AirPods and Apple Watch cameras could make Apple Intelligence much smarter
A report earlier this month suggested that Apple is working on embedding cameras into AirPods, followed yesterday by another suggesting the inclusion of Apple Watch cameras too. Apple has for many years been exploring the idea of adding a camera to the Apple Watch, but the latest report suggests a very specific usage … more…

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Odd Apple Maps bug showing users random airport baggage claim spots
An Apple Maps bug is displaying the baggage claim locations for various airports across the United States, despite users not actively searching for them.Apple MapsNavigational tools often show helpful icons at various levels of magnification to aid in locating key or important areas on the map. In the case of Apple Maps, it is offering some users an icon that is practically useless.An issue spotted by eagle-eyed Reddit users has Apple Maps showing the baggage claim icons for a number of airports in the United States and abroad. The icons appear when a user has a very zoomed out view, one which displays no other usable icons except for state lines and major city names. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Empathy and Innovation Define HP Amplify 2025
HP stands out for its strong partner relationships and hands-on leadership, reinforcing its commitment to collaboration, empathy, and customer focus — qualities showcased at this year's Amplify event. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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5 iOS 18.4 features I am excited about
More powerful Shortcut actions, Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro, and more — these are the iOS 18.4 features I’m most excited about. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Mophie Juice Pack iPhone 16 Battery Case review: slim case with built-in mini power bank
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Power bank in a protective phone case Robust two-part design Magnetic back Cons 50% max refill in tests No wireless charging Our Verdict This iPhone 16 Juice Pack battery case is slimmer and more robust than Mophie’s previous models, while still giving the user a 50% recharge to their faded iPhone. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$99.95 Best Prices Today: Mophie Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 16 Pro Retailer Price $79.99 View Deal Zagg $99.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket While power banks—either wired, wireless or a hybrid of both—have become an essential part of any mobile user’s travelling gadget pack, battery cases for the Apple iPhone remain a relative rarity. For a long time, Mophie was the market leader and then promptly dropped out of the iPhone battery case race. The company—famous for its nearly always black mobile accessories—re-entered the iPhone battery case market in 2023 with solutions for the iPhone 15 family, and is back again with a range for all but one of the iPhone 16 range. If you own an iPhone 16 Plus, you’re out of luck, I’m afraid, as Mophie’s Juice Pack battery case is available for only the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Plus owners should look to Mophie’s rival Newdery that does offer a battery case for the 16 Plus. Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Design Mophie (which is owned by Zagg) has always preferred a two-piece design for its Juice Pack battery cases. The top part pulls off to allow the users to slip their iPhone into the large bottom section that features the integrated battery plus a USB-C connector for the iPhone to push into. There are two risks involved here. The two part design can come apart when pulled from your pocket, and this was one of the tendencies that we disliked about earlier Juice Packs. However, Mophie has made the two-part design much more robust with this iPhone 16 model, and we don’t have any concerns that you’ll inadvertently remove the top part when handling the battery case. The other area of concern is the USB-C connector. There’s little problem if you leave the iPhone nestled in the case, but if you are forever removing and then sliding the phone back into the case, the risk of being too rough and damaging the iPhones port is one we have seen with past models. That said, most battery case users leave their iPhone in the case, so as long as you are sensitive when first placing the phone into the case, there’s little to be worried about. The rival Newdery Battery Case for iPhone 16 removes this physical risk by charging wirelessly within the case, which we like a lot. That case is, however, significantly bulkier than the Mophie. As with nearly every battery case out there, the color is a singular choice of black. We found the Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 16 to be rather prone to fingerprints and marks—an obvious fallibility in a product that will often be in the user’s hands. The back of the case features four LEDs that indicate remaining battery life in the case. The back also features an integrated passive magnet that allows a strong hold to vent mounts and stands, as well as MagSafe wallets and other magnetic accessories. You cannot, however, wirelessly charge the case or the phone when inside it. The case itself is slim compared to earlier battery cases, and at 3.6oz (103g) isn’t stupidly heavy, which older battery cases used to be, and is one of the downsides to the rival Newdery battery case that weighs in at 5oz (143g). Newdery iPhone 16 Battery Pack (left) and Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 16 (right).Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Performance tests The bulk and weight aren’t factors with the Mophie Juice Pack as the built-in battery pack itself isn’t a large one. The model for iPhone 16 Pro that we tested has a capacity of 2800mAh (milliamp hours) or 10.78Wh (Watt hours). In our tests this gained us a 50% recharge on a completely faded iPhone 16 Pro. That’s likely enough to get you back to a base where you can charge the phone up at your leisure, but not as great a savior as aa slim 5000mAh power bank, although these 5K battery packs average around 70% recharge potential do Mophie is doing well to get 50% out of a battery of half that capacity. The rival Newdery Battery Case for iPhone 16 Pro that we tested as a comparison has a 5000mAh (18.5Wh) battery that pushed our recharging to 72%, much like the better 5K power banks we have tested. The compromise there is that the Newdery’s larger battery noticeably bulks out the whole package compared to the much slimmer Mophie. As such, we commend Mophie for getting a lot out of a smaller battery and keeping the case bulk to a minimum. Price The Mophie Juice Pack battery case for iPhone 16, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max costs $99.95 / £99.95. A decent 5K wireless power bank costs about half of that but doesn’t double up as a protective case, which we’d always recommend to iPhone users. It therefore represents good value for money, offering robust protection and a n integrated battery pack to keep you going on the move. The Chinese Newdery Battery Case is noticeably cheaper at around $30, but is comparatively bulky. It maybe makes a, ahem, case for itself if you are away from a fixed power source for a longer time and need the extra juice while not minding the extra heft and bulk. The Mophie is a nice compromise between power and size. Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Should you buy the Mophie iPhone 16 Juice Pack battery case? We applaud Mophie for making its iPhone 16 Juice Pack battery case slimmer and more robust than previous models, while still giving the user a 50% recharge to their faded iPhone. Having a battery pack built into a protective case means you don’t have to remember to carry a power bank with you, and functions both to protect your phone and from loss of power.

