MacTech News

We may see an ‘Apple Vision Air’ in 2028 or 2029

A lighter version of the Apple Vision Pro (a “Vision Air) may arrive in 2028 or 2029, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his latest “Power On” newsletter. “Apple needs to fix the design and pricing problems that turned the first Vision Pro into a flop, and that...

Two more join the cast of Apple Original Films’ ‘Liminal’

Paul Sparks and Ava Threat have joined the cast of the Apple Original Films pic “Liminal” starring Vanessa Kirby and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Louis Leterrier is on board to direct. The cast also includes Tom Pelphrey, Franka Potente, and Tracey Letts. Sparks...

Folks are increasingly concerned as data centers pop up across the U.S.

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News items you should check out: June 1

Since I can’t cover everything, here are some recommended articles from other websites. ° From AppleInsider: A new pair of Beats headphones are on the way, as a new unnamed model surfaces in a series of Instagram posts by football star Lamine Yamal. ° From Apple...

Apple-Major League Soccer partnership spurs grow of MLS viewership

Major League Soccer (MLS) matches have averaged 62% more viewers through the first three months of its season compared to last year, the league announced Friday, with all games now available on Apple TV. Including viewership via international distribution and linear...

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Opinion

Apple patent involves ‘warning for frequently traveled trips based on traffic

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Apple patent involves detecting cracks in windows on an Apple Car

Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. Apple has been granted a patent (number 11506623) for “systems for detecting cracks in windows.” About the patent In the patent Apple notes that vehicle windows sometimes include thin films through which ohmic heating current may be...

Apple granted patent for blood pressure measurements with an ‘Apple Cuff’

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Apple patent involves highlighting icons for search results

Apple has been granted a patent (number 11500890) for “highlighting icons for search results.” The goal is to make it easier to view results following a search for items and preferences on a Mac, iPad, or iPhone. About the patent The patent involves user interfaces...

User Survey 2022: Will iPhones Be on This Year’s Christmas List?

SellCell, a site for selling used electronics, interviewed over 2500 US iPhone users to find out exactly what their Apple-related purchase intent is in the lead up to Christmas and whether Apple devices feature on Christmas shopping lists in 2022. The survey also...

When might we see an Apple Pencil 3? And what features might it add?

The update of the iPad Pro was a bit underwhelming. I was anticipating a new Apple Pencil to go along with the upgrade, but that, along with some anticipated features for the tablet, didn’t happen. There were rumors that we could get a new Pencil with such features...

