How Thread is fixing smart home networks on Smart Home Insider
This week on Smart Home Insider, Ann Olivo from the Thread Group joins to talk about the future of the wireless standard and how it's improving smart home networks.Smart Home Insider PodcastJoining as this week's guest host is Ann Olivo. Olivo serves as the Corporate Campaigns Manager for Silicon Labs, as well as the VP of Marketing for the Thread Group.The topic comes just a week after Unify, a public-facing conference put on by the Connectivity Standards Alliance. Thread, as many other groups and companies, had new announcements to share. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple's iPhone went on sale 19 years ago today, and changed the world
Compared to today's iPhone 17 Pro Max and what we know of the forthcoming iPhone 18 range, the very first iPhone that went on sale 19 years ago today was startlingly slow and incredibly limited — yet it changed the world.Apple launched the iPhone in 2007 - image credit: AppleIt was on June 29, 2007, that the original iPhone went on sale in the US, and arguably that was the day that it truly began shaking up what users expected from a phone.We and the phone industry had already known all about it for over five months. But it wasn't until you could buy it that the impact of this little device began to be felt — even inside Apple. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Save $350 on Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 right now at Amazon
Amazon's month-end $350 discount brings the 1TB 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 chip down to $1,649.99. But supply may be limited after Apple raised prices last week.Save $350 on a 1TB 14-inch MacBook Pro at Amazon - Image credit: AppleWith price increases announced by Apple last week on its MacBook and iPad lines, it's worth considering grabbing this $1,649.99 special at Amazon before the $350 discount ends.Buy 14" MacBook Pro M5 for $1,649.99 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Silo season 3 hailed as ‘best season yet,’ here are the first reviews
Silo returns later this week for season 3, and the first reviews indicate the new season could be the show’s best yet thanks in part to a new split-timeline story.

Read more »

Apple’s sweeping price hikes signal the true cost of the AI era, as touchscreen MacBook and M7 chips loom
Apple is confronting customers with the financial realities of the artificial intelligence boom, implementing broad price increases across… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

AI Literacy Is at the Core of Online Safety
As GenAI becomes part of everyday life, online safety depends on AI literacy as much as traditional security habits. New research examines why older adults may be especially vulnerable to persuasive AI-generated deception. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

Read more »

Why you should expect much richer Apple OLED display colors soon
Upcoming Apple OLED panels target a wider color gamut. That will soon make for much-richer hues on MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and iMac. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Future OLED Macs may get a major color accuracy upgrade
Apple could adopt a wider color standard for future OLED displays, a move that could improve color accuracy and push beyond the capabilities of current premium OLED panels.13-inch iPad Pro with OLED displayA TrendForce report published on June 29 says Apple plans to gradually adopt OLED panels that cover 95% of the BT.2020 color gamut in future MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and iMac models. Reaching that wider color standard will require a new generation of OLED emissive materials.The research firm says those materials can deliver higher color purity while maintaining brightness, power efficiency, and panel lifespan.Apple hasn't publicly announced plans to adopt BT.2020, and TrendForce didn't identify the source of its report. If Apple's roadmap unfolds as TrendForce expects, it would be one of the biggest display quality improvements since Apple introduced the OLED iPad Pro in 2024. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Hackers have a new way to disable Mac security software
Macworld Researchers at XM Cyber have discovered a method to attack a Mac without requiring a kernel exploit or bypassing macOS’s System Integrity Protection (SIP). XM Cyber has created a tool called XM Hunter as proof of the vulnerability, which will be demonstrated at the Black Hat conference in August. To take advantage of the exploit, an attacker needs to find a way to access the Mac, either by directly accessing it, or through social engineering. The attack itself involves the installation of a legitimately signed app, and when macOS caches the app’s trust fingerprint, the attacker can go in and modify the app bundle with a malicious payload. According to the company, the attack “does not trigger standard exploit signatures or leave obvious event log artifacts.” XM Cyber reports that the exploit could be used even with enterprise endpoint security tools running on the target Mac, and Macs running CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor and Kandji MDM Agent were successfully hacked. CrowdStrike and Kandji have since updated their software to fix the vulberability. Apple has not publicly responded to XR Cyber’s findings. How to protect yourself The easiest way to protect yourself from an attack like this is to avoid downloading software from download sites you are not familiar with. Do not install software for someone you don’t know or someone who is not authorized to provide support to you. Never open links in emails or texts you receive from unknown and unexpected sources. If you get a message that looks like it is from an entity that you do business with, check the sender’s email address and inspect the URL carefully. If you see a link or button, you can Control-click it, select Copy Link Address, and then paste it into a text editor to see the actual URL to check it there. Apple has vetted software in the Mac App Store, and it is the safest way to get apps. If you prefer not to patronize the Mac App Store, then buy software directly from the developer and their website. If you insist on using cracked software, you will always risk malware exposure. Macworld has several guides to help, including a guide on whether or not you need antivirus software, a list of Mac viruses, malware, and trojans, and a comparison of Mac security software. Apple has protections in place within macOS, and the company releases security patches through OS updates, so it’s important to install them when they are available. If Apple pulls back an update, the company will reissue it as soon as it is properly revised with corrections.

