Apple Sports kicks off crucial updates for World Cup soccer fans
With new updates, Apple Sports gets you set to follow the 2026 FIFA World Cup as it descends on North America. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple releases rare iOS 18.7.7 security update to shield older iPhones and iPads from DarkSword hacking tool
Apple has pushed out a critical security update for users still running iOS 18 (and iPadOS 18),to protect against the DarkSword exploit… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple Arcade’s April lineup adding two of the most acclaimed recent indie games
Update: Three more titles are now available on the service. Details below. Apple Arcade’s April lineup will introduce three new titles to the subscription gaming platform. These include a couple of the most acclaimed indie games of the last few years. more…

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Apple’s next 50 years: Reshaping computing again
Look ahead into Apple's future for the next fifty years. Here's the technology advancements we'll see ... and the ones we won't. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Best MacBook backpacks, bags, cases and sleeves
Macworld A good MacBook bag shares many qualities with Apple’s laptops. We want it to be tough, so it needs to be made from good materials. We want to use it for multiple tasks, so it needs to have plenty of pockets and compartments. Let’s admit it, with the diminishing number of ports on the MacBook, the bags often have the edge. And since we all admire good design here, we certainly don’t mind if the bag looks fantastic. Plus, whatever MacBook you’ve got, Air or Pro, you’ve probably spent enough on it that you don’t want to risk it breaking—and don’t mind spending just a little more to keep it safe. There’s no shortage of companies out there that make protective accessories for MacBooks, from laptop bags and rucksacks to sleeves, covers, and shells that clip on directly, and plenty of them do their best to be just as stylish as the Mac they’re protecting. We’ve rounded up a selection of our favorite cases, sleeves, backpacks, roll-tops, shells and totes for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, whether you have a 13-, 14-, 15- or 16-inch model, to keep your Mac safe. Some might seem expensive but remember you are entrusting the bag to protect your valuable MacBook and also relieving stress on your body when carrying it. Here’s where you don’t want to skimp and risk your laptop, back and neck. Keep reading for the full list or jump to your preferred type of laptop carrier below. A sleeve usually just protects the MacBook from scuffs and knocks when carried on its own or as further protection within a bag. Backpacks offer a lot more storage aside from your tech. Briefcases are somewhere in between and often look more business smart. We rounded up other bags such as duffles, messenger bags and totes, wheeled luggage, and finished with protective shells that encase the MacBook for all-day protection. Best MacBook sleeves Best MacBook backpacks Best MacBook briefcases Best MacBook bags Best MacBook luggage cases Best MacBook shells Best laptop sleeves for MacBook A simple or multi-function laptop sleeve keeps the MacBook protected during travel either tucked under your arm or not taking up too much space in a bag. Bellroy Laptop Sleeve – Best MacBook sleeve Pros Premium feel Magnetic closure Colors Price When Reviewed: $59 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $59 View Deal Belkin $59 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Fits: 13-14-inch and 15-16-inch versions Bellroy is a Australian accessory brand that makes premium bags, cases and wallets, and its laptop sleeves offer high-quality protection. The outside of the Bellroy laptop Sleeve is made from a woven, water-resistant material that is eco-friendly—made from 100% recycled PET bottles. Inside, the quilted microfiber lining features a soft ridge that holds your laptop in place. The sleeve snaps shut with a neat magnetic bumper. Available in Black, Slate, Navy, Bronze and a leather-free Saltbush. Bellroy Apple sells only one MacBook sleeve in its online store: the leather-free Bellroy Caddy for Mac Laptops, which is available in two sizes for 13-14-inch MacBooks and the 15- and 16-inch MacBooks. There’s fold-down, front-pocket access and a foam-padded laptop sleeve, as well as two stretch mesh pockets and mesh pen slips.

