MacTech News

Lawsuit involves a legal battle with Apple, Lux Optics over its Halide camera tools app

Apple considered buying a company called Lux Optics to enhance the Camera app in the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro with the company’s Halide app. However, last summer’s discussions about the acquisition fell through last September and now there’s a legal brouhaha between the...

Entry level iPad with an A128 processor is almost ‘ready to go’

The entry level iPad is expected to be updated to version 12 with Apple Intelligence support later this year, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says in his latest “Power On” newsletter. He said it will pack an A18 processor and is almost “ready to go.” Gurman says no major...

Apple patent involves sharing, interacting with content in a 3D environment

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News items you should check out: March 23

Since I can’t cover everything, here are some recommended articles from other websites. ° From MacRumors: Apple and the Sydney Opera House in Australia announced a collaboration, and it turns out this will tie into Apple’s 50th-anniversary celebrations. ° From...

Apple’s Studio Display XDR is the best monitor I’ve ever used

The Apple Studio Display XDR is far and away the best display I’ve connected to my Mac, but I can’t recommend it for most folks. But first, an article from Greg Benz Photography does an excellent job of offering the reasons why some people will be willing to fork out...

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Opinion

Apple files for patent involving Apple Gloves, Apple Rings

Apple wants you to be able to control all its devices with just a wave

Apple granted yet another patent for an iPhone Curve

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Commercial buying should buoy personal computer, tablet shipments in the coming years

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Dan Moren is right; Apple does need a ‘game czar’

Despite the power of Apple Silicon, the Mac still remains (or at least is perceived as) a lackluster gaming PC. In a February article at Macworld, Dan Moren said that Apple needs a “game czar.” He’s right. From Dan’s article: Over the years since, Apple’s interest in...

Apple seeing only limited effects from economic pressures that are hurting other tech firms

Apple is seeing only limited effects from economic pressures that are hitting sales of electronics based on its web page traffic tracking, according to Jefferies analyst Kyle McNealy, reports Barron’s. “Page traffic is running well ahead of consensus as...

