Apple Store education purchase verification process expands to US
Education customers in the US will need to verify eligibility to make a discounted purchase, as Apple expands its verification process to the US and other countries.Apple is updating its education program with new verification and Apple Watch elligibilityStarting on Friday, May 8, Apple has started to more strictly enforce its education pricing. Previously, while Apple Stores would verify eligibility in person, anyone was able make discounted purchases by visiting the virtual education store.Apple has partnered with Unidays on a new verification system. Students will be able to verify their enrollment and faculty will be able provide the appropriate documentation with the new automated process. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple now requires verification for Education Store, adds Apple Watch with discounts
Apple is rolling out two changes to the Education Store in the United States and other countries. First, Apple now requires verification for all purchases made via the Education Store in the US … so it’s no longer on the “honor system.” Meanwhile, Apple has added Apple Watch to the Education Store for the first time … more…

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This $130 Office 2024 upgrade leaves free apps and MS 365 in the dust
Macworld TL;DR: A one-time $129.97 (reg. $249.99) gets you Microsoft Office 2024 for life—no subscription fees, just the apps you’ll actually use. There’s a point where monthly subscriptions stop feeling convenient and start feeling like a rip-off. If you’re still paying for Microsoft 365 just to use Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, this deal is worth a look. Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is down to $129.97 (reg. $249.99) through May 17—and it’s a lifetime license. No recurring fees, no renewal reminders, no “oops, your subscription expired” moments. You’re getting the essentials: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. The difference this time around is how polished and modern everything feels. Performance is noticeably smoother (especially in Excel with large datasets), and the updated interface keeps things clean and consistent across apps. There are also plenty of genuinely useful upgrades. PowerPoint now lets you record presentations with voice and video. Outlook has better accessibility tools, and Excel leans into smarter data insights. You can still collaborate in real time, use AI-assisted suggestions, and work offline when needed—so you’re not giving up functionality, just the ongoing cost. If you’re going to use Office anyway, you might as well own it. Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for just $129.97 (reg. $249.99) through May 17. Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime LicenseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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5 free AI image-editing tools every creator should know
Macworld If you’re a creator, marketer, or active social media user, you’ve probably felt the pressure to produce polished visuals quickly. It’s not just a creativity challenge, it’s about time, tools, and technical skill. That’s exactly where Adobe Firefly stands out. It offers a suite of free, AI-powered tools that let you upload your images and walk through edits step by step—delivering fast, precise, and professional-quality results without requiring advanced design experience. What makes Firefly particularly powerful is its “quick action” approach. Instead of digging through complex menus, users are guided through pre-built prompts tailored to specific tasks. Even better, Firefly allows experimentation with variations using models from partners such as Google and OpenAI—all without switching platforms. The result is a streamlined editing experience that feels intuitive and efficient. Here are five of the most useful free image editing tools inside Adobe Firefly: 1. Remove objects instantly with Generative Remove Adobe Unwanted elements can ruin an otherwise perfect image—think stray tourists, messy signage, or distracting wires. Firefly’s Generative Remove tool makes cleanup effortless. Simply brush over the object you want gone, click “Generate,” and the AI replaces it with a natural-looking background. The real advantage here is precision. Instead of awkward patches or visible edits, Firefly intelligently fills in textures, lighting, and context so the final image looks untouched. Whether you’re refining a product shot or cleaning up a travel photo, the process takes seconds rather than hours. Remove an object from a photo now 2. Expand your image beyond its borders Adobe Sometimes the biggest limitation of a photo is its framing. With Generative Expand, Firefly allows you to extend your image outward while maintaining visual consistency. This tool is especially valuable for marketers and social media users who need multiple aspect ratios. A square image can quickly become a widescreen banner or vertical story format. Firefly automatically generates new content that matches the original image’s lighting, perspective, and style. It’s more than resizing, it’s about reimagining. You can even guide the expansion with text prompts, turning a simple background into a forest scene, a cityscape, or something more imaginative.  AI image expander: Extend images instantly 3. Upscale images without losing quality Adobe Low-resolution images are a common frustration, especially when working with older assets or user-generated content. Firefly’s AI-powered upscaling tool solves this by increasing image size while preserving sharpness and detail. Instead of stretching pixels, the AI reconstructs missing detail, making images look crisp even at 2x or 4x enlargement. This is particularly useful for marketers who need to repurpose customer photos or improve outdated brand assets without reshooting or redesigning. It also breathes new life into scanned or archival images, making them suitable for modern use across digital and print platforms.   AI image upscaler: Enhance your images 4. Remove people with precision Adobe Crowded backgrounds can distract from your subject. Firefly’s people removal feature—also powered by Generative Remove—lets you eliminate unwanted individuals just as easily as objects. Brush over the person, generate the edit, and the AI seamlessly fills the space. The result is a clean, distraction-free image that keeps focus exactly where you want it. For social media users, this means no more photobombers. For brands, it ensures visuals stay aligned with messaging and aesthetics. Remove a person from a photo 5. Generate and replace backgrounds effortlessly Adobe Backgrounds define mood, context, and brand identity. Firefly’s AI background generator makes it incredibly simple to swap or create entirely new environments. The tool automatically detects your subject, separates it from the background, and replaces it with a new scene based on your prompt. Whether you want a minimalist studio look, a vibrant outdoor setting, or something more imaginative, Firefly delivers realistic results with matching light and shadows. This is a game-changer for product photography and content creation. Instead of organizing expensive shoots, you can generate professional-grade visuals in minutes—perfectly tailored to your campaign or platform.  AI background generator: Transform photos in a click Why Firefly stands out The real strength of Adobe Firefly lies in its balance of simplicity and control. It doesn’t overwhelm users with technical complexity, yet it delivers highly precise edits that meet professional standards. Speed is another major advantage. Tasks that once required hours of manual work—masking, cloning, resizing—are now completed in a few clicks. And because the platform guides you through each step, even beginners can achieve results that look expertly crafted. For creators juggling deadlines, marketers scaling campaigns, or anyone looking to elevate their visuals, Firefly offers a practical, accessible solution. It turns image editing from a time-consuming chore into a fast, creative process—without sacrificing quality. Start using Adobe Firefly for free. In a world where visual content drives engagement, tools like Firefly aren’t just convenient—they’re essential. Additional Firefly plans with more premium features and higher level of generative credits are also available. Better still, there’s a special offer through May 20th that allows you unlimited generations in Firefly. Special Offer Get unlimited Firefly generations

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Apple pushes back against Canadian bill that could force companies to weaken encryption
Apple and Meta are publicly opposing a new Canadian bill that they say could force tech companies to break encryption or build backdoors into their products. Here are the details. more…

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How to pause Activity Rings in watchOS 26 when you need a break
While Activity Rings are a staple for fitness enthusiasts, there might be times when you need to pause them. Here's how you can do it in watchOS 26.How to pause Activity Rings in watchOS 26The Activity Rings on the Apple Watch are a great way to keep track of your daily movement, exercise, and standing goals. However, there are situations where keeping them active isn't practical.For instance, maintaining your usual activity level could interfere with the recovery process if you're recovering from an illness or injury. Pausing the rings allows you to prioritize healing without feeling pressured to meet daily goals. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Canadian encryption law could force Apple to take drastic action like in UK
Instead of complying with an encryption backdoor mandate in the UK, Apple pulled features like Advanced Data Protection. A similar result could occur in Canada if a new bill passes.Apple's stance on encryption remains unchangedApple won't weaken encryption for any government entity because doing so would allow good guys and bad guys better access to user data. As it argued with the FBI after the San Bernardino shooting, there is no such thing as a backdoor "just for the good guys."Canadian legislators believe that lawful access to encrypted data should be required, which is why Bill C-22 exists. According to a report from Reuters, Apple and Meta are pushing back. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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GameSir Pocket Taco review: an emulator-friendly retro controller with some tradeoffs
The GameSir Pocket Taco is an interesting, single-purpose game controller built for retro gaming on iPhone via emulation. Its low price makes its tradeoffs worth it for nostalgia seekers.GameSir Pocket Taco reviewSince Apple enabled the use of emulators on iPhone, the search for the perfect emulation controller began. We've seen many mounts, attachments, and standard controllers, but the Pocket Taco takes a different approach.Instead of simply being a capacitive set of buttons like Gamebaby, the GameSir Pocket Taco is a full Bluetooth game controller that slips onto your iPhone. Of the two options, I like GameSir's approach better since I don't always want my iPhone to have a controller attached. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple TV announces new docuseries on UConn women’s basketball team
Apple TV today announced ‘The Dynasty: UConn Huskies,’ a three-part docuseries about the University of Connecticut women’s basketball program. Here are the details. more…

