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- Thursday February 19
- 03:42 pmA FaceBook smart watch is okay, if you don't value privacy
Meta has reportedly revived its abandoned Facebook Watch, plans to release it in 2026, and is probably rubbing its corporate hands at what health data it will learn from you, and then turn around and monetize.Facebook HeadquartersBack in 2021, Facebook had plans to make a smartwatch, and it was far enough along that there was even a leaked image of just how much it looked like an Apple Watch.Nothing came of it back then, but maybe not for technological reasons. It was also in 2021 that the Facebook company was renamed Meta in a feeble attempt to distance itself from its own appalling record on privacy abuses. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:40 pmWest Virginia sues Apple over iCloud child porn hosting
West Virginia's attorney general believes iCloud is the greatest platform ever made to distribute child porn, and is the first government to sue Apple after a previous class action failed.Apple is under fire over its handling of CSAM on iCloud serversThe suit alleges that Apple's decisions over the way it handles iCloud and the storing of images make it "the greatest platform for distributing child porn."In a statement to Reuters, Attorney General JB McCuskey argued that Apple's inaction is "inexcusable." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums03:34 pmApple sued by West Virginia over alleged failure to prevent CSAM
Apple has been sued by the state of West Virginia over what it says is a failure to prevent child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) across iCloud services such as iMessage and Photos. Here are the details. more…03:18 pmApple Glasses as ‘all-day AI companion’ is exactly what I want
Apple Glasses are expected to be unveiled in the coming year, and a recent report said they would serve as “an all-day AI companion.” Though I was once skeptical of smart glasses, here’s why I think they might be exactly what I want. more…03:02 pmApple TV partners with IMAX to bring 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship Races live to IMAX screens across America | Mac Daily NewsApple TV partners with IMAX to bring 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship Races live to IMAX screens across America
IMAX on Thursday announced they’re working with Apple TV to bring the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship live to select IMAX… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.03:00 pmUpgrade iPhone gaming for cheap with GameSir X5s controller [Review] ★★★★☆
The GameSir X5s is a great and affordable way to upgrade mobile gaming. Your phone slides in and gives you console-quality physical controls. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)03:00 pmRivian launches new Apple Watch app with vehicle controls, digital key & more [Hands-on] | 9 to 5 MacRivian launches new Apple Watch app with vehicle controls, digital key & more [Hands-on]
Just a few weeks after rolling out the Rivian Digital Key update, which helped tremendously with proximity-based features, Rivian has doubled down and is rolling out a new dedicated Apple Watch app. The Apple Watch update was designed as an extension of the Rivian iPhone app, giving you all the most used features right on your wrist. It has customizable quick controls, glanceable vehicle status, and support for digital key functionality (depending on your vehicle generation). I got some early access to the app, so here is what you should know. more…02:22 pmNo, iPhone 18 won't have Mac-like MagSafe charging
Here we go again, with a viral TikTok with no basis in fact. The latest lie claims that the iPhone 18 will ditch USB-C and feature a tiny MacBook-like MagSafe plug.Apple really should bring proper MagSafe to the iPhoneIt's pretty common these days. A TikTok lie about Apple pops up, and it's passed around and cloned on the site. Millions of hits later, it reaches the ears of mainstream media, who pick it up like it's gospel, straight from Tim Cook's desk.The latest lie is that the 2026 iPhone is getting a nearly microscopic MacBook-like Magsafe charger, and USB-C will be purged from the device. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:21 pmRace to the IMAX theater: Apple TV & F1 will screen live races
Apple TV and IMAX have announced a program of F1 races to be screened live across the US, starting with the Miami Grand Prix in May 2026.Brad Pitt in "F1""F1: The Movie" was not only Apple's biggest success in films to date, it was also the top earning movie for IMAX theatres in 2025. Now IMAX has announced a new deal with Apple TV to bring live screenings of F1 races to "at least 50 IMAX locations nationwide."Fl is a rapidly growing force in sports and culture in the US, and by bringing F1 on Apple TV live to IMAX theaters nationwide, we're delivering the energy and excitement to even more screens in a truly immersive way," Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Music, Sports, and Beats, said in a statement. "We're excited to collaborate with IMAX to expand access to F1 on Apple TV and give fans across the US a powerful new way to experience the speed and spectacle that the sport delivers." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:20 pmWrite a book in minutes with this AI-powered publishing tool
Aivolut Books lets you turn an idea into a cohesive, Amazon-ready book in minutes. Get a lifetime subscription to the AI book generator. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:13 pmAn upcoming Meta smartwatch probably won’t compete with the Apple Watch
A new report suggests that a Meta smartwatch will launch at some point this year, but it likely won’t compete with the Apple Watch. Based on previous comments by the company, it may serve as more of an accessory to a future Meta smart glasses product … more…02:00 pmEasy way to avoid the ultimate texting screwup [Pro Tip]
