Apple smart glasses: Everything you need to know
Macworld According to reports, Apple is going to expand its presence in the wearable market with a new product: smart glasses. The Apple smart glasses that have been reported are a departure from the spatial computing platform of the Apple Vision Pro. They won’t be a headset and they won’t offer AR or spatial computing. They aren’t going to be a computing device in any way. Instead, they will be glasses like those from Meta AI and other companies. They will be designed like typical eyeglasses, not a headset or goggles. They will have built-in cameras, speakers, and microphones for taking pictures and video, and to interact with the iPhone. These glasses are expected to function as an AI-powered wearable, potentially launching in 2027. This article will track the latest reports on the Apple smart glasses. Check this space often for the latest news before they are released. Apple smart glasses design: What will Apple smart glasses look like? Unlike the bulky Vision Pro, Apple’s smart glasses are expected to resemble a normal pair of eyewear. Apple is said to be prioritizing a lightweight, accessory-like design rather than the heavy, immersive approach of the Vision Pro. To appeal to a mainstream audience, the glasses are rumored to be significantly lighter and more affordable, positioned primarily as an iPhone companion. According to various reports, the glasses will look like traditional frames and will not adopt a headset-style design. To accommodate the necessary hardware, the frames may be slightly bulkier than standard glasses and will likely use plastic or similar lightweight materials. One potential frame style could be inspired by the glasses worn by Apple CEO Tim Cook. One of the frame style coule be modeled after a pair of Tim Cook’s glasses.Apple Frame styles in development In April 2026, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple has four frame styles in testing: A large rectangular frame, reminiscent of Ray-Ban Wayfarers Larger oval or circular frames A slimmer rectangular design, similar to the glasses worn by Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook A smaller, more refined oval or circular option Apple is also experimenting with finishes such as black, light brown, and ocean blue. The frames are reportedly made from acetate, which Gurman describes as “more durable and luxurious than standard plastic.” Apple’s design approach Apple is developing the frames in-house rather than partnering with third-party brands, unlike Meta (Ray-Ban, Oakley) or Google (Warby Parker). The goal is to create a product that is instantly recognizable as an Apple device. Earlier reports suggest Apple is aiming for a higher level of build quality compared to competing smart glasses from Meta and Google.

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Judge says White House can’t ‘strong-arm’ Apple into blocking ICE trackers
A judge has ruled that the Trump administration should not have coerced Apple and Google into taking down apps which track the activity of ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement). A preliminary injunction has been awarded, with the creators of ICE Sightings and Eyes Up told that they are likely to succeed in their argument that the government suppressed protected speech under the First Amendment … more…

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These are rumored to be the four iPhone 18 Pro colors
The rumor mill is still churning on the iPhone 18 Pro colors, with a new leak showing what the colors may be.Four possible colors of iPhone 18 ProThe iPhone rumor mill has been on a bit of a color kick lately, with multiple rumors claiming to know which Apple will use in 2028. For the iPhone 18 Pro, it seems that there could be four colors on the way.The image shared by Weibo leaker Ice Universe shows what appear to be rear camera plateaus for the iPhone 18 Pro. It is unclear where they were sourced from, but they may be shots gathered from an accessory maker, rather than the actual Apple supply chain. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Why Nvidia Might Acquire a PC Giant
Rumors that Nvidia could acquire a major PC maker signal more than a bold expansion — they point to a potential shift toward fully integrated AI systems that challenge the long-standing WinTel model. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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India says Apple can't delay investigation of a potential $38 billion fine
Regulators in India have set a final hearing date over the country's potential $38 billion antitrust fine against Apple and the App Store. Apple is apparently not cooperating.Tim Cook in a previous visit to India — image credit: AppleThe Competition Commission of India (CCI) determined in July 2024 that Apple has "significant influence" over digital products and services, and that it has abused its market dominance. Consequently, the CCI imposed a fine, but in March of the same year, revised laws came into effect which meant that this fine could be much greater.Apple is challenging the law which lets India set fines based on global turnover instead of local. According to Reuters, has so far not submitted financial details that the CCI says it needs to calculate the fine. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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App Store ratings ‘broken’ as your 4-star review could hurt a developer
Developers are arguing that Apple’s App Store ratings are fundamentally broken in at least a couple of different ways – including the fact that your 4-star rating could do more harm than good. They also highlight the conflict between users not wanting their app experience to be interrupted, while Apple effectively forces developers to nag you for a rating and review … more…

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10 iPad milestones that changed the tablet computer forever
