Liquid Glass is divisive now, but Apple knows where it's going
Six months after public release, Liquid Glass remains as controversial as ever. Apple may be considering some mitigations in iOS 27 and so forth, but this is the future — especially if we get touchscreen Macs.Maybe Liquid Glass is controversial on Macs and iPhones, but you'd still buy one of these Apple Park models if you could — image credit: AppleIt's not at all true that everyone hates Apple's Liquid Glass redesign. What is true is that right now, it's in flux and being changed.There was never any question that it would stay. It was always going to evolve, just as Apple's iOS 7 so famously and controversially did over many years. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Today in Apple history: iPad gets an eye-dazzling Retina display
On March 16, 2012, Apple introduced the third-generation iPad. The short-lived iPad 3 became the first tablet to come with a Retina display. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Apple acquires MotionVFX, maker of popular Final Cut Pro plugins and more
Apple has acquired MotionVFX, the company behind popular templates and plugins for Final Cut Pro. MotionVFX announced the acquisition on its website, saying it is “joining the Apple team to continue to empower creators and editors to do their best work.” more…

Read more »

Apple’s feature film ‘F1’ scores Best Sound at the 98th Annual Academy Awards
Sunday night, at the 98th Annual Academy Awards, Apple’s history-making film “F1” won Best Sound from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Apple partnering with London Marathon: ‘Apple’s technologies support runners at every level’
Apple has been announced as an official partner of this year’s TCS London Marathon ahead of race day next month. Running and Apple already have a strong association after a decade of developing the Apple Watch to be the best run tracking smartwatch on the market. more…

Read more »

F1: The Movie takes home Apple TV’s only Oscar
After four nominations, "F1: The Movie" took home an Oscar for Best Sound -- another honor for the smash-hit racing flick starring Brad Pitt. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Here’s everything new
Today Apple unveiled the long-awaited AirPods Max 2. Here’s a comparison of all the differences between AirPods Max 2 and the previous AirPods Max models with both USB-C and Lightning. more…

Read more »

Big changes are coming to iOS 27, but Liquid Glass is here to stay
Macworld Last year’s 26-branded operating system updates, including macOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 as well as the iPhone’s iOS 26, were dominated by a single but very broad design change. A new look called Liquid Glass was brought in across all of Apple’s devices, introducing glass-like transparency effects and animations. This wasn’t universally popular, but according to a new report, Apple has no plans to get rid of Liquid Glass any time soon. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman argues firstly that Liquid Glass was never as unpopular as some media outlets claimed. “The idea that iOS 26 and Liquid Glass represent a crisis for Apple–or some unforgivable offense against good design that customers around the world despise–is greatly overblown,” he writes. “The vast majority of users appear happy with the update, and adoption has steadily climbed.” He goes on to claim that, contrary to one narrative, Liquid Glass was not the pet project of a few individuals who have since left the company. The design language had full buy-in from the executive team, he says, while several employees who now have more prominent roles in the design team were driving forces behind its long-term development. A sudden change of direction is unlikely. However, in a post on X, Gurman does concede that Apple is still looking at ways to give users more control over just how glassy Liquid Glass looks. Apple introduced a setting in iOS 26.2 letting users choose between “Clear” and “Tinted,” but Gurman reports it is still trying to give users granular control over the look of the interface: “Apple had been working on a systemwide Liquid Glass slider for iOS 26 to adjust the level of the glass effect. It couldn’t be pulled off for engineering reasons. Apple is trying again now for iOS 27. TBD if it lands.” But it’s clear that the opening keynote presentation at WWDC 26 won’t feature a loud mea culpa and the announcement of a new design language. (Indeed, we’ve suspected as much for some time.) But that doesn’t mean it’ll be uneventful. And Gurman believes that one major change is on the way to iOS 27 this year. In preparation for the launch of its first ever foldable in the fall, Gurman believes that Apple is preparing iOS to accommodate the larger display and multiple screen sizes of the iPhone Fold. When the device is folded up, it will behave more like the iPhones we are used to; when unfolded, somewhat like an iPad. It will support split-screen apps, for example, but not the iPad’s full multitasking capabilities. Offering a superior experience for watching video and playing games than any other iPhone, Gurman feels the iPhone Fold has the potential to be a game-changer. “The foldable iPhone promises to be one of Apple’s most exciting products in years,” he writes. iOS 27 will be announced and demonstrated at WWDC 26 in June, before rolling out to beta testers across multiple versions. The final public version of iOS 27.0 will become available in September. For all the latest news and rumors, bookmark our regularly updated iOS 27 superguide.