If you have a background a chat, you’ll never confuse it for another one. Learn how to set a background in Messages on iPhone. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)01:58 pmApple AirTag 4-pack hits insanely low price of $64 on Amazon
The popular 4-pack of Apple AirTag item trackers is currently selling for just $64.00, or 34% off its $99 list price… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.01:51 pmApple TV partners with IMAX to show Formula 1 races live in theaters
You’ll need an Apple TV subscription if you want to watch Formula 1 at home this season in the United States. But, Apple is taking its new broadcasting rights beyond the living room. In a partnership announced today with IMAX, Apple TV will also show select races from this season live in theaters. Five of the 2026 Grand Prix’s will be shown at IMAX screens across the country, including Silverstone, Miami, Monaco, Monza and Austin. more…01:28 pmLeaked email proves Ring intended to use surveillance feature for people
When Amazon announced a wider rollout of a surveillance feature to help Ring smart doorbells locate lost dogs, it was immediately seen as a precursor to using the feature to identify people. That the company did in fact plan to do this has now been confirmed by a leaked email which Ring has admitted is genuine … more…01:28 pmApple iPhone 17e: Release date, specs, features & price – what to expect
Macworld Apple launched a new series of iPhones at the end of 2025: the iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, as well as a brand new iPhone Air, but there was no new iPhone 17e for those hoping for an update to the budget iPhone. This wasn’t a surprise: Apple released the iPhone 16e in February 2025 to replace the iPhone SE, so an update to the iPhone “e” series phones wasn’t expected to arrive until early 2026. If you’re considering buying an iPhone 17e, this is the place to keep up to date on its development. We’ll keep track of the latest reports and provide our analysis to help you decide if the iPhone 17e is the right phone for you. What’s new since the last update to this article: It’s a year since the iPhone 16e launch on February 19 2025, will the iPhone 17e arrive today? Probably not, but it’s likely to arrive before, or on, March 4. At a glance: iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e Specification / FeatureiPhone 16eiPhone 17eLaunch / ReleaseFebruary 2025March 4 (Possible)Starting Price$599$599 (expected)Design & Display6.1-inch OLED, 60 Hz notch, black and white color options6.1-inch OLED, 60 Hz, Dynamic Island (rumored), black and white color optionsChip (CPU / Performance)A18 chipA19 chipModem / ConnectivityC1 modem (5G)C1X modem + N1 wireless chipMagSafe SupportNo MagSafe (Qi only)MagSafeBase StorageFrom 128GBFrom 256GB (rumored)RAM8GB8GBRear Camera48 MP single camera48 MP single cameraFront Camera12 MP18 MP square-sensor camera (rumored)Charging SpeedsStandard Qi wireless (~7.5 W)Faster MagSafe (~20-25 W) (probably) Like the iPhone 16e and the iPhone Air, the iPhone 17e will likely have a single back camera.Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd iPhone 17e: Release date March 4 launch – possible The iPhone 16e arrived on February 19, 2025, so there was some hope that Apple could introduce its replacement on February 19 a year later… With that date now here it’s looking unlikely. However, there is an “Apple Special Experience” coming up on March 4, 2026, with media being invited to meet Apple execs in at least three global locations. It’s generally thought these meetings will tie to new Apple product launches. There are a number of other new product launches expected including a refreshed iPad Air, new entry-level iPad, M5 MacBook Air, M5 Pro/MaxMacBook Pro, and a brand new low cost MacBook. An event on March 4 – even if Apple isn’t referring to it as an event – is good timing for Apple to launch the new iPhone 17e because it is right in the middle of the Mobile World Congress. According to various reports, the iPhone 17e has entered test production runs to prepare it for a spring 2026 release. A rumor in early January said the iPhone 17e will go into production following CES (which ended January 9). This is unsurprising, as it follows the same pattern as the iPhone 16e. iPhone 17e: Specs: What’s new for the iPhone 17e A19 with one fewer GPU than iPhone 17 – likely MagSafe support – likely C1X modem – possible 256GB SSD – possible Apple’s decision to introduce the iPhone 16e in February 2025 represented a significant shift in its product strategy, moving away from the sporadic release cycle of the iPhone SE toward a more predictable, annual “e-series” lineup. This transition was driven by several strategic imperatives, ranging from the necessity of supporting new AI technologies to the desire to test in-house hardware components in a lower-risk environment. To maintain a starting price of $599 while including the high-end A18 chip, Apple made several calculated omissions that differentiate the 16e from the standard iPhone 16. The iPhone 17e is expected to address some of the shortcomings of the iPhone 16e with a few key design refinements (a Dynamic Island is rumored), more storage at the entry-level, MagSafe support and an updated processor (the A19). Processor: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and others have reported that the iPhone 17e will have an A19 chip, which is no real surprise. If this is the case, it may be a slightly less powerful than the A19 chip used by the iPhone 17. Apple uses binned chips in the “e” series, so Tte A18 in the iPhone 16e has one fewer GPU core than the A18 in the standard iPhone 16; and the A19 in the iPhone 17e