Windows 11's built-in Phone Link app lets users make and receive phone calls directly from their PC by pairing an iPhone or Android device. Setup requires updating Phone Link through the Microsoft Store, enabling Bluetooth on both devices, and installing a companion app (Link to Windows) on the phone to complete pairing. Once paired, users can dial contacts or use a dial pad from the Calls tab, and incoming calls route to the PC automatically.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-18
Apple has opened a claims website for customers eligible under its $250 million settlement over false advertising claims about AI features promised for the iPhone 15 and 16. The lawsuit, brought by Clarkson Law Firm, alleged Apple advertised Apple Intelligence capabilities that weren't actually available at launch; eligible buyers can expect payouts between $25 and $95 per device. The court gave preliminary approval in July, and a later order moved the final approval date up by seven months.
cnet.com
· 2026-10-18
MacRumors reports that Apple retail employees have been told to warn customers that iPhone Duo units likely won't be available for walk-in purchases on launch day, October 24th. Staff are reportedly instructed to discourage shoppers without pre-orders from lining up expecting to buy one, as the device is already sold out through January.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-17
Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, saw preorders open Friday with delivery estimates for some US online orders now pushed back to January 2027. Apple told CNBC demand has been "nothing short of extraordinary" and said it is working to fulfill orders as quickly as possible while continuing to accept them online. Customer reports vary widely, with some seeing in-store pickup as early as October 23 and others getting November or December shipping windows, while Best Buy currently lists November estimates.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-17
UGREEN has released the MagFlow, a Qi2.2 25W 10000mAh MagSafe battery pack that uses visible liquid cooling to reduce heat buildup, claiming it runs about 18 degrees cooler than typical units. It also includes a built-in USB-C cable and a small display showing battery percentage and charging speed. The battery is priced at $149 but is currently discounted to $95 on Amazon.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-17
EE has become the first UK carrier to detail pricing for Apple's iPhone Handoff feature, which lets a single eSIM and phone number move between two iPhones. The feature will be included free with EE's Full Works Plus plan or cost £5 per month on other plans, and is listed as 'coming soon' ahead of Apple's stated year-end rollout.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-17
Verizon announced it will support Apple's iOS 27 Handoff feature, which lets a single eSIM number be shared across two iPhones, for $10 monthly. The company also confirmed it will carry the iPhone Duo, with Handoff listed as 'coming soon' to its network. T-Mobile already offers the same feature in the US for $5 a month, as does Deutsche Telekom in Germany.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-17
Early buyers of Apple's official iPhone Duo silicone case report it uses an exposed adhesive layer to stick to the phone, rather than magnets. Apple also sells a $129 folio case with a kickstand as an alternative accessory for the foldable device, which launches in about a week.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-17
A hands-on test shows Apple Intelligence inside the Shortcuts app can generate automations from plain-language prompts, such as switching a screen to grayscale when opening Instagram. However, the generated shortcuts frequently fail to fully match the request, requiring manual edits or splitting tasks into multiple shortcuts to work correctly.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-17
A round of weekend discounts covers Apple's new HomeView on pre-order, the newly launched Apple TV 4K at $289, and an ongoing $50 cut on AirPods Pro 3. Other notable offers include the M6 Mac mini at up to $150 off, M5 Pro MacBook Pro models discounted by as much as $600, an all-time low on the 2026 M5 Max Mac Studio at $2,299, and a record-low price on AirTag 2.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-17
A new guide highlights that many iPhone users skip regular backups, often because their data exceeds free iCloud storage limits or because they assume their data rarely changes. It argues that daily backups are important given how often phones are lost, stolen, or damaged, and outlines ways to do this without necessarily paying for more iCloud storage.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-10-17
Verizon has confirmed it will charge customers $10 per month to use Apple's iPhone Handoff feature, which lets a single phone number be shared across two compatible iPhones running iOS 27. That's double the $5 monthly fee T-Mobile announced for the same feature, while Deutsche Telekom bundles it into its existing €6.95 MultiSIM service.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-17
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