Beats, Nike and LeBron James team up for Powerbeats Pro 2 special edition
Two of the world’s most recognizable lifestyle and sports brands — Beats and Nike — joined forces for the first time with the launch of Powerbeats Pro 2 – Nike Special Edition, the companies said Tuesday. It’s their first hardware collaboration. And it’s the first time Beats has shared brand real estate on a product […] (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Tim Cook continues Apple's 50th anniversary victory lap in new interview
Apple CEO Tim Cook reveals what he thinks the company's contribution to the world is, discusses working with Trump, plus what he plans to do if Apple ever gets tariff refunds.Tim Cook on "Good Morning America" — image credit: ABCFollowing his open letter celebrating Apple's 50th anniversary, Tim Cook has now talked to ABC's Michael Strahan on Good Morning America about whether he'll retire soon, and just how he thinks Apple works in the world. Asked about Apple's biggest contribution to society is so far, Cook could not just pick one."Oh, my God," he started. "You know, you can focus on the product moments, reinventing music, reinventing the smartphone, bringing the creative arts to the table, creative graphics, saving people's lives with the [Apple Watch]..." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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New Powerbeats Pro 2 & Nike collaboration is only skin-deep
Beats and Nike's hardware partnership puts branding front and center, adding logos, colors, and messaging while leaving the underlying earbud technology unchanged.Limited-edition Powerbeats Pro 2The limited-edition Powerbeats Pro 2 marks Beats' first hardware partnership. The release leans on design and marketing, even as it ties more closely into Apple's fitness ecosystem.Beats announced the collaboration on March 17. The company describes it as a crossover between sports, culture, and performance while keeping the underlying earbuds unchanged. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple TV announces ‘My Brother the Minotaur,’ premiering April 24th
Apple TV on Tuesday announced the all-new animated kids and family adventure series “My Brother the Minotaur,” from Academy Award-nom… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Amazon adds new 1-hour and 3-hour options for faster delivery
Amazon has announced that delivery is getting even faster, with new 1-hour and 3-hour delivery options rolling out in thousands of cities across the US. Here are the details. more…

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Why did Apple just declare a 12-year-old iPhone obsolete?
Macworld The bad news is that Apple just ended all hardware servicing for one of its most popular products. The good news is that the product is the iPhone 5, which was discontinued more than 12 years ago, and it’s frankly amazing that it lasted this long. Apple has three categories for products that it has stopped selling and are no longer covered by warranty: discontinued, vintage, and obsolete. For a minimum of five years after they are discontinued, the products are still relatively easy to get repaired because servicing and replacement parts continue to be available from Apple service providers. At this point, products are declared vintage, at which point servicing may still be available, but it depends on whether the provider still has the parts. And around the seven-year mark, they are declared obsolete, and all hardware servicing ends. It’s important to note that those timeframes are only minimums, and they are sometimes stretched. And based on the device declared obsolete this week, Apple just stretched the definition of obsolete by an astonishing margin. As spotted by MacRumors, the iPhone 5 this week moved from the vintage to the obsolete category on Apple’s official list. The fact that it’s on the list is indisputable, but it’s hard to know for sure whether it definitely made the transition this week. Apple just quietly updates the list; it doesn’t make announcements. But MacRumors seems sure it moved on March 16, and a quick trip to the Wayback Machine confirms that the iPhone 5 was on the vintage list, not the obsolete one, as recently as March 12. This is pretty amazing. The iPhone 5 was launched in September 2012 and lasted only one year: it was discontinued in September 2013, when the iPhone 5c and 5s came out. So it’s been off the market, not for seven years, but for more than 12. The iPhone 5c and 5s (discontinued in 2014) were already on the obsolete list, as were the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (2016) and the 32GB versions of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus (2018). Even the 1st-gen iPhone SE, which came out in 2016 and was killed off in 2018, is on the list. So why has the iPhone 5 only just made it on there? Perhaps the stockpile of parts just held out longer than expected; perhaps service providers were able to reuse parts from the iPhone 5s and iPhone SE, which followed largely the same design… although that doesn’t really explain why they were declared obsolete. Did Apple forget? Were there so many people using the iPhone 5 that it had to keep it technically repairable until now? Does someone at Apple just really like that phone? Ultimately, it’s a bit of a mystery, but if you own one, it just got a bit harder to repair.

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The first Matter camera has arrived, but Apple users won't notice
Two new products have gone on sale from Aqara, including the world's first Matter-certified camera. For Apple Home users, that Matter support means very little today.The Aqara G350 is the first camera to ship with Matter 1.5 supportAfter being previewed at CES 2026, the Aqara G400 video doorbell and Aqara G350 indoor camera are both available to purchase. The G350 has the honor of being the very first camera to be certified Matter compatible.Even though cameras were added to the Matter spec in late 2025, Aqara is officially the first to market with the G350. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Always-on display may come to iPhone 19e in 2028
Apple's plan for the iPhone 19e involves a switch to LTPO for the display panel, giving the future budget model an always-on screen, if not ProMotion support.iPhone 17e doesn't have LTPO, but iPhone 19e couldThe display is an extremely important part of mobile devices, and requires a lot of development and planning ahead of its use. Following the introduction of the iPhone 17e, we now have rumors about the display that should be used in the iPhone 19e.Sources of ZDNet Korea say that Apple is considering adding Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide Thin-Film Transistor (LTPO TFT) OLED displays to its future budget model. Specifically, that LTPO+ will be added to the iPhone Air in the first half of 2028, as well as a folding device in the second half of the year. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Original Films unveils trailer for ‘Outcome,’ starring Keanu Reeves, Jonah Hill, Cameron Diaz, and more
Apple Original Films on Tuesday unveiled the trailer for director Jonah Hill’s upcoming dark comedy, “Outcome,” starring Keanu Reeves, Hill… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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iPadOS 26.4: Here are four new features coming soon to iPad
iPadOS 26.4 is expected to launch in the coming weeks, packing lots of new iPad features—four of which are highlighted below. more…

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Today in Apple history: Microsoft gets sued for ripping off Mac OS
On March 17, 1988, Apple sued Microsoft for allegedly stealing 189 elements of its Macintosh operating system to create Windows 2.0. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Tim Cook names Apple’s greatest contributions, talks tariff refunds and retirement rumors
Apple CEO Tim Cook continues the company’s 50th anniversary celebration with a press stop at Good Morning America on ABC News. The latest interview with Michael Strahan touches on a wide range of topics, including Apple’s greatest contribution, potential tariff refunds, Cook’s future as CEO, and more. more…

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9to5Mac Overtime 063: The new standard
Fernando and Jeff talk MacBook Neo impressions. The conclusion? The MacBook Neo isn’t necessarily about raw power or specs, it’s all about redefining what the new standard for a budget laptop should be. 9to5Mac Overtime is a weekly video-first podcast exploring fun and interesting observations in the Apple ecosystem, featuring 9to5Mac’s Fernando Silva & Jeff Benjamin. Subscribe to Overtime via Apple Podcasts and our YouTube channel for more. more…

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App Store fees drop in China & Beijing immediately asks for more
China is escalating pressure on Apple's App Store just days after a fee cut, signaling the fight is shifting from commissions to the rules that govern payments and app distribution.China is escalating pressure on AppleChina's ruling party newspaper, the People's Daily, said on March 17 that Apple should ease what it called "monopolistic" policies. The editorial followed Apple's move to cut its App Store commission in mainland China from 30% to 25%.Chinese officials framed the move as a result of regulatory pressure, with the change following communication with regulators. The timing shows regulators are pushing beyond pricing and into how Apple controls iOS. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Beats and Nike team up on special edition Powerbeats Pro 2
Beats and Nike are teaming up for their first-ever hardware collaboration. The new “Powerbeats Pro 2 – Nike Special Edition” blend Beats and Nike design as part of a first-of-its-kind collaboration for Apple’s Beats subsidiary. more…

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Apple's next 50th anniversary concert is probably in China
New York had Alicia Keys, now China is celebrating Apple's 50th birthday with a score of dancers now seen rehearsing ahead of what looks to be a spectacular light show and concert.Dancers rehearsing ahead of a performance outside Apple Taikoo Li Chengdu — image credit: Chengdu City CDCApple promised a series of events celebrating the company's half century, and those began in New York City with a concert by Alicia Keys at Apple Grand Central. Now Chinese social media is starting to show what may be the next event, a dance and probably music concert in China.Images seen so far appear to show that Apple has created a stage in front of its Apple Chengdu Taikoo Li store. Surrounded by thick walls, the stage contains an large elevated section draped in black, and with what look to be floodlights and speakers. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The Oppo Find N6 gives us a preview of the iPhone Fold, with a 600k fold life
It’s taken Apple a long time to advance work on the iPhone Fold, and the reason for that was said to be that the company was unhappy with the visible crease in earlier iterations of the display technology. By late last year, around 100 iPhone fold models were said to have been made for testing purposes. These will of course be closely guarded, but a competing Android phone has given us a reasonable idea of what we might expect … more…

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By missing AI, Apple is winning AI
In an era when tech giants are burning hundreds of billions on massive AI data centers and infrastructure bets, Apple is conspicuously… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Get a 10th-gen iPad for just $239.99
This 10th-gen iPad (2022) packs a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and all-day battery life. Get a near-mint refurbished iPad 10 for less. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple TV’s new Keanu Reeves comedy looks hilarious, here’s the trailer
Apple TV has just released the trailer for its new comedy film, Outcome, starring Keanu Reeves and a stacked supporting roster. And based on this early look, it has all the makings of a hit. more…

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Why every Mac user should be thrilled MacBook Neo packs 8GB of RAM
MacBook Neo needs just 8GB of RAM, and that's great news for all Mac users, even users of high-end computers. Here's why. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple’s 50th anniversary celebrations move from New York to China
Apple began its 50th anniversary celebrations at New York’s Grand Central Station on Friday and is reportedly continuing them in China tomorrow. We’re again expecting a live performance by a popular singer, and Apple retail head Deirdre O’Brien has been spotted in the country … more…

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11 tech giants – but not Apple – have signed up to an anti-scam initiative
Eleven tech giants and major retailers have signed up to a new anti-scam initiative ahead of a United Nations global fraud summit. The Industry Accord Against Online Scams & Fraud recognizes the growing use of AI by criminal gangs to create more convincing scams, and pledges cooperation between the companies to combat this … more…

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BenQ MA270S review: Studio Display specs for a whole lot less
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Great image and text quality Height-adjustable stand is standard Several connectivity options Cons No built-in webcam 70Hz max refresh rate may not be high enough for gamers Our Verdict If you’ve been holding out for a 5K 27-inch display, take a look at the BenQ MA270S. It’s a good alternative to the Apple Studio Display with excellent image quality and more diverse connection options. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$999 Best Prices Today: MA270S Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket BenQ has been doing a great job with its displays geared towards Mac users. I’ve reviewed the MA270U and the MA270UP and recommend them. But those 27-inch displays do have one specific feature that may be a no-go for some customers: They are 4K displays, not 5K like the Apple Studio Display. Most people will be fine with 4K, but for others, that’s a deal breaker. Good news: BenQ now has a 5K offering, the new MA270S. It basically looks the same as the others, except it’s now a direct competitor to the high-resolution Studio Display. More good news: the MA270S lives up to the standard set by its two predecessors, with a great combination of image quality, features, and price. Specifications Size27 inchesGlass frontNano Gloss PanelAspect ratio16:9Native resolution5120 by 2880Panel type/BacklightIPS/LED backlightResponse time5 msContrast ratio2000:1Refresh rate70HzColor depth10-bitBrightness450 nitsDimensions with stand (horizontal)Highest height: 22.1 by 24.2 by 8.7 inches (560.1 by 613.8 by 220.2mm) Lowest height: 17 by 24.2 by 8.7 inches (430 by 613.8 by 220.2mm)Weight with stand19.05 lbs (8.64 kg) BenQ MA270S: Design and build The MA270S takes its design cues from its 4K brethren. It’s almost exactly like those two displays, with a plastic case and bezels that are less than 1mm. The one major difference is that BenQ moved the Visual Optimizer Sensor to the lower left of the front of the display. While it disrupts the previously clean line, it doesn’t stand out. You see it, but it’s not distracting. The MA270S’s base has a protective pad for resting an iPhone, AirPods, etc.Foundry The Visual Optimizer Sensor automatically adjusts the display’s brightness based on the room’s lighting. Placing it on the front allows the brightness to be closer in tune with what the user perceives. It’s a thoughtful change. A few months ago, BenQ released the MA270UP, which implements the company’s Nano Gloss Panel. The MA270S also uses the same panel, so it’s a glossy display and not available in matte. Apple’s Studio Display is also glossy, but it has a Nano-texture glass (matte) option that increases the price by $300. I didn’t experience any glare or eye fatigue while using the MA270S, issues that can occur while using a glossy display. Glossy is preferred by users who want colors that are vivid and black reproduction that is deep–some may say a matte screen, by comparison, has a washed-out appearance. BenQ MA270S: Ports The MA270S has the following ports: Two HDMI 2.0 ports One 35W PowerDelivery USB-C port One 96W PowerDelivery Thunderbolt 4 port One 15W PowerDelivery Thunderbolt 4 port Two USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10Gbps, 7.5W) One USB-C downstream (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10Gbps, 15W) 3.5mm headphone jack Macs can connect via HDMI, USC-C, or Thunderbolt.Foundry MacBooks can connect to the display via HDMI, USB-C, or Thunderbolt, and I used all three types without any issues. However, if you connect via HDMI, your MacBook does not charge while connected–HDMI connections don’t provide power. If you want to use the display as a hub, you need to connect the MacBook to USB-C or Thunderbolt. BenQ MA270S: Image quality The MA270S produces pleasing images of great quality, and the text looks sharp. In the Macworld office, I usually use a 4.5K iMac to produce the Macworld Podcast in the studio, and when I switched to a MacBook Pro connected to the BenQ display, I could easily see the upgrade in quality. The blacks are richer, colors are rich, and text looks crisp. This display, like the other MA270 displays, is impressive. One small upgrade that the MA270S offers over the other BenQ displays is a 70Hz refresh rate, slightly higher than the standard 60Hz (which Studio Display uses). I didn’t notice a difference in general everyday use, but those with a more discerning eye might notice the difference over other monitors when scrolling or watching videos. The MA270S’s refresh rate is fixed at 70Hz, so if you want a faster rate (90Hz or 120Hz), you’ll need to look elsewhere. BenQ MA270S: Price The MA270S is priced at $999, and the company is offering a special deal where if you buy two displays, the second display is 20 percent off. This offer is good during the March pre-order period. At $999, it’s significantly cheaper than the Apple Studio Display. Keep in mind that if you want a height-adjustable stand with Apple’s display, you have to pay an extra $400–a feature that’s standard on BenQ’s display–which doubles the price. The MA270S tilts, swivels, and pivots 90 degrees, though you won’t get a webcam or Spatial Audio speakers. USB and a headphone jack are located on the bottom of the display for easy access.Foundry Should you buy the BenQ MA270S? If you’ve been holding out for a 5K 27-inch display, take a look at the BenQ MA270S. It’s a good alternative to the Apple Studio Display; the MA270S matches its image quality, while offering more options as a connection hub. One clear advantage the Studio Display has is a built-in webcam, which is missing from the MA270S, but the Studio Display is prohibitively more expensive if you need a height-adjustable stand. Apple released the 2nd-gen Studio Display in March 2026, and it’s not all that different than the previous model. It still costs $1,599, and the upgrades are minor: Thunderbolt 5 and a better camera. It uses the same 5K, 60Hz panel as before, so unless you want a built-in webcam or Thunderbolt 5, there’s no reason to choose it over the MA270S. Now read: Best Mac monitors: The Mac compatible displays we recommend

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AI Apps Generate Revenue but Struggle With Retention
AI-powered apps are driving higher conversions and revenue, but retention remains weak. High churn, shorter trials, and rising costs expose a gap between early excitement and lasting value. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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How a MacBook Neo bought for a high school student is worth $50k to Apple
One of the biggest mysteries ahead of the MacBook Neo launch was the price. We’d seen various estimates in the $599 to $799 range, and while we’d certainly hoped for that lower-end figure, experienced Apple watchers weren’t necessarily expecting it. Reaction to the price was universally positive, all the more so as it breaks the $500 barrier for education users. School and college students can buy the machine for just $499 … more…

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How Apple secures MacBook Neo's camera indicator without a hardware light
Instead of a secure, dedicated indicator light, MacBook Neo just shows a green icon when the camera is in use. Yet years of software engineering effort means the camera "exclave" still can't be hacked.MacBook Neo secures its camera in softwareFor the right audience, the MacBook Neo is a superb buy, plus you can repair it, you can even modify it a little. But reportedly, what you can't do is hijack the camera even though the MacBook Neo lacks the usual hardware indicator light.John Gruber reports in his Daring Fireball blog that the MacBook Neo's on-screen green icon indicator turns out to be pretty much as secure. He quotes developer Guilherme Rambo saying that "the software-based camera indicator light... runs in the secure exclave part" of the processor. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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AirPods Max 2 may look old, but these big upgrades are inside
Macworld It’s been a long time since Apple was able to release something without the whole internet knowing about it beforehand. But we were surprised by the announcement of AirPods Max 2, a product we weren’t really expecting anytime soon. AirPods Max were released in December of 2020, and received a minor USB-C update with new colors in 2024. AirPods Max 2 changes very little from a design standpoint. It’s the same headphones, with the same speakers and microphones. But Apple has replaced the H1 chip with the H2, and that brings with it a lot of improvements and new capabilities. Here’s how the AirPods Max models stack up AirPods Max vs. AirPods Max USB-C vs. AirPods Max 2 AirPods Max got a minor update to USB-C in 2024, but the new H2 version adds a lot on top of that. Here’s a look at everything that’s different bettern the three versions: AirPods Max (Lightning)AirPods Max (USB-C)AirPods Max 2ReleasedDecember 2020September 2024April 2026Price$549$549$549ColorsSpace Gray, Silver, Sky Blue, Green, PinkMidnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, OrangeMidnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, OrangeSize7.37 x 6.64 x 3.28 inches7.37 x 6.64 x 3.28 inches7.37 x 6.64 x 3.28 inchesWeight13.6 ounces13.6 ounces13.6 ouncesProcessorH1H1H2ConnectionLightningUSB-CUSB-CWired AudioLightning-to-3.5mmUSB-to-3.5mm, USB-C (with software update)USB-to-3.5mm, USB-CLow-latency audioNoYes (USB-C only)Yes (USB-C only)Lossless audioNo24-bit, 48 kHz (USB-C only)24-bit, 48 kHz (USB-C only)Noise CancellationYesYesYes (1.5x better)TransparencyYesYesYes (More natural)Adaptive AudioNoNoYesConversation AwarenessNoNoYesSiri support“Hey Siri”“Hey Siri”“Hey Siri” and just “Siri”Live TranslationNoNoYesVoice IsolationNoNoYesPersonalized VolumeNoNoYesCamera remoteNoNoYesBattery LifeUp to 20 hours w/ANC enabledUp to 20 hours w/ANC enabledUp to 20 hours w/ANC enabledSmart CaseYesYesYes Three years after their introduction, Apple updated AirPods Max to swap out the Lightning port for USB-C and refresh the colors. It only impacted charging, though, and was hardly worth mentioning. Then, in the iOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4 update (along with a firmware update), Apple added USB-C audio with enabled 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio with “ultra-low latency” when plugged in via USB-C. AirPods Max 2 appear to be identical to the USB-C updated version, but by swapping out the H1 chip for the newer H2, you get a lot of benefits. Apple says noise cancellation is up to 1.5x better, transparency mode sounds more natural, and you get all the other features common to H2-enabled AirPods: Adaptive Audio, the ability to say just “Siri” instead of “Hey, Siri,” Voice Isolation, Live Translation, and so on. They also come in the same five colors with the same magnetic Smart Case. The price has remained $549 throughout, but they’re almost always on sale from third-party retailers, with sites like Amazon usually selling them for $449 or less, and we’ve seen as low as $399 during sales events. Apple AirPods Max 2 Price When Reviewed: $549 Best Prices Today: $549 at Apple

