Apple Studio Display 2 Code Hints at 120Hz ProMotion, HDR, A19 Chip
Apple's next-generation Studio Display is expected to arrive early next year, and a new report allegedly provides a couple more details on the external monitor's capabilities. According to internal Apple code seen by Macworld, the new external display will feature a variable refresh rate capable of up to 120Hz – aka ProMotion – as well as support for HDR content. The current Studio Display is limited to 60Hz and supports SDR, but not HDR. Macworld's Filipe Espósito suggests new HDR support points to Apple's use of improved panel technology that can achieve higher brightness. Indeed, analyst Ross Young believes Apple's next Studio Display could use a mini-LED panel similar to the MacBook Pro, which features superior brightness, contrast, and color accuracy compared to the existing LCD panel. Elsewhere, the code references a "J527" identifier for the monitor, and suggests the model is powered by the A19 chip – two details that have also been previously discovered in code reviewed by MacRumors. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has also referenced "J527" as the internal codename for one of the displays that Apple is developing. Apple launched the 27-inch Studio Display in March 2022 alongside the Mac Studio. It features a 5K resolution, 600 nits of brightness, built-in webcam and speakers, one Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. Pricing in the U.S. starts at $1,599. The new version Apple is developing could arrive as early as this spring alongside new Macs with M5 chips.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Spotify Integration for Algoriddim's Djay App Expands to iOS and iPadOS
Back in September, Algoriddim's djay apps for Mac and Windows regained Spotify integration, allowing Spotify Premium subscribers to access the service's full music catalog and their own libraries and playlists, and today that support is expanding to iOS, iPadOS, and Android. Spotify integration across desktop and mobile is available in 56 markets around the world, and it works with djay's AI-powered Automix feature to deliver DJ-quality transitions to your Spotify playlists. Intelligent beat-matching and a full set of DJ tools, loops, and effects enhance the experience."Integrating Spotify across djay's entire mobile and desktop lineup marks an exciting new chapter for our users and anyone aspiring to DJ," said Karim Morsy, CEO of Algoriddim. "Whether you're using your phone, tablet, or laptop, you can now tap into Spotify's massive catalog and mix the music you love across all your devices, anywhere you go.The djay apps already support Apple Music integration, and now Spotify offers the same type of support across platforms. Algoriddim's djay app is a free download from the App Store and Mac App Store, as well as the Google Play Store and the Microsoft Store, with an optional Pro subscription priced at $6.99 per month or $49.99 per year to unlock all features.Tags: Algoriddim, Djay, SpotifyThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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YouTube TV Launching Cheaper Sports, News, and Entertainment Bundles in Early 2026
YouTube TV will be updated with more than 10 genre-specific television packages in 2026, YouTube announced today. The upcoming YouTube TV Plans will be more affordable than the current version of YouTube TV, which is priced at $82.99 per month. There will be packages for sports, news, family, entertainment, and more. A YouTube Sports Plan will include top broadcast networks along with all ESPN networks and sports networks like FS1 and NBC Sports networks. YouTube has not provided information on the pricing for each of the YouTube TV Plans, nor what specific channels will be included. YouTube TV Plans will have most of the same features as the standard YouTube TV subscription, like unlimited DVR, key plays, fantasy view, and multiview. YouTube TV has more than 100 channels, and YouTube subscriptions VP Christian Oestlien said that the company's goal is to provide users with more control over what they want to watch. The current plan will remain available, with the added plans included as a lower-priced option.Tag: YouTube TVThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Mophie Releases New GaN-Powered Speedport USB-C Wall Chargers
Mophie today announced the launch of a new line of Speedport wall chargers that are powered by Gallium Nitride (GaN) for faster, more efficient power delivery. There are several charger options with single, dual, and triple ports for powering laptops, tablets, smartphones, and more. Prices range from $15 to $100. Speedport 20 ($14.95) - 20W with one USB-C port. Speedport 35 ($24.95) - 35W with one USB-C port. Speedport 45 ($39.95) - 45W with two USB-C ports. Speedport Plus 67 ($59.95) - 67W with two USB-C ports and a built-in retractable 60W USB-C cable for charging up to three devices at once. Speedport 70 ($49.95) - 70W with two USB-C ports. Speedport 100 ($79.95) - 100W with two USB-C ports.  Speedport 140 ($99.95) - 140W with three USB-C ports. All of the Speedport chargers feature a similar design, adopting plastics made from 75 percent post-consumer recycled materials and foldable prongs for travel. With the exception of the Speedport 67 with integrated cable, all of the new chargers are available for purchase from the Mophie website as of today.Tag: MophieThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Music and Apple TV Experiencing Outage
Apple Music and Apple TV are experiencing an outage that could be causing issues for some users, according to Apple's System Status page. The outage started at 2:53 p.m. Eastern Time, and it is impacting ‌Apple Music‌, ‌Apple TV‌, and ‌Apple TV‌ Channels. Apple says that some users may run into intermittent problems, though specifics have not been provided. There don't appear to be a large number of complaints about the services on social media at this time. We'll update this article when Apple's services are back up and running.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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iPad 12 Rumored to Get iPhone 17's A19 Chip, Breaking Apple Tradition
The next-generation low-cost iPad will use Apple's A19 chip, according to a report from Macworld. Macworld claims to have seen an "internal Apple code document" with information about the 2026 ‌iPad‌ lineup. Prior documentation discovered by MacRumors suggested that the ‌iPad‌ 12 would be equipped with an A18 chip, not an A19 chip. The A19 chip was just released this year in the iPhone 17, and it would be unusual for Apple to use a current-generation chip in the low-cost ‌iPad‌ due to cost. Apple's most affordable ‌iPad‌ has not had a current-generation chip since the ‌iPad‌ 4, which is back when Apple was still designing AX chips for its tablet lineup. The ‌iPad‌ 5 that came out in 2017 used the A9 chip that was originally introduced in the 2015 iPhone 6s, and since then, the ‌iPad‌ has been equipped with an A-series chip that's a generation or two behind the chip in the most recently released ‌iPhone‌. The current ‌iPad‌ 11 that was released in March 2025 uses the A16 chip that first debuted in the ‌iPhone‌ 14 in 2022, for example. The ‌iPad‌ 10 (October 2022) used the A14 (September 2020), the ‌iPad‌ 9 (September 2021) used the A13 (September 2019), and the ‌iPad‌ 8 (September 2020) used the A12 (September 2018). A 2024 A18 chip for the 2026 ‌iPad‌ would be in line with prior launches. The model numbers listed in Macworld's report are also unusual. It says that J581 and J588 are the codenames for the upcoming 12th-generation ‌iPad‌, but codenames are typically sequential. Codenames are how Apple references unreleased devices in its software. In prior code leaks, J581 and J582 appeared to reference the low-cost ‌iPad‌ 12. Prior leaks have suggested that the iPad mini will use the A19 chip, but the ‌iPad mini‌ was previously referenced in Apple code as J510 and J511. Apple sometimes changes its plans and makes updates to unreleased devices, so the A19 chip for the ‌iPad‌ can't be ruled out entirely. It is not yet clear if Macworld is correct about the A19 chip for the ‌iPad‌ given previous information, but other parts of the report seem more in line with expectations. Macworld suggests the next-generation iPad Air will use an M4 chip, and that both the upcoming ‌iPad‌ and ‌iPad Air‌ will be equipped with Apple's N1 networking chip. The ‌iPad Air‌ typically gets an M-series chip that's a generation behind the chip in the iPad Pro, and since it's been updated to the M5, the M4 makes sense for the next ‌iPad Air‌. Apple has also been adding the new N1 networking chip to newly released devices, starting with this year's iPhones. The N1 chip is an Apple-designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip that's more energy efficient than chips designed by third-party companies. Apple is expected to release the new ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad‌ models early in 2026.Related Roundup: iPadBuyer's Guide: iPad (Neutral)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Most Downloaded iPhone Apps of 2025: ChatGPT, Threads, and Google
Apple today shared a list of the most downloaded U.S. App Store apps and games in 2025, highlighting the top free and paid iPhone and iPad titles. ChatGPT was the number one free app that ‌iPhone‌ users downloaded in 2025, followed by Threads, Google, TikTok, and WhatsApp. Google Gemini was the only other chatbot app to make the list, coming in at number 10. Top paid ‌iPhone‌ apps included HotSchedules, Shadowrocket, and Procreate Pocket. Top free iPhone games included Block Blast, Fortnite, and Roblox, while Minecraft, Balatro, and Heads Up were among the top paid ‌iPhone‌ games. YouTube was the number one free ‌iPad‌ app downloaded in 2025, followed by ChatGPT, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Procreate, Procreate Dreams, forScore, ToonSquid, and Nomad Sculpt were the top paid ‌iPad‌ apps. Roblox, Block Blast, and Fortnite were the top free ‌iPad‌ games, with Minecraft, Geometry Dash, and Stardew Valley taking the top three spots on the paid ‌iPad‌ game list. Apple also included the most downloaded Apple Arcade games. NFL Retro Bowl '26, NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition, and Balatro+ were at the top of the list. Apple's full list of top downloaded apps and games across 2025 can be found in the ‌App Store‌.Tag: App StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Tim Cook Goes to Washington to Fight App Store Age Verification Legislation
Apple CEO Tim Cook was in Washington, D.C. today to meet with US lawmakers about the upcoming App Store Accountability Act, reports Bloomberg. The App Store Accountability Act would require Apple to verify a person's age when an Apple Account is created using a "commercially available method or process," and get parental consent for each app that a child under 16 downloads. Apple is against the ‌App Store‌ Accountability Act because it does not want to be legally responsible for verifying user age, obtaining parental consent, or ensuring that developers follow the rules, nor does it want to collect the required documentation. It is Apple's opinion that age verification should be the responsibility of app creators. Cook pushed lawmakers not to require app store platforms to collect data for age verification purposes, instead suggesting that parents should be providing the age of a child when creating a child's account (which is how account creation works now). To head off legislation, Apple has introduced new age assurance features, such as simpler tools for parents to oversee children's Apple accounts, new age categories for app content, and the Declared Age Range API that provides developers with a privacy-forward way to ensure kids aren't exposed to in-app content meant for adults. Apple has argued that it already has extensive parental controls with Screen Time, and that the legislation would require it to collect excessive amounts of information from all users just to verify the age of children. Apple says that it could be required to collect data like a driver's license, passport, or Social Security number, which is "not in the interest of user safety or privacy." The House Energy and Commerce Committee will consider the bill on Thursday morning. Texas recently passed a similar bill, SB2420. Starting on January 1, 2026, Apple users located in Texas will need to confirm whether they are 18 years or older when creating an Apple Account. Apple will need to verify age and parental identity, and the ‌App Store‌ will need to provide additional information to parents.Tags: App Store, Tim CookThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Pay Promo Offers 30% Off Mattel Toys
Apple has teamed up with Mattel for a 30 percent discount on Mattel toys when using Apple Pay to check out on the Mattel website. The discount is available for Barbie, Hot Wheels, Masters of the Universe, and other Mattel branded toys. The ‌Apple Pay‌ deal is available from December 8 to December 14 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. To get the discount, users will need to use ‌Apple Pay‌ for their purchase on the Mattel website, and enter the promo code APPLEPAY at checkout. The deal excludes shipping and handling, gift cards, taxes, and Mattel Creations Memberships. There are no minimum or maximum purchase limits listed, so the deal should apply to all purchases made on the website through December 14.Tag: Apple Pay PromoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Unveils New Stores in India and China
Apple today unveiled its fifth retail store in India, at the DLF Mall in Noida. The store opens to customers this Thursday, December 11, at 1 p.m. local time. Apple Noida The store features familiar amenities, including an Apple Pickup station for in-store pickup of online orders, and a Genius Bar for tech support and repairs. Apple operates four other stores in India: Apple Saket in New Delhi Apple BKC in Mumbai Apple Koregaon Park in Pune Apple Hebbal in Bengaluru In addition, the Apple Store app launched in India earlier this year. Earlier this month, Apple opened a new store in China, at the Livat Centre in Beijing. This store also has an Apple Pickup station and a Genius Bar, plus a dedicated seating area where customers can demo the Apple Vision Pro. Apple Livat Beijing Apple remains committed to expanding its retail presence in international markets, such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.Tag: Apple StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Amazon Takes $50 Off Apple Watch SE 3, Starting at $199
Amazon this week has the Apple Watch SE 3 on sale at all-time low prices, starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS model. These prices are matching the Black Friday discounts we tracked last month, and they are some of the few sales that have consistently stuck around since that event ended. 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. You can also get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 on sale for $229.00, down from $279.00. Both models are available in Midnight and Starlight Aluminum options, with multiple sizes on sale as well. As of writing, all models can be delivered in time for the Christmas holiday. $50 OFF40mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $199.00 $50 OFF44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $229.00 In addition to the Apple Watch SE 3 discounts, Amazon has $100 off the Apple Watch Series 11 right now, which are new record low prices on the wearables. 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 forums

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Check Out These Fun New Apple Cash Stickers in the Messages App
Apple today updated its Apple Cash feature to introduce a set of stickers that can be used in the Messages app. The stickers are Apple Cash themed, featuring emoji that you might want to use when sending or receiving a payment. Each sticker is animated, and has an iridescent texture that gives a glinting effect as the sticker moves. The Apple Cash stickers are rolling out to users starting today. You can find them by opening up the Messages app and selecting a conversation, then tapping on the "+" button next to the text bar. From there, tap on the "Stickers" option and swipe over to Apple Cash. Apple Cash stickers will show up in the Messages Sticker list automatically, and there is no option to download them from the Sticker App Store. The stickers also aren't able to be removed, because Apple Cash is not an app that can be uninstalled. Tags: Apple Cash, MessagesThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Twelve South Introduces 20% Sitewide Discount Exclusive to MacRumors Readers
Twelve South today is kicking off a 20 percent sitewide discount that's exclusive to MacRumors readers, allowing you a chance to save on the company's most popular accessories just in time for the holidays. To get this deal, enter the code MacRumors2025 at checkout to take 20 percent off your cart. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Twelve South. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Our code works sitewide on Twelve South, and takes 20 percent off your entire cart, so you can purchase multiple accessories at once for more savings. Once you enter the code MacRumors2025 at checkout, you should start seeing it automatically applied as you browse Twelve South's website. Note: Use code MacRumors2025 at checkout. 20% OFFMacRumors Exclusive Sale at Twelve South This deal will run through Friday, December 19, so you have a little over a week to take advantage of the sale. As of today, Twelve South is still guaranteeing holiday delivery with its economy shipping option, and the cutoff for choosing the ground economy option is December 15. Twelve South offers a large variety of accessories built for Apple products. Some of its newest accessories include the MagSafe Wallet Stand for iPhone 17, Curve Nano for iPhone, ButterFly SE 2-in-1 Qi2 Charger, and PowerBug Wall Charger. You can get 20 percent off these accessories and many more with our exclusive code. 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 forums

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Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat Features Now Available in ChatGPT
Starting today, many Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, and Adobe Express features are available to use directly in ChatGPT, allowing you to edit photos, transform PDF documents, design event invitations, and more with conversational prompts. After connecting the apps, you can use prompts such as "add creative effects to the background" or "create an invitation for my dance party." Here is what you can do, according to Adobe: Easily edit and uplevel images with Adobe Photoshop: Adjust a specific part of an image, fine-tune image settings like brightness, contrast and exposure, and apply creative effects like Glitch and Glow — all while preserving the quality of the image.Create and personalize designs with Adobe Express: Browse Adobe Express' extensive library of professional designs to find the best one for any moment, fill in the text, replace images, animate designs and iterate on edits — all directly inside the chat and without needing to switch to another app — to create standout content for any occasion.Transform and organize documents with Adobe Acrobat: Edit PDFs directly in the chat, extract text or tables, organize and merge multiple files, compress files and convert them to PDF while keeping formatting and quality intact. Acrobat for ChatGPT also enables people to easily redact sensitive details.After connecting the apps to ChatGPT in Settings → Apps & Connectors, you can find them by clicking on the plus sign next to the chat field and selecting "More." ChatGPT can also automatically surface the apps if you use a prompt such as "Adobe Photoshop, help me blur the background of this image" or "Adobe Acrobat, help me edit this PDF." Adobe's app integrations are available to all ChatGPT users worldwide, for free, across ChatGPT.com and the ChatGPT app for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Adobe Express for ChatGPT is also available on Android, with support for Photoshop and Acrobat for ChatGPT on Android coming soon, according to the announcement. If you want to use more advanced features, you an seamlessly move from ChatGPT to Adobe's standalone apps and pick up right where you left off.Tags: Adobe, ChatGPTThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple's Pro Display XDR Is Six Years Old Today
The Pro Display XDR is six years old today, making it one of the oldest Apple products still on sale. Released on December 10, 2019 alongside the redesigned Mac Pro, the Pro Display XDR was Apple's re-entry into the high-end external monitor market, following a three-year hiatus after discontinuing the Thunderbolt Display in 2016. The announcement came at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2019, where the company presented the display as a rival to traditional reference monitors. The XDR in its name stands for "Extreme Dynamic Range," a feature that Apple emphasized as a key differentiator from other high-resolution monitors available at the time. It features a 32-inch Retina display with a 6K resolution of 6,016 by 3,384 pixels, powered by Apple's proprietary LED backlighting system. Apple utilized blue-colored LEDs with custom lenses and reflectors to achieve a maximum brightness of up to 1,600 nits in HDR mode, while sustaining 1,000 nits across the entire screen indefinitely. This allows for what Apple describes as "stunningly accurate colors and contrast," supporting the P3 wide color gamut and delivering a claimed 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The rear of the display features the same lattice pattern used on the 2019 ‌Mac Pro‌, which functions as a heatsink to aid thermal management. The display is also available with matte nano-texture glass to cut down on glare—the first Apple product it's featured on. Upon its release, the Pro Display XDR garnered significant attention for its high price. In the United States, the display starts at $4,999, and users who opt for the adjustable Pro Stand must pay an additional $999. The Pro Stand, which is sold separately, was met with mixed reactions upon its unveiling. Apple justified the cost by highlighting the engineering involved, with the Pro Stand offering height, tilt, and rotation adjustments, as well as support for both landscape and portrait modes. A VESA mount adapter is also available for those who prefer third-party mounting solutions. As of its sixth anniversary, the Pro Display XDR remains one of only two external monitors sold by Apple, alongside the Studio Display, which was released in March 2022. Unlike the Pro Display XDR, the Studio Display comes with an integrated A13 Bionic chip, enabling features such as Center Stage for its built-in webcam, spatial audio, and support for Siri voice commands. The Pro Display XDR, however, has no webcam or any internal Apple silicon chip. Speculation about a second-generation Pro Display XDR has been circulating for some time. In December 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was working on an updated version of the display, this time with an Apple silicon chip to enhance its capabilities. In July 2023, Gurman reiterated that Apple was still developing multiple new displays. Display supply chain analyst Ross Young added that the next-generation Pro Display XDR will feature quantum dot technology, just like the MacBook Pro. Evidence of Apple's work on new external monitors has been spotted multiple times. The third beta of macOS 26.1 suggests that the Pro Display XDR 2 will feature a built-in Center Stage camera. The A19 Pro chip is also a possibility, along with a higher refresh rate.Related Roundups: Apple Pro Display XDR, Apple Studio DisplayRelated Forum: Mac AccessoriesThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Faces Scrutiny as Sanctioned Entities Slip Through App Store Controls
Apple's App Store has been unlawfully hosting dozens of apps tied to U.S.-sanctioned companies, according to a new watchdog report (via The Washington Post). The Tech Transparency Project, a non-profit advocacy group, flagged 52 apps in the App Store that had links to entities found on the Treasury Department's list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs), a designation that prohibits U.S. companies from doing business with them. Linked organisations included Russian financial institutions such as Gazprombank and National Standard Bank propping up Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, and China's Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), which has been sanctioned for involvement in repression of Uyghur minorities. Another app was run by a company owned by an accused Lithuanian drug trafficker. The linked entities reportedly used name variants, shell developers, or partial references to obscure their sanctions status. Google's Play Store was also found to be hosting 18 apps for similarly sanctioned organizations. Google took down all but one of the apps after being contacted by The Post. Apple removed 35 out of 52 during or after the investigation. Apple disputed that all the flagged apps violate sanctions, but said it was enhancing its review process. Apple previously committed to improving sanctions detection after a 2019 Treasury settlement involving a naming-variation failure. According to The Post, the Treasury could have fined Apple more than $70 million at the time, but said it accepted a settlement of less than $1 million because Apple had self-reported, had not had a violation in the preceding five years, and promised to revamp its sanction search tools "to fully capture spelling and capitalization variations and to account for country-specific business suffixes." Legal experts say that prior agreement increases Apple's exposure now, since the latest similar lapses suggest its promised improvements were insufficient. The findings also call into question Apple's long-standing claim that its App Store provides a "safe and trusted" environment for users.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Spotify Rolls Out Music Videos to Premium Users in US and Canada
Spotify has announced music videos are rolling out now to Premium users in the U.S. and Canada, though the feature remains in beta. The catalog currently includes music videos from artists like Ariana Grande, Olivia Dean, BABYMONSTER, Addison Rae, Tyler Childers, Natanael Cano, and Carín León. Spotify says the initial video catalog is "limited" for now while the feature is in beta, but asks users to "stay tuned" as availability is set to grow "over the coming months." If you're a Premium subscriber and want to check out music videos, open Spotify on you TV, desktop, iOS, or Android device, and a "Switch to Video" icon will appear above the song title in supported music tracks. Tapping starts the song from the beginning with accompanying video within the Now Playing view, which can also be rotated to landscape orientation on iPhone and Android. To find additional music videos – including live and cover videos – scroll down to explore Related Music Videos, or go to an artist's profile and look under the Music tab. You can also watch by genre and era via playlists like 90s Video Hits, Hip-Hop Throwbacks, and Latin Party Hits. Spotify first announced beta support for music videos back in March 2024, but the feature was limited to 11 markets including the UK, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Brazil, Colombia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Kenya. In October, Spotify released a redesigned app for Apple TV that supports music videos, which had by then expanded to 97 countries around the world. Spotify says music videos will be available to all Premium users in the U.S. and Canada by the end of the month. Previously, video content on Spotify has been limited to video podcasts and short repeating music video clips when a song plays. Apple Music has included its own music video catalog for almost seven years now. The feature was introduced with the release of iOS 11.3 in March 2018. Tag: SpotifyThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Google Maps Quietly Added This Long-Overdue Feature for Drivers
Google Maps on iOS quietly gained a new feature recently that automatically recognizes where you've parked your vehicle and saves the location for you. Announced on LinkedIn by Rio Akasaka, Google Maps' senior product manager, the new feature auto-detects your parked location even if you don't use the parking pin function, saves it for up to 48 hours, and then automatically removes it once you start driving again. Saving your parking spot in Maps isn't a new ability in itself. You could already do that manually by tapping your location on the map and then choosing Saved Parking. The difference here is that the whole process is automated for you. Akasaka explains what you need to do to get the feature to work: Get in a car with Google Maps and connect to your car with USB, Bluetooth or CarPlay, and once you're done driving, there's a little pin waiting for you when you open Google Maps next – a personal parking Maps valet, just for you. When you drive again, the pin goes away, just like that.Automatic parking location saving started rolling out on iPhone about a month ago, but since then another feature has gone live that will now use any custom car icons you've set up as a parking icon, instead of the default "P" icon. Google added custom car icons to Maps in 2020, and eight new car shapes and colors were added earlier this year. As things stand, the new auto-save parking place feature only works on iOS. While a similar parking reminder can be found on Android, the icon will only go away if the user manually removes it. (Via 9to5Google.)Tag: Google MapsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Pebble Unveils $75 iPhone-Compatible Smart Ring for Quick Voice Recordings
Pebble today announced the Pebble Index 01, a simple smart ring that's designed for recording information. It is equipped with a microphone and a button to start a recording, but little else. Priced at $75, the Index 01 does not require an internet connection or a subscription, and it doesn't record unless the button is pressed. Recordings are sent to a connected smartphone, and can be saved as a note, added to a calendar, or set as a reminder. Information is processed by open source speech-to-text and AI models locally on an iPhone or Android smartphone. It is customizable, and single or double button clicks can be set to control different actions like switching to a new song, taking a photo, or activating smart home devices. The device is made from stainless steel, and it is available in three colors, including silver, gold, and black. Sizes range from 6 to 13. It is resistant to water, and no charging is necessary. Pebble says the battery will last for 12 to 15 hours of recording, which equates to 10-20 recordings per day that are 3-6 seconds in length. Since there is no replaceable battery and no option to charge, the ring is meant to be recycled when the battery dies. The Pebble Index 01 is priced at $75 and is available for pre-order from the Pebble website. It will ship in March 2026, and after that, the price will increase to $99.Tag: PebbleThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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EU Takes Credit for Apple and Google's Upcoming iPhone-Android Data Transfer Tools
The simplified smartphone switching Apple and Google are adopting is an example of how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) benefits users and developers, the European Commission said today. Apple and Google are making it easier for users to switch between iPhone and Android smartphones, adding an option to transfer data from another smartphone during the device setup process. Apple and Google are implementing this functionality because the DMA requires services to offer effective data portability to avoid data lock-in to an operating system. The EC says the new interoperability is a "direct result of the DMA." The European Commission welcomes the cross-OS data portability solution that has been communicated by Apple and Google. This is an example of how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) brings benefits to users and developers. This OS portability solution will allow users to easily transfer data from iPhone to Android and vice versa when they set up a new device. It will support many types of data, including: contacts, calendar events, messages, photos, documents, Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and even data from third-party apps. It will also work wirelessly. These are major upgrades compared to the currently limited data transfer solutions. The DMA is also the reason why Apple and Google designed a simplified eSIM transfer solution earlier this year. The EC says that both new features were made possible by "extensive engineering work and collaboration" between the two companies, along with "intensive discussions with the Commission." Taken together, the eSIM transfer and the OS data portability solutions will greatly simplify the experience of users who want to switch from an iPhone to an Android phone, or vice versa. This improved data portability across platforms brings more user choice, which drives competition and creates more incentives to innovate. Users should be able to pick a new phone based on innovative features, not based on where their data is locked. Apple and Google are currently testing the new smartphone switching solution. Google implemented it in an Android Canary build, and Apple is expected to add it in a future update to iOS 26. Apple and Google will support transferring contacts, messages, photos, documents, Wi-Fi networks, passwords, information from third-party apps, and more. Though Apple and Google are implementing simplified switching due to DMA requirements, it is functionality that will be rolled out worldwide and not just in Europe. The European Commission is highlighting DMA wins because earlier this year, Apple commissioned a study that said the Digital Markets Act has failed to lower App Store prices for consumers. Apple said the DMA has "failed to live up to its promises," and has only delivered "less security, less privacy, and a worse experience for consumers across Europe."Tags: Android, European Commission, European UnionThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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LHR (London) on 2025-12-16
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 16, 00:30 - 08:00 UTCDec 16, 00:22 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in LHR (London) datacenter on 2025-12-16 between 00:30 and 08:00 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.

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Multiple Destination Voice Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jan 5, 2026, 07:00 - 14:00 PSTDec 15, 15:09 PSTScheduled - Our Voice carrier partner in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines is conducting a planned maintenance from 05 January 2026 at 07:00 PST until 05 January 2026 at 14:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be Intermittent delays to Twilio Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines phone numbers.

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Elevated Timeouts and Latency in Porting Dbs
Dec 15, 12:38 PSTInvestigating - We are currently investigating this issue with porting US numbers to Twilio. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

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Files are unable to be uploaded to Interfaces or Chatbots
Status: InvestigatingWe are currently investigating a service disruption impacting the Interfaces and Chatbots caused by an Uploadcare incident. This issue is causing performance degradation and may prevent users from uploading files and knowledge sources within our Interfaces and Chatbots. We are actively monitoring the situation and working with Uploadcare to restore full functionality. You can find more details on Uploadcare's status page here: https://status.uploadcare.com/incidents/wbb64j910d6l. We will provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.Affected components Interfaces (Degraded performance) Chatbots (Degraded performance)

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SMS Delivery Delays and Failures to Movistar Network in Chile via a subset of Long Codes
Dec 15, 12:23 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing . Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

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BOM (Mumbai) on 2025-12-15
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 15, 20:30 UTC  -  Dec 16, 01:00 UTCDec 15, 17:44 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in BOM (Mumbai) datacenter between 2025-12-15 20:30 and 2025-12-16 01:00 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.

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DUR (Durban) on 2025-12-17
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 17, 01:00 - 08:00 UTCDec 15, 16:52 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in DUR (Durban) datacenter on 2025-12-17 between 01:00 and 08:00 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.

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AccSec SNA API Failure for Indonesia Smartfren
Dec 15, 08:23 PSTInvestigating - We are investigating intermittent issues with the SNA channel in the Verify API. We expect to provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

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Multiple Destination SMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 17, 22:00 - 23:00 PSTDec 15, 06:19 PSTScheduled - Our SMS carrier partner in Germany, Tajikistan, Poland, Greece, Belgium, Israel, Thailand, Ukraine, South Africa, Iran, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Afghanistan, Spain, Ethiopia, Iraq and Mongolia is conducting a planned maintenance from 17 December 2025 at 22:00 PST until 17 December 2025 at 23:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Germany, Tajikistan, Poland, Greece, Belgium, Israel, Thailand, Ukraine, South Africa, Iran, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Afghanistan, Spain, Ethiopia, Iraq and Mongolia handsets.

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HEL (Helsinki) on 2025-12-17
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 17, 00:00 - 04:00 UTCDec 15, 12:42 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in HEL (Helsinki) datacenter on 2025-12-17 between 00:00 and 04:00 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.

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Russia SMS Carrier Maintenance – Gazprombank Mobile
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 16, 12:00 - 12:59 PSTDec 15, 04:20 PSTScheduled - The Gazprombank Mobile network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 16 December 2025 at 12:00 PST until 16 December 2025 at 12:59 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Gazprombank Mobile Russia handsets.

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United States SMS and MMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 16, 20:00 PST  -  Dec 17, 02:00 PSTDec 15, 03:02 PSTScheduled - Our SMS and MMS carrier partner in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 16 December 2025 at 20:00 PST until 17 December 2025 at 02:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS and MMS to and from United States handsets via United States short codes.

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United States SMS Carrier Maintenance – AT&T
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 16, 20:00 PST  -  Dec 17, 02:00 PSTDec 15, 03:02 PSTScheduled - The AT&T network in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 16 December 2025 at 20:00 PST until 17 December 2025 at 02:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from AT&T United States handsets.

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GoToMyPC – Emergency Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 16, 05:30 - 08:00 UTCDec 15, 09:44 UTCScheduled - As part of our commitment to providing exceptional service and reliability to our customers, GoToMyPC will be conducting scheduled maintenance on the date and time listed below. Our team will take all appropriate actions to minimize service interruptions during this event.Date and Time: December 16th, 2025, 5:30 AM UTC to 8:00 AM UTCPurpose: This maintenance is to ensure and maintain system performance and stability.Duration: All maintenance will be performed within the 2-hour 30-minute maintenance window.What to expect: During the scheduled maintenance, there will be no impact on in-flight sessions. However, customers may experience brief disruptions when initiating new remote sessions or accessing the application. These interruptions are expected to last only a few minutes.We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

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SMS Delivery Delays to Tigo Network in Honduras
Dec 14, 23:39 PSTUpdate - We are continuing to investigate this issue.Dec 14, 23:34 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays to Tigo Network in Honduras. 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.

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