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- Wednesday April 01
- 01:10 pmApple drops Studio Display XDR price, but there’s a catch
Apple's new Studio Display XDR is now $400 cheaper, bringing its starting price down to $2,899. But there's a catch. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)01:07 pmIt's still Steve Jobs's company and Apple will never change, says Cook
In a new interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook talks about how the company's 50th anniversary is making him remember Steve Jobs, and insists that working with Trump doesn't mean its values are changing.Tim Cook (left) with Steve Jobs — image credit: AppleBefore Apple's birthday celebrations began, and even before Tim Cook wrote an open letter about the anniversary, he spoke to Esquire magazine about planning for the 50th — and thinking back to Steve Jobs."I think about him often — and in the last few months, thinking about the fiftieth anniversary, even more so, honestly," said Cook. "You think about the things he believed in." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:06 pmApple celebrates 50th birthday
Today, April 1, 2026, Apple celebrates its 50th birthday! Apple was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne on April 1, 1976… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.01:05 pmThe best way to celebrate Apple 50 is to make something wonderful
This story is part of 9to5mac’s series celebrating Apple’s 50th anniversary. A lot of folks are going to find themselves thinking about a company today. That’s great, I’m one of them, but the best way to celebrate Apple and its contributions to society is to make something wonderful yourself. After all, that was what Steve Jobs believed. more…01:02 pmHere’s everything new Apple TV has coming in April
Apple TV has a packed April ahead, with new and returning series, a big movie premiere, a trio of sports offerings, and more. Here’s everything new coming to Apple TV in April. more…12:39 pmIf this project succeeds, your Time Capsule may not be killed off in macOS 27
A new GitHub project is trying to retrofit Apple's discontinued Time Capsule with modern SMB support. If this works, Time Machine backups to and from the hardware will still work, even after Apple kills it off in macOS 27.Apple AirPort routersApple stopped developing its AirPort lineup in April 2018. Devices like Time Capsule have static firmware that doesn't match evolving SMB protocols or modern security requirements.The company's decision to leave the router market wasn't by chance. Apple decided to concentrate on products and services with more promising long-term growth. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:21 pmHow do I make my settings panel look like a macOS 26 split view panel?
This is very WIP, but why are the corners so square and why are the traffic lights so scrunched up in the corner? Am I doing something wrong? Here's the code below. NavigationSplitView(columnVisibility: $visibility) { List(selection: $curPane) { NavigationLink(value: SettingsRoutes.general) { Label("General", systemImage: "gear") } NavigationLink(value: SettingsRoutes.about) { Label("About", systemImage: "info.circle") } } .listStyle(.sidebar) .toolbar(removing: […]12:19 pmApple at 50: Celebrate 50 years of the company that changed everything with 9to5Mac
This story is part of 9to5Mac’s series celebrating Apple’s 50th anniversary. Fifty years ago today, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne incorporated Apple Computer. From a garage in Los Altos to the world’s most valuable brand, the company these three men founded has gone on to change the very fabric of our society. We wanted to celebrate this milestone with a series of stories about what makes Apple, Apple. We want to talk about the ethos, the idea that is Apple and the cultural impact it has had beyond the products themselves. more…12:00 pmThe most important Apple announcement every year, from 1976 to 2026
If you don’t have time for David Pogue’s 600-page epic, maybe you have eight minutes for the single biggest piece of news every year. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)11:58 amApple Marks 50th Anniversary With Animated Homepage Tribute
Apple's website homepage is doing its part for the company's 50th anniversary celebrations today, showcasing a special animated video that references some of Apple's most memorable products. The sketch-style animation outlines the original Mac, iMac, iPod, MacBook, AirPods, iPhone 17 Pro, and Vision Pro, as well as the Finder icon, App Store, Apple Music, and more. Beneath the video, the webpage reads: 50 Years of Thinking Different At 50 years, it's only natural to look back. But Apple has always looked forward, building tools and delivering experiences that enrich people's lives. As we celebrate how far we've come, we're inspired by where we'll go – together.Separately, Apple CEO Tim Cook has shared on X (Twitter) a video celebrating 50 years of innovation at Apple, featuring many of the same products alluded to in the homepage animation. 50 years of Apple, 50 years of innovation.Thank you to our teams, our users, and everyone who’s been part of the journey. #Apple50 pic.twitter.com/YYkMN24Vzc— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 1, 2026 Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, making the company officially 50 years old today. An Apple Park show headlined by Paul McCartney last night capped weeks of anniversary events that also included performances by Alicia Keys at Apple Grand Central in New York City and Mumford & Sons at Apple Battersea in London.Tag: Apple 50th AnniversaryThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums11:58 amUsers staying on iOS 18 will get a patch for the worst iPhone attack vector we've ever seen | AppleInsiderUsers staying on iOS 18 will get a patch for the worst iPhone attack vector we've ever seen
Following the emergence and public code leak of the severe DarkSword iPhone exploit, Apple is preparing to release a patch for users who choose to run iOS 18, so that they can be protected without upgrading to iOS 26.Many users still use iOS 18 instead of upgrading to iOS 26On March 23, an exploit tool dubbed DarkSword was made publicly available on GitHub. While Apple has patched the exploit in iOS 26.3, and older devices stuck on previous versions of the operating systems, Apple is taking an extra step to help those who can update to iOS 26, but choose not to.Rather than stick with the latest versions of those operating systems, Apple will also be "backporting" a patch, a spokesperson told Wired. This refers to the patching of an older operating system version, so that users can get the patch without updating their software in the normal fashion. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:51 amStudio Display XDR without tilt-adjustable stand now costs less
While the price with the stand remains the same, Apple has cut the price of the Studio Display XDR with a VESA mount adapter by $400 — and is issuing refunds.Studio Display XDR review: The Apple monitor for creative prosThe Studio Display XDR was launched in March 2026 as a replacement for the Pro Display XDR, and AppleInsider's review called it almost perfect, if your work justified the $3,299 price tag.Now Apple has brought it under the psychologically significant $3,000 mark, with certain configurations now starting at $2,899. The price cut is specifically for models bought with a VESA mount instead of an adjustable stand. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:33 amWant to create a simple app to track my gym training, where should I start? | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingWant to create a simple app to track my gym training, where should I start?
Hello everyone! I’ve been thinking about developing a mobile app for personal use to track my gym exercises (maybe including some images and/or links to videos), as well as the days I go to the gym. I’m not sure how difficult this would be, but it’s something I’ve been interested in learning and building. I’ve […]11:29 amPaul McCartney Blazes Through Career-Spanning Set at Apple Park for 50th Anniversary Celebrations | MacRumorsPaul McCartney Blazes Through Career-Spanning Set at Apple Park for 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Paul McCartney performed a concert for Apple employees at Apple Park in Cupertino last night, capping the company's 50th anniversary celebrations with a career-spanning set that included songs from The Beatles, Wings, and his solo career. Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced McCartney to the crowd, calling him "a songwriter, a pioneer and one of the most influential artists of all time" and adding that he has "been a lifelong fan of his music and so have billions of people all over the planet." The show took place under Apple Park's rainbow arches, which had been transformed into a full concert stage with lighting rigs and large screens on either side. McCartney's setlist spanned his entire career. Beatles classics including "Help," "Got To Get You Into My Life," "Blackbird," "Lady Madonna," "Something," "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," "From Me To You," "Let It Be," and "Hey Jude" featured alongside Wings cuts "Coming Up," "Let Me Roll It," "Getting Better," "Let 'Em In," "Band On The Run," and solo favorites "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "Every Night." The show closed with "Golden Slumbers." McCartney also staged his famous "Live and Let Die" pyrotechnics segment. Sir Paul McCartney by Tim Cook pic.twitter.com/LR7YPIFppG— Nico (@nicoPinos_) April 1, 2026 Bloomberg's Mark Gurman had hinted at McCartney as the headliner days before the show, saying "he's still going strong, was part of the British Invasion and Jobs would've been ecstatic." McCartney's Apple Park appearance was confirmed when images of his soundcheck circulated on social media, showing the 83-year-old artist and his band on the illuminated rainbow stage inside the ring. The concert came just days after McCartney played two intimate, phone-free shows at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, where the 1,200-seat venue attracted a remarkable cross-section of Hollywood: Attendees included Ringo Starr, Stevie Nicks, Margot Robbie, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Elton John, Jon Hamm, Harrison Ford, Reese Witherspoon, Anthony Kiedis, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McCrae, Laura Dern, Emma Watson, Steve Carell, Dakota Johnson, and more. McCartney's 19th studio album, "The Boys of Dungeon Lane," is set to be released next month. It’s one thing to have Paul McCartney at work, but it’s another thing to have a display like this at the same time pic.twitter.com/MAF21f2kJ2— Steven Peterson ️ (@squeakytoy) April 1, 2026 The choice of McCartney carries particular historical resonance. The Beatles founded Apple Corps, their own record label and holding company, in 1968, eight years before Steve Jobs started Apple Computer. Jobs was a lifelong Beatles fan who once said "my model for business is The Beatles," describing them as four people who balanced each other and produced something greater than the sum of their parts. The shared name was a source of costly legal friction between the two companies for nearly three decades, resolved only in 2007 when Apple Inc. purchased all trademarks related to "Apple" and licensed some of them back to Apple Corps. The Beatles' catalogue didn't arrive on iTunes until 2010, and has been on Apple Music ever since, making McCartney's appearance at Apple Park something of a full-circle moment. The Apple Park show brings to a close weeks of anniversary events that also included performances by Alicia Keys at Apple Grand Central in New York City and Mumford & Sons at Apple Battersea in London, along with special anniversary gift bags for employees including a commemorative t-shirt, enamel pin, and limited-edition poster.Tags: Apple 50th Anniversary, The BeatlesThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums11:19 amPSA: Legacy AT&T unlimited plans face price hikes, and it’s a mess
