Iran threatens Apple, other tech giants with attacks
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened U.S. tech companies with attacks. The list includes Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft, and… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Super-slim MagSafe power bank is the best I’ve ever used [Review] ★★★★★
The BMX SolidSafe Air is the world’s slimmest semi-solid-state iPhone power bank. We go hands-on ... and fall in love. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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I was an Apple guy almost from the start – here are my standout devices
This story is part of 9to5mac’s series celebrating Apple’s 50th anniversary. On Apple’s 50th anniversary, it’s somewhat worrying that I’m old enough to have been an Apple guy almost from the very start. The above photo shows the OG me with the OG Macintosh in 1984. Oh, and a rotary-dial telephone just to complete the museum exhibit look. I never used an Apple I, but I did use an Apple II fairly extensively – and I’ve been a Mac guy literally from day one. So of all the Apple products I’ve used over the years, which ones stand out for me … ? more…

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PSA: VESA Studio Display XDR customers should request refund following price drop
Apple issued a rare price drop on an existing product with the VESA mount adapter version of the Studio Display XDR. It turns out customers who already spent the full original price are due for a refund. more…

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How to stream NASA Artemis II launch live on iPhone, iPad, Mac & Apple TV
NASA's Artemis II launch will be streamed live on April 1 through NASA+ and partner platforms. Here's how iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV users can catch the history-making launch.How to watch the Artemis II launchCoverage begins at 12:50 p.m. Eastern time. NASA is targeting liftoff at 6:24 p.m. and directs viewers to NASA+ as the primary broadcast path.NASA built its distribution around its own streaming stack, then added YouTube and other platforms as secondary options. The approach makes clear which feeds are most likely to hold up during a high-demand event. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Our first Apple products: How we joined the Cult of Mac
Apple's 50th anniversary makes us look back on how we got started using various Macintosh computers decades ago. Here's how it all began. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Ugreen Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station review: Plenty of ports plus SSD slot storage flexibility
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros 17 fast ports, including three Thunderbolt 5 SSD slot 2.5Gb Ethernet Compact case 240W Power Delivery Cons Premium price Our Verdict Power users demanding a host of fast ports will find a lot to like in this compact 17-port dock, especially its built-in (up to 8TB) SSD slot. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$499.99 Best Prices Today: Ugreen Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station Retailer Price $499.99 View Deal Ugreen $499.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket There are a few Thunderbolt 5 docks fighting it out as the ultimate docking station with incredible numbers of ports, all rated at the top-end, and some with built-in slots for SSD drives to enable the user to dramatically and reasonably affordably increase their system storage. The Ugreen Revodok Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station sits somewhere in the middle between the 20-26-port generals and the Thunderbolt 5 troops below. It has a lot of ports but not too many; it targets the high-end in terms of speed; and it includes the SSD slot. The iVanky FusionDock Ultra boasts 26 ports, a drive enclosure and can hook up four external displays all on its own. Now sit down—It costs $649. Most professionals don’t need that number of ports and won’t want to spend that sort of money. The Ugreen Maxidok 17-in-1 therefore represents a high middle ground where you should get all the ports you need at a price you can afford. Design Laptop docking stations usually come in either long slim horizontal shells or tall vertical towers—sometimes they can be placed either way, as with the CalDigit TS5 and its sibling docks. The Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station takes a different approach, being more of a cube, which fits Apple’s desktop aesthetic quite well, in terms of its Mac mini and Mac Studio computers. The 17-in-1 Maxidok from Ugreen comes beautifully packaged.Simon Jary Its shell is a dark gun-metal gray aluminum chassis with attractive copper-colored grilled sides and back. It’s a welcome change from all-over dull gray gear, and I hope we see more color adventure with Mac accessories in the future, following the success of the colorful MacBook Neo—not that the Maxidok 17 is aimed at Neo users; it’s aimed firmly at the Pro market. It measures 5.2 x 5.2 x 2.1 inches (133 x 133 x 53mm). It weighs in at 1.9lbs (0.87kg). In comparison, a Mac mini is 5 x 5 x 2 inches (127 x 127 x 50mm) and weighs 1.5lbs (0.67kg), so it’s a very close match. Ugreen in fact