Firehose – News, Alerts, Docs
- Monday February 23
- 09:06 pmCamo Studio 2.6
Introduces the Retouch digital appearance enhancement and adds more USB camera support. ($49.99 annual subscription, free update, 89.2 MB, macOS 12.3+)09:03 pmApple in 2025: The Six Colors Report Card
Jason Snell’s annual Apple Report Card shows Hardware Reliability topping the list again, but the controversial Liquid Glass design dragged software scores to new lows, and Tim Cook’s relationship with the Trump administration caused Apple’s Impact on the World category to crater.Read original article09:02 pmApple tests ‘deep red’ color for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple is currently testing and seriously considering a striking new deep red finish for its upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.08:54 pmIssues with Dashboard Sessions
Feb 23, 20:54 UTCResolved - An issue in the Dashboard's Session Management systems resulted in a subset of users not being able to log into the Dashboard or being unexpectedly logged out.08:50 pmiBoot to mBoot — Apple's iPhone bootloader has a mysterious new name
The iOS bootloader just got its first name change, from 'iBoot' to 'mBoot.' As to why, nobody outside of Apple Park knows yet.The second iOS 26.4 developer beta renames the iOS bootloader.While the second iOS 26.4 developer beta makes it possible to test end-to-end encrypted RCS texting with Android devices, the software contains another, more mysterious change.Apple has altered the long-standing name of the iOS bootloader. This is the first change since when the operating system debuted nearly two decades ago. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums08:37 pmAnyone here attending this event in person?
submitted by /u/ThePantsThief [link] [comments]08:36 pmWhatsApp is finally working on scheduled messages
Meta is at last bringing scheduled messages to WhatsApp, delivering on one of the app’s most-requested features. Here’s how it is going to work. more…08:04 pmNew research: Apple stock could be safe harbor from AI bubble fears
Apple is taking a distinct path from many other tech stocks. The major risks tied to the AI boom appear largely irrelevant to the company… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.08:00 pmR2 degraded performance in APAC buckets
Feb 23, 20:00 UTCResolved - Between 20:00 and 20:36 UTC, R2 buckets in the APAC region experienced elevated latency and timeouts.07:51 pmApple releases videos from its 2025 AI Reasoning and Planning Workshop
The newly published videos from Apple’s two-day event focus on three key areas related to AI: Reasoning and Planning, Applications to Agents, and Model Development. Here are the details. more…07:40 pmiPhone users can test encrypted RCS texts to Android in iOS 26.4 beta 2
After the first beta was iPhone to iPhone only, the second iOS 26.4 developer beta lets iPhones and Androids trade fully encrypted RCS messages for the first time.RCS support will be extended to include end-to-end encryptionYou may recall that in the first iOS 26.4 developer beta, Apple introduced end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messaging. You may also remember that it was extremely limited and only worked between iPhones with iMessage disabled. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums07:27 pmVisual Intelligence could be Apple’s killer AI wearable feature
Macworld Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter has several interesting tidbits about upcoming Apple products, but perhaps the most fascinating concerns Apple’s plans for future AI-powered wearables. We’ve heard about these before—Apple is working on smart glasses (similar to the Meta Ray-Bans), AirPods Pro with cameras, and some sort of pin/pendant item. All are at various stages of development, and all of them will apparently lean heavily on Visual Intelligence. That’s Apple’s brand for the application of AI to things your device’s camera sees. It launched as part of the iPhone 16 Pro and then came to other devices with expanded capabilities. You can take a photo of something around you to get contextual information about it, or even take a screenshot and do the same. You can ask ChatGPT about the subject as well, and the system is smart enough to change your options contextually. If you’re looking at an event poster with dates and times, you can simply add it to your calendar. If it’s a restaurant, you can look up reviews, hours, or the menu. You can identify plants or animals, and do google image search to find similar objects online. Apparently, Tim Cook sees this area of AI technology as central to its upcoming AI devices. Apple is building its own visual models and intends to make this technology—contextual awareness based on what the AI “sees”—a central pillar of future devices. For example, you could simply look at your plate of food to get information on ingredients, portions, or nutritional info. Turn-by-turn directions could use visual landmarks instead of just street names or distances. Reminders could be triggered by walking up to and seeing something, not just times and locations. Cook has been singling out the feature in recent appearances. He gave it a shout-out at the company’s last earnings call, and at an all-hands meeting in which he discussed the company’s AI ambitions. It’s a little odd to bring it up so consistently when it’s not exactly new and hasn’t changed much in the last year or more. Clearly, the technology is on his mind, likely because he’s focused on the company’s upcoming new products. Obviously, privacy is central to AI that is processing what it sees around you. And in this area, Apple has an advantage—strong neural processors in hundreds of billions of devices enables more on-device processing than most competitors, and the company’s Private Cloud Compute architecture ensures that anything that is processed in the cloud protects your privacy by design, too.07:23 pmInfrastructure Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 10, 19:00 - 23:00 PDTFeb 23, 10:56 PSTScheduled - We will be undergoing scheduled maintenance during this time. During the maintenance window, customers may experience elevated API and dashboard error rates. Webhooks and customer email logs may be temporarily delayed. Any requests that result in errors can be safely retried.07:23 pmBOM (Mumbai) on 2026-02-23
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Feb 23, 22:00 UTC - Feb 24, 01:30 UTCFeb 23, 19:20 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in BOM (Mumbai) datacenter between 2026-02-23 22:00 and 2026-02-24 01:30 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.07:22 pmMagSafe Monday: TopMade Wallet review – Find My and massive storage
Find My is quietly one of the best things Apple has done in the last decade. It started with tracking your iPhone, expanded to the Mac and iPad, and eventually covered physical items with AirTags. Now that third-party accessories are adopting the standard, it is becoming a true platform that I think is highly underrated. The TopMade MagSafe Wallet integrates this technology directly with Find My. It removes the need for a separate AirTag bump while keeping your wallet trackable within the native Apple ecosystem. more…07:20 pmiOS 26.4 makes two app updates that bring back iOS 18 designs
iOS 26.4 beta 2 arrived today for developers, and it expands two changes that reverse iOS 26 app search designs to be more like iOS 18. more…07:17 pmHelp us figure out macOS Tahoe 26.3 external drive mounting issues
Some Mac users are discovering they can't use their external drives with macOS Tahoe 26.3 and it seems Apple knows something's wrong. Let us know what works for you, and what doesn't.An external drive connected to a Mac. Apple released the update to macOS Tahoe 26.3 on February 11, with the update adding more machine learning performance for M5 users as well as other smaller changes. It seems that one undocumented alteration may have caused problems for some users.A number of users have taken to online support forums and social media to try and get help with an external drive issue in macOS Tahoe 26.3. Affected users are finding that external drives are not mounting properly, despite previously working fine. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums06:42 pmiOS 26.4 Beta Adds End-to-End Encryption for iPhone-to-Android RCS Texts
With the second iOS 26.4 beta, Apple and Google have started testing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages exchanged between iPhone and Android users. Apple started testing E2EE for RCS in the first beta, but the feature was limited to iPhone-to-iPhone communications with iMessage turned off. In this beta, iPhone users can send encrypted messages to Android users. iPhone users will need to install the second beta of iOS 26.4 to exchange encrypted messages with Android users, while Google users need to have the latest version of Google Messages. According to Apple's developer release notes for beta 2, while E2EE is being tested for RCS, it isn't going to ship in iOS 26.4 and will instead come at a later date. In this beta, RCS end-to-end encryption will become available for testing between Apple and Android devices. This feature is not shipping in this release and will be available to customers in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26 releases. End-to-end encryption is in beta and is not available for all devices or carriers. Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end-to-end, so messages can't be read while they're sent between devices. Apple worked with the GSM Association to implement end-to-end encryption. iMessage, which is used for texts between iPhones, has long supported end-to-end encryption. Android's RCS implementation already has E2EE for Android-to-Android texts, but there is no full encryption for iPhone-to-Android and Android-to-iPhone conversations at the current time. E2EE is not available for all devices or all carriers during the beta testing period.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Tags: Android, RCSRelated Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums06:32 pmTake Up to 30% Off Apple's iPhone 17 Cases on Amazon
Amazon this week has big discounts across Apple's Clear, Silicone, and TechWoven Cases for the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air lineup. Items on sale include Clear, Silicone, and TechWoven Cases for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. We're also tracking a few discounts on other accessories like the FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe and Beats cases. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Apple's official cases are reaching up to 30 percent off in this sale, with many priced at $39.99, down from their original $49.00 price tags. In terms of the Beats deals, you'll find steep markdowns on the Beats Woven Charging Cables during this event, as well as Beats Cases for the iPhone 17 lineup as low as $9.99. UP TO 30% OFFiPhone 17 Cases at Amazon iPhone Air Clear Case - $39.99, down from $49.00 iPhone 17 Clear Case - $39.99, down from $49.00 Silicone Case - $39.99, down from $49.00 iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case - $33.99, down from $49.00 Silicone Case - $39.99, down from $49.00 TechWoven Case - $49.99, down from $59.00 iPhone 17 Pro Max Clear Case - $39.99, down from $49.00 Silicone Case - $39.99, down from $49.00 TechWoven Case - $49.99, down from $59.00 More Sales FineWoven Wallet - $47.99, down from $59.00 Beats USB-C to USB-C Woven Cable - $9.04, down from $18.99 Beats iPhone 17 Case - $9.99, down from $45.00 Beats iPhone 17 Pro Case - $14.99, down from $45.00 Beats iPhone 17 Pro Max Case - $34.80, down from $45.00 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find 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 forums06:28 pmiOS 26.4 beta 2 adds support for testing encrypted RCS between iPhone and Android
iOS 26.4 beta 2 is now rolling out for developers, and it expands support for testing encrypted RCS messaging on iPhone. more…06:27 pmApple’s App Store growth is reaccelerating – Morgan Stanley
Apple’s App Store revenue growth is accelerating in February, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.06:20 pmSecond iOS 26.4, macOS Tahoe 26.4 developer beta lands for testing
Apple is on its second round of developer betas for the current generation, issuing new builds of iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, visionOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 for testing.Apple's hardware that works with the 26-generation operating systems - Image Credit: AppleThe second developer betas for iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, visionOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 arrive after the first, which arrived on February 16.iOS 26.4 build 2 is 23E5218e, replacing 23E5207q Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums06:10 pmApple releases beta 2 for tvOS 26.4, visionOS 26.4, more
New betas are now available for developers. Apple has just released beta 2 updates for tvOS 26.4, visionOS 26.4, and more. more…06:09 pmSecond macOS Tahoe 26.4 Beta Now Available for Developers
Apple today provided the second beta of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.4 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after Apple seeded the first beta. Developers can download the macOS Tahoe 26.4 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required. macOS Tahoe 26.4 adds a new Charge Limit feature so Mac users can select a maximum charge level that ranges from 80 to 100 percent. Apple also brought back the Compact tab layout in Safari for those who missed the option in earlier versions of macOS Tahoe. Apple silicon Macs who are running apps that still rely on Rosetta will see warnings about the upcoming end of support for Rosetta. After macOS Tahoe 27, Apple will phase out Rosetta support, and all apps will need to be updated before that time. macOS Tahoe 26.4 will be released to the public in the spring after several weeks of beta testing.Related Roundup: macOS TahoeRelated Forum: macOS TahoeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums06:08 pmApple releases macOS 26.4 beta 2, here’s what’s new
Just a week after releasing macOS 26.4 beta 1, Apple is now rolling out beta 2 for developers. Here’s what to expect. more…06:08 pmApple Seeds Second Betas of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 to Developers
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple seeded the first 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. iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 add multiple new features to the iPhone and the iPad, but the first beta contained no sign of new Siri capabilities. A Playlist Playground feature in Apple Music lets you generate songs for any idea, mood, emotion, or activity using a text-based prompt. There's also a Concerts Near You feature for finding local shows, and a redesigned look for albums and playlists with full-page artwork. Apple Podcasts is getting native video podcasting capabilities that will make it easier to create, distribute, and monetize video podcast content through the Podcasts app. Video episodes will integrate with existing Apple podcasts features, like personalized recommendations and editorial suggestions. Apple is testing end-to-end encryption for RCS, which will eventually bring full encryption to text conversations between Android and iPhone users. Right now, Apple is testing RCS with iPhone-to-iPhone conversations. The first beta didn't include new emoji, but we saw signs of them in the code so we might get them in the second beta. The new update is also expected to new emoji characters will include trombone, treasure chest, orca, landslide, and Bigfoot. Stolen Device Protection is enabled by default, there's a new ambient music widget, new average bedtime metrics in the sleep app, and plenty more. All of the features in iOS 26.4 can be found in our iOS 26.4 beta features guide.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums06:08 pmiPadOS 26.4 beta 2 is now available
, rolling out for developers via the Software Update screen in Settings. more…06:07 pmApple releases iOS 26.4 beta 2 for iPhone with upcoming features
Apple has released the second iOS 26.4 beta version for iPhone. iOS 26.4 includes a number of exciting new features and changes, including AI-powered Apple Music updates. more…06:06 pmApple Releases Second watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4 and visionOS 26.4 Betas
Apple today provided developers with the second betas of upcoming watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple released the first betas. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. watchOS 26.4 adds a new Average Bedtime metric to the sleep features that sync to the health app, so you can better keep an eye on how bedtime impacts overall sleep quality. tvOS 26.4 eliminates the iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows apps on the Apple TV. These apps haven't worked for some time and have directed users to the Apple TV app for purchases, but Apple is finally phasing them out entirely. Apple also added a Continuous Audio Connection option for HDMI output. visionOS 26.4 includes support for foveated streaming for apps and games. Foveated streaming allows video to be streamed to the precise area where a user is looking, and peripheral areas are compressed. It allows for higher visual quality and lower latency.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums06:04 pmCan your iOS codex agent message your backend agent to implement a feature? | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingCan your iOS codex agent message your backend agent to implement a feature?
https://preview.redd.it/x2huul6paalg1.png?width=907&format=png&auto=webp&s=3d00409e8c379ca3f7a34af6ed0920d05e1a4c06 open source: https://github.com/ahdiverse/spark-talk submitted by /u/ss_salvation [link] [comments]06:00 pmHow to tell the difference between AirTag 2 and the original AirTag
There’s a new AirTag in town, but you might not know it based on the official product name. Fortunately, there’s a way to distinguish between old and new AirTags just by looking. more…05:38 pmHere’s everything new Apple TV has coming in March
March will be a huge month for Apple TV. Not only will the streamer air ongoing episodes of major series like Monarch and Shrinking, but it also has the kickoff of the Formula 1 season, a highly anticipated new psychological thriller series, the return of its longest-running sci-fi show, and a lot more. Here’s everything new coming to Apple TV in March. more…05:29 pmThis cool project crams classic Mac emulation into a four-inch alarm clock chassis
It was only a matter of time. A YouTuber turned a palm-sized classic Mac styled clock into a working computer. Here's how he did it.This tiny Mac clock mod becomes a working Raspberry Pi MacI'm sure almost everyone reading this is aware of the meme "Can it run Doom?" — the meme that challenges tech-savvy DIYers to get Doom up and running on just about anything. But maybe what we should actually be asking is, "Can it Mac" coupled with playing Doom.YouTube channel This Does Not Compute has taken up the mantle, it seems, and has actually taken a Mac-inspired clock from cute tchotchke to functional computer. The process is documented in a fifteen-minute-long YouTube video that is worth watching. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:27 pmWhy red iPhone 18 Pro would be an exciting first, despite its many red predecessors
How does Apple follow up on the fun of Cosmic Orange from the iPhone 17 Pro line? By bringing back the red iPhone, according to the latest iPhone 18 Pro rumor. Despite making more than a half dozen red iPhone models before, the red iPhone 18 Pro will be a first… more…05:24 pmBest VPN for Mac 2026: Trustworthy Mac VPNs tested by experts
Macworld If you want to protect your privacy and security online, using a VPN on your Mac is one of the easiest and most effective steps you can take. While macOS includes built-in security features, a VPN adds an extra layer of protection by encrypting your internet traffic and hiding your IP address. This helps prevent tracking, protects your data on public Wi-Fi, and can make it appear as though you’re browsing from another country. Many people also use VPNs to access region-restricted streaming services or bypass location-based website limitations. With so many VPN providers available, choosing the best VPN for Mac can be challenging. To help, we’ve tested and reviewed the top VPN services for macOS, focusing on speed, privacy, ease of use, and value. Our current top recommendation is NordVPN, which delivers excellent performance, strong security features, and reliable unblocking on Mac. Get our top recommendation NordVPN here How we test VPNs We test each VPN service at three times of the day (morning, afternoon, evening) using Ookla Speedtest. We measure our internet speed before testing the upload/download speeds of the VPN service on various servers around the world over a 100Mbps ethernet connection. We also consider the number of countries a VPN offers servers in, the total number of servers worldwide, and the monthly or annual cost to connect. Additionally, because privacy is such a crucial aspect of what makes a good VPN, we research the providers to find out who owns them, their location, how they handle subscriber information, and their business practices. PROMOTIONLifetime VPN $25 + Free Family Password Manager Unlock lifetime online privacy with FastestVPN and get a FREE Family Password Manager. One-time payment, zero monthly fees. Now just $25 — save 93%. Secure every device, forever. Limited-time offer.Use Code foundryexclusive Get The Deal At a glance: Feature comparison VPNBest formacOS App QualityNo-Logs PolicySpeed & PerformanceStreaming SupportSimultaneous ConnectionsFree / TrialNordVPNBest overallExcellent (native, polished)Yes (audited)Very fastVery strong~10 devices30-day refundSurfsharkSpeed & priceVery goodYes (audited)FastStrongUnlimited30-day refundExpressVPNStreamingExcellent (very simple UI)Yes (audited)Very fastExcellent~8 devices30-day refundProton VPNPrivacy & free optionGood (privacy-focused)Yes (audited)GoodModerateVaries by planFree tier availableMullvadAnonymityBasic Yes (audited)GoodPoor5 devicesNoFastestVPNBudgetBasicLimitedDecentGoodVariesTrial / lifetime plansCyberGhostBeginnersVery easy to useYesGoodVery strong~7 devices45-day refundPrivate Internet Access (PIA)CustomisationGood (advanced options)YesGoodModerate~10 devices30-day refundhide.meFree tierGoodYesGoodGood~10 devicesFree tier Best VPNs for Mac: Reviewed & Ranked Below you will find reviews of all the VPN services for Mac that we recommend based on our tests. All of these VPNs will also work on your iPhone and iPad as well, and many with Apple TV, but you might want to check out our separate guide to the best VPNs for iPad and iPhone. 1. NordVPN – Best VPN overall Pros Easy to use Impressive WireGuard speeds Lots of servers Cons Two separate apps can be confusing Price When Reviewed: Basic plan from $3.39 a month for two years. Usually $12.99 a month Best Prices Today: Retailer Price NordVPN (Monthly) $3.39 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 5,300 servers 10 simultaneous connections Why we like NordVPN: Nord offers a great combination of security, speed, streaming and ease of use. It’s also an excellent option if you want robust privacy protections. NordVPN is one of the biggest and best-known VPN services. It’s a fully featured VPN option that’s secure, easy to use, and unbelievably fast compared to its competitors. There are cheaper options, with unlimited connections and more in-depth VPN features, but NordVPN is our top choice right now because it stands out in so many areas, from speed and privacy to unblocking and ease of use. There are more than 5,300 servers (none of which are virtual) available across 60 countries, which sounds great. You probably only care about the servers where you want to unblock content, but the more servers the better as it means you have a better chance of finding one that’s not overloaded. You won’t have to figure out which one to choose thanks to the handy ‘Quick connect’ feature that picks the server best suited to your needs. Connections are fast and reliable, and NordVPN unblocks popular streaming services around the world including Netflix and BBC iPlayer. You can connect up to six devices simultaneously including your Apple TV. Nord has added support for the faster WireGuard protocol in NordLynx, making it one of the fastest VPN services out there. However, it’s only available on the ‘IKE’ version of the app, which only offers a permanently enabled kill switch. To have more control, you’ll need to download the ‘OpenVPN’ version, albeit with slightly slower speeds. Nord has an up-to-date independent audit. It also has specialty servers for specific purposes. Nord frequently has deals on offer that save money on the usual monthly price if you take advantage of the two-year plan. NordVPN offers three tiers: Standard, Plus and Ultimate. You can get Plus features (data breach scanner and password manager) or the Ultimate tier adds cloud storage and insurance options. Prices change all the time, so take a look at the prices and plans at NordVPN.com. Read our full NordVPN review 2. Surfshark – Best VPN for speed & price Pros Simple to use No device limits Great for streaming services Cons Expensive to renew Price When Reviewed: Starter plan from $1.99 a month for two years + 3 free months. Usually $15.45 a month. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Surfshark (Monthly) $1.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 3,200 servers in 100 countries Unlimited simultaneous connections Why we like Surfshark: Surfshark is one of the lowest-cost premium VPNs, plus it lets you secure unlimited devices under one subscription making it perfect for families or people with lots of gadgets. Surfshark is a reliable, affordable option with more than 3000 servers spread across 100 countries. Surfshark’s network is one of the widest and most varied of any VPN. Its apps, which work with Macs, iPhones, and even Apple TV, as well as other devices, are easy to use. The macOS app offers light and dark modes, and you can opt to have it shown in the dock or the menu bar. The iOS version of SurfShark offers features like MultiHop and Dedicated IP – it’s not a watered-down versions of their desktop VPN. SurfShark offers three tiers of features at varying price points. SurfShark Starter offers VPN functionality as well as an ad blocker and the option to generate a proxy email address and personal details. SurfShark One adds email and payment detail breach alerts, as well as personal data security reports, antivirus and other malware protection. And the One+ plan adds data removal from company databases and people search sites. When we reviewed Surfshark previously we had some performance issues, but this time around things were a lot better. With WireGuard, SurfShark is the slickest VPN around, removing very little speed from my connection. OpenVPN, where we had problems previously, was much swifter this time around. Whichever protocol we used, we were able to flick between streaming libraries with ease. Those protocols also offer varying degrees of encryption to keep your data secure. The Kill Switch feature is billed as a “safety net”, It’ll shut down your connection if your VPN connection falters, preventing personal data from sneaking out to bad actors. Surfshark is is headquartered in the Netherlands and has a privacy-minded no-logs policy that’s regularly audited. Surfshark’s process means it logs a small amount of data that’s then scrubbed from its servers with 15 minutes of closing the connection. Surfshark confirmed to us in June 2025 that they had their no-logs policy independently verified again and Deloitte confirmed that they don’t monitor what our users do online and do not keep logs of their activities. For even more security, the Antivirus Scan feature (available with Surfshark One and One+) can run scheduled background scans if you leave the app open. Ransomware Shield and Webcam Protection can stop your personal folders and hardware camera from falling into the wrong hands respectively, and the app will constantly look to update its database of viruses to cross-reference files. Sign up to Surfshark here. Read our full Surfshark review 3. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for streaming support Pros Simple to use Big focus on privacy and transparency 105 countries Cons Pricing changes offer tiered services at the cost of flexible contract lengths Price When Reviewed: Basic: $3.49 a month for 2 years + 4 free months; Advanced: $4.49 a month for 2 years + 4 free months; Pro: $7.49 a month for 2 years + 4 free months Best Prices Today: Retailer Price ExpressVPN (Monthly) $3.49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 2,000 servers 8 simultaneous connections Why we like ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is fast, easy to use, and reliable, with strong connection speeds and excellent streaming support. It also offers broad device compatibility. ExpressVPN is one of the most straightforward and reliable VPN services on the market, especially for users who want speed, simplicity, and solid privacy without a lot of complexity. The clean, minimal Mac app quickly connects to servers in over 100 countries. There’s no cluttered interface or confusing menus; you pick a server and go. While this simplicity means ExpressVPN doesn’t have some of the advanced built-in tools (like antivirus or extensive malware protection offered by some competitors), it does include the essentials: a large server network, strong encryption, and reliable connection options. There is also browser plugin support and the inclusion of ExpressVPN’s password manager in certain plans. ExpressVPN’s apps are very easy to use across platforms – on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Android and more – making it especially appealing for newcomers and those who just want a “set it and forget it” VPN experience. In testing, ExpressVPN had very respectable performance. We saw around a 13% drop in download speeds – better than many other VPNs. The proprietary Lightway protocol, designed for speed and reliability, was the best choice for overall performance, though other protocols like OpenVPN remain available for compatibility reasons. ExpressVPN is good for streaming: reliably unblocking the major services and offering fast speeds. ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction with strong privacy protections, and operates a no-logs policy backed by regular third-party audits. The company also runs a bug bounty program and maintains a Trust Centre dedicated to transparency. In 2025 ExpressVPN introduced a tiered pricing model with Basic, Advanced, and Pro plans, each offering different features and device limits. While still more expensive than some rivals, the tiers give users options depending on their needs, and longer commitments offer better value. The service now supports up to 14 simultaneous connections depending on your pricing tier. ExpressVPN is easy to recommend as a fast, secure, and user-friendly VPN – especially for users who value simplicity and privacy, even if it lacks some advanced extras seen in competing services. See ExpressVPN subscription plans here. Read our full ExpressVPN review 4. ProtonVPN – Best VPN for privacy (+ a free plan) Pros Simple to use Free plan Great speed Cons Setup on macOS was a little fiddly Price When Reviewed: Proton Free; VPN Plus from $2.99 a month for two years. Usually $9.99 a month. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Proton Technologies (Monthly) $2.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 6,500+ servers in 100+ countries (access servers in 5 countries on free plan, on one device) 10 simultaneous connections Why we like ProtonVPN: Proton VPN is one of the most privacy-focused VPNs you can get, perfect for those who value robust, trustworthy privacy protection online. It also offers one of the best free plans. ProtonVPN’s free tier of membership helps to set Proton VPN apart from some of its rivals. It’s naturally limited, with US, Japan, and Netherlands as the server locations and some speed drop – but it’s still pretty usable If you pay for the service it offers a sleek interface, impressive connection speeds and just about enough features to improve your day-to-day web experience without throwing too many complex concepts at new users. Proton VPN Plus offers a host of features, including an ad and tracker blocker and speed of up to 10 Gbps, as well as a 10-device limit. There’s Port Forwarding for downloads and gaming, too, as well as a Kill Switch for disconnecting should the VPN drop out. Some VPN services offer features like dark web data notifications. Proton VPN sticks to the basics – and does so very well. The company’s “no-logs” policy confirms it doesn’t track sites, IP addresses, communications, or session lengths, nor does it track location-based information. Proton is Swiss-based, and only Swiss court orders can request data from the company, but since it doesn’t log data there’s very little it can offer to law enforcement. For the privacy-minded, Secure Core, routes traffic through one of the company’s ‘Secure’ servers, minimizing the potential of a data leak. These secure servers are owned by Proton and are located in more than 90 countries. Proton VPN does increase latency, but only by about 29% in our testing on a modest 60 Mbps broadband. In fact, it’s only about 7% slower when downloading and 5.5% slower when uploading, making it one of the slicker VPNs we’ve tested. In terms of included VPN protocols, Smart will be ideal for most users, automatically setting the right protocol for your current usage, but WireGuard, WireGuard (TCP), IKEv2 and Stealth are also offered. Proton VPN is an easy recommendation both for new and experienced users. Sign up for Proton’s subscription plans here. Read our full ProtonVPN review 5. Mullvad VPN – Best for anonymity Pros Privacy-focused sign-up Great for getting around geoblocks Great pricing Cons 5 connections is lower than some rivals Price When Reviewed: $5.26 a month (€5) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Mullvad $5.26 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 700+ servers 5 connections Why we like Mullvad: Mullvad is one of the most privacy-focused VPNs available, but for those who really want to remain incognito it’s ideal. You don’t need to provide an email address and you can even pay with cryptocurrency to really cover your tracks. Mullvad doesn’t offer recurring plans, you pay €5 a month whether you sign up for a month, a year or longer. The only price change will be dependent on the exchange rate from euros at that time. This way you aren’t caught up in a recurring subscription and Mullvad doesn’t store your personal information – a great example of its privacy-first mindset. You can even buy prepaid cards if you don’t want to log payment information, which makes Mullvad the ideal VPN service for anyone looking to leave a minimal digital footprint. Split Tunnelling, multihop connections and even an AI-focused defence mechanism called DAITA are included. Performance is excellent and there are plenty of features that would be paid additions elsewhere. For example, the Kill Switch to cut traffic if the VPN drops, and a Lockdown Mode that forces the user to reconnect via Mullvad if the connection drops. Multihop will bounce your connection via multiple servers, and split tunnelling is available so you can send some traffic via the VPN and ignore it for others. There is also an ad blocker. It’s available on Mac, Windows, iOS, iPadOS, and Android. It’s accessed exclusively from the menu bar on Mac. The iPhone and iPad apps pack plenty of power user features that in some services are limited to desktop, like multihop connections and the DAITA protection. DAITA (Defence against AI-guided Traffic Analysis) will add ‘network noise’ so data packets are all the same size. The main disadvantages are the five device limit, which is lower than many VPNs, and. a lower server count. It has 700, but this is still lower than the likes of NordVPN with over 7,000. Mullvad’s servers are all real, not virtual, servers though. Connection speeds are impressive. Mullvad is a fantastic VPN service that’s about as privacy-minded as can be. It might not have the most servers, but that’s a small price to pay for the service on offer. Sign up to Mullvad here. Read our full Mullvad review 6. FastestVPN – Best budget VPN Pros Great pricing, including lifetime plan Impressive speeds and features Cons Fewer servers than some rivals Price When Reviewed: Lifetime special deal: $30, usually $600 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price FastestVPN (Lifetime payment) $30 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 800+ servers in 49+ countries 10 simultaneous connections Why we like FastestVPN: FastestVPN’s biggest strength is its pricing, especially its unusual lifetime subscription option. It’s great for users who just want affordable basic VPN protection without big monthly costs. FastestVPN packs impressive VPN performance, but that’s only one facet of what makes it worth a look. It’s also relatively cheap compared to many rivals, and has seen a bunch of improvements since we took a look in 2021. The app is sleek and easy to use and offers 10 simultaneous connections. FastestVPN is headquartered in the Cayman islands and has undergone a third-party audit from Altius to confirm its no-logs policy. Since the last time we looked at it it’s gained a number power user features like multi-hop connections. It also now features an Internet Kill Switch to shut down all traffic if your VPN drops for any reason. You can also use Smart Tunneling to ensure certain apps go via a VPN while others don’t. Will FastestVPN help you get around geoblocks? Yes, in fact, FastestVPN highlights certain streaming-focused servers to help get around geoblocking. You’ll find a variety of VPN protocols to choose from, with Wireguard, OpenVPN (TCP and UDP options) and IKEv2 available, and Servers have recently been updated to 10 Gbps options, but despite the name, it’s not the fastest around. However, it’s so affordable that it’s hard not to recommend, with a lifetime price of $40 (normally $600), which we’ve even seen reduced to just $30! FastestVPN does a great job and for a lot less than others. FastestVPN has more than 800 servers, which is a lot – but in context, that’s dramatically less than NordVPN or ExpressVPN. Rivals do offer a larger server count, but the ease of use, and low barrier of entry, make FastestVPN one of our best VPN picks in 2025. FastestVPN is available on Mac as well as Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and plenty more apps. See FastestVPNs plans here. Read our full FastestVPN review 7. Hide.me Pros Free tier Streaming-focused servers included Advanced features Cons Fewer servers than other options Price When Reviewed: From $2.49 per month for two years (+4 months extra) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Hide.Me (Monthly) $2.49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 2,600+ servers in 90 countries 10 simultaneous connections Hide Me is a versatile VPN with a free plan (though limited). It unblocks Netflix libraries globally and keeps data secure. Hide Me is available on various devices, with native apps for Windows, Mac, iPad, Android, and iOS. The Mac app has a main window and a Menu bar icon for quick access. The initial setup is straightforward, focusing on quick app usage. Want to quickly connect to a server? Open it and click the Enable VPN button. It’s great to see 10 simultaneous connections available, so one plan can cover a family’s devices. You can choose where you’re connecting from a list of locations or a list of streaming-friendly options. While it offers advanced features like Split Tunnelling and multi-hop servers, these are easily accessible. Split-tunnelling lets you send traffic via the VPN on a per-app basis, while a Kill Switch can stop all traffic when your VPN connection wavers. Multi-Hop connectivity is included in the price, which means your data bounces between servers, further hiding it and making it harder to trace, though it does slow down connectivity. OpenVPN is supported, as expected, but IKEv2, SoftEther, and SSTP are also available, so you can easily switch to an alternative protocol if needed. We found sub-10% download speed drops across multiple servers, making it one of the slicker VPNs we’ve tested. Geo-unblocking is great, as Hide Me switches your location to various streaming-friendly servers. Privacy-wise, Hide Me is an ‘Offshore VPN’ with its headquarters in Labuan, Malaysia, giving it anonymity from the Five Eyes intelligence coalition and other countries. The company has a strict no-logs policy, preventing it from keeping any data from users and their sessions. There’s a free plan with basic features, but it lacks multihop functionality and streaming support. Easy to use, Hide Me is a great service with many features, such as split tunnelling and multihop connections, a device limit of 10 (double some rivals), and excellent streaming support. The only downside is the limited server count. See full Hide.me pricing here Read our full hide.me VPN review 8. Private Internet Access Pros Lots of servers Fast WireGuard speeds Split tunneling works well Unblocks BBC iPlayer Cons Clunky Mac app Based within 14-eyes Price When Reviewed: From $2.03 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $11.99 a month. Unlimited devices. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Private Internet Access (Monthly) $2.03 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 35,000+ servers, 91 countries Unlimited connections Private Internet Access (PIA) is a powerful VPN designed for savvy users, offering “power user” tools and features such as custom DNS, connection rules, split tunnelling, and more at a lower cost than many competitors. The PIA Mac app offers pretty much everything its Microsoft counterpart does. The app can be used on any device and offers servers in 91 countries. In my testing, the “auto” setting did a good job of picking servers that balanced speed and privacy. The main window provides information on performance graphs, download and upload speeds, and quick settings for tools like Light Mode, Port Forwarding, and LAN connections. While you can use PIA for getting around geoblocked content on your streaming services, PIA is more privacy-focused than other VPNs, with features like the Advanced Kill Switch, Split Tunnelling, port forwarding, and Multi-Hop server obfuscation. PIA also offers customizable features like automation setup and DNS options. Private Internet Access can’t beat the speeds of NordVPN and Surfshark, and its stablemate CyberGhost VPN offers more impressive speeds, but at the cost of some power features. In our testing, we saw a reasonable drop of around 8% on Mac while using the PIA VPN. Upload speeds dropped considerably– by around 25%, which may be an issue if you do a lot of uploading. Its zero-log policy has been verified by Deloitte Audit Romania. Despite inconsistent speeds, Private Internet Access is a great VPN for all budgets with a wealth of features for privacy-inclined users. Subscribe to Private Internet Access here. Read our full Private Internet Access review 9. ClearVPN Pros Nice design. Great for getting around geo-blocks. Cons Lacks some features like split tunneling. Not the fastest. Price When Reviewed: Three day trial. Currently $44.99 a year, usually $119.88 a year ($9.99 a month). Best Prices Today: Retailer Price MacPaw (first year, 6 devices) $44.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket More than 50 servers Six device limit MacPaw’s ClearVPN service is a VPN that lacks many more advanced features offered by its rivals, but on the other hand, it’s one of the easiest to use. With a nice UI and easy-to-use features it’s thoughtfully designed for VPN newcomers. It really is as simple as hitting a button to connect. In the settings are options to block ads, keep ClearVPN in the dock, and a Kill Switch so that you can cut traffic from your device if the connection to the VPN is broken. It’s all pretty basic stuff, but it’s offered in such an easy-to-use way that it’s hard not to appreciate the simplicity. There are also handy keyboard shortcuts to move around the app. There are more than 50 servers, which sounds like a lot, but it’s dwarfed rivals who have thousands of servers. That means your choices are limited, but at least ClearVPN lets you filter between Optimal Location or jumping straight to something like Disney Plus US or UK. One of the more common power user features for VPNs is split tunneling, which lets some traffic go through the VPN while some goes around it. That’s not supported here. Sadly, MacPaw’s VPN speeds also need some work. We saw considerable speed drops across multiple servers – even closer ones. We saw drops of around 20 to 30 percent in download speed, and around 50 percent for upload speed. It’s still fast enough to use Netflix, but it’s slower than the majority of alternatives out there. Most VPN companies use external auditors to verify that they’re not recording user or session data, but ClearVPN hasn’t undergone one at the time of writing. This shouldn’t mean anything untoward as the company is headquartered in Ukraine, which falls outside of various surveillance alliances, so it can’t be asked to share your data. ClearVPN is priced affordably, but prices and the deals on offer change all the time with VPNs. Look out for low monthly prices that don’t lock you in for too long. There’s a six-device limit. If you’re new to using a VPN service, ClearVPN makes a compelling case to be your first choice, and stress-free access to Netflix around the globe, it’s a great starter option. Still, the speed drop and lack of common features like split tunneling likely mean power users should look elsewhere. You can save money by paying for the first year up front, but you can also pay monthly. See full ClearVPN pricing here. Read our full ClearVPN review 10. PureVPN Pros Easy to use Works on multiple devices Additional power user features Cons Obtuse pricing model. Caused many websites to question whether we were “human” Price When Reviewed: From $1.49 per month ( + 3 months extra) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price PureVPN (Monthly for first year) $1.49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 6,500 servers, 78 countries 10 simultaneous connections If you’re looking for a flexible VPN service that will get around geoblocking and is easy to use, PureVPN is well worth a look. The basic plan includes the VPN service and nothing more, but you can add a Password Manager and File Encryption tools in the Plus plan. The Max plan adds a Digital Privacy Manager that requests your records be scrubbed by data brokers, blocks web trackers, and recommends ways to maximize your privacy. Whichever plan you opt for you’ll be able to connect 10 devices at once. PureVPN will run on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, and is easy to use on each to let you connect to over six thousand servers. As far as getting around geo-blocks, we found PureVPN to be as easy as any other service to use. Select a location, load your streaming service or app of choice, and you’re off. PureVPN is registered in the British Virgin Islands, which is more privacy-friendly than Hong Kong where it operated previously. PureVPN offers one of the more impressive no-logging policies, with an ongoing “always-on” audit process whereby an auditor can request confirmation of that policy at any time. PureVPN has been winding down its virtual servers, of which it has less control. There are still 23 such servers, but PureVPN is transparent about which servers are virtual and which are physical – you can see a small ‘v’ next to each virtual server on the PureVPN website. At the time of writing PureVPN is offering more than a whopping 80% off its plans if you sign up for 24 months. Two years is a long time in the world of VPNs, but at least means the full monthly pricing won’t kick in twelve months time. See PureVPN offers here. Read our full PureVPN review 11. Malwarebytes Privacy VPN Pros Kill switch and other advanced features Decent speeds Cons Fewer servers than some rivals Inconsistent geoblocking Price When Reviewed: $39.99 a year for one device Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Malwarebytes (first year, 1 device) $39.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket More than 245 servers 32 countries Malwarebytes is probably best known for antivirus software and advice (see our review of Malwarebytes Premium for Mac), but it also offers a standalone VPN service called Malwarebytes Privacy VPN. It’s an easy to use app with the right kind of privacy promises – as you’d expect. Malwarebytes Privacy VPN is easy to use and offers speeds that are better than many of its rivals for both downloads and uploads. It also has split-tunnelling via its ‘Connection rules’, and a Kill Switch to cut all traffic if the VPN drops out. There are some caveats — namely that it features fewer server locations than its rivals, and getting around geoblocks for different versions of streaming services can be a tad inconsistent. There’s no multi-hop server jumping, but the company does have a verified no-logs policy in place which means information isn’t held about a user’s activity. See full Maywarebytes pricing here Read our full Malwarebytes Privacy VPN review 12. CyberGhost Pros Simple to use Decent speeds Plenty of servers Cons Two-year plans are much cheaper Lacking some power user features Price When Reviewed: $2.02 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $12.99 a month. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price CyberGhost (Monthly) $2.03 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 11,000+ servers in 100 countries 7 simultaneous connections CyberGhost is a user-friendly app that connects to numerous servers worldwide, making it ideal for streaming Netflix from different countries and routing traffic away from untrustworthy open Wi-Fi networks. It offers core features like kill switch support, split tunnelling, and no bandwidth restrictions. CyberGhost’s no-logging audit history is thorough, and there is a 45-day free trial available. CyberGhost apps can be downloaded for various platforms, including Chrome extension and game consoles (we tested on Mac and iPhone). The app offers a simple “click and go” connection process, with a list of server nations and multiple locations. Encryption is standard across servers, and split tunnelling prioritizes traffic where needed. An automated kill switch can cut connections if the VPN drops out, while ‘Block content’ blocks DNS domains for ads, trackers, and malware. The app does not offer anything like Proton VPN’s Secure Core or additional features like a Password Manager, but subscription tiers are based on adding a dedicated IP address. The VPN has over 9,000 servers located in over 100 countries, with plans to expand in South America and Asia in late 2023. CyberGhost VPN has an impressive no-logs policy, meaning no one can access records of your activity while connected to the VPN. The app does not offer the Dark Web monitor offered by NordVPN, but it does have an automated kill switch to cut connections if the VPN drops out. The DNS blocking feature is easy to use but doesn’t allow you to choose what to block. CyberGhost offers a compelling package with just one main plan and a 45-day money-back guarantee. It’s an excellent VPN for newcomers, with impressive audits, an array of servers, decent speeds, and easy-to-use apps. See CyberGhost pricing here. Read our full CyberGhost review 13. Norton Ultra VPN Pros Antivirus protections Cloud Backup and Password Manager Email tracking quarantine Cons Slower than rival VPNs Inflexible payment options Price When Reviewed: First year is from $39.99 Norton Secure VPN; $49.99 Norton Ultra VPN; $59.99 Norton Ultra VPN Plus. Renews at a higher price of $79.99/$109.99/$129.99. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Norton (first year) $49.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Servers in 32 countries Norton has decades of experience protecting devices from cyber threats (read our review of Norton 360), but what or its VPN? Norton’s VPN plans are, outside of the basic tier, tied into its security software. It also comes with a password manager, dark web monitor, and cloud storage, but the VPN side of things is a little lacking. Perhaps it’s from testing so many of the best VPN services that we’ve grown used to a certain set of non-negotiables. Chief among them is browser extension options to allow for quick switching, but at the time of writing, there’s no such offering from Norton. Norton’s VPN does include plenty of accoutrements that other VPNs either don’t have or charge extra for. You can install the app on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and all three platforms have apps that work well and run nicely in the background. Norton offers Browser Protection, which scans sites as you browse. Norton also scans files before they land on your device. This worked well in testing, with barely added any additional time to the length of downloads. There’s a password manager, but it’s tied to the middle subscription tier and above. VPNs naturally decrease your internet speeds as your signal is fired across the globe, and Norton has servers in 32 countries – a steep drop from the 111 in NordVPN’s portfolio – but it does offer four protocols to choose from. IKEv2, OpenVPN and WireGuard are pretty commonly found across the board of rivals, but Norton has its own Mimic protocol which is intended to be ideal for unblocking international streaming services. Sadly, testing on a 70 Mbps connection saw a consistent speed drop-off. As for Mimic, Norton’s own VPN protocol, I was disappointed to find some international streaming services simply weren’t able to be unblocked with it. Norton clarified that Mimic is specifically designed for customers with special use cases who are unable to use WireGuard. We did have more luck with the more standardized protocols. VPNs worth their salt should always focus on privacy as their primary concern, and Norton does a good job, having undergone an audit from VerSprite, a security firm. It’s not a bad VPN, and if you’re looking for an option that packs a whole host of cyber-security tools into one easy-to-use package, it’s a great option. It’s disappointing that there is only a pay yearly option, where other VPNs have the option to pay monthly. Added to that is a steep jump in price for the second year. See full Norton Ultra VPN pricing here Read our full Norton Ultra VPN review 14. VyprVPN Pros Fast WireGuard speeds Very easy to use Unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer Low starting price Cons Comparatively few servers Not clear which servers are virtual Patchy support experience Price When Reviewed: From $3 a month for two years. Usually $10 a month. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price VyprVPN (Monthly) $3 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 70 servers 5 simultaneous connection VyprVPN offers everything most people are looking for in a VPN, without needing to spend much money. You get fast WireGuard speeds, alongside separate protocols focused on reliability, anti-censorship and ease of use. It’s also excellent at unblocking geo-restricted content, whether that’s local versions of Netflix or BBC iPlayer & ITV Hub from outside the UK. Premium features such as split tunneling and a kill switch are here too, even if the latter can’t be customised. VyprVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited, and the service adheres to a strict Privacy Policy from parent company Golden Frog. More than 700 servers in over 70 countries should be plenty for most people, although there’s often only one per country. It’s also not clear which of these are physical and virtual. Nonetheless, it’s still speedy, reliable and affordable. See full VyprVPN pricing here Read our full VyprVPN review How we test VPNs For each VPN service we review, we conduct tests at three different times of the day: morning, afternoon, and evening, using Ookla Speedtest. We start by measuring the speed of our unprotected internet connection before testing the upload/download speeds of the VPN service. These tests are conducted to servers located in North America, the UK, Europe, Oceana, and Asia over an ethernet connection with a service provision of 100Mbps. To test upload and download speeds, we close down all background internet processes on the Mac, using TripMode. The only traffic on the system able to upload or download any data is Ookla. We use this setup to ensure that the numbers that Ookla produced were not stymied by anything else that the computer may have been doing at the time. The speeds Ookla captured were then averaged, providing us with a final numeric score. We then use those scores to calculate a percentage of difference in speeds, which is what you’ll see in our reviews. Since internet speeds change constantly based on server load, how fast your connection is, and a gazillion other factors, we feel this provides a better picture of what you can expect from a service, on the whole, than merely quoting the exact upload/download speeds we encountered during testing. Speed isn’t the only quantifiable metric that we look at. The number of countries that a VPN offers servers in, total number of servers worldwide, and how much it’ll cost you to connect to those servers on a monthly or annual basis are also taken into consideration when recommending a VPN service to you. Additionally, we conduct hours of research into the VPN providers to find out who owns them, where they’re based, what they do with subscriber information, and whether the provider has a track record of questionable business practices. Why you can trust Macworld’s advice The team at Macworld has been testing Mac hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. We put every product through its paces using rigorous benchmarking and hands-on evaluation. We’d never recommend something we wouldn’t use ourselves. We conduct through testing of VPNs, focusing on the practicalities of device compatibility (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, and Mac), the number of devices supported, geo-restrictions and ease of use. We also pay attention to security – and validate the privacy promises made by each VPN company. We use the software ourselves so our reviews are based on our own experience with the software and include our own insights and unbiassed opinions. Macworld’s VPN specialist Lloyd Coombes has made it his aim to assess every VPN going. What to look for in a VPN A clear privacy policy. A good VPN should offer an easy-to-understand privacy policy that outlines what, if any, information the company collects from its users. It’s important that this policy details what they do with this information. Some VPN providers, especially those that offer their services for free, sell their user information to advertisers and other interested parties, just like an ISP does. Choose a provider that offers a level of privacy that suits you. Know where the provider is based. Many countries have no laws demanding that VPN providers maintain logs of their users’ activity. This makes maintaining your privacy more assurable than it would be if you use a VPN located in a country that requires that user-activity records be maintained. Some companies, in an effort to make their network of servers look bigger or more varied than it actually is, spoof the locations of their servers. The more servers, the merrier. Choosing a VPN provider with a ton of servers around the world is important for a couple of reasons. First, having a multitude of servers to choose from means that you won’t be forced to connect to an overpopulated server where the data flows like mud. Second, having a wealth of servers to choose from both at home and internationally means more opportunities for spoofing your location, allowing you to hide where you are or access region-locked content with ease. Multiple payment options. It’s a vicious circle. Paying for a VPN with a credit card online before you have access to a VPN could allow your financial information to fall into the wrong hands. Look for providers that offer alternative payment options such as PayPal, Bitcoin, AliPay, or via the Mac App Store. An easy-to-use interface. It takes a lot of digital wizardry to connect to a VPN. Some people want to see how their VPN operates, behind the scenes. Using an open source VPN client like Tunnelblick is great for this. Most folks, however, just want their VPN to work with minimal frustration. Look for a VPN service that offers a Mac client with an easy-to-use interface. Protection for all of your devices. A good VPN service will offer licenses for multiple devices to protect your loved ones’ computers as well as your personal smartphone and tablet. To this end, before investing in a VPN subscription, make sure that it provides software clients for all of the devices you own. What to avoid when choosing a VPN The price of a VPN might look attractive, but the price can rise over time. Most VPNs will cost less than $3/£3 per month if you sign up for a one- or two-year deal. However, once the deal period ends the price often jumps significantly. By the time your deal is up you may not notice the extra cash leaving your bank account so our advice is to set a reminder to shop around a month before your subscription runs out so you can search for a better deal. Best Free VPNs for Mac You may be able to save money if you take a look at our round-up of VPN deals. But, if you were hoping to spend nothing, there are also a number of free VPNs available, just beware that some severely restrict which servers (and therefore countries) you can connect to and the amount of data you can download through those servers. Our recommendation is ProtonVPN, which has a free tier that may be sufficient for your needs. It’s important to read the terms and conditions before using a free VPN, as in rare cases they sell your data to third parties to offset the cost of you using it without paying. It’s a bigger problem on iPhones and Android where unscrupulous companies try to cash in on the VPN ‘gold rush’ and offer up poorly put together apps. Stick with our recommendations and you’ll be safe from these, though. FAQ 1. Do Macs have a built-in VPN? There is a big question. Do Mac users even need a VPN? Since Apple introduced iOS 15 and macOS Monterey in 2021 the company has offered a handy private relay service. iCloud Private Relay acts a bit like a VPN because it encrypts your web-browsing traffic and sends it through a relay to hide your location, IP, and any information about what you were browsing. iCloud Private Relay solves part of the problem that Mac users have used VPNs for in the past–it means that companies cannot build a clear picture of you on the web, thereby protecting your privacy. iCloud Private Relay has some disadvantages: it only works when you are using Safari, you have to be a subscriber to iCloud, and you can’t use it to pretend to be surfing from another country in order to access content that is locked to a particular region. Read more here: iCloud+ Private Relay explained. If you are a subscriber to iCloud, and only use Safari, then iCloud Private Relay will provide you with some anonymity when you are surfing the web. You may therefore be thinking that this means you don’t need a VPN to hide your location and identity. However, iCloud Private Relay does not allow you to choose an IP address or a region, and you won’t be able to make it look like you’re coming from another location. So you can’t watch geographically locked Netflix content, for example. 2. What is a VPN? VPN stands for virtual private network. If you’re not using a VPN, when your computer connects to the internet, it does so through the local gateway provided by your internet service provider (ISP). Doing this allows you to connect to all of the online services you use everyday. However, connecting this way also allows an ISP to know your physical location based on where you access the internet—be it at home, at work, in a cafe, or at a public Wi-Fi hotspot. This information is often sold to marketers and other parties interested in getting to know more about you and your browsing habits. Worse still, if you connect to the internet through an access point with weak security, such as at an airport, mall, or local library, hackers connected to the same network could intercept personal information like your social media passwords or banking credentials through what’s called a man-in-the-middle attack. A VPN service can help prevent all of that. A VPN creates an encrypted digital tunnel between your computer and the server of the VPN service you choose to use. Once this tunnel has been established, your web searches, the sites you access, and the information you submit online will be hidden from prying eyes. This means that your ISP can’t log or sell your information and hackers using the same network as you will find it difficult to initiate an attack on you. Almost no one will have any idea of what information you’re accessing. For our recommendations of Mac Antivirus Software that we have tested see: Best Antivirus for Mac 2024: Top Security Software Compared. VPN apps are very easy to install and use but for a step-by-step guide, read how to set up a VPN on a Mac. 3. What a VPN can’t do A VPN can’t protect you from viruses, malware, or ransomware attacks if you choose to download an infected file, or a visit site designed to inject your computer with malignant code. It won’t keep spoofed sites from stealing your personal information, if you happen to visit one. So, you’ll want to bone up on online security best practices. You should know that while using a VPN will allow you to anonymously engage in peer-to-peer file-sharing/torrenting, some service providers may cancel your VPN subscription or turn over your information to the authorities if they catch you trading copyrighted material with others. 4. Should you use a VPN? Is it legal? While accessing locked content is a bit of a gray area, due to licensing agreements, we don’t blame anyone who is desperate to watch the latest season of their favorite program when it airs in the U.S. rather than waiting for it to come to their country. Paying to watch a streaming service that’s not available in your country has to be less morally wrong than actual piracy! For more information on the legalities and whether it is safe to use a VPN read: Is a VPN safe for Mac? 5. What is the difference between a VPN and a Proxy? VPNs and proxies can both mask your IP address and bypass geo-restrictions, but they differ significantly in their scope, security features, and the level of privacy provided. For example, VPNs offer encryption between your device and the VPN server, while a proxy server is likely to forward unencrypted data. VPNs also offer a broader range of security and privacy benefits beyond just IP masking. VPNs will function on the operating system level while proxies only conceal your IP address for certain applications, such as a web browser. 6. Are VPNs safe to use Reputable providers of VPNs that prioritize user privacy through features like no-log policies and strong encryption. Users should exercise caution with unknown free VPNs, as some may compromise data security 7. Can a VPN help me access Netflix and other streaming services? VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) can be a valuable tool for accessing Netflix and other streaming services that are geographically restricted, enabling access to content libraries that would otherwise be unavailable. However, streaming services are constantly working to detect and block VPN usage. 8. Will a VPN slow down my internet Because a VPN encrypts data and routes it through external servers, there can be a degree of internet speed reduction. The extent of this will depend on your location, your internet speed, and the choice of VPN server. 9. Should I use a free VPN Free is appealing, but it is important to exercise caution. Some free VPNs have security vulnerabilities and even contain malware. They may also capture your activities. Other disadvantages include data caps, less encryption, and fewer servers on offer. We do recommend Proton VPN because it’s free-tier combines with a strong privacy track record. 10. Can a VPN really hide my address? VPNs are effective in obscuring a user’s location and online activities from various entities, but they do not offer absolute anonymity. While it’s not possible to completely hide your digital presence, a VPN provider with a strict “no-logs” policy will at least mean your traffic or online activity is not recorded.05:23 pmMCI (Kansas City) on 2026-02-24
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Feb 24, 08:00 - 13:00 UTCFeb 23, 17:04 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in MCI (Kansas City) datacenter on 2026-02-24 between 08:00 and 13:00 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.05:16 pmiPhone 18 Pro to Revive Feature Samsung Dropped Years Ago
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to resurrect a major feature Samsung's flagship Galaxy smartphones dropped years ago, according to a multitude of rumors. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now widely expected to feature a significantly upgraded main camera with a variable aperture. An aperture is the opening within a camera lens that controls the amount of light reaching the image sensor. In December 2024, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to say that that the main rear camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models will offer variable aperture. A more recent report from October 2025 said Apple was moving ahead with plans to bring the technology to next-generation iPhones and was discussing components with suppliers. A variable aperture allows the camera to adjust the amount of light that reaches the sensor with tiny blades. This means that in dark environments, the aperture can be opened to receive more light, while in light environments, it can be closed to prevent over-exposure. It also should provide users with greater control over depth of field, which refers to how sharp a subject appears in the foreground compared to the background. Apple has never used a variable aperture on an iPhone camera before. The main cameras on all of the iPhone 14 Pro through iPhone 17 Pro models have a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78, and the lens is always fully open and shooting with this aperture. Samsung previously brought a variable aperture camera to its Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S10 models in 2018 and 2019. The feature has appeared on other Android smartphones in recent years, such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Honor Magic 7 Pro, and Huawei Mate series. Due to the way that the components increased device thickness and raised its cost, Samsung dropped the feature in 2020, even though it was more advanced than the fixed-aperture cameras it moved to. Interestingly, Samsung is reportedly planning to follow Apple in adding a variable aperture to its smartphone cameras. Samsung apparently sees adding a variable aperture as "necessary to increase camera competitiveness," replacing software correction with physical hardware. The company hopes that in investing in variable aperture camera technology, thickness can be reduced and costs will reduce over time. Samsung has reportedly asked multiple camera module partners to develop variable apertures and provide samples in light of Apple's plans. The feature is in early development and final installation on future Galaxy devices has not yet been confirmed, but there is said to be a "strong will" to introduce it. Beyond a variable aperture, the iPhone 18 Pro models are rumored to feature a smaller Dynamic Island, the A20 chip, longer battery life, the C2 modem, a simplified Camera Control button, the N1 wireless chip, and more. They are expected to launch in the fall alongside the first foldable iPhone. This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums05:04 pmMarch 4 Apple Experience & more with guest Brian Tong on the HomeKit Insider podcast
On this week's episode with guest Brian Tong, we discuss the upcoming evolution of the HomeKit Insider podcast, and what we expect to see on Apple's March 4 special experience.HomeKit Insider PodcastThis week's guest host is once more Brian Tong. Brian is a content creator who has been covering the tech space for years, including securing high-profile interviews with Apple executives and co-hosting CES.Kicking off this episode, your host talks about the future of the podcast. This will officially be the last episode ofHomeKit Insider. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:00 pmApple’s three-day product blitz: New launches expected March 2-4
Apple is gearing up for a three-day rollout of new product unveilings, with announcements scheduled for March 2-4… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.04:54 pmiOS 26.3.1 update in testing as new Apple releases loom
Macworld Apple released iOS 26.3 about two weeks ago, but the company is preparing another iOS update, this time without a beta cycle. MacRumors initially reported that Apple has an iOS 26.3.1 update in the works, and we here at Macworld also noticed that this website has been visited by devices running iOS 26.3.1. Website logs are a fairly reliable indicator of upcoming updates. Apple’s visit to sites outside the company’s intranet indicates that the 26.3.1 update is imminent. Such point-release updates at Apple do not require developer and public beta testing, and they are completed much more quickly, probably within the next week or two. The timing also fits perfectly with the announced Apple Experience on March 4, where Apple is expected to unveil several new products, including the iPhone 17e and a cheaper MacBook. Since Apple generally updates all of its devices at the same time, we expect macOS and iPadOS are in development as well. The new OS versions could be in preparation for the new devices. With a point-release update such as iOS 26.3.1, Apple does not release any new features. Such updates are used to fix bugs, install security patches, and, in some instances, add support for newly released devices.04:51 pmHow pre-release iOS builds are used and secured at iPhone assembly plants
While iOS features often leak ahead of their official launch, information about them rarely comes from hardware assembly plants — here's why.VendorUI variant of iOS 26.2 running on a DVT-stage iPhone 16 Pro Max. Screenshot Credit: The Apple wiki.Apple is no stranger to software leaks. Practically every year, before the iPhone maker releases new versions of its operating systems, we see reports claiming to have details about all the unannounced features and design changes.Though some features end up changing mid-development, and other rumors were never based in truth to begin with, many leaked capabilities end up making it to the release variant of iOS. That begs the question, where does the accurate information come from? Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums04:43 pmApple TV celebrates season two premiere of hit drama ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’
On Thursday, February 19, Apple TV celebrated the highly anticipated second season of “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” with a star-studded red… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.04:40 pmDeals: 512GB iPhone 16 Pro $480 off, 17 Pro TechWoven cases, Alpine Loop 30% off, iPad Pro, more | 9 to 5 MacDeals: 512GB iPhone 16 Pro $480 off, 17 Pro TechWoven cases, Alpine Loop 30% off, iPad Pro, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break features a new Amazon all-time low on Apple’s top-end 11-inch M5 iPad Pro at $200 off, but we also spotted a chance to land the 512GB iPhone 16 Pro at $480 off the original list price (or $200 less than the Apple refurb store). And joining the ongoing $100 price drop on the 46mm Jet Black Apple Watch Series 11, from there we move over to some notable accessory offers – the best price in months on iPhone 17 Pro TechWoven cases, the official Light Blue Alpine Loop with Black Titanium finish at 30% off. and the lowest price yet on the Apple Crossbody Strap from just over $23. Just be sure to scope out this Anker Nano Travel Adapter down at $20 and everything else down below as well. more…04:37 pmScreen Time API
Anyone experienced with . I am working on a capstone project in my final year of college. I am building an app that tracks subscriptions. One of the app's functionalities involves screen time API, in particular the device activity framework. I am wondering if it's possible for device activity to report how long […]04:37 pmSave a bundle on Apple’s 6-foot 240W USB-C cable
Macworld Super-fast charging cables can be quite pricey, especially when they’re over 3 feet long. For example, Apple’s 2m 240W USB-C Charge Cable normally carries a $29 MSRP, but thanks to today’s sale, you can get one for $17 after a 25 percent discount and by applying the promo code APPLEFIVE at checkout for an extra $5 off. This 2-meter cable (6.5-feet) features a woven design, so it’s going to be a lot more durable than a regular model. Not only is it more durable, but it’s also going to be less likely to tangle. The best part about this USB-C-to-USB-C cable is that it supports 240W charging, which is more than capable of fast-charging anything you own, including the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The cable can also be used to sync devices or transfer data between gadgets, which can be super helpful. The extended length also makes this cable ideal for charging things in your office, allowing you to not stay tethered to the outlet. Woot also has packs of multiple cables if you’d rather go for one of those. A two-pack is available for $40 ($35 with APPLEFIVE), while a three-pack is down to $57 ($52 with APPLEFIVE), with all deals bringing the price to around $17 for each cable. The APPLEFIVE discount code is only valid today (February 23). Grab this Apple 240W USB-C cable for $17 at Woot before the deal expires. Woot deals are only available until stock runs out or until the deal expires. Since this is an Amazon company, your Prime perks will still work here. Buy now at Woot04:36 pmApple's M4 MacBook Air dips to $849 during Amazon's month-end sale
Numerous M4 MacBook Air models are eligible for a $150 discount during Amazon's month-end Apple sale.Get an M4 MacBook Air for $849 during Amazon's month-end sale - Image credit: AppleThe $150 discount at Amazon brings the standard M4 MacBook Air 13-inch down to $849.99 in the timeless Silver finish.Buy M4 MacBook Air for $849.99 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums04:26 pmApple TV unveils first look at season two of ‘Wonder Pets: In the City,’ premiering March 20th | Mac Daily NewsApple TV unveils first look at season two of ‘Wonder Pets: In the City,’ premiering March 20th
Apple TV on Monday shared a sneak peek at season two of “Wonder Pets: In the City,” the colorful series that follows Izzy the Guinea Pig… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.04:19 pmVisual Intelligence expected to define Apple’s push into AI wearables
Apple CEO Cook has been dropping hints about a potential third major product category: AI-powered wearables centered on Visual Intelligence… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.04:10 pmHow Apple Visual Intelligence could change everything
With all the hints Tim Cooks drops, you might wonder how Apple Visual Intelligence could change everything -- including human perception. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:08 pmApple TV sets new drama series ‘Unconditional’ to premiere May 8th
Apple TV on Monday announced it has landed Keshet 12’s new drama series “Unconditional,” from co-creators Adam Bizanski… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.04:04 pmApple TV sets world record with Godzilla, Kong drone marketing spectacle
Apple TV’s sci-fi epic Monarch: Legacy of Monsters premieres this week, and in a major marketing spectacle, the streamer crafted a drone event involving Godzilla, Kong, and more. more…04:04 pmNew MacBook Pro coming soon? M5 Pro & M5 Max rumors, specs and pricing explained
Macworld Apple launched the M5 MacBook Pro in October 2025, but many are still waiting for the company to launch the superior M5 Pro and M5 Max versions of the MacBook Pro. The good news is we may not have to wait for much longer, with the new MacBook Pro possibly launching on, or before, March 4. This article will keep track of rumors about the M5 Pro and M5 Max, when they might launch, what specs and features can be expected, and will offer perspective based on Apple’s Mac lineup. Here’s everything we know so far. We’ll also address the question: Would power users be wise to wait a little longer for the much bigger changes rumored to be just around the corner? The M6 generation of the MacBook Pro could offer a touch screen and more, according to reports. At a glance: Current MacBook Pro compared to M5 Pro and M5 Max rumors FeatureM4 Pro / M4 Max (Current)M5 Pro / M5 Max M6 rumours…ReleaseOctober 2024 (current models)Around March 4, 2026Late 2026/2027DesignSame as 2021 modelExpected to retain existing designRedesign DisplayMini-LED, up to 1,600 nits peakSame Mini-LEDOLED display, touchscreen CPU CoresM4 Pro: 12–14 cores M4 Max: 14–16 coresRumoured similar/core counts but with architectural improvements including modular CPU/GPU blocks GPU CoresM4 Pro: 16–20 M4 Max: 32–40Improved performance boost over M4 series Chip ArchitectureTSMC enhanced 3 nm (M4 Pro/Max) Enhanced M5 generation; chips. May separate CPU/GPU tiles for efficiency.PerformanceStrong pro performanceRumoured 25–30% performance uplift compared to M4 generation for Pro/Max chipsAI / NeuralM4 features a 16-core Neural Engine Enhanced AI throughput rumouredMemory & BandwidthM4 Max supports up to 128GB unified memory with up to 546GBps bandwidthWill maintain high bandwidth and configurations for professional usePorts & ConnectivityThunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 6E (current models) Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thunderbolt 5Camera12 MP FaceTime camera No significant camera upgrades expectedHole-punch webcam, rather than notch New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Performance expectations Foundry The Pro and Max variants of Apple’s chips are aimed at professionals whose workflows require sustained high performance that exceeds the capabilities of the standard M5 chips. These higher-end variants push the boundaries of Apple Silicon by scaling up core counts and memory interfaces and offer a more advanced architecture with greater flexibility for CPU, GPU, and memory configurations. These models also include additional ports, like Thunderbolt 5, that aren’t yet supported at the entry-level. While the standard M5 MacBook Pro that debuted in October 2025 was little more than a chip refresh to the consumer-targeted version of the machine, the upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to deliver significant performance leaps to the MacBook Pro, particularly in graphics and artificial intelligence. Reports indicate that we can expect a typical performance boost from one chip generation to another – between 15 and 25 percent over the equivalent M4 chips. However, based on the performance gains observed in the base M5 chip – which saw a 13% increase in single-core and a 22% increase in multi-core performance over the M4 – projections for the M5 Pro and Max are optimistic. The M5 Max is expected to be a “AI monster,” potentially cracking the 250,000-point mark in