iOS 26.5 is here, iOS 27 is coming, and Android is trying to get ahead of Apple Intelligence, on the AppleInsider Podcast
There was no sign of the improved Apple Intelligence in this week's launch of iOS 26.5, which must've been a relief to Google as it talked up its apparently new but seemingly very familiar AI features in Android.Apple's iOS 26.5 is here, but the improved Siri is notWe've long suspected that Apple will save its Apple Intelligence and especially Siri features to iOS 27, since that's shortly due to be announced at WWDC 2026. But the lack of any improvement with iOS 26.5 does mean that Apple has now left Siri broken for more than a year. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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This fast-charging car magnetic mount keeps your iPhone icy cool
The CQ3 Qi2 Cooling Car Mount Charger keeps your iPhone securely mounted, actively cooled and wirelessly charging at up to 25W for $59.99. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Best ergonomic Mac setups: Comfort-first workstations done right
Stiff necks, sore wrists, aching backs, eye strain — take notes on the best ergonomic Mac setups to avoid all that. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple tests Intel for low-end/legacy iPhone, iPad, and Mac chips
In a detailed new analysis shared on X, longtime Apple supply-chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has provided the clearest picture yet of Apple’s… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Lepro’s new backlight kit brings affordable reactive lighting to your Apple TV setup
Reactive backlighting is one of the best ways to enhance your Apple TV setup. It can also be an expensive endeavor. Lepro is stepping up with a more affordable solution: the Lepro STV1. The new product launches today. more…

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9to5Mac Daily: May 15, 2026 – OpenAI plans legal action against Apple
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by Bitwarden: Make your life easier with Bitwarden, featuring a secure, open source password manager with end-to-end encryption and seamless autofill across all your devices. more…

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Swap toxic old-school AAs for these eco USB-C batteries
Macworld Using rechargeable batteries makes a lot of sense. We are happy to do this with our high-tech gadgets—laptop, phone, wireless keyboard and so on—but a lot of other consumer electronics rely on old-school alkaline cylindrical batteries, usually AA or AAA. Items such as LED flashlights, blood pressure monitors, wireless gaming controllers and children’s toys typically eat through standard batteries. When your standard batteries are done you should be taking them to be properly recycled to prevent their toxic chemicals from leaking into landfills and water sources. It makes better environmental and financial sense to buy rechargeable batteries that you can refill when they run out rather than having to dispose of them and go out to buy some more. Those batteries are mostly of the Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) variety that allows for recharging unlike cheapo alkaline. The problem is that they require a special dock for charging. USB-C BATTERIES Swap your old batteries for these USB-C rechargeables BUY HERE (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); On the left, my old-school battery recharging dock. On the right, batteries that simply recharge via USB-C.Simon Jary For a long time, I’ve owned an Energizer battery charger, a dedicated dock that you insert the compatible rechargeable batteries into when they need refilling. This isn’t difficult but the bulky dock needs a decent amount of space to be stored, and it’s usually hidden behind a bunch of other everyday utilities. These older NiMH rechargeable batteries quickly lose their charge while sitting in a drawer. Superior Lithium-Ion batteries have a lower self-discharge and hold a strong and consistent voltage while in use. I have now taken my box of NiMH rechargeable batteries to be recycled as I’ve started using high-performance Lithium-Ion batteries that can be recharged via USB-C—so there’s no need for a bulky charging dock. Each battery has a built-in USB-C port and a smart LED battery-life indicator that lets you know when the power is topped up and ready to go. The brand of eco-friendly rechargeable battery I use is Statik, which sells USB-C rechargeable Lithium-Ion AA and AAA batteries in packs of 4 ($25.99), 8 ($42.99), or 12 ($55.99) at its online store. Depending on your USB power source, AAA batteries should fully charge in under one hour, and AA batteries in under two hours. Statik Statik includes a 4-to-1 charging splitter cable so you can plug up to four batteries directly into a standard USB wall adapter, power bank or even laptop—just like charging your phone. Note that you need to use a USB-A to USB-C cable rather than USB-C to USB-C due to technical details I won’t bore you with here. Each Statik AA High-Density Lithium-Ion battery has a capacity of 2,800mWh, with the smaller AAA at a lower 850mAh. They should be good for over 1,200 charging cycles, saving you and the planet thousands of disposables.

