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- Tuesday May 19
- 01:31 pmHow to become an Apple beta tester for iPhone, iPad & Mac
Macworld If you’ve ever wanted an early look at new versions of Apple’s operating systems before they officially launch – and maybe even help shape them in the process – Apple’s beta program is worth considering. It offers early access to headline features, interface redesigns, and new tools months before release. The initiative isn’t limited to developers. Public beta testers can also try upcoming software updates before launch, helping Apple identify bugs and test new features before the operating systems are released to everyone. There are two beta tracks available: the Developer Beta, which offers the earliest access but carries the greatest risk, and the Public Beta, which is generally more stable and aimed at enthusiasts and general users. Both beta programs are free to access and a paid developer account is no longer required. However, installing beta software should always be approached with caution. Betas can cause crashes, data loss, app compatibility issues, excessive battery drain, and other problems. For that reason, we recommend avoiding installation on a primary device and making a full backup beforehand in case you need to revert to the current public release. Apple typically unveils the next generation of operating system updates for iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple Watch at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, with developer betas arriving shortly afterward and public betas following later in the summer, usually around the beginning of July. With WWDC scheduled for June 8, it will soon be possible to start testing the beta versions of iOS 27 and macOS 27. In this article, we explain how to join Apple’s beta programs and install the latest test software – and help you decide whether running beta software is worth the risk. What is Apple’s beta program? Apple Apple’s beta program is a voluntary initiative that allows users to test pre-release versions of operating systems and software before they are officially launched to the public. Its primary purpose is to help Apple identify bugs, performance issues, and usability concerns through feedback submitted via the built-in Feedback Assistant app. By participating, testers help improve the stability and quality of upcoming software releases. The beta process does not end with the major September launch. Apple continues developing “point releases” – such as iOS 26.1 or 26.2 – throughout the year to introduce features that were not ready for the initial release. The company typically issues official software updates roughly every six weeks during an operating system’s lifecycle. Smaller updates focused on bug fixes and security patches, such as iOS 26.3.1, are often developed and released more quickly. In urgent cases, these updates may bypass the standard beta cycle entirely and roll out directly to users.01:20 pmApple Intelligence-powered accessibility features in OS 27 detailed ahead of WWDC
Just before Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 21, Apple has revealed some of the new assistive features coming soon to iOS 27, macOS 27, and visionOS 27.Some accessibility updates arriving in 2026 - Image credit: AppleApple is still a few weeks away from showing off its new operating system updates at WWDC. However, as has become tradition for the iPhone maker, it is giving an early glimpse of some changes in accessibility features that are on the way.The changes are outlined ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, held on May 21 for 2026. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:17 pmApple Intelligence supercharges suite of accessibility features
Apple Intelligence will soon power updated accessibility features including VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control and Accessibility Reader. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)01:06 pmApple unveils new accessibility features, and updates with Apple Intelligence
Apple today previewed a suite of accessibility updates that use Apple Intelligence to bring new capabilities to features users rely on every… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.12:55 pmFortnite is back on the App Store worldwide, says Epic Games
Epic Games has said that Fortnite is now back on the App Store worldwide, although there is one notable exception. The company has again criticized what it calls “junk fees” from Apple and indicated it expects to win an ongoing antitrust lawsuit against the iPhone maker … more…12:41 pmApple announces return of popular MagSafe iPhone stand and grip
Apple today unveiled a suite of new accessibility features coming with iOS 27, visionOS 27, and more later this year. As part of that announcement, Apple also said a popular iPhone accessory that sold out quickly at launch is making a comeback. more…12:39 pmApple Vision Pro Personas may be improved with Apple's new acquisition
A low-profile firm that makes software to create virtual avatars has been acquired by Apple, perhaps to improve Personas in Apple Vision Pro.Apple Vision Pro could see improvements to its Personas feature during video callsFollowing its acquisition of firms that may help with new features in Apple Creator Studio, Apple has now also bought a firm that specializes in avatars. Animato, Inc, develops avatar software specifically for use in video chats and lessons.The company appears to have no website, unless Apple has already removed it, and no social media presence. According to LinkedIn, it was formed by Francesco Rossi in October 2022, and is based in the San Francisco area. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:34 pmApple announces AI-powered accessibility features and eye-controlled wheelchair functionality | 9 to 5 MacApple announces AI-powered accessibility features and eye-controlled wheelchair functionality
Apple has today announced that it’s using AI to boost the power of a number of accessibility features. These include VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control and Accessibility Reader. Additionally, power wheelchair users will now be able to use their eyes as controls when using Vision Pro … more…12:00 pmLinkedIn to Launch Campaign Against ‘AI Slop’
LinkedIn is expected to unveil new efforts targeting AI slop and engagement bait, raising broader questions about authenticity, platform trust, and AI-assisted writing online. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.12:00 pmToday in Apple history: The world’s first Apple Stores open their doors
On May 19, 2001, Cupertino revolutionized the world of computer shopping by opening the first two Apple Stores. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)11:50 amWe love this super-slim Baseus MagSafe charger even more at $30 off
Macworld Baseus PicoGo AM41 View Deal (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); One of the best things you can get these days to ensure your phone survives the day is a power bank. Tiny, compact, and full of power, this Baseus Picogo MagSafe portable charger is nearly 45 percent off right now, bringing the price down to under $40 at Amazon. The price on the page ($42.49) isn’t quite that low, but you’ll get an extra 5 percent off applied at checkout. And some accounts will be able to apply an extra 10 percent code (MEX907A5PD2D) as well. But whether it’s $40 or $38, you’re getting a fantastic power bank at a fantastic price. It’s so tiny and light, and you’ll barely feel it attached to the back of your phone. The 10,000mAh capacity means you get to recharge your phone about twice over. With 15W max Qi wireless charging, your phone will be back in working order in no time. If you want an even faster charging session, there’s a USB-C port that can deliver 27W of power, but you’ll need to carry a cable with you. We really loved how fast our phones recharged while using this PicoGo model when we reviewed it, giving it a 4-star rating. Grab this 10,000mAh Baseus Picogo for $30 off while this deal’s still live, and never worry about how much charge your iPhone has left again.11:48 amSeamless hinges for the iPhone Fold may be copied by rivals, and by Apple itself for an iPad Fold. | AppleInsiderSeamless hinges for the iPhone Fold may be copied by rivals, and by Apple itself for an iPad Fold.
A new rumor claims that a version of Apple's method of making a seamless hinge for the iPhone Fold will be replicated by others, suggesting that it works the best.iPhone Fold will have a seamless hingeThe idea seems to be that Apple will effectively train Chinese manufacturers on how to make the perfect hinge, and then may use the idea itself for an iPad Fold. Although most recent rumors have claimed that Apple has postponed working on a folding iPad, or may never release one, and opinions are divided over whether that's a shame or not.Now in an especially brief and easy-to-mistranslate posting on China's Weibo social media site, leaker Digital Chat Station says that Apple is leading the way with its seamless hinge solution. It appears to say that this, or a non-patented equivalent, will be adopted by rival smartphone manufacturers. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:35 amGet a solid-state wireless battery pack with built-in stand for just $59.99
Get the Adam Elements Vionta B5 solid-state power bank with foldable stand for $59.99 while it’s $15 off (MSRP $75). (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)11:32 amPSA: Watch out for this potential gotcha on the Apple Card free AirPods deal
Yesterday saw the launch of an unusually generous Apple Card promo, which effectively offers new cardholders a free pair of AirPods Pro 3. However, we noted that the small print means claiming your free AirPods isn’t straightforward, and there is one particular potential gotcha you need to look out for … more…11:03 amiPhone Ultra will take us closer to the long-rumored iPad Fold, suggests leaker
An iPad Fold has been rumored for years now, but so far none of the predicted launch timings have panned out. One of the more recent reports even suggested that it was a bit of “a wacky experiment” that may never see the light of day. However, one leaker with a decent track record believes that the product is still in the works and that the iPhone Ultra (or iPhone Fold) is going to take us a significant step closer to an iPad Fold launch … more…11:00 amApple built the dream iPhone. Why doesn’t anyone want it?
Macworld The ultra-thin iPhone Air definitely caught everyone’s attention when it was unveiled last September. It’s the thinnest iPhone ever made, and it gave us a clear glimpse into the future of smartphones. When the new iPhones hit shelves on September 19, everyone was talking about the iPhone Air. Months later, the reality is that very few people seem to have chosen the iPhone Air over its siblings. People who own it sing its praises, it’s one of the few iPhones to get a no-strings discount, and its design has been hailed as one of Apple’s best. So why hasn’t it been as successful as the other models? Perception vs perspective There’s no denying that the iPhone Air is a truly impressive device. Although my daily driver is an iPhone 17 Pro Max, I’ve had the chance to spend some time with the iPhone Air on a few occasions (most recently at an Apple event), and every time I hold it in my hands, I’m amazed by how thin and light it is. We’re talking about a phone that’s just 5.64 millimeters thick and weighs only 165 grams. By comparison, the 17 Pro Max is 3 millimeters thicker and weighs 233 grams. It’s impossible not to feel the difference. The design of the iPhone Air is undeniably impressive.Foundry The Air is also stunning. The combination of its ultra-slim design and shiny titanium frame screams luxury. Yet, sales of the iPhone Air are far from being a huge success. Apple itself doesn’t provide details on sales figures for each iPhone model. But during a call with investors last month, both Apple CEO Tim Cook and Apple CFO Kevan Parekh revealed that the iPhone 17 lineup is the most popular in history. A Chinese leaker known as “Digital Chat Station” recently shared a report providing some insight into iPhone Air sales, and the numbers aren’t encouraging. According to the report, Apple has been struggling to surpass the 1 million mark for iPhone Air units shipped. So far, the company has reportedly sold around 700,000 units of its thinnest iPhone yet, a shockingly low number for a company that moves some 250 million handsets each year. Dreams vs reality I’ve always dreamed of an ultra-thin phone. To me, a phone of the future would be a device with an edge-to-edge display that’s thinner than the iPhone 6. The iPhone Air is, in a way, the closest Apple has ever gotten to that vision. Many people I know want the same thing: thinner, lighter phones. After all, as smartphones have become more powerful, they’ve also become larger, thicker, and heavier. But the overall failure of the iPhone Air has posed a question: Do people prioritize design over functionality, or the other way around? Once again, the iPhone Air is impressive. But once you actually start spending time with it, you realize its limitations. The iPhone Air’s single camera is one of its biggest hurdles.Britta O’Boyle / Foundry Because it’s so thin, Apple was only able to fit a single rear camera on the iPhone Air. You can’t take ultra-wide or long-range zoom photos with it. That’s not a problem for people who are not into taking photos, but chances are you’ll eventually miss having extra angles for your shots. The battery is also an issue. After all, there’s no way to fit a huge battery inside an ultra-thin phone. Although Apple claims that the iPhone Air lasts a full day on a single charge, the reality is that this only applies when you’re using your phone for basic tasks. People who work more intensively with their phones end up having to recharge the iPhone Air twice a day. Also, there are a few other minor limitations, such as the Air having a mono speaker and lacking the vapor chamber found in the iPhone 17 Pro models, which allows the phone to run cooler for longer. Given the poor sales of the iPhone Air and other thin phones, such as the Galaxy Edge, it seems that people still prefer functionality over design, or at least a balance between the two. Buyers aren’t willing to give up features for a fancy form factor in 2026. Want vs need These limitations aren’t a problem for everyone. There are people who really just want a smartphone to do basic things like send messages or browse the web. For those people, an iPhone Air works just fine. But things get tricky when you start comparing the iPhone Air to the rest of the lineup. Despite all its hardware limitations, the Air starts at $999. That’s only $100 less than the iPhone 17 Pro, which has two extra cameras and a much larger battery. The iPhone Air’s design makes it significantly more expensive than the base iPhone 17.Eugen Wegmann Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, you can get the base iPhone 17 for just $799. For that price, you’re getting a phone with a 120Hz display, two rear cameras, and longer battery life. Plus, the iPhone 17 weighs just 12 grams more than the iPhone Air. This makes the iPhone Air seem out of place in the lineup. It’s priced similarly to a Pro model, but offers fewer features than the base iPhone. Giving up certain features is to be expected when you’re buying an entry-level phone like the iPhone 17e, which also has a single rear camera but costs $599 (and still has a larger battery than the iPhone Air). But with the Air, you’re essentially paying more just to get a thinner phone. When you weigh the price against everything you’ll be missing out on, the iPhone Air becomes hard to justify. Is there a future for the iPhone Air? While the iPhone Air represents the future of smartphone design, the future of the iPhone Air itself is now unclear. If the latest reports are accurate, Apple may be rethinking the Air strategy, and it’s easy to see why. For years, people said they wanted thinner, lighter phones. Apple delivered exactly that. But in doing so, it also exposed an uncomfortable truth: thinness alone isn’t enough anymore. The fate of the iPhone Air is uncertain due to its underwhelming sales.Eugen Wegmann Many people now rely on smartphones as more than just communication tools, so compromising on things such as battery life or camera quality is simply out of the question. The iPhone Air asks users to prioritize form over function. And while that sounds appealing in theory, it’s a much harder sell in practice, especially at this price point. Could Apple fix this in the future? Maybe. More advanced technologies could help Apple fit a larger battery or better cameras into its ultra-thin iPhone, or the company could simply make the Air slightly thicker so that it can pack more technology inside. The iPhone Air is the dream phone. It’s the kind of device that gets people excited, that reminds us of how far technology has come. But when it comes time to actually spend $999, most people wake up from that dream and choose something more practical.10:30 amMaybe Apple should delay Siri just a little longer
Macworld The Macalope has an idea for a new reality TV series: “AI Makeover”. No, it’s not using AI to give our nation’s millions of ugly teenagers much-needed makeovers. It is instead a panel of PR experts advising AI companies how to repair their reputations as garbage companies that product garbage products and turn everything they touch into garbage. You’d think they’d be doing this themselves, employing crack teams of PR hotshots to make nice with the public and try to represent themselves as just humble purveyors of the kind of technology people want to buy but, as the Musk v. Altman trial clearly shows, they are not. “Musk v. Altman proved that AI is led by the wrong people” Almost nobody in this saga seems worth trusting. Some of the most powerful people in tech seem temperamentally incapable of dealing with each other honestly. And if that’s true, it raises a bigger question: Why are they in control of a trillion-dollar industry that’s set to upend people’s lives? This is exactly what the Macalope has been saying. The problem with AI is not a technological one. It’s a perfectly fine technology when used in the right contexts. No, the problem is that it’s run by people who are trying to will it into a new gold rush so badly that they’re fighting over the gold before anyone’s even made a profit. Or maybe the infighting is because it’s becoming a real question as to whether or not anyone really wants this stuff. Just look at the headlines. “Graduation Speaker Praised AI At UCF And The Students Booed Her Off Stage” “Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt booed during graduation speech about AI” “Americans Oppose AI Data Centers in Their Area” According to a Gallup poll: Seven in 10 Americans oppose constructing data centers for artificial intelligence in their local area, including nearly half, 48%, who are strongly opposed. Barely a quarter favor these projects, with 7% strongly in favor. In response to this, Ben Thompson suggests (subscription link) AI companies just pay locals in order to offset the costs associated. It’s at least a better solution than just trying to jam them in, but just allow the Macalope to suggest that if an AI company rolls up to your town hall meeting and says it’ll pay you to put in a data center and you go for it despite all the warning signs, you’d better be darn sure to get the money up front. Just ask Wisconsinites if they’re happy with how the state’s deal with Foxconn went. Answer: It went so badly that they jumped at the chance to have Microsoft put a data center in the empty Foxconn facility, even though we just established that everyone hates data centers. It’s like nobody ever saw the monorail episode of “The Simpsons”. If you’d like to receive regular news and updates to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters, including The Macalope and Apple Breakfast, David Price’s weekly, bite-sized roundup of all the latest Apple news and rumors.Foundry But the Macalope isn’t sure these are the kinds of people you should do business with. Remember, these are people who have already stolen copyrighted content and when confronted with this fact whine “But if we can’t steal it, we can’t make AI!” Um… yeah. “If you don’t let us crush the blood and bones of your children into a slurry in our vast rendering facilities that will be housed in your hometowns and, yes, may run off into your drinking water, how are we going to make Kinderslop, the human nutrition product of the future?!” Maybe don’t! How about that?! Getting paid to have a data center in your town might sound kind of like a good deal, but Elon Musk is sadly emblematic of the kinds of people who run AI companies. Do we really need to go back and review the number of things he’s promised over the years that he has not delivered on? The Macalope has never been told he has a word limit on this column but he suspects that would be a way to find out. Again, if Musk wants to pay you to put a data center in your town, make him hand you the money in cash, up front and then get into a car and be driving away at top speed before you sign the deal electronically. Okay, the Macalope has been hard on AI executives, but he has some good news for them. If you’re an AI exec and you’re worried about that Gallup poll and the potential negative effects of future Gallup polls on your business, it may not be an issue for much longer. “Gallup Begins Research on Simulated Responses” One emerging approach uses AI-generated agents to create “simulated” responses that are designed to simulate how individuals and populations might answer survey questions. Just… wow. This sadly on-brand for Gallup which recently said it would stop one particular kind of polling after 88 years, most likely because one person in particular didn’t like the results it was getting. Certainly, nothing could go wrong in a poll on AI created using AI-simulated responses because it’s not like AI has ever taken drastic action if it felt threatened! “AI system resorts to blackmail if told it will be removed” [Anthropic] also acknowledged the AI model was capable of “extreme actions” if it thought its “self-preservation” was threatened. So weird that AI has an image problem. Just inexplicable. This brings the Macalope (finally) to an Apple-related point. For more than a year, people have been lambasting the company for making AI promises it didn’t deliver on, and, sure, it shouldn’t make promises it can’t keep. But maybe not delivering more AI into our lives is more of a feature than a bug.10:00 amApple @ Work Podcast: How NeXT built the foundation for Apple in the enterprise
Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. In this episode of Apple @ Work, I am joined by Geoffrey Cain, author of Steve Jobs in Exile: The Untold Story of NeXT and the Remaking of an American Visionary. We talk about the book, how Steve became a leader at NeXT, and how the foundation that was built during this period led to Apple’s enterprise success in 2026. more…10:00 amApple @ Work Podcast: How NeXT built the foundation for Apple in the enterprise
Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. In this episode of Apple @ Work, I am joined by Geoffrey Cain, author of Steve Jobs in Exile: The Untold Story of NeXT and the Remaking of an American Visionary. We talk about the book, how Steve became a leader at NeXT, and how the foundation that was built during this period led to Apple’s enterprise success in 2026. more…10:00 amApple @ Work Podcast: How NeXT built the foundation for Apple in the enterprise
Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. In this episode of Apple @ Work, I am joined by Geoffrey Cain, author of Steve Jobs in Exile: The Untold Story of NeXT and the Remaking of an American Visionary. We talk about the book, how Steve became a leader at NeXT, and how the foundation that was built during this period led to Apple’s enterprise success in 2026. more…