'Apple Tax is Dead in the USA' The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has almost entirely upheld a scathing April ruling that found Apple in willful violation of a 2021 injunction meant to open up iOS App Store payments in its long-running legal battle against Epic Games. A three-judge panel affirmed that Apple's 27% fee for developers using outside payment options had a "prohibitive effect" and that the company's design restrictions on external payment links were overly broad.
The appeals court also agreed that Apple acted in "bad faith" by rejecting viable, compliant alternatives in internal discussions. One divergence from the lower court: the appeals court ruled that Apple should still be able to charge a "reasonable fee" based on its actual costs to ensure user security and privacy, rather than charging nothing at all. What qualifies as "reasonable" remains to be determined.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney told reporters he believes those fees should be "super super minor," on the order of "tens or hundreds of dollars" every time an iOS app update goes through Apple for review. "The Apple Tax is dead in the USA," he wrote on social media. Sweeney also alleged that a widespread "fear of retaliation" has kept many developers paying Apple's default 30% fees, claiming the company can effectively "ghost" apps by delaying reviews or burying them in search results.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Epic Games CEO Says Apple Should Be Paid for App Review Only, Not External Purchase 'Junk Fees' Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has said that he will never agree to share revenue with Apple for external purchases linked from iOS apps, even after a U.S. appeals court ruled that Apple is entitled to charge a reasonable fee for such transactions.
Speaking to The Verge following the U.S. Court of Appeals decision that partially modified the injunction in the Epic Games v. Apple case, Sweeney outlined his position on what Apple should and should not be allowed to charge developers as the dispute returns to the district court for further proceedings. The appeals court ruled that Apple must be allowed to collect some form of compensation for purchases made through external links in iOS apps, reversing a lower court order that had permanently barred Apple from charging any commission at all.
Sweeney acknowledged that Apple incurs operational costs in reviewing apps that include external payment links and said Epic would accept flat, submission-based fees tied directly to that work. However, he rejected outright the idea that Apple should receive any percentage-based commission on revenue generated outside the App Store.
Sweeney characterized the appeals court ruling as a decisive rejection of Apple's longstanding approach to App Store fees. He said the decision "completely shuts down, I think, for all time, Apple's theory that they should be able to charge arbitrary junk fees for access." He went on to suggest that the U.S. decision could influence regulators abroad, arguing that other countries would be unlikely to permit Apple to charge fees that a U.S. court had found to be unlawful.
However, the appeals court did not block Apple from charging commissions on external purchases. Instead, it said the district court went too far by permanently banning all commissions, calling that approach more like a punishment than a corrective measure. Although the court agreed that Apple deliberately violated the original injunction by making external links hard to use, it ruled that Apple must still be allowed to cover its costs and receive some payment for the use of its intellectual property.
As a result of the ruling, the case has been sent back to the Northern District of California to determine what constitutes an appropriate fee structure. The appeals court said that Apple may not charge any commission on purchases made via external links in iOS apps until the district court approves a rate.Tags: Epic Games, Epic Games vs. AppleThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Brad Pitt’s record-breaking F1 movie now streaming free on Apple TV Brad Pitt’s adrenaline-charged racing spectacle “F1” blasted onto Apple TV, giving fans a turbo-boosted, must-watch streaming event!
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Gene Munster predicts ‘Apple will launch the new Siri before April 30, 2026, and it will be well received’ Longtime Apple analyst Gene Munster is out with his 2026 predictions. To see his 2025 predictions and how they fared (4.5 for 10)…
The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Would you accept this compromise for the 20th anniversary iPhone? [Poll] There have been persistent rumors that Apple will be pulling out all the stops for the 20th anniversary iPhone in 2027. It’s been suggested this will be the year the company will finally achieve its long-held ambition of turning the iPhone into “a single slab of glass.”
What’s meant by this is that there will be no visible bezels and no Dynamic Island or cutout of any kind on the display. While this is already technically achievable, it would involve one significant compromise …
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Emergency Network Maintenance – JP-OSA (Osaka, JP) THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 16, 14:00 - 16:00 UTCDec 12, 16:44 UTCScheduled - We will be performing emergency network maintenance in our JP-OSA (Osaka, JP) Data Center beginning on December 16th, 14:00 UTC until December 16th 16:00 UTC. Customers in this region may experience brief connectivity disruptions during this window.
Leak reveals details of Apple’s secret roadmap: iOS 26.4, iOS 27, and iOS 28 Macworld
All throughout this week, Macworld has been covering discoveries related to Apple’s future plans found in a leaked internal build of iOS 26. After reporting on new devices such as AirTag 2, HomePad, and a new generation of Studio Display, we also saw details about future software such as iOS 26.4 and even iOS 27.
The build in question is used internally by engineers to test new, unreleased software features. Although it’s an iOS 26.0 build, it also includes several “flags” that reference features Apple has been planning to release far in the future. A “feature flag” is how Apple identifies features in its iOS code. Engineers can enable and disable flags to turn specific features on and off while they are being developed. They also contain notes about when a particular feature is expected to be ready for a public version of iOS.
Read on as we detail what users can expect from future iOS updates based on what we’ve discovered.
Refreshed Health app
The internal build of iOS 26 seen by Macworld contains multiple feature flags related to major updates coming to the Health app. This includes references to a new layout for categories and simplified metric logging.
Apple is rumored to be introducing a new “Health+” subscription next year. A recent Bloomberg report revealed that, as part of the Health app subscription, users will have access to a new AI assistant to answer questions based on health data stored in the app.
The redesign of the Health app will likely pave the way for this new paid platform.
Credit card autofill for third-party apps
Apple is testing a system that detects when a card is added inside a third-party app and then offers to save it to iCloud Keychain. The feature would work in pretty much the same way as Autofill in Safari.
Of course, apps will also be able to provide easier access to credit cards stored in iCloud with Autofill. The feature is also set to be released with iOS 26.4 next year, based on code references.
Apple is slowly building its Freeform app into a real productivity tool.Apple
Folders in Freeform
A long-overdue organization feature: the code shows a full folder system coming to Freeform boards, likely syncing through iCloud. Apple has been expanding Freeform quietly, and this is a sign they’re preparing it to behave more like a true productivity app.
Users can expect folders in Freeform with iOS 26.4.
Sports ‘tier’ for Apple TV
Details are unclear, but there’s a new “Sports Tier” feature flag for the Apple TV app. With Apple investing more and more in sports content for its streaming platform, it would not be surprising if the company ended up announcing a more expensive subscription tier for sports fans.
The feature is also being targeted for spring 2026, likely with iOS 26.4.
Extra security layers
Apple has also been exploring adding extra layers of security to its devices with iOS 26.4. One of the feature flags seen in the leaked code hints at a new validation system that will check the integrity of the device before logging into Apple ID and iCloud.
This will potentially prevent users from logging into Apple’s online services if the device has undergone any unauthorized modifications, such as jailbreaking.
New Siri with Apple Intelligence
As previously reported by Macworld, the new Siri with Apple Intelligence is on track to launch with iOS 26.4 in spring 2026. Users will be able to have more natural conversations with the assistant, which is expected to be integrated with a large language model based on Google Gemini.
AirPods may be getting a new Find My feature next year.Andreas Bergsman
AirPods features
The leaked code suggests new features coming to AirPods. This includes a capability called “Precise Outdoor Location” to pinpoint the earbuds’ location in the Find My app.
Given that the AirPods Pro 3 introduced this year feature an upgraded ultra-wideband chip (U2), it’s reasonable to assume this feature will be exclusive to the newest model.
Clues about what’s coming in iOS 27 and iOS 28
In addition to features planned for iOS 26.4, the leaked build also includes references to a few features being developed for iOS 27 and even iOS 28.
There are new feature flags tied to improved collections in the Photos app with iOS 27. The update will also introduce a new pairing system for AirPods. It’s unclear how this system will work, given that the current method is already quite simple, but presumably it involves under-the-hood improvements to make pairing even faster and more reliable.
For iOS 28, the company plans to add new metrics to sleep tracking with Apple Watch, including time in bed. There’s also a flag that indicates the Health app is coming to the Mac with macOS 28.
The big picture
While none of these features are guaranteed to ship, Apple’s internal code often reveals the company’s priorities long before public releases.
iOS 26.4 is shaping up to be a surprisingly ambitious mid-cycle update, and Apple is clearly laying groundwork for much bigger changes in iOS 27 and iOS 28. As development continues, we expect even more clues to surface, and we’ll keep digging.
The MacRumors Show: Studio Display 2 and Pro Display XDR 2 Rumors On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through Apple's plans to refresh the Studio Display and Pro Display XDR.
Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos
Apple's next-generation Studio Display is widely expected to feature the same 27-inch screen size as the current model, but with mini-LED technology instead of LCD. This upgrade would result in increased brightness and a higher contrast ratio compared to the current model, bringing it in line with the MacBook Pro, which has touted mini-LED since 2021.
Leaked Apple code suggests that the new Studio Display will also feature an A19 chip. The Studio Display's chip supports features like Center Stage, Spatial Audio, and "Hey Siri" commands. The current Studio Display contains the A13 Bionic, a chip that started out in the iPhone 11 lineup back in 2019. The new model could also feature ProMotion for a refresh rate up to 120Hz, just like the MacBook Pro, along with HDR.
Apple released the Studio Display in March 2022, alongside the first Mac Studio. The standalone display features a 27-inch LCD screen with a 5K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, up to 600 nits brightness, a built-in camera and speakers, a single Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. In the U.S., the monitor starts at $1,599.
Reports suggest that the next-generation Studio Display will come out in early 2026, when we're also expecting new Macs with the M5 chip.
Apple has been rumored to be working on an updated version of the Pro Display XDR since 2022, adding an Apple silicon chip. As a result, the Pro Display XDR is likely to gain speakers, microphones, Hey Siri support, and a camera with Center Stage, just like the Studio Display. Further parity with upcoming Studio Display features such as mini-LED and ProMotion is also possible.
At the very least, the new monitor is expected to feature the same quantum-dot display technology adopted by the MacBook Pro. The latest quantum-dot display films have equal to better color gamut support, and offer improved motion performance, compared to the KSF phosphor film that Apple uses for the existing Pro Display XDR and previous MacBook Pro models. This means the new Pro Display XDR should have improved color accuracy and faster response times compared to the current model.
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If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Samsung's new Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone and how it could compare to Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone.
Subscribe to The MacRumors Show for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.
The MacRumors Show is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.Tag: The MacRumors ShowThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Deals: M4 MacBook Air $250 off + FREE $25 gift card, exclusive 20% off at Twelve South, leather/Nomad Apple Watch bands, more Alongside the ongoing Amazon all-time low on AirPods Pro 3, today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is starting with a seriously notable deal on M4 MacBook Air. Now landing back down at the Black Friday price at $250 off, you can also land the 13-inch model with a FREE $25 gift card for the best price of the year. Those offers also join exclusive sitewide savings for 9to5 readers at Twelve South and on all of the sweet leather gear from Bluebonnet. Scope it all out below.
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Rolling Square TAU 2 mini power bank review: A key ring to recharge your iPhone Macworld
At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Super-compact power bank
Can give iPhone a 30% charge
USB-C/Lightning/USB cables built in
Cons
You probably will forget to charge it
Our Verdict
The tiny Tau 2 is a great and affordable back-up battery that can squeeze out enough juice to recharge the iPhone to nearly a third of its full potential while weighing next to nothing and taking up barely any space.
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We’ve seen a lot of tiny power banks go through the Macworld Labs: some super-slim, some able to recharge an iPhone nearly twice over, others with cables included and flashy displays showing you how much battery life is left. One power bank even has a fancy light that might brighten up a cloudy day.
GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology makes transistors smaller and therefore devices such as chargers more diminutive. This is now putting quite serious functionality into very small things indeed.
And we’ve never seen a power bank as small as the Rolling Square Tau 2, which wants to be the key ring that saves you just as your iPhone’s battery gives up the ghost of the sub-10% you are shocked to realize never got a charge up before you left the house.
