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- Thursday April 02
- 02:40 pmGrab the M5 MacBook Pro for its best price since Black Friday
Macworld M5 MacBook Pro View Deal These days, the M5 MacBook Pro is down to its best price, which means it’s the perfect time to get one too. So, instead of $1,699, you can get this particular configuration for $1,549. That’s $150 off, but $250 under its original price from a few months ago, the best price we’ve ever seen. Last month, Apple switched up the pricing for the M5 MacBook Pro. It eliminated the 512GB model for $1,599 and replaced it with a 1TB model for $1,699. That’s a price hike, of course, but it also cuts the price of the 1TB model by $100 since it used to cost $1,799. Got all that? What you really need to know is that this is a great laptop with a great set of specs, running on a very powerful M5 chip, 16GB of memory, and a massive 1TB SSD. That’s a fantastic combo that can handle all your daily workload, passion projects, creative edits, and so on. The M5 MacBook was built for professionals and digital creatives alike, and it’s going to deliver a fantastic performance no matter what. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is absolutely gorgeous, too, and will display precise colors and deep contrast that will make it ideal for visual projects. The laptop’s advanced 12MP camera is fantastic for shooting vids or participating in Zoom calls, and its array of ports makes it a true portable workstation. When we reviewed the M5 MacBook Pro, we gave it a 4.5-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award, appreciating the improved GPU performance, the SSD speeds, and the combo of price and performance. So, go ahead and get the laptop you deserve by adding the M5 MacBook Pro to your cart and getting it home for $1,549 from Amazon.02:30 pmThis power strip clamps onto your desk and won’t let go [Review] ★★★★☆
Anker Nano Power Strip (10-in-1, 70W, Clamp) review (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:27 pmInside 50 years of Apple with the only original employee still there
Apple has only had one person remain with the firm for its entire history. Still employee number 8, Chris Espinosa talks about staying there for half a century, and counting.Chris Espinosa, Apple Employee #8 — image credit: Chris EspinosaChris Espinosa has had very many roles at Apple, ranging from System 7 marketing manager to his position today on the tvOS team. But he was hired by Steve Jobs to write programs for the Apple II computer in 1976 — when he was just 14."It was really, really fun, because that was the time when people were starting the entire industry from scratch," Espinosa has now told The New York Times. "Whether computer stores or commercial software, he added, "all of these things had to be invented." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:15 pmApple reportedly has four new products ready to launch, pending one thing
Apple has had a busy year of new product launches already, but there are at least four additional products that reportedly are ready to launch, save for one key holdup: the new Siri. more…02:05 pmTim Cook’s Apple smart glasses answer is a subtle Steve Jobs callback
There’s a moment in yesterday’s WSJ video piece with Tim Cook that’s really delightful. Cook is asked about Apple’s plans for smart glasses, and his reply is a subtle callback to a classic Steve Jobs moment. more…02:00 pmApple Sports kicks off crucial updates for World Cup soccer fans
With new updates, Apple Sports gets you set to follow the 2026 FIFA World Cup as it descends on North America. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:00 pmApple releases rare iOS 18.7.7 security update to shield older iPhones and iPads from DarkSword hacking tool | Mac Daily NewsApple releases rare iOS 18.7.7 security update to shield older iPhones and iPads from DarkSword hacking tool
Apple has pushed out a critical security update for users still running iOS 18 (and iPadOS 18),to protect against the DarkSword exploit… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.02:00 pmApple Arcade’s April lineup adding two of the most acclaimed recent indie games
Update: Three more titles are now available on the service. Details below. Apple Arcade’s April lineup will introduce three new titles to the subscription gaming platform. These include a couple of the most acclaimed indie games of the last few years. more…01:45 pmApple’s next 50 years: Reshaping computing again
Look ahead into Apple's future for the next fifty years. Here's the technology advancements we'll see ... and the ones we won't. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)01:25 pmBest MacBook backpacks, bags, cases and sleeves
Macworld A good MacBook bag shares many qualities with Apple’s laptops. We want it to be tough, so it needs to be made from good materials. We want to use it for multiple tasks, so it needs to have plenty of pockets and compartments. Let’s admit it, with the diminishing number of ports on the MacBook, the bags often have the edge. And since we all admire good design here, we certainly don’t mind if the bag looks fantastic. Plus, whatever MacBook you’ve got, Air or Pro, you’ve probably spent enough on it that you don’t want to risk it breaking—and don’t mind spending just a little more to keep it safe. There’s no shortage of companies out there that make protective accessories for MacBooks, from laptop bags and rucksacks to sleeves, covers, and shells that clip on directly, and plenty of them do their best to be just as stylish as the Mac they’re protecting. We’ve rounded up a selection of our favorite cases, sleeves, backpacks, roll-tops, shells and totes for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, whether you have a 13-, 14-, 15- or 16-inch model, to keep your Mac safe. Some might seem expensive but remember you are entrusting the bag to protect your valuable MacBook and also relieving stress on your body when carrying it. Here’s where you don’t want to skimp and risk your laptop, back and neck. Keep reading for the full list or jump to your preferred type of laptop carrier below. A sleeve usually just protects the MacBook from scuffs and knocks when carried on its own or as further protection within a bag. Backpacks offer a lot more storage aside from your tech. Briefcases are somewhere in between and often look more business smart. We rounded up other bags such as duffles, messenger bags and totes, wheeled luggage, and finished with protective shells that encase the MacBook for all-day protection. Best MacBook sleeves Best MacBook backpacks Best MacBook briefcases Best MacBook bags Best MacBook luggage cases Best MacBook shells Best laptop sleeves for MacBook A simple or multi-function laptop sleeve keeps the MacBook protected during travel either tucked under your arm or not taking up too much space in a bag. Bellroy Laptop Sleeve – Best MacBook sleeve Pros Premium feel Magnetic closure Colors Price When Reviewed: $59 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $59 View Deal Belkin $59 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Fits: 13-14-inch and 15-16-inch versions Bellroy is a Australian accessory brand that makes premium bags, cases and wallets, and its laptop sleeves offer high-quality protection. The outside of the Bellroy laptop Sleeve is made from a woven, water-resistant material that is eco-friendly—made from 100% recycled PET bottles. Inside, the quilted microfiber lining features a soft ridge that holds your laptop in place. The sleeve snaps shut with a neat magnetic bumper. Available in Black, Slate, Navy, Bronze and a leather-free Saltbush. Bellroy Apple sells only one MacBook sleeve in its online store: the leather-free Bellroy Caddy for Mac Laptops, which is available in two sizes for 13-14-inch MacBooks and the 15- and 16-inch MacBooks. There’s fold-down, front-pocket access and a foam-padded laptop sleeve, as well as two stretch mesh pockets and mesh pen slips.01:17 pmApple employee #8 Chris Espinosa on working his whole life at one company
It used to be common in Japan for someone to spend their entire working life at a single company, but it’s almost unheard of in the US. However, Chris Espinosa, Apple employee number eight, has done just that – and says he has no plans to go anywhere else … more…01:13 pmEddy Cue just explained why Apple’s credit card charges feel so random
As part of Apple’s 50th anniversary celebrations yesterday, Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services and health, appeared on the TBPN, “Technology’s Daily Show”, podcast. Cue discussed a wide range of topics during the interview, including a fascinating look at how Apple managed to make money selling songs on iTunes for $0.99. more…01:00 pmMake an Apple Music playlist automatically with Playlist Playground
Making a custom Apple Music playlist is a great way to set the mood for a party, road trip or whatever. Playlist Playground makes it easy. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)12:58 pmAmazon in talks to buy $9 billion satellite group Globalstar, of which Apple owns 20 percent | Mac Daily NewsAmazon in talks to buy $9 billion satellite group Globalstar, of which Apple owns 20 percent
Globalstar has long been a smaller player in the satellite sector but gained prominence through its partnership with Apple. The tie-up… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.12:14 pmRussians lose services and apps subscriptions after Apple fined for breaking sanctions | AppleInsiderRussians lose services and apps subscriptions after Apple fined for breaking sanctions
Following Apple Ireland getting fined for paying out to Russian app developers, the company has ceased all payment processing for the country, meaning users are cut off from buying new apps, or continuing to subscribe to Apple Music.Moscow — image credit:WikimediaArguably, if a user in Russia subscribes to a Russian developer's app, that's between them. But since Apple hosts such apps and takes a cut before passing earnings on to the developer, this means Apple is dealing with Russian businesses.There's a sufficiently grey area here that Apple Ireland — which is responsible for all non-US Apple business — told regulators about it. And those regulators decided "on the balance of probability" that Apple had broken sanctions. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:10 pmThere may be no black iPhone 18 Pro, continuing a new trend for Apple
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro will not be available in black, marking the second year in a row that buyers will have to choose a different color instead.Mockup of a deep red iPhone 18 Pro MaxApple ditched black for the iPhone 17 Pro in 2025, choosing to offer a new Cosmic Orange color alongside Silver and Deep Blue. Now, Weibo leaker Instant Digital has poured cold water on any hopes that the stealth option would return in 2026."It seems that the black of the iPhone 18 Pro has been cut again," the leaker said before saying that the move was "uncomfortable." It's unclear whether that last word was a quirk of machine translation, but it likely matches the mood of iPhone buyers who prefer their devices to blend into the background. Something nobody could accuse the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro of doing. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:48 amLeaker says there’s no back to black for the iPhone 18 Pro
Apple disappointed some when it launched the iPhone 17 Pro without the option to buy it in a black finish. The flagship iPhone is only available in blue, orange, or silver. A leaker with a decent track record says that anyone hoping this would change with the iPhone 18 Pro is going to be disappointed … more…11:31 amApple pulls the plug on all payments in Russia following government diktat
Apple has pulled the plug on all payment processing in Russia, meaning that it’s no longer possible for residents of the country to make app purchases or renew subscriptions. This includes subscriptions to Apple services like iCloud+ and Apple TV. The move was based in part on a diktat from the Russian government, but may also be a precautionary move after the company accidentally busted sanctions against the country … more…11:30 amApple updates AirTag 2 to tweak the unwanted tracking sound
Macworld Apple’s AirTags have a host of privacy and security features, including notifications when an AirTag that isn’t yours (or one you have permitted) is seen traveling with you. In such a case, you can locate the offending AirTag with Precision Finding and cause it to make a beeping noise. It’s an important security feature to help prevent people from placing an AirTag on you to track your whereabouts. A new firmware update, version 3.0.45, improves this feature by updating the sound to make it easier to locate. This only applies to the new 2nd-gen AirTags. Apple’s official release notes are as follows: Updates the unwanted tracking sound to more easily locate an unknown AirTag during Precision Finding. Bug fixes and other improvements. It’s not clear how Apple has changed the tracking sound, but it appears to be similar to the update Apple delivered to the original AirTag in 2022. Back then, Apple adjusted the tone sequence to make unknown AirTags easier to find. Like Apple’s other accessories, there is no way to force your AirTags to update. You just have to have them within Bluetooth range of your iPhone and wait for it to happen. If you want to see the firmware version of your AirTags, follow these steps: Open the Find My app. Tap the Items tab. Select your AirTag in the list of items. Tap the name of your AirTag, and the serial number and firmware version will appear.11:16 amApple Fitness+ chief to retire after no wrongdoing found in bullying accusation
Jay Blahnik is to retire from Apple in July 2026, following accusations of him turning Apple Fitness+ into a toxic mental health work environment.Jay Blahnik - image credit AppleBlahnik and Apple were both sued over the Apple Fitness+ work environment in 2024, although the suit was not reported until August 2025. It came to light then as part of a series of accusations against Blahnik which claimed that around 10% of his 100-strong team had taken extended medical or mental health leave since 2022.Now according to the New York Times, Blahnik is to retire from Apple in July 2026. Reportedly, Apple told employees that Blahnik is leaving "to spend more time with his family and make an exciting move to New York City." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums