Today in Apple history: Mac’s first 100 days prove a roaring success
On May 3, 1984, Apple marked the all-important first 100 days after the Mac launch. Early signs indicated the Macintosh would become a hit. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Travel for less: This AI app sets you up with cheap flights, hotels and rental cars for life
Travel in style for less with this AI travel app. Get a lifetime subscription to OneAir Elite and save on airfare, hotels and rental cars. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple Watch Ultra's Modular face is being simplified for watchOS 27
The Apple Watch updates in watchOS 27 includes new watch faces, with Apple testing a new simpler version of the Modular Ultra for the standard model.Apple Watch Ultra 2 with Modular Ultra watch faceIn the run-up to WWDC in June, the rumor mill will surface leaks and speculation about Apple's software changes. One of the more frequent updates to expect is for the Apple Watch, in the form of new faces.According to Mark Gurman in Sunday's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg, Apple's update to watchOS 27 will include some watch face changes as usual. Apple is said to be testing multiple new faces for inclusion, but Gurman only discusses one stand-out version. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Why Apple cannot unlock your deceased relative’s iPhone
Learn why Apple absolutely cannot unlock an iPhone after its user dies, and how you can prevent access problems for your loved ones. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Why you need a digital spring cleaning (and how Incogni makes it effortless)
As winter finally thaws and the weather warms up, we’re all tackling our annual spring cleaning routines. We declutter our closets and deep-clean our homes, yet we often overlook our digital lives. Personal information like your home address, phone number, date of birth, and financial history are all scattered across the internet. It’s actively being collected and sold by invisible data brokers. Spring is the time to take out the digital trash and reclaim your privacy with Incogni, and 9to5Mac readers can save 55% right now. more…

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Crime blotter: How the mastermind of U.K. iPhone thefts was caught
The iCloud account of an accused murderer contained sex abuse images, a deputy is arrested for AirTag stalking, and a man gets 17 months for iPad thefts, all in this week's Apple Crime Blotter.Apple Store Town Center This is the latest in an occasional AppleInsider series, looking at the world of Apple-related crime. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Voibe turns your Mac into a private, offline dictation machine for $50
Macworld TL;DR: Voibe lets you dictate text on your Mac faster than typing, for a one-time $49.99 fee. Typing is something we’ve seemingly always done. However, when you’re trying to keep up with your own thoughts, it can start to feel like a bottleneck. Voibe intends to change it all. Instead of typing everything out, you just hold a key, speak naturally, and your words appear on screen almost instantly. Right now, you can get lifetime access for $49.99 (regularly $199), which makes it an easy upgrade for anyone who writes a lot on a Mac. The standout feature is how it handles privacy. Unlike most dictation tools, Voibe runs entirely on your device. Your voice never gets sent to the cloud, which means faster results and no concerns about where your data is going. It also works across basically everything. Emails, documents, notes, messaging apps—if there’s a cursor, Voibe works. That makes it less of a “tool you open” and more something that improves your entire workflow. And because it’s optimized for Apple Silicon, it feels fast. No lag, no waiting, no breaking your train of thought. Whether you’re drafting emails, writing content, or just trying to get ideas out quickly, this is one of those upgrades that feels small—but saves time every single day. Get lifetime Voibe access for a one-time $49.99 (regularly $199). Voibe Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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This is the last day to get the full Office suite on Mac for $45
Macworld TL;DR: Pay $44.97 once (MSRP $219), own Microsoft Office on your Mac forever. If you’ve been piecing together free apps or juggling subscriptions just to get your work done, this is your sign to simplify things. Right now, you can grab Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 for just $44.97 (reg. $219)—and it’s a one-time purchase. No recurring fees, no surprise renewals, no “trial expired” notifications popping up mid-project. This version gives you the core apps most people actually rely on: Word for documents, Excel for spreadsheets, PowerPoint for presentations, and Outlook for email and scheduling. You also get Teams (basic) and OneNote for collaboration and organization, rounding out a setup that works just as well for home offices as it does for small business use. The experience is familiar, polished, and built for macOS, so everything runs smoothly without needing workarounds or compromises. Whether you’re managing projects, handling client work, or just staying organized, it’s the kind of toolkit that quietly keeps everything moving. And since the license is tied to your Microsoft account, you don’t have to worry about losing access—it’s yours to keep. Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 for just $44.97 (reg. $219) through May 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime LicenseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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May MacBook Pro deals deliver prices as low as $1,949 on M5 Pro & M5 Max models
Apple retailers have issued steeper discounts on the MacBook Pro for May, resulting in record-low prices on several M5 Pro and M5 Max 14-inch and 16-inch configurations.Grab steeper discounts on Apple's new MacBook Pro for May.Prices have dipped to as low as $1,949 for the 2026 MacBook Pro, with a variety of 14-inch and 16-inch configurations now up to $250 off. You can check out top deals below, with a full rundown of markdowns in our 14-inch MacBook Pro 2026 Price Guide and 16-inch MacBook Pro Price Guide.14-inch MacBook Pro M5 Pro and M5 Max deals Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple published a new Press Release
Apple just published a new Press Release:Apple reports second quarter results

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DJI Osmo 360 review: A better action camera choice
The DJI Osmo 360 is an excellent example of how to do a 360-degree camera system right. Its massive optional selfie stick is overkill for most people.DJI Osmo 360 and accessoriesApple has, in recent years, made its iPhones more useful for videography. However, while it has features like Action Mode to make it useful for filming fast activities, it's still not exactly the best choice for some more hazardous situations.In cases where someone wants to ski down a mountain, the action camera is still king. In cases where you want more control over how a shot is framed instead of a fixed-on-body position that looks bad, you need a 360-degree camera. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Indie App Spotlight: ‘This Day’ turns photo cleanup into a simple daily habit
Welcome to Indie App Spotlight. This is a weekly 9to5Mac series where we showcase the latest apps in the indie app world. If you’re a developer and would like your app featured, get in contact. Everyone probably has a massive photo library going back for years, maybe even over a decade. Over time, that consumes more and more storage – and this becomes a problem, especially if you’re paying for iCloud storage. On the other hand, decluttering isn’t easy. This Day turns photo decluttering into a habit, by designing an interface that allows you to address it one day at a time. more…

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Limited-time Apple Card promo offers $100 Bonus Daily Cash when you add a co-owner
Apple Card has been throwing around loads of limited-time sign up offers lately, but those only help new customers – not existing ones. This new offer, however, benefits existing Apple Card users. Through May 18th, Apple Card users can add a co-owner to their account and get $100 in Daily Cash after the new co-owner spends $100 in their first 30 days. more…

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xAI is bringing Grok Voice mode to Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay recently gained support for AI chatbots, and the third app to add support is coming soon: Grok. more…

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13-inch M5 MacBook Air 512GB is $149 Off
The M5 MacBook Air has been refreshed, given the M5 chip bringing you strong AI capabilities and performance in a device that you can bring anywhere, the device features unified memory and a faster CPU. The laptop features Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system that helps keep things organized and get things done effortlessly, you […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Two New Ultra Products to be Released by Apple
Two products will be given the Ultra branding by Apple this year. The upcoming foldable iPhone will receive the iPhone Ultra branding and will be the most expensive device in the iPhone line. The device will not be part of the upcoming line of the iPhone 18 Pro, but will only be released alongside it. […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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IAM Union Accuses Apple of Unfair Labor Practice
Apple employees in Towson are being represented by the IAM Union and stated that they will be filing a charge for Unfair Labor Practice against the company with the National Labor Relations Board. Apple is allegedly conducting unlawful discrimination against unionized employees in the store. Apple has declared plans to close down the Apple Store […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Liquid Glass Display from 20th Anniversary iPhone to Make Bezels Non-Visible
The upcoming 20th anniversary iPhone is rumored to have a new curved screen type of technology that hides display bezels more effectively. A big redesign is planned for the 20th anniversary iPhone, rumored to have a display that curves around the 4 edges of the gadget. Apple is going to use a panel with an […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Kuxiu S4 25W Semi-Solid Wireless 10K Power Bank review: thinnest 10K magnetic power bank
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Slimmest-ever 10K power bank Semi-solid-state technology 25W wireless or 30W wired charging Kickstand Bright smart display Cons S3 has built-in cable Our Verdict The Kuxiu S4 is the slimmest 10K magnetic wireless power bank we have tested yet. If you want thinner, you’ll have to sacrifice half the battery capacity with a 5K battery pack. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$89.99 Best Prices Today: Kuxiu S4 Semi-Solid Safe 25W Wireless 10K Power Bank Retailer Price Kuxiu $84.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket When we reviewed the Kuxiu S3 25W 10K Solid-State Power Bank we called it the “fast 25W wireless battery pack that has it all”. We were impressed by its built-in USB-C cable, integrated kickstand, and super-clear digital battery display. Now, the same company has released the S4 Power Bank. It’s not the S3 plus some more. In fact it’s a bit less than the S3, but in one aspect that’s great news—because the Kuxiu S4 is the slimmest 10K magnetic wireless power bank we’ve ever tested. And it’s pretty special in other ways, too. Simon Jary Power bank specs Capacity: 38.5Wh (10000mAh) Input charger: USB-C (30W) Output charger: Wireless (25W) & USB-C (30W) On test charged iPhone to: 177% Weight: 7.55oz (214g) Dimensions: 4.1 x 2.7 x 0.53 inches (104 x 69 x 13.7mm) Colors: Cosmic Orange, Black Battery capacity: 10000mAh (10K) is the largest battery size that you can clamp to the back of your MagSafe iPhone without it being too cumbersome to pocket—and small pockets will better appreciate a 5000mAh (5K) power bank. Read reviews of all the best magnetic power banks we have tested, both 5K and 10K. Not all 10K or 5K power banks have exactly the same capacity. To get more precise you need to look at the capacity in watt hours (Wh). The S4’s 38.5Wh is a smidge under the S3’s 39.5Wh. The average 10K battery capacity in watt hours is 37.9Wh. Speed: For power output the S4 is rated at the top 25W, using the latest Qi2.2 wireless charging technology. Only the iPhone 16 series and later can take all 25W, with older iPhones pegged back at 15W (still much faster than still-available 7.5W battery packs). Note that the 17e is also limited to 15W, and the iPhone Air to 20W. The S4’s USB-C port is rated at 30W so will charge your iPhone faster if you need to power up as quickly as possible, but you’ll need to bring a USB-C cable—unlike with the S3 that comes with its own built-in. The very fastest wired iPhone charging we’ve seen from a magnetic power bank is 45W from The Baseus PicoGo AM52, but it’s unlikely the iPhone will accept much more than 35W anyway. When recharging the S4 power bank, the power input is 30W—at the top end of magnetic wireless power bank range. Simon Jary Like the S3, the S4 is built using semi-solid-state (SSS) battery technology that’s engineered for superior safety, longevity and thermal stability compared to standard lithium-ion battery packs. You can skip the next bit if you’re not interested in technical details… What are Semi-Solid State batteries? Semi-Solid is a transition technology between traditional liquid lithium-ion batteries and all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). When all solid-state batteries are mainstream, they will likely replace semi, but semi is as good as we have today. Once proven in electric vehicles, we expect to see ASSB power banks in by 2028. Why so long? All-solid-state batteries will require new manufacturing facilities, while semi-solid-state batteries are compatible with existing lithium-ion production lines, requiring only minimal (10-20%) new equipment. As such, ASSBs will be expensive—maybe 3-4x—than traditional batteries and so are unlikely to be seen in mainstream laptops until manufacturing ramps up and costs go down.. SSS batteries replace a large portion of flammable liquid electrolyte with a gel or slurry, typically only 5–10% liquid remains. The reduction of flammable liquid significantly lowers the risks of thermal runaway, leakage, and fire. They are more resistant to extreme heat and physical damage. This is why we expect airlines to allow only solid-state batteries on flights in the future. This improved thermal stability also means the batteries should perform better in colder temperatures. Aside from greater safety, solid-state tech allows the battery to have a higher energy density, so they can be made smaller. They should also last longer with a greater number of possible charge cycles before capacity degradation. Simon Jary Thinnest design yet Kuxiu calls the aluminum-alloy S4 “the world’s thinnest 10,000mAh semi-solid-state cell”, and it’s not wrong. 13.7mm is the thinnest 10K power bank we’ve tested. The previous champ, the Anker MagGo 10K Slim, is a full millimeter thicker and offers only 15W power output. The average depth of a 10K power bank is 18.2mm. Some other 10K power banks are 16mm or 17mm deep, but the average is 20-22mm. The S4 is a third thinner than those chunky beasts. Let’s be honest, it’s not a sliver of a power bank—it still looks large compared to the thinnest 5K battery packs—but it is the slimmest 10K. Even the 5K power banks we’ve tested average out at 10.7mm depth, although the slimmest of all (the BMX SolidSafe Air 5K) is a mere 6.8mm deep. Kuxiu S4 vs Kuxiu S3: slim vs cable The S4 is noticeably slimmer than the S3 but lacks its long integrated USB-C cable. That means Kuxiu has been able to make the S4 over 35% slimmer—14mm vs 22cm. While we love a built-in cable on a magnetic power bank (wired charging is always faster and a cable makes recharging the power bank itself less hassle), we also desire them to be as slim as can be. That’s the major compromise between choosing between the S3 and S4, but there are more differences. Read our Kuxiu S3 review for more details. Both power banks feature a stand, and the S3’s stand is larger and more robust than the S4’s bottom-mounted pull-out but the S4’s performs well enough. Simon Jary Both have a digital display so you can see precisely how much power remains in the power bank—most make do with four tiny LEDs, each of which represents 25% battery charge, compared to the exact number a digital display readout gives you. The S3’s is clear to read but shows just the remaining battery charge. The TFT display on the S4—tucked behind the stand—is smarter and more colorful, showing battery health, operating temperature, battery level (remaining charge), wireless charging power and USB-C input/output power plus battery safety alerts where appropriate. You might not need to know all that info but it’s there, presented on three digital circles. Finally, the Kuxiu S4 is available in a stunning Cosmic Orange to match the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max as well as the same Black as the S3. Recharging performance At Macworld we produce a battery performance report for all the power banks that pass through our labs. There’s nothing fancy involving microscopes and spectrometers. We simply drain an iPhone’s battery to 0%, connect the power bank and see how many times it can recharge the phone. If it fills the phone up with juice to spare, we wait till the phone has run out again and repeat until the power bank is empty. The best score we have got from a 10000mAh (10K) power bank is 190% (the 15W EcoFlow RAPID 10K), with an average score of 166%. The Kuxiu S4 scored an above-average 172%—around the same ballpark as the S3. The Kuxiu S4 is available in a striking Cosmic Orange color to match the iPhone 17 Pro/Max, or a more standard Black.Kuxiu Price The Kuxiu S4 10K Magnetic Power Bank is priced at $84.99 or £64. The S3 is cheaper at $68.99/£54, even with its integrated cable. If you want the thinnest 10K magnetic power bank, you’ll need to dig a bit deeper, but your trouser-pocket lining may thank you for it over the long term. For more options we have tested and reviewed the best magnetic wireless power banks. Should you buy the Kuxiu S4 25W Wireless 10K Power Bank? First things first: the Kuxiu S4 is the slimmest 10K magnetic wireless power bank we have tested yet. If you want thinner, you’ll have to sacrifice half the battery capacity with a 5K battery pack. The S4 performed above average in our recharging tests. If you can sacrifice the slimness, consider its S3 sibling that boasts an integrated USB-C cable, but we salute the S4 for being the slim semi-solid-state champion… and we love the Cosmic Orange option.

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Today in Apple history: Apple’s first watch is a freebie for upgraders
On May 2, 1995, Apple launched its first Apple watch -- a giveaway gadget for anyone paying to upgrade to System 7.5 on the Mac. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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