Geekbench 6 GPU compute tests, a feat previously only approached by the M3 Ultra with double the GPU cores. M5 Pro and M5 Max chips: Rumored features and specifications New chip design for the M5 Pro and M5 Max could feature the CPU and GPU on separate blocks. The M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to be substantial upgrades over the M4 Pro and M4 Max. Current reports suggest Apple may maintain similar core counts to the M4 generation while focusing on architectural efficiency improvements and higher clock speeds. Although exact specifications have not been confirmed, both chips are expected to scale well beyond the base M5’s 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU configuration. More notably, the M5 Pro and M5 Max are rumored to introduce a major architectural shift aimed at improving AI and parallel processing performance. In October 2025, MaxTech’s Vadim Yuryev reported that Apple is developing a redesigned chip layout that separates the CPU and GPU into distinct blocks. This modular approach could enable more flexible CPU and GPU configurations — for example, pairing a base CPU configuration with a fully enabled GPU. Yuryev suggested that this architectural overhaul is the reason the M5 Pro and M5 Max may be delayed until 2026. The high-end models are also rumored to use TSMC’s “SoIC-MH” packaging technology, which allows vertical stacking of semiconductor components. This approach is expected to improve thermal efficiency and performance compared to the standard 3nm process used in the base M5. These chips are expected to debut in 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with dual-fan cooling systems, offering better sustained performance under heavy workloads compared to the single-fan base M5 configuration. At a glance: Process Technology: Built on TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process (N3P), delivering roughly 10% better efficiency and 5% higher performance compared to the M4 series. Memory Bandwidth & Capacity: Expected to deliver nearly a 30% increase in memory bandwidth (around 153 GB/s on the base M5), with the Pro and Max scaling even further for higher throughput. M5 Pro: At least 48GB RAM M5 Max: Up to 128GB+ RAM. The Max variant is also expected to remain the only option supporting up to 8TB of storage. GPU Capabilities & AI Performance: Expected improvements include: Third-generation hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Second-generation dynamic caching. A rumored “Neural Accelerator” in each GPU core (separate from the standard Neural Engine). Together, these upgrades could enable up to a 4x increase in GPU-based AI workload performance, with the Pro and Max variants further scaling graphics and AI capabilities for demanding professional applications. Connectivity: Confirmed support for Thunderbolt 5, offering up to 120Gbps for video and 80Gbps for data transfer. Architecture and Design: Reports suggest higher-end models will separate CPU and GPU blocks, enabling more flexible configurations (e.g., base CPU paired with a max-tier GPU). The architecture is expected to share core design elements with the A19 Pro, improving scalability for professional and AI-heavy workloads. New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Specs N1 chip: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Thunderbolt 5. With the launch of the M4 MacBook Pro, Apple made a series of upgrades that replaced outdated components, including upping the base RAM to 16GB, bringing Thunderbolt 5 to the M4 Pro and Max models, and offering a Nano-texture glass option. The M5 MacBook Pro saw no changes to the specs other than the processor. The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi remained the same. A new 4TB SSD option was added, but in the U.K. and Europe, Apple has removed the Power Adapter from the box. However, more is expected for the MacBook Pro M5 Pro and Max: Apple may integrate the N1 chip, as used in the iPhone 17, which will bring Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, as well as improve features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. Apple The entry-level model still only offers Thunderbolt 4, but the Max and Pro will continue to offer Thunderbolt 5. There are reports that Apple is working on a 5G modem for the Mac, but it’s unlikely to arrive before 2026. New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Camera No change expected. The M4 MacBook Pro added a 12MP FaceTime camera, a decent upgrade from the 1080p FaceTime camera. The M5 Macook Pro maintains this camera, so it is unlikely the Pro and Max models will gain anything. However, we could see a similar FaceTime camera update to 18MP as seen on the iPhone 17. The square sensor is less relevant here as the MacBook Pro will only ever be in one orientation, although it could allow for more of the area around a person to be visible. More changes are rumored for the camera in the M6 generation: reports suggest that in the future we may see a hole-punch webcam instead of a notch. Petter Ahrnstedt New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Design rumors No change to the design expected. Apple last updated the design of the MacBook Pro in 2021. There was no change to the MacBook Pro’s design when Apple introduced the M5 model. Apple will likely stick with the current design for the M5 Pro and Max models. It’s always possible that a new color makes an appearance—like Space Black in 2023—but for the most part, the MacBook Pro design is set for at least another year. There have been suggestions that an overhaul of the MacBook design could mark the 20th anniversary of the MacBook Pro (the MacBook Pro launched in January 2006 replacing the PowerBook). However, the rumors aren’t pointing to an early 2026 redesign. Instead, the bigger changes are expected for the M6 generation. In July 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the M5 MacBook Pro series would be the last of the current design. Apple appears to be saving the next major design upgrade for the M6 MacBook Pro for 2026. The M6 upgrade is said to include OLED screens, a camera “hole” to replace the notch, and a thinner design. New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Display rumors No changes to the display expected. Big changes are said to be coming to the M6 MacBook Pro. Foundry There is no change to the display on the M5 MacBook Pro, so it’s unlikely that the M5 Max and M5 Pro models will get any screen updates. Although we could see a higher nits brightness rating, up from the current 1,600 nits peak. As for display support, the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips will continue to differentiate themselves from the base M5 through superior expansion and display support. While the standard M5 is limited to two external displays, the M5 Pro is expected to support at least two 6K displays, and the M5 Max will likely support up to four external displays More changes to the display could be in the pipeline, but not for this generation. Back on February 11, 2025, The Elec reported that OLED displays for the MacBook Pro were going into production, but these weren’t expected to feature in the laptop until 2026. Unfortunately, the big display changes seem set to arrive with a subsequent generation of MacBook Pro, with rumors, again, pointing to Apple introducing OLED screens for the M6 generation of MacBook Pro. There could be something even more exciting coming with the M6 generation: a touchscreen! Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple is going to launch a MacBook with a touch screen, and it could arrive on a MacBook Pro as soon as 2026. However, this update is not expected to arrive until the M6 generation and could be delayed until 2027. Apple could be saving any drastic changes to the MacBook Pro for 2026.Foundry New M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro: Release date Launch by March 4, 2026 Apple is expected to release the updated MacBook Pro models featuring M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in the spring of 2026. Apple has confirmed it will hold a series of global “experiences” on March 4, 2026, in New York, London, and Shanghai. Unlike a traditional keynote event, these coordinated sessions are expected to be extended hands-on experiences for the press to interact with new hardware, and the M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro is likely to be one of the new products being demoed at that “experience”. Specific details regarding the launch include: Experience day: Apple has invited some press to “experiences” on March 4, in London, New York and Shanghai. Production status: Reports from early 2025 indicated that fabrication facilities for these “high-end M5 models” were already being prepared, utilizing TSMC’s advanced SoIC-MH process for improved thermal management. In December 2025, a MacRumors report indicated that a kernel debug kit used by Apple engineers referenced MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, indicating that the update is coming soon. On February 1, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple plans to ship the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro around the time when macOS 26.3 is released. That version is currently in beta and could be released in February or March. On February 4, Apple released the release candidate for macOS 26.3. This indicates that the software is almost ready to go and could be officially released in the next week or two. The new laptops could follow shortly after or be released at the same time. On February 9, Gurman reported that the macOS 26.3 beta release candidate cycle runs through March. A release of the new laptops “is currently slated for as early as the week of March 2.” On February 22, Gurman indicated that Apple will launch “at least five new products” by March 4, and that could include the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro. Why the Delay? The staggered release – launching the base M5 in late 2025 while holding back the Pro and Max versions – is reportedly due to a significant architectural shift. As discussed above, the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are rumored to feature a new design that separates CPU and GPU blocks, which may allow for greater customization at the time of purchase to meet the parallel processing demands of AI. New M5 MacBook Pro: Price Prices are unlikely to change. Reports suggest pricing for M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros will align with the current Pro and Max models. Here are the prices for the current standard configurations of the M4 Pro and Max MacBook Pro, for reference. Prices are unlikely to change. 14-inch MacBook Pro $1,999/£1,999: M4 Pro with a 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $2,399/£2,399: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $3,199/£3,199: M4 Max with a 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 16-inch MacBook Pro $2,499/£2,499: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $2,899/£2,899: M4 Pro with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 48GB unified memory, 512TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $3,499/£3,499: M4 Max with a 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 $3,999/£3,999: M4 Max with a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 48GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 5 The M5 MacBook Pro prices haven’t changed, but in the U.K. and Europe the Power Adapter will cost extra: $1,599/£1,599: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 $1,799/£1,799: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 1TB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 $1,999/£1,999: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 1GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 Read our comparison of every Mac Apple sells: Every Apple Mac and MacBook compared.03:57 pmApple Sports App Expands to More Countries and Leagues
Starting today, the Apple Sports app on the iPhone is available in dozens of additional countries across the Caribbean and Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Peru, and others. Apple Sports first launched in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. in February 2024, and it later expanded to Europe and Mexico. The app shows scores, stats, standings, upcoming games, and more for a variety of leagues and competitions. Also as of today, the app now supports the following six Latin men's soccer (fútbol) leagues: Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Categoría Primera A Liga de Primera Liga Pro Liga Profesional de Fútbol Primera División del Perú In the "Search" section of Apple Sports, there is a new "Soccer" category that contains all of the soccer leagues that are available in the app. Finally, Apple says fans can now follow men's and women's NCAA tournaments in real time, with brackets showcasing matchups and results at a glance for each round. These changes arrived in version 3.8 of the app, which is available now in the App Store.Tag: Apple SportsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums03:53 pmMAD (Madrid) on 2026-02-27
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Feb 27, 00:00 - 08:00 UTCFeb 23, 15:32 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in MAD (Madrid) datacenter on 2026-02-27 between 00:00 and 08:00 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.03:53 pmEWR (Newark) on 2026-02-26
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Feb 26, 09:00 - 17:00 UTCFeb 23, 15:46 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in EWR (Newark) datacenter on 2026-02-26 between 09:00 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.03:52 pmMAD (Madrid) on 2026-02-26
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Feb 26, 00:00 - 08:00 UTCFeb 23, 15:30 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in MAD (Madrid) datacenter on 2026-02-26 between 00:00 and 08:00 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.03:51 pmToday in Apple history: iTunes hits 10 billion downloads
On February 23, 2010, the iTunes Store officially passed the 10 billion downloads mark. The 10 billionth download was a Johnny Cash song. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:37 pmApple Sports enhanced with NCAA tournament brackets and huge soccer expansion
Apple just upgraded its Apple Sports app with new NCAA tournament tracking features, a huge soccer expansion, and the ability to track leagues and teams in more markets. more…03:30 pmUpgrade to Windows 11 Pro for $12.97
Why pay list price for Microsoft software? This Windows 11 sale allows you to upgrade your PC to Windows 11 Pro for just $12.97. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:21 pmNew ‘Acme Weather’ app from Dark Sky creators wants to fix weather apps’ biggest problem | 9 to 5 MacNew ‘Acme Weather’ app from Dark Sky creators wants to fix weather apps’ biggest problem
The team behind Dark Sky is back with a new weather app for iPhone called “Acme Weather.” One of the primary goals of Acme Weather, according to the team, is to address “forecast uncertainty.” Rather than simply giving you a “single best guess” like other weather apps, Acme Weather acknowledges that it the forecast it’s showing might be wrong … and offers up some alternatives. more…03:17 pmApple TV's Kaiju-sized 'Monarch' drone show sets a new world record
Apple's promotional drone display for "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" has set a new world record, by creating life-size replicas of monsters from the Apple TV show in the air.Drone Godzilla - Image Credit: Apple TV/LegendaryThe Apple TV epic Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is all about larger-than-life titans roaming the Earth and causing carnage. In its promotion for the second season of the show, Apple TV commissioned a giant drone display from Heads in the Sky to match that scale.Shown in a brief recap video on YouTube, Apple TV and Legendary's drone display took to the skies of Los Angeles on February 20. The display used a fleet of drones to create dot-based models of Godzilla, King Kong, and Titan X that will feature in the second season. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:04 pmAll Deployments – Entra 504 Gateway timeouts
Feb 23, 10:04 ESTInvestigating - We are currently investigating an issue where 504 Gateway timeouts are present when accessing Entra when Duo is called for MFA.02:54 pmHow to achieve a “bouncy” tap effect on a SwiftUI Button like UIBarButtonItem? | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingHow to achieve a “bouncy” tap effect on a SwiftUI Button like UIBarButtonItem?
