Firehose – News, Alerts, Docs
- Friday April 17
- 02:26 pmEpic Games vs Apple — The continuing six-year App Store saga
The Epic Games "Fortnite" versus Apple's AppStore antitrust trial has completed its last week. Here's what you need to know about the saga, with closing arguments left to go. Between Epic CEO Tim Sweeney's ongoing complaints, the trial, Apple's lies, and the Supreme Court, the Epic vs. Apple App Store lawsuit continues to roll on years later. Here's all you need to know about the long-running courtroom drama, updated on April 17, 2026.Within the space of a few weeks in 2020, a disagreement between the ambitions of Epic Games and the intention to maintain the App Store status quo by Apple courted considerable controversy. The affair commenced with little warning to consumers but quickly led to international interest as the battle sought to change one of the fundamental elements of the App Store: how much Apple earns.Apple's dominance has previously led to an antitrust probe by the U.S. Justice Department into the App Store's fees and policies. Still, the disagreement between Apple and Epic was being made more public and directly affected younger customers. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:19 pmApple’s CarPlay feature now supports multiple AI chatbot apps from iPhone
Starting with iOS 26.4, Apple supports using AI chatbot apps on the iPhone through CarPlay. ChatGPT was the first AI app to arrive shortly after iOS 26.4’s release. Now a second AI chatbot has added support: Perplexity. more…02:08 pmAqua Voice – the best dictation app I’ve ever used – is now available on iPhone
Back in the summer of last year, I started using Aqua Voice as a replacement for the built-in dictation feature on my Mac. I said then that it showed just how good Mac dictation could be if Apple really tried. Ever since then, I’ve really wished I could use Aqua Voice on my iPhone, and the company recently granted my wish … more…02:00 pmApple marketing veteran Stan Ng retires after 31 years leading Apple Watch, AirPods, Home, and Health initiatives | Mac Daily NewsApple marketing veteran Stan Ng retires after 31 years leading Apple Watch, AirPods, Home, and Health initiatives
Apple is bidding farewell to Stan Ng, a long-time marketing leader who played a pivotal role in shaping some of the company’s most… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.01:55 pmToday in Apple history: Apple II brings color computing to the masses
On April 17, 1977, Apple made a splash at the West Coast Computer Faire. With the Apple II launch, the company led the computer revolution. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)01:50 pmSonos Play review: Big, bold sound in a portable speaker at a premium price
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Compact, portable design Strong sound, with firm bass Wireless charging dock included Supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2 Cons No mains adaptor included Wired input requires optional adaptor Weighs 1.3kg Our Verdict There are cheaper Bluetooth speakers available, but the use of Wi-Fi and AirPlay makes the Sonos Play a great choice for Apple users, frequent travellers, and those who want Wi-Fi music at home. Few portable speakers sound this good, combining power, detail and a strong bass sound, while still being able to fit into a backpack. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$299 Best Prices Today: Sonos Play Retailer Price $299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who is the Sonos Play for? Apple users who care about sound quality and want the flexibility of AirPlay at home, while still being able to stream from other devices and apps. It’s also a good fit if you want a single speaker that works both indoors and outdoors. However, it comes at a premium price. We really liked the compact Sonos Roam speaker – and its Roam 2 update last year – which provides impressive sound quality for a highly compact speaker that can easily be carried around in a backpack or travelling bag. Sonos also makes a larger battery-powered speaker called the Move 2, but that’s too big and heavy to carry around in a backpack and is more likely to stay at home most of the time. However, the company has now released a third portable speaker, called the Sonos Play, which sits right between the Roam and Move. Priced at $299/£299 and available in black or white, the new Sonos Play aims to offer the best of both worlds, combining the more powerful sound and longer battery life of the Move 2 with a portable design that is still small and light enough to carry around when you’re travelling. Sonos fans will also notice that it revives the name of the original Play range of speakers, which gave the company its big breakthrough 15 years ago. That’s clearly an attempt to put its recent problems behind it and get the company back on track following the widely criticised update to the Sonos app back in 2024. The Play is twice the size of the Sonos Roam, but provides more power, deeper bass and longer battery life. Sonos Inc. How portable is the Sonos Play? The design of the new Play is fairly innocuous, simply consisting of an upright slab of plastic and metal, but it gets all the basics right. It’s about twice the size of the Roam, standing 192mm high, 112mm wide and 77mm deep, but you can still slip it into a bag when you’re out and about. It’s a little heavier than it looks, weighing in at 1.3kg – slightly heavier than the new MacBook Neo at 1.23kg – so you’ll notice the weight when you’re carrying it around. What’s inside the Sonos Play? It packs a lot into that compact design, though, with a large central woofer to handle the mid-range and bass, and two high-frequency tweeters that are angled out to the sides to create a greater sense of space. There are also two bass radiators on the sides of the speaker that help to enhance the bass, and a larger battery that lasts for 24 hours on a full charge, compared to 10 hours for the smaller Roam. The battery is replaceable too, with a battery kit costing $69/£49. There’s also a built-in microphone for using the Sonos Voice assistant – although you can turn off the mic using a switch on the back of the speaker if you prefer. There’s a lot packed into the compact Play speaker, including a woofer, two tweeters, and two radiators to boost the bass sound. Sonos Inc. How portable and durable is the Sonos Play? The Play boasts a rugged IP67 rating for water and dust-resistance, so it’ll be able to survive a beach holiday or a muddy music festival, and there’s a small strap on the back of the speaker so that you can just grab it and go whenever you want. We were pleased to find that the Play includes a wireless charging dock in the box, whereas the charging dock for the Roam is an optional extra that costs $49/£49. However, the charging dock only comes with a USB-C cable, with no mains adaptor included, so you’ll need to supply that yourself or buy the official Sonos power adaptor for $29/£29. I was able to use the Play’s charging dock with the mains adaptor that came with my HomePod Mini, although the mains adaptor for my Sonos Roam didn’t seem to be powerful enough for the Play. How does the Sonos Play connect? Like most Sonos speakers, the Play turns its back on wired connections, although it is possible to buy an optional 3.5mm adaptor for $19/£19. However, the Play does well with its wireless audio features, supporting both Bluetooth (5.3) and dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5.0GHz) with support for AirPlay 2 for Apple devices. For more AirPlay speakers see: Best AirPlay speakers for iPhones and Apple Music. Is the Sonos app still a problem? The AirPlay support means that Apple users weren’t too badly affected by the botched update to the Sonos app, since AirPlay allows Apple devices to directly control Sonos speakers without really needing to use the app very often. The app still seems a little awkward though – it seemed to get confused when I had both the Play and my own Roam speaker connected to the app, and it was actually easier to switch between the two speakers, or even to use them together for multi-room music, by using the AirPlay controls on my iPad. There’s a carrying strap on the back of the Play, along with a USB-C charging port and a Mute switch for the internal microphone. Sonos Inc. What’s the sound quality like? The app still needs a little work then, but I can’t criticise the sound quality of the new Play. Compact portable speakers often suffer from weak bass, but the first thing I notice as I fire up Bad Guy by Billlie Eilish on Apple Music is the bouncing electronic bass that gets you dancing straight away. The Sonos Play has a deeper, more full-bodied bass sound than the smaller Sonos Roam, and it’s quite a bit louder too, so it’ll be a good option for listening to dance music when you’re on holiday or at a music festival with friends. There’s also a nice rumbling sound to the slinky bass guitar riff on Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker, and the Sonos Play really captures the gritty, gravelly sound of Cohen’s own voice as well. The bass isn’t overwhelming though, and the Play can pick out lighter details, such as the sharp tap on the snare and the smooth, multi-layered harmonies on the chorus. Switching to something more delicate, the Play works wonderfully well with the strings on Max Richter’s On The Nature Of Daylight (check it out at the end of The Last Of Us, episode 3, but grab some tissues first). It captures the bittersweet tone of the violins and violas as they weave around each other, while still finding room for the deeper tone of the melancholy cello that underpins the piece. Should you buy the Sonos Play? If you just want a portable Bluetooth speaker for outdoor use then you may not need the additional Wi-Fi and AirPlay features provided by the Sonos Play. However, AirPlay is a real bonus for Apple users when you’re at home, and the excellent sound quality and sturdy IP67 rating make the new Sonos Play a great option for listening to music both indoors and outdoors.01:46 pmiOS 27 rumored to bring new design changes in two key areas
The next major iPhone software update, iOS 27, will be unveiled on June 8, and rumors indicate it will bring at least two changes for the Liquid Glass design. more…01:33 pmBest Apple Deals of the Week: M5 MacBook Air $150 Off Deals, Plus Sales on AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 | MacRumorsBest Apple Deals of the Week: M5 MacBook Air $150 Off Deals, Plus Sales on AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2
This week we saw some heavy-hitter Apple deals arrive for the M5 MacBook Air and AirPods Pro 3, with record low prices still available for both of these devices on Amazon. Below, you'll also find great deals on Apple Watch Series 11 and the new AirPods Max 2. 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. M5 MacBook Air What's the deal? Take $150 off M5 MacBook Air Where can I get it? Amazon Where can I find the original deal? Right here $150 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,149.00 $150 OFF15-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,149.00 Amazon has a few record low prices on the new M5 MacBook Air this week, with $150 off select models of the brand new notebook. Stock has begun dwindling on these notebooks and we're no longer tracking an all-time low price on the 512GB 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, but most other configurations have availability. AirPods Pro 3 What's the deal? Take $49 off AirPods Pro 3 Where can I get it? Amazon Where can I find the original deal? Right here $49 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $199.99 Amazon this week brought back an all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, available for $199.99, down from $249.00. AirPods Max 2 What's the deal? Take $19 off AirPods Max 2 Where can I get it? Amazon Where can I find the original deal? Right here $19 OFFAirPods Max 2 for $529.99 Apple's new AirPods Max 2 launched earlier this month, and Amazon is one of the only retailers offering a discount on the headphones. You can get the Midnight and Starlight color options for $529.99 on Amazon, down from $549.00. Apple Watch Series 11 What's the deal? Take $100 off Apple Watch 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 Amazon this week has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $100 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes nearly every aluminum model of the Series 11 on sale at a record low price. 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 in 2026? 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 forums01:22 pmApple at 50: Gil Amelio, the CEO who brought back Steve Jobs
Gil Amelio had the shortest reign of all Apple CEOs, but maybe the greatest impact as, practically despite himself, he set the stage for how the company would survive.Steve Jobs (left) and Gil Amelio (right), failing to see eye to eye - image credit: AppleGil Amelio is yet another Apple CEO who has never had the profile of Tim Cook, Steve Jobs, or John Sculley. If he's remembered for his time running Apple, it is because he had the firm acquire NeXT and so was responsible for Steve Jobs returning to Apple.Long time AppleInsider readers may also remember that Jobs successfully worked to oust Amelio from the role. But what's not even that well known is that Jobs may even have been taking revenge. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:15 pmTop 10: Best use of docks and hubs in Mac setups
Scouring Cult of Mac's Setups archive, we found the 10 best uses of docks and hubs in Mac setups. Learn a thing or two for your workstation! (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)01:14 pmApple iPhone surges 20% in China in Q1 as rivals stumble, strongest growth among major vendors | Mac Daily NewsApple iPhone surges 20% in China in Q1 as rivals stumble, strongest growth among major vendors
Apple's iPhone has once again proved its enduring appeal in the world's largest smartphone market.China's overall smartphone shipments… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.01:10 pmSwift programmers with Type 1 diabetes?
Hey all, I'm looking to meet other Type 1 diabetics in the Swift space. Figured I'd drop here in the off-chance anyone here is in the same community. Or if you know of anyone who is diabetic and in this space, I'd love to connect! submitted by /u/czapatka [link] [comments]01:00 pmKodebits Day 7: Null-safe Length [FREE]
Use Kotlin null safety and the Elvis operator in one small function.12:57 pmThe iOS Weekly Brief – Issue 56 (News, tools, upcoming conferences, job market overview, weekly poll, and must-read articles) | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingThe iOS Weekly Brief – Issue 56 (News, tools, upcoming conferences, job market overview, weekly poll, and must-read articles)
News: – Apple merges Business Essentials, Business Manager, and Business Connect into one free platform Must read: – A clean 4-method protocol that slowly becomes a 25-method monster – Network monitoring in the background, piped into an AI agent – Why lazy breaks inside SwiftUI views and what patterns actually work – Every App Store […]12:19 pmMac Neo, iPhone Fold, and stealing from your iPhone, on the AppleInsider Podcast
More rumors of the iPhone Fold, speculation about a Mac Neo, and why you shouldn't be concerned at claims people can steal money from your iPhone, on the AppleInsider Podcast.There's no Mac Neo yet, but there should be.Maybe Apple will never make a tiny desktop Mac Neo, but it should and it has everything it needs to do it, from processors to the massive success of the MacBook Neo. True, the company does seem to be a little busy with the iPhone Fold, though.Speaking of which, the on again, off again rumors about when the iPhone Fold will be released continue. Sorting out the new leaks from the rest of the echo chamber-like reports is becoming a full-time job. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:18 pmiPod Marketing Veteran Stan Ng Retires After 31 Years at Apple
Stan Ng, Apple's vice president of product marketing for Apple Watch, AirPods, Health, and Home, has retired after 31 years at the company (via Bloomberg). Ng publicly announced his departure on LinkedIn on Thursday, sharing an image of the sunrise at Apple Park. "After 31 years at Apple, today was my last day," he wrote. "It was a joy to work at Apple and I truly loved what I did." Apple's latest stock vesting date took place on Wednesday, and many employees who retire or leave tend to do so around that time. Ng joined Apple in 1995 as a senior systems engineer, before Steve Jobs had returned to the company. He later moved into product roles for the Mac before becoming one of the key marketing executives behind the original iPod. He also appeared in product launch videos, including the iPod touch reveal in 2007, and went on to oversee marketing for the iPhone and Apple Watch before Home initiatives were added to his remit in 2021. Within Apple's marketing organization, Ng reported to Bob Borchers, who oversees product marketing under senior vice president Greg Joswiak. Marketing leaders at Apple go beyond traditional marketing, with Apple's product marketing leaders playing an active role in shaping the products themselves. Erik Treski, Apple's worldwide product marketing executive for AirPods and Home, who was referenced in last month's AirPods Max update announcement, will assume part of Ng's responsibilities. It is not yet known how the rest of his responsibilities will be divided up. Ng's exit is the latest in a wave of senior departures that has accelerated in recent months. John Giannandrea, Apple's longtime artificial intelligence chief, was also reported to be leaving this week. Former COO Jeff Williams retired last year, design chief Alan Dye departed for Meta Platforms at the end of 2025, environment and government affairs head Lisa Jackson retired earlier this year, and general counsel Katherine Adams is set to leave later in 2026. Ng is also the third executive closely tied to Apple's health and fitness push to exit in quick succession. Williams had overseen those groups until his retirement, while Jay Blahnik, head of Fitness+, is departing following an investigation and lawsuit related to allegations about his behavior. Apple's health initiatives were recently brought under Eddy Cue as part of a broader organizational reshuffle following Williams' retirement.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums12:02 pmPlugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub review: Portable dock alternative with 2.5Gb Ethernet
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros 10 ports in portable form 125W PD 3.1 to host laptop 8K/30Hz or 4K/144Hz video support 2.5Gb Ethernet Cons Slow card readers Our Verdict With 125W passthrough PD 3.1 power, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and 8K video, it’s closer in firepower to bigger, bulkier docking stations but in a far more portable and convenient slim form. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$74.95 Best Prices Today: Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub (USBC-10IN1E) Retailer Price $74.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who is the Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub for? This portable, high-power USB-C hub with near-dock capabilities is ideal for Mac users who want more power and faster Ethernet without a full dock. The key trade-offs are limited 10Gbps bandwidth and slower card readers. Unless you own the Mac Studio, there simply aren’t enough ports on your machine if you are building a pro system. The Mac Studio hosts 12 top-end ports including six Thunderbolt 5 (or four TB5 and two 10Gbps USB-C), two 5Gbps USB-A, super-fast 10Gb Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, card reader, and headphone jack. Compared, the 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with three Thunderbolt 5, card reader, HDMI 2.1, MagSafe 3 charging port and headphone jack. Use one of those Thunderbolt ports to add a USB-C/TB hub or docking station and many more ports can be at your disposal. We’ve tested the best USB-C hubs and best Thunderbolt docks. If you want the very top-end of the port brigade you must go full-in with a docking station, but these are rarely portable and often costs hundreds. The newly released Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub (USBC-10IN1E) bucks that trend by putting 10 pro ports on a long, slim hub with built-in cable. Passthrough charging is impressive at 125W. The Ethernet port is rated at 2.5Gb rather than the standard Gigabit Ethernet found on every other network-ready hub. The HDMI port supports 8K on a connected display. Simon Jary Design: How portable is it compared to a dock? As a hub, the Plugable 10-in-1 is super portable, especially compared to larger docking stations that require their own bulky power supply. It’s long and slim, measuring just 8.5 x 1.3 x 0.6 inches (216 x 34 x 15mm) – about the same length as the side of a 14-inch MacBook – with a built-in 8-inch (203mm) cable. It weighs under 4oz (112g), and will slip easily into any backpack, tech organizer bag or desk drawer. Specs in full 10Gbps USB-C to host 2x USB-C (10Gbps, 7.5W) 1x USB-A (10Gbps, 7.5W) 2x USB-A (5Gbps, 4.5W) HDMI 2.1 2.5Gb Ethernet SD card reader (UHS-I, 104MBps) MicroSD card reader (UHS-I, 104MBps) You can buy hubs with more USB ports, but the six available here are still generous, with three at 10Gbps. Simon Jary Bandwidth: Is 10Gbps a limitation for Mac users? Data-transfer speed to the Mac is 10Gbps, where most Macs these days boast 40Gbps to 80Gbps Thunderbolt connections. There are no Thunderbolt hubs—for that you’ll need to step up to a docking station—but USB4 hubs are available if you need 40Gbps bandwidth. The 7-port Satechi Pro Hub Max Adapter ($69.99) offers 40Gbps but takes up two of the connected Mac’s TB ports, as does Plugable’s own 5-in-1 USB-C hub (AMS-5IN1E). Only the Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter uses just one of the Mac’s ports for 40Gbps, and this hub is a close rival to the new Plugable USBC-10IN1E as it boasts nine ports, although the 2.5Gb Ethernet port it once sported has been downgraded to 1GbE. Bandwidth may be a deal breaker for some pro users, but if 10Gbps is acceptable you can save money and bulk investing in Plugable’s 10-in-1 hub. Power: Can it fully charge a MacBook Pro? While the 10Gbps Plugable USBC-10IN1E has a lower data-transfer speed than the 40Gbps Satechi, it wins on passthrough power to the host MacBook—supporting Power Delivery (PD) 3.1 Extended Power Range (EPR). Few other USB-C hubs offer as much power. While you can supply the hub with PD 3.1’s 140W of power, it uses 15W for its own operation so the maximum your laptop will receive is 125W. The company’s 9-port USBC-9IN1E hub matches the 10-port at 140W in and 125W to the connected laptop. The 16-inch MacBook Pro requires 140W for full fast-charging, so this hub falls just short, but it’s still outputting more power than the 100W promised by other hubs—and those are also probably pegged back from their maximum by using up some of the power themselves. It should certainly keep even the top-end MacBook Pro powered at full speed even under a heavy workload. 125W should charge the top-end MacBook faster than 100W, if not reaching maximum speed, and it is easily enough to fast-charge the 14-inch MacBook Pro and below. The USB ports aren’t going to win any prizes on power output, with three supporting 7.5W but that leaves more for the MacBook. If your setup requires more power to connected devices, look to a dock with its own meatier power adapter. What you gain in power, you lose on portability. Simon Jary Network: Is 2.5Gb Ethernet worth it on a USB-C hub? Most pro docking stations now offer faster 2.5GbE wired network access, and the USBC-10IN1E joins them in a much more portable form. Satechi has a USB-C Hub With 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, but a mere four ports in total—paltry compared to Plugable’s ten. It used to have a Multiport Adapter with more ports and 2.5GbE but has discontinued that product, leaving Plugable to nip in and fill the gap. Video: What display support do you actually get? The Plugable USBC-10IN1E supports a single connected 8K display at 30Hz. If that refresh rate isn’t fast enough for you, you can ‘drop’ to a 4K display at a 144Hz refresh rate, which will please video pros and gamers demanding crisper video with lower latency and smoother motion. That 144Hz refresh rate is possible if the connected Mac has at least an M3, Pro or Max chip and is running macOS 26 or later. Base M1, M2, MacBook Neo, or Macs running macOS 15 or below, have max support for a 4K at 60Hz. The 40Gbps Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter matches the Plugable on 8K/30Hz but maxes at 60Hz when connected to a 4K display. The only hub we’ve tested that beats the Plugable on refresh rate is the $65 Baseus 9-in-1 that can reach 120Hz on a 4K display, although it can’t reach 5K or 8K like the Plugable. While that hub’s two HDMI ports look appealing, you can’t use them both for Extended Mode monitors on a Mac. If you need more than one external display via a hub, look at the other options we’ve tested and reviewed in our best USB-C hub roundup. Storage: Are the card readers fast enough? Although it hosts both an SD and MicroSD card reader slot, the Plugable USBC-10IN1E’s portable storage speeds are not the fastest at 104MBps. Apple’s own SDXC card reader is rated at 250MBps and other hubs boast 312MBps UHS-II card readers. The similar Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter features the same slow card readers. This probably isn’t a deal breaker for most users, and there’s plenty of choice if you need faster, such as Plugable’s own 9-in-1 USB-C Hub Multiport Adapter (USBC-9IN1E). Simon Jary Price The Plugable USBC-10IN1E sells for $74.95 or CA$99.99. At the time of writing it was available only in North America. The 9-in-1 Plugable hub—priced at $49.95—matches the new 10-in-1 with 10Gbps bandwidth and 125W passthrough power but falls short on the 8K video and 2.5Gb Ethernet. If neither is vital to you, the cheaper Plugable may appeal, but there’s future-proofing built into the new 10-in-1. For faster data-transfer, look to the 40Gbps Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter (also supporting 8K), although you’d need further adapter for the faster network connection, and it will set you back $149.99. For more options read our reviews of the best USB-C hubs for Mac or consider a fuller set of connection and charging options with one of the best Thunderbolt docking stations. Should you buy the Plugable USBC-10IN1E? It doesn’t have a pretty name but the 10-port Plugable USBC-10IN1E offers a lot of top-end goodies not found together on any other USB-C hub: 125W passthrough PD 3.1 power, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and 8K video. As such it’s closer in firepower to bigger, bulkier docking stations but in a far more portable and convenient slim form.12:01 pmThese are the four new iPhone 18 Pro colors, per rumor
A new rumor today adds more details to Apple’s alleged plans for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max color lineup. Here are the four colors reportedly in development for this year’s phones… more…12:00 pmGoogle’s Merkle Certificate Push Signals a Rethink of Digital Trust
As post-quantum security moves closer to reality, efforts like Google’s Merkle Tree Certificates highlight the need to rethink how trust is delivered across the internet at scale. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.11:59 amiPhone's 20% Chinese sales boost beat out Huawei and others
Apple experienced a massive 20% increase in Chinese iPhone sales during the first quarter of 2026, marking the strongest performance of all vendors in the country.Apple's iPhone 17 series has proven popular in ChinaThe quarter, ending March 2026, saw Apple's iPhone sales increase by the biggest percentage since the final quarter of 2020. With a 20% increase in iPhone sales when compared to the previous year, there are thought to be multiple reasons for Apple's strong performance.At the very top of the list, per Counterpoint Research's report, is strong sales of the newly released iPhone 17 series of devices. Apple made the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air available in September 2025. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:58 amApple Watch, AirPods, smart home, and health marketing lead announces retirement
As spotted by Bloomberg, longtime Apple executive Stan Ng is retiring after more than three decades at the company, according to a post on his LinkedIn profile. Here are the details. more…11:45 amApple Watch chief posts loving farewell to Apple Park on his retirement
Stan Ng, known for presenting about the Apple Watch on Apple's keynotes, has retired after 31 years at the company, and spent his last day ticking off bucket list items.Stan Ng in a video presentation for the Apple Watch Ultra - image credit: AppleStan Ng was Apple's vice president, Apple Watch and Health Product Marketing, where he was involved with the whole design philosophy of the smart watch. But his three decades at the company extend back to the original iPod, and to before the return of Steve Jobs.Now Ng has retired and in a post on LinkedIn, has described his final day at Apple Park working for the company. It includes watching the sunrise while listening to his original iPod, and then taking that iPod with him for a last workout in the gym. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:32 amCosmic Orange is out, Dark Cherry rumored to be new hot iPhone 18 Pro color
A new report claims to have details of the colors for the forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro, including that the signature one will be Dark Cherry.Mockup of a Dark Cherry iPhone - original image credit: Wesley Hilliard, recoloring by William GallagherApple did already go some way to getting rid of the horrible Cosmic Orange color, by making some iPhones turn pink instead. But reportedly, it's now discarding the color entirely, in favor of a more appealing Deep Cherry.Macworld claims to have a source that has provided the complete list of colors for the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. That list is not very much different to previous rumors, especially concerning reports of Apple considering various shades of red. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:14 amApple and John Giannandrea Part Ways
Former head of artificial intelligence at Apple, John Giannandrea, is leaving the company this week. With the final stock vesting date approaching, Apple has moved to reduce the role of Giannandrea in March of last year after the Apple Intelligence launch that proved to be disappointing. Other than that, the current delays that keep pushing […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:13 amHuawei Unveils Foldable Device
Huawei, a rival smartphone manufacturer, has revealed the Pura X Max, which bears a design similar to the upcoming iPhone fold that will have a book-style design. The device looks to have a similar aspect ratio to the upcoming device. The Huawei Pura X is going to be launched next week in China. The device […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:12 amMass Production for iPhone Fold Delayed
The iPhone fold production is falling behind schedule. Apple is still looking at a fall release date this year, but it has been pushed back by about one or two months. As the company is still looking at a release of this year, the production schedule is looking tight. Apple initially had plans to start […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:09 amValve Announces Stream Link App For Vision Pro Headset
You can now link Steam, the platform that has a wide variety of games, to your Vision Pro. The Stream Link App has been announced, which allows you to stream games from the main device to another one. Valve is providing access to the beta version of the app, with recent improvements being network performance […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:08 amApple Using Smart Adhesive for Foldable iPhone
Apple has found advances in OCA or optically clear adhesive and is reportedly going to use this as it will be a significant factor for near invisible creases for the upcoming foldable iPhone that is releasing this year. Key technologies were highlighted in a report for innovation regarding foldable displays, going in depth that creases […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:07 amApple Creating Different Styles for Smart Glasses
Apple is manufacturing 4 different smart glasses styles and is placing its bets that they have a design that is superior and will be different from their rival partners and the products they put out. The glasses are reportedly made from acetate, a high-end material that is both luxurious and durable compared to the standard […] The post appeared first on iLounge.10:50 amiPhone 18 Pro's Four Rumored Colors Revealed, Including 'Dark Cherry'
A source said to be familiar with Apple's supply chain today revealed the color options Apple is planning for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the upcoming foldable iPhone. Image via Macworld. The information comes from Macworld, which says the signature new color for this year's Pro models will be Dark Cherry, a deep wine-like red. While other sources had previously reported on a "Dark Red" option, the hue is said to be considerably closer to wine than a brighter red. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and other leakers had previously suggested Apple was experimenting with a shade of red for the iPhone 18 Pro, but the color will apparently be much more muted than last year's Cosmic Orange on the iPhone 17 Pro. According to Macworld's source, Apple has been working on four color options for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, with the following Pantone codes said to be in use internally: Light Blue (Pantone 2121), resembling the current iPhone 17's Mist Blue Dark Cherry (Pantone 6076), the headline new color Dark Gray (Pantone 426C) Silver (Pantone 427C), similar to the current generation The source cautions that all four colors are still in development, and since the iPhone 18 Pro has not yet gone into mass production, Apple still has time to make changes. Apple also does not always offer four color options for the Pro lineup, so one of these shades could be dropped before launch. Last year, both Macworld and leaker Sonny Dickson reported that Apple had considered launching the iPhone 17 Pro in black or steel gray, but neither color was released. For the first foldable iPhone, which has been rumored to be called the "iPhone Ultra," the device will reportedly come in fewer options than the Pro models, with no bold or vibrant colors. Macworld's source says Apple has been working on a classic silver and white model, as well as an Indigo option similar to the iPhone 17 Pro's Deep Blue. The same source corroborates earlier leaks on the foldable's design, saying the device will feature two rear cameras, a selfie camera on the outer display, a second selfie camera in the upper-left corner of the inner display, and an iPad mini-style shape when unfolded. The foldable is reportedly just 4.7 millimeters thick when unfolded, which would make it considerably thinner than the 5.6mm iPhone Air. On the design of the iPhone 18 Pro, the CAD drawings seen by Macworld's source support existing rumors of a smaller Dynamic Island, which would free up a small amount of additional screen space when Live Activities are not in use. The schematics also show a slightly reduced gap between the glass cutout on the back and the camera bump in at least one render, though the source was unable to confirm whether this reflects a finalized design change. A Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital" previously reported that Apple would adopt a new manufacturing process to minimize the color difference between the glass and the aluminum frame, which may be connected. The iPhone 18 Pro models and foldable iPhone are expected to be announced in September 2026, though some analysts suggest the foldable will launch at a later date. The iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are rumored to follow in the first half of 2027.Related Roundup: iPhone 18 ProTag: MacworldThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums10:23 amD1 control plane upgrade
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 17, 12:00 - 13:00 UTCApr 17, 10:16 UTCScheduled - Cloudflare is performing an upgrade in internal D1 related systems. Control plane operations may fail during this maintenance window. Deployment of a worker with a D1 binding will also be affected (possibly returning a 500 status code).Users accessing D1 databases via Cloudflare Workers bindings should not be affected.10:00 amiPhone 18 Pro colors revealed: Exclusive look at Apple’s 2026 models
Macworld It’s iPhone leaks season again. In just a couple of months, Apple is expected to unveil three new phones: the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, and a new foldable iPhone now rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra. But as always, one of the most important questions for buyers will be, What colors will Apple release this time? Like last year, Macworld has received information from a source familiar with Apple’s supply chain regarding the color options for the iPhone 18 lineup. We can now reveal an inside look at the colors Apple is planning to release in 2026, along with our own renders to show what to expect. Dark Cherry is the new Cosmic Orange Every year, Apple introduces a new signature color for the iPhone Pro models. With the iPhone 17 Pro, the color that stood out the most was the vibrant Cosmic Orange. What about this year’s models? While other sources have previously reported on a “Dark Red” color, the information we’ve heard suggests that Apple has been working on a Dark Cherry option to serve as the headline new color for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Previously, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and other leakers had suggested that Apple has been experimenting with a shade of red for this year’s phones, but we can reveal the hue will be much closer to wine than fruit punch. While Dark Cherry color won’t be as bright and striking as Cosmic Orange in person, it will still be unique enough to distinguish it as the new iPhone 18 Pro. As always, Apple is expected to discontinue the current lineup of colors, including Cosmic Orange. The iPhone 18 Pro could come in three all-new colors.Foundry Apple has also been reportedly experimenting with two other new color options for this year’s Pro lineup. One of them is Light Blue, which would resemble the current Mist Blue color of the base iPhone 17. The other color in development is a dark shade of gray. Finally, our source also reports on the existence of a silver variant of the iPhone 18 Pro, similar to the current generation. Once again, our source notes that the colors are all in development, but since the iPhone 18 Pro hasn’t gone into mass production yet, Apple still has time to change them. Also, bear in mind that Apple doesn’t always offer four color options for the Pro models, so one of these hues could be dropped. Last year, both Macworld and the reliable leaker Sonny Dickson reported that Apple had also considered launching the iPhone 17 Pro in black or steel gray. However, those color options never saw the light of day. Here are the Pantone color codes our says are being used internally by Apple: Light Blue (Pantone 2121) Dark Cherry (Pantone 6076) Dark Gray (Pantone 426C) Silver (Pantone 427C) We used these codes to generate the image above. Of course, colors may look a bit different in real life due to the material and lighting conditions. A very familiar design with minor changes Macworld’s sources also had access to the CAD drawings of the new iPhones. These documents support the rumors that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will look very similar to their predecessors, with only minor changes. Most notably, the renders show a smaller Dynamic Island on the screen, which has been rumored to be one of the changes for this year’s models. This means the display will have more screen space for content when the Dynamic Island isn’t showing Live Activities. The Dynamic Island could be smaller on the iPhone 18 Pro.Foundry Another interesting change noted by our source is that, in one of the renders, the gap between the glass cutout on the back and the camera bump is a bit smaller. Our source was unable to verify whether this is an old render, or if Apple is moving forward with a design change. Last year, a Weibo leaker known as Instant Digital reported that Apple would adopt a new process to minimize the color difference between the glass and the aluminum frame, so perhaps that change also involves reducing the gap between the glass and the camera bump at some point. More neutral colors for the foldable iPhone We’ve also received details about the color options for the rumored foldable iPhone. The device, which will reportedly look like an iPad mini when unfolded, won’t come in fun colors like the base iPhone and may have even fewer options than the iPhone Pro. For the foldable iPhone, Apple has been working on a classic silver and white model, as well as an Indigo option similar to the iPhone 17 Pro’s Deep Blue. The iPhone Fold will reportedly come in a dark Indigo option.Foundry The source also corroborates leaked CADs and renders showing the potential design of the foldable iPhone, which is expected to feature two rear cameras, a selfie camera on the outer display, and another selfie camera in the upper-left corner of the inner display. The schematics seen by our source reveal that the foldable iPhone will be just 4.7 millimeters thick when unfolded, making it significantly thinner than the 5.6mm iPhone Air. The iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone are all expected to launch in September, while some analysts suggest that the foldable model will hit stores at a later date. The base model of the iPhone 18, the iPhone 18e, and a new Air have been rumored to arrive in the first half of 2027, which has also been confirmed by our source.09:32 amApple Quietly Tweaked the iOS App Store App – Here's What's Changed
No, you aren't going crazy – Apple has quietly made a backend change to the App Store app in iOS that switches the location of the Updates tab and renames it to make it more prominent. In the App Store app, you can see the change by tapping your profile picture in the top-right corner. The "Apps & Purchase History" tab used to be at the top the list, but it has switched places with "Updates," which is now called "App Updates." The change was made by Apple without issuing a software update and is evident on both iOS 26.4.1 and the iOS 26.5 beta. There's actually a faster way to access the App Updates page in iOS 26.4 that was recently highlighted by Daring Fireball's John Gruber: Simply long-press on the App Store app on your Home Screen and you can jump straight to it from the contextual menu.Tag: App StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums09:12 amFinally starting to submit my first app
I’m finally done with the app. Currently requested for family controls. Hopefully all goes well. Then I can finally submit my app lol any advice? submitted by /u/Drcrqcked [link] [comments]08:00 amA 5-year subscription to this piano learning app was $899, but now it’s only $80
Macworld TL;DR: flowkey is a piano learning app that listens and coaches while you play, and it’s only $80 for a 5-year subscription. Learning to play piano on your own isn’t easy, but formal lessons are an expensive wall most can’t afford to pass. If you want a budget-friendly way to learn piano, flowkey can help. This piano learning app gives you access to guided lessons, real-time feedback, and a large library of songs, and a 5-year subscription is on sale now for $79.97 (reg. $899). This piano tutor app works a lot like a regular piano teacher. The app listens while you play and shows whether you are hitting the right notes, so mistakes are easier to catch before they turn into habits. You can slow pieces down, repeat sections that keep tripping you up, and practice one hand at a time before putting both together. That setup makes harder songs feel a lot less overwhelming. flowkey also covers the basics that usually get lost when people try to teach themselves. There are lessons on reading sheet music, playing chords, rhythm, hand position, and using both hands together. Once you’ve got those basics down, the Classic plan gives you more than 1,000 classical and public-domain songs to work through, with music from Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Debussy, Liszt, and Brahms. Until April 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT, it’s only $79.97 to get a flowkey Piano Learning App 5-year subscription. flowkey Piano Learning App: Classic Plan (5-Year Subscription)See Deal Buying this deal? Top off your cart to $100+, then add a Microsoft Office 2021 lifetime license and use GWP4MAC (for Mac) or GWP4WIND (for Windows) to get it free through 4/19. Gift with $100+ purchase promo ends April 19, 2026. Exclusions apply. Only one promo code applicable per order. StackSocial prices subject to change.07:00 amIntel's New Core Series 3 Is Its Answer To the MacBook Neo
Intel has launched a new budget-focused Core Series 3 processor line for lower-cost laptops -- "Intel's response to budget CPUs that are appearing in laptops like the Apple MacBook Neo," writes PCWorld's Mark Hachman. From the report: Intel unexpectedly launched the Core Series 3, based on its excellent "Panther Lake" (Core Ultra Series 3) architecture and 18A manufacturing, for devices for home consumers and small business on Thursday. Intel announced that a number of partners will launch laptops based upon the chip, including Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, and others. Although those laptops will be available beginning today, a number of them will begin shipping later this year, the partners said. All of it -- from the specifications down to the messaging -- feels extremely aimed at trimming the fat and delivering to users just what they'll want. Intel's new Core Series 3 family just includes two "Cougar Cove" performance cores and four low-power efficiency "Darkmont" cores, with two Xe graphics cores on top of it. Intel isn't really worrying about AI, with an NPU capable of just 17 TOPS, though the company claims the CPU, NPU, and GPU combined reach 40 TOPS of performance. Yes, laptops will use pricey DDR5 memory, but at the lower end: just DDR5-6400 speeds. Support for three external displays will be included, though, maximizing multiple screens for maximum productivity. Intel used the term "all day battery life" without elaboration. [...] Intel Core Series 3 delivers up to 47 percent better single-thread performance, up to 41 percent better multi thread performance, and up to 2.8x better GPU AI performance, Intel said. Compared against Intel's older Core 7 150U, Intel is saying that the new chip will outperform it by 2.1 times in content-creation and 2.7 times the AI performance. [...] We still don't know what Intel will charge for the chip, nor do we know what you'll be able to buy a Core Series 3 laptop for. Read more of this story at Slashdot.06:38 amOpenAI’s Codex can now control your Mac apps
ChatGPT is making its Codex app for Mac far more capable, with support for background computer use, smarter automations and deeper app integrations. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)06:27 amMy first App Store app just went live and I genuinely can’t believe it
Ok so this is a bit of a surreal moment for me. Gravity just got approved and I had to share it somewhere with people who actually understand how long this takes. The app is a subscription manager but the thing I built that I'm actually proud of is the AI cancellation assistant. You just […]06:24 amDME (Moscow) on 2026-04-20
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 20, 00:30 - 05:00 UTCApr 17, 06:05 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in DME (Moscow) datacenter on 2026-04-20 between 00:30 and 05:00 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.05:46 amApple Developer enrollment payment authorization failed
I’m trying to enroll in the Apple Developer Program but I keep getting a payment authorization failed error. My card works fine for other services so I’m not sure what’s causing it here. Has anyone experienced this and knows how to fix it? submitted by /u/KOPONgwapo [link] [comments]02:42 amYour Friends & Neighbors has already confirmed a new star for season 3
Apple TV’s hit show Your Friends & Neighbors is only two episodes into its second season, but the show is already lining up new cast members for season 3. Here are the details. more…02:01 amApple announces events and activities ahead of the TCS London Marathon
Last month, Apple was announced as an official partner of this year’s TCS London Marathon. Now, the company has confirmed a series of events and activities ahead of the main race, scheduled for April 26. Here are the details. more…01:30 amAre App rejections for updates to launched apps getting rejected more often? | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingAre App rejections for updates to launched apps getting rejected more often?
