NASA just gave Apple the best Shot on iPhone ad ever
Macworld Remember the Shot on iPhone ad campaign? Well, a pair of photos from the astronauts on Artemis II might spur Apple to bring it back. As they make their way toward the moon–an event that will be livestreamed today beginning at 1 p.m. ET–the astronauts Christina Koch and Reid Wiseman shared two incredible photos of Earth (via NASA’s X account) taken from the window of the Orion spacecraft. But it wasn’t taken with a high-tech camera. It was snapped with an iPhone 17 Pro. Originally conceived to promote the iPhone 6, the Shot on iPhone campaign ran for years and featured original photography from iPhone users. In 2019, Apple ran a contest and selected 10 winners to showcase their shots on billboards in select cities, in Apple stores, and online. If the same contest were held this year, there’s no question that these two shots would be among the winners. Inside the dim Orion spacecraft, a window in the center of the image shows a brightly lit Earth and astronaut Reid Wiseman sits on the right side looking back at Earth. NASA As reported by The New York Times, the iPhones onboard the spacecraft are strictly for taking photos and can’t connect to the internet or Bluetooth accessories. Apple has no part in the planning or selection of the phones used on board, but we assume they’re pretty happy with the results. The photos are of Koch and Reid looking out the window at Earth, which is nearly fully visible. The alt-text included reads: “Inside the dim Orion spacecraft, a window in the center of the image shows a brightly lit Earth and an astronaut sits on the right side looking back at Earth.” The photos were snapped with an iPhone 17 Pro, but it’s not clear what zoom or settings were used. While iPhones have traveled through space before, this is the first time a smartphone has been fully qualified for extended use in orbit.

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How to use Focus modes to wrangle all your notifications
Apple's Focus modes keep unwanted distractions at bay. Setting up a Focus with rich customization is now much easier. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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How to use digital IDs in Apple Wallet & where they are supported
In a growing number of states, you can add your ID to Apple Wallet. Here's how to add them, how they work, where they are, what the limitations are, and what they can do.A digital driver's license in the Apple Wallet appWe're moving closer and closer to a world where you can ditch your physical wallet. You can already add your credit cards, debit cards, loyalty cards, tickets and boarding passes, and most recently — your driver's license to Apple Wallet.But the license rollout is not everywhere. This has increased the uncertainty on whether or not your ID can be added and if it can be, where it can be accepted. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How to use digital IDs in Apple Wallet & where they are supported
In a growing number of states, you can add your ID to Apple Wallet. Here's how to add them, how they work, where they are, what the limitations are, and what they can do.A digital driver's license in the Apple Wallet appWe're moving closer and closer to a world where you can ditch your physical wallet. You can already add your credit cards, debit cards, loyalty cards, tickets and boarding passes, and most recently — your driver's license to Apple Wallet.But the license rollout is not everywhere. This has increased the uncertainty on whether or not your ID can be added and if it can be, where it can be accepted. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How to use digital IDs in Apple Wallet & where they are supported
In a growing number of states, you can add your ID to Apple Wallet. Here's how to add them, how they work, where they are, what the limitations are, and what they can do.A digital driver's license in the Apple Wallet appWe're moving closer and closer to a world where you can ditch your physical wallet. You can already add your credit cards, debit cards, loyalty cards, tickets and boarding passes, and most recently — your driver's license to Apple Wallet.But the license rollout is not everywhere. This has increased the uncertainty on whether or not your ID can be added and if it can be, where it can be accepted. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How to use digital IDs in Apple Wallet & where they are supported
In a growing number of states, you can add your ID to Apple Wallet. Here's how to add them, how they work, where they are, what the limitations are, and what they can do.A digital driver's license in the Apple Wallet appWe're moving closer and closer to a world where you can ditch your physical wallet. You can already add your credit cards, debit cards, loyalty cards, tickets and boarding passes, and most recently — your driver's license to Apple Wallet.But the license rollout is not everywhere. This has increased the uncertainty on whether or not your ID can be added and if it can be, where it can be accepted. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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What’s coming from Apple in April 2026: M5 Mac rumors, new Apple TV shows, and Apple Arcade games
Apple turned 50 on April 1, 2026, but the company is keeping things low-key this month. Instead of a major hardware event or flashy… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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New iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2 leaks on design, release date arrive
There’s no shortage of rumors about iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Fold, but surprisingly little has been reported about Apple’s other upcoming flagships. However, new leaks detail what to expect from iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2’s design and launch timing. more…

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Apple iPhone USB security: What that ‘allow accessory’ alert really means
"Juice jacking" may be overblown as a threat to average users, but you should know how and why to use that iPhone "allow accessory" setting. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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iPhone Fold enters manufacturing test phase right on schedule
A new report claims that the iPhone Fold has entered a key production stage and that, if it passes tests, the device will be launched alongside the iPhone 18 range in September 2026.The iPhone Fold may have all physical buttons on the right, leaving the left side clear — image credit: AppleInsiderFollowing rumors in March 2026 of Samsung Display planning to ramp up production of screens for the iPhone Fold, a new report backs up that schedule. According to leaker Instant Digital on Chinese social media site Weibo, the iPhone Fold is now in testing."The iPhone Fold is now in trial production at Foxconn," says the leaker (in translation). "If there is no accident, the iPhone Fold folding screen will be sold simultaneously around July like the iPhone 18 Pro." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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What the new Matter update delivers to Apple Home users, on Smart Home Insider
On this week's episode of the Smart Home Insider podcast, we cover the launch of Matter 1.5.1 and all the changes that are coming to Apple Home users after the update.Smart Home Insider PodcastThe Connectivity Standards Alliance has committed to at least two updates to the Matter spec each year. While sometimes we see a larger milestone update, other times it's smaller — as with 1.5.1.This update primarily focuses on improving the experience for cameras, which were added with version 1.5 in the fall of 2025. Even though Apple Home still lacks support, Apple has committed to doing so in the future. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPhone Fold just hit major milestone that’s good news for launch timing
The iPhone Fold is coming later this year, and per a notable leaker, the brand new model just hit a major milestone that’s good news for launch timing. more…

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Studio Display XDR may be used to look at your next MRI or X-Ray
Apple made it clear at launch that there is a Medical Imaging Calibrator in the Studio Display XDR to allow for use as a DICOM monitor to view X-rays or other scans. It has now been granted FDA approval.DICOM settings available on the Studio Display XDRThe Studio Display XDR improves in nearly every aspect of the original and in some aspects of the Pro Display XDR it replaces. The smaller 27-inch display is still Retina with ProMotion and Adaptive sync.One of the headlining features of the Pro Display XDR was DICOM medical imaging, which had to go through FDA approval. As of Thursday evening, the FDA has cleared the Medical Imaging Calibrator and Apple can roll it out to users. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Artemis II astronauts each take Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max units around the Moon
NASA's Artemis II crew is making history not just by flying around the Moon, but by doing so with the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max models… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Vibe coding app's victory lap cut very short by the App Store
The vibe-coding app Anything was pulled from the App Store, but the developer claimed victory after a return. Victory was fleeting, as the app is gone again, and nobody is saying why.App Store boots Anything, againAnything, a vibe-coding app for iOS that was pulled from the App Store, made a triumphant return on April 3. It celebrated by launching a $5,000 weekend hackathon and a credit giveaway on X, but that was seemingly premature.Checking the App Store on Monday, Anything is nowhere to be found. It doesn't appear in searches, while a direct link to the app warns it's not available. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Google and MediaTek Move to Challenge the PC Status Quo
Android PCs powered by Arm and AI are emerging as a challenge to the WinTel model, led by Google. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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Best Thunderbolt and USB-C docking stations for your MacBook 2026
Macworld Plug your MacBook in and out of a multi-port laptop docking station to swiftly add multiple devices and external displays with just one cable connection to your laptop. We tested the top contenders to find the best Thunderbolt and USB-C docks available to owners of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Thunderbolt, USB4 or USB-C The connectors all look the same (technically known as a “Type-C connector”), but there are significant differences, particularly on speed that will determine both data-transfer rate and higher external display refresh rates. USB-C: 5Gbps or 10Gbps USB4: 20Gbps or 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 and 4: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 5: 80Gbps / 120Gbps Our list Which ports does my MacBook have will show you how many USB-C or more likely one of Thunderbolt 3, 4 or 5 that you have. While an older Thunderbolt 3 (TB3) dock will be enough for most casual users, if you can stretch the budget go for a TB4 or TB5 dock as they will remain current for years, saving you money in the long term, and are backwards compatible with earlier versions and all the way back to USB-C. High-end professionals should aim for Thunderbolt 5. The dock needs one (“upstream“) Thunderbolt or USB-C port for connecting to and charging your laptop (although all recent MacBooks can also power via the MagSafe 3 port), and at least another (“downstream“) to attach further devices (hard drives, external display, and others). For more detail, read our Thunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4 vs Thunderbolt 3 vs USB4 explainer. Add external displays to your MacBook If you use your laptop as your principal computer, attaching at least one larger display to create a hybrid desktop/laptop setup, with a keyboard and mouse, will boost your productivity. You can turn that 13in MacBook’s cramped screen real-estate into an iconic iMac-sized 27in or even larger screen by adding an extra display—or connect two or even four large monitors to extend your screen across your whole desk. Take a look at our recommended best monitors and displays for Mac and also the best portable monitors for Mac. You’ll get two or more Extended mode screens (where the screen extends beyond what you can see on the laptop screen) using a Thunderbolt connection (or DisplayPort/HDMI). Natively over mere USB-C, Macs can connect to only one external display in Extended mode, as opposed to Mirrored mode (which replicates exactly what you get on the laptop screen) but DisplayLink is third-party software that allows some docks to extend to up to four screens on even the most basic Mac. DisplayLink-supporting docks are also the only way that non-Pro/Max M1 and M2 MacBooks can connect more than one external display. More explained: we cover more on Mac docking stations and external displays at the end of this feature below our recommendations. Do I need a docking station? With three TB4 or TB5 and an HDMI port, a MacBook with a Max chip could connect to up to four external displays without the need for a dock, although such a power user would likely require extra Thunderbolt and other ports for more devices to make up for using all the laptop ports for multiple monitors. See below our list of recommended docking stations for more detail on the external display options with each recent MacBook. All docks come with a bunch of USB ports: some old-school USB-A and newer, more capable USB-C. MacBook Pros also have an SD card reader. Although this card reader is rated as UHS-II (312MBps), Apple has pegged it back at 250MBps, so for the fastest speeds (and a microSD slot if you need one), a dock will likely be a better choice for memory-card use if it is rated at UHS-II rather than UHS-I (104MBps). MacBooks also lack wired Internet access via an Ethernet port, so if you want to escape flaky Wi-Fi, buy a dock with at least Gigabit Ethernet, although you could add a Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet adapter instead if you have a spare TB port. Some later docks include faster 2.5Gb, 5Gb or even 10Gb Ethernet but you’ll need a supporting router or other device to get the benefits, although these faster Ethernet ports are backwards compatible with Gigabit so will future-proof your purchase. Dock or hub? If you need just a few extra ports, a USB-C hub or Thunderbolt hub might be your best choice—see our roundup of the best USB-C and Thunderbolt hubs for Mac. However, if you require a bunch of fast ports including Gigabit (or faster) Ethernet and multiple video ports plus more powerful charging capability, then look for a full dock that fulfils your needs. We’ve reviewed the best hubs alongside the docks. USB-C and Thunderbolt speeds Simon Jary / Foundry • USB and Thunderbolt speeds explained USB PD: Power Delivery for your laptop Most docks can charge the connected MacBook, so look for the right Power Delivery (PD) rating that suits your laptop. You can’t over-power a MacBook so the simplest advice is to aim as high as you can. 70W will be more than enough to fast-charge a MacBook Air but go for 85W or more (PD 3.0) for a MacBook Pro, and 140W (PD 3.1) for the top-end 16-inch Pro. We’ve got more detailed advice on recommended MacBook charging speeds below our list of docks. Best docks for Mac 2026 Here we list the Thunderbolt and USB-C docks that we have reviewed and tested. Read the descriptions for details on all the features and functions offered by each docking station. We start with the latest Thunderbolt 5 docks as they offer the most but docks with TB4 and even TB3 might be all you need and often (not always) come in cheaper. The benefit of buying a Thunderbolt 5 dock now—even if your Mac doesn’t have it—is that it’s backwards compatible and future proofs you for your next Mac purchase. CalDigit TS5 Plus – Ultimate Thunderbolt 5 dock for Macs Pros Thunderbolt 5 20 top-end ports 10Gb Ethernet Iconic case 330W Power Delivery 140W PD 3.1 laptop charging Cons Premium price Price When Reviewed: $499.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $499.99 View Deal Caldigit $499.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock Ports: 20 Power: 140W PD 3.1; 330W max External displays: Up to 2x 8K at 60Hz or 1x 8K at 60Hz; 3x/4x displays using M5 Pro/Max If you desire the ultimate in MacBook docking stations, the CalDigit TS5 Plus has just about everything you need—indeed probably more than you need. Alongside super-fast Thunderbolt 5 you get an incredible number of top-end ports including 10Gb Ethernet and an incredible 330W power supply. Somehow CalDigit has included an incredible clearly labelled 20 ports into the compact dock—all of which can be used simultaneously—including ten 10Gbps USB ports (five USB-C and five USB-A), the fastest Ethernet available, top-rated card readers and audio ports front and back. There are three 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 ports: one upstream to connect to your computer and two downstream for speedy data-transfer devices. CalDigit has sacrificed a possible third downstream TB5 port for a dedicated DisplayPort in the knowledge that most dock users run at least one external display and so the extra TB5 port would be used for a monitor connection anyway. Depending on the display capabilities of your MacBook, the maximum resolution is 8K at a 60Hz refresh rate, with a possible refresh rate of 240Hz for 4K or 500Hz for 1080p HD. Advances in the top-end M5 processors mean that a MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro or M5 Max chip can now respectively attach three or four external displays from the TS5 Plus. Standard M5, M4 Pro and M4 Max and lower are still restricted to two external displays. The TS5 Plus is the first dock with dual 10Gbps USB controllers, one controller for the front ports and one for the ports at the back of the dock for increased USB bandwidth. Each of the USB ports offers 7.5W of power except the front-facing 36W USB-C port. The two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports also offer 36W. As it has the highest power supply of any dock tested here (330W), all can output at a maximum at the same time—something that’s not possible with most other docks. One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W) Two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 36W) Five USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W) Four USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W) One USB-C port (10Gbps, 36W) One DisplayPort 2.1 Ethernet (10Gb) UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps) UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps) 3.5mm combo audio jack (front) Two 3.5mm In/Out audio jacks (back) 330W power supply Who should buy the CalDigit TS5 Plus? There isn’t a docking station available now that rivals the CalDigit TS5 Plus for number and quality of ports, although the iVanky FusionDock Max 2 (reviewed below) can natively handle three displays. Each port is rated as high as they go. Priced at $499 in the US (£469 in the UK) it’s significantly more expensive than the Sonnet Echo 13 ($369) and OWC ($329) and Plugable Thunderbolt 5 ($299) docks but none can match the CalDigit TS5 Plus on sheer number and speed of ports and highest-level features. Power users who want the very premium end will pay top dollar for the best. If you can cope with a little less, consider the 15-port CalDigit TS5 reviewed below. Read our full CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 5 Plus (TS5 Plus) review

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Apple’s first 50 years were just the beginning. Get ready for a wild 2026
Macworld Over the past couple of weeks, Apple, Macworld, and everyone else in the tech sphere spent time celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary, looking back at not just the company’s rich history, but also our own past and how Apple has played a part in it. It’s been a blast, but now it’s time to get down to business. As you read this article, Apple is now 50 years and five days old (and counting). I point that out because, as die-hards know, Apple is more interested in looking forward than looking back. So, now that we’ve had time to recover from all the revelry, it’s time to get ready for the next 50 years of Apple. And it’s set to get off to a really fast start. While the MacBook Neo might have come in just under the wire, in June, Apple will preview the much-awaited Sri overhaul that is expected to ship with version 27 of its operating systems. As we all know (perhaps begrudgingly), AI is the future of tech, and Apple has stumbled and bumbled its Apple Intelligence plan. But AI is going to be what drives Apple (and all tech companies) over the next 50 years, so it needs to get on track. That’ll start at WWDC26. Once the AI issue is settled, Apple will shift to hardware releases, and it’ll be more than the usual iPhones and Macs. In September, Apple is expected to release its first folding iPhone, also certain to be its most expensive iPhone ever. While all eyes will be on how Apple executes the hardware, the real key will be with the software and how Apple will enhance iOS so it can take advantage of the new form factor. After that, perhaps in October, Apple will reportedly release a product we thought we’d never see: a touchscreen MacBook Pro. It’ll be dramatically different, and we’ll be looking for hints at WWDC26, if we can read between the lines (or in this case, code) of macOS 27. Besides the touchscreen, the MacBook Pro is going to see a design overhaul in an effort to further differentiate the laptop from the MacBook Air and MacBook Neo. Reports also say that Apple is planning to finally release the long-reported smart home hub, or HomePad, which would act as a central station for a smart home. This product relies on Siri, so again, WWDC26 could tell us a lot of what’s going on here. But the smart home market is a place where Apple could make a major part of its next 50 years. That’s just what we could see by the end of 2026. They’re extremely important products, because they form the basis of what Apple can do in the upcoming years and into the next 50. Foundry Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too. Apple turns 50 We picked the best products for Apple’s 50 years: 1976-1985 1986-1995 1996-2005 2006-2015 2016-2026 Apple’s top 50 most influential people of all time, ranked Macworld’s Jason Snell looks back on his own history with Apple The Macalope wonders if success has made Apple better or worse Apple gives out 50th T-shirts, pins, and posters to employees, and hosts Paul McCartney These are longtime editor Roman Loyola’s two favorite keynotes Trending: Top stories Apple’s newest Finder Guy videos are more adorable than ever Apple slashed the price of the Pro Display XDR by $400 Apple has shut down digital payments in Russia Finder Guy is back in a series of new TikTok videos Podcast of the week Podcast of the week While Apple celebrated its 50th anniversary, we took this cue on the latest Macworld Podcast and chatted with former Macworld editorial director and current Macworld columnist, Jason Snell. We talk about our favorite memories, the moments that defined the company, where it’s at, and what to expect in the future. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. Reviews corner Kensington EQ Pro Thunderbolt 5 Dock for MacBook Mobile Pixels Trio 3 Pro Ugreen Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Dock Abxylute M4 The rumor mill The upcoming new Siri might finally be able to do two things at once The iPhone 18 Pro’s smaller Dynamic Island shown in a leaked spy shot The AirTag 2 got a firmware update to tweak the unwanted tracking sound Video of the week Did you know Apple’s original logo was a lot different than the one it uses now? All is revealed in our latest short. Enjoy all our short-form video on TikTok or Instagram. @macworld.com The original Apple logo was VERY different #apple #apple50 ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld Software updates, bugs, and problems The iOS 26.5 beta has arrived, but where’s the new Siri? Rare iOS update pushes critical DarkSword security fix to all phones And with that, we’re done for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters, including our new email from The Macalope–an irreverent, humorous take on the latest news and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, or X for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.

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NASA astronauts on the way to the Moon capture Earth using iPhone 17 Pro Max
The next Apple Shot on iPhone ad campaign is writing itself: the four NASA astronauts currently on the Artemis || mission are taking stunning shots of Earth, using iPhone 17 Pro Max. As confirmed on NASA’s official Flickr page, three of the published shots were taken on iPhone. The images show Earth through the window of the Orion spaceship’s capsule. more…

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Your Mac deserves better — here’s an MS Office license for under $25
Macworld TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac for $24.97 — a one-time purchase that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more, with no subscriptions or recurring fees. Trying to stay productive on a Mac without Microsoft Office can feel like duct-taping your workflow together. Formatting breaks, compatibility issues pop up, and suddenly, a simple document turns into a time sink. Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac cuts through that chaos — and right now, it’s available for a one-time $24.97 (normally $229). This version brings the core apps most professionals rely on — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams Classic — into a one-time purchase that lives on your Mac without monthly fees. It’s designed to work smoothly with modern macOS features like Retina display and full-screen view, so everything looks sharp and runs clean. One-time purchase — no subscriptions or recurring costs Full suite of essential Microsoft apps for work and home Optimized for Mac performance and display features Instant digital delivery with lifetime access There are a couple of trade-offs to note: this is a 2019 version, which means no future security updates, and auto-updates need to stay off. But if you want reliable, familiar tools without ongoing costs, this setup still gets the job done. Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac for just $24.97 before April 19 and lock in your productivity setup without the monthly bill. Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for MacSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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