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- Thursday December 04
- 05:05 pmThe best apps and games of 2025, according to Apple
Discover the 2025 App Store Award winners that Apple showcased for the apps and games' innovation and cultural impact. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)05:04 pm'The Rest is History' crowned Apple Podcasts show of the year
"The Rest is History" has been named Apple Podcasts 2025 Show of the Year, a testament to the hosts' ability to make complex history feel accessible, engaging, and genuinely fun.Image Credit: AppleThe Rest is History is, as the name would imply, a history-centric podcast. But, somehow, it's more than that.Historians-turned-hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook have made it their mission to cover stories listeners know from angles they may not have considered. Topics can be nearly anything, from the sinking of the Titanic to Watergate and anything in between. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:01 pmRussia blocks FaceTime in the country, citing use in ‘terrorist attacks’
A new report from Reuters says Russia has blocked FaceTime access in the country, with users unable to connect via Apple’s platform as of today. Here are the details. more…04:50 pmScore big deals on Apple’s M3 iPad Air — while they last!
Save a welcome $100 on the 2025 M3 iPad Air with deals on both 13-inch and 11-inch versions in a range of specs and colors. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:45 pmDeals: AirPods 4 w/ AppleCare+ $90 off, Apple iPhone 17 cases 49% off, Find My SmartLock, black Alpine Loop, more | 9 to 5 MacDeals: AirPods 4 w/ AppleCare+ $90 off, Apple iPhone 17 cases 49% off, Find My SmartLock, black Alpine Loop, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is loaded with some notable accessory deals alongside the ongoing AirPods 4 all-time low at 45% off – but you can also now land that same deal with a discounted 2-year of AppleCare+ as well. The entire slate of Apple’s iPhone 17 Silicone cases are down at $25 right now (49% off) and we also spotted the first chance to save on the 2025 edition black Alpine Loop. Ongoing lows on Apple Watch Series 11, the Find My SmartLock, and more are also waiting for you below. more…04:32 pmSeverance season 3 just got a big release timing update
The recent hit season of Severance has been landing on lots of ‘Best TV of 2025’ lists, and today a big update has arrived for release timing of Apple’s upcoming season 3. more…04:24 pmApple published a new Press Release
Apple just published a new Press Release:Apple Podcasts names The Rest Is History the 2025 Show of the Year04:23 pmRussia blocks Apple’s FaceTime
Russia's state communications regulator announced on Thursday that it has blocked Apple's FaceTime video-calling service, citing its alleged… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.04:18 pmRetrobatch 2.3.1
Updates the re-encoding behavior of the Delete Metadata node. ($29.99/$49.99 new, free update, 58.7 MB, macOS 12+)04:15 pmThis new personal AI assistant runs entirely on your Mac or PC
Pansophy is a fully local personal AI assistant that runs without accounts, subscriptions or cloud processing. Your data stays on your device. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)04:09 pmApple reveals the 17 winners of its 2025 App Store Awards
Macworld Apple on Thursday announced the winners of its annual App Store Awards. From the 45 finalists that the company announced in November, 17 developers were recognized for “their technical ingenuity and lasting cultural impact.” “Every year, we’re inspired by the ways developers turn their best ideas into innovative experiences that enrich people’s lives,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a press release. “This year’s winners represent the creativity and excellence that define the App Store, and they demonstrate the meaningful impact that world-class apps and games have on people everywhere.” The Apple Store Awards has three sections: Apps, Games, and Cultural Impact. The Cultural Impact winners are “recognized for their positive impact, providing users with helpful tools, promoting understanding, and shaping a more inclusive world.” Here is a list of the winners; the links go to the app’s App Store entry. CategoryWinneriPhone App of the YearTiimo from tiimoiPad App of the YearDetail from Detail Technologies B.V.Mac App of the YearEssayist from Essayist Software Inc.Apple Vision Pro App of the YearExplore POV from James HustlerApple Watch App of the YearStrava from Strava, Inc.Apple TV App of the YearHBO Max from WarnerMedia Global Digital Services, LLCiPhone Game of the YearPokémon TCG Pocket from The Pokemon CompanyiPad Game of the YearDREDGE from Black Salt GamesMac Game of the YearCyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition from CD PROJEKT S.A.Apple Vision Pro Game of the YearPorta Nubi from Michael TemperApple Arcade Game of the YearWHAT THE CLASH? from Triband ApSCultural Impact WinnerArt of Fauna from Klemens StrasserCultural Impact WinnerBe My Eyes from Be My EyesCultural Impact WinnerChants of Sennaar from PlaydigiousCultural Impact Winnerdespelote from Panic, Inc.Cultural Impact WinnerFocus Friend by Hank Green from B-Tech Consulting Group LLCCultural Impact WinnerStoryGraph from The StoryGraph04:02 pmReview: Why the Sotsu FlipAction is my new favorite second screen for iPad Pro (and Mac) | 9 to 5 MacReview: Why the Sotsu FlipAction is my new favorite second screen for iPad Pro (and Mac)