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Teacher training in rural China boosted by Apple donations
Apple and Tim Cook have announced a new donation to a fund in rural China that's intended to expand education and environmental projects.Math teacher Liang Xuehui working in a rural primary school in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region — image credit: AppleApple's donation is to the China Development Research Foundation (CDRF), which also organizes a climate conference. In 2024, Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke at the conference on how Apple recycling was already dependent on AI.The new donation is specifically to help the CDRF expand its "Zhihui Gardener" project and have it benefit more teachers and students in China's rural communities. The project was launched in 2022 with a donation from Apple of 50 million yuan ($6.9 million). Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How to type a hashtag (#) on Mac
Macworld The hash symbol – also known as the pound/number sign, and which looks like this: # – was one of the more rarely used special characters until Twitter and Instagram came along. Now you can barely avoid the symbol widely known as the hashtag and ubiquitous on social media. But how do you type a hash or hashtag symbol on a Mac? Well, that depends on your keyboard layout. For readers using the standard U.S. layout, it’s pretty simple, if you are in the U.K. it is a little trickier. Where is the Hash Key? If you have an Apple keyboard, with a U.S. keyboard layout, things are simple. To type a hashtag sign, hit Shift + 3. You’ll notice that the euro sign has also disappeared.Apple How to type a hashtag sign (#) in the U.K. The ‘hidden’ keys on a U.K. Apple keyboardFoundry Because U.S. readers have less need for the pound sign, the hash sign gets higher billing: it’s the secondary option for the 3 key. But on U.K. keyboards that space is reserved for £, so typing Shift + 3 will give you £. To type a hashtag on a Mac keyboard with a U.K. layout, press Option + 3. (The Option key is sometimes known as Alt, by the way.) U.K. keyboards have to relegate the # to the number 3’s Option slot, because we need the Shift slot for our glorious British pound sign.Apple On some old keyboards you’ll find that the number 3 key only has the pound sign. Don’t be put off: pressing Option + 3 will still work on such keyboards. It’s just that in those days, the hash sign wasn’t viewed as such an important character. (You may also find that your older Mac keyboard labels the Option key as Alt.) Alt? This isn’t Windows Vista, you know. Want to update your keyboard? Take a look at our in-depth buying guide to the best Mac keyboards, and you’ll soon have access to properly-labeled Option and hash keys. I’m not typing in English! Where is my Hashkey? The hash sign on French keyboards is found to the left of the number 1. German keyboards have the hash key beside the return key. Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish and Portuguese keyboards have the hash key on number 3. Italian keyboards have the hash key (cancelletto) just above the lower right shift key. But my Mac keyboard has a hash key… and it doesn’t work! It types a backslash symbol (or ), right? And when you hold Shift, it types a vertical line (or |)? In that case, our guess would be that you’re inadvertently using a PC keyboard. A handy key for hashtags and tildes.David Price / Foundry Some PC keyboards in the U.K. have a dedicated hash key on the right, above Shift, and to the left of Return. If this keyboard was connected to a Windows machine, hitting this button would generate a # (and a ~ when used with Shift). But because you’ve connected a PC keyboard to a Mac–which is possible, and will work fine a lot of the time–the differences in layout confuse macOS. Unfortunately, your Mac is misinterpreting the keyboard’s hash symbol as a backslash. We’d recommend that you get a proper Mac keyboard., but in the meantime, you can type hashtags using your PC keyboard/Mac combo by pressing Alt + 3. For more keyboard tips, see How to type Æ, €, #, @, © and other special characters on a Mac.

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Apple adds $99 million to its China Clean Energy Fund
Apple has launched a second phase of its investment fund aimed at expanding clean energy production in China.Apple aims to promote clean energy usage in China — image credit: AppleThe China Clean Energy Fund was first announced by Apple in 2018. It committed, along with 12 of its suppliers, $300 million in investment aimed at connecting Chinese manufacturers with renewable energy sources."Our suppliers in China are promoting world-class progress in the fields of intelligent manufacturing and green manufacturing," said Jeff Williams, Apple Chief Operating Officer in a statement on the company's Chinese site (in translation). "With the launch of the second phase of the China Clean Energy Fund, we are honored to deepen our connection with suppliers across China." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Philips Hue doorbell accidentally leaked by the company – shows one big limitation
An upcoming Philips Hue doorbell has been accidentally leaked by the company though an update to the Hue app. The company already offers a range of . The app content reveals quite a lot about the device, which is not expected to launch until the fall, including a significant limitation … more…

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iOS compatibility: Find out the latest version your iPhone can run
Macworld Unsure which version of iOS your iPhone can run? Here’s a quick guide so you can find out if your iPhone is compatible with the most recent iterations of the iPhone operating system, and, if it isn’t, which version you can install on your iPhone. Apple gives iOS a major update each year, usually introducing new features and some stability upgrades to the previous version, plus numerous smaller updates in between. iOS 18 arrived on September 16, but since then there have been multiple updates, including iOS 18.3 in January 2025. The good news is that the compatibility list for iOS 18 is the same as iOS 17, so those with the iPhone XR, XS or 2nd gen SE will get to enjoy iOS 18. However, to use the new Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18, you’ll need the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, or the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max. When Apple introduces iOS 19 later in 2025 we expect it to support every phone supported by iOS 18. That’s all phones sold since 2018. However, as with iOS 18 many Apple Intelligence features will not be available for older iPhones. Although Apple is better than most at keeping older models on the list of supported devices, hardware limitations can sometimes mean that an iPhone gets left behind. This doesn’t mean the device will stop working, but you won’t be able to access the newer features and capabilities that come with the updated software and you may be vulnerable to security flaws. If your iPhone can’t run one of Apple’s supported versions of iOS then it’s probably time to upgrade your iPhone. To find out more read how long Apple supports the iPhone for. If you want to see a brief history of iOS, then take a look at our guide to Every version of iOS released so far. Latest iOS version supported by each iPhone To show you which version of iOS your iPhone can run, we’ve broken down each iPhone generation so you know which version it originally shipped with (as that will be the earliest it can run) and the latest iteration it currently supports–including whether that iPhone will support iOS 18. We’ve not listed the smaller ‘point’ releases, as they change all the time, so take it as understood that any version of iOS that the iPhone is shown as supporting (such as iOS 16) also means any smaller point updates too (such as iOS 16.4.1). It should be noted that Apple has stopped supporting a lot of the older versions of iOS now, meaning there are no new security patches for them. Alongside the latest iOS, Apple usually supports two (or sometimes three) generations of the iPhone operating system with security updates. Since September 2024: iOS 17 is the oldest supported version of iOS. The last version of iOS 16 was released in August 2024. This means that Apple has now ended support for the iPhones X, 8 and 8 Plus as it is no longer issuing security updates for iOS 16. With the end of support for iOS 15 (last updated in July 2024), the iPhones 7, 6S, 6S Plus and 1st gen SE has also ended. iOS 18 supports the same iPhones that were able to run iOS 17, so Apple is likely to end support for that version with the arrival of iOS 19 later in 2025. The last security update for iOS 17 was in November 2024. Every version of iPhone and the iOS it supports.Foundry iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 18 Does it run iOS 18: Yes iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 17 Does it run iOS 18: Yes iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 16 Does it run iOS 18: Yes iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 15 Does it run iOS 18: Yes iPhone SE (3rd generation) Original iOS version: iOS 15 Does it run iOS 18: Yes iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 14 Does it run iOS 18: Yes iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 13 Does it run iOS 18: Yes iPhone SE (2nd generation) Original iOS version: iOS 13 Does it run iOS 18: Yes iPhone XR, XS, XS Max Original iOS version: iOS 12 Does it run iOS 18: Yes iPhone X Original iOS version: iOS 11 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 16 iPhone 8, 8 Plus Original iOS version: iOS 11 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 16 iPhone 7, 7 Plus Original iOS version: iOS 10 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 15 iPhone 6S, 6S Plus Original iOS version: iOS 9 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 15 iPhone SE (1st generation) Original iOS version: iOS 9 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 15 iPhone 6, 6 Plus Original iOS version: iOS 8 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 12 iPhone 5S Original iOS version: iOS 7 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 12 iPhone 5C Original iOS version: iOS 7 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 10 iPhone 5 Original iOS version: iOS 6 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 10 iPhone 4s Original iOS version: iOS 5 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 9 iPhone 4 Original iOS version: iOS 4 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 7 iPhone 3GS Original iOS version: iOS 3 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 6 iPhone 3G Original iOS version: iOS 2 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 4 iPhone Original iOS version: iOS 1 Does it run iOS 17 or iOS 18: No Last compatible version: iOS 3 If your iPhone isn’t supported by iOS 18, 17, or 16 then you might want to consider upgrading to a newer device. Take a look at our best iPhone deals round-up where we share the most recent money-saving deals. Read our best iPhone guide for advice. How to tell which version of iOS you’re running If you’re not sure which version of iOS you’re currently running, it’s very easy to find out. Open Settings. Tap on General. Tap About and look for the iOS Version number. The number you’re looking for will be something like 16.0 or 15.3.1. Don’t worry about the bit in parentheses.Foundry How to upgrade iOS Now that you know the latest version of iOS that your iPhone supports, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re running on that platform. We have a guide on how to update iOS on your iPhone, so take a look at that and follow the simple instructions to get your iPhone up to date.

