iOS 26.2’s new Apple Podcasts feature makes the app very hard to resist
A new iOS 26.2 feature for Apple Podcasts has made the built-in podcast app very hard to resist, despite the abundance of third-party alternatives on the App Store. more…

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Ikea's new smart home lineup makes Matter more affordable
Ikea's smart home reboot leans on Matter to simplify setup and expand compatibility across devices, and by doing so, it makes the entire lineup far more Apple Home compatible than it was before.Ikea announces new Matter-ready smart home range | image credit: IkeaOn Thursday, Ikea announced its new smart home range, launching with 21 products. The brand hopes to make smart home technology feel both affordable and approachable.The launch introduces new products alongside updates to existing ones. The most notable change, however, is that Ikea has gone all-in on Matter, replacing its former Zigbee products. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Previous winners talk about how to win Apple's Swift Student Challenge
Three previous winners of Apple's Swift Student Challenge reveal what got them started in programming, and how they won, as the company prepares to launch the next contest.Previous Swift Student Challenge winners — image credit: AppleApple has once more highlighted the work of students who've won its annual competition to promote its Swift app development language. This time, the company talked with three winners to learn about how they got into developing apps. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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EU accuses Apple of putting users at risk; Apple accuses EU of hypocrisy
As part of an investigation into whether Apple complies with the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU has said that it suspects the company of failing to protect its customers from scams. The Cupertino company is also accused of not providing enough safety measures for children who use its devices. The iPhone maker has responded with an exceptionally strongly-worded letter, accusing the EU of hypocrisy and cynically attempting to distract attention from the failings of its own laws … more…

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Apple TV’s colorful new intro was created with real glass and practical effects
Apple TV+ recently became just Apple TV and introduced a vibrant new logo and intro as part of the brand refresh. It turns out that colorful new intro to Apple TV content was created on camera using real glass… more…

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Apple highlights four apps from award-winning student developers
Apple just announced that its annual Swift Student Challenge will return starting February 6 for three weeks, and new Develop in Swift tutorials and Meet with Apple code-along sessions are now available to help prepare. Alongside the announcement, Apple is highlighting four apps from three former winners. more…

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Best Mac mini deals and discounts right now
Macworld The Mac mini is the cheapest Mac you can buy, but you can get one for less than Apple sells it for. Our Best Mac mini Prices Comparison looks at all the stores that sell Apple Macs and finds the best prices right now so you can be sure you aren’t spending more than you need to.  Whether it’s the latest Mac mini M4, or an older Mac mini model that you want to find on sale, we share the best prices you can get the Mac mini for.  Because we follow all the Apple resellers all year round, we know the best prices resellers have sold Mac mini for in the past, and whether today’s deal is really good or just ok. Check out the best deals we are seeing right now below. We also give advice about what to look out and what to avoid when buying a Mac mini.  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.  Later this month it’s Black Friday and we expect to see some super deals on Mac mini at that time, so do bookmark our Best Black Friday Mac and MacBook deals page. Best Mac mini deals right now U.S. Amazon, M4 Mac mini (256GB): $499 ($100 off, MSRP $599) Amazon, M4 Mac mini (24GB RAM, 512GB): $889 ($110 off, MSRP $999) Amazon, M4 Pro Mac mini (24GB RAM, 512GB): $1,270 ($129 off, MSRP $1,399) U.K. Amazon, M4 Mac mini, 256GB/16GB RAM, £529 (£70 off, RRP £599) Amazon, M4 Mac mini, 512GB/16GB RAM, £720 (£79 off, RRP £799) KRCS, M4 Mac mini, 512GB/24GB RAM, £899 (£100 off, RRP £799) Amazon, M4 Pro Mac mini, 512GB/24GB RAM, £1,269.99 (£129 off, RRP £1,399) If you’re looking for an M4 iMac, check out our round-up of the best iMac deals. We also have the best Mac Studio deals. 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 $499 View Deal $599 View Deal $699 View Deal $720.92 View Deal $799 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket M4 Mac mini, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 512GB/16GB RAM, MSRP $799/£799 Retailer Price $689.99 View Deal $699 View Deal $720.92 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/24GB RAM, MSRP $999/£999 Retailer Price $889.99 View Deal $894.24 View Deal $899 View Deal $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 $1,269.99 View Deal $1309 View Deal $1311.67 View Deal $1399 View Deal $1399 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best deals on old Mac mini models IfF 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. M2 Pro Mac mini, 512GB/16GB RAM (MSRP: $1,299/£1,399) New Refurbished Retailer Price $829 View Deal $849 View Deal $899 View Deal $1199 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Mac Mini (January 2023) M2 Pro 3.49 GHz – SSD 512 GB – 16GB $731 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket M2 Mac mini, 256GB/8GB RAM (MSRP: $599/£649) New Refurbished Retailer Price $499 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price $399.99 View Deal Mac mini (January 2023) M2 3.49 GHz – SSD 256 GB – 8GB $494.99 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket M2 Mac mini, 512GB/8GB RAM (MSRP: $799/£849) New Refurbished Retailer Price $699 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price $Not Available View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket 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 Looking for other ways to save money. Find out if you can save money buying Apple products from another country. 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. Best refurbished Mac mini deals 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.: Get a refurbished Mac at Apple's refurbished store (U.S.) In the U.K.: Get a refurbished Mac at Apple's refurbished store (U.K.) You can get refurbished Macs from other suppliers too, 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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Best iMac deals and discounts right now
Macworld If you want to buy a iMac for less than the price Apple sets, you have come to the right place. We can help you find the best deals on a new iMac using our Best Prices Comparison that looks at all the stores that sell Apple Macs and finds the best prices right now. Whether it’s the latest iMac M4, or an older iMac model that you want to find on sale, we share the best prices you can get the iMac for.  We follow Mac prices all year round, so we know the best prices Apple resellers have sold iMacs for–and we know if they have a really good deal and not just an ok deal. Check out the best deals we are seeing right now below. We also give advice about what to look out and what to avoid.  We also have a guide to the best Apple deals right now on all Apple products, including MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.  Later this month it’s Black Friday and we expect to see some super deals on iMac at that time, so do bookmark our Best Black Friday Mac & MacBook deals page. Best iMac deals right now These are the very best deals we are seeing right now. You’ll find our best U.S. and U.K. deals listed below. The best prices where you are based will appear in the boxes below, including Canada or Australia. U.S. Amazon, M4 iMac (8-core GPU, 256GB): $1,182 ($117 off, MSRP $1,299) Amazon, M4 iMac, 10-core GPU, 256GB): $1,374 ($125 off, MSRP $1,499) U.K. You can save on each of the models. Amazon, M4 iMac (8-core GPU, 256GB/16GB RAM), £1,189 (£100 off, RRP £1,299) Amazon, M4 iMac (10-Core GPU, 256GB/16GB RAM), £1,399 (£100 off, RRP £1,499) Amazon, M4 iMac (10-Core GPU, 512GB RAM) £1,550 (£149 off, RRP £1,699) For even more deals check out our best prices comparison tables in the section below. Best iMac M4 deals iMac, M4, 8-core CPU/8-core GPU, 256GB/16GB unified memory, MSRP $1,299/£1,299 Retailer Price $1,169.56 View Deal $1169.56 View Deal $1182.1 View Deal $1299 View Deal $1299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iMac, M4, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 256GB/16GB unified memory, MSRP $1,499/£1,499 Retailer Price $1,345.95 View Deal $1347.5 View Deal $1499 View Deal $1499 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iMac, M4, 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 512GB/16GB unified memory, MSRP $1,699/£1,699 Retailer Price $1,522.34 View Deal $1532.13 View Deal $1599 View Deal $1699 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best deals on old iMacs While resellers sell off old stock you may be able to pick up some good deals. Just keep in mind that the new iMacs include more RAM: we feel that the 8GB RAM as standard in these older iMacs is not sufficient. iMac, M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 256GB/8GB unified memory, Was $1,499/£1,599 – Discontinued New Refurbished Retailer Price $1369 View Deal $1,389 View Deal $1389 View Deal $1499 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iMac 24-inch Retina (Late 2023) M3 4.05GHz – SSD 256 GB – 8GB $823 View Deal iMac 24-inch Retina (Late 2023) M3 4.05GHz – SSD 256 GB – 8GB $866.92 View Deal iMac 24-inch Retina (Late 2021) M3 3.2GHz – SSD 256 GB – 8GB $1007.99 View Deal iMac 24-inch Retina (Late 2023) M3 2.8GHz – SSD 256 GB – 8GB $1034 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket iMac, M3, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 512GB/8GB unified memory, Was $1,699/£1,799 – Discontinued New Refurbished Retailer Price $1,315.08 View Deal $1582 View Deal $1599 View Deal $1699 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iMac 24-inch Retina (Late 2023) M3 4.05GHz – SSD 512 GB – 8GB $946 View Deal iMac 24-inch Retina (Late 2023) M3 3.2GHz – SSD 512 GB – 8GB $1291.68 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Where to buy an iMac You can buy an iMac directly from Apple in the US or at Apple UK, but there are plenty of stores and Apple Premium Resellers around the world that offer discounts on new and old Macs. Some Mac retailers offer great discounts on Apple products and Apple accessories, so you should be able to save a few hundred pounds off some iMac configurations. Beware, though. The Mac listed by the reseller may be an older model than the one Apple currently sells. We’ve seen resellers advertising Macs with money off based on the price they were previously sold at by Apple, even after Apple has started selling a newer Mac at the same price – so the deal often looks better than it actually is. So be careful to check the age and spec of the machine being sold, and don’t automatically assume that it’s current. To get an idea of what the old model should be worth, take a look at Apple’s refurbished store to see what Apple is selling the older version for (and remember that buying from Apple, even if it’s refurbished, will mean you get a full year’s warranty). And for another way to save money on a new Apple product read about how you can trade in old products at Apple and other resellers and get money off. Read: How Apple trade-in works and saves you money. We regularly see Mac-related deals from the following U.K. and U.S. retailers: U.S. Want to buy a iMac from Apple? View the iMac in the Apple Store. Get your education discount: View the iMac in the Apple Education Store View the iMac at Amazon where we often see discounts. View the iMac at B&H Photo. View the iMac at Best Buy. View the iMac at Walmart. You can find the iMac at Adorama here. Looking for other ways to save money. Find out if you can save money buying Apple products from another country. U.K. You can be sure that you are buying a Mac at the correct price at Apple. View the iMac in the Apple Store. Save money if you are a teacher or student. View the iMac in the Apple Education Store. Get a iMac from Amazon where we often see discounts. View the iMac at Amazon View the iMac at AO.com. You may find an iMac at Argos, although we only tend to see deals in conjunction with events like Black Friday. We often see great deals on iMac at EE. View the iMac at Currys, who also frequently offer discounts. View the iMac at Ebuyer. View the iMac at John Lewis, where we often see discounts. You can get an iMac from Laptops Direct here And you may also find discounts on the iMac at Very Apple has a number of Apple Premium Resellers in the UK who stock Macs and also offer other services: KRCS Insight iStore Select Western Computer Jigsaw From time to time, Amazon runs lightning deals, which could get you a discount if you act quickly. If you’ve found that you’re missing out on Amazon’s Lightning deals, which run for just a few hours and offer limited stock, we’d recommend signing up for Amazon’s 30-day free trial of Prime, which will get you access to deals 30 minutes before everyone else. Plus, you’ll get free next-day delivery with the Prime trial, as well as access to Prime Instant Video and more. Sign up for Prime here. Best refurbished iMac deals One of the best places to look for iMac deals all year round is the Apple Refurbished Store. There, you’ll find huge iMac discounts, sometimes even on the latest models. These iMacs have been returned to Apple for various reasons, and then completely revamped for resale. One of the major benefits of buying a refurbished Mac from Apple is that 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. You won’t be able to tell the difference between a refurbished iMac and a brand-new iMac, aside from the box it comes in, which is white to prevent people from buying them and attempting to sell them as new. Find out more about buying a refurbished iMac here. Get a refurbished Mac at Apple's refurbished store (U.S.) Get a refurbished Mac at Apple's refurbished store (U.K.) You can get refurbished Macs from other suppliers too, including the following refurbished MacBook and reconditioned Mac from the 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. Best iMac Student Deals If you are a student you can save money with Apple all year round. Read: How to get an Apple student discount. to find out more. Also take a look at when Apple will be running its Back to School deal this year, when you can get a free pair of AirPods with your purchase.

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EU’s DMA forces Apple to remove iPhone-Apple Watch Wi-Fi sync for EU users
Apple plans to disable automatic Wi-Fi network syncing between iPhone and Apple Watch for users in the European Union starting with iOS 26.2… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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3 Standout Tech Upgrades To Elevate the Home Office Experience
Mark Vena reviews three premium tech products designed to improve workflow, clarity, and performance in a smarter home workspace. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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Apple is getting angry about contradictory EU big tech regulations
Apple is now openly chiding the European Union for demanding better user privacy under the Digital Services Act — while mandating Apple remove privacy features under the Digital Markets Act.An EU flag with the App Store logoApple and the European Union have long gone from claiming cooperation over the Digital Markets Act (DMA), to arguing the case in the Luxembourg General Court. A key disagreement has always been that Apple claims the EU's enforcement of the DMA radically harms users by demanding that rivals get unfettered access to private data.Now Apple has revealed that, separately, the EU has recently complained that it is not protecting users under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This is a different act which is concerned with online privacy rather than the DMA's requirements over interoperability and giving rivals free access to Apple technology. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 26.2 adds offline lyrics support to Apple Music
Apple released the first beta of iOS 26.2 this week, with changes for Apple News, Apple Podcasts, Liquid Glass, and more. As it turns out, iOS 26.2 also brings a big improvement to Apple Music: support for offline lyrics. more…

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IKEA launches 21 new smart home products, all of them Matter-compatible
There’s good news today for HomeKit fans on a budget: IKEA has announced the launch of 21 new smart home products, all of them Matter-compatible. The new lineup comprises 11 different smart bulbs, five types of sensor, three remote controls, and a new smart plug … more…

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New Australia & New Zealand power initiatives are an attempt to balance Apple's consumption
Apple has announced more projects for New Zealand and Australia that aim to match users' iPhone charging needs with clean energy.Apple's new solar project under construction in Lancaster, Victoria, Australia — image credit: AppleFollowing on from its October 2025 announcements of energy initiatives in China and the European Union, Apple is now highlighting its similar efforts across Australia and New Zealand."By 2030, we want our users to know that all the energy it takes to charge their iPhone or power their Mac is matched with clean electricity," said Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, in a statement. "We're proud to do our part to support Australia's transition to a cleaner grid and drive positive impacts for communities and nature — all while moving closer to our ambitious goal to be carbon neutral across our entire footprint." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPhone 13 mini to iPhone 17: What you get, upgrading after four years
After four years with my beloved iPhone 13 mini, I reluctantly upgraded to the iPhone 17, and it's exactly what I expected — for better and worse.I switched from the iPhone 13 mini to the iPhone 17For a lot of people — including most of my cohorts — September means a new iPhone. The new iPhone shows up, and last year's model is carefully packed and returned whence it came.Not for me, though. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Another iPhone Air competitor lands: the Huawei Mate 70 Air
We yesterday took a look at the new Motorola Edge 70, the company’s take on the iPhone Air, and today brings another Android contender, the Huawei Mate 70 Air. Although 1mm thicker than the iPhone Air and 30% heavier, it does pack four cameras and twice as much battery into an extremely sleek-looking device … more…

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Second-gen iPhone Air may get two cameras
While there is evidence to suggest that the iPhone Air has proven less popular than Apple had hoped, it seems the company hasn’t given up on it yet. A leaker with a decent track-record says that the company is currently exploring a second-gen iPhone Air with two cameras instead of just one … more…

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7 macOS Tahoe features you might have missed (but need to try)
Macworld The macOS Tahoe update was one of the biggest changes to Apple’s Mac operating system in years. Not only did we get an entirely new look and feel in the form of Liquid Glass, but there were improvements to Apple Intelligence, a souped-up overhaul of Spotlight, iPhone features like Live Activities and Call Screening, and a whole lot more. But with all the attention focused on the headline features, you might not have noticed that macOS Tahoe is overflowing with little adjustments that add up to make a big difference. There are overlooked additions pretty much everywhere you look–pay attention to them and you might find your Mac experience is taken up a notch. Here, we’ve put together seven of our favorite little-known updates found in macOS Tahoe. Spotlight superpowers If you’ve been using macOS Tahoe, you’ve probably seen the new design and power user features that have been brought to Spotlight. But underneath the new app list and Quick Keys functionality, there are other tools that are well worth exploring. For example, one of Spotlight’s core functions is as a search engine on your Mac. In Tahoe, it’s been given extra powers, so you can search within your open windows and tabs to find that pesky website you were browsing earlier in the day. Or by typing out a website name (like Amazon), pressing Tab, then entering your query, you can search directly within a website right from Spotlight. Spotlight offers robust tools for navigating your Mac and more.Foundry There are other additions, too, like the ability to browse through your clipboard history and past Spotlight searches. These changes add up to transform Spotlight into the power user tool it was always meant to be. Mac control As the name suggests, the macOS Control Center is used to house controls and toggles for various apps and widgets. You can start playing music there, for example, or manage AirDrop. But because you access it from a button in your menu bar, it’s easy to forget it exists. The Control Center offers more customization options for you. YouTube / Apple In macOS Tahoe, that doesn’t need to be the case anymore, as you can drag controls out of the Control Center and house them in your menu bar, ensuring they’re always visible and accessible. Third-party apps can now add their own controls, so you’re not just limited to Apple’s options, and there’s an intuitive controls gallery that makes finding and enabling items in the Control Center a lot easier. With these improvements, the Control Center no longer needs to be macOS’s forgotten tool. Gaming goodness There’s no doubt about it: macOS gaming is big news these days. A combination of powerful chips and AAA titles migrating to the Mac means Apple’s computers are bona fide gaming machines in their own right. And in macOS Tahoe, there are two little-known features that can make your gaming sessions even more enthralling. The first is MetalFX Frame Interpolation, which is Apple’s take on frame generation. This creates an extra frame for every two frames generated by your game, with the end result being a far smoother gaming experience than Apple’s hardware might otherwise be able to produce. The second feature is MetalFX Denoising, and this enables real-time path tracing in compatible games, which results in much more realistic lighting effects wherever it’s applied. Both MetalFX Frame Interpolation and Denoising need to be utilized by game developers–they’re not features you enable yourself. That means they’re easy to overlook, but the impact on your gaming experience could be profound. macOS Tahoe is optimized for improved game performance.Apple Shortcuts automations Shortcuts has long been one of my favorite Mac apps, and it’s the perfect way to hand over repetitive tasks to your Mac or run complex scripts that would be tedious to perform yourself. With macOS Tahoe, Shortcuts can now perform automations, which makes things even more streamlined. In practice, that means that your favorite shortcuts can run automatically, such as at a defined time of day or when you take a specific action. So, you might save a file to your desktop, which then triggers a shortcut that moves images to your Pictures folder and everything else to your Documents folder. Automations can also be kicked off when you hook up an external display to your Mac, so you can start a work-related Focus mode or enable Dark Mode as soon as your monitor is connected, all without needing to perform a single click. To turn on advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection in all browsing, go to Safari > Settings > Privacy, then click the Advanced button.Foundry Privacy protections Apple has long taken user privacy seriously, and that tradition has been strengthened in macOS Tahoe thanks to the expansion of Safari’s privacy defenses. In particular, Advanced Fingerprinting Protection can now run in every Safari session and browser window, instead of just while you’re using Private Browsing. This protection ensures that websites and advertisers cannot collect certain markers–like your operating system details or web browser choice–and use them to build an identifiable profile of you. That keeps you safe from invasive adverts and nefarious tracking practices that you might not even have been aware of. Apple didn’t make a huge fuss about this new feature, but it’ll be very welcome if you care about your privacy. Filter unknown callers In summer 2025, Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) highlighted a set of new features designed to filter out unknown numbers and screen callers before they are able to reach you. But these new tools don’t have to be limited to your iPhone; some of them can also protect your FaceTime experience in macOS Tahoe. If you opt in to the Unknown Callers filter in FaceTime, any screened calls from unknown numbers are automatically sequestered into a separate area of your call list, ensuring they don’t clog up your home page. If you later mark a number as known, that person will be able to call or text you in the FaceTime, Phone and Messages apps as normal. It’s a small tweak, but one that could clean up your apps and keep unwelcome callers away from your Mac. Call Filtering in FaceTime can be found in FaceTime > Settings > FaceTime.Foundry Journal on your Mac Apple’s Journal app has always felt a little lackluster, and more to the point, it’s long been limited to iOS. With macOS Tahoe, though, it’s finally made its debut on the Mac. Not only that, but it’s now equipped with a host of new features that make it a more complete way to jot down your thoughts throughout the day. You can now create multiple journals within the app, letting you keep different aspects of your life separate and organized. The layout of each entry can be augmented with photos, videos and other attachments, and there’s also a map view that lets you revisit the places mentioned in each entry. With the ability to add to your journal on your Mac, longer entries should now be a lot more comfortable to write than attempting to do so on your iPhone, as you previously had to. That should make the Journal app a lot more viable for Mac users who want a place to log their thoughts on a regular basis. Journal in macOS Tahoe can sync to iCloud so your iOS entries appear, as well.Foundry