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Saturday June 13
02:44 pm
Apple is fixing the Mail app’s broken search in iOS 27 | Cult of Mac
Apple is fixing the Mail app’s broken search in iOS 27
iOS 27 brings a new on-device search index to Mail, along with improved relevance ranking and history re-indexing features. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
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01:25 pm
Today in Apple history: Eddy Cue takes the stand to defend iBooks pricing | Cult of Mac
Today in Apple history: Eddy Cue takes the stand to defend iBooks pricing
On June 13, 2013, Eddy Cue testified during an antitrust case regarding e-book pricing. Apple eventually settled the iBooks lawsuit. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)
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01:14 pm
iOS 27 makes it easier to switch between Apple Pay cards | 9 to 5 Mac
iOS 27 makes it easier to switch between Apple Pay cards
Apple has redesigned the Apple Pay checkout flow in iOS 27 for apps and websites. The changes make it easier to switch between different payment cards and see key details about the order you’re placing.
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12:17 pm
MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: $599 budget battle, compared | AppleInsider
MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: $599 budget battle, compared
Dell has rebuilt the XPS 13 to directly take on Apple's MacBook Neo on price. Here's how the entry-level models compare on specs and value.MacBook Neo [left] vs Dell XPS 13 [right]Apple's MacBook Neo arrived as the company's most accessible laptop, pairing the A18 Pro chip with a $599 price. Dell has now answered directly with a new XPS 13.Dell is open about the target. Its announcement names the MacBook Neo and frames the XPS 13 as the more feature-rich option at a similar price. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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10:10 am
Best magnetic power banks and MagSafe portable chargers for iPhone 2026 | Macworld
Best magnetic power banks and MagSafe portable chargers for iPhone 2026
Macworld Portable power banks that charge your phone are popular, but wireless battery packs using Apple’s magnetic MagSafe technology offer a simpler and smarter cable-free solution for iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and Air users. Phone batteries are prone to run dry just when you’re heading away from a power source, so having a portable charging source is one of today’s necessities. Annoyingly, most power banks require you to carry around a cable, too. Wireless power banks do away with cables but come with their own major limitation—the inefficiency of wireless charging means you need a high-capacity power bank to fully charge a drained iPhone. PROMOTIONBaseus PicoGo AM52: Slim Qi2.2 Charging The PicoGo AM52 keeps your phone powered without adding extra bulk. With strong magnetic attachment, advanced temperature control, faster Qi2.2 wireless charging, and an optional built-in cable version, it’s designed for effortless charging with iPhone 17. Shop now MagSafe is a technology that’s compatible with all iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and Air models, from the mini to the Pro Max, but strangely missing from the 16e model. It allows accessories to clamp magnetically to the back of the iPhone, making the charging connection more efficient. For more information read our Complete guide to Apple MagSafe: What is MagSafe? Read on or go straight to the best magnetic power banks we have tested, listed by power, portability and functionality: Best high-capacity 10k MagSafe power banks Best small portable magnetic power banks Best multi-device charging MagSafe power banks Best size magnetic power bank for you You should consider size when it comes to a power bank: physical size and battery capacity. The higher the battery capacity, the more recharging power you’ll get from the power bank—but you’ll also be carrying around a larger, heavier item. Lighter, slimmer power banks are easier to pocket even when clamped to your phone. Larger power banks might not fit in your trouser pocket and can slide off easier when pocketed even if clamped magnetically. 10K power banks (with a 10000mAh battery capacity) can charge a phone close to two times over, while 5K (5000mAh) battery packs usually stretch between 60-75%, which is often enough to get you to the next wall-socket powering opportunity. If you are relying on the power bank for long-haul travel or a camping trip, a 10K battery or higher will suit you better. Belkin even offers a mid-range 8K power bank. Milliamp hours (mAh) is quite a blunt measurement of battery capacity. It’s great for quickly differentiating between power bank sizes but we also list the capacity in the more accurate watt hours (Wh). Wireless power bank charging speed Wireless charging speeds vary from 7.5W (MagSafe Compatible) to 15W (certified MagSafe and Qi2), all the way to the very fastest wireless charging at 25W (Qi2.2). While it’s not as efficient as using a cable to charge a phone, magnetic wireless charging is a step closer to doing away with cables altogether. Qi2 25W brings wireless charging close to wired speed but only iPhones 16 and later support that speed, and some power banks include a built-in USB-C cable for even faster charging up to 45W. The iPhone Air can manage 20W max on even a 25W charger. See Which wireless tech is best for your iPhone?. We have listed the speeds at which each portable power bank can be charged itself (Input charger) and charge the iPhone (Output charger). The higher the wattage, the faster the charging should be. Best high-capacity 10K MagSafe power banks A 10000mAh (10K) battery is the sweet spot for both power and portability. 5000mAh (5K) power banks reviewed further down are slimmer, lighter and easier to pocket, but generally offer a maximum of 70-80% recharge potential versus a 10K power bank that should be able to recharge an iPhone at least one and a half times over. Kuxiu S3 25W 10K Solid-State Power Bank – Fast 25W wireless battery pack that has it all Pros Large battery capacity 25W wireless or 35W wired charging Built-in USB-C cable Digital display Kickstand Cons Not as slim as the S4 Price When Reviewed: $149.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Kuxiu $68.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Capacity: 39.5Wh (10000mAh) Input charger: USB-C (30W) Output charger: Wireless (25W Qi2.2) & USB-C (35W) Macworld Recharge Test Score: 177% Weight: 8.65oz (245g) Dimensions: 4.2 x 2.8 x 0.9 inches (107 x 71 x 22mm) Colors: Black The Kuxiu S3 was the first semi-solid-state 25W magnetic wireless power bank to enter the Macworld Lab. A semi-solid state (SSS) power bank is more energy-dense than a traditional liquid electrolyte power bank because its semi-solid electrolyte is less prone to leakage and thermal runaway. SSS is therefore more durable, safer and offers more charge cycles so will last longer. Indeed, not only does it tick those boxes but its also boasts three other top-end features: a built-in USB-C cable, integrated kickstand, and super-clear digital battery display. Only the iPhones 16 and 17 support the very fastest wireless tech Qi2 25W, and only the iPhone 15 and later have a USB-C charging port. Older iPhones (from 12 on) can use a 25W charger such as the S3 but are pegged back at 15W—still faster than the 7.5W found on cheaper power banks. Switch to wired charging via the integrated USB-C cable and you’ll achieve up to 35W so even faster. The S3 has a 10000mAh (10K) battery capacity and managed to recharge that same iPhone to 177%—so up to 100% then another 77% when it came to a second recharging task. That’s not the top score we’ve had in our 10K power bank tests: the champ so far is the Ugreen MagFlow Air 10K, which scored an unmatched 208%, with the EcoFlow RAPID 10K and Anker MagGo Slim scoring 190% or close—both are reviewed here. But 177% is above average. The same company offers two other 25W magnetic power banks: the similar S4 reviewed below, and the K1 Ultra (reviewed in our multi-device section below) that has a neat slide-out panel that can charge your Apple Watch or AirPods at the same time as the iPhone. Read our full Kuxiu S3 25W 10K Solid-State Power Bank review
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08:00 am
This app unlocks hidden features on your Mac, and for one day only, a lifetime license is just $23 | Macworld
This app unlocks hidden features on your Mac, and for one day only, a lifetime license is just $23
Macworld TL;DR: Until June 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get a MacMagic lifetime license on sale for only $23. Just use code MACSAVE. macOS hides a pile of useful tools, and Apple leaves a few handy ones out of the box entirely. MacMagic drags those buried features and a stack of daily utilities into one window, so you can use your Mac to its real potential. Right now, a lifetime license for MacMagic is on sale for $22.97 (reg. $99.99). MacMagic gives you one easy interface where you can clear caches and logs to claw back disk space, reveal hidden files in Finder, and force-delete the stubborn ones that won’t budge. PDF tools merge and compress documents in seconds. The image converter batch-scales and switches between more than 100 formats, and a batch renamer tags dozens of files at once by date or metadata. There’s plenty more below the surface, including a lightweight text editor, a QR code generator, an SQLite browser, and one-click access to tucked-away tools like Screen Sharing. You can even lock a whole folder shut when you want it out of sight. Your license activates on up to five Macs a year, covers new and existing users, and runs on macOS 11 or later. Future upgrades stay included, so the toolkit keeps growing without another charge. You don’t need to switch to Windows to have more control over your computer. Use code MACSAVE to get a MacMagic Lifetime License on sale for $22.97. Offer ends June 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT. MacMagic: Lifetime Upgrades LicenseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.
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08:00 am
Cancel your Adobe Acrobat subscription—This PDF editor lifetime subscription is $70 until June 14 | Macworld
Cancel your Adobe Acrobat subscription—This PDF editor lifetime subscription is $70 until June 14
Macworld TL;DR: Replace your Adobe Acrobat monthly subscription with a lifetime of PDF Expert on sale for $69.97 through June 14. Most Mac users end up paying for a PDF tool one way or another, usually through a monthly Adobe Acrobat subscription that keeps charging long after the one document you needed it for. PDF Expert takes the opposite approach. One payment gets you the full Mac app for good, and it’s on sale for $69.97 right now (reg. $139.99). PDF Expert handles just about any PDF task you can name, built specifically for macOS rather than ported over from Windows. You can edit text directly in a document to fix typos or update numbers, swap out images like an old logo in a contract, and add links to other pages or websites. Annotation tools let you highlight key sections, drop in pop-up notes, and stamp documents for review. The conversion side covers the formats you reach for most. Turn a PDF into an editable Word file, an Excel spreadsheet, a PowerPoint deck, or a plain image, and go the other direction just as easily. Built-in OCR recognizes text in scanned documents so you can search, highlight, and copy it, and it cleans up distortions and shadows while it’s at it. You can also fill out forms with a click, sign documents, merge or split files, and redact confidential information before sharing. The license covers unlimited personal Macs running macOS 12.0 or later. Skip the monthly Acrobat bill and get a PDF Expert Premium lifetime subscription for $69.97. Sale ends June 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT. PDF Expert Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Mac)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.
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01:30 am
Anthropic pulls Claude Mythos 5 and Claude Fable 5 following US government directive | 9 to 5 Mac
Anthropic pulls Claude Mythos 5 and Claude Fable 5 following US government directive
Anthropic confirmed tonight that it has disabled access to Claude Fable 5 and Claude Mythos 5 to all customers, following an export control directive from the US government. Here are the details.
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Friday June 12
11:43 pm
Icon Composer 2 and SF Symbols 8 now available as betas | 9 to 5 Mac
Icon Composer 2 and SF Symbols 8 now available as betas
Developers and designers can now download the betas for Apple’s updated library of symbols, as well as the next version of its tool for creating Liquid Glass app icons. Here are the details.
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11:36 pm
The Talk Show: Live From WWDC 2026 | Daring Fireball
The Talk Show: Live From WWDC 2026
Recorded in front of a live audience at The California Theatre in San Jose on Tuesday 9 June 2026, special guests Joanna Stern and Nilay Patel join John Gruber to discuss Apple’s announcements at WWDC 2026.
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10:41 pm
Download all 18 wallpapers Apple included in CarPlay with iOS 27 | 9 to 5 Mac
Download all 18 wallpapers Apple included in CarPlay with iOS 27
While CarPlay was mentioned only once during the WWDC26 keynote, it includes several improvements and, as always, a new set of wallpapers. You can download them below.
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09:58 pm
Shrinking fans get exciting season 4 update from Jason Segel | 9 to 5 Mac
Shrinking fans get exciting season 4 update from Jason Segel
During a recent appearance at the Newport Beach TV Fest, Shrinking star and co-creator Jason Segel (Over Your Dead Body) shared a welcome update on the show’s next season. Here are the details.
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09:16 pm
iOS 27 brings new keyboards and typing improvements across multiple languages | 9 to 5 Mac
iOS 27 brings new keyboards and typing improvements across multiple languages
Among the many tidbits coming to iOS 27 is support for a new set of keyboards, including Afrikaans, Galician, and Indigenous languages. Here are the details.
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09:00 pm
Apple’s Liquid Glass fixes in iOS 27 go beyond a simple slider | Mac Daily News
Apple’s Liquid Glass fixes in iOS 27 go beyond a simple slider
Apple’s controversial "Liquid Glass," which drew criticism for poor legibility in its initial release, has seen major improvements in iOS 27… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.
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08:45 pm
Andy Ihnatko’s New Blog Is Thoroughly Enjoyable | TidBITS
Andy Ihnatko’s New Blog Is Thoroughly Enjoyable
Andy Ihnatko, whose tech journalism has graced Macworld, the Chicago Sun-Times, and MacBreak Weekly, has launched a new membership blog. Few writers combine his technical depth, pop-culture wit, and genuine humanity. Give his free posts a read.
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08:08 pm
Unreleased Beats headphones spotted again … with a customizable design? | 9 to 5 Mac
Unreleased Beats headphones spotted again … with a customizable design?
Beats is gearing up for a new product launch — and it loves dropping hints about what’s coming. As the World Cup kicks off this week, another soccer player has been seen wearing an unreleased pair of Beats headphones … but there’s a twist.
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07:45 pm
Apple’s Camera Chief: AI will give you photography superpowers — but keep your memories real | Mac Daily News
Apple’s Camera Chief: AI will give you photography superpowers — but keep your memories real
Apple’s head of camera software, Jon McCormack, explains how the company is bringing generative AI to the iPhone’s Photos app in iOS 27… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.
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07:31 pm
Owning an Apple Home: Robots, maintenance, and chores | AppleInsider
Owning an Apple Home: Robots, maintenance, and chores
Whether you rent or own, there are some chores you have to complete on a near-constant basis. The good news is, you can get some help from robots and apps in your Apple Home.Get a little help in your smart home from some robots and tech solutionsI'm a firm believer in optimizing when possible. If a robot, machine, or gadget exists to speed up or even remove the need for certain tasks, I'm going to implement it.While we're still waiting on a robot that can fold your laundry and put it away, there are plenty of robots available that can take on your chore list. Whether it's mowing, mopping, or changing out the litter box, there's something available. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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07:29 pm
Four new Macs are launching later this year, here’s what’s coming | 9 to 5 Mac
Four new Macs are launching later this year, here’s what’s coming
Apple launched three new Macs earlier this year, but there are another four Macs rumored to debut throughout the remainder of the year. Here’s what’s coming.
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07:05 pm
Apple TV has three fan-favorite shows returning soon, here’s what’s coming | 9 to 5 Mac
Apple TV has three fan-favorite shows returning soon, here’s what’s coming
Apple TV has an exciting and packed summer lineup this year, anchored by a variety of compelling series. Here are three fan-favorite returning shows set to be among Apple’s biggest hits of the summer.
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Tuesday May 05
11:53 pm
ChatGPT Is Smarter, More Accurate, and Less Obsessed With Emojis After Upgrade | MacRumors
ChatGPT Is Smarter, More Accurate, and Less Obsessed With Emojis After Upgrade
ChatGPT's default model has been updated to GPT-5.5 Instant, a model that brings accuracy improvements with fewer hallucinations, especially in areas like medicine, law, and finance, according to OpenAI. GPT-5.5 Instant is more capable at tasks like analyzing images, answering STEM questions, and choosing when to use web search to provide a better answer. Responses can also be personalized because GPT-5.5 Instant can better draw context from past chats, files, and Gmail, but this is currently limited to paid subscribers. OpenAI says that responses are "tighter and more to-the-point without losing substance" and without eliminating ChatGPT's personality. It will provide the same information, but without unnecessary formatting, emojis, and follow-up questions. All ChatGPT models are being updated with memory sources, which will show users the past chats, files, and other context that ChatGPT used to generate a response. GPT-5.5 Instant is rolling out today to all ChatGPT users, and it is replacing GPT-5.3 Instant as the default model. While free users can access GPT-5.5 Instant, the new personalization features are limited to Plus and Pro users on the web. Personalization will expand to mobile soon, and it will roll out to Free, Go, Business, and Enterprise users in the coming weeks. It's not yet clear when Apple Intelligence's ChatGPT integration will switch to GPT-5.5 Instant.Tags: ChatGPT, OpenAIThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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09:01 pm
Apple to Pay $250 Million to Settle Class Action Over Delayed Siri Features | MacRumors
Apple to Pay $250 Million to Settle Class Action Over Delayed Siri Features
Apple will pay $250 million to settle a class action lawsuit accusing it of false advertising and unfair competition after the personalized Siri features it promoted when launching the iPhone 16 were delayed. A smarter, Apple Intelligence version of ‌Siri‌ was shown off at WWDC 2024, and then promoted in ads and videos when the ‌iPhone 16‌ launched in September 2024. After Apple delayed the Siri Apple Intelligence features in March 2025, Apple pulled its ads, but they had been running for several months at that point. The lawsuit claimed Apple violated consumer law by misleading consumers about the actual utility and performance of ‌Apple Intelligence‌, and causing them to purchase a device "with features that did not exist or were materially misrepresented." Apple was not found guilty of any wrongdoing, and the company sometimes settles lawsuits to minimize legal fees and time spent on litigation. A settlement agreement was reached back in December, but the terms of the settlement are now live. In a statement to MacRumors, Apple said that resolved the lawsuit so that it could focus on its products and services, and reiterated that it has introduced multiple ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features since 2024.Since the launch of Apple Intelligence, we have introduced dozens of features across many languages that are integrated across Apple's platforms, relevant to what users do every day, and built with privacy protections at every step. These include Visual Intelligence, Live Translation, Writing Tools, Genmoji, Clean Up and many more. Apple has reached a settlement to resolve claims related to the availability of two additional features. We resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users.Apple's $250 million payment will provide U.S. Settlement Class Members who submit Claim Forms with a per-device payment of $25 for each eligible device, though that could increase up to $95 per device if claim volume is low. Eligible devices include ‌iPhone 16‌, iPhone 16e, ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus, ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro, ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max models purchased between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. The settlement has received preliminary approval, and notices to those eligible to make a claim will start to receive email notices no more than 45 days from today.Tags: Apple Lawsuits, SiriThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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07:34 pm
Apple Cuts More Mac Studio and Mac Mini RAM Options as Memory Shortage Worsens | MacRumors
Apple Cuts More Mac Studio and Mac Mini RAM Options as Memory Shortage Worsens
Apple has removed two desktop Macs from its online store as the global memory shortage continues. The Mac mini with 64GB of RAM is no longer available for purchase, nor is the M3 Ultra Mac Studio with 256GB RAM. The M3 Ultra Mac Studio is now available only in a 96GB RAM configuration, with higher-tier options eliminated. Both M3 ‌Mac Studio‌ and M4 Max ‌Mac Studio‌ models have delivery estimates of 9 to 10 weeks. As for the ‌Mac mini‌, the M4 Pro model now maxes out at 48GB of RAM, with customers no longer able to choose the 64GB option. Last week, Apple removed the ‌Mac mini‌ with 256GB of SSD storage, leaving the 512GB model as the minimum option. That effectively raised the price of the ‌Mac mini‌ from $599 to $799. Apple stopped accepting orders for some ‌Mac Studio‌ and ‌Mac mini‌ machines with higher amounts of RAM in March and April. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said that the ‌Mac mini‌ and the ‌Mac Studio‌ are going to be hard to get for months to come. "We think, looking forward, that the ‌‌Mac mini‌‌ and ‌‌Mac Studio‌‌ may take several months to reach supply demand balance," Cook said. According to Cook, Apple underestimated the demand for the ‌Mac mini‌ and the ‌Mac Studio‌ from customers looking for a machine to run AI and agentic tools locally. He said Apple also expects significantly higher memory costs in the months to come, so Apple is likely conserving supply by eliminating some configuration options. Global supply constraints caused by AI server demand have impacted the pricing of memory chips, leading to high prices and memory shortages.Related Roundups: Mac Studio, Mac miniBuyer's Guide: Mac Studio (Caution), Mac Mini (Caution)Related Forums: Mac Studio, Mac miniThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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06:16 pm
Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Max 2 | MacRumors
Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Max 2
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Max 2. The firmware is version 8E258, up from the prior 8E251 firmware that was released just ahead of when the ‌AirPods Max 2‌ launched. It's not clear what's included in the firmware update, but Apple provides limited details in its AirPods firmware support document. Most updates focus on bug fixes and improvements. The ‌AirPods Max 2‌ have an H2 chip, an upgrade over the H1. The H2 brings several new features like Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Loud Sound Reduction, Voice Isolation, and more. To get the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and are connected via Bluetooth. From there, connect the Apple device to Wi-Fi, then connect the AirPods Max to power with a USB-C cable. Keep the AirPods Max in Bluetooth range of the Apple device, and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update. From there, reconnect the AirPods to the Apple device, and check the firmware version to see if it's updated. Apple says if the firmware doesn't install, to restart the AirPods Max and try again.Related Roundup: AirPods Max 2Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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06:04 pm
iOS 27 Will Let You Pick Claude or Gemini Instead of ChatGPT for Apple Intelligence | MacRumors
iOS 27 Will Let You Pick Claude or Gemini Instead of ChatGPT for Apple Intelligence
iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 will let users set third-party AI services as the default for Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools and Image Playground, reports Bloomberg. Apple has signed a deal with Google and plans to use a Gemini-based model for ‌Apple Intelligence‌ and Siri features in ‌iOS 27‌, but users will also be able to choose their favorite AI service as an alternative. Apple has already partnered with OpenAI to make ChatGPT available in lieu of Apple's built-in options for ‌Siri‌, Writing Tools, and ‌Image Playground‌ on iOS 26, but in Apple's upcoming software updates, other third-party chatbots like Claude and Gemini will also be available. Instead of being limited to ChatGPT, users will select their preferred AI service. Users can choose any AI provider that adds support for Apple's new ‌iOS 27‌, iPadOS 27, and ‌macOS 27‌ "Extensions" feature. From Bloomberg: "Extensions allow you to access generative AI capabilities from installed apps on demand, through Apple Intelligence features such as Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground and more," according to a message shown in test versions of the software. Apple also plans to let users choose voices from third-party AI services for ‌Siri‌, which would make it clearer whether ‌Siri‌ or another AI product like Gemini is responding. ‌Siri‌ would use one voice, while responses from third-party AI options would use another voice. Apple has many other AI-related changes planned for ‌iOS 27‌, with details available in our iOS 27 roundup.Related Roundup: iOS 27Tags: Apple Intelligence, ChatGPTThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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05:37 pm
iPhone Air MagSafe Battery Hits $59.99 Low Price | MacRumors
iPhone Air MagSafe Battery Hits $59.99 Low Price
Following a few steep discounts on the iPhone Air last month, we're now tracking a new all-time low price on the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery on Amazon. You can get the accessory for $59.99, down from $99.00, beating the previous low price by about $20. 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. The iPhone Air MagSafe Battery is only compatible with the iPhone Air, and it can add up to 65 percent additional charge to the smartphone. The MagSafe Battery supports up to 12W of fast wireless charging, and it sports a thin and light design similar to the iPhone Air. $39 OFFiPhone Air MagSafe Battery for $59.99 Apple heavily discounted the iPhone Air in both the United Kingdom and United States in late March and early April, providing as much as 30 percent off the device. There have been multiple reports regarding low sales for the iPhone Air, with one stating there is "virtually no demand" for the smartphone. 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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05:06 pm
Maryland Lawmakers Press Apple Over Decision to Close Unionized Store | MacRumors
Maryland Lawmakers Press Apple Over Decision to Close Unionized Store
In a letter sent to Apple's CEO Tim Cook and hardware engineering chief John Ternus this week, nine members of U.S. Congress from Maryland expressed "serious concern" regarding Apple's decision to close its unionized retail store in Towson, Maryland on June 20, without plans to open a replacement store within the Baltimore region. Apple Towson Town Center "We recognize that decisions of this scale involve complex business considerations," the lawmakers said. "However, we urge Apple to reconsider whether there are viable paths forward that would preserve jobs and maintain a retail presence in the region. Maryland residents value employers who invest in their workforce and demonstrate a sustained commitment to the communities they serve. We stand ready to engage constructively with Apple to better understand this decision and to explore potential solutions." The letter was signed by nine of Maryland's lawmakers, including two senators and seven representatives, all from the Democratic Party. They said it was their understanding that Apple's store at the Towson Town Center has been in "a strong-performing location," but several local news reports have stated that the shopping mall is in decline and has lost major retailers like Tommy Bahama, Banana Republic, and Madewell. In the letter, the lawmakers said the store's closure will "significantly affect" residents and small businesses across the Baltimore region, including approximately 90 employees. As a result, they asked for Apple to provide a clearer understanding of the rationale behind this decision, including whether alternatives such as relocating the store or other operational adjustments were meaningfully considered. Last month, Apple announced that it will be permanently closing three retail stores in the U.S. in June, with the other two locations set to close beyond Apple Towson Town Center being Apple Trumbull in Trumbull, Connecticut and Apple North County in Escondido, California. Apple said it made this difficult decision following the "departure of several retailers" and declining conditions" at all three of the shopping malls. Notably, the staff at the Towson store became Apple's first retail employees in the U.S. to unionize in 2022. They belong to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers' Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE), and they signed a collective bargaining agreement with Apple in 2024. Apple said employees at the Trumbull and North County stores will "continue their roles" at the company's nearby stores in each area, so transfer eligibility is guaranteed. Meanwhile, Apple said employees at the Towson store will be eligible to apply for open roles at Apple in accordance with their collective bargaining agreement, and it is unclear if everyone who applies will successfully secure a new position at the company. Last month, the IAM union filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), citing discriminatory treatment against unionized workers at the Towson store. Unlike workers at two other closing stores, Apple has not offered its unionized Towson employees the opportunity to transfer to other stores. IAM said Apple not offering Towson employees the opportunity to transfer "raises serious concerns that this closure is a cynical attempt to bust the union." "We praise the Maryland congressional delegation for having these workers' backs and demanding answers from Apple," said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. "These workers made history by exercising their right to organize for a voice on the job. Walking away from them now sends a dangerous message to working people everywhere." Apple has said it is simply respecting the terms of the bargaining agreement. According to Apple, the contract that the union agreed to states that in the event of a store closure, Apple would transfer or rehire employees if the company opened a new store within 50 miles of the current location at Towson Town Center. In any other circumstance, the union negotiated for employees to receive severance. Apple has no current plans to open a new store in the area, but if it were to do so within the next 18 months, the affected employees would have the right of first refusal. "We strongly disagree with the claims made, and we will continue to abide by the agreement that was negotiated and agreed with the union," an Apple spokesperson said. "We look forward to presenting all of the facts to the NLRB."Tag: Apple StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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04:41 pm
iPhone 18 Pro Rumored to Keep Aluminum Finish Amid Durability Complaints | MacRumors
iPhone 18 Pro Rumored to Keep Aluminum Finish Amid Durability Complaints
The iPhone 18 Pro will reportedly carry over the same anodized aluminum finish introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro, despite concerns from some users about its durability. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital," surface chipping on the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ has become a common complaint, and that users who have sought recourse from Apple have been told they cannot claim it, with the company classifying the issue as an inherent characteristic of the aluminum alloy material and normal wear and tear. Crucially, they added that the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ will "continue to utilize this same design approach" despite its weaknesses. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ moved away from the titanium frames Apple used in its Pro lineup for the previous two years, adopting an anodized aluminum unibody design. Surface durability concerns surfaced almost immediately after launch. Reports suggested that Dark Blue and Cosmic Orange models appeared to scratch more easily than other finishes, with MacRumors forum users describing visible marks on in-store display units within days of availability. A scratch test by YouTuber JerryRigEverything added some nuance, finding that most of the anodized shell holds up well against everyday items like keys and coins, but pinpointing the camera plateau as a clear weak point where the raised, unchamfered edges chip and scratch easily. A separate issue emerged the following month, when a number of Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro owners reported color shift, with the aluminum frame and camera plateau drifting toward a rose-gold or pink hue and in some cases prompting device replacements by Apple Support. Rumors point to four color options for the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. Dark Cherry is expected to serve as the signature new color, described as a deep, wine-like red that is considerably more muted than last year's Cosmic Orange. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ is not expected to offer a black option for the second consecutive year, but the rumored gray option could come close. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are expected to be announced in September 2026, alongside the first foldable iPhone.Related Roundup: iPhone 18 ProTag: Fixed Focus DigitalThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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03:24 pm
PSA: Instagram Encrypted Messaging Ends on Friday, May 8 | MacRumors
PSA: Instagram Encrypted Messaging Ends on Friday, May 8
Instagram will remove end-to-end encryption for direct messages between users from May 8, 2026. When the date comes around, Meta will potentially be able to see the contents of all messages between users on the social media platform. Encrypting messages has been an optional feature in Instagram since 2023, but in March of this year the social media platform quietly updated a help page to say the feature would no longer be available for direct messages between users from May 8. With end-to-end encryption enabled, the contents of messages are protected from the moment they leave the sender's device to the moment they reach the receiver's device. In other words, nobody, including Meta, can see what is sent. When May 8 rolls around, that extra layer of security will be removed. On its help page, Instagram says users that are affected by the change will see instructions in the app on how they can download any media or messages that they may want to keep. However, the company hasn't explained why encrypted chats must be downloaded before the cutoff date or what will happen to them afterwards. In March, a spokesperson for Meta told The Guardian that the decision to abandon encryption was due to low uptake. "Very few people were opting in to end-to-end encrypted messaging in DMs, so we're removing this option from Instagram in the coming months," the spokesperson said. "Anyone who wants to keep messaging with end-to-end encryption can easily do that on WhatsApp." Meta has come under sustained pressure over the years from law enforcement and child safety groups to remove encryption, but there's likely more to it than that. With Meta able to see messages between users, it could potentially run advertising algorithms or train chatbots on their contents. It's an odd twist for a company who in 2019 aggressively promoted tightening encryption standards on its social media and messaging apps. As things stand, end-to-end encryption for group Facebook Messenger chats remains opt-in, while it continues to be the default setting for all WhatsApp conversations and calls.Tags: Encryption, Instagram, SecurityThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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02:56 pm
watchOS 26.5 Fixes Two Apple Watch Bugs | MacRumors
watchOS 26.5 Fixes Two Apple Watch Bugs
watchOS 26.5 fixes two Apple Watch bugs, according to Apple's release notes for the update, which is expected to be released next week. Apple fixed bugs in the Messages and Workout apps:• Fixes an issue where Messages on Apple Watch may use SMS instead of iMessage when paired with a dual SIM iPhone • Fixes an issue where Workout app audio alerts could fail to play if the phone was not nearby Apple WatchThe notes also mention the new Pride Luminance watch face available on watchOS 26.5. The watch face has a customizable layout and colors. Given that the watchOS 26.5 Release Candidate was seeded this week, it is likely that Apple will make the update available to all users next week.Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, watchOS 26Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)Related Forum: Apple WatchThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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02:36 pm
Apple Says iOS 26.5 Adds Three New Features to Your iPhone | MacRumors
Apple Says iOS 26.5 Adds Three New Features to Your iPhone
iOS 26.5 includes three new features for iPhones, according to Apple's release notes for the update, which is expected to be released next week. As discovered during beta testing, iOS 26.5 enables end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between iOS and Android devices. Apple says this security upgrade is limited to supported carriers around the world and will continue to roll out. End-to-end encryption for ‌RCS‌ is a security layer that ensures that messages sent between supported iOS and Android devices are encrypted and cannot be intercepted and read by Apple or any third party while they are being delivered. Keep in mind that text messages sent via the older SMS standard still lack end-to-end encryption. iMessage conversations with blue bubbles have already been end-to-end encrypted since iOS 5. The second new feature added in iOS 26.5 is "Suggested Places" in Apple Maps. This section of the app provides recommendations based on your location and recent searches, and it will start showing ads in the U.S. and Canada later this year. Similar to the ads that are already shown in App Store search results on the iPhone and iPad, ads in Apple Maps will have an "Ad" label, and Apple promises strong privacy protections. For example, Apple says a user's location and the ads they see and interact with in Apple Maps are not associated with a user's Apple Account. Third, a new Pride Luminance wallpaper that "dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors" is available to download on iPhones and iPads running iOS 26.5 or iPadOS 26.5. Released alongside a new Pride Edition Sport Loop and Pride Luminance watch face, Apple says the wallpaper celebrates LGBTQ+ communities around the world. Here are Apple's full release notes for iOS 26.5:This update includes the following enhancements: • End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time • Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors, is available for download • Suggested Places in Maps displays recommendations based on what's trending nearby and your recent searchesGiven that the iOS 26.5 Release Candidate was released this week, it is likely that Apple will make the update available to all users next week.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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02:13 pm
Mother's Day Deals Include Low Prices on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPhone Chargers, and More | MacRumors
Mother's Day Deals Include Low Prices on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPhone Chargers, and More
This year, Mother's Day lands on Sunday, May 10, and we're tracking quite a few offers from some of the best Apple-related accessory companies, as well as steep discounts on Apple products at Amazon. 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. Apple Deals There are numerous Apple discounts on Amazon this week, with all-time low prices on AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 2, iPad, iPad Air, and MacBook Air. Most of these still have free delivery dates before Mother's Day, but be sure to order soon to ensure arrival before Sunday. AirPods Pro 3 - $199.99 ($49 off) AirPods Max 2 - $509.00 ($40 off) Apple Watch Series 11 - $299.00 ($100 off) 11-inch iPad - $299.00 ($50 off) M4 iPad Air - $519.99 ($79 off) M5 MacBook Air - $949.00 ($150 off) Accessory Deals In other deals, we're tracking a big collection of Mother's Day sales from retailers like Best Buy, Belkin, ZAGG/Mophie, Verizon, and more. This year you can save 25 percent on OtterBox accessories sitewide, up to 30 percent on Belkin charging devices, and up to 40 percent on Anker products. Anker - Get up to 40% off charging accessories AT&T - Get iPhone 17 Pro Max for up to $1,100 off Best Buy - Save on everything from wearable tech to TVs and more Belkin - Get up to 30% off Casetify - Buy two get 20% off Grid Studio - Get 15% off sitewide Hyper - Get 20% off select products Nimble - Get 20% off with code MOM20 OtterBox - Get 25% off sitewide Verizon - Get iPhone 17, iPad, and Apple Watch Series 11 for no cost when switching ZAGG - Get 25% off screen protectors and cases 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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01:27 pm
Apple Manufacturing Academy Hosts AI Showcase | MacRumors
Apple Manufacturing Academy Hosts AI Showcase
Apple this week held the inaugural Spring Forum for its Manufacturing Academy in East Lansing, Michigan, gathering hundreds of U.S. manufacturers at Michigan State University to demonstrate how businesses are applying AI techniques learned through the program. The event was the academy's largest to date. Offsite tours formed a central part of the program, with Block Imaging, a Michigan company that services and refurbishes medical imaging equipment including CT scanners and MRI machines, hosting attendees at its facility to show how it has put the academy's training to use on the factory floor. Other stops included the MSU Facility for Rare Isotope Beams and Peckham. On-campus sessions featured speakers from McKinsey, Magna, LightGuide, and Medtronic on topics including physical AI in manufacturing and the challenges of scaling AI solutions. A poster session closed the day, featuring MSU students and small- and medium-sized business participants. Priya Balasubramaniam, Apple's vice president of Product Operations, spoke at the forum and took part in a fireside chat with Michigan State University president Kevin M. Guskiewicz, covering AI's impact on manufacturing operations and the skills workers will need in an AI-enabled economy. Block Imaging's director of Technical Training, Katie Runyon, said the program had produced tangible results for her team: The Apple Manufacturing Academy has had a direct impact on how we operate. The training we've received from Apple engineers and Michigan State experts has given our team practical tools and techniques we've been able to apply immediately on the floor, improving the way we work and the quality of what we deliver to healthcare providers. We keep coming back because the program continues to push us forward. Launched last year as part of Apple's $500 billion U.S. investment commitment, the Manufacturing Academy is a free program pairing Apple engineers and MSU experts with small- and medium-sized businesses to help them implement AI and smart manufacturing techniques. It is the only such academy in North America and is open to businesses nationwide. To date, it has supported more than 150 companies through dozens of in-person training sessions, and recently added virtual programming.Tag: American Manufacturing ProgramThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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01:01 pm
iPhone 18 Downgrades Rumored Yet Again | MacRumors
iPhone 18 Downgrades Rumored Yet Again
The standard iPhone 18 and the lower-cost iPhone 18e are said to share components, according to the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital," as further evidence that Apple is narrowing the gap between the two devices. In new posts on Weibo, Fixed Focus Digital said that certain parts are interchangeable between the two models, adding that the information originates from a reliable manufacturing source. The leaker described the component overlap as confirmation that the specification convergence between the ‌iPhone 18‌ and iPhone 18e is real and measurable at the supply chain level. "Take it from me: The standard ‌iPhone 18‌ model has been downgraded and its launch delayed-this decision is final and will not change," they added. The posts also suggested that if the ‌iPhone 18‌ ships in spring 2027 rather than alongside the Pro models in the fall, September and October will effectively become "flagship season" for Apple, a window occupied by the iPhone 18 Pro, ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and the foldable "iPhone Ultra." A split launch strategy separating the Pro and standard models has been widely reported since last year, with Ming-Chi Kuo and Nikkei among those to have corroborated the plan. The component sharing claim builds on a string of downgrade reports over the past two weeks. The leaker first reported that Apple is implementing certain manufacturing downgrades to the ‌iPhone 18‌ as a cost-cutting measure, before adding that display specifications and the chip will both be affected. Apple could be planning to tweak the name of the A-series chip used in the device to obscure the extent of the chip change. Engineering Validation Testing of the ‌iPhone 18‌ and iPhone 18e is said to be taking place simultaneously in June, which aligns with the idea that the two devices now share significant engineering overlap. Today, the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e are meaningfully different devices: the standard model features a 6.3-inch display with ProMotion and up to 3,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness, the Dynamic Island, a five-core GPU, an Ultra Wide camera, and significantly better battery life. The ‌iPhone 17e‌, by contrast, has a smaller 6.1-inch display, a notch rather than a ‌Dynamic Island‌, no ProMotion, a four-core GPU, and no Ultra Wide camera. If Apple is now sharing components between the ‌iPhone 18‌ and iPhone 18e and reducing display and chip specifications on the standard model, many of those distinctions could shrink or disappear entirely in the next generation. The ‌iPhone 18‌, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are all expected to launch in spring 2027, with the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌, ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and iPhone Ultra anticipated to be announced in the fall.Related Roundup: iPhone 18Tag: Fixed Focus DigitalRelated Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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12:18 pm
OpenAI Fast-Tracking AI Phone for 2027 Launch, Says Kuo | MacRumors
OpenAI Fast-Tracking AI Phone for 2027 Launch, Says Kuo
OpenAI is said to be fast-tracking development of its first "AI agent phone," with the company now aiming to mass produce the device as early as the first half of next year, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Late last month, Kuo revealed OpenAI's work on a smartphone, contradicting earlier reports that the company had no plans to enter the mobile market. Kuo said MediaTek and Qualcomm are the chosen chip partners and Luxshare Precision Industry is the exclusive manufacturing partner, with mass production scheduled for 2028. Reasons for Kuo's revised 1H27 production target are now said to include OpenAI's planned initial public offering (i.e. a compelling hardware product could strengthen its story to investors if it goes public) and intensifying competition in AI agent phones. Kuo says MediaTek appears "better positioned to become the sole processor supplier," with the device set to use a customized version of the Dimensity 9600, which will apparently be built on TSMC's N2P node in 2H26. The device's "headline spec" will allegedly be its image signal processor, featuring an enhanced HDR pipeline that improves real-world sensing - or what the AI "perceives" through the camera. The phone will also use two AI processors for handling different tasks (e.g. vision and language simultaneously), fast memory and storage, and security features to isolate processes. "If development stays on track, combined 2027-2028 shipments could reach around 30 million units," says Kuo, who argues that fully controlling both the operating system and the hardware is the only way for the company to deliver a comprehensive AI agent service. Kuo expects AI agents to change how people interact with a phone, shifting the focus from launching individual apps to completing tasks within a seamless context-aware interface. Quite where this leaves Jony Ive's non-phone AI device prototype isn't entirely clear. Shortly after its acquisition of Ive's startup io Products in May 2025, OpenAI engaged in something of a marketing blitz to promote Ive's first upcoming product for the company, describing it as a "third core device" after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, it would be the "coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen." And crucially, it wouldn't have a screen - because phones have screens, and Ive and Altman want to wean people off those. The original goal was to release the device later this year, but in November that roadmap got pushed back to "less than two years." The last we heard, Ive's first OpenAI device was revealed to be a smart speaker with a camera, set to come out in early 2027. Other OpenAI products reportedly in development include smart glasses, a smart lamp, and potentially earbuds, but the roadmap is supposed to be further out for those. If any of these devices eventually launch, OpenAI will become a direct hardware rival against several Apple product lines - Apple is rumored to be also working on smart glasses, AirPods with cameras, and an AI pendant, as well as a smart home hub with enhanced Siri capabilities.Tags: Ming-Chi Kuo, OpenAIThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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10:55 am
20th Anniversary iPhone Could Blend Haptic Buttons Into Curved Edges | MacRumors
20th Anniversary iPhone Could Blend Haptic Buttons Into Curved Edges
For the rumored 20th-anniversary iPhone, Apple continues to test a solid-state haptic button system that will replace traditional mechanical buttons and enhance the uninterrupted look of the device's display, claims Chinese leaker "Instant Digital." According to the Weibo-based leaker, the buttons have already passed tests for use when wearing gloves or having wet hands, in extreme temperatures, and when the phone has a case on. The leaker also claims that the 20th-anniversary iPhone will be equipped with an ultra-low energy microprocessor allowing the solid-state buttons to remain functional even when the handset is powered off or the battery has run out. It's not the first time Instant Digital has said solid-state buttons will feature on the device. The leaker made the same claim in October 2025, saying that Apple's solution would include haptic feedback for the Side button, volume buttons, Action button, and Camera Control button. Apple is reportedly working on a display that curves down around all four edges of the device for a borderless visual experience - and solid-state haptic buttons could help in Apple's apparent desire to create a device that looks like a slab of glass with no cutouts and no bezels. That said, Apple's adoption of solid-state buttons has been repeatedly rumored for an iPhone, but with nothing to show for it. Back in 2022, several reports suggested Apple intended to bring solid-state buttons to the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023 as part of "Project Bongo." However, the plan was reportedly canceled at a late stage. They were then rumored to come to the iPhone 16 Pro, before being shelved indefinitely. In the same Weibo post, the leaker went on to list other features that have been repeatedly rumored for the 2027 device, such as a dual-layer OLED panel, under-display Face ID, and an under-display front-facing camera. They also mentioned a 6,000mAh battery, under-display audio (eliminating the earpiece slit), reverse wireless charging, and a next-generation Ceramic Shield - although it's unclear whether these last few items are more of a wish list of features rather than being based on new supply chain information. Instant Digital has a generally good track record for Apple rumors and has provided some accurate information ahead of time, such as the imminent launch of 2023's Yellow iPhone 14, as well as the frosted back glass of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. The 20th anniversary iPhone will presumably come out in the fall of 2027.Tags: 20th-Anniversary iPhone, Instant DigitalThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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09:32 am
Apple Eyes Intel and Samsung as Backup US Chipmakers | MacRumors
Apple Eyes Intel and Samsung as Backup US Chipmakers
Apple has held "exploratory" talks with Intel and Samsung about manufacturing the main processors for its devices in the United States, reports Bloomberg ($). Apple is said to have had early-stage talks with Intel about using its chipmaking services, while Apple executives have reportedly visited a Samsung plant under construction in Texas that will also make advanced chips. The talks are said to be preliminary, and no orders have been made so far, according to the report's sources who asked not to be identified. Apple is also said to have concerns about using technology that is not made by its longtime chip partner, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), so the talks could still go nowhere. Apple is said to be seeking potential additional suppliers beyond TSMC as a way to avoid recent shortages almost entirely driven by the current build-out of AI data centers. Heavy demand for Mac mini and Mac Studio models - sought-after because of their suitability for running local AI models - is also said to have been another factor. On an earnings call last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that Mac mini and Mac Studio supply is constrained, and he said it may take "several months" for Apple to achieve supply-demand balance. Neither Intel nor Samsung can reliably provide the kind of production and scale that TSMC offers, so it's not clear how much, if anything, will come out of the discussions. Apple has already worked with TSMC to help expand its plant in Phoenix, which is now producing a limited number of chips for Apple and expects to make 100 million chips for the company in 2026.Tags: Bloomberg, Intel, SamsungThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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Monday May 04
11:08 pm
Apple Asks Supreme Court to Pause Epic Games Case Ahead of App Store Fee Ruling | MacRumors
Apple Asks Supreme Court to Pause Epic Games Case Ahead of App Store Fee Ruling
Apple today filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court, asking for a stay on App Store fee calculations while it waits to hear whether the Supreme Court will weigh in on the latest developments in its legal battle with Epic Games. Apple argues that without a stay, it will face irreparable harm. Apple says it will have to litigate the fundamentals of its business model with the "highly prejudicial taint of being (improperly) found to have acted in contempt of the court's initial order" with the world watching, plus the case would require it to disclose confidential business information, which can't be undone. Regulators around the world are watching this case to determine what commission rate Apple may charge on covered purchases in huge markets outside the United States. No proceeding setting the commission Apple may charge--an endeavor that itself is fraught with challenges and raises the prospect of the courts engaging in improper rate-setting--should be allowed to unfold under the false and prejudicial auspices that Apple acted in contempt by charging a commission based on an injunction that did not even mention commissions. The Supreme Court's finding could also affect the scope of the case, because one of Apple's arguments is that the injunction should only apply to ‌Epic Games‌, not all developers that distribute apps in the United States. For a recap, in 2021, the U.S. Northern District Court of California ordered Apple to relax its anti-steering rules as part of the ruling in the ‌Epic Games‌ v. Apple case. Apple was told to allow developers to link to alternate payment options in apps. Apple complied, but still charged high fees (three percent less than its standard fees), leading the court to find Apple in contempt of court for willfully violating the injunction. In April 2025, Apple was barred from collecting any fees on links in apps in the U.S. ‌App Store‌, a change Apple implemented the same month. Apple appealed, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed Apple violated the injunction, but said the company should be able to receive compensation for its technology. The appeals court then ordered the district court to calculate a reasonable fee, and that's what Apple wants to pause. Apple is planning to challenge the district court's contempt of court ruling and the scope of the injunction, and it does not want to go to court for fee calculations when there's a chance the Supreme Court could vacate the decision entirely. All Apple seeks here is a stay of the mandate so this Court can consider Apple's petition before it is subjected to a remand proceeding that could reshape the global app market based on the false premise that Apple engaged in civil contempt. Apple asked the appeals court to stay the fee calculation phase until it heard back from the Supreme Court. The appeals court agreed initially, but then reversed course after ‌Epic Games‌ challenged the decision. Apple is now asking the Supreme Court for the same stay that the appeals court denied. Apple wants to keep its current zero-fee link-out commission structure in place while it appeals to the Supreme Court, which means developers in the U.S. would continue to pay no fees for purchases made using third-party payment options in their apps while the case plays out. If the Supreme Court grants Apple's request for a stay, the zero-fee setup will remain in place while Apple waits on a decision from the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court does not grant the stay or declines to hear the case, Apple and ‌Epic Games‌ will return to the district court to determine the reasonable fee that Apple can collect. While Apple is asking the Supreme Court for a stay as it prepares a full filing, Apple has also suggested that its filing could be used as a certiorari petition, so we could soon hear whether the Supreme Court will decide to hear the ‌Epic Games‌ v. Apple case. Apple will not be able to submit a petition for certiorari that will be considered before the summer recess. The mandate that will send Apple back to the district court for fee calculations goes into effect on May 5.Tags: App Store, Epic Games vs. Apple, Apple LawsuitsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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08:09 pm
T-Mobile Customers Can Now Use Satellite Connectivity in Canada and New Zealand | MacRumors
T-Mobile Customers Can Now Use Satellite Connectivity in Canada and New Zealand
T-Mobile's Starlink satellite connectivity is now available for T-Mobile users who are traveling in Canada and New Zealand. T-Mobile users have previously had access to cellular connectivity through roaming agreements in Canada and New Zealand, and now T-Satellite connectivity is included. Canada satellite coverage is enabled through Rogers Satellite, and in New Zealand, satellite coverage is provided by One NZ. Both Rogers and One NZ have agreements with Starlink provider SpaceX. T-Mobile updated its website to mention satellite roaming last week, and the company says that support for other locations will be coming in the future. T-Mobile is working with global roaming partners and SpaceX to expand T-Satellite. T-Satellite is available to T-Mobile subscribers in the continental U.S., Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and parts of southern Alaska. It is also now available in Canada and New Zealand, with a coverage map available on the T-Mobile website. Rogers and One NZ customers can also use T-Satellite when traveling in the United States as part of the new partnership. T-Mobile's satellite connectivity launched in July 2025 after several months of beta testing, and it is compatible with the iPhone 13 and later. In October 2025, T-Mobile added support for using satellite data with some third-party apps, an option not available with Apple's built-in satellite feature on the iPhone 14 and later. Like Apple's satellite option, T-Satellite kicks in when users do not have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection available. A view of open sky is required to establish connectivity, but there is no need to manually hold an iPhone to the sky to connect as there is with Apple's implementation. T-Satellite works on Apple iPhones, and it can be used alongside the native satellite connectivity. Satellite service is included in T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plans, and is priced at $10 per line for other T-Mobile plans. Smartphone users without T-Mobile service can sign up for T-Satellite for $10 per month.Tag: T-MobileThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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06:14 pm
iOS 26.5 Brings End-to-End Encryption to iPhone-Android RCS Messages | MacRumors
iOS 26.5 Brings End-to-End Encryption to iPhone-Android RCS Messages
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android devices is coming in iOS 26.5, Apple confirmed today. The feature is listed in Apple's iOS 26.5 release notes. Apple says end-to-end encrypted ‌RCS‌ messaging remains in beta even though it is being released in iOS 26.5. The feature is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time, and for conversations to be encrypted, both the receiver and the sender must use a carrier that supports the latest version of ‌RCS‌. End-to-end encryption is on by default, and there is a toggle for it in the Messages section of the Settings app. Encrypted messages are denoted with a small lock symbol. Testing of E2EE for ‌RCS‌ began in iOS 26.4, but Apple did not launch the feature in the iOS 26.4 update. It returned in the iOS 26.5 beta, and has been available throughout the beta testing process. E2EE means that messages sent between devices cannot be intercepted and read by a third party. As of now, ‌RCS‌‌ messages sent between Android and iPhone users do not have E2EE, but iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 will put Android/iPhone conversations on par with iPhone to iPhone conversations that are encrypted through iMessage. Apple worked with the GSM Association to implement E2EE for ‌RCS‌ messages. E2EE is part of the ‌RCS‌ Universal Profile 3.0, published with Apple's help and built on the Messaging Layer Security protocol. ‌‌RCS‌‌ Universal Profile 3.0 also includes editing and deleting messages, cross-platform Tapback support, and replying to specific messages inline during cross-platform conversations.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Tags: Android, RCSRelated Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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Reviews and KoolTools

‘iPhone-ographers’ will find the JOBY PodZilla a fantastic accessory

My iPhone 13 Pro Max is the only camera I use as it takes fantastic photos and videos. And JOBY’s PodZilla, a modular and flexible tripod, is a must-have accessory for “iPhone-ographers.”I use my Apple smartphone to take lots of family photos and videos, as well as...

Apple Watch Series 7 is a nice, but not must-have, upgrade

I like my Apple Watch Series 7, but it’s not a must-have upgrade if you have a Series 6. However, if you have a Series 5 or earlier, it’s worth a look. I ordered the Apple Watch Series 7 Midnight Aluminum version (45mm) with both GPS and cellular. Though...

Satechi’s new accessories are fantastic complements to the blue 24-inch iMac

I love my blue 24-inch iMac. It’s plenty powerful despite “only” having an M1 processor. Plus, it’s gorgeous to behold. Now my desktop looks even better thanks to Satechi‘s blue colorway for their iMac accessories.The line-up consists of — shown on my desktop —...

Noopl is a handy iPhone/AirPods Pro accessory (but don’t think it replace your hearing aid)

Noopl is an iPhone plug-in device designed for those with hearing issues. It helps users reduce background noise and improve hearing in noisy environments. There’s a lot to love about the Noodle, but there are a couple of caveats. About the Noopl Noopl utilizes...

CoverBuddy is not only a great iPad case, but has an Apple Pencil holder

An issue I face is keeping track of my Apple Pencil. Sure, it attaches magnetically (and charges) to the tablet. However, it’s easy for the Pencil to become dislodged. Or it would be without CoverBuddy. This US$49.99 Switheasy protective cover case has a built-in...

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Tuesday May 05
10:49 pm
Session initialization failed error when trying to connect apps | Zapier
Session initialization failed error when trying to connect apps
Status: InvestigatingWe are currently investigating an issue where users receive "Session initialization failed" errors when attempting to connect apps in Zapier.
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09:45 pm
Errors related to Klaviyo app integration | Zapier
Errors related to Klaviyo app integration
Status: MonitoringWe are continuing to monitor the service disruption related to Klaviyo: https://status.klaviyo.com/incidents/yyh7s59brj67 If you are experiencing issues with this app integration, you can reach out to our team at: https://zapier.com/app/get-help
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09:20 pm
Resolution Issues for .de Domains | CloudFlare
Resolution Issues for .de Domains
May 5, 21:20 UTCIdentified - The issue has been identified and a fix is being implemented.May 5, 21:17 UTCInvestigating - We are observing issues with authoritative resolution for the .de TLD.
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08:58 pm
Incoming webhooks — some requests not processed (encoding in Content-Type) | Zapier
Incoming webhooks — some requests not processed (encoding in Content-Type)
Status: MonitoringBetween April 26, 2026, 7:14 PM UTC and April 30, 2026, 4:36 AM UTC, a subset of incoming webhooks to Zapier were not processed during ingestion. Webhooks sent with a Content-Type header that specified a non-UTF-8 character set in the way below were rejected instead of being delivered to your Zaps: Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded; charset=iso-8859-1 Webhooks using typical UTF-8 Content-Type values were not affected by this issue. If your upstream system sent webhooks matching the pattern above during that time window, those individual events did not trigger your Zaps. Other triggers and webhook formats continued to work as usual. For any specific events that occurred while your app was sending webhooks in that format during the window above, you will need to resend the webhook from the upstream application (for example, by having that app fire the event again or resubmit the payload), so that Zapier receives a new request. Replaying a past run in Zapier does not replace a missing inbound webhook from your app. If you are unsure whether your integration uses that header, check your server or integration configuration for charset=iso-8859-1 (or other non-UTF-8 charset) on application/x-www-form-urlencoded requests to your Zap’s webhook URL.
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07:53 pm
CPT (Cape Town) on 2026-05-05 | CloudFlare
CPT (Cape Town) on 2026-05-05
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT May 5, 22:00 - 23:00 UTCMay 5, 19:23 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in CPT (Cape Town) datacenter on 2026-05-05 between 22:00 and 23:00 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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06:53 pm
Peru SMS Carrier Partner Maintenance | Twilio
Peru SMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jun 9, 20:30 - 21:30 PDTMay 5, 11:42 PDTScheduled - Our SMS carrier partner in Peru is conducting a planned maintenance from 09 June 2026 at 20:30 PDT until 09 June 2026 at 21:30 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from Peru handsets via subset of Peru short codes.
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06:23 pm
LAX (Los Angeles) on 2026-05-12 | CloudFlare
LAX (Los Angeles) on 2026-05-12
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT May 12, 07:00 - 15:00 UTCMay 5, 18:15 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in LAX (Los Angeles) datacenter on 2026-05-12 between 07:00 and 15:00 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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05:53 pm
PHL (Philadelphia) on 2026-05-06 | CloudFlare
PHL (Philadelphia) on 2026-05-06
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT May 6, 03:00 - 03:45 UTCMay 5, 17:43 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in PHL (Philadelphia) datacenter on 2026-05-06 between 03:00 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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05:19 pm
Delayed Network Analytics and Alerting | CloudFlare
Delayed Network Analytics and Alerting
May 5, 17:19 UTCInvestigating - We are currently experiencing a delay in processing network analytics across our L4 DDoS protection products. There is no impact to DDoS mitigation functionality; however, customers may notice a lag in the population of Network Analytics dashboards. This delay also affects the delivery of real-time alerts for these products. We are working to resolve the issue and will provide further updates as they become available.
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04:49 pm
Issues with new Cloudflare Tunnel connections and Browser Isolation registrations | CloudFlare
Issues with new Cloudflare Tunnel connections and Browser Isolation registrations
May 5, 16:49 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating connectivity issues affecting Cloudflare Tunnel and Browser Isolation. This issue is currently limited to the establishment of new connections. Customers may experience errors or timeouts when attempting to register new tunnels via cloudflared or when initiating new Browser Isolation sessions. Existing tunnels and active sessions are not affected and continue to operate normally. Our engineering team is actively investigating the root cause, and we will provide additional updates as soon as more information is available.
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04:22 pm
AMS (Amsterdam) on 2026-05-08 | CloudFlare
AMS (Amsterdam) on 2026-05-08
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT May 8, 00:00 - 08:00 UTCMay 5, 15:57 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in AMS (Amsterdam) datacenter on 2026-05-08 between 00:00 and 08:00 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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03:24 pm
Slower build start time in Workers Builds | CloudFlare
Slower build start time in Workers Builds
May 5, 15:24 UTCInvestigating - Some Workers Builds users may experience increased build dequeue times
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03:23 pm
YUL (Montréal) on 2026-05-07 | CloudFlare
YUL (Montréal) on 2026-05-07
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT May 7, 08:00 - 12:00 UTCMay 5, 14:59 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in YUL (Montréal) datacenter on 2026-05-07 between 08:00 and 12:00 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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11:33 am
Errors adding R2 custom domains | CloudFlare
Errors adding R2 custom domains
May 5, 11:33 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is aware of and investigating an issue with adding R2 custom domains which potentially impacts multiple customers. This does not impact serving or uploading R2 objects.We are working to analyse and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.
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08:04 am
Bot Management Issues | CloudFlare
Bot Management Issues
May 5, 08:04 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating issues with our Bot Management feature. Customers may experience an unexpected increase in Bot Management rules matching detection IDs 50331648 and 50331649.We are working to mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.
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MacTech News

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Reviews and KoolTools

‘iPhone-ographers’ will find the JOBY PodZilla a fantastic accessory

Apple Watch Series 7 is a nice, but not must-have, upgrade

Satechi’s new accessories are fantastic complements to the blue 24-inch iMac

Noopl is a handy iPhone/AirPods Pro accessory (but don’t think it replace your hearing aid)

CoverBuddy is not only a great iPad case, but has an Apple Pencil holder

Community and More

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