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Apple’s real intelligence? Winning the waiting game
Macworld Apple is behind on AI! We all know it! It was in all the papers. But Horace Dediu wonders if Apple didn’t pull off the most brilliant move in corporate history. That move? Not dumping hundreds of billions into AI. Just tens of billions. The Macalope has been suggesting much the same thing for a while now and Dediu questions the spend Apple’s competitors are making on AI. Amazon is spending $200 billion this year on AI data centers. Google, $185 billion. Microsoft, $114 billion. Meta, $135 billion. Combined: $650 billion. Well, surely it’s all going swimmingly, though: “Meta planning sweeping layoffs as AI costs mount” We’ve gone from “AI does everything so we can now lay off all our staff!” to “We have to lay off all our staff because AI is sucking all our resources.” It’s almost as if AI is being as an excuse for layoffs. Ha-ha! That would be silly! Because, in reality, we know that there really is no problem that cannot be solved by laying off vast swaths of the people who have devoted their careers to you. It’s just math. Speaking of math, it seems Apple’s spreadsheets are coming up with different numbers than everyone else’s. Dediu notes: …Apple’s capital budget is still a modest $14 billion… It’s not nothing, but it’s not close to the vast sums these other companies are throwing at it. And who is the big beneficiary of all this spending? Nvidia. Apple is refusing to transfer its cash flow to Nvidia. Curiously, it believes that its cash flow belongs to its shareholders, not to Nvidia’s. It’s weird how many recent tech trends have relied on Nvidia’s chips: crypto, NFTs, the blockchain, and now AI. Two years ago, the Macalope joked: The Macalope doesn’t consider himself someone prone to conspiracy theories, but he would not be surprised to find out years from now that Nvidia has been running a powerful psychological ops campaign that dreams up technologies that require its boards to run and then convince venture capital firms to invest in them. Was it a joke? He’s not even sure anymore. Dediu notes: The hyperscalers are now spending 94 percent of their operating cash flows on AI infrastructure. Eeeyow. There are places where AI is reaping some real gains in productivity and utility, such as programming, data analysis, and accessibility. And then there are all the other places where these companies are trying to jam it like a slippery herring into a carburetor. If you’d like to receive regular news and updates to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters, including The Macalope and Apple Breakfast, David Price’s weekly, bite-sized roundup of all the latest Apple news and rumors.Foundry Why are you trying to put it in there, Phil?! It doesn’t belong in there! You’re a terrible mechanic! The Macalope doesn’t know why he brings his car to you! Examples: Customer support? Customers don’t want it. Virtual assistants? Enhanced Siri may be late but enhanced Alexa is out there stumbling around looking for someone to hold its beer. A study showed that in the workplace, far from helping, AI is causing “brain fry”. The Macalope doesn’t really know what that is but it doesn’t sound good. And then there’s generative AI. At least that’s all fun and games, right—oh nooo… “Teens sue Elon Musk’s xAI over Grok’s AI-generated CSAM” (Grok and X, by the way? Still on the App Store, in case you were wondering.) Ultimately, however, Apple seems to be mostly taking the same stance with AI that it took with Dropbox. “You’re a feature, not a product.” So far, that seems 100 percent correct. Every attempt to make AI a product has failed or is having a lot of trouble getting off the runway. “OpenAI, Jony Ive AI hardware faces reported delays” “Uh, so far every prototype we’ve made has exploded inside the hangar. One of them exploded before we had even made the device. The artist’s rendering exploded. I don’t even know how that happens.” The one thing Apple definitely did do wrong was promising Apple Intelligence features it could not deliver and may not be able to any time soon. If Apple had simply said “Our devices are ready to fully support on-device models from whatever vendors want to work with us to retain privacy. Our software will also hook into cloud-based AI for customers who want more.” it might have saved itself some trouble. Apple didn’t miss the AI revolution. It just bet that the winners won’t be the ones who build the infrastructure. All this spending is predicated on big demand for AI products in the future and right now that’s a real uncertainty. On the plus side, can you imagine the first Spirit Halloween that sets up shop in a former AI data center? Just epic.

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HomeKit Weekly: Aqara releases its first Matter camera alongside a new Apple Home enabled wired doorbell
Aqara just announced two major additions to its smart home security lineup today. They have released the Camera Hub G350, which is the company’s first Matter-certified camera, along with the Doorbell Camera G400. I always look forward to seeing what Aqara does next, as they have been a great way to build out a low-cost smart home for years. These two devices bring so many needed features to the Apple Home ecosystem. more…

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Who Operates the Badbox 2.0 Botnet?
The cybercriminals in control of Kimwolf -- a disruptive botnet that has infected more than 2 million devices -- recently shared a screenshot indicating they'd compromised the control panel for Badbox 2.0, a vast China-based botnet powered by malicious software that comes pre-installed on many Android TV streaming boxes. Both the FBI and Google say they are hunting for the people behind Badbox 2.0, and thanks to bragging by the Kimwolf botmasters we may now have a much clearer idea about that.

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What Is a Keylogger? How It Works, Risks, and How to Remove It
Every time you type a password, send a message, or enter credit card details online, that information briefly exists in its most exposed form: raw keystrokes. While most security tools focus on protecting data in transit or at rest, some threats are designed to capture it before those protections ever apply. Keyloggers do exactly that. […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

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Boot Sector Virus: Definition, How It Works, and How to Recover
Long before ransomware pop-ups and phishing emails became common, some of the most damaging computer infections struck before an operating system even loaded. Users would turn on their computer, only to see cryptic error messages, corrupted data, or systems that refused to start at all. In many of these cases, the problem was not a […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

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Why Is My Mac Running Slow — Common Causes and How to Fix It
Is your Mac running slow? Here's how to diagnose and fix performance issues and get your Mac to run faster. The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

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What Is SSO? How Single Sign-On Works and Why It Matters
A typical work day often involves half a dozen logins before anything productive happens. One for email, another for documents, another for messaging, and more for tools that only get used once a week. Over time, passwords blur together, and security often takes a back seat to convenience. Single sign-on, or SSO, changes that experience. […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

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What Is Cyber Insurance? Coverage, Costs, and Real-World Examples
In 2013, U.S. retailer Target experienced one of the most widely reported data breaches in history. Attackers gained access to the company’s payment systems and exposed the credit and debit card information of more than 40 million customers. The incident led to lawsuits, regulatory scrutiny, customer notification requirements, and years of recovery efforts. Target had […] The post appeared first on The Mac Security Blog.

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Kimwolf Botnet Lurking in Corporate, Govt. Networks
A new Internet-of-Things botnet called Kimwolf has spread to more than 2 million devices, forcing infected systems to participate in massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and to relay other malicious and abusive Internet traffic. Kimwolf's ability to scan the local networks of compromised systems for other IoT devices to infect makes it a sobering threat to organizations, and new research reveals Kimwolf is surprisingly prevalent in government and corporate networks.

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Patch Tuesday, January 2026 Edition
Microsoft today issued patches to plug at least 113 security holes in its various Windows operating systems and supported software. Eight of the vulnerabilities earned Microsoft's most-dire "critical" rating, and the company warns that attackers are already exploiting one of the bugs fixed today.

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Who Benefited from the Aisuru and Kimwolf Botnets?
Our first story of 2026 revealed how a destructive new botnet called Kimwolf rapidly grew to infect more than two million devices by mass-compromising a vast number of unofficial Android TV streaming boxes. Today, we'll dig through digital clues left behind by the hackers, network operators, and cybercrime services that appear to have benefitted from Kimwolf's spread.

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The Kimwolf Botnet is Stalking Your Local Network
The story you are reading is a series of scoops nestled inside a far more urgent Internet-wide security advisory. The vulnerability at issue has been exploited for months already, and it's time for a broader awareness of the threat. The short version is that everything you thought you knew about the security of the internal network behind your Internet router probably is now dangerously out of date.

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Happy 16th Birthday, KrebsOnSecurity.com!
KrebsOnSecurity.com celebrates its 16th anniversary today! A huge "thank you" to all of our readers -- newcomers, long-timers and drive-by critics alike. Your engagement this past year here has been tremendous and truly a salve on a handful of dark days. Happily, comeuppance was a strong theme running through our coverage in 2025, with a primary focus on entities that enabled complex and globally-dispersed cybercrime services.

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Price Drop! Take $100-$300 off clearance 15-inch M4 MacBook Airs
Amazon has clearance 15" M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $100-$300 off Apple's original MSRP. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $1099, $100 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $1199, $200 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB/): $1299, $300 off These are the lowest clearance 15" M4 MacBook Air prices currently available at Apple retailers. For the latest sales & prices see our 15" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Price Drop! Take $100-$200 off clearance 13-inch M4 MacBook Airs
Amazon has clearance 13" M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $100-$200 off Apple's original MSRP. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $899, $100 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $999, $200 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB): $1199, $200 off These are the lowest clearance M4 MacBook Air prices currently available at Apple retailers. For the latest sales & prices see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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MacBook Neo Arrives at $599 — Here’s How It Compares to the New M5 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro
Apple has expanded its laptop lineup in a big way this week, introducing the all-new MacBook Neo just one day after refreshing the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro families with next-generation M5 chips. The Neo becomes Apple’s most affordable laptop ever, starting at $599 ($499 for education), and it marks a push to bring macOS to an even broader audience. MacBook Neo features a durable aluminum enclosure weighing just 2.7 pounds and comes in four colors: blush, indigo, silver, and citrus. It has soft rounded corners and a cohesive design that extends to the Magic Keyboard and matching wallpapers. The 13-inch Liquid Retina display offers a 2408-by-1506 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, support for 1 billion colors, and an anti-reflective coating. For a laptop at this price point, the display specs are especially impressive and should make everyday tasks like browsing, writing, and streaming feel premium. Under the hood, MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip — the same class of silicon found in Apple’s high-end iPhones — scaled for the Mac. The system includes a 5-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, enabling strong everyday performance and fast on-device AI tasks. Apple claims it is up to 50 percent faster for common tasks like web browsing compared to a Core Ultra 5 PC and up to three times faster for AI workloads. The design is fanless, meaning it runs completely silent. Battery life is rated at up to 16 hours, making it a strong all-day machine for students and casual users. The Neo includes a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, dual beamforming microphones, and dual side-firing speakers with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support. Connectivity is simple but sufficient: two USB-C ports (both capable of charging), a headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 6. It runs macOS Tahoe with built-in Apple Intelligence features and tight iPhone integration through Continuity tools like Handoff, Universal Clipboard, and iPhone Mirroring. On the downside, the Neo only provides 8GB of RAM and 500 nits of display brightness. By contrast, the newly updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are built around Apple’s next-generation M-series chips: Apple M5, Apple M5 Pro, and Apple M5 Max. These processors are significantly more powerful than A18 Pro, offering more CPU and GPU cores, greater memory bandwidth, and much stronger sustained performance. While the MacBook Air remains fanless like the Neo, it is designed for heavier multitasking and more demanding creative tasks. It also typically offers longer battery life and expanded external display support. The MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max go much further. With active cooling systems, they are built to handle prolonged high-performance workloads such as video editing, software development, 3D rendering, and advanced AI processing. The Pro lineup also features Apple’s Liquid Retina XDR displays with dramatically higher brightness, HDR support, and ProMotion 120Hz refresh rates. In addition, they offer a wider array of ports, including multiple Thunderbolt connections, HDMI, SD card slots, and MagSafe charging — features that professionals rely on daily. Ultimately, MacBook Neo is not meant to compete with the Air or Pro on raw power. Instead, it establishes a new entry point into the Mac ecosystem. For students, families, and first-time Mac buyers who primarily browse the web, stream media, write papers, and occasionally edit photos, Neo may be more than sufficient. Users who need more performance headroom or plan to grow into heavier creative workloads will still find the MacBook Air a better long-term investment. Professionals whose livelihoods depend on speed, graphics power, and advanced display technology will continue to gravitate toward the MacBook Pro lineup. With the introduction of MacBook Neo, Apple has created a clear three-tier structure: Neo for accessibility, Air for mainstream performance, and Pro for professional power. It’s a strategic move that broadens the Mac market while preserving meaningful differentiation across the lineup.

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Apple AirPods 4 on sale for $89, $40 off MSRP
Walmart has Apple AirPods 4 on sale on their online store right now for $40 off MSRP, only $89. Sale price for online orders only, in-store price may vary. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - AirPods 4: $89, $40 off This is the lowest sale price available right now for Apple AirPods. Keep an eye on our AirPods Price Tracker for the latest prices and deals, updated daily.

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Take $100 off Apple Watch Series 11 models, prices start at $299
Walmart is offering a $100 online discount on Apple Watch Series 11 models right now. Sale prices for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - 42mm Apple Watch Series 11 GPS: $299, save $100 - 46mm Apple Watch Series 11 GPS: $329, save $100 - 42mm Apple Watch Series 11 GPS + 5G: $399, save $100 - 46mm Apple Watch Series 11 GPS + 5G: $429, save $100 These are the lowest sale prices available for Apple Watch Series 11 models. For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our Apple Watch Price Tracker, updated daily.

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iPad minis on sale again starting at $399, $100 off Apple’s MSRP
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple's 8.3" WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for minis among the Apple retailers we track: - 8.3" 128GB WiFi iPad mini: $399, $100 off MSRP - 8.3" 256GB WiFi iPad mini: $499, $100 off MSRP - 8.3" 512GB WiFi iPad mini: $699, $100 off MSRP For the latest prices and sales, see our iPad mini Price Tracker, updated daily.

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M4 Mac mini on sale for $549, $50 off Apple’s MSRP
B&H Photo has the base M4 Mac mini with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage on sale for $50 off MSRP, only $549, including free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: - M4 Mac mini (16GB/256GB): $549, $59 off MSRP Their price is the lowest available for a new Mac mini. For the latest prices and sales, keep an eye on our Mac mini Price Tracker, updated daily.

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AirPods Max headphones back on sale for $100 off MSRP
Amazon has AirPods Max with USB-C on sale for $449.99 in most colors. Shipping is free. Their price is $100 off Apple's MSRP, and it's the lowest price available for these AirPods among the retailers we track. Keep an eye on our AirPods Price Tracker for the latest prices and deals, updated daily.

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Take $100 off every M3-powered iPad Air at Target
Target has WiFi 11-inch M3 iPad Airs and 13-inch M3 iPad Airs on sale for $100 off MSRP on their online store. Prices start at $499.99. Sale prices for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available). For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our iPad Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Apple’s 14-inch M5 MacBook Pros are on sale for up to $150 off MSRP, prices start at $1449
Amazon is offering 14" M5 MacBook Pro discounts ranging up to $150 off Apple's standard MSRP, each including free shipping: - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB/Black): $1449, MSRP $1599 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB/Silver): $1449, MSRP $1599 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/1TB/Black): $1649, MSRP $1799 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (16GB/1TB/Silver): $1692, MSRP $1799 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB/Black): $1849, MSRP $1999 - 14" M5 MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB/Silver): $1875, MSRP $1999 These are the lowest prices available for new M5 MacBook Pros right now. For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Mac mini with M4 Pro CPU on sale for $1299, $100 off Apple’s MSRP
Amazon has M4 Pro Mac minis on sale for $100 off Apple's MSRP, only $1299. This model has 24GB of memory and 512GB of SSD storage. Shipping is free. Their price is the lowest currently available for this popular mini: - Mac mini M4 Pro (24GB/512GB): $1299, $100 off MSRP For the latest prices and sales, keep an eye on our Mac mini Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Sunday Sale: $150 off MacBook Airs, prices start at $849
Amazon has 13" and 15" M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off Apple's MSRP right now. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $849.99, $150 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $1049.99, $150 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB): $1249.99, $150 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $1049.99, $150 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $1249.99, $150 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB/): $1449.99, $150 off These are the lowest M4 MacBook Air prices currently available at Apple retailers. For the latest sales & prices see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker and 15" MacBook Air Price Tracker, both updated daily.

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