Apple TV has three fan-favorite shows returning soon, here’s what’s coming
Apple TV has put together a strong lineup to kick off 2026, including three fan-favorite shows returning soon that you still have time to catch up on. Here’s what’s coming. more…

Read more »

Grab four AirTags for just under $65 and finish your holiday shopping
Macworld If there’s one thing everyone in your life needs, it’s a set of AirTags. A simple AirTag attached to your keychain or popped into a pocket can make sure it never gets lost. And today you can get a four-pack for $65, just $2 off its all-time low. View at Amazon These AirTags are super light and tiny, and they’re super easy to pair with iPhones and iPads. And it’s just as simple if you lose something—just open up the app to see all the tags’ locations on the map. If the tags are within reach, you can have them make a sound, and if they’re farther away, they’ll just ping off of other iPhones and iPads in the area. So, if you attach one of these tags to your luggage and it gets lost at the airport, you’ll be able to track it down before the airline does. We loved the AirTags when we reviewed them, giving them a four-star rating. Our only issue is that you’ll need a separate keyring to attach them to your keys, but you can save more than half off on a pair at Woot. So, stop wasting time, and grab a four-pack of AirTags for $65 at Amazon before the deal expires. Buy now at Amazon

Read more »

Reddit comment led police to identify Brown University shooter
A comment in a Reddit thread was what led police and FBI investigators to identify the Brown University shooter. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said the comment on Reddit was what enabled police to track down the rental car which enabled them to identify the shooter … more…

Read more »

Apple TV claims three spots on TIME’s list of the 10 best TV shows of 2025 — more than any other streamer or network
Apple TV claims three spots on TIME's list of the 10 best TV shows of 2025, underscoring its dominance in delivering critically acclaimed… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

iPhone Fold’s key display breakthrough may still be in flux, per leak
It’s the time of year when Apple finalizes many design details and specs for next fall’s flagship iPhone lineup. But the latest leak indicates a key feature of the iPhone Fold’s display—the crease free design—is still very much in flux. more…

Read more »

Italy slaps Apple with $115 million penalty in App Tracking Transparency case
Italy's antitrust watchdog, the AGCM, announced on Monday that it has imposed a €98.6 million ($115.53 million) fine on Apple and two… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

iPhone Air review three months later: Compromise is good
The iPhone Air remains controversial even three months after its release, but after a quarter of a year with one in my pocket, I'm in no rush to go back to a Pro Max.iPhone Air three-month review: An iPhone like no otherThe arrival of the iPhone Air in September 2025 came after months of rumors. It's rare for any iPhone to live up to that kind of hype, but the iPhone Air did it.It was every bit as thin and light as we'd been told to expect by every leaker under the sun. And even after Apple announced it, seeing was most definitely believing — you really need to get your hands on an iPhone Air to understand it. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Boox Note Air 5 C review: An already good e-ink reader made a little bit better
The Boox Note Air 5 C e-ink tablet and ebook reader doesn't try to fix what isn't broken, but its internal upgrades help an already solid tablet become just a bit stronger.Boox Note Air 5 CIn October, Boox rolled out an update to its Boox Note Air line. That means we're now on the fifth iteration, and I was curious to see what it had changed. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Baseus PicoGo AF21 3-in-1 Qi2.2 Wireless Charger review: More than meets the eye
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros 3-in-1 Compact and foldable Fastest iPhone wireless charging Apple Watch fast charging Adjustable iPhone pad Cons 25W only for iPhone 16 and later Our Verdict This versatile 3-in-1 charger has the looks of a desktop charger but the portability of a travel charger. Its neat design is a pleasure to adjust, and the speed is as fast as you can get from a wireless iPhone/Watch/AirPods charger. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$89.99 Best Prices Today: Baseus 3-in-1 PicoGo 25W Wireless Charger (AF21) Retailer Price $69.99 View Deal $89.99 View Deal Baseus $89.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket With the PicoGo AF21, Baseus has created a Transformers-like multi-device charger that unfolds into a highly adjustable and super-speedy iPhone charging stand that also powers up the Apple Watch and AirPods case. Unlike most 3-in-1 charging stands, you can set it into quite different positions depending on how and where you are using it to charge your favorite Apple devices. As soon as you unfold it, you’re sure to get a few admiring glances. Simon Jary PicoGo AF21: Design Before we investigate the charger’s impressive performance, the most notable thing about the PicoGo AF21is its size in conjunction with its features. Folded up, it measures just 2.97 x 3.15 x 1.5 inches (7.5 x 8 x 3.8cm) and weighs 9oz (254g), small enough to slide into a pants pocket. Simon Jary It can be used as a flat iPhone charger in its folded state—and even charge a Watch when flat—but comes into its own when gently unfolded. The iPhone charging pad raises on a single arm to about an inch above the desktop. There are taller iPhone charging stands, for sure, but few are as lightweight and portable as the PicoGo AF21. The brace bracket is adjustable from 0-55 degrees, and the charging pad 0-115 degrees. Simon Jary The cleverest design element is the Apple Watch charger that slides out from behind the iPhone charging pad and can sit vertically at 90 degrees or fully horizontally at 180 degrees. PicoGo AF21: Performance The PicoGo AF21 utilizes the latest and fastest Qi 2.2 technology that pushes wireless charging to near the same speed you’ll get from jamming a charging cable into the iPhone’s port. The most basic MagSafe-compatible wireless chargers can output 7.5W of power, while a certified MagSafe or Qi2 charger doubles that to 15W. But the very latest MagSafe/Qi 2.2 chargers push out 25W of power. In real terms, this equates to an iPhone recharging from 0-50 percent in around half an hour, which would take some 45 minutes at 15W. In our test recharging an iPhone 16 Pro on the PicoGo AF21, we got to 50 percent in 27 minutes, which equals the fastest speeds we saw on the less-portable Anker Prime 3-in-1 Charging Stand. If charging overnight, that speed jump won’t matter, but it will certainly save you time when you’re in a hurry to get your iPhone back to life as quickly as possible. After reaching 50 percent, all chargers slow down in order to protect the device’s battery, which is why we usually quote comparable charging times at the start of the cycle. Note too that only the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 families support full 25W charging, while the Air can handle 20W. Older iPhones using a 25W-capable charger are pegged back to the previous 15W maximum. See our feature on which wireless charging tech is best for each iPhone for more details. Some 25W chargers introduce active-cooling elements—such as ESR’s CryoBoost, Belkin’s ChillBoost, and Anker’s AirCool—to reduce the charging heat that can push the iPhone to switch off charging to protect its battery. Baseus hasn’t incorporated any active cooling into the PicoGo AF21, so it’s possible that charging could be slowed in harsher conditions, but we didn’t notice any issues. Alternatives to the PicoGo AF21 The closest rival to the PicoGo AF21 is Kuxiu’s X40 Turbo, a similar foldable 3-in-1 charger that charges at 25W. The metal X40 Turbo is even smaller folded up at just 2.5 x 2.5 x 0.7 inches (6.4 x 6.4 x 1.8cm) when folded up and weighs less too at 5.2oz (148g), compared to the AF21’s 3 x 3.15 x 1.5 inches (7.5 x 8 x 3.8cm) and 9oz (254g) weight. However, the PicoGo AF21 is more adjustable, especially the nifty Watch charger at the back. The X40’s design features a more traditional stand arrangement and is available in a wider choice of four colors. Simon Jary PicoGo AF21: Price The Baseus PicoGo AF21 3-in-1 Qi2.2 Wireless Charger is priced at $90 and is available only in the U.S. at the time of writing. That’s a good price for such a portable and adjustable 25W charger. Baseus ships a 45W USB-C wall charger and charging cable in the box. The rival Kuxiu X40 Turbo has a pricier $100 MSRP, but can usually be found at a discount. Check out all our reviews of the best 3-in-1 magnetic wireless chargers for a wide variety of choices. Simon Jary Should you buy the Baseus PicoGo AF21 3-in-1 Qi2.2 Wireless Charger? This versatile 3-in-1 charger has the looks of a desktop charger but the portability of a travel charger. Its neat design is a pleasure to adjust, and the speed is as fast as you can get from a wireless iPhone/Watch/AirPods charger.

