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- Sunday March 15
- 12:26 pmiOS 27 likely won’t include any major changes to Liquid Glass: report
In just a few months, Apple is expected to unveil its latest round of operating systems: iOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and so on. Previous reports on iOS 27 have heavily focused on how this years operating systems should focus more on performance improvements and overall stability. In today’s Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that we probably won’t see any serious changes to Liquid Glass, though there could still be some minor ones. more…08:00 am“Almost Excel” isn’t Excel—Office for Mac is only $60 for a lifetime license
Macworld TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac for $59.97 (reg. $219)—a one-time purchase that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote. At the end of the day, those “free” productivity apps aren’t really free. Sure, they technically cost $0 upfront, but the tradeoff is usually formatting issues, missing features, compatibility problems, and way too much wasted time. Right now, you can skip those headaches and upgrade your Mac with Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for just $59.97 (reg. $219). And unlike Microsoft 365, this is a lifetime license, meaning you pay once and use it forever. This bundle includes the classic productivity tools most people rely on every day: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote. Whether you’re writing reports, building spreadsheets, creating presentations, or managing email, these are still the gold-standard apps used by businesses and schools worldwide. The license is linked to your Microsoft account, so once it’s redeemed, the software stays tied to you rather than to a single device installation. For Mac users who want reliable productivity tools without monthly subscriptions—or the frustration of “almost good enough” free apps—this deal is a straightforward upgrade. Get this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for just $59.97 (MSRP $219). Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime LicenseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.08:00 amProtect your emails with this $50 backup tool
Macworld TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Mail Backup X Individual Edition for $49.99 (reg. $179) and securely back up Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and more with encrypted archives. Emails hold everything from contracts and receipts to client conversations and personal records. Yet most people don’t think about backing them up until something goes wrong—like an account issue, accidental deletion, or lost access. Well, you aren’t most people. Right now, you can get lifetime access to Mail Backup X for $49.99 (reg. $179), giving you a reliable way to safeguard your email data. Mail Backup X is designed to work with major email clients like Apple Mail, Outlook, Thunderbird, and Office 365, as well as services like Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo, and any IMAP-based account. It lets you automatically back up messages and create highly compressed archives that save up to three times the storage space. Once archived, your emails become searchable and easy to manage, making it simple to find older conversations or important attachments. The software also supports importing a wide range of mail archive formats, including .pst, .mbox, .eml. Security is also built in. Mail Backup X uses AES 256-bit encryption and private-key protection to keep your archived emails accessible only to you. Get lifetime access to Mail Backup X Individual Edition for $49.99 (reg. $179) now. Mail Backup X Individual Edition: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.Saturday March 1407:34 pmShould Keycaps Use Text or Glyphs for Delete, Return, Tab, Caps Lock, and Shift?
"The new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models feature a keyboard change," reports MacRumors: On the U.S. English version of the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro keyboards, the tab, caps lock, shift, return, and delete keycaps now have glyphs on them. On previous-generation models, these keys are labeled with text instead... Given the U.S. English keyboard layout is the default option for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Neo models sold in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, this change effectively extends to those countries and a few others. "Apple already uses glyph-based key labels on several European keyboard layouts," notes The Mac Observer, "including British English versions of the MacBook. Because of this, the design will feel familiar to many users outside the United States." The change was noticed last week by Chicago-based X.com/YouTube user "Mr. Macintosh", who makes how-to videos about now and old Macs. Read more of this story at Slashdot.07:30 pmIndie App Spotlight: ‘Kiosk 27’ makes your iPhone camera feel like film
Welcome to Indie App Spotlight. This is a weekly 9to5Mac series where we showcase the latest apps in the indie app world. If you’re a developer and would like your app featured, get in contact. iPhone cameras have come a long way over the years, but if you find yourself yearning for more of a classy, filmic look versus the computational photography of today, Kiosk 27 might be a fun fit for you. more…07:30 pmIndie App Spotlight: ‘Kiosk 27’ makes your iPhone camera feel like film
Welcome to Indie App Spotlight. This is a weekly 9to5Mac series where we showcase the latest apps in the indie app world. If you’re a developer and would like your app featured, get in contact. iPhone cameras have come a long way over the years, but if you find yourself yearning for more of a classy, filmic look versus the computational photography of today, Kiosk 27 might be a fun fit for you. more…07:30 pmIndie App Spotlight: ‘Kiosk 27’ makes your iPhone camera feel like film
Welcome to Indie App Spotlight. This is a weekly 9to5Mac series where we showcase the latest apps in the indie app world. If you’re a developer and would like your app featured, get in contact. iPhone cameras have come a long way over the years, but if you find yourself yearning for more of a classy, filmic look versus the computational photography of today, Kiosk 27 might be a fun fit for you. more…07:16 pmAmazon's M5 MacBook Pro sale delivers deals from just $1,399
Amazon's weekend M5 MacBook Pro sale delivers steep discounts on multiple configurations, from the standard model for $1,399 to the upgraded 1TB spec for $1,499.Grab the lowest prices on M5 MacBook Pro at Amazon - Image credit: AppleWeekend MacBook Pro deals are in full swing, with the standard M5/16GB/512GB spec discounted to $1,399.99, reflecting a $200 markdown off MSRP.Buy M5/16GB/512GB MacBook Pro for $1,399.99 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums06:05 pmMacBook Neo makes the rest of Apple’s lineup a whole lot harder to justify
Ever since the announcement of the $599 MacBook Neo over a week ago, I’ve been wondering: does this destroy the value proposition of other non-Pro laptops in Apple’s lineup? It’s a rather interesting question, because even at its incredibly affordable price point, MacBook Neo still manages to feel quite premium. After actually trying out the laptop after its launch on Wednesday, I find myself even more perplexed on how this thing fits in Apple’s lineup – but not in a bad way. more…04:01 pmUnlock all 14 languages: Get Babbel lifetime for just $159
Gain lifetime access to all 14 of the languages offered in the Babbel app with this great limited-time deal. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:00 pmApple just turned an entire generation of kids into Mac users
Macworld For years, Chromebooks and low-cost Windows laptops have dominated the education sector for one primary reason: aggressive pricing. Some models sell for under $200, making them easy to deploy at scale. They’re also more sensible than entry-level iPads, thanks to the more mature operating systems, larger displays, built-in keyboards, and fuller feature sets. That dynamic is about to shift, however. With the new MacBook Neo, Apple is set to disrupt this longstanding formula, positioning itself as a serious player in education. Until now, a truly affordable MacBook that parents and schools could justify for kids didn’t exist—Apple’s cheapest laptop started at $999 with the MacBook Air. Starting at a mere $499 for education, Neo is catering to this untapped market for the first time ever. Before long, many students will either be using a MacBook Neo or asking for one. Long-term gains The MacBook Neo’s starting price is a calculated decision. Apple could’ve easily charged more and still sold plenty of them, but short-term profit isn’t the primary goal here. With such a low starting price for students, Apple is ensuring Macs will begin showing up in classrooms all over the world, winning over younger generations and getting them accustomed to Apple hardware and software. By introducing students to the Mac at a young age, Apple potentially secures them as lifelong customers who will later spend much more on higher-end devices. Plenty of Chromebooks and Windows laptops cost less than $499, but they don’t have the design or ecosystem Apple does. The MacBook is an established premium line, and, at just $499, it’s bound to become the new cool at school. Apple laptops are already popular with students, but now they’ll be popular with schools too.Apple iPhone’s BFF Back in the days when I was a college student, I sold my mid-range Lenovo laptop right after I switched from Android to iPhone. Instead of a Mac, I opted for an iPad to keep things in sync with my iPhone while I worked. Within a couple of years, my entire setup was converted to Apple-made products that worked seamlessly together. Many parents buy their kids iPhones for similar reasons. They can easily AirDrop notes, add them to shared photo albums, track them with Find My, set Screen Time limits, approve purchases, and much more. When they grown up, these kids will want a laptop that works just as well with their iPhones. The MacBook Neo offers native integrations with iOS, including iPhone Mirroring, notification forwarding, Universal Clipboard, plus the practical iCloud sync for photos, notes, contacts, files, and other data. No Chromebook or Windows laptop can beat that. Full desktop experience Another reason parents and schools may want to prioritize the MacBook Neo over a Chromebook is that it runs the full version of macOS. ChromeOS is essentially a glorified web browser that doesn’t offer the same set of advanced apps. While the MacBook Neo may run an iPhone