Claude AI may ask you if you’re using it too much
Overuse of smartphones is now a widely recognised problem, but we’re also starting to see people perhaps get overly dependent on chatbots like Claude AI and ChatGPT. Claude creator Anthropic is currently testing a beta feature intended to allow users to reflect on how they are using the AI and be prompted to perhaps use it less …

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Skip the iPhone Ultra. Something better is coming
Macworld You should never be first in line to buy a completely new Apple product. Not in the literal sense–although those guys are totally putting themselves out for no good reason–but in the generational one. It’s nearly always smarter to wait a year or two. Owning an original iPhone was fun from a bragging point of view, and I fondly remember the unaccustomed attention I received while carrying it about on holiday. As a medium-term value proposition, however, it was objectively a bad idea: a bold and pioneering starting point that would nevertheless be vastly improved within a few years of launch by the addition of 3G and GPS (iPhone 3G), a better camera and general performance (iPhone 3GS), FaceTime and a far sharper screen (iPhone 4), and numerous other hardware and software upgrades along the way. All without a significant increase in price. The same goes for the iPod, iPad, MacBook Air—you get the idea. Veterans of the 2007 iPhone launch may have noted some similarities when the iPhone Air came out last year. There was much the same sense of awe, the idea that nothing would be the same again: normal-sized phones, reviewers speculated, might be ruined forever for anyone who’s held an Air and marvelled at its miraculous slenderness. There were, admittedly, rather more complaints about its hardware limitations (namely the battery and camera performance), but canny observers will have recognised that, like its celebrated forebear, the iPhone Air was likely to find numerous ways to improve in subsequent generations. The general consensus is that Apple won’t release a new Air this fall. September will see the launch of two premium iPhones (the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max) and one super-premium model in the form of the foldable iPhone Ultra. Bearing in mind Apple’s recent price rises in the iPad and Mac ranges, these are likely to be seriously expensive devices. Expect the iPhone Ultra to be dazzling, but flawed.Foundry So while the Air 2 will be the premium model of its own mini generation in spring 2027, doubtlessly costing more than the iPhone 18 and considerably more than the 18e, it’s likely to seem affordable by comparison with the late-2026 phones: it currently starts at $200 less than the cheapest Pro, and that gap may widen when the price rises kick in. At the same time, it will seem far more appealing than those normal-sized phones it will launch with, thanks to its futuristic design and what increasingly looks to be a classic set of 2nd-gen fixes. If you found the Air’s camera performance suboptimal, you’re in luck: almost all pundits agree that the Air 2 will get a second camera lens on the rear, a 48MP ultrawide. If you complained about its battery life, you’ll be pleased to hear that its capacity is now expected to increase by 11 percent. Apple has recognised the two biggest problems with the original product and addressed them both, setting up the Air 2 as the company’s best follow-up since the Apple Watch Series 2 solved its predecessor’s GPS, water resistance, speed, and battery life shortcomings in a single generational leap. Where does this leave the iPhone Ultra? In precisely the same 1st-gen limbo the Air experienced in 2025. On the one hand, Apple has no experience of making and launching a foldable phone; on the other, it knows that celebs, tech braggarts and early adopters will buy its first attempt at the category regardless. Chuck in the necessity of selling an upgraded version the following year, and you’ve got the perfect formula for a flawed proof of concept. It’s far too early to say whether the Ultra will be a good phone or not–it might very well be a commercially adored smash hit–but we can say with some certainty that the worst Ultra to buy will be the first. The big seller of the generation, of course, is likely to be either the iPhone 18 or the 18e, for obvious cost-of-living reasons. But I think the humble Air 2, undercut by the cheaper models, overshadowed by the Ultra, dogged by the mixed reception accorded to its predecessor, could be the underrated star of the iPhone 18 generation. Read those Air 1 reviews again. This, most agree, is the form factor of the future; it just wasn’t ready in 2025. At that point in its development, the Air was too flawed for the mainstream. By the look of things, that isn’t going to be the case in 2027.

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Report: Apple interested in startup that runs giant AI models on iPhone without servers
The Information reports that Apple may be interested in PrismML’s technology. The firm is focused on shrinking AI models that generally require servers to function, offering on-device functionality with comparable intelligence.

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iPhone manufacturing in India gets a tariff boost
As reported by Reuters, India continued its push to become a larger electronics manufacturing hub today by removing import duties on select parts used in smartphones and other devices. Here are the details.

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Best Apple Deals: Save on MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch & more
Macworld The Best Apple deals July 2026 Pick up a great deal on the Apple kit you want. These are the best deals we’ve seen this month. Top U.S. Apple deals $50 off MacBook Pro, 16-inch, M5 Max, 2TB at Amazon $58 off MacBook Air, 13-inch, M5, 1TB at Amazon $150 off MacBook Air, 15-inch, M5, 1TB at Amazon $118 off iPad Pro, 11-inch, M5, 2TB at Amazon $150 off iPad Pro, 13-inch, M5, 2TB at Amazon $70 off Apple Watch Series 11, 42mm, GPS at Amazon $100 off Apple Watch Ultra 3 at Amazon $30 off AirPods Pro 3 at Amazon $30 off AirPods 4 at Amazon $53 off AirPods Max Gen 2 at Amazon Top U.K. Apple deals £200 off MacBook Pro, 14-inch, M5, 1TB at Amazon £294 off MacBook Pro, 16-inch, M5 Pro, 1TB at Amazon £109 off MacBook Air, 13-inch, M5, 512GB at Amazon £149 off MacBook Air, 15-inch, M5, 512GB at Amazon £81 off MacBook Neo, 512GB at Amazon £100 off iPad mini., 256GB at Amazon £20 off Apple Watch Series 11, 42mm, GPS at Amazon £80 off AirPods Max Gen 1, USB-C at Amazon £200 off iPhone Air, 256GB at Amazon £30 off iPhone 17e at Amazon Updated July 9: These are our recommended deals based on the best prices in every category and every spec of Apple product in the U.S. and U.K. In this frequently updated hub, we track the best Apple deals by comparing prices on Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, AirPods and other Apple products using our specialised price-tracking tools. Whether you’re buying a gift or treating yourself, you’ll find the lowest prices currently available from Amazon, Best Buy and other leading retailers in the U.S. and U.K. You can trust our recommendations. At Macworld, we’ve been covering Apple for more than 40 years. We’ve reviewed every major generation of Apple products, use Apple devices every day, and buy them with our own money. That gives us firsthand insight into which Apple products are worth buying and what constitutes a genuinely good deal. We also assess whether a discount on an older model still represents good value compared with paying more for the latest version. For each product, we show the best deals available right now alongside Apple’s current price and, where relevant, the lowest price we’ve previously seen. We’ve also linked to our dedicated deals round-ups for each product category, and you can use the table of contents above to jump straight to the Apple device you’re interested in. Apple increased the prices of Macs and iPads in June 2026, making many discounts appear larger than before. To help you judge the real saving, we’ve also included the previous Apple retail price where relevant, so you can see whether you’re genuinely getting a good deal. Why are Apple prices so high? In June 2026, Apple inflated prices for Macs and iPads due to the global shortage of RAM driven by explosive demand for AI infrastructure. Apple said it has “never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly”. This has forced Apple to raise prices across its Mac and iPad lineups, with some models seeing increases of over 30%. Apple’s pricing is also tied to its brand identity as a premium company. High prices are part of the “aspirational” image the company cultivates. This means that even after the RAM shortage ends, prices are unlikely to return to previous levels. Does Apple have sales? Apple rarely discounts its own products. Even during its annual Black Friday shopping event, which runs from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, Apple typically offers gift cards with eligible purchases instead of cutting prices. That doesn’t mean you have to pay full price. Third-party retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy and other Apple resellers regularly discount Apple products throughout the year. Some of the best savings on an Apple products come during Amazon’s Prime Day events. We saw substantial discounts during Prime Day in June 2026, and another Amazon Prime Day sale sale is expected in October, when we anticipate more deals on Macs, iPads, AirPods and other Apple devices. Apple also offers year-round education discounts to students, teachers and education staff. During its annual Back To School promotion – usually running for around three months from June or July in many countries (and from January in Australia, New Zealand and other Southern Hemisphere markets) – eligible higher education students can receive a free pair of AirPods or an Apple Pencil with selected Mac and iPad purchases. Finally, don’t overlook the Apple Certified Refurbished Store, where you can buy refurbished Macs, iPads, iPhones and other Apple products at a discount. These devices are thoroughly tested, include a new battery and outer casing where applicable, and come with the same one-year warranty as new Apple products. Right now, the Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store is the best place to avoid the Apple price hikes as Apple sells products at the old, pre-hike prices – meaning you can effectively sidestep the recent price increases entirely. Best Mac & MacBook Deals Right Now Don’t pay full price for a Mac.Foundry Check below to find the best price we are seeing right now for each configuration compared to the best price we have ever seen and the full price now and before the price hike. We’ll start with U.S. prices. U.K. readers can find the best prices in the section below. We indicate in bold where the current price matches the lowest. U.S. deals MacBook ProDealNew MSRPOld MSRPLowest14-inch, M5, 1TB$1,989 Get the deal at Amazon$1,999$1,699$1,499 14-inch, M5 Pro, 1TB$2,481 Get the deal at Amazon$2,499$2,199$1,983.9414-inch, M5 Max, 2TBOut of stock $4,099$3,599$3,299.9916-inch, M5 Pro, 1TBOut of stock$2,999$2,699$2,44916-inch, M5 Max, 2TB$4,349 Get the deal at Amazon$4,399$3,899$3,649 MacBook AirDealNew MSRPOld MSRPLowest13-inch, M5, 512GBOut of stock$1,299$1,099$899.9913-inch, M5, 512GB, 10-coreOut of stock$1,399$1,199$1,099.9913-inch, M5, 1TB, 10-core$1,540.94 Get the deal from Amazon$1,599$1,399$1,099.9915-inch, M5, 512GB$1,499 at Amazon$1,499$1,299$1,099.9915-inch, M5, 1TB$1,649 Get the deal from Amazon$1,799$1,349$1,349 MacBook Neo DealNew MSRPOld MSRPLowestA18-Pro, 256GBOut of stock$699$599$589.99A18-Pro, 512GBOut of stock$799$699$689.99 Mac miniDealNew MSRPOld MSRPLowestM4, 256GB, 16GBOut of stock$799$599$499M4, 512GB, 16GBOut of stock$999$799$669M4, 512GB, 24GB $1,499 From Amazon$1,199$999M4 Pro, 512GBOut of stock $1,599$1,399$1,173.49 iMacDealNew MSRPOld MSRPLowestM4, 256GB, 8-coreOut of stock$1,499$1,299$1,149M4, 256GB, 10-core$1,449 Get the deal from Amazon$1,499$1,499$1,347.50 U.K. deals MacBook ProDealNew RRPOld RRPLowest14-inch, M5, 1TB£1,799 Get the deal at Amazon£1,999£1,699£1,528.9714-inch, M5 Pro, 1TB£2,281.97 Get the deal at Amazon£2,499£2,199£1,978.9714-inch, M5 Max, 2TB£3,598.97 Get the deal at Amazon£4,099£3,599£3,238.9716-inch, M5 Pro, 1TB£2,704.97 Get the deal at Amazon£2,999£2,699£2,428.9716-inch, M5 Max, 2TB£4,509.97 Get the deal at Amazon £4,399£3,899£3,508.97 MacBook Air DealNew RRPOld RRPLowest13-inch, M5, 512GB, 8-core GPU£1,189.97 Get the deal at Amazon£1,299£1,099£988.9713-inch, M5, 512GB, 10-core GPUOut of stock£1,399£1,199£1,154.9713-inch, M5, 1TB, 10-core£1,463.97 Get the deal at Amazon£1,599£1,399£1,169.9715-inch, M5, 512GB£1,349.97 Get the deal at Amazon£1,499£1,299£1,168.9715-inch, M5, 1TB£1,641.97 Get the deal at Amazon£1,799£1,699£1,534.97 MacBook NeoDealNew RRPOld RRPLowestA18-Pro, 256GB£618 Get the deal at Amazon£699£599£549A18-Pro, 512GB£718 Get the deal at Amazon £799£699£617.97 Mac miniDealNew RRPOld RRPLowestM4, 256GBOut of stock£799£599£499M4, 512GBOut of stock£999£799£689.99M4 Pro, 512GBOut of stock£1,599£1,399£1,249.99 iMacDealNew RRPOld RRPLowestM4, 256GB, 8-core£1,299 Get the deal at Amazon £1,499£1,299£1,099.00M4, 256GB, 10-core£1,599 Get the deal at Amazon£1,699£1,499£1,249.00 Best iPad Deals Right Now Get money off an iPad.Foundry Check below to find the best price we are seeing right now for each configuration compared to the best price we have ever seen and the full price now and before the price hike. We’ll start with U.S. prices. U.K. readers can find the best prices in the section below. We indicate in bold where the current price matches the lowest. U.S. deals iPadDealNew MSRPOld MSRPLowestA16, 128GBOut of stock$449$349$271.29A16, 256GBOut of stock$549$449$349.72A16, 512GBOut of stock$749$649$499 iPad miniDealNew MSRPOld MSRPLowestA17 Pro, 128GBOut of stock$599$499$349A17 Pro, 256GBOut of stock$699$599$479A17 Pro, 512GBOut of stock$899$799$679 iPad AirDealNew MSRPOld MSRPLowestM4, 11-inch, 128GBOut of stock$749$599$519.99M4, 11-inch, 256GBOut of stock$849$699$609.99M4, 11-inch, 512GBOut of stock$1,049$899$789M4, 11-inch, 1TBOut of stock$1,349$1,099$1,016.50M4, 13-inch, 128GBOut of stock$949$799$699.99M4, 13-inch, 256GBOut of stock$1,049$899$699.99M4, 13-inch, 512GBOut of stock$1,249$1,099$999M4, 13-inch, 1TBOut of stock$1,549$1,299$1,199 iPad ProiPad ProNew MSRPOld MSRPLowestM5, 11-inch, 256GBOut of stock$1,199$999$799.91M5, 11-inch, 512GBOut of stock$1,399$1,199$999.99M5, 11-inch, 1TBOut of stock$1,799$1,599$1,399.99M5, 11-inch, 2TB$2,181 Get the deal at Amazon$2,299$1,999$1,799M5, 13-inch, 256GBOut of stock$1,499$1,299$1,149M5, 13-inch, 512GBOut of stock$1,699$1,499$1,341M5, 13-inch, 1TBOut of stock$2,099$1,899$1,723M5, 13-inch, 2TB$2,449 Get the deal at Amazon$2,599$2,299$2,083.12 U.K. deals iPadDealNew RRPOld RRPLowestA16, 128GB£409 Get the deal at Amazon£429£329£299A16, 256GB£525.17 Get the deal at Amazon£529£449£399A16, 512GB£723.71 Get the deal at Amazon£729£649£579 iPad miniDealNew RRPOld RRPLowestA17 Pro, 128GB£594.66 Get the deal at Amazon£599£499£399A17 Pro, 256GB£599 Get the deal at Amazon £699£599£519A17 Pro, 512GBOut of stock£899£799£739.97 iPad AirDealNew RRPOld RRPLowestM4, 11-inch, 128GB£743.57 Get the deal at Amazon£749£599£578.99M4, 11-inch, 256GB£842.83 Get the deal at Amazon£849£699£678.96M4, 11-inch, 512GB£1,049 at Amazon£1,049£899££869.95M4, 11-inch, 1TB£1,349 at Amazon£1,349£1,099M4, 13-inch, 128GB£939 Get the deal at Amazon£949£799£768.99M4, 13-inch, 256GB£1,041.41 Get the deal at Amazon £1,049£899£867.17M4, 13-inch, 512GB£1,239.94 Get the deal at Amazon£1,249£1,099£1,060.09M4, 13-inch, 1TB£1,549 at Amazon£1,549£1,299£1,253 iPad ProDealNew RRPOld RRPLowestM5, 11-inch, 256GB£1,163.63 Get the deal at Amazon£1,199£999£929M5, 11-inch, 512GBOut of stock£1,399£1,199£1,099M5, 11-inch, 1TB£1,799 at Amazon £1,799£1,599M5, 11-inch, 2TBOut of stock£2,299£1,999M5, 13-inch, 256GB£1,496.62 Get the deal at Amazon£1,499£1,299£1,169.10M5, 13-inch, 512GB£1,699 at Amazon£1,699£1,499£1,349M5, 13-inch, 1TB£2,089 at Amazon£2,099£1,899£1,769M5, 13-inch, 2TB£2,699 Get the deal (with nano glass) at Amazon£2,599£2,299£2,599 Best Apple Watch Deals Right Now Save money on an Apple Watch.Foundry Check below to find the best price we are seeing right now for each configuration compared to the best price we have ever seen and the full price. We’ll start with U.S. prices. U.K. readers can find the best prices in the section below. We indicate in bold where the current price matches the lowest. U.S. deals Apple WatchDealMSRPLowestApple Watch Series 11, 42mm, GPS$329 Get the deal at Amazon$399$279Apple Watch Series 11, 46mm, GPS$359 Get the deal at Amazon$429$309Apple Watch Ultra 3 $699 Get the deal at Amazon $799$649Apple Watch SE 3, 40mm, GPS$239 Get the deal at Amazon $249$199Apple Watch SE 3, 44mm, GPS$269 Get the deal at Amazon$279$229 U.K. deals Apple WatchDealRRPLowestApple Watch Series 11, 42mm, GPS£349 Get the deal at Amazon£369£287Apple Watch Series 11, 46mm, GPS£379 Get the deal at Amazon  £399£317Apple Watch Ultra 3 £729 Get the deal at Amazon£749£649Apple Watch SE 3, 40mm, GPS£219 at Amazon£219£197Apple Watch SE 3, 44mm, GPS£249 at Amazon£249£189.05 Best AirPods Deals Right Now Apple/Amazon Check below to find the best price we are seeing right now for each configuration compared to the best price we have ever seen and the full price. We’ll start with U.S. prices. U.K. readers can find the best prices in the section below. We indicate in bold where the current price matches the lowest. U.S. deals AirPodsDealMSRPLowestAirPods Pro 3$219 Get the deal at Amazon$249$169AirPods 4$99 Get the deal at Amazon$129$69AirPods 4 with ANC$148.99 Get the deal at Amazon$179$99AirPods Max 2$497 Get the deal at Amazon$549$399 U.K. deals AirPodsDealRRPLowestAirPods Pro 3£219  at Amazon£219£175AIrPods 4£119  at Amazon£119£79.80AirPods 4 with ANC£169 at Amazon£169£125.40AirPods Max 2£499 at Amazon£499NAAirPods Max 1 (USB-C)£419 at AmazonWas £499 (Discontinued)£369 Best iPhone Deals Right Now Check below to find the best price we are seeing right now for each configuration compared to the best price we have ever seen and the full price. We don’t tend to see iPhone discounts in the U.S. U.K. readers can find the best prices in the section below. We indicate in bold where the current price matches the lowest. iPhoneDealRRPLowestiPhone Air, 256GB£799 Get the deal at Amazon£999£699iPhone Air, 512GB£999 Get the deal at Amazon £1,199£774iPhone Air, 1TB£1,199 Get the deal at Amazon£1,399£984iPhone 17e, 256GB £599 at Amazon £599£534iPhone 17e, 512GB £769 Get the deal at Amazon£799£769iPhone  17, 256GB£799 at Amazon£799£737iPhone  17, 512GB£999 at Amazon£999£949iPhone 17 Pro, 256GB £1,049 Get the deal at Amazon£1,099£1,037iPhone 17 Pro, 512GB £1,199 Get the deal at Amazon£1,299£1,199iPhone 17 Pro, 1TB £1,499 at Amazon£1,499£1,399iPhone 17 Pro Max, 256GB £1,199 at Amazon£1,199£1,137iPhone 17 Pro Max, 512GB £1,399 at Amazon£1,399£1,349iPhone 17 Pro Max, 1TB £1,599 at Amazon£1,599£1,549 Best Accessory deals U.S. Apple Pencil Pro: (MSRP $129) Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Air(M2/M3/M4): (MSRP $269) Magic Keyboard for 13-inch iPad Air(M2/M3/M4): (MSRP $319) Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro (M4/M5): (MSRP $299) Magic Kayboard for 13-inch iPad Pro (M4/M5): (MSRP $349) Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad: (MSRP $249) iPhone 17e Silicone Case with MagSafe: (MSRP $49) Apple Crossbody Strap: (MSRP $59 Apple USB-C Charge Cable (2m): (MSRP $29) Apple MagSafe Charger (2m): (MSRP $49) AirTags: (MSRP £99) U.K. Apple Pencil Pro: (RRP £129) Apple Pencil USB-C: (RRP £79) Magic Keyboard: (RRP £99) Magic Keyboard with Touch ID & Numeric Pad: (RRP £179) Magic Mouse (white): (RRP £79) AirTags: (RRP £99) Apple Crossbody Strap: (£59) FAQ 1. When are the best Apple deals? Apple deals are generally best during major retail events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, or specifically for students during Apple’s annual “Back to School” promotion . While Apple itself rarely offers direct price cuts on new hardware, third-party resellers frequently discount products throughout the year. The optimal time to buy depends heavily on the product’s release cycle and the specific retailer, though: iPhones: The best time to buy is often in the spring or summer, several months after the September launch, when third-party resellers begin offering deeper discounts . Conversely, the worst time is August, just before new models arrive and trigger price drops on older generations. Macs and iPads: These see significant discounts during Black Friday (late November) and Amazon Prime Day (typically July and October). For students, the Back to School event (running June–September in the U.S. and July–October in the U.K.) is ideal, as Apple often bundles free accessories like AirPods or Apple Pencils with purchases. Apple Watch: Major savings are typically found during Black Friday and Prime Day events. 2. Are Apple refurbished deals worth it? Apple refurbished deals are widely considered worth it, particularly when purchasing directly from the official Apple Refurbished Store, where products are restored to a “like-new” condition. While third-party resellers often provide steeper discounts, Apple’s own process is uniquely rigorous, offering a balance of significant savings and the same protections as a brand-new purchase. Buying directly from Apple is often described as “almost indistinguishable” from buying new. According to our guide How much can you save at Apple’s Refurbished Store?, the company puts every device through a “stringent refurbishment process” that includes full functional testing, thorough cleaning, and inspection. Key benefits of the official Apple Refurbished Store include: Hardware Replacements: Refurbished iPads and iPhones receive a brand-new battery and outer shell . Warranty and Support: All products come with a standard one-year limited warranty, 90 days of technical support, and are eligible for AppleCare . Full Accessories: Devices are repackaged in a plain white box with all original manuals and cables . Savings: You can typically save around 15% off the retail price for recent models, with much higher discounts on older generations. Avoid the Apple price hikes: Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store sells products at the old, pre-hike prices – meaning you can effectively sidestep the recent price increases entirely. 3. Is it better to buy Apple products from Amazon or Apple? Deciding whether to buy Apple products from Amazon or directly from Apple depends on whether you prioritize immediate cost savings or the specific perks and guarantees offered by the manufacturer. While Amazon often provides deeper discounts, Apple offers unique benefits like trade-in credits, education pricing, and the assurance of receiving the latest models. 4. Does Apple ever discount products directly? Apple rarely provides direct price reductions on its new products, preferring to maintain steady Old MSRP pricing throughout a product’s lifecycle. Instead of traditional discounts, the company typically utilizes alternative methods to provide value directly to consumers, such as gift card incentives during major shopping events, education pricing, and a dedicated refurbished store. While you will not often see a lower price tag on a new iPhone or Mac at the Apple Store, the company does offer several ways to save: Apple Shopping Events: During events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Apple typically offers gift cards rather than price cuts. For example, in the 2025 holiday season, Apple provided gift cards ranging from $25 to $250 for eligible purchases. Education Store: Students, teachers, and higher education staff can access year-round discounts on Macs and iPads . During the annual “Back to School” event, Apple often includes a “freebie” like AirPods or an Apple Pencil with qualifying purchases. Apple Refurbished Store: This is the primary way to get a direct price reduction from Apple. Products are fully reconditioned, come with a one-year warranty, and can be discounted by hundreds of dollars or pounds. Trade-In Program: Apple allows customers to trade in old devices to receive credit toward a new purchase, effectively lowering the out-of-pocket cost.

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Apple set to gain as India scraps import tariffs on key smartphone and electronics parts
In a significant boost to its manufacturing ambitions in India, Apple stands to benefit substantially from the Indian government's decision… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple supplier Luxshare share listing sets new record then fell back
Luxshare is one of the ultimate rags-to-riches stories, founded by a woman who started out as a Foxconn assembly-line worker and growing into a multi-billion dollar company and key Apple supplier. It’s been a publicly traded company in China since 2010, but has now added a second listing in Hong Kong, making it more accessible to overseas investors. Its latest listing set a new record before sliding back …

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10 clever uses for your iPhone’s USB-C port
Macworld It took the iPhone an eternity to strike Lightning in favor of the universal USB-C port. Now that it’s here on all models, including the low-end 16e, many users still limit its use to charging, overlooking the slew of other advantages it offers over Lightning. If you’ve got an iPhone 15 or newer, you can expand the USB-C port’s functionality beyond fast charging, and we’ve got a few ideas to share. 1. Charge another device Rival companies, like Samsung, have long supported reverse wireless charging, letting users turn their smartphones into portable Qi pads. However, it’s not all that practical, forcing users to flip over their phones and rendering both unusable. With the iPhone 15 and newer models, Apple introduced its own version that works via the USB-C port. Your iPhone can now deliver up to 4.5W of power, letting you charge your AirPods, Apple Watch, or even a friend’s Android phone. To do so, simply plug your USB-C cable into the iPhone and the other end into the USB-C port on the other device.

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PSA: Flip these two Instagram toggles now to stop people using your face
Meta this week launched its own AI image model integrated into the Instagram app. While this might sound useful, it comes with rather a big privacy issue: by default, anyone can use your profile photo and posts as prompts for generative images. You can fix this by flipping two toggles, but they’re pretty well hidden …

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Memory prices are bad news for Android brands but may actually help Apple
Apple recently increased the prices of most of its products, from the Apple TV and HomePods through iPads and Macs to the Vision Pro. iPhones have so far escaped the increases, but that will likely change in September. You’d think that would be bad news for the company, reducing demand – but ironically, increasing memory costs might actually end up boosting iPhone sales …

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Apple hiked Mac prices at exactly the wrong time
Macworld Apple is a premium company, and that means its prices are tied strongly to its own self-image. High prices make products “aspirational,” or so the crack marketing team would have you believe, and that’s something Apple has built its brand around. When the company announced massive price hikes across the board, I was more worried than you might think. For a company that trades in premium optics and where prices rarely go down (if ever), the unstated implication was that these increased costs were here to stay for the foreseeable future. But there’s another concerning aspect to this fiscal fiasco, and that’s the timing. With several price-sensitive products either just out the door or looming on the horizon, Apple can ill afford to jack up prices in this way. Doing so risks compromising their whole raison d’être and making them a much tougher sell for consumers who are already pinching pennies. Given the astonishing constraints on component supply, Apple was under tremendous pressure to revise its prices upwards, and it’s far from the only company doing so right now. But its move could end up condemning its latest products before they’ve even had a chance to shine–that’s a massive gamble for the Cupertino-based company. MacBook Neo’s momentum killed I’ve argued before that the Apple Tax is a myth; when you compare rival products so that they’re actually feature-comparable, Apple products stand up remarkably well. There’s a difference between expensive and overpriced, and while Apple devices are often the former, they are rarely the latter. The MacBook Neo was a key demonstrator of this idea. When its regular starting price was $599, it represented phenomenal value for money. Try to configure a Windows laptop with the same budget, and you’d get a hopelessly inferior device. At the time the MacBook Neo was released, I started to wonder if this heralded a new era for Apple, one where it was less averse to competing at the entry-level end of the market. Coupled with the Mac mini, the iPhone 16e and the Apple Watch SE, you could find budget options right across Apple’s lineup. But in one fell swoop, Apple’s price rises have undone all of that progress and halted the MacBook Neo’s momentum a mere three months after it got underway. The $100 price hike effectively muted all the talk that was about the MacBook Neo.Foundry The MacBook Neo’s $100 jump is an increase of 17 percent, so it’s far from the hardest hit Apple product, both in terms of percentage points and raw cash. But it might be the worst affected when you consider that its entire purpose was to compete at a budget price point, convert Windows and Chromebook users, and dispel the idea that Apple only knows how to do premium. Now, the MacBook Neo has lost a significant edge against the competition and made it a lot easier for mediocre Windows laptops to justify themselves to potential customers. The fact that this has happened so soon after the Neo’s debut just makes the pill even more bitter All that hope and optimism has been dashed before it ever got a chance to settle in. Far from the “new normal,” the MacBook Neo’s $599 pricing just feels like a freak blip, a strange dream that drifts away in the mournful morning haze. Dead on arrival If the MacBook Neo is getting screwed over at one end of the spectrum, then there’s equally unpalatable news for flagship Macs. I’m thinking in particular of the upcoming MacBook Ultra. The MacBook Pro is about to undergo a drastic hardware change–and they’ll also be more expensive.Foundry As the name implies, this device is intended to sit right at the top end of Apple’s laptop roster, and it’ll come with a spec sheet to match. Expect an OLED display, touchscreen capabilities, a slimline design, ultra-powerful chips, and more. It’s a statement Mac for those times when the MacBook Pro just doesn’t cut it. Unfortunately, it’s also going to be a major casualty of Apple’s price rises. While low-end Macs like the MacBook Neo were robbed of their competitive edge, pricier Macs were affected just as badly. Indeed, the Mac Studio was handed the largest increase, both in terms of its dollar price and the percentage increase, in the entire Mac collection. The M3 Ultra model was the single worst-hit Mac model available, with its starting price rising a shocking $1,300 from $3,999 to $5,299. That translates to a jump of 33 percent. The M4 Max model, meanwhile, saw the second-highest jump in terms of cash, up $500 from $1,999 to $2,499. That’s a step up of 25 percent. A fully kitted-out 16-inch MacBook Pro, meanwhile, will now set you back over $10,000 ($10,149 to be precise, not including software or a power adapter). To my knowledge, that’s the first time a MacBook Pro has ever crossed the $10,000 threshold. The supply shortages that are at the root of the price hikes also restrict the memory configurations available for the Mac Studio.Thomas Bergbold In other words, top-of-the-range customers are being absolutely gouged by these price increases, and if you think the MacBook Ultra is going to somehow escape the slaughter, you’re kidding yourself. Apple’s rivals have been selling touchscreen laptops for years, and this kind of functionality sits at the top of many Mac users’ wishlists. But how is Apple going to carve out a meaningful niche among touchscreen laptops when the only Mac it sells with this feature requires remortgaging your home in order to afford it? There’s now a real risk that this device is doomed before it’s even been announced, just like the iPhone Ultra, it could end up being dead on arrival. The new Siri When Apple finally lifted the lid on the much-delayed Siri AI overhaul at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, it earned some positive press for its decision to make macOS 27 (the minimum requirement for Siri AI) available on a huge selection of Macs. You can run it on anything back to an M1 Mac from 2020, which is great news for price-conscious buyers. Older M-series Macs are not able to support Siri AI features such as expressive voices and more advanced dictation.Foundry The bad news is that this doesn’t quite apply to every Siri AI feature. At WWDC, Apple’s Craig Federighi explained that “Our most powerful on-device model, and the features it enables–like expressive voices and more advanced dictation–will be coming to our most capable iPhone, iPad and Mac systems.” For the Mac, that means you need an M3 chip or later with 12GB of memory of higher. And maybe it’s just me, but Federighi’s phrasing strikes me as leaving the door open for other Siri AI features to be similarly device-locked in the future. As Apple expands the capabilities of its most powerful AI model, so the list of features it gatekeeps will surely continue to grow. Now that a big selection of the products needed to access these demanding features is more expensive, Apple seems to have inadvertently locked some of Siri’s best elements behind a paywall that just got significantly higher. And we’re not just talking about Macs, of course. Siri is available on a whole assortment of Apple devices, including iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads and Vision Pros. The latter two categories are seeing their prices head skywards, further pushing Siri out of reach for many customers. While iPhones and Apple Watches have escaped harm for now, don’t expect that to last long past September. This comes at a critical time for Apple. Siri is already scrambling to make up for two years of negative press and frustrating delays. It needs to wow users and make an instant impact. But if you now have to pay even more just to get access to some of its best features, you’ll find its progress blocked by substantial barriers. A no-win situation I understand why Apple raised prices across the board. If anything, it’s done well not to do so sooner. Apple is a company that prioritizes its juicy margins, and those margins gave it a little leeway to hold out longer than much of its competition. But things were going to have to change eventually if Apple was to preserve its profitability–with Tim Cook still at the helm, that was never in doubt. The question was when, not if. While Apple held out as long as it could, the timing of its price increases couldn’t be worse. It risks not only more pain at the pump for Apple’s customers, but could put a real dent in the prospects of its hardware and software, both present and future. If ever there was a no-win situation, it’s this, for everyone involved.

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iPhone 18 Pro Max's longer battery life comes at a cost in weight and size
A new leak backs up reports of the iPhone 18 Pro Max getting a substantial improvement in battery life, but claims the phone will be fractionally heavier and larger as a result.The camera plateau on the current iPhone 17 Pro Max.Initial rumors claimed that the iPhone 18 Pro Max would see only slight improvement in battery life over the iPhone 17 Pro Max. But then more recently, there was a new claim that the iPhone 18 Pro Max battery would last almost 10% longer.Now leaker Ice Universe has backed up this report by saying the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a 5,500 mAh battery. That compares to the 5,088 mAh battery in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How to upgrade your Mac mini without paying Apple’s high prices
Macworld The Mac mini boasts the fast processors, and rivals even Apple’s most pro computers despite costing significantly less. However, as great as it is, there is a problem with the Mac mini—the at-purchase storage upgrades are pricey and after you buy one, it’s nearly impossible to upgrade its internal components. However, we’re here to help. There are two basic Mac mini models: latest M4 mini (5 inches square, 2 inches deep) and older M1/M2 mini (7.7 inches square, 1.4 inches deep). Here, we have rounded up the best hardware upgrades and accessories you can buy for either the old or newer models. Most of the M1/M2 tips work with the Apple Studio, too, as that remains the same size. Apple doesn’t let you upgrade the Mac mini with inexpensive third-party components such as RAM or internal storage, and it prices its custom-build options at the very high end of affordability. With the earlier Mac mini Apple fixed the RAM to the processor and the SSD to the logic board so they couldn’t be swapped out after you buy one. The M4 mini is different with a detachable SSD but swapping this out is beyond most mere mortals. Here we look at your best Mac mini upgrade options, adding: storage, memory, screen, speakers and microphone. If you want to jump straight to the reviews: Hubs and docks for Mac mini M4 Hubs and docks for Mac mini M2 Other Mac mini accessories Above: Inside the Mac mini M4. Although it looks easy, because Apple’s SSD controller is built into the chip, you can’t simply swap out its SSD with a part bought from Amazon or some computer store. If you can do this yourself you probably wouldn’t be reading this article!L0vertodream via X Upgrading the Mac mini: Adding memory and storage In our FAQ at the foot of this feature we go into more detail about the difficulties of upgrading the Mac mini’s internal components—as it is with most Macs. There are solutions that are quite messy, such as adding external storage. Flexible but messy: A Mac mini with two external SSDs: a Plugable 1TB Thunderbolt 3 External SSD NVMe Drive and a CalDigit Tuff Nano (10Gbps USB-C). Thankfully there are less messy ways of adding fast storage to your Mac mini.Foundry Adding external storage The simplest way to add storage to a Mac mini is the same as any other Mac: Connect an external hard drive or SSD using one of the Thunderbolt ports on the back of the computer. Even the slowest Solid-state drives (SSD) are faster than mechanical hard disk drives (HDD), but look out for speed differences—entry-level SSDs provide speeds of around 500MB/s, while more advanced models can step up to 2,000MB/s or even 6,000MB/s. See SSD or HDD in the FAQs. Another way to add inexpensive portable storage is via an SD or microSD card—once the go-to storage format for camera users but also a great format for cheap and portable backup and archive storage. Sadly, the Mac mini doesn’t have a card reader slot, so you’ll need to add one, such as this UGreen USB-C SD Card Reader for $15. But these are admittedly ugly methods. You’ll have wires hanging out of the back of your Mac mini and a desk cluttered with drives. It’s neater to keep storage hidden inside. Apple won’t let you do it, but there are some great solutions that we have tested here. Adding Internal storage The best option is to get more internal storage in your Mac mini, but Apple’s custom-built pricing means upgrading a 256GB model to 1TB will cost you an extra $500, and 2TB will cost $800, while M4 Pro options cost even more: 4TB is $1,800 and 8TB will set you back a whopping $3,800. If you can’t swing the prices for more storage or just decide later that you need more, there are hardware solutions that connect to the mini without messing up the footprint of the small computer. We’ve tested and reviewed these Mac mini storage accessories for you. The tested Mac mini hubs feature upgradeable and inexpensive internal storage plus a range of extra ports, supporting the NVMe form factors that resemble a stick of chewing gum. Installing SSD into Mac mini hub or dock Below we review the best Mac mini hubs and docks. Some include a hidden SSD enclosure where you can slot your own storage card with an included screwdriver and sometimes a thermal gel pad to transfer heat away from the drive and into the metal enclosure, preventing the SSD from overheating and suffering from thermal throttling. The Satechi CubeDock matched the Mac mini M4 and hides its internal SSD slot under its base.Simon Jary For the M4 mini, there are SSD slots in the Ugreen 11-in-1 Mac mini Dock, Satechi CubeDock, Satechi Stand & Hub, and Orico MiniLink, reviewed below. Satechi has an M2 mini version of its Stand & Hub, and you can also choose the OWC ministack STX. Installation is simple, with everything bar the SSD board itself included (screwdriver, screws, thermal gel pads). It’s a little fiddly but nothing to be worried about—if you can use a screwdriver, you can install the SSD board yourself. SSD types: The docks and hubs we tested all take NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) M.2 SSDs, but check on the appropriate SSD size before investing in the SSD. Some take several lengths—for example 2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280—while others just fit the standard 2280. If that sounds scary, don’t worry as the 2280 is the most common SSD length. SSD speeds: Note that the speed of the USB-C or Thunderbolt connection from the dock to the Mac mini will determine the data-transfer rate. A 10Gbps USB-C connection allows an SSD to achieve real-world transfer speeds of around 900 to 1,250 Megabytes per second (MBps). While 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 pipes have a theoretical maximum of 5,000MB/s, protocol overhead and enclosure translation typically cap your speeds at around 3,000MBps. An 80Gbps connection (such as Thunderbolt 5) supports real-world SSD speeds of up to 7,000MBps. Upgrading the Mac mini: Adding ports and extra expansion While the Mac mini has plenty of ports around the back, Apple includes just two USB-C to the front of the M4 mini, and did not bless the M2 Mac mini with any ports at the front at all. Alongside the SSD slots, all of the hubs and docks tested and reviewed here include an array of ports, including USB-A (missing from the M4 mini) and SD/MicroSD card readers (missing from the M2 and M4 Mac mini). Thunderbolt, USB-C, Ethernet and HDMI are all included in the Mac mini. Having access to more Thunderbolt or USB-C is useful, especially if powered. Some docks feature faster Ethernet. USB-A is the legacy port missing from the Mac mini M4, used mainly for flash drives, memory sticks and older devices. This has largely been replaced with USB-C, but having at least one at your disposal can be handy. SD card readers are also missing from the Mac mini, and are an affordable way of adding ultra-portable storage cards, which are cheaper—but slower—than SSDs. You can buy a SanDisk memory card with 512GB of storage for under $100. Another port-adding option is to buy yourself a Thunderbolt hub, such as the 40Gbps Caldigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub that features four 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 ports (including one side-mounted upstream to the computer), four 10Gbps USB-A ports, and a power supply. The Element 5 Hub from the same company offers four Thunderbolt 5, two 10Gbps USB-C and three 10Gbps USB-A ports. We’ve tested the best Thunderbolt hubs and docks if you want even more ports than that. Granted, they won’t be as neat as the dedicated Mac mini docks and hubs reviewed here, but there are tons of options out there. Best Mac mini M4 hubs and docks The criteria we used for the products reviewed below was that they had to fit the Mac mini and connect to it without ruining the Apple aesthetic or the Mac mini’s compact footprint. We tested the following docks and hubs with the Apple Mac mini M4. Satechi Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock with SSD Enclosure Pros Fits Mac mini M4 Four Thunderbolt 5 ports Built-in NVMe SSD slot Two USB-C ports Two USB-A ports SD and MicroSD card readers 2.5Gb Ethernet Cons Premium price Price When Reviewed: $399.99 Best Prices Today: $399.99 at B&H$399.99 at Best Buy US$399.99 at Satechi Compatible with: Any Thunderbolt Mac Size: 4.9 x 4.9 x 2 inches (125 x 125 x 52mm) Ports: 1x USB-C (10Gbps, 30W) 1x USB-C (10Gbps, 7.5W) 2x USB-A (10Gbps) 1x M.2 SSD enclosure (up to 8TB) SD card reader (UHS-II, 312MBps) MicroSD card reader (UHS-II, 312MBps) 2.5Gb Ethernet 3.5mm audio jack 180W power supply Of all the docks that fit the Mac mini M4’s compact footprint, only the Satechi CubeDock can be used with any Mac—it will charge a connected 16-inch MacBook Pro at a full 140W. The likelihood, however, is that you’ll want to pair this dock with the Mac mini, as they go together so well. As a Thunderbolt 5 docking station it works best with the 80Gbps Mac mini M4 Pro but will work well with the 40Gbps mini M4. Of all the Mac mini docks we review here, it alone offers a decent charging port: a 30W USB-C that is powerful enough to fast-charge an iPhone or iPad and even keep a MacBook charged. There are a couple of USB-A ports for legacy devices such as memory sticks and flash drives. If your mini M4 is equipped with just 1Gb Ethernet, the CubeDock offers 2.5GbE for faster networks. The CubeDock offers 80Gbps connectivity unlike most of the 10Gbps or 40Gbps docks and hubs we tested.Simon Jary Underneath the dock there’s a hatch that when removed reveals a slot for an SSD drive of up to 8TB. It supports 2280 and shorter 2230/2242/2260 M.2 NVMe SSD sizes (PCIe 4×4), and delivers up to 6000MBps in data transfer speed. Satechi even includes a visual SSD installation guide in the CubeDock’s packaging. Read our full Satechi Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock with SSD Enclosure review

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Save big on Visual Studio 2026 with a $35 lifetime developer license
Macworld TL;DR: Visual Studio 2026 delivers AI-powered coding, collaboration, and cross-platform development tools for $34.97 until July 12. Modern development rarely lives in one place anymore. Even Mac-based developers often find themselves working across cloud environments, backend services, and Windows applications — which means toolchains need to keep up without slowing teams down. Visual Studio Professional 2026 is built for that kind of workflow. Until July 12, you can get lifetime access for just $34.97 (MSRP $499.99). It’s a full-featured IDE designed for building applications across .NET, C++, web frameworks, and cloud-connected services, with deeper AI-assisted coding built in. Instead of jumping between disconnected tools, developers get an integrated environment that supports faster iteration and cleaner collaboration. For teams that include Mac users, Visual Studio often fits into a broader setup rather than replacing native tools — used alongside macOS environments for backend development, API work, or Azure-connected projects. Features like Live Share enable real-time collaboration across operating systems, while AI suggestions through IntelliCode help reduce repetitive coding and improve accuracy across larger codebases. With cross-platform deployment and cloud integration becoming standard in modern engineering workflows, Visual Studio 2026 is positioned as a central hub for development teams. Get a lifetime license to Visual Studio Professional 2026 for $34.97 until July 12 while the deal lasts. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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What’s Good for the iOS Goose Is Often Not Good for the MacOS Gander
App icons in MacOS are not mere buttons. You can drag them, move them, and drop things on them. You click them to select, and double-click to launch. They are richer objects that deserve a richer visual vocabulary.

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Apolosign 32-inch Smart Portable TV review: Very cool, but not great for Apple users
The Apolosign 32-inch Smart Portable TV is an interesting battery-powered touchscreen on wheels. At $899 retail, it's a very hard sell for Apple owners because of one key omission.Apolosign 32-inch Smart Portable TVThe idea of a freestanding, movable television sounds odd at first. Just the same, LG popularized this category with the StanbyME. That wheeled touchscreen doubles as a second display, photo frame, and smart home hub.Apolosign is one of several brands now chasing that idea for less money. This 32-inch model is the larger of its two portable TVs. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple TV rakes in Emmy nominations — Widow’s Bay scores 19 and Pluribus lands 18
Apple TV's 2026 Emmy nominations total soars to a new record, with Widow's Bay and Pluribus leading the way. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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iOS 27 adds nine new languages and accents to Apple Translate
In addition to bringing new keyboard and typing improvements across multiple languages, iOS 27 will also add several languages and accents to Apple Translate. Here are the details.

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Apple releases third AirPods beta firmware, unlocking iOS 27 features
Apple continues its steady push toward the iOS 27 ecosystem with the release of a new developer beta firmware for its AirPods lineup.… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple releases third AirPods beta firmware, unlocking iOS 27 features
Apple continues its steady push toward the iOS 27 ecosystem with the release of a new developer beta firmware for its AirPods lineup.… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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