Macworld On January 27, 2010, Steve Jobs unveiled the very first iPad, boasting a 9.7-inch multitouch display. While it largely functioned like an oversized iPhone, the tablet filled a clear gap for users who wanted to read, browse the web, or play mobile games on a bigger screen. At the time, the iPhone 3GS featured a 3.5-inch display, making it impractical for many of those tasks. Over the past 16 years, Apple has steadily transformed the iPad into a far more capable device, equipping it with hardware and software features unavailable on both the iPhone and the Mac. This evolution unfolded through a series of key milestones that gradually reshaped what the iPad is, and what it can do. Cameras Perhaps the first notable milestone came in 2011, when the iPad 2 launched with very basic front and rear cameras. This change unlocked a couple of handy features, such as support for FaceTime video calls and casual photography. More importantly, it set the stage for future camera technology that would launch in subsequent iPad models. Today’s iPad Pro is equipped with a LiDAR scanner, support for 4K ProRes video recording, an adaptive flash, Center Stage for automatic subject tracking in video calls, portraits, and much more. Together, these tools allow iPad users to attend online meetings, 3D-map physical spaces, produce social media content, and complete professional tasks with greater reliability. And it all started here. 1st-gen iPad mini The iPad mini (2012) marked Apple’s first expansion of its tablet lineup. With this launch, the company acknowledged demand for a compact model that fit between the iPhone and the standard iPad. Following its success, Apple continued to develop the iPad mini, with the next generation widely expected to feature an IP rating for water and dust resistance for the first time, plus an OLED display. The 2024 iPad mini is a far cry from the 2012 original, but the priority remains portability.Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry 1st-gen iPad Air Just a year after the iPad mini’s debut, Apple unveiled another variant. The iPad Air (2013) brought 64-bit computing to the lineup with the A7 chip—extending the architecture first seen in the iPhone 5s. Despite its performance gains, it was thinner and lighter than the regular iPad, making it more portable and aesthetically pleasing. Today’s iPad Air continues this trajectory, pairing desktop-class Apple silicon with a slim form factor that can power advanced workflows. 1st-gen iPad Pro In 2015, Apple introduced the first iPad Pro, a new high-end addition to the lineup aimed at professionals and creatives who required more power and screen real estate. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro was also the first model to support the Apple Pencil, enabling precise illustration and input. These Pro exclusives eventually expanded to other models, with the iPad Air now offering a 13-inch size and all iPads supporting one of the several Apple Pencil variants. 3rd-gen iPad Pro The iPad Pro quickly became Apple’s go-to platform for launching new technologies, with Pro exclusives often taking years to reach the more affordable end of the range. One example was the launch of the 2018 iPad Pro, when Apple retired the physical Home button in favor of an edge-to-edge design, replaced Touch ID with Face ID, and abandoned the Lightning port for USB-C. Today, all iPads share this futuristic design language and port selection, although facial recognition remains exclusive to the Pro edition. Sidecar helps the iPad and MacBook to work together seamlessly.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Sidecar The iPad’s milestones haven’t been limited to hardware upgrades. In 2019, Apple introduced Sidecar alongside iPadOS 13 and macOS 10.15, allowing Mac owners to use a nearby iPad as a wireless, touch-enabled secondary display. The feature requires minimal setup and integrates seamlessly into Apple’s ecosystem. That integration deepened further when Universal Control launched in 2022 as part of iPadOS 15.4 and macOS 12.3. This feature enables users to control their iPads using a Mac’s keyboard and mouse, while also supporting drag-and-drop file transfers between devices. It doesn’t replace Sidecar, which remains available; the two Continuity features serve distinct purposes. 5th-gen iPad Pro In 2021, Apple released an iPad Pro equipped with the Mac’s M1 chip, thereby obliterating its rivals in performance and efficiency tests. While iPadOS at the time did not fully capitalize on the chipset’s capabilities, the hardware upgrade prepared the tablet for more advanced features introduced in later software updates. This was also the first iPad to support 5G connectivity, making it an appealing work machine for digital nomads. Today, the iPad Air has similarly transitioned to the M-series chips, and every iPad model offers a 5G purchase option. Desktop-class apps Apple’s transition to M-series processors enabled the iPad to handle demanding tasks that were previously reserved for the Mac. Then in 2023, the company brought Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro to iPadOS, offering video editors and music producers a viable alternative to their MacBooks for certain workflows. Third-party developers, such as Adobe and Affinity, have similarly taken advantage of the increased performance, delivering desktop-class creative tools on the tablet. Apple’s release of Pixelmator Pro on the iPad as part of its Creator Studio bundle signals a broader commitment to professional apps on the platform. Future updates could plausibly introduce deeper functionality or other Pro apps currently exclusive to macOS. Viewed side on, the M4 iPad Pro is breathtakingly slender.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry 7th-gen iPad Pro Arguably, the iPad’s most recent hardware milestone arrived in 2024 with the launch of the M4 iPad Pro. Beyond the performance boost, this model adopted a tandem OLED display, delivering improved color accuracy and true black levels. It’s also Apple’s thinnest device to date… other than the famous Polishing Cloth. Like previous design overhauls and new features, these changes could eventually trickle down to other iPad models. Windowed apps Lastly, Apple significantly transformed the iPad computing experience with iPadOS 26. Released in late 2025, the software update introduced advanced app windowing similar to macOS, along with a menu bar and a redesigned cursor for keyboard-and-mouse use. These changes position the iPad as a more practical laptop alternative for a wider range of workflows. Multitasking is a breeze on this iPad Pro M4, thanks to the windowing features in iPadOS 26.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry

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Apple says it faces world’s largest antitrust fine as India’s regulator hardens stance
Apple has said that it could potentially be fined a massive $38 billion in an antitrust battle taking place in India after it refused to cooperate with the regulator. Yep, that’s billion with a B. The iPhone maker has persistently refused to submit financial data required by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) after being found guilty of abusing its dominant position in the smartphone market … more…

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RIP Cosmic Orange. You were too fun for this world
