Deals: iPad Pro $400 off, M4 MacBook Air from $749 or M3 model up to $600 off, M5 MacBook Pro, more
We are now less than 24 hours out from the official start of Amazon’s Black Friday sale – get a sneak peek at the deals here – but it is already serving some serious price matches and deep discounts right now. The entire M4 MacBook Air lineup has now dropped a touch lower starting from $749 and we have this 24GB M3 model at $600 off the original list price. On top of that the M5 MacBook Pro has dropped even lower and this 1TB iPad Pro is a giant $400 off the list price. The Satechi Black Friday sitewide sale is now live and you’ll loads more waiting below.  more…

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Apple’s N1 Chip Improves Wi-Fi Performance
Apple’s new N1 wireless chip in the iPhone 17 family boosts Wi‑Fi speeds by up to 40% over the Broadcom‑based Wi-Fi radio used in the iPhone 16 lineup—especially in poor conditions.Read original article

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BOE takes another hit, iPhone 17 screen orders shifted to Samsung
BOE's reliability problems during iPhone 17 OLED production have again forced Apple to get screens elsewhere.Apple is shifting around its supply chain partnersApple is pushing for top-notch screens across the entire iPhone 17 lineup. The company's push puts pressure on BOE Technology, which hoped to expand its OLED role after years of slow progress.Approval arrived in July 2025 for BOE to make panels for the iPhone 17 Pro in China, although global production never reached meaningful scale. Apple limited that approval to the Chinese market, which kept BOE out of the global launch. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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This SanDisk SSD is so tiny it can live on your MacBook [Review] ★★★★☆
We fully tested the SanDisk Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive, a tiny SSD that seamlessly boosts your MacBook storage. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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macOS 26.2 adds three new Mac features, here’s what’s coming
macOS Tahoe 26.2 is launching next month for all users, here’s an overview of three new features it brings to the Mac. more…

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Half-baked constant cookie requests mandated by EU may be getting cut way back
Under a new policy proposal, the European Union hopes to make saying no to cookies be a one-time thing instead of a nearly constant stream of requests while surfing the internet. The goal seems good, but the actual implementation seems optimistic, at best.A typical cookies popupBack in 2020, Apple blocked third-party cookies on Safari and Google promised to do the same with Chrome, before changing its mind. Cookies were meant to make it convenient when you returned to a site, but companies abused them, and that's why Apple steadily started blocking them.Subsequently, this has become why logging in to a new site now always has an extra step as officially you have to choose to accept or reject cookies. According the EU, you make no such choice — and instead just click the nearest button. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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This 15-inch MacBook Air with 24GB of RAM is down to $1,099 right now
Macworld One of our favorite MacBook Air laptops has gone on sale ahead of Black Friday, and you can get a loaded version for $1,099 right now, a massive $574 discount from its original $1,699 MSRP. Even if you compare it to the M4 version that’s on sale for $250 off right now, you’re still saving $225. This MacBook Air comes with an M3 chip and a massive 24GB of RAM, as well as 512GB of storage, which is plenty to keep your laptop running smoothly for years, easily handling just about any task you have to complete, whether it’s something more complicated for work or something as basic as streaming your favorite shows. And while the M3 chip isn’t the latest, it’s still one that delivers an impressive performance. When we reviewed this laptop, we also called it “simply the best,” as we found that it delivers a significant performance boost over earlier models, has an excellent battery life, and an ultra-slim and lightweight design. We also really loved the gorgeous 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display that’s perfect for any situation. And with extra RAM and storage, you’re getting a machine that will last for years to come. So don’t miss this chance to save big and grab the 15-inch MacBook Air for $1,125 on Best Buy before it’s gone! Grab a MacBook Air for $374 offBuy now at Amazon

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Apple attacks Which's lawsuit backer in $2 billion UK App Store hearing
Apple has taken aim at the funding behind UK consumer group Which's $2 billion App Store ruling, insisting to the Competition Appeals Tribunal that Which's third-party funding source's troubles could be an issue.Lawsuits are never truly over following a ruling. On November 13, the UK's Competition Appeals Tribunal refused to grant Apple an appeal against the $2 billion ruling over the App Store. Even so, Apple is still going down swinging in the tribunal hearing.During a collective proceedings order application hearing on Wednesday, Apple has attacked the lack of transparency of a class representative. Specifically, it has attacked the funding of the class action suit brought forward by consumer group Which itself. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple announces finalists for the 2025 App Store Awards
Apple on Wednesday announced 45 finalists for this year’s App Store Awards, recognizing the best apps and games across 12 different… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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New limited-time Apple Card offer now available: Earn $75 in Daily Cash [U]
Once again, Apple has dropped a limited time Apple Card offer for new users who choose to sign up. Typically, the Apple Card does not offer a sign up bonus, so this is worth looking into. more…

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Next year’s iPhone 18 decision could be very hard for almost everyone
It’s the time of year when Apple finalizes many key details about next fall’s flagship iPhone lineup, and recent leaks indicate the iPhone 18 line could present an especially tough upgrade decision for almost all users. more…

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How to quickly queue songs on Apple Music (and clear the queue)
You can queue songs in Apple Music so that the tracks you want to hear play automatically, one after another. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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The EU is fixing the most annoying thing on the web
The EU’s landmark privacy law, GDPR, was one of the best things to happen to the internet for a very long time. But it also came with one of the most annoying things on the web: a never-ending series of pop-ups asking us to make cookie choices … more…

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Elon Musk: ‘I’m down’ for Grok – Apple collaboration
Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of xAI, has expressed openness to partnering with Apple to integrate Grok into the the company's… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Your secret weapon for 4K Mac screen recordings
Take the hassle out of 4K screen recordings with AWZ Screen Recorder for Mac. It handles multiple export formats and plays nice with socials. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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More iPhone users can add their driver’s license to Apple Wallet starting today
Update November 19: This feature is now live. Illinois residents can now head to the Wallet app to add their licenses. Original story below. Apple Wallet support for digital driver’s licenses and state IDs continues to expand. Now, Illinois has officially announced that starting tomorrow, iPhone users will be able to add their driver’s license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app for digital access. With the addition of Illinois, support for this feature is available in 13 states, along with Puerto Rico. more…

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A cluster of Mac Studios is just one reason we no longer need a Mac Pro
Back in the Intel days, the Mac Pro was the computer many of us lusted over even if we had no possible justification for actually buying one. It was by far the most powerful Mac and the easiest to upgrade – not to mention one of the most beautiful machines the company ever made. The 2023 Mac Pro was even more gorgeous than its predecessor, but with the radical new architecture of Apple Silicon, the writing was already on the wall … more…

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Best iPad for kids 2025: The iPad you should buy for your child
Macworld Our kids love their iPads. The simplicity of tapping on the screen when they want things to happen means they can learn to use them in seconds, but there’s plenty that Apple’s tablets can do. Whether it’s educational games, entertainment apps, using them to create art with an Apple Pencil, or just something to stop them getting bored on car journeys, iPads can be a godsend. Choosing the right one can feel a bit daunting. After all, don’t they all do the same things? What’s the difference between the normal iPad and the iPad Air? Is an iPad mini too small or just perfect? Well, we’re here to simplify things so you can be sure you’re buying the right one. In this article, we reveal our top choices of iPads for kids, and share advice on whether you should buy an iPad for a child, if you need cellular, and how much storage you should get. Read on for more information. We also have a roundup of the best iPhones for kids if you want to immerse them fully in the Apple world as they grow up. Best iPad for kids and toddlers At the time of writing, Apple offers four categories of iPad, the iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro. We wouldn’t recommend the iPad Pro for children, as you’d just be paying quite sizeable amounts for performance and compatibility features that they just won’t need. The standard iPad and iPad mini range offer plenty of scope and power for younger users, and the iPad Air will satisfy the more demanding teen. Our advice is to stick with those and ignore the Pros. When it comes to older students though, it’s a potentially different argument, but the good news is you can put that off for a few years and save up for the more expensive iPad in the meantime.  Speaking of savings, check out our round-up of the best iPad deals you can get on the whole range of iPads here: The best iPad deals. Here’s our advice on which iPad to choose when buying for a child. iPad Air (M3) – Best iPad for teens and tweens Pros Powerful Apple Intelligence Apple Pencil Pro Support Magic Keyboard accessory Cons Not cheap Might be overkill for smaller kids Price When Reviewed: $599 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $499.99 View Deal $542.17 View Deal $559 View Deal $599 View Deal $599 View Deal $599.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Why the iPad Air is a good choice: If your child is growing up and looking for something to help them with schoolwork (as well as playing the latest games) then the Air is a great package. Powered by the M3 chip that has also featured in recent versions of the MacBook Air, iMac and MacBook Pro, the iPad Air (which comes in 11-inch and 13-inch varieties) is a fast and very capable device. The M3 chip also means that the iPad Air can use Apple Intelligence (the company’s suite of AI-tools) which offers help with writing, looking up information about anything you put in front of the cameras, plus a range of other helpful features. You won’t have any problems running the latest apps on the iPad Air, and with up to 10 hours battery life for watching video on a single charge, long trips should be a bit more peaceful. At 460g/1.01lbs it’s a bit heavier than the iPad mini, but you get that large display. If the 11-inch model is still too small, then Apple also offers an iPad Air with a 13-inch screen. Both support the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro, making them great for note taking and artistic endeavours (see: Apple Pencils compared: Which Apple Pencil works with your iPad?). Plus there’s also the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Air which can turn the device into a makeshift laptop – great if your kids are getting to the stage where they need to work on projects or essays. The cameras are solid (a 12MP wide on the rear and 12MP Centre Stage camera on the front) and can record up 4K at 60fps if you have an aspiring YouTube or TikTok star. Storage options are good, with the base-level 128GB possibly enough for most uses, but if you want to store loads of games, movies and music onboard then we recommend the 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacities. The iPad Air comes in Blue, Space Grey, Purple, and Starlight. Read our full Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3, 2025) review iPad mini (A17 Pro) – Best iPad for toddlers Pros Lightweight Powerful Apple Pencil Pro support Cons Smaller doesn’t mean cheaper Price When Reviewed: $499 (128GB; Wi-Fi only) | $599 (256GB; Wi-Fi only) | $799 (512GB; Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $469.36 View Deal $489 View Deal $489 View Deal $499 View Deal $499 View Deal $499.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Why the iPad mini is a good choice: There’s plenty of power and features packed into a diminutive frame that is perfect for small hands. Under the hood, there’s an A17 Pro driving things, this processor is the lowest spec required to run Apple Intelligence features. If you are choosing between the iPad mini and cheaper iPad and are curious about Apple Intelligence, only the iPad mini, iPad Air and Pro will support it. Even if Apple Intelligence doesn’t peek your interest, the A17 Pro chip means there is no lack of power in this smaller iPad, ensuring the latest games and apps will absolutely fly on this device. It also has support for the Apple Pencil (USB C) or the Apple Pencil Pro, meaning your child can use if for doodling, creating art or note-taking at school when they get a bit older.  The compact dimensions of 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm at 297g make it small and lightweight, which can be easier for little ones to hold. There are also four different colors to choose from, including soft shades of Purple and Blue.  While the iPad mini might be the smallest member of the family, with a 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, don’t let that fool you. There’s plenty of power and features packed into the diminutive frame. The only negative is the price, which is a little higher than the bigger iPad, so it’s not quite as much of a bargain for kids. Read our full Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) review iPad (A16, 11th Gen) – The iPad for under tens Pros Modern design 11-inch Liquid Retina Display USB-C for charging Vibrant colors Cons Display isn’t as good as on other models A16 processor doesn’t work with Apple Intelligence Price When Reviewed: $349 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $299 View Deal $299 View Deal $299.99 View Deal $349 View Deal $349 View Deal $349 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Why the iPad is a good choice: It’s offers a good size screen with good-enough performance for gaming, video and apps, but the best thing about the iPad A16 is its low price. Apple fits the 11th-gen iPad with an A16 processor, which is the same tech that powered the iPhone 14 Pro models as well as the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. While it’s a capable bit of silicon, it doesn’t meet the requirements to support Apple Intelligence. So if Apple’s new AI-tools are something you really want — or think you may want in the future — then this isn’t the model for you. That being said, the A16 chip will still provide decent performance for playing games, streaming video content, and running educational apps. If you want more of a laptop experience, you can use the iPad with Apple’s Magic Keyboard Folio case. You can also pair it with a third-party Bluetooth keyboard and mouse if you don’t fancy Apple’s premium pricing. Check out our roundup of the Best iPad Keyboards for some excellent options. As with the previous standard iPad models, the 11-inch display isn’t laminated, meaning there is a slight air gap between the glass and the display beneath. This is a minor thing and probably won’t even be something you notice, unless you use an Apple Pencil often, in which case you’ll probably experience a very slight lag as you write. This model doesn’t support the Apple Pencil Pro, so if you want to doodle and draw then the best option is the 1st generation Apple Pencil (which is pressure sensitive). The Apple Pencil USB C isn’t pressure sensitive) so it’s better suited to handwriting practice. The iPad comes in four bright, bold colors (Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Silver), so your child can pick one that reflects their personality or just the one with the hues they like the most. Read our full Apple iPad (A16) review Why you should get an iPad for your child There’s been lots of research published about how much screen time our kids should be allowed. Some might argue that kids shouldn’t be exposed to screens at such a young age. We would suggest that while sticking them in front of an iPad rather than interacting with them probably isn’t great, and that Disney+ shouldn’t really be babysitting your kids for hours on end, if it allows you a few minutes of peace to make dinner then fair enough. Of course, we all know that once a child has an iPad it can be hard to stop them watching YouTube video or playing Geometry Dash, but that is where Apple’s Parental Controls come in, with tools for Screen Time Management and allowing you to approve downloads. These concerns aside, there are many reasons why you should be confident about getting an iPad for your kids to use. There are, after all, many other tablets on the market, most of which are cheaper than the iPad. So, if you are looking for some reassurance on is whether the iPad is the best option for your child, here are a few compelling reasons: Educational Opportunities: Apple’s App Store is full of high-quality educational apps and games designed for toddlers, school-aged children, and teens. These apps can support your child’s homework and aid their creativity and learning. Another bonus is that your iPhone apps will be available on your iPad too and vice versa. Creative Fuel: If your child loves art, an Apple Pencil can turn their iPad into a digital art studio. Fanatical about photography and video? Watch while your child becomes the next Spielberg recording and editing video on the iPad. Digital Natives: In a world where everything is dominated by technology we think that we owe it to our kids to make sure they are comfortable in that environment, hence the introduction of an iPad is good for their education. Ease of use: An iPad and the iPadOS software is easy to use, especially if your child is familiar with your iPhone. Navigation is via the touch screen, which feels intuitive. For really young children, who might find the controls difficult to use, there is a guided access option that you can set up. FAQ 1. Do kids need a cellular iPad? You can get an iPad that is capable of connecting to the internet when you aren’t near Wi-Fi via its own SIM card. That may sound like something that would be useful when on a long car journey, but it’s really not necessary as you can easily Hotspot from your iPhone to share your internet connection to the iPad. A cellular capable iPad not only costs more (an extra $150/£150), it will also have additional monthly contract costs associated with it. We’d suggest that money was better spent on upgrading the storage, or getting a better iPad. Even if you can’t share the connection from your iPhone the iPad will still function perfectly well away from the internet, with most apps working offline, plus you can download movies to the device when heading on a long trip. 2. How much storage do kids need? Is 128GB enough? Until the launch of the 2025 iPad Apple still sold a 64GB model, which we felt wasn’t an adequate amount of storage so our advice was to get an iPad with more storage. The good news is that when Apple updated the iPad in 2025 It removed the 64GB model from the line up and now all all of the iPads mentioned above offer a 128GB SSD or more. Our advice still remains the same. If you are considering a used iPad, or a refurbished model, or you see one of the older models still on sale do not be tempted by a 64GB model. For long trips, you might want to download lots of movies, TV shows, or games to entertain the kids in the car or on the plane. If you do this the storage will quickly fill up, so more storage is better. Our advice is get as much storage as you can, 128GB may be sufficient if you also pay monthly for the iCloud family plan (2TB a month can be shared between the family for $9.99/£8.99 a month). See iCloud prices. 3. What age is an iPad appropriate It’s less about the iPad and more about what’s on it. There is a reason why some apps have age restrictions, abide by them. Set up an iPad with parental controls and with care to note what your child does with it. Obviously, avoid any apps where they may come in to contact with people who aren’t who they say they are, and take measures to avoid any chance of cyber bullying. All of these things are likely to be concerns, along with whether you think that your child can manage their time on the device. There is, therefore, on correct answer to this question. It depends not just on their age, but their level of maturity. As a guide, we think that the following benefits can outweigh some of the concerns. Toddlers and pre school children: While we understand the attractiveness of having Bluey on demand, there are apps designed for interactive learning rather than passive consumption. Just keep in mind that before the age of two children benefit most from social interaction. Under ten: The combination of educational apps, access to coding tools like Scratch, and the ability to create digital art makes the iPad a useful tool for learning and creativity. Tweens and teens: The iPad will support your child with school projects and content creation. 4. How much screen time is safe Up until the age of five it is best to limit iPad use to an hour or less a day, and you should try to engage with what they are watching. Up until the age of 12 around two hours a day is probably a good limit, but it is likely that this will stretch to more if they have home work. The thing to watch for with teens is if they are spending much more time in front of the screen and less time offline doing ‘real world’ activities. If they are showing signs of addition to the screen, their behaviour is being affected by over use of the device, or it is disrupting their sleep, put restrictions on it. The important thing is that watching an iPad should not be affecting your child’s quality and quantity of sleep. If they are staying up past bedtime watching an iPad that is less than ideal. What is achieved during the time spent on the device matters too, one hour watching YouTube gamers is not equivalent to an hour learning French with Duolingo. 5. Which iPad is most durable/kid-proof iPads can get broken, even the toughened glass on the screen can smash. To mitigate this we suggest putting the iPad in a case – you can get durable cases designed with kids in mind. We also recommend buying a cheaper iPad so that it is easier to replace down the road if it does get broken. That said, iPads are pretty hardy. They do have good build quality and you can get the screen repaired if it does get broken (at a cost). How much does the iPad cost The iPad Air 11-inch is available in the following configurations: 128GB – $599/£599 256GB – $699/£699 512GB – $899/£899 1TB – $1,099/£1,099 If you want the larger iPad Air 13-inch, then these are the models available: 128GB – $799/£799 256GB – $899/£899 512GB – $1,099/£1,099 1TB – $1,299/£1,299 The iPad mini is available in these configurations: 128GB – $499/£499 256GB – $599/£599 512GB – $799/£799 The standard iPad is the cheapest iPad available and starts at: 128GB – $349/£329 256GB – $449/£429 512GB – $649/£629 The cellular models of each iPad cost $150/£150 more than the non-cellular versions. Is there education pricing for iPads? If those prices seem a bit high, then it’s worth noting that higher education students get a discount, but not school aged children. You can see more about that and our current recommendations in our Best iPads for Students roundup as well as best iPad deals to see if you can find a bargain. Should I buy a refurbished iPad? If you don’t mind dipping into the second-hand or refurbished market, then you can get some great deals on older models. Apple has it’s own refurbished store on which you can find recent models available for around 15% off their retail price. These all come with the same 1-year warranty as brand-new items, but without the hefty cost. Over the years we’ve bought several refurbished models from Apple and all have been as good as new. You can also look to third-party vendors, most of which have the same warranties and money-back guarantees so you don’t feel like you’re taking a risk on a pre-owned device. For more information regarding buying a used or refurbished iPad read: Why a refurbished iPad could be the best tablet for you. A refurbished model could be a great and cost-effective way to start your little ones out on their technological adventures. If you have older children, then take a look at our guide to the best iPads for students.

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I ditched Finder on my Mac for this app, and I’m not going back
Forget about the Mac's default file manager. With a multi-pane design and advanced features, the Bloom app is a fantastic Finder replacement. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple earns 23 Children’s & Family Emmy Award nominations
Apple was honored with 23 nominations across eight programs for the 4th Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, with nods for series… The post Apple earns 23 Children’s & Family Emmy Award nominations appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Upgrade your daily routine with the 2025 App Store finalists
On Wednesday, Apple recognized 45 apps and games across its entire ecosystem of devices that shape how people create, play, and stay organized.Apple announced the finalists for its 2025 awards to honor developersThe company released its list of finalists for the 2025 App Store Awards on Wednesday. Apple's editorial team selected each finalist for design quality, useful features, and cultural or technical impact.Winners will be announced in the coming weeks, but this group already shows where the Apple ecosystem is heading. The App Store Awards have become a yearly snapshot of what Apple values in software. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Here are the 2025 App Store Awards finalists
As we approach the end of 2025, Apple is gearing up to unveil the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards. As part of that process, Apple today announced the 45 finalists for the App Store Awards. The nominations span a wide range of categories. Head below for the full list. more…

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PSA for Apple fans: It’s time to update your keyboard and trackpad
Macworld If you’ve got an Apple keyboard or trackpad, the company may have a surprise in store for you. Yes, it’s time for another batch of mysterious firmware updates. As reported by MacRumors analyst Aaron Perris, Apple this week released four updates for various peripherals and accessories: Firmware version 1.4.84 for the 140W USB-C Power Adapter Version 3.1.9 for the Magic Keyboard (USB-C; both with and without numeric keypad) Version 3.1.9 for the Magic Trackpad (USB-C) Version 3.1.8 for the Magic Trackpad 2 Perris refers to the updates as “major,” even putting this word in capitals, but you can take that with a healthy dose of sarcasm. Partly because software updates for keyboards and trackpads (let alone a power adapter) can hardly be thrilling, and partly because, as is usually the case with Apple’s firmware updates, the company itself hasn’t said what they contain. That isn’t to say that these updates aren’t worth having. Accessory firmware rarely gets new versions, so these could contain as much as a year’s worth of important fixes, security updates, and performance tweaks. Unlike operating system updates, such as iOS 26, accessory firmware updates don’t need to be actively installed by the user. The next time your keyboard, trackpad, or power adapter is connected to a device running one of Apple’s operating systems, it should update automatically.

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Cook controversially dines with Saudi Crown Prince at White House
Apple CEO Tim Cook had dinner with President Donald Trump and a world leader who allegedly ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Tim Cook [bottom left] seated at the Trump-hosted dinner for Mohammed bin Salman at the White House. As the head of a major tech company, Tim Cook is frequently in the presence of world leaders at major functions. Sometimes, those world leaders have a controversial connection to the company, as is the case with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.On Tuesday's visit to the White House, a dinner was held to mark the occasion, with many dignitaries also in attendance. That list includes Cook, alongside X's Elon Musk, Dell's Michael Dell, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, and AMD's Lisa Su in the Big Tech contingent. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Cook controversially dines with Saudi Crown Prince at White House
Apple CEO Tim Cook had dinner with President Donald Trump and a world leader who allegedly ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Tim Cook [bottom left] seated at the Trump-hosted dinner for Mohammed bin Salman at the White House. As the head of a major tech company, Tim Cook is frequently in the presence of world leaders at major functions. Sometimes, those world leaders have a controversial connection to the company, as is the case with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.On Tuesday's visit to the White House, a dinner was held to mark the occasion, with many dignitaries also in attendance. That list includes Cook, alongside X's Elon Musk, Dell's Michael Dell, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, and AMD's Lisa Su in the Big Tech contingent. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Washington Warned Tariffs on Robotics Could Derail Manufacturing Revival
Opponents of tariffs argue that the levies on foreign robotics would not only undermine national security but also hobble efforts to revive the U.S. manufacturing sector. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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TikTok says badges are the solution to teenage app addiction
With a growing number of legislators wanting to set limits on the use of social media apps by teenagers and children, TikTok is hitting back. The company argues – with an apparently straight face – that new features like an affirmation journal, background sound generator, and app badges are likely to be more effective … more…

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Cosmic Orange gift guide: 30 gifts to match the ultra-bright iPhone 17 Pro
Macworld Apple stunned the world with its bold new Cosmic Orange color for the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. I can’t even name the other colors they are available in… Dark Blue? Sort of White? Who cares? It has to be orange! Decision made, now comes the real challenge: accessorizing. If you’re going to walk around with a phone that looks like a tiny glowing sunset, you can’t just pair it with any random case, cable, or charger. This is a color that demands commitment. There are plenty of orange things out these but which of them most closely matches the new iPhone? Known to others as Papaya with the Pantone specification 15-1243, Apple’s Cosmic Orange is a vivid, slightly lighter orange with a bit more yellow than a traditional copper tone. It’s special, just like your iPhone. We’ve rounded up the best orange accessories to turn your phone into a fully coordinated citrus masterpiece. Even if you don’t yet own a Cosmic Orange iPhone, you have a grotto of gaudy goodies to gift to your friends who do. Kuxiu X40 Turbo 25W 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Stand Kuxiu First on any iPhone user’s list should be a fast charger and this up-to-the-minute Qi 2.2-certified gadget is as fast a wireless iPhone charger as you can get: 25W of raw power, which is perfect for the iPhone 17 family. Even if it was 5W it wouldn’t really matter, would it? It’s a glorious orange! It folds right down to a pocketable 2.5-inch square and 0.7-inch deep 5oz tiny slab. But of course it’s finest attribute isn’t the premium build or tiny form factor, but its glowing Cosmic Orange color. Find the Cosmic Orange X40 Turbo in the U.S. through Kuxiu ($79), while U.K. orangeers can get it on Amazon (£66). Journey MOTION Apple Watch Sport Band Journey There are a bunch of orange Apple Watch bands to choose from, in orangy colors such as “Terracotta” and “Turmeric”, but we think the closest match to the iPhone 17 Pro is the orange MOTION Sport Band from Aussie brand Journey. At $59/£49, it’s also more affordable (at Journey) than the selection of pricey bands on offer at the Apple Store. Match your wrist to your iPhone and you’ll bring brightness to your day as soon as you wake up. UAG Civilian Case UAG If the Cosmic Orange iPhone is so gorgeous, why cover it up in a dull case? Sacrilege, surely. Think again… the iPhone Pro is too lovely to risk dents and dings or a shattered screen, but you still want the world to know you’re hip to be orange. Just like the army of orange Watch straps, there are many orange iPhone cases, but our fave is the ultra-thin UAG Civilian ($65) that isn’t as fancy as some but offers great defensive strength, including 20-foot (6m) drop protection. UAG doesn’t limit its orange to the Civilian; it has juicy versions of its Monarch Pro and Pathfinder cases, too. If you must have an Apple case, skip the iPhone 17 Pro clear case that’s more white than clear. Instead, opt for the Orange iPhone 17 Pro Silicone Case with MagSafe ($49) or Sierra Orange Beats iPhone 17 Pro Rugged Case ($79), both pictured below—you can even buy the Beats case for a humble iPhone 17—we won’t tell anyone if you don’t. Apple dbrand Cosmic Orange Skins dbrand We love the dbrand iPhone cases, too, but here we highlight their shameless and self-confessed “flawless colormatched knock-off” skins that can transform a ton of other products into Cosmic Orange beauty. Whether your MacBook, iPad, AirPods, or one of hundreds of even non-Apple products (even Android phones) can now cosplay as an iPhone 17 Pro Max. The skins are precisely cut vinyl wraps that adhere to a device for the custom Cosmic look, offering scratch protection without adding any bulk. Take a look at all the tempting things to wrap in dbrand orange here with prices starting below $40. Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad Belkin Why put your iPhone on a black or white charging pad when you can power up your cheery Cosmic Orange iPhone and sad white AirPods on the beautifully orange Belkin BoostCharge Pro Wireless Charging Pad ($75/£74). Certified by Apple with its MagSafe badge, this flat charging pad can hit 15W of power—not as fast as the 25W Kuxiu X40 Turbo but speedy enough on your nightstand while you doze from orange sunset to sunrise. Bellroy Butterscotch backpacks, bags and slings Bellroy Bellroy doesn’t label the boldest color available in its range of laptop backpacks as orange or cosmic, but this “Butterscotch” backpack will go great with your iPhone 17 Pro. In Butterscotch, Bellroy has a Classic Daypack or larger Classic Backpack (16L or 20L), both with a protective 16-inch laptop sleeve. If that weren’t enough, you can pick up a Classic Tote, Getaway Bag, and even a Sling with padded iPhone protection. Prices start at $99. Orbitkey Travel Sling Orbitkey Sometimes you need top do something else other than gaze at your beautiful orange iPhone. Really. Keep your iPhone and all its accessories (orange of course) in the weather-resistant $89 Orbitkey Travel Sling, which hosts a surprisingly