I launched my app in November and have probably submitted 15+ app reviews for feature enhancements and bug fixes. Typically I have no review issues and I get approved in 12-24 hours. I submitted recently and they have come back 3 different times with 3 requests for more information. The first time the asked for […]12:00 amIssue 748
What’s your position on LLM-generated pull requests in open source projects? 🤖Thursday April 1611:58 pmApple Music outage makes service unavailable to some users
Apple’s System Status page confirms an ongoing Apple Music outage that is making the service unavailable or slow for some users. Here are the details. more…11:48 pmiPhone Loyalty Hits 96.4% as Android Users Four Times More Likely to Switch
Customers are more loyal to Apple than ever, according to a smartphone loyalty survey conducted by phone trade-in site SellCell. 96.4% of customers surveyed said they planned to stick with an iPhone for their next upgrade, and 3.6% said they would choose a different brand. That's up from 91.9% in SellCell's 2021 survey and 90.5% in 2019. Android users were less loyal to their brand, and are almost 4x more likely to switch than iPhone users. 86.4% of people surveyed said they would stick with an Android device, while 13.6% said they planned to switch. Of the 3.6% of iPhone users who said they would move to another platform, 69.7% said they would choose a Samsung smartphone, and 20.2% said they would choose a Google smartphone. While most Android users said they would switch to a Samsung or Google device, 26.8% said they would choose an iPhone over an Android smartphone. Most iPhone users said they would stick with an iPhone because they prefer Apple (60.8%), while 17.4% said they were invested in the Apple ecosystem. About half of iPhone users contemplating switching said they would do so because the iPhone is too expensive or other brands offer better value, but 22.5% said other brands have better technology. iPhone users were more likely to be loyal over time, and 83.8% said they had used an iPhone for more than five years. By comparison, just 33.8% of Android users said they had stuck with a brand for over five years. SellCell's survey was limited to 5,000 U.S. respondents. The site says there was a roughly equal representation between iPhone and Android users, with two separate surveys that included the same question structure. More information from the survey is available from SellCell's website.Tags: Android, SellCellThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums11:17 pmCasely Power Pods recall reannounced after a fatality in New Jersey
After one person passed away and after dozens more were injured, Casely has reannounced a recall of its MagSafe-compatible power bank.Casely has reannounced its 2025 recall of the 5,000mAh Power Pods MagSafe charger.Back in April 2025, Casely and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) published a recall of the 5,000mAh Power Pods wireless. More than 429,000 units were recalled, following 51 incidents of the products "overheating, expanding, or catching fire," ultimately causing burns.A year later, the same recall has been reissued, as 28 additional incidents have occurred. "The recalled power banks pose a risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards to consumers," says the USCPSC. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:07 pmAny app developers know about SharpSports?
Question for all you smart devs and sports betters: I have a personal app I'm working on that tracks losses/wins, shows odds from sports books, analyzes your bets post game, but I'm having trouble with importing betting data from sportsbooks like JuiceReel does. All sports books don't have API's so it seems you have to […]11:06 pmApple Execs Say Spatial Computing Is 'Inevitable' and AI Is a 'Marathon, Not a Sprint'
Apple hardware engineering chief John Ternus and marketing chief Greg Joswiak recently did an interview with Tom's Guide, where they shared new insights into the MacBook Neo, AI, and spatial computing. Ternus and Joswiak made it clear that the MacBook Neo isn't your average low-cost device. Apple doesn't typically put a lot of focus on its more affordable devices, but marketing for the Neo has been expansive, and that's because Apple sees it as a "reinvention" of the entry-level laptop. From Ternus: I think maybe another one from our past is this idea that Steve talked about is the Mac being the bicycle for the mind, right? And you know, from the very beginning, the vision was let's make personal computing as accessible to as many people as possible. And that was the mission of the MacBook Neo. Ternus said the MacBook Neo required "building something completely new from the ground up" to provide customers with quality at a low price. "We never want to ship junk," he said. "We want to ship great products that have that Apple experience." Joswiak said the MacBook Neo's quality was important to Apple, and the Neo's build sets it apart from competitors. You know the products in this space that it's competing against. They're plastic, they're little, you can flex them. They're so cheap, because what have they done? They just tried to cut a nickel, cut a quarter, cut a dollar out of everything to try to make it cheaper, and as a result, they made it cheap, which is very different than making it a lower price and high value, which was the approach we were taking. Along with discussing the Neo, Ternus and Joswiak talked about the differences between the iPad and the Mac. Ternus said that Apple isn't going to merge the products, and similarities are because Apple focuses on what would make a device better and not on how one product might impact another. We're going to make the best iPad we can possibly make. We're going to make the best Mac we can possibly make. Some customer is going to choose one, some customer is going to choose the other. A lot of customers actually like to have both, and that's great too. So yeah, we never think about... there's never been this idea of mashing these two things together. On AI, which is an area where Apple has been struggling, Joswiak said it's not a sprint. We've been doing things with intelligence for many years, right? And gen AI allows us an opportunity to do that even more. So I'm excited about that, but boy, this is not a sprint. This is a marathon, right? We're going to be doing stuff with intelligence for decades, not months or years. Joswiak dodged a question about a potential touchscreen MacBook Pro, which Apple is rumored to be working on for launch as soon as this year. He also declined to comment on smart glasses, but said we're in the "early innings of spatial computing," while Ternus said that combining the digital and physical world is an "inevitability." The two were tight-lipped about any upcoming Apple products, but Joswiak said Apple is "working on some pretty cool stuff." The full interview, which goes into more detail on the MacBook Neo, AI, and includes a Steve Jobs anecdote, is well worth watching.Tags: Greg Joswiak, John TernusThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums10:45 pm$320M money laundering scheme uncovered using iCloud backup
Brazil's federal police have uncovered a large-scale money laundering group involving influencers and musicians, all thanks to an iCloud backup.An iCloud backup played a crucial role in the discovery of a money laundering ring in Brazil.iCloud backups have played a key role in exposing organized crime, helping police uncover a poker rigging scheme in October 2025, and now contributing to the discovery of a $320 million money laundering operation in Brazil.As part of an investigation into alleged illegal gambling and international drug trafficking, Brazilian authorities arrested accountant Rodrigo Morgado. Upon gaining access to his iCloud backup, however, investigators found evidence of a separate, complex money laundering scheme. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums10:30 pmPower bank maker Casely reissues recall following mid-flight explosion and fatal incident | 9 to 5 MacPower bank maker Casely reissues recall following mid-flight explosion and fatal incident
MagSafe-compatible accessory maker Casely has reissued a recall for Power Pods after new incidents were reported following its initial recall last April, including one that proved fatal. Here are the details. more…10:23 pmUnited States SMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 23, 21:00 - 23:00 PDTApr 16, 15:15 PDTScheduled - Our SMS carrier partner in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 23 April 2026 at 21:00 PDT until 23 April 2026 at 23:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from AT&T United States handsets via subset of United States short codes.10:10 pmCF1 Client DEX – Device analytics overtime gaps
Apr 16, 22:10 UTCIdentified - The DEX analytics overtime data for CF1 client devices may show missing data.10:07 pmAmazon issues $589 MacBook Neo deal, lowest price on new release
Avoid backorder delays and grab the lowest price ever with Amazon's MacBook Neo deal that drops the standard model to $589.99.Save on every new MacBook Neo, including this popular Citrus option.A popular option for families and bargain hunters, Apple's MacBook Neo is on sale at Amazon today, with the standard 256GB model marked down to $589.99 after a $10 discount. At press time, all four colorways are eligible for the savings, with units shipping now or in 1-2 days, depending on the color.Buy MacBook Neo for $589.99 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums09:54 pmCasely MagSafe-Compatible Power Banks Recalled Again After Fire-Related Death and In-Flight Explosion | MacRumorsCasely MagSafe-Compatible Power Banks Recalled Again After Fire-Related Death and In-Flight Explosion