How are we supposed to achieve a "bouncy" scale effect when tapping on a SwiftUI Button? Here is an example of the specific effect I am looking for:https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LbabwMtXIv0(Button at the bottom right) I am targeting iOS 26. This is my current SwiftUI Button implementation, but it doesn't have the bouncy effect when tapped: Button(action: {}) […]02:41 pmApple Watch Series 11 Gets $100 Discounts on Amazon, Starting at $299
Amazon this week has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $100 discounts across select models of the smartwatch. This time around the deals are more sparse, and we're only tracking these discounts on three models of the smartwatch. 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. You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $299.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. We're only tracking one model of each of these watches on sale right now. $100 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS) for $299.00 $100 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS) for $329.00 If you're shopping for cellular models, you can get the 42mm cellular Apple Watch Series 11 on sale for $399.00, down from $499.00. Similar to the GPS models, only one model is being discounted at this time, and it's the Rose Gold Aluminum with Light Blush Sport Band in Small/Medium. $100 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (42mm Cell) for $399.00 Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over 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 forums02:36 pmiOS 26.3.1 could launch soon as the next iPhone update
Apple is currently beta testing iOS 26.4 as its next major iPhone update, but per 9to5Mac’s visitor logs, it appears there’s a smaller software release launching first: iOS 26.3.1 is coming soon. more…02:30 pmLAX (Los Angeles) on 2026-02-23
Feb 23, 14:30 UTCIn progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.Feb 23, 14:24 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in LAX (Los Angeles) datacenter on 2026-02-23 between 14:30 and 16:00 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.02:28 pmMicrosoft finally makes OneDrive look like a Mac app as it gets an all-new UI
Microsoft has a habit of porting Windows apps to Mac without bothering to make the UI look even remotely Mac-like. OneDrive was a classic example of this, but the company has finally managed to make it look like a Mac app as it gets a complete makeover for Liquid Glass … more…02:15 pm15 coolest (and weirdest) keyboards in Mac setups
We picked out the 15 coolest (and weirdest) keyboards for Mac setups, including ergonomic wonders and highly customizable options for gamers. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:12 pmRight on schedule, test production of iPhone 18 Pro fires up
Regular as clockwork, Apple's supply chain is performing checks on the iPhone 18 family, with the iPhone 18 Pro now in small-batch test production ahead of the usual fall release.The iPhone 18 generation will be entering its manufacturing testing period now.Apple is a habitual company that has finely honed its manufacturing capabilities and supply chain processes over many years. If a report is to be believed, it is still keeping to its usual schedule.In a Monday post to Weibo, Instant Digital claims the iPhone 18 Pro series of devices has entered production testing alongside the iPhone 18. The account also specifies that production lines for the iPhone 18 Pro line have also started up. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:04 pmPresident Trump raises global U.S. import tariff to 15%
President Donald Trump announced Saturday he is raising a global U.S. import tariff to 15% after a ruling this week by the Supreme Court… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.02:02 pm[US Deployments]: Duo Phone Call Authentication Failures for US Region
Feb 23, 09:02 ESTInvestigating - We are currently investigating an issue causing an abnormal phone call authentication success rate for the US region.Please check back here or subscribe to updates for any changes.02:00 pmiPhone 18 Pro reportedly enters test production
The iPhone 18 Pro has reached the test production stage ahead of its launch in September, according to a leaker with a decent track record. The report is sufficiently vague that it’s not clear whether or not it clashes with an earlier one from Bloomberg … more…02:00 pmMake texting more bearable with custom Apple Watch replies
Apple Watch texting is a nightmare. Luckily, you can enter your own canned messages to make it much more bearable. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)01:35 pmApple set to launch ‘at least five new products’ by March 4
Macworld Apple has invited the press to what it calls an “experience” on March 4, in the middle of next week. But based on the unusual terminology and timing, analysts believe Apple won’t save everything for that date and will rather launch new products throughout the week. And now a new report has revealed more details of what we can expect next week. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Marc Gurman claims Apple will launch at least five new products, and that these “could span hardware, software, and chips.” Gurman believes any or all of the following products could arrive before Apple’s “experience” kicks off at 9am ET next Wednesday: Low-cost MacBook iPhone 17e M5 MacBook Air M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro Entry-level iPad iPad Air Mac Studio Apple Studio Display Of these five-plus announcements for the week of March 2, Gurman is most confident that we’re going to get a low-cost MacBook and the iPhone 17e, although he says the latter might even make it out the door before then. Its predecessor was released in mid-February 2025, and one source who contacted Macworld at the start of this month believed the 17e would arrive exactly a year after the 16e on February 19, which we now know was a mistake.) The budget MacBook, Gurman says, “is the only thing in Apple’s imminent pipeline that actually looks new,” referring to the bold colors in both the laptop and the invitation artwork. Indeed the hands-on event on March 4 wouldn’t be happening without this product, he argues, cattily observing that “it’s not worth flying in so-called influencers to try out a product if the only difference is a faster chip.” So hardware and chips, check. It’s not clear what Gurman’s “software” prediction refers to, but presumably it’s a round of 26.3.1 updates to support all the new products. Beyond the iPhone 17e and the low-cost MacBook, Gurman identifies four further products or product groups that are coming in spring 2026. There are two iPads on the way (the latest version of the standard iPad with an A18 or A19 processor, and the M4 iPad Air), and new models of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The timing fits historically for the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro “is overdue by months,” and Gurman’s supply-chain sources indicate that the iPads are ready to go too, so there’s a good chance that some or all of these products will be revealed next week. And it doesn’t end there. The Mac Studio is in line for a refresh in the first half of 2026, as is the Apple Studio Display. The new display, Gurman says, is ready to ship, while the new desktop isn’t far behind. So next week could be full of excitement, even if we don’t get an actual Apple event.01:29 pmTools for detecting duplicate images
I have been exploring Apple’s Vision framework and Core ML. Most of the available documentation focuses on object detection, shape recognition, and image classification. However, I’m trying to solve a more basic problem: identifying duplicate or near-duplicate images. I experimented with the Vision feature print approach, but the results haven’t been reliable for my use […]01:27 pmWe already have a good idea how capable the new MacBook will be
Once the new low-cost MacBook launches this week, those wanting to buy a portable Mac will have a choice of three ranges: the MacBook, the MacBook Air, and the MacBook Pro. For those with very undemanding or demanding needs, the choice may be very obvious – the low-cost MacBook on the one hand, or a MacBook Pro on the other. But what about those who sit somewhere in the middle … ? more…01:00 pm4 AI-Driven Outcomes Could Define the Future of Humanity
Artificial intelligence is accelerating toward a turning point, and four possible outcomes — from adversarial conflict to human-AI synergy — could determine whether the technology reshapes humanity for better or worse. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.12:45 pmiPhone 18 Pro Reportedly Enters Trial Production Stage
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro has entered production testing ahead of a launch later this year, a Chinese leaker reported today. In a Weibo post, the leaker account known as "Fixed Focus Digital" said the Pro models had already entered "mass-production testing," likely referring to late-stage manufacturing validation for the devices ahead of a September launch. February typically aligns with Apple's Design Validation Test (DVT) phase transitioning into early Production Validation Test (PVT). During this period, Apple uses production tooling and activates portions of factory assembly lines to validate manufacturing processes, yields, and quality control, rather than producing units at full scale. Full mass production usually ramps in the summer months ahead of launch. The leaker also claimed that production testing had begun for the regular iPhone 18 model, but given that we aren't expecting the lower-specced device to be released until early next year, it would likely be in an earlier validation stage at this point, such as mid-to-late Engineering Validation Test (EVT) or early DVT. Fixed Focus Digital added that, based on their information, there are no major changes to the materials, and that overall, the devices continue to use the existing design specifications for the iPhone 17 lineup. The comment reflects earlier reports that the iPhone 18 Pro models won't be a big update this year, with outward changes potentially only extending to a smaller Dynamic Island. There will still be several important internal changes, such as a new camera system with a variable aperture, the A20 chip, and the custom C2 modem. However, the new Pro models likely won't be "the star of Apple's iPhone launch this fall," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, with the company's first foldable set to claim the spotlight instead.Related Roundup: iPhone 18Tag: Fixed Focus DigitalRelated Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums12:24 pm'F1: The Movie' sound team get a weekend of awards
The sound design team for Apple TV hit "F1: The Movie" picked up one prestigious UK award on Saturday — and another on Sunday.Award-winning "F1 The Movie" is streaming on Apple TV - Image credit: AppleContinuing its track record of awards, all of those great engine noises in "F1: The Movie" have been acknowledged with two separate wins for its team. On Saturday February 21, 2026, they were honored by the Association of Motion Picture Sound (AMPS) at the Warner Bros offices in London."F1" sound team Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, Juan Peralta, Gareth John and Dash Mason-Malik, received the AMPS Excellence in Sound for a Feature Film. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:15 pm2026 iPad mini: All the rumors in one place
Macworld The iPad mini isn’t on the same update cadence as Apple’s other tablets. Where the iPad and iPad Air generally get annual refreshes, and the iPad Pro gets a new model every 18 months, the iPad mini can often go years without an update. As such, the current iPad mini, which was released in October 2024, isn’t expected to get an update until later this year. But it could be worth the wait. 2026 iPad mini: At a glance A18 Pro, N1, C1X Possible OLED display Same design and cameras Same price 2026 iPad mini: Performance and specs A18 Pro chip 8GB RAM C1X modem N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 Since it hasn’t been updated in over a year, the 2026 iPad mini will likely get several chip upgrades. With the current iPad mini sporting an A17 Pro with 8GB of RAM and Apple Intelligence support, the 2026 iPad mini is expected to jump to the A18 Pro, according to reports. The A18 Pro has the same number of CPU cores as the A17 Pro (10), but the chip optimizations make the A18 Pro a faster CPU performer. The A18 Pro is available with a 6-core GPU, which is one more GPU core than the A17 Pro. So it’ll benchmark a little better than the existing model but won’t bring a huge speed bump. With the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple released a new N1 chip for wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread). Apple is expected to gradually roll out the new chip to the iPad line throughout 2026 and 2027, including the iPad mini. We also expect the cellular version of the iPad mini to get Apple’s C1X modem. The A18 Pro chip will be the main new feature in the upcoming iPad miniApple 2026 iPad mini: Design and display OLED display upgrade Similar design The new iPad mini has had the same design since its 2021 overhaul, and the 2026 model is expected to keep the same overall look. There’s a strong possibility of new colors, however. Apple currently offers blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, following the previous model’s pink, purple, starlight, and space gray. However, the display might get a major upgrade. The current iPad mini has the same Liquid Retina Display as the iPad and iPad Air, an LED backlit panel with rounded corners, wide color, and True Tone. Following the iPad Pro’s OLED upgrade in 2024, reports have claimed that the iPad mini will be the next in line to get a Super Retina display. While it’s not likely to have features like ProMotion and tandem technology found in the iPad Pro, an OLED display would give the iPad mini superior color accuracy, richer blacks, and better brightness. The M4 iPad Pro’s OLED Display could make its way to the iPad mini next.IDG 2026 iPad mini: Cameras 12MP rear camera 12MP Center Stage front camera Apple’s iPads all have the same 12MP front camera with Center Stage and 12MP wide-angle rear camera. It’s likely that Apple sticks with the same setup for the new iPad mini, although the front camera could relocate to the landscape edge like the other models. At some point, the iPad lineup will get the same 18MP front camera as the iPhone, but that’s not expected with this update. Apple is not expected to upgrade the cameras in the next iPad mini.Foundry 2026 iPad mini: Price The iPad mini has had the same $499 price tag since its 2021 redesign, and we expect the starting price to remain the same. However, during Apple’s first quarter 2026 financial results announcement, CEO Tim Cook said that Apple is now “in a supply chase mode” due to industry-wide constraints. Thus, tariffs, the rising cost of RAM, and other increases in supply-chain costs could impact pricing for some higher-end storage options.12:12 pmApple faces new tariffs after Supreme Court ruling strikes down the old ones
The US Supreme Court has declared on Friday that most of the import tariffs imposed by the Trump administration last year were illegal. Trump’s response to this now leaves Apple in a worse position than it was in before. While lobbying by Apple had resulted in almost all of its products being excluded from the previous tariffs, Trump has announced new ones which will include them again … more…11:30 amHow cheap is a cheap MacBook, really?