Read more »

Apple cozies up to Samsung as RAM gets ridiculously expensive
Samsung has always been a part of the iPhone supply chain, and Apple is about to lean on the company more as RAM prices skyrocket worldwide.A Samsung LPDDR5X memory chip - Image Credit: SamsungThe Apple supply chain relies on multiple companies when it comes to memory. Samsung already provides Apple with a lot of the memory for its manufacturing needs, but its share should be expanding in the coming years.According to sources of Korea Economic Daily, Apple's renewals of long-term agreements will be more beneficial for Samsung. Apple will reportedly increase the amount of memory it sources from Samsung to about 60% to 70% of the iPhone 17 supply. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple about to test iPhone 18 production, ready for new split-launch plan
A leaker with a good track record says that suppliers are gearing up for iPhone 18 production as the company prepares for its new split-launch plan. The new strategy will see the base model iPhone 18 go on sale earlier in the year, with production potentially underway by mid-February … more…

Read more »

Don't expect big changes in the iPhone 18 Pro design
A new report claims that the iPhone 18 series will enter test production soon, but also that the Pro models will closely resemble the current design.The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to deliver a multitude of improvements.There have been many reports of significant updates to the iPhone 18 Pro, though most expect that the differences will be internal. Now a new claim from leaker Fixed Focus Digital includes the caution (in translation) that "the appearance change is not as large as everyone thought."The leaker also claims that testing is to begin on the whole iPhone 18 range after New Year's Day. He or she further says that there will be tests of mass production. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

MacSync Stealer variant finds a way to bypass Apple malware protections
We’ve recently seen how ChatGPT was used to trick Mac users into installing MacStealer, and now a different tactic has been found to persuade users to install a version of MacSync Stealer. The Mac remains a relatively difficult target for attackers thanks to Apple’s protections against the installation of malware. However, Mac malware is on the increase, and two recently-discovered tactics discovered by security researchers highlight the creative approaches some attackers are using … more…

Read more »