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Apple employee #8 Chris Espinosa on working his whole life at one company
It used to be common in Japan for someone to spend their entire working life at a single company, but it’s almost unheard of in the US. However, Chris Espinosa, Apple employee number eight, has done just that – and says he has no plans to go anywhere else … more…

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Eddy Cue just explained why Apple’s credit card charges feel so random
As part of Apple’s 50th anniversary celebrations yesterday, Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services and health, appeared on the TBPN, “Technology’s Daily Show”, podcast. Cue discussed a wide range of topics during the interview, including a fascinating look at how Apple managed to make money selling songs on iTunes for $0.99. more…

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Make an Apple Music playlist automatically with Playlist Playground
Making a custom Apple Music playlist is a great way to set the mood for a party, road trip or whatever. Playlist Playground makes it easy. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Amazon in talks to buy $9 billion satellite group Globalstar, of which Apple owns 20 percent
Globalstar has long been a smaller player in the satellite sector but gained prominence through its partnership with Apple. The tie-up… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Russians lose services and apps subscriptions after Apple fined for breaking sanctions
Following Apple Ireland getting fined for paying out to Russian app developers, the company has ceased all payment processing for the country, meaning users are cut off from buying new apps, or continuing to subscribe to Apple Music.Moscow — image credit:WikimediaArguably, if a user in Russia subscribes to a Russian developer's app, that's between them. But since Apple hosts such apps and takes a cut before passing earnings on to the developer, this means Apple is dealing with Russian businesses.There's a sufficiently grey area here that Apple Ireland — which is responsible for all non-US Apple business — told regulators about it. And those regulators decided "on the balance of probability" that Apple had broken sanctions. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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There may be no black iPhone 18 Pro, continuing a new trend for Apple
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro will not be available in black, marking the second year in a row that buyers will have to choose a different color instead.Mockup of a deep red iPhone 18 Pro MaxApple ditched black for the iPhone 17 Pro in 2025, choosing to offer a new Cosmic Orange color alongside Silver and Deep Blue. Now, Weibo leaker Instant Digital has poured cold water on any hopes that the stealth option would return in 2026."It seems that the black of the iPhone 18 Pro has been cut again," the leaker said before saying that the move was "uncomfortable." It's unclear whether that last word was a quirk of machine translation, but it likely matches the mood of iPhone buyers who prefer their devices to blend into the background. Something nobody could accuse the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro of doing. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Leaker says there’s no back to black for the iPhone 18 Pro
Apple disappointed some when it launched the iPhone 17 Pro without the option to buy it in a black finish. The flagship iPhone is only available in blue, orange, or silver. A leaker with a decent track record says that anyone hoping this would change with the iPhone 18 Pro is going to be disappointed … more…

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Apple pulls the plug on all payments in Russia following government diktat
Apple has pulled the plug on all payment processing in Russia, meaning that it’s no longer possible for residents of the country to make app purchases or renew subscriptions. This includes subscriptions to Apple services like iCloud+ and Apple TV. The move was based in part on a diktat from the Russian government, but may also be a precautionary move after the company accidentally busted sanctions against the country … more…

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Apple updates AirTag 2 to tweak the unwanted tracking sound
Macworld Apple’s AirTags have a host of privacy and security features, including notifications when an AirTag that isn’t yours (or one you have permitted) is seen traveling with you. In such a case, you can locate the offending AirTag with Precision Finding and cause it to make a beeping noise. It’s an important security feature to help prevent people from placing an AirTag on you to track your whereabouts. A new firmware update, version 3.0.45, improves this feature by updating the sound to make it easier to locate. This only applies to the new 2nd-gen AirTags. Apple’s official release notes are as follows: Updates the unwanted tracking sound to more easily locate an unknown AirTag during Precision Finding. Bug fixes and other improvements. It’s not clear how Apple has changed the tracking sound, but it appears to be similar to the update Apple delivered to the original AirTag in 2022. Back then, Apple adjusted the tone sequence to make unknown AirTags easier to find. Like Apple’s other accessories, there is no way to force your AirTags to update. You just have to have them within Bluetooth range of your iPhone and wait for it to happen. If you want to see the firmware version of your AirTags, follow these steps: Open the Find My app. Tap the Items tab. Select your AirTag in the list of items. Tap the name of your AirTag, and the serial number and firmware version will appear.

