Get 5 2nd-gen AirTags for the price of 4 with this rare Costco deal
Macworld Apple has a new AirTag for sale, but you’re probably not rushing out to buy one since you can still get the old ones for cheaper. But this deal may change your mind: Costco is throwing in a free AirTag when you buy a 4-pack for $100, essentially giving you five new AirTags for the price of 4, a savings of $45 on the price of buying five AirTags individually. (Note: You don’t need to be a member to take advantage of this deal.) Apple’s 2nd-gen of AirTags have the same size as the previous model, and they look virtually the same. However, they have a louder speaker, which will make them easier to find even if your keys somehow ended up between couch cushions. Apple also upgraded the Bluetooth chip inside the tracker, expanding the range at which items can be located. Also new is the U2 Ultra Wideband chip, which will make it possible to more precisely locate lost items, something that will definitely be handy. We’ve already tested the new AirTag 2 and gave it a 4-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award, finding it to be a simple and efficient Bluetooth tracker that’s also super easy to set up and fairly inexpensive. So grab your 4+1 AirTag 2 deal over at Costco for $100 while this combo is still available. Buy now at Costco

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Plagiarism probe ends, Apple TV thriller 'The Hunt' debuts soon
A plagiarism investigation into Apple TV's "The Hunt" has ended after three months, and there is now a debut date for the thriller."The Hunt" on Apple TVThe six-episode French-language drama was scheduled to launch on December 3, 2025. In late November, it disappeared from Apple's platform after reports surfaced that it may have been mislabeled as an original work.Apple removed The Hunt from listings and promotional placements days before its premiere without public explanation. Subsequent reporting indicated the series bore significant similarities to Douglas Fairbairn's 1973 novel Shoot and the 1976 U.S.-Canadian film adaptation of the same name.The project had originally been sold as an original work from director Cedric Anger. After Apple learned of the alleged overlap, it notified producer Gaumont and paused the release roughly two weeks before launch while the production company conducted an internal review. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Perplexity bringing its AI ‘Comet’ browser to iPhone next month
Last summer, Perplexity launched one of the first AI-focused web browsers with Comet on the Mac. Soon, the long promised iOS counterpart to Comet will follow. more…

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Apple TV expands access to MLS, MLB, F1 via EverPass in bars, restaurants and casinos
Apple TV has reached an agreement with EverPass Media to expand access to its live sports content in commercial venues such as bars… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Zuckerberg says he went to Tim Cook to discuss ‘wellbeing of teens and kids’
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified this week in what’s viewed as a landmark court case around the mental health impact of social media. As part of that testimony, Zuckerberg revealed that he reached out to Apple CEO Tim Cook to talk about the “wellbeing of teens and kids.” more…