If there are two universal truths about mobile carriers it’s that unlimited plans never are, and companies will always try to find ways to kick you off legacy plans. If you’re on a legacy AT&T plan, look out for price hikes this month … more…11:15 amI’ve been to a lot of Apple keynotes. I’ll never forget these two
Macworld As someone who has been covering Apple for a really long time, I’ve been to a fair share of Apple keynote presentations. Even today, I look forward to the next one (which happens to be on June 8). But there’s something special about attending an Apple keynote in person, in a crowd of Apple customers, developers, and fans who hang on every word. Apple has had several remarkable keynote moments in its 50 years. Everyone has their favorites. For me, two keynotes in particular stand out above them all. They were very different keynotes, but as I look back over the past five decades, they were also important hallmarks in Apple’s history. 1997: Steve Jobs returns and brings Bill Gates Steve Jobs’ August 1997 Macworld Boston keynote was one of his most memorable presentations, but not for the performance or even the products announced. (In fact, no new products were introduced at all.) It was all about the circumstances of Apple at the time. Apple was in a bad way. The company was losing money, the Mac lineup was a mess (things were so bad, Apple had a Mac OS licensing program), and CEO Gil Amelio had no clue how to turn things around. But then Apple bought NeXT, Steve Jobs came back, and was named interim CEO. The Macworld Expo 2007 keynote felt more like an intervention than a trade show kickoff. That sets the tone for the August 1997 Macworld Expo keynote, Jobs’ first since his return–a homecoming, in a way. IDG’s Colin Crawford opened the keynote by reminding people that Apple was in dire straits–at least, Crawford posited, that was the perception in the media. That set up the premise for Jobs, who explained the first steps Apple needed to take to get back on track. “Apple is executing wonderfully on many of the wrong things,” he said. I was at the keynote as an associate editor for MacUser (Macworld’s main competitor at the time), but I was in an overflow room with several hundred people, so maybe our circumstances allowed us to be more reactive than being in the main hall. And that declaration by Jobs landed with a thud. The room stirred for a moment, but stopped because everyone wanted to hear how Jobs was going to save… us. Jobs emphasized how change needs to start at the top. The main hall responded with applause, but my overflow room echoed with cheers. New board members were introduced, and attendees erupted when Bill Campbell was introduced. Jobs explained how Apple needed to prioritize the creative and education markets, and the crowd was again loudly vocal in agreement. The excitement was building; the temperature of the room became invigorating. Drastic changes were necessary, and this was a great start. Jobs was on a roll, saying things people wanted to hear. Eventually, Jobs talked about partnerships, and Apple announced a partnership with Microsoft, of all companies. Suddenly, the mood in the room changed. Jobs announced an agreement to set Microsoft’s Internet Explorer as the default browser for Mac OS, and that Microsoft is making a $150 million investment in Apple. Screenshot Apple That was a bomb that left people in my room dazed. People were not happy, and to top it off, Bill Gates came on screen to say a few words, words I couldn’t hear because the room was so loud with commotion. It was as if Apple had made a deal with the devil. This keynote was a roller coaster, and everyone felt winded afterwards. The keynote had absolutely no tech talk in it, no new products, no whiz-bang demonstrations, no introduction of the latest and greatest developments, and no clever or cringy comedic moments. Jobs had a reputation as a showman, but this displayed another side of Jobs: sincere, direct, and speaking in language we all could understand. He was conscious of the moment; this wasn’t the time for marketing clichés and corporate doublespeak. It was, in a way, an intervention. Apple needed to start over, and Jobs detailed the first steps. 2007: The iPhone In 2007, I was the reviews editor for MacAddict, and I went to the 2007 Macworld San Francisco keynote, where it was rumored that Apple was going to enter the smartphone market with a device that combined the iPod with a cellular phone. Rumors were all over the place about what the device would look like–and some, such as a former Macworld columnist who just wrote a new book about Apple, didn’t think Apple would really do it. But the buildup to the expo made the iPhone seem like a forgone conclusion. The question was no longer whether the iPhone would happen, but what the iPhone would be. As I settled in with my fellow MacAddict editors in the west hall of Moscone Center before the keynote began, the excitement in the air was palpable. The anticipation before an Apple keynote is always present, but on this day, we all felt like something special was going to happen. The full Macworld Expo 2007 keynote, not just the iPhone part. The first 15 minutes of the 2007 keynote are almost forgotten. It’s easy to find the keynote on YouTube, but most of the postings are copies of the same video that cuts out the first part of the presentation. In those 15 minutes, Steve Jobs talked about the transition to Intel processors, iTunes sales, and officially introduced the Apple TV. Then Jobs paused to get a drink of water, pressed on his clicker for the next slide, and said, “This is a day I’ve been looking forward to for two and a half years.” It was a cue to let us know that we should strap in, because we were going to be in for one hell of a ride. You probably know all about that ride: the three devices in one, picture of a rotary iPod, the exclamation that the iPhone runs Mac OS X, the introduction and demo of multitouch, the calls to Jony Ive and Phil Schiller in the audience (both of whom were using flip phones), the pinch to zoom demo, the “full internet” access, Jobs saying “boom” with every tap, even the awkward interlude with Cingular CEO Stan Sigman. Going back and watching videos of the keynote, it may seem like the audience was very quiet during the whole thing. We were, because we were all so enthralled by what we were seeing: a product that none of us imagined, even in our wildest dreams. The iPhone exceeded all expectations, and we got to bear witness to something amazing. And this was peak Steve Jobs–charismatic, personable, relatable. He captured our attention, and we were all willing to give it. To this day. no other CEO is able to mesmerize and capture a room as he did–they may try, but that’s the thing, keynotes came effortlessly to Jobs, he barely had to try. He just did it. Before this keynote, I used to dislike the phrase, “we just saw history being made,” because it’s used more often than it should be, making it seem pithy to me. But in this instance, it’s the best way to describe the keynote. I was fortunate enough to witness in person history being made and a master at his best, and I look back at the moment fondly. Here’s hoping for another 50 years of moments like these from Apple.11:11 amApple wants you to take a walk through 50 years, Picasso style
Apple is marking its 50th anniversary with a new homepage that cycles through many of its famous devices, all depicted in the Picasso style it used in the 1980s for the Macintosh.A selection of the many Apple devices sketched in the Picasso style to mark the company's 50th anniversary — image credit: AppleAlongside the Paul McCartney concert for staff at Apple Park, Apple has celebrated its birthday with a new animated homepage. Visiting Apple.com initially gets users a colorful banner based on Apple Park's rainbow arches, but then it moves onto sketching out devices such as the Macintosh, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro."At 50 years, it's only natural to look back," says a message that stays onscreen throughout the animation. "But Apple has always looked forward, building tools and delivering experiences that enrich people's lives." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:07 amA new remake of 'Cape Fear' is making its way to Apple TV in June
Apple TV is getting its own remake of the iconic psychological thriller 'Cape Fear', starring Javier Bardem, Amy Adams, and Patrick Wilson.Image Credit: Apple TVSpecifically, "Cape Fear" will be based on the 1991 Martin Scorsese-directed, Steven Spielberg-produced film of the same title. Fittingly, both Scorsese and Spielberg are on board as executive producers.The story follows married attorneys Anna, played by Amy Adams, and Tom Bowden, played by Patrick Wilson. Their lives are upended when notorious killer Max Cady, played by Javier Bardem, is released from prison, dead set on seeking revenge against the couple who helped convict him. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:06 amHow do I make my settings panel look like a macOS 26 split view panel?
This is very WIP, but why are the corners so square and why are the traffic lights so scrunched up in the corner? Am I doing something wrong? Here's the code below. NavigationSplitView(columnVisibility: $visibility) { List(selection: $curPane) { NavigationLink(value: SettingsRoutes.general) { Label("General", systemImage: "gear") } NavigationLink(value: SettingsRoutes.about) { Label("About", systemImage: "info.circle") } } .listStyle(.sidebar) .toolbar(removing: […]11:00 amTop 50 people who created Apple, ranked
Macworld April 1 marks Apple’s 50th anniversary, a milestone it couldn’t reach without the help of some very talented people. So we decided to put together a list of the 50 people who made Apple the company it is today. Some worked there for just a year or two; others for almost the entire half-century, while others never actually worked for the company at all. But all influenced Apple’s journey in some profound way. This is all, of course, deeply subjective. It is very unlikely that every reader will agree with the author’s selections, far less with his rankings. Which is fine, we welcome the conversation. Our only rule is that if you complain about someone’s exclusion, tell us who you would cut to make room. The list is presented in reverse order and will be expanded with 10 new names each day across this week. Who do you think will make the top 10? Drop us a message on Bluesky or Threads. 50-41 50. Katie Cotton Apple PR legend Katie Cotton joined Apple in 1996, shortly before the return of Steve Jobs, and worked closely with him for the next 15 years. For better or worse, she was instrumental in shaping the company’s communications strategy and famous culture of secrecy, fiercely controlling Apple’s portrayal in the press. As we wrote upon her retirement in 2014, she “largely turned public relations on its head.” Cotton sadly passed away in 2023, but like Jobs himself, her legacy lives on in Apple Park.11:00 amHands-on: Anker’s new Nano Power Strip will be a perfect fit in your desk setup
Today, Anker is releasing its new Nano Power Strip, initially unveiled at CES 2026. It clamps onto the side of your desk and offers 10 ports, making it a great add for managing power without a load of mess. It’s available for purchase starting today. more…10:59 amFoundation Models framework — is anyone actually shipping with it yet?
I've been messing around with the Foundation Models framework since iOS 26 dropped and I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand it's kind of amazing that you can run an LLM on-device with like 5 lines of Swift. No API keys, no network calls, no privacy concerns with user data leaving the phone. […]10:52 amJapan SMS Carrier Maintenance – NTT docomo
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 22, 08:00 - 14:00 PDTApr 1, 03:50 PDTScheduled - The NTT docomo network in Japan is conducting a planned maintenance from 22 April 2026 at 08:00 PDT until 22 April 2026 at 14:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from NTT docomo Japan handsets.10:50 amTim Cook shares fun video trip back through 50 years of Apple products
Apple is today celebrating its 50th anniversary, and CEO Tim Cook has tweeted a fun video taking a trip back in time through 50 years of Apple products in a glitchy vintage TV style. It follows a homepage animation on the company’s website entitled “50 Years of Thinking Different” and, in my view, would have made a better choice … more…10:40 amApple Adjusts Studio Display XDR Pricing Weeks After Launch
Apple has quietly reduced the price of the Studio Display XDR when configured with the VESA mount adapter, dropping it from $3,299 to $2,899 – a $400 cut. The nano-texture VESA version has also dropped from $3,599 to $3,199. Apple has also reworked the purchasing pattern on its website, making the stand choice the first step in the configuration process instead of the glass selection. When the Studio Display XDR launched last month, both stand options cost the same $3,299. That felt unfair to a lot of people, since the VESA mount adapter is just a flat metal plate that lets you attach the display to a monitor arm or wall mount, whereas the alternative stand is both height- and tilt-adjustable. VESA mount options are normally priced lower than the fancier stand versions on most displays (including Apple's own Pro Display XDR, for which the VESA option was always cheaper). The price change for the Studio Display XDR is therefore more in line with how these things are typically priced. The standard Studio Display has not received a similar adjustment – both the tilt-adjustable stand and VESA mount configurations of the non-XDR model remain priced at $1,599 – but the cheaper tilt-adjustable stand is usually considered price-equivalent to the VESA mount.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums10:30 amApple’s comeback decade: Most important products of the 90s and 2000s
Macworld Apple turns 50 years old on April 1 – not a bad achievement for a scrappy startup formed in Steve Jobs’ family garage. The company has gone on to change the world many times over, but it was the years 1996 to 2005 that saw some of its greatest inventions come to light. This decade was perhaps one of the most fruitful periods in Apple’s history. It witnessed the birth of one iconic product after another and the flourishing of the creative partnership between Steve Jobs and Jony Ive. Some of the best devices Apple has ever made appeared during these 10 years, and they changed the face not only of Apple but of the wider tech industry. Here, we’ll look back over Apple’s greatest hits from 1996 until 2005 and appraise its most consequential devices. Join us on a trip down memory lane. March 1997: Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh Six Colors Early 1997 was a cautiously hopeful time for Apple. Although it had spent much of the 1990s in the doldrums, in February 1997, the company had finalized a deal to buy NeXT, Inc. and bring back Steve Jobs as interim CEO. As if on cue, Apple launched the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh a month later, a product meant to celebrate Apple’s history and showcase the technological capabilities of its creators. In that regard, it came with an LCD display (unusual for the time), vertically mounted components to ensure a small footprint, and a removable trackpad. It even had a unique startup chime. Considering most PCs of the time featured massive CRT displays alongside rectangular towers, the TAM was a remarkably compact product and years ahead of its time. Yet that didn’t stop it from flopping, and its high $7,499 price tag and underwhelming specs hardly endeared it to the public. But as a demonstration of the engineering feats Apple was capable of, it laid the groundwork for later products, from the iMac to the Magic Trackpad. August 1998: iMac G3 Apple One year after the TAM came the iMac G3, and the two computers could not be more dissimilar. While the TAM was a high-end professional-facing tech demo, the iMac G3 was made for the masses, with an equally mind-blowing design and incredible ease of use. You don’t need to be an Apple historian to know which one left a stronger legacy. Indeed, the iMac G3’s success lay in its dedication to being everything that its rivals were not. Its colorful tones made it friendly and approachable, a fact bolstered by the built-in handle and translucent side panels that demystified how the computer worked. In a world of boring beige boxes, the iMac G3 couldn’t have been more different. Despite somewhat mixed reviews due to its lack of a floppy drive and limited connectivity other than USB, the iMac G3 was a huge commercial success. A year later, the iBook arrived with a handle and a similar palette of colors, and suddenly, Apple was back in a big way Its competitors tried to shamelessly copy the iMac’s design, leading to Steve Jobs’ famous adage that rival firms didn’t understand that “design is how it works,” not how it looks. And as they say, imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery. September 2000: Mac OS X Apple By the year 2000, Apple had reached a critical point with Mac OS. It had been trying to overhaul its Mac operating system since the 1990s, all with little success, and delivering a modern operating system was a key next step. After failing to agree a deal to buy Jean-Louis Gassée’s Be Inc. and its accompanying BeOS, Apple turned to NeXT, bringing Steve Jobs back into the fold and using NeXTSTEP as a basis for the Mac’s redesigned operating system. Mac OS X was the software that emerged, with a public beta arriving in September 2000. It was a radical departure from what came before, with a focus on glassy blue scroll bars and brushed metal interfaces. Called Aqua, Jobs said that “one of the design goals was when you saw it you wanted to lick it” – and its candy-colored shades certainly helped it stand out from the crowd. When Steve Jobs revealed Aqua at Macworld 2000, several aspects drew gasps from the crowd. When introducing the Dock, Jobs enabled its magnification setting, and mousing over Dock items to enlarge them drew stunned cheers and applause. And that’s perhaps a testament to Mac OS X: it was so well designed that even simple elements like Dock magnification felt utterly revolutionary, so much so that they’re still in use today. November 2001: iPod Apple Apple doesn’t always arrive first in any given product category and often prefers to analyze the competition before launching something that blows everything else out of the water. That was the case with the iPod. Apple surveyed the MP3 player market, hated everything it saw, and decided it could do much better. And do much better it did. The $399 iPod redefined expectations of what an MP3 player should be, with attractive looks paired up with the legendary control wheel that made browsing through extensive music libraries an absolute pleasure. It was also much smaller than similar players with a 1.8-inch hard drive, had excellent battery life and transferred songs incredibly quickly compared to USB thanks to its FireWire port. And of course, it famously help many more songs than anything else on the market—1,000 in your pocket, to be exact. As is so often the case with Apple products, the iPod altered the music industry landscape forever. Combined with the iTunes Music Store some 18 months later, Apple fans had a dedicated way to enjoy digital music that simply obliterated the competition. January 2002: iMac G4 Christopher Phin The iMac G3 had been such a success for Apple that it had changed the face of computing. So how do you follow up on that? That was the task of the iMac G4. While walking through Steve Jobs’ home garden, Jony Ive spotted a large sunflower nestled in the borders. It was this visual image that inspired the iconic iMac G4’s design, with its articulated monitor that could be moved at will as if it was a sunflower seeking out the sun’s rays. Technology had moved on from the iMac G3 by the time the iMac G4 arrived in 2002, and large CRT displays were no longer a hardware necessity. Instead, Apple used a flatscreen panel and shrunk the internal components down into a pint-sized base. It allowed every aspect to be true to its own nature–something that was important to Jobs–and created a unique design that departed from conventional principles to great effect. January 2003: iLife Apple As software like the iTunes jukebox music manager began to take hold and other Apple apps like iMovie and iPhoto gained popularity, Apple decided it was time to create a software bundle to meet the needs of users’ emerging digital lifestyles. That bundle took shape as iLife, with the first version arriving in January 2003. Not only were iLife’s constituent apps – iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, and iTunes – updated with the debut of iLife, but they were also made to work fluently together. So, you could select music from your iTunes library or footage from iMovie to accompany your holiday snaps in iPhoto, all without having to switch apps. It was a great example of the Apple ecosystem in action, all updated for the digital age. April 2003: iTunes Music Store Apple As the iPod grew in popularity, peer-to-peer music sharing pioneer Napster was causing serious anxiety among music executives. Steve Jobs thought he had the solution: make managing your digital audio library so easy and affordable that piracy would become redundant. In order to make that happen, Apple opened the iTunes Music Store in 2003—and changed the entire music industry in the process. By allowing users to buy individual tracks, iTunes shifted the emphasis away from expensive albums and towards singles, a move that musicians have increasingly embraced in the years since. Coupled with the iPod, Apple gave people a tightly integrated system for both managing and playing all their favorite tracks. It came to Windows later that same year, and just like that, Apple had vanquished piracy and invented a new model for users to purchase and enjoy their music. February 2004: iPod mini IDG While the original iPod was a runaway success, Apple needed a way to reach more people with a cheaper, smaller player. The result of that thinking was the iPod mini. At a time when clunky smartphones were just starting to become popular, having a smaller MP3 player meant less pocket space taken up by your gadgets. And the iPod mini achieved that brilliantly, clocking in at just 3.6oz – almost half the first iPod’s 6.5oz weight. But it was about more than just slimline sizing. The iPod mini also introduced the touch-sensitive click wheel – an enhancement over the iPod’s original wheel – and various different colored models, bringing a splash of fun and whimsy to the iconic white model. And the best part? It cost just $249. January 2005: Mac mini Apple Today, the Mac mini isn’t just one of the best small-scale computers that money can buy – it’s one of the best Macs available thanks to its petite form factor and fantastic value for money. And today’s model can trace its lineage all the way back to the initial edition that arrived in January 2005. Housed in a polycarbonate shell and outfitted with a PowerPC G4 chip and a slate of laptop components, the Mac mini epitomized one of Steve Jobs’ frankly less catchy concepts: BYODKM, or “bring your own display, keyboard and mouse.” That helped keep costs down for users and had the side effect of making it attractive to Windows switchers who likely had their own peripherals ready to go. And with a launch price of $499, the Mac mini was a solid bargain. It got even better in 2006 with the advent of the first Intel Mac mini, but even with a PowerPC chip inside, the first version offered something a little different whose blueprint still comprises a winning formula today. January 2005: iPod Shuffle Foundry The success of the original iPod and the iPod mini spawned several iPod iterations over the years–iPod nano, iPod Video, iPod U2 edition, iPod Classic—but none were more experimental than the iPod Shuffle. Steve Jobs pitched the device as simply following user demand: Shuffle mode was the most popular way people played their music on the iPod, so why not make an iPod that embraced the element of musical surprise? The result was a device that lacked a display, had the simplest of playback controls, and was meant to be worn. You could play tracks sequentially or in a random order, or use AutoFill in iTunes to load an arbitrary selection of your library’s songs onto the player, taking the shuffle concept and truly running with it. It was like music streaming before streaming music was a thing. This is part three of a five-part series exploring 50 years of Apple product releases. Catch up on what you missed (1976-1985; 1986-1995), and stay tuned to Macworld all week, continuing tomorrow with 2006-2015.10:25 amPaul McCartney headlines as Apple celebrates 50 years with an Apple Park fireworks display | AppleInsiderPaul McCartney headlines as Apple celebrates 50 years with an Apple Park fireworks display
As expected, Paul McCartney was the star act as Apple concluded its 50th anniversary celebrations at Apple Park, and employees have been sharing videos of the party.Apple Park celebrations — image credit: Steven PetersonMcCartney's appearance had been rumored in the past few days and then confirmed as images from his soundcheck at Apple Park were shown across social media. Now he's played a career-spanning set in front of thousands of Apple employees, many of whom have been sharing images and videos of the night.It's one thing to have Paul McCartney at work, but it's another thing to have a display like this at the same time pic.twitter.com/MAF21f2kJ2— Steven Peterson (@squeakytoy) April 1, 2026 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums10:06 amHow much money are you making with your apps?
submitted by /u/silverscientist1 [link] [comments]10:04 amApple to Issue Rare iOS 18 Software Update for DarkSword Exploit
Apple on Wednesday will issue software updates to devices still running iOS 18 to protect them from an exploit called DarkSword, which can silently take over an iPhone if it visits a website infected with the malicious code. Devices on iOS 26 are already protected against DarkSword, but in a surprising move for Apple, its latest critical update is designed to specifically protect vulnerable iOS 18 users who have consciously decided not to update to iOS 26, even though their iPhone model supports it. Some users may be hesitant to upgrade to iOS 26 because of the Liquid Glass design overhaul that makes major changes to the iPhone interface. "Tomorrow we are enabling the availability of an iOS 18 update for more devices so users with auto-update enabled can automatically receive important security protections," an Apple spokesperson told Wired. "We encourage all users with supported devices to update to iOS 26 to receive our most advanced protections."iPhone users can install the updates by opening up the Settings app, going to General, and selecting the Software Update option. Those with automatic updates turned on will see the new software installed automatically. It's the second time in the last few weeks that Apple has pushed a critical update to iPhones running out-of-date software. On March 11, Apple issued a patch to protect users from a different iOS hacking toolkit known as Coruna. The patch was for older devices that can't run iOS 26. Apple recommended that everyone else update to the latest OS version that their device supports. The practice of protecting an older operating system version is known in the cybersecurity industry as "backporting," but it's not something that Apple typically does if a newer, compatible version of iOS has the same protections already baked in. According to Google, DarkSword has been used by various hacker groups to break into the iPhones of users in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Last week, the exploit kit was posted to open source code repository GitHub, making it even more likely to be used by bad actors. This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums08:52 amFRA (Frankfurt) on 2026-04-08
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 8, 01:00 - 07:00 UTCApr 1, 08:28 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in FRA (Frankfurt) datacenter on 2026-04-08 between 01:00 and 07:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.08:22 amHEL (Helsinki) on 2026-04-02
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 2, 01:00 - 07:00 UTCApr 1, 08:16 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in HEL (Helsinki) datacenter on 2026-04-02 between 01:00 and 07:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.08:00 amEngineer Brings Lightning Port to iPhone 17 Pro
The Swiss robotics engineer behind a commercial case that adds USB-C to Lightning iPhones has now built a reverse version: A case that adds a fully functional Lightning port to the iPhone 17 Pro. Ken Pillonel describes the project as a tongue-in-cheek response to reader requests, and says he has no plans to sell it. "It's part hack, part mod, and one of the most cursed things I've ever built," he wrote in the video description, "Be careful what you wish for." The build involved designing custom PCBs for precise connector placement, 3D printing a flexible TPU case on a Formlabs SLS printer, and fabricating a magnet installation jig on a Prusa printer. The finished case is slim and flexible, with MagSafe alignment and a snap-fit assembly. Pillonel set himself a deadline of April Fools' Day to complete the prototype. The project builds on his long history of connector-swapping work, which includes adding USB-C to an iPhone X in 2021 and a USB-C conversion kit for AirPods Max in 2024.Related Roundup: iPhone 17 ProTags: Ken Pillonel, LightningBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums08:00 amMicrosoft Office for Mac, yours for just $50
Macworld TL;DR: Skip the subscriptions—get Microsoft Office for Mac for life with a one-time $49.97 purchase. If you’ve been piecing together free apps or juggling subscriptions just to get your work done, this is your sign to simplify things. Right now, you can grab Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 for just $49.97 (reg. $219)—and it’s a one-time purchase. No recurring fees, no surprise renewals, no “trial expired” notifications popping up mid-project. This version gives you the core apps most people actually rely on: Word for documents, Excel for spreadsheets, PowerPoint for presentations, and Outlook for email and scheduling. You also get Teams (basic) and OneNote for collaboration and organization, rounding out a setup that works just as well for home offices as it does for small business use. The experience is familiar, polished, and built for macOS, so everything runs smoothly without needing workarounds or compromises. Whether you’re managing projects, handling client work, or just staying organized, it’s the kind of toolkit that quietly keeps everything moving. And since the license is tied to your Microsoft account, you don’t have to worry about losing access—it’s yours to keep. Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 for just $49.97 (reg. $219). Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime LicenseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.07:56 amApple drops price of Studio Display XDR without stand option by $400
The Studio Display XDR has gotten a rare Apple price drop, if you pick the option without the stand included. The Studio Display XDR launched last month with a starting price of $3299, whether you opted for the model with VESA mount or the model with Apple’s tilt-adjustable stand. The company has quietly updated the pricing to make the VESA mount option $400 cheaper, so the entry price for the display is now $2899. The Studio Display XDR with stand still starts at $3299. more…07:45 amThunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4 and 3 vs USB4
Macworld Apple has changed its MacBook connection standard from Thunderbolt 4 to Thunderbolt 5. Macs that boast an M4/M5 Pro, M4/M5 Max or M3 Ultra now come armed with at least three Thunderbolt 5 ports, while Macs with plain M4/M5 processors remain on Thunderbolt 4. Some earlier MacBook Air models had their ports listed as “Thunderbolt / USB 4” and “Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4” on its Pro and Max models. What does all this mean? What is the difference between Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 3? And then what is USB4? We thought that USB and Thunderbolt couldn’t get any more confusing with many different speeds (from 5Gbps to 120Gbps) and functions possible using the same “Type-C” connection. From an Apple user’s point of view, there isn’t a great deal in Thunderbolt 4 that was new or different from Thunderbolt 3, with which it is backwards compatible. The big changes have arrived with Thunderbolt 5. (While, Apple will likely roll out TB5 across the range over the next year, for Windows users Thunderbolt 5 remains for premium computers only and probbaly won’t hit the mainstream for some years yet.) Indeed, in its M1 and M2 MacBooks tech specs, to add to the confusion Apple didn’t even call it Thunderbolt 4, listing it as “Thunderbolt / USB 4” including Thunderbolt 3. For the superior M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro models, Apple listed the ports as full Thunderbolt 4—this is because the Pro/Max versions can support multiple external screens, unlike the limited plain M1 or M2 MacBooks. Without the ability to connect to two external displays, it can’t be labelled as certified Thunderbolt 4. There is a software workaround, however, to enable M1 and M2 MacBiooks to connect to two or more displays. What is the difference between Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5? After much teasing in 2022 and a demo in October 2022, Intel officially announced Thunderbolt 5 on September 12, 2023, and Apple started introducing it into its MacBook Pro, Mac Studio and some Mac mini models from 2024. Thunderbolt 5 is a real step up from Thunderbolt 4—unlike Thunderbolt 4’s minor (Mac) enhancements on Thunderbolt 3. • Bandwidth is doubled from 40Gbps to 80Gbps, and display connections go as fast as 120Gbps—so up to three times more bandwidth than previous existing connectivity solutions. Bandwidth Boost uses some of the bidirectional downstream bandwidth to create the higher unidirectional 120Gbps data rate. • Thunderbolt 5 supplies up to 240W of charging power downstream to the connected Mac. Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro supports 140W PD 3.1 through its MagSafe 3 port and now via its Thunderbolt 5 ports; Thunderbolt 4 ports are rated PD 3.0 and limited to 100W. That means the Thunderbolt 5 MacBooks can fast-charge via either the MagSafe 3 connection or Thunderbolt 5 ports (using either 240W-rated Thunderbolt or USB-C cables). • Thunderbolt 5 also supports DisplayPort 2.1—compared to today’s DisplayPort 1.4. DisplayPort 2.1 supports a max 10K resolution (10240-×-4320 pixels at 60Hz) on a single display, compared to the 8K resolution supported by DisplayPort 1.4. It also includes improved version of Display Stream Compression (DSC 1.2a) that improves bandwidth management. • Depending on the computer’s processor, Thunderbolt 5 allows up to four external displays to run from the single upstream connection. Before that, even Apple’s M4 Max chip was stuck at two. Now Macs with an M5 Pro or M5 Max can connect to three (M5 Pro) or four (M5 Max) external displays. For more details read “M5 Pro/Max MacBooks finally break Apple’s multi-monitor shackles“. • Thunderbolt 5 allows for a longer “passive” cable length before requiring “active” assistance that increases the cost. With Thunderbolt 4 this was between 0.8 and 1 meter. With TB5, a passive cable can stretch to 1.2m. • While Thunderbolt 5 sticks with the 6-device daisy-chaining limit per Thunderbolt bus, a dual-port configuration could allow for a total of 10 devices across both ports. It can dynamically adjust bandwidth, prioritizing one direction over the other based on usage. Thunderbolt 5 is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4 devices, so you can upgrade without having to replace existing peripherals. Intel Who needs Thunderbolt 5? While we all like to have the best technologies in our equipment, the benefits of Thunderbolt 5 over Thunderbolt 4 are in reality more for studio professionals who push their hardware to the limits rather than mere Mac mortals who rely less on the very fastest external SSD storage and super high-resolution and refresh-rate monitors. That majority of Mac users needn’t rush to Thunderbolt 5, but it’s a nice-to-have when you upgrade your Mac. What is the difference between USB4 and Thunderbolt 4? Intel didn’t want there to be a confusing USB 4.1, 4.2, etc, so it jammed the 4 right next to the USB. Apple ignores this and insists, in its Apple-like way, on calling it “USB 4”. Both use the same Type-C connector, just like Thunderbolt 3, too. Thunderbolt 4 is based on the same underlying protocol as USB4—the two are tightly connected, with all Thunderbolt 4 devices supporting USB4. If someone has a USB4 laptop, they can use a TB4 device and the other way around. In fact, Thunderbolt 4 is USB4 with all the trimmings. Not all USB4 devices will be as powerful as the fully certified Thunderbolt 4, however. Just like Apple’s version of Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4 will always have a full 40Gbps bandwidth. USB4, however, starts at 20Gbps but can also reach Thunderbolt 4’s 40Gbps. Look out for USB 20 or USB 40 in product marketing. A USB4 port can only support one display. Thunderbolt 4 can support two 4K displays. The good thing about USB4 is that it will mean that manufacturers can release more powerful hubs and docks that are not Thunderbolt, at a cheaper cost. However, since Thunderbolt products are certified, it means that they are of the highest standard. USB4 devices don’t need to be certified and so eventually we will see many USB4 devices flooding the market with varying degrees of quality, as we see with USB-C hubs today. What is Thunderbolt hubbing? Thunderbolt 4 is, in some ways, just a software upgrade for Mac users. You need at least Apple’s Big Sur operating system (macOS 11) to get its new hubbing functionality. Hubbing does away with the risks of Thunderbolt device daisy-chaining. You’ve always been able to connect multiple Thunderbolt devices but in a potentially long chain, which meant that if you removed any one of them (except the last one in the chain) all the others became unusable until the chain was re-established. Now, with Thunderbolt hubbing, you can have up to four Thunderbolt ports in a hub or dock—each a separate ”branch” that can be disconnected without affecting any other Thunderbolt devices connected in the other ports. Up to six Thunderbolt 4 devices can be smartly daisy-chained. What is the difference between Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4? Thunderbolt 4 is only significantly different for Windows PCs, whose Thunderbolt 3 variations were often limited in features—where Apple always gave its users the full Thunderbolt 3 feature set. Thunderbolt 3 on a Windows laptop could lack the full 40Gbps bandwidth, or maybe not support multiple displays or power delivery. Poor PC users, you’ve got to feel for them. Thunderbolt 4 requires mandatory certification for all computers, which means Windows users finally get all the great features Apple users got with Thunderbolt 3. So Thunderbolt 4 standardizes Thunderbolt 3 for all computer users. It’s backwards compatible, but buying Thunderbolt 4 or 5 devices will also future-proof your setup. So if your Mac has “just” Thunderbolt 3, don’t worry. It’s just that Windows PCs can now join in the fun without limitations, where in the past PC manufacturers could claim theoretical specs but not deliver the best they could by being merely “compatible” rather than “certified”. It should be noted that the MacBooks with Apple’s own M1 or M2 chips had a significant limitation: they can’t run more than one external display natively. However, there is a workaround that allows M1 and M2 MacBooks to run more than one external display. In fact, Thunderbolt 3 was required to support only one external 4K monitor, whereas every Thunderbolt 4 laptop has to support two 4K displays or one 8K display. Thunderbolt 4 and 5 ensure that you can wake a computer with the shake of a mouse or the tap of a keyboard on Thunderbolt 4 or 5 docks. This wasn’t always the case with Thunderbolt 3. This is maybe why Apple isn’t specifically calling its Thunderbolt version 4, due to the M1/M2 display limitation. TB4 and TB5 are also a more data-safe technology, as they requires Intel VT-d-based direct memory access (DMA) protection, also known as DMA remapping. What else? Well, Thunderbolt 5 supports PCIe (peripheral component interconnect express) at 64Gbps for faster storage speeds than TB4’s 32Gbps and TB3’s 16Gbps. Some of the early Thunderbolt 3 MacBooks had less bandwidth available on the right-hand-side Thunderbolt ports. Faster PCIe is important if you frequently transfer very large files between storage devices. Here we are talking about the portion of total Thunderbolt bandwidth allocated for PCI Express data transfer. With Thunderbolt 4 and 5, you’re assured to have all four lanes of PCI Express available—so PCIe can consume up to 32 or 64Gbps of the total 40Gbps/80Gbps Thunderbolt bandwidth. With Thunderbolt 3, depending on your laptop manufacturer and model, some implementations offer only 16Gbps of PCIe bandwidth. Other advantages of Thunderbolt 4 and 5 include that hubs and docks can now have more than two Thunderbolt ports (up to four) and that TB4 and TB5 cables can be up to 2 meters long and still handle the 40Gbps bandwidth. Previously, passive TB3 cables had to be 0.7m or under to handle full bandwidth. Thunderbolt 4 and (most) USB4 support the latest USB PD 3.1 standard that allows for maximum charging of 240W compared to USB PD 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3’s 100W. Remember that you need the correct type of cable for the higher charging rates: read our roundup of the best Thunderbolt 4 cables. Thunderbolt docks We have tested the best Thunderbolt hubs and docking stations. The TB4 and TB5 hubs generally feature four Thunderbolt ports (one upstream to connect to the computer, and three downstream to external devices). Docks sometimes swap out one or two downstream Thunderbolt ports for more traditional display connectors (such as HDMI and DisplayPort). You can learn more about the most fully featured hub we’ve tested in our Caldigit Thunderbolt 5 Element 5 Hub review. This hub features four Thunderbolt 5, two 10Gbps USB-C and three 10Gbps USB-A ports. Foundry The CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element hub features four Thunderbolt 4 and four 10Gbps USB-A ports. Intel Who owns Thunderbolt? Intel or Apple? Apple and Intel have collaborated on Thunderbolt technology since 2010, releasing its first Thunderbolt MacBook in 2011. Apple even registered the trademark “Thunderbolt” although it passed this on to Intel, in return for “unrestricted use of the technology”. But Intel is the official owner of the Thunderbolt technology. Before this agreement, the technology was known by Intel as “Light Peak”.07:45 amThunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4 and 3 vs USB4
Macworld Apple has changed its MacBook connection standard from Thunderbolt 4 to Thunderbolt 5. Macs that boast an M4/M5 Pro, M4/M5 Max or M3 Ultra now come armed with at least three Thunderbolt 5 ports, while Macs with plain M4/M5 processors remain on Thunderbolt 4. Some earlier MacBook Air models had their ports listed as “Thunderbolt / USB 4” and “Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4” on its Pro and Max models. What does all this mean? What is the difference between Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 3? And then what is USB4? We thought that USB and Thunderbolt couldn’t get any more confusing with many different speeds (from 5Gbps to 120Gbps) and functions possible using the same “Type-C” connection. From an Apple user’s point of view, there isn’t a great deal in Thunderbolt 4 that was new or different from Thunderbolt 3, with which it is backwards compatible. The big changes have arrived with Thunderbolt 5. (While, Apple will likely roll out TB5 across the range over the next year, for Windows users Thunderbolt 5 remains for premium computers only and probbaly won’t hit the mainstream for some years yet.) Indeed, in its M1 and M2 MacBooks tech specs, to add to the confusion Apple didn’t even call it Thunderbolt 4, listing it as “Thunderbolt / USB 4” including Thunderbolt 3. For the superior M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro models, Apple listed the ports as full Thunderbolt 4—this is because the Pro/Max versions can support multiple external screens, unlike the limited plain M1 or M2 MacBooks. Without the ability to connect to two external displays, it can’t be labelled as certified Thunderbolt 4. There is a software workaround, however, to enable M1 and M2 MacBiooks to connect to two or more displays. What is the difference between Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5? After much teasing in 2022 and a demo in October 2022, Intel officially announced Thunderbolt 5 on September 12, 2023, and Apple started introducing it into its MacBook Pro, Mac Studio and some Mac mini models from 2024. Thunderbolt 5 is a real step up from Thunderbolt 4—unlike Thunderbolt 4’s minor (Mac) enhancements on Thunderbolt 3. • Bandwidth is doubled from 40Gbps to 80Gbps, and display connections go as fast as 120Gbps—so up to three times more bandwidth than previous existing connectivity solutions. Bandwidth Boost uses some of the bidirectional downstream bandwidth to create the higher unidirectional 120Gbps data rate. • Thunderbolt 5 supplies up to 240W of charging power downstream to the connected Mac. Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro supports 140W PD 3.1 through its MagSafe 3 port and now via its Thunderbolt 5 ports; Thunderbolt 4 ports are rated PD 3.0 and limited to 100W. That means the Thunderbolt 5 MacBooks can fast-charge via either the MagSafe 3 connection or Thunderbolt 5 ports (using either 240W-rated Thunderbolt or USB-C cables). • Thunderbolt 5 also supports DisplayPort 2.1—compared to today’s DisplayPort 1.4. DisplayPort 2.1 supports a max 10K resolution (10240-×-4320 pixels at 60Hz) on a single display, compared to the 8K resolution supported by DisplayPort 1.4. It also includes improved version of Display Stream Compression (DSC 1.2a) that improves bandwidth management. • Depending on the computer’s processor, Thunderbolt 5 allows up to four external displays to run from the single upstream connection. Before that, even Apple’s M4 Max chip was stuck at two. Now Macs with an M5 Pro or M5 Max can connect to three (M5 Pro) or four (M5 Max) external displays. For more details read “M5 Pro/Max MacBooks finally break Apple’s multi-monitor shackles“. • Thunderbolt 5 allows for a longer “passive” cable length before requiring “active” assistance that increases the cost. With Thunderbolt 4 this was between 0.8 and 1 meter. With TB5, a passive cable can stretch to 1.2m. • While Thunderbolt 5 sticks with the 6-device daisy-chaining limit per Thunderbolt bus, a dual-port configuration could allow for a total of 10 devices across both ports. It can dynamically adjust bandwidth, prioritizing one direction over the other based on usage. Thunderbolt 5 is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4 devices, so you can upgrade without having to replace existing peripherals. Intel Who needs Thunderbolt 5? While we all like to have the best technologies in our equipment, the benefits of Thunderbolt 5 over Thunderbolt 4 are in reality more for studio professionals who push their hardware to the limits rather than mere Mac mortals who rely less on the very fastest external SSD storage and super high-resolution and refresh-rate monitors. That majority of Mac users needn’t rush to Thunderbolt 5, but it’s a nice-to-have when you upgrade your Mac. What is the difference between USB4 and Thunderbolt 4? Intel didn’t want there to be a confusing USB 4.1, 4.2, etc, so it jammed the 4 right next to the USB. Apple ignores this and insists, in its Apple-like way, on calling it “USB 4”. Both use the same Type-C connector, just like Thunderbolt 3, too. Thunderbolt 4 is based on the same underlying protocol as USB4—the two are tightly connected, with all Thunderbolt 4 devices supporting USB4. If someone has a USB4 laptop, they can use a TB4 device and the other way around. In fact, Thunderbolt 4 is USB4 with all the trimmings. Not all USB4 devices will be as powerful as the fully certified Thunderbolt 4, however. Just like Apple’s version of Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4 will always have a full 40Gbps bandwidth. USB4, however, starts at 20Gbps but can also reach Thunderbolt 4’s 40Gbps. Look out for USB 20 or USB 40 in product marketing. A USB4 port can only support one display. Thunderbolt 4 can support two 4K displays. The good thing about USB4 is that it will mean that manufacturers can release more powerful hubs and docks that are not Thunderbolt, at a cheaper cost. However, since Thunderbolt products are certified, it means that they are of the highest standard. USB4 devices don’t need to be certified and so eventually we will see many USB4 devices flooding the market with varying degrees of quality, as we see with USB-C hubs today. What is Thunderbolt hubbing? Thunderbolt 4 is, in some ways, just a software upgrade for Mac users. You need at least Apple’s Big Sur operating system (macOS 11) to get its new hubbing functionality. Hubbing does away with the risks of Thunderbolt device daisy-chaining. You’ve always been able to connect multiple Thunderbolt devices but in a potentially long chain, which meant that if you removed any one of them (except the last one in the chain) all the others became unusable until the chain was re-established. Now, with Thunderbolt hubbing, you can have up to four Thunderbolt ports in a hub or dock—each a separate ”branch” that can be disconnected without affecting any other Thunderbolt devices connected in the other ports. Up to six Thunderbolt 4 devices can be smartly daisy-chained. What is the difference between Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4? Thunderbolt 4 is only significantly different for Windows PCs, whose Thunderbolt 3 variations were often limited in features—where Apple always gave its users the full Thunderbolt 3 feature set. Thunderbolt 3 on a Windows laptop could lack the full 40Gbps bandwidth, or maybe not support multiple displays or power delivery. Poor PC users, you’ve got to feel for them. Thunderbolt 4 requires mandatory certification for all computers, which means Windows users finally get all the great features Apple users got with Thunderbolt 3. So Thunderbolt 4 standardizes Thunderbolt 3 for all computer users. It’s backwards compatible, but buying Thunderbolt 4 or 5 devices will also future-proof your setup. So if your Mac has “just” Thunderbolt 3, don’t worry. It’s just that Windows PCs can now join in the fun without limitations, where in the past PC manufacturers could claim theoretical specs but not deliver the best they could by being merely “compatible” rather than “certified”. It should be noted that the MacBooks with Apple’s own M1 or M2 chips had a significant limitation: they can’t run more than one external display natively. However, there is a workaround that allows M1 and M2 MacBooks to run more than one external display. In fact, Thunderbolt 3 was required to support only one external 4K monitor, whereas every Thunderbolt 4 laptop has to support two 4K displays or one 8K display. Thunderbolt 4 and 5 ensure that you can wake a computer with the shake of a mouse or the tap of a keyboard on Thunderbolt 4 or 5 docks. This wasn’t always the case with Thunderbolt 3. This is maybe why Apple isn’t specifically calling its Thunderbolt version 4, due to the M1/M2 display limitation. TB4 and TB5 are also a more data-safe technology, as they requires Intel VT-d-based direct memory access (DMA) protection, also known as DMA remapping. What else? Well, Thunderbolt 5 supports PCIe (peripheral component interconnect express) at 64Gbps for faster storage speeds than TB4’s 32Gbps and TB3’s 16Gbps. Some of the early Thunderbolt 3 MacBooks had less bandwidth available on the right-hand-side Thunderbolt ports. Faster PCIe is important if you frequently transfer very large files between storage devices. Here we are talking about the portion of total Thunderbolt bandwidth allocated for PCI Express data transfer. With Thunderbolt 4 and 5, you’re assured to have all four lanes of PCI Express available—so PCIe can consume up to 32 or 64Gbps of the total 40Gbps/80Gbps Thunderbolt bandwidth. With Thunderbolt 3, depending on your laptop manufacturer and model, some implementations offer only 16Gbps of PCIe bandwidth. Other advantages of Thunderbolt 4 and 5 include that hubs and docks can now have more than two Thunderbolt ports (up to four) and that TB4 and TB5 cables can be up to 2 meters long and still handle the 40Gbps bandwidth. Previously, passive TB3 cables had to be 0.7m or under to handle full bandwidth. Thunderbolt 4 and (most) USB4 support the latest USB PD 3.1 standard that allows for maximum charging of 240W compared to USB PD 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3’s 100W. Remember that you need the correct type of cable for the higher charging rates: read our roundup of the best Thunderbolt 4 cables. Thunderbolt docks We have tested the best Thunderbolt hubs and docking stations. The TB4 and TB5 hubs generally feature four Thunderbolt ports (one upstream to connect to the computer, and three downstream to external devices). Docks sometimes swap out one or two downstream Thunderbolt ports for more traditional display connectors (such as HDMI and DisplayPort). You can learn more about the most fully featured hub we’ve tested in our Caldigit Thunderbolt 5 Element 5 Hub review. This hub features four Thunderbolt 5, two 10Gbps USB-C and three 10Gbps USB-A ports. Foundry The CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element hub features four Thunderbolt 4 and four 10Gbps USB-A ports. Intel Who owns Thunderbolt? Intel or Apple? Apple and Intel have collaborated on Thunderbolt technology since 2010, releasing its first Thunderbolt MacBook in 2011. Apple even registered the trademark “Thunderbolt” although it passed this on to Intel, in return for “unrestricted use of the technology”. But Intel is the official owner of the Thunderbolt technology. Before this agreement, the technology was known by Intel as “Light Peak”.07:43 amBuilt a CLI that lets AI agents read mobile app logs directly
I made a small tool called logpeek. It lets Claude Code, Cursor, and Gemini CLI read mobile app logs directly, making it easier to inspect crashes, filter errors, and debug issues without copy pasting logs into the prompt. Would love feedback on whether this is actually useful in real debugging workflows. submitted by […]07:36 amApple to roll out critical iOS 18 update for iPhones that didn’t upgrade
Apple will push a rare iOS 18 update to patch a critical security flaw — DarkSword — on iPhones that haven’t upgraded to iOS 26. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)07:35 amApple celebrates its 50th anniversary with special animated homepage
As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Apple has updated its website homepage today with a special animation video that features some of the company’s most iconic creations. The sketch art animation depicts the original Mac, the iMac, the iPod, the App Store, the Watch, iPhone 17 Pro, Vision Pro and more in a sketch art illustrative style. more…07:07 amUse OpenCV in a Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile(KMM) project
Setup: We are currently using OpenCV on iOS and Android for image processing. On Android we import OpenCV as a .aar and on iOS we import it via Cocoapods, and they call the same underlying functions. Problem: We would like to have a KMM project where we can import OpenCV and share the business logic. We are using expect/actual to depend on OpenCV in platform specific code. We can make it work for Android by importing the same .aar in androidMain. Our problem is with iOS. Currently KMM doesn't support interoperability with C++ (which OpenCV is written in) - see https://kotlinlang.org/docs/roadmap.html#removed-items What we have tried: We tried to link a .framework via Gradle and create .def files to point to the .hpp files in OpenCV but we get an error xxx.hpp header must be compiled as C++ when trying to sync Gradle. build.gradle.kts iosX64() { compilations.getByName("main") { val OpenCV by cinterops.creating { // Path to .def file defFile("src/iosMain/cinterop/OpenCV.def") // Directories for header search (an analogue of the -I compiler option) includeDirs("../iosApp/Pods/OpenCV/opencv2.framework/Headers/Core") } } binaries.all { // Linker options required to link to the library. linkerOpts("-L/../iosApp/Pods/OpenCV/opencv2.framework", "-lopencv2") } } OpenCV.def headers = cvstd.hpp package = OpenCV Question: Is there any way to depend on OpenCV in KMM?07:00 amApple Turns 50 Today: Reflecting on Each Decade's Biggest Moments
Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, meaning the company is officially 50 years old as of today. To honor the occasion, we have reflected on some of Apple's biggest moments of each decade, from the 1970s through to the 2020s. Apple has an extensive history, so this list is far from comprehensive, but it captures some of the pivotal events over the company's first 50 years. 1970s While the Apple-1 was released in 1976, it was the Apple II in 1977 that became the company's first successful, mass-market computer. Unlike the Apple-1, the Apple II came fully assembled in a plastic case with a keyboard, and Apple sold millions of units of the computer over the years. This product gave Apple sustained cash flow, allowing it to become a major company. 1980s In 1984, Steve Jobs introduced the Macintosh, the world's first successful mass-marketed computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). The original Macintosh popularized the computer mouse, allowing users to control an on-screen pointer. This point-and-click method of computer navigation was still a novel concept to most people at the time, as personal computers in this era typically had text-based command-line interfaces controlled with a keyboard. Apple said the Macintosh typically took "only a few hours to learn," and it touted what are now basic computer features, such as a desktop with icons, the ability to use multiple programs in windows, drop-down menus, and copy and paste. Pricing for the original Macintosh started at $2,495, equivalent to nearly $8,000 today. Key specs and features included an 8 MHz processor, 128 KB of RAM, a 400 KB floppy disk drive for storage, and serial ports for connecting a printer and other accessories. 1990s By the 1990s, Apple had largely lost its way. That changed when Jobs returned to the company in 1997, as part of Apple's acquisition of NeXT, another computer company founded by Jobs after he was ousted from Apple in the mid-1980s. Apple did release some unique products in the 1990s, ranging from the Newton personal assistant to the Pippin video game console to the QuickTake digital camera, but Jobs' return was easily the company's pinnacle moment of the decade. Jobs quickly simplified and improved Apple's product lineup, starting with the colorful iMac in 1998. 2000s Apple's renaissance continued into the 2000s with the launch of the iPod in 2001. The portable music player was extremely popular and helped turn Apple into a consumer electronics company rather than merely a computer company. Six years later, Apple combined an iPod with a mobile phone. Enter the iPhone. Jobs famously introduced the original iPhone as if it were three separate products: a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone, and a breakthrough internet communications device. The crowd at Macworld San Francisco erupted with cheerful applause upon realizing that Jobs was referring to a single device. While the iPod was hugely successful, the iPhone is absolutely massive, and it is now one of the most successful products of any kind ever released. Last year, Apple announced that it had shipped its three billionth iPhone. That is 3,000,000,000. 2010s Three major Apple products launched throughout the 2010s, including the iPad in 2010, the Apple Watch in 2015, and the AirPods in 2016. While the iPad was essentially just a large-screened iPhone when it first launched, the device has received significant advancements like trackpad support over the years, and it has since redefined what a personal computer is. Millions of people wear an Apple Watch, and it has become one of the world's most popular fitness devices. With health and safety features like the ECG app, Crash Detection, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, and more, the Apple Watch has even saved lives, which is a remarkable feat and something that Apple's CEO Tim Cook is very proud of. As for AirPods, Apple says they are the world's most popular wireless headphones. Enough said. 2020s In 2020, the Mac's transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon began, resulting in industry-leading performance-per-watt to this day. After years of rumors, Apple unveiled its plan to transition the entire Mac lineup from Intel processors to its own custom-designed chips at WWDC in June 2020. Later that year saw the release of the first three Mac models powered by Apple silicon, including a 13-inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini. The transition was completed in 2023 when the Mac Pro—which was recently discontinued—received the M2 Ultra chip. Apple said macOS Tahoe is the final macOS release that will support Intel-based Macs.Tag: Apple 50th AnniversaryThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums06:53 amDME (Moscow) on 2026-04-07
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 7, 00:00 - 05:00 UTCApr 1, 06:46 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in DME (Moscow) datacenter on 2026-04-07 between 00:00 and 05:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.06:50 amBuilt an App as an Computer Engineering Student to Help Wake Up
I'm an engineering student, and I suck at getting up in the morning. So I built an app to fix that. Unsooze allows you to set custom alarms and compete in physical and mental challenges to turn them off. Features – Create & Manage Alarms: Set alarms for any schedule and customize them to fit […]05:57 amhow to give FREE access to your app to Apple Review Team?
so in google play store, i simply generated a PROMO Code which usually suffices and google review team using their own google account for sign up so no need of credentials as well. my app only has social logins (apple and google), and i figured that sandbox tester username password isn't used by apple reviewers, […]04:53 amFRA (Frankfurt) on 2026-04-02
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 2, 01:30 - 06:30 UTCApr 1, 04:34 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in FRA (Frankfurt) datacenter on 2026-04-02 between 01:30 and 06:30 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.03:55 amApple confirms iOS 18 update to patch DarkSword exploit for users who haven’t upgraded to iOS 26 | 9 to 5 MacApple confirms iOS 18 update to patch DarkSword exploit for users who haven’t upgraded to iOS 26
According to Wired, Apple will release an iOS 18 update on Wednesday morning to patch vulnerabilities exploited by the DarkSword hack. Here’s what that means. more…03:30 amBuilt a iOS app to solve something stupidly annoying: forgetting where I parked. | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingBuilt a iOS app to solve something stupidly annoying: forgetting where I parked.
I tried relying on Apple Maps for this, but it wasn’t consistent for me, especially in underground garages or big parking lots. So we built a focused, native solution: Save parking instantly (auto via CarPlay disconnect or just ask Siri) Live Activity on Lock Screen / Dynamic Island Direction + distance to walk back Quick […]03:18 amA decade ago, I learned from Ray Wenderlich, now coming back to iOS development. | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingA decade ago, I learned from Ray Wenderlich, now coming back to iOS development.
Not sure many are aware but almost a decade ago, I got into iOS development and subscribed to Ray Wenderlich courses, built my first few apps was fun time. I went into different career path and recently got laid off from Atlassian, and I have few months on my hand before restarting the job hunt. […]03:07 amComputing would be totally different had Apple not been formed 50 years ago, today
The Apple of 1976 is unrecognizable compared to today's gigantic corporation, and yet key early decisions by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and more, are still having their effect today, half a century later.Steve Jobs with the original Macintosh, made eight years after Apple's foundingApple has long had a reputation for never looking back, and it's usually justified. "Let's go invent tomorrow rather than worrying about what happened yesterday," said Steve Jobs in an interview that has long been lost, but is forever quoted in motivational speeches.He was consistent about this even when talking about himself and his work, though. "[Technology] is not a field where one paints a painting that will be looked at for centuries," he said in 1994, "or where one builds a church that will be looked at, admired, and looked at in astonishment for centuries." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:05 amApple TV: Brandon Sanderson reveals Mistborn pre-production details
In a video released today to his YouTube channel, Brandon Sanderson shared an exciting update on the progress of the Mistborn adaptation for Apple TV. Here are the details. more…02:52 amWidespread failures on OTT checkouts, refunds, transactions.
