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- Monday March 23
- 06:34 pmApple will talk iOS 27, macOS 27, and more at WWDC 2026 on June 8
WWDC is often light on hardware, but it's where big software announcements happen.06:28 pm2026 Swift Student Challenge winners to be announced on March 26
The winners of the 2026 Swift Student Challenge will be announced on March 26, with the best among them set to receive a trip to Apple Park.Winners of the 2026 Swift Student Challenge will be announced on March 26.Every year, Apple holds the Swift Student Challenge. The event encourages up-and-coming student developers to practice their craft and lets them win various prizes.In an announcement on Monday, the iPhone maker described the annual event as a program meant to "uplift the next generation of entrepreneurs, coders, and designers." The company added that winners will be notified on Thursday, March 26. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums06:17 pmHere’s everything new Apple TV has coming in April
Apple TV has a packed April ahead, with new and returning series, a big movie premiere, a trio of sports offerings, and more. Here’s everything new coming to Apple TV in April. more…06:06 pmApple announces AI-fueled WWDC26 to kick off June 8
Macworld Apple has announced that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference will be hosted online beginning June 8. As usual, it will start with a big keynote presentation on Monday morning, which developers and students can gather to watch at Apple Park. Apple’s official announcement of the event does not divulge any specific details, merely describing the event as a showcase for “incredible updates for Apple platforms, including AI advancements and exciting new software and developer tools.” It’s worth noting that this is the first WWDC preview annoucnement that has featured the term “AI,” so we expect Apple Intelligence to play a prominent role in the announcements. The weeklong event will kick off on Monday morning with a keynote, followed by “Platforms State of the Union,” the same schedule Apple has followed for the past several years. We expect the keynote to be a prerecorded affair, as it has for years now, with developers and students at Apple Park simply watching the livestream along with others, with an opportunity to meet “Apple engineers and designers, take part in special labs and activities, and connect with the worldwide developer community.” At this year’s WWDC, we expect Apple to unveil the 2027 updates to its operating systems, including iOS 27, macOS 27, iPadOS 27, and watchOS 27. After now years of missed targets and shifting priorities, an all-new Siri with chatbot capabilities and competitive performance is expected to be a big part of these updates. Originally slated to arrive in fall 2024, Apple has delayed the rollout several times as it struggles to get the next-gen chatbot working properly. Other AI tools and features are another big part of them. But beyond that, this has been rumored to be a “maintenance cycle” of sorts similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, which focused on cleaning up code, fixing bugs, and making everything run faster and more efficiently in lieu of flashy new features. Apple has enough products to release this year that we might get a few hardware releases at WWDC as well. Top candidates include the M5 Mac mini and iMac, the M5 Ultra Mac Studio, and the 12th-gen iPad with Apple Intelligence support. The big keynote presentation will be streamed on Apple.com, the Apple TV app, and YouTube at 10 a.m. PY on June 8.05:53 pmRussia SMS Carrier Maintenance – MegaFon
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 25, 13:00 - 17:00 PDTMar 23, 10:39 PDTScheduled - The MegaFon network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 25 March 2026 at 13:00 PDT until 25 March 2026 at 17:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to MegaFon Russia handsets.05:44 pmWWDC 2026 guide: Date, time, how to watch and new product rumors
Macworld WWDC is Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, an annual event where the company sets its software agenda for the coming year. It is considered the most important date on Apple’s calendar for developers and enthusiasts alike. WWDC will start with a keynote in which Apple will unveil major updates to operating systems including iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. We may also see the company launch new Mac hardware. Apple has confirmed the date when WWDC will begin, as we expected, it will start on Monday June 8, 2026. Apple reliably holds WWDC in the second week of June. WWDC will start with a keynote that will be live streamed from 10 a.m. PT. For developers it’s the start of a summer-long process to get up to speed with new developments. For users, it’s a preview of the stuff they’re going to be using in the fall and throughout the next year. In this article, we discuss how to watch WWDC 2026 and the major announcements (and some of the less exciting, but equally important, ones) you can expect to hear about. Some of these announcements – updates to the five big Apple operating systems, most obviously – are as predictable as the timing of the event. But we reckon Apple will spring a few surprises this year. What to expect from WWDC 2026 Apple’s WWDC keynote will begin at 10am PT on Monday, June 8, 2026. The event will likely be streamed live on Apple’s website. Expected announcements include iOS 27 and macOS 27, new AI-related features, and potential Mac hardware updates. When is WWDC 2026 and when will the keynote start? The invite to 2025’s WWDC.Apple WWDC: June 8 to June 12, 2026 WWDC Keynote: Monday June 8 at 10am PT Apple has announced the specific dates for WWDC 2026. As we predicted, the WWDC event will run from June 8 to 12. The keynote is likely to take place on Monday June 8. Apple usually confirms the date for WWDC around the end of March when it allows developers to enter a lottery and apply for a ticket to attend the keynote. Those who qualify have until the beginning of April to apply for tickets. We explain how current Apple Developer Program members, Apple Developer Enterprise Program members and Swift Student Challenge winners are able to apply for free tickets below. The keynote is likely to start at the usual time of 10am Pacific Time. If you are wondering what time will the WWDC keynote start where you are, use this as a quick reference: U.S.: 10 a.m. (PDT), 11 a.m. (MDT), 12 p.m. (CDT), 1 p.m. (EDT) Canada: 2 p.m. (ADT) U.K.: 6 p.m. (BST) Europe: 7 p.m. (CEST) India: 10:30 p.m. (IST) Singapore and China: 1 a.m. the next day (SGT/CST) Japan: 2 a.m. the next day (JST) Australia: 1 a.m. the next day (AWST), 2:30 a.m. the next day (ACST), 3 a.m. the next day (AEST) New Zealand: 5 a.m. the next day (NZST) How to watch WWDC 2026 You can watch the WWDC keynote live on your screen.Foundry When WWDC starts Apple will live stream the opening keynote on its website and elsewhere, including on YouTube and on the Apple TV app. This means you’ll be able to watch the presentation on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and even PC. Prior to the event, we will embed Apple’s live YouTube stream at the top of this article. We will also run a live blog so you can read our blow-by-blow account of what happens, including our expert opinions. There are several ways to watch the WWDC keynote depending on your device: Apple.com: Watch on Apple’s own website. Apple TV App: Use TV app on a compatible TV, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, or Mac. YouTube: Watch on Apple’s YouTube channel. Other platforms: Access the stream using recent versions of Chrome or Firefox (MSE, H.264, and AAC required). To watch, visit the Apple Events page. Apple Developer App and Website: For those interested in the more technical “Platforms State of the Union” or specific developer sessions, these are hosted on the Apple Developer website and within the Apple Developer app. Biggest WWDC rumors: At a glance OS updates: WWDC is expected to be the primary stage for the next generation of operating systems, including iOS 27 and macOS 27. Siri 2.0/Chatbot Evolution: Siri is expected to finally evolve into a full-fledged chatbot with on-screen awareness and personal context understanding. What will Apple announce at WWDC 2026? While developers are at the heart of WWDC, Apple uses the event to showcase its broader software roadmap and, at times, unveil new Macs and other products. In past years, we’ve seen a wide range of announcements, including major Mac updates. Here’s what we expect Apple to reveal at this year’s event, from software and hardware to the possibility of entirely new products. Which software updates are expected at WWDC 2026? Apple WWDC is all about the software, so we can be certain that Apple will reveal details of its upcoming operating system updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, HomePod, and Apple Watch. Those updates will then be issued to developers as a beta to test, and then a few weeks later a public beta will start. Learn about participating in Apple’s beta software program so you can test the new software as soon as the beta arrives. Eventually, the new software will be available for everyone to download in the fall (usually September for iOS/iPadOS/watchOS and either September or October for macOS. Expected Software Updates Apple is expected to announce the next generation of its primary operating systems, which will likely move to version number 27. These include: iOS 27: Expected to be the flagship announcement for iPhone, potentially featuring the long-delayed “Siri 2.0” overhaul. macOS 27: The successor to macOS 26 Tahoe. iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27: Updates across Apple’s wearable, home, and spatial computing platforms. Following the event the first developer betas for these new operating systems will be released, with public betas following in July. Key Software Features and AI Developments The most significant focus for WWDC 2026 is expected to be the completion of the “Apple Intelligence” roadmap. While many features were originally promised for 2024 and 2025, several major components have been pushed into the 2026 calendar year. The “New Siri” (Siri 2.0): After multiple delays, a revamped Siri powered by Google’s Gemini is expected to be a central pillar of the 2026 software announcements. While the expected Siri overhaul is to be powered by Gemini, it’ll likely be a bespoke version running on Apple’s own servers to ensure it can retain its high standards regarding users’ data privacy. Expanded AI Integration: Building on the “Playlist Playground” and “Writing Tools” introduced in the iOS 26.4 and macOS 26.4 betas, Apple is likely to debut more advanced generative AI features for its Pro apps and system-wide utilities for iOS 27. Interface Refinements: Apple may further unify the design language across macOS and iPadOS, potentially adding more “Dynamic Island” functionality to the Mac. Developer Tools and APIs For developers, Apple typically introduces new versions of Xcode and updated Swift frameworks. APIs may be updated to allow third-party apps to integrate more deeply with Apple’s identity and payment systems. Additionally, Metal, a key technology for Mac game developers, enabling features like MetalFX Frame Interpolation, will likely see further expansion at WWDC. Also read: The 10 most significant WWDC software announcements of all time Will Apple launch new hardware at WWDC 2026? The 15-inch MacBook Air was introduced at WWDC 2023.Apple WWDC tends to be a software-focused event, so new hardware is never guaranteed. In addition, Apple has already completed a major spring launch cycle in March 2026, which included the MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, and M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro models. However, there are still several hardware products that are rumored or expected to appear at the June 2026 event. Expected Mac Updates Based on current release cycles and expert analysis, several Mac models are due for an M5-series upgrade. Mac Studio and Mac Pro: These professional desktops are expected to receive updates to the M5 Max and a potential M4 Ultra or M5 Ultra chip by June 2026. Mac mini: The compact desktop is expected to benefit from a M5 and M5 Pro update. iMac: The consumer-focused all-in-one is a candidate for an M5 chip refresh during the WWDC timeframe. Other rumored products Smart Glasses and Wearables: Reports from late 2025 suggested Apple might provide a “first glimpse of its smart glasses” soon. Given the developer focus of WWDC, a preview of the software platform for these glasses or a new AI-powered pendant is possible. Home Automation: Apple is reportedly developing a new home hub and a doorbell camera featuring Face ID, which could be integrated into the broader HomeKit discussions at the conference. HomePod/HomeHub: There are lots of rumors about different products, from a HomePod with a display to a screen with a robot arm. Q&A What is WWDC? WWDC stands for the Worldwide Developers Conference and is dedicated to the third-party software and hardware developers that create apps and accessories for Apple’s platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, HomePod and Vision Pro. At the event Apple previews the software that will be coming to iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watches, and so on, later in the year. A beta program starts after the event so that developers can start testing the new software, find out ways to use new features, and make sure it works with their apps. Sometimes Apple launches new hardware at WWDC, but the key focus is always software. What happens at WWDC? The event typically begins with a high-profile keynote presentation that provides a “sneak peek” at the next versions of Apple’s software. Beyond the announcements, it is a week-long conference designed for the global developer community to learn about new technologies and APIs. What happened at WWDC 2025 Watch the WWDC event as it happens here. This event was particularly significant due to a massive visual overhaul and a change in how Apple names its software. It included: The “Liquid Glass” Redesign: Apple introduced a new design language called Liquid Glass, which brought translucent, reflective, and glossy elements across all platforms . This aesthetic features curved “squircles,” glass-like layers that react to content beneath them, and a fully transparent menu bar in macOS. Unified Version Numbering: Starting with the 2025 event, Apple synchronized the version numbers of all its operating systems to reflect the upcoming year. Consequently, the successors to iOS 18 and macOS 15 were named iOS 26 and macOS 26 Tahoe. Apple Intelligence and Siri: While Apple continued to integrate AI features—such as AI-powered battery management and smarter Reminders—the long-awaited “New Siri” revamp faced further delays. Reports following the event indicated that the more conversational, context-aware version of Siri might not arrive until late 2026 or 2027. Key Software Features included: macOS 26 Tahoe: Introduced a significant overhaul to Spotlight, new mobile apps for the Mac (like Journal), and “Live Translation” for real-time communication in FaceTime and Messages. iPadOS 26: Added “Mac-like” multitasking, allowing apps like Final Cut Pro to continue intensive processes in the background, and replaced the circular cursor with a desktop-style arrow .watchOS 26: Opened the Apple Watch Control Center to third-party widgets for the first time, allowing apps like Spotify or Strava to offer one-tap toggles Who should watch WWDC Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is a cornerstone event for anyone deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, ranging from professional software creators to casual device owners. While the week-long program is technically dense, the opening keynote is designed for a global audience. WWDC is considered the second-biggest event on Apple’s calendar, surpassed only by the fall iPhone launch. It’s the event to watch if you want to get insight into Apple’s long-term strategic vision. If you own an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple TV, the WWDC keynote is highly relevant because it give you a sneak peek at the new software coming to your devices later in the year. How to attend WWDC WWDC is primarily a digital event with all registered Apple developers able to get online access to session videos, slides, and sample code throughout the week. There is usually an in-person event at Apple Park though. If you want to attend WWDC and the keynote in person you have to enter a lottery and apply for a ticket to attend the keynote alongside other developers. There is a lot of competition for those tickets, which are randomly selected from those who apply and aren’t transferable. The good news is that tickets are free, at least. To be in with a chance of attending, it is necessary to enter the lottery, for which you have to apply through Apple’s website. Eligibility is generally restricted to the following groups: Current members of the Apple Developer Program or Apple Developer Enterprise Program. Apple Entrepreneur Camp alumni. Swift Student Challenge winners (who are often included in a separate selection process, with notifications typically sent in May). The lottery for tickets allocated for 2025 started at the end of March and those interested had to apply by the beginning of April. The lucky applicants were notified of their success in getting a ticket at the beginning of April. Apple invites developers to participate in a series of classes, workshops, and sessions to learn about the system-wide changes coming to the major software platforms in the coming year so they can update their apps. Some lucky developers even get to watch the event live in person. You can find out more about how to get tickets to WWDC in our FAQ. Apple will share additional conference information in advance of WWDC26 through the Apple Developer app. How much does WWDC cost to attend The format of WWDC has shifted significantly in recent years. While it was once a paid event costing $1,599 with tickets that sold out instantly, the modern conference is primarily an online experience. Even without a lottery win, all registered developers receive online access to session videos, sample code, and workshops throughout the week When was WWDC last held In recent years Apple has held WWDC in early June. WWDC 2025: June 9-13 WWDC 2024: June 10-14 WWDC 2023: June 5-9 WWDC 2022: June 6-10 WWDC 2021: June 7-11 WWDC 2020: June 22-26 WWDC 2019: June 3-7 WWDC 2018: June 4-8 Apple has held a WWDC event every year since 1983. Over the past couple of decades WWDC has generally been held in June, with only one exception. WWDCOctober 1983May 1995June 2007June 2019April 1984May 1996June 2008June 2020 (online)May 1985May 1997June 2009June 2021 (online)May 1986May 1998June 2010June 2022May 1987May 1999June 2011June 2023May 1988May 2000June 2012June 2024May 1989May 2001June 2013June 2025May 1990May 2002June 2014May 1991June 2003June 2015May 1992June 2004June 2016May 1993June 2005June 2017May 1994August 2006June 2018 For a broader view of the year’s plans, check out our guide to the new Apple products coming this year. We’ll update this article regularly in the run-up to WWDC, so check back to see the latest news.05:39 pmApple prepares to add search ads to Apple Maps