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Apple Fitness+ chief to retire after no wrongdoing found in bullying accusation
Jay Blahnik is to retire from Apple in July 2026, following accusations of him turning Apple Fitness+ into a toxic mental health work environment.Jay Blahnik - image credit AppleBlahnik and Apple were both sued over the Apple Fitness+ work environment in 2024, although the suit was not reported until August 2025. It came to light then as part of a series of accusations against Blahnik which claimed that around 10% of his 100-strong team had taken extended medical or mental health leave since 2022.Now according to the New York Times, Blahnik is to retire from Apple in July 2026. Reportedly, Apple told employees that Blahnik is leaving "to spend more time with his family and make an exciting move to New York City." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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A decade of hits: Most important Apple products from 2006-2015
Macworld Apple turns 50 years old this week, not a bad achievement for a scrappy startup formed in Steve Jobs’ family garage. The company has gone on to change the world many times over, but it was the years between 2006 and 2015 that perhaps left the biggest impact. The decade from 2006 to 2015 marked one of the most transformative periods in Apple’s history. In just 10 years, Apple evolved from a company known for the Mac and iPod into a global technology powerhouse with a tightly integrated ecosystem of hardware, software, and services designed to work seamlessly together. During this period, Apple made bold moves, launched revolutionary products, and tapped into new markets. By the end of 2015, Apple was no longer just a computer maker or even a phone company. It had become one of the most influential technology companies in the world, setting the stage for the next era of innovation. From Intel-based Macs to the ultra-thin 12-inch MacBook, here are Apple’s top highlights from 2006 to 2015. June 2006: Intel transition Foundry In 2006, Apple completed the transition of its Mac lineup from PowerPC processors to Intel chips, a move first announced by Steve Jobs a year before. By that time, Intel chips had become much more efficient and powerful than the PowerPC processors that had been used since 1995. The change not only allowed Apple to design thinner and lighter Macs, including the first MacBooks, but also led to cross-platform tools and compatibility such as Boot Camp, which enabled Mac users to run Windows natively for the first time. It was also remarkable how Apple transitioned its entire Mac lineup within a year. At the time, the move seemed radical, but it helped modernize the Mac and keep it competitive in the rapidly evolving PC landscape. January 2007: iPhone Apple It’s impossible to walk through Apple’s history without stopping at the first iPhone. When Steve Jobs announced the iPhone in 2007, Apple wasn’t just unveiling another new product. It was transforming the entire industry. The iPhone amazed everyone who watched its unveiling keynote. It was unlike any other smartphone on the market at the time. Physical plastic buttons gave way to a glass-covered multitouch screen. Poor mobile software was replaced by an operating system built on the foundation of macOS. The need for a stylus was eliminated by multitouch. The iPhone generated a ton of excitement, but it wasn’t exactly an instant hit, and it faced a lot of criticism at the time. The GSM Edge network could be painfully slow. Some found web apps underwhelming, others weren’t sold on the idea of a smartphone without a physical keyboard, and many felt it was too expensive. Still, the device showed tremendous promise. In just a year, Apple addressed most of the complaints about the iPhone. It doubled the storage capacity, launched a new model with 3G connectivity, and introduced the App Store, which proved to be a turning point not only for Apple, but for many businesses that exist today solely because of the iPhone. September 2007: iPod touch Foundry There’s another factor that has helped the iPhone ecosystem become such a success. Later that same year, Apple introduced the iPod touch, essentially an iPhone without the phone. Since the iPod touch was much cheaper than an iPhone and didn’t require a carrier contract, it served as a gateway for many people to try out what was then known as iPhone OS. The device gave users access to many of the iPhone’s marquee features—iTunes, Safari, YouTube—over Wi-Fi, without requiring a pricey cellular contract. For many younger users, the iPod touch became their first Apple device, helping expand Apple’s ecosystem and introducing a new generation to iOS. July 2008: App Store Apple The launch of the App Store in 2008 fundamentally changed the iPhone. While Steve Jobs was initially opposed to the idea of allowing the iPhone to run third-party software, Apple soon realized that it could become a significant source of interest—and revenue. Before the App Store, jailbreak tools for the iPhone were becoming widespread. Users wanted to install software other than what came pre-installed on the device or was available as a web app. The App Store represented a new business model not only for Apple but also for many independent developers. It quickly became a destination for apps, offering users entirely new categories of utilities and games, and spawned the ubiquitous phrase, “There’s an app for that.” It’s hard to imagine the world today without apps like Uber or Instagram, and the App Store is what made them possible.  January 2008: MacBook Air Apple When Steve Jobs pulled the MacBook Air out of an inter-office envelope at Macworld San Francisco 2008, it was more than a dramatic presentation moment. The MacBook Air introduced a radically thin and lightweight laptop design that eliminated optical drives and prioritized portability. Although the first model had limitations and was a little pricey, the concept proved hugely influential. Thin-and-light laptops soon became the standard across the entire PC industry. Competitors rushed to build more portable and better-designed laptops to compete with the MacBook Air. Today’s Macs still incorporate many of the lessons Apple learned from the MacBook Air. And the brand has become so strong that it remains the go-to choice for many people who want a great laptop but don’t need a MacBook Pro. January 2010: iPad IDG Tablets existed before Apple introduced the iPad in 2010, but they had poor battery life and ran clunky PC software that wasn’t optimized for touchscreens. By bringing the iPhone’s multitouch interface to a larger screen, the iPad changed the game. The original iPad was a sleek sheet of aluminum and glass built on the iPhone’s software, which by then already had a vast ecosystem of optimized apps thanks to the App Store. Apple marketed it as neither a replacement for a MacBook nor an iPhone, but as something in between: A device that was more convenient for browsing the web, reading, and watching videos. It didn’t take long for the iPad to blow up. Starting at just $499, the device quickly dominated the tablet market and became one of Apple’s fastest-selling products. Perhaps as importantly, the iPad was Apple’s first device to feature a custom-designed Apple processor, the A4, paving the way for many other devices powered by what are now known as Apple Silicon chips. September 2015: Apple Watch IDG Apple expanded its product lineup again in 2014 with the introduction of the Apple Watch. It was the first entirely new product category launched under CEO Tim Cook and was largely shrouded in secrecy, so expectations were high. It lived up to them. Although Samsung and Pebble were already making smartwatches, none of them looked as sleek or were as easy to use as the Apple Watch. From the moment it arrived, the Apple Watch changed the game and turned the smartwatch from a niche gadget into an indispensable accessory. While the first version focused on notifications and apps and largely relied on an iPhone to do most of the work, Apple eventually repositioned its Watch as a standalone device focused on health and fitness features. Today, it has become one of the world’s best-selling watches (smart or otherwise) and a key part of the Apple ecosystem. March 2015: 12-inch MacBook Image: Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Not content with the ultra-portable MacBook Air, Apple pushed laptop design even further in 2015 with the introduction of the ultra-thin MacBook. The device introduced several controversial ideas, including a single USB-C port and a new butterfly keyboard mechanism. At the time, these decisions sparked debate among users. Even so, the 12-inch MacBook previewed several trends that would later shape Apple’s laptop lineup, including USB-C connectivity, Force Touch trackpad, and extremely thin designs. The design of the 12-inch MacBook later inspired redesigned versions of Apple’s other laptops. Although Apple eventually discontinued the 12-inch MacBook, its influence can still be seen on today’s MacBook Air and MacBook Neo. September 2015: Apple Pencil When Apple introduced the first iPad Pro, it marked a notable shift in the company’s philosophy. For the first time, Apple positioned its tablet as a creative and productivity platform, with a giant screen that was a legitimate tool for artists, designers, and students. But the real star was Apple Pencil. With pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, and near-zero latency, Apple Pencil offered a level of precision that made the iPad far more capable for drawing, note-taking, and professional workflows. Years earlier, Steve Jobs had famously dismissed styluses as an input device for phones, but the Apple Pencil wasn’t meant to replace touch. It unlocked a new way to interact with the iPad and reinforced Apple’s long-term vision of the device as the future of PCs. This is part four of a five-part series exploring 50 years of Apple product releases. Catch up on what you missed (1976-1985; 1986-1995; 1996-2005), and stay tuned to Macworld tomorrow for the conclusion, 2016-2026.

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Top 50 people who built and shaped Apple, ranked
Macworld April 1 marks Apple’s 50th anniversary, a milestone it couldn’t reach without the help of some very talented people. So we decided to put together a list of the 50 people who made Apple the company it is today. Some worked there for just a year or two; others for almost the entire half-century, while others never actually worked for the company at all. But all influenced Apple’s journey in some profound way. This is all, of course, deeply subjective. It is very unlikely that every reader will agree with the author’s selections, far less with his rankings. Which is fine, we welcome the conversation. Our only rule is that if you complain about someone’s exclusion, tell us who you would cut to make room. The list is presented in reverse order and will be expanded with 10 new names each day across this week. Who do you think will make the top 10? Drop us a message on Bluesky or Threads. 50-41 50. Katie Cotton Apple PR legend Katie Cotton joined Apple in 1996, shortly before the return of Steve Jobs, and worked closely with him for the next 15 years. For better or worse, she was instrumental in shaping the company’s communications strategy and famous culture of secrecy, fiercely controlling Apple’s portrayal in the press. As we wrote upon her retirement in 2014, she “largely turned public relations on its head.” Cotton sadly passed away in 2023, but like Jobs himself, her legacy lives on in Apple Park.

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United Airlines app streamlines AirTag tracking, tells you TSA wait times
The United Airlines app has been updated with streamlined access to AirTag baggage tracking. The app now makes it easier for you to share the location of an AirTag with United’s customer service staff. Additionally, with a partial government shutdown leaving TSA checkpoints understaffed, the app will now provide you with estimates of the wait time for security at your departure airport – alongside a number of other useful enhancements … more…

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Thanks for the wild ride, Apple. Let’s keep it going
Macworld Apple has turned 50, and this week I realized that I’ve been writing professionally about the company for two-thirds of its existence. (Excuse me while I try not to turn into dust and blow away in the gentle spring breeze.) Like so many people, I have a story about discovering and falling in love with the Mac, and how it changed my life. My college newspaper switched to an all-Mac production workflow a year after I arrived on campus with my Apple IIe, and once I started using the Mac I would never go back. Not only did my work at that college paper set me on my career path in general (journalism), but technology (and the Mac) in particular. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, before the world discovered the internet, it was readily available on college campuses. By the time I left UC San Diego, I had started a magazine distributed only over the internet. Unfortunately, I was born way too early to start a career on the internet. Fortunately, when a bad economy led me to go to graduate school rather than seek out a job, my career parth was laid before me. My Mac obsession only continued–I pored over issues of Mac magazines before buying my first PowerBook. And I became a graduate assistant for a class that was focused on desktop publishing, which is where I met Pam Pfiffner. As amazing and revelatory as the Mac was for me as a writer and editor…I rapidly discovered that the Apple of the period was a mess.  Pam was a senior editor at MacUser magazine, and before too long, I began asking her if the magazine might be hiring summer interns. In hindsight, I feel like I basically bullied her into giving me a job, but I spent the summer of 1993 writing about CD-ROMs and other extremely 1990s things. When they offered me a full-time job, I couldn’t say no. A rough start But as amazing and revelatory as the Mac was for me as a writer and editor of print and online publications, I rapidly discovered that the Apple of the period was a mess. My first day as a full-time employee, a copy editor popped his head over the cubicle wall and asked me if I had heard anything about layoffs. Welcome to the media, kid. John Sculley was the CEO of Apple in those days, and while there’s a lot to commend from that era, it had just about reached its stagnation point when I arrived on the scene. I felt very much like I had arrived at the party just in time to clean things up. Windows 95 arrived, and even though all of us Mac stalwarts objected to it as a pale imitation of the Mac–“Windows 95: So what?” was our defiant cover when it launched–it was, in truth, a body blow to Apple. The company had squandered its lead over Microsoft, still couldn’t ship a next-generation version of Mac OS, and its sales began to crater. In denial: Windows 95 was a big deal, even to Mac users.Foundry This is roughly the point where my family began to ask me if it was especially wise for me to make Apple my area of specialization. And I admit, I asked myself the same thing–but I just couldn’t see myself willingly abandoning ship to write about Windows XP workstations or whatever. I was in the business to write about the Mac, not about technology in general. 