Latest news with #GeniusBar
Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Apple makes major change that will frustrate customers
It's hard to believe that a mere 18 years ago, the iPhone had yet to exist. That thing billions of us are glued to in all our waking hours, rapid-fire replying to emails and scrolling social media endlessly, would have been an unimaginable piece of seemingly sci-fi tech in those days. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter But Apple debuted the very first iPhone in 2007 during Macworld, and in Steve Jobs' hand, he held an object that would transform so many lives. It also transformed Apple, turning it into one of the world's most important tech companies - and making it an enormous amount of money. Related: Apple could make big change to Siri, delight fans While Apple has struggled recently with nailing the iPhone lineup in a way that pleases all its customers, it continues to make billions from the product - not too shabby close to 20 years after it first came out. One thing that has investors feeling shaky about Apple right now, however, is the tech company's lack of a solid AI plan. The tech company disappointed fans in June during WWDC when it failed to unveil anything. Now, Apple is planning to use AI in a new part of its business, but the way it's doing it could be controversial, putting customers in a position where they'll struggle to get the service they need. If your phone, laptop, tablet or other Apple device malfunctions, the solution is always a fairly simple one: make an appointment at your local Genius Bar. Typically located in malls, the Genius Bar has been around since 2011 and has made Apple repairs much simpler. When you go to a Genius Bar, you meet with an employee who listens to your issue, lets you know how it will be fixed and how much that will cost, and basically does their best to make the experience as frictionless as possible. Related: Apple WWDC underwhelms fans in a crucial upgrade Not everyone may be near a Genius Bar location, and Apple has a solution for that, too: its Apple Support app. It acts as a resource for all your Apple products, helping you find repair facilities near you, connect with a Genius Bar employee, and more. Now a change is coming to that app, and while it sounds good at first, it's likely to have some inherent flaws. A peek into Apple's code reveals that the company is working on an AI-powered support assistant for the Apple Support app, per reporting from MacRumors. Much like other chatbots on the market, this new feature would aid customers with problems that might otherwise have merited a trip to the Apple store to fix. However, the problem with using chatbots in this instance is the same as every other instance: they can often be wrong. More Tech Stocks: Amazon tries to make AI great again (or maybe for the first time)Veteran portfolio manager raises eyebrows with latest Meta Platforms moveGoogle plans major AI shift after Meta's surprising $14 billion move The Apple code acknowledges this, saying that generative models can sometimes provide "incorrect, misleading, incomplete, offensive, or harmful outputs," and that customers should not rely on information from Support Assistant as a substitute for professional advice. Talking to a human Apple employee, at least you know that person has trained in Apple's ecosystem and understands how to fix your problem. But the Support Assistant could steer you incorrectly, potentially causing more problems than you had in the first place - Apple even admits it can have "harmful outputs." While using chatbots to answer simple matters may be a perfectly fine way to address customer problems, this innovation seems as if it would make reaching a human being even harder than it already is. On top of that, it may generate incorrect information, as many chatbots and LLM-driven products have reportedly often done. That's the last thing an already-overwhelmed consumer needs. Related: Fund manager has blunt words on Apple and its products The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I tried on a bunch of Gap dresses that are all on sale — 12 of the best ones if you're in your 40s or beyond
I was walking through the mall after leaving the Apple Genius Bar (yeah, my computer is on life support) when I passed by Gap. Usually, I'm only ever in there hunting for clothes for my kids, but after that tech appointment, I needed a little pick-me-up. I wandered in and tried on every dress that caught my eye, and ended up finding 12 of the best maxis, minis and more for summer 2025. The best part? They're all marked down as part of Gap's massive sale where you can save up to 50 per cent on everything — including previously-marked down items. If you're in your 40s like me, or beyond, these dresses are all flattering, stylish and affordable. Scroll down to see what I tried on and my honest review of each style. $44 $90 at Gap This unbelievably soft denim mini is made from an ultra-light Tencel blend fabric. I don't normally love showing off my legs above the knee, but I owned a similar dress from The Gap over 20 years ago — and this one made me feel like I can still pull the style off. The empire waist means my mommy middle isn't on display, and the concealed side zipper makes it super easy to take on and off. Plus, how great are the adjustable and removable spaghetti straps? $54 $108 at Gap I typically wear black — but I was struck by the beauty of this deep forest green. A pet peeve of mine is when strapless dresses slide down, so I was happy to see this one has gripping tape on the inside to keep the top secure. A slit at the side gives the look a little edge, and I'm obsessed with the fact that there's a built-in shelf bra. $59 $118 at Gap At first, I was skeptical about the bubble hem of this mini, but when I put it on, I was wowed by its playfulness. Gap has a ton of dresses with elasticized backs and adjustable straps, and I love how versatile they are. With a wide range of regular, tall and petite sizes, I agree with one reviewer who proclaimed "Just get it!" From $95 $118 at Gap As I've gotten older, shopping has become much more about how I feel in what I wear. The moment I slipped into this flowy, floral dress, it felt like summer had arrived. It hugs in all the right places, and I'm a huge fan of the ruffled cap sleeves. The buttons on the front bodice are also a nice touch. I found this dress behind a rack, all bunched up, and yet it had no visible wrinkles — low maintenance and cute. From $54 $118 at Gap This fully lined linen-blend mini dress also features a hidden side zipper, which can be a game changer when you're eager to get undressed on a hot day. I've never owned a bright red summer dress, and trying this one on, I wondered why that was the case. Some shoppers commented online that the dress runs large, so you may want to size down. Personally, I like the looser fit, but keep in mind I am wearing an XS. From $59 $118 at Gap When I was a kid, I used to sneak into my mom's closet and try on her dresses, the most coveted being her off-the-shoulder styles. This soft and stretchy cotton-blend design hugs my frame comfortably. It also comes with removable spaghetti straps, if you're looking to really lean into its Pretty in Pink vibe. The slant pockets add a fun functionality to the "adorable" dress. $64 $128 at Gap Anyone else out there spend their pre-teen years in Laura Ashley? This dress reminds me of those fun floral frocks. The colours complement each other nicely and the floral print can also easily hide any stains from my kids' chocolately hands (moms, you know what I'm talking about). I tried a small, but I'd definitely go down to my regular XS. $79 $158 at Gap I loved the embroidered detail throughout this flattering halter dress. The front slit also gives it that sexy-mama-on-the-town feel, which can be a nice change from my daily uniform of sweats and tees. The only thing I'd mention is it does run a bit brighter than the site photo indicates — which was fine by me. $84 $168 at Gap The length, the look and the all over embroidery really make this elegant maxi dress stand out. I also appreciate the square neck with the scalloped trim because I rarely wear a bra and like the higher chest coverage. I'll definitely have a steamer on hand when I'm ready to wear, as it does seem prone to wrinkles. From $44 $90 at Gap I was convinced there was no way this leopard print dress would look good on me, but surprisingly, it felt great on. The soft yet heavyweight linen blend mini is very well constructed, and it features a smocked back and concealed zipper. Don't feel comfortable going strapless? There are removable spaghetti straps. While I might not wear this dress frequently, it would be a great choice for a moms' night out. $64 $128 at Gap As a busy mom, style often takes a backseat to function. But sometimes even middle aged gals like me enjoy making a fashion statement — and this dress does just that. Paired with summer sandals and a wide belt, how cute would I look at camp pickup or grabbing some groceries (or dresses) at Walmart? It's dresses like these that remind me that making an effort doesn't actually take much effort at all. From $64 $128 at Gap I love the fit and feel of this figure-flattering maxi dress. The button front gives it a more contoured fit, and the adjustable spaghetti straps allow you to customize the amount of support on top. The side seam pockets increase the practical elegance of this sexy summer dress. I also appreciate the lightweight nature of the viscose-nylon fabric, making it an excellent option for humid days. While the colourway I tried on is almost completely sold out, the other two available prints are equally pretty.
Buzz Feed
02-06-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
30 Products You'll Feel Like You're The First To Discover
A pair of fondue mugs for nights when you'd love nothing more than dunking some strawberries in not having to do a slew of dishes afterward. These look like such a fun indoor date night idea! A stuffed waffle maker — this applause-worthy appliance is designed with a deep, bowl-like griddle that allows you to cook the batter with fillings (we're talking chocolate, fruit, cheese, works). Upgrade your morning routine from frozen waffles to a homemade meal that'll look straight off a "best of" brunch menu. A window-installed pet door so your pet can easily get in and out of the house, even if you have a rental. No more destroying doors by making tinier doors! A silicone clip-on strainer that's dishwasher safe, attaches to any size pot or pan, and designed to save a bunch of space in your kitchen cupboards. A set of french fry clips to keep opened snacks fresh. This includes a magnetic holder to avoid stashing chip clips in a cluttered junk drawer. Funny, functional, AND organized?! These things are delicious. An LED fog-less mirror for couples who are one "get your beard hair out of the sink!" fight away from someone sleeping on the couch for good. Reviewers love using this in the shower as it prevents that very mess from ending up in the sink. Genius. A 24-pack of Hal's New York Vanilla Cream Seltzer Water — if you love cream soda, this *water* itches that sugary scratch, especially when you want something hydrating. Throw this in your refrigerator and your place is about to become the best soda shop (sans soda) in town. A snazzy makeup brush UV sanitizer just might soothe your skin if you're prone to breakouts. The UV-C light inside is designed to kill 99.9% of the bacteria buildup on your brushes. Keep your skin clean while making yourself (and your bathroom) look fresh! A MacBook shortcut keyboard cover that'll be your own personal Genius Bar assistant if you don't quite know all the MacBook shortcuts off the top of your head. Use this and you'll easily be able to open search bars, minimize and open windows, take screenshots with your know, genius stuff. And a lightweight quilted laptop sleeve made with a waterproof nylon exterior and lined with fleece to keep your laptop scratch-free. An Air Fort you can store flat (it's about the size of a sweatshirt when folded) and then inflate with any regular ol' box fan when your kids want to play! A surprisingly aesthetic silicone foot scrubber — give your bathroom something to brag about with this super useful in-shower foot brush. It's available in bold colors, and it'll help you give those smelly toes the scrub they need without the risk of bending over and slipping in the shower. A pack of "Food Cubby" dividers designed for picky eaters of all ages. These suction to your plate, preventing foods and sauces from intermingling while you eat. A Baseboard Buddy that'll basically work like an eraser. This has an extendable handle that'll make cleaning tiny corners and often-ignored areas not just simple, but suuuper satisfying. A "Shower Cat" for folks who spend half their time in the shower making hair art on the walls, which inevitably ends up clogging the drain. TMI? This makes catching your hair *much* easier and gives it a proper place while you finish sudsing up. A much-needed peanut butter knife with a brilliantly shaped blade that'll guarantee not a *drop* of your perfect peanut putty goes to waste. Hate getting peanut butter all over your knuckles when scraping out the container with a standard knife? Get this in your life. A "flaming" humidifier sure to be a hit with avid readers who could use a little scent in the air and a tiny "fire" to create the *perfect* cozy cottage ambiance while they read. A marble board wire cheese cutter so you can host a wine and cheese night with some elegant entertainment — let your guests slice their own pieces of cheese and watch them quickly become envious of your un-brie-lievably unique kitchen tool. And a grater with a built-in container to grate cheese without a mess of shavings ending up all over the place before it gets on your plate! Cloning paste — if you've found that your houseplants are standing around stagnant, you're gonna *love* this stuff! This little formula helps encourage new growth and buds. It's technically made for orchids but it works on all sorts of plants! Begonias, string of pearls, pothos, you name it! Horizontal Parenting, a laugh-out-loud funny (and surprisingly clever!) book for parents who would happily do ANYTHING if they could lie down for just a minute. Grab this book, draw some roads on one of your old shirts, hand your kid a toy car, and let them play "Back Street" while you fall sound asleep. A pack of Elephant Trax labels to make storing (and finding!) things you've packed easier than ever. Attach a sticker to the box, take photos of everything inside, and you're all set! You now have a visual inventory! Never confuse your Halloween and Christmas storage again. The Nightmare Before Christmas vibe isn't really your thing anyway. A touchless vacuum so you can throw that dust pan in the GARBAGE where it belongs. No longer bend and snap every time you sweep! Bless. A dimmable LED car visor mirror for the commuter in your life who practically lives in their car. If you know they are totally putting their makeup on in the parking lot before work, give them a vanity-mirror as a visor! A pickle keeper and juice strainer — tip this over like an hourglass so you can eat pickles to pass the time *without* the juice making a mess. A magnetic bobby pin tray that'll hold tight to your hair pins, getting you out of any ~hairy~ situations when your 'do doesn't quite stay in place. A smudge-correcting clear nail polish to basically turn back time and save your freshly-painted fingers from the smudge you caused by scratching that itch you shouldn't have scratched. Put this polish on top and roll back the clock! A versatile travel harness seat with adjustable straps — this can roll up tiny enough to stash in a bag so you can stop for lunch the moment your kids start getting hangry, without worrying about whether or not the restaurant has a highchair for your youngest. Luigi's Sink and Drain Plunger for those of us who treat the drain in our sink like a black hole, assuming the dyed hair, toothpaste, and skincare that gets in there will just disappear for good. It won' grab this and save the pipes from yourself! A cheese keeper to keep your favorite cheeses, both hard and soft, alive longer by allowing them to breathe. In the words of her highness, Veruca Salt, "Give it to me NOW!"
Buzz Feed
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
20 Amazon Items That Make Perfect Father's Day Gifts
A pair of fondue mugs for your dad who lives for a sweet treat at the end of the day. Think of this as a fancy upgrade to their usual eating-ice-cream-out-the-tub dessert. If they don't like chocolate, though, they can totally use this for a cheese fondue moment! An LED fog-less mirror is perfect if your dad enjoys shaving their beard while the shower's steam is still going! This mirror also has a nifty light to ensure your dad reaches every square inch during their grooming routine. A silicone clip-on strainer that fits onto most of the pots and pans in your dad's kitchen. This will be their go-to for straining pasta, collecting bacon fat, or washing fruits and veggies. A MacBook shortcut keyboard cover, just in case you're not always available to play Genius Bar tech for your dad! This fits onto MacBook keyboards and will tell your dad each and every key they'll have to press for things like opening search bars, screenshotting, or mimizing windows. A pickle keeper and juice strainer that's the most beautiful (to your dad) hourglass known to man. All your dad has to do is flip this container over to separate pickles from its brine while they snack away without dipping their hands into salty, vinegary water. Once they're done with their amuse-bouche, they can flip over the container again to combine the brine and pickles. A Philips Sonicare 6100 electric toothbrush, because your dad has been using the same frayed manual toothbrush forever and needs an upgrade. This one has three brushing modes to help improve gum health and reduce cavities, and a sensor that goes off if your dad accidentally applies too much pressure while brushing. This nifty rechargeable toothrbush has a 14-day battery life, meaning no more jumbled cords on your dad's bathroom counter! Promising review: "I'm absolutely thrilled with the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 Whitening! It delivers exceptional performance, and the design and color are gorgeous — it looks sleek and stylish on my bathroom counter. The brush works wonders for my teeth, leaving them feeling clean and smooth after every use. I've noticed a significant improvement in the whiteness of my teeth as well. The pressure sensor is a great feature, and the different modes allow for a customizable brushing experience. Highly recommend this toothbrush for anyone looking for great performance and stunning design!" —AdamPrice: $109.96+ (available in four colors) A copy of Horizontal Parenting for the toddler dad who can't seem to catch a break from running around! This book contains 50 games that a dad can play with their kid that require almost little to no movement on their part — a welcome gift after long, stressful days! A Windmill air purifier, because your dad has every cleaning gadget for their floors and furniture — but what about their air? This compact-but-powerful purifier uses a HEPA-13 filter to trap 99.97% of particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander. It has a real-time air quality monitor and runs so quietly that your dad will actually be able to have it on as they sleep! Promising review: "10/10 worth the money. Extremely quiet. Easy to set up via the app and connect to home Wi-Fi with the QR Code. Makes a difference in the air quality and provides updates immediately if there is a change to the air quality. Perfect size for 1000 sqft space. Easy to clean and has great functionality and speed levels." —ChristyPrice: $299+ (available in three colors) A grater with a built-in container so your dad can make their world-renowned mac and cheese without having remnants of their meal all over the kitchen counter. A silicone foot scrubber that's like an actual spa trip for your dad's feet. While this scrubber feels like a foot massage that they can tap into every day, it also helps to clean hard-to-reach areas like rough heels and in between the toes. A peanut butter knife, because your dad can't IMAGINE having his morning protein shakes without some peanuts. They can use this to scoop out every last drop and get their money's worth. (Nut butters ain't cheap!) A bead-filled weighted eye mask is like a weighted blanket but for your dad's eyes. Its strap-free, four-pod design helps to add soothing pressure and block out light during bedtime or a midday power nap. A set of writing dice so that your dad can finally put all their stories of the good ole' days onto paper! If they're ever in a writing rut, they can use these dice to help build up the who's, what's, where's, when's, why's, and how's for characters, plot, settings, and even themes! TBH, as a writer myself, these are already sitting pretty in my own Amazon cart. A "flaming" humidifier, because although your dad can't live out his dreams of retiring to a cabin in the woods juuuust yet, they can at least bring the cozy vibes to their current home. This helps to keep the air comfortable and moist while creating a homey ambience instantly. An electric pressure washer, if your dad's idea of fun is blasting grime off the driveway (and honestly, same). It's got enough pressure to clean patios, stone pathways, and even siding, turning every Saturday into their version of spa day. A hand massager, because who wouldn't want a knot-relieving hand massage after a long day of typing?! This massager uses heat, air pressure, and four kneading heads to help relieve pain and discomfort in your dad's digits. Promising review: "This little hand massager is PERFECT for my hands. I have rheumatoid arthritis and nerve pain in my hands pretty often, and the only thing that usually relieves it is massaging them (which is difficult to do on my own). I was super impressed with this little guy as soon as I first tried it. I love that it has different settings to use, depending on the kind of pain I'm having and the location on my hand. Love the two heat settings! Love that it has a 15-minute timer where it shuts off because I can fall asleep with it on my hand. It really is the only thing that's helped me with my unbearable hand pain. Give it a try!" —CBPrice: $68.98+ (available in four colors) Plus, a 10-motor massage mat for those days when all your dad needs is to relaaaaax. This mat has two heating pads *and* it vibrates, so all they'll have to do is lie on this mat to warm up any kinks in their back and soothe their sore muscles. Promising review: "I've had several massage mats and this one is great. It has a nice comfortable soft foam pillow feel so you don't feel like you're sitting on the massage motors. And it's so quiet, you hardly hear it yet the massagers are quite powerful. I highly recommend this one." —TJ FerraraPrice: $89.99 A Bluetooth sleep headband, because your your dad can only sleep in the complete dark and silence! They can put this on and play soothing sounds to create a relaxing vibe (or enjoy this headband's noise-canceling feature), completely light-free. Promising review: "These were so noise-canceling it was amazing. I went on a Disney World trip with my family, and my dad snores a lot. My mom, my sister, and I all use these, and they totally blocked out the sound! They are so comfortable, and they Bluetooth connect to your phone! Would buy again!" —KKleinPrice: $15.99+ (available in 20 colors) A ButterBox that's airtight and looks cute as heck. This is great for people who like to spread butter straight from the stick (hello, buttery corn lovers and pan greasers) but HATE getting their fingers messy during the process. This also has a cool upright storage feature that saves tons of space in the fridge! Promising review: "I bought the ButterBox as a gift for my foodie brother, and he absolutely loved it! You can place just the right amount of butter on your foods. This will definitely be the go-to gift for all the foodies in my life!" —DallasPrice: $29.95 And a grilling spice set, because it's the ideal gift for your grilling dad —whether they're a novice or a pro! These spices work well with meat, veggies, or fish. Plus, they come in smaller sizes so that your dad can test out different flavors without crowding their cupboard. Promising review: "This is perfect for grilling lovers or even beginners! They're perfect trial sizes to determine what you love and don't! I recommend!" —averyPrice: $39.99
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Leaked iOS 19 screenshot reveals potential interface
We might have a first glimpse at Apple's Messages app redesign for the upcoming iOS 19 and it... doesn't look that different. On the Genius Bar podcast on Tuesday, YouTuber Jon Prosser shared a screenshot what the new Messages app allegedly looks like. Jump to minute 42:50 for the new design. Apple fans expecting the rumored "dramatic software overhaul" for iOS 19, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman might be disappointed. The alleged updated Messages looks largely similar to the current app. The major discernible differences are the keyboard, which has rounded glass-like edges and a floating 3D effect and the back arrow icon and FaceTime icon encapsulated in similarly glassy looking bubbles. Following previous leaks from Prosser and Gurman, expectations are high for the rumored iOS 19 revamp due at this year's WWDC. A few weeks ago, Gurman wrote that Apple will "fundamentally change the look of the [iPhone, iPad, and Mac] operating systems and make Apple's various software platforms more consistent." This reportedly includes "updating the style of icons, menus, apps, windows and system buttons." On Wednesday, Prosser shared mockups of other iOS 19 redesigns based on actual designs Prosser claims to have seen. The Apple Sports app and the location sharing pop-up have the same round-edge, glassy, 3D appearance as Messages. However, the Home Screen looks to be unchanged. Perhaps the biggest rumored design change (also leaked by Prosser) is for the Camera app, which looks more in line with Apple's Vision Pro interface. On X, Gurman chimed in on "iOS 19 images floating around," saying they "aren't representative of what we'll see at WWDC" and "they look to be based on either very old builds or vague descriptions, missing key features." That's all to say, these leaks could offer a peek at some of the new design changes, but take it with a big grain of salt. We'll see the big reveal soon at WWDC on June 9.