Read more »

Apple seeks Trump admin approval to buy memory chips from blacklisted Chinese company
Apple is lobbying the Trump administration for permission to purchase memory chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies Inc. (CXMT), a Chinese… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Beat Apple’s brutal price hikes and save $350 on the M5 MacBook Pro right now
Macworld Apple MacBook Pro M5 View Deal (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); Apple raised MacBook prices last week by hundreds of dollars, but you can still get a good deal on one if you’re vigilant. Over at Amazon right now, Apple’s 14-inch MacBook Pro with the new M5 chip is selling for $1,650, which is $350 under Apple’s newly increased MSRP and $50 less than it cost before prices went up. That’s a decent discount on a brand-new MacBook, and that’s enough to make this a tempting upgrade.  The M5 chip is what makes this laptop a must-buy for folks who want to do it all. This chip brings a faster CPU and a more powerful GPU than previous models, complete with a Neural Accelerator built into each core. This means that any AI tasks you want to complete will be done a lot faster, including the upcoming Apple Intelligence features with new Siri AI built into macOS 27. Pair that with all-day battery life, and you’ve got a machine that flies through video and photo editing, multitasking, and everyday creative projects without breaking a sweat. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is fantastic in any lighting situation, hitting 1600 nits peak brightness with great contrast. Photos, videos, and anything you’re looking at will look vivid and accurately colored. You also get three Thunderbolt 4 ports, MagSafe 3 charging, HDMI, a card slot, as well as support for two external displays. While this is a laptop we love, we do have to be honest about one thing. Just last week, Prime Day had this one for $100 less. It was also last week that Apple decided to make everything more expensive, including this MacBook Pro. Last week, today’s price would have only been $50 under its MSRP. But we don’t expect to see those prices return anytime soon, so for now, this is as good as it gets. Grab the MacBook Pro M5 for $1,650, a solid pick if you want a powerful, future-ready MacBook Pro that mixes speed with a gorgeous display and a fantastic performance across the board. 

Read more »

Logitech Signature Comfort Plus Combo MK880 review: Affordable keyboard & mouse with customisation
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Affordable keyboard/mouse combo Comfortable design Versatile app and customisation features Cons No wired/USB connection No rechargeable battery Mouse is right-handed only Our Verdict It may lack the stylish design of Logitech’s MX range, but the Comfort Plus Combo combines comfortable ergonomics with versatile customisation features at a competitive price. The lack of rechargeable batteries is disappointing, though – as is the lack of a left-handed version of the mouse. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed99.99 Best Prices Today: Logitech Signature Comfort Plus Combo Retailer Price $99.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who the Signature Comfort Plus Combo MK880 is for:  People on a budget  Professional users who use a keyboard and mouse all day long  Power users who like to customise keyboard and mouse controls Who it’s not for:  Left-handed users need not apply  People who prefer a low-profile, silent keyboard  People who prefer a wired keyboard and mouse Logitech’s MX range includes some of the best mice and keyboards available for the Mac, but with individual devices costing well over $100, they’re far from cheap. By contrast, the Signature Comfort Plus Combo pairs a keyboard and mouse for just $99.99/£99.99, while the M850L mouse is also available separately for $49.99/£49.99. Like the MX mice, however, it’s only available in a right-handed design. The Signature Comfort Plus Combo is aimed at budget-conscious professionals who spend long hours at a desk. Its comfortable ergonomics and extensive customisation features outweigh compromises such as the right-handed-only mouse and replaceable batteries, making it an excellent value choice for most office users. The curved contours and built-in wrist-rest are designed to reduce strain during long hours at work. Foundry How comfortable is the Comfort Plus Combo? Logitech states that the Comfort Plus Combo is “designed for comfort” and is aimed at people who spend long hours every day working with their mouse and keyboard. The Comfort Plus keyboard doesn’t have the ‘split’ design of ergonomic keyboards – such as Logitech’s own Ergo model – which are split into two sections that are placed at an angle in order to reduce strain on the wrists, but it does have a smoothly curved surface and a built-in wrist-rest that allow you to rest your hands in a more natural and comfortable position while typing. That may be a matter of personal preference for some people, but I found that typing on the Comfort Plus keyboard felt quite natural, and while the plastic keyboard isn’t as solidly built as the more expensive MX Keys from Logitech, the keys do travel well and felt firm and responsive as I began taking notes for this review. The keys aren’t too loud either, which is something that I find irritating with some less expensive keyboards. The Comfort Plus mouse has a special ‘cushion’ to support your palm while you’re working.Foundry The buttons on the Comfort Plus mouse are designed to be silent too – although it’s more accurate to say that they’re very quiet, rather than completely silent. At first glance, the Comfort Plus mouse looks like a slightly smaller version of the MX Master, with the same distinctive ridged pattern on the surface, with Left/Right buttons and a scrolling wheel on the top panel, and two buttons for your thumb on the left-side of the mouse. It doesn’t have the second scrolling wheel of the MX mouse, but the Comfort Plus mouse does introduce one new feature in the form of a soft, spongy ‘palm cushion’ that is supposed to support your hand during long hours of use. To be honest, I barely noticed the palm cushion while using the mouse myself, so I’m not convinced that this is a particularly important innovation. However, I did find that the lower profile of the Comfort Plus fit my palm more comfortably, with the top panel of the mouse not bulging upwards as much as that of the MX Master. But, as mentioned, there’s no left-handed version of the Comfort Plus mouse, and Logitech’s oft-repeated boast about ‘extending human potential’ rings rather hollow when it only applies to right-handed people (needless to say, there’s one or two lefties here at Macworld). How does it connect and what’s missing? The low cost of the Comfort Plus Combo does involve a few compromises. The Comfort Plus keyboard and mouse both rely on Bluetooth for a wireless connection. They can’t be used in wired mode with a USB-C cable, and the standard version of the Combo doesn’t include Logitech’s Bolt USB adaptor, which provides a more reliable and secure wireless connection than Bluetooth. However, Logitech has stated that it will release a Business Edition of the Comfort Plus Combo that includes the Bolt adaptor for $109.99/£109.99. The lack of USB means that the keyboard and mouse don’t include a rechargeable battery either. Logitech does include replaceable batteries in the box though, and states that both keyboard and mouse should last for ‘up to 24 months’ before the batteries need to be replaced. You can pair the keyboard and mouse with your Mac or mobile devices using the standard Bluetooth Settings panel, and they can pair with up to three different devices, allowing you to share the keyboard and mouse with a Mac and an iPad, or a PC and switch between them as required. The biggest omissions are practical rather than deal-breaking. The keyboard and mouse rely entirely on Bluetooth, with no wired USB mode for charging or use. They also use replaceable batteries instead of rechargeable ones, while Logitech’s more secure Bolt USB receiver is only included with the Business Edition. What can you customise with Logi Options+? Logitech sometimes prefers to call itself Logi for some reason, and the app that controls its mice and keyboards is called Logi Options+. You don’t need to download the Options+ app to get started, as both mouse and keyboard can pair with your Mac or mobile devices using a standard Bluetooth connection. However, the Options+ app allows you to adjust a wide range of settings and controls, such as the Function keys on the Comfort Plus keyboard, or the side buttons on the mouse. Business users can set up the keyboard with shortcuts for apps such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, while creative users can create shortcuts to work with Photoshop or other design tools. The Options+ app provides similar features for the buttons on the mouse, allowing you to assign commands such as Forward/Back to the thumb buttons for use with a web browser. There are also the inevitable AI features, such as an AI Prompt Builder that can be triggered with a mouse button or keyboard command to start typing out a prompt for your vibe-coding sessions. The Options+ app allows you to create keyboard shortcuts to speed up work on your most important apps. Foundry Is the Logitech Signature Comfort Plus Combo MK880 worth buying? The MX range offers better build quality, rechargeable batteries, wired USB support and extra productivity features, so it’s worth the upgrade for demanding users. However, most right-handed office workers will find the Comfort Plus Combo comfortable, customisable and good value. The lack of rechargeable batteries is disappointing, but replacing them every couple of years shouldn’t be too much of a chore.

Read more »

Leaker outlines iPhone lineup for next year, with six new models coming
Apple is rumored to have more new iPhones launching in 2027 than ever before, and a new post from leaker Digital Chat Station corroborates that. Here’s what he says is coming.

Read more »

Nab a sweet 25% discount on Apple Pencil (USB-C)
You may not need all the bells and whistles of Apple Pencil Pro. So it's a good thing you can grab this great Apple Pencil USB-C deal. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Ugreen’s latest charger and power banks prove smaller is better [Review] ★★★★★
After weeks of testing, Ugreen’s Nexode Air charger and MagFlow Air power banks have become staples in my everyday carry. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

A20 Pro leak shows how iPhone 18 Pro will run faster and cooler
A motherboard leak demonstrates that a new production technique has been used to make the A20 Pro in the iPhone 18 Pro. Expect impressive performance, and a cooler running iPhone.Dies on wafers. Image credit: TSMCApple is just months away from introducing its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the rumors about it continue to flow. The latest leak is about its internals, and how it could help improve performance.A supposed image of the motherboard used in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max was shared by WhyLab and Ice Universe on Weibo over the weekend. The shot includes lots of components, but the main focus is on the chip controlling everything. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

When will Apple prices drop again? Maybe years, maybe never …
Some of the recent Apple price hikes exceeded 50%, while the cost of upgrading memory and storage has literally doubled in some cases. The company has said that it’s “working tirelessly to find solutions” to the problem, but when might we expect prices to revert – if ever … ?

Read more »

Apple’s Vision Pro and smart glasses chief Paul Meade is leaving for OpenAI
Apple is losing one of its most senior hardware leaders as Paul Meade, the vice president in charge of the Vision Pro mixed-reality… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

T-Mobile closing 1,100 legacy plans, with price increases likely
If you’re a long-time T-Mobile subscriber on a plan you took out years ago, the company may have some bad news for you. The carrier is closing what it says are more than 1,100 different legacy plans and moving subscribers onto new ones, with price increases or reductions in usage limits likely …

Read more »

India's $38 billion antitrust case is plagiarized and should be scrapped, says Apple
Apple appeared to be finally cooperating with India's antitrust regulator, but now says it can show that the country's three-year investigation consisted of simply copying and pasting claims from rivals.Tim Cook in a previous visit to India — image credit: AppleIn 2021, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) began investigating Apple after receiving a complaint against its App Store fees. In 2024, it accused Apple of antitrust practices, and the company has been consistently arguing against that ruling ever since. Now ahead of a further closed-door hearing with senior CCI officials, Apple has submitted its own accusations.According to Reuters, Apple's submission includes the claim that the CCI's investigators "blindly replicated" a consumer spending graphic from an EU rule. Apple's submission reportedly also includes tables comparing the CCI's report to filings from opponents in the case, such as rival Indian payment firms. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »