Top 10 Apple ads of 2025 showcase creativity, emotion and tech prowess
Capping a decade of achievement, the Best Apple ads of 2025 run the gamut from emotional tributes to playful satire. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple assembly partner victim of a supply chain cyberattack
A Chinese assembler working for Apple was the target of cyberattacks in December, with the event potentially causing product line details to be leaked to attackers.Manufacturing for AppleApple's massive supply chain is a prime target for hackers keen to either steal information or to earn a ransom from disrupting production. One such attack has come to light in China.An unnamed assembler in China was the target of a sophisticated cyberattack in the middle of December, reports DigiTimes. The identity of the assembler is not known, but it could be one of the numerous companies Apple works with, like Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Amber's ever-unchanging desk setup: low tech, but not no tech
Amber's work setup hasn't changed much over the years — there's still an iMac, a MacBook Air, and an iPad Air, and that's just the way she likes it.Amber's desk, which largely remains unchanged year-to-yearI'll pull back the curtain on my personality a bit — but I'm willing to bet regular readers aren't going to be terribly surprised. I am a person of utility before novelty.My desk tends to change very little from year to year. Most of my stuff has either been streamlined to the bare essentials, because I am not keeping a lot of personal touches here. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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2026 preview: These 4 rumored devices point to a major Apple smart home push
Macworld Apple’s smart home efforts have generally lagged behind its rivals. While Amazon and Google have been putting out all sorts of smart doorbells, speakers, and home hubs, the iPhone maker has long limited its ambitions to its multi-functional line of Apple TVs and HomePods. This approach could finally change next year. In 2026, Apple is expected to expand its smart home footprint by releasing several new devices aimed at the smart home, including at least two entirely new device categories. Curious what’s coming? Here’s an overview of every Apple smart home product expected to debut in the year ahead. HomePad home hub Arguably, Apple’s most exciting smart home device in 2026 will be the rumored home hub, dubbed HomePad. For those unfamiliar, Apple has reportedly long been working on an iPad-like device that doubles as a home hub for your connected HomeKit, Matter, and Thread accessories. While iPads once functioned as Apple Home hubs, the HomePad’s utility will likely expand beyond basic accessory controls. Reports suggest that the HomePad will pack a 7-inch square touchscreen and the iPhone 16’s A18 processor. This would enable the device to handle Apple Intelligence features, including the context-aware Siri that should launch in the spring. Another standout feature could be an advanced, never-before-seen variant of the TrueDepth camera with support for multiuser facial recognition. Apple’s HomePad will reportedly merge an iPad with a HomePod to create a completely new device.Foundry If the leaks materialize, the 1080p ultra-wide camera will be able to identify users in the room and curate the displayed content dynamically. Siri on HomePod can already recognize different users’ voices, so a visual implementation of this feature would be the next logical step for Apple Home. Unsurprisingly, the bundled lens will also work with FaceTime, letting household members make and receive calls even when their iPhones aren’t around. Given that the HomePad will probably rely heavily on the new Siri’s voice commands, Apple may coordinate their release, which means it could arrive alongside iOS 26.4 in March or April. Security camera Along with the hub, Apple is also reportedly working on some smart home accessories, including at least one that could arrive in 2026: a HomeKit-enabled security camera. Like HomePods, the accessory will reportedly monitor the audio in your house and notify you when it detects fire alarms. Not much else is known about this peripheral, beyond the inclusion of multiple sensors and its ability to take photos. Apple Home already supports HomeKit security cameras, with iCloud+ even offering specialized perks for these third-party devices. The number of cameras you can use with the HomeKit Secure Video feature depends on your iCloud+ tier, with the 50GB, 200GB, and 2TB plans unlocking one, five, and unlimited camera slots, respectively. Perhaps the best part about this implementation is that you can store recorded footage in the cloud without it counting against your iCloud storage quota. Apple may be looking to release its first smart home accessory in 2026.Foundry Other neat tools include the ability to detect people, pets, and cars using the home hub’s on-device smarts, sharing the live stream with other users, and viewing ten days of activity right from the Home app.  It’s safe to assume that Apple’s rumored security cameras will support all of these existing perks and much more. After all, Apple tends to favor its devices and gives them exclusive advantages to entice customers to use its own products.  