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- Saturday December 20
- 11:12 amReview: SwitchBot Wallet Finder is an incredibly useful accessory to track your wallet with iPhone Find My | 9 to 5 MacReview: SwitchBot Wallet Finder is an incredibly useful accessory to track your wallet with iPhone Find My
I have an AirTag on my keychain to keep track of my keys, but obviously an AirTag is too big and bulky to fit inside a wallet. That’s what the SwitchBot Wallet Finder is for. Disguised inside a thin, credit-card form factor, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder connects to the Find My app on your iPhone, so you can follow its location, and it even houses a speaker so you can make it beep to help you find your wallet when it inevitably gets lost somewhere in your home. Read on for my review … more…11:00 am2025 tech gift guide for Apple users — personally tested and recommended
It’s officially time to start checking gifts off your list before it’s too late. For my 2025 tech gift guide, I’m recommending technology products that I’ve actually used all year. Each of these products has been especially useful this year, and they’ll make great gifts for the Apple users in your life. more…10:42 amI’ve created a better sitting reminder for Apple Watch.
If you find Apple Watch’s stand reminders too easy to miss, try Relaxo.Relaxo just launched on the App Store, and in its first month, it’s already been downloaded 1,500 times! Key features: Automatic Sitting Tracking & Reminders – Relaxo automatically starts tracking your sitting time as soon as you sit and reminds you when it’s […]10:20 amBest AirPlay speakers for iPhones and Apple Music
Macworld Apple sells two speakers–the HomePod and HomePod mini–but there are lots of different types of speakers that work with iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV out there to choose from that could offer better value for money. There’s a lot of choice with the speakers in this round up offering a wide variety of features, specs, designs and price tags. But we’re here to guide you through the complexity and help you find the best speaker for optimal performance with your Mac and iOS devices whether you are playing music from your library or from Apple Music or another music streaming service. We look at a variety of speakers including multi-room speaker systems, which are more popular than ever–especially as mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad allow us to carry our entire music library from room to room, or connect to music streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music or Amazon Prime Music with a quick tap. Apple users are best off getting a speaker with AirPlay support, and all the speakers in this test offer AirPlay 2 support. AirPlay is useful if you want to stream music from your iPhone to a speaker. We explain what AirPlay is and the features it brings later on in this article. Best speakers for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV 2026 We’ve tested the best speakers you can buy to use with your Apple products below, so read on to find out which AirPlay speakers are best. HomePod mini – Best speaker for Apple Music Price When Reviewed: $99 Best Prices Today: New Refurbished Retailer Price $99 View Deal $99.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Apple HomePod mini Bluetooth speakers – Space gray $80 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket We’re putting the HomePod mini in the top spot on the basis of its low price tag, excellent sound quality and deep integration with Apple’s software ecosystem – as long as you don’t mind being tied to Siri. The HomePod mini can’t match the bass punch of the full-size HomePod, but the output is still far better than we have any right to expect at this size and price. (Just to reiterate, it’s a third of the price and a seventh of the weight of its larger sibling.) For jazz, rock and classical we were blown away by its clear, rich sound. And while it’s not quite got the welly to deafen your neighbors with house music at 3 am, and you won’t fill a village hall with sound, but it does fill a room beautifully – especially when teamed with a second model as a stereo pair. Read our full Apple HomePod mini review Apple HomePod (2nd generation, 2023) – Best Apple speaker Price When Reviewed: $299 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $299 View Deal $299 View Deal $299.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem and you appreciate quality audio, this is the smart speaker for you: it will play your music beautifully and make TV watching a delight. As with the HomePod mini, ease of setup is one of its strongest features–plug in the HomePod and wave an iPhone vaguely in its direction and an onscreen popup (on the phone) will invite you to set it up. If there’s another HomePod of the same model in the selected room, you’ll be given the option to join them as a stereo pair. It sounds great whether used as a single unit, or as a stereo pair, and it’s a great accompaniment to your Apple TV as it supports Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio (the HomePod mini doesn’t). To find out more, about how the HomePod compares to the HomePod mini. The main disadvantages of the 2023 HomePod are the high price (three times that of the HomePod mini) and the frustrations associated with being reliant on Siri to control it. We really want a HomePod with a screen. Read our full Apple HomePod (2nd generation, 2023) review Audio Pro C10 MKII W – Best speaker for sound quality Price When Reviewed: $480 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $289 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The Audio Pro C10 MKII W has a minimalist design, consisting of a simple rectangular box measuring 166mm high, 320mm wide, and 180mm deep. Despite its small size, it’s sturdy, weighing over 4kg. The front panel features a smart fabric grille that can be removed for a retro look with exposed drivers. Removing the grille reveals a large woofer in the centre for deep, full sound, with smaller tweeters on either side for higher frequencies. The C10 MKII W has a total output of 80W, making it suitable as a main speaker system in the living room. However, it requires mains power and is likely to be used in one room at home due to its weight. The C10 MKII W supports Bluetooth, Apple’s AAC codec, and dual-band Wi-Fi. The updated Audio Pro app works with various streaming services, including Spotify, Amazon Music, and SoundCloud. It also supports AirPlay 2, allowing audio streaming from Apple devices and integration with multi-room music systems. Android users may be disappointed that there’s no aptX support with Bluetooth, but the C10 MKII W supports Google Cast. The speaker has RCA connectors for wired connections, but no audio cables are included. The C10 MKII W delivers good sound quality. The lossless version of Madonna’s Frozen on Apple Music via AirPlay revealed delicate string touches and gentle electronic chimes, followed by a sharp percussion crack that led into the chorus. The C10 MKII W handles harder rock sounds well. Sing Along by Sturgill Simpson, captured the thick, fuzzy guitar sound and the wailing keyboards, creating a lively atmosphere. The deep bass could be firmer, but an extra RCA connector allows for an external sub-woofer for enhanced bass. While it’s more expensive than Apple’s HomePod, the C10 MKII W excels in clarity and precision, especially with high-res music on Apple Music and other streaming services. It also offers better connectivity. Audio Pro’s model numbers are inconsistent, with some older models still on sale, so make sure to buy the correct model. Read our full Audio Pro C10 MKII W review Audio Pro A28 W – Best dual speaker set up Price When Reviewed: $720 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Audio Pro $720 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If you prefer proper stereo speakers the A28 W is a great option. The speaker cabinets are made of MDF, which feels very sturdy and also helps to reduce vibrations that might affect the sound quality. The A28 W is available in black or white, or with a walnut wood finish. There are removable fabric grilles provided with each speaker. Inside each cabinet you’ll find a 4.5-inch woofer for handling the mid-range and lower frequencies, along with a 1-inch tweeter for the higher frequencies. Each speaker provides 75W output – 150W total. The ‘W’ refers to the speakers’ emphasis on wireless connectivity. There’s support for Apple’s AAC codec (but no aptX for Android users). There’s dual-band Wi-Fi for connecting to your home network (2.4GHz and 5.0GHz). And there’s support for AirPlay 2 and Google Cast. Wired inputs include stereo RCA inputs, one digital optical input for use with other Hi-Fi equipment, and an HDMI-ARC interface for a TV. There’s also one more RCA connector that allows you to connect to an external sub-woofer as well. No standard 3.5mm or USB-C connector for wired audio though. There’s a 10-band equaliser, but what really impresses about the A28 W is its ability to create an expansive stereo sound that is far more immersive and atmospheric than one-piece speakers such as Apple’s HomePod. It’s fairly expensive, but the sound quality is excellent. Read our full Audio Pro A28 W review Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition – Best speaker for home Price When Reviewed: $799 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $830.04 View Deal $899 View Deal $899 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin range of speakers first appeared back in 2007. The Zeppelin Pro Edition launched at the end of 2024 and looks almost identical to the Zeppelin introduced, so be careful to check which model you are considering buying. At $799/£699, it’s one of the more expensive AirPlay speakers currently available, but it really does deliver the goods in terms of sound quality. The Zeppelin Pro Edition measures 210 x 650 x 194mm and weighs 6.6kg. It’s available in a dark ‘space grey’ or ‘solar gold’. Unlike many one-piece speaker systems – including Apple’s HomePod – the Zeppelin Pro Edition provides a full stereo system, with separate left and right audio channels, as well as a dedicated sub-woofer for handling lower frequencies. That’s a similar set-up to previous Zeppelin models, but Bowers & Wilkins says the woofers and tweeters have been redesigned for the Zeppelin Pro Edition for even better sound quality. Like previous models, the Zeppelin Pro Edition supports Bluetooth with AAC for Apple devices, and aptX Adaptive for Android. There’s also Wi-Fi with support for AirPlay 2, which allows you to stream wireless audio (and Apple Music) over your home network from your Apple device. Using AirPlay with Apple devices provides more bandwidth for high-quality audio files. The Zeppelin Pro also supports Spotify Connect, and Tidal and Amazon Music via an app. Our only complaint is that the Zeppelin Pro doesn’t offer wired inputs, so you can’t connect it to a CD player or Hi-Fi. The Zeppelin Pro Edition is one of the larger and more expensive AirPlay speakers. If you want a powerful, high-quality stereo speaker that supports AirPlay 2 this is a great option. Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition review Roku Streambar – Best speaker for TV Price When Reviewed: $129.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Dell Home $129.99 View Deal Roku $129.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Roku is well-known for its range of streaming media devices, which offer an affordable alternative to Apple’s own Apple TV box. However, the Roku Streambar goes a step further by combining streaming features with a compact soundbar speaker and support for Apple’s AirPlay 2 – and all for a highly competitive $129.99/£129.99. The AirPlay support and built-in dual-band Wi-Fi mean that you can simply use the Streambar as a conventional AirPlay speaker, using AirPlay to stream music via Wi-Fi from any Apple device. It’s surprisingly powerful for such a compact speaker, and more than loud enough for playing music at home or watching a few Hollywood blockbusters. It even provides pretty good bass too, landing the bass guitar and crashing drums on Kate Bush’s The Big Sky with real impact (and Roku has recently announced a new range of wireless speakers that also support AirPlay 2, although we’ve not had the chance to test these yet). Going beyond basic speaker mode, you can also use the HDMI port on the back of the Streambar to connect it to a TV or computer display, and this allows you to stream video at up to 4K resolution from your Apple devices as well. You can even get rid of your Apple devices altogether, and just use the Streambar’s built-in streaming features to connect your TV or computer monitor to a wide range of video services–including Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+ and so on. It also supports a number of music streaming services too, such as Apple Music and Spotify. Admittedly, the low cost of the Streambar means that it does lack a few advanced features, such as support for Dolby Atmos, which you can get from Apple’s HomePod and also the Apple TV 4K. But, of course, the Apple TV box doesn’t include a speaker, and the Streambar’s low-cost combination of AirPlay speaker and music and video streaming features makes it an absolute bargain at this price. In 2024 Roku introduced the Streambar SE, which is a cheaper version of the Streambar reviewed here. The larger Streambar Pro has been discontinued, but for now Roku seems to be continuing to sell the Streambar. Sonos Era 100 – Best multiroom speaker Price When Reviewed: $249.00 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $169 View Deal $169 View Deal $195 View Deal $199 View Deal Sonos $199 View Deal $199.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket When Sonos first introduced the Era 100 it was positioned as a mid-range option that sat between the entry-level Sonos One and the imposing Era 300 with Dolby Atmos at the top of the range. However, the veteran Sonos One quietly faded away a few months ago and the Era 100 has taken over as the new entry point for the Sonos range of multi-room speakers, with a $249/£249 price tag that makes it a good alternative to the Apple HomePod at £299/$299. At first glance, the Era 100 does look very similar to the original Sonos One, with an upright cylindrical design that is available in black or white. It’s slightly larger than the Sonos One, though, standing 182.5mm high, 120mm wide and 130mm deep. This allows the Era 100 to squeeze in an additional high-frequency tweeter, so that it now houses two tweeters that are angled out to the right and left to spread sound more widely than the Sonos One. It also includes a larger woofer than the Sonos One, to handle the mid-range and bass and add a little extra power as well. This new design works a treat and the Era 100 provides very good sound quality for a relatively compact speaker. The atmospheric harmonies of Enya’s Orinoco Flow have a light, shimmering sound, but the compact speaker has got some muscle too, and is easily able to fill the room around me with Enya’s swirling cloud of sound. The twin tweeters provide a crisp, clear sound for the electronic loops that fly through the air, but that larger woofer can also reach down and embrace the slow bass pulse and rumbling drums that enter as Enya’s multi-tracked vocals chant – “turn it up, turn it up”. The only minor disappointment is that the Era 100 doesn’t support Dolby Atmos or spatial audio. If you’re a home cinema fan who really wants Atmos then you’ll need to pay a little more for alternatives such as the Apple HomePod or the high-end Era 300. But, if you’re just looking for a compact, high-quality speaker with wi-fi and support for AirPlay, then the Era 100 delivers the goods at a lower price than most of its AirPlay rivals. Sonos Roam 2 – Best portable speaker Price When Reviewed: $179 (reduced to $143) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $139 View Deal $139 View Deal $139 View Deal Sonos $139 View Deal $139 View Deal $179 View Deal $179 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Sonos’ Roam has to be the smallest and most portable AirPlay 2 speaker we’ve seen so far. Sonos’s original Roam smart speaker was released back in 2021, and it was one of the best portable speakers we’ve ever seen, providing very good sound quality in a highly compact design that also managed to squeeze in useful features such as wireless charging and even support for Wi-Fi and AirPlay for Apple devices. The Roam 2 fine-tunes a number of features such as its set-up and tuning process, and provides more straightforward controls. Available in a variety of colors–including red, green, blue and plain old black and white–the Roam 2 looks identical to its predecessor. It is 168mm tall, 62mm wide and 60mm deep, and weighs 0.43kg. It’s not pocket-size, but it will fit into a backpack. It has a IP67 rating water and dust resistance, so it’s suited to the outdoors. There’s no room for a large battery in the compact design, but it should last for up to 10 hours with music at 50% volume. It needs to stand upright for wireless charging and the volume, playback and microphone controls sit on the top, but you can turn the speaker onto its side and lay it flat. A USB-C port on the back can be used for charging too. Roam 2 supports Bluetooth 5.2 and now has separate buttons for Power and Bluetooth pairing, which are easier to use than the fiddly multi-function button on the original Roam. You can press the Bluetooth button to pair via Bluetooth, but you need to download the Sonos app for iOS in order to set the speaker up properly. We encountered problems getting the speaker connected to our Wi-Fi network and had to spend time changing the Wi-Fi settings. But, once that was done, the Roam 2 worked really well. Lucky its support for AirPlay made connecting it to additional Apple devices straightforward. The Roam 2 offers great sound quality for such a compact speaker, especially over a Wi-Fi connection. It did a good job with Sturgill Simpson’s Sing Along, laying down the grinding, fuzzy guitars that form the bedrock of the sound. On Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy it achieved a pretty respectable bass beat for such a small speaker. Switching to Bluetooth caused the sound to lose a little clarity–but that’s a limitation of Bluetooth rather than the speaker itself, and the Roam 2 can go head-to-head with any portable speaker of this size and weight. The Roam 2 really punches above its weight when it comes to sound quality and its sturdy and lightweight design is great for outdoor use. Read our full Sonos Roam 2 review Sonos Era 300 Price When Reviewed: $449.00 each Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $379 View Deal $379 View Deal $449 View Deal $449 View Deal Sonos $449 View Deal $459.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Apple has been banging the drum for spatial audio for a few years now, but Sonos really took a step forward with that technology when it launched the Era 300 in 2023. Appropriately enough, it also marked a new era for the Sonos range of multi-room speakers, with an entirely new design that was at least eye-catching even if it wasn’t perhaps as elegant as Sonos claimed. Available in black or white, the bulky, hourglass design of the Era 300 is very much designed for spatial audio, housing no less than six separate speaker drivers, with support for Dolby Atmos when watching films and video, or listening to spatial audio on Apple Music. There’s one woofer and one tweeter on each side of the unit, which provide a wide stereo soundstage, while another tweeter on the front highlights vocals and dialogue, or lead instruments. There’s one more tweeter on the top, which is designed to fire sound off the ceiling to help create a sense of height and space when listening to music or video that uses Atmos. Like most Sonos speakers, the Era 300 uses dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5.0GHz) to connect to your home network, and also supports AirPlay 2 for use with Apple devices and other AirPlay-compatible speakers. But, unlike previous Sonos speakers, the Era now supports Bluetooth as well, so that it can provide a quick and easy wireless connection for mobile devices and computers when required. You can also buy an adaptor that provides a wired connection (although it’s annoying that this costs an extra $19/£19, given the speaker’s hefty $449/£449 price tag). The Era 300 can earn its keep, though. The Dolby Atmos support works really well on the opening scene of Blade Runner, creating a real sense of movement as the hovercar flies over the Los Angeles skyline, and there’s a satisfying bass rumble to the bursts of steam and flame that erupts into the air. It does a good job with spatial audio on Apple Music too, especially with Ringo’s deft percussion on the Atmos mix of Come Together by the Beatles. The bongos skip lightly through the air and the bass guitar glides forward with a swaying, sinuous rhythm. There’s real weight behind the guitar riff that leads into the chorus, but the Era 300 can still pick out gentler details such as the shimmering cymbals and rhythmic keyboards. Admittedly, it’s one of the more expensive AirPlay speakers currently available, but the powerful and atmospheric sound of the Era 300, and support for Dolby Atmos, make it a good alternative to more expensive soundbar systems for music and watching video. Beats Pill Price When Reviewed: $149.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $99.95 View Deal $99.95 View Deal $99.99 View Deal $99.99 View Deal $99.99 View Deal $129.95 View Deal $129.95 View Deal $149.99 View Deal $149.99 View Deal Beats $149.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket It sounds better than most portable speakers this size, but still sounds clipped at high volumes and some controls are a little opaque. The Beats Pill is much improved over previous versions, but it has a few faults that we’d love to see addressed in the next revision. Beats’ iconic “pill” shape is handy to carry around, fits anywhere a water bottle would go, and sits well on a table or similarly flat surface. You can get one in classic Beats colors—black, red, or champagne. When at rest the speakers are tilted 20 degrees upward, which is a great way to project the sound more directly at you. The Pill is IP67-rated, so is should be safe on the beach, beside a pool, or in the rain. A silicone outer wrap helps prevent bumps and dings, while adding weatherproofing. Along the top, you’ll find volume buttons, a center multi-function button, and a power button. They’re far enough apart and labeled clearly enough that it’s easy to hit the right one without paying close attention. In the back is a single USB-C port that can be used for charging or as an audio input, with support for lossless audio (not that the Pill has the sound quality to do it justice). It even reverse-charges with a triple-tap of the power button so it can be a sort of power bank for your phone. Beats says the battery will last 24 hours. We can confirm it can easily run all day without recharging. With a single woofer capable of 90 percent more air displacement than the woofer in the Beats Pill+ and a paired tweeter, the new Beats Pill sounds OK. Like all portable speakers with a cylindrical design it lacks low-end oomph. There’s more bass than you’d expect, but still less than you need. It does get pretty loud, but at high volumes, there’s a clipped or limited feel. There’s a microphone to enable speakerphone or voice assistants, but it doesn’t have much in the way of noise reduction to protect from strong wind or nearby highway noise. The weatherproofing, relatively loud volume, and fantastic battery life all make this a really great affordable speaker for hanging out by the pool. The $149.99/£149.99price is reasonable, too. You just need to manage your expectations for getting great sound quality out of a little portable speaker like this. Read our full Beats Pill review JBL Authentics 300 Price When Reviewed: $449.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $299.95 View Deal $299.95 View Deal $333.95 View Deal JBL $449.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket We’ve looked at the JBL Flip 7, which launched in spring 2025, and they are good, but they lack AirPlay. Tucked away in a quiet corner of the JBL website the company has a range of smart speakers, called Authentics, which include both Wi-Fi and support for Apple’s AirPlay. There are three speakers in the range, starting at $349.99/£238.99 for the entry-level Authentics 200, going up to $699.99/£529.99 for the top-of-the-range Authentics 500. However, the sweet spot for us is the mid-range Authentics 300, which has the most versatile design and costs $449.99/£249.99, although you can find them cheaper. The Authentics 300 is attractively designed, with a sturdy wooden cabinet and a big, chunky grille on the front that gives it an intentionally retro look. It’s fairly large, standing 195mm high, 342mm wide and 180mm deep, and it weighs in at a hefty 4.9kg. Even so, it’s still intended to be a portable speaker and – unlike the other Authentics speakers – it includes a rechargeable battery that lasts for around eight hours. There’s also a sturdy metal carrying handle, so it’s easy to pick the speaker up and carry it from room to room at home, or out into the garden when the summer eventually arrives. Inside the speaker are two 25mm tweeters, and a beefy 133mm woofer, along with a large passive bass radiator on the underside of the speaker to help give the bass a bit of a boost. There’s a volume dial on the top panel, along with separate controls for adjusting Treble and Bass, but the inclusion of wi-fi and support for AirPlay means that you can also easily control the speaker from any Apple devices, and the JBL One app also includes an eight-band Equalizer that provides more precise control over the sound. Getting started is a piece of cake, as the JBL One app initially uses Bluetooth to connect to the speaker and then guides you through the process of connecting to your home network, using either wi-fi or the Ethernet port located on the back of the speaker. There are two microphones built into the speaker, although these only work with Alexa and the Google Assistant, but there’s a Mute button that lets you turn the mics off if you prefer to keep things private. Sound quality is great, and the Authentics 300 lets the bass guitar on Blondie’s Rapture bounce along with a relaxed, infectious energy. There’s a bright, clear tone on the chopping rhythm guitar, and the drums and percussion of the late, great Clem Burke are as taut and precise as ever. And, with 100W output, the speaker has more than enough power to get things going at a BBQ or house-party. Our only minor complaint is that the USB-C port on the back of the speaker doesn’t provide a wired audio input – although there is a 3.5mm connector on the back of the speaker if you need a wired connection. How to choose an AirPlay speaker There’s a lot to think about when buying an AirPlay speaker so make sure you read this buying advice before splashing the cash. Music streaming & compatibility Having your favorite music follow you around your home is great, but conventional multi-room speakers often have significant limitations. Many, for example, will only work with a limited number of streaming services that are built into the apps provided by each manufacturer. As you might expect, most will work with Spotify, while Tidal and Deezer also get a lot of support. But for some reason, Sonos is one of the few manufacturers of multi-room speakers that also supports Apple Music. In fact, some speakers only provide apps for iOS or Android mobile devices, which means that you can’t even play music from a Mac. The other big problem with conventional speakers in the past was that you have generally had to buy them all from one manufacturer when assembling a multi-room setup because rival speakers were incompatible and wouldn’t work together. AirPlay vs AirPlay 2 The speaker market changed dramatically in 2018 with the release of Apple’s updated AirPlay 2 software. Released to coincide with the original HomePod launch, AirPlay 2 has also been licensed to a number of well-known manufacturers, which means there’s now a wide range of compatible speakers available. In fact, every model in our top 10 works with AirPlay 2. The first version of AirPlay, released back in 2010, was like a souped-up version of Bluetooth, allowing you to stream audio from any app on your Mac or iOS devices to any AirPlay-compatible speaker and freeing you from reliance on the manufacturer’s apps. AirPlay also uses a Wi-Fi connection, which means a higher bandwidth than Bluetooth and better sound quality – not to mention longer range. The simplicity and versatility of AirPlay is great, but – like Bluetooth – its original version was only designed to work with one speaker at a time. AirPlay 2 takes Apple into the multi-room market, with the ability to stream music to several speakers in different rooms. (Alternatively, you can create a HomePods stereo pair in the same room.) But the real game-changer with AirPlay 2 was interoperability, the ability to link together speakers from different manufacturers for the very first time. This means you can mix and match speakers around your home – picking, for instance, a HomePod as your main living-room speaker, a Sonos in the bedroom, and a portable speaker for drinks in the garden – and have them all linked up to play music simultaneously. Which version of AirPlay is supported? The important thing to remember is that there are now two types of AirPlay speaker. Some older models will use the original version of AirPlay – which is limited to streaming music to one speaker at a time – but new speakers (and certainly all the speakers in this article) focus on AirPlay 2. Some will have the AirPlay logo on the packaging, but this doesn’t specify whether it’s AirPlay or AirPlay 2. It’s therefore important to check which version is supported by any speaker before buying. Given that AirPlay 2 has been around for three years, it would be surprising to see a manufacturer release an AirPlay 1 speaker right now, but it doesn’t hurt to check. You don’t want to get caught out. It’s also worth mentioning that some older AirPlay speakers can be upgraded to work with AirPlay 2 as well. Libratone’s new Zipp 2 uses AirPlay 2, but it’s possible to download a software update for the older first-generation Zipp speakers that adds support for AirPlay 2. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with all AirPlay speakers, and some models are stuck with basic AirPlay. Sound Quality vs Price The fact that Apple licenses both AirPlay and AirPlay 2 to other manufacturers has other advantages too. Namely, the option to choose from a wide range of (often lower-cost) third-party speakers from companies like Sonos and Ikea. At the other extreme, some really expensive hi-fi systems in the pipeline offer AirPlay 2 support for audiophiles and home cinema buffs. These options give you flexibility: you can spend heavily on a really high-quality speaker for your living room, for example, while opting for a less expensive model in the kitchen. Indoors vs Outdoors Some manufacturers provide more specialised speakers too, such as soundbars that you can use with your TV, or sub-woofers that can provide a bass boost for parties, or for sound effects when watching films. Some even include rechargeable batteries and lightweight, portable designs so you can pick them up and carry them from room to room – which is certainly cheaper than buying a new speaker for each room – or take them out into the garden for a barbecue. Connectivity Connectivity is another key issue. The HomePod has been criticised for relying on Wi-Fi for streaming, with no option for quick and easy Bluetooth streaming for Android and other non-Apple devices. It doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio connector either, which would allow you to use it with a CD player or other audio devices. Fortunately, many AirPlay and AirPlay 2 speakers provide a greater range of connectivity, allowing you to play music from a wider range of devices than the HomePod. Sonos has even announced it will be releasing an AirPlay 2 amplifier soon that can form the centrepiece of a serious home entertainment system. In other words, AirPlay 2 is here to stay. Bluetooth only options We’ve reviewed a few Bluetooth only speakers that don’t offer AirPlay, but are still good options these include the following: Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) Read our review Price When Reviewed: $399 Best Prices Today: $399 at Bang & Olufsen09:52 amMarketing is far more difficult than development.
