iPhone 18 Pro pricing rumors offer surprisingly good news
We’re still over half a year away from the iPhone 18 line being unveiled, but the latest analyst expectations for pricing are surprisingly good news. more…

Read more »

Under-screen Touch ID may not just be for iPhone
Instead of a Home or a side-button, Apple is researching how best to implement under-screen fingerprint sensors, not just for mobile devices like iPhone Fold and iPad, but potentially also the Mac.Under-display Touch ID could come to future iPhones — or Macs.The expected iPhone Fold has been said to be too thin for Face ID, so it must use Touch ID. Despite some claims of it getting Touch ID sensor under the screen, most reports predict it will be part of the side button, as was introduced with the iPad Air 4 back in 2020.Now a newly-granted patent, however, appears to show that Apple is at least researching under-display Touch ID. The patent hides the fact a little, being called just "Display with localized brightness adjustment capabilities." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

This super-light Logitech mouse is just $50 today
Macworld Listen, we appreciate all Apple gear, but the Magic Mouse? Eh. Let’s just say it’s our favorite Apple product. So, if you’re looking for a good alternative, this Logitech G309 Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse is a fantastic option, especially since it’s only $50, a massive 44 percent discount off its $90 MSRP. This mouse was built with precision in mind, featuring a 25K HERO sensor that will track movement closely whether you’re browsing or gaming. The Lightforce hybrid optical-mechanical switches are also optimized for gaming, providing the speed modern times require and that mechanical feel we all love. One of the coolest things about this Logitech G309 mouse is that it’s versatile, coming with dual connectivity options. Basically, you can switch between regular Bluetooth and the low-latency Lightspeed wireless. When using the latter, the AA battery will keep the mouse going for over 300 hours, so it will be a while before you need to change it. Grab this mouse if you want fantastic gaming gear without breaking the bank. At $50, the Logitech G309 Lightspeed is a superb find. Buy now at Amazon

Read more »

Flash deal: Save $300 on Apple's 15-inch MacBook Air with 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
B&H's Mega Deal Zone event is going on now, with a standout $300 discount on Apple's current 15-inch MacBook Air with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.Save $300 on Apple's M4 MacBook Air with 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD - Image credit: AppleThe flash Deal Zone at B&H offers savings on monitors, external storage, and Apple products — with a standout deal being this $300 discount on a loaded M4 15-inch MacBook Air in Sky Blue.Save $300 on 15" MacBook Air 32GB, 1TB Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple smart home users might need to upgrade their iPhone app today
Macworld Attention, Apple Home users: Today (February 10, 2026) is the last day that Apple will support its original HomeKit architecture. Starting on Wednesday, Apple will be rolling out a new version of Home for your smart home devices. According to Apple, “Any device connected to an updated home that doesn’t use iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, or watchOS 9.2 or later will lose access to the updated home until you update the device. This includes people that you invite to control your home.” A HomePod or Apple TV hardware needs to be set up as a home hub if you want to share control of your home or receive Home notifications. An iPad can no longer be used as a home hub. Apple switched to the new Home app architecture, which is visually identical but offers better performance and some new features, such as guest access, support for robot vacuum cleaners, and Activity History, way back in iOS 16.2, but rolled back the changes after initial issues. It has since been issuing warnings to users still using the old version of the app, but after today, it won’t work at all. How to update the Home app: Open the Home app. Tap/click the “…” button. Select Home Settings. If you have multiple homes, pick one. Select Software Update. Tap/click Update Now and follow the prompts. When finished, a message will say the Home app and accessories are up to date. About a year ago, reports indicated that Apple planned to force users to upgrade to the new Home architecture with the release of iOS 18.4, but that was delayed until this year.

Read more »

Apple’s 2026 AirPods Pro said to feature tiny built-in cameras
Apple's upcoming next-generation AirPods Pro will include cameras enabling them to "see around" the wearer — likely via tiny sensors built… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Nomad debuts Stellar Orange ChargeKey with iPhone-inspired color matching
Nomad is updating one of my favorite and most clutch tech accessories they make. They are expanding their ChargeKey lineup with a new Stellar Orange color to perfectly match the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. ChargeKey has been one of Nomad’s longest-running products and is still one of the simplest solutions for carrying a reliable cable on your keychain that can do it all, from ultra-high speed charging to professional-level data transfer speeds. Here is what you should know. more…

Read more »

2026 iPad Air: Everything you need to know
Macworld Apple’s iPad Air was updated in March 2025, but other than a new M3 chip, not much changed about it. A year later, Apple is expected to update its mid-range tablet again with a performance-focused refresh rather than a redesign. Here’s everything you need to know about the new iPad Air for 2026. 2026 iPad Air: At a glance What’s New: M4 chip, N1 wireless chip, possible price increase What’s staying the same: Design, display, cameras, RAM 2026 iPad Air performance and specs: Will the 2026 iPad Air be faster? M4 chip 8GB RAM N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 C1X 5G modem Apple The main feature for the 2026 iPad Air will be a new processor. According to an internal Apple document, the M3 is expected to be replaced by an M4 chip. While we are familiar with the M4 chip, which has already featured in the 2024 iPad Pro, it’s not clear what the specification of the M4 in the iPad Air will be. The iPad Pro came with a 9-core or 10-core CPU, depending on the storage. We believe Apple will offer only the 9-core CPU with a 10-core GPU. The 2025 iPad Air had 8GB of RAM, the minimum required to run Apple Intelligence. We expect the new iPad Air will also have 8GB of RAM standard. With the iPhone 17, Apple released a new N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread networking technology. We expect the N1 to appear in the iPad Air, along with the iPhone Air’s C1X 5G modem for cellular models. 2026 iPad Air design and display: Will Apple redesign the iPad Air? 11-inch and 13-inch Liquid Retina displays Similar dimensions and thinness Britta O’Boyle Apple offers the iPad Air in 11- and 13-inch models, and the new iPad Air is expected to have the same design and screen options. What might change is the colors; Apple currently offers the M3 iPad Air in four colors (Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Gray), the same options as the M2 model. Apple often changes the colors when introducing a new generation, so it would be unusual to have the same options for three generations. The iPad Air has used the same LED backlit Liquid Retina display for several generations, and we expect it to continue with the M4 update. Apple’s more expensive iPad Pro uses tandem OLED panels, but we don’t expect that technology to come to the iPad Air for several years. 2026 iPad Air cameras: Are the cameras changing? 12MP rear camera 12MP Center Stage front camera Eugen Wegmann Apple doesn’t upgrade its iPad cameras annually like the iPhone. The iPad Air has had the same two cameras since the M1: a 12MP front camera with Center Stage and a 12MP rear wide-angle camera. It’s unlikely the hardware will change, although Apple could introduce new software features. 2026 iPad Air price: Will the iPad Air cost more in 2026? Tariffs, rising RAM prices, and other supply-chain cost increases could drive prices up this year. Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the Q1 2026 financial results earnings call that the company is in “supply chase mode” and facing industry-wide constraints for components. However, any price increase would likely affect the higher-end configurations, and we expect the M4 iPad Air to still start at $599 for the 11-inch model.

Read more »

London's Apple Regent Street to reopen on Valentine's Day
Apple has announced that its central London store refurbishment will be completed and Apple Regent Street is to reopen on Valentine's Day.Apple Regent Street | Image Credit: AppleIn early January 2025, Apple announced that its Regent Street site was to be closed for unspecified refurbishment. It was part of Apple's plans to remodel or open around 50 stores worldwide by 2027.Apple did say that the closure, which began at 6:00 PM GMT on January 11, was temporary. It didn't give a reopening date at the time, but it has now revealed that the store will open again at 10:00 GMT on Saturday, February 14, 2026. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Deals: iPhone 16 up to $420 off orig. price, 32GB M4 MacBook Air $300 off, M4 Pro $400 off, chargers, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break deals are starting with some serious price drops on iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models – these Amazon offers are drastically undercutting the Apple refurb units that recently appeared with iPhone 16 models at up to $420 off and 16 Pro at $630 off the original prices. We also have a particularly notable offer on 32GB M4 MacBook Air models at up to $300 off and M4 Pro MacBook Pro configs at $400 off. Apple’s 11-inch 1TB M5 iPad Pro has hit the Amazon all-time low, you can land Powerbeats Pro 2 at up to $122 off, and Anker’s new orange model Smart Display Nano Charger now live on Amazon at $30. Head below for a closer look at everything.  more…

Read more »

The best RPG on Apple Arcade gets a sequel
"Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow Sea" invites players into a beautiful open-world RPG full of action. Plus more new Apple Arcade games. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

How to stop an AirTag tracking you: Find & disable unknown AirTags
Macworld You may have heard reports of people using AirTags to track others, but what if it’s you who is being tracked? What if you are the one who sees the warning that an AirTag has been detected near you, and what should you do if that’s the case? The first thing is not to panic. It probably isn’t anything malicious. You might have found something someone had lost, or a pet with an AirTag in its collar might have taken a shine to you. You may also see an alert for other devices moving with you, such as AirPods and other Bluetooth trackers, so it could be an innocent case of having borrowed an item from someone with an AirTag attached or inside it. In this article, we will help you identify whether you are being tracked by an AirTag and explain what to do, including how to locate the AirTag and how to stop it from tracking you. We will also explain how to make sure you will receive alerts if an AirTag is tracking you. What to do if you think an AirTag is tracking you If you suspect an unknown AirTag is tracking you, the most important first step is to remain calm. Apple has built multiple safety features into the Find My network to help prevent unwanted tracking. These include on-screen alerts and audible sounds designed to notify you if an AirTag that doesn’t belong to you is nearby. If an AirTag is detected near you that is not associated with your iCloud account, your iPhone – or an Android phone using Apple’s tracker detection tools – will display an alert. These notifications typically appear after a period of time, or when you are moving and the AirTag appears to be moving with you. When you see an alert that an AirTag is following you, you can play a sound or use Precision Finding to help locate it. We explain how to do this below. Even if you don’t receive an alert, an AirTag that has been separated from its owner for a while (around three days) will eventually emit a chirping sound to draw attention to itself. This safeguard is effective as long as the AirTag’s owner is not frequently nearby. If you believe you are being intentionally tracked, do not confront a potential perpetrator. Instead, prioritise your safety and contact law enforcement for assistance. 1. Locate the AirTag by playing a sound You will see a notification if an AirTag is travelling with you.Foundry If an unknown AirTag is tracking you, you may see an alert on your iPhone stating: “AirTag Found Moving With You.” If you have received an alert about an AirTag that is traveling with you can make the AirTag produce a sound so you can locate it. To do so, follow these steps: Tap Apple’s Alert. Tap Continue. Tap Play Sound. You will have the option to play the sound again. Beware that the beep that’s made isn’t ongoing or particularly loud, and it can be muffled. You may also hear the AirTag beeping, or making a “chirruping” sound without needing to go through the steps above. AirTags are designed to play a sound automatically after being separated from their owner for a period of time (now as short as 30 minutes to a few hours depending on movement). However, the audio alert will only play if the person engaged in surveillance doesn’t come into contact with it in that time, so if a stalker can come within range of the AirTag at least every three days, the sound won’t play. What to do if you can’t play a sound on the AirTag You may find that there is no option to play a sound, in that case, the item may no longer be near you or it may be back in range of its owner. The AirTag needs to be within Bluetooth range to play a sound. Another possibility is that the AirTag speaker has been disabled. After reports of people disabling AirTag speakers, Apple started adding the notification to alert you to the presence of the AirTag. If you have been alerted that an AirTag has been found moving with you, the Find My app will display a map showing where the AirTag has ‘followed’ you. This way you can get an idea of where the AirTag has been detected, shown by red dashes and dots. It may put your mind at rest if you realise that the location is one you spent time at with a friend or colleagues who has an AirTag or other device (such as AirPods). 2. Locate the AirTag with Precision Finding/manual search Simon Jary If you were unable to find the AirTag by playing a sound there is another option. If you have an iPhone 11 or later, you can use Precision Finding to see the exact distance and direction to the unknown AirTag. Tap Apple’s Alert. Tap Continue. Tap Find Nearby. You will see instructions that should direct you to the location of the AirTag. Other ways to find an AirTag If you don’t hear the AirTag chirruping, can’t get the AirTag to play a sound, and can’t find the AirTag using Precision Finding, check common hiding spots such as: Check pockets: In clothing, not just pockets but also check inside the lining or anywhere it could have been sewn in. Check bags: Look inside purses, luggage, messenger bags, and other items, unzip and also feel for an AirTag that’s been placed or sewn in. Examine your car: A car may have a number of locations that are unreachable or hard to check. Because an AirTag has as long as a year’s worth of power, someone might wrap it in cotton (to stifle the beep it may make; see below), slit a fabric seam, slip it in, and sew it back up. Parking your car away from homes and businesses and using a Bluetooth scanner can help you pinpoint if one is in your car. Look under car seats and in vehicle wheel wells. Check belongings: Someone could have posted you an item with an AirTag in it. 3. Identify the AirTag Foundry Once you have the physical device, you can gather information about it without alerting the owner. Your iPhone will detect the AirTag and direct you to a URL on Apple’s website where you can identify the AirTag with its serial number. If you suspect that the AirTag is being used maliciously you should take a screenshot of this information, as the serial number can help law enforcement identify the owner through Apple’s records. If the owner has marked the device as lost, there may even be a phone number for the owner. And it may be that they had simply lost the AirTag. 4. Disable the AirTag by removing the battery Open up the AirTag to locate the battery.Foundry To stop the AirTag from sharing your location immediately, you must disable it physically. Software actions alone won’t stop tracking. To disable the AirTag you should remove the battery. Follow these steps to do so: Push down on the center of the stainless steel battery cover. Rotate it counterclockwise to open it. Remove the CR2032 battery. Disabling the AirTag will not notify the owner of who disabled it. Safety First: If you feel unsafe, do not go home. Instead, go to a public location or a police station. We recommend keeping the AirTag and battery if law enforcement involvement is possible. 