Apple is preparing to monetize Apple Maps with advertising, and it could start to roll out to users by the summer.Apple Maps on iPhonesApple has been rumored to be bringing Google-style search advertising to Apple Maps for quite a few years. Those money-making ads will soon see the light of day.According to sources of Bloomberg on Monday, Apple will make an announcement as soon as March. This will bring ads to search queries within the navigation app, which will operate similar to Google's advertising system. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:32 pmiPhone Air C1X modem matches Qualcomm speed & wins on latency
The iPhone Air with Apple's C1X modem delivers performance on par with Qualcomm's X80 chip while outperforming it in latency in the latest real world analysis.iPhone AirApple's custom C1X modem now matches Qualcomm in real-world performance, according to an Ookla report from March 22. The analysis, based on global Speedtest data from Q4 2025, shows Apple has closed the gap on download speeds.It has also surpassed Qualcomm in latency, though it still trails in some upload scenarios. The progress of the C1X marks a significant step for Apple in the modem market. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:32 pmThe case against John Ternus becoming Apple’s next CEO
As speculation mounts over Tim Cook's eventual successor at Apple, John Ternus faces scrutiny for mirroring Cook's cautious… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.05:31 pmApple to Announce 2026 Swift Student Challenge Winners on March 26
As part of its WWDC 2026 announcement, Apple said that it plans to announce this year's Swift Student Challenge Winners on Thursday, March 26. Apple's Swift Student Challenge tasks students with creating an original coding project using Swift Playgrounds or Xcode. This year's event began on February 6, and Apple accepted submissions through Saturday, February 28 before judging began. Apple plans to choose winners based on submissions that demonstrate "excellence in innovation, creativity, social impact, or inclusivity." All Swift Student Challenge Winners in 2026 will be eligible to enter the lottery process to attend Apple's June 8 WWDC Special Event at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. Apple will also recognize Distinguished Winners whose submissions are "truly exceptional." Distinguished Winners will be invited to Cupertino for a three-day experience that will include the Special Event keynote viewing along with other activities, and these winners will not need to enter the lottery to visit Apple Park. Students who entered the challenge can expect to receive an email notifying them about their status later this week.Related Roundup: WWDC 2026Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech IndustryThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums05:27 pmApple sets June dates for WWDC26 and its next major software updates
Apple set June dates Monday for WWDC26, its major conference unveiling iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 13, tvOS 27, visionOS 3 and more. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)05:25 pmApple teases ‘AI advancements’ to be unveiled at WWDC this year
Today Apple announced the dates for WWDC 2026: June 8-12. And as part of the announcement press release, the company teased “AI advancements” are coming. more…05:23 pmBOG (Bogota) on 2026-03-24
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 24, 13:00 UTC - Mar 26, 06:45 UTCMar 23, 17:12 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in BOG (Bogota) datacenter between 2026-03-24 13:00 and 2026-03-26 06:45 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.05:16 pmApple Maps reportedly introducing ads soon, here’s what to expect
Ads have been reportedly destined for Apple Maps for quite some time now. Now it appears that Apple Maps may be on the cusp of introducing advertising from businesses at last. more…05:16 pmWWDC 2026 to Showcase Apple's 'AI Advancements'
WWDC 2026 is set to begin on Monday, June 8, and the event will highlight Apple's "AI advancements." Apple included the tidbit in its WWDC 2026 announcement. WWDC26 will spotlight incredible updates for Apple platforms, including AI advancements and exciting new software and developer tools. Since iOS 18, we've been waiting for Apple to introduce a more intelligent version of Siri, and that might finally happen with iOS 27. We are expecting the Apple Intelligence version of Siri that includes personal context with support for new, deeper search capabilities, onscreen awareness so Siri can answer questions about what you're looking at, and the ability to do more in and between apps. Apple is also working on a chatbot version of Siri that will rival ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, and we could potentially get a chatbot Siri preview at WWDC. Apple's AI advancements wording hints at the inclusion of new Siri features, plus it suggests we could get other new AI capabilities as well. We have a full iOS 27 roundup on all of the iOS 27 rumors we've heard so far, which is worth checking out if you want a refresh on what could be coming.Related Roundup: WWDC 2026Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech IndustryThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums05:10 pmWhat to expect at WWDC 2026: iOS 27, Siri as a chatbot, Intel's end, and more
Apple has just announced that WWDC 2026 will take place on June 8 through June 12, and we can expect to see several exciting software updates. Here's what's rumored to debut.WWDC 2026 is set to mark the debut of iOS 27, a chatbot version of Siri, and more, all at Apple Park.Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference is held in June each year, at Apple Park in California. The iPhone maker uses its annual event to preview new versions of its major operating systems, such as iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.Occasionally, new hardware is introduced at WWDC as well, such as in June 2023, when the Apple Vision Pro was revealed to the public. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums04:58 pmApple announces WWDC 2026 for June 8, iOS 27 set to be revealed
Apple has officially announced WWDC 2026, confirming dates for its next Worldwide Developers Conference. The conference kicks off with a keynote on Monday, June 8, where we expect Apple to announce iOS 27, macOS 27, and much more. more…04:55 pmApple Announces WWDC 2026 Will Take Place June 8 to 12
Apple today said that its 37th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to begin on Monday, June 8 and end on Friday, June 12. Like WWDC 2025, WWDC 2026 will be a primarily online event open to all developers, with no associated cost. WWDC always begins with a keynote that happens on the first day of the event, and this year's keynote will take place on June 8 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will unveil iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, tvOS 27, watchOS 27 and visionOS 27. Apple does plan to hold an in-person component for select developers and students, with the event set to take place on June 8 at the Apple Park Campus in Cupertino, California. Attendees will be invited to watch the keynote and State of the Union at Apple Park, as well as meet with Apple employees and tour the campus. Current Apple Developer Program members, Apple Entrepreneur Camp alumni, prior Swift Student Challenge winners, and current Apple Developer Enterprise Program members can enter to attend the June 8 Apple Park event, and Apple will choose participants through a random lottery. Submissions will be accepted will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. PT on Monday, March 30. Apple accepted submissions for its Swift Student Challenge in February, and winners will be announced soon. Those who are named Distinguished Winners will be invited to Cupertino for a multi-day experience. WWDC 2026 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about all of the new software features and how to incorporate new capabilities into their apps. The keynote and online sessions will be available on the Apple Developer app, Apple website, and YouTube. Apple will provide more information about WWDC 2026 through the Apple Developer app and the Apple Developer website as June approaches.Related Roundup: WWDC 2026Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech IndustryThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums04:55 pmGurman: Many of Apple's Latest Products Are 'as Incremental as Ever'
In his Power On newsletter over the weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman opined that most of Apple's product announcements this month "were as incremental as ever." For example, he said the latest AirPods Max being named "AirPods Max 2" is a "massive stretch" given the headphones received the H2 chip and little else. AirPods Max 2 did gain many new features overall, including increased active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation, but many of these capabilities were enabled as a result of the headphones finally getting the H2 chip from 2022. "The real issue is putting a '2' in the name," he argued. "It means that Apple is treating a maintenance update as if it were a new generation. Historically, this branding would signal meaningful hardware changes." With the AirPods Max 2 name, however, he said it "implies a leap forward that isn't present." "Like the earlier USB-C refresh, this update feels designed to sustain sales rather than push the product forward," he added. While the MacBook Neo is impressive in the sense that it is easily Apple's most affordable new MacBook ever, and the Studio Display XDR checks a lot of boxes, many other products unveiled this month received faster chips and little else, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, and the regular Studio Display. Nevertheless, Gurman acknowledged that customers continue to purchase Apple products, with the company reporting an all-time revenue record last quarter. "Imagine if the recent product updates themselves were as impressive as the advertising," he concluded.Tag: Mark GurmanThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums04:53 pmJobs to Apple in 1999: I think we’re gonna be able to really rock and roll the next few years | 9 to 5 MacJobs to Apple in 1999: I think we’re gonna be able to really rock and roll the next few years
Parker Ortolani came across an incredible video of Steve Jobs speaking to Apple employees over the weekend. Akira Nonaka published the footage of Jobs from 1999. more…04:45 pmWWDC26: June 8-12, 2026
Join the worldwide developer community online for a week of technology, creativity, and community.Be there for the reveal of the latest Apple tools, frameworks, and features. Learn to elevate your apps and games through video sessions hosted by Apple engineers and designers. Engage with Apple experts in labs and connect with the worldwide developer community. All online and free.Learn more about WWDC26 >04:24 pmICN (Seoul) on 2026-03-23
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 23, 16:30 - 21:00 UTCMar 23, 16:02 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in ICN (Seoul) datacenter on 2026-03-23 between 16:30 and 21:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.04:18 pmToday in Apple history: Macintosh LC II is the Mac mini of its day
On March 23, 1992, Apple released the Macintosh LC II, a low-cost “headless” Macintosh that was roughly analogous to today’s Mac minis. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:17 pmThe USB-C Apple Pencil just hit its lowest price since Black Friday
Macworld Apple Pencil USB-C View Deal If you want the full iPad experience, then you need to get an Apple Pencil. It just so happens that the USB-C model is on sale for $60 at Amazon a savings of $19 (25 percent) and the best price we’ve seen all year. Apple’s stylus is darn near perfect, delivering precision control, tilt sensitivity, and low latency. It’s missing some higher-end features offered in the $129 Apple Pencil Pro (pressure sensitivity, squeeze gestures, haptic feedback, and magnetic charging), but the USB-C model is still perfect for taking notes, drawing, signing documents, and so on. The coolest bit is that it charges with a USB-C cable, so you can use the same cable you use to charge your iPad. The Apple Pencil USB-C is broadly compatible within Apple’s entire current iPad lineup, including the iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, and the standard 11th-gen iPad. If you want to make sure the Apple Pencil USB-C will work with your specific tablet, make sure to check our extensive compatibility guide. Go ahead and get the most of your iPad by buying the Apple Pencil USB-C while it’s still on sale for $60 at Amazon.04:16 pmApple Reportedly Working on 'Small Sensor for Managing Home Security'
Here's an interesting tidbit from Mark Gurman's profile of John Ternus for Bloomberg: Apple is apparently working on a smart home sensor. The article said Ternus is leading development of a trio of new home products, including a tabletop robot with a swiveling screen, a smart home hub with Apple Intelligence and facial recognition, and "a small sensor for managing home security." The sensor has an internal codename of J450, according to Gurman. In his previous reporting, he has referred to this J450 product as a security camera, but in his Ternus profile he opted to describe the accessory as a "small sensor." Ultimately, it sounds like it will be both a HomeKit camera and a sensor. Last August, Gurman reported that the camera was "designed for home security" and "has facial recognition and infrared sensors to determine who is in a room." It will be powered by a battery, he added, so it will probably be wireless. In addition to security, Gurman said the accessory will be designed for "automating tasks." "Apple believes users will place cameras throughout their home to help with automation," wrote Gurman. "That could mean turning lights off when someone leaves a room or automatically playing music liked by a particular family member." Indeed, many third-party HomeKit sensors offer all-in-one functionality for motion and people detection, indoor temperature and humidity measurement, the level of light in a room, and more. These sensors are typically part of a home's broader HomeKit ecosystem, working in unison with smart lightbulbs, door locks, thermostats, and more. Apple is planning to develop an entire lineup of smart home cameras and security products, according to that August report, and that might even include a video doorbell with Face ID. These accessories will likely be sold as optional add-ons to the company's long-rumored smart home hub, which is currently expected to launch in September.Tags: Apple Smart Home Camera, Bloomberg, Mark GurmanThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums04:13 pmWi-Fi wouldn't exist without Apple, Steve Jobs said right after the iBook launched
A newly released video of an internal event from 1999 has Steve Jobs explaining why Microsoft would never have added Wi-Fi, and why Apple did.Steve Jobs launches the iBook in 1999, one week before the video of him at Apple was recorded — image credit: AppleAs Apple celebrates its 50th anniversary, a video from nearly 30 years ago has surfaced. Released on YouTube by ex-Apple engineer Akira Nonaka, it shows Steve Jobs making a speech one week after the company's successful launch of the iBook.This was Apple's first consumer laptop and it came as Apple was finally coming out of its long decline. Jobs talked about how the company had then had seven consecutive profitable quarters, and had made $200 million the year before. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums04:11 pmiPhone Air Said to Be Roughly Twice as Popular as iPhone 16 Plus
While it certainly has its critics, the iPhone Air appears to have validated Apple's decision to retire the iPhone Plus, if new results from an independent analysis are anything to go by. Crowdsourced Speedtest data published by Ookla suggests the iPhone Air captured 6.8 percent of iPhone 17 generation samples in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2025, up from the 2.9 percent share the iPhone 16 Plus managed in the same launch window a year earlier. However, the gains seem to have come at the iPhone 17 Pro's expense. The latter model's share fell from 34.9 percent to 30.6 percent year over year, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max remained essentially flat at 55.5 percent. The figures suggest that roughly 4 percent of buyers were willing to trade the better camera and processing power of the smaller iPhone 17 Pro model for the Air's thinner chassis. Apple has had several attempts at making a differentiated fourth iPhone model work. The iPhone mini under-performed over two iterations, while the iPhone 14/15/16 Plus – with its larger screen but without the Pro Max's premium features – fared worse, and neither carved out anything more than a niche fan base. In contrast, the iPhone Air has done what those models couldn't, at least in its opening months of availability. Based on Ookla's data, adoption of Apple's ultra-thin device was even stronger abroad, with the Air taking 11.2 percent share in South Korea, 8.9 percent in Japan, and 8.4 percent in Singapore. Separately, Ookla's testing found that Apple's in-house C1X modem in the iPhone Air has reached effective download parity with the Qualcomm X80 in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and beat it on latency in 19 of 22 analyzed markets. Upload speeds are still Qualcomm's advantage, however, with the X80 holding up to a 32 percent lead in some regions – a gap Ookla attributes to more mature Uplink Carrier Aggregation (UL-CA). For all the details, check out Ookla's full report.Related Roundups: iPhone 16, iPhone AirTag: OoklaBuyer's Guide: iPhone Air (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums04:01 pmIt’s becoming ever more apparent that John Ternus will be Apple’s next CEO
While everyone is careful to note that Apple CEO Tim Cook isn’t likely to retire anytime soon—and that no final decision on his… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.03:58 pmCloseout deal: Get 4 AirTags at their best price ever
You can hoard Apple trackers for yourself or make the whole family a bit more organized for less money, thanks to this epic AirTag deal. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:57 pmThis Mac mini dock looks like a classic Macintosh and has a working display
Macworld If you’re looking for a hub to expand your M4 Mac mini and celebrate Apple’s 50th anniversary, the Wokyis Retro Docking Station is your perfect companion. This dock comes in an enclosure designed in the form of the original all-in-one Macintosh, adding a bit of retro flair to your desk. The dock neatly fits over an M4 Mac mini and has removable bottom panels, so the front and back of the mini remain accessible. The dock offers the following ports: 2 front and 2 rear USB-A ports (10Gbps) 1 front USB-C (10GBps) and 1 rear USB-C port for connecting to the Mac 1 rear HDMI In port 1 rear 3.5mm headphone jack SD/microSD card reader 4.0 The dock/case also has a 5-inch 1280-by-720 display and a slot for an M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD module (not included). Made of plastic, the dock measures 5.71 by 5.16 by 2.13 inches (145 by 131 by 154 mm), and its front ports are positioned to mimic the original Macintosh’s floppy drive. It’s even got a little rainbow logo, air vents, and a retro aesthetic. While the dock was designed to fit perfectly over an M4 Mac mini, it can be used with other Macs and Windows computers (you can leave the bottom panels in place in these instances). However, the computer needs to support Thunderbolt 5/4/3 or have a USB4 port. Wokyis offers two models of its dock. The $170 model has an M.2 SSD slot that supports speeds up to 10Gbps. The $300 model has a faster M.2 SSD slot with support for 80Gbps.03:53 pmPMO (Palermo) on 2026-03-25
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 25, 10:00 - 18:00 UTCMar 23, 15:40 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in PMO (Palermo) datacenter on 2026-03-25 between 10:00 and 18:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.03:43 pm‘CanisterWorm’ Springs Wiper Attack Targeting Iran
A financially motivated data theft and extortion group is attempting to inject itself into the Iran war, unleashing a worm that spreads through poorly secured cloud services and wipes data on infected systems that use Iran's time zone or have Farsi set as the default language.03:40 pmDeals: Apple Watch Series 11 $150 off, M4 MacBook Air clearance at $300 off, M3 iPad Air $200 off, Apple Pencil $59, more | 9 to 5 MacDeals: Apple Watch Series 11 $150 off, M4 MacBook Air clearance at $300 off, M3 iPad Air $200 off, Apple Pencil $59, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by Amazon all-time lows on Apple Watch Series 11 Titanium models at $150 off (Slate, Natural, and Gold) as well as Midnight Apple Watch SE 3 models at $50 off. Alongside the ongoing holiday pricing on AirPods Pro 3, we are also featuring the ongoing Amazon M4 MacBook Air clearance deals at up to $300 off, all 11-inch M3 iPad Air cell configs at nearly $200 off, and a relatively rare deal on Apple Pencil (USB-C) at $59. Head below for a closer look at the details. more…03:38 pm2026 iPad: Everything we know about Apple’s next entry-level tablet
Macworld Rumors about Apple’s 2026 iPads point to faster chips and potential display improvements across the range, from the iPad Air (updated in March 2026) to the Pro (last updated in October 2025). Yet for most buyers, the most important update may be coming to the most affordable model. The entry-level iPad – Apple’s cheapest tablet and the one aimed at students and families – is reportedly set to receive a performance boost from the A18 or A19 processor in an update that could in late 2026. Apple hosted a series of ‘Experiences‘ in various locations on March 4. There it launched a new iPad Air with an M4 chip but no new standard entry-level budget iPad. Apple has four iPad types: entry-level iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro. The current iPad was released in March 2025, and while it’s a perfectly good iPad for most people, it’s the only iPad that doesn’t support Apple Intelligence. Apple’s 2026 update should address that shortcoming. Here’s everything you need to know about the new iPad. 2026 iPad release date: When will Apple launch the next entry-level iPad? Release by end of May (possible) Reports had suggested that a new iPad would be released in early 2026 at Apple’s “Special Experiences” events on March 4. While Apple launched a barely changed iPad Air (basically the new model has a faster M4 processor and some more RAM), there was no sign of a new entry-level standard iPad. While saving the iPad update for later in the year will ensure that it doesn’t cannibalise sales of the iPad Air, a chip upgrade for the iPad has been desired ever since Apple introduced the iPad A16 in March 2025. While it’s a popular option due to its lower price, the current iPad cannot support Apple Intelligence, which seems like one trade-off too far in this era of AI. For this reason Apple is expected to launch the new iPad soon. In a weekend newsletter at the end of March 2026, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested that the new iPad is on the road map for a release in the iOS 26.4 time frame, which runs until May.” So it appears we will not have to wait for much longer. 2026 iPad chip: How much faster will the 2026 iPad be? A19 chip with 6-core CPU 5-core GPU N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 The major upgrade to the upcoming iPad will be a new chip. The reports don’t agree on which chip this will be, however. As we reported in 2025 a code-leak suggested that Apple has been working on a new version of the tablet (codenamed J581 and J582) with an A19 chip inside, the same chip that powers the iPhone 17 series. Other reports refer to the A18 chip being used (as seen in the iPhone 16 generation and the MacBook Neo, Apple’s new budget Mac, which uses an A18 Pro). Both chips are a significant jump from the A16 in the current iPad, and most crucially, compatible with Apple Intelligence. Apple Intelligence was incomprehensibly omitted from 2025’s A16 iPad. If Apple does use the A19 chip, which has a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU in the iPhone 17, Apple will probably use a so-called “binned” A19 with one fewer CPU or GPU core for the iPad, a technique it has implemented in the iPad mini and iPad Air. The A19 is about 50 percent faster than the iPad’s current A16. The A19 comes with 8GB of RAM, about 30 percent more than the 6GB in the A16. The increase in RAM makes the upcoming iPad compatible with Apple Intelligence. Regardless of whether you decide to activate Apple Intelligence or not, the extra RAM will help with performance. The A19 chip offers a 50 percent performance improvement over the A16.Apple With the iPhone 17 lineup and the iPhone Air, Apple introduced the N1, a chip used for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread wireless connectivity. The N1 will likely make its way into the new iPad, which could give the device a jump to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6.3, up from the current Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. If you opt for one of the 5G models, you’ll probably get Apple’s C1 modem or some variant of it. 2026 iPad display: Sticking with LCD or something more? Same LED display as A16 model Brightness, resolution are identical While there are reports that the other iPads (mini, Air and Pro) could get new OLED panels with richer colors and deeper contrast in 2026, the base model is unlikely to evolve from its LCD panel. We expect the upcoming iPad to have the same 11-inch Liquid Retina display 2360-by-1640 display with 500 nits of brightness that it has had since 2022. 2026 iPad design: Any changes beyond internal upgrades? Same dimensions Apple currently offers the iPad in four colors.Apple The A19 iPad is also expected to have the same dimensions: 9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 inches (248.6 x 179.5 x 7 millimeters) and weigh 1.05 pounds (477 grams). We haven’t heard anything about new colors, but since Apple hasn’t changed the color palette (blue, pink, yellow, silver) since its original release, it’s possible we get a couple of new options. 2026 iPad cameras: Could Apple update the FaceTime camera? Britta O’Boyle 12MP rear camera 12MP Center Stage front camera The current iPad has two 12MP cameras, with the front ‘FaceTime’ camera having support for Center Stage. Apple isn’t expected to make changes to the camera for the upcoming iPad. However, the company did change the Centre Stage camera with the arrival of the iPhone 17, and the new ‘square’ 18MP camera could be used on the front of the new iPad. This front-facing camera has a larger, square sensor that supports automatic subject framing, orientation-agnostic capture, and advanced video features. On the iPad the 18MP camera could translate to improved video quality. However, current iPads already support smart framing during video calls so that aspect of the design may not be necessary. 2026 iPad price: Will Apple keep the entry-level iPad affordable? After launching at $449 in 2022, Apple cut the price of the entry-level iPad to $349 in May 2024, and doubled the starting storage from 64GB to 128GB with the 11th-gen model. However, there are a few factors that could impact pricing this year: tariffs and the rising cost of RAM. Apple has yet to adjust the price of any of its products to reflect these additional costs, so it’s unclear if the iPad will be affected.03:35 pmIncreased HTTP 530 Errors in Atlanta (ATL)
Mar 23, 15:35 UTCMonitoring - A fix has been implemented and we are monitoring the results.Mar 23, 15:34 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating an increased rate of HTTP 530 errors specifically affecting ".cloud" and ".tech" traffic routed through our Atlanta (ATL) data center. We are working to identify the root cause and will provide updates as they become available03:30 pmNewly surfaced 1999 Steve Jobs video describes Apple comeback strategy
As Apple turns 50, a newly surfaced video of a 1999 Steve Jobs speech to Apple employees captures the iBook G3 triumph and looks ahead. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:29 pmFirst Matter camera, tvOS 26.4, & Pawport CEO Martin Diamond on Smart Home Insider
On this week's episode of the Smart Home Insider podcast, Pawport CEO Martin Diamond stops by to talk about the news of the week, and how intelligent pet doors can be integrated into the smart home.Smart Home Insider PodcastOur guest host this week is Martin Diamond, founder and CEO of Pawport. Born out of necessity, Pawport is a secure and durable dog door that can help you let your four-legged friends in and out of your house.Pawport can be mounted in a door, in a wall, or even a sheet of glass. The door can be scheduled, controlled through the Pawport app, or triggered via dog-worn sensors. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:29 pmFirst Matter camera, tvOS 26.4, & Pawport CEO Martin Diamond on Smart Home Insider
On this week's episode of the Smart Home Insider podcast, Pawport CEO Martin Diamond stops by to talk about the news of the week, and how intelligent pet doors can be integrated into the smart home.Smart Home Insider PodcastOur guest host this week is Martin Diamond, founder and CEO of Pawport. Born out of necessity, Pawport is a secure and durable dog door that can help you let your four-legged friends in and out of your house.Pawport can be mounted in a door, in a wall, or even a sheet of glass. The door can be scheduled, controlled through the Pawport app, or triggered via dog-worn sensors. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:27 pmApple Sports App on iPhone Receives Three Improvements
Apple's free Sports app received another update today with three improvements: probable starting pitchers for MLB games, car numbers in NASCAR leaderboards, and the ability to turn off sports betting odds directly within the app. These enhancements were added in version 3.9 of the app, available now in the App Store. Turning off betting odds previously required using the Settings app. Launched in 2024, the Apple Sports app is available on the iPhone in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and many countries in Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The app shows scores, stats, standings, and more for a variety of leagues and events, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, F1, Premier League, PGA TOUR, and more.Tag: Apple SportsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums03:17 pmJohn Ternus was behind one of iPad’s most crucial changes, says report
Over the weekend, Bloomberg published an in-depth profile of Apple’s John Ternus, who many see as the company’s likely next CEO. The report also offers fascinating details on Ternus’ role in the iPad’s development. more…03:14 pmDarkSword Exploit Threatens iPhones Still Running iOS 18
Security researchers have discovered DarkSword, a sophisticated exploit chain targeting iOS 18.4 through 18.7.2. Unlike past spyware aimed at high-profile targets, DarkSword is being surreptitiously deployed on legitimate websites against ordinary users.03:14 pmiPhone Air sells better than you might realize
The iPhone Air accomplished one of the goals Apple surely had for it. And the super-slim handset has found an audience among style-conscious buyers. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:02 pmWorkers API increased latency
Mar 23, 15:02 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating an issue causing increased latency for the Workers API02:56 pmAirTag 1 Gets Major Amazon Discount With 4-Pack at $59.99
Apple's first-generation AirTag 4-Pack has dropped to $59.99 this week on Amazon, down from the original price of $99.00. Free shipping options have a delivery estimate around March 28, while Prime members should be able to get it delivered a few days sooner. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Overall, this is a new all-time low price on the AirTag 4-pack. Amazon's stock on the first generation AirTag 1-Pack has begun dwindling now that the new second generation models are here, so anyone interested in this low price on the first gen 4-Pack should pick it up while it's still around. $39 OFFAirTag 4-Pack for $59.99 Apple recently debuted the all-new AirTag, featuring longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker. We haven't tracked any notable discounts on the new second generation models as of yet, so anyone who wants to save money should keep looking into the original models. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums02:53 pmUnited States SMS Carrier Maintenance – Verizon
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 31, 21:00 PDT - Apr 1, 03:00 PDTMar 23, 07:47 PDTScheduled - The Verizon network in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 31 March 2026 at 21:00 PDT until 01 April 2026 at 03:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from Verizon United States handsets.02:28 pmApple’s next Sports app update improves MLB and NASCAR fan experience
Apple’s excellent Sports app for iPhone has a new version out today that includes two new features. Both MLB and NASCAR fans will appreciate the latest improvements. more…02:28 pmApple’s MacBook Neo is the perfect AI computer
Apple's MacBook Neo is exceptionally well-equipped for the very thing tech companies obsess over these days: AI. With its powerful… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.02:18 pmSteve Jobs Talks iBook, AirPort, and More in Newly Surfaced 1999 Video
