5 reasons to get excited about the first touchscreen MacBook Pro
With the initial touchscreen MacBook Pro mere days away, it's time to get fired up about the many improvements. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Some iPhone Duo displays are cracking, seemingly all in the same way
Following the iPhone Duo launch on Friday, a number of owners are reporting that their inner screens have cracked and broken on their own (top image via scary_duck23 on Reddit). The affected units all seem to break in the same way. The screen cracks down the center line of the hinge, and a horizontal block of pixels on the screen is then stuck glowing white. more…

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Before you paste that AI answer into an email, run it past this $59.99 tool
Macworld TL;DR: Find the weak spots and missing context in AI answers before you rely on them with a Caveat AI Standard Plan lifetime subscription for $59.99 (MSRP $179). AI chatbots write every answer in the same confident tone, whether it’s right or wrong. Caveat AI is a browser extension that reviews answers from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, and Microsoft Copilot before you act on them, and a Standard Plan lifetime subscription is on sale for $59.99 (MSRP $179). After a chatbot responds, click Challenge this answer, and Caveat breaks down which AI responses hold up and which need a closer look. You get an overall assessment and key findings that explain why each issue matters. When an answer has one big problem, Caveat calls it out as the primary caveat, and a What to Verify list shows which details need a second source. For a deeper look, the full analysis lays out the assumptions behind the answer, the context it left out, and counterarguments the chatbot never raised. Caveat isn’t another chatbot, so you keep using the AI tools you already use. Standard Plan includes 20 reviews a month, each on an answer up to 10,000 characters long. Heavier users can buy extra reviews or upgrade to the Pro Plan for 40 a month. On a Mac, Caveat runs in Chrome or Microsoft Edge — not Safari. Your plan links to one Caveat account with future updates included. Check out this lifetime subscription to a Caveat AI Standard Plan on sale for $59.99 (MSRP $179). Caveat AI Standard Plan: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Own Microsoft Office on your Mac for $99.97, no subscription
Macworld TL;DR: Get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more on your Mac with a lifetime Microsoft Office license, now $99.97 (reg. $219). Paying for Office by the year means the bill arrives whether you opened a spreadsheet that month or not. Instead of paying every year forever, you can buy a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business 2021 for Mac for $99.97 (reg. $219). Your license includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, plus the free version of OneNote and Teams at the Basic tier. Families, students, and small businesses get the classic apps plus email on one Mac, with no monthly or annual fees attached. One license installs on a single Mac and ties to your Microsoft account rather than to the hardware. Office for Mac supports the three most recent versions of macOS, currently Sonoma, Sequoia, and Tahoe, and needs at least 4GB of RAM and 10GB of free disk space. Running it through Parallels or another virtual machine won’t work. Your redemption code arrives by email immediately after purchase, and you have 7 days to use it. Codes are single-use, and this listing isn’t eligible for coupons. Pay for Office once instead of renewing it every year. Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business 2021 for Mac on sale for $99.97. Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime LicenseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Hands-on: Belkin’s new semi solid state batteries make for a much lighter carry
Belkin is now offering two new semi solid state batteries for your iPhone. There’s one 10,000mAh offering with a USB-C port for charging. The second is a 5,000mAh MagSafe offering, which offers 15W Qi2 charging. Both come in much lighter than you’d expect, and both offer premium aluminum builds that are cold to the touch. more…

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Indie App Spotlight: ‘Flipcorder’ lets you shoot retro footage on your iPhone Duo
Welcome to Indie App Spotlight. This is a weekly 9to5Mac series where we showcase the latest apps in the indie app world. If you’re a developer and would like your app featured, get in contact. If you want more of a nostalgic video feel from your iPhone footage, Flipcorder is a great app to check out. It’s optimized for iPhone Duo, though the app also works on all other iPhone models. more…

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iPhone Duo one day later: Here’s why its quirks don’t make it any less incredible
Yesterday, I picked up my iPhone Duo at Apple Fifth Avenue, and it’s been a wonder to use. Of course, the phone isn’t perfect, but after my first day of usage, I’m looking forward to daily driving it – even if it has a couple quirks. more…

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Amazon drops 1TB M5 MacBook Air to $1,399, save $200
Popular M5 MacBook Air deals are back at Amazon, with weekend price drops knocking upgraded 1TB models to as low as $1,399.Save $200 on 1TB 13-inch MacBook Air models - Image credit: AppleAmazon's $200 discount applies to two popular 13-inch MacBook Air configurations with Apple's 10-core M5 chip.Buy M5/16GB/1TB for $1,399 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Cybersecurity Awareness Week: How to remove your personal data from the internet, and why Apple’s tools alone aren’t enough
It actually seems like an episode of Black Mirror that it’s legal for a company to buy and sell our personal data without our consent, but that’s the reality in the US. Apple has built some really useful tools to limit future tracking, including App Tracking Transparency, Hide My Email, and iCloud Private Relay, but this doesn’t solve your actual problem, though. What they can’t do is remove the data that has already been collected, bought, and spread across hundreds of broker databases over the past decade. more…

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Today in Apple history: The world prepares for the NeXT Computer
On October 24, 1988, Steve Jobs was preparing to launch the NeXT Computer, a machine he hoped would cement his reputation as a tech genius. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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YouTubers break the iPhone Duo, but stores aren't seeing broken displays
A YouTuber has demonstrated the resilience of the iPhone Duo display, which seems to explain why there are so few reports of broken units just after launch.A bend 'test' of the iPhone Duo - Image Credit: JerryRigEverything/YouTubeThere are some inevitabilities that happen after the launch of a new Apple product. We have seen the initial reviewers' opinions, as well as a close examination of mechanisms, but now we have turned to the destruction phase of the iPhone Duo release.Released early on Saturday, the video by JerryRigEverything looks at the iPhone Duo and then destroys it in various ways within a few minutes. However, unlike others that sensationalize the destruction for clicks, the channel instead takes a fairly structured and measured approach. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The problem(s) with iPhone Duo (and most tech reviews) [Cult of Mac podcast 38]
This week on the "Cult of Mac" podcast: The first iPhone Duo reviews are a mixed bag, with predictable pros and cons. But some stand out. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple @ Work: The browser is the biggest gap in your AI governance strategy
Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage, and protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. Most IT teams have a reasonable handle on what AI apps are installed across their Mac environment. Your device management vendor can show you what’s running; policies can block which apps shouldn’t be there; and vendors have been adding AI visibility features over the past year. The app layer is mostly solved, but the browser remains a concern depending on your environment. more…