makes a dock especially for the Mac mini—its forthcoming 10-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Mac mini dock even matches the Mac mini is its silver color. The ports are well placed. The upstream Thunderbolt 5 port that connects to your MacBook is at the back—unlike some rival docks that place it at the front, which increases cable mess in our opinion. Also, at the back are the two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports and a dedicated DisplayPort 2.1 for one of the external monitors you’ll be hooking up. The two Thunderbolt 5 ports can also be used for display purposes. The Ethernet LAN port is also at the back—it rightly knows its place—alongside three legacy USB-A ports that are fast but offer little in the way of device charging. Two 3.5mm audio jacks finish off the back ports. Front facing are the two fast card readers and three USB-C ports, two of which share 60W of power for iPhone or iPad Pro fast charging, or enough to keep a second MacBook charged if that’s your requirement. There is a power button on the front too, which we prefer, so it’s possible to manually stop power going to the laptop battery during periods of non-use. The design is engineered to dissipate heat. The colorful sides are ridged for passive cooling, plus there is a fan for active cooling when the dock is under greater pressure. Simon Jary Specs and features 17 ports—including six USB and three Thunderbolt—is a lot to squeeze into the dock’s compact cube chassis, but the layout doesn’t feel cramped. One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps/120Gbps, 140W) Two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W) Two USB-C ports (10Gbps, 60W) One USB-C port (10Gbps, 7.5W) Three USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W) One DisplayPort 2.1 Ethernet (2.5Gb) SSD slot (M.2 NVme up to 8TB) UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps) UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps) 3.5mm combo audio jack (front) 3.5mm In audio jack (back) 3.5mm Out audio jack (back) 240W power supply Thunderbolt 5 (TB5) for data, video and power is found on the latest pro-level Macs, from top-end MacBook Pro and Mac mini to the Mac Studio. TB5 doubles data speeds from 40Gbps to bi-directional 80Gbps and up to 120Gbps in boost mode for higher display bandwidth, resulting in significantly faster data transfers between devices and your Mac. If you need to connect high performance SSDs or RAID devices Thunderbolt 5 rewards you with a PCIe performance that is doubled to 64Gbps PCIe 4.0, and the dock supports transfer speeds up to 6,200MBps. Ugreen decided against offering three downstream Thunderbolt ports in favor of including a dedicated DisplayPort, which helps if one of the monitors you want to attach uses the same connection. If your third monitor requires HDMI or USB-C to connect, you’ll need an adapter cable. Thunderbolt 5 is just as capable as DisplayPort so having a third downstream TB5 would have offered more flexibility of choice for the user. All the six USB ports are rated at a speedy 10Gbps, although they differ in terms of power output potential. Simon Jary Power The downstream TB5 ports can each output power at 15W. Two of the USB-C ports at the front can share 60W, meaning that each can output that amount of power but not each at the same time. The remaining USB-C port is not for charging, and nor are the legacy USB-A ports. Thunderbolt 5 has a mandated higher power delivery (to a connected laptop) of at least 140W (up from TB4’s minimum 100W) with support for up to 240W (vs 140W). The TS5 Plus can power a connected laptop at up to 140W, enough to fast-charge a top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro. To achieve this, make sure you use the included 1m TB5 cable, Apple’s MagSafe 3 Charger, or any of the best Thunderbolt 5 cables. The Maxidok’s 240W power supply is ample for the outlets on offer: 140W upstream, 30W TB5 and 60W USB-C downstream add up to 230W. We expect the dock itself to use up some power, especially when the active cooling is in effect, so the 240W maximum is just about right. Since the power output to the computer is dynamically adjusted, the system will not experience overload even if all ports are operating at full load. In such cases, the charging power to the MacBook will automatically decrease. Based on real‑world usage scenarios, this will not affect the user experience, as the laptop charging power naturally adjusts according to battery saturation levels. 