Hands-on: HyperDrive Next enclosure for Mac offers 80Gbps speeds for SSDs, more Internal Mac storage upgrades are expensive, often causing users to resort to external media when possible. That also has its own problems of sometimes compromising on speed or reliability. HyperDrive Next aims to bridge that gap, by bringing incredible performance to external drives for your Mac.
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AMD or Nvidia eGPUs can work on Apple Silicon Macs, but not for graphic acceleration Apple has signed a driver for AMD or Nvidia eGPUs connected to Apple Silicon but there are some big caveats, and it won't improve your graphics. Here's what they're for.An earlier time when you could use eGPUs with MacsWhen Apple announced the use of eGPUs with AMD Radeon cards in 2016, we were pretty excited. Full support shipped in early 2017 and for a few short years, Thunderbolt provided an excellent graphics-accelerating one-cable dock to our MacBook Pros.But even then, Apple has stubbornly prevented modern Nvidia GPUs from working with Macs. And, with the change to Apple Silicon, Apple effectively killed off any real use of an externally usable Nvidia GPU with its Mac lineup. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
ClearLAB: We got tired of opening MATLAB for basic image analysis, so we built a “pocket image processing lab” for iOS submitted by /u/tknzn [link] [comments]
Apple debuts 50th anniversary exhibit at Apple Park with iconic products and photography This story is part of 9to5Mac’s series celebrating Apple’s 50th anniversary.
Apple often likes to say that it isn’t a nostalgic company, but they’ve gone all out to celebrate their 50th birthday. The company recently opened an exhibition on campus displaying some of their most iconic products from over the years alongside photographs of memorable moments. There’s even a large screen that plays iconic ads and keynote moments like the 1984 commercial and the opening of the Steve Jobs theater. Thanks to Meriam Al Sultan on X, we all can get a look at the exhibit.
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How to test in-app purchases? On android all purchases time out after 5 minutes On iOS i cant add my account to the sandbox section on AppStoreConnect (it says email already used ffs) then on my iphone i click maange sandbox account and it just says: "Can't Connect" even though I have internet on safari Impossible to test purchases https://preview.redd.it/6014qaczi7tg1.png?width=1071&format=png&auto=webp&s=e71d83042ab1bd365156760007ee829baa39d8de […]
Apple’s latest acquisition is telling sign of where the company is headed Last month, Apple acquired a popular Final Cut Pro plugin maker: MotionVFX. It isn’t clear what this acquisition will turn into, but based on the fact that it quickly followed the launch of Apple Creator Studio, it’s highly plausible that Apple will integrate its templates, effects, and other offerings as a perk of Apple Creator Studio.
While that on its own is interesting, I think the implication behind it is far more worth talking about.
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Introducing LangCat: A free, over-the-air localization platform to bypass App Store reviews for text updates. Hey everyone, After dealing with the frustration of App Store review times for way too long, I’m excited to announce a new tool I built for the iOS community: LangCat (https://langcat.dev/). It's "RevenueCat of Localization". LangCat is a completely free, over-the-air (OTA) localization platform. It allows you to update your app's translations, fix typos, and […]
2 weeks post release and nearly 300 signs ups and $100 revenue for a niche sports app, tough to gauge success Two weeks ago I shipped Ball Knower: Fantasy Baseball to the App Store after leaving the navy and going to law school, built solo with Claude Code in about 300 hours during my last semester. The app consolidates everything, of what i think, an actual baseball fan looks at: Statcast percentile bars and batted ball […]
I made a passive aggressive motivational app I thought I’d try this idea out, instead of the typical motivational post, it gives you some tough love. Most of the quotes are hand written but recently added an AI option using Claude’s api. I’m at about 100 downloads with no paid ads just word of mouth. Any suggestions on getting more views without […]
Metrics different between new Apple Analytics and RevenueCat? Wondering if anyone else is noticing discrepancies between what the new apple analytics view is showing and what revenuecat is reporting? Im seeing differences up to 30% on subscriber numbers, MRR, etc. (I figure if other's aren't seeing this then its something wrong with one of my setups) submitted by /u/goldio_games [link] […]
We Spent 3 Years Building Wizify – Our 1st Review Was 1 ⭐ Hey r/iOSProgramming, We finally released v1.0 of Wizify this week. It's a gamified habit tracker where you can compete with friends. The Technical Journey I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist, but this was a tough one to build. It took 3 years for me to get this MVP out there… if I […]
If you spend money, your apps get blocked TL:DR: No 30 page long onboarding, no review prompt in onboarding, just a simple money app. I was trying to find ways to make my finance app unique, and what I've tried and tested, people liked two things: That if you go over budget, your apps will get blocked that we have Apple Card support […]
I built an app to log my daily life. I made an app to easily track my day. Just added new features like themes and wanted to share! Record your daily moments easily! An app that lets you record your daily life easily. Enter directly or select from a preset list and leave a record with a simple click. features: – Easy record: Enter […]
We Spent 3 Years Building Wizify – Our 1st Review Was 1 ⭐ Hey r/iOSProgramming, We finally released v1.0 of Wizify this week. It's a gamified habit tracker where you can compete with friends. The Technical Journey I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist, but this was a tough one to build. It took 3 years for me to get this MVP out there… if I […]
I initially made this for cops. Now it has 1,000+ active users. I built an iOS app called LOC8. The original idea was very specific. I wanted something where you could press the Action Button on your iPhone or Apple Watch, open the app instantly, and see the exact address you were standing in front of. No digging through maps, no typing, and no trying to get […]
How NASA approved the iPhone 17 Pro Max for the Artemis II space mission Early images of the Artemis II launch showed an iPhone floating inside the spacecraft. Here's how Apple's smartphone got approved for spaceflight.iPhone 17 Pro Max is now in space following NASA's approval processNASA is very strict when it comes to what items are flown into space with astronauts. With the Artemis II trip around the Moon, it's marking the first time the agency is allowing the crew to carry iPhones in space.This is a big deal, as NASA has strict rules about what actually goes into space, and thorough testing to match. On Friday, the New York Times reported on what the iPhone 17 Pro Max had to go through to be allowed in the cabin. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
I Initally made this for cops… now I have over 1000+ active users I built an iOS app called LOC8. The original idea was very specific. I wanted something where you could press the Action Button on your iPhone or Apple Watch, open the app instantly, and see the exact address you were standing in front of. No digging through maps, no typing, and no trying to get […]
These are my favorite MacBook Neo accessories after one month I’ve had the MacBook Neo for a month, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to use. The Neo has been one of the more exciting new Apple products in a while. It gives you insane value, amazing build quality, and great performance, especially for the price. But to get the price down to $599, Apple had to make some compromises. To elevate my experience a bit, I added a few budget-friendly accessories that I think anyone can add to their MacBook Neo setup!
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Elgato Stream Deck+ review: completely unnecessary but totally compelling First, you can't see why you'd ever want a Stream Deck for your Mac, then you try one, and you will never give it back. Out of all the different models, though, the Stream Deck+ is best, and here's why.Get a Stream Deck+ and you'll never use a Mac without one againEvery Stream Deck is a Mac accessory that provides buttons to launch apps, perform entire sequences of tasks, or turn on your smart lights. You connect it through a USB-A or USB-C cable, and the difference in the models is chiefly in how many buttons you get and whether you also have dials.Get any of them. I've just set up a button that switches audio between my Mac and my headphones. I have one that opens all the folders for the books I'm writing. Another launches every app I need for AppleInsider, and positions them on the screen where I want. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Limited-time Apple Card sign up bonus offers users boosted 5% cash back on groceries Now through April 13th, new Apple Card users can receive a boosted 5% cash back on groceries for their first 6 months of card membership. This is considerably higher value than the typical 1-2% cash back you’d receive on groceries.
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Get the New Book 'Apple: The First 50 Years' for 31% Off on Amazon Last month, tech columnist David Pogue launched a new book called "Apple: The First 50 Years." On Amazon, you can get the new book for $34.38 in hardcover, down from $50.00, which is a 31 percent discount on the book.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
The book explores the first five decades of Apple's history, including interviews with 150 key people who shaped Apple into what it is today, like Steve Wozniak, John Sculley, Jony Ive, and more. The book launched to coincide with Apple's 50th anniversary, which just happened on April 1, 2026.
31% OFFApple: The First 50 Years for $34.38
Amazon's sale is on the hardcover version of the book, and provides an estimated April 9 delivery date for free delivery. 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 forums
Don’t dread your next meeting Turn your meetings into clean notes, summaries, and action items automatically with MeetScribe—lifetime access for just $67.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Apple CarPlay Just Got Three Popular iPhone Apps Apple's CarPlay system for accessing iPhone apps on a vehicle's dashboard screen received three popular apps this week: ChatGPT, Google Meet, and Audiomack.
CarPlay Ultra in an Aston Martin
In addition, WhatsApp is beta testing a revamped CarPlay app that will improve upon the basic Siri-based functionality that was previously available.
Make sure you have the latest version of each app and they will automatically appear on CarPlay.
ChatGPT
Starting with iOS 26.4, CarPlay supports voice-based conversational apps. This means that chatbots can extend their iPhone apps to CarPlay for voice-based conversations, and OpenAI's ChatGPT is one of the first options available.
With the ChatGPT app on CarPlay, you can have voice conversations with ChatGPT while the app is open, and view the titles of your past conversations. For safety reasons, the app does not show the text or images within conversations.
Google Meet
Google Meet is now available on CarPlay as well, allowing you to join meetings with a single tap, view your upcoming schedule, and participate in audio calls. For safety reasons, you cannot view video calls on the CarPlay interface.
Audiomack
Audiomack expanded to CarPlay this week. The 11th-most downloaded app in the App Store's Music category in the U.S. lets you stream and download songs, with a focus on independent artists and especially the Afrobeats and hip-hop genres.
Audiomack's CarPlay app has Discover, Charts, Playlists, and My Library tabs, allowing you to listen to your existing songs and discover new ones.
Coming Soon: Revamped WhatsApp
A revamped WhatsApp app for CarPlay is currently in beta testing.
WhatsApp is already available on CarPlay, but the app has limited Siri-based functionality. The revamped app displays lists of recent chats and phone calls, and there is also a tab that displays a list of your favorite contacts.Related Roundup: CarPlayRelated Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto TechnologyThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Today in Apple history: Apple frenemy Microsoft is born 51 years ago On April 4, 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft, a software company destined to become a tech behemoth (and key Apple frenemy).
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Here’s how NASA cleared the iPhone 17 Pro Max for astronauts on Artemis II Earlier this year, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman confirmed that astronauts on the Artemis II mission would be allowed to ”fly with the latest smartphones.” Now, The New York Times has reported what it took to make that happen.
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UK hospital uses Apple Vision Pro to help patients visualize surgeries The Apple Vision Pro is being used to help patients in a UK hospital visualize upcoming surgeries, expanding the headset's use in medicine.A patient view from the Apple Vision Pro in a pre-surgery consultation - Image credit: Chelsea and Westminster HospitalOne of the problems with medical procedures is explaining what needs to be done to the patients, in a clear and understandable manner. To help some patients suspected of having endometriosis, the Apple Vision Pro is coming into play.An app developed by Medical iSight is being used in the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK, in preparation for surgery, reports BBC News. Patients wear an Apple Vision Pro, and are shown an AR model in pre-surgical consultations. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
AirPods Max 2 are gorgeous, dreamy headphones — for now [Review] ★★★★☆ You don’t need to be a big audiophile to love AirPods Max 2. But you must be a little bold to buy them yourself. An AirPods Max 2 review.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Apple @ Work: PocketMDM puts Apple device management in your pocket Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage, and protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple.
My use of my iPhone has somewhat evolved over the years. I used to want to replicate everything that my Mac could do on my iPhone, but over time, I’ve looked to my Mac as the workhorse and my iPhone as a “cloud remote” to quickly do things on the go that take minimal effort and thought processing. Apple device management is one of those things. I don’t want to manage my entire database on my iPhone. I do, however, want to do a few things. That is where tools like PocketMDM come into play.
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Top Stories: Foldable iPhone, iOS 26.5 Beta, Apple's 50th, and More An incredibly busy March in the Apple world has come to end, punctuated by the company celebrating its 50th anniversary on April 1.
That doesn't mean the news and rumors have stopped, however, as this week saw new discussion of the foldable iPhone, the iPhone 18 Pro, a potential future iMac upgrade, and much more to come throughout the remainder of the year, so read on below for all the details!
Top Stories
Apple Preparing 'Most Significant Overhaul in the iPhone's History'
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has high expectations for Apple's first foldable iPhone. In his Power On newsletter this week, he said the foldable iPhone will be "the most significant overhaul in the iPhone's history."
"iPhone 4, iPhone 6 and iPhone X were clearly a big deal, but this is a whole new design," he said. Like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, the foldable iPhone will reportedly open up like a book, providing users with a large inner screen for watching videos, playing games, and multitasking. iOS 27 is expected to be optimized for the foldable iPhone, allowing for apps to be open side-by-side and for other iPad-like multitasking functionality.
We're expecting the foldable iPhone to be unveiled in September alongside iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, though it may not ship until a few months later.
Everything New in iOS 26.5 Beta 1
Following last week's public release of iOS 26.4 and related updates, this week saw the first developer betas of iOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, and more.
While we still haven't seen the revamped Siri powered by Apple Intelligence that had previously been rumored for iOS 26.4 and is now seemingly pushed back until iOS 27, the new update does have some changes and we've recapped all of the ones we've spotted in the first beta.
Apple to Launch These 15+ New Products Later This Year
March was an incredibly busy month for Apple, with the company unveiling more than 10 new products and accessories. We said hello to the MacBook Neo at the start of the month, and we bid farewell to the Mac Pro at the end of it.
Nevertheless, there is still a lot more to come this year.
Beyond the usual annual updates to iPhones and Apple Watches, Apple's all-new smart home hub is finally expected to launch later this year, once the more personalized version of Siri arrives. We are also expecting a foldable iPhone, a MacBook Pro with an OLED display, and long-awaited updates to the Apple TV and HomePods this year.
Check out our full list of everything we're expecting to see through the rest of this year, according to rumors.
Apple Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Employee Gifts, Finale Concert With Paul McCartney at Apple Park
Apple celebrated its 50th anniversary this week, and the company's month-long celebration that saw a variety of events around the world culminated with a major party at Apple Park.
As hinted at by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman over the previous weekend, the Apple Park celebration was highlighted by a concert by Paul McCartney. Apple employees also received commemorative t-shirts, enamel pins, and limited-edition posters to mark the milestone anniversary.
iPhone 18 Pro's Smaller Dynamic Island Revealed
New images of an alleged iPhone 18 Pro prototype and screen protectors have emerged from multiple sources, adding weight to earlier reports that Apple plans to significantly shrink the Dynamic Island later this year.
An X user called @earlyappleleaks recently shared an image purportedly showing a prototype iPhone 18 Pro with a noticeably smaller Dynamic Island. In the picture, the flashlight of another iPhone is held over the corner of the display, revealing a small circular punch-hole cutout under the display, which is presumably a relocated Face ID sensor.
Apple Reportedly Planning to Launch iMac With OLED Display
Apple is preparing to launch an iMac featuring an OLED panel with higher brightness, according to ZDNet Korea.
Apple has apparently requested that Samsung Display, LG Display, and other suppliers produce 24-inch OLED panel samples suitable for a future iMac model using their mass-production facilities. This would be the biggest ever OLED display offered on an Apple device.
Specifically, Apple asked suppliers for 24-inch OLED panels with 600 nits of brightness and around 218 pixels-per-inch (PPI). By comparison, the current iMac features a 24-inch LCD display with 500 nits of brightness and 218 PPI.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!Tag: Top StoriesThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Did anyone get an email to apply for WWDC this year? I didn’t get an email notifying me about WWDC this year. I was waiting for one to apply for an invite for the in-person conference, but just checked and saw that closed last week. Is this Apple’s new practice, to make developers take the initiative? Did anyone else find it too late? That pisses me […]
I open-sourced a read-only CLI that audits App Store Connect for rejection risks before you submit. Open source on GitHub: https://github.com/spectreet/ascdoc MIT licensed. npm: npmjs.com/package/@spectreet/ascdoc What it checks: – screenshots – localizations – privacy / support / marketing URLs – subscriptions – storefront coverage – App Review info It gives you: – a risk score – structured findings – an HTML report – CI-friendly output It’s read-only by design. It does […]
KTC 27-inch 5K2K Dual Mode Monitor review: 5K at 60Hz on a budget Macworld
At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Great-value 5K display
Fine color accuracy and tone
2K at 120Hz mode for gamers
Cons
Not for high-end color professionals
Basic stand
Our Verdict
Offering a high-quality, sharp screen without any bells and whistles, the well-made KTC 5K2K isn’t the very cheapest 5K monitor on the market but it does offer more-than-decent P3 color accuracy and tone on a budget. Its dual-resolution option that turns it from 5K/60Hz to 2K/120Hz will appeal to gamers who want one well-balanced screen for mid-range color work and another for gaming.
Price When Reviewed
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Best Pricing Today
Price When Reviewed$669.99
Best Prices Today: KTC 27-inch 5K2K Monitor
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Price
$549.99
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KTC
$669.99
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Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide
Product
Price
Price comparison from Backmarket
Not many people can afford Apple’s 5K Studio Display at $1,599 plus another $400 for a decent stand. That leaves the market open for others to tempt Mac users with more affordable 5K displays.
You can downgrade to a 27-inch 4K display, where our recommended monitor is the BenQ MA270S for a significantly more affordable $529—at the time of writing just $499 at Amazon—not a great deal more than the Apple’s height-adjustable stand. Step up to BenQ’s MA270S for the full 27-inch 5K experience for $999.
KTC’s curiously named 5K2K Monitor (or KTC H27P3 to its friends) offers a 27-inch 5K display for $669—and at the time of writing just $499, the same price as the BenQ 4K monitor.
We had to try it out to see if that sort of money gets you a 5K you will be proud of.
Design and stand
The KTC 5K2K Monitor is not an Apple aesthetic lookalike in the vein of the Apple Studio Display but it’s a handsome display that’s nowhere near as plasticky as some cheaper monitors. The bezel around top and side clean edges is thin, going a little thicker at the base. KTC has even spent some time on the design of the rear of this monitor, which features an reflective black gloss. Where it matters at the front is a matte finish that reduces glare and reflections.
The T-shaped stand is admittedly basic—even more so than the Studio Display’s default tilt and swivel stand. Like that one, it’s not height adjustable but it does offer 178° wide viewing angles with a -5° to 15° tilt (Apple Studio: 5° to 25°). There’s an option to attach a standard VESA mount at the back if you desire a more adjustable stand, but the KTC 5K2K is certainly more than its basic stand.
Once attached to its stand, System Settings setup is simple when connected to your Mac.Simon Jary
Display
A 5K (5120 x 2880) resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate is excellent going at this price, and the monitor’s name is explained by its Dual-Mode setting that enables you to set it to a 120Hz refresh rate at a lower 2560 x 1440 (QHD) resolution. 120Hz will be much more friendly to gamers than 60Hz, but that lower refresh rate is fine for the vast majority of office users—indeed, it’s the same as the Studio Display’s maximum refresh rate.
Pixel density is fine at 217ppi (Apple Studio almost identical at 218ppi) on this matte LCD IPS display. Brightness is great, too, at 500 nits (Apple Studio brighter at 600 nits).
The KTC 5K2K Monitor can show a wide colour gamut, with a quoted sRGB 100% and 99% DCI‑P3. Color accuracy and uniformity plus tone response offer a great budget choice for office workers and even mid-level creatives. Professional photo creatives looking for very top-end AdobeRGB color accuracy and HDR video creatives will need to step up a level—maybe to consider the BenQ PD2730S 5K Designer Monitor that has a retail price of $1,399 but is often closer to $1,100 online.
Simon Jary
Features (or benefit of lacking extras)
The high-quality screen is what matters most but a monitor usually comes with extras that often disappoint. KTC has been sensible in keeping the price low and dropping the extra features. As such there is no webcam—look instead at our top-rated Mac webcams or just use your iPhone with a mount.
There are no speakers either, but there are very few monitors with a set of speakers you’d actually want to listen to much more than a system beep on.
Apple’s Studio Display features a “high-fidelity six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers and wide stereo sound, with support for Spatial Audio when playing music or video with Dolby Atmos”—yet it’s not a mind-blowing audio experience. Save your money for a separate decent sound system instead.
Simon Jary
Ports on offer
There’s a hub at the back with a choice of HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C for connecting the monitor to your Mac. The Type-C port is probably all you need. The KTC 5K2K ships with a DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort cable as well as a USB-C-to-USB-C cable. As your Mac will require an adapter for DisplayPort we were happy connecting via USB-C.
This also then supplies up to 65W of passthrough power to your MacBook—not quite enough to fast-charge a MacBook Air but enough to keep any MacBook powered during use.
There are two legacy USB-A ports and an audio out jack. To gain data function using the USB ports, you must adjust the KVM seeing on the on-screen display (OSD). However, turning on to USB-C USB 3.0 takes away the 5K resolution option.
To switch to 2K for the 120Hz refresh rate you must go onto the OSD to switch in Dual Mode.Simon Jary
Controls
Using a little joystick at the rear of the monitor you get access to an array of menu options, including: Display (Brightness, Contrast, Sharpness, Aspect Rato, etc), Color (there’s a Low Blue Light option), Gaming options such as FreeSync and G-Sync, Advanced (DDC/CI, HDR, KVM for setting up the USB ports, and Dual Mode for switching between 5K work and 2K for 120Hz gaming) and Input (Automatic works fine).
Price
The KTC 5K2K is very well priced at a retail price of $669.99, and expect to see lower prices on Amazon and Amazon UK. Check out our price-comparison widget for the today’s prices.
Of course, it’s silly to compare this display to the $1,599 Apple Studio Display but the KTC’s screen measures up pretty well on the specs front. Its stand is basic but then so is Apple’s default. A better comparison is the $999 BenQ MA270S, which has a better stand than both of them and is an excellent all-round choice (read our BenQ MA270S review), but it’s hard to walk away from the KTC’s super low price-tag.
Should you buy the KTC 5K2K Monitor?
Offering a high-quality, sharp screen without any bells and whistles, the well-made KTC 5K2K isn’t the very cheapest 5K monitor on the market but it does offer more-than-decent P3 color accuracy and tone on a budget. Its dual-resolution option that turns it from 5K/60Hz to 2K/120Hz will appeal to gamers who want a well-balanced screen for mid-range color work and another for gaming.
Run Windows on your Mac or revive an old PC for $13 Macworld
TL;DR: Upgrade your PC or run Windows on your Mac with Windows 11 Pro for $12.97 (MSRP $199) through 4/4.
You don’t always need a brand-new computer when your current one starts slowing down. Most of the time, the hardware is still fine. What actually makes a computer feel outdated is the software. Upgrading your operating system can make an older machine feel faster, more secure, and more capable without spending hundreds or thousands on new hardware.
Windows 11 Pro adds a modern interface, improved multitasking tools, and built-in security features such as biometric login, Smart App Control, and advanced antivirus protection. It’s designed to be smoother, more efficient, and more secure than older Windows versions, which can help extend the life of an older laptop or desktop.
Run Windows on Your Mac
It’s also a useful option for Mac users. If you run Windows on your Mac using tools like Boot Camp, Parallels, or other virtual machine software, Windows 11 Pro lets you access Windows-only programs, business software, engineering tools, or certain PC games that aren’t available on macOS. Instead of buying a second computer, you can essentially run both operating systems on one machine.
Gamers also benefit from Windows 11 Pro thanks to DirectX 12 Ultimate, which supports improved graphics, lighting, and performance for compatible games.
Whether you’re trying to speed up an older PC, run Windows software on a Mac, or just want a more modern operating system, upgrading your OS is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve your computer.
Get Windows 11 Pro for $12.97 (MSRP $199) through 4/4 at 11:59 PM PST.
Microsoft Windows 11 ProSee Deal
StackSocial prices subject to change.
This Montessori kids app turns screen time into learning time — now 76% off Macworld
TL;DR: This award-winning Montessori learning app for kids ages 2–8 is $59.99 (MSRP $250).
Finding apps for kids that aren’t full of ads, loud sounds, or constant stimulation can be difficult. Many apps are designed to keep kids tapping and watching, not necessarily learning. Pok Pok takes a different approach. It’s a calmer, more thoughtful app built to let kids explore, experiment, and learn through play instead of competition or fast-paced games.
Pok Pok is designed for kids ages 2 to 8 and is inspired by Montessori learning principles. Instead of levels, scores, or winning, the app focuses on open-ended activities that encourage creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving. Kids can explore concepts related to numbers, language, shapes, music, and basic STEM learning in a way that feels like play rather than schoolwork. The app is ad-free, works offline, and doesn’t include in-app purchases, so kids can use it without interruptions.
Each digital toy inside the app is made to grow with your child over time. Kids can explore space, dinosaurs, music, shapes, and more through simple yet engaging interactive activities. The artwork is hand-drawn, the sound design is calm and gentle, and the overall experience is built to avoid overstimulation. There’s no pressure to finish tasks or beat levels, just freedom to explore and learn at their own pace.
One account can be used across multiple devices, and new content is added regularly. Kids can use the app on their own, or parents can join in and play together, making it a good option for both independent play and shared screen time.
Get a Pok Pok lifetime subscription for $59.99 (MSRP $250).
Pok Pok: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Glimpsy: Apple Watch battery complications that cuddle with date display, and hide when not needed If you prefer the minimalist style of a clean Apple Watch face, or want to see as much data as possible: Glimpsy is for you! Glimpsys set of battery indicator complications that just hide themselves when your charge is good enough will de-clutter your watch face for the most part of the day when you […]
Built Buylog – an expense tracker that reads your receipts Snap a photo of a receipt, Buylog fills in everything automatically — merchant, date, every line item. No manual entry. Monthly budget tracker and spending charts included. Built with React Native (Expo) + Go backend. TestFlight(Beta): https://testflight.apple.com/join/skpp4bFZ Also at: https://www.getbuylog.com. Send Feedback button in the Profile tab goes straight to me — would love to […]
Solo dev lesson: a bad Reddit post title cost me my first 1-star review A few days ago I made a Reddit post about my app and titled it starting like this because I saw others apps who used this format: "[$3.99 Lifetime -> Free]". I genuinely thought that wording could be read as “one-time unlock, free to try”, and in the body text the pricing was explained, it […]
Built Buylog – an expense tracker that reads your receipts — TestFlight beta open Snap a photo of a receipt, Buylog fills in everything automatically — merchant, date, every line item. No manual entry. Monthly budget tracker and spending charts included. Built with React Native (Expo) + Go backend. TestFlight: https://testflight.apple.com/join/skpp4bFZ Also at https://www.getbuylog.com. Send Feedback button in the Profile tab goes straight to me — would love to […]
How I got around AlarmKit volume control situation We all know the Clocks has only one volume, the system ringtone slider. AlarmKit is no different. To use your own ringtone as alarms, the tone must be eithered budled in app OR included in Library/Sounds. Bundled make the app huge. My first release was 200MB for an alarm clock so had to cut down […]
This app keeps you active with form feedback/analysis and automatic rep counting. All “On-Device”, your data never leaves your phone. Learnings: Tired of manual logging of reps/durations. Most fitness apps in this space either need a subscription to do anything useful, require sign-in just to get started, or send your workout data to a server. This one does none of that. Platform – iOS 18+ Tech Stack – SwiftUI, Mediapipe Vision Framework, Apple Vision Framework […]
Mac mini and Mac Studio face long shipping delays Mac mini and Mac Studio orders are facing unusually long shipping delays, stretching up to 4-5 months. This could hint at an upcoming M5 refresh or supply constraints.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Apple Studio Display XDR Standard/VESA is $100 Off The Studio Display XDR features a 120Hz refresh rate for a smooth experience. It features Adaptive Sync for different frame rates with precision control, making sure that motion is as responsive as possible when being used. The display features a Mini-LED backlighting with 2304 dimming zones, minimizing blooming and halo. It features 1000 nits SDR […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
Apple Adds More Products To Obsolete and Vintage List The MacBook Air 2017 13-inch model is now considered vintage and has been added to the list of vintage products. The device is still qualified for repairs at Apple Authorized Service Providers and Apple Stores, subject to parts availability. Other products, such as the Apple TV HD and iPad Mini 4, have been added to […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
AirPods Max 2 Receive Firmware Update Ahead of the release of the AirPods Max 2, the headphones have received a firmware update by Apple with the number 8E251. The AirPods Max 2 are powered by the H2 chip and have new features such as Loud Sound Reduction, Adaptive Audio, Live Translation, Voice Isolation, and more. To get the firmware for the […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
Apple Employees Getting Special Gifts For 50th Anniversary Apple will be giving its employees a special gift for the 50th anniversary of the company on April 1. The employees will get an enamel pin and commemorative t-shirt alongside a limited-edition poster that has the Apple logo in a rainbow scribble-style. There is an Apple Park sign that says the products are made by […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
Apple Studio Display Standard/Tilt is $100 The display supports 600 nits of brightness and support for a billion colors, it features P3 wide color for stunning and amazing details and has 14.7 million pixels giving you an immersive viewing experience. It is measured at 27-inches and has 5K resolution The display has a six-speaker sound system with spatial audio four of […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
Curved Design for iPhone 20 Planned The 20th anniversary iPhone is reportedly going to feature a new curved design with thinner bezels. Posts were uploaded to X by a user with the username of @phonefuturist claiming that the device they refer to as an anniversary iPhone will have a bezel measured at 1.1mm around the display of the device paired with […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
New Psychological Thriller Trailer Uploaded by Apple A trailer was released by Apple for the highly awaited series. The Cape Fear thriller show stars Patrick Wilson, Javier Bardem and Amy Adams, with the first 2 episodes streaming on Apple TV June 5. New episodes will be coming every Friday until the 31st of the month. The company gives us a synopsis of […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
Iran Lists Potential Targets Including Apple The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps posted on Telegram today, warning that Apple is one of many large companies in America that may be a target in the middle of the conflict between Israel and America. The post has listed 18 companies as real targets; the targets listed are Tesla, JP Morgan, Apple, Google, Microsoft, […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
glass effect overlaying view. flicker bug returning to active. fought for 8 hours myself and ran through every agent prompting 100x. i simply have a view. with glass effect modifier. overlaying a list background. every time return to active from background app, a flickering gray corner in bottom left, or all corners of this glass effect view. im simply trying to match my top […]
How to deal with “I’ll do it if I feel like it” background tasks on iOS I'm new to iOS development and in the process of porting an Android app to iOS using KMP and SwiftUI The app I am porting is for landscape photographers, one of its features is that it periodically checks weather data to determine if sunrise or sunset is going to be good or not, giving the […]
Queue resource error Apr 3, 23:57 UTCUpdate - We are continuing to work on a fix for this issue.Apr 3, 23:53 UTCIdentified - Cloudflare is investigating an increased level of errors for customers running updates to Queues via Terraform.
This interactive timeline shows every iPhone size, color, spec, and model ever released A new interactive data project from sheets.works lets you scroll through every iPhone model ever released, complete with tech specs, colors, and even a timeline of hardware features Apple removed from the device over the years. Check it out below.
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Customers using our Email Security product might see some links flagged as suspicious Apr 3, 22:47 UTCResolved - Emails were sent today with a signature that had a a minor typo inadvertently caused it to flag legitimate emails. We have immediately corrected the issue, and going forward, these emails will no longer be incorrectly flagged.
New Apple TV Waiting for Siri: Here's What's Coming When It Launches We're long overdue for an Apple TV update, and there have been rumors about an imminent refresh since late last year. It's now sounding like we're not going to get a new version for several months because of Siri delays. If you're holding out for a new model, here's a recap on what to expect when it eventually comes out so you can decide whether to continue to wait, or buy now.
Design
Apple TV design updates are few and far between, and that's not changing in 2026. The next Apple TV is going to have the same squircle shape as the current model, and it'll continue to be made from a black plastic material.
We're expecting the 2026 Apple TV to be indistinguishable from the existing Apple TV on the exterior.
New Chip
A new A-series chip will be the main Apple TV update, and rumors suggest that it will get the A17 Pro chip that Apple first used in the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Compared to the A15 Bionic in the current Apple TV, the A17 Pro is a big update, and it's a good reason to hold off on buying the current model. The A17 Pro is built on a 3-nanometer process for faster speed and better efficiency, and it has hardware-accelerated ray tracing for higher-quality graphics in games.
Given that Apple has held the Apple TV update for so long, it's entirely possible it'll get an even newer chip like the A18 or A19. A RAM update is possible too, especially if the Apple TV has any kind of Apple Intelligence support.
Apple Intelligence and Siri
The next Apple TV is supposedly ready to launch at any time, but new Siri features are the holdup. Apple wants to debut the Apple TV with the smarter version of Siri that's in the works, and it's not ready to go.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the Apple TV is linked to "new artificial intelligence features" that Apple has postponed until September 2026. Apple intended to launch the Apple Intelligence Siri features in spring 2026, but the company was still experiencing issues with Siri. At this point, we're not going to see new Siri capabilities until iOS 27, which also means a delay for all the devices that Apple is holding.
Along with the Apple TV, the rumored home hub and a next-generation version of the HomePod are waiting on Siri.
Updated Siri features will likely require more RAM and a faster chip, so if you want the smarter Siri on the Apple TV, that's another reason to wait before making a purchase.
Wi-Fi
The Apple TV could get Apple's N1 networking chip with Wi-Fi 7 support. Wi-Fi 7 works with the 6GHz band offered by newer routers.
6GHz connectivity is faster and less congested, which you generally want for a device designed for streaming content.
Bluetooth
The Apple TV 4K could get Bluetooth 6 for connecting devices like controllers and earbuds.
Pricing
There might be a cheaper version of the Apple TV available because there have been rumors of a price drop.
Apple could release two models, one that's higher-end and one that has lower specs and a lower price tag, or it could keep the existing Apple TV around as a low-cost option.
Launch Date
If the new version of Siri has been pushed to iOS 27 and the Apple TV is tied to that update, we're not going to see the Apple TV refreshed until September 2026 or later.Related Roundup: Apple TVTag: SiriBuyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)Related Forum: Apple TV and Home TheaterThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
9to5Mac Daily: April 3, 2026 – Apple laptop shipments, more Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.
Sponsored by Backblaze: Backup you can rely on. Save 20% with code 9to5daily.
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Get Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac or PC for $100 This discounted lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2024 is a great alternative to pricey monthly fees.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Developer behind controversial AI apps sues Apple over App Store takedowns Ex-Human, the developer behind Botify and Photify AI, is suing Apple over what it calls “arbitrary” App Store removals. Here are the details.
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HomeKit Weekly: The Onvis Smart Button is the perfect way to share Apple Home access with guests Whenever my family goes out of town, we have a dog sitter come by to check on our dogs. One challenge I always have is showing guests how to use our smart home. For our Level Lock Pro, I find it easier to just give them a fob or a physical key, since sharing a Home Key outside an iCloud family account is still a hassle. While sharing access to lights is possible, I find it much easier to use a product like the Onvis Smart Button instead.
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Mac Studio delivery ‘4-5 months’ out for top RAM after Apple dropped 512GB option Apple doesn’t typically sell you a product four to five months before delivery. There’s nothing typical about the global memory shortage, though. AI servers need a lot of RAM, and that’s seriously affecting Apple’s top Mac RAM inventory.
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Built a USCIS case tracker app in SwiftUI, now being considered for an App Store feature I wanted to share a project I’ve been working on as a solo developer. I built an iOS app to track USCIS immigration cases, mainly because I went through the process myself and found it really confusing and stressful. I kept checking my case status but often didn’t understand what the updates actually meant. From […]
AUS (Austin) on 2026-04-03 Apr 3, 20:45 UTCIn progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.Apr 3, 20:28 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in AUS (Austin) datacenter between 2026-04-03 20:45 and 2026-04-04 00:00 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.
iFixit tears down the new AirPods Max 2, isn’t surprised You know the drill: new Apple product, new iFixit teardown. Here’s what they found when they dug into the new AirPods Max 2.
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Apple TV has three series returning this summer, including a long-awaited hit Apple TV just brought back one of last year’s biggest hit shows, and this summer at least three more series are scheduled to return—including a long-awaited title. Here’s what’s coming.
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Apple Releases First iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5 and macOS Tahoe 26.5 Public Betas Apple today provided public beta testers with the first releases of upcoming iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, watchOS 26.5, and tvOS 26.5 updates for testing purposes. The public betas come four days after Apple provided the betas to developers, though Apple seeded updated iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 betas to developers earlier today.
After signing up for beta testing on Apple's beta site, public beta testers can download the updates using the Software Update section of the Settings app on each device.
iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, and macOS Tahoe 26.5 include a new Suggested Places feature for recommending nearby locations to visit, and Apple is also gearing up to start showing ads in Maps.
Apple is testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iPhone and Android users again, and there are proximity pairing, notification forwarding, and Live Activities for third-party wearables in the EU.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS TahoeRelated Forums: iOS 26, macOS TahoeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple releases public betas for iPadOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5, and more Apple has just released public beta 1 for iPadOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5, and more. Here’s what to expect.
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macOS 26.5 public beta 1 now available, here’s how to install it Following the release of the first developer beta of macOS 26.5 earlier this week, it’s time for users in the Public Beta program to take the upcoming macOS version for a spin. Here’s what to expect.
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Apple releases first iOS 26.5 public beta Apple has released the first iOS 26.5 public beta. The update follows the first developer beta release on Monday and a new revision earlier today.
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AirPods Max 2 teardown reveals nothing has changed beyond the H2 chip Though the AirPods Max 2 offer new features, a teardown of the headphones shows they're still plagued by the same flaws of the original 2020 model.Apple's AirPods Max 2 gained the H2 chip, but not much else.Apple's AirPods Max 2 debuted on March 16, with their core feature being the H2 chip. With it, Apple's high-end headphones gained capabilities like Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and gesture controls, among others. Active Noise Cancellation was improved as well.However, as explained in our review, the AirPods Max 2 are an iterative upgrade, that ultimately leaves something to be desired. New features and ANC enhancements aside, Apple effectively delivered more of the same with its AirPods Max 2. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
“Vibe Coding” doesn’t automatically mean its a bad iOS app I keep seeing this attitude in iOS spaces where the second someone mentions using AI to help build an app, people immediately jump to terms like “AI slop,” “vibe coding,” or act like using AI somehow makes you less of a real developer. I think that misses a lot of what is actually happening. And […]
AI Is Becoming Part of iOS Development Whether We Like It or Not… I got into building apps without a traditional coding background, and honestly, AI is one of the main reasons I was able to make real progress in iOS development. A lot of my work has been around iOS apps and React Native, and I can say pretty confidently that without AI, the path would have […]
Happy Birthday, iPad: Apple's Tablet Turns 16 Today marks the 16th anniversary of when Apple released the first-generation iPad. After Steve Jobs announced the iPad on January 27, 2010, it launched a few months later on April 3, 2010.
Apple's original iPad looked like a larger version of the iPhone, featuring thick bezels, a 9.7-inch multitouch display with a 1,024 x 768 resolution, a Home Button, and a 30-pin dock connector. The iPad was the first device that Apple released with a custom-designed chip, the Apple A4.
The concept of a tablet device like the iPad actually predated the iPhone, and Apple had a prototype project in the works in 2004. Then-Apple CEO Steve Jobs wanted to prioritize the iPhone, so the iPad was put on hold until after the iPhone was established.
