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- Thursday December 04
- 08:19 pmRussia blocks FaceTime in ongoing crackdown of foreign tech platforms
Macworld Reuters reports that Russia has blocked usage of Apple’s FaceTime app at the network level, leaving users in the country who try to connect via Apple’s encrypted video platform with a “User unavailable” message. According to the report, Russian communications agency Roskomnadzor justified blocking it by saying, “According to law enforcement agencies, FaceTime is being used to organise and carry out terrorist attacks in the country, recruit perpetrators, and commit fraud and other crimes against Russian citizens.” The report notes that no evidence has been presented to support the allegations. Russia has been cracking down on foreign platforms that do not willingly track their users on behalf of the Russian government, of late. Communications on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram have been restricted, and Roskomnadzor has also threatened to block WhatsApp entirely. The game Roblox was blocked on Wednesday for distributing “LGBT propaganda.” Coincidentally, the Russian government launched a competing messaging app earlier this year named Max, and plans to develop it into a “superapp” similar to WeChat in China. Max is required to be preinstalled on smartphones sold in Russia, including iPhones.08:05 pmRumor Replay: iPhone 17e design changes, Mac chips via Intel, more
This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: iPhone 17e design changes, Intel producing M-class chips, and ChatGPT integrating with Apple Health. Here are this week’s Apple rumors. more…07:56 pmRivian to add Apple Wallet car keys support with upcoming R1T and R1S software update
Rivian’s Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid confirmed today that the .46 OTA update will bring Digital Key support to the second-generation R1S and R1T. Here’s what that means. more…07:40 pmM5 MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM drops to record-low $1,499 ($300 off)
Apple's new M5 MacBook Pro with 24GB of RAM is back for $1,499, a discount of $300 off MSRP. Plus, save $250 on two 32GB RAM models for a limited time only.Get the best price ever on Apple's M5 MacBook Pro 24GB - Image credit: AppleThe exclusive deals can be activated through the pricing links in this post or via our M5 MacBook Pro Price Guide. Kicking off the sale is the M5 14-inch MacBook Pro with an upgrade to 24GB of RAM for $1,499.Buy M5 MacBook Pro 24GB for $1,499 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums07:35 pmApple software has been bad for years, but now there’s finally hope for the future
Macworld For a few years now, something has felt off with Apple’s software design. There’s been too much emphasis on showy effects and eye-catching animations, and not enough on creating intuitive experiences that actually work for the user. But now that Apple’s design chief Alan Dye is leaving the company for new pastures at Meta, I’m hoping for a radical improvement to iPhone and Mac software–one that’s long overdue. I’m not pinning all of Apple’s software woes on Dye. But as the company’s Vice President of Human Interface Design, he set the tone for Apple’s entire software ecosystem, and ultimately, the design decisions flow back to him. With him on the way out, a lot of users (myself included) will be hoping for a return to the design glory days of Apple’s past. Here’s what I think went wrong, and what I hope we could see change. Apple lost its way People like to complain that Apple’s design has been going downhill, so much so that “what would Steve Jobs do?” has become a meme of sorts. But for long-time Apple fans, it really does feel that something has been amiss at the company in terms of design. That doesn’t mean that everything is wrong. Apple still pumps out incredible designs that are instantly and shamelessly copied by its rivals, the true sign that you’re a class-leading act. The indication of a good design is one that instantly feels familiar, even if you’ve never used it before, and Apple is still capable of doing that. I vividly recall feeling that way about the iPhone X’s swipe-based gesture system, which Dye helped to implement. Dynamic Island doesn’t feel like the revelation it was touted to be.Apple Yet for every design hit, it feels like Apple has been putting out just as many misses. Think about the Dynamic Island. Sure, it looks amazing, and its animations are beautiful, but can you say that it genuinely elevates your iPhone experience? I’m not sure I can. While I like it, I can’t help feeling that that’s simply because it’s more functional than the dumb notch that came before it. The clear app icons in iOS 26 are another worrying indicator. Icons are meant to instantly tell you what they represent, even from a split-second look or a glance from the corner of your eye. When every icon looks identical and completely transparent, you lose that vital functionality, and the entire purpose of an icon is undermined. That is a move done purely because someone at Apple thought it looked cool, and the