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Full internet by satellite could come via an iPhone or iPad case
Apple's iPhone satellite capabilities can grow, but physics are remorseless. There's still a limit on how much satellite internet can do and how fast it can do it — unless Apple produces a case that it has been researching that doubles as a big antenna.When Apple first launched Emergency SOS via Satellite with the iPhone 14 back in 2022, it was remarkable idea that since then has saved many lives. Apple has improved it since, and has plans for much more in future, but there is always an issue over establishing the satellite contact.Users have to point their iPhone in the direction of a satellite orbiting the Earth, and the keep moving as the satellite does. One single low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite will cross from horizon to horizon in seven minutes, but line-of-site connection depends on buildings and terrain.The iPhone software helps locate and track the satellite, but it's still a small antenna in the phone, and only so much data can reliably be sent before the satellite has moved away.Now in a newly-revealed patent application originally filed in 2024, Apple has shown how it has been researching a way around this. "Electronic Device and Case with Satellite Communication Capabilities" details ways of using a case to act as an antenna for the iPhone. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple’s budget MacBook coming soon: What to expect
Macworld Apple’s MacBook lineup could be in for a major shakeup. The company is reportedly planning on releasing a new, low-cost laptop that can compete with Chromebooks and Windows laptops in the budget market. Such a laptop could bring the Mac to a whole new class of users. The new MacBook may feature an aluminum design in playful colors, an A19 Pro chip, Ultra Retina XDR OLED display, fewer ports, and Apple’s C2 modem. This new, low-cost MacBook could be a very popular one, which means you’ll want to keep track of its developments. Well, look no further. This article will keep track of the rumors and reports of this upcoming product, as well as offer our perspective on the device, so keep an eye on this page for the latest. New A19 MacBook: Release date March 4, 2026 – possible Apple is scheduled to host three “Apple Special Experiences” on March 4 in the U.S., U.K., and China. These sessions, which are expected to offer media hands-on time with new products, could provide the ideal setting for the budget MacBook’s debut. Apple’s low-cost MacBook has been rumored for some time, with Apple leaker Jon Prosser describing a new colorful MacBook Air back in May 2021, that never materialised, but over the past year rumors have remerged suggesting that Apple does have something different coming. In June 2025, credible analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, indicated (in Chinese) that Apple would start production of the new low-cost MacBook at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025 or in the early stage of the first quarter of 2026. It’s worth emphasising that those dates refer to the manufacturing process rather than the announcement or shipping timeframe. If production began in October 2025 then it’s plausible that the budget MacBook will arrive in early 2026, potentially unveiled at a spring event, or in the run up to Apple’s March 4 ‘Experience’. In November, 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple is planning to release a “low-cost laptop to rival Chromebooks and Windows PCs” in the first half of 2026. He said it was currently in testing at Apple and “in early production with overseas suppliers.” On February 8, 2026, Gurman reported that the low-cost MacBook will be available “in the first half of the year.” He did not offer any specifics. And then, on February 15, he wrote that Apple’s long-rumored low-cost MacBook is expected to arrive “as early as March,” with a design that defies its price tag.  What will the new MacBook be called? MacBook (probably) No reports have been made about the official name of the laptop, but you can assume it won’t be part of the MacBook Air line. It’s being referred to as the A18 or A19 Pro MacBook, based on the chip it could have. Apple could simply call it “MacBook,” reviving the name of the discontinued 12-inch MacBook that was targeted at a similar market. Apple last updated the MacBook in 2017.Foundry New A19 MacBook: Design Playful colors Aluminum chassis (not plastic) According to Mark Gurman (in February 2026), Apple’s low-cost MacBook will have a design that defies its price tag.  Apple’s goal with this laptop is to make it affordable compared to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, and one way to cut costs is to make a plastic case instead of an aluminum one. However, since Apple is working to make its products carbon-neutral, it’s doubtful that it would use plastic, preferring to use aluminum or some other recyclable or carbon-free material. Therefore, it is no surprise that the new MacBook, according to Gurman, will have an aluminum chassis. There will be a new manufacturing process “designed to be both faster and more cost-effective than the one used with Apple’s current laptops,” according to Gurman. Along with the aluminum shell, Gurman reports that the new MacBook will be available in “playful colors.” The following colours are indicated: yellow, light green, blue, silver, dark gray, and pink. Which, in the case of yellow, green and blue, does seem to match the logo Apple designed for the invites to the special events on March 4. Apple Back in June 2023 analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested the following colors: silver, blue, pink, and yellow. A19 Pro MacBook: Display 12.9-inch display – rumored Apple currently uses a Liquid Retina (LED-backlit display with IPS technology) display in the MacBook Air, an upgrade over the original Retina displays Apple last used with the 13-inch MacBook Pro in 2022. It’s possible Apple could revert to a Retina display with squared-off corners for the A19 Pro MacBook, though it’s more likely that Apple shaves cost by using a smaller display. On August 11, DigiTimes reported that the laptop will have a 12.9-inch display, slightly smaller than the 13-inch MacBook Air. New A19 MacBook: Processor iPhone chip: A19 Pro or A18 Pro – expected Another way to meet the pricing goals for this new MacBook is to use a chip that isn’t as robust as the chips used in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. When Kuo first discussed the budget MacBook in his June 2025 report, he stated that Apple will use an A18 Pro, the same chip that was in the iPhone 16 Pro. Now that the A19 arrived with the iPhone 17 this is probably the more likely chip. Read more about what the iPhone 17 can tell us about the MacBook that could use the same chip in: Is Apple’s rumored cheap MacBook hiding in plain sight? The A-series chips are used in iPhones, while M-series chips are in Macs. Both chip families are based on the same general architecture, but the M chips generally offer more processing power. An A19 Pro (and A18 Pro) can technically do everything an M-series chip can, but it will be slower. When comparing Geekbench 6 benchmarks, the A18 Pro offered single-core performance that’s on par with the M3. However, because the A18 Pro has only 6 CPU cores, its multi-core performance is slightly behind the M1, which has 8 CPU cores. If Apple keeps everything the same, an A18 Pro MacBook will perform like an M1 MacBook Air, which, for a lot of people, has more than enough processing power. Should Apple use an A19 Pro we can expect something even better. It will draw comparison with the iPad models that are powered by Mac chips, though. MacRumors reported, in December 2025, that references to an A18 Pro MacBook appeared in a set of leaked Apple files. New A19 MacBook: Connectivity Apple is using its own wireless networking chip, the N1 in the iPhone 17, bringing Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 7, and Thread. It’s likely the same chips will make their way into the A19 Pro MacBook. There’s also a chance this new Mac will have cellular connectivity using Apple’s C1, C1X or yet to launch C2 modem. The C2 is likely to support mmWave. Aside from this, it’s rumored that the budget MacBook will have fewer USB ports than the MacBook Air (which has two USB-C and a magsafe charging port). This low-cost MacBook may not support Thunderbolt. New A19 MacBook: Camera No camera? It’s also possible that Apple opts not to include a built-in camera. Over the past several years, Apple has promoted the Mac’s Continuity Camera feature that lets you use an iPhone as a Mac webcam, as well as the upcoming macOS Tahoe Magnifier app. Apple could promote this as a webcam solution. This would be a drastic change, since it’s been a long time since Apple shipped a laptop without a camera, but it could be a possibility in order to meet the company’s price goal. New A19 MacBook: Performance

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Deals: 1TB M4 MacBook Air rare $200 off, iPhone 15 Pro for $539, 40% off Sport Band, M5 iPad Pro lows, more
Alongside the ongoing all-time lows on some of the more affordable 11-inch M5 iPad Pro models at nearly $200 off, today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is also highlighting a rare $200 price drop on this 1TB M4 MacBook Air config. From there, folks not interested in current models can land the most affordable iPhone 15 Pro at $460 off the original list price (deals from $539), the best price to date on Apple’s latest Neon Yellow Sport Band at 40% off, and its official 40W Dynamic Power Adapter at $27. Everything awaits below.  more…

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Today in Apple history: Photoshop debuts as a Mac exclusive
On February 19, 1990, Adobe shipped the first commercial version of Photoshop. The Photoshop launch, a Mac exclusive, changed image editing. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Delayed Apple TV thriller series just got a new release date
Apple TV has just added a new series to its March release calendar: delayed thriller The Hunt, which will premiere following a plagiarism investigation. more…

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Apple won’t make AirTag better at tracking thieves — here’s why
AirTag could be a great theft-prevention tool, but Apple actively discourages it. And for very good reasons. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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A leaked internal email shows Ring's plan targets more than pets
In perhaps the least surprising news of the decade, a leaked email confirms Ring had every intention of tracking people and not just pets with its doorbells.Jamie Siminoff, founder of RingRing, a home security company known for its widely adopted video doorbells, bought a Super Bowl ad space. And, within 30 seconds, the company managed to kill off any remaining goodwill it had with the general public, forcing it to back off from a proposed partnership with Flock Safety.The idea was pitched as harmless. You mark your dog missing, the other cameras in your neighborhood keep an eye out for your dog, and if found, you get an alert. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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A 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 Forums

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West 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 Forums

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Apple 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…

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Apple 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…

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Apple 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.

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Upgrade 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.)

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Rivian 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…

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No, 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 Forums

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