GeForce Now streams Apple Vision Pro faster & better than to Meta headsets
Nvidia's recent update to GeForce Now enables a better gaming experience on Apple Vision Pro than any other headset. Here's what's changed with the game streaming service.Apple Vision Pro is compatible with Nvidia GeForce NowWhile you can play games on the Apple Vision Pro, it is also possible to play PC games on the headset too. However, with services like Nvidia GeForce Now, you can do it without needing a PC in the first place.In the latest updates to the service, Nvidia has made it better for Apple Vision Pro users to play games piped through their Internet connection from servers. The update added a higher resolution and a much faster refresh rate. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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GeForce Now streams Apple Vision Pro faster & better than to Meta headsets
Nvidia's recent update to GeForce Now enables a better gaming experience on Apple Vision Pro than any other headset. Here's what's changed with the game streaming service.Apple Vision Pro is compatible with Nvidia GeForce NowWhile you can play games on the Apple Vision Pro, it is also possible to play PC games on the headset too. However, with services like Nvidia GeForce Now, you can do it without needing a PC in the first place.In the latest updates to the service, Nvidia has made it better for Apple Vision Pro users to play games piped through their Internet connection from servers. The update added a higher resolution and a much faster refresh rate. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 26.4 adds convenient new iCloud feature, here’s how to enable it
iOS 26.4 launched last week with new features for Apple Music, Podcasts, and a lot more. There’s also a new iOS 26.4 feature that makes iCloud on the web more useful than before thanks to the addition of search. Here’s how to enable it. more…

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Apple’s Mac Pro had no real raison d’être
The Mac Pro’s slow demise began in 2022, when Apple quietly scrapped plans for a flagship chip with double the processing cores… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Spy shot offers first look at the iPhone 18 Pro’s smaller Dynamic Island
Macworld It’s no secret that 2026 is a big year for the iPhone. The new Siri that was promised in 2024 is almost certain to arrive, we’re likely getting our first look at the first folding iPhone, and Apple will reportedly shift the iPhone 18 release to next spring to put more attention on the iPhone 18 Pro. According to rumors, the biggest change coming to the Pro phones will be a smaller Dynamic Island. For the first time since the camera cutout was introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple is reportedly going to shrink the size when it’s not in use, so it takes up less of your screen when watching videos. IceUniverse/X Thanks to a spy shot published by noted leaker IceUniverse on X (above), we have our first look at how much smaller the Dynamic Island could be. According to the pic, the pill portion of the Dynamic Island appears to be about half the size of the current cutout, so it should be noticeably smaller once Apple digitally stitches it together with the hole-punch camera. If you hold your iPhone at an angle, you’ll be able to see the two cutouts to get an idea of how much space you’ll be getting back. It probably won’t be all that noticeable—think of it more like an inlet than an island—but it’s one step closer to Apple’s ultimate goal of putting all Face ID components and the front camera under the display.  Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro in September.

