In this digital era, the end of the year remains a prime time for reflection — only now we can get virtual assistance to help us remember what the best parts of the last 12 months were.
The Instagram Top 9 is perhaps the best-known year-end roundup tradition, in which people use tech to see which of their Instagram posts got the most likes during the past year and then share that data in grid form.
While the practice of publishing report screenshots to one’s Insta profile is a dated practice from “the olden days,” as Mashable puts it, the last days of more recent years have still seen plenty of them posted on Instagram Stories.
Want to know how to do your own Top 9? Here’s how to make it happen before we ring in the new year.
Choose between Top Nine and Best Nine
Both of these free sites serve solely to determine and format your most popular posts. Top Nine is available as both a website and an app, the latter not requiring an email address. Best Nine — which is only usable for public accounts — is only a site and functions significantly more slowly. (“Please note that now it takes like 10 minutes to complete your request due to a huge demand,” the site warns.)
Type your handle and wait
Simply type it in and submit it when prompted on either site.
Save and share
Top Nine offers a “Save & Share” button to easily post the grid-based report to your Instagram Story. For those who’d rather upload it manually, just save or screenshot the image to your phone’s camera roll, then open Instagram and upload the image into a Story.
Voila! While 2020 likely wasn’t the most photogenic year in lived memory for many, we made it through and it’s nonetheless worth recalling the highlights (and perhaps leaving the lowlights behind).
Apple first unveiled its plans to transition away from Intel processors at WWDC in June, detailing that the first Mac powered by Apple Silicon would be released before the end of the year. As it turns out, Apple released three Macs powered by its new M1 chip: a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.
We debated about whether to focus purely on the M1 MacBook Air or to branch out and include the M1 Mac mini and MacBook Pro in the “Product of the Year” category. Ultimately, because all three of these machines are so similar, we decided to focus on the entire family of M1 Macs. This is a monumental shift in the state of the Mac, and even bigger changes are still to come in 2021.
Read on for a round table discussion with the 9to5Mac team on what we love most about the first M1 Macs.
Seth Weintraub, 9to5Mac Founder and Publisher:
M1 MacBook Air
Of all of Apple’s incredible products released this year against the backdrop of the pandemic, the M1 Macs and specifically the M1 MacBook Air changed the game the most. Those working from home now found themselves with beyond desktop-level snappiness in the interoffice envelope-sized fan-less MacBook Air. If that weren’t enough, real battery life went from less than a workday to multiple workdays. Compatibility-wise, Apple knocked it out of the park with almost all but a few edge case apps working out of the box and an almost transparent Rosetta 2 emulator cleaning up the apps still built for Intel.
For me personally, it means I no longer need a pro machine when I’m out and about (which I will someday take advantage of!). And specifically, when I go on ski trips, I no longer need to bring an iMac to get serious work done. I can just leave a big $200 display in both my office and our ski condo and it feels just as snappy. I imagine a lot fewer people will opt for desktop computers in the coming years when all of this power is available in a portable…with no fans!
Chance Miller, 9to5Mac Lead Editor:
M1 MacBook Air
Right off the bat, this is the most excited I’ve been about the Mac lineup in years. Additionally, I wasn’t a Mac user during the transition from PowerPC to Intel, so the transition from Intel to Apple Silicon is especially interesting to me.
During the era of the butterfly keyboard, stagnant performance improvements, and a rough transition to USB-C and Thunderbolt 3, it was hard not to feel discouraged about the state of the Mac. Over the last 12 months, all of that has changed and I can now confidently say that I’m hopeful and excited bout the future of the Mac.
I’m using the base model M1 MacBook Air, and it’s the best Mac I’ve used in years. It’s fast, reliable, has stellar battery life, and comes in at under $1000. I upgraded to the M1 MacBook Air from a beefed-up 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the only thing I miss is the larger display.
As such, I fully expect to upgrade to the Apple Silicon-powered 16-inch MacBook Pro, whenever it’s released in 2021. For now, however, the M1 MacBook Air is the best Mac for most people, and the first Mac I feel entirely comfortable recommending to the average consumer in years.
