Hackintosh enjoying its last hurrah, now supporting macOS Tahoe
Hackintosh users are successfully running macOS 26 Tahoe on their devices, in a battle that's taking place as Intel Mac support enters its final year.Hackintosh is living on borrowed time with macOS TahoeApple declared during WWDC 2025 that macOS 26 Tahoe would be the last macOS version to include support for Intel Macs. While the end of that support obviously affects Mac users, it also impacts users of Hackintoshes.With it being the last generation of macOS to work with Intel Macs, this means that macOS Tahoe will be the last that can be made to work on non-Apple hardware. Since a Hackintosh is a computer that isn't a Mac but still runs macOS, and are chiefly x86-based, that will effectively end the ability to update to macOS 27 or later versions. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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xAI’s Grok 4.1 vs. OpenAI’s ChatGPT-5.1: Elon Musk’s Grok is the clear winner
As artificial intelligence models evolve at breakneck speed, the battle for conversational supremacy intensifies. In this head-to-head… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Anthropic reveals new Opus 4.5 model, brings Claude Code to the Mac app
Anthropic has announced its latest AI model with Claude Opus 4.5. The company has also expanded Claude Code availability to the Claude desktop app for the first time. more…

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HBO Max, Disney+, and more: Here are the best streaming Black Friday deals
It’s the best time of year to score heavy discounts on streaming services, and Black Friday deals have now launched for HBO Max, Disney+, and more. Here are the details. more…

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No TidBITS Issue on 1 December 2025
We’re taking the next email issue of TidBITS off to celebrate Thanksgiving, although we’ll continue to publish articles on our website. You can look forward to the next email issue on 8 December 2025.

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ChatGPT adds AI shopping assistant to find the right products faster
Shopping research is already a popular use of AI. Now ChatGPT is adding a new tool that makes finding the right products even easier. more…

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Give your Mac a makeover with custom icons
Unique Mac icons are a great way to customize your machine. Learn how to change Mac icons for folders, apps, disks, files and more. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple TV to release ‘Pluribus’ S1E5 early this week
Apple has announced that the fifth episode of "Pluribus" will premiere ahead of schedule this week, landing on Wednesday instead… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Best VPNs deals: Cheapest VPN for Mac, iPhone or iPad
Macworld If you want to unblock regional content on streaming services like Netflix, iPlayer, and Prime, or access websites that aren’t available in your region, or without ID, a VPN is an essential tool. A good VPN will work with all your Apple devices, including a Mac, iPad, iPhone, and even an Apple TV in some cases. VPN services can also give you online privacy as well as letting you securely connect to open Wi-Fi networks in cafes, hotels, airports and other places. It’s something well worth packing when you go on vacation. VPNs tend to have complex pricing structures, with long-term contract pricing and offers that seem to offer huge discounts, making identifying a good deal more complex than it is with other types of software. We have tested the Best Mac VPNs and Best VPN for iPhone and iPad and we use them daily, so we know which ones offer the best features and we know which ones offer the best value for money. With Black Friday coming on November 28, we are expecting to see some better that usual deals on VPNs, and we will keep this article updated with the best ones we see. PROMOTIONBlack Friday VPN Deal: Lifetime Plan for Just $30 (93% off!) For a limited time, users can unlock complete online protection with the FastestVPN Lifetime Plan and get a Family Password Manager absolutely free. The bonus? It costs just $30 (save 93%). Use Code BFCM25 at checkout. Get FastestVPN Here In this article, we will help you find the cheapest VPN to suit your needs. Every month we assess the best VPN for Mac deals so we can keep an eye out for the best discounts on offer right now and let you know the latest prices and best deals so you can find the VPN that suites you at the best price. Before we share the best VPN deals you may be hoping that you can get a VPN for free… Best free VPN There are a few free VPNs on offer but our advice is usually to be very cautious about them. Companies that give stuff away will be making money somehow, and you can’t be sure they aren’t selling your data. One decent VPN that does offer a free tier is Proton VPN (read our review). You can use Proton VPN for nothing, as long as you’re happy with U.S., Japan, and Netherlands as your server locations. It’s also limiting in that you can only connect a single device, and speeds are slower than the paid plans, but the free version is available on all platforms and if you like it you can always subscribe to get the whole package which will unblock a host of features, including an ad and tracker blocker and improved speed of up to 10 Gbit, as well as an expanded 10-device limit. There’s Port Forwarding for downloads and gaming, too, as well as a Kill Switch for disconnecting should the VPN drop out. Get Proton VPN free Best VPN deals and cheap VPNs VPN providers tend to offer year-round discounts, however with most deals you will be locked into a monthly fee for a couple of years, so we recommend setting a reminder in your calendar to cancel and look for a new deal to replace the one you had at the end of the contract period. Deals change all the time. The deals below save a significant amount compared to paying for each of these services on a rolling monthly subscription. We some great VPN deals for shoppers in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia below. One deal to take a look at is FastestVPN’s Lifetime plan – which with 93% off is an absolute bargain as you pay once and have access to the VPN for life. It’s a one-off $40 (approx £33). The company says that the full price would be $600. Read How to use a VPN on a Mac for more information, and if you still aren’t sure why you need a VPN read: Should I use a VPN on my Mac/iPhone? 1. NordVPN Pros Incredibly easy to use Plenty of server options Price When Reviewed: Basic plan from $2.99 a month for two years. Usually $12.99 a month 2-Year Plan $2.99 a month1-Year Plan$4.59 a monthMonthly Plan$12.99 a month NordVPN is a fully featured VPN option that’s secure, easy to use, and unbelievably fast compared to its competitors. Read our full NordVPN review 2. Surfshark Pros Simple to use No device limits Price When Reviewed: Starter plan from $1.99 a month for two years + 3 free months. Usually $15.45 a month. Starter 2-Year Plan (+ 3 free months)$1.99 a monthStarter 1-Year Plan (+ 3 free months)$3.19 a monthStarter Monthly Plan$15.45 a month Surfshark is a great VPN option that’s as easy to use as the best of them, while maintaining security across an unlimited number of devices – something we don’t see often. Read our full Surfshark review 3. Private Internet Access Pros Lots of power features Privacy-minded Great value Price When Reviewed: From $2.03 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $11.99 a month. Unlimited devices. 2-Year Plan (+4 free months)$2.03 a month6-Month Plan$7.50 a monthMonthly plan$11.99 a month Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a robust feature set that makes it one of the more impressive VPNs out there. Read our full Private Internet Access review 4. CyberGhost Pros Simple to use Decent speeds Plenty of servers Price When Reviewed: $2.03 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $12.99 a month. 2-Year Plan (+ 4 free months)$2.03 a month6-Month Plan$6.99 a monthMonthly Plan$12.99 a month CyberGhost takes a lot of the complexity out of VPN usage, for better and for worse. On the one hand, some users may want more power-user features. It’s fully refundable for 45 days, according to the company. Read our full CyberGhost review 5. hide.me VPN Pros Dedicated streaming servers Impressive free tier Cons Slightly clunky UI Price When Reviewed: From $3.84 per month for two years (+2 months extra) 2-Year Plan (+ 2 free months)$3.84 a month1-Year Plan$6.67 a monthMonthly plan$9.95 a month Hide.me is a solid VPN with a great free tier, but the UI isn’t particularly intuitive. Read our full hide.me VPN review 6. ProtonVPN Pros Simple to use Free plan Great speed Price When Reviewed: Proton Free; VPN Plus from $2.99 a month for two years. Usually $9.99 a month. 2-Year Plan$2.99 a month1-Year Plan$2.99 a monthProton VPN FreeFree account, 1 device Proton VPN’s free tier, ease of use, and impressive speeds put it right near the top of our VPN recommendations. There is a free tier of Proton VPN, but if you want a bit more flexibility and a few more features prices start at $4.49/€4.49 a month for two years. The Swiss-based company doesn’t seem to like pounds, so it’s dollars or euros, unfortunately. Read our full ProtonVPN review How to find the best VPN deal VPN subscriptions typically work out cheaper if you commit for a year or longer, which saves a lot of money. Prices rarely exceed $6/£6 per month with multi-year subscriptions and are often closer to $2/£2… or even less. Many major VPN providers offer discounts through the year, and sometimes even offer permanent discounts. These discounts can look impressive at first. It’s not uncommon to see a countdown timer telling you when the deal ends – but these are almost always to induce FOMO – the fear of missing out – in order to persuade you to sign up immediately. Large discounts are par for the course with VPN services, especially when you’re subscribing for several years. This makes it all the more important to look into the various providers and what each has to offer, before jumping into a long-term commitment. All VPNs we’ve tested offer cross-device coverage too, so you can use them on your Mac, iPhone, iPad and more. For our recommendations of Mac Antivirus Software that we have tested see: Best Antivirus for Mac Top Security Software Compared.

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LoveFrom has a prototype for the first piece of OpenAI Hardware
In an interview hosted by Laurene Powell Jobs, Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have confirmed that a prototype for the first OpenAI device does actually exist, and may ship as soon as 2027.Sam Altman [left] and Jony Ive [center] speaking to Laurene Powell Jobs - Image Credit: Emerson Collective/YouTubeFormer Apple design chief Jony Ive is actively working with OpenAI on some form of hardware that uses artificial intelligence. In a conversation with Laurene Powell Jobs, Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that the effort has apparently settled on a design for the device.The conversation with Powell Jobs at the Emerson Collective Demo Day, published to YouTube on Monday, took some time to discuss their work under "io," a startup that was bought by Altman's OpenAi for $6.5 billion in equity. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Black Friday 2025 brings big savings on iPhones — if you know where to look
Find the best iPhone Black Friday deals for 2025! Plus, learn why you struggle to find discounts on the new iPhone 17 models. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Here’s everything new Apple TV has coming in December
Apple TV (only $5.99/month for limited time) is having its biggest year ever, and December brings its expected biggest movie yet with F1 The Movie. Other highlights for the month include new episodes of sci-fi hit Pluribus, a nature docuseries, and a brand new holiday special. Here’s everything new coming to Apple TV in December. more…

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Philips Hue from founding to now with George Yianni on HomeKit Insider
This episode of HomeKit Insider features the founder of Philips Hue and its head of technology, George Yianni, as he walks us through the creation of the brand, a launch with Apple, and its new lineup of products.HomeKit Insider PodcastGeorge Yianni originally worked at Philips, where he, along with others, formed an "internal startup" to create smart bulbs. In the podcast, he walks us through the process of getting the brand started and how he pitched the idea to Apple, securing an exclusive launch partner.Philips Hue, now operating under its parent company Signify, has grown far beyond its first smart bulb. The company now offers more than a hundred products, including a range of security devices. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Get ready for a foldable iPhone that costs as much as a 16-inch MacBook Pro
A new forecast suggests Apple's first foldable iPhone could land at a sky-high price point, putting it in the same price range as a 16-inch MacBook Pro.Renders of an iPhone Fold. Image Credit: AppleInsiderThe estimate comes from supply chain analysis focused on the cost of core components. A foldable display remains one of the priciest parts in modern hardware, especially when it needs to bend repeatedly without creasing or discoloration.The hinge system adds another layer of cost because it must stay tight and reliable after years of opening and closing. Lightweight materials push the number higher. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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TORRAS launches Holiday Mega Sale with free gifts, massive discounts, and exclusive Amazon deals
With Black Friday fast approaching, TORRAS is out with not one, but two Holiday Mega Sale events, with free gifts, discounts of up to 60%, and Amazon-exclusive offers. Check the details below and don’t miss out! more…

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Laurene Powell Jobs interviews Jony Ive and Sam Altman about mysterious AI hardware
At Emerson Collective’s Demo Day, Laurene Powell Jobs got Jony Ive and Sam Altman to open up a bit more about what they’re building together. In the interview, the duo reveal that they have their first AI hardware prototypes and expect to start building the product in less than two years. more…

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Get an intuitive Apple TV button remote for less than $25
Function101 Button Remote is for anyone who misses the simplicity of a traditional TV remote. Get an alternative Apple TV remote for less. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Black Friday Week deals: iPhone 15/16 Pro up to $800 off, AirPods Max $119 off, AirPods 4 $80, iPad Pro $400 off, more
We are now quickly approaching Black Friday proper, but the seriously discounted holiday pricing is already in full swing. New all-time lows on AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 continue into this week, and we are now tracking all five AirPods Max (USB-C) colors at $119 off. Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break also features a new all-time low on Apple’s 16GB/512GB M4 Mac mini at $130 off with deals starting from $479 and some official Black Friday price drops on iPhone 15 Pro/Max and iPhone 16 Pro/Max at up to $800+ off the original list prices. That is just for starters here though folks – the 2TB M4 iPad Pro is $400 off today – and there are plenty more waiting below.  more…

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Save $400 on Apple's M4 Max MacBook Pro in Black Friday price war
A Black Friday MacBook Pro price war is in effect now as retailers slash Apple's M4 Max 14-inch MacBook Pro to $2,799 — a discount of $400 off.Save $400 on this M4 Max MacBook Pro for Black Friday - Image credit: AppleDiscounts of up to $493 off can be found in our 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 Pro & M4 Max Price Guide, but we're especially fond of this M4 Max configuration that's on sale for $2,799 as Amazon and B&H engage in a Black Friday price war.Save $400 on M4 Max MacBook Pro Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Best cheap antivirus deals for Mac
Macworld With Apple already including built-in antivirus protection for Macs you might be wondering “Do Macs need antivirus software?” especially when confronted by pricy monthly subscriptions for services. In this article we’ll explain why you need an extra layer of protection and how to get the best cheap Mac antivirus software with the best deals. Mac security software adds another layer of protection to what Apple already provides, with features that can help to protect your identity, passwords, and financial details. These are the things that criminals are after, and they’ll often use cunning ways to extract them rather than spending time trying to break past Apple’s defenses in macOS. Although some of the packages here are solely focused on macOS, others will also protect Android and Windows devices you might also own, and that makes the price of protection much cheaper per computer. It’s November, which means that Black Friday is looming, and in our experience we see some great Black Friday deals on Mac Antivirus, so bookmark this page because we will be updating the deals as we see them! Our best deal this month is our top choice of Mac Antivirus Software: Intego Mac Internet Security X9 – you can get it for $24.99/£20.99 a year for one Mac, normally $49.99/£49.99 a year get the deal here. Intego Mac Internet Security X9 Read our review Price When Reviewed: From $24.99 for first year, usually $49.99 a year (1 Mac) Using our link Best Prices Today: $24.99 at Intego There are lots of other great options if you are looking for cheap antivirus software for Mac. We’ve evaluated antivirus for Mac solutions from several companies, including free and low-cost options as well as some more feature-packed alternatives. See our round-up of the Best antivirus for Mac and our guide to How to remove a Mac virus for free, where we also run through the best free options. Here we will share the best free antivirus options as well as the best deals we have seen on the paid-for antivirus solutions. Best free antivirus for Mac Several companies offer free antivirus software for Mac, one of our top recommendations is Intego VirusBarrier Scanner (read our review), we also liked Avast Security for Mac (read our review). However, you should always be cautious using a free antivirus and don’t expect all the features of the paid-for options. Intego VirusBarrier Scanner (read our review) – free virus scanner. Get it here. Avira Free Antivirus for Mac (read our review) – is free and also includes a VPN. Get it here. AVG Antivirus For Mac (read our review) – free version offers basic features. Get it here. Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac (read our review) – is free to use. Get it here. Malwarebytes Antivirus for Mac (read our review) – has a free version as well as a paid version. Get it here. Avast Security for Mac (read our review) – offers a free option alongside the Premium plan. Get it here. Cheapest antivirus deals for Mac You’ll find the following Mac antivirus recommendations in our round-up of the Best antivirus for Mac. We’re just presenting the lower-priced options here, but if you look at the roundup you may find alternative deals that suit you better. 1. Intego Mac Internet Security X9 Pros Built for Mac Easy to set up Cons No protection from phishing links in email Price When Reviewed: From $24.99 for first year, usually $49.99 a year (1 Mac) Using our link First year, 1 Mac, Internet Security X9$24.99First year, 1 Mac, Mac Premium Bundle$29.99First year, 1 Mac, VirusBarrier X9 only$19.99See all plans & pricing at Intego Intego Mac Internet Security X9 offers a useful set of security utilities that help keep your Mac safe and running smoothly and its user-friendly interface is right at home with Apple’s macOS aesthetic. We have a special deal for Intego Mac Internet Security X9, which bundles Intego VirusBarrier and NetBarrier, so you can get it for $24.99/£20.99 a year ($2.08/£1.75 a month) for one Mac: get the deal here. Intego also regularly discounts the Mac Premium Bundle that includes Mac Internet Security X9 as well as NetBarrier, Washing Machine, Content Barrier and Personal Backup apps. The deal is currently: $29.99/£23.99 a year ($2.50/£2 a month). Get the deal here. There’s also a deal to get Intego VirusBarrier X9 for $19.99/$17.99. Get the deal here. Read our full Intego Mac Internet Security X9 review 2. Norton 360 Pros Fast, good performance and stability Minimal performance impact Cons Unable to scan .zip archives Price When Reviewed: Standard (3 devices): $41.88 for first year, usually $94.99 a year; Deluxe (5 devices): $53.88 for first year, usually $119.99 a year 1 year, 3 devices$39.991 year, 5 devices$49.991 year, 3 devices (Amazon)$17.99 The user interface is clean and friendly and the program ran both its foreground and background tasks briskly, with no crashes or slowdowns. There are some differences between the UK and US versions of Norton 360. In the U.S. you pay $39.99 for Norton 360 Standard which gives you protection for three devices, or $29.99 to protect one device with Norton AntiVirus Plus. In the U.K. it’s £24.99 for Norton 360 Standard for just one device. Norton also has a deal on Norton 360 Deluxe, which is $49.99/£29.99 for the first year. That version covers 5 devices (including Macs, PCs and iOS devices). But the best deals are on Amazon. For example, at Amazon U.S. Norton 360 Deluxe (covering three devices) is $29.99 for a year get the deal here. In the U.K. there’s a deal on Amazon U.K: get cover for three devices for just £10.50. Get the deal here Read our full Norton 360 review 3. McAfee Total Protection Pros Good, customizable set of security tools Background scanning feature Cons Can be laggy Price When Reviewed: Single: $29.99 (1 device) for first year, usually $89.99; Essential: $39.99 (5 devices) for first year, usually $119.99 a year 1 year, 1 device$29.991 year, 5 devices$39.99PCWorld Software Store$19.99 McAfee Total Protection offers some good tools with good background protection and customization as well as an easy means of keeping your devices secure. You can get the Basic McAfee Total Protection for one device for $29.99 a year, or cover five devices for $39.99 for one year in the U.S. – get the U.S. deal here. McAfee Total Protection Basic is £34.99 a year for one device for the first year in the U.K. or £39.99 for five devices – get the U.K. deal here. Read our full McAfee Total Protection review 4. Avast Premium Security Pros Impressive malware detection and network tools Easy to specify antiviral scan types and target volumes Cons Descriptions of suspect files lack detail Price When Reviewed: From $49.08 for first year, usually $77.99 a year (1 Mac). First year, 1 Mac$49.08 (usually $77.99)First year, 10 devices$69.48 (usually $99.99) This suite offers a good suite of tools at a good price. The best functions such as VPN, disk cleanup, and anti-tracking tools are only available on the “Ultimate” subscription tier. Avast will cover for one Mac for $49.08/£39.99 for the first year. Read our full Avast Premium Security review 5. Surfshark One Pros Good speed and performance Impressive anti-virus/anti-malware shielding Identity alert and protection Cons Multi-year contracts Occasional trouble accessing Google services Price When Reviewed: Surfshark One, 24 months at $2.19 a month with 3 free months (Total for 27 months: $59.13); 12 months at $3.39 a month with 3 free months (Total for 15 months: $50.85); or $17.95/month. 15 months, 1 Mac$50.8527 months, 1 Mac59.131 month, 1 Mac17.95 Surfshark One offers a genuinely excellent suite of tools that combine its VPN with anti-virus/anti-malware and privacy-focused identity protection. It’s price is high compared to other options here, but it’s saving you the price of a VPN too. The VPN module includes tools such as IP configuration, an Internet kill switch, rotating IP addresses, and Invisible on LAN features. While Surfshark One’s real-time protection tool was able to catch dozens of our sample malware installers. Sign up for two years and get three free months: that’s $59.13/£42.93 for 27 months coverage. Get the deal here Read our full Surfshark One review 6. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac Pros Easy to scan external volumes such as flash drives Nice user interface Cons Occasional freezes Limited VPN Price When Reviewed: $24.99 per year for 1 device (usually $39.99), $29.99 per year for 3 devices (usually $59.99) 1 year, 3 devices$29.99 (usually $59.99)1 year, 1 device$24.99 (usually $39.99) Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac offers a handy, customizable user interface and good features. Bitdefender Total Security is currently $29.99 (usually $59.99) in the U.S. for a one-year subscription for one device. In the U.K. it’s £17.99 (usually £29.99) for a year and one device: get the U.S. deal here / get the U.K. deal here. Read our full Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac review 7. Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac Pros Good malware detection Low system load Cons Fewer extra features than less-expensive options Price When Reviewed: $29.95 for first year, usually $39.95 a year (1 Mac) 1 year, 1 Mac$29.95 Trend Micro Antivirus is a good program with well-rated antivirus protection and a simple, straightforward interface that users will appreciate. Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is currently $29.95 for first year for one Mac, usually $39.95: Get the U.S. deal here / Currently £19.95 for first year for one Mac, usually £49.95: Get the U.K. deal here. Read our full Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac review 8. Eset Home Security Pros Good level of antiviral and real-time protection Excellent customization options Cons Slow drive scan Didn’t include the promised password manager or encryption features Price When Reviewed: Essential: $24.99 a year for one device; Premium: $39.99 a year for one device 1 year, 1 Mac (Premium) $39.991 year, 1 Mac (Essential)$24.99 ESET Home Security Premium completes its primary task of antiviral and malware prevention and there’s an excellent level of customization. We did encounter a few bugs when we tested it though. The ESET Home Security Premium is $39.99/£39.99 (usually $79.99/£64.99) for first year for one device. There’s also the cheaper ESET Home Security Essential: $24.99/£24.49 (usually $49.99/£34.99) for first year for one devices. Read our full Eset Home Security review How to find a good antivirus deal It can be hard to know where to start with antivirus. Protecting your tech from malware, ransomware and other cyber attacks is such an important thing to do, but most of the services available appear to be very similar to one another, so it’s hard to understand which are the most secure, and which are the best value. Many of the offers are for more than one device – do you have multiple devices to protect? Do you need to protect an iPhone as well as your Mac? Do you really need to protect your iPhone at all? Many of the best deals spread payments over a number of years. This can save you money because the price of a deal that covers you for one year can increase significantly in the preceding years. But do you want to be stuck paying every year for the cover? You can rest assured that we will only share deals here if we think they’re good enough to be worth buying. Everything we share here will be a great saving on a service we trust. We recommend taking a look at our article all about the best Mac antivirus to help you get a better understanding of which services we like most. You’ll find that antivirus discounts can be huge, often at more than half price for your Mac or mobile devices. Do note that these are typically first-year deals, and at renewal you’ll pay the regular price.

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