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- Thursday April 16
- 10:26 amApple’s Mac lineup is nearly perfect. It’s just missing some Magic
Macworld Forget the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air, the MacBook Neo is all anyone is talking about at the moment. And with good reason: the striking laptop has proved to be a surefire hit, with Apple managing to produce an affordable device that still offers the kind of build quality that equivalent Windows machines can only dream of. That means it’s a good time to be part of the Apple universe, whether you’re a first-time customer or a long-time veteran. In fact, when you factor in desktop Macs and Apple’s recent Studio Display upgrades, we’re looking at one of the strongest Mac lineups ever. But I can’t help feeling that something is missing from all the fuzzy positivity. Apple’s made-for-Mac Magic accessories should be the perfect add-ons for new Mac buyers, but after decades of making mice and keyboards, Apple’s accessories still don’t live up to their name. The walled garden I’ve been using Macs for 15 to 20 years and I’ve had plenty of experience with Apple’s mice and keyboards, new and old, in that time. The perspective gained in that time has shown me that these products have often been a weak spot for Apple. The tiny scroll ball on the Apple Mighty Mouse seemed like a good idea, but they were prone to failure.Apple There was the Pro Mouse and its lack of a second button. Or the Mighty Mouse and its tiny scroll ball that didn’t take long to fail. I never had the misfortune to use the iMac G3’s hockey puck mouse, but plenty of poor unfortunates did. On the typing side, I still have painful memories of the old Apple Keyboard from 2003 and its chunky keys that continually got stuck. And the butterfly keyboard? That was so bad that I bought an outdated MacBook Pro just so I wouldn’t have to get a then-current one with Apple’s doomed keyboard built in. Apple has, after all, rectified things somewhat with the Magic Keyboard, which provides a comfortable enough experience for typists. Yet even then, that’s only half the battle. The modern Magic Mouse has more than its fair share of problems, from its wonky charging to its RSI-inducing low-profile shape. It also hasn’t been updated in the 11 years since its release. In other words, Apple still hasn’t banished the ghosts of peripherals past. It just seems unfathomable to me that the same company that makes wondrous devices like the MacBook Neo or the high-end Mac Studio can fall so flat with its mice and keyboards. Outside the garden At this point, you might be thinking that this is all a bit of a storm in a teacup. After all, aren’t the Magic Keyboard and the Magic Mouse good enough? Perhaps they are, but since when has “good enough” been Apple’s mantra? Last time I checked, “insanely great” was the order of the day. Can any of us say that both of these devices have earned that moniker? They might seem acceptable in isolation, but once you start looking outside the Apple ecosystem and you see what everyone else is up to, the scales fall away from your eyes. If you’ve ever used a mechanical keyboard, for example, you’ll know what a difference one can make. While these devices are often promoted for gamers, they’re just as beneficial for typists too. Even if you don’t spend much time at your desk, you’ll appreciate the supremely comfortable typing feel they offer. The mechanical keyboard market is bursting with innovations everywhere you look, from magnetic switches whose actuation points can be customized, to hot-swappable options that let you add your own switches for the perfect experience. Third-party mice, too, are leagues ahead of the best that Apple can whip up. Whether you want an ergonomically shaped pointer, one that’s loaded with buttons, or a mouse that’s so light it almost floats away, there are so many excellent choices out there. Sure, almost none have managed to replicate the Magic Mouse’s gesture pad, but is it worth wrecking your tendons for such a privilege? Not for me, it’s not. Ever since I first tried a mechanical keyboard, I’ve left Apple’s Magic Keyboard firmly in my past, while the Magic Mouse can’t get within 200 feet of my desk. It’s a shame, because Apple’s products are so good in almost every other respect. Yet right now, they’re conspicuous by their absence from my setup, and I can’t see that changing any time soon. Nothing in the offing What can Apple do to fix up its Mac peripherals? Well, the obvious answer is to release new versions. But that doesn’t appear to be anywhere on the horizon. Part of the problem is the strength of the Apple ecosystem. I know as well as anyone else that once you find yourself within the walled garden, it’s hard to leave. It’s only because I started my computing journey on Windows (I still use both a Mac and a PC) that I thought to try looking for outside offerings. Most Mac users, I suspect, stick with the defaults. It also doesn’t help that the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse are fine. The Magic Mouse is, in my opinion, worse than the Magic Keyboard, but neither is so offensively bad to put people off by default. Compared to most membrane keyboards made for Windows, the Magic Keyboard is head and shoulders above its competition. The only “innovation” Apple has introduced recently with its input devices is color options.Dominik Tomaszewski/Macworld U.K. Combined, those two factors probably mean that there’s very little overt demand for change among Mac users. I expect it’s only enthusiasts like me who want something more, and given our numbers are probably fairly low, Apple is probably happy to let us get our peripherals from other companies. After all, it’s not like we’re ditching the Mac altogether. I get the feeling that Apple is not averse to the idea of making a mechanical keyboard. Look back to 2024 when it worked with Corsair to develop Mac-exclusive versions of the K65 Plus keyboard, for instance. It wasn’t an Apple-branded mechanical keyboard, sure, but it’s the closest we’ve come to one and seemingly demonstrates that Apple isn’t entirely opposed to the product line. But the real kicker is that the rumor mill is utterly silent on the idea of Apple shaking up its mice and keyboards. There’s been no talk of upgrades to the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse, or even of supplementary devices being launched for those who want them. That tells me that I’m probably going to have to wait a lot longer before anything changes, or stick to my third-party devices. But if it’s a toss-up between that and accepting what Apple brings to the table, I know which way I’m going to go. If you’re in the market for new input devices, check out our keyboard best picks and mouse and trackpad best picks.08:09 amMacworld Podcast: iPhone 17e review
Macworld The iPhone 17e is now available. Is it a compelling affordable iPhone? We review Apple’s new iPhone on this episode of the Macworld Podcast. This is episode 979 with Michael Simon, David Price, and Roman Loyola. Watch episode 979 on YouTube Listen to episode 979 on Apple Podcast08:00 amOpera extends the Browser Connector functionality to Opera One and Opera GX
Following last month’s launch of MCP compatibility in Opera Neon, Opera is now bringing its browser connector feature to Opera One and Opera GX. Here’s what that means. more…08:00 amThis $20 mobile-friendly photo editor is like Photoshop for your phone
Macworld TL;DR: Luminar is a mobile-friendly photo editor with a lifetime subscription on sale now for $20. Editing photos on your phone usually means settling for something too simple or dealing with an app that feels bloated and annoying. Luminar Mobile found a better middle ground by giving you versatile editing tools that actually work well on Android and iOS devices. It’s also only $20 for a lifetime subscription right now (reg. $47.99). Luminar gives you the tools to make a lot of large edits in a few quick clicks. SkyAI can swap out a dull sky, EnhanceAI can clean up color, tone, and clarity in one pass, and RelightAI helps when a photo looks uneven or flat. Portrait edits are built in with SkinAI for smoothing and blemish cleanup, plus BodyAI for more natural-looking reshaping. You can also use Luminar for more in-depth edits. You can adjust curves, crop, sharpen details, fine-tune landscapes, convert shots to black and white, remove distracting objects, and work with RAW files. That last part is a real plus on mobile, because RAW editing gives you more room to fix exposure and color without your image falling apart. Luminar Mobile works on iPhone, iPad, Android, and ChromeOS, with support for Apple Pencil and Vision Pro on compatible Apple devices. Right now, it’s only $19.99 to get a Luminar Mobile Lifetime Subscription. Luminar Mobile for iOS & Android: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal Buying this deal? Top off your cart to $100+, then add a Microsoft Office 2021 lifetime license and use GWP4MAC (for Mac) or GWP4WIND (for Windows) to get it free through 4/19. Gift with $100+ purchase promo ends April 19, 2026. Exclusions apply. Only one promo code applicable per order. StackSocial prices subject to change.02:55 amHow to download and install older macOS versions on compatible Macs
If you've ever have to wipe the drive of a very old Mac, you know you need an old macOS to get it running again. Beyond Restore, Apple only grudgingly allows downloads, but others are trying to make it easier.You can download installers for most versions of the Mac operating system back to OS X Lion - image credit: AppleApple does rather prefer you to use only the latest version of macOS, but it's not as if it charges you to do so. Eventually you might need to buy a new Mac, so there is some financial upside for the company, but most of the time, the reason to stay up to date is security.If you're looking for an older macOS version then you know this already, but you also know that the Mac you're working on will not run macOS Tahoe. In which case, your job is this: Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums01:50 amApple sends Siri developers to AI coding bootcamp
Apple's effort to complete a Siri AI upgrade includes sending developers to a bootcamp for advanced AI coding techniques. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)12:28 amiPhone users no longer able to downgrade to iOS 26.4
Following last week’s release of iOS 26.4.1, Apple today stopped signing iOS 26.4. Here’s what that means. more…Wednesday April 1511:59 pmSmartWings smart roller shades review: bring in natural light to your Apple Home
Smart shades from SmartWings connect via the Matter over Thread protocol, which makes them responsive, energy-efficient, and Apple Home compatible. Plus, they're a beautiful addition to any home.SmartWings smart roller shades reviewThere are a lot of gadgets you can add to your smart home like lights, locks, and sensors, but there's one category that's often overlooked. Window shades and blinds are a more luxurious addition to a smart home, but they're quite useful.I have cats, so my first thought was ensuring I put the blinds somewhere they wouldn't get destroyed. My office is cat-free, and the windows are difficult to access, so they were the perfect option. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:47 pmDeepfake nonconsensual porn apps are advertising in the App Store
Users looking to create nonconsensual deepfakes of unknowing individuals can simply perform an App Store search. If App Review has a job, it clearly isn't doing it.It is trivially easy to search for deepfake tools when they take out adsIt isn't just the Grok app that lets users create nonconsensual deepfake nudes and pornography. Apple did remove at least 28 such apps in January, and even threatened xAI with a Grok removal, but that clearly hasn't been enough.According to a report from The Tech Transparency Project that was first shared by 9to5Mac, "nudify" apps are appearing in search ads and suggestions in the App Store. Pornography isn't banned from the App Store if it isn't the app's sole purpose, but illegal or harmful products are. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums11:20 pmGoogle One discount takes 50% off YouTube Premium for a year
After boosting AI Pro storage earlier this month, Google One is now running a limited-time YouTube Premium discount. more…10:54 pmImprobable Visa & iPhone loophole leads to Apple Pay heist that'll never happen to you | AppleInsiderImprobable Visa & iPhone loophole leads to Apple Pay heist that'll never happen to you
Researchers were able to pull $10k from a locked iPhone via a trick that requires physical device access, perfect circumstances, and specialized hardware. Don't let fearmongering convince you to turn off Transit Mode.Visa cards on Apple Pay have a very specific vulnerability that no one should worry aboutFear is one of the most prevalent emotions to utilize when looking to make some content go viral. If you watched TV in the past 40 years, a lot of late-night news broadcasts thrived on the "but it could happen to you" plot devices.YouTube is no stranger to using fear as a tactic, and one of the biggest tech YouTubers, Marques Brownlee, let hacking channel Veritasium steal $10k from his locked iPhone in a video. It utilized a man-in-the-middle technique where transaction handshakes are intercepted between an iPhone and payment terminal. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums10:04 pmNew report claims App Store search suggestions and ads steered users to ‘nudify’ apps
The Tech Transparency Project (TTP) has followed up on its January report that revealed dozens of “nudify” apps on the App Store with a new investigation focused on how Apple’s own search and ad systems may be helping users find them. Here are the details. more…09:51 pmApple's 'AI coding bootcamp' could help its engineers make a better Siri with AI
As part of ongoing efforts to improve Siri, Apple's engineers are set to participate in a multi-week coding bootcamp, which will help them master the use of AI in coding.Apple will allegedly organize an AI coding bootcamp for its Siri engineers.Apple's planned contextual awareness upgrade for Siri still isn't here, nearly two years after it was announced at WWDC 2024. Development has hit some snags, and it's often been said that Apple has fallen behind in the AI race.However, the company remains undeterred. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums09:43 pmGoogle launches native Gemini app for Mac
Google today officially released a standalone native Gemini app for macOS, giving Mac users a dedicated, high-performance way to access… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.09:24 pmApple to drive OLED notebook growth in 2026 amid smartphone slowdown, per report
According to a new Counterpoint Research report, Apple is expected to play a key role in driving OLED notebook display growth in 2026, even as the broader OLED market faces pressure from rising memory costs and softer smartphone demand. Here are the details. more…08:57 pmReport: Apple to send Siri engineers to multi-week AI coding bootcamp
The Information reports that a group of Apple engineers who are working on Siri will be sent to a “multi-week bootcamp to learn to code using AI.” Here are the details. more…08:41 pmBofA ups Apple stock price target to $325 ahead of Q2 earnings
On Tuesday, top Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan reiterated a Buy rating on Apple stock and raised his price target to $325 from $320… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.08:34 pmJon Prosser's last-ditch effort against Apple's lawsuit is the First Amendment
Journalists are protected when they report trade secrets, with caveats, and leaker Jon Prosser hopes that this protection will be enough to have the lawsuit that Apple filed dismissed.Jon Prosser believes his Liquid Glass leaks are protected speechThings haven't been going well for Front Page Tech owner Jon Prosser. He leaked early prototype designs of Liquid Glass and has been sued by Apple for how he allegedly got hold of the materials.After failing to respond to Apple's complaints and placed in a default ruling, he's allegedly been working the case from behind the scenes. The latest filing from Prosser's team suggests he believes it is all going to be thrown out. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums08:26 pmiOS 26.4 adds brand new widgets for your iPhone’s Home Screen
iOS 26.4 comes packed with many new features, including brand new Ambient Music widgets that can be added to the iPhone’s Home Screen. Here are the details. more…08:25 pmNever pay for VPN again: Get FastestVPN on 10 devices, just $30 for life
Keep your personal data private with a FastestVPN lifetime license, on sale now. Supports iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, smart TVs and more. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)