iOS 27 might convince a lot of people to upgrade to a new iPhone
iOS 27 will be unveiled in just over a week, and rumors indicate there are lots of reasons why the new software might push more people than usual to upgrade to a new iPhone. more…

Read more »

Clear your desk with half-off Anker’s clever 3-in-1 Apple Charging Cube
Macworld Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe Charging Cube View Deal (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); If you hate a crowded desk, but also need to charge about a million gadgets all at once, Anker’s 3-in-1 MagSafe Charging Cube is what you’re missing. Not only is this a stellar way to recharge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, but today only, it’s also half off at Woot, bringing the price down to $65, the best we’ve ever seen. This compact cube will take up very little space on your desk and even less when you’re not actually using it. It features a foldable 15W MagSafe charging pad for your iPhone that can be adjusted up to 60 degrees, thus making it easy to prop your phone in landscape or portrait mode while charging so you can continue browsing or streaming content. Then, your Apple Watch will get charged on a floating accessory, while your AirPods charge is below the iPhone pad. Attach them all, and they’ll be juiced up before your next meeting is over. The cube-shaped triple charger comes with a 30W USB-C charger in the box, as well as a cable, so you won’t need any other accessories to make this work for your home. So go grab this Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe wireless Charging Cube for just $65 and never worry about cable clutter again.

Read more »

Best MagSafe and magnetic wireless chargers for iPhone
Macworld We’ve rounded up the best MagSafe, Qi2, Qi2.2 25W, and MagSafe-compatible magnetic chargers, from the plain pad to multi-functional stands (up to six devices charged), and even the most colorful—from snap-on chargers and modular stands to foldable power banks and full charging desk mats. Apple’s MagSafe technology, supported by all models of iPhone since the iPhone 12 (except the iPhone SE and 16e), presents a more efficient way of wirelessly charging compatible iPhones. MagSafe is the ring of magnets around the iPhone’s internal charging coil that senses compatible accessories and magnetically snaps securely into the most efficient charging position with the right accessories. With MagSafe, you’re less likely to wake up to find your phone wasn’t correctly placed on the wireless charger so didn’t charge at all! Testing the best for you We have tested a lot of magnetic chargers—MagSafe, Qi2 and Compatible—and here inform you which one will work best for you. There are simple magnetic wireless chargers, multi-device chargers for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, travel chargers, car chargers and more. Best simple MagSafe chargers Best 2-in-1 MagSafe chargers Best 3-in-1 MagSafe chargers Best 4-in-1 MagSafe Chargers Best travel MagSafe chargers Best MagSafe charging stands with power banks Best MagSafe car charger Best wireless charging desk mat Best wireless charging sleeve Offering up to 25W power output in the right configuration, MagSafe charging is much faster than basic 7.5W magnetic wireless charging. The similar magentic Qi2 standard, supported by the iPhone 13-17 families (and unofficially the iPhone 12 but strangely not the latest 16e) offers similar 15W speed charging. Qi 2.2, also known as Qi2 25W, meets MagSafe at 25W for iPhone 16/17 series. MagSafe or Qi2 certification Apple certifies MagSafe accessories to ensures that the output charging is 15W for most iPhones, and up to 25W for iPhone 16 and 17 (with Apple’s latest MagSafe charger or chargers certified for Qi2 25W). Non-certified magnetic but “MagSafe-compatible” chargers are usually just 7.5W with a ring of magnets to hold your phone in place. Certified MagSafe chargers also have a single-wire NFC antenna that allows the iPhone to identify the device and a built-in magnetometer to prevent compass interference while you are using your iPhone while it’s charging. In our tests, 15W MagSafe and Qi2 chargers are evenly matched for charging speeds. 7.5W MagSafe compatible chargers, as you might expect, take around twice as long—certainly in the early stages of charging. But don’t rule out 7.5W chargers as they are often high quality, nearly always noticeably cheaper and just take a while longer to fully charge an iPhone. The king of the hill is Apple’s new MagSafe charger and chargers based on the new Qi2 25W technology that are definitely faster at 25W, but only with iPhone 16 or later. Foundry Simple vs multi-device magnetic chargers The most basic form of MagSafe or magnetic charger is the simple pad that latches on to the compatible iPhone. Some pads feature a pop-out arm so the iPhone can be propped up while charging. There are also products that can simultaneously charge an iPhone plus other Apple devices, such as an Apple Watch or wireless AirPods charging case. Note that the AirPods case must be of the wireless variety, and the original AirPods case lacked this functionality. The base of a multi-charger could also be used to charge a second iPhone but mostly not magnetically and at 5W rather than 7.5W, 15W, or 25W. Also see our round up of the Best Apple Watch chargers and stands. Best simple MagSafe chargers A simple MagSafe charging pad is the cheapest route to wireless iPhone charging. If you are going to the bother of connecting this product to a wall charger, why not just use a Lightning (iPhone 14 or earlier) or USB-C (iPhone 15 and up) cable direct to the iPhone? You can fast-charge an iPhone to 50% battery in under 30 minutes using a cable and just over that using a 25W charger, while it takes around 50 minutes to wirelessly charge iPhone from 0 to 50% using even 15W MagSafe. That said, there are interesting options to choose from. After these we’ll look at more multi-functional MagSafe chargers. Apple MagSafe Charger – Best simple MagSafe charger for fastest wireless Pros Fast 25W for iPhone 16 and up 15W for Qi2 and most iPhones Cons Expensive, especially at 2m 25W only for iPhone 16 and 17 series Price When Reviewed: $39 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $32.99 View Deal $34.97 View Deal $39 View Deal $39 View Deal $39.99 View Deal $39.99 View Deal $44.05 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Output charging: 25W (MagSafe), 15W (Qi2) Cable: 1m (3.3ft), 2m (6.6ft) Wall charger: Not included Colors: White The most obvious MagSafe Charger to buy for your Apple iPhone is, of course, the Apple MagSafe Charger. It’s the charger that Apple would have shipped with the iPhone if it did such things anymore. It’s as minimalist a design as you’d expect from Apple–it looks a lot like a giant Apple Watch Charger. You can also use it to charge your AirPods. Apple’s latest version of this charger offers 15W Qi2 support and, more importantly, a faster 25W charging speed with iPhone 16 and later. It also added a 2-meter length option for $10/£10 more, which is very welcome. At least a 30W USB-C power adapter is required for 25W charging. In our tests using the Apple MagSafe Charger we wirelessly powered up an iPhone 16 Pro from 0% to 50% in just over 30 minutes. It can also charge your AirPods case (AirPods 2 or AirPods Pro), although not at the same time as the iPhone—for that, you’ll need at least a 2-in-1 wireless charger. The standard 1m cable is too short to comfortably charge and use your iPhone at the same time, or maybe stretch from a power socket to a nearby table, so we recommend the 2m upgrade. Don’t forget that this Apple charger still requires a USB-C power adapter—at least 20W if you want 15W charging and at least 30W to enable 25W charging.