Read more »

AirPods Max 2 pack AI-powered listening and stronger noise cancellation
H2-chip-powered AirPods Max 2 enhance sound quality and noise cancellation and bring new features like Adaptive Audio and Live Translation. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Apple’s ongoing Siri and AI struggles ripple into hardware launch delays
LLM Siri is Apple's major, next-generation overhaul of Siri that shifts the assistant to a foundation built on large language models (LLMs)… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Apple drops a surprise AirPods Max 2 update
Macworld More than five years after the first generation arrived and 18 months after the perfunctory USB-C for Lightning swap, Apple has launched AirPods Max 2.  The new headphones look the same, come in the same five colors, and have the same maligned Smart Case for the same $549. The only difference appears to be the inclusion of the H2 chip, which was introduced in the AirPods Pro 2 back in 2022. Like in that model, the H2 chip brings several overdue upgrades to AirPods Max 2, including Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Live Translation, and Voice Isolation. Notably, Apple doesn’t list the AirPods Max as being compatible with its Hearing Health features, which can turn AirPods Pro into a hearing aid. The H2 chip does bring 1.5x improved Noise Cancellation and “more natural” Transparency mode. The AirPods Max 2 also bring a new high-dynamic-range amplifier for “even cleaner audio.” They still support 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio when listening via USB-C, as well as Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking.  While AirPods Max 2 is a welcome update, it’s hard not to wish these were released in 2024, if not sooner. The inclusion of the H2 chip only catches them up to the 3-year-old AirPods Pro 2, and does little to correct the flaws in the original model. And based on the frequency of updates, this model could be on shelves until 2030. But if you’ve been on the fence about buying a pair, now’s your chance. You can preorder them on March 25 for delivery “early next month.” 

Read more »

AirPods Max 2: Price, release date, new features and everything you need to know
Macworld Five years after the arrival of the AirPods Max (in December 2020) Apple has introduced that AirPods Max 2. These are Apple’s next-generation premium over-ear headphones, powered by the H2 chip and designed to deliver improved audio processing, noise cancellation, and spatial audio capabilities. They build on the original AirPods Max by refining connectivity, features, and audio performance while retaining Apple’s high-end design and ecosystem integration. In the past couple of years Apple has launched the AirPods 4 (in September 2024) and the AirPods Pro 3 (in September 2025). The only changes to the AirPods Max were updated color options and changed the adapter from Lightning to USB-C. AirPods Max 2 Buying Information: Release date and where to buy Announcement: March 16, 2026 (via Apple Newsroom press release) Pre-orders: March 25, 2026 Shipping / availability: Expected to start later in March 2026 Apple typically releases new hardware within weeks of announcement and sells it simultaneously online and through retail stores. Order AirPods Max 2 from Apple Customers can purchase AirPods Max 2 from: Apple Store (retail locations) Apple Store online Apple Store app Apple Authorized Resellers Major electronics retailers AirPods Max 2 Price: Has the AirPods Max price changed? The starting price is the same for this generation: In the U.S. the AirPods Max cost $549. Apple has historically kept the same U.S. pricing across AirPods Max revisions. In the U.K. the AirPods Max cost £499. The UK price dropped to £499 in September 2024, it was £549 at launch in 2020. Apple also typically offers: Monthly financing Trade-in credit for old devices Optional engraving when purchased directly from Apple. AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max 1: What’s New and what’s Missing? New features H2 chip for improved computational audio Improved active noise cancellation (1.5x better than original) Adaptive Audio: Adjusts sound depending on surroundings Conversation Awareness: Making it easier to talk to someone while wearing AirPods Enhanced Spatial Audio Better power efficiency Improved wireless connectivity The H2 chip powers features like adaptive audio processing and better voice isolation on newer AirPods models. What’s unchanged Overall industrial design Premium materials Control scheme (Digital Crown) High-end pricing AirPods Max 2 Audio: How have the audio features improved? One of the biggest improvements compared to the original AirPods Max is lossless audio support. Earlier AirPods Max models couldn’t deliver true lossless sound because of the way Bluetooth and Lightning wired playback processed audio signals. The newer hardware and software support means AirPods Max can now deliver 24-bit / 48 kHz lossless audio, preserving the full detail of the original recording rather than compressing it. This means more detail and clarity in music, better reproduction of studio recordings and improved listening quality for movies and games. Lossless playback will be a benefit to those listening to music from Apple Music’s lossless catalogue. Another improvement relates to ultra-low latency audio. This reduced the delay between what is seen on screen and the sound reaching your ears – important for gaming and video. The new headphones should reduced this delay significantly. AirPods Max 2 focus heavily on computational audio. The new model uses more advanced audio processing hardware (including the H2 chip) to improve computational audio. The original AirPods Max used Apple’s H1 chip. Key audio features include: Active Noise Cancellation: Blocks environmental noise using external and internal microphones. Transparency Mode: Allows outside sound to pass through so users can remain aware of surroundings. Spatial Audio: Provides immersive surround sound with dynamic head tracking. Computational audio: Powered by the H2 chip, which enables: improved noise cancellation adaptive audio tuning improved voice clarity for calls AirPods Max 2 Color Options : Have the AirPods colors changed? Apple AirPods Max 2 generally offer configuration based on color only, with the same internal specs. The color choices are: Blue Purple Midnight Starlight Orange Those are the same color options as were introduced to the line with he 2024 color refresh. At launch the original AirPod Max were available in: Space Gray Silver Sky Blue Green Pink AirPods Max 2 Design: Has anything changed to the design? The AirPods Max retain the same premium design language as the first model. They still feature the same stainless steel headband, aluminum ear cups, and breathable knit mesh canopy that distributes weight to reduce pressure on the head. The dimensions remain similar to the original, including the 386.2g weight. Apple also hasn’t changed the design of the Smart Case. AirPods Max 2 Battery Life: Is battery life better? The new AirPods Max 2 offer the same “up to 20 hours listening time” as the predecessor.

