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- Friday December 05
- 12:12 amScreen Protectors Without AR Coating Cancel Out iPhone 17's Anti-Reflective Display
The Ceramic Shield 2 material that Apple uses for the iPhone 17 display includes an anti-reflective coating that's designed to cut down on glare. It's a coating that prior-generation iPhone models didn't have, and it can make a difference in bright lighting conditions. If you're someone who likes to use a screen protector with your iPhone, you might be nullifying the anti-reflective property of the iPhone 17 display, based on testing done by Astropad. Compared to the iPhone 17, Astropad found that the anti-reflective coating reduces reflections by approximately 50 percent when compared to the iPhone 16, but applying a screen protector without an anti-reflective coating of its own makes the anti-reflective Ceramic Shield 2 coating less effective. According to Astropad, this is because AR coatings are created for direct contact with air, and covering them with an extra layer of material cancels the effect. Astropad did screen protector testing because it sells Fresh Coat, a screen protector with an anti-reflective coating, and it is promoting Fresh Coat through its testing and report. Astropad says that Fresh Coat and other screen protectors with an anti-reflective coating can replace or even outperform the anti-reflective properties of the iPhone 17's display. Fresh Coat by Astropad enhances AR clarity on any iPhone, creating a surface nearly 4x less reflective than the display on an iPhone 16 and 2x less reflective than iPhone 17's Ceramic Shield 2. Astropad did controlled testing with a light meter, and full testing results can be found on the Astropad website.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums12:01 amSMS Delivery Delays to XPhone Network in Israel
Dec 4, 16:01 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to XPhone network in Israel. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.Thursday December 0411:53 pmSpongeBob and PowerWash Simulator headline today’s six additions to Apple Arcade
As announced a few weeks ago, Apple Arcade added multiple new titles today, including SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit 2 and PowerWash Simulator. Here’s the full list. more…11:24 pmRCS Messages Delivery Failures towards AT&T US network
Dec 4, 15:24 PSTResolved - An issue has been resolved and RCS messages towards AT&T US network is operating normally at this time.Dec 4, 15:21 PSTUpdate - Issue where RCS messages towards AT&T US network may be experiencing delivery failures are now operating normally. We will continue to monitor for system stability. We'll provide another update in 2 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 4, 14:28 PSTUpdate - Issue where RCS messages towards AT&T US network may be experiencing delivery failures are now operating normally. We will continue to monitor for system stability. We'll provide another update in 2 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 4, 11:40 PSTUpdate - Issue where RCS messages towards AT&T US network may be experiencing delivery failures are now operating normally. We will continue to monitor for system stability. We'll provide another update in 2 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 4, 09:48 PSTMonitoring - Issue where RCS messages towards AT&T US network may be experiencing delivery failures are now operating normally. We will continue to monitor for system stability. We'll provide another update in 2 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 4, 03:36 PSTUpdate - We continue to experience an intermittent issue where RCS messages towards AT&T US network may be experiencing delivery failures. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We expect to provide another update in 24 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 3, 11:00 PSTUpdate - We continue to experience an intermittent issue where RCS messages towards AT&T US network may be experiencing delivery failures. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We expect to provide another update in 16 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 3, 02:55 PSTUpdate - We continue to experience an intermittent issue where RCS messages towards AT&T US network may be experiencing delivery failures. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We expect to provide another update in 8 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 2, 23:13 PSTUpdate - We continue to experience an intermittent issue where RCS messages towards AT&T US network may be experiencing delivery failures. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We expect to provide another update in 4 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 2, 21:13 PSTUpdate - We continue to experience an issue where RCS messages towards AT&T US network may be experiencing delivery failures. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We expect to provide another update in 2 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 2, 20:23 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing an issue where RCS messages towards AT&T US network may be experiencing delivery failures. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We expect to provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.11:02 pmSMS Phishers Pivot to Points, Taxes, Fake Retailers
China-based phishing groups blamed for non-stop scam SMS messages about a supposed wayward package or unpaid toll fee are promoting a new offering, just in time for the holiday shopping season: Phishing kits for mass-creating fake but convincing e-commerce websites that convert customer payment card data into mobile wallets from Apple and Google. Experts say these same phishing groups also are now using SMS lures that promise unclaimed tax refunds and mobile rewards points.10:59 pmSam Altman and Jony Ive lose appeal over ‘io’ name
The legal fight between OpenAI and iyO took another turn, following a decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Here are the details. more…10:54 pmSMS Delivery Delays and Failures to China Unicom in China
Dec 4, 14:54 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays and failures when sending messages to China Unicom in China. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.10:23 pmtvOS 26.2 receives second release candidate build only a day after the first
Apple has issued a second release candidate update for tvOS 26.2, following the first release candidate deployed on Wednesday.tvOS 26.2 has received a second release candidate build.On December 3, release candidates for most of Apple's major operating systems were made available to registered developers. Release candidates represent the final stage of beta testing, and it looks like tvOS 26.2 needed a few last-minute fixes from Apple.On Thursday, only a day after the initial batch of release candidates was sent out, tvOS 26.2 received a second RC build. Thursday's software update changes the build number to 23K53, from the previous 23K51. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums10:16 pmWoah! Two more high-profile execs set to leave Apple.
Right after UI chief Alan Dye quit Apple, two more executives are poised to leave the company. Next out the door are Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, and Kate Adams, Apple’s general counsel. Kate Adams and Lisa Jackson retiring from Apple Jackson will retire in late January 2026, according […] (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)10:10 pmDoes Apple provide guidelines on prorated refunds?
I may be removing my app from the App Store shortly. With many users on annual subscriptions I’d be looking at offering them the option to a prorated refund. The paid apps agreement makes no mention of prorated refunds. The only thing I could find was this on the contact form for removing apps: If […]10:10 pmI really love the new Gemini! Here’s an infographic that explains how Swift concurrency works. | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingI really love the new Gemini! Here’s an infographic that explains how Swift concurrency works.
submitted by /u/Rare_Prior_ [link] [comments]10:05 pmMessi and Müller renew rivalry in MLS Cup final on Apple TV this Saturday
Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps face off in a showdown supercharged by the blockbuster renewed rivalry between Lionel Messi and… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.10:03 pmApple General Counsel Kate Adams and Environment Chief Lisa Jackson Retiring in 2026
Two senior Apple executives are leaving the company, Apple announced today. Apple's Senior Vice President and General Counsel Kate Adams and Lisa Jackson, Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, are both retiring in 2026. Adams will be replaced with Jennifer Newstead, who will join Apple as a senior vice president on January 1, and will become Apple's general counsel on March 1, 2026. Newstead is currently Meta's chief legal officer, and she was previously the Legal Adviser to the United States Department of State. When Newstead takes over as general counsel, Adams will not immediately leave. She will instead oversee the Government Affairs organization after Jackson retires in late January 2026. Adams will remain at Apple until late 2026, at which point Newstead will take over. Newstead will ultimately oversee both Apple's Legal and Government Affairs organizations as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Government Affairs. In a statement, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that he is pleased to merge Legal and Government Affairs because of increasing overlap between the two teams. We couldn't be more pleased to have Jennifer join our team," said Cook. "She brings an extraordinary depth of experience and skill to the role, and will advance Apple's important work all over the world. We are also pleased that Jennifer will be overseeing both the Legal and Government Affairs organizations, given the increasing overlap between the work of both teams and her substantial background in international affairs. I know she will be an excellent leader going forward. Jackson's other responsibilities, which include Environment and Social Initiatives, will be taken over by Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan. Cook said that Jackson played an important role in helping Apple achieve its environmental goals. I am deeply appreciative of Lisa's contributions. She has been instrumental in helping us reduce our global greenhouse emissions by more than 60 percent compared to 2015 levels," said Cook. "She has also been a critical strategic partner in engaging governments around the world, advocating for the best interests of our users on a myriad of topics, as well as advancing our values, from education and accessibility to privacy and security. Adams has been with Apple since 2017, and before that, she worked for Honeywell. Jackson joined Apple in 2013 after serving as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and she has been the face of Apple's environmental messaging since then. Apple's announcement comes shortly after lead interface designer Alan Dye left the company, and after AI chief John Giannandrea's retirement announcement. Earlier this year, Apple lost Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams, who is retiring, and Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri. There have also been rumors about Apple CEO Tim Cook retiring, with rumors suggesting he is preparing to leave his role as soon as 2026.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums09:57 pmApple executive shuffle continues with Lisa Jackson and Kate Adams retiring
Both Lisa Jackson, VP for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, and Kate Adams, Apple's general counsel, will retire in 2026, with roles moving to Jennifer Newstead in the new SVP General Counsel and Government Affairs role.Lisa Jackson will no longer have to stand on the roof of Apple Park. Image source: AppleIt's been a busy week for Apple executive moves. First, it was revealed that John Giannandrea is retiring, then Alan Dye is moving to Meta and taking his core design team with him.Now, Apple has shared that general counsel Kate Adams and VP for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson are both retiring in 2026. The transition will result in a new role called SVP of General Counsel and Government Affairs under Jennifer Newstead. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums09:48 pm9to5Mac Daily: December 4, 2025 – Apple’s design VP leaves for Meta
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 Narwal:Narwal is officially launching their Black Friday discounts, offering the record-low prices of its entire lineup up to 49% off. more…09:44 pmApple announces departure of two more top executives
Apple’s leadership shakeup continues. Apple has announced that two more executives are departing the company: Katherine Adams, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and Lisa Jackson, vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. more…09:31 pmtvOS 26.2 gets new RC for Apple TV 4K ahead of launch
Yesterday Apple shipped RC (release candidate) versions of its upcoming 26.2 software updates. But now just one day later, Apple has debuted a revised RC build for tvOS 26.2. more…09:30 pmApple announces executive transitions
Apple today announced that Jennifer Newstead will become Apple’s general counsel on March 1, 2026, following a transition of duties from Kate Adams.09:26 pmApple TV’s ‘Born to be Wild’ gets an official trailer
Apple released today the first trailer for its upcoming series “Born to be Wild,” which premieres next Friday, December 19. Watch it below. more…09:26 pmMeta’s creative studio led by former Apple UI design chief Alan Dye to ‘treat intelligence as a new design material’ | Mac Daily NewsMeta’s creative studio led by former Apple UI design chief Alan Dye to ‘treat intelligence as a new design material’
This week, Meta landed a major talent coup by hiring away Apple’s top UI design executive, Alan Dye, in a move that highlights the social… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.09:23 pmApple Seeds Second tvOS 26.2 Release Candidate
Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with a second release candidate version of tvOS 26.2 and HomePod Software 26.2, which is based on tvOS. The second RC comes one day after the first RC and has a build number of 23K53, up from 23K51. tvOS 26.2 can be downloaded through the Software Update section of the Apple TV settings app. With tvOS 26.2, Apple is adding support for creating a profile without an Apple Account, and there is a dedicated Apple TV app kids mode that's available for children's profiles. Apple doesn't provide beta release notes, so it's not clear what's changed between the first RC and the second RC. Typically, release candidates are updated if there is a major bug discovered during the testing period. RCs represent the final version of the software that will be released to the public. We're expecting tvOS 26.2 and HomePod Software 26.2 to come out next week.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums09:17 pmBluetti Elite 30 V2 Review: A Lightweight Portable Power Station for Camping and Backup Power | MacRumorsBluetti Elite 30 V2 Review: A Lightweight Portable Power Station for Camping and Backup Power
Bluetti's Elite 30 V2 that came out earlier this year is a portable power station that's ideal for short trips, plus it works well as a temporary backup for powering small electronics in a power outage. The Elite 30 V2 is one of many power stations that Bluetti offers, and it is on the smaller, more compact side with a 288-watt-hour capacity. This is the first Bluetti power station that I've reviewed, but I have experience with larger power banks from Jackery, DJI, Anker, and other companies. The Elite 30 V2 has a LiFePO4 battery, which Bluetti says will last for over 3,000 charging cycles and 10 years. There's a five-year warranty, which is solid. Most power stations are utilitarian, with a black or gray plastic design, but the Elite 30 V2 comes in several fun colors. There's nothing wrong with a simple design for battery equipment, but colors make Bluetti's little power station stand out. The model I tested is green, but it also comes in blue, purple, pink, light gray, and dark gray. Appearance isn't going to matter to most, but if you're going to have a battery out for people to use at the beach, on a camping trip, at the park, or during some other activity, it might as well have some pizazz. The power station is just about 9.5 pounds, and it measures 9.8 inches long, 7 inches wide and 6.6 inches tall. There's a handle for carrying it, and an LCD display shows you input, output, charge level, and an estimate of how long the power will last based on what's plugged in. The Elite 30 V2 supports 600W charging, though it can handle up to 1500W temporarily as part of a Power Lifting mode. The Elite 30 V2 has more ports than you might even need on a power station this size, and it can charge up multiple devices at a time. There's a 140W USB-C port, a 100W USB-C port, two 15W USB-A ports, and two AC outlets. There are also AC and DC inputs for charging, a cigarette lighter port, a grounding terminal, and a pair of 12V/8A barrel ports. Both USB-C ports can be used at full power at the same time. There's a power button, a button to turn on DC power to the USB-C/USB-A ports, and an AC button to turn on power to the AC outlets. When you plug something in, you have to turn on power to the appropriate port before charging will begin. It's also a good idea to turn it off when you're done to ensure there's no power drain when you're not charging anything. The power stations that I've tested in the past haven't had separate buttons for DC power (just AC power), but that's the way Bluetti's power stations are designed. I've been using the Elite 30 V2 to charge my Apple devices for the last several weeks to get an idea of what it's useful for. Charging my iPhone 17 Pro Max from 0 to 80 percent drains the power station from 100 percent to 90 percent, and it's about the same for an iPhone 16 Pro Max and an iPhone 15 Pro Max. I can charge my iPhone's battery between 9 and 10 times, though I do limit my charging to 80 percent. The variation is because the power station's battery level can drop slightly with nothing plugged in unless it's turned off. Over a four-hour period, the battery dropped around 10 percent with DC power on. It charges my MacBook Air three and a half times. It was able to run my MacBook Pro, Studio Display, and two lights (my desk setup) for half of my work day (12:51 p.m. to right around 5:00 p.m.). It ranged from 60W to 110W depending on workload. Charging takes around an hour and 20 minutes to get to full, though it can get to an 85 percent charge in around 50 minutes. It can charge through a cigarette lighter port in a car, or with solar panels for off-grid connectivity. The Elite 30 V2 isn't the power station you want to get to run something that's power hungry like an electric heater, but it's good for smaller things like computers, lights, speakers, and consoles. You could run a mini refrigerator for a few hours, a hair dryer or flat iron long enough to do your hair, or a lower power electric kettle or coffee maker. It is able to run my entire computer setup, plus it can power my Wi-Fi for a full work day. Some people use power stations as backups for medical devices. The Elite 30 V2 may be able to run a CPAP machine for a night's sleep, but that will depend on the individual machine. I wouldn't recommend this one for other devices like an oxygen concentrator, which would draw too much power and require a much larger battery for an extended power outage. You can use the Elite 30 V2 as a backup in case of a power outage, plugging a device into it and then plugging the power station into an outlet. In that situation, the power station will kick on automatically in a power outage with no interruption in function (Bluetti says there's a super fast 10ms response time). It actually supports up to 980W of passthrough power. Since the Elite 30 V2 is a smaller power station, it runs and charges quietly. It is nearly silent when charging and when powering things like iPhones and Macs. The fan inside will kick on under higher loads, but it's still not unreasonably loud. I can hear it, but it's a noise I could sleep through. There is a Bluetti app, and you can connect to the power station via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to monitor it remotely. The app tells you what's drawing power and how much, how long the battery will last under the current load, and your energy usage statistics. You can also remotely turn the AC/DC power on or off, choose power modes, and enable the 1500W Power Lifting feature. You should also be able to upgrade the firmware, but it wasn't working properly for me in the app (the button to actually install firmware was blank). Bottom Line I'm a fan of the Elite 30 V2. It provides enough power to charge multiple phones, tablets, portable gaming systems, or computers, but it's not too heavy to carry around. For an active use power station that you're using for day or weekend trips where portability is an issue, this is one of the better power stations that you can get. I am petite and can struggle to haul around some of the bigger power 20lb+ stations that I've tested, but this one is the perfect size. I'm more likely to use a power station that is convenient for me to carry and take places. This would be ideal as a backup battery if you just wanted to power smaller devices like smartphones and your router in a power outage. For medical devices or appliances that draw a lot of power, a bigger battery would be better. Some power stations can cost over $1,000, but the Elite 30 V2 is much more affordable. The MSRP is $304, but it's often on sale. How to Buy The Bluetti Elite 30 V2 Portable Power Station can be purchased from the Bluetti website for $209 at the current time.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums09:03 pmiOS 26 made Live Activities even better on iPhone, here’s what’s new
Live Activities have become one of my favorite iPhone features, and they recently got even better thanks to upgrades and expansions in iOS 26. Here’s everything new. more…08:58 pmSome users are unable to retrieve deleted Zap from Trash.