Read more »

Apple doubles down on on-device AI in privacy and security masterstroke that sets it apart from cloud-dependent rivals
Apple is preparing to renew its aggressive push for AI that runs primarily on devices rather than in the cloud—leveraging its years of custom… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

New leak confirms new iPhone 18 Pro Dark Cherry, Light Blue colors
Macworld About a month ago, Macworld published an exclusive report detailing the upcoming color palette for the iPhone 18 Pro.  As our source confirmed, Apple was planning to offer a new array of options this year, with a purplish “Dark Cherry” leading the pack and possibly four options joining the lineup, including light blue, dark gray, and silver. Now, courtesy of Sonny Dickson on X, we have our first look at iPhone 18 Pro dummy models, and lo and behold, they are in the same four colors. As you can see in the images he supplied, the colors match perfectly with the Pantone codes we were supplied and almost certainly confirm that Apple will offer these options in the fall. Sonny Dickson/X As we described, the Dark Cherry color is closer to purple than red, while light blue is reminiscent of Sierra Blue on the iPhone 13 Pro. Dark gray, meanwhile, appears to be very close to Black Titanium seen on the iPhone 16 Pro. Finally, the standard silver color appears to be very similar to the iPhone 17 Pro. It’s worth noting that Apple seemingly dropped a fourth color option from last year’s lineup later in the production cycle, so it’s possible that one of these four options doesn’t appear on shelves. Of note, the images Dickson supplies have the same design as the iPhone 17 Pro with some subtle improvements. Most notably, the rectangular glass below the camera more closely matches the color of the aluminum surrounding it. And it appears to be a little higher than it is on the 17 Pro. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro at an event in September alongside the iPhone Ultra, Apple’s first folding phone.

Read more »

WWDC 2026 Wish List: Health for Mac, Wallet everywhere, and other OS 27 dreams
WWDC 2026 is 10 days away. Here’s a grab-bag selection of things I hope to see from Apple’s new OS 27 updates that aren’t really rumored. more…

Read more »

iPhone leaks, Apple Vision Pro gaming, and the Ferrari Luce, on the AppleInsider Podcast
You thought the Apple Vision Pro was expensive, but now you could choose between buying 180 of the headset, or one Ferrari Luce designed by Jony Ive. Or you could just enjoy the good, the bad, and the sometimes silly iPhone rumors that came out this week, on the AppleInsider Podcast.Some iPhone 18 leaks are good, some are bad, and others are just silly.It is the run-up to WWDC and it's also not really that long until the launch of the iPhone 18 range, so as always we're now bombarded with rumors and leaks. Some of them are actually likely, though, and some of them look rather good.Here's how to sort out the good leaks from the poor or even the downright silly. Plus forget leaks, there's news for gamers on Apple Vision Pro and it's something you can play right now. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Best Mac gaming setups: From casual console companions to full-on battle stations
Our top 15 best Mac gaming setups from the Cult of Mac archive track the rise of Apple silicon alongside great hybrid Mac-PC systems. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

iPhone 18 Pro dummy units reveal four color options [Gallery]
A new set of iPhone 18 Pro dummy units is giving us our best look yet at the all-new colors Apple has planned for this year. The dummy units corroborate that the iPhone 18 Pro will be available in dark cherry, black, silver, and light blue. more…

Read more »

Suppliers are racing to keep up with orders for incredibly popular MacBook Neo
Amid ongoing MacBook Neo shortages, Apple has reportedly tasked suppliers with doubling its original order to 10 million units in an attempt to satiate demand.MacBook Neo has proven hugely popularBuying a new MacBook Neo today remains an exercise in patience, with deliveries taking multiple weeks. The 13-inch, $599 laptop has proven hugely popular among students and mobile workers alike, so much so that Apple can't keep up.Now, a report by supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple has told its suppliers to produce more MacBook Neos than ever before. After an initial five-million-unit order, Apple has now doubled the figure to 10 million units. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

The last visionOS 26 review: Apathy about Apple Vision Pro on display
Apple Vision Pro isn't a priority product for Apple's teams, and it shows in the development of visionOS 26. Bug fixes, minor adjustments, and nearly zero feature additions define the year.visionOS 26 review: it hasn't been touched in a year which means WWDC better deliverWhen visionOS 26 was revealed, it was clear that new hardware would be crucial for the platform. Then the M5 model arrived, and it was better, but nothing else changed in the time since.I'm sitting here typing this on the Apple Vision Pro connected to a Bluetooth mechanical keyboard and Apple Magic Trackpad. It's been over two years since I used the original model, and yet, it still feels magical. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple's software chief: Who is Craig Federighi?
As the Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi is the main guy who can alter the future of iOS, macOS, and AI for Apple. This is what you need to know about the guy with the fantastic hair.Craig Federighi - Image Credit: AppleWhile Tim Cook is the best-known face of Apple, Craig Federighi comes in a very close second. A long-time presenter for the company during events, especially at WWDC, he is synonymous with the company's software launches and operating system updates.That's handy, since he is Apple's Senior Vice President of Software Engineering. In that prominent role, he manages and guides the development of operating systems, apps, interface changes, and future technologies. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

iPhone 18 Pro dummies show new colors, including Dark Cherry
Images of purported iPhone 18 Pro dummies back up previous claims that Cosmic Orange is out, and Dark Cherry is in.The four colors now claimed to be for the iPhone 18 Pro - image credit: Sonny DicksonCosmic Orange was a huge hit with Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max, but Apple changes at least some colors each year and it's long been rumored that Dark Cherry was coming next. Then in April 2026, a leaker claimed to know all four of the colors for the iPhone 18 Pro.Now the often reliable leaker Sonny Dickson has shared images of dummy iPhones featuring those same four colors: Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

5 easy tweaks to turn your distracting Apple Watch into a quiet fitness tracker
Macworld I love my Apple Watch, and I know I’m not alone—the device dominates the wearables market and is easily the best smartwatch money can buy. But that doesn’t mean it’s perfect, and there are plenty of ways that it can feel below par, even irritating at times. Few of those factors are more conspicuous than the way it can sometimes serve as a wrist-worn distraction tool. With the rise of screenless, silent trackers like the Whoop and Fitbit Air, the Apple Watch’s tendency to buzz and bleep all day can be overwhelming.  If you’re sick of getting constantly pinged by your Apple Watch, I’ve got good news: there are a plethora of ways you can rein in the worst excesses of watchOS and turn your device into a calmer, quieter tracker. Just follow the steps in this guide and relief will be close at hand. Turn on Silent Mode When you want to mute everything in a quick, simple way, switch on your Watch’s Silent Mode so there will no longer be an audible sound when you get a notification. This is something of a nuclear option, but it guarantees a peaceful watch experience. To get started, press the Watch’s side button to open Control Center, then tap the bell button. The button will turn red and a line will be drawn through it to indicate that alerts are muted. Britta O’Boyle Note that this does not turn off haptic vibrations. To do that, open the Settings app on your Apple Watch, then scroll down and go to Sounds & Haptics > Haptics. Tap Off. For a less dramatic change, you can reduce alert volume. For this, you’ll need to return to the Sounds & Haptics section of your Watch’s Settings app. Select Level from the list of options, then tap Quieter. Use Focus modes Focus modes are a more tailored way to keep notifications in check. They can block certain alerts at certain times and have a wide array of customizable options. First, press the side button to open your Apple Watch’s Control Center. Tap the Focus button (it looks like a crescent moon), select a Focus mode, then set how long you want it to be in effect for. The options here are based on the Focus modes created on your iPhone. Any custom Focus modes you create on your iPhone (by going to Settings > Focus) can be used on your Apple Watch. Foundry When you enable a Focus mode on your Watch, it is automatically enabled on your iPhone too (and vice versa). If you want it to be applied to all of your Apple devices, open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to Focus, then switch on Share Across Devices. You can go further by adding a Focus watch face. This sets a different face on your Watch whenever a specific Focus mode is active. That’s handy if you want a less distracting watch face while Do Not Disturb is running, for example. On your iPhone, open the Settings app and go to Focus, then tap a Focus mode. Under Customize Screens, tap Choose under the Apple Watch face. Pick a watch face from the list of options, then tap the checkmark. Now, whenever you enable this Focus mode, your Watch face will change. Focus modes can also be scheduled. On your Apple Watch, open the Settings app and go to Focus, tap a Focus mode, then choose Add New. Pick start and end times under From and To, then select which days the schedule will be active. Tap the back button to save your schedule. Or you can grab your iPhone and go to Settings > Focus, pick a Focus mode, then tap Add Schedule. Tame your notifications When you get a notification on your Apple Watch, you can swipe left on it to see options to mute it. You can mute it for one hour or for the rest of the day. Tapping Add to Summary will send future alerts from the app to your iPhone’s Notification Summary instead of immediately buzzing your wrist. Time-sensitive alerts can also be disabled from this menu, or you can switch off the app’s notifications entirely. Chris Martin / Foundry Alternatively, you can control notifications for all your Apple Watch apps in one place. Open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to My Watch > Notifications. Scroll down to Mirror iPhone Alerts From and disable the toggle next to any apps whose notifications you no longer want to see on your wrist. Or if you’d rather simply get more control over app notifications, scroll up to the list of apps above the Mirror iPhone Alerts From section, tap one, then adjust its settings as needed. Some apps let you set your own notification rules. On an app’s page, scroll down to Notification Settings, then tap Custom. Tap Notifications Off if you want to disable all alerts for that app. Cull the apps you don’t need If an app is on your Watch and you haven’t changed its notification settings, it can send you alerts. The more apps you’ve are installed, the more notifications you end up getting, which can be a problem. Chris Martin / Foundry A simple way to fix this is to remove apps you don’t use on your Watch. Press the Digital Crown to see the list of apps installed on your Apple Watch. Press and hold an empty area of the display until the apps start to jiggle. Tap the X button on an app you want to remove, then tap Delete App. Another option is to install apps manually rather than have them automatically transfer across from your iPhone. To do this, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap General, then disable the toggle next to Automatic App Install. Prevent watch face takeovers Some apps automatically take over your entire watch face when they’re active. While this can be useful at time—such as when you use Apple Maps for directions—other times it can be overly distracting. One way to limit this is to turn off Live Activities. Open the Settings app on your Watch and go to General > Auto-Launch > Live Activities Settings. For a quick fix, turn off the toggle next to Auto-Launch Live Activities. This will keep Live Activities as an option, but it will prevent them from starting by themselves. Chris Martin / Foundry Alternatively, you can disable Live Activities completely by switching off the toggle next to Allow Live Activities. Sometimes, you might also find that Siri has partially obscured the clock when you lift your wrist to check the time. This is due to Siri’s Raise to Wake feature mistaking random conversation for a voice command. This can be turned off by opening the Settings app on your Watch, then tapping Siri and disabling Raise to Speak. With that, you should get a clearer, less obstructed view of your watch face, keeping you on track and less distracted whenever you glance at your Apple Watch.

