Tips

Apple continually delivers firmware updates for its AirPods, AirPods 2, and AirPods Pro wireless earphones. Firmware updates can offer improvements to sound quality, longer battery life, bug fixes, or even improve security. The AirPods Pro are the latest model to be released, with firmware version 2B584 installed at launch. How can AirPods Pro owners be sure they're running the most recent firmware?

Wireless Bluetooth headphones are great for untethered listening. But many devices have traditional headphone connectors, rendering AirPods, Beats, and other wireless options useless. Apple officially ditched the headphone jack on the iPhone 7 and later, making the Lightning to 3.5mm adapter the missing link for wired headphones. Twelve South now makes a similar adapter to connect the latest wireless headphones such as AirPods directly to a 3.5mm headphone port.

Now that macOS Catalina has been released, Apple reminds everyone to upgrade. If you have a System Preferences app icon in the dock on your Mac, it will show a red notification badge until the update is installed. This goes for any updates, including security updates to the current version of macOS on your Mac. Some users are reluctant to update to Catalina, because of significant changes to macOS.

Amazon has launched its streaming music app for Apple TV. Amazon Music runs on tvOS 13 and later, with access to millions of ad-free songs and unlimited skips. Even better, Amazon Prime members get free access to Amazon Music streaming audio. Now instead of using AirPlay or other methods to stream Amazon Music albums and playlists, they can be accessed directly on Apple TV.

Apple Card has proven to be one of the most successful credit card launches in history. Security and privacy are touted as two of the most important features of Apple Card. But like any payment account, unauthorized or fraudulent transactions are possible. Should the physical Apple Card be lost or stolen, it's a good idea to lock your account to prevent charges.