Ads Aren't in the Apple Maps App Yet, But They're Coming Soon
Apple released iOS 26.5 yesterday with a new Suggested Places feature in the Apple Maps app, which is a precursor to the ads that Apple plans to start showing later this year. There was some confusion over whether ads are live, but as of now, the ‌Apple Maps‌ app still doesn't have ads. Apple did start laying the groundwork for ads in iOS 26.5 and tested a splash screen, but no ads appeared during the beta testing period or after launch. When Apple announced plans to bring ads to the Maps app in March, it said that ads will be implemented in the United States and Canada "this summer." Astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere starts on June 21 and ends on September 22. Meteorologically, summer begins on June 1 and lasts through August, so depending on Apple's definition of summer, we'll get ads in Maps sometime between June 1 and September 22. Ads will be displayed in ‌Apple Maps‌ search results and in the new Suggested Places section added in iOS 26.5. Suggested Places shows recommendations based on what's trending nearby and a user's recent searches. There will be ads in the Maps app on iPhone and iPad, and they will be clearly marked with an "Ad" label, similar to how ads appear in App Store search results. Businesses will bid for ad placement, and the highest bidder for a keyword or search term will have its ad shown in search. Apple says that location data and the ads that users see and interact with in the Maps app are not associated with an Apple account, and data is not shared with third parties. There is no opt-out for location-based or personalized ads in Suggested Places.Tags: Apple Ads, Apple MapsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Grew U.S. iPhone Sales While Broader Smartphone Market Declined in Q1
Apple's smartphone sales increased 1.3 percent year-over-year in the United States during the first quarter of 2026, according to data shared by Counterpoint Research. Apple saw a sales increase while the broader U.S. smartphone market experienced a 5.7 percent decline during the same time period. Android device sales declined 14.4 percent, while Apple's market share grew 4 percent year-over-year. iPhone 17 performance is part of the reason Apple outperformed the market, but Counterpoint says the company was also helped by a later launch of Samsung's Galaxy S26 series in March. Apple's market share increased at all three major U.S. carriers, while Android saw a decline. The iPhone made up 75 percent of sales at Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, while Android devices made up 25 percent. Counterpoint expects Apple to continue to draw users to iOS because it maintained pricing with the iPhone 17e and even increased storage, while smartphone makers with slimmer hardware margins have had to raise prices. If Apple can avoid significant price increases and continue to outpace its peers in promotional dollars, it will be tough for Android OEMs to keep up in the year ahead. During Apple's April 30 earnings call, CEO Tim Cook said the ‌iPhone 17‌ family was the most popular lineup in Apple's history. Cook said information from IDC indicated Apple gained market share during the quarter. Cook also said iPhone demand was off the charts, leading to supply constraints during the quarter. Apple was having trouble getting the A19 and A19 Pro chips manufactured by TSMC due to demand for TSMC's AI server chips. According to Cook, memory shortages and rising costs will have more of an impact on Apple later in 2026. Apple is expecting "significantly higher" memory costs and plans to look at a "range of options" for mitigation. Cook declined to provide insight into how Apple plans to deal with the problem, and he did not comment on whether Apple will raise prices.Tag: CounterpointThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Meta AI App Gets 'Incognito Chat' as OpenAI Faces Lawsuits Over Stored Chat Logs
The Meta AI app and Meta AI on WhatsApp have a new "incognito chat" option, which Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said is a "completely private way to interact with AI." Zuckerberg also said that Meta AI's incognito mode is the first major AI product where there is no log of conversations stored on servers. Zuckerberg likened the feature to end-to-end encryption, and said no one will be able to read the AI conversations, not even Meta or WhatsApp. AI inference for incognito chat is done in a Trusted Execution Environment that Zuckerberg said is not accessible to Meta. Conversations also disappear from the phone when exiting a chat session, and nothing is saved or logged. Web searches are conducted privately, with no search information linked to the user. "To get the most from personal superintelligence, we'll all need ways to discuss sensitive topics in ways that no one else can access," Zuckerberg said. WhatsApp head Will Cathcart told reporters that the AI has safety guardrails, and it will refuse to answer questions that could be interpreted as harmful or illegal, steering conversations in a different direction. The mode also only supports text, and users are unable to upload images. Incognito chat for Meta AI comes as OpenAI is facing a lawsuit for allegedly causing a teen's drug overdose. The teen asked ChatGPT for information on whether it was safe to take two drugs together, and was provided with an incorrect answer that led to his death. OpenAI has been sued several times by the families of people who used ChatGPT before dying by suicide. Lawsuits against OpenAI have involved chat logs recovered by the plaintiffs, and without those logs, there would be far less evidence for a legal complaint over AI actions and advice. Google and OpenAI also offer temporary chat options, but messages are still stored on remote servers. Google keeps data for up to three days, and OpenAI keeps logs for 30 days. Meta's private chat option is rolling out in the coming months in the Meta AI app and WhatsApp.Tags: Meta, OpenAI, WhatsAppThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Samsung Set to Beat Apple to AI Smart Glasses With July Launch