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A week with iPhone Duo: Folding refined, if not perfected
Macworld Apple was never going to be first to market with a folding phone. The first models were clunky and riddled with flaws, but almost a decade after Samsung’s Galaxy Fold introduced the category, Apple was finally ready to give us an iPhone that bends. Rivals, not just Samsung, but Google, Xiaomi, Huawei, and others, have spent years ironing out the problems that come with folding a screen, and the iPhone Duo benefits from all that groundwork.  I’ve used the Duo as my main phone for the past week, having moved from an iPhone 18 Pro Max, and it’s the most refined foldable I’ve tried, even if it doesn’t get everything right. Here’s how Apple’s first folding phone has fared so far. Folding done the Apple way Like most first-gen Apple products, build quality is where the iPhone Duo shines brightest. Its titanium frame feels more than sturdy enough for daily use, and with an IP68 rating for dust and water, only the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold matches its level of protection among foldables. The hinge is stiff in a reassuring way, so you can leave the Duo partly open at almost any angle, whether that’s tented on a desk, propped up at a 90-degree angle, or somewhere in between, and it has a satisfying snap when you close it. Folded, the Duo has a passport-sized footprint, making it compact enough to slide neatly into a pocket. It’s a touch shorter than the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and rather than following Samsung’s symmetrical approach, Apple has given the Duo rounded corners on one edge and square ones on the other, similar to the Xiaomi 18 Fold. I wasn’t convinced by the design at first, but it has grown on me over the last week. I’ve also found the curved side easier to hold when the phone is closed, and once unfolded, it resembles a mini iPad mini, which makes it clear why Apple chose the asymmetrical look. At 254g, the Duo is weighty, but I haven’t found it too heavy, and when open, the weight feels surprisingly well balanced. The iPhone Duo’s asymmetric design is an aquired taste.Britta O’Boyle/Foundry Face ID is the most notable omission, and anyone who’s used a newer iPhone in the last few years will notice. In its place is a Touch ID fingerprint reader built into the side button, an approach borrowed from the iPad, and it unlocks reliably whether open or closed. After years of simply glancing at my iPhone, however, even a quick task like resting a finger on the power button feels sluggish by comparison, and more than once I’ve instinctively lifted the Duo toward my face and waited for it to unlock. Apple Watch owners can rely on their wrist to unlock the Duo, which softens the blow somewhat, but that doesn’t help with passwords or Apple Pay purchases.  Apple also dropped the Action button for the Duo, and shifted the volume keys to the top edge of the device, which I found (and still find) awkward. Neither the missing Action button nor the volume button placement is likely to be a dealbreaker, but if you use the Action button like I do, it’s something to consider. A matte display that hides the crease The two screens on the Duo are both excellent with ample brightness, smooth scrolling, and plenty of punch. The 5.4-inch outer display is compact and comfortable to use one-handed, with dimensions that will remind long-time iPhone users of the cute 13 mini, albeit broader and chunkier. Open the Duo, and you get a 7.6-inch inner panel with a glare-free matte finish, the feature I loved most when I first saw the Duo and still appreciate after a week of use. Matte coatings aren’t new to Apple hardware, but this is the first time they’ve appeared on an iPhone, and they make a huge difference to the device’s overall feel. Glare is kept to a minimum, and the crease only really shows when light catches it, or you run your finger across it – something that can’t be said for other folding phones. The surface feels smoother under your finger than the glossy displays on rival foldables, too. The trade-off is reduced contrast, so darker scenes lose some depth, and smudges are easier to spot. Sadly, the box also doesn’t include a Polishing Cloth, which is standard when you upgrade to nano-texture finish on other devices. The iphone Duo’s crease is easier to feel than see.Britta O’Boyle/Foundry Smooth and intuitive performance In everyday use, the Duo has been fast and fluid, whether I’m switching between apps, working on documents side by side, running AI tasks through Siri AI or Claude, or playing games (the Toastie app is a great one to try and more addictive than you might think). The A20 Pro chip runs a little warmer than the iPhone 18 Pro, but that’s to be expected given the slimmer halves. What has impressed me most is how iOS handles the fold. The animation as you transition between open and closed was a major talking point when Apple first announced the iPhone Duo, and it hasn’t lost its charm in use. Apps pick up exactly where you left off as you switch between the two displays, layouts adapt when the phone is half-open, and the on-screen keyboard reshapes itself to suit each posture. There’s an incredible amount of polish here that makes the Duo a delight to use.  When I returned from the Surprise and Shine event in September, the most common question I got was about the typing experience, and having now had a chance to test it properly, I’ve found it excellent. I write on my phone alot, and plowing through a 2,000-word feature in Pages using the Duo wasn’t frustrating at all. On the external display, the keyboard is even short enough to leave more than half the screen for viewing, which isn’t true of all folding phones in this format. Apps that have been updated to take full advantage of iPhone Duo’s unique proportions are a delight to use.Britta O’Boyle/Foundry However, the Duo’s interface takes some getting used to, whether you’re a long-time iPhone user or switching from Android. The dock-style toolbar sits vertically on the right side, and for now it can’t be moved to the left, which left-handed users may not appreciate. Nor can you simply flip the Duo around, as you can with an Apple Watch.  Elsewhere, apps that haven’t been updated for the Duo’s layout show a black bar on the right of the outer display where the controls should be. Inside, non-optimized apps just hover in the middle of the inner screen and look terrible. The iOS apps that have been optimized, however, show what the Duo is capable of and restore faith in the overall experience. Netflix, Slack, Sonos and Apple’s native apps, such as Music, News and Pages, all work fabulously, filling the space and delivering a fantastic experience. A decade of single-screen iPhones is a hard habit to break, but once I made a point of regularly unfolding the Duo, I really enjoyed using the inner display. Multitasking is incredibly intuitive, and running apps like Mail and Calendar, or Messages and Photos, side by side makes complete sense, while other apps such as Slack really benefit from the larger space. Longtime iPhone users will naturally want to stick to the external display longer than theys hould, but once they get into the habit of opening the Duo, it’ll be worth it. Camera compromises The camera is generally the first place where Apple makes sacrifices in its iPhones, and the Duo is no exception. On the back, Apple has paired two 48MP sensors, one wide and one ultra-wide, and omitted a telephoto lens, so 2x zoom relies on a crop of the main sensor. Photography enthusiasts will also miss the iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture and manual Pro controls; in my testing, I’ve so far found that the Duo needs an extra moment to finish processing shots taken after dark. Depending on the type of pictures you take, you might miss the Duo’s lack of a telephoto camera.Britta O’Boyle/Foundry That’s disappointing at this price, though the photos I’ve taken so far are still very good, with true-to-life tones and crisp shots of everything from my dog to flowers in my garden. On the outer display, the front camera adopts the square sensor format from recent iPhones, letting you switch between portrait and landscape selfies while holding the phone upright, though its resolution dips slightly compared with the Pro models and last year’s iPhone 17.  Meanwhile, the inner camera, hidden beneath the display, produces noticeably softer images, so I’d stick to using it for FaceTime and video calls. A better option for selfies is Duo Preview, which mirrors the rear camera’s viewfinder onto the outer screen so you can see yourself as you shoot, with Smart Capture handy for automatically getting the group shot without an awkward arm. Kids Cue, which brings Snoopy up on the external screen to grab the attention of younger subjects, is a nice touch, too, and a particular favorite in my home with my kids. Battery life and charging Battery life has been the Duo’s biggest surprise. Coming from an iPhone 18 Pro Max, I was braced for a healthy drop in stamina, but the Duo has held up remarkably well, even with heavy use. I finished most of my testing days with around 25 percent left, even that was with iCloud syncing everything in the background, a couple of hours of gaming and video streaming, writing in Pages, sending emails and posting to social media, as well as heavy camera testing, so it didn’t get an easy ride.  Overall, I found it to outlast the iPhone 18 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, but it falls slightly short of the Pro Max in mixed use. You can charge the Duo via USB-C, on a Qi2 wireless pad, or with a MagSafe puck. Plugged into a 60W adapter, it reached half charge from flat in roughly 20 minutes. Apple only supplies a USB-C cable in the box, though, so you’ll need to factor in the cost of a power adapter if you don’t already have one. You might as well add one of those new $9 polishing cloths while you’re at it, as you will want that. The iPhone Duo’s hinge is so stable, it can be used in a variety of positions.Britta O’Boyle/Foundry Worth the price of admission The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999, making it pricier than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and $800 more than an iPhone 18 Pro. Demand hasn’t suffered, though, as initial stock sold out shortly after preorders went live, and Apple’s estimated delivery dates have already slipped to January 2027. Based on my experience so far, the Duo is the most premium foldable I’ve tested, with intuitive software that makes it a pleasure to use. It’s not without fault—I’d restore Face ID and give it the iPhone 18 Pro’s camera hardware for starters—but no device, especially not a first-generation one, is perfect. For now, anyone who puts photography first, or who struggles to picture themselves unfolding the Duo every day, will be better served by the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max. But if you’ve been waiting for Apple’s take on a foldable and can see yourself reading, writing, and juggling apps on that larger, gorgeous matte canvas, the Duo is a promising debut, and I’ve loved using it.

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Apple weekend deals: Apple TV 4K, MacBook Pro $900 off, Pencil (USB-C), AirPods Pro 3, more
The early discount on the new Apple Pencil (USB-C) for your new Duo, not to mention an ongoing all-time low on AirTag 2. On the Mac side of things we have a gigantic $900 price drop on this high-end MacBook Pro config, $200 off M5 MacBook Air models, and ongoing all-time lows at as much as $200 off the new M6 Mac mini and the latest Mac Studio. Hit the jump for everything, including a host of discounts on iPhone Duo cases and accessories. more…

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How to show only your own photos in the iPhone Photo Library
Macworld WhatsApp and other messaging apps have an option in their settings that allows you to automatically save received photos to your iPhone. This can mean that, after a while, your photo library turns into a jumble of all sorts of images. Although the Search in Photos feature gets better every year and can find even the most unusual images, every user with an extensive photo library would like a bit more clarity. For such cases, Apple has introduced a special filter in iOS 27. The Captured by Me filter displays only the photos that the user has taken with their own camera. You can enable the new filter by tapping the icon with the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner of the Photos library. In iOS 27, a new option appears in the Collection section under Utilities: Captured by Me. This means the system only displays your own photos. The filter function does not distinguish between specific iPhone models, but displays photos that have ever been taken with an iPhone linked to the same Apple ID. There are other filtering options in the main view of the Photos library that were available even before iOS 27. For example, you can hide screenshots entirely from the Photos library by disabling the Screenshots option under View Options in the same menu. Foundry

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Ask GPT, Claude, and Gemini the same question at once for $29.97 with discount code
Macworld TL;DR: Compare GPT, Claude, Gemini, and 50+ other AI models in one window with an AskAnyModel AI Pro Plan lifetime subscription on a major discount at $29.97 with code SAVE10 (MSRP $499). Most AI chatbots charge a monthly fee for one company’s models, so comparing answers usually means paying for several. AskAnyModel puts more than 50 AI models in one browser window, and with code SAVE10, a lifetime subscription to the Pro Plan is marked down to $29.97 (MSRP $499) through October 25. Type a prompt once and send it to up to six models at the same time, including GPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok. Their answers appear side by side with response times and token counts, so you can see which model got it right before you trust the output. Thirty standard models, including DeepSeek, Llama, and Mistral, come with no usage limits. For flagship models like GPT-5.4 and Claude Sonnet 5, you get 500 premium credits every month. Image generation is unlimited across several models and doesn’t touch those credits, and you can switch models mid-conversation without losing context. AskAnyModel works in Safari on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, with nothing to install, and your account works on unlimited devices. New and existing users can both buy, and you have 30 days to redeem. Stop paying a separate subscription for every AI model you want to try. Until October 25, use code SAVE10 to get a lifetime subscription to the AskAnyModel AI Pro Plan on sale for $29.97 (MSRP $499). AskAnyModel AI Pro Plan: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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27 Mac apps for $29.99, all with lifetime licenses
Macworld TL;DR: This bundle gets you 27 Mac apps with lifetime licenses for $29.99 (reg. $390). Mac utilities tend to arrive one subscription at a time, a few dollars a month each, until a menu bar full of small tools costs more than the apps you actually use. The 27-App Lifetime Mac Bundle bundles the full enSili catalog of native macOS utilities into one purchase, and lifetime licenses for all 27 are on sale for $29.99 (reg. $390). Designers get Specimen for font management and Color Hound for pulling palettes out of any image. Developers get JSON Wizard, Regex Wizard, CodeCounter, and DMG Wizard for disk images. Everyday upkeep runs through tools like MemoryBooster for freeing inactive memory, Tidier for sorting files automatically, AllClips for clipboard history, and RenameMe for batch renaming with live previews. For media work, use ToAnything for bulk conversion, PhotoFoundry for batch processing, and Watermarker+ for adding watermarks. Every app runs natively on macOS 10.12 or later, built by independent developer Yanis Zafiropulos, who has been making Mac software since 2010. Each license allows 2 activations, so a desktop and a laptop both stay covered, and free updates continue through each app’s next major version. Pay once for a toolkit that you can use forever. Get the 27-App Lifetime Mac Bundle on sale for $29.99. The 27-App Lifetime Mac BundleSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Apple exploring fix for Safari’s cramped layout on the iPhone Duo’s outer display
In a new post on the WebKit blog highlighting what’s new in Safari 27.1, Apple’s Jen Simmons said the company is exploring ways to let websites make better use of the iPhone Duo’s outer display. Here are the details. more…

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Apple’s official DIY repair guides for the iPhone Duo now available
Following today’s launch of the iPhone Duo, Apple has now published multiple repair guides and manuals for users and independent technicians looking to replace or repair individual components in the device. Here are the details. more…

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iPhone Duo photos show bizarrely cracked screens on launch day
Photos circulating online show some iPhone Duos with distinctive-looking cracks in their folding screens on launch day. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple Music hides interactive iPod as 25th anniversary Easter egg — you can even play Breakout
Apple is marking the 25th anniversary of the original iPod with a playful, fully interactive Easter egg buried on its Apple Music website… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple celebrates iPod’s 25th anniversary with virtual music player
Apple celebrates 25 years of iPod with a virtual version of its original music player, complete with a library of tunes (and a hidden game). (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Formula 1 gets Dolby Atmos support on Apple TV in the U.S. starting today
Apple TV subscribers in the US can now watch Formula 1 live in Dolby Atmos, starting with this weekend’s United States Grand Prix. Here’s the schedule. more…

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9to5Mac Daily: October 23, 2026 – MacBook Pro rumors, iPhone Duo apps
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by Backblaze: Backup you can rely on. Save 20% with code 9to5daily. more…

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Apple tests iPhone Duo 2 prototypes with under-display Face ID
Apple is already evaluating next-generation prototypes of its foldable iPhone Duo that incorporate under-display Face ID on the outer screen… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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All three Paris Apple Stores close ahead of protests
Apple's flagship Champs-Elysees store will remain closed Saturday as the company suspends retail operations across Paris ahead of planned protests.Apple Champs-Elysees | Image credit: AppleApple will close seven French stores on Saturday, October 24, as Paris prepares for further protests following last weekend's violence. The closures include all three Apple stores within the French capital, while shopping center locations around Paris are expected to remain open.The Paris closures affect Apple Champs-Elysees, Apple Opera, and Apple Marche Saint-Germain. All three stores will reopen Sunday with limited hours, from noon until 6 p.m. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Report: Apple gains ground in China as smartphone shipments hit 14-year low in Q3
Rising memory prices continue to weigh on the global smartphone market, with shipments in China alone falling 10% year over year in Q3. Here are the details. more…

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iOS 27.1 is here, but you probably can’t install it
iOS 27.1 is out, but you can't have it. Not unless you own the latest iPhone. But you won't care after next week. Here's why. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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iPhone Duo has hidden trick that solves a common complaint
iPhone Duo is officially out in the wild, and users keep discovering new details about the device. The latest: there’s a hidden trick that makes opening Control Center significantly easier. more…

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Widespread PHP Flaw May Cause Many Site Outages Today
Expect to see quite a few websites serving "404" or "Page Not Found" errors today: Nearly 70 percent of websites need to update their core software to fix a pair of vulnerabilities that allow an attacker to seize full control over affected servers. Experts say there are working exploits for the flaws, and that these critical bugs are already being exploited in the wild.

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Feds Suspect Ransom Negotiator Ran ShinyHunters Extortion Site
U.S. federal investigators pursuing the ShinyHunters hacking group that recently stole highly sensitive data from the FBI have identified executives at two different ransomware negotiation firms who maintained unusually close relations with the extortion group, KrebsOnSecurity has learned. Sources close to the investigation say one of the executives in the United States even helped ShinyHunters operate a website that pressured victims into paying a ransom.

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U.K. Sanctions Cryptomus for RU Money Laundering
The United Kingdom has issued economic sanctions against Cryptomus, a chameleonic cryptocurrency platform that experts say serves as a major conduit for payments related to ransomware, narcotics, darknet markets, fraud and cybercrime services that are helping Russia circumvent existing financial restrictions.

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Microsoft Patches More Than 1,400 Security Flaws
Microsoft today issued updates to fix more than 1,400 security vulnerabilities in its Windows operating systems and other software. Today's epic patch batch dwarfs September's record of nearly 1,000 fixes, which was already about ten times the normal monthly patch load from Redmond.

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FBI Arrests Founder of Ransomware Negotiation Firm
Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday arrested the co-founder of a Canadian cybersecurity firm in connection with an investigation into the ShinyHunters hacking group that recently relieved the FBI of sensitive data on thousands of agents, multiple sources tell KrebsOnSecurity.

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ShinyHunters Extorted Boeing Spin-off Prior to Arrests
A teenager from Amman, Jordan suspected of leading the prolific data theft and extortion group ShinyHunters has been detained and is reportedly cooperating with the FBI to identify other members of the hacking gang. KrebsOnSecurity has learned that the suspect, who uses the hacker handle "Rey," was detained as ShinyHunters was in the process of extorting a business unit recently divested by the global aerospace company Boeing, which manufactures the fleet of planes used by the employer of Rey's father -- Royal Jordanian Airlines.

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Is your old iPad still safe to use? Security updates and support explained
When Apple stops issuing security updates for older iPads, they become unsafe to use. But exactly how long can you safely keep using an old iPad? The post first appeared on The Mac Security Blog.

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What is SMS? What SMS text messages mean and how they work
SMS text messaging is ubiquitous and here to stay. But given its lack of encryption, is it safe to rely on SMS for two-factor authentication? Here are the key things to know about SMS, MMS, and more modern texting standards. The post first appeared on The Mac Security Blog.

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What’s the difference between malware, a virus, a Trojan, and a worm?
Viruses, worms, and Trojans are all types of malware, but the names describe different ways malicious software operates. A virus relies on an infected file or program, a worm can reproduce and spread on its own once active, and a Trojan relies on disguise to persuade you to open or install it. This guide defines […] The post first appeared on The Mac Security Blog.

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Dutch Police Arrest ‘Reformed’ Hacker in Shiny Hunters Investigation
Authorities in the Netherlands have arrested a 23-year-old convicted cybercriminal on suspicion of aiding in data thefts and extortions by the prolific hacker group ShinyHunters. In the days immediately following the suspect's arrest, remaining ShinyHunters members dramatically escalated their attacks, stealing highly sensitive data from the FBI and extorting the Russian ransomware group Cl0p.

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U.S. Soldier Gets 70 Months in Prison for AT&T, Verizon Extortions
A U.S. Army soldier who pleaded guilty to hacking into multiple telecommunications companies and stealing mobile call and text metadata for more than 100 million AT&T customers in 2024 was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison today and ordered to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution to victims.

