Sunday Reboot: MacBook Neo upgrades, masses of Mac minis, and iPhone re-entry
In this week's "Sunday Reboot," a storage upgrade for the MacBook Neo, an excuse to buy many Mac minis, and the iPhones come back to Earth with a late congratulatory message.Image credits: NASA/OvercastSunday Reboot is a weekly column covering some of the lighter stories within the Apple reality distortion field from the past seven days. All to get the next week underway with a good first step.This week, researchers managed to get around Apple Intelligence security measures using prompt injection techniques, a repairability report panned Apple's hardware again, and Apple's lawsuit with Epic Games over the App Store continued to roll on. There was also a bug found to break Mac networking every 49 days, 17 hours, two minutes, and 47 seconds. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Today in Apple history: Apple co-founder quits and cashes in his stake for $800
On April 12, 1976, Apple's third co-founder sold his 10% stake in the company for just $800. Ron Wayne could have been a billionaire! (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Get 3 years of piano lessons on your iPhone, iPad or Mac for just $70
Turn your device into a smart teacher with Flowkey’s interactive piano lessons, real-time feedback and song-first approach to learning. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Eight years later, Apple quietly shuts the door on AI chief John Giannandrea
Since his retirement was announced in 2025, Apple Intelligence head John Giannandrea has been reduced to the role of an advisor, but is now expected to exit Apple Park shortly.John Giannandrea - image credit: AppleIf you spend your notice period at home, you're on gardening leave. If you spend it at work and you're waiting for when your contracted stock bonuses realize, it's called "rest and vest".It appears that the stock options agreed for John Giannandrea's contract when Apple hired him in 2018, are due on April 15. According to Bloomberg's "Power On" newsletter, Giannandrea is consequently going to leave around then. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple's future smart glasses plan is just part of a larger computer vision play
Apple Glass will be a direct competitor to Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, but it will be only a part of a larger three-pronged AI wearable strategy for the company. Here's what's coming.Optimistic renders of what Apple Glass could look like - Image Credit: AppleInsiderApple has long been working on its smart glasses, known as Apple Glass. What is anticipated to actually launch will be quite close to what the existing Meta Ray-Bans can already do.In Sunday's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman writes that the Apple Glass will be easily able to handle everyday uses, including photographs and video capture, dealing with phone calls, handling notifications from an iPhone, and music playback. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How ‘binned’ chips help Apple deliver its most affordable products ever
Macworld Over the past several weeks, you’ve probably heard the term “binned” when referring to the chips inside the iPhone 17e and MacBook Neo. But what does it mean? In simple terms, “binning” is the process of taking one whole group of something and separating it out by characteristics to be sold or used differently. Its origins trace back to agriculture, where a single crop yield would be separated into bins. The best pieces would be ideal for individual sale, and go in a bin destined for the market. Pieces that were not as visually appealing would go in a bin that would sell in bulk at a discount, for processed food products. The food that was worst in quality and appearance would go in yet another bin to sell for animal feed or fertilizer. Today, “binning” is used in nearly every mining, harvesting, or manufacturing industry, from gemstones to clothing and, of course, semiconductors. If a RAM chip is tested and fails when run at a clock speed of 3000 MHz, it is binned and sold as a 2800 MHz chip, for example. Every major chip manufacturer has employed “binning” tactics for years, including Intel, AMD, and Nvidia. But Apple has made the term more mainstream by using “binned” chips in popular products. Here’s how the process works and how Apple is using binned chips to its advantage. The binning process explained Processors, including Apple’s, are typically binned in two ways: Clock speed and design flaws. Chips are tested at frequencies and voltages, and separated out into those that pass validation at the desired