Tech / Technology

NYT’s The Mini crossword answers for November 3

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Answers to each clue for the Nov. 3, 2023 edition of NYT’s The Mini crossword puzzle.
Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times‘ revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player’s flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO:

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for November 3

SEE ALSO:

Wordle today: Here’s the answer and hints for November 3

Here are the clues and answers to NYT’s The Mini for Friday, Nov. 3, 2023:

Across

Over-the-top ceremonious display

  • The answer is pomp.

“Gotcha”

  • The answer is isee.

Reaction to a sweet text message

  • The answer is heart.

Gross

  • The answer is icky.

Amenity on an international flight

  • The answer is meal.

Down

Word after “puff” or “period”

  • The answer is piece.

Port city of Japan

  • The answer is Osaka.

Oscar winner Streep

  • The answer is Meryl.

Test of responsibility that’s one step up from a plant

  • The answer is pet.

That guy

  • The answer is him.

Tech / Technology

Best headphones for iPhone in 2023 (UK)

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Find the perfect partner for your iPhone with this selection of top headphones from brands like Apple and Sony.
Apple iPhone and AirBuds

Listen closely: your whole life is packed inside your phone. And if listening to music — not to mention podcasts and audiobooks — is one of life’s true pleasures, you need a good set of headphones or earbuds to connect to your phone.

That’s especially true for iPhone users. As dedicated Apple fans will know, the Apple iOS is a uniquely designed system, built for syncing Apple products together. That means only certain headphones will do (though the best ones aren’t always Apple-produced, by the way). And the ones that come bundled with your iPhone just don’t sound as good as a dedicated set. They also leak sound like crazy.

If you’re serious about your sounds — and you should be — you need a pair that both suit the capabilities of your iPhone and your lifestyle. It’s important to know what you’re looking for, so we’ve gone ahead and done the research for you.

Do you need wireless headphones for your iPhone?

To put it simply, yes. If you have an iPhone, it’s probably time to go wireless. You have to go back several generations to find an iPhone that has a regular 3.5mm audio jack input. Apple has insisted on equipping its phones with a Lightning port for several years now. Apple headphones also use Lightning connections so they can plug straight into your phone. And if you have a pair of wired non-Apple headphones, Apple also sells an adaptor which connects a regular audio jack to the Lightning connection. But these adaptors are unreliable and break all-too easily. The best option is to connect your iPhone to the headphones. It’s much easier and means fewer cables.

What is true wireless?

True wireless — or “truly” wireless as it’s sometimes called — refers to headphones that have no cord connected to your phone or device. True wireless headphones can use different types of wireless technology to transmit the sound into your ears. The most common form is Bluetooth. Wireless sound quality can be affected by factors such as distance and obstructions between your headphones and device, but also the codec software that your headphones support. Codecs are algorithms that encode and decode digital audio signals. Look out for headphones with low latency that support Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs, which are usually rated as the best codecs — particularly for streaming video on your phone and ensuring the picture and audio stay in sync.

Are AirPods the best headphones for the iPhone?

Yes and no. AirPods are great — especially AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro Max (as you’ll see below) — but they’re also expensive. They’re definitely a good one-stop solution as they’re so convenient to set up with your iPhone and they fit the Apple aesthetic perfectly. However, if you’re keen to search around and spend a little longer setting things up (or spend a little less), there are other good options out there.

Should you buy the cheapest pair of headphones?

You can spend a few pounds on the cheapest pair of headphones, but you might as well just use the buds that come free with your iPhone. Going cheap is a false economy and you’ll sacrifice quality and function. If you regularly listen to music, it’s worth investing a little more. The sound quality is going to be much better.

What is noise cancellation?

Noise cancellation blocks out ambient noise, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your music. It’s usually a mark of the best, most advanced headphones.

There are two kinds of noise cancellation: Passive and active noise cancellation. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design and build of the headphones, which physically block out noise by having oversized ear cups that create a seal. Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses a system of small microphones that pick up incoming sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel them out. Also, look out for advanced ANC modes such as “transparency mode”. This allows a certain level of ambient noise to seep in, such as other people’s voices. It’s handy for listening out for train platform announcements or having conversations with pals and colleagues.

What are the best headphones for the iPhone?

Think about the main reasons that you need new headphones: Are you going to be using them while you travel? Will you be listening to music mainly at home? Or while exercising? We’ve looked at a number of different scenarios and figured out the best headphones or earbuds for you and your lifestyle. In other words, we’ve done the hard work for you. There should be something for everyone and every budget in this list. We’ve lined up a selection of impressive options from top brands.

These are the best headphones for your iPhone in 2023.

Tech / Technology

M3 MacBook 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook 14

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The M3 MacBook Pro 14 is here, but how is it different from the M3 Pro MacBook 14?
M3 MacBook 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook 14

We’re going to pit the M3 MacBook Pro 14 against the M3 Pro MacBook Pro. Let’s get ready to rumble!

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 has the most affordable starting price out of all the MacBooks dropped during the “Scary Fast” event on Oct. 30. If you need something more powerful to compliment your resource-intensive workflow, you’ll be better off with an M3 Pro chip. This is where the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 comes into play.

Of course, although they’re minor, there are more differences between the two models aside from their chips.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: Price

The M3 14-inch MacBook Pro has a starting price of $1,599. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. The most expensive configuration, packed with an M3 chip (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU), 24GB of RAM, and 2TB of SSD storage, will set you back nearly $2,600.

Woman using M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14

M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

The M3 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro, on the other hand, has a starting price of $1,999. This base-level configuration comes with 18GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.

However, this laptop can cost nearly $4,000 if you max it out with an M3 Pro (12-core CPU, 18-core GPU), 36GB of RAM, and 4TB of SSD storage.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: Design

Both the M3 and M3 Pro models have the same design. After all, they share the same 14-inch MacBook Pro chassis.

Woman using the M3 MacBook Pro 14

M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

There are no major changes from the previous-generation 14-inch MacBook Pro. As such, you’ll still get that funky-looking notch on top of the display with slim bezels. Plus, you’ll get an island-style keyboard that is flanked by a divine-sounding, six-speaker audio system. And you’ll get Touch ID on the top-right corner of the keyboard.

The lid features that well-known Apple logo that that will make brand-conscious passers-by jealous.

The M3 MacBook Pro 14, on the other hand, is negligibly lighter than M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 (3.4 pounds vs. 3.5 pounds). However, they share the same thinness of 0.61 inches.

Unlike the M3 MacBook Pro 14, the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 offers a new color, Space Black, in addition to Silver. The M3 MacBook Pro 14 only comes in Space Gray and Silver. Yawn!

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 13: Display

You guessed it. Both have the same display.

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 and the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 have a 14.2-inch, 3,024 x 1964-pixel screen with a variable refresh rate that can climb to 120Hz. It has a peak brightness of up to 1600 nits, particularly for HDR content.

Plus, it has a mini-LED display, an energy-efficient display technology that can deliver high luminance compared to the likes of OLED.

M3 MacBook Pro 14

M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

The only aspect of the 14-inch MacBook Pro body that may give you pause is its controversial notch. Some people don’t mind it. For example, I forget that it’s even there. However, others find it to be repulsive, so it’s all up to your own personal taste.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: Ports

Both laptops have an HDMI port, SDXC card slot, and a 3.5-mm headset jack.

14-inch MacBook Pro ports

14-inch MacBook Pro ports
Credit: Apple

Plus, there’s MagSafe 3 charging available, allowing you to free up those Thunderbolt ports for other important uses.

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 sports two Thunderbolt 3 ports. The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 has three Thunderbolt 4 ports.

It’s worth noting that the M3 MacBook Pro 14 only has support for one display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz. The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14, on the other hand, has support for up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: the chipset

Of course, Apple packed the 14-inch MacBook Pro with new chips from the M3 family, which the Cupertino-based giant claims is 15 percent faster than the M2 family. When it comes to image effects and filters, Apple claims the the M3 family is 40 percent faster.

M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14

M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

When you go to purchase the M3 MacBook Pro 14 on the Apple website, you’ll notice that it only offers an 8-core CPU and a 10-Core GPU.

The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14, on the other hand, comes in two chipset flavors:

  • M3 Pro – 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU

  • M3 Pro – 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU

If you select the M3 Pro chip with more cores, it should, in practice, handle computational demands more seamlessly and efficiently.

According to Apple, the M3 Pro is 20 percent faster than the M2 Pro, its predecessor, when it comes to image processing.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14: Battery life

Apple claims that the M3 MacBook Pro 14 lasts 22 hours on a single charge, which is pretty damn good (if this is true). The Cupertino-based tech giant boasts that the M3 Pro MacBook Pro has a runtime of 18 hours, which is impressive, too.

However, we’ll have to test these laptops ourselves to know for sure.

Final thoughts

There is no clear winner here. It all depends on your workflow.

The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 is recommended for coders, researchers and creatives. However, the cheaper M3 MacBook Pro 14 targets students who need a zippy laptop that can keep up with their everyday tasks.

However, I’m a sucker for good battery life and I love to save money, so I’d personally opt for the M3 MacBook Pro over its pricier sibling.


13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip

Credit: Apple


13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip

$1,049

Tech / Technology

M3 MacBook Pro vs. M2 MacBook Pro

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The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro is here, but how does it differ from its predecessor?
M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 14

Should you get the new M3 MacBook Pro 14 or the M2 MacBook Pro 13?

Apple packed an entry-level chipset inside a 14-inch Pro chassis for the first time ever. Typically, the 14-inch MacBook Pro comes with the upper-tier M-series “Pro” and “Max” chipsets. For example, the last-generation 14-inch MacBook Pro came in M2 Pro and M2 Max variants.

This year, not only can you get the 14-inch MacBook Pro in two flavors – the M3 Pro and the M3 Max – but you can also grab a model with the entry-level M3 chipset. This means, however, that the 13-inch MacBook Pro is dead. This discontinued model used to be the cheapest Pro you can get, but now that crown goes to the new 14-inch MacBook Pro.

The question is, how does the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 chip differ from the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip? Let’s find out.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 13: Price

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip, when it first launched in 2022, had a starting price of $1,299. The base-level configuration comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage.

M3 MacBook Pro 14

M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

The M3 14-inch MacBook Pro, on the other hand, has a starting price of $1,599, which comes with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.

Yes, the 14-inch MacBook Pro is pricier, but at least you’re getting double the storage from the jump.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 13: Design

The 13-inch MacBook Pro has an old and tired design. In fact, you may find that this model really doesn’t look all that different from the 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro with an Intel chip. Give or take a few minor tweaks, the chassis looks similar to its seven-year-old predecessor.

M2 MacBook Pro 13

M2 MacBook Pro 13
Credit: Apple

On top of that, it still has the controversial Touch Bar, a feature some Apple fans don’t like because it’s an OLED touchscreen strip that replaces the physical function keys, particularly the Esc button. And if you’re a touch typist, this may be a bit irksome for you. Others appreciate it, however, because they can use it to input emojis, zip through audio and video, switch between browser tabs, and more.

However, I’d argue that the typical Apple user is a minimalist; they don’t care for flashy features no matter how cool they are. They simply want something functional, sleek, sophisticated, fast, powerful, and energy efficient. I suspect Apple realized this, which is why they ditched the Touch Bar and opted for the 14-inch MacBook Pro chassis as its new entry-level Pro laptop.

No, it doesn’t have a Touch Bar, but if it’s anything like the 14-inch MacBook Pro I currently have (the one with the M2 Pro chip), it’s got a clicky, highly tactile keyboard and a slick, six-speaker sound system that flanks it.

Touch Bar

Touch Bar
Credit: Mashable

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 is slightly heavier than the M2 MacBook Pro 13 (3.4 pounds vs. 3.0 pounds), but they share the same slimness (0.61 inches).

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 comes in two colors: Space Gray and Silver. If you want the new Space Black, you’ll have to upgrade to an 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro chip.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 13: Display

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 has a 14.2-inch, mini-LED display with a 3,024 x 1964-pixel screen and the controversial notch. It can climb to a peak of 1600 nits for HDR content. In other words, if you’re sitting in direct sunlight, you should have no problem looking at your screen without squinting. Plus, it has a smooth, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

Woman using the M3 MacBook Pro 14

M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

The M2 MacBook Pro 13, on the other hand, has a 13.3-inch display, but it doesn’t have a mini-LED screen. Why do I love mini-LED? It’s a display technology that manages to preserve battery life while still delivering a screen with high luminance. Compared to the M3 MacBook Pro 14, the M2 MacBook Pro 13 has a lower resolution of 2,560 x 1600 pixels. Plus, it has a brightness of just 500 nits.

The M2 MacBook Pro 13 also has a less zippy 60Hz screen and larger bezels. On the plus side, however, it has no notch.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 13: Ports

The M2 MacBook Pro 13 only has two Thunderbolt ports that support USB 4. The M3 MacBook Pro 14, on the other hand, is a little bit more generous with two Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port, and an SDXC card slot.

Plus, the M2 MacBook Pro 13 does not have MagSafe, which means that you’ll have to use one of those two Thunderbolt ports for charging. The M3 MacBook Pro 14 does have MagSafe, allowing you to charge while leaving your ports free for other peripherals.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 13: the chipset

The MacBook Pro 14 in this face-off, of course, has the new M3 chip.

M3 MacBook Pro 14

M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

According to Apple, the new M3 family is 15 percent faster than the last generation (M2). The Cupertino-based tech giant also claims that, when it comes to using image filters and effects, the M3 chip is 40 percent faster.

M3 MacBook Pro 14

“Mist” game on M3 MacBook Pro 14
Credit: Apple

Gaming on the M3 MacBook Pro should be a lot smoother, too, thanks to the M3 chip’s hardware-accelerated ray-tracing capabilities. This nets you better lighting, and realistic shadows and reflections.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 vs. M2 MacBook Pro 13: Battery life

As a laptop reviewer, the battery runtime for the M2 MacBook Pro 13 blew me away when I first saw the runtime for it. It lasted over 18 hours on a single charge (running Wi-Fi continuously on a luminance setting of 150 nits of brightness). This wasn’t far off from Apple’s 20-hour claim.

Apple claims that the M3 MacBook Pro 14 lasts even longer: 22 hours to be exact. We’ll have to test the battery life ourselves when we get the MacBook Pro 14 in Mashable’s lab, but I have a feeling the Cupertino-based tech giant is telling the truth.

Final thoughts

The M3 MacBook Pro 14 is the clear winner here if you want more battery life, a better display, function-row keys, MagSafe charging, and more.

However, if you’re determined to save $300, by all means, feel free to grab the M2 MacBook Pro 13. It is still an excellent laptop.


13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip

Credit: Apple


13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip

$1,049

Tech / Technology

The 13-inch MacBook Pro is dead with the release of M3 14-inch MacBook Pro

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The launch of the 14-inch MacBook Pro signals the end of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
M2 MacBook Pro 13-inch with grim reaper

As in most horror films, Apple’s October event, named “Scary Fast,” didn’t take long to claim its first victim.

As the new 14-inch MacBook Pro crept into our lives, it slashed the 13-inch MacBook Pro from existence — for good.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro was an option for users who desired ultra-portability and jaw-dropping battery life. Sure the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models also deliver decent battery runtimes, but in my experience as a laptop reviewer, Apple’s claims that the 13-inch MacBook Pro can last 20 hours (compared to the larger models’ 18-hour runtime) was spot on.

14-inch MacBook Pro

14-inch MacBook Pro
Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable

The 13-inch MacBook Pro was also ideal for anyone who loved the controversial Touch Bar. However, many Apple fans aren’t sad to see it go. After all, it replaced physical function keys — as well as the precious Esc button — with an OLED touchscreen, which most found to be irksome.

SEE ALSO:

I spent a month with the 15-inch MacBook Air – it made me ditch Windows for good

The 13-inch MacBook Pro is dead and gone, but many won’t mourn its death.

How the 13-inch MacBook Pro lost its ‘sexy’

The 13-inch MacBook Pro, packed with the M2 chip, attracted users who craved a Pro model, but didn’t have the wherewithal to splurge on the pricier, upper-tier 14-inch and 16-inch variants. But Apple has other laptops with the M2 chip, too, including some Air models, which made the 13-inch MacBook Pro look less seductive.

For example, there’s a 2022 13-inch MacBook Air with an M2 chip that is cheaper by about $200 — and it has sharper webcam, a higher-resolution display, a slightly lighter chassis, and it has a MagSafe 3 power port.

13-inch MacBook Air with M2 chip

13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip
Credit: Apple

For the uninitiated, MagSafe 3 lets you charge the MacBook Air, allowing you to keep your two USB-C ports free. You can’t do the same on the Pro.

Plus, the Air doesn’t have a Touch Bar, a controversial feature often labeled as a “gimmick” by tech pundits.

However, the 13-inch MacBook Pro, unlike the Air, has fans, so if your workflow consists of resource-intensive tasks (e.g., video editing), the Pro model would be a better choice because it manages thermals better for the uptick in heat generation. Plus, in my experience as a laptop reviewer, the 13-inch MacBook Pro has an incredible runtime — even longer than the Air.

However, the Air still has sufficient battery life to keep consumers happy and has an attractive set of features that likely had consumers flocking to it instead of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.

There’s a new ‘entry-level Pro’ in town

It looks like Apple recognized that its base-level Pro was losing its sexy. As such, it decided to kick the 13-inch MacBook Pro to the curb and replace it with the 14-inch MacBook Pro with a new M3 chip.

13-inch MacBook Pro

13-inch MacBook Pro M3
Credit: Apple

That means the Touch Bar is gone, a move that some Mashable tech reporters, including myself, are celebrating.

No, you won’t get the same “oomph” as you’d get from the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with the more robust M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. But you’re still getting a nice performance jump over the M2 chip, which is welcome. It has a starting price of $1,599.

Goodbye 13-inch MacBook Pro. Sayonara Touch Bar. It was nice knowing you.


front-facing 15-inch MacBook Air with m2 chip

Credit: Amazon


Apple 2023 MacBook Air Laptop with M2

$1,049.99