Tariff optimism spurs rally on Wall Street
Wall Street's major indexes surged to one-week highs on Wednesday, driven by optimism for a thaw in the U.S.-China trade war… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Today in Apple history: App Store hits 1 billion downloads
On April 23, 2009, the App Store reached a remarkable milestone less than a year after opening its virtual doors: 1 billion downloads. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

Final Cut Pro support comes to Logitech MX Creative Console
In its first major update, MX Creative Console, Logitech's Stream Deck-like Mac accessory, has added support for Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and more.Logitech's MX Creative Console is an LED keypad and a separate dialFirst launched in September 2024, the Logitech MX Creative Console is a two-part device where one side resembles an Elgato Stream Deck. Alongside its nine LED buttons, though, there is a separate rotary DialPad, and together they control scrolling and particular apps on the Mac.Now the pair have their first significant update, with the addition of controls for five apps: Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

iPhone 16e had stronger demand than iPhone SE 3 did at launch
The iPhone 16e is off to a faster start than the 2022 iPhone SE 3 managed, giving Apple a boost in the competitive mid-range phone market.iPhone 16eApple's latest budget-friendly model is making an immediate impact, according to new sales data from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP). The iPhone 16e accounted for seven percent of total U.S. iPhone sales in the first quarter, outperforming the iPhone SE's performance in 2024.Combined, the five iPhone 16 models made up 74 percent of iPhone sales in the U.S., up from 68 percent for the iPhone 15 lineup during the same quarter in 2024. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

EU fines Apple and Meta millions for DMA violations
The EU imposed a hefty fine on Apple for anti-steering restrictions on European developers. Meta got hit, too. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

Apple’s taking a serious risk with iPhone 17 Air, but there’s huge upside
iPhone 17 Air is coming this fall as an ultra-thin new form factor, and it could pose a significant threat to the iPhone 17 Pro line. But there’s a good reason why launching the new model is worth the risk for Apple. more…

Read more »

3 simple tricks every Apple Watch wearer should know
Apple Watch does so much it’s possible for some handy tricks to get lost. Everyone should master these basic Apple Watch tips immediately. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

Wafer-thin ‘iPhone 17 Air’ demoed in new video
Apple is set to launch an ultra-thin iPhone, dubbed the "iPhone 17 Air," alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

‘Crazy’ thin iPhone 17 Air makes first appearance in ‘hands-on’ video
Macworld We don’t yet know if Apple’s iPhone 17 Air will be a commercial success when it launches this fall, but the unreleased slimline handset already has one fan. The YouTube channel Unbox Therapy got hold of an early prototype and showed it off in a video this week, describing the phone’s design as “crazy” and “insane” and predicting that, assuming the chassis strength is good enough to avoid another Bendgate controversy, Apple will “sell a boatload of these things.” The initial reaction of the YouTuber, Lewis Hilsenteger, is overwhelmingly positive. “This is crazy. Oh my god!” he says when the device emerges from its container. Struck by the difference in thickness between the 17 Air and a 17 Pro Max prototype sent in by the same supplier, he checks the listed dimensions: the slimline model is 5.65mm at the thinnest point, compared to 8.75mm for the 17 Pro Max and 7.96mm for the 17 Pro. (For comparison with current standards, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are both listed on Apple’s website as being 8.25mm thick, while the 16, 16 Plus, and 16e are 7.8mm, so the Air is a huge reduction while some other models are getting thicker, possibly to accommodate larger batteries and possibly to exaggerate the Air’s thinness.) But there are important caveats: namely the reference to Bendgate. The unanticipated flexibility of the super-thin iPhone 6 Plus (7.1 mm) back in September 2014 damaged Apple’s reputation for hardware perfectionism for some years after. But Apple will surely be laser-focused on durability this time, and it seems unlikely the company would risk the dreadful PR of a repeat incident. A second caveat added later in the video may be more pertinent: Hilsenteger frets that “this thing’s going to have horrible battery life.” That’s probably going to be true. More pressing, the iPhone 17 Air is likely to be an exercise in compromise. Aside from battery life and the possible risk of bending, the phone is expected to have just one rear camera lens, like the iPhone 16e, and the processor and RAM allocation of a standard iPhone model, not a Pro one. If customers are willing to make those compromises for the sake of a slim body, while paying a relatively high price, we can expect Apple to lean harder in that direction. If not, the Air experiment will die after one or two models like the mini and (presumably) the Plus. It’s important to say, before we get too excited, that Apple won’t officially announce the iPhone 17 Air and its sibling products for another five months, so calling the video a “hands-on” might be considered a little tenuous. This isn’t an actual 17 Air as it will be revealed, but a prototype or dummy supplied by a third-party manufacturer. (The identity of that manufacturer isn’t revealed for obvious reasons, but it’s likely to be an accessory maker with contacts in Apple’s supply chain.) Corroboration with other prototypes inspires some confidence that this one is legitimate, but plans can change and it’s possible the final product will be different. But it’s hard not to watch that video and get excited for the launch. For all the latest leaks and rumors as we lead up to the big day, bookmark our regularly updated iPhone 17 megaguide. Or pick up a bargain on a current model with our roundup of the best iPhone deals.

