Mac hardware is great, but macOS 26 is a disaster, say pundits
Jason Snell’s annual Apple report card is out, rating the company’s performance according to 56 influential commenters, including 9to5Mac’s editor-in-chief Chance Miller. The results show a dramatic difference in perception of Apple’s hardware and software across the board, but most notably with regard to the Mac … more…

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Sixth Apple Store in India to open on February 26
Ahead of its opening on Thursday, February 26, 2026, Apple has previewed Apple Borivali, Mumbai's second Apple Store.Apple Borivali occupies a prime site in Mumbai's new Sky City Mall — image credit: AppleAs previously predicted, Apple's latest store in India is in the newly-opened Sky City Mall, off the Western Express Highway, and near Borivali station. Those previous leaks claimed that Apple has signed a lease for 10 years and 10 months on a site of 12,616 square feet."We're thrilled to open Apple Borivali, and bring the best of Apple to life for even more customers in India," Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's senior vice president of Retail and People, said in a statement. "We're so inspired by the creativity and enthusiasm of communities across India, and our dedicated team members are excited to welcome and connect with customers in this extraordinary new store, our second in Mumbai." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple fined in Brazil once again for selling iPhones without a charger
Consumer protection authorities in the Brazilian state of Alagoas have fined Apple R$101,627.50 (roughly $20,000) for selling iPhones without what they described as “an indispensable item for the regular use of the product.” Here are the details. more…

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Apple Notes is loaded with hidden tricks
Macworld Apple Notes has long been the go-to app for iPhone users who need a quick place to store everyday text. Whether you’re ranting, ideating, or drafting a speech, the built-in app lets you start typing instantly. While basic text input is often enough, Apple Notes can do far more than that. To get the most out of Notes, here are 10 lesser-known features worth mastering. 1. Quick access Locating, launching, then starting a new note (or finding the right existing one) can be time-consuming, which isn’t ideal when you’re transcribing someone’s speech or attending class. For this reason, Apple offers multiple shortcuts that allow you to start a new note efficiently. You can add dedicated toggles to the Lock Screen and Control Center, as well as an easy-to-spot widget on the Home Screen. To access Apple Notes from anywhere, you could assign the relevant option to the iPhone’s Action button instead of navigating through software menus. Similarly, you can share text and compatible attachment types directly from first- and third-party apps to Notes to quickly bookmark or reference a certain matter. 2. Audio recording Speaking of transcription, Apple Notes on newer iPhones can spare you from typing live speeches manually. Thanks to the on-device Neural Engine, you can start an audio recording session inside a note, and it’ll display a transcript in real time—even when you’re offline. If you’ve enabled Apple Intelligence on your iPhone, you could even view a summary of the transcript, distilling long lectures into brief takeaways. 3. Generative AI The built-in AI features in Notes extends beyond transcript summaries. For example, you could select text you’ve typed and use the various Writing Tools to refine or alter it. These include proofreading, rewriting, tone tweaking, list or table creation, and more. If you’re not sure where to start, you could even opt for the Compose tool, which lets you prompt ChatGPT to type on your behalf. Foundry Apart from text, the Notes app supports native image generation using Apple’s Image Playground extension. You can pick between multiple styles, including Animation, Illustration, and Sketch, and describe the image you’re interested in. Alternatively, you could doodle on a note and use the Image Wand tool to have the AI generate a more polished version of your sketch. 