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Amazon Offers 14″ M5 Pro MacBook Pro for $2069, Save $430
Amazon is offering another opportunity to save on Apple's 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro, with new offers on the Space Black 24GB/1TB configuration starting at just $2069.10, saving nearly $430 off Apple's $2499 MSRP. This is also about $30 below the $2099 B&H sale we reported October 22. The discounted MacBook Pro features Apple's M5 Pro chip with a 15-core CPU and 16-core GPU, 24GB of unified memory, and a 1TB SSD. We've seen this price before, but Amazon's $2069.10 offer remains available as part of its latest weekend deals. Our October 24 price check found four new offers starting at that price, with free shipping. The lowest price is listed under Amazon's other sellers, so be sure to verify the seller and delivery estimate before ordering. Check the 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro offers at Amazon. For the latest prices and sales, see our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Amazon Takes $900 Off 16″ M5 Max MacBook Pro, Now $3499 in Space Black
Amazon has expanded its latest sale on Apple's 16-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro, dropping the Space Black model with 36GB RAM and a 2TB SSD to just $3499, saving a substantial $900 off Apple's $4399 MSRP. This is a significant improvement over the $3799 price we reported in September, taking another $300 off that sale price. Amazon initially offered the $3499 discount on the Silver model before expanding it to Space Black earlier this week. The discounted MacBook Pro features Apple's M5 Max chip with an 18-core CPU and 32-core GPU, 36GB of unified memory, and a 2TB SSD. We verified the $3499 price directly at Amazon on October 23. The retailer lists the Space Black configuration as new, in stock, and sold and shipped by Amazon.com. Delivery is currently estimated for November 15 through December 1. Get the 16-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro for $3499 at Amazon. For the latest prices and sales, see our 16-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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B&H Slashes Up to $1400 Off M4 Pro Mac minis in New Clearance Sale
B&H is offering substantial discounts on select previous-generation Apple Mac minis, with savings of up to $1400 on high-end M4 Pro configurations. The largest discount is on the M4 Pro Mac mini with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 64GB RAM, and an 8TB SSD. B&H has reduced its price from $8099 to $6699, saving $1400. B&H is also taking $150 off the M4 Pro Mac mini with a 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 48GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, dropping its price to $2049. The standard M4 Mac mini with 16GB RAM and a 256GB SSD is available for $799, a $100 discount. These are previous-generation models, but the M4 Pro configurations still offer considerable performance for demanding professional applications. The discounts are listed in B&H's October 23 promotional spreadsheet, with availability subject to change. Shop B&H's Mac mini sale. For the latest prices and deals, see our Mac mini Price Tracker, updated regularly.

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B&H Slashes $400 Off 14″ M5 Pro MacBook Pro, Now Just $2099
B&H has slashed $400 off Apple's 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro, dropping the price of the Space Black model with 24GB RAM and a 1TB SSD from Apple's $2499 MSRP to just $2099. This configuration features Apple's M5 Pro chip with a 15-core CPU and 16-core GPU, 24GB of unified memory, and a 1TB SSD. At $2099, the sale represents a substantial 16% discount on one of Apple's current professional notebooks. The 14-inch MacBook Pro also features a Liquid Retina XDR display, Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, HDMI, an SDXC card slot, and MagSafe charging. B&H offers free shipping on qualifying orders. Prices and availability are subject to change. For the latest prices and deals, see our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated regularly.

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Take $50 off iPad at Amazon, prices start at $399
Amazon again has 11th-generation A16 WiFi iPads in stock on sale for $50 off MSRP, starting at $399. Shipping is free: - 11" 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $399 $50 off MSRP - 11" 11th-generation 256GB WiFi iPads: $499 $50 off MSRP - 11" 11th-generation 512GB WiFi iPads: $699 $50 off MSRP Amazon's prices are the lowest iPads prices currently available for 11th-generation models. For the latest prices & deals, keep an eye on our iPad Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Amazon Lowers 13″ M5 MacBook Air to $1149, Now $150 Off
Amazon has increased its discounts on Apple's 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, dropping the 16GB/512GB model to just $1149, saving $150 off Apple's $1299 MSRP. This is a further price reduction from the $1199 sale we reported yesterday. Amazon has knocked another $50 off the standard configuration, increasing the total savings to $150. The discounted MacBook Air features Apple's M5 chip, 16GB of unified memory, and a 512GB SSD. The $1149 price is available on the Starlight, Midnight, and Sky Blue models, while the Silver configuration is currently priced higher. Amazon's refreshed sale was confirmed October 20. The retailer's product listing shows the Starlight 16GB/512GB configuration at $1149, with free-shipping offers available. Get the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air for $1149 at Amazon. For the latest prices and sales, see our 13-inch MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Amazon and B&H Slash Mac mini Prices, M6 Models Start at $779
Amazon and B&H are offering new discounts on Apple's M6 and M5 Pro Mac minis, with savings reaching $149.01 and prices starting at just $779. The standard M6 Mac mini with 16GB RAM and a 256GB SSD is now $779 at both Amazon and B&H, saving $120 off Apple's $899 MSRP. Amazon is also taking $149.01 off the M6 Mac mini with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, dropping its price from $1099 to $949.99. Buyers looking for additional performance can get the M5 Pro Mac mini with 24GB RAM and a 512GB SSD for $1599 at Amazon or $1599 at B&H, saving $100. For the latest prices and deals, see our Mac mini Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Amazon Takes Up to $150 Off 15″ M5 MacBook Airs, Prices Start at $1399
Amazon has launched new discounts on Apple's 15-inch M5 MacBook Airs, with savings of up to $150 and prices starting at just $1399. The standard 16GB/512GB M5 MacBook Air is $100 off Apple's $1499 MSRP. Amazon is also taking $150 off the 16GB/1TB model, now $1649, and the upgraded 24GB/1TB configuration, now $1849. The discounts are available in several colors, with the lowest prices varying by configuration. Amazon offers free shipping on eligible orders. For the latest prices and deals, see our 15-inch MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated regularly.

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Amazon Takes Up to $150 Off 13″ M5 MacBook Airs, Prices Start at $1199
Amazon has launched a new round of discounts on Apple's 13-inch M5 MacBook Airs, with savings of up to $150 and prices starting at just $1199. The standard 16GB/512GB M5 MacBook Air is $100 off Apple's $1299 MSRP, while the upgraded 16GB/1TB model is down to $1449, saving $150. Amazon is also taking $150 off the 24GB/1TB configuration, dropping its price from $1799 to $1649. The sale includes multiple colors, although prices vary by configuration and color. Amazon offers free shipping on eligible orders. For the latest prices and deals, see our 13-inch MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated regularly.

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Verizon Launches iPhone Duo Pre-Orders With No-Trade-In Offers, Prices Start at $1999
Verizon has opened pre-orders for Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo, with prices starting at $1999.99 for the 256GB model. The phone officially launches October 23. Verizon is promoting a no-trade-in offer when the iPhone Duo is purchased with its Simplicity Plan. Its Simplicity Pro promotion has been advertised with a $33 monthly device discount, bringing the combined phone-and-plan cost to approximately $72.22/month for qualifying customers. Exact pricing and eligibility should be confirmed during checkout. Verizon is also advertising waived activation and upgrade fees for eligible customers enrolled in Verizon Loyalty. The iPhone Duo features a foldable 7.6-inch inner display, a 5.4-inch outer display, Apple's A20 Pro chip, and a 48MP Dual Fusion camera system. Pre-order the iPhone Duo at Verizon. For the latest carrier prices and offers, see our iPhone Price Tracker, updated regularly.

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Amazon Drops 14″ M5 Max MacBook Pro to $3299, Save $800
Amazon has dropped the price of Apple's 14-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro with 36GB RAM and a 2TB SSD to $3299, saving a substantial $800 off Apple's $4099 MSRP. This is a significant improvement over the $3499 price we reported in September, taking another $200 off that sale price. The discounted Space Black model features Apple's M5 Max chip with an 18-core CPU and 32-core GPU, 36GB of unified memory, and a 2TB SSD. The $3299 price was newly reported October 14 and is within $14 of the lowest price previously recorded for this configuration. The discount is limited to the Space Black model; the Silver configuration is priced considerably higher. Check the 14-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro for $3299 at Amazon. For the latest prices and sales, see our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Amazon Drops 14″ M5 Pro MacBook Pro with 2TB SSD to $2399, Save $600
Amazon has dropped the price of Apple's 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM and a 2TB SSD to just $2399, saving $600 off Apple's $2999 MSRP. This is a substantial improvement over the $2699 price we reported during Amazon's October Prime Day sale. The current offer takes another $300 off that price, making this one of the best discounts we've seen on the 2TB M5 Pro MacBook Pro. The discounted Space Black model features Apple's M5 Pro chip with a 15-core CPU and 16-core GPU, 24GB of unified memory, and a 2TB SSD. Amazon's October 15 listing shows four new offers starting at $2399 with free shipping. Individual sellers and delivery estimates should be confirmed before ordering. Get the 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro for $2399 at Amazon. For the latest prices and sales, see our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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