HomePod mini 2 Turning to more modest but still welcome updates, the second-gen HomePod mini could debut in early 2026. Beyond introducing new color options, the first-generation model hasn’t seen any meaningful upgrades since its initial 2020 launch. Despite the five-year gap, the HomePod mini 2 is unfortunately not expected to feature any groundbreaking changes. Perhaps the most noticeable boost will be the inclusion of the latest Apple Watch S10 chip. This would allow the small smart speaker to potentially support more advanced features launching with future firmware versions. Given the S10 chip’s constraints in the Apple Watch, however, it’s unclear whether the HomePod mini 2 will support Apple Intelligence, including the more advanced features of Siri 2.0. Will the HomePod mini finally get an update in 2026?Foundry Elsewhere, the HomePod mini 2 will likely pack Apple’s custom Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, contributing to higher efficiency and smoother interoperability with other Apple devices. The speaker may also adopt the U2 ultra-wideband chip, which would increase the precision of spatially-aware features, such as Handoff with iPhone. Moving on to the most innovative aspect of the HomePod mini 2, the petite player could feature refreshed colorways to distinguish it from the current-gen model. Apple TV 4K 4 In a similar fashion, the Apple TV 4K could see a minor upgrade early next year, primarily revolving around a processing push. The fourth-generation model could boast the iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Pro chipset, possibly unlocking some AI features on the large screen. It could also bring support for higher-end AAA games, given how powerful that processor is.  Like the HomePod mini 2, the Apple TV 4K 4 is also rumored to adopt the company’s in-house chip for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for an elevated connectivity experience. The set-top box could potentially see a price drop, too, to better compete against Amazon Fire TV and Google TV.

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Big Tech basically took Trump’s unpredictable trade war lying down
From Apple gifting a gold statue to the US taking a stake in Intel.

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I’m an iPhone expert. These are the 10 settings I always change first
Macworld When you set up a new iPhone, iOS prompts you about some preferences for customizing certain things, such as the theme, access to location services, and Siri. Still, there are a lot of hidden features in iOS that many users don’t even know about—even those who have been using iPhones for a long time. Whether you’re setting up a brand new iPhone or have just restored yours, read on as we detail which settings you may want to change on your device to get the most out of it. Give your iPhone a name Did you know that your iPhone has its own name? It appears not only in the list of devices logged into your iCloud account, but is also visible to other people when you AirDrop to them. Changing the name of your iPhone to something more personal than “iPhone 17 Pro” is a good way to start after setting up your new device. To do this, go to Settings > General > About and tap Name. You can type whatever you want. Just keep in mind that other people will see the name you choose if you leave AirDrop turned on, so keep it clean. Make your iPhone yours by giving it a personal name.Foundry Limit Background App Refresh By default, iOS apps can keep their content updated in the background, even when you’re not using the app. This allows apps to be ready with the latest content available when you open them. However, keeping this feature turned on can drain your battery faster. Revisiting this setting is a good way to ensure that your iPhone won’t drain your battery or waste your cellular data plan if you don’t want it to. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and tap Background App Refresh at the top of the list. You can choose from three options: Off: Turn off background updates completely (you will still receive notifications from your apps). Wi-Fi: Your apps will download new content only when your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi & Cellular Data: Your apps will download new content regardless of whether you’re connected to Wi-Fi or 5G. If you opt to keep this feature enabled, you can also limit it to specific apps. All you have to do is disable the apps that you don’t want to allow to download content in the background. Switch between light and dark modes automatically During iPhone setup, you can customize things such as text size and whether you want to use your iPhone in light or dark mode. However, there are many more options available when it comes to display settings, and revisiting them can make your experience better and more comfortable. You can set a schedule for when your iPhone switches to dark mode.Foundry For instance, your iPhone can automatically switch between light and dark mode. To do this, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and tap Options under the Appearance section. You can choose between “Sunset to Sunrise,” which will automatically select the best time of day for each theme, or set a custom schedule. Make Liquid Glass more opaque In the same Display & Brightness menu, you’ll also find a “Liquid Glass” option. By default, iOS 26 comes with Clear mode enabled, which makes the entire interface appear more transparent. Choose “Tinted” for a more opaque look with better contrast. Please note that this option is available on iOS 26.1 or later. So if you don’t see it on your iPhone, make sure to update it to the latest version of iOS. If you don’t love Liquid Glass, you can tone it down with the “Tinted” option.Foundry Turn on Always On (or not) Some iPhone models feature Always On Display, which keeps the display on and shows information even after you lock the screen. If you don’t like this mode or just want to turn it off to save some battery life, here’s how to do it. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness and tap Always On Display. Here you can either customize how Always On Display works or turn it off completely. For instance, you can choose to turn off the wallpaper and keep only the clock in Always On mode. There’s also an option to show or hide notifications. If you don’t want Always On Display at all, just switch off the main toggle. Turning it off will make your screen go completely black when you lock your phone, just like in the old days. Not seeing the option? Always On Display was only available on Pro models starting with iPhone 14 Pro. However, all iPhone 17 models support the feature, including the base model and the iPhone Air. Save your eyes at night Here’s another hidden feature you’ll find in the Display & Brightness settings: Night Shift. Introduced with iOS 9, this feature essentially reduces the blue light from your display, making it appear warmer. The idea is to make the screen more comfortable for your eyes, especially at night. You can manually enable Night Shift from sunset to sunrise or set a custom schedule. There’s also a slider to adjust the intensity of the effect on the screen. Enable pro camera features If you want to take advantage of everything your iPhone has to offer when it comes to the camera, it’s definitely worth checking out the Camera section in the Settings app. Even if you don’t have an iPhone 17 Pro, there are lots of professional camera settings at your fingertips.Foundry By default, the iPhone is set to record 1080p videos. You can change the default resolution to 4K in the “Record Video” menu. There, you can also disable HDR video if you want. If you have an iPhone 12 Pro or later, you can also enable ProRAW under the “Formats” menu. After enabling ProRAW, you’ll see a button to turn it on or off in the Camera app when taking photos. You can also take a look at the “Composition” section in the Camera settings. Personally, I like to enable “Grid and Level” to help me take better photos. Disable Control Center on the Lock Screen Control Center on iOS lets users quickly access some useful settings, such as managing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, changing the volume, enabling Do Not Disturb, or even turning AirDrop on or off.  You can access Control Center from anywhere by swiping down from the top right corner of the screen. This works not only from the Home Screen or apps, but also from the Lock Screen. You can limit access to the Control Center in Settings.Foundry However, this also means that anyone who gets their hands on your phone can change settings in Control Center, but there’s a way to change that. First, go to Settings > Face ID. Scroll down until you find Allow Access When Locked. Then, turn off the “Control Center” option. You can also turn off other options to prevent them from being accessed from the Lock Screen, giving you more privacy and security. After turning them off, you can only access Control Center or other features from the Lock Screen after authenticating with Face ID. You’ll find extra levels of security if you dig through the Face ID settings.Foundry Turn on Stolen Device Protection Introduced in iOS 17, Stolen Device Protection adds an extra layer of security to your iPhone if it’s ever stolen, especially if someone also knows your passcode. When enabled, sensitive actions such as changing your Apple ID password, turning off Find My, or accessing saved passwords require Face ID or Touch ID, with no fallback to the passcode. In unfamiliar locations, iOS may also enforce a security delay before allowing these changes. To turn it on, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Stolen Device Protection and enable the feature. This is one of those settings you hope you’ll never need. But if your iPhone is lost or stolen, having it enabled can make a huge difference. Set up an Emergency Contact Setting up an emergency contact ensures that first responders, or anyone trying to help, can reach someone you trust if something happens to you. An Emergency Contact is a set-it-and-forget it feature that could save your life.Foundry Emergency contacts are accessible directly from the Lock Screen without unlocking the iPhone, and they’re also used by features like Emergency SOS and Medical ID. To add an Emergency Contact, open the Health app, tap your profile picture, then go to Medical ID > Edit. From there, you can add one or more emergency contacts and include other useful information such as allergies, medications, or medical conditions. It only takes a minute to set up, but it can be invaluable in a real emergency. Now you’re ready to get the most out of your iPhone Now that you know which settings are worth revisiting, you can make sure your iPhone is configured the right way from the start. A few thoughtful changes can improve everything from battery life and security to how comfortable your iPhone is to use throughout the day.

