How to get VMWare Fusion Pro 13 for free
Virtualization app VMWare Fusion Pro 13 is now free for personal use. Here's how to get it for your Mac.VMware Fusion Pro 13 running on a Mac Studio (Source: Broadcom)VMWare's new owner Broadcom announced that it was acquiring the company in 2022, and the deal was completed in November 2023. Now Broadcom says that it wants to simplify how it sells its Windows virtualization apps, and that includes for personal use."The most exciting part is that Fusion Pro and Workstation Pro will now have two license models," wrote Broadcom's Michael Roy in a blog post. "We now provide a Free Personal Use or a Paid Commercial Use subscription for our Pro apps... [so] everyday users who want a virtual lab on their Mac, Windows or Linux computer can do so for free simply by registering and downloading." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Are we in Apple’s post-iPad era?
Macworld The consensus about the new iPad Pro is in: the hardware is more powerful and impressive than ever, but it’s still largely hampered by software that just hasn’t managed to keep up. Such has been the story of the iPad Pro almost since its inception almost nine years ago, and despite moves that would seem to augur good things for the platform—like forking iPadOS off from iOS—Apple hasn’t exactly done a bang-up job of assuaging users about its commitment to making the tablet a full-fledged citizen of its lineup. But zooming out there’s a larger question at play here: what are the long-term prospects of the iPad? Once heralded the future of computing, the iPad seems to have fallen short of that promise and, in the process, become Apple’s most at-risk product line. And compared to the rest of Apple’s offerings, the iPad increasingly looks like it may be the one left standing when the music stops. iPhones to the left of me For many people, the smartphone is the most important device in their lives. It goes everywhere with them, serves as their primary communication device, their recorder of memories, and their omnipresent time-waster. When prompted to give up a single technological device, most people would probably pick anything but their phone. Can an iPad mini (or even the iPad) compete with an iPhone Plus or Pro Max? Can an iPad mini (or even the iPad) compete with an iPhone Plus or Pro Max?Chris Martin / Foundry Can an iPad mini (or even the iPad) compete with an iPhone Plus or Pro Max?Chris Martin / Foundry Chris Martin / Foundry As the smartphone has gotten more mature, it’s also gotten larger. Apple’s current biggest phones, the iPhone 15 Plus/Pro Max, have a 6.7-inch display compared to the 3.5-inch on the original iPhone. The current iPad mini, it should be pointed out, has an 8.3-inch screen, making it much closer in size to the larger iPhone than the current models are to Apple’s first phone. Today’s large iPhones would seem to push the limit of what works in someone’s hand. But rumor has it Apple has been investigating foldable screen technology, which might conceivably someday allow you to carry an iPhone-sized device that folds out into an iPad-sized device. While it might not be a powerhouse in the class of the iPad Pro, it does mean a possible world where the iPhone might start eating away at the low end of the iPad market. After all, why carry two devices when one might do? Macs to the right On the other end of the scale, the iPad Pro’s power and high price tag force a comparison with the Mac. After all, these devices have the same chip line (if, for the moment, newer in the iPad) along with similar amounts of RAM and storage. Only a few factors set them apart: first, the versatility of the iPad form factor; second, its touch interface; and third, the comparative flexibility of the Mac’s operating system and software. But just as iPad proponents might argue that, with time and effort, Apple could improve the tablet’s software capabilities to rival macOS, the analog is true on the Mac side: nothing stops Apple from bringing some of the flexibility of the iPad’s hardware to its laptops. MacBooks might someday boast cellular connectivity or perhaps even a touch interface. Could that extend to a detachable display that could be used as a tablet? It’s not impossible. Reports already suggest that touchscreen Macs are being tested inside Cupertino, and that shouldn’t cause any surprise; not investigating the possibility would be more shocking. A recent patent filed by Apple showed that the company is working on a touchscreen MacBook with a detachable display. A recent patent filed by Apple showed that the company is working on a touchscreen MacBook with a detachable display.Apple/USPTO A recent patent filed by Apple showed that the company is working on a touchscreen MacBook with a detachable display.Apple/USPTO Apple/USPTO As with the possibility of foldable iPhones eating away at the iPad’s low end, a convertible MacBook, were Apple to make one, could threaten the iPad Pro. If a Mac can offer what an iPad can and more, then once again, why carry two devices? Stuck in the middle with you There are a few wildcards as well. Take the Apple Vision Pro, which more than a few early reviewers have described as “an iPad you wear on your face.” One of the device’s more applauded uses is as an immersive media player, something that has traditionally been one of the iPad’s strengths. Might a more affordable and more ergonomic Vision Pro successor steal some of the iPad’s thunder? To be clear: none of this is intended to condemn the iPad. In the here and now, it’s still a popular and useful device—even in a quarter where the tablet didn’t fare particularly well, Apple still sold millions. But it wouldn’t be the first time that Apple has cannibalized one of its own product lines—the iPod once seemed unbeatable too. The question is one of the iPad’s future—and, specifically, where Apple sees its future. In a recent interview, an Apple executive told the Wall Street Journal that the company doesn’t view them “as competing devices. We see them as complementary devices.” Not that I’d expect Apple to say anything different; it would dearly love to sell everyone one of each. But it’s also hard to overcome the feeling that Apple’s slow development on the software side has hamstrung the iPad’s future with a steadfastness that borders on pathological. What could have been the computer for the rest of us instead feels like it might become an evolutionary cul-de-sac, an also-ran, a coulda-been-a-contender. That future isn’t written in stone, but the longer Apple goes without changing its tune, the more it looks like it doesn’t mind if the iPad’s time in this world is finite. iPad

