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- Thursday May 23
- 20 mins agoCanadian firms finally get Tap to Pay on iPhone
Apple has rolled out its Tap to Pay on iPhone to Canada, meaning that businesses there can now take payments from customers on iPhone.Tap to Pay on iPhone comes to Canada (Source: Apple)Two years after Apple first launched it in the US, Tap to Pay on iPhone is now available to merchants in Canada, allowing them to accept contactless payments using their phones instead of dedicated readers. It also enables app developers to incorporate the feature into their iOS apps."Canadians increasingly rely on a variety of digital and contactless payment options," Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, said in a statement, "so we're excited to partner with payment platforms to offer merchants across Canada a private, secure, and easy-to-use capability that meets customers where they are." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums24 mins agoApple said to debut foldable MacBooks in 2026
A new report from TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimates that Apple could ship more than 1 million devices with… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.32 mins agoSystem Settings getting shuffled again in macOS 15, among other UI tweaks
Apple is going to rearrange menus and app UIs across macOS 15, with System Settings seeing the biggest reorganization since the app was redesigned.macOS 15 will introduce a new icon for Siri and a layout change for System SettingsFor its upcoming operating systems, Apple has decided to make changes to the built-in System Settings application. Individual settings within the app will be reorganized based on priority and overall importance, people familiar with the matter have told AppleInsider.For example, the section which encompasses notifications and sound settings will be moved lower in the list. The move is accompanied by different music and audio-related improvements, including smart song transitions and a new "Passthrough" feature for certain audio hardware. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums32 mins agoTap to Pay on iPhone now available in Canada, enabling merchants to accept payments using nothing more than an iPhone | 9 to 5 MacTap to Pay on iPhone now available in Canada, enabling merchants to accept payments using nothing more than an iPhone
Tap to Pay on iPhone is continuing its rollout to more countries. Less than a week after the service debuted in Japan, Apple is bringing seamless, iPhone-centric contactless payments to Canada. more…33 mins agoFolding touchscreen MacBook might come in two large sizes
Apple's folding MacBook could come with a huge or a gigantic touchscreen. But the all-screen design won't have a visible crease. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)41 mins agoApple’s M5 foldable-display MacBook expected to feature 18.76-inch screen, similar to 13-inch Air when folded | 9 to 5 MacApple’s M5 foldable-display MacBook expected to feature 18.76-inch screen, similar to 13-inch Air when folded
Today hot on the heels of a Ming-Chi Kuo report about the rumored foldable-display MacBook set for 2026, analyst Ross Young has followed up with a report of his own. In a post on X for subscribers, Young shared that Apple has decided to go with a slightly smaller display size than originally planned. The MacBook’s foldable display is now expected to measure 18.76 inches, down from the original 20.25-inch model. more…58 mins agoA great replacement button remote for Apple TV [Updated Review] ★★★★☆
If you hate the fiddly Apple TV Siri Remote, Function 101's Button Remote for Apple TV might be your perfect Apple TV remote replacement. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)1 hour agoExpressVPN review
Macworld At a GlanceExpert's Rating ProsSimple to use on all platformsBig focus on privacy and transparency105 countriesConsA little barebonesOur VerdictExpressVPN is fast and simple to get to grips with, offering a great way to get around geoblocking at a reasonable price. While the Mac app is a little basic, that’s arguably part of its charm – you open it, click, and go, but you will miss out on additional features like antivirus tools offered by some rivals. Price When ReviewedFrom $8.32 a month for one year + 3 free months. Usually $12.95 a month.. Best Prices Today: ExpressVPN Retailer Price ExpressVPN $8.32 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket In our time appraising VPNs this year, we’ve found that ExpressVPN is also held up in the community. As one of the biggest names in the game, alongside NordVPN, we were always going to review it, but could it really be that much more impressive than so many of its rivals to earn such a glowing reputation? As it happens, the answer is yes. While ExpressVPN isn’t without its quirks, as so many VPNs are, it’s remarkably easy to use, stripped bare of additional features on the Mac to be boiled down into the simplest way to connect to servers in over a hundred countries. To roll it back, though, why would you want a Virtual Private Network? Reasons to use a VPN are threefold at the basest level. For one, you can circumnavigate geoblocking, letting you watch whatever’s on Netflix in the UK while you remain comfy on your sofa in California, for example. It’s also a great way to protect your data while browsing the web from a network that’s public or unfamiliar. Heading to the coffee shop? A VPN can encrypt your connection to minimize the risk of prying eyes. Finally, even when you’re browsing at home, they can minimize the chances of your internet provider or just about anyone else seeing what you’re doing. What I love about ExpressVPN is you can do just about all of this with two or three clicks at most. It even does well to mitigate some of the speed lost from pinging your data off to distant lands, dropping less than 13% of download speed in our testing. Combine that with a relatively decent price for a one-year membership and you’ve got an ideal first stop for VPN newcomers. ExpressVPN features in our round-up of the Best VPNs for Mac. It’s also included in our Best VPN for iPhone and Best VPNs for iPad articles. Features & Apps Server Choice: There are over 100 countries with ExpressVPN servers. Server Choice: There are over 100 countries with ExpressVPN servers.Foundry Server Choice: There are over 100 countries with ExpressVPN servers.Foundry Foundry As you’d expect from a household name, ExpressVPN has native apps on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, Android, Windows, and just about anything else. If you’ve got a smart device, there’s a good chance ExpressVPN can run on it, and that’s handled through an account-specific Activation Code that’s easy to set up. You can use it on eight devices at once, which is a step up from the five that it used to offer – although disappointingly you won’t be able to get unlimited devices like something like Surfshark. It’s worth noting that, outside of encrypting your connection to minimize the presence of “bad actors”, there’s no Malware protection on offer here, although you can install a password manager called ExpressVPN Keys. Both ExpressVPN and its password manager have browser plugin support, too, so you can use either from within your browser of choice. Outside of that, though, ExpressVPN is refreshingly simple. There are no subscription tiers, no convoluted add-ons, and you can open the app or use the menu bar item on a Mac to get browsing safely and securely in seconds. With that said, if you do want that sort of safety net for malware, something like NordVPN might be worth a look instead. Or take a look at our round-up of the Best Antivirus for Mac. Opening up ExpressVPN is much faster than some competitors we’ve tested, with a slick animation when you hit the “on” button to connect to your chosen server. It’ll add a series of shortcuts to apps and sites you use often, too, letting you quickly hop to them when you’re connected, and there are Advanced Protection features, too – more on those in a moment. I’ve also had great experiences with the 24-hour live chat. Within minutes I can be connected to a real human (no chatbots, hooray!) and able to discuss any issues. Performance Speed Tests: You can run speed tests on any server in the world. Speed Tests: You can run speed tests on any server in the world.Foundry Speed Tests: You can run speed tests on any server in the world.Foundry Foundry To set expectations – NordVPN remains faster than ExpressVPN. Its loss of around 12% of download speed is pretty hard to beat, but 13% on ExpressVPN’s part is still better than many. VPNs will always experience some speed loss simply because you are routing your traffic to a server in another country. ExpressVPN offers no fewer than six different choices for protocol (including the automatic option). Lightway, the company’s own option, is rapid. That’s going to net you the best speeds, but for compatibility, you can switch to another version of Lightway or OpenVPN – although we lost 24% of speed using the latter. It’s worth noting that Advanced Protection features will disable OpenVPN and IKEv2. The tradeoff is that these features can block trackers, malicious sites, ads, and adult sites. That’s great for families using Express for all of their browsing activity, adding additional peace of mind. In my testing, I’ve not found much that Lightway couldn’t handle, too, so it may end up being much simpler to just leave the automatic setting on. You can also run speedtests within the app on multiple server locations to get an idea of what to expect when connecting, and that’s handy for countries with multiple server locations. Privacy & Security IP Address Checker: The IP address checker opens in a browser window, rather than in the app. IP Address Checker: The IP address checker opens in a browser window, rather than in the app.Foundry IP Address Checker: The IP address checker opens in a browser window, rather than in the app.Foundry Foundry Circumnavigating geoblocks is great and all, but it means little if your VPN doesn’t offer some degree of privacy. The company is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, meaning it’s free from the majority of intelligence-sharing agencies’ jurisdiction, while it also operates a no-log policy. It doesn’t have anything like the PureVPN “always-on” audit process, but it undergoes regular audits each year. There’s a sizeable section of the ExpressVPN site with a focus on security, transparency, audits, and more, too, called the Trust Centre. The company also operates a “bug bounty” program to reward anyone capable of finding vulnerabilities in its apps, servers, website or anything else. It’s worth noting, however, that using something like the IP address checker or DNS leak test within the app takes you to a separate webpage, which is a shame – but maybe that’s the price you pay for a faster native macOS experience. Pricing and plans ExpressVPN’s pricing is a little of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s more expensive than many of its contemporaries and doesn’t allow access from unlimited devices as some do. On the other hand, you get a solid, speedy connection with minimal fuss and optional extras, and you don’t have to tie-in for a two-year deal to get the best value. That latter point is important because VPN legislation can change regularly depending on which way the wind is blowing, although at least you tend to get prices locked in for the duration of your plan. Still, the 12-month option here is likely to suffice for many, although it’ll cost more than comparable alternatives. Verdict ExpressVPN is an easy-to-use, fast VPN service with plenty of protection from prying eyes and dodgy coffee shop Wi-Fi, as well as near-limitless potential for enjoying streaming services in any of its server locations across 105 countries. Even with the fairly steep pricing, it’s very easy to recommend for its no-nonsense approach to a VPN. MacOS, Security Software and Services, VPN02:16 pmApple considering multiple sizes for all-screen foldable MacBook
After years of rumors, Apple's all-screen folding MacBook may be getting closer to reality, and could also be offered in multiple sizes.A generated image of a foldable MacBook conceptThe folding MacBook, which could resemble a large iPad with a foldable mid section, may be a few years away from release. Even so, Apple is preparing its supply chain for its production.In a Thursday supply chain report from Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is considering a 20.25-inch display option. However, it may also use an 18.8-inch display panel as well. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:04 pmAffinity update adds QR code generator, variable font support
Affinity 2.5 is here, with a handful of new tools including a QR code generator, some user experience upgrades, and support for ARM on Windows.Affinity's new QR code generatorAffinity, known for its line of creative software geared toward photographers and designers, has rolled out Affinity 2.5, the first update since the company was acquired by Canva in March.The new update brings a new QR code generator to all three programs, allowing users to quickly add codes to their documents. The codes can be scanned to perform actions, such as visiting websites, initiating phone calls, sharing contact info vCards, or launching FaceTime or WhatsApp. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:03 pmMicrosoft working on Word for Mac freeze fix, here are two workarounds
Over the last couple of months, we’ve seen more and more Mac users deal with serious lag and freezing in Microsoft Word. Now a Microsoft employee has confirmed a fix is in the works as well as recommending a workaround while we wait. more…02:00 pmSick of wimpy portable chargers? Try this beast.
If you're sick of wimpy chargers, maybe it's time to try the beastly new Ugreen 300W 48000mAh Portable Charger Power Bank. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)02:00 pmArc Search for iPhone goes conversational with ‘Call Arc’ feature
Today in the latest update to Arc Search for iPhone, search is becoming more conversational. The new ‘Arc Search’ feature aims to replicate the dynamics of talking on the phone, providing Arc users with a more voice assistant-like experience. more…01:51 pmAll-screen M5 MacBook with foldable display and Vision Pro price now rumored for 2026
Apple is working on all-screen foldable devices. Unlike its competitors, however, its focus seems less on foldable smartphones and tablets, and instead on an all-screen foldable laptop. Ming-Chi Kuo has previously reported that Apple was developing a 20.3-inch MacBook device for 2027, but today the analyst has shared several key new details about the futuristic MacBook model. One such detail is that Apple is now eyeing an earlier 2026 launch for the product. more…01:38 pmMajor Apple supplier TSMC expects annual revenue growth of 10% in semiconductor industry | Mac Daily NewsMajor Apple supplier TSMC expects annual revenue growth of 10% in semiconductor industry
Taiwanese contract chipmaker TSMC, a major Apple supplier, on Thursday forecast an annual revenue growth of 10% in… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.01:30 pmGo from song idea to full track in seconds with AI music generator
Got great song ideas or lyrics? AI-powered music generator Supermusic can transform them into fully realized tracks in an instant. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)01:06 pmUber surge pricing in effect all the time, say drivers; opaque pay
Uber surge pricing is supposed to be applied to especially busy times and places, when riders may prefer paying a substantial premium to not being able to get a ride at all. But drivers are claiming that Uber now effectively applies this pricing model all the time – and keeps most of the difference … more…01:03 pmBolt brings iPhone tech to spine surgery: Vanguards of Health Care
Bolt Navigation has shrunk the use of a navigation system for spine surgery into an Apple iOS device, an iPhone, utilizing… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.01:00 pmShare a link with quoted text in Messages [Pro Tip]
If you want to share a link with quoted text in Messages, there’s an easy but hidden way to do it in Safari. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)01:00 pmPixelmator Pro revamps image editing with AI masking tools
The new Pixelmator Pro 3.6 for Mac update concentrates on masking, a key way of selecting objects to edit or delete now being sped up by AI.Notice how the right of the image has been removed using the new masking toolsLong-standing Mac image editor Pixelmator Pro gains significant updates multiple times a year, but this newest one is specifically a revamp of a tool at the heart of the app. While there are many ways to select part of an image to work on, the app's masking feature was the quickest to use — but then sometimes fiddly to get just right.Choosing the Quick Selection tool and dragging over an image still selects parts of it, but an on-screen set of masking tools also appears. With those, users can quickly fine tune what has been selected. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums