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- Monday March 09
- 11:31 amWhat’s your favorite MacBook Neo color? [Poll]
Apple said that it wanted the new MacBook Neo to be seen as a fun new addition to the Mac lineup, and this was reflected in the colors as well as the name. The new machine comes in a choice of four colors, although admittedly these are less vivid in the aluminum than they appear in photos … more…11:05 amCosmic Orange is the new black, as competitors copy the color
The Cosmic Orange color Apple offered for the iPhone 17 Pro proved hugely popular, and was credited with helping the company hit record iPhone sales last year. It seems the company’s competitors were paying close attention, several of them adopting a very similar color tone for their latest Android smartphones – with the above one of the more blatant clones … more…11:05 amCosmic Orange is the new black, as competitors copy the color
The Cosmic Orange color Apple offered for the iPhone 17 Pro proved hugely popular, and was credited with helping the company hit record iPhone sales last year. It seems the company’s competitors were paying close attention, several of them adopting a very similar color tone for their latest Android smartphones – with the above one of the more blatant clones … more…11:05 amCosmic Orange is the new black, as competitors copy the color
The Cosmic Orange color Apple offered for the iPhone 17 Pro proved hugely popular, and was credited with helping the company hit record iPhone sales last year. It seems the company’s competitors were paying close attention, several of them adopting a very similar color tone for their latest Android smartphones – with the above one of the more blatant clones … more…10:30 amMacBook Neo makes me want an iPhone Neo
Macworld In the past I’ve wondered whether Apple is even able, let alone willing, to make and sell a genuinely cheap product. In the flurry of announcements last week, notably the launch of the MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e, I feel like I got my answer. It’s absolutely able, but more often than not, Apple simply isn’t willing. Let me begin by saying that I haven’t tried either product yet, and my opinion may change once I’ve got them into the testing labs. This isn’t a review. But on the most fundamental level, based on the top-level spec and design decisions alone, these two new products seem enormously, frustratingly contradictory. The one looks like a great value, with astute compromises made in sensible areas in order to achieve a low price tag. And the other refuses to dip properly into the budget realm, while stacking up a laundry list of limitations seemingly designed to nudge the customer into spending more on a better model. I wonder if you can tell which is which. Let’s begin, since the products were revealed in this order, with the iPhone 17e, Apple’s follow-up to last year’s unloved and lopsided iPhone 16e, which I spent a great deal of time with. The 16e replaced the popular iPhone SE as the cheapest entry in the company’s phone lineup, but was noticeably less cheap—a mid-market $599 compared to the SE’s budget $429. Despite this, the 16e was beset with small irritations, from the binned processor chip, screen notch, and single camera lens to the lack of MagSafe and, adding insult to injury, the choice of just two boring colors. The more naively optimistic of Apple’s fans may have thought the 17e would correct these issues, but it was never very likely. Things started somewhat promisingly, with the expected news that the 17e has a faster A19 processor and MagSafe, but the processor is still a binned version with fewer cores, while the 17e’s MagSafe is an older type that doesn’t get access to the latest charging speeds. It’s limited to 15W, whereas the iPhone 17 gets 25W, and even the iPhone 16 gets 22W. The largely antiquated camera setup hasn’t been meaningfully addressed, and although we get the pleasure of a third color option, it’s the feeblest and most washed-out pink I’ve seen since the iPhone 16. Whether or not you like that color in general, Soft Pink is unlikely to be your new favorite finish. I will concede that getting twice the storage as standard at no extra cost is a big improvement and much appreciated, but I simply can’t see that making up for the rest of the bad news. Or bad non-news, perhaps that should be. Now let’s turn to the MacBook Neo. This too is $599, but a $599 laptop is a very different proposition from a $599 smartphone. Right away, we can assign this to the budget segment. Chuck in the education discount and the Neo becomes a genuine budget option for students and schools, and a brilliant way to lead youngsters into the Apple ecosystem. Of course, the Neo, like the 17e, cuts corners in order to keep the price down. But on paper, they’re the right corners. They’re sensible choices driven by customer-centric thinking. And they don’t stop it from being a highly usable product with a premium feel and a solid, balanced spec list. Decisions made during the development of the iPhone 16e, and carried over into the 17e, were influenced by the need to make sure it supported Apple Intelligence. So we got a faster processor than we needed, and more RAM than we needed, and swinging cuts everywhere else. The Neo, by contrast, focuses on what the customer needs and can afford, and trims everything else. My colleague Felipe Esposito ranks those cuts according to their importance, and for many readers, the ones near the top of the list (Touch ID, RAM, Thunderbolt, Neural Accelerators) mean it won’t be the correct choice, as is perfectly understandable for any given entry in Apple’s range. But for the specific market it’s catering to, the Neo makes perfect sense. By contrast, I couldn’t work out who the iPhone 16e was for, and I don’t feel a lot more optimistic about the 17e. What would it look like if we applied that same philosophy to the iPhone? An “iPhone Neo” would likely prioritize the camera, the battery life, and the design, since those are the things most people care about, and make sacrifices in the processor and screen size. Slimness would be a very low consideration. And AI capabilities would be non-existent. It would be almost the opposite of the iPhone 17e. And it would be great. You may have heard the phrase “Apple tax” being bandied about in tech circles, but the term has never really been accurate. Samsung and Huawei make $1,000 phones, too. The difference is that, unlike those other companies, Apple doesn’t attempt to sell into every market, and has never had a lot of interest in the bargain basement. The company absolutely can make a budget product when it wants to, as we can see. It’s just that most of the time, it chooses not to. Foundry Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too. Trending: Top stories Michael Simon met MacBook Neo. And now realises that everything he knows is a lie. You don’t have to buy the most expensive Apple products, says the Macalope. Because Apple does cheap better than most companies do good. Even Apple knows the new iPad Air is a worthless upgrade. It’s time for an M5 deep dive with Jason Cross. In other words, what the hell is a super core? “We don’t know how to make a $500 computer that’s not a piece of junk,” Steve Jobs said in 2008. Apple finally figured out how to make a budget laptop, and it only took 18 years. The worst thing about the iPhone 17e? It’s not pink enough. Podcast of the week Are you experienced? Last week, Apple released the new iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Pro, new MacBooks, and more, and held its Apple Experience event. We cover it all on the latest episode of the Macworld Podcast. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. Reviews corner Journey Nexa and Nexa Lift: The best MacBook sleeve we’ve ever used. Moment Everything Backpack 28L: A laptop backpack built for photographers. CodeWeavers CrossOver for Mac: Run Windows apps on Mac without installing Windows. Video of the week @macworld.com MacBook Neo! $599! Here’s what you DON’T get. #apple #mac #macbookneo ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld MacBook Neo! $599! They did it. But here’s what you don’t get. Enjoy all our short-form video on TikTok and Instagram. Software updates, bugs, and problems Fake iPhone Privacy Display videos are fooling everyone on TikTok. One more thing: iOS 26.3.1, iPadOS 26.3.1, and macOS 26.3.1 are all here! And with that, we’re done for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters, including our new email from The Macalope–an irreverent, humorous take on the latest news and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, or X for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.10:13 amPossible iPhone Fold CAD designs leaked
A leaker with a good track record has posted CAD design images of the iPhone Fold, although with no further details and no indication of dimensions.Purported CAD drawing of the iPhone Fold — image credit: Sonny DicksonSupposed CAD drawings for the iPhone Fold were previously claimed to be leaked in December 2025. Now leaker Sonny Dickson has shown two more on X that match the previous claim.In each case, it's possible that the designs have been drawn based only on rumored specifications. But if true, these newly leaked images back up previous claims that the open iPhone Fold will resemble the iPad mini. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums08:00 amStop using mid productivity apps—Office for Mac is just $30
Macworld TL;DR: Skip the frustrating free productivity apps and grab Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac for $29.97 while this limited-time deal lasts. There’s a moment when most Mac users realize those free office apps just aren’t cutting it anymore. Maybe a spreadsheet breaks formatting, a document won’t export correctly, or a presentation suddenly looks completely different on someone else’s computer. That’s usually the moment people realize why Microsoft Office has remained the gold standard for productivity software. Right now, Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac is just $29.97 (MSRP $229)—a one-time purchase that gives your Mac the full productivity toolkit without a monthly subscription. This suite includes the essential apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams Classic. Whether you’re writing reports, managing spreadsheets, creating presentations, or keeping your inbox under control, everything lives in one familiar ecosystem. For students, freelancers, remote workers, or anyone juggling documents and spreadsheets on a daily basis, having the full Microsoft Office suite can make life a lot easier. And at this price, it might be one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your Mac setup. Get Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac for $29.97 (MSRP $229). Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for MacSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.04:11 amMacBook Ultra rumored as Apple’s most expensive laptop yet
Apple’s next big MacBook Pro refresh could bring an OLED touchscreen, but it may also come with a higher price tag and an "Ultra" moniker. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:22 amiPhone Fold design leaks in purported 3D CAD rendering files
Apple is expected to announce an all-new iPhone with a foldable display later this year. Ahead of the unveil, Sonny Dickson has shared what looks like 3D CAD rendering files of the rumored iPhone Fold design. more…12:13 amGet Disney Plus, Hulu bundle for $4.99/mo for 3 months with March streaming deal