4. Protection Many iPhone users rely on the Notes app to store sensitive details. Fortunately, you can lock individual notes using a password or Face ID authentication. Once you set up the feature in the Notes app’s settings, you can find the Lock option under each note’s three-dot menu. But what if you want to lock all of your notes? Well, you don’t need to individually go through each and every one of them. Instead, you could hold down the Notes app’s icon on the Home Screen and lock the app itself. This will stop your nosy roommates from accessing the app altogether. Foundry 5. Organization Some users have been actively storing notes on their iPhones for years, making the all-time archive a bit overwhelming to manage and sift through. Apple Notes offers multiple features to help you organize your content and quickly locate specific items. For starters, you can create folders dedicated to your various projects and place related notes in the same spot. You can also insert hashtags (#topic) in notes to sort them based on their relevant topics. Do you frequently access a particular note? You can pin that to the top of the list. Foundry You could also build a knowledge base and link notes to each other by adding a link attachment and typing the desired note’s name. These tools, coupled with the reliable search feature (that even works with handwritten notes), make it easy to find a specific note, no matter how old it is. 6. Personalization While many iOS users rely on Apple Notes for plain text storage, the app supports a wide range of formatting and personalization tools. You could add lines or grids as a background using a note’s three-dot menu or select text to customize its look. Some of the formatting options include bold text, italics, underlining, colorful highlights, bullet points, indexing, and more. You could also insert tables to visualize data in a simple form. 7. Scanning Text input in Apple Notes isn’t limited to typing and audio transcribing. You could rely on the text scanner found under attachments to insert text printed on a real-life object or document. Alternatively, you could pick the document scanner, which digitizes the paper and adds it as an attachment (rather than plain text) to your note. If you find the document size overwhelmingly large, you could switch to a smaller thumbnail using the Attachment View option found under the note’s three-dot menu. 8. Smart perks Besides Apple Intelligence tools, the Notes app offers a couple of smart features that students will especially appreciate. If you’re taking handwritten notes using the Markup feature, you can tap and hold on your scribbles and hit the Refine button to make your handwriting more legible. Otherwise, if you’re typing mathematical equations in a note, the built-in iOS keyboard will suggest in-line solutions. Foundry 9. Collaboration You’ve long been able to share notes as static files with others. That, however, isn’t practical when you’re expecting edits or feedback from the recipient. Luckily, Apple Notes offers a collaboration feature that lets multiple users view and amend notes simultaneously. Simply hit the Share button on a note and select Collaborate in the drop-down menu before sending it via an app of your choice. Once the recipient accepts your invite, you’ll be able to revise together, tag each other, and get work done more efficiently. Foundry 10. Data transfer While Notes is a powerful tool for text-related tasks, it still lacks plenty of advanced features found in dedicated document editors. If you’re ready to take your project to the next level, you could hit the Share button on a note and open it in Pages or another document editor to unlock even more tools and customizations—including Apple Creator Studio exclusives. Alternatively, you can export it as a Markdown file and proceed accordingly using a compatible app.

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Every new Apple product coming in 2026 (and beyond)
Macworld Apple is gearing up for a massive year in 2026, with rumors pointing to dozens of new devices, from updated iPhones and Macs to smart home gear and, potentially, the long-awaited foldable iPhone. In this article, we take a look at what new products we expect Apple to launch. We have investigated every rumor and trend we could find to bring you our predictions. Here’s a breakdown of every product that could be coming from Apple, and why it matters. Every New Apple Product Coming in 2026 In the sections below we’ve split the upcoming new products into categories including Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, Home, AirPods, and some new product categories. We are expecting Apple to announce a series of new products in the coming days, with the company arranging “special Apple Experience” events on March 4 in various locations around the world. Read on to find out what new products to expect at Apple’s next event and throughout 2026. iPhone updates coming in 2026 There’s new iPhones coming.Foundry Based on current industry analysis and supply chain information, Apple has some significant changes planned for the iPhone in 2026, with updates centered around the iPhone 18 series, the introduction of a foldable iPhone, and the release of iOS 27. But, it looks like we won’t have to wait until September 2026 for the first iPhone update… iPhone 17e Spring 2026 update expected The iPhone 17e will replace the 16e as the entry-level, value product