Status: InvestigatingWe are aware of an issue where deleted Zaps are not loading when attempting to access their Trash. This causes Zaps that were deleted to be unretrievable if they need to be recovered from Trash. All other Zap functionality is working as expected. Our Engineering team is working towards a fix but please reach out to our support team at http://zapier.com/app/contact-us if you're unable to retrieved deleted Zaps.08:53 pmApple now projecting iPad-designed Christmas trees onto Battersea Power Station
Last month, Apple announced a Christmas tree drawing competition for British iPad users, with winning designs to be exhibited “alongside trees drawn by established artists and notable figures”. Now, the selected trees will light up Battersea Power Station’s wash towers until December 24. more…08:34 pmApple’s podcast of the year makes stuffy history fascinating
Find out why "The Rest Is History" won the prestigious Apple Podcasts Show of the Year award for its blend of history and humor. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)08:19 pmRussia blocks FaceTime in ongoing crackdown of foreign tech platforms
Macworld Reuters reports that Russia has blocked usage of Apple’s FaceTime app at the network level, leaving users in the country who try to connect via Apple’s encrypted video platform with a “User unavailable” message. According to the report, Russian communications agency Roskomnadzor justified blocking it by saying, “According to law enforcement agencies, FaceTime is being used to organise and carry out terrorist attacks in the country, recruit perpetrators, and commit fraud and other crimes against Russian citizens.” The report notes that no evidence has been presented to support the allegations. Russia has been cracking down on foreign platforms that do not willingly track their users on behalf of the Russian government, of late. Communications on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram have been restricted, and Roskomnadzor has also threatened to block WhatsApp entirely. The game Roblox was blocked on Wednesday for distributing “LGBT propaganda.” Coincidentally, the Russian government launched a competing messaging app earlier this year named Max, and plans to develop it into a “superapp” similar to WeChat in China. Max is required to be preinstalled on smartphones sold in Russia, including iPhones.08:05 pmRumor Replay: iPhone 17e design changes, Mac chips via Intel, more
This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: iPhone 17e design changes, Intel producing M-class chips, and ChatGPT integrating with Apple Health. Here are this week’s Apple rumors. more…07:58 pmBest way to analyze thousands of photos on iOS??? (relatively quickly)
Question Does anyone know anything about approaches to quickly process thousands of photos on a user’s device? Essentially I do it this way: check if the photo is a duplicate (by seeing if the local identifier exists in the database) if not a dupe, upload photo to a storage bucket (to be deleted later) kick […]07:56 pmRivian to add Apple Wallet car keys support with upcoming R1T and R1S software update
Rivian’s Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid confirmed today that the .46 OTA update will bring Digital Key support to the second-generation R1S and R1T. Here’s what that means. more…07:40 pmM5 MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM drops to record-low $1,499 ($300 off)
Apple's new M5 MacBook Pro with 24GB of RAM is back for $1,499, a discount of $300 off MSRP. Plus, save $250 on two 32GB RAM models for a limited time only.Get the best price ever on Apple's M5 MacBook Pro 24GB - Image credit: AppleThe exclusive deals can be activated through the pricing links in this post or via our M5 MacBook Pro Price Guide. Kicking off the sale is the M5 14-inch MacBook Pro with an upgrade to 24GB of RAM for $1,499.Buy M5 MacBook Pro 24GB for $1,499 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums07:35 pmApple software has been bad for years, but now there’s finally hope for the future
Macworld For a few years now, something has felt off with Apple’s software design. There’s been too much emphasis on showy effects and eye-catching animations, and not enough on creating intuitive experiences that actually work for the user. But now that Apple’s design chief Alan Dye is leaving the company for new pastures at Meta, I’m hoping for a radical improvement to iPhone and Mac software–one that’s long overdue. I’m not pinning all of Apple’s software woes on Dye. But as the company’s Vice President of Human Interface Design, he set the tone for Apple’s entire software ecosystem, and ultimately, the design decisions flow back to him. With him on the way out, a lot of users (myself included) will be hoping for a return to the design glory days of Apple’s past. Here’s what I think went wrong, and what I hope we could see change. Apple lost its way People like to complain that Apple’s design has been going downhill, so much so that “what would Steve Jobs do?” has become a meme of sorts. But for long-time Apple fans, it really does feel that something has been amiss at the company in terms of design. That doesn’t mean that everything is wrong. Apple still pumps out incredible designs that are instantly and shamelessly copied by its rivals, the true sign that you’re a class-leading act. The indication of a good design is one that instantly feels familiar, even if you’ve never used it before, and Apple is still capable of doing that. I vividly recall feeling that way about the iPhone X’s swipe-based gesture system, which Dye helped to implement. Dynamic Island doesn’t feel like the revelation it was touted to be.Apple Yet for every design hit, it feels like Apple has been putting out just as many misses. Think about the Dynamic Island. Sure, it looks amazing, and its animations are beautiful, but can you say that it genuinely elevates your iPhone experience? I’m not sure I can. While I like it, I can’t help feeling that that’s simply because it’s more functional than the dumb notch that came before it. The clear app icons in iOS 26 are another worrying indicator. Icons are meant to instantly tell you what they represent, even from a split-second look or a glance from the corner of your eye. When every icon looks identical and completely transparent, you lose that vital functionality, and the entire purpose of an icon is undermined. That is a move done purely because someone at Apple thought it looked cool, and the user experience suffers as a result. Implementing it was an excuse to make something visually stunning without there being a pressing need to do so. But by far the worst example of this “let’s do it because we can” approach, in my mind, is the new animation that plays when you use a Liquid Glass toggle in iOS 26. A toggle’s purpose is to enable or disable something else–in other words, it’s ephemeral, something you use quickly and then move on. That’s its design purpose. In iOS 26, the toggles are anything but ephemeral. Tap a toggle, and it jumps up as it moves, slowing down the animation and distracting your eye. It transforms the toggle from a fleeting tool that is entirely functional to an off-putting centerpiece. There is no purpose to that change other than to make it look pretty, and in doing so, Apple has created a sluggish, more annoying experience. That is not “design is how it works,” that’s “design is how it looks.” It may seem like a small thing, but sweating the small stuff is what design is all about. At the end of the day, getting that right was Dye’s responsibility. Getting it wrong is symbolic of his legacy. Only Apple could make a toggle switch more complicated than it should be.Foundry Jobs versus Dye That cuts to the heart of the matter. For years, Apple’s design team has been led by someone who, it seems, does not understand the central philosophy that underpinned Apple’s greatest design triumphs. How else can we explain the confusing design choices, frustrating changes, and new features that seem to be at least partly motivated by superficial reasoning? To be clear, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with making things that are pretty. Recall Steve Jobs’ quote on Mac OS X’s Aqua interface: “One of the design goals was when you saw it, you wanted to lick it.” But also recall another Steve Jobs quote about design: “People think it’s this veneer, that the designers are handed this box and told, ‘Make it look good!’ That’s not what we think design is. It’s not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” In the view that Jobs was criticizing, good design meant making something that was all looks and glamour but no heart and soul. That seems to be the way Apple’s design has been going under Dye. A real warning sign was the Liquid Glass introduction video that Dye presented at WWDC in June 2025. The segment was heavy on how Liquid Glass would supposedly make you feel; Dye talked about it sparking a sense of joy and delight on multiple occasions. But he was very light on why exactly the new design system was a functional improvement on what came before. The impression I got (I’m sure I’m not alone) was that this was being done because Apple was bored with how iOS looked and wanted a visual overhaul. The company seemed less driven by the need to improve the user experience and more by an internal desire to create a new look for the sake of it. For veteran Apple watchers, it was concerning. Liquid Glass lacks any practical value and strays from Apple’s design philosophy.Apple Liquid Glass has continued to be incredibly divisive months after its debut. Text is illegible when glass panels overlap each other or when writing is superimposed on top of an image. Animations feel excessive and overwrought. Controls are confusing and obscured. All this seems to stem from the focus being put squarely on how something looks and feels. “Design is how it works” is not just some empty adage. Liquid Glass is an example of what happens when Apple forgets what it means. Turning the ship around Some of this can feel a little inside baseball. But I think we should care about the ideas that go into the way our devices work because most of us use them every day. If we are given products that look visually stunning but are frustrating to use, we’re going to go elsewhere for something better. Alan Dye was an odd choice to head up Apple’s human interface team because he had no background in software design. His past work experience includes fashion house Kate Spade and ad agency Ogilvy, hardly the kind of resumé that indicates someone obsessed over user interface and experience. Apple has already given users the option to tone down Liquid Glass in iOS 18.1.Foundry His successor, Stephen Lemay, seems to be cut from a very different cloth. An old hand at Apple, he’s seen as someone who understands both Apple’s culture and good software design principles far more than Dye ever did. Many designers inside Apple are happy at Lemay’s appointment, “if not downright giddy,” according to longtime Apple pundit John Gruber. He’s “deeply respected talent-wise,” and strong praise has been given to his “attention to detail and craftsmanship,” the exact things that have been neglected under Dye. I hope that means we see a return to the ideas that made Apple software great in years gone by. A stronger emphasis on user experience, an obsession over small details, and a renewed passion for interfaces and controls. An appreciation of the foundational ideas that helped Apple’s products reach the pinnacle of software design. The change probably won’t happen quickly. Apple is a big beast that turns slowly, and it put too much effort into Liquid Glass to quickly abandon it. But with a designer at the helm who is rooted in solid principles–it seems that that’s the view of Lemay internally at Apple–there’s a chance Apple’s software can get back on track. If that results in a swift death for the accursed Liquid Glass toggle, I’m all for it.07:14 pmMaybe a design blow-up is just what Apple needed
With Alan Dye departing for Meta and leaving a hollowed-out design division behind him, his replacement, Stephen Lemay, will have a rare opportunity to rebuild the company’s design culture from the inside out. more…07:09 pmApple Podcasts’ 2025 Show of the Year: ‘The Rest Is History’
Apple is celebrating "The Rest Is History" with the Apple Podcasts Award for Show of the Year, a recognition that "honors a show that… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.06:30 pmRussia shutters FaceTime as it tightens control over apps & communication
Russia has cut off FaceTime over unproven terrorism support claims, and the move reflects a trend shared by governments worldwide that push for access to encrypted communication.FaceTimeRussian authorities said FaceTime helped criminals plan attacks and commit fraud across the country. Of course, they didn't publish case data or examples that could support those claims.Users saw the announcement as another attempt to restrict tools the government can't easily monitor. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums06:28 pmRussia Blocks Apple's FaceTime Amid Crackdown on Encrypted Apps
Russia has blocked Apple's FaceTime video calling app in an ongoing effort to eliminate private communication methods, reports Reuters. Russia claims FaceTime is being used for criminal activity, and that blocking the app is a legitimate law enforcement measure. Social network Snapchat and multiplayer gaming platform Roblox were also banned this week. Multiple other apps and services have been blocked in Russia previously. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Discord, and LinkedIn are unavailable and can't be accessed without a VPN. Russia throttles YouTube heavily to make it almost unusable, and since 2022, TikTok has had a Russia-only feed that does not include content from other countries. Viber and Signal are banned in the country, and Russians are not able to make calls through WhatsApp or Telegram as of earlier this year. Messaging on those apps is also restricted. In a statement to Reuters, Russia's media regulator Roskomnadzor said the following: According to law enforcement agencies, FaceTime is being used to organise and carry out terrorist attacks in the country, recruit perpetrators, and commit fraud and other crimes against Russian citizens. FaceTime is now restricted nationwide, and has likely been blocked at the network level, so it may still be accessible through a VPN. Moscow residents are seeing a "User unavailable" message when attempting to use FaceTime, which is the error displayed when a FaceTime call is unable to connect. The app still opens and activates, so Apple hasn't removed it. Russia claims that the app is used for coordinating illegal activity, with no option for the Federal Security Service (FSB) to monitor calls. Apple has declined to allow the FSB to access FaceTime traffic, and the company has not budged on end-to-end encryption. FaceTime likely wasn't banned earlier because Russia initially focused on more widely used apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. When voice and video calling were banned in those apps, Russians transitioned to FaceTime as an alternative, making it a government target.Tags: FaceTime, RussiaThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums06:14 pmDegraded analytics processing
Dec 4, 13:14 ESTUpdate - A processing issue is delaying analytics data. Previously processed data is still available through the analytics reports. No data loss is projected.Dec 4, 13:02 ESTIdentified - The issue has been identified and a fix is being implemented.06:07 pmApple Podcasts names ‘The Rest Is History’ its show of the year
Apple Podcasts has announced its 2025 Show of the Year, the UK-based The Rest Is History. Here are the details. more…06:07 pmThere's still time to grab AirPods 4 ANC for $99, the lowest price ever
Amazon's $99 AirPods 4 ANC deal is still in stock at the lowest price on record for holiday gift-giving.This AirPods 4 ANC deal delivers the lowest price ever at $99.The $80 discount on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation matches the lowest price on record at $99. Pick up a pair for yourself or as a holiday gift at Black Friday pricing, which is 44% off MSRP.Buy AirPods 4 ANC for $99 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:49 pmTwo key Apple executives depart, App Store dealings, and Apple Music Replay 2025
Benjamin and Chance react to the departure of not one, but two, key Apple executives this week with the news that John Giannandrea is retiring as SVP of AI, and design VP Alan Dye is leaving for a new job at Meta. Also, Apple finally agrees a deal with Tencent over commission for mini apps in WeChat, India tries to pre-install a state security app on iPhones, and the new Apple Music Replay launches. And in Happy Hour Plus, an analytics report claims baseball games drive more subscribers to Apple TV than its original series. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Narwal: Narwal is officially launching their Cyber Monday discounts, offering the record-low prices of its entire lineup up to 49% off. Sponsored by Hydrow: Train smarter, not longer. The Hydrow rowing machine delivers the best results, in just 20 minutes a day. Use code HAPPYHOUR to save up to $600 at hydrow.com. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by Aura Frames: The best digital picture frames. Get $35 off the best selling Carver Mat Frames with code HAPPYHOUR at on.auraframes.com/HAPPYHOUR. more…05:43 pmService Issue – Managed Databases
Dec 4, 17:43 UTCInvestigating - Our team is investigating a service issue affecting the Managed Databases service. During this time, users may experience issues when attempting to configure, update, provision, and view Managed Databases via the Cloud Manager or Linode API. Existing Managed Database cluster operations are not affected.We will share additional updates as we have more information.05:40 pmGet the Apple Watch Series 11 46mm GPS at $70 Off!
