After Meta Ray-Bans ‘Pervert Glasses,’ Apple’s smart glasses must focus on privacy
Apple’s long-rumored smart glasses face a steep uphill battle that has little to do with hardware specs or AI capabilities. The real… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Accessibility paywall on Meta Glasses ‘paused’ after condemnation [U]
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses and the latest cheaper non-designer option are sold on the basis of the built-in AI features, but in early July the company announced a “ridiculous” limit on the free usage you can make of an accessibility feature. Effectively, Meta has retroactively applied a paywall to a hardware product it already sold to customers. Update: The social network has now said it is “pausing” plans to paywall the feature – see the end of the piece.

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Apple eyes WWDC smart glasses launch with a focus on privacy
Macworld Having reportedly shelved plans for a cheaper and lighter version of Vision Pro, Apple is currently focusing all of its augmented-reality efforts on a pair of smart glasses. According to a new report, these are slated to be unveiled at WWDC in June 2027, and would have arrived sooner if it weren’t for privacy concerns. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman lays out the particular difficulties which have dogged the so-called “Apple Glasses” project. As he explains, products in this field made by Meta and (to a lesser extent) Samsung and Google have become associated with surveillance and intrusive non-consensual video recording, but Apple stands to lose far more than those companies if it launches a pair of smart glasses because so much of its brand is built around privacy. “Consumers remain uneasy around people wearing camera-equipped glasses, unsure whether they’re being recorded during conversations at work, restaurants or other public places,” Gurman writes. “In most cases, those fears are probably unfounded. But years of headlines about Meta’s privacy practices, viral social media posts and broader skepticism toward always-available cameras have left many people wary of the category.” Such wariness, then, isn’t confined to Meta’s products; it has created a more general distrust which affects smart glasses launched by any company. In order to combat this, and to safeguard a pro-privacy reputation a decade in the making, Apple plans to emulate the safety measures introduced by rivals. There will be a light to indicate when the device is recording video, as on the glasses currently being developed by Samsung and Google, and a feature which disables recording if that light has been tampered with. But Apple’s measures need to go further, Gurman says. Pro-privacy marketing specific to Apple’s entry to the market will include emphasising on-device rather than datacenter-based processing, and steering clear of facial recognition and “super-sensing”-style continuous monitoring features. Unlike Meta, Apple will choose not to have outside contractors review footage shot by its smart glasses, nor to have that footage used to train AI models. Most drastic of all, Gurman speculates, Apple could launch a set of smart glasses without a camera at all. This, he acknowledges, would undercut much of the appeal of the category, but it would still offer a convenient hands-free device for phone calls, music playback, and AI assistance. Or, if Apple doesn’t want to go quite this far, it could include the hardware for a camera but hard-code limits on what this camera could be used for: namely, that it wouldn’t record video or still images at the user’s behest. It would act as a data collection tool for the onboard AI assistant, generating information about the user’s surroundings, but wouldn’t store the imagery for future perusal. There are other possible approaches. The analyst Max Weinbach responded to Gurman’s article by proposing the idea of a “privacy beacon.” This would be a Bluetooth signal broadcast by AirTags or other devices which either consents to or declines video surveillance. “If I enable that feature any smart glasses that record near me would put a full body blur over me,” he explains. But this would require widespread agreement among different companies and likely regulators, and the establishment of a standardized protocol. It’s clear that Apple’s smart glasses will be a challenging launch, from a marketing, PR and even cultural standpoint as well as a technical one. Gurman believes the device will be shown off at next year’s WWDC in June 2027, but won’t become available for sale until later in the year. For all the latest news and rumors, bookmark our regularly updated Apple Glasses superguide.

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Claude Cowork escaped sandbox on Mac, gain full access to all files
Security researchers demonstrated that Claude Cowork could escape the sandbox intended to control the access it gets to your Mac. The exploit, dubbed ShareRoot, could allow an attacker to read and write files stored anywhere on your Mac, as well as access login credentials for online services. Around half a million Mac users had co-work sessions exposed, and some still remain vulnerable to the exploit today …

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Local Governments Face Increasing Cyberattacks
Cyberattacks against local governments are increasing, but experts say Alabama's statewide cybersecurity program offers a model for improving defenses. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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Daughters overjoyed as Apple Watch gift saves their father's life
A Cincinnati man says that if the fall detection feature of Apple Watch hadn't called 911, he would have died from undiagnosed blood clotting.Mohammad Islam with the Apple Watch that saved his life - image credit: WKRCBack in 2023, it was the Apple Watch heart rate monitor that saved a Cincinnati woman's life by alerting her to a dangerous condition. Now the device's fall detection has done the same for Mohammad Islam in the city, according to local station WKRC. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Glasses just won’t be useful without video recording
A Bloomberg report suggests that Apple Glasses might be launched without the capability to take photos or record video. Apple is said to be considering this option as a way to address privacy concerns. However, while I do absolutely understand the thinking that would leave the company to mull this option, my own experience of Ray-Ban Meta glasses is that video recording is absolutely core functionality for this type of product …

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iPhone Air 2: Apple’s thinnest, strongest iPhone is getting these upgrades
Macworld When we reviewed the iPhone Air, we said it “felt like the future.” The perfect in-between screen size, the thin design that feels delightful in the hand and disappears in your pocket, the impressive glass durability and surprisingly bend-proof frame. But Apple had to make a number of important compromises to get there. A single rear camera. A battery that doesn’t quite last all day when it’s new, let alone after a couple years of use. And a thousand-dollar price tag that felt like paying more for less. With iPhone Air 2, Apple should rectify at least some of those issues, making one of Apple’s nicest iPhones into one of Apple’s best. At least, if the rumors are to be believed. Early rumors suggested the second-generation model would arrive alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September 2026, but more recent reports indicate Apple has pushed its launch back to spring 2027, when it’s expected to debut with the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e. Here’s what we think we know so far about the iPhone Air 2. iPhone Air 2 design: New color, extra camera Anyron Copeman / Foundry Outwardly, the iPhone Air 2 should resemble the current iPhone Air. The Black, White, and Light Gold colors are said to be joined by a sort of pale lavender color in place of the light blue. The second iPhone Air is expected to have the same dimensions and use the same materials as the current model, with the exception of a second camera placed next to the current one on the “plateau” strip across the back. We haven’t heard of any changes to the 6.5-inch always-on display, which is already excellent with a 3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimum, and 120Hz ProMotion. Generally speaking, with the exception of swapping out one of the color options (as Apple does every year), the iPhone Air 2 will only be distinguishable from the iPhone Air by the second camera on the back.

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Deja view: Apple is right, and Samsung was wrong (again)
Macworld One of the benefits of coming late to a product market is that you can learn from other people’s mistakes. Samsung launches a foldable; customers don’t respond to it as well as it hoped; Samsung iterates over seven years; and everyone learns from their mistakes. When the iPhone Ultra finally comes out this fall, it will be the result of extensive research and development, and a great deal of that will have been run (and paid for) by other companies. Early attempts at the folding smartphone tended to follow one of two general forms, depending on whether it used a standard smartphone chassis as the template for its folded or unfolded form. In the latter case, the result made sense because it was essentially a reimagining of a 1990s clamshell mobile: a normal-sized device that can be shrunk down and pocketed. But the former, a normal-sized device that can open out like a book and behave like a mini tablet, turned out to be more problematic. The idea needed work. The issue with the default approach to book-style foldables–just take two smartphones and connect them with a hinge–is that it doesn’t create a pleasing unfolded experience. The aspect ratios are wrong. Put two generic phone screens side by side and the result is not a tablet screen of the sort we’re used to; it’s a clunky square. Nobody wants to watch movies or browse the internet on a square. As my colleague Anyron Copeman argues over on Tech Advisor, Samsung has spent too much time clinging to this losing approach, making, as he puts it, “tweaks, refinements and yet more tweaks to the same basic and ultimately flawed design.” The Galaxy Z Fold 7 came out last summer and was an excellent foldable in many respects other than, yet again, its shape. But miracles happen, and this year’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 at last shows an understanding of the way foldables of this type ought to work. By adjusting the dimensions of the folded form, making it a shorter and wider 16:10 (as opposed to the more elongated 19.5:9 of most modern smartphones), the company managed to create an appealing unfolded device: When opened out, the Z Fold 8 offers a 4:3 rectangular screen. There are still black bars above and below the action when you watch a movie, but they’re much thinner than on the Z Fold 7. It’s just better. Better late than never, right? Except that Samsung doesn’t appear to have learned from its own mistakes, but from another company’s ideas. By a startling coincidence, Apple’s foldable iPhone Ultra, currently unreleased but barrelling towards launch in the fall, also looks set to combine a passport-shaped squat folded form with a rectangular unfolded screen. And Apple’s approach was considered somewhat controversial when it first leaked. The popular YouTuber Unbox Therapy got hold of a pre-release mockup back in May and described it as “weird,” “so strange,” “stubby,” and “a little shorty!” It was new. It was different. It was a risk. Things move quickly in the tech world, and what was novel in May will probably have become the standard by September. Perhaps Samsung and Apple arrived at the same conclusion independently, but it seems more plausible that Samsung adjusted its approach once it saw what was cooking at Apple Park. This isn’t even about leaks. Just bear in mind that, as Mark Gurman points out, Samsung builds Apple’s displays and will have known about these plans for years. This isn’t the first time Samsung has benefited from Apple’s wisdom. The original 2010 Galaxy S was inspired, shall we say, by early iterations of the iPhone. (To be exact, Apple claimed its rival copied “every element” of the iPhone’s layout, app icons, and physical packaging, and a jury largely agreed.) A decade and a half later, Samsung was still at it: the Galaxy S25 was distinctly reminiscent of Apple’s announcements from the previous year. Outside the realm of phones, the Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Watch Ultra are fairly flagrant ripoffs of the AirPods and Apple Watch Ultra, respectively. Samsung even copies decisions that it initially mocks Apple for making, such as removing the headphone jack from its phones and the charger from its phone packaging. At this point, the relationship is starting to look like a one-way obsession. In some ways, this is good news for consumers, who this year finally get book-style foldables the way they should be designed, and will even have multiple options if they want to shop around. But it’s a little hard on Apple, which hasn’t even launched its new flagship and is already getting ripped off. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so perhaps the company’s management will look at this as its earliest ever five-star review. 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. Trending: Top stories Summer is usually the worst time to buy a new iPhone. Not this year. Time’s up, Android, the Apple Watch won. Apple hasn’t given up on the iMac Ultra and neither has Roman Loyola. Here’s the travel tech a die-hard Apple user refuses to leave at home. Apple ‘Extreme’ Mac chips were too good for this RAM-starved world. Your Mac mini needs these 8 upgrades to become a serious AI agent. Podcast of the week The public betas of xOS 27 are now available. In the latest episode of the Macworld Podcast, we talk about our first impressions of the features, Siri AI, and more. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. Reviews corner Kensington SD5010T5 EQ: Compact Thunderbolt 5 HDMI dock. diCleaner: Powerful free Mac cleaner that needs polishing. Anker Prime Foldable 3-in-1: Fast, foldable 25W Qi 2.2 charging. StarTech USB4 Dock: Native dual displays without Thunderbolt. The rumor mill Massive Mac overhaul expected to begin this fall–here’s what’s coming. New Apple Upgrade program will soon allow you to lease nearly anything. (But watch out for the strict penalties.) Apple’s 20th anniversary iPhone could bring the largest screen ever. Apple is reportedly testing AI-powered tools for Genius Bar appointments. And for shopping. Video of the week @macworld.com Apple Upgrade: Would you lease your next iPhone?#apple #techshopping #klarna #applerumors ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld Would you lease your iPhone instead of buying it? Find out more here. For more videos, follow us on TikTok and Instagram. Software updates, bugs, and problems Apple’s Hide My Email is once again hiding your email, after it patches a longstanding security flaw. macOS 27 has a secret popover menu for AI power users. 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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Apple brings AppleCare One to more countries
AppleCare One is expanding internationally, bringing Apple's multi-device protection plan with Theft and Loss coverage to more countries. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Thunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4 and 3 vs USB4
Macworld Apple’s top-end connection standard is Thunderbolt 5, with Thunderbolt 4 still included on the mid-range and USB-C for the MacBook Neo, iPhones and most iPads. Macs that boast an M4/M5 Pro/Max or M3 Ultra now come armed with at least three Thunderbolt 5 ports, while Macs with plain M4/M5 processors remain on Thunderbolt 4. Some earlier MacBook Air models had their ports listed as “Thunderbolt / USB 4” and “Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4” on its Pro and Max models. And then the MacBook Neo came out with two different USB-C ports. What does all this mean? What is the difference between Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3? And then what is USB4? We thought that USB and Thunderbolt couldn’t get any more confusing with many different speeds (from 5Gbps to 120Gbps) and functions possible using the same “Type-C” connection. From an Apple user’s point of view, there isn’t a great deal in 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 that was new or different from 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3, with which it is backwards compatible. The big changes arrived with 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5. (While, Apple will likely roll out TB5 across the range eventually, for Windows users Thunderbolt 5 remains for premium computers only and probably won’t hit the mainstream for some years yet.) Apple sometimes lists its connection as “Thunderbolt / USB 4” rather than full Thunderbolt 4—this is because the base M1/M2 Macs can’t support multiple external displays, unlike the Pro and Max versions. The iPad Pro’s connection is similarly listed as such. Without the ability to connect to two external displays, it can’t be labelled as certified Thunderbolt 4. There is a software workaround, however, to enable M1 and M2 MacBiooks to connect to two or more displays. Despite Apple’s “Thunderbolt / USB 4” listing, we’ll call it USB4 for simplicity in our list of the connection types for its Mac: MacBook Neo: 2x USB-C (1x 10Gbps and 1x 0.48Gbps) MacBook Air: 2x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) MacBook Pro (M1/M2/M3): 2x USB4 (40Gbps) MacBook Pro (M3 Pro/Max): 3x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) MacBook Pro (M3/M4/M5): 3x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) MacBook Pro (M4/M5 Pro/Max): 3x Thunderbolt 5 (80Gbps) iMac: Either 2x USB4 or 4x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) Mac mini (M1): 2x USB4 Mac mini (M2): 2x Thunderbolt 4 Mac mini (M2 Pro): 2x Thunderbolt 4 Mac mini (M4): 2x USB-C and 3x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) Mac mini (M4 Pro): 2x USB-C and 3x Thunderbolt 5 (80Gbps) Mac Studio (M4 Max): 2x USB-C and 4x Thunderbolt 5 (80Gbps) Mac Studio (M3 Ultra): 6x Thunderbolt 5 (80Gbps) Simon Jary What is the difference between Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5? After much teasing in 2022 and a demo in October 2022, Intel officially announced Thunderbolt 5 on September 12, 2023, and Apple started introducing it into its MacBook Pro, Mac Studio and some Mac mini models from 2024. Thunderbolt 5 is a real step up from Thunderbolt 4—unlike Thunderbolt 4’s minor (Mac) enhancements on Thunderbolt 3. • Bandwidth is doubled from 40Gbps to 80Gbps, and display connections go as fast as 120Gbps—so up to three times more bandwidth than previous existing connectivity solutions. Bandwidth Boost uses some of the bidirectional downstream bandwidth to create the higher unidirectional 120Gbps data rate. • Thunderbolt 5 supplies up to 240W of charging power downstream to the connected Mac. Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro supports 140W PD 3.1 through its MagSafe 3 port and now via its Thunderbolt 5 ports; Thunderbolt 4 ports are rated PD 3.0 and limited to 100W. That means the Thunderbolt 5 MacBooks can fast-charge via either the MagSafe 3 connection or Thunderbolt 5 ports (using either 240W-rated Thunderbolt or USB-C cables). • Thunderbolt 5 also supports DisplayPort 2.1—compared to today’s DisplayPort 1.4. DisplayPort 2.1 supports a max 10K resolution (10240-×-4320 pixels at 60Hz) on a single display, compared to the 8K resolution supported by DisplayPort 1.4. It also includes improved version of Display Stream Compression (DSC 1.2a) that improves bandwidth management. • Depending on the computer’s processor, Thunderbolt 5 allows up to four external displays to run from the single upstream connection. Before that, even Apple’s M4 Max chip was stuck at two. Now Macs with an M5 Pro or M5 Max can connect to three (M5 Pro) or four (M5 Max) external displays. For more details read “M5 Pro/Max MacBooks finally break Apple’s multi-monitor shackles“. • Thunderbolt 5 allows for a longer “passive” cable length before requiring “active” assistance that increases the cost. With Thunderbolt 4 this was between 0.8 and 1 meter. With TB5, a passive cable can stretch to 1.2m. • While Thunderbolt 5 sticks with the 6-device daisy-chaining limit per Thunderbolt bus, a dual-port configuration could allow for a total of 10 devices across both ports. It can dynamically adjust bandwidth, prioritizing one direction over the other based on usage. Thunderbolt 5 is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4 devices, so you can upgrade without having to replace existing peripherals. Intel Who needs Thunderbolt 5? While we all like to have the best technologies in our equipment, the benefits of Thunderbolt 5 over Thunderbolt 4 are in reality more for studio professionals who push their hardware to the limits rather than mere Mac mortals who rely less on the very fastest external SSD storage and super high-resolution and refresh-rate monitors. That majority of Mac users needn’t rush to Thunderbolt 5, but it’s a nice-to-have when you upgrade your Mac. What is the difference between USB4 and Thunderbolt 4? Intel didn’t want there to be a confusing USB 4.1, 4.2, etc, so it jammed the 4 right next to the USB. Apple ignores this and insists, in its Apple-like way, on calling it “USB 4”. USB4 uses the same Type-C connector as Thunderbolt 3/4/5, and indeed plain USB-C. Thunderbolt 4 is based on the same underlying protocol as USB4—the two are tightly connected, with all Thunderbolt 4 devices supporting USB4. If someone has a USB4 laptop, they can use a TB4 device and the other way around. In fact, Thunderbolt 4 is USB4 with all the trimmings. Not all USB4 devices will be as powerful as the fully certified Thunderbolt 4, however. Just like Apple’s version of Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4 will always have a full 40Gbps bandwidth. USB4, however, starts at 20Gbps but can also reach Thunderbolt 4’s 40Gbps. Look out for USB 20 or USB 40 in product marketing. A USB4 port can only support one display. Thunderbolt 4 can support two 4K displays. The good thing about USB4 is that it will mean that manufacturers can release more powerful hubs and docks that are not Thunderbolt, at a cheaper cost. However, since Thunderbolt products are certified, it means that they are of the highest standard. USB4 devices don’t need to be certified and so eventually we will see many USB4 devices flooding the market with varying degrees of quality, as we see with USB-C hubs today. What is Thunderbolt hubbing? Thunderbolt 4 is, in some ways, just a software upgrade for Mac users. You need at least Apple’s Big Sur operating system (macOS 11) to get its new hubbing functionality. Hubbing does away with the risks of Thunderbolt device daisy-chaining. You’ve always been able to connect multiple Thunderbolt devices but in a potentially long chain, which meant that if you removed any one of them (except the last one in the chain) all the others became unusable until the chain was re-established. Now, with Thunderbolt hubbing, you can have up to four Thunderbolt ports in a hub or dock—each a separate ”branch” that can be disconnected without affecting any other Thunderbolt devices connected in the other ports. Up to six Thunderbolt 4 devices can be smartly daisy-chained. What is the difference between Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4? Thunderbolt 4 is only significantly different for Windows PCs, whose Thunderbolt 3 variations were often limited in features—where Apple always gave its users the full Thunderbolt 3 feature set. Thunderbolt 3 on a Windows laptop could lack the full 40Gbps bandwidth, or maybe not support multiple displays or power delivery. Poor PC users, you’ve got to feel for them. Thunderbolt 4 requires mandatory certification for all computers, which means Windows users finally get all the great features Apple users got with Thunderbolt 3. So Thunderbolt 4 standardizes Thunderbolt 3 for all computer users. It’s backwards compatible, but buying Thunderbolt 4 or 5 devices will also future-proof your setup. So if your Mac has “just” Thunderbolt 3, don’t worry. It’s just that Windows PCs can now join in the fun without limitations, where in the past PC manufacturers could claim theoretical specs but not deliver the best they could by being merely “compatible” rather than “certified”. It should be noted that the MacBooks with Apple’s own M1 or M2 chips (and the newer MacBook Neo) had a significant limitation: they can’t run more than one external display natively. However, there is a workaround that allows M1 and M2 MacBooks to run more than one external display. In fact, Thunderbolt 3 was required to support only one external 4K monitor, whereas every Thunderbolt 4 laptop has to support two 4K displays or one 8K display. Thunderbolt 4 and 5 ensure that you can wake a computer with the shake of a mouse or the tap of a keyboard on Thunderbolt 4 or 5 docks. This wasn’t always the case with Thunderbolt 3. This is maybe why Apple isn’t specifically calling its Thunderbolt version 4, due to the M1/M2 display limitation. TB4 and TB5 are also a more data-safe technology, as they requires Intel VT-d-based direct memory access (DMA) protection, also known as DMA remapping. What else? Well, Thunderbolt 5 supports PCIe (peripheral component interconnect express) at 64Gbps for faster storage speeds than TB4’s 32Gbps and TB3’s 16Gbps. Some of the early Thunderbolt 3 MacBooks had less bandwidth available on the right-hand-side Thunderbolt ports. Faster PCIe is important if you frequently transfer very large files between storage devices. Here we are talking about the portion of total Thunderbolt bandwidth allocated for PCI Express data transfer. With Thunderbolt 4 and 5, you’re assured to have all four lanes of PCI Express available—so PCIe can consume up to 32 or 64Gbps of the total 40Gbps/80Gbps Thunderbolt bandwidth. With Thunderbolt 3, depending on your laptop manufacturer and model, some implementations offer only 16Gbps of PCIe bandwidth.  Other advantages of Thunderbolt 4 and 5 include that hubs and docks can now have more than two Thunderbolt ports (up to four) and that TB4 and TB5 cables can be up to 2 meters long and still handle the 40Gbps bandwidth. Previously, passive TB3 cables had to be 0.7m or under to handle full bandwidth. Thunderbolt 4 and (most) USB4 support the latest USB PD 3.1 standard that allows for maximum charging of 240W compared to USB PD 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3’s 100W. Remember that you need the correct type of cable for the higher charging rates: read our roundup of the best Thunderbolt 4 cables. Thunderbolt docks We have tested the best Thunderbolt hubs and docking stations.  The TB4 and TB5 hubs generally feature four Thunderbolt ports (one upstream to connect to the computer, and three downstream to external devices). Docks sometimes swap out one or two downstream Thunderbolt ports for more traditional display connectors (such as HDMI and DisplayPort). You can learn more about the most fully featured hub we’ve tested in our Caldigit Thunderbolt 5 Element 5 Hub review. This hub features four Thunderbolt 5, two 10Gbps USB-C and three 10Gbps USB-A ports. Foundry The CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element hub features four Thunderbolt 4 and four 10Gbps USB-A ports. Intel Who owns Thunderbolt? Intel or Apple? Apple and Intel have collaborated on Thunderbolt technology since 2010, releasing its first Thunderbolt MacBook in 2011. Apple even registered the trademark “Thunderbolt” although it passed this on to Intel, in return for “unrestricted use of the technology”. But Intel is the official owner of the Thunderbolt technology. Before this agreement, the technology was known by Intel as “Light Peak”.

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Editing PDFs on your Mac just got a lot cheaper with this $79.99 lifetime deal
Macworld TL;DR: Get lifetime access to PDF Expert Premium for Mac for just $79.99 (MSRP $139.99) and handle every PDF task from editing and signing to converting and merging all in one app. If your digital workspace runs on Mac, there’s no reason PDFs should slow you down. PDF Expert gives your computer the boost it deserves—an all-in-one PDF editor designed to help you edit, sign, annotate, merge, and convert files with effortless precision. Whether you’re updating contracts, signing documents, editing reports, or adding comments to a team presentation, this Mac-exclusive tool makes it all smooth, intuitive, and lightning-fast. Built using Apple’s latest technology, PDF Expert’s minimalist interface hides a seriously powerful engine that handles everything from heavy legal docs to image-heavy files without breaking a sweat. It’s not just about editing—you can fill out forms, secure sensitive data, and even use OCR to turn scanned text into searchable, editable content. And with a one-time payment (no subscriptions), you can finally say goodbye to recurring fees while keeping your productivity high and your workflow simple. Get lifetime access to PDF Expert Premium for Mac for one super-reduced payment of $79.99 (MSRP $139.99). PDF Expert Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Mac)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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AppleCare One expands to four more countries
Previously exclusively in the US, AppleCare One is now launching in the UK, France, Germany, and Australia, with Apple's best insurance deal for users with multiple devices — as long as you're careful in selecting what's covered.AppleCare One launched in the US in 2025 - image credit: AppleA year after it launched in the US, AppleCare One is expanding outside of the US. It's only going to four more countries, and they're countries you'd expect it to launch in, but that's a start."At Apple, we're focused on creating and delivering exceptional experiences," Bob Borchers, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said in a statement to AppleInsider. "With AppleCare One, customers in the UK can now enjoy the trusted protection of AppleCare+ in a way that's simpler and more flexible than ever before — one plan, one price, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing all their eligible products can be covered." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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AppleCare One launching in the UK as theft and loss coverage expands
AppleCare One – a version of AppleCare+ that allows you to protect multiple products for a single monthly payment – is rolling out the the UK. Additionally, AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss protection is also expanding from iPhone only to iPad and Apple Watch too …

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PSA: Apple TV, Apple Music, and more are currently down for some users
Apple says that a number of its services are down this evening. This includes Apple TV, Apple Podcasts, various aspects of the App Store, and more.

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Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: What to expect
Apple will announce its next-generation Apple Watch lineup in September, including the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Here’s the latest on what to expect from this year’s updates.

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Apple's Smart Glasses Delayed, As Engineers Consider Privacy Concerns
Digital Trends reports: Apple could unveil its first smart glasses at WWDC in June 2027, followed by a consumer release toward the end of the year, according to Bloomberg... Part of the delay reportedly stems from Apple's engineering and marketing teams spending more time refining the product and deciding how to address the privacy concerns... Apple has reportedly considered glasses without cameras, as well as a version where the cameras can analyse the surroundings but cannot record photos or video. Such an approach could still support object recognition, navigation, Siri, calls, and music playback. The company is also expected to favor on-device processing, avoid facial recognition, keep recordings away from AI training, and use a more visible light around the camera. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Sunday Reboot: Apple TV dating, Matchbox, and Lasso hope
In this week's Sunday Reboot, Apple TV's dating docuseries could lead to new content areas, an unexpected Mattel movie, and the hope of even more "Ted Lasso."The cast of "Matchbox" - Image Credit: AppleSunday Reboot is a weekly column covering some of the lighter stories within the Apple reality distortion field from the past seven days. All to get the next week underway with a good first step. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple’s AI glasses to be unveiled at WWDC27: report
Apple’s long-awaited AI smart glasses, expected to launch late next year, finally have an expected reveal date.

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Apple’s AI glasses to be unveiled at WWDC27: report
Apple’s long-awaited AI smart glasses, expected to launch late next year, finally have an expected reveal date.

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Apple’s AI glasses to be unveiled at WWDC27: report
Apple’s long-awaited AI smart glasses, expected to launch late next year, finally have an expected reveal date.

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Game development diary: Launched, but far from finished
While the Steam launch of "Character Limit" isn't the end of Malcolm's game development journey, he still has to combat the oddities of promotions and scammers. That, and get the iOS release done.Character Limit is out on Steam. The future is now full of patches and work on the iOS release. The Character Limit launch on July 21 was a weird day for a number of reasons. For a start, that it actually happened at all.When I last left off, I was in a predicament of waiting for Steam's review process to approve the game on a second attempt, after the first failed on a technicality. Thankfully, instead of waiting for five days, Steam's support approved the game on Monday, meaning I could release on Tuesday as originally intended. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple smart glasses might skip the feature I want most
Explore the privacy concerns surrounding Apple smart glasses as the company develops a product that might someday replace the iPhone. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Today in Apple history: The last iBook laptop goes on sale
On July 26, 2005, Apple debuted the final iBook before switching to the MacBook product line. Here's a look at the opaque white iBook G4. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple Upgrade installment program set to go live on Tuesday
Apple Upgrade, the company's new installment program, will be going live on July 28, coinciding with the ending of sign-ups for the iPhone Upgrade Program.Klarna on Apple Pay - Image Credit: KlarnaOn July 21, a report surfaced claiming that the iPhone Upgrade Program was on borrowed time, and was due to be replaced. It seems that the replacement, Apple Upgrade, will be arriving very soon.Posted as part of Sunday's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman writes that Apple Upgrade will launch on Tuesday. At the same time, Apple will stop new enrollments for the iPhone Upgrade Program. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Never lose a Netflix show again: Save 4K streams forever with this lifetime deal
Save videos you care about so you can watch them whenever you want with Keeprix streaming downloader. Works with Netflix, YouTube and more. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Public distrust in smart glasses will be a a challenge for Apple Glass
The eventual launch of Apple Glass is still expected in 2027, but based on how people distrust Meta's smart glasses, Apple may have a challenge ahead of it.Apple Glass will require Apple to convince the world it still cares about privacy. Smart glasses have been rumored to be in development at Apple for quite a while, and aren't expected to emerge from Cupertino anytime soon. But, when Apple actually does ship them, it will have to deal with the problem of privacy.In Sunday's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman discusses the privacy implications of smart glasses. Specifically how Apple must work hard to counter the distrust of consumers who are jaded by versions sold by Meta. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Why Apple’s touchscreen MacBook will be worth the wait
Explore the latest rumors about the touchscreen MacBook with so many new features it's a potential game changer for Apple. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple Watch redesign is coming, but not for years
Apple is reportedly testing its September 2026 Apple Watch lineup, but the new models are expected to be minor updates while more substantial changes are much further off.The sensors on the back of the Apple Watch Ultra 3Most recent rumors have claimed that the forthcoming Apple Watch Series 12 will not feature any hardware improvements over its predecessor. Now backing up those reports, Bloomberg says that neither the Apple Watch Series 12 nor the expected Apple Watch Ultra 4 will get visible upgrades to their design.Instead, the updates will be concentrated on giving the new Apple Watches a significant performance boost through a new processor. There may also be health and fitness tracking improvements, though previous reports have claimed that there won't be new sensors, so this may be a software update. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple TV teases new trailers for 'Matchbox,' 'Neuromancer,' 'Dark Matter'
Apple TV paid a visit to San Diego Comic-Con, hosting a two-hour panel and revealing new trailers for "Dark Matter," "Neuromancer," and the loosely toy-based "Matchbox The Movie."Matchbox The Movie - Image Credit: AppleJust like any major media company that streams movies and TV shows, Apple held a lengthy two-hour panel at San Diego Comic-Con. The panels are usually an opportunity for fans to see stars talk about past and upcoming projects, as well as the reveal of new trailers for inbound releases.As part of Saturday's panel, Apple introduced a trio of new trailers for two shows and a movie. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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14″ M5 MacBook Pro Inventory Still Selling for Up to $455 Off at Amazon
Amazon still has remaining inventory of several 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro configurations at some of the lowest prices we've tracked. Space Black models with 16GB, 24GB, and 32GB of memory are currently discounted by up to $455 below Apple's MSRP. Shop the 16GB model, 24GB model, or 32GB model at Amazon. These discounts apply to remaining inventory, so availability may change as Prime Day inventory sells through. Amazon also continues to offer fast shipping on these MacBook Pro models. For the latest sales and deals, see our 14" MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Last Chance to Beat Apple’s $100 MacBook Neo Price Increase at Amazon & Walmart
Apple has officially raised MacBook Neo prices by $100, but Amazon and Walmart are still selling remaining inventory at the previous, lower prices. That means buyers can currently save more than $100 simply by purchasing before retailers update their pricing. Shop MacBook Neo deals at Walmart or Amazon's current pricing Inventory remains strong at both retailers, with Amazon carrying all four colors in both storage capacities and Walmart continuing to offer fast free shipping or free local store pickup where available. Once existing inventory sells through, these prices will likely rise to match Apple's new MSRP. For the latest sales, pricing, and availability, see our MacBook Neo Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Prime Day iPhone Deals: Get an iPhone 16e or 17e for $0/Month at Total Wireless — Or a Free iPhone 16e at Metro
Amazon isn't the only place offering compelling Prime Day iPhone deals. Total Wireless is currently advertising Apple's iPhone 16e and iPhone 17e for as little as $0 per month through its Total Wireless Edge financing program, while Metro by T-Mobile is offering the iPhone 16e effectively for free when you bring your number and maintain qualifying service. Depending on your carrier preferences, these promotions can save hundreds compared to paying Apple's full retail price. Shop Total Wireless Deals or Metro by T-Mobile Deals Compare these offers and more on our iPhone Price Tracker.

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Prime Day AirPods Deals: AirPods Pro 3 $70 Off, AirPods Max 2 $150 Off at Amazon
Amazon's Prime Day sale is delivering some of the best AirPods prices we've seen this year, with discounts available across Apple's entire AirPods lineup. AirPods 4 are currently $99, AirPods 4 with ANC are $148.99, AirPods Pro 3 have dropped to $179.99, and AirPods Max 2 are now just $399. Shop Amazon's Prime Day AirPods deals here. The biggest discounts are available on AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2, which are currently selling for approximately $70 and $150 below Apple's MSRP, respectively. Prime Day pricing can change quickly, so these prices may not last throughout the event. For the latest sales and deals, see our AirPods Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Prime Day Deal: 13″ and 15″ M5 MacBook Airs $150 Off at Amazon
Amazon is taking $150 off Apple’s 13-inch and 15-inch M5 MacBook Airs for Prime Day, dropping the 13-inch model to $949 and the 15-inch model to $1149. Shop the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air deal at Amazon. The larger 15-inch M5 MacBook Air is also on sale, giving buyers the same $150 discount if they want more screen space. Shop the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air deal at Amazon. For the latest sales and deals, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker and 15" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Prime Day Apple Watch Deals: Series 11, Ultra 3 & SE 3 Hit Record-Low Prices at Amazon
Amazon's Prime Day sale has delivered some of the best Apple Watch prices we've seen this year, with discounts available across the Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 lineups. The biggest savings come on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, now just $649 at Amazon versus Apple's $799 MSRP, a substantial $150 discount. Shop Amazon's Apple Watch deals here. Series 11 models are currently discounted by as much as $130 below MSRP, while Apple Watch SE 3 models start at just $199. Whether you're shopping for a premium outdoor watch, an everyday smartwatch, or a budget-friendly option, Amazon's Prime Day pricing is among the best currently available. For the latest sales and deals, see our Apple Watch Price Tracker, updated daily.

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MacBook Neo Models Available at Amazon Starting at $589.99
Amazon currently has broad availability across the MacBook Neo lineup, with all four colors and both storage configurations available to order online. Prices start at $589.99 for the 256GB model and $689.99 for the 512GB version, both slightly below Apple's MSRP. Shop MacBook Neo deals at Amazon. While the discounts themselves are modest, the bigger story is availability. Amazon currently appears to have stock across the entire lineup, giving buyers multiple color and storage options without waiting for inventory to return. Browse all MacBook Neo configurations here. For the latest sales and deals, see our MacBook Neo Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Apple Watch Ultra 3 Drops to $699 at Amazon — Early Prime Day Deal
Amazon is now offering the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for $699, a $100 discount from Apple’s $799 MSRP and the lowest price currently available among major Apple retailers. This marks one of the first Prime Day deals on the Ultra 3 model and a solid opportunity for buyers who were waiting for a price drop. The Ultra line is designed for durability, long battery life, and advanced fitness and outdoor features, making it a strong option for more active users. View the deal here at Amazon, and compare all Apple Watch prices on our Apple Watch Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Deal Alert! AirPods Pro 3 now only $169 at Walmart, $80 off MSRP!
Walmart has dropped Apple's AirPods Pro 3 to just $169, down from Apple's standard $249 MSRP. That's a substantial $80 discount and the lowest price we've seen on Apple's flagship wireless earbuds. Check Walmart's current pricing here. Walmart also makes the deal easy to take advantage of, offering online ordering with free shipping or free local store pickup where available.For the latest sales and deals, see our AirPods Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Amazon & B&H cut prices on all 16″ M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models, take up to $250 off MSRP
Amazon and B&H are currently offering discounts across Apple's entire standard 16-inch M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro lineup. Sale prices start at $2529 for the 24GB/1TB M5 Pro model and reach as much as $250 off Apple's MSRP on several configurations. Shop Amazon's 16-inch MacBook Pro deals here. While Amazon offers fast shipping and broad inventory availability, B&H remains competitive on pricing and includes free 1–2 day shipping to most U.S. addresses. Browse B&H's current deals here. For the latest sales and deals, see our 16" MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Apple Watch SE 3 models back on sale for $30 off MSRP, prices start at $219
Amazon has Apple Watch SE 3 models back on sale for $30 off MSRP, shipping included: - 40mm Apple Watch SE GPS: $219, $30 off MSRP - 44mm Apple Watch SE GPS: $249, $30 off MSRP - 40mm Apple Watch SE GPS + 5G: $249, $30 off MSRP - 44mm Apple Watch SE GPS + 5G: $299, $30 off MSRP These are the lowest sale prices currently available for Apple Watch SE 3 models. For the latest prices & deals, keep an eye on our Apple Watch Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Deal Alert! AirPods Pro 3 Drop to Just $179 at Walmart
Walmart has dropped Apple's AirPods Pro 3 to just $179, down from Apple's standard $249 MSRP. That's a substantial $70 discount and one of the lowest prices we've seen on Apple's flagship wireless earbuds. Check Walmart's current pricing here. Walmart also makes the deal easy to take advantage of, offering online ordering with free shipping or free local store pickup where available.For the latest sales and deals, see our AirPods Price Tracker, updated daily.

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