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Apple's U.S. chip plan gains steam thanks to $20B TSMC investment
As Apple seeks to re-shore more chip production, TSMC invests an additional $20 billion in its Arizona plants even while Intel allegedly ramps up test production.TSMC's Arizona campus covers about 2,000 acres. Image credit: Christopher PayneUS manufacturing of Apple processors was already increasing with Intel reportedly conducting a test run of iPhone and Mac chipsets, but now TSMC has approved $20 billion more for its Arizona Fab 21 facility. It's all because of both political pressures worldwide, and global shortages leading to more processor plants being needed.According to TechPower, the decision to increase the Arizona investment included the possibility of TSMC increasing it still further in future. The confirmation of the $20 billion may be new, though, but it also fits a report by Nikkei Asia in December 2025 that said TSMC would be moving chipmaking tools into its second Arizona plant around summer 2026. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple's U.S. chip plan gains steam thanks to $20B TSMC investment
As Apple seeks to re-shore more chip production, TSMC invests an additional $20 billion in its Arizona plants even while Intel allegedly ramps up test production.TSMC's Arizona campus covers about 2,000 acres. Image credit: Christopher PayneUS manufacturing of Apple processors was already increasing with Intel reportedly conducting a test run of iPhone and Mac chipsets, but now TSMC has approved $20 billion more for its Arizona Fab 21 facility. It's all because of both political pressures worldwide, and global shortages leading to more processor plants being needed.According to TechPower, the decision to increase the Arizona investment included the possibility of TSMC increasing it still further in future. The confirmation of the $20 billion may be new, though, but it also fits a report by Nikkei Asia in December 2025 that said TSMC would be moving chipmaking tools into its second Arizona plant around summer 2026. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple's U.S. chip plan gains steam thanks to $20B TSMC investment
As Apple seeks to re-shore more chip production, TSMC invests an additional $20 billion in its Arizona plants even while Intel allegedly ramps up test production.TSMC's Arizona campus covers about 2,000 acres. Image credit: Christopher PayneUS manufacturing of Apple processors was already increasing with Intel reportedly conducting a test run of iPhone and Mac chipsets, but now TSMC has approved $20 billion more for its Arizona Fab 21 facility. It's all because of both political pressures worldwide, and global shortages leading to more processor plants being needed.According to TechPower, the decision to increase the Arizona investment included the possibility of TSMC increasing it still further in future. The confirmation of the $20 billion may be new, though, but it also fits a report by Nikkei Asia in December 2025 that said TSMC would be moving chipmaking tools into its second Arizona plant around summer 2026. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple's U.S. chip plan gains steam thanks to $20B TSMC investment
As Apple seeks to re-shore more chip production, TSMC invests an additional $20 billion in its Arizona plants even while Intel allegedly ramps up test production.TSMC's Arizona campus covers about 2,000 acres. Image credit: Christopher PayneUS manufacturing of Apple processors was already increasing with Intel reportedly conducting a test run of iPhone and Mac chipsets, but now TSMC has approved $20 billion more for its Arizona Fab 21 facility. It's all because of both political pressures worldwide, and global shortages leading to more processor plants being needed.According to TechPower, the decision to increase the Arizona investment included the possibility of TSMC increasing it still further in future. The confirmation of the $20 billion may be new, though, but it also fits a report by Nikkei Asia in December 2025 that said TSMC would be moving chipmaking tools into its second Arizona plant around summer 2026. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The cheapest Mac versions keep disappearing
Two of the most affordable Mac variants got the axe recently. What does this mean for Apple's other low-cost models? Nothing good. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Anker’s awesome 3-in-1 charger just hit an all-time low with $45 off
Macworld Anker Prime 3-in-1 charging station View Deal (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); One of the best ways to charge your Apple gadgets at home and on the road is, hands-down, this Anker Prime 3-in-1 charging station. Even better, you can get it for 30 percent off today, bringing the price down to its lowest yet — $105. This fold-up charger features three parts. First, there’s the larger magnetic pad where you can place your phone. It’s angled just right to allow you to still check out your notifications or scroll social media while it’s charging. Then, there’s the dedicated Apple Watch charger that allows you to “hang” the watch on it. And just beneath it, you’ll find the AirPods charger pad. Built for speed, this Anker device uses advanced Qi2.2 technology, which means it can deliver up to 25W of wireless charging, quickly recharging an iPhone 17 Pro from 0 to 50 percent battery in under half an hour. The charging station comes with a 45W USB-C charger and a 5ft cable, so you’ll be able to plug this in wherever you go. And the best part is that the whole device folds on itself, so it’s uber easy to pack and carry with you on vacation, for instance. Don’t miss out on the chance to get this compact 3-in-1 Anker Prime charging station while it’s still on sale for $105.