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Stretch the life of your computer with a $9.97 upgrade to Windows 11 Pro
Macworld TL;DR: Windows 11 Pro is just $9.97 (MSRP $199) for a limited time — upgrade your aging computer with a modern interface, improved performance, and advanced security for under $10. Let’s get something straight: A sluggish computer doesn’t mean you need to shell out for a new one. Sure, the thrill of unboxing fresh tech is real, but in this economy, stretching the life of the hardware you already own is the smarter play. One of the simplest ways to breathe new life into an aging machine is upgrading the operating system — and right now, you can grab Windows 11 Pro for just $9.97. Maximize your computer’s functionality by adding Windows 11 Pro into the mix to get the best of both worlds. Windows 11 Pro features a seamless interface that helps increase productivity while being visually pleasing. Plus, you get access to a world of advanced security like biometric login, Smart App Control, and advanced antivirus defenses. Get the most out of gaming with DirectX 12 Ultimate graphics that allow you to play the game the way it was intended: with rich visuals and realistic graphics. Upgrading to Windows 11 Pro is a great way to enhance your operating system for just $9.97. Regularly $199, you don’t want to miss this deal. Microsoft Windows 11 ProSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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The AirPods Pro 3 is $50 Off
Amazon has the AirPods Pro 3 marked $50 off. The earbuds comes with 2x better ANC so you can immerse yourself more while watching shows, playing games, or listening to music.  Experience 3D audio with the AirPods Pro 3 which has a new acoustic structure for clear music, letting you vividly hear the vocals and […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Camera Sensor for iPhone 18 Camera to be Made by Samsung in Austin, TX Facility
Samsung is taking steps to provide Apple with image sensors built with advanced technology for iPhones. Reportedly, the sensors for the iPhone will be manufactured in Samsung’s current Austin, Texas facility, and the company is anticipated to soon have production equipment installed for the upcoming project. The image sensor of the iPhone is expected to […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple Changing the Structure Of App Store Fees in Brazil
Apple will be bringing in a new structure for the App Store fee as agreed upon between the company and the regulators in Brazil, which also allows expanded options for payments and alternative app stores. The Administrative Council of Economic Defense in Brazil announced in a press release that the court has accepted a Term […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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iPhone Air 2 Could Launch Next Year
Sales and demand for the iPhone Air didn’t reach its potential, leading Apple to cut back production and shipments of the device. There are rumors saying that the next-generation iPhone Air will not be released in 2026, but a leaker says otherwise. Fixed Focus Digital, a Weibo leaker, reports that the second-generation iPhone Air will […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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New Promo Grants 20% Off On Adidas Gear Using Apple Pay
The newest promo for Apple Pay takes 20% off purchases made from Adidas, both on their website and in the app. The promotion has been announced in an email sent to Apple Pay users. To be eligible for the promo, users would have to purchase something from Adidas and then, once at checkout, type APPLEPAY […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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iPhone 18 Pro May Launch with 12 Features
Apple is not anticipated to release the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the iPhone 18 Pro models for at least another nine months. There are 12 features that are rumored to arrive with the iPhone 18 Pro. The iPhone 18 Pro is anticipated to be powered by the A20 Pro Chip made with the new […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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$3 Million Nike Shares Brought By Tim Cook
Tim Cook, Apple CEO has brought approximately $3 million worth of Nike shares, with 50,000 shares graded class B purchased this month, which had a $58.97 per share average price. The total investment is tallied to about $2.95 million, meaning that the Apple CEO holds around 105,000 of Nike shares. Nike is undergoing the early […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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The Apple Watch Series 11 42mm GPS + Cell Is $100 Off
Amazon has the Apple Watch Series 11 with GPS + Cellular capability in 42mm size marked $100 off, making for a great deal for a versatile fitness partner that gives you insight on your workout, training load, with heart rate zones and pacer features. The smartwatch gives you insight to your health allowing you to […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Ultra-Thin Flexible Glass Being Tested By Apple for the Foldable iPhone
It has been reported that Apple is testing their UFG or ultra-thin flexible glass for the foldable iPhone, since the glass could potentially fix the creasing issue that most foldable devices face. Digital Chat Station, a leaker from Weibo, said that the company is evaluating uneven UFG panels, whereas they use thinner glass in the […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple Will Depend On Samsung More Due to RAM Prices Increasing
Apple is bound to increase its dependence on Samsung by a wide margin because the prices for the memory component of the iPhone continue to soar. The company will be branching out the portion of iPhone memory sourced from Samsung, given the increasing costs. Samsung has kept considerable production amounts for mobile and general-purpose DRAM […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Year-end Summary Rolled Out For ChatGPT
A year-end feature has been added to ChatGPT by OpenAI, giving users an overview of how they used ChatGPT this year that’s personalized for them. The summary feature functions similarly to YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify wrap-ups at the end of each year. Users get an overview of the things that you discussed with the […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Year-end price war: Apple's 1TB M5 MacBook Pro drops to $1,649
Amazon and B&H are engaged in a year-end MacBook Pro price war, with the 1TB M5 14-inch model falling to $1,649.Retailers are engaged in a MacBook Pro price war today.You can save $150 on the 1TB M5 MacBook Pro today at both Amazon and B&H Photo, with B&H throwing in free next day delivery on the laptop when shipped within the contiguous U.S.Buy 1TB M5 MacBook Pro for $1,649 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Did Tim Cook Post AI Slop in His Christmas Message Promoting 'Pluribus'?
Artist Keith Thomson is a modern (and whimsical) Edward Hopper. And Apple TV says he created the "festive artwork" shared on X by Apple CEO Tim Cook on Christmas Eve, "made on MacBook Pro." Its intentionally-off picture of milk and cookies was meant to tease the season finale of Pluribus. ("Merry Christmas Eve, Carol..." Cook had posted.) But others were convinced that the weird image was AI-generated. Tech blogger John Gruber was blunt. "Tim Cook posts AI Slop in Christmas message on Twitter/X, ostensibly to promote 'Pluribus'." As for sloppy details, the carton is labeled both "Whole Milk" and "Lowfat Milk", and the "Cow Fun Puzzle" maze is just goofily wrong. (I can't recall ever seeing a puzzle of any kind on a milk carton, because they're waxy and hard to write on. It's like a conflation of milk cartons and cereal boxes.) Tech author Ben Kamens — who just days earlier had blogged about generating mazes with AI — said the image showed the "specific quirks" of generative AI mazes (including the way the maze couldn't be solved, expect by going around the maze altogether). Former Google Ventures partner M.G. Siegler even wondered if AI use intentionally echoed the themes of Pluribus — e.g., the creepiness of a collective intelligence — since otherwise "this seems far too obvious to be a mistake/blunder on Apple's part." (Someone on Reddit pointed out that in Pluribus's dystopian world, milk plays a key role — and the open spout of the "natural" milk's carton does touch a suspiciously-shining light on the Christmas tree...) Slashdot contacted artist Keith Thomson to try to ascertain what happened... Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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