Read more »

Complete guide to Apple MagSafe: What is MagSafe?
Macworld There are two types of MagSafe—one for charging Macs and one for charging iPhones—but they are very different technologies that just share a common name. And Apple has worked with organizations such as Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) to produce similar magnetic wireless standards, such as Qi2. Since around 2006 Mac laptops have been charged via a cable that used MagSafe, a clever standard that connected the charging cable to the MacBook via magnets that meant it was not only easy to connect, it simply disconnected if you tripped over the cable (which meant your laptop didn’t crash to the floor). The “Mag” stands for Magnetic and “Safe” alludes to the way it disengages with the MacBook rather than pulling it to the floor when accidentally pulled. However, MagSafe disappeared from Apple laptops with the arrival of charging via USB-C in about 2016, but returned again in 2021 with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and in June 2022 with the updated MacBook Air. The current MacBook MagSafe charging cable is the $49 / £49 Apple USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable, available in one length (2m) but six colors: Sky Blue, Space Gray, Midnight, Starlight, Space Black, and Silver. We look more into MagSafe further into this article. Apple clearly liked the name because it also used MagSafe as the name for its system for wirelessly charging the 2020 iPhone 12 onwards. What is MagSafe for iPhone iPhones from the iPhone 8 onwards have been able to charge wirelessly as well as via a cable (wired charging). To start with, Apple used the common Qi (pronounced “chee”) standard. You placed the back of your iPhone on a Qi charging pad and when the coil of the pad was correctly aligned with the coil in the back of the iPhone, wireless charging would begin. It was way too easy to misalign the coils and so charging would either be very slow or not engage at all—often leaving you waking up to a dead phone that you thought was wirelessly charging overnight. Frustrating. Apple came up with a neat solution, which it calls MagSafe (familiar name?). Again, the magic is the magnetic connection, which keeps the charging coils of the iPhone locked into position with the coils of the charger. Each iPhone in the iPhone series (12 and later) contains a ring of magnets built around the Qi charging coil. As a result, you can snap charging accessories onto these iPhones. Apple’s MagSafe Charger for iPhone is sold separately for $39 (1m) and $49 (2m) / £39 (1m) and £49 (2m) in the U.K. It’s a round disc that includes magnets that attach to the magnets inside the iPhone to align automatically. It isn’t just used for charging: the magnetic properties allow you to clamp other devices and accessories to the iPhone, such as wallets and pop sockets. If you use wireless chargers or other magnetic accessories, make sure any protective case you put your iPhone into is MagSafe compatible to allow the iPhone’s magnets to still work through the material. Apple sells a number of MagSafe products, including chargers, cases and stands made by itself or trusted partners—you can view the collection here. We have tested the best MagSafe chargers for iPhone and also the best MagSafe battery packs and power banks for iPhone. Because the magnets allow for more precise alignment–and due to improved internal components–MagSafe allows for faster charging. Simon Jary Certified MagSafe chargers can charge at up to 15 watts (15W) or 25W with an iPhone 16 or later. Basic Qi also has a theoretical maximum of 15W but it is less efficient due to the non-magnetic misalignment issue, and many popular chargers were rated at only 5W anyway. Apple pegs iPhone charge via Qi (which it calls merely “MagSafe Compatible”) back to 7.5W in favor of its own MagSafe. Apple passed its MagSafe know-how to the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), which came up with Qi2 that matches wireless power output at 15W and the later Qi2.2 that gets up to 25W for those later iPhone models. Find out the differences between MagSafe and Qi2. When plugged in to a USB-C charger, via the Lightning port (iPhones pre version 15) or USB-C port (from iPhone 15), iPhones can charge at up to 30W or higher, and therefore likely faster than when charged wirelessly. Charging via a cable will always be faster as the connection is far more efficient than wireless where some amount of power is lost due to the connection and alignment. Because of its firm magnetic alignment, MagSafe is more efficient than standard Qi charging, but still not as fast as using a cable. MagSafe iPhones still support existing Qi-enabled wireless charging at rates up to 7.5W—but only certified “Made for MagSafe” chargers are capable of charging at the full 15W. Read here for more on the different wireless charging standards and which wireless speed each iPhone can reach. Which iPhones have MagSafe? All iPhones from the iPhone 12 onwards has MagSafe, except for the iPhone SE and oddball iPhone 16e. iPhone 12-15: 15W using MagSafe, Qi2 or Qi2.2 iPhone 12 mini: 12W using MagSafe, Qi2 or Qi2.2 iPhone 16-17: 25W using MagSafe or Qi2.2 iPhone 17e: 15W using MagSafe or Qi2.2 iPhone Air: 20W using MagSafe or Qi2.2 It appears that there are also problems using MagSafe with older iPhones. For example, if you use a MagSafe charger with an iPhone 11 charging can take a very long time. Why MagSafe/Qi2/Qi2.2 is best for iPhone wireless charging MagSafe or one of the Qi2 variants should ensure that iPhones are properly aligned to their wireless charger—when alignment doesn’t happen they may not charge. Problems with MagSafe for iPhone charging Apple’s MagSafe charger comes with an integrated USB-C cable, but it doesn’t include a power adapter in the box, so you will need to purchase a separate USB-C power adapter if you don’t already have one. Read our roundup of the best iPhone USB-C wall chargers or for more power the best USB-C chargers for Mac. You can safely use a 100W charger with a 15W MagSafe pad, so as long as the charger is rated at over 20W you will have all you need. Similarly, there is also no power adapter or MagSafe charging cable included with the iPhone. What is MagSafe for MacBook Tha MagSafe 3 cable on a MacBook Pro.Foundry The first MagSafe charging cable arrived with the MacBook Pro in 2006. The MagSafe connector was loved for the fact that it softly disconnected from a Mac if the wire was yanked out, leaving the Mac safely on the desk while only the wire drops to the ground. The presence of MagSafe on an Apple laptop was a given right up until Apple announced the 12-inch MacBook with no MagSafe adaptor in 2015, choosing instead to power it via a USB-C cable, instead of MagSafe. MagSafe was temporarily discontinued on Macs in 2019 when Apple stopped selling the 2017 model of the MacBook Air. For some time all Mac laptops were charged via their USB-C or Thunderbolt ports. Then, in 2021, Apple brought MagSafe back to the MacBook with the launch of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. While still charged via USB-C, the port gained the magnets necessary to make detachment and attachment easy. The MacBook Air then gained MagSafe charging in June 2022. How does MagSafe in the Mac work? MagSafe on the Mac works by connecting the power socket to a Mac using magnets. This is instead of the more usual clasp/socket technique of inserting the cable inside the laptop.The connection between a MagSafe adaptor and the Mac laptop is made using two magnetic halves. These clasp together and power is thus provided to the laptop. According to Apple’s MagSafe patent: “The surface area of two magnetically attracted halves determines the number of magnetic flux lines and therefore the holding force between them because the holding force is proportional to the contact area between the two magnetically attracted halves.” The advantage to using MagSafe is safety. When a laptop is sitting on a desk or table, and plugged in to a socket near the ground, the wire between the two is a trip hazard. Tripping over the adaptor cable drags the laptop off the desk and it falls on to the ground (and is potentially damaged). MagSafe protects the laptop because the cable instantly unclasps, leaving the laptop on the desk and the cable flapping harmlessly onto the floor. The true genius of MagSafe is that it works by “non-axial” force. This means that if you pull it in any direction other than straight out it disconnects, and there’s virtually no force required to remove the connector. It’s also a unique Apple feature, something practical that Apple fans can crow about safe in the knowledge that rival laptops are missing this one vital feature. It’s the kind of small, practical, detail that comes from thinking outside of the box. Read: Complete guide to ports on Macs, iPhones and iPads. Which MagSafe adaptor do I need? MagSafe 1 vs MagSafe 2 vs MagSafe 3 MagSafe 3 cableApple There are three different versions of MagSafe, conveniently known as MagSafe 1, MagSafe 2 and MagSafe 3. That’s if we ignore the different wireless MagSafe for iPhone (see above) of course! MagSafe 1 is slightly larger, and was introduced in 2006 along with the original MacBook and MacBook Pro. The first edition of the MacBook Air also used MagSafe 1, but had a slightly thinner head. MagSafe 2 is thinner and was designed for MacBook’s released after 2009. MagSafe 1 and MagSafe 2 are not interchangeable, but Apple still sells this MagSafe to MagSafe 2 converter, enabling you to use the original MagSafe with later MagSafe 2 devices. MagSafe 3 works in a similar way to its predecessors but is more powerful and flexible. After switching entirely to USB-C charging ports, Apple delighted its users by reviving MagSafe cables and ports on some of its MacBooks. The new version, MagSafe 3 is rated for Power Deliver 3.1 (PD 3.1), so it can charge at over 100W. This is seen most pertinently with the 16-inch MacBook Pro that requires 140W for fast charging. Until 240W-supporting Thunderbolt 5 came along you could fast-charge that MacBook model only with its MagSafe 3 Cable. While MagSafe 1 and 2 cables were permanently attached to the power adapter, MagSafe 3 uses USB-C so the cable and the power adapter are separate, allowing users to plug it into any compatible USB-C charger. Apple no longer sells the original MagSafe adaptors (such as the one pictured below), so if you have an older MacBook and are looking for an original MagSafe adaptor the easiest way to get one is to find an old one for sale on eBay. This L-shaped connection was shipped with 2009-2012 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. Which Macs have MagSafe? MagSafe 3 MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch: M1/M2/M3/M4/M5 Pro & Max, MacBook Air 13-inch: base M2MacBook Air 15-inch: base M2/M3/M4/M5 MagSafe 2 From 2012 to 2015 all MacBooks Air, MacBook and MacBook Pro models used the newer MagSafe 2 connection. This is thinner and wider than MagSafe 1. MagSafe 1 The original MacBook and MacBook Pro models (pre-2009) all used the original MagSafe 1, as did the original MacBook Air. MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models after 2009 until 2012 featured the L-Shaped MagSafe 1 connection. This redesigned head is more robust, but compatible with older MacBooks. It’s pretty easy to tell which version your MacBook uses by looking at the slot. The MagSafe 1 adaptor is thicker, while MagSafe 2 is longer and thinner. But the range of similar connections can make it confusing if you don’t know what you’re looking for. This Apple Support document: Find the right power adapter and cord for your notebook has more information on MagSafe connections and Mac laptops. If your Mac has a MagSafe charging port the port will look something like this: Foundry Apple Can you wirelessly charge an Apple iPad? Apple doesn’t sell a MagSafe charger for its iPad tablet, due to its aluminum (rather than glass) back. However, you can get close to magnetic wireless charging for the iPad with an accessory that offers passthrough charging through the iPad’s Smart Connector. This is a magnetic, three-Pogo-pin physical interface on the edge or back of certain iPads. It can transfers both data and power, connecting with compatible accessories such as the Apple Magic Keyboard. Instead of connecting a cable from your wall charger directly to the iPad’s USB-C port, you can plug it into the USB-C port of a compatible accessory. This accessory acts as a bridge, transferring the power directly to the iPad’s battery while leaving the iPad’s own port open and free for other accessories. Kuxiu You can buy a magnetic charging stand for iPad, such as the Kuxiu X38 Pro MAX iPad Magnetic Charging Stand, which allows seamless 18W fast wireless charging. You simply attach your iPad to the magnetic panel and plug the USB-C cable into the stand. While standard pogo pins themselves are mechanical, spring-loaded electrical contacts rather than magnetic, some versions incorporate integrated magnets into the connector housing to automatically align and lock the contacts together, commonly known as Magnetic Spring Loaded Pogo Pin Connectors.

Read more »

WWDC 2026: The year of the do-over
Macworld Every year at WWDC, Apple kicks off a new cycle of operating system updates that will change the faces of the devices we use every day for the next year. On June 8, we’ll get our first glimpse at what the “27” operating systems will bring, which will lead to their arrival in the fall and numerous major updates all the way through next May, when the cycle will begin again. I’ve been attending Apple’s WWDC since sometime in the 1990s, which is… a long time. But this year’s event promises to be one of the most interesting ones yet, mostly because in 2024, Apple really stepped in it, promising a bunch of features it didn’t deliver. Last year was a bit of an apology tour, but it didn’t directly address what had been promised previously. Which means that Apple has really piled two years of promises on the agenda of WWDC 2026. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Here’s what I’ll be watching for at this year’s event, especially when it comes to its AI do-over. Time to deliver In 2025, Apple didn’t make a single promise at WWDC in June that it failed to deliver by the end of the year. That was by design, as a way to begin to repair the trust that was breached when it got out too far over its skis in 2024. It was a good start, but AI was also largely absent from the promise list last year. This year, Apple needs to deliver on what it failed to deliver in 2024. It needs to deliver the coherent AI strategy it ended up punting two years ago. It’s time to renew the vows it made in 2024 and provide a comprehensive approach to AI features on Apple platforms that it can actually begin executing in 2026. The tricky thing is that Apple will need to thread the needle between what’s possible and pragmatic and what goes a bit too far. If it gets too conservative with its promises, it risks seeming dowdy and behind the times. But if it goes too wild with promises, it risks a repeat of 2024, where it couldn’t execute at the level it had assumed it could. What’s the right balance between those two extremes? Apple doesn’t want to be seen as being behind, but it also doesn’t want to seem desperate in trying to keep up with the cool kids–especially since the power and success of the iPhone means that it doesn’t have to. (All the major AI platforms are popular on iOS, which helps a lot.) I think it’s more likely that Apple is still overcorrecting from 2024 and will be restrained in what it announces this year, which means I’m bracing for disappointment. What I hope will happen is that Apple will sketch out its broader vision for how AI fits in with its platforms–including some foundational technologies like App Intents and Siri–even if it has to admit that it’s going to take longer than six months to get there. Last year’s WWDC focused on products and features that Apple could deliver in a timely fashion.Foundry Apple hates giving road maps, hates talking about general directions rather than specific features that it can ship, but I think it’s required here. It should sell us on its vision for how AI fits in with what it’s doing, and then can give some near-term examples of how it’s starting to execute on that front. I don’t think anyone reasonable feels Apple needs to solve everything about AI in iOS 27.0–but feeling like the company knows where it’s going and knows how to get there would sure help. Don’t let your standards slip Much has been made of Apple’s broken promises in 2024, but there’s another sin of the past the company should not repeat: lowering its own standards in order to get features out the door. Forget about the AI features that didn’t ship in 2024. The ones that did were not very good! They showed all the signs of being slapped together in a rush in order to get something out the door. Let me give you one example: Writing Tools. AI large-language models excel at writing and rewriting text–it’s how they got started. Integrating those text tools into Apple’s platforms seemed like basic table stakes. But what Apple shipped wasn’t integrated. Its operating systems have been checking your spelling and providing other editing tools for ages. Writing Tools wasn’t thoughtfully integrated into the larger text-editing package–it was like a sidecar bolted on to the side, completely separate, with a weird, off-putting interface. Writing Tools was one of the first AI-based features. But it felt like it was bolted on and not fully integrated into the OS.Foundry What has always set Apple apart from the competition is a thoughtful application of high technology in ways that solve problems for users. Writing Tools does solve some problems, but I wouldn’t call its application thoughtful. What I want to see in 2026 is a set of AI features that Apple has really thought through and that fit with the iOS and macOS experience. Features that carry the unmistakable smell of panic and fear are a red flag. Focus on the practical You can’t escape the marketing of AI features, but most of that marketing struggles to come up with good, realistic examples of why you’d use those features. (This is a side effect of the features coming first, and the use cases second, which is not how you should ever develop a product.) Apple, to its credit, has proven very good at coming up with examples. All of those Apple Intelligence ads that it got sued over because the features never shipped? At least they were based on useful examples! Apple needs to provide practical examples of how the new AI features are useful.Apple So during the WWDC keynote, what I want to see are practical demonstrations of Apple’s features. I don’t need Apple to prove that it’s chasing cutting-edge AI features; I want it to solve the problems of iPhone users. I want it to show AI tools fixing things that Apple’s customers want to have fixed. And if I see another demo where someone points a camera at a refrigerator and asks for a recipe with the visible ingredients, someone is getting sent to the principal’s office. New leaders with a new attitude In the last two years, Apple has gotten rid of the people in charge of its AI strategy. There are new bosses now, and of course, John Ternus is about to become the new CEO. New leadership gives organizations an opportunity to turn the page and do things differently. Even if the new leaders are longtime employees (which is almost always the case at Apple), they’re in new roles, and they have the opportunity to put their own stamp on things. John Ternus doesn’t officially become Apple’s CEO until September, but his presence looms large at WWDC this year.Apple I want to see that. I want to get the sense that in the last two years, Apple has really rethought how it approaches AI. What does Siri mean now, compared to what it’s meant the last 14 years? Is it the core brand, or is that Apple Intelligence? How do apps function in an increasingly AI-driven world? Sure, new hardware if you have it The top rookie mistake of WWDC anticipation is expecting there to be hardware. This isn’t a hardware event; it’s an operating-system announcement and developer event. That said, sometimes hardware does appear at WWDC. It doesn’t have to, but it could. The Mac Studio and Mac mini both have pretty favorable developer-related narratives, what with the high-end power of the Studio and the fact that the Mac mini has become a darling gadget of AI agent tinkering. Neither product has been updated to M5 yet. This would seem like a decent time, actually, to announce some hardware! But given all the chip shortages out there, I get the feeling that Apple might not really want to create more demand for M5 chips and RAM when it doesn’t need to. Still, if you want to hold out hope for a hardware announcement, I’m not going to stomp on your dreams. Want to learn more about Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference? Read the Macworld WWDC superguide and check out the full coverage of WWDC.

Read more »

Get Apple power, Retina display, and 1TB storage with a near-mint MacBook Pro refurb for $430
Macworld TL;DR: Grab a refurbished 2020 MacBook Pro for just $429.97 (reg. $1,999) through June 14 and score a powerful 13-inch laptop for a fraction of the usual price. Sale ends June 14. Finding a solid laptop at a reasonable price isn’t easy right now, especially with newer models pushing costs even higher. This deal, available through June 14, brings back some sanity with a 2020 MacBook Pro in near-mint condition for $429.97, down from its original $1,999 price, making it a strong upgrade option if you need performance without overspending. Inside, you’re getting a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 quad-core processor paired with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, giving you smooth performance for multitasking, large files, and everyday work without constant slowdowns. It’s a setup built to stay responsive even when you’ve got multiple apps and tabs running at once. 13.3-inch Retina display with 2560×1600 resolution for sharp, detailed visuals True Tone technology that automatically adjusts color balance to your lighting Intel Iris Plus graphics for streaming, light creative work, and general use Backlit Magic Keyboard for comfortable typing in low-light settings Touch Bar for quick shortcuts and streamlined controls Touch ID for fast, secure fingerprint login You also get four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports for charging, external displays, and fast data transfer, plus Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 for reliable wireless connectivity with modern devices. This grade-A refurbished unit should arrive in near-mint condition, with only minor signs of use. It weighs about 3.1 pounds, comes with a charger, and includes a limited third-party warranty. Get this MacBook Pro refurb while it’s on sale for $429.97 through June 14. Apple MacBook Pro (2020) 13″ i5 2GHz Touchbar 16GB RAM 1TB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Read more »

Apple’s next-gen Siri could rely heavily on local AI
Next-gen Siri will use a smaller on-device Google Gemini model to answer common queries for a better experience. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

How to turn Jellyfin on an old Mac into a private streaming service
Film fans with a massive movie collection can make their own mini Netflix by using Jellyfin and a Mac as a file server. Here's how to create your own home video streaming service.Jellyfin is a media server tool. Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ are great ways to watch movies and TV shows without needing to actually own the physical media. However, if you already have a copy of a movie on DVD or Blu-ray, the only real benefit to watching it via an Internet streaming service is convenience.If you have a sizable movie collection that you regularly go through, the last thing you want is to pay tens of dollars per month for the privilege of not having to switch discs in a Blu-ray player or a game console. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

John Travolta’s directorial debut is now available to stream on Apple TV
Apple TV subscribers can now watch Propeller One-Way Night Coach, a film that not only marks John Travolta’s directorial debut, but was adapted by the actor from a children’s novel he wrote in 1997. Watch the trailer below. more…

Read more »

Apple's latest conflict mineral report contradicts previous complaints over their use
Despite many claiming otherwise, Apple says your iPhone and iPad don't contain conflict minerals sourced from armed groups in Africa.Apple says it doesn't use conflict mineralsWhile Apple remains proud of its supply chain and environmental efforts, the company has faced continued scrutiny regarding the materials it uses to make its products. With 2024 legal complaints, protests over the iPhone 16 launch, and even a 2025 lawsuit, Apple has often been accused of using conflict minerals.In 2018, 2019 and 2022, Apple cut ties with suppliers who sourced conflict minerals, effectively suggesting that all the tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold found in its products did not come from armed groups. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday, Apple reiterated its stance. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple Watch sleep data helps Harvard researchers study menopause transition
Researchers at Harvard have published the results of a study that analyzed more than 94,000 nights of Apple Watch sleep data to better understand how sleep patterns change during perimenopause. Here are the details. more…

Read more »

9to5Mac Daily: May 28, 2026 – iOS 27 leak, Oura Ring 5
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by CardPointers: The best way to maximize your credit card rewards. 9to5Mac Daily listeners can exclusively save 30% and get a $100 Savings Card. more…

Read more »

Apple says latest conflict minerals review found no basis to link suppliers to armed groups
Apple has filed its annual conflict minerals disclosure with the SEC, detailing its supply chain checks across iPhone, Mac, and more. Here are the details. more…

Read more »

Union workers protest Apple’s planned Towson store closure
The IAM Union held a protest against Apple’s decision to close its Towson store, the first unionized Apple retail location in the United States. Here are the details. more…

Read more »

Apple's AI research will be in a computer vision conference before WWDC
Apple will present 14 AI research papers at the 2026 IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition in Denver next week, spanning image generation, spatial understanding, and multimodal reasoning.Apple's AI research will be presented at an annual computer vision conference in Denver.The company continues to explore the applications of AI and large language models, with studies detailing their use in image generation, UI prototyping, QE testing, and much more. Apple's researchers have also examined the role of artificial intelligence in spatial understanding, with ideas that iOS 27 Accessibility features will bring to reality.Some of the studies AppleInsider has previously detailed, including one on AI-powered sign language annotation, will be presented at the annual IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR). The Apple-sponsored event will take place from June 3 through June 7 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple TV’s ‘Widow’s Bay’ is the best new show on TV; it’s a genuine miracle – Slate
“Widow’s Bay” is a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England. But something lurks beneath the surface. Mayor Tom Loftis… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition now available for macOS
Following the announcement that Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition would soon be coming to Mac gamers for the first time, the game is now available. Here are the details. more…

Read more »

iOS 27 changes visualized for the first time, new Apple Watch details, AirDrop reliability
Benjamin and Chance discuss the illustrations Bloomberg published depicting iOS 27 and the new Siri interface. Also, we talk about rumors of a revamped AirPods settings UI, phone snatching detection in iOS 26.6 code, and Digitimes says the Apple Watch Ultra 4 will feature a significant redesign. Also, has AirDrop got worse? And in Happy Hour Plus, Apple showcases the iPhone 17 Pro by producing and broadcasting the first full live sports game using ‘just’ iPhones. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Bartender: Bartender Pro is a new option for users who want to take things up a notch. Visit macbartender.com/happyhour to check it out. Sponsored by Copilot Money: Get two months free with code 9TO5MAC at copilot.money/9to5mac. Sponsored by Shopify: See less carts go abandoned and more sales. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. more…

Read more »

Apple TV’s two most acclaimed shows return soon, here’s what’s coming
Apple TV has built a strong reputation for high-quality TV shows, but only two series have won the top prizes at the Emmy Awards, the pinnacle for critical recognition. And both shows—Ted Lasso and The Studio—are back soon with new seasons. more…

Read more »