Google’s new Mac app keeps your AI chats off the internet
Google is bringing its AI Edge Gallery app to macOS, letting Apple Silicon Macs run Gemma models entirely offline. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Macworld Podcast: WWDC26 preview with iOS 27, AI, Apple intelligence, and what to expect
Macworld WWDC26 is next week, so we discuss what we expect to see with iOS 27, the next version of the iPhone operating system.  This is episode 986 with Michael Simon, Jason Cross, and Roman Loyola. Watch episode 986 on YouTube Listen to episode 986 on Apple Podcasts Tune in to episode 986 on Spotify Get info Click on the links below for more info on what was discussed on the show.  WWDC 2026 guide iOS 27: Everything we know about the fall 2026 iPhone update  iPad operating system renamed iPadOS Apple announces switch to Intel chips Apple announces Apple silicon for Macs Next-gen CarPlay Apple Vision Pro announced M2 Ultra Mac Pro released The 10 most significant WWDC software announcements of all time Comment Corner In reponse to the sneak peek at Siri:  Yikes  TragicPixelRay via TikTok  Can it interact with apps? Would love to be able to ask the cheapest price from multiple ride share apps and then select that.  Cansagarri6749 via YouTube I could see macOS Emerald Bay or macOS Emerald, but I could also see macOS Tiburon, and they’d save macOS Pacific for a big redesign of macOS. Misterduckmyles via YouTube Wot? No EMERALD BAY? BELVEDERE? HUNTERS POINT? TREASURE ISLAND? Land’s END? Robert H. via email We also have an Apple WWDC event live blog where we will be sharing expert commentary and our immediate reactions and what the news means to you. Subscribe to the Macworld Podcast You can subscribe to the Macworld Podcast—or leave us a review!—right here in the Podcasts app. The Macworld Podcast is also available on Spotify and on the Macworld Podcast YouTube channel.  Or you can point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader at: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/macworld To find previous episodes, visit Macworld’s podcast page or our home on MegaPhone. Apple

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You’re probably using Claude wrong – this $19.99 e-degree can fix that
Macworld TL;DR: Take Eduonix’s online training course to get an E-degree in Claude AI Professional, on sale right now for just $19.99 (reg. $49). If you’ve been watching AI reshape the job market and thinking “I should probably get ahead of this,” well, here’s your moment. An E-degree in Claude is currently on sale for $19.99 (reg. $49), and it’s one of the best AI credentials you can add to your resume right now. What you learn This isn’t a surface-level “here’s what AI is” course. The training dives into real, hands-on applications for Claude, Anthropic’s AI assistant, which is quickly becoming a go-to tool in professional settings. You’ll go over foundational AI literacy, advanced prompt engineering, and how to structure a workflow that actually saves you time while you’re working. No matter what field you’re in, whether it’s tech, marketing, finance, or operations, AI fluency is becoming essential. This program is designed for working professionals who want a real credential to put on their resume, not just a certificate of completion. This degree signals genuine expertise. The online degree format means you get to go at your own pace, no live sessions to schedule around, no commute, and it all runs right in the browser on your Mac. Knock the classes out over a few weekends or chip away at it between meetings. The credential is verifiable and ready to drop straight into LinkedIn or a job application once you’re done. Get a Claude AI Professional E-Degree for $19.99 (reg. $49). Claude AI Professional E-DegreeSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Spend $29.97 today and pay $0 for Office on your Mac tomorrow (and forever)
Macworld TL;DR: This $29.97 Microsoft Office for Mac deal gets you Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more — no subscription attached. For many people, the best software is the kind you buy once and keep using. Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 offers the classic Office experience right on your Mac, letting you create documents, presentations, and spreadsheets without worrying about recurring charges. A lifetime license is currently available for $29.97. This lifetime license comes with: Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook OneNote Teams Classic If you’re used to Microsoft 365, these apps may look a little different, but they still work great whether you need daily productivity tools for work or apps to help you get through the semester. And you don’t have to worry about sudden price hikes or ongoing costs from a subscription. For a limited time, pay just $29.97 to get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business 2019 for Mac. Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for MacSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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iOS versions: Explore every iOS version from day one to today
Macworld iOS is at the heart of the iPhone experience. It’s the operating system on which everything else sits, while also delivering plenty of features and dedicated apps built by Apple itself. Every year (usually in September) Apple adds new features to compatible iPhones with an update to iOS, and in the months that follow more features arrive. If you want to know what the latest version of iOS is, or if you’ve ever wondered about when versions came out and what features they brought, we will answer your questions. We also show you how to check which iOS you’re currently using and how to update to the latest iteration. The latest version of iOS is iOS 26, which brings a brand new look and lots of new features. iOS 26 arrived in September 2025 and subsequent updates to iOS 26 have added new features. As of May 2026 we are at version iOS 26.5 (with an additional iOS 26.5.1 update for the iPhone 17 series). That will soon change with the arrival of iOS 27 in the fall of 2026. Apple will reveal the new features coming in iOS 27 at WWDC on June 8. You can follow all the news as it happens in our live blog here: Apple WWDC event live blog. iOS version history: Every iOS and the features it brought There are significant milestones scattered across the iOS timeline: Steve Jobs holding the first iPhone at the launch in 2007.Apple iPhone OS (2007): iOS made its debut in 2007 with the first iPhone. However, when Steve Jobs held the little device aloft revealing it to the world for the first time, it wasn’t running iOS 1. Instead, it was reported by Apple to be powered by OS X, the software for the Mac. Over time it was called iPhone OS, until finally gaining its now legendary name in the fourth generation of the software when it was shortened to iOS in 2010. iPhone OS 2 (2008): The second major release of the iPhone software was groundbreaking because it brought third party apps and introduced the App Store. iPhone OS 3 (2009): This update was designed to make it easier to find things, while at the same time adding the ability to have up to 11 pages to the Home Screen. Messages could support MMS, Video recording became possible and it was possible to save voice notes with the Voice Memos app. iOS 4 (2010): Apple changed the name to iOS and added the ability to put apps in folders for a better organised Home screen with iOS 4. The FaceTime, iBooks and Game Centre apps also arrived. The iPad also joined the scene, sharing the same operating system as the iPhone. iOS 5 (2011): iOS 5 was introduced along with the iPhone 4S in 2011, which saw the debut of Siri as a built-in part of the operating system. The Notification Centre was introduced and iCloud arrived bringing syncronisation between devices. This was the first time iOS could be installed directly on the iPhone without requiring a computer. iOS 6 (2012): This is where Apple Maps came onto the scene. Podcasts and Passbook (now Wallet) apps also arrived. iCloud Photo Stream made it easier to share photos with family and friends. iOS 6 was the last with a skeuomorphic design. iOS 7 (2013): With iOS 7 iPhone users got a redesigned user interface, which looked a lot more modern with flatter icons. iOS 7 introduced AirDrop and CarPlay. iOS 7 had a brand new look (at the time).Apple iOS 8 (2014): One of the features of iOS 8 was Continuity, which linked the iPhone, iPad and Mac together, so you could “handoff” tasks from one device to another. Family Sharing also arrived making it easier to manage a child’s iPhone. iOS 9 (2015): iOS 9 improved the Notes app, added Apple News, and featured a new Night Shift mode that removed some of the blue light that can disturb circadian rhythms and stop someone sleeping. iOS 10 (2016): There were updates to Messages and changes to the Photos app in iOS 10. A new Home app brought HomeKit control. Maps got a redesign. Universal Clipboard meant that users could copy something on a Mac and paste it on an iPhone, for example. iOS 11 (2017): Things changed significantly in iOS 11 in 2017 as it brought the first touch and gesture interface, allowing the first iPhone without a Home button – the iPhone X. There was a new Files app making it easier to access content synced or saved in iCloud and the Control Centre got a redesign. iOS 12 (2018): Screen Time, Memoji, Group FaceTime and Siri Shortcuts were new in iOS 12. iOS 13 (2019): Another major shift came with iOS 13 in 2019, as Apple’s mobile operating system for the iPad split with the iPhone, with iPadOS powering new iPads. Updates to iOS included Dark Mode, new privacy features and the ability to Sign in with Apple and hide your email address. The Photos and Apple Maps apps got a redesign and a swipe-to-type keyboard was added. iOS 14 (2020): One of the most notable additions was Back Tap, a feature that effectively turned the back of the iPhone into an extra button. Starting with iOS 14.2, music recognition was built directly into the operating system via a Shazam button. iOS 15 on iPhone 12.Foundry iOS 15 (2021): Focus Mode arrived in iOS 15 to help users manage the onslaught of notifications, Live Text and Visual Look up made it possible to interact with text within photos (Live Text) and use the camera to identify objects like plants and animals. The Safari browser received a major interface update as did Maps and the Weather app. iOS 16 (2022): One of the most visible changes in iOS 16 was the complete overhaul of the Lock screen, which allowed users to add widgets for the first time to view data at a glance without unlocking their devices. Apple added Rapid Security Responses so that it could deliver important security patches outside of an iOS update. iOS 17 (2023): NameDrop in iOS 17 made it possible to share information by bringing two iPhones together. Stolen Device Protection added a layer of security by requiring biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID) before an Apple ID password could be changed. Live Voicemail meant that iPhone users could get a live transaction of a message. iOS 18 (2024): The iOS 18 update laid the groundwork for Apple’s subsequent AI initiatives. There was also a complete redesign of the Photos app, a dedicated Passwords app, Control Center Customization and Live Activities (so you could see when your dinner delivery is arriving). iOS 26 (2025): Rather than progress to iOS 19, Apple has aligned the numbering of all its operating systems according to the year with iOS 26. It wasn’t just a name change though, there was a significant visual and functional overhaul with a Liquid Glass design language. Big changes also came to the Phone app with Call Screening and Hold Assist. Live Transaltions make it easy to communicate with foreign friends and colleagues. The Camera app had a simplifying redesign and a Games app replaced Game Centre. Here’s how how iOS 26 and iOS 18 compare. iOS 27 (2026): Apple will be revealing the new features in iOS 27 at WWDC, before it’s launch later in 2026. While Apple has not yet confirmed the update’s specifics, extensive leaks and reports suggest it will be a major release focused on a massive overhaul of Siri. Foundry

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How to manage your privacy on iPhone and iPad
Social media sites and advertisers aren't actually using your iPhone microphone to spy on you, but what's happening is complex. Here's how to limit the amount of access Big Tech has to your data, by performing a quick privacy audit.The iPhone can protect your privacy, and limit what it sends to advertisers. Here's how - Image credit: AppleIt happens to all of us. You'll be talking about something, and then later you'll see an advertisement pop up on Facebook or Instagram. It couldn't be a coincidence, right?It might feel like you're being actively spied on, but you aren't. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Google AI Edge Gallery launches to macOS, letting Mac users run Gemini models locally
In addition to Google AI Edge Gallery, which lets users run Gemma models locally on their Macs, the company also released the Gemma 4 12B model and the Google AI Edge Eloquent dictation app for the Mac. Here are the details. more…

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Report details Apple’s plan to use Nvidia chips for the Gemini-powered Siri
A new report from The Information shares fresh details on how the new Gemini-powered Siri will work under the hood. Here are the details. more…

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Latest Apple privacy on iPhone ad takes direct shots at Chrome
Apple's latest privacy ad is filled with chrome-wearing spies that disappear as soon as the person opens Safari. It's yet another ad that doesn't shy away from calling out surveillance capitalism.Apple's new campaign targeting Chrome's stance on privacyThe "Privacy, That's iPhone" campaign has been ongoing for years. In 2024, Apple shared an ad with some unsettling mechanical birds with cameras for heads that would follow you around.The latest ad takes on the familiar tagline in a short film dubbed "Privacy on iPhone: Safari helps block data trackers." In it, Apple has taken a comical approach in showing online trackers as literal chrome-wearing characters that intrusively follow you around as you browse online. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple kicks off new ‘Privacy on iPhone’ campaign promoting Safari [Video]
Apple is kicking off a new advertising campaign today, highlighting its Safari browser. In particular, the campaign focuses on Safari’s privacy-focused features and how it “keeps data trackers off your back.” more…

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A new Apple Pencil could give the Vision Pro a sense of touch
Apple patents an Apple Pencil for the Vision Pro that could simulate the texture of virtual surfaces with haptic feedback. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Microsoft will break Office apps on older iPhones, iPads and Macs next month
Starting July 13, some older iPhones, iPads and Macs will lose the ability to edit, save and create files. Here’s what you can do. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple TV's 'Prehistoric Planet' brought extinct animals to life with custom instruments
The music produced for Apple TV's "Prehistoric Planet" was created in part with custom instruments made from actual fossils and replicas of skulls.The score of the Apple TV show "Prehistoric Planet" used custom-made instruments. Image Credit: Apple.Apple's streaming service is home to a variety of original content, including the natural history series "Prehistoric Planet," which focuses on ancient wildlife. The show premiered back in 2022, while its latest season, dubbed "Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age," debuted in November 2025.Through traditional filmmaking techniques coupled with digital technology, the show brings the inhabitants of ancient Earth to screens across the world. Its soundtrack is another key component, as purpose-made instruments are used to emulate the sounds of dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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I’m calling it: Widow’s Bay is the best Apple TV show in years
Granted, there’s probably at least one person who says that any given Apple TV show is the best. But if you’re not watching Widow’s Bay, you are really, really missing out. more…

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Score a lifetime license to PDF Expert for Mac at 50% off
PDF Expert will streamline your PDF editing and management. Get a lifetime subscription to this PDF editor for Mac for less than $70. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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WhatsApp’s revamped chat lists interface rolling out on iOS
WhatsApp is rolling out a new interface that makes it easier for iPhone users to manage and quickly switch between their different chat lists. Here are the details. more…

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Age verification now mandatory for App Store users in Texas
Despite Apple's objections, new App Store users in Texas will soon be subject to age verification, as a new state law is set to take effect on June 4.App Store users in Texas will be required to verify their age under a new law.In May 2025, the Texas App Store Accountability Act made it mandatory for companies like Apple and Google to verify the ages of their Texas-based users. As the law is set to be enforced starting Thursday, Apple has outlined an update to its App Store rules.On the Apple Developer website, the company explained that new Apple Accounts in Texas will be subject to "age assurance and parent or guardian consent on behalf of minors under the age of 18 for downloads, Apple In-App Purchases, and significant changes associated with an app." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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New iPads will launch later this year, here’s what rumors say is coming
We’re heading into a summer of software unveilings, but Apple has 15+ new hardware products rumored to launch later in the year—including multiple iPads. Here’s the latest on new iPads to expect. more…

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Apple permanently closing three US stores, here’s when [Updated]
Update, June 3, 2026: After initially saying the stores would close sometime in June, Apple has now confirmed an exact date. The stores are officially set to close at these times: Apple Trumbull is closing its doors on June 20 at 9 p.m. Apple North County is closing its doors on June 20 at 9 p.m. Apple Towson Town Center is closing its doors on June 20 at 8 p.m. Original post, published April 9, is below. Apple has announced that it is closing three retail stores in the United States, including locations in Connecticut, Maryland, and California. more…

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MacBook Neo is So Popular That Apple Reportedly Doubled Production
According to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has reportedly doubled 2026 MacBook Neo production from 5 million to 10 million units after stronger-than-expected demand for its $599 budget laptop. MacRumors reports: On an earnings call in late April, Apple's CEO Tim Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo was "off the charts," and the popularity of the laptop has reportedly led the company to significantly boost production. [...] Apple was very optimistic about the MacBook Neo before announcing it, but the company still "undercalled" the level of enthusiasm that the laptop would generate, according to Cook. He said that MacBook Neo demand exceeded Apple's expectations and helped to drive a record number of first-time Mac buyers last quarter. New figures from market research firm IDC support Apple's claim that the MacBook Neo is selling well, and the Windows PC industry has taken notice. For example, Dell recently introduced a redesigned XPS 13 laptop from $699 and said it has features "you won't find on a MacBook Neo," such as a touch screen and a backlit keyboard. "Apple's MacBook Neo is a capable machine, and its arrival confirms that there's real appetite for premium quality at accessible prices," admitted Dell. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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