You can call the Apple Store team on (800) 692–7753. You can also find an online request form on their website, which you can use to let their team know about your issue and they'll work out how best to help.
Foxconn will exclusively supply Apple with dedicated servers for training and testing artificial intelligence services, according to Taiwan's Economic Daily News (via South China Morning Post).
The servers are to be made in Vietnam due to Apple's plan to diversify its supply chain away from China. Foxconn currently supplies servers to Amazon, OpenAI, and Nvidia for AI applications. Foxconn is already Apple's primary provider of data center servers.
Last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was working on "Apple GPT" artificial intelligence projects that could rival OpenAI's ChatGPT. Apple does not yet have a "clear strategy" for creating a product for consumers, and while it could be planning to make a "significant" AI announcement in 2024, Gurman claims it has no concrete plans as of yet. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the progress of Apple's generative AI technology is significantly behind its competitors and there is no sign that the company plans to launch AI services next year.
During Apple's earnings call last week, CEO Tim Cook said that AI and machine learning are "core fundamental technologies integral to virtually every product" that Apple builds. AI is apparently "absolutely critical" to Apple, with Cook confirming that Apple has been investigating generative AI "for years."
If you want to watch soccer, the Apple TV Plus MLS Plan is well worth checking out, as it lets you stream Major League Soccer games over the internet, all form one platform.
Wits Lionel Messi becoming a part of the MLS recently, thanks to his joining Inter Miami, countless soccer fans have flocked to this Apple TV Plus spin-off in order to watch the legend play.
That’s right, the Apple TV Plus MLS Plan is a spin-off to ’standard’ Apple TV Plus, and that means this service doesn’t offer you movies or TV shows. Just soccer. That can make the streaming service a little confusing, so here’s everything you need to know about it.
Apple TV Plus MLS price
So what's the cost of Apple TV Plus MLS each month? In the US, you have to pay $14.99 for the plan, and in the UK it's £14.99.
The plan doesn't include the standard Apple TV Plus, but if you already subscribe to Apple's movie and TV subscription service, you can save $2/£2 on that monthly cost. In addition, the Apple TV Plus free trials you see everywhere doesn't cover the MLS plan, except in a few special cases.
Apple TV Plus MLS season pass
You can save money on the Apple TV Plus MLS plan by paying for a season pass, which will let you watch games until the MLS season ends in December.
This costs $99/£99, but if you already subscribe to Apple TV Plus, it's only $79/£79, so you'll save money by paying for the full season of the streaming service that way.
What MLS games can you stream?
The good news for MLS fans is that the Apple TV Plus MLS plan lets you stream every single game from the 29 teams participating in the league. This includes regular season matches, as well as playoff and MLS Cup matches.
Plus, all of the Leagues Cup matches are available on the MLS Season Pass too, so you can see the US, Canadian and Mexican teams go head-to-head. The exception to this is Mexico, as the Apple TV Plus app won't let you stream Leagues Cup games there.
How to stream Apple TV Plus MLS
You use the Apple TV Plus app to stream MLS games.
This app is available on all Apple devices including iPhones on iOS, iPads on iPadOS, Macs on MacOS and Apple TVs on tvOS.
In addition you can use smart TVs, games consoles, PCs, Android phones and tablets, ChromeOS devices and Windows PCs to stream Apple TV Plus, and therefore MLS.
The Scene
Since it first exploded in popularity five years ago, TikTok has evolved into the de facto launching pad for new musicians around the world, playing an instrumental role in turning artists like Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo, and Doja Cat into household names.
It now falls on Ole Obermann to make TikTok’s new subscription music streaming service into a success. TikTok Music went live in Brazil and Indonesia last month, and will compete around the world with platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. As global head of music development at TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, Obermann’s job is to negotiate with record labels and leverage the app’s cultural influence into new revenue streams.
Obermann previously held executive positions at Warner Music Group and Sony Music, where he helped close some of the first deals between the industry and platforms like Facebook and Spotify. We talked to him about how TikTok works with artists, the features coming to TikTok Music, and his current favorite song in the edited conversation below.
The View From Ole Obermann
Q: What impact has TikTok had on the music industry?
A: It is the most impactful discovery platform or discovery tool in the history of the music industry. In the past, radio was probably the biggest driver of discovery, and then music television — MTV, VH1 — became a really big driver of discovery, marketing, and promotion as well. TikTok is kind of both of those things, but at an incredible scale. Even more important is the format of music and short-form video on TikTok — it’s a completely personalized feed. That does an incredible job of matching the right song or the right video with the right audience. There’s just never been anything like it.
Q: If TikTok is the most important place for discovery, how does it work with artists, record labels, and music managers? How do you balance those relationships with TikTok’s own interests?
A: There’s a fine balance that we always have to achieve, right? Because the record labels or the managers, the artists — they’re actually pretty accustomed, historically, to having a good amount of control over what gets featured the most. Like in terms of what gets playlisted, what gets pushed on radio, or what gets featured in the iTunes Store or even physical retail.
The beauty of TikTok is that it is completely random. There is no longer the ability to say is the song, or are the artists who we are going to keep featuring. The community decides what is going to work. I think the industry has, and is still, working their way through how to deal with that. But they are kind of coming to embrace it more and more. They’re more agile, and can react to something that starts to happen on TikTok, even if it takes them by surprise.
They can quickly jump on board and do the marketing and the promotion and the support on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and the other platforms. It takes a little bit of the control away. But it introduces this beautiful element of surprise, where the most obscure and random song that no one saw coming, or genre of music that no one saw coming, ends up being a massive hit.
Q: It used to be that an artist would start sharing their music on TikTok, and if they were lucky, a record label or manager would find them and launch their professional career. But now TikTok is getting more involved in that process. For example, you launched SoundOn, a platform for music marketing and distribution, and last month, you started Elevate, a program specifically for emerging artists. Why are these initiatives a good idea?
A: It starts with creation. So the creator makes music, then you need discovery, promotion, and marketing to connect that musical creation with an audience that will hopefully fall in love with the song or the artist. Then, you need distribution, and sort of broader artist engagement — that would be a streaming service, like Spotify, or now, TikTok Music. That’s kind of the full journey for the song or for the artist, and we want to play a part in all aspects of that.
Q: Speaking of TikTok Music, you recently launched the new streaming service in Indonesia and Brazil, which are two of TikTok’s biggest markets. Why go to those countries first, rather than the United States, which is arguably still the capital of the global music industry?
A: There’s kind of a slightly complicated matrix of inputs or variables that you look at: What’s the competitive landscape? What’s the licensing landscape? How big is TikTok there? Can we try to draw on an audience that’s already engaged with one of our platforms? How much music engagement do we have in a certain country or geography already, that we’ll be able to hopefully translate directly into a newly launched premium streaming service? Those are probably the big ones, but there are quite a few others that we think about when we make a decision like this. Then we can learn as we go, and expand accordingly into other geographies off the back of that. The goal is to have a much broader, bigger footprint eventually. But we can’t do that all in one shot.
Q: You recently partnered with other streaming platforms, like Apple Music, which are now your competition. How are you thinking about those relationships?
A: Our philosophy goes back to our incredible passion and focus on discovery. When a user on TikTok discovers a song, whatever the easiest way is for that user to listen to the full song — whether that’s Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music — we want to facilitate that. We will be very neutral in terms of where the user wants to listen. If they’re a Spotify subscriber, then great, they should go listen on Spotify. Converting to full-length listening is the first priority.
Obviously, we’re confident and hopeful that we can build a big audience on our own streaming service. And there’s some really fun things we can do, leveraging what we know about user behavior around music on TikTok and how that’s going to translate into a full streaming service. I think we will be able to create some pretty amazing ties and bridges between the two. But we will still remain open for business with these other platforms as well, if that’s where the users want to listen.
Q: Can you say more about what kinds of integration there will be between TikTok and TikTok Music?
A: The music that gets served up to you in terms of recommendations in TikTok Music will be heavily influenced by what we already know about your musical tastes through TikTok. But we also think about how it’s actually a two-way street. You want fans to discover music on TikTok and then listen to it on TikTok Music. But more and more, especially the young fans, they want to engage with the music beyond just listening full-length. So you could also be in TikTok Music with a playlist of your favorite songs, and then, say, go make a video using a particular song as the soundtrack. So this could become a full loop, where you’re going in both directions between TikTok and TikTok Music.
Q: Another thing that TikTok is working on is this app called Ripple, which allows people to create and edit their own music. Are you envisioning a future where people are uploading music to TikTok Music that was produced with TikTok’s own tools?
A: We want to inspire creativity on the short-form video creation side, but also the audio creation side. Maybe you have a really particular kind of mood or vibe that you want to try to create a piece of music around, because that’s going to then be the perfect soundtrack for the video that you want to create. So the idea with Ripple is that — we are very early-stage — but we are going to be able to allow creators to customize the piece of audio or the song that they then want to sync up or soundtrack their video with.
Q: What’s your favorite song that you heard on TikTok recently, or your favorite artist?
A: There’s this song called Ojapiano. It’s an African song, and there’s a dance trend. It’s got a really fun beat and kind of a tribal flute sound to it. As it stands, the song is already doing some really big numbers and having a lot of success. But my bold prediction is that someone’s going to come along and put some [new] lyrics over it, and remix it to make it more of a pop song. Because right now, it’s almost more like an EDM dance song. I’ve got it stuck in my head right now.
Gaming subscription services are all the rage now, but Apple Arcade isn’t quite like Google Stadia or Xbox Game Pass. So if you’ve got questions about it, we’ve got plenty of answers.
Updated 08/18/23: Merge-2 kingdom building game Kingdoms: Merge & Build is now available.
What is Apple Arcade?
Apple Arcade is a gaming subscription service for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and AppleTV that features more than 150 games. The games are a mix of genres and styles, and include original games you’ll only find on the service and others that can be found on the regular App Store or even other platforms. Apple Arcade isn’t a streaming service like Xbox Live Cloud Gaming or GeForce NOW. Games must be downloaded onto your device in order to be played.
What do I need to run it?
Apple Arcade is available as part of iOS 13, iPad OS 13, tvOS 13, and macOS Catalina or later. Some of the more visually-intensive games may only run well on newer hardware, though, and some Mac games require macOS 11 (Big Sur).
How much does Apple Arcade cost?
Apple Arcade costs $4.99 per month, and you’ll also get a one-month free trial. You can also sign up for the annual plan, which is $49.99.
If you’re currently on the $4.99 month-to-month plan and want to switch to the annual plan, you can do so on your iPhone or iPad. Open the App Store app, then tap your account icon in the upper right. Tap Subscriptions, then tap the entry for Apple Arcade. Here, you can switch to the annual plan. Apple Arcade is also included in the Apple One subscription bundles, which range from $10 a month to $30 a month.
How do I sign up for Apple Arcade?
There isn’t an Apple Arcade app—it’s built into the App Store. On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac open the App Store and look for the Apple Arcade tab at the bottom of the screen (or in the left column on macOS). A sign-up screen with a Try It Free button will appear. After the trial you’ll be charged either the monthly or annual fee, depending on your selection. When subscribing, you’ll need to enter your Apple ID password or use Touch ID or Face ID to sign in, and you’ll have to confirm your subscription purchase a few times.
Once you’re done with the sign up, the Arcade section of the App Store shows what games are available to you. To access a game, tap on it in the App Store, then tap the Get button. When the game is done installing on your device, the Get button turns into a Play button, and you can tap it to launch the game. The game app icon will also appear on your device’s Home page.
On the Apple TV, there actually is an Arcade app. Open that to see the sign-up offer. You’ll also find an Arcade tab within the App Store.
Does my subscription include family sharing?
Yes. One $4.99 per month subscription can be shared between up to six people (including you).
How do I cancel Apple Arcade?
First off, keep in mind that if you cancel Apple Arcade (either before your free trial is up or after subscribing), you won’t be able to keep playing the games unless you re-subscribe. If you’re okay with that, you can use the same process you use to cancel any other subscription service. Here’s the easiest way to do it on the iPhone and iPad:
- Open the App Store app and tap on your profile photo in the upper right.
- In the screen that pops up, press Subscriptions near the top of the page.
- You’ll then see a list of active subscriptions, and Apple Arcade should be listed there. Tap it.
- You’ll either see Cancel Free Trial or Cancel Subscription toward the middle of the page that appears. Tap whatever option is available, then Confirm Cancellation.
And here’s how to cancel Apple Arcade on the Mac:
- Open the App Store app and then press the icon with your profile photo in the lower left.
- The Account window will appear, and you should then click View Information at the top of the window. Enter your password when/if prompted.
- When your Account Information appears, scroll down to the Manage section and click the Manage link to the right of Subscriptions.
- When the list of your active subscriptions appears, click Edit to the right of Apple Arcade.
- Toward the middle of the page that appears, you’ll see a button that says either Cancel Free Trial or Cancel Subscription. Click it, then click Confirm Cancellation and Confirm.
How do I access Apple Arcade games?
Apple Arcade is its own tab in the App Store. You can find games to get there, and grab anything you like without fear of being charged, seeing ads, or having to later buy in-app purchases.
Once downloaded, Apple Arcade games are found just like any other app on your device.
You’ll find this tab on the Mac, too.
Does Apple curate the games on Apple Arcade?
Yes. Apple says it is “handpicking the games in Apple Arcade” and that it curates them “based on originality, quality, creativity, fun, and their appeal to players of all ages.”
Do Apple Arcade games have in-app purchases?
No. In Apple’s words, “since every game includes access to the full experience, including all game features, content, and future updates, no additional purchases will be required.” Even games that have in-app purchases on the App Store won’t have any in Apple Arcade.
Do Apple Arcade games have ads?
Also no. On a related note, Apple says Apple Arcade has no ad tracking.
Is Apple Arcade a game streaming service like Google’s Stadia or Xbox Game Streaming?
No. All Apple Arcade are downloaded.
Are Apple Arcade games available on other systems?
Apple Arcade games were originally exclusive to Apple Arcade—not in the regular App Store nor on any other mobile platform. Some would appear on PC or consoles, but never in a subscription service.
Apple has since relaxed that policy somewhat, and you can find games in Apple Arcade that also exist in the regular App Store or on Android. They are usually denoted by a “+” at the end, to differentiate the Apple Arcade version (free to get with your subscription, and free from ads or in-app purchases) from the App Store version. For example Mini Metro (App Store) vs. Mini Metro+ (Apple Arcade).
Will I still be able to buy games on the App Store without an Apple Arcade subscription?
Yes. There’s no sign that the existing games model will be going away, as it works fine for freemium games like Idle Heroes or Toon Blast. Apple is focusing on “handpicked” games for Apple Arcade, so there’s little doubt that the library will be much smaller than the thousands of games available in the App Store.
Are there demos for Apple Arcade games?
No, and they’re not really necessary. Like App Store apps, games get quickly and can easily be removed if you don’t want to keep it anymore.
Apple partly envisions Apple Arcade as a way of letting players try out games with more freedom than the App Store currently allows (which is basically none). In Apple’s words, “rather than pay upfront for each game, a subscription to Apple Arcade will supply players the opportunity to try any game in the service without risk.”
The service has a free trial, though, as we’ve seen with both Apple Music and Apple News+.
Am I able to keep playing Apple Arcade games if I cancel my subscription?
No. As with most subscription services, you only have access while you’re a subscriber.
Can I use controllers with Apple Arcade games?
Yes. In additional to traditional MFi (Made for iOS) controllers, you can pair some specific Bluetooth controllers for both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One with either your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. Since many Apple Arcade games are playable on Mac and Apple TV (where controller support is more common), many games will support them. Some games, especially those that are also available in the broader App Store and only for iPhone or iPad, have no controller support.
Recently Apple relaxed the requirements for MFi controller certification, which may have grown out of the Apple Arcade negotiations.
How often are new games released?
Games are typically released on Fridays, but not every Friday. The release schedule is sporadic—some Fridays there are no new games released, some see one game released, some more than one. Sometimes there will be no new game release, but existing games will get a big update with new content and features.
On average, new games are released at a rate of about one every 2-3 weeks, though this may Strengthen as Apple has loosened the rules around Apple Arcade exclusivity.
What games have been released so far?
There are over 150 games available for Apple Arcade, and the list grows all the time.
| Title | Publisher | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| A Fold Apart | Lightning Rod Games | 04/17/20 |
| A Monster’s Expedition | Draknek Limited | 09/10/20 |
| Agent Intercept | Prodigy Design | 09/19/19 |
| Air Twister | YS Net Inc. | 06/24/22 |
| Alba: A Wildlife Adventure | ustwo | 12/11/20 |
| All of You | Alike Studio | 11/06/20 |
| Alto’s Odyssey: The Lost City | Team Alto / Snowman | 07/16/21 |
| Alto’s Adventure—Remastered | Team Alto / Snowman | 03/25/22 |
| Amazing Bomberman | Konami | 08/05/22 |
| Angry Birds Reloaded | Rovio | 07/16/21 |
| Asphalt 8: Airborne+ | Gameloft | 08/27/21 |
| Assemble With Care | ustwo | 09/19/19 |
| ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree | Wildboy Studios | 09/19/19 |
| Badland Party | HypeHype Oy | 05/06/22 |
| Baldo: The Guardian Owls | Naps Team | 08/27/21 |
| Ballistic Baseball | Gameloft | 10/18/19 |
| Battleheart Legacy+ | Mika Mobile | 11/04/22 |
| BattleSky Brigade: Harpooner | BattleBrew Productions | 09/19/19 |
| Beyond a Steel Sky | Revolution Software | 06/26/20 |