Italy fines Apple $115 million over App Tracking Transparency
The Italian antitrust agency says Apple abuses its dominant market position with the App Store and has fined it $115 million having apparently misunderstood App Tracking Transparency.Apple's App Store award trophyItaly's Autorita Garante Della Concorrenza E Del Mercato (AGCM) competition authority began an investigation back in May 2023. At the time, it said this was in part because Apple imposed "a more restrictive privacy policy" on third-party developers than it does itself.The privacy policy is Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT), which was in iOS 14.5 as a way to let users decide whether each specific app developer should be allowed to track their activity. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Traveling for the holidays? Pack these 13 essential iPhone apps and gadgets
Macworld I’ve had more than a few mornings where I’ve woken up, impulsively booked a one-way ticket to a foreign country, tossed some clothes in a bag, and flown off solo. A couple of decades ago, that kind of spontaneity would’ve been far less practical. Today, thanks to remote work and some new-ish inventions, the process is easier than ever before. No matter your destination, reason for travel, or length of stay, your iPhone can help you plan and make the most of your trip. Your exact needs will depend on your travel style, but for nearly every journey, these 13 apps and gadgets are worth packing. 1. Flight finder First, you’ll need to book your flight, and, in most cases, the available airlines are numerous. Instead of manually checking each airline’s website to compare air fares, you could use services like Google Flights and Expedia. Said websites list the various options and help you skim through them to find the most affordable or convenient flight. Once booked, you may also want to download a flight tracker, like Flighty, to get notified about important updates. These include potential delays, the gate number, your flight’s status, and much more. 2. Accommodation rental service You’ll then need to figure out where you’re staying. After picking a city of interest, you may want to use apps like Airbnb or Booking.com to find a rental apartment or hotel. If the listing you’re after is owned by a known, trusted company, you may want to check if they support direct booking on their personal website. This could spare you from paying high commission fees to third parties. 3. eSIM A few years ago, the norm was purchasing a (typically overpriced) physical SIM card from the airport or local carrier when you land. These days are fortunately over, as most countries now support the eSIM technology. Personally, I’ve been using Airalo for half a decade, and I’ve never encountered any issues with it. The app lets you buy data eSIMs that you can install on your iPhone—even before you leave your home country. Once you arrive at your destination, the eSIM will automatically activate, letting you browse the web and FaceTime your loved ones. Nomad eSIM is another popular service. Foundry 4. Offline map While eSIMs are generally reliable, it’s better to be safe than sorry in foreign lands. Before your flight, you may want to download the destination’s map for offline access—just in case. Apple Maps and Google Maps are both compatible with the feature. However, the latter option tends to offer more detailed and up-to-date information outside North America. Just search for a location (like a city, not a specific building) and look for the Download button. Or, drop a pin in the area you’re going to and then tap the Download button. Foundry 5. Reliable translator Apple Translate and Google Translate support downloading language pairs for offline translation. Likewise, Google’s service is objectively superior, as it is compatible with most of the commonly spoken languages and is generally more accurate. Apple’s version is still limited to a few language pairs, and the output quality can be inferior. Before heading to the airport, you may want to download the relevant language packs, as English isn’t widely spoken in all regions. 6. ANC-enabled headphones It goes without saying that you’ll also need a pair of earbuds that support active noise cancellation (ANC). As an iPhone user, you may want to opt for the AirPods Pro 3 or Beats Studio Pro, due to their native integration with iOS. I use both products during my travels, as smaller earbuds are more convenient when exploring outdoors, while headphones can be more comfortable and immersive during long flights. 7. Protective case Given the increased dependence on our iPhones (itinerary, Apple Pay cards, booking confirmation, etc.), you wouldn’t want to break yours—especially when abroad. Even if you’re subscribed to AppleCare+, finding an official or authorized repair center may not always be feasible in certain countries. And you won’t want to waste your limited vacation time dealing with technicians anyway. That’s why we advise you to apply a protective case, preferably a rugged one, during your trip. We have a roundup of some of our favorite cases for the latest iPhones here. 8. Battery boosters Similarly, you wouldn’t want your iPhone’s battery to die as you step into uncharted territory. First, research the country you’re traveling to, and buy any necessary adapters in advance—if needed. You may also want to buy longer charging cables, as the sockets’ location isn’t always within easy reach. Otherwise, consider investing in a quality power bank as a backup charging option when on the go. Some reputable brands with solid options include Anker, Belkin, Ugreen, and Baseus. Just ensure the power bank’s specifications and capacity don’t violate your airline’s policy to avoid any airport trouble. We have a roundup of some of the best Magsafe power banks. 9. AirTag Speaking of airlines and airports, an AirTag can help you locate your checked luggage on the baggage carousel—thanks to Apple’s Precision Finding feature. If, for some reason, the airline loses your bag, you can also share its live location with the relevant company to help retrieve it. If you’re traveling with friends or family, it’s a good idea to add each other in the Find My app’s People tab. Precision Finding works with newer iPhones, letting you find their exact location in crowded places. Foundry 10. VPN Another handy service for travelers is a virtual private network (VPN). Many countries ban certain websites and restrict online content. Your favorite TV streaming service may also not work as expected (or at all) when abroad. A VPN app, such as ProtonVPN, can usually bypass these limitations by borrowing an IP address from your home country—providing uninterrupted access to your favorite platforms.  Check our list of the best iPhone and iPad VPNs to find one that meets your needs and budget. 11. Ride-hailing app Public transport has become dependable in many parts of the world. However, sometimes you may need to tour areas where the system doesn’t operate or during late hours. It’s wise to keep a ride-hailing app installed on your iPhone just in case you’re ever stranded in the middle of nowhere. Check online which apps work in the country you’re visiting, as Uber and Lyft don’t operate worldwide, and you may need to download a local alternative. You might want to go through the steps of setting up your account before you leave, if possible. 12. Food delivery service In a similar fashion, you may also want to install a local food delivery app in case the midnight cravings hit. While tourists generally tend to eat out, sometimes you’re just too tired for that after a long day out. 13. Apple TV 4K Apple TV 4K (2022, 3. Gen.) 128GB WiFi + Ethernet Read our review Price When Reviewed: 64GB – $129 | 128GB $149 Best Prices Today: $129 at Apple We’ve reached a point where most of the relevant hotels offer smart TVs. Nevertheless, signing in with your personal accounts to access your streaming services can be tiresome and risky. That’s why during long trips I take my Apple TV 4K with me; it is portable and has all of my favorite apps installed.