Read more »

New iPhone 17 dummy models provide a better look at whole lineup in two colors
Popular Apple leaker Sonny Dickson shared a couple images of the entire iPhone 17 lineup on social media today. His images showcase the entire lineup, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max – in two colors, black and white. more…

Read more »

Can a charging cable be sexy? Because this one comes close.
The Statik GloBright RGB USB-C cable lights up as it charges. It can handle 100W of power, so it can charge up your MacBook Pro. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

Apple Watch Series 11: Everything we know about the 2025 models
Macworld The Apple Watch Series 10 disappointed some users last year. After hearing about major design changes for a while, the new Apple Watch turned out to be more or less identical to the one sold over the last few years. The display was just a tad larger and the body was slightly thinner, but overall it was very similar to the Series 9. At this point, Apple’s extremely successful watch is a proven formula and the company isn’t rocking the boat. So what’s in store for Apple Watch Series 11 in the fall of 2025? Here’s what we’ve heard so far about the Apple Watch Series 11. Apple Watch Series 11: Release date For years now, Apple has announced the new Apple Watch together with the new iPhone at a September event, with both products going on sale the following week. We haven’t heard anything to make us think that won’t be the case again this year. The most likely date is the second Tuesday of September, which is September 9. Pre-orders for the Apple Watch Series 11 will probably begin that Friday (September 12) with general availability in stores a week later (September 19). Apple Watch Series 11: Price Ever since the Apple Watch Series 3, Apple has kept starting prices the same for the aluminum Apple Watch and we don’t expect a price hike this year. THis means that the Series 11 will start at $399 and the larger version will cost $429, with an extra $100 for cellular capability and higher prices for various bands. With the Series 10, Apple also offered a titanium case for $699/$749, which includes LTE like the Ultra. Rumors suggest Apple will keep that option around with the Series 11, likely at the same price. However, no discussion of future Apple product pricing is complete without mentioning U.S. tariffs, which are changing rapidly and could have a big impact on pricing. It’s simply too difficult to predict whether tariffs will increase the Apple Watch’s price, the odds are significant. The Apple Watch Series 11 is likely to look nearly identical to the Series 10.Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Apple Watch Series 11: Design Rumors throughout 2024 told us to expect more significant changes to the Apple Watch design last year, and then the Series 10 debuted and it looked like a very slightly flattened Series 9. This year, there aren’t even any rumors of big design changes. Currently, all signs point to an Apple Watch that is identical in appearance to the Series 10, with the possible exception of new colors, possibly sky blue to match the MacBook Air and iPhone 17. Apple Watch Series 11: New features Apple has been working on incorporating a microLED display on the Apple Watch for several years, according to various leaks and rumors, but it’s not expected to debut on the Series 11 this year. Some think this display shift will come to Apple Watch Ultra first, but even that isn’t expected in 2025. We’re not expecting any new health sensors, either. Apple’s blood glucose monitoring initiative is still years from ending up in a watch, it seems, and while there have been rumors of high blood pressure monitoring, that’s not quite ready to appear this year, either. So what will be new? You can bet on a new S11 SiP (system in package), offering somewhat better performance. Don’t expect a big boost in battery life, though—that has been a near constant 18 hours for nearly the entire lifespan of the watch. Apple Intelligence and the new Siri could be one of the new features of watchOS 12 and the Apple Watch Series 11.Michael Simon/IDG Apple Intelligence is a key aspect of almost every new Apple product now, and rumors suggest Apple is working on bringing some AI features to the Apple Watch. The actual AI models probably won’t be able to run on the watch; rather, the watch will gather data, the processing will be done on your iPhone, and then the watch will display results or notifications. Many of the new AI features will likely debut as part of watchOS 12, but some might be kept as Series 11 exclusives in order to help differentiate the hardware. It’s also rumored that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will support 5G cellular and satellite messaging, which could also come to the Series 11. Apple debuted a wireless chip in the iPhone 16e, but it’s not clear whether it’s small or efficient enough for the Apple Watch yet. Apple Watch SE: Is something new on the way? Apple hasn’t updated the Apple Watch SE since 2022 and that update was an extremely minor one, bringing a new chip and crash detection with a lower price of $249. It was initially rumored that 2024 would bring a substantial update to the budget watch with a plastic redesign, but that didn’t happen. Then Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reported that a plastic SE redesign would arrive in 2025 alonside the Series 11. However, a rumor in March claimed that the new Apple Watch SE had run into production issues and was in “serious jeopardy.” So Apple may need to switch to an aluminum design for the new SE or stick with the current model for another year. The Apple Watch SE hasn’t been updated since 2022.Henry Burrell / Foundry The Series 11 is likely to be a ‘Series 10s’ We criticized the Apple Watch Series 8 for being largely the same as the Series 7, and the Series 9 for being almost identical to the Series 8. This looks like it could be another one of those years, where there are only very minor changes to the Apple Watch that you won’t even notice in everyday use. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad watch, or that Apple is in trouble. There is virtually no competition for the Apple Watch, and as long as Apple keeps pressing forward with watchOS software features, it’s likely to keep selling a lot of Apple Watches. But if you’re hoping for a major change to the Apple Watch hardware, you’ll probably have to wait another year or more.

Read more »

Apple, Meta see modest European Union DMA fines after U.S. President Trump’s warning
Apple and Meta Platforms face EU fines totaling €700 million ($798 million) for breaching Big Tech antitrust rules under the DMA… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Does smart home tech add to the resale value of a property? Maybe …
A new residential property survey is suggesting that smart home tech can add to the resale value, though there are some big caveats. The headline news is that more than a quarter of American homebuyers are now willing to pay a premium for smart homes, and that the average perceived value-add is $18k … more…

Read more »

Logitech announces Final Cut Pro support for MX Creative Console
Today, Logitech announced a major new update for its . This update brings new integrations and functionality for Final Cut Pro, Affinity Photo, Adobe Lightroom, Figma, and DaVinci Resolve, speeding up users workflows greatly. more…

Read more »

How to Use HitPaw Univd for PC & Mac
Macworld With the ever-rising popularity of video content, fast and convenient video converters have become essential. HitPaw Univd is a professional cross-platform application that enables you to easily convert videos, audio and images on Windows, Mac, online, and mobile phone, making it appealing to content creators and viewers alike. Introduction to HitPaw Univd HitPaw Univd is a smart software that uses AI tools to enhance, edit and convert video. With a rich feature set and a clear, simple interface, HitPaw Univd will appeal to individual and small business users who require an efficient tool for working with video and audio files. Key features Convert video and audio files between 1,000+ formats, including MP4, AVI, MOV, and MKV. Built-in AI tools for enhancing video, and removing backgrounds, noise and vocals. Video-editing features such as trim, merge, compress, add watermark, crop, rotate, filter, and change speed. Convert 2D videos to 3D. Supports GPU acceleration for faster conversions. Add subtitles to videos in various formats (SRT, ASS, VTT, SSA). Built-in player for previewing videos before conversion. Batch conversion for multiple files. Available for Windows and Mac operating systems. Step-by-step instructions Video Conversion HitPaw Univd is best-known for its ability to convert video file formats–here’s how to do that. Step 1: Download and launch: Open the software, go to the Converter feature, and use the “Add Files” option to add videos. HitPaw Step 2: Select Output Format and Quality: Select an output format and customize the output parameters. HitPaw Step 3: Download File: Click the “Converted” tab to find the processed video, then open the file on your computer. HitPaw Video Enhancer HitPaw Univd can upscale video to 4k in a single click–here’s how to get started enhancing video quality. Step 1: Download and Launch: Find the video enhancer feature by clicking on the “Editor” tab. HitPaw Step 2: Select AI Model and Preview: Choose an AI enhancement model and let the program automatically enhance videos. HitPaw Step 3: Preview and Export: Preview the enhanced video and click Export to save it to computer. HitPaw Video Editor Here are step-by-step instructions on how to use HitPaw Univd as a video editor: Step 1: Select edit feature: Click on the “Editor” tab and then choose an editing feature, such as trim, crop, filters, or effects. HitPaw Step 2: Add a video file and edit it: Introduce your video file(s) to begin the editing. HitPaw Step 3: Export edited video files: Select the desired output format of the edited video and save it to the desired destination on your local machine. HitPaw HitPaw can handle multiple video formats–including MP4, which is preferable for posting on the internet. This makes HitPaw Univd a multifunctional, easy-to-use tool for converting files and basic editing. Video Compression Video compression is important for reducing storage requirements and enabling faster transmission of your video content. Here’s how to compress video using HitPaw Univd. Step 1: Click or Drag Files to Import: Open HitPaw Univd, go to the toolbox, then select the “Compressor” feature. Step 2: Set the quality, output format, and destination: Add your video file. Then, in the settings, choose the desired output compression quality (low, high, or custom), and select the output format, such as MP4 or WebM. You can also adjust other settings such as bitrate, resolution, and FPS. HitPaw Step 3: Compress and export the file：click the “Compress” button to begin the compression process. The compressed video will be saved to the location you specified. HitPaw Vocal Remover Step 1: Open Vocal Remover: Launch HitPaw Univd and find Vocal Remover in the Toolbox. Click to open it. HitPaw Step 2: Add or