By Tim Brookes
Are you passionate about Apple? Luckily there’s no shortage of online blogs, message boards, or Apple-related resources to scratch the itch.
We’ve searched out the best bookmarks for iPhone users and Mac enthusiasts on the web. If you’re looking for news, reviews, tech support, how-tos, and insights into the world of Apple, you’re bound to find it on this list.
News & Reviews
Looking for the latest scoop? Read about the latest hardware reviews, software releases, and fresh Apple rumors.
MacRumors
Established in February 2000, MacRumors is one of the longest-running blogs that follows exclusively Apple-related news. As the name suggests, the site also has a penchant for the unfounded rumors, leaks, and speculation that surrounds Apple’s secretive practices.
Of note is the MacRumors Buying Guide which attempts to answer the question: is there a right time to buy new Apple gear? Despite having “Mac” in the name the blog follows all things Apple, whether it’s iOS, the company’s latest marketing efforts, or new products like the Apple Watch and Apple TV. Is There a Right Time to Buy a New Mac, iPhone, or iPad?Apple is known for sticking to fairly rigid release schedules, which leads many to believe there are right and wrong times to buy Apple products — and it's easy to see why.READ MORE
9to5Mac
A part of a network of sites including 9to5Google and 9to5Toys, 9to5Mac focuses its efforts on all things Apple. In addition to Mac and iOS coverage, the blog pays close attention to the business end of things, including stock prices, corporate strategy and personnel.
Macworld
MacWorld started life in 1984 as a print magazine (made from real dead trees). The publication was the biggest Mac-focused magazine in North America until 2014 when parent company IDG announced that the print version was being axed, which meant most staff were to be laid off.
Despite this, Macworld continues to this day as an oft-updated resource for all things Apple. It’s the same magazine-like content (reviews, news, how-tos) in an online format, with a special digital edition if you’d rather the “magazine experience” on your iPad.
iDownloadBlog
iDownloadBlog is an Apple blog with a focus on iOS, which started life in 2008. iDB is one of the few major Apple blogs that dedicates a sizeable chunk of their coverage to jailbreaking, the slightly dubious act of liberating your mobile device from Apple’s restrictions. 4 Compelling Security Reasons Not To Jailbreak Your iPhone or iPadJailbreaking can get rid of Apple's many restrictions, but before you jailbreak your device it's a good idea to weigh up the benefits and potential drawbacks.READ MORE
For that reason you’ll see Cydia tweaks alongside quarterly profit analysis and Apple-related news from the rest of the tech world. iDB also runs two podcasts: Let’s Talk iOS, and Let’s Talk Jailbreak.
AppleInsider
AppleInsider has been up and running since 1997, which makes it one of the oldest outlets on this list. With a focus on news, leaks, and rumors, AppleInsider targets the same news-hungry demographic as MacRumors.
MacTech
MacTechi is a bit different to the rest of them as it’s primarily a news aggregator. Describing itself as “the journal of Apple technology,” the website rounds up the latest news, press releases, reviews, and updates from across the Macosphere in one tidy dashboard.
The site also produces original content, including gear reviews and quick looks at new accessories.
Cult of Mac
Cult of Mac is unashamedly passionate about Apple, focusing on “tech and culture through an Apple lens.” It’s tech news with an Apple slant, producing lighthearted and often nostalgic content. You’ll find a healthy mix of news, tips, retrospectives, and rumors here.
AppAdvice
With a strong focus on software, AppAdvice is a great place to find new apps and games, as well as follow the latest news. Coverage is skewed more towards iOS apps and software, but Mac users are catered for here too. You’ll also find news about freebies and deals, rumor round-ups, and coverage of related accessories and gadgets.
Tech Support & How-To
Something gone wrong? Find out how to fix common issues, better understand your hardware, and ask fellow users for help.
MakeUseOf
You didn’t think we’d leave yours truly off this list did you? While we’re by no means focused solelyon Apple coverage, our primary goal is to help you make the most of your devices. That includes the Mac, iPhone, iPad, and consumer tech like the Apple Watch and Apple TV.
Make sure to keep on eye on our Mac and iOS sections to keep up with the latest how-tos, troubleshooting guides, and software coverage. You can also download the MakeUseOf iPhone appfor reading on-the-go.
Apple Support
Apple’s official support resource is pretty good, offering a searchable knowledgebase, comprehensive guides divided by product family, and first party “switcher” guides for Mac and iOS newbies. It’s where you need to go to find out about first party warranties, AppleCare, repairs and services, and to book Genius bar appointments.
It’s also home to the Apple Support Communities, a forum which lets Mac and iOS users help other users, track issues, and share solutions with each other. The forum doesn’t provide support from Apple themselves, but it can be a valuable resource for common issues with not-so-obvious fixes.
iFixit
If you’re feeling brave and want to fix your Apple gear yourself, iFixit provides you with the guides and diagrams you need to do so. Whether you’ve broken your iPhone’s screen or want to replace the optical drive in your old MacBook Pro with an SSD, you’ll find what you need related to your specific model here. Fix Your Own Mac: A Troubleshooting GuideApple is known for having great customer service and repair technicians, but if you're no longer under warranty that expertise doesn't come cheap. Why not try troubleshooting your own Mac first next time?READ MORE
Just remember that undertaking these repairs yourself will void any remaining warranty or AppleCare. iFixit also tear down new Apple products, so if you’re interested in how upgradeable the latest MacBook is or how much RAM is in an iPad Pro then iFixit has you covered.
Stack Exchange
Just like Apple Support Communities, Stack Exchange is a platform for asking questions and sharing answers. The service began life as Stack Overflow, a question and answer website for common programming queries. It has since expanded to cover a broad range of topics.
Due to the nature of the community, Stack Exchange is a good place to ask technical questions.
OSXDaily
Despite the somewhat outdated name (OS X was dropped in favor of macOS as of Sierra’s release), OSXDaily still produces relevant content for both Mac and iOS users. There’s a specific focus on usable tips, quick fixes, and feature overviews which makes this a great place to learn something new. Is Apple's macOS Rebrand More Than Just a Name Change?Dropping the OS X moniker, something Apple has been using for 15 years, feels like a big deal. But is it just the name that's changing?READ MORE
iMore
As the name may suggest, iMore is all about getting more out of your iDevices. There’s a mixture of topical coverage and out-right guides to all things iOS, including the latest games, new features, and useful tips. There’s a smattering of Mac coverage to be found here too, but the primary focus is on Apple’s mobile devices.
InsanelyMac
Home to the OSx86 project, InsanelyMac is the number one stop for all things hackintosh. If you’re interested in installing macOS on non-Apple hardware, the forum and wiki will help guide you through the process, providing support and feedback along the way.
It might not seem like your typical “Apple fan” website, but you’ve got to be at least a little bit dedicated to Apple considering the many problems you’ll likely have to overcome while building a hackintosh.
Everything Else
Get software for cheap, participate in discussions, and get a different perspective on the world of Apple.
AppShopper
AppShopper is the best place to find app deals on both the iOS App Store and Mac App Store. The website allows you to filter by a range of criteria, so you can find all the deals relevant to you. You can also choose whether to view all relevant apps, or just filter by popularity to quickly find the best.
A personal favorite is to filter by platform (e.g. iPhone) then choose “Price Drops” and “Free” to see all of the normally-premium apps that are free right now. Click on an app to visit its AppShopper directory entry, which also allows take a look at the price history.
So Reddit might only make a single entry on this list, but there are a wealth of subreddits that are highly relevant to the average Apple fan: r/Apple, r/AppleHelp, r/Swift (for Apple’s open source programming language), r/macOS, r/MacApps, r/MacGaming to name but a few of the Mac-specific ones. Apple's Swift Is Going Open Source: So What?Even if you aren't a programmer yourself, Apple's decision to open source Swift will impact you. Want to know why and how?READ MORE
There’s no shortage of subs for iOS and other Apple interests either: r/iPhone, r/iPad, r/AppleWatch, r/AppleTV, r/iOSGaming, and r/AppHookUp are good for starters. Why not make a multireddit and throw all of your Apple subscriptions in one place?
Daring Fireball
Daring Fireball is the blog of writer and designer John Gruber, which serves as a “Mac column in the form of a weblog.” Content varies from tidbits about software updates and releases, to in-depth analysis of new products and the wider developer community.
fnd.io
Want to find an iPhone app from your Mac? Want to search the Mac app store from your browser? Hate it when iTunes opens up because you visited the App Store preview website? Then you need fnd.io. It’s a simple search engine which allows you to search for apps, movies, music, TV, books, Macsoftware, and even Podcasts.
AppRecs
Think you can spot a bad review? It turns out the App Store is full of them, and one developer by the name of Mark Edmond has figured out how to spot them. AppRecs trawls the App Store for reviews, looking for patterns which suggest a review has been falsified. It then lists the most and least trustworthy apps in easy to browse charts for your perusal. The Trouble with Bad iTunes App Store Reviews & How to Avoid ThemAs more mobile apps fight for recognition and downloads in a world where consumers increasingly expect something for nothing, many are playing dirty when it comes to getting noticed.READ MORE
The Sweet Setup
For in-depth app recommendations for just about any task, The Sweet Setup has your back. Covering iPhone, iPad, and Mac software by category, it’s easy to find solid software for completing specific tasks (like writing a novel, or getting started with markdown).
You’ll also find a healthy repository of tips, Apple-related articles and reviews, and interviews that look at real-world Mac and iOS setups including workflows and must-have software.
Where Do You Get Your Apple Fix?
Stay abreast of these websites by subscribing via RSS on your iPad or using one of these Mac feed syndicators. Or simply visit the website in your browser, and use Safari’s Reading List to keep track of interesting articles. The 5 Best iPad RSS ReadersThere are lots of iPad RSS apps out there that do the same job — so how do you know which one is the best? Here's your answer.READ MORE
Let us know how and where you get your Apple news fix by leaving a comment below!
Source: www.makeuseof.com
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