Read more »

Instagram long-form videos and full control of your feed may be on the cards
Instagram long-form videos have previously been a possibility the company has ruled out, but its head Adam Mosseri now says that it might be that the platform needs it. One thing he is promising is a way to allow users to “proactively shape content in their feeds,” although you shouldn’t hold your breath for this … more…

Read more »

The iPhone 17e may be Apple’s last chance to save the budget phone
Macworld It’s been a mixed year for the iPhone. Overall, the largest jewel in Apple’s product crown remains an industry-shaping juggernaut ($49 billion in revenue for the fourth quarter alone, up 6 percent on the previous year), but for various reasons and in various ways, some models failed to pull their weight in 2025. Five iPhones came out this year, and we can divide that group into three successes and two failures. The iPhone 17 picked up rave reviews for its improvements on the 16 and overperformed, while the two Pro models seemingly sold like hotcakes. But the divisive iPhone Air has reportedly proven a commercial disappointment, and the less said about the iPhone 16e, the better. Of the two struggling phones, the 16e is more of a worry. The Air’s apparent low sales are being shielded by the higher-priced Pro models, which, in some ways, is perfectly fine. The Air doesn’t really need to be a big seller to do its job. It made headlines, drew people into the Applr Store, and still has value as a testbed for the tech developments necessary for a foldable iPhone. Whereas the iPhone 16e is currently Apple’s only entry point to the vast and lucrative budget market, and isn’t a testbed for anything other than customers’ willingness to compromise on basic features. With all this in mind, 2026 is set to be a big year for the iPhone. The iPhone Fold is expected to land in the fall, but the launch of the iPhone 17e in the spring could be even more significant. This will give Apple a chance–maybe its last chance–to demonstrate actual value to budget phone buyers before they ditch their old faithful 2nd-gen iPhone SEs, buy a Pixel 9a or Galaxy A17 5G, and leave the iOS ecosystem forever. The problem with the iPhone 16e is that it takes too much and gives too little. It can barely be classified as a budget product, coming in at $599 compared to the iPhone SE 3’s $429. Yet on the features side, it falls short in far too many areas to justify that mid-market price tag. To convince budget buyers, Apple needs to drop the price, or raise the features. It looks like the second approach is more likely. Last week, a report suggested that one of the 16e’s most gratuitously annoying compromises, the lack of MagSafe, could be corrected on the next generation; pundits speculate that this may be a response to Google adding Qi2 support to the Pixel 10 and making the 16e’s value proposition look even more threadbare. With the Pixel 10a slated to launch soon after the 17e, at a lower price and with the company’s own brand of magnetic wireless charging, the comparison would be particularly embarrassing. So MagSafe may be added to the list. Is that enough to move the needle? I doubt it. But hopefully Apple won’t stop there. Part of the issue with the 16e’s lopsided spec sheet was Apple’s desire to make it AI-ready, which necessitated the inclusion of a high-end processor and plenty of RAM; to keep the price low (ish), compromises had to be made in other areas. But with that hurdle cleared, the 17e can be rather more balanced. The RAM can stay the same, and perhaps we can have a second rear camera lens. Or a Dynamic Island. Or, who knows, a couple of extra color options. Do I think the iPhone 17e will be a true budget option? No. Do I think it will be a well-equipped mid-ranger? Maybe. But in a year that will inevitably be dominated by a very very expensive iPhone, let’s hope that Apple remembers the importance of value. Foundry Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too. Have your say: In defence of Siri A very interesting email came my way following last week’s rant about Siri. Garry, a self-professed “Apple freak,” raised an important point: it’s difficult for a company to understand and predict user behavior while also respecting user privacy. “The ‘smartest’ voice assistant is the one that has the most information about the user,” he wrote. “So, naturally, Google is currently ahead in the ‘smart’ race because the reason for each and every Google app is to collect as much data about users as possible. So… if Apple sticks to its goal of not invading a user’s privacy, it has a big problem making Siri ‘smarter’, doesn’t it? “Personally, given the choice between privacy and a more with-it Siri, I’ll take privacy every time.” Thanks, Garry. If you have any thoughts, positive or negative, about the contents of this article, feel free to drop me an email. Trending: Top stories RAM prices are out of control. When should Apple users start worrying? I used AirPods Live Translation for a real conversation, and all I have to say is ‘Wow!’ Locked out of your Apple account? Good luck, says an aggrieved Macalope. John Brandon is a GenZ dad. These are the iPhone accessories his kids (and yours) will love. Blast from the past! iWeb and Aperture live (for now) on Apple.com. Podcast of the week It was a big year for Apple software and services. In the latest episode of the Macworld Podcast we talk about Liquid Glass, Apple Intelligence, Apple TV, and the other launches that shaped the company’s 2025. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. Reviews corner Baseus Nomos Mac Air NU1: Portable DisplayLink docking station. Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Dock: Affordable fast Thunderbolt plus handy power options. Mobile Pixels Duex Float 2 Pro: Portable screen that floats above your MacBook. The rumor mill New report claims Apple’s 2026-27 iPhone roadmap includes 7 new models. An M5 Max iMac Pro reportedly exists–but we may never be able to buy it. Chinese rumor account claims to have more details about the folding iPhone. iPhone 18 Pro could change Apple’s front camera design in a major way. Video of the week @macworld.com Remember the iMac Pro #imacpro ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld Eight years ago, Apple launched the iMac Pro. We reminisce about this one-off in our latest short. Enjoy all our video on TikTok or Instagram. Software updates, bugs, and problems If you care about the security of your iPhone, go update right now. iOS 26.2 will turn on automatic updates if you’re not careful. First iOS 26.3 beta arrives as launch of new Siri nears. And with that, we’re done for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters, including our new email from The Macalope–an irreverent, humorous take on the latest news and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, or X for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.

Read more »

Visa-holding staff should not leave the US, warns Apple
Lawyers for Apple, Google, and Microsoft have reportedly told staff to stay in the US, if they require a visa stamp to re-enter the country.Back in 2020, President Trump signed an executive order suspending foreign work visas, including the H-1B one that lets firms employ graduate workers in speciality occupations. Apple objected at the time, but that was about the issuing of new H-1B visas. What's happening now concerns staff who already have one.Such an employee must have a valid visa stamp in their passport to re-enter the US. According to Business Insider, lawyers advising Apple, Google, and Microsoft say that there are now delays in getting such a stamp of up to a year.Consequently, law firm Fragomen, representing Apple, reportedly contacted visa holders in the company to warn them against traveling."Given the recent updates and the possibility of unpredictable, extended delays when returning to the U.S., we strongly recommend that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for now," the firm told visa holders. "If travel cannot be postponed, employees should connect with Apple Immigration and Fragomen in advance to discuss the risks." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple Developer's Account Restored After Compromised Gift Card Incident
"It's all fixed," says that Apple developer who was locked out of his Apple Account after redeeming a compromised Apple Gift Card. "A lovely man from Singapore, working for Apple Executive Relations, who has been calling me every so often for a couple of days, has let me know it's all fixed. It looks like the gift card I tried to redeem, which did not work for me, and did not credit my account, was already redeemed in some way (sounds like classic gift card tampering), and my account was caught by that. "Obviously it's unacceptable that this can happen, and I'm still trying to get more information out of him, but at least things are now mostly working. "Strangely, he did tell me to only ever buy gift cards from Apple themselves; I asked if that means Apple's supply chain of Blackhawk Network, InComm, and other gift card vendors is insecure, and he was unwilling to comment." Updates to his original blog post now include a frequently-asked questions list: Yes, I have the receipt for the card, including the activation receipt. Yes, the card was legitimately purchased, it's not from eBay. Yes, I have contacted the retailer. Yes, I do have backups... No, I don't know why parts of the account still kinda work, and parts don't. No, I didn't write this article with AI... Yes, Apple really did use emojis in their Live Chat... Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Read more »