Category: Apple Insider

Thronmax has been making USB microphones for quite a while, but mostly the sort you might use for video-conferencing or podcasting when you need an upgrade from built-in mics. Their forthcoming Space mic set adds to their desktop line by expanding into wearable wireless mics.

This package is a great option for photographers, filmmakers, interview shows, or anywhere you need a wireless microphone. The kit comes in a “presentation” metal box with some faux leather on the top.

This nice touch makes it useful as a tray for easy access to the other items or as a soft top to rest delicate equipment, like a DSLR. The kit includes:

• Two condenser microphones that double as wireless transmitters
• Two lavalier mics with TRS cords that attach to the transmitters
• A receiver module designed to look a lot like the transmitters
• A vastly smaller zippered carrying case that everything can squeeze into for portability
• Two windscreen filters for outdoor work
• A TRS-to-TRRS adapter cord (compatible with Apple headphone jacks)
• A TRRS-to-USB-C cord (Android-only, according to Thronmax)
• A USB-A to USB-C tri-head cable (for charging the mics and receiver)
• A two-page “manual” that explains what each piece is and some of its controls

The more compact travel version with the same contents

It’s what this kit forgets to include that makes it frustrating for Apple users. To record these mics flowing into an iPhone or iPad, you must buy a TRRS adapter to Lightning and a TRRS adapter to USB-C.

If your Mac includes a headphone jack, you can use the included TRS-to-TRRS cord without issue. But the point of this kit is to record almost anywhere, so having no included way to record directly to an iPhone or iPad is a major shortcoming.

Thankfully, Apple sells TRRS adapters as 3.5mm headphone adapters for Lightning or USB-C for a mere $9 each. They work as mic and headphone adapters because they work with the built-in mic on EarPods.

To briefly explain TRS and TRRS for those unfamiliar: if you look at the plug end of a 3.5mm headphone or microphone, you’ll see a metal sleeve topped by a shaped tip and some black markings along the sleeve. The bit of the metal sleeve between the markings is called a “ring.”

A 3.5mm wired headphone that does not have a mic built-in will have one ring and is known as TRS, or Tip-Ring-Sleeve. The “ring” area is usually used for right-channel sound, and the tip is used for the left channel.

When a wired headphone does include a mic, you’ll see three black markings, designating two “rings.” This is a TRRS or Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve mic, where the tip is used for the left channel, the first ring is used for the right channel, and the lower ring is for grounding.

The TRRS plug goes into your adapter or headphone jack for Apple devices.

The wireless transmitters in the Thronmax Space kit are a brilliant bit of design work. Instead of just being transmitters, they double as small-capsule condenser microphones.

They feature a nice, compact, and rounded “barrel” design that will blend right in if you’re wearing black or dark grey. You can use the included lavaliers if they’re too bulky for your needs.

The lavalier mics plug into the transmitter and turn off the condenser mic. Being smaller mics, the lavaliers lose some sound quality but, like the condensers, can be combined into a stereo pair if desired.

The mic/transmitters and the receiver module feature a clip that works well with the vest, shirt collar, or jacket thickness. The clip also slides right into a camera’s hot shoe for easy recording if you’re using a DSLR, as most YouTubers do.

The clips on the mics and receivers fit perfectly into a DSLR’s hot shoe.

The condenser mics shine when you have someone speaking, but you also want some of the ambient environment sound— for example, the echo of a church or the sounds of the beach. The lavaliers are best suited to an interview situation or when you want much less ambiance to be included with the voice.

Microphones this compact are, of course, no match for large-capsule USB or XLR mics such as Blue’s Yeti, Rode’s NT1, or Thronmax’s array of desktop mics. But they do a good job of capturing voice with highs, lows, and midrange tones.

Even more importantly, the audio has no detectable “lag” that could cause sync issues with any recorded video. Our testing found this held true even when the subject was a considerable distance away.

These microphones have an impressive range when it comes to line-of-sight distances. We put them to the test in a 60-foot long, reverberant underground car park and different outdoor locations, such as by the ocean, while equipped with the provided windscreen. According to the manufacturer, these mics can maintain signal even at greater distances.

Indeed, we never once lost signal — even when our back was turned, walking away from the receiver, or as far as 200 feet away.

One key factor to ensure a good-quality recording is learning the receiver module’s minimalist controls. As with the transmitter mics, the on/off button is unmarked but pretty obvious, as it’s set off away from other buttons.

We found that the transmitters and receivers paired instantly without fail — no pairing required. That said, you can hold the power button on the transmitters to force pairing if necessary.

The receiver module also has a separate power button, an unmarked force-pairing button, and another unmarked button for adjusting the gain. Oddly, the gain is by default on full — which will result in distorted audio if the mic is too close.

The underside of the condenser mics/transmitters. USB-C is for charging only.

In our testing, the two-thirds setting helped in noisy environments. The one-third setting was the norm for routine in-studio or quiet outdoor recording.

Once the gain is set, it is remembered until changed again. When the two mics are paired to make a stereo, they are perfect for recording nature sounds or live music.

The battery life on the mic/transmitters and receiver was also excellent, averaging about eight hours of “on” time. They can be quickly recharged using the tri-head USB-C cord to a USB-A port on a handy PC, older Mac, or battery pack.

If you don’t have an available USB-A port because you’re on location, you can use an adapter or hub to allow charging from a USB-C port. You shouldn’t need to recharge on a typical location shoot, but it’s best to have a battery pack to hand if you do.

The travel case makes for a tight fit to get everything in. However, it is wonderfully small and compartmented to make it easy to put everything in its place — even the fuzzy, tiny windscreens.

The presention box, and included (and far more practical) travel case.

The designers put a lot of thought into the presentation, and it shows. This is why we are somewhat confused that the company does not make any sort of recording software for mobile devices — for any platform.

We used Rode’s Connect app for mobile devices since it easily “sees” when an external mic is available. Macs can use Rogue Amoeba’s excellent Audio Hijack.

It’s important to note that the version of the Space wireless mic kit we reviewed is pre-release. Thronmax may correct the software, cords, and full Apple compatibility issues by the time it appears on retail sites and in stores.

Given their decent track record with Macs for their desktop USB mics, we hope the final product will be more Apple-friendly. You are good to go if you’re using an Android phone with a USB-C port for your recorder, apart from an actual recording app.

We have to review the product as we received it — and the lack of included iOS/iPadOS cord compatibility stops this from being a four-star review. Thronmax should also develop its own smartphone recording app or partner with another company to provide an app.

Simply put, using this kit should not require ordering one or more Apple accessories. An Apple-compatible Lightning and USB-C to TRRS adapter should be in the box, even if that means making the travel pouch a tiny bit bigger.

The condenser mics themselves, and especially the combo mic-and-transmitter design, are very high-quality and well-designed. They have a sound on par with some of their competitors in this small wireless-mic space, such as the Rode One wireless system or the Saramonic version.

The included lavaliers, being smaller mics, are, of course, not quite as good. That said, they are well-suited to keeping ambient noise low and fine for any scenario where hiring a boom mic operator would be impractical.

• Two mics and two types of mics included
• True stereo recording option
• Line-of-sight distance is impressive
• Rock-solid pairing and connection
• Good battery life, easy to recharge
• Unique, well-built design

• No included iOS or iPadOS cables
• Extra Apple accessories needed for iPhone/iPad recording
• No accompanying recording app available
• Charging cord connects to USB-A

This project was originally fully funded via Kickstarter and IndieGoGo. Afterwards, it became available to preorder from the Thronmax website, priced at $169.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay is an important part of Apple’s ecosystem and is offered during device setup. The prominence of the Apple Wallet and its features have gained antitrust attention before.

According to a report from Reuters, Illinois’ Consumers Co-op Credit Union and Iowa’s Affinity Credit Union and GreenState Credit Union are accusing Apple of antitrust practices with Apple Pay and have proposed a class action lawsuit. The lawsuit made it through U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White with little change, meaning Apple will have to face the charges in court.

The judge threw out a tying claim that accused Apple of requiring iPhone owners to use Apple Pay and forego other wallets. The lawsuit is focused on the prominence of Apple Pay on iPhone versus the customer choice found on Android.

“We are happy with this ruling,” Steve Berman, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in an email. “There are billions at stake so getting by the motion (to dismiss) largely intact was huge for the class.”

The class action lawsuit uses the Sherman antitrust law as the basis for the proposal. It means the court must determine that Apple is enforcing a 100% monopoly over the domestic market for tap-and-pay wallets on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

The complaint alleges Apple’s conduct forces more than 4,000 banks and credit unions that use Apple Pay to pay at least $1 billion in excess fees. This harms the consumers by minimizing the incentive to make Apple Pay safer and easier to use — which would occur if Apple allowed wallet competition.

The report states that Apple sought a dismissal of the lawsuit and failed. The company said it charged “nominal” fees to smaller card issuers and that the plaintiffs ignored the “competitive reality” that consumers could pay with cash, card, or other means.

Center Stage on the Mac is exactly as it has been on the iPad. Should you choose to have it turned on, then when you’re on a video call and you reach out of frame for a coffee, the camera automatically moves.

Or rather, it appears to. While there have to be limits, as long as you’re in front of the camera somewhere, your video conferencing colleagues will see you right in the middle of their view.

They’ll see you center stage, in fact. Moving left or right, up or down, or having someone else join you in the shot will make the image automatically adjust itself to show the best framing.

If you have the right camera.

For Center Stage to work on macOS Sonoma, you must be using an Apple Silicon Mac and:

• A built-in camera (such as on a MacBook Pro)
• Continuity Camera with an iPhone 12 or later

Something that may trip you up is that there are Mac apps that can seemingly hide Center Stage controls.

Center Stage used to be part of Control Center, but it now belongs in a new menubar icon that groups together options such as portrait mode, or reactions. This new menubar icon changes to show you when your camera is in use, or just your microphone, and it’s this icon that can effectively be obstructed.

At present, just for one example, if you were to use a screen-recording app while on a video conferencing call, the yellow microphone or green camera icon may be replaced by a darker, less obvious one.

Nonetheless, the Center Stage controls will appear under this menubar icon when you are in a video call.

1. While on the video call, click the new menubar icon
2. Either click to turn on Center Stage, or
3. Click the arrow to the right of Center Stage for more options, if available

In macOS Ventura, Center Stage was an option you ticked in Control Center. Now you click Center Stage icon to toggle it on or off.

A lot of Center Stage capabilities depends on the camera you’re using so there will be differences. But in AppleInsider testing using an iPhone 13 Pro as the camera, macOS Sonoma gave more options than the same setup in macOS Ventura.

Specifically, two options. Clicking on the arrow to the right of Center Stage in the new menubar icon may show you a choice of cameras. If it does, a click will switch you between, say, Main and Wide Angle.

Click the arrow to the right of Center Stage to see more options, if available

Center Stage is as welcome on the Mac as it was on the iPad. It’s a shame that you can’t turn it on or off until you are actually on a call, though.

It would be good to be able to set yourself up just the way you want before the other person appears on the call. If it’s your call and you’re on Zoom, say, then you can start the meeting and adjust the settings before you let anyone else in.

But it would also be good to be able to use a keystroke or perhaps a Shortcut to change the settings instead of having to go through the menubar icon.

Apple’s FineWoven case

Apple has moved away from leather products in favor of a more sustainable FineWoven material. The suede-like cloth material falls short in several ways, as we covered in our review.

Apple sent out an internal memo to retail employees in response to customer complaints and questions, and it was seen by 9to5Mac. The memo didn’t offer much helpful information and repeated much of what was shared on Apple’s website.

“You may get questions from customers about the appearance of the new FineWoven material, how it wears over time, and how to care for it,” the memo stated. “You can let customers know the FineWoven material is made from a luxurious microtwill, with a soft yet durable suede-like texture.”

When asked about durability, employees should explain that cases “may look different and show wear over time as the fibers get compressed with normal use.” The memo adds that “some scratches may diminish over time.”

The memo also shares previously known information, like how MagSafe accessories may leave imprints and how to clean the material. Like other Apple products, Apple recommends wiping down the case with a damp, lint-free cloth.

FineWoven may have been a mistake as a case material, though time will tell if Apple abandons the option. It is yet to be seen how the material will endure as an Apple Watch band, which are now available to order.

Merging photo collections together

Throughout people’s lives, physical features tend to change and they may look slightly different than they previously did. Due to this, the Photos app may think it’s another person when it’s not.

While this is not game-changing, it’s annoying to have multiple albums of the same person. You may want to combine the albums to tidy up your Photos app and make it less cluttered.

Merging two albums of the same person is simple to do, and once you complete it, your Photos app will look more organized than before.

Merging two albums is as easy as dragging and dropping. Here’s how you can merge them efficiently.

1. Open the Photos app
2. Tap on Albums from the bottom menu
3. Scroll down until you see the People, Pets & Places section, and tap on the People & Pets collection
4. Find the two People or Pet collections you want to merge
5. Drag one collection over the other
6. Confirm that you want to merge them

Merging collections together via drag-and-drop

Once you confirm the merge, all the photos from one collection will go into the other. The collection will then take the name of the person you merged into.

There is also another way you can merge two albums via the person’s name. Here’s how to complete it.

1. Find one of the collections of the person you want to merge
2. Tap on Add Name at the top
3. Type in the same name as the other collection
4. Confirm the name change and the two albums will merge into one collection

Merging collections via renaming

No matter which way you decide to merge the two collections, both will provide you with the same outcome of eliminating multiple collections based on one person.

If you accidentally merge the wrong people, you must go into the collection and manually select the photos that should not be there. This is how you remove them.

1. Tap on Select in the upper right of the screen
2. Select the image(s) of the person that shouldn’t be in the collection
3. Tap on the three dots in the lower right of the screen
4. Select “These are Not [Person’s Name]”

Removing unwanted people from a collection

Once you select that these photos are not who the collection is dedicated to, the photos will automatically be taken out of it.

No matter who it is, merging two collections that consist of the same people or pet will clean up your Photos app and make it a little more organized.

You can pick up the latest AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C at Amazon.com and BestBuy.com for $199.99, reflecting a $50 price cut off the regular $249 price.

Whether you’re looking for lossless audio for the upcoming Apple Vision Pro or simply want the convenience of a USB-C charging port, this 2023 release matches the $199 price we’ve been seeing on what is now the last-gen model with a Lightning charging port.

If you’re looking for the best Apple Watch deal on the new Ultra 2, Amazon also has a double-digit discount going on, bringing the cost down to $779 on select styles.

The AppleInsider Price Guide is home to hundreds of additional markdowns on Apple hardware. Here are a few of our favorite picks:

iPhone 15 Pro

Scammers attempt to sell fake iPhones by using convincing replicated device packaging. Apple has added a new invisible watermarking system in an attempt to eliminate this practice.

A leaker known as Majin Bu on X shared a video initially posted on Weibo by user @Pengnone. The video shows someone shining a UV light on the iPhone 15 box to reveal watermarks and a QR code that helps verify device authenticity.

There is some concern that scammers will be able to replicate this watermark. It seems the QR code may be what makes this system more secure since it likely contains a system-verifiable code that scammers won’t easily copy.

Customers buying from big retailers won’t need to worry about device authenticity. However, the resale market and smaller vendors have more opportunities for scams.

When in doubt, check the device serial number and ensure it matches what’s on the box. Also, check the box for problems or manipulation that might signify a scam.

The iPhone 15 lineup is available for pre-order and arrives in-store Friday, September 22. Many device configurations have already sold out, so scammers will likely be active during the big release day.