Firehose – News, Alerts, Docs
- Thursday December 18
- 08:03 pmApple updates developer agreement with new privacy rules, Japan-specific terms, more
Apple has added new provisions to multiple sections of its Developer Program License Agreement, including Japan-specific terms, following yesterday’s announcement of changes to the App Store. Here’s what’s new. more…07:50 pmSMS Delivery Delays to Multiple Networks in Botswana
Dec 18, 11:50 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Multiple Networks in Botswana. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.07:42 pmGoTo Connect – Softphone call issues
Dec 18, 19:42 UTCMonitoring - Our engineers have corrected the issue and we are confirming that all services are functional.We will continue monitoring the situation and provide a final update shortly.Dec 18, 19:41 UTCUpdate - Users experiencing this issue should reload their GoTo Connect softphone, to benefit from a change preformed by our engineering teams. We will provide another update shortly.Dec 18, 19:33 UTCIdentified - Our engineers have identified the issue and are now actively working towards a resolution.We will provide another update shortly.Dec 18, 19:29 UTCInvestigating - We are actively investigating reports that some GoTo Connect customers may be experiencing call issues when using the GoTo Connect softphone. Our engineers are working to identify the issue and will provide another update shortly.07:27 pmAltStore Available in Japan One Day After Apple Enables Alternative App Marketplaces
Just a day after Apple announced alternative app marketplace support for iOS users in Japan, AltStore PAL has launched in the country. iPhone and iPad users in Japan can download the alternative app marketplace from the AltStore website, and then use the AltStore to download apps without having to go through Apple's App Store. Prospective AltStore users need to be physically located in Japan, and have a Japanese App Store account. Devices also need to be running iOS/iPadOS 26.2 or later. AltStore developer Riley Testut said that Apple did not provide a heads up about the App Store rule changes that went into effect yesterday, but the marketplace was able to launch within a few hours because it has been live in the European Union for months now. To celebrate AltStore PAL's launch in Japan, users can get a month of free Patreon access with patron-exclusive features. AltStore is free to download, but the AltStore Patreon provides access to beta updates for the popular Delta game emulator. Along with Delta, AltStore PAL offers several other apps created by independent developers, some of which have functionality that's not allowed in the standard App Store. Apps distributed through AltStore PAL are able to monetize through Patreon subscriptions. Apple is allowing alternative app marketplaces to meet the requirements of the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA) that went into effect on December 18. Marketplace apps are required to pay Apple a five percent Core Technology Commission. Alternative app marketplaces require authorization from Apple to operate, and are able to distribute apps that have also been notarized by Apple. The notarization process checks for basic functionality and ensures that apps do not include malware, but marketplace apps are not subject to the same content requirements, and Apple has little content oversight.Tags: AltStore, JapanThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums07:02 pmApple kicks off development of OLED panels for future iMac models
Apple has officially kicked off a project to bring OLED display technology to its iMac lineup, marking a significant shift from the current… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.06:48 pm9to5Mac Daily: December 18, 2025 – iOS 26.3 beta testing begins
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by Backblaze: Give yourself the gift of peace of mind. Till the end of the month, 9to5Mac listeners get 30% off with code 9to5Xmas. more…06:44 pmApple's New M5 MacBook Pro Hits $1,349.99 on Amazon ($249 Off)
Amazon today has dropped the price of the new M5 MacBook Pro to $1,349.99, down from $1,599.00. This is the 10-Core model with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, and it's a match of the all-time low price on the M5 MacBook Pro. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Additionally, the 16GB/1TB M5 MacBook Pro has hit $1,549.99 on Amazon, which is another $249 discount on the notebook. Both models have estimated delivery dates that are after Christmas, but if you've been waiting for a return of the best prices we've ever seen on these models, now's definitely a good time to buy. $249 OFF14-inch M5 MacBook Pro (16GB RAM/512GB) for $1,349.99 $249 OFF14-inch M5 MacBook Pro (16GB RAM/1TB) for $1,549.99 This version of the MacBook Pro just launched in October and it comes with the newest M5 chip, which offers up to 15% faster CPU performance and up to 45% faster graphics when compared to the M4 chip. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums06:31 pmWhy iPhone Air feels removed from time
When Apple released the radically new iPhone X in 2017, it marked the beginning of a years long march into a new era of iPhone design. A year later, iPhone XR replaced the legacy iPhone 8, bringing a corner to corner display, Face ID, and the gesture based experience that largely retired big bezels and the Home button. Eight years later, iPhone Air stands as the closest thing Apple has delivered to another iPhone X moment. The leap is narrower in scope, but no less intentional. Where iPhone X reset expectations across the entire lineup, iPhone Air represents a deliberate divergence. Its ultra thin design favors a futuristic feel over feature maximalism, carving out a distinct place alongside Apple’s more traditional models. iPhone Air is also expected to remain on the market longer than iPhone X did. Apple replaced iPhone X with iPhone XS in less than a year. iPhone Air, on the other hand, has a looser relationship with time. more…06:02 pmAirPods Pro 3 are back down to $199 ($50 off) at Amazon
Amazon's $199 AirPods Pro 3 deal delivers the lowest price to date on the earbuds, with delivery by Christmas to select locations.Grab AirPods Pro 3 at the best $199 price.Apple AirPods Pro 3 are back down to $199 at Amazon, beating Black Friday pricing by $20.Buy AirPods Pro 3 for $199 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums06:02 pmAirPods Pro 3 are back down to $199 ($50 off) at Amazon
Amazon's $199 AirPods Pro 3 deal delivers the lowest price to date on the earbuds, with delivery by Christmas to select locations.Grab AirPods Pro 3 at the best $199 price.Apple AirPods Pro 3 are back down to $199 at Amazon, beating Black Friday pricing by $20.Buy AirPods Pro 3 for $199 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums06:02 pmAirPods Pro 3 are back down to $199 ($50 off) at Amazon
Amazon's $199 AirPods Pro 3 deal delivers the lowest price to date on the earbuds, with delivery by Christmas to select locations.Grab AirPods Pro 3 at the best $199 price.Apple AirPods Pro 3 are back down to $199 at Amazon, beating Black Friday pricing by $20.Buy AirPods Pro 3 for $199 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums06:02 pmAirPods Pro 3 are back down to $199 ($50 off) at Amazon
Amazon's $199 AirPods Pro 3 deal delivers the lowest price to date on the earbuds, with delivery by Christmas to select locations.Grab AirPods Pro 3 at the best $199 price.Apple AirPods Pro 3 are back down to $199 at Amazon, beating Black Friday pricing by $20.Buy AirPods Pro 3 for $199 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:59 pmGoogle Pixel tweaks emoji designs to match iPhone in latest Android 16 beta [Gallery]
As a part of the Android 16 QPR3 beta update that rolled out to Google Pixel phones yesterday, Google has also updated its emoji set to include a few refreshed designs ahead of a larger update to come. more…05:56 pmThe folding iPhone is coming – and you might not be able to get one for months
Apple might struggle to make enough folding iPhone units to meet demand for its new flagship smartphone. Here's why. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)05:23 pmApple TV unveils first look at ‘Imperfect Women’ created by Annie Weisman
Apple TV on Thursday unveiled the first look at “Imperfect Women,” the new psychological thriller starring Elisabeth Moss… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.05:23 pmDUR (Durban) on 2025-12-18
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 18, 20:00 - 22:00 UTCDec 18, 17:10 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in DUR (Durban) datacenter on 2025-12-18 between 20:00 and 22:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.05:18 pmFOUR rejections of my App… incredibly frustrated as totally different than 1st submission, but still zapped for “minimum functionality”… How to overcome? | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingFOUR rejections of my App… incredibly frustrated as totally different than 1st submission, but still zapped for “minimum functionality”… How to overcome?
I sort of feel like Apple reviewers are not actually LOOKING at revisions. Because my app is totally different after FOUR rejections. Rejection consistently is the same: "Thank you for your efforts to follow our guidelines. There are still some issues that need your attention. Guideline 4.2.2 – Design – Minimum Functionality. We noticed that […]05:15 pm'Physical' creator Annie Weisman returns with Apple TV thriller 'Imperfect Women'
Apple TV is expanding its psychological thriller lineup with a limited series adaptation of Araminta Hall's "Imperfect Women", coming in 2026.Image Credit: Apple TVAnnie Weisman, creator of the Apple TV dramedy "Physical", is back with another project for the small screen. This time, it's based on Araminta Hall's gripping, immersive novel, "Imperfect Women."The story follows three lifelong friends as a murder shatters their decades-long friendship. The story, as Apple TV describes, "explores guilt and retribution, love and betrayal, and the compromises we make that irrevocably alter our lives." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:15 pmToday in Apple history: The iPhone arrives — but it’s not made by Apple!
On December 18, 2006, the iPhone was announced -- but it wasn't made by Apple. Instead, it was a Linksys iPhone from Cisco Systems. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:46 pmApple Opens iOS To Alternative App Stores, Payment Systems in Japan
Apple has announced a sweeping set of changes to iOS in Japan that will allow alternative app marketplaces, third-party payment processing, and non-WebKit browser engines -- all to comply with Japan's Mobile Software Competition Act, which takes effect December 18. The changes, now available in iOS 26.2, bear a strong resemblance to Apple's compliance measures for the European Union's Digital Markets Act but differ in key ways. Japanese developers who want to offer alternative payment options must display them alongside Apple's in-app purchase system, giving users a choice at checkout rather than replacing Apple's option entirely. Apps cannot be distributed directly from websites as they can in the EU; they must go through an authorized marketplace. Apple has established a tiered fee structure for the new arrangements. Apps distributed through the App Store using in-app purchase will pay between 15 and 26% depending on whether developers qualify for the Small Business Program. Alternative payment processing drops the 5% payment fee but keeps the base commission. Apps distributed outside the App Store pay a flat 5% Core Technology Commission on digital goods and services. The company introduced several user-facing changes beyond app distribution. iPhone users in Japan will see browser and search engine choice screens during device setup, can assign third-party voice assistants to the side button, and can select alternative default navigation apps. Apple said it worked closely with Japanese regulators on protections for younger users. Apps in the Kids category cannot link to external websites for purchases, and users under 13 cannot access web links for transactions in any app. An Apple spokesperson told Bloomberg that the company has no plans to extend these changes to other markets. Read more of this story at Slashdot.04:45 pmDeals: AirPods Pro 3 $199, 24GB M5 MacBook Pro $250 off, M3 iPad Air $200 off, black Trail Loop, more | 9 to 5 MacDeals: AirPods Pro 3 $199, 24GB M5 MacBook Pro $250 off, M3 iPad Air $200 off, black Trail Loop, more
Just when you thought the Apple deals were about to start ramping down ahead of the holidays, Amazon has announced a M4 MacBook Air back at $250 off and the most affordable 24GB M5 MacBook Pro at $250 off, but we also spotted a new all-time low on the most affordable M3 iPad Air models at $200 off, and the 2025 black Apple Trail Loop at its best price to date too. Head below for a closer look, AirTag price drops, smart home gear, chargers, and more. more…04:43 pmiPhone roadmap rumors, iOS 26.2 released, Apple Music in ChatGPT
Benjamin and Chance discuss the late-in-the-year public launch of iOS 26.2, and the beginning of the 26.3 beta cycle. The Information has some juicy new details about the forthcoming iPhone roadmap, ChatGPT adds a clever Apple Music integration, and Chance tried using the PSVR2 spatial controllers with his Vision Pro. And in Happy Hour Plus, there’s more tantalizing evidence of a higher-end iMac in the works. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Udacity: Try risk-free for seven days at udacity.com/happyhour with code happyhour. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by HelloFresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Get 10 Free Meals with free Breakfast For Life at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm. more…04:36 pmUse Edge Light for Better Video Calls in macOS
Apple in macOS Tahoe 26.2 introduced Edge Light, a clever new feature that turns your Mac's display into a virtual ring light during video calls. Instead of fumbling with external lighting equipment, your Mac can now illuminate your face automatically when you're sitting in a dark room. Basically, Edge Light adds a soft glow around the edges of your display to brighten your face during video conferences. But it's far from just a simple screen border effect. Edge Light uses your Mac's Neural Engine to analyze your face, size, and position in the frame to deliver accurate lighting, while the Image Signal Processor fine-tunes brightness to match your environment. The feature is even aware enough to know when your cursor approaches the display edge. When it does, Edge Light automatically recedes, allowing you to still access on-screen content without it interfering. What You'll Need Edge Light works on any Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or later). It's compatible with all video conferencing apps and even extends to external cameras and the Apple Studio Display when connected to an Apple silicon Mac. How to Turn On Edge Light Once you've updated to macOS Tahoe 26.2 or later, enabling Edge Light takes just a couple of clicks: Open a supporting video call app (FaceTime, Zoom, or WebEx, for example). Click the green video conferencing menu bar item at the top of your screen. Select Edge Light from the drop-down menu. To adjust the lighting intensity and color temperature, click the down chevron next to Edge Light. You'll see two sliders that let you customize the brightness and warmth of the effect to suit your preferences. If you own a Mac released in 2024 or later, you can turn on automatic Edge Light activation. Once enabled, your Mac will detect when you're in a dimly lit environment and turn the feature on without any manual input. Simply look for the automatic toggle in the video call dropdown menu, immediately below the expanded Edge Light options.Tag: FaceTimeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums04:36 pmReport: Apple is beginning development on a 24-inch OLED iMac