chip, users will still get to install professional Mac software, such as coding tools, photo editors, and other comprehensive desktop apps. Apple doesn’t say how long it will support the MacBook Neo with software updates, but it’s safe to assume that it’ll be longer than any of its mid-range rivals. Cheap laptops often get quickly neglected by their manufacturers, as they focus their resources on supporting flagship machines. As such, Neo users will get the latest security patches, AI enhancements, and other new Mac features for years to come. Apple learned from the mistakes it made with the iPhone 5c.Foundry Far from an iPhone 5c When the plastic iPhone 5c flopped, Apple learned how not to build cheap products, switching to the SE model, which maintains the premium materials for budget iPhones and watches by incorporating dated components. The MacBook Neo is an evolution of this successful formula that sacrifices certain technologies for design and features that matter. According to Macworld’s Michael Simon—who got to try the notebook at Apple’s hands-on event—the MacBook Neo feels as premium as the MacBook Air. It features a sturdy aluminum chassis, reliable Magic Keyboard (albeit not backlit), stunning display, decent audio system, and more. Sure, you’re missing out on some higher-end specs available on Air and Pro MacBooks, but it doesn’t feel like similarly priced, low-grade laptops. Beyond its durability, the MacBook Neo also caters to students and youngsters by offering vibrant color options, including citrus and blush—plus the more subtle silver and indigo. The selection can add a fun aspect to a serious productivity device, making it appealing to a broader range of customers. If pretty much everything about the MacBook Neo is superior, why would anyone still want to buy another cheap laptop?02:00 pmHands-on with MacBook Neo and more [Cult of Mac podcast No. 11]
This week on the "Cult of Mac" podcast: Griffin shows off Apple's new Studio Display XDR, iPhone 17e and not one but two MacBook Neos. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:00 pmHands-on: This hub fixes the MacBook Neo’s biggest limitation
Apple’s new MacBook Neo is one of the most exciting and disruptive products Apple has released in years. Starting at just $599, or $499 through the education store, it delivers incredible performance and build quality without much compromise. You get a laptop that looks, feels, and performs like a true Apple laptop. But like many Apple products in 2026, it lacks a variety of ports. I would argue that customers used to this price range expect more than just two USB-C ports from their Windows counterpart. That’s where MacBook Air users their ports back! Here is what you should know. more…01:34 pmToday in Apple history: Power Mac 7100 lands Apple in hot water with Carl Sagan
On March 14, 1994, Apple introduced the Power Macintosh 7100, a midrange Mac that landed the company in court against astronomer Carl Sagan. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)01:00 pmThe MacBook Neo is the fantastic new Mac for the masses [Review] ★★★★☆
This will be a lot of people’s first Mac, and they’ll be very happy. A hands-on review of the MacBook Neo leaves us highly impressed. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)11:51 am11-inch M4 iPad Air $40 Off
The iPad Air has been refreshed and is now powered by the M4 chip, making it faster and more capable of handling heavy tasks and graphics-heavy games. It has Apple Intelligence support, the AI system that keeps you organized and well on your way to getting through your workload. The device is compatible with Apple […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:50 amApple To Announce Plans For 50th Anniversary
Plans for the 50th anniversary of Apple will be announced over the weeks to come, but no specific details have been revealed. The company was founded on April 1, 1976, and Apple will be turning 50 next month! The company stated that their celebration will acknowledge innovation, impact, and creativity made possible with technology at […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:49 amTeardown Video for MacBook Neo Released
Tech Re-Nu, an Australian YouTuber, has provided us with a teardown video of the MacBook Neo, showing the insides of the device. The video shows the new devices being disassembled in about 6 minutes, hinting that the company may have put simplicity first with clean routing designs for cables and standard Torx screws. The battery […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:48 amUpdates and New Games Coming to Apple Arcade
Three new games are being added to Apple Arcade next month, with many updates to current titles. Apple will be adding My Very Hungry Caterpillar+, Dredge+, and Unpacking+ to their service with the games available on the second of April. My Very Hungry Caterpillar offers an interactive experience where you care for your own caterpillar […] The post appeared first on iLounge.11:47 amThe AirPods 4 with ANC is $60 off
The AirPods 4 feature the H2 chip along with adaptive audio to blend both transparency mode and ANC in the earbuds effortlessly, allowing you to hear the world around you or lock in and immerse yourself in your game, music, or workout. The earbuds feature ANC, eliminating outside noise and allowing you to focus or […] The post appeared first on iLounge.