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
It's time to admit it — the Photos app redesign in iOS 18 delivers a better experience
By Philip Michaels published
Not everyone was a fan of the new look of the Photos app when it debuted with the iOS 18 update. But after using it extensively, I've changed my tune.
Best Mint Mobile plans 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
The best Mint Mobile plans feature some of the cheapest prices right now — here's how to save on your monthly wireless phone service.
Apple Intelligence brings smart replies to Apple Mail — and it blows away Gmail
By Philip Michaels last updated
Apple Intelligence brings smart replies to Apple Mail, and it's ridiculous how much better the feature is than the version on Gmail you probably use.
iPhone 16 sales look to be off to a strong start, as Apple announces record revenues
By Philip Michaels published
Apple announced its September quarter sales, and the iPhone posted record revenue for the quarter, which marked the debut of the iPhone 16.
iPhone Flip: Everything we know about Apple's foldable phone plans
By Philip Michaels last updated
The iPhone Flip could be Apple's first foldable phone. Here's what we know so far.
Best mobile hotspots in 2024
By Jeffery Battersby last updated
These are the best mobile hotspots for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile customers.
Google Maps just got a huge upgrade with Gemini AI — here’s all the new features
By Philip Michaels published
A new feature rolls out to Google Maps on both Android and iOS that will tap into Gemini to offer suggestions on places to explore. And that's not the only change coming to Google's navigation tool.
Best Verizon phone plans for 2024: Unlimited, prepaid and more
By Philip Michaels last updated
These are the best Verizon phone plans available, whether you’re looking for an unlimited plan, prepaid or a family plan.
These are the 10 scariest movie scenes of all time
By Alix Blackburn published
What’s the scariest movie scene of all time? Our writers share a scene that scared them the most.
Best iPhone 14 Pro Max cases in 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
The best iPhone 14 Pro Max cases can keep your precious iPhone looking like new, especially if you happen to drop it.
You can now type to Siri in iOS 18.1 — here's how
By Philip Michaels last updated
iPhones that support Apple Intelligence get a Type to Siri feature for when you don't want to speak out loud. Here's how use it.
How to use Clean Up in iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence
By Philip Michaels last updated
The iOS 18.1Clean Up feature removes unwanted people and objects from your photos with just a tap, by using Apple Intelligence.
How to use Smart Replies in Mail using Apple Intelligence
By Philip Michaels last updated
in iOS 18.1 the Mail app features Apple Intelligence-powered Smart Replies for faster email responses.
Apple Intelligence can summarize all your emails — here's how
By Philip Michaels last updated
If you've got an iPhone capable of supporting Apple Intelligence, you can now get AI-generated summaries of your email in Apple Mail. Here's where to find the feature.
Apple Intelligence can summarize audio notes and phone call transcripts — here's how
By Philip Michaels last updated
iOS 18 lets you add audio recordings to Notes and record calls in the Phone app. But if you've got Apple Intelligence, you can also get summaries of those recordings.
iOS 18.1 finally lets you record iPhone phone calls — here's how it to do it
By Philip Michaels published
Now that iOS 18.1 is here, you can record phone calls directly from the Phone app. We'll show you how to access the controls.
Best family cell phone plan in 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
Looking for the best family cell phone plan? We can help you find a smartphone plan that brings unlimited data to multiple people without breaking the bank.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy S22 Ultra: The biggest upgrades
By Mark Spoonauer last updated
Check out our Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy S22 Ultra comparison to see how Samsung's premium phone has changed year over year.
Best cable modems in 2024
By Anthony Spadafora last updated
These are the best cable modems for your home or office so that you don't need to waste money each month renting one from your ISP.
Apple Intelligence on the iPhone: A lot of promise but no must-have features
By Philip Michaels published
Apple Intelligence may not be a game-changer yet, but there's a lot of promise in these new features, as they arrive on the iPhone via software update.
Best cell phone plans for seniors in 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
Here's how the best cell phone plans for seniors compare, ranging from the cheapest to best unlimited options.
Best Android phones 2024
By Philip Michaels last updated
Our list of the best Android phones at every size and for every budget will help you make the right choice.
iPhone 16 Ultra: All the rumors so far
By Philip Michaels last updated
The rumored iPhone 16 Ultra wasn't to be
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