Mar 31, 22:52 EDTUpdate - We believe we have identified the cause and are working on a fix.Mar 31, 22:42 EDTInvestigating - We are currently investigating this issue.02:38 amReport: Apple less exposed as Iran war threatens India’s smartphone exports
Nikkei Asia reports that while Apple is less exposed to potential export disruptions out of India, shipments that rely on Middle East trade hubs could face significant declines in the coming weeks. Here are the details. more…02:33 amAudit your subscriptions this April Fool's and stop wasting money
It's April Fool's Day, so it's a great time to make sure you're not getting tricked out of your hard-earned cash and cancel those subscriptions you've forgotten about. Here's how to do it.Why and how you should audit your subscriptionsDigital hygiene, the practice of keeping a clean, safe digital footprint, is critical for anyone who uses the internet — which is pretty much everyone. Many things fall under the digital hygiene umbrella, from responsible email management to removing your data from data brokerage companies' websites.There are many digital hygiene tasks you should do at least twice a year. For instance, you're probably going to want to check to make sure none of your passwords have wound up in a data breach. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:28 amObtaining Critical Alert Entitlement
I am creating an app for our company for API down status alerting for the night. I have submitted the form multiple times with how we need to be alerted because of the implications of having services offline, but I keep getting rejected, we are even a Medical company that we need to know when […]Tuesday March 3111:52 pmG-Raid Project 2 review: High-quality enterprise storage
The 52TB G-Raid Project 2 is costly, yes, but it provides a large amount of reliable and well-supported storage for your Mac, plus fast access speeds for serious data warehousing needs.G-Raid Project 2 reviewIt's been interesting watching storage trends over the last two decades. In that span, we've gone from 250GB hard drives being enough, to multi-terabyte drives a few years later.Then we all went back down to lower capacity, but very high speed SSDs being the order of the day. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:47 pmAirTag 2 gets its first firmware update since January launch
In addition to a firmware update for the new AirPods Max 2, which are set to hit the shelves tomorrow (and we have already reviewed), Apple also rolled out a firmware update to the AirTag 2 earlier today. Here are the details. more…11:23 pmFRA (Frankfurt) on 2026-04-09
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 9, 00:00 - 07:00 UTCMar 31, 23:22 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in FRA (Frankfurt) datacenter on 2026-04-09 between 00:00 and 07:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.11:23 pmWAW (Warsaw) on 2026-04-01
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 1, 00:15 - 05:00 UTCMar 31, 23:22 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in WAW (Warsaw) datacenter on 2026-04-01 between 00:15 and 05:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.11:18 pmOllama adopts MLX for faster AI performance on Apple silicon Macs
One of the best tools to run AI models locally on a Mac just got even better. Here’s why, and how to run it. more…11:07 pmCustom head unit UI like car play?
I was wondering if anyone has tinkered with carplay framework? like i want to make my own UI for a carplay screen to look like a y2k or camcorder menu. I want it to run like carplay but look like it was pulled out of 2002. would i be able to do this with widgets […]11:00 pmRunning local models on Macs gets faster with Ollama's MLX support
Apple Silicon Macs get a performance boost thanks to better unified memory usage.10:35 pmApple among US firms Iran labels ‘terrorist companies’ as it threatens attacks
As reported by CBS News, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed to start attacking US-based tech and finance companies in the Mideast starting tomorrow. Here are the details. more…10:23 pmWorking on a local-first screenshot organizer app. Seeking insight on the idea and whether you guys relate to it | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingWorking on a local-first screenshot organizer app. Seeking insight on the idea and whether you guys relate to it
I have been working on an app that indexes screenshots using locally deployed edge AI (using apple's Neural Engine). I did have issues before with locating my screenshots for many occasions, even lost a fight because of it, so the idea seemed appealing. Still, I'd to hear your feedback on it: have you — as […]10:14 pmApple CEO Tim Cook delivered speech & rung Nasdaq Opening Bell Tuesday
As a part of the ongoing 50th anniversary celebration, Apple was invited to remotely ring in the Nasdaq Opening Bell. CEO Tim Cook did the honors and gave a speech from Apple Park.Apple's executive team gathered for the opening bell. Image source: NasdaqApple has spent the previous week celebrating its 50th anniversary with concerts at Apple stores around the world. Paul McCartney will conclude Apple's 50th anniversary celebrations Wednesday evening.In the meantime, Apple CEO Tim Cook, surrounded by his top executives, rung in the Nasdaq Opening Bell Wednesday from Apple Park. He was presented with an award and plaque after giving a brief speech. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums10:08 pmApple Releases First Firmware Update for AirTag 2
Apple today released new firmware for its second-generation AirTag item trackers. The firmware has a 3.0.45 version number, up from 3.0.41, and it is the first firmware update that Apple has provided for the AirTag 2 that launched in January 2026. AirTag updates are infrequent, and there is no word yet on what's included in the new firmware. Apple has shared release notes in the past, and software updates are usually bug fixes and improvements. In the past, new AirTag firmware was distributed on a rolling basis over two weeks, but it appears the latest firmware is available for all AirTag 2 users immediately. You can check your AirTag firmware by opening up the Find My app, going to the Items tab, tapping on an AirTag in the list, and tapping on the AirTag's name to see its firmware version. There is no way to force an AirTag update, and with firmware distributed over the air with an iPhone or iPad. Make sure your AirTag is in range of an Apple device, and then wait for the firmware to roll out.Related Roundup: AirTagBuyer's Guide: AirTag (Buy Now)This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums10:08 pmReport: Apple set to outperform broader notebook market amid worsening shipment outlook | 9 to 5 MacReport: Apple set to outperform broader notebook market amid worsening shipment outlook
TrendForce has revised its 2026 notebook shipment forecast downward, with Apple standing out as the exception. Here are the details. more…10:08 pmReport: Apple set to outperform broader notebook market amid worsening shipment outlook | 9 to 5 MacReport: Apple set to outperform broader notebook market amid worsening shipment outlook
TrendForce has revised its 2026 notebook shipment forecast downward, with Apple standing out as the exception. Here are the details. more…10:08 pmReport: Apple set to outperform broader notebook market amid worsening shipment outlook | 9 to 5 MacReport: Apple set to outperform broader notebook market amid worsening shipment outlook
TrendForce has revised its 2026 notebook shipment forecast downward, with Apple standing out as the exception. Here are the details. more…09:53 pmScheduled Maintenance: Duo Root Certificate Authority Bundle Replacement
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 1, 16:00 EDT - Apr 10, 00:00 EDTMar 31, 17:35 EDTScheduled - Cisco is committed to providing you with a secure and reliable experience.To ensure our DUO platform continues to meet your needs, we will be performing maintenance.Maintenance Details :Duo will be performing a staged rollout to rotate its server certificates to a new Root Certificate Authority (CA) bundle. This process will occur globally across all Commercial and Federal deployments. Date and Time: April 1st, 16:00 UTC to April 10th, 00:00 UTCImpact:Updated Clients: Customers who have already updated their Duo software to the required versions will experience no service disruption.Outdated Clients: Any Duo applications or integrations still running unsupported versions will fail to establish a secure connection to Duo’s cloud service. This will result in authentication failures, Duo Push delivery issues, and API connection errors. Effective April 15, 2026, major browsers and operating systems will no longer trust the DigiCert G1 root certificate. Unsupported Duo applications will experience service disruptions as a result. This is a mandatory, device-level change that cannot be overridden.Action RequiredPlease ensure your environment is running the required software versions to prevent service disruption. For a full list of required versions and technical guidance, please refer to our official documentation Data CentersRegion: Global (All Commercial and Federal deployments)Services: Duo Authentication ProxyDuo Mobile (Android & iOS)Duo API & SDKsDuo Universal PromptVarious Duo-developed and partner integrations (refer to Field Notice FN74372) We’re Here to HelpIf you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our support team. Thank you for your understanding and support09:48 pmGet PDF Expert for Mac at 42% off: The Apple Editors’ Choice PDF editor you need
PDF Expert will streamline your PDF editing and management. Get a lifetime subscription to this PDF editor for Mac for just $79.97 (42% off). (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)09:43 pmWhen is the last time you checked your site/app
I was helping a local business the other day and their website looked solid at first glance… but once you actually tried to use it, it felt outdated. Slow load times, weird layout on mobile, and no real flow to guide you to take action. It’s the kind of thing you don’t notice as the […]09:25 pmOscar nominee Stellan Skarsgård to star in untitled Apple TV thriller series
Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value) is set to star alongside Dakota Fanning (All Her Fault) in an upcoming untitled international thriller series for Apple TV. Here’s what we know about it so far. more…09:13 pmOpenAI's ChatGPT now available hands-free via CarPlay with iOS 26.4
Apple CarPlay users will now be able to communicate with ChatGPT on-the-go, using only their voice. An app update and iOS 26.4 are required.ChatGPT can now be used via Apple CarPlay on iOS 26.4 or later.With the release of the iOS 26.4 update on March 24, Apple introduced support for AI agents within CarPlay. To be more specific, the iPhone maker released a new CarPlay entitlement category for voice-driven conversational apps.The move effectively enabled third-party AI to function within CarPlay, reducing users' reliance on Siri. OpenAI's ChatGPT has now become one of the first AI-related applications to take advantage of the new CarPlay entitlement, which is only delivered with Apple's approval. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums08:55 pmWatch Tim Cook ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell as part of Apple’s 50th anniversary celebrations | 9 to 5 MacWatch Tim Cook ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell as part of Apple’s 50th anniversary celebrations
Earlier today, Tim Cook remotely rang the Nasdaq Opening Bell from Apple Park, where he also gave a short speech. Here’s what he said. more…08:53 pmApple tests Siri feature that could finally let it handle multiple commands at once | Mac Daily NewsApple tests Siri feature that could finally let it handle multiple commands at once
Apple is quietly working on a significant upgrade to Siri that could make the long-serving digital assistant feel considerably more capable… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.08:38 pmiOS 26.4 has convenient change for iPhone personal hotspot users
iOS 26.4 launched last week, packing a wide array of new features, including a change for personal hotspot that makes it easy to see who’s using your data. more…08:34 pmElevated Error Rate for R2 APAC Buckets
Mar 31, 20:34 UTCInvestigating - Some customers may have experienced elevated error rates accessing R2 buckets in the APAC region. We are investigating the issue and will provide updates as more information becomes available.08:21 pm9to5Mac Daily: March 31, 2026 – iOS 26.5 beta 1 changes, more
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by Backblaze: Backup you can rely on. Save 20% with code 9to5daily. more…08:07 pmApple employee 50th schwag includes T-shirt, pin, poster, and Paul McCartney
Macworld Apple’s 50th anniversary is officially on Wednesday, and the company has been holding several events to commemorate the occasion. This week, however, Apple also gave out special anniversary schwag to its employees, according to several posts on X. Employees got a limited edition T-shirt, pin, and poster “inspired by our heritage rainbow colors and crafted by hand.” Apple 50th Anniversary employee gifts!🎁Each employee gets a 50th T-shirt, limited edition poster and enamel pin! pic.twitter.com/EpvT9no3Yh— Mr. Macintosh (@ClassicII_MrMac) March 31, 2026 If you’re reading this thinking, “That’s it? That’s all the employees of a trillion-dollar company get?” C’mon, do you really expect them to hand out solid-gold Apple Watches? (I bet you do.) It’s not like Apple has trillions of dollars just lying around. Well, there is one more thing: Apple is throwing a huge party on Wednesday, with Sir Paul McCartney performing an exclusive show at Apple Park. It’s so exclusive that employees allegedly are not allowed to bring a guest, which is more probably about the capacity of the Apple Park inner courtyard than about the company being cheap. No word on if Apple will be posting the show on Apple Music, but it hasn’t posted any of the other performances by Alicia Keys and Mumford & Sons, so don’t count on it. We expect Apple’s 50th celebration to wrap up this week, but you never know what Apple has planned for the rest of the month. After all, we’re still waiting for a new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini.08:01 pmSave over 30% on David Pogue’s new ‘Apple: The First 50 years’ book
Update March 31, 2026: Ahead of Apple’s 50th anniversary tomorrow, David Pogue’s new book is on sale on Amazon for $34.09 (Reg. $50). This is a great way to save on one of the best modern Apple books there is. Original post below. Apple celebrates its 50th birthday this year, having originally been founded on April 1, 1976. Coinciding with that anniversary, veteran technology reporter “CBS Sunday Morning” correspondent David Pogue is out with a new book that goes in-depth on the company’s history, Apple: The First 50 Years. more…08:00 pmApple at 50: Paul McCartney sound check and the employee gift bag
Apple's conclusion to its 50th anniversary celebration at Apple Park is confirmed to include a performance by Paul McCartney, as well as a small selection of employee gifts to mark the occasion.Paul McCartney's soundcheck at Apple Park - Image Credit: u/Live_Football2343 on Reddit R/PaulMcCartneyApple has been holding a series of events around the world, as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. The grand finale will take place at Apple Park on Wednesday, while it will be a big party for Apple employees, some more details about the event have been unearthed.A photograph shared to Reddit by user u/Live_Football2343 shows the soundcheck for Wednesday's performance within the rainbow arch at the middle of Apple Park. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums08:00 pmApp Store Connect adds 11 new languages for localized app metadata
Apple has expanded App Store Connect’s localization support, allowing developers to localize their app metadata in a total of 50 languages. Here are the details. more…07:58 pmApple TV HD and iPad mini 4 are now on Apple's 'obsolete products' list
Apple has declared the fourth-generation iPad mini, 2017 MacBook Air, and Apple TV HD officially obsolete, and repairs for the devices will no longer be offered.The fourth-generation iPad mini is now obsolete, according to Apple.The predecessor of the current Apple TV 4K was the Apple TV fourth generation, which launched more than a decade ago, in 2015. The same year saw the debut of the fourth-generation iPad mini, which offered performance improvements in a somewhat thinner chassis, with a laminated display.Both of these devices, in addition to the 2017 13-inch MacBook Air, have made their way to Apple's "obsolete" products list. This means that none of them are eligible for repairs from Apple, and the iPhone maker will no longer provide parts for them, either. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums07:53 pmUnited States SMS Carrier Maintenance – US Cellular Corp.
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 8, 22:00 PDT - Apr 9, 03:00 PDTMar 31, 12:32 PDTScheduled - The US Cellular Corp. network in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 08 April 2026 at 22:00 PDT until 09 April 2026 at 03:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from US Cellular Corp. United States handsets when sending via long codes and short codes.07:36 pmAgentic AI Engineering Workflows for iOS in 2026
submitted by /u/jacobs-tech-tavern [link] [comments]07:34 pmOpenAI Brings ChatGPT to CarPlay for Hands-Free Voice Conversations
OpenAI has updated ChatGPT with support for CarPlay, which means CarPlay users can now ask ChatGPT questions and make requests directly from their vehicle dashboard. Apple began allowing third-party voice-based conversational apps to interface with CarPlay in iOS 26.4, but apps need to implement the feature and get a special entitlement from Apple. For the ChatGPT app and other apps that implement CarPlay support, voice has to be the primary method of interaction. Apple says that chatbot apps should not show text or imagery in response to queries. Apple has a voice control template that apps are required to use. Apps have to display the voice control screen while voice-based services are active, and apps are able to have up to four action buttons. To use ChatGPT with CarPlay, an iPhone running iOS 26.4 or later is required. CarPlay has supported third-party apps for years, but Apple limits the types of apps that are available to cut down on driver distractions. Apple has a list of allowed app categories, which includes audio apps, communication apps, EV charging apps, and navigation apps. ChatGPT integration will let users ask questions hands-free, but the chatbot is not able to control vehicle or iPhone functions. There is no wake word, so users will need to open the ChatGPT app to use it.Related Roundup: CarPlayTags: ChatGPT, OpenAIRelated Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto TechnologyThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums07:27 pmHere’s Apple’s special 50th anniversary merch for employees
Apple Park is hosting an exclusive Paul McCartney concert for employees today in celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary tomorrow. And ahead of the festivities, Apple has started offering special 50th merch gifts to staff. Here’s a look. more…07:25 pmII need honest feedback, is my paywall too aggressive or not? It’s a server-based audio processing app. | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingII need honest feedback, is my paywall too aggressive or not? It’s a server-based audio processing app.
*I need It's an app that lets you transform your favorite tracks into slowed-down versions with reverb, 8D (the effect that swirls around your head) effects, or bass boosts in seconds. Basically, you import your track, choose a preset (there are 10 presets), or adjust the speed and reverb yourself to give your music an […]07:01 pmApple adds Apple TV and iPad mini models to ‘obsolete’ products list
Apple has updated its list of vintage and obsolete products today, with additions that include select Apple TV HD, iPad mini, and MacBook Air models. more…07:00 pmApple releases new AirPods Max 2 firmware
Apple has quietly rolled out a new firmware update for its upcoming AirPods Max 2 headphones, with build number 8E251 now available… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.06:54 pmApple Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Employee Gifts, Plans Finale Concert at Apple Park | MacRumorsApple Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Employee Gifts, Plans Finale Concert at Apple Park
Apple is providing employees with a special gift in honor of its 50th anniversary, which takes place on Wednesday, April 1. Employees will receive a commemorative t-shirt, enamel pin, and limited-edition poster, all of which have the scribble-style rainbow Apple logo that Apple has been using for its 50th anniversary artwork. An Apple Park sign says that products are "crafted by hand" and are available for employees to pick up until April 30. 50 Years of Thinking Different pic.twitter.com/jxx9gkzkE4— 有没有搞措 (@L0vetodream) March 31, 2026 Apple 50th Anniversary employee gifts!Each employee gets a 50th T-shirt, limited edition poster and enamel pin! pic.twitter.com/EpvT9no3Yh— Mr. Macintosh (@ClassicII_MrMac) March 31, 2026 Apple kicked off its 50th anniversary celebrations in March, and has been hosting concerts and Today at Apple events around the world. There was an Alicia Keys concert in New York, a Li Yuchun performance in Chengdu, a Mumford & Sons concert in London, a meetup with professional figure skater Elladj Baldé in Vancouver, a light show with music composed by Bailey Pickles in Sydney, and more. Apple plans to wrap up its 50th anniversary party with a special finale performance at its Apple Park campus for employees. The musical guest hasn't yet been announced, but rumors suggest that it will be Paul McCartney.Tag: Apple 50th AnniversaryThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums06:46 pmChatGPT app launches for CarPlay on iOS 26.4
Last week, Apple released iOS 26.4, which enabled support for voice-based AI apps to CarPlay for the first time. Just a few days later, OpenAI has updated the ChatGPT app for iPhone to take advantage of this change. Now, ChatGPT is fully accessible via a dedicated CarPlay app. more…06:40 pmThoughts on switching from SwiftData to SQLiteData
I have a production app on the App Store since over a year with 2K monthly users and good revenue. However I am so sick of SwiftData. Predicates are limited, Performance is bad, iCloud Sync is black magic and I am hitting borders with my models. So I am thinking of switching to SQLiteData. CoreData […]06:33 pmApple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Max 2
Just ahead of the launch of the AirPods Max 2, Apple has released new firmware for the headphones. The updated firmware is version number 8E251. The AirPods Max 2 include the H2 chip, an upgrade over the H1. The H2 brings several new features like Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Loud Sound Reduction, Voice Isolation, and more. The new firmware likely optimizes some of these new features. Customers who buy the AirPods Max 2 can follow Apple's steps to get the new firmware. To get the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and are connected via Bluetooth. From there, connect the Apple device to Wi-Fi, then connect the AirPods Max to power with a USB-C cable. Keep the AirPods Max in Bluetooth range of the Apple device, and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update. From there, reconnect the AirPods to the Apple device, and check the firmware version to see if it's updated. Apple says if the firmware doesn't install, to restart the AirPods Max and try again.Related Roundup: AirPods Max 2Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums06:17 pmApple releases new AirPods Max 2 firmware update
AirPods Max 2 arrive in stores tomorrow (read our 9to5Mac review here), and ahead of their launch, Apple has shipped new firmware for the headphones. more…06:10 pmApple is working to make the next-gen Siri handle multiple commands at once
Macworld It seems sort of obvious, but a modern AI assistant should be able to handle being asked to do more than one thing at a time. You should be able to say, “Make a calendar appointment for my haircut at 5 pm and send a text to my wife letting her know I’ll be home late that day.” But it’s not something Siri can do now, and it’s not exactly trivial to make an AI assistant properly parse out requests into multiple actions. According to a new report from Bloomberg, Apple is currently testing such a feature. It is intended to be a part of the big Siri overhaul in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. The report says users will be able to combine multiple requests, like “check the weather, create a calendar appointment, and send a message,” into a single prompt. That this is even news shows how far behind Apple is in the AI assistant space. Modern chatbots and assistants handle this sort of thing already, and Apple is currently just testing it for an update not expected to reach all their users until this fall at the earliest. Apple’s new Siri will be powered by an entire new foundation model, which uses Google’s Gemini technology at its core. It will allegedly include the features promised, but not delivered, as part of iOS 18—understanding of personal context, the ability to see and react to what is on screen, and the ability to take hundreds of different actions within apps. It’s also said to be a full chatbot, with an interface that will let you see past chats and commands and reference them. The new Siri should also extend the Siri Extensions feature, currently limited to just ChatGPT, so that users can additionally use other AI assistants installed through the App Store. Gurman also says Apple is testing a new system keyboard that advances autocorrect, although perhaps not in the way most users are hoping. The keyboard will suggest alternate words or phrases, similar to Grammarly and other tools. The Bloomberg report says a final decision on whether or not to release that keyboard has not yet been made.06:09 pmGet ready to celebrate Apple’s 50th with the perfect playlist
This story is part of 9to5Mac’s series celebrating Apple’s 50th anniversary. It’s certainly not news that Apple has made tremendous contributions to the music industry. But what’s often overlooked is its role as a tastemaker in the music space, not just changing the way songs are bought and sold but what people are actually listening to. I’ve compiled a comprehensive, but curated playlist of some of the best songs that Apple has used in commercials, product introductions, events, and more. You can stream it or add it to your library on Apple Music. But I also wanted to acknowledge a few songs that were made particularly iconic thanks to their inclusion in Apple marketing materials over the years. more…06:08 pmApple Vision Pro users will be able to experience NASA’s Artemis II launch in immersive video | Mac Daily NewsApple Vision Pro users will be able to experience NASA’s Artemis II launch in immersive video
NASA’s Artemis program is about to get the cinematic treatment it deserves — and Apple Vision Pro owners are in for an unforgettable ride… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.06:02 pmApple’s Siri overhaul targets more natural, multistep queries
Apple is upgrading Siri so the voice assistant can handle multiple requests at once. It's part of giving the voice assistant some smarts. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)05:58 pmswift-assist: An AI-Powered iOS Testing Skill for Claude Code
I spent a little bit of time making testing easier and just wanted to share it, it does more than testing but this article focuses on that. submitted by /u/unpluggedcord [link] [comments]Firehose II – Jobs, Deals, Apps
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