Apple priced the iPad at $499, and Jobs called it a "magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price." Like the iPhone, the iPad dominated the tablet space, and it still continues to do so today. Apple sold a million iPads in the first month, and while competitors like Microsoft and Samsung quickly came out with competing tablets of their own, the iPad has no match.
Apple has led the global tablet market for over a decade and no competitor comes close to matching its tablet market share. As of the fourth quarter of 2025, Apple's market share was 44.9 percent, with Samsung the next closest at 14.7 percent.
Apple has expanded its iPad lineup over the years, and we now have multiple sizes at multiple price points. The 11-inch iPad is available for those who want a low-cost option, while the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air are mid-range products with a Mac chip. The 8.3-inch iPad mini is available for those who want a smaller-sized tablet, and for those who want top-of-the-line performance with Apple's latest Mac chip, the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models are available.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Microsoft's LinkedIn is scanning installed browser extensions without user permission Researchers have determined that Microsoft's LinkedIn is scanning browser plug-ins and other information without permission, building user profiles using data that the company did not get permission to take.SafariA European advocacy group claims LinkedIn is probing browser extensions through its website code. Fairlinked e.V. published its "BrowserGate" report alleging LinkedIn detects installed browser extensions by probing for known identifiers through JavaScript. The group says the technique reveals personally identifiable information.Safari users are less likely to be affected by this specific mechanism, based on how extension detection typically works across browsers. Apple's browser model limits fingerprinting surfaces, which reduces how much information sites can infer from installed extensions. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
New AirPods Pro are coming this year: Here are three rumored upgrades AirPods Pro 3 just arrived last fall, but reporting indicates Apple has another new AirPods Pro model coming this year. Here are three rumored new features.
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iFixit AirPods Max 2 Teardown: Same Design, Same Repairability Issues Repair site iFixit today shared a teardown of Apple's new AirPods Max 2 headphones, and as expected, there are few changes. iFixit says the AirPods Max 2 are "basically the same" as the original AirPods Max headphones that came out in 2020.
A comparison of the internal components of the AirPods Max 2 and the USB-C AirPods Max indicate the headphones are identical, and opening them up requires the same steps. The only difference is the updated H2 chips inside each earcup.
Apple hasn't addressed the common failure points in the AirPods Max, such as condensation that builds up in the earcups in humid environments, and Apple doesn't have parts or repair manuals available.
iFixit suggests that if Apple made instructions and components available through its self-service repair program and made the battery and USB-C port more accessible, the AirPods Max would be repairable and could have a much longer lifespan.
With no updates to the AirPods Max 2 design, the headphones are no more repairable than the prior-generation models. iFixit gave the prior version a repairability score of 6/10.Related Roundup: AirPods Max 2Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Discounted iPad Pro hits Apple refurb store with last-gen specs Apple has added newer iPad Pro models to its refurbished store for a discounted price. However, there are key spec differences between the newest refurb iPad Pro models and new hardware.
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iOS 26.5 developer beta 1 gets revised release, for reasons unknown A new version of the first iOS 26.5 beta has now made its way to developers, but what's been changed is not clear.The first developer beta of iOS 26.5 has received a revised release.Following the full public release of iOS 26.4 on March 24, Apple started beta testing of the next major operating system, iOS 26.5. Monday saw the debut of iOS 26.5 beta 1, which inadvertently enabled Apple Intelligence for some iOS users in China.Apple has now deployed an updated variant of the first iOS 26.5 developer beta, which increases the build number to 23F5043k, up from the initial 23F5043g. The relatively similar build numbers suggest that the revised developer beta doesn't include new features or additional changes. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Get organized with advanced features in Notes and Reminders I have a bunch of pro tips to help you organize the Notes and Reminders piling up in your iPhone. Apple has added tons of powerful features.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
France SMS Carrier Partner Maintenance THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 15, 13:00 - 17:00 PDTApr 3, 11:06 PDTScheduled - Our SMS carrier partner in France is conducting a planned maintenance from 15 April 2026 at 13:00 PDT until 15 April 2026 at 17:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from France handsets.
Apple Now Sells Refurbished M4 iPad Pro Models Starting at $759 Apple is now selling M4 iPad Pro models in its online store for refurbished products, allowing customers to purchase like-new models at a discounted price.
There are both 11-inch and 13-inch options available, in multiple storage configurations. Apple is offering Wi-Fi and Cellular refurbished models, and silver and black color options.
Pricing on the 11-inch M4 iPad Pro starts at $759, down from the original $999 price. The 13-inch model is priced starting at $1,019, down from the original $1,299 price. Entry-level models are Wi-Fi only with 256GB of storage.
Apple released the M4 iPad Pro models in May 2024, but this is the first time that refurbished models have been available for purchase. Apple discontinued the M4 iPad Pro models with the launch of the M5 iPad Pro in October 2025.
Apple sells refurbished devices with the same one-year warranty that comes with a new Apple product. Refurbished iPads feature all manuals and accessories, plus Apple has a testing, repair, repackaging, and cleaning process to make sure that refurbished products are identical to new devices. Refurbished products are eligible for AppleCare+ protection.Related Roundup: iPad ProTag: Apple Refurbished ProductsBuyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Neutral)This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple Seeds Revised iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 Betas to Developers Apple today seeded revised first betas of upcoming iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming four days after Apple seeded the initial betas.
Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update. It's not clear why Apple has seeded new beta updates, but there may be a bug fix that couldn't wait for the second beta.
iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 do not include new Siri capabilities, suggesting any Siri updates are being held until iOS 27. The Maps app has a Suggested Places feature for recommending locations to visit nearby based on trends and recent searches, plus Apple is laying the groundwork for ads.
Apple is again testing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android users. Apple tested the feature in iOS 26.4, but removed it before the update launched.
In the European Union, Apple is testing proximity pairing, notification forwarding, and Live Activities for third-party wearables like earbuds and smartwatches.
More detail on what's new in iOS 26.5 can be found in our beta 1 features guide.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple releases new iOS 26.5 beta 1 build for iPhone iOS 26.5 beta 1 arrived earlier this week for developers, but Apple has just shipped an updated beta 1 build for testing.
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macOS 26.4 adds three new battery features on Mac, here’s how to use them macOS 26.4 is the latest Mac software update, and alongside new emoji and a Compact Tab Bar option in Safari, the new release also adds three battery-related features. Here’s how to use them.
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This Music Selection Tweak in iOS 26.4 Will Save You Bags of Time If you often find yourself adding a track to an Apple Music playlist, going back, and then adding it to other playlists, iOS 26.4 includes an option that could save you bags of time: You can now select multiple playlists when adding a song.
Previously, tapping Add to Playlist would take you to a list of your playlists, and you could only pick one at a time. In iOS 26.4, there's a new multi-select option that lets you check off as many playlists as you like in one go. Here's how it works.
In the Music app, find the song you want to add.
Long press the song, or tap the three-dot menu (...) next to it.
Tap Add to Playlist.
In the bottom-right corner, tap the new multi-select button.
Select all the playlists you want to add the song to – each one gets a red checkmark.
Tap the checkmark button in the top-right corner to confirm.
The header at the top of the screen will update to reflect how many playlists you've selected, so you can keep track before confirming.
It might seem like a minor addition, but if you maintain several playlists organized by mood, genre, or occasion, it eliminates so much back-and-forth navigation. It's no exaggeration to say that some users will have been waiting years for this option.
In iOS 26.4, Apple has also given albums and playlists a new fullscreen design so that the album artwork colors style the entire background of the track list and other UI elements to give each album a more immersive, authentic look. To check out what's new, make sure your iPhone is up-to-date with the latest version by going to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Tag: Apple MusicRelated Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
The Weather Channel’s Storm Radar app lets you build your own AI weather presenter This week, The Weather Channel released a new version of its Storm Radar app, introducing a customizable AI weather presenter and much more.
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This $500 8BitDo keyboard is the perfect Apple 50th anniversary gift Macworld
Apple is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week. So, what do you get for such an occasion (other than giving Apple your hard-earned cash every time it releases something new)? If you’ve been a devoted Apple user for many of those 50 years–or maybe all of them–why not give yourself something nice for the occasion?
8BitDo’s Retro 68 Keyboard is designed as a replica of the classic Apple II keyboard that was released in June 1977 (so not quite 50 years ago). But the Apple II was the first computer for a lot of longtime Apple users, so this is the perfect item to pay tribute to those memories.
Inside the retro design are a few modern touches. It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth and has a 6,500 mAh battery that offers 300 hours of runtime before you need to charge it. It has an RGB backlit and uses Kailh Box Ice Cream Pro Max switches for the keys. It weighs in at a hefty 4.85 pounds (2,200 grams), but you probably won’t be moving it very far.
It also comes with a special edition of 8BitDo’s Wireless Super Buttons, which can be programmed to perform frequent functions.
The Retro 68 Keyboard is $500–8BitDo does label it a “Limited Edition” keyboard, but doesn’t say how limited the inventory will be. The company does include a special anniversary certificate with the keyboard. The keyboard starts shipping in June and is available for preorder now.
8BitDo Retro 68 Keyboard – AP50th Limited Edition
Price When Reviewed:
$499.99
Best Prices Today:
$500 at 8BitDo
animation cancels swiftui26 hey guys, im trying to make a play/pause button for an apple music like program but im having an issue: when i click the button on the miniplayer ive made, the play/pause button doesnt do the replace animation and skips the dropping back down animation of the tab surface its on. if i dont have […]
tvOS 26 recently added two Apple TV 4K features I’ve been loving The wait continues for a new Apple TV 4K, but Apple has steadily added new features to tvOS 26 via recent updates, including two changes I’ve been especially enjoying.
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ORD (Chicago) on 2026-04-07 THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 7, 06:00 - 12:00 UTCApr 3, 16:44 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in ORD (Chicago) datacenter on 2026-04-07 between 06:00 and 12:00 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.
Pages increased deployment errors Apr 3, 16:50 UTCIdentified - Cloudflare has identified an issue impacting Cloudflare Pages deployments of Pages Functions with R2 bindings. Customers may experience failures deploying their Pages FunctionsWe are working to analyze and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.
Snag an iPad Pro Magic Keyboard for $130 off right now Macworld
Apple Magic Keyboard
Compatible with the 11-inch iPad Pro M4 and M5
View Deal
An iPad experience is so much better when you have the Magic Keyboard, too, especially when you’re working on an iPad Pro. The only downside is that they can get pretty expensive. Well, instead of paying nearly $299 on one, you can grab the Magic Keyboard Case for the 11-inch iPad Pro M4 and M5 for $170 at Amazon’s Woot, a savings of $130 and the best price we’ve seen by a large margin.
While technically new, Woot cautions that this keyboard will arrive in an open box. According to Woot, that means it was either used for a photo sample, a customer return, or a product with damaged packaging. It’s not refurbished and has all been tested to be new, but the box isn’t sealed, and it’s not eligible for Apple’s 1-year warranty (though you will get a 90-day Woot warranty).
If you don’t mind that one catch, the Magic Keyboard Case is a model that works with the 11-inch M4 iPad Pro, but it will work just fine with the new M5 model, which has the same dimensions. It’s a fantastic accessory that magnetically attaches to your iPad and comes with backlit keys and a versatile hinge design that lets you adjust the viewing angle smoothly. It’s designed to fold up and protect your iPad when traveling, and is great for watching videos or working on the go.
So go ahead and take advantage of this deal and get the Apple Magic Keyboard for $170 at Woot. Since this is an Amazon company, your Prime perks cross over.
This charger gives you real-time charging diagnostics, temperature data, and more Over the years, as battery tech has progressed, chargers have gotten faster, smaller, and more efficient. Do you remember those small 5W chargers Apple used to give us? That same size can now fit 60 watts of power output. But now all of these chargers look and behave the same. Cuktech’s new 100W GaN charger adds a beautiful real-time diagnostics display that gives you all the information you would ever need and want. Having visibility into exactly how fast something is charging is something I have always wanted. And it does even more than just that. Here is what you need to know.
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Viewer beware: Worst-rated Apple TV shows and movies Despite its reputation for quality hits, Apple TV swings and misses sometimes. Here are the worst-rated Apple TV shows and movies.
(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
Apple Watch Ultra 4: Four rumored new features coming this fall Apple has had a big year for product launches already, but later this year Apple Watch Ultra 4 is coming, with four rumored new features expected so far.
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Q&A: How Plane Finder set itself up for the long haul Plane Finder is a sparkling example of what happens when a small team grows with a platform.Launched in 2009, Plane Finder didn’t scale over the years by adding headcount, vendors, or complexity. Instead, founders Jodie and Lee Armstrong made a long-term bet on Apple’s ecosystem — staying native, sticking close to first-party tools, and reading platform signals early. And over time, an app that began as “planes on a map” evolved into a full end-to-end flight-tracking business — one that includes a global network of physical hardware — built and operated by a team of just eight people.We talked to the married founders about their early days, the new design and Liquid Glass, and the challenges of running a global flight tracking network.Plane Finder
Available on: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Team size: 8
Based in: UK
Download Plane Finder from the App Store >Take us back to 2009. What sparked the idea for Plane Finder, and what were those early days like?Lee: We’ve been on the App Store since about a year after it opened. It feels like a lifetime. But the real spark was seeing the unveiling of the iPhone itself in 2007. We were actually in the United States when it came out, so we picked one up, not really knowing what we’d do with it. There was no App Store yet, and I couldn’t even use it as a phone in the UK. It was literally just to hold and swipe back and forth. But that moment became such a huge part of our journey. We still have that iPhone on display.In those early days, did you have aspirations of becoming an end-to-end flight tracking platform?Jodie: Not at all. We started with just the app. Today, we collect our own positional information directly from aircraft, put it inside apps, and sell our data commercially.You’re a small team of eight people. What’s that like?Lee: I don’t think we could have done it without Apple technologies. We’re a small team, and we wouldn’t have the platform or methods to market on a global scale without the App Store — credit cards, StoreKit, localization. We really value the App Store as a platform.Plane Finder is known for adopting Apple technologies and features — like ARKit, MapKit, and Liquid Glass — early. Which tools have made the biggest difference?Lee: It all goes back to MapKit. We flippantly say the app is “planes on a map,” and MapKit is core to that. We’re also big users of Metal for our 3D globe view. And we just wouldn’t be able to handle subscriptions and monetization with promotional offers without StoreKit 2. We don’t use any third parties or cross-platform frameworks. We’re all in on Apple technologies because they provide everything we need.What made you willing to be such early adopters?Jodie: I steer the company from the mindset of a quote I heard years ago: “When new technologies come along, you can either be part of the steamroller or part of the road.” We always want to be part of the steamroller. We’re quick to evaluate new technology, and if we can lean into it in a way that makes sense for our products, we go for it.Can you talk about the process of adopting Liquid Glass?Jodie: We were on board with the concept straight away. From a leadership perspective, we said, “This is the future. We’ve got to make it make sense for what we do.” The design and engineering teams worked incredibly hard bringing those two things together — staying current and leaning into the tech while making it make sense for our world.What does the developer community mean to you?Lee: It’s the reinforcement piece. When you’re working in silos, the community gives you confidence that you’re applying technologies correctly. It’s all well and good seeing WWDC sessions with slides and sample code, but that’s very specific. Seeing how it works in the real world is invaluable.Jodie: Everyone I speak to within Apple has passion and opinions about our app. They’re very engaged, and every piece of feedback is valuable. We’ve been asked questions over the years like “Why do you do this with your toolbar?” All that conversation is helpful.Plane Finder isn’t just an app. You’ve deployed thousands of flight tracking devices worldwide. How has Apple’s ecosystem enabled that?Jodie: There’s a symbiotic relationship between people enjoying the app and wanting to get involved by hosting receivers where we need coverage.Lee: When we first started, we had one receiver covering the south of the UK. People downloaded the app and said, “This is great, but I live in Scotland and can’t see any planes.” So we’d send them a receiver. Before long, we heard that from Sweden, the United States, Africa, and Asia.Jodie: Today, we use the app to find people in locations where we want to improve coverage. We’re leveraging the power of the audience to grow the network even further.What’s next?Jodie: We haven’t finished our Liquid Glass journey. We’re working on an internal project code-named “Plane Finder Double Glazed” — the next iteration with wider UI changes that we held back initially. We’re also looking at how we can leverage machine learning and foundation models.What’s one thing people don’t realize about running a global flight tracking network?Lee: We own and operate the network of receivers that power it. A lot of people think we buy that data like other companies do.Jodie: We’ve designed and manufactured receivers and antennas. There’s more to us than just being an app!Keep readingDeveloper stories explore best practices and philosophies from some of the most inventive developers in the Apple community. In each story, we go behind the screens with developers, designers, and engineers to find out how they brought their remarkable creations to life.Browse all developer stories >