iPhone accessory maker Casely reissued a recall for its faulty Power Pod wireless power bank (via The Verge) after one of the affected units resulted in the death of a 75-year-old woman and another exploded on a plane. Casely first issued the recall in April 2025 through the Consumer Product Safety Commission. At that time, the company said that the power banks could overheat and ignite, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers. A total of 51 people had reported incidents where the battery overheated, expanded, or caught fire, and there were six minor burn injuries. Since then, there have been an additional 28 reports, including two serious incidents. In August 2024, a woman in New Jersey was charging her phone with a Casely power bank on her lap, and it caught fire and exploded. She had second- and third-degree burns, and later died from complications from her injuries. In February 2026, a 47-year-old woman was charging her cell phone with the power bank on an airplane when it caught fire and exploded, resulting in first-degree burns. Airlines have introduced more restrictive limits on power banks due to incidents like this. Casely sold 429,200 power banks, which were branded as the Casely "Power Pod" with MagSafe compatibility. The 5,000mAh wireless power banks were available in multiple colors and patterns, and were priced at between $30 and $70. Affected units have an E33A model number and were sold from Amazon.com, the Casely website, and other websites between March 2022 and September 2024. Anyone with a Casely Power Pod should stop using it immediately and contact Casely for a free replacement or a $60 store credit. Affected units should not be discarded, and customers should contact their local household hazardous waste collection center for disposal assistance. Casely is contacting all known purchasers directly.Tag: MagSafeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums09:53 pmHong Kong SMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 25, 11:00 - 13:00 PDTApr 16, 14:50 PDTScheduled - Our SMS carrier partner in Hong Kong is conducting a planned maintenance from 25 April 2026 at 11:00 PDT until 25 April 2026 at 13:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from Hong Kong handsets.09:25 pmThis private AI assistant runs offline for life
Pansophy is a fully local personal AI assistant that runs without accounts, subscriptions or cloud processing. Your data stays on your device. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)09:10 pmAny Agent skills for iOS development
Has Apple published agent skills for iOS development? There's one for android by Google. submitted by /u/Ok_Refrigerator_1908 [link] [comments]09:06 pmAn iCloud backup helped uncover a $320M crime ring in Brazil
Data pulled from an iCloud backup played a key role in uncovering a $320M money laundering scheme in Brazil, leading to the arrests of several influencers and musicians. Here are the details. more…09:03 pmNetflix launching redesigned iPhone app with vertical video feed
After botching its Apple TV app with an inferior custom video player, Netflix is updating its iPhone app with a vertical video feed. more…09:01 pmApple's $599 MacBook Neo Sold Out Through April Amid Surging Demand
Apple's MacBook Neo has been a huge hit, and it's still in high demand over a month after it launched. The MacBook Neo is just $599, and with PC makers raising prices because of global RAM shortages, the Neo's low price tag and Apple allure are even more appealing. MacBook Neo orders placed today on the online Apple Store won't reach customers until May, which means that it's sold out for the month of April, as 9to5Mac points out. All colors and both the 256GB and 512GB SSD configurations will be delivered between May 1 and May 8 at the earliest. Some Apple retail locations have in-store availability today in select colors, but other stores won't have stock until May 11. Third-party retailers don't appear to have immediate stock, with Best Buy and Target listing delivery dates at least a week out. Demand has exceeded expectations, and Apple is ramping up production. Apple is now planning to ship 10 million units in 2026, up from the original five to six million estimate. After the MacBook Neo launched, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Apple saw its "best launch week ever for first-time Mac customers." Apple may need to refresh the MacBook Neo sooner than expected because Apple does not have an unlimited supply of the binned A18 Pro chips that the machine uses. Apple could run out of the A18 Pro chip before it is able to satisfy MacBook Neo demand. Apple may need to restart A18 Pro chip production, which has ended, or start using an A19 Pro chip instead. We'll likely hear more about the MacBook Neo's success during Apple's April 30 earnings call for the second fiscal quarter of 2026.Related Roundup: MacBook NeoBuyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now)Related Forum: MacBook NeoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums08:53 pmSTL (St. Louis) on 2026-04-17
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 17, 14:00 - 17:00 UTCApr 16, 20:53 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in STL (St. Louis) datacenter on 2026-04-17 between 14:00 and 17:00 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.08:37 pmApple TV has two new sci-fi series coming as spinoffs to beloved hits
Apple TV keeps proving itself a destination for sci-fi fans, and two of the streamer’s beloved hits have inspired spinoff series that are on the way. more…08:26 pmBluetti’s FridgePower provides key protection against power outages [Sponsored]
A complete home battery backup system provides the ultimate flexibility in protecting against power outages, with options ranging from $1,200 to around $10,000, depending on how many devices do you want to power and for how long. But Bluetti’s FridgePower is a brand-new option designed to provide the most important protection in a form-factor specifically optimized for smaller apartments and kitchens. more…08:20 pmTim Cook boosts Nike investment with fresh $1M share purchase
Regulatory filings show that Tim Cook has once again increased his stake in Nike, bringing his holdings to 130,480 shares. Here are the details. more…08:14 pmZap Export Links Inaccessible
Status: ResolvedThis incident has been resolved. Links to access Zap data exports are now working as expected. Some users were temporarily unable to access previously generated Zap export links. No data was lost or compromised. Our engineering team identified and deployed a fix. Export links have been confirmed as working in production. If you experience ongoing issues, contact Support by clicking above or go to: https://zapier.com/app/get-help08:03 pmPerplexity Launches Personal Computer for Mac, Turning a Mac mini Into an Always-On AI Agent | MacRumorsPerplexity Launches Personal Computer for Mac, Turning a Mac mini Into an Always-On AI Agent
Perplexity today launched Personal Computer, an expansion of Perplexity Computer that integrates with local files and apps on a Mac. Personal Computer was announced in March and was available on a waitlist basis, but it is officially rolling out today for Max subscribers. Perplexity Computer came out earlier this year, and it's an all-in-one "digital worker" able to create and execute entire workflows. With today's upgrade, it can run directly on a Mac with access to the file system and native apps. Pressing both Command keys on a Mac will activate Personal Computer, and it responds to text or voice commands. Personal Computer can work across any Mac app, and it can see active apps and display quick actions automatically. Perplexity says Personal Computer can run on any Mac with macOS 14 Sonoma or later, but the company recommends a Mac mini. With a Mac mini, Personal Computer can run 24/7 for work that requires a persistent machine or secure local access to files and native apps. Tasks can be initiated and managed from an iPhone on the go. Personal Computer can do things like complete each task on a to-do list, sort a messy downloads folder, compare local files against information on the web, and more. It can create teams of agents across over 20 frontier models to complete tasks. Personal Computer's actions are visible, so users can step in when needed. Files are created in a secure sandbox, the actions that Personal Computer takes are auditable and reversible, and there is a kill switch. Personal Computer for Mac is rolling out to Perplexity Max subscribers starting today, with Perplexity prioritizing waitlist members. Perplexity Max is priced at $200 per month, and the new feature is not available to $20/month Pro plan subscribers.Related Roundup: Mac miniTag: PerplexityBuyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Caution)Related Forum: Mac miniThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums08:00 pmApple increases MacBook Neo orders due to strong demand and sell-out
Apple's newly launched MacBook Neo, positioned as the company's most affordable notebook ever with a starting price of $599, has… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.07:56 pmMacBook Neo sells out for April as demand for Apple’s $599 laptop outpaces supply
Apple has sold through its MacBook Neo inventory for April. The earliest deliveries for new MacBook Neo orders from Apple now quote delivery dates in May. MacBook Neo’s launch has resembled a flagship iPhone launch more than a typical Mac release. After more than a month since its release, customers continue to purchase the $599 laptop faster than Apple can produce them. more…07:40 pmEdifier brings versatile audio to multi-device setups [Updated – M90 speakers now on sale!] | Cult of MacEdifier brings versatile audio to multi-device setups [Updated – M90 speakers now on sale!]
New Edifier M90 Compact Active Speakers aim to serve a variety of devices, bridging desktop and TV audio needs. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)07:36 pmApple Glasses design, iOS 27 features, Creator Studio updates
Benjamin and Chance follow up with increasingly worsening availability of Mac mini and Mac Studio, as well as some interesting iOS 27 tidbits and the first feature updates to the Creator Studio suite. Also, Bloomberg reports on the design of the upcoming Apple smart glasses, and Apple shutters three retail stores. And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance finds some great HomeKit gear that just works. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Bartender: Organize and control your Mac’s menu bar so it stays clean and uncluttered. Visit macbartender.com/happyhour and use code HAPPYHOUR to save 10% on Bartender 6. Sponsored by Quince: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Visit quince.com/happyhour for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Sponsored by Shopify: See less carts go abandoned and more sales. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. more…06:59 pmLatest Apple Glasses reveal shows Apple truly playing to its strengths
Earlier this week, Mark Gurman at Bloomberg outlined fresh details about Apple Glasses, with a special focus on design. Here’s why it sounds like Apple is truly playing to its strengths with the forthcoming product. more…06:59 pmLatest Apple Glasses reveal shows Apple truly playing to its strengths
Earlier this week, Mark Gurman at Bloomberg outlined fresh details about Apple Glasses, with a special focus on design. Here’s why it sounds like Apple is truly playing to its strengths with the forthcoming product. more…06:59 pmLatest Apple Glasses reveal shows Apple truly playing to its strengths
Earlier this week, Mark Gurman at Bloomberg outlined fresh details about Apple Glasses, with a special focus on design. Here’s why it sounds like Apple is truly playing to its strengths with the forthcoming product. more…06:59 pmLatest Apple Glasses reveal shows Apple truly playing to its strengths
Earlier this week, Mark Gurman at Bloomberg outlined fresh details about Apple Glasses, with a special focus on design. Here’s why it sounds like Apple is truly playing to its strengths with the forthcoming product. more…06:35 pmPerplexity AI rolls out ‘Personal Computer for Mac,’ delivering advanced AI orchestration | Mac Daily NewsPerplexity AI rolls out ‘Personal Computer for Mac,’ delivering advanced AI orchestration
In a significant step toward more integrated AI assistance, Perplexity AI announced today the rollout of Personal Computer for Mac… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.06:20 pm9to5Mac Daily: April 16, 2026 – iOS 27 leaks, Siri bootcamp
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by CardPointers: The best way to maximize your credit card rewards. 9to5Mac Daily listeners can exclusively save 30% and get a $100 Savings Card. more…06:05 pmPrice war: Apple's 1TB M5 MacBook Pro dips to $1,580
Apple retailers are embroiled in a MacBook Pro price war this Thursday, resulting in the 1TB M5 14-inch model falling to $1,580.Grab a 1TB MacBook Pro 14-inch for $1,580 at Amazon - Image credit: AppleYou can pick up the 1TB 14-inch MacBook Pro for $1,580 at Amazon in Silver, while the Space Black version is on sale for $1,599 at both B&H and Amazon.Buy M5 MacBook Pro for $1,580 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:53 pmiOS 27: Everything we know about the fall 2026 iPhone update
Macworld There may be a lonh roadmap ahead for iOS 26, but Apple is already hard at work on the next major release: iOS 27. We have already started to hear rumors about what the next operating system will have in store for our iPhones when it is released in September of 2026, which we’ve collected here. Of course, plans change, and you should take everything with a grain of salt until Apple formally unveils it at WWDC in June. Here’s what we think we know so far. iOS 27: Performance over features Our most reliable intel about iOS 27 comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who reports that Apple intends to treat iOS 27 similarly to Mac OS X Snow Leopard (version 10.6). After the major overhaul of Mac OS X Leopard (10.5), Apple spent the next year removing cruft, fixing bugs, streamlining, optimizing, and improving performance. There were new features, of course, but not as many relative to a normal OS X release. The result was one of the most popular and well-loved OS X versions of all time. Apparently, iOS 27 is going to follow the same route: there will be some new features, but much time and effort is being spent on cleaning up the code and improving performance.05:49 pmOdd AVCapturePhoto issues
I don’t want to bore everyone with the specific oddities of iOS (mis)behavior with iPad back camera we’ve been seeing- manual exp/iso flash issues- and also auto exposure- the final meta data sometimes lies – final exp/ISO doesn’t match the image. Sometimes photos have same data but exp/iso is different- sometimes the photos have different […]05:45 pmPersonal Computer from Perplexity can make a Mac an always-on AI operator
After a slow roll-out Perplexity's Personal Computer feature is more widely available to let users make a persistent agent that can access files, apps, and tasks across a user's Mac.An example of Perplexity Personal Computer from its videoThe release expands beyond an earlier limited preview and reaches Perplexity Max subscribers and waitlisted users through the company's Mac app. Personal Computer connects to local folders, native macOS apps, and the browser, giving the AI the ability to read, write, and act on data stored on the machine.Perplexity is moving beyond the typical chatbot model by running in the background and carrying out multi-step tasks. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:30 pmApple and Google’s app stores promote ‘nudify’ apps despite rules banning them, new investigation finds | Mac Daily NewsApple and Google’s app stores promote ‘nudify’ apps despite rules banning them, new investigation finds
Apple and Google’s app stores are promoting “nudify” apps despite rules banning them, a new investigation by the Tech Transparency Project… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.05:25 pmNew Apple Intelligence features for iOS 27 found in hidden code
Macworld Some backend, hidden code discovered by Nicolás Alvarez and confirmed by MacRumors provides insight into some new features coming to Apple Intelligence in the future (almost certainly in iOS 27, or an update to it). The first two features are for Visual Intelligence. Apple is leaning heavily into visual AI as it prepares products like smart glasses, an AI-powered pin, and AirPods with cameras. One feature lets you scan a nutrition label to get more information and possibly integrate with the Health app. There have been rumors that Apple is looking to add food tracking to its Fitness or Health apps, and reading nutrition labels would be a step beyond the barcode scanning common in current food tracking apps. Another feature would let it add printed phone numbers and addresses to your Contacts. You can already add dates to your calendar with Visual Intelligence, so this is a natural evolution of the feature. Safari is getting a minor feature to automatically name tab groups based on the tabs within. If you’re a heavy user of tab groups, I guess that could come in handy. And finally, a very handy feature for the Wallet app to scan physical tickets, passes, and membership cards and produce digital versions of them within the Wallet app. Digital passes and cards are extremely handy, but not all events or businesses offer them or integrate with Apple Wallet; instead, they just send a pass via email. The ability to take a lot of those things, from gym cards to movie tickets, and add them to Wallet would be a great quality of life feature. Naturally, all of this was hinted at in backend code that is not yet ready for release. It’s all to be considered very much in development, and could change or be dropped at any time. All four of these features are good examples of how useful AI is more than just chatbots and AI slop images/video/music.05:00 pmOpenAI Codex Update Adds Computer Use, Image Generation, and Memory on Mac
OpenAI is making several updates to its Codex AI coding agent. Codex is now able to operate desktop Mac apps with its own cursor, seeing what's on the screen, clicking, and typing to complete tasks. Codex can run multiple agents on the Mac in parallel, without interfering with the user's own work. OpenAI says developers will find it useful for testing apps, iterating on frontend changes, and more. Codex can now remember preferences, recurring workflows, tech stacks, and other information about each user's personal workflow. With automation improvements, Codex is able to resume work after a pause using existing conversation threads, and it can schedule future work for itself and work on a task across days or weeks. Codex also proposes work using context from projects, memory, and connected plugins. There is an in-app browser for Codex that allows users to comment directly on pages to provide more precise instructions to the agent. In the future, Codex will get full use of the browser for opening websites, working through user flows, taking screenshots, and inspecting outputs. Codex has been updated to use gpt-image-1.5 for generating images in the app, which OpenAI says is helpful for creating visuals for product concepts and mockups. Codex now includes support for multiple terminal tabs, addressing GitHub review comments, and opening files directly in the sidebar with rich previews for documents like PDFs and spreadsheets. Along with these changes, Codex has over 90 new plugins that can combine skills, app integrations, and MCP servers to improve Codex's context gathering and actions. The updates to Codex are rolling out today to Codex desktop users signed in with ChatGPT. The personalization features are not yet available to Enterprise, Education, EU, and UK users, but will be rolling out soon. Computer use is also not yet available in the EU or the UK.Tag: OpenAIThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums05:00 pmOpenAI’s Codex Mac app adds three key features that go beyond agentic coding
OpenAI is releasing a new version of its Codex desktop app today. The latest Codex update adds three key features that expand its use beyond agentic coding. Today’s release signals the start of a shift for Codex. The app is going from strictly developer-focused to having more general utility as an AI tool on the Mac. more…04:47 pmI started building a new mobile app in public (first vlog on YT!)
So, I decided to start a new challenge: Build a $100K AI mobile app from scratch in public. In the first episode (they will be coming out weekly) I test open-source AI image models on my iPhone, build an early MVP that generates images fully offline, demo it in front of my community IRL, get […]04:45 pmIs it normal for Apple payouts to go to Payoneer?
submitted by /u/Background_Yam8293 [link] [comments]04:44 pmApple TV’s gripping London thriller returns next week: first reviews here
Apple TV’s London-set crime thriller, Criminal Record, returns next week for a new season. Here’s what early reviews are saying about Criminal Record season 2. more…04:24 pmWhat’s the point of the App Store, if it can’t protect users?
Macworld Apple’s app-vetting procedures are in the spotlight this week, as not one but two news stories demonstrate the grave consequences of what appears to be a troublingly lackadaisical approach at the Cupertino-based company. (Updated April 16 to include Apple’s response.) Case study 1: “Ledger Live” On Tuesday, the crypto news site CoinDesk reported on a week-long phishing campaign predicated on the use of a cloned Mac app. Financial hackers created a cloned app called Ledger Live, using the former name of a legitimate wallet app for iOS and macOS, and managed to get it accepted by the Mac App Store. Users of this app were prompted to enter recovery phrases, and those who did so had their wallets completely emptied. CoinDesk says the scam affected more than 50 victims and resulted in the loss of at least $9.5m worth of Bitcoin, Ether, and other cryptocurrencies. One victim, a musician going by the name G. Love, vented his frustrations on X. “I had a really tough day today,” he wrote. “I lost my retirement fund… All my BTC [Bitcoin] gone in an instant.” He later clarified that his losses totalled 5.9 BTC, which at current valuations is worth almost $75,000. To most of us such a loss would be devastating. But the scam’s unluckiest victims were hit a great deal harder. ZachXBT reports that the three biggest individual losses were worth $2m, $2.1m, and $3.2m respectively. The app has now been removed from the App Store, but victims and commentators are questioning how the software made it past Apple’s vetting process in the first place. It’s also unclear how the fake app remained on the store for a fortnight, reportedly taking people’s money for the entire second week of that period, before the company took action. ZachXBT has even floated the idea of a class-action lawsuit, although at this point that remains speculation. Case study 2: Freecash With unhappy timing, news of this scam broke in the same week as the banning of Freecash, as reported by Macworld’s sister site TechCrunch. In adverts, Freecash offered to pay users to scroll on TikTok, but this was a flimsy veil for its real purpose: harvesting sensitive data. By installing and running the app, users were giving up data about anything from their religion to their sexual orientation, which the makers happily sold on to third parties. Many free apps are built on a data-harvesting business model, and such practices are not in themselves illegal or against the App Store’s terms and conditions. But critics complained that Freecash was harvesting data in a way which was manipulative and misleading. In January, Wired reported that the app used deceptive marketing techniques (the app’s makers deny this allegation, stating that “Our apps are fully compliant with the Apple App Store and Google Play Store policies, as demonstrated by the fact that they are live and regularly pass platform reviews”), and TikTok banned some of its ads. But it wasn’t until this week–shortly after being contacted by TechCrunch, perhaps coincidentally–that Apple finally pulled the app. That decision would appear to indicate that Freecash does not, contrary to its makers’ protestations, meet the standards of Apple’s App Store. (The Android app is still showing up for me in Google search, but the URL it directs to no longer works. Presumably, then, it’s been kicked off Google Play too.) But once again, it’s unclear why Apple’s vetting team wasn’t able to spot this shortcoming before welcoming the app on to the company’s official storefront. Or why it took so long to take action against an app whose murkier practices had been highlighted by journalists months previously. Rotten to the Store: The wider story I should emphasize at this point that the main reason I’ve discussed these two cases in the same article is that the stories happened to break in the same week. They each, in their own way, reflect poorly on Apple’s vetting procedures, but that doesn’t mean they’re in the same ballpark of misbehavior. The first case study above is straightforward larceny, while the second is more complicated: an ethically dubious developer choosing to skirt the boundaries of what is and isn’t permitted for personal gain. The principle is the same, but the offenders are not. There are two facts which unite these two apps. First, Apple allowed them on to the App Store when it absolutely should not have done. Second, when problems emerged, it let them stay there longer than it had any business doing. And these raise major concerns about the way the App Store is run, and the rationale behind Apple’s stewardship of the market for apps on its products. After all, the whole point of the App Store is to give owners of Apple devices peace of mind that the software they’re installing is legitimate and won’t cause any problems. Craig Federighi has claimed that sideloading, the installation of apps through non-official means, is a cybercriminal’s best friend. But what are customers supposed to think when even officially sanctioned software is liable to steal their secrets and their money? In what way is the official store better than buying it (likely at a lower price) direct from the developer? What does vetting actually involve, other than a malware scan and the eager exchange of bank details? What is the App Store bringing to the table at this point, other than an outstretched hand? This week has been unusually bad, but stories of this sort don’t come as a surprise any more. The App Store of 2026 is absolutely stuffed with slop, scams, and clones, propped up by an ecosystem of fake reviews pushing undeserving apps to the top of the charts. Phil Schiller was complaining about “insane” scam apps 14 years ago, and to the casual eye it’s difficult to see that things have got any better. Reports in the past few years have identified everything from fleeceware VPNs and exploitative knockoffs of popular games to (theoretically banned) AI nudify apps. Search is broken, foregrounding apps blatantly designed to trick you into clicking on the wrong thing; selling ads here doesn’t help matters. So-called trash apps are essentially a licence to print money. The App Store, in other words, is rotten. And whatever Apple’s app-vetting procedure is, it’s not working. Perhaps that reflects the magnitude of the job. At last count there were approximately two million iOS apps on the store, which across its 18-year history equates very roughly to 9,000 per month. Factor in the acceleration over time, not to mention all the other apps that were vetted once but have since been removed because the developers stopping updating them, and that’s a lot of vetting, even for a company with major resources. (Update: In fact the numbers are vastly higher. See Apple’s response, below.) But is that an excuse? Not really. If running an app store is too much trouble, close it down. If comprehensive vetting is impractical, stop pretending the App Store is completely safe. (And definitely stop scaremongering about sideloading.) If you can’t make the App Store a truly reliable resource for good, safe, legitimate software, then give iPhone users the freedom to install from other places. Or just stop pretending the App Store monopoly is about anything other than revenue. Apple’s response Shortly after we published this story, Apple’s PR team got in touch and requested the opportunity to make a comment… although, in accordance with a controversial policy, the company insisted that Macworld agree not to quote the comment directly, but rather to paraphrase it “on background.” We don’t think much of this policy, but wanted to hear what the company had to say, and agreed to those terms on this occasion. So while the following information was contained in a lengthy email from Apple, the precise words are mine. Regarding Ledger Live, Apple told us the app was removed for malicious bait-and-switch functionality, as per rule 3.1.2(a) in the App Review Guidelines. The developer’s account has been terminated. Regarding the banning of Freecash, the company again referenced rule 3.1.2(a), and also invoked rule 2.3.1: “Developers are prohibited from marketing their apps in a misleading way, such as by promoting content or services that they do not actually offer.” For violations of these rules, as well as the Apple Developer Program License Agreement, Freecash too has been removed from the App Store, and the developer’s account terminated. In neither case did Apple give us any explanation or apology for the apps being approved in the first place. Speaking about app vetting more generally, Apple told us it has a zero-tolerance approach to fraudulent and malicious activity on the App Store, which it says is designed to be a safe and trusted place for users to discover apps. It pointed out that users can report illegal or abusive content using this link, and insisted it takes such reports seriously. Finally, the company pointed to its own research on this topic, which includes some startling statistics: Apple’s app review team, for example, processes an average of nearly 150,000 submissions per week. More than 7.7 million App Store submissions were reviewed in 2024, and 1.9 million of them were rejected. Bait-and-switch violations alone accounted for more than 17,000 removals and rejections. Thanks to Apple for getting in touch.04:15 pmBlackmagic Camera app for iOS updated to version 3.3, headlined by Apple Watch companion | 9 to 5 MacBlackmagic Camera app for iOS updated to version 3.3, headlined by Apple Watch companion
Ahead of NAB 2026, Blackmagic Design has launched its latest update to the Blackmagic Camera app. The video-focused mobile application gives video shooters far more control over the iPhone’s cameras than the stock iOS Camera app, and the new version 3.3 update continues to build on this. A new companion app for Apple Watch headlines the changes, serving as a wrist-bound control element. There’s also support for full-screen portrait mode via HDMI output for vertical video creation, and ATEM camera control with the Blackmagic Camera ProDock. more…04:14 pmAny good ios app maker that won’t break the bank?
Hey everyone, so I've been wanting to build a mobile app for months now, but every iOS app maker I look into co͏sts like $50-200/month, which is honestly insane for someone just starting out. I already pay for ChatGPT Plus and GitHub Copilot for my day job, so paying for another subscr͏iption just feels wasteful, […]04:14 pmPerplexity’s Personal Computer AI assistant feature launches on Mac for subscribers
Last month, Perplexity announced Personal Computer, a Mac-based personal AI assistant. Today, the Mac-specific version of the company’s Perplexity Computer system, inspired by OpenClaw, is launching. more…04:09 pmApple App Store hosts AI nudify apps despite ban, report finds
Macworld A study released by the Tech Transparency Project shows that it is not difficult to find software on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store that can be used on real images to “make them look naked, put them into pornographic videos, or turn them into sexually explicit chatbots.” These apps exist on Apple’s App Store despite rules against them. TTP’s research involved using search terms such as “nudify,” “undress,” “AI NSFW,” and “deepnude,” and found that about 40 percent of the apps found were able to “render women nude or scantily clad.” TTP also found that the App Store made autocomplete suggestions that led to recommendations for new terms for finding such apps. Apple did not comment on TTP’s study, but TTP reported that Apple removed 15 apps after TTP shared their findings. As of this writing, the search terms “nudify” and “undress” resulted in no results, but “deepnude” was successful and included several apps that offered outfit or body transformations. Macworld did not check these apps to see if they could take real images and create AI nude versions. One of the apps recommended by the “deepnude” search was Grok, the AI chatbot created by X. Earlier this week, a report stated that Apple privately threatened to remove Grok from the App Store because of the app’s ability to generate deepfake nude images. It’s not clear if the apps that were TTP reported as removed by Apple were given the same warnings as X. Grok remains in the App Store. Searching for “Deepnude” resulted in dozens of apps that take real images of people and create AI modifications.Foundry In addition to successful searches, TTP found that the App Store responded to search queries with ads for nudify apps. Even though Apple’s App Store ad policies state that “Ad content that promotes adult-oriented themes or graphic content” is prohibited content, TTP found that the App Store failed to enforce the policy. TTP’s report comes after reports earlier this week that two apps in the App Store, Ledger Live and Freecash, were not legitimate services but scams. Ledger Live stole bitcoin accounts, while Freecash harvested user data secretly.04:00 pmLiquidmetal could be Apple’s secret weapon for the foldable iPhone
Apple appears ready to unleash Liquidmetal in one of the most demanding roles imaginable: the hinge of its first foldable iPhone… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.03:56 pmPilot killed during Apple Vision Pro immersive video shoot
It just came to light that a pilot died during an Apple Immersive Video shoot for Vision Pro in 2024 following safety complaints. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:39 pmDeals: 1TB M5 MacBook Air $150 off, AirPods Max 2 up to $86 off, Apple Pencil Pro, Milanese Loop, more | 9 to 5 MacDeals: 1TB M5 MacBook Air $150 off, AirPods Max 2 up to $86 off, Apple Pencil Pro, Milanese Loop, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by Apple’s least pricey Apple Watch Series 11 at $100 off. We also have a chance to land Apple Pencil Pro at one of the best prices to date and AirPods Max 2 at up to $86 off (Best Buy ‘Excellent’ open-box). Those offers join Apple’s Slate 46mm Milanese Loop at the Amazon all-time low and Anker’s 2026 Earth Day charger deals up to 40% off. Head below for a closer look. more…03:29 pmSmartphone buyers are more loyal than ever, but they still switch to iPhone
Smartphone buyers are becoming increasingly loyal to their chosen platform, whether that's Apple's iPhone or Google's Android.Buyers are switching from and to the iPhone less than everThe increased loyalty also means that smartphone buyers are less likely to switch from Android to iPhone and vice versa. That's according to new research that found that of those who do switch, Android users are more likely to buy iPhones than the other way around.However, switching does still happen. And Android phone owners are still more than willing to switch to iPhones despite their increased loyalty. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:28 pmMost secure browser for Mac in 2026
For most Mac users, your browser is where a lot of online life happens — reading emails, logging into accounts, using web apps, shopping, and banking. It’s also where a small mistake can lead to a bigger problem, whether that means downloading something that looked harmless or signing into a phishing page that seemed real […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.03:25 pmToday in Apple history: Cupertino fires back after Microsoft’s ‘Apple tax’ ads
On April 16, 2009, Apple hit back following a Microsoft ad that criticized Cupertino for failing to sell decent laptops for less than $1,000. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:25 pmApple Covers iPhone 17 Pro in Stickers in New Ad
In a video uploaded to its YouTube channel in South Korea today, Apple showed off a handful of iPhone 17 Pro devices decorated with tiny stickers. The stickers are placed on the iPhone 17 Pro's so-called "plateau," the protruding aluminum area housing the rear cameras, an LED flash, a microphone, and the LiDAR Scanner. The video has the hashtags #PhoneDecor and #iPhoneCustomization. "Stick it here," says Apple. The ad is accompanied by a pair of YouTube Shorts.Related Roundup: iPhone 17 ProTags: Apple Ads, South KoreaBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forumsFirehose II – Jobs, Deals, Apps
No feed items found.