Firehose – News, Alerts, Docs
- Wednesday December 17
- 05:04 pmThe Beats Solo 4 is $50 Off
Amazon has the Beats Solo 4 marked $50 off. Experience high-quality audio when taking calls with its custom acoustic architecture, and enjoy seamless interactions with the voice assistant with the built-in mic. It features personalized spatial audio and dynamic headtracking to give the listener an immersive listening experience when they are wearing the headphones. The […] The post appeared first on iLounge.05:03 pmBeats and IShowSpeed Collaborate on Powerbeats Pro 2 Campaign
Streamer and YouTuber, IShowSpeed, and Beats have collaborated on a short film with a Kung-Fu theme that flaunts the features of the Powerbeats Pro 2. The earbuds are a popular choice among active users like athletes, primarily due to its flexible ear hooks for that extra stability. The earbuds are promoted in the film as […] The post appeared first on iLounge.05:01 pmF1 Movie Can Now Be Streamed on Apple TV
You can now stream F1: The Movie on Apple TV, a film produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Joseph Kosinski along with Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 legend. The movie stars Brad Pitt as veteran driver Sonny Hayes who returns to the grid for one last hurrah. The film garnered millions at the global box office and […] The post appeared first on iLounge.04:59 pmHalfbrick Releases Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen On Apple Platforms
Halfbrick, a famous game developer, released a game called Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen this week. The adventure game for the Mac, iPad, and iPhone is made for adults and children alike who are fans of the animated show. The characters in the game consists of the original cast of the TV series reprising […] The post appeared first on iLounge.04:57 pmCompromised Apple Gift Card Leads to Apple Account Lockout
After trying to redeem an Apple Gift Card, Apple developer and author Paris Buttfield-Addison was locked out of his Apple Account with no explanation. Despite extensive media coverage and contact from Apple’s Executive Relations, his account remains locked days later, raising concerning questions about what happens to users without high-profile connections—and whether Apple Gift Cards are safe.04:53 pmAUS (Austin) on 2025-12-18
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 18, 10:00 - 14:00 UTCDec 17, 16:52 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in AUS (Austin) datacenter on 2025-12-18 between 10:00 and 14:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.04:50 pmHow to leave a FaceTime voicemail
When you need to video chat and they don’t pick up the phone, you can send a FaceTime voicemail to someone that they can watch later. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:46 pmDeals: All M4 MacBook Air configs $250 off, M5 MacBook Pro $250 off, M4 iPad Pro $699 off, more | 9 to 5 MacDeals: All M4 MacBook Air configs $250 off, M5 MacBook Pro $250 off, M4 iPad Pro $699 off, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break deals are now ready to roll starting off with the return of Amazon Black Friday pricing across the M4 MacBook Air lineup. You’ll now once again find all 13- and 15-inch configurations it sells at $250 off the list price alongside the most affordable M5 MacBook Pro at $250 off. Those offers join some gigantic price drops at Costco on M4 iPad Pro at as much as $699 off the list prices as well as some notable accessory deals – Apple’s latest Ultra Natural Milanese Loop, the new iPhone Crossbody Strap up to 30% off, and the Beats iPhone 17/Pro Kickstand Case at up to 62% off. Scope it all out down below. more…04:42 pmCustomer Accounts Not Upgrading After Successful Payment Processing
Dec 17, 08:42 PSTUpdate - We are investigating a service interruption with customer accounts not upgrading after successful payment processing. We expect to provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes availableDec 17, 08:38 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue customer accounts not upgrading after successful payment processing. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.04:41 pmApple leads Morgan Stanley’s top IT hardware picks for 2026
As 2026 approaches, Morgan Stanley anticipates a more challenging landscape for the IT hardware sector, but Apple… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.04:10 pmPrice drop: Secure 10TB of cloud storage for life with one-time payment
Get a massive amount of storage for life from Internxt with this discount 10TB cloud storage plan. Make a single payment of less than $300. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:04 pmiPhone settings & features you didn’t know existed [Video]
It seems that with every update, Apple quietly adds hundreds of features and settings that are very impactful but easy to miss. These are not the big headliner features, but smaller ones that, once you know about them, make your day-to-day life so much easier. Here are 15 features and settings that every iPhone owner should know about, but probably doesn’t. more…04:00 pmUpdated Apple Developer Program License Agreement now available
The Apple Developer Program License Agreement has been revised to support new features, updated policies, and to provide clarification. Please review the changes and sign in to your account to accept the updated terms. Section 3.3.3(A): Specified requirement on recordings and privacy. Section 3.3.3(J): Specified requirements for launching voice-based conversational apps via the side button on iPhone. Definitions, section 3.3.3(P): Specified terms for use of the Declared Age Range API and Significant App Topic Update API. Definitions, section 3.3.8(J): Specified requirements for use of the Wi-Fi Infrastructure Framework. Attachment 12: Specified terms for iOS apps in Japan, including alternative distribution, alternative payments and out-of-app offers, and the Core Technology Commission. Schedules 2 and 3, section 3.4: Specified the right to offset or recoup amounts owed to Apple. Schedules 2 and 3, section 5.4: Clarified requirements for consumer protection. Translations of the updated agreement will be available on the Apple Developer website within one month.03:53 pmMorgan Stanley raises Apple stock target to $315, citing incredible 2026
Morgan Stanley has raised its Apple stock price target to $315, with the stock still a core overweight pick for the analysts heading into 2026.Tim Cook, celebratingAs 2025 comes to an end, analysts take stock of their stock picks from the year and what to expect for the year ahead. For Morgan Stanley, that includes an increase in confidence in Apple.In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider on Wednesday, Morgan Stanley is increasing its price target for Apple from $305 to $315. This is an increase of $10 from the last time it changed the target on October 31. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:53 pmSamsung Expands Holiday Sale With Major Discounts on Popular Monitors and TVs
Samsung kicked off a holiday sale last week, and this event has expanded recently with even more great deals on monitors, TVs, Galaxy smartphones, and home appliances. Many of these deals are the exact same all-time low prices we tracked during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Regarding TVs, there are quite a few models of The Frame TV on sale, including a new all-time low price on The Frame Pro models. You can get the 2025 65-inch The Frame TV for $1,199.99 ($600 off), as well as The Frame Pro for $1,999.00 ($1,200 off). $1,200 OFFThe Frame Pro for $1,999.00 This is also a good time to purchase a Samsung monitor, with hundreds of monitor deals available during the event. One of the best markdowns is on the 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Monitor, available for $1,499.99, down from $2,299.99. If you're looking to add a second monitor to your workstation, you'll also find a few smaller options, like the 32-inch ViewFinity S7 for $299.99, down from $459.99. For even more potential savings, eligible shoppers have the chance to get additional discounts through Samsung offer programs. These programs provide extra discounts for students, military, and employees of select businesses, and they provide up to 30 percent extra savings on Samsung's website, so be sure to check whether you're eligible for any of these programs. Monitors 27-inch Odyssey G3 Monitor - $139.99, down from $229.99 32-inch ViewFinity S70A UHD Monitor - $299.99, down from $459.99 34-inch ViewFinity S6 Monitor - $399.99, down from $799.99 43-inch Odyssey Neo G7 Smart Gaming Monitor - $549.99, down from $999.99 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 Gaming Monitor - $599.99, down from $899.99 49-inch Odyssey G9 Gaming Monitor - $777.99, down from $1,299.99 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 Monitor - $899.99, down from $1,799.99 55-inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen - $1,299.99, down from $2,699.99 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,499.99, down from $2,299.99 TVs 55-inch QLED QEF1 Smart TV - $379.99, down from $599.99 55-inch QLED Q7F Smart TV - $399.99, down from $529.99 55-inch QLED Q8F Smart TV - $599.99, down from $749.99 75-inch Vision AI Smart TV - $679.99, down from $1,199.99 50-inch The Frame - $799.99, down from $1,099.99 75-inch Neo QLED QN70F Smart TV - $1,199.99, down from $1,599.99 65-inch The Frame - $1,199.99, down from $1,799.99 (extra $100 off available through offer programs) 55-inch OLED S95F Smart TV - $1,899.99, down from $2,299.99 75-inch The Frame Pro - $1,999.99, down from $3,199.99 85-inch The Frame Pro - $3,299.99, down from $4,299.99 (extra $660 off available through offer programs) 85-inch Neo QLED QN90F Smart TV - $2,299.99, down from $4,499.99 Appliances Bespoke Smart Dishwasher - $899.99, down from $1,299.00 Large Capacity Side-by-Side Fridge - $999.00, down from $1,666.00 4-Door French Door Fridge - $1,799.00, down from $2,999.00 Bespoke All-in-One Combo Washer/Dryer - $2,099.00, down from $3,299.00 Mega Capacity 3-Door French Door Fridge - $2,499.00, down from $3,499.00 Bespoke 4-Door Flex Fridge - $2,050.00, down from $4,099.00 Bespoke 4-Door Flex Fridge - $3,399.99, down from $4,999.00 Galaxy Products Galaxy XR - Save up to $1,140 with the Explorer Pack Galaxy S25 Ultra - Save up to $700 in instant trade-in credit Galaxy Ring - Get up to $150 trade-in credit Galaxy Watch Ultra - Save up to $250 Galaxy Watch 8 - Save up to $200 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 forums03:53 pmiOS 26.3: New features for your iPhone
Apple released the first iOS 26.3 beta this week for iPhone users. The update focues a lot on interoperability between iPhone and Android devices, as well as support for third-party smartwatches. Here are all of the new iOS 26.3 features so far. more…03:53 pmLAX (Los Angeles) on 2025-12-18
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 18, 09:00 - 15:00 UTCDec 17, 15:48 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in LAX (Los Angeles) datacenter on 2025-12-18 between 09:00 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.03:50 pmToday in Apple history: iPhone OS finally overtakes Windows Mobile
On December 17, 2009, Apple finally triumphed over long-time rival Microsoft ... on mobile operating systems market share. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:31 pmI Wanted Podcast Transcriptions. iOS 26 Delivered (and Nearly Melted My Phone). | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingI Wanted Podcast Transcriptions. iOS 26 Delivered (and Nearly Melted My Phone).
submitted by /u/whyisjake [link] [comments]03:23 pmThe iPhone Air 2 seems likely to be way more successful than the original
The iPhone Air appears to have been one of the least successful iPhones ever, but it seems that hasn’t discouraged Apple from trying again in 2027 with an iPhone Air 2. The latest report suggests that the company may fix the two biggest problems with the device, and if accurate, I would expect the 2nd-gen model to be significantly more popular … more…03:22 pmNew report claims Apple’s 2026-27 iPhone roadmap includes 7 new models
Macworld When Apple launched the iPhone 17 lineup in September, it was clear that its strategy had shifted. While there were still four models, the introduction of the iPhone Air signaled the start of a three-year expansion of the iPhone lineup, with new models, a new release schedule, and a dramatic new path for Apple’s biggest product. Just this week, a report from The Information, which has been extremely accurate in the past when it comes to Apple rumors, outlined what it expects from the iPhone lineup through 2027. Here are the highlights: iPhone 17e: After launching the somewhat disappointing iPhone 16e in March with a notch, one camera, no MagSafe, and a $599 price tag, Apple will reportedly ship the iPhone 17e in the spring with MagSafe support, according to The Information. Other rumors have said it could get a Dynamic Island along with the A19 processor. iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max: At its usual September iPhone event, Apple will unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with two big camera changes, according to The Information: a left-aligned selfie camera and “a new camera image sensor that can capture more light at night while preventing washed-out photos during the day.” That sounds like the same mechanical aperture that was rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro was delayed a year. iPhone Fold: Overshadowing the iPhone 18 Pro at the September event will be the launch of Apple’s first folding phone. The Information reports that it will have a 5.3-inch outside display and a 7.7-inch, landscape display when opened. This is somewhat in line with previous rumors, though The Information leans heavier into the widescreen aspect. iPhone 18/18e: Rather than its usual spring launch, Apple is expected to shift the iPhone 18 to the spring, with a launch alongside the 18e. We don’t have much information about either model. iPhone Air 2: While the iPhone Air’s debut made headlines at Apple’s September iPhone event, the second-gen will reportedly skip next year’s fall event and instead arrive in spring 2027 with the iPhone 18 and 18e. That could come with a price cut, according to The Information, as well as a possible second camera. iPhone XX: In fall 2027, Apple will reportedly unveil the 20th anniversary iPhone XX (or 20), some two decades after the original iPhone debuted at Macworld Expo San Francisco. According to The Information, the design will be radically different than any other iPhone, with curved glass on all four sides and “a narrow metal band running around the midpoint of the device’s edge, where the buttons sit.” Plus, Apple will likely launch the iPhone 19 and 19 Pro as well as the iPhone Fold 2 alongside the 20th anniversary model, so we could get more than 10 new iPhone models over the next 24 months. @macworld.com Will you buy it? #iphonefold ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld03:19 pmApple Tested a MacBook With the A15 Chip
An internal Apple kernel debug kit suggests Apple has tested a MacBook with the A15 chip, alongside a separate A18 Pro-based MacBook that appears to be closer to a shippable product. The information comes from internal kernel debug kit files used by Apple engineers. The kit was accidentally released on Apple's website earlier this year, but it was quickly pulled after information started leaking out of it. Within the Mac-related entries, there is a line that explicitly describes an unreleased MacBook configuration running an A15 chip. The row appears under a project label "mac14p" on a platform labeled H14P. MacRumors believes this A15 MacBook corresponds to the codename J267. In the same dataset, there is also a separate MacBook entry tied to the A18 Pro. It has the identifier J700 and is described as using an A18 Pro chip with a "Sunrise" wireless subsystem attributed to MediaTek. Compared with the A15 test configuration, the A18 Pro MacBook entry reads more like a defined product configuration, since it is identified with a specific internal codename and accompanying subsystem details. It is also highly unlikely that Apple would release a Mac powered by the A15 Bionic in 2026, almost five years after the chip was introduced. A MacBook with the A18 Pro chip would be markedly more capable, future-proof, and in-step with the company's current selection of chips. The A15 MacBook was almost certainly used as an unreleased test platform ahead of widely reported plans to release a low-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip. The original Apple silicon Mac mini Developer Transition Kit featured an A12Z chip, but all Apple silicon Macs available to consumers have featured M-series chips. Rumors suggest the low-cost MacBook will launch next year, featuring the A18 Pro chip, a 13-inch display, and silver, blue, pink, and yellow color options.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums03:17 pmTrump admin warns EU over harassing lawsuits, taxes, fines, and directives against U.S. companies | Mac Daily NewsTrump admin warns EU over harassing lawsuits, taxes, fines, and directives against U.S. companies
In a sharply worded statement, the Trump administration via its Office of the United States Trade Representative has accused the EU… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.03:16 pmOn Call Engineers are Investigating an issue with the access to support tickets from Twilio Console | TwilioOn Call Engineers are Investigating an issue with the access to support tickets from Twilio Console
Dec 17, 07:16 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue where Customers Cannot Access Tickets in Console. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.03:03 pmAmazon Brings Back All-Time Low Prices on M4 MacBook Air With Christmas Delivery
You can get the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $749.00 today on Amazon, down from $999.00, with guaranteed Christmas delivery for select colors. This price matches the Amazon all-time low price on the M4 MacBook Air, and there are similar lows on other models with higher storage. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. If you're looking for the larger model, you can get the 15-inch 256GB computer for $949.00, down from $1,199.00. You'll also find many of the 512GB models of the 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air on sale this week. $250 OFF13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $749.00 $250 OFF15-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $949.00 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find 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 forums03:00 pmThese faces and apps support 1Hz display on Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 feature advanced, power-efficient LTPO3 displays that enhance certain watch faces and apps. This technology enables a 1Hz display refresh rate, allowing the display to update each second rather than each minute when in Always-On mode. watchOS 26 fittingly enhances 26 watch faces to support the 1Hz refresh rate. more…02:56 pmDAK a course that covers the entire iOS development?
Basically a udemy course or YT playlist that covers the entire iOS development process, from basic swift to deployment. submitted by /u/F34RR_ [link] [comments]02:43 pmBluesky launches ‘privacy-first’ method of uploading your contacts
Many social media apps encourage you to give them access to your contacts. If you do so, they will let you know which of your contacts are on the platform so that you can send them a friend request. This can be problematic because you may not wish to share your online presence with everybody in your contacts, and because you are effectively sharing the personal data of other people without their consent. Bluesky says its own “privacy-first” approach is different … more…02:30 pmApple Silicon chip packaging may expand into India's iPhone supply chain
The production of iPhones in India is just going to get larger and larger, with a new report saying that Apple has entered into preliminary talks to start packaging chips in the country.Silicon wafer - Image Credit: Laura Ockel on UnsplashApple's work to manufacture the iPhone and other products in India has meant rapid change in the country. This has already included growing a workforce of 350,000 people in just five years, but you can almost always expect more.The latest future growth move appears to be component-related. Apple is reportedly trying to bring chip assembly to the country for the first time. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:04 pmApple explores chip assembly talks with Indian manufacturers
Apple is engaged in early-stage discussions with Indian semiconductor firms to handle the assembly and packaging of certain iPhone chips… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.02:00 pmCalDigit TS5 Plus is a Thunderbolt dock without limits [Review] ★★★★★
On paper, the CalDigit TS5 Plus looks excessive, but it solves every limitation of other Thunderbolt docks. A CalDigit TS5 Plus review. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)01:53 pmDFW (Dallas) on 2025-12-18
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 18, 08:00 - 12:00 UTCDec 17, 13:42 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in DFW (Dallas) datacenter on 2025-12-18 between 08:00 and 12:00 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.01:53 pmRussia SMS Carrier Maintenance – Beeline
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 22, 13:00 - 16:00 PSTDec 17, 05:30 PSTScheduled - The Beeline network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 22 December 2025 at 13:00 PST until 22 December 2025 at 16:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Beeline Russia handsets.01:51 pmiPhone 17 Pro review three months later: Still fresh
More than three months have passed since the launch of Apple's iPhone 17 Pro, and I've been using it daily. It's still the best choice and balance of size, cost, battery life, and features.iPhone 17 Pro review three months later: Still loving the phoneUsually, I don't have much consternation as to which iPhone to buy. I always gravitate towards the Pro as I appreciate the better cameras and more powerful processors.Over the last several years, the draw of the Pro has minimized, though, as all the recent A-series chips are quite powerful, and the main camera sensor is mostly the same. Even features like the Action Button, Apple Intelligence, and the Camera Control come to all flagship models. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:31 pmTwilio main account creation is not working .
Dec 17, 05:31 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing an issue in . Our engineering team is actively working to resolve the issue. We expect to provide another update in 30 minutes or as soon as more information becomes available.01:21 pmWhen open, iPhone Fold may be close to the size of an iPad mini
The iPhone Fold could be a lot wider open than expected, with a schematic of unknown provenance depicting the device shaped more like a paperback when folded.A render of what the iPhone Fold could look like - Image Credit: iphone-ticker.deThe iPhone Fold is a long-awaited addition to the Apple smartphone roster, and could make its way into consumer hands in late 2026. However, the final product may end up feeling a little wider than usual.Supposed CAD drawings for the model provided to accessory makers, converted into renders and published by iPhone-Ticker.de, show a version of the iPhone Fold. That version may look a little odd due to the dimensions of the model. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:00 pmAs Deepfakes Proliferate, Organizations Confront AI Social Engineering
Experts warn that without stronger verification processes, deepfakes could quietly undermine trust, enable fraud, and expose systemic weaknesses across enterprises. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.12:59 pmApple shared ‘bendgate’ lessons as it helped small US manufacturers innovate
Back in the summer, a new Apple Manufacturing Academy was announced, partnering with Michigan State University. The initiative provides free training and consultancy to American businesses to help them innovate their production processes. Small businesses that received help from Apple engineers said that the company shared frank lessons about its “bendgate” experience … more…12:59 pmNot just electronics – Food packaging & medical firms are getting on-site help from Apple | AppleInsiderNot just electronics – Food packaging & medical firms are getting on-site help from Apple
Firms that attended Apple's Manufacturing Academy say the two-day training isn't all they got. It's been followed by months of Apple engineers joining their factories to solve business problems.Apple's Manufacturing Academy aims to help all kinds of US businesses — image credit: AppleOne criticism of the Apple Manufacturing Academy was that it was solely based in Detroit, although the company has since added a version online nationwide. But according to Wired, many participants are saying that Apple engineers have accompanied them back out to their factories across the country — and are making a significant difference.Then the Detroit program is also a two-day one, but this engineering on-site help has been taking place for months. For instance, three Apple employees visited ImageTek in Springfield, Vermont, to see if they could help the company's production of food labels — and then seven more joined in the effort. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:24 pmM5 MacBook Pro Gets Easier Battery Replacement Process
Apple has made the battery replacement process easier for the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro, allowing users of its self-service repair program to replace just the battery, without removing other internal components. Before now, manual battery replacement on what is currently Apple's only M5-powered MacBook Pro required swapping out several modules alongside the battery itself. However, the new process Apple has introduced only requires removing the bottom case and the battery management unit flex cable before accessing the battery. Apple is now selling standalone battery modules through its Self Service Repair Store. Apart from the cost of the necessary repair tools, the replacement battery costs $209.25, and users can get a $22.50 credit by returning their old battery. Apple has also published a detailed repair manual to guide users and independent repair shops through the procedure. The manual includes step-by-step instructions for safely removing the rear case, discharging the battery, removing the old battery's adhesive strips, and installing the replacement unit. The change tackles a concern raised by iFixit in its October teardown of the M5 MacBook Pro, which found battery replacement to be one of the device's most challenging repairability aspects. That said, with 14 disassembly steps and 27 reassembly steps, it's probably still a job most users would rather leave to a professional. Apple launched its self-service repair program in 2022, giving customers access to genuine parts, tools, and repair manuals for select iPhones, iPads, Macs, Studio Displays, and Beats Pill speakers. The company says the program is "intended for individuals who are experienced with the complexities of repairing electronic devices."Tag: Self Service RepairThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums12:14 pmIssues with DNS resolution in China
Dec 17, 12:14 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is aware of, and investigating issues with DNS resolution to incorrect Cloudflare IPs affecting multiple customers.We are working to analyze and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.12:13 pmiPhone 18 Pro could change Apple’s front camera design in a major way
Macworld A new report from The Information has information that, if true, will represent a huge shift in the iPhone’s iconic look. We’ve been through bezels, notches, and Dynamic Islands, but the iPhone’s front camera has always been located more or less in the center of the phone – often just to the side of the top earpiece. According to the report from Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu, Apple is going to put the Face ID sensors under the display on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. This will reduce the entire front cutout to a simple punch-hole for the camera, which Apple will then move to the upper-left corner of the display. It is unclear with this will mean for the Dynamic Island software features. Will the iPhone 18 Pro simply not have them? Will they appear in the center of the screen when needed, and disappear when not? Will they move over to the corner, where the small circular cutout for the front camera will be? The report says that, otherwise, the iPhone 18 Pro models will look very much like the iPhone 17 Pro. So expect the same rear camera arrangement and wide “plateau” on the back. The report also corroborates earlier rumors that at least one iPhone 18 Pro model will have a camera with a mechanical aperture. This will allow Apple to use a larger sensor that has better low-light performance, while closing the aperture in bright light to prevent the image from being overexposed. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in September of 2026, along with a new folding iPhone and perhaps a second-generation iPhone Air. The standard iPhone 18, however, has been rumored to be released in the spring of 2027, a significant change form Apple’s usual release cadence.12:02 pmA small but crucial detail provides a clue on iPhone Fold pricing
There’s never been any doubt that next year’s iPhone Fold is going to be an extremely expensive device, but a small detail in a report published yesterday provides a further steer on what to expect. We’ve so far seen pricing estimates in the $1,800 to $2,500 range, and yesterday’s report may be one reason to expect something closer to the higher end … more…12:00 pmI’m a GenZ dad. These are the iPhone accessories my kids (and yours) will love
Macworld I may be an old GenXer, but I’ve spent a lot of time with GenZers as a mentor, a teacher at a local college, and most importantly as a dad. I also test a lot of iPhone accessories, so I’ve always got an eye out for something my kids will love—you know, something cool and practical. Even if you’re not a twentysomething e-girl, you can still appreciate the Gen Z flair for bright and basic accessories. The gadgets I’ve picked out here all speak GenZ’s language loud and clear. They eschew the usual commercial vibe and instead focus on color, style, and simplicity. And of course, they’ve all got just the right amount of cool factor. 1. Nothing Ear 3 Nothing Ear 3 John Brandon / Foundry The Nothing Ear 3 earbuds are anything but boring, even if they are a tad expensive ($179 but usually on sale for $149) compared to the many other AirPods alternatives. A standout feature is that the case doubles as a microphone, so if you are on a Zoom or FaceTime call, the audio will sound clearer when you speak—just press the Talk button on the case. I tested the Ear 3 with a few Gen Z indie favs, and the sonic quality was in the same league as Apple’s AirPods Pro. My GenZer son Josh even picked the Nothing earbuds over the AirPods Pro, saying, “They look cleaner than the Apple AirPods, and they are more comfortable to wear. For about $100 cheaper, they don’t sound a lot worse.” 2. Sandmarc Retro Filter Sandmarc Retro Filter John Brandon / Foundry Professional photographers know there is a secret to vintage photos: you have to use an analog filter that creates a distinct brown-ish tint. Digital effects don’t quite do the same thing. The Sandmarc Retro Filter ($130) includes a clip you attach to your iPhone to hold the filter in place. The filter works best when you point your camera at the sun or a bright light. 3. OtterBox X Topo Designs OtterBox X Topo Designs John Brandon / Foundry The most interesting thing about the OtterBox X Topo Designs shoulder bag is that it can replace your iPhone case altogether. The recycled nylon material offers some great cushion and protection, plus you can store keys, glasses, and other items inside. There’s a zippered pocket for credit cards and an ID holder, while the strap adjusts for your shoulder or waist. Just ask my daughter Katie, who’d “carry that and skip the case for sure.” Plus, the Otterbox X shoulder bag only costs $45, so you’re not even paying much more. 4. Gomi Power Bank Gomi Power Bank John Brandon / Foundry Forget boring business-oriented power banks, which can recharge your iPhone when you are on the go. The Gomi Power Bank ($95) is far more unique. Each one is hand-crafted and looks unique, with a colorful design that reminded me of an oil painting. The device has a normal USB-A port as well as USB-C, and can typically charge an iPhone twice. 5. Bitti Gitti Wooden Sound System Bitti Gitti Wooden Sound System John Brandon / Foundry Another trend with Gen-Z has to do with going back to basics. This wooden speaker for $89 has no electronics at all, just a box with seven layers of carved-out rings to amplify your iPhone audio. Just slide the phone in, and that’s it. Yet, the amplification sounds organic and pure. I played a variety of artists and was impressed by the sound fidelity at higher volumes. “I’d use my iPhone with that speaker every day,” said Blake, my GenZ son-in-law, who was especially drawn to its simplistic design. 6. Satechi OntheGo USB-C Lanyard Cable Satechi OntheGo USB-C Lanyard Cable John Brandon / Foundry Crossbody straps are all the rage, and I love the ingenious design of this Satechi lanyard ($30), which you wear across your chest or around your neck. There’s a small plastic strip (one clear and one black) that you first slip into your case, then through the USB-C slot for the iPhone. Attach the lanyard to the clip, and you’re all set. When you pop your phone in the case, the strip stays tightly connected. Bonus that the lanyard is actually a USB-C cable that you can use to charge your phone. 7. Instax Mini Link 3 Printer Instax Mini Link 3 Printer John Brandon / Foundry The Instax Mini Link 3 ($116) is more than just a printer meant for instant gratification. Yes, you can print photos from your iPhone to the Polaroid-like card, but it’s also a way to carry photos in a wallet or purse and show them to friends — sans your iPhone. The device comes in white, green, or pink, and spits out a photo in just 15 seconds (though you’ll have to wait a minute and a half for it to fully appear). Katie noticed the printer in my office and immediately put it on her holiday wish list. 8. Casekoo Titanium Magic Stand Pro Case Casekoo Titanium Magic Stand Pro Case John Brandon / Foundry Making a TikTok video is much easier with this unique case from Casekoo (around $40) that has a built-in titanium stand. You can see your phone on a table, and it won’t tip over during a recording. The new twilight orange color to match the iPhone 17 Pro is also attention-grabbing and functional at the same time—perfect for recording quick videos in a snap.11:48 amBaseus Nomos Mac Air NU1 Spacemate 12-in-1 Docking Station review: Portable DisplayLink dock | MacworldBaseus Nomos Mac Air NU1 Spacemate 12-in-1 Docking Station review: Portable DisplayLink dock
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros 12 ports Compact and portable Built-in USB-C cable Affordable Cons Have to provide your own power supply No charging from USB ports Dual displays 2.5K not 4K No card reader or audio jack Windows version much cheaper Our Verdict If you don’t require 4K screens or any power to connected devices (but do need a super tidy and compact DisplayLink hub to enable your M1 or M2 MacBook to support more than one monitor and some low-powered USB devices) the Spacemate may fulfil your requirements better than other portable DisplayLink hubs on the market. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$199.99 Best Prices Today: Baseus Nomos NU1 Spacemate Air 12-in-1 (Mac) Docking Station Retailer Price $139.99 View Deal Baseus $199.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The Baseus Nomos Mac Air NU1 Spacemate 12-in-1 Docking Station has a long name but a decent set of ports at affordable price. It’s a DisplayLink dock, meaning that it offers a simple(ish) solution to Apple’s frustrating multiple-display limitations for its lesser-powered Macs such as the M1 and M2 MacBooks. These excellent but non-Pro laptops are restricted to just one external monitor without help from third-party software such as DisplayLink. Using the Baseus Spacemate dock after installing the free software enables these MacBooks to run two external displays, albeit here at a 2.5K QHD rather than 4K resolution. The Spacemate seems to offer a lot but on closer inspection it lacks some functions that we’d expect of a dock. Although it seems quite limited as a full ‘dock’, it can be quite a versatile DisplayLink ‘hub’, especially when connected to a wall charger. Even without one, it’s an attractive portable dock but first study its limitations before being hooked by the price. Baseus Specs and features USB-C upstream connector to laptop (90W PD 3.0) 2x USB-C (10Gbps) 2x USB-A (5Gbps) 2x USB-A (480Mbps, 4.5W) 2x DisplayPort 1.4 ports 2x HDMI 2.0 ports Gigabit Ethernet 100W power via USB-C port (no supply) In some ways this dock is more of a high-powered hub. Although its specs let it down in places, it comes into its own as a portable hub with docking station aspirations. It connects to the laptop via its built-in braided USB-C 2.6ft cable that can carry data at 10Gbps and power at 90W to the MacBook when connected to a wall charger. You need to supply the wall charger yourself, although the MacBook’s own should suffice. The Spacemate is not the dock for you if you require data transfer at the highest bandwidth. A Mac with Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports support 40Gbps and the most recent Thunderbolt 5 Macs can handle 80Gbps, so 10Gbps USB-C is not for the professional data warrior. For most of us Mac mortals, however, 10Gbps should be fine. Power can be supplied to the dock itself using a USB-C charger and cable (note that neither is included so use your MacBooks or one of the other best USB-C chargers we recommend). Most desk-bound docks are weighed down by an external power brick, but the Baseus Spacemate is nimbler and can even draw enough power from the laptop to operate with power coming in, but with caveats. Simon Jary There are a further six USB ports: two 5Gbps USB-A and two 480Mbps USB-A ports for legacy devices, but just two 10Gbps USB-C ports. None can output any real power to the connected devices, which might put you off but it is unlikely to bother people who choose this dock for its portability rather than wanting it to sit permanently on their desk as the center of their computing setup. Four USB-A ports seem too many these days when most devices should be using USB-C, and two of the Type A ports are very limited in data transfer (USB 2.0’s 480Mbps) so good only for input devices such as a keyboard and mouse if you haven’t yet converted to wireless versions or basic memory sticks. When hooked up to a wall charger, the Baseus Spacemate can carry enough power (90W) for all but the 16-inch MacBook Pro (which prefers 140W to fast charge), but some of the things you might want to connect to the dock require power too and this dock doesn’t deliver in that way. Wired network access is standard Gigabit Ethernet, which will be fine for most people but