Plugable TBT-UDH2 review: The first dual-HDMI Thunderbolt 5 dock for Mac
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Thunderbolt 5 Two dedicated HDMI 2.1 ports Supports dual 6K/60Hz on Mac 2.5Gb Ethernet Fast card readers 140W PD 3.1 to laptop 2x 30W charging ports Cons Only one downstream Thunderbolt port Our Verdict The TBT-UDH2 is an exceptionally able docking station with Thunderbolt 5, an incredible nine downstream USB ports, 2.5Gb Ethernet, fast card readers and unique dual-HDMI 2.1 ports that for many users will do away with the need for extra adapters. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$349.95 Best Prices Today: Plugable Dual HDMI Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station (TBT-UDH2) Retailer Price $349.95 View Deal $349.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Buy the TBT-UDH2 if you need dual HDMI displays, Thunderbolt 5 bandwidth, strong charging, and lots of ports. Skip if you need multiple downstream Thunderbolt ports or use a base M1/M2 Mac. The 6K upgrade is worthwhile only for professionals needing higher-resolution displays. Mac Thunderbolt docking stations have long offered two basic solutions for monitor support, using either one or more Thunderbolt ports to connect displays and/or a DisplayPort—forcing HDMI users to buy a separate and messy adapter cable to fully utilize the dock. To their rescue comes Plugable, with its new 16-port Thunderbolt 5 docking station that includes two HDMI 2.1 ports and a downstream Thunderbolt 5 port as well as the upstream Thunderbolt 5 port to the host computer. It’s ideal for its target audience: Mac users looking for a setup of two external HDMI monitors plus the fast 80Gbps data bandwidth of Thunderbolt 5. First unveiled at CES 2026, Plugable’s new Thunderbolt 5 TBT-UDH2 dock not only includes dual HDMI 2.1 but a generous six downstream USB-C/Thunderbolt ports—two with a power output of 30W, which is perfect for fast-charging your iPhone and/or iPad. Who is the Plugable Thunderbolt 5 TBT-UDH2 Dock for? With its two top-end HDMI 2.1 ports, the Plugable TBT-UDH2 is the solution for those of us who need a two-display setup based on HDMI without needing external video adapters. It’s not for owners of the MacBook Neo or base M1/M2 Macs but it offers much for just about everyone else. You can buy cheaper but not at this level of functionality. Simon Jary Specs and features One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W) One downstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 30W) Two HDMI ports (2.1) One USB-C port (10Gbps, 30W) One USB-C port (10Gbps, 4.5W) Three USB-C ports (5Gbps, 4.5W) One USB-A port (10Gbps, 4.5W) Two USB-A ports (5Gbps, 4.5W) Ethernet (2.5Gb) UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps) UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps) 3.5mm combo audio jack (front) 180W power supply Many docks come with one upstream and three downstream Thunderbolt (TB) ports (Intel’s reference design). Others trade one of the TB ports for a DisplayPort as it is expected that connecting to at least one external monitor is at the heart of any dock’s purpose. Thunderbolt is built on DisplayPort (DP) technology, combining two main data highways into a single cable: PCI Express (for data and devices) and DisplayPort (for video and monitors). (Thunderbolt 1 and 2 even used the same physical connector as Mini DisplayPort, but beginning with Thunderbolt 3, the technology was adapted to piggyback onto the universal USB-C connector.) That close technical relationship between Thunderbolt and DisplayPort, and DisplayPort’s superior capabilities, meant that it was a natural fit for docks to trade a TB port for a DP. However, it left owners of HDMI monitors scrabbling around to find a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter cable. HDMI 2.1 has largely caught up with DisplayPort in terms of capability, although gamers and top-end video professionals might still prefer DisplayPort as it offers up to 240Hz refresh rates for 4K displays, while HDMI is ‘limited’ to 120Hz. Simon Jary Rather than offering two additional downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports, Plugable allocates these two “pipes” to two dedicated HDMI outputs and leaves one downstream Thunderbolt 5 port available for additional expansion (including Thunderbolt daisy-chaining) or display use. As macOS doesn’t support MST (Multi-Stream Transport), only one of the HDMI ports would