Surprise Alicia Keys concert turns Grand Central Apple Store into a piano stage
Apple shuttered its Grand Central Terminal store on March 13 for a surprise Alicia Keys concert, marking the start of 50th anniversary celebrations.Alicia Keys in her Apple Vision Pro performanceApple CEO Tim Cook showed up with several senior executives. They transformed one of Apple's most iconic retail spots into a temporary live music venue.The company invited select media members, creators, and guests while keeping the performer secret until Keys appeared on stage. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple TV is about to kick off five weeks straight of big premieres
Apple TV has had a strong start to the year thanks to popular series Shrinking, Hijack, and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters—but the next five weeks have a lot more noteworthy new premieres coming. more…

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The average iPad sold for $583 last quarter: report
A new report by Counterpoint Research says the average selling price of the iPad rose roughly 10% even as the...

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Adobe begrudgingly admits defeat, agrees to pay $150m over confusing cancellation fees
Adobe has issued a statement agreeing to pay a hefty fine after years of customers complaining about a lack of transparency in its billing agreements — but it still doesn't think it did anything wrong.Adobe Creative Cloud logoAdobe has announced that it has finalized a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. It officially marks the end of the more than two-year long saga surrounding its much maligned cancellation practices.Of the $150 million Adobe has agreed to pay, $75 million will go directly to affected customers in the form of complimentary services. The remaining $75 will go directly to the Department of Justice to settle the lawsuit. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple's 15-inch MacBook Air M4 with 512GB SSD plunges to $1,079
Save $320 on Apple's last-gen MacBook Air M4, as Amazon clears out inventory this weekend.Save $320 on with Amazon's blowout M4 MacBook Air deal.Originally retailing for $1,399, the 15-inch M4/16GB/512GB spec is marked down to $1,079 in the Midnight finish while supplies last. This price is the lowest on record as Amazon makes room for new M5 inventory by blowing out M4 inventory at steep discounts.Buy M4 15" 16GB/512GB for $1,079 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Good luck trying to find an M4 Mac mini
Macworld It’s hard enough finding a MacBook Neo in the color you want, but head over to the Apple Store this weekend, and you’re also going to have a hard time finding a Mac mini. And the same goes for Amazon, B&H Photo, and some Best Buy stores, too. A check of stock for the M4 Mac mini for 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage shows low to no stock basically everywhere. That might be common for a new iPhone, but the Mac mini is nearly 18 months old.  SWhile it’s unlikely there will be a run on Mac minis in the immediate future, the lack of stock does pose an interesting question: Why? Usually, low stock is a sign that Apple is preparing an update–we are expecting an M5 model soon–but Apple just finished a round of releases and the Mac mini wasn’t part of it. It could also be the result of the recent interest in the Mac mini as an AI server. First Claudebot and now Perplexity have AI enthusiasts taking an interest in the Mac mini as a vessel for AI agents due to its small stature and powerful chip. It’s entirely possible that the sudden spike in interest has led to a temporary sell-out. Or, perhaps MacBook Neo has people interested in Apple’s affordable devices more than usual. We’ll let you know if the Apple Watch SE suddenly sells out.

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Amazon's ad-free Prime Video tier gets a new name, and a new price
Amazon's streaming service is getting a significant upgrade as the company transitions its ad-free tier to the new "Prime Video Ultra" branding. And with that branding, comes a price hike.Prime Video UltraLaunching April 10, the Ultra tier expands existing features, making it ideal for larger households. Beyond removing ads, the updated plan increases the concurrent stream limit to five devices, doubles the offline download capacity to 100 items, and gives users the option to watch in 4K/UHD.Amazon is also increasing the benefits for those who have the ad-supported video plan that comes gratis with a Prime membership. Those customers will be allowed to watch 4 concurrent streams, up from three, and download 50 items for offline viewing, up from 25. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iFixit MacBook Neo teardown confirms that it is Apple's most repairable laptop since 2012
Whether you're a right-to-repair activist or a school system hoping for the magic combination of power, macOS, and a repairable laptop, the MacBook Neo is a surprisingly satisfying breath of fresh air.MacBook Neo proves to be quite repairable by Apple's standardsApple's MacBook Neo has already been proven to be quite inexpensive to repair and easy to disassemble. That said, the tech industry was still holding its breath for iFixit's verdict on the laptop.As was expected, iFixit found the MacBook Neo to be one of Apple's most reparable laptops since 2012, if ever. It's easily accessed, sectioned, and lacks any overly aggressive glue. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Adobe to pay $75 million settlement for making it too hard to cancel subscriptions
Adobe has agreed to a settlement with the US Department of Justice worth $150 million, including a $75 million fee paid to the DOJ and another $75 million in free services for users. more…

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Formula 1 to cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races amid Operation Epic Fury in Iran
Formula 1 has decided to cancel the April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia amid Operation Epic Fury in Iran… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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HomeKit Weekly: Shelly Gen4 Plug brings Wi-Fi 6, Matter, and Thread to a single smart outlet
Choosing a smart plug usually feels like a gamble on which protocol will win the war. Belkin recently ended support for its Wemo line as well. Shelly has apparently decided to stop gambling and just include everything. I’ve been testing the Shelly Plug US Gen4, and it’s great! It supports Matter, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and, in a rare move for a smart home device, Wi-Fi 6. It also includes precise power metering, a feature I think is awesome for a modern smart plug. more…

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Apple Grand Central retail store closed due to special activity [U]
Update 3/13: The event appears to be for a special performance. Alicia Keys is the rumor. There’s a pink piano and Apple’s 50th anniversary signage. Apple Grand Central in New York City is closed today and tomorrow due to some sort of mysterious special activity. Customers visiting Apple’s retail location in Grand Central Terminal will be turned away until normal hours resume on Saturday, March 14, at 10 am. more…

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iFixIt tears down the new MacBook Neo, likes (most of) what it sees
Expectations had been running high regarding what iFixIt would find when it opened up the MacBook Neo. Here’s what it revealed. more…

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Spotify’s newest feature puts you in control of the music
Spotify was early to the algorithmically recommended music game. Now the company is testing a feature that lets listeners have more direct input over what Spotify recommends. The feature is called Taste Profile, and it’s currently in beta. more…

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Perplexity wants Mac mini to be your AI project manager — here’s what to know
Perplexity Personal Computer software can turn a Mac mini into a personal AI project manager. But should you give it access to your files? (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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iPhone Fold, Mac Studio, OLED MacBook Pro: What to expect from Apple for the rest of 2026
Apple's 2026 may have gotten off to a new-product-filled start, but it's far from done. There are plenty more iPhone and other announcements to come before the year's end.There's still a lot to come from Apple in 2026Between the launch of the M5 MacBook Air, MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, and M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros, Apple has made a solid start to the year. But with the annual WWDC event still to come, not to mention likely hardware announcements this fall, there is still plenty to look forward to.Apple is still expected to unveil a raft of software and hardware in the coming months, including some all-new products. Rumors of the company's first-ever foldable iPhone continue to gather pace, and that's just the beginning. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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There's a way to make a 1TB MacBook Neo, but it's not easy or cheap
Getting 1TB of storage on the MacBook Neo is possible, assuming you have skill in micro soldering, the ability to remove the chip, and disdain for Apple's warranty.MacBook Neo teardown. Image credit: DirectorFengApple introduced MacBook Neo on March 4 as its most affordable notebook, starting at $599 with 256GB of storage. It uses the same A18 Pro chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro models and includes 8GB of unified memory.The company offers the 13-inch system with either 256GB or 512GB of storage. And that's it. There aren't any larger options, and the chip is not socketed like it is in the Mac mini or Mac Studio. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Amazon announces ‘Prime Video Ultra’ with higher price, new features
Amazon has announced a new ‘Prime Video Ultra’ streaming plan launching next month that replaces the current ad-free tier and includes more features, but at a higher price. more…

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Apple TV just premiered a rare true crime original series
Twisted Yoga is a brand new Apple TV series that just premiered today, and it’s a rare true crime offering for the streamer. more…

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Mac trade-ins skyrocket over 100% as Apple customers rush to upgrade to MacBook Neo, M5 MacBook Air
Apple retail stores are seeing an unprecedented boom in Mac trade-ins this week, with volumes surging more than 100% compared to… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple’s entry-level iPad just dipped back under $300
Macworld Apple iPad A16 View Deal It might not have gotten an update during MacBook Neo week, but the A16 iPad is still our favorite affordable tablet. And right now it’s even more affordable as Amazon has cut the price to $299, the lowest we’ve seen all year. The Apple iPad A16 is one of our favorite tablets and for good reason — it’s affordable, has a gorgeous, bright screen, and delivers a strong performance. We gave this particular model a 4-star rating when we reviewed it, praising its design and performance. Even though the A16 chip doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, you can still use just about any AI tool you want now and upgrade down the line once Apple fully bakes its AI suite. The 11-inch Liquid Retina display provides clear and vibrant images, no matter the lighting situation in your room. The tablet also comes with Wi-Fi 6 for speedy and stable connectivity, so taking FaceTime calls won’t be a problem, especially with the crystal-clear 12MP front and rear cameras. The iPad A16 is a fantastic pick if you want a tablet you can use to complete work tasks, run photo editing projects, or have fun gaming. The $299 price tag makes the iPad A16 a top pick for us, so grab this deal before it expires.

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Best Mac mini deals right now – but dwindling stock hints new models are near
Macworld Best Mac mini deals: Updated March 13, 2026 These are the recommendations we would confidently give to our own friends and family. They are based on the best prices right now at hundreds of resellers of Apple products. Today’s best Mac mini deals: U.S. Out of stock in the U.S. right now… See more U.S. Mac mini deals below… Today’s best Mac mini deals: U.K. Apple Refurbished, M4 Mac mini, 256GB/16GB RAM, £509 (£90 off, RRP £599) Amazon, M4 Pro Mac mini (256GB): £1,279 (£120 off, MSRP £1,279) See more U.K. Mac mini deals below… The Mac mini is the cheapest Mac you can buy, but you can get one for less than Apple sells it for if you shop at the various Apple certified resellers that sell Macs and other Apple products at a discount. Whether it’s the latest Mac mini M4, the excellent Mac mini M4 Pro, or an older Mac mini model that you want to find on sale, in this article you will find the best prices right now and advice on whether now is a good time to buy and which model offers the best value for money. Before you buy, note that Apple is expected to update the Mac mini with M5 and M5 Pro chips in the near future. The lack of stock on Amazon and delayed delivery times if you buy from Apple may be early signs that new models are launching soon. How we find the best Mac mini deals To select the best Mac mini deals, our editors employ a comprehensive, year-round strategy that combines continuous market monitoring with expert evaluation. Here’s why you can trust the deals Macworld identifies: We check top resellers in the U.S. and the U.K. for the best prices throughout the year, ensuring we always have a finger on the pulse of the best savings. We also check Apple’s refurbished store for even bigger price drops. We use price comparison tools to watch resellers and compare their current discounts so we know who has the best deal right now. We hand-pick deals based on the product’s long-term price history and our own in-depth reviews. We consider the product’s release cycle and whether a significant update is due soon. We also advise on whether a shopping event is likely to happen soon in which you might get an even better deal, or if you might be able to qualify for specific deals. We regularly check prices, but it’s worth checking various retailers in the price comparison tables below, as prices can fluctuate daily. If you want to buy a particular model you will find the best prices right now in the tables below. We also have a guide to the best Apple deals right now on all Apple products, including MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Is now a good time to buy a new Mac mini? Simon Jary / Foundry The current models, featuring the M4 and M4 Pro chips, were released in October 2024. This was a significant update that included a new, more compact design that measures just 5 by 5 inches. The base unified memory (RAM) was upgraded to 16GB, a welcome upgrade from the previous generation’s 8GB. More than a year on, this is still an excellent Mac. However, an update to the M5 chips is expected. This may not happen until the summer of 2026, but, based on low stock, it could happen sooner than that. Read more here: What we know about the upcoming Mac mini M5 update. We had been seeing some Mac mini discounts, but they haven’t been as large as they were over Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Over the past few months our advice has been to look to the Apple Refurbished Store for bigger savings. The next big sale event isn’t expected until Amazon’s Prime Days in July and October, when you can expect to see Mac mini discounts. Does Apple have sales? The deals rarely come from Apple itself. While Apple will sometimes offer vouchers as an incentive to buy a new Mac (that’s Apple’s usual Black Friday giveaway), the company never discounts prices. Apple does sell refurbished Macs at a lower price though, so that might be something to consider. If you are a student you can take advantage of Apple’s education discounts and save a little money on the full price of Macs (and iPads). And in the summer months Apple gives away Apple Pencils or AirPods with the sale of certain Macs (and iPads) to students in it’s Higher Education offer. Which Mac mini to buy Simon Jary / Foundry The Mac mini lineup offers strong performance across its configurations, making it a great value proposition. M4 Mac mini is a great option for someone looking for a low-cost Mac. Starting at $599/£599, this model is ideal for general use, home offices, and even as a secondary computer integrated into a home entertainment system. It offers the same M4 chip found in more expensive Macs, providing an excellent performance-to-price ratio. The performance and value on offer for just $599/£599 is excellent, but for another $200/£200 you can get twice the storage, which we would recommend if your budget stretches that far. M4 Pro Mac mini is one of our favourite Macs because it It features the same 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU as the M4 Pro MacBook Pro at a significantly lower price point. It is perfect for professionals on a budget and a great choice for demanding tasks like video editing and 3D software. The M4 Pro model provides a powerful and affordable desktop solution. Factors to consider before buying a Mac mini Apple When purchasing a Mac mini, it’s crucial to choose the right specifications, as the unified memory (RAM) and internal storage cannot be upgraded later. Memory (RAM): The base 16GB is sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and email. However, if your workflow involves demanding applications like editing large videos or training AI models, you should configure your Mac mini with at least 24GB of memory. Storage (SSD): While you can supplement internal storage with external drives, it’s wise to consider your future needs. Apple charges a premium for storage upgrades, so carefully evaluate how much space you’ll require for applications and files. We recommend spending a bit more to get 512GB if you can afford to because having adequate internal storage will speed things up compared to if you were working from an external drive. Also consider whether iCloud storage might be sufficient for your needs. You could get 2TB iCloud Storage for $9.99/£8.99 a month, for example. Another consideration for all Mac mini models is that you will need to provide your own display, keyboard, and mouse – indeed you will need a wireless or USB-C mouse before you can set the new Mac up – but these can be purchased on a budget too. Take a look at our top recommendations in each category to find one that matches your budget. Best Mac Monitors Best Mac mice Best Mac keyboards Best deals at Apple Refurbished Store One of the best places to look for Mac mini deals all year round is the Apple Refurbished Store. There, you’ll find discounts on Mac mini that have been returned to Apple for various reasons, and then completely revamped for resale. If you buy a refurbished Mac mini from Apple it will come with a one-year warranty so Apple may fix or replace it for free should anything happen to it in that first year. In the U.S.: Recently now there was a Mac mini M4 Pro available for $1,189, which is $210 off the usual price of $1,399. However, that’s now out of stock. Get a refurbished Mac at Apple's refurbished store (U.S.) In the U.K.: You could get a Mac mini M4 Pro for £1,189, £210 off the usual price of £1,399. This is currently out of stock. There’s also £90 off the Mac mini M4, you can get it for £509, rather than £599 – we recommend this deal. Get a refurbished Mac at Apple's refurbished store (U.K.) Best Mac mini prices: Price Comparison tables You can use the best Mac mini price comparison tables below to see the best Mac mini prices available right now at all the stores that sell Apple Macs. Best M4 Mac mini deals The best prices for the Mac mini will appear below. M4 Mac mini, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 256GB/16GB RAM, MSRP $599/£599 Retailer Price $599 View Deal $799 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket M4 Mac mini, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 512GB/16GB RAM, MSRP $799/£799 Retailer Price $899 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket M4 Mac mini, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 512GB/24GB RAM, MSRP $999/£999 Retailer Price $999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best M4 Pro Mac mini deals M4 Pro Mac mini, 12-core CPU/16-core GPU, 512GB/24GB RAM, MSRP $1,399/£1,399 Retailer Price $1399 View Deal $1399 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best deals on old Mac mini models If you are on a small budget, you can often find a good deal on the previous generation. Just keep in mind that the older Mac mini had lass RAM as standard – 8GB rather than 16GB. We think that 8GB RAM should be avoided if possible. Where to buy the Mac mini Mac mini buyers in the U.S. can check out the following stores: Apple Amazon Best Buy BH Photo Video Costco If you’re based in the U.K. you can pick up a Mac mini from the following retailers: Apple Amazon Argos Currys John Lewis Very Apple has a number of Apple Premium Resellers in the UK who stock Macs and offer other services: KRCS Insight iStore Select Western Computer Jigsaw You might also be able to trade in your old Mac to get some money off your new purchase. Here’s how to get money off with Apple’s trade-in program. Where to buy refurbished Mac mini models You can get refurbished Macs from the Apple Refurbished store and other suppliers, including the following refurbished resellers listed below: In the U.S.: Apple Amazon Back Market Best Buy Gainsaver OWC Mac Of All Trades Refurb.me In the U.K.: Affordable Mac Apple Amazon BackMarket Hoxton Macs Laptops Direct MacFinder Mac 4 Sale Music Magpie Amazon also has a certified refurbished store for Apple products but we would advise against buying any products that are older than five years – most of the products we see on the Amazon refurbished store are unfortunately very old. Another place to look is BackMarket US and BackMarket UK, which sells refurbished Macs and other Apple products. We also recommend Hoxton Macs in the U.K. Find the latest Apple refurbished deals here. We also have this advice about buying a refurbished Mac.

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MacBook Neo is kickin’ PC ass and taking names… all the names
Macworld Apple’s new $599 MacBook Neo is all the rage in the tech world, and before you roll your eyes and say, “You’re Macworld, of course you’d say that,” really, it’s not just us. Take, for example, the latest report by Notebook Check, whose headline says it all: “MacBook Neo offers more single-core performance than any mobile processor from AMD, Intel or Qualcomm.” Notebook Check backs up that headline with a collection of Cinebench 2024 single-core benchmark results, and sitting at the top of the chart is your friendly neighborhood MacBook Neo and its A18 Pro chip–it’s actually in third place, but behind Apple’s own M4 and M5 MacBook Air. Below the Neo are budget laptops from Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, and others with chips from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm. Notebook Check compares single-core performance, which is more relevant than multi-core performance on budget laptops. Everyday apps like Safari and Mail are usually single-threaded; thus, single-core performance applies. It’s also the thing that keeps the OS running smoothly, so everything feels faster. Professional apps (high-end video, audio, and image editors, graphics creation, software development, etc.) that need to run things in the background are multi-threaded, so multi-core performance matters, and these users will opt for higher-priced laptops such as the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro (and maybe some Windows laptops, we don’t know). Notebook Check’s results are just a sample of what’s available in the budget Windows PC market, which is gigantic, but they conclude, “budget Windows laptops (which usually use less powerful chips than shown in our comparison chart) will be left in the dust in terms of performance.” Overall, Notebook Check finds that “the MacBook Neo could really shake up the budget laptop segment.” So much for its “limited appeal.” But don’t worry, Window users, you can still enjoy all that power by using Neo as a virtual machine in Parallels Desktop. A recent knowledge base article from Parallels states that Parallels Desktop can indeed run on the MacBook Neo, but “for CPU- or GPU-intensive Windows applications, this computer is not the right choice.” That’s because the Neo has 8GB of RAM, and that’s not ideal for running Windows within Parallels Desktop in macOS. Parallels says a 16GB MacBook Air or MacBook Pro “will give you a significantly better experience with Parallels Desktop.” But if you’re just going to buy a budget PC anyway, you might be better off.

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Apple's App Store In China Gets Lower 25% Commission To Appease Regulators
Apple will cut its App Store commission in China from 30% to 25% starting March 15, with small-business and mini-app rates dropping from 15% to 12%. AppleInsider reports: Chinese regulators have been back and forth with Apple in recent years over the 30% App Store commission. The latest publicly known pressure occurred after President Trump slammed the country with seemingly random and outrageous tariffs in 2025. While nothing much else has happened in the public eye in the year since, Apple has announced a new commission rate via its developer blog. The new rates go into effect on March 15. The current standard 30% rate is dropping to 25% for in-app purchases and paid app transactions. The Small Business Program and Mini Apps Partner Program will see rates drop from 15% to 12%. That lower rate applies to auto-renewals of in-app purchase subscriptions after the first year. Mini Apps are for transactions found in super apps like those popularized in China. [...] Developers will need to sign the updated terms, but the new rates are applied automatically. It is unclear if these new changes will prevent regulatory action from China. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Bookends 15.3.1
Brings a few Apple Intelligence improvements to the reference management tool. ($74.99 new, free update, 128.5 MB, macOS 11+)

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Default Folder X 6.2.7
Brings a few improvements to the Open/Save dialog utility. ($39.95 new, free update, 28.7 MB, macOS 10.13+)

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Typinator 10.0
Expands the text expansion utility's reach to the iPhone and iPad via a new iOS app. ($29.99 annual subscription, free update, 47 MB, macOS 13+)

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iOS 26.4 adds three new ways to customize your iPhone
iOS 26.4 is launching soon and bringing a lot of new features, including three new ways to customize your iPhone. Here’s what’s new. more…

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Older iPhones and iPads Receive Critical Security Updates for Coruna Exploits
Apple has released critical security updates for older iPhones and iPads to address the Coruna exploit kit, a sophisticated collection of exploits. If you’re still using an older device stuck at iOS/iPadOS 15 or 16, update immediately.

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Deals: MacBook Neo $569, MacBook Air up to $320 off, Apple Studio Display XDR $100 off, Ocean Band, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by the MacBook launch week deals – up to $320 off Air, $200 off M5 Pro models, and more, but we have also spotted a chance to save some cash on the already affordable MacBook Neo from $569 as well. Amazon is now offering $100 off new 2026 Apple Studio Display XDR, we have this 1TB M3 iPad Air at a giant $350 off, and we also have a new Amazon all-time low on Neon Green Apple Watch Ultra Ocean Band. Head below for a closer look at everything. more…

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