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Abxylute M4 review: A compact, affordable iPhone controller with a magnetic catch
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Affordable game controller Includes 2x joysticks, D-Pad and button controls Compact, lightweight design Cons Weak magnetic attachment Small controls for big hands Confusing manual Our Verdict The weak magnetic attachment may worry some people, but the compact M4 is still a good option for occasional bouts of mobile gaming on your iPhone. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$49.99 Best Prices Today: Abxylute M4 Retailer Price $42.49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket What is Abxylute M4: A small, portable Bluetooth game controller designed for iPhones. Who’s it for: Casual iPhone gamers. Good for occasional use, not for serious gaming. We like Razer’s Kishi game controllers (including the Kishi Ultra, Kishi V2 and Kishi V3), which offer models for both iPhone and iPad. However, the Kishi range is relatively expensive and aimed primarily at serious gamers who want full-size controls with the feel and precision of a traditional Xbox or PlayStation controller. Abxylute takes a different approach with its M4 controller. It’s smaller, more affordable, and geared towards casual gamers looking for quick bursts of mobile gaming on their iPhone. Priced at just $52/£40 and available in a variety of colours, the M4 is described as a “magnetic mobile gamepad” and features a compact, pocket-friendly design. By comparison, the Kishi controllers are quite bulky, attaching to either side of your iPhone to effectively turn it into a mini games console. The M4, however, is a small plastic rectangle measuring just 15mm thick, 70mm wide and 75mm long, and weighing only 55g – making it easy to slip into a pocket or bag when travelling. Despite its size, the M4 is packed with controls. It includes two shoulder buttons on each corner, dual mini joysticks, a D-pad, and a set of face buttons similar to those found on a PlayStation controller. A USB-C port on the bottom handles charging, with the internal battery providing up to 10 hours of use on a full charge. The compact M4 holds your iPhone in landscape position for playing action games (iPhone not included). Abxylute How to attach the M4 to a iPhone The M4 uses Bluetooth to pair with your iPhone, but it also includes a magnetic metal ring that can attach to the MagSafe magnets on an iPhone (and also worked when attached to the MagSafe sleeve that I use with my own iPhone). You first attach the magnetic ring to the M4 and then use the ring to attach the M4 to your iPhone, with the iPhone being held in the horizontal landscape position that is used for most action games. The only thing to watch out for here is that the magnetic ring can’t hold the weight of the iPhone if you hold the M4 out in front of you with the iPhone screen facing down at the ground. To be fair, Abxylute does warn you about this on its website and, of course, you’re obviously not going to play any games with the iPhone held like that. But you could find that the iPhone falls off the magnetic ring if you need to quickly put the iPhone down on your desk, or drop it into a bag. There is another option though: It’s also possible to separate the M4 and the metal ring, and use the ring as a table-top stand for your iPhone while you hold the M4 in your hands. The magnetic ring attaches to the MagSafe magnets on an iPhone – but you still need to be careful how you hold it. Abxylute How easy is it to set up and pair? Getting started can be a little tricky, as Abxylute’s rather jargon-heavy manual assumes that you’re already familiar with the intricacies of game controllers. I do own a PlayStation Dualshock controller, but I still prefer to use a keyboard and mouse for gaming on my Mac, so setting up the unfamiliar controls of the M4 took me a little while. Simply pairing with the M4 via Bluetooth isn’t enough, as it provides multiple pairing modes designed for different types of gaming devices. After figuring out that I needed PS Mode for my iPhone – which presumably means ‘PlayStation Mode’ – the M4 did show up in my iPhone’s Bluetooth Settings panel as ‘Dualshock Controller’. However, there’s still a lot of confusing information in the manual about configuring the various buttons on the M4, which won’t be very helpful for first-time users. And, of course, you have to make sure that the mobile games you’re playing do have built-in support for game controllers.  What is it like to use for gaming? Unfortunately, not all iOS games support controllers. My first port of call was the iOS version of Baldur’s Gate, but that simply ignored the M4 completely. I had more luck with Diablo Immortal, which has a useful tutorial that guides you through the basics of using a controller, and I was soon slinging fireballs around the screen of my iPhone like a pro. I did find the compact design of the M4 a little small for my manly mitts, particularly reaching up to the four shoulder buttons. It did feel more comfortable using the magnetic ring as a stand for my iPhone while I held the M4 separately in my hands, but the M4 was still better than trying to play a fast-paced game like Diablo Immortal using the iPhone’s normal touch-screen controls. Should You Buy The Abxylute M4? No two ways about it – the magnetic ring used to attach the M4 to your iPhone could definitely be stronger. And, if you spend a lot of time playing mobile games then it’s probably worth spending a little more to get a full-size controller like the Razer Kishi. But if you just want to zap a few bad guys while you’re sitting on a train with your iPhone then the M4 is a good alternative to using touch-screen controls, at a competitive price.