underpowered for those users on faster 2.5GbE or faster networks, which we are seeing catered for on many modern docks. Again, the lack of the very latest and fastest ports shouldn’t put you off if Gigabit Ethernet is all you need. There is no SD card reader, which again feels like something missing compared to most docks but might not bother most users. Strangely/frustratingly the Windows version has both SD and MicroSD card readers and is cheaper! That feels like a bit of a slap in the face for Mac users who believed that the days of paying a Mac premium for accessories were over. Simon Jary Monitor options You buy a DisplayLink dock for its ability to connect to multiple external displays, and the Baseus Spacemate Air NU1 has a generous choice of dedicated HDMI or DisplayLink video ports. Connecting two displays to a non-Pro or -Max M1 or M2 MacBook is highly beneficial, but when connecting two monitors via the Spacemate the resolution is limited to QHD (2560×1440 pixels) that is also called 2.5K to distinguish it from 4K (3840×2160) which most dual-screen DisplayLink docks offer. Again, if HD or QHD is all you require of screen resolution—and it’s fine for basic productivity tasks rather than graphics or video—then this dock will give you what you need. The choice of HDMI or DisplayLink gives you options but the ability to connect monitors via USB-C isn’t possible using this dock, so you must use either video format. Simon Jary Design The Baseus Spacemate Air NU1 is a good-looking and very compact, super lightweight dock that is about the size of some vertical desktop chargers. It really can fit in one hand, and lacking an external power brick means it is way more portable than most docking stations. You can slip it in your bag and not notice it’s there on your travels. It measures 4.7 x 2.6 x 2.5 inches (6.5 x 6.5 x 12cm) and weighs just 14.2oz (402g). Most of the ports are neatly hidden away at the back, but there are a USB-C and USB-A port at the front for easy access. It’s a shame that neither can output enough power to charge a connected phone but that’s the compromise from this dock’s portability and lack of power supply. At the top of the dock is an energy-saving button that can also lock the screen. Click this button to immediately put your laptop into standby. Price The MSRP of the Baseus Nomos Mac Air NU1 Spacemate 12-in-1 Docking Station is $199.99. At the time of writing it was selling on Amazon for $139, which is an affordable price for a dual-monitor DisplayLink dock with so many ports. That said, Mac users can feel put out that the more able Windows version costs just $99.99, has two SD card readers and supports two 4K monitors, although there are two HDMI and no DIsplayPort options. At that price and with those features it’s a bargain for Windows users but in comparison the Mac version looks significantly overpriced and underpowered. Take a look at other higher-spec best DisplayLink docks but for portability focus on the hubs rather than more deskbound docks. Somewhere in that list you should find whether the Baseus Spacemate or another hub has exactly what you are after. If you just need the dual screens look at the Plugable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI Adapter (USBC-6950M), although it lacks the Spacemate’s multiple USB ports and Ethernet. The Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub has dual-4K and USB ports but has a lower 5Gbps bandwidth than the 10Gbps Spacemate. The closest match we can find that beats the Spacemate by boasting dual-4K and card readers is the 10Gbps Alogic CH2 dock. Its weakness, however, is that the USB ports don’t work when there’s no power connected. Should you buy the Baseus Nomos Mac Air NU1 Spacemate 12-in-1 Docking Station? As a portable dock, the lightweight Baseus Mac Air NU1 Spacemate has a lot going for it, but its port line-up is a little lacking for Mac users and is more a hub in dock’s clothing. There are too many USB-A ports (four) and just two USB-C data ports, and none but the integrated cable can deliver any real power to devices except your laptop. There is no card reader or audio jack, both staples on your average docking station, and crucially the maximum display resolution for two screens is 2.5K rather than 4K. If you don’t require truly high-resolution (4K) screens or any power to connected devices but do need a super tidy and compact DisplayLink hub to enable your M1 or M2 MacBook to support more than one monitor and some low-powered USB devices then the Spacemate may fulfil your requirements better than other portable DisplayLink hubs on the market.11:30 amI used AirPods Live Translation for a real conversation, and all I have to say is ‘Wow’
Macworld This fall, Apple gave its new iOS 26 Live Translation feature an instant upgrade: AirPods support. Like a real-life version of the Babel fish, compatible AirPods paired with an up-to-date iPhone can now be inserted in the ear to provide instant fluency across nine languages. The earbuds listen to conversation in Spanish, for example, use AI to translate it in real time, and speak the English equivalent directly into your ear. You then reply in English, and your iPhone will translate this back to Spanish. (The translation is displayed on screen, but there’s a button to make it read it out loud.) It’s a beguiling concept. But it’s not a new one. Earbuds paired with Google Translate, such as the Pixel Buds, were capable of this function way back in 2017. They just weren’t all that great at it. As so often in the past, Apple is trying to take something that other companies have done before, and do it better. Has it succeeded? Now that Live Translation has expanded to the EU with iOS 26.2, I set up a video call with a German-speaking colleague from Macwelt and popped in my AirPods Pro 3 to test the Live Translation feature (which is still officially in beta, I should note) for myself. I was pleasantly surprised. Setup: Better in person Let’s get started. First things first. Before doing any translating, you need to download your choice of language. This takes a few minutes, so try to plan ahead rather than waiting until you’re mid-conversation with an angry French policeman. Open the Settings app on your connected iPhone and open the AirPods menu. Scroll down to the Translation (Beta) section and tap on Languages. At the top, you’ll see any you’ve already downloaded, while those that are available will be listed below. Pick one (or more) and tap to download. Once this is sorted, activating translation is relatively easy. Press and hold on both earbud stems at once, and they’ll automatically switch to Live Translation mode. The only potential hiccup is if you’ve got several languages downloaded, particularly if your last translation was to or from a different language than the one you want now. You can change these in the Translate app by going to Live and then selecting either Their Language or Your Language to switch languages. (There isn’t yet an option, as there is for the written and visual–but not conversational–functions of Google Translate, to say “Detect language” and thereby cover all bases.) David Price / Foundry So far, so good–and for face-to-face translation, activating the feature is simple and intuitive. You may, however, run into issues when trying to use the feature over an online video chat, as I did. The problem was that the AirPods were desperately keen to auto-pair with whichever device they thought I was using. I needed them connected to the iPhone for the translation. But as soon as I started up a FaceTime call on my Mac, they jumped to that. As soon as I opened Notes on my iPad to check the script, they jumped to that. So I was constantly having to apologise and fiddle with Bluetooth settings to make sure the AirPods stayed on point. It should be said, in Apple’s defence, that the company has given Live Translation direct integration with the FaceTime and Phone apps, as well as providing APIs that will let third parties do the same for Zoom, Teams and the like. So this sort of multi-device juggling shouldn’t be necessary–you can just open FaceTime on the iPhone and manage the whole thing, conversation and translation alike, from there. I simply found this integration unintuitive–and besides, wanted to recreate the experience of talking to someone on the street, which seemed best simulated by holding up my phone to words coming from a different source. Which is a long-winded way of saying that, if you really are just speaking to someone on the street, and if you’ve taken the time to set things up and test them out in advance, it should be a breeze. Just anticipate a few tech hiccups when you involve multiple devices. Understanding what was said to me With the setup finally sorted, we were able to begin our conversation. This was more exhausting than I had expected. I had prepared four scenarios: at a hotel, in a restaurant, on a plane, and in a bar, with a secret bonus round where we were going to spontaneously talk politics. But the conversations took longer than I anticipated—so long that we ran out of time and energy for the restaurant and politics chats. Why were the conversations so slow and tiring? Because of the delays. My colleague would say a sentence in German, and the AirPods would generally wait until well into the sentence, often to the end, before starting to give me the translation. In written form, we are encouraged to be punchy, but conversational sentences can have numerous subclauses, so the delay can be substantial. AirPods Pro 3’s Live translation is like having a little dictionary in your ear.Foundry I wondered if this delay might have something to do with the grammatical character of the German language and its habit of shunting crucial verbs to the end of the sentence. But a similar test with a Spanish speaker confirmed that the feature simply cannot turn around a translation in true real time, so there will be no fluency in your conversation, regardless of the language. The good news is that Live Translation’s accuracy, at least from German to English, is astonishingly good. In his role as hotelier, my colleague told me about rooms and breakfast arrangements and a special event involving 237 Christmas tree sellers, and it all came through clear and comprehensible. As a flight steward, he explained landing times and delays and a situation with a man in my seat; and, finally switching careers to bartending, he told me all the ingredients in a delicious local cocktail and named the total I would need to pay for a selection of drinks. In every scenario, I understood the overall gist with ease and virtually all the specifics. That’s not to say that the translation was flawless. The software was confused by the German term for a boarding pass, which it translated as simply a “card.” The name of a cocktail, my colleague told me, was mangled. But these were very minor quibbles that never derailed the conversation in any serious way. Making myself understood Ideally, both you and your conversational partner would be wearing compatible AirPods so that your English is translated live by their Babel fish just as their non-English is translated by yours. For planned business meetings this may be possible. But it’s unlikely to be the case in the average tourist context, so we stuck to the asymmetric approach. Having waited for a translation of my colleague’s words, I replied in English, and a German translation appeared on my iPhone’s screen. When speaking face to face, it’s probably easiest to simply show this to the doctor/barber/policeman you’re speaking to. There’s another small delay while your words are translated, but it appears quickly enough. And again, my colleague confirmed that the accuracy was excellent. Next to each chunk of translated text you’ll see a little play button, and if you tap this it’ll be read out loud. This is a nice option, and the accent was convincing in our test, but it adds yet another delay to what is already a long-winded process. Foundry Having said his piece, my colleague had to wait for this to be translated, for me to reply, for this to be translated, for me to press the button, and for the words to be read out. Understandably, he several times began replying before my official translated response had been read out, although this should only be an issue when your partner actually does speak English, in which case you could just dispense with the AirPods altogether. Again, the translation, while sometimes slow, was very reliable. I was able to reserve rooms, request a sea view (and be denied, on the flimsy pretext that Munich isn’t anywhere near the sea), order a wide range of drinks, navigate a variety of social situations and never really have to repeat myself. My colleague was in the position to hear both English and German renditions of each comment I made, and professed himself impressed by the accuracy. Conclusion: Far better than I expected, flaws and all Okay, final quibbles. The translations are split into little chunks, and sometimes these seem quite arbitrary. I found myself tapping play on one bit, and it spat out the end of one thing and the beginning of another, rather than a coherent remark. It also annoyed me that the software deleted the chat history the second I took out my headphones. That’s particularly annoying for a journalist who would like screenshots to post in this feature, but also takes away a potentially useful note of details you may subsequently forget. (Could this be a privacy-based decision? I’m not sure.) Add in those delays, and I’m the first to concede that my tests with Live Translation weren’t painless by any means. In fact, I found the whole thing draining. But the whole thing was thoroughly impressive nonetheless. However, I was astounded by the software’s ability to translate with a very high degree of accuracy and comprehensibility in nearly real time. While you shouldn’t expect a fluent or socially comfortable conversation while using your AirPods, you can expect an extremely functional one. That’s a win, in my book.11:18 amMake Your iPhone Display Flash for Alerts
Unlike some Android phones, iPhones don't have a dedicated notification LED that lights up when you get a call, text, or other alert. What iPhones do include is an optional Accessibility feature for the deaf and hard of hearing that blinks the rear camera flash and provides a visual cue for incoming notifications. And in iOS 26.2, Apple has added the ability to flash the front display, too. Even if your hearing is fine, having a visual cue for incoming alerts can be handy to have if, say, you're in a quiet environment like a library and don't want to create a disturbance. What's more, in iOS 26.2, you can choose for both the display and the camera LED to flash. That way, you'll see the alert flash whichever way your iPhone is lying on a table. How to Enable Flash for Alerts Follow the steps below to turn on screen flash for alerts on your iPhone running iOS 26.2. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, then tap Accessibility. Under "Hearing," tap Audio & Visual. Scroll to the bottom and tap Flash for Alerts. Toggle on Flash for Alerts, then tap LED Flash, Screen, or Both.You'll see that the last menu includes toggle switches so that you can control whether the flash happens when your device is unlocked, as well as if it should flash when in silent mode. This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums11:00 amApple simplifies battery swaps on the M5 MacBook Pro
Apple has simplified self-service battery replacement on the M5 MacBook Pro, allowing for direct battery replacement. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)10:37 amChatbots are not loading consistently on websites
Status: InvestigatingWe have identified an issue causing chatbots to not load consistently. Our team is actively investigating. Thank you for your patience while we work to resolve this. We will provide updates as soon as we have more information.Affected components Chatbots (Degraded performance)10:35 amNetwork Performance Issues in Dallas
Dec 17, 10:35 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating issues with Network PerformanceWe are working to analyze and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.10:10 amApple Explores iPhone Chip Packaging in India for the First Time
Apple is in talks with suppliers to manage iPhone chip assembly and packaging in India for the first time, reports The Economic Times. "Exploratory conversations" are said to have taken place with semiconductor company CG Semi, which is constructing one of India's first outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facilities in Sanand, Gujarat. From the report, citing people with knowledge of the matter: "The companies are in the very initial stages of discussion," one of them said. "It is not clear what chips will be packaged out of the Sanand facility at this stage, but it will likely be display chips." The person added that this may be the "beginning of an uphill climb" for CG Semi since if talks progress, it will have to pass Apple's stringent quality standards to clinch the deal. "Apple is already in talks with several companies for a number of other supply chain functions, and very few will end up on their supplier list," the person said.As the report mentions, Apple sources its iPhone display panels from the world's three leading OLED manufacturers: Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE. The display driver ICs used with these panels are supplied by companies such as Samsung, Novatek, Himax, and LX Semicon, which in turn rely mainly on chip fabrication and packaging facilities in South Korea, Taiwan, and China. If the discussions between Apple and CG Semi bear fruit, the move would be another example of Apple pivoting to India as a major supply chain and manufacturing hub. Apple reportedly assembled $22 billion worth of iPhones in India during the 12 months ending in March 2025, a nearly 60% increase over the previous year. Foxconn, Tata Electronics, and Pegatron now operate facilities in India focused on iPhone manufacturing. Apple is apparently aiming to manufacture the majority of iPhones sold in the United States in India by the end of 2026.Tag: IndiaThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums10:03 amBeyond frustrated with Apple “Enrolment request for your company has been declined” | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingBeyond frustrated with Apple “Enrolment request for your company has been declined”
Hi fellow devs, I've hit a wall with Apple. I've been trying to enrol into the developer program for more than 8 months to no avail. Here's how it started. I purchased a MacBook to use for developing an iOS app for my startup. Well, the trouble began right there. See, I don't live in […]09:46 amBest VPN for Mac 2026: Trustworthy Mac VPNs tested by experts
Macworld If, like many web users, you are concerned about your privacy and security online and want to ensure that the connection between your Mac and the internet is protected, you need a VPN. While Apple provides various measures in macOS that make Macs more secure, using a VPN can protect your privacy and security online, which could give you some extra reassurance. A VPN essentially makes you invisible on the web–your data is encrypted, your IP address is hidden, and you can even make it look like you are surfing from another country. This latter reason is another reason many people use a VPN: they want to access streaming services that are locked to a particular region, or, if you are based somewhere that requires age-related identification in order to use certain websites, it can enable you to surf as if you were based elsewhere. How we test VPNs We test each VPN service at three times of the day (morning, afternoon, evening) using Ookla Speedtest. We measure our internet speed before testing the upload/download speeds of the VPN service on various servers around the world over a 100Mbps ethernet connection. We also consider the number of countries a VPN offers servers in, the total number of servers worldwide, and the monthly or annual cost to connect. Additionally, because privacy is such a crucial aspect of what makes a good VPN, we research the providers to find out who owns them, their location, how they handle subscriber information, and their business practices. Best VPNs for Mac: Reviewed & Ranked There are a lot of VPN providers vying for your business, which can make finding the best one to suit your needs difficult. To help you sort out the right provider for you, we’ve committed to extensive research and testing of VPN services that cater to Mac owners in our guide to the top VPN services for Mac. Our top choice right now is NordVPN, which we feel stands out in many areas, from speed and privacy to unblocking and ease of use. Get NordVPN here However, there are other VPNs to consider and below you will find reviews of all the VPN services for Mac that we recommend based on our tests. All of these VPNs will also work on your iPhone and iPad as well, and many with Apple TV, but you might want to check out our separate guide to the best VPNs for iPad and iPhone. At a glance: Feature comparison VPNmacOS App QualityNo-Logs PolicySpeed & PerformanceStreaming SupportSimultaneous ConnectionsFree / TrialBest ForNordVPNExcellent (native, polished)Yes (audited)Very fastVery strong~10 devices30-day refundBest overall Mac VPNSurfsharkVery goodYes (audited)FastStrongUnlimited30-day refundBest value & familiesExpressVPNExcellent (very simple UI)Yes (audited)Very fastExcellent~8 devices30-day refundBest ease of useProton VPNGood (privacy-focused)Yes (audited)GoodModerateVaries by planFree tier availableBest for privacy & free useCyberGhostVery easy to useYesGoodVery strong~7 devices45-day refundBest for streaming beginnersPrivate Internet Access (PIA)Good (advanced options)YesGoodModerate~10 devices30-day refundPower users & customizationhide.meGoodYesGoodGood~10 devicesFree tierPrivacy-focused free optionFastestVPNBasicLimitedDecentGoodVariesTrial / lifetime plansBudget users 1. NordVPN – Fast, fully featured VPN Pros Easy to use Impressive WireGuard speeds Lots of servers Cons Two separate apps can be confusing Price When Reviewed: Basic plan from $2.99 a month for two years. Usually $12.99 a month Best Prices Today: Retailer Price NordVPN (Monthly) $2.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 5,300 servers 10 simultaneous connections NordVPN is one of the biggest and best-known VPN services. It’s a fully featured VPN option that’s secure, easy to use, and unbelievably fast compared to its competitors. There are cheaper options, with unlimited connections and more in-depth VPN features, but NordVPN is our top choice right now because it stands out in so many areas, from speed and privacy to unblocking and ease of use. There are more than 5,300 servers (none of which are virtual) available across 60 countries, which sounds great. You probably only care about the servers where you want to unblock content, but the more servers the better as it means you have a better chance of finding one that’s not overloaded. You won’t have to figure out which one to choose thanks to the handy ‘Quick connect’ feature that picks the server best suited to your needs. Connections are fast and reliable, and NordVPN unblocks popular streaming services around the world including Netflix and BBC iPlayer. You can connect up to six devices simultaneously including your Apple TV. Nord has added support for the faster WireGuard protocol in NordLynx, making it one of the fastest VPN services out there. However, it’s only available on the ‘IKE’ version of the app, which only offers a permanently enabled kill switch. To have more control, you’ll need to download the ‘OpenVPN’ version, albeit with slightly slower speeds. Nord has an up-to-date independent audit. It also has specialty servers for specific purposes. Nord frequently has deals on offer that save money on the usual monthly price if you take advantage of the two-year plan. NordVPN offers three tiers: Standard, Plus and Ultimate. You can get Plus features (data breach scanner and password manager) or the Ultimate tier adds cloud storage and insurance options. Prices change all the time, so take a look at the prices and plans at NordVPN.com. Read our full NordVPN review 2. Surfshark – Easy to use, secure VPN Pros Simple to use No device limits Great for streaming services Cons Expensive to renew Price When Reviewed: Starter plan from $1.99 a month for two years + 3 free months. Usually $15.45 a month. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Surfshark (Monthly) $1.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 3,200 servers in 100 countries Unlimited simultaneous connections Surfshark is a reliable, affordable option with more than 3000 servers spread across 100 countries. Surfshark’s network is one of the widest and most varied of any VPN. Its apps, which work with Macs, iPhones, and even Apple TV, as well as other devices, are easy to use. The macOS app offers light and dark modes, and you can opt to have it shown in the dock or the menu bar. The iOS version of SurfShark offers features like MultiHop and Dedicated IP – it’s not a watered-down versions of their desktop VPN. SurfShark offers three tiers of features at varying price points. SurfShark Starter offers VPN functionality as well as an ad blocker and the option to generate a proxy email address and personal details. SurfShark One adds email and payment detail breach alerts, as well as personal data security reports, antivirus and other malware protection. And the One+ plan adds data removal from company databases and people search sites. When we reviewed Surfshark previously we had some performance issues, but this time around things were a lot better. With WireGuard, SurfShark is the slickest VPN around, removing very little speed from my connection. OpenVPN, where we had problems previously, was much swifter this time around. Whichever protocol we used, we were able to flick between streaming libraries with ease. Those protocols also offer varying degrees of encryption to keep your data secure. The Kill Switch feature is billed as a “safety net”, It’ll shut down your connection if your VPN connection falters, preventing personal data from sneaking out to bad actors. Surfshark is is headquartered in the Netherlands and has a privacy-minded no-logs policy that’s regularly audited. Surfshark’s process means it logs a small amount of data that’s then scrubbed from its servers with 15 minutes of closing the connection. Surfshark confirmed to us in June 2025 that they had their no-logs policy independently verified again and Deloitte confirmed that they don’t monitor what our users do online and do not keep logs of their activities. For even more security, the Antivirus Scan feature (available with Surfshark One and One+) can run scheduled background scans if you leave the app open. Ransomware Shield and Webcam Protection can stop your personal folders and hardware camera from falling into the wrong hands respectively, and the app will constantly look to update its database of viruses to cross-reference files. Sign up to Surfshark here. Read our full Surfshark review 3. ExpressVPN – Fast, privacy-focused VPN Pros Easy-to-use Broad device support Excellent speeds Cons Illusive ExpressVPN team Expensive Price When Reviewed: From $4.99 a month for 2 years + 4 free months Best Prices Today: Retailer Price ExpressVPN (Monthly) $3.49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 2,000 servers 8 simultaneous connections If you want to circumnavigate geoblocking to get access to content not available where you live, protect your data while browsing the web from a public network, and keep your web browsing habits private, ExpressVPN, with its server locations across 105 countries, can do just about all of this with two or three clicks. ExpressVPN is remarkably easy to use, but if you have any difficulties the 24-hour live chat means you can be connected to a real human to discuss issues within minutes. There are native apps on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, Android and Windows. Plus you can use it on eight devices at once (the limit was five previously). Like all VPNs there is some speed loss because you are routing via a server in another country, but ExpressVPN does well to mitigate this, dropping less than 13% of download speed in our testing. NordVPN remains faster with a 12% loss in our tests, but ExpressVPN’s 13% is still better than most. ExpressVPN offers no fewer than six different choices for protocol. Lightway, the company’s own option, is rapid. For improved compatibility you can switch to another version of Lightway or OpenVPN – things slowed down with 24% of speed loss with the latter. There’s no Malware protection with ExpressVPN, but you can install a password manager called ExpressVPN Keys. The company is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, so it’s free from the majority of intelligence-sharing agencies’ jurisdiction. While it also operates a no-log policy, it doesn’t have PureVPN’s “always-on” audit process, but it undergoes audits each year. ExpressVPN’s more expensive than many of its contemporaries and doesn’t allow access from unlimited devices (just eight). But you get a solid, speedy connection with minimal fuss, and you don’t have to tie-in for a two-year deal to get the best value. That latter point is important because VPN legislation can change regularly. See ExpressVPN subscription plans here. Read our full ExpressVPN review 4. ProtonVPN – Good free version available Pros Simple to use Free plan Great speed Cons Setup on macOS was a little fiddly Price When Reviewed: Proton Free; VPN Plus from $2.99 a month for two years. Usually $9.99 a month. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Proton Technologies (Monthly) $2.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 6,500+ servers in 100+ countries (access servers in 5 countries on free plan, on one device) 10 simultaneous connections ProtonVPN’s free tier of membership helps to set Proton VPN apart from some of its rivals. It’s naturally limited, with US, Japan, and Netherlands as the server locations and some speed drop – but it’s still pretty usable If you pay for the service it offers a sleek interface, impressive connection speeds and just about enough features to improve your day-to-day web experience without throwing too many complex concepts at new users. Proton VPN Plus offers a host of features, including an ad and tracker blocker and speed of up to 10 Gbps, as well as a 10-device limit. There’s Port Forwarding for downloads and gaming, too, as well as a Kill Switch for disconnecting should the VPN drop out. Some VPN services offer features like dark web data notifications. Proton VPN sticks to the basics – and does so very well. The company’s “no-logs” policy confirms it doesn’t track sites, IP addresses, communications, or session lengths, nor does it track location-based information. Proton is Swiss-based, and only Swiss court orders can request data from the company, but since it doesn’t log data there’s very little it can offer to law enforcement. For the privacy-minded, Secure Core, routes traffic through one of the company’s ‘Secure’ servers, minimizing the potential of a data leak. These secure servers are owned by Proton and are located in more than 90 countries. Proton VPN does increase latency, but only by about 29% in our testing on a modest 60 Mbps broadband. In fact, it’s only about 7% slower when downloading and 5.5% slower when uploading, making it one of the slicker VPNs we’ve tested. In terms of included VPN protocols, Smart will be ideal for most users, automatically setting the right protocol for your current usage, but WireGuard, WireGuard (TCP), IKEv2 and Stealth are also offered. Proton VPN is an easy recommendation both for new and experienced users. Sign up for Proton’s subscription plans here. Read our full ProtonVPN review 5. FastestVPN – Good for VPN newbies Pros Great pricing, including lifetime plan Impressive speeds and features Cons Fewer servers than some rivals Price When Reviewed: Lifetime special deal: $30, usually $600 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price FastestVPN (Lifetime payment) $30 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 800+ servers in 49+ countries 10 simultaneous connections FastestVPN packs impressive VPN performance, but that’s only one facet of what makes it worth a look. It’s also relatively cheap compared to many rivals, and has seen a bunch of improvements since we took a look in 2021. The app is sleek and easy to use and offers 10 simultaneous connections. FastestVPN is headquartered in the Cayman islands and has undergone a third-party audit from Altius to confirm its no-logs policy. Since the last time we looked at it it’s gained a number power user features like multi-hop connections. It also now features an Internet Kill Switch to shut down all traffic if your VPN drops for any reason. You can also use Smart Tunneling to ensure certain apps go via a VPN while others don’t. Will FastestVPN help you get around geoblocks? Yes, in fact, FastestVPN highlights certain streaming-focused servers to help get around geoblocking. You’ll find a variety of VPN protocols to choose from, with Wireguard, OpenVPN (TCP and UDP options) and IKEv2 available, and Servers have recently been updated to 10 Gbps options, but despite the name, it’s not the fastest around. However, it’s so affordable that it’s hard not to recommend, with a lifetime price of $40 (normally $600), which we’ve even seen reduced to just $30! FastestVPN does a great job and for a lot less than others. FastestVPN has more than 800 servers, which is a lot – but in context, that’s dramatically less than NordVPN or ExpressVPN. Rivals do offer a larger server count, but the ease of use, and low barrier of entry, make FastestVPN one of our best VPN picks in 2025. FastestVPN is available on Mac as well as Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and plenty more apps. See FastestVPNs plans here. Read our full FastestVPN review 6. Mullvad VPN – Great privacy credentials Pros Privacy-focused sign-up Great for getting around geoblocks Great pricing Cons 5 connections is lower than some rivals Price When Reviewed: $5.26 a month (€5) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Mullvad $5.26 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 700+ servers 5 connections Mullvad doesn’t offer recurring plans, you pay €5 a month whether you sign up for a month, a year or longer. The only price change will be dependent on the exchange rate from euros at that time. This way you aren’t caught up in a recurring subscription and Mullvad doesn’t store your personal information – a great example of its privacy-first mindset. You can even buy prepaid cards if you don’t want to log payment information, which makes Mullvad the ideal VPN service for anyone looking to leave a minimal digital footprint. Split Tunnelling, multihop connections and even an AI-focused defence mechanism called DAITA are included. Performance is excellent and there are plenty of features that would be paid additions elsewhere. For example, the Kill Switch to cut traffic if the VPN drops, and a Lockdown Mode that forces the user to reconnect via Mullvad if the connection drops. Multihop will bounce your connection via multiple servers, and split tunnelling is available so you can send some traffic via the VPN and ignore it for others. There is also an ad blocker. It’s available on Mac, Windows, iOS, iPadOS, and Android. It’s accessed exclusively from the menu bar on Mac. The iPhone and iPad apps pack plenty of power user features that in some services are limited to desktop, like multihop connections and the DAITA protection. DAITA (Defence against AI-guided Traffic Analysis) will add ‘network noise’ so data packets are all the same size. The main disadvantages are the five device limit, which is lower than many VPNs, and. a lower server count. It has 700, but this is still lower than the likes of NordVPN with over 7,000. Mullvad’s servers are all real, not virtual, servers though. Connection speeds are impressive. Mullvad is a fantastic VPN service that’s about as privacy-minded as can be. It might not have the most servers, but that’s a small price to pay for the service on offer. Sign up to Mullvad here. Read our full Mullvad review 7. Hide.me Pros Free tier Streaming-focused servers included Advanced features Cons Fewer servers than other options Price When Reviewed: From $2.49 per month for two years (+4 months extra) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Hide.Me (Monthly) $2.49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 2,600+ servers in 90 countries 10 simultaneous connections Hide Me is a versatile VPN with a free plan (though limited). It unblocks Netflix libraries globally and keeps data secure. Hide Me is available on various devices, with native apps for Windows, Mac, iPad, Android, and iOS. The Mac app has a main window and a Menu bar icon for quick access. The initial setup is straightforward, focusing on quick app usage. Want to quickly connect to a server? Open it and click the Enable VPN button. It’s great to see 10 simultaneous connections available, so one plan can cover a family’s devices. You can choose where you’re connecting from a list of locations or a list of streaming-friendly options. While it offers advanced features like Split Tunnelling and multi-hop servers, these are easily accessible. Split-tunnelling lets you send traffic via the VPN on a per-app basis, while a Kill Switch can stop all traffic when your VPN connection wavers. Multi-Hop connectivity is included in the price, which means your data bounces between servers, further hiding it and making it harder to trace, though it does slow down connectivity. OpenVPN is supported, as expected, but IKEv2, SoftEther, and SSTP are also available, so you can easily switch to an alternative protocol if needed. We found sub-10% download speed drops across multiple servers, making it one of the slicker VPNs we’ve tested. Geo-unblocking is great, as Hide Me switches your location to various streaming-friendly servers. Privacy-wise, Hide Me is an ‘Offshore VPN’ with its headquarters in Labuan, Malaysia, giving it anonymity from the Five Eyes intelligence coalition and other countries. The company has a strict no-logs policy, preventing it from keeping any data from users and their sessions. There’s a free plan with basic features, but it lacks multihop functionality and streaming support. Easy to use, Hide Me is a great service with many features, such as split tunnelling and multihop connections, a device limit of 10 (double some rivals), and excellent streaming support. The only downside is the limited server count. See full Hide.me pricing here Read our full hide.me VPN review 8. Private Internet Access Pros Lots of servers Fast WireGuard speeds Split tunneling works well Unblocks BBC iPlayer Cons Clunky Mac app Based within 14-eyes Price When Reviewed: From $2.19 a month for two years + 2 free months. Usually $11.99 a month. Unlimited devices. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Private Internet Access (Monthly) $2.19 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 35,000+ servers, 91 countries Unlimited connections Private Internet Access (PIA) is a powerful VPN designed for savvy users, offering “power user” tools and features such as custom DNS, connection rules, split tunnelling, and more at a lower cost than many competitors. The PIA Mac app offers pretty much everything its Microsoft counterpart does. The app can be used on any device and offers servers in 91 countries. In my testing, the “auto” setting did a good job of picking servers that balanced speed and privacy. The main window provides information on performance graphs, download and upload speeds, and quick settings for tools like Light Mode, Port Forwarding, and LAN connections. While you can use PIA for getting around geoblocked content on your streaming services, PIA is more privacy-focused than other VPNs, with features like the Advanced Kill Switch, Split Tunnelling, port forwarding, and Multi-Hop server obfuscation. PIA also offers customizable features like automation setup and DNS options. Private Internet Access can’t beat the speeds of NordVPN and Surfshark, and its stablemate CyberGhost VPN offers more impressive speeds, but at the cost of some power features. In our testing, we saw a reasonable drop of around 8% on Mac while using the PIA VPN. Upload speeds dropped considerably– by around 25%, which may be an issue if you do a lot of uploading. Its zero-log policy has been verified by Deloitte Audit Romania. Despite inconsistent speeds, Private Internet Access is a great VPN for all budgets with a wealth of features for privacy-inclined users. Subscribe to Private Internet Access here. Read our full Private Internet Access review 9. ClearVPN Pros Nice design. Great for getting around geo-blocks. Cons Lacks some features like split tunneling. Not the fastest. Price When Reviewed: Three day trial. Currently $44.99 a year, usually $119.88 a year ($9.99 a month). Best Prices Today: Retailer Price MacPaw (first year, 6 devices) $44.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket More than 50 servers Six device limit MacPaw’s ClearVPN service is a VPN that lacks many more advanced features offered by its rivals, but on the other hand, it’s one of the easiest to use. With a nice UI and easy-to-use features it’s thoughtfully designed for VPN newcomers. It really is as simple as hitting a button to connect. In the settings are options to block ads, keep ClearVPN in the dock, and a Kill Switch so that you can cut traffic from your device if the connection to the VPN is broken. It’s all pretty basic stuff, but it’s offered in such an easy-to-use way that it’s hard not to appreciate the simplicity. There are also handy keyboard shortcuts to move around the app. There are more than 50 servers, which sounds like a lot, but it’s dwarfed rivals who have thousands of servers. That means your choices are limited, but at least ClearVPN lets you filter between Optimal Location or jumping straight to something like Disney Plus US or UK. One of the more common power user features for VPNs is split tunneling, which lets some traffic go through the VPN while some goes around it. That’s not supported here. Sadly, MacPaw’s VPN speeds also need some work. We saw considerable speed drops across multiple servers – even closer ones. We saw drops of around 20 to 30 percent in download speed, and around 50 percent for upload speed. It’s still fast enough to use Netflix, but it’s slower than the majority of alternatives out there. Most VPN companies use external auditors to verify that they’re not recording user or session data, but ClearVPN hasn’t undergone one at the time of writing. This shouldn’t mean anything untoward as the company is headquartered in Ukraine, which falls outside of various surveillance alliances, so it can’t be asked to share your data. ClearVPN is priced affordably, but prices and the deals on offer change all the time with VPNs. Look out for low monthly prices that don’t lock you in for too long. There’s a six-device limit. If you’re new to using a VPN service, ClearVPN makes a compelling case to be your first choice, and stress-free access to Netflix around the globe, it’s a great starter option. Still, the speed drop and lack of common features like split tunneling likely mean power users should look elsewhere. You can save money by paying for the first year up front, but you can also pay monthly. See full ClearVPN pricing here. Read our full ClearVPN review 10. PureVPN Pros Easy to use Works on multiple devices Additional power user features Cons Obtuse pricing model. Caused many websites to question whether we were “human” Price When Reviewed: From $1.49 per month ( + 3 months extra) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price PureVPN (Monthly for first year) $1.49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 6,500 servers, 78 countries 10 simultaneous connections If you’re looking for a flexible VPN service that will get around geoblocking and is easy to use, PureVPN is well worth a look. The basic plan includes the VPN service and nothing more, but you can add a Password Manager and File Encryption tools in the Plus plan. The Max plan adds a Digital Privacy Manager that requests your records be scrubbed by data brokers, blocks web trackers, and recommends ways to maximize your privacy. Whichever plan you opt for you’ll be able to connect 10 devices at once. PureVPN will run on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, and is easy to use on each to let you connect to over six thousand servers. As far as getting around geo-blocks, we found PureVPN to be as easy as any other service to use. Select a location, load your streaming service or app of choice, and you’re off. PureVPN is registered in the British Virgin Islands, which is more privacy-friendly than Hong Kong where it operated previously. PureVPN offers one of the more impressive no-logging policies, with an ongoing “always-on” audit process whereby an auditor can request confirmation of that policy at any time. PureVPN has been winding down its virtual servers, of which it has less control. There are still 23 such servers, but PureVPN is transparent about which servers are virtual and which are physical – you can see a small ‘v’ next to each virtual server on the PureVPN website. At the time of writing PureVPN is offering more than a whopping 80% off its plans if you sign up for 24 months. Two years is a long time in the world of VPNs, but at least means the full monthly pricing won’t kick in twelve months time. See PureVPN offers here. Read our full PureVPN review 11. Malwarebytes Privacy VPN Pros Killswitch and other advanced features Decent speeds Cons Fewer servers than some rivals Inconsistent geoblocking Price When Reviewed: $39.99 a year for one device Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Malwarebytes (first year, 1 device) $39.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket More than 245 servers 32 countries Malwarebytes is probably best known for antivirus software and advice (see our review of Malwarebytes Premium for Mac), but it also offers a standalone VPN service called Malwarebytes Privacy VPN. It’s an easy to use app with the right kind of privacy promises – as you’d expect. Malwarebytes Privacy VPN is easy to use and offers speeds that are better than many of its rivals for both downloads and uploads. It also has split-tunnelling via its ‘Connection rules’, and a Kill Switch to cut all traffic if the VPN drops out. There are some caveats — namely that it features fewer server locations than its rivals, and getting around geoblocks for different versions of streaming services can be a tad inconsistent. There’s no multi-hop server jumping, but the company does have a verified no-logs policy in place which means information isn’t held about a user’s activity. See full Maywarebytes pricing here Read our full Malwarebytes Privacy VPN review 12. CyberGhost Pros Simple to use Decent speeds Plenty of servers Cons Two-year plans are much cheaper Lacking some power user features Price When Reviewed: $2.19 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $12.99 a month. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price CyberGhost (Monthly) $2.19 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 11,000+ servers in 100 countries 7 simultaneous connections CyberGhost is a user-friendly app that connects to numerous servers worldwide, making it ideal for streaming Netflix from different countries and routing traffic away from untrustworthy open Wi-Fi networks. It offers core features like kill switch support, split tunnelling, and no bandwidth restrictions. CyberGhost’s no-logging audit history is thorough, and there is a 45-day free trial available. CyberGhost apps can be downloaded for various platforms, including Chrome extension and game consoles (we tested on Mac and iPhone). The app offers a simple “click and go” connection process, with a list of server nations and multiple locations. Encryption is standard across servers, and split tunnelling prioritizes traffic where needed. An automated kill switch can cut connections if the VPN drops out, while ‘Block content’ blocks DNS domains for ads, trackers, and malware. The app does not offer anything like Proton VPN’s Secure Core or additional features like a Password Manager, but subscription tiers are based on adding a dedicated IP address. The VPN has over 9,000 servers located in over 100 countries, with plans to expand in South America and Asia in late 2023. CyberGhost VPN has an impressive no-logs policy, meaning no one can access records of your activity while connected to the VPN. The app does not offer the Dark Web monitor offered by NordVPN, but it does have an automated kill switch to cut connections if the VPN drops out. The DNS blocking feature is easy to use but doesn’t allow you to choose what to block. CyberGhost offers a compelling package with just one main plan and a 45-day money-back guarantee. It’s an excellent VPN for newcomers, with impressive audits, an array of servers, decent speeds, and easy-to-use apps. See CyberGhost pricing here. Read our full CyberGhost review 13. Norton Ultra VPN Pros Antivirus protections Cloud Backup and Password Manager Email tracking quarantine Cons Slower than rival VPNs Inflexible payment options Price When Reviewed: First year is from $39.99 Norton Secure VPN; $49.99 Norton Ultra VPN; $59.99 Norton Ultra VPN Plus. Renews at a higher price of $79.99/$109.99/$129.99. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Norton (first year) $49.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Servers in 32 countries Norton has decades of experience protecting devices from cyber threats (read our review of Norton 360), but what or its VPN? Norton’s VPN plans are, outside of the basic tier, tied into its security software. It also comes with a password manager, dark web monitor, and cloud storage, but the VPN side of things is a little lacking. Perhaps it’s from testing so many of the best VPN services that we’ve grown used to a certain set of non-negotiables. Chief among them is browser extension options to allow for quick switching, but at the time of writing, there’s no such offering from Norton. Norton’s VPN does include plenty of accoutrements that other VPNs either don’t have or charge extra for. You can install the app on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and all three platforms have apps that work well and run nicely in the background. Norton offers Browser Protection, which scans sites as you browse. Norton also scans files before they land on your device. This worked well in testing, with barely added any additional time to the length of downloads. There’s a password manager, but it’s tied to the middle subscription tier and above. VPNs naturally decrease your internet speeds as your signal is fired across the globe, and Norton has servers in 32 countries – a steep drop from the 111 in NordVPN’s portfolio – but it does offer four protocols to choose from. IKEv2, OpenVPN and WireGuard are pretty commonly found across the board of rivals, but Norton has its own Mimic protocol which is intended to be ideal for unblocking international streaming services. Sadly, testing on a 70 Mbps connection saw a consistent speed drop-off. As for Mimic, Norton’s own VPN protocol, I was disappointed to find some international streaming services simply weren’t able to be unblocked with it. Norton clarified that Mimic is specifically designed for customers with special use cases who are unable to use WireGuard. We did have more luck with the more standardized protocols. VPNs worth their salt should always focus on privacy as their primary concern, and Norton does a good job, having undergone an audit from VerSprite, a security firm. It’s not a bad VPN, and if you’re looking for an option that packs a whole host of cyber-security tools into one easy-to-use package, it’s a great option. It’s disappointing that there is only a pay yearly option, where other VPNs have the option to pay monthly. Added to that is a steep jump in price for the second year. See full Norton Ultra VPN pricing here Read our full Norton Ultra VPN review 14. VyprVPN Pros Fast WireGuard speeds Very easy to use Unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer Low starting price Cons Comparatively few servers Not clear which servers are virtual Patchy support experience Price When Reviewed: From $3 a month for two years. Usually $10 a month. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price VyprVPN (Monthly) $3 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 70 servers 5 simultaneous connection VyprVPN offers everything most people are looking for in a VPN, without needing to spend much money. You get fast WireGuard speeds, alongside separate protocols focused on reliability, anti-censorship and ease of use. It’s also excellent at unblocking geo-restricted content, whether that’s local versions of Netflix or BBC iPlayer & ITV Hub from outside the UK. Premium features such as split tunneling and a kill switch are here too, even if the latter can’t be customised. VyprVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited, and the service adheres to a strict Privacy Policy from parent company Golden Frog. More than 700 servers in over 70 countries should be plenty for most people, although there’s often only one per country. It’s also not clear which of these are physical and virtual. Nonetheless, it’s still speedy, reliable and affordable. See full VyprVPN pricing here Read our full VyprVPN review How we test VPNs For each VPN service we review, we conduct tests at three different times of the day: morning, afternoon, and evening, using Ookla Speedtest. We start by measuring the speed of our unprotected internet connection before testing the upload/download speeds of the VPN service. These tests are conducted to servers located in North America, the UK, Europe, Oceana, and Asia over an ethernet connection with a service provision of 100Mbps. To test upload and download speeds, we close down all background internet processes on the Mac, using TripMode. The only traffic on the system able to upload or download any data is Ookla. We use this setup to ensure that the numbers that Ookla produced were not stymied by anything else that the computer may have been doing at the time. The speeds Ookla captured were then averaged, providing us with a final numeric score. We then use those scores to calculate a percentage of difference in speeds, which is what you’ll see in our reviews. Since internet speeds change constantly based on server load, how fast your connection is, and a gazillion other factors, we feel this provides a better picture of what you can expect from a service, on the whole, than merely quoting the exact upload/download speeds we encountered during testing. Speed isn’t the only quantifiable metric that we look at. The number of countries that a VPN offers servers in, total number of servers worldwide, and how much it’ll cost you to connect to those servers on a monthly or annual basis are also taken into consideration when recommending a VPN service to you. Additionally, we conduct hours of research into the VPN providers to find out who owns them, where they’re based, what they do with subscriber information, and whether the provider has a track record of questionable business practices. Why you can trust Macworld’s advice The team at Macworld has been testing Mac hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. We put every product through its paces using rigorous benchmarking and hands-on evaluation. We’d never recommend something we wouldn’t use ourselves. We conduct through testing of VPNs, focusing on the practicalities of device compatibility (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, and Mac), the number of devices supported, geo-restrictions and ease of use. We also pay attention to security – and validate the privacy promises made by each VPN company. We use the software ourselves so our reviews are based on our own experience with the software and include our own insights and unbiassed opinions. Macworld’s VPN specialist Lloyd Coombes has made it his aim to assess every VPN going. What to look for in a VPN A clear privacy policy. A good VPN should offer an easy-to-understand privacy policy that outlines what, if any, information the company collects from its users. It’s important that this policy details what they do with this information. Some VPN providers, especially those that offer their services for free, sell their user information to advertisers and other interested parties, just like an ISP does. Choose a provider that offers a level of privacy that suits you. Know where the provider is based. Many countries have no laws demanding that VPN providers maintain logs of their users’ activity. This makes maintaining your privacy more assurable than it would be if you use a VPN located in a country that requires that user-activity records be maintained. Some companies, in an effort to make their network of servers look bigger or more varied than it actually is, spoof the locations of their servers. The more servers, the merrier. Choosing a VPN provider with a ton of servers around the world is important for a couple of reasons. First, having a multitude of servers to choose from means that you won’t be forced to connect to an overpopulated server where the data flows like mud. Second, having a wealth of servers to choose from both at home and internationally means more opportunities for spoofing your location, allowing you to hide where you are or access region-locked content with ease. Multiple payment options. It’s a vicious circle. Paying for a VPN with a credit card online before you have access to a VPN could allow your financial information to fall into the wrong hands. Look for providers that offer alternative payment options such as PayPal, Bitcoin, AliPay, or via the Mac App Store. An easy-to-use interface. It takes a lot of digital wizardry to connect to a VPN. Some people want to see how their VPN operates, behind the scenes. Using an open source VPN client like Tunnelblick is great for this. Most folks, however, just want their VPN to work with minimal frustration. Look for a VPN service that offers a Mac client with an easy-to-use interface. Protection for all of your devices. A good VPN service will offer licenses for multiple devices to protect your loved ones’ computers as well as your personal smartphone and tablet. To this end, before investing in a VPN subscription, make sure that it provides software clients for all of the devices you own. What to avoid when choosing a VPN The price of a VPN might look attractive, but the price can rise over time. Most VPNs will cost less than $3/£3 per month if you sign up for a one- or two-year deal. However, once the deal period ends the price often jumps significantly. By the time your deal is up you may not notice the extra cash leaving your bank account so our advice is to set a reminder to shop around a month before your subscription runs out so you can search for a better deal. Best Free VPNs for Mac You may be able to save money if you take a look at our round-up of VPN deals. But, if you were hoping to spend nothing, there are also a number of free VPNs available, just beware that some severely restrict which servers (and therefore countries) you can connect to and the amount of data you can download through those servers. Our recommendation is ProtonVPN, which has a free tier that may be sufficient for your needs. It’s important to read the terms and conditions before using a free VPN, as in rare cases they sell your data to third parties to offset the cost of you using it without paying. It’s a bigger problem on iPhones and Android where unscrupulous companies try to cash in on the VPN ‘gold rush’ and offer up poorly put together apps. Stick with our recommendations and you’ll be safe from these, though. FAQ 1. Do Macs have a built-in VPN? There is a big question. Do Mac users even need a VPN? Since Apple introduced iOS 15 and macOS Monterey in 2021 the company has offered a handy private relay service. iCloud Private Relay acts a bit like a VPN because it encrypts your web-browsing traffic and sends it through a relay to hide your location, IP, and any information about what you were browsing. iCloud Private Relay solves part of the problem that Mac users have used VPNs for in the past–it means that companies cannot build a clear picture of you on the web, thereby protecting your privacy. iCloud Private Relay has some disadvantages: it only works when you are using Safari, you have to be a subscriber to iCloud, and you can’t use it to pretend to be surfing from another country in order to access content that is locked to a particular region. Read more here: iCloud+ Private Relay explained. If you are a subscriber to iCloud, and only use Safari, then iCloud Private Relay will provide you with some anonymity when you are surfing the web. You may therefore be thinking that this means you don’t need a VPN to hide your location and identity. However, iCloud Private Relay does not allow you to choose an IP address or a region, and you won’t be able to make it look like you’re coming from another location. So you can’t watch geographically locked Netflix content, for example. 2. What is a VPN? VPN stands for virtual private network. If you’re not using a VPN, when your computer connects to the internet, it does so through the local gateway provided by your internet service provider (ISP). Doing this allows you to connect to all of the online services you use everyday. However, connecting this way also allows an ISP to know your physical location based on where you access the internet—be it at home, at work, in a cafe, or at a public Wi-Fi hotspot. This information is often sold to marketers and other parties interested in getting to know more about you and your browsing habits. Worse still, if you connect to the internet through an access point with weak security, such as at an airport, mall, or local library, hackers connected to the same network could intercept personal information like your social media passwords or banking credentials through what’s called a man-in-the-middle attack. A VPN service can help prevent all of that. A VPN creates an encrypted digital tunnel between your computer and the server of the VPN service you choose to use. Once this tunnel has been established, your web searches, the sites you access, and the information you submit online will be hidden from prying eyes. This means that your ISP can’t log or sell your information and hackers using the same network as you will find it difficult to initiate an attack on you. Almost no one will have any idea of what information you’re accessing. For our recommendations of Mac Antivirus Software that we have tested see: Best Antivirus for Mac 2024: Top Security Software Compared. VPN apps are very easy to install and use but for a step-by-step guide, read how to set up a VPN on a Mac. 3. What a VPN can’t do A VPN can’t protect you from viruses, malware, or ransomware attacks if you choose to download an infected file, or a visit site designed to inject your computer with malignant code. It won’t keep spoofed sites from stealing your personal information, if you happen to visit one. So, you’ll want to bone up on online security best practices. You should know that while using a VPN will allow you to anonymously engage in peer-to-peer file-sharing/torrenting, some service providers may cancel your VPN subscription or turn over your information to the authorities if they catch you trading copyrighted material with others. 4. Should you use a VPN? Is it legal? While accessing locked content is a bit of a gray area, due to licensing agreements, we don’t blame anyone who is desperate to watch the latest season of their favorite program when it airs in the U.S. rather than waiting for it to come to their country. Paying to watch a streaming service that’s not available in your country has to be less morally wrong than actual piracy! For more information on the legalities and whether it is safe to use a VPN read: Is a VPN safe for Mac? 5. What is the difference between a VPN and a Proxy? VPNs and proxies can both mask your IP address and bypass geo-restrictions, but they differ significantly in their scope, security features, and the level of privacy provided. For example, VPNs offer encryption between your device and the VPN server, while a proxy server is likely to forward unencrypted data. VPNs also offer a broader range of security and privacy benefits beyond just IP masking. VPNs will function on the operating system level while proxies only conceal your IP address for certain applications, such as a web browser. 6. Are VPNs safe to use Reputable providers of VPNs that prioritize user privacy through features like no-log policies and strong encryption. Users should exercise caution with unknown free VPNs, as some may compromise data security 7. Can a VPN help me access Netflix and other streaming services? VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) can be a valuable tool for accessing Netflix and other streaming services that are geographically restricted, enabling access to content libraries that would otherwise be unavailable. However, streaming services are constantly working to detect and block VPN usage. 8. Will a VPN slow down my internet Because a VPN encrypts data and routes it through external servers, there can be a degree of internet speed reduction. The extent of this will depend on your location, your internet speed, and the choice of VPN server. 9. Should I use a free VPN Free is appealing, but it is important to exercise caution. Some free VPNs have security vulnerabilities and even contain malware. They may also capture your activities. Other disadvantages include data caps, less encryption, and fewer servers on offer. We do recommend Proton VPN because it’s free-tier combines with a strong privacy track record. 10. Can a VPN really hide my address? VPNs are effective in obscuring a user’s location and online activities from various entities, but they do not offer absolute anonymity. While it’s not possible to completely hide your digital presence, a VPN provider with a strict “no-logs” policy will at least mean your traffic or online activity is not recorded.08:54 amYUL (Montréal) on 2025-12-17
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 17, 09:00 - 14:00 UTCDec 17, 08:48 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in YUL (Montréal) datacenter on 2025-12-17 between 09:00 and 14:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.08:11 amMMS Delivery Delay To Rogers Wireless Network In Canada Via Subset of Long Code
Dec 17, 00:11 PSTInvestigating - We are still continuing to experience MMS delivery delays when sending messages to the Rogers Wireless Network in Canada via a subset of long codes. Our engineers continue working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 24 hours or as soon as more information becomes available08:00 amGive your devices tons of breathing room with this 10TB lifetime cloud upgrade for $279.97 | MacworldGive your devices tons of breathing room with this 10TB lifetime cloud upgrade for $279.97
Macworld TL;DR: Lock in 10TB of lifetime cloud storage before discounted codes sell out! Pay $279.97 once and never worry about renewals again. Black Friday came, went, and probably left your inbox in shambles, but don’t worry — you didn’t miss every great deal. Internxt is still offering a deep discount on lifetime cloud storage, and it’s exactly the kind of tech upgrade that’s worth grabbing after the rush. The 10TB plan is perfect for most users who never want to run out of space, and it’s 90% off right now for $279.97 until December 21. (2TB-100TB plans are also available!) For Apple users who care about privacy as much as convenience, Internxt checks all the boxes. It’s built around end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge storage, and 100% open-source transparency, meaning your files stay yours — not scanned, not analyzed, not viewed. And because the cloud storage works on macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, and any browser, you can keep your files synced across every device you rely on. Upload photos, back up projects, move documents between your Mac and iPhone, or share files securely with just a few clicks. Internxt even includes post-quantum encryption to protect against future-proof hacking. Get your Internxt lifetime cloud storage now for $279.97 through December 21 (MSRP $2,900). No coupon is needed. Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB PlanSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.06:51 amIs Xcode really non deterministic, or am I missing something.
I am developing an app for VisionOS, and it has happened to me several times that the same code produces different results. Not on running consecutively, but on trying something different and then coming back. For instance, if I have behaviour A, and I comment a line of code to get behaviour B, and then […]04:58 amiPhone 18 Pro may bring a stealthy Face ID redesign
A new report hints at under-display Face ID for the iPhone 18 Pro, alongside an upgraded rear camera hardware with variable aperture. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:01 amHow to stop your iPhone alarm from going off without sound in iOS 26
A resurfacing iPhone bug is leaving alarms technically "on" but functionally silent, catching users off guard at the worst possible time. Here's how you can (usually) avoid the same fate.iPhone alarm bug resurfaces with silent alarmsImagine if you will a familiar scene: it's late, you're tired, and so you head to bed. You throw your iPhone on your nightstand, pull the covers up, and fall asleep.The next morning, where there should be sound, there's only silence. You check your phone and realize you're now running late. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:53 amSOF (Sofia) on 2025-12-18
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 18, 00:30 - 06:30 UTCDec 17, 02:44 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in SOF (Sofia) datacenter on 2025-12-18 between 00:30 and 06:30 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.02:45 amApple in early talks to assemble and package iPhone chips in India: report
Apple is reportedly in exploratory conversations with at least one partner to potentially handle iPhone chip assembly and packaging in India for the first time. Here are the details. more…02:13 amApple has made it much easier to replace the battery in a 14-inch MacBook Pro
On Tuesday, Apple acknowledged the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 has an easier-to-remove battery, added the battery to the Self Service Repair Store, and introduced a manual for the process.Replacing the MacBook Pro battery is easier. Image source: AppleApple's commitment to improving reparability of its various devices has shown amid increased regulatory pressure and user demands in recent years. The Self Service Repair Program isn't exactly the most accessible or affordable, but it exists for more enterprising users.While tear downs already revealed that the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 doesn't require users to remove the trackpad to remove the battery, Apple has officially acknowledged it. The Self Service Repair Store now offers the necessary parts and tools to perform the task, and a manual was also made available. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:09 amThe best ways to upgrade a Mac setup: Gift guide
Optimizing and perfecting my Mac setup is one of my favorite things to do. I love my M4 MacBook Pro, and surrounding it with accessories that improve my productivity is key to my workflow. If you’re shopping for a Mac user this holiday season, here are some things they will love. In fact, almost all of these products are on my desk as I write this story. more…12:53 amMAN (Manchester) on 2025-12-17
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 17, 02:00 - 07:30 UTCDec 17, 00:38 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in MAN (Manchester) datacenter on 2025-12-17 between 02:00 and 07:30 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.12:42 amApple's 2026 and 2027 Product Roadmap: Foldable iPhone, iPhone 18 Pro, M5 Macs, and More | MacRumorsApple's 2026 and 2027 Product Roadmap: Foldable iPhone, iPhone 18 Pro, M5 Macs, and More
There has been a whirlwind of rumors over the last few days, sourced from leaked internal software designed for the iPhone and the Mac, and news sites like The Information. Below, we have a quick recap of everything we've heard this week, which serves as a guide to Apple's product plans in 2026 and beyond. We've organized the info by likely release date, though there are some products that we don't have a timeline for. Keep in mind that the list features only rumors that we've heard over the last couple of days, so it's not a complete feature overview for each device. Early/Spring 2026 iPhone 17e (V159) - The iPhone 17e will use Apple's C1X modem instead of the C1, and it will include MagSafe support, which was missing from the iPhone 16e. It may not include an N1 wireless chip. AirTag 2 (B589) - Likely coming in early 2026. Expected to feature improved pairing, more detailed battery level reporting, and improvements to tracking AirTags that are moving and in crowded places. Home hub (J490 and J491) - Apple's home hub is expected to launch in spring 2026, around when iOS 26.4 comes out. Recent rumors suggest it will have a 1080p video camera, Face ID for authentication and to identify different people, profile switching, and support for Apple Intelligence. There are two models, one that's wall mounted and another that has a HomePod-like speaker base. HomePod mini 2 (B525) - A new HomePod mini is ready to launch at any time, so it could come in spring or even earlier in the year. It won't have Apple's N1 networking chip. Apple TV (J355) - A new Apple TV is reportedly ready to go, and it makes the most sense for it to launch alongside other home products slated for the early 2026 timeframe. Unknown home accessory (J229) - We don't know what this is, but it could be a camera, or standalone speaker base that can be added to the wall-mounted home hub after purchase. It could also be something else entirely. There are mentions of sensors in the code for this accessory. iPad 12 (J581 and J582) - The latest information suggests the iPad 12 will use Apple's A19 chip, which is the same chip that's in the iPhone 17. It's an unusual choice because iPads usually get older, more affordable chips. It isn't expected to include the N1 networking chip. It's expected early in 2026. M4 iPad Air (J707, J708, J737, J738) - 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models with M4 chips are rumored to be launching in early 2026. No major changes are expected except for the chip update. Low-Cost MacBook (J700) - Apple is working on a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, and it's expected to launch early in 2026. It will be positioned as Apple's most affordable MacBook, competing with Chromebooks and cheaper Windows laptops. M5 MacBook Air (J813 and J815) - The MacBook Air is going to get updated with M5 chips as soon as early 2026. No other major changes are rumored. M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro (J714c, J714s, J716c, J716s) - M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are coming soon. They might get a refresh early in 2026, because there are still rumors of another MacBook Pro refresh later in the year. September 2026 Foldable iPhone (V68) - The foldable iPhone will open book style, and will be wider than it is tall. It will look like a small iPad. When open, the display will be around 7.7 inches, and when closed, it will be around 5.3 inches. There will be a single front-facing camera in the top left, and no Dynamic Island. Display sizes could ultimately change, and Apple is reportedly seeing a high failure rate in current display production. iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max (V63 and V64) - The TrueDepth camera system for Face ID will be under the display, eliminating the Dynamic Island. There will be a cutout for the front-facing camera at the top left of the display. At least one rear camera will have a variable aperture that lets users control the amount of light that enters the lens. Overall design will be similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models. The A20 TSMC chip will support Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module packaging for speed improvements that could bolster AI features and on-device processing capabilities. The iPhone 18 Pro models could have either a C1X modem or a C2 modem. iPad mini 8 (J510 and J511) - The iPad mini 8 could get OLED display technology and the A20 Pro chip, which is the same chip that's slated for the iPhone 18 Pro models. That would suggest a fall launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro. There have also been rumors that it will use the A19 Pro that's in the iPhone 17 Pro, and if that's the case, it could come earlier. Apple Watch Series 12 (N237 and N238) - The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected in September 2026. No major changes are rumored so far. Unknown Timing, But Likely 2026 Apple Studio Display 2 (J427 and J527) - There are two Apple displays in the works, that are expected to be followups to the Studio Display. These are likely to launch alongside new M5 Mac desktop machines. The two models could be different sizes or different display technology, as there are mini-LED rumors for the next-gen model. M5/M5 Pro Mac mini (J873g and J873s) - The Mac mini is going to get M5 and M5 Pro chips, but timing is unclear. It could be refreshed early in 2026, or it might come later alongside other desktop Mac updates. M5 Max/Ultra Mac Studio (J775c and J775d) - The Mac Studio will use the M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, and it will likely be refreshed later in 2026 rather than earlier. iMac Pro (J833c) - Apple is working on a high-end iMac with an M5 Max chip, which suggests it will launch alongside other M5 Max models sometime in 2026. Prior rumors have suggested the device could have a display around 30 inches in size. M6 MacBook Pro (J804) - The entry-level MacBook Pro could be updated with an M6 chip toward the end of 2026. M6 Pro/Max MacBook Pro (K114c, K114s, K116c, K116s) - The M6 Pro and M6 Max MacBook Pro models will feature a major redesign with OLED display technology. So far, rumors suggest this could happen as soon as late 2026, though that would mean two MacBook Pro refreshes in 2026. It's not unheard of, but Apple might also opt to hold this update until early 2027. Apple Watch Ultra 4 (N240) - Apple is working on a fourth-generation version of the Apple Watch Ultra. It could come in September 2026 alongside the Series 12, but Apple doesn't update the Apple Watch Ultra on an annual basis. 2027 iPhone 18 - The iPhone 18 will not launch in fall 2026 as expected, and will instead come in spring 2027. It will be an incremental update, and Apple may remove haptic feedback and touch sensing from the Camera Control button (it could also be removed from the 18 Pro models). iPhone 18e - Also slated for spring 2027, the iPhone 18e could launch alongside the iPhone 18. It is expected to feature few changes. iPhone Air 2 (V62) - There is no second-generation iPhone Air planned for fall 2026 because Apple has delayed it. It could instead come in spring 2027. Apple is reportedly looking at adding a second camera to make the device more appealing to consumers. The next iPhone Air might also be more affordable. 20th Anniversary iPhone - The 2027 iPhone will have an "enclosure on the front and back that curves around the device edges," which allows for a bigger screen with no bezels. The Information says that it is not sure if the display itself will curve around the edges, but instead of a full metal frame, it has a "narrow metal band running around the midpoint of the device's edge. The selfie camera will move under the display, and it will be the first iPhone with no display cutouts at all. The 20th anniversary iPhone will launch in September 2027. Tabletop robot (J595) - Apple's tabletop robot with a thin robotic arm and swivel base is expected to be a more powerful version of the home hub. It's rumored to be launching sometime in 2027. AI smart glasses (N50/N401) - Apple paused work on all of its AR/VR headsets to focus instead on AI smart glasses that will compete with the Meta Ray-Bans. The AI smart glasses are expected in 2027, but it's possible Apple will unveil them in late 2026. N50 was the original codename, but Apple is now using N401. N401 covers the AI smart glasses, and a separate set of augmented reality glasses. Delayed or Canceled Foldable iPad - Apple planned a foldable iPad for release in 2026, but delayed the project and redirected resources to the foldable iPhone to ensure that device launches on time. Vision Air (N100) - The N100 is a lighter and cheaper version of the Vision Pro. It was originally rumored for 2027, but Apple has paused work on headsets to focus on AI smart glasses. AR glasses prototype (N421) - N421 is a prototype set of AR glasses, but Apple apparently canceled work on this product for now. AR glasses are still Apple's ultimate plan. Mac-connected AR glasses (N107) - Apple was working on AR glasses that would connect to a Mac to use the Mac's processor, but the project was scrapped. Cheaper Vision Pro (N109) - Apple was developing a second-generation Vision Pro that's more affordable, and it was a product distinct from the Vision Air. Work is currently paused. Unknown Products There are some codenames that were in Apple's leaked information that aren't associated with a known product as of yet. N110 - N110 is close to N109 and other N-series numbers Apple has used for its AR/VR headsets, so this could be a wearable. N209 - N2 numbers have previously been associated with the Apple Watch. N216 - N2 numbers have previously been associated with the Apple Watch. J349 - Possibly a Mac that was scrapped, but could also be an Apple TV or some kind of home device. J190 - The Mac Pro is J180, so this could be another Mac Pro, but it's unclear. J226 - J226 is close to J229, the codename for an unknown home device, so it could be some kind of home-related accessory. Codename Key For Apple's internal codenames that it uses for Macs, the letter at the end of the number has significance. G - Base model M-series chip S - Pro version of the M-series chip C - Max version of the M-series chip D - Ultra version of the M-series chip Caveats Some of this information was pulled from an internal version of iOS 26 that Apple was working on around the late May 2025 timeline, while other information comes from internal kernel debug kit files that Apple accidentally leaked earlier this year. Apple's plans can always change. Devices can be scrapped, features can be removed, and launches can be pushed back. That's especially true of rumors about products coming in late 2026 or 2027, because production plans haven't been finalized. Read More We keep an upcoming products Apple guide that gets regular updates when new timeline information is made available. It's a good resource to bookmark and reference throughout the year to keep tabs on what Apple has planned. We have even more rumors about Apple's products in our device roundups and guides, which are also updated regularly.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums12:42 amIt’s a strange sensation when you turn on the TV and see Kenan Thompson presenting an iOS app you built from scratch | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingIt’s a strange sensation when you turn on the TV and see Kenan Thompson presenting an iOS app you built from scratch
I built the Autotrader app for Kelley Blue Book back in 2013, the same year that AutoTrader was the official sponsor of the NBA finals, which was terrifying 😂. Ahh, good times. submitted by /u/BishopOfBattle [link] [comments]12:39 amSMS Delivery Delays to Smart in Philippines
Dec 16, 16:39 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to the Smart network in Philippines. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.12:25 amTrump Administration Threatens Retaliation Over EU's DMA and DSA Enforcement Against U.S. Tech | MacRumorsTrump Administration Threatens Retaliation Over EU's DMA and DSA Enforcement Against U.S. Tech
The Trump administration is pressuring the European Union to cut down on regulations that impact tech companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Meta. The Office of the United States Trade Representative today posted a message to the European Union on social media, threatening retaliation if the EU continues to target U.S. companies. The post says the U.S. will implement fees and restrictions on foreign services, and it specifically names European companies like Accenture, DHL, Mistral, SAP, Spotify, and Siemens. The European Union and certain EU Member States have persisted in a continuing course of discriminatory and harassing lawsuits, taxes, fines, and directives against U.S. service providers. U.S. services companies provide substantial free services to EU citizens and reliable enterprise services to EU companies, and they support millions of jobs and more than $100 billion in direct investment in Europe. The United States has raised concerns with the EU for years on these matters without meaningful engagement or basic acknowledgement of U.S. concerns. If the EU and EU Member States insist on continuing to restrict, limit, and deter the competitiveness of U.S. service providers through discriminatory means, the United States will have no choice but to begin using every tool at its disposal to counter these unreasonable measures. Should responsive measures be necessary, U.S. law permits the assessment of fees or restrictions on foreign services, among other actions. The United States will take a similar approach to other countries that pursue an EU-style strategy in this area. The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA) have forced Apple and other tech companies to make major changes to their services in the European Union, and several companies have faced fines. Earlier this year, Apple was fined 500 million euros and Meta was fined 200 million euros. Just this month, social network X was fined 120 million euros for DSA violations, and in September, Google was fined 2.95 billion euros for antitrust violations related to its adtech business. Separately, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee held a hearing today on the threat that "discriminatory foreign regulations" modeled after the Digital Markets Act pose to American innovation and competition. Witnesses included Competere Ltd. CEO Shanker Singham, Notre Dame Law professor Roger Alford, George Washington Competition and Innovation Lab Founding Director Aurelien Portuese, and Dirk Auer, Director of Competition Policy for the International Center for Law and Economics. During the hearing, Representative Scott Fitzgerald said the DMA isn't aimed at protecting consumers, but hobbling American companies. The DMA does not ask whether consumers have been harmed. It does not even ask whether a business has done anything wrong. It asks whether a company is large, successful, and, most importantly, American. If the answer is yes, the rules suddenly change. Common business practices are banned, innovation is treated as a threat, and foreign rivals are handed access to data and technology they could never build or earn on their own. That is not competition policy. That's forced redistribution. The Computer and Communications Industry Association said the DMA is discriminatory because it only applies to select companies, while NetChoice said the EU has "provided countries around the world with a blueprint" for similar regulatory measures. Unlike traditional antitrust and competition laws that apply to all companies, however, these DMA prohibitions apply only to designated companies, creating discriminatory treatment between designated and non-designated companies, where undesignated foreign rivals gain an unfair competitive advantage over designated American companies. President Donald Trump has previously criticized the "very unfair" European Union for fines levied on Apple and Google. In September, he threatened the EU with higher tariffs, which would disrupt trade framework established in July 2025. Trump said Apple should "get their money back" and that the U.S. "cannot let this happen to brilliant and unprecedented American Ingenuity."Tags: European Commission, European UnionThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forumsTuesday December 1611:22 pmSIN (Singapore) on 2025-12-17
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 17, 17:00 - 20:00 UTCDec 16, 23:18 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in SIN (Singapore) datacenter on 2025-12-17 between 17:00 and 20:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.11:19 pmNew Apple repair process allows battery-only replacements on the M5 14-inch MacBook Pro | 9 to 5 MacNew Apple repair process allows battery-only replacements on the M5 14-inch MacBook Pro
Apple has simplified the battery replacement process and is selling the battery through its Self Service Repair Store, complete with an updated step-by-step guide. Here are the details. more…10:37 pmPerplexity’s revamped iPad app doubles down on research tools and a more native experience | 9 to 5 MacPerplexity’s revamped iPad app doubles down on research tools and a more native experience
The AI-powered answer engine startup has rebuilt its iPad app, in an attempt to broaden its appeal to students and professionals who rely on the iPad for their daily tasks. Here are the details. more…10:27 pmI built MCP for working with String Catalog
I got tired of manually hunting through String Catalog files when localizing my iOS apps, so I built an MCP server that lets Claude/Cursor work with String Catalogs directly. The way I use it is to tell Claude or Cursor for translations, then use this MCP to update my String Catalog files. It has some […]10:26 pmApple’s folding iPhone: Everything we know so far
Macworld We’ve been reporting on the supposedly imminent launch of a foldable iPhone for years. There have been strong and reliable rumors of a foldable iPhone being just two years away, dating as far back as 2018, at least. Back then, reliable reports from the likes of CNBC said Apple was going to have a folding iPhone on the market in 2020. That became 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025… and now it’s expected to land in 2026 at the earliest. So, while the rumors and reports from parts suppliers and analysts are heating up and seem to be more solid than ever, we would advise even more caution and skepticism than usual with Apple speculation. With that said, here’s what current rumors suggest about the release of a folding iPhone. Update December 12, 2025: A new report from The Information says the iPhone fold will have an inside display of 7.7 inches and an outer display of 5.3 inches. Folding iPhone: What will it be called? Many fans and pundits have got into the habit of referring to the rumored device as the iFold, which has at least the advantage of brevity. But there doesn’t seem to be any reason to believe this will be the official title. A more plausible theory, proposed by a UDN report in November 2025, is that it will be called the iPhone Fold. @macworld.com i-P-h-o-l-d #iphonefold ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld Folding iPhone: Release date According to a series of reports, the major design and specs of Apple’s first folding phone were due to be finalized in the middle of 2025, with production targeted for late 2026. That would mean a launch in late 2026 or early 2027. So far, this timeline has been suggested by several sources in 2024 and 2025, including The Information, The Wall Street Journal, and analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman. A November 2025 report citing supply-chain sources also supported this timeline, claiming the iPhone Fold was about to enter mass production and was on track for a launch in 2026. The phone is expected to be complex and expensive to manufacture, so production volume will likely be very limited at first. A second model in late 2027 should see higher production numbers. Gurman reported in July 2025 that Apple will focus on features for the folding iPhone in iOS 27, which will be released in the fall of 2026. In a report by ChosunBiz in South Korea, Samsung Display president Lee Cheong announced that it is making “preparations for mass production of OLED for foldable phones to be supplied to a North American client.” Later on in the article, the reporter states that “Samsung Display is known to be the exclusive supplier of OLED to be installed in Apple’s foldable phone to be released next year.” Folding iPhone: Design In 2024, The Information reported that Apple had made a couple of prototype “clamshell” flip-phone designs, where the top and bottom of the phone fold to meet. More recent rumors in 2025 from Digital Chat Station on Weibo and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggest a “book” style fold, with a vertical fold as the left and right sides come together. This is a similar style to the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. The folding iPhone could be a similar size to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.Luke Baker The hinge is expected to be one of its most unique features. Some reports have suggested it will be made of a titanium alloy, while analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported in March 2025 that Apple is exploring the use of LiquidMetal for “durability, enhancing screen flatness, and minimizing crease marks” in the screen. Apple has received several patents for hinge designs, and it’s unclear which the company will use in the final design. On July 14, Kuo reported that Apple had figured out how to get rid of the fold crease by using metal plates to help “distribute and control bending stress.” Folding iPhone: Size and dimensions Ming-Chi Kuo has also reported on the folding iPhone’s set of proposed design details. He says the book-style iPhone will have a 7.8-inch inside display when unfolded, and a 5.5-inch outer display. Kuo says Apple won’t be satisfied until the phone’s display is completely crease-free when opened. In July, TrendForce made the same prediction, reporting that the folding iPhone would feature a 7.8-inch internal and 5.5-inch external display. A later report from The Information put the screen sizes at 7.7 inches inside and 5.3 inches outside. The folding phone is said to be at most 9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5mm when unfolded. For comparison, an iPhone 16 Pro Max is 8.5mm thick, and the thinnest iPhone of all time is the iPhone Air at 5.6mm. Folding iPhone: Specs and features We don’t know what processor the folding iPhone will contain, but if it launches in 2026 as rumored, it will probably feature an A20 or A20 Pro—some variant of the processor found in the iPhone 18. We expect most iPhones to use Apple’s own cellular modem and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chips by that time as well. They may even be integrated into the main system-on-chip. The folding iPhone will reportedly have a Touch ID-enabled power button rather than Face ID.IDG Due to the very thin nature of the foldable iPhone, and the need for different front-facing cameras when folded up or unfolded, it will reportedly lack Face ID. Instead, Touch ID will be incorporated into the side button much as it is on the iPad Air’s power button. There will reportedly be two rear cameras (likely a standard wide and ultrawide) and two front-facing cameras, one for when the iPhone is closed and one for when it’s open. Folding iPhone: Price Expect the folding iPhone to be a very high-end, ultra-premium model. The very first release is said to cost $2,000 or more… maybe even as much as $2,399, more than twice the highest-end iPhone Pro Max. That’s the latest prediction from analyst Arthur Liao, who bases his eye-watering estimate on material costs (particularly the panel and hinge) and Apple’s high-margin business model.10:20 pmiOS 26.2 will turn on automatic updates if you’re not careful
Macworld Apple really wants you to enable automatic updates for your iPhone. So much so that they’re employing a sketchy dark pattern in the iOS 26.2 update to trick you into turning it on. If you have automatic updates turned off you’ll see the above screen after updating to iOS 26.2. If you don’t read it carefully, you won’t notice that the blue button simply labeled “Continue” will actually enable automatic updates. You can always go turn it back off in Settings, but Apple is enabling it by default and giving you a deceptive “Continue” button instead of making it clear that it wants to make a change. You need to tap the clearly-not-default “Only Download Automatically” button if you want to continue manually installing iOS at your leisure. Apple could have made the buttons look the same so one is not visibly preferred over the other. Or they could have changed the label to “Enable Automatic Updates and Continue.” As designed, this is a deliberate attempt to use interface design conventions to push users into making a choice they otherwise wouldn’t necessarily make–a concept known as “dark patterns.” If you already updated to iOS 26.2 and missed this screen, or tapped Continue without realizing it, you can turn Automatic Updates off, should you desire, in Settings > General > Software Update.10:18 pmApple Music renames ‘Favorites Mix’ playlist to ‘Your Essentials’
If you woke up today eagerly looking for the weekly refresh of your “Favorites Mix” in Apple Music, you were probably disappointed when you couldn’t find it. However, it turns out Apple is just rebranding the “Favorites Mix.” It’s now simply called “Your Essentials” in your Apple Music library. more…10:18 pmApple releases new Powerbeats Pro 2 firmware
Apple on Tuesday released new Powerbeats Pro 2 firmware, build version 8A359. Apple hasn't released official release notes… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.10:13 pmLast-minute holiday deals: Apple Watch Series 11 $299, iPad $279, Mac from $479
Holiday savings are at a fever pitch this week, as last-minute deals slash Apple gear by as much as $436.Save up to $436 on Apple products with last-minute holiday deals - Image credit: AppleThese deals deliver heavily discounted prices for the holiday season, with discounts on Apple hardware, monitors, and accessories. Here's a roundup of our top picks: Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums10:06 pmLightBuddy is a new ring light Mac app with color control, HDR, and multi-display support | 9 to 5 MacLightBuddy is a new ring light Mac app with color control, HDR, and multi-display support
What happens when Apple sherlocks the idea of an app that you had a while ago? You build it anyway. more…09:56 pmApple's HomePod Mini 2 Might Not Get This Rumored Feature After All
The next-generation HomePod mini won't include Apple's new N1 networking chip, according to code analysis provided by a MacRumors tipster. A macOS kernel debug kit distributed by Apple earlier this year included information on a number of upcoming devices, including the HomePod mini 2. Code associated with the HomePod mini 2 mentions the "Sunrise" wireless system, which is what Apple calls Bluetooth/Wi-Fi chips sourced from MediaTek. The N1 is called "Centauri" in Apple's internal systems. Based on the Sunrise mention, it appears that the HomePod mini 2 won't be upgraded with the N1 networking chip, which contradicts some prior rumors we've heard about it. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested that both the Apple TV and HomePod mini will use Apple's N1 chip in the past. It appears that Apple plans to use the N1 chip for premium devices, while entry-level products will stick with cheaper MediaTek hardware for now. The upcoming HomePod mini 2, the iPhone 17e, the iPad 12, and the A18 Pro MacBook are all expected to use MediaTek chips instead of Apple's chip. The N1 was introduced in the iPhone 17 models, and it is Apple's first in-house networking chip. It supports Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 7, and Thread. Because it was designed by Apple, it better integrates with other hardware and software in Apple devices, leading to improved efficiency and reliability.Related Roundup: HomePod miniBuyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Don't Buy)Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto TechnologyThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums09:54 pmApp developers escalate EU fight over Apple's App Store fees
A coalition of developers has petitioned the European Commission, saying Apple's revised App Store fees continue to disadvantage EU apps.Image credit: Coalition for App FairnessOn Tuesday, 20 app developers and consumer groups have petitioned the European Commission in an attempt to knock down Apple's commission fees even further. They argue that the fee structure puts their apps at a disadvantage compared to their U.S. rivals.The Coalition for Apps Fairness (CAF) is made up of companies, including Astropad, Epic Games, Masimo, Life360, Proton, Spotify, and more. Many of these companies have waged war on Apple both on and off U.S. soil. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums09:53 pmUnited States SMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 17, 23:00 PST - Dec 18, 03:00 PSTDec 16, 13:30 PSTScheduled - Our SMS carrier partner in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 17 December 2025 at 23:00 PST until 18 December 2025 at 03:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from United States handsets via subset of United States short codes.09:48 pmX counters Operation Bluebird’s bid to claim the Twitter trademark
In response to a recent trademark petition claiming X had abandoned the Twitter name, the company updated its Terms of Service today, in an apparent effort to preempt the filing. Here are the details. more…09:37 pmSoo my app is getting review bombed… got a review yesterday that my app is “AI Slop” and that it “always crashes” but Crashlytics/Apple don’t show any crashes & I just saw an email with the same name of the review create an account today… | Reddit on iOS ProgrammingSoo my app is getting review bombed… got a review yesterday that my app is “AI Slop” and that it “always crashes” but Crashlytics/Apple don’t show any crashes & I just saw an email with the same name of the review create an account today…
I don’t know if it was from posting on here or it’s another competitor app but I have been getting reviews bombed on the AppStore the past 2 days which has been killing my mood. I’m a 10+ year iOS dev and put a lot of late nights into making my app because I find […]09:30 pmWavlink Thunderbolt 5 Dock review: Affordable fast Thunderbolt plus handy power options
Macworld At a glance Pros 12 ports, including four Thunderbolt 5 2.5Gb Ethernet 30W USB-C at front 230W Power Delivery Affordable Cons Upstream port at front Four USB-A but no USB-C Our Verdict As a dual-display dock with a handy bunch of top-rated ports the Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station is great value for money for 80Gbps speed and power. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$299.99 Best Prices Today: WAVLINK Thunderbolt 5 Dock Retailer Price $256.49 View Deal Wavlink $299.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station is a full docking station with 12 ports, including a full four 80Gbps Thunderbolt 4 and 2.5Gb Ethernet, available at an affordable price. It features a decent rack of high-end ports, and looks fancy, too. Even if your laptop has Thunderbolt 4 (TB4) rather than Thunderbolt 5 (TB5) connectivity, buying the newer faster standard will future proof your purchase. Backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and 4, TB5 features the fastest 80Gbps bandwidth (up to 120Gbps Bandwidth Boost for unidirectional video) plus smart device daisy-chaining and super-fast storage connectivity. Foundry Specs and features One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W) Two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W) One downstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 30W) Four USB-A ports (10Gbps) Ethernet (2.5Gb) UHS-II SD Card reader (312MBps) UHS-II MicroSD Card reader (312MBps) 3.5mm audio jack 230W power supply As well as its upstream Thunderbolt 5 port that connects to your laptop, there are three downstream TB5 ports that connect to other devices such as monitors or storage drives: one is at the front with the upstream TB5 port, and two are at the back. Simon Jary Wavlink’s Thunderbolt 4 dock had just one downstream TB4 port as it sacrificed two possible Thunderbolt ports for dedicated HDMI 2.1 ports. With this new model, Wavlink ditches the video ports to give you the choice of which TB ports to use to connect to monitors either via a direct USB-C connection or using USB-C to DisplayPort or USB-C to HDMI adapter cables. This gives you flexibility, and if connecting two screens we expect you’ll choose the two TB5 ports at the back. The downstream TB5 port at the front can output at 30W, which is easily enough to fast charge an iPhone or iPad. The two TB5 ports at the back can handle 15W each. The upstream TB5 port can output at 140W (PD 3.1), which is what you need to fast-charge the 16-inch MacBook Pro so is good for the whole range. The external power supply can provide up to 230W of power, which is a welcome boost from the company’s rather puny 160W TB4 dock. USB: Thunderbolt is backwards compatible with USB-C, which uses the same end connector, so any of the TB ports not being used to connect a monitor can be used for USB-C devices as well as speedy Thunderbolt. There are four speedy 10Gbps USB-A ports. USB-A has a place for legacy devices, but do we need four them at the expense of a spare USB-C or two? Simon Jary Ethernet: While WiFi is great for phone use, sometimes hooking up to the home or office wired network gives you faster and more stable downloads. Most local area networks (LANs) use 1Gb Ethernet, known as Gigabit Ethernet or 1GbE. Increasingly networks are moving to much faster 2.5GbE, 5GbE or even 10GbE. The Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Dock offers 2.5GbE, which is backwards compatible with 1GbE so even if you’re not yet on the faster network speed you’ll be ready for it when you do. Simon Jary Card readers: Although Apple’s MacBook Pro laptop includes a 250MBps card reader, having one on the dock is convenient. The Wavlink TB5 dock has two: one SD and one MicroSD, both at the fastest 312Mbps. These are nicely placed at the front for easy access. Such cards offer very affordable and extremely portable storage. At the time of writing you could get a 512GB SD card for under $50, although faster cards are pricier. Other ports: At the front there’s an anti-theft Kensington Security Slot (also called a K-Slot) and a combo 3.5mm In/Out audio jack. Display capabilities For most people the number one reason for buying a docking station is to easily add external screens to their laptop. Connect a cable from the dock to each monitor and you massively extend your screen real estate. While the dock can support up to three displays for Windows laptops, limitations in Apple’s setup limits you to just two, unless you install third-party software such as DisplayLink that can give you access to up to five external displays. Five! However, for three or more monitors the dock needs to support DisplayLink, and the Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Dock isn’t one of those. See our reviews of the best DisplayLink docks for options, but note that at the time of writing there were no Thunderbolt 5 DisplayLink docks. Your only solution for TB5 plus three displays without DisplayLink is the iVanky FusionDock Max 2, which has a nifty dual-chip arrangement that uses two of the MacBook’s Thunderbolt ports. The Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Dock supports up to two 6K at 60Hz displays for most M1/M2/M3 Pro/Max/ MacBooks or any M4/M5 models. These MacBooks could opt for a single 8K/60Hz display instead. Non-Pro/Max M1/M2/M3 MacBooks support single 4K or 6K monitors. DisplayLink is also useful if your MacBook is running one of those plain M1 or M2 processors as Apple further limits those laptops to a single display. That’s by the by as M1 MacBook owners are unlikely to be in the market for a Thunderbolt 5 dock, and it’s time we got back to the review. Simon Jary Design and build The Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Dock is a smart aluminum build with some futuristic cooling vents at the top. Underneath are silicone pads that raise the dock off the desk surface for stability and further cooling. I’m not a fan of having the upstream Thunderbolt port at the front of the dock as it’s the one cable you know will always be in use, so we prefer it hidden around the back. Ideally, given the choice I’d have all the Thunderbolt ports at the back and a spare USB-C port at the front for charging. But that’s not how Wavlink has laid out its ports. Still, having three downstream ports is more than some docking stations offer and we’re happy with that. Wavlink has included an on/off button, which is appreciated. Although Apple has made the MacBook clever enough to manage its power in a sensible fashion, I still like to turn off power to the laptop’s battery as I don’t want it constantly kept filled to 100% when I’m not using it. A power button means I don’t have to yank the cable out to break the power between the dock and the laptop when I’ve finished working. Price At $299.99 or £239.99, the Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Dock is priced below most Thunderbolt 5 docks. It shares the sub-$300 price point with the Plugable Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station, and has a similar array of ports, although it has one more and faster USB-A ports. The Wavlink also wins on a higher overall power supply: 230W vs 180W. The Plugable can stand either vertically or lie flat like the Wavlink and sensibly places the upstream TB5 port at the back. The Wavlink’s 30W front TB5 port beats the Plugable’s 15W front TB5 port. Otherwise, they are very similar In terms of tech specs. See our roundups of the best Thunderbolt docks for Mac for other comparable solutions. Should you buy the Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station? While its triple-monitor potential is muted on Macs—Apple’s limitation, not the dock’s—as a dual-display dock with a handy bunch of top-rated ports the Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station is great value for money for 80Gbps speed and power.09:28 pmwatchOS 26 upgraded Apple Watch’s most popular face in two ways
Apple Watch offers a wide collection of watch faces to choose from, but Apple says its most popular is the Photos face, which received two new features in watchOS 26. more…09:17 pmDJ ChatGPT will soon be in control of your Apple Music playlists
ChatGPT may soon help iPhone and Mac users in another way, with an upcoming integration potentially allowing the AI service to manage your Apple Music playlists.Apple Music playlists may soon be controlled by ChatGPTOpenAI's ChatGPT already provides users with many different services to benefit their digital lives. But as part of a larger expansion, it seems ChatGPT will soon be able to dictate what songs you listen to on Apple Music.A Tuesday Substack post by Fidji Simo, the CEO of Applications at OpenAI, discusses the ways that ChatGPT will improve image generation via a new dedicated entrypoint. In the latter sections, the post goes on to state that there will be an expansion of app support within ChatGPT. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums09:14 pmApple Watch leads Q3 shipments with 23% market share
Global smartwatch shipments rose 9% YoY in Q3 2025. Apple led the shipments with 23% market share, followed by Huawei with 17%… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.09:10 pmSMS Delivery Delays and Failures to MTN network in Nigeria
Dec 16, 13:10 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to MTN network in Nigeria. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.09:06 pmiOS 26.2 expands AirPods Pro’s powerful new feature, here’s how to use it
iOS 26.2 launched last week, and among its many new features, AirPods Live Translation has expanded to more users. Here’s how to use AirPods’ powerful recent addition. more…09:01 pmSnoc Sms Delivery Delays to xphone network in Israel
Dec 16, 13:01 PSTUpdate - We are continuing to investigate this issue.Dec 16, 13:00 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to xPhone network. 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.09:01 pmNext iPad Mini With OLED Display Now Rumored to Feature A20 Pro Chip
Apple's next-generation iPad mini will be equipped with an A20 Pro chip, according to a MacRumors tipster who analyzed a macOS kernel debug kit containing internal Apple codenames. The kit was accidentally released on Apple's website earlier this year, but it was quickly pulled after information started leaking out of it. A previous rumor indicated that the next iPad mini would be powered by the A19 Pro chip, which debuted in the iPhone 17 Pro, but our tipster is confident the codenames actually point towards the device using an unreleased A20 Pro chip. We cannot say for sure whether the next iPad mini will use the A19 Pro or A20 Pro. It is possible that Apple initially tested a model with the A19 Pro, but the company's plans do change from time to time. If the iPad mini will next be updated in September or October of 2026, perhaps Apple ultimately decided to give it the A20 Pro. In September 2021, Apple introduced the A15 Bionic chip across the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and iPad mini all at once. But over the years, the iPad mini has not always received Apple's newest A-series chip at the time it was updated, so the A19 Pro cannot be entirely ruled out at this time. iPhone 18 Pro models are also expected to use the A20 Pro chip, which will reportedly be fabricated with TSMC's advanced 2nm process. Other rumored features for the next iPad mini include an OLED display, a redesigned speaker system with vibration technology, and a water-resistant design. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that the next iPad mini could be unveiled as early as next year. The current iPad mini was unveiled in October 2024, with key features including an A17 Pro chip and Apple Intelligence support.Related Roundup: iPad miniBuyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Neutral)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums08:50 pmThese holidays, protect your whole family’s data for life with up to 62% off pCloud
It’s no coincidence that pCloud is based in Switzerland, which has the strictest laws in the world when it comes to personal data. This is one of the reasons the cloud storage service has over 22 million users worldwide. Now for a limited time, pCloud’s holiday deal lets you save up to 62% off its Family Lifetime 3in1 Bundle and all Family Lifetime plans. more…08:44 pmDevelopers say Apple’s EU App Store terms lag behind new U.S. court limits
While the European Commission has signaled that it may be satisfied with Apple’s proposed changes to comply with the Digital Markets Act, recent U.S. court rulings are leading a group of developers to press European regulators for tougher enforcement in the region. Here are the details. more…08:41 pmChatGPT Gets Apple Music Integration and New Image Generator
OpenAI added several new features to its flagship ChatGPT product today, introducing Apple Music support and upgraded image generation capabilities. ChatGPT has supported app integrations since earlier this year, and it will soon work with Apple Music. With Apple Music integration, ChatGPT will be able to make music recommendations and playlists based on listening history and user suggestions. Music recommendations made by ChatGPT will be able to be clicked to open the Apple Music app on desktop or on an iOS device. Apple Music is not available as an app integration just yet, but it is coming in the near future. Along with Apple Music support, ChatGPT now has better image generation capabilities. ChatGPT Images is able to generate images up to 4x faster, and can make precise edits to an image while preserving details. OpenAI says that ChatGPT can tweak only the details you want updated, keeping lighting, composition, and people's appearance consistent across inputs, outputs, and edits. The new model "excels" at adding, subtracting, combining, blending, and transposing for more realistic image creations using real photographs. It is better at adding text to images and altering layouts, and OpenAI says that it follows instructions more reliably than the prior-generation version. With the update, the ability to generate some specific art styles like anime has regressed and it is no longer as good at altering images featuring many people, but OpenAI says that using preset filters can help, and the previous version of the image generator remains available to use. ChatGPT Images, an image editing experience built into ChatGPT, includes dozens of preset styles and prompts that users can try out. It's available in the mobile app and on the web. The updated Images model is rolling out today for all ChatGPT users, as is the new Images experience built into ChatGPT. ChatGPT's new image functionality will allow it to better compete with Google's Nano Banana image generator.Tags: ChatGPT, OpenAIThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums08:19 pmGift Guide: Last-minute Apple gifts that arrive before Christmas
As holiday shopping enters the final stretch, it’s not too late to secure your favorite Apple gear. Whether you’re looking to score a new pair of AirPods Pro 3, new Apple accessories, or a MacBook Air, time is running out but you can still act quick. Head below for the official 9to5Mac last-minute gift guide. more…08:10 pmDon’t miss out — get a refurbished M1 MacBook Air for just $399.99
This grade-A refurbished MacBook Air with an M1 chip inside is on sale for just $399.99. It's a reliable Mac you can take with you anywhere. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)08:09 pmApple Celebrating World Meditation Day With December 21 Apple Watch Activity Challenge
Apple is hosting an Apple Watch Activity Challenge on Sunday, December 21 to honor World Meditation Day. The challenge will show up for Apple Watch owners starting on December 19. Apple first did a World Meditation Day Activity Challenge in May 2024, but later in 2024, the date of World Meditation Day was moved to December 21 by the United Nations General Assembly. December 21 coincides with the timing of the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, marking a time when days are short and nights are long. Before 2024, World Meditation Day was informally observed on May 21, but it had not been officially designated as a UN-recognized international day. Apple Watch owners can earn the Meditation Day badge by recording five or more mindful minutes with the Mindfulness app or any app that adds mindful minutes to the Health app. Time to celebrate World Meditation Day! On December 21, record five mindful minutes or more with the Mindfulness app or any app that adds mindful minutes to Health to earn this special badge. Apple Watch owners who earn the Meditation Day award will unlock a dedicated badge in the Fitness app, and a series of animated stickers that can be used in the Messages app. Back in October, Apple also did a similar Mindful Month Activity Challenge, bringing awareness to mental health, self care, meditation, and mindfulness.Tag: Activity ChallengeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums08:09 pmThe iPhone of Your Dreams is Reportedly Less Than Two Years Away
In line with previous rumors, The Information today reported that Apple is planning to release a special 20th-anniversary iPhone less than two years from now. The report said the device will have a seamless design, with a curved glass enclosure and no cutouts in the display. Apple is expected to move Face ID under the screen starting with the iPhone 18 Pro models next year, and the report said the 20th-anniversary iPhone will also feature an under-screen front camera. The publication said it could not yet learn if the display itself will curve around the edges, as shown in our conceptual mockup above. Nevertheless, it appears that Apple is working on a very ambitious design for the 20th-anniversary iPhone, much like the iPhone X was a game-changer for the iPhone's 10th-anniversary. At a minimum, the report said the 20th-anniversary iPhone will lack bezels around the screen for a true edge-to-edge experience. It said the device has only a "narrow metal band running around the midpoint of the device's edge, where the buttons sit." Many of these details were previously reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is expected to release the 20th-anniversary iPhone around September 2027, so it is still early, and the device's design could change. If these rumors pan out, though, the 20th-anniversary iPhone could be something out of a dream.Tags: 20th-Anniversary iPhone, The InformationThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums08:00 pmCode leak confirms Apple is building the M5 Max iMac Pro
Apple is reportedly working on a premium iMac equipped with the M5 Max chip, based on details uncovered in leaked internal software… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.07:51 pmDirect links to Zap runs returning 'Zap Not Found' error.
Status: MonitoringOur team discovered the cause of the 'Zap Run Not Found' error and have released a fix to resolve those errors from occurring. All Zaps continued to run during this incident. We will continue monitoring and post another update shortly. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to support: https://zapier.com/app/get-helpFirehose II – Jobs, Deals, Apps
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