Jeff Benjamin, 9to5 YouTube Lead:
M1 Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro
The M1 Macs are worthy of being crowned product of the year, not only because they have impressive power and are incredibly efficient, those qualities were a given to anyone who’s been paying attention to Apple’s year-over-year silicon advancements. What surprised me, however, is how well Apple was able to make the software work so seamlessly on day one.
The experience hasn’t been without a few hiccups, but by and large, the M1 Macs are a feat when it comes to software compatibility. Right out of the gate, all of the so-called “pro” Mac apps were updated with native universal binaries, and even apps that weren’t designed for Apple silicon ran smoothly thanks to macOS’s impressive Rosetta 2 translation.
Of all products released in 2020 — and it is an impressive lineup if you go back and peruse the entirety of the year’s timeline — the M1 Macs stand alone. Think about it: Apple released three new Macs with an all-new architecture in the middle of a pandemic. That’s amazing to me.
Zac Hall, Space Explored Lead Editor and 9to5Mac Editor Emeritus:
M1 MacBook Air
I bought my first Mac in 2009 when I started college. It was a 2009 13-inch MacBook Pro, and it felt like the future. Three years later, I upgraded to the 13-inch MacBook Air with solid state drive, and it felt like another leap forward.
We’ve seen hardware redesigns, OS evolutions, Retina displays, and even a bizarre butterfly keyboard debacle since then. Still, nothing has been as dramatic and platform-shifting as the debut of the M1 processor. The $999 MacBook Air not only outperforms machines that cost 3x that amount, but it does so with remarkable battery life and a fanless design without compromising on cooling and performance.
The current design even gets a pass since it only debuted in 2018, and the M1 chip is such a leap forward in the overall experience. My biggest wish for a second revision in the future is built-in cellular, you know, like iPads. The MacBook Air is so portable and adaptable that built-in LTE or 5G would be a no-brainer upgrade for me.
Michael Potuck, 9to5Mac Editor:
M1 MacBook Pro
I picked up the base 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro at launch with the plan of replacing my 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro. I was a little hesitant to go for 8GB RAM with the new machine since I had 16GB with my 15-inch. However, I was really curious to see how well the base M1 MacBook Pro could perform.
Over the last two months, I’m stoked to say it runs circles around my 15-inch MacBook Pro. I don’t have really intense daily workflows but I usually run 7 or 8 apps at a time with lots of Safari tabs open and some light photo editing.
The best way I can describe how an Apple Silicon Mac feels is it’s the closest I’ve had a MacBook (or any notebook/desktop) come to moving about as fast as I think. Apps open almost instantly, it’s just so responsive and smooth.
And even Intel apps run impressively well with Rosetta 2 translation making Apple Silicon a no-compromise scenario. I’m super impressed with the first-gen M1 Macs and am very excited to watch the whole Mac family make the transition.
Bradley Chambers, 9to5Mac Contributor and Administrator:
M1 MacBook Air
I’ve been a Mac user since 2005 when I purchased the PowerBook G4. That was the only PowerPC computer I owned as the Intel transition happen a few years later. In my lifetime, I can count on just a handful of technology transitions that have felt like true breakthroughs: Wi-Fi, solid-state drives, and Apple Silicon.
In just a few weeks with the M1 laptop, I can say that I never knew battery life on a laptop could achieve these results while remaining so powerful. For those people that wanted Apple to release a Netbook for ultra-portability, they’ve finally done it. Apple Silicon is as important to Apple’s future as any consumer product they’ve released in their history.
Parker Ortolani, 9to5Mac Contributor:
M1 MacBook Air
No other Apple product improved more this year than the MacBook Air. I’ve been a fan of the Air since Steve first pulled one out of a manila envelope more than a decade ago. But the 2020 M1 MacBook Air is the first version to make no compromises when it comes to performance. It’s the thinnest Mac you can buy and yet it’s now also one of the most powerful. I switched to the new M1 MacBook Air from a 2019 16” MacBook Pro. It seemed like it’d be a radical shift, but I was used to the form factor as I had previously used a 2018 MacBook Air.