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Hurry, the A16 iPad just got a $140 price cut but stock is running out
Macworld Apple iPad A16 View Deal Go! Go! Go! The iPad A16 has never been cheaper than it is right now, and since it’s a limited-time deal, you have to hurry up. It’s only going to cost you $359.10 to get the version with 5G and 128GB of storage, a savings of $140 on its $499 price tag, a fantastic deal and by far the best we’ve ever seen. Yes, we know — it’s a weird price, but we assure you it’s not used or refurbished. We quite love this affordable tablet, enough that we gave it a four-star rating when we reviewed it. We appreciated the bright 11-inch screen, the high-quality design, overall build quality, and its strong performance. The one possible drawback to keep in mind when getting this A16 iPad is that the chip itself does not support Apple Intelligence. Of course, with the current state of Apple’s AI project, that’s not exactly a tragedy, and you can definitely still use browser-based AI tools like everyone else. While we wish it were more, you’ll get 128GB of storage, which should be more than enough. Even if you download a lot, that only means you’ll have to be a bit more selective about the apps you install since you won’t be using the tablet to take as many pics and vids as you would your iPhone. So hurry up and don’t miss out on the chance to get yourself the iPad A16 for $140 off at Amazon before stock runs out.

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Apple ramps up MacBook Neo production to 10 million units as new laptop sells out rapidly
Apple's newly launched MacBook Neo, the company's most affordable laptop ever, has become an immediate hit, selling out quickly and… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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That top Google result for Homebrew could infect your Mac
Malicious ads are pushing fake Homebrew installers to Mac users, and the attack relies on trusting the first Google search result.macOS TerminalAttackers are buying Google ads to place a fake Homebrew site above the real one, then trick users into running a malicious Terminal command. The tactic is effective because it leans on routine behavior instead of technical exploits.Developers and everyday Mac users rely on Homebrew to install software, which makes it a high-value target. The real installation process already involves pasting a command into Terminal, so the fake version doesn't immediately stand out. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple's AI home strategy, hands on with Sonos Play, and more on Smart Home Insider
On this week's episode of the Smart Home Insider podcast, we go hands on with the new Sonos Play speaker, test out Matter cameras, and discuss Apple's AI home plans.Smart Home Insider PodcastSitting in as guest host this week is Dan Turk. Dan is Vice President of Tech and Innovation at Max Borges Agency and is well-versed in the current state of the smart home.We get the episode going by recapping the week's news, including Apple's official announcement of WWDC 2026. We talk about the possible smart home-related announcements and how they revolve around the rumored new hardware. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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watchOS 27 to reportedly offer two main Apple Watch upgrades
Apple will unveil iOS 27 and its companion software updates on June 8 at WWDC, and a recent Q&A with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman revealed the two main upgrades coming with watchOS 27. more…

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Apple's third co-founder insists he still owns 10% of Apple
Apparently Ron Wayne wasn't splitting hairs. Despite quitting after 12 days, and being paid off twice, the third Apple co-founder has doubled-down on his odd claim of still owning 10% of the company.Apple co-founder Ronald Wayne at the Computer History Museum — image credit: CHMWhen Ron Wayne first raised this point in March 2026 at the Computer History Museum, it sounded like splitting hairs. He said that he had never sold the 10% stake he originally had in Apple, but he appeared to want to clear up a point of pedantry.Since Wayne quit Apple, he strictly speaking didn't own the 10% and that's why he could never have sold it. This seemed like a tiny point of clarification, and no more. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The other geniuses: 16 unsung heroes from Apple’s first 50 years
We look beyond Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Jony Ive and Tim Cook to 15 unsung heroes from Apple's first 50 amazingly successful years. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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The other geniuses: 16 unsung heroes from Apple’s first 50 years
We look beyond Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Jony Ive and Tim Cook to 16 unsung heroes from Apple's first 50 amazingly successful years. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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M5 MacBook Air review: Incremental update, but the best buy for most
The new MacBook Air with M5 is no longer the entry-level MacBook in Apple's catalog. It's still the one most people should buy.M5 MacBook Air reviewThe new M5 MacBook Air launched into in era when Apple is taking big steps to adjust its lineup. With the introduction of the MacBook Neo, Apple has widened the potential customer base.This repositions the MacBook Air in the process. That's not a bad thing, though. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple shifts AI strategy toward App Store and search-like platform
Apple’s revamped AI and Siri strategy signals a clear recommitment to its proven core business model: selling premium hardware… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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It's going to be a long wait for an OLED iMac
You're going to have to be patient if you want an OLED iMac, with the recent rumors suggesting that Apple is very early in the testing process.24-inch iMacAfter many years of using LED backlighting and using miniLED in some cases, Apple has gradually been moving its product lines to OLED. However, the expense of the technology means some products will get it far later than others.In the case of the 24-inch iMac, ZDNet Korea reports that Apple plans to bring the OLED iMac out by 2029 or 2030. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Adobe Illustrator now lets you rotate 2D vectors in 3D space
Adobe Turntable is now generally available in Illustrator, allowing creators to generate multi-angle views from any vector illustration. Here’s how it works. more…