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New iPad Air, iPad Pro models arrive today, will feature day-one iPadOS 17.5 software update
Apple’s new iPad Pro and iPad Air tables will hit retail shelves today, and the initial batch of the tablets will feature a special build of the iPadOS 17.4 operating system preinstalled. Still, an iPadOS 17.5 software update will be available through the Settings app right away. Per Aaron Perris, iPadOS 17.5 has a special […] Source

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Microsoft Office’s apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are now less than $25
Macworld Whether you’re a student, professional, or just a casual user, you’ve likely heard of Microsoft Office. Why? Because it’s the world’s leading productivity suite. If you’re looking to invest in lifelong tools or want to update an older device, this deal for Microsoft Office 2019 may interest you. Through May 22, lifetime subscriptions for Mac and Windows are less than $25. Although you won’t be getting the latest version of Microsoft Office, the 2019 edition may be sufficient for your needs, especially if you have an older or refurbished laptop or computer.  Upon your one-time purchase, you’ll get the following apps: the 2019 editions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Create home or professional budgeting sheets with Excel, crisp slide decks with PowerPoint, or stay on top of email correspondence with OneNote. There are additional apps you’ll get depending on your device. For instance, Mac users will get Teams Classic 2019, an app designed to support virtual collaboration via video calls. Meanwhile, Windows users will gain the 2019 iterations of Access and Publisher. Just be sure that your device meets the system requirements for smooth installation. You have until May 22 at 11:59 PM Pacific to grab: Lifetime access to Microsoft Office Home and Business 2019 for Mac for just $24.97. Lifetime access to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows for just $24.97.   Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac and Windows Only $24.97 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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Rumor: Apple to expand Vision Pro to international markets following WWDC
Apple’s Vision Pro headset is expected to start shipping to overseas markets following WWDC. Per Bloomberg, Apple began recruiting Briefing Experience Specialists in Australia and Asia, these employees being trained to demonstrate the Apple Vision Pro to potential customers. That specific recruitment began in March, so hiring and training will have at least begun some […] Source

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Got a problem with your Mac, iPhone, or iPad? Macworld’s Mac 911 can help
Macworld With Macworld’s Mac 911 column, we take your questions and do our best to help. We love being the place you come to in order to find answers to nagging problems. The “Mac 911” name predates iOS, iPadOS, and iCloud, but we’re happy to answer questions about all those topics as well as macOS and any Apple hardware, software, or service. Ask Mac 911 We’re always looking for new problems to solve! If you have a problem with your Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or any other Apple device, let us know about it and we’ll try to help by responding with a Mac 911 column. You can also ask us general tech questions if you have them. Here’s how to send us your questions: Send an email to mac911@macworld.com Including screenshots when appropriate  Let us know if you want your full name used or not If you have a question that doesn’t include screenshots, you can submit it through the form below. Submit your question to Mac 911 Submit a form. Keep in mind that not every question will be answered, we don’t reply to email, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice. Check the Mac 911 FAQ Some questions we get more frequently than others. We’ve covered those questions in the Mac 911 FAQ. The FAQ covers topics involving: The Photos app and iCloud Photos macOS: erase, revive, restore, and reinstall Apple ID problems Siri misspellings and mispronunciations Apple TV, Apple Watch, iPad, iPhone, Mac

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How to get Apple Music for free
Macworld Apple Music is Apple’s music streaming service that offers access to more than 100 million tracks and 30,000 playlists curated by experts. You can use it on Apple products as well as PCs, Android, Sonos, Amazon Alexa, PlayStation and other devices. There are various subscription tiers, including a cheaper price for students. Apple Music Student: $5.99/£5.99 a month Apple Music Individual: $10.99/£10.99 a month (was $9.99/£9.99 until October 2022) Apple Music Family: $16.99/£16.99 a month (was $14.99/£14.99 until October 2022) Apple One: From $19.95/£18.95 a month (includes Apple Music, Apple Arcade, 50GB iCloud+, and Apple TV+ and might represent a saving if you were already paying for any of those other services.) The cheaper Apple Music Voice Plan (which cost half the price of the standard Apple Music plan at $4.99/£4.99 a month) has been discontinued. However, you don’t have to pay that much. Apple offers various trials – including a one-month free trial, but there are ways to get up to six months free with certain purchases. Apple also makes trials or discounts available to lapsed subscribers from time to time. Apple-owned Shazam also offers trials including two months for free and the ability to gift a three-month Apple Music trial to friends. Find out what Apple Music trials are available and how to get Apple Music for free in this article. Plus if you are a student you can get Apple Music for half price, a deal that includes Apple TV+ for free! Is Apple Music free? Unlike Spotify and Amazon Music, there isn’t a free, ad-supported Apple Music tier. The closest option was Apple Music Voice, which was a cut-price, cut-down version of the music streaming service that didn’t allow you to download tracks or create your own playlists. But Apple ditched Apple Music Voice, two years after it was introduced, in November 2023. However, you can get Apple Music for free for a limited time if you take advantage of the many trials on offer from Apple and its partners. Apple Music free trial Apple offers a one-month free Apple Music trial to new users, but you can find trials that extend that period, including six months Apple Music for free if you buy AirPods, a HomePod or Beats headphones. Apple’s partners and subsidiaries, such as Shazam, also offer Apple Music trials of various lengths. Read on for details of the best Apple Music trials we’ve seen, including how to get Apple Music for free for longer than the standard one-month trial and how to get a free trial of Apple Music if you have previously had a trial and/or subscribed to Apple Music.  If you don’t want to pay for Apple Music once your trial is over you must make sure to cancel your subscription before it automatically renews. It’s easy to cancel a subscription on iPhone, iPad or Mac, just follow these steps: On an iPhone just go to Settings and click on the section at the top with your Apple ID. Tap on Subscriptions find the one you want to cancel and tap on it. Then tap on Cancel Subscription. If you’ve never tried Apple Music before you’ll be able to get one month free of charge, with no catch and no questions asked. Prior to February 2022, the length of this trial was three months though, so this trial period is not quite as good as it once was. To get the one-month free Apple Music trial visit Apple’s website via the links below and choose ‘Try 1 one month free’ in the top right corner, or click ‘Try it free’ on the relevant plan (just about halfway down the page). U.S. customers: Get Apple Music free for one month with Apple U.K. customers: Get Apple Music free for one month with Apple How to get Apple Music free for 6 months Want more than a month? You can get Apple Music free for six months if you buy a qualifying Apple product. Apple offers six months free to new Apple Music users who buy AirPods, a HomePod mini or Beats headphones. You do need to be a new subscriber to Apple Music though. The following devices are eligible as per Apple’s ts&cs: AirPods Pro AirPods (2nd and 3rd generation) AirPods Max HomePod HomePod mini Beats Fit Pro Beats Studio Buds Powerbeats Powerbeats Pro Beats Solo Pro Beats Studio Buds + Beats Studio Pro If you have bought one of these eligible devices you can qualify–as long as you haven’t previously subscribed to Apple Music and as long as the device has been paired with your iPhone or iPad for less than 90 days. To qualify for the free six-month trial you need to sign up within 90 days of first pairing your qualifying audio device with an iPhone or iPad that is running the latest iOS or iPadOS. So if you’ve been using your HomePod with your Apple ID for more than 90 days you won’t be able to take advantage–unless you switched your HomePod to a different Apple ID… U.S. customers: Get Apple Music free for six months with Apple U.S. U.K. customers: Get Apple Music free for six months with Apple U.K. To get Apple’s six-month trial of Apple Music follow these steps: Update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS/iPadOS. Pair your AirPods, HomePods or Beats headphones with you iPhone or iPad. Open Apple Music on the iPhone or iPad. Sign in with your Apple ID. You should see details of the offer, if you don’t click on Listen Now. How to get Apple Music free with Shazam It’s not only Apple that is offering a trial of Apple Music. Various Apple partners are also offering free Apple Music trials of varying lengths. You can often find Apple Music trials via music recognition software Shazam (which is a subsidiary of Apple). The offer runs from time to time and in the past Shazam has offered five and even six months Apple Music for free, but right now it’s three months free on offer. Get Apple Music Free for Three months with Shazam If you use your iPhone camera to scan the QR code on the Shazam website it will open the Shazam app on your iPhone (or ask you to install it). Download and install Shazam to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Alternatively, you can trigger the deal if you use the Shazam app to Shazam a song you like (to find out what it is). To get the deal follow these steps in the Shazam app: Tap to Shazam a song, or Tap on My Music to see your Recent Shazams. You should see a block highlighting the free offer. Click on Try Now. You’ll be invited to Get three months free of Apple Music (or more or less depending on the current offer). Click on Try It Free and you will be taken to the Apple Music app. You will then be invited to Double Click to Redeem. You will see the date at which the free trial will end and you will be charged, so we suggest you make a note to cancel just before if you don’t want to start paying. Finally, you be able to start listening to Apple Music. Foundry Foundry Foundry Enjoy your three months free! Can you get the Shazam trial if you have previously had a trial? Yes! The good news is that we were able to take advantage of the Shazam trial despite having previously had trials, and been a lapsed subscriber. In our case when a five-month Shazam trial was available we were able to qualify for a two-month trial instead. In the past we have been able to get five months free via Shazam, but that deal isn’t currently running. In the past we have been able to get five months free via Shazam, but that deal isn’t currently running.Foundry In the past we have been able to get five months free via Shazam, but that deal isn’t currently running.Foundry Foundry How to send a friend three-months of Apple Music with Shazam Shazam is also providing a way to send a friend up to three months Apple Music for free. They will need to be a new subscriber, but you can send them to this page then they can get up to three months free (we’re only seeing one month on offer now, despite Shazam describing it as three months here.) Get Apple Music Free for Three months with Shazam Other ways to get Apple Music free in the U.S. It’s not only Apple and Apple-subsidiary Shazam that offer Apple Music trials. Verizon In the U.S. customers can get free Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Arcade and iCloud with some of Verizon’s plans. The Ultimate iPhone plan is $65 a month and includes Apple One. Get Apple Music for six months (or longer) with Verizon Best Buy You can get four months free from Best Buy, and, best of all, returning subscribers can qualify, although they won’t get the full four months free, just three months. You need to join My Best Buy Plus ($49.99 a year) or Best Buy Total ($179.99 a year). Get Apple Music free for four months with Best Buy Other ways to get Apple Music free in the U.K. Like Verizon in the U.S., various phone contract providers in the U.K. bundle Apple Music to sweeten the deal. In the U.K. EE and O2 offer six months of Apple Music. O2 O2 offers three, four or six months of Apple Services (Apple Music, Apple TV and Fitness +) depending on the tariff selected. For example, you can get three months Apple Music with non-Plus Plan tariffs and six months Apple Music with Plus Plan tariffs. months Apple Music free with the Plus Plan. Unfortunately, you won’t qualify if you have subscribed in the past. O2 also offers three months Apple Music with other tariffs. Get Apple Music for six months with O2 EE EE also offers Apple Music as an Inclusive Extra. You can get six months Apple Music whether you are new to EE or an existing customer. You just need to text MUSIC to 150 to get the offer. There is also an option to pay an extra £5 a month to get Apple One, which bundles Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and 50GB iCloud. Get Apple Music for six months (or longer) with EE ID Mobile Phone reseller ID Mobile offers up to three months of Apple services with any purchase, that’s three months of Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and Apple Music. Returning customers get two months of Apple Music. Get Apple Music for three months with ID Mobile How to get another Apple Music trial if you’ve already had one As with the Shazam example above, you may find that you qualify for another two months, even if have previously had a longer trial. What if you have used up all your trial time though? From time to time Apple offers lapsed subscribers the opportunity to get three months Apple Music for the price of one – so £10.99/$10.99 for three months. Apple sometimes offers lapsed subscribers three months for the price of one. Apple sometimes offers lapsed subscribers three months for the price of one.Foundry Apple sometimes offers lapsed subscribers three months for the price of one.Foundry Foundry Generally though, once you’ve used your three (or more) months trial, you won’t be able to get any more months free using the same method, even if you wait a year or so. But there is a trick to getting an extra three months: start using Family Sharing via another user and switch to the Apple Music Family Sharing plan. If you’re happy to use Family Sharing, you could get another member of your family to sign up for the free trial of the Apple Music Family Sharing plan, and then share that with you. You’ll then be able to take advantage of an extra three months for free. In fact, it can be shared between up to six people so you could share the free trial with other family members too. We have a separate article with more information about Family Sharing and how to set it up. Top Tip: Just want Apple Music for a short period of time? Subscribe to Apple Music for a month, create your playlist for your party or event, and then cancel the subscription. Wondering if it’s worth trying out Apple Music? Read our complete guide to Apple Music and our Apple Music vs Spotify comparison. We explain how to use Apple Music, plus, find out more about Apple Music on Apple’s website. Want Apple TV+ for free? We cover that here: All the ways you can get Apple TV+ for free. Apple Inc, Home Audio, Personal Software

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Stream your favorite content during road trips with this $100 iOS and Android-compatible adapter
Macworld If you’re tired of hearing your kids ask, “Are we there yet?” during road trips or simply want to outfit your car with streaming abilities, this wireless adapter opens a world of entertainment. Now only $99.99 (reg. $149), this plug-and-play and iOS and Android-compatible adapter allows your passengers to watch content from an array of popular social media and streaming apps. This nifty device is like having a Roku player in your car, and it’s compatible with over 800 car models going back to 2016 (though it’s not usable for vehicles with wireless CarPlay). Simply plug it in, and passengers can immediately watch their favorite content from apps like TikTok, YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and more. The adapter itself is powered by Qualcomm QCM2290 and boasts 16GB of storage, dual Bluetooth technology, WiFi 2.4G and 5G, Android 11.0, and TF card support. It even comes with the following cables and connections: USB-A to USB-C Cable USB-C to USB-C Cable USB-A to USB-A Tee Cable Make long (and short!) car rides more enjoyable for your riders with this Apple and Android-compatible wireless adapter, now just $99.99.   Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Wireless Adapter with Streaming Service Support (2024 Edition) Only $99.99 StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

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M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air go on sale
The M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air are now on sale in the US and other major markets. Apple is also delivering the preorders today. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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How to mass-delete Finder tags in macOS
It can be easy to get carried away with tagging files in Finder. If manually organizing them seems too daunting, you can always go back to square one.If you're overflowing with tags, it's easy enough to get back on track.Finder's tags can, for some, seem like a pesky waste of space in their sidebar. For others, every file needs to be tagged before anything else. Thankfully, sending your Finder tags back to the state they were in when you booted up your Mac for the first time is simple. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The M4 iPad Pros
A “pro” device that goes pro by getting thinner and lighter, not heavier and thicker, is not a non sequitur.

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Facebook and Instagram are down for some users
Users report that various Meta applications are down, including Instagram and Facebook, but it isn't a problem for all users.FacebookMeta services appear to be down with outages centered around New York and California. Smaller outages around the country indicate it may be a server-side issue that should be resolved soon.Reports of Instagram and Facebook outages appeared on Downdetector starting at about 7 p.m. EST. Threads also appears to be experiencing outages, but it didn't show up in the tool until after 8 p.m. EST. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Instagram, Threads and other Meta services are down for some users
If you’ve been experiencing issues when trying to access Instagram, Threads, Facebook, or other Meta services, you’re not alone. Some users have been complaining about these services being slow or completely down on Tuesday night. more…

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Apple adds Battery Health menu to new M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro
It’s been a while M4 iPad Pro, Apple is finally bringing the Battery Health menu to iPadOS. more…

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How Gemini's and OpenAI's updates play into Apple's AI strategy
Google and OpenAI have announced significant updates for their AI models and features, creating more competition for Apple ahead of WWDC.Apple will has a lot of catching up to do if it wants to compete with Google and OpenAIOn Monday, OpenAI announced its innovative GPT-4o AI model and an all-new Mac app, while Google previewed major improvements to its Gemini software the on Tuesday. The two companies showcased a variety of remarkable features, making the market even more competitive as a result.While Apple has seemingly fallen far behind in its AI endeavors, a partnership with Google or OpenAI could prove to be an easy way of offering generative AI features to its user base. At least rumors suggest that's a path Apple is willing to take. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Gamma is a free PlayStation emulator available on the iOS App Store
Following changes to the App Store guidelines last month, developers were finally able to release game emulators for iOS – such as the popular Delta. And joining that list now is Gamma, a new PlayStation emulator available on the iOS App Store for iPhone and iPad. more…

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OpenAI unveils new ‘GPT-4o’ AI model amid increasing competition
ChatGPT maker OpenAI said othis week it would release a new AI model called "GPT-4o," capable of realistic voice conversation… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Killer deal: Apple's iPad Air dips to $399 at Amazon, the lowest price ever
Amazon is making room for iPad Air 6 inventory and that equates to blowout savings on the iPad Air 5, which has now dropped to the lowest price ever at just $399.Get an iPad Air 5 for just $399.Amazon's $399 price on Apple's 5th Generation iPad Air reflects a $200 price cut off the original MSRP for the 64GB Wi-Fi model. At press time, the limited-time deal is available in Blue, Pink and Purple, with Space Gray and Starlight ringing in at $449.Buy for $399 Continue Reading on AppleInsider

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A one-time payment of less than $90 gets you 20TB of cloud storage for life
Cult of Mac readers can get a lifetime subscription to Prism Drive's 20TB secure cloud storage deal for just $89.97 (regularly $1,494). (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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OpenAI’s amazing GPT-4o could be the next Siri
Take a look at OpenAI GPT-4o, an AI chatbot that's remarkably human-like. It's possibly coming to iOS and macOS. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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