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Tuesday March 31
10:00 am
Apple @ Work Podcast: Meeting Owl Pro 5 is built for IT | 9 to 5 Mac
Apple @ Work Podcast: Meeting Owl Pro 5 is built for IT
Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. In this episode of Apple @ Work, Frank Weishaupt joins the show to talk all about the new Meeting Owl Pro 5 and its IT focused features. more…
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08:10 am
Best MagSafe and magnetic wireless chargers for iPhone | Macworld
Best MagSafe and magnetic wireless chargers for iPhone
Macworld We’ve rounded up the best MagSafe, Qi2, Qi2.2 25W, and MagSafe-compatible magnetic chargers, from the plain pad to multi-functional stands (up to six devices charged), and even the most colorful—from snap-on chargers and modular stands to foldable power banks and full charging desk mats. Apple’s MagSafe technology, supported by all models of iPhone since the iPhone 12 (except the iPhone SE and 16e), presents a more efficient way of wirelessly charging compatible iPhones. MagSafe is the ring of magnets around the iPhone’s internal charging coil that senses compatible accessories and magnetically snaps securely into the most efficient charging position with the right accessories. With MagSafe, you’re less likely to wake up to find your phone wasn’t correctly placed on the wireless charger so didn’t charge at all! Testing the best for you We have tested a lot of magnetic chargers—MagSafe, Qi2 and Compatible—and here inform you which one will work best for you. There are simple magnetic wireless chargers, multi-device chargers for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, travel chargers, car chargers and more. Best simple MagSafe chargers Best 2-in-1 MagSafe chargers Best 3-in-1 MagSafe chargers Best 4-in-1 MagSafe Chargers Best travel MagSafe chargers Best MagSafe charging stands with power banks Best MagSafe car charger Best wireless charging desk mat Best wireless charging sleeve Offering up to 25W power output in the right configuration, MagSafe charging is much faster than basic 7.5W magnetic wireless charging. The similar magentic Qi2 standard, supported by the iPhone 13-17 families (and unofficially the iPhone 12 but strangely not the latest 16e) offers similar 15W speed charging. Qi 2.2, also known as Qi2 25W, meets MagSafe at 25W for iPhone 16/17 series. MagSafe or Qi2 certification Apple certifies MagSafe accessories to ensures that the output charging is 15W for most iPhones, and up to 25W for iPhone 16 and 17 (with Apple’s latest MagSafe charger or chargers certified for Qi2 25W). Non-certified magnetic but “MagSafe-compatible” chargers are usually just 7.5W with a ring of magnets to hold your phone in place. Certified MagSafe chargers also have a single-wire NFC antenna that allows the iPhone to identify the device and a built-in magnetometer to prevent compass interference while you are using your iPhone while it’s charging. In our tests, 15W MagSafe and Qi2 chargers are evenly matched for charging speeds. 7.5W MagSafe compatible chargers, as you might expect, take around twice as long—certainly in the early stages of charging. But don’t rule out 7.5W chargers as they are often high quality, nearly always noticeably cheaper and just take a while longer to fully charge an iPhone. The king of the hill is Apple’s new MagSafe charger and chargers based on the new Qi2 25W technology that are definitely faster at 25W, but only with iPhone 16 or later. Foundry Simple vs multi-device magnetic chargers The most basic form of MagSafe or magnetic charger is the simple pad that latches on to the compatible iPhone. Some pads feature a pop-out arm so the iPhone can be propped up while charging. There are also products that can simultaneously charge an iPhone plus other Apple devices, such as an Apple Watch or wireless AirPods charging case. Note that the AirPods case must be of the wireless variety, and the original AirPods case lacked this functionality. The base of a multi-charger could also be used to charge a second iPhone but mostly not magnetically and at 5W rather than 7.5W, 15W, or 25W. Also see our round up of the Best Apple Watch chargers and stands. Best simple MagSafe chargers A simple MagSafe charging pad is the cheapest route to wireless iPhone charging. If you are going to the bother of connecting this product to a wall charger, why not just use a Lightning (iPhone 14 or earlier) or USB-C (iPhone 15 and up) cable direct to the iPhone? You can fast-charge an iPhone to 50% battery in under 30 minutes using a cable and just over that using a 25W charger, while it takes around 50 minutes to wirelessly charge iPhone from 0 to 50% using even 15W MagSafe. That said, there are interesting options to choose from. After these we’ll look at more multi-functional MagSafe chargers. Apple MagSafe Charger – Best simple MagSafe charger for fastest wireless Pros Fast 25W for iPhone 16 and up 15W for Qi2 and most iPhones Cons Expensive, especially at 2m 25W only for iPhone 16 and 17 series Price When Reviewed: $39 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $32.99 View Deal $32.99 View Deal $39 View Deal $39 View Deal $39.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Output charging: 25W (MagSafe), 15W (Qi2) Cable: 1m (3.3ft), 2m (6.6ft) Wall charger: Not included Colors: White The most obvious MagSafe Charger to buy for your Apple iPhone is, of course, the Apple MagSafe Charger. It’s the charger that Apple would have shipped with the iPhone if it did such things anymore. It’s as minimalist a design as you’d expect from Apple–it looks a lot like a giant Apple Watch Charger. You can also use it to charge your AirPods. Apple’s latest version of this charger offers 15W Qi2 support and, more importantly, a faster 25W charging speed with iPhone 16 and later. It also added a 2-meter length option for $10/£10 more, which is very welcome. At least a 30W USB-C power adapter is required for 25W charging. In our tests using the Apple MagSafe Charger we wirelessly powered up an iPhone 16 Pro from 0% to 50% in just over 30 minutes. It can also charge your AirPods case (AirPods 2 or AirPods Pro), although not at the same time as the iPhone—for that, you’ll need at least a 2-in-1 wireless charger. The standard 1m cable is too short to comfortably charge and use your iPhone at the same time, or maybe stretch from a power socket to a nearby table, so we recommend the 2m upgrade. Don’t forget that this Apple charger still requires a USB-C power adapter—at least 20W if you want 15W charging and at least 30W to enable 25W charging.
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08:00 am
Your iPhone storage is a mess—this $20 fix is a huge win | Macworld
Your iPhone storage is a mess—this $20 fix is a huge win
Macworld TL;DR: Cleaner Kit uses AI to clean up photos, videos, contacts, and more—grab lifetime access for $19.97 through April 12. iPhones don’t usually slow down overnight—it happens gradually. A few duplicate photos here, a handful of large videos there, and suddenly you’re staring at that dreaded “Storage Almost Full” notification. Cleaner Kit is designed to fix exactly that, without turning cleanup into a time-sucking job. Instead of manually scrolling through thousands of photos or digging through contacts, the app uses AI to identify what’s actually taking up space. Duplicate images, blurry shots, and oversized videos are flagged automatically, so you can clean things up in just a few taps. There’s even a swipe feature that makes the process feel more like organizing than deleting. It goes beyond photos, too. Cleaner Kit can merge duplicate contacts, tidy up your inbox, and even store sensitive files in a secure vault. Everything runs locally on your device, which also means your data stays private. Rather than doing one big cleanup every few months, you can keep your phone running smoothly all the time with minimal effort. Keep your iPhone organized, fast, and frustration-free. Get lifetime access to the iOS Cleaner Kit for just $19.97 (MSRP $104.97) through April 12. Cleaner Kit for iOS Premium Plan: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.
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08:00 am
Opera Neon doubles down on agentic browsing with MCP support | 9 to 5 Mac
Opera Neon doubles down on agentic browsing with MCP support
Opera’s agentic browser now lets users connect AI tools directly to their live browsing session, enabling them to access tabs, interact with pages, and take actions in real time. Here are the details. more…
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05:11 am
iOS 26.5 beta 1: All the new features and changes | Cult of Mac
iOS 26.5 beta 1: All the new features and changes
With Apple shifting its attention to iOS 27, iOS 26.5 beta 1 only brings a handful of minor changes to your iPhone. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
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03:21 am
Apple introduces privacy rules for third-party access to notifications and Live Activities | 9 to 5 Mac
Apple introduces privacy rules for third-party access to notifications and Live Activities
Apple has updated its Developer Program License Agreement with new rules on how third-party accessories must handle forwarded notifications and Live Activities. Here are the details. more…
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02:58 am
How to back up your iPhone & iPad to your Mac before something goes wrong | AppleInsider
How to back up your iPhone & iPad to your Mac before something goes wrong