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Next iPhone Air may have two rear cameras
A new leak claims that Apple is evaluating whether to add a second camera to a 2026 iPhone Air.Mockup of how an iPhone Air with two cameras could lookRight from the earliest rumors, the iPhone 17 Air — as it was expected to be called — was known to have just one camera. Now a new leak claims that the iPhone 18 Air may change that.Writing on Chinese social media site Weibo, regular leaker Digital Chat Station claims that the iPhone Air for 2026 is being evaluated. Saying that this is normal at this point in the process, the claim is that the camera could be the only significant difference. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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10 awesome ways to use your iPhone’s USB-C port (other than fast charging)
Macworld It took the iPhone an eternity to strike Lightning in favor of the universal USB-C port. Now that it’s here on all models, including the low-end 16e, many users still limit its use to charging, overlooking the slew of other advantages it offers over Lightning. If you’ve got an iPhone 15 or 16 model, you can expand the USB-C port’s functionality beyond battery fill-ups, and we’ve got a few ideas to share. 1. Charge another device Rival companies, like Samsung, have long supported reverse wireless charging, letting users turn their smartphones into portable Qi pads. However, it’s not all that practical, forcing users to flip over their phones and rendering both unusable. With the iPhone 15 and newer models, Apple introduced its own version that works via the USB-C port. Your iPhone can now deliver up to 4.5W of power, letting you charge your AirPods, Apple Watch, or even a friend’s Android phone. To do so, simply plug your USB-C cable into the iPhone and the other end into the USB-C port on the other device. 2. Increase your storage Even with 128 GB as the standard, we’ve probably all come across the iPhone’s full storage alert. While data stored in iCloud can easily be offloaded from the local memory, not all users trust cloud storage. Fortunately, the iPhone 15 and 16 support a wide range of external storage devices, including USB sticks and hard drives. This makes it easy to free up space by moving large files to a separate drive. To get started, connect a compatible flash drive to your iPhone using its USB-C port. You can then view, manage, and transfer data using the built-in Files app. One of the solid options out there is this tiny Samsung Type-C Flash Drive, which supports regular file transfers and real-time ProRes video storage. As a Pro exclusive, those with the highest-end iPhone 15 and 16 models can directly record ProRes video to a compatible external storage device. Given the considerable size of raw footage, being able to write the data directly onto a separate device can help you shoot for longer periods and avoid filling up your iPhone’s memory. Your iPhone’s USB-C cable can do more than just charge your iPhone.Foundry 3. Connect a keyboard While iPads and Macs are better suited for long-form typing, iPhones—especially the near-7-inch Plus and Pro Max models—can still handle productivity tasks effectively. To make the most of the relatively small screen, though, you may want to pair it with a dedicated keyboard. Fortunately, iOS natively supports this through the USB-C port. Most standard keyboards should work with your iPhone just fine. Or if you want to always have a keyboard with you, you can opt for a Clicks case, which connects to your USB-C port so it’s always ready for a text or email. 4. Amplify your microphone In the era of TikTok, everyone is a content creator, so a high-quality microphone is an essential tool. Fortunately, your iPhone’s USB-C port can support a wide range of them, letting you pair your footage with crystal-clear high-quality audio. One reliable option is the Rode Wireless Micro, which utilizes your iPhone’s port while maintaining the convenience of wireless recording. 5. Add an SD card Photographers and videographers love the handy SD card slots on board the newest MacBook Pro and Mac Studio, but that convenience doesn’t extend to the device that does most of your shooting. Fortunately, that can be easily remedied with a wired SD card reader. While newer cameras generally support wireless photo transfers via their respective companion apps, the process tends to be slower than the wired alternative. Apple’s USB-C to SD Card Reader connects to your iPhone through its charging port and should work with all relevant SD cards. You can also use this same dongle with your Mac or iPad when editing on a larger screen. With the right cable, you can connect your iPhone to any display.Willis Lai / Foundry 6. Hook up an external display If you’re staying at a hotel that blocks wireless media casting, you may be able to mirror your iPhone’s screen to the TV using a wired solution. Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter transforms your iPhone’s charging port into an HDMI connector, allowing you to watch 4K content on bigger displays using a regular HDMI cable. 7. Plug in a game controller Thanks to the A17 and A18 chips, the latest Pro-tier iPhones can run some AAA games. Notably, though, these titles typically need a controller, as touch controls don’t always offer the best gameplay if they’re available at all. While Sony’s DualSense controller supports Bluetooth pairing, opting for the wired mode using the iPhone’s USB-C port can minimize latency and enhance overall performance. 8. Connect to ethernet  Speaking of gaming, the iPhone 15 and 16 models fully support ethernet dongles, allowing for faster download and upload speeds. While Wi-Fi and 5G are sufficient for most users, Ethernet can come in handy when seeking an even more dependable connection. Belkin’s USB-C to Ethernet Adapter is one of the solid options that is guaranteed to get the job done. 9. Peer into small places There are many accessories that you can plug into your iPhone’s USB-C port, but none are cooler than a borescope/endoscope camera. Basically, it’s a snake wire with a tiny HD endoscope camera at the end and an LCD light. It’s flexible yet rigid enough to fit into the smallest of crevices, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. 9. Do it all The biggest detriment of the iPhone is that there’s just one port, but a USB hub can give you much more. We recommend the Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C Hub Multiport Adapter, which will bring a headphone jack, USB-C charging, HDMI, an SD card reader, ethernet, and even a couple of USB-A ports for good measure. It’s not exactly small, but if you need to use several ports at once, there’s no substitute. Your iPhone’s USB-C port is a multi-purpose connector for displays, hard drives, and other accessories.Connor Jewiss / Foundry One port, many possibilities While some of these functionalities were previously possible with Lightning iPhones, the shift to USB-C has greatly expanded the port’s capabilities. You can now perform a wide range of desktop-class tasks right from your smartphone, thanks to tethered accessories. Perhaps the best part is that most USB-C accessories you’ve been using with your iPad or Mac should work with your iPhone 15 or 16—eliminating the need for Lightning-to-USB-C dongles. Whether Apple will introduce new USB-C upgrades with the iPhone 17 remains to be seen. Michael Simon contributed to this report.

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New Mac Pro: What we know about the overdue M4 Ultra (or M5 Ultra) update
Macworld New Mac Pro: In summary The M2 Ultra Mac Pro was released in 2023. Previous reports have said an M4 Ultra Mac Pro will be released before the end of 2025. A report states that the M5 Ultra chip is on Apple’s schedule, but there have been no mentions of whether it will be made available for the Mac Pro, or when. No reports of a Mac Pro design change have been made. Apple last updated the Mac Pro in June 2023 when it was the last Mac to be outfitted with an M-series chip–three years after Apple started to use its own silicon in Macs. At that point, the Mac Pro gained an M2 Max or M2 Ultra chip option. Apple is now three generations on from the M2 chip. The M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max, arrived at the end of 2023, followed by the M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max at the end of 2024. It took until 2025 for Apple to introduce an M3 Ultra, which arrived as an option for the Mac Studio. The first of the M5 series launched in October 2025. But the wait continues for the Mac Pro update and the chip upgrades destined for the new Mac Pro remain a mystery. In the meantime, we are stuck with the M2 Ultra Mac Pro. But, hopefully, not for much longer. Read on for all the latest leaks, rumors and predictions about when the Mac Pro will launch, the reasons for the delays, and what to expect when the new Mac Pro does finally arrive. New Mac Pro: Release date The Mac Pro update was reported to have a late 2025 release The Mac Pro tends to have a longer update cycle than the other Macs because it’s an expensive machine with features that address the needs of a niche audience. However, it has now been more than two years since the M-series Mac Pro was launched, and in the meantime, the Mac Studio, with its M3 Ultra and M4 Max options, has usurped its position as the fastest and most powerful Mac. What is going on? Why was the M4 Ultra delayed? Why didn’t Apple add an M3 Ultra to the Mac Pro? As the M4 Ultra will combine two M4 Max chips it may be that the power requirements and generated heat are just too high. There have been reports that Apple is changing the processor’s architecture, so we could see higher performance than in previous Ultra chips. The lengthy wait was anticipated: in an April 2024 report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman about Apple’s plans for its AI-enhanced M4 chip, he suggested that Apple would not update the Mac Pro until 2025. In June 2024, Gurman again reported that the Mac release schedule had not changed. The M4 Mac Pro is not expected until the second half of 2025. On July 3, 2025, AppleInsider reported that a new Mac Pro is in development has has been assigned the code name J704. On November 4, Gurman reported that Apple is working on M5 Max and M5 Ultra Mac Studio updates, but made no mention of the Mac Pro. No updated reports have been made of the Mac Pro being released before the end of 2025. New Mac Pro: Will it use an M4 Ultra or M5 Ultra processor? Previous reports stated that the Mac Pro could be upgraded with an M4 Ultra with “enhanced AI capabilities” A more recent report stated that Apple has the M5 Max and Ultra in development In the two years since the launch of the M2 Ultra Mac Pro, it has lost its position as the most powerful Mac. In our Geekbench 6 tests of the M4 Max chip, we found it to be faster than the M2 Ultra in the Mac Pro. Read: How Apple’s M4 chips dispelled all my fears about buying a new Mac. Even faster than the M4 Max is the M3 Ultra, which arrived in the Mac Studio in March 2025. The Mac Studio with M3 Ultra is currently the fastest Mac in Apple’s lineup. Why hasn’t Apple updated the Mac Pro with an M3 Ultra? If Apple wanted to use the M3 Ultra in the Mac Pro, it would’ve updated that Mac by now. Apple must have something much more powerful planned. In an April 2024 report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman stated that the Mac Pro is part of Apple’s AI focus and will be upgraded with an M4 with enhanced AI capabilities. The M4 Ultra, which is what has been reported as the chip for the Mac Pro, is expected to have an improved Neural Engine for AI features. The M3 Ultra combines two M3 Max chips, so it follows that the M4 Ultra would do the same. There have been reports that Apple will be changing the processor’s architecture, so we could see higher performance than in previous Ultra chips. The Information reported in December 2024 that in the previous summer, Apple had canceled a “high-performance chip for Macs” to focus on the development of an AI server chip. As John Gruber pointed out, the timing of that Mac chip project suggests that the canceled chip was likely one that is dubbed an “Extreme” chip that would be faster than an Ultra. On August 14, 2025, Macworld reported that it had seen internal code published by Apple that confirms that the company is still experimenting with a new, high-end Mac Pro powered by an unreleased M4 Ultra chip. In November, a report stated that the Mac Studio will be upgraded with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips in 2026. Could those chips make their way into the Mac Pro?Foundry On November 4, 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple has an M5 Max and M5 Ultra Mac Studio on its release schedule for 2026. He did not mention the Mac Pro. It’s still possible that Apple could release an M4 Ultra Mac Pro before the 2026 Mac Studio, making it the fastest Mac. But that title would be short-lived if the M5 Ultra Mac Studio is released less than a year later. It seems possible that Apple could forgo an M4 Ultra Mac Pro update and release an M5 Ultra Mac Pro at the same time as the M5 Ultra Mac Studio. However, this is mere speculation; no reports have been made regarding this. New Mac Pro: Specs 512GB memory max Thunderbolt 5 Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple wants to dramatically increase the maximum amount of unified memory in the high-end desktop M4 Macs to 512GB. The current limit on the M2 Ultra Mac Pro is 192GB. So, a M4 Ultra Mac Pro could support more than twice the memory as the current M2 Ultra Mac Pro. The Mac Pro will be equipped with Thunderbolt 5. When Apple released the M4 Pro/Mac MacBook Pro, it upgraded to Thunderbolt 5, so the Mac Pro will follow suit. Learn more about Thunderbolt 5. No other reports have been made about the inner workings of the upcoming Mac Pro. Because Apple wants to focus on AI, the Mac Pro could be marketed as an AI development workstation, so Apple could upgrade other components to accommodate these needs. New Mac Pro: Design The next Mac Pro upgrade is expected to keep the same design, but the internal components will likely change.Foundry The Mac Pro has had its design since 2019, following Apple’s admission that it had designed itself into a thermal corner with the so-called ‘trash can Mac Pro’, which had the form of a black cylinder and proved impossible to upgrade due to problems with cooling. Having learned that lesson, it is unlikely that Apple would change the Mac Pro design in such a way as to reduce cooling and other elements. If Apple changes anything, it is very unlikely to make the Mac Pro smaller as this didn’t work out well last time. New Mac Pro: Price Here are the prices for the current standard base configurations of the M2 Ultra Mac Pro for reference. Apple expects customers to configure their orders, so prices will vary from these base specifications. $6,999/£7,199/CA$8,999/AU$11,999 Mac Pro Tower: M2 Ultra, 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, 32-core Neural Engine, 64GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD $7,499/£7,699/CA$9,599/AU$12,999 Mac Pro Rack: M2 Ultra, 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, 32-core Neural Engine, 64GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Pricing for the new Mac Pro has not been reported, though pricing could possibly go up because of the U.S. tariffs situation–the components are made overseas. The price may be adapted to more recent exchange rates elsewhere. We predict that in the U.K., the price will be in line with the U.S., for example, £6,999 rather than £7,199.

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Rumor: Apple actively developing a budget-focused MacBook
When in doubt, you can always work to beat ’em on price. Per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to release a low-cost MacBook for ““luring away customers from Chromebooks and entry-level Windows PCs” during the first half of 2026. It’s thought that the unnamed notebook is already being actively tested at Apple, and that […] Source

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Rumor: Apple to license Google Gemini AI to power updated Siri
When in doubt, use the best assets available to you (even if those assets haven’t been developed in-house and belong to your competitor/partner). According to Bloomberg, Apple will be developing a smarter, more capable version of Siri that will be powered by Google Gemini. Apple is expected to pay Google approximately $1 billion per year […] Source

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Wish the iPhone mini was still a thing? Peep this $90 dupe.
Macworld TL;DR: Save 55% and get free shipping on the NanoPhone mini 4G smartphone before this limited-time sale ends! If the death of the iPhone Mini still stings, you’re not alone. Not all of us want phones that feel like tablets, which is why more people are switching to the NanoPhone—a mini smartphone that resembles an iPhone but is actually a mini Android smartphone, smaller than a credit card. How does the NanoPhone work? To answer your most pressing question, no, the NanoPhone doesn’t necessarily require you to get a new mobile plan. You can just insert the SIM card from your current phone, and it should work with your existing 4G carrier.  Check out some of this pocket smartphone’s features: A clear, responsive touchscreen with an intuitive interface for easy scrolling Built-in 5MP rear and 2MP front cameras allow for video chatting and photos on the go Dual SIM card support so you can use two numbers from the NanoPhone Storage for your apps, photos, and files, which is expandable with Micro-SD Why settle for an oversized smartphone when this mini one offers all the same features you know and love, minus the bulky design? Order the NanoPhone now for $89.97 with free shipping (MSRP $199.99). There are fewer than 50 units left in stock! NanoPhone – A Mini 4G Smartphone Packed with Mega Features!See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Macworld Podcast: AI and Apple Intelligence progress report
Macworld The latest on Apple’s developments with AI and Apple Intelligence, all on this episode of the Macworld Podcast. This is episode 958 with Michael Simon, Jason Cross,  and Roman Loyola. Watch episode 958 on YouTube Listen to episode 958 on Apple Podcasts

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Google Chrome AI Mode shortcut finally lands on iPhone
Google’s AI Mode is rolling out to Chrome for iOS and Android, bringing a dedicated button to access AI-powered search. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Hands-on with Anker’s new limited edition 14-in-1 MacBook docking station [U]
Recently, Anker announced a new collaboration with Black Myth, and they’re slowly rolling out a number of limited-edition themed products around that. First of which is their 14-in-1 DL7400 desktop dock, which I’ll be going hands on with. more…

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Google Maps gets a Gemini boost for smarter navigation
Google Maps gets a major upgrade with Gemini integration to deliver a superior hands-free, conversational driving experience. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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iOS 26.2 beta 1 seemingly pulled for devices using C1 modem
Users trying to install the iOS 26.2 or iPadOS 26.2 beta say that it fails to install on devices running the C1 modem, which could indicate the update has been pulled for those devices.iPhone 16e uses the C1 modemApple released the OS 26.1 series of updates on Monday, followed by the first betas for the OS 26.2 on Tuesday. Those that waited to install the update are encountering some issues getting the update installed on select devices.According to a post from MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris on X, Apple has allegedly pulled iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 beta 1 for devices with the C1 modem. Those are the iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad Pro with M5. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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KiiBoom Cybrix 16 review: 16 keys, tons of usefulness
The KiiBoom Cybrix 16 is a cut-down keyboard with 16 keys, three knobs, and tons of utility — but it's too bad that the software for Mac users is effectively non-existent.KiiBoom Cybrix 16The world of third-party keyboards is a consumer's market, and we have never had more options to fit our individual needs, but in the noise of products and features, some manufacturers choose to appeal specifically to gamers and niche needs consumers.KiiBoom is a global manufacturer with an extensive catalog of mechanical keyboards, keycaps, headphones, audio equipment, desk mats, and everything in between for the modern gamer or mechanical keyboard enthusiast. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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