Save 79% on three months of Disney Plus and Hulu with this limited-time streaming deal.Save 79% with this Disney Plus and Hulu streaming bundle deal - Image credit: Disney, HuluEnjoy a family movie night with titles like Zootopia 2, which streams on Disney Plus starting March 11, or binge-watch fan-favorite TV programs with this month's top streaming deal.New and eligible returning subscribers can save 79% on the ad-supported Disney Plus and Hulu bundle plan, bringing the price down to $4.99 per month for three months. The offer is valid for U.S. residents aged 18 and up, and it's valid now through March 24. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our ForumsSunday March 0810:07 pmReboot: Downgrades, gaming, and opera house doodles
In this week's "Reboot" column, Apple's MacBook Neo is an impressive downgrade, the gaming push continues, and scribling on the Sydney Opera House.This week's Reboot talks about the Sydney Opera House, Apple's gaming efforts, and a whole new "Experience"Reboot is a weekly column covering some of the lighter stories within the Apple reality distortion field from the past seven days. All to get the next week underway with a good first step.This week, Apple stepped in to fight Anthropoc's supply-chain risk designation in the United States, an apparent FBI or CIA hacking toolset has been spotted on the black market, and a retirement fund has sued Apple over a decade of apparent "monopolistic conduct." Luckily, there were some bright spots, too. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums09:46 pmParty of One: Tim Cook doubts Apple's 50-year-old DNA can be replicated
Apple is a "Party of One" in the world, according to CEO Tim Cook in a new interview weeks ahead of the company's 50th anniversary.Apple CEO Tim Cook - Image Credit: CBS Sunday Morning/YouTubeApple is fast approaching a big milestone, with it reaching its 50th anniversary on April 1. As part of the event's coverage, Apple CEO Tim Cook has sat down for an interview to discuss the company's existence and potential future.Speaking to David Pogue for CBS Sunday Morning, the extended 20-minute interview on YouTube covers topics from the history of Apple. Including how it migrated from the tenure of Steve Jobs, its meteoric growth, and where it can go in the future. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums08:33 pmTim Cook says Apple at 50 is ‘in a party of one’ that can’t be replicated
David Pogue, author of the new book Apple: The First 50 Years, interviewed Apple CEO Tim Cook for CBS’s “Sunday Morning” program ahead of the company’s upcoming 50th anniversary. more…08:33 pmTim Cook says Apple at 50 is ‘in a party of one’ that can’t be replicated
David Pogue, author of the new book Apple: The First 50 Years, interviewed Apple CEO Tim Cook for CBS’s “Sunday Morning” program ahead of the company’s upcoming 50th anniversary. more…08:33 pmTim Cook says Apple at 50 is ‘in a party of one’ that can’t be replicated
David Pogue, author of the new book Apple: The First 50 Years, interviewed Apple CEO Tim Cook for CBS’s “Sunday Morning” program ahead of the company’s upcoming 50th anniversary. more…07:38 pmExpect more 'Ultra' products from Apple, if not by name
Apple is shifting towards producing more "Ultra" products, with high-end devices on the way that may extend the use of the special suffix in new ways.Apple Watch Ultra 3, a product that actually uses the 'Ultra' termEveryone is already quite familiar with the way Apple uses specific names as shorthand for different product tiers. While Pro, Air, and Mini are already widely used across the ecosystem in various ways, Apple could do the same with Ultra.Writing in the Bloomberg "Power On" newsletter on Sunday, Mark Gurman muses that, while the world is fascinated with the new MacBook Neo and the entry-level market, there's the other end of the scale to consider. Apple is shifting to making more high-end hardware, Gurman claims. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums04:59 pmToday in Apple history: Apple outwits clone-makers with Mac OS 8
On March 8, 1997, Apple renamed the forthcoming Mac OS 7.7 to Mac OS 8. There was a good (if slightly underhanded) reason for it. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:36 pmMacBook Neo vs M1 MacBook Air: you decide – M4 lite or M1 plus
The new MacBook Neo is in the same performance ballpark as the M1 MacBook Air. Here's how the newest budget notebook compares against the original Apple Silicon MacBook Air.MacBook Neo [left], M1 MacBook Air [right]Apple's latest notebook model, the MacBook Neo, will remind people of a previous model in more ways than one.The MacBook Air with M1 shipped over five years ago, in late 2020, as one of the first Apple Silicon devices to hit the market. Half a decade later, the MacBook Neo turns up, with it seemingly providing a similar experience, albeit with an iPhone chip instead of an M-series version. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:29 pmHomeHub will recharge with MagSafe by sticking to your wall
The HomeHub will be able to stick to a wall using a MagSafe-like connection, a questionable leak says, with the Apple Home controller set to use Apple Intelligence to monitor your front door.Apple's Home Hub could have an iPad-like displayApple is rumored to be working on a smart home device that will be a central part of the Apple Home. Building on top of speculation that a fall releaseis on the cards, more details have surfaced about the device's functionality.According to prototype collector Kosutami via X, they have seen prototypes of the device, which they refer to as the HomePad. For one version of the hardware, it has an unusual feature in being able to be attached to a wall. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:00 pmApple’s not done: 3 more products coming this spring
Discover what to expect from Apple in spring 2026 as they prepare to launch a Mac desktop, a tablet and more. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)