Backing up your iPhone or iPad to your Mac is the fastest and most reliable way to protect your data, and is especially useful before updates, repairs, or device replacement.How to back up your iPhone and iPad to MacBacking up your iPhone or iPad to your Mac remains the fastest and most complete way to protect your data before updates, repairs, or hardware changes. Apple built local backup support directly into macOS through Finder, allowing full-device backups without relying on an internet connection.Local backups are like full system snapshots, saving your device settings, messages, app data, and media stored on your device. Backing up to iCloud does save your data, but restoring from a Mac is also faster than from because the data transfers directly over USB. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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02:14 am
Ninth Circuit unanimously denies Apple’s rehearing requests in Epic Games case | 9 to 5 Mac
Ninth Circuit unanimously denies Apple’s rehearing requests in Epic Games case
Apple suffered a significant setback in its case against Epic Games today, as the Ninth Circuit denied both of its rehearing petitions. Here are the details. more…
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01:31 am
Apple stopped selling 14 products in March, including 3 with no replacements | 9 to 5 Mac
Apple stopped selling 14 products in March, including 3 with no replacements
Apple introduced a ton of new hardware this month. New iPhones, iPads, Macs, and more made for a March to remember. Apple also discontinued a lot of products this month — and not just to make room for new hardware. more…
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01:19 am
Apple subsidiary fined in the UK for breaching Russia sanctions rules | 9 to 5 Mac
Apple subsidiary fined in the UK for breaching Russia sanctions rules
The UK has fined an Apple subsidiary more than half a million dollars for breaching Russia sanctions, following the invasion of Ukraine. Here are the details. more…
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12:38 am
iOS 26.5 beta 1: Here are all the new features | 9 to 5 Mac
iOS 26.5 beta 1: Here are all the new features
Apple released iOS 26.5 beta 1 for developers today. The update doesn’t include any of the highly-anticipated new Siri features, but there are a few changes worth noting. Head below for the full roundup of everything new in iOS 26.5 beta 1. more…
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Monday March 30
11:33 pm
WhatsApp is working on a dedicated CarPlay app, available now for beta testers | 9 to 5 Mac
WhatsApp is working on a dedicated CarPlay app, available now for beta testers
The latest WhatsApp beta build on TestFlight introduces a native CarPlay app, extending the app’s utility beyond the current voice-based interface. Here are the details. more…
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11:27 pm
The Epic vs. Apple case won't get a rehearing for App Store fees | AppleInsider
The Epic vs. Apple case won't get a rehearing for App Store fees
Apple's request for a rehearing in its lawsuit with Epic Games over App Store fees has been denied, which means no changes will be made to how external purchases are handled for now.Apple's request for a rehearing has been denied.The battle between Apple and Epic continues, but at least one of Apple's paths to victory may finally be closed for good. Apple hoped to undo a December 2025 decision with an appeal, but that was denied.Apple's request for a rehearing was denied on Monday according to a court filing. It states: "The panel unanimously votes to deny the petition for panel rehearing." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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11:01 pm
MagSafe Monday: Is the ESR 5-card wallet better than Apple’s FineWoven wallet? | 9 to 5 Mac
MagSafe Monday: Is the ESR 5-card wallet better than Apple’s FineWoven wallet?
I have tried many MagSafe wallets over the years, and I have yet to find the perfect one. After spending a few weeks with the Apple FineWoven wallet, I decided to swap to ESR’s five-card MagSafe wallet (in black). While the ESR option supports five cards, compared to the three you get with the FineWoven version, it is definitely much thicker. Even with the extra bulk, it has quickly become my current daily carry thanks to its separate ID slots and the ability to hold multiple cards. more…
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10:30 pm
Apple steps up crackdown on vibe coding apps, pulls ‘Anything’ from the App Store | 9 to 5 Mac
Apple steps up crackdown on vibe coding apps, pulls ‘Anything’ from the App Store
As reported by The Information, Apple pulled vibe coding app ‘Anything’ from the App Store last week, citing a self-containment rule from its App Review Guidelines. Here are the details. more…
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10:04 pm
BusyCal 2026.1.3 and BusyContacts 2026.1.3 | TidBITS
BusyCal 2026.1.3 and BusyContacts 2026.1.3
Adds support for AI-powered scheduling via the Claude Desktop Extension to BusyCal. ($49.99 new for each, free update, various sizes, macOS 11.5+)
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10:01 pm
Zoom Workplace 7.0 | TidBITS
Zoom Workplace 7.0
Updates the videoconferencing/communication app with a variety of additions and enhancements. (Free, 186.8 MB, macOS 10.15+)
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09:59 pm
Affinity 3.1 | TidBITS
Affinity 3.1
Brings some long-requested improvements to the creative suite. (Free, 983 MB, macOS 10.15+)
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09:58 pm
Mellel 6.6.5 | TidBITS
Mellel 6.6.5
Introduces a new licensing system to the eponymous word processor. ($69.99 new, free update, 105.3 MB, macOS 10.13+)
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09:56 pm
Firefox 149 | TidBITS
Firefox 149
Adds built-in VPN capabilities to the Web browser. (Free, 150.1 MB, macOS 10.15+)
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Wednesday March 11
01:08 pm
Kuo: iPhone 18 Pro Prices Still Likely to Hold Firm This Year | MacRumors
Kuo: iPhone 18 Pro Prices Still Likely to Hold Firm This Year
Apple's pricing for the iPhone 17e and MacBook Neo strongly suggests that Apple plans to keep iPhone 18 Pro prices unchanged when the new models launch later this year, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Sharing his latest thoughts on Apple's increasingly diversifying product roadmap, Kuo said on X that Apple's strategy is to use turmoil in the global memory chip market to its advantage, by securing supply, absorbing higher component costs, and gaining market share while competitors are forced to raise prices or cut specs. Kuo first made the claim in January, when he said Apple's plan for the iPhone 18 Pro models was to "avoid raising prices as much as possible" despite having to pay more for components. The $599 MacBook Neo and $599 iPhone 17e, both of which launched today, appear to bear that out. In a separate report last month, analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities corroborated Kuo's pricing outlook, saying his research of Apple's supply chain points to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max maintaining starting prices of $1,099 and $1,199, respectively. DRAM and NAND prices have surged in recent months, driven by soaring demand from companies building AI server infrastructure. According to Kuo, Apple negotiates memory prices with suppliers on a quarterly basis rather than every six months, which gives it more flexibility but also more exposure to such price swings. One possible sign of that risk management came last week when Apple removed the 512GB memory upgrade option when purchasing a Mac Studio, with the machine now maxing out at 256GB. The latter option also got a price rise – it used to cost $1,600 to go from 96GB to 256GB on the high-end M3 Ultra machine, but now it costs $2,000. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro models in September.Related Roundup: iPhone 18Tags: iPhone, Ming-Chi KuoRelated Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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12:08 pm
iPhone 18 Pro Max Thickness and Weight Allegedly Revealed | MacRumors
iPhone 18 Pro Max Thickness and Weight Allegedly Revealed
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max will be slightly thicker than its predecessor, measuring in at 8.8mm, up from 8.75mm on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The information comes from oft-accurate Weibo-based leaker Ice Universe. The claim chimes with a report last year that alleged hardware changes in the iPhone 18 Pro Max will make it the heaviest iPhone yet. Last November, fellow Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital said the body of the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, tipping its weight over 240 grams and making it the heaviest iPhone since the iPhone 14 Pro Max. That could be good news for those who crave longer-lasting battery life. Digital Chat Station – yet another Weibo-based leaker – has claimed the iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery, with a capacity in the range of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh (up from 5,088 mAh in the eSim version of the iPhone 17 Pro Max). Apple isn't expected to change the screen size of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and it will feature the same 6.9-inch display as the current model. The ‌‌iPhone 18‌‌ Pro and ‌‌iPhone 18‌‌ Pro Max are expected to launch later this year, featuring a possibly smaller Dynamic Island, the C2 modem, a simplified Camera Control, and an upgraded main camera with a variable aperture.Related Roundup: iPhone 18Tags: Ice Universe, iPhoneRelated Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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11:31 am
MacBook Neo 2 Might Not Feature Touchscreen After All | MacRumors
MacBook Neo 2 Might Not Feature Touchscreen After All
Apple's second-generation MacBook Neo may not feature a touch-capable display after all, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a report dated September 2025, Kuo‌ accurately predicted that the ‌MacBook Neo‌ would enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2025, noting that it would not feature a touchscreen. In the same report, however, the analyst said he believed Apple could add a touchscreen for the second-generation model, expected in 2027. Kuo's latest thoughts now appear to push back against the possibility. From the report shared this morning: Neo 2 was originally expected to feature a touch panel to compete with Chromebooks (50%+ of which support touch), but my latest industry checks suggest Neo 2 may not adopt it.Kuo says Apple's first touchscreen Mac is still expected to launch later this year in the form of a new, high-end MacBook Pro with an OLED display and a new design. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested the machine may be positioned above Apple's existing MacBook Pro Models, and could adopt the moniker "MacBook Ultra." The all-new MacBook Neo launches today, with prices starting at $599. Kuo says shipments of the Neo are slightly lower than his prior estimates, totaling around 4.5–5 million units (with about 2–2.5 million in the first half of 2026). For a single laptop model though, that's still a very impressive number.Related Roundup: MacBook NeoTag: Ming-Chi KuoBuyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now)Related Forum: MacBook NeoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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11:26 am
MacBook Neo Gets Same Battery Cycle Rating as MacBook Pro, Air | MacRumors
MacBook Neo Gets Same Battery Cycle Rating as MacBook Pro, Air
Apple has updated its battery cycle count support document to include the new MacBook Neo, revealing that the entry-level laptop has a maximum cycle count of 1,000. A battery cycle is completed when you've discharged an amount equal to 100% of the battery's total capacity, but not necessarily in one go. For example, if you use 60% one day and 40% the next, it still counts as one cycle, even though you recharged in between. First spotted in the updated support document by 9to5Mac, the 1,000-cycle limit puts the MacBook Neo right in line with every MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and standard MacBook that Apple has sold since 2009. Older models from the pre-unibody era had limits as low as 300 cycles. In real-world terms, even someone who burns through a full cycle every day would take nearly three years to hit the 1,000 count cap. More typical usage patterns could well stretch that beyond five years. Apple says its lithium-ion batteries are designed to hold up to 80% of their original capacity at the maximum cycle count. After that, the battery is considered "consumed" and a replacement is recommended, but that doesn't mean it will simply stop working. Launching today with a $599 starting price, the all-new MacBook Neo ships with a 36.5-watt-hour lithium-ion battery, which Apple rates for up to 16 hours of video playback and up to 11 hours of wireless web browsing. Check Your Mac's Battery Cycle Count Every new Mac bought from Apple comes with a one-year warranty that includes service coverage for a defective battery. If your Mac is out of warranty and the battery hasn't aged well, Apple offers battery service for a charge. In this case, a MacBook Neo battery service costs $149.Related Roundups: MacBook Neo, MacBook ProBuyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now), MacBook Pro (Buy Now)Related Forums: MacBook Neo, MacBook ProThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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10:00 am
$599 MacBook Neo Available for Same-Day Pickup at Apple Stores | MacRumors
$599 MacBook Neo Available for Same-Day Pickup at Apple Stores
Wednesday is the official launch day of Apple's low-cost MacBook Neo, and as customers who pre-ordered begin to receive their purchases, Apple has also started in-store sales for the new laptop, along with a host of other new products it announced last week. Customers across Europe, Asia and other regions can now place an order on Apple's website or in the Apple Store app and arrange for in-store pickup at a local retail location. A quick spot check on the U.K. Apple online store suggests that most stores in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have available stock for customers today, although there are bound to be exceptions, with availability also running on a first-come, first-serve basis. Apple has yet to update its online store for customers in the United States and Canada, but that will change in the next few hours, when in-store availability across North America will become clear. To order a product with ‌Apple Store‌ pickup, add the product to your bag on Apple.com, proceed to checkout, select the "I'll pick it up" option, enter your ZIP code, choose an available ‌Apple Store‌ location, and select a pickup date. Payment is completed online, and a valid government-issued photo ID and the order number may be required upon pickup. The MacBook Neo starts at $599, and is powered by the A18 Pro chip first introduced in the iPhone 16 Pro in 2024. It's the first Mac to use an iPhone-class chip. Apple says it delivers up to 50% faster everyday performance than the bestselling PC with Intel's latest Core Ultra 5 processor. It features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with a 2,408 × 1,506 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, and an anti-reflective coating. The display uses uniform, iPad-style bezels instead of a notch, and the machine weighs 2.7 pounds and comes in Silver, Indigo, Blush, and Citrus, with matching keyboard accents and wallpapers. Connectivity includes two USB-C ports – one USB-C 2 (up to 480 Mb/s) and one USB-C 3 (up to 10 Gb/s) – plus a headphone jack. Other features include 8GB of unified memory, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6, a 1080p camera, dual beamforming microphones, Spatial Audio speakers, and up to 16 hours of battery life. The base model includes 256GB of storage and the Magic Keyboard for $599, while a $699 configuration adds 512GB of storage and Touch ID. Education pricing starts at $499. Today also marks the launch of the iPhone 17e, MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, MacBook Air with M5 chip, iPad Air with M4 chip, new and updated Apple Studio Displays. In-store availability for these devices will vary depending on popularity, but overall we think the MacBook Neo is likely to be the star of the show today in retail stores worldwide.Related Roundup: MacBook NeoBuyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now)Related Forum: MacBook NeoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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02:38 am
ASUS Executive Says MacBook Neo is 'Shock' to PC Industry | MacRumors
ASUS Executive Says MacBook Neo is 'Shock' to PC Industry
On an earnings call today, an ASUS executive admitted that Apple's more affordable MacBook Neo is a "shock" to the PC industry (via PCMag). In the U.S., the MacBook Neo starts at just $599, or at an even lower $499 for college students. "Given Apple's historically very premium pricing, launching such an affordable product is certainly a shock to the entire market," said ASUS's Chief Financial Officer Nick Wu, according to a transcript of the earnings call published by Seeking Alpha. His comment was translated to English by an interpreter who was present on the call. Wu said the MacBook Neo has some limited specs, including only 8GB of RAM, and he believes this may impact the ability to use certain apps. However, MacBook Neo reviewer Patrick Tomasso played back 4K video in DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro, edited a photo in Adobe Lightroom, and used many tabs in Google Chrome on the laptop, all without issue. In fact, most if not all reviews praised the MacBook Neo's performance. Wu believes that Apple seems to be positioning the MacBook Neo as a device that is more for "content consumption," like a tablet. "Of course, it's not that it cannot do all the work, but considering user experience and those hardware limitations, the experience, I think, differs significantly from mainstream products," he said, according to the transcript. Nevertheless, Wu said the PC industry is taking the MacBook Neo's introduction "very seriously." "I believe all PC vendors, including upstream vendors like Microsoft, Intel and AMD, they're all taking this very seriously, seriously discussing how to compete with this product in the entire PC ecosystem," said Wu, per the transcript. "The entire PC system will launch corresponding products to compete with Apple." Ultimately, he said the MacBook Neo's actual impact on the PC market remains to be seen. "The final market competition outcome is hard to predict," he said. "We just need more time." With the MacBook Neo launch underway, the clock is officially ticking.Related Roundup: MacBook NeoTag: AsusBuyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now)Related Forum: MacBook NeoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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12:06 am
Why Apple Rejected a Clamshell-Style Foldable iPhone | MacRumors
Why Apple Rejected a Clamshell-Style Foldable iPhone
Apple considered but abandoned plans for a flip-style foldable iPhone because it didn't create compelling new use cases, according to Weibo leaker Instant Digital. Apple reportedly felt that it was an "unnecessary" design because the biggest selling point would have been its smaller size when folded. The split at the middle also caused issues with internal space, limiting battery capacity and leaving less space for camera components. Apple would have had to compromise on the rear camera system. Instant Digital suggests that if Apple wanted a smaller ‌iPhone‌, the company would introduce a smaller slab-style model instead. There have been two distinct periods when rumors suggested Apple was considering an ‌iPhone‌ that folds in half like a clamshell. The first rumors surfaced years ago before reports shifted toward Apple's work on the larger book-style foldable ‌iPhone‌ that's coming in 2026, and the second came in February 2026 when rumors indicated Apple was once again evaluating the design. It's not clear if Instant Digital is referring to the earlier rumors or the more recent rumors from February, but the wording suggests the latter. Samsung has long had two foldable smartphone styles, offering both the Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Flip, but smaller-sized iPhones have not done well. Apple had a 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and an ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini, but the device was discontinued after two generations because it sold poorly. Given Apple's struggle to sell more compact iPhones like the ‌iPhone‌ mini, it may not be surprising that a clamshell-style foldable has been shelved for now.Tags: Foldable iPhone, iPhoneRelated Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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Tuesday March 10
11:30 pm
Apple's Low-Cost iPhone 17e is Faster Than the Low-Cost MacBook Neo | MacRumors
Apple's Low-Cost iPhone 17e is Faster Than the Low-Cost MacBook Neo
Apple is set to launch two new low-cost devices tomorrow, the iPhone 17e and the MacBook Neo. Both devices use A-series chips, which have historically been limited to the iPhone and iPad. The ‌MacBook Neo‌ has Apple's A18 Pro chip inside, which was first used in the iPhone 16 Pro models, while the ‌iPhone 17e‌ has a newer A19 chip. Unsurprisingly, thanks to the newer chip, Apple's $599 ‌iPhone‌ outperforms the CPU in its $599 Mac. The ‌iPhone 17e‌ earned a multi-core score of 9,241 on early Geekbench benchmarks, while the ‌MacBook Neo‌ earned a multi-core score of 8,668. Single-core chip results also favored the ‌iPhone 17e‌, which earned a score of 3,607, while the Neo had a single-core score of 3,461. Metal scores for the GPU were closer, with the ‌MacBook Neo‌ scoring between 30,000 and 31,400 the ‌iPhone 17e‌ earned scores ranging from 31,000 to 31,600. Both the ‌iPhone 17e‌ and the ‌MacBook Neo‌ have the same 8GB RAM for Apple Intelligence support, and while that might not sound like enough for a Mac, early reviewers felt that 8GB RAM was sufficient for everyday light workloads. The ‌MacBook Neo‌ is the first Mac that Apple has designed with an A-series chip instead of an M-series chip, and its benchmark results suggest that it is essentially an ‌iPhone‌ that runs macOS. It will be interesting to see how well the ‌MacBook Neo‌ sells given that its CPU performance trails Apple's low-cost ‌iPhone‌.Related Roundups: iPhone 17e, MacBook NeoTag: iPhoneBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17e (Buy Now), MacBook Neo (Buy Now)Related Forums: MacBook Neo, iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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09:30 pm
First MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, and Studio Display XDR Orders Begin Arriving | MacRumors
First MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, and Studio Display XDR Orders Begin Arriving
It's Wednesday, March 11 in Australia and New Zealand, which means it's the official launch day for all of the products Apple introduced last week, including the new low-cost MacBook Neo, the iPhone 17e, the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models, the Studio Display, the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR, the M4 iPad Air, and the M5 MacBook Air. Apple fans who purchased one of the new devices will start receiving their orders in the next few hours, and will soon share photos and first impressions of the new ‌MacBook Neo‌, ‌iPhone 17e‌, and more on Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and other social networks. If you've ordered one of the new products and it's been delivered, let us know your thoughts in the comments below and make sure to share some photos. Since there are no Apple retail stores in New Zealand, customers in Australia are the first to be able to pick up their new device or make a purchase in an Apple Store. In-store stock in Australia will provide insight into what we can expect from other Apple locations worldwide, but we aren't expecting major shortages. Some ‌MacBook Neo‌ models have delivery estimates that are a little over a week out, so that may be the most popular new product from this batch. If you missed pre-ordering a ‌MacBook Neo‌ or one of Apple's other new devices, you should be able to visit an Apple retail location to pick one up on launch day. Other retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy should also have stock, and carriers will have the ‌iPhone 17e‌. Following Australia and New Zealand, sales and deliveries of the ‌MacBook Neo‌, new ‌Studio Display‌ models, ‌iPhone 17e‌, and other products will begin in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and finally, North America. Make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors, because we'll have hands-on and unboxing videos starting tomorrow.Related Roundups: iPhone 17e, Studio Display, MacBook NeoTag: iPhoneBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17e (Buy Now), Displays (Buy Now), MacBook Neo (Buy Now)Related Forums: Mac Accessories, MacBook Neo, iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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08:54 pm
MacBook Neo Has Up to 8× Slower SSD Speeds Compared to New MacBook Pro | MacRumors
MacBook Neo Has Up to 8× Slower SSD Speeds Compared to New MacBook Pro
While the MacBook Neo achieves a breakthrough $599 starting price, that of course comes with some compromises, and one of them is slower SSD speeds. The Verge today said the MacBook Neo had up to 8× slower sustained SSD read and write speeds in a benchmark test compared to the new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. The site did not mention which tool it used to measure SSD speeds, but it was likely Blackmagic's Disk Speed Test or AmorphousDiskMark. Here is a comparison of sustained SSD speeds, according to The Verge. Mac (Chip/Capacity) Read Speeds Write Speeds MacBook Neo (A18 Pro/256GB)1,735 MB/s1,684 MB/s MacBook Air (M1/512GB)3,422 MB/s3,274 MB/s MacBook Air (M5/1TB)7,049 MB/s7,480 MB/s MacBook Pro (M5 Max/4TB)13.6 GB/s17.8 GB/s The speeds for the M5 Max model came from The Verge's separate MacBook Pro review, and unfortunately storage capacities are not equal across the board. With slower SSD speeds, transferring files to and from the MacBook Neo will take longer, but this is a non-issue for many customers. Even with a large 100 GB file, a transfer may take up to a minute with a MacBook Neo, rather than around 30 seconds with the latest MacBook Air, or 7-8 seconds with the latest MacBook Pro. A slower SSD can also impact overall performance, since apps boot from the SSD, and because the MacBook Neo will temporarily use SSD space as virtual memory when the laptop's actual 8GB of RAM is fully used. But, the first MacBook Neo reviews have largely indicated that the laptop's performance is quite good nonetheless. The average customer purchasing a MacBook Neo is probably not thinking about SSD speeds to begin with, and they will likely never notice any impact, but we have highlighted this information for customers who do care about this sort of thing. MacBook Neo launches this Wednesday.Related Roundups: MacBook Neo, MacBook ProTag: The VergeBuyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now), MacBook Pro (Buy Now)Related Forums: MacBook Neo, MacBook ProThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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08:13 pm
Sonos Launches Two New Speakers With AirPlay 2 Support | MacRumors
Sonos Launches Two New Speakers With AirPlay 2 Support
Sonos today launched two new speakers, the Sonos Play and the Sonos Era 100 SL. Sonos says that the additions to its lineup "reflect a renewed focus on strengthening the Sonos system" after a disastrous 2024 app redesign damaged customer trust. The Sonos Play is a versatile speaker that can be used from room to room, and like most Sonos products, multiple speakers can be paired together. Sonos Play speakers connect to WiFi and can be grouped across multiple rooms or paired up for stereo sound. There's an included charging base so the speaker can be used either at home or while on the go. The battery lasts for up to 24 hours, and it can also serve as a power bank for recharging an iPhone. The Sonos Play has IP67 waterproofing so it can be used poolside, at the beach, or in the shower. When you're not at home, up to four Sonos Play or Move 2 speakers can be paired together over Bluetooth instead of WiFi using the Sonos Play app. Sound will be synced up, and Automatic Trueplay will adapt the audio to match the environment. AirPlay 2 support is included, so Sonos Play speakers can be used alongside other ‌AirPlay‌ 2 speakers for multi-room or multi-device audio using Apple's technology. The Era 100 SL is a simpler speaker that's meant to ease people into the Sonos ecosystem. It features a microphone-free design and fewer features to help keep the price lower. It can be used alone or paired with other Sonos speakers over time, and it also supports ‌AirPlay‌ 2. The Sonos Play and Sonos Era 100 SL can be pre-ordered from the Sonos website starting today, with a launch to follow on March 31, 2026. The Sonos Play is $299, while the Sonos Era 100 SL is $189.Tag: SonosThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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05:53 pm