user experience suffers as a result. Implementing it was an excuse to make something visually stunning without there being a pressing need to do so. But by far the worst example of this “let’s do it because we can” approach, in my mind, is the new animation that plays when you use a Liquid Glass toggle in iOS 26. A toggle’s purpose is to enable or disable something else–in other words, it’s ephemeral, something you use quickly and then move on. That’s its design purpose. In iOS 26, the toggles are anything but ephemeral. Tap a toggle, and it jumps up as it moves, slowing down the animation and distracting your eye. It transforms the toggle from a fleeting tool that is entirely functional to an off-putting centerpiece. There is no purpose to that change other than to make it look pretty, and in doing so, Apple has created a sluggish, more annoying experience. That is not “design is how it works,” that’s “design is how it looks.” It may seem like a small thing, but sweating the small stuff is what design is all about. At the end of the day, getting that right was Dye’s responsibility. Getting it wrong is symbolic of his legacy. Only Apple could make a toggle switch more complicated than it should be.Foundry Jobs versus Dye That cuts to the heart of the matter. For years, Apple’s design team has been led by someone who, it seems, does not understand the central philosophy that underpinned Apple’s greatest design triumphs. How else can we explain the confusing design choices, frustrating changes, and new features that seem to be at least partly motivated by superficial reasoning? To be clear, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with making things that are pretty. Recall Steve Jobs’ quote on Mac OS X’s Aqua interface: “One of the design goals was when you saw it, you wanted to lick it.” But also recall another Steve Jobs quote about design: “People think it’s this veneer, that the designers are handed this box and told, ‘Make it look good!’ That’s not what we think design is. It’s not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” In the view that Jobs was criticizing, good design meant making something that was all looks and glamour but no heart and soul. That seems to be the way Apple’s design has been going under Dye. A real warning sign was the Liquid Glass introduction video that Dye presented at WWDC in June 2025. The segment was heavy on how Liquid Glass would supposedly make you feel; Dye talked about it sparking a sense of joy and delight on multiple occasions. But he was very light on why exactly the new design system was a functional improvement on what came before. The impression I got (I’m sure I’m not alone) was that this was being done because Apple was bored with how iOS looked and wanted a visual overhaul. The company seemed less driven by the need to improve the user experience and more by an internal desire to create a new look for the sake of it. For veteran Apple watchers, it was concerning. Liquid Glass lacks any practical value and strays from Apple’s design philosophy.Apple Liquid Glass has continued to be incredibly divisive months after its debut. Text is illegible when glass panels overlap each other or when writing is superimposed on top of an image. Animations feel excessive and overwrought. Controls are confusing and obscured. All this seems to stem from the focus being put squarely on how something looks and feels. “Design is how it works” is not just some empty adage. Liquid Glass is an example of what happens when Apple forgets what it means. Turning the ship around Some of this can feel a little inside baseball. But I think we should care about the ideas that go into the way our devices work because most of us use them every day. If we are given products that look visually stunning but are frustrating to use, we’re going to go elsewhere for something better. Alan Dye was an odd choice to head up Apple’s human interface team because he had no background in software design. His past work experience includes fashion house Kate Spade and ad agency Ogilvy, hardly the kind of resumé that indicates someone obsessed over user interface and experience. Apple has already given users the option to tone down Liquid Glass in iOS 18.1.Foundry His successor, Stephen Lemay, seems to be cut from a very different cloth. An old hand at Apple, he’s seen as someone who understands both Apple’s culture and good software design principles far more than Dye ever did. Many designers inside Apple are happy at Lemay’s appointment, “if not downright giddy,” according to longtime Apple pundit John Gruber. He’s “deeply respected talent-wise,” and strong praise has been given to his “attention to detail and craftsmanship,” the exact things that have been neglected under Dye. I hope that means we see a return to the ideas that made Apple software great in years gone by. A stronger emphasis on user experience, an obsession over small details, and a renewed passion for interfaces and controls. An appreciation of the foundational ideas that helped Apple’s products reach the pinnacle of software design. The change probably won’t happen quickly. Apple is a big beast that turns slowly, and it put too much effort into Liquid Glass to quickly abandon it. But with a designer at the helm who is rooted in solid principles–it seems that that’s the view of Lemay internally at Apple–there’s a chance Apple’s software can get back on track. If that results in a swift death for the accursed Liquid Glass toggle, I’m all for it.07:14 pmMaybe a design blow-up is just what Apple needed
