Amazon's $11 billion Globalstar deal has implications for future iPhone satellite features
Amazon has agreed to buy Globalstar in a deal worth over $11 billion. It has the potential to add more satellite services to Apple's iPhone in the future.Messages via Satellite - Image Credit: Pixabay/Terry McGrawThe iPhone's satellite features, including Emergency SOS via Satellite, rely on connectivity from satellite service operator Globalstar. That company is now being bought by another tech giant, Amazon.Fulfilling rumors from early April, Amazon confirmed on Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire Globalstar. The deal, which will require the usual regulatory approval for closure, will see Globalstar shareholders receiving either $90 in cash or 0.321 shares of Amazon common stock in exchange for their shares. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple-Amazon deal keeps iPhone and Apple Watch satellite features alive
With the world's biggest retailer buying Globalstar, a new Apple deal with Amazon keeps satellite features going on iPhone and Apple Watch. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Long-awaited Zurich Apple Store upgrade stops short of flagship scale
Apple has filed plans to relocate its Zurich retail store to Lintheschergasse 7, with construction scheduled in May 2027 and an opening expected that summer.Apple Store in Wallisellen, SwitzerlandThe company submitted a building application to the city of Zurich in February 2026 outlining the project. The scheduled plan is to begin construction in November 2026 and finish by May 2027.Apple's plan includes a redesigned storefront, an updated facade, and a reconfigured interior layout located near Zurich's main shopping corridor.. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Improve your workspace with Microsoft Office 2024 and Windows 11 Pro for $104.99
Get Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business and Windows 11 Pro together for just $104.99, a 76% savings off the $448.99 combined value. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Turn your phone into a multi-model AI workspace
Get 5 years of ChatOn AI for $97.99 and access multiple top AI models, image tools and real-time search in one app—no juggling required. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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How to hide all the menu bar icons in macOS Tahoe
The macOS Tahoe menu bar icons are one of the more universally panned changes. Luckily, there’s a quick way to disable the icons. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Amazon to acquire Globalstar for $11.57 billion in attempt to challenge Starlink; Apple owns approximately 20% of Globalstar
Amazon.com announced on Tuesday it has agreed to acquire satellite communications company Globalstar in an $11.57 billion… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Amazon buying Globalstar; Apple satellite services to use Amazon Leo
Amazon has today announced that it’s buying satellite giant GlobalStar to allow its Amazon Leo service to offer direct connectivity to consumer devices. Apple owned 20% of the company. The deal will see Apple buy its satellite services for iPhone and Apple Watch from Amazon Leo, with the acquisition promising to accelerate innovation and connectivity … more…

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Analysts believe Apple taking a highly unusual step, may double Mac user base
Analysts believe Apple may be adopting a very uncharacteristic policy in pursuit of accelerated growth. The company has traditionally protected its industry-leading profit margins, but now appears to be willing to sacrifice these to some degree in order to prioritize increased market share. Analysts believe this is creating enormous opportunities for increasing the Mac user base in particular, with a big name suggesting that a doubling within the next decade is “certainly achievable” … more…

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MacBook Neo vs Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x: Inexpensive Mac vs Windows toe-to-toe
Apple's MacBook Neo is a warning shot at the budget Windows notebook industry. Here's how it compares against the similarly-priced and popular Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x.MacBook Neo [left], Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x [right]The introduction of the MacBook Neo was a big event for Apple. Not only was it a new model for its MacBook catalog, but it was also a shift to cover the value end of the market.This is a price category that Apple has no real prior experience in, considering its premium-focused history. However, while the market is already full of extremely good examples of low-cost notebooks, the MacBook Neo still caused a stir with reviewers. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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AI Data Center Boom Drives Inland Expansion Across US
Hyperscale data center development is shifting inland as AI demand surges, with Texas and Midwestern states gaining ground due to power availability, lower costs, and faster permitting. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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Microsoft Surface price hikes the latest reason to buy a MacBook Neo
Even Windows fans saw the MacBook Neo as a stunning buy, with many saying that Microsoft and other brands were going to be forced to respond. Microsoft has now done so – but in completely the wrong way. Yesterday saw the announcement of some very steep Microsoft Surface price hikes across the full range of models. The 13-inch version matching the MacBook Neo display size has seen a staggering 50% increase from $999 to $1,499 … more…