will likely have one fewer GPU core than the iPhone 17. MagSafe: A December 2025 report in The Information claimed that Apple will add MagSafe support to the iPhone 17e, one of the features that is notably missing from the 16e. When we reviewed the 16e, the lack of MagSafe was one of its major shortcomings. A Macworld source in February 2026 claimed that the iPhone 17e will feature 25W MagSafe wireless charging. Modem: Apple’s C1 modem first appeared in the iPhone 16e, and rumors suggest the iPhone 17e will use the same modem. However, it could take the newer C1X modem as found in the iPhone 17 series, which is apparently two times faster than the C1 while using 30% less energy. Storage: There are suggestions that the iPhone 17e could follow the iPhone 17 with 256GB at the starting point, up from 128GB. However, in February 2026 Apple leaker, John Prosser said he expects the baseline storage to stay at 128GB. iPhone 17e: How the iPhone 17e display will be different Dynamic Island instead of notch – possible Notch vs Dynamic Island.David Price / Foundry Screen size: The iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch screen, which is larger than that of the iPhone 16 (6.1-inch). The iPhone 17e is not expected to get a bigger screen. It will likely sport a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, the same as the iPhone 16e. Dynamic Island: Digital Chat Station reported in August 2025 that the display will have a Dynamic Island – a change from the notch on the iPhone 16e. OLED: In December 2025, Korean website, The Elec reported that BOE will provide OLED displays to Apple for the iPhone 17e. BOE also provided OLEDs for the iPhone 16e. Samsung Display and LG Display are expected to also provide 17e displays. Bezels: The display, according to The Elec, will have thinner bezels than the 16e. iPhone 17e: Cameras 18MP front camera with square sensor – likely The iPhone 17e will likely continue to have a single 48MP camera on the back but the 12MP camera on the front (as seen on the iPhone 16e) could get an update in line with the iPhone 17 series). The front-facing cameras across the iPhone 17 range have all been updated to 18MP, so it is possible that the iPhone 17e will see the same update to the selfie camera. If so, it will also include a square sensor capable of taking photos in any orientation without requiring the user to rotate the phone. The notch may be replaced by the Dynamic Island in the iPhone 17e.Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd iPhone 17e: Design & Colors Digital Island likely to be only visible external change Colors: There have been no reports relating to the iPhone 17e’s colors. The iPhone 16e is available in black or white, and we expect the same for the iPhone 17e. Design: No changes are expected for the design, although, as mentioned above, the new iPhone 17e could have a Digital Island instead of the notch at the top of the screen. There is a possibility that the there could be thinner bezels than the 16e, according to The Elec. iPhone 17e: Price Starting at $599 A January 2026 report on Wccftech suggests that Apple has been able to reduce costs for the new iPhone 17e, so that the price won’t increase. This is thanks to lower costs for the OLED panels Apple is using. The iPhone 16e starts at $599/£599, and Apple is expected to price the iPhone 17e at $599 as well, though no reports have been made so far. Tariffs and production cost increases may affect the price, but since the “e” series is considered Apple’s lowest-priced iPhone, the price would not exceed that of the iPhone 17, which starts at $799, and the iPhone 16, whose price has been reduced to start at $699.01:00 pmWhy Distinguishing Trade Secrets From Public Knowledge Matters
A dispute over a predictive analytics platform shows how technology companies risk losing trade secret protection when proprietary workflows, documentation, and data processes aren’t clearly defined as non-public and non-obvious. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.12:40 pmSpeculation that Apple’s March event could include immersive F1 on Vision Pro
Apple commenter John Gruber is spitballing again. After suggesting that the special event on March 4 may be preceded by a series of new product announcements through press releases, he now has another idea. Based on a reader drawing his attention to the timing, he suggests that another announcement could be immersive F1 viewing on Vision Pro … more…12:29 pmBuck-passing Zuckerberg ropes Apple into his defense in social media safety trial
In a court case concerning the mental health effects of social media, Mark Zuckerberg's defense includes that he tried to discuss the issue with Tim Cook, who, obviously, doesn't run a social media platform.Meta CEO Mark ZuckerbergThe trial concerns in part the issue of age verification, which Meta has previously tried to dodge by saying Apple and Google should deal with it rather than any application. The case is a specific one brought to a Los Angeles court by a 19-year-old who claims social media led her to self-harm and suicidal thoughts.It's being seen, though, as a test case with much wider implications. The unnamed teenager and her mother originally sued Meta, YouTube, Snap and TikTok, although the latter two have settled out of court. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums12:16 pmMillions of passwords and Social Security numbers exposed as old hacks remain a threat
An unsecured database that likely contains tens of millions of unique Social Security numbers, alongside email addresses and passwords, has been discovered by security researchers. While the database appears to have been collated from a number of separate data breaches over approximately a decade, the researchers explain why even very old personal data remains a live threat … more…