Macworld Just when you thought we were going to get through the year without a really juicy iMac rumor, in comes a report from Korean publication The Elec. According to its report, Apple has placed “Requests for Information” with Samsung Display and LG Display regarding OLED displays that could be used for a future iMac. An RFI is basically when a company asks suppliers to provide specifications and other details about a part that the company needs for product development. According to The Elec, Apple has stated in its requests that it is looking for a 24-inch OLED display that offers 218 pixels per inch density and 600 nits of brightness. That’s the same size and density as the current LED-based iMac display, but with higher brightness. However, there’s one big caveat that The Elec points out: “RGB OLED technology capable of reliably mass-producing 20- to 30-inch displays has not yet been developed.” Mass production has been for much smaller displays, so if Apple proceeds with an OLED iMac, suppliers need to develop a manufacturing process to create the displays, which will take some time. The Elect reports that Apple could complete development of the OLED iMac by 2027 or 2028. If everything goes as scheduled, the OLED iMac would ship in 2027 at the earliest (if development finishes in the early part of the year). But more likely it would be available in 2028 or 2029. It’s also possible that Apple could decide to scrap the project during the development stage. Apple has been gradually upgrading its devices from LED displays to OLED. Apple’s current iPhone lineup uses OLEDs. The iPad Pro is the only iPad with an OLED, but reports say that Apple has plans to bring it to the iPad mini and iPad Air in the next year or two. Reports have also said that Apple plans to release an OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro in the second half of 2026. @macworld.com Mac legacy #imac ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld04:33 pmThe M4 MacBook Air returns to its $749 all-time low
Macworld If you’re still looking for the perfect gift, stop right there — we know what you need. The M4 MacBook Air is down to $749 at Amazon, a massive $250 discount for one of the best laptops out there. In fact, most configurations are $250, with many still able to arrive before December 25. View at Amazon Powered by the speedy new M4 chip, the MacBook Air features a stunning 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display that makes everything look incredible, whether you’re streaming your favorite shows or tackling work projects. While we reviewed the 15-inch version, the 13-inch model offers the same features we loved, earning it a perfect 5-star rating. The excellent performance of the M4 chip is always worth mentioning, and so is the ability to connect two external displays via the Thunderbolt 4 ports. Throw in 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD, and you have a fantastic laptop. You’ll love using this laptop for video calls and Zoom meetings, as the 12MP Center Stage camera will capture all details in perfect detail. While we wish storage upgrades were more affordable, the Thunderbolt 4 ports are perfect for hooking up a speedy external drive. Snag the MacBook Air M4 for $749 before the deal runs out, so you can get it for an amazing price and have it delivered in time for the holiday. Buy now at Amazon04:21 pmiMac Rumor Recap: OLED Display, M5 Max, 32-Inch Model, and More
While it appears that the iMac will not be updated in 2025, rumors indicate that Apple is planning some big changes for the all-in-one desktop computer. Below, we recap what has been rumored for the iMac over the next two to three years. Current Model: M4 Chip As a refresher, Apple last updated the 24-inch iMac in October 2024. Key upgrades included the M4 chip, up to 32GB of RAM, a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, a nano-texture display option, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and new color options. The overall design of the iMac has not changed since April 2021. Next Model: M5 Chip Apple will likely update the iMac with an M5 chip next year, but no other changes have been rumored yet, so expect a spec bump for now. If the iMac receives some of the upgrades that the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip did, the next iMac could be available with up to 4TB of storage (up from 2TB), and up to 2× faster SSD performance compared to the previous model. iMac Pro With M5 Max Chip? Earlier this year, Apple accidentally released a macOS kernel debug kit that contained internal product codenames, including for what appears to be an iMac with an M5 Max chip. It is unclear if the 24-inch iMac would be updated with M5 and M5 Max chips simultaneously next year, or if Apple plans to re-release a separate, higher-end iMac Pro with the M5 Max. The previous Intel-based iMac Pro was discontinued in March 2021. 32-Inch iMac? It has been nearly four years since Apple discontinued the 27-inch iMac, as part of its move away from Intel processors. Since then, the 24-inch iMac has been Apple's only all-in-one desktop computer, with no larger model available. In October 2023, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that a higher-end 32-inch iMac with mini-LED backlighting would be released in 2025, but it appears that rumor was wrong given that the year is nearly over. Kuo has not commented on a larger iMac in a long time, so it is unclear if Apple plans to release such a product. In November 2023, Apple announced that it had no plans to release a new version of the 27-inch iMac with an Apple silicon chip at that time. Instead, Apple recommended pairing its standalone Studio Display with a Mac Studio or Mac mini. Perhaps this was Apple ruling out a larger iMac entirely, but only time will tell, and decisions can change. Wishful thinking: a 32-inch iMac Pro with an M5 Max chip and mini-LED backlighting. OLED Display South Korean publication The Elec this week reported that Apple is planning to release a 24-inch iMac with an OLED display in 2027 or 2028. The primary benefit of OLED technology compared to the current iMac's LCD is better overall image quality, with higher contrast ratio and deeper blacks. Bookmark our iMac roundup to stay up to date with the latest rumors.Related Roundup: iMacBuyer's Guide: iMac (Caution)Related Forum: iMacThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums04:21 pmApple TV’s next big psychological thriller gets a premiere date
Apple TV’s account on X confirmed today the premiere date for its upcoming psychological thriller with a star-studded cast. Here are the details. more…04:20 pmM5 MacBook Air: Everything you need to know
Macworld M5 MacBook Air: In summary M5 MacBook Air is expected to be released in spring 2026. Processor refresh with the new M5 chip anticipated. No other design or spec changes expected. U.K. and European shoppers will probably have to buy their own Power Adapter. Now that the M5 MacBook Pro is here it is only a matter of time before the M5 MacBook Air arrives. A gap of a few months between the launch of the M5 MacBook Pro and M5 MacBook Air is likely, so we anticipate that we will see the M5 MacBook Air in the first half of 2026. A spring launch seems most likely: Apple’s M4 MacBook Air was released in March 2024, about a year after the M3 version was released and Apple appears to be on a yearly cycle with the MacBook Air. We expect that the next generation of MacBook Air could be released in the spring of 2026. We can get a good picture of what to expect now that the M5 chip has arrived on the scene, with Apple describing the M5 as offering a “big leap” in AI performance. The M5 offers a new 10-core GPU architecture with a Neural Accelerator in each core, which Apple says means it can provide “over 4x the peak GPU compute performance compared to M4”. How these gains will translate to the MacBook Air remains to be seen, as the MacBook Air is usually a little less powerful than the equivalent MacBook Pro due to cooling space constraints. We will soon be running tests on the M5 chip so will get more of a picture of what to expect. This article will keep track of what’s being reported and rumored about the upcoming MacBook Air, as well as offer a perspective based on Apple’s current lineup. M5 MacBook Air: Specs With the M4 MacBook Air, Apple upgraded the built-in camera to a 12MP Center Stage camera and the ports from Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 4. With all those recent changes in mind, the M5 MacBook Air doesn’t have much else that clearly needs an upgrade. So, the new MacBook Air will likely be little more than a processor refresh. We can paint a picture of what to expect based on the existing M4 MacBook Air and the new M5 MacBook Pro. As usual, the specs of the entry-level MacBook Air are likely to include a GPU with fewer cores, and the mid-range MacBook Air is likely to match the spec of the entry-level MacBook Pro, but with half the storage. That is one specification that we’d like to see change: the 256GB SSD is on the small side. However, considering how long it took for Apple to get rid of the 8GB RAM configuration, Apple may stick with the 256GB SSD base model for a couple more generations. All models will start with the 16GB RAM configuration, as has been the case since Apple introduced it mid-way through the M3 cycle (October 2024). So, expect the following: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 256GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 256GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 When we benchmark the M5 chip we will include that information here, but we expect gains on the M4 chip. There will also be build to order options for up to 32GB memory. It’s not known if the 4TB SSD option that is now available on the M5 MacBook Pro will be available, we don’t expect it to be though. In the U.K. and Europe Apple has left the power adapter out of the box, so it is likely that this will be the case for the MacBook Air when it launches. In July, AppleInsider reported that the code names for the new laptops are J813 (13-inch Air) and J815 (15-inch Air). MacRumors reported in December 2025 that references to the M5 MacBook Air appeared in a set of leaked Apple files. M5 MacBook Air: Design No changes expected The current design for the MacBook Air was introduced in 2022. Since it’s only a few years old, we don’t expect it to change with the M5 release. With the M4 MacBook Air, Apple introduced a Sky Blue color to replace Space Gray, but it is unlikely that we will see any new colors for this generation. Apple introduced Sky Blue as a color option with the M4 MacBook Air.Eugen Wegmann M5 MacBook Air: Display The rumor mill has reported on plans for the company to implement OLED displays in its MacBooks, with the MacBook Pro getting the new display first, but that probably won’t happen until 2026. The MacBook Air could follow in 2027, but it’s also possible Apple will continue to offer the standard Liquid Retina display to keep the lines separate, as with the iPhone and iPad. M5 MacBook Air: Release date Expected in the first half of 2026 Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in March 2025 that Apple is working on the M5 MacBook Air, but did not mention when it would be ready. But we can guess based on the availability of the M5 series of chips, which are now available in the M5 iPad Pro and M5 MacBook Pro. A gap of a few months between the launch of the M5 MacBook Pro and M5 MacBook Air is likely, so we anticipate that we will see the M5 MacBook Air in the first half of 2026. The new MacBook Air could appear even sooner though: On September 28, 2025, Gurman reported that various M5 models were coming between “the end of the year and the first quarter of next year,” and he listed the M5 MacBook Air as well as the M5 MacBook Pro, both of which he said were “nearing mass production”. On October 16, Gurman reported that the M5 MacBook Air is scheduled for a spring 2026 release. M5 MacBook Air: Price We don’t expect the pricing to change, especially as the MacBook Pro pricing hasn’t changed. When it launched the M4 MacBook Air, Apple also cut the price of all models by $100, bringing the entry-level model down to $999. We haven’t read any reports about the pricing for the M5 MacBook Air. Apple will likely offer similar configurations to the M4, but it remains to be seen if the new lower prices will remain. The threat of tariffs by the U.S. government is a looming issue, which could affect prices. Apple could also keep the M4 around at $999 and start the M5 Airs at $1,099 like before. Here are the prices for the current standard configurations of the M4 MacBook Air. MacBook Air modelU.S.U.K.CanadaAustralia13in, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD$999£999$1,399$1,69913in, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD$1,199£1,199$1,699$1,99913in, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD$1,399£1,399$1,999$2,29915in, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD$1,199£1,199$1,699$2,09915in, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD$1,399£1,399$1,999$2,39915in, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD$1,599£1,599$2,299$2,69904:05 pmHuion Kamvas Pro 24 (Gen 3) drawing tablet Review: Wacom is in trouble
The third-generation Huion Kamvas Pro 24 is an excellent pen display for digital artists to use while working on their Mac. Wacom should be afraid.Huion Kamvas Pro 24 (Gen 3) review - in useAs a professional digital illustrator, pen display tablets are the lifeblood of my work and the backbone behind everything I create. I know when a pen display delivers or when they fall short.We're living in a time where new pen display releases steadily hit the market. The juggernaut that is Wacom is no longer the only game in town, nor is it the clear industry leader. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:53 pmHow to use ChatGPT with Apple Music when search comes up short
ChatGPT now supports Apple Music, giving subscribers a new way to discover and save music through conversation. Here's how to connect it, start using it, where ChatGPT is better, and where Apple Music search is better.How to use ChatGPT with Apple MusicOpenAI recently added Apple Music support to its ChatGPT app and it fills a gap Apple Music has struggled with for years. The integration works best when you know the kind of music you want, but Apple's search can't quite follow your thinking.Apple Music is fast and reliable when you already know what you're looking for. It's less helpful when discovery starts with a mood, a vague memory, or a poorly defined idea. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:45 pmApple TV expands ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ universe with new spin-off series starring Wyatt Russell | Mac Daily NewsApple TV expands ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ universe with new spin-off series starring Wyatt Russell
Apple TV on Thursday announced the expansion of Legendary’s Monsterverse with a thrilling new untitled prequel starring Wyatt Russell… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.03:35 pmApple’s OLED iMac: What to expect from the stunning display (and when)
Get ready for an OLED iMac, bringing a gorgeous new display to Apple’s all-in-one desktop computer for enhanced visuals. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:34 pmRivian rolls out software update 2025.46, including Universal Hands-Free driving and digital key for Apple and Android users | 9 to 5 MacRivian rolls out software update 2025.46, including Universal Hands-Free driving and digital key for Apple and Android users
Rivian has just shared details of its latest over-the-air software update 2025.46, which includes some of the new features announced during its recent AI and Autonomy event last week. The update features a new digital key function for Gen 2 R1 owners, “flavorful” drive styles, kick turns, tuning, and, of course, Rivian’s new Universal Hands-Free driving capabilities. more…03:33 pmWhat’s the best way to architect for freemium? When is it worth it?