Amazon has the Apple Watch Series 11 in 46mm size with accurate GPS capabilities marked $70 off. The Series 11 smartwatch is a strong fitness partner with features like Heart Rate Zones, Pacer, Workout Buddy, and training load, which gives you insight into your workout and helpful metrics like intensity. The watch can detect potential […] The post appeared first on iLounge.05:38 pmDemand for iPhone 17 Is Breaking Sales Records At Apple
Demand for the iPhone 17 has been good, and Apple is on track to distribute over 247.4 million units this year, with forecasts indicating that shipments are to grow by 6.1 percent YoY. This can be attributed to the increased demand and sales for the iPhone 17 in China, which is a big market of […] The post appeared first on iLounge.05:37 pmEtsy Users Eligible for $15 Off on Transactions Above $75 When Using Apple Pay
There is a new promo in Apple Pay for this year’s holidays. They are collaborating with Etsy to give customers a $15 discount for transactions above $75 when using Apple Pay and using the ‘APPLEPAY’ promo code when checking out within the Etsy app. The discount is available once per person, with the promo excluding […] The post appeared first on iLounge.05:36 pmAlan Dye Parts Ways With Apple To Join Meta
Alan Dye, head of the Apple UI design team, is leaving Apple to join Meta. He has been part of the company since 2006, when he joined the communication and marketing team as creative director. Dye took control of the UI design team in 2015 when Jony Ive, former Apple designer, moved to Chief Design […] The post appeared first on iLounge.05:30 pmJohn Gruber Shares Scathing Commentary About Apple's Departing Software Design Chief
In a statement shared with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple confirmed that its software design chief Alan Dye will be leaving. Apple said Dye will be succeeded by Stephen Lemay, who has been a software designer at the company since 1999. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Dye will lead a new creative studio within the company's AR/VR division Reality Labs. On his blog Daring Fireball, longtime Apple commentator John Gruber has since reacted to the news with some scathing commentary about Dye. Specifically, Gruber said Dye does not care about design. "If you care about design, there's nowhere to go but down after leaving Apple," said Gruber, in a lengthy post citing conversations with Apple employees. "What people overlooked is the obvious: Alan Dye doesn't actually care about design." Gruber said that everyone he spoke to inside and outside of Apple was "happy" — if not downright "giddy" — to learn that Lemay is replacing Dye. "Lemay is well-liked personally and deeply respected talent-wise," he said. "He has always set an extraordinarily high bar for excellence and embodies Apple's culture of collaboration and creativity," Apple CEO Tim Cook said of Lemay, in his statement to Bloomberg that confirmed Dye is leaving the company. Dye was promoted to Vice President of Human Interface Design at Apple in 2015, at the same time as Jony Ive became Chief Design Officer at the company. Gruber said this was a "big mistake," as Dye had no background in user interface design. Lemay, on the other hand, is described as being a "career" interface designer with a particular "attention to detail and craftsmanship." The move from Dye to Lemay could be the best thing to happen to Apple's human interface design "in the entire stretch since Steve Jobs's passing and Scott Forstall's ouster," according to Gruber. At the very least, he expects the move to "stop the bleeding" at Apple, both in terms of quality of work and talent retention. Dye is expected to begin his role at Meta at the end of December. Gruber's full post on Daring Fireball: "Bad Dye Job"Tags: Alan Dye, John GruberThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums05:23 pmSMS Delivery Failures to Dito Network in Philippines
Dec 4, 09:23 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing . Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We expect to provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.05:17 pmSMS Delivery Failures on Small Nets in US for a Subset of Long Codes
Dec 4, 09:17 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS Delivery Failures on Small nets in US for a subset of Long codes. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We expect to provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.05:05 pmThe best apps and games of 2025, according to Apple
Discover the 2025 App Store Award winners that Apple showcased for the apps and games' innovation and cultural impact. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)05:04 pm'The Rest is History' crowned Apple Podcasts show of the year
"The Rest is History" has been named Apple Podcasts 2025 Show of the Year, a testament to the hosts' ability to make complex history feel accessible, engaging, and genuinely fun.Image Credit: AppleThe Rest is History is, as the name would imply, a history-centric podcast. But, somehow, it's more than that.Historians-turned-hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook have made it their mission to cover stories listeners know from angles they may not have considered. Topics can be nearly anything, from the sinking of the Titanic to Watergate and anything in between. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:01 pmRussia blocks FaceTime in the country, citing use in ‘terrorist attacks’
A new report from Reuters says Russia has blocked FaceTime access in the country, with users unable to connect via Apple’s platform as of today. Here are the details. more…05:00 pmHello Developer: December 2025
In this edition: Meet the 2025 App Store Award winners. Sign up for new design and Liquid Glass activities in the new year. Check out the latest additions to our ever-expanding video library. Meet the team behind the sticker-centric language-learning app CapWords. Browse new documentation and HIG updates. Read the full story04:45 pmDeals: AirPods 4 w/ AppleCare+ $90 off, Apple iPhone 17 cases 49% off, Find My SmartLock, black Alpine Loop, more | 9 to 5 MacDeals: AirPods 4 w/ AppleCare+ $90 off, Apple iPhone 17 cases 49% off, Find My SmartLock, black Alpine Loop, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is loaded with some notable accessory deals alongside the ongoing AirPods 4 all-time low at 45% off – but you can also now land that same deal with a discounted 2-year of AppleCare+ as well. The entire slate of Apple’s iPhone 17 Silicone cases are down at $25 right now (49% off) and we also spotted the first chance to save on the 2025 edition black Alpine Loop. Ongoing lows on Apple Watch Series 11, the Find My SmartLock, and more are also waiting for you below. more…04:42 pmJackery and Anker Hosting Last Chance Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales With Up to 65% Off | MacRumorsJackery and Anker Hosting Last Chance Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales With Up to 65% Off
Black Friday and Cyber Monday may be over, but you can still find up to 65 percent off Anker and Jackery's best portable power stations this week. Each retailer is hosting a last call sale for its most popular charging accessories, with major savings on these high-priced power stations. Jackery Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Jackery and Anker. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Jackery's "Black Friday Encore" event has up to 65 percent off select portable power stations this week. This includes everything from the smaller Explorer 500 to Jackery's line of HomePower Solar Generators that can power essential home electronics for as long as 30 days. UP TO 65% OFFJackery Black Friday Encore Sale Explorer 500 - $359.00, down from $499.00 Explorer 2000 v2 - $749.00, down from $1,499.00 Battery Pack 2000 Plus - $799.00, down from $1,399.00 Battery Pack 3600 - $999.00, down from $2,099.00 HomePower 3000 Solar Generator - $1,199.00, down from $2,499.00 Explorer 2000 v2 + Dual 200W Solar Panels - $1,299.00, down from $2,499.00 HomePower 3000 Solar Generator + Dual 200W Solar Panels - $1,499.00, down from $2,999.00 HomePower 3600 Plus Solar Generator - $1,899.00, down from $3,699.00 Explorer 5000 Plus - $3,999.00, down from $5,699.00 Anker SOLIX Similar to Jackery, Anker SOLIX is hosting a "Cyber Monday Last Call" sale that has up to 65 percent off select portable power stations. Overall, Anker SOLIX has a few more affordable options coming in under $500, as well as numerous high-end stations with various accessories like solar panels and expandable batteries. UP TO 65% OFFAnker SOLIX Cyber Monday Last Call Anker 521 PowerHouse (300W) - $149.99, down from $249.99 Anker 535 PowerHouse (500W) - $249.00, down from $649.99 SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $429.00, down from $799.00 SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 + Solar Panel - $609.00, down from $1,298.00 SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $739.00, down from $1,498.00 SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station - $1,199.00, down from $2,599.00 SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station - $1,999.00, down from $3,999.00 SOLIX F3000 + Expansion Battery + Solar Panel - $2,299.00, down from $5,397.00 SOLIX F3800 Plus Smart Home Power Kit - $4,599.00, down from $8,897.00 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums04:35 pmIs a full screen sheet control possible in iOS 26+?
How do I do a full-screen sheet (going under Dynamic Island and status bar), like Apple Podcasts and Apple Music do for their Now Playing screens? https://imgur.com/a/MxeFYKY submitted by /u/CharlesWiltgen [link] [comments]04:32 pmSeverance season 3 just got a big release timing update
The recent hit season of Severance has been landing on lots of ‘Best TV of 2025’ lists, and today a big update has arrived for release timing of Apple’s upcoming season 3. more…04:24 pmApple published a new Press Release
Apple just published a new Press Release:Apple Podcasts names The Rest Is History the 2025 Show of the Year04:24 pmApple Announces 2025 Podcast of the Year
Apple today announced that The Rest Is History has received the 2025 Apple Podcasts Award for Show of the Year for its high quality and cultural impact. Launched in 2020, The Rest Is History is a history podcast hosted by witty British historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook. It explores historical events, ranging from the rise and fall of the Roman Empire to the sinking of the Titanic. "The Rest Is History does a phenomenal job in taking a subject as vast as human history and captivating a global audience," said Oliver Schusser, vice president of Apple Podcasts, Apple Music, Apple Sports, and Beats. "Tom and Dominic have created something special that represents the very best of what's possible with podcasting — it's educational, it's hilarious, and it has fostered a true sense of community." "We don't moralize, we don't judge the past, and we approach it in a spirit of real enthusiasm," said Sandbrook. "We don't look down on people in the past. We just try to enjoy it, to relish the madness, the bonkers-ness of people." Tag: Apple PodcastsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums04:23 pmRussia blocks Apple’s FaceTime
Russia's state communications regulator announced on Thursday that it has blocked Apple's FaceTime video-calling service, citing its alleged… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.04:20 pmSMS Delivery Delays to Verizon Network in US via a subset of Short Codes
Dec 4, 08:20 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing . Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.04:15 pmThis new personal AI assistant runs entirely on your Mac or PC
Pansophy is a fully local personal AI assistant that runs without accounts, subscriptions or cloud processing. Your data stays on your device. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:09 pmApple reveals the 17 winners of its 2025 App Store Awards
Macworld Apple on Thursday announced the winners of its annual App Store Awards. From the 45 finalists that the company announced in November, 17 developers were recognized for “their technical ingenuity and lasting cultural impact.” “Every year, we’re inspired by the ways developers turn their best ideas into innovative experiences that enrich people’s lives,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a press release. “This year’s winners represent the creativity and excellence that define the App Store, and they demonstrate the meaningful impact that world-class apps and games have on people everywhere.” The Apple Store Awards has three sections: Apps, Games, and Cultural Impact. The Cultural Impact winners are “recognized for their positive impact, providing users with helpful tools, promoting understanding, and shaping a more inclusive world.” Here is a list of the winners; the links go to the app’s App Store entry. CategoryWinneriPhone App of the YearTiimo from tiimoiPad App of the YearDetail from Detail Technologies B.V.Mac App of the YearEssayist from Essayist Software Inc.Apple Vision Pro App of the YearExplore POV from James HustlerApple Watch App of the YearStrava from Strava, Inc.Apple TV App of the YearHBO Max from WarnerMedia Global Digital Services, LLCiPhone Game of the YearPokémon TCG Pocket from The Pokemon CompanyiPad Game of the YearDREDGE from Black Salt GamesMac Game of the YearCyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition from CD PROJEKT S.A.Apple Vision Pro Game of the YearPorta Nubi from Michael TemperApple Arcade Game of the YearWHAT THE CLASH? from Triband ApSCultural Impact WinnerArt of Fauna from Klemens StrasserCultural Impact WinnerBe My Eyes from Be My EyesCultural Impact WinnerChants of Sennaar from PlaydigiousCultural Impact Winnerdespelote from Panic, Inc.Cultural Impact WinnerFocus Friend by Hank Green from B-Tech Consulting Group LLCCultural Impact WinnerStoryGraph from The StoryGraph04:06 pmIntermittent SNA API Failure for Indonesia Smartfren with Verify
Dec 4, 08:06 PSTIdentified - The issue causing intermittent SNA API Failure for Indonesia Smartfren with Verify has been identified. We are actively working to resolve the issue. We expect to provide another update in 1 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.04:02 pmPost your app link here, i’ll create you a beautiful landing page with perfect SEO in a minute | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingPost your app link here, i’ll create you a beautiful landing page with perfect SEO in a minute
as the title says, drop your app link in comments and i’ll generate a website for you in a minute with a perfect seo score. there’s no catch, and i’ll pass you full ownership if you like it. it’s completely free. this is not promotion or something, i'm looking for some more feedback for the […]04:02 pmReview: Why the Sotsu FlipAction is my new favorite second screen for iPad Pro (and Mac) | 9 to 5 MacReview: Why the Sotsu FlipAction is my new favorite second screen for iPad Pro (and Mac)
When Apple introduced true windowing multitasking and extended display support with iPadOS 26, pairing my iPad Pro with a portable monitor suddenly became a lot more interesting. I’ve used numerous portable displays over the years, primarily with my MacBook Air, and they’ve ranged from inexpensive plastic options to higher-end models that focus on the screen itself. Some were decent, but the Sotsu FlipAction lineup just hits different. It looks like someone took a 16-inch iPad and attached it to a modular, magnetic Studio Display stand. I’ve been using this monitor for well over a year now, and I wanted to share my in-depth thoughts on whether or not it is worth the price. Let’s break it down. more…04:00 pmApple Arcade Just Got the Most Downloaded Mobile Game Ever and More
Apple Arcade received five more games today, including endless runner Subway Surfers, the world's most downloaded mobile game. Since its launch in 2012, the game has received billions of downloads across all platforms. The premium Subway Surfers+ edition on Apple Arcade offers the same run as the classic game, but without in-app purchases and ads. As a result, there are new ways to revive your character, collect items, and progress. A spin-off game Subway Surfers Tag was already released on Apple Arcade in 2022. The other four games added to Apple Arcade today:SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit 2, a sequel to the popular side-scrolling game PowerWash Simulator, which involves pressure washing dirty vehicles, homes, and more Cult of the Lamb Arcade Edition, a mobile version of the award-winning roguelite dungeon crawler NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM+, a 3D fighting game based on the popular manga and anime seriesApple Arcade is a subscription service that provides access to hundreds of games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. All of the games are free of ads and in-app purchases. In the U.S., Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month, and it is also bundled with other Apple services in all Apple One plans. Apple Arcade can be accessed through the App Store and Apple Games apps.Tag: Apple ArcadeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums04:00 pmNew AirTag accessory extends battery life to 5+ years
One of my favorite recent accessory launches is Elevation Lab’s TimeCapsule for AirTag, which promises to extend AirTag battery life to 10 years. And today, the company has debuted its follow-up, which offers 5 years of AirTag battery in a much more compact form factor. more…03:55 pmToday in Apple history: Secret project ports Mac OS to PCs
On December 4, 1992, Apple engineers demonstrated a "proof of concept" that's part of a secret project to run the Mac OS on Intel PCs. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:46 pmEspionage thriller 'Tehran' sneaks back onto Apple TV in January
Apple TV's International Emmy award-winning spy series "Tehran" is heading back to the small screen in early 2026, and it won't be for the last time.'Tehran' season three premieres January 9 | Image Credit: AppleOn Thursday, Apple TV announced a premiere date for "Tehran," an Israeli espionage thriller. The series will be returning on January 9, with new episodes every Friday through February 27.The company also disclosed that it renewed "Tehran" for a fourth season. The upcoming season is already in production. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:28 pmRock around the Christmas tree with the gorgeous Beats Pill for under $100
Macworld If you’re looking for gift ideas for this holiday season, then this discounted Beats Pill is a fantastic pick. Now just under $100, you’re saving $50 and getting a fantastic Bluetooth portable speaker. We’re not going to lie… the Beats Pill has an absolutely gorgeous design. This newest version of the iconic speaker comes with a custom-designed woofer that delivers deep and full bass. The speaker hits crisp highs and rich mid-range tones, resulting in the perfect combo to listen to your Spotify Wrapped or your Apple Music Replay playlist. The speaker is perfectly portable and even comes with a removable lanyard. The IP67 rating for dust and water resistance makes the Beats Pill such a good pick for hikes, beach days, or parties by the pool. With up to 24 hours of battery life, the speaker can last all day and even charge your phone or other devices via its USB-C port. It’s super easy to pair with both Apple and Android devices and can be integrated with Find My and Find My Device services. You can even use the Pill to take calls or activate your go-to voice assistant. But it’s already December 4, so go snag the beautiful Beats Pill for under $100 before this Amazon deal runs out. Buy now at Amazon03:26 pm4 top executives who ditched Apple to join Meta in 2025
Alan Dye is just one of four top executives who left Apple for Meta this year, all of them vacating crucial roles as part of a larger exodus. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:26 pm4 top executives who ditched Apple to join Meta in 2025
Alan Dye is just one of four top executives who left Apple for Meta this year, all of them vacating crucial roles as part of a larger exodus. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:25 pmApple's iPhone 17 Cases Make Great Stocking Stuffers at Up to 50% Off on Amazon
Amazon this week has big discounts across Apple's Clear, Silicone, and TechWoven Cases for the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air lineup. Items on sale include Clear, Silicone, and TechWoven Cases for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. We're also tracking a few discounts on other accessories like the FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe and Beats cases. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Apple's official cases are reaching up to 50 percent off in this sale, with many priced at $25.00, down from their original $49.00 price tags. In terms of the Beats deals, you'll find steep markdowns on the Beats Woven Charging Cables during this event, as well as Beats Cases for the iPhone 17 lineup. UP TO 50% OFFiPhone 17 Cases at Amazon iPhone Air Clear Case - $25.00, down from $49.00 iPhone 17 Clear Case - $25.00, down from $49.00 Silicone Case - $25.00, down from $49.00 iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case - $25.00, down from $49.00 Silicone Case - $25.00, down from $49.00 TechWoven Case - $44.00, down from $59.00 iPhone 17 Pro Max Clear Case - $25.00, down from $49.00 Silicone Case - $37.99, down from $49.00 TechWoven Case - $49.99, down from $59.00 More Sales FineWoven Wallet - $39.99, down from $59.00 Beats USB-C to USB-C Woven Cable - $8.54, down from $18.99 Beats USB-A to USB-C Woven Cable - $9.88, down from $18.99 Beats iPhone 17 Case - $19.97, down from $45.00 Beats iPhone 17 Pro Case - $22.45, down from $45.00 Beats iPhone 17 Pro Max Case - $29.99, down from $45.00 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums03:23 pmReplacing Xcode’s single log stream with 5+ lanes helped me debug faster. But adding MCP support for Cursor was the real game changer | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingReplacing Xcode’s single log stream with 5+ lanes helped me debug faster. But adding MCP support for Cursor was the real game changer
I originally struggled with logs because I kept running into a set of memory-related bugs inside an app I was working on. On older devices the memory usage would spike without any clear pattern, and the logs related to image caching, decoding, and eviction were basically impossible to follow in Xcode’s single combined stream. Everything […]03:16 pmFed up with Apple reviewers… I have gone through about 20 submissions now and still… | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingFed up with Apple reviewers… I have gone through about 20 submissions now and still…
I’m about at my limit with the Apple reviewer, this has been going on for 2 weeks now, my first reviewer was amazing and actually flagged good guidelines that were missing within the app, then I tore down my submission and put a new one up because I added some more things that I wanted […]03:15 pmMeta Poaches Apple Design Exec Alan Dye
Apple's longtime human-interface chief Alan Dye is leaving to lead a new creative studio at Meta's Reality Labs, where he'll shape AI-driven design for devices like smart glasses and VR headsets. Dye will be replaced by Steve Lemay, who has had "a key role in the design of every major Apple interface since 1999," according to a statement Apple CEO Tim Cook gave Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. TechCrunch reports: Shortly after the news broke of Dye's departure, Zuckerberg announced a new creative studio within Reality Labs that would be led by Dye. There, he'll be joined by Billy Sorrentino, another former Apple designer who led interface design across Reality Labs; Joshua To, who led interface design across Reality Labs; Meta's industrial design team, led by Pete Bristol; and its metaverse design and art teams led by Jason Rubin. Zuckerberg said the studio would "bring together design, fashion, and technology to define the next generation of our products and experiences." "Our idea is to treat intelligence as a new design material and imagine what becomes possible when it is abundant, capable, and human-centered," the Meta CEO wrote on Threads. "We plan to elevate design within Meta, and pull together a talented group with a combination of craft, creative vision, systems thinking, and deep experience building iconic products that bridge hardware and software." Read more of this story at Slashdot.03:10 pmAVG Antivirus Free for Mac Review: Strong protection, heavy upsells
Macworld At a GlanceExpert's Rating Pros Excellent malware and virus detection Free software with a generous 60-day trial Good level of customization and scan types Cons Heavy upselling and locked features Scan progress visibility that could be better Occasional functional quirks, such as malware that wasn’t fully removed until the app had been quit and relaunched Our Verdict AVG Free Antivirus for Mac offers strong virus and malware protection, a good level of customization, and a commendable feature set without paying upfront. Despite a few rough edges, the software offers a solid set of features and makes for a good level of security beyond what macOS already provides. If you’re looking for basic, free and reliable antivirus protection, this is worth trying out, and perhaps paying for. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Retailer Price AVG Free View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Price When ReviewedFree download Best Prices Today: AVG AntiVirus for Mac Retailer Price AVG Free View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket You may not always love the software industry, complete with its ongoing internal battles between the developers, the quality assurance department, marketing, and senior management, but there are times when things fall together as they should and a free/demo program gets it right. Enter AVG Antivirus free for Mac, which, albeit something of a teaser for the fully-featured version of the program, comes out swinging, albeit with subscription ads and notifications. We have tested all the best Mac antivirus software options in our round-up of the Best antivirus software for Mac. We have also reviewed the full version of AVG Internet Security for Mac. Essentially operating as the core of the fully-featured AVG Antivirus for Mac, AVG Antivirus Free, which requires macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) to run, downloads and installs easily without requiring an account to be set up or a credit or debit card to be saved with AVG Technologies. Instead, the installation runs smoothly, the application asks for confirmation to set up full disk access and network extension, and you’re ready to go. A 60-day trial period is also available, provided you enter a credit or debit card number. AVG Antivirus Free’s home screen is honestly as simple as it gets, the unsubscribed version offering a Smart Scan that checks your computer for viruses and malware, as well as email and web protection. Hacker Attacks and Payments modules are also available, but remain inaccessible unless a subscription or free trial has been set up. Hit the Smart Scan button and the virus definitions will update over the internet, the application scanning your internal hard drive for questionable software as well as scanning for advanced issues, wherein it gauges that your Pictures and Documents folders are prime targets for ransomware, notes that your network isn’t monitored for threats, and states that you’re vulnerable to fake websites due to possible DNS hijacking that can send you to fraudulent websites. This is where the upsell begins, the application consistently displaying an “Upgrade Now” button on its home screen. Threats secured, but you might want to upgradeFoundry Still, there’s a level of customization that draws out a lot of value from this, even if it is a free version of the full software. Head into the settings, and it’s easy to set up customized scan features, such as searching through .dmg archives, .zip archives, and toolsets while also creating whitelists and exception lists. It’s easy enough to choose between the four scan types (Smart Scan, Deep Scan, Targeted Scan, and External Storage Scan), and a handy scheduler can be set up for the day, time, and frequency you’d like to scan, along with the scan type. There are four types of scanFoundry The application can also scan Time Machine backups, which I’ve never seen listed as a specific feature, and the speed is impressive, with even a Deep Scan moving at a decent clip, scanning my MacBook Pro’s solid-state drive in under 30 minutes. Where malware and antiviral protection are concerned, AVG has honed its virus definitions and feature set into a fine-tuned blade, with the application syncing nicely with macOS’ Gatekeeper and Xprotect elements to catch just about all the malware samples I could throw at it. Yes, some malware can still pass through, but you’d have to bypass multiple warning screens, and AVG Antivirus Free is adept at blocking viruses and malware to the point that next to no malware samples found their way into my system. Foundry AVG Antivirus Free’s Web and Email module isn’t perfect, but it does a credible job in blocking traffic to spam, phishing, and ransomware websites. Here, I dove into my Gmail spam folder and began clicking links that no one in their right mind would click, AVG blocking access to a good number of them while still offering the option to add them to a list of exceptions if need be and noting the malware types they were trying to install. Granted, the software still allowed visits to online casinos and contest sites, and that’s its own debate waiting to happen, but there’s a viable layer of protection in place here. While things are good with AVG Antivirus Free, there are still a few wrinkles to iron out. A well-designed progress bar, complete with a percentage counter, shows how a scan is progressing, but there’s no elapsed time counter or ETA as to when a scan might finish, which would come in handy. The Scheduler feature does a good job, but it’s not dominant in the user interface, and you have to hunt around to see the scan that’s currently underway. Finally, the application caught a few malware samples and warned against them, but seemed not to have removed them until I quit the AVG Antivirus Free application, launched it again, and cleaned the malware out yet again. Should you use AVG’s Free Antivirus for Mac? Despite these shortcomings, which could be ironed out with some QA testing and some bug fixes, there’s a good utility to be had here, even if it is free and there’s an unmistakable effort to upsell the user to the paid version. The antiviral/anti-malware engine component is excellent, almost nothing slipped by it, and it’s easy to set your preferences for the scan you want on both internal and external volumes. What’s present here is something focused that isn’t trying to be a jack of all trades/solution to everything, isn’t trying to recover gigabytes of data from your hard drive, isn’t trying to be your VPN, and isn’t trying to do dozens of other things. It may be a simpler approach than what you might expect these days, but it works, and it’s worth taking a look at, if only for the 60-day free trial. Foundry02:51 pmApple Announces 2025 App Store Award Winners, Including iPhone App of the Year
Apple today unveiled the winners of its 2025 App Store Awards, including task planning app Tiimo, which was named iPhone App of the Year. 17 winning apps and games were selected by Apple's team of App Store editors, for showing exceptional innovation, user experience, and design. The developers of each app and game will receive a physical App Store Award. "Every year, we're inspired by the ways developers turn their best ideas into innovative experiences that enrich people's lives," said Apple CEO Tim Cook. "This year's winners represent the creativity and excellence that define the App Store, and they demonstrate the meaningful impact that world-class apps and games have on people everywhere." A complete list of this year's winners: Apps Tiimo (iPhone App of the Year) Detail (iPad App of the Year) Essayist (Mac App of the Year) Explore POV (Apple Vision Pro App of the Year) Strava (Apple Watch App of the Year) HBO Max (Apple TV App of the Year) Games Pokémon TCG Pocket (iPhone Game of the Year) DREDGE (iPad Game of the Year) Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition (Mac Game of the Year) Porta Nubi (Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year) WHAT THE CLASH? (Apple Arcade Game of the Year) Cultural Impact Art of Fauna Chants of Sennaar despelote Be My Eyes Focus Friend StoryGraph Tag: App StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums02:44 pmApple TV has long-delayed thriller series returning very soon
Tehran is one of Apple TV’s longest running thriller series, but you may have never heard of it because for years, the new season’s release has been delayed. Today though, Apple announced that Tehran season 3 is finally premiering next month, and there’s even a season 4 on the way. more…02:38 pmApple cuts Night mode Portraits on iPhone 17 Pro as users look for answers
Apple removed Night mode Portraits from the iPhone 17 Pro, and while a vocal minority of users are frustrated, others never noticed the feature was gone.iPhone 17 ProCuriosity around the camera change has grown because the update landed without an explanation from Apple. Owners trying the new phones are only learning about the limitation through testing, comparisons, and scattered reports rather than official guidance.Many users remain unaffected because their shooting habits never relied on the old workflow. For years, LiDAR-equipped iPhones let people blend Night mode and Portrait mode to brighten dark scenes while still blurring the background. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:29 pmApple unveils the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards
Apple on Thursday announced the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards, recognizing 17 apps and games for their technical… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.02:25 pmThis is how long Apple supports iPhones for
Macworld If you are thinking of buying an older generation or used/refurbished iPhone, or wondering whether it’s worth upgrading your current iPhone to a new one, one important factor to consider is how long Apple will continue to offer support for that handset. The good news is that Apple supports iPhones for a long time. In general, you can get seven to eight years of security-related software updates, while battery and other repairs are often available on five to seven-year-old handsets, according to Apple’s own Vintage and Obsolete categorizations. More on that below. Read on to find out which iPhones are supported with the latest operating systems, and which are supported for servicing and repairs. Macworld’s advice: The iPhone XS and iPhone 11, and any older iPhone should be avoided as can’t run the 2025 iOS update: iOS 26. How long does Apple support iOS? As a general rule, Apple doesn’t guarantee that an iOS update will support devices for a particular length of time. However, buyers can expect at least five years of iOS updates, though Apple regularly goes beyond that. With the arrival of iOS 26 the list of supported iPhones changed again. The iPhone XS and XR, which were introduced in 2018, will not be able to install iOS 26. That doesn’t mean that those iPhones will no longer be supported by Apple though. From time to time, Apple issues important security updates for the current version of iOS as well as some preceding versions. For this reason, Apple will continue to provide security updates for iPhones running iOS 18. In this case it is unlikely that Apple will issue updates to iOS 17 because when iOS 18 arrived in late 2024 it was compatible with the same iPhones as iOS 17 had been (the iPhone XS onwards) Apple may also end support for iOS 17 in favour of iOS 18.. The last update to iOS 17 was 17.7.2 in November 2024. We don’t expect that Apple will continue to support iOS 16 or earlier, but a security update to iOS 16 (iOS 16.7.12) and iOS 15 (iOS 15.8.5) was issued on September 15, 2025, the same day as iOS 26 arrived, so it is possible that Apple will continue to support those versions for a little while longer. While iOS 15 is supported even the 2014 iPhone 6s gets security updates. So that’s more than a decade of support! You should be very cautious if using an iPhone that won’t receive these security fixes for what could be dangerous vulnerabilities. Since we can only guarantee that iOS 18 support will continue we would recommend that you should replace your iPhone if it can’t run iOS 18, which includes the iPhones X, 8 and 8 Plus and iPhones 7, 6S, 6S Plus and the 1st gen SE. Which iPhones run each version of iOS? The chart below shows each version of iOS and the iPhones it ran on. As you can see, in recent years support for new iOS versions has stretched back for around six years, while, if you include the versions that Apple supports with security updates, the cover goes back a further year. Find your iPhone here and check which versions of iOS it can run.Foundry iPhone OS history The first iPhone, which launched in 2007, was able to run iPhone OS 3, which was supported by Apple up until 2010. The iPhone is considered obsolete by Apple. The iPhone 3G, which launched in 2008, was able to run iOS 4.0, which was itself supported until 2011. The iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS are considered obsolete by Apple. The length of support increased with the launch of the iPhone 4s in 2011. That phone was able to run operating systems all the way up to iOS 9. Apple was still supporting iOS 9 in 2019 when it issued a GPS-related update that July. The iPhones 4 and 4s are considered obsolete by Apple. The iPhone 5c runs iOS 10, which also received the GPS-related update in July 2019. The iPhones 5 and 5c are considered obsolete by Apple. The iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 both run iOS 12, for which Apple issued a security update in January 2023. This update was issued for those few devices that don’t support iOS 15. Apple is unlikely to continue support for iOS 12. These phones are considered vintage by Apple. iOS 15, which arrived in September 2021, supports all iPhones from iPhone 6s onwards, just as with iOS 14 and iOS 13. Both iOS 14 and 13 are considered obsolete by Apple because the same phones can run iOS 15. The iPhone 6s is already considered ‘vintage’ by Apple. iOS 16, which arrived in September 2022 runs on all iPhones from the iPhone 8 onwards – but do note that not all features are available on the older handsets. iOS 17 arrived in September 2023 and runs on all iPhones from the iPhone XS onwards – meaning the iPhone X and iPhone 8 are stuck with iOS 16. iOS 18 arrived on September 16, 2024, and, like iOS 17, runs on all iPhones from the iPhone XS onwards. (The same phones as iOS 17). iOS 26 arrived in September 2025 and will run on all iPhones from the iPhone 11 onwards. Leaving the iPhone Xs and iPhone XR unable to update. What is the oldest iPhone still supported by Apple? iPhone 6S is the oldest iPhone supported with security updates because it runs iOS 15, which was last updated in August 2025. But Apple is unlikely to support iOS 15 for much longer and in terms of hardware support, the iPhone 6S is already considered obsolete by Apple. At the time of writing, the oldest version of iOS supported with security updates is iOS 15, thanks to the iOS 15 update in August 2025, that means the oldest iPhones ‘supported’ by Apple is the iPhone 6s. However, that handset is already considered obsolete by Apple. Now that iOS 25 has arrived we expect that Apple will stop support for iOS 16 and iOS 15, which means the iPhone 8 and iPhone X will no longer receive emergency software updates. What that happens the oldest iPhone still supported with security updates would be the iPhone XS, which is already on Apple’s vintage list. iPhones to avoid We don’t recommend the following iPhone models because they no longer receive regular updates, though some models may occasionally get a critical security update: iPhone 11/11 Pro (2019) iPhone XR (2018) iPhone Xs/XS Max (2018) iPhone X (2017) iPhone 8/8 Plus (2017) iPhone 7/7 Plus (2016) iPhone SE (2016) iPhone 6s/6s Plus (2014) iPhone 6/6 Plus (2014) iPhone 5s (2013) iPhone 5c (2013) iPhone 5 (2012) iPhone 4s (2011) iPhone 4 (2010) iPhone 3GS (2009) iPhone 3G (2008) iPhone (2007) For more information, see our list of every version of iOS. The iPhone 5S. Remember? It’s been a while.IDG When will Apple stop supporting each iPhone? Truth is we don’t know for sure, but on the basis that Apple supports phones for five to seven years after they are removed from sale: iPhone XS (2018-2019) – Approx 2024-2026 iPhone XR (2018-2021) – Approx 2026-2028 iPhone 11 (2019-2022) – Approx 2027-2029 iPhone SE2 (2020-2022) – Approx 2027-2029 iPhone 12 (2020-2023) – Approx 2028-2030 iPhone 13 (2021) – Approx 2032 iPhone SE3 (2022) – Approx 2033 iPhone 14 (2022) – Approx 2034 iPhone 15 (2023) – Approx 2035 iPhone 16 (2024) – Approx 2036 iPhone 17 (2025) – Approx 2037 Apple Intelligence: With the arrival of Apple Intelligence AI features and their hardware requirements, the older iPhones are likely to become obsolete faster. When does Apple stop fixing iPhones? When it comes to repairs, Apple supports iPhones (and all devices it makes) for seven years from the last time it sold that particular model. So as long as your iPhone was still being sold by Apple up to seven years ago, the company or a third-party service provider will still service it. Apple states on its website that “Owners of iPhone, iPad, iPod or Mac products may obtain a service and parts from Apple or Apple service providers for five years after the product is no longer sold.” The following iPhones are considered Obsolete, which means sales were discontinued more than seven years ago and Apple has now discontinued all hardware servicing. iPhone iPhone 3G iPhone 3GS iPhone 4 (not all models are obsolete) iPhone 4s iPhone 5c (discontinued September 2013, obsolete in 2021) iPhone 5S (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2024) iPhone 6 (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2025) iPhone 6 Plus (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2024) iPhone 6s (32GB) (discontinued in 2018, obsolete in 2024) iPhone 6s Plus (32GB) (discontinued in 2018, obsolete in 2024) iPhone SE, 2016 (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2023) Updated on U.S. Apple site but not U.K And the iPhones below are listed as Vintage, which means they have not been sold for more than five years (but less than seven years). Apple will still service these products as long as it has the required parts. So you could say that the oldest iPhone still supported by Apple is the 8GB iPhone 4, but we don’t expect that Apple will have the required parts. iPhone 4 8GB (discontinued in 2013, but sold in India until February 2014, likely to be obsolete very soon) iPhone 5 (discontinued September 2013, likely to become obsolete soon) iPhone 6s (16GB, 64GB, 128GB) (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2022) iPhone 6s Plus (16GB) (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2022) iPhone 7 (discontinued in 2019, vintage in May 2025) iPhone 7 Plus (discontinued in 2019, vintage in May 2025) iPhone 8 (discontinued in 2020, vintage in 2024) iPhone 8 Plus (discontinued in 2020, vintage in 2024) iPhone X (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2024) iPhone XS Max (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2024) iPhone 11 Pro Max (discontinued in 2020, vintage in September 2025) All iPhones that followed those handsets should be supported by Apple. You may also be interested to learn how long Apple supports Macs and how long Apple supports iPads. We also have guides for getting a broken iPhone fixed and how much Apple product repairs cost. Is your iPhone slipping into obscurity? Find a great deal on a new iPhone here or check the best prices below and take a look at our round-up to choose the Best iPhone for you. iPhone Air Retailer Price $999 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iPhone 17 Retailer Price $1,299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iPhone 17 Pro Retailer Price $1099 View Deal $1,299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket02:22 pmOriginal iPhone SE declared obsolete, in blow to anyone still using one
Macworld The original iPhone SE from 2016, one of Apple’s most popular handsets of all time, has finally been declared obsolete. This is bad news for anyone who still uses the phone because it is no longer eligible to receive repairs and battery replacements from Apple Stores and authorised service partners. “Apple discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products,” the company explains, “and service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products.” The move isn’t a surprise, however, as Apple follows a simple formula when categorising products as either vintage or obsolete. Five years after a device is discontinued, it’s declared vintage, and after a total of seven years, it graduates to obsolete. The original iPhone SE was removed from sale on September 12, 2018, so the seven-year milestone was reached almost three months ago. Read more about this in our article where we discuss how long Apple supports iPhones for. The lack of official support isn’t necessarily a death sentence for the SE, since you can still take it to a non-official repair shop using non-official parts. This is slightly riskier than the official route, since the parts may not work optimally. But any worries about voiding the warranty are wildly irrelevant at this point and you haven’t got a great deal to lose other than the (hopefully not excessive) fee charged by the shop. It’s worth noting that the same page on Apple’s UK site and other countries still lists the iPhone SE as vintage rather than obsolete, but it’s unclear whether Apple is just slow to update those pages. Nevertheless, anyone still relying on a 1st-gen SE might be well advised to consider this a signal to upgrade to something newer, and considerably better. The SE runs an A9 processor with 2GB of RAM, the screen measures just 4 inches, and the cameras are 12MP and 1.2MP, respectively. It can’t even install iOS 16 from 2022, let alone this year’s iOS 26. Upgrading to the iPhone 16e, the cheapest of the current range, would get you an A18 with 8GB of RAM, a 6.1-inch display, and 48MP/12MP cameras, plus iOS 26 and the promise of many software updates to come. Better still, look for a killer refurbished deal on one of the models Apple has discontinued in the past couple of years, such as the iPhone 14 or iPhone 15, and you’ll still get a major improvement on the SE without having to spend a fortune. iPhone 15 deals Retailer Price $729 View Deal $729.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket02:15 pmI released siteify too fast, broke the paywall, and i’d still do it again | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingI released siteify too fast, broke the paywall, and i’d still do it again
for everyone who saw yesterday’s subscriptions chaos, here is a quick update so here’s what happened. i released Siteify, which i’ve been working on really hard. the app itself got approved, but the subscriptions were still in “waiting for review”. i was rushing and hit release immediately after approval. started an ad campaign, posted it […]02:13 pmApple TV renews ‘Tehran’ for season four; season three premieres January 9th
Apple TV on Thursday unveiled the premiere date and a first look at the third season of “Tehran,” and announced that the International… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.02:02 pmTiimo, Dredge, Cyberpunk 2077 win big at the 2025 App Store Awards
Apple has recognized 17 developers in its annual App Store Awards, celebrating apps for their technical ingenuity and cultural impact, with the winners including productivity app Focus Friend and Lovecraftian fishing game Dredge.App Store Awards - Image credit: AppleAt the end of November, Apple announced the finalists for the 2025 App Store Awards, its annual celebration of the best software from the year. On December 4, Apple announced who won the awards in their various categories.A total of 17 games are awarded, with six App of the Year winners alongside five Game of the Year awards. Another six are selected by App Store editors as Cultural Impact winners for driving meaningful change, with inclusivity and a positive impact. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:00 pmMy favorite wireless earbuds for less than $100
Just a few years ago, you couldn't find anything as good as our picks for best budget earbuds. They're packed with features and great sound. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:00 pmApple announces winners of the 2025 App Store Awards
After announcing the finalists last month, Apple today officially announced the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards. This year, the App Store Awards recognize 17 apps and games for their “technical ingenuity and lasting cultural impact.” The winners were selected by App Store Editors for “demonstrating exceptional innovation, user experience, and design.” more…01:59 pmApple unveils the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards
Apple announces the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards, recognizing 17 apps and games for their technical ingenuity and lasting cultural impact.01:27 pmiPhone Air's Resale Value Has Dropped Dramatically, Data Shows
The iPhone Air has recorded the steepest early resale value drop of any iPhone model in years, with new data showing that several configurations have lost almost 50% of their value within ten weeks of launch. According to a ten-week analysis published by SellCell, Apple's latest lineup is showing a pronounced split in resale performance between the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air. SellCell examined real-time trade-in pricing from more than 40 U.S. buyback companies, comparing average values across weeks since launch against each model's original MSRP. All devices in the study were assessed in good condition for consistent comparisons. The data shows that the iPhone 17 series has averaged 34.6% depreciation after ten weeks, outperforming the iPhone 16 range at the same point last year, which saw a 39% decline. The iPhone 15 series remains the strongest performer over the past several cycles, retaining more value at the ten-week mark with an average depreciation of 31.9%. The iPhone 14 range sits at 36.6% over the same period. By contrast, the iPhone Air shows significantly weaker retention, averaging 44.3% depreciation across all storage configurations. The Air's declines range from 40.3% to 47.7%, making it the weakest-performing iPhone range since the iPhone 14 Plus and certain iPhone 13 mini configurations registered similar drops in 2022. The steepest fall is attributed to the 1TB iPhone Air model, which SellCell identifies as the worst performer in the entire dataset. SellCell's model-level breakdown shows a sharp divergence between the Pro segment and the Air. The best-performing model, the 256GB iPhone 17 Pro Max, has declined 26.1% after ten weeks, while the 512GB iPhone 17 Pro Max has fallen 30.3%. All Pro and Pro Max configurations remain below 40% depreciation, which points to sustained demand in the secondary market. The standard iPhone 17 fell between 32.9% and 40.8%, placing it roughly in line with the performance of recent non-Pro tiers. The iPhone 17 lineup as a whole collectively retains 9.7% more value than the Air after ten weeks. The iPhone Air occupies the entire bottom of the ten-week rankings. Depreciation among the iPhone 17 models appears to stabilize by week ten, mirroring patterns observed for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 generations. The iPhone Air, on the other hand, continued to decline through week ten, which SellCell suggests could indicate longer-term uncertainty in the secondary market. The comparisons underscore how unusual the iPhone Air's trajectory is relative to other iPhone models.Related Roundup: iPhone AirTag: SellCellBuyer's Guide: iPhone Air (Buy Now)This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums01:18 pmiPhone 17 Pro Lost a Camera Feature Pro Models Have Had Since 2020
iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020. If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lens with your hand to simulate a low-light environment. The Night mode crescent moon symbol should appear in the top-right corner of the UI, and if you tap the six dots icon in the same corner, you should see the Night mode button in the options panel. Now choose Portrait in the carousel and perform the same low-light simulation with your hand – no crescent symbol will appear, and you won't see any Night mode toggle in the options panel when you open it. Owners of iPhone 16 Pro and other recent Pro models who perform this test won't see Night mode disappear in Portrait mode, and apparently this is all by design, according to Apple's own iOS 26 iPhone User Guide. As spotted by Macworld, the support document says you can only take Night mode photos with Portrait mode on the following models: iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max Users on Reddit and Apple's own discussion forums noticed the omission on iPhone 17 Pro models at least a couple of months ago, but it seems that the change was not widely known (though a DXOMARK Camera test conducted in September does appear to reference the limitation). Missing Night Mode option in Camera app's Portrait mode (left) vs. Photo mode The omission is puzzling, since the iPhone 17 Pro's camera hardware should be capable of combining the two modes. It could be that photos taken with Night mode are limited to 12 megapixels, whereas Portrait photos can be captured at 24 megapixels. Still, Apple has not officially explained why the feature is not available on its latest premium models, nor has it said whether the feature will arrive later as part of a coming software update. Either way, we expect Apple will provide some commentary soon. Until then, for users who relied on Night Mode portraits on earlier Pro models, it probably feels like a downgrade.Related Roundup: iPhone 17 ProBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums01:07 pmHabit tracking and screen time indie apps
Hi all, I’m looking for two apps. One for simple habit tracking and another for screen time. There are plenty of big names around, but I’d really prefer to support indie developers. I build and maintain my own indie app, so I know exactly how hard it is to get real users, real feedback and […]01:00 pmE-Waste Won’t Be Solved by Disposal: It Starts With Design
Experts say the e-waste crisis won’t be solved by better disposal. Real progress depends on redesigning devices for reuse, repair, and long-term material recovery. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.01:00 pmApp Store Award winners announced
Join us in celebrating the outstanding work of these developers from around the world.Meet the winners12:49 pmGruber: Apple employees ‘giddy’ about Alan Dye’s departure
Yesterday, Bloomberg broke the surprise news that Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design since 2015, is departing the company to lead a new design studio at Meta. Apple confirmed the departure in a statement attributed to Tim Cook, adding that 26-year Apple design veteran Steve Lemay will take over Dye’s role. In a new post on Daring Fireball, John Gruber has some inside info on the reaction inside Apple to this news. more…12:27 pmBest VPNs for iPhone and iPad in 2025: Top Picks for Privacy and Speed
Macworld If you are browsing the web using your iPad or iPhone your online activity is visible to your internet service provider (ISP), your government, and potentially others. You might think you have nothing to hide, but if you are accessing the web via a public Wi-Fi network there is a chance of interception that could put your data at risk. There is a really simple solution if you want to maintain online privacy and anonymity: a VPN. The VPN will encrypt your data and provide a secure means of surfing the web. If privacy is important to you, and why wouldn’t it be, surfing via a VPN will guard your identity. If you are surfing from a location that requires some form of identification to view certain sites, a VPN would allow you to bypass that requirement by hiding your IP address and switching it for a new IP address somewhere else in the world. PROMOTIONX-VPN: Your Best iOS VPN for Unblocking Rated 4.7/5 by over 521K users on the Apple Store, X-VPN operates from Singapore outside the 14 Eyes to give iOS users more freedom and privacy for just $34.99 a year($2.99/mo) GET X-VPN | UP TO 76% OFF You can switch to an IP address in the same country, or it could be halfway across the globe. This makes a VPN an essential tool for iPad and iPhone users wanting to access streaming services in countries where they don’t exist (such as HBO Max in the U.K. or BBC iPlayer in the U.S.) or to watch content that isn’t available where you are on services like as Disney+, Netflix, or Amazon Prime. If you’re traveling abroad and missing out on your favorite shows you can use a VPN to connect to a server in your own country and carry on watching as if you were at home. How we choose the best VPN for iPad and iPhone To select the best VPNs, the experts at Macworld conducts hands-on testing on iPhone and iPad that combines performance benchmarks with practical, real-world use. Our evaluation process is built on a foundation of quantifiable data and qualitative analysis to ensure we recommend only services we would use ourselves. You can about our methodology below. Best iPad and iPhone VPN 2025: Reviewed & Ranked We’ve tested many VPN services on Macs and we’ve tested them on iPads and iPhones. The good news is it’s never been easier to find a great VPN for your iPhone or iPad, but they’re not all created equal. Here are our picks. 1. NordVPN – Best VPN for iPhones and iPads Pros Lots of servers around the world Impressive speeds Independently audited Cons Not the cheapest option Connections aren’t unlimited Price When Reviewed: Basic plan from $2.99 a month for two years. Usually $12.99 a month Best Prices Today: Retailer Price NordVPN (Monthly) $2.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Up to 6 devices at once. Apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, Amazon Fire TV and tvOS. Who should buy: NordVPN is arguably the best iPad or iPhone VPN available, thanks to its impressive speeds and extensive server selection, as well as its robust geoblocking toolkit. Why Nord is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: With one of the largest server networks in the world and impressively fast connection speeds, NordVPN delivers reliable performance for streaming, browsing or unblocking geo-restricted content on iPhone and iPad. Additionally, its audited no-logs policy and built-in kill switch provide strong privacy and security, while native iOS and iPadOS apps make it easy to use. Further considerations: NordVPN isn’t the cheapest option, and it only supports 6 devices per membership. If you’re running it across your various devices and maybe your family’s, that can soon creep up. NordVPN is easy to use and one of the fastest VPNs around and shouldn’t slow down your internet connection. It’s an excellent choice for iPad owners. The map view is fun to use on a screen larger than your phone’s, and it connects you swiftly to one of Nord’s thousands of servers (there are 5,300 in total across 60 countries, which means you can always find a server in the location you need that isn’t overloaded). It unblocks many services, including Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer. It also ticks the privacy box, carrying out regular audits. It features a kill switch, which is important to keep your data and location hidden if the VPN connection stops unexpectedly. Based in Panama, it’s outside of the jurisdiction of the ’14-eyes’ (a group of countries that have agreed to collect, analyze and share information). You can connect up to six devices to NordVPN at once, and there are also apps for iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows and Amazon Fire TV. You can get great discounts by signing up for a couple of years. See the deals on NordVPN’s website. Read our full NordVPN review 2. Surfshark – Best VPN for multiple devices Pros Unlimited devices and connections. Multi-Hop servers. Security features and audited no-logs policy Cons Kill switch can’t be customised. Price doubles on renewal Price When Reviewed: Starter plan from $1.99 a month for two years + 3 free months. Usually $15.45 a month. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Surfshark (Monthly) $1.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Unlimited devices. Apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Apple TV, Windows, Chrome, Firefox and Edge extensions. Who should buy: If six devices aren’t enough for you, then SurfShark could be ideal. It’s available on unlimited devices and offers multi-hop servers for increased anonymity while browsing. Why SurfShark is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: Surfshark is ideal if you want to protect numerous devices, its iOS/iPadOS apps support unlimited simultaneous connections. It also includes advanced features such as Multi-Hop routing (for extra privacy) and offers a smooth, user-friendly interface, making it a great value VPN for iPhone and iPad owners who want flexibility and simplicity. Further considerations: While SurfShark isn’t too expensive, its pricing does double when it comes to renewal. That’s something to consider if you’re looking for an option that you’ll be relying on in the long term. Surfshark is an easy-to-use and intuitive VPN with a slick iPad app that has more features than you might expect given the low price. The service has more than 3,200 servers across 100+ countries but, importantly, lets you watch Netflix shows, BBC iPlayer and other streaming services that aren’t normally available in your region. We were able to flick between streaming libraries with ease, do a bit of shopping for digital goods, and there were no real issues with connectivity. The iOS version of Surfshark includes features like MultiHop, which routes your connection through two countries instead of just one, and Dedicated IP baked in. Many mobile apps are watered-down versions of their desktop VPN offerings, but there’s even an Alternative ID function here. It supports multiple protocols and excellent encryption. With WireGuard, Surfshark the slickest VPN around and we saw very little speed lost from our connection. You’ll find security features including a kill switch, which is like a like a safety net that will shut down your connection if your VPN connection falters. Surfshark is run from the Netherlands, which is privacy-friendly. It has a strict no-logs policy that’s regularly audited, uses two-factor authentication (2FA), and is one of the members of the VPN Trust Initiative. There’s also an Antivirus Scan that will run scheduled background scans if you leave the app open. Just beware that the price increases substantially on renewal–a gotcha with quite a few VPN services and one that’s easily missed when signing up. Our advice is to cancel before it renews and sign up for a new deal. It really is one of the best VPNs around, and also one of the fastest thanks to the use of the WireGuard protocol. See the current deals on Surfshark’s website and read our Surfshark review for more details. Read our full Surfshark review 3. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for ease of use Pros Simple to use on all platforms Big focus on privacy and transparency 105 countries Cons A little barebones Price When Reviewed: From $4.99 a month for 2 years + 4 free months Best Prices Today: Retailer Price ExpressVPN (Monthly) $3.49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Up to 8 devices at once. Apps for iPhone, iPad, tvOS, Mac, Android, Windows, Chrome, XBox, Playstation, Switch and more. Who should buy: ExpressVPN is a fantastic service thanks to a sizeable array of server locations and the fact that it’s really easy to use means it’s a good option for the less tech savvy. Why ExpressVPN is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: We love ExpressVPN for its simplicity and ease of use, making it especially attractive for less technical users on iPhone or iPad. Its large server footprint (105+ countries) and Lightway protocol deliver fast, reliable connections, which will be handy for streaming or secure browsing on mobile Apple devices. Further considerations: Eight devices are included per membership, but there’s no antivirus, and it costs more than SurfShark. Also among our favourite VPNs for the iPad is ExpressVPN, which has 105 country options and a network of more than three thousand servers. ExpressVPN unblocks more video services than rivals. It claims to reliably unblock over 200 streaming service and also gives you a backup option – the MediaStreamer proxy service – if you find that the VPN isn’t unblocking at the exact moment you want to watch. It bills itself as the premium option, and justifies this partly with the long list of video services it works with. There is also 24/7 live chat support and Threat Manager blocks traffic from websites known to be malicious. There’s also an ad blocker and an adult site blocker. You can expect fast speeds thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol and privacy is good thanks to the TrustedServer setup (where the software runs entirely in RAM and doesn’t save any data to the hard drive). The company is registered in the British Virgin Islands, a self-governing territory that isn’t subject to British laws. It operates a no-logs policy. As well as using it on your iPad, there are also apps for iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Fire TV and more. There’s a limit of eight devices at once (up from 5 previously). While not the cheapest, ExpressVPN does run discounts, with the best deal being the one-year subscription, which is almost half-price. Read our full ExpressVPN review 4. ProtonVPN – Best free VPN plan Pros Simple to use Free plan Great speed Cons Set up is a little fiddly Price When Reviewed: Proton Free; VPN Plus from $2.99 a month for two years. Usually $9.99 a month. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Proton Technologies (Monthly) $2.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Up to 8 devices at once. Apps for iPhone, iPad, tvOS, Mac, Android, Windows, and more. Who should buy: ProtonVPN is great for anyone looking for privacy online, thanks to its ‘Secure Core’ servers, and covers up to 10 devices with a single plan. It’s also packed with features on iPad, whereas some rivals go for a simpler offering on tablet devices. Why ProtonVPN is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: ProtonVPN stands out for offering a free tier, useful for iPad/iPhone users wanting to try a VPN without commitment. The paid version brings strong privacy tools and solid performance. Its apps are polished and intuitive to use on iOS/iPadOS, and its security features (Secure Core, no-logs policy, kill switch) make it a good match for privacy-minded users. Further considerations: Proton has a solid free plan that’s better than so many of its rivals, but it’s pricier on the premium side. ProtonVPN’s free tier of membership sets Proton VPN apart from some of its rivals. It’s limited, with US, Japan, and Netherlands as the server locations and some speed drop – but it’s usable. If you subscribe, you get a sleek interface, impressive connection speeds and more than enough features, without throwing too many complex concepts at new users. Proton VPN Plus features include an ad and tracker blocker and speed of up to 10 Gbps, as well as a 10-device limit. There’s Port Forwarding for downloads and gaming, and a Kill Switch for disconnecting should the VPN drop out. The company offers a “no-logs” policy – meaning it doesn’t track sites, IP addresses, communications, or session lengths, nor does it track location-based information. Proton is Swiss-based, so only Swiss court orders can request data from the company, but since it doesn’t log data there’s very little it can reveal. Secure Core, routes traffic through one of the company’s ‘Secure’ servers, minimizing the potential of a data leak. There secure servers owned by Proton in more than 90 countries. Proton VPN does increase latency, but only by about 29% in our testing on a modest 60 Mbps broadband. It was only about 7% slower when downloading and 5.5% slower when uploading – one of the slicker VPNs we’ve tested. Of the included VPN protocols, Smart will be enough for most users, automatically setting the right protocol for your current usage, but WireGuard, WireGuard (TCP), IKEv2 and Stealth are also offered. Proton VPN is an easy recommendation both for new and experienced users. You can sign up for Proton VPN here. Read our full ProtonVPN review 5. FastestVPN – Good VPN for streaming Pros Impressive WireGuard speeds Dedicated downloading and streaming servers Independent audit Cons No split tunneling Price doubles on renewal Price When Reviewed: Lifetime special deal: $30, usually $600 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price FastestVPN (Lifetime payment) $30 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 10 devices at once. Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows, and more. Who should buy: This is a great VPN service for privacy, thanks to its Cayman Islands HQ and third-party No Logs audit, FastestVPN is, as the name suggests, a fairly nippy VPN at a budget price. Why FastestVPN is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: FastestVPN offers a low-cost, budget-friendly option that supports iPhone, iPad, Mac and more – up to 10 devices. Its streaming-optimised servers and use of the WireGuard protocol bring decent speeds and unblocking capabilities, making this VPN appealing for cost-conscious users. Further considerations: Despite the name, it’s not the fastest on this list by some distance, and unblocking streaming services is inconsistent. FastestVPN does a great job and for a lot less than others, with the option of a one time payment of $40 (sometimes reduced to $30). It’s also seen a bunch of improvements since we took a look in 2021. The app is sleek and easy to use and offers 10 simultaneous connections. FastestVPN will help you get around geoblocks. It actually highlights certain streaming-focused servers. It boosts a number power user features like multi-hop connections, an Internet Kill Switch to shut down all traffic if your VPN drops for any reason, and you can use Smart Tunneling to ensure certain apps go via a VPN while others don’t. FastestVPN is headquartered in the Cayman islands and has undergone a third-party audit from Altius to confirm its no-logs policy. You’ll find a variety of VPN protocols to choose from, with Wireguard, OpenVPN (TCP and UDP options) and IKEv2 available, and Servers have recently been updated to 10 Gbps options, but despite the name, it’s not the fastest around. FastestVPN has more than 800 servers, which is a lot – but in context, that’s dramatically less than NordVPN or ExpressVPN. Rivals do offer a larger server count, but the ease of use, and low barrier of entry, make FastestVPN one of our best VPN picks in 2025. FastestVPN is available on Mac as well as Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and plenty more. You can sign up for Private Internet Access here. Read our full FastestVPN review 6. hide.me VPN Price When Reviewed: From $2.49 per month for two years (+4 months extra) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Hide.Me (Monthly) $2.49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who should buy: Hide.me is a great choice for iPad, iPhone and Mac users who want a simple to use, privacy-focused VPN. One subscription can be used on up to 10 simultaneous devices, which is a big benefit if you have multiple devices to cover. The free tier is a great opportunity to test the VPN before you buy. Why Hide.me is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: Hide.me works well on iOS/iPadOS and is a great all-around VPN for all Apple devices. It’s easy to install, offers a risk-free free plan, and delivers strong privacy and streaming support without noticeable speed loss. The lower server count is the only real downside, but for everyday use, including browsing, streaming and geo-unblocking, it’s a strong choice. Further considerations: There is a low number of servers compared to the alternatives on this list. Hide.me offers native apps for macOS, iOS and iPadOS (plus other platforms), so whether you’re on a Mac, iPhone or iPad you’re covered. Setting up hide.me is very simple and fast. It also provides a free plan, which makes it easy for Apple-device users to try hide.me without commitment. For those who want more than the basics, hide.me includes advanced VPN features even on paid plans: split-tunnelling, a kill switch, and multi-hop connections. These let you control which apps route through VPN, shut off traffic if VPN drops, or route through multiple servers for extra privacy. Performance is solid: in our testing, download speed drops remained below 10% across servers, so iPhone/iPad users shouldn’t notice major slowdowns when browsing or streaming. hide.me handled geo-unblocking well: streaming-friendly servers successfully bypassed geo-restrictions for various services, so iPhone or iPad users wanting to watch region-locked content should find it effective. Our only real criticisms are that the total number of servers is lower than many competitors, which might mean fewer location choices or slower speeds. Read our full hide.me VPN review 7. Mullvad – Best VPN for privacy Pros Privacy-focused Great for avoiding geoblocks Good pricing Cons Lower number of connections (just 5) Price When Reviewed: $5.26 a month (€5) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Mullvad $5.26 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 700+ servers 5 connections Available on Mac, Windows, iOS, iPadOS, and Android Who should buy: Perfect for anonymity, Mullvad won’t even store users’ payment info, so it doesn’t offer recurring plans. It’s also priced well and is a solid streaming VPN. Why Mullvad is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: Mullvad VPN is a privacy-first choice for iOS and iPadOS users: it offers no-logs, allows anonymous payment, and includes advanced features like multihop, split tunnelling, and a kill switch. Its iPhone and iPad apps support robust privacy and security tools that are often missing on mobile VPN clients, making it ideal for users seeking maximum anonymity and control. Further considerations: There aren’t that many servers on Mullvad’s list at the time of writing, and it only allows for 5 connections per membership. With Mullvad you pay €5 a month whether you sign up for a month, a year or longer. The only price change will be dependent on the exchange rate from euros at that time. We like the fact that this means you aren’t caught up in a recurring subscription and can cancel at any time. Another bonus is that Mullvad, with its privacy-first mindset, doesn’t store your personal information. You can even pay using prepaid cards if you don’t want to log payment information. As a result, Mullvad the ideal VPN service for anyone looking to leave a minimal digital footprint. With excellent performance and plenty of features, that would be paid additions elsewhere, Mullvad is a great VPN. There is a Kill Switch to cut traffic if the VPN drops, a Lockdown Mode that forces the user to reconnect via Mullvad if the connection drops. Multihop will bounce your connection via multiple servers and split tunnelling is available so you can send some traffic via the VPN and ignore it for others. An ad blocker is also included. It’s available on Mac, Windows, iOS, iPadOS, and Android. It’s accessed exclusively from the menu bar on Mac. The iPhone and iPad apps pack plenty of power user features that in some services are limited to desktop, like multihop connections and the DAITA protection. DAITA (Defence against AI-guided Traffic Analysis) will add ‘network noise’ so data packets are all the same size. The main disadvantages are the five device limit, which is lower than many VPNs, and. a lower server count. It has 700, but this is still lower than the likes of NordVPN with over 7,000. Mullvad’s servers are all real, not virtual, servers though. Connection speeds are impressive. Mullvad is a fantastic VPN service that’s about as privacy-minded as can be. It might not have the most servers, but that’s a small price to pay for the service on offer. Read our full Mullvad review 8. Private Internet Access – Good for privacy Pros Impressive WireGuard speeds Dedicated downloading and streaming servers Independent audit Cons No split tunneling Price doubles on renewal Price When Reviewed: From $2.03 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $11.99 a month. Unlimited devices. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Private Internet Access (Monthly) $2.03 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Unlimited devices. Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows, and more. Who should buy: PIA is a solid pick for anyone who’s happy to dig into its app settings since it’s not ideal for newcomers. Why PIA is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: It’s got a killswitch on iOS, which isn’t something many on this list can claim they have. It’s also very affordable at around $2 per month. Further considerations: Speeds aren’t great here, with around half the speed of some rivals. It comes in around the middle of the pack. Private Internet Access (PIA) is designed for savvy users, with power user tools and features such as custom DNS, connection rules, and split-tunneling. Despite this, it comes in at a lower cost than many competitors. The app offers servers in 91 countries. In testing, the auto setting did a good job of picking servers that balanced speed and privacy. The main window provides information on performance, download and upload speeds, and quick settings for things like Port Forwarding and LAN connections. PIA also offers customizable features like automation setup and DNS options. While you can use PIA for getting around geoblocked content on your streaming services, PIA’s main focus is privacy, with features like the Advanced Kill Switch, Split Tunnelling, port forwarding, and Multi-Hop server obfuscation. Its zero-log policy has been verified by Deloitte Audit Romania. Private Internet Access can’t beat the speeds of NordVPN and Surfshark, and its stablemate CyberGhost VPN offers more impressive speeds, but at the cost of some power features. In our testing, we saw a reasonable drop of around 8% while using the PIA VPN. Upload speeds dropped considerably – by around 25%, which may be an issue if you do a lot of uploading. Despite inconsistent speeds, Private Internet Access is a great VPN for all budgets with a wealth of features for privacy-inclined users. You can sign up for Private Internet Access here. Read our full Private Internet Access review 9. ClearVPN – Best design Pros Nice design and easy to use. Great for getting around geo-blocks. Cons Lacks split tunneling. Not very fast. Price When Reviewed: Three day trial. Currently $44.99 a year, usually $119.88 a year ($9.99 a month). Best Prices Today: Retailer Price MacPaw (first year, 6 devices) $44.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Up to 6 devices at once. Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows. Who should buy: ClearVPN is super easy to use even for newcomers. Why ClearVPN is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: ClearVPN is of the best-looking VPN services we’ve seen and it is priced competitively. Further considerations: Sadly, it’s missing a lot of features on the mobile version, while also not offering a No-Logs Audit. It’s also not one of the fastest available options. MacPaw’s ClearVPN lacks some of the advanced features offered by other services, but it’s one of the easiest VPNs to use. It’s thoughtfully designed for VPN newcomers: you need only hit a button to connect. It’s all pretty basic stuff, but we think those new to VPNs will appreciate the simplicity. There are options to block ads and a Kill Switch to automatically cut traffic from your device if the connection to the VPN is broken. ClearVPN can grant access to more than 50 servers, which sounds like a lot, but thats a fraction of what’s offered by rivals. But you only really need a server in the country you want to be surfing, so it may not matter. One common power user feature offered by VPNs is split tunneling, which lets some traffic go through the VPN while some goes around it. That’s not supported by ClearVPN. MacPaw’s VPN speeds aren’t as good as the competition. We saw speed drops across multiple servers – even ones close to us. We saw drops of around 20 to 30 percent in download speed, and around 50 percent for upload speed. It’s still fast enough to use Netflix though. Most VPN companies use external auditors to verify that they’re not recording user or session data. ClearVPN hasn’t undergone one at the time of writing. This shouldn’t mean anything untoward as the company is headquartered in Ukraine, which falls outside of various surveillance alliances, so it can’t be asked to share your data. ClearVPN is priced affordably, but prices and the deals on offer change all the time with VPNs so look out for low monthly prices that don’t lock you in for too long. There’s a six-device limit that can include Macs, iPhone and iPads. If you’re new to using a VPN service, ClearVPN makes a compelling case to be your first choice., and stress-free access to Netflix around the globe, it’s a great starter option. Still, the speed drop and lack of common features like split-tunneling likely mean power users should look elsewhere. You can sign up for ClearVPN here. Read our full ClearVPN review 10. PureVPN – Great for Netflix Pros Impressive WireGuard speeds Dedicated downloading and streaming servers Independent audit Cons No split tunneling Price doubles on renewal Price When Reviewed: From $1.49 per month ( + 3 months extra) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price PureVPN (Monthly for first year) $1.49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Up to 6 devices at once. Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows. Who should buy: PureVPN is ideal for unblocking Netflix across the globe so it’s a great option for streaming. Why PureVPN is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: It’s a sleek-looking VPN that packs additional features like a Password Manager and File Encryption. Server selection is solid, too. Further considerations: Sadly, PureVPN’s pricing can be confusing to follow, and its audit report, perhaps, isn’t as transparent as it could be. If you’re want a VPN service that will get around geoblocking and is easy to use, PureVPN is a good option. The basic plan only includes the VPN service, but the Plus plan adds a Password Manager and File Encryption tools. The Max plan adds a Digital Privacy Manager that recommends ways to maximize your privacy. Whichever plan you opt for you’ll be able to connect 10 devices at once. PureVPN will run on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, and is easy to use on each to let you connect to over six thousand servers. As far as getting around geo-blocks, we found PureVPN to be as easy as any other service to use. Select a location, load your streaming service or app of choice, and you’re off. PureVPN now registered in the British Virgin Islands, which is more privacy-friendly than Hong Kong where it was previously. PureVPN offers one of the more impressive no-logging policies, with an ongoing audit process that means auditors can request confirmation of the no-logs policy at any time. PureVPN has been winding down its virtual servers, of which it has less control. There are still 23 such servers, but PureVPN is transparent about which servers are virtual and which are physical – you can see a small ‘v’ next to each virtual server on the PureVPN website. You can sign up for PureVPN here. Read our full PureVPN review 11. CyberGhost – Great VPN for newcomers Pros Impressive WireGuard speeds. Dedicated downloading and streaming servers. Independent audit. Cons No split tunneling Price doubles on renewal Price When Reviewed: $2.03 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $12.99 a month. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price CyberGhost (Monthly) $2.03 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Up to 7 devices at once. Apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, Android, Windows and more. Who should buy: Cyberghost is focused on newcomers, offering them an easy-to-use app and a whole bunch of servers across the globe. Why Cyberghost is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: Setup and usage on iPhone or iPad straightforward, it has a very large global server network and there are streaming-optimized servers. It also has strong security and gets quarterly reports on transparency. Further considerations: There’s no multi-hop connectivity here, and only seven devices can be connected. CyberGhost is really easy to use and one of the least-expensive services when you sign up for a couple of years. CyberGhost has more than 7,000 servers across 90 countries, so you’re bound to find a connection that suits your needs. CyberGhost allows seven simultaneous connections. Of potentially more interest to most people is the fact it’s pretty reliable for unblocking streaming services. It unblocks Netflix, Disney+, HBOMax, Amazon Prime and others. CyberGhost even provides a streaming list so you can choose the best server to unblock specific streaming services on specific devices. CyberGhost is based in Romania, which is good for privacy. Deloitte has audited CyberGhost’s privacy claims and found no issues. With support for WireGuard, CyberGhost offers speedy connections and one subscription allows you to use the service on up to seven devices at once. You can sign up for CyberGhost here. Read our full CyberGhost review 12. Malwarebytes Privacy VPN – Great for existing customers Pros Impressive WireGuard speeds. Dedicated downloading and streaming servers. Independent audit. Cons No split tunneling. Price doubles on renewal Price When Reviewed: $39.99 a year for one device Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Malwarebytes (first year, 1 device) $39.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Pay per device (up to 20 devices). Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows. Who should buy: If you’re already using MalwareBytes, this is a no-brainer offering that offers features like a killswitch and a neat Protection Score so you know how well looked after your machine (and your privacy) are. Why Malwarebytes is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: You can easily install it on iPhone or iPad with no fuss and the VPN client is user-friendly. Further considerations: Sadly, there are only five connections per account, and there aren’t many servers either. Malwarebytes is, of course, known for it’s antivirus software, and it’s one of the options we’ve looked at in our round up of the Best Antivirus for Mac, reviewed here Malwarebytes Premium for Mac review. Malwarebytes Premium also has a VPN element to it that can also be purchased separately if you just want a VPN. Malwarebytes Privacy VPN is easy to use and offers speeds that are better than many of its rivals for both downloads and uploads. It also has split-tunnelling via its ‘Connection rules’, and a Kill Switch to cut all traffic if the VPN drops out. There are some caveats — namely that it features fewer server locations than its rivals, and getting around geoblocks for different versions of streaming services can be a tad inconsistent. There’s no multi-hop server jumping, but the company does have a verified no-logs policy in place which means information isn’t held about a user’s activity. However, it offers a pretty compelling package of features and Malwarebytes VPN is available just about anywhere, Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone, with Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and plenty more apps. You can sign up for Malwarebytes Privacy VPN here. Read our full Malwarebytes Privacy VPN review 13. Norton Ultra VPN – Great for Norton users Pros Impressive WireGuard speeds Dedicated downloading and streaming servers Independent audit Cons No split tunneling Price doubles on renewal Price When Reviewed: First year is from $39.99 Norton Secure VPN; $49.99 Norton Ultra VPN; $59.99 Norton Ultra VPN Plus. Renews at a higher price of $79.99/$109.99/$129.99. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Norton (first year) $49.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Norton VPN Standard: 1 device. VPN Plus: 5 devices. VPN Ultimate: 10 devices. Apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, Android, Windows and more. Who should buy: Already a Norton user? This option packs many of its best security features under the hood, as well as excellent antivirus. Why Norton is a good choice for iPhone/iPad users: The service isn’t just a VPN — it bundles extra security tools: a password manager, dark-web monitoring, cloud backup, email-tracking quarantine and malware/antivirus protection. Further considerations: Sadly, Norton’s offering lacks browser extensions and doesn’t have the best track record with unblocking streaming services. Norton is best known as an antivirus solution (see our review of Norton 360), but it also offers a VPN solution which can be tied to the antivirus or purchased separately. Norton’s VPN includes plenty of accoutrements that other VPNs either don’t have or charge extra for. If you’re looking for real-time protection it remains a good security-focused option, but with geoblocking being inconsistent in our testing, you might want to look elsewhere for your international Netflix fix. Norton has servers in 32 countries – a steep drop from the 111 in NordVPN’s portfolio – but it does offer four protocols to choose from. VPNs naturally decrease your internet speeds and we found Nord’s VPN did lag behind some rivals. Norton’s Browser Protection scans sites as you browse, so you do get the benefit of real-time detection alerts if a site might be unsafe. Norton does a good job with privacy, with a 2024 VerSprite audit confirming Norton’s VPN “no logs” policy. You can install the app on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and all three platforms have apps that work well and run nicely in the background. You can sign up for Norton Ultra VPN here. Read our full Norton Ultra VPN review What to consider when choosing the best VPN for iPad A VPN ideally serves two purposes for the user: obfuscating network traffic and allowing for geo-unblocking. Still, some VPN options on this list are better at one or the other, so you should lean towards what you need it to do. For example, if you’re looking to anonymise your online activity, you’ll want to find a service that puts your privacy first. If your main focus is unblocking sites and streaming services around the world, either for accessing new content libraries or because you travel regularly, many services are packed with streaming-focused servers. That brings us nicely to server count. While some streaming services have hundreds of available server locations, others have thousands, increasing your options substantially. These sometimes come at a price, though, and budget will naturally be a concern. Many VPN services will aim to tie a user into a longer-term subscription by enticing them with cheaper payments, but you should always check the renewal costs as many will climb steeply after a year or two. Above all else, it’s important that the VPN works on your device of choice, and while some iPad VPNs are lacking in features compared to their Mac counterparts, you can read our full review for each to find out. How we test VPNs for iPad and iPhone We tested every VPN in this list, and worked to check out their performance on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. We tested speeds, attempted to unblock streaming services around the world from BBC iPlayer to Amazon Prime Video and more, while also poking around the various app offerings. We focus on the practicalities of device compatibility (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, and Mac), the number of devices supported, geo-restrictions and ease of use. We also pay attention to security – and validate the privacy promises made by each VPN company. Our testing methodology focuses on several key areas: Performance and Speed: We conduct speed tests in the morning, afternoon, and evening using Ookla Speedtest. To ensure accuracy, we first measure our baseline internet speed without a VPN. Then, we connect to VPN servers in North America, the UK, Europe, Oceana, and Asia over an ethernet connection. To isolate the VPN’s performance, we use TripMode to shut down all other background internet processes on the Mac. The final scores are averaged and presented as a percentage difference from our unprotected speed, which provides a clearer picture of expected performance than raw speed numbers alone. Security and Privacy: A VPN’s privacy policy is a critical factor. We look for clear, easy-to-understand policies that detail what user information, if any, is collected and what is done with it. As part of our process, we also validate the privacy promises made by each VPN company. We research the company’s ownership, its legal jurisdiction, and its track record for any questionable business practices. A provider’s location is important, as many countries do not require VPNs to maintain user activity logs, offering a higher level of privacy. Features and Usability: We evaluate each VPN based on practical, everyday use. This includes the following: Testing the VPN apps on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV to ensure devolve compatibility. Considering the total number of servers and the number of countries available. Attempt to unblock popular streaming services from around the world, such as BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video to identify any geo-restrictions. We use the software ourselves to assess the user experience and app interface. Cost: The monthly and annual cost is weighed against the features and performance offered. Why trust Macworld’s advice We have been testing Mac hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. We put every product through its paces using rigorous benchmarking and hands-on evaluation. We’d never recommend something we wouldn’t use ourselves. We use the software ourselves so our reviews are based on our own experience with the software and include our own insights and unbiassed opinions. Macworld’s VPN specialist Lloyd Coombes has made it his aim to assess every VPN going. FAQ 1. Do iPads and iPhones have a built-in VPN? iPads and iPhones don’t come with a VPN out of the box, but Apple does offer iCloud Private Relay which is a sort of halfway house. iCloud Private Relay sends your data to a relay server that’s owned by Apple. This can tell who you are, but not what you’re looking at in Safari, and the traffic then moves to another (third-party) relay, which assigns a temporary IP address. This means your IP address is only visible to Apple, but not to the third-party relay. You’ll need an iCloud+ subscription to use it, and it’s only available in Safari. All of the offerings on this list can be used with other browsers, though. 2. Should I put a VPN on my iPad or iPhone? A VPN for your iPad or iPhone offers many of the same benefits to putting a VPN on your Mac. If you’re looking to protect your online activity when using iffy coffee shop or train station Wi-Fi, they’ll obfuscate your data so it’s not easy for hackers to gain access. They can also be used to ‘relocate’ your device to access streaming services from elsewhere. 3. Can I get a free VPN on my iPhone/iPad? There are free VPN options, but they tend to have limitations on server locations and speeds, or struggle to break through geoblocks. A free VPN can be a solid way to get started, letting you do some private browsing in a pinch, but if you’re using them regularly, you’ll soon want to move to a paid option. Most VPNs cost less than $3/£3 per month if you sign up for a one- or two-year deal. However, once that deal period ends the price can jump, so it’s worth setting a reminder to shop around a month before your subscription runs out so you can search for a better deal, alternatively, you might be able to cancel and sign up with another email address. You may be able to save money if you take a look at our round-up of the best VPN deals. 4. Is it safe to use a VPN on my iPhone or iPad? Yes! Since VPN apps are installed through the App Store and are therefore signed off by Apple, you should have no issues. With that said, if sideloading a VPN via a third-party app store or browser download then you forgo that safety. Everything on this list is found on the App Store. 5. When should you not use a VPN? If you’re not looking to unblock Netflix or any other streaming services in your region, then there’s a good chance you won’t need a VPN if you’re at home or on a connection you trust. For example, if you’re on your home network, you can use your iPad or iPhone without a VPN because your network is a trusted one. If there’s a chance that your network might be compromised, however, then a VPN becomes more important. Next: learn how to use a VPN on iPhone or iPad. For more information on the legalities and whether it is safe to use a VPN read: Is a VPN safe for iPad and iPhone? If you’ve still got some questions and want to find out more, read what is a VPN and are VPNs legal?12:21 pmIs Walmart’s $499 M1 MacBook Air too good to be true?
Macworld If you’re shopping for a new MacBook or looking to buy one for a student or parent, you’ll find a few MacBook deals to save a few bucks, sometimes hundreds off MSRP. But there’s one laptop for sale by a prominent retailer that looks like a deal that’s too good to be true: a MacBook Air for sale at Walmart for $499–it was $549, but Walmart reduced the price by another $50 over Cyber Monday and kept it there. The Walmart MacBook Air isn’t a refurbished or used product–it’s a brand new laptop, the lowest-priced new Apple laptop you can find, in fact. It’s unclear what partnership it has with Apple, but Walmart has exclusively sold the M1 MacBook Air since 2024, when it first announced its $699 price tag. The price has been cut several times since then. The $499 MacBook Air at Walmart can be a great deal for some, and a lousy deal for others.Foundry The lowest-priced MacBook at the Apple Store is the $999 MacBook Air, which you can find at third-party retailers such as Amazon for $749. But at $250 less than even that sale price, that $499 price tag for a brand-new MacBook Air is unprecedented and hard to resist, especially at a time when it feels like prices are going up for everything. There’s got to be a catch, right? After all, it seems like a deal that’s too good to be true. Well, to say there’s a “catch” implies that there’s deception going on here, and that’s really not the case. (Though we take issue with the use of the label “Latest model” here.) But several compromises are made for a product at this price, compromises that you might be okay with, depending on your use case. Let’s take a look at what you’re getting in the $499 Walmart MacBook Air. See the $499 M1 MacBook Air at Walmart A five-year-old chip The Walmart MacBook Air is the 2020 MacBook Air. It has the same components, down to the heart of the laptop, the M1 chip. The M1 chip made a thunderous debut five years ago, blowing away its Intel predecessors with its huge performance gains. The most current M-series chip is the M5, but it has yet to debut in the MacBook Air–the current MacBook Air has an M4 chip. Compared to the M1, the M4 is 74 percent faster in multi-core tasks and 56 percent faster in single-core performance. MacBook Air chips: Geekbench 612:16 pmI think telegram has just handfull of highly skilled 10x engineers and they just get the grunt work of updating the app done thru contests like this | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingI think telegram has just handfull of highly skilled 10x engineers and they just get the grunt work of updating the app done thru contests like this
submitted by /u/Prestigious_Pea_3219 [link] [comments]12:15 pmRAM prices are out of control. What does that mean for Apple devices?
Macworld You have undoubtedly heard about the recent massive spike in RAM prices. RAM for consumer devices like desktops, laptops, graphics cards, and smartphones (DDR, GDDR, and LPDDR memory) has skyrocketed in recent weeks. Prices are 50-100 percent higher than they were back in the summer, with some premium 32GB DDR5 kits going for as much as $400 at Amazon! The problem, as it so often is, traces back to AI. The massive rush to build more AI datacenters at all costs has already increased demand for water and electricity, and previously sucked up much of the supply chain for the chips we use in consumer devices. RAM appears to be the latest culprit—AI data centers are using up a lot of the supply of DDR memory, but the GPUs they use often use a different kind of RAM called HBM—high bandwidth memory. Manufacturers have begun shifting some production to keep up with demand, making the DDR memory used in consumer devices even more scarce. It has gotten so bad that Samsung reportedly can’t even sell RAM to Samsung. The situation has caused prices to rise for PC desktops and laptops, graphics cards, and plenty of other consumer devices. But Apple products haven’t been affected—at least not yet. But will the surge in RAM pricing eventually make our iPhones and Macs more expensive? The situation is complicated. Apple’s supply contracts If nothing else, Apple is a big and popular monolithic producer of consumer goods with a locked-in supply chain. Apple doesn’t buy RAM month-to-month; it negotiates big, long-term contracts for parts in extremely high volumes. So for Apple, RAM likely hasn’t gotten more expensive yet, because they locked in prices months or even years ago for a huge long-term supply. What we don’t know is when Apple negotiates its supply contracts and how long this surge in RAM pricing will last. A Citi report published on X last year revealed that Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron supplied DRAM for iPhone 17, but it’s unclear whether Apple negotiates contracts before each phone release or whether they are the same for Mac chips. Because the unified memory chips in Apple’s processors are soldered to the chip, there aren’t teardowns to reveal the make or model of the RAM. The M5 chip starts at 12GB of RAM in the iPad Pro and maxes out at 32GB of RAM in the MacBook Pro, but Apple hasn’t had to raise prices over the previous generationsApple There’s also the possibility that Apple’s prices go up to cover the threat of additional costs. When airlines raise ticket prices due to a surge in the price of oil, that’s usually an artificial increase. Major airlines buy fuel on long-term contracts and hedge prices by locking in rates well in advance of a price spike. Airlines are raising prices because they can, and we have seen many other industries use inflation and tariffs as cover to raise prices by a much larger amount than the increase in their actual costs. Also, prices rarely go down once costs stabilize, but that’s another issue. In other words, even if Apple isn’t paying more for RAM right now, it might have to in the near future, and it might raise prices regardless. There’s just no way to know. Apple’s big margins Historically, increases in RAM prices affect products in which RAM is a huge part of the total cost. On an inexpensive smartphone, where RAM might be 10 or 15 percent of the total bill of materials (BOM), a doubling of RAM costs can completely destroy the slim margins it sells at. Apple’s typical RAM cost is estimated to be more like 4 percent of the BOM cost, and Apple’s margins are high—in the 20-30 percent range for most products, and higher on high-end Macs. Apple also charges a lot for additional RAM in Macs—you’ll pay $200 more for 8GB, essentially $20 worth of RAM. Even if Apple’s cost for RAM doubles, it still has margin to spare. Granted, Apple is very protective of its margins and doesn’t ever want to make less profit on each sale. But it certainly has the ability to withstand a few months or even a year of a big DRAM price surge without losing money, even at current prices. The M5 iPad Pro starts with 12GB of RAM—but also has a four-figure price tag.Britta O’Boyle Apple’s steady pricing The full retail price of an Apple product rarely changes. It has been known to happen, especially in specific regions where a big swing in the exchange rate and/or taxes that must be included in the price necessitate a shift. In general, though, Apple’s pricing is incredibly steady. When the company raises prices, it does so with the introduction of a new product. For example, Apple likely wouldn’t raise the price of the iPhone 17 due cover rising component costs, but would rather just raise the iPhone 18’s price when it is introduced. One notable exception, however, was in March 2002, when it hiked the price of its new G4 iMac jus two months after its launch due to “significant increases in component costs for memory and LCD flat-panel displays.” Of course, Apple was a much different company back then. Apple just released a number of its higher-priced products: the iPhone 17 line (including an overpriced iPhone Air), M5 MacBook Pro, and M5 iPad Pro. Its next big product lineup will be higher-priced M5 MacBook Pros (which have margin to spare), M5 MacBook Air, and perhaps some real budget value products like a low-cost MacBook and iPhone 17e. The iPhone 17e is one place where Apple could recoup rising memory costs.Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd In other words, Apple’s next products are a mix of some high-end, high-margin Macs and value products that by definition have to come in well under the rest of the product line. It would surprise me if we saw higher starting prices for those products due to the current RAM situation. Nobody really knows what Apple will do with pricing, and anyone who claims differently is as trustworthy as a magic 8-ball. But our educated guess is that Apple won’t adjust its prices due to the RAM shortage in the short term. If this supply crunch lasts through the year to the fall 2026 product cycle, there’s a very good chance we’ll see some higher prices on specific SKUs to offset Apple’s increased costs and preserve its overall margins.12:02 pmDye's departure doesn't mean Liquid Glass is going anywhere
Apple's VP of Human Interface Design is leaving Apple for Meta, but Liquid Glass is here to stay. Expect Stephen Lemay could perfect the controversial design choice.Liquid Glass is Apple's future, like it or notAlan Dye was a controversial choice as VP of Human Interface Design when he was placed in that slot by Jony Ive. His background in fashion made everyone in the Apple space cringe with worry, and the time since 2015 has shown they had only a little to worry about.Apple's design didn't stray far from the iOS 7 foundation that introduced flat minimalism all the way until Liquid Glass was introduced with iOS 26. That change was presented as the way forward for Apple's operating systems, and isn't something the company will easily back off from, regardless of who leaves. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our ForumsFirehose II – Jobs, Deals, Apps
- Thursday December 04
- 04:59 pmApple Watch SE 3 GPS on Holiday sale for $50 off MSRP, prices start at $199
Amazon has Apple Watch SE 3 GPS-only models on sale for $50 off MSRP as part of their ongoing Holiday savings: - 40mm Apple Watch SE GPS: $199.99, $50 off MSRP - 44mm Apple Watch SE GPS: $229.99, $50 off MSRP For the latest prices & deals, keep an eye on our Apple Watch Price Tracker, updated daily.Wednesday December 0310:59 pmVerizon’s Holiday sales continue: Switch and get a free iPhone 17, 17 Pro, or 17 Air, no trade-in required | MacPrices.netVerizon’s Holiday sales continue: Switch and get a free iPhone 17, 17 Pro, or 17 Air, no trade-in required
Verizon's Holiday iPhone deals continue. Customers who switch to Verizon can get a base-model iPhone 17, 17 Air, or 17 Pro for free no trade-in required. Free means $0/month for a 36 month term through which Verizon will credit your account the normal monthly price of the phone. Should you leave early, you would be responsible for paying off the balance of the phone. Verizon will also include a free Apple Watch 11 and 11th-generation A16 iPad for the same 36 month term, should you so desire. Details at Verizon here. For the latest prices and deals, see our iPhone Price Tracker, updated daily.10:54 pmVerizon is still selling HomePod minis for $84.99, $15 off Apple’s MSRP
Buy an Apple HomePod mini today at Verizon for $15 off Apple's MSRP ($84.99). This is the lowest Holiday sale price currently available for HomePod minis. Their sale price applies to all mini colors and represents a rare HomePod sale price. Verizon service is not required for purchase. Verizon is only selling these online right now and only with local store pickup (check local availability on their site). See our HomePod Price Tracker for the latest prices and deals from Apple and its retailers.10:47 pmHoliday Sale: 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros in stock for $400 off Apple’s MSRP
Don't pay full price! B&H Photo is offering $400 off on 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros as part of their ongoing Holiday sale. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: - 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro (36GB/1TB): $3099, $400 off MSRP - 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro (48GB/1TB): $3599, $400 off MSRP These are among the lowest prices available for Apple's top-of-the-line MacBook Pros. For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 16-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.09:58 amApple MacBook Pro M1 Pro 14.2″ Laptop (2021) for $606 + free shipping
That's by far the best we've ever seen on this one. Buy Now at eBayTuesday December 0206:03 pmRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Blue – G1EP0LL/A – $1,439.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Blue – G1EP0LL/A – $1,439.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Blue – G1EP0LL/A $1,439.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 24GB unified memory 256GB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…06:03 pmRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Silver – G1K19LL/A – $2,289.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Silver – G1K19LL/A – $2,289.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass - Silver – G1K19LL/A $2,289.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 24GB unified memory 2TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…06:03 pmRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1K36LL/A – $2,289.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1K36LL/A – $2,289.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1K36LL/A $2,289.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 32GB unified memory 2TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…06:03 pmRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1EN1LL/A – $1,949.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1EN1LL/A – $1,949.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1EN1LL/A $1,949.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 16GB unified memory 2TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…06:21 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1EM0LL/A – $1,439.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1EM0LL/A – $1,439.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1EM0LL/A $1,439.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 24GB unified memory 256GB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…05:51 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Blue – G1K54LL/A – $1,779.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Blue – G1K54LL/A – $1,779.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Blue – G1K54LL/A $1,779.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 32GB unified memory 512GB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…04:44 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1K35LL/A – $1,949.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1K35LL/A – $1,949.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1K35LL/A $1,949.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 32GB unified memory 1TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…03:13 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Blue – G1K5ALL/A – $1,949.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Blue – G1K5ALL/A – $1,949.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass - Blue – G1K5ALL/A $1,949.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 32GB unified memory 512GB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…02:47 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Blue – G1K59LL/A – $2,289.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Blue – G1K59LL/A – $2,289.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass - Blue – G1K59LL/A $2,289.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 24GB unified memory 2TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…02:47 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Silver – G1K18LL/A – $1,949.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Silver – G1K18LL/A – $1,949.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass - Silver – G1K18LL/A $1,949.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 24GB unified memory 1TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…02:12 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU – Silver – G1E22LL/A – $1,439.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU – Silver – G1E22LL/A – $1,439.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU - Silver – G1E22LL/A $1,439.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 16GB unified memory 1TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports Product page on the Apple Store…02:12 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K13LL/A – $2,119.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K13LL/A – $2,119.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K13LL/A $2,119.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 24GB unified memory 2TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…01:41 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Blue – G1K50LL/A – $1,779.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Blue – G1K50LL/A – $1,779.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Blue – G1K50LL/A $1,779.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 24GB unified memory 1TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…01:41 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU – Silver – G1E25LL/A – $1,609.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU – Silver – G1E25LL/A – $1,609.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU - Silver – G1E25LL/A $1,609.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 24GB unified memory 1TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports Product page on the Apple Store…01:41 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1K33LL/A – $2,119.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1K33LL/A – $2,119.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Green – G1K33LL/A $2,119.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 24GB unified memory 2TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…01:09 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1EH0LL/A – $1,439.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1EH0LL/A – $1,439.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1EH0LL/A $1,439.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 24GB unified memory 256GB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…01:09 am