A newly surfaced internal 1999 Apple campus video of Steve Jobs provides a rare, unfiltered look at the company's post-turnaround strategy. The video is a recording of a July 27, 1999 employee gathering at Apple's Cupertino campus, uploaded by former Apple software engineer Akira Nonaka, who worked at Apple from 1991 to 2000. The 15-minute talk appears to have been recorded informally, likely by an employee present at the event, and has apparently not previously been shared online. The remarks come just two years after Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, when the company was struggling financially and had a fragmented product lineup. The speech directly followed Apple's Macworld New York 1999 appearance, where it unveiled the iBook G3, its first consumer laptop in years. Jobs said the event drew nearly 50,000 attendees and received extensive media coverage, and he credited teams across the company for delivering the product. We introduced our iBook and everybody loved it and the show was amazing. It was the biggest New York Macworld ever... you should be really proud of this. Everybody's just going nuts over it, including our competitors. The talk outlines Apple's product strategy at the time, centered on its four-quadrant lineup of consumer and professional desktops and portables. With the iBook, Jobs said the matrix was complete alongside the iMac, Power Mac G3, and PowerBook G3, and noted that several of these products were already on their second or third iterations. A significant part of the talk focuses on AirPort, Apple's then-new wireless networking system developed with Lucent. Jobs described it as a long-awaited breakthrough, especially for education, and emphasized Apple's role in making it affordable and easy to use through integration with its other products. This is something that people have been dreaming about for over a decade... we were able to work with Lucent... to make it a very low-cost product... and do all of the software work to make it all transparent... it just works. Jobs said Apple could bring technologies like wireless networking and FireWire to market more effectively because it controlled the whole product, unlike competitors such as Dell and Compaq that had to coordinate across multiple companies. And the reason now, the strategic reason that we have that shot is because we're the last company in this business to make the whole widget... let's go for it and align behind that and bring innovation to the marketplace in a way that when you have to convince five companies, it's very hard. [...] We can break through those things and bring innovation to customers because we control enough. [...] ... we're the last people in this business who give a shit about making great computers. The talk also includes commentary on Apple's financial performance and internal transformation, but he rejected the idea that the company's primary goal had been financial recovery. The reason I came back here had nothing to do with turning Apple around... what we love even more is putting these great products out into the world and seeing people use them... the reason I came back... is to make Apple great again, right? This reflects a broader shift at Apple during the period, as the company moved beyond crisis management and began focusing on long-term product development and growth. Jobs said the previous two years had been spent rebuilding key capabilities across the business, from operations to engineering and design, adding that Apple had achieved "the best operational excellence in the business now, even better than Dell." Jobs' successor, Tim Cook, joined Apple just a year earlier as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations. The video also shows Jobs deliberately avoiding direct competition in enterprise markets, which were dominated by Windows systems and large corporate IT deployments, with Jobs instead reaffirming the company's focus on creative professionals, education, and consumers. We're not going to go make a frontal assault on the enterprise... we're going to go and sell to creative professionals... regain our leadership position in education... and come back in the consumer market with a vengeance. He also expressed confidence in Apple's future product pipeline, stating that the company had multiple upcoming releases that he described as "the best stuff I've ever seen in my life." This likely alluded to the introduction of Mac OS X and the iPod just two years later.Tag: Steve JobsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums02:00 pmInstagram encryption U-turn leaves us all more vulnerable
Meta claimed for years that it was technically challenging to implement end-to-end encryption across Facebook Messenger and Instagram DMs, but back in 2023 said that it had resolved those issues. Unfortunately, the company has now made a U-turn on Instagram direct messages, and that’s bad news for all of us … more…01:28 pmApple Reportedly Preparing 'Biggest Set of iPhone Revamps' Ever
Apple is working on "the biggest set of iPhone revamps in the product's history," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Specifically, he is referring to the long-rumored foldable iPhone, as well as an ambitious 20th-anniversary iPhone with a truly "edge-to-edge" design. In an in-depth profile of Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus, who is widely considered to be the leading candidate to become Apple's next CEO whenever Tim Cook steps down, Gurman said Ternus is "overseeing the biggest set of iPhone revamps in the product's history, including a foldable model this year and a version with an edge-to-edge screen that could arrive as early as 2027, for the device's 20th anniversary." Apple is expected to unveil the foldable iPhone in September this year, while the 20th-anniversary iPhone would debut next year, if such a device materializes. Apple unveiled the original iPhone in January 2007, so the iconic device turns 20 next year. Given the article was focused on Ternus, it did not provide any further details about these iPhone models, but there are already plenty of rumors. Like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, the foldable iPhone will open up like a book, providing users with a large screen for watching videos, playing games, and multitasking. iOS 27 is expected to be optimized for the foldable iPhone, allowing for side-by-side apps. A few months ago, a report said the foldable iPhone will be equipped with a 7.7-inch inner display, and a 5.3-inch outer display. It was initially rumored that the device would have a virtually "crease-free" inner display, but it was later reported that Apple is using technology that "reduces the crease without eliminating it entirely." Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the foldable iPhone to have two rear cameras, one front camera, and a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID. As for the 20th-anniversary iPhone, previous reports have indicated that the device will have a seamless design, with a curved glass enclosure and no cutouts in the display. To achieve this, the front camera would be located under the screen. It is unclear if Apple will be able to pull off such a device by next year, but if it does, then it truly would be a big two years ahead for the iPhone.Related Roundup: iPhone FoldTags: 20th-Anniversary iPhone, Bloomberg, Foldable iPhone, Mark GurmanThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums01:14 pmApple Considered Adding a Camera to the HomePod Years Ago
Apple considered launching a HomePod with a camera and additional sensors years before the upcoming "HomePad" device, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In a detailed profile of Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus, Gurman revealed that Apple considered adding a camera and a more advanced array of sensors to the original HomePod, which was announced in 2017. Ternus apparently believed that the additional capabilities would push up development costs and decided to cancel the features as a result. Ternus was said to be reluctant to invest deeply in smart home devices when the first leading products from Amazon and Google arrived on the market around a decade ago. He subsequently took "some responsibility" for Apple falling behind in the smart home category. Now, Ternus is leading Apple's efforts to re-establish itself in the smart home market with three new products, including an AI-powered smart home hub with facial recognition (J490), a small sensor for managing home security (J450), and a robotic device (J595). The smart home hub, dubbed "HomePad" in some reports, is expected to launch in the fall of 2026. Related Roundup: HomePodTags: Bloomberg, John Ternus, Mark GurmanBuyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums01:02 pmThe person who could be Apple CEO: Who is John Ternus?
All things considered, John Ternus is the center of speculation as being the best and most likely choice for control of the company. Who is he, and how did he get here?John TernusApple, like many other massive companies with giant workforces and a decades-long history, have to plan for the future direction of the company. Part of that preparation involves determining who will take control as CEO after the current leader departs, and what to do to prepare for that inevitability.For Apple and its aging leadership, Apple has to find its replacement for Tim Cook. Even though Cook probably won't be retiring in 2026, the sheer size and number of moving parts at Apple means it has to prepare now, so there's enough of a runway for the heir to the position to get ready, as well as the company itself, from 2027 onward. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:00 pmFolding iPhone rumored to get new glass sandwich screen to prevent damage
Apple's quest to prevent damage to the iPhone Fold display has led it to a new design that will protect the screen from Apple's own hinge mechanism.A render of what the iPhone Fold could look like - Image Credit: AppleInsiderThe development of the iPhone Fold has been dominated by Apple ensuring it doesn't fall into the same trap as other devices in having screen crease issues. If a Monday claim is true, Apple is also protecting the display from the iPhone Fold's physical hardware, too.In a Monday post to Weibo, serial leaker Digital Chat Station claims that the display used in the iPhone Fold will go beyond using "self-healing glass" and a seamless hinge design. The structure of the display panel itself will also play a role. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:00 pm‘For All Mankind’ season five is a must-watch for fans of Apple TV’s original sci-fi series | 9 to 5 Mac‘For All Mankind’ season five is a must-watch for fans of Apple TV’s original sci-fi series
Season five of “For All Mankind” lands on Apple TV this Friday. The new episodes are must-watch TV for fans of early seasons of the sci-fi series. The show goes from weird to gut-wrenchingly emotional to outright cinematic and suspenseful over the course of the first eight episodes. As a viewer, I can’t wait to see where this season’s finale takes us in this alt-history timeline’s future. After six years and five seasons, however, the challenge for “For All Mankind” is very clear. more…12:55 pmBroadcasters urge EU to tighten rules for Apple, other Big Tech firms in smart TV standoff | Mac Daily NewsBroadcasters urge EU to tighten rules for Apple, other Big Tech firms in smart TV standoff
Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung’s smart TVs and virtual assistants should fall under the EU’s toughest tech rules because of their… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.12:49 pmApple Store External Storage Prices Spike Amid AI-Driven Shortage
Apple last week hiked the prices of external hard drives sold through its online store and retail locations, as noted by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said that Apple updated the pricing on several external drive offerings recently, and the increases are steep. For example, a SanDisk 4TB solid-state external drive that previously sold for around $500 now costs $1,200, while a 1TB model has jumped from $120 to $360. The price hikes are said to be indirectly caused by the AI-fueled demand for memory and storage chips, which is continuing to squeeze the consumer market. Gurman noted that it is vendors who set the pricing on third-party accessories, rather than Apple. However, the impact on buyers is the same regardless. It's not just a pricing issue either. External drives on Apple's online store are largely sold out, with most models showing no availability for delivery or in-store pickup. Shoppers at physical Apple Store locations may still find stock, but at the same inflated prices. Similar shortages and hikes can be found at Best Buy, Amazon, and other retailers. The shortage stems from the same supply crunch that forced Apple to raise MacBook Air and MacBook Pro prices by $100 earlier this month. Its removal of the Mac Studio's top 512GB RAM memory upgrade was also likely related. As things stand, AI data center build-outs are consuming enormous quantities of NAND flash and memory chips, and manufacturers are prioritizing those lucrative enterprise contracts over consumer products. As Gurman notes, the situation is likely to get worse throughout 2026 – and possible beyond.Tags: Apple Store, Mark GurmanThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums12:34 pmIt just got a little easier for iPhones to talk to Samsung phones
Macworld Following the surprising rollout of AirDrop support on Pixel phones by Google late last year, Samsung has announced that AirDrop support is coming to Galaxy phones too. The feature, which will work through Android Quick Share, will roll out to Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra phones this week and additional models at a later date. Like on Pixel phones, the feature will be off by default, and only works with AirDrop’s “Everyone for 10 minutes” sharing mode. This setting on iPhones allows all nearby Apple devices using AirDrop to communicate with your device for 10 minutes before reverting to “Contacts Only.” As with unknown iPhones, the user will need to select this option before receiving files from a Samsung phone. But otherwise, it will work in the same way, delivering documents and images wirelessly when the recipient accepts. While the feature isn’t a workaround, it’s also not officially supported by Apple. It relies on a technical loophole that allows AirDrop to function as a generic peer-to-peer network for a short time. While Apple could block the ability for Android phones to communicate with iPhones this way, that doesn’t seem likely. In the iOS 26.2 update in December, Apple seemingly gave the feature tacit approval by adding an additional layer of security when using AirDrop with someone who isn’t in your contacts list. AirDrop will show a PIN code similar to Apple TV pairing, which will allow the devices to communicate for 30 days before asking again. Besides, Google says the feature was built “with the same rigorous security standards that we apply to all Google products” and is “just the first step in seamless cross-platform sharing.” So iPhone users shouldn’t have to worry about any risks. So if you’re a Samsung user among a sea of iPhones, you’ll soon be able to easily share pictures and other files. But only if you ask first.12:27 pmReddit CEO highlights a hidden benefit of Face ID and Touch ID
The tech industry is currently in the middle of a rather gradual security transition from usernames and passwords to passkeys. Passkeys are far more secure as online services don’t store your username and password, but Reddit CEO Steve Huffman says that the use of Face ID and Touch ID has an additional benefit … more…12:18 pmCook praises Chinese developers as government presses for open App Store
Tim Cook has again spoken at the China Development Forum in Beijing, praising Chinese developers, but not quite getting the same praise back.Tim Cook speaking at the 2019 China Development Forum — image credit: CDFCook was in China in part for the concert celebrating Apple's 50th anniversary, but he also returned to the annual China Development Forum. He's previously been one of the few American CEOs to attend, and as spotted by Bloomberg, he once more used his speech to talk positively about Apple's relationship with China."Innovation, green development and education are not separate properties, they are deeply connected," Cook said during his speech. "They represent the vision of progress that we at Apple share, and we are committed to collaborating with our partners across China and with all of you to make that vision a reality." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:00 pmThe Lenovo Auto AI Box: Plug-and-Play Savior of the Modern Car
Lenovo’s Auto AI Box offers automakers a shortcut to in-vehicle AI, replacing complex in-house builds with a scalable, plug-and-play platform. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.11:54 amWhat M5 Pro, M5 Max get using vertically-stacked dies for performance
Apple's chip designs for the M5 Pro and M5 Max stack the dies, using the same UltraFusion architecture that enabled the creation of Apple's Ultra chips. Here's how and why that's faster than before.M5 Pro, M5 Max - Image credit: AppleThe M5 Pro and M5 Max are very powerful chips, but getting that high performance required the engineers to come up with new ways to design the chips in the first place. In the latest releases, Apple actually borrowed an idea from its Ultra line for its M5 chip packing.Speaking to Heise Online in an article spotted by WCCFTech, Anand Shimpi of Apple's Hardware Technologies department explained that the UltraFusion architecture of the M2 Ultra and M3 Ultra helped create the M5 Pro and Max. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:52 amApple has more plans to protect the the iPhone Fold display, says report
Early folding phones were notorious for the internal display being vulnerable to damage. Indeed, the first Samsung Galaxy Fold saw all pre-orders cancelled because of this issue. A new supply chain report suggests that Apple is adopting two further measures in order to protect the iPhone Fold display, as well as reduce the visibility of the crease … more…11:21 amMore pointers to John Ternus as the next Apple CEO