Whether it's a free app or a commercial application, every developer certainly hopes that their product can have a large number of users. So how do people usually market their products? submitted by /u/chrisakring [link] [comments]09:33 amMMS Delivery Delays and Failures To and From a Subset of Longcodes in Australia
Dec 20, 01:33 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing MMS delivery delays and failures affecting a subset of Australian longcodes, for both inbound and outbound messages. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 2 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.08:00 amBlock ads for life on 9 devices for just $19 (was $169.99)
Macworld TL;DR: Block ads on nine devices for life with an AdGuard Family Plan Lifetime Subscription on sale for $19. Ads are one of the most frustrating parts of being online, but you aren’t stuck with them. AdGuard is a comprehensive ad blocker tool that can get rid of pop-ups, banners, and so many other frustrating ads. Right now, a lifetime family plan is also on sale for $18.97 (reg. $169.99). AdGuard works across your devices to clean up your browsing so pages load cleaner and faster. Once it is installed, it filters out a wide range of ads and prevents tracking tools from collecting your data. If you spend a lot of time online for work or school, the difference can be noticeable right away, since pages feel less cluttered and more readable. The Family Plan supports up to nine devices, which makes it easy to cover everyone in the household. You can install it on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and each device gets the same protections. The parental control settings also let you block adult content and other categories you don’t want kids to access, and it works quietly in the background without requiring constant adjustments. AdGuard also checks the websites you visit so you avoid known phishing links and malware pages. It is not a VPN, but it adds another level of protection by keeping your information private from trackers that follow your activity across sites. Until December 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get an AdGuard Lifetime Family Plan for $18.97 when you use code FAMPLAN. AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.08:00 amThis refurbished 2017 MacBook Pro is 80% off right now
Macworld TL;DR: Get a Grade A refurbished 2017 MacBook Pro with Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD for just $299.97, down from $1,499. Looking for a reliable MacBook without the premium price tag? This refurbished 2017 MacBook Pro delivers pro-level performance at a fraction of the original cost. Right now, you can snag the 13-inch model with a 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor for just $299.97, a massive 80% discount off the $1,499 retail price. This isn’t some beaten-up hand-me-down. The Grade A refurbished MacBook Pro arrives in near-mint condition with minimal to zero scuffing. Under the hood, you get 8GB of RAM for smooth multitasking and a speedy 512GB SSD for quick app launches and ample storage. The Intel Core i5 can turbo boost up to 3.5GHz, making it more than capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing, coding, and creative work. The 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology adjusts screen color automatically for better visibility and reduced eye strain, perfect for long work sessions. You also get the Touch Bar, Touch ID for secure login, and four Thunderbolt 3 ports for maximum connectivity. Battery life clocks in at up to 10 hours, so you can stay productive without constantly hunting for an outlet. Get this refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (2017) for $299.97 (reg. $1,499). Apple Macbook Pro (2017) 13″ i5 3.1GHz Touchbar 8GB RAM 512GB SSD Space Grey (Refurbished)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.07:01 amQuick feedback on a Screen Time app UI concept
I'm developing a Screen Time management app in SwiftUI and would appreciate some quick feedback on this UI concept. Instead of using charts, the app features a timeline showcasing short reactions to phone usage. A small mascot named ScrollKitty provides brief notes based on users' usage patterns. s. Looking for feedback on: • Is the […]05:18 amApple’s AI consent requirement (5.1.2) – but other AI apps don’t show one? | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingApple’s AI consent requirement (5.1.2) – but other AI apps don’t show one?
I have a game using ChatGPT/Gemini for story generation. After reading guideline 5.1.2(i) (Nov 2025) about requiring consent for "third-party AI", I added a consent dialog. Since adding it, my user numbers tanked. People see "data sharing with AI" and immediately bounce. I downloaded some popular AI apps (chatbots, image generators, calorie tracking apps) that […]05:13 amExplain me this NEW rule “Recordings” app must display indicator.
Can anyone explain if ADDITIONAL indicator is necessary or it's assumed that system indicator is sufficient. How do you explain this rule? 3.3.3 Data and Privacy A. Recordings If Your Application captures or makes any video, microphone, screen recordings, or camera recordings, whether saved on the device or sent to a server (e.g., an image, […]04:39 amNetworkExtension App Store Review
There is not much documentation about NetworkExtension and I'm not sure what I'm allowed by Apple to do or not as a NetworkExtension. In particular, I would like to know: * Am I allowed to use any APIs, as long it compiles with no issues? * What exactly is a "VPN service"? Is every `NEPacketTunnelProvider` […]04:21 amGame Center achievements? How to push them from xcode to App Connect?
I have a lot of achievements inside of Xcode that I put together inside Game Center resources, but they do not sync to App Connect. On the official documentation, it says once I upload a build, it should do it. But I don't know if I'm missing a step. Do I actually need to push […]02:52 amApp Store vs Play Store… pros, cons, and any duel publishers out there?
If you had to pick one, which would it be (and why)? Can you give a sentence or two about why I should (or shouldn't) also focus on Play Store (vs just App Store)? I saw the post about double ads in App Store and feel like I'm questioning Apple's entire ecosystem. Might it be […]02:24 amApple cancels ‘The Last Frontier’ after just one season
Apple has decided to cancel “The Last Frontier” after one season. Here are the details. more…01:55 amChatGPT has a Sora-powered Holiday easter egg
As Sam Altman teaser on X, you can prompt ChatGPT with a single emoji, and get a personalized Christmas-themed video made by Sora in return. Here’s how to do it. more…12:03 amThoughts on using Cursor with swift?
Curious what the general sentiment is towards using an AI assist IDE? submitted by /u/free_3_PO [link] [comments]Friday December 1911:43 pmSMS Delivery Delays to XPhone Network in Israel
Dec 19, 15:43 PSTUpdate - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays to XPhone Network in Israel. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 19, 15:23 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with SMS delivery delays to XPhone Network in Israel. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.11:15 pmApple TV’s newest nature docuseries is now available
‘Born to be Wild’ is narrated by Hugh Bonneville (Notting Hill, Paddington), and adds to Apple TV’s ever-increasing catalogue of natural world content. Watch the trailer below. more…10:51 pmApple study shows how an AI-powered ISP could dramatically improve low-light iPhone photos | 9 to 5 MacApple study shows how an AI-powered ISP could dramatically improve low-light iPhone photos
Apple researchers have developed an AI model that dramatically improves extremely dark photos by integrating a diffusion-based image model directly into the camera’s image processing pipeline, allowing it to recover detail from raw sensor data that would normally be lost. Here’s how they did it. more…10:46 pmHow can I pass the privacy policy guidelines?
Hello! I am working on my first iOS application but I've been denied 3 times in a row for the same guideline violation. For context, my application gathers players into public/private "leagues" where players compete in round-based games revolving around music taste. So once you join a league, other people in that league can see […]10:30 pmresetting ratings
Does researching your ratings on iOS make you lose your rank? Does it affect it immediately? And is it advisable or not? A bug in my app made me get lots of one star reviews so I'm trying to fix it and wondering if I should go reset the ratings now that I've fixed it […]10:19 pmFirst time ever reaching 1000 impressions
submitted by /u/nathanmlh [link] [comments]10:15 pmNew Powerbeats Fit ad starring Travis Scott features a new unreleased track and an old tweet | 9 to 5 MacNew Powerbeats Fit ad starring Travis Scott features a new unreleased track and an old tweet
Beats’ new campaign, “Dare to Dream,” recreates Travis Scott’s childhood bedroom and the moment he manifested his path to becoming a global superstar. Watch it below. more…10:04 pmESET Home Security Premium Review: Excellent protection, but there are bugs
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Excellent antiviral and malware protection, that caught everything Spam/phishing protection that caught 100% of the questionable websites during testing Simple, reliable VPN client Cons Installation and setup issue The Settings pane feels buried Assorted bugs, including the Scheduler function failing during testing Our Verdict ESET Home Security Premium offers genuinely excellent core protection features that caught nearly everything that was thrown at it, along with the most impressive spam and phishing filters we’ve seen to date on macOS, which is also accompanied by a reliable VPN client. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Retailer Price ESET (first year, 1 device) $49.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Price When ReviewedEssential: $49.99 a year for one device; Premium: $79.99 a year for one device Best Prices Today: Eset Home Security Retailer Price ESET (first year, 1 device) $49.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 1 year, 1 Mac (Premium) $79.991 year, 1 Mac (Essential)$49.99 There’s intent, and there’s execution, and sometimes the two don’t always mesh perfectly, but still yield an impressive result. This is the case with ESET Home Security Premium, the latest offering from Slovakian security firm ESET. ESET, which is continuing its foray into the Mac marketplace, has subtly updated its offerings for 2025. The new version, which retails for $39.99/£27.99 and up for one device for one year at an introductory price point, requires macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or later to install and run, and a free 30-day trial period is in place that doesn’t require a credit or debit card to be entered, albeit you’ll have to set up an ESET account. The software is centered on its antiviral/anti-malware core and also features a VPN client that’s designed to get you up and running quickly without battling with the settings VPN users sometimes find themselves tied up with. If there’s a poignant obstacle to ESET Home Security Premium, it came early, and while it was easy enough to download the software from the ESET website, installation turned into a struggle. (And it was confusing that the software name switched to ESET Cyber Security). The software installs a number of extensions, proxies, and modules into macOS, which have to be granted permission, making the setup a bit more manual than might be expected, as opposed to a typical software installation. Once permission was granted for everything involved, the software hit a strange bug in installing its SSL certificate, which required troubleshooting, a Terminal command workaround, and reinstallation to allow the certificate to pass through and for normal web traffic to resume. This took some finagling, and perhaps it’s a unique case or something more widespread; it’s something for the developers to take a look at should it surface again. Where its core elements are concerned, ESET Home Security Premium knocks it out of the park. The antiviral/anti-malware function offers a typical scan mode, a custom scan mode, and allows you to submit viral samples to ESET to help identify viruses and offer updates to protect against them. [Find out how ESET compares to the best Mac Antivirus apps in our group test]. Scanning the computerFoundry The scanning module is capable of multiple simultaneous scans (such as a typical scan and a custom scan on a specific folder or external volume), and the feature offers both .zip and .dmg file format scan support, but has to be configured within a deeper scan. As for the scan results themselves, these are impressive, and next to nothing out of an extensive sample library was in a position to get through outside of a few instances where you’d have to go through multiple warning screens and bypass macOS-level system protections to execute virus and malware samples. The software itself meshes well with the macOS’ Gatekeeper and Xprotect functions, pinning down just about everything before it has a chance to install itself and upend your system functionality. In addition to this, the scan essentially nukes the vast majority of the sample malware after it was decompressed, offering little to work with in the way of potential viral and malware infections, which proved impressive. Foundry ESET seems to have heard the clarion call where its Protections module was concerned, and amidst the multitude of extensions the software installs, the software offers Computer, Network Access, and Web and Email protections, which, for the first time I’ve ever seen, were able to bat 1,000 on spam and phishing emails from my Gmail’s Spam folder. Here, the software provided adequate warnings as to links from questionable spam and phishing websites, but still allowed you to travel to the site if you wanted to. The sites offering free power tools that I’d won? There was a warning about this. The sites telling me I had a $17,000 Cash App payment that I didn’t know about? There was a warning. Websites offering questionable medical and casino access? The warning was there, and this proved genuinely impressive. ESET’s VPN client may be somewhat bare-bones compared to a dedicated client, but it excels in terms of reliability and ease of use. The proxy settings are useful; there’s an overall internet kill switch if needed, as well as easy geolocation options to choose the country and region you’re logging in from. This may not appease the hardcore VPN user who needs more extensive options, but it’s impressive for everyday use. VPN functionFoundry ESET’s settings feel a bit tucked away, but what’s there is actually remarkably impressive and gives you a huge amount of control over the modules, their performance, how strict the blocking and filters are, firewall settings, what kind of exception/whitelist can be built, and how external volumes are recognized and handled on your Mac. The settings are well-categorized, and there’s a remarkable amount of control to be had here should you decide to take a few minutes and play with things. This is coupled with a readily accessible Help and Support module, which adds quick access to ESET’s help page, technical support, and Knowledgebase, and acts as a useful jumping-off point to get to the section of the ESET website that you need. Outside of the installation foibles and the issue of sorting out the SSL certificate, ESET Home Security Premium installed easily and performed well, albeit there are a few things that could use some attention. The .dmg and .zip scanning and removal feel a little strange, as the scan located these, but seemed to vary in how it handled them, which can arguably be adjusted in the settings. The settings themselves are a powerful chunk of the program, but feel buried, and a quick introduction/tutorial could readily point them out and encourage the user to adjust them as needed. A Scheduler function buried within the settings supposedly allows for scans and other functions to be programmed in and executed, but failed to activate after two tests, which raises an eyebrow and could stand some debugging. If there’s a motif with ESET Home Security Premium, it’s that this is a powerful set of tools, but without quite the polish that it requires to be a must-buy utility. The settings felt buried under layers with little drawing attention to them and what they were capable of, the installer offered a semi-battle royale to get the SSL certificate up and running, the application’s Scheduler feature felt tucked away and didn’t execute during testing, and despite an incredibly powerful element of protection where viruses, malware, spam, and phishing efforts were concerned, the application needs some debugging while ESET itself needs to decide which tools to present to the user instead of opting for minimal simplicity in its home screen interface. In the end, ESET Home Security Premium is impressive and worth trying out, and some of its features are as impressive as I’ve ever seen, but it needs some debugging and polishing to get it over the final hurdle. Still, with a free 30-day trial in place and no credit or debit card needing to be entered, this may be worth trying out to see how it fits into your everyday Mac lifestyle. Should you buy ESET Home Security Premium Some bugs and rough edges aside, ESET Home Security Premium offers an impressive value via its raw protection features. Elements such as antivirus and malware detection, email filtering, and commendable integration with macOS’ own security frameworks offer excellent performance, and the simple but powerful VPN client offers what’s needed for day-to-day users. This, combined with a 30-day trial, allows for a good evaluation period without having to surrender payment information.10:02 pmFuzeLabs Gym Tracker 1.0.6 IS OUT – NEW FEATURES & BETA TESTERS NEEDED
