Pioneer launches SPHERA, world’s first aftermarket CarPlay in-dash receiver with Spatial Audio
Pioneer has launched SPHERA, described as the world’s first aftermarket spatial audio in-dash receiver capable of Dolby Atmos playback… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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This brand-new Apple Watch Ultra just got a $250 price cut
Macworld If you want a giant smartwatch that lasts all weekend, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is your bets choice. But if you’re willing to sacrifice a little battery, you can get an Apple Watch Ultra 2 instead, which has the same design, nearly identical display, and most of the same features. And today, Amazon has one on sale for $549, a savings of $250 and the best price we’ve ever seen. With built-in GPS and cellular connectivity, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 keeps you connected to the world even without your phone nearby. That makes it ideal for hiking and swimming, with military-grade MIL-STD 810H and water resistance up to 100m. It’s also got a heart-rate sensor, blood-oxygen, ECG, and body temperature, as well as hypertension and sleep apnea alerts. And of course, you can use it to make calls, send messages, and receive notifications. In our 4-star review of the Ultra 2, we praised the large screen and rugged design as well as the battery life, which we found to last at lest two days, about as long as the Ultra 3’s 42-hour rating. So go snag this Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $549 before Amazon’s stock dries up. Buy now at Amazon

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Toilet cameras and musical lollipops: The weird side of CES 2026
Not every product shown at CES 2026 is a winner. Here are some of the more challenging items that that you may struggle to justify fitting into your personal technology collection.Throne One - Image Credit: ThroneTrade shows like CES are used to showcase the newest and greatest upcoming products in tech. However, with such a high number of products launching at the event, not all can be shining examples of things everyone should buy.In some instances, what appears in the CES halls could be considered shovelware that may live as a brief fad before heading to the waste bin. For a select few, they are ideas that may seem like a good idea at first, but really are ill-advised the more you think about it. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Deals: M4 iPad Pro $699 off, Apple Watch Series 11 from $299, Sport Band, Crossbody Strap, more
You’ll find all of the wildest new gadgets from CES 2026 waiting for you right here, but for now we are taking a looking at today’s new Apple gear deals. Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is starting with a massive $699 price drop on this 2TB M4 iPad Pro as well as the best price on brand new condition Apple Pencil Pro units in over a year at Amazon. We also have the most affordable Apple Watch Series 11 models at $100 off once again as well as new all-time lows on Apple’s latest Anchor Blue Sport Band and the official Crossbody Strap. Everything else awaits below.  more…

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Apple’s flagship Regent Street store is temporarily closing next week
Apple has confirmed that a prominent Apple Store location in London will temporarily close at the end of business on Sunday. more…

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Apple stock remains our top pick in tech hardware – Evercore ISI
Apple drew investor attention on Wednesday after Evercore ISI reaffirmed it as the firm's top stock pick in the technology hardware sector… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Today in Apple history: Woz and Jobs reunite onstage
On January 7, 1997, Steve Wozniak returned to Apple in an advisory role and joined co-founder Steve Jobs onstage at the Macworld Expo. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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It’s not you–a Logitech blunder borked your Mac mouse, but there’s a fix
Macworld If you’ve been having issues with your Logitech mouse on your Mac, it’s not you, it’s them. Logitech has issued a patch to fix a problem with its Logi Options+ software that causes its mice to stop working. “The problem was caused by an expired certificate required for the apps to run,” according to a Logitech support document. Because the expired certificate also affected Logitech’s software installer, users need to manually download the updated software and install it. The expired certificate issue also affected Logitech’s G Hub software. If you are a Logitech mouse user and use Logi Options+, you can download the update here. You can also download the G Hub software. The update is compatible with macOS 13 Ventura and later, including macOS Tahoe. In macOS, some software needs to have a Developer ID certificate to run. The certificates are good for five years, after which they need to be renewed with Apple. If not, then the app will stop working. Logi Options+ allows users to customize the buttons and other functions of Logitech mice, and when the software stops working, so does the hardware. In a Reddit post about the issue, a user by the name of ATXsantucci, who does “marketing @ Logi” (according to the user profile), said, “We dropped the ball here. This is an inexcusable mistake. We’re extremely sorry for the inconvenience caused.”

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Apple iPhone Air designer joins AI startup Hark
In a striking sign of the ongoing talent exodus from Big Tech to the booming AI sector, Abidur Chowdhury — the Apple designer who played a… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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WhatsApp launches three new features to upgrade group chats
WhatsApp has just announced its first new features of the year, with three upgrades launching for group chats. Here’s what’s new. more…

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Spotify’s iOS app adds ‘Listening Activity’ to see what friends are listening to
Spotify announced a new ‘Listening Activity’ feature rolling out today in its iOS app. The feature lets you see what your friends are listening to at any given moment. Here are the details. more…

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Corsair's Galleon 100 SD combines a mechanical keyboard with a Stream Deck
Corsair's Galleon 100 SD fuses a full Stream Deck directly into a high-end mechanical keyboard, aiming to replace two pieces of desk gear with one premium accessory.Galleon 100 SD by CorsairStream Decks are widely used by streamers and gamers, but they can cost quite a bit of money while also costing valuable desk space. Corsair is offering the Galleon 100 SD, the first high-end mechanical keyboard with a built-in Stream Deck, as an alternative.The integrated Stream Deck is customizable, boasting 12 LCD screen keys, two dials, and an integrated screen. Players can load custom profiles and plugins onto the Galleon 100 SD's Stream Deck via the Elagato marketplace. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Lego iMac G3 clears key hurdle, moves closer to release
The proposed Lego iMac G3 set, a tribute to Apple's iconic design, gained sufficient public support to be considered for production. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Best portable power stations: Power iPhones, MacBooks, projectors and speakers anywhere
Macworld Portable power banks come in all shapes and sizes: super-slim pocketable magnetic slabs that clamp onto the back of your iPhone, or airline-friendly power pillars that hold enough juice to take your conked-out MacBook Pro back to 100% and maybe charge that iPhone up at the same time. Some come with built-in cables, others with smart displays and handles. When that’s not enough power, you can buy much larger power stations that hold huge battery capacities. Some require a telescopic handle and wheels to be dragged around, and should be kept in your garage rather than your home. Here we look at some of those power stations that we still regard as portable by hand. These might be mini in size and affordable in price compared to the big battery beasts, but they are a sensible power solution for everyone. Once seen as the preserve of camo-clad preppers, the power station is a useful tool to have stored away, although be sure to keep it topped up every couple of months. Portable power stations are a great solution for when you’re off-grid—for example, on a camping trip—or when you suffer a short power cut or blackout at home or in the office. Maybe you want to run a video projector in the backyard without stringing a power cable from your home. A mini portable power station is perfect for a tailgate party. Simon Jary If your perceived power needs are greater than charging your laptop, a single portable power station makes more sense than stocking up on multiple smaller power banks, each of which you need to keep charged up for the trip or the unexpected outage. A power station is more than just a really big portable battery pack. Other than simply recharging your iPhone, iPad or MacBook, a portable power station can power larger, more energy-hungry devices—lamps to light a room (some come with a handy light built-in), a kettle or fan. Larger portable power stations can keep a fridge running during a power outage, but here we are focused on easily carriable battery packs that offer more than the best MacBook power banks and best magnetic iPhone power banks that we’ve reviewed elsewhere. For starters, all the power stations tested here use LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries that are superior to the Li-Ion (Lithium Ion) generally used in smaller power banks. LiFePO4 batteries are more thermally stable, last significantly longer, and can handle high temperatures and stress better than Lithium Ion. Here we haven’t reviewed the giant garage-dwelling power stations, but focus on those that offer greater capacity than the standard laptop and phone power banks. These won’t get you through a nuclear winter or even a weekend powering your freezer, but they do offer enough power to keep your family’s MacBooks, iPads and iPhones charged through a few cycles before the power outage is over or the camping trip is done. Portable power stations won’t power your whole house, but they are suited to smaller jobs. During a short blackout a power station offers you enough electricity to run your key appliances for a few hours time. For how long and how many at the same time depends on the power station’s capacity and maximum simultaneous power output. And, unlike generators they don’t emit dangerous carbon monoxide fumes. Look for a portable power station with a firm handle to make it easy to carry. Pictured here is the Bluetti Elite 10 (U.K. model).Simon Jary We’ve listed the main technical specifications that you are most likely to need to know and recommended portable power stations from the brands we trust the most. Below our chart of the best portable power stations, we’ve gone into greater detail about the tech specs, but here’s a brief summary. Capacity: How much power the unit’s battery can store. This is measured in Watt Hours (Wh), which is a more accurate metric for comparing large battery packs than Milliamp Hours (mAh) that is the most common unit claimed by much smaller power banks. Max output: This is the maximum wattage the power station can output at the one time. Surge: Power stations can, for a short time, go the extra mile for larger devices—fridges, microwaves, etc—that require a burst of energy when starting up. Laptop Power Delivery: Depending on the size of your laptop, it will require a certain minimum wattage to charge at its fastest. A MacBook Air can fast-charge with a 70W USB-C Power Adapter (PD 3.0), a 14-inch MacBook Pro needs 96W (PD 3.0), and a 16-inch MacBook Pro demands 140W (PD 3.1). Total output ports: How many outlets for power output are on the power station. USB ports: Look for USB-C for charging MacBooks, iPads and iPhones. Some devices still require old-school USB-A so it may be worth having one of these available, too. AC outlets: These are the plug points you get on standard wall sockets. DC outlets: Especially useful when travelling by car, a portable power station’s DC car socket is used for directly powering 12V devices, such as car fridges, air compressors or vacuums. 80% recharge from AC: How long it takes the power station to charge up itself when plugged into the mains. Dimensions: Size of the portable power station by Height, Width and Depth. Weight: In pounds (lbs) and kilograms (kg). Noise: The maximum noise the power station might make when in use, measured in decibels (dB) from around 2 feet away. Aside from the all-important battery capacity, we’re looking for a handy bunch of USB ports, one or more AC (alternating current) outlets—like the ones on household power sockets—that you can plug a more energy-hungry device into, and maybe a DC (direct current) outlet like a round port or barrel connector for car accessories. Ugreen 48000mAh 300W Portable Power Bank – Smallest LiFePO4 power station Pros Super compact 140W PD 3.1 USB-C 5x USB ports Cons No AC or DC outlet No solar charging port Price When Reviewed: $169.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $119.99 View Deal Ugreen $169.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Capacity: 153.6Wh (48000mAh) Max output: 300W Surge: n/a Laptop Power Delivery: 140W PD 3.1 Total output ports: 5 USB ports: 1x 140W USB-C; 2x 100W USB-C; 2x 22.5W USB-A AC sockets: None DC outlets: None Lamp: Yes 80% recharge from AC: 45 minutes Dimensions: (H) 6.3 x (W) 3 × (D) 5.7 inches Weight: 3.6lbs (1.65kg) Noise: 0dB The Ugreen 300W 48000mAh Power Bank is something of a bridge between standard laptop power banks and mini portable power stations. It features a large 153Wh LiFePO4 battery but in an extremely compact shell, with a flexible carry handle and bright side lamp. It has three USB-C ports—two at 100W and one at the top 140W— as well as a couple of 22.5W USB-A ports, but no AC or DC outlets. As such it is closer to the laptop power banks than the chunkier portable power stations, but its capacity and 300W total simultaneous output potential still makes it a worthy backup power source that can easily be hidden away but easily brought out when needed. It charged our test 14-inch M2 MacBook Pro nearly twice over—getting from 5% to 90% in an hour. Even some of the giant power stations are limited to 100W USB-C output, so 16-inch MacBook Pro users should aim for 140W. It makes less difference for smaller MacBooks, although it wouldn’t be surprising for future 14-inch or 15-inch MacBooks to move to 140W input. Should you buy the Ugreen 300W 48000mAh Power Bank This cross between a standard power bank and portable power station has more USB ports than any other laptop power bank we’ve tested. Its lack of AC or DC outlets distinguishes it from the bulkier power stations but it is based around the same safe and stable LiFePO4 battery technology. If all you need is a big battery for your Apple devices, the Ugreen 300W 48000mAh Power Bank is a super-compact option. If you want to run larger or more energy-hungry devices, look to the power stations with other outlets. Read our full Ugreen 48000mAh 300W Portable Power Bank review Bluetti Elite 10 Mini Power Station – Compact battery pack with AC & DC outlets Pros Compact Color options Cons 100W, not 140W USB-C Price When Reviewed: $239 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $119 View Deal $199 View Deal Bluetti $239 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Capacity: 128Wh (40000mAh) Max output: 200W Surge: 400W Laptop Power Delivery: 100W PD 3.0 Total output ports: 6 USB ports: 1x 100W USB-C; 1x 15W USB-C; 2x 15W USB-A AC sockets: 1x (200W) DC outlets: One Lamp: Yes 80% recharge from AC: 45 minutes Solar input: Yes Dimensions: (H) 4.3 x (W) 7.9 × (D) 5.75 inches Weight: 3.97lbs (1.8kg) Noise: 45dB The Bluetti Elite 10 Mini Power Station is one of the smaller of the portable power stations we tested. Although not as dinky as the Ugreen 48000mAh Portable Power Bank (300W) and with a smaller battery capacity, it does boast both AC and DC ports. The 128Wh capacity is four times larger than the best laptop power bank for only about three times the weight. It has two USB-C ports and two USB-A. The highest-powered USB-C port is rated at 100W so can fast-charge all but the top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro—it can still charge that model, just not at top speed. The other USB ports all charge at 15W, which is fine for an iPhone or iPad, although not for the very fastest charging. What you don’t get with the Ugreen power bank are AC and DC outlets. The Elite 10 has one of each: the AC socket at 200W max, and the DC at 60W. You can therefore charge two laptops at the same time: one via the 100W USB-C and another via a USB-C charger in the AC outlet. The maximum power output is lower than the Ugreen power bank. The power station itself can be charged via a 150W AC input, 100W DC or 100W solar input. Bluetti While not as colorful as its larger Elite 30 V2 sibling, you do get to choose between Deep Gray and Green models. The sturdy handle is built into one side, above a cooling grille, and the lamp is at the back. Check with your airline before attempting to take this power station onboard with you as it may tip over the inflight limit—often 100Wh. It’s ideal for a long car trip, however. Should you buy the Bluetti Elite 10 Mini Power Station? The inclusion of AC and DC outlets puts the Elite 10 more firmly in the portable power station camp than the Ugreen 300W 48000mAh Power Bank, reviewed above. It’s not as capable as the Ugreen in terms of USB charging, but is compact enough to store away unseen until required for that long journey or short camping trip. Bluetti Elite 30 V2 – Compact power station with 600W max output Pros 288Wh capacity Max 600W output 140W PD 3.1 USB-C Two DC outlets Fun range of colors Price When Reviewed: $299 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $204 View Deal Bluetti $299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Capacity: 288Wh (90000mAh) Max output: 600W Surge: 1500W Laptop Power Delivery: 140W PD 3.1 Total output ports: 9 USB ports: 1x 140W USB-C; 1x 100W USB-C; 2x 15W USB-A AC sockets: 2x (U.S.); 1x (U.K.); at 600W DC outlets: Two Lamp: Yes 80% recharge from AC: 70 minutes Solar input: Yes Dimensions: (H) 6.6 x (W) 9.8 × (D) 7 inches Weight: 9.5lbs (4.3kg) Noise:

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Netflix just unveiled its biggest TV show premieres for 2026, here’s what’s coming
Netflix is the biggest streaming service in the world, and while its Warner Bros acquisition might be the top story of 2026, the streamer just unveiled a packed lineup of TV shows coming this year too. more…

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macOS certificate expiration broke Logitech's mouse software
Logitech has released a patch for its Options+ and G Hub applications on macOS, after a certificate expiration caused problems for users of the company's mice and other peripherals.A Logitech MX Master 4 mouseOwners of Logitech peripherals like the MX Master series rely on the company's software to customize the configuration of their devices. However, an avoidable certificate issue led to its software becoming unusable on macOS.A support page explains that an expired certificate was to blame for Logitech's Options+ and G Hub apps suddenly being rendered inoperable on user's Macs. The result was a flood of complaints on social media that various functions on mice and other items that relied on the apps stopped working properly. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple explores multispectral imaging cameras for future-gen iPhones
Apple is investigating multispectral imaging technology for potential use in future iPhone cameras. This advancement could enhance features… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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The iPhone 17e could arrive within weeks without a notch
Macworld The most hyped iPhone launch of 2026 is Apple’s first foldable, whose screen may have just been glimpsed at CES in Las Vegas. But far more relevant to the average customer will be the next iteration of the company’s “e” line of mid-market smartphones, and based on a new report, it could arrive as soon as next month. In a new posting this week, a leaker on Chinese social media going by the name of Smart Pikachu says the iPhone 17e is “about” to enter mass production “following CES,” which ends on January 9. The device, the leaker says, is “aiming to compete with lower-priced flagship phones.” (These quotes, and indeed the leaker’s handle, come from the Chinese post via Google Translate, so some elements could be lost in translation. Indeed, the handle itself can alternatively be translated as “Wisdom Pikachu,” as AppleInsider notes.) That’s a remarkably close schedule to the iPhone 16e, which went into mass production on January 8, 2025. And therefore, given that the 16e was subsequently unveiled to the public on February 19 and went on sale on February 28, it stands to reason that the 17e is also on track for a February launch, unless Apple wants to hold the device back for a spring event alongside other products. As ever with information derived from anonymous sources on social media, this report should be considered unproven until we get corroboration. But while Smart Pikachu does not have much of a track record when it comes to Apple product rumors, they are regarded as an accurate source for Android leaks. The projected timing also makes sense. Admittedly the iPhone 16e was the first of its line, so we don’t have any historical launch patterns to extrapolate from, but there’s a logic to making it an annual refresh. The iPhone SE had a less frequent and more unpredictable cadence (2016, 2020, 2022) but the iPhone 16e is aiming at the mid-market rather than budget buyers–as Smart Pikachu says, the market for “lower-priced flagship phones”–and therefore needs to be kept more up to date in order to justify its price tag. Most of us would baulk at spending $599 for a phone that’s four years old, and wasn’t exactly state of the art when it came out. Speaking of which, the report also offers some hints about the iPhone 17e’s specs and feature set. Smart Pikachu predicts it will have a 6.1-inch display with a Dynamic Island (that would be an upgrade from the notched 6.1-inch screen of the 16e), but no 120Hz ProMotion. Perhaps the latter was always too optimistic, given that ProMotion was only added to the standard $799 iPhone last year. Lastly, the 17e is predicted to get a “downclocked” A19 processor. A previous report in The Information also predicted the phone will get MagSafe support, one of the odd omissions in the 1st-gen model. For all the latest news and rumors about this important product launch, bookmark our regularly updated iPhone 17e superguide.

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Logitech mice stop working on Macs for an embarrassing reason, require manual fix
If the Logitech mouse you use with your Mac has stopped working properly, it’s not just you – and the problem has occurred for a very embarrassing reason. The problem means the app cannot even be automatically updated to resolve the issue. Instead, you’ll have to manually install a patch … more…

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The best Showstoppers devices spotted at CES 2026
A visit to Showstoppers at CES 2026 provided an opportunity to try out the Clicks MagSafe-compatible keyboard, as well as a new Gamesir controller and a connected bird feeder.Fender products at Showstoppers at CES 2026During CES, AppleInsider takes time to check out the sub-events happening around the tradeshow. After visiting CES Unveiled and Pepcom, the first day of CES 2026 saw us return to another mainstay event, Showstoppers.This is what we saw there. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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