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∞ The Dalrymple Report: Guitar player’s dream, Visual Intelligence
If you're any kind of a musician, singer, or anyone else that could be onstage, Dave has a story for you! And a question about the story that was harder to answer than I thought it would be. We talk about the new AirPods Pro With AI Cameras that are apparently in the "advanced testing stages." Do you use Visual Intelligence? We ask ourselves that question too. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: CleanMyMac: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code DALRYMPLE for 20% off at clnmy.com/DALRYMPLE Show Notes: Every guitar player’s dream Apple: End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging begins rolling out today in beta AirPods Pro With AI Cameras Reach 'Advanced' Testing Stage Does anyone use Visual Intelligence? Are the new AirPods the bridge to have people actually use Visual Intelligence? Apple’s biggest iPad competitor isn’t Android, it’s older iPads Shows and movies we're watching Hulk Hogan: real, American, Netflix Send Help Disney+

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Why I use Apple Calendar and not a to-do list as my task manager
A to-do list feels like one of those things that almost everyone on the planet has, be it an old school one handwritten in a paper notebook or some kind of app. Personally, however, I don’t have any kind of conventional to-do list. Instead, for decades now, I’ve been in the habit of using a calendar as my to-do list, and here are the reasons you too might want to give this a try … more…

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Owning an Apple Home: implementing smart pet solutions
Apple Home may not address pets directly, but that shouldn't mean your smart home doesn't either. Litter boxes, feeders, sensors, and more can make your fluffy loved ones part of your tech life.Owning pets means constant maintenance, but tech can help with thatMy background in the nuclear Navy means I spend a lot of time evaluating my day-to-day interactions. So, smart home or not, I tried to find the best ways to optimize everything, including pet care.That has become so much easier over the years thanks to bespoke solutions. While Apple has seemingly forgotten about pets in its smart home implementation, the rest of the industry is working to get more smart devices out there. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple at 50: Tim Cook, the man who grew Apple by trillions of dollars
He was a businessman instead of a designer, but as Apple CEO, Tim Cook also had to become far more of a politician than any of his predecessors. Here's how he started at Apple, ran the company, and will end his career.Tim Cook on stage at Apple Park- image credit: AppleTim Cook on stage at Apple Park- image credit: AppleTim Cook was Apple's seventh CEO, he was the longest-serving, and he was only the third who wasn't fired. Then it's true that like every Apple CEO before him, he was white, male, and a similar age, but in business terms, he was also the most transformative of them all.That includes being more business and financially transforming than Steve Jobs. Where Cook will never be as much remembered for products as Jobs still is, he was more of a businessman and, latterly, vastly more of a politician. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Microsoft commissioned a very serious study to prove MacBook Neo isn’t a threat
Macworld The MacBook Neo has certainly created a lot of attention for Apple and the Mac. But if you’re on the outside (a.k.a. a dedicated Windows PC user) looking in, you probably shrugged it all off as the usual Apple hype. But Microsoft seems to be convinced that the hype is real, because it recently “commissioned” a report by Signal65 to convince everyone that Windows PCs are the better value. Presented as a serious whitepaper, “Windows 11 PCs Compared to MacBook Neo” takes the MacBook Neo and compares it to four different Windows laptops, and explains the “total value each system brings to the table.” Two of the laptops in Sigal65’s report, the Lenovo Yoga 7i and the HP OmniBook X Flip, are priced at $1,199 and $949, respectively. “The Yoga 7i occupies a category the MacBook Neo does not compete in,” says the report, which also concludes that the Yoga’s and OmniBook’s actual market is the same as the MacBook Air. It’s not clear why they’re even in the study, so let’s move on. The other two PC laptops are the HP OmniBook 5 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x, $599 and $449, respectively, according to the study (though we couldn’t find the IdeaPad for that price). Both laptops are 16-inch models, and the large form factors play a role in their ability to outperform the 13-inch MacBook Neo. For example, the report touts the battery advantage these PC laptops have over the Neo, but the report fails to mention that the OmniBook 5’s 60 watt-hour battery and the IdeaPad Slim’s 52 watt-hour battery are much larger than the Neo’s 36.5-watt-hour battery. If anything, it’s a relief that those bigger batteries offer longer life. The MacBook Neo’s all aluminum case is actually a turn-off for many PC users.Foundry Of course, Signal65’s benchmarks show the PC laptops outperforming the MacBook Neo in most of its tests. And it also points out how they offer better specs: more ports, more storage, and more robust external display support. Advantage to the PCs in these aspects. As for the contention that the 16GB of RAM in these PCs is better than the Neo’s 8GB, PCWorld rightfully points out that “extra memory may not give as much of a performance boost as you’d hope in Windows 11.” When it comes to the display, our sister site, PCWorld, said the IdeaPad Slim 3X’s display “is the weakest part of the experience,” and that “in real life, it feels not just unusually dim, but also dull.” As for the LED display on the OmniBook 5, PCWorld reported that “the contrast ratio is limited and darker scenes in movies and games can look washed out. Brightness is mediocre; it’s enough in many situations, but a sunlit window can begin to overwhelm the display. Outdoor use is largely out of the question.” So, bigger isn’t necessarily better. And there’s one major aspect that the report doesn’t cover at all, and that’s the build quality of these laptops. The OmniBook 5 case is completely made of plastic, while the IdeaPad Slim 3X offers a combination of aluminum and plastic. (PC users love plastic, apparently.) Meanwhile, the MacBook Neo offers an all-aluminum case in four fun colors and a top-notch display that looks as good or better than displays in more expensive laptops. Would you be willing to sacrifice a little bit of processing speed for a display that’s a pleasure to use and construction that’s equally beautiful and durable? Apple understands that a lot of people would. Microsoft, meanwhile, wants you to read a whole paper on why it doesn’t matter. The ‘platform advantage’ Then there’s the “platform advantage” offered by Copilot+ and Windows 11. Which, I guess, is because Windows is the dominant operating system in business. Windows certainly has an advantage with “bloatware, ads, and other grossness” (those are the words of PCWorld). In their review of the IdeaPad Slim 3X, PCWorld found that the laptop’s “software is a bit obnoxious out of the box, as it tends to be on consumer Lenovo laptops. For example, McAfee antivirus pops up and encourages you to buy a subscription.” That’s a “platform advantage” I can live without. If you’re concerned about Apple’s absence in the AI space, just look at the criticism of Microsoft Copilot. Apple has time to catch up.Microsoft As for Copilot, PCWorld recently called it “the new Internet Explorer,” which isn’t a compliment, in case you’re too young to remember Internet Explorer. Another PCWorld article opines that “Copilot just seems like a garbage buffet of artificial stupidity, licensing issues, and design decisions that don’t put users first.” Yikes. I mean, what do you expect from something Microsoft says is intended solely for “entertainment purposes”? The report also describes the “value” that Microsoft offers to college students, which includes a free year of Microsoft 365 Premium. That sounds like a good deal, until you realize that Apple includes its own iWork apps on every Mac for free. Also, many colleges and universities already offer free access to Office 365, regardless of whether you’re using Windows or a Mac. Plus, there’s Google Workspace, Libre Office, or some other online office suite. Overall, the value of Office 365 isn’t really a benefit. The laptops also include free year-long access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, but after that, you need to pay $23 per month to keep it. Students can also get a free Xbox Design Lab Wireless Controller. OK, I’ll admit Apple can’t compete with PC’s dominance in games, and PCs have an advantage here. But try gaming on one of these laptops, I’ll wait. But let’s not be too harsh on Microsoft; after all, as PCWorld puts it, “The $600 MacBook Neo is Microsoft’s nightmare,” and it needed to do something to respond to the MacBook Neo hype. But if you need to publish a dubious whitepaper to convince people that your laptops aren’t terrible, well, you might have a bigger problem.

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Google didn’t copy Liquid Glass. It did something even worse
Macworld Good news, everyone: Google hasn’t copied Apple’s Liquid Glass interface design after all, despite hinting at this in promotional materials. All the Android users who pushed back so vehemently will doubtless be pleased, although it’s debatable whether the thing it actually announced is much better. Instead of copying Apple’s surface aesthetic, Google has copied its unhealthy obsession with system-wide AI. This year, the company has revealed, Android will transition “from an operating system into an intelligence system.” Its Gemini AI tech will be integrated at all levels: automating tasks across apps, offering autofill suggestions, converting natural speech to more polished text, and acting as a gatekeeper for web browsing. Whenever you turn on an Android device with the new OS, you’ll be confronted by a pushy AI assistant offering to do everything for you. Google calls this setup Gemini Intelligence, which feels a bit on the nose. I’m not sure why it didn’t go the whole hog and call it Gapple Gintelligence. But a lack of originality is par for the course from Apple’s rivals. Google is just being unoriginal in an unexpected way. Gemini Intelligence is coming to Android phones later this year.Google To be clear, I wouldn’t for a second accuse Google of copying Apple’s AI technology. Apple came late to the AI party and still hasn’t caught up, whether because of wise patience or just a frustrating lack of R&D success. Right now, Gemini is objectively better than Apple Intelligence. What Google is copying–and where it’s making a strategic error, in my view, is Apple’s structural and presentational approach to AI. Which is to say, shoving it down users’ throats at every opportunity. Some users, I suspect, will find this approach alienating: Most people simply do not love AI as universally and uncritically as C-suite tech executives. As things stand, the (admittedly significant) proportion of Android users who are fascinated by AI can seek out the relevant apps and services and play with them to their hearts’ content, but the skeptics are left in peace. Integrating Gemini at the system level forces it upon everyone’s attention and feels like a company pushing its own agenda rather than helping users with theirs. Speaking as an iPhone and HomePod owner, I can certainly confirm that an overeager AI assistant is deeply off-putting. Get ready for AI all over your Android devices.Credit: Google Considering the matter from a societal rather than individual perspective, broad AI integration is worrying because, as a colleague neatly phrased it, this reduces the intentionality of using the technology. Instead of hitting a roadblock, struggling for a moment to get past it, deciding to use AI, and then doing so, we are rushed from the first to the last stage. It reduces the friction in the process, and in this case friction is good because it encourages the user to consider whether AI is the right tool and whether they could accomplish the task themselves. Not to mention priming them to watch out for hallucinations (which may be particularly important with Gemini Intelligence’s unproven agents). This isn’t exactly a startling insight, but it’s entirely absent from Google’s (and Apple’s) pronouncements on the topic, so here we go: AI is kind of bad for us. It diminishes critical thinking, spreads misinformation, puts people out of work, creates revenge porn, harms the environment, fills social media and art sites with boring slop, and pushes up the price of tech hardware. I’m not going to say we all should stop using AI, because that genie is out of the bottle. But at the very least, we should use it thoughtfully, with respect for what it costs and awareness of its limitations. Not just because that’s the first option on our phone screens. So no, I’m not impressed by Gemini Intelligence. But at least Android won’t have those horrible transparency effects. Chin up, everyone.

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Should you buy a Mac mini now or wait for M5?
Macworld The Mac mini appeals to both budget-conscious consumers and creative professionals. More recently, it has also become a highly popular platform for AI development and local model execution, thanks to its unique combination of high-bandwidth unified memory, impressive power efficiency, and compact form factor – perfect for scalable stacks of computing power. Its recent surge in popularity has been driven largely by the exceptional performance-to-price ratio of Apple silicon. Unfortunately, growing demand from AI developers, combined with ongoing component shortages, has led to extremely limited Mac mini availability, with wait times in some cases stretching into months. As a result, finding one in stock at a reasonable price can be difficult – although we have found Mac mini models available to buy in the U.K. There is another reason why those looking to purchase a Mac mini should consider waiting: Apple is widely expected to refresh the Mac mini with M5 series chips in the near future. If you can afford to wait, that would be our recommendation.  However, if you need a Mac mini sooner and manage to find one available, we can help you decide whether it’s worth buying, what a fair price would be, and whether you’d still be better off waiting for the next generation. Buy now if: You need a desktop Mac immediately Retail discounts are strong You want best-value Apple desktop Wait if: New Apple Silicon generation is expected soon You want longer lifespan from your purchase Bottom line:  The M4 Mac mini is still an excellent purchase, but the expected M5 refresh makes waiting sensible if urgency is low.

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