and it is expected to arrive by March 4, a year after the launch of the 16e (which arrived on February 19, 2025). The March 4 date ties into the Apple Experience events Apple is holding in New York, London and Shanghai. A redesign that replaces the notch with a Dynamic Island is possible. Read more here: iPhone 17e rumors. iPhone 18 Pro & Pro Max September 2026 update expected The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to launch in September 2026. The iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to be the first to use Apple’s own C1 modem instead of Qualcomm’s. The base model may see a RAM increase to 12GB to better support on-device AI functions. A major redesign is expected, which could include under-display Face ID, a completely hidden notch and the front camera could move to the upper-left corner of the display. Read about the iPhone 18 Pro here: iPhone 18 Pro rumors. iPhone 18 May not launch until spring 2027 Apple could delay the iPhone 18 and release that handset alongside the iPhone 18e in the spring of 2027, according to some reports. Foldable iPhone September 2026 introduction possible This is a wild card! After years of rumors, Apple’s first foldable phone, potentially named the iPhone Fold, is projected to debut in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. It is expected to be a book-style foldable with a 7.8-inch inner display. Read more here: Apple’s folding iPhone rumors. iPad updates coming in 2026 Apple doesn’t update the iPads every 12 months, but aside from the iPad Pro, which gained an M5 chip in October 2024, all the remaining iPads could see an update in 2026. That update could come as soon as March 4, with Apple holding “Special Experiences” on that day and various product updates expected in that timeframe. Apple’s 2026 iPad lineup is likely to feature incremental upgrades focused on internal performance improvements rather than major design overhauls. Here’s what to expect: The iPad Air could get a update soon.Britta O’Boyle iPad Air Spring 2026 update possible The current iPad Air runs on an M3 chip and was released in March 2025. While that model is still relatively new, reports suggest its successor is already in development and that an iPad Air with an M4 chip could arrive in 2026. One report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that the new iPad Air with an M4 chip could arrive as soon as the first few months of 2026. Read about Apple’s plans for the iPad Air. iPad mini Spring 2026 update possible The current iPad mini (A17 Pro) was released in October 2024, and Apple’s update cycle for this model is generally infrequent. Based on current reports and analysis, the next significant update to the iPad mini is not expected until mid-to-late 2026 at the earliest, with some speculation pointing toward 2027. One rumored upgrade for the 2026 iPad mini is the transition to an OLED display, which could reduce manufacturing costs and improve battery life. There is also the possibility of a slightly larger screen, with a move from the current 8.3- to 8.7-inches suggested. There is also speculation that a future foldable Apple device could potentially replace the iPad mini line entirely, though this remains uncertain. Internal code leaks suggest the future iPad mini could be upgraded to an A19 Pro chip, which would provide a significant performance boost over the current A17 Pro. A A18 Pro chip upgrade is also possible. Read our round up of iPad mini rumors. iPad Spring 2026 update possible When the new iPad arrived in March 11, 2025, the biggest disappointment was that it featured a A16 chip and therefore didn’t support Apple Intelligence. Apple looks set to rectify that in 2026 with an upgrade to the A18 or A19 chip, with the latter offering 50% better performance. The release timeline for an iPad with an A18 or A19 chip is anticipated for sometime in 2026, in fact, Apple code suggest the company may be planning an update sooner-rather-than-later. Read more about the 2026 iPad in our rumor round up. Macs updates coming in 2026 2026 is expected to be a significant year for the Mac, with rumours of a redesigned MacBook, a new Studio Display, Apple’s first touchscreen Mac, and a budget model. The year will likely start with the M5 MacBook Air and M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro, followed by a low-cost MacBook and updates to the Mac Studio and Studio Display. The year will culminate with a major MacBook Pro update, possibly featuring an OLED touchscreen display and a new design. The first few months of 2026 are expected to be busy as Apple focuses on updating Macs with the next generation of M5 chips. We could see some Mac related updates in the run up to Apple’s March 4 events. The M5 arrived with the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro in October 2025, so