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CarPlay ruined every other vehicle for me
Macworld From air-vent phone mounts to AUX cables and Bluetooth connections, drivers have long relied on a bewildering array of tech solutions in order to access navigation apps, stream music, and take calls on the road. Apple decided this was all too complicated. CarPlay, which was introduced back in 2014, streamlined the in-car experience by projecting a familiar iOS interface on to compatible displays. It’s taken me a while, but I’ve finally joined the party. Earlier this month, I bought my first CarPlay-enabled vehicle: a 2026 Kia Picanto. Within hours, I realised that I’ll never be able to go back. Much like an Apple TV 4K, CarPlay transforms unintuitive infotainment systems into fluid extensions of the iPhone, presenting your apps and data through a UI you already know. Switching to anything else would be a downgrade. Firing up CarPlay Like most Apple setup flows, getting started with CarPlay requires just a few taps. Once I confirmed the pairing, my compatible iPhone apps instantly appeared on the Picanto’s display, automatically logging me into all of my accounts. From this point on, CarPlay launches whenever I start my car and disconnects in a similar fashion. It’s convenient and doesn’t require me to manually initiate anything before each ride. CarPlay offers the right balance between simplicity and functionality. For instance, I can reorder my apps and widgets, but I’m limited to a few first-party wallpaper options—presumably to minimize distractions. Likewise, the Settings app on CarPlay offers some basic customizations but doesn’t give me full control over the look or experience. In general, built-in and third-party CarPlay apps revolve around driving-related tools and leave out the rest of their feature sets. Beyond touchscreen controls, CarPlay primarily relies on Siri commands and speech-to-text input to help drivers stay focused on the road. The software keyboard deactivates when my car is moving, limiting me to the Dictation feature. CarPlay setup is a breeze, and the system doesn’t need to be initiated before each car journey.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Native navigation As a road trip enthusiast, I often depend on navigation apps to reach areas I haven’t been to before. This can mean mounting my iPhone precariously on the dashboard or windscreen, and awkwardly trying to follow maps on its small screen. CarPlay offers a far better approach, displaying real-time routes on my Picanto’s larger screen. It also audibly alerts me about upcoming turns I need to make, and other important updates. While many cars come with built-in maps, CarPlay is a step above because it has access to my personal Apple and Google Maps data, such as the location of my home. This spares me from having to adapt to a new navigation app or feed it relevant information about my commute habits and frequent destinations. Besides, I like the way both Apple and Google Maps automatically drop a pin when I park, making it easy to find my car using my iPhone later on. The iPhone is a wonderful navigation tool, but CarPlay makes it more convenient to use.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Dashboard DJ Apple Music is my second most used CarPlay app, letting me stream my favorite playlists when driving. While you could always connect your iPhone to a car’s audio system via Bluetooth or AUX, the native Music app comes with exclusive perks. Most notably, it allows other passengers to initiate a SharePlay session by scanning a QR code. This enables them to take over the queue using their own smartphones instead of having to be handed the driver’s unlocked iPhone. Those who prefer to listen to podcasts, audiobooks, or narrated news articles will also appreciate the dedicated CarPlay apps from Apple, which include all of their bookmarks and relevant data. Everyone knows that the driver gets to pick the tunes. That’s just how it works.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Dial and drive Texting and driving is illegal in most countries for obvious reasons. CarPlay takes laws and users’ safety into account, while still offering a comprehensive communication experience. Instant messaging apps like Apple Messages and Meta’s WhatsApp, for example, are designed to read texts out loud instead of displaying the actual messages. I can then optionally reply by dictating my response. Similarly, users won’t be able to check their emails using CarPlay, as Apple’s guidelines ban developers from displaying long-form text or distracting elements. Besides IM apps, CarPlay supports regular phone calls, in addition to audio calls via FaceTime, WhatsApp, and other third-party VoIP apps. This allows me to easily call any of my contacts using a specific app in a hands-free manner. While Siri generally struggles to execute complex tasks on iOS, it’s typically reliable for basic CarPlay commands, such as sending texts and calling contacts. CarPlay helps you stay in touch while remaining safe.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry More under the hood Now that Apple’s car project has reportedly been axed, the company has been working to improve the CarPlay experience in third-party vehicles. CarPlay now supports AI chatbot apps, such as ChatGPT. It’s safe to assume that Apple will require app developers to implement a voice-first interface and limit the use of text. This would help us get urgent answers on the road without needing to park and take our iPhones out. Additionally, Apple will seemingly bring the Apple TV app to CarPlay, as well as AirPlay casting support, which began testing during the iOS 26.4 beta cycle but has yet to appear. Once active, these perks will let users watch videos on the built-in screens when their vehicles are parked. It’s a neat addition that would help to kill time when we’re waiting for someone.

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Apple published a new Press Release
Apple just published a new Press Release:Apple Arcade brings endless family fun with Nick Jr. Replay! on May 7

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All of a sudden, everyone is doomed except Apple
Macworld In the day and age of AI getting shoved into everything whether it’s warranted or not and CEOs behaving badly, it’s nice to seem some positive trends in tech. Have you heard about this MacBook Neo? It’s priced to go and is apparently doing just that: “Apple’s stock could surge 20%, and the MacBook Neo could be a key catalyst” (Apple News link) Tip o’ the antlers to Horace Deiu, who says: …a doubling of the Mac user base is certainly a worthy and achievable goal over the next decade. Now, before you sniff and say “Where were these customers when the Mac was dying? Where were these customers when we needed them? And where are we going to put them all now that they’re coming to the Mac? They’re not staying at my place. Kevin has much more room than I do and Kevin never does anything,” remember first that Kevin is still reeling from the heartbreak of psoriasis. So… you know. But also, while millions of people buying cheap Macs may not be the best thing for Apple’s margins, it does mean good things for Mac users. Even after Steve Jobs returned and saved the Mac from extinction, Mac users had to deal with the walk of shame to the secluded area in the back of Circuit City to buy software and Mac peripherals. What changed that and made the Apple Store viable was the iPod. When it was still just a relative few who owned Macs, everyone owned an iPod. Anyone who walked the floor at Macworld Expo in the mid-2000s can attest to the bevy of third-party products you could buy for the iPod. More Mac users could mean more software and more accessories for our favorite non-pocketable computing platform. Of course, the company still has some problems to iron out. According to Tim Culpan, MacBook Neo demand is so good it has exceeded Apple’s expectations, meaning the company may have to spin up more production of the A18 Pro processor. The whole idea behind the MacBook Neo was it could be made from stuff Apple just had lying around, like binned A18 Pro chips. If the company now has to make more just for the Neo, they’ll cost more, cutting into margins. As problems go, though, massive sales are not a bad one to have. If you’d like to receive regular news and updates to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters, including The Macalope and Apple Breakfast, David Price’s weekly, bite-sized roundup of all the latest Apple news and rumors.Foundry So, yeah, it turns out people like products that are made well and that they don’t feel like they’re being gouged for! Huh! Who knew? Apparently here in the Year of Our Lord 2026, some are just discovering this whole “price elasticity of demand” thing. For example: “Doritos prices jumped 50% in four years and PepsiCo waited until it lost billions to do anything about it” What are they teaching in MBA school these days? PepsiCo, 2022: “Our glorious product is like air to people! They cannot live without it and will pay any price to get it! Hahaha!” PepsiCo, 2026: “Oh, no.” Surprise, when prices get too high, people just buy other carbohydrate and sodium injection systems covered in various types of flavored powder! Likewise, you can get music in other ways when the price of music streaming gets too high. As Gizmodo points out, nostalgia isn’t the only reason iPods and other dedicated digital music players are becoming popular again, largely with da yoots. In January, Spotify raised its prices once again, this time reaching $13 a month. For context, in 2023, subscription fees rose from $9.99 to $10.99, and again in 2024 from $10.99 to $11.99. Apple Music is more affordable, but not by much at $11 per month. People moved from buying music to subscribing to a streaming service for convenience but also price, it was simply cheaper than buying music. When it becomes not cheaper, guess what people do? It would certainly be fun if Apple decided to make an iPod Classic again, but do not hold your breath or even any other bodily expulsion of gases because it’s not gonna happen. The Macalope doesn’t need anyone exploding because they misread this column. Not again. Not again. You think Tim Cook is making it easier for you to quit sending him that sweet services revenue? Please. Finally, there are some signs that AI is being pulled from places it just doesn’t add any value: “Microsoft starts removing Copilot buttons from Windows 11 apps” Noted weirdo Sam Altman may dream of someday tithing all of us for graciously shoving a firehose into our windows and spewing AI into our homes, but the divide between his opinion and public opinion is growing. And he is not The Lathe of Heaven. He may be a lathe of some kind, but it’s not of Heaven.

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Apple @ Work Podcast: PocketMDM brings Apple Business Manager to your pocket
Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. In this episode of Apple @ Work, Joshua Patrick joins the show to talk about his new app: PocketMDM. more…

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Down from $448.99, you can now get lifetime access to Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office for $105
Macworld TL;DR: Get Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office 2024 for life for only $105. Windows 10 is no longer getting security updates, and there’s no guarantee Microsoft 365 will stay at the same (already high) price. If you want a way out of both, right now, you can get Microsoft Office 2024 and Windows 11 Pro together for $104.99 (reg. $448.99). This is a two-part bundle that gives you lifetime access to Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro. This version of Office comes with Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook OneNote These are recently updated versions of the same core apps you get from Microsoft 365, complete with the new AI integrations for data analysis and content creation. PowerPoint even has new ways to record presentations. The Windows 11 Pro is an all-encompassing upgrade. You’ll get access to a refined interface with snap layout, along with improved security features like BitLocker device encryption, Hyper-V, and TPM 2.0. Both of these licenses last for life without any recurring costs, so while they may be more expensive than a single month of Microsoft 365, they cost a lot less than you’d end up paying in the long run. Right now, it’s only $105 to get Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro for life. Offer ends soon. Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business + Windows 11 Pro BundleSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Crash detection! The Apple Watch 11 drops to its best price
Macworld NOW $100 OFF Apple Watch Series 11 View Deal (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); If you were waiting for the right time to get an Apple Watch Series 11, then now’s the time to add it to your cart. This one’s a fantastic smartwatch, and it can be yours for $299, which is a substantial $100 under its regular price and the best deal we’ve seen for this model. While we didn’t love the fact that the Series 11 only brought minor upgrades, we can’t deny that it’s a lot better at health monitoring. If you get any hypertension spikes, it’ll send you a notification, or even tell you if you have sleep apnea, while also creating a nightly sleep score complete with tips on how to improve your rest. The watch also features plenty of sensors that will help track your heart rate, pulse, temperature, blood-oxygen levels, and so on. The watch also comes with the safety features we’ve come to love, namely Crash Detection and Fall Detection, which you can use to alert others in the event of an accident. Battery life won’t disappoint, either, as you get up to 24 hours on a single charge, which is more than we can say about any previous model outside of the pricey Ultra line. This was easily one of our favorite things about the Series 11 when we reviewed it (and gave it a 4-star rating). Unless you want to wait until mid-summer for a better deal (I expect to see a better price around Prime Day), now’s the time to get the Apple Watch Series 11 for $100 off.

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Never lose anything again with these Find My accessories
There’s a robust ecosystem of Find My accessories on the market nowadays, across various different designs and form factors. Here are some of the most popular options. more…

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Dope Thief’s Brian Tyree Henry joins upcoming Apple Original Films feature
Apple TV confirmed today that Brian Tyree Henry, who recently starred alongside Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent, Elite Squad) on Dope Thief, is joining a new feature film from Apple Original Films. Here are the details. more…

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