240W is the standard max power for docks, although the mighty CalDigit TS5 Plus has an unmatched 330W power supply and more bountiful power ports than others. The two 60W USB-C ports are powerful enough to charge a second MacBook, but the third USB-C port and all the USB-A ports are not rated for much in the way of charging, although 7.5W is fine for fast-charging an Apple Watch or AirPods case. While two of the USB-C ports are rated at 60W individually, when used at the same time the max output from those two ports is 60W total. The benefit of not having as many powerful charging ports is that the wattage going into the laptop never needs to fluctuate to accommodate other hungry connected devices. You can us the DisplayPort 2.1 plus the two of the downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports to connect up to three displays, depending on your Mac’s processor power.Simon Jary Video options The main purpose of a docking station is to support the running of multiple external displays without using up all the MacBook’s own ports. The 17-port Maxidok can support a single 8K display at a 60Hz refresh rate or 4K at 240Hz. If you need the very highest refresh rate you can achieve 500Hz when the resolution is 1080P; two 2K displays at 480Hz are also possible, depending on the power of your Mac’s processor. Ugreen Multiple display configurations are more set on the limitations of the connected Mac than the docking station itself. Apple’s latest M5 Pro/Mac Macs offer a higher number of extended displays than was previously possible. Both M5 Pro and M5 Max support up to three 4K displays at 144Hz each. With the M5 Max you could daisy-chain a fourth display from the third. Connected to a Mac with the latest M5 Max processor it can support two 8K displays at 60Hz. With the M5 Pro, two monitors are possible with one 8K/60Hz and one 5K/60Hz. M2/M3/M4 Pro/Max support a single 8K/60Hz display, while the M1 Pro/Max is limited to a 6K/60Hz. M1/M2/M3/M4 Pro/Max can handle dual 6K/60Hz. For one display you can use either the DisplayPort or one of the spare downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports. The non-Thunderbolt USB ports of the Ugreen Maxidok won’t work as connectors to monitors. For that purpose, you’ll need to use one of the two downstream TB5 ports. Windows users benefit from that operating system supporting Multi-Stream Transport (MST) for DisplayPort and Thunderbolt, and so more can connect to three displays using the Maxidok. The maximum resolution and refresh rate for a triple-display setup is 4K at 144Hz. Adding your own SSD card is easy with the dock’s built-in slot.Simon Jary Storage Some of the latest docking stations—such as the Sonnet Echo 13 and Kensington EQ Pro—include built-in SSD storage so that the dock itself operates like a very fast external disk drive. On the base of the Ugreen Maxidok 17-in-1 Docking Station is a slot for you to add an M.2 NVme SSD up to 8TB in capacity. With Apple’s own purchase-only storage prices being so high, this dock slot gives you a lot of storage flexibility. Start with a 1TB or 2TB card and you can upgrade to 4TB or 8TB when you need to. Installing the SSD card is simple, and Ugreen even includes the required screwdriver; some dock manufacturers don’t. The dock also includes both SD and microSD card readers at the front for you to slip in and out your own portable and affordable storage cards. At the time of writing a 1TB microSD card was priced at around $170 or £125, although that was a 150MBps UHS-I speed card and this dock’s readers support up to 312MBps UHS-II. That’s faster than the 250MBps SDXC card slot built into Apple’s current MacBook Pro. Ugreen Network speeds Most office networks are still rated at the standard 1Gb (Gigabit) Ethernet you’ll have at home, but more modern networks are much faster at 2.5Gb, 5Gb or even 10Gb speeds. Recent professional docks include at least a 2.5 gigabit Ethernet (2.5GbE) port as standard. The CalDigit TS5 Plus and iVanky FusionDock Ultra go all the way to 10GbE. This is helpful if your network is rated that fast, or at least a high level of future proofing for when it is. 2.5GbE is backwards compatible all the way back to Gigabit Ethernet. Passive cooling grills on each side keep the dock at an operable temperature.Simon Jary Price With the high level and number of ports, it’s no surprise that the Ugreen Revodok Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station comes with a hefty price tag—although at $499.99 / £419.99 it comes in significantly cheaper than the $649 iVanky Ultra. It’s the same price as the CalDigit TS5 Plus. That dock offers more ports (20 vs 17) and a higher power output (330W vs 240W) plus faster networking (10GbE vs 2.5GbE). However, it lacks the SSD enclosure that offers the dock user greater storage flexibility. If you have plenty of storage at your disposal, the TS5 Plus is the better deal, but we like the flexibility of the Maxidok’s SSD slot. The $479 Sonnet Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 Dock has the same SSD slot but fewer ports (12 vs Ugreen’s 17). The $449 Kensington EQ Pro Thunderbolt 5 Dock for MacBook is well priced and has the SSD slot plus a couple more ports, but has a maximum power of 180W that users may find a little under-powered. Ugreen offers a cheaper Thunderbolt 5 dock, the $299 / £249 Maxidok 10-in 1. This doesn’t have the SSD slot and lacks the volume of ports found on the Maxidok 17, plus has 1Gb Ethernet compared to the Maxidok 17’s 2.5GbE. We will be reviewing the 10-port dock soon. For more reviews of the best Thunderbolt docks, check out our detailed comparisons. Simon Jary Should you buy an Ugreen Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station? You can buy Thunderbolt 5 docking stations with more ports, but the pro-level compact Maxidok’s well-placed 17 might match your requirement sweet spot at the right price. The SSD slot offers you greater storage flexibility, and the dock will look great on your desktop, too.

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Paul McCartney headlines Apple’s celebration of 50-year anniversary
To mark the milestone, the tech giant pulled out all the stops with a grand finale: a private, career-spanning concert by Sir Paul McCartney… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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iOS 27’s new Siri is coming, and sounds very much worth the wait
iOS 27’s biggest changes are reportedly going to focus on overhauling Siri with new features and expanding Apple’s assistant in key ways. And though the wait for an all-new Siri has been long, the coming changes sound very exciting. more…

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Today in Apple history: Apple is founded by Steve Jobs, Woz and Ron Wayne
On April 1, 1976, the Apple Computer Company was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne to sell the $666 Apple-1 computer. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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The Steves that built me: A heartfelt thank you on Apple’s 50th birthday
This story is part of 9to5Mac’s series celebrating Apple’s 50th anniversary. It’s hard to put into words what Apple means to me. I know it’s odd to hear anyone say that a corporation “means” anything to them. But Apple’s not just a company, it’s an idea cooked up by two crazy ones in a garage 50 years ago. It’s been a driving force in my life since I was conscious enough to know what a computer was. Apple taught me from a very young age to be curious not just about technology, but about everything. more…

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Relive 50 years of Apple innovation in 30 seconds
Macworld As Apple continues the celebration of its 50th anniversary on April 1, it’s sharing a look back at the iconic and innovative products that have been released over the past five decades. On Apple’s homepage, the usual smattering of new products has been replaced with an animation in the style of the six-color “scribble” logo it’s been using at events around the world. The short video uses green, yellow, orange, red, purple, and blue strokes to visualize its most iconic products, including the original Macintosh, iMac, iPod, AirPods, and iPhone. View this post on Instagram Tim Cook is also celebrating the milestone with a short video post that runs through all five decades of Apple products, starting with the MacBook Neo and ending with the Apple I in 1976. The video is presented in a retro film style and features 50 products, including a few surprises. The eMate is included, but the Newton isn’t. The Quadra 700 makes an appearance, but the QuickTake camera doesn’t. And the Apple Card is on there, but the 12-inch MacBook didn’t make the cut. Macworld is celebrating Apple’s 50th all week long, with a look at Apple’s history of products, the people who made the company so successful, and much more.

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Paul McCartney caps Apple 50th with 5 decades of hits
Sir Paul McCartney headlines Apple 50th, taking the rainbow stage at the heart of Apple Park as fireworks lit up the sky. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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This Macintosh-inspired dock adds a display, ports & expandable storage to any Mac
There are 100s of different docking stations and USB-C hubs for your Mac mini. They all tend to look and do roughly the same thing: they add a variety of additional ports to your Mac. So when I saw this retro Macintosh-inspired docking station that not only adds ports to your Mac mini but also a display and perfectly slides on top of it, I knew I had to check it out. Late last year, I reviewed the Kickstarter version and loved it, but now it’s officially available everywhere, and they added an even better and faster 80Gbps version. Here is what you need to know. more…

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Apple’s upgraded AirPods Max 2 headphones arrive in stores today
Apple’s 50th birthday is also the official release date for one new Apple product: AirPods Max 2. Apple announced the new headphones in March before opening pre-orders and quoting deliveries on April 1. AirPods Max 2 can be purchased at Apple Store locations starting today as well. more…

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Apple drops Studio Display XDR price, but there’s a catch
Apple's new Studio Display XDR is now $400 cheaper, bringing its starting price down to $2,899. But there's a catch. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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It's still Steve Jobs's company and Apple will never change, says Cook
In a new interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook talks about how the company's 50th anniversary is making him remember Steve Jobs, and insists that working with Trump doesn't mean its values are changing.Tim Cook (left) with Steve Jobs — image credit: AppleBefore Apple's birthday celebrations began, and even before Tim Cook wrote an open letter about the anniversary, he spoke to Esquire magazine about planning for the 50th — and thinking back to Steve Jobs."I think about him often — and in the last few months, thinking about the fiftieth anniversary, even more so, honestly," said Cook. "You think about the things he believed in." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple celebrates 50th birthday
Today, April 1, 2026, Apple celebrates its 50th birthday! Apple was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne on April 1, 1976… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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The best way to celebrate Apple 50 is to make something wonderful
This story is part of 9to5mac’s series celebrating Apple’s 50th anniversary. A lot of folks are going to find themselves thinking about a company today. That’s great, I’m one of them, but the best way to celebrate Apple and its contributions to society is to make something wonderful yourself. After all, that was what Steve Jobs believed. more…

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Here’s everything new Apple TV has coming in April
Apple TV has a packed April ahead, with new and returning series, a big movie premiere, a trio of sports offerings, and more. Here’s everything new coming to Apple TV in April. more…

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If this project succeeds, your Time Capsule may not be killed off in macOS 27
A new GitHub project is trying to retrofit Apple's discontinued Time Capsule with modern SMB support. If this works, Time Machine backups to and from the hardware will still work, even after Apple kills it off in macOS 27.Apple AirPort routersApple stopped developing its AirPort lineup in April 2018. Devices like Time Capsule have static firmware that doesn't match evolving SMB protocols or modern security requirements.The company's decision to leave the router market wasn't by chance. Apple decided to concentrate on products and services with more promising long-term growth. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple at 50: Celebrate 50 years of the company that changed everything with 9to5Mac
This story is part of 9to5Mac’s series celebrating Apple’s 50th anniversary. Fifty years ago today, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne incorporated Apple Computer. From a garage in Los Altos to the world’s most valuable brand, the company these three men founded has gone on to change the very fabric of our society. We wanted to celebrate this milestone with a series of stories about what makes Apple, Apple. We want to talk about the ethos, the idea that is Apple and the cultural impact it has had beyond the products themselves. more…

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The most important Apple announcement every year, from 1976 to 2026
If you don’t have time for David Pogue’s 600-page epic, maybe you have eight minutes for the single biggest piece of news every year.  (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Users staying on iOS 18 will get a patch for the worst iPhone attack vector we've ever seen
Following the emergence and public code leak of the severe DarkSword iPhone exploit, Apple is preparing to release a patch for users who choose to run iOS 18, so that they can be protected without upgrading to iOS 26.Many users still use iOS 18 instead of upgrading to iOS 26On March 23, an exploit tool dubbed DarkSword was made publicly available on GitHub. While Apple has patched the exploit in iOS 26.3, and older devices stuck on previous versions of the operating systems, Apple is taking an extra step to help those who can update to iOS 26, but choose not to.Rather than stick with the latest versions of those operating systems, Apple will also be "backporting" a patch, a spokesperson told Wired. This refers to the patching of an older operating system version, so that users can get the patch without updating their software in the normal fashion. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Studio Display XDR without tilt-adjustable stand now costs less
While the price with the stand remains the same, Apple has cut the price of the Studio Display XDR with a VESA mount adapter by $400 — and is issuing refunds.Studio Display XDR review: The Apple monitor for creative prosThe Studio Display XDR was launched in March 2026 as a replacement for the Pro Display XDR, and AppleInsider's review called it almost perfect, if your work justified the $3,299 price tag.Now Apple has brought it under the psychologically significant $3,000 mark, with certain configurations now starting at $2,899. The price cut is specifically for models bought with a VESA mount instead of an adjustable stand. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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PSA: Legacy AT&T unlimited plans face price hikes, and it’s a mess
If there are two universal truths about mobile carriers it’s that unlimited plans never are, and companies will always try to find ways to kick you off legacy plans. If you’re on a legacy AT&T plan, look out for price hikes this month … more…

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I’ve been to a lot of Apple keynotes. I’ll never forget these two
Macworld As someone who has been covering Apple for a really long time, I’ve been to a fair share of Apple keynote presentations. Even today, I look forward to the next one (which happens to be on June 8). But there’s something special about attending an Apple keynote in person, in a crowd of Apple customers, developers, and fans who hang on every word. Apple has had several remarkable keynote moments in its 50 years. Everyone has their favorites. For me, two keynotes in particular stand out above them all. They were very different keynotes, but as I look back over the past five decades, they were also important hallmarks in Apple’s history. 1997: Steve Jobs returns and brings Bill Gates Steve Jobs’ August 1997 Macworld Boston keynote was one of his most memorable presentations, but not for the performance or even the products announced. (In fact, no new products were introduced at all.) It was all about the circumstances of Apple at the time. Apple was in a bad way. The company was losing money, the Mac lineup was a mess (things were so bad, Apple had a Mac OS licensing program), and CEO Gil Amelio had no clue how to turn things around. But then Apple bought NeXT, Steve Jobs came back, and was named interim CEO. The Macworld Expo 2007 keynote felt more like an intervention than a trade show kickoff. That sets the tone for the August 1997 Macworld Expo keynote, Jobs’ first since his return–a homecoming, in a way. IDG’s Colin Crawford opened the keynote by reminding people that Apple was in dire straits–at least, Crawford posited, that was the perception in the media. That set up the premise for Jobs, who explained the first steps Apple needed to take to get back on track. “Apple is executing wonderfully on many of the wrong things,” he said. I was at the keynote as an associate editor for MacUser (Macworld’s main competitor at the time), but I was in an overflow room with several hundred people, so maybe our circumstances allowed us to be more reactive than being in the main hall. And that declaration by Jobs landed with a thud. The room stirred for a moment, but stopped because everyone wanted to hear how Jobs was going to save… us. Jobs emphasized how change needs to start at the top. The main hall responded with applause, but my overflow room echoed with cheers. New board members were introduced, and attendees erupted when Bill Campbell was introduced. Jobs explained how Apple needed to prioritize the creative and education markets, and the crowd was again loudly vocal in agreement. The excitement was building; the temperature of the room became invigorating. Drastic changes were necessary, and this was a great start. Jobs was on a roll, saying things people wanted to hear. Eventually, Jobs talked about partnerships, and Apple announced a partnership with Microsoft, of all companies. Suddenly, the mood in the room changed. Jobs announced an agreement to set Microsoft’s Internet Explorer as the default browser for Mac OS, and that Microsoft is making a $150 million investment in Apple. Screenshot Apple That was a bomb that left people in my room dazed. People were not happy, and to top it off, Bill Gates came on screen to say a few words, words I couldn’t hear because the room was so loud with commotion. It was as if Apple had made a deal with the devil. This keynote was a roller coaster, and everyone felt winded afterwards. The keynote had absolutely no tech talk in it, no new products, no whiz-bang demonstrations, no introduction of the latest and greatest developments, and no clever or cringy comedic moments. Jobs had a reputation as a showman, but this displayed another side of Jobs: sincere, direct, and speaking in language we all could understand. He was conscious of the moment; this wasn’t the time for marketing clichés and corporate doublespeak. It was, in a way, an intervention. Apple needed to start over, and Jobs detailed the first steps. 2007: The iPhone In 2007, I was the reviews editor for MacAddict, and I went to the 2007 Macworld San Francisco keynote, where it was rumored that Apple was going to enter the smartphone market with a device that combined the iPod with a cellular phone. Rumors were all over the place about what the device would look like–and some, such as a former Macworld columnist who just wrote a new book about Apple, didn’t think Apple would really do it. But the buildup to the expo made the iPhone seem like a forgone conclusion. The question was no longer whether the iPhone would happen, but what the iPhone would be. As I settled in with my fellow MacAddict editors in the west hall of Moscone Center before the keynote began, the excitement in the air was palpable. The anticipation before an Apple keynote is always present, but on this day, we all felt like something special was going to happen. The full Macworld Expo 2007 keynote, not just the iPhone part. The first 15 minutes of the 2007 keynote are almost forgotten. It’s easy to find the keynote on YouTube, but most of the postings are copies of the same video that cuts out the first part of the presentation. In those 15 minutes, Steve Jobs talked about the transition to Intel processors, iTunes sales, and officially introduced the Apple TV. Then Jobs paused to get a drink of water, pressed on his clicker for the next slide, and said, “This is a day I’ve been looking forward to for two and a half years.” It was a cue to let us know that we should strap in, because we were going to be in for one hell of a ride. You probably know all about that ride: the three devices in one, picture of a rotary iPod, the exclamation that the iPhone runs Mac OS X, the introduction and demo of multitouch, the calls to Jony Ive and Phil Schiller in the audience (both of whom were using flip phones), the pinch to zoom demo, the “full internet” access, Jobs saying “boom” with every tap, even the awkward interlude with Cingular CEO Stan Sigman. Going back and watching videos of the keynote, it may seem like the audience was very quiet during the whole thing. We were, because we were all so enthralled by what we were seeing: a product that none of us imagined, even in our wildest dreams. The iPhone exceeded all expectations, and we got to bear witness to something amazing. And this was peak Steve Jobs–charismatic, personable, relatable. He captured our attention, and we were all willing to give it. To this day. no other CEO is able to mesmerize and capture a room as he did–they may try, but that’s the thing, keynotes came effortlessly to Jobs, he barely had to try. He just did it. Before this keynote, I used to dislike the phrase, “we just saw history being made,” because it’s used more often than it should be, making it seem pithy to me. But in this instance, it’s the best way to describe the keynote. I was fortunate enough to witness in person history being made and a master at his best, and I look back at the moment fondly. Here’s hoping for another 50 years of moments like these from Apple.

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Apple wants you to take a walk through 50 years, Picasso style
Apple is marking its 50th anniversary with a new homepage that cycles through many of its famous devices, all depicted in the Picasso style it used in the 1980s for the Macintosh.A selection of the many Apple devices sketched in the Picasso style to mark the company's 50th anniversary — image credit: AppleAlongside the Paul McCartney concert for staff at Apple Park, Apple has celebrated its birthday with a new animated homepage. Visiting Apple.com initially gets users a colorful banner based on Apple Park's rainbow arches, but then it moves onto sketching out devices such as the Macintosh, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro."At 50 years, it's only natural to look back," says a message that stays onscreen throughout the animation. "But Apple has always looked forward, building tools and delivering experiences that enrich people's lives." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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A new remake of 'Cape Fear' is making its way to Apple TV in June
Apple TV is getting its own remake of the iconic psychological thriller 'Cape Fear', starring Javier Bardem, Amy Adams, and Patrick Wilson.Image Credit: Apple TVSpecifically, "Cape Fear" will be based on the 1991 Martin Scorsese-directed, Steven Spielberg-produced film of the same title. Fittingly, both Scorsese and Spielberg are on board as executive producers.The story follows married attorneys Anna, played by Amy Adams, and Tom Bowden, played by Patrick Wilson. Their lives are upended when notorious killer Max Cady, played by Javier Bardem, is released from prison, dead set on seeking revenge against the couple who helped convict him. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Top 50 people who created Apple, ranked
Macworld April 1 marks Apple’s 50th anniversary, a milestone it couldn’t reach without the help of some very talented people. So we decided to put together a list of the 50 people who made Apple the company it is today. Some worked there for just a year or two; others for almost the entire half-century, while others never actually worked for the company at all. But all influenced Apple’s journey in some profound way. This is all, of course, deeply subjective. It is very unlikely that every reader will agree with the author’s selections, far less with his rankings. Which is fine, we welcome the conversation. Our only rule is that if you complain about someone’s exclusion, tell us who you would cut to make room. The list is presented in reverse order and will be expanded with 10 new names each day across this week. Who do you think will make the top 10? Drop us a message on Bluesky or Threads. 50-41 50. Katie Cotton Apple PR legend Katie Cotton joined Apple in 1996, shortly before the return of Steve Jobs, and worked closely with him for the next 15 years. For better or worse, she was instrumental in shaping the company’s communications strategy and famous culture of secrecy, fiercely controlling Apple’s portrayal in the press. As we wrote upon her retirement in 2014, she “largely turned public relations on its head.” Cotton sadly passed away in 2023, but like Jobs himself, her legacy lives on in Apple Park.

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