it better than other wood cases I’ve tried. It’s also worth noting that Apple’s MagSafe charger will stick to the back of it, and KerfCase sells matching charging docks for the Apple MagSafe charger (yes, it’s an accessory for an accessory).

$50 at KerfCase

Gear4

Slim, stylish, protective

$15 at Zagg

British case-maker Gear4, now owned by Zagg, makes cases that are right up there with OtterBox and Speck, all of them lined with the company’s D3O shock-absorbing material and featuring beveled edges to protect your phone. My favorites include (from left to right) the Wembley Palette, Crystal Palace Iridescent, Battersea and Piccadilly. All of them are rated for 13-foot drop protection and the Battersea is rated for 16 feet.

$15 at Zagg

X-Doria Raptic Cases

Premium case for a little less

$30 at Amazon

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X-Doria’s Raptic cases come in a variety of styles and cost a little less than competing premium cases from Speck and OtterBox. The thicker Raptic Shield (pictured on left) costs $30 while the Raptic Air (pictured on right), which I personally like, is $30. The Shield has 10-foot drop protection while the Air is rated for 13-foot drop protection. Both have an antimicrobial treatment.

$30 at Amazon

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Casetify Cases

Teen spirit

$58 at Amazon

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Casetify is known for eye-catching designs on the back of a clear case. They’re relatively slim, sleek-looking cases that offer decent protection and come in a variety of design patterns, with some definite appeal to teenagers. Some of the designs are hit-or-miss but I liked the samples I got. I should note that prices appear to have gone up.

$58 at Amazon

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Rokform

Best mounting case

$50 at Amazon

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Rokform’s been making tough iPhone cases for years and aside from their durability, their key feature is the ability to use them with various mounts — including bike and motorcycle mounts — that are sold separately. I personally prefer the Crystal series but the Rugged case is slightly more, well, rugged.

Rokform’s cases have removable magnets and they’re compatible with wireless charging if you remove the included center magnet. “With the lower magnet still intact, you can still wireless-charge while utilizing magnetic mounting and all of our mounts,” Rokform says.

$50 at Amazon

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BodyGuardz Cases

Slick design

$24 at BodyGuardz$30 at Amazon

BodyGuardz was initially known for its screen protectors, but in recent years it’s put out some interesting iPhone cases. I personally like the $45 Harmony (pictured left), which has a more square bottom. The Stack (picture in the middle) is $25 while the Avenue (on right) is $30. They come in a few color options.

$24 at BodyGuardz$30 at Amazon

Smartish Cases

Affordable wallet case

$25 at Walmart$25 at Amazon

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Smartish’s affordable, simple, slim cases and wallet cases return for the iPhone 12. The Wallet Slayer 2.0 case (pictured on left and right) costs a little more now ($25) but comes in a variety of designs. It holds three credit cards plus cash and you can use one of your credit cards as a kickstand.

Smartish also sells a simple translucent case for $15.

$25 at Walmart$25 at Amazon

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Torro Cases

Slick leather option

$38 at Amazon

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UK-based Torro makes some nice leather-clad cases that aren’t too expensive (a leather case typically tends to cost over $50). The Torro Leather Bumper ($38) is a pretty straightforward bumper case with a leather back while the leather Wallet Case ($40) is a bit swankier overall, has a magnetic clasp and multiple card slots and converts into a stand for video viewing. It’s one of the better folio wallet cases you’ll find for the money. Both leather case options are available in multiple colors.

$38 at Amazon

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Catalyst Vibe and Influence

Clean look, lanyard-friendly

$40 at Amazon

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Like Lifeproof, Catalyst made a name for itself with waterproof cases, but it now focuses on standard protective case options and has two new models for the iPhone 12: the Vibe (left) and the Influence (right), which has a see-through frosted back. Both cases have perforations on the corners that allow you to attach various accessories (sold separately), such as lanyards and carabiners. The Vibe is rated for 10-foot drop protection while the Influence is rated for 15 feet.

$40 at Amazon

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Moshi Cases

Classy slim cases

$50 at Moshi

I’ve always liked Moshi cases and the company’s made versions of its iGlaze, Altra and Vitros cases (pictured from left to right) for the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Mini and 12 Pro Max. The Altra is the most distinct-looking and has a geometric rubber finish that makes your phone nice and grippy. It also includes a lanyard. Not pictured is the Overture (coming soon), a two-in-one folio wallet case. You fit your iPhone into a slim shell case that then magnetically adheres to the cover, which has slots for storing credit cards and cash. Moshi’s cases range in price from $25 to $50.

$50 at Moshi

Nomad Cases

Swanky leather

$40 at Walmart$40 at Amazon

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Nomad makes a line of nice iPhone 12 Horween leather case styles that are designed to develop a “rugged” patina as the oils from your skin interact with them over time. The new Rugged leather case options are available in black, brown and a lighter natural color that I like. They’re rated for 10-foot (3-meter) drop protection.

$40 at Walmart$40 at Amazon

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Smartish Crossbody Case

Affordable crossbody wallet case

$30 at Amazon

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I’m personally not a crossbody case guy (meaning a case with a long strap so you can wear your phone like a purse), but some people love them. You can find some fancy ones out there that cost a lot of money, but if you’re looking for something simpler, the Smartish Crossbody case is around $30 and comes in multiple colors. The iPhone case design incorporates some faux leather and the case offers decent protection along with three slots for storing up to five credit cards and cash in the wallet compartment. You can choose to go with a shorter hand strap or the longer adjustable crossbody strap.

$30 at Amazon

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Incipio Cases

Old favorite

$14 at Amazon

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Incipio has an assortment of cases for the iPhone 12 lineup, including the sturdy Duo with 12-foot drop protection, the Slim, the Grip and the Organicore, an eco case that’s 100% compostable. All are available in multiple color options, and the Slim comes in a variety of translucent options.

$14 at Amazon

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Nimble Disc Case

Eco-friendly clear case

$25 at Nimble

You know all those compact discs you no longer listen to? Well, Nimble makes translucent iPhone cases out of them. They have antimicrobial protection, are scratch-resistant and aren’t supposed to turn yellow over time. While the Disc Case is slim, it’s rated for 6-foot drop protection.

$25 at Nimble

Case-Mate Cases

Flashy design

$30 at Case-MateSee at Amazon

Case-Mate makes a variety of color cases, some of which have glitter integrated into their translucent designs. I only got a look at the twinkle ombre iPhone case, but the iridescent soap bubble and tough groove cases also look cool.

$30 at Case-MateSee at Amazon

Halo LuMee x Paris Hilton

Best selfie case

$30 at Case-Mate

If selfies are your thing, then you’re probably aware of the LuMee cases that have built-in lighting. This Paris Hilton-endorsed Holographic version has an iridescent design. It charges via USB-C and gives you 30 minutes of “studio lighting” at full brightness. The case does allow wireless charging and you can adjust the brightness levels of the light.

$30 at Case-Mate

Pelican Cases

Refined brute

$18 at Amazon

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I wasn’t a fan of earlier Pelican cases, which were very protective but just a little too bulky (and ugly), but in the last couple of years (starting with the iPhone 11), the company, now owned by Case-mate, added some slimmer designs, including two that I like: the Protector (pictured, middle in camo color) and the Rogue (at left and right), which has a soft rubber bubbled pattern.

$18 at Amazon

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Moment Cases

Best case for add-on lenses

$29 at Moment

Apple upgraded the cameras in its iPhone 12 models, with the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max offering step-up camera options (the iPhone Max is the best in the imaging department). But a select few accessory makers like Moment allow you to enhance your shooting with add-on lenses and filters. Sold separately from the case, the lenses aren’t cheap, but they are high-quality.

Moment’s iPhone cases include an insertable mount that can be removed when you’re not playing around with any optional lenses, which are easy to attach. Its Thin Case is a simple but attractive rubberized case made of compostable bioplastic that’s rated for 6-foot drop protection. Cases with wood and canvas on their backs are also available.

$29 at Moment

Razer Arctech Pro

Best gaming case

$48 at Amazon

Razer, which makes laptops and gaming accessories (among other products), also makes iPhone “gaming” cases. They have something called Thermaphene-Based Heat Dissipation that “redirects trapped heat through a thermally conductive lining adjacent to vented airflow channels to significantly improve cooling compared with traditional cases.” It’s a bit of a gimmick, but it seems to help a little when you’re playing graphics-intensive games for long periods.

Razer had a slim Arctech case for the iPhone 11, but right now it only has the Arctech Pro for the iPhone 12 and 13 models. It was redesigned from the previous year’s Arctech Pro — it seems even more protective — and adds an antibacterial coating.

$48 at Amazon

Wildflower x Coachella Case

Best case for festival lovers

$35 at Amazon

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As festival season begins to ramp up, showcase your love for music festivals with the Wildflower x Coachella iPhone 12 phone case collaboration. I love the fun design of the case, which includes palm trees, flowers and the iconic Coachella ferris wheel. The case itself is decent quality and offers a medium level of protection for your phone without being too bulky.

$35 at Amazon

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YouMaker Clear Case

Cheap clear case (Update: Out of stock)

$7 at Amazon

There are plenty of inexpensive clear cases and iPhone 12 accessories on Amazon. It seems to be a perfectly good clear case that offers decent protection with raised edges. Whether it will yellow over time, I can’t tell you, but it seems like a good value.

$7 at Amazon

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Boost Infinite is only now adding the latest iPhones, nearly nine months after they launched. On Friday the Dish Network-owned carrier announced that it will begin selling Apple’s iPhone 14 line, giving it another device as it looks to compete with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

Boost Infinite is Dish’s answer to the traditional three wireless carriers, offering postpaid service as opposed to the prepaid option its sister brand Boost Mobile is known for. With Friday’s news, Dish is also taking Boost Infinite out of beta and expanding its offerings from a single $25 per month unlimited plan to also include a $50 per month “Unlimited Plus” option.

The $50 per month Plus plan includes the same 30GB of high-speed data and unlimited talk and text, but also includes talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada, as well the ability to call or text “over 200 destinations” from the US.

Those with the Plus plan will also be able to get a free iPhone 14 on Boost Infinite with a trade-in of an old phone, so long as that older device turns on, is “working” and isn’t lost or stolen. Boost Infinite is not being sold at Boost Mobile’s stores, so the carrier you will send a trade-in kit to users.

Like Verizon and AT&T, Boost Infinite will require you to stay with the provider for 36 months, and those who switch out before that period is up will be on the hook for paying off whatever remaining balance is owed on the iPhones.

Similar to its Boost Mobile service, Boost Infinite runs on a combination of wireless networks that includes AT&T and T-Mobile as well as a new 5G network being built by Dish. The latter has pledged to build out a wireless network since it acquired a divested Boost Mobile from T-Mobile during its merger with Sprint in 2020.

While Boost offers service on all three networks, the actual list of devices that can tap into Dish’s 5G network remains extremely limited. The iPhone 14 line technically has support for Dish’s 5G spectrum (known as Band 70), but the band has yet to be activated inside Apple’s phones.

For now, Boost Infinite users will be connecting to AT&T or T-Mobile’s wireless service, with a Boost Infinite spokesperson telling CNET that the carrier “will continue to work with Apple to bring their great products to our network.”

The addition of the iPhone 14 to Boost’s postpaid lineup comes ahead of a potentially busy week for Dish. The satellite TV provider faces a June 14 deadline by the Federal Communications Commission to cover 70% of the US with its 5G network.

Adobe has brought its Firefly tools for generative AI to its Adobe Express app for making posters, videos, fliers and other graphical material. The first two new AI tools let you add images and text effects generated from a text prompt, Adobe said Thursday.

AdobeExpress, available in free or premium versions, is what the company calls an “all-in-one content creation app.” Adobe released thefeatures in a new beta version of the web version of Adobe Express andplans to match them with an updated mobile app in two to three months,said Govind Balakrishnan, senior vice president of Adobe’s CreativeCloud subscription service.

Generative AI has captured the public imagination with the ability to produce song lyrics, essay question answers and countless other tasks. AI is trained to spot patterns in enormous sets of training data, but it can spout plausible sounding but completely wrong information. So be warned if you’re looking for tax advice or medical help.

Adobe’s generative AI tools, like a beta version of Photoshop in testing now, are arguably a more natural fit since many people using it will be looking for flights of fancy like colorful flowers or letters that look like they’re overgrown with ivy.

The new version of Adobe Express also gets video editing abilities, potentially handy for the TikTok or Instagram Reels crowd, and the ability to import, edit, and export PDF files.

Adobe Express is free in basic form but costs $10 per month for people who want more templates, photos, videos and fonts. When the AI tools exit beta testing, they’ll come with a free level of generated images — the threshold hasn’t yet been determined — and some pricing tiers for more.

“We will obviously have to put some sort of a limit on the number of generations,” Balakrishnan said. “These are expensive.”

Expensive it may be, but it’s also potentially very interesting to the creative set that already spends a lot of time coming up with new imagery.

“We continue to view generative AI as a tailwind for Adobe,” RBC Capital Markets analyst Matthew Swanson said in a Wednesday report.

Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to help create some stories. For more, see this post.

Tennis fans are in for a treat on Friday with a generational matchup between the 36-year-old legend Novak Djokovic and 20-year-old phenom Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic is looking for his 23rd Grand Slam title, which would move him ahead of Rafael Nadal for the most major championships of all time. Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title last year at the US Open. The young Spaniard is already the top-ranked player in the world and looks to be the leader of the next generation of men’s tennis after the era of Djokovic, Nadal and the retired Roger Federer.

Alcaraz and Djokovic will meet in the first semifinal match on Friday at 8:45 a.m. ET (5:45 a.m. PT) on Tennis Channel. In the second semifinal, No. 4 Casper Ruud will face No. 22 Alexander Zverev. NBC’s and Peacock’s live coverage begins at 11 a.m. ET (8 a.m. PT) on Friday, which should be sometime in the middle or toward the end of the Alcaraz-Djokovic match.