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- Tuesday May 05
- 11:00 amThe iPad desperately needs its MacBook Neo moment
Macworld Ever since its 2023 price cut, the entry-level iPad has been one of Apple’s easiest products to recommend. It was affordable, powerful enough for most tasks, and, more importantly, positioned as an alternative to budget laptops for students and casual users. But now, with the recent introduction of the MacBook Neo, Apple has quietly created a problem for the base model iPad. It no longer seems like the best deal, and many consumers are beginning to wonder if it’s really still worth it. At this point, it seems the iPad really needs its own “MacBook Neo” moment. When the numbers stop making sense On paper, the A16 iPad still starts at an appealing price of $349. That’s quite affordable for an Apple tablet that lets you run pretty much any of the apps you can run on a more expensive iPad. For most people who just want a good tablet for casual web browsing, editing documents, or watching movies, this is the iPad to go for. For $349, you get an 11-inch iPad with 128GB of storage, but no keyboard, trackpad, or Apple Pencil. For many people, this setup is fine. Again, this iPad is aimed at people who just want to use it as a regular tablet. But when you start adding things like more storage and accessories, the picture changes completely. At $349, Apple’s A16 iPad is a great tablet.Britta O’Boyle Let’s say you want your iPad to double as a laptop. The 256GB model costs $449. Then you buy a Magic Keyboard Folio, which costs $249. That brings the total price of the iPad to just under $700. At that point, you’re essentially paying the same price as a higher-tier MacBook Neo configuration ($699) but getting less storage. And you’re getting even less for your money. The base-model iPad still runs on the A16 chip introduced in 2022, while the MacBook Neo is powered by the significantly more advanced A18 Pro chip. That difference shows up in performance, longevity, and support for the latest features, including Apple Intelligence. And let’s not forget that a $599 MacBook Neo can run full-fledged desktop software. But if you spend that same amount on an iPad with a keyboard and trackpad, you’ll be limited to using iPad apps available in the App Store. The Magic Keyboard Folio is excellent, arguably one of the best keyboard cases on the market for the iPad. But at $249, it dramatically changes the value proposition of the base iPad. This iPad is meant to be affordable, but at the same time, Apple is trying to sell you a keyboard that practically doubles the price of the device. Once you start fitting the iPad as a computer, it gets tough to recommend.Stephan Wiesend Many people who buy the entry-level iPad end up opting for third-party accessories because they’re cheaper. But again, this only underscores how Apple’s pricing strategy for the entry-level iPad no longer makes sense. And in that comparison, the MacBook simply makes more sense for most people. Og course, there’s no denying that the iPad still has some advantages over the Mac. It’s the only Apple device that offers a touchscreen, Apple Pencil support, and a flexible form factor for taking notes and drawing. If that’s what you need, there’s no question about it. The iPad is still the best choice. But Apple blurred these lines by setting the iPad up as a laptop alternative. That strategy worked when the iPad was clearly cheaper. Now, that advantage is gone. If you want an iPad for browsing the web, writing, or using pro-level apps, the MacBook Neo outshines the entry-level iPad in almost every way. Yes, you can do those things on an iPad, but you’ll end up spending more and facing more limitations than if you bought a Mac. An iPad Neo could be the answer The MacBook Neo isn’t just the newest laptop in Apple’s lineup. It redefines what an entry-level product is. At $599, with a modern chip, 13-inch display, and 256GB of storage, Apple has finally aligned price and value in a way that’s easy to understand. Now the iPad needs the same treatment. Yes, the entry-level iPad is already cheap, but it could use some meaningful upgrades. First, this iPad needs more frequent updates with the latest chips. The A16 isn’t bad, but it’s already quite outdated by today’s standards. Luckily, as reported by Macworld, Apple is planning to launch a new base iPad with the A19 chip later this year. The MacBook Neo has turned the iPad into a tablet-only device.Foundry A storage upgrade from 128GB to 256GB on the base model would also be very welcome. The company recently did this with the iPhone 17e, and that would be the right path to take with the iPad. After all, many people use their iPads to download photos, songs, videos, and games. A significant price reduction on accessories, especially the Magic Keyboard Folio, is also long overdue. The iPad’s starting price of $349 isn’t the problem. But it has become hard to justify the cost of upgrades and accessories. Perhaps the Neo brand, or at least its spirit, could give the iPad the boost it needs? Maybe it could even have a slightly larger display to better compete with the MacBook Neo. A bigger display would make the iPad feel more like a true laptop alternative. If there’s one thing the MacBook Neo has shown us, it’s that Apple can deliver a decent entry-level product even in its base configuration with the right compromises. The Neo isn’t the most powerful or advanced Mac, but it’s extremely capable in its own right. Right now, the base iPad doesn’t have that same clarity. It’s still a great tablet, but the moment you try to turn it into something more, the value starts to fall apart. Apple doesn’t need to reinvent the iPad, but it does need a realignment—and the MacBook Neo is a great place to start.10:00 amApple @ Work Podcast: This is why you can’t delay macOS updates
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, Ray Canzanese from Netskope joins the show to talk about the latest news around the macOS ClickFix campaign. more…08:00 amTurn your wired CarPlay wireless for just $35
Macworld TL;DR: A $34.99 adapter turns your wired CarPlay/Android Auto into a wireless setup—no cables, no hassle. If your car already has factory-wired Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you’re halfway there. The only thing holding you back? That charging cable you plug in every single time you get in the car. This Mini Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter upgrades your existing system into a fully wireless setup for just $34.99 (MSRP $59.99). No stereo swap. No complicated install. Just plug it in once, pair via Bluetooth, and you’re done. After that, it reconnects automatically within three seconds every time you start the car. Thanks to dual-band 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz chips, you get fast, stable performance that feels OEM-level. Navigation, music streaming, calls, messaging, Siri, Google Assistant—it all works exactly as it should. Even better, it supports your factory touchscreen, steering wheel buttons, and voice commands. It’s over 50% smaller than standard adapters, designed to sit flush and stay out of sight. Compatible with 1,000+ vehicle models, iPhone 6+ and Android 11+, it’s built to handle heat, surges, and real-world driving conditions. This may be the easiest way to modernize your ride without touching your dashboard. Pick up the Mini Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter for $34.99 (MSRP $59.99). Mini Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto AdapterSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.06:08 amApple looks beyond TSMC to make iPhone and Mac chips
With TSMC’s capacity constraints, Apple is exploring the possibility of tapping into Samsung and Intel foundries for fabricating iPhone and Mac chips. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:05 amSamsung & Intel considered as alternatives to TSMC for Apple Silicon production
There is no doubt that Apple needs to diversify its processor supply chain, but Samsung and Intel are weak alternatives next to TSMC. Apple may try anyway.Apple processors are made by TSMC, but that could changeRumors have come and gone about Apple buying Intel for its US foundries, but something about that idea stuck. More recent rumors suggested Apple could start relying on Intel for Apple Silicon production as soon as 2027 or 2028.According to a new report from Bloomberg, Apple has been considering Intel and Samsung to build "main device chips" for some time. While the recent chip and memory shortage has added some pressure, Apple had allegedly been making these considerations well before the current situation. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:45 amReport: Apple considers Intel and Samsung to diversify chip manufacturing away from TSMC | 9 to 5 MacReport: Apple considers Intel and Samsung to diversify chip manufacturing away from TSMC
Bloomberg reports that Apple has been exploring early-stage talks with Intel and evaluating facilities from Samsung Electronics as it looks to diversify production of its core device chips beyond TSMC. Here are the details. more…12:10 amBoox Go 10.3 Gen II review: this refresh is both better and somehow worse than the last one | AppleInsiderBoox Go 10.3 Gen II review: this refresh is both better and somehow worse than the last one
Boox has refreshed another model in its lineup, the Boox Go 10.3, adding one new optional feature while, somewhat disappointingly, removing something users really liked.Boox Go 10.3 Gen IIBoox is back at it again with the lineup refresh. This time, we're taking a look at the second-gen iteration of the Boox Go 10.3, Boox's iPad Air-sized e-ink tablet. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our ForumsMonday May 0411:21 pmApple files for Supreme Court stay in Epic case over off-App Store commission dispute
Apple has filed an application with the Supreme Court asking it to stay the Ninth Circuit’s mandate, which would send the case back to the District Court to determine what it can charge for purchases made outside the App Store. Here are the details. more…11:15 pmVideo offers clearest look yet at foldable iPhone Ultra dummy unit
Unbox Therapy has published a 10-minute close-up look at a dummy unit that aligns with what the iPhone Ultra is increasingly expected to look like. Watch it below. more…10:47 pmY Combinator’s Stake in OpenAI
The fact that Paul Graham personally has billions of dollars at stake with OpenAI doesn’t mean that his public opinion on Sam Altman’s trustworthiness and leadership is invalid. But it certainly seems like the sort of thing that ought to be disclosed when quoting Graham as an Altman character reference.10:27 pmWorld's best-selling smartphone for Q1 2026 is iPhone 17, as expected
During Q1 2026, the base iPhone 17 became the world's top-selling smartphone, outdoing not only the competition but also the premium iPhone models.The standard iPhone 17 was the world's top-selling smartphone during Q1 2026.Across the world, and especially in key markets like China and the United States, the iPhone 17 range has proven to be quite popular with consumers. Apple made that clear when it revealed its record-breaking March quarter results.Apple experienced a 20% increase in iPhone sales in China during Q1 2026, while iPhone revenue grew to $85.3 billion, up from $69.1 a year prior. The driving force during the quarter, according to Counterpoint Research, was the base model iPhone 17, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro following. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums09:55 pmEpic vs Apple fight could be put on hold again if Supreme Court sides with Apple
Apple doesn't want to fight a battle on two fronts in the ongoing Epic Games case, so it has turned to the Supreme Court for a pause on proceedings in the Circuit Courts.Apple's control of the App Store continues to be challenged in courtThe Apple vs Epic case could go down as one of the more convoluted cases Apple has ever faced. The back and forth that has taken place since Epic first filed a lawsuit in 2020 will take you at least two hours to read through.In a new filing viewed by AppleInsider, Apple has requested a stay on the mandate that would require it to reconvene with Epic in court and decide upon a new App Store commission for external purchases. It was previously granted a stay by the Circuit Court, but that stay was overturned after a complaint from Epic. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums09:09 pmApple’s iOS 26.5 brings end-to-end encryption to RCS messages in major step for cross-platform privacy | Mac Daily NewsApple’s iOS 26.5 brings end-to-end encryption to RCS messages in major step for cross-platform privacy
Apple continues to refine iPhone messaging experience with the upcoming iOS 26.5 update, introducing a long-awaited security feature for… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.09:07 pmDesigner Transforms Mac mini Into Lego-Inspired Workstation
Remember Lego’s old computer bricks? Designer Paul Staal has supersized the concept into the M2x2, a working Mac mini enclosure that combines retro Lego charm with a 7-inch display.Read original article08:59 pmEU DMA after-action review didn't go the way that Apple wanted
Apple's vice president of products & regulatory law Kyle Andeer lashed out at the European Union's Digital Markets Act, repeating the refrains that unfair targeting and requirement that it must share tech with rivals will put users worldwide at risk.Apple slams EU DMA over privacy and innovation risksTwo years after the Digital Market Act went into effect, Apple is still vehemently opposed to the European Union telling it what to do.It's hardly a new stance. Apple has been beating the same drum since the Digital Markets Act (DMA) was first proposed. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums08:34 pmTiming 2026.3
Updates the time and productivity tracking app's project drop zone functionality. ($108/$132/$192 new, free update, 33.8 MB, macOS 11+)08:33 pmReport: iPhone 17 ranked as world’s top-selling smartphone in Q1 2026
A new Counterpoint Research report shows that the iPhone 17 overtook the iPhone 17 Pro Max and became the world’s best-selling smartphone during the first three months of 2026. Here are the details. more…08:32 pmMellel 6.6.7
Maintenance update with bug fixes and improvements for the word processor. ($69.99 new, free update, 105.3 MB, macOS 10.13+)08:30 pmScreenFloat 2.3.7
Brings new, streamlined methods of copying shots to the screen capture tool. ($17.99 new, free update, 34.2 MB, macOS 12.3+)08:28 pmBusyCal 2026.2.3 and BusyContacts 2026.2.2
Allows you to create time-blocking events across calendars. ($49.99 new for each, free update, various sizes, macOS 11.5+)