iPadOS 26.1 made my iPad Pro more powerful than ever with one feature
The latest iPad software update, iPadOS 26.1, arrived yesterday with a big upgrade for productivity: Slide Over is back. Here’s how the new version of Slide Over works, and why I’m so excited by its return. more…

Read more »

Grab massive Surfshark VPN discounts with Black Friday deals from $1.99/mo
Give the gift of privacy and security while surfing the web with Surfshark VPN, which is heavily discounted for Black Friday and includes three additional months for free starting at $1.99 per month.Get Surfshark VPN for just $1.99 per month through Black Friday - Image credit: SurfsharkThere's no reason why your private browsing habits or sensitive work needs to be spied upon by your ISP or coffee shop Wi-Fi hosts. Surfshark offers an industry-leading VPN, a suite of useful tools, and more, all discounted for the holiday season.AppleInsider has rated Surfshark VPN as one of the best VPN options available for iPhone, Mac, and Apple TV, and it does more than just tunnel your network traffic. Choose between one of three incredible subscriptions for improved privacy and security on and off the web. Continue Reading on AppleInsider

Read more »

As we await a smarter Siri, Amazon brings Alexa+ to its iOS music app
One of the big promises of Apple Intelligence is the ability to interact with our apps. Instead of the relatively simple requests we can currently make of Apple Music, for example, we should be able to give the app a vibe-like steer on what we’d like it to play and let it figure out which tracks match our spec. That’s a capability Amazon has just made available in the iOS and Android versions of its own music app by introducing support for its own next-generation intelligent assistant, Alexa+ … more…

Read more »

Apple’s watchOS 26.1 includes improvements and bug fixes
Apple on Monday released watchOS 26.1 which includes improvements and bug fixes. For information on the security content… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

WhatsApp launches Apple Watch app packed with new features
The rumors were true: WhatsApp for Apple Watch is official. Following last week’s TestFlight leak, Meta today announced the release of a full-featured watchOS version of WhatsApp. Here are the details. more…

Read more »

Statik State Power Bank (5K) review: Semi Solid State aces battery tests
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Battery capacity winner Safety and durability Cons 7.5W rather than 15W wireless charging Our Verdict The Statik State 5K Power Bank may not be the smallest power bank we’ve tested, but it’s pretty tiny all the same, and it is the overall winner in our 5K power bank recharging tests. Add in the safety, durability and longer lifespan, and if you don’t mind the longer charging time you’ll be making a fine choice. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$59.99 Best Prices Today: Statik State 5K Power Bank Retailer Price Statik $59.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Portable power banks have been getting smaller, but most are still built using conventional lithium-ion batteries. Newer more durable semi-solid-state batteries—using a partially solid rather than liquid electrolyte—can provide higher energy density and improved safety by reducing the risk of overheating, as well as being charged faster. They should also lose a lot less of their energy the more charge cycles they are put through, making them last longer than standard power banks. This type of battery is often used in devices such as drones and electric vehicles, and they are now appearing in portable power banks—and in particular magnetic power banks that can clamp to the back of an iPhone and immediately start charging. Being less flammable than the liquid electrolytes there may be a day when airlines insist any power bank taken onboard needs to be semi or solid state. Another plus in their favor: semi-solid state versions are less affected by cold temperatures compared to traditional batteries. And nail tests show that they should also be better at withstanding penetration, without catching fire or exploding. Note: we didn’t try this ourselves! Solid design Semi-solid-state power banks can be smaller than conventional battery packs as they can pack higher capacity into a smaller, lighter body. The Statik State Power Bank, however, isn’t the smallest 5000mAh (5K) power bank we’ve tested. It measures inches 4.1 x 2.8 x 0.45 inches (10.4 x 7 x 1.15cm) and weighs 5oz (141g). That’s about average for a 5000mAh power bank—a little slimmer than most but not as thin as the Anker Nano 5K MagGo Slim (0.34 inches, 0.86cm). Simon Jary Performance It did, however, outperform all the other same-sized 5K power banks in our iPhone battery recharge tests. We allow our iPhone 16 Pro to run to zero and then we attach the magnetic wireless power bank to do its best at recharging the faded phone. Simon Jary On first try, the Statik State scored 84% in this test and all the way to 88% in the second test—meaning it ran out of juice as the iPhone reached that percentage of battery life. Our previous champion 5K power bank was the Kuxiu S2, the first semi-solid state battery pack we tested. It scored 79%. For non-solid-state power banks, hats off to the conventional battery Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Qi2 Power Bank that matched this 79%, which is also available in a range of natty colors to add to its charms. Both the ESR Qi2 MagSlim and Anker Nano MagGo Slim scored a very respectable 77%, but most 5K power banks averaged around 70%. For even more battery power you’ll need to up your budget and the size of your pocket to a 10K power bank, which score between 145% and 190%. There’s also a spare USB-C port on the Statik State that can be used to charge at 20W. That might be useful as the Statik State is merely MagSafe Compatible and so wirelessly charges at a humdrum 7.5W compared to MagSafe/Qi2 power banks that wirelessly output 15W or 25W with the very latest battery packs. If you’re in a particular hurry, look to those power banks—particularly the two Qi2 models mentioned above. See all the test results in our roundup of the best magnetic power banks. Simon Jary Price The Statik State 5K Power Bank is priced at $59.99, which is close to the cost of the similar Anker Nano MagGo Slim that is thinner but trailed the Statik State by 5-10% in our recharging tests. The Anker, though, is faster at 15W compared to Statik’s 7.5W. If you value slimness over raw performance, choose the Anker, which to be fair isn’t ridiculously far off the Statik in our tests. If it’s about having as much power as possible in your pocket, the Statik is a winner. Should you buy the Statik State 5K Power Bank? For durability and capacity plus all-important safety, it’s likely that semi-solid-state power banks represent the next stage in charging technology not just for travellers but all of us on the move. The Statik State 5K Power Bank may not be the smallest power bank we’ve tested but it’s pretty tiny all the same, and it is the overall winner in our 5K magnetic power bank recharging tests. Add in the safety, durability and longer lifespan, and if you don’t mind the longer charging time you’ll be making a fine choice.

Read more »

Twofer deal gives you lifetime access to 1TB of cloud storage plus VPN for just $60
Together, FolderFort and OysterVPN give you a special kind of digital freedom. One keeps your data safe; the other keeps your world open. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Apple’s iPadOS 26.1 revives Slide Over feature for iPad
Apple on Monday released iPadOS 26.1 which includes the following features and enhancements: Slide Over lets you keep a window on top… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

OmniOutliner 6 will be a huge update, and you can try it today
OmniGroup’s powerful outlining tool is about to get even better, and you can help test it out ahead of the official release. Here’s what’s coming. more…

Read more »

Apple updates three icons with Liquid Glass to prove it still matters
Macworld Yesterday’s public rollout of the iOS 26.1 software update added an easily accessible toggle to tone down the transparency effects of Liquid Glass, the fancy-looking but divisive interface style introduced across Apple’s product ecosystem this summer. In my latest column, I suggested this move sounded like Liquid Glass’s death knell. But Apple isn’t giving up on the design language just yet. As MacRumors reports, GarageBand, Photomator, and Pixelmator Pro were all given new Liquid Glass-compatible icons for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, on the same day as the toggle was being added elsewhere. The site adds that similarly updated icons are coming to the App Store, iMovie, Keynote, Numbers, and Pages, but aren’t ready quite yet. When we say that an app icon is compatible with Liquid Glass, we really mean two things. One relates to the design language’s notorious transparency effects. If you tap and hold on any free space on your iPhone screen, then select Edit > Customize, you can choose for all icons to be either Default, Dark, Clear, or Tinted. The latter two options will cause all compatible icons to be partially see-through with Liquid Glass’s characteristic glassy effect, but for the time being, many third-party apps and even quite a few Apple apps don’t deliver the effect properly. This week’s new icons are designed to do so. The second is a more subjective trend away from the abstract iconography that became the standard with the launch of iOS 7 more than a decade ago, and back towards more realistic imagery. The new GuitarBand icon, for example, shows a realistic picture of a guitar. You can see the updated iconography on the App Store. GarageBand’s new icon (left) takes a more photorealistic, and therefore pre-iOS 7, visual approach.David Price / Foundry Ultimately it’s hardly surprising that Apple is plowing ahead with its Liquid Glass update plans. For one thing, as I explained in my column, the company was never going to abandon the design language all at once, having put so much marketing weight behind it; for now, the plan is merely to provide the option to tone down the transparency effects, while otherwise maintaining a “business as usual” approach. For another, work on these icons would have begun many weeks and potentially some months ago. Apple is a large cruise liner and it takes time to turn things around.

Read more »

Thank goodness Slide Over is back in iPadOS 26.1
Here’s how to utilize iPad Slide Over for more efficient multitasking with iPadOS 26.1 and boost your productivity. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

EcoFlow RAPID Pro 27K Power Bank (300W) review: Fast, powerful and portable MacBook battery pack
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Large battery capacity 140W (PD 3.1) charging power 300W max output 280W input Dedicated app Cons Extra accessories hard to find Our Verdict The good-looking EcoFlow RAPID Pro Power Bank is a high-capacity laptop charging power bank that boasts not just a lot of juice and fast-charging speeds, but a huge simultaneous output and a handy built-in USB-C cable. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$219.99 Best Prices Today: EcoFlow RAPID Pro Power Bank 27K (300W) Retailer Price $159.99 View Deal $219.99 View Deal EcoFlow $219.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket With a 27,650mAh battery capacity the EcoFlow RAPID Pro Power Bank (300W) is as powerful as you can get without stopping you at the airport security gates. As such it is one of the most powerful laptop power banks that you can carry with your MacBook, and it comes with a built-in USB-C cable that can power a laptop at up to 140W. Its built-in USB-C cable can output power at up to 140W so can fast-charge even the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Power bank tech specs Battery capacity: 99.54Wh Fastest Power Output: 140W Total Power Output: 300W Power Input: 280W USB ports: 2x USB-C (140W PD 3.1); 2x USB-C (65W PD 3.0) Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.2 x 2.3 inches (16.6 x 5.5 x 5.8cm) Weight: 24.7oz (699g) There are three USB-C ports at the top of the power bank and a retractable 60cm USB-C cable nested at the bottom. Two USB-C ports can be used to power at 140W, and the other two at 65W each. Simple math tells you that—while the power bank’s maximum output is 300W, which is at the top of the laptop power bank scale—it can’t handle all of these outputs at the same time as that would add up to 410W. It can recharge up to four devices at the same time, although—as with all charging devices—you have to stay within the 300W maximum. With two laptops connected its generous 300W total output will allow the two 140W ports (one being the built-in cable) to fast-charge two 16-inch MacBook Pros at full pelt. Simon Jary With three devices it can output at 140W, 95W and 65W—enough for three MacBooks at the same time. And using all four charging points, still allows for two MacBooks at 140W. with the remaining two USB-C ports sharing 20W. In comparison, the similar Anker Prime 27650mAh Power Bank with a maximum total output of 250W can’t fast-charge two 16-inch MacBook Pros at the same time—one is pegged back at 100W. For more alternatives, keep reading. An iPhone could be charged four and a half times over if using all the power bank’s battery capacity. In our tests, we fully recharged an iPhone 15 Pro in about 1 hour 40 minutes, leaving 85% power left in the power bank. Simon Jary Performance The top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro has a battery rated at around the same watt hours (99.6Wh) as this power bank (99.54Wh). That doesn’t always mean it can 100% recharge the laptop as in reality some power is lost in the transfer, but it should manage around 70-75%, and anything over 100Wh won’t be allowed on a commercial flight anyway according to TSA, CAA and EASA airline limits. If you don’t require a power bank for in-flight recharging, but still want one for the home or office—maybe on long car or train journeys or out camping—consider a larger capacity laptop power bank such as the $169 Ugreen 48000mAh Portable Charger Power Bank. EcoFlow claims that you can charge a 49.9Wh MacBook Air 1.3 times. We tested a 14-inch MacBook Pro (69.6Wh), and it managed nearly 1.2 (total 117%)—which leads us to think it could do more than 1.3 with the smaller Air’s battery, although we haven’t tested this. See our list of MacBook battery capacities for more details on the whole range of Apple laptops. While it’s especially capable in terms of battery capacity for charging laptops, the EcoFlow RAPID Pro can charge other devices, such as an iPad and iPhone, your AirPods, or your Apple Watch. Eventually, of course, the RAPID Pro power bank will run out of juice itself. You can recharge the power bank itself to 80% in around 40 minutes using one of the 140W USB-C ports at the same time. You can use the two 140W outputs together for a combined 280W input and so get the power bank to 80% in half an hour. EcoFlow also claims its accessory EcoFlow RAPID Pro Desktop Charger can charge the power bank at 320W to the same 80% mark in around 20 minutes. This also features two USB-C ports (one at 100W, the other 30W) and a 22.5W USB-A port. However, at the time of our review, this is not available in either the U.S. or U.K. There’s also an EcoFlow Rapid Pro X Magnetic Block Apple Watch Charger that can charge the power bank via the pogo pins at its base, but this appears to be only an at-purchase add-on for the RAPID Pro X version of the power bank that is more customizable, but lacks the built-in cable found on the standard model reviewed here. The X version comes uses the built-in cable on the Magnetic Block. It’s all quite confusing. As such, we recommend this plain EcoFlow RAPID Pro Power Bank, and not the fancy X version. Simon Jary Laptop power bank portability The EcoFlow RAPID Pro 27650mAh Power Bank is about the same size in height (6.5 inches) as the iPhone 17 Pro Max is long (6.43 inches). It’s around 5.5 inches wide and deep, and is easily carried in one hand. It weighs just under 25oz (0.7kg). It’s compact but not pocketable, unless you are wearing a long coat with deep pockets, but it will fit easily in a MacBook backpack. The design is ultra slick with chrome buttons to control the display. The cable is nicely hidden from site near the base when not in use. Simon Jary Power bank smarts There’s a color digital display on the front of the power bank (pictured above) that shows the remaining battery capacity, plus information such as its temperature (don’t let any battery get too hot or cold if you want to keep it at peak fitness), cycle count (how many times it has been charged itself: EcoFlow claims that the power bank retains over 80% of its battery capacity after 300 charge cycles) plus the port and wattage being used while charging. If not used for an extended period, it is recommended to recharge the power bank at least once every three months. As well as that charging data, the power bank can be controlled by the EcoFlow app, which gives real-time charging stats (remaining charging time and input and output power indicators) and can be optimized to help extend the battery life of the devices being charged as well as its own. The EcoFlow app is similar to Anker power bank app, except that the rival app includes a handy Find Device feature to activate a sound alert from the power bank when you need to locate it. Simon Jary Price and alternatives EcoFlow RAPID Pro Power Bank (27,650mAh, 300W, Built-in Cable) is priced at $219.99 / £169.99 / CA$249.99 / €169,99. At the time of writing there were direct discounts. Check our real-time price comparison at the top and bottom of this article for the best prices in your region, and take a look at Amazon or Amazon UK. EcoFlow also sells a 20000mAh model for $179.99 / £129.99 that offers a smaller (14.5cm height) and lower 230W max output battery. It’s not too much smaller and has the same number of USB ports, including the built-in cable. It’s 5oz (135g) lighter than the 27K model. With 100W USB-C it might suit MacBook Air or 14-inch MacBook Pro owners. For the 16-inch MacBook Pro, the 140W (PD 3.1) speedy 27,650mAh power bank makes more sense. Alternative high capacity (25K and over) laptop power banks can be found in our roundup of the best power banks for MacBook. These include the Anker Prime 27K (250W) Power Bank and a new model from the same company, the Anker Prime 26K (300W) Power Bank that currently is in testing for review. Another 25K Anker Power Bank (165W) has two built-in cables but a slightly lower capacity and maximum power output. There’s the adventurous Sandberg Survivor Power Bank that equals the 27K EcoFlow RAPID Pro but has a lesser 65W USB-C port. We’d take that model to a desert but the EcoFlow to a beach hotel. The confusingly named Cuktech 20 Power Bank 25000mAh (210W) is much cheaper (MSRP: $123), but again a lower capacity and total output, although it too can reach 140W from one of its ports. Choosing between all of these power banks as the portable charging companion for your MacBook could be a complicated game of price and power over convenience and intelligent features. What makes the EcoFlow RAPID Pro stand out are its top 27K capacity, 140W fast-charging, 300W total output and built-in cable. None of the others can match all four of these attributes. Should I buy the EcoFlow RAPID Pro Power Bank (27,650mAh, 300W)? The good-looking EcoFlow RAPID Pro Power Bank is a high-capacity laptop charging power bank that boasts not just a lot of juice and fast-charging speeds, but a huge simultaneous output and a handy built-in USB-C cable. The 27,650mAh model is particularly suited to owners of the 16-inch MacBook Pro that can take advantage of its 140W charging and full battery capacity, but all owners of hungry MacBooks will delight in its recharge capacity and speed.

Read more »

It’s decision time for Liquid Glass – what do you choose? [Poll]
The Liquid Glass user interface is both the headline feature of iOS 26 and one of the most controversial things Apple has done in recent years. The company has now officially released iOS 26.1, leaving users able to choose whether to keep Liquid Glass as it is or tone it down dramatically … more…

Read more »

Apple slices its logo for new Apple One branding
Apple has continued its efforts to rebrand some of its Services, quietly adding a colorful and stylized Apple logo to Apple One.Apple One, sliced - Image Credit: AppleSince the introduction of its 26-generation operating systems like iOS 26, Apple has gradually changed the branding of its services. On Monday, happened to Apple One.A small change was made to Apple One on the Apple TV page, as spotted by MacRumors, showing a tweak to the branding of the service. The old standard Apple logo has gone, and in place is a multi-colored version. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Tim Cook just turned 65, renewing speculation about his successor as CEO
Apple CEO Tim Cook turned 65 on November 1, leading to renewed speculation about when he might step down and who might replace him. Four names have led the rumors to date, although the one most frequently mentioned was ruled out back in the summer … more…

Read more »

This new lock screen setting will stop your iPhone flashlight from turning off accidentally
The iPhone lock screen flashlight is incredibly handy. But have you ever noticed it turn off randomly while you are holding the phone, seemingly inexplicably? What is actually happening is the slightest touch on the screen can be interpreted as a swipe to the right to open the camera, which immediately turns off the flashlight feature. An annoying conflict of functionality, if you even realized what was happening. But with iOS 26.1, now you can actually do something to fix it. more…

Read more »

Apple might actually be doomed if Siri misses another deadline
Macworld Remember enhanced Siri? Apple first announced it in June of 2024 and planned to deliver it in an update to iOS 18, but it never did. You might be forgiven for thinking now that it will never get here. Even for wondering whether or not it’s worth carrying on and whether anything ever means anything anymore in this crazy, mixed-up world. If we cannot trust the word of a $4 trillion company, what can we trust? Our friends and loved ones? Have you seen those people? Uncle Jed insists that stew is a fifth state of matter that exists between solids and liquids. At least now we know why Aunt Jan drinks so much. At any rate, fear not, comrades! All is well, because Chairman Cook announced during Thursday’s conference call with analysts that enhanced Siri is still theoretically supposedly coming in 2026 to an iPhone near you! Huzzah! We’re also excited for a more personalized Siri. We’re making good progress on it, and as we’ve shared, we expect to release it next year. Apple CEO TIm Cook What a heartwarming and tepidly reassuring statement in these uncertain times. The Macalope, for one, will definitely be toying with the idea of maybe possibly thinking about getting excited about it for a second or two. To meet this deadline, Apple might be getting by with a little help from its friends, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The new version of Siri could have some help from Google’s Gemini. Fortunately for Apple product users and fans of privacy, Apple seems to be getting a bespoke version of Gemini rather than funneling requests to Google. So, sort of like eWorld was a licensed version of AOL! Eeeeeeee. 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.IDG The Macalope really hopes that’s a bad example, and it certainly is from the perspective of user base because enhanced Siri will instantly have millions of users while eWorld never gained much traction. But it is likely that enhancements will hit Google Gemini first and Siri second, much as happened with eWorld. Sure, there are probably more recent examples than one that occurred before both Tom Holland and Zendaya were even born, that’s just the first thing that occurred to the Macalope, okay? Gurman adds: …there’s no guarantee users will embrace it, that it will work seamlessly or that it can undo years of damage to the ‌Siri‌ brand. Good expectation setting. Thanks for that. “I just want to be clear, this could suck, OK?” We got it, Mark. We’ve used Siri before, so… you know. While Cook wanted to assure analysts and investors that enhanced Siri was on track, he also admitted that the company is always on the lookout for even more help. You know, just in case. We also continually surveil the market on M&A and are open to pursuing M&A if we think that it will advance our roadmap. Indeed, Apple has lost so many AI executives to Meta and other companies that it might have to acquire an AI company just to get some butts back in the seats. That department probably can’t even field a company softball team. “Tell the Time Machine team we have to forfeit again.” A thing the Macalope has not understood throughout this is that Apple is famously the company that is behind on AI. Why would Meta want to poach executives from a company that failed to deliver? Makes no sense. Whatever, that’s Meta’s problem. An enhanced, more conversational Siri has to be high on the list of user requests. While AI in general is a real mixed bag — Google included — and people are unlikely to stop buying iPhones over it, Apple has promised to deliver not once but twice. Miss it again and the company might get a rep.

Read more »

Apple @ Work Podcast: Google Workspace and JumpCloud partner to launch new cloud productivity solution for enterprises
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, Greg Keller from JumpCloud joins the show to talk about their new collaboration with Google, IT in the AI era, and much more. more…

Read more »

Apple gives old HomeKit architecture a few more months to live
Apple has delayed shutting down the old HomeKit architecture, extending its life until February 10, 2026. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Apple releases macOS Tahoe 26.1 update, includes bug fixes, new features, improved AI support
You’ve been hankering for the first major update for macOS Tahoe 26 and it’s here. Apple on Monday released macOS Tahoe 26.1, complete with a slew of bug fixes and performance improvements. Here’s what you can expect to find: As usual, the update can be located, downloaded, and installed by navigating to System Settings > […] Source

Read more »