Read more »

AirPods Max 2 arrive with better ANC, Live Translation, and more
In a surprise launch on Monday, Apple has introduced the AirPods Max 2, updating the premium headphones with better active noise cancellation, the H2 chip, and more new features.AirPods Max 2 - Image Credit: AppleThe original AirPods Max arrived in December 2020, but aside from a minor refresh in 2024 with some new colors and USB-C, it hasn't received any real changes. On March 16, Apple changed that.Going by the name AirPods Max 2, the premium personal audio accessory looks like the originals from the outside. They're large over-ear headphones with a bouncy head cushion, just as before. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple’s Liquid Glass isn’t going anywhere: Years of refinements ahead for new design language
Apple's Liquid Glass user interface isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Apple's new design language stems from a multi-year development… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Apple unveils AirPods Max 2 with H2 chip, upgraded noise canceling, and more
Apple has announced the official AirPods Max successor today. Years after the original model was introduced, AirPods Max 2 are here. more…

Read more »

The iPhone 17e, now a solid budget phone with minimal compromise [Review] ★★★★☆
The iPhone 17e is a slight upgrade that makes all the difference. Now with MagSafe, it doesn’t have many compromises. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

iOS 27 might include a Liquid Glass slider, but should it?
Apple named Steve Lemay its Vice President of Human Interface Design last December, following the departure of Alan Dye to Meta. At the time, this led to speculation that Apple might walk back its Liquid Glass design language under Lemay’s leadership. In yesterday’s edition of his Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman said this isn’t in the cards. Apple is, however, revisiting a setting that could let some anti-Liquid Glass iPhone users scale back the design. more…

Read more »

Sennheiser CX 80U Review: Affordable USB-C wired earbuds with impressive sound
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Low price USB-C wired connection High-res support Comfortable fit Cons Wired-only No IP-rating No noise-cancellation Our Verdict These affordable wired earbuds don’t include any extra features such as Bluetooth or noise-cancellation. However, the sound quality is good for the price, and the adoption of USB-C for a wired connection provides compatibility with a wide range of computers and mobile devices. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$39.95 Best Prices Today: Sennheiser CX 80U Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Price: $39.95 / £34.99 Connection: USB-C wired earbuds (works with modern phones and laptops) Sound: Strong bass and clear vocals for the price Extras: Inline controls and microphone Missing features: No Bluetooth, no noise cancellation The first set of headphones that I ever bought back in my student days was from the affordable Sennheiser CX range. That was way back in the pre-iPod era and, needless to say, they were wired headphones equipped with the traditional 3.5mm audio connector that Apple eventually removed from the iPhone 7 almost a decade ago. The CX range has developed since then and now includes a number of wireless models as well, but I was pleased to hear that Sennheiser is sticking to its guns and recently released a new set of low-cost wired earbuds called the CX 80U. Design and comfort: Do the CX 80U stay in your ears? Priced at just $39.95/£34.99, the CX 80U earbuds are a little more expensive than Apple’s Earpods, but they provide good sound quality for such inexpensive earbuds and – unlike the EarPods – they don’t fall out of my ears every five minutes. To be fair, some people do like the design of the EarPods – shared with the less expensive AirPods 4 as well – which have a loose fit with the earpiece resting in the outer ear, rather than fitting more firmly into the inner ear. However, I find myself constantly adjusting the EarPods simply to stop them falling out, and I much prefer the more conventional in-ear design of the CX 80U. Sennheiser also provides removable ear-tips in three different sizes to help you get a good fit, and I had no problem wearing the CX 80U whilst wandering around during the day.  The CX 80U only weighs around 14g, so you’ll hardly notice the weight, even after hours of listening time. The USB-C interface can handle the latest lossless and high-res audio formats on Apple Music. Sonova Consumer Hearing What features do you get for $40? There are no noise-cancellation features either – not at such a low price – but the firm fit of the ear-tips does help to block out some of the background noise when you’re travelling. Inside the compact earpieces, the CX 80U houses 9.7mm drivers that boast 17–20KHz frequency response. The cable that connects the earpieces to your iPhone or other devices provides simple in-line controls for music playback and voice calls, and there’s a noise-reducing microphone for voice calls as well. However, the traditional 3.5mm audio connector has gone at last, with Sennheiser switching to a more modern USB-C connection, which will work with most recent iPhones, iPads and other mobile devices (although Sennheiser does still make other earbuds and headphones with 3.5mm connectors if you prefer). The other advantage of using USB-C is that it allows the CX 80U to support digital audio formats up to 24-bit/96KHz, so it can handle most of the lossless and high-res audio tracks that are available on Apple Music and other streaming services (Apple Music does go up to 24-bit/192KHz for some tracks, but if you’re that fussy about sound quality then you won’t be buying the CX 80U). Why buy wired headphones in 2026? Wired earbuds and headphones are experiencing a resurgence among listeners who prioritize high-fidelity audio, reliability, and value. While wireless options offer convenience, they often rely on data compression that compromises sound quality. Wired earbuds, like the Sennheiser CX 80U are able to offer true lossless and high-resolution audio, despite their low price. Also, because they draw power directly from the source device, you never have to worry about them running out of charge during a long journey or a workday. Sound Quality: How do they sound for the price? The 17–20KHz frequency response of the CX 80U lets it dig a little deeper on bass response than many low-cost earbuds, so I start with the rumbling tonsils of Leonard Cohen on You Want It Darker. The CX 80U does a good job with the track’s slinky bass riff, which glides along with a smooth, hip-swaying rhythm. And, of course, there’s the gravelly voice of Cohen himself, which has a rich, gritty texture to it. The CX 80U also handles the contrasts in the song well, capturing the more high-pitched staccato stab of percussion, and the smooth multi-tracked harmonies on the chorus. The CX 80U includes a microphone, with in-line controls for playing music and taking voice calls. Sonova Consumer Hearing Muse offer more of a challenge with the dense wall of sound on Knights Of Cydonia, but the CX 80U hits the ground running, landing the galloping-horses rhythm of the drums with a taut, precise sound that really drives the track forward. This is Muse during their imperial Queen phase, and the CX 80U captures all the details in the band’s multi-tracked harmonies, and the piercing edge on Matt Bellamy’s falsetto as he wails – “no one’s gonna take me alive!” (almost as good as Roger Taylor’s…). The final instrumental section is a headbanging delight and the CX 80U manages to maintain its composure, keeping each instrument clear and precise as the galloping drums and riffing guitars charge off into the sunset, and there’s no distortion even when I push the little earbuds right up to maximum volume. Should you buy the Sennheiser CX 80U? You’re not going to get Hi-Fi sound quality from a set of earbuds costing less than $40, but the CX 80U provides very good sound quality at a competitive price. It’s got enough power for headbanging rock, and respectable bass for such an inexpensive set of earbuds, so it’ll be a good option for anyone that wants an affordable set of wired earbuds that they can wear around town or working out at the gym.

Read more »

iPhone 17e review: Welcome improvements at Apple's lower-end
The iPhone 17e kicks out the iPhone 16e and improves Apple's offering for the budget-conscious consumer, but it's still not quite a bargain as the original iPhone SE was.iPhone 17eThe 2025 launch of the iPhone 16e was a big change for Apple's iPhone lineup at the value end of the scale. While Apple stayed with the budget concept as a whole, the iPhone 16e wasn't quite the same scale as how the iPhone SE started out, and finished.For a price difference of $170 between the iPhone SE 3 and the then-new iPhone 16e, Apple had to ensure there was a lot to offer anyone buying it. This was doubly important, since the standard iPhone 16 experience was barely $200 away, and every iPhone 16e downside made the upgrade more attractive. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

The story about how the third Apple founder sold out for $800 isn't quite right
Apple co-founder Ronald Wayne has chosen the company's 50th anniversary to reveal that the conventional wisdom about how he got out of the company and sold a 10% stake in the company for $800 is wrong — but he's splitting a very expensive hair.Apple co-founder Ronald Wayne at the Computer History Museum — image credit: CHMApple was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne — but Wayne left after 12 days. Now at a Computer History Museum celebration for Apple's 50th anniversary, Wayne said that it wasn't true he had ever sold the stake in Apple he had as a founder."I actually never sold my 10%," said Wayne, and then repeated it. "The story that's been floating around for decades about $800... that I had sold [my stake] for $800, that was totally inaccurate." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »