Apple falsely accused of misleading users about App Tracking Transparency privacy
A competition regulator has accused Apple of misleading users about the level of privacy offered by the App Tracking Transparency feature. That accusation, while made in good faith, is based on a misunderstanding. The iPhone maker has responded by saying that it may be forced to withdraw the privacy protection from EU users … more…

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Reports of Tim Cook’s demise are greatly exaggerated
Macworld The Macalope knows his charming and erudite readers are well-versed in all the theories of quantum superposition, particularly the famous Schrödinger’s cat theory. Or, well, you’ve at least read the Wikipedia entry about it. Or skimmed it, like the Macalope has. The point is, he’s done the relevant research for a mythical beast who makes a joke about it twelve or more times a year. But what you may not know is that Schrödinger put forth other Wikipedia-eligible theories, such as the lesser-known Schrödinger’s well. Schrödinger’s well describes the case of a theoretical author of a jokey column about Apple goes to the well of Schrödinger’s cat jokes so many times that a state of quantum entanglement is triggered, and it becomes impossible to tell where the author of a jokey column about Apple ends and the Schrödinger’s cat jokes begin. All this is just to say that the Macalope is very aware that he is, in reality, just 400,000 Schrödinger’s cat bits in a trench coat. You don’t have to email him about it. You don’t have to stop him on the street. Please stop throwing bricks through his window. He knows who he is. Which brings us to one Tim “Tim” Cook. (Some call him “Tim”? Nay. Everyone calls him “Tim”.) Cook has had a Schrö-dinger of a November, one in which his continued existence seems to depend on how he is being observed and by whom. Just ten days ago, the Financial Times published a report under four bylines saying: “Apple intensifies succession planning for CEO Tim Cook” In it, the Times suggests that Cook could announce his retirement as soon as spring of 2026 to give the news time to jell in order to have a smooth WWDC in June, one unmarred by rioting, violence, depravity and any appearance by Drake. 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.IDG Rumors of Cook’s retirement have been in the air for several years now as the CEO approached his 65th birthday. Hard to remember that just a half-century ago, a 65-year-old CEO would be automatically forced into retirement in the sub-volcanic lair of their choosing. “Here is a billion dollars, a cat, and a hundred flunkies in silver jump suits. Enjoy. Oh, the sharks for the moat arrive Tuesday. They got held up in customs.” It was a simpler time. Tim Cook’s chairmanship has been marked by unprecedented growth and profit for Apple, but nothing lasts forever but the Earth and sky, and, honestly, we’re not at all sure about the Earth. But, wait! Here comes Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, busting into the room out of breath after having fruitlessly asked his many product chain sources about a possible change in the A-suite: He has some choice words about the Financial Times report. I believe the story was simply false. Mark Gurman, Bloomberg A false story, you say?! In a major publication, you say?! Well, I never! While it’s tempting to think of Cook twisting his neck and saying, “I’m gettin’ too old for this stuff,” even if he does step down as CEO, there’s a very good chance he will stay on with the company in an executive capacity, as John Gruber suggests. I would also bet that Cook moves into the role of executive chairman, and will still play a significant, if not leading, role for the company when it comes to domestic and international politics. Especially with regard to Trump. Indeed, it seems cruel to throw likely successor John Ternus to the wolves like that. After all, he’s only 50 years old. Fortunately and unfortunately, it is unlikely that even with an executive change of this magnitude that Apple’s strategies and policies will be vastly altered anytime in the near future. You don’t mess with (financial) success. If and when John Ternus takes over as CEO, don’t expect Apple’s stance on the App Store or its Vichy-esque appeasement of authoritarian regimes to change. Ternus may bring a stronger product focus to the company; however, maybe one less focused on services revenue and one with more of an eye toward cool hardware. So, at least the bread and circuses might be good.

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How to get the best Mac this Black Friday, whatever your needs
Macworld The Black Friday sales have started, with retailers across the land slashing prices and offering discounts on all of the best Macs. You might have decided that the time is right to pick up a new computer from Apple, but with so much to choose from and so many aspects to consider, settling on the right choices can be tough. That’s where our guide to finding the best Mac this Black Friday comes in. Here, we’ve looked at all the key decisions you’ll need to make when buying a Mac and explained the pros, cons, and pitfalls of each. By the end, you should have a better idea of what you need and feel ready to pull the trigger on that irresistible deal you’ve been eyeing up. Laptop versus desktop The most fundamental decision you’ll have to make when buying a new Mac this Black Friday is whether you want a laptop or a desktop, as this choice will set the blueprint for everything that comes after. The best starting point is to determine your priority: mobility or office work? While a Mac like a Mac mini is small enough to easily fit in a bag, it’s not designed for mobile use. If you travel a lot and want a computer for those travels, get a laptop. Laptops offer good processing power and connectivity for those on-the-go situations. The MacBook Pro offers workstation-like power in a laptop.Foundry On the other hand, if you want the most powerful option for an office, a desktop Mac will serve you well–they have more internal space to support the most powerful chips. The best chip you get in a MacBook is the M4 Max; in a desktop Mac, things go even higher with the top-tier M3 Ultra. And desktops also offer more connectivity in terms of the number of ports, so if you’re frequently hooking up a plethora of peripherals, that might play a role in your decision. Speaking of peripherals, you get an extra element of flexibility here with a desktop Mac, as in most cases you can connect whatever monitor, mouse and keyboard you like (rather than relying on a MacBook’s built-in display and keyboard, for example). That said, the need to provide your own extras usually comes with an additional cost, so you’ll need to factor that in before you buy. Our picks Laptop: 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with 512GB and 16GB of RAM: $1,149 ($250 off) Desktop: M4 Pro Mac mini with 512GB of storage and 24GB RAM: $1,199 ($200 off) Air versus Pro If you’ve decided to opt for an Apple laptop, the next decision you’ll face is between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The former places an emphasis on lightweight portability, while the latter is where you’ll find Apple’s most powerful options. Going for the MacBook Pro unlocks a range of extras that aren’t available with the MacBook Air. That includes a high-end Liquid Retina XDR display, longer battery life of up to 24 hours, more generous storage (both in terms of the maximum and the starting amount), and more ports. Those features will serve you well if you need a machine for demanding tasks or professional work. The MacBook Air is an excellent choice for general consumers who also need to do occasional media work.Foundry Besides that, the two laptop ranges come in different sizes, although the differences are small: the MacBook Air is available with 13-inch and 15-inch displays, while the MacBook Pro comes in 14-inch and 16-inch flavors. The MacBook Air is also a lot lighter, with the 13-inch model weighing 2.7lbs to the 14-inch MacBook Pro’s 3.4lbs, for example. Finally, there’s the price. The MacBook Air is the more affordable of the two, with its price starting at $999 (and frequently going on sale for less at places like Amazon and Best Buy). The MacBook Pro, meanwhile, will set you back a minimum of $1,599. All that extra power comes at a cost. Apple doesn’t use the Air and Pro branding for its desktop Macs, so the way to differentiate between separate models isn’t as obvious. Generally speaking, you have consumer machines like the iMac and the Mac mini on the one hand, and pro computers like the Mac Studio and the Mac Pro on the other. And then you and the M4 Pro Mac mini, which falls in-between. We’ll dive into those details later in this guide. Our picks MacBook Air: 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with 512GB and 24GB of RAM: $1,349 ($250 off) MacBook Pro: 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro with 1TB of storage and 24GB of RAM: $1,699 ($300 off) Display If you’re going to spend a lot of time looking at content on-screen–especially if its critical to your work or where accuracy is essential–it can pay to get a Mac with a superior screen. In the case of MacBook laptops, that’s found in the MacBook Pro’s Liquid Retina XDR display. This boasts a resolution of 3024×1964 pixels compared to the 2880×1864 resolution of the MacBook Air’s regular Liquid Retina screen. And there’s the addition of ProMotion adaptive refresh rate tech that can ramp up to 120Hz, which is great for both smoother scrolling and more enjoyable gaming experiences. The iMac has a built-in 24-inch display.Foundry It also brings far more brightness to the table: 1,000 nits of sustained brightness and 1,600 nits of peak brightness for HDR content. That should be particularly useful for working outside or in other bright conditions. The MacBook Air only reaches 500 nits, in contrast. On the desktop side, things are a little more complex. That’s because most desktop Macs don’t come with their own display (the exception is the iMac, which has a 24-inch screen with a 4.5K resolution and 500 nits of brightness), so you’ll need to provide your own. There’s a wide range to choose from, but some of the best Mac monitors include high resolutions and refresh rates, plenty of ergonomic adjustments, and a big enough screen size for you to work comfortably. If you decide on a desktop this Black Friday, make sure you consider the cost of a monitor if you don’t already have your own. The chip: M4 versus M5 You might think that choosing a chip is as straightforward as going for Apple’s latest M5, but things aren’t quite so simple at the moment. Right now, in fact, Apple has three chip generations on offer across its Mac range, with chips from the M3, M4 and M5 generations all available in current Macs. Which should you choose? The M3 Ultra Mac Studio is Apple’s fastest Mac.Foundry Since the M4 and M5 are in the widest selection of up-to-date Macs, we’ll start there. Both chips are fantastic options that deliver more than enough power for most people. The M5 is only available in the MacBook Pro for now, though; the MacBook Air is still on M4 but is expected to migrate to the M5 chip in early 2026. If you opt for a MacBook Air, the choice of an M4 chip is already made for you. Then there are the different tiers, like M4 Pro, M4 Max, and so on. Drilling down here, much of your choice depends on your workload. The M4 Max is the most powerful M4 chip available, while the M3 range tops out with the M3 Ultra (which is also Apple’s most performant option across the chip generations). The M5 range only extends to the base M5 for now. If you need something for either pro workloads or for high-end gaming, you’re likely going to want to look at the M4 Max or M3 Ultra. Those chips are available in the MacBook Pro, Mac Studio and Mac Pro. Memory Memory (Apple calls it “unified memory,” and it’s generally referred to as RAM and not to be confused with storage) is important for multitasking and helping demanding apps run quickly and efficiently. You can’t change it once you’ve bought a Mac, so it’s important to get it right first time. The Mac mini, like most of Apple’s consumer Mac models, starts with 16GB of unified memory.IDG The amount you need all comes down to your workload. If you’re just browsing the internet and sending emails, the base 16GB will be plenty. But if you’re training AI models, crunching large datasets or editing huge videos, you’ll want at least 24GB–buy as much as you can afford. Make sure to think carefully about what you actually need, as you can’t change the memory once you’ve bought your Mac. Storage Storage is very important, as (like memory) you can’t change it after you’ve made your decision–although the situation is a little less drastic than with memory, as you can buy external SSDs and hard drives to supplement your Mac’s internal storage. If you start to run out of storage, you can always get an external storage device and connect it via Thunderbolt or USB-C.Thiago Trevisan/Foundry Storage can get used up quickly, especially as your needs change. Give plenty of thought to the things you’ll be using your Mac for, both now and a rough estimate of what might happen in the future. You need to think about everything you want to use the Mac for. For instance, is it likely that you’ll be installing heavy-duty apps that eat into your available storage? Will you be storing reams of sizable photos and videos? Are you going to use your machine for playing large AAA games? These are the types of things that can quickly hog up your available space. There are ways to save on internal drive space, though. Make use of cloud storage, and you can offload files from your Mac, freeing up room for other things. And if you make sure to routinely uninstall large apps that you no longer need–or use Apple’s Optimize Storage feature in the System Settings app, which periodically removes TV shows and email attachments you’re finished with–you can reclaim space and save on storage. Our pick OWC 1TB Express 1M2 40Gb/s Portable NVMe SSD: $200 ($30 off) Ready to shop? Once you’ve figured out your Mac needs, check out our coverage of the best Black Friday Mac deals. We also have a guide to the best Apple deals if you’re looking for iPhones, iPads, AirPods, and more.

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Apple @ Work Podcast: How the agentic browser changes the game for IT
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, Alcyr Araujo and Eduardo Vitor join the show to talk about about web browsers with agentic AI capabilities will change how IT works and operates. more…

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Rumor: Apple may have resolved iPhone Fold crease issue, entered new stage of development and production
Apple’s purported iPhone Fold project may have hit a new milestone, as the creasing issue that is said to have plagued R&D may have been resolved. Per supply chain sources close to the story, the iPhone Fold, which is anticipated to launch in either 2026 or 2027 and have a book-like flexible screen, could have […] Source

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Black Friday: Amazon lowers the 11th-gen 128GB Wi-Fi iPad price to $279
A good deal’s a good deal (especially during the week of Thanksgiving). Amazon has announced that it’s taking $70 off the 11th-gen iPad Wi-Fi models. As such, the tablet starts at $279.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model, matching the all-time low price on this model. Amazon has the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $379.00 ($70 off) […] Source

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This 10TB lifetime cloud storage deal pays for itself with this Black Friday price
Macworld TL;DR: Lock in 10TB of lifetime cloud storage before discounted codes sell out! Pay $269.97 once and never worry about renewals again. Black Friday is about to take over everything, but you don’t have to wait to snag one of the season’s biggest digital storage deals. Internxt just dropped an early Black Friday offer on its lifetime cloud storage plans, and it’s the kind of offer that tends to disappear once the codes start running low. The 10TB plan is perfect for most users who never want to run out of space, and it’s 91% off right now. (2TB-100TB plans are also available on the same sales page!) For Apple users who care about privacy as much as convenience, Internxt checks all the boxes. It’s built around end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge storage, and 100% open-source transparency, meaning your files stay yours — not scanned, not analyzed, not viewed. And because the cloud storage works on macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, and any browser, you can keep your files synced across every device you rely on. Upload photos, back up projects, move documents between your Mac and iPhone, or share files securely with just a few clicks. Internxt even includes post-quantum encryption to protect against future-proof hacking. Get your Internxt lifetime cloud storage now for $269.97 before codes sell out (MSRP $2,900). No coupon is needed. Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB PlanSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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How to use Plex on Mac to create your own personal streaming service
If you have an extensive movie collection, you may want to share it with other devices on your home network instead of paying for loads of streaming services. Here's how you can use Plex to create your own mini Netflix.PlexStreaming services have become popular over the years, providing heaps of content to view whenever you want, all streamed over the Internet. While many people bought DVDs and Blu-rays, streaming services like Netflix, Amazon's Prime Instant Video, and even Apple TV offers content without needing to buy the physical media in the first place.However, while streaming services can have extensive content catalogs, they are not limitless. Even if you signed up for many different streaming apps to get as much variety of content as possible, there might still be gaps in what they offer. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Exclusive Black Friday MacBook Air, MacBook Pro & Mac mini deals start at just $679
Save up to $400 with these exclusive Black Friday deals on best-selling MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini configurations at B&H Photo.Save up to $400 with exclusive Black Friday Apple deals at B&H - Image credit: AppleTo snap up the Black Friday savings, which are available only at AppleInsider, shop through the exclusive pricing links in this post from a laptop or desktop computer — or in our 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro Price Guide, 16-inch MacBook Pro Price Guide, 15-inch MacBook Air Price Guide, and Mac mini Price Guide. The offers cannot be activated through B&H's mobile app at this time.Exclusive Mac deals at B&H Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Here’s one possibility nobody is considering about the future of Tim Cook at Apple
There may be a different way to look at what could happen to Apple’s top leadership over the next few years. more…

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Here’s one possibility nobody is considering about the future of Tim Cook at Apple
There may be a different way to look at what could happen to Apple’s top leadership over the next few years. more…

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Here’s one possibility nobody is considering about the future of Tim Cook at Apple
There may be a different way to look at what could happen to Apple’s top leadership over the next few years. more…

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SmartWings 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 Forums

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AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 drop to their best prices yet for Black Friday [Updated]
Apple just unveiled its annual holiday gift card offers, but you’re certainly not going to find deals on AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods 4 in there. Amazon has now dropped the price on AirPods Pro down to its lowest ever at $220. We are getting an arguably even more impressive deal on AirPods 4 with ANC at under $100 for folks not interested in Apple’s premium buds. However, Apple’s standard AirPods 4 might be the star of the early Black Friday deals. Walmart is currently offering AirPods 4 for just $69, a new all-time low. The deal is exclusive to Walmart+ customers until 12am ET tonight, but then the flood gates open to everyone. AirPods Max are also seeing an impressive price drop at $430. Head below for all the details. more…

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Price drop: Don’t board the plane without this travel hack for your phone
Make your travel abroad more affordable with an international eSIM from aloSIM. You get $50 worth of travel data for just $22.97. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Spotify planning price increase for US subscribers
Spotify is already planning its next price increase, according to a new report. more…

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Seven rare Apple finds that will make an awesome Christmas present
While there is no shortage of vintage, rare, or otherwise classic products for sale on eBay, some are more vintage, rare, or otherwise classic than others. Here are seven gift ideas that may not be the cheapest, but will surely make an Apple fan’s Christmas. more…

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Review: ViewSonic’s 27” 5K Display for Mac offers Apple-level sharpness for under $1000
If you’re a Mac user looking for a solid external display that pairs nicely with your MacBook’s crisp retina display, you’ll know that finding one can be a challenge. Apple offers its Studio Display with a 27″ 5K retina display, but that costs $1599 just for the cheapest version with a basic stand. If you want a more versatile stand, the Studio Display will cost you $1999. Luckily, a number of 27″ 5K monitors have been launching lately, many of which have been at more affordable price points than Apple’s Studio Display, while offering an incredibly comparable experience. One of them is the ViewSonic VP2788-5K, which I’ll be reviewing here today. more…

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New Apple ad shows off NHL goalie masks designed on iPad
Apple's latest advertisement, featuring NHL goalie masks designed on iPad, shows just how useful the tablet can be for creative professionals.The iPad Pro is undoubtedly a powerful tool for artists. Image Credit: Apple.On November 22, Apple uploaded a new advertisement for its iconic iPad Pro line and the Apple Pencil Pro. The company's high-end tablet was most recently upgraded with the M5 chip in October 2025, and now we get to see just how capable and the new-and-improved model really is.The video itself doesn't focus on the specs of the iPad Pro, but instead illustrates exactly what an artist can do with a top-of-the-line iPad. It's part of Apple's long-standing Made on iPad campaign, which focuses on creative endeavors involving Apple's tablets. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 26.2 adds convenient new feature designed for Apple’s Invites app
Apple Invites launched earlier this year as a brand new app for organizing events, and in iOS 26.2 there’s a new systemwide feature coming that makes using the Invites app more convenient. more…

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