now the wait is on for the M5 Pro and M5 Max, which will lend themselves to the MacBook Pro, Mac mini and Mac Studio. Hopefully Apple will also get around to upgrading the Mac Pro, which is long overdue an update. Here’s what to expect: MacBook Pro M5 Pro & M5 Max Spring 2026 update expected Foundry Following the entry-level M5 MacBook Pro launch in October 2025, the higher-end models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to arrive in spring 2026, maybe even as soon as late January or February. In October 2025 it was reported that the M5 Pro and Max chips were delayed until early 2026 due to a new design. The M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to be significant upgrades over the M4 series, continuing Apple’s trend of scaling performance by adding more cores and wider memory interfaces. While the base M5 chip already shows impressive gains, particularly in graphics and AI, the Pro and Max versions are anticipated to push performance even further. According to one report, Apple may have designed the M5 Pro and Max with separate CPU and GPU blocks. This could allow for greater user customization at the time of purchase, such as configuring a chip with a base CPU but a maxed-out GPU to better handle parallel processing for tasks like AI. Read more here: MacBook Pro M5 Pro & Max rumors. MacBook Air M5 Spring 2026 update expected The MacBook Air is also slated for an update to the M5 chip in the spring of 2026, which would be one year after the M4 MacBook Air arrived in March 2025. The M5 chip itself is expected to be an incremental but significant update over the M4, with a primary focus on boosting AI and graphics performance. The MacBook Pro with the same M5 chip will likely outperform the MacBook Air due to the Pro’s inclusion of a fan for active cooling, which the fanless Air lacks. Rumors suggest the M5 update for the MacBook Air will primarily be a “chip upgrade,” with no major design changes expected. The current design, which was introduced in the summer of 2022, features a MagSafe charging port and thinner bezels. Read more here: MacBook Air M5 rumors. Low-Cost MacBook Spring 2026 introduction possible This brand new budget MacBook with an A19 chip has been rumored for some time and may finally be making an appearance, perhaps as soon as the March 4 event. Mac mini Early-mid 2026 update expected The next update for the Mac mini is expected to feature the M5 and M5 Pro chips, with a possible release in June 2026. Regarding features, there isn’t much specific information about the M5 Mac mini itself, but it’s not expected to be a major departure from the current model, which was released in October 2024, and introduced a significant redesign, shrinking the case to just 5 by 5 inches and upgrading the base RAM to 16GB. Read more here: Mac mini M5 rumors. Simon Jary / Foundry Mac Studio Early-mid 2026 update expected The current Mac Studio comes in two flavors: the Mac Studio M4 Max and the Mac Studio M3 Ultra. The M3 Ultra is a faster chip than the M4 Max, but just how much faster would an M4 Ultra, or even an M5 Ultra be. Hopefully we won’t have to wait long to find out. Based on current information, Apple is expected to release a new Mac Studio with an M5-series chip, likely in mid-2026. Read more here: M5 Mac Studio rumors. iMac Possible 2026 update The current M4 iMac was released in October 2024, so an M5 update might seems timely and could be released in June 2026, alongside other potential M5 Mac updates. The current iMac design was introduced in 2021 and is not expected to change soon. It is still considered fresh, and its components are not outdated. However, there are calls for Apple to introduce a larger screened iMac, something that has been missed since Apple discontinued the 27-inch model. Many feel that the 24-inch screen is too small. Read about the larger iMac rumors. Mac Pro Probable 2026 update The Mac Pro is long overdue an update (it’s getting embarrassing now!) Apple / Foundry / André Martin While we’re talking about the M5, there is one Mac still waiting for an M4: the Mac Pro. In fact, the Mac Pro is still stuck with the M2 generation chipset which it gained in June 2023. Apple’s lack of attention for the Mac Pro, and the fact that it introduced an update to the Mac Studio that makes that Mac more powerful than the Mac Pro, has lead to questions of whether there is a future for the Mac Pro, with some reports suggesting Apple may discontinue the high-end desktop. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in November 2025, Apple has reportedly “largely written off” its desktop tower, believing that the target audience is now adequately served by the powerful Mac Studio. See Mac Pro rumors for more. Touchscreen MacBook Pro M6 Possible late 2026 introduciton There are rumors that the M6 MacBook Pro will come with a touch screen. Apple Watch updates coming in 2026 Like clockwork, expect a new Apple Watch in September.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Apple updated all the Apple Watches in September 2025. Launching the Apple Watch Series 11 a new Apple Watch Ultra and a new Apple Watch SE. In 2026 the Apple Watch Series 12 and a new Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected. Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring has been a long-rumored feature for the Apple Watch, but it is still considered to be a few years away. It is unclear if this technology will be ready for a 2026 release. Other new features could include Touch ID integration and microLED displays reaching 4,000 nits brightness. A thinner case, magnetic bands, and enhanced AI capabilities could also be on the cards. Apple Watch Ultra 4 September 2026 update possible Rumors indicate that the Ultra 4 could have a fingerprint scanner. There may be new sensors coming, but details are sparse.  Apple Watch Series 12 September 2026 update likely A chip update is likely, but beyond that little is known. AirPods updates in 2026 Apple introduced the AirPods 4 in Septemebr 2024 and the AirPods Pro 3 in September 2025. Five years on from the launch of the AirPods Max they have only had minor updates. Will they get a full update in 2026? AirPods Max 2 Possible 2026 update Foundry The most recent update to the AirPods Max occurred in September 2024. This was a minor refresh that introduced a USB-C port for charging, replacing the previous Lightning connector, and offered a new range of colors: blue, purple, Midnight, Starlight, and orange. Then, in early 2025, Apple released a firmware update (7E101) for the USB-C AirPods Max that enabled 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio through a wired USB-C connection. When they arrive, the new models could offer a new lighter design. better noise cancellation, an H3 chip and Adaptive Audio. We could have a long wait though. According to often accurate analyst Ming Chi Kuo, tweeting back in May 2025, the new AirPods Max won’t enter production until 2027, so we could be in for a long wait. Read more here: AirPods Max 2 rumors. Apple Smart Home products coming in 2026 Apple is expected to significantly expand its smart home ecosystem in 2026 with four major product categories including new devices beyond traditional Apple TV and HomePods. Key rumored products include a HomeKit security camera with audio monitoring, a HomePad smart hub with 7-inch touchscreen, updated HomePod mini 2, and next-generation Apple TV 4K with A17 Pro chip. This strategic push aims to help Apple catch up with competitors like Amazon and Google in the smart home market. We expect Apple’s major push into the smart home market to start around March or April 2026. This initiative will be heavily reliant on a significantly improved Siri, powered by a new large language model, reportedly based on Google’s Gemini AI. New and updated products are said to include: New Smart Hub Possible 2026 introduction Multiple reports have suggested Apple will launch a smart home hub. Apple is said to be working on a number of HomeHub related products including a device said to mount a camera on a robot arm that can follow you around! New Smart Display Possible 2026 introduction Also rumored is an iPad like smart display that allow you to control your home devices via HomeOS software. This may come with both a speaker base and a wall mount. HomePod Probable 2026 update A new HomePod smart speaker with a screen and new HomePod mini are said to be on the way. Read more here: New HomePod rumors. Foundry Apple TV Probable 2026 update Apple TV leaks indicate a rumoured Apple TV is on Apple’s roadmap and that the update will bring Apple Intelligence to the set top box. AirTag Probable 2026 update AirTag 2 with improved range and tracking safeguards is said to be in the works. Other new products coming from Apple (or not)… Cheaper Vision Pro Possible 2026 update Apple is said to be at work on two updated models: a cheaper Vision Pro, and another high-end model. There may be as many as four new AR/VR products coming. Other new products coming from Apple Apple Car Unlikely Apple has had a team of people working on a car project for a number of years. But that team was disbanded a while back now. If you were hoping for a physical Apple Car prepare to be disappointed, but there may be an update to CarPlay that could takes things beyond maps and music, giving users complete control over things like climate control. Read: The Apple Car is dead. Where does that leave Apple’s auto ambitions? What Apple launched in 2025 Here’s a quick look at what Apple released in 2025: February 2025: iPhone 16E – the replacement for the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 