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- Saturday February 07
- 04:22 pmApple will introduce these key Messages app upgrades very soon, here’s what they are
Last year, Apple confirmed that it’d be supporting end-to-end encryption with RCS in a future software update. At the time, iOS 18 was still the latest version of iOS – thus implying that the upgrade would come as part of the next round of software – iOS 26. So far, end-to-end encryption is yet to ship. That’s not the only thing though. The upgrade to end-to-end encryption would’ve also necessitated other major upgrades to the RCS protocol, and as of iOS 26.3 RC, it’s all still missing. more…02:55 pmKeychron K8 mechanical keyboard is hot-swappable, customizable and on sale for $80
The Keychron K8 is a customizable, no-nonsense mechanical keyboard with hot-swappable switches, wireless flexibility and a premium build. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:15 pmToday in Apple history: Steve Wozniak survives a plane crash
On February 7, 1981, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak was involved in a serious plane crash, resulting in his first lengthy leave of absence. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:00 pmEvery Apple Music icon explained: Your complete guide to mastering the app
A bunch of the Apple Music buttons on the playback screen aren’t labeled, and don’t have a very obvious meaning. Here’s a quick guide. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:00 pmHands-on: This charger makes fast Qi2.2 25W wireless charging more affordable for your iPhone | 9 to 5 MacHands-on: This charger makes fast Qi2.2 25W wireless charging more affordable for your iPhone
I few months back, I reviewed Kuxiu’s X40 Turbo. It was one of the first chargers to bring us the new Qi2.2 25W charging speeds. It came in an awesome cosmic orange color to match the new iPhone 17 Pro, was super compact, and also charged my Apple Watch and AirPods. That charger became a mainstay in my travel pack. But now Kuxiu has introduced its new X55 Turbo charger, a more budget-focused option that delivers nearly the same core experience at a more competitive price point. The biggest change comes down to the design and materials, but performance stays the same, which is the most important aspect. Here is what you should know. more…02:00 pmApple @ Work: Platform SSO is the single most important technology Apple has introduced for the enterprise | 9 to 5 MacApple @ Work: Platform SSO is the single most important technology Apple has introduced for the enterprise
Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage and 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. For the last fifteen years, Mac admins have been chasing a ghost: the “Single Glass Pane” of identity. We spent years trying to bind Macs to Active Directory, only to realize it was a nightmare to manage. Then we moved to other tools to sync local passwords with the cloud. These were great tools, but they were band-aids. They were third-party software trying to connect two different worlds (local and cloud). With Platform SSO, Apple has built that glue directly into the foundation of macOS. I will go on record: this is the most critical enterprise technology Apple has shipped since the foundation of device management. It marked the moment where the Mac became a direct extension of your cloud identity. more…12:00 pmThis week’s top stories: iPhone Fold specs, MacBook Pro rumors, more
Welcome to 9to5Mac’s top stories of the week, where we recap the biggest news in the Apple world every Saturday. This week, we have new iPhone Fold rumors, CarPlay expectations, and an Apple all-hands meeting. Plus, our usual slate of new podcast episodes, opinion pieces, and much more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories. more…08:00 amThe 10TB lifetime cloud storage deal that pays for itself ends tomorrow
Macworld TL;DR: Grab a 10TB lifetime cloud storage plan at $269.97 before the price goes back up after tomorrow, February 8 (MSRP $2,900). Most cloud storage plans quietly charge you over and over again for the same space. This one flips that model on its head, offering enough storage for years of photos, projects, and backups with a one-time commitment that’s only available for a little longer. The 10TB plan is perfect for most users who never want to run out of space, and it’s 90% off right now. (2TB-100TB plans are also available on the same sales page!) For Apple users who care about privacy as much as convenience, Internxt checks all the boxes. It’s built around end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge storage, and 100% open-source transparency, meaning your files stay yours—not scanned, not analyzed, not viewed. And because the cloud storage works on macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, and any browser, you can keep your files synced across every device you rely on. Upload photos, back up projects, move documents between your Mac and iPhone, or share files securely with just a few clicks. Internxt even includes post-quantum encryption to protect against future-proof hacking. Get this 10TB Internxt lifetime cloud storage plan on sale for $269.97 until February 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT (MSRP $2,900). No coupon is needed. Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB PlanSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.08:00 amThe mini smartphone minimalists have been waiting for is $100
Macworld TL;DR: A tiny but powerful 4G Android smartphone that fits anywhere, works everywhere, and costs way less than you’d expect. Smartphones keep getting bigger, heavier, and harder to ignore—until now. The NanoPhone Pro flips the script by packing full smartphone functionality into a device that’s about the size of a credit card. Yes, it’s real. And yes, it actually works (and it’s on sale). Despite its ultra-small footprint, NanoPhone Pro covers the essentials: crystal-clear 4G calls, fast Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS navigation, Face ID security, and an edge-to-edge display that somehow makes the most of every inch. It runs Android with certified access to the Google Play Store, so apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps, YouTube, Instagram, Gmail, and more work just like you’d expect. This is the kind of phone that makes sense in a lot of real-world scenarios. Traveling light? Perfect. Going for a run, bike ride, or day at the beach? Easy carry. Want a phone for an evening out that doesn’t bulk out your bag? This checks that box too. Dual-SIM support makes it especially useful for international travel or for separating work and personal numbers. Battery life is optimized for efficiency, the build is durable enough for everyday use, and global LTE band support means it works with U.S. and international carriers (just pop in a SIM). Big phones are nice—but sometimes, smaller really is smarter. Get this NanoPhone Pro Mini Smartphone while it’s on sale for $99.99 (MSRP $199.99) for a limited time. NanoPhone Pro Advanced Mini 4G SmartphoneSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.12:27 am9to5Mac Overtime 058: Give me your phone
Apple releases iOS 26.3 RC, Jeff plays with Moltbot on his Mac mini, Fernando gets his iPhone’s screen fixed, Jeff laments what it’s like to use Apple Pay at drive thrus, why Apple should add native screen sharing from the iPad back to the Mac, and Fernando gets a new MacBook Pro and considers switching to Final Cut Pro. 9to5Mac Overtime is a weekly video-first podcast exploring fun and interesting observations in the Apple ecosystem, featuring 9to5Mac’s Fernando Silva & Jeff Benjamin. Subscribe to Overtime via Apple Podcasts and our YouTube channel for more. more…12:25 amPages, Keynote, and Numbers 15 Go Freemium
Apple has folded Pages, Keynote, and Numbers into its Creator Studio subscription bundle, but the upgrade process has been confusing and the App Store ratings have cratered. Here’s what happened, what’s actually behind the paywall, and what you should do.Friday February 0611:52 pm9to5Mac Daily: February 6, 2026 – Tim Cook’s all-hands meeting, more
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by Stuff: Stuff helps you get everything out of your head and into a simple, elegant system—closing open loops and reducing mental stress. Use code 9TO5 at checkout for 50% off your first year. more…10:44 pmApple dinged over low-quality, scammy-looking ads on Apple News
Apple’s controversial partnership with Taboola to serve ads on Apple News seems to be going exactly as expected. Here’s why. more…09:48 pmApple highlights cross-browser compatibility progress in 2025
Apple’s WebKit blog published a post today highlighting the results of Interop 2025, an industry-wide effort to improve cross-browser interoperability. Here are the details. more…08:57 pmiOS 26’s new Phone app has a feature I don’t ever want to go without
Apple overhauled the Phone app in iOS 26 with a new design and added several powerful features, including a new call screening option that I don’t ever want to go without. more…08:56 pmiPhone to boldly go where no smartphone has gone before
Macworld On March 6, NASA is scheduled to launch the Artemis II mission to the moon. And for the first time, it is allowing its crew members to take its smartphones with them, according to a recent announcement by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. While the iPhone wasn’t specifically addressed, Apple clarified to MacRumors that “this will mark the first time the iPhone has been fully qualified for extended use in orbit and beyond,” suggesting that at least one astronaut will be carrying an iPhone. NASA astronauts will soon fly with the latest smartphones, beginning with Crew-12 and Artemis II. We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world. Just as important, we challenged long-standing…— NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (@NASAAdmin) February 5, 2026 According to Ars Technica, the decision to allow smartphones is part of an effort to “challenge requirements to ensure they are still needed today.” NASA has a long history of stringent requirements for the technology it uses–the newest camera on board the Artemis II is a 2016 Nikon DSLR, reports Ars Technica. Having an iPhone on hand will allow the astronauts to capture moments at a whim. The iPhone made its first space voyage in 2011 when two iPhone 4s were on the space shuttle, but they apparently were never used. Smartphones have been used by passengers on private space trips. The iPhone on Artemis II does bring up one major question: How does it appear on the Find My app? Will Find My show a map of the moon with an icon representing the iPhone? That would be cool.08:36 pmApple says ‘random or anonymous chat’ apps no longer welcome on the App Store
Apple has updated its App Review Guidelines to expand the list of user-generated content experiences that can be removed from the App Store without notice. Here are the details. more…08:26 pmCarPlay could soon support third-party AI voice assistants like ChatGPT
CarPlay could soon support more than just Siri, as Apple explores wider access for third-party voice tools.Apple may open CarPlay to third-party AI assistantsIt looks as though Apple is gearing up to allow third-party chatbots on CarPlay. This would allow users to query voice-enabled chatbots directly through the CarPlay interface.Until now, Apple has kept voice assistants off CarPlay, save for its first-party assistant, Siri. However, with the slow rollout of the new, more personal Siri, Apple may feel the pressure to give its users options. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums07:55 pmApple’s AI-powered health service is reportedly on life support
Macworld A new report from Bloomberg says that the long-in-development subscription health service is on the rocks. The centerpiece of the service, which some have been calling “Health+” was to be an AI wellness and fitness coach, code-named Mulberry. As part of an executive shake-up, with Eddy Cue now heading up Apple’s health initiatives after the departure of Jeff Williams last year, the Mulberry AI health coach project has been winding down. Apple has reportedly spent years developing the AI health coach, which would take data from the Health app and connected providers, Apple Watch, and other sources to provide insights and reports about users’ health, and also offer actionable recommendations. The service will reportedly use Health app data (from Apple Watch or other sources), new health surveys, and reports from external labs to inform the AI’s analysis and recommendations. According to the report, Apple even built a studio in California to produce videos that would explain medical conditions and guide users through wellness plans. The system was originally set to be a part of iOS 26, then got pushed back to a spring release, then bumped again to iOS 27 and watchOS 27 this fall. Now, it seems as if the entire AI health coach project has been put on the back burner, if not scrapped entirely. Services boss Eddy Cue, now in charge of Apple’s health efforts, has reportedly told colleagues that “Apple needs to move faster and be more competitive in health,” citing features in apps from Ouya and Whoop as more compelling and useful. This could be good news for those with subscription fatigue. The report says that some parts of the project, such as the analysis of Health app data and the video content, could be rolled out this year as regular Health app features. It also mentions that Apple is working on a system to use the iPhone camera for gait analysis. iOS 27 and watchOS 27 are due to be reelased in September, following a preview at WWDC in June.07:46 pmApple reportedly bringing third-party AI chatbots to CarPlay
While AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Gemini feature conversational voice mode, the apps don’t exactly work well with Apple CarPlay. That will soon change, it appears, with an upcoming iOS software update. more…