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Spotify’s AI-powered personal DJ adds support for more countries and languages
Spotify announced today that Premium users in more than 75 countries can now interact with the platform’s AI-powered DJ, in an expansion that also includes support for four new languages. Here are the details. more…

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Apple can't avoid $4.1 billion iCloud suit in UK
Apple has failed to reduce the scope of a UK class-action lawsuit, and all iCloud users in the country will be owed $95 if the company loses.Apple could be forced to pay $95 to all iCloud users in the UK, if a class-action lawsuit agains the company is successful.Apple has had its fair share of lawsuits in the United Kingdom, with ongoing cases regarding App Store fees, an alleged price-fixing scheme with retailers, and more.In November 2024, consumer rights group and publication Which? also sued Apple, alleging that the company had an anti-competitive way of locking users into paying for iCloud storage. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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More refunds possible for Apple as Trump's 10% global tariffs found illegal too
The nearly universal 10% tariffs enacted by Trump have been declared illegal, pending appeal, so Apple may get even more cost reduction across its supply chain and additional refunds.Liberation Day tariffs and their follow up are both illegalThe so-called "Liberation Day" on April 2, 2025 hit Apple's supply chain like a ton of bricks. A year later, those "reciprocal" tariffs were declared illegal and new global tariffs were put in place immediately.President Trump attempted to utilize a never-before-used provision to enact the 10% tariffs without congressional approval, but that has backfired. On Thursday, the Court of International Trade has found those new global tariffs were also illegal. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple expands environmental initiatives in India with new partnerships
Apple announced today an expansion of its environmental initiatives in India, with three projects focused on clean energy, plastic pollution, and green entrepreneurship. Here are the details. more…

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Trump set to invite Tim Cook and other CEOs to upcoming China trip
Semafor reports that Tim Cook is among the CEOs likely to be invited to an upcoming trip to China. Whether he goes could shape his remaining months as Apple’s CEO. Here are the details. more…

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Attention investors: Apple’s MacBook Neo is bigger than you think
Apple unveiled its new budget-friendly laptop, the MacBook Neo, in March — welcome news for investors. Starting at $599 with… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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9to5Mac Daily: May 7, 2026 – MacBook Neo production rumors, more
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by Bitwarden: Make your life easier with Bitwarden, featuring a secure, open source password manager with end-to-end encryption and seamless autofill across all your devices. more…

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Logitech announces two new keyboard cases for iPad
Logitech today iPad (10th generation): the Rugged Combo 4c and Rugged Combo 4c Touch. In a press release, Logitech touts that these new cases offer a “fully sealed keyboard and a versatile USB-C port that enables students to charge iPad and use a wired headset at the same time.” more…

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AirPods Ultra could be Apple’s first AI device
Look ahead to AirPods Ultra, featuring cameras for enhanced awareness in a new era of AI-friendly wearables. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple CEO Tim Cook expected to get invite to go to China with Trump
President Trump wants to show off the executives he has behind him on a trip to China, where he will discuss trade with President Xi Jinping. Still-CEO Tim Cook is rumored to be among the invitees.Apple CEO Tim Cook knows how to manage political environmentsIf there's one well-understood policy held by the Trump administration, it's to show up when requested. One of the few times that Apple CEO Tim Cook didn't show up resulted in a special tariff just for iPhones in May 2025.It's time for Cook to pick up the phone again, as President Trump is headed to China to speak to President Xi Jinping about trade. The discussions will likely be of little relevance to Apple, according to a report from Semafor, but Trump likes to have powerful individuals surround him on such trips. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple showcases four new MAMI shorts shot on the iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple has published an in-depth look at four emerging filmmakers who used iPhone 17 Pro Max to shoot new short films as part of the latest MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone program. Watch them below. more…

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