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- Monday March 16
- 08:01 pmiPhone 5 reaches the end of the line as Apple declares it obsolete
Repairs are now off the table for the iPhone 5, closing out support for one of Apple's most important early designs.iPhone 5The company updated its vintage and obsolete products list on March 16, moving the iPhone 5 and 8GB iPhone 4 out of vintage status. The iPhone 5 holds more weight due to its role as the first iPhone with a Lightning port.Apple will no longer provide hardware service or supply parts for the iPhone 5 through its retail stores or authorized repair network. Effectively, it ends the device's usable lifespan within Apple's ecosystem for most users. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums07:53 pmApple adds two iPhone models to its ‘obsolete products’ list
Apple has moved the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 5 to its list of obsolete devices worldwide. Here’s what that means. more…07:39 pmiPhone Fold looks like two of my all-time favorite products in one
Apple has its first foldable iPhone launching this fall, and the latest rumors make it seem more clear than ever that iPhone Fold will combine two of my favorite products—iPhone mini and iPad mini—into a single device. more…07:19 pmAirPods Max 2: Four things that haven’t changed
Apple made a surprise announcement this morning for AirPods Max 2. This is the first real update to Apple’s over-ear headphones since they launched in 2020, with the new H2 chip enabling some much-needed new features. There are, however, plenty of things that haven’t changed with AirPods Max 2. more…07:00 pmApple acquires MotionVFX
Apple has acquired MotionVFX, a leading developer of professional plugins, visual effects, templates, and motion graphics tools primarily… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.07:00 pmApple Launches AirPods Max 2 With Better ANC, Live Translation
Apple has quietly announced the AirPods Max 2, featuring improved active noise cancellation, an H2 chip, and new features like adaptive audio and AI-powered real-time translation. Like the original model, these headphones start at $549. The Verge reports: As noted by Apple, the AirPods Max 2 offer active noise-cancellation that's 1.5 times more effective when compared to its predecessor. Transparency mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings while wearing the headphones, also sounds "more natural" with the AirPods Max 2, according to Apple. The AirPods Max 2 support 24-bit, 48kHz lossless audio when connected with a USB-C cable, as well as offer up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge. Other capabilities include loud sound reduction, a camera remote feature that works by pressing the digital crown to take a photo or start a recording, as well as a personalized volume feature that "automatically fine-tunes the listening experience" based on your preferences over time. Read more of this story at Slashdot.06:47 pmMacBook Neo can be modded to run faster, but you probably shouldn't
A thermal pad modification can boost sustained clock speeds in the MacBook Neo under heavy loads, but it's not something that most people should attempt.MacBook NeoEvery modern processor slows down when heat builds up, so better cooling can extend higher clock speeds. A post on the r/MacbookNeo subreddit says the MacBook Neo's A18 Pro chip previously dropped to about 2.3 GHz under load but held around 3.3 GHz after the change.Two stacked thermal pads are positioned between the processor's heat spreader and the bottom case. During testing, the user reported about 5.2 watts of CPU power. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums06:29 pmSonos finally returns to hardware with Jennifer Tuohy on Smart Home Insider
On this week's episode of the Smart Home Insider podcast, we examine the new Sonos smart speaker launch and suggestions for seasonal device management with guest Jennifer Pattison Tuohy.Smart Home Insider PodcastJennifer Pattison Tuohy from The Verge sits in on the podcast for the first time in 2026. She's been a journalist for over three decades and covers all kinds of smart home tech.We start the episode in one of Jennifer's areas of expertise, Amazon Alexa+. A new report from Wired suggests that Amazon's new AI-powered assistant is struggling. Some of our staffers agree. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums06:12 pmMacBook Air adding touchscreen isn’t yet planned, says report
Later this year, the M6 MacBook Pro is widely rumored to be the first Mac that supports touch. But a new report indicates touchscreens may not be in Apple’s plans for the MacBook Air or MacBook Neo. more…06:07 pmAirPods Pro 3 are $40 off right now
Macworld AirPods Pro 3 View Deal There’s no reason to wait around to get yourself some new earbuds because the AirPods Pro 3 are down to $210 right now, a $40 discount at Amazon, and one of the best prices we’ve seen since all year. These earbuds are easily among our favorites, as we gave them a 4.5-star rating when we reviewed them, as well as our Editors’ Choice award. We loved how our favorite tracks sound with the buds in our ears and just how long the battery lasts, as well as the advanced active noise cancellation that effectively removes unwanted background sounds. The improved Transpacency mode will make it safer for you to use the earbuds when walking out at night, for instance. Another feature that will help when you’re working out is the integrated heart rate sensor that will give you info about your health without having to wear a smartwatch, smart ring, or other similar gadget. If you’re into traveling, the Live Translation feature will come in handy too. Plus you’ll get Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and a slew of other useful features. So grab the AirPods Pro 3 for $210 while Amazon still has the earbuds down to this price.06:01 pmApple kicks off 50th anniversary celebrations with Alicia Keys performance at Apple Grand Central in New York City | Mac Daily NewsApple kicks off 50th anniversary celebrations with Alicia Keys performance at Apple Grand Central in New York City