1997 was the moment that Apple hit rock bottom. Steve Jobs was back, but the prognosis didn’t look good. The publishers of the two big Mac magazines at the time, Ziff-Davis and IDG, decided that they’d cut their losses by merging MacUser and Macworld into a single magazine, laying off more than half the employees in the process. That decision came two weeks before Steve Jobs stood on stage at Macworld Expo in Boston and announced (with Bill Gates on a video link-up) that Microsoft had invested in Apple and recommitted to releasing Microsoft Office for the Mac. A few months later, Jobs announced the iMac. Things started to turn around–too late for all of my former colleagues and competitors, but just in time for those of us who were lucky enough to get a job at the new Macworld. Things get really interesting From there, it was a wild ride. The iMac announcement alone drove enormous interest in Apple, and reinvigorated everything we were doing. Steve Jobs got rid of all the old Apple connectivity standards (ADB, Mac Serial, SCSI) and replaced them wholesale with USB, which was a huge shock to Mac users. I spent the summer of 1994 writing and editing stories about how USB worked, what USB devices would be available once the iMac arrived, and how we were all going to survive without floppy disks or SCSI hard drives. The iMac gave Apple and Macworld new life.Foundry From that moment, it was clear that Steve Jobs was not ever going to worry about maintaining links to the past, because his focus was on dragging Apple into the future. It was a jolt of lightning that woke up the entire computer world, and certainly changed our fate at Macworld. The next few years were a wild ride. The iMac’s success brought in enough cash to keep Apple alive while it developed Mac OS X, large portions of which underpin every major Apple platform to this day. The arrival of the iPod in 2001 would eventually (after the company released a Windows-compatible version, anyway) introduce the Apple brand to a generation of customers who had never, ever bought an Apple product before. In the 2000s, Apple really took flight. Steve Jobs and retail head Ron Johnson’s idea of building a chain of Apple Stores was mocked as a guaranteed failure, but they became the perfect place to sell iPods, and once iPod buyers were in the store, they were exposed to everything the Mac had to offer. The “iPod halo effect” was real, and the Mac was reinvigorated by a user base that had never even seen classic Mac OS. Of course, the iPhone changed everything once again. It was Apple’s first non-Mac to truly be a computer–not that Steve Jobs wanted anyone to think of it that way. Remember, the iPhone launched without any support for third-party apps, though even the day it was announced, it was obvious to a lot of us that we were headed for some sort of iPhone App Store. The original iPhone was so limited that when it launched, there was no way to take a screen shot! To cover it at Macworld, we had to jailbreak the phone, tether it via USB, and issue unix shell commands at the moment we wanted to take the screen shot. Then we had to transfer that image back, over that USB connection, via another unix shell command. Similarly, there were six months between the iPhone’s announcement and release. And while I certainly made hay about having been able to touch it in January–a story I recently recounted as my official Jeopardy! ancedote–it left us in a real bind when it came to covering it. Everyone wanted to know more about the iPhone, but nobody had one! And if you were, let’s say, a magazine, you probably wanted to put it on your cover! We ended up contracting with an artist who created a 3-D model of the iPhone (and its earbuds) and then posed it in photorealistic renders for our cover and interior art. That’s right–the first Macworld cover photo of the iPhone was CGI. Since the release of the iPhone, Apple has been on a rocketship ride. The company Tim Cook took over just as Steve Jobs passed away was a fraction of the size of the Apple of today. Apple has more customers than ever, and the Mac–a 42-year-old product!–is the biggest it’s ever been. It has been a wild ride to write about it for the last 33 years, at Macworld since 1997, and in this particular space since 2015. I can’t wait for whatever happens next–and to write about it here.

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Mobile Pixels Trio 3 Pro review: MacBook’s dual QHD screen wingspan
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Adds two 14-inch screens Portable High QHD resolution Easy setup Cons Could be unwieldy in some environments Requires software installation Our Verdict But if what you need is a more lightweight and flexible solution that’s perfect for video conferencing, presentations or multiple application work, the Trio 3 Pro is a striking solution with some clever customizations. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$499.99 Best Prices Today: Mobile Pixels Trio 3 Pro Retailer Price $449.99 View Deal $499.99 View Deal Mobile Pixels $499.99 View Deal $656.87 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Connecting an external display to your MacBook to extend your desk-based screen space is a common practice, but making your laptop into a desktop workstation isn’t pushing the boundaries of laptop screen expansion. Even with many of today’s best portable monitors it’s not easy to take this setup on the road with you or pack it neatly away in a drawer. The Mobile Pixels Trio 3 Pro is a foldable package weighing 4.13lbs (1.9kg) that physically attaches to your MacBook to add a 14-inch 1400p QHD screen to each side of the laptop’s own screen. It makes your MacBook look like it has wings. Design Previously, we’ve tested some screen extenders that hang off just one side of the laptop and look rather strange and lopsided, like a motorbike with a dangling sidecar. A while ago we tested the Limink Al Alloy Portable Triple Monitor (LK14) that looks and acts a lot like the Mobile Pixels Trio 3 Pro. Both the Trio 3 Pro and LK14 are a more symmetrical screen setup when in standard Landscape Mode: either side of the MacBook’s own screen. When set up, the screen wings certainly create an impressive look sat next to a standard one-screen MacBook. At the end of the day or when it’s time to move to a new space, you simply disconnect and the two side screens fold onto the central area. When folded up, the Trio 3 Pro measures 13.4 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches (34 x 22.4 x 2.3cm). In all its unfurled glory, it spans 40.3 inches (just over 1m) but can be pulled closer together if your available desk space doesn’t stretch that far. It’s a design that will either excite you with its screen breadth or scare you with its wingspan. It looks cumbersome but is actually quite light and flexible. The second and third screens each measure 14 inches diagonally, and the system is compatible with 13-inch to 16-inch MacBooks. I tested it with a 14-inch MacBook Pro. Simon Jary Setup and installation You can just lean your MacBook into the central section of the Trio, or by attaching four super-strong magnets to the lid of your MacBook—a cardboard template is included in the box—you can achieve a stronger, yet more adjustable bond; see above photo. Once the magnets are in place, you unfold the Trio 3 Pro’s two side screens and clamp the MacBook into the central section. If you don’t want magnets stuck to your MacBook the Trio 3 Pro might not be for you as without them the setup is not as easily adjustable. You can nervously prise the magnets off but you wouldn’t want to frequently add and remove them. If you’re using the Trio a lot, having the magnets there is recommended. The LK14, in comparison, connected via a couple of metal clips at the top that snapped everything in place snap. With that dual-monitor I appreciated not having to add magnets to my laptop, but if you will be frequently using the triple screen setup, it’s a small initial task using the cardboard template and a fast one when attaching the Trio. Simon Jary The screens connect to the MacBook with the included two USB-C cables. The cables include a USB-A connector that you can pull away to reveal the more Mac-friendly USB-C end. One of the cables accidentally shed its USB-A connector while I was setting up, which is no problem for Mac users who don’t need it. If I had needed the USB-A section I’d have been more concerned. Note that plain (non-Pro/Max) M1 and M2 Macs plus the new MacBook Neo are limited to connecting just a single monitor. To work with the Trio 3 Pro users of those Macs will need to download and install free software (rather like DisplayLink). Installation is fairly simple and a on-time operation—we have more detailed advice on connecting multiple screens to M1 and M2 MacBooks. You’ll need to tinker with your Mac’s Systems Setting during the installation—there’s detailed directions in the user manual, which is a QR code download. The manual states that “if your laptop has two DP enabled USB-C ports … driver installation is not necessary”. “Two DP enabled USB-C ports” means your MacBook has at least one USB-C/Thunderbolt port on either side, which most MacBooks after 2018 do have. A MacBook with anything as or more powerful than a standard M1/M2/M3 processor can set up the Trio’s two screens without the software download. That means an M1/M2/M3 Pro/Max or any M4/M5 MacBook should be fine. However, the Trio’s screens can’t draw enough power from the connected laptop to allow for maximum screen brightness. The Trio 3 Pro takes power from the MacBook rather than having an external power supply or battery, making it more portable. I found the capped screen brightness to be fine but if you want to max the brightness on the Trio’s two extra screens you need to attach a power adapter to one of the Trio’s USB-C ports. That will also passthrough up to 65W of power to your laptop. In turn, that means that you need to install the software so that your can run both screens from the single cable connection. If you have a Mac faster than a standard M1 or M2 I’d experiment first to see if you need the maximum brightness. Simon Jary Finally, go into your Mac’s System Settings >Displays to arrange the screens in the right order and set the resolution of each screen. The USB-C cables are short at just 20 inches (0.5m) but must reach only a few inches from your MacBook’s Thunderbolt or USB-C port to the screen’s port. When in Portrait Mode (where it can be rotated and used as a single deeper vertical screen) the cable length is more important. In Landscape Mode they don’t get in the way but could surely have been shorter to reduce cable clutter, although you can hide the trailing cable within the stand if set up in that way. Simon Jary The Trio 3 Pro’s protective and subtly magnetic folio cover doubles up as an integrated stand that is reasonably firm. I prefer to use my laptop stand, and while the Trio didn’t unbalance when atop it I wouldn’t want to mess around with the position once in place (see above). Performance Resolution: 2240 × 1400 pixels Brightness: 300 nits Aspect ratio: 16:10 Color saturation (sRGB): 100% Color saturation (NTSC): 72% The IPS screens are not as sharp as the MacBook’s own, although the QHD resolution up to a maximum 2240 x 1400 pixels is superior to the LK14’s mere HD (1920 x 1080). Available resolutions range from 800 x 600, and a great many others for you to find the space vs clarity resolution that suits your needs. 2240 x 1400 is likely to be just too tight for most detailed tasks but allows for a lot of windows and tabs that would otherwise crowd out your main MacBook screen. The 14.1-inch size is enough to host simple spreadsheets, browser windows or other applications—but if you’re looking for a large screen where you can enlarge Excel sheets for easier viewing, a much larger portable screen, such as the 24-inch Asus ZenScreen MB249C or even dual-screen UPerfect Delta Mega, is called for. What you’re not getting is a screen larger than the laptop’s own. You are almost replicating it either side for expansion. Using the Trio in Landscape Mode during a video call is a great use case. Leave the MacBook’s screen for the Zoom/Teams/Google Meet window and you can keep supporting apps or notes open either side. You can control the Backlight, Contrast, Saturation, Color Temperature, Signal Source, Screen Mode, and Eye-care Mode via buttons at the top of the central section above your laptop’s screen. Color saturation is fine for general productivity work. Unsurprisingly, it’s not of a standard that professional graphic designers would accept but for most of us it’s fine. Each extra screen has a maximum brightness of 300 nits—compared to the peak MacBook brightness of 500 nits for standard SDR content, you will notice that the Trio’s screens are not quite as bright, but I found them bright enough. To increase to maximum brightness, you need to connect to an external charger—check our reviews of the best USB-C chargers. Eye-care Mode controls the screen’s color temperature and brightness to minimize the emission of blue light, which should mean less eye fatigue while working in low-light environments. Like an external display, you can set the extra screens to either mirror your laptop’s screen or extend it for extra real estate. This where the Trio 3 Pro gets clever. Simon Jary In addition to its wing-like Landscape Mode, in Portrait Mode you can pull the Trio away, rotate the screen vertically and set it to a 90° rotation in System Settings >Displays. Simon Jary With one screen folded around 180°, Presentation Mode is useful for face-to-face meetings, where the person sitting opposite sees the slideshow while you present on the other side. Mobile Pixels Another innovative setup is Collaboration Mode, where both of the Trio’s screens are rotated outward, forming a wraparound that would work in meetings, creative reviews or at events. Price and availability The Mobile Pixels Trio 3 Pro is priced at $499.99 / £369.99. U.K. availability was limited at the time of writing. Read our comparisons for more of the best portable monitors and best monitors for MacBook. Simon Jary Should you buy the Mobile Pixels Trio 3 Pro? You’ll make quite the impression in your shared working space when you unfurl the Trio’s screen wings and probably cause a scene if you do so at your local coffee shop. While a more fixed desktop solution with one or more larger external displays offers far greater screen-estate potential, the Trio 3 Pro can be attached quickly and detached with ease to be stored away when not in use. If you want a permanent second screen at home or in the office, buy a larger external display. See our recommended best monitors for Mac. If you want the same large size screen but easier to store out of site, look at our other best portable monitors for Mac. But if what you need is a more lightweight and flexible solution that’s perfect for video conferencing, presentations or multiple application work, the Trio 3 Pro is a striking solution with some clever customizations.

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