They may look the same but they feel worlds apart in day to day use. I feel as though I’ve made no compromises switching to the smaller, lighter, and far more affordable machine. It’s blazing fast and rarely ever has hiccups. I can push it to its limits and not be afraid of getting the dreaded infinitely spinning rainbow beach ball. It’s the first Mac that succeeds in answering the question Steve once pondered while introducing the 2010 MacBook Air, “What would happen if a Mac and an iPad hooked up?”
Stephen Hall, Growth Marketing
Yesterday, I returned my new MacBook Air with Apple’s M1 chip. That might not sound like a resounding endorsement in an article proclaiming it as Apple’s best product of 2020, but it really is. In truth, I came away from it so astounded by its performance that I’m eager to pick up whatever the next version of this silicon will be on Apple’s higher-end Pro laptops — hardware that will presumably bring other features I need (mostly just more USB-C ports, if I’m honest).
I took a look at how the entry-level computer does under load with its measly 8GB RAM around launch time, and the results were astounding to say the least. And after more than a month using the computer, I stand by most of what I said in that article. Even with just 8GB of RAM, I just can’t express enough how pleasant juggling multiple tasks has been on this $999 machine, and performing those tasks feels just as fast in normal use as Apple’s top-of-the-line offerings.
For now, I’m so impressed that I’d rather wait a year or two to get the same Apple Silicon benefits in a machine (M2X?) that’s more in tune with my needs. Oh, and I’m also looking forward to rumored external design modernization coming to the next generation laptops, too. If that’s not you, you should certainly feel confident making the 2020 MacBook Air with Apple Silicon your multi-year laptop commitment. It’s truly an incredible value.
Trevor Daugherty, 9to5Toys Lead Editor:
M1 MacBook Pro and Mac mini
In general, I find myself slow on the uptake when it comes to first-generation tech. When it came to the new MacBooks, I felt that pull to stay put even more given how much I loved my 16-inch MacBook Pro. But the hype eventually wore me down and I couldn’t resist. I now have a 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac mini, both featuring the new M1 silicon. It’s that good. While my daily use may be more limited than some, every app that I use regularly has functioned without issue. First-party software has been flawless and the speed of apps like Pixelmator has been a joy. I can’t remember the last time I was genuinely excited about a new piece of technology.
Blair Altland, 9to5Toys Editor:
M1 Mac mini
The M1 Mac lineup are easily some of the most exciting machines to launch from Apple in years, and the latest Mac mini has proved that for me already. It’s as snappy, powerful, and efficient as all the hype lets on, making its application as a home media server all the more notable in my use case. Rather than taking it for a spin as a daily driver, I’ve had it handling Plex alongside a series of other tasks with impressive results. So if there has ever been a Mac mini geared towards using as a home server, the M1 model is certainly it and far exceeded my initial exceptions.
What do you think?
Now that we’ve voiced our opinion on the “Product of the Year,” we want to do know what you think. What was your favorite new Apple release this year? Let us know down in the comments!
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Last week, the Fortnite challenges were all about tomatoes. Now in week five of season 5, the challenges have gone to the gnomes. Players need to dig up gnomes and bury them around the map to complete the challenges. Why do they need to dig up and then bury them? Who knows? However, we have the locations for you to complete these gnome games to level up your Battlepass.
Dig Up Gnomes
The first gnome challenge for this week is digging up gnomes around the map. Players have to visit Fort Crumpet and Pleasant Park to find glowing mounds of dirt that signify buried gnomes. Then, the piles need to be whacked with a pickaxe for the gnomes to rise out of the ground. After getting all four, you get a cool 20k XP tacked on to your Battlepass.
Collect Gnomes
For this challenge, you will return to Fort Crumpet and visit Holly Hedges to collect gnomes. This is a simple interaction to collect each gnome, but you need to make sure the area is safe. Otherwise, you will be swiftly taken out before completing the quest. If you can get all the gnomes collected, though, you will get another nice 20k XP for your Battlepass.
Bury Gnomes
This challenge may end up being the easiest of the three, as you only need to bury two gnomes rather than dig or collect four. This is another simple interaction task at Pleasant Park or Retail Row, but you should make sure the area is safe before you are taken out while completing the task. After you complete this one, you get another 20k XP for a total of 60k across the three challenges. Pretty nice for running around and interacting with gnomes.
To find all these challenges and create the maps, we used fortnite.gg, which points exactly where to go. It is a convenient tool if you want to get the challenges done quickly. In any case, completing these gnome challenges are pretty easy considering the total 60k Battlepass XP you get from Epic Games. Let us know if you go for the gnomes and if it was easy in the comments below.
It’s New Year’s Eve, so chances are that your Instagram feed is full of people sharing their annual top 9 year-in-review posts. If you’re looking to create and share your own Instagram Top 9 before the end of the year, here’s how to do it.
First things first, it’s rather ridiculous that after years of the Top 9 trend being so incredibly popular, Instagram still hasn’t implemented a native way to create and share the year-in-review directly in the app. Instead, users are forced to rely on third-party applications to create their collages, some of which are less privacy-conscious than others.
Nonetheless, the Top 9 trend is back in full force for 2020. As you’ve scrolled through your Instagram feed this week, you’ve likely seen Top 9 posts from friends and celebrities. The idea is that these recaps break down your top 9 Instagram posts in terms of likes for the year.
How to create your Instagram Top 9
Because Instagram has not launched a native way to create your Top 9, there are a handful of third-party applications to fill the void. The most popular way to create and share your Instagram Top 9 this year is with the rather aptly named Top Nine for Instagram app from the App Store.
The app will ask you for your Instagram username. Enter it and select “continue.” Next, the app will ask you for your email address. If you have a dedicated “junk” email address, I would suggest using that one here (or you can enter something completely random).
After you’ve entered your email address, the app will generate your Instagram Top 9 grid based on your most liked posts of the year. You’ll see a “Top Nine” watermark over your grid, but you can remove this with a $1.99 in-app purchase if you so desire.
Another solution is the Best Nine app, which is available for free on the App Store as well. It doesn’t ask for your email address and there is no watermark on the final image. The tradeoff, however, is that it’s a rather ad-ridden experience of an app.
To share your Top 9 grid to Instagram, tap the “Share” button in either app and save the photo to your Photos library or share it directly to your Instagram. If you save it to your Photos library, you can upload it to Instagram like you would any other image.
One final piece of advice: Be wary of any apps that require you to sign in to your Instagram account. These top 9 images can be generated without that access, as you can see with the services we mentioned above.
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Welcome to our guide to the Apple New Year sale, the place to be if you want a great deal on an Apple device. The new year sales are here – and it's a brilliant time to snap up a bargain.
Here we've also listed the best prices on a range of Apple devices available right now. To make things easier for you, we've split the offers into product categories – you can use the jump links to go straight to the Apple device you want, or the other links to head for a certain retailer.
The Apple Store isn't likely to be the best place to shop for New Year sales. You'll probably find bigger discounts at other retailers or – if you're not yet ready to leave your living room – online. Use the quick links below to take a look yourself, or scroll down for our sales guide, broken down into products.
Apple New Year sale: Quick links
Apple New Year deals: Top picks
Apple New Year deals: UK
Lowest price
Apple MacBook Pro M1 (2020): £1,299 £1,192.24 at Currys
Save £107: If you've been wanting to invest in a new Apple laptop, this is a deal that's hard to ignore. A huge saving, this is the cheapest you'll find the all-new 13-inch MacBook Pro with 8GB and 256GB SSD on the web right now. View Deal
Apple AirPods w/ wireless charging case: £199 £159 at BT
Save £40 - If you're looking for some new headphones, there's a tidy deal on a new pair of Apple AirPods with wireless charger right now at BT. Stocks are low so if you're interested, be sure to grab some before they all go. View Deal
Apple Watch Series 5:£459£319 at Currys
Save £140: Save almost £150 on the 40mm Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS and Cellular) in silver with a white sports band when you buy today from Currys. If you want to get fit over winter or just make calls from your Watch, this could be the device for you. View Deal
Apple New Year deals: US
Amazing value
Apple MacBook Pro M1: $1,299 $1,249 at B&H Photo
Save $50: B&H Photo is running this amazing deal on the all-new M1 MacBook Pro, which when we first saw it over Black Friday, it sold out in record time. Deal expires 11:59 EST 31 December (or until stocks last).View Deal
Apple Watch Series 6:$399$339 at Amazon Save $60: Amazon is discounting the bold (PRODUCT)RED edition of Apple's newest Watch Series 6 to its best price since Black Friday weekend. The 40mm smartwatch features the latest S6 processor, blood oxygen monitoring, and much more. View Deal
Mac mini (M1, 2020): $699 $669.99 at Amazon
Save $30: The latest Mac mini packs Apple’s latest M1 chip. Other specs include 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. It’s an ideal compact desktop PC for creatives, especially at this discounted rate. If you need to double up on storage space, the 512GB model is now $870, which is also a $30 saving. View Deal
iPad deals
Apple New Year sale: iPad deals
Check out the best deals and prices in your region – including any Apple New Year sale offers – using the widget below. Figuring out which is the best offer, taking into account the different models, storage options and features, can be difficult. Make sure you pay attention to the specs you're getting before you hit 'Add to cart'.
iPad deals: UK
Apple iPad Air (2020): £623.99 £519.99 at TecoBuy
Save £104: Get this 10.9-inch iPad Air 64GB Wi-Fi in rose gold with LED‑backlit multi-touch display and IPS technology with a super-surprising discount. A14 Bionic is the most advanced chip ever to grace an iPad. Hurry though, it's selling out!
Apple iPad Pro (2020): £993 £819.97 at Laptops Direct
Save £174: Laptops Direct has a range of discounts on some of the latest iPad Pros. This 11-inch tablet has a speedy A12Z bionic chip, 6GB RAM, 256GB memory and has a tidy £174 off right now. Be sure to check out the other discounts available, too. View Deal
iPad deals: US
New Apple iPad Pro 11":$799$749.99 at Amazon
Save $50: Further your savings by opting for the smaller 11" Pro with 128GB storage. This is the best price we've seen for this model since Black Friday weekend. View Deal
Apple iPad Pro 12.9" (2020):$999$949.99 at Amazon
Save $50: This isn't the biggest saving on the brand new iPad Pro 12.9-inch, but did we mention that this is the brand new iPad Pro 12.9-inch? It was only released in 2020 and has incredible specs along with 128GB storage. View Deal
MacBook deals
Apple New Year sale: MacBook deals
MacBooks are pretty much always in demand – mainly because, as designers will well know, this kind of top-quality kit doesn't come cheap. Luckily they're also often the target of big discounts, if you're on the ball and looking in the right places. Whether you're after a classic MacBook, a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, chances are you'll be able to pick up a discounted model in the New Year sales.
Find all the best deals below, plus a price widget that will display the best prices available right now.
MacBook deals: UK
Apple MacBook Pro M1 (2020): £1,299 £1,192.24 at Currys
Save £107: If you've been wanting to invest in a new Apple laptop, this is a deal that's hard to ignore. A huge saving, this is the cheapest you'll find the all-new 13-inch MacBook Pro with 8GB and 256GB SSD on the web right now. View Deal
MacBook deals: US
Apple MacBook Pro M1: $1,299 $1,249 at B&H Photo
Save $50: B&H Photo is running this amazing deal on the all-new M1 MacBook Pro, which when we first saw it over Black Friday, it sold out in record time. Deal expires 11:59 EST 31 December (or until stocks last). View Deal
Apple Pencil deals
We saw some okay (but not amazing) discounts on Apple Pencils in the run up to Christmas last year. And it looks like there are some good savings now too - hurrah!
Apple Pencil (1st-gen): £99 £89 at Currys
Save £11: This isn't a massive saving, but considering how rare Apple Pencil deals are on either side of the Atlantic, it's worth your consideration. There's free delivery, too. View Deal
AirPod deals
Apple New Year sale: AirPods deals
We saw a fair few good AirPod discounts in the run-up to Christmas last year, on both the original AirPods and the AirPods Pro. These true wireless earbuds aren't quite as new and exciting now (and there's a fair bit of competition hitting the market from people like Amazon and Microsoft).
For the best prices in your area right now, including any gems from the Apple New Year sale, check out the price widget below. Alternatively, explore our dedicated Apple AirPod deals guide.
AirPods deals: UK
Apple AirPods w/ wireless charging case:£199 £159 at BT
Save £40 - If you're looking for some new headphones, there's a tidy deal on a new pair of Apple AirPods with wireless charger right now at BT. Stocks are low so if you're interested, be sure to grab some before they all go. View Deal
Apple AirPods with charging case: £159£124.49 at Very
Save £35: Complete with charging case (and cable), this is a great price. Enjoy unrivaled sound, 18 hours of talking time, 24 hours of listening time, and Siri voice control. View Deal
Apple AirPods Pro: £249 £195 at Laptops Direct
Save £54: This price equals the lowest-ever seen on AirPods Pro. If you're in the market for AirPods Pro, you're unlikely to get a better deal on the noise-cancelling tech and unrivalled sound quality of Apple's top-level AirPods. View Deal
AirPods deals: US
Apple AirPods with charging case: $159$128.98 at Amazon
Save $30: Complete with charging case (and cable), this is a great price. Enjoy unrivaled sound, 18 hours of talking time, 24 hours of listening time, and Siri voice control. View Deal
Apple AirPods Pro: $249 $199 at Amazon
Save $50: This is among the best deals we've seen for the AirPods Pro. If you're in the market for AirPods Pro, you're unlikely to get a better deal on the noise cancelling tech and unrivalled sound quality of Apple's top-level AirPods. View Deal
Apple Watch deals
There were plenty of Apple Watch offers in the run-up to the holidays last year, with the then newly released Series 5 meaning retailers were happy to drop their prices to shift older stock. This year, the Series 6 is out and we saw some decent discounts over Black Friday on older models. Check out the best prices right now – on the Series 5 as well as previous models – below.
Apple Watch deals: UK
Apple Watch Series 5:£459£319 at Currys
Save £140: Save almost £150 on the 40mm Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS and Cellular) in silver with a white sports band when you buy today from Currys. If you want to get fit over winter or just make calls from your Watch, this could be the device for you. View Deal
Apple Watch deals: US
Apple Watch Series 6:$399$339 at Amazon Save $60: Amazon is discounting the bold (PRODUCT)RED edition of Apple's newest Watch Series 6 to its best price since Black Friday weekend. The 40mm smartwatch features the latest S6 processor, blood oxygen monitoring, and much more. View Deal
Apple Watch Series 3 (38mm, GPS):$199$169 at Amazon
Save $30: Featuring a heart-rate monitor, GPS and an 18-hour battery life, the Apple Watch Series 3 is a truly robust wearable – no wonder Apple has chosen to keep it in the Apple Watch line-up. And at $169, it's the cheapest Apple Watch deal around right now. Also at Walmart. View Deal
Apple iMac deals
Apple New Year sale: iMac and Mac deals
We don't usually see huge discounts on the iMac, but you never know, 2020 could be the year that all changes. Here are the best prices right now.
Mac mini (M1, 2020): $699 $669.99 at Amazon
Save $30: The latest Mac mini packs Apple’s latest M1 chip. Other specs include 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. It’s an ideal compact desktop PC for creatives, especially at this discounted rate. If you need to double up on storage space, the 512GB model is now $870, which is also a $30 saving. View Deal
How to make the most of the Apple New Year sale
To get the best deal possible, it's a good idea to plan ahead. Do your research and decide what product, model and specs will suit your needs. It's also best to have a price in mind that you're happy to spend. You don't want to end up being overwhelmed by the different Apple New Year sale options and making the wrong decision, or overpaying. Once you've decided on the product you're after, you can start tracking its price on various retailers – or even simpler, bookmark this page and check back regularly.