How Infold Games fashioned an open world for Infinity Nikki Infinity Nikki is a literally glowing example of what video game graphics can be.The fifth in a series of dress-up titles from Infold Games, Infinity Nikki is also the first to embrace elements of RPG action-adventure. But instead of tracking down weapons and battling bad guys, this installment finds its wide-eyed heroine solving puzzles by collecting enchanted outfits found throughout a series of wondrous lands.Infinity Nikki
Available on: iPhone, iPad
Based in: Singapore
Awards: Apple Design Award winner for Visuals and Graphics (2025), App Store Awards Game of the Year finalist (2025), App Store Editors’ Choice
Download Infinity Nikki from the App Store >The fashion-forward gameplay still remains, of course. Nikki’s dress sways and waves every step of the way, while capes sparkle and drift in the wind. Different outfits are imbued with different abilities that allow players to guide Nikki — and her cat companion, Momo — through clever puzzles. And from quaint cobblestone towns to distant mountains, every corner of the game’s Miraland — brought to life with cutting-edge visuals — is awash in beautifully realized lighting and effects from advanced shading techniques like Global Illumination. (Executive producer Kentaro Tominaga previously worked on several installments of the Legend of Zelda series.)It’s a wonderland of texture, light, and animation — and the 2025 Apple Design Award winner for Visuals and Graphics. To find out more, we caught up with Douhu, Infinity Nikki’s lead gameplay systems designer for outfits; Ade, lead programmer; and Dodie, art director.Why did you decide to make this fifth installment an open-world RPG?Douhu: When we started thinking about this six years ago, we already knew it would be an open-world game. So we asked ourselves: How do we go about bringing Nikki into that space? And how do we set it apart from other open-world games on the market?To make these worlds as immersive as we can, we keep an eye on all the details, all the time.Douhu, lead gameplay systems designer for outfitsThis is the first Nikki game to include action-adventure elements and light combat.Douhu: Yes, but we knew that combat wouldn’t be part of the game’s core play. The Nikki series has such a defined style. We thought a lot about how to maintain that.How many people worked on the visuals for this?Douhu: Oh, it’s a huge team — roughly 800 people. It’s a fun but a complicated job. We have a lot of visual pipelines all going at once: cutscenes, the NPC ecosystem, lighting, performance. The production complexity is so high.The payoff for that work seems to be everywhere: The game is full of fabrics, sparkles, environments, and natural elements.Douhu: And we think about all of them. For instance, when Nikki runs up a flight of steps in a cutscene, we don’t want her to stamp her feet down. We want her to move lightly and elegantly. All the sounds you hear are based on real-world sounds, though we’ve added some imagination to them in post-production editing. To make these worlds as immersive as we can, we keep an eye on all the details, all the time.Nikki’s double-jump is especially elegant; it’s almost like a glider coming in for the softest of landings.Douhu: That’s because we want players to have plenty of time to experience the world. Our core gameplay is based on jumping, but it’s not a very quick motion. It’s slow, like a micro-response for that specific floating motion. And that’s because we want to let players breathe and appreciate all the details of Miraland.What is Day 1 like on the visuals for something like this?Douhu: Because this is our fifth game with Nikki, we already have the character and philosophy built out, so those first days are more about sketching out the new world and its different maps.Ade: To start, we reconstruct the structure and physical performance of the fabrics in the engine, based mostly on reality. Then we’ll do extreme evolutions on the fabrics. We have so many fabric categories in our library, and a lot of those are heritage from previous titles. But we make all kinds of adjustments, and add all kinds of effects to make the game feel like it’s beyond reality.Douhu: We do have a big closet in our office! But we want to emphasize that we’re not just exporting real fabrics or trying to recreate reality. We’re adding layers of fantasy. We add complicated embroideries, more patterns, and glittering special effects to depict a more whimsical, fantastic version of reality. That’s why Nikki’s outfits look more gorgeous than they would in real life. Hopefully!Could you select an element in the game and share a little about how it was brought to life?Dodie: Color has always been central to our art creation, so I’ll share two examples from Version 2.0: the five-star outfit Behind Prayers and the location called Snail Ranch.The core design concept of Behind Prayers is ”a confined divine maiden,” so that meant a maximal design approach. The divine maiden longs for freedom, yet she’s draped in heavy layers of ornate garments and gemstones. These represent both sacred glory and the weight of restraint: dazzling and radiant, yet undeniably burdensome.We chose gold as the primary color to express sanctity and brilliance, and we introduced touches of green to break potential visual monotony. We further embellished the outfit with a rich array of multicolored gemstones and enhanced it with prismatic sparkle effects, allowing it to shimmer vividly — even at night.Snail Ranch, meanwhile, is the player’s first destination in Itzaland — the place where Nikki first encounters the Shroomlings and the snails.The lighting in this area is intentionally bright and inviting. Sunlight filters through enormous leaves, creating a warm and relaxing atmosphere, while even small puddles along the path reflect the deep blue of the sky. The scene takes on a fairytale quality, inviting players to believe and lose themselves in the land.Talk about your approach to creating these fabrics and outfits.Ade: Infinity Nikki introduces a revolutionary material system. At the core is a re-engineered fabric algorithm that preserves the advantages of four-layer UV blending textures, while requiring only minimal parameter adjustments to accurately simulate a wide range of materials, including the natural coarseness of cotton and linen, the smooth sheen of silk and satin, as well as the delicate tactile qualities of various velvets and flannel. The system also provides deep support for custom reflections and diverse sparkle responses, making it easy to create distinctive highlights and dreamy glints, such as the unique interplay of gauze and silk in the Fairytale Swan outfit.Visual richness in Infinity Nikki extends well beyond fabric. We developed a specialized jewelry material system using advanced algorithms to simulate the brilliance of gemstones, including complex refraction, 3S light transmission, and highly variable specular highlights, as seen in the pearls and diamonds of the Fairytale Swan outfit. Dynamic presentation has also broken through previous limitations. To support animated patterns in high-end outfits such as Threads of Reunion, the team developed an innovative solution to mitigate Unreal Engine 5’s interference from engine-native motion blur on UV animations. This enables crisp and vivid celestial motion effects: three independent orbits allow full customization of planetary shapes, angular velocities, and trajectories, layered with flowing asteroid belts and lunar phase changes.And how do you approach physical simulation?Ade: We make flexible use of skeletal physics and Chaos Cloth to achieve natural, expressive motion. Through proprietary skeletal chain algorithms and enhanced cloth solvers, the team replaces costly and unstable traditional collision-based algorithms with more stable and controllable constraint-based algorithms. Let’s take Nikki running in a loose dress as an example. We introduced a flexible and soft-driven constraint stage during preprocessing, ensuring that even under dramatic movements, the initial garment avoids clipping the body.While pursuing physical realism, the system also preserves the intended artistic silhouette of garments, particularly structured garments with petticoat. These outfits must flow naturally like fabric, while maintaining behavior consistent with their physical construction. Our custom algorithms incorporate collision handling between different garment types and multiple clothing layers, enabling free outfit combinations without sacrificing stability. By carefully balancing visual effects and performance, we achieve consistent results across multiple platforms.Keep readingDeveloper stories explore best practices and philosophies from some of the most inventive developers in the Apple community. In each story, we go behind the screens with developers, designers, and engineers to find out how they brought their remarkable creations to life.Browse all developer stories >