With Alan Dye departing for Meta and leaving a hollowed-out design division behind him, his replacement, Stephen Lemay, will have a rare opportunity to rebuild the company’s design culture from the inside out. more…07:09 pmApple Podcasts’ 2025 Show of the Year: ‘The Rest Is History’
Apple is celebrating "The Rest Is History" with the Apple Podcasts Award for Show of the Year, a recognition that "honors a show that… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.06:30 pmRussia shutters FaceTime as it tightens control over apps & communication
Russia has cut off FaceTime over unproven terrorism support claims, and the move reflects a trend shared by governments worldwide that push for access to encrypted communication.FaceTimeRussian authorities said FaceTime helped criminals plan attacks and commit fraud across the country. Of course, they didn't publish case data or examples that could support those claims.Users saw the announcement as another attempt to restrict tools the government can't easily monitor. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums06:07 pmApple Podcasts names ‘The Rest Is History’ its show of the year
Apple Podcasts has announced its 2025 Show of the Year, the UK-based The Rest Is History. Here are the details. more…06:07 pmThere's still time to grab AirPods 4 ANC for $99, the lowest price ever
Amazon's $99 AirPods 4 ANC deal is still in stock at the lowest price on record for holiday gift-giving.This AirPods 4 ANC deal delivers the lowest price ever at $99.The $80 discount on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation matches the lowest price on record at $99. Pick up a pair for yourself or as a holiday gift at Black Friday pricing, which is 44% off MSRP.Buy AirPods 4 ANC for $99 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:49 pmTwo key Apple executives depart, App Store dealings, and Apple Music Replay 2025
Benjamin and Chance react to the departure of not one, but two, key Apple executives this week with the news that John Giannandrea is retiring as SVP of AI, and design VP Alan Dye is leaving for a new job at Meta. Also, Apple finally agrees a deal with Tencent over commission for mini apps in WeChat, India tries to pre-install a state security app on iPhones, and the new Apple Music Replay launches. And in Happy Hour Plus, an analytics report claims baseball games drive more subscribers to Apple TV than its original series. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Narwal: Narwal is officially launching their Cyber Monday discounts, offering the record-low prices of its entire lineup up to 49% off. Sponsored by Hydrow: Train smarter, not longer. The Hydrow rowing machine delivers the best results, in just 20 minutes a day. Use code HAPPYHOUR to save up to $600 at hydrow.com. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by Aura Frames: The best digital picture frames. Get $35 off the best selling Carver Mat Frames with code HAPPYHOUR at on.auraframes.com/HAPPYHOUR. more…05:40 pmGet the Apple Watch Series 11 46mm GPS at $70 Off!
Amazon has the Apple Watch Series 11 in 46mm size with accurate GPS capabilities marked $70 off. The Series 11 smartwatch is a strong fitness partner with features like Heart Rate Zones, Pacer, Workout Buddy, and training load, which gives you insight into your workout and helpful metrics like intensity. The watch can detect potential […] The post appeared first on iLounge.05:38 pmDemand for iPhone 17 Is Breaking Sales Records At Apple
Demand for the iPhone 17 has been good, and Apple is on track to distribute over 247.4 million units this year, with forecasts indicating that shipments are to grow by 6.1 percent YoY. This can be attributed to the increased demand and sales for the iPhone 17 in China, which is a big market of […] The post appeared first on iLounge.05:37 pmEtsy Users Eligible for $15 Off on Transactions Above $75 When Using Apple Pay
There is a new promo in Apple Pay for this year’s holidays. They are collaborating with Etsy to give customers a $15 discount for transactions above $75 when using Apple Pay and using the ‘APPLEPAY’ promo code when checking out within the Etsy app. The discount is available once per person, with the promo excluding […] The post appeared first on iLounge.05:36 pmAlan Dye Parts Ways With Apple To Join Meta
Alan Dye, head of the Apple UI design team, is leaving Apple to join Meta. He has been part of the company since 2006, when he joined the communication and marketing team as creative director. Dye took control of the UI design team in 2015 when Jony Ive, former Apple designer, moved to Chief Design […] The post appeared first on iLounge.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…