On March 13th, Apple kicked off celebrations for its 50th anniversary with a special performance by Alicia Keys at Apple Grand Central… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.06:00 pmScammers are using your own data against you this tax season, here’s how to stop them
Tax season brings more than just paperwork. It brings a surge in scams, and retirees are squarely in the crosshairs. Criminals know that older Americans are often expecting refunds, may be less familiar with digital red flags, and frequently have stable income and good credit worth stealing. The result: a flood of fake IRS messages, identity theft schemes, and impersonation attempts that arrive right when you’re most distracted. Incogni gives you the power to do something about it, and 9to5Mac readers can save 58% with promo code 9TO5MAC. more…06:00 pmMagSafe Monday: Apple FineWoven Wallet review and Find My tracking
Apple’s FineWoven material has gotten a lot of bad rap over the years. People have been incredibly critical of it since it replaced leather in the Apple lineup. This is my first time giving it a go after using the original leather Apple Find My wallet many years ago, and I wanted to see how it holds up for everyday carry. This week, I am taking a look at Apple’s FineWoven iPhone wallet with MagSafe. more…05:27 pmApple Exclaves and the Secure Design of the MacBook Neo’s On-Screen Camera Indicator | Daring FireballApple Exclaves and the Secure Design of the MacBook Neo’s On-Screen Camera Indicator
“What that means in practice is that even a kernel-level exploit would not be able to turn on the camera without the light appearing on screen.”05:19 pmApple unveils new $549 H2-powered AirPods Max 2
Apple today announced AirPods Max 2, bringing even better Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), elevated sound quality, and… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.05:13 pmAmazon drops Apple's iPad 11 to $299 with March markdowns
Amazon's March iPad sale delivers prices as low as $299, with discounts of up to $300 off new and closeout models across Apple's tablet line.Get Apple's iPad 11 for just $299 at Amazon.Steeper discounts on Apple's iPad line are in effect at Amazon as March hits the midway point, with Apple's 11-inch iPad available for $299 thanks to a $50 discount in three colors.Buy iPad 11 for $299 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums04:51 pmApple’s AirPods Max 2 bring H2 chip, boosted ANC in April for $549
Apple's over-head headphones gets an update after over five years.04:34 pmMotionVFX acquisition hints at new Final Cut Pro features on iPad
Apple has bought MotionVFX, a firm that makes transitions, effects and plugins for the Final Cut Pro video editing app on Mac — and maybe also for iPad.MotionVFX makes it possible to subtly edit footage in Final Cut Pro with new effects — image credit: MotionVFXOne of the benefits of Apple bundling its professional audio and video tools into Apple Creator Studio has been the assumption that they will get updated more. Now with the acquisition of MotionVFX, it's certain that Final Cut Pro will get new features on the Mac, but there's also a chance they will come to the iPad."For over 15 years, we've been on a mission to create world-class, visually inspiring content and effects for video editors," says the MotionVFX company in a statement. "From the very beginning, we've been all about quality, ease of use, and great design." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums04:28 pmX-VPN review: Cheap VPN with great streaming – but slower speeds
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Free plan Growing collection of server locations Great for geo-unblocking Cons Significant speed drop Five device limit is lower than rivals Our Verdict X-VPN has improved significantly and is now a solid option, especially if you want a free VPN or a low-cost service that can reliably unblock streaming platforms and social media. Its proprietary Everest protocol works well for bypassing geo-restrictions, and the service offers a transparent no-logs policy backed by an external audit. However, performance can lag behind top rivals, with noticeable speed drops during long-distance connections, so it’s best suited to casual browsing and streaming rather than speed-sensitive tasks. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$2.99 a month for 24 months/$69.99 for two year plan Best Prices Today: X-VPN Retailer Price X-VPN $2.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket X-VPN’s biggest strengths: Reliable geo-unblocking, generous free plan, and low-cost premium tier, making it an accessible VPN for users who mainly want to stream content or browse more privately without paying top-tier prices X-VPN’s biggest drawback: Its biggest drawback is a significant speed drop compared with leading VPNs, with testing showing download speeds falling by around 60% on long-distance connections. Free plan: Yes Price: $2.99/month (2-year plan) Devices: 5 Protocols: Everest, WireGuard, OpenVPN Server locations: 10,000 servers Money-back guarantee: 30 days Logging policy: No-logs (audited) I’ve spent an long time poring over Mac VPN details to help pick the best of the best, and in that time, X-VPN popped up on the periphery with many concerns over how the service handled privacy. While I can’t speak for earlier versions of X-VPN, reviewing it in 2026 makes it clear it’s a solid product that has outgrown those concerns for the most part. The Singapore-based VPN does a great job of getting around geoblocks, while also offering a series of safeguards to keep your Mac (and other devices) safe and protect your identity. There’s a free plan, which is always welcome, but it’s naturally limited to a small subset of server locations, while there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for its competitively-priced premium option, too. If you are happy to upgrade, it’s a pretty transparent service in terms of security, too, with a no-logs policy backed up by an external audit. Privacy aside, its Everest protocol is a great unblocker for just about any service. It’s not open source (such is the nature of proprietary protocols), but it does a great job at making social media and video content available just about anywhere. For more options see our round up of the Best VPN for Mac and Best VPN for iPad & iPhone. Features & Apps: How easy is X-VPN to use and what features does it include The best VPN services meet you where you need them, and X-VPN does a great job of doing that. It has options for macOS, iOS (and iPadOS), Android, Windows, and game consoles. X-VPN also abides by the long-tested VPN app philosophy of having a big ol’ button to press when you’re ready to connect, something that offers an enjoyable simplicity. I’m also pleased to see, despite the low price, that there are some more powerful features included in the paid tier. There’s a password manager, leak tests for DNS and IPv6, and an IP address checker, as well as the option to route your traffic through two VPN servers to further obfuscate traffic. A kill switch comes as standard for dropping connections if the VPN connection drops out, while Split Tunnelling is available for routing some traffic via a VPN. Foundry It’s a shame there’s a five-device limit, however. While we’re not expecting Surfshark-esque unlimited devices, it’s lower than more well-known rivals like ExpressVPN, which starts at 10. While we’re nitpicking, there are some grammatical errors on the X-VPN site that don’t inspire confidence. It’s a small thing, but in such a competitive field and when choosing who to entrust with your digital privacy, phrases like “All human deserves a free internet” might make you think twice about subscribing. Performance: How fast is X-VPN in real-world use? Foundry One of X-VPN’s biggest selling points is its proprietary Everest protocol, which claims to be a great way to get around geoblocks to access content from elsewhere in the world. In our testing, we found that pretty accurate: I was able to switch between Netflix libraries and storefronts with ease, although the 10,000 server locations aren’t as spread out as some of its rivals. For example, UK servers are based in London and Manchester, whereas other rivals offer more than just a few major cities. I do appreciate that there are servers for specific needs; however, like streaming-specific options or ones earmarked for torrent downloads. Sadly, the fly in the ointment here is speed. X-VPN offers a ‘smart routing AI’ for finding the ‘fastest server’, but that isn’t always the case. In fact, connecting from the U.K. to the U.S. knocked off around 60% of our download speeds in testing, which is a higher drop than we’re used to. A representative from X-VPN told us the company has formed an optimization task force and is rolling out additional 10Gbps servers. That should bear fruit around July 2026, but for now, it’s a steep speed drop despite the positives of getting around geoblocks. A note on Everest: The protocol here isn’t open-source, which is something of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, users can’t examine the code of Everest, potentially working on improvements, but on the other, it can’t be easily cracked by bad actors, either. If it were to be opened up to the world, it would likely lose some potency as streaming services and web providers work to restrict its capabilities, but for now, it does a great job of getting around content blocks. Thankfully, OpenVPN and WireGuard are supported as alternatives should you run into any compatibility issues. Foundry Privacy & Security: Is X-VPN safe and private to use? AES-256 encryption is provided as standard, while all servers are RAM-only so data is instantly removed. That’s something of a bold step for more traditional users, however, who will no doubt feel secure just knowing the company runs a no-logs policy that’s backed up by external auditors. Better yet, you don’t even need to log in with the free plan to get the benefit of the VPN. That means you can use it without even giving away your email address. X-VPN’s Transparency Report showed the service saw over 239,000 DMCA requests, and 65 law enforcement enquiries, with none of them being responded to with identifiable user data. There’s a Dark Web Monitor built in, too, which looks for instances of your data appearing on the Dark Web so you can stay vigilant. Dark Web Monitoring,Foundry Pricing and plans: Is X-VPN good value for money? While X-VPN is naturally a better service when you’re paying for it (as is the case for just about anything in life, VPN or otherwise), it’s nice that its free plan exists. It offers a way to test the waters without needing to even give away your email (spoof or otherwise). That means you’re getting access to a VPN without giving any information away. When it does come time to pay, $69.99 covers you for two years (that’s $2.99 per month), and you can pay with Bitcoin for added anonymity. It’s refreshing to see an affordable VPN with so many features, too, as covered earlier. Many of those are often tied to higher tiers with other services. Should you use X-VPN? Device limits and breadth of server locations aside, X-VPN is a much better service than you may have been led to believe in recent years. Its Everest protocol is great for just about any unblocking, and the low price (and free plan) make it easy to recommend for new VPN users, as long as you’re ok with some degree of speed drop.04:10 pmApple is the TCS London Marathon Official Performance Technology Product Partner
Apple has partnered with the world's biggest marathon as part of a push to encourage ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary goals.Image credit: TCS London MarathonOn April 26, athletes from all over the world will gather to participate in the 2026 TCS London Marathon. This year, Apple has been honored as the Official Performance Technology Partner."The London Marathon is one of the world's greatest sporting events and a powerful celebration of the global running community," Jay Blahnik, Apple's vice president of Fitness Technologies, said in the announcement. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums