Philip Michaels
Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.
Latest articles by Philip Michaels
With iOS 18 on-device AI, Apple has some explaining to do
By Philip Michaels published
More details are emerging about how the AI features coming via iOS 18 will work. But those details are raising questions that only Apple can answer at WWDC 2024.
Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 9: Should you buy now or wait?
By Philip Michaels last updated
Fans of Pixel phones need to decide whether to upgrade to the new Pixel 8a now or hold out for the Pixel 9 update coming later this year. We break down the arguments for either decision.
Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) review: The stylus isn't the star
By Philip Michaels published
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) comes with a stylus for jotting down notes on the phone, but it's the bright display and long battery life that grab the spotlight here.
iOS 18 rumored AI features — what I like and what has me worried
By Philip Michaels published
We've now heard more about what AI tools are coming to your iPhone this year. A few sound promising while others are going to require an explanation from Apple.
Apple confirms WWDC keynote — when it’s happening and what to expect
By Philip Michaels published
Apple confirmed that it will kick off WWDC 2024 with a keynote on June 10. Here's when the keynote begins and what Apple's likely to talk about.
Google Pixel Fold 2 release date could be key to beating the Galaxy Z Fold 6
By Philip Michaels published
Whether it's called the Pixel Fold 2 or the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the key thing about Google's next foldable phone is when it arrives. Here's why.
OpenAI could play a role in Apple’s iOS 18 update — and that has me worried
By Philip Michaels published
The company's developing a reputation for recklessness
Apple Maps has a trip-planning feature tool buried inside — here's how to use it
By Philip Michaels published
You can create guides in Apple Maps that include all the places you want to visit on a trip. We'll show you how to create a guide and how to share it with the people you're traveling with.
Should I upgrade to the iPhone 16? These are the 5 key areas Apple needs to address
By Philip Michaels published
The iPhone 16 is coming later this year. Our managing editor for mobile looks at what Apple needs to do to convince him to upgrade from his current phone.
iPhone 17 Slim could be the most expensive iPhone ever — but how?
By Philip Michaels published
It'll take more than a slim design to justify a premium iPhone
Hurry! Apple's boosting iPhone trade-in values for a limited time
By Philip Michaels published
If you trade-in your iPhone at Apple by June 3, you could get a bigger return than normal, as the company is increasing the size of the rebates it's offering for a limited time.
iPhone SE 4 tipped for attractive price — but it will arrive too late to matter
By Philip Michaels published
A rumor claims the iPhone SE 4 may cost less than $500. But with the phone not expected until 2025, that may not make much of a difference.
Not every streaming show needs to be a series — 'Manhunt' on Apple TV Plus proves it
By Philip Michaels published
Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, I did not enjoy the show
What's next for smartphone displays — tandem OLED, microLED and more
By Philip Michaels published
Display specs are taking on added importance as phone makers look to make their devices stand out.
iOS 18 — here's how Apple can close the AI gap with Google
By Philip Michaels last updated
Google looks like it's far ahead of Apple when it comes to AI on mobile devices, but we could see some big changes with iOS 18 when that software update gets a preview at WWDC 2024.
Samsung may not produce a cheaper Galaxy Z Fold model this year — why that's a missed opportunity
By Philip Michaels published
A new report claims the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6 FE won't appear this year after all. If true, Samsung is making a mistake by not coming out with a less expensive foldable.
I just tried Google’s 3D video conferencing tool launching next year — here’s what Project Starline is like
By Philip Michaels published
Google's been working on Project Starline, which uses 3D imaging, AI, and other technologies to make your video conferences more personal. Google and HP plan to bring the product to market in 2025.
iOS 17.5 is out now — here are the new iPhone features
By Philip Michaels last updated
iOS 17.5 mostly brings bug fixes, but there are some new additions to Apple News Plus, along with a cross-platform tracking detection feature developed with Google.
Forget the Pixel 7a — the Pixel 8a is now the cheap phone to beat
By Philip Michaels last updated
Typically, when a new phone like the Pixel 8a launches, the price on its predecessor drops. But that hasn't happened yet for the Pixel 7a.
Google I/O 2024 announcements — all the big Gemini AI and Android 15 news
By Philip Michaels published
Get all the latest news from Google I/O as Google holds its annual developers conference, where the focus figures to be on artificial intelligence and Android among other Google products.
Netflix and charge? Google Cast support coming to EVs
By Philip Michaels published
Rivian EVs will be the first to offer Google Cast support for when you're charging your vehicle
Google I/O 2024 — 7 best Gemini AI demos you need to see
By Philip Michaels last updated
Google I/O isn't just about keynote announcements. There are also demos and hands-on opportunities with the new technology. Here's what stood out for our managing editor for mobile.
Gmail is getting a big AI boost from Gemini — here’s all the new features
By Philip Michaels published
Gmail is getting tools that summarize conversations and produce more contextual smart replies thanks to the Gemini Ai model. Here's what you can expect.
Google I/O 2024 preview: Everything we expect to be announced
By Philip Michaels last updated
Expect the focus of this week's Google I/O 2024 to fall on AI and its place in all sorts of Google products. Here's your last-minute guide on what to expect from this week's Googke event.
Apple News Plus adds another word game with iOS 17.5 update — here's how to play
By Philip Michaels published
The iOS 17.5 update to Apple's iPhone software brings two changes to Apple News Plus — a new word game called Quartiles and an offline mode for reading when you have no network connection.
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