Samsung is planning a Galaxy Unpacked event for July, and the company plans to introduce new foldable smartphones and AI "Galaxy Glasses," according to Seoul Economic Daily. Samsung's event will take place on July 22, so it will debut new Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 foldable smartphones just weeks ahead of when Apple's first foldable iPhone is introduced, plus it will beat Apple to AI glasses. Apple has been racing to develop its own smart glasses to compete with the Meta Ray-Ban AI glasses, but rumors suggest Apple won't launch the glasses until 2027. There is a chance Apple will preview the glasses in 2026, but there's no certainty yet. Samsung is working with eyewear company Gentle Monster for its AI glasses, and the wearable will run Google's Android XR operating system with Gemini integration. The glasses will feature a high-definition camera, speakers, and a microphone, similar to the Meta Ray-Bans, and there will be no built-in display. AI integration will be a main selling point, with Gemini able to use video captured by the wearer to answer queries. Samsung will link the glasses to Galaxy smartphones and its SmartThings home appliance ecosystem. The glasses that Samsung is working on sound similar to everything rumored for Apple's own AI glasses. Apple's glasses will rely on Siri, and will include cameras to feed visual information to the AI. Speakers and microphones will be included, but no display is expected for the first version. Samsung is also planning for a Fold Wide, or a foldable smartphone that's similar to the dimensions that Apple plans to use for its foldable iPhone. Samsung's foldables to date have been taller than they are wide, but Apple is planning for a wider, iPad-like 4:5 aspect ratio. After Samsung's event, Apple will unveil its next smartphones at its traditional September event. Dates are not known at this time.Tag: SamsungThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Meta Launches 'Instants' App for Sharing Disappearing Photos on Instagram
Meta today announced the launch of Instants, a new image sharing option on the Instagram social network. Instants are ephemeral photos that disappear from Instagram after they're viewed by a user's friends or after a 24-hour period. Reactions and replies to Instants images show up in DMs instead of on the post. Instants photos are only displayed for a short period, but they are saved to a user's archive for a year and can be reshared to Stories. Instants cannot be edited, with no option for filters, stickers, or modifications beyond captions. That sets them apart from Stories, which is already an Instagram feature. Instants is an Instagram feature, but Meta has also developed a standalone Instants companion app "for quicker camera access." The standalone app is a direct competitor to Snapchat, the original ephemeral image social network. The new app can be used for sharing Instants, but on Instagram, users can also share Instants from a new camera option in the Direct Messages section of the app. Instants can be viewed on Instagram by opening up DMs and tapping on the new Instants box in the bottom right corner of the inbox. Photos can be shared with friends set as close friends, or as mutuals, aka followers that an Instagram user follows back. Instants are not able to be screenshotted or screen recorded, providing privacy features not available with other Instagram image types. Meta says that Instants are designed for casual, everyday photos. The standalone app is limited to select countries, as Meta says that it is an experiment. Images shared on the Instants app will show up for friends on Instagram, and images shared on Instagram will show up in the Instants app. Instants on Instagram is available globally starting today, and the app is also available for download in countries where it is supported.Tags: Instagram, Meta, PhotosThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Working on Plan to Allow AI Agent Apps on the App Store
Apple is looking into ways to better support apps that include AI agents and AI coding capabilities in the App Store, reports The Information. Apple is designing a system that would maintain its security and privacy standards while allowing for AI app features, but details on how the system will work are unavailable. Apple started blocking updates for some popular vibe coding apps in March because those apps violated ‌App Store‌ rules that prohibit apps from executing code that alters their own functionality or that of other apps. Vibe coding apps let users build apps and websites with little to no coding experience, using AI agents and natural language prompts. Vibe coding has become popular, and Apple's rules have not been able to keep up. Apps that include AI agents present similar problems for Apple. AI agents can autonomously complete complex actions and make mini apps using tools and capabilities that would not traditionally be supported under Apple's ‌App Store‌ rules. Apple will need to make changes to keep up with the software trends that developers and users want. Apple wants to incorporate AI agents into the ‌App Store‌ while preventing some of the issues that people have run into with rogue AI agents deleting content and causing other problems. As it works to prepare for future AI apps, Apple is also developing its own AI capabilities. Siri is set to get a major overhaul in iOS 27, making it smarter and better able to compete with Claude and ChatGPT. Apple has partnered with Google to use custom Gemini models to power ‌Siri‌. The Information says Apple has started contacting app developers to integrate app capabilities like booking flights and sending calendar invites into the new version of ‌Siri‌ and Apple Intelligence. Some developers are hesitant to work with Apple to integrate their apps into ‌Siri‌ because they are worried about providing new ways for Apple to collect commissions. Apple is telling some developers that it does not plan to charge commissions during the early stages of the partnership, but that fees are a possibility in the future. Apple has held talks with Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent about ‌Siri‌ integration in ‌iOS 27‌, but the companies do not want to end up paying fees to Apple. Apple also plans to allow users to select from multiple chatbots to use with ‌Siri‌, instead of limiting people to OpenAI's ChatGPT. AI models from companies like Anthropic or Google could be used for Image Playground and Writing Tools the way ChatGPT can be used today. It is not clear if Apple plans to open up more of iOS to third-party chatbots, but OpenAI has reportedly been disappointed with Apple's limitations. ChatGPT can be used to generate images and text through the iOS integration, but it cannot access user emails or other personal information. Customers are also rarely using the functionality, according to The Information. Apple's new version of ‌Siri‌ is expected to be unveiled at the WWDC keynote on June 8, and the plans that Apple has for agentic AI apps in the ‌App Store‌ could also be discussed at the same time.Related Roundup: iOS 27Tags: App Store, The InformationThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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New Study Highlights Advantages of $549 Windows Laptop Over MacBook Neo
Microsoft has responded to the MacBook Neo by commissioning a study that highlights advantages of some Windows laptops. Market research firm Signal65 evaluated four Windows laptops:Lenovo's IdeaPad Slim 3x Lenovo's Yoga 7i HP's OmniBook 5 HP's OmniBook X FlipWith a starting price of $549.99 on Best Buy's online store in the U.S. at the time of this writing, the IdeaPad Slim 3x is the only laptop in the study that currently rivals the MacBook Neo's starting price of $499 (college students) to $599 (general public). The other three laptops currently start at $749 to $1,029 at Best Buy. Signal65 outlined some of the IdeaPad Slim 3x's advantages over the MacBook Neo: Feature IdeaPad Slim 3x MacBook Neo Display Size 15.3-inch 13-inch CPU Snapdragon X1 with "90% faster" multi-core Cinebench 2026 score A18 Pro Base RAM 16GB 8GB Fingerprint Scanner Included Touch ID limited to $699 model Ports 1× USB-C, 2× USB-A, SD, and HDMI 2× USB-C only Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 6E Backlit Keyboard Yes No Touch Screen Yes No In addition, the IdeaPad Slim 3x achieved longer battery life (16 hours and 29 minutes) compared to the MacBook Neo (13 hours and 28 minutes) in a Tom's Guide test, with Lenovo able to fit a larger battery inside a 15-inch laptop. The study indicated that the IdeaPad Slim 3x has 512GB of storage, but the $549.99 base model has a 256GB SSD, which matches the MacBook Neo. Through June 30, Microsoft is offering U.S. college students a free one-year Microsoft 365 Premium subscription, a free one-year Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, and a free Xbox controller with the purchase of a qualifying Windows laptop, including the IdeaPad Slim 3x. The bundle has a value of more than $500. On the other hand, the MacBook Neo has some advantages over the IdeaPad Slim 3x: Feature MacBook Neo IdeaPad Slim 3x Display Resolution 2,408×1,506 pixels (Retina quality) 1,920×1,200 pixels Display Brightness 500 nits 300 nits Build Material Fully aluminum enclosure Mix of aluminum and plastic Webcam 1080p camera 720p camera Moreover, many reviewers indicated that the MacBook Neo has a superior trackpad and speakers compared to Windows laptops within the same price range. Plus, the MacBook Neo runs macOS instead of Windows, so it benefits from Apple's tight hardware and software integration and features that work across multiple Apple devices. While it is unsurprising that this Microsoft-backed study is focused on promoting Windows laptops, the reality is that the MacBook Neo and the IdeaPad Slim 3x both have pros and cons. More competition in the affordable laptop market is a win overall.Related Roundup: MacBook NeoTags: Lenovo, Microsoft, WindowsBuyer'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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Apple Defends Google Against EU Proposal to Give AI Rivals Access to Services
Apple has stepped in to warn that EU proposals to force Google to open Android to competing AI services pose serious risks to user privacy, security, and safety. Apple's latest submission to the EU comes (via Reuters) in response to the European Commission's call for feedback on draft measures designed to help Google comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The proposals would allow competing AI services to interact with Android apps to perform actions such as sending emails, ordering food, or sharing photos. Google has already pushed back on the plans, arguing they would undermine key privacy and security safeguards for European users. Apple, which is itself now subject to EU measures requiring it to open up its own ecosystem, said it has a strong interest in the case given its own operating systems for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. In its submission, Apple said the draft measures "raise urgent and serious concerns," warning that if confirmed, "they would create profound risks for user privacy, security, and safety as well as device integrity and performance." Apple also took aim at the rapidly evolving state of AI as a particular source of concern, arguing that risks are "especially acute in the context of rapidly evolving AI systems whose capabilities, behaviours, and threat vectors remain unpredictable." The company questioned the EU's technical expertise in drawing up the proposals, stating that the Commission is "substituting judgments made by Google's engineers for its own judgment based on less than three months of work," and suggesting the only discernible goal of the draft measures is "open and unfettered access." Apple has a long history of clashing with EU regulators over the DMA. The company challenged the regulation in court in October 2025, and urged regulators to scrap it entirely the month before, arguing it had created security vulnerabilities and worsened the user experience. The EU said it had no intention of repealing the law in response. The feedback period for the proposals ran from April 27 to May 13, 2026. The European Commission has said it will carefully assess all submissions and may adjust the proposed measures as a result, though its final decision must be adopted within six months of the opening of the specification proceedings, giving a deadline of July 27, 2026. The EU separately concluded in May 2026 that the DMA has had a positive impact overall, setting aside Apple's lobbying for the regulation to be revised.Tags: Europe, European Commission, European Union, Google, ReutersThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Notepad++ Mac Port Renamed Nextpad++ After Trademark Row
Following last month's coverage of an unofficial Mac port of Notepad++ that the original developer called out for trademark violation, the dispute has now been resolved with a rebrand. The macOS port was previously released by Andrey Letov under the Notepad++ name without authorization. Don Ho created the original Windows code editor in 2003, and had publicly objected to the unofficial app's use of his trademark and the inclusion of his name and biography on its author page. After settling the dispute, the app has subsequently been renamed Nextpad++. The site for Nextpad++ has been thoroughly updated and clearly states that the app is an "open-source and independent community port of Notepad++ to macOS." Elsewhere, Letov's About page describes the project as a Mac port of the Notepad++ GPL codebase, built on Objective-C++, Scintilla, and Cocoa, and shipped as a universal binary for Apple silicon and Intel Macs. The app also has a new icon. Names aside, it seems Daring Fireball's John Gruber is less than charmed by the result, describing the app as feeling "unholy" and suggesting the rapid port could only have been built with AI vibe-coding tools. The site states development began on March 10. Have you tried out Nextpad++ for Mac? Let us know what you think in the comments.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Anker's New Prime Charging Station Returns to Low Price on Amazon
Anker's new Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station has been marked down to $104.99 on Amazon, down from $149.99. This is one of Anker's newest accessories, and Amazon's sale today is a match of the all-time low price. This deal, and many of the others shared below, is being matched at Anker.com, with additional savings applied for members. 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. The Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station features Qi2.2 support, which lets a compatible MagSafe ‌iPhone‌ charge at up to 25W. It's the same speed as Apple's ‌MagSafe‌ charger, and it is 10W faster than the standard Qi2 ‌MagSafe‌ chargers. You can also simultaneously charge an Apple Watch and AirPods with the device. $45 OFFAnker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for $104.99 There are plenty of other Anker discounts happening on Amazon this week, including Anker's popular 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube for $86.99, down from $129.99. Below you'll find a list of the best Anker discounts on Amazon this week, also including wall chargers, portable chargers, and more. Although it's not on sale, Anker recently launched a new desktop charging accessory with the Anker Nano Desk Clamp Power Strip for $69.99. The new device attaches to your desk and has 10 total ports including six AC outlets, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports. It supports 70W USB-C fast charging and comes in white and black color options. Wall Chargers Nano USB-C Wall Charger - $29.99, down from $39.99 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $79.99, down from $99.99 Wireless Chargers 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible UFO Charger - $69.99, down from $89.99 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Foldable Charging Station - $85.99, down from $109.99 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube - $86.99, down from $129.99 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station - $104.99, down from $149.99 Prime MagSafe-Compatible 3-in-1 Charging Station - $159.99, down from $229.99 Portable Chargers SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern - $179.99, down from $249.00 Prime Power Bank 26,250 mAh - $171.48, down from $229.99 SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $449.99, down from $799.00 SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $799.99, down from $1,499.00 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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You Might Want to Wait to Buy a New iPhone
While something new is always around the corner, now might be a particularly good time to hold off on buying a new iPhone if you are able to. The reason to consider waiting is that Apple is reportedly working on a special 20th-anniversary iPhone for release in September 2027, and rumors suggest that the device will feature the biggest redesign since the iPhone X in 2017. According to Bloomberg, the 20th-anniversary iPhone will have "glass edges that curve seamlessly into the display on all four sides." The Information reported that one of Apple's early 20th-anniversary iPhone prototypes lacked bezels around the screen. The device had only a "narrow metal band running around the midpoint of the device's edge, where the buttons sit." Apple has also aimed for the device to have no cutouts in the screen, according to The Information, but it is unclear if the company will be able to move both the front camera and the Face ID system under the screen by next year. Overall, it sounds like Apple has ambitious goals with the 20th-anniversary iPhone, and that makes it a device that might be especially worth waiting for. Of course, this advice will not apply to you if you upgrade your iPhone every single year regardless, but the average customer holds on to their iPhone for two to four years. In the meantime, Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first-ever foldable iPhone in September 2026, followed by an iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air around March 2027.Tag: 20th-Anniversary iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Few Smartphone Owners Care About Foldables or AI, Survey Suggests
A new survey suggests most U.S. smartphone owners are not motivated to upgrade by foldable phone designs or AI features, a potential challenge for Apple as it prepares to launch both the rumored "iPhone Ultra" and an expanded suite of Apple Intelligence features this fall. The survey, commissioned by CNET and conducted by YouGov across 2,407 U.S. smartphone owners between April 29 and May 1, found that only 13% of respondents would consider upgrading for a phone concept such as a foldable or flip phone, while just 12% cited AI integrations as an upgrade motivator. Among iPhone owners specifically, interest in foldable designs was slightly higher at 14%. Apple is widely expected to launch its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro this fall, with a starting price of around $2,000. While a 13% interest statistic in foldable designs has been characterized as evidence of limited appeal, it may actually represent a larger addressable market than anticipated for a product most consumers have never used and whose likely price was not disclosed to respondents. Interest could shrink considerably once a $2,000-plus price tag enters the picture, and supply chain reports suggest smooth availability may not occur until 2027. Consumer sentiment around AI integrations dropped sharply from 2024 to 2025 before edging slightly higher in 2026, though the figure remains low at 12%. Previous surveys found that the majority of iPhone users felt existing ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features added little to no value to their experience. Price remains the overwhelming driver of upgrade decisions, cited by 55% of respondents, followed by longer battery life at 52%, and more storage at 38%. Those top three motivators are unchanged from 2025, when price led at 62%, battery life at 54%, and storage at 39%. Camera features (27%) and display size (22%) ranked well ahead of either foldables or AI as upgrade motivators. Smartphone owners are also not particularly swayed by a phone being thinner or available in new colors, findings that are relevant given Apple's recent emphasis on the ultra-thin iPhone Air and expanded color options across its lineup.Related Roundup: iPhone FoldTags: Apple Intelligence, CNETThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Project Files Allegedly Stolen in Foxconn Ransomware Attack
Apple supplier Foxconn has confirmed a cyberattack on several of its U.S. factories, after a ransomware group claimed to have stolen confidential Apple project files as part of the hack. The Nitrogen group posted the breach on its data leak site this week, claiming to have made off with 8TB of data spanning more than 11 million files. Alongside the allegedly stolen Apple files, Nitrogen claims the trove includes internal project documentation and technical drawings tied to Intel, Google, Dell, and Nvidia. Foxconn confirmed the intrusion to The Register on Tuesday, but the supplier did not respond to questions regarding whether any customer data was actually taken. A company spokesperson said its cybersecurity team activated response measures to keep production running, and that all of its affected factories are resuming normal operations. Foxconn assembles a wide range of Apple products, but Apple famously takes the secrecy of unreleased products extremely seriously, and suppliers typically receive only the technical information needed for their specific role in manufacturing. Nitrogen is believed to be an offshoot of leaked Russia-based Conti 2 ransomware code. If so, though, the stolen files may be inaccessible. Researchers at Coveware warned in February that a bug in the group's ESXi encryptor makes file recovery impossible, even for victims who pay up. It's not the first time Foxconn has been targeted by ransomware gangs. The manufacturer was previously hit by LockBit in 2022 and 2024.Tag: FoxconnThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Google Unveils Googlebook, a New AI Laptop Built Around Gemini
Google today announced a new series of Googlebook laptops that will be built with Gemini at the core. Googlebooks will run software built on a foundation that combines Android and ChromeOS. Google says the new laptops are designed for Gemini Intelligence for a more personalized and proactive experience. Instead of a cursor, Googlebooks have a Magic Pointer that users can wiggle to activate Gemini. Gemini can then provide contextual suggestions and answers based on whatever the user is pointing to on the screen. Pointing at a date in an email sets up a meeting, and selecting two images allows them to be visualized together. There are ask, compare, and combine tools available with the Magic Pointer. Create My Widget, a new Android feature, is coming to Googlebooks. Users can create custom widgets with a Gemini prompt. Gemini is able to search the internet and connect with Google apps like Gmail and Calendar to create a personalized dashboard that can be used for widget creation. Since Googlebooks will run Android, it will be easier to switch between a Googlebook and an Android smartphone. Apps from a connected Android smartphone will be available on the Googlebook, with a feature set similar to Apple's iPhone Mirroring. Quick Access will let users view, search, or insert files from a smartphone on the laptop, with no transfer needed. Google says it is working with Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo to make the first Googlebooks. The machines will be built with "premium craftsmanship and materials, coming in a variety of shapes and sizes." Each one will have a "glowbar" on the lid, making it clear that it's a Googlebook. Google has not given insight into Googlebook pricing, but with the specific "premium" build language, they could be priced above the low-cost MacBook Neo that Apple recently came out with. It's also possible that Googlebooks will have MacBook Neo-level pricing to better compete with Apple's laptop in on pricing and build quality. The first Googlebooks are set to launch this fall.Tags: Android, GoogleThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Bartender Pro Brings Widgets, Clipboard, and File Storage to the MacBook Notch
Popular Mac menu bar management app Bartender received an upgrade today with the launch of Bartender Pro. Bartender Pro adds a new Top Shelf feature to the Mac's notch, with access to multiple utility tools. Top Shelf can be used for clipboard access, storing files, controlling audio, and sending content over AirDrop. It supports widgets for calendar, weather, and music apps like Apple Music or Spotify. There's a full Now Playing music controller, and options to get alerts when scheduled events are coming up. Top Shelf expands the size of the notch, turning it into something like the iPhone's Dynamic Island. Users can drag files over to the notch to store them or send them via AirDrop, and access a clipboard. The clipboard can be set to automatically capture content that's copied, with options to ignore passwords. There are customizable duration options for both the clipboard and file storage. Widgets in Top Shelf are customizable, and it supports a Live Activity-like tracking feature for AI agents like Codex and Claude Code. Info like volume, display brightness, and battery level is also available. Top Shelf works alongside Bartender, and all of the standard Bartender features are available with Bartender Pro. When not in use, Top Shelf is tucked away much like Bartender, and it disappears when Bartender is expanded. While it is a tool designed around the notch, it also works on Macs that don't have one. Bartender Pro is optional, and users who don't need the extra features can stick with Bartender 6. Bartender Pro is priced at $15 per year. The subscription includes Bartender 6, all future upgrades for the subscription duration, and the Bartender Pro suite. Bartender 6 is still available for a one-time $20 purchase, and the $80 Mega Supporter option continues to offer lifetime Bartender access with Bartender Pro included. Bartender Pro and Bartender 6 are available from the Bartender website.Tag: WidgetsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Google Makes It Easier to Share Files Between Android and iPhone
Google today said it is introducing updated file sharing features that will make it easier for Android users to send files to iPhone users. Quick Share is already compatible with Apple's AirDrop feature on select Android devices, but Google says the feature will expand to Samsung, OPPO, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, and HONOR devices in 2026. On Android devices that are not compatible with AirDrop, Quick Share can be used to generate a QR code that can instantly share content with iOS devices via the cloud. The QR code sharing feature is rolling out to all Android devices starting today, and will be fully available within the next month. Google says it also plans to make Quick Share available in apps like WhatsApp in the near future. Google says that it also worked with Apple to make it easier to switch from an iPhone to an Android device, capabilities the two companies had to implement under Europe's Digital Markets Act. While Apple implemented the feature in iOS 26.3, Google says it will be coming to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices in 2026. The transfer process will allow eSIM, passwords, photos, messages, apps, contacts, and Home Screen layout to migrate wirelessly from an iPhone to an Android device. Google has also implemented similar tools for simplifying switching between an Android device and an iPhone.Tags: Android, GoogleThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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iOS 27 Getting Major Siri Redesign With Chat Interface and Dedicated App
Apple is introducing an overhauled version of Siri in iOS 27, evolving the personal assistant into a more capable chatbot and AI agent able to compete with ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. With ‌Siri‌'s transition, Apple will be making multiple Siri-related design changes in ‌iOS 27‌, according to a new report from Bloomberg. ‌Siri‌ will largely live in the Dynamic Island in ‌iOS 27‌, but there will also be a dedicated ‌Siri‌ app for the first time. When ‌Siri‌ is activated with the ‌Siri‌ wake word or through the iPhone's side button, a pill-shaped animation will be displayed in the ‌Dynamic Island‌. When ‌Siri‌ is asked a question or given a task, there will be a transparent results card. Swiping on it will bring up a conversation mode that looks similar to an iMessage chat, and it will incorporate small cards for the weather, notes, upcoming appointments, and other information that's relevant to queries. Apple is also designing a full ‌Siri‌ app for ‌Siri‌ conversations. It will allow users to look back at prior chats, and begin new ‌Siri‌ chats. There is a grid of rectangles with summaries of past conversations that users can tap into, a search bar, and a "+" button for starting a new conversation. The app will support uploading images and documents, and users will be able to type to ‌Siri‌ or use voice input. Swiping down from the top center of the display in any app will activate a system-wide search interface, with a "Search or Ask" bar in the ‌Dynamic Island‌ for typing or speaking questions. Search or Ask is similar to Spotlight Search, but Bloomberg suggests it will display "more advanced results and additional data from within apps." ‌Siri‌ will be able to draw information from the web to provide detailed answers to the typical questions users ask chatbots. ‌Siri‌'s responses will include bullet points with information and large images. While ‌Siri‌ is the default for the search bar, pressing on it will let users select other chatbots to speak with, such as ChatGPT or Gemini. Apple plans to let users choose third-party AI services as the default for Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools and Image Playground, expanding ‌Apple Intelligence‌ integration beyond ChatGPT. Apple plans to overhaul the ‌Image Playground‌ app. The interface for generating a new image has fewer controls and a "describe a change" option for editing images that are created. Previously created images are displayed in a grid with more rounded edges, and instead of a New Image button, there's a "+" button. Apple has also been testing new models that produce more lifelike images, so we could see new image generation capabilities in ‌iOS 27‌. Apple is also planning changes to the Camera app, Photos app, Wallet, and Shortcuts, plus there could be tweaks to Liquid Glass. More on what to expect from ‌iOS 27‌ can be found in our iOS 27 roundup.Related Roundup: iOS 27Tags: Bloomberg, Mark Gurman, SiriThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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iOS 27 to Bring Customizable Camera App, Tweaks to Weather, Safari and Liquid Glass
Apple plans to make the Camera app more customizable in iOS 27, reports Bloomberg. Users will be able to select the features they want to see in the Camera app, like flash, exposure, timer, depth of field, photo styles, and resolution. Camera controls, labeled as widgets, will be able to be placed at the top of the Camera interface in any order. Users will be able to select widgets from a transparent widget tray that comes up from the bottom of the app. Widgets will be organized into categories that include basic, manual, and settings. Apple plans to use the same default layout that's available now with quick tap buttons for flash, Live Photos, and Night Mode, but the customizable interface will be added as a new advanced layout that will appeal to professional users. Different modes like photo and video will have their own set of widgets, as will a new Siri camera mode that Apple plans to add to the app. ‌Siri‌ mode will incorporate the Visual Intelligence features that are currently accessible through the Camera Control or Action buttons. Right now, users can tap into a view with all of the Camera controls from the top right of the app, but that view is moving to the right of the shutter button. Apple will also add new grid and level options. In the Weather app, there will be a new Conditions panel for switching between temperature, rain, and wind. It will be the same as the interface that's available when tapping into one of the weather modules in the current version of the app. Apple plans to add an updated start page to Safari, and it will have four tabs across the top for swapping between favorites, bookmarks, Reading List, and history. There are system-wide design changes coming as well, according to Bloomberg. The tab bar in apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, News, and Apple TV will be adjusted to combine search with the other navigation options. Apple separated search in many apps when introducing Liquid Glass, but it sounds like the company is going to revert to the prior unified design. When using the on-screen keyboard, there's a new animation that shows the keys sliding up from the bottom of the iPhone interface, plus Apple is adding redo and undo controls for fixing actions when customizing the Home Screen's icon and widget layouts. Apple is planning to preview ‌iOS 27‌ at the Worldwide Developers Conference that begins on June 8.Related Roundup: iOS 27This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Google Previews Android 17 With 'Gemini Intelligence' a Month Before Apple's iOS 27 Reveal
Google today previewed Android 17, the next version of Android that it is bringing to smartphones and other devices. Android 17 includes multiple new AI features, and it comes about a month ahead of when Apple plans to unveil iOS 27 with new AI capabilities. Google is now calling the AI features on Android "Gemini Intelligence," branding similar to Apple Intelligence. Google said it is transitioning Android from an operating system to an intelligence system, with proactive, on-device agentic AI. Expanded Gemini integration - Gemini will be able to do more tasks autonomously, from booking classes to making purchases. Visual context - Gemini will be able to draw context from what's on the screen, which is something that Apple is also bringing to iPhones soon. Google says Android users will be able to do things like bring up a long shopping list in the notes app, long press on the power button over the list, and have Gemini build a shopping cart with all of the items for delivery. Smarter web browsing - Gemini in Chrome will let users research, summarize, and compare content on the web. Chrome auto browse will also be able to do more tasks like reserving a parking spot or booking an appointment. Autofill - Android can fill more text fields in apps with Gemini's Personal Intelligence that draws information from apps like Gmail and Google Photos. Rambler - Rambler is an AI voice dictation feature that cuts out filler words like um, ah, and like. Rambler will take the important parts from voice dictation, and create a concise message. It works with multiple languages at once. Create My Widget - Create My Widget lets Android users build custom widgets by describing what they want in natural language. Widgets can do things like provide the weather, offer recipes, count down to events, provide the time, display stock info, and more. There are other changes coming to Android 17 too. 3D Emoji - Google is adopting Noto 3D, a new 3D emoji collection. Android Auto - Android Auto is getting expanded Gemini integration and a refreshed look with support for the Material 3 Expressive design. Google is adding customizable widgets, edge-to-edge Google Maps, and Immersive Navigation, which includes 3D views highlighting important navigation details. When parked, cars will support YouTube playback. Gemini Intelligence is coming to Android Auto cars, and it will be able to do things like respond to texts automatically or order food for pickup. Google built-in - Cars with Google built-in are getting the same features, plus access to meeting apps like Zoom. Gemini is also rolling out to cars with Google built-in, and it can answer questions specific to each vehicle that it's installed in. Screen Reactions - Screen Reactions lets users film with the front and back cameras at the same time for social media reaction videos. Instagram integration - Google worked with Meta to improve the video and photo quality of content captured with Android devices and uploaded to Instagram. Google is also adding new tools to the Edits app, and improving Instagram on Android tablets. Pause Point - Users can set an app as distracting, and Pause Point will give a 10-second breather before an app opens. Users can do a short breathing exercise or set a timer to limit time in the app. There are also options for looking at favorite photos, or moving to an alternative app like an audiobook app. Pause Point requires users to restart a phone to turn it off, which makes it more difficult to ignore. Google says Gemini Intelligence features will roll out in waves beginning with the latest Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones this summer, and expanding to Android watch, car, glasses, and laptops later in the year. Gemini in Chrome features will be available in late June, with other Android 17 features expected to get to a stable release stage in June.Related Roundup: iOS 27Tags: Android, GoogleThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Watch Hypertension Alerts and AirPods Hearing Aid Feature Expand to More Countries
Apple today said Hearing Aid features are now available for the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 in Italy, Romania, and Czechia, while Hypertension alerts have expanded to Israel. The Hearing Aid option allows the AirPods Pro to be used as an over-the-counter alternative to a traditional set of hearing aids. The AirPods Pro can improve sound to mitigate mild to moderate hearing loss, adjusting voices and sounds around the user to improve hearing. It can also set music, videos, and phone calls to optimal sound levels using a personalized hearing profile created after taking a Hearing Test. Loud Sound Reduction also prevents hearing damage from loud ambient noise by cutting down on high-decibel sound when using Transparency and Adaptive modes. Hearing Aid capabilities are available with the AirPods Pro 2 and ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ when paired with a device running iOS 26/iPadOS 26 or later. In Israel, users will be able to get an alert if the Apple Watch detects signs of chronic high blood pressure. Alerts use data collected from the heart rate sensor over a 30-day period. Hypertension alerts are available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later.Related Roundups: AirPods 4, Apple Watch 11Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Neutral), Apple Watch (Caution)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Japan SMS Carrier Maintenance – NTT docomo
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT May 27, 05:00 - 06:00 PDTMay 13, 04:58 PDTScheduled - The NTT docomo network in Japan is conducting a planned maintenance from 27 May 2026 at 05:00 PDT until 27 May 2026 at 06:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to NTT docomo Japan handsets.