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OLED iMac in the works, but don’t hold your breath
A new supply chain report says that Apple has asked both Samsung and LG to supply samples of an OLED panel suitable for an iMac. The report says that the company is progressing plans to launch an OLED iMac, but it seems we shouldn’t expect it anytime soon … more…

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Apple’s 50th anniversary finale may feature a legendary headliner
Over the last several weeks, Apple has held celebrations for its upcoming 50th anniversary around the world, including performances by Alicia Keys at Apple Grand Central in New York City and Mumford & Sons at Apple Battersea in London. Now, new details have emerged about the finale of the Apple 50th anniversary festivities, set for this week. more…

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The end of the Mac Pro was inevitable, but I still feel a little sad
I reluctantly accepted last year that the end of the line for the Mac Pro was an inevitability. It had already effectively been replaced by the Mac Studio, and a macOS 26 feature was another nail in its coffin. Yesterday was a day that had been coming since the first Apple Silicon Mac. I do think it’s the right call, but confess to still being a little sad to see it happen … more…

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Gentler Streak’s Wellness section now features cardio fitness data
Starting today, Gentler Streak users can check VO₂ max estimate data, with trends and averages, for a more complete snapshot of their fitness. Here are the details. more…

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The Edge of Tomorrow Takes Shape at HP
HP is advancing an edge-first AI strategy, focusing on running models locally across devices and workflows. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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Here’s the most powerful charger worth buying for each Apple device
The charging brick that came with your Apple device – or the one recommended by Apple, in the case of iPhones – usually won’t get you the fastest charge. It can be worth spending a bit more money on a more powerful charger. Conversely, every Apple device has its own maximum charging rate, and buying a charger which exceeds this is just a waste of money … more…

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Apple Ireland appears to have broken sanctions on Russia
Apple's Ireland subsidiary has been fined half a million dollars by UK regulators who say the company probably broke sanctions against Russia.Moscow — image credit:WikimediaAfter Russia began its attacks on Ukraine in 2022, both the US and Europe imposed sanctions that, for example, meant Apple Pay no longer being available. Now according to the Financial Times, a UK regulator has fined Apple over payments to Okko, a Russian online video streaming service.The UK is not part of the European Union, but the payments were made via a UK-based bank. Consequently, the country's Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) had the authority to impose the fine of $517,946.25. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple I to the Macintosh: 1976 to 1985
Macworld Apple’s first decade is filled with products that are iconic, not just within Apple’s own history, but the history of technology. Apple is often cited as the originator of personal computing, releasing products that empowered generations of users and set the example for how technology can be used by the masses. This era saw three different computing platforms come from Apple–that’s how uncertain the future was. By the end of the decade, the Macintosh would emerge as the primary focus for Apple, which would eventually form the basis for iOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS. Here’s how the first 10 years of Apple, 1976-1985, shaped the future. April 1976: Apple I Foundry The computer that started it all didn’t even come with a case–the Apple I was just a circuit board, and buyers had to bring their own case, which resulted in some unique setups that would make Jony Ive cringe. (“Wood? Bollocks.”) Apple made about 200 computers that had a 1.02MHz CMOS Technology 6502 microprocessor and 4K of RAM, and introduced the Apple I at $666.66, which was later reduced to $475. Because of its rarity and historic influence, the Apple I sometimes becomes available through auctions, and the bidding reaches the hundreds of thousands of dollars. But the value of the Apple I in tech history can’t be measured–while other computers came before it, the Apple I sparked the personal computing revolution and firmly established Apple as a tech company not just for business people but for everyone. June 1977: Apple II RR Auction Apple’s second computer, the Apple II, was its first mass-market success. It was designed to appeal to everyday folks, not just the hobbyists who invested in an Apple I. Steve Wozniak made improvements that heightened its utility, and even though its $1,298 price tag was higher than competitors’, the Apple II was a huge hit. How huge? The Apple II is often cited as one of the greatest computers of all time, if not the greatest. Apple continued with the Apple II line for 16 years, and while the Macintosh eventually became the company’s main platform, the Apple II blazed a trail that even today’s Macs still follow. January 1983: Apple Lisa Computer History Museum The Apple Lisa (officially Local Integrated Software Architecture ) was the first personal computer with a graphical user interface, which used a document-centric approach and even allowed files to have the same name (which was unheard of in early computer interfaces). Its all-in-one design had a 5MHz Motorola 68000 CPU, support for up to 2MB of RAM, and a 12-inch monochrome display. Named after Steve Jobs’ estranged daughter, it was originally priced at $9,995. Lisa’s legacy is as complicated as the relationship Jobs had with its namesake, but there’s no denying its importance. In 1980, Steve was kicked off the Lisa project and latched into the Macintosh group, which borrowed many of Lisa’s attributes, namely its GUI. Bruce Daniels, who played a major role on both the Lisa and Macintosh development teams, once said, “All the Mac groups were willing to say that  if there had not been a Lisa, there never would have been a Mac.” December 1983: ImageWriter The Centre for Computing History Apple had released printers before 1983, but the ImageWriter was the first that worked with both the Apple II and Macintosh (which wouldn’t arrive for another month). It was one of the first dot-matrix printers, so it could print low-resolution graphics; a lot of other printers used daisy-wheel mechanisms that were meant to produce only text. It wasn’t until ImageWriter II in 1985 that the project took off and Apple finally discontinued it after 11 years. The ImageWriter II had a sleeker, more refined design, better speed and print modes, and could print in color if you changed the ribbon. By the mid-1980s, laser printers were beginning to transform publishing, and the Apple LaserWriter became the industry standard.  January 1984: Macintosh 128K Foundry The Macintosh 128K set into motion the core of Apple’s business and empowered users everywhere. But the Macintosh was, at first, considered a research project at Apple; the company was more focused on the Apple Lisa. That all changed when Steve Jobs, determined to “make a dent in the universe,” took over the Macintosh team. Here’s why 1984 wasn’t like 1984: The first Macintosh arrived with an 8MHz Motorola 6800 CPU, supported up to 1MB of RAM, and had a built-in 9-inch monochrome display. System 1.0 ran off a 400K floppy disk, and Disk Swapper’s Elbow became a badge of honor that bonded those early users.  It’s been 40 years since its debut, but the core features of System 1—the Finder, menu bar, and Control Panel—are still a part of today’s macOS 26, a testament to the versatility of the original idea. March 1985: LaserWriter Gammal trotjänare. Wikipedia When the Macintosh was introduced, it was immediately apparent how it was built for creative work, but it needed an affordable device to satisfy professionals who wanted high-quality prints or their creations. The Apple LaserWriter did that, and ushered in what Paul Brainerd termed “desktop publishing.” The LaserWriter introduced the world to PostScript, Adobe’s page description language that enabled printers to reproduce graphics at the quality that professionals demand. It was also networkable, so that several Macs could connect to it and print. This networkability helped to offset its $6,995 price. This is part one of a five-part series exploring 50 years of Apple product releases. Stay tuned to Macworld all week as we explore all five decades, continuing tomorrow with 1986-1995.

