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- Tuesday March 10
- 03:40 pmSonos CEO explains why company killed Apple TV 4K competitor before launch
In addition to launching new products, Sonos has publicly acknowledged its defunct hardware project that would have competed with the Apple TV 4K set-top box. more…03:35 pm2 new Sonos AirPlay 2 speakers rock the house (and beyond)
The new Sonos Play and Sonos Era 100 SL speakers easily expand home sound systems and seem like a "back-to-basics" approach for the company. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:27 pmMacBook Neo ports explained: The right USB-C port to use
Macworld Once you’ve unboxed your MacBook Neo, it’s important to know that the two ports on the side are not equal in terms of ability. While both are equal when it comes to the charging function, the USB 3 port is best for data transfer, while the second USB 2 should be used for charging. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about MacBook Neo wired connectivity, including how to know which MacBook Neo port to use. At a glance: How to use MacBook Neo ports Rear port, closest to the hinge (USB 3, 10Gbps): Use for displays, hubs, storage, and data transfer Front port (USB 2, 480Mbps): Use for charging or low-speed accessories We recommend: Apple MacBook Neo Price When Reviewed: $599 Best Prices Today: $599 at Amazon | $599 at Apple | $599 at Walmart Why the two MacBook Neo USB-C ports are different Apple Apple lists the MacBook Neo’s ports as: One USB 3 (USB-C) port, at 10Gbps, with support for: Charging DisplayPort USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s) and One USB 2 (USB-C) port, at 480Mbps, with support for: Charging USB 2 (up to 480Mb/s) The USB-C port closest to the hinge is the 10Gbps “USB 3” port. According to Apple, this is good for “Charging” and “DisplayPort”. By “DisplayPort” Apple means this port is powerful enough to connect to a USB-C monitor. It can also be used for general data transfer tasks so is great for adding storage drives such as USB-C thumb drives, SSDs, card readers or other video connections such as HDMI. The second USB-C port on the Neo is less able—a lot less when it comes to data transfers. It’s just as useful for charging the Neo but its “USB 2” bandwidth is just 480Mbps (megabits per second). To put that in perspective, 480Mbps is 21 times slower than the 10Gbps port; 83 times slower than Thunderbolt 4, and 160 times slower than Thunderbolt 5. Because charging works the same on both ports, it usually makes sense to use the slower USB-2 port for charging and keep the faster USB-3 port free for accessories. How MacBook Neo ports compare to MacBook Air and Pro The ports on the MacBook Neo may be enough for your needs, but if they aren’t then the more expensive MacBook Air and MacBook Pro both boast Thunderbolt ports. These Thunderbolt ports look identical to USB-C ports and are compatible with that standard. The Air features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which each have a data-transfer bandwidth of 40 Gbps (gigabits per second); the plain M5 MacBook Pro also has Thunderbolt 4 ports, although three of them rather than the Air’s two. The M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro boast three Thunderbolt 5 ports, which have a bandwidth of 80Gbps and a boost potential of 120Gbps for high-end video connections. The Neo’s data-transfer 10Gbps potential looks weedy in comparison: four times slower than Thunderbolt 4 and eight times slower than Thunderbolt 5. But 10Gbps is plenty fast enough for most of us not engaged in pro video editing or other demanding data-transfer tasks. Also note that both the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro also feature a MagSafe 3 charging port that is used for charging only, freeing up the Thunderbolt ports for data tasks. At a glance: MacBook UCB C/Thunderbolt Ports Port typeMacSpeedTypical useUSB 2 (front port)MacBook Neo 480MbpsCharging, keyboard, mouseUSB 3 (rear port)MacBook Neo 10GbpsDrives, hubs, displaysThunderbolt 4MacBook Pro & MacBook Air40GbpsPro storage, docksThunderbolt 5MacBook Pro M5 Pro & M5 Max80–120GbpsHigh-end video and pro workflows What to plug into the faster USB-3 port Use the Neo’s 10Gbps USB-C port to connect a hub such as the Anker 555 if you want to really upgrade your port options.Anker/Amazon Your best bet if planning on adding extras, such as an external monitor, or a storage drive, is to buy a USB-C hub that will add up to 12 additional ports via one connection to the MacBook Neo’s USB-3 capable port; check out our reviews of the best USB-C hubs for MacBook for our recommendations. Some adapters and hubs also offer an Ethernet port if you want to hook up to a wired network. You can also buy a USB-C to HDMI cable if your chosen external monitor doesn’t support a direct USB-C connection. Anker What to plug into the slower USB-2 port This should be the port you use for charging, keeping your other port free for other accessories. When not charging you can use this port for low-power accessories. You can attach a storage drive to this port, but it will be much slower than if you use the alternative 10Gbps port. You can’t attach a monitor to this port: Apple warns you off using the front port to connect to a monitor. Foundry Other considerations: Get a better Power Adapter The Neo comes with Apple’s 20W Power Adapter—although U.K. and E.U. purchasers don’t even get that in the box. Apple knows it’s not a great charger, because it doesn’t offer it as an individual buy on the Apple Store. 20W is pretty puny, and even though Apple doesn’t list a fast-charging feature for the Neo, we expect it can handle more power input so buy a better charger should be one of your first accessory buys. We will be testing the Neo’s faster-charging potential soon. In the meantime, you can find the best USB-C chargers for MacBook that have gone through our labs.03:27 pmStudio Display XDR adding full calibration support in future update
The first reviews of Apple’s new Studio Display XDR were published yesterday, providing our first in-depth look at the mini-LED panel, 120Hz refresh rate, and more. In a review for The Verge, John Higgins spotted that there’s still one Studio Display XDR feature still to come: support for full calibration. more…03:21 pmApple’s new MacBooks have keyboard change you might notice instantly
Apple’s new M5 MacBook Air and M5 MacBook Pro models are pretty light on new features beyond the chips. But it turns out, both MacBooks also change the keyboard to remove text labels in favor of glyphs. more…03:19 pmToday in Apple history: Apple reconsiders the Newton?
On March 10, 2004, Apple sent out a customer survey asking why the Newton MessagePad failed. It was stealth iPhone reconnaissance. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:18 pmInside MacBook Neo shows a little computer and a lot of battery, speakers, and trackpad | 9 to 5 MacInside MacBook Neo shows a little computer and a lot of battery, speakers, and trackpad
Apple’s new MacBook Neo comes out tomorrow, and you can read our hands-on review now. While the official release will instantly prompt teardown efforts, we’re already learning more about the internal layout today. more…03:13 pm9to5Mac Daily: March 10, 2026 – Apple smart home display rumors, 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 BenQ: Check out BenQ’s smarter displays made for how Mac users actually work. Sign up for the giveaway here. more…03:01 pmApple’s new M5 Max MacBook Pro delivers a huge SSD read/write speed boost
Apple's latest MacBook Pro, armed with the blazing-fast M5 Max chip, isn't just another incremental bump, it's a genuine performance… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.03:00 pmGerman Publishers Push Regulators To Fine Apple Over App Tracking Transparency
German publishers and advertising groups are urging regulators to fine Apple over its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) system, arguing it unfairly restricts access to advertising data while allowing Apple to remain the central gatekeeper -- without subjecting its own apps to the same restrictions. If Germany's antitrust authority does rule against Apple, the company could face fines of up to 10% of its global revenue. 9to5Mac reports: One of the countries investigating whether ATT is anticompetitive is Germany. Last year, in an attempt to appease the country's antitrust watchdog, the company proposed several changes to the framework's rules. From Reuters' original coverage of Apple's changes proposals: "Apple had agreed to introduce neutral consent prompts for both its own services and third-party apps, and to largely align the wording, content and visual design of these messages, said Andreas Mundt, head of Germany's Bundeskartellamt. The company also proposed simplifying the consent process so developers can obtain user permission for advertising-related data processing in a way that complies with data protection law." [...] At the time, German regulators launched a consultation with industry publications to determine whether the proposals addressed their concerns. As it turns out, the answer was a hard no. As Reuters reported today: "Apple's proposed changes to its app tracking rules do not resolve antitrust issues in the mobile advertising market, associations representing German publishers and advertisers said on Tuesday as they urged the country's antitrust authority to slap a fine on the U.S. tech giant. [...] 'The proposed commitments would not change the negative effects of the App Tracking Transparency Framework,' Bernd Nauen, chief executive of the German Advertising Federation, said in a joint letter signed by the trade bodies. 'Apple would remain the data gatekeeper and would continue to decide who gets access to advertising-relevant data and how companies can communicate with their end customers,' he said." Read more of this story at Slashdot.02:58 pmThis Samsung 37-inch 4K monitor is nearly half-off today
Macworld Samsung ViewFinity S7 37" View Deal You could spend a fortune on Apple’s new 27-inch Studio Display, or you could get something more practical, like this 37-inch Samsung ViewFinity S7 monitor for $280, a massive $220 off at B&H. This giant monitor is an excellent pick, especially if you need a screen for work and creative projects. With a 4K resolution, there’s nothing that won’t look gorgeous when displayed on it. With HDR, this display supports over 1 billion colors that are highly accurate, which is essential for creative work. The monitor features a UHD 4K HDR display that delivers crisp, lifelike visuals. It supports up to 1.07 billion colors with 100% sRGB color coverage, ensuring the precise color accuracy necessary for detailed creative work and intensive productivity tasks. The monitor has a super slim bezel, too, so you get more screen and fewer distractions. This Samsung ViewFinity S7 is a fantastic monitor for multitasking, too, as it comes with both picture-by-picture and picture-in-picture modes, which will make it possible to see content from multiple inputs at the same time. Plus it comes with an HDMI cable, so you can plug it right into your MacBook Pro. So stop wasting time and get yourself this Samsung ViewFinity S7 for $280 at B&H before this deal runs out.02:43 pmPC industry forced to make giant RAM & SSD price hikes, Apple still mostly insulated
Apple's MacBook lines will not be badly affected by the extreme memory, processor, and SSD price increases, that are forcing the rest of the industry to hike retail prices more than 40%.A Samsung LPDDR5X memory chip - Image Credit: SamsungThe tech industry is currently being squeezed by demand for chips used for memory and SSD storage. It's a situation worsened by shortages in CPU supplies, which will only apply more pressure on manufacturers to charge consumers more.While most of the computer manufacturing industry will be affected, Apple's supply chain has insulated itself enough that it won't be an issue. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:40 pmWoz on Apple's 50th: We didn't predict the computing future, but took the first step
Instead of predicting the future, Apple was forward-thinking from the outset and took the first steps toward global computing for everybody, co-founder Steve Wozniak has said as part of a series of interviews marking the company's 50th anniversary.Steve Wozniak - Image Credit: CBS Sunday MorningAfter a lengthy interview with current CEO Tim Cook on Sunday discussing Apple's culture, Monday saw more commentary about the company's early history. This time, it was Steve Wozniak's turn.Talking as part of a CBS Sunday Morning piece on the anniversary posted to YouTube on Monday, "Woz" first jokingly boasts that the story of Apple started when he was born. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:34 pmTim Cook gets a tune-up as Apple TV speeds ahead with F1 promotions
Apple's push to build momentum around its Formula 1 partnership continues as the rolled out another promotional clip tied to the racing series.Apple continues to race forward with its F1 promotionIn a new short video posted to X on Tuesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook gets a golf cart tune-up courtesy of Max Verstappen, the four-time consecutive Formula 1 World Driver Champion. In the post, Cook playfully challenges Verstappen to a race "next time."Verstappen reposted the video to his own profile, playfully asking Cook, "What's the speed limit at Apple Park?" Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:26 pmiOS 26.4 is coming: Here are my four favorite new features
iOS 26.4 launches later this month, and it’s a big update for new iPhone features. Here are my four favorite iOS 26.4 features that are coming soon. more…02:22 pmMeta just bought Moltbook, the social network for AI bots
If Dystopia Daily were a newspaper, this story would lead… more…02:16 pmiPhone cameras move deeper into podcast studios with the RodeCaster Video Core
The new RodeCaster Video Core brings iPhone and Mac video switching, audio mixing, recording, and streaming to a single hardware mixer.RodeCaster Video CoreCreators can place the console alongside a Mac or iPhone as the center of a small studio setup. Rode says the goal is to simplify production without requiring traditional broadcast gear.The console also works with Rode Capture to turn an iPhone into a dedicated production camera. Creators who already rely on Apple devices can integrate an iPhone directly into a video workflow. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:12 pmBluetti's new Elite 300 portable power station can keep your Apple Home & gear powered for any adventure | AppleInsiderBluetti's new Elite 300 portable power station can keep your Apple Home & gear powered for any adventure
Whether you're working from home or a campsite, the Bluetti Elite 300 is ready to keep your iPhone, Mac, iPad, and other essential gear running through any situation.Bluetti Elite 300. Image source: BluettiHome battery backup solutions aren't just about making it through a blackout — they're great for making sure you've got the freedom to do anything. There's no need to be limited by access to outlets or power sources when the Elite 300 portable power station can keep your Apple ecosystem running all weekend.If you've heard of Bluetti's Elite 200 V2 portable power station, then you're already familiar with the company's efforts to condense power into smaller form factors. The Elite 300 continues that approach. According to Bluetti, it is the smallest product in the global 3kWh portable power station market by volume as of January 2026 — a claim certified by Frost & Sullivan. Even with that compact design, it still delivers 3,014.4Wh of capacity and 2,400W of output (4,800W Lifting Power). Continue Reading on AppleInsider02:08 pmChina’s grip slips: Apple now assembles 25% of iPhones in India
Apple ramped up iPhone assembly in India by roughly 53% last year, now assembling about a quarter of its flagship devices there as the… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.01:59 pmSonos announces two new products, including $299 portable AirPlay 2 speaker
Remember that leaked Sonos speaker from just over a week ago? It’s now official, and there’s a second new Sonos product announced today too. more…