brought Apple Intelligence support to the entry-level iPhone. March 2025: iPad Air M3 and A16 iPad launched on March 4 and MacBook Air M4 and M4 Max Mac Studio on March 5. September 2025: Apple introduced four new iPhones: iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Mac, and the iPhone Air. We also saw the new AirPods Pro 3 and three new Apple Watches: the Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3. October 2025: Apple announced a new M5 processor and released the M5 MacBook Pro, M5 iPad Pro, and Vision Pro featuring the new chip. What Apple launched in 2024 Here’s a quick look at what Apple released in 2024: The Vision Pro headset arrived in the U.S. on February 2. The M3 MacBook Air launched on March 4. The M2 iPad Air, the M4 iPad Pro, and the Apple Pencil Pro all launched on May 7. iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus launched on September 9. iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max launched on September 9. Apple Watch Series 10 launched on September 9. AirPods 4 launched on September 9 and new colors (and USB-C) for the AirPods Max were introduced. iPad mini A17 Pro launched on October 15. Apple launched the M4 iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro the week of October 28. What Apple launched in 2023 Apple hit the ground running in 2023 and closed the year with the Vision Pro, although it didn’t arrive until 2024: M2 Mac mini Mac mini with M2 Pro 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro chip New full size HomePod (bit of a surprise this one!) A larger 15-inch MacBook Air A new Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra A new Mac Studio, also with M2 Ultra and M2 Max. iPhone 15, Plus, Pro and Pro Max 2023 Apple Watch Series 9 And Ultra 2 M3 iMac M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) And of course, the brand-new Vision Pro headset was unveiled What Apple launched in 2022 12.9-inch and 11-inch M2 iPad Pro 10.9-inch iPad, 10th generation iPhone 14 and 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max Apple Watch Ultra Apple Watch Series 8 Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) AirPods Pro (2nd generation) iPhone SE (3rd generation) iPad Air (5th generation) Mac Studio (1st generation) Studio Display M2 MacBook Air M2 13in MacBook Pro What Apple launched in 2021 HomePod mini in new colors MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max AirPods (3rd generation) Apple Watch Series 7 iPhone 13-series iPad mini (6th generation) iPad (9th generation) iMac M1 iPad Pro M1(3rd and 5th generation) Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) AirTag What Apple launched in 2020 AirPods Max MacBook Air M1 13-inch MacBook Pro M1 Mac mini M1 iPhone 12-series HomePod mini iPad Air (4th generation) Apple Watch SE iPad (8th generation) Apple Watch Series 6 27-inch iMac (Intel) 13-inch MacBook Pro (Intel) iPhone SE MacBook Air (Intel) iPad Pro (2nd and 4th generation) For information about what Apple launched in the decade before that read: Best Apple products of the decade (2010-2019)

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You can get a refurbished MacBook Pro and Microsoft Office for just $444.99
Macworld TL;DR: You’re not going to want to miss this deal on a Refurbished MacBook Pro 13″ (2020) plus a lifetime Microsoft Office license for $444.99 (75% off). If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your setup, this might be it. This MacBook Pro 2020 packs a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz), 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD into the classic 13-inch form factor. Consider the gorgeous Retina display with True Tone, Touch Bar, Touch ID, and up to 10 hours of battery life, and you’ve got a machine that can handle anything from video editing to coding without breaking a sweat. This bundle also includes a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac, meaning you get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote with zero monthly fees, ever. One purchase, one Mac, for life. Between the laptop and the proven productivity suite, you can set yourself up with a full home office for a relatively modest investment. Discover how this deal has earned an average 5/5 star rating from verified buyers. Get this MacBook Pro 2020 + Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 bundle for $444.99 (reg. $1,799). Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 Lifetime License + MacBook Pro 13” (2020)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Apple's Touch-Screen MacBook Pro To Have Dynamic Island, New Interface
Apple's forthcoming touch-screen MacBook Pro models -- the company's first-ever laptops to support touch input -- will feature the iPhone's Dynamic Island at the center top of their OLED displays and a new interface that dynamically adjusts between touch and point-and-click controls, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the plans. The 14-inch and 16-inch models, code-named K114 and K116, are slated for release toward the end of 2026 and won't be part of Apple's product announcements in the first week of March. The redesigned interface brings up a contextual menu surrounding a user's finger when they touch a button or control, and enlarges menu bar items when tapped, adapting the available controls based on whether the input is touch or click. Apple does not plan to position the machines as iPad replacements or describe them as touch-first; the physical design retains the full keyboard and large trackpad of the current MacBook Pro. Last year's Liquid Glass redesign in macOS Tahoe, which added more padding around icons and touch-optimized sliders in the control center, was partly groundwork for this shift. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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1Password price increase makes Apple Passwords look better
1Password plans to raise prices for both individual and family plans by a whopping 33% in late March 2026. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Durobo Krono e-reader: small on size, short on features
The Durobo Krono strips the e-reader down to its pocketable essentials, but a lack of polish and questionable features keep it from challenging more refined rivals.Durobo Krono e-ink e-readerReading on the go is always kind of a pain. Either you're doing it on a smartphone, which isn't great for your eyes, or you might try to lug around an iPad or a larger e-paper reader like a Kindle.That's why there's a surprisingly large fanbase for pocket-sized e-eaders. I even consider myself a part of that fanbase, considering how much I've enjoyed using one myself. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The touchscreen MacBook Pro is shaping up to be exactly what I wanted
Apple’s major MacBook Pro refresh is coming this year, and it’s shaping up to be exactly what I wanted. Here’s why I’m optimistic about the biggest changes coming later this year. more…

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9to5Mac Daily: February 24, 2026 – Apple US manufacturing, iOS 26.4 beta 2
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 BenQ: Check out BenQ’s smarter displays made for how Mac users actually work and sign up for the giveaway here. more…

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Photonics research firm Invrs.io & its single employee acquired by Apple
A new filing has revealed that Apple purchased Invrs.io, acquiring its assets along with the sole equityholder, founder, and employee.Apple has acquired another AI startup — Invrs.ioFollowing Apple's acquisition of the audio-focused startup Q.ai in January 2026, it has been revealed that another, much smaller company has moved under the Apple umbrella.A notice on the European Commission website, spotted by MacRumors, says that the iPhone maker acquired the photonics research company Invrs.io, LLC back in October 2025. Photonics is the science and technology of generating, controlling, and detecting photons, or light particles. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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AirPods & Beats deals offer up to $150 off, prices from $69
Month-end AirPods and Beats deals are going on now, with prices dipping to as low as $69.95 (and savings of up to $150 off).Save up to $150 on AirPods and Beats at Amazon.Save up to $100 on Apple's AirPods line this week, along with Beats deals of up to $150 off. Highlights from the Amazon sale include AirPods 4 for $99 and Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones that are $150 off.Buy AirPods & Beats from $69.95 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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New interface will be key to touchscreen Macs’ success
Building a touchscreen into the MacBook Pro will require changes to macOS 27. We just got the first hints of the needed modifications. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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iPhone 18 Pro again rumored to feature a smaller, redesigned Dynamic Island
It's been said time and time again that the iPhone 18 Pro will sport a noticeably smaller Dynamic Island. Now, yet another report has reiterated the claim.A repeat rumor says the iPhone 18 Pro will have a smaller Dynamic Island.While the iPhone 18 Pro isn't expected to feature any major design changes, Apple's next high-end iPhone is set to receive new under-display technology that will reduce the Dynamic Island.Following a January 2026 post with alleged dimensions of the new-and-improved Dynamic Island, a repeat rumor now says the iPhone 18 Pro will indeed receive a modified camera cutout. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple acquires startup specializing in AI-powered light and optics design tools
According to a new filing with the European Union, Apple has acquired the assets of invrs.io and hired its founder, who is the only employee. Here are the details. more…

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Touch-screen MacBook Pro to get OLED, Dynamic Island, & new alternative interface
The MacBook Pro lineup is about to get a big shakeup later in 2026 with touch-screen capabilities and new interface elements. However, Apple won't refer to them as touch-first.Touch is finally coming to MacBook displaysRumors around Apple bringing touch to the Mac have gone on so long that the company had to share it had zero intention of merging iPad and Mac. Instead, it seems Apple will offer something in-between without sacrificing the experience already available.According to a report from Bloomberg, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro with touch screens will arrive by the end of 2026. These aren't going to be a part of the March releases, but instead, will be shared toward the end of the year. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple set to introduce touch-screen Mac laptops this year
Apple is set to introduce touch-screen Mac laptops, a move that will bring significant updates to macOS, including the integration of the… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Touchscreen MacBook Pro to feature Dynamic Island and big macOS changes
Macworld In his latest scoop, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman dishes out a few details about the touchscreen-enabled Mac laptops we’ve heard about for some time. The new laptops—14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros, specifically—are currently on track to be released near the end of 2026. It sounds like the typical “October to December” timeframe isn’t changing. According to Gurman, the new MacBook Pros will include OLED displays that include both touch capabilities and the Dynamic Island as seen on iPhone. As with the iPhone, it will show the status of active tasks, sports scores, alerts, timers, and more. The Dynamic Island on MacBook Pro will be centered around a hole-punch camera cutout, smaller than the “pill” shape on iPhones. If you have been hoping for Face ID on a MacBook, as we have, it sounds like it might not be there just yet. But even if it doesn’t have Face ID, this will be the first Mac to ever feature a touchscreen. Steve Jobs famously called touch laptops a bad experience, but those statements date back nearly 20 years, and times have changed. The new MacBook Pros will still have a large keyboard and trackpad, and allow you to work entirely touch-free if you like. But they will also include a “refreshed, dynamic user interface that can shift between being optimized for touch or point-and-click input,” according to Gurman’s sources. The idea is to let users use as much or as little touch as they like, blending it with traditional pointer input. When users touch a control, a new menu will spring up surrounding the place they touch, offering touch-centric controls. If you touch a menu bar item, the selections will expand to a larger size than if you had selected it with the pointer, making it easier to make selections with your finger. Of course, standard touch features like fast-scrolling and pinch-to-zoom are expected as well. It’s not yet clear what other changes these new OLED MacBooks will have, but we expect more than just a new display—prior rumors suggested a thinner body and other design refinements.

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App Store age verification tools upgraded to comply with emerging laws
Apple's App Store age verification system has been updated to ensure compliance can be maintained in places like Louisiana, Utah, Australia, Brazil, and Singapore.Apple has updated its assortment of age assurance tools related to the App Store.In response to increasingly strict age-assurance laws, like Utah's App Store Accountability Act, Apple has updated its requirements for apps distributed in specific countries. iOS applications made available to users in Australia, Brazil, Singapore, Louisiana, and Utah will have to abide by the modified App Store age requirements.Specifically, users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore will be blocked from downloading applications rated 18+, unless the users are confirmed to be adults through "reasonable methods." The App Store can automatically confirm whether or not a user is an adult, and the change is already in effect as of Tuesday, February 24. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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