5. What happens after you have disabled the AirTag What happens after you have found the AirTag and disabled it?Foundry The AirTag will stop updating its location immediately, but disabling the AirTag won’t erase the location data that it had sent. The owner will eventually see a “last seen” alert. What to do if you have an Android phone While Android does not natively support the Find My network, Google and Apple have collaborated on a joint standard for “Unknown tracker alerts”. Apple also has an Apple’s Tracker Detect app for this purpose. Automatic Alerts: Android 6.0 and later will automatically notify you if an unknown AirTag is traveling with you. If you have an Android phone, you can check for unknown AirTags moving with you using the Tracker Detect app. It’s far less robust than Apple’s Find My app and needs to be run manually. Manual Scanning: You can also manually scan for nearby trackers by going to Settings > Safety & emergency > Unknown tracker alerts and tapping Scan Now. How to make sure you are warned if an AirTag is tracking you You will need to be running iOS 17.5 or later. You also need Bluetooth to be turned on (Settings > Bluetooth). To make sure you will receive an alert if an AirTag is tracking you need to turn on Location Services. On your iPhone (or iPad) go to Settings. Swipe down to Privacy & Security. Tap on Location Services and make sure it is turned on. Swipe down to System Services and tap on it. Make sure that Significant Locations is switched on. Go back to Settings. Swipe to Notifications and tap to open. Swipe down to Tracking Notifications. Make sure that you have that turned on. How to report an AirTag tracking you It goes without saying that you should not confront the perpetrator. If you don’t feel safe you should consult the police. Here are a few things you could do: In addition to local law enforcement, the FBI, or police, if you’re in need of help, consult one of these U.S.-based services the National Domestic Violence Hotline or more specialized resources for victims of domestic abuse, stalking, and other violence listed by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In the U.K. victims of stalking and harassment can get support from the police and victim support and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. Other ways to find an AirTag Because AirTag regularly emits Bluetooth signals that Apple devices can pick up, you can use a simple Bluetooth tracker for iOS or iPadOS to scan the area around you and see if an AirTag is nearby. While these tracking apps can’t identify AirTag as such—AirTag changes its Bluetooth ID regularly to avoid being trackable themselves—the apps give you the lay of the landscape. That includes the names of Bluetooth devices that do label themselves in their broadcasts. BLE Scanner is a limited but free app that provides a list of Bluetooth devices your iPhone or iPad can detect, and offers a mapping feature that roughly sorts them by signal strength into distance away. This is particularly useful if you’re checking out whether a car has a hidden AirTag; less so inside when there may be dozens of your own and neighbors’ devices close enough to register. Regular Bluetooth devices typically identify themselves generically (like my “HP OfficeJet Pro 9010 series” printer) or specifically, as with the sharing name of your Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, FitBit trackers, and so on. Bluetooth BLE Device Finder (free to download, but $4.99 to unlock needed features) has the advantage of letting you drill down into Bluetooth technical details, which may give additional clues about which devices are legitimate and not. Bluetooth scanning apps can provide cues about unknown devices near you, which may include AirTags. If you can eliminate all known Bluetooth devices, including by powering down equipment that you’re unsure of, and what’s left has no associated name, it can be worth looking further by hand. How does an AirTag track you Apple’s AirTag is a compact tracking device that can be attached to personal items to make it easy to find them. Unlike a GPS tracker, which requires cell service and may drain a battery quickly, an AirTag relies on the distributed Find My network of iPhones, iPads, and Macs that hundreds of millions of people around the world carry with them, and uses Bluetooth LE to send a signal to other devices. While there are a thousand positive and legitimate ways to use an AirTag, unfortunately, AirTags have been used to track people without their knowledge. For example, back in December 2021, the York regional police department in Canada announced that AirTags were being placed in hidden areas of target cars parked in public, and then tracked to the driver’s residence, where the cars are stolen while parked in the driveway. In another incident, a woman claimed that she found an AirTag hidden in her wheel well after her iPhone alerted her to an AirTag moving with her. State governments in New York and Pennsylvania have issued warnings about the misuse of AirTags and similar tracking devices. Incidents like this are rare (at the time, York police said there had been five AirTag-involved thefts out of 2,000 in the region). Apple has put some safeguards in place so that an iPhone, iPad, and AirTag provide varying alerts and information if the owner who paired the AirTag with their iPhone or iPad isn’t nearby. There are tools built into the iPhone to find and disable AirTags as well as an Android app that will scan for AirTags nearby. This is why you may have seen a warning that an AirTag has been detected near you. These warnings aren’t restricted to Apple devices: in May 2023, Apple and Google announced a joint initiative to allow Bluetooth location-tracking devices to be compatible with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts across iOS and Android platforms. Read: How to identify unwanted tracking by a compact Bluetooth device. Because AirTags don’t register proximity except to the owner, the only way it can be used to gather information about you is if it travels with you. An AirTag in your home, office, or classroom won’t reveal anything to someone trying to keep tabs. That reduces the “surface area” of unwanted surveillance because the AirTag has to be in your clothes, wallet, or purse, something else you’re carrying, or in a vehicle you’re in and using exclusively or at least regularly. If you’re traveling regularly through urban and suburban areas or on public transportation, other people’s devices will still pick up and relay location information about any AirTag that’s with you. That can include something as innocuous as pulling over to a rest area on a highway, and someone 50 feet away has an iPhone, or even driving on a highway near other people who have iPhones or iPads connected to a cellular network. Bluetooth LE’s range is surprisingly long. I found that an AirTag I temporarily placed in my car, parked two flights of stairs down from our ground floor and about 50 feet from the house still provided regular updates about its location via devices I owned—not to mention those of neighbors walking or driving by. Everyone’s devices participate in relaying secured, privacy-protecting location information about their devices and AirTags unless they opt out of the Find My network. That makes everyone around you a potential participant in tracking you via an AirTag you don’t know about. Once the AirTag is in your possession it will relay its location to the owner via the Find My network and other Bluetooth devices.

Read more »

Google Photos brings ‘Create with AI’ templates to iPhone
Google Photos is bringing its new “Create with AI” templates over to iPhone and iPad, a few months after they arrived on Android. more…

Read more »

'Oceanhorn 3' leads March updates coming to Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade is adding a major new original in March, alongside several family-friendly releases and themed updates to existing games. Here's what's coming.Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow SeaApple confirmed that Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow Sea will debut on Apple Arcade on March 5, headlining a month that also includes new App Store greats and crossover updates. The additions continue Apple Arcade's push to pad out its catalog with platform-agnostic games that avoid ads and in-app purchases.Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow Sea launches exclusively on Apple Arcade on March 5. The new entry is set nearly 1,000 years after Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm and focuses on exploration, large-scale boss battles, and a world on the brink of rebirth. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Today in Apple history: Mac Color Classic ditches monochrome
On February 10, 1993, Apple launched the Macintosh Color Classic, its first color compact Mac. It was the computer the world was waiting for. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Apple and Google Agree To Change App Stores After 'Effective Duopoly' Claim
Apple and Google have agreed to a set of commitments to the UK's Competition and Markets Authority that will prevent them from giving preferential treatment to their own apps and require greater transparency around how third-party apps are approved for sale. The CMA announced the measures on Tuesday, seven months after it declared that the two companies held an "effective duopoly" over the UK's mobile app ecosystem. Both companies also committed to not using data gathered from third-party developers in ways the regulator deems unfair. The CMA granted both app stores "strategic market status" in October 2025, a designation that gave it the authority to demand changes. CMA head Sarah Cardell called the commitments "important first steps" and said the regulator would "closely monitor" implementation. Technology analyst Paolo Pescatore described the announcement as a "pragmatic first step" but noted some may see it as "addressing the low-hanging fruit." The UK's app economy is the largest in Europe by revenue and number of developers, generating an estimated 1.5% of the country's GDP. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Read more »

Apple TV Remote comes to the Mac with this new, free app
Apple offers an Apple TV Remote app on iPhone, iPad, and even Apple Watch—but not the Mac. So one developer created his own solution: Itsytv, a new macOS app for controlling your Apple TV. more…

Read more »

JumpCloud launches venture arm to fund the next generation of IT and security startups
JumpCloud is expanding its footprint in the enterprise security landscape, but this time, it’s not with a new software feature. The company today announced the launch of JumpCloud Ventures, a new investment arm designed to support early-stage companies building solutions in identity, security, AI, and IT productivity. Along with the launch of the fund, JumpCloud has announced its first strategic investment in Tofu, a startup focused on combating identity fraud during the hiring process. more…

Read more »

iOS 27: Apple to focus on squashing bugs, boosting performance, and tweaking design
Apple will be focused on improving the nuts-and-bolts performance of the software with iOS 27. That means eliminating bugs, removing old code… The post iOS 27: Apple to focus on squashing bugs, boosting performance, and tweaking design appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Apple Arcade is adding Oceanhorn 3 and three more new games
Apple Arcade just announced its new titles coming in March, headlined by the latest title in a popular and long-running franchise: Oceanhorn 3. more…

Read more »

Here are four Apple Music features I’ve been loving lately
I’m a firm believer that Apple Music is the best music streaming service out there. Here are four features in Apple Music I’ve been loving lately that you should check out. more…

Read more »

9to5Mac Daily: February 10, 2026 – App Store changes, MacBook rumors
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 Stuff: Stuff helps you get everything out of your head and into a simple, elegant system—closing open loops and reducing mental stress. Use code 9TO5 at checkout for 50% off your first year. more…

Read more »

Charge AirPods to 100% every time with this hidden setting
Squeeze more battery life out of your AirPods by charging them to 100% rather than using the default setting, which limits the charge to 80%. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

MrBeast just bought a popular banking app
MrBeast, the king of YouTube, is now the new owner of a banking app called Step. It’s a big move meant to kickstart the popular creator’s new ‘MrBeast Financial’ business arm. more…

Read more »

Jony Ives’ AI hardware is delayed to 2027 and won’t be called io
The mysterious AI hardware device designed by Jony Ive for OpenAI has been delayed, according to a new court filing. It had originally been scheduled to launch later this year but now won’t ship any earlier than February 2027. The same court paperwork also reveals that the company is no longer planning to use the name io for the upcoming device … more…

Read more »

Bought a guitar, learned 3 chords, then stopped? Try this.
Learn the modern way with structured guitar lessons, visual guidance and hundreds of songs with a one-year Fret Zealot All Access Pass. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

iPhone battery life test shows just how much power 5G drains compared to WiFi
It is common knowledge that communicating over WiFi is more efficient than using the 5G cellular network, but by how much exactly? That’s exactly what PhoneBuff set out to measure in its latest battery life benchmark test. Using an iPhone 17 Pro Max, the test simulated general phone usage including texting, web browsing, streaming video, Instagram and FaceTime. Once on 5G, once on WiFi. The final timings are perhaps closer than you’d think. more…

Read more »

The iPhone is a hit in China, and all it took was a new color
Macworld Apple’s been making an awful lot of money lately, and it’s no secret that the iPhone 17 Pro was a key part of that success. (The less said about the iPhone Air, the better.) But only now are we starting to understand why that handset sold so well, at least in one crucial market. According to the Financial Times, Apple’s record-breaking recent sales in China are in large part due to what might seem like a small and cosmetic change. It’s all to do with the Cosmic Orange finish. “A new vivid orange device has attracted thousands of online posts and videos from fans showing off their new phones,” the publication reports. The latest generation’s design bolstered the iPhone’s value as a status symbol in China by making new handsets more recognisable, the site adds, and the eye-catching color is a key part of that. Aside from being a clear indicator that someone has bought not just a new iPhone but one of the two most expensive models, it’s been dubbed “Hermès orange” because it resembles the signature color used by a luxury brand Apple has worked with many times in the past. There’s even potential for neat wordplay, given that the Mandarin words for “orange” and “success” sound similar. The paper cites the example of Xiao Mei, a model and influencer who made a video posing with the iPhone 17 Pro. “I was instantly drawn to the color,” she said. “It felt very special. Who doesn’t like Hermès orange? The more I look at it, the more I love it.” The new Cosmic Orange finish struck us as surprising and slightly silly (it’s really very orange) when it was first announced last fall, but it appeared to strike a chord with customers. Accessory makers were quick to get in on the act. Just be careful it doesn’t turn pink.

Read more »

How OpenClaw turns your Mac into an action-based AI agent
OpenClaw lets you run an action-based AI agent directly on your Mac. We walk through installation, setup, and practical ways to use it. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Please Don’t Feed the Scattered Lapsus ShinyHunters
A prolific data ransom gang that calls itself Scattered Lapsus ShinyHunters (SLSH) has a distinctive playbook when it seeks to extort payment from victim firms: Harassing, threatening and even swatting executives and their families, all while notifying journalists and regulators… Read More »

Read more »

Who Operates the Badbox 2.0 Botnet?
The cybercriminals in control of Kimwolf -- a disruptive botnet that has infected more than 2 million devices -- recently shared a screenshot indicating they'd compromised the control panel for Badbox 2.0, a vast China-based botnet powered by malicious software that comes pre-installed on many Android TV streaming boxes. Both the FBI and Google say they are hunting for the people behind Badbox 2.0, and thanks to bragging by the Kimwolf botmasters we may now have a much clearer idea about that.

Read more »

What Is a Keylogger? How It Works, Risks, and How to Remove It
Every time you type a password, send a message, or enter credit card details online, that information briefly exists in its most exposed form: raw keystrokes. While most security tools focus on protecting data in transit or at rest, some threats are designed to capture it before those protections ever apply. Keyloggers do exactly that. […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

Read more »

Boot Sector Virus: Definition, How It Works, and How to Recover
Long before ransomware pop-ups and phishing emails became common, some of the most damaging computer infections struck before an operating system even loaded. Users would turn on their computer, only to see cryptic error messages, corrupted data, or systems that refused to start at all. In many of these cases, the problem was not a […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

Read more »

Why Is My Mac Running Slow — Common Causes and How to Fix It
Is your Mac running slow? Here's how to diagnose and fix performance issues and get your Mac to run faster. The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

Read more »

What Is SSO? How Single Sign-On Works and Why It Matters
A typical work day often involves half a dozen logins before anything productive happens. One for email, another for documents, another for messaging, and more for tools that only get used once a week. Over time, passwords blur together, and security often takes a back seat to convenience. Single sign-on, or SSO, changes that experience. […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

Read more »

What Is Cyber Insurance? Coverage, Costs, and Real-World Examples
In 2013, U.S. retailer Target experienced one of the most widely reported data breaches in history. Attackers gained access to the company’s payment systems and exposed the credit and debit card information of more than 40 million customers. The incident led to lawsuits, regulatory scrutiny, customer notification requirements, and years of recovery efforts. Target had […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

Read more »

Kimwolf Botnet Lurking in Corporate, Govt. Networks
A new Internet-of-Things botnet called Kimwolf has spread to more than 2 million devices, forcing infected systems to participate in massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and to relay other malicious and abusive Internet traffic. Kimwolf's ability to scan the local networks of compromised systems for other IoT devices to infect makes it a sobering threat to organizations, and new research reveals Kimwolf is surprisingly prevalent in government and corporate networks.

Read more »

Patch Tuesday, January 2026 Edition
Microsoft today issued patches to plug at least 113 security holes in its various Windows operating systems and supported software. Eight of the vulnerabilities earned Microsoft's most-dire "critical" rating, and the company warns that attackers are already exploiting one of the bugs fixed today.

Read more »

Who Benefited from the Aisuru and Kimwolf Botnets?
Our first story of 2026 revealed how a destructive new botnet called Kimwolf rapidly grew to infect more than two million devices by mass-compromising a vast number of unofficial Android TV streaming boxes. Today, we'll dig through digital clues left behind by the hackers, network operators, and cybercrime services that appear to have benefitted from Kimwolf's spread.

Read more »

The Kimwolf Botnet is Stalking Your Local Network
The story you are reading is a series of scoops nestled inside a far more urgent Internet-wide security advisory. The vulnerability at issue has been exploited for months already, and it's time for a broader awareness of the threat. The short version is that everything you thought you knew about the security of the internal network behind your Internet router probably is now dangerously out of date.

Read more »

Apple’s 24-inch M4 iMacs remain on sale for up to $200 off MSRP
Amazon has Apple's 24-inch M4 iMacs on sale this week for $150-$200 off MSRP, starting at $1149, each including free shipping: - 24-inch M4 iMac (8-Core CPU, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD): $1149.99, $150 off MSRP - 24-inch M4 iMac (10-Core CPU, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD): $1349, $150 off MSRP - 24-inch M4 iMac (10-Core CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD): $1549, $150 off MSRP - 24-inch M4 iMac (8-Core CPU, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD): $1699, $200 off MSRP Amazon's prices are the lowest available for one of these new iMacs. Note that stock can vary. Price posted above is the lowest price available for each standard configuration, regardless of color. For the latest prices and deals, see our iMac Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

11-inch M5 iPad Pros on sale for $100-$132 off Apple’s MSRP
Amazon has Apple's 11-inch M5 WiFi iPad Pros on stock today and on sale for $100-$132 off MSRP. Shipping is free. These are the lowest 11" iPad Pro prices currently available: - 11" 256GB M5 iPad Pro: $899 $100 off MSRP - 11" 512GB M5 iPad Pro: $1099 $100 off MSRP - 11" 1TB M5 iPad Pro: $1499 $100 off MSRP - 11" 2TB M5 iPad Pro: $1867.45 $132 off MSRP For the latest prices and sales, see our iPad Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pros on sale for up to $300 off MSRP at Amazon
Amazon has 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale for up to $300 off Apple's MSRP as part of their current sales. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party seller: - 16" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/512GB/Black): $2239, $260 off MSRP - 16" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/512GB/Silver): $2249, $250 off MSRP - 16" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (48GB/512GB/Black): $2599, $300 off MSRP - 16" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (48GB/512GB/Silver): $2599, $300 off MSRP These are the lowest sale prices on new 16" Apple MacBook Pros right now. For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 16-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

Apple AirPods 4 on sale this weekend for $99, regularly $129
Amazon has Apple AirPods 4 in stock and on sale for $30 off MSRP this weekend, including free shipping: - AirPods 4: $99 $30 (23%) off MSRP Keep an eye on our AirPods Price Tracker for the latest prices and deals, updated daily.

Read more »

Get a 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro for up to $174 at Amazon with their latest sale prices
Amazon is offering $100-$174 discounts on new 14" M5 MacBook Pros this weekend, each including free shipping: - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB/Black): $1499, MSRP $1599 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB/Silver): $1449, MSRP $1599 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/1TB/Black): $1599, MSRP $1799 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/1TB/Silver): $1669, MSRP $1799 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB/Black): $1869, MSRP $1999 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB/Silver): $1825, MSRP $1999 These are the lowest prices available for new M5 MacBook Pros right now. For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

Take $150 off MacBook Airs at Amazon this weekend
Amazon has 13" and 15" M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off Apple's MSRP this weekend. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $849.99, $150 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $1049.99, $150 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB): $1249, $150 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $1049.99, $150 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $1249.99, $150 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB/): $1449.99, $150 off These are the lowest M4 MacBook Air prices currently available at Apple retailers. For the latest sales & prices see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker and 15" MacBook Air Price Tracker, both updated daily.

Read more »

16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pro in stock for $400 off Apple’s MSRP
Don't pay full price! B&H Photo is offering a $400 discount on the Space Black 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pro (48GB/1TB) right now. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: - 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro (48GB/1TB/Black): $3599, $400 off MSRP This is the lowest price available for Apple's top-of-the-line MacBook Pro. For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 16-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

Apple’s most affordable iPads are back on sale for $50 off MSRP, from $299
Amazon has Apple's 11th-generation A16 WiFi iPads in stock on sale again for $50 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free: - 11" 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP - 11" 11th-generation 256GB WiFi iPads: $399 $50 off MSRP - 11" 11th-generation 512GB WiFi iPads: $599 $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.

Read more »

Deal Alert! Verizon is selling Apple AirPods 3 for only $184, $65 off MSRP
Verizon has Apple AirPods Pro 3 on sale for 26% off MSRP on their online store right now. Their price is the lowest price available for these AirPods from any Apple retailer. 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. - AirPods Pro 3nd-generation: $184 $65 (26%) off For the latest prices and sales, see our Apple AirPods Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

iPad minis back on sale for $100 off Apple’s MSRP
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple's newest WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for new minis among the Apple retailers we track: - 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.

Read more »

Amazon is again offering a $100 discount on Apple Watch Series 11 models
Amazon is offering a $100 discount on new Apple Watch Series 11 models right now. Shipping is free: - 42mm Apple Watch Series 11 GPS: $299, save $100 - 46mm Apple Watch Series 11 GPS: $329, save $100 - 42mm Apple Watch Series 11 GPS + 5G: $399, save $100 - 46mm Apple Watch Series 11 GPS + 5G: $429, save $100 These are the lowest prices available for Apple Watch Series 11 models. For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our Apple Watch Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »

New at Sams Club: $110-$120 off 11-inch M3 iPad Airs as part of their Tech Savings Event
Sams Club has Apple's 11" WiFi iPad Airs with M3 CPUs on sale for $110-$120 off MSRP as part of their current Tech Savings Event. Sale prices for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online, and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - 11" M3 iPad Air 128GB WiFi: $489, $110 off - 11" M3 iPad Air 256GB WiFi: $589, $110 off - 11" M3 iPad Air 512GB WiFi: $779, $120 off - 11" M3 iPad Air 1TB WiFi: $979, $120 off For the latest sales and deals, see our 11-inch iPad Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

Read more »