MacBook Neo Will Have Day One Software Update | MacRumors
MacBook Neo Will Have Day One Software Update
Customers planning to get a new MacBook Neo tomorrow will need to install a day one update. Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.3.2, which is available for the new Mac. According to Apple's release notes for ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3.2, it includes bug fixes and security updates. Apple will likely require the software to be installed during the ‌MacBook Neo‌ setup process. As of yesterday, there is also a version of the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 beta that's compatible with the ‌MacBook Neo‌, and also Apple's new M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models. The ‌MacBook Neo‌ is set to launch on March 11, with the first customers who pre-ordered receiving their shipments. Apple retail locations worldwide will also have stock of the new device. Related Roundup: MacBook NeoBuyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now)Related Forum: MacBook NeoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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04:52 pm
Apple's New MacBooks Have a Keyboard Change You Might Have Missed | MacRumors
Apple's New MacBooks Have a Keyboard Change You Might Have Missed
The new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models feature a keyboard change that was easy to miss during Apple's announcements last week. The new U.S. English keyboard layout On the U.S. English version of the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro keyboards, the tab, caps lock, shift, return, and delete keycaps now have glyphs on them. On previous-generation models, these keys are labeled with text instead. This change was spotted by "Mr. Macintosh" last week, and it extends to the MacBook Neo. The previous U.S. English keyboard layout Given the U.S. English keyboard layout is the default option for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Neo models sold in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, this change effectively extends to those countries and a few others. If you live in Europe, this will look familiar to you. Apple has long showed glyphs on the tab, caps lock, shift, return, and delete keycaps on its keyboard layouts for British English and other European languages, so this is nothing new there. The new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Neo models launch this Wednesday.Related Roundups: MacBook Air, MacBook Neo, MacBook ProBuyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now), MacBook Pro (Buy Now), MacBook Air (Buy Now)Related Forums: MacBook Air, MacBook Neo, MacBook ProThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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03:21 pm
Studio Display XDR White Paper Reveals New Color System and Future Calibration Feature | MacRumors
Studio Display XDR White Paper Reveals New Color System and Future Calibration Feature
Apple's newly published Studio Display XDR Technology Overview white paper reveals two notable display technologies: a forthcoming Full Calibration feature and a new color measurement model called Apple CMF 2026. According to the document, a future macOS update will introduce Full Calibration, a feature that allows users to recalibrate key display characteristics using professional measurement equipment. Apple says Full Calibration will adjust the white point, primary color coordinates, luminance, and gamma response of the display when used with a compatible spectroradiometer. The feature is not available at launch. The functionality is aimed at professional color workflows, allowing the display to be recalibrated at the hardware level to maintain accuracy over time or match specific production environments. Apple currently ships each Studio Display XDR with factory calibration, alongside a set of reference presets designed for common color standards. The white paper also introduces Apple CMF 2026, a new system Apple developed to improve how displays are measured and calibrated. Most display calibration today relies on the long-standing CIE 1931 color matching functions, a model created nearly a century ago to represent how humans perceive color. Apple says Apple CMF 2026 addresses limitations in the CIE 1931 model that can cause displays to look slightly different even when they are calibrated to the same standard. According to the company, the new system improves visual consistency by more closely matching how colors actually appear to the human eye. Each ‌Studio Display‌ XDR is individually calibrated using Apple CMF 2026 at the factory. However, Apple continues to support the traditional CIE 1931 system through its reference presets to maintain compatibility with existing professional workflows. Apple says it is also working with the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) to help develop a broader industry standard based on this research, with the goal of improving color consistency across displays from different manufacturers. The ‌Studio Display‌ XDR is the first Apple display to support Apple CMF 2026.Related Roundup: Studio DisplayBuyer's Guide: Displays (Buy Now)Related Forum: Mac AccessoriesThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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02:53 pm
Amazon Kicks Off Big Accessory Sale on Monitors, iPhone Accessories, and More | MacRumors
Amazon Kicks Off Big Accessory Sale on Monitors, iPhone Accessories, and More
Today we're tracking a collection of discounts on Amazon for a wide range of products, including monitors, iPhone and desktop accessories, and more. The majority of the deals below have been automatically applied, but some will require you to clip an on-page coupon in order to see the final sale price. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Highlights include Samsung's 32-inch Smart Monitor M9 for $1,299.99, which is $300 off and a match of the all-time low price on the monitor. We're also tracking discounts on unique products like the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 for $119.99 ($30 off) and Satechi FindAll Wallet Card for $29.98 ($5 off). $34 OFFAnker Prime 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station for $115.99 $300 OFFSamsung Smart Monitor M9 for $1,299.99Monitors 27-inch LG Ultrafine 4K Monitor - $219.99, down from $249.99 32-inch Samsung Odyssey Curved Gaming Monitor - $249.99, down from $329.99 27-inch Dell 4K Monitor - $299.99, down from $349.99 27-inch LG UltraGear Gaming Monitor - $319.99, down from $499.99 27-inch ASUS ProArt 4K Display - $369.00 with on-page coupon, down from $429.00 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G5 Gaming Monitor - $484.09, down from $549.99 32-inch Samsung Smart Monitor M9 - $1,299.99, down from $1,599.99 Wall Chargers Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger - $29.99, down from $39.99 Anker 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $64.99, down from $99.99 Anker 14-in-1 Prime Thunderbolt 5 Dock - $339.99, down from $399.99 Wireless Chargers Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible UFO Charger - $69.99, down from $89.99 Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Foldable Charging Station - $85.99, down from $109.99 Anker 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station (NEW) - $115.99, down from $149.99 Anker Prime MagSafe-Compatible 3-in-1 Charging Station - $169.99, down from $229.99 Portable Chargers Anker MagGo Power Bank 10,000 mAh - $63.99, down from $79.99 Anker Prime Power Bank 26,250 mAh - $171.48, down from $229.99 Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $428.99, down from $799.00 Miscellaneous Satechi FindAll Wallet Card - $29.98, down from $34.99 Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 - $119.99, down from $149.99 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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02:15 pm
12 New Apple Products Still Expected This Year | MacRumors
12 New Apple Products Still Expected This Year
Apple may have updated several iPads and Macs late last year and just last week, but there are still a number of new devices expected to arrive later in 2026. Most of Apple's remaining launches for the year are likely to follow the company's typical fall schedule in September and October, but we could always see additional announcements outside of the 2026 fall season. We've rounded up a list of everything that we're still waiting to see from Apple in 2026. Low-Cost iPad – Apple is working on a new version of the low-cost iPad that was expected to arrive last week, but it was conspicuous in its absence from Apple's announcements. There are no design changes expected, but Apple will upgrade it with a A18 chip or A19 chip for Apple Intelligence. New Mac Studio - An update for the Mac Studio should arrive in the middle of the year, but no external changes are expected. The refresh should see an update to the M5 Max chip and either an M4 or M5 Ultra chip. New Mac mini – New Mac mini models are in the pipeline and are expected to arrive sometime after the Mac Studio refresh. The ‌Mac mini‌ will probably offer M5 and M5 Pro variants, but no design changes are expected. New iMacs – Also likely coming after the Mac Studio debut, new iMacs could have a refreshed color palette this year and are almost certain to get the M5 chip. Foldable iPhone – Apple's rumored new book-style foldable smartphone, featuring a display in both folded and unfolded states, is expected to arrive in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max – We get new iPhones every September, but Apple will adopt a split-launch cycle this year, and we are expecting only Pro/Max models alongside the new foldable iPhone – so no regular iPhone 18 or iPhone Air 2 this year. Apple Watch Series 12 – We usually get new Apple Watch Series models alongside new iPhones in the fall, but we're expecting only internal changes this year, with noninvasive blood glucose monitoring thought to still be a few years away. Smart Home Hub – Apple is said to have delayed the launch of its planned smart home hub until September, due to ongoing issues with the revamped version of Siri. New Apple TV 4K – The new Apple TV 4K appears to have been held back until the updated version of Siri is ready later this year. Rumors suggest that it will get an A17 Pro chip for Apple Intelligence along with Apple's N1 networking chip, but no major design updates. New HomePod mini – Like the Apple TV 4K, Apple is believed to have a new version of the HomePod ready to go, but it may be being held up by issues with the revamped version of Siri that Apple has promised later this year. The ‌HomePod mini‌ is expected to get a newer Apple Watch chip and it could also adopt the N1 and an updated UWB chip. High-end AirPods Pro – Apple plans to unveil new AirPods Pro this year equipped with tiny infrared cameras, allowing them to be connected to Apple Intelligence, specifically Visual Intelligence. It is unclear when Apple plans to announce the new AirPods Pro, but September or October is most likely, based on historical patterns. OLED MacBook – A new, high-end MacBook, potentially called "MacBook Ultra," is believed to be arriving around the end of the year, featuring a touch-capable OLED display. What We Might Not See This Year The Apple Watch Ultra was refreshed in September 2025. Another update will not arrive until September 2026 at the earliest, but Apple has not always refreshed the Ultra on a yearly basis. It's not yet clear if we're getting a refresh in 2026 or if Apple will skip this year completely while it works on incorporating noninvasive blood glucose monitoring technology. The same goes for Apple Watch SE, in that Apple has not updated the more affordable model on an annual cycle. The latest model, Apple Watch SE 3, debuted in September 2025, so Apple might skip updates this year – although we've yet to hear either way. Software Updates In three months, Apple will unveil its next generation of software at its June Worldwide Developers Conference, where it typically previews the major updates coming to its platforms. The event will offer an early look at the features planned for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, tvOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27. These updates are notable because they bring new capabilities to existing devices without requiring users to purchase new hardware. Apple will introduce the software in June, but the final versions are expected to be released to the public in September. Read More MacRumors maintains an upcoming products guide that outlines both near-term releases and devices expected further down the road. It's updated frequently, providing you with a useful reference for keeping track of what Apple is currently developing and what may launch next.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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01:54 pm
MacBook Neo Reviews: Is Just 8GB of RAM Enough? | MacRumors
MacBook Neo Reviews: Is Just 8GB of RAM Enough?
The first reviews of the MacBook Neo were published today by selected publications and YouTube channels, ahead of the laptop launching on Wednesday. Available in Blush, Citrus, Indigo, and Silver, the MacBook Neo is powered by a version of the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro. The laptop is equipped with a 13-inch display, up to 512GB of storage, and a non-configurable 8GB of RAM. MacBook Neo is Apple's most affordable MacBook ever, and most of the reviews so far call it a great value. In the U.S., pricing starts at just $599, or at an even lower $499 for college students and qualifying educational staff. The big question: is just 8GB of RAM enough? Reviews The Verge's Antonio G. Di Benedetto said the MacBook Neo's 8GB of RAM is "totally adequate" for "the everyday productivity stuff the Neo is meant to handle":The MacBook Neo zips through the light workloads it's designed for. The A18 Pro chip actually outperforms Apple's M1 MacBook Air (and most Windows laptops) in single-core processing benchmarks, the spec most vital for the everyday productivity stuff the Neo is meant to handle. That's why this $600 laptop excels at light tasks like web browsing and working on Google Docs. The Neo's 8GB of RAM and slow 256GB storage are totally adequate for living this life, but the machine does feel a little slower at the fringes if you know where to look — like how clicking the Applications folder on the dock sometimes takes a second for the icons to populate. The relatively paltry RAM and storage prevent the Neo from performing as well in heavier creative apps as the MacBook Airs and Pros, but that's fine.Bloomberg's Chris Welch praised the MacBook Neo's aluminum design, display quality, and the dual speakers on the left and right edges of the laptop:Even for consumers who stick to more casual computing, the Neo's aluminum build, crisp screen and well-balanced speakers are going to make this a no-brainer purchase for millions. In your hands, the device looks, feels and sounds every bit like a Mac.Tom's Guide ran its usual battery test, which involves continuous web surfing at 150 nits of display brightness, and the MacBook Neo lasted for 13 hours and 28 minutes. The publication said this is "fantastic endurance for a laptop in this price range," topping the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3's 8 hours and 39 minutes. However, it falls short of the latest MacBook Air, which lasted for 15 hours and 28 minutes in the test. Additional reviews were published by Ars Technica, CNET, WIRED, and 9to5Mac, among others. Videos Related Roundup: MacBook NeoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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01:28 pm
Apple CEO Tim Cook Takes a Pit Stop in New Video to Promote F1 | MacRumors
Apple CEO Tim Cook Takes a Pit Stop in New Video to Promote F1
Apple CEO Tim Cook today shared a short promotional video on social media highlighting Apple's new role as the U.S. home of Formula One. The clip takes place around Apple Park and shows Cook driving a small campus buggy along the ring road before pulling up beside Dutch racing driver Max Verstappen. The scene plays out like a Formula 1 pit stop, with the buggy stopping at a makeshift pit area labeled "Tim Box Box," a reference to the radio phrase used by F1 teams to call drivers into the pits. During the stop, a rapid tire-change sequence unfolds, parodying the high-speed choreography of real Formula 1 pit crews. After the brief stop, Cook accelerates away from the pit box. The light-hearted video is part of Apple's wider promotional push around its new Formula 1 broadcasting partnership. Beginning with the 2026 season, Apple has become the exclusive U.S. broadcaster of Formula 1 races through the Apple TV app, which now carries every practice session, qualifying session, Sprint race, and Grand Prix live and on demand. Apple has been heavily promoting the partnership across its ecosystem, including features in the Apple Sports app, race coverage integrations in Apple News, circuit maps in Apple Maps, and audio race broadcasts on Apple Music. The promotional clip also comes shortly after the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season, which opened with the Australian Grand Prix. Apple says ‌Apple TV‌ subscribers in the United States can watch the entire season with 4K video, Dolby Vision, and multiple onboard camera feeds.Tags: Apple TV Plus, Tim CookThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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01:09 pm
MacBook Neo Unboxing Videos Shared Ahead of Launch Day | MacRumors
MacBook Neo Unboxing Videos Shared Ahead of Launch Day
The first MacBook Neo unboxing videos were shared today by selected YouTube channels, ahead of the laptop launching on Wednesday. Available in Blush, Citrus, Indigo, and Silver, the MacBook Neo is powered by a version of the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro. The laptop is equipped with a 13-inch display, up to 512GB of storage, and a non-configurable 8GB of RAM. MacBook Neo is Apple's most affordable MacBook ever. In the U.S., pricing starts at just $599, or at an even lower $499 for college students. Related Roundup: MacBook NeoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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12:58 pm
AirPods Pro 3 Hit All-Time Low Price of $199 | MacRumors
AirPods Pro 3 Hit All-Time Low Price of $199
Verizon today has the AirPods Pro 3 available for $199.00, down from $249.00. This is a match of the all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, which has been hard to come by on Amazon in recent weeks. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. This model of the AirPods Pro launched in September 2025 and has 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, better audio quality, a revised fit that's meant to improve comfort and stability, Live Translation for in-person conversations, and heart rate sensing for workouts. $50 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $199.00 Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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A Look at INCIPIO’s Grip, AeroGrip Cases for the iPhone 14 Pro Max

While deciding on a case for my iPhone 14 Pro Max I received three cases to review from INCIPIO. At first glance, I was not overly impressed, but outside the box and on my phone, these cases are worth considering. At incipio.com I was wowed by the selection of...

A Look at INCIPIO’s Grip, AeroGrip Cases for the iPhone 14 Pro Max

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Eco-Hardshell Case protects that MacBook Pro for which you shelled out big bucks

Shell cases are great for keeping the exterior of your MacBook Pro scratch-free. Satechi’s debut laptop case design – the Eco-HardShell Case for MacBook Pro – does this while adding a minimum of extra bulk, though it does hide some of the laptop’s iconic design....

Eco-Hardshell Case protects that MacBook Pro for which you shelled out big bucks

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Monday March 16
06:53 am
Twilio Flex Plugins Database in US1 region – Maintenance | Twilio
Twilio Flex Plugins Database in US1 region – Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 28, 19:45 - 21:15 PDTMar 15, 23:25 PDTScheduled - We are upgrading the Flex Plugins database in the US1 region. This requires additional preparation and validation steps, which is why the overall maintenance window is longer. The actual database cut-over will take approximately 2 minutes.Customer Impact: During the switchover, the following operations may fail and may return 5xx errors for up to 2 minutes: Plugin management actions such as create, update, install, uninstallPlugin rendering: fetching/serving pluginsOur engineering team will actively monitor system performance throughout and after the maintenance to ensure stable operations.Contingency Plan: If any issues are detected, we will immediately roll back the changes. A rollback, if triggered, may result in an additional ~5 minutes of downtime.
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06:53 am
Proxy Aurora Prod-us1 – LTS version upgrade | Twilio
Proxy Aurora Prod-us1 – LTS version upgrade
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 24, 22:30 PDT - Mar 25, 00:30 PDTMar 15, 23:49 PDTScheduled - We're conducting a planned maintenance in US1 between 9:30 pm and 11:30 pm Pacific Time on 24/03/2026. During the maintenance window, the Proxy APIs may return 5xx errors for about 1 minute during the window. Our engineering team will actively monitor system performance throughout and after the maintenance to ensure stable operations
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12:52 am
ATL (Atlanta) on 2026-03-16 | CloudFlare
ATL (Atlanta) on 2026-03-16
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 16, 01:00 - 03:45 UTCMar 16, 00:44 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in ATL (Atlanta) datacenter on 2026-03-16 between 01:00 and 03:45 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.
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12:15 am
ZRH (Zurich) on 2026-03-16 | CloudFlare
ZRH (Zurich) on 2026-03-16
Mar 16, 00:15 UTCIn progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.Mar 16, 00:06 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in ZRH (Zurich) datacenter on 2026-03-16 between 00:15 and 05:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.
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Sunday March 15
10:50 pm
SSL Certificate Provisioning Delays | CloudFlare
SSL Certificate Provisioning Delays
Mar 15, 22:50 UTCMonitoring - We have identified and implemented a fix for this issue. We are currently monitoring the results.Mar 15, 22:46 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating delays in provisioning SSL certificates. New SSL certificate provisioning is taking up to 45 minutes in some cases.SSL certificates already in production remain unaffected and are operating normally.
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03:22 pm
Pakistan SMS Carrier Maintenance – Telenor | Twilio
Pakistan SMS Carrier Maintenance – Telenor
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 23, 22:00 PDT - Mar 24, 02:00 PDTMar 15, 08:20 PDTScheduled - The Telenor network in Pakistan is conducting a planned maintenance from 23 March 2026 at 22:00 PDT until 24 March 2026 at 02:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Telenor Pakistan handsets.
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Saturday March 14
09:23 pm
US SMS Carrier Maintenance – Small US Carriers | Twilio
US SMS Carrier Maintenance – Small US Carriers
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 24, 02:00 - 04:00 PDTMar 14, 14:12 PDTScheduled - A subset of small networks in the US are conducting a planned maintenance from 24 March 2026 at 02:00 PDT until 24 March 2026 at 04:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from small US carriers handsets.
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Friday March 13
07:53 pm
Argentina SMS Carrier Maintenance – Telefonica | Twilio
Argentina SMS Carrier Maintenance – Telefonica
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 25, 20:00 - 23:00 PDTMar 13, 12:42 PDTScheduled - The Telefonica network in Argentina is conducting a planned maintenance from 25 March 2026 at 20:00 PDT until 25 March 2026 at 23:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Telefonica Argentina handsets.
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07:53 pm
United States SMS Carrier Partner Maintenance | Twilio
United States SMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 18, 22:00 PDT - Mar 19, 01:00 PDTMar 13, 12:35 PDTScheduled - Our SMS carrier partner in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 18 March 2026 at 22:00 PDT until 19 March 2026 at 01:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to US Cellular Corp. United States handsets via subset of United States short codes.
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06:53 pm
SJC (San Jose) on 2026-03-19 | CloudFlare
SJC (San Jose) on 2026-03-19
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 19, 09:00 - 13:00 UTCMar 13, 18:36 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in SJC (San Jose) datacenter on 2026-03-19 between 09:00 and 13:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.
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05:58 pm
Emerging Service Issue – Networking in Washington, DC (US-IAD) | Linode
Emerging Service Issue – Networking in Washington, DC (US-IAD)
Mar 13, 17:58 UTCInvestigating - Our team is investigating an emerging service issue affecting networking in our Washington, DC location (US-IAD). We will share additional updates as we have more information.
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05:23 pm
Frontline Support Live Chat & inbound Personalized Support IVR Phone Calls _ Maintenance | Twilio
Frontline Support Live Chat & inbound Personalized Support IVR Phone Calls _ Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 18, 17:00 - 19:00 PDTMar 13, 10:14 PDTScheduled - We’re conducting a planned maintenance on our Customer Support Systems between 17:00 and 19:00 Pacific Time on 3/18/2026. During this time, live chat and personalized support phone line will be unavailable. Please submit a support ticket on https://help.twilio.com/ for assistance, or leave a voicemail if you call the Personalized Support phone lines.
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05:11 pm
Checkout page not rendering properly | Zapier
Checkout page not rendering properly
Status: ResolvedThe checkout page payment and tax modals are now functioning normally again. During this incident, you may have been unable to add or update payment or tax information during checkout. If you still have trouble updating payment or tax details, you can update your payment method from the billing settings page and then return to checkout. We apologize for the disruption and appreciate your patience as we got this resolved. If you do see any further issues, please reach out to our support team at https://zapier.com/app/get-help
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03:53 pm
United States SMS and MMS Carrier Partner Maintenance | Twilio
United States SMS and MMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 19, 20:00 PDT - Mar 20, 04:00 PDTMar 13, 08:37 PDTScheduled - Our SMS and MMS carrier partner in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 19 March 2026 at 20:00 PDT until 20 March 2026 at 04:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS and MMS to United States handsets via subset of United States long codes, long codes and short codes.
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03:53 pm
Russia SMS Carrier Maintenance – Beeline | Twilio
Russia SMS Carrier Maintenance – Beeline
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 19, 15:00 - 21:00 PDTMar 13, 08:35 PDTScheduled - The Beeline network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 19 March 2026 at 15:00 PDT until 19 March 2026 at 21:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Beeline Russia handsets.
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