Manufacturing started for all-new iPhone 18 Pro camera feature
Apple’s component suppliers are beginning production for iPhone 18 parts, and a new report says this includes elements of a brand new camera feature for the iPhone 18 Pro. Specifically, China’s Sunny Optical has reportedly begun manufacturing a key component needed to control the iris in the lenses in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max … more…

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First iPhone 18 Pro variable aperture camera component is now in production
A key part for the regularly rumored variable aperture camera in the forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max has reportedly now entered manufacturing, on schedule for production of the whole system.iPhone 17 Pro has a new wider camera plateau, which could feasibly be used in the next model to incorporate a variable aperture mechanism.A variable aperture will be one of the most significant improvements Apple has made to the iPhone's camera system, bringing it another feature that's previously been confined to standalone cameras. Now according to ET News, the supply chain has revealed that it's coming, and that it is now in production.Specifically, China's Sunny Optical firm is reported to have started production of an actuator. This is the mechanism that moves the lens components, letting it increase or decrease the amount of light being received by the sensor. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple still doesn’t get iPad pros
Macworld When Apple launched Final Cut Pro for iPad almost two years ago, I really wanted it to work. The macOS version already serves me very well, but it would be quite nice to be able to start projects on my iPad and finish them on my Mac if necessary. I tried it back then, ran into its limitations, and moved on. Now with Apple Creator Studio, I decided to give Final Cut for iPad another try. Two years later, I realize that the problem isn’t just that Final Cut for iPad hasn’t improved. The problem is that Apple still hasn’t figured out how to actually make proper “pro” apps for the iPad. ‘Pro’ apps constrained by iPadOS Even after its Creator Studio updates, Final Cut Pro for iPad still feels like a secondary, companion experience compared to the Mac app. Many core features are still missing, others are simplified, and some workflows are limited by iPadOS itself.  If you expect to have a full Mac experience on the iPad, you’ll likely end up as frustrated as I did. Keyboard shortcuts, essential for speeding up editing, are inconsistent on the iPad. Some work, some don’t, which ruins muscle memory for those already familiar with the Mac version.  Working with the Final Cut Pro library on the iPad isn’t as easy as it is on the Mac.Foundry Then there’s file management, which exposes one of iPadOS’s biggest limitations. On the Mac, users can freely reorganize, move, or back up their Final Cut library. You can even create multiple libraries for different projects if you want. But iPadOS handles file management very differently from macOS. All apps run in a sandbox, so they can’t really access other parts of the system. While this is good for privacy and security, it’s terrible for Final Cut and other pro apps. For example, if I add a clip from the Photos app to Final Cut on iPad, the file is duplicated because it must be added to the sandboxed Final Cut library. On the Mac, Final Cut can use and edit files in their original locations. What if you need to back up your library? On the iPad, you can’t. Again, because everything is sandboxed, you can’t really access the data from apps. Instead, you need to export each project manually. But if something goes wrong or gets corrupted, and you need to reinstall the app, chances are you’ll lose all your data. The iPad hardware isn’t the problem—isn’t the constraints of iPadOS.Foundry Powerful hardware, restrictive software This isn’t just a Final Cut Pro issue or even an iPad issue. The latest iPads are powered by the same chips found inside Macs. However, they are far from having the same capabilities. These problems are the result of all the structural limitations of iPadOS. Another example is Pixelmator Pro, which was exclusive to the Mac and is now on the iPad for the first time with Creator Studio. The app looks a lot like the Mac version, but due to how iPadOS handles RAM management, it has many more limitations. For example, the iPad version struggles to handle large files with multiple layers. While working on a document, I hit a warning message telling me I couldn’t add any more layers to my project, something that doesn’t happen on my Mac. Pixelmator Pro on the iPad pales in comparison to the Mac version.Foundry On the iPad, basic features take much longer to arrive, and when they do, they are often limited or implemented in a clunky way. Although iPadOS has had multitasking for years, the ability to keep apps running in the background while they download a file or export a large project was only just added with iPadOS 26. Still, for some reason, the ability to export videos in the background with Final Cut is only available for iPads with the M3 chip or later (iPad Air and iPad Pro). Even an old Intel Mac lets you export videos in the background. Mac-like features that are still limited As iPadOS evolves, Apple has been trying new ways to make it more “pro” and Mac-like. However, the iPad still behaves very differently from a Mac, and in a way that is not very intuitive. Back to Final Cut, the iPad version now supports external displays, but it’s far from working as well as it does on the Mac. You can’t rearrange the interface and choose what you’ll see on the external display. The only thing the app does is show a preview of the video on the big screen. Even with the latest improvements, iPadOS continues to hold back the iPad.Foundry That’s because support for external displays on the iPad is still quite limited. As an example, although iPadOS 26 added a Menu Bar like on the Mac, there’s no way to keep it always visible on the screen, even on a large monitor. You also can’t do something as basic as resizing the Dock. And while iPadOS has an API for apps to have multiple windows like on a desktop operating system, Apple’s Pixelmator Pro for iPad is still limited to opening one project at a time. The Mac is still the clear choice for Pros These are just a few examples of how Apple itself still limits the iPad to the point that using it as a professional tool is not that appealing. With Creator Studio, I was really tempted to try to make the iPad more a part of my workflow. But unfortunately, all these restrictions still make the Mac feel easier and simpler to use. I really hope things change for the better in the future. I get that the iPad needs to be different than the Mac, but it would be great to have more consistency and professional overlap between the two platforms. Until then, if you really have a pro workflow, you should probably stick with the Mac.

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Audio Pro Drumfire D-2 W review: Powerful AirPlay speaker with impressive sound
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming Clear, precise sound Powerful 100W amplification Cons Wired input is RCA only Expensive Heavy and not very portable Our Verdict We’d like to see more wired input options, but the sound quality of the updated Drumfire D-2 W speaks for itself. The size and power of the speaker allows it to create a bold, detailed sound, and it supports high-res audio for Apple Music and other streaming services. You can even buy it with an optional subwoofer too. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$400 Best Prices Today: Audio Pro Drumfire D-2 W Retailer Price $249 View Deal Audio Pro $400 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who is the Drumfire D-2 W for? The Drumfire D-2 W is ideal for Apple users who stream high-resolution or lossless audio over AirPlay and want loud, room-filling sound with clarity and punch, but don’t mind limited connectivity and portability. The Swedish company Audio Pro makes a range of attractive speakers that combine smart Nordic design with impressive sound quality. We’ve reviewed its new ‘W’ generation, which focuses on wireless audio, with AirPlay 2 and other streaming features that make it particularly well suited to Apple users. What’s new in the Drumfire D-2 ‘W‘ model? The ‘W’ model is a wireless-focused update rather than a full redesign, including the following features: AirPlay 2 support for Apple devices and multi-room audio Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) for improved streaming High-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz over Wi-Fi The company’s product names can be a bit confusing at times, often collapsing into a jumble of alphanumeric codenames that make it rather tricky to find the exact model that you need. For instance, the Drumfire D-2 W that we review here is the latest model, but the previous Drumfire D-2 model is still available, so you need to look out for that ‘W’ suffix to make sure you buy the latest model because they look the same.  And, just to complicate things even further, you can buy the Drumfire D-2 W on its own for $400/£350, and simply sit it on any convenient desk or shelf. However, you can also buy it as part of a larger two-piece system called the Drumfire II W (see what I mean about those names?) which costs $700/£600 and includes a big, fat floor-standing subwoofer to really pump up the bass. That’s a little over the top though, so we tested the D-2 W on its own, as it provides a good alternative to Apple’s HomePod.  In short: the D-2 is the older model, the D-2 W adds AirPlay and improved wireless streaming, and the Drumfire II W adds a separate subwoofer for deeper bass. Drumfire D-2 W design and dimensions The Drumfire is larger than rivals such as the Apple HomePod, but has a smart, minimalist design. Audio Pro Even on its own, the D-2 W is a fairly beefy speaker, measuring a full 365mm wide, 155mm high and 190mm deep, and weighing in at a hefty 4.9kg  (more than twice the weight of the HomePod). It’s smartly designed, though, available in black, white or grey, and finished with a faux leather covering, with a fabric cover on the front panel and aluminium details on the top control panel. The size of the speaker is due to the fact that it provides a true stereo system, with two 4.5-inch woofers handling the mid-range and bass, and two 1-inch tweeters for the higher frequencies. That combination provides a frequency range of 61Hz – 22KHz, backed up by 100W of amp output, so the D-2 W has got enough power to get the mood going at a party. How it fits with an Apple setup As mentioned, the ‘W’ suffix on this new model indicates an emphasis on wireless streaming, and the Drumfire supports both Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), along with support for AirPlay and multi-room audio. That makes it an excellent option for use with Apple devices, and it supports audio formats up to 24-bit/96KHz when streaming music over Wi-Fi, so it can handle most of the high-res and lossless tracks on Apple Music and other streaming services.  The Drumfire provides Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for wireless audio, but its wired inputs are limited to just a set of RCA connectors.Audio Pro The lack of wired inputs is a little disappointing, though, even if the Drumfire is clearly designed to focus on wireless connectivity. The only option provided for a wired connection is a single set of RCA stereo connectors, but at this price we’d like to see at least USB-C for digital audio as well.  How does it sound in real use? When playing the bombastic rock of Queen’s Seven Seas Of Rhye on Apple Music, the Drumfire was loud enough for casual listening at just 25% of maximum volume, and loud enough to annoy my neighbours at barely 50%, so it’s got plenty of power if you want to have a party or BBQ. The Drumfire does require mains power though, so it’s not likely to go outside very often, unless you have a pretty long extension lead.  If you’re happy to stick with wireless streaming, then the Drumfire’s sound quality is undeniably impressive. I recently found a high-res version of Temple Of Love by The Sisters Of Mercy on Apple Music, and the Drumfire handles the song’s contrasts really well. It balances the crystal clear tones of Ofra Haza with the rumbling bass of lead singer Andrew Eldritch, while both voices are underpinned by the firm, precise bass drum that leads us through the opening section.  The Sisters Of Mercy are often described as a goth band, but many of their songs have really catchy dance rhythms, and the Drumfire catches the bright, energetic sound of the electronic keyboards, and the chopping rhythm of the guitars. The Audio Pro app has built-in support for a wide range of streaming music services. Audio Pro Switching to something a little more soothing, the Drumfire shows a delicate touch on the ambient sound of Max Richter’s Shadow Journal. The size of the speaker and its stereo drivers allow it to create a hazy, ambient sound as the electronic loops shimmer through the air, and it captures the piercing tone of the violins and viola as they cut through and add a sense of melancholy to the piece. And, although the Drumfire D-2 W doesn’t include a subwoofer, it does a good job of digging deep for the electronic bass effects that rumble off into the distance like a storm passing overhead. It sounds noticeably bigger and more powerful than Apple’s HomePod, with greater volume and room-filling presence. Should You Buy The Audio Pro Drumfire D-2 W? The Drumfire D-2 isn’t the cheapest AirPlay speaker currently available, but it provides a powerful, precise sound that few speakers in this price range can match. The lack of USB-C or 3.5mm inputs may deter some people who still like to use wired audio connections from time to time. However, the Drumfire’s high-res wireless audio features work really well with the high-res tracks available on Apple Music and other streaming services, and leave Apple’s HomePod looking distinctly under-powered. See our round up of the best AirPlay speakers.

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Apple’s Mac lineup is nearly perfect. It’s just missing some Magic
Macworld Forget the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air, the MacBook Neo is all anyone is talking about at the moment. And with good reason: the striking laptop has proved to be a surefire hit, with Apple managing to produce an affordable device that still offers the kind of build quality that equivalent Windows machines can only dream of. That means it’s a good time to be part of the Apple universe, whether you’re a first-time customer or a long-time veteran. In fact, when you factor in desktop Macs and Apple’s recent Studio Display upgrades, we’re looking at one of the strongest Mac lineups ever. But I can’t help feeling that something is missing from all the fuzzy positivity. Apple’s made-for-Mac Magic accessories should be the perfect add-ons for new Mac buyers, but after decades of making mice and keyboards, Apple’s accessories still don’t live up to their name. The walled garden I’ve been using Macs for 15 to 20 years and I’ve had plenty of experience with Apple’s mice and keyboards, new and old, in that time. The perspective gained in that time has shown me that these products have often been a weak spot for Apple. The tiny scroll ball on the Apple Mighty Mouse seemed like a good idea, but they were prone to failure.Apple There was the Pro Mouse and its lack of a second button. Or the Mighty Mouse and its tiny scroll ball that didn’t take long to fail. I never had the misfortune to use the iMac G3’s hockey puck mouse, but plenty of poor unfortunates did. On the typing side, I still have painful memories of the old Apple Keyboard from 2003 and its chunky keys that continually got stuck. And the butterfly keyboard? That was so bad that I bought an outdated MacBook Pro just so I wouldn’t have to get a then-current one with Apple’s doomed keyboard built in. Apple has, after all, rectified things somewhat with the Magic Keyboard, which provides a comfortable enough experience for typists. Yet even then, that’s only half the battle. The modern Magic Mouse has more than its fair share of problems, from its wonky charging to its RSI-inducing low-profile shape. It also hasn’t been updated in the 11 years since its release. In other words, Apple still hasn’t banished the ghosts of peripherals past. It just seems unfathomable to me that the same company that makes wondrous devices like the MacBook Neo or the high-end Mac Studio can fall so flat with its mice and keyboards. Outside the garden At this point, you might be thinking that this is all a bit of a storm in a teacup. After all, aren’t the Magic Keyboard and the Magic Mouse good enough? Perhaps they are, but since when has “good enough” been Apple’s mantra? Last time I checked, “insanely great” was the order of the day. Can any of us say that both of these devices have earned that moniker? They might seem acceptable in isolation, but once you start looking outside the Apple ecosystem and you see what everyone else is up to, the scales fall away from your eyes. If you’ve ever used a mechanical keyboard, for example, you’ll know what a difference one can make. While these devices are often promoted for gamers, they’re just as beneficial for typists too. Even if you don’t spend much time at your desk, you’ll appreciate the supremely comfortable typing feel they offer. The mechanical keyboard market is bursting with innovations everywhere you look, from magnetic switches whose actuation points can be customized, to hot-swappable options that let you add your own switches for the perfect experience. Third-party mice, too, are leagues ahead of the best that Apple can whip up. Whether you want an ergonomically shaped pointer, one that’s loaded with buttons, or a mouse that’s so light it almost floats away, there are so many excellent choices out there. Sure, almost none have managed to replicate the Magic Mouse’s gesture pad, but is it worth wrecking your tendons for such a privilege? Not for me, it’s not. Ever since I first tried a mechanical keyboard, I’ve left Apple’s Magic Keyboard firmly in my past, while the Magic Mouse can’t get within 200 feet of my desk. It’s a shame, because Apple’s products are so good in almost every other respect. Yet right now, they’re conspicuous by their absence from my setup, and I can’t see that changing any time soon. Nothing in the offing What can Apple do to fix up its Mac peripherals? Well, the obvious answer is to release new versions. But that doesn’t appear to be anywhere on the horizon. Part of the problem is the strength of the Apple ecosystem. I know as well as anyone else that once you find yourself within the walled garden, it’s hard to leave. It’s only because I started my computing journey on Windows (I still use both a Mac and a PC) that I thought to try looking for outside offerings. Most Mac users, I suspect, stick with the defaults. It also doesn’t help that the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse are fine. The Magic Mouse is, in my opinion, worse than the Magic Keyboard, but neither is so offensively bad to put people off by default. Compared to most membrane keyboards made for Windows, the Magic Keyboard is head and shoulders above its competition. The only “innovation” Apple has introduced recently with its input devices is color options.Dominik Tomaszewski/Macworld U.K. Combined, those two factors probably mean that there’s very little overt demand for change among Mac users. I expect it’s only enthusiasts like me who want something more, and given our numbers are probably fairly low, Apple is probably happy to let us get our peripherals from other companies. After all, it’s not like we’re ditching the Mac altogether. I get the feeling that Apple is not averse to the idea of making a mechanical keyboard. Look back to 2024 when it worked with Corsair to develop Mac-exclusive versions of the K65 Plus keyboard, for instance. It wasn’t an Apple-branded mechanical keyboard, sure, but it’s the closest we’ve come to one and seemingly demonstrates that Apple isn’t entirely opposed to the product line. But the real kicker is that the rumor mill is utterly silent on the idea of Apple shaking up its mice and keyboards. There’s been no talk of upgrades to the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse, or even of supplementary devices being launched for those who want them. That tells me that I’m probably going to have to wait a lot longer before anything changes, or stick to my third-party devices. But if it’s a toss-up between that and accepting what Apple brings to the table, I know which way I’m going to go. If you’re in the market for new input devices, check out our keyboard best picks and mouse and trackpad best picks.

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Macworld Podcast: iPhone 17e review
Macworld The iPhone 17e is now available. Is it a compelling affordable iPhone? We review Apple’s new iPhone on this episode of the Macworld Podcast.  This is episode 979 with Michael Simon, David Price, and Roman Loyola. Watch episode 979 on YouTube Listen to episode 979 on Apple Podcast

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Opera extends the Browser Connector functionality to Opera One and Opera GX
Following last month’s launch of MCP compatibility in Opera Neon, Opera is now bringing its browser connector feature to Opera One and Opera GX. Here’s what that means. more…

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This $20 mobile-friendly photo editor is like Photoshop for your phone
Macworld TL;DR: Luminar is a mobile-friendly photo editor with a lifetime subscription on sale now for $20. Editing photos on your phone usually means settling for something too simple or dealing with an app that feels bloated and annoying. Luminar Mobile found a better middle ground by giving you versatile editing tools that actually work well on Android and iOS devices. It’s also only $20 for a lifetime subscription right now (reg. $47.99). Luminar gives you the tools to make a lot of large edits in a few quick clicks. SkyAI can swap out a dull sky, EnhanceAI can clean up color, tone, and clarity in one pass, and RelightAI helps when a photo looks uneven or flat. Portrait edits are built in with SkinAI for smoothing and blemish cleanup, plus BodyAI for more natural-looking reshaping. You can also use Luminar for more in-depth edits. You can adjust curves, crop, sharpen details, fine-tune landscapes, convert shots to black and white, remove distracting objects, and work with RAW files. That last part is a real plus on mobile, because RAW editing gives you more room to fix exposure and color without your image falling apart. Luminar Mobile works on iPhone, iPad, Android, and ChromeOS, with support for Apple Pencil and Vision Pro on compatible Apple devices. Right now, it’s only $19.99 to get a Luminar Mobile Lifetime Subscription. Luminar Mobile for iOS & Android: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal Buying this deal? Top off your cart to $100+, then add a Microsoft Office 2021 lifetime license and use GWP4MAC (for Mac) or GWP4WIND (for Windows) to get it free through 4/19. Gift with $100+ purchase promo ends April 19, 2026. Exclusions apply. Only one promo code applicable per order. StackSocial prices subject to change.

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How to download and install older macOS versions on compatible Macs
If you've ever have to wipe the drive of a very old Mac, you know you need an old macOS to get it running again. Beyond Restore, Apple only grudgingly allows downloads, but others are trying to make it easier.You can download installers for most versions of the Mac operating system back to OS X Lion - image credit: AppleApple does rather prefer you to use only the latest version of macOS, but it's not as if it charges you to do so. Eventually you might need to buy a new Mac, so there is some financial upside for the company, but most of the time, the reason to stay up to date is security.If you're looking for an older macOS version then you know this already, but you also know that the Mac you're working on will not run macOS Tahoe. In which case, your job is this: Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple sends Siri developers to AI coding bootcamp
Apple's effort to complete a Siri AI upgrade includes sending developers to a bootcamp for advanced AI coding techniques. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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iPhone users no longer able to downgrade to iOS 26.4
Following last week’s release of iOS 26.4.1, Apple today stopped signing iOS 26.4. Here’s what that means. more…

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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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Deepfake nonconsensual porn apps are advertising in the App Store
Users looking to create nonconsensual deepfakes of unknowing individuals can simply perform an App Store search. If App Review has a job, it clearly isn't doing it.It is trivially easy to search for deepfake tools when they take out adsIt isn't just the Grok app that lets users create nonconsensual deepfake nudes and pornography. Apple did remove at least 28 such apps in January, and even threatened xAI with a Grok removal, but that clearly hasn't been enough.According to a report from The Tech Transparency Project that was first shared by 9to5Mac, "nudify" apps are appearing in search ads and suggestions in the App Store. Pornography isn't banned from the App Store if it isn't the app's sole purpose, but illegal or harmful products are. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Google One discount takes 50% off YouTube Premium for a year
After boosting AI Pro storage earlier this month, Google One is now running a limited-time YouTube Premium discount. more…

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Improbable Visa & iPhone loophole leads to Apple Pay heist that'll never happen to you
Researchers were able to pull $10k from a locked iPhone via a trick that requires physical device access, perfect circumstances, and specialized hardware. Don't let fearmongering convince you to turn off Transit Mode.Visa cards on Apple Pay have a very specific vulnerability that no one should worry aboutFear is one of the most prevalent emotions to utilize when looking to make some content go viral. If you watched TV in the past 40 years, a lot of late-night news broadcasts thrived on the "but it could happen to you" plot devices.YouTube is no stranger to using fear as a tactic, and one of the biggest tech YouTubers, Marques Brownlee, let hacking channel Veritasium steal $10k from his locked iPhone in a video. It utilized a man-in-the-middle technique where transaction handshakes are intercepted between an iPhone and payment terminal. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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New report claims App Store search suggestions and ads steered users to ‘nudify’ apps
The Tech Transparency Project (TTP) has followed up on its January report that revealed dozens of “nudify” apps on the App Store with a new investigation focused on how Apple’s own search and ad systems may be helping users find them. Here are the details. more…

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Apple's 'AI coding bootcamp' could help its engineers make a better Siri with AI
As part of ongoing efforts to improve Siri, Apple's engineers are set to participate in a multi-week coding bootcamp, which will help them master the use of AI in coding.Apple will allegedly organize an AI coding bootcamp for its Siri engineers.Apple's planned contextual awareness upgrade for Siri still isn't here, nearly two years after it was announced at WWDC 2024. Development has hit some snags, and it's often been said that Apple has fallen behind in the AI race.However, the company remains undeterred. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Google launches native Gemini app for Mac
Google today officially released a standalone native Gemini app for macOS, giving Mac users a dedicated, high-performance way to access… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple to drive OLED notebook growth in 2026 amid smartphone slowdown, per report
According to a new Counterpoint Research report, Apple is expected to play a key role in driving OLED notebook display growth in 2026, even as the broader OLED market faces pressure from rising memory costs and softer smartphone demand. Here are the details. more…

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Report: Apple to send Siri engineers to multi-week AI coding bootcamp
The Information reports that a group of Apple engineers who are working on Siri will be sent to a “multi-week bootcamp to learn to code using AI.” Here are the details. more…

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