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How To Fix The Annoying IPhone Bug That Keeps You From Writing A Capital ‘I’

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Updated your iPhone lately? Although you may enjoy the awesome new emojis that came with iOS 11.1, you may have noticed a bug when texting or posting on Facebook: The letter “i” button isn’t working right. Apple and iPhone users have said that when they type an uppercase letter “i,” the software changes it to the letter “A” plus question mark emoji.

That’s a pretty dang important character for the vast majority of phone communication, so this is a big issue.

Sometimes, users get an “a” with the question mark box right next to it when they type an uppercase “i.” Here’s an example of how this appears in a Facebook comment. The “A” and “?” symbol are supposed to be an uppercase “I.”

Regardless of which error you get, it’s pretty annoying. I’m betting Apple will put out another update with a fix for this issue soon, seeing as it’s a hugely fundamental error to have in a system that millions of people use every day!

But until then, you have two options to make sure your phone communication is accurate when using the letter “i.”

Fix #1: Just Use Lowercase For Now

The quick and simple way to avoid this issue is to use a lowercase “i” in lieu of an uppercase version. Clearly this is not ideal for those committed to using the English language correctly, however it’ll help you get your point across in a way that “A” and “?” will not!

i know. it does feel like pulling teeth not to use caps though, doesn’t it?

via GIPHY

Fix #2: Text Replacement

First, you can set up a text replacement shortcut that will correct the issue. Essentially, you’ll tell your phone to type a capital “I” when you type a lowercase “i.” This is the solution that the company itself suggested to users.

Here’s the quick lowdown, explained in an easy format:

Here’s a more in-depth video that will show you how to set up text replacement on your phone. It isn’t specific to this issue with “i,” but it’s helpful nonetheless:

Fix #3: Third-Party Keyboard

If the text replacement fix doesn’t work, don’t worry—there is another option! You can download a third-party keyboard app to override the Apple keyboard and type “i” freely without issue. There are quite a few options available in the App Store, including GBoard (free), SwiftKey (free) and Swype ($.99).

Choose the keyboard override app you want to use and then install it on your system. As the Apple website explains, add the new keyboard by following this process:

Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add a New Keyboard. 

Once you’re there, choose the new keyboard you recently downloaded.

If you’re more of a visual learner, this quick tutorial should shed some light on how to install a third-party keyboard:

See, easy-peasy! And hopefully, Apple will have this iOS update bug fixed soon.

For other iPhone tips and workarounds, check out our posts on how to charge your iPhone battery in five minutes and hidden iPhone tricks you didn’t know about!


Jennifer Aniston Is Returning To TV In A Forthcoming Series With Reese Witherspoon

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Jennifer Aniston is coming back to television, nearly 14 years after the actress wrapped up her star-launching role on NBC’s “Friends.”

Apple has ordered two seasons of a drama about the world of network morning television that will star Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, both of whom will also executive produce.

jennifer aniston photo
Getty Images | Brian Ach

Focus On A Morning News Show

The project, which received a straight-to-series order (meaning a commitment was made before a pilot was produced), is a big score for Apple, considering the big-name stars involved and the competition it likely faced from other major streaming and cable networks.

apple photo
Getty Images | Eric Thayer

The series is described as “an inside look at the lives of the people who help America wake up in the morning,” exploring “the unique challenges faced by the women (and men) who carry out this daily televised ritual.”

(CNN’s Brian Stelter is a consultant on the project, as his book, “Top of the Morning,” provides background material.)

brian stelter photo
Getty Images | Tasos Katopodis

This announcement of the still untitled series comes just months after Witherspoon-produced “Big Little Lies” picked up eight Emmy Awards for HBO.

reese witherspoon emmy photo
Getty Images | Kevin Winter

Aniston has not appeared in a regular role on a TV series since “Friends” went off the air in 2004.

Witherspoon guest starred on “Friends” in Season 6 as Aniston’s on-screen sister.

Media Res will produce the series for Apple, with founder Michael Ellenberg billed as an executive producer.

Emmy-nominated Jay Carson (“House of Cards”) will write, executive produce and serve as showrunner for the series, which does not have a launch date.

Big Little Lies Will Return For Season 2

Fans of “Big Little Lies” will be glad to to hear that a second season of the show is officially in the works. The Emmy-winning show will be back in production as soon as spring 2018.

Two weeks ago, David E. Kelley, an executive producer and writer on the show, hinted at the exciting news many were hoping for:

“We’re kicking around ideas and trying to lasso the talent [and] get the band back together,” he shared. “It’s just a lot of logistical things. But I’m optimistic because everyone wants to do it. We feel we still have storytelling to do. No decision has been made yet, but we’re hopeful. Where we left it, I felt like it did open the opportunity for a lot more storytelling,” he told TVLine.

big little lies photo
Getty Images | Frederick M. Brown

A representative for HBO declined to confirm that a second season is on the way.

While Kelley and some enthusiastic fans may be eager for more of the popular drama, not everyone involved in the show appears to be on board.

In an interview with Vulture back in April, the show’s director, Jean-Marc Vallee was adamant that a second season would ruin the magic of the first: “No, no, this is the perfect ending. There is no way; there’s no reason to make a season two. That was meant to be a one-time deal, and it’s finishing in a way where it’s for the audience to imagine what can happen. If we do a season two, we’ll break that beautiful thing and spoil it.”

The cast of “Big Little Lies” is full of Hollywood A-listers, including Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern and Zoe Kravitz. The series is based on a novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty about the lives of three women who find themselves at the center of a murder investigation.

Written by Sandra Gonzalez for CNN with additional reporting by Simplemost staff.

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™ & © 2017 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

Apple Has Finally Fixed The Autocorrect ‘I’ Issue

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Apple users who keep seeing “A?” instead of “i” can finally breathe easy.

On Thursday, Apple released an iOS update to fix an issue some people experienced where a lower-case letter “i” automatically corrected to an “A” and a question mark symbol.

The issue seemed to impact iPhone users on its most recent mobile software, iOS 11.1. The new software launched last week and includes hundreds of new emoji options.

Not only did the bug frustrate many people, some complained on social media that Apple was taking too long to fix the issue.

“iPhone [has] face recognition but still hasn’t fixed the letter glitch,” wrote one Twitter user.

Before releasing the update, Apple suggested a workaround. Users could select the Keyboard settings and add a text replacement to circumvent the issue.

“For Phrase, type an upper-case ‘I,'” Apple said on its website. “For Shortcut, type a lower-case ‘i.'”

The new update also fixed an issue where “Hey Siri”Kaya Yurieff — which alerts Apple’s voice assistant — stopped working.

It’s not unusual for new software to have bugs. A previous version of iOS 11 had a problem with the calculator app and miscalculated the result of 1+2+3.

Written by Kaya Yurieff for CNN. CNN Tech’s Selena Larson contributed to this report.

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™ & © 2017 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

Apple Confirms What We All Thought—they’re Slowing Down Older IPhones

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Apple has acknowledged what many iPhone owners long suspected: It has slowed older phones.

The tech giant issued a rare statement of explanation, saying that it has used software updates to limit the performance of older iPhones that may have battery issues that would cause them to turn off suddenly.

Tech analysts and angry customers have reported in recent days that operating system updates had caused older iPhones to slow considerably, with some suggesting that Apple could be using the tactic to encourage fans to buy new phones.

iphone photo
Getty Images | Sean Gallup

Apple insists the updates were made with a different goal in mind: It said the performance of lithium-ion batteries degrades over time, which can sometimes cause phones to suddenly shut down in order to protect their components.

iphone photo
Getty Images | Andrew Burton

The company said its software updates for the iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone SE and iPhone 7 are designed to “smooth out” peak power demands, prevent these surprise shutdowns and ultimately prolong the lifespan of batteries.

iPhone photo
Getty Images | Jack Taylor

But the updates can also lead to disappointing speeds.

iphone photo
Getty Images | Justin Sullivan

Doron Myersdorf, CEO instant-charging battery startup StoreDot, said that “smoothing out” means that phones will reorder incoming commands to make sure not all of them are done in parallel.

iphone photo
Getty Images | Justin Sullivan

“The inevitable outcome of it will be an inherent slowdown of the average response times by the system,” he explained.

Apple said in its statement that it will continue to use the feature with other products in the future.

iphone photo
Getty Images | Carl Court

The revelation sparked an outcry among Apple fans, with some suggesting they may switch to rival Samsung.

“Since Apple admits they slow down old iPhones I’ll admit I probably won’t buy a new iPhone,” said Twitter user Jeff Zenisek.

Twitter user Suzie Carr wrote: “Really upset with Apple. Never again. You’ve lost me. Off to check out another brand now.”

Another user, Ryan Ruby, said he has always been a huge Apple loyalist, but perhaps won’t be anymore.

Written by Ivana Kottasová for CNN. Samuel Burke contributed reporting.

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™ & © 2017 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

What To Do If You Think Apple Is Slowing Down Your IPhone

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It’s been one of the more persistent tech conspiracy theories: Apple slows down old iPhones to force people to pony up for new iPhones.

This week, Apple confirmed what many have long suspected, but the company says it’s not some elaborate scheme to move more devices. An update to iOS may slow down some iPhone models to protect their older batteries and prevent them from suddenly shutting down.

Customers are angry that Apple didn’t disclose the feature when it was first released in an iOS update last year. Two people are already suing the company, claiming the slow-downs caused “economic damages and other harm.” They’re seeking class-action status.

Before you switch to a Samsung or Google device, or lawyer up, find out if you’re impacted and what you can do about it.

Understand What’s Happening

A year ago, some iPhone users reported sudden phone shut-downs, even though they had a significant charge remaining. Apple quietly released an update that slows down the phone when it is putting too much demand on the battery, preventing these sudden shut downs.

The company says the feature is only to remedy a known problem, not a ploy to get more people to buy new phones. However, critics say there are a number of ways Apple could have handled the issue better.

It could have disclosed exactly what it was doing when the first update happened last year. Going forward, it could add an option to turn the throttling setting on or off, in part to help people identify other possible causes of a slow down. And it could make changing batteries easier.

Apple Holds Product Launch Event At New Campus In Cupertino
Getty Images | Justin Sullivan

Find Out If Your Phone Is Affected

Despite years of theories that Apple slows down all older phones, at this point Apple says the power-management update only impacts certain models.

The software tweak first rolled out last year to the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, and iPhone SE last year. More recently, Apple included it in the iOS 11.2 update for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The company plans on doing similar updates in the future.

If your phone is older than the iPhone 6, it’s likely regular wear, tear and maxed out storage are behind it slowing down. If you have an iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone X and it feels unusually sluggish, it may warrant a visit to the Apple Store.

Try These Tricks To Speed Up Your iPhone

Before swapping out your battery, make sure your phone isn’t slow due to other reasons.

Update to the latest iOS and update all apps to the most recent versions. In addition to bug fixes and feature additions that can remedy lag, iOS updates can include critical security patches that will keep your phone, and your data, safe.

Even if it’s not full, try and clear up some extra memory on your phone. Go to Settings -> General -> iPhone Storage to see recommendations from iOS on how to free up memory. This screen will tell you how big apps are and when you last used them, so you can delete any space hogs. You can also use a tool like Google Photos or Dropbox to back up photos and videos to the cloud.

Other options for potentially speeding up your device include turning off background app refresh, location services for individual apps, and motion effects.

iPhone SE/iPad Pro 9.7 inch Launch In Tokyo
Getty Images | Tomohiro Ohsumi

Get A New Battery

If you’ve determined an old battery is to blame, try replacing it with a new one before buying an entirely new phone.

Unlike its flip-phone forebears, iPhone builds its batteries deep into the device. They’re accessible only by removing the back of the phone, which is held shut with proprietary screws.

Apple will only cover the cost of a new battery if it is defective and the phone is under warranty. If a battery is just showing the typical signs of use, you will have to pay for a new one. It costs $79 for an official replacement from Apple. You can mail your phone in to an Apple repair center or drop it off at an authorized Apple service store. Both options will take 3 to 5 days.

Another, usually faster, option is to use a third-party repair service. If you’re comfortable doing it yourself, you can purchase a battery replacement kit online.

Do not let anyone other than Apple crack open your phone unless it is no longer under warranty. A new iPhone is only under warranty for one year after you purchase it. You can extend that period by paying for an AppleCare plan.

Keep Your Battery In Fighting Shape

Smartphones use lithium ion batteries. They’re volatile, and their capacity can fade from age, use and exposure to temperatures. Apple says an iPhone battery goes 500 charge cycles before it drops to 80% capacity.

When you have a fresh battery, whether it’s a replacement or in a new phone, proper care can extend its life.

iPhone batteries are happiest at room temperature. Avoid exposing an iPhone to extreme cold or hot. That can include avoiding some phone cases that trap in heat. If you can’t escape high temperatures, at least put off charging your device until you are someplace cooler.

If you’re not going to use your device for a while, say days or longer, store it with a half-charged battery. Check in twice a year to re-charge so it is half full again. If you’re keeping an unused iPhone in a drawer for more than 6 months, you could also just sell or donate it.

Written by Heather Kelly for CNN.

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™ & © 2017 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

Apple To Temporarily Cut Price Of IPhone Battery Replacements

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In the wake of widespread complaints about slower performance in older iPhones following a previous update, Apple released a statement apologizing for the problem and announced their plans to rectify it. The software update in question deliberately slowed down older models in some situations in order to extend battery life. Apple says they will temporarily lower the price of replacement batteries to $29 in late January. In 2019, the price will revert to its original price of $79.

Some customers believed the update was all part of a strategy to get them to upgrade to new devices and thus turn a bigger profit for the company. People have even filed lawsuits due to this issue. “Nobody from Apple customer support suggested that he replace his battery to improve the performance of his iPhone. … Frustrated by slowdowns and intermittent shutdowns of his iPhone 7, Pedelty purchased an iPhone 8,” the lawsuit read on behalf of one of the plaintiffs, Kirk Pedelty.

Apple stridently denies that their motivation behind the update was based upon any such intentions.

iphone photo
Getty Images | Sean Gallup

“First and foremost, we have never—and would never—do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades. Our goal has always been to create products that our customers love, and making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that,” the company wrote in its statement.

In addition to offering a reduced-price replacement battery, Apple is taking other steps to ensure customers are satisfied. In the early part of the new year, company reps say they will issue an iOS software update with new features that will give users a better picture of the health of their iPhone’s battery so they can see firsthand if its condition is affecting the phone’s performance.

iphone update photo
Flickr | Håkan Dahlström

“As always, our team is working on ways to make the user experience even better, including improving how we manage performance and avoid unexpected shutdowns as batteries age,” the statement reads.

Follow These Steps To Get A Replacement IPhone Battery For $29 From Apple

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After customers discovered that Apple intentionally slowed the performance of older iPhone models, there was an uproar. Apple responded and issued an apology. The tech giant then went one step further and dropped the price on replacement batteries that will keep older iPhones running better.

Normally, replacement iPhone batteries cost $79 each, but batteries for certain models are currently on sale for $29. And for customers with AppleCare+ the replacement battery could be free.

But getting a replacement battery and having it installed in your iPhone sounds like a pain, right? Well, here’s exactly what you need to do to get your hands on a discounted new battery and give renewed life to your old iPhone.

1. Check Eligibility

Right now, Apple is offering replacement batteries for iPhone 6 and newer models. That includes iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

iphone 6 photo
Getty Images | George Frey

2. Back Up Your Data

Before any service appointment, Apple recommends backing up your device. That means connecting it to iCloud wirelessly or to iTunes on your computer and saving a copy of the information on your phone. This way, if anything goes wrong during the appointment, you can restore everything stored on your phone, including those countless pictures of your kids and pets!

iphone connected to computer photo
Flickr | wwarby

3. Prepare For Additional Repairs

In order for Apple to replace the battery, iPhones with cracked screens and other damage may require additional repairs first. This could cost you extra and make your batter replacement take longer.

cracked iphone photo
Flickr | Jay Tamboli

4a. Book An Appointment At The Apple Store

This is a popular offer, so book your appointment as soon as possible. You can reserve a spot online with Apple’s Genius Bar. However, open appointments are limited so prepare to be flexible. And, it goes without saying, be on time for the appointment or risk losing your precious spot.

genius bar photo
Getty Images | Claudio Villa

4b. Visit Another Retailer (Optional)

Another option is a visit to a third-party retailer like Best Buy. Not all stores may have the exact parts available or offer them at the same price as Apple, so be sure to call ahead and check before dropping in. These stores can price replacement batteries as they wish. As a result, the batteries may cost more than $29.

best buy photo
Flickr | JeepersMedia

4c. Mail It In (Optional)

If you can survive without your iPhone for a week, you can send it to Apple for the battery upgrade.

To take advantage of this, select the “Send in for Repair” option on Apple’s support page. Then, choose the product you want to send in and the issue (battery requires service). Next, you’ll see a price estimate and you can choose to drop off the device at UPS or receive a shipping box from Apple.

When I clicked through these options with my own iPhone 6, I received an estimate of $29 and five to nine business days for it to be fixed. With shipping and tax costs, the total came to just under $40.

ups package photo
Flickr | Michael_Lehet

5. Be Patient

Even if you snag an appointment quickly at the Apple store, you may still have to wait for a battery. Some Apple stores already have waiting lists numbering in the thousands for the replacement batteries. If that’s the case when you go to your local store, they will add you to the waiting list and email you when batteries are back in stock.

You do still have to go in for the initial appointment in order to get on the waiting list. At this time, there’s no way to check battery stock prior to an in-person visit.

apple store photo
Flickr | Lucius Kwok

6. Don’t Miss Out

Customers who haven’t noticed significant problems with their iPhone may hesitate. If it’s not broken, why fix it, right? Wrong. According to Richard Fisco, Consumer Reports’ head of smartphone testing, this deal is not to be missed. Customers will notice improved battery life and processor speed with the new battery.

Apple will make good on its $29 battery offer through December 2018, so there’s plenty of time to contemplate the upgrade before it’s gone.

Apple CEO Says The Next Update Will Let You Disable The Software That’s Been Slowing Down Your IPhone

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You will be soon able to opt out of Apple intentionally slowing down your iPhone’s performance.

Late last year, Apple acknowledged it was using software updates to slow down batteries in an effort to prevent them from shutting off suddenly.

Following a public uproar, Apple CEO Tim Cook told ABC News Apple’s next iOS update will be more transparent about the health of your phone battery. Users will also be able to decide whether to reduce your phone’s performance to extend battery life.

“We’re going to give people the visibility of the health of their battery so it’s very, very transparent. This hasn’t been done before,” Cook said. “We will tell somebody ‘We’re slightly reducing your performance by some amount in order to not have an unexpected restart.’ And if you don’t want it, you can turn it off.”

iPhone photo
Getty Images | Tomohiro Ohsumi

Cook said the iOS update will be rolled out to developers next month. An update for consumers will follow.

Although users will be able to opt out, Cook said Apple doesn’t recommend users do so. The performance of lithium-ion batteries worsens over time and this can lead to phones turning off abruptly to protect their components.

Apple previously said its software updates for the iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone SE and iPhone 7 are intended to “smooth out” peak power demands, avoid these unexpected shutdowns and extend the lifespan of batteries.

The company has also temporarily reduced the price of replacement batteries for the iPhone 6 and later to $29, starting in late January. The price will return to $79 in 2019.

Some tech analysts and users alleged Apple was slowing down phones as a way to encourage people to buy new phones.

“We deeply apologize for anybody that thinks we had some other kind of motivation,” Cook told ABC. “Our motivation is always the user.”

CNNMoney’s Ivana Kottasová and Heather Kelly contributed to this report.

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™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.


What You Need To Know About The Bug That Freezes Your IPhone

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I don’t know about you, but having my iPhone crash repeatedly is one of my worst tech nightmares. But that’s exactly what will happen if this link is texted to you over iMessage.

Abraham Masri, a software developer and researcher, told BuzzFeed News that he discovered this harmful bug while “fuzzing with the operating system. (For us non-techies, that means he was hacking the operating system by typing lots of random characters into the internal code.) With this particular bug, someone can freeze your iPhone by simply sending a link with the disastrous code. The scary part? You don’t even need to open it for it to do its damage. Without any action on your part, it will still cause iMessage to crash repeatedly, slow down Safari and drain your battery.

Masri claims he reported the bug, which he named chaiOS, on Jan. 15, but Apple didn’t seem keen on fixing the issue immediately. So, like any good tech vigilante, he posted the bug on GitHub, a web-based hosting service for managing source code, and shared a link to that GitHub page on Twitter on January 16.

“Text the link below, it will freeze the recipient’s device, and possibly restart it,” Masri tweeted, adding, “Do not use it for bad stuff.”

He wanted to get Apple’s attention and he did. “My intention is not to do bad things,” Masri told BuzzFeed News. “I always report the bug before releasing something.”

So how does it work? Someone texts you a link, which often shows up in your messages with an image preview and text (the URL and a brief title of the link). This preview is created by customized code, which a developer puts into their website’s HTML. In Masri’s case, he used thousands of random characters in the link, instead of just a few, which most likely caused the Messages app to crash.

GitHub temporarily suspended his account after he shared the malicious code publically on Twitter. Masri tweeted, however, that he’d never intended to rehost the code elsewhere but, rather, to push Apple to “take such bugs more seriously.”

So what do you do if you receive the link? Try deleting the message thread. If this doesn’t work, try restoring your device to its factory settings. Keep in mind, however, that this will erase all photos and saved data on your phone.

In the event that the bug is reposted on GitHub, one Twitter user, @eric_rmrz, suggests blocking the domain on your phone.

To do this, head to Safari’s Settings app > General > Restrictions > Enable Restrictions > Websites > Limit Adult Content > Never Allow > GitHub.io.

However, this will only work if the bug is being hosted on GitHub. It won’t help if someone posts the code on to their own server.

All in all, the best advice is to keep your device updated with the most recent version of iOS. Apple usually releases operating systems to handle new bugs as they arise. And according to Bustle, Apple confirmed a fix is coming in a software update within the week.

Apple Partners With Activist Malala Yousafzai To Fund Education For 100,000 Girls

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Activist Malala Yousafzai’s charity is getting a major investment from Apple.

Apple’s support will allow the Malala Fund to double the number of grants to fund the secondary education for girls in India and Latin America, the company announced Jan. 20. The initial goal is to help more than 100,000 girls.

“We believe that education is a great equalizing force, and we share Malala Fund’s commitment to give every girl an opportunity to go to school,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a statement.

tim cook apple photo
Getty Images | VCG

The money will also be used to help the organization scale its “technology, curriculum and research into policy changes.”

Apple didn’t specify how much it’s donating, but Cook will join the fund’s leadership council.

“Through both their innovations and philanthropy, Apple has helped educate and empower people around the world,” said Yousafzai in a statement. “I am grateful that Apple knows the value of investing in girls and is joining Malala Fund in the fight to ensure all girls can learn and lead without fear.”

The Malala Fund, founded in 2013, aims to help girls in struggling countries access “free, safe and quality education,” according to its website. Yousafzai gained global attention for becoming the youngest Nobel Peace Price winner in history in 2014. She survived a gunshot to the head from the Taliban in 2012 when she spoke out about attaining quality education in Pakistan.

Malala Yousafzai photo
Getty Images | Christopher Furlong

Yousafzai spoke most recently at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Written by Jordan Valinsky for CNN.

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™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

Apple Confirms HomePod May Leave Unsightly Marks On Wood

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Apple’s HomePod speaker may leave your wooden table looking a little worse for wear.

The company’s new internet-connected speaker and virtual assistant could leave marks behind “when placed on some wooden surfaces,” Apple confirmed on Wednesday.

In a review of the device published on Wednesday, product recommendation site Wirecutter said the speaker left white circles behind on a wooden surface. The reviewer said he would avoid putting the device on nice furniture. Review site Pocket-lint also reported the same issue.

Others on Twitter have reported similar issues.

Apple updated its support page to say the “vibration-dampening silicone base” may mark the wood. The company said the marks will go away “after several days” once the speaker is removed, but if not, you should wipe off the surface.

“The marks can be caused by oils diffusing between the silicone base and the table surface,” the support page reads. “If you’re concerned about this, we recommend placing your HomePod on a different surface.”

HomePod officially launched last week for $350, and early reviews suggested the speaker, with Siri, isn’t all that smart. Leaving marks on wood is a further knock to the gadget that’s trying to compete with the established Google Home and Amazon Echo speakers, and a blemish on Apple’s reputation for design.

Written by Selena Larson for CNN. CNN Tech’s Kaya Yurieff contributed to this report.

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™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

People Are Loving Apple’s Heartwarming New Ad That Celebrates Marriage Equality

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Australia has officially joined the ranks of 25 other countries that have legalized same-sex marriage. And to celebrate, major tech company Apple created a video called “First Dance.” Not only is this a promo for the iPhone X, which was used to shoot the commercial, but it’s also a celebration of marriage equality.

The video showcases weddings of real-life same-sex couples. The moments are intimate—first dances, kisses and more—and giving this a watch will have you feeling joyful.

Make sure you’ve got your tissues handy for this one, guys and gals:

The visuals accompanied by the beautiful song “Never Tear Us Apart” by Courtney Barnett make for one overwhelmingly joyful experience. So much so that people online can’t quit talking about it.

From the moment the video was released on Feb. 24, people have been brought to tears by the advertisement’s unabashed celebration of love. Twitter was practically flooded with folks crying happy tears!

“Have tissues handy,” one Twitter user warns—appropriately so:

Another thanked Apple for the early-morning cry session:

People urged others to watch the ad, no matter what their opinion of Apple may be.

Most were impressed with the content, along with the fact that it only took an iPhone X to create it:

Marriage equality officially came into law in Australia on Dec. 7 after a national survey revealed 61.6 percent of participants in favor of legalizing marriage regardless of sex.

“We’ve voted today for equality, for love, it’s time for more marriages, more commitment, more love, more respect,” Australia’s Prime Minister said in an address to the house. “This is Australia: fair, diverse, loving and filled with respect.”

Not only are Australians happy, but people all over the world are enjoying the news.

This isn’t the first time Apple has celebrated or been a supporter of equality, either. This ad, for example, which was released back in November, celebrates our differences as people:

Of course, according to a diversity and inclusion report released by the company as up-to-date as July 2017, the company is still predominantly male, coming in at 32 percent female worldwide. So the company still has some work to do as far as leveling the playing field. But Apple also has more African American and Latino employees than many of its competitors, according to Tech Crunch.

Unfortunately, creating inclusion and equal opportunities for everyone isn’t something that can happen overnight, but when there are small victories, they’re worth celebrating. That’s likely why the latest ads from Apple have been met with so much praise.

Who’s ready to watch it again?

Apple Replacing MacBook Pro Batteries For Free After Reports Of Swelling

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If you own a MacBook Pro laptop, you should know that Apple has announced a battery replacement program for some of the 13-inch versions.

The replacement is being offered due to an issue wherein the battery in these laptops may physically expand. The company has said the problem poses no immediate safety issue, but is encouraging customers to see if their device is affected and whether they are eligible for a replacement battery.

macbook pro 13 inch photo
Getty Images | Kevork Djansezian

Is Your Laptop Eligible?

The affected laptops were manufactured between October 2016 and October 2017. The recall does not affect 13-inch MacBook Pros with a touch bar or older 13-inch MacBook Pro models. If you think you have a laptop affected by this issue and you have already paid to replace the battery, you can contact Apple about a refund.

You can find out if you are eligible for a new battery by entering your laptop’s serial number on Apple’s website. The replacement will be offered free of charge and customers have three ways in which to get their laptop serviced:

Apple asks that customers backup their data before having their laptops serviced. The total service time will take 3 to 5 days.

macbook pro photo
Flickr | @felixtriller

“Normally, a battery is charged and discharged to specific voltage limits, which is controlled by an electronic management system in the battery pack,”  K.M. Abraham, an expert in this subject and a professor at Northeastern University, explained to Consumer Reports regarding what’s causing the batteries to swell. “If there’s a failure, now it is not controlling the voltage and then the battery can over-discharge and over-charge, producing gas.”

The announcement comes in the wake of an issue last year in which older iPhones were intentionally slowed down by Apple with the alleged intention of preserving battery life. In response, the company temporarily lowered the price of replacement batteries from $79 to $29.

Have you noticed any issues with your MacBook’s battery?

IPhones Will Share Your Exact Location With 911

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Your smartphone knows your location well enough to send a car to where you’re standing in a busy city, map a morning run through the woods, or navigate inside an airport.

But if you call 911 from that same mobile phone, emergency responders will only have a vague sense of where to send an ambulance, fire truck, or police car.

The difference in distances can be the difference between life and death.

Apple is rolling out a new feature in its next iPhone software update to send emergency responders instant, precise location information in the US. The update, coming in iOS 12 later this year, calculates a caller’s location based on data collected from WiFi access points, nearby cellular towers, and GPS.

The tricky part isn’t finding out where a caller is — Apple has been using its hybrid location technology since 2015 — but relaying that information to a fragmented and aging 911 system built for landlines.

Of the 240 million calls made to 911 each year, more than 80 percent are from mobile devices, according to NEMA.

How Will It Work?

Apple is working with a startup called RapidSOS, which specializes in sharing a cell phone’s location information to the major programs used by the 6,300 emergency response departments across the US. RapidSOS offers its integration as a free software update to existing 911 dispatch systems.

The companies announced the feature June 18 at the National Emergency Number Association (NEMA) conference in Nashville.

iPhone X Launches In Japan
Getty Images | Tomohiro Ohsumi

“The 911 system is literally 50 years old this year. It has not made the evolution into the digital era,” said former FCC chairman Tom Wheeler, who is an investor in RapidSOS.

Wheeler has been pushing for more accurate 911 location information since he was at the FCC, but only invested in RapidSOS after he left in 2017. Two other former FCC chairmen, Dennis Patrick and Julius Genachowski, are also investors.

Not all callers in an emergency know where they are, and some cannot verbally communicate their location. They might be in medical distress, or unable to speak because it would put them in danger. In those cases, calls from mobile numbers have to be located using cell tower information from carriers, which can result in a radius of hundreds of yards.

Getting medical attention in the first 60-minutes after a traumatic injury is key to preventing death. Emergency professionals call this window the “golden hour.” In a 2014 report, the FCC estimated inadequate location information leads to more than 10,000 unnecessary deaths a year.

Over the past five years, RapidSOS has visited thousands of public safety agencies around the country, said founder and CEO Michael Martin. The challenge was finding the ways to work with all of those systems without slowing down responses or overloading dispatchers with information.

Now when a 911 center receives a call from a device using RapidSOS’s technology, the dispatcher’s software asks the RapidSOS database for more data. In addition to location data, RapidSOS might have other data like a person’s medical records.

Partnership With Uber

The company recently announced a partnership with Uber, which adds a button for calling 911 inside of the ride-hailing app. Google did a pilot program with RapidSOS recently, but does not currently include the option in Android.

uber photo
Getty Images | Leon Neal

Apple says it will not provide the name of the caller and will only share the location information in an emergency, for privacy reasons. The feature can’t be accessed for non-emergency calls. It will be turned on by default for all iOS 12 iPhone users in the US, but Apple says it will add an opt-out option in settings.

This isn’t Apple’s first emergency feature. Earlier this year, it added Advance Mobile Location (AML) to iOS, another standard for sharing a caller’s location with emergency services. AML is not currently supported in the US, and only works in nine countries.

Google also has its own version of the technology, called Android Emergency Location Services (ELS), available on more recent Android phones. It works in 14 countries, but not in the US yet. The company says it is working toward launching a similar service in the US.

iPhones also have an emergency SOS feature, which automatically calls emergency services and texts any emergency contacts your location.

Written by Heather Kelly for CNN.

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Apple Says It Will Make Free Repairs For Faulty MacBook Keyboards

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We were not paid to write this story. The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.

Apple is promising free repairs for faulty MacBook keyboards after waves of complaints about malfunctions.

The company said it has “determined that a small percentage” of MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards may have misfiring keys that unexpectedly repeat or do not produce characters or have keys that feel “sticky.”

The company’s own technicians or authorized service providers can provide the remedy. It may include replacing one or more keys or the entire keyboard, Apple says.

Laptops eligible for free service include certain 12″ to 15″ laptops made between early 2015 and 2017. A full list of models can be found here.

macbook photo
Getty Images | Justin Sullivan

Apple says customers who have one of the affected laptops and already paid for a repair can contact the company for a refund.

Reports of issues with Apple’s butterfly-style keyboards, first introduced on the MacBook in 2015, have been common online.

Apple said the butterfly design was 40 percent slimmer than older versions and would provide more precision. But tech site The Verge has called the keyboards “famously problematic.” A piece from the online publication The Outline also declared: “the new MacBook keyboard is ruining my life.”

At least three lawsuits have been filed against Apple that center on the butterfly keyboards, according to a tally by 9to5Mac.com, an Apple-centric blog.

Written by Jackie Wattles for CNN.

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Could Using Off-brand Charging Cables Hurt Your IPhone?

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When your iPhone battery is rapidly dwindling down, it’s easy to panic and use just about anything to charge it back up. But before you grab a $5 cable from a gas station, consider whether the savings are worth risking your entire smartphone.

You can find so-called “lightning cables” nearly anywhere, from drug stores to big-box retailers to online retail giants. However, while often inexpensive, unofficial lightning cables can be unreliable or, even worse, hazardous in certain situations.

An off-brand cable may be inconsistent as well as easily damaged. And because these mass-manufactured cords may lack the quality control of Apple or certified third-party producers, your cable could fail to hold a charge or even begin to unravel after little use. Even worse, the cables can overheat, severely damaging your iPhone or ultimately catching fire.

UL, a global safety science company, created standards for lightning cables and regularly tests those available in the marketplace. It warned customers to be wary of inadvertently ruining their phones.

“You can potentially overcharge the battery, which can cause a fire or explosion, which is a safety issue,” UL Wire and Cable Program Manager Randy Ivans told “Good Morning America.” “You can damage the phone to the point that you won’t be able to use it or get the data off it anymore.”

A 2016 UL technical investigation of 400 fake Apple chargers from all around the world found that 99 percent failed a basic safety test. Researchers applied high voltage to the chargers to test for safeguards to protect users and devices from shock or damage. They concluded that all but three of the 400 off-brand chargers were potentially hazardous and 12 “were so poorly designed and constructed that they posed a risk of lethal electrocution to the user.”

cell phone photo
Getty Images | Justin Sullivan

Apple brand charging cables — and those from authorized third-party retailers—contain a small protective chip that protects your phone from a potential power surge or overheating. Many of the off-brand options, while low-cost, can also be low-quality, and experts say many of these cables lack that protective chip, the first line of defense against a power surge. If the chip is missing or damaged, you may be unable to charge your device or may permanently harm the processor or battery.

Jessa Jones, owner of iPad Rehab in Honeoye Falls, New York, told “Good Morning America” that she sees phones critically damaged by faulty charging cords nearly every day. She examined eight off-brand cables from gas stations, a discount store chain, CVS, Walmart and Amazon, and found that six out of eight of the cables did not have the protective chip. In fact, three of those cables even claimed to be certified by Apple or had Apple packaging, all of which were counterfeit.

So how can you ensure you’re using an approved lightning cable? The easiest way is to buy directly from Apple or an Apple authorized retailer. You can find a database of Apple-certified Made for iPhone (MFi) brands and models on their website.

You may get lucky and not experience damage from these cheap cables, but you’ll ultimately save yourself more in the long run by investing in a reliable, quality cord from Apple or one of its MFi manufacturers — and by avoid the potentially dangerous pitfalls of a quick, money-saving solution.

6 Of The Coolest Upgrades From Apple’s New IPhone Update

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After months of anticipation, Apple is finally rolling out its new iOS update, and iPhone users couldn’t be more excited. Available Monday, Sept. 17, iOS 12 will have dozens of fun features and upgrades that will enhance the iPhone’s performance, from speed to responsiveness and general enjoyment.

So, what can iPhone users expect from the new iOS 12? To start, faster typing speeds and quicker app launches that will make using your device far less stressful. But Apple will also roll out a bunch of new tools with the update that will streamline your experience and in the end, make it a lot more enjoyable. Check out a few of the most interesting new features.

Apple

Grouped Notifications To Make Life Easier

One of iPhone’s more frustrating features is receiving a pop-up for every single new message, email, calendar reminder, Facebook update — you name it. But thanks to the new iPhone update, individual notifications will now become a thing of the past.

Soon you’ll be able to group notifications from the same app so they appear as stacks on your lock screen, rather than an individual pop-up for each new alert. The revamped notification system also allows you to control the number of notifications you receive and from which apps.

Say It With A Memoji

Sometimes words are not enough to express how you truly feel. Instead, why not say it with a Memoji? Think of an Animoji — but of yourself. With the new iPhone update, you will be able to create an avatar that suits your mood and personality and that you can use in Messages and FaceTime. Want to show your friend just how funny you found their joke? There’s a Memoji for that!

Apple

Monitor Your Family’s Digital Habits With Screen Time

We live in a technology-driven world, which means most people waste countless hours in the digital space. It’s so easy to lose track of how much time you or your family spend browsing websites, watching videos or scrolling through social media.

Apple’s new Screen Time feature will log how many minutes or hours you spend on your phone — whether it’s using apps or sending messages — on a daily and weekly basis. This way, you can have a better understanding of your digital habits and change them as you deem necessary.

Measure Your Space With Augmented Reality

Are you redesigning your living room and need to know the dimensions of your current furniture? If you’re an iPhone user, there’s no reason to break out the tape measure. Thanks to the new Measure app, you’ll be able to use augmented reality — an immersive, interactive experience that blurs the line between reality and the virtual world — to measure real-world objects using your camera.

Apple

Streamlined Shortcuts Will Save You Time

Do you go running at 5 p.m. every day? Pick up coffee during your lunch break at 2 p.m.? Or walk 15 minutes to your first class every Tuesday and Wednesday morning? Whatever your routine, the new updated Siri Suggestions will learn your routine and suggest appropriate — and timely — shortcuts when you need them. What’s more, the iPhone update will let you use your voice to run shortcuts or create your own with the Shortcuts app.

Host Your Own Virtual Conference With Group FaceTime

No, seriously. Later this year, Apple will roll out Group FaceTime, which will allow you to make FaceTime calls with up to 32 people at the same time. That’s right: You could use FaceTime to host a small conference or, better yet, family reunion and you don’t even need to leave your home. This particular feature, though, won’t be available until later this fall through a software update.

The new iPhone update is pretty neat and comes with a slew of cool new features that will make any Apple user giddy. What do you think will be your favorite new feature?

What You Need To Know About Apple’s 3 New IPhones

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Fall is a time for cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes and new iPhones. This year, we’re getting three new iPhones.

Apple’s annual September press conference kicked off on Sept. 12 at the Steve Jobs Theater on its circular Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California.

Here’s what was announced:

iPhone XS And iPhone XS Max

The high-end iPhone X is getting an upgrade and new size options: a 5.8-inch iPhone XS ($999) and the 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max ($1,099). The Max has a larger display than the usual Plus size phones but a similar body.

The devices don’t have a home button and feature Face ID in lieu of a Touch ID fingerprint scanner.

The cameras on the phones are, as usual, “better than ever before,” said Apple exec Phil Schiller, who has uttered the same words at previous events. The new 12 megapixel cameras have bigger sensors and an improved HDR mode.

The popular portrait mode, which de-focuses the background of a photo to emphasize the subject, has a new setting. Customers can adjust the depth of field after they take the picture.

The iPhone XR

Apple surprised with a third smartphone, the “lower-end” iPhone XR ($749). The 6.1-inch features a bright LCD screen and comes in a variety of colors, including white, black, blue, coral and red. It’s missing a home button and is activated by swiping up.

The device only has one camera — a 12 pixel wide-angle camera — but Apple added a similar portrait feature found in its dual camera devices, which blurs the background. The device kills the 3D touch feature but added some haptic feedback, so the screen vibrates a bit in response to touch.

iphone xr photo
Getty Images | Justin Sullivan

Price Breakdown And Availability

An iPhone XS Max with 512 GB of storage will be the most expensive iPhone ever. Meanwhile, the iPhone XS will cost the same as last year’s iPhone X ($999).

Apple will continue to sell the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 in regular and Plus sizes. The cheapest phone in the iPhone line up is the iPhone 7, starting at $449. The iPhone 8 starts at $599.

The iPhone XS and XS Max will be available to pre-order on Friday September 14, and ship Friday September 21 in the US and other countries.

You’ll be able to pre-order the iPhone XR beginning Friday, October 19, and it will hit stores on Friday, October 26, in more than 50 countries.

Software Launch Dates

Even if you’re not springing for a new iPhone, customers will be able to download iOS 12 starting Monday September 17. iOS 12 features new Animojis, customized Memoji and a much-anticipated time management feature to help people use their devices less.

Meanwhile, MacOS Mojave, which will launch Monday September 24, features dark mode, a tool to clean up your messy desktop, and some classic iOS apps including News, Voice Memos, Stocks and Home.

Apple Watch Series 4

Apple also showed off an upgrade to its 3-year-old smartwatch. The Apple Watch Series 4 now has a 30% larger edge-to-edge display. With curved corners, it’s also slightly thinner, has more reliable reception and two times faster, thanks to a new processor.

The dial on the side, called the digital crown, now has haptic feedback to feel vibrations. (This feature was previously only available via the screen).

It can also detect when you fall by calculating wrist trajectory and other movements and can send that data to an emergency contact. The latest wearable also touts a built-in (and FDA-approved) EKG sensor to help diagnose heart diseases and other conditions. The company says it’s the first EKG available over the counter.

The Apple Watch Series 4 will cost $499 for built-in connectivity and $399 for a standard model. It will be available for pre-order starting Friday and ship Friday September 21.

apple watch series 4 photo
Getty Images | Justin Sullivan

iPhone trade-in program

Apple also highlighted its recycling program called GiveBack. The company will buy your old devices if they’re in good condition or recycle them for free if they’re not usable. The company also reiterated that it’s now completely powered by clean energy.

CEO Tim Cook and other executives announced the latest Apple hardware updates in front of a packed room of media members, analysts, special guests and employees.

It is the second event held in the Steve Jobs Theater, a 1,000 seat underground venue topped with a 20-foot high glass lobby and a metallic carbon-fiber roof.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the price of the iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR, and the iPhone X’s availability. The story has also been updated to correct the history of Apple’s GiveBack recycling program; it was highlighted at Wednesday’s event but is not a new program.

Written by Heather Kelly and Kaya Yurieff for CNN.

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Gwyneth Paltrow Marries TV Producer Brad Falchuk

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With a subtle photo, Gwyneth Paltrow revealed she’s married.

A day after the actress and Goop founder reportedly tied the knot with television producer Brad Falchuk in a star-studded ceremony in the Hamptons, the couple posted a photo of themselves holding hands and wearing matching gold wedding bands.

Paltrow, 46, did not caption the photo.

“It was gorgeous — the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever seen,” Paltrow’s mother, Blythe Danner, told photographers on Sept. 30, according to People.

Paltrow announced her engagement to Falchuk in Goop magazine’s January issue, in which she described him as the “man I was meant to be with.”

“Personally, at midlife, I have tried to accept how complex romantic love can be,” she said of their relationship. “I have decided to give it a go again, not only because I believe I have found the man I was meant to be with, but because I have accepted the soul-stretching, pattern-breaking opportunities that (terrifyingly) are made possible by intimacy.”

Here’s the pair celebrating their engagement:

This is Paltrow’s second marriage.

She and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin were married for 11 years before splitting in 2014. In announcing their separation, Paltrow coined the phrase “consciously uncoupled,” which continues to be something of an internet punchline.

Paltrow and Martin had two children together, Apple and Moses.

Falchuk, 47, also has two children from a previous marriage.

The newlyweds first met in 2010 on the set of “Glee,” which Falchuk co-created and on which Paltrow guest starred.

Written by Sandra Gonzalez for CNN.

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™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

This Pumpkin French Toast Is The Perfect Fall Breakfast

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French toast is one of my favorite breakfasts. It’s so easy to make, and it feels like you’re getting away with eating dessert for the first meal of the day. Of course, you can never go wrong with classic French toast, but there are lots of yummy variations on this breakfast staple.

If you’re hunting for a seasonal twist, look no further than pumpkin French toast. You’re already drinking pumpkin spice lattes, chowing down on pumpkin pie and getting your hands on anything else pumpkin-flavored you can find, so why not add it to your French toast?

The basis for this autumnal breakfast is some pumpkin puree and good brioche bread. The recipe from Delish also includes pumpkin butter for the topping. Yum!

Adobe

Baked Apple French Toast

On the other hand, if you’re the type to choose apple pie over pumpkin pie any day, you’re going to love this baked apple French toast recipe from Once Upon A Chef.

Because it can be made ahead, it would be a great option for tossing in the oven on a holiday morning. And if you’ve already accepted that this isn’t the lightest of breakfasts, why not go all in and top it with some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream?

Once Upon A Chef

Cinnamon Pecan French Toast Bake

Another easy breakfast (you use cinnamon rolls straight from the can for this recipe!) that includes a spin on French toast is this Cinnamon Pecan French Toast Bake from Cooking and Beer. And, we think you’ll agree, it looks pretty amazing:

Cooking and Beer

Nutella French Toast Casserole

And while this recipe for Nutella French Toast Casserole isn’t exactly fall-specific, do you really need a season as an excuse to indulge in Nutella? Add it to a loaf of challah bread, vanilla almond milk, butter, bananas and brown sugar, and you can’t go wrong with this breakfast treat. Plus, this recipe from I Can Cook That has an added bonus: you make it in the slow cooker and it really doesn’t get any easier than that!

Nutella
Flickr | brianc

Pumpkin Muffins

Of course, you could always skip the French toast and opt for another breakfast favorite — muffins. We’re particularly smitten with these seasonal pumpkin muffins from Kirbie’s Cravings. Plus, they only require four ingredients which makes them a clear winner for mornings when you want to whip something up fast.

Kirbie's Cravings

These are all making us hungry! Do you have a favorite French toast recipe?

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