When Apple introduced true windowing multitasking and extended display support with iPadOS 26, pairing my iPad Pro with a portable monitor suddenly became a lot more interesting. I’ve used numerous portable displays over the years, primarily with my MacBook Air, and they’ve ranged from inexpensive plastic options to higher-end models that focus on the screen itself. Some were decent, but the Sotsu FlipAction lineup just hits different. It looks like someone took a 16-inch iPad and attached it to a modular, magnetic Studio Display stand. I’ve been using this monitor for well over a year now, and I wanted to share my in-depth thoughts on whether or not it is worth the price. Let’s break it down. more…04:00 pmNew AirTag accessory extends battery life to 5+ years
One of my favorite recent accessory launches is Elevation Lab’s TimeCapsule for AirTag, which promises to extend AirTag battery life to 10 years. And today, the company has debuted its follow-up, which offers 5 years of AirTag battery in a much more compact form factor. more…03:55 pmToday in Apple history: Secret project ports Mac OS to PCs
On December 4, 1992, Apple engineers demonstrated a "proof of concept" that's part of a secret project to run the Mac OS on Intel PCs. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:46 pmEspionage thriller 'Tehran' sneaks back onto Apple TV in January
Apple TV's International Emmy award-winning spy series "Tehran" is heading back to the small screen in early 2026, and it won't be for the last time.'Tehran' season three premieres January 9 | Image Credit: AppleOn Thursday, Apple TV announced a premiere date for "Tehran," an Israeli espionage thriller. The series will be returning on January 9, with new episodes every Friday through February 27.The company also disclosed that it renewed "Tehran" for a fourth season. The upcoming season is already in production. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:28 pmRock around the Christmas tree with the gorgeous Beats Pill for under $100
Macworld If you’re looking for gift ideas for this holiday season, then this discounted Beats Pill is a fantastic pick. Now just under $100, you’re saving $50 and getting a fantastic Bluetooth portable speaker. We’re not going to lie… the Beats Pill has an absolutely gorgeous design. This newest version of the iconic speaker comes with a custom-designed woofer that delivers deep and full bass. The speaker hits crisp highs and rich mid-range tones, resulting in the perfect combo to listen to your Spotify Wrapped or your Apple Music Replay playlist. The speaker is perfectly portable and even comes with a removable lanyard. The IP67 rating for dust and water resistance makes the Beats Pill such a good pick for hikes, beach days, or parties by the pool. With up to 24 hours of battery life, the speaker can last all day and even charge your phone or other devices via its USB-C port. It’s super easy to pair with both Apple and Android devices and can be integrated with Find My and Find My Device services. You can even use the Pill to take calls or activate your go-to voice assistant. But it’s already December 4, so go snag the beautiful Beats Pill for under $100 before this Amazon deal runs out. Buy now at Amazon03:26 pm4 top executives who ditched Apple to join Meta in 2025
Alan Dye is just one of four top executives who left Apple for Meta this year, all of them vacating crucial roles as part of a larger exodus. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:26 pm4 top executives who ditched Apple to join Meta in 2025
Alan Dye is just one of four top executives who left Apple for Meta this year, all of them vacating crucial roles as part of a larger exodus. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:15 pmMeta Poaches Apple Design Exec Alan Dye
Apple's longtime human-interface chief Alan Dye is leaving to lead a new creative studio at Meta's Reality Labs, where he'll shape AI-driven design for devices like smart glasses and VR headsets. Dye will be replaced by Steve Lemay, who has had "a key role in the design of every major Apple interface since 1999," according to a statement Apple CEO Tim Cook gave Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. TechCrunch reports: Shortly after the news broke of Dye's departure, Zuckerberg announced a new creative studio within Reality Labs that would be led by Dye. There, he'll be joined by Billy Sorrentino, another former Apple designer who led interface design across Reality Labs; Joshua To, who led interface design across Reality Labs; Meta's industrial design team, led by Pete Bristol; and its metaverse design and art teams led by Jason Rubin. Zuckerberg said the studio would "bring together design, fashion, and technology to define the next generation of our products and experiences." "Our idea is to treat intelligence as a new design material and imagine what becomes possible when it is abundant, capable, and human-centered," the Meta CEO wrote on Threads. "We plan to elevate design within Meta, and pull together a talented group with a combination of craft, creative vision, systems thinking, and deep experience building iconic products that bridge hardware and software." Read more of this story at Slashdot.03:10 pmAVG Antivirus Free for Mac Review: Strong protection, heavy upsells
Macworld At a GlanceExpert's Rating Pros Excellent malware and virus detection Free software with a generous 60-day trial Good level of customization and scan types Cons Heavy upselling and locked features Scan progress visibility that could be better Occasional functional quirks, such as malware that wasn’t fully removed until the app had been quit and relaunched Our Verdict AVG Free Antivirus for Mac offers strong virus and malware protection, a good level of customization, and a commendable feature set without paying upfront. Despite a few rough edges, the software offers a solid set of features and makes for a good level of security beyond what macOS already provides. If you’re looking for basic, free and reliable antivirus protection, this is worth trying out, and perhaps paying for. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Retailer Price AVG Free View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Price When ReviewedFree download Best Prices Today: AVG AntiVirus for Mac Retailer Price AVG Free View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket You may not always love the software industry, complete with its ongoing internal battles between the developers, the quality assurance department, marketing, and senior management, but there are times when things fall together as they should and a free/demo program gets it right. Enter AVG Antivirus free for Mac, which, albeit something of a teaser for the fully-featured version of the program, comes out swinging, albeit with subscription ads and notifications. We have tested all the best Mac antivirus software options in our round-up of the Best antivirus software for Mac. We have also reviewed the full version of AVG Internet Security for Mac. Essentially operating as the core of the fully-featured AVG Antivirus for Mac, AVG Antivirus Free, which requires macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) to run, downloads and installs easily without requiring an account to be set up or a credit or debit card to be saved with AVG Technologies. Instead, the installation runs smoothly, the application asks for confirmation to set up full disk access and network extension, and you’re ready to go. A 60-day trial period is also available, provided you enter a credit or debit card number. AVG Antivirus Free’s home screen is honestly as simple as it gets, the unsubscribed version offering a Smart Scan that checks your computer for viruses and malware, as well as email and web protection. Hacker Attacks and Payments modules are also available, but remain inaccessible unless a subscription or free trial has been set up. Hit the Smart Scan button and the virus definitions will update over the internet, the application scanning your internal hard drive for questionable software as well as scanning for advanced issues, wherein it gauges that your Pictures and Documents folders are prime targets for ransomware, notes that your network isn’t monitored for threats, and states that you’re vulnerable to fake websites due to possible DNS hijacking that can send you to fraudulent websites. This is where the upsell begins, the application consistently displaying an “Upgrade Now” button on its home screen. Threats secured, but you might want to upgradeFoundry Still, there’s a level of customization that draws out a lot of value from this, even if it is a free version of the full software. Head into the settings, and it’s easy to set up customized scan features, such as searching through .dmg archives, .zip archives, and toolsets while also creating whitelists and exception lists. It’s easy enough to choose between the four scan types (Smart Scan, Deep Scan, Targeted Scan, and External Storage Scan), and a handy scheduler can be set up for the day, time, and frequency you’d like to scan, along with the scan type. There are four types of scanFoundry The application can also scan Time Machine backups, which I’ve never seen listed as a specific feature, and the speed is impressive, with even a Deep Scan moving at a decent clip, scanning my MacBook Pro’s solid-state drive in under 30 minutes. Where malware and antiviral protection are concerned, AVG has honed its virus definitions and feature set into a fine-tuned blade, with the application syncing nicely with macOS’ Gatekeeper and Xprotect elements to catch just about all the malware samples I could throw at it. Yes, some malware can still pass through, but you’d have to bypass multiple warning screens, and AVG Antivirus Free is adept at blocking viruses and malware to the point that next to no malware samples found their way into my system. Foundry AVG Antivirus Free’s Web and Email module isn’t perfect, but it does a credible job in blocking traffic to spam, phishing, and ransomware websites. Here, I dove into my Gmail spam folder and began clicking links that no one in their right mind would click, AVG blocking access to a good number of them while still offering the option to add them to a list of exceptions if need be and noting the malware types they were trying to install. Granted, the software still allowed visits to online casinos and contest sites, and that’s its own debate waiting to happen, but there’s a viable layer of protection in place here. While things are good with AVG Antivirus Free, there are still a few wrinkles to iron out. A well-designed progress bar, complete with a percentage counter, shows how a scan is progressing, but there’s no elapsed time counter or ETA as to when a scan might finish, which would come in handy. The Scheduler feature does a good job, but it’s not dominant in the user interface, and you have to hunt around to see the scan that’s currently underway. Finally, the application caught a few malware samples and warned against them, but seemed not to have removed them until I quit the AVG Antivirus Free application, launched it again, and cleaned the malware out yet again. Should you use AVG’s Free Antivirus for Mac? Despite these shortcomings, which could be ironed out with some QA testing and some bug fixes, there’s a good utility to be had here, even if it is free and there’s an unmistakable effort to upsell the user to the paid version. The antiviral/anti-malware engine component is excellent, almost nothing slipped by it, and it’s easy to set your preferences for the scan you want on both internal and external volumes. What’s present here is something focused that isn’t trying to be a jack of all trades/solution to everything, isn’t trying to recover gigabytes of data from your hard drive, isn’t trying to be your VPN, and isn’t trying to do dozens of other things. It may be a simpler approach than what you might expect these days, but it works, and it’s worth taking a look at, if only for the 60-day free trial. Foundry