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The top 50 people who shaped Apple, ranked
Macworld April 1 marks Apple’s 50th anniversary, a milestone it couldn’t reach without the help of some very talented people. So we decided to put together a list of the 50 people who made Apple the company it is today. Some worked there for just a year or two; others for almost the entire half-century, while others never actually worked for the company at all. But all influenced Apple’s journey in some profound way. This is all, of course, deeply subjective. It is very unlikely that every reader will agree with the author’s selections, far less with his rankings. Which is fine, we welcome the conversation. Our only rule is that if you complain about someone’s exclusion, tell us who you would cut to make room. The list is presented in reverse order and will be expanded with 10 new names each day across this week. Who do you think will make the top 10? Drop us a message on Bluesky or Threads. 50. Katie Cotton Apple PR legend Katie Cotton joined Apple in 1996, shortly before the return of Steve Jobs, and worked closely with him for the next 15 years. For better or worse, she was instrumental in shaping the company’s communications strategy and famous culture of secrecy, fiercely controlling Apple’s portrayal in the press. As we wrote upon her retirement in 2014, she “largely turned public relations on its head.” Cotton sadly passed away in 2023, but like Jobs himself, her legacy lives on in Apple Park. 49. Al Gore Kleiner Perkins The former vice president of the United States is better known, of course, for his political career and climate advocacy. But Al Gore has made a small mark on Apple’s history too: After his failed bid to become president of the United States, he joined Apple’s Board of Directors. “Al brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and wisdom to Apple from having helped run the largest organization in the world: the United States government,” Jobs said at the time of his election. No, not that election. 48. Michael Spindler Apple Wiki During its 50 years, Apple has had seven full-time CEOs. Six of them are in this list. (Michael Scott, who was more memorable for the number of people he fired than the new products he oversaw, misses out.) Michael Spindler, who ran things from 1993 to 1996, is our next lowest-ranked CEO. His era wasn’t exactly a golden one, but he deserves recognition for the momentous launch of the first PowerPC Macs on his watch, as well as bold failures such as the clone licensing program. Spindler also fired a bunch of people and tried to merge with IBM, but nobody’s perfect. 47. Bill Gates Microsoft Apple fans are mainly familiar with Bill Gates as the guy trying to get everyone to run Microsoft DOS or Windows instead of Mac OS through the 1980s and 1990s. But it’s important to remember that Apple probably wouldn’t have survived the latter decade without Microsoft’s $150 million investment (and its commitment to keep developing Office for the Mac) in 1997, and it was Gates who made that call. This felt like a Faustian bargain, but unusually for those types of stories, everything worked out OK in the end.  46. Bob Belleville Folklore.org Jobs famously recruited John Sculley from PepsiCo by asking him if he wanted to sell sugared water for the rest of his life. Bob Belleville, working at the time for Xerox, reportedly got the even less flattering line “Everything you’ve ever done in your life is shit, so why don’t you come work for me?” Perhaps surprisingly, this worked, and Belleville spent three years leading both hardware and software engineering for the Macintosh and overseeing the development of the LaserWriter. In a 2015 documentary, he said that working under Jobs consumed his life and destroyed his marriage, yet movingly struggled to hold back tears while reading an obituary he wrote for his former boss. It’s hard to think of a better metaphor for the intense highs and desolate lows of working with Steve. 45. Chris Espinosa Meredith Espinosa Apple employee No. 8 joined the company in 1976 when he was just 14 (despite being warned about the notorious Steves by his teachers), and is still there today, making him Apple Inc.’s longest-serving employee. Espinosa did a bit of everything in the early days, from marketing to writing manuals and business plans, before finding his niche in technical projects such as Mac OS, Xcode, and AppleScript. Few can claim to have contributed so much, and none for so long. 44. Ridley Scott Getty Images Lots of successful film directors have dabbled in advertising, but rarely does the resultant work merit more than a faintly embarrassing footnote in their career. Not so with Ridley Scott, who had already made Alien and Blade Runner when he was approached to direct a high-profile spot for the upcoming Macintosh computer. He could have passed on the sort of thing as beneath his stature, but instead, he made what is widely considered the greatest TV commercial ever made. All that without even showing the product. Lots of successful film directors have dabbled in advertising, but rarely does the resultant work merit more than a faintly embarrassing footnote in their career. Not so with Ridley Scott, who had already made Alien and Blade Runner when he was approached to direct a high-profile spot for the upcoming Macintosh computer. He could have passed on the sort of thing as beneath his stature, but instead, he made what is widely considered the greatest TV commercial ever made. All that without even showing the product. 43. Rod Holt Alchetron Already well into his 40s by 1977, Rod Holt was reportedly skeptical about both Apple and Steve Jobs himself when first asked by his boss at Atari to “help the kids out.” He reportedly demanded a fee of $200 per day, which proved to be a wise investment. Holt designed a vital switching power supply for the Apple II and later joined full-time as employee No. 5, chief engineer, VP of engineering, and chief scientist. “This process of invention is very unusual,” he said on the Mac’s 30th birthday many years later. “I think the world could use a lot more of it.” 42. Angela Ahrendts Apple Apple’s first and for many years its only high-profile female executive, ex-Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts merits inclusion as the pioneer she undoubtedly was in a male-dominated industry. (Just look at how many men there are on this list.) But that would be to sell her short, because she also made an indelible mark on the company’s retail presence around the world. Every time you walk into an Apple Store, you’re seeing Ahrendts’ influence, and the value brought to Apple by her deep understanding of the fashion and luxury markets. 41. Daniel Kottke Twitter Having met Jobs (whom he described as “a really sweet guy, real quiet and shy”) at Reed College in 1972, Daniel Kottke later travelled extensively with the Apple founder. They trekked in India, seeking spiritual enlightenment, and they visited All One Farm, the Oregon commune owned by the love guru and LSD trafficker Robert Friedland. So it was natural enough, when Jobs started a company whose name was inspired by Friedland’s orchard, that he would bring his friend on board as Apple employee No. 12. A self-taught engineer with little computing knowledge, Kottke grew to become an invaluable member of the team. He assembled and debugged circuit boards (he reportedly still owns all 12 original Mac logic boards), built prototypes, and designed the Macintosh’s detached keyboard. His signature is even embossed inside the case. But Kottke lost favor with the boss. When Apple went public in 1980, Rod Holt offered to match whatever stock options Jobs would give his buddy. “OK,” Jobs replied. “I will give him zero.” Not such a sweet guy after all. This is part one of a five-part series counting down the most influential people throughout Apple’s 50-year history. Stay tuned to Macworld all week as we reveal the full list, continuing tomorrow with 40-31.

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iPhone will still exist 50 years from now, says Apple – and no AI execs
Apple SVP Eddy Cue has previously suggested that we may not be using iPhones ten years from now, but marketing chief Greg Joswiak appears to disagree. Joz said in a new interview that it’s hard to imagine that we won’t still be using an iPhone 50 years from now … more…

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We all know the crazy ones, here’s to the forgotten ones
Macworld I’ve spent the past few weeks working on a fun long-form feature: a list of 50 people who helped to make Apple the company it is today. This is, of course, in honor of Apple’s 50th anniversary, which it celebrates on Wednesday, April 1. My list will be published in five instalments across this week, starting today, and I hope you enjoy it. I certainly enjoyed writing it. One thing that surprised me was how many names there were to choose from: not just people who’ve worked at or in connection with Apple, but people whose contributions have made a tangible difference to the company’s story. It seemed like the challenge would be finding 50 really worthwhile names in order to match the birthday number; in fact, the hard part was narrowing it down that far. Even after my list was set, colleagues kept suggesting extra people that I would then realise had to be included. It was infuriating. Of course, the line had to be drawn somewhere; the list of Apple’s 60 greatest people will have to wait until 2036, and who knows what we’ll be doing by then. The cut-off point was 50, and this meant that some amazingly talented people didn’t make it in. I don’t want to give too much away—I certainly won’t be revealing any of the rankings, you’ll have to read the article to find those out—but I thought it might be nice to mention a few deserving but lesser-known names I considered. Half of them made the cut, and half did not. There are 10 names in this list, presented alphabetically. Call yourself an Apple fan? See how many you recognize. Paul Brainerd: Coined the term “desktop publishing” and released the first consumer DTP application: PageMaker, which was, critically for Apple’s development among the creative market, a Mac exclusive. Douglas Engelbart: Invented the mouse, hyperlinks, word processors, and untold other foundational computing concepts back in the 60s. These would wind their way, via Xerox PARC, to the groundbreaking interface elements of the Lisa and original Macintosh. Rob Janoff: Designed the second Apple logo, which, other than a few color changes, is the one Apple still uses today. The first Apple logo was pretty but also absolutely bonkers. John Knoll: Co-creator of Adobe Photoshop. Like PageMaker, this started life as a Mac exclusive. Jerry Manock: Worked on the designs of the Apple II, Apple III, Lisa, and Macintosh. Apple’s first designer, he is widely considered to be the father of the company’s Industrial Design Group. Tim Mott: A member of the Xerox PARC team whose breakthrough interface concepts would inspire the Macintosh. He is specifically known for inventing the double-click. Joy Mountford: Influential leader, from 1986 to 1996, of Apple’s Human Interface Group. This team of scientists and visual artists helped make the company’s products more user-friendly, and codified usability guidelines for Mac app developers. Marc Newson: Star designer who worked on the Apple Watch and Apple retail stores. Big buddies with Jony Ive, and they now have a company together. Burrell Smith: Engineer who designed the Mac’s motherboard. Was described by a colleague as the closest Apple ever came to having another Steve Wozniak. Bud Tribble: Software manager for the original Mac, and later a “policy czar” with a focus on privacy. Be honest. How many did you know? And while you’re at it, try to guess which ones made it into the article. Drop us a message on Bluesky or Threads. The answers to that will be revealed this week. Foundry Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too. Apple turns 50: Anniversary special Apple at 50: 7 iconic products that proved everyone wrong. 7 Apple inventions that reinvented Apple. Apple turns the Sydney Opera House into an iPad canvas with stunning results. Trending: Top stories Even PC users have caught MacBook Neo fever, discovers the Macalope. The Mac Pro died so Apple silicon could live. Mahmoud Itani lists 12 hidden iMessage features every iPhone user should try. Put it in your calendar! Apple announces AI-fueled WWDC26 to kick off June 8. The most shocking finding in Ookla’s C1X report? People are buying the iPhone Air. This Mac mini dock looks like a classic Macintosh and has a working display. Podcast of the week Apple has announced the dates for its Worldwide Developers Conference. In the latest episode of the Macworld Podcast we also talk about Apple TV rumors, ads in Apple Maps, and more. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. Reviews corner Slay The Spire 2: The best deck-builder just got better. The rumor mill iOS 27 rumored to bring a totally new Siri interface, ‘Ask’ button, and more. Software updates, bugs, and problems No new Siri, but iOS 26.4 is here with a ton of must-have new features. Apple urges iPhone users to update as new DarkSword hacking tool lands online. The OS 26.4 updates are loaded with security fixes, so grab them now! And with that, we’re done for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters, including our new email from The Macalope–an irreverent, humorous take on the latest news and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, or X for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.

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Microsoft 365 usually costs $9.99/month, but it’s only $7.99 here
Macworld TL;DR: Get a 1-month Microsoft 365 subscription on sale for $7.99. Some subscriptions are worth it, and Microsoft 365 is definitely one of them because of all the little extras that aren’t available in Microsoft Office. It’s even better if you can get it on sale. Right now, a 1-month Microsoft 365 Personal Subscription is marked down from $9.99 to $7.99. Microsoft 365 Personal gives you access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, along with a few add-ons that make it more useful than a basic Office setup. You can use it on up to five devices at the same time, including PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android, so it works well if you move between devices during the day. One of the biggest differences with Microsoft 365 is the 1TB of OneDrive storage. That gives you space for files, photos, videos, and backups, and it makes it easier to keep everything synced instead of emailing documents to yourself or digging through old downloads. Outlook is also included as an ad-free email app, and Microsoft Defender adds security tools for your personal data and devices. The subscription also includes Microsoft Editor for spelling and grammar help, Clipchamp for video editing, and Copilot inside the Microsoft apps. Right now, it’s only $7.99 to get a 1-month Microsoft 365 Personal Plan. Microsoft 365 Personal: 1-Month SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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