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Connectivity Issue – NL-AMS
May 13, 09:42 UTCInvestigating - Our team is investigating an issue affecting connectivity in our NL-AMS data center. During this time, users may experience intermittent connection timeouts and errors for all services deployed in this data center. We will share additional updates as we have more information.

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LHR (London) on 2026-05-15
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT May 15, 00:30 - 07:00 UTCMay 13, 08:44 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in LHR (London) datacenter on 2026-05-15 between 00:30 and 07:00 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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Cloudflare Storage System Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jun 1, 12:00 - 13:00 UTCMay 13, 07:49 UTCScheduled - Cloudflare will be performing scheduled maintenance on our storage systems. During this window, customers will not be able to make changes for up to 3 minutes, including any dashboard edits, API calls that write configuration, or any new Pages/Workers builds. This will impact the control plane of most API Shield services. The services themselves will continue to work as normal, but cannot be configured via the Dashboard or the customer-facing public API.

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GoToMyPC – Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT May 14, 05:30 - 07:00 UTCMay 13, 05:36 UTCScheduled - As part of our commitment to provide exceptional service and reliability to our customers, the GoToMyPC team will be conducting service maintenance on the following date and time listed below. Our team will be taking all appropriate actions to minimise service interruptions during this event.Date and Time: May 14th, 2026, 5:30 AM UTC to 7:00 AM UTC Purpose: This maintenance is to ensure and maintain system performance and stability.Duration: All maintenance will be performed within the 1-hour 30-minute maintenance window.What to expect: During the Maintenance, GoToMyPC customers may expect 5 minutes of downtime.We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

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Network Congestion in BKK
May 13, 04:30 UTCResolved - Between 04:30 - 04:56 UTC customers reaching Bangkok, Thailand would have experienced an increase of 5xx errors and performance degradation due to congestion.

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Facebook Lead Ads Error: “Unsuported get request. Object with ID “…” does not exist, cannot be loaded due to missing permissions or does not support this operation”
Status: InvestigatingWe are currently investigating a spike in errors affecting Facebook Lead Ads integrations. Users may experience failures when running Zaps connected to Facebook Lead Ads, with errors related to missing permissions or unsupported requests. Our integrations team is actively investigating the root cause and working toward a resolution. We will provide updates as soon as we have more information.

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Network Route Leak
May 13, 00:57 UTCIdentified - One of Cloudflare's upstream transit providers is currently experiencing a route leak, impacting a subset of traffic reaching Cloudflare's network. Customers whose traffic traverses affected paths may experience connection timeouts or errors. We have identified the source and are working with the transit provider to resolve the issue.

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Cloudflare Zero Trust: Gateway Issues
May 12, 21:20 UTCResolved - This incident has been resolved.May 12, 21:00 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating issues with the DNS resolver component within Gateway in our Chennai (MAA) and Mumbai (BOM) data centers. Performance and connectivity through Gateway may be impacted, and identity-based Gateway policies may not be enforced correctly for users in these regions. We are working to understand the full impact and mitigate this problem

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Service Issue – ACLP Logs
May 12, 21:00 UTCResolved - Our team became aware of an issue affecting the Cloud Pulse Metrics for Managed Databases (ACLP Metrics) for two short periods on May 12 and May 14, 2026, and a fix has been applied. We haven’t observed any additional issues with the ACLP Metrics service, and will now consider this incident resolved. If you continue to experience problems, please open a Support ticket for assistance.

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Issue accessing the Cloudflare IP ranges page
May 12, 20:23 UTCMonitoring - A fix has been implemented and we are monitoring the results.May 12, 19:57 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating an issue with https://www.cloudflare.com/ips-v4. Customers attempting to view the published list of Cloudflare IPv4 ranges may receive an HTTP 500 error. This issue is limited to the IP-ranges page on www.cloudflare.com and does not affect Cloudflare's CDN, DNS, security, or any other production services. We are working to mitigate this problem

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Network Performance Issues
May 12, 19:20 UTCMonitoring - A fix has been implemented and we are monitoring the results.May 12, 19:07 UTCIdentified - The issue has been identified and a fix is being implemented.May 12, 19:04 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating issues with network performance near Johannesburg (JNB). We are working to analyse and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.

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STL (St. Louis) on 2026-05-12
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT May 12, 19:00 - 22:30 UTCMay 12, 18:28 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in STL (St. Louis) datacenter on 2026-05-12 between 19:00 and 22:30 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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United Kingdom Account Security Carrier Partner Maintenance – Three
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT May 19, 21:00 - 23:00 PDTMay 12, 11:01 PDTScheduled - Our carrier partner Three United Kingdom is conducting a planned maintenance from 19 May 2026 at 21:00 PDT until 19 May 2026 at 23:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent API request failures for Three United Kingdom customers.Impacted Products: Verify Silent Network Auth, Lookup SIM Swap, Lookup Identity Match, Legacy Identity MatchAndAttributes

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Connectivity Issue – AP-West (Mumbai) and IN-MAA (Chennai)
May 12, 17:12 UTCInvestigating - Our team is investigating an issue affecting connectivity in our AP-West (Mumbai) and IN-MAA (Chennai) data centers. During this time, users may experience intermittent connection timeouts and errors for all services deployed in these data centers. We will share additional updates as we have more information.

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