| Beyond Blue | E-Line Media | 04/17/20 |
| Big Time Sports | Frosty Pop Games | 09/19/19 |
| Bleak Sword | Devolver Digital | 09/19/19 |
| Bold Moves+ | Red Games Co. | 06/09/23 |
| Bridge Constructor+ | Headup GmbH | 02/04/22 |
| Butter Royale | Mighty Bear Games | 01/24/20 |
| Card of Darkness | Pendleton Ward | 09/19/19 |
| Cardpocalypse | Versus Evil | 09/19/19 |
| Castle Crumble | Orbital Knight | 02/03/23 |
| Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls | Konami | 09/17/21 |
| Cat Quest II | The Gentlebros. | 09/19/19 |
| Charrua Soccer | Batovi Games | 02/07/20 |
| Chess Universe+ | Tilting Point | 05/04/23 |
| ChuChu Rocket! Universe | Sega | 09/19/19 |
| Cityscapes: Sim Builder | Playstack | 05/04/23 |
| Clap Hanz Golf | Claphanz | 04/02/21 |
| Clue: The Classic Mystery Game+ | Marmalade Game Studio | 03/24/23 |
| Construction Simulator 2+ | Astragon Entertainment | 04/15/22 |
| Cooking Mama: Cuisine! | Office Create Corp. | 06/17/22 |
| Cozy Grove | Spry Fox | 03/18/21 |
| Crashlands+ | Butterscotch Shenanigans, Inc. | 01/14/21 |
| Crayola Create and Play+ | Red Games Co. | 10/29/21 |
| Creaks | Amanita Design | 07/10/20 |
| Cricket Through the Ages | Devolver Digital | 09/19/19 |
| Crossy Road+ | Hipster Whale | 10/08/21 |
| Crossy Road Castle | Hipster Whale | 02/28/20 |
| Cut the Rope Remastered | Paladin Studios | 04/02/21 |
| Dandara: Trials of Fear+ | Raw Fury | 12/03/21 |
| Dead End Job | Headup GmbH, Ant Workshop | 09/19/19 |
| Dead Cells+ | Playdigious | 12/02/22 |
| Dear Reader | Local No. 12 | 09/19/19 |
| Decoherence | Efecto Estudios | 10/11/19 |
| Detonation Racing | Electric Square | 07/30/21 |
| Discolored | Shifty Eye Games & Jason Godbey | 11/08/19 |
| Disney Coloring World+ | StoryToys Entertainment | 05/04/23 |
| Disney Getaway Blast+ | Gameloft | 05/04/23 |
| Disney Melee Mania | Mighty Bear Games | 12/17/21 |
| Disney SpellStruck | Artist Arcade | 05/04/23 |
| Doctor Who: An Unlikely Heist | Tilting Point | 04/07/23 |
| Dodo Peak | Moving Pieces Interactive | 09/19/19 |
| Don’t Bug Me! | Frosty Pop Games | 09/19/19 |
| Doodle God Universe | JoyBits | 07/16/21 |
| Doomsday Vault | Flightless | 01/03/20 |
| Down in Bermuda | Yak & Co | 09/19/19 |
| Dread Nautical | Zen Studios | 09/19/19 |
| EarthNight | Cleaversoft | 09/19/19 |
| Episode XOXO | Episode Interactive | 01/06/23 |
| Exit the Gungeon | Devolver Digital | 09/19/19 |
| Explottens | WRP Pvt. | 09/19/19 |
| Fallen Knight | FairPlay Studios | 10/25/19 |
| Fantasian | Mistwalker | 04/01/21 |
| Farm It! | Tummy Games | 03/26/21 |
| Farming Simulator 20+ | Giants Software | 05/04/23 |
| Farmside | The Label | 02/17/23 |
| Fledgling Heroes | Subtle Boom | 09/19/19 |
| Football Manager 2023 Touch | SEGA | 11/08/22 |
| Frenzic: Overtime | The Iconfactory | 06/18/21 |
| Frogger and the Rumbling Ruins | Konami | 06/03/22 |
| Frogger in Toy Town | Konami | 09/19/19 |
| Galaga Wars+ | Bandai Namco | 11/12/21 |
| Game Dev Story+ | Kairosoft Co., Ltd | 06/18/21 |
| Game of Thrones: Tale of Crows | Devolver Digital | 08/07/20 |
| Garden Tails: Match and Grow | Playdots, Inc. | 09/16/22 |
| The Gardens Between+ | The Voxel Agents | 10/14/22 |
| Gear.Club Stradale | Eden Games | 04/08/22 |
| Getting Over It+ | Bennett Foddy | 05/04/23 |
| Gibbon: Beyond the Trees | Broken Rules | 02/25/22 |
| Gin Rummy Classic+ | MobilityWare | 10/07/22 |
| Goat Simulator+ | Coffee Stain Publishing | 05/13/22 |
| Grand Mountain Adventure+ | Toppluva | 04/28/23 |
| Grindstone | Capybara Games | 09/19/19 |
| GRIS+ | Devolver | 09/30/22 |
| Guildlings | Sirvo Studios, Inc. | 11/08/19 |
| Hanx101 Trivia | BlueLine Studios Inc. | 09/02/22 |
| Hearts: Card Game+ | MobilityWare | 01/07/22 |
| Hello Kitty Island Adventure | Sunblink | 07/28/23 |
| HEROish | Sunblink | 07/22/22 |
| Hexaflip: The Action Puzzler | Rogue Games, Inc. | 09/19/19 |
| Hidden Folks+ | Adriaan de Jongh | 01/28/22 |
| Hill Climb Racing+ | Fingersoft | 05/04/23 |
| HitchHiker | Versus Evil | 03/26/21 |
| Hogwash | Bossa Studios | 10/25/19 |
| Horizon Chase 2 | Aquiris Game Studio | 09/09/22 |
| Hot Lava | Klei Entertainment | 09/19/19 |
| Human: Fall Flat+ | 505 Games | 03/31/23 |
| HyperBrawl Tournament | Milkey Tea Limited | 09/19/19 |
| Illustrated | BorderLeap | 01/13/23 |
| INKS.+ | State of Play Games | 06/25/21 |
| INMOST | Chucklefish Limited | 10/11/19 |
| Iron Marines+ | Ironhide Irl | 05/04/23 |
| JellyCar Worlds | Walaber Entertainment | 12/09/22 |
| Jenny LeClue | Mografi | 09/19/19 |
| Jet Dragon | Grezzo Co. | 06/16/23 |
| Jetpack Joyride+ | Halfbrick Studios | 07/23/21 |
| Jetpack Joyride 2 | Halfbrick Studios | 08/19/22 |
| Jigsaw Puzzle by MobilityWare+ | MobilityWare | 06/10/22 |
| Jumper Jon | Ogre Pixel | 11/01/19 |
| Kimono Cats | HamaNature Studios | 03/03/23 |
| King’s League II | Kurechi Sdn. Bhd. | 09/19/19 |
| Kingdom Rush Frontiers TD+ | Ironhide Irl | 11/12/21 |
| Kingdom Rush Vengeance TD+ | Ironhide Irl | 07/29/22 |
| Kingdom Two Crowns+ | Raw Fury | 05/04/23 |
| Kingdoms: Merge & Build | Cherrypick Games | 08/18/23 |
| Kings of the Castle | Frosty Pop | 01/17/20 |
| Layton’s Mystery Journey+ | Level-5 Inc. | 09/03/21 |
| Legend of the Skyfish 2 | Crescent Moon Games | 04/03/20 |
| Legends of Kingdom Rush | Ironhide Game Studio | 06/11/21 |
| LEGO Brawls | The Lego Group | 09/19/19 |
| LEGO Builder’s Journey | The Lego Group | 12/19/19 |
| LEGO DUPLO World+ | StoryToys Entertainment | 07/07/23 |
| LEGO Star Wars Battles | TT Games | 09/24/21 |
| LEGO Star Wars: Castaways | Gameloft | 11/19/21 |
| Leo’s Fortune+ | 1337 & Senri LLC | 06/25/21 |
| Lifelike | kunabi brother | 10/25/19 |
| Lifeline+ | 3 Minute Games | 02/24/23 |
| Lifeslide | Dreamteck | 09/19/19 |
| Limbo+ | Playdead | 05/04/23 |
| Little Orpheus | Sumo Digital | 06/12/20 |
| Love You to Bits+ | Alike Studio | 08/26/22 |
| Lumen | Lykkegaard International | 02/05/21 |
| Manifold Garden | William Chyr Studio | 10/18/19 |
| Marble It Up: Mayhem! | Marble it up | 11/08/19 |
| Marble Knights | WayForward | 09/18/20 |
| MasterChef: Let’s Cook! | Tilting Point | 09/03/21 |
| Mind Symphony | Rogue Games, Inc. | 10/11/19 |
| Mini Motorways | Dinosaur Polo Club | 09/19/19 |
| Millionaire Trivia: TV Game+ | Uken | 06/30/23 |
| Monomals | Picomy | 11/01/19 |
| Monster Hunter Stories+ | Capcom | 08/06/21 |
| Monument Valley 2+ | ustwo games | 03/11/22 |
| Moonshot – A Journey Home | Noodlecake | 04/22/22 |
| Murder Mystery Machine | Blazing Griffin | 09/19/19 |
| Mutazione | Die Gute Fabrik | 09/19/19 |
| My Bowling 3D+ | iWare Designs | 07/01/22 |
| My Little Pony: Mane Merge | Gameloft | 12/16/22 |
| My Talking Tom+ | Outfit7 Limited | 08/12/22 |
| My Town Home – Family Games+ | My Town Games | 05/04/23 |
| NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition | 2K Sports | 04/02/21 |
| NBA 2K22 Arcade Edition | 2K Sports | 10/19/21 |
| NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition | 2K Sports | 10/21/22 |
| Necrobarista | Route 59 | 07/17/20 |
| Nekograms+ | Hungry Sky | 08/10/23 |
| Neo Cab | Chance Agency | 09/19/19 |
| Neversong | Serenity Forge | 05/01/20 |
| Next Stop Nowhere | Night School Studio | 08/14/20 |
| Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis | Viacom International | 01/21/22 |
| Nightmare Farm | Hit-Point Co., Ltd. | 10/05/19 |
| No Way Home | SMG Studio | 01/10/20 |
| NUTS | Noodlecake Studios | 01/22/21 |
| Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm | Cornfox & Bros. | 09/19/19 |
| Oceanhorn: Chronos Dungeon | Cornfox & Bros. | 01/08/21 |
| Octodad: Dadliest Catch+ | Young Horses | 05/04/23 |
| Oddmar+ | Mobje Ltd. | 12/03/21 |
| Old Man’s Journey | Broken Rules | 11/18/22 |
| Operator 41 | Shifty Eye Games | 09/19/19 |
| Osmos+ | Hemisphere Games | 03/17/23 |
| Outlanders | Pomelo Games | 09/19/19 |
| Over the Alps | Stave Studios | 09/19/19 |
| Overland | Finji | 09/19/19 |
| PAC-MAN Party Royale | BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment | 10/18/19 |
| Painty Mob | Devolver Digital | 09/19/19 |
| Patterned | BorderLeap | 09/19/19 |
| Pilgrims | Amanita Design | 10/05/19 |
| Pocket Build+ | MoonBear LTD | 04/01/22 |
| Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! | Game Freak | 01/20/23 |
| Populus Run | FIFTYTWO | 01/29/21 |
| Possessions | Noodlecake Studios | 09/19/19 |
| PPKP+ | Shimada Toshiro | 05/04/23 |
| Pro Darts 2022+ | iWare Designs | 05/27/22 |
| Pro Snooker & Pool 2022+ | iWare Designs Ltd. | 04/15/22 |
| Projection: First Light | Blowfish Studios | 09/19/19 |
| Prune+ | Joel McDonald | 04/29/22 |
| Punch Planet | Sector-K Games | 09/19/19 |
| Rayman Mini | Ubisoft | 09/19/19 |
| Red Reign | Ninja Kiwi Limited | 09/19/19 |
| Redout: Space Assault | 34BigThings | 10/05/19 |
| Reigns: Beyond | Devolver Digital | 11/06/20 |
| Retro Bowl+ | New Star R&D | 06/23/23 |
| Retro Goal+ | New Star R&D | 06/23/23 |
| Ridiculous Fishing EX | Vlambeer | 07/17/23 |
| Riptide GP: Renegade+ | Vector Unit | 02/10/23 |
| Rosie’s Reality | RosieReality | 11/15/19 |
| Roundguard | Wonderbelly Games | 03/13/20 |
| Samorost 3+ | Amanita Design | 07/08/22 |
| Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time | Cartoon Network | 08/21/20 |
| Sayonara Wild Hearts | Annapurna Interactive | 09/19/19 |
| Scrappers | Q-Games | 04/10/20 |
| Secret Oops! | Mixedbag | 01/31/20 |
| Shadow Blade+ | Crescent Moon Games | 03/04/22 |
| Shantae and the Seven Sirens | WayForward | 09/19/19 |
| Shinsekai: Into the Depths | Capcom | 09/19/19 |
| ShockRods | Stainless Games | 10/11/19 |
| Shovel Knight Dig | Yacht Club Games | 09/23/22 |
| Simon’s Cat – Story Time | Tactile Games Limited | 04/02/21 |
| Skate City | Snowman | 09/19/19 |
| Slash Quest | Noodlecake Studios | 10/01/20 |
| Slay the Spire+ | Humble Bundle | 07/07/23 |
| Snake.io+ | Kooapps | 05/04/23 |
| Sneaky Sasquatch | RAC7 | 09/19/19 |
| Sociable Soccer | Rogue Games, Inc. | 11/08/19 |
| Solitaire Stories | Red Games Co. | 07/02/21 |
| SongPop Party | Gameloft | 04/02/21 |
| Sonic Dash+ | Sega | 04/08/22 |
| Sonic Racing | Sega | 09/19/19 |
| South of the Circle | State of Play | 10/30/20 |
| Sp!ng | SMG Studio | 03/05/21 |
| Spaceland | Tortuga Games | 09/19/19 |
| Spades: Card Game+ | MobilityWare | 01/07/22 |
| Speed Demons | Radiangames | 09/19/19 |
| Spek | RAC7 Games | 09/19/19 |
| Spelldrifter | Free Range Games | 09/19/19 |
| Spider Solitaire: Card Game+ | MobilityWare | 10/07/22 |
| Spidersaurs | WayForward | 09/19/19 |
| Spire Blast | Orbital Knight sp. | 01/22/21 |
| Splitter Critters+ | RAC7 Games | 12/10/21 |
| Spongebob SquarePants: Patty Pursuit | Nickelodeon | 05/28/20 |
| Spyder | Sumo_Digital | 03/20/20 |
| Squiggle Drop | Noodlecake | 01/27/23 |
| Star Fetched | Crescent Moon Games | 11/01/19 |
| Star Trek: Legends | Tilting Point LLC | 04/02/21 |
| Stardew Valley+ | ConcernedApe | 07/21/23 |
| Stela | SkyBox Labs | 10/11/19 |
| Stellar Commanders | Blindflug Studios | 09/19/19 |
| Steven Universe: Unleash the Light | Cartoon Network | 11/27/19 |
| Stitch. | Lykkegaard Europe | 10/28/22 |
| Stranded Sails | Shifty Eye Games | 09/19/19 |
| Subway Surfers Tag | Sybo Games | 07/15/22 |
| Summon Quest | The Label | 04/21/23 |
| Super Leap Day | Nitrome | 08/06/21 |
| Super Impossible Road | Rogue Games, Inc. | 09/19/19 |
| Super Mega Mini Party | Red Games Co, LLC | 11/01/19 |
| Super Stickman Golf 3+ | Noodlecake | 08/06/21 |
| Survival Z | Ember Entertainment | 02/19/21 |
| Taiko no Tatsujin Pop Tap Beat | BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment | 04/02/21 |
| Takeshi and Hiroshi | Oink Games Inc. | 11/08/19 |
| Tales of Memo | Tendays Studio | 10/25/19 |
| Tangle Tower | SFB Games | 09/19/19 |
| Temple Run+ | Imangi Studios | 05/04/23 |
| Temple Run: Puzzle Adventure | Scopely, Inc. | 09/17/21 |
| Tetris Beat | N3twork Inc. | 08/20/21 |
| The Bradwell Conspiracy | Bossa Studios | 10/05/19 |
| The Collage Atlas | Robot House Games Ltd | 10/16/20 |
| The Enchanted World | Noodlecake Studios | 09/19/19 |
| The Get Out Kids | Frosty Pop Games | 09/19/19 |
| The Last Campfire | Hello Games | 08/27/20 |
| The Loud House: Outta Control | Nickelodeon | 02/14/20 |
| The Lullaby of Life | 1 Simple Game | 07/24/20 |
| The Mosaic | Raw Fury | 11/01/19 |
| The Oregon Trail | Gameloft | 04/02/21 |
| The Otherside | The Label | 05/08/20 |
| The Pathless | Annapurna Interactive | 11/12/20 |
| The Pinball Wizard | Frosty Pop Games | 09/19/19 |
| The Survivalists | Team17 | 10/08/20 |
| Things That Go Bump | Tinybop Inc. | 10/18/19 |
| Thumper: Pocket Edition+ | Drool LLC | 10/01/21 |
| Time Locker+ | Sotaro Otsuka | 05/04/23 |
| tint. | Lykkegaard International | 09/19/19 |
| Tiny Wings+ | Andreas Illiger | 10/15/21 |
| TMNT Splintered Fate | Paramount Global | 05/04/23 |
| Transformers Tactical Arena | Red Games Co | 11/05/21 |
| Towaga: Among Shadows | Noodlecake Studios | 09/19/19 |
| Towers of Everland | Cobra Mobile Limited | 05/22/20 |
| UFO on Tape: First Contact | Revolutionary Concepts | 11/08/19 |
| Ultimate Rivals: The Court | Bit Fry Games | 07/09/21 |
| Ultimate Rivals: The Rink | Bit Fry Games | 12/12/19 |
| Various Daylife | Square Enix | 09/19/19 |
| Very Little Nightmares+ | Bandai Namco | 05/04/23 |
| Warp Drive | Supergonk | 11/27/20 |
| Warped Kart Racers | Electric Square | 05/20/22 |
| Way of the Turtle | Illusion Labs | 09/19/19 |
| What the Car? | Triband ApS | 05/04/23 |
| What the Golf? | Fig | 09/19/19 |
| Where Cards Fall | Snowman | 09/19/19 |
| Winding Worlds | KO_OP | 05/15/20 |
| Wonderbox: The Adventure Maker | Aquiris | 04/01/21 |
| Word Laces | minimega | 09/19/19 |
| World of Demons | PlatinumGames | 04/02/21 |
| World’s End Club | IzanagiGames | 09/04/20 |
| Wurdweb | Aran & Adriaan | 08/13/21 |
| Wylde Flowers | Studio Drydock | 02/22/22 |
| Yaga | Versus Evil | 10/25/19 |
| Zen Pinball Party | ZEN Studios | 09/03/21 |
| Zombie Rollerz: Pinball Heroes | Firefly Games | 12/04/20 |
| Zookeeper World | Kiteretsu Inc. | 09/10/21 |
Apple’s working on a new Apple Watch 9. If you’re interested in buying the 2023 Apple Watch, there are some steps you’ll want to take before the device arrives.
If you’re in the market for a new smartwatch you might want to wait for the next Apple Watch. The Apple Watch 9 will reportedly come with enticing improvements including a brand new processor and health sensor upgrades.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple will launch two Apple Watch 9 models (codenamed N207 and N208) and a new Apple Watch Ultra (codenamed N210). Gurman says Apple won’t launch a new Apple Watch SE in 2023.
We don’t have an official Apple Watch 9 launch date yet, but the new models will debut alongside the iPhone 15 series in the fall. Gurman says Apple’s fall event will take place on September 12th.
While it might seem like it’s too early to start prepping for the Apple Watch 9 release date, taking some steps right now, and in the months ahead, will ensure you’re fully prepared to buy one when the time comes. And through this preparation, you may even find a smartwatch you really like long before Apple’s announcements.
In this guide we’ll take prospective buyers through some steps to take as we approach the Apple Watch 9 release date.
Track Apple Watch 9 Rumors
You’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for new information about the Apple Watch 9. Leaks are inevitable and we’ll hear a lot more about the Apple Watch Series 9 as the year goes on.
Leaks will fill in the blanks well ahead of the Apple Watch 9 release date and they’ll also help you set proper expectations as we inch closer to launch.
You’ll want to track hardware and software rumors, but you’ll also want to keep your eyes peeled for nuggets about the release date and supply chain.
As of right now you can expect Apple to launch its new Apple Watch 9 models sometime in September alongside the new iPhone 15 series.
For a look at the latest Apple Watch 9 rumors, check out our guide.
Get Familiar with watchOS
If you own an Apple Watch 1, Apple Watch 2, or a device outside of Apple’s ecosystem, and you plan on upgrading to a new Apple Watch this year, you’ll want to get familiar with the operating system. Right now, the current software is watchOS 9.
If you’re currently using an older version of watchOS or if you’re using another operating system, use this time to get acquainted with watchOS and make sure you’re comfortable with it.
To get started, have a look at Apple’s guide. You may also want to go into a store and go hands-on if this will be your first time buying one.
Apple has revealed watchOS 9’s successor, watchOS 10. watchOS 10 will be the software that powers the Apple Watch 9 and its extremely important to get familiar with this version of watchOS as well.
The company’s pushed watchOS 10 into beta testing. If you own a compatible Apple Watch, you can join one of Apple’s beta programs and try the software out ahead of its stable release in the fall.
If you prefer to keep your devices on stable software, you’ll want to get familiar with the software from a distance. Either way, you’ll want to dig into the changes on board so you’re comfortable with the Apple Watch 9’s software.
Apple Watch 9 Colors
It looks like Apple might debut aa new color alongside the Apple Watch 9.
According to leaker ShrimpApplePro, the stainless steel version of the Apple Watch 9 will include familiar color options: Graphite, Gold, and Silver. However, the aluminum version will apparently get a new shade.
The leaker says the aluminum model will come in a new pink color alongside the existing Midnight, (PRODUCT)RED, Silver, and Starlight.
Dig into the existing colors and perhaps pick one ahead of time so you’re ready when pre-orders begin.
Research Apple Watch Accessories
As we push toward the Apple Watch 9 release date, make sure you spend time getting familiar with Apple Watch accessories. If you do this ahead of time, you’ll know exactly what to buy and how much to spend.
We recommend reading reviews and digging into the best Apple Watch accessories in the months ahead. Some accessories could drastically alter how you use your device.
Be sure you get a feel for potential costs, dig into the pros and cons of various accessory manufacturers, and find styles that appeal to you.
Look at Other Apple Watches
Before you make the decision to wait for the Apple Watch 9, you’ll want to get familiar with Apple’s current crop of smartwatches. You might find something you really like long before the Apple Watch 9 arrives.
The Apple Watch SE is worth a look ahead of the Apple Watch 9 release later this year.
Apple currently sells the Apple Watch 8, the high-end Apple Watch Ultra, and the budget Apple Watch SE 2. Make sure you look into these before you make a decision to wait.
Retailers are still selling older models like Apple Watch 7, Apple Watch 6, and Apple Watch SE and you should dig into these models as well.
We should see retailers offer discounts on all of these Apple Watch models throughout the year so make sure you keep an eye out for price cuts.
Research Apple Watch Alternatives
We also recommend researching Apple Watch alternatives. You might find a device you love that falls outside of Apple’s ecosystem. A couple of the more prominent Apple Watch alternatives are the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, Galaxy Watch 5, and the Fitbit Versa 4.
Read reviews, talk to people who own these models if you can, and gather feedback.
Make a Plan for Your Current Watch
If you’re planning to upgrade your smartwatch in 2023, make sure you have a plan for your current watch if you have one.
Some of you might know of a friend or relative who could make use of your current device. Ask around and see if anyone might need a hand-me-down. You may also look into donating your device to charity.
If you plan on selling your current device to help offset the cost of your Apple Watch 9, you’ll want to dig into prices at popular resellers.
If you plan to trade your current device in, you’ll want to keep it in pristine condition because that’s how you’ll get the most money back.
Decide If You Need AppleCare
New Apple Watches come with a standard warranty, but you might want to better protect your investment with AppleCare.
AppleCare is an extended warranty service that delivers far better support than a standard warranty. If you aren’t familiar with AppleCare’s benefits, you should research them. You may also want to look at AppleCare alternatives.
You’ll be able to add AppleCare to your bag during the checkout process. You can also buy it later on down the road if you decide to wait.
Research Carriers
If you’re planning to buy a new Apple Watch with cellular data, make sure you research carriers so you can find the perfect fit for your new device.
If you’re unhappy with your current provider’s coverage or data plan, or if you’ve never owned a watch with cellular data, use this time wisely.
Each carrier has its pros and cons and it could take some time to find one that stands out.
5 Reasons to Wait for Apple Watch 9 & 4 Reasons Not To
Wait for Better Performance |
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Apple generally makes yearly improvements to the Apple Watch's performance and we should see the company make some improvements this year. The current flagship Apple Watch models deliver solid battery life, but we could see Apple take things even further with new chips in 2023. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, while the 2023 Apple Watch models will likely be modest updates, they will have a faster chip on board. As he notes, Apple hasn't upgraded the main processor inside the Apple Watch for three years running so this would certainly be a welcomed change. In his new Power On Discord channel, Gurman says the new processor will likely be based on the A15 chip that Apple first used in the iPhone 13. If you aren't thrilled with the Apple Watch's current horsepower (battery life, speed, load times), you might want to hang back and wait for the new models. |
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FAQs
How can I contact the Apple store customer service team?
Does Apple Store offer free shipping?
Yes, Apple Store offers free next-day shipping for any items that are currently in stock. If you want your order even sooner than that, there’s also a two-hour delivery option available that costs $9.
Does Apple Store offer in-store pickup?
Yes, Apple Store offers a free in-store and curbside pickup option If you’d rather collect your Apple goodies yourself. Once your order is available for collection, Apple will send you an email with all the information you need and you can then collect your items at your own convenience.
Does Apple Store price match?
Apple Store doesn’t currently price match, but if this ever changes, we’ll let you know. So check back here regularly to find out about the latest codes, benefits, and ways to save.
Does Apple Store do Black Friday deals?
Yes, but we recommend shopping around on Friday, November 24 2023 to find the best Apple Black Friday deals. Third-party retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Verizon had some great discounts last year on iPads, MacBooks, and more. It’s also worth checking Apple Store directly for good trade-in offers.
What is the Apple Store returns policy?
You can return your Apple Store product within 14 days of receiving it and Apple Store will pay for the returns shipping label. Bear in mind, it must be an Apple product that was bought directly from the Apple Store, and it must be returned and repackaged with all the documents and accessories it came with. There are some products that you can’t return, like opened software, Apple gift cards, print products and electronic software downloads.
Hints and tips
Check Out Apple Refurbished: You can purchase an Apple device for a whole lot cheaper when you shop Apple Refurbished. All Apple products available to buy refurbished come under the Apple Certified Refurbished promise. This means they are thoroughly checked over to ensure they’re of like-new quality. All refurbished items also come with a 1-year warranty to supply you true peace of mind.
Apple Trade-ins: Apple has a trade-in scheme that allows you to trade in your old Apple device and get store credit or an Apple gift card to use toward the purchase of a new one. Apple currently offers up to $650 in trade-in value on old devices, so it's definitely worth exploring for a potential saving. You don’t even have to go into a store to apply for a trade-in, you can complete your application online!
Student Discount: The Apple Education Store allows students, parents, faculty staff, and homeschool teachers a discount on a Mac or iPad. The price cut varies depending on the product, but it can save you a lot! You need to provide Apple with a Verified education email address to claim your discount.
Veterans and Military Purchase Program: Apple offers a 10% discount for current and Veteran members of the US Military, National Guard and Reserve. The 10% discount also applies to immediate family members. You need to verify your Veteran or active military status with ID.Me to receive your discount code.
How to use Apple Store promo codes
1. Browse through our list of Apple Store coupons - we update this page regularly with the latest deals.
2. Once you’ve found the offer you’d like to use, click the ‘Get Code’ button. This will make a pop-out box appear, showing the code.
3. It will also open a tab on the Apple Store website. You can copy the code by clicking the ‘Copy’ button. Now it’s time to do your shopping.
4. Once you have everything, head to your shopping cart. Paste your code in the coupon box and click ‘Apply’.
CAVITE, Philippines – Sam Jeffrey Tiongco, 22, dreamed of becoming a medical technologist and a doctor, but the journey towards this dream has been a challenge.
He was having a typical day at Saint Louis University (SLU) when his friend showed him the August 2023 Medical Technologists Licensure Examination results.
“That time akala ko inedit niya, kasi ‘yun ‘yung trip ng mga kaibigan ko (At that time I thought it was edited by my friend to prank me),” he said.
“So when he showed me that it was actually the PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) board, I was really shocked, I dropped my pen and then I cried [out] of joy, ” Tiongco added in a mix of English and Filipino.
Tiongco scored 93.30%, placing first among 3,982 passers out of 5,401 examinees. His alma mater Saint Louis University also ranked first among schools with students taking the test nationwide.
While everyone saw Tiongco fulfill one of his dreams, only few knew how physically and emotionally draining his preparation was towards this result.
“I pressured myself into delivering the best results thinking I could ignore the physical hardship because I was used to sleepless nights anyway, but it wasn’t the case,” said Tiongco in his Facebook post.
Life as a student in SLU
Tiongco moved to Baguio City, where he studied senior high school at SLU Basic Education School. He later enrolled at SLU for his undergraduate degree in medical technology.
“When I was in high school, I fell in love with blood bank, especially blood typing, so I intended to pursue medical technology,” Tiongco shared.
He was an active student leader in SLU. When asked how he managed his time, he said, “Very difficult siya. Actually nung high school hanggang 2nd year college, BS major in org (organizations) talaga ako, hindi ako BS major in medical technology.”
(It was very difficult. From high school until 2nd year college, I was actually a BS major in organizations, not a BS major in medical technology.)
He served as student council executive president when he was in Grade 12. In college, he served as a secretary, secretariat head, and academic committee head at SLU KASAMA.
Despite this, Tiongco, just like every other student, struggled in school. “First year pa lang mahirap na talaga yung subjects, i-te-train ka na talaga nila. Ang hirap ng mga quizzes namin, super (The subjects are already difficult in my first year because the university is training us. The quizzes were super difficult.),” he said.
He also admitted that he barely passed the university’s comprehensive exam. “Sobrang hirap niya to the point na meron din akong line of seven [na grade] (It was very hard, to the point that I received a grade with a line of seven)
Such events would have discouraged other students, but Tiongco did not let it get through him.
“Honestly hindi masama ‘yung feeling ko, at the very least pasado ako. Hindi ko na kailangan ulitin ‘yung process kasi grueling ‘yung process tapos uuliit ka nanaman (Honestly, I did not feel bad, at the very least I passed. I don’t need to repeat the process because the process is grueling for me to only do it once more),” he said.
The setbacks
Studying for the board test was not child’s play for Tiongco. He even had few people around him doubting him.
“Very contradictory ‘to doon sa [Facebook] post ko, sinabi ko roon na walang nagdoubt sa akin pero meron at meron talaga (It’s very contradictory to my [Facebook] post, I said that no one doubted me but there actually were.), ” he said.
Tiongco admitted experiencing several breakdowns before the board exam. “One month before the board naka-apat or limang breakdowns yata ako. Sinabi ko na hindi ko kaya [pumasa], baka bagsak ako. (A month before the board exam, I think I had four or five breakdowns. I said I can’t pass, I might fail.)”
Tiongco originally intended to take the board test in March 2023. “Unfortunately, ‘yung TOR namin late na na-release (Unfortunately, my transcript of records was released late),” he said.
“Medyo masakit sa feeling, kasi I had plans for the entire year. Sabi ko nga after ng March magtuturo ako sa mga schools tapos magpapaopera pa ako ng mata ko kasi yung grado ko sobrang taas na,” he said.
(It was a bit painful, because I had plans for the entire year. I planned to teach after March and then I planned to undergo surgery to fix my blurry eyesight.)
But these setbacks did not stop Tiongco from achieving his dream. He started reviewing again from April to August.
“During those times sila [family] ‘yung nagbubuhat sa akin, pagkain [and] everything para makapag-focus ako sa review ko (During those times they supported me, they gave me everything so that I can focus on my review.),” he said.
“Na-postpone ‘yung plan ko pero kailangan tanggapin kasi ‘yun talaga eh, pero at least nagpayoff ‘yung mga desisyon ko,” Tiongco said.
(My plan was postponed but I have to accept it because that’s how it is. At least my decisions paid off.)
Aside from his family, his motivation to make his alma mater proud kept him going throughout the review process.
“I really wanted to deliver for our institution. I wanted to supply the best results that I can,” he said.
And delivered he did. Tiongco is currently a first year medical student at SLU and is on his way to supply back to the people who believed in him. – Allysa Areglo/Rappler.com
Allysa Areglo is a Cavite State University student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She is a digital communications intern at Rappler.
How an iPhone is financed with Apple Card is changing
Apple has changed Apple Card financing terms for iPhone, just ahead of its new device season.
As of August 15, 2023, customers financing an iPhone via Apple Card Monthly Installments will be required to connect their device to a carrier at purchase. This practice was already in place when buying an iPhone in a physical Apple Store location, but it is now extended to online purchases.
Similarly, Apple Watch financing is being changed, though in this case it's that the repayment term is reduced from 24 months to 12 months.