speeds and others that operate at lower speeds. Chip makers can then sell the fastest chips at a premium, or in Apple’s case, put them in higher-end products where top-tier performance is expected. Apple doesn’t disclose the frequencies of most of its chips, and the final speed at which the chip can run is very much reliant on the heat dissipation of the targeted device. The more obvious method of “binning” is when some parts of a chip are disabled in order to rescue products that would otherwise have failed in manufacturing. The iPhone 17e uses a “binned” version of the A19 chip with one fewer GPU core.David Price / Foundry Modern processors have tens of billions of transistors, etched onto a silicon sheet by shining high-frequency ultraviolet light through a “mask” of the circuit pattern. This is repeated layer after layer, and the precision required is incredible. A typical silicon wafer—a big, round, flat crystal about a foot across—will produce around 500 chips like an A18, but a large percentage of them will have a flaw that prevents them from operating correctly. If Apple had to throw them in the trash, they’d get maybe 200 usable chips per wafer (or less). The percentage of usable chips is the “yield” of a silicon wafer. You pay for chip manufacturing by the wafer, so the higher the yield, the more usable chips you get out of it, and the lower the cost per chip. Modern chips are designed with many areas that are repeated and functionally identical. If there are six GPU cores, each GPU core is exactly the same. This repetition can be used for redundancy in the manufacturing process, allowing manufacturers to make defective chips usable in other products.. With the right design, a chip could be made so that any GPU core with a manufacturing flaw in it can be “fused off” and ignored when running software. This can turn your broken chip with a 6-core GPU into a functioning 5-core chip. This technique can be used anywhere that large parts of the chip are repeated: CPU and GPU cores, cache memory, memory interface circuitry, and so on. What Apple products have binned chips? Binned chips have been used to power Apple products for about a decade. Back in 2018, the 3rd-gen iPad Pro arrived, which had a version of the A12 called the A12X. Where the A12 had a 6-core CPU and a 4-core GPU, the A12X chip featured an 8-core CPU and a 7-core GPU. As we would soon learn, the A12X chip was actually designed with 8 GPU cores. Yields were bad enough that Apple had to disable one GPU core per chip to get enough usable chips per wafer to bring the costs in line. In early 2020, the fourth-generation iPad Pro featured the A12Z processor. It was the exact same chip as the A12X, but with that eighth GPU core enabled. Manufacturing yields had improved enough to make that possible. The entry-level MacBook Air has used a “binned” version of the chip with one or two fewer GPU cores.Ida Blix When the M1 debuted in the MacBook Air, the chip featured 8 GPU cores. But the entry-level model had one GPU core disabled, giving Apple a lot more usable chips per wafer and bringing down the cost of the M1. Today, Apple sells lots of products with binned chips. The iPhone Air uses the A19 Pro, just as the iPhone 17 Pro does, but one of its 6 GPU cores is disabled. The iPhone 17e uses a binned version of the A19—you get 4 GPU cores in the 17e while the regular iPhone 17 gets 5. The entry-level MacBook Air has an M5 with two GPU cores disabled (8 instead of 10). And the MacBook Neo uses an A18 Pro with one GPU core disabled. Binned chips let Apple improve yields and lower chip costs. It also lets them produce less expensive products with lower-performance chips without having to design a totally new chip. And as one of the only companies that makes its own chips and has its own hardware designs, it gives them a huge advantage. How does binning impact performance? If you’re using a product with a “binned” version of a chip, are you really missing out on the full experience? As so often is the case with the performance of computing products, the answer is: It depends. All things being equal, a binned version of a chip suffers a hit to peak performance right in line with the change to the chip. If you go from 5 GPU cores to 4, that’s a 20 percent reduction in GPU cores, and you generally see a 20 percent reduction in peak GPU performance. The iPhone 17e, for example, delivers GPU results roughly 20 percent lower than the iPhone 17, because it has 20 percent fewer GPU cores. The iPhone Air, with 17 percent fewer GPU cores than the iPhone 17 Pro, delivers graphics benchmark results around 17 percent slower.

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Apple exploring four different styles for its upcoming smart glasses, using premium materials
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Apple is actively testing at least four different styles of frames for its upcoming smart glasses project. Apple is counting on its superior design taste to stand out from rivals like the Ray-Man Meta Glasses. The report indicates Apple is evaluating the designs and plans to launch several, in multiple colors, somewhat similar to how it launched a range of different watches when the Apple Watch debuted in 2015 … more…

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Five refurbished iPhones under $500 that still hold up well in 2026
If you’re trying to buy a new iPhone but don’t quite want an iPhone 17, it can often be hard to find something on a tighter budget. Sure, Apple offers the iPhone 17e at $599 – but not everyone finds that to be a compelling phone. Luckily, there’s plenty of great options if you want to buy used, and I’ll be diving into five great picks for varying needs. more…

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Apple chiefs welcome Artemis II back to Earth after the best Shot on iPhone campaign ever
Apple CEO Tim Cook and SVP of Marketing Greg Joswiak have welcomed the crew of Artemis II back to Earth, after what is probably the most expensive Shot on iPhone event in history.Looking at Earth from Artemis II, shot on an iPhone. - Image Credit: NASAOn Friday evening, the crew of Artemis II splashed down on the coast of San Diego. It brought to an end the ten-day mission, which saw four astronauts take off, fly around the moon, and return home.As the three NASA and one Canadian Space Agency crew were picked up in the water and taken to a recovery ship, the world celebrated. Among them were top executives at Apple, after what turned out to be a massive and unexpectedly great promotional event for the company. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Why MacBook Neo 2 will boast 50% more RAM
Love Apple's affordable new MacBook Neo but really think you want more RAM? Have we got good news for you! (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple pulls high-end Mac mini and Mac Studio models from sale
You can no longer order high-end Mac mini and Mac Studio models from Apple, with the configurations listed as “currently unavailable.” (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple permanently shuts three Apple Store locations
Macworld Apple is taking the unusual step of permanently closing three Apple Store locations: Apple Towson Town Center, Apple North County, and Apple Trumbull. The stores are all temporarily closed today, according to Apple’s retail site, and will be shuttered in June. In a statement, Apple said: At Apple, we are constantly striving to deliver exceptional service and great experiences for our customers. As we continue investing to expand and enhance our retail stores and offerings worldwide, we remain deliberate about evaluating our existing locations to ensure that we can meet our customers’ needs in the best way. Following the departure of several retailers and declining conditions at Trumbull Mall, the Shops at North County, and Towson Town Center, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our stores at these locations. Our team members at Trumbull and North County will continue their roles at nearby Apple Retail stores. Towson employees will be eligible to apply for open roles at Apple in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. We look forward to continuing to serve customers at nearby stores and on Apple.com, the Apple Store app, and at Apple Authorized Resellers and Service Providers. Workers at the Towson, Maryland, Apple Store, which has been open since 2002, became the first to unionize in 2022 following a drawn-out battle. Several major stores, restaurants, and a movie theater have left the mall recently due to crime and competition from online shopping, WBAL-TV has reported. While Apple’s early retail locations were mostly inside malls, its most recent stores have been standalone locations or at outdoor malls. In a statement to WBAL TV, the union said: The IAM Union is outraged by Apple’s decision to close its Towson, Md., store—the first unionized Apple retail location in the United States and abandon both its workers and a community that relies on it for critical services and its unique access to public transit. Apple’s claim that the collective bargaining agreement prevents relocation is simply false and raises serious concerns that this closure is a cynical attempt to bust the union. We are exploring all legal options and will work with elected officials and allies to hold Apple accountable. Apple Store workers at Penn Square Mall, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, are also unionized, and efforts are underway at stores in New York, Kentucky, and Ohio. Apple regularly closes stores temporarily for renovation, but permanent closures are rare, with only a handful closing their doors forever, including one at Apple’s former headquarters at Infinite Loop in Cupertino. Typically, closures happen because the store in question is located in a mall that is in decline. That is exactly what is happening with these three locations.

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Apple users are trading their AirTags for this $24 alternative
Macworld TL;DR: Get a MagTag Ultra Slim Tracker Card that works with Apple Find My for $23.99 (MSRP $59.99). You can’t keep relying on memory to keep track of your essentials, because it works until it doesn’t. One moment, you know where your wallet or purse is, and the next, you’re scrambling and wondering if you left it back at the restaurant or in the taxi. Apple designed the AirTag to fix this problem, but it doesn’t fit everywhere you need it to. The MagTag actually does. Slipping right into your wallet, passport card, or lanyard holder, this $23.99 credit-card-sized tracker removes the headache from managing your valuables at home and while traveling (MSRP $59.99). It’s different from most other trackers because it still works with Apple’s Find My app, showing up right alongside your other Apple devices and using the same global network for real-time tracking. That’s especially useful when traveling. If you leave something behind, you’ll get an instant alert on your iPhone. And if it’s nearby but out of sight, you can trigger a loud beep to track it down quickly—no digging through bags in a panic. Also, unlike many trackers, it’s rechargeable (lasting up to five months per charge) and works with standard Qi wireless chargers, so there’s no need to keep buying batteries. Order the MagTag Ultra Slim Tracker Card for $23.99 (MSRP $59.99). MagTag Ultra Slim Tracker Card – Works with Apple Find My AppSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Looking for a more affordable Nintendo Switch? This near-mint one is $80 off
Macworld TL;DR: Score a refurbished Nintendo Switch handheld bundle for $219.99 and enjoy all the features of a new console — detachable joy-cons, 6.2″ touchscreen, and portable play — without the $300 price tag. Nintendo Switch consoles are amazing, but the price can make even casual gamers hesitate. Why pay full price for a new unit when you can get the same experience for less? This deal on a refurbished Nintendo Switch handheld bundle solves that problem, delivering portable, versatile gaming for just $219.99 (MSRP $299.99). This bundle comes complete with the console, dock, red and blue Joy-Con controllers, HDMI cable, USB-C charger, and Joy-Con grips — everything you need to start gaming right away. The 6.2″ touchscreen and detachable controllers let you play your way, switching effortlessly between handheld, tabletop, and TV modes. Motion controls and flexible multiplayer options make it perfect for solo sessions or gaming with friends. Every refurbished console is professionally restored to Grade A condition, meaning it looks and performs almost like new. Games aren’t included, but everything else is ready for action. This is your chance to enjoy the full Nintendo Switch experience without the full price. Grab this refurbished Nintendo Switch handheld bundle for $219.99 and start gaming anywhere, anytime — without paying full price. Nintendo Switch – Handheld Gaming Console Bundle (Refurbished)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Today only: Grab AirPods Max USB-C for $399.95 ($150 off)
B&H's AirPods Max flash Deal Zone slashes $150 off the original retail price of the over-ear headphones with USB-C.Grab AirPods Max USB-C for just $399.95 today only - Image credit: AppleThe flash deal, which discounts first-gen AirPods Max with USB-C to $399.95, is valid today only at Apple Authorized Reseller B&H Photo.Buy AirPods Max for $399.95 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Hands-on with Belkin’s newest 25W compact MagSafe docks for iPhone and Android users
Belkin has just released two excellent new Qi2.2 chargers – providing 25W MagSafe charging in an ultra-compact design. Normally, these products are centered around the Apple ecosystem, but Belkin’s new 3-in-1 actually embraces modularity and gives Android users an option to bring their own watch charger. Both are very slim, and work excellently no matter which ecosystem you’re in. more…

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This accessory lets you play Switch 2 games on your iPad or iMac display at 4K resolution
Apple has included excellent display panels on iMacs for years, but for the longest time, there hasn’t really been a way to use it for anything other than macOS. There used to be a feature called Target Display Mode, but it’s long been discontinued. This has been a shame, since plenty of iMacs have excellent displays that go to waste after the compute is outdated. I’ve found a pretty good solution though, and it involves a 4K capture card and one nifty app available on the Mac App Store. Any HDMI input, whether that be a Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, or something else – can display on your iMac (or USB-C iPad!) more…

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This accessory lets you play Switch 2 games on your iPad or iMac display at 4K resolution
Apple has included excellent display panels on iMacs for years, but for the longest time, there hasn’t really been a way to use it for anything other than macOS. There used to be a feature called Target Display Mode, but it’s long been discontinued. This has been a shame, since plenty of iMacs have excellent displays that go to waste after the compute is outdated. I’ve found a pretty good solution though, and it involves a 4K capture card and one nifty app available on the Mac App Store. Any HDMI input, whether that be a Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, or something else – can display on your iMac (or USB-C iPad!) more…

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This accessory lets you play Switch 2 games on your iPad or iMac display at 4K resolution
Apple has included excellent display panels on iMacs for years, but for the longest time, there hasn’t really been a way to use it for anything other than macOS. There used to be a feature called Target Display Mode, but it’s long been discontinued. This has been a shame, since plenty of iMacs have excellent displays that go to waste after the compute is outdated. I’ve found a pretty good solution though, and it involves a 4K capture card and one nifty app available on the Mac App Store. Any HDMI input, whether that be a Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, or something else – can display on your iMac (or USB-C iPad!) more…

Read more »

This accessory lets you play Switch 2 games on your iPad or iMac display at 4K resolution
Apple has included excellent display panels on iMacs for years, but for the longest time, there hasn’t really been a way to use it for anything other than macOS. There used to be a feature called Target Display Mode, but it’s long been discontinued. This has been a shame, since plenty of iMacs have excellent displays that go to waste after the compute is outdated. I’ve found a pretty good solution though, and it involves a 4K capture card and one nifty app available on the Mac App Store. Any HDMI input, whether that be a Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, or something else – can display on your iMac (or USB-C iPad!) more…

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