Hey there folks, It's been a busy couple of months for FuzeLabs. Lots of feedback, bug fixing and, of course, new features. As always, give FuzeLabs a try. Also join us at our Discord server. Beta testers are needed. If you are interested and willing to use FuzeLabs as your daily driver, DM me. Version […]09:49 pmThe Tim Cook era at Apple looks to be winding down
As we step into 2026, a historic leadership transition is unfolding at three of America's most pivotal corporate giants. We're talking… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.09:37 pmThis smartpen automatically digitizes anything you write
Enjoy the timeless feel of writing by hand with the perks of modern technology with the SyncPen 4 smartpen set. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)09:30 pmBeats Launches Travis Scott Partnership Featuring New 'DARE TO DREAM' Ad Campaign
Apple's Beats brand is launching a new celebrity ad campaign today featuring rapper Travis Scott and entitled "DARE TO DREAM." The campaign is inspired by a 2011 tweet from Scott when he was just starting his career, in which he claimed, "One day Travis Scott will be somebody." The campaign short film is a "testament to how belief in oneself can manifest into reality" and features a re-creation of his actual childhood bedroom and an appearance by his real mother, Wanda Webster. The film depicts a young Scott working on music projects using his iMac and the original Beats Studio headphones, with the scene transforming from his bedroom to a dream of sold-out shows on his just-completed "Circus Maximus" tour spanning multiple legs over the past two years. The dream is short-lived, however, with his mother calling him back to reality and sending him off to school. Inspired by the dream, Scott composes his prophetic tweet, and on his way out of the house he discovers a pair of Powerbeats Fit in his pocket, a symbol linking past and present. While the partnership with Scott is currently focused on the campaign film, Beats Chief Marketing Officer Chris Thorne hints that we can expect to see more in the future.“This campaign captures something deeply personal — the belief that greatness starts with a single idea and the courage to chase it,” said Chris Thorne, Beats CMO. “It’s the same belief that connects Beats and Travis — and this is only the beginning of what we’ll build together.”Whether this means we'll see any product partnerships between Beats and Scott down the road remains to be seen.Tags: Beats, Travis ScottThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums08:56 pmApple Releases Safari Technology Preview 234 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements | MacRumorsApple Releases Safari Technology Preview 234 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements
Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser that was first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed Safari Technology Preview to allow users to test features that are planned for future release versions of the Safari browser. Safari Technology Preview 234 includes fixes and updates for Animations, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, MathML, Media, SVG, Web API, Web Authentication, Web Inspector, and WebRTC. The current Safari Technology Preview release is compatible with machines running macOS Sequoia and macOS Tahoe, the newest version of macOS. The Safari Technology Preview update is available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences or System Settings to anyone who has downloaded the browser from Apple’s website. Complete release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website. Apple’s aim with Safari Technology Preview is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. Safari Technology Preview can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while it is designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download and use.Tag: Safari Technology PreviewThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums08:45 pmApple stops signing iOS 26.1, here’s what that means
If you’re running iOS 26.2 and had been thinking about downgrading, you missed your chance. Here are the details. more…08:13 pmYou’ll soon lose access to ChatGPT’s Voice feature on macOS
If you rely heavily on ChatGPT’s Voice feature on the Mac app, be warned: the feature is going away early next year. Here are the details. more…08:09 pm24-72 hours to process device for development/debug/ad-hoc? Since when?
I used to do a lot of iOS dev from around 2014-2022 or 2023, so i've been out of the iOS dev game for a couple of years. In the past, adding a new physical device into developer.apple.com so I could use it for debugging or ad-hoc deployment was pretty much instantaneous. Now, it seems […]08:05 pmWhen did adding a device to developer (for debug or ad-hoc) start taking 24-72 hours? | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingWhen did adding a device to developer (for debug or ad-hoc) start taking 24-72 hours?
So, I did a lot of iOS dev from 2014 about 2022-2023 or so, so I've been out of the iOS dev game for a couple of years . In the past, when we needed to add a new device (e.g. someone's iPhone) for debugging or to do ad-hoc deployments, we would get the UDID […]08:01 pmiPhone 18 Pro rumors: Under-display Face ID, variable aperture cameras, more
The iPhone 18 Pro is nowhere near release, but plenty of claims have already been made about Apple's next flagship. Here's what the rumor mill thinks is coming.The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to deliver a multitude of improvements.With its 2025 iPhone lineup, Apple's high-end models underwent significant changes, both visually and functionally. Titanium was replaced with aluminum as the case material, and the familiar rear camera bump expanded into a rectangular camera plateau.Its planned successor, the iPhone 18 Pro, more than likely won't deliver significant design alterations. In many ways, we expect an iterative upgrade, but that doesn't mean it won't include major performance enhancements. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums08:00 pmApple TV drops ‘Pluribus’ season finale early: Stream the epic conclusion on Christmas Eve! | Mac Daily NewsApple TV drops ‘Pluribus’ season finale early: Stream the epic conclusion on Christmas Eve!
Fans of "Pluribus" get a holiday treat: no agonizing seven-day wait for the season one finale. Apple TV typically rolls out fresh episodes… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.07:42 pmWhat did the lawsuit for in-app payments accomplish? How can I charge in-app for a barbershop membership without having a loss? | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingWhat did the lawsuit for in-app payments accomplish? How can I charge in-app for a barbershop membership without having a loss?
I would like to make a simple scheduling app for my shop for clients to make and manage appointments. But, I would also like to include the ability for them to pay me monthly for a subscription that provides them with weekly haircuts for those that need it coming out cheaper than paying one by […]07:42 pmFeedback on App Store Screenshots, Thoughts on Preview Video
Hello all, I am in the middle of doing some updates and changes to my app and I wanted to get a little feedback on my apps screenshots. I try to keep things to the point and show what the app can do with a quick glance. Also how does everyone feel about the preview […]07:39 pmYou can now watch Stanford’s 2025 SwiftUI development lectures for free
All 16 videos and supporting material from the Spring 2025 version of Stanford’s CS193p (Developing Applications for iOS using SwiftUI) course are now online, for free. more…07:23 pm9to5Mac Daily: December 19, 2025 – iPhone Fold, Apple Music news
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: Give yourself the gift of peace of mind. Till the end of the month, 9to5Mac listeners get 30% off with code 9to5Xmas. more…07:21 pmOffline-first + iCloud sync sounded simple. It wasn’t.
Hi! Solo iOS dev here. I just shipped my first iOS game and made the decision early on to go offline first, while syncing user progress via iCloud. A few lessons from the trenches: Conflict resolution matters more than “preventing” conflicts Instead of trying to block double-plays or race conditions, I ended up defining a […]07:16 pmREQUEST: App Store Connect, New App Menu
Hey, just a thought for Apple developers working on App Store Connect. For this section, where you add a new app to your library: App Store Connect, Add New App Please add the ability to register a new Bundle ID without having to click into Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles. It doesn't make any sense to […]07:11 pmThis Mac superpower lets you copy text from any PDF [Pro Tip]
Trying to copy text from a PDF can be a nightmare. But the Mac has Live Text, a secret trick up its sleeve to make it dead simple. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)07:10 pmHomeKit Weekly: Aqara Hub M200 brings Matter support and new automation options to HomeKit | 9 to 5 MacHomeKit Weekly: Aqara Hub M200 brings Matter support and new automation options to HomeKit
The smart home world is continually moving toward Matter, and Aqara is one of the companies driving this transition forward at a steady pace with its new products this year. Their latest hub, the Aqara Hub M200, replaces their older hubs and features a cleaner design, along with support for Matter. For HomeKit users, this means another step toward a future where more Aqara accessories can integrate seamlessly with the Home app, while still leveraging the benefits of Zigbee behind the scenes. more…06:52 pmA Request Regarding ‘Magic Link’ Sign-Ins and Apple’s Passwords App
I despise this design pattern, because it’s inherently slower than signing in using an email/password combination that was saved to my passwords app (which is Apple Passwords) and autofilled by my web browser. It’s not just a little slower but *a lot* slower.06:37 pmDon't Want to Upgrade to iOS 26? Here's How to Stay on iOS 18 (For Now)
Since the beginning of December, Apple has been pushing iPhone users who opted to stay on iOS 18 to install iOS 26 instead. Apple started by making the iOS 18 upgrades less visible, and has now transitioned to making new iOS 18 updates unavailable on any device capable of running iOS 26. If you have an iPhone 11 or later, Apple is no longer offering new versions of iOS 18, even though there was a security update that came out alongside iOS 26.2. Apple stopped showing new iOS 18 updates when iOS 26.2 launched, forcing iOS 18 users to upgrade to iOS 26.2 if they want to keep their devices secure. For now, there's a way to stay on iOS 18 and continue to get security updates. On a device running iOS 18, you can turn on iOS 18 public beta updates to force new versions of iOS 18 to show up. This may not remain an option for long, but it works at the current time. Apple's move to push users to iOS 26 is timed with a long list of security updates introduced in iOS 26.2 and iOS 18.7.3, including a WebKit vulnerability known to be actively exploited. Both updates addressed the problem, so there is no technical need for the iOS 26.2 requirement. Jason Snell wrote an article yesterday on Apple's decision not to offer iOS 18 users further iOS 18 upgrades and speculated that it might be a bug or an error, but the reality is that Apple does this every year. The iOS 14 to iOS 15 transition in 2021 was the first time that Apple allowed users to remain on an older version of iOS. At the time, Apple said that iOS offered "a choice between two software update versions." Users would be able to update to iOS 15 at release, or opt to continue on iOS 14 and "still get important security updates." As promised, Apple did allow users to stay on iOS 14 and avoid the iOS 15 update, but only temporarily. Apple started pushing people to iOS 15 in January 2022 by making the iOS 15 software update option more prominent and no longer offering iOS 14 security updates for devices capable of running iOS 15. In fact, iOS 14 updates stopped being available when Apple launched iOS 15.2, which might sound familiar because it is the exact same path that it followed with the iOS 18 to iOS 26 transition. Apple did the same thing with the iOS 16 to iOS 17 transition, and the iOS 17 to iOS 18 transition. For a clear answer why iOS 18 security updates are no longer available on devices capable of running iOS 26, we can look to what Apple had to say in 2022 after people complained about being forced to upgrade to iOS 15. According to Apple, the option for users to stay on iOS 14 and avoid iOS 15 was always meant to be temporary. Apple provided a grace period for people to remain on iOS 14 while iOS 15 bugs were worked out, but Apple ultimately wanted users on the latest version of iOS. In a support document published in 2021, Apple clarified that users would be able to stay on the old version of iOS "for a period of time," but not forever. If you're using iOS or iPadOS 14.5 or later, you might now see the option to choose between two software update versions. This option allows you to choose between updating to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS 15 as soon as it's released, or continuing on iOS or iPadOS 14 while still getting important security updates for a period of time. Apple has continued with the same update policy since iOS 15, but the company's move to wean users off of iOS 18 is more visible this year due to the design changes introduced with iOS 26. Liquid Glass is a major user interface overhaul that's polarizing, and some users are unsurprisingly reluctant to update for that reason.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums06:36 pmGift guide: Last-minute HomeKit recommendations
Crafting a smart home ecosystem can be tricky. There are a lot of product categories, and it can be hard to know which ones to prioritize. Here are some of my go-to smart home recommendations for outfitting a smart home — and they all make great gifts this holiday season. more…06:35 pmMissing Safari’s full Toolbar? Here’s how to bring it back to your iPhone.
Hate the compact Safari browser controls in iOS 26? You can easily switch the iPhone Safari toolbar back to the full-featured design. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)06:34 pmHoliday Deal Alert: $100 off Apple Watch Series 11; hits all-time low of $299
As of December 19th, select colors of the Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) are back down to their record-low price of $299, or $100 off… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.06:00 pmiMessage is full of features you’re probably not using (but should) [Video]
It feels like every year, Apple quietly adds dozens of small features and improvements to the Messages app, but most of them fly under the radar. These aren’t flashy or eye-grabbing features, but they are the type of features that really help the quality of life and experience of the Messages app. If you are like most people, then you have probably been using the Messages app the same way for years, meaning you are barely scratching the surface of what the app can do. Here are some of the best Messages features that you need to know. more…05:59 pmNew Duo Trial Signup Failures
Dec 19, 12:59 ESTInvestigating - We are currently investigating an issue causing new Duo Trial signups to fail.We are working to restore this capability as soon as possible and will provide additional updates here as progress is made.Please check back here or subscribe to updates for any changes.05:59 pmLast call for Christmas: These $199 AirPods Pro 3 are the perfect gift
Macworld If you’re still doing some last-minute gift shopping and have no idea what to get, you really can’t go wrong with a pair of Apple AirPods Pro 3, especially since you can get them for $199, a $50 discount, and still get them in time to wrap and put under the tree. The AirPods Pro 3 are easily one of our favorite earbuds of the year. When we reviewed them, we gave them a 4.5-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award, and loved the sound quality and long battery life. And the new foam-infused tips solved one of the main issues we had with the AirPods Pro 2. These earbuds deliver better noise cancellation and a much-improved Transparency mode that will make having conversations while wearing them so much better. The Live Translation feature is also pretty awesome when you’re traveling. One really cool thing with these earbuds, however, is the fact that they come with heart rate monitoring, so they can keep track of your health while you’re exercising./ So there you go: The AirPods Pro 3 are under $200 — a pleasant surprise just in time for last-minute holiday shopping, so grab a pair before Santa shows up. The AirPods Pro 3 are down to $199 againBuy now at Amazon05:51 pmMacRumors Giveaway: Win an iPhone 17 and Fresh Coat Screen Protector From Astropad
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Astropad to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an iPhone 17 and one of Astropad's Fresh Coat anti-reflective screen protectors to go along with it. Fresh Coat is a new kind of screen protector that Astropad designed with an optical-grade anti-reflective coating to reduce glare and provide a more pleasant iPhone viewing experience. The technology that Astropad is using cuts reflections by 75 percent, while improving contrast and keeping colors vibrant. Unlike other anti-reflective screen protectors, there's no haze or distortion. Priced at $30, Fresh Coat is made from a scratch-proof tempered glass that also provides protection for the iPhone's display in addition to cutting down on glare and reflections. It's slim and won't add any bulk to the iPhone even though it has a five-layer design. From the top down, there's an anti-reflective coating, an oleophobic and hydrophobic coating, a layer of tempered glass, a dust barrier, and an impact-resistant "airbag" bonding. If you have an iPhone 17, it comes with a new anti-reflective coating added by Apple. What you might not know, though, is that you can't use just any screen protector with the iPhone 17. If you put a regular screen protector without an anti-reflective coating on, it entirely nullifies the anti-reflective properties of that added coating. Since Fresh Coat has its own anti-reflective coating, it actually improves upon Apple's included anti-reflective layer, reducing glare even further. With Fresh Coat, the iPhone's screen is easy to see in any lighting conditions, there's less eye strain, and if you use Dark Mode, it looks even darker. If you don't have an iPhone 17, Fresh Coat can provide an iPhone 17-style display upgrade, mirroring Apple's own reflection-reducing display coating. Fresh Coat is available for all iPhone 17 models, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Astropad even designed an installation process that's impossible to mess up, so you get perfect alignment on your iPhone without hassle. We have an iPhone 17 in white and a Fresh Coat screen protector for one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page. Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected. Astropad Giveaway The contest will run from today (December 19) at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 26. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after December 26 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.Tag: GiveawayThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums05:45 pmYou Can No Longer Downgrade to iOS 26.1
Apple has stopped signing iOS 26.1, meaning that iPhone users can no longer downgrade to that software version via Finder on macOS or the Apple Devices app on Windows. iOS 26.2 is now the minimum version that is still signed by Apple, and the first beta of iOS 26.3 is also available to developers and public beta testers. iOS 26.2 was released last week. The update adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and much more.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums05:41 pm∞ The Dalrymple Report: Holiday returns, Apple account lockout, and iOS
It's holiday time and Dave and I both purchased Apple gifts for loved ones. We talk about our desicsion process and Apple's holiday return policy in case you need to return something. We also talk more about changes to iOS in JApan and if theose types of changes could happen in other parts of the world. Dave tells the story of someone who was completely locked out of his Apple account for no apparent reason and can't get anything back. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: Notion Agent: Go to https://notion.com/tdr to try your new AI teammate, Notion Agent, today. Copilot Money: For a limited-time: Get 26% off your first year when you sign up at copilot.money (new users only, web only). Get two months free with code DALRYMPLE. Start the new year with clarity. Your money, beautifully organized, now across every device. Show Notes: Apple’s holiday return/refund policy Rob Reiner Dick Van Dyke turned 100 Apple announces changes to iOS in Japan Shows and movies we're watching The Victim, BritBox F1, Apple TV Pluribus Becomes Apple TV’s Most Watched Show Ever05:40 pmmacOS 26.2 adds one of the smartest video calling features I’ve seen in years
While it was somewhat overshadowed by the release of iOS 26.2, Apple also released macOS 26.2 last week. This update introduces one of the most clever video calling features I’ve seen in years: Edge Light. Here’s how it works. more…05:23 pmDegradation in time to acquire Containers
Dec 19, 17:23 UTCInvestigating - We are investigating a degradation in the time it takes to acquire Containers.05:18 pmAustralians will be soon able to use their Apple Watch hypertension notifications
Following approval by Australian medical regulators, Apple is now allowed to enable its Apple Watch hypertension feature in the country, though no specific date has been revealed yet.While it's an Apple Watch feature, hypertension alerts have to first be enabled on an iPhoneFirst introduced in September 2025, Apple Watch can check for hypertension and alert users to seek treatment. It's been rolling out across the world as countries put it through their medical testing features.Now according to Information Age, the feature is coming to Australia. The country's medical regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has formally approved the feature. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:16 pmApp Clips: Great Idea, Painful Reality
Posting this as a heads‑up for anyone considering App Clips. We like the idea a lot, but we ran into reliability issues at scale that hurt us in production. Sharing our experience so you can avoid the same traps. — We like app clips a lot, but we ran into reliability issues at scale that […]05:15 pmPost your app’s link here, and I’ll create a beautiful landing page with great SEO in under a minute, totally free. Let’s see what your app looks like with a proper landing page | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingPost your app’s link here, and I’ll create a beautiful landing page with great SEO in under a minute, totally free. Let’s see what your app looks like with a proper landing page
We did this two weeks ago and generated about 500 websites for indie devs here. We’re doing it again now, but this time with a lot of new templates and colors, and everything looks much better (custom domains are supported too). Everything is free, the website is fully yours if you decide to use it, […]05:14 pmFolks selling apps on Reddit… Legit? Scam? What’s their angle?
[Note: I am not thinking of buying any apps, I am just curious what their angle is. The prices are so low that it makes me question the value of my ability to code if folks are selling approved apps for $100!] On another forum, I see folks regularly selling apps. The posts seem a […]05:13 pmMicrosoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC plunges to $99.97
Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is $150 off thanks to an exclusive coupon stacked with an instant rebate.This Microsoft Office Home & Business deal saves you $140 - Image credit: MicrosoftRetailing for $249.99, AppleInsider readers can save $150 with stacked instant and coupon savings with promo code MSO24. This brings the cost down to $99.97 for the suite of Office tools at Stack Social.Buy with code MSO24 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:08 pmThe MacRumors Show: 2025 Year-in-Review
On this year's final episode of The MacRumors Show, we take a look back at all of Apple's major announcements and new products from 2025. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos In February, Apple introduced the iPhone 16e, positioned as a replacement for the iPhone SE as a lower-cost model, starting at $599. It offers the A18 chip and a 48-megapixel camera in an iPhone 13-style design, but with matte back glass, a USB-C port, and no MagSafe. The device debuted Apple's custom C1 5G modem, replacing components from Qualcomm for the first time. In March, Apple refreshed several iPads and Macs. The standard iPad was updated with the A16 chip, and noticeably still lacks Apple Intelligence support. The 11- and 13-inch iPad Air was refreshed with the M3 chip, and Apple released a redesigned Magic Keyboard for it. Apple also updated the MacBook Air with the M4 chip and introduced a new Mac Studio with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chip options. At WWDC in June, Apple previewed its major software updates for the year. The biggest announcement was the introduction of Liquid Glass, an all-new design language for all of Apple's software platforms. iOS 26 redesigned apps such as Phone and Photos, and added Live Translation with AirPods, a host of new features for Messages, and a new Games app. iPadOS 26 introduced a new, Mac-like multitasking system with windows, while macOS 26 Tahoe revamped Spotlight with a clipboard history feature and quick commands. In September, Apple released its annual iPhone lineup update. The iPhone 17 features a larger display with ProMotion for refresh rates up to 120Hz and a 48-megapixel Fusion ultra-wide camera. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max tout a completely new aluminum unibody frame with a large, full-width camera plateau and vapor chamber cooling. The telephoto camera received a major upgrade to 48-megapixels, with options for 4x and 8x optical zoom. The iPhone Air arrived as a totally new iPhone option, replacing the "Plus" model in the lineup. Sitting between the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone Air has a radically thin design with a polished titanium frame, and uses Apple's custom C1X and N1 connectivity chips. The device only has one rear camera, a single speaker, and supports eSIM only. All of the new iPhones feature an A19 or A19 Pro chip, Ceramic Shield 2, a 18-megapixel Center Stage front-facing camera with a square sensor, and new color options. Apple also released updated charging and accessory products, including a new MagSafe battery designed specifically for the iPhone Air, TechWoven cases, and crossbody straps. Apple refreshed its wearable and audio lineups in the same month. Apple Watch SE was updated with the S10 chip and an always-on display. The aluminum Apple Watch Series 11 gained stronger front glass and a slightly bigger battery, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 gains satellite connectivity for the first time. Cellular models of the new Apple Watches feature 5G connectivity. Apple also released the third generation of AirPods Pro, with improved active noise cancellation, a more refined design with ear tips that include foam, and heart-rate sensing. In October, Apple updated the iPad Pro, 14-inch MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro with the M5 chip. The new Vision Pro also gained a new dual knit headband, promising improved comfort, along with better battery life, higher-refresh rate displays, more rendered pixels. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips in 2026. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel! You can also listen to The MacRumors Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Apple's plans to refresh the Studio Display and Pro Display XDR. cent Subscribe to The MacRumors Show for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie. The MacRumors Show is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.Tag: The MacRumors ShowThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums05:01 pmLarger tax refunds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could boost Apple’s U.S. sales in 2026 | Mac Daily NewsLarger tax refunds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could boost Apple’s U.S. sales in 2026
In December 2025, President Trump touted the "largest tax refund season of all time," thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act enacted… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.05:00 pmPrice drop: This iPad and MacBook stand stashes a USB-C hub in its aluminum arm
The Casa Hub 360 is an iPad and MacBook dock stand with a USB-C hub in the sturdy arm. Turn your device into a sunflower iMac G4! (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:43 pmDeals: iPad $274, 24GB M5 MacBook $250 off, Apple Pencil Pro, Magic Mouse, more
Alongside the ongoing Amazon all-time low on AirPods Pro 3 at $199, today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break has a series of new price drops to scope out. Apple’s iPad 11 has returned to the $274 Black Friday price alongside a shot at Apple Pencil Pro at $78 shipped. We also have the most affordable 24GB M5 MacBook Pro you can buy at $250 off joined by Apple Watch Ultra 2 at $250 off (just about every config) and another chance at the rare Magic Mouse (USB-C) holiday price. Scope it all out down below. more…04:43 pmDid iOS 26 break your app’s UI?
If the damned Liquid Glass “visual language” ruined your app’s UI, there’s a temporary quick fix via Info.plist: In the app’s Info.plist, add new key: UI Design Requires Compatibility. Set it to YES. After this the app will revert to the old UI. But this is a temporary fix: this option won’t be available in […]04:41 pmAustralia Approves Apple Watch's Hypertension Notifications
Australia has granted approval for Apple to enable its Apple Watch hypertension notification feature in the country, Information Age reports. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia's medical device regulator, has approved Apple's hypertension notification feature for use on Apple Watch, formally listing the software as a medical device on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods earlier this month. Apple announced hypertension detection in September. The feature is designed to identify patterns associated with elevated blood pressure rather than directly measuring blood pressure itself. It uses data collected by the optical heart sensor on the back of supported Apple Watch models to analyze how blood vessels respond to heartbeats over rolling 30 day periods. If the system detects consistent indicators associated with possible hypertension, the user receives a notification advising follow-up using conventional blood pressure measurement methods. The system is intended for adults aged 22 and older who are not pregnant and who have not previously been diagnosed with hypertension. It requires an Apple Watch Series 9 or later or an Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later running watchOS 26, paired with an iPhone 11 or later running the latest version of iOS. Apple can now legally activate the feature for Australian users, although the company has not yet confirmed when it will become available. In previous cases involving regulated health features, Apple has enabled functionality either through a subsequent software update or by remotely activating the feature once regulatory clearance has been obtained. Hypertension notifications have already rolled out in more than 150 countries. Tag: AustraliaThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums04:12 pmMMS Delivery Delays to Multiple Networks in the US and CA for a subset of Long codes
Dec 19, 08:12 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing . Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.04:06 pmElevated Call Failures in over Twilio Interconnect in US1 region
Dec 19, 08:06 PSTUpdate - We are investigating elevated call failures in over Twilio Interconnect in US1 region. We expect to provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes availableDec 19, 08:02 PSTInvestigating - We are investigating elevated call failures in over Twilio Interconnect in US1 region. We expect to provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available04:02 pmHow to disable the ‘who’s watching’ user profile selection screen on Apple TV
Starting with tvOS 26 (and enhanced in tvOS 26.2, released in December 2025), Apple TV devices display a profile selection screen… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.03:56 pmGet Apple's 15-inch MacBook Air M4 for just $949 with delivery by Christmas
There's still time to grab Amazon's best 15-inch MacBook Air price at $949, with delivery by Christmas to select locations.Save $250 on a variety of MacBook Air models - Image credit: AppleThe M4 15-inch MacBook Air delivers robust battery life at up to 18 hours, making it a great choice for those seeking MacBook Pro-style screen space without the high cost. And numerous models are $250 off at Amazon, with prices starting at $949.Buy 15" MacBook Air for $949 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:45 pmA macOS Tahoe bug is causing some Apple Studio Displays to flicker
A small number of Apple Studio display owners are reporting that macOS Tahoe is causing their monitors to flicker, but it might affect other monitors too.Apple Studio DisplayEver since macOS Tahoe was released in September 2025, a small number of people have reported a flickering issue with their Studio Display. Reports on social media and elsewhere suggest the bug has gotten worse, rather than better, with subsequent macOS updates.While difficult to describe in text, the flicker is said to sometimes happen repeatedly. Othertimes, users experience a single flicker with little sign of a discernible pattern to the behavior. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:44 pmZaps using instant triggers experienced a temporary delay
Status: InvestigatingWe identified an issue where Zaps using instant triggers did not fire as expected for a subset of users between December 18, 04:50–05:27 UTC. The issue has been addressed, and the webhooks that did not execute during this window were recovered at December 18, 15:23 UTC. Instant triggers are now operating normally. We are monitoring to ensure continued stability. No action is required from users.03:20 pmToday in Apple history: Apple crushes Think Secret rumors site
On December 19, 2007, Apple settled a lawsuit with Nick Ciarelli that shuttered “Think Secret,” his popular Apple rumors site. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:14 pmDismantling Defenses: Trump 2.0 Cyber Year in Review
The Trump administration has pursued a staggering range of policy pivots this past year that threaten to weaken the nation’s ability and willingness to address a broad spectrum of technology challenges, from cybersecurity and privacy to countering disinformation, fraud and corruption. These shifts, along with the president’s efforts to restrict free speech and freedom of the press, have come at such a rapid clip that many readers probably aren’t even aware of them all.03:11 pmNetwork Performance Issues
Dec 19, 15:06 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating intermittent issues with network performance. Customers might observe unexpected errors. We are working to analyze and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.03:03 pmApple TV picks up Will Poulter dramedy series ‘Beat the Reaper’
Apple TV has picked up “Beat the Reaper,” a new dramedy starring BAFTA Award winner and Emmy Award nominee Will Poulter… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.02:50 pmTNCrossPromo, a Swift Package for app cross-promotion!
Hi everyone, I just released an open source Swift Package called TNCrossPromo that helps you add cross promotion UI to your apps in a clean and flexible way. The idea is simple: instead of hard coding your other apps into your UI, you host a small JSON feed. Your app fetches it and shows a […]02:42 pmApple Becomes a Debt Collector With Its New Developer Agreement
Apple released an updated developer license agreement this week that gives the company permission to recoup unpaid funds, such as commissions or any other fees, by deducting them from in-app purchases it processes on developers' behalf, among other methods. From a report: The change will impact developers in regions where local law allows them to link to external payment systems. In these cases, developers must report those payments back to Apple to pay the required commissions or fees. The changed agreement seemingly gives Apple a way to collect what it believes is the correct fee if the company determines a developer has underreported their earnings. [...] In its new developer agreement, Apple states it will "offset or recoup" what it believes it is owed, including "any amounts collected by Apple on your behalf from end-users." This means Apple could recoup funds from developers' in-app purchases -- like those for digital goods, services, and subscriptions -- or from one-time fees for paid applications. Read more of this story at Slashdot.02:40 pmBest Apple Deals of the Week: AirPods Pro 3 for $199, Plus Sitewide Sales at Samsung and Sonos | MacRumorsBest Apple Deals of the Week: AirPods Pro 3 for $199, Plus Sitewide Sales at Samsung and Sonos
It's the last week before Christmas, which means that the holiday shopping season is quickly wrapping up. With this in mind, we're recapping all of the best last-minute deals you can find online this week, but be warned that guaranteed delivery by December 25th is going to be increasingly difficult to find over the next few days. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. AirPods Pro 3 What's the deal? Take $50 off AirPods Pro 3 Where can I get it? Amazon Where can I find the original deal? Right here $50 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $199.00 Apple's AirPods Pro 3 hit a record low price of $199.00 this week on Amazon, down from $249.00, and they're still available today. This deal beats the Black Friday price we saw last month by about $20. Samsung What's the deal? Save sitewide on Samsung TVs, monitors, and more Where can I get it? Samsung Where can I find the original deal? Right here $600 OFF65" The Frame for $1,199.99 Samsung expanded its ongoing holiday event this week, introducing great deals on monitors, storage accessories, TVs, Galaxy smartphones, and home appliances. Many of these deals are the exact same all-time low prices we tracked during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. TVs 55-inch QLED QEF1 Smart TV - $379.99, down from $599.99 55-inch QLED Q7F Smart TV - $399.99, down from $529.99 55-inch QLED Q8F Smart TV - $599.99, down from $749.99 55-inch OLED S95F Smart TV - $1,899.99, down from $2,299.99 75-inch The Frame Pro - $1,999.99, down from $3,199.99 85-inch Neo QLED QN90F Smart TV - $2,299.99, down from $4,499.99 Monitors 43-inch Odyssey Neo G7 Smart Gaming Monitor - $549.99, down from $999.99 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 Gaming Monitor - $599.99, down from $899.99 49-inch Odyssey G9 Gaming Monitor - $777.99, down from $1,299.99 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 Monitor - $899.99, down from $1,799.99 55-inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen - $1,299.99, down from $2,699.99 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,499.99, down from $2,299.99 MacBook Air What's the deal? Take $250 off M4 MacBook Air Where can I get it? Amazon Where can I find the original deal? Right here $250 OFF13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $749.00 $250 OFF15-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $949.00 You can get the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $749.00 this week on Amazon, down from $999.00, with Christmas delivery for select colors. This price matches the Amazon all-time low price on the M4 MacBook Air, and there are similar lows on other models with higher storage. Sonos What's the deal? Get up to 25% off home audio devices Where can I get it? Sonos Where can I find the original deal? Right here UP TO 25% OFFSonos Last-Minute Holiday Sale Sonos this week introduced a last-minute holiday sale, offering up to 25 percent off the company's most popular devices. This includes the Sonos Ace headphones, Arc Ultra soundbar, Move 2 speaker, and more, with many prices matching the deals we saw over Black Friday. Apple Watch What's the deal? Take up to $100 off Apple Watch SE 3 and Series 11 Where can I get it? Amazon Where can I find the original deal? Right here $100 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS) for $299.00 $100 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS) for $329.00 $50 OFF40mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $199.00 $50 OFF44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $229.00 Amazon has a few record low prices on multiple Apple Watch models this week, including the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3. These have been some of the most consistent deals to stick around after Black Friday, and they're available in multiple color options and sizes. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums02:29 pmApple age verification with a privacy focus would solve two problems
While Apple is currently lobbying against being given a legal responsibility for age verification when it comes to downloading apps, I think the company’s customers would very much benefit from it taking on this role. Given the company’s track record in finding privacy-respecting approaches to personal data, I would like to see it go even further than the proposals we’ve seen to date … more…02:23 pmRussia SMS Carrier Maintenance – MegaFon
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 23, 12:00 - 16:00 PSTDec 19, 05:56 PSTScheduled - The MegaFon network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 23 December 2025 at 12:00 PST until 23 December 2025 at 16:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to MegaFon Russia handsets.02:23 pmRussia SMS Carrier Maintenance – MegaFon
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 22, 12:00 - 16:00 PSTDec 19, 05:56 PSTScheduled - The MegaFon network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 22 December 2025 at 12:00 PST until 22 December 2025 at 16:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to MegaFon Russia handsets.02:22 pmSMS Delivery Delays to the US Cellular Network in the United States
Dec 19, 06:20 PSTUpdate - We are experiencing . Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 19, 06:11 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS Delivery Delays To Cellular Corp Network in United States of America. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.02:04 pmU.S. appeals court considers reviving Apple App Store class action lawsuit
A U.S. appeals court will review a lower court's decision to decertify a massive class-action lawsuit against Apple involving App Store… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.01:51 pmSix or seven iPhones a year, new iMac Pro, and low-cost MacBooks on the AppleInsider Podcast | AppleInsiderSix or seven iPhones a year, new iMac Pro, and low-cost MacBooks on the AppleInsider Podcast
By 2027, Apple may be releasing six or seven iPhones every year — and new rumors say there could be two low-cost MacBooks, plus maybe the return of the iMac Pro, on the AppleInsider Podcast.The days of a single iPhone being released each year are long, long gone.Join us as we count on our fingers to work out exactly how many iPhones — and what types — Apple is now expected to release every year from 2027. It's surprisingly hard to keep straight just what's coming, which does make us tip our hats to people who stay on top of Android releases.Also in 2027, it's now rumored that the iMac will get an OLED screen, meaning better contrast, richer blacks, brighter images — and reduced power consumption. At the same time, a separate rumor says Apple is testing an iMac Pro with M6 Max processor. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:40 pmSMS Delivery Failures to Multiple Networks in Multiple European and Asian Countries
Dec 19, 05:40 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing . Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We expect to provide another update in 30 minutes or as soon as more information becomes available.01:40 pmApple keeps rejecting because “taps aren’t working”
So Apple keeps rejecting my app because the apps completely unresponsive to taps after login. This makes no sense. I’ve had numerous people test it – including myself on an iPad – and this has never been an issue. It is an Expo dev app – any ideas ???? They don’t provide any real info. […]01:35 pmApple might be requiring iPhone users to install iOS 26 for security fixes
Apple released iOS 26.2 last week with important security fixes. At the same time, it also shipped iOS 18.7.3 for users who haven’t upgraded yet — at least in theory. In practice, Jason Snell at Six Colors reports that some iPhone owners aren’t being offered the iOS 18 security update at all, and are instead being pushed straight to iOS 26. more…01:22 pmI used my AirPods to talk to someone in another language, and it actually worked
Macworld This fall, Apple gave its new iOS 26 Live Translation feature an instant upgrade: AirPods support. Like a real-life version of the Babel fish, compatible AirPods paired with an up-to-date iPhone can now be inserted in the ear to provide instant fluency across nine languages. The earbuds listen to conversation in Spanish, for example, use AI to translate it in real time, and speak the English equivalent directly into your ear. You then reply in English, and your iPhone will translate this back to Spanish. (The translation is displayed on screen, but there’s a button to make it read it out loud.) It’s a beguiling concept. But it’s not a new one. Earbuds paired with Google Translate, such as the Pixel Buds, were capable of this function way back in 2017. They just weren’t all that great at it. As so often in the past, Apple is trying to take something that other companies have done before, and do it better. Has it succeeded? Now that Live Translation has expanded to the EU with iOS 26.2, I set up a video call with a German-speaking colleague from Macwelt and popped in my AirPods Pro 3 to test the Live Translation feature (which is still officially in beta, I should note) for myself. I was pleasantly surprised. Setup: Better in person Let’s get started. First things first. Before doing any translating, you need to download your choice of language. This takes a few minutes, so try to plan ahead rather than waiting until you’re mid-conversation with an angry French policeman. Open the Settings app on your connected iPhone and open the AirPods menu. Scroll down to the Translation (Beta) section and tap on Languages. At the top, you’ll see any you’ve already downloaded, while those that are available will be listed below. Pick one (or more) and tap to download. Once this is sorted, activating translation is relatively easy. Press and hold on both earbud stems at once, and they’ll automatically switch to Live Translation mode. The only potential hiccup is if you’ve got several languages downloaded, particularly if your last translation was to or from a different language than the one you want now. You can change these in the Translate app by going to Live and then selecting either Their Language or Your Language to switch languages. (There isn’t yet an option, as there is for the written and visual–but not conversational–functions of Google Translate, to say “Detect language” and thereby cover all bases.) David Price / Foundry So far, so good–and for face-to-face translation, activating the feature is simple and intuitive. You may, however, run into issues when trying to use the feature over an online video chat, as I did. The problem was that the AirPods were desperately keen to auto-pair with whichever device they thought I was using. I needed them connected to the iPhone for the translation. But as soon as I started up a FaceTime call on my Mac, they jumped to that. As soon as I opened Notes on my iPad to check the script, they jumped to that. So I was constantly having to apologise and fiddle with Bluetooth settings to make sure the AirPods stayed on point. It should be said, in Apple’s defence, that the company has given Live Translation direct integration with the FaceTime and Phone apps, as well as providing APIs that will let third parties do the same for Zoom, Teams and the like. So this sort of multi-device juggling shouldn’t be necessary–you can just open FaceTime on the iPhone and manage the whole thing, conversation and translation alike, from there. I simply found this integration unintuitive–and besides, wanted to recreate the experience of talking to someone on the street, which seemed best simulated by holding up my phone to words coming from a different source. Which is a long-winded way of saying that, if you really are just speaking to someone on the street, and if you’ve taken the time to set things up and test them out in advance, it should be a breeze. Just anticipate a few tech hiccups when you involve multiple devices. Understanding what was said to me With the setup finally sorted, we were able to begin our conversation. This was more exhausting than I had expected. I had prepared four scenarios: at a hotel, in a restaurant, on a plane, and in a bar, with a secret bonus round where we were going to spontaneously talk politics. But the conversations took longer than I anticipated—so long that we ran out of time and energy for the restaurant and politics chats. Why were the conversations so slow and tiring? Because of the delays. My colleague would say a sentence in German, and the AirPods would generally wait until well into the sentence, often to the end, before starting to give me the translation. In written form, we are encouraged to be punchy, but conversational sentences can have numerous subclauses, so the delay can be substantial. AirPods Pro 3’s Live translation is like having a little dictionary in your ear.Foundry I wondered if this delay might have something to do with the grammatical character of the German language and its habit of shunting crucial verbs to the end of the sentence. But a similar test with a Spanish speaker confirmed that the feature simply cannot turn around a translation in true real time, so there will be no fluency in your conversation, regardless of the language. The good news is that Live Translation’s accuracy, at least from German to English, is astonishingly good. In his role as hotelier, my colleague told me about rooms and breakfast arrangements and a special event involving 237 Christmas tree sellers, and it all came through clear and comprehensible. As a flight steward, he explained landing times and delays and a situation with a man in my seat; and, finally switching careers to bartending, he told me all the ingredients in a delicious local cocktail and named the total I would need to pay for a selection of drinks. In every scenario, I understood the overall gist with ease and virtually all the specifics. That’s not to say that the translation was flawless. The software was confused by the German term for a boarding pass, which it translated as simply a “card.” The name of a cocktail, my colleague told me, was mangled. But these were very minor quibbles that never derailed the conversation in any serious way. Apple AirPods Pro 3 Read our review Price When Reviewed: $249 Best Prices Today: $199 at Amazon | $199 at Walmart | $209.99 at Target Making myself understood Ideally, both you and your conversational partner would be wearing compatible AirPods so that your English is translated live by their Babel fish just as their non-English is translated by yours. For planned business meetings this may be possible. But it’s unlikely to be the case in the average tourist context, so we stuck to the asymmetric approach. Having waited for a translation of my colleague’s words, I replied in English, and a German translation appeared on my iPhone’s screen. When speaking face to face, it’s probably easiest to simply show this to the doctor/barber/policeman you’re speaking to. There’s another small delay while your words are translated, but it appears quickly enough. And again, my colleague confirmed that the accuracy was excellent. Next to each chunk of translated text you’ll see a little play button, and if you tap this it’ll be read out loud. This is a nice option, and the accent was convincing in our test, but it adds yet another delay to what is already a long-winded process. Foundry Having said his piece, my colleague had to wait for this to be translated, for me to reply, for this to be translated, for me to press the button, and for the words to be read out. Understandably, he several times began replying before my official translated response had been read out, although this should only be an issue when your partner actually does speak English, in which case you could just dispense with the AirPods altogether. Again, the translation, while sometimes slow, was very reliable. I was able to reserve rooms, request a sea view (and be denied, on the flimsy pretext that Munich isn’t anywhere near the sea), order a wide range of drinks, navigate a variety of social situations and never really have to repeat myself. My colleague was in the position to hear both English and German renditions of each comment I made, and professed himself impressed by the accuracy. Conclusion: Far better than I expected, flaws and all Okay, final quibbles. The translations are split into little chunks, and sometimes these seem quite arbitrary. I found myself tapping play on one bit, and it spat out the end of one thing and the beginning of another, rather than a coherent remark. It also annoyed me that the software deleted the chat history the second I took out my headphones. That’s particularly annoying for a journalist who would like screenshots to post in this feature, but also takes away a potentially useful note of details you may subsequently forget. (Could this be a privacy-based decision? I’m not sure.) Add in those delays, and I’m the first to concede that my tests with Live Translation weren’t painless by any means. In fact, I found the whole thing draining. But it was thoroughly impressive nonetheless. I was astounded by the software’s ability to translate with a very high degree of accuracy and comprehensibility in nearly real time. While you shouldn’t expect a fluent or socially comfortable conversation while using your AirPods, you can expect an extremely functional one. That’s a win, in my book.01:11 pmInside Final Cut Pro — How Apple abandoned Hollywood
Final Cut Pro for the Mac became a favorite video editing app of Hollywood about 20 years ago, but then Apple made a radical update that lost it filmmakers forever. Here's where it started, and what happened to make it fall out of favor.Some of the more famous Final Cut Pro icons through the years — image credit: AppleNo question, Final Cut Pro for the Mac is an extraordinarily superb app. It has faults, users have criticisms, but if you use it, you tend to become a fan.The only problem is getting people to use it. For this is a tale of two different Final Cut Pro apps, and how Apple managed to make a bold and brilliant move — but dropped the ball at the same time. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:54 pmSMS Delivery Delays and Failures to MTN in Afghanistan
Dec 19, 04:54 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing . Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.12:39 pmmacOS Tahoe users report persistent screen flickering issues
If you’ve noticed odd screen flickering since installing macOS Tahoe, you’re not alone. A growing number of users are reporting brief but distracting display flickers, particularly when using Apple’s Studio Display. more…12:35 pmTurn Off the User Profiles Screen on Apple TV 4K
Starting with tvOS 26.2, Apple TVs began displaying a user profile selection screen every time you wake the device from sleep. The feature helps households with multiple users maintain separate viewing histories and recommendations, but it can feel like an unnecessary step if you're the sole user. Fortunately, Apple lets you disable this prompt entirely. Here's how to turn off the user profiles screen and go straight to your Home screen. Disable the User Profile Selection Screen Open Settings on your Apple TV. Select Profiles and Accounts. Toggle off Choose Profile on Wake. With this setting disabled, your Apple TV will skip the profile selection screen and take you directly to the Home Screen when you wake it. What Happens When You Disable Profile Switching Turning off the profile switcher doesn't delete your user profiles or their associated watch history and recommendations. It simply removes the prompt that appears each time you turn on your TV or Apple TV. If you share your Apple TV with others and want to switch profiles manually, you can still access profile options by going to Settings ➝ Users and Accounts and selecting a different user profile from there. To learn more about how user profiles can be genuinely useful, check out our dedicated hands-on article.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums12:18 pmAirPods Now Closing in on a Decade
Today marks nine years since Apple launched the original AirPods. Unveiled in September 2016 alongside the iPhone 7, the wireless headphones became available on December 19, 2016, following a slight delay. At the time, wireless headphones were already on the market but had not yet reached true mass popularity. AirPods helped redefine the category through their convenience and seamless integration with Apple devices. Apple's Phil Schiller at the time:AirPods are the first headphones to deliver a breakthrough wireless audio experience, and with the new Apple W1 chip they deliver innovative features including high quality sound, great battery life and automatic setup. AirPods are simple and magical to use, with no switches or buttons, automatically connecting to all your Apple devices simply and seamlessly, and letting you access Siri with just a double tap. We can't wait for users to try them with iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2. Priced at $159, the first-generation AirPods introduced key features such as one-tap pairing with Apple devices and in-ear detection for automatic play-pause functionality. Powered by Apple's custom W1 chip, they delivered enhanced audio quality compared to wired EarPods and set a new standard for battery life in a compact, completely wireless design. AirPods were initially met with skepticism following their unveiling, with much of the reaction focused on their unconventional stem-based design and the removal of the headphone jack on the iPhone 7. The earbuds were widely mocked online and compared to wired EarPods with the cables cut off, while some critics questioned their practicality and battery life. However, early reviews and real-world use quickly shifted perceptions, as the convenience of automatic pairing, reliable wireless performance, and all-day battery life made AirPods increasingly popular among iPhone users. AirPods quickly grew into one of Apple's most successful accessories, helping to normalize truly wireless earbuds and accelerating the decline of the traditional headphone jack across the industry. While Apple does not disclose sales figures, analysts estimate that tens of millions of units are sold each year, making AirPods the best-selling wireless earbuds globally and a major contributor to Apple's wearables revenue. Since their debut, AirPods have evolved with the release of second-, third-, and fourth-generation models in March 2019, October 2021, and September 2024. These updates brought improvements such as better audio quality, longer battery life, hands-free "Hey Siri" functionality, a wireless charging case, and, most recently, active noise cancellation. A fifth-generation is believed to be in the works. The product line has also expanded with the premium AirPods Pro, featuring an in-ear design and active noise cancellation, in October 2019, and the over-ear AirPods Max in December 2020.Related Roundup: AirPods 4Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Neutral)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums12:15 pmThis iOS 26 toggle just fixed a problem that’s plagued my iPhone for years
Macworld The updates since iOS 26 arrived have brought a lot of fresh tweaks and features to our iPhones, including the ability to tone down Liquid Glass, a new way to ensure you don’t accidentally switch off an alarm, better AirDrop security, and much more. But one of my favorite adjustments has nothing to do with any of that – instead, it’s all about the Lock Screen. In case you missed it, you can now switch off the swipe gesture that opens the camera directly from your Lock Screen. You’re probably very familiar with this gesture – it’s a brilliantly quick way to get your favorite camera app up and running without needing to unlock your phone and navigate to it the long way. When you need to move quickly and capture a fleeting moment, it’s a great option. But the chances are you’ve also accidentally activated it more than once. And it’s exactly this issue that makes me so glad I can finally turn it off. A persistent irritation I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve pulled my iPhone from my pocket, only to find the camera app is open without me realizing. It’s more than a nuisance—it’s entirely possible to inadvertently launch the camera and have it sitting like that in your pocket for a substantial amount of time, draining the battery without you ever knowing. That turns this gesture from a mild inconvenience into a much larger problem, especially if my iPhone hasn’t got much juice left to begin with. I’ve never had my iPhone die on me because of an unintentional camera gesture, but I’m sure there are people who have. Thanks to this new setting in iOS 26, though, I can forget about that ever happening. A quick foray into the Settings app and I can switch off the camera gesture for good, nipping this problem in the bud once and for all. iOS 26 now lets you turn off the Lock Screen swipe gesture that launches the Camera app.Foundry How to turn off the Lock Screen camera gesture Disabling the gesture that launches the camera from your Lock Screen is quick and simple. Follow the steps below and you’ll never have to put up with accidental camera-induced battery drain again. 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone 2. Navigate to the Camera section and tap it 3. Scroll to the bottom of the list until you see Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera 4. Tap the toggle next to this text to disable the feature Now, swiping from right to left across your Lock Screen will do nothing – no more camera and no more unknowing battery drain while your phone sits idly in your pocket. Of course, you might change your mind down the line and decide you actually want this gesture back. In which case, just return to the Settings app and re-enable the toggle, undoing the change. Apple hasn’t removed the offending gesture entirely and has merely made it an optional feature that can be enabled and disabled as you like. That said, I can’t remember the last time I needed to use this gesture to open the Camera—especially now that the Camera Control is a far quicker and more reliable method. Failing that, I’ve got the Camera app icon on my Lock Screen, which is harder to accidentally activate due to it requiring a long press rather than a swipe. So I’m going to miss the gesture that has plagued my iPhone for so long. Instead, I now know that every time I pull my phone from my pocket, I’ll be greeted by a blank Lock Screen instead of a drained battery. And that’s the kind of small tweak that can make a big difference.12:08 pmCourt will reconsider App Store class action case worth billions
An App Store antitrust case that has been running for more than a decade, may be revived as a US appeals court says it will reconsider a previous ruling that saw the class action dismissed.App Store iconThis latest move is specifically to reexamine an October 2025 decision by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers to dismiss a class action suit. The suit was originally filed in 2011, accusing Apple of overcharging App Store users.In just one example of how this particular case has had a tortuous route through the legal system, in 2024, Judge Rogers allowed it to be a class action — after ruling in 2022 that it could not be. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:59 amSamsung Announces World's First 2nm Mobile Chip Ahead of Apple
Samsung has officially unveiled the Exynos 2600, the world's first 2 nanometer mobile system-on-a-chip (SoC), built on the company's Gate-All-Around (GAA) process. The 10-core ARM-based design aims to deliver improved performance and efficiency for flagship devices like the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. The chip uses Arm's latest cores and supports new instructions for improved CPU speed and on-device AI, with Samsung claiming up to a 39 percent boost in CPU performance and 113 percent faster NPU performance, enabling larger and more efficient AI workloads. Its GPU is based on the latest Xclipse design, which Samsung says doubles previous graphics performance and boosts ray tracing by up to 50 percent. Earlier Exynos processors earned a poor reputation for running hot and throttling performance, particularly when compared with competing chips from Apple. To address those shortcomings, Samsung has introduced a new thermal approach called Heat Path Block (HPB). The technique uses a High-k EMC material to improve heat dissipation, enabling the Exynos 2600 to maintain higher performance levels for longer periods, even under sustained heavy workloads, claims Samsung. Apple is widely expected to adopt the 2nm process node for several devices in 2026, albeit using TSMC's 2nm (N2) process. Apple has reportedly secured a significant portion of TSMC's initial N2 production capacity, with the A20 and A20 Pro chips for the iPhone 18 lineup expected to be the first Apple silicon built on this node. The N2-based processors would succeed Apple's A17 Pro through A19 Pro chips, fabricated using TSMC's series of 3nm processes. Compared to current 3nm chips, TSMC's 2nm process promises up to 15 percent higher performance at the same power level, or 25 to 30 percent lower power consumption at the same performance level. The process also achieves approximately 15 percent higher transistor density, allowing more functionality to be packed into the same physical space. Apple's first 2nm chips are likely to debut in iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple's first foldable iPhone, all of which are expected to launch in late 2026. Beyond iPhones, Apple's M6 series for future Macs could also use TSMC's 2nm process, although we haven't heard any specific rumors that this will be the case. Tags: 2nm, SamsungThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums11:20 amNetwork Performance Issues
Dec 19, 11:19 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating intermittent issues with network performance. Customers might observe unexpected errors. We are working to analyze and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.Firehose II – Jobs, Deals, Apps
- Thursday November 13
- 03:49 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K16LL/A – $2,289.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K16LL/A – $2,289.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K16LL/A $2,289.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 32GB unified memory 2TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…03:49 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU – Silver – G1E24LL/A – $1,439.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU – Silver – G1E24LL/A – $1,439.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU - Silver – G1E24LL/A $1,439.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 24GB unified memory 512GB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports Product page on the Apple Store…03:49 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU – Blue – G1E52LL/A – $1,439.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU – Blue – G1E52LL/A – $1,439.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU - Blue – G1E52LL/A $1,439.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 16GB unified memory 1TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports Product page on the Apple Store…03:28 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Blue – G1K51LL/A – $2,119.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Blue – G1K51LL/A – $2,119.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass - Blue – G1K51LL/A $2,119.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 32GB unified memory 1TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…03:28 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet – Silver – G1E20LL/A – $1,129.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet – Silver – G1E20LL/A – $1,129.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet - Silver – G1E20LL/A $1,129.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 16GB unified memory 256GB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports Product page on the Apple Store…03:28 amRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet – Purple – G1E70LL/A – $1,129.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet – Purple – G1E70LL/A – $1,129.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet - Purple – G1E70LL/A $1,129.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 16GB unified memory 256GB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports Product page on the Apple Store…Wednesday November 1212:51 pmEarly Black Friday Sale: Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pros with M4 Max CPUs for $500 off MSRP | MacPrices.netEarly Black Friday Sale: Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pros with M4 Max CPUs for $500 off MSRP
Amazon has 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on early Black Friday sale for up to $500 off Apple's MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party seller: - 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro (36GB/1TB/Black): $3094.05, $405 off MSRP - 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro (36GB/1TB/Silver): $3094.05, $405 off MSRP - 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro (48GB/1TB/Black): $3499.61, $500 off MSRP - 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro (48GB/1TB/Silver): $3517.45, $482 off MSRP These are the lowest prices available for new 16" M4 Max MacBook Pros among the Apple retailers we track. For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 16-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.Tuesday November 1108:57 pmRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU – Green – G1E41LL/A – $1,269.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU – Green – G1E41LL/A – $1,269.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU - Green – G1E41LL/A $1,269.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 16GB unified memory 512GB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports Product page on the Apple Store…08:46 pmRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Silver – G1K11LL/A – $2,119.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Silver – G1K11LL/A – $2,119.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass - Silver – G1K11LL/A $2,119.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 32GB unified memory 1TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…08:46 pmRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K14LL/A – $1,779.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K14LL/A – $1,779.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K14LL/A $1,779.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 32GB unified memory 512GB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…08:46 pmRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Silver – G1K12LL/A – $2,459.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass – Silver – G1K12LL/A – $2,459.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet, Nano-texture glass - Silver – G1K12LL/A $2,459.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 32GB unified memory 2TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…08:24 pmRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K15LL/A – $1,949.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K15LL/A – $1,949.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K15LL/A $1,949.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 32GB unified memory 1TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…08:24 pmRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K10LL/A – $1,779.00 | Refurb TrackerRefurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K10LL/A – $1,779.00
Refurbished 24-inch iMac Apple M4 Chip with 10-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, Gigabit Ethernet- Silver – G1K10LL/A $1,779.00 Originally released October 2024 24-inch 4.5K Retina display² 24GB unified memory 1TB SSD¹ 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View Four Thunderbolt 4 ports Gigabit Ethernet Product page on the Apple Store…04:31 pmApple Early Black Friday Sale at Best Buy: Deals on New and Refurbished + free shipping | DealNews LaptopsApple Early Black Friday Sale at Best Buy: Deals on New and Refurbished + free shipping
Best Buy has early Black Friday deals on Apple brand products including AirPods, MacBooks, AirTags, Mac Minis, and more. Plus, you'll find deep discounts on accessories and refurbished devices. Shop Now at Best Buy12:43 pmApple Watch SE 3 GPS on early Black Friday sale for $50 off MSRP, prices start at $199 | MacPrices.netApple Watch SE 3 GPS on early Black Friday sale for $50 off MSRP, prices start at $199
Amazon has Apple Watch SE 3 GPS-only models on sale for $50 off MSRP as part of their early Black Friday savings: - 40mm Apple Watch SE GPS: $199.99, $50 off MSRP - 44mm Apple Watch SE GPS: $229.99, $50 off MSRP For the latest prices & deals, keep an eye on our Apple Watch Price Tracker, updated daily.Monday November 1003:13 pmApple’s most affordable iPads on sale for $50 off MSRP, from $299
Amazon has Apple's 11th-generation A16 WiFi iPads in stock on sale for $50 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free: - 11" 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP - 11" 11th-generation 256GB WiFi iPads: $399 $50 off MSRP - 11" 11th-generation 512GB WiFi iPads: $599 $50 off MSRP Amazon's prices are the lowest iPads prices currently available for 11th-generation models. For the latest prices & deals, keep an eye on our iPad Price Tracker, updated daily.01:02 pmBest early Black Friday MacBook deal: Take $150 off all M4 MacBook Airs, prices start at only $749 | MacPrices.netBest early Black Friday MacBook deal: Take $150 off all M4 MacBook Airs, prices start at only $749
Amazon has all 13" M4 MacBook Airs and 15" M4 MacBook Airs on early Black Friday sale for $250 off Apple's MSRP right now, starting at only $749. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $749.99, $250 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $949.99, $250 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB): $1149.99, $250 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $949.99, $250 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $1149.99, $250 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB/): $1349.99, $250 off Their prices are the lowest available for new M4 MacBook Airs anywhere. For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker and 15" MacBook Air Price Tracker, both updated daily.Sunday November 0902:00 pmRefurb Apple iPad Pro 5 12.9″ 128GB WiFi Tablet for $416 + free shipping
That beats our previous popular offer. The next best we could see elsewhere is around $600. A 1-year Allstate warranty applies. Buy Now at eBay01:16 pmSunday Sale: Apple AirPods 4 discounted to early Black Friday price of only $89
Amazon has Apple AirPods 4 in stock and on early Black Friday sale for $40 off MSRP today, including free shipping: - AirPods 4: $89.99, $40 off Keep an eye on our AirPods Price Tracker for the latest prices and deals, updated daily.Friday November 0703:35 pmHere are AT&T’s current deals on Apple iPhone 17 models
AT&T is offering discounts on Apple’s new iPhone 17 lineup for both new and existing customers, with deals running for a limited time and providing significant credits through trade-in and eligible unlimited plans. Get the iPhone 17 for free—or up to $830 off—when trading in an eligible device and activating on one of AT&T’s qualifying Unlimited Your Way plans. The higher-end iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are eligible for up to $1,100 in bill credits spread over 36 months, applied as monthly installment credits once the trade-in is processed. Even trade-ins with lower values can still earn partial credits, up to $350 depending on the device’s appraised value. Click through for more details.Thursday November 0609:41 pmApple’s Pro Display XDR on rare sale for $500 off MSRP
Amazon has Apple's Pro Display model on rare sale for $500 off MSRP right now, shipping included: - Apple Pro Display XDR Standard Glass: $4499 $500 off MSRP Their price is currently the lowest available for this monitor from any Apple retailer. For the latest prices & sales, see our Apple Pro Display XDR Price Tracker, updated daily.09:18 pm