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- Friday March 20
- 08:28 pmiOS 26.4 will automatically turn on strict security feature for all iPhones
iOS 26.4 is coming very soon as the next big iPhone update, and Apple plans to enable a key security feature by default in the release. more…07:57 pm9to5Mac Daily: March 20, 2026 – iPhone Fold rumors, Apple Watch patents
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by Backblaze: Backup you can rely on. Save 20% with code 9to5daily. more…07:47 pmMicrosoft’s 7-point plan to fix Windows 11 makes macOS Tahoe look golden
macOS Tahoe may have its critics, but even Microsoft is struggling to find things to like about Windows 11. The company has announced plans to turn things around this year. The solution? Fewer ads in the operating system and a moveable version of their equivalent of the Dock to start. more…07:02 pmApple fends off renewed Apple Watch import ban attempt
In a significant development for Apple and its popular Apple Watch wearable lineup, a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.06:54 pmApple explains why M5 chips have three different core types in new interview
When Apple announced the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips this month, it also revealed a new breakdown of core types: efficiency, performance, and super. In a new interview this week, Apple is shedding more light on the motivation for these changes and what each core is designed to handle. more…06:11 pmApple’s Gemini-powered Siri upgrade could still arrive this month
Apple has had a jam-packed March after just three weeks. The company announced eight new products, broke a Mac launch record, and highlighted 13 enhancements coming to iPhone. Next, one of the most overdue Apple releases in years could follow: Personal Intelligence for Siri and Apple Intelligence. more…05:47 pmApple’s folding iPhone: design, display, and release rumors
Macworld We’ve been reporting on the supposedly imminent launch of a foldable iPhone for years. There have been strong and reliable rumors of a foldable iPhone being just two years away, dating as far back as 2018, at least. Back then, reliable reports from the likes of CNBC said Apple was going to have a folding iPhone on the market in 2020. That became 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025… and now it’s expected to land in 2026 at the earliest. So, while the rumors and reports from parts suppliers and analysts are heating up and seem to be more solid than ever, we would advise even more caution and skepticism than usual with Apple speculation. With that said, here’s what current rumors suggest about the release of a folding iPhone. Update March 20, 2026: According to MacRumors, Barclays analyst Tim Long says his supply chain informants say the iPhone Fold is being targeted for a December launch, a couple months after iPhone 18 Pro models. Foldable iPhone name: What will it be called? Many fans and pundits have got into the habit of referring to the rumored device as the iFold, which has at least the advantage of brevity. But there doesn’t seem to be any reason to believe this will be the official title. A more plausible theory, proposed by a UDN report in November 2025, is that it will be called the iPhone Fold. @macworld.com i-P-h-o-l-d #iphonefold ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld Expected iPhone Fold release date According to a series of reports, the major design and specs of Apple’s first folding phone were due to be finalized in the middle of 2025, with production targeted for late 2026. That would mean a launch in late 2026 or early 2027. So far, this timeline has been suggested by several sources in 2024 and 2025, including The Information, The Wall Street Journal, and analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman. A November 2025 report citing supply-chain sources also supported this timeline, claiming the iPhone Fold was about to enter mass production and was on track for a launch in 2026. The phone is expected to be complex and expensive to manufacture, so production volume will likely be very limited at first. A second model in late 2027 should see higher production numbers. Gurman reported in July 2025 that Apple will focus on features for the folding iPhone in iOS 27, which will be released in the fall of 2026. In a report by ChosunBiz in South Korea, Samsung Display president Lee Cheong announced that it is making “preparations for mass production of OLED for foldable phones to be supplied to a North American client.” Later on in the article, the reporter states that “Samsung Display is known to be the exclusive supplier of OLED to be installed in Apple’s foldable phone to be released next year.” According to MacRumors, Barclays analyst Tim Long said in a research note that the folding iPhone will likely ship in December, a couple months after the expected September launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Foldable iPhone design In 2024, The Information reported that Apple had made a couple of prototype “clamshell” flip-phone designs, where the top and bottom of the phone fold to meet. More recent rumors in 2025 from Digital Chat Station on Weibo and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggest a “book” style fold, with a vertical fold as the left and right sides come together. This is a similar style to the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. The folding iPhone could be a similar size to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.Luke Baker The hinge is expected to be one of its most unique features. Some reports have suggested it will be made of a titanium alloy, while analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported in March 2025 that Apple is exploring the use of LiquidMetal for “durability, enhancing screen flatness, and minimizing crease marks” in the screen. Apple has received several patents for hinge designs, and it’s unclear which the company will use in the final design. On July 14, Kuo reported that Apple had figured out how to get rid of the fold crease by using metal plates to help “distribute and control bending stress.” A leak from Weibo account Instant Digital at the start of February says the volume buttons will be on the top edge, aligned right. On the back will be two cameras on a long thin “plateau” similar to the iPhone Air, only black rather than color-matched to the phone body. Folding iPhone display details Ming-Chi Kuo has also reported on the folding iPhone’s set of proposed design details. He says the book-style iPhone will have a 7.8-inch inside display when unfolded, and a 5.5-inch outer display. Kuo says Apple won’t be satisfied until the phone’s display is completely crease-free when opened. In July, TrendForce made the same prediction, reporting that the folding iPhone would feature a 7.8-inch internal and 5.5-inch external display. A later report from The Information put the screen sizes at 7.7 inches inside and 5.3 inches outside. The folding phone is said to be at most 9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5mm when unfolded. For comparison, an iPhone 16 Pro Max is 8.5mm thick, and the thinnest iPhone of all time is the iPhone Air at 5.6mm. Folding iPhone rumored specs: chip, cameras & features We don’t know what processor the folding iPhone will contain, but if it launches in 2026 as rumored, it will probably feature an A20 or A20 Pro—some variant of the processor found in the iPhone 18. We expect most iPhones to use Apple’s own cellular modem and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chips by that time as well. They may even be integrated into the main system-on-chip. The folding iPhone will reportedly have a Touch ID-enabled power button rather than Face ID.IDG Due to the very thin nature of the foldable iPhone, and the need for different front-facing cameras when folded up or unfolded, it will reportedly lack Face ID. Instead, Touch ID will be incorporated into the side button much as it is on the iPad Air’s power button. There will reportedly be two rear cameras (likely a standard wide and ultrawide) and two front-facing cameras, one for when the iPhone is closed and one for when it’s open. Folding iPhone: Price Expect the folding iPhone to be a very high-end, ultra-premium model. The very first release is said to cost $2,000 or more… maybe even as much as $2,399, more than twice the highest-end iPhone Pro Max. That’s the prediction from analyst Arthur Liao, who bases his eye-watering estimate on material costs (particularly the panel and hinge) and Apple’s high-margin business model.05:32 pmApple announces Martin Scorsese thriller ‘What Happens at Night’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence | Mac Daily NewsApple announces Martin Scorsese thriller ‘What Happens at Night’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence
Apple TV has officially announced "What Happens at Night," directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.05:21 pmApple TV’s new top three hits signal what the streamer does best
Apple TV’s most popular shows are never a secret—they’re featured prominently in the TV app’s ‘Top 10.’ And this week, the top three shows spotlight the three genres Apple does best. more…05:05 pmMactracker 8.1.2
Adds detailed information about recent hardware, including the MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e. (Free, 267.5 MB, macOS 11+)04:43 pmMac gaming is better than ever, and it still sucks
The state of Mac gaming does Apple's incredible chips and stunning displays a disservice. As it has always been, there's little to suggest Apple knows how, or even wants, to fix it.The M5 Max MacBook Pro should be the ultimate gaming laptop, but it isn'tThe new M5 Max MacBook Pro might be Apple's fastest-ever Mac. It's still a terrible buy for anyone serious about gaming.In truth, the 16-inch MacBook Pro should be a beast of a gaming laptop. It has a glorious, huge, bright, and colorful display and a massive battery. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums04:36 pmDuckDuckGo VPN review: Strong privacy, but missing key features
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Solid performance with minimal speed drop Good for geo-unblocking Cons Five device limit Relatively small server count Our Verdict DuckDuckGo VPN’s browser-based nature takes a little getting used to, and it lacks some of the power features of its rivals, but it’s ideal for privacy-Conscious users who are already in the company’s ecosystem. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$9.99 Best Prices Today: DuckDuckGo PrivacyPro Retailer Price DuckDuckGo (Monthly) $9.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Privacy is DuckDuckGo’s forte, and while the powerful browser that dodges trackers and digital snooping has become a go-to for many, you may not be aware of its VPN service. That’s partially because, despite DuckDuckGo offering a free browser alternative to Safari and Chrome, its VPN is a paid addition, and partially because its very existence is tied to the aforementioned browser – at least for now. If you’re already using the DuckDuckGo browser, the VPN might just be the easiest one to recommend for you, despite the fact that it’s missing some features of its rivals. On the other hand, as a standalone product, it’s a little less easy to recommend because of those missing features. Solid speeds and reliable geo-unblocking are one thing, but a lack of features like a kill switch is likely to be tough to swallow for experienced VPN users looking for alternatives. Should you use DuckDuckGo VPN? Who it’s best for: Privacy-focused users already using DuckDuckGo’s browser and people who want a simple, low-effort VPN. Who should avoid it: Power users who want full control, a large server network, and multiple device coverage Key trade-offs and limitations: Compared to other VPNs DuckDuckGO VPN lacks key tools like a kill switch, protocol choice, and deeper controls. It also lacks the large server network others offer. How to get DuckDuckGo VPN The DuckDuckGo VPN is available as part of a subscription to the DuckDuckGo Privacy Pro service that costs $9.99 a month/$99.99 a year and also includes personal information removal, and identity theft restoration. Download DuckDuckGo browser (Mac, iOS or other version). You can download it from the Mac App Store. Subscribe to DuckDuckGo Privacy Pro. Go to Settings > VPN in the DuckDuckGo browser. Features & Apps – What features does DuckDuckGo VPN actually offer? Right off the bat, DuckDuckGo VPN does things a little differently. The company’s excellent browser does a great job of blocking trackers, and it’s always been fun to check the ‘Protections Report’ about how many it’s stopped from pinching your data. It’s also now packing optional AI features, letting you engage with a chatbot with a little more privacy than a browser-based ChatGPT or Claude window. Foundry It’s into this ecosystem that the VPN service arrives, and you’ll need to use the browser to install it first and foremost. Once that’s done, you can access it from the menu bar as you would many rivals, but there’s no standalone interface, so you’ll need to rely on the browser or the menu bar – no big ‘button’ to click here. There are, as you might expect, versions for platforms like Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android, but bear in mind there’s a relatively restrictive five-device limit. While some VPNs are offering unlimited connections, at this price, we’d have liked a few more from DuckDuckGo. Still, if you’re a solo user with a handful of devices, you’ll likely get by just fine. Foundry Perhaps the biggest downside right now is a lack of power features. A Kill Switch, which stops traffic when a VPN goes down, isn’t in effect, for example. You’ll get a notification, but there’s no option to automatically disconnect. Split Tunnelling is available, though, letting you route traffic from specific apps and sites through the VPN or outside of it, and you can set the VPN to connect automatically when you log in, but that’s about it for features. Don’t expect much else, though. There are no speed testing options, no alternative VPN protocols (it’s WireGuard or nothing), and no dedicated password manager or other accoutrements. Still, because DuckDuckGo VPN is part of the wider subscription service, you also get those AI models I mentioned earlier, regular data sweeps for your personal data, and even identity restoration if you’ve suffered at the hands of a bad actor. It’s the kind of service you hope you never need, but it’s there if you do. Performance: How fast is DuckDuckGo VPN in real use? DuckDuckGo’s server count is relatively low, with under 50 countries included. Some, like the UK, only have one location where rivals would have a few to choose from, making this a markedly smaller pool of servers to choose from compared to options like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. On the positive side, though, its speeds are pretty great. While there’s no built-in speed test, we found download speeds dropped by just 12% or so in general usage when using WireGuard. There’s no other protocol to test, sadly, but upload speeds do take more of a hit at around a 70% speed loss. For browsing, that’s doable, but you may struggle with video calls or gaming while using the VPN. While DuckDuckGo offers a great privacy-first VPN, it’s also a dab hand at geo-unblocking, small server list notwithstanding. I was able to easily gain access to alternative versions of Netflix, for example, with no real downsides to performance. Privacy & Security: Is DuckDuckGo VPN actually private and secure? As you might expect from DuckDuckGo, a company founded on the principles of privacy on the internet, there’s a lot to like about its approach to a VPN. For one, it keeps its VPN servers separate from its browser and AI servers, while using Smarter Encryption to keep data encrypted while in use. While the company is headquartered in the United States, it maintains a no-logs policy. Still, the US being part of the Five Eyes surveillance group is something to consider if you’re looking for additional privacy, while the last audit was completed in late 2024. Pricing and plans: Is DuckDuckGo VPN worth the price? At $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, DuckDuckGo’s VPN isn’t one of the cheapest around, but that doesn’t quite tell the whole story. Its private browser is free, and you’re not just paying for the VPN on its own – you’re also getting access to AI models, data removal tools, and identity restoration. Should you use DuckDuckGo VPN? Already locked in to DuckDuckGo’s excellent browser? The VPN might just be a no-brainer, offering a great experience that’s easy to use, at the cost of more granularity. Still, at this price, there are other options with more servers and features.04:28 pmHow to block ads (and other distracting things) on iPhone for free
Safari's Hide Distracting Items feature, added in iOS 18, lets you remove ads from your iPhone, along with other annoying web page elements (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:25 pmiOS 27: New features, release date, and more
We’re less than three months away from the debut of iOS 27 at WWDC, and rumors are waiting a clear picture of what to expect. The update will reportedly bring a focus on stability improvements and bug fixes, with some big new Apple Intelligence features sprinkled in. Here’s everything we know so far about new iOS 27 features, the update’s release date, and more. more…04:01 pmTim Cook to exit as Apple CEO this year? Here’s what prediction market is saying
Apple CEO Tim Cook on Tuesday sidestepped questions about his retirement and reaffirmed that he will continue to lead the company… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.03:42 pmThe Mac just posted its ‘best launch week ever’ with non-Mac users
Macworld It’s been a couple of weeks since Apple dropped the bombshell that is the $599 MacBook Neo, and there is still a lot of buzz about it, based on the feedback we’ve seen here at Macworld. On Friday, we got a sense from Apple on what the response has been. On X, Apple CEO Tim Cook posted a quick message, stating, “Mac just had its best launch week ever for first-time Mac customers. We love seeing the enthusiasm!” X/Tim Cook Cook didn’t specifically say the “enthusiasm” was because of the MacBook Neo, but it’s easy to infer that it is. Cook has never posted such a message after a Mac release, although Apple often makes some sort of vague statement during its quarterly results announcements that it is encouraged by the number of first-time buyers. Apple also released a new M5 MacBook Air and the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro, so it’s possible Cook’s message includes those Macs as well. Possible, but not probable. MacBook Neo remains difficult to get on Apple’s online store, with some colors showing a mid-April ship date. Apple stopped revealing actual units sold (as specific numbers or even in a general sense) years ago, so we may never know how many MacBook Neos are being sold. Regardless, there seems to be genuine momentum with the laptop, thanks to Windows fatigue and a U.S. economic sentiment where people want more value for their dollar. Maybe we’ll start to see proclamations of units sold, like when we heard about the X millionth song sold on iTunes–such announcements can create a bandwagon effect to let people know that the Neo is gaining wide acceptance. In any case, there’s new “enthusiasm” for the Mac, and we as users will hopefully benefit. We still have updates to the Mac mini and Mac Studio coming soon, and then there’s the touchscreen MacBook Pro later this year. It’s only going to get better, folks. @macworld.com Neo cures crapware #macbookneo ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld Apple MacBook Neo Price When Reviewed: $599 Best Prices Today: $595 at Amazon$597 at Walmart$599 at Apple Read our full Apple MacBook Neo review Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M5, 2026) Price When Reviewed: From $1,099 Best Prices Today: $1,049 at Amazon$1049 at B&H$1049 at Walmart Read our full Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M5, 2026) review Apple 15-inch MacBook Air (M5, 2026) Price When Reviewed: $1299 Best Prices Today: $1299 at Apple Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Pro, 2026) Price When Reviewed: $2,199 Best Prices Today: $2071 at Walmart$2,149 at Amazon$2149 at B&H Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Max, 2026) Price When Reviewed: $3,899 Best Prices Today: $3642 at Walmart$3,849 at Amazon$3849 at B&H Read our full Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Max, 2026) review03:42 pmDeals: Most affordable M5 MacBook Pro $200 off, 15-inch M4 MacBook Air $949, iPhone 16 Pro Max $657 off, more | 9 to 5 MacDeals: Most affordable M5 MacBook Pro $200 off, 15-inch M4 MacBook Air $949, iPhone 16 Pro Max $657 off, more
low, Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by the most affordable M5 MacBook Pro you can buy down at $1,400 ($299 under least pricey M5 model Apple sells these days) and this 16GB 15-inch M4 MacBook Air at $350 less than most affordable M5 Air Apple sells. We also still have AirPods Pro 3 down at holiday pricing joined by 1TB iPhone 16 Pro Max renewed premium units at up to $657 off, iPad mini at up to $160 off, and more. Scope it out below. more…03:36 pmMacBook Neo draws record number of new buyers to macOS
CEO Tim Cook says Apple just had its "best launch week ever for first-time Mac customers." The entry-level notebook is a hit! (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:36 pmChatGPT wants a do-it-all super app, but Apple will probably stand in the way
OpenAI is working on a project to consolidate ChatGPT, coding tools, and a browser into one app. Apple's iOS platform restrictions will prevent it from becoming a true all-in-one platform on the iPhone.OpenAI wants its desktop app to have more functionsOpenAI wants to merge ChatGPT, Codex, and a browser into one desktop app centered on agentic AI. Naturally, the focus is on desktop platforms and the ChatGPT app on iPhone will stay the same as a result.An app like that behaves very differently depending on where it runs. On iPhone and iPad, Apple tightly controls how software accesses the system and interacts with other apps. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:30 pmiOS 26.4 adds brand new widgets for your iPhone’s Home Screen
iOS 26.4 comes packed with many new features, including brand new Ambient Music widgets that can be added to the iPhone’s Home Screen. Here are the details. more…