Macworld Well, that was fun while it lasted. For years, Apple stuck inexplicably to the idea that rich people don’t like bright colors. Any iPhone casing that looked funky and vibrant, you could bet your bottom dollar it would be used on a cheaper and more feature-limited model, while drab and serious colors were reserved for the higher-end Pro models. It was as if Apple heard the phrase “cheap and cheerful” and decided to invent the corollary concept “expensive and miserable.” It’s a similar price-and-vibrancy story with Apple’s other products. The standard iPad models come in pink and yellow, Airs in more muted purple and blue, and the top-end Pros in black and silver only. The MacBook Neo comes in citrus and blush, while the MacBook Pro is stuck in tedious monochrome. Even the HomePod is restricted to black and white, whereas its cheaper mini cousin gets access to glorious orange and yellow. And as for the iPhone range, that particular pattern was set with the launch of the iPhone 5c back in 2013. It was cheap, it was low-specced… and it got access to four bright finishes that simply weren’t available to buyers of the more expensive iPhone 5s. When the first iPhone Pro came out in 2019, it was limited to black, near-black, and a couple of metallics, while the contemporaneous iPhone 11 came in red, yellow, and vivid candy green. It just seemed unfair. At least give pro buyers the option of a fun color, certain pundits implored. Apple, somewhat uncharacteristically, heard us loud and clear and took this feedback on board. When the iPhone 17 Pro came out late last year, we were astounded to see bright orange on the menu, and customers went for this color in droves. It’s widely believed, in fact, that the orange finish was the single biggest factor behind the iPhone 17 Pro’s success in China. I guess rich people like bright colors after all, huh. But what’s this? Goodness me, it’s an exclusive leak of the colors on the next generation of pro iPhones. Macworld’s source tells us that four finishes are in development for the iPhone 18 Pro: silver, dark gray, a relatively muted light blue, and a rich wine color dubbed Dark Cherry as the product’s signature color. Cosmic Orange, it appears, will be retired after a single year in the limelight. Foundry Five months or so remain before launch, and one or more of these colors could yet be dropped or even replaced; but it now looks extremely likely that the age of Cosmic Orange is drawing to a close, and that of Dark Cherry is imminent. And while our mockups of the latter, based on the Pantone numbers provided by our source, look absolutely stunning, I can’t help but wonder if this is the right decision. It just seems like a shame, after so much progress was made in 2025. I appreciate, of course, that Apple can only manufacture its phones in a limited number of finishes before things become cost-inefficient, and that it must prioritise the colors which sell over those which are championed by a few blowhards with weekly columns on beloved technology websites. But let’s be clear: Cosmic Orange was a successful experiment. There were voices raised in dissent, claiming it was garish, and of course, there were some technical issues with handsets degrading from orange to a sort of semi-pink. But it sold well, made a cultural impact, and was overall a fun, interesting, and popular choice. As regards the future, it strikes me that if you’re going to have, say, four colors per phone (that’s roughly the average for the current generation: three for the 17e and Pros, four for the Air, and five for the baseline 17), then you can afford for at least one of them to be fun. You could go for two standard colors that are guaranteed to sell well: black and either silver or white, most likely. Then you could have something that’s classy and elegant: a navy blue, a deep sage, even Dark Cherry. But that still leaves a slot for a hot pink, or a bright sunny yellow, or an eye-catching scarlet. That’s my view of it, anyway. And it seems to be a view that’s shared by more than a few actual iPhone customers, particularly in the all-important Chinese market. The people have spoken, Apple. They want fun. And they’re prepared to pay highly for the privilege. 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. Trending: Top stories What’s the point of the App Store, if it can’t even protect users? The MacBook Neo is turning the PC world on its head, notes the Macalope. And everyone is doomed except Apple. Final Cut Pro and Pixelmator reveal the truth: Apple still doesn’t get iPad pros. Apple’s Mac lineup is nearly perfect. It’s just missing some Magic. Jason Snell reminisces about the iPhone 4 and the scandals that rocked Apple. CarPlay ruined every other vehicle for me, says Mahmoud Itani. Podcast of the week The iPhone 17e is now available. Is it a compelling affordable iPhone? We review Apple’s new iPhone on the latest episode of the Macworld Podcast. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. Reviews corner Sonos Play: Big, bold sound in a portable speaker at a premium price. Klarity Disk: Affordable Mac disk analyzer held back by permissions bug. Satechi 3-in-1: Foldable wireless charging stand. Audio Pro Drumfire D-2 W: Powerful AirPlay speaker with impressive sound. The rumor mill iPhone 18 Pro colors revealed! We’ve got an exclusive look at Apple’s 2026 models. New Apple Intelligence features for iOS 27 found in hidden code. New report explains how Apple will solve the iPhone Fold’s crease problem. Report: Apple’s upcoming smartglasses to come in up to four different frame styles. Video of the week @macworld.com iPhone Ultra rumors update #apple #iphone ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld Our latest short reveals everything we know about Apple’s first folding phone. Enjoy more Macworld videos on TikTok or Instagram. Software updates, bugs, and problems Apple Watch hit by major bugs after watchOS 8.8.2 update. Apple App Store hosts AI nudify apps despite ban, report finds. 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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Best iPhone 17 cases for iPhone 17, 17 Pro & 17 Pro Max, 17e and Air
Macworld Before you even start the setup on your new iPhone 17—be it an iPhone 17, 17e or Air, 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max— you should consider what type of case you need to protect it in. However good Apple’s new Ceramic Shield 2 shell is, it won’t be up to protecting your phone if dropped or scraped. A case just makes sense—and can look fantastic, too. Some are even ultra glamorous. Cases come in more shapes and sizes and with more functionality than you’d believe. Hit these links to jump straight to our recommendations, reviews and tests to find the perfect case for your iPhone 17, 17e, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max and Air. Or read on for more case advice before reaching the product charts. Cases for the most recent iPhone 17e have started to appear (keep reading) and we’ll add more here when they arrive. Best clear iPhone 17 cases Best-looking iPhone 17 cases Best protective cases for iPhone 17 Best leather and leather-alternative iPhone 17 cases Best iPhone 17 cases with wallet Best iPhone 17 battery cases Best iPhone bags Best iPhone 17 camera grip cases Do I need an iPhone case for iPhone 17? You may have heard that Apple’s new-generation Ceramic Shield 2 front cover promises 3x better scratch resistance, and for the Pro and Pro Max models Ceramic Shield also protects the back of iPhone, delivering 4x better resistance to cracks than the back glass on previous models. Does that mean that you no longer need a case? A case will keep your iPhone looking at it’s best, which will be a benefit when and if you come to sell it. Also, note that neither the plain iPhone 17 nor Air feature the same level of back protection. Do I need an iPhone case for iPhone Air? The iPhone Air is so thin it seems a shame to bulk it up in a protective case. It’s also tough at resisting bending but it is still just as vulnerable to drops and everyday dings. Most cases reviewed here have a variant for the iPhone Air but there are especially thin cases such as the super-slim Thinborne iPhone 17 Case and Pitaka Ultra-Slim Case, or consider the Nomad Magnetic Leather Back that misses the sides altogether and protects just the back. Why you need an iPhone case The primary function of a phone case is to protect your high-cost but fragile device from physical damage—caused by accidental impacts such as shocks from drops and scrapes that can leave your phone with a cracked screen, scratches, dents, a shattered back or internal harm. In fact, research shows that within 10 weeks of purchase, half of all new phone users will drop their handset. D’oh! Just being pulled from your pocket many times a day causes gradual wear that adds to the unseen damage from UV exposure and other environmental factors. Environmental protection safeguards against water and dust damage that can degrade or destroy your precious phone. Putting your iPhone into a case doesn’t make it indestructible, but it will reduce the risk of everyday or unexpected damage that might otherwise save a costly repair or full replacement. Which type of iPhone case to choose As nice as Apple makes its phones look there are only a handful of colors, so a case also offers aesthetic personalization through design (there are thousands to choose from) and customized style. Love the Cosmic Orange iPhone Pro but want to save money with the basic iPhone 17 model? Why not just buy a bold orange case for the 17, such as the Beats iPhone 17 Rugged Case in Sierra Orange? Choosing the right case material (be that silicone, leather, Graphene or Kevlar) is also key—depending on whether you are after better grip, more robust protection or luxurious leather. Cases can also add functionality, with handy features such as stands for hands-free viewing or wallet holders for carrying cards and cash. If you ever wirelessly charge your phone, make sure the case is MagSafe compatible—most are these days. Best clear iPhone cases for iPhone 17, 17e, Air, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max If covering up Apple’s iPhone offends your inner Jony Ive, look for a clear, transparent case that keeps the iPhone’s looks as wonderful as they were straight out of the box. Why pick out a Sky Blue iPhone Air or Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, only to cover it up in a black plastic case or something with badly drawn flowers on it? With a Clear case, you get decent protection without ruining the look of the phone—although Apple has rather mucked this up with its own version; see review below. If you want a plain black case or flowery pattern instead of Apple’s small palette of colors, we have plenty for you to choose from further down this feature. Apple iPhone 17 Clear Case with MagSafe – Simple but flawed clear iPhone 17 case Pros Made by Apple Shows off iPhone 17’s color Cons Basic protection Ugly on Pro / Pro Max Open bottom section Expensive Price When Reviewed: $49 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket MagSafe compatible: Yes Weight: 29g Camera edge: 2mm Button covers: Plastic Colors: Clear Available for: iPhone 17 | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max Amazon: All iPhone 17 models Amazon UK: iPhone 17 | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max This simple, rigid iPhone 17 protective case from Apple is thin and light. By design, clear cases shouldn’t disguise the color of your iPhone that you chose when you purchased it. The Apple Clear Case is made from a blend of optically clear polycarbonate and other flexible materials, with a scratch-resistant coating on both the inside and outside. While it’s more protective than silicone cases and features a robust-looking 2mm camera lip, you can find tougher cases, which we have reviewed below. While the Clear Case for the basic iPhone 17 is as you’d expect, Apple has somewhat ruined the idea of a “clear” case for its Pro and Pro Mac versions of the iPhone 17, which feature a slab of white plastic at the back under the camera area. It’s white whatever color of iPhone 17 Pro or Max that you own. This is because Apple added its second-generation Ceramic Shield glass as a separate panel on the back of the Pro models—it’s on only the front of all the 17 family. To keep the back design visually balanced, the Apple logo was repositioned slightly lower. The white slab on Apple’s clear case is related to this adjustment and the alignment of the MagSafe magnets. Customers are already complaining that Apple should have created cases with a block in the color of the phone. If your iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max is orange or deep blue that slab of white is, well I’ll say it, ugly. The bottom of the Clear Case is nearly fully open, which reduces the level protection. For the iPhone Air Apple has another not really clear solution: the iPhone Air Bumper. This protects the edges of the phone and matches the Air’s color but leaves the back exposed. With a raised bezel it will also stop the screen touching the surface when laid flat. You can choose the bumper color to match your iPhone Air or select another color if you are feeling adventurous. Apple also sells the iPhone Air Case with MagSafe in Frost or Shadow, with a 0.9mm back panel that’s reinforced with a polycarbonate frame. The inside is lightly frosted, while the exterior is finished to a high gloss. At 29g it’s super light, and while the rigid case adds a little bulk, it’s worth a little compromise for that layer of protection. All materials and coatings are optimized to prevent yellowing over time. There are also cheaper clear cases, which we have also tested for you. But the Apple badge is a sure sign of quality, as you’d expect.

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iVanky FusionDock Ultra review: New 26-port Mac docking station has it all
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros 26 top-end ports, including four Thunderbolt 5 Supports four displays without daisy-chaining 10Gb Ethernet Active cooling Cons Premium price Takes two Mac ports for maximum advantage Fan may produce noise in exacting studio environments Our Verdict If 16 USB ports is a lot more than you think you need, the Ultra may be overkill, and at that premium price it will certainly make you double-count how many ports and high-resolution displays you really need. For Mac pros working at the highest level, the iVanky FusionDock is going to be the go-to docking station. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$649.99 Best Prices Today: iVanky FusionDock Ultra Retailer Price $649.99 View Deal iVanky $649.99 View Deal $749.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who is iVanky FusionDock Ultra for: This dock is best for high-end Mac professionals who need maximum connectivity – especially those running multiple high-resolution displays, fast storage, and 10Gb networking all at once. It’s not for typical users or even most power users, as the sheer number of ports, need for two Thunderbolt connections, and high price make it overkill unless you truly need that level of performance. In 2025 when iVanky launched its 23-port iVanky FusionDock Max 2 it threw down the gauntlet for the title of “Ultimate Mac Dock” to defending champion, the iconic 20-port CalDigit TS5 Plus. The TS5 Plus was (just) victorious on the absolute top-end—the TS5 Plus has 10GbE networking compared to the Max 2’s 2.5GbE and all its USB ports are 10Gbps. Only the FusionDock Max 2 could offer three native displays, without requiring extra software, and while the TS5 Plus has plenty of USB ports, the iVanky Max 2 offered a super abundance. iVanky has now returned with the FusionDock Ultra, which hosts 26 ports including 10GbE and 12 USB ports rated at 10Gbps in addition to the two upstream and four downstream 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 ports. It can handle up to four 6K displays at 60Hz, and dual 8K/60Hz displays. CalDigit really has a fight on its hands. We’ll compare the two later in greater detail further down but first let’s look at everything the FusionDock Ultra offers to the Mac professional who demands the most and the best. Befitting its premium status (and price) the FusionDock Ultra is presented well in a rather lovely box.Simon Jary First, it must be noted how well iVanky packages its new top-end docking station. It looks great in its box before you even get your hands on it. How is the FusionDock Ultra different from other docks? The advantage this dock has over other Thunderbolt 5 docks is its dual Thunderbolt 5 chips, making it effectively two docks in one case—in essence, it’s two independent dock printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA) integrated together. The original FusionDock Max 1 has two Thunderbolt 4 chips, and the Max 2 combines a Thunderbolt 5 controller with an additional DP-Alt chip. These dual-chip docks can natively deliver up to four external displays—a feat that usually takes a docking station that requires third-party DisplayLink compression software to be installed on the Mac. The release of MacBooks with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips has changed the playing field. These top-end Macs are no longer limited to two external monitors over a single Thunderbolt cable, with the M5 Pro supporting up to three and the M5 Max up to four. This means that a dock such as CalDigit’s TS5 can run four displays when connected to one of those MacBooks. However, the fourth display must be daisy-chained off the third as the dock has only three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports. The Ultra is free from this daisy-chaining requirement. Simon Jary The iVanky Ultra has four downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports, plus dedicated DisplayPort and HDMI ports, so can handle all four displays without needing to link the last to one of the other monitors. Using two upstream Thunderbolt connections also provides significantly more bandwidth, avoiding the bottlenecks that often occur with single-port docks. The downside is that you must use two of your Mac’s Thunderbolt ports to use the FusionDock Ultra. If only one cable is connected, some ports on the dock will not function. Simon Jary What ports and features do you actually get? We thought the mighty CalDigit TS5 Plus was remarkable packing 20 ports, including ten USB, then the FusionDock Max 2 fitted 23 ports into a similarly sized case. Now we’ve got a crazy 26 ports to play with. As there are so many ports, iVanky has clearly labelled all of them. Two upstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 140W) Four downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W) One USB-C port (10Gbps, 45W) Seven USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W) Four USB-A ports (10Gbps) One DisplayPort (2.1) One HDMI (2.0) Ethernet (10Gb) UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps) UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps) One 3.5mm combo audio In/Out jack (front) One 3.5mm Audio Out audio jack (back) One 3.5mm Audio In audio jack (back) One optical audio (back) 240W power supply Most Thunderbolt docks have one upstream Thunderbolt port to connect to the computer and up to three downstream ports to attach monitors, storage drives and other high-bandwidth devices. With its dual-chip architecture, the FusionDock Ultra sports six Thunderbolt 5 ports: two upstream and four downstream. Simon Jary The two upstream connect to the Mac with the included dual-cable connectors. When connected to a MacBook (pictured above), the two connectors magnetically fit together in the correct position to neatly attach to the laptop’s side-by-side Thunderbolt ports. At the dock end the connectors are placed on top of each other in the dedicated upstream ports. The FusionDock Ultra also ships with a spare downstream Thunderbolt 5 cable. iVanky If you are using the dock with a desktop Mac such as a Mac mini or Mac Studio, the upstream cables can be separated to fit that computer’s port layout but you must still connect the dock to two Thunderbolt ports. The dock will work best with Macs that host Thunderbolt 5, with its 80Gbps data-transfer bandwidth that doubles that of 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4. With a feature called Bandwidth Boost, a Thunderbolt port can switch to a unidirectional 120Gbps for the most demanding video needs. If you need to connect high performance SSDs or RAID devices Thunderbolt 5 rewards you with a PCIe performance that is doubled (from Thunderbolt 4) to 64Gbps PCIe 4.0, and the dock supports (theoretical) transfer speeds up to 6,200MBps. The upstream PD 3.1 TB5 ports can supply up to 140W to the connected MacBook, which is powerful enough to fast-charge the top-end 16-inch model. Each of the downstream TB5 ports can deliver 15W. On the TS5 Plus CalDigit sacrificed the possibility for a third downstream Thunderbolt port for a top-end DisplayPort 2.1 video connection. iVanky’s FusionDock gives four downstream Thunderbolt 5 plus a DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.0 port. Native Thunderbolt and DisplayPort output supports up to 4K at 240Hz, which is not possible via an HDMI port. Not including the backwards-compatible Thunderbolt ports, the FusionDock Ultra carries a mind-boggling 12 plainer USB ports: all at 10Gbps. The Max 2 also has 12 USB but three at 5Gbps and another three at the weedy USB 2.0 speed of 480Mbps. Seven of these are USB-C (remember that that the three downstream Thunderbolt can also operate as Type C if you desire) and four are old-school USB-A. The Max 2 had those numbers the other way around, with seven USB-A, which is surely more legacy ports than anyone with a top-end system should need. Top marks to iVanky for shifting to more USB-C than USB-A. Four USB-A should be plenty for older flash drives and memory sticks, and even a wired keyboard and mouse for people who shun wireless input—maybe for those concerned about the potential instability of Bluetooth signal interference. Four extended displays are possible with most Thunderbolt 5 docks connected to a top-end M5 Max computer, but only the iVanky FusionDocks (Max 2 and Ultra) have enough video ports to handle them from the dock itself.iVanky How many displays can it really support (and on which Macs)? A key purpose of a docking station is to connect multiple external displays without using up all the MacBook’s own ports. The dual-chip FusionDock Ultra is the leader of the pack when it comes to natively supporting up to four displays, although the recent M5 Pro/Max advances in Apple’s processor design have blunted that advantage a little. To achieve native four-display support you need to use those two upstream ports. You can’t use the plain USB-C ports for connecting to external displays; for that purpose, you need to use the DisplayPort and/or HDMI ports or the Thunderbolt. Docks used to be limited by the macOS’s lack of support for something called Multi Stream Transport (MST), which limited Macs from being able to connect more than two external displays over a single cable. That’s one reason why Mac docks could be used for two monitors max. The iVanky FusionDock Max 2 got round this with its own dual-chip/two-upstream cable connection, and the Ultra follows suit. However, as mentioned earlier, Apple has revealed that its latest MacBooks with M5 Pro can now support three displays over one cable (it must be Thunderbolt 5), and with M5 Max up to four. The iVanky dock still offers up to four displays for users of M1//M2/M3/M4 Max-chip Mac, but if you have an M5 Max Mac you can now connect up to four displays from other Thunderbolt 5 docks, such as the CalDigit TS5, although the fourth will have to be daisy-chained from the third monitor due to lack of ports on the dock. The FusionDocks have no such problems with their four Thunderbolt ports and other dedicated video ports: it’s the only Thunderbolt port that natively supports four displays without any daisy-chaining required. Simon Jary Quad display: Native vs DisplayLink If you don’t mind installing third-party compression software such as DisplayLink there are docks—such as the Plugable TBT-UDT3—that support up to five displays via a single connection. The catch is that DisplayLink may introduce noticeable latency in some situations or on certain monitors, so high-end studios and professionals will always prefer a native solution. Native (without help from third-party software) video provides smoother, full-resolution lag-free video with higher refresh rates (4K at 240Hz), which makes it ideal for video editing and gaming. DisplayLink’s max is 60Hz—fine for most of us but nowhere near enough for video pros and gamers. Natively, the Mac’s GPU can be utilized for processing, so reducing CPU system resource load usage. Third-party DisplayLink in a dedicated dock or adapter sends compressed video data over USB connection, and bypasses Apple’s native display output limitations, so allowing you to connect multiple external displays to Mac models that officially support only one or two (for example, the base single-display M1 and M2 models, as well as the new MacBook Neo). DisplayLink also suffers from restrictions to DRM (Digital Rights Management) protected content as used by streamers such as Netflix and Apple TV. The Ultra’s dual Thunderbolt 5 connections to the Mac mean no extra software is required for the purest multi-display support. iVanky Monitor matrix Unfortunately, even this dock can’t override the built-in display limits of your Mac. The maximum number of external displays is still determined by your Mac’s processor and Apple’s own display engine limits. To check your Mac’s display potential, see Apple’s “How many displays can be connected to MacBook Pro”. For three displays, you’ll need a Mac with at least an M5 Pro or a Max M-series processor: so M1/M2/M3/M4 Max. Even M4 Pro Macs are limited to dual 4K/60Hz support (see MST explanation above). The three displays can be 3x 6K/60Hz. If your Mac boasts a Max M-series processor, you can connect four 6K displays at 60Hz. For dual 8K/60Hz displays an M4 Max or M5 Max chip is required. A single 8K screen is possible even on a plain M4 or M5 chip, or an M4 Pro. iVanky To show the display possibilities it’s easiest to check out this grid of possibilities for each type of Mac. Power station Thunderbolt 5 has higher power delivery (PD) than Thunderbolt 4: to the connected laptop at least 140W with support for up to 240W; up from TB4’s minimum 100W and max 140W. The FusionDock Ultra can power a connected laptop at up to 140W, enough to fast-charge a top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro. The 45W USB-C port at the front of the dock (up from the Max 2’s 30W) is handy if you want to fast-charge your iPhone or iPad. The TS5 Plus has a 35W front port, and the Sonnet Echo 13 has one of its TB5 ports with a 60W rating. 30W should be enough for those devices, and 45W is enough to (slowly) recharge another MacBook if you want to. The external power supply can deliver a maximum of 240W, which is the same as the FusionDock Max 2 but noticeably lower than the 330W of the CalDigit TS5 Plus that gives that rival dock enough to cope with a full power demand, so the wattage going into the laptop needs never fluctuate to accommodate other hungry devices. If you were to use all the FusionDock’s ports at full power, it would require 297.5W so you may hit the dock’s power adapter limit. The dock’s active-cooling fans will also use up some of that 240 of power. While it’s unlikely all the ports would be in use at one time anyway, it’s certainly one aspect where the TS5 beats the FusionDock Ultra. Unlike the Max 2 the Ultra has no power button at the front. I’m a fan of a power button on a dock as it makes it easier to turn off power to the connected laptop if you want to better preserve its battery life, but the Ultra is in good company with the CalDigit docks in not having one. Key limitations Requires two Mac ports Expensive vs rivals Fan noise potential Power supply lower than TS5 Plus The FusionDock requires two upstream ports to connect your Mac to its double Thunderbolt 5 architecture.Simon Jary Network speeds Pro studios (and an increasing number of offices) are turning to networks much faster than the long-traditional Gigabit Ethernet (1GbE), with 2.5GbE, 5GbE or even 10GbE speeds. Recent pro docks include a 2.5 gigabit Ethernet (2.5GbE) port as standard, including the FusionDock Max 2’s LAN port. The FusionDock Ultra—like the CalDigit TS5 Plus—goes right to the top with 10GbE, which will appeal to those with networks at that speed or planning a future upgrade. It’s a great future-proof solution and is backwards compatible with slower networks. Storage Some recent Thunderbolt docking stations—such as the Sonnet Echo 13—include built-in SSD storage so that the dock itself operates like a speedy external disk drive. Neither the FusionDock Ultra nor the TS5 have this feature but both offer fast 312MBps UHS-II SD and microSD card readers at the front for you to slip in and out your own portable and inexpensive storage cards. That’s faster than the 250MBps SDXC card slot built into Apple’s current MacBook Pro. Simon Jary Design While the CalDigit docks are cased in the iconic vertical or horizontal aluminum shell, the iVanky docks take a horizontal-only approach but also in a fine-looking dark design that has a clever floating aluminum chassis with built-in twin fans for active thermal management engineered to dissipate heat. The gold-trimmed copper-alloy midframe is therefore cooler. The surface temperature of the Ultra remains relatively low, typically around 40–45°C during normal use, thanks to the suspended-chassis airflow and cooling fan that creates extra thermal headroom and should ensure fewer drops and throttling, even under extreme demand. The integrated rubber feet lift the dock from the desk further allowing for air to flow under it. The FusionDock Ultra features a floating aluminum chassis to keep cool.Simon Jary CalDigit’s docks don’t include fans as some can add noise, which is not ideal in music or video studio environments where pro users need absolute silence. iVanky claims that its fans stay quiet during lighter tasks and only ramp up under pressure. With so many ports, it’s quite possible that the fans will be required if a lot of them are in use at the same time. The Ultra is a little larger than the Max 2 but otherwise quite similar in design. It measures 8.3 inches (210mm) long, 4.9 inches (125mm) wide, and 2.4 inches (60mm) deep. It weighs in at 3.6lbs (1.65kg). The ports are well placed. The upstream Thunderbolt 5 ports that connect to your laptop are labelled at the back, avoiding probable cable mess from the front. The two card readers and nine USB ports including the 45W USB-C for charging other devices, as well as the Audio In/Out jack are also front facing. At the back is everything else: separate 3.5mm audio In and out ports and the optical audio port; the four downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports; DisplayPort; HDMI; one 10Gbps USB-C and two USB-A; plus Ethernet. iVanky’s two Thunderbolt 5 docking stations, the FusionDock Max 2 (left) and larger Ultra (right).Simon Jary Price Top-of-the-range Thunderbolt 5 docking stations come at a premium price point but you do get a lot for your money with the iVanky FusionDock Ultra. It is priced at $749.99 in the U.S. – either direct or from Amazon, £749.99 in the U.K, and €749,99 in the E.U. However, at the time of the launch iVanjy was offering a 13% discount down to $649.99, £649.99 and €649,99. The CalDigit TS5 Plus costs $499 so is significantly cheaper but lacks the dual-chip architecture that allows for the abundance of ports—not to dismiss the TS5 Plus’s 20 ports. iVanky’s other Thunderbolt 5 dock, the FusionDock Max 2, costs $449. It has similar display powers but fewer ports and a different chip architecture. The $479 Sonnet Echo 13 that includes an integrated 1TB SSD is cheaper, as is the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock ($329) and best value of all the $299 Plugable TBT-UDT3 Dock and Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Dock. Either may make more sense if you don’t need the native super display support or so many USB ports. Take a look at all the best Thunderbolt 5 docks in our roundup that also includes Thunderbolt 4 hubs and docks. If multiple monitors are the big draw, then also consider DisplayLink docks that can support up to five but require third-party compression software that the top-end professionals may avoid in case any latency is involved but is fine for most users. The FusionDock Ultra includes the 1.2m dual Thunderbolt 5 cable and the same-length individual TB5 cable. FusionDock Ultra (top) and CalDigit TS5 Plus (bottom).Simon Jary iVanky vs CalDigit: Battle of the super-pro docks The closest rival to the Ultra is the CalDigit TS5 Plus, which is a significantly cheaper ($499) than the FusionDock Ultra ($649). Read our full CalDigit TS5 Plus review. We also include the FusionDock Max 2 ($449) and CalDigit TS5 ($399). Supported displays FusionDock Ultra: Up to 4 FusionDock Max 2: Up to 4 TS5 Plus: Up to 4 (requires daisy chaining) TS5: Up to 4 (requires daisy chaining) Number of ports: FusionDock Ultra: 26 FusionDock Max 2: 23 TS5 Plus: 20 TS5: 15 Thunderbolt port power: FusionDock Ultra: 15W FusionDock Max 2: 15W TS5 Plus: 36W TS5: 15W Front USB-C port power: FusionDock Ultra: 45W FusionDock Max 2: 30W TS5 Plus: 35W TS5: 20W Total power: FusionDock: 240W FusionDock Max 2: 240W TS5 Plus: 330W TS5: 240W Ethernet speed: FusionDock Ultra: 10Gb FusionDock Max 2: 2.5Gb TS5 Plus: 10Gb TS5: 2.5Gb The Ultra is larger than the CalDigit TS5 Plus.Simon Jary Where the TS5 Plus beat the FusionDock Max 2 at the absolute top-end in some cases, the FusionDock Ultra at least matches it everywhere except for its maximum power supply (240W vs 330W). If you need the most displays at the highest refresh rates the FusionDock Ultra is an easy winner with its native support for four (for any Max-chip Mac) and enough ports to connect from the dock. The TS5 Plus does natively support four when matched with the very top-end M5 Max Mac but requires the fourth display to be daisy-chained off the third. The Ultra can connect each of its four displays on the dock itself. The compromise is that you must use two of the Mac’s own three Thunderbolt ports to connect to the Ultra (as was also the case with the Max 2, and indeed the Max 1), which somewhat defeats the elegance of having a single cable connected to your Mac to connect all your devices but it’s necessary for those four connected native displays. Should you buy the iVanky FusionDock Ultra? With an unmatched number of top-end ports and dual-chip architecture, the iVanky FusionDock Ultra is a very serious contender to take the ultimate Mac dock crown. If 16 USB ports is a lot more than you think you need, the Ultra may be overkill, and at that premium price it will certainly make you double-count how many ports and high-resolution displays you really need. For Mac professionals working at the highest level, the iVanky FusionDock is going to be the go-to docking station.

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Sit back, relax, and let OneAir get you exclusive savings on your trips
Macworld TL;DR: OneAir Elite helps you find cheaper flights and hotels—and even refunds the difference if prices drop—all for a one-time $99.99. Travel prices have been a lot lately. Flights go up, hotels fluctuate, and somehow the deal you thought you scored disappears overnight. But that doesn’t mean you have to hit pause on your travel plans—OneAir Elite is built to help you work around it. Think of it as a smarter way to book—and rebook—travel. The platform uses AI to track millions of flight and hotel prices, sending alerts when prices drop. But the real standout? It keeps watching after you book. If your hotel price drops, it can automatically rebook the same room at a lower rate and refund you the difference. Flights get similar treatment. If fares drop, OneAir helps you figure out whether it’s worth rebooking and how to actually do it without losing money on fees. You’ll also get access to private hotel rates and unpublished flight deals that don’t show up on the usual booking sites, potentially cutting costs by a noticeable margin. You don’t have to time the perfect deal anymore. The system keeps working in the background, so you don’t have to. Get lifetime access to OneAir Elite while it’s on sale for a one-time $99.99 payment (MSRP $790). OneAir Elite: Lifetime Subscription (Save Money On Your Existing Hotel and Flight Bookings)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Sunday Reboot: Japan ads, AI assistance, and a nice retirement
In this week's "Sunday Reboot," Apple Japan shines with its delightful ads, Siri engineers learn about AI, and a feel-good Apple executive retirement story.Ads, AI, and retirementSunday Reboot is a weekly column covering some of the lighter stories within the Apple reality distortion field from the past seven days. All to get the next week underway with a good first step.This week, users were scammed by a Freecash app that somehow got through App Store review, researchers came up with a way to steal $10,000 from a locked iPhone, and details surfaced about a paraplegic pilot's death for an Apple Immersive Video documentary. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The demand for local AI could shape a new business model for Apple
To put it simply: Apple Silicon is Mac minis are impossible to find. There’s a variety of reasons for this – like OpenClaw and other computer-use agents. But there’s also a group of people buying up high-end Macs with swaths of unified memory, which are incredible for running local LLMs. While I’m sure Apple appreciates the additional hardware sales, I think they could push this even further – by entering a segment they’ve thus far ignored. more…

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iOS 27's home screen update will make customization even easier
Apple will be making it easier for users to lay out apps and widgets on the iPhone home screen, thanks to a new addition to the UI in iOS 27.You can already do a lot with the iOS home screen. In more recent updates to iOS and its other operating systems, Apple has made it gradually easier to personalize the home screen. If a report about iOS 27 is accurate, that release could make things even easier.According to Mark Gurman in his "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg, Apple is testing a new home screen customization option. The tweak consists of new options in an existing menu, to allow users to revert mistakes. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 27 could make it much easier to switch up your home screen layout: report
WWDC26 is just under 2 months away, where Apple will unveil its next generation of iOS, macOS, watchOS, and so on. Rumors for iOS 27 have so far indicated that this year’s release will mostly be focused on stability, with limited new features beyond Apple finally delivering on its AI promises. Even though iOS 27 won’t have anything major, there still will be a few light customization features – and one of them will let you quickly undo and redo changes on your home screen. more…

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Today in Apple history: Newton boss departs as device struggles
On April 19, 1994, Gaston Bastiaens, the executive in charge of Apple's new Newton MessagePad line, parted ways with the company. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Your wait for M5 Ultra Mac Studio just got longer
Apple’s M5 Max/Ultra Mac Studio may take longer to arrive than expected, with delays reportedly impacting the next MacBook Pro refresh too. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Mac Studio, touchscreen MacBook Pro delayed by memory shortages
The M5 Mac Studio is now expected to be delayed from its summer launch, and the OLED MacBook Pro pushed to 2027, solely because of the industry-wide shortage of memory.The next Mac Studio may be delayedApple has so far weathered the global RAM and SSD shortages better than most, but still it has raised some prices and ceased selling certain Mac configurations. Now according to Bloomberg, the shortage is going to mean that key new Macs will be delayed.Specifically, the updated Mac Studio that Bloomberg recently claimed was due for summer 2026, is now more likely to come in October. Then while the OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro wasn't expected until near the end of 2026, the report claims that it will now most probably be launched in 2027. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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WWDC 2026's focus will be on iOS 27's Siri overhaul
Apple's WWDC event will have a major focus on the long-awaited Siri overhaul, as well as a more blown-out white-light appearance in iOS 27.The glowing 26 in the WWDC logo is a hint of what Siri will become in iOS 27Apple will be holding its Worldwide Developers Conference from June 8 through to June 12. It will be the main preview event for all of Apple's major operating system updates arriving in the fall, including iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27.However, while there will be changes across the board, Mark Gurman for Bloomberg has seized upon the WWDC 2026 logo as an indicator for Siri changes. The logo, he writes on Sunday, teases Siri's new look. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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