While everyone is careful to acknowledge that Apple CEO Tim Cook isn’t likely to retire imminently, and that the decision about his replacement hasn’t yet been made, there seems little doubt that John Ternus is the current heir apparent. An extensive new Bloomberg profile underlines this, describing both internal and external pointers to the company’s favored choice … more…11:20 amFoldable iPhone Uses Layered Glass to Reduce Display Crease
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone will use a dual-layer ultra-thin glass structure to reduce display crease visibility, a new supply chain rumor suggests. According to Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple's first book-style foldable will feature two layers of ultra-thin glass (UTG) or ultra-thin flexible glass (UFG), with the display sandwiched between them, isolating it from direct contact with the hinge. The arrangement is designed to spread mechanical stress across multiple layers rather than concentrating it on a single sheet, which could improve durability and reduce visible creasing over time. The approach would be a departure from most current foldables, which typically use a single UTG layer that must simultaneously handle bending forces and protect the display underneath. Decoupling the display from the hinge mechanism could also help Apple meet its reported goal of making the crease almost imperceptible – though more recent reports have pushed back on past "crease-free" claims. As we reported in December, Apple has been testing next-generation UFG with variable thickness, with a thinner layer at the fold for flexibility, and a thicker layer elsewhere for rigidity. The latest rumor suggests Apple has developed a composite glass stack rather than relying on a single panel alone. The foldable iPhone is expected to launch later in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, although recently one analyst claimed the device could be released closer to December. The device is expected to feature an approximately 5.3- to 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner screen. It will reportedly use liquid metal hinges to achieve a virtually crease-free display and is expected to be priced between $2,000 and $2,500, making it Apple's most expensive iPhone ever.Tags: Digital Chat Station, Foldable iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums11:13 amElaborate 50th anniversary party to be held at Apple Park
In what's probably the culmination of Apple's 50th anniversary celebrations, maybe we'll get to see Tim Cook dance again at a large-scale party now being planned at Apple Park.Apple Park is to host an elaborate 50th anniversary partyThe anniversary celebrations were started by Tim Cook writing an open letter about Apple's five decades, and since then events have followed in New York, China, South Korea, France, and Thailand. More are expected in the UK, Canada, and Australia, but probably the biggest one will be at Apple Park.According to Bloomberg, Apple is planning what's described as "an elaborate 50th birthday party" at its Cupertino, California headquarters. There are no further details in the article, and not even confirmed dates, but there is supposition that John Ternus will be center stage as the most likely next CEO of the company. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:02 am12 hidden iMessage features every iPhone user should try
Macworld For many iPhone users, iMessage is the definitive communication app, an intuitive instant-messaging platform for texting and sharing media with friends and family. And it keeps getting better and better. Over the years, Apple has steadily expanded the service with support for new attachment types and add-ons, including dedicated mini apps. Yet many users stick to iMessage for basic texting, unaware of how much more it can do. If you’re looking to take your conversations to the next level, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with these hidden iMessage features. If you’re an iPhone user who mainly relies on iMessage for basic texting, this guide will help you discover features that go far beyond simple messages. If you want to save time, stay organised, or improve how you communicate, you’ll learn practical tools like scheduling, transcripts, and automations. If you’re curious about hidden or lesser-known iMessage features, you’ll uncover capabilities you may not have realised existed. And if you’re looking to make your chats more personal, expressive, or interactive, you’ll find plenty of ways to customise and enhance your conversations. What you’ll learn from this guide How to schedule iMessages in advance so you never forget important texts How to save time on voice notes with playback speed controls and transcripts How to use Check In for safety, sharing your location and arrival status How to translate messages automatically in multilingual conversations How to automate actions and replies using the Shortcuts app Plus a range of customisation and fun features (effects, backgrounds, games, handwritten notes) Scheduling This tip is useful if you forget birthdays or send late-night texts. iMessage lets you schedule messages up to 14 days in advance, making it easier to avoid unnecessary late-night texts or to ensure you don’t forget to reach out on an important special occasion. Hit the plus button, select Send Later, pick a date and time, and type your message. Once scheduled, iMessage will store the text in Apple’s servers and deliver it on the chosen day—even if your iPhone isn’t connected to Wi-Fi or 5G. If you suspect you’ll forget to send a time-sensitive message, schedule it in advance.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Checking In Here’s a tip for staying safe when travelling alone. If you’re heading home at night or taking a route through a sketchy area, it might be wise to use the built-in Check In app in iMessage to grant a trusted contact access to your location. With your permission, it will show them exactly which road you’ve taken and when to expect you to arrive at the chosen destination. It’s one of the lesser-known iMessage perks that can make you feel safer. Voice memo speed This is helpful when friends send long voice notes. You’re probably aware of the Audio app in iMessage, which lets you instantly record and send voice memos to express yourself. Sending voice memos can be fun and convenient. Receiving them, not so much. If you tend to receive long audio messages from your friends, and would like to save a little time while listening to them, tap and hold the play button to reveal 1.25x, 1.5x, and 2x playback speeds. Alternatively, you can hit the small arrow under the audio message to read an auto-generated transcript of detected speech. Listening to voice memos can be tedious. Speed things up and save time, or just read a transcript.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Translations To understand messages instantly and reply naturally use Translate. With remote work culture making it practical for digital nomads to work from the country of their choice, making foreign friends has become more common. iMessage accommodates multilingual conversations through its translation feature. Simply tap and hold a foreign text and tap Translate. If the entire chat is in a foreign language, you could alternatively tap on the recipient’s profile photo to view their contact card and enable the Automatically Translate toggle, then select a language from the 12 options. This will effortlessly translate the entire chat to your native language. Message effects You can make important messages stand out and convey tone clearly with this tip. iMessage supports bubble and screen effects, which animate texts you send on the recipient’s end. To mark a spoiler, for example, you could use the invisible ink effect, which conceals text and media. Likewise, you could release some balloons or confetti in the chat by picking the relevant effect when congratulating someone. All you have to do is tap and hold the send button and choose one of the listed effects. iMessage’s range of screen effects include a spotlight for added drama.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Text Formatting Format text to emphasise key words or points. For something a bit more subtle, you could opt for text formatting. Select the desired word(s) in the iMessage text box, and tap on Text Effects. This will reveal formatting options, such as bold and italics, along with less dramatic animations that don’t take over the entire screen. Automations Let your iPhone trigger helpful actions for you automatically. iMessage caters to power users through native integrations with the Apple Shortcuts app. You can program the system to run tasks automatically whenever a chosen contact texts you or you receive a specific keyword. To get started, head to the Automation tab in the Shortcuts app, create a new automation, and pick Message. Pick a sender and/or a keyword to trigger the automation, and go for the Run Immediately option to avoid having to confirm manually each time. You can then proceed to the next screen to choose the tasks iOS should perform whenever the automation is initiated. Conversely, you can create a reminder in the Reminders app and set it to alert you about a certain matter whenever you text a person of your choosing. Simply enable the When Messaging toggle in a reminder’s settings and pick a contact. Handwritten notes Make messages feel more personal and thoughtful. There’s arguably no text more personal than a handwritten one, and iMessage happens to support that. Open any of your iMessage chats and rotate your iPhone sideways. The default iOS keyboard will then reveal a concealed scribble button (the cursive loop at the bottom-right) exclusive to the landscape orientation. Write a note, or doodle a picture, and then hit send. Handwritten messages become possible when you flip the iPhone on its side.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Social heartbeat Demonstrate your emotions. If you’re looking to send an even more intimate message, you could share your actual heartbeat with an iMessage contact. Tap on the plus (+) button in a chat to reveal the list of installed iMessage apps and choose Digital Touch. Tap and hold with two fingers on the black canvas and release when you’re ready to send. With your permission, the feature will read and imitate your recent heart rate records and display an accurate animation on the recipient’s end. It’ll even vibrate accordingly if they’re wearing an Apple Watch. If you don’t use an Apple Watch or a compatible accessory that adds heart rate data to the Health app, you could still send a generic heartbeat animation using the same command. Multiplayer games Turn a passive chat into a shared activity. The Messages app’s usefulness extends beyond traditional texting. If you and a friend are bored, you could search the App Store for iMessage games and download a few that catch your eye. Once installed, you can launch the game using the plus button in an iMessage chat to initiate a round. Typically, iMessage games are turn-based, so you can make a move, send the session to the other party, and wait for them to reciprocate. It’s a fun, simple way to spend time with someone while apart. Conversation backgrounds A characterful background is just the thing for livening up a conversation.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Make chats easier to recognise at a glance. iMessage has become increasingly customisable, with chat backgrounds one of the most recent additions. To set this up, tap the contact card in the desired chat (the recipient or group name at the top of the screen) then select the Backgrounds tab. This will let you pick a photo, color mix, default pattern, or AI-generated illustration. It’s worth noting that chat backgrounds appear on both ends of the conversation, so your friend will see what you pick and vice versa. Name and photo sharing Make conversations feel more personal and trustworthy. Messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram have long supported profile photos and display names. This helps people identify you, especially when you contact them for the first time. iMessage recently adopted a similar functionality that updates your contact card on their devices. On the Messages app’s main screen, tap the Edit button in the top-left corner, then hit Set Up Name & Photo. You can then proceed to pick an avatar, poster, first name, and surname, along with adjusting the privacy settings of this feature. It’s an underused way to make your chat more “you” on your friends’ iPhones. So much for the positives. But if you’re having problems, you may next wish to read How to fix iMessage.11:02 am12 hidden iMessage features every iPhone user should try
Macworld For many iPhone users, iMessage is the definitive communication app, an intuitive instant-messaging platform for texting and sharing media with friends and family. And it keeps getting better and better. Over the years, Apple has steadily expanded the service with support for new attachment types and add-ons, including dedicated mini apps. Yet many users stick to iMessage for basic texting, unaware of how much more it can do. If you’re looking to take your conversations to the next level, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with these hidden iMessage features. If you’re an iPhone user who mainly relies on iMessage for basic texting, this guide will help you discover features that go far beyond simple messages. If you want to save time, stay organised, or improve how you communicate, you’ll learn practical tools like scheduling, transcripts, and automations. If you’re curious about hidden or lesser-known iMessage features, you’ll uncover capabilities you may not have realised existed. And if you’re looking to make your chats more personal, expressive, or interactive, you’ll find plenty of ways to customise and enhance your conversations. What you’ll learn from this guide How to schedule iMessages in advance so you never forget important texts How to save time on voice notes with playback speed controls and transcripts How to use Check In for safety, sharing your location and arrival status How to translate messages automatically in multilingual conversations How to automate actions and replies using the Shortcuts app Plus a range of customisation and fun features (effects, backgrounds, games, handwritten notes) Scheduling This tip is useful if you forget birthdays or send late-night texts. iMessage lets you schedule messages up to 14 days in advance, making it easier to avoid unnecessary late-night texts or to ensure you don’t forget to reach out on an important special occasion. Hit the plus button, select Send Later, pick a date and time, and type your message. Once scheduled, iMessage will store the text in Apple’s servers and deliver it on the chosen day—even if your iPhone isn’t connected to Wi-Fi or 5G. If you suspect you’ll forget to send a time-sensitive message, schedule it in advance.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Checking In Here’s a tip for staying safe when travelling alone. If you’re heading home at night or taking a route through a sketchy area, it might be wise to use the built-in Check In app in iMessage to grant a trusted contact access to your location. With your permission, it will show them exactly which road you’ve taken and when to expect you to arrive at the chosen destination. It’s one of the lesser-known iMessage perks that can make you feel safer. Voice memo speed This is helpful when friends send long voice notes. You’re probably aware of the Audio app in iMessage, which lets you instantly record and send voice memos to express yourself. Sending voice memos can be fun and convenient. Receiving them, not so much. If you tend to receive long audio messages from your friends, and would like to save a little time while listening to them, tap and hold the play button to reveal 1.25x, 1.5x, and 2x playback speeds. Alternatively, you can hit the small arrow under the audio message to read an auto-generated transcript of detected speech. Listening to voice memos can be tedious. Speed things up and save time, or just read a transcript.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Translations To understand messages instantly and reply naturally use Translate. With remote work culture making it practical for digital nomads to work from the country of their choice, making foreign friends has become more common. iMessage accommodates multilingual conversations through its translation feature. Simply tap and hold a foreign text and tap Translate. If the entire chat is in a foreign language, you could alternatively tap on the recipient’s profile photo to view their contact card and enable the Automatically Translate toggle, then select a language from the 12 options. This will effortlessly translate the entire chat to your native language. Message effects You can make important messages stand out and convey tone clearly with this tip. iMessage supports bubble and screen effects, which animate texts you send on the recipient’s end. To mark a spoiler, for example, you could use the invisible ink effect, which conceals text and media. Likewise, you could release some balloons or confetti in the chat by picking the relevant effect when congratulating someone. All you have to do is tap and hold the send button and choose one of the listed effects. iMessage’s range of screen effects include a spotlight for added drama.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Text Formatting Format text to emphasise key words or points. For something a bit more subtle, you could opt for text formatting. Select the desired word(s) in the iMessage text box, and tap on Text Effects. This will reveal formatting options, such as bold and italics, along with less dramatic animations that don’t take over the entire screen. Automations Let your iPhone trigger helpful actions for you automatically. iMessage caters to power users through native integrations with the Apple Shortcuts app. You can program the system to run tasks automatically whenever a chosen contact texts you or you receive a specific keyword. To get started, head to the Automation tab in the Shortcuts app, create a new automation, and pick Message. Pick a sender and/or a keyword to trigger the automation, and go for the Run Immediately option to avoid having to confirm manually each time. You can then proceed to the next screen to choose the tasks iOS should perform whenever the automation is initiated. Conversely, you can create a reminder in the Reminders app and set it to alert you about a certain matter whenever you text a person of your choosing. Simply enable the When Messaging toggle in a reminder’s settings and pick a contact. Handwritten notes Make messages feel more personal and thoughtful. There’s arguably no text more personal than a handwritten one, and iMessage happens to support that. Open any of your iMessage chats and rotate your iPhone sideways. The default iOS keyboard will then reveal a concealed scribble button (the cursive loop at the bottom-right) exclusive to the landscape orientation. Write a note, or doodle a picture, and then hit send. Handwritten messages become possible when you flip the iPhone on its side.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Social heartbeat Demonstrate your emotions. If you’re looking to send an even more intimate message, you could share your actual heartbeat with an iMessage contact. Tap on the plus (+) button in a chat to reveal the list of installed iMessage apps and choose Digital Touch. Tap and hold with two fingers on the black canvas and release when you’re ready to send. With your permission, the feature will read and imitate your recent heart rate records and display an accurate animation on the recipient’s end. It’ll even vibrate accordingly if they’re wearing an Apple Watch. If you don’t use an Apple Watch or a compatible accessory that adds heart rate data to the Health app, you could still send a generic heartbeat animation using the same command. Multiplayer games Turn a passive chat into a shared activity. The Messages app’s usefulness extends beyond traditional texting. If you and a friend are bored, you could search the App Store for iMessage games and download a few that catch your eye. Once installed, you can launch the game using the plus button in an iMessage chat to initiate a round. Typically, iMessage games are turn-based, so you can make a move, send the session to the other party, and wait for them to reciprocate. It’s a fun, simple way to spend time with someone while apart. Conversation backgrounds A characterful background is just the thing for livening up a conversation.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Make chats easier to recognise at a glance. iMessage has become increasingly customisable, with chat backgrounds one of the most recent additions. To set this up, tap the contact card in the desired chat (the recipient or group name at the top of the screen) then select the Backgrounds tab. This will let you pick a photo, color mix, default pattern, or AI-generated illustration. It’s worth noting that chat backgrounds appear on both ends of the conversation, so your friend will see what you pick and vice versa. Name and photo sharing Make conversations feel more personal and trustworthy. Messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram have long supported profile photos and display names. This helps people identify you, especially when you contact them for the first time. iMessage recently adopted a similar functionality that updates your contact card on their devices. On the Messages app’s main screen, tap the Edit button in the top-left corner, then hit Set Up Name & Photo. You can then proceed to pick an avatar, poster, first name, and surname, along with adjusting the privacy settings of this feature. It’s an underused way to make your chat more “you” on your friends’ iPhones. So much for the positives. But if you’re having problems, you may next wish to read How to fix iMessage.11:02 am12 hidden iMessage features every iPhone user should try
Macworld For many iPhone users, iMessage is the definitive communication app, an intuitive instant-messaging platform for texting and sharing media with friends and family. And it keeps getting better and better. Over the years, Apple has steadily expanded the service with support for new attachment types and add-ons, including dedicated mini apps. Yet many users stick to iMessage for basic texting, unaware of how much more it can do. If you’re looking to take your conversations to the next level, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with these hidden iMessage features. If you’re an iPhone user who mainly relies on iMessage for basic texting, this guide will help you discover features that go far beyond simple messages. If you want to save time, stay organised, or improve how you communicate, you’ll learn practical tools like scheduling, transcripts, and automations. If you’re curious about hidden or lesser-known iMessage features, you’ll uncover capabilities you may not have realised existed. And if you’re looking to make your chats more personal, expressive, or interactive, you’ll find plenty of ways to customise and enhance your conversations. What you’ll learn from this guide How to schedule iMessages in advance so you never forget important texts How to save time on voice notes with playback speed controls and transcripts How to use Check In for safety, sharing your location and arrival status How to translate messages automatically in multilingual conversations How to automate actions and replies using the Shortcuts app Plus a range of customisation and fun features (effects, backgrounds, games, handwritten notes) Scheduling This tip is useful if you forget birthdays or send late-night texts. iMessage lets you schedule messages up to 14 days in advance, making it easier to avoid unnecessary late-night texts or to ensure you don’t forget to reach out on an important special occasion. Hit the plus button, select Send Later, pick a date and time, and type your message. Once scheduled, iMessage will store the text in Apple’s servers and deliver it on the chosen day—even if your iPhone isn’t connected to Wi-Fi or 5G. If you suspect you’ll forget to send a time-sensitive message, schedule it in advance.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Checking In Here’s a tip for staying safe when travelling alone. If you’re heading home at night or taking a route through a sketchy area, it might be wise to use the built-in Check In app in iMessage to grant a trusted contact access to your location. With your permission, it will show them exactly which road you’ve taken and when to expect you to arrive at the chosen destination. It’s one of the lesser-known iMessage perks that can make you feel safer. Voice memo speed This is helpful when friends send long voice notes. You’re probably aware of the Audio app in iMessage, which lets you instantly record and send voice memos to express yourself. Sending voice memos can be fun and convenient. Receiving them, not so much. If you tend to receive long audio messages from your friends, and would like to save a little time while listening to them, tap and hold the play button to reveal 1.25x, 1.5x, and 2x playback speeds. Alternatively, you can hit the small arrow under the audio message to read an auto-generated transcript of detected speech. Listening to voice memos can be tedious. Speed things up and save time, or just read a transcript.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Translations To understand messages instantly and reply naturally use Translate. With remote work culture making it practical for digital nomads to work from the country of their choice, making foreign friends has become more common. iMessage accommodates multilingual conversations through its translation feature. Simply tap and hold a foreign text and tap Translate. If the entire chat is in a foreign language, you could alternatively tap on the recipient’s profile photo to view their contact card and enable the Automatically Translate toggle, then select a language from the 12 options. This will effortlessly translate the entire chat to your native language. Message effects You can make important messages stand out and convey tone clearly with this tip. iMessage supports bubble and screen effects, which animate texts you send on the recipient’s end. To mark a spoiler, for example, you could use the invisible ink effect, which conceals text and media. Likewise, you could release some balloons or confetti in the chat by picking the relevant effect when congratulating someone. All you have to do is tap and hold the send button and choose one of the listed effects. iMessage’s range of screen effects include a spotlight for added drama.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Text Formatting Format text to emphasise key words or points. For something a bit more subtle, you could opt for text formatting. Select the desired word(s) in the iMessage text box, and tap on Text Effects. This will reveal formatting options, such as bold and italics, along with less dramatic animations that don’t take over the entire screen. Automations Let your iPhone trigger helpful actions for you automatically. iMessage caters to power users through native integrations with the Apple Shortcuts app. You can program the system to run tasks automatically whenever a chosen contact texts you or you receive a specific keyword. To get started, head to the Automation tab in the Shortcuts app, create a new automation, and pick Message. Pick a sender and/or a keyword to trigger the automation, and go for the Run Immediately option to avoid having to confirm manually each time. You can then proceed to the next screen to choose the tasks iOS should perform whenever the automation is initiated. Conversely, you can create a reminder in the Reminders app and set it to alert you about a certain matter whenever you text a person of your choosing. Simply enable the When Messaging toggle in a reminder’s settings and pick a contact. Handwritten notes Make messages feel more personal and thoughtful. There’s arguably no text more personal than a handwritten one, and iMessage happens to support that. Open any of your iMessage chats and rotate your iPhone sideways. The default iOS keyboard will then reveal a concealed scribble button (the cursive loop at the bottom-right) exclusive to the landscape orientation. Write a note, or doodle a picture, and then hit send. Handwritten messages become possible when you flip the iPhone on its side.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Social heartbeat Demonstrate your emotions. If you’re looking to send an even more intimate message, you could share your actual heartbeat with an iMessage contact. Tap on the plus (+) button in a chat to reveal the list of installed iMessage apps and choose Digital Touch. Tap and hold with two fingers on the black canvas and release when you’re ready to send. With your permission, the feature will read and imitate your recent heart rate records and display an accurate animation on the recipient’s end. It’ll even vibrate accordingly if they’re wearing an Apple Watch. If you don’t use an Apple Watch or a compatible accessory that adds heart rate data to the Health app, you could still send a generic heartbeat animation using the same command. Multiplayer games Turn a passive chat into a shared activity. The Messages app’s usefulness extends beyond traditional texting. If you and a friend are bored, you could search the App Store for iMessage games and download a few that catch your eye. Once installed, you can launch the game using the plus button in an iMessage chat to initiate a round. Typically, iMessage games are turn-based, so you can make a move, send the session to the other party, and wait for them to reciprocate. It’s a fun, simple way to spend time with someone while apart. Conversation backgrounds A characterful background is just the thing for livening up a conversation.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Make chats easier to recognise at a glance. iMessage has become increasingly customisable, with chat backgrounds one of the most recent additions. To set this up, tap the contact card in the desired chat (the recipient or group name at the top of the screen) then select the Backgrounds tab. This will let you pick a photo, color mix, default pattern, or AI-generated illustration. It’s worth noting that chat backgrounds appear on both ends of the conversation, so your friend will see what you pick and vice versa. Name and photo sharing Make conversations feel more personal and trustworthy. Messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram have long supported profile photos and display names. This helps people identify you, especially when you contact them for the first time. iMessage recently adopted a similar functionality that updates your contact card on their devices. On the Messages app’s main screen, tap the Edit button in the top-left corner, then hit Set Up Name & Photo. You can then proceed to pick an avatar, poster, first name, and surname, along with adjusting the privacy settings of this feature. It’s an underused way to make your chat more “you” on your friends’ iPhones. So much for the positives. But if you’re having problems, you may next wish to read How to fix iMessage.11:02 am12 hidden iMessage features every iPhone user should try
Macworld For many iPhone users, iMessage is the definitive communication app, an intuitive instant-messaging platform for texting and sharing media with friends and family. And it keeps getting better and better. Over the years, Apple has steadily expanded the service with support for new attachment types and add-ons, including dedicated mini apps. Yet many users stick to iMessage for basic texting, unaware of how much more it can do. If you’re looking to take your conversations to the next level, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with these hidden iMessage features. If you’re an iPhone user who mainly relies on iMessage for basic texting, this guide will help you discover features that go far beyond simple messages. If you want to save time, stay organised, or improve how you communicate, you’ll learn practical tools like scheduling, transcripts, and automations. If you’re curious about hidden or lesser-known iMessage features, you’ll uncover capabilities you may not have realised existed. And if you’re looking to make your chats more personal, expressive, or interactive, you’ll find plenty of ways to customise and enhance your conversations. What you’ll learn from this guide How to schedule iMessages in advance so you never forget important texts How to save time on voice notes with playback speed controls and transcripts How to use Check In for safety, sharing your location and arrival status How to translate messages automatically in multilingual conversations How to automate actions and replies using the Shortcuts app Plus a range of customisation and fun features (effects, backgrounds, games, handwritten notes) Scheduling This tip is useful if you forget birthdays or send late-night texts. iMessage lets you schedule messages up to 14 days in advance, making it easier to avoid unnecessary late-night texts or to ensure you don’t forget to reach out on an important special occasion. Hit the plus button, select Send Later, pick a date and time, and type your message. Once scheduled, iMessage will store the text in Apple’s servers and deliver it on the chosen day—even if your iPhone isn’t connected to Wi-Fi or 5G. If you suspect you’ll forget to send a time-sensitive message, schedule it in advance.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Checking In Here’s a tip for staying safe when travelling alone. If you’re heading home at night or taking a route through a sketchy area, it might be wise to use the built-in Check In app in iMessage to grant a trusted contact access to your location. With your permission, it will show them exactly which road you’ve taken and when to expect you to arrive at the chosen destination. It’s one of the lesser-known iMessage perks that can make you feel safer. Voice memo speed This is helpful when friends send long voice notes. You’re probably aware of the Audio app in iMessage, which lets you instantly record and send voice memos to express yourself. Sending voice memos can be fun and convenient. Receiving them, not so much. If you tend to receive long audio messages from your friends, and would like to save a little time while listening to them, tap and hold the play button to reveal 1.25x, 1.5x, and 2x playback speeds. Alternatively, you can hit the small arrow under the audio message to read an auto-generated transcript of detected speech. Listening to voice memos can be tedious. Speed things up and save time, or just read a transcript.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Translations To understand messages instantly and reply naturally use Translate. With remote work culture making it practical for digital nomads to work from the country of their choice, making foreign friends has become more common. iMessage accommodates multilingual conversations through its translation feature. Simply tap and hold a foreign text and tap Translate. If the entire chat is in a foreign language, you could alternatively tap on the recipient’s profile photo to view their contact card and enable the Automatically Translate toggle, then select a language from the 12 options. This will effortlessly translate the entire chat to your native language. Message effects You can make important messages stand out and convey tone clearly with this tip. iMessage supports bubble and screen effects, which animate texts you send on the recipient’s end. To mark a spoiler, for example, you could use the invisible ink effect, which conceals text and media. Likewise, you could release some balloons or confetti in the chat by picking the relevant effect when congratulating someone. All you have to do is tap and hold the send button and choose one of the listed effects. iMessage’s range of screen effects include a spotlight for added drama.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Text Formatting Format text to emphasise key words or points. For something a bit more subtle, you could opt for text formatting. Select the desired word(s) in the iMessage text box, and tap on Text Effects. This will reveal formatting options, such as bold and italics, along with less dramatic animations that don’t take over the entire screen. Automations Let your iPhone trigger helpful actions for you automatically. iMessage caters to power users through native integrations with the Apple Shortcuts app. You can program the system to run tasks automatically whenever a chosen contact texts you or you receive a specific keyword. To get started, head to the Automation tab in the Shortcuts app, create a new automation, and pick Message. Pick a sender and/or a keyword to trigger the automation, and go for the Run Immediately option to avoid having to confirm manually each time. You can then proceed to the next screen to choose the tasks iOS should perform whenever the automation is initiated. Conversely, you can create a reminder in the Reminders app and set it to alert you about a certain matter whenever you text a person of your choosing. Simply enable the When Messaging toggle in a reminder’s settings and pick a contact. Handwritten notes Make messages feel more personal and thoughtful. There’s arguably no text more personal than a handwritten one, and iMessage happens to support that. Open any of your iMessage chats and rotate your iPhone sideways. The default iOS keyboard will then reveal a concealed scribble button (the cursive loop at the bottom-right) exclusive to the landscape orientation. Write a note, or doodle a picture, and then hit send. Handwritten messages become possible when you flip the iPhone on its side.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Social heartbeat Demonstrate your emotions. If you’re looking to send an even more intimate message, you could share your actual heartbeat with an iMessage contact. Tap on the plus (+) button in a chat to reveal the list of installed iMessage apps and choose Digital Touch. Tap and hold with two fingers on the black canvas and release when you’re ready to send. With your permission, the feature will read and imitate your recent heart rate records and display an accurate animation on the recipient’s end. It’ll even vibrate accordingly if they’re wearing an Apple Watch. If you don’t use an Apple Watch or a compatible accessory that adds heart rate data to the Health app, you could still send a generic heartbeat animation using the same command. Multiplayer games Turn a passive chat into a shared activity. The Messages app’s usefulness extends beyond traditional texting. If you and a friend are bored, you could search the App Store for iMessage games and download a few that catch your eye. Once installed, you can launch the game using the plus button in an iMessage chat to initiate a round. Typically, iMessage games are turn-based, so you can make a move, send the session to the other party, and wait for them to reciprocate. It’s a fun, simple way to spend time with someone while apart. Conversation backgrounds A characterful background is just the thing for livening up a conversation.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Make chats easier to recognise at a glance. iMessage has become increasingly customisable, with chat backgrounds one of the most recent additions. To set this up, tap the contact card in the desired chat (the recipient or group name at the top of the screen) then select the Backgrounds tab. This will let you pick a photo, color mix, default pattern, or AI-generated illustration. It’s worth noting that chat backgrounds appear on both ends of the conversation, so your friend will see what you pick and vice versa. Name and photo sharing Make conversations feel more personal and trustworthy. Messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram have long supported profile photos and display names. This helps people identify you, especially when you contact them for the first time. iMessage recently adopted a similar functionality that updates your contact card on their devices. On the Messages app’s main screen, tap the Edit button in the top-left corner, then hit Set Up Name & Photo. You can then proceed to pick an avatar, poster, first name, and surname, along with adjusting the privacy settings of this feature. It’s an underused way to make your chat more “you” on your friends’ iPhones. So much for the positives. But if you’re having problems, you may next wish to read How to fix iMessage.10:53 amReport: iPhone Air is about twice as popular compared to the Plus model it replaced
According to cellular network data from Ookla, the iPhone Air is about twice as popular compared to the iPhone 16 Plus, in the comparable launch period for the iPhone 17 and year-ago iPhone 16 lineup. While the Air is seemingly the least popular model of the iPhone 17 generation, Apple will still consider it a relative success, as this report shows the Air has firmly eclipsed the sales performance of the outgoing Plus model. more…10:52 amQatar SMS Carrier Maintenance – Vodafone
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 9, 14:00 - 20:00 PDTMar 23, 03:36 PDTScheduled - The Vodafone network in Qatar is conducting a planned maintenance from 09 April 2026 at 14:00 PDT until 09 April 2026 at 20:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Vodafone Qatar handsets.10:30 amThe iPhone 17e is bad in a really good way
Macworld I’ve been playing with the iPhone 17e for a few days now, and my skeptical first impressions are gradually mellowing into a sort of indulgent fondness. It isn’t the best iPhone I’ve tested, or even close to that. But it’s bad in a good way. Let’s quickly recap all the things that made me nervous about the 17e when Apple unveiled it earlier this month. It starts at $599, the same as the iPhone 16e, a lower price compared to the iPhone 17, granted, but a far cry from the budget appeal of the $429 iPhone SE. It has a binned processor (with one less functional core), and still has just a single rear-facing camera. And while it gains MagSafe, it’s an old version that is capped at 15W rather than the 25W you get on more recent models. I’m still mildly depressed about the price tag, although it’s worth bearing in mind that the final iPhone SE model had plenty of issues and actually wasn’t a terribly good choice for budget buyers. (A better option was to buy a second-hand unit of a more upmarket model, and that remains an option worth considering today. The iPhone 15 costs $529 from the Apple Refurbished Store, and you can bet there will be cheaper options if you buy elsewhere, or are prepared to go back a generation or two further.) So it was always asking a lot for Apple to release an uncompromised phone for less than $500. The binned processor, if I’m honest, was never that huge a deal to me either. In fact, my feeling about the iPhone 16e was that Apple focused too heavily on making it AI-ready, which meant a faster chip and more RAM than was strictly necessary at that price, and compromises in other areas. Sure, it was faintly annoying to be getting a binned processor among all the other limitations when the price was mid-market rather than budget, but even a binned A18 was fine for all tasks in the short term and most tasks in even the long term. And I feel largely the same about the 17e’s binned A19 now. The real revelation, however, has been MagSafe. I was severely hacked off by the lack of MagSafe last year, because it’s one of those small conveniences you take for granted until it’s gone: fiddling with a non-magnetic charging puck and hoping the phone stayed on the sweet spot all night (or using a cable) was surprisingly annoying. So to have that on the 17e is a big improvement. MagSafe being capped at 15W, meanwhile, like that binned processor, is more annoying in principle than in practice. I’m not entirely sure why this old version of the technology is being wheeled out again (you have to go back to the iPhone 15 for the last time it appeared in a new iPhone), but for me, as I’ve explained in a separate article, wireless charging speed simply isn’t much of a priority. At 15W, the 17e’s MagSafe is fast enough to charge the device from zero to full twice over during a single night’s sleep, and any time you need it to charge faster, you can use a cable instead. The value of MagSafe is convenience, not speed. Would I like to have 25W MagSafe? Sure. Of course. But nothing is free, and if using a slower version means we can have MagSafe on a $599 phone, I’m on board with that decision. Having no MagSafe at all (while packing 8GB of RAM and a frontline processor) was a bad compromise. Having slow MagSafe is a sensible compromise that I fully support. That’s not to say that all of my worries have been put to rest. The iPhone 17 has clearly spoiled me: The lack of an always-on display bothers me more than I expected, and I wish the camera setup were better, since that’s a high priority for most customers. But I will say that technology has advanced to the point where even single phone cameras will do the job for most people, most of the time. The e-class phones are worse than the flagships at portrait photos and cut out macro photography, but for day-to-day snapshots, they’re absolutely fine. My review will arrive later this week, but my feelings about the iPhone 17e are a lot more positive than I expected. It’s particularly surprising because only one of my issues with the 16e (the lack of MagSafe) has been addressed. But Apple slipped in a bonus upgrade: it doubled the starting storage allocation without increasing the price. Between that, the new processor, the inclusion of 15W MagSafe, and a tougher version of Ceramic Shield on the display, I’m feeling quite happy about the iPhone 17e. Even if it’s not what you’d call a good phone. Foundry Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too. Trending: Top stories MacBook Neo is classic Apple, says Jason Snell: Moving fast and breaking stuff. While its competitors burn cash on AI, Apple is taking its usual slow and steady approach. And it’s paying off, writes the Macalope. Alex Blake offers 8 upgrades to make your old Apple gear feel new again. Roman Loyola tried to push the MacBook Neo to its limit. But it handled a week of stress better than he did. AirPods Max 2 may look old, but these big upgrades are inside. First-time customers are scooping up Neos at a record pace. The Mac just posted its ‘best launch week ever’ with non-Mac users. Podcast of the week In the latest episode of the Macworld Podcast, we review the new M5 MacBook Air, M5 Max MacBook Pro, and Apple Studio Display. Tune in and get all the details. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. Reviews corner Studio Display (2026): A great monitor if you can get it for half-price. BenQ MA270S: Studio Display specs for a whole lot less. DuckDuckGo VPN: Strong privacy, but missing key features. Sennheiser CX 80U: Affordable USB-C wired earbuds with impressive sound. The rumor mill Big changes are coming to iOS 27, but Liquid Glass is here to stay. Sorry. Software updates, bugs, and problems DarkSword malware targets iPhones that haven’t been updated yet. Here’s a mystery. Why did Apple just declare a 12-year-old iPhone obsolete? And with that, we’re done for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters, including our new email from The Macalope–an irreverent, humorous take on the latest news and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, or X for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.10:13 amAirDrop Support Rolling Out to Samsung Galaxy S26 Devices This Week
AirDrop support is coming to Samsung's Quick Share feature on Galaxy S26 devices this week, allowing owners to directly share files and media with iPhones and Macs. In a Sunday newsroom announcement, Samsung said the rollout is starting today in Korea, with devices in the U.S. to follow later this week. The feature will expand to more regions and on more Galaxy devices at a later date, including Canada, Latin America, Europe, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan. Owners of Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra devices will need to enable the feature in their phone's Quick Share settings menu, using a new Share with Apple devices toggle. Last November, Google announced Quick Share compatibility with AirDrop on Pixel phones. The feature was initially limited to the newest Pixel 10 devices, but has since been expanded to the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.Tags: AirDrop, SamsungThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums08:00 amYour iPhone or iPad just replaced your bulky scanner for $26
Macworld TL;DR: iScanner App turns your iPad or iPhone into a scanner on the go, and now a lifetime subscription is just $25.97 (MSRP $199.90) through April 12. Our iPhones can do a whole lot, but now there’s an app that makes them even more productive. The iScanner App turns iPhones and iPads into scanning devices that can digitize documents from anywhere. Right now, you can snag a lifetime subscription for only $25.97 (MSRP $199.90) until April 12. Scan anything, anywhere — right from your iPhone or iPad Want to clear off some clutter in your office? Now you can ditch the bulky printer-scanner hybrids and just digitize things from your iPhone with the help of the iScanner App. This helpful tool makes it easy to scan anything, anywhere — from forms you need to fill out to sentimental documents you want to keep forever. iScanner makes scanning a breeze. All you have to do is point your phone or iPad’s camera at the page you need to scan and let the AI-powered features do the rest. The app detects and adjusts the document’s borders, giving you a top-quality scan. Its technology also helps with text translation, object counting, measurements, and more. After you scan something, you can adjust it with color correction and noise removal tools. You can also choose how you’d like to save the file — as a PDF, JPG, DOC, XLS, PPT, or TXT. If you pick PDF, you can sign, add text, or auto-fill the file right within the app, as it doubles as a PDF editor. iScanner can also manage your documents, organizing your scans as you go. If you scan something that includes sensitive information, you can add a PIN to files for extra privacy. Enjoy a lifetime subscription to the iScanner App for only $25.97 (MSRP $199.90) now through April 12. iScanner App: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply. StackSocial prices subject to change.06:48 amGalaxy S26 can now share files with iPhones using AirDrop
Quick Share on the Galaxy S26 now supports AirDrop, allowing native wireless file transfers with iPhones, iPads and Macs. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)05:22 amFRA (Frankfurt) on 2026-03-24
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 24, 00:00 - 06:00 UTCMar 23, 05:10 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in FRA (Frankfurt) datacenter on 2026-03-24 between 00:00 and 06:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.12:05 amThese are the best new MacBook deals right now: March 2026 Buyer’s Guide
In the era of Apple Silicon, MacBooks are more affordable than ever. Nowadays, you can buy a MacBook Air with 512GB of storage and 16GB of memory for $1099 directly from Apple, when such a configuration would’ve cost $1599 just a few years ago. And on top of that, we have MacBook Neo bringing the entry-point down substantially. Even with Apple’s prices coming down though, there’s still a number of deals to be found out there if you look just a little. more…12:00 amSwift Internals [SUBSCRIBER]
This book is designed for Swift developers who want to go beyond writing working code and understand how the language truly works under the hood. It explains the mechanics of Swift’s type system, compiler behavior, memory model, and performance characteristics. Readers will also learn advanced topics like unsafe memory operations, metaprogramming, modular architecture, and linking strategies. The goal is to help developers reason about Swift at the language, compiler, and system levels. It is ideal for Swift engineers who want to write faster, safer, and more scalable apps.Sunday March 2211:16 pmBuilt (not another) calorie tracking app, feedback welcome
I built a calorie tracking app (I know I know, millions exist) but mine has a hefty focus on speed, simplicity and NOT shoving premium features/ads down your throat. I got sick of the 4.99 a month payments just to use a barcode scanner, I got sick of how long it would take to search, […]11:06 pmSamsung rolling out AirDrop over Quick Share on Galaxy S26, more devices coming
Samsung has officially confirmed plans to start rolling out AirDrop support over Quick Share starting with the Galaxy S26 series this week. more…10:38 pmApple CEO Candidate John Ternus is 'Well-Liked' and Helped Reverse 'Declining Product Quality' | MacRumorsApple CEO Candidate John Ternus is 'Well-Liked' and Helped Reverse 'Declining Product Quality'
In an in-depth article for Bloomberg Businessweek today, Mark Gurman profiled Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus, who is widely viewed as the leading candidate to become Apple's next CEO whenever Tim Cook decides to step down. The article is very long, so we recommend reading it in full, but a few of the key takeaways are that Ternus is apparently "well-liked among Apple's leadership" and helped with "reversing a trend of declining product quality" at the company. "Since getting the top hardware engineering role in 2021, he's overseen an expansion in Apple's product lineup, improving quality and focusing on functional improvements around battery life, performance and connectivity," wrote Gurman. Cook reportedly gave oversight of Apple's design teams to Ternus at the end of last year, and Ternus has been making a lot more public appearances in interviews and in product introduction videos over the past few years. The profile provides a closer look at how Ternus has risen to become the frontrunner to succeed Cook eventually. Cook has not shared his retirement plans with even some of his closest lieutenants, according to the report, so it is unclear when he plans to step down. Cook has served as Apple's CEO since 2011, and he reached the common retirement age of 65 last year. In a recent interview, he vaguely said he "I can't imagine life without Apple." The full Bloomberg Businessweek article is titled "Apple's 'Nice Guy' Heir Apparent."Tags: Bloomberg, John Ternus, Mark Gurman, Tim CookThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums10:18 pmExperiences on beating Guideline 4.3(a) Design Spam
I am a new iOS developer. I wanted to share my experience navigating the dreaded Guideline 4.3(a) – Design Spam rejection. If you’ve ever submitted an app in a crowded category, you know how generic and unhelpful the rejection messages can be. I submitted my first app and was hit with 4.3(a) after waiting for […]10:13 pmDuo Phone Call Authentication Failure for US Based Carriers
Mar 22, 18:13 EDTInvestigating - We are currently observing a recurrence of the issue causing VOIP authentication failures in all deployments in the US region. We are working to correct the issue as soon as possible. While we work to resolve this, please use alternative authentication methods such as Duo Mobile Push, SMS passcodes etc.A full list of available authentication methods can be found here:https://duo.com/docs/policy#authentication-methods10:10 pmApple already has the perfect platform for deploying conversational AI
When Apple initially rolled out Apple Intelligence, the company was pretty openly against the idea of creating a Siri chatbot. Now, things have changed a little – and the company is rumored to be deploying a Siri app in iOS 27, so users can chat with the next generation of Apple Foundation Models. While that’s a great starting point, I think theres a better idea to be tapped into here. more…09:57 pmApple to Celebrate 50th Anniversary With 'Elaborate' Party at Apple Park
Apple has been celebrating its upcoming 50th anniversary by hosting events around the world, and a grand finale will likely take place in California. In an in-depth profile of Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus, who is widely viewed as the leading candidate to become Apple's next CEO, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the company is planning "an elaborate 50th birthday party" at its Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California, and he expects Ternus to be "center stage." The report did not offer any further details about the celebration, but our best guess is that it will take place under the rainbow arches in the middle of Apple Park. Apple turns 50 on April 1, so the party will likely take place soon. It is unclear if the celebration will be limited to Apple's employees, or if there will be a public component involving the Apple Park Visitor Center. In any case, selected members of the press may be invited. Apple kicked off its 50th anniversary celebrations with a surprise Alicia Keys performance at its Grand Central store in New York earlier this month, and it has since hosted similar events in China and South Korea. Apple is planning to host additional celebrations in Australia, Canada, France, Thailand, and the UK over the coming days. MacRumors has been invited to attend one of Apple's 50th-anniversary celebrations in London this week, but we are keeping specific details under wraps in order to avoid spoiling Apple's surprise. Stay tuned for our coverage of the event.Tags: Apple 50th Anniversary, Bloomberg, Mark GurmanThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums09:27 pmFirebase Security Rules #1: Never Trust the Client
submitted by /u/Defiant-Branch4346 [link] [comments]08:29 pmSunday Reboot: MotionVFX, celebrations, and questionable updates
In this week's "Sunday Reboot," AirPods Max 2 stretches the definition of the spec-bump update, the MotionVFX acquisition could benefit Creator Studio, and even more Apple celebrations.MotionVFX, AirPods Max 2, and a performance in China. Sunday Reboot is a weekly column covering some of the lighter stories within the Apple reality distortion field from the past seven days. All to get the next week underway with a good first step.This week, Apple lost in court but avoided another Apple Watch ban over blood oxygen patents, was dragged into a legal fight over AI data sourcing, and it came under fire for blocking some vibe coding apps in iOS. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums07:53 pmiRacing on Vision Pro bringing ‘immersion and fidelity never before seen in sim racing’ | 9 to 5 MaciRacing on Vision Pro bringing ‘immersion and fidelity never before seen in sim racing’
iRacing on Apple Vision Pro will bring a “level of immersion and fidelity never before seen in sim racing,” says iRacing president Tony Gardner. more…07:19 pmWhy Apple Temporarily Blocked Popular Vibe Coding Apps
An anonymous reader shared this report from the tech-news blog Neowin: Apple appears to have temporarily prevented apps, including Replit and Vibecode, from pushing new updates. Apple seems bothered by how apps like Replit present vibe-coded apps in a web view within the original app. This process virtually allows the app to become something else. And the new app isn't distributed via the App Store, but it still runs on the user's device... [S]uch apps would also bypass the App Store Review process that ensures that apps are safe to use and meet Apple's design and performance standards... According to the publication (via MacRumors), Apple was close to approving pending updates for such apps if they changed how they work. For instance, Replit would get the green light if its developers configure the app to open vibe-coded apps in an external browser rather than the in-app web view. Vibecode is also close to being approved if it removes features, such as the ability to develop apps specifically for the App Store. Read more of this story at Slashdot.06:51 pmGet the New Book 'Apple: The First 50 Years' for 30% Off on Amazon
Last week, tech columnist David Pogue launched a new book called "Apple: The First 50 Years." On Amazon, you can get the new book for $34.78 in hardcover, down from $50.00, the best price we've seen so far on the book. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. The book explores the first five decades of Apple's history, including interviews with 150 key people who shaped Apple into what it is today, like Steve Wozniak, John Sculley, Jony Ive, and more. The book is launching to coincide with Apple's upcoming 50th anniversary on April 1, 2026. 30% OFFApple: The First 50 Years for $34.78 Amazon's sale is on the hardcover version of the book, and provides an estimated March 27 delivery date for free delivery. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums06:00 pmSecurity Bite Podcast: Psylo app is setting out to change private browsing
9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Making Apple devices work-ready and enterprise-safe is all we do. Our unique integrated approach to management and security combines state-of-the-art Apple-specific security solutions for fully automated Hardening & Compliance, Next Generation EDR, AI-powered Zero Trust, and exclusive Privilege Management with the most powerful and modern Apple MDM on the market. The result is a totally automated Apple Unified Platform currently trusted by over 45,000 organizations to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. In this episode, I sit down with Talal, one-half of the duo behind the Mysk security research X account and co-founder of Psylo, a privacy-focused iOS browser app that takes a fundamentally different approach to private browsing. We get into why not all VPNs are created equal, how exactly websites are identifying you and tracking your moments across tabs, and how Psylo tackles all of this by giving every tab its own isolated silo, complete with a separate IP address, memory, storage, and more. If you care about browser privacy on your iPhone, this one’s worth a listen. Here’s my conversation with Talal. more…05:41 pmThis rumored MacBook Pro upgrade has me excited for the overhaul, and it isn’t OLED
Later this year, Apple is set to debut its first MacBook Pro redesign since 2021. With that redesign, we’re expecting OLED, touch displays, M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, a Dynamic Island cutout, and much more. There’s another big detail about these new MacBook Pro models, and I’m much more excited for that change. more…05:18 pmDuo Phone Call Authentication Failure for US Based Carriers
Mar 22, 13:18 EDTInvestigating - We are currently investigating an issue causing VOIP authentication failures in all the deployments in the US region and are working to correct the issue as soon as possible. Please use alternative authentication methods such as push at this time.Please check back here or subscribe to updates for any changes.04:48 pmToday in Apple history: PowerCD paves the way toward a lucrative future
On March 22, 1993, Apple launched the PowerCD, a CD player that worked as an external CD drive for Macs. It was a sign of things to come. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:01 pmHow-to: Create a RealityKit Entity from a DAE, OBJ, or STL file
https://preview.redd.it/4d14j6iwbmqg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=744163fa4a953762892ab3bdf4087e12323628bd My blog post, which I have linked above, discusses how to generate a RealityKit ModelEntity at runtime from file formats other than the standard USDZ, including DAE, OBJ, STL, or other file formats that are readable by ModelIO. I'm posting to get […]03:50 pmWill Apple testers ever provide you with any red flags during an internal testing submission? | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingWill Apple testers ever provide you with any red flags during an internal testing submission?
For example, if I submit for internal testing review and it’s approved does that mean I won’t deal with issues for an actual role out? Maybe not full blown issues but ones like “app is the same as other apps on the market” etc etc. Will they flag these issues in advance? submitted by […]03:47 pmApple’s busy March continues with three notable arrivals this week
Apple has had a jam-packed March so far after launching seven new products and surprisingly announcing an eighth. Looking ahead, there’s even more to come from Apple before the month is over, including three things to watch for this week. more…03:41 pmHow 50 years of moving fast and breaking stuff led to MacBook Neo
Macworld What a funny coincidence that celebrations of Apple’s 50th anniversary would hit the same month that the company introduced the MacBook Neo, a $599 laptop that has the potential to take the Mac to new heights. The facts that Apple was founded in 1976 and the MacBook Neo exists in 2026 shouldn’t have anything in common but that they both involve a corporation called Apple. But that’s not right: Apple’s product philosophy is more continuous than you might imagine, and that string that starts with the Apple I ends, 50 years later, in a colorful new MacBook Neo. Apple was born in a chaotic world. Dozens of personal computer companies were building early devices, and each of them was its own island with its own software running on custom hardware. New chips and new hardware innovations like floppy disk drives (did you know that the earliest Apple computers could only read data from audio cassettes?!) meant that as a computer company, you evolved rapidly or you died. Most of them died, of course. But Apple didn’t, in part because it was always adopting the next big thing in order to survive. It was a mindset that I always connected to Steve Jobs, a man with absolutely zero sentimentality. Apple has always been a company that knows that it needs to move forward rapidly to survive. Steve Jobs believed in always moving forward and not getting sentimental about the past. That philosophy has served Apple well.Apple This has been a factor that has remained in the corporate culture, to varying degrees of strength, for 50 years. It’s not that Apple doesn’t care about taking care of its customers–it’s managed three chip transitions and one operating system transition on the Mac while providing solid support over a transitional period. One reason this culture got reinforced is that Apple has never been the dominant ecosystem player in any market it’s competed in. (The iPod was dominant, but not really much of an ecosystem.) When you’re dominant, like PCs driven by Microsoft’s DOS and Windows operating systems, the name of the game is compatibility. Once you’ve got the bulk of the market, it’s all about consolidation. Over time, stability and compatibility became a major reason why Microsoft was so successful. Old Windows apps just kept running. Microsoft built an entire culture about supporting its enormous base of customers, many of whom were using ancient hardware and software. The problem with that strategy is that it’s a really bad fit for times of great opportunity. As former Microsoft executive Steven Sinofsky wrote recently, Microsoft’s greatest strength suddenly became its greatest weakness. “The pull and push of forever compatibility was not just ‘Windows DNA,’ but it was the soul of what made Windows successful and was sacred.” Apple has the freedom to make game-changing moves to make better products.Apple The funny thing is that Sinofsky wrote that in the context of praising the MacBook Neo, of all things. Here’s why: Apple has constantly upgraded its operating system and ecosystem, from drivers to APIs to apps to the chips that run them. It’s been able to drag its technology forward in ways Microsoft never could. Part of that was embracing touch interfaces with the iPhone and iPad. It’s not that Microsoft didn’t have some great ideas about touch interfaces–some of the stuff it did was really cool!–but that in the end, its loyal customers pulled it backward into the abyss. The first touch-savvy version of Microsoft Office ran on the iPad. Microsoft’s own touch-friendly devices backslid to the old mouse-driven versions. The crowning achievement of all this was Apple’s embrace of its own, ARM-based chip architecture. Again, it’s not as if Microsoft and its chip partners didn’t see the strength that an Apple-style chip strategy might have. It’s that Microsoft’s customers just weren’t interested in losing compatibility with their enormous investment in Intel PCs, and Microsoft’s commitment to “run everything forever,” as Sinofsky calls it, hampered all attempts to see things differently. In the other corner: Apple, which for the last five-plus years has been shipping Macs running ARM processors, on top of a version of macOS that spent the years running up to that transition by killing off compatibility with a lot of old software that would’ve made that transition a challenge. Apple’s ability to advance its technology allows it to create a budget laptop that offers quality that its competitors can’t match.Eugen Wegmann This brings us to the MacBook Neo. It is the result of Apple being unafraid to break compatibility with 32-bit apps, with the old Carbon APIs, with Intel processors, the works. Part of the magic is that, as Mac users, we often don’t even notice when Apple does this, because it’s gotten pretty good at making it easy for us to migrate. (Software developers have had a harder time, often spending summers modifying their apps so that they still work when the new OS versions ship in the fall.) 50 years on, this is still Apple’s core approach: Don’t be afraid to change. Don’t be afraid to leave some old things behind. Not because change isn’t painful, because it often is. But because without change, without the ability to move forward, you’ll never be able to take advantage of new opportunities. And if you’re Apple, you’ll never be able to make a MacBook Neo.02:57 pmApple Card Offering New Walgreens Bonus
Now through May 20, you can get 5% Daily Cash when you use the Apple Card via Apple Pay for purchases at Walgreens and Duane Reade, both in stores and online. 5% Daily Cash is limited to $500 in combined Walgreens and Duane Reade purchases, meaning that the maximum cash back that you can receive from this offer is $25. Ordinarily, the Apple Card offers 3% Daily Cash for Walgreens and Duane Reade purchases. Apple's credit card is available in the U.S. only.Tags: Apple Card, WalgreensThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums02:39 pmGot rejected by the App Store 5 times before getting approved. Here is what I learned. | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingGot rejected by the App Store 5 times before getting approved. Here is what I learned.
We built a social app from scratch. First time going through the App Store review process and honestly nobody prepares you for how opaque it is. Five rejections over a few weeks. Here is exactly what happened: Rejection 1: Guideline 4.3(b) — Spam This was the worst one. Apple said our app "duplicates the content […]Firehose II – Jobs, Deals, Apps
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