OpenAI’s new phone being fast-tracked to launch next year, per report
Last week Ming-Chi Kuo broke the news that OpenAI’s hardware ambitions now include a smartphone to directly compete with the iPhone. And a new update from Kuo suggests the company is moving even faster than anticipated to launch the first OpenAI phone. more…

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Transform your iPad into a MacBook-style powerhouse for just $109.99
The Tinymoose SpacePad keyboard case turns your iPad into a laptop-style setup with a trackpad, backlit keys and long battery life. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple Manufacturing Academy accelerates AI use in American supply chains
The Apple Manufacturing Academy hosted hundreds of manufacturers at its inaugural Spring Forum in East Lansing, Michigan. The academy’s… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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5 major roadblocks when switching from Android to iPhone
Moving from Android to iPhone comes with clear benefits, but there are also some unexpected trade-offs. Here's what you need to know. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Meta AI will analyze faces of teen users ‘but it’s not face recognition’
Meta’s latest attempt to comply with age verification requirements in Europe, Brazil and the US is to roll out AI-powered tech to analyse the faces of teenage users of Facebook and Instagram. The company says AI analysis will be used to estimate the ages of faces but that it does not amount to face recognition … more…

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Meta AI will analyze faces of teen users ‘but it’s not face recognition’
Meta’s latest attempt to comply with age verification requirements in Europe, Brazil and the US is to roll out AI-powered tech to analyse the faces of teenage users of Facebook and Instagram. The company says AI analysis will be used to estimate the ages of faces but that it does not amount to face recognition … more…

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YouTuber goes ‘hands-on’ with ‘so strange’ iPhone Ultra
Macworld Good news for anyone finding it difficult to wait for Apple’s upcoming foldable smartphone, the iPhone Ultra: a popular YouTuber has revealed and thoroughly explored its design in a new video, which you can watch below. Before you get too excited, however, we should note that, of course, this isn’t the official device, nor even an officially sanctioned prototype. Unbox Therapy has instead made a “hands-on” video with a dummy mockup provided by an unidentified company in China, presumably one that makes iPhone accessories or has connections to Apple’s supply chain. (He says such models are sent in every year around this time.) The final design of the Ultra may therefore be different, either because the dummy maker’s sources were mistaken or because Apple chooses to make a last-minute tweak. With all that said, the mockup is probably pretty accurate. For one thing, it aligns closely with the rumors and leaks we’ve seen already (including CAD designs and other dummies). For another, the hardware designs of Apple’s new products frequently leak ahead of launch because its supply chain is so large and difficult to police. It’s not implausible at all for a company to have obtained the details in this way. Unbox Therapy spends plenty of time playing with the iPhone Ultra mockup and talking about the pros and cons of what he considers to be a highly unusual design. He describes it as “weird,” “so strange,” “stubby,” and “a little shorty!” Will such a novel format, which he says is like a passport or “an iPad nano,” and which a commenter compares to a Nintendo DS, sell well? He isn’t sure. But the unusual design was chosen for a reason. The reduced height means it fits better in the pocket than taller rivals, the YouTuber says, and means it’s less top-heavy when used in the unfolded format. Apple wanted to include a powerful camera array, he speculates, and had to reduce the height in order to accommodate that without making the device unstable. Speaking of the camera… the module is “enormous,” Unbox reports. The Ultra is 11mm thick when closed, if you measure at the thinnest point, but the bump is 16.6mm. That’s a huge differential between body and bump and means it has absolutely no hope of lying flat on the table. “It might be a wobble champion,” the YouTuber laughs. “Look at that ramp creation.” Ultimately, Unbox concludes that Apple appears to have prioritized the unfolded format over the folded one. When it’s opened out, he says, “That’s the magic happening there.” Perhaps Apple wants the Ultra to be more like an iPad than an iPhone. There’s sure to be plenty more leaks and rumors between now and the fall. We expect the iPhone Ultra to be launched in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. You can keep up with all the latest news with our regularly updated iPhone Ultra megaguide.

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Bose AirPlay speakers see return of the 1990s Lifestyle branding, targets HomePod
Three new Bose AirPlay speakers have launched today, and the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker appears to be going head-to-head with the original HomePod. Bose has dusted off the Lifestyle sub-branding it first introduced in 1990 before discontinuing in 2022. The original Lifestyle speakers achieved iconic status, so perhaps choosing this name for the latest lineup reflects the company’s hopes here … more…

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Bose AirPlay speakers see return of the 1990s Lifestyle branding, targets HomePod
Three new Bose AirPlay speakers have launched today, and the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker appears to be going head-to-head with the original HomePod. Bose has dusted off the Lifestyle sub-branding it first introduced in 1990 before discontinuing in 2022. The original Lifestyle speakers achieved iconic status, so perhaps choosing this name for the latest lineup reflects the company’s hopes here … more…

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Curved-glass 20th-anniversary iPhone may finally introduce solid-state buttons
The 20th-anniversary iPhone will get solid-state buttons with haptic feedback on the sides, if claims about the curved-glass model turn out to be correct.A 20th-anniversary iPhone is expected in 2027 - Image credit: AppleInsiderApple is expected to be bringing out the 20th-anniversary edition of the iPhone in 2027, and there have been many wild claims about the model. Now, it is believed that the release will bring with it an often-rumored technology to its edges.In a post to Weibo, serial leaker Instant Digital wrote on Tuesday about the various features they say will be included in the 20th-anniversary iPhone. While most of the features are fairly normal-sounding bits of speculation, it leads off with a hefty discussion about buttons. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Leaker suggests seven new features coming to iPhone 20 – but read with care
Leaker Instant Digital has a decent track record when it comes to iPhones, but their latest post may need to be treated with a certain amount of caution. They list seven new features we might expect from the 20th anniversary model, but it may be more of a wish list than a leak … more…

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iPhone 17 crushes Q1 2026 sales as Apple sweeps top 3 spots
Apple dominated global smartphone sales in Q1 2026, with the iPhone 17 leading the charts and the top three spots firmly in iPhone's grip. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Three takeouts from the Apple chip report, with one worrying prospect
Bloomberg yesterday reported that Apple has been in discussion with both Intel and Samsung regarding future production of its device processors. The move is said to be motivated by Apple seeking to reduce its reliance on Taiwan’s TSMC as its sole supplier of A-series and M-series chips … more…

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Tim Cook is leaving John Ternus with an AI imbroglio
Macworld John Ternus hasn’t taken over from Tim Cook yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start creating problems for him. One of Ternus’s biggest challenges is going to be navigating the perilous gap between how the AI industrial complex views its offering and how the rest of us do. “Stanford report highlights growing disconnect between AI insiders and everyone else” …a majority (73%) of experts felt positive about AI’s impact on how people do their jobs, compared with just 23% of the public. Well, that’s weird. Wonder what could account for tha- “Anthropic warns fully AI employees are a year away” That was a year ago, and, as John Gruber points out, that did not happen at all, but it wasn’t supposed to happen; it was just a free advertising campaign Anthropic scored for itself. Say something big and scary, get press. Mission accomplished. But this is kind of the problem in a nutshell. Anthropic orchestrated free advertising for itself by saying, “AI is going to put people out of work!” That ad was obviously not for us; it was for CEOs looking to lay off ever more employees. And now you wonder why people don’t love AI? Do you even hear yourselves? Well, surely that article is an outlier and- “Silicon Valley has forgotten what normal people want” Why is it so hard for the Macalope to get through sentences in his own column? That doesn’t even make any sense! Within recent memory… No, no, fine, just go ahead with the pull quote. The Macalope will wait. …people who made software and hardware understood their job was to serve their customers. It was to identify a need and then fill it. But at some point following the financial crisis, would-be entrepreneurs got it into their heads that their job was to invent the future, and consumers’ job was to go along with that invented future. The horny one isn’t going to blame Steve Jobs for saying, “People don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” because the problem isn’t Steve Jobs; the problem is people who misinterpreted Jobs. Instead of finding out what people really want that they simply can’t articulate, the current crop of tech overlords believes you can force people to want what you want to sell them. Or at least force them to pay for it. They don’t have to like it. They don’t care about that part. Clearly. “The more young people use AI, the more they hate it” Using AI to these young people seems increasingly like being asked to train the unpaid intern who is going to replace you. The fear that chatbot tools will lead to a permanent loss of critical thinking skills ranks high among the worries held by young people about the technology. It’s also backed up by data: A recent study from the MIT Media Lab found that EEG scans of the brain showed decreased activity in people who have been writing essays using AI tools. That may be well and good for college students into drooling troglodytes but what can we do to get the brains of grade schoolers running out of their ears? If you’d like to receive regular news and updates to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters, including The Macalope and Apple Breakfast, David Price’s weekly, bite-sized roundup of all the latest Apple news and rumors.Foundry Good news! Senator Adam Schiff (D – Venture Capital) glibly announced on Bluesky that he was reaching across the aisle in order to shove AI into K-12 classrooms because god knows that’s where public schools needed funding, not teachers’ salaries or reducing class sizes or just getting them pencils and paper or getting the rats out of the rest rooms. Look, kids aren’t going to get addicted to AI on their own. If it’s any consolation, Schiff’s post was ratioed into the Stone Age, which, ironically, is where kids’ IQs are about to go as well. (Yes, yes, the Macalope knows this is reductive about the collected intelligence of our stone age ancestors, just go with it.) Scan through any technology news site, and most of the coverage is not going to be on new gadgets; it’s going to be on AI getting stuffed into yet another thing like a nutria being crammed into a turkey. This is not done because people have asked for it or secretly want it, but just don’t know that they want it. It’s done to increase the return on investment in AI (just like Schiff’s proposed legislation). Period. Meanwhile, not only has AI made it hard for people to get anything else new by sucking up all the oxygen in the boardrooms, causing brain damage and drooling, zombie-like groupthink that can only process where to stuff AI next instead of making new features or gadgets, it’s made it hard for people to just buy new computers. “Apple discontinues base Mac mini, now starts at $799 with 512GB storage” Not only have memory costs increased because of AI, but now the cheapest desktop Macs have all been scooped up to run AI and agentic tools. You want to do some web surfing, send some emails, and maybe play a game? Sorry, some weirdo somewhere needs to remove the clothes from non-consenting adults. While AI has many uses, the backlash to the ham-fisted efforts by companies to use the one hammer it has a huge financial interest in on screws, bolts, china cups, and, yes, the occasional nail is not dying down. It’s getting worse. Ternus enthusiastic comments about AI’s potential are pretty much what every technology executive feels they have to say in this environment, which is fine, but if his Apple doesn’t deliver things customers really want instead of are being told to buy, things might start getting awkward.

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The iPad desperately needs its MacBook Neo moment
Macworld Ever since its 2023 price cut, the entry-level iPad has been one of Apple’s easiest products to recommend. It was affordable, powerful enough for most tasks, and, more importantly, positioned as an alternative to budget laptops for students and casual users. But now, with the recent introduction of the MacBook Neo, Apple has quietly created a problem for the base model iPad. It no longer seems like the best deal, and many consumers are beginning to wonder if it’s really still worth it. At this point, it seems the iPad really needs its own “MacBook Neo” moment. When the numbers stop making sense On paper, the A16 iPad still starts at an appealing price of $349. That’s quite affordable for an Apple tablet that lets you run pretty much any of the apps you can run on a more expensive iPad. For most people who just want a good tablet for casual web browsing, editing documents, or watching movies, this is the iPad to go for. For $349, you get an 11-inch iPad with 128GB of storage, but no keyboard, trackpad, or Apple Pencil. For many people, this setup is fine. Again, this iPad is aimed at people who just want to use it as a regular tablet. But when you start adding things like more storage and accessories, the picture changes completely. At $349, Apple’s A16 iPad is a great tablet.Britta O’Boyle Let’s say you want your iPad to double as a laptop. The 256GB model costs $449. Then you buy a Magic Keyboard Folio, which costs $249. That brings the total price of the iPad to just under $700. At that point, you’re essentially paying the same price as a higher-tier MacBook Neo configuration ($699) but getting less storage. And you’re getting even less for your money. The base-model iPad still runs on the A16 chip introduced in 2022, while the MacBook Neo is powered by the significantly more advanced A18 Pro chip. That difference shows up in performance, longevity, and support for the latest features, including Apple Intelligence. And let’s not forget that a $599 MacBook Neo can run full-fledged desktop software. But if you spend that same amount on an iPad with a keyboard and trackpad, you’ll be limited to using iPad apps available in the App Store. The Magic Keyboard Folio is excellent, arguably one of the best keyboard cases on the market for the iPad. But at $249, it dramatically changes the value proposition of the base iPad. This iPad is meant to be affordable, but at the same time, Apple is trying to sell you a keyboard that practically doubles the price of the device. Once you start fitting the iPad as a computer, it gets tough to recommend.Stephan Wiesend Many people who buy the entry-level iPad end up opting for third-party accessories because they’re cheaper. But again, this only underscores how Apple’s pricing strategy for the entry-level iPad no longer makes sense. And in that comparison, the MacBook simply makes more sense for most people. Og course, there’s no denying that the iPad still has some advantages over the Mac. It’s the only Apple device that offers a touchscreen, Apple Pencil support, and a flexible form factor for taking notes and drawing. If that’s what you need, there’s no question about it. The iPad is still the best choice. But Apple blurred these lines by setting the iPad up as a laptop alternative. That strategy worked when the iPad was clearly cheaper. Now, that advantage is gone. If you want an iPad for browsing the web, writing, or using pro-level apps, the MacBook Neo outshines the entry-level iPad in almost every way. Yes, you can do those things on an iPad, but you’ll end up spending more and facing more limitations than if you bought a Mac. An iPad Neo could be the answer The MacBook Neo isn’t just the newest laptop in Apple’s lineup. It redefines what an entry-level product is. At $599, with a modern chip, 13-inch display, and 256GB of storage, Apple has finally aligned price and value in a way that’s easy to understand. Now the iPad needs the same treatment. Yes, the entry-level iPad is already cheap, but it could use some meaningful upgrades. First, this iPad needs more frequent updates with the latest chips. The A16 isn’t bad, but it’s already quite outdated by today’s standards. Luckily, as reported by Macworld, Apple is planning to launch a new base iPad with the A19 chip later this year. The MacBook Neo has turned the iPad into a tablet-only device.Foundry A storage upgrade from 128GB to 256GB on the base model would also be very welcome. The company recently did this with the iPhone 17e, and that would be the right path to take with the iPad. After all, many people use their iPads to download photos, songs, videos, and games. A significant price reduction on accessories, especially the Magic Keyboard Folio, is also long overdue. The iPad’s starting price of $349 isn’t the problem. But it has become hard to justify the cost of upgrades and accessories. Perhaps the Neo brand, or at least its spirit, could give the iPad the boost it needs? Maybe it could even have a slightly larger display to better compete with the MacBook Neo. A bigger display would make the iPad feel more like a true laptop alternative. If there’s one thing the MacBook Neo has shown us, it’s that Apple can deliver a decent entry-level product even in its base configuration with the right compromises. The Neo isn’t the most powerful or advanced Mac, but it’s extremely capable in its own right. Right now, the base iPad doesn’t have that same clarity. It’s still a great tablet, but the moment you try to turn it into something more, the value starts to fall apart. Apple doesn’t need to reinvent the iPad, but it does need a realignment—and the MacBook Neo is a great place to start.

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Apple @ Work Podcast: This is why you can’t delay macOS updates
Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. In this episode of Apple @ Work, Ray Canzanese from Netskope joins the show to talk about the latest news around the macOS ClickFix campaign. more…

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Turn your wired CarPlay wireless for just $35
Macworld TL;DR: A $34.99 adapter turns your wired CarPlay/Android Auto into a wireless setup—no cables, no hassle. If your car already has factory-wired Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you’re halfway there. The only thing holding you back? That charging cable you plug in every single time you get in the car. This Mini Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter upgrades your existing system into a fully wireless setup for just $34.99 (MSRP $59.99). No stereo swap. No complicated install. Just plug it in once, pair via Bluetooth, and you’re done. After that, it reconnects automatically within three seconds every time you start the car. Thanks to dual-band 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz chips, you get fast, stable performance that feels OEM-level. Navigation, music streaming, calls, messaging, Siri, Google Assistant—it all works exactly as it should. Even better, it supports your factory touchscreen, steering wheel buttons, and voice commands. It’s over 50% smaller than standard adapters, designed to sit flush and stay out of sight. Compatible with 1,000+ vehicle models, iPhone 6+ and Android 11+, it’s built to handle heat, surges, and real-world driving conditions. This may be the easiest way to modernize your ride without touching your dashboard. Pick up the Mini Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter for $34.99 (MSRP $59.99). Mini Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto AdapterSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Apple looks beyond TSMC to make iPhone and Mac chips
With TSMC’s capacity constraints, Apple is exploring the possibility of tapping into Samsung and Intel foundries for fabricating iPhone and Mac chips. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Samsung & Intel considered as alternatives to TSMC for Apple Silicon production
There is no doubt that Apple needs to diversify its processor supply chain, but Samsung and Intel are weak alternatives next to TSMC. Apple may try anyway.Apple processors are made by TSMC, but that could changeRumors have come and gone about Apple buying Intel for its US foundries, but something about that idea stuck. More recent rumors suggested Apple could start relying on Intel for Apple Silicon production as soon as 2027 or 2028.According to a new report from Bloomberg, Apple has been considering Intel and Samsung to build "main device chips" for some time. While the recent chip and memory shortage has added some pressure, Apple had allegedly been making these considerations well before the current situation. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Report: Apple considers Intel and Samsung to diversify chip manufacturing away from TSMC
Bloomberg reports that Apple has been exploring early-stage talks with Intel and evaluating facilities from Samsung Electronics as it looks to diversify production of its core device chips beyond TSMC. Here are the details. more…

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Boox Go 10.3 Gen II review: this refresh is both better and somehow worse than the last one
Boox has refreshed another model in its lineup, the Boox Go 10.3, adding one new optional feature while, somewhat disappointingly, removing something users really liked.Boox Go 10.3 Gen IIBoox is back at it again with the lineup refresh. This time, we're taking a look at the second-gen iteration of the Boox Go 10.3, Boox's iPad Air-sized e-ink tablet. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple files for Supreme Court stay in Epic case over off-App Store commission dispute
Apple has filed an application with the Supreme Court asking it to stay the Ninth Circuit’s mandate, which would send the case back to the District Court to determine what it can charge for purchases made outside the App Store. Here are the details. more…

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Video offers clearest look yet at foldable iPhone Ultra dummy unit
Unbox Therapy has published a 10-minute close-up look at a dummy unit that aligns with what the iPhone Ultra is increasingly expected to look like. Watch it below. more…

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Y Combinator’s Stake in OpenAI
The fact that Paul Graham personally has billions of dollars at stake with OpenAI doesn’t mean that his public opinion on Sam Altman’s trustworthiness and leadership is invalid. But it certainly seems like the sort of thing that ought to be disclosed when quoting Graham as an Altman character reference.

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World's best-selling smartphone for Q1 2026 is iPhone 17, as expected
During Q1 2026, the base iPhone 17 became the world's top-selling smartphone, outdoing not only the competition but also the premium iPhone models.The standard iPhone 17 was the world's top-selling smartphone during Q1 2026.Across the world, and especially in key markets like China and the United States, the iPhone 17 range has proven to be quite popular with consumers. Apple made that clear when it revealed its record-breaking March quarter results.Apple experienced a 20% increase in iPhone sales in China during Q1 2026, while iPhone revenue grew to $85.3 billion, up from $69.1 a year prior. The driving force during the quarter, according to Counterpoint Research, was the base model iPhone 17, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro following. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Epic vs Apple fight could be put on hold again if Supreme Court sides with Apple
Apple doesn't want to fight a battle on two fronts in the ongoing Epic Games case, so it has turned to the Supreme Court for a pause on proceedings in the Circuit Courts.Apple's control of the App Store continues to be challenged in courtThe Apple vs Epic case could go down as one of the more convoluted cases Apple has ever faced. The back and forth that has taken place since Epic first filed a lawsuit in 2020 will take you at least two hours to read through.In a new filing viewed by AppleInsider, Apple has requested a stay on the mandate that would require it to reconvene with Epic in court and decide upon a new App Store commission for external purchases. It was previously granted a stay by the Circuit Court, but that stay was overturned after a complaint from Epic. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple’s iOS 26.5 brings end-to-end encryption to RCS messages in major step for cross-platform privacy
Apple continues to refine iPhone messaging experience with the upcoming iOS 26.5 update, introducing a long-awaited security feature for… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Designer Transforms Mac mini Into Lego-Inspired Workstation
Remember Lego’s old computer bricks? Designer Paul Staal has supersized the concept into the M2x2, a working Mac mini enclosure that combines retro Lego charm with a 7-inch display.Read original article

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EU DMA after-action review didn't go the way that Apple wanted
Apple's vice president of products & regulatory law Kyle Andeer lashed out at the European Union's Digital Markets Act, repeating the refrains that unfair targeting and requirement that it must share tech with rivals will put users worldwide at risk.Apple slams EU DMA over privacy and innovation risksTwo years after the Digital Market Act went into effect, Apple is still vehemently opposed to the European Union telling it what to do.It's hardly a new stance. Apple has been beating the same drum since the Digital Markets Act (DMA) was first proposed. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Timing 2026.3
Updates the time and productivity tracking app's project drop zone functionality. ($108/$132/$192 new, free update, 33.8 MB, macOS 11+)

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