generous 3L capacity and can be worn as a crossbody or carried as a compact pouch. There’s a quick access front zip pocket, a wide opening for effortless access to all compartments, and inside you’ll find integrated mesh pockets. Hidden RFID-blocking pockets and an anti-theft zipper locking system keep digital theft and pickpockets at bay – without impairing your access. Torras Cosmic Orange Special Set Torras Best known for its iPhone cases, Torras has gone all-in on orange with its Cosmic Orange Special Set ($165/£128) that includes a color-matched case, screen protector, charger, and crossfit strap. To be fair, the screen protector is helpfully clear rather than orange but the application tray makes up for it. You can buy the charger separately (see below) and choose between the Cosmic Orange LoopGo Flex Crossbody Phone Lanyard and Apple’s plain Orange Crossbody Strap. Torras Icenano FoldPro Fast Charger Block 45W Orange Torras If you don’t need the full set, you’ll be happy with the tiny orange charger. Built with a Gallium Nitride (GaN) chip, Torras’s Icenano FoldPro USB-C wall charger ($35) is cooler in temperature (and therefore smaller and lighter) but much hotter in attitude. At 45W, it’s got plenty to spare when fast-charging your iPhone 17 Pro Max, and can even power up your MacBook Air. Case Logic Reflect Laptop Sleeve Case Logic Your MacBook will thank you for the 6mm of dense memory foam that provides a protective cushion and the plush interior lining that defends the laptop from scratches, but forget all that stuff because the outside of the Case Logic Reflect Laptop Sleeve ($45) is a very Cosmic Orange, so you can hide that Silver or Space Gray monstrosity. Antler Heritage Leather AirPods Case, plus luggage tags and straps in Coral Antler Looking for a little class with your iPhone 17 Pro on your next trip? Then look no further than Antler’s lovely Coral range of travel accessories (from $20 / £14), including luggage tags and straps, packing cubes and even a cute orange AirPods case ($75 / £55). You’re not fooling anyone, Antler… your accessories are orange, not coral… unless they are actually made of coral, of course. Weatherman umbellas Weatherman It doesn’t rain but it pours Cosmic Orange gear on us, and we have just the thing for it—the Rusty Orange Weatherman Travel Umbrella ($69/£60). You’ll be delighted to see clouds in the sky when it means you can hoist our orange one proudly through the deluge without fear of getting our other Cosmic Orange goodies drenched. However… Rusty Orange? Surely, an umbrella this colorful won’t let your IP68-rated iPhone actually corrode. Logitech POP Icon Orange Keyboard Logitech Back at your desk, sometimes you have to use an old-school computer rather than your Cosmic Orange iPhone, even if it is a 17 Pro Max. Apple does make an orange version of its Magic Keyboard, but unless you can find a used one, you’ll need to buy an orange iMac to get it (see below). So rest your eyes on this orange-accented keyboard from Logitech. The POP Icon Keyboard ($49/£49) in Off White & Orange isn’t completely orange, but all the letters and funny symbols are. As it connects via Bluetooth, you can even pair it with your iPhone and ditch the desktop altogether. Orange Apple iMac Apple One of Apple’s first G3 iMacs was orange—or “Tangerine” as Steve Jobs called it. In those days, however, orange wasn’t as hip as it is today, and the Tangerine iMac was a bit of a failure, at least compared to Blueberry and Strawberry. (Fun orange fact: the iMac’s designer, Jony Ive, used to work at a design agency called Tangerine.) Fortunately, Tim Cook has forgotten the Tangerine Nightmare, and you can buy a colorful iMac again (from $1,299/£1,299) and this time in Orange—not Cosmic but very close, at least on the back. The iMac even comes with a keyboard and mouse with orange accents. Other orange Apple stuff Apple In fact, Apple makes quite a few things under its orange umbrella, even if they aren’t as cosmic as the iPhone. You can buy an AirTag Key Ring and MagSafe Wallet both in “Fox Orange”, Crossbody Strap for your iPhone, and an orange HomePod mini, Electric Orange PowerBeats Pro 2, and some faded orange AirPods Max. Jan Gruber (Foundry) Issey Miyake iPhone Pocket Apple Ok, so this is a long shot, but you might even be tempted by one of the craziest accessories on the Apple Store: the $149/£139 iPhone Pocket by Issey Miyake—available in “Mandarin”. Mandarin? Orange, ok? It’s not technically an Apple product, even if it is clearly inspired by the legendary and no doubt highly successful (I’ve forgotten) iPod Socks—also available in orange but long gone by now. Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K, Slim) – Coral Apple Consulting the electronic brain of AI, I learned that Coral is either “a pinkish-orange or an orange-pink”. While the Antler luggage accessories in Coral avoided any sort of pinkness in favor of a very Cosmic Orange, Anker’s MagGo Power Bank in Coral (£49; not available in the U.S. for some reason) is decidedly un-orange pink, which actually might be useful if reports are true that the orange iPhone turns pink when scrubbed too hard with cleaning agents.

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ESR Apple Accessories Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals
Macworld Apple accessory maker ESR has a range of attractive deals and discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025. Here we have rounded up the best ESR discounts for your iPhone 17 series, iPad and AirPods. These great deals are available on Amazon from November 20 and direct from ESR from November 28; both run until December 1 while stocks last. iPhone Protection Deals ESR ESR Classic Hybrid Magnetic Case (Camera Control, Stash Stand): Powerful Protection, Reveals True Color Protect your iPhone while showcasing its style. Only 1.5mm thin and transparent to show off the iPhone’s true color, the ESR Classic Hybrid Magnetic Case delivers 3× military-grade protection with 11-ft drop resistance, reinforced Air Guard corners, and dual-layer camera protection. The built-in Camera Control cover and adjustable Stash Stand add functionality, while 2× stronger magnets ensure flawless MagSafe performance and secure charging every time. Buy at Amazon: $22.48 (extra 10% discount with the code IPI7ESRBF) Buy at ESR: $24.99 (extra 25% off with code CYBER25) ESR ESR Cyber Tough Magnetic Case: Ultimate All-Around Protection Conquer every drop with ESR’s Cyber Tough Magnetic Case—engineered for extreme durability. With 7× military-grade protection and 23-ft drop resistance, it shields your iPhone from the harshest impacts. Its triple-layer design combines PC, TPE, and PORON® materials, while dual-layer camera protection and raised edges safeguard your screen and lenses from scratches and shocks. Buy at Amazon: $24.99 (extra 10% discount with the code 10ESRBFCMM) Buy at ESR: $27.99 (extra 25% off with code CYBER25) ESR ESR UltraFit Armorite® Pro Screen Protector: Premium Clarity, Pro-Level Protection Crafted with Accessory Glass by Corning™, the UltraFit Armorite® Pro delivers 10× more impact absorption and 2× the scratch resistance of generic protectors. Its anti-reflective coating reduces glare by 50% and enhances light transmission for vivid, true-to-life viewing. With SGS-certified protection and a dust-free, bubble-free tray that installs with just one pull, it’s your screen’s strongest, clearest defense. Buy at Amazon: $28.79 (extra 10% discount with the code 10ESRBFCMM) Buy at ESR: $29.99 (extra 25% off with code CYBER25) AirPods Protection ESR ESR Cyber FlickLock Magnetic Case Drop-proof and effortless MagSafe, this AirPods Pro case is designed for adventurous lifestyles. It uses FlickLock™, ESR’s innovative magnetic locking system for AirPods cases. Featuring an internal latch and 750g magnetic lock, this tough but sleek design secures your AirPods Pro 3 while allowing easy one-handed access. Buy at Amazon: $18.39 Buy at ESR: $22.99 (extra 25% off with code CYBER25) ESR ESR Orbit Hybrid Magnetic Case This AirPods Pro case provides essential protection for your AirPods Pro 3, offering a sleek, functional design that fits effortlessly into your daily routine with a magnetic lock lid. It features powerful drop protection with its ultra-hard shell and shock-absorbing core. Buy at Amazon: $11.19 Buy at ESR: $16.99 (extra 25% off with code CYBER25) iPad Protection ESR ESR Flip Magnetic Case (Pencil Holder): Flip, Create, and Play More Unlock 5 ways to work and play with the ESR Flip Magnetic Case—perfect for reading, writing, viewing, FaceTime, and even fridge mounting. Its ultra-stable magnetic stand ensures steady support on any surface, while the built-in pencil holder provides secure storage, quick access, and instant charging for seamless creativity and convenience. Buy at Amazon: $29.59 for iPad Pro 13 Buy at Amazon: $23.19 for iPad Pro 11 ESR ESR Shift Magnetic Case: Transform and Do It All The ESR Shift Magnetic Case redefines iPad versatility with 5 unique modes for viewing, gaming, browsing, or writing or fridge magnet. Its magnetic attachment and ultra-stable stand ensure reliable balance anywhere—desk, sofa, or lap. A detachable back case offers complete flexibility, letting you switch from productivity to play instantly while keeping your iPad fully protected. Buy at Amazon: $42.39 for iPad Pro 13 Buy at Amazon: $34.39 for iPad Pro 11 Buy at ESR: $46.49 for iPad Air 11 & Air 10.9″ (extra 25% off with code CYBER25) ESR ESR UltraFit Classic Screen Protector: Clear, Tough, Effortless Protection Experience 2× the impact absorption of generic protectors with ESR’s Armorite UltraFit Classic. Crafted from 9H tempered glass, it resists scratches and cracks while maintaining perfect clarity and touch response. The UltraFit tray makes installation dust- and bubble-free in seconds. At just 0.33 mm thin, it ensures flawless visuals, Pencil precision, and crystal-clear FaceTime quality. Buy at Amazon: $17.59 for iPad Pro 13 Buy at Amazon: $15.99 for iPad Pro 11 ESR ESR UltraFit Armorite Paper-Feel Screen Protector (Tempered Glass) This screen protector offers a paper-like texture that helps you enjoy a natural writing and smooth drawing experience, just like on real paper. Use the UltraFit tray for an instantly dust- and bubble-free application. With its ultra-strong, high-alumina tempered glass Armorite offers 5× the impact absorption of generic protectors. Buy at Amazon: $28.99 for iPad Pro 13 Buy at Amazon: $25.99 for iPad Pro 11 iPad Productivity ESR ESR Shift Keyboard Case (Detachable) Also based on ESR’s magnetic detachable design, the Shift Keyboard Case lets you attach or remove the 7.2mm-thin keyboard for typing or a streamlined tablet experience. For a third of the price of Apple’s Magic Keyboard, the Shift offers more functionality and flexibility. You can choose your angles for work and play: 20°–75° landscape mode for flexible work and entertainment; 70° portrait mode for browsing inspiration; 20° drawing mode for sketching and editing. The 65% larger trackpad features smoother and more precise. The durable form-fit cover has reinforced Air Guard corners and magnets keeps your iPad safe from scratches, drops, and dust. A stylus holder prevents your pencil from falling off. Buy at Amazon: $63.99 for iPad Air 11 & Air 10.9″ (extra 10% discount with the code IPI7ESRBF) Buy at Amazon: $99.99 for iPad Pro 13 ESR ESR Flex Keyboard Case (Detachable) Built with ESR’s magnetic detachable design, the lightweight Flex Keyboard Case offers the freedom to type wirelessly or lift your screen to eye level for focused productivity while offering all-around protection. It features a magnetic triangular stand that offers stability with two usage modes: 65° is perfect for typing, reading, and video calls; and 20° is ideal for writing, drawing, and note-taking. The trackpad is 65% bigger for smoother, more precise multi-touch gestures. Buy at Amazon: $47.99 for iPad 11/10 (extra 10% discount with the code IPI7ESRBF) Buy at Amazon: $47.99 for iPad Air 11 (extra 10% discount with the code IPI7ESRBF) ESR Geo Digital iPad Pencil This fast-charging iPad pencil has a unique Find My function that allows you to locate your iPad Pencil anytime and anywhere. Buy at Amazon: $26.39 (extra 10% discount with the code IPI7ESRBF) MagSafe Wallet All iPhones 12 and later, except iPhone 12/13 mini. ESR ESR Geo Magnetic Wallet Stand (Grip) This is the world’s first MagSafe wallet stand designed with both full Apple-certified Find My AirTag functionality and RFID blocking, so you can track its real-time location, find by playing a sound, and receive left-behind notifications. It holds 5 cards, and the premium hinge offers stable 15°-170° adjustment in portrait/landscape for hands-free FaceTime, videos, and browsing. Buy at Amazon: $41.99 Buy at ESR: $39.99 (extra 25% off with code CYBER25) ESR ESR Aura Magnetic Wallet (Pink) Get a great deal on a wallet that adds clutch elegance and versatility, holding 1–5 cards (with RFID blocking) plus cash, with a clear ID window. Crafted from premium vegan leather with a secure clasp, with case held by powerful 3,200g magnets. The slim yet spacious ESR Aura Magnetic Wallet quickly transforms into a 50° stand for hands-free viewing—perfect for videos. Buy at Amazon: $25.99 (extra 10% discount with the code 10ESRBFCMM) Qi2 MagSafe Chargers (25W) All iPhones 12 and later, except iPhone 12/13 mini. ESR Qi2.2 CryoBoost Foldable 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Station (25W) Buy at Amazon: $99.99 ESR Qi2.2 CryoBoost 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Station (25W) Buy at Amazon: $99.99 Buy at ESR: $119.99 (extra 25% off with code CYBER25) ESR OmniLock Car Charger (Qi2.2 25W) Buy at Amazon: $56.99 (extra 10% discount with the code IPI7ESRBF)

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Option key secrets: Get more from your Mac with these hidden shortcuts
Macworld Scratch beneath the surface of macOS and you’ll find all manner of clever little tricks that aren’t apparent on first look. The Option key demonstrates this perfectly: it brings a host of extra functionality to your Mac every time you press it, whether you’re perusing an app’s menu or are typing in a document. Here, we’ve put together 10 of our favorite ways to use the Option key to bring more power to your Mac. But you shouldn’t stop here–there are far more things that the Option key can do than what we’ve listed in this article. Often, the best course is to simply experiment by pressing Option in your app of choice and seeing what it does. No doubt Apple has hidden all manner of useful tools and shortcuts that are just waiting to be discovered. Manage files and folders The Option key can come in handy when you want to get a better hold on files and folders on your Mac, and many of these extra features can be found in the Finder. For example, hold Option and press the up or down arrow key inside a Finder folder to move to the first or last item. Normally, clicking the triangular arrow icon next to a folder in Finder will open it. If you hold Option while doing so, Finder will open that folder and any sub-folders inside it, saving you a little bit of time if you want to dive deep into some nested locations. To save a file in a different format in the Preview app, hold down the Option key while clicking on the File menu. This will make the Save As option appear.Foundry There are also things you can do with files. In the Preview app, if you click the File menu while pressing Option, the Duplicate function turns into Save As, in case you want to change the file format. And in the Finder, if you want to move a file rather than copying it, first copy it, then press Command-Option-V in its destination folder (rather than simply Command-V). The reverse is also true: hold Option while dragging and dropping a file to copy it instead of moving it. Typing tricks Want to type out some special characters? You could look them up and copy them online, or you could use the Option key. Hold it while typing any symbol or alphanumeric character to get a special one instead: Option-A gives you å, while Option-3 produces £. There are many more possibilities. And just like how the Option key can send you to the top and bottom items in a Finder folder, it can also be used to swiftly move through text. Hold Option and press the left or right arrow keys to move along one word at a time in any text or word processing app. This is much faster than holding the arrow key and moving just one character at a time. In a word-processing app, try holding Option and Shift, then moving the arrow keys left or right; this will highlight whole words at a time. You can also press Option and Delete to remove words rather than individual letters. Hold Option and double-click any of its four corners of a window to make an app fill your screen without going into fullscreen mode,Foundry Window management The Option key comes in handy when you want to resize an app window. Instead of resizing it from one edge and then another, you can shift multiple edges at once. Just hold the Option key and grab a side or corner of the window and start resizing. When you do this with a vertical or horizontal edge, the opposite side will mirror the movement of the edge you’re holding. When you do it with a corner, you can resize all four sides at once. If you want to make an app window fill your screen without going into fullscreen mode, just hold Option and double-click any of its four corners–this will make it expand to your maximum screen dimensions. Do this on a side instead of a corner and both corresponding edges will stretch to the edges of your screen. For example, double-click a vertical window edge while holding Option and both the left and right sides will expand to the full width of your display. Doing any of these actions without holding Option will just stretch the side or corner you click on and no others. Dock items Got an app that’s frozen and not responding? Instead of waiting for it to resume normal service, right-click its icon in your Mac’s Dock, hold Option, then select Force Quit to close it down right away. This menu item is normally hidden, but Option reveals it. When an app is open, right-click its Dock icon and hold Option to see other menu choices. The Hide menu item changes to Hide Others, for example, allowing you to make other windows disappear but keep the one that’s currently in the foreground (you won’t see this choice if the app in question is not open). Hold down the Option key while clicking on a Dock icon to see more menu choices.Foundry And if you want to relaunch the Finder, there’s a quick trick to doing so: hold Option and left-click its Dock icon to refresh it. Do Not Disturb The Option key can help you banish notifications by enabling Do Not Disturb mode. It lets you silence the distractions with a single click, with no need to rummage around in System Settings menus. Just hold Option and click the time and date in the top-right corner of your Mac’s display to enable Do Not Disturb; hold Option and click it again to disable it. If you let Focus modes show their statuses in the menu bar, you’ll see the Do Not Disturb icon appear when you switch it on. Hidden menu bar info While we’re dealing with the top edge of your screen, the Option key adds a bunch of extra functionality to icons housed in the menu bar. For instance, Option-click the volume icon and you can change your input devices without opening System Settings (normally, you can only adjust output devices from the menu bar). Hold down Option while clicking on the Sound menu bar to see your input devices.Foundry Do the same with the Wi-Fi icon and you’ll see extra data like your IP address, MAC address, country code, and more. Similarly, Option-click the Bluetooth icon to see addresses and firmware versions of your connected Bluetooth devices. And if the Stage Manager icon is in your menu bar, Option-clicking it will instantly enable and disable it. Some of these icons won’t appear in your menu bar by default, and you’ll need to enable them by opening System Settings and finding the Control Center section in the sidebar. Here, select either Show in Menu Bar or Show When Active from the dropdown menu next to each item. Menu magic Each Mac app has its own set of menus that live, unsurprisingly, in the menu bar. When these menus are open, you can hold the Option key to see new tools and choices. To take one example, open Finder and click the Go menu, then hold Option. You’ll see Library appear, which is normally hidden from view. In other apps, clicking the File menu and holding Option might change Duplicate to Save As, Close Window to Close All, and more. What you see will vary from app to app, so try different ones to see what happens. Hold down Option while clicking on the Apple menu to make System Information appear.Foundry Click the Apple logo in your screen’s top-left corner, then hold Option to change About This Mac to System Information. The System Information app gives you more in-depth data on your computer, such as its battery cycle count, technical firewall settings, and more. The additional menu options apply to the right-click menu, too. Try right-clicking a file and holding the Option key; Open With changes to Always Open With, for example, letting you set your default apps in a few quick seconds. Toolbars and right-click menus We’ve talked about menu bars that live outside an app’s main window, but what about the buttons and menus inside an app? Well, there’s a lot the Option key can do here, too. Look at the toolbar in Preview. There, holding the Option key will change the direction of the rotate button, so you can rotate an image clockwise instead of counterclockwise. In the Preview app, holding down the Option key changes the rotation function to the opposite direction.Foundry Sticking with Preview, right-clicking and dragging on an image will draw a selection box. Hold Option while you’re doing this and each edge of the selection box will move in sync; dragging the box to the right will also move its left edge outwards, for example. Switch scroll bar settings If you open the System Settings app and go to Appearance in the sidebar, you can change how app scroll bars work. You can choose to have the scroll bar jump to the next page when you click an empty portion of it, or for the page to move down to where you clicked. But there’s no need to adjust this in the System Settings app. You can do it directly in any app you’re currently using. Just hold Option and click the scroll bar to flip between these two settings. For example, if clicking an empty part of the scroll bar normally jumps to the next page, holding Option when you do it will move to where you clicked. This works if your settings are the other way around, too. System Settings The System Settings app is a one-stop shop for configuring your Mac, but it’s not the only way to tweak things to your liking. If your Mac has a row of function keys, you can combine the Option key with your function/media keys to get a fast way to access Mac settings without needing to root around in System Settings first. Holding down the Option key while pressing a display brightness button on the keyboard opens the Display settings.Foundry To change your Mac’s brightness settings, hold Option and press the brightness up or brightness down button in the function row to go straight to the Displays section in System Settings. Likewise, holding Option and pressing the volume keys will open System Settings at the Sound page. Note that all of these options work whether or not System Settings is already open. Now that you’ve mastered the Option key, learn more about the Mac keyboard combinations that can help you.

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