Macworld There’s probably not long to go now. Based on Apple’s looming “global experience” on March 4, dwindling stock of the M1 MacBook Air, and a near-universal consensus among pundits and leakers, the much-anticipated cheap MacBook will be with us in the next week or two. But we still don’t know the answer to the key question. Exactly how cheap are we talking about? Because here’s the thing: As a general rule, Apple doesn’t do cheap. It prefers to focus on the premium end of the market where the margins are higher, and it can get more mileage out of its luxury brand. Conversely, dabbling in the budget market risks tarnishing that brand: if everyone can afford an iPhone, owning an iPhone stops being a status symbol. From the iPhone 5c and Apple Watch SE to the AirPods 4 and Mac mini, fans have often got excited about the imminent launch of a “cheap” Apple product, then been disappointed when it turns out to sit roughly on the border of budget and solidly affordable mid-market. They’re (mostly) good products perfectly capable of delivering value for money. But that isn’t quite the same as being out-and-out cheap. Indeed, despite rising costs of living in the U.S. and several major international markets, Apple appears less inclined than ever to cater to buyers on a strict budget. This time last year, it released the iPhone 16e, which was certainly more affordable than its siblings but cost $170 more than the iPhone SE it nominally replaced. The new “e” phone felt like a signal that Apple no longer wished to participate (or pretend to participate) in the budget smartphone market. And the iPhone 17e, which we expect to launch in a matter of days as well, is unlikely to reverse that decision. So what would be a reasonable asking price for a MacBook with an A19 iPhone chip? For comparison purposes, let’s consider the rest of Apple’s current range. At the top, the MacBook Pro starts at $1,599 for the 14-inch model with an M5 chip, while the MacBook Air starts at $999 for the 13-inch model with an M4 chip. Even if the cheap MacBook has the same 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM as those models (which isn’t guaranteed), it’ll cost less than both of those, so we can start subtracting from a thousand. At the other end, the most interesting comparator is the M1 MacBook Air. Apple once sold this machine for $999 long past its prime, and it continued to be sold by Walmart until very recently. In 2024, Walmart sold the M1 Air for $699, but the price fell over the months to $599, $549 and finally all the way down to $499 on Cyber Monday last year, so this gives us a floor. Now that we’ve established that cheap is between $499 and $999, let’s drill down deeper. The budget MacBook will be targeted at customers who need to do light work on the go, and that’s veering into iPad territory. The entry-level and mini versions of the iPad don’t quite fit that target audience, but the iPad Air is about right. That starts at $599. Chuck in the Magic Keyboard, and we’re up to $868. I’d expect our MacBook’s price tag to sit somewhere between those two numbers, hopefully closer to the lower end. And this is more or less where pundits have ended up. Mark Gurman, writing for Bloomberg, says the budget MacBook will cost “well under $1,000.” Others have more ambitiously claimed it could start as low as $599 to compete in the popular Chromebook market, and maybe Apple will manage this by making heavy compromises on the specs and feature set. But I’d be surprised by that, given how recently Apple fans were expected to part with the same amount for a five-year-old MacBook Air. Based on our experience with the transition from the iPhone SE 3 to the iPhone S16e, I’d expect the A19 Pro MacBook to cost somewhere between $699 and $799, with a discount of $50 or $100 for education buyers. Of course, there are plenty of customers out there who’d be delighted if Apple went lower. Our colleagues at PCWorld have an entire article recommending laptops under $500, and this includes one pick under $300 and another under $200. If Apple truly wanted to smash the ultra-budget Chromebook market, it would be targeting numbers like that. But it won’t. And the sooner we accept this, the better. Foundry Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too. Trending: Top stories The Mac you’ve always wanted is coming soon! or as the Macalope puts it,a colorful MacBook is coming to chase away the Siri doom. The iPhone 17e still won’t be good enough to lure Android users, reckons Mahmoud Itani. iOS includes a growing set of built-in features to curb unwelcome calls and notifications. You can kill iPhone spam with these 10 tips. What if we told you that Apple once considered launching a “retro iPod”? Thanks to newly published material, we now have a fascinating glimpse into the iPod that never was. Forget Siri 2.0. OpenAI’s smarter chatbot is already integrated into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, and ChatGPT is your iPhone’s secret superpower. The saga of Apple’s rumored Health+ service makes Apple’s service chief look like a strong leader. So can Eddy Cue break Apple’s slump? Podcast of the week Apple has something cooking for March 4, and the signs indicate that we are getting the laptop we’ve been waiting for. We’re talking about the upcoming event and new developments in Apple AI hardware on the latest episode of the Macworld Podcast. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. The rumor mill macOS 26.3 might have just spilled Apple’s biggest March 4 secrets. No, Apple won’t drop USB-C from the iPhone 18. Low-cost MacBook in ‘fun colors’ leads flurry of upcoming Mac releases. Move over Meta: Apple smart glasses are coming. Video of the week @macworld.com Apple’s March 4 “experience” #apple #macbook #iphone #news ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld Don’t call it a special event. It’s an experience. Enjoy all our short-form video on TikTok or Instagram. Software updates, bugs, and problems Finally! Apple adds MacBook battery charge limit to macOS 26.4. iOS 26.4 beta suggests Apple hasn’t given up on its AI health coach. iOS 26.4 beta introduces AI playlists for Apple Music. And with that, we’re done for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters, including our new email from The Macalope–an irreverent, humorous take on the latest news and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, or X for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.11:29 amApple's AI Wearables Expected to Lean Heavily on Visual Intelligence
Apple's Visual Intelligence is expected to feature heavily in the company's upcoming set of AI wearable devices, which could include smart glasses, a pendant, and more advanced AirPods, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said that hints dropped by CEO Tim Cook in recent months suggested the Apple Intelligence feature would be central to the devices, with Cook's comments following a pattern similar to how he foreshadowed the importance of health sensors and augmented reality before the launch of Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro, respectively. On iPhone 15 Pro and newer models, Visual Intelligence lets you use the camera to learn more about places and objects around you. It can also summarize text, read text out loud, translate text, search Google for items, ask ChatGPT, and more. Gurman has previously reported that Apple's upcoming smart glasses will have an advanced camera system with a high-resolution camera that's able to capture photos and videos, as well as a second camera that provides visual information to Siri and environmental context. Meanwhile, the AI pin – should the device make it to launch – is said to have a lower-resolution camera to provide the AI with visual insight, but it won't be able to take photos or videos. The camera is always-on, recording what's around the wearer. Like the AI pin, the more advanced AirPods will have a low-resolution camera that's designed for information, rather than photo capture. During a discussion about AI and Apple Intelligence on the company's holiday quarter earnings call, Cook touted Visual Intelligence as "one of our most popular features." Cook said it "helps users learn and do more than ever with the content on their iPhone screen, making it faster to search, take action and answer questions across their apps." On another occasion, during a recent all-hands meeting with employees about AI, the Apple chief reportedly singled out Visual Intelligence as a standout element of Apple Intelligence – even though the feature relies heavily on OpenAI and Google technologies. Gurman argues that Cook "wouldn't be putting it at the forefront of his remarks if things weren't going to accelerate in that area soon." Apple's smart glasses will compete with the Meta Ray-Bans. Apple is said to have recently provided its hardware engineering team with prototypes, and it is targeting a 2027 launch. Production on the glasses could begin as soon as December 2026. AirPods with cameras are planned for as early as this year, while Apple's work on the AI pin is apparently in the early stages, and it's possible that it could still be canceled. If work continues, the AI pin could launch as soon as 2027. Tags: Mark Gurman, Visual IntelligenceThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums11:13 amThe AirPods Max Is $100 Off
The AirPods Max provides the user with the ultimate over-ear listening experience with an Apple-designed H1 chip, software, and a custom acoustic design. The headphones feature personalized spatial audio and dynamic head tracking, placing music all over you for an immersive listening experience. The sound being played is sealed in with an acoustic design made […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:12 amApple Rumored To Be Manufacturing AI Wearable Devices
Apple is accelerating its process of creating three wearable devices with AI. The company is developing AI AirPods, an AI wearable Pin, and smart glasses, all capable of connecting to an iPhone and showing an interface with the new Siri. The products will have cameras built-into them, enabling the AI to see the surroundings of […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:11 amRevamped Siri is a No-Show in iOS 26.4 Beta
iOS 26.4 is now available for public beta testers and developers, but there are no signs of new features for Siri in the new software. Expectations were disappointing as everyone was expecting new Siri Capabilities with Apple Intelligence, even with delays. It looks like we have to wait longer as the company has announced a […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:10 amApple May Introduce New Products First Week of Next Month
Apple has invited certain content creators and journalists on March 4 in London, Shanghai, and New York for a special Apple Experience. Rumors have surfaced about the company’s other plans during that event, where many products will be announced in the first week of next month. Reporters do not expect the usual live stream Apple […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:07 amThe 4-pack AirTag Is $35 Off
The AirTag is a small Apple accessory that you can attach to your valuables, allowing you to track them when you lose them with the use of the Find My app. With the tracking device, you lessen the stress of the searching process and get to the lost item immediately. The AirTag features a built-in […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:06 amApple Special Experience Announced By Apple
A special Apple Experience happening on March 4, 9:00 a.m ET in Shanghai, New York, and London has been announced by Apple today as a special Apple Experience. Certain members of the media have been invited by Apple itself in the three big cities. The company described the event as a Special Apple Experience, and […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:05 amApple Podcast Now Supporting Video Episodes
Apple will be adding capabilities for a video podcast to their Apple Podcasts app using HLS or HTTP Live Streaming, supplying creators with opportunities for monetization and control, and giving the viewers a high-quality watching experience. The podcasts app in iOS 26.4 enables users to swap between listening to and watching shows with videos capable […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:04 amBudget-Friendly MacBook May Be Coming In These Colors
Apple has been trying out a variety of colorful colorways for its new budget-friendly MacBook. The company has tested pink, dark gray, classic silver, light green, and light yellow as their colors, but it is unlikely that all the colors mentioned will be released. Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple analyst, reported that the budget-friendly device is going […] The post appeared first on iLounge.09:47 amUsing COREML to run AI Vision models on IOS is awesome
For context, I am building an IOS app that is running two different vision models, one to identify objects and the other to get embeddings of those objects. Since I was planning to have the app running on both IOS and Android, I first used ONNX format model and…. it was not good. I spent […]08:17 amUPDATE: **Summary** Google Chat is experiencing Issue with creating a new conversations **Description** Our engineering team continues to investigate the issue. We will provide an update by Monday, 2026-02-23 00:45 PST with current details. We apologize to all who are affected by the disruption. **Customer Symptoms** Users may experience errors when attempting to create new conversations or spaces in Google Chat. Existing conversations remain functional. **Workaround** None at the moment | Google AppsUPDATE: **Summary** Google Chat is experiencing Issue with creating a new conversations **Description** Our engineering team continues to investigate the issue. We will provide an update by Monday, 2026-02-23 00:45 PST with current details. We apologize to all who are affected by the disruption. **Customer Symptoms** Users may experience errors when attempting to create new conversations or spaces in Google Chat. Existing conversations remain functional. **Workaround** None at the moment
Incident began at 2026-02-23 06:32 (times are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)).Summary Google Chat is experiencing Issue with creating a new conversations Description Our engineering team continues to investigate the issue. We will provide an update by Monday, 2026-02-23 00:45 PST with current details. We apologize to all who are affected by the disruption. Customer Symptoms Users may experience errors when attempting to create new conversations or spaces in Google Chat. Existing conversations remain functional. Workaround None at the moment Affected products: Google Chat08:00 amWord, Excel & PowerPoint at your service for $30
Macworld TL;DR: Classic Office apps on your Mac for $29.97 — buy once, skip monthly fees forever. It’s the same old story with those free apps. Formatting breaks, spreadsheets behave weirdly, or a file someone sends you just doesn’t look right. Suddenly, you’re exporting, re-exporting, and wishing you were using the real thing. Right now, Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac is $29.97 (MSRP $229) — which makes the usual “subscription vs ownership” debate a lot easier. This is the full desktop version: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams Classic. Installed locally, works offline, and doesn’t care if Wi-Fi is cooperating that day. Your files stay predictable because they’re built in the format most workplaces still rely on. It also plays nicely with macOS — Retina support, full-screen views, smooth scrolling — so it feels like a Mac app rather than a port. The big appeal, though, is psychological: you install it once and forget about billing cycles. No reminders, no renewal math, no “trial ending soon” banners. For students, freelancers, side-projects, or anyone tired of juggling compatibility quirks, this is basically a return to normal computing — software that just exists on your computer and keeps working. Don’t miss getting MS Office 2019 for Mac for just $29.97 (MSRP $229). Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for MacSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.07:26 amdisappearing in-app purchases
yesterday i created an in-app purchase and i did not finish setting it up. today it disappeared and now it somehow exists but doesn't. Is this a Bug? submitted by /u/baradumz [link] [comments]06:49 amapp-site-association.cdn-apple.com | Cache not updating
We're handling our universal links (deep links) via our custom router written in express.js. We recently update our .well-known format as per: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode/supporting-associated-domains Our own domain link shows them correctly if we apply cache bust to it: Normal link: https://links.sastaticket.pk/.well-known/apple-app-site-association Cache bust: https://links.sastaticket.pk/.well-known/apple-app-site-association?1 Now, since app-site cache is not updating at: https://app-site-association.cdn-apple.com/a/v1/links.sastaticket.pk Our main domain […]06:21 amNot seeing my apps in App store connect
I checked the system status and everything is normal. Is anyone having the same issue? submitted by /u/1JN315 [link] [comments]06:09 am14 days and counting of having my app “Waiting for Review”
I have no idea what’s going but I’ve had my app 14 days “Waiting for review”. Additional info: * This is not a new app, I have had a few versions approved and released already * In-app purchases and subscriptions were approved and released with a previous build * All in-app purchases and subscriptions are […]05:00 amDo you use product analytics tools to catch UI assumptions that confuse users? | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingDo you use product analytics tools to catch UI assumptions that confuse users?
Been building this iOS app for like 8 months. Swipe gestures everywhere because it feels native and smooth. Got good feedback from beta testers, 4.2 stars on TestFlight. Launched two weeks ago and retention is weirdly low. People use it once, maybe twice, then ghost. Finally asked my gf (non-technical) to try it while I […]02:23 amIAH (Houston) on 2026-02-23
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Feb 23, 15:30 UTC - Feb 24, 00:00 UTCFeb 23, 02:22 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in IAH (Houston) datacenter between 2026-02-23 15:30 and 2026-02-24 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.Firehose II – Jobs, Deals, Apps
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