normally function on a Mac if the dock also preserved two downstream Thunderbolt ports. Windows does support MST so is much more able when it comes to multi-display setups. Even if your current Mac uses Thunderbolt 4, the Plugable Dual HDMI TBT-UDH2 Docking Station will operate (although not with Thunderbolt 3 Macs) as Thunderbolt 5 is backwards compatible. It makes sense to buy Thunderbolt 5 now in anticipation of your next hardware upgrade. Display capability The Plugable TBT-UDH2 can support up to dual 8K/60Hz (7680 x 4320 pixels) or 4K/144Hz, depending on the model of Mac and its M-series processor. At the top, a Mac with an M4 Max or M5 Max chip can support two 8K/60Hz displays or two at 4K/144Hz. M4/M5 Pro, M2/M3 Pro/Max or base M4/M5 Macs can connect two 6K/60Hz displays or 4K at 144Hz. Macs with an M1 Pro/Max support two 6K/60Hz but lack the 4K/144Hz option. Macs with a base M1/M2 are limited to one 6K/60Hz external display. While this is a dock with a lot more than just flexible video options, owners of the older base M1/M2 should be looking to the best DisplayLink docks for multi-monitor options with software workarounds. MacBook Neo users should also look for a DisplayLink dock, and don’t need the 80Gbps bandwidth of a Thunderbolt 5 docking station. For more expansive display options, M5 Pro and M5 Max users can add a third display to the downstream Thunderbolt 5 port. M5 Max users can even stretch to four displays, using Thunderbolt’s daisy-chaining capabilities. Displays with HDMI can be connected to the 2x HDMI 2.1 ports. The downstream Thunderbolt port can provide up to 120Gbps via TB5’s Bandwidth Boost, and can be used to connect up to one display via USB-C/Thunderbolt or via USB-C to HDMI or USB-C to DisplayPort cables/adapters. Only two displays may be used at a time (HDMI+HDMI or HDMI+Thunderbolt/USB-C Alt Mode). A three-display setup with an M5 Pro or M5 Max would consist of two HDMI displays plus one USB-C DP Alt Mode or Thunderbolt display connected via the front downstream Thunderbolt 5 port. In tests, three 4K 144Hz HDR displays have been proved to work simultaneously. The M5 Max theoretically supports four displays with two HDMI displays plus two Thunderbolt displays that are connected in series to each other (daisy-chained) but neither we nor Plugable have tested this in practice. Simon Jary  Not forgetting the 9 USB ports This compact dock manages to fit nine downstream USB ports alongside the two HDMI. One is Thunderbolt 5 with 30W device charging, compared to TB’s usual 15W output. That’s enough power to fast-charge an iPhone or iPad. It can also be used as a video port if required—maybe your second monitor is USB-C rather than HDMI. There’s a 10Gbps USB-C port that also has 30W power output at your disposal. Both 30W ports are located at the front for easy access. In comparison, the $399.99 CalDigit TS5 provides less charging power overall for your devices, with only 15W from each downstream Thunderbolt 5 port and 20W from its front USB-C port. The CalDigit TS5 Plus steps up accessory charging with 36W from each downstream Thunderbolt 5 port and 36W from the front USB-C port, but costs $499.99. Also at the front are one USB-C and one USB-A data port, both rated at a speedy 10Gbps. As you’d expect, both card readers are also facing you as you work, and these are fast UHS-II at 312MBps. There’s an audio jack at the front and also a handy power button so you can rest assured that no power is going to your MacBook’s battery while you aren’t using it. Apple’s battery tech should handle that anyway, but I like the option to power off. At the back, alongside the two HDMI 2.1 ports are the upstream Thunderbolt 5 port, plus three 5Gbps USB-C data ports and two 5Gbps USB-A. The upstream TB5 port can supply up to 140W of Power Delivery (3.1), which is enough to fast-charge even the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Rounding it off is an Ethernet port for stable wired network access, and this is rated at 2.5Gb, two and a half times faster than standard Gigabit Ethernet (1Gb) if your network supports it. If your network is still 1GbE, it will still work as it’s backwards compatible and forwards too for 5GbE and 10GbE. It comes with an external 180W power supply, so when going full pelt to a PD 3.1 laptop, there will be 40W remaining for the other ports. In most scenarios the laptop will be taking a lot less than 140W so both 30W charging ports should be able to cope just fine. Simon Jary Design The space gray aluminum dock can be oriented vertically or horizontally to best fit your desk. Grilles along the sides aid cooling as the dock is fanless for silent operation. Runners are included if you want the horizontal orientation. It is compact, measuring 5.9 x 2 x 3 inches (150 x 50 x 75mm) and weighs just over 2lbs (a little under 1kg) without the power supply. In terms of physical security, it comes with both a standard K-slot and a Kensington Nano slot (K-slot nano), ensuring lock standard compatibility. Simon Jary What you gain and what you give up You gain dual HDMI 2.1 outputs without adapters, Thunderbolt 5 performance, 140W laptop charging, nine USB ports, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and fast UHS-II card readers—making it one of the most capable docks for HDMI-based Mac setups. You miss out on two potential downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports, limiting expansion flexibility compared with traditional Thunderbolt 5 docks such as the CalDigit TS5 or Plugable TBT-UDT3. Base M1/M2 Macs remain restricted to a single external display, Thunderbolt 3 Macs aren’t supported, and availability is currently limited to North America. Price Available in North America only at the time of writing, the Plugable Dual HDMI Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station (TBT-UDH2) is priced at $349.95. This is at the upper-end for Thunderbolt 5 docks, but the 16 ports are well chosen, and dual-screen setups will be boosted by the double dose of HDMI 2.1. If you just want all the basics you need at top speed and an attractive price point, the £299.99 Plugable TBT-UDT3 Dock has three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (each at 15W), three USB-A ports and pretty much everything the TBT-UDH2 has in terms of Ethernet and card readers. That extra $50 gets you a big upgrade on the number of USB ports and device-charging capability, although you are sacrificing two of the downstream TB5 ports for the convenience of the double HDMI. See our reviews and comparisons of the other best Thunderbolt docking stations. Should you buy the Plugable Dual HDMI Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station? The TBT-UDH2 is an exceptionally able docking station with 80/120Gbps Thunderbolt 5 bandwidth, an incredible nine downstream USB ports, 2,5Gb Ethernet, fast card readers and unique dual-HDMI 2.1 ports that for many users will do away with the need for extra adapters.

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Apple’s (almost) definitely about to launch new headphones
Macworld As the saying goes, once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, and six times is a sure sign of an imminent product launch. Football star Lamine Yamal has posted to Instagram yet another photo of himself with a pair of unreleased Beats over-ears, and come on people, who are we kidding, Apple is definitely about to drop some new headphones. Last week, we reported on the Barcelona midfielder’s “inadvertent” posting of four carefully posed photos and one carefully posed video of himself with the unidentified pink cans, and speculated that it was most likely paid stealth marketing ahead of a launch. Now he has posted another still photo, this time in the form of a story on his Instagram account, and it shows the player hugging a fan and clutching a bag with not one but two pairs dangling off the handle. Who carries around two pairs of the same headphones? Not many millionaires, I would have thought. They have people for that, right? Most convenient of all, the two pairs are in different color finishes. The ones we saw last week were seen in a pale pink, but in the new post, they are joined by a pair in a Beats trademark creamy off-white. These look to correspond respectively to the Cloud Pink finish of the Beats Solo 4 and the Sandstone on the Beats Studio Pro. No current model offers both colors. The Sandstone finish is third from the left.Beats Such unsubtle guerrilla marketing hints that Apple will release the new Beats headphones in the near future. An updated version of the Beats Studio Pro is a strong possibility, particularly after Apple filed documents with the FCC last month. We don’t currently expect any hardware to be announced at the WWDC 2026 keynote next week (on Monday, from 10am PT), but it’s not impossible that Apple will spring a surprise. Join our WWDC live blog as we discuss all the news and rumors surrounding the event.

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Alogic Clarity 6K Touch monitor review: This could be the ultimate Mac display for creatives
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Super-crisp UHD 6K 60Hz touchscreen 32-inch and max 6016 x 3384 pixels Color accuracy Cheaper than Apple Studio Displays Clarity Fold Stand Cons Hub doesn’t daisy-chain extra displays Our Verdict Graphic and video professionals will appreciate the higher 6K resolution of this generously sized 32-inch touchscreen display with digital-artist-friendly stand, and impressive color specs. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$2,499.99 Best Prices Today: Alogic Clarity 6K Touch 32-inch Monitor Retailer Price $1,696.65 View Deal Alogic $2499.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Buy the Clarity 6K Touch if you’re a graphic designer, video editor, illustrator, photographer, or CAD professional who benefits from maximum detail, color accuracy, and touchscreen input. Skip it if you’re a general user. The 6K premium is worthwhile mainly for creative professionals. While Apple rules the roost with mobile touchscreens on its iPhones and iPads, it has kept a distance from touchscreen displays for its Macs. There are rumours of a touch screen slated as part of an overhaul of a redesigned OLED-screened MacBook Pro, but it was a definite case of Do Not Touch with Apple’s recent new Studio Display models. Alogic is an Australian company that makes premium products for the Apple ecosystem and has been a pioneer in creating touchscreen displays for Mac users. It was first to market with a 4K touchscreen—the Clarity 4K Pro Touch— and a 5K, the Clarity 5K Touch. The company has now released another world first, the Clarity 6K Touch, which as its name points out takes Mac touchscreens up to a new level of screen quality. Like the previous Clarity Touch monitors, you can use the touchscreen display much like an iPad with on-screen tap, swipe, slide and pinch, and over 4,000 levels of pressure sensitivity. Alogic caught up with Apple’s Studio Display with its Clarity 5K but now goes one better. Where the Apple Studio Display has a maximum resolution of 5120 x 2880, the Clarity 6K reaches 6016 x 3384 at the same pixel density on a larger screen (32 inches vs Apple’s 27 inches). Alogic 6K vs 5K monitors The Clarity 6K Touch costs $2,499, compared to $1,799 for the 5K Touch. Alongside the resolution boost, you also get a larger 32-inch panel rather than the 5K model’s 27-inch screen. The main difference between 5K and 6K displays is resolution. A 5K monitor offers 5,120 x 2,880 pixels, while 6K increases that to 6,016 x 3,384. This delivers both more screen space and greater pixel density. A 5K display contains around 14.7 million pixels, while a 6K panel packs in more than 20 million. The result is exceptionally sharp text, finer image detail, and nearly 2.5 times the pixel count of a 4K display. Running at the full 6K resolution can make interface elements uncomfortably small, so most users will prefer a scaled setting. The default 3,008 x 1,692 resolution strikes a good balance between workspace and readability. For creative professionals, pixel density is the bigger advantage. A 32-inch 5K display delivers 163ppi, while the 6K reaches 216ppi—Apple’s Retina benchmark. Images and text appear noticeably sharper, allowing photographers, designers and video editors to work with greater precision. Many users may struggle to spot the difference between 5K and 6K in everyday use, but professionals who rely on fine detail will appreciate the added sharpness. The display tops out at 60Hz, which is more than adequate for creative work but less appealing for gamers. Alogic Screen pixels and colors Screen: 32-inch IPS 8-bit + HiFRC Finish: Gloss Max resolution: 6016 x 3384 pixels Refresh rate: 60Hz DCI-P3 color coverage: 100% Adobe RGB color coverage: 100% sRGB color coverage: 100% Contrast Ratio: 2000:1 Delta E (dE):

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iOS 27, macOS 27, Siri: What to expect to launch at WWDC 2026
WWDC is just around the corner. Here's what to expect from Apple about the future of iOS 27, macOS 27, AI, and Siri.The WWDC 2026 logo - Image Credit: AppleApple's annual Worldwide Developer Conference will be held from June 8 to June 12. As it's big developer event, it is also the main place to discover the big changes that will be arriving in its operating system updates due this fall.Just after the keynote announcing the news, Apple will release its first developer beta builds of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27. These will be a second beta-testing track alongside the current-gen 26 versions, though those will be more for performance and bug fixing rather than introducting new features. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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UK wants to jail John Ternus if children's iPhones don't block nude images
The UK is reportedly planning to introduce new laws that require Apple and Google to protect children from any online nudity, or see their CEOs jailed.Detail from Apple's existing child protection white paper — image credit: AppleIt's already because of the UK's Online Safety Act and and some laws on the state-level in the US that Apple has introduced age verification. According to The Times, however, the country's government intends to go further.Reportedly, UK ministers will announce plans to require technology firms such as Apple and Google to make it impossible for children to see any nude images. That includes sex scenes in films and TV, as well as on social media. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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These 4 changes that will make macOS 27 massively better
Macworld As a longtime Mac user, I’m actually pretty happy with the state of macOS. All things considered, the Mac is in a pretty good place right now, and while Tahoe has some wrinkles, the platform as a whole is solid. But the key to continued success is continued progression, that the Mac evolve to address the needs of users. On Monday, Apple will announce macOS 27, the next major version of the Mac operating system, and preview its biggest new features. It’s our chance to see what Apple will do to make our Mac experience better, and here’s what I want to see at WWDC26 for macOS. A lot more Siri Apple is expected to finally reveal its revamped Siri, and while much of the talk about Siri has been in regards to iOS 27, they carry over to macOS 27, as well. And Apple is expected to show several Apple Intelligence-based features with macOS and its apps. I’m quite interested in seeing how Apple integrates AI features into macOS, but I’m also interested in the big picture. The ultimate goal with AI development is an AI that knows you almost as well as you know yourself, maybe even better, resulting in a computing experience that maximizes your productivity. Microsoft is attempting to do this with Windows Copilot, and Google recently announced several new Gemini-related technologies that can provide “real work with minimal human input,” according to TechCrunch’s Rebecca Bellan. As you already know, Apple is behind in its AI development and implementation. Apple has to do two things here: play catch-up and demonstrate that it is making real progress beyond that. My interest is less about new features I can use and more about Apple’s ability to develop and execute technology that will be at the core of everything moving forward. Square application icons became the norm in macOS Tahoe. Booooorrrring.Foundry Visual tweaks Now, on to more concrete macOS features and products I’ll be looking for at WWDC26. macOS Tahoe introduced Liquid Glass and other changes to the look of the OS–some hate it, some like it. Me, I’m in the middle; I don’t find the changes offensive, but I’m not enthused by them, either. But there’s one thing clear, and that is Apple is attempting to unify the look of macOS and iOS an much as possible. Since they’re all part of the same ecosystem, this makes sense but in practicality, it sacrifices the uniqueness of each platform. I’m hoping to see efforts to make macOS stand out as well as take advantage of its platform. This includes dynamic widget sizes and hiding, icon tinting, and the ability for developers to create app icons that are unique and not restricted to the iOS-style rounded squares. System Settings fixes Speaking of graphical tweaks, the System Settings UI needs more than a graphical makeover. With the current layout, it seems as though Apple wants users to rely on using Search, but the problem is that users don’t know what the settings are called. It needs an organizational reconstruction to make it easier to get to the setting you need. While I’d be happy with a redesign, it would be amazing if Apple figured out how to use Apple Intelligence to make System Settings intuitive. Time for Apple to clean up this mess.Foundry A little more LaunchPad With macOS Tahoe, Apple wanted to move people from using LaunchPad to using the revised Spotlight. But LaunchPad lives on, in a way; it was replaced by the Apps app. However, Apps is nowhere near as functional as LaunchPad–it feels like a pacifier for LaunchPad users as they practice using Spotlight instead. Apps don’t have any customization options, their listing options are few, and for some reason, you can’t expand the Apps window horizontally, which would go a long way in its usability. I’m hopeful that Apple will offer Apps UI tweaks in macOS 27, but if they don’t, they should just get rid of it completely–in its current state, Apps isn’t more useful than having an alias of the Applications folder in the Dock. I’m convinced the Apps app in macOS Tahoe was released to purposely frustrate LaunchPad users like me.Foundry

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Apple’s biggest event of the year kicks off Monday. Here’s what I’m hoping to see
Macworld WWDC is the year’s most exciting event for the Apple community. Of course, September is when the new iPhones come out, but WWDC is when Apple unveils the ideas that will shape the next 12 months of its ecosystem. Not only that, but we even get to try out many of these announcements right after they’re unveiled in the developer betas. And this year seems particularly important. Following the ambitious yet chaotic rollout of Apple Intelligence in 2024, WWDC 2026 is rumored to be the event where Apple will prove that it can finally deliver on all those AI promises to users. With the WWDC 2026 keynote just around the corner, here are five things I can’t wait to see at the event next week. A smart assistant that’s actually smart Apple showed off its vision for a new AI-powered Siri at WWDC 2024, but that Siri never saw the light of day. Nearly two years later, Apple’s virtual assistant still struggles with context, multi-step requests, and natural conversation. These are things that other AI agents solved long ago. That looks to finally change at WWDC. According to multiple reports, Apple has been working on a major overhaul of Siri, powered by Google Gemini’s large language models and a redesigned interface. Some rumors even suggest Apple may introduce a dedicated Siri app that works more like ChatGPT, complete with conversation history and richer text responses. Honestly, this is what Siri should have become years ago. And there’s more. In a recent announcement about new Accessibility features for iOS 27, Apple showcased a new version of Voice Control integrated with Apple Intelligence, which is capable of understanding what’s on the screen and responding to natural voice commands which is also expected to come to Siri. I don’t necessarily expect Apple to win the AI race in one day. I just don’t want Siri to seem like the least intelligent assistant in the room. If Apple can finally make Siri reliable, contextual, and genuinely useful across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, that alone could define this entire WWDC. Foundry Apple Intelligence features that are actually useful Over the past two years, Apple has introduced numerous Apple Intelligence features, including Writing Tools, Genmoji, Summarization, and Clean Up in the Photos app. Some of them are fine, but none of these features really change the way we interact with our devices. This year, I want Apple Intelligence to feel less like a feature and more like part of the platform. Rumors point to AI upgrades across Photos, Search, Camera, and system-wide interactions, including smarter editing tools, contextual suggestions, and deeper app controls. For instance, a report suggests that iOS 27 will allow users to scan nutrition labels on food packaging to add and track calories and nutrients in the Health app. Visual Intelligence will also reportedly gain the ability to scan phone numbers and addresses on business cards and posters. If true, these features will certainly be much more useful than being able to create your own emojis using AI. A Camera app that’s actually helpful If there’s one iPhone app I use the most, it’s the Camera. And to be honest, the current Camera app has become a mess. Important controls are hidden behind gestures, while pro-level features are limited. At the same time, casual users have a hard time finding basic features, like how to keep the flash on all the time. Like many other people, I rely on third-party apps such as Halide to get the most out of my iPhone’s camera. Thankfully, a recent report suggests that Apple will introduce a redesigned Camera app with iOS 27 that could solve all of my problems. According to rumors, the Camera app will be much more customizable, and users will be able to choose which controls they want to see right in front of them. I’d also love to see easier access to manual controls and a cleaner interface for switching between camera modes. The iPhone camera system is more powerful than ever, but the software still doesn’t fully match the hardware. This WWDC could finally change that. The iOS Camera app could soon be as good as third-party apps such as Halide.Foundry Liquid Glass improvements that are actually consistent Introduced last year, Liquid Glass is the interface across all Apple platforms that adds depth and reflections to icons, buttons, controls, and other elements. Visually, it’s one of Apple’s most beautiful interface designs in years. But in practice, the current implementation of Liquid Glass prioritizes style over usability. There are many examples of transparency issues, inconsistent animations, and readability issues that make Liquid Glass seem unfinished. This year, I really hope Apple has taken the time to polish the Liquid Glass interface. I don’t think Apple should get rid of it or start from scratch. I just want better contrast and more consistency across apps and platforms. Recent rumors suggest that we’ll see improvements in this area with iOS 27 and the other new operating systems set to be unveiled next week. An iPhone update that’s actually forward-looking I don’t really expect Apple to unveil a new iPhone at WWDC. But I do think there’s a chance Apple will start laying the groundwork for it. Rumors about the first foldable iPhone, likely to be called the iPhone Ultra, have been intensifying in recent months as Apple is expected to announce this new iPhone in September. And for such a significant new piece of hardware, Apple also needs to have its software ready for it. Reports suggest iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 could introduce multitasking improvements and split-screen features designed to support foldable devices. That’s the kind of subtle WWDC teaser I’d love to see. Apple’s first folding iPhone is coming. Will Apple drop some clues about it in iOS 27?Foundry Maybe Apple will introduce more advanced app continuity. Maybe iPhone apps become more flexible with windowing. Maybe Split View finally comes to larger iPhones. Or maybe Apple simply hints at a future category without naming it outright. Apple often uses WWDC to prepare developers for hardware that arrives later. And if the foldable iPhone really is coming out soon, this year’s WWDC seems like the perfect place to get things started. WWDC 2026 could be Apple’s most important software event in years In recent years, Apple has been falling behind in AI. WWDC 2026 looks like it will be the moment when the company finally catches up with the rest of the industry. There probably won’t be any new hardware at the event, but we’ll see things like a smarter Siri, improved Apple Intelligence, and more refined software. There’s still plenty to look forward to for this event, and I’m really excited to see what Apple has been working on.

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Your fingers deserve a break — Voibe dictation lifetime access is on sale for $50
Macworld TL;DR: Voibe helps Mac users dictate text up to 3x faster than typing with offline voice transcription that works across apps — and lifetime access is $49.99 right now. There’s a whole world of frustration that comes from having ideas faster than you can physically type them. You know what you want to say. Your brain is moving at full speed. Meanwhile, your keyboard is over there doing its best impression of a traffic jam. That’s the problem Voibe is trying to solve. Right now, lifetime access is $49.99 (reg. $199), and the app is built around one simple idea: speaking is dramatically faster than typing for most people. In many cases, up to three times faster. Voibe runs locally on Apple Silicon Macs using OpenAI’s Whisper model, which means dictation happens offline directly on your device instead of bouncing your voice recordings around the cloud. That’s a pretty big deal for anyone handling sensitive work documents, client notes, meeting recaps, or just people who don’t love the idea of every random thought living on external servers forever. The app also handles natural speech surprisingly well, including accents, technical terminology, and messy “thinking out loud” workflows that usually break older dictation software. And because it works across apps, it slips pretty naturally into daily workflows. Take some of your time back with lifetime access to Voibe for just $49.99 (reg. $199). Voibe Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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This 10,000mAh Qi2 iPhone battery is perfectly slim and half-off
Macworld Baseus Picogo MagSafe Power Bank View Deal (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); Baseus’s Picogo magnetic power bank is down to just $34.16 right now, a 50 percent discount off its $70 MSRP when you redeem the 10 percent coupon on the listing. Of course, we’ve actually most often seen this model for $40, but a deal’s a deal. The honest read is that you’re saving a few dollars off its typical street price. Still, at a few cents over $34, it’s a genuinely great price for a slim Qi2 magnetic battery. The best thing about this power bank is how thin it is. At about half an inch thick, it won’t be annoying to hold when it’s magnetized to your phone, even the iPhone Air. It snaps onto the back of your phone and stays out of the way, even when you shove this thing into your pocket. The Qi2 15W magnetic wireless charging is super convenient to have. Just snap it onto a compatible iPhone, and it starts charging, without needing any cables or having you fumbling around to plug it in. Since the magnets are strong enough to hold a steady connection, it even works with MagSafe-style cases, so you don’t have to take your case off to use it. The 10,000mAh capacity is enough to give you quite a bit of extra use time. You’ll get about an extra charge and a half for most iPhones, but that will vary depending on how much you’re actually using your device while charging. That’s ideal for a long day out when you’re going to be glued to your phone. If you want better speed, there’s a 27W USB-C port available, but you’ll need to use a cable. At $34.16, the Baseus Picogo MagSafe power bank is an easy recommendation for anyone who wants slim, grab-and-go magnetic charging for their iPhone.

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Apple TV debuts a new series remake of thriller Cape Fear, stream now
Apple TV debuts a new remake of thriller Cape Fear. This latest limited series adaptation is star-studded, with Amy Adams, Javier Bardem and Patrick Wilson headlining the cast. Inspired by the 1991 movie, in Cape Fear, the world of a married couple of attorneys is turned upside down when a killer they helped convict is released from prison … more…

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Mova LiDAX Ultra Lawn Mower review: Mostly hands-off lawn care
If you've got a medium to large-sized yard that needs mowing regularly, the Mova LiDAX Ultra robot lawn mower can make mowing an afterthought.Mova LiDAX Ultra Lawn Mower reviewOne of the most recurring tropes of futuristic homes in fiction is this idea of little robot guys that run around doing stuff for you. We've had robot vacuums, mops, and even litter boxes, but the outdoors felt like a domain that hadn't been tackled just yet.When robotic lawn mowers first started becoming more affordable options, they weren't too great. I'm happy to say, if you've got the cash, the Mova LiDAX Ultra Lawn Mower is an excellent option. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Epic Games asks U.S. Supreme Court to deny Apple’s petition in App Store case
Epic Games is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reject Apple’s latest attempt to challenge two rulings in its long-running legal fight over off-App-Store purchases. Here are the details. more…

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Apple's Supreme Court appeals should be thrown out, says Epic
The two points Apple has brought to the Supreme Court could undo the entire remainder of the case, so of course Epic Games has filed to suggest Apple is totally wrong here.Epic Games hopes the Supreme Court will throw out Apple's requests. Image source: EpicThe Apple versus Epic saga continues with yet another filing, this time from Epic. Even as the company prematurely celebrates its supposed victory, it has filed a strong attempt at convincing the Supreme Court to throw it all out.Basically, Apple says that the lower courts have flubbed two important aspects of the case. First, the anti-steering injunction exceeds the scope of the case and, second, violating the "spirit" of the law is not how the court of law should determine injunction violations. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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First AI agent for Messages Business Chat approved by Apple
The Poke app will give Siri even more competition, as it lets you send emails, set reminders, generate images, and more, right from the Apple Messages app.The Poke app lets you use AI to respond to messages, schedule dinners, and more, all via iMessage.WWDC 2026 is right around the corner, and it's been rumored that Apple is working on improving support for third-party AI utilities in iOS 27. We may just have gotten a better idea of what the future of iOS might entail, as the iPhone now supports AI agents in the Messages appFollowing its public launch in March 2026, the proactive AI assistant Poke has now become the first third-party AI agent officially available via iMessage. It's offered via the Apple Messages for Business platform, originally designed to let companies reach customers via iMessage chats. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Lamine Yamal teases second color of upcoming Beats headphones
Soccer sensation Lamine Yamal has published a second photo featuring a pair of unreleased Beats headphones. Here are the details. more…

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Room Keys in Apple Wallet are coming to more hotels through Salto
Smart access company Salto has announced that its hospitality platform now supports Room Keys in Apple Wallet. Here are the details. more…

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The best solid-state MagSafe batteries for your iPhone in 2026
After multiple high-profile recalls, battery packs are starting to switch to new, safer solid-state technology. We've rounded up the best solid-state MagSafe battery packs for your iPhone to help you pick one.We tested a bunch of solid-state MagSafe-compatible batteriesCurrently, most batteries on the market are traditional lithium-ion battery cells. It's a tried-and-true technology, utilized for years, that is commonplace and affordable.That doesn't mean the process is without its downsides, though. Battery cell manufacturing is exacting; everything from poor design and subpar manufacturing to microscopic impurities can introduce defects serious enough to cause problems. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 27 bill splitting, new hardware waiting on new Siri, final WWDC expectations
Benjamin and Chance talk about the late-breaking iOS 27 rumors, including a new bill splitting feature for the Wallet app, as well as give their final expectations for next week’s WWDC announcements. Apple fixes Mayo’s iPhone Air battery glitch, and new Apple TV and HomePod models are apparently in the final testing stage. Also, code references reignite ideas about new cheaper (or free) tiers of Apple Music.  And in Happy Hour Plus, on the eve of iOS 27, we give our 1 year retrospective on how iOS 26 has fared in the wild. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Keeper: Get 60% off personal and family plans at keepersecurity.com/HAPPYHOUR. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by Shopify: See less carts go abandoned and more sales. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. more…

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Heading to Apple Park for WWDC? There is new merch waiting for you at the Visitor Center store
The Apple Park Visitor Center store got a fresh batch of merch today ahead of next week’s WWDC, when Apple is expected to welcome more than 1,000 developers, students, journalists, and other guests to its campus. more…

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Apple finally set to launch all-new Siri in September, powered by Google cloud and Nvidia chips
After years of broken promises, false advertising, embarrassing delays, and a Siri that has lagged far behind competitors, Apple is finally… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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