Where most power banks are bulky—although the latest 5K magnetic power banks are positively skeletal—the Tau 2 is smaller than an AirPods case but hosts a 2000mAh (7.4Wh) battery pack that in our tests refilled an iPhone 16 Pro by just over 30%. We review the best magnetic power banks if you are willing to sacrifice some bulk for greater battery capacity.
Simon Jary
In size it measures 2.2 x 1.7 x 0.7 inches (5.6 x 4.3 x 1.9cm). It’s a little smaller and lighter (1.7oz vs2.2oz; 49 vs 61g) than an AirPods Pro case.
The clever thing about the Tau 2 is that it doesn’t require you to always have a cable on you when you’re out and about—how many people do? If you’re canny enough to pack a cable every time you go out, you should be bright enough to have remembered to charge your phone in the first place. Most of us sometimes fail on both counts.
Remove the key-friendly hooked lid to reveal two cables: a USB-C for anything new (iPhone 15 and later) and Lightning for older iPhones and AirPods cases.
Simon Jary
The Lightning cable even works as MicroUSB—the fiddly little connector that history should have consigned to the dustbin, but which doggedly lives on in cheap Chinese gadgets.
If you do still own an iPhone older than the 15, it will offer pass-through charging with USB-C as input and Lightning as output.
You can even charge two devices at the same time, which is where a second USB-C cable rather than Lightning could be useful to early adopters.
If you have all USB-C Apple gadgets the Lightning cable is rather superfluous. We’d have preferred an option with two USB-C so the pass-through can go both ways, but I do own an older Lightning AirPods case, so it is still useful to me. If only it could charge my Apple Watch too.
Maker Rolling Square promises that “you’ll never forget to re-charge it”, which of course is nonsense, but the company does give you options. You can plug in straight into a USB-C charger using its little cable, or power it up via its own its Charging Dock that—with the included double-sided adhesive—can be firmly stuck to a wall, desk, or any clean, flat surface that will hold it.
You can also plug it straight into one of your MacBook’s Thunderbolt ports to charge it up from the laptop.
Simon Jary
If you keep your keys on a hook, just attach the Tau 2’s charging dock right next to it.
I’m happy with my AirTag keyring and could connect the Tau 2 to that but prefer to keep the tiny power bank in a pocket in my backpack for emergencies—but you can follow Rolling Square’s recommendation and use it as your main key ring if you fancy. The hook is secure, although not as gripping a fix as an old-fashioned metal ring.
The Tau 2 does work with an NFC tag to create a Lost Mode, as well as potentially share your Digital ID via the same route, but to fit better into the Apple ecosystem a FindMy function would be appreciated.
Simon Jary
Price
The Rolling Square Tau 2 is priced at $39.90 / £39.90 / €39,90. Check our price-comparison widget for more live prices near you.
Should you buy the Rolling Square Tau 2?
I am happy to carry around a slim magnetic power bank in my backpack, and most of the time I remember to keep it charged ready for when my iPhone gives out miles away from a wall charger. But I am sometimes caught out and have to limp around in Low Power Mode on a few percentage points of battery life.
The tiny Tau 2 is a great and affordable back-up battery that can squeeze out enough juice to recharge the iPhone to nearly a third of its full potential while weighing next to nothing and taking up barely any space.
On Call Engineers are Investigating an issue with SIP domain page not loading in console Dec 12, 08:30 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with SIP domain page not loading in console. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.
iOS 26.2 has four new changes I’ve used almost every day iOS 26.2 is the next major iPhone update, and its launch appears imminent. There are lots of new features coming in the release, including these four changes I’ve been using almost every day.
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Lowest price ever: M4 MacBook Pro drops to $1,249 ($350 off) Better-than-Black Friday pricing has hit Apple's M4 MacBook Pro, with the 14-inch laptop marked down to $1,249.This blowout M4 MacBook Pro deal is likely to sell out - Image credit: AppleThe $350 discount beats Black Friday pricing by $50, with the laptop in stock in Silver with delivery by Christmas.Buy for $1,249 ($350 off) Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Apple loses its appeal of a scathing contempt ruling in iOS payments case But Sweeney warns iOS devs are still afraid of "totally illegal" retaliation by Apple.
MS Delivery Delays and Failures to Movistar Network in Chile Dec 12, 07:58 PSTUpdate - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays and failures to Movistar network in Chile. 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.Dec 12, 07:54 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with SMS delivery delays and failures to Movistar network in Chile. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.
Best Apple Deals of the Week: AirPods Pro 3 Hit Best-Ever $199 Price, Plus Portable SSDs at Samsung and More We're already in the middle of December, and holiday deals are abundant this time of year. This week, you can find best-ever discounts on AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and M5 iPad Pro. Below, you'll also find an exclusive sitewide deal at Burton Goods and an ongoing holiday sale at Samsung with big discounts on storage accessories and more.
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.
AirPods Pro 3
What's the deal? Take $50 off AirPods Pro 3
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$50 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $199.00
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 hit a new record low price of $199.00 this week on Amazon, down from $249.00, and they're still available today. This deal beats the Black Friday price we saw last month by about $20.
Burton Goods
What's the deal? Take 25% off sitewide with code MR25
Where can I get it? Burton Goods
25% OFF SITEWIDEMacRumors Exclusive Sale at Burton Goods
MacRumors readers can get 25 percent off sitewide this weekend at Burton Goods, with the code MR25 at checkout. Burton Goods is known for its leather accessories that include iPhone and iPad Cases, MacBook sleeves, Apple Watch bands, MagSafe-compatible wallets, and more.
Samsung
What's the deal? Save sitewide on Samsung TVs, monitors, and more
Where can I get it? Samsung
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
SITEWIDE DISCOUNTSSamsung Holiday Sale
Samsung kicked off a new holiday event this week, and you can find great deals on monitors, storage accessories, TVs, Galaxy smartphones, and home appliances. Many of these deals are the exact same all-time low prices we tracked during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
A new highlight of this event is Samsung's 4TB Portable SSD T7 Shield for $349.99 ($115 off), and you can still get The Frame Pro on sale for $1,999.00 ($1,200 off).
Apple Watch
What's the deal? Take up to $100 off Apple Watch SE 3 and Series 11
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$100 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS) for $299.00
$100 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS) for $329.00
$50 OFF40mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $199.00
$50 OFF44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $229.00
Amazon has a few record low prices on multiple Apple Watch models this week, including the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3. These have been some of the most consistent deals to stick around after Black Friday, and they're available in multiple color options and sizes.
iPad Pro
What's the deal? Take up to $180 off M5 iPad Pro
Where can I get it? Amazon and Best Buy
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$100 OFF11-inch M5 iPad Pro (256GB Wi-Fi) for $899.00
Amazon and Best Buy opened up big discounts across the M5 iPad Pro lineup this week, offering as much as $180 off select tablets. Prices start at $899.00 for the 256GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M5 iPad Pro at Amazon, down from $999.00. All deals in this sale match — or beat — the record low prices we tracked during Black Friday.
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 forums
Russia SMS Carrier Maintenance – MTS THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 15, 18:00 - 20:30 PSTDec 12, 07:41 PSTScheduled - The MTS network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 15 December 2025 at 18:00 PST until 15 December 2025 at 20:30 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to MTS Russia handsets.
Apple’s iOS 26 push draws cheers from some, frustration from others What are the real opinions on iOS 26? Find out what other iPhone users say about the new Liquid Glass design and interface.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Switzerland’s Competition Commission opens probe into Apple’s Tap-to-Pay practices Switzerland’s Competition Commission (COMCO) has launched a preliminary investigation into Apple over its control of contactless…
The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.
How to know when AirPods firmware is updating on your iPhone Apple just released new firmware for AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2, but the installation process isn’t as straightforward as with other products. Here’s how to know when new AirPods firmware is actively updating on your iPhone.
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App Store Age Ratings Email – Check Your App for the Banner Hi, Just like most iOS developers, I also received an email from Apple about updating the age ratings in App Store Connect. I checked my latest apps and found that I have already submitted the rating and I am already up to date. But then I checked few of my old apps and found the […]
∞ The Dalrymple Report: Refurbished gear, Apple execs, and 3D printing With the holidays coming up, Dave and I talk about buying refurbished Apple products and whether or not we woould do it. There has been a shake up at Apple with a couple of executives choosing to retire early next year. We have talked before about how great Apple hardware is, but 3D printing Apple Watches and the process they use takes everything to the next level.
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Show Notes:
Buying Apple for Xmas? Consider refurbished
Apple announces executive transitions
Alan Dye Was in Tim Cook’s Blind Spot
Apple’s Johny Srouji
3D printing Apple Watch and why it’s a big deal
Shows and movies we're watching
The Secret of Crickley Hall, Hulu
Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros
Hugh Laurie (House, The Night Manager, Chance) joins Apple TV’s “Tehran”
Today in Apple history: Apple IPO mints instant millionaires On December 12, 1980, Apple went public, floating 4.6 million shares of stock at $22 per share. The Apple IPO makes some rich, others angry.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Amazon blowout sale returns the M3 iPad Air to its amazing Black Friday low Macworld
If you missed out on the Black Friday iPad deals, then now’s your best chance to get one for the same great price: The 11-inch M3 iPad Air is $150 off at Amazon right now, which means you can snag one for the lowest price we’ve ever seen: just $449 when you apply the coupon on the listing.
This is easily one of our favorite iPads, with a gorgeous 11-inch Liquid Retina Display. The powerful M3 chip delivers a fast performance for creative projects, gaming, multitasking, and general procrastinating. You’ll definitely be able to easily swap between apps. We tested the iPad Air earlier this year and gave it a 4-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award, appreciating its overall performance, the great display, and the excellent design.
The recent update to iPadOS 26 makes this iPad Air more Mac-like, with better window management and a better interface, which is always great, because it just makes it better for work and entertainment. So go grab the iPad Air M3 for $449 while this deal still lasts.
Buy now at Amazon
TP-Link BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router review: Versatile, portable Wi-Fi router Macworld
At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Lightweight, portable design
Versatile connectivity features
Easy to use
Cons
No carrying case
More expensive than a conventional router
Modest, dual-band performance
Our Verdict
It’s a little more expensive than a conventional router, but the TP-Link Travel Router is one of the few that can actually join you on your travels. It also provides versatile connectivity features that make it a great option for anyone that travels a lot and needs a reliable Internet connection when they’re away from home or the office.
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Best Prices Today: TP-Link BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router
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Most Wi-Fi routers are designed to simply sit indoors in your home or office, and are rarely even moved into a different room, let alone carried with you when you’re travelling. There are mobile hotspots that have a more portable design, but these are quite expensive and are primarily designed for business travellers who need to use mobile broadband when they’re on the road.
The BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router (model number TL-WR3602BE) from TP-Link is something of an odd man out, as it sits somewhere between these two types of devices. It’s a little more expensive than a conventional router that provides similar Wi-Fi performance, but its portable design and versatile connectivity features will earn their keep when you’re away from home or your office.
The Travel Router’s portable design makes it easy to carry with you when you leave home or your office.
TP-Link
At first glance, the Travel Router does look like a conventional router, consisting of a simple rectangular case with two antennae at the back to transmit the Wi-Fi signal. It’s much smaller than an ordinary router though, and the antennae can be folded flat to reduce the size to just 36mm high, 126mm wide and 93.5mm deep. It’s not quite pocket-size but you can easily slip it into a backpack or briefcase alongside your laptop when you’re travelling.
The Travel Router packs a lot into that compact design, though. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi 7, running on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, with a top speed of 3.6Gbps. It doesn’t support the faster 6.0GHz band that is available with Wi-Fi 7 or 6E, but it will be more than adequate for use with most home or office broadband services, or for a spot of email and web browsing when you’re on the road. Admittedly, Apple has been a bit slow in adopting Wi-Fi 7 – even the latest M5 MacBook Pro models are still using Wi-Fi 6E – so if your Apple devices are mostly using Wi-Fi 5 or 6 then there is a less expensive version of the Travel Router that uses Wi-Fi 6 and costs just $99.99/£89.99.
The Travel Router can work in a number of different modes, depending on how to want to connect it to the Internet. There’s a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port on the back of the router – with Ethernet cable included – that allows you to connect it to your normal broadband router at home, or perhaps to an Ethernet port in a hotel room, vacation apartment, or conference centre when you’re travelling, which will result in a better connection than joining the local Wi-Fi.
There’s a Gigabit Ethernet port as well, to provide a wired connection for a Mac or PC. If there’s no wired network available then you can also connect the Travel Router to an existing Wi-Fi network, such as the public Wi-Fi in a hotel or airport lounge, and then use it to create a separate private network that has its own password to keep your devices secure.
Mulitple ports on the back of the Travel Router allow you to connect to the Internet using wi-fi, Ethernet or USB tethering.
TP-Link
If there’s no Wi-Fi or Ethernet network available then you can use the USB-A (3.0) port on the back of the Travel Router to connect – or ‘tether’ – it to an iPhone or other mobile device so that it can use your mobile broadband to set up a private network that you can share with friends, family or colleagues. This USB-A port has another use as well – one that will particularly appeal to business users. If you’re using Ethernet or Wi-Fi to connect the Travel Router to an existing network, then you can use the USB-A port to connect an external hard drive or solid-state drive, and share it on your own network like a kind of portable NAS drive.
There’s a USB-C port on the back panel as well although, somewhat oddly, this can only be used to power the Travel Router. There’s a mains power adaptor in the box – with U.S., U.K. and E.U. plugs also included – but you can also power the Travel Router with a portable battery pack or even from a USB port on a laptop. Using a laptop will drain the laptop’s battery of course, but it’s a useful option to have in an emergency, and we had no problems using our MacBook Pro to power the Travel Router.
Getting started is very straightforward, thanks to TP-Link’s well-designed Tether app. The app allows you simply scan a QR code on the base of the Travel Router to automatically connect to its Wi-Fi network, and then asks whether you want to use Ethernet, Wi-Fi or USB to connect to the Internet. You also have the choice of using the default name and password for the Travel Router’s network – which are printed on the base of the router, and therefore not very secure – or you can create your own name and password for extra security. The app provides some other useful features too, such as an Eco mode that lets you adjust the speed and range of the Travel Router in order to reduce power consumption – which will be handy if you’re powering it from your laptop.
The TP-Link app makes it easy to set up and use the Travel Router.
TP-Link.com
The performance of the Travel Router will vary, depending on the speed and type of network that it’s connected to, but it ran well when connected via Ethernet to our office network. It provided consistent speeds of 100Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, and a very healthy 750Mbps on the 5.0GHz band. Those speeds aren’t going to break any records, but they do match some of the more conventional dual-band routers that we’ve seen recently, so you’re not sacrificing any performance by opting for the more portable design of the Travel Router.
Should You Buy The BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router?
Not everyone will need a portable router such as this, but the compact, lightweight design of the Travel Router will be very useful for anyone that needs a secure, reliable Wi-Fi network when they’re travelling on business, or simply having a weekend away with friends or family. It’s easy to set up and use, and its versatile connectivity feature ensure that it can cope with a variety of different network connections wherever you go.
DUR (Durban) on 2025-12-16 THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 16, 00:00 - 07:00 UTCDec 12, 14:50 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in DUR (Durban) datacenter on 2025-12-16 between 00:00 and 07:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.
Russia SMS Carrier Maintenance – Sotovaja Svjaz MOTIV THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 15, 10:00 - 14:00 PSTDec 12, 06:27 PSTScheduled - The Sotovaja Svjaz MOTIV network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 15 December 2025 at 10:00 PST until 15 December 2025 at 14:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Sotovaja Svjaz MOTIV Russia handsets.
Hit Apple TV thriller from Slow Horses author lands new season Hit Apple TV thriller Down Cemetery Road just aired its season finale last night, but fans didn’t have to wait long to learn the series’ fate. Apple just confirmed that the show is coming back for season 2. Here are the details.
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This app lets you download videos directly from major streamers Save videos you care about so you can watch them whenever you want with Keeprix streaming downloader. Works with Netflix, YouTube and more.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Best Buy Takes $250 Off M4 MacBook Air, Plus Free $25 Gift Card Best Buy has a few new offers on Apple's M4 MacBook Air this week, including a match of the all-time low price on the notebook, plus a free $25 Best Buy gift card with purchase. You can get the 13-inch 256GB model for $749.00, down from $999.00, as well as discounts on every other 13-inch model.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
When you purchase one of the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air computers at Best Buy, you will get a free $25 Best Buy gift card with your purchase. This is an e-gift card that will be sent out after the eligible product is fulfilled or picked up in a Best Buy store, and a valid e-mail address is required to claim the card.
$250 OFF13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $749.00
$250 OFF13-inch M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB) for $949.00
$250 OFF13-inch M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB) for $1,149.00
As of writing, no 15-inch M4 MacBook Air models are matching any all-time low prices, or include the $25 gift card offer. 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 forums
On Call Engineers are Investigating an issue with SMS Delivery Delays and Failures To Telefonica in Costa Rica Dec 12, 06:23 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue SMS delivery delays and failures to Telefonica in Costa Rica. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.
Apple TV renews acclaimed thriller ‘Down Cemetery Road’ for season two Apple TV announced a season two renewal for acclaimed thriller “Down Cemetery Road,” starring and executive produced by…
The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.
MacBook Air hits its best-ever price under $750 as Mac holiday deals heat up We’ve been keeping you apprised of all the best Mac deals this holiday season, and we have a beauty of an offer to share today.
Best Buy has the M4 MacBook Air down to its lowest-ever price of $749, matching Black Friday. The kicker here, however, is that you’ll also score a $25 Best Buy gift card with your purchase.
13-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB/256GB $749 (Reg. $999) + $25 Best Buy gift card
13-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB/512GB $949 (Reg. $1,199) + $25 Best Buy gift card
And of course, we’re tracking lingering deals on the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and more.
So whether you’re tempted by the ultra-slim and cute design of the Mac mini, the portability of the MacBook Air, or the sheer power of the MacBook Pro, there’s something for everyone in this lineup of Mac holiday sales.
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Apple's ghost town, new iPads, smart rings, and Snow Leopard on the AppleInsider Podcast So many people are leaving Apple that it's a wonder it can still function with only 164,000 employees. But it's still bringing out new iPads, while Pebble has a smart ring, and the legend of Snow Leopard is back again on the AppleInsider Podcast.With all the staff going, Apple might as well demolish Apple Park — image credit: Matthew RobertsThe news is that more senior people are leaving Apple, and the context is that most of them are senior in another sense — they tend to be people who are retiring. While reports of the departures even threatening the future of the iPhone are ridiculous, these were key people who shaped Apple.Nonetheless, Apple is somehow going to manage to bring out new iPads early next year. The latest rumors seem to be settling on the A19 processor coming to the base model — which should mean Apple Intelligence too. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Unable debug in XCode with real iPhone, wirelessly https://preview.redd.it/5gjmt0em3s6g1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=69859de62e7ba8f9bd3298ae986df8776c8433af The above is an screenshot from old XCode, where if we enable "Connect via network", we can debug the app, via real iPhone, wirelessly. However, in latest XCode 26.1.1, I can no longer discover such an option. https://preview.redd.it/w179flnt3s6g1.png?width=1234&format=png&auto=webp&s=3d8b7d0897a8151f4c16585514b48f5996fe2aa7 Does anyone know, where I can find such an option? submitted by /u/yccheok [link] […]
Switzerland opens antitrust probe over iPhone NFC access Swiss regulators are examining what conditions Apple puts on third-party firms before it allows them to use the same NFC technology that enables Apple Pay.NFC payments are to be investigated by Switzerland's competition regulatorIn June 2024, the European Union forced Apple to open up its NFC payment processes to rivals. Apple then granted the same access to companies in a range of regions including the US, Canada, and Japan in August 2024.Now Switzerland's Competition Commission (COMCO) has announced a provisional investigation into the specifics of this access. COMCO says that this is in part to determine "whether other providers of mobile payment apps can effectively compete with Apple Pay." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Mystery solved: Here’s how to tell when your AirPods are updating Macworld
If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably Googled at least once, How do I know when my AirPods are updating? While Apple offers official documentation outlining what’s required to start the process, its guidance remains vague, providing no clear way to confirm whether an AirPods firmware update is actually in progress. Nevertheless, we’ve uncovered a subtle yet reliable indicator that reveals when your AirPods are installing new software.
When the charging case’s lid is open and/or the AirPods are in use, the iPhone’s Settings app displays a [your name]’s AirPods panel towards the top of the screen. The panel acts as a shortcut that takes you directly to the AirPods’ settings page, sparing you from going through the Bluetooth menu first. When you return your AirPods to their charging case and close its lid, the AirPods panel disappears from the Settings app’s main page within a few seconds.
The AirPods settings panel (seen at right) will remain for a few minutes when AirPods are installing a software update.Foundry
However, I’ve discovered a deviation in this behavior that appears to occur only when an AirPods firmware update is in progress. On two separate occasions, the AirPods panel persisted in my Settings app even after I returned my AirPods Pro 3 to their case and closed the lid. The panel stuck around for a few minutes (as opposed to seconds) until the firmware installation completed. Both instances occurred right after Apple had released new AirPods firmware, and I verified the change in build numbers immediately after.
The AirPods panel in the Settings app signifies an active connection between your iPhone and AirPods. So, the situation here makes sense, as AirPods piggyback on iPhones to download new firmware packages. As soon as the installation process concludes, the panel disappears, and the build number shows that new firmware has been successfully installed.
According to Apple, “firmware updates are delivered automatically while your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that’s connected to Wi-Fi.” So, beyond following the company’s instructions, there’s not much you can do to force a firmware update. But if you keep an eye on your Settings app, you’ll at least be able to know when the new software is being installed. In fact, you can go try it out with the update that just arrived this week.
Apple facing regulatory scrutiny in Switzerland over iPhone NFC chip Apple is facing antitrust scrutiny in Switzerland over access to the NFC chip inside iPhone. The Swiss Competition Commission announced this week that they are “investigating whether Apple’s terms and conditions for granting access could raise competition law concerns.”
“Among other things, it seeks to clarify whether other providers of mobile payment apps can effectively compete with Apple Pay for contactless payments with iOS devices in shops,” the commission says.
more…
United Kingdom Account Security Carrier Partner Maintenance – Vodafone THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 13, 15:00 - 20:00 PSTDec 12, 05:16 PSTScheduled - Our carrier partner Vodafone United Kingdom is conducting a planned maintenance from 13 December 2025 at 15:00 PST until 13 December 2025 at 20:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent API request failures for Vodafone United Kingdom customers.Impacted Products: Lookup Identity Match, Legacy Identity MatchAndAttributes
Apple Preview review: A near-perfect PDF reader with limited editing tools Macworld
At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Pre-installed on all Macs, iPhones, and iPads for free
Automatically launches when viewing supported files
Minimalistic user interface that won’t overwhelm
Wide range of handy tools for image and document manipulation
Cons
Doesn’t support text editing in PDF files
Limited functionality on iOS and iPadOS
Image crop button requires an unintuitive workaround on macOS
Our Verdict
While Apple Preview isn’t designed to replace your image or PDF editor, it still offers some power-user features, including image export. We wonder if Apple will eventually introduce advanced document editing tools.
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When you buy an Apple product, you’re not only investing in its premium hardware and long lifespan, but also the slew of exclusive apps it bundles for free. The Apple Preview app is the default document and image viewer on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, and its full potential often goes unnoticed. While Apple Preview may appear as a basic file viewer, it actually packs a ton of useful features—beyond just viewing photos and PDFs.
Find out how Apple Preview compares to the alternatives in our Best PDF Editor for Mac round-up.
Apple Preview: Mac features
Much like some other Apple apps (such as the iWork suite), launching Preview on macOS opens the Finder. Through it, you can browse through your folders to locate the file you would like to view. It’s a pretty straightforward approach.
Alternatively, you could just open a compatible file directly from Finder and avoid launching the Preview app altogether. Considering that it’s the default image and PDF viewer on macOS, supported files should automatically populate in it whenever you double-click on them.
Foundry
Whether you’re viewing an image or a PDF document, you will find a toolbar towards the screen’s top. It lets you view the file’s details, zoom in or out, share the file, fill an included form, or mark up the file.
Clicking the Markup button reveals yet another toolbar with a wide range of relevant features. These include tools for selection, doodling, inserting shapes or sticky notes, signing, and typing text.
Expectedly, the Markup tools are easily customizable, allowing you to control the color and size of a shape or text box. Similarly, you get to pick between multiple fonts when typing. There is an autofill helper too, read about that here: How to take advantage of Preview’s form-filling helper.
So, Apple Preview isn’t just a vanilla file viewer. It enables users to easily annotate images and documents, making it an excellent college companion. Perhaps the biggest drawback here is the lack of an advanced editor that can tweak the content’s fundamentals.
With the Preview app, you’re mostly limited to adding new elements on top of the existing ones. Consequently, you can’t edit the text of a PDF file. The software doesn’t offer a full-fledged photo editor, either (we have the best photo editors here).
Foundry
While Apple Preview isn’t designed to replace your image or PDF editor, it still offers some power-user features. So, for example, through the menubar’s Tools button, you can reveal some more advanced image controls, such as granular resizing, color adjustments, automatic background removal, and more. Meanwhile, the File menu includes a useful Export button that enables you to choose the output’s quality and file format. This allows you to convert the image to HEIC, JPEG, PDF, PNG, TIFF, and more.
Similarly, when viewing a PDF file in Apple Preview, you can easily reorder or delete its pages using the sidebar. Through this feature, those receiving large documents can easily get rid of irrelevant fluff and limit the file to the important bits they actually need. And if you choose to export the PDF using Preview, then you can optionally add a password, a Quartz filter, or file restrictions.
Find out more here: How to save a page from a PDF as a separate file, How to easily redact text in a PDF on your Mac. We also cover How to edit a PDF on Mac.
Annoyances on macOS
While my experience using Apple Preview on my Mac has been positive for the most part, there are certain annoyances that I hope the company would patch down the road.
For starters, I find the basic PDF editor too restrictive at times. Sure, I can insert shapes and text on top of the document. However, I can’t actually integrate these into it and move the PDF’s content to accommodate the new additions. Similarly, there’s seemingly no way to selectively remove content from a PDF, and I’m bound to delete entire pages.
Foundry
Otherwise, when viewing an image in Preview, you likely won’t find the Crop button in the Markup toolbar by default. To force it to surface, you have to locate the image in Finder, right-click on it, and hit the Markup button under the Quick Actions menu. This will launch a Preview instance with a toolbar that actually features a Crop button. Regularly opening an image in Finder simply won’t do it. It’s a basic feature that no basic user will ever find on their own.
Preview on iOS and iPadOS
iPhones and iPads have long offered similar viewing and annotation features for images and PDFs via the Files app. With iOS and iPadOS 26, Apple introduced a dedicated Preview app to streamline its platforms. Similar to the Mac, opening a compatible file using the Files app now loads it in Preview automatically. You could also use the Preview app itself to browse and open supported images and documents.
Foundry
Most of the Preview app’s tools are available on older iOS and iPadOS versions using the File app’s Quick Look feature. For PDFs, you’ve always been able to annotate documents, rearrange their pages, sign or autofill them, scan new ones, and more. Likewise, the Remove Background option for images isn’t new, and neither is the ability to insert text, shapes, and doodles.
A noteworthy introduction that was seemingly absent prior to the Preview app’s mobile debut is support for resizing images down to the pixel. You also get to tweak the pixel resolution via the same menu. However, while the Preview app lets you pick between half a dozen file formats when exporting an image or PDF, advanced Mac features like password protection, Quartz filters, and color adjustment curves still appear to be missing from the mobile client.
Should you use Apple Preview on Mac, iPad and iPhone?
As its name suggests, Apple Preview is designed for viewing certain file types on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. As a viewer, it’s an excellent software that loads swiftly and offers a sleek user interface. While the editing functionality is limited, one could argue that the app isn’t an editor in the first place. So the basic editing features are only there to complement a file viewing app.
Since the Preview app is preinstalled on all of the latest Macs, iPhones, and iPads, I can’t find a reason why you may want to avoid it. It is right there, costs nothing, and works reliably—what’s not to like?
If you’re seeking a proper image or PDF editor, then Apple Preview isn’t the app to opt for. Beyond annotation, form-filling, signing, and the other similar features we’ve mentioned above, the app is designed to display images and documents. As a result, it doesn’t cater to those who need advanced editing software.
Find out how Apple Preview compares to Adobe Acrobat: Apple Preview vs Adobe Acrobat DC.
Just want to turn something into a PDF? Read: How to make a PDF on Mac
FileMaker Pro — the massive hit no one realises is Apple's FileMaker Pro is the biggest Windows app that Apple makes, it and its Mac version are a crucial part of small and enterprises businesses, and it was nearly owned by Microsoft. Here's the story of the huge Apple hit you might never have used.FIleMaker Pro — a home and a livelihood for so many peopleIt's also possible that you've used FileMaker Pro without actually realising it. Not because you didn't look up to see the app's name in the menubar, but because it is a tool for making other tools.FileMaker Pro is used to make database apps, many of which just run inside this one, but many others are sold separately. If you develop FileMaker Pro databases, you could roll them out across your company, or your customers, you can have it power websites and iPad data-collecting apps. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Epic Games signals it won't agree to percentage App Store fees As the court directs Apple and Epic Games to discuss appropriate App Store fees, CEO Tim Sweeney has made it clear that he'll never back any profit sharing.Tim Sweeney — image credit: Epic GamesDespite mostly losing its appeal against previous court rulings, Apple has won the argument that it should be paid a commission when apps are sold through a third-party app store. However, the court has told Epic Games and Apple to agree a reasonable rate between them.Speaking after the court ruling, however, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney was blunt about how such negotiations would go. In an interview with The Verge, Sweeney said that this must be the end of what he called Apple's "junk fees." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
I built a privacy-first workout logger using SwiftUI & SwiftData (No Ads, No Subs) Hi everyone, I just released my first iOS app, Heavy Protocol. It’s a workout logger built specifically for High Intensity Training (HIT). I made the whole thing with SwiftUI and SwiftData because I wanted the UI to be dark, clean, and fast. The Motivation: Honestly, I was tired of modern fitness apps. They are usually […]
Veirfy – High Latencies Observed for create/check verifications Dec 12, 04:35 PSTInvestigating - We are investigating high latencies with Verify for create/check verifications. We expect to provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.
Apple Pay Faces Swiss Antitrust Investigation Over NFC Access Switzerland's competition authority has launched a preliminary investigation into whether Apple's terms for granting third-party access to NFC technology on iPhones violate its antitrust laws.
The Secretariat of the Swiss Competition Commission opened the probe on December 10 to examine whether rival mobile payment apps can compete fairly with Apple Pay for contactless payments in stores.
Android devices freely allow third-parties to use NFC technology, but Apple only began allowing Swiss app developers to access its NFC interface in late 2024. The regulator is looking into whether the conditions differ from those Apple separately agreed to in the EU last year.
After pressure from the European Commission, Apple agreed in July 2024 to open NFC access across the European Union, of which Switzerland is not a member.
Switzerland's competition watchdog has been engaged in discussions with Apple since that time. The COMCO investigation is now gathering information from market participants to decide if Apple's Swiss-specific terms do in fact comply with local competition law.Tags: Apple Antitrust, Apple Pay, SwitzerlandThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
This test shows how bad Apple Intelligence is—and how much better it’s going to get Macworld
It’s no secret that Apple Intelligence lags behind the likes of Google Gemini and ChatGPT when it comes to things like image creation and conversational chatting. Apple’s suite of AI tools has been underwhelming to say the least, and even seemingly rudimentary features pale in comparison to other engines.
So while we’re still waiting for Apple to launch its new Siri, its competitors are perfecting their own AI tools and running circles around Apple Intelligence. Take this test by custom_adventurist on Instagram. It test three photo editing tools—Clean Up in Apple intelligence, Galaxy AI’s Generative Edit, and Google Gemini. And the results aren’t just one-sided; they’re completely embarrassing for Apple Intelligence.
View this post on Instagram
The video above uses the same photo of Nick Fury in The Avengers movie to use each phone’s built-in AI to remove his trademark eyepatch. Apple did the worst of the trio, creating a crudely edited image that made it very obvious that something had been removed without even attempting to understand the context of an eyepatch. Samsung AI was much better, cleanly removing the eye patch and generating an eye to match the other one.
But Google Gemini truly takes it to the next level. Not only does it seamlessly remove the patch with nary a trace that it was ever there, it also understands that Fury is wearing the patch for a reason and gave him a glass eye.
But while Apple got completely schooled here, there’s reason to be optimistic. For one, Apple Intelligence is set to get a significant upgrade in 2026, starting with the new Siri and continuing with iOS 27. For another, Apple is partnering with Google to supply a custom version of the Gemini LLM (large language model) as the foundation for the new Siri. If it’s anywhere near as good as this test is, Apple Intelligence is set to get a massive upgrade in just a few months.
'iPhone Fold' Arrival Expected to Cement Book-Style Era for Foldables Foldable smartphone panel shipments are projected to jump 46% year-over-year in 2026, with Apple's entry into the market serving as the main catalyst, according to Counterpoint Research's latest Foldable-Rollable Display Shipment Tracker.
"Apple is the key driver as it starts to procure panels for its first foldable iPhone," said Counterpoint's Guillaume Chansin. The research firm expects Apple's foldable iPhone to "reinvigorate the broader market," spurring massive growth in panel shipments next year.
Apple's "iPhone Fold," which we are provisionally calling it, is said to have an outer display and opens like a book to reveal a larger iPad mini-style internal display. The report indicates that Apple's entry into the market will see similar book-type foldables cement their position as the dominant form factor in 2026. Meanwhile, multi-fold panels, like those used in Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold, will account for only low single-digit market share.
Samsung Display stands to benefit most from the shift, with its panel market share expected to climb past 50%. Samsung is also reportedly supplying the panels for Apple's first foldable. The move toward book-type designs is also expected to drive up average selling prices for foldable panels.
Consumer preference appears to be shifting toward larger displays that offer tablet-like productivity. Counterpoint notes that Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold outsold the Flip model during the early sales window in the second half of 2025, which was a first for the series.
iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable
Counterpoint expects overall foldable smartphone shipments to grow 14% in 2025 and 38% in 2026. Apple's foldable iPhone is expected to arrive next year, around mid-September.Tags: Counterpoint, Foldable iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
How Matter has finally given Apple a path out of the HomeKit mess Macworld
Apple users know the feeling: with most products, everything runs like clockwork. The iPhone? Close to perfect. The Mac? Has been running for years. AirPods? Magical. But with Apple’s HomeKit smart home system, things turned out differently. What Apple announced in 2014 as a revolution in the connected home developed over the years into a story of missed opportunities and technical challenges.
Craig Federighi’s presentation at WWDC 2014 sounded promising: A unified system, deeply integrated into the iPhone, secure and private. “Hey Siri, I’m home,” and the lights would come on, the heating would turn on, and your favorite music would play. The reality was more complicated. While Amazon quickly gained market share with Alexa and Google with the Assistant, HomeKit and Siri struggled with teething troubles. The list of compatible devices grew slowly, prices were often significantly higher than the competition, and reliability fluctuated depending on the setup.
The structural challenges
Right from the start, HomeKit struggled with structural problems. Apple’s high security standards—normally a selling point—suddenly became a hurdle. Each manufacturer had to install a special “Made for iPhone” chip in their devices to handle authentication. These chips not only made the products more expensive, they also made development more complex.
While a manufacturer could launch a new product for Alexa on the market within weeks, HomeKit certification took much longer. The result was understandable: Many manufacturers were hesitant to support HomeKit, and prices were higher. A smart socket with HomeKit support typically cost 30 to 40 dollars, while comparable models without HomeKit were available for 15 to 20 dollars. The difference wasn’t always extreme, but noticeable enough to deter many potential buyers.
Apple introduced software authentication in 2017. Manufacturers were now able to dispense with the MFi chip and deliver HomeKit support via a software update. However, many promised updates were delayed or did not work optimally. “No response” became a frequent, albeit not universal, error message in the Home app.
A particularly difficult moment came in 2022 with iOS 16: Apple promised a new architecture with better performance. However, the migration was problematic for many users. Devices had to be reconnected, and some automations no longer worked. In households with several users, everyone had to update at the same time—anyone who missed this no longer had access. Apple withdrew the update and revised it. For some users, this was the reason to look for alternatives, even if the majority stayed with HomeKit.
Foundry
Matter: The common new beginning
The solution to many problems comes from a common standard in which Apple itself is involved. Matter is the name of the protocol that Apple has developed together with Google, Amazon, Samsung, and over 200 other companies. The new standard addresses the core problem of the smart home market: fragmentation. Instead of developing separate protocols for each company’s ecosystem, a single implementation will work across all systems. For users, this means more choice and flexibility. A Matter lamp can be controlled with Siri as well as with Alexa or Google Home products.
Matter also relies on radio chips that understand the Thread protocol. This combines the advantages of different standards: energy-efficient like Zigbee, but IP-based and open. Thread automatically sets up a local mesh network—the more devices, the more stable the connection. Instead of a dedicated bridge, a “border router” can be used: Apple has already integrated Thread into the HomePod Mini and Apple TV 4K for this purpose. Many users, therefore, already have the necessary infrastructure.
Thread devices respond quickly and reliably as they communicate locally. Battery life is impressive: sensors often run for over a year on a single button cell. And best of all, the prices are competitive. Matter devices usually cost no more than their proprietary counterparts. When buying, make sure that your new smart home devices are compatible with Matter—software updates to add Matter support are sporadic.
The new openness makes it possible to combine different systems. Use Apple’s Home app for daily control, access manufacturer apps for special functions or switch ecosystems if necessary. The smart home market is changing. This is good news for users. We can finally choose devices based primarily on quality and price.
Meross
The future is now
After years of promises, Matter has actually arrived. And it works. The days when you needed a separate app for each device and had to choose between ecosystems are over. Today, you buy a Matter device, scan a QR code and it works in Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, or Samsung SmartThings.
In practice, it turns out that setting up is really as easy as promised. The devices respond faster because they communicate locally. And best of all, your investment is future-proof. If you want to change the ecosystem in two years’ time, no problem, your devices will simply move with you. Of course, not everything is perfect. The range of devices is constantly growing, but they’re still adding entire categories of devices. Robot vacuums and water heaters were just added recently. Some manufacturers continue to hide their best features in proprietary apps. These teething troubles will eventually disappear.
Building an Apple smart home
Start small and targeted. A Philips Hue Bridge with a few lights, plus an Eve Weather for room climate monitoring, and you have a solid base. From there, you can expand as required, adding plugs, a thermostat, locks, or other devices as needed.
The biggest benefit of Matter is its independence. Their devices also work without the internet, without the cloud, without manufacturer servers. In times when companies are cancelling services or suddenly charging fees, this is worth its weight in gold. Thread as a wireless standard makes the system robust and self-healing – the more devices, the more stable the network.
Matter is developing rapidly. Version 1.5 will add support for cameras and extend the closures category. Major manufacturers have announced support. Prices will fall, the choice will grow. What is still premium today will become standard tomorrow.
Smart home with Matter is no longer witchcraft. It is a tool that improves your everyday life, be it the light that adjusts automatically, the heating that thinks for you or the door that recognizes you. Technology finally takes a back seat. You don’t need to know how Thread works. You just need to know what you want: Comfort, convenience, energy savings, security.
'Dead Cells' Free for a Limited Time on Epic Games' iOS Store in the EU Epic Games launched its mobile store for iPhone and iPad in the EU last year, and it has since established a popular program of weekly game giveaways. This week, it is making one of the most awarded indie action games of recent years free to download for a limited time.
Dead Cells is an action-platformer from developer Motion Twin that combines elements of traditional side-scrolling combat with roguelike design. Players explore a procedurally generated castle, where levels, enemy placements, and rewards change with each run.
The game is known for its responsive combat, permanent progression mechanics, and branching level paths that unlock over time. Its pixel-art presentation and soundtrack have been lauded by critics, and regular post-launch updates have expanded the game with new content, keeping players coming back for more.
Epic has reported that hundreds of millions of free games have been redeemed on its store. If you're in the EU and haven't taken advantage of previous Epic Games store giveaways, grabbing a free copy of Dead Cells is, by all accounts, a good way to start. The offer ends on December 18, and you'll need to create an Epic account if you don't already have one.
The Epic Games Store for iOS is only available in the European Union right now because alternative app stores and distribution methods are not allowed in other countries.Tags: Epic Games, European UnionThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Anyone here want to chat and exchange ideas for improvement? Hey everyone, I've been grinding in the mobile app space for a few years now and I'm always looking to connect with other devs who are making money from their apps. In short – I have 7 active apps on the iOS App Store with ~5K monthly downloads and ~6K monthly revenue(not profit) across all. […]
The Biggest Sports Movie of the Year Is Now Streaming on Apple TV Acclaimed sports thriller "F1: The Movie" starring Brad Pitt is now available to stream on Apple TV.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer alongside Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton, the film casts Pitt as a veteran driver chasing one last shot at glory.
According to Deadline, the film has surged to $629 million at the global box office, making it the highest-grossing Apple Original Film to date, and the biggest sports movie of the year.
After premiering worldwide on June 27, the film's momentum was strong enough to justify a rare second theatrical run in August, coinciding with its home-release debut.
The success has reportedly gone beyond ticket sales. The film's popularity apparently emboldened Apple to bid for the U.S. streaming rights to Formula 1 itself. In October, Apple and Formula 1 announced a five-year partnership that will bring all F1 races exclusively to Apple TV in the United States beginning next year.
And in case you missed it, Apple updated the logo and name for its streaming service in November – what was once "Apple TV+" is now simply "Apple TV."Tag: Apple TV ShowsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
SMS Delivery Delays To Telenet Network in Belgium Dec 12, 01:34 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays to Telenet Network in Belgium. 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.
Can anyone help me with this ipatool error ? If anyone has any workaround or any solutions then plz help me i just want to export the build and test it using Diawi submitted by /u/Cold_Complex7 [link] [comments]
fastlane: cannot install ipa on device I got my distribution build with fastlane up and running. I use fastlane match to manage the certificates and provisioning profiles and the Ionic plugin to build the app. I have uploaded my first build to App Store Connect and it was published successfully.
I have also setup a lane for building a debug version for installing on a connected device. This lane works as well as it creates a provisioning profile and builds an ipa file. But when I try to install this ipa file on the iPhone via install_on_device I see a lot of messages that something is copied to the device, but at the end I also get the following error message:
...
[ 49%] Copying Payload/myapp.app/www/worker-basic.min.js to device
[ 52%] CreatingStagingDirectory
[ 57%] ExtractingPackage
[ 60%] InspectingPackage
[ 65%] PreflightingApplication
[ 70%] VerifyingApplication
2025-12-09 12:43:46.612 ios-deploy[38062:8904334] [ !! ] Error 0xe8008015: A valid provisioning profile for this executable was not found. AMDeviceSecureInstallApplication(0, device, url, options, install_callback, 0)
When I open the ipa file with ProvisionQL it shows the correct provisioning profile that was created with fastlane match, the developer certificate and the correct device.
But when I open the project in Xcode it shows the correct provisioning profile name, but it also shows two errors:
Provisioning profile "match Development de.myapp" doesn't include signing certificate "iPhone Developer: Created via API (3T455GJWK6)".
Provisioning profile "match Development de.myapp" doesn't include the currently selected device "My iPhone 16" (identifier 00008140-0002152401DB801C).
When I check the named provisioning profile in the developer portal, it has the developer certificate as well as the iPhone device included.
Fastfile:
desc "Build Debug"
lane :build_debug do
match(type: "development", app_identifier: "de.myapp", username: "me@example.de", team_id: "", api_key_path: "/AppStoreKey.json",
git_url: "git@bitbucket.org:myapp/fastlane_match.git", git_private_key: "~ralf/.ssh/id_rsa",
git_branch: "myapp", output_path: "/Users/ralf/CertsProfiles/myapp", force: true)
update_code_signing_settings(use_automatic_signing: false, profile_name: "match Development de.myapp",
code_sign_identity: "iPhone Developer", path: "/Users/ralf/myAppBuild/platforms/ios/myapp.xcodeproj")
ionic(platform: 'ios', prod: true, release: false, team_id: "", type: "development")
end
desc "Install a new version on the iPhone"
lane :install do
install_on_device(ipa: "/Users/ralf/myAppBuild/platforms/ios/build/Debug-iphoneos/myapp.ipa")
end
Any ideas what could be the problem?
IAD (Ashburn) on 2025-12-15 THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 15, 04:30 - 09:30 UTCDec 12, 08:00 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in IAD (Ashburn) datacenter on 2025-12-15 between 04:30 and 09:30 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.
Head into the new year with a decluttered iPhone for just $20 Macworld
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If your iPhone has been begging you for storage space all year, this is your sign to start fresh. The Cleaner Kit for iOS Premium Plan lifetime subscription, now at its lowest price ever—just $19.97 (MSRP $104.97)—is an easy, smart way to declutter your phone heading into the new year.
And it even makes a surprisingly great last-minute gift for anyone who always seems to run out of space.
Cleaner Kit uses built-in AI to scan your phone efficiently and safely. Nothing leaves your device, but everything unnecessary gets spotted instantly: duplicate photos, blurry portraits, giant videos, outdated screenshots, and random bursts you forgot were still there.
You can even swipe through grouped images to decide what stays and what goes—kind of like speed-dating, but for your camera roll.
Beyond your gallery, Cleaner Kit helps you merge contacts, tidy your calendar, and give your Gmail inbox a fresh start by grouping messages from individual senders. A secure vault protects sensitive files, and video compression helps you save space without sacrificing quality.
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Anyone else received the Apple final reminder of updating age ratings? We do not want to submit a new binary.. I have 2 apps. I do not want to update the binaries as we are doing overhauling in the meantime. I actually attended to these issues a couple of months back and thought everything was ok until we received the final reminder email hours ago. app_1: the age rating was auto computed with no missing […]
F1: The Movie is now streaming for free on Apple TV, starring Brad Pitt After a long run in movie theaters and digital buy/rent windows, the blockbuster F1: The Movie is finally available to stream for free on Apple TV. If you aren’t an Apple TV subscriber yet, you can get a seven day free trial here for new accounts.
F1 stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, an elder racing driver who comes out of retirement to try help a fictional F1 racing team called APX GP win a race to secure their future in the sport. Damson Idris plays the plucky young teammate, Joshua Pearce.
more…
What really happens after you publish 10 apps on the App Store Hey everyone. I see a lot of people getting discouraged in the beginning because they launch an app on the App Store, make a few dollars, and think it’s not worth the effort. But the truth is that the magic only happens after the wheel starts turning. In my case, I shipped one app, then […]
iOS 26 Code Leak Reveals Apple Smart Home Hub Details Apple is working on a smart home hub that will rely heavily on the more capable version of Siri that's coming next year. We've heard quite a bit about the hub over the last two years, but a recent iOS 26 code leak provides additional insight into what we can expect and confirms rumored features.
Macworld claims to have access to an internal version of iOS 26 that references several upcoming Apple devices, including the home hub. The site said that the code hints at these options:
Camera - The device will have a camera, but it will be limited to 1080p.
Face ID - The home hub will use Face ID for authentication and to identify who is in a room.
Profile switching - With the Face ID feature, the home hub will be able to switch to the profile for the person in the home who is interacting with the device. Apple engineers are apparently using an app to test the accuracy of the system.
Apple Intelligence - It will support Apple Intelligence and the new version of Siri.
Other rumors suggest that the home hub will be something of a cross between an iPad and a HomePod. It will have a square-shaped screen that's around seven inches, and an optional speaker base. We're expecting the home hub to launch right around the time that the new version of Siri comes out in iOS 26.4, likely March or April.
Macworld also spotted signs of another device, identified as J229. This is apparently a "never-before-seen product" that has multiple sensors that can detect alarm sounds and capture images, but it is an accessory rather than a standalone device. Apple is rumored to be working on a home security camera to go along with the home hub. There's no word on when the camera could launch.Tag: Apple Command CenterThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
SMS Delivery Delays to Zain/CelTel in Niger Dec 11, 15:58 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.
MCI (Kansas City) on 2025-12-12 THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 12, 11:00 - 22:00 UTCDec 11, 23:10 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in MCI (Kansas City) datacenter on 2025-12-12 between 11:00 and 22:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.
Frieda McFadden's psychological thriller 'The Teacher' comes to Apple TV The bestselling thriller "The Teacher" is headed to Apple TV, with a team known for horror taking on Frieda McFadden's tale of trust and betrayal.The new Apple TV logoApple Original Films has scooped up another book-to-movie adaptation, this time for Frieda McFadden's psychological thriller "The Teacher." The novel was released in February 2024 and quickly rocketed to bestseller status.The story focuses on a high school math teacher, Eve, who becomes suspicious of one of her students, Addie. Addie, known for being manipulative, develops a bond with Eve's husband, Nate, in a gripping tale of revenge. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
I got the Age Rating email, and my age rating questionnaire looks wrong and there’s no way for me to edit it. Most of the topics without an answer are not applicable to my app so I'm wondering if that is why they are blank. But I am still concerned something is not right and they will lock my apps from future updates. Anyone else's questionnaire look like this? https://preview.redd.it/rdhzbnl9pn6g1.png?width=728&format=png&auto=webp&s=e1110f2a78b016019745bdfa4069838781b47d22 submitted by /u/ElectricAntre [link] […]
OpenAI Launches GPT-5.2 for ChatGPT Users a Week After Declaring 'Code Red' Just a month after introducing GPT 5.1, OpenAI introduced GPT-5.2, the next-generation model that will power its popular chatbot. GPT-5.2 is OpenAI's "most capable model series yet for professional knowledge work."
GPT-5.2 is designed to help people get more done quicker. It's better at creating spreadsheets, building presentations, writing code, perceiving images, understanding long context, using tools, and completing multi-step projects. The new model offers improved general intelligence, long-context understanding, agentic tool-calling, and vision, so it is ideal for real-world, professional use.
GPT-5.2 Thinking hallucinates less than GPT-5.1 Thinking, and responses with errors were 30 percent less common. Long context capabilities have improved, and it is able to handle reports, contracts, papers, and multi-file projects, maintaining accuracy across hundreds of thousands of tokens. It is also better at interpreting screenshots, technical diagrams, and visual reports.
OpenAI says that GPT-5.2 outperforms industry professionals at knowledge work tasks spanning 44 occupations, with the model scoring 70.9 percent on the GDPval test. GPT-5.1 scored 38.8 percent on that benchmark, and it is OpenAI's first model that performs at or above a human expert level.
For ChatGPT users, GPT-5.2 will feel more structured and reliable, and it will have a warmer, more conversational tone. OpenAI says GPT-5.2 Instant is a capable workhorse for everyday work, with improvements in info-seeking questions, how tos and walkthroughs, technical writing, and translation. GPT-5.2 Thinking is meant for more complex tasks, like summarizing long documents, coding, answering questions about uploaded files, and planning decisions. GPT-5.2 Pro is ideal for difficult questions where a higher-quality answer is worth waiting for.
GPT-5.2 Instant, Thinking, and Pro are rolling out today in ChatGPT to paid users. The API is available to all developers.
OpenAI's next-generation model comes just a week after CEO Sam Altman declared a "code red," asking employees to focus on improving ChatGPT so it doesn't fall behind competitors like Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude. Tags: ChatGPT, OpenAIThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
United States SMS and MMS Carrier Maintenance – T-Mobile THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 15, 21:00 PST - Dec 16, 03:00 PSTDec 11, 14:52 PSTScheduled - The T-Mobile network in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 15 December 2025 at 21:00 PST until 16 December 2025 at 03:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS and MMS to and from T-Mobile United States handsets when sending via long codes and short codes.
United States SMS and MMS Carrier Maintenance – T-Mobile THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 14, 21:00 PST - Dec 15, 03:00 PSTDec 11, 14:52 PSTScheduled - The T-Mobile network in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 14 December 2025 at 21:00 PST until 15 December 2025 at 03:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS and MMS to and from T-Mobile United States handsets when sending via long codes and short codes.
Review: Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is a Mid-Size Power Station With Fast Charging Anker is well-known for its charging accessories, including the Solix line of high-capacity power stations. Earlier this year, Anker came out with a new Solix C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station, which I've been testing for the last several months.
The C1000 has your standard power station aesthetic, made from durable black and gray plastic. It has two handles at the sides, which makes it simple to distribute the weight across two hands, along with fan grilles and an LED display that shows the current power level and the power draw of anything that's plugged in. Rubber feet at all four corners ensure that it remains stable.
There's no revolutionary design here, but the Solix C1000 looks and feels rugged. Curves at the corners make it feel a little more modern than some other power stations, and while it's not waterproof, you can get a protective carrying case that keeps it safe from moisture. It's 25 pounds, so it's probably not a battery that you're going to want to be lugging to the beach or the park, but it is good for all-day power if you're in a location where dragging around 25 pounds isn't a hassle. It isn't overly large, measuring in at 15 inches by 8.2 inches by 9.6 inches.
At the front, there are five AC outlets, two 140W USB-C ports, one 15W USB-C port, and a 12W USB-A port. I appreciate that Anker is phasing out USB-A and only included a single USB-A port, because USB-A connectors are growing more uncommon. In the future, you may have no USB-A devices at all, so you won't have several wasted ports. 140W USB-C should also be good for years to come. There's a charging port at the side, a solar input port, and a 12V car port.
I like the port arrangement, and was fine with all of the AC ports on the front, but spacing could be an issue if you want to plug in multiple devices with large plugs. For the AC outlet, you need to turn on AC power manually, a feature that exists to prevent battery drain when idle.
This is a 1024-watt-hour battery with support for devices that draw up to 2000W, though it does support 3000W peak output. It should be able to handle almost any small appliance, including refrigerators, TVs (even large screen), heaters, portable air conditioners, lights, coffee makers, microwaves, medical devices, aquarium and animal setups, and tools that require a lot of power. I tested it up to 1500W and it worked with no issue.
It uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology, which is what you want for a power station because LiFePO4 batteries are safe and last for more charge cycles. The C1000 is able to hold a charge in standby mode for a long time, which is great if you want to have a battery on hand for the occasional power outage. I charged it to full and left it powered off for a month, and it remained at 100 percent when I turned it back on at the end of the test. It's probably better to store it at around 80 percent capacity, but the point is you can charge it up, tuck it in a closet, and pull it out months later to use it in an emergency.
The C1000's 1024 Wh capacity is enough to charge an iPhone dozens of times. Charging my iPhone 17 Pro Max from 0 to 80 dropped the battery level from 53 percent to 51 percent, which is only a two percent hit. Subsequent testing consistently used between 2 and 3 percent for iPhone charging.
You can get fewer full MacBook charges, but it's still enough to keep multiple people up and running for a couple days. Charging my MacBook Pro from 0 to 100 percent dropped the battery from 100 to 88 percent, and charging my MacBook Air from 0 to 100 percent dropped the battery from 100 to 90 percent.
It was able to run my MacBook Pro for a full 8-hour work day, doing day-to-day tasks like writing. I started at 76 percent and ended at 57 percent. It lasted almost 24 hours running my full Mac setup, which included my MacBook Pro, Studio Display, three LED lights, and a phone charger. That does include around 10 hours of time where the MacBook and display were in rest mode, but it is more than capable of supporting a full work setup for a day or two.
What's great about the C1000 is that it tells you exactly how long it will last based on the power draw of what's plugged in. On the LED, you'll see an estimated readout. It predicted around 14 hours of usage for my 67W MacBook Air, which was accurate.
It's not going to last super long when using high power devices like a microwave, but you often aren't using high power accessories for very long. It can run a mini heater, but those often range from 750W to 1500W, so it would last around an hour. For something like a mini fridge, though, you would be able to run it for several days.
The C1000 is able to charge quickly, which has the potential to be useful when you're in a hurry. It can recharge to full in 49 minutes from a standard household plug, drawing around 1200W to do so (Anker says it can go up to 1600W, but you need to enable it). When it is under that kind of load, the fans kick on, and the fans are loud.
I wouldn't be able to sleep with the fans on that high, and it's definitely a loud, irritating fan noise when going full blast. Luckily, the fans only come on at that level when it's under heavy load, and charging doesn't take too long. It also can't run high watt devices for super long, and it's much more tolerable at lower power levels. When charging small devices, it's near silent.
You can connect the C1000 to a car or to solar panels to charge it up. For solar, charging times vary based on the size of the panel, the number of panels, and the available light. It can accept up to 600W through the solar input.
For devices where you might like a backup feature that activates automatically in a power outage, the C1000 supports that. It has a UPS system with a sub 10ms switchover time. So if you plug something like a CPAP machine into the C1000 then plug the power station into power, the C1000 will come on right away when there's an outage.
Anker has an app that connects to the C1000 over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You can use the app to check power level, power draw, and time remaining when a device is plugged in. You can also turn on the AC output or car charger output from the app, and fine tune controls like charging power, device timeout, charging and discharging limits, and more. It delivers new firmware too, which I struggled with. For several days, the firmware update kept failing, but it worked flawlessly later on, so I'm not sure what the issue was.
Bottom Line
This is a well made power station that's versatile thanks to its 1024 Wh capacity and the ability to support devices up to 2000W. It's a good home backup battery to have on hand in case of an emergency, but it also works well for camping, short trips where you need power, medical devices, and powering tools.
I keep a battery like this one in two closets in my house so they're accessible, and I also like to pull out a large power stations when I need to operate a corded tool like a sander or a bright light in an area where I don't have a plug. That's been one of the more compelling use cases for me.
The C1000 can be loud when it's charging or powering appliances that have high energy draw, but that's about the only downside I found during testing.
How to Buy
The Solix C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station is currently available for $372, which is more than half off its MSRP. It can be purchased from the Anker website or from Amazon.com.
Note: Anker provided MacRumors with a C1000 for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.Tag: AnkerThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple lands pitch to adapt bestselling psychological thriller ‘The Teacher’ Deadline reports that Apple has acquired the pitch for a feature adaptation of the 2024 bestseller “The Teacher”. Here are the details.
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SMS Delivery Delays to Sercomtel Network in Brazil Dec 11, 14:25 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.
SMS Delivery Delays to Telenor in Pakistan Dec 11, 14:17 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Telenor in Pakistan. 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.
How iPhone’s best travel companion will save you money on your next trip abroad [Sponsored] Planning holiday travel or a winter getaway? Your iPhone already has everything you need for reliable, flexible, instant, and global connectivity wherever you travel. You just need the right travel companion to unlock it.
Nomad eSIM is your best travel companion for seamless connectivity in over 190 countries. 9to5Mac readers can save 30% with promo code MAC30. The offer is valid only until December 16, so be sure to act quick!
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Ahead of move to Apple TV, Formula 1’s 2025 season breaks U.S. viewership record on ESPN ESPN wrapped up its final Formula 1 season on a high note, shattering U.S. television records with an average of 1.3 million viewers per…
The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Appeals court amends order to let Apple resume third-party commissions A federal appeals court has reopened the door for Apple to collect commissions on outside payments again, but the company won't see any money until Epic signs off on it.Epic Games viral '1984' ad campaign against AppleIn April, Judge Gonzalez Rogers found Apple in violation of a 2021 injunction that required the company to remove anti-steering barriers for third-party payments. As a result, the company was no longer allowed to charge any commission, not just its previous 27%.On Thursday, a court upheld the spirit of the law, saying that Apple had, in fact, violated the anti-steering injunction with its steep commission fees. But it also partially sided with Apple, claiming that the ban on all commissions went too far. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Appeals court amends order to let Apple resume third-party commissions A federal appeals court has reopened the door for Apple to collect commissions on outside payments again, but the company won't see any money until Epic signs off on it.Epic Games viral '1984' ad campaign against AppleIn April, Judge Gonzalez Rogers found Apple in violation of a 2021 injunction that required the company to remove anti-steering barriers for third-party payments. As a result, the company was no longer allowed to charge any commission, not just its previous 27%.On Thursday, a court upheld the spirit of the law, saying that Apple had, in fact, violated the anti-steering injunction with its steep commission fees. But it also partially sided with Apple, claiming that the ban on all commissions went too far. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Looking for feedback on a new points system I’m testing I’ve been building a fitness app called LINA on my own for the last months. Originally I made it for personal use because I wanted meal scanning, calorie tracking, workouts, and weight tracking in one place without juggling multiple apps. It ended up helping me stay consistent enough to lose 9 kg, so I decided […]
iOS 26.1 makes alarms use a slider, here’s how to get ‘Stop’ button back iOS 26.1 recently introduced a big change for how you turn off alarms and timers, replacing the ‘Stop’ button with a new ‘Slide to stop’ action. Here’s how to get the button back.
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Intermittent Errors With Twilio v2010 APIs Dec 11, 13:27 PSTInvestigating - We are investigating an issue where trial accounts may have seen 404 errors for Twilio v2010 APIs. We expect to provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.
Flex Ui 2.15 Token Refresh Issue Calls Dropping Dec 11, 13:10 PSTInvestigating - We are investigating a high impact bug with Flex UI 2.15 where the Flex Token does not refresh before expiration, causing Voice SDK errors and Twilsock issues. This results in: Calls dropping, audio may fail, call controls become unresponsive, and agents may not receive calls. We expect to provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.
Hackers posed as law enforcement to gain private Apple Account data Malicious actors are using increasingly sophisticated methods to get users' account data from many companies, including Apple, with a new report detailing the use of fake law enforcement emails for doxxing.Hackers are sending fake information requests while posing as law enforcement.While scams have existed long before the dawn of email, the internet opened up a whole new avenue for attacks via email. We've all heard of scammers pretending to be royalty, or those saying you've won the lottery, neither of which is a particularly effective approach these days.More recently, however, scammers have taken up impersonating law enforcement officials as a means of obtaining someone's personal information. To no one's surprise, individuals and groups with ill intent often use email addresses that closely resemble those of legitimate law enforcement agencies. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Users Unable to Complete Checkout Status: InvestigatingA small cohort of users are currently unable to complete the checkout process for their Zapier subscriptions.
Our team is actively investigating and working to resolve the issue. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Cache Purging Delays in Eastern North America Dec 11, 21:01 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare single-file cache purging (purge by URL) called via the Dashboard/API is running up to 30 minutes behind in Eastern North America (ENAM). This also affects the "Always Online" feature.We are working to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Until then you may use the Purge Everything feature but do be aware it may cause a surge in traffic to your origin server(s). More updates to follow.
Is this any good? https://preview.redd.it/kj7xl1hy1n6g1.png?width=2842&format=png&auto=webp&s=9cfc644f40fb45b5dd031728fb9d875160c30989 not sure if this is good or not submitted by /u/Material_Poem_9438 [link] [comments]
Subset of inbound calls with invalid ST/ST Passports being rejected Dec 11, 12:49 PSTResolved - From 2025-11-25 19:25 UTC until 2025-12-11 00:23 UTC, a small subset of inbound calls from carriers sending invalid STIR/SHAKEN PASSporTs were erroneously rejected. These calls should have been accepted and completed with a 32021 (warning), but due to a software bug they were instead classified as 32020 (error) and blocked. The issue has been mitigated and inbound calls with invalid PASSporTs are now processed normally.
Apple Wins Ability to Charge Fees on External Payment Links as Appeals Court Modifies Epic Injunction Apple should be able to collect a reasonable commission on purchases made using external links included in iOS apps, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled today (via Reuters). The U.S. Court of Appeals partially reversed sanctions imposed on Apple after Apple was found to have willfully violated an injunction in the ongoing Epic Games vs. Apple legal battle.
Since April, Apple has been forced to let developers offer links to non-App Store purchase options in their apps, with no control over the design of those links. Apps like Spotify can advertise deals and direct customers to their websites, something that was not previously allowed.
Apple has not been able to charge any commission at all for purchases made using these in-app links, but that's going to change in the future. The appeals court says that Apple should be able to charge a fee that covers its necessary costs and intellectual property.
Apple is not going to be able to start charging a commission immediately, though. The case has been sent back to the district court so that a reasonable fee can be determined.
In our view, as the April 30 Order is written, it is more like a punitive criminal contempt sanction than a civil contempt sanction or modification of the Injunction. The biggest problem with the commission prohibition is that it permanently prohibits the compensation that Apple can receive for linked-out purchases of digital products, regardless of whether the commission is itself prohibitive.
Rather than coercing Apple to comply with the spirit of the Injunction with a reasonable, non-prohibitive commission, the district court used blunt force to ban all commissions, abusing its discretion.
Some other aspects of the initial ruling were also found to be too broad, so there are other updates in store. Here's an overview of what's changing:
Fees on links - Apple will be able to charge a reasonable commission
Link design - Apple can restrict developers from making external links more prominent than in-app purchase options. Specifically, Apple can restrict a developer from putting buttons, links, or other calls to action in more prominent fonts, larger sizes, larger quantities, and more prominent places than buttons for in-app purchases. Apple has to allow developers to place buttons in "at least" the same fonts, sizes, and places as Apple's own.
Link language - Apple may restrict developers from using language that violates its general content standards, if such standards exist.
Link access restrictions - The original court ruling prevents Apple from restricting certain categories and developers from using links, such as subscriptions provided using the News Partner Program. The appeals court says Apple is not specifically enjoined from excluding developers participating in the VPP and NPP programs.
Apple created a situation requiring court oversight because after the original ruling ordered it to allow in-app links, Apple didn't charge a reasonable fee for purchases made using those links. Apple charged developers 27 percent instead of 30 percent, knowing that developers would also need to pay a fee for payment services. Almost no developers opted in to Apple's link program because it ended up being more expensive than the in-app purchase fees.
The appeals court agreed that there was clear and convincing evidence of civil contempt, and it declined to vacate the injunction. With the exception of changes to fees and link design, the rest of the injunction will remain in place because Apple made external links "as hard to use as possible," which "flies in the face of the Injunction's spirit."
The appeals court recommends that the district court calculate a commission that is based on the costs that are necessary for its coordination of external links for linked-out purchases, along with "some compensation" for the use of its intellectual property. Costs should not include commission for security and privacy.
While Apple is not able to charge any commission until the district court approves an appropriate fee, the appeals court suggests that both Apple and the district court should work to settle on a fee "expeditiously." The full text of the ruling is available here.Tags: App Store, Apple Developer Program, Epic Games vs. AppleThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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Apple executive tumult continues, Apple Studio Display leaks, Fitness+ AI dubbing Benjamin and Chance talk about two more Apple executive departures since last week’s episode, and a rumored third that appears to be staying for now. There’s also exciting details about the next Apple Studio Display, Apple might be able to enlist Intel to manufacture Apple Silicon chips, Fitness+ is using AI for language dubbing, and more.
And in Happy Hour Plus, the duo talk about Netflix’s attempt to acquire Warner Bros, and why Apple would never interested in a deal like this. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
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Every new Apple product coming in 2026 (and beyond) Macworld
Over the past five years, Apple has overhauled its entire product range, including transitioning the Mac from Intel to its own processors, introducing the tough Apple Watch Ultra, adding a new Plus model to the iPhone lineup and then dropping it to introduced the iPhone Air. It also introduced a brand-new product category – the Vision Pro headset.
In 2025 so far we’ve seen the introduction of the iPhone 16e, and the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and the brand new, super slim, iPhone Air. Is more change coming before the end of 2025? It looks like it: the M5 chip is said to be coming to the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, a new HomePod, Apple TV and the mysterious HomeHub could launch, and we may see the long overdue Mac Pro update.
In this article, we take a look at what new products we expect Apple to launch in the remainder of 2025 and beyond. We have investigated every rumor and trend we could find to bring you our predictions. Read on to find out what could be in store.
Apple’s 2025 launches
Before we begin with the predictions of what’s coming in 2026, here’s a quick look at what Apple released in 2025:
February 2025: iPhone 16E – the replacement for the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 brought Apple Intelligence support to the entry-level iPhone.
March 2025: iPad Air M3 and A16 iPad launched on March 4 and MacBook Air M4 and M4 Max Mac Studio on March 5.
September 2025: Apple introduced four new iPhones: iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Mac, and the iPhone Air. We also saw the new AirPods Pro 3 and three new Apple Watches: the Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3.
October 2025: Apple announced a new M5 processor and released the M5 MacBook Pro, M5 iPad Pro, and Vision Pro featuring the new chip.
Some of Apple’s 2025 new products.Foundry
Every New Apple Product Coming in 2026
In the sections below we’ve split the upcoming new products into categories including Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, Home, AirPods, and some new product categories.
Read on to find out what to expect at Apple’s next event and throughout 2026.
iPad updates coming in 2026
The iPad Air could get a update soon.Britta O’Boyle
Apple doesn’t update the iPads every 12 months, but aside from the iPad Pro, which gained an M5 chip in October 2024, all the remaining iPads could see an update in 2026. Here’s what to expect:
iPad Air
The current iPad Air runs on an M3 chip and was released in March 2025. While that model is still relatively new, reports suggest its successor is already in development and that an iPad Air with an M4 chip could arrive in 2026. One report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that the new iPad Air with an M4 chip could arrive as soon as the first few months of 2026.
iPad mini
The current iPad mini (A17 Pro) was released in October 2024, and Apple’s update cycle for this model is generally infrequent. Based on current reports and analysis, the next significant update to the iPad mini is not expected until mid-to-late 2026 at the earliest, with some speculation pointing toward 2027.
One rumored upgrade for the 2026 iPad mini is the transition to an OLED display, which could reduce manufacturing costs and improve battery life. There is also the possibility of a slightly larger screen, with a move from the current 8.3- to 8.7-inches suggested. There is also speculation that a future foldable Apple device could potentially replace the iPad mini line entirely, though this remains uncertain.
Internal code leaks suggest the future iPad mini could be upgraded to an A19 Pro chip, which would provide a significant performance boost over the current A17 Pro. A A18 Pro chip upgrade is also possible.
iPad
When the new iPad arrived in March 11, 2025, the biggest disappointment was that it featured a A16 chip and therefore didn’t support Apple Intelligence. Apple looks set to rectify that in 2026 with an upgrade to the A18 chip, which is the same processor found in the iPhone 16. The release timeline for an iPad with an A18 chip is anticipated for sometime in 2026, in fact, Apple code suggest the company may be planning an update sooner-than-later.
Macs updates coming in 2026
The first few months of 2026 are expected to be busy as Apple focuses on updating Macs with the next generation of M5 chips.
The M5 arrived with the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro in October 2025, so now the wait is on for the M5 Pro and M5 Max, which will lend themselves to the MacBook Pro, Mac mini and Mac Studio. Hopefully Apple will also get around to upgrading the Mac Pro, which is long overdue an update. Here’s what to expect:
MacBook Pro M5 Pro & M5 Max
Foundry
Following the entry-level M5 MacBook Pro launch in October 2025, the higher-end models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to arrive in spring 2026. In October 2025 it was reported that the M5 Pro and Max chips were delayed until early 2026 due to a new design.
The M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to be significant upgrades over the M4 series, continuing Apple’s trend of scaling performance by adding more cores and wider memory interfaces. While the base M5 chip already shows impressive gains, particularly in graphics and AI, the Pro and Max versions are anticipated to push performance even further.
According to one report, Apple may have designed the M5 Pro and Max with separate CPU and GPU blocks. This could allow for greater user customization at the time of purchase, such as configuring a chip with a base CPU but a maxed-out GPU to better handle parallel processing for tasks like AI. Read more here: MacBook Pro M5 Pro & Max rumors.
MacBook Air M5
The MacBook Air is also slated for an update to the M5 chip in the spring of 2026, which would be one year after the M4 MacBook Air arrived in March 2025. The M5 chip itself is expected to be an incremental but significant update over the M4, with a primary focus on boosting AI and graphics performance. The MacBook Pro with the same M5 chip will likely outperform the MacBook Air due to the Pro’s inclusion of a fan for active cooling, which the fanless Air lacks.
Rumors suggest the M5 update for the MacBook Air will primarily be a “chip upgrade,” with no major design changes expected. The current design, which was introduced in the summer of 2022, features a MagSafe charging port and thinner bezels. Read more here: MacBook Air M5 rumors.
Mac mini
The next update for the Mac mini is expected to feature the M5 and M5 Pro chips, with a possible release in June 2026. Regarding features, there isn’t much specific information about the M5 Mac mini itself, but it’s not expected to be a major departure from the current model, which was released in October 2024, and introduced a significant redesign, shrinking the case to just 5 by 5 inches and upgrading the base RAM to 16GB. Read more here: Mac mini M5 rumors.
Simon Jary / Foundry
iMac
The current M4 iMac was released in October 2024, so an M5 update might seems timely and could be released in June 2026, alongside other potential M5 Mac updates.
The current iMac design was introduced in 2021 and is not expected to change soon. It is still considered fresh, and its components are not outdated. However, there are calls for Apple to introduce a larger screened iMac, something that has been missed since Apple discontinued the 27-inch model. Many feel that the 24-inch screen is too small. Read about the larger iMac rumors.
Mac Studio
The current Mac Studio comes in two flavors: the Mac Studio M4 Max and the Mac Studio M3 Ultra. The M3 Ultra is a faster chip than the M4 Max, but just how much faster would an M4 Ultra, or even an M5 Ultra be. Hopefully we won’t have to wait long to find out. Based on current information, Apple is expected to release a new Mac Studio with an M5-series chip, likely in mid-2026. Read more here: M5 Mac Studio rumors.
Mac Pro
The Mac Pro is long overdue an update (it’s getting embarrassing now!) Apple / Foundry / André Martin
While we’re talking about the M5, there is one Mac still waiting for an M4: the Mac Pro. In fact, the Mac Pro is still stuck with the M2 generation chipset which it gained in June 2023.
Apple’s lack of attention for the Mac Pro, and the fact that it introduced an update to the Mac Studio that makes that Mac more powerful than the Mac Pro, has lead to questions of whether there is a future for the Mac Pro, with some reports suggesting Apple may discontinue the high-end desktop. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in November 2025, Apple has reportedly “largely written off” its desktop tower, believing that the target audience is now adequately served by the powerful Mac Studio. See Mac Pro rumors for more.
iPhone updates coming in 2026
There’s new iPhones coming.Foundry
Based on current industry analysis and supply chain information, Apple has a significant year planned for 2026, with updates centered around the iPhone 18 series, the introduction of a foldable iPhone, and the release of iOS 27. But, it looks like we won’t have to wait until September 2026 for the first iPhone update…
iPhone 17e
The iPhone 17e will replace the 16e as the entry-level, value product and it looks like it will arrive in the spring, a year after the launch of the 16e (which arrived in February 2025). A redesign that moves to the Dynamic Island is possible. Read more here: iPhone 17e rumors.
iPhone 18 Pro
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to launch in September 2026. The iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to be the first to use Apple’s own C1 modem instead of Qualcomm’s. The base model may see a RAM increase to 12GB to better support on-device AI functions. A major redesign is expected, which could include under-display Face ID and a completely hidden notch. Read about the iPhone 18 Pro here: iPhone 18 Pro rumors.
iPhone 18
Apple could delay the iPhone 18 and release that handset alongside the iPhone 18e in the spring of 2027, according to some reports.
Foldable iPhone
This is a wild card! After years of rumors, Apple’s first foldable phone, potentially named the iPhone Fold, is projected to debut in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. It is expected to be a book-style foldable with a 7.8-inch inner display. Read more here: Apple’s folding iPhone rumors.
Apple Watch updates coming in 2026
Like clockwork, expect a new Apple Watch in September.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry
Apple updated all the Apple Watches in September 2025. Launching the Apple Watch Series 11 a new Apple Watch Ultra and a new Apple Watch SE. In 2026 the Apple Watch Series 12 and a new Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected.
Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring has been a long-rumored feature for the Apple Watch, but it is still considered to be a few years away. It is unclear if this technology will be ready for a 2026 release.
Apple Watch Ultra 4
Rumors indicate that the Ultra 4 could have a fingerprint scanner. There may be new sensors coming, but details are sparse.
Apple Watch Series 12
A chip update is likely, but beyond that little is known.
AirPods updates in 2026
Apple introduced the AirPods 4 in Septemebr 2024 and the AirPods Pro 3 in September 2025. Five years on from the launch of the AirPods Max they have only had minor updates. Will they get a full update in 2026?
AirPods Max 2
Foundry
The most recent update to the AirPods Max occurred in September 2024. This was a minor refresh that introduced a USB-C port for charging, replacing the previous Lightning connector, and offered a new range of colors: blue, purple, Midnight, Starlight, and orange.
Then, in early 2025, Apple released a firmware update (7E101) for the USB-C AirPods Max that enabled 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio through a wired USB-C connection.
When they arrive, the new models could offer a new lighter design. better noise cancellation, an H3 chip and Adaptive Audio.
We could have a long wait though. According to often accurate analyst Ming Chi Kuo, tweeting back in May 2025, the new AirPods Max won’t enter production until 2027, so we could be in for a long wait. Read more here: AirPods Max 2 rumors.
Apple Smart Home products coming in 2026
Apple is planning a major push into the smart home market, starting around March or April 2026. This initiative will be heavily reliant on a significantly improved Siri, powered by a new large language model, reportedly based on Google’s Gemini AI.
New and updated products are said to include:
New Smart Hub
Multiple reports have suggested Apple will launch a smart home hub. Apple is said to be working on a number of HomeHub related products including a device said to mount a camera on a robot arm that can follow you around!
New Smart Display
Also rumored is an iPad like smart display that allow you to control your home devices via HomeOS software. This may come with both a speaker base and a wall mount.
HomePod
A new HomePod smart speaker with a screen and new HomePod mini are said to be on the way. Read more here: New HomePod rumors.
Foundry
Apple TV
Apple TV leaks indicate a rumoured Apple TV is on Apple’s roadmap and that the update will bring Apple Intelligence to the set top box.
AirTag
AirTag 2 with improved range and tracking safeguards is said to be in the works.
Other new products coming from Apple (or not)…
Cheaper Vision Pro
Apple is said to be at work on two updated models: a cheaper Vision Pro, and another high-end model. There may be as many as four new AR/VR products coming. At any rate an M5 powered Vision Pro is said to be launching soon.
Other new products coming from Apple
Apple Car
If you were hoping for a physical Apple Car prepare to be disappointed, but there may be an update to CarPlay that could takes things beyond maps and music, giving users complete control over things like climate control. Read: The Apple Car is dead. Where does that leave Apple’s auto ambitions?
New Apple products that launched in 2024 (and before)
Here’s a quick look at what Apple released in 2024:
The Vision Pro headset arrived in the U.S. on February 2.
The M3 MacBook Air launched on March 4.
The M2 iPad Air, the M4 iPad Pro, and the Apple Pencil Pro all launched on May 7.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus launched on September 9.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max launched on September 9.
Apple Watch Series 10 launched on September 9.
AirPods 4 launched on September 9 and new colors (and USB-C) for the AirPods Max were introduced.
iPad mini A17 Pro launched on October 15.
Apple launched the M4 iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro the week of October 28.
What Apple released in 2023
Apple hit the ground running in 2023 and closed the year with the Vision Pro, although it didn’t arrive until 2024:
M2 Mac mini
Mac mini with M2 Pro
14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro chip
New full size HomePod (bit of a surprise this one!)
A larger 15-inch MacBook Air
A new Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra
A new Mac Studio, also with M2 Ultra and M2 Max.
iPhone 15, Plus, Pro and Pro Max
2023 Apple Watch Series 9 And Ultra 2
M3 iMac
M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch)
And of course, the brand-new Vision Pro headset was unveiled
What Apple released in 2022
12.9-inch and 11-inch M2 iPad Pro
10.9-inch iPad, 10th generation
iPhone 14 and 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
iPhone SE (3rd generation)
iPad Air (5th generation)
Mac Studio (1st generation)
Studio Display
M2 MacBook Air
M2 13in MacBook Pro
What Apple released in 2021
HomePod mini in new colors
MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max
AirPods (3rd generation)
Apple Watch Series 7
iPhone 13-series
iPad mini (6th generation)
iPad (9th generation)
iMac M1
iPad Pro M1(3rd and 5th generation)
Apple TV 4K (2nd generation)
AirTag
What Apple released in 2020
AirPods Max
MacBook Air M1
13-inch MacBook Pro M1
Mac mini M1
iPhone 12-series
HomePod mini
iPad Air (4th generation)
Apple Watch SE
iPad (8th generation)
Apple Watch Series 6
27-inch iMac (Intel)
13-inch MacBook Pro (Intel)
iPhone SE
MacBook Air (Intel)
iPad Pro (2nd and 4th generation)
For information about what Apple launched in the decade before that read:
Best Apple products of the decade (2010-2019)
Apple defeats ban on charging commission on linked-out purchases from iOS apps Apple has defeated the total ban on charging a commission on web-based purchases that originate from links inside iOS apps. However, a fair rate will need to be established or agreed upon before Apple can resume charging a commission on linked-out purchases.
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AirPods Pro 2 and 3 firmware update now available Macworld
Apple on Thursday released a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2 and 3. As it typically does with AirPods updates, the company has not announced what the new firmware does. The release notes will be available here.
The new AirPods Pro 2 firmware is labelled as 8828. The new AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8830.
Users cannot manually trigger the firmware update. The installation involves storing the earbuds in the charging case, plugging in the case, and having the case in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The case must be closed for at least 30 minutes when the installation starts. We have more details on how AirPods updates work.
Learn more about the AirPods Pro 3 and the differences between the AirPods Pro 2 and 3.
Rumor Replay: AirTag 2, iPhone 18 upgrade, Studio Display 2 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 18’s Face ID upgrade, AirTag 2 rumors, the latest on Apple’s new Studio Display, and more. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.
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AirPods Pro 2 & AirPods Pro 3 get another bug fix firmware update Apple released new firmware for the second and third generation AirPods Pro, continuing its routine maintenance cycle for audio accessories.AirPods ProThe AirPods Pro 3 build moves to 8B30 from 8B25. AirPods Pro 2 shifts to 8B28 from 8B21. Apple didn't outline any changes, but these updates typically focus on performance fixes and connection reliability.Firmware often arrives ahead of major OS updates to keep accessories aligned with upcoming system changes. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Apple releases new firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 Apple has released new firmware updates for both the AirPods Pro (3rd generation) and AirPods Pro (2nd generation)…
The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.
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Opera’s agentic browser Neon now generally available Following a period of limited waitlist access, Opera Neon, the company’s subscription-based AI-powered browser, is now generally available. Here’s what it can do.
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Just got an email notification from Apple about age ratings. Hello, We’re reaching out because you have not provided responses to the updated age ratings questions in the App Information section of your app in App Store Connect. If you don’t answer these questions by January 31, 2026, you won’t be able to submit app updates in App Store Connect. But I already updated all […]
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Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3 and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B30, up from 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 firmware is 8B28, up from 8B21.
There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 are getting expanded support for Live Translation in the European Union in iOS 26.2, which is being beta tested and is close to release.
The firmware could be related to that upcoming functionality, or it could add bug fixes and performance improvements.
To install the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. From there, put your AirPods in the Charging Case and connect the Charging Case to power. Keep the case closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware update to install.Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
New AirPods Pro 3 firmware just arrived, plus more Apple has just released brand new firmware updates for AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2. Here are the details.
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