This is both a product and technical based question. First question is — how do I know implementing freemium is right for my app? (ik there's no crystal ball). I could see it being beneficial as a means of keeping users around longer in hopes that they might convert; maybe some more feedback. But that […]03:15 pmWhy Apple plans to add more search ads to the App Store next year
You might not love that the App Store will introduce additional ad placements in search results, but Apple insists it's a good thing. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:05 pmNetwork Performance Issues in Haikou, China
Dec 18, 15:05 UTCUpdate - We are continuing to investigate this issue.Dec 18, 15:04 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating issues with Network Performance in Haikou, China.We are working to analyze and mitigate this problem. More updates will follow shortly.02:53 pmSEA (Seattle) on 2025-12-19
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 19, 10:00 - 15:00 UTCDec 18, 14:48 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in SEA (Seattle) datacenter on 2025-12-19 between 10:00 and 15:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.02:53 pmMAD (Madrid) on 2025-12-19
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 19, 01:00 - 05:00 UTCDec 18, 14:48 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in MAD (Madrid) datacenter on 2025-12-19 between 01:00 and 05:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.02:51 pmApple announces changes to iOS in Japan
Apple has introduced updates to iOS apps in Japan in response to the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA). These changes provide… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.02:30 pmThis ChatGPT training course shows entrepreneurs the smartest ways to use AI
Save on the 2025 Complete ChatGPT Skills and Business Mastery Bundle. These courses will show you how to utilize the most popular AI around. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:23 pmUnited Kingdom Account Security Carrier Partner Maintenance – Vodafone
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 18, 14:30 - 20:20 PSTDec 18, 05:59 PSTScheduled - Our carrier partner Vodafone United Kingdom is conducting a planned maintenance from 18 December 2025 at 14:30 PST until 18 December 2025 at 20:20 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent API request failures for Vodafone United Kingdom customers.Impacted Products: Lookup Identity Match, Legacy Identity MatchAndAttributesWe are aware of the short notice and are working with our Carrier Partners to provide earlier notification where possible.02:14 pmStock futures jump after better-than-expected inflation data
U.S. stock futures climbed on Thursday following the release of cooler-than-expected November inflation data. The Consumer Price Index… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.02:14 pmSnapchat Quick Cut automatically creates music-synced videos in seconds
A new Snapchat Quick Cut feature has been launched, which enables you to automatically create music-synced videos in just a few seconds. The feature is exclusive to the iPhone for now, with Android support promised for a later date … more…02:00 pmMake taking iPhone screenshots easy again
iPhone screenshots can be simple again. Change a setting, and you can get rid of the complex new system Apple created for iOS 26. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)01:47 pmEpic Games CEO slams Japanese App Store 'junk fees' following App Store tweaks
As expected, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney took to social media to complain about the "junk fees" he says will prevent "Fortnite" from returning to the iPhone.Tim Sweeney is, once again, mad at Apple. Image source: Epic GamesApple announced on December 17 that it is introducing support for third-party app stores and payment processors to Japanese iPhones. But if you thought that news would make Tim Sweeney happy, think again.As a recap, Apple's announcement brings Japanese iPhones closer to the way iPhones function in the European Union. The rule changes mean that third-party app stores can be installed, while developers can also choose how they accept payments for apps and digital goods. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:43 pmApple gift card safety questioned after terrifying account lockout
The safety of buying Apple gift cards from anywhere other than the company itself has been called into question after a frankly terrifying story of a well-known developer and author getting locked out of his account. Organizer of the /dev/world conference Paris Buttfield-Addison described what happened after he attempted to redeem an Apple gift card purchased from a well-known bricks-and-mortar retailer … more…01:37 pmGet the AirPods Pro 3 for $199 on Amazon With Christmas Delivery
It's getting more and more difficult to find good deals with guaranteed Christmas delivery, but today Amazon has a match of the record low price on the AirPods Pro 3, as well as delivery before December 25. There's also a solid discount on the AirPods 4 on Amazon, but holiday delivery dates are slipping into late December for that one. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Apple's AirPods Pro 3 have hit $199.00 today on Amazon, down from $249.00. This is a match of the all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, and it beats the Black Friday price we saw last month by about $20. $50 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $199.00 Secondly, you can get the AirPods 4 without ANC for $74.00, down from $129.00. This is a solid second-best price on this model, and just $5 away from the all-time low price we saw during Black Friday. 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. Update: Stock on the AirPods 4 has been fluctuating all morning, but the $74.00 discount may return soon. If it does we will update this article again. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums01:30 pmBest way to spend $100 Apple Search Ads credit for a new app?
Hey everyone 👋 I just launched an iOS app (Kids Art Studio) and got a free $100 Apple Search Ads credit. The app is a kids drawing app which enhanced drawings using AI. It has a one-time IAP unlock for unlimited generations (no ads, no subscriptions). I’ve never run Apple Search Ads before and I’d […]01:12 pmKuo: iPhone Fold Production Challenges Could Limit Supply Next Year
Apple's highly anticipated foldable iPhone could face supply shortages into 2027 despite a planned launch next year, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo said in a new research note: "Development of the foldable iPhone is behind earlier expectations, but the product is still expected to [sic] announce in 2H26. Due to early-stage yield and ramp-up challenges, smooth shipments may not occur until 2027. With limited supply and expected strong demand, the foldable iPhone could be facing shortages until at least the end of 2026."The warning suggests Apple's ambitious foldable device will face manufacturing hurdles when it enters mass production. Foxconn was expected to begin limited production of the device before the end of this year, but a dearth of reports on that front could potentially mean that the "iPhone Fold" is still in the engineering validation stage. Kuo's forecast of production challenges is reminiscent of concerns previously raised by Mizuho Securities, which suggested the launch could slip to 2027 if Apple takes longer to finalize design elements like the hinge mechanism. For his part, Kuo appears to be saying that Apple is still on course to announce the device in the fall of 2026, but it could end up shipping the device in large volumes later than planned. iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a book-style design with 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: Foldable iPhone, Ming-Chi KuoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums01:00 pmHR’s 2026 Playbook Signals a Human-Centric Tech Reset
Burnout, AI anxiety, and rising expectations around pay and growth are pushing HR leaders to rethink how technology, transparency, and people strategy intersect in 2026. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.12:38 pmOLED iMac in the works, says report – with two catches
We’re expecting to see an OLED MacBook Pro launching next year as part of a major redesign, but we haven’t previously heard anything about when Apple might bring the display tech to the iMac. A new supply chain report says that Apple is now working on this, but there are a couple of key things to note … more…12:38 pmNew iMac with OLED display may launch in 2027
A new supply chain report suggests that Apple is planning to update its 24-inch iMac with OLED to make an improved and noticeably brighter display.The current 24-inch iMacIt's been described as the perfect Mac, but still the 24-inch iMac has seen only minor updates since it first moved to Apple Silicon in April 2021. Now it's reported that Apple is looking to at least significantly improve the display in a future release.According to The Elec, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to both Samsung Display and LG Display. An RFI typically includes finalized specifications for what a company wants, and the display firms can now bid to develop and supply it. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:15 pmCloudflare Zero Trust: Gateway Issues
Dec 18, 12:15 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating an issue causing increased latency for users connected to Cloudflare Gateway. The issue is in Sacramento - United States.We are working to understand the full impact and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.12:15 pmiPhone 17e: Everything you need to know
Macworld iPhone 17e: Summary A19 processor Possible new display with Dynamic Island Single rear camera MagSafe support Spring 2026 release Apple launched a new series of iPhones at the end of 2025: the iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max as well as a brand new iPhone Air, but there was no new iPhone 17e for those hoping for an update to the budget iPhone. This wasn’t a surprise: Apple released the iPhone 16e in February 2025 to replace the iPhone SE, so an update to the iPhone “e” series phones wasn’t expected to arrive until early 2026. If you’re considering buying an iPhone 17e, this is the place to keep up to date on its development. We’ll keep track of the latest reports and provide our analysis to help you decide if the iPhone 17e is the right phone for you. At a glance: What to expect from iPhone 17e 6.1-inch OLED display with Dynamic Island A19 chip Single 48MP back camera; 18MP front camera C1 cellular modem MagSafe support Black or white color options Like the iPhone 16e – and the iPhone Air – the iPhone 17e will likely have a single back camera.Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd iPhone 17e: Specs A19 with one fewer GPU than iPhone 17 MagSafe support C1X modem possible A December 2025 report in The Information claimed that Apple will add MagSafe support to the iPhone 17e, one of the features that is notably missing from the 16e. When we reviewed the 16e, the lack of MagSafe was one of its major shortcomings. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the iPhone 17e will have an A19 chip. If this is the case, it will be the same A19 chip as is used by the iPhone 17. There may still be a difference, though: Apple uses binned chips in the “e” series. The A18 in the iPhone 16e has one fewer GPU core than the A18 in the standard iPhone 16; the A19 in the iPhone 17e will likely have one fewer GPU core than the iPhone 17. In August 2025, a leaker named Digital Chat Station also reported that the iPhone 17e will have an A19 chip. Apple’s C1 modem first appeared in the iPhone 16e, and rumors suggest the iPhone 17e will use the same modem. However, it could take the newer C1X modem as found in the iPhone 17 series, which is apparently two times faster than the C1 while using 30% less energy. iPhone 17e: Display Might have Dynamic Island instead of notch. The iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch screen, which is larger than that of the iPhone 16 (6.1-inch). The iPhone 17e is not expected to get a bigger screen. It will likely sport a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, the same as the iPhone 16e. This was reported by Digital Chat Station in August, who also said that the display will have a Dynamic Island, which would be a change from the notch on the iPhone 16e. In December 2025, The Elec reported that BOE will provide OLED displays to Apple for the iPhone 17e. BOE also provided OLEDs for the iPhone 16e. Samsung Display and LG Display are expected to also provide 17e displays. The display, according to The Elec, will have thinner bezels than the 16e. The Elec said the 17e will start shipping early next year. iPhone 17e: Cameras 18MP front camera Single rear camera The iPhone 17e will likely continue to have a single 48MP camera on the back and a 12MP camera on the front, just like the iPhone 16e. This was reported by Digital Chat Station in August. However, the front-facing cameras across the iPhone 17 range have all been updated to 18MP, so it is possible that the iPhone 17e will see the same update to the selfie camera. If so, it will also include a square sensor capable of taking photos in any orientation without requiring the user to rotate the phone. The notch may be replaced by the Dynamic Island in the iPhone 17e.Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd iPhone 17e: Design & Colors Likely black and white options There have been no reports relating to the iPhone 17e’s colors. The iPhone 16e is available in black or white, and we expect the same for the iPhone 17e. No changes are expected for the design, although, as mentioned above, the new iPhone 17e could have a Digital Island instead of the notch at the top of the screen. iPhone 17e: Release date Expected to arrive in spring 2026 Like the SE, Apple started shipping the iPhone 16e in early 2025, several months after the rest of the iPhone 16 line. According to reports, the iPhone 17e has entered test production runs to prepare it for a spring 2026 release. A report stated that iPhone 16e sales are not doing as well as Apple would like. It’s not clear if this will affect the release of the iPhone 17e. iPhone 17e: Price Starting at $599 The iPhone 16e starts at $599, and Apple is expected to price the iPhone 17e at $599 as well, though no reports have been made so far. Tariffs and production cost increases may affect the price, but since the “e” series is considered Apple’s lowest-priced iPhone, the price would not exceed that of the iPhone 17, which starts at $799, and the iPhone 16, whose price has been reduced to start at $699.12:08 pmMore ads are coming to the App Store in 2026
Apple is preparing to present more ads during searches on the App Stores, but has told advertisers they can't pay to get better positioning.App Store ads. While reports of ads coming to Apple Maps remain rumors, Apple has announced that it is adding "additional ads across search queries" in the App Store from 2026. The new ads will appear inline within the search results, while the existing ones will continue to be at the top of the list.Apple's note to advertisers and developers about this stresses firstly that they do not need to do anything to appear in these new ad slots. But then secondly, it says that they actually cannot do anything to appear in them. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:00 pmEpic Games accuses Apple of ‘competition-crushing’ junk fees as battle continues
Another country, another continuation of the ongoing antitrust battle between Epic Games and Apple over third-party app stores. While Apple has enabled support for third-party app stores within another country, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney isn’t happy with the arrangements … more…12:00 pmNetwork Error Logging Issues
Dec 18, 12:00 UTCResolved - Customers using our Last Mile Insights / Network Error Logging feature will observe missing report data between 2025-12-18 11:00 and 11:50 UTC due to an outage impacting the report delivery pipeline.11:50 amReport: Apple Developing 24-Inch OLED iMac With 600 Nits Brightness
Apple is working on a 24-inch iMac featuring an OLED display, with the aim of completing development as early as 2027, claims a new report out of Korea. According to The Elec, Apple has sent requests for information to Samsung Display and LG Display regarding development of a 24-inch OLED panel for the iMac. Current 24-inch iMacs use a 4.5K Retina display, which is an LCD panel with LED backlighting. The specs apparently being discussed include 600 nits of brightness and a pixel density of 218 PPI. If accurate, that would match the current 24-inch iMac's resolution but deliver a 20% brightness boost over the existing 4.5K Retina display's 500-nit maximum, making it equivalent to the brightness of Apple's Studio Display – though that also uses an inferior LCD panel. OLED display technology benefits from several other advantages beyond brighter screens, such as deeper blacks with higher contrast, improved power efficiency, and other enhancements. This is the first report we've seen suggesting Apple plans to bring OLED technology to its all-in-one desktop lineup. The company has already committed to OLED displays for future MacBook Pro models, with 14-inch and 16-inch versions expected to enter production next year using Samsung Display's 8th-generation IT OLED manufacturing line. OLED versions of its MacBook Air models are expected to follow. For the iMac display, both Samsung and LG Display are expected to propose their respective large-format OLED technologies rather than the RGB OLED method Apple traditionally prefers. Samsung would likely pitch its quantum dot OLED panels, while LG Display would offer its white OLED solution. Both manufacturers are reportedly developing 5-stack configurations that add an extra green layer to improve brightness compared to current 4-stack designs. The report suggests Apple prefers RGB OLED, where light and color generate at the subpixel level, but this technology apparently hasn't yet scaled reliably to the 20-30 inch range needed for desktop displays. Both panel makers are said to be exploring RGB OLED as a longer-term option. Apple aims to complete iMac OLED panel development by 2027 or 2028, but the finished product could launch after that timeline. A recent but separate report has claimed Apple is developing a high-end iMac featuring the M5 Max chip, but there is currently no indication that OLED is destined for this rumored model. Apple could refresh the 24-inch iMac with an updated M5 chip at some point next year.Related Roundup: iMacTags: OLED, The ElecBuyer's Guide: iMac (Caution)Related Forum: iMacThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums11:39 amPSA: This is your last chance to get AirPods Pro 3 for $50 off in time for Christmas
Good morning! Well folks, this is it. I’ve been telling you for the last six weeks to buy AirPods Pro 3 this holiday season, and this is your last call. I’ll be honest, this last hurrah comes as a surprise. Amazon has done the unexpected and dropped AirPods Pro 3 back to their all-time low of $199. AND! The logistics wizards at the company say your order will arrive before Christmas with time to spare. Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 (Reg. $249) | All-time low more…11:30 am2025 Macworld Awards: Apple’s biggest wins and misses
Macworld As 2025 comes to a close, Macworld is proud to present our Apple awards,ta look back at the best and worst of everything released over the past 12 months. It was a busy year for Apple, with new products across its entire range of products, including iPhone, iPad, AirPods, Mac, and even Vision Pro. So join us as we recognize the products that made the most impact in 2025: iPhone/iOS Emma Rowley / Foundry iPhone of the Year: iPhone 17 The iPhone 17 isn’t just the best iPhone of 2025; it’s the best iPhone of the last five years. Apple finally stopped holding back features that should be table stakes for an $800 phone. You get double the storage, 120Hz ProMotion, 50 percent higher peak brightness, always-on display, better cameras, and speed and battery life that both exceed last year’s Pro model. All without raising the price. There’s never been a better year not to go Pro. — Jason Cross Apple iOS feature of the year: Tackling Spam Call Screening will silently answer unknown numbers and ask them to say why they’re calling, and you can see it all right on screen. It’s a great way to eliminate spam calls without missing legit calls from numbers that just aren’t in your contacts. Couple that with new spam filtering in Messages, as well as in the Phone app and FaceTime, and Apple is finally doing something about one of the biggest pain points of using a smartphone. There’s still a long way to go, but since upgrading to iOS 26 and enabling these features, I’ve noticed a big drop in the number of times a day I pick up my phone only to immediately hang up on a solicitation message. — Jason Cross Britta O’Boyle Color of the Year: Cosmic Orange For the company that ostracized beige as the default color in computing when it launched the out-there Bondi Blue iMac in 1998, Apple has been rather tame in terms of its recent color choices. The iPhone 17 Pro’s Cosmic Orange is therefore a refreshing shock to the system and a vibrant return to form. Orange is no longer restricted to traffic cones and dodgy Seventies furniture. The Apple Store should hand out sunglasses for the crowds picking up the vibrant new iPhone and ignoring the dark blue one. There’s even a growing range of orange accessories available for the new phone. — Simon Jary Apple Oddity of the Year: iPhone Pocket Readers of a certain vintage who still fondly remember when Apple released a pair of socks for its iPod back in 2004, were rocked once again with the unexpected—and indeed unasked-for—iPhone Pocket, which the company described as “a singular 3D-knitted construction designed to fully enclose iPhone, while expanding to fit your everyday items”. Designed in conjunction with the Issey Miyake design studio famous for Steve Jobs’ trademark turtleneck, the iPhone Pocket comes in eight crazy colors, including Peacock, Sapphire, and Cinnamon. We all laughed until it sold out in mere minutes. — Simon Jary Foundry Flop of the Year: Liquid Glass Liquid Glass was Apple’s bold new, all-encompassing design language that radically changed the look of Apple’s software across all of the OS 26 software updates. Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design, tried to channel his inner Jony Ive by describing it as making “even the simplest of interactions more fun and magical.” We didn’t get that. Instead, Liquid Glass is the worst example of flamboyance over function, the opposite of Ive’s philosophy. — Simon Jary Mac/macOS Foundry Mac of the Year: M3 Ultra Mac Studio Overall, 2025 was a quiet year for Mac hardware, but one Mac made a sizable impact on Apple’s lineup. The Mac Studio was a bit of a surprise because its M3 Ultra chip was released out of sequence with Apple’s usual cadence. Still, in the Mac Studio, it’s the fastest Mac available, leaving the M2 Ultra Mac Pro behind—way behind. At thousands less, it basically renders the Mac Pro irrelevant to everyone who doesn’t really need an expansion card. With its exnihilating CPU speed, powerful GPU performance, and robust expandability, the Mac Studio became King of the Macs in 2025. — Roman Loyola Den M5 gibt es bisher nur in der Basisversion, 2026 kommen dann der M5 Pro und M5 Max. Apple Chip of the Year: M5 To say, “Apple is on a roll,” undercuts how much momentum the company has with its chips. Apple silicon is downright killing it, and the M5 chip exemplifies why. Making its debut in the MacBook Pro, the M5 provides an ideal and unprecedented combination of processing speed, graphics power, and energy efficiency in a consumer-level chip. The M5 is so good that Apple felt that it could wait until next year to release the M5 Pro and Max variants. — Roman Loyola Foundry Disappointment of the Year: Mac Pro While every other Mac has some version of the M4 and the 14-inch MacBook Pro has an M5, Apple’s most expensive Mac still has the same M2 Ultra chip it got back in June 2023. Meanwhile, the Mac Studio with a superior M3 Ultra costs a couple of thousand dollars less, and I’m left to wonder: How can Apple charge upwards of $10,000 for a Mac with a two-plus-generation-old chip? There were plenty of opportunities to update the Mac Pro in 2025, but instead, Apple let it languish another year with the same aging processor. iPad/iPadOS Foundry iPad of the Year: iPad Pro M5 Apple updated three of its four iPads in 2025 (sorry iPad mini), but the M5 iPad Pro is really the only one that could be considered for this distinction. All three updates were essentially chip refreshes (A14 to A16 (iPad); M2 to M3 (iPad Air); M4 to M5 (iPad Pro), but only the iPad Pro delivered a noticeable boost over its predecessor. Add in 50 percent more entry-level RAM, faster Wi-Fi, and fast charging, and you’ve got an upgrade worthy of a pro. — Michael Simon Apple Update of the year: iPadOS 26 This year’s WWDC keynote was jam-packed with features, from Liquid Glass to Live Translation and revamped app designs. But the star of the show was iPadOS 26, which introduced a new interface that incorporated many of the visual and productivity elements users have wanted for years, with resizable windows, macOS-like multitasking, and a new lease on life. — Michael Simon Apple Watch David Price / Foundry Watch of the year: Apple Watch SE 3 Strictly speaking, the Series 11 was the best Apple Watch to come out this year (I find the Ultra models too bulky for everyday wear), but the SE 3 was without a doubt the one I’d recommend to a friend. It’s nearly as good and far better value. As part of the 2025 refresh, the SE gained an always-on display, a bigger and longer-lasting battery, improved scratch resistance, new health features and gestures, on-device Siri, and the option of 5G. And all that for $249! Forget the Series 11; this has everything you need from a smartwatch at an excellent price. — David Price Services Apple Apple TV show of the year: ‘Pluribus’ There’s something nerve-wracking about recommending a TV show in the middle of a run–particularly one as unpredictable as *Pluribus*. Who knows where it will go from here? But just six episodes into the debut season of this frequently funny, occasionally harrowing sci-fi drama, and even against strong competition from the second season of *Severance*, I feel (reasonably) confident naming this as the Apple TV show of the year. As you’d expect from a Vince Gilligan production, *Pluribus* flips seamlessly between slow-burn beauty and sudden shocking action, between grief and humor and mystery. And Rhea Seehorn is superb as the last unhappy woman in the world. Maybe it’ll go downhill at some point, but let’s enjoy the ride while it lasts — David Price Foundry Service of the year: News + Apple TV and Music may get all the attention, but Apple News+ came into its own in 2025. Apple’s daily puzzles had long revolved around somewhat pedestrian offerings, such as crosswords and Sudoku, but a completely original concept, Emoji Game, quickly became a unique and highly entertaining option for users seeking original concepts. And for those of us who have grown sick of the fluff and intrusive ads we come across when Googling recipes, Apple News+ added a new search function that lets you find recipes and view the ingredients and directions in a clutter-free interface. Neat, right? It gets better. You can directly set timers based on the stated durations and add the listed ingredients to your Reminders app. — Mahmoud Itani11:08 amRate my UI guys!!
submitted by /u/Collins0101 [link] [comments]11:02 amX drops support for installing its iPad app on the Mac
Last year, X (formerly known as Twitter) killed its dedicated Mac app and removed it from the Mac App Store. At the time, the company pointed users to the iPad version of the app, which remained available on the Mac App Store for Apple Silicon users to install. Now, however, X is blocking users from installing the iPad version of the app on macOS. The essentially means the company has ditched the Mac entirely. more…10:49 amApp Store Search Results to Show More Ads Next Year, Says Apple
Apple will next year introduce more ads in the App Store "to increase opportunity" in search results, the company has announced. According to an update to Apple's Ads website, additional ads will appear across search queries, appearing at the top as well as further down in App Store results, and existing campaigns won't need to do anything to be eligible. Search is the way most people find and download apps on the App Store, with nearly 65 percent of downloads happening directly after a search. To help give advertisers more opportunities to drive downloads from search results, Apple Ads will introduce additional ads across search queries. You don't need to change your campaign in order to be eligible for any new positions. Your ad will run in either the existing position — at the top of search results — or further down in search results. If you have a search results campaign running, your ad will be automatically eligible for all available positions, but you can't select or bid for a particular one.Apple explains that the ad format will remain the same – a default or custom product page, and an optional deep link. Advertisers and developers won't see a change in their billing, which will remain based on Apple's cost-per-tap model, so developers only pay when a user taps on an ad. Apple displays ads based on a combination of bid amount and an app's relevance to the search query, with ad matching done automatically. The new App Store ads will appear on devices running iOS 26.2 and later from the beginning of 2026. For further details, check out Apple's Ads website. (Via 9to5Mac.)Tag: App StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums10:37 amHow can I recover lost or deleted data from my Mac
Macworld Life might not be entirely paperless yet, but the truth is that the vast majority of our important documents, photos, videos and other files are all now digital. This is good, as it saves space in our homes and the money in our pockets. But this also means we can lose everything if a drive fails, becomes corrupted, or we accidentally delete data. This is a nightmare, especially if you don’t have a solid backup solution in place. So, what can be done to recover lost or deleted files from your Mac or iPhone? Check your backups or cloud accounts With devices now being so heavily interconnected, you might find that the missing files are backed up in iCloud, Google Drive, Onedrive or any other cloud-based storage service you use. So, the first step is to look there. If that comes up empty, then checking to see if you have a Time Machine backup of your files is the next step. Should this be the case, then simply copy those files onto a new drive and you’ll be back to normal. If you can’t find the files, or your drive has crashed and taken the system with it, then it can feel a bit hopeless. That’s not where the story ends though, as professional recovery software can still provide a high probability of safely retrieving that precious data. Restoring lost or deleted date with professional recovery software You’ll find a wide range of recovery software available, but we recommend you go for one with a longstanding reputation and large user-base. Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac is an excellent option, as the company has been a specialist in the sector for 30 years, with the software downloaded over 130 million times. The simple and easy to use interface means that you don’t have to be a tech expert to find and restore your lost data. Simply tell it the type of files you’re looking for, scan the drive, preview the files to see if they’re the ones you’re after, then save them to a new location. It’s all done in a few clicks. You can even pause the process at any time, so your Mac isn’t tied up with the search for the lost data. Stellar Don’t let the simplicity fool you though, as Stellar Data Recovery is incredibly powerful and can rescue data from a wide range of problems. Whether it’s been deleted accidentally or wiped out when a drive was formatted, the software has a 98.6% recovery rate, meaning there’s an excellent chance you’ll get it back. It also works with crashed and unbootable systems, corrupted hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks, SD cards, Bootcamp partitions, Time Machine backups and encrypted drives. So, no matter the media, your data could still be found. Stellar Data Recovery can be used to find a huge selection of file types, such as documents, photos, videos, emails, ZIP files and others, plus there’s also versions for iPhone, Android and Windows if you have a cross-platform set-up. Get your data back with Stellar Data Recovery You can sign up for a free trial of Stellar Data Recovery today, which will scan your system and show you which data is recoverable. Then, if you’re able to get back the files you need, Stellar Data Recovery Professional has all the tools you need for only £89.99/$89.99. That’s a lifetime purchase too, so you won’t need to worry about a subscription. Try out Stellar Data Recovery Professional today! Data disappearing can be annoying at best, catastrophic at worst. Don’t lose heart though, with professional recovery software all is not lost.10:35 amIs Apple ever going to give us a real TTS framework?
I have a released an app that needed decent TTS, and AVSpeechSynthesizer just wasn't cutting it. The voices sound horrible, like robots. So I implemented on-device Kokoro using MLX in both English and Japanese. Sounds great, works on-device, but my app size bloated by over a gigabyte just from the compiled frameworks. It feels like […]10:01 amApp Store rankings a wild ride
My first app is in the Paid Business Category in Australia. Fair to say a Wild West ride on rankings. At one stage today I was ranked 158 and currently I am 3 lol. Sadly that isn’t likely many sales in this category but gee that is a wild ride In one Day lol. If […]09:59 amBest Virtual Machine (VM) Software for Mac 2026: Parallels vs VMware and more
Macworld Even the most loyal Mac users recognize that Windows still rules the roost in the world of desktop and laptop computers, and there are many important apps that only run on Windows. For example, the Windows version of Microsoft Office includes the Access database that has never been available for the Mac, and there are many professional graphics and video tools that are Windows-only. And, of course, there are all those A-List games that have never even glanced in the direction of us poor, forgotten Mac gamers. If you need to run Windows software or games on your Macs then this article will reveal the best way to do so. Read on to discover the best options for running Windows, and Windows apps, on your Mac. You may also like to read our guide to How to install Windows and run Windows apps on a Mac (M-series models). We also cover how to run Windows on an Intel Mac separately. Best Virtual Machine for Mac 2026: Best VMs to run Windows on a Mac Read on for the best virtual machines for Mac. Our top choice is Parallels, but we also consider VMware and alternative options, including emulators that let you run Windows apps on a Mac without even installing Windows to Microsoft’s Windows 365 service. At a Glance Best VM Comparison ToolBest ForPriceApple Silicon SupportParallels DesktopBest overallPaidYesVMware FusionFree personal useFreeYesCrossOverWindows apps w/o WindowsPaidYesUTMGood budget optionFree/$9.99Yes 1. Parallels Desktop: Best VM software for Mac Pros Frequent updates and new features. Good performance on multi-core Apple chips. Slick, easy-to-use interface. Ability to run x86 Windows on M-series Macs. Cons Most editions require a subscription. Virtual machines require a lot of memory and processor power. Windows On ARM is expensive. Price When Reviewed: Standard – $99.99 annual subscription or $219.99 perpetual license; Pro – $119.99 annual subscription; Business – $149.99 annual subscription Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Parallels (1 year) $99.99 View Deal Parallels (Perpetual License) $219.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Parallels Desktop allows you to create a virtual machine on your Mac. The software simulates the physical hardware of a Windows PC and lets you run Windows on your Mac. One of the benefits is Parallels Desktop allows you to run Mac and Windows apps side by side, without having to reboot to switch between the operating systems. With Parallels you can keep Windows and macOS completely separate or you can use Coherence mode to fully integrate your Windows apps on your Mac–you can even add them to your Dock. Parallels also offers a Rollback mode, which is useful for experimenting developers. Nothing is saved, so when you restart the computer the VM will return to it’s original state. Parallels makes installing Windows really easy. Since Parallels Desktop version 18 it has been possible to download and buy the ARM version of Windows 11 within Parallels. You do need to buy a license for the ARM version of Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise (unfortunately, the cheaper Home edition isn’t supported). If it’s the old x86 version of Windows you want then Parallels has been working to support this on M-series Macs. The 20.2.0 update in January 2025 introduced the limited ability to create virtual machines (VMs) that run certain versions of Windows that were written for Intel processors (sometimes known as ‘x86_64’, referring to 64-bit software written for Intel’s x86 processors). It’s important to note, though, that there are some major limitations such as a lack of sound and assigning a maximum of 8GB memory to each VM. It’s also slow. But that’s only going to apply to you if you are running an Intel version on an M-series Mac. Parallels Desktop has a regular update cycle that tends to coincide with Apple’s big macOS updates. Parallels Desktop was updated in September 2025, bringing support for macOS Tahoe and it’s new features. Parallels Desktop 26 includes technical updates that allow it to run smoothly with the new system for handling background processes that has been introduced with macOS 26. It’s also compatible with the latest Windows 11 25H2. A number of new AI-specific features aimed at developers were introduced with the September 2024 update (Parallels Desktop 20). A ‘Parallels AI Package’ allows developers to create a new virtual machine with a pre-installed set of AI tools and features, including the ability to control Parallels Desktop using plain language commands (more info here). Read our full Parallels Desktop for Mac review 2. VMware Fusion – Free Mac VM (for personal use) Pros Fusion allows you to use it for free if it’s for personal, home and student use. Cons VMware doesn’t update Fusion as regularly as Parallels is updated. Price When Reviewed: Free (personal use); $120 (commercial) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price VMware (Fusion Player, personal use) Free View Deal VMware Fusion Pro (non-commercial use) Free View Deal VMware Desktop Hypervisor Pro $120 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket For many years, VMware Fusion was in lock-step with Parallels Desktop, with the two rivals releasing regular updates and competing for the top spot in the Mac virtualization market. In recent years, though, VMware seems to have taken its foot off the pedal and has allowed Fusion to fall behind a bit (in fact, you actually have to dig around quite a bit simply to find Fusion on the VMware website these days). When Fusion version 13 arrived in November 2022, it brought support for ARM virtualization on Apple’s M1 and M2-series chips. As is the case with Parallels Desktop, you can only run the Arm version of Windows on M-series Macs. Unfortunately, installing the Arm version of Windows via VMware isn’t as simple as it is with Parallels, VMware told us that it’s up to the user to buy a license from Microsoft (which is a challenge due to it not being available to individual users). Version 13.5 arrived in October 2023 and with it much needed support for DirectX 11 3D graphics and an easier way to install Windows 11 on Arm via a “Get Windows” button. VMware Fusion 13.6 arrived in September 2024 and brought vmcli command line support and new guest operating system support. With the arrival of Fusion 12 in 2020, VMware started to offer a free version of the program – called Fusion Player – for personal use only, for home users and students. It’s since changed this strategy and is offering the Fusion Pro for free as long as it is for personal use. You’ll need to register for a VMware account, but Fusion Pro is free to download here. While Fusion hasn’t kept up to date with the latest developments in Mac hardware and software, the availability of the free version of Fusion Pro still makes it a great option for home users and students who occasionally need to run Windows apps or games on their Intel Macs. Read our full VMware Fusion review 3. Codeweavers CrossOver: Best for running Windows apps without Windows Pros 14-day trial Doesn’t require a full version of Windows Improved interface and ease of use Regular updates, good technical support Cons Some Windows apps aren’t compatible Can be complicated to use Requires Rosetta on Apple Silicon Price When Reviewed: $59.95 for a year, $494 for life Best Prices Today: Retailer Price CodeWeavers $74 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket CrossOver is based on WINE (see below), and uses a similar compatibility layer to allow Windows apps to run on the Mac without requiring a full version of Windows to be installed as well (you need to buy a copy of Windows for use with virtualization programs such as Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion). Although WINE is a free, open-source program, it’s complicated to use. In contrast, Codeweavers have developed CrossOver as a user-friendly alternative. A copy of CrossOver with a year of technical support is $74/£60, or you can pay $494/£414 for lifetime support. There is a 14-day free trial available. With CrossOver you install Windows apps in Bottles, which are self-contained files that can be launched and run on your Mac without requiring a full copy of Windows. You can create lots of different bottles for different apps, and bottles can even be configured to provide compatibility with different versions of Windows. This is useful as it allows you to create bottles that are suitable for older games and software that might require a particular version of Windows in order to run properly. Simplifying things further, CrossOver has a Mac-like interface and offers assistance for installing Windows apps and games. For example, when you launch CrossOver you see the main Install window, which lists popular Windows apps and games, such as Grand Theft Auto V and the Quicken accounting software for business users. You can even search for information on hundreds of Windows apps, and get an indication of how well they run with CrossOver. CrossOver 25 (March 2025) was one of the biggest updates of recent years, promising to bring “next level gaming to the Mac”. Some of the new features in v25 are under-the-bonnet changes, such as adopting the latest version of the underlying WINE technology, which Codeweavers claims includes thousands of programming updates to improve performance and compatibility. This update also introduces a new graphics technology, called DXMT that, according to Codeweavers, provides better performance for less powerful Mac models when running Windows games that use DX11 graphics. There’s improved compatibility with lots of big-name Windows games, allowing you to play games such as Path Of Exile 2, Dragon’s Dogma 2, and Fallout 76 for the first time. And, along with Steam, CrossOver 25 now supports the Windows versions of the GoG and Epic game stores so that you can download games that you own from those stores. CrossOver is based on code written for Intel processors, so it relies on Apple’s Rosetta to run on Macs with Apple Silicon, but we found that performance was pretty good regardless. Codeweavers says that it is working on native support for Apple Silicon. The Codeweavers team puts a lot of effort into regular updates for CrossOver and the tech support is impressive. Even so, CrossOver can still be a little daunting at times, so it’s worth downloading the trial version to see how well it works with your favorite Windows games and other Windows software. Read our full CrossOver for Mac review 4. Whisky: Best for Windows games on Mac Pros Free, open-source app Works with Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit Supports DX12 Cons Supports fewer games than CrossOver No technical support Will no longer be developed Price When Reviewed: Free Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Whisky Free View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket It the main reason you want to run Windows on your Mac is so you can play Windows games on your Mac this is the solution for you. Just be aware that the developer of Whisky has said he will no longer be updating the software, so it’s days may well be numbered. Whisky emerged following Apple’s launch of the Game Porting Toolkit in 2023 and is based on GPTK and is focused on running Windows games rather than more serious business software that the other VM solutions focus on. Whisky isn’t an emulator or virtualization program, like Parallels Desktop or UTM. Rather than letting you run Windows on a virtual machine, it’s more like CrossOver in that it allows you to run a variety of Windows apps and software on your Mac without needing to install Windows. CrossOver and Whisky – and even Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit – are all based on the open-source WINE (see below for our review of WINE), which acts as a translation layer that converts the programming code in Windows apps and software into the Mac equivalent (a bit like Apple’s own Rosetta software, which translates software written for older Intel Macs to run on Macs with Apple Silicon processors). Whisky is a free, open-source alternative to CrossOver (CrossOver is also open-source, but has a $64 annual ‘license fee’ for technical support). Whisky allows you to create bottles, which are files that act as a container for the Windows apps you want to run. The bottles provide compatibility with various versions of Windows (right back to Windows 7 and XP for 32-bit era games). Once a bottle is created press Run to launch the installer program for the Windows game and that game then becomes part of that bottle. Whisky also allows you to install the Windows version of Steam within a bottle and install Windows games that you own on Steam in that bottle. In comparison to CrossOver, Whisky isn’t quite as easy to use, lacks the step-by-step help, and doesn’t work with the same wide range of games, but Whisky still does an impressive job for a free open-source app that was developed by just one person (and a 17 year old one at that). In our tests Whisky had no trouble at all with Call Of Cthulhu from 2018 and Guild Wars 2, providing very good performance on my MacBook Pro with M2 processor. Whisky supports a number of Windows games that use Microsoft’s DX12 graphics software. However, it doesn’t currently work with games such as Diablo IV and Fortnite. There’s a list of compatible games on the Whisky website. Read our full Whisky review 5. UTM Virtual Machines: Good value emulator Pros Affordable/free option for running Windows on Mac Runs on Intel and Apple Silicon Runs older versions of Windows and Linux Cons More complex than its rivals No tech-support Price When Reviewed: $9.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Mac App Store $9.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket UTM Virtual Machines from Turing Software is currently sitting at no.1 on the Business section of the Mac App Store. It costs $9.99/£9.99 on the Mac App Store, but, because UTM is an open-source project, there’s also a free version–simply called UTM–available on the Turing website. UTM can run on Macs with either Intel or Apple Silicon processors (running macOS Big Sur 11.3 or later). It provides two different options depending on the type of Mac you’re using–virtualization and emulation. So, if you have an Intel Mac, UTM can use virtualization to create a virtual machine that runs the Intel version of Windows. And, if you have a Mac with Apple Silicon you can use virtualization to create a virtual machine that runs Windows On Arm. But, if you want to run the older Intel version of Windows on a Mac with Apple Silicon, then UTM will use emulation in order to run Window since that version isn’t designed for the Mac processors. Virtualization provides better performance, but emulation is useful if you need to run Windows apps or software that require a specific version of Windows. Having those two options available within UTM makes it a more versatile than Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion, which focus on virtualization rather than emulation. However, this adds complexity to UTM, and the app lacks the polished interface and ease of use of Parallels and VMware. You’ll need a basic understanding of Windows disk image files, such as ISO and VHDX, in order to download and install your copy of Windows. Don’t expect the level of step-by-step help available in Parallels Desktop. Performance is good, though. The one weakness is that UTM doesn’t currently support 3D graphics acceleration on its Windows virtual machines, which means that you won’t be able to play most Windows games that have 3D graphics. But if you just want to run business apps or check out the new AI features in Windows, then UTM is a good, low-cost option that will appeal to developers and technical users. Read our full UTM Virtual Machines review 6. Windows 365 Cloud PC – Cloud based Windows from a Mac Pros Can run Windows on your Mac and also your iPad or iPhone. Cons Needs a fast – and always on – Internet connection. Expensive. Price When Reviewed: $31 – $66 per month Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $31 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Windows 365 (which launched in July 2021) has the potential to really challenge traditional virtualization programs such as Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion. However, at the moment, Windows 365 is still pretty expensive and is very much aimed at large corporate users, rather than the individuals and smaller businesses that tend to use Parallels and Fusion. Microsoft describes Windows 365 as a Cloud PC, but its technical notes make it clear that Windows 365 is a form of virtual machine. The difference is that Parallels and Fusion create virtual machines that are stored locally on your Mac itself, and these virtual machines rely on your Mac’s own processor power, memory and storage to run Windows and Windows apps. In contrast, Windows 365 creates a virtual machine that is stored up in the cloud, and runs on Microsoft’s own servers. The video image for the Windows desktop on your cloud PC is then streamed to your Mac – or any other device, such as an iPad or even another Windows PC – via your broadband connection. This form of virtual machine can work well, as long as you have a fast enough – and always-on – Internet connection. But, as mentioned, Windows 365 is quite expensive, with prices ranging from $31/£26.40 to $66/£56.20 per month. That’s compared to $99.99/£89.99 for a full year for the home user version of Parallels Desktop, while Fusion even has a completely free version for home users and students. Windows 365 certainly has appeal to larger businesses that want to provide a standardized cloud PC that their staff can connect to from any location that has an Internet connection – it’s ideal for hybrid working and the ‘new normal’. However, it’s too expensive for ordinary home users, students and smaller businesses, so existing users of Parallels and Fusion will probably want to stick with those apps for the time being. Read more here: How to use Windows 365 on Mac, iPad and iPhone. 7. Wine: Free, but complex Pros Free. Cons Not really for beginners. Price When Reviewed: Free Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Wine Free View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket As we mentioned above, the third technology option – after Boot Camp and virtualization – is Wine, which allows you to run Windows apps without Windows itself. Version 8 of Wine arrived at the end of January 2023, like version 7.5 of Wine, which arrived in March 2022, Wine still runs on M1 and M2 Macs via Rosetta 2. Wine 8 includes support for the latest versions of the Vulkan graphics engine and Microsoft Direct3D. It also adds support for the OCSP networking protocol. If you don’t mind rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands a bit dirty, then Wine is an unusual but feasible option for running Windows software on your Mac. Like VirtualBox, Wine is an open-source program that you can download for free. However, it doesn’t use conventional virtualization technology to create a virtual machine for installing Windows – in fact, Wine is the only program in this group that doesn’t even require a copy of Windows at all. Instead, Wine acts as a kind of software middleman that translates the programming routines – called APIs – in Windows apps so that they can talk directly to macOS, without needing a full copy of Windows itself. And as you don’t need a lot of extra memory or processor power in order to run Windows, you may find that Wine can actually provide better performance than using a virtual machine (especially for games and graphics apps). Wine also gets very regular updates from a team of dedicated developers who provide the software for free. The downside is that Wine can be spectacularly confusing for beginners – to the point where we can only really recommend it to hobbyists who like a bit of a challenge. CodeWeavers CrossOver for Mac is a little easier to use than Wine, despite being closely related to the software. But of course Wine is free, which is a big bonus. 8. VirtualBox: Free, but not easy Pros Free for personal/educational use. Cons Very complicated, not for beginners Price When Reviewed: Free (personal/education); $61 per user (Enterprise Edition – minimum 100 users) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Oracle Free View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket This open-source virtualization program is free for personal use – but it’s more at home in a corporate environment. VirtualBox is a bit of a mixed bag. Like Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion, it allows you to create a virtual machine that can run Windows and Windows apps from within macOS itself. You’ll need to purchase a Windows license for installation and a special version of Windows, Windows On ARM, for Apple Silicon Macs. If you want it for personal or educational use then VirtualBox is free. The disadvantage of open-source software is that VirtualBox isn’t as polished or easy to use as Parallels or Fusion. As the program is free, you also don’t get any technical support and the 200-page manual is designed for IT managers and developers, making even simple tasks like changing the virtual machine window resolution baffling. Luckily there is a busy user forum where you can ask a few questions when you need to. Which is a good thing because VirtualBox throws a lot of jargon at you and if you don’t know the difference between a virtual hard disk and a virtual machine disk then you might find it a bit tricky to get started. Version 7.1 did introduce a new StartUp Wizard to simplify the setup process with separate ‘Basic’ and ‘Expert’ modes. However, this only partially addresses the program’s complex interface, and creating a Windows VM from a Windows 11 On ARM disk image on our M2 MacBook Pro took several attempts. Version 7.1 also added support for Apple Silicon (aka M-series Macs). The support for Apple Silicon is limited though. VirtualBox can run Windows VMs in its own window or in ‘Seamless’ mode, where individual Windows apps run as native Mac apps. However, we found apps in Seamless mode sometimes move around on the screen, leaving odd graphical after-images. We also experienced occasional crashes when shutting down the Windows VM. Oracle is really aiming VirtualBox at large corporations that have a proper IT department to help them out. However, business users do need to pay £49/$61 for the VirtualBox Enterprise edition, and you may need to commit to buying 100 licenses at a time, which pretty much rules it out for all but the largest businesses, or educational users who are prepared to tackle the free version. Read our full VirtualBox review 9. Apple Boot Camp: Intel only Pros Windows can run at full speed because its not being run at the same time as macOS. Cons Intel only. Absent from M-series Macs. You can’t run Windows and macOS at the same time. You can’t run Windows 11. Price When Reviewed: Free; preinstalled on macOS Using dual-boot rather than virtualization technology, Boot Camp provides the best performance for Intel-based Macs that need to run Windows. (As we explained above, M1 or later Macs do not offer Boot Camp). It’s important to make a distinction between Boot Camp and the virtualization programs that we look at here, such as Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion and VirtualBox. Instead of creating a virtual machine that allows you to run Mac and Windows apps together at the same time, Boot Camp is a dual-boot system that simply allows you to boot (start) your Mac using either the native macOS or Windows (but not both at the same time). Thanks to Boot Camp your Mac can act as a straightforward Windows PC, and devote all its processor power and memory to running Windows and your Windows apps. And, crucially, if your Mac has a decent graphics card, it can use the full power of the graphics card to help run your Windows software. That’s definitely the best option for people who need to run high-end graphics software or 3D games, as you get much better performance than when running Windows in a virtual machine. The disadvantage of using Boot Camp is that you lose access to all your Mac apps while you’re running Windows. If you use Apple Mail for your emails then you’ll need to shut down Windows and Boot Camp, and switch back to macOS every time you want to send or receive an email. And, if truth be told, the current version of BootCamp 6.1 isn’t quite as straightforward to set up as it used to be. Previous versions of Boot Camp did all the work for you – they would partition your hard drive, install Windows from a normal installer disk, and also install any driver software that you needed so that components such as your graphics card, keyboard and mouse all worked properly within Windows. Boot Camp 6.1.19 (as of August 2022) can only be used to install Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. Windows 11 requires the host computer to have a TPM (trusted platform module) which Macs don’t have (some VM solutions, such as Parallels, can allow Macs with a T2 chip to run Windows 11). Since not all Macs will work with all versions of Windows, so before you even start to run the Boot Camp Assistant you’ll need to check the compatibility tables on Apple’s website to see which version of Windows will work on your Mac. You can’t install Windows from an old installer disk anymore either, so you’ll either have to download a disk image file for Windows – called an ISO file – from Microsoft’s own website, or use your Windows disk to create one. Boot Camp includes driver software for setting up Windows 8 and Windows 10, but if you’re a fan of Windows 7 (which some people prefer for gaming) then you’ll have to hunt around on Apple’s website for the drivers you need and make sure you follow the correct procedure when copying them on to your Boot Camp partition. Still, if you persevere with all that, you will eventually have Windows running at full speed on your Mac, giving you access to a wide range of Windows software and games that require more power and speed than you can get from using virtual machine technology. Just as long as you don’t have an M1 Mac… For more advice about accessories and software for your Mac, iPad or iPhone see all our Best Picks. How to run Windows on Mac: Apple Silicon vs Intel If you are still using an Intel-based Mac you can use Apple’s Boot Camp to run Windows. However, in 2020 Apple started using its own processors that are based on Arm architecture rather than the x86 architecture used by Intel. Now every Mac Apple sells has an Apple-made M-series processor. Boot Camp is not available on M-series Macs. That doesn’t mean that M-series Macs can no longer run Windows, it just means they can’t use Boot Camp and they need the Arm version of Windows. If you want to run Windows on an M-series Mac. You can choose from virtualization options like Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion, or emulation solutions like CrossOver and Wine, and even Microsoft’s Windows 365 service. You can read about all of these choices in our group test below as well as our individual reviews. Our top choice is Parallels Desktop, but all the others have some benefits that may suit you. For example, CrossOver doesn’t actually need a copy of Windows to run Windows apps, and there are even free options like Whisky and Wine. FAQ 1. What is a Virtual Machine? Virtualization programs such as Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion run on the macOS, but allow you to create a Virtual Machine (or VM) that mimics the hardware of a Windows PC. This makes it possible to create a VM on your Mac and then install Windows – or another operating system, such as Linux – on the VM. This is a great solution as it allows you to run the Windows apps that you need right alongside your main Mac apps as well. The only disadvantage is that you need a pretty fast Mac with plenty of memory and storage to run Windows as a VM, since it means that your Mac is effectively running two operating systems at the same time. 2. What is emulation? Emulation is a process that allows individual Windows applications to run on a Mac without the need for the Windows operating system to be installed. This is achieved through emulation tools, such as Wine and CrossOver, which are typically used by technically proficient users. 3. Do I need a Windows license? It depends on which of those two methods you are using. If you are running Windows in a VM then you need a license in order to create a Windows VM on Macs with Apple Silicon processors, and, unfortunately, the less expensive Home edition isn’t supported. However, it is possible to use an existing Windows license if you have one and Microsoft doesn’t differentiate between Windows On Intel and Windows On Arm, see Parallel’s website here. If you are using emulation you won’t need a copy of Windows. 4. How can I get the Arm version of Windows If you want to run Windows on a Mac with a M-series chip you will need the Arm version of Windows. (Although, as mentioned above, Parallels Desktop version 20.2 can run some versions of Windows that were written for Intel processors, albeit with some limitations (one being that it runs really slow). The good news is that an Arm version of Windows does exist. Windows On Aar, aka WoA, is Microsoft’s version of Windows is designed to run on ARM chips. The Arm version of Windows isn’t normally licensed to individual users. Fortunately, Parallels has worked closely with Microsoft to simplify the process of creating VMs that use the ARM version of Windows. With the arrival of Parallels Desktop 18 in 2022 Parallels gained the ability to download and buy the ARM version of Windows 11 directly within Parallels itself. Microsoft even endorsed Parallels for Windows on M1 and M2 Macs, effectively authorizing Parallels Desktop 18 users to run Arm versions of Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Enterprise. Read our full review of Parallels Desktop for more information. To download and buy the ARM version of Windows 11 directly within Parallels itself. All you need to do is: Press the button that says Get Windows 11 From Microsoft. Parallels will download the relevant version of Windows 11 for your Mac (if your Mac has an ARM processor then it will download the ARM version of Windows 11). You can then use the Microsoft Store app within your Windows VM to purchase a license or use an existing Windows 11 license if you have one. You can also buy a license through the Download option from the Microsoft store. 5. How do I run the X86 version of Windows on a Mac One option, if your Mac has an M-series chip is Parallels Desktop – version 20.2.0 – but it will run slowly. If you are looking to run Windows on a Mac that isn’t powered by an Apple M-series chip, then you can download Windows 11 for free (as long as your Mac has the necessary specs, such as the Trusted Platform Module, to qualify for the free upgrade). Download Windows 11 from Microsoft, free upgrade as long as you qualify. You could take advantage of various deals for Windows 11 Pro including: Windows 11 Professional, $79.99 (usually $199.99). 6. Can I run Windows 11 on a Mac using VM software? You can run Windows 11 on a Mac using virtual machine (VM) software. This method allows you to run Windows and its applications alongside macOS without needing to reboot your computer. If your Mac has an M-series chip it use ARM-based processors and requires the ARM version of Windows 11, officially called Windows on ARM (WoA) or Windows 11 Arm64. You cannot run the standard Intel (x86) version of Windows on these Macs through virtualization without significant performance loss via emulation. A popular solution for accessing Windows-exclusive software, games, or development tools on a Mac is to create a “virtual machine” on your Mac, which is software that simulates the hardware of a PC. You can then install Windows 11 on this VM. To run Windows 11 in a VM, your Mac needs to be powerful enough to run two operating systems simultaneously. This means having sufficient memory (RAM), storage space, and processor power. a machine with at least 16GB of RAM is recommended for a smooth experience.09:52 amDUR (Durban) on 2025-12-19
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 19, 01:00 - 07:00 UTCDec 18, 09:42 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in DUR (Durban) datacenter on 2025-12-19 between 01:00 and 07:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.09:03 amSMS Delivery Failure's To A Subset Of Phone Numbers In Israel
Dec 18, 01:03 PSTInvestigating - SMS Delivery Failure's To A Subset Of Phone Numbers In Israel. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.08:53 amPorting a HTML5 Parser to Swift and finding how hard it is to make Swift fast | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingPorting a HTML5 Parser to Swift and finding how hard it is to make Swift fast
submitted by /u/iKy1e [link] [comments]08:45 amMacworld Podcast: 2025 Apple software and services year in review
Macworld It was a big year for Apple software and services. We talk about Liquid Glass, Apple Intelligence, Apple TV, and the other services and software that shaped the company’s year. This is episode 963 with Michael Simon, Jason Cross, and Roman Loyola. Watch episode 963 on YouTube Listen to episode 963 on Apple Podcasts08:41 amKYT is currently experiencing a critical monitoring outage
Dec 18, 00:41 PSTResolved - This issue relates to an internal tool and this was posted in error.Dec 18, 00:30 PSTInvestigating - . The system cannot update OpenSearch dashboards, which prevents identification of blocks on non-Twilio Toll-Free remediation tickets and detection of new phishing or disallowed content through the primary monitoring system. A backup monitoring solution is available but is less effective. This gap increases the risk of undetected malicious traffic (such as phishing, scam, or spam), potentially resulting in SEV0 escalations from carriers. Immediate support is needed to restore full monitoring functionality. Please note: when the incident was first reported, the data lag was 3 hours; it has now increased to a 4-hour lag. We expect to provide another update in 30mins or as soon as more information becomes available08:00 amOffice 2024 Home for PC or Mac is $30 off and yours for life
Macworld TL;DR: A lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2024 Home is only $119.97 (MSRP $149.99) through Dec. 21, giving you powerful, modern productivity apps without a subscription. Sometimes you do need the latest and greatest—and Microsoft Office 2024 Home fits that definition perfectly. It’s built for the way we actually work today: faster pace, more collaboration, and more AI helping us along the way. And because it’s available for just $119.97 through Dec. 21, this is one of the easiest upgrades to justify before the year wraps. Office 2024 Home includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, redesigned with a cleaner interface and smarter tools. The updated Ribbon surfaces what you need when you need it, accessibility features jump in with real-time feedback, and the Quick Access Toolbar keeps your favorite commands front and center. Collaboration gets a big glow-up, too. You’ll see real-time edits, built-in commenting, chat, and version history—perfect for families, students, or projects. And then there’s the AI boost: features that help summarize content, suggest text, analyze data, and even generate design ideas. If you want to head into the new year with the freshest productivity tools—and without paying subscription-model prices—this offer is a solid win. Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2024 Home for PC or Mac for only $119.97 (MSRP $149.99) through Dec. 21. Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time PurchaseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.06:35 amHow to create such a zoom animation, like in the Apple Calender App in the day View? | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingHow to create such a zoom animation, like in the Apple Calender App in the day View?
Hello, I try to create a Zoom animation on a scroll View, but don't really get it to work right. Any Ideas how to do something like this? Here is a video, of what I try to achive: https://www.reddit.com/r/SwiftUI/comments/1ppjtdl/how_to_create_such_a_zoom_animation_on_a_scoll/ ScrollViewReader { proxy ScrollView{ GeometryReader { geometry in ForEach(hours, id: .self) { hour in TimeLineSegmentView(hour: hour, […]06:26 amApp Approved but need to update prior to Release
My first app was approved today. I choose to "manually release this version" when I originally submitted for review. I uncovered a small formatting bug today for users using iPhone Mini's. I feel stupid for not catching this issue prior to submission but also grateful that I caught it prior to release. I've corrected the […]06:15 amElevated number of 5xx errors in MAD
Dec 18, 06:15 UTCResolved - Between 6:15-6:20 UTC, customers reaching Madrid, ES would have experienced an elevated number of 4xx/5xx errors and latency.05:23 am[Paid] Native Mexican & Chilean Spanish Experts Needed to Review iOS App Localization | Reddit on iOS Programming[Paid] Native Mexican & Chilean Spanish Experts Needed to Review iOS App Localization
Hi, We previously hired a freelancer on Fiverr, but the results were disappointing. Therefore, we're seeking help from this forum. We are currently marketing our iOS app in Mexico and Chile; however, the results so far have been below our expectations. We suspect this may be related to the quality of the app’s localization, particularly […]04:05 amCapabilities Xcode error — no idea what’s wrong, please help
I’m trying to upload my app to App Store Connect, but it keeps getting rejected because the profile doesn’t support Family Controls (development). I already requested Family Control capability and got approved (took about two weeks). When I check the profile in Xcode, I can see the Family Controls capability enabled with the correct entitlements. […]02:30 amSwiftAI: Local MLX, HF Cloud, On Device made easy
Built SwiftAI because I was tired of rewriting inference code every time I switched providers. Now I don't. Neither do you. Local MLX. Cloud HF. On Device Models One SDK. github.com/christopherkarani/SwiftAI submitted by /u/karc16 [link] [comments]01:24 amApple published a new Press Release
Apple just published a new Press Release:Apple announces changes to iOS in Japan01:09 amNew third-party iOS App Stores in Japan preserve user privacy, child safety
Apple is introducing alternative app stores and payment options in Japan to comply with a new competition law, while maintaining that platform-level security and child safety controls remain in place.App StoreApple compares this approach with the EU's Digital Markets Act, which compelled Apple to support third-party app stores, alternative payments, and broader distribution pathways. The company maintains those requirements fragmented oversight in ways Japan's law avoids.For iPhone users, the changes expand app distribution choices without fully dismantling Apple's platform-level controls. Apple is using Japan's rollout to highlight what it sees as shortcomings in the EU's DMA, while arguing that competition and user protections can coexist. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:07 amApple announces more ads are coming to App Store search results
Apple is expanding the number of ads that appear in App Store search results. In an update on its Apple Ads website today, the company detailed that it will introduce more ads “to increase opportunity in search results” starting next year. more…01:00 amApple announces sweeping App Store and iPhone changes in Japan
To comply with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), Apple has announced a set of major changes to the App Store and iPhone in Japan. The changes include new app distribution options for developers and new alternative payment rules for the App Store. more…01:00 amJapan App Store Gets Alternative Marketplaces, Third-Party Payments and More
Apple today introduced several changes to the App Store in Japan to meet the requirements of the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA) that goes into effect on December 18. The MSCA is similar to Europe's Digital Markets Act (DMA) so the Japanese App Store will work a lot like the EU App Store, but there are some differences. Here's a quick rundown of what's changing as of today: Side Button - Users in Japan will be able to change what the side button does, and it will be able to activate third-party voice assistants instead of Siri. Payment options - Developers can offer in-app purchases, accept third-party payments in their apps, or direct users to a website to make a purchase. Alternative app marketplaces - Apps can be distributed through alternative app marketplaces instead of the App Store. Users can set an alternative app marketplace as their default marketplace instead of the App Store. Fee changes - New fees range from 5% to 26% depending on distribution method and payment method. Browser choice - Users are prompted to select a default browser at setup. Search engine choice - Users are prompted to choose a default Search engine at setup. Navigation apps - Users in Japan can select a different navigation app. Alternative Payment Options There is a notable difference between how alternative payment options are implemented in Japan and how they are implemented in the EU. Developers in Japan are required to display third-party digital purchase options alongside in-app purchase options, so customers can choose to use in-app purchase if desired. Purchase screens can link to a website or use a third-party payment service for end-to-end checkout directly in an app, but those two alternative payment options must be displayed right alongside an in-app purchase option. Developers are required to make the in-app purchase button at least as prominent as other payment options that are displayed. Japanese developers are able to offer different price points, so a direct payment link can be cheaper than the accompanying in-app purchase option. When a user chooses an alternative payment option or taps a link to a website to make a purchase, an in-app sheet will let them know they are no longer transacting with Apple. It informs users that refund requests and other Apple-provided services will not be available. Alternative App Marketplaces App developers in Japan can offer their apps through the App Store or through any alternative app marketplace. Apps and app marketplaces are subject to Apple's Notarization process, and there is no option to distribute apps through a website like there is in the EU. Any developer is able to build an app marketplace. As in the EU, alternative app marketplaces will be checked for basic functionality, malware, and security threats for user protection purposes, but Apple does not have content oversight. App marketplaces can establish their own content rules if desired, and must handle fraud prevention, customer support, and refunds. Apple says that app marketplaces will need to be authorized and will have to meet ongoing requirements to serve developers and users. App developers in Japan can select an App Store or alternative app marketplace when using App Store Connect, and can distribute apps through one marketplace or many. Users are able to set a default app marketplace that replaces the App Store as the primary app option. Fees in Japan Apple has established a new fee structure in Japan, and fees are based on distribution and payment method. Apple says that fees will be the same or lower for 100% of developers in Japan. Participants in the Small Business Program, Video Partner Program, and Mini Apps Partner Program will pay the reduced rate below. Subscriptions in apps maintained after the first year are also subjected to the lower fee. The Small Business Program includes developers that earn less than 1 million USD annually. Developers that earn more than that have to pay Apple's full commission rates. App Store w/ In-App Purchase - Varies from 15% to 26%. 21% base fee, 5% payment processing fee. Base fee is 10% for program participants, and 5% fee remains the same. App Store w/ Alt Purchase - Varies from 10% to 21%. 21% base fee, no payment processing fee. 10% for program participants. App Store w/ Web Link - Varies from 10% to 15%. 15% Store Services Fee, 10% for program participants. Alternative Marketplace - 5% Core Technology Commission. To explain it another way, all apps on the App Store will pay a 10% or 21% App Store commission. For purchases made using in-app purchase through the App Store, Apple will collect an additional 5%. Purchases made in an app through an alternate payment method will not incur the 5% fee, but developers will need to pay the fee from whatever payment processing service they're using. Web link fees are lower. Apple will collect 15% from standard users, or 10% from program participants. There is no payment processing fee, but developers will need to pay the fee of the third-party payment processing service. Non-App Store distribution has the lowest fee, at 5%. The Core Technology Commission applies to the sale of digital goods and services, including paid apps in alternative app marketplaces. Side Button Changes Users in Japan can change the function of the Side Button, assigning a voice-based conversational app. There are criteria that apps need to meet to be eligible to operate with the Side Button, and Apple has created an API to allow developers of voice-based conversational apps to request Side Button access. Apps that offer a conversational experience as their primary purpose are eligible to be used with the Side Button. That includes chatbot apps like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. The Side Button will be able to activate the voice chat mode in an eligible third-party app, and it will function much like the Action Button does now when launching an app using a Shortcut. Child Protections All apps need to provide an install sheet with a clear age rating, regardless of whether an app is distributed through the App Store or an app marketplace. Apps in the Kids category will not be able to include links to websites to complete transactions at all. Apps outside of the kids category cannot link to websites for transactions for users under 13 years old. Developers are able to include a link to a website for transactions in their app, with that link only displayed to users that are over the age of 13 to meet the MSCA's requirements. For all users under the age of 18, all App Store apps that use alternative payment processing or link to a website for transactions must include a parental gate that requires younger users to involve their parent before making a purchase. Apple plans to release APIs in the future to better support the new requirements. Browser and Search Engine Choice During the device setup process, iPhone users in Japan are presented with browser and search engine selection screens with options displayed in a randomized order. Safari and Google Search will no longer be the automatic default in Japan. Developers in Japan can choose alternative web browser engines other than WebKit, as long as those browser engines meet Apple's privacy requirements. Users can change their defaults in the Defaults section of the Settings app. Interoperability Like in the EU, Japan's MSCA requires Apple to accept interoperability requests. Developers can ask Apple to add new features that will allow them expanded access to hardware and software features. There is also a baseline interoperability requirement. Apple has more control over interoperability in Japan than it does in the EU, and it is able to consider security and privacy risks when deciding whether to implement an interoperability feature. Interoperability requirements in the EU have led to delayed features like Live Translation, or have prevented Apple from implementing features like Screen Mirroring. Apple does not anticipate that interoperability requirements will lead to delayed features in Japan because Japan's law includes exceptions for privacy and security. Navigation iPhone users in Japan can select a different app as the default navigation app. MSCA vs. DMA Apple worked with Japanese regulators on the MSCA, and sees it as a better solution than the DMA in Europe. Changes mandated by the MSCA expose users to some risk by allowing non-App Store app installations, but it maintains protections for children. Though the MSCA allows for alternative app distribution, it does not include a provision for downloading apps directly from websites, so Apple is able to maintain some level of security by overseeing app marketplaces. Apple is able to require apps to offer both in-app purchase and alternative payment methods, allowing users in Japan to decide their preference. The MSCA also allows Apple to deny interoperability requests that would expose users to privacy and security risks, while the DMA does not. Fee structures and features provided by Apple are not as complicated in Japan as they are in the European Union. Japan's fees are similar to the Store Services Tier 2 fee in the EU (applicable to all apps starting on January 1, 2026), which includes all App Store functionality for a 15 to 20% total fee. Japan does not have the Store Services Tier 1 option, which cuts down on App Store functionality that Apple delivers but also lowers fees to 10% to 12%. Availability Apple is implementing the App Store and iOS changes starting today, with the functionality built into the iOS 26.2 update that came out on December 12. Developers with iOS apps in Japan can start shipping the new features immediately, with more detailed information available on Apple's developer site. The changes are only applicable to iOS apps distributed in Japan.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums12:12 amApple's AI & ML research papers show instant 3D image conversion, more
Apple continues to focus on AI-powered image modification, with new studies detailing evaluation frameworks and an AI model that can turn 2D images into 3D scenes in a second. Here's what the company's research has revealed.visionOS can convert 2D images to 3D scenes in momentsWith iOS 26, Apple made it possible to turn two-dimensional photos into three-dimensional "Spatial Scenes," allowing for a more dynamic viewing experience with an added sense of depth. Now, the iPhone maker has published additional research relating to the same concept, albeit with much more impressive results.Among other research papers made available in December 2025, Apple released a scientific study dubbed "Sharp Monocular View Synthesis in Less Than a Second." The study, which can be found on the Apple Machine Learning blog, details an open-source AI model known as "SHARP," which is capable of turning a 2D image into a 3D scene in under a second. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:02 amApple TV announces ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ spin-off
Following the success of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Apple confirmed today that it is expanding Legendary’s Monsterverse with a new spin-off series for Apple TV. Here are the details. more…12:02 amApple TV announces ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ spin-off
Following the success of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Apple confirmed today that it is expanding Legendary’s Monsterverse with a new spin-off series for Apple TV. Here are the details. more…Wednesday December 1711:58 pmQuestion about same named app
Hey, I've been working on an app over 4+ months including learning how to. I've developed a decent app not a fully vibe-coded substandard app or some bad app. Last week I registered my developer account and today I uploaded my builds and found out the same named app has been already published 3-4 months […]11:50 pmChatGPT's Apple Music Integration Is Now Live
There's now a dedicated Apple Music app for ChatGPT, which allows ChatGPT to make music recommendations and build playlists based on your Apple Music listening history. Apple Music can be added to ChatGPT through the Settings section in the Mac app, website, or iOS app. Apple Music is listed under the apps option, and connecting to it requires signing in with your Apple Account for authorization purposes. ChatGPT can be used to search through the Apple Music catalog for songs, artists, albums, and playlists, even without an Apple Music subscription. OpenAI says that all users are able to discover music, generate playlists, and listen to preview clips in ChatGPT. Apple Music subscribers can add songs, albums, and playlists to their Apple Music Library using ChatGPT. When Apple Music is added to ChatGPT, it can be selected by tapping on the "+" button. Playlists and suggestions generated by ChatGPT can be opened directly in Apple Music. ChatGPT's Apple Music feature was first shared yesterday, but the functionality wasn't live. The app is now available to add to ChatGPT.Tags: Apple Music, ChatGPTThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums11:29 pmApple Music now available as an app on ChatGPT, here’s how to use it
Following yesterday’s announcement that Apple Music would soon be available on ChatGPT, the app is now live. Here’s what you can do with it. more…11:00 pmChanges to iOS in Japan
To comply with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), Apple is introducing changes to iOS that create new options for developers' apps in Japan. Beginning with iOS 26.2, developers can distribute apps on alternative app marketplaces, operate alternative app marketplaces, process app payments for digital goods and services outside of Apple In-App Purchase in iOS, and more.The new options for downloading apps from alternative app marketplaces and making app payments open new avenues for malware, fraud, scams, and privacy and security risks. Apple has worked with Japanese regulators to introduce protections from these new threats — with a special emphasis on the safety of younger users. Those protections include Notarization for iOS apps, an authorization process for app marketplaces, and requirements that help protect children from inappropriate content and scams.By March 17, 2026, all current members of the Apple Developer Program will need to agree to the latest update to the Apple Developer Program License Agreement, which includes new terms that allow for these options in Japan.Learn more about the updatesYou can also request a 30-minute online appointment to ask questions about these changes.Translations of the updated agreement will be available on the Apple Developer website within one month.10:57 pmErgatta Luxe Water Rower review: delivering a powerful, low-impact workout for big budgets | AppleInsiderErgatta Luxe Water Rower review: delivering a powerful, low-impact workout for big budgets
The Ergatta Luxe Water Rower delivers a smooth, full-body blend of cardio and strength training, even if its premium design comes with a price tag that's harder to justify.Ergatta Luxe Water RowerI like rowing. Specifically, I like canoeing and kayaking, but I don't hate rowing on an indoor rowing machine.This is especially when its a water rower. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums10:41 pmIssues with Testflight
I am about halfway through Paul Hudson's 100 Days of Swift tutorials. In my eagerness to make something I signed up for a developer account and uploaded one of the very simple apps I made to share with friends. Upon my first upload I was able to install the app via Testflight. But when I […]10:20 pmStop guessing: This smart camera ear cleaner shows you exactly how to remove wax safely | Cult of MacStop guessing: This smart camera ear cleaner shows you exactly how to remove wax safely
The Smart Visual Ear Cleaner's camera gives you a clear view of what’s happening in your ear. It's a high-tech earwax removal method. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)10:17 pmMorgan Stanley bumps Apple stock price target, but maintains Overweight rating
The new price target reflects a higher revenue forecast, despite a recent spike in memory costs. Here are the details. more…10:05 pmMorgan Stanley sees Apple moving from AI laggard to leader in 2026
Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring on Wednesday, reiterated an overweight rating on AAPL stock while hiking the price target to $315… The post Morgan Stanley sees Apple moving from AI laggard to leader in 2026 appeared first on MacDailyNews.09:22 pmApple releases impressive open-source model that instantly turns 2D photos into 3D views | 9 to 5 MacApple releases impressive open-source model that instantly turns 2D photos into 3D views
The model, called SHARP, can reconstruct a photorealistic 3D scene from a single image in under a second. Here are some examples. more…08:51 pmI’ve been getting this error whenever I try testing my app on testflight, what might be the reason? | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingI’ve been getting this error whenever I try testing my app on testflight, what might be the reason?
submitted by /u/watersheepjeb_2 [link] [comments]08:49 pmQuestion about pagination
I'm trying to make a reliable pagination function. I have this but the more pages that a document has the more unreliable it becomes. The size I pass to this function is 8.5*72 by 11*72 func paginateText(for textView: UITextView, pageSize: CGSize) -> NSAttributedString { guard let fullText = textView.attributedText, fullText.length > 0 else { return […]08:43 pmJeff Carlson Reveals How Cell Carriers Handle Disasters and Mega-Events
From the Las Vegas F1 race to the Pacific Northwest's devastating floods, Jeff Carlson's CNET articles reveal the trucks, trailers, drones, and dedicated spectrum that keep first responders connected when it matters most.Read original articleFirehose II – Jobs, Deals, Apps
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Applying the promo code "TECH4THEM" drops it to $29 less than you'd pay for it in factory sealed condition. A 2-year Allstate warranty applies to this item. Buy Now at eBay Features 4 USB ports retractable LED lamp Model: AKA129406103:12 pm9-Night Prague, Vienna, and Budapest Flight, Hotel, and Train Vacation From $739 per person | DealNews iOS Apps9-Night Prague, Vienna, and Budapest Flight, Hotel, and Train Vacation From $739 per person
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Amazon now has all 13" M4 MacBook Airs, regardless of color, on sale for $250 off Apple's MSRP as part of their early Black Friday savings. Prices start at $749, and shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $749.99, $250 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $949.99, $250 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB): $1149.99, $250 off Their prices are the lowest available for new M4 Airs. For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.12:38 pmClearance 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros on sale starting at only $1348
B&H Photo has clearance 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros on sale right now for $200-$251 off Apple's original MSRP. Prices now start at only $1348. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: - 14" M4 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB/Black): $1348, $251 off MSRP - 14" M4 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB/Silver): $1399, $200 off MSRP - 14" M4 MacBook Pro (16GB/1TB/Black): $1599, $200 off MSRP - 14" M4 MacBook Pro (16GB/1TB/Silver): $1549, $250 off MSRP - 14" M4 MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB/Black): $1749, $250 off MSRP - 14" M4 MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB/Silver): $1749, $250 off MSRP For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.05:00 amTasc Performance Coupon: 25% off when you buy two or more items + free shipping w/ $100 | DealNews iOS AppsTasc Performance Coupon: 25% off when you buy two or more items + free shipping w/ $100
Today only, Tasc Performance takes 25% off when you buy two or more items with promo code "ONEDAY25". Save on activewear including joggers, leggings, performance tops, hoodies, outerwear, and more for men and women. Shipping adds $7.95, but orders of $100 or more qualify for free shipping. Shop Now at Tasc Performance05:00 amBlast Pro 38L Travel Backpack for $79 + free shipping
Bagsmart offers the Blast Pro 38L Travel Backpack for $79 (reduced from $90) via promo code "DN10OFF" with free shipping. Buy Now at BagsmartWednesday November 0509:39 pmRefurb Apple MacBook Core M3 12″ Laptop (2017) for $225 + free shipping
That's the best price we could find by $29. A 90-day warranty is provided. Buy Now at UntilGone09:39 pmRefurb Apple MacBook Core i3 12″ Laptop (2017) for $225 + free shipping
That's the best price we could find by $29. A 90-day warranty is provided. Buy Now at UntilGone08:51 pm15-inch M4 MacBook Airs on early Black Friday sale for $250 off MSRP, prices start at $949 | MacPrices.net15-inch M4 MacBook Airs on early Black Friday sale for $250 off MSRP, prices start at $949
Amazon has 15-inch M4 MacBook Airs on early Black Friday sale this week for $250 off Apple's MSRP, starting at $949. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $949, $250 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $1149, $250 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB/): $1349, $250 off Their prices are the lowest available for new 15" M4 Airs. For the latest sales & prices, see our 15" MacBook Air Price Tracker, both updated daily.08:33 pmApple MacBook Air 13″ M1 Laptop (2020) for $599 + free shipping
That's tied with our mention from several months ago as the second lowest price we've seen for this model. It's available in three color options. Buy Now at Walmart02:40 pmRefurb Apple iMac M1 24″ Retina 4.5K All-in-One Desktop (2021) for $516 + free shipping | DealNews LaptopsRefurb Apple iMac M1 24″ Retina 4.5K All-in-One Desktop (2021) for $516 + free shipping
This is the best price we've ever seen, and $663 less than you'd pay for a refurb from Apple direct. A one-year Allstate warranty is included. Buy Now at eBay02:38 pmSelect 13-inch M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $250 off Apple’s MSRP in early Black Friday savings | MacPrices.netSelect 13-inch M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $250 off Apple’s MSRP in early Black Friday savings
Amazon has select 13" M4 MacBook Airs, in Midnight color, on sale for $200-$250 off Apple's MSRP as part of their early Black Friday savings. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB/Midnight): $799, $200 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB/Midnight): $949.99, $250 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB/Midnight): $1149.99, $250 off Their prices are the lowest available for new M4 Airs. For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.Tuesday November 0412:39 pm14-inch MacBook Pros with M4 Pro/M4 Max CPUs on sale for up to $350 off Apple’s MSRP | MacPrices.net14-inch MacBook Pros with M4 Pro/M4 Max CPUs on sale for up to $350 off Apple’s MSRP
B&H Photo is offering 14-inch MacBook Pros with M4 Pro or M4 Max CPUs for up to $350 off Apple's MSRP right now. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: - 14" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/512GB/Black): $1789, $210 off MSRP - 14" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/512GB/Silver): $1799, $200 off MSRP - 14" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB/Black): $2169, $230 off MSRP - 14" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB/Silver): $2119, $280 off MSRP - 14" M4 Max MacBook Pro (36GB/1TB/Black): $2849, $350 off MSRP - 14" M4 Max MacBook Pro (36GB/1TB/Silver): $3148, $51 off MSRP Their prices are the lowest available today for new 14" M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pros among the Apple retailers we track. For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.Sunday November 0203:53 pm