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‘Severance’ pay: Why Apple TV+ is worth losing $1 billion a year
Macworld There’s more to life than money, and heaven knows Apple isn’t short of a dollar or two. So when I hear that the company’s TV+ streaming service is losing $1 billion a year, my first reaction isn’t shock, but intrigue. Is TV+ worth all that lost cash? On reflection, I think it is. At the time of writing, there’s considerable excitement in the Price household ahead of the Severance S2 finale. By the time you read this article, that excitement will have been replaced by other emotions: sadness; loss; confusion about the relevance of those goats; a deep sense of satisfaction at a story (hopefully) well told; anger at structural missteps and (potentially) unresolved plot threads; and exasperation at the inevitable cliffhanger. But above all, we will be counting down the days—hopefully not years—until the third season. Severance, by any metric, has been a hit. Despite the seemingly niche premise, the show is getting plenty of viewers: in February Deadline reported it had logged 589 million minutes viewed in the U.S. and at one point ranked #4 on Nielsen. We already know it’s surpassed Ted Lasso as the most-watched series in Apple TV+ history, but those are impressive numbers for a show on any platform. Unlike most high-viewership shows, it’s also almost universally liked (with the caveat that quite a few people think the second season hasn’t been as good as the first). Even accounting for that slight dip it still has a 96 percent overall critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, not to mention 14 Emmy nominations. It gets people talking around the water cooler and has its own subreddit. The Guardian calls it a cultural juggernaut. If you’ve seen the show and noted its production values and austerely sumptuous set design, you won’t be surprised to hear that all this success and adoration comes at a cost. Severance is one of the most expensive TV projects ever commissioned, with costs reportedly exceeding $20 million per episode. Apple has spared no expense, a seeming trend with Apple TV+ content. Overall, it’s estimated by The Information that Apple is losing $1 billion a year from its streaming business. That’s a lot of money, and if this was any other company the alarm bells should be sounding. But since we’re talking about Apple, I’ll say two things: the company can afford it and it’s totally worth it. Apple doesn’t run ads on the TV+ platform, at least not yet, so you can’t really ascribe revenue directly to one show or another. (Product placement could be a direct source of revenue, but TV+ shows tend to plug Apple’s own products rather than taking money for plugging those by other companies, and Severance doesn’t have any obvious product placement at all.) Severance was never going to be a profitable project in any easily definable way. But it definitely generates money, principally by being such a cultural behemoth that people sign up to TV+ in order to join the conversation. It’s been suggested that the show has earned Apple $200M in new sign-ups, and while I’d serve a pinch of salt with that figure, it gives us a ballpark sense of how important a tentpole hit can be to a streaming platform. But Severance and other breakout TV+ hits are worth far more to Apple than the money they bring in. For one thing, they are part of the pivot I’ve written about repeatedly over the past couple of years, the process by which the company moves away from making most of its money from selling iPhones and into selling other things to iPhone owners. A person owning an iPhone makes them more susceptible to paying for things like TV+ (and Apple Music, Arcade, Fitness+, and so on), but the reverse is also true: a person who likes Severance is more likely to at least consider buying an iPhone. Like the iPod in the early 2000s, a streaming hit can act as bait for the entire Apple ecosystem. Spending $20M on an episode is worth it if only a few hundred thousand people watch that episode and end up as lifelong Apple customers. Apple is more than a company that designs and sells phones and computers. It’s a lifestyle brand, and its fortunes depend on being perceived in a particular way. If it starts to be perceived as a bullying monopolist or a hyperbolic promise-breaker then that damages its image and its ability to resonate with customers. And, conversely, if a few successful TV shows can make Apple seem charming and folksy (Ted Lasso), funny and rebellious (Bad Sisters), cultured and literate (Pachinko), or cynical and flatulent (Slow Horses), or weird and smart (Severance) then that buys priceless reputational benefits. More broadly, Apple stands to benefit simply by bringing good art into existence. The company worked this angle to a certain extent when the TV+-distributed movie CODA won three Oscars, and I found its attempt to horn in on the plaudits mildly distasteful since the film had been made and even premiered at Sundance before Apple got involved. But with shows like Severance, Apple can rightly claim to be a cultural force for good. Speaking to Variety last week, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said he was confused by Apple TV+ and didn’t really see the point. “I don’t understand it beyond a marketing play,” he said. “But they’re really smart people. Maybe they see something we don’t.” Netflix doesn’t have a wider brand ecosystem like Apple, so of course Sarandos doesn’t understand. If you’re Netflix, you measure the success of a show by the number of subscriptions it drives versus the money it costs. But when you’re in the reputation business like Apple, you get to play a longer game. That’s not to say that Apple will play a longer game. Last week it was reported that the company intends to slash its TV+ budget. I hope that’s not accurate. Because there’s more at stake than money. Also Severance is a great show and I don’t want it to get canceled before I find out about those goats. 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. Trending: Top stories Future iPhones might ditch the USB-C port. Good. Apple Intelligence isn’t just bad, it’s making Apple worse, reckons the Macalope. Is Siri really that bad? Yes, yes it is. Which might be why Apple has reportedly ousted the Siri boss. This year’s WWDC keynote will be must-see Apple TV. Apple Watch SE 3 or 11e? Why following the iPhone is the wrong strategy. Your iPhone’s Action button is surprisingly powerful–here’s everything it can do. iPhone 16e Speedtest results show how impressive Apple’s CI modem is. EU orders Apple to open up iOS connectivity features. Podcast of the week The second part of Apple’s M4 Mac rollout happened with the release of the M4 MacBook Air and the new Mac Studio. We review them in the latest episode of the Macworld podcast. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. Reviews corner Codeweavers CrossOver for Mac review: One of the simplest ways to run Windows apps on a Mac. Surfshark One review: Impressive antivirus plus a reliable VPN service. The rumor mill This iOS 18.4 feature confirms: Apple is working on something big. Apple’s first foldable iPhone could cost more than the priciest iPad Pro. The rumored iPhone 17 Air is a trial run for phones with zero ports. Something which the EU has confirmed would be completely legal. New leak corroborates a major iPhone redesign this year. In a ‘twist,’ Apple has two new Mac displays in the works. Software updates, bugs, and problems New Mac phishing attack causes fake freezes to nab your Apple ID password. Apple Passwords bug left users vulnerable to phishing attacks for three months. There’s a firmware update for Apple’s new MagSafe charger (but not the old one). iOS 18.4 beta 4 is out now, but the new Siri may not arrive until next year. 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.

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Rumor: Apple to switch to 2nm chip production process for iPhone 18
Apple’s next-gen iPhone models appear to be headed towards a 2-nanometer production process. Per a post published on Saturday by noted Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the A20 chip in Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 18 models will be manufactured with TSMC’s 2nm process. Kuo stated that TSMC’s trial production of 2nm chips has now reached […] Source

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AI can help you take care of your houseplants
Macworld Is your plant dying? Why are the leaves yellow? Wait, is it a fern, a rabbit foot fern? Those are different.  Taking care of your houseplants can be kind of tough. AI can make it easier. Plantum is an AI plant care tool that can identify plants from a single picture, diagnose any problems, and even help you take care of them. A lifetime subscription also just went on sale for $14.97 (reg. $59).  Plantum is kind of like having your own pocket botanist. It can identify over 33,000 different plants with over 98% accuracy, and all it takes is a picture. Just snap a photo with your iPhone or iPad, and the app gives you instant results.  It even gives you expert advice on how to care for your plant. That includes watering and turning reminders to help you keep your plant healthy. It’s not just about identification; Plantum can also diagnose plant diseases and recommend the right treatment to get them back to good health. Use code SAVE5 by April 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a Plantum AI plant identifier lifetime subscription for just $14.97.    Plantum – AI Plant Identifier Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (For iOS Only) – $14.97 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. 

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Apple Watch SE 3’s plastic casing puts its future in ‘serious jeopardy’
Apple's design and operations team are reportedly not happy with the Apple Watch SE 3's plastic casing, putting it in "serious jeopardy." (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Amazon drops AirPods 4 to $99.99, AirPods Pro 2 to $169.99 ahead of Big Spring Sale
Amazon is getting a head start on steeper price cuts in anticipation of Tuesday's Big Spring Sale 2025, and today's Apple AirPods discounts have prices dropping to as low as $99.99.Amazon has cut prices on AirPods today - Image credit: AppleThe best AirPods 4 price has returned, with Apple's latest earbuds falling to $99.99 ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale that starts March 25. You can also pick up AirPods Pro 2 for $169.99, a discount of $80 off MSRP.Even AirPods Max with USB-C are marked down, with the over-ear headphones discounted to $479.99 in select colorways. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Maps bug randomly showing airport baggage claim pins
A strange Apple Maps bug is showing point-of-interest pins for a smattering of airport baggage claim stations across the United States, while the map is zoomed far way enough that otherwise almost no landmarks, let alone airports, are marked. The random baggage claim pins appear across Apple Maps on iPhone, iPad and Mac. This is obviously a glitch with the data being served by the Apple Maps backend, and should be fixable by Apple with a server update. more…

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Philips Hue Secure doorbell accidentally leaks via an iOS app
Signify is seemingly close to launching its own Philips Hue video doorbell, following a leak in the company's own iOS app.Philips Hue Secure Camera [left], and the iOS app leak for its doorbell - Image Credit: HueBlogSignify's Philips Hue collection covers a lot of smart home devices, with the list chiefly consisting of lights and security cameras. While it doesn't currently have a video doorbell in its imaging collection, that could change within a matter of months.Revealed by HueBlog, the Hue app for iOS was updated in March to include an option to register devices by QR code, with there also an option to add hardware without the QR code too. It's this latter option that confirmed the existence of the device. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now available to play on Mac
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has debuted on the Mac. The game launched at the same time as its Xbox, Windows, and PlayStation 5 counterparts, and marks the first time to do so. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is part of a long-standing franchise, this time set in feudal Japan. Players get into the action as the Templar Order […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now available to play on Mac
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has debuted on the Mac. The game launched at the same time as its Xbox, Windows, and PlayStation 5 counterparts, and marks the first time to do so. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is part of a long-standing franchise, this time set in feudal Japan. Players get into the action as the Templar Order […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now available to play on Mac
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has debuted on the Mac. The game launched at the same time as its Xbox, Windows, and PlayStation 5 counterparts, and marks the first time to do so. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is part of a long-standing franchise, this time set in feudal Japan. Players get into the action as the Templar Order […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple TV+ struggling with revenue, according to report
The Information recently said that Apple TV+ is losing about $1 billion in revenue every year. The streaming service is apparently losing when it comes to profitability, as outlined by Wayne Ma. He even said that it was the only subscription service that was ‘not profitable’, with losses amounting to $1 billion per year despite […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple TV+ struggling with revenue, according to report
The Information recently said that Apple TV+ is losing about $1 billion in revenue every year. The streaming service is apparently losing when it comes to profitability, as outlined by Wayne Ma. He even said that it was the only subscription service that was ‘not profitable’, with losses amounting to $1 billion per year despite […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple TV+ struggling with revenue, according to report
The Information recently said that Apple TV+ is losing about $1 billion in revenue every year. The streaming service is apparently losing when it comes to profitability, as outlined by Wayne Ma. He even said that it was the only subscription service that was ‘not profitable’, with losses amounting to $1 billion per year despite […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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iOS users affected by low-quality YouTube streaming bug
YouTube posted a new support page about unexpected buffering and low-quality streaming videos affecting iOS users. Apparently, the issue regarding low video quality is widespread and impacts iOS desktops, smart TVs, and iOS mobile devices. While the easy fix is to increase the resolution manually by going into settings and selecting the preferred quality, it […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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iOS users affected by low-quality YouTube streaming bug
YouTube posted a new support page about unexpected buffering and low-quality streaming videos affecting iOS users. Apparently, the issue regarding low video quality is widespread and impacts iOS desktops, smart TVs, and iOS mobile devices. While the easy fix is to increase the resolution manually by going into settings and selecting the preferred quality, it […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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iOS users affected by low-quality YouTube streaming bug
YouTube posted a new support page about unexpected buffering and low-quality streaming videos affecting iOS users. Apparently, the issue regarding low video quality is widespread and impacts iOS desktops, smart TVs, and iOS mobile devices. While the easy fix is to increase the resolution manually by going into settings and selecting the preferred quality, it […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple’s recent executive shake-up has me optimistic about the future of Siri
On Thursday, Bloomberg reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook had “lost confidence” in SVP of AI John Giannandrea. In turn, he’ll no longer be in charge of Siri product development, and now Vision Pro head Mike Rockwell will be taking the lead. While pretty much any news for Siri would be good news at this point, I’m optimistic in Mike Rockwell’s ability to turn Siri around. I’ll explain. more…

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A tale of two Airs: iPad and MacBook reviews [The CultCast]
This week on Cult of Mac's podcast: Griffin goes deep on M3 iPad Air and M4 MacBook Air after toiling on his hands-on reviews. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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iPhone Fold leaker reaffirms 2026 launch forecasts
The iPhone Fold is once again being forecast for launch in 2026, continuing a run of rumors and predictions about the foldable smartphone.A render of what the iPhone Fold could look like - Image Credit: AppleInsiderThe long-rumored iPhone Fold is widely expected to be in development and is slowly making its way to becoming a full product. As for when that could happen, the wait for consumers may not be that long at all.In Sunday's newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman talks about Apple's upcoming foldable device. Potentially called the "iPhone Fold," Gurman says he expects the model to arrive "next year," in 2026. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Today in Apple history: Macintosh LC II is the Mac mini of its day
On March 23, 1992, Apple released the Macintosh LC II, a low-cost “headless” Macintosh that was roughly analogous with today’s Mac minis. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Arrests in Tap-to-Pay Scheme Powered by Phishing
Authorities in at least two U.S. states last week independently announced arrests of Chinese nationals accused of perpetrating a novel form of tap-to-pay fraud using mobile devices. Details released by authorities so far indicate the mobile wallets being used by the scammers were created through online phishing scams, and that the accused were relying on a custom Android app to relay tap-to-pay transactions from mobile devices located in China.

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DOGE to Fired CISA Staff: Email Us Your Personal Data
A message posted on Monday to the homepage of the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the latest exhibit in the Trump administration's continued disregard for basic cybersecurity protections. The message instructed recently-fired CISA employees to get in touch so they can be rehired and then immediately placed on leave, asking employees to send their Social Security number or date of birth in a password-protected email attachment -- presumably with the password needed to view the file included in the body of the email.

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ClickFix: How to Infect Your PC in Three Easy Steps
A clever malware deployment scheme first spotted in targeted attacks last year has now gone mainstream. In this scam, dubbed "ClickFix," the visitor to a hacked or malicious website is asked to distinguish themselves from bots by pressing a combination of keyboard keys that causes Microsoft Windows to download password-stealing malware.

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Microsoft: 6 Zero-Days in March 2025 Patch Tuesday
Microsoft today issued more than 50 security updates for its various Windows operating systems, including fixes for a whopping six zero-day vulnerabilities that are already seeing active exploitation.

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Alleged Co-Founder of Garantex Arrested in India
Authorities in India today arrested the alleged co-founder of Garantex, a cryptocurrency exchange sanctioned by the U.S. government in 2022 for facilitating tens of billions of dollars in money laundering by transnational criminal and cybercriminal organizations. Sources close to the investigation told KrebsOnSecurity the Lithuanian national Aleksej Besciokov, 46, was apprehended while vacationing on the coast of India with his family.

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Feds Link $150M Cyberheist to 2022 LastPass Hacks
In September 2023, KrebsOnSecurity published findings from security researchers who concluded that a series of six-figure cyberheists across dozens of victims resulted from thieves cracking master passwords stolen from the password manager service LastPass in 2022. In a court filing this week, U.S. federal agents investigating a spectacular $150 million cryptocurrency heist said they had reached the same conclusion.

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Who is the DOGE and X Technician Branden Spikes?
At 49, Branden Spikes isn't just one of the oldest technologists who has been involved in Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As the current director of information technology at X/Twitter and an early hire at PayPal, Zip2, Tesla and SpaceX, Spikes is also among Musk's most loyal employees. Here's a closer look at this trusted Musk lieutenant, whose Russian ex-wife was once married to Elon's cousin.

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Notorious Malware, Spam Host “Prospero” Moves to Kaspersky Lab
One of the most notorious providers of abuse-friendly "bulletproof" web hosting for cybercriminals has started routing its operations through networks run by the Russian antivirus and security firm Kaspersky Lab, KrebsOnSecurity has learned.

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U.S. Soldier Charged in AT&T Hack Searched “Can Hacking Be Treason”
A U.S. Army soldier who pleaded guilty last week to leaking phone records for high-ranking U.S. government officials searched online for non-extradition countries and for an answer to the question "can hacking be treason?" prosecutors in the case said Wednesday. The government disclosed the details in a court motion to keep the defendant in custody until he is discharged from the military.

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Trump 2.0 Brings Cuts to Cyber, Consumer Protections
One month into his second term, President Trump's actions to shrink the government through mass layoffs, firings and withholding funds allocated by Congress have thrown federal cybersecurity and consumer protection programs into disarray. At the same time, agencies are battling an ongoing effort by the world's richest man to wrest control over their networks and data.

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Apple AirPods Pro 2 on sale for $169, $80 off MSRP
Amazon has Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C in stock and on sale this week for $169.99 including free shipping. Their price is $80 (32%) off MSRP, and it's currently among the lowest prices available for new AirPods Pro 2. For the latest prices & deals, see our Apple AirPods Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Clearance 13-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB/Midnight) on sale for $799
B&H Photo has clearance 13" M3 MacBook Airs with 16GB of RAM and 256GB SSDs, in Midnight, now available for $799. Original MSRP for these MacBooks was $1099. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: - 13" M3 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB/Midnight): $799, $300 off For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis on sale for $100 off MSRP at B&H
B&H Photo has M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis in stock and on sale right now for $100 off Apple's MSRP, each including free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: - M4 Mac mini (16GB/256GB): $499, $100 off MSRP - M4 Mac mini (16GB/512GB): $699, $100 off MSRP - M4 Mac mini (24GB/512GB): $899, $100 off MSRP - M4 Pro Mac mini (24GB/512GB): $1299, $100 off MSRP For the latest prices and sales, keep an eye on our Mac mini Price Tracker, updated daily.

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New M3 iPad Airs in stock and on sale for $50 off MSRP
Amazon is offering an early discount on Apple's new M3 iPad Airs. Take $50 off most 11-inch M3 iPad Airs and 13-inch M3 iPad Airs right now. Shipping is free. Be sure to order from Amazon itself rather than a third-party seller. For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our iPad Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Clearance 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pros on sale for $700-$800 off MSRP
Best Buy has clearance 16" M3 Max Apple MacBook Pros on sale for $700-$800 off original MSRP on their online store right now. Prices valid for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - 16" M3 Max MacBook Pro (36GB/1TB): $2799, $700 off MSRP - 16" M3 Max MacBook Pro (48GB/1TB): $3199, $800 off MSRP For the latest prices and sales, see our 16" MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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27-inch 5K Apple Studio Display on sale for $350 off MSRP
Amazon has the 27" 5K Apple Studio Display on sale right now for $350 off MSRP. Shipping is free: - Studio Display (Standard glass): $1249 $350 off MSRP Their price is the lowest available for new Studio Displays among the retailers we track. For the latest prices and sales, see our Studio Display Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Get a 24-inch M4 iMac at Apple for $200-$290 off MSRP, Certified Refurbished
Apple has a full line of 24-inch M4 iMacs in stock today and available starting at $1099, Certified Refurbished, and ranging up to $290 off MSRP. Each iMac is in like-new condition and comes with Apple's standard one-year warranty: - 24-inch M4 iMac 8-Core CPU/256GB (all colors): $1099, original MSRP $1299 - 24-inch M4 iMac 10-Core CPU/256GB SSD (all colors): $1269, original MSRP $1499 - 24-inch M4 iMac 10-Core CPU/512GB SSD (all colors): $1439, original MSRP $1699 - 24-inch M4 iMac 10-Core CPU/24GB RAM/512GB SSD (all colors): $1609, original MSRP $1899 Details at Apple here. For the latest prices and deals, see our iMac Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Apple has HomePods available for $50 off MSRP, Certified Refurbished
Apple continues to have Certified Refurbished White and Midnight HomePods available for $249, Certified Refurbished. That's $50 off MSRP and the lowest price currently available for a full-size Apple HomePod today. Shipping is free, and each HomePod includes Apple's standard 1-year warranty. The outer case is new. According to Apple, "Each Apple Certified Refurbished Product: - Undergoes full functionality testing and any defective modules identified in testing are replaced. - Is put through a thorough cleaning process and inspection. - Is repackaged (including appropriate manuals, cables, new boxes). - Includes either the Operating System originally shipped with the unit or, in some cases, a more recent version. - Is placed into a Final QA inspection prior to being added to sellable refurbished stock." For the latest prices & sales, see our HomePod Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Clearance 13-inch M3 MacBook Airs (16GB/256GB) on sale for $849
B&H Photo has clearance 13" M3 MacBook Airs with 16GB of RAM and 256GB SSDs available starting at $849. Original MSRP for these MacBooks was $1099. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: - 13" M3 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB/Midnight): $849, $250 off - 13" M3 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB/Silver): $899, $200 off - 13" M3 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB/Starlight): $899, $200 off - 13" M3 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB/Gray): $899, $200 off For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Amazon is offering a 20% discount on Apple’s newest 7th generation iPad minis
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple's newest 2024 WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These (along with Best Buy's) are the lowest prices available for new minis anywhere. - 8.3" 128GB WiFi iPad mini: $399, $100 off MSRP - 8.3" 256GB WiFi iPad mini: $499, $100 off MSRP - 8.3" 512GB WiFi iPad mini: $699, $100 off MSRP For the latest prices and sales, see our iPad mini Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Clearance 13-inch M3 MacBook Air (8GB/256GB/Silver) on sale at Amazon for only $699
Amazon has the 13" M3 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage, in Silver, on clearance sale for only $699 shipped. Original MSRP for this model was $1099. This is the cheapest M3-powered MacBook for sale anywhere. Check their site for the latest stock status, as we expect this model to sell out quickly at this price. For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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HomePod minis on rare sale for $84.99, save $14 (15% off)
Apple HomePod minis are on sale for $15 off at Verizon ($84.99). Compact yet powerful, the HomePod mini delivers rich, 360-degree sound and integrates seamlessly with your Apple devices and smart home setup. Their sale price applies to all mini colors and represents a rare HomePod sale price. Verizon service is not required for purchase. Buy online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available). Sale price for online orders only, in-store price may vary. See our HomePod Price Tracker for the latest prices and deals from Apple and its retailers.

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