drag audio/video file: You can add audio or a video file from which you want to remove the vocals to the Vocal Remover. Step 3: AI video analyzer: After adding a file, the AI vocal remover will automatically analyze the video. HitPaw Step 4: Remove voice from video: Following this analysis, you can choose to separately export the audio and vocal files. The exported files will be found in the ‘Save to’ folder. HitPaw Price HitPaw Univd has a free trial period, following which it costs $19.95 per month. Compatible with more than a thousand video and audio formats, and adding support for AI enhancements and GPU acceleration, it can be an effective video and audio conversion tool for individual users and small businesses, regardless of whether they are PC or video converter Mac users. Why use HitPaw Univd HitPaw Univd can enhance your video to 4K resolution, providing sharper detail and clarity, then make them playable on any device with support for conversion to more than a thousand video and audio formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, and MKV. Its batch processing feature is geared towards efficiency–convert as many videos as you want at once. The rich feature set makes it easy to use for beginners, but powerful enough for advanced users, so it’s easy to see why HitPaw Univd is the media toolbox for anyone interested in video. FAQ 1. How does a video conversion tool work? Video conversion tools work by decoding the original video file, applying any desired changes such as the format, resolution or codec, and then re-encoding the video into the target format. 2. Is there a safe online video converter? HitPaw Univd is a safe online video converter that allows users to convert videos without downloading any software. It supports a variety of formats, maintains high quality, and is easy to use. Final words HitPaw Univd is an effective software for the conversion of video files, with support for more than a thousand video and audio formats. This fully functional video converter has a simple user interface, offers speedy conversion, and adds appealing features such as batch conversion and video cutting. Whether you are a PC, Mac or mobile user, you can depend on HitPaw Univd for all your video conversion needs.

Read more »

Running Windows games on Mac just got more expensive
If you want to run Windows game on your Mac, you’ve so far had two options – the free Whisky app, and the paid CrossOver one. Sadly, but understandably, Whisky is now going away … more…

Read more »

Easter Sunday surprise: Closed Apple Store's doors were unlocked
Easter Sunday pedestrians managed to have a peaceful experience browsing a Dutch Apple Store, as the front door was left unlocked when the store was meant to be closed.The Apple Store in Amsterdam - Image Credit: AppleA group of weekend shoppers in Amsterdam were surprised on a visit to the Apple Store in Leidseplein on Sunday with an extremely tranquil shopping experience. Entering the store to acquire an Apple Watch, the group discovered they were the only ones there, with no staff present at all.It turned out that the store was actually closed. Along with no employees, the store also had other signs that it wasn't in use that day, such as powered-down products and marketing screens turned off. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Google AI Overviews Hurting Click-Through Rates: Studies
Two new studies indicate that Google's AI Overviews are having a negative impact on click-through rates from online searches, which could ultimately reduce traffic to original sources and affect the quality of content on the internet. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

Read more »

We will pay for Apple Intelligence, even if the survey saying so is junk
I’m often skeptical about survey results. There are small-scale ones, where the claimed trends are actually within the margin of error for the sample size, and even in larger ones there’s still ample scope for the results to be way less meaningful than they might seem. I have to say that Morgan Stanley’s survey on consumer attitudes to Apple Intelligence triggered my doubtometer, as the rosy picture it paints doesn’t seem a very good match for the current state of play … more…

Read more »

How to clean install macOS on your Mac
Macworld In this article, we’re going to show you how to perform a clean install of macOS, but before we get in to how to wipe your Mac and reinstall macOS we will discuss the difference between a clean install and a plain reinstall of macOS, and why you might want to do a clean install of macOS. Is a clean install better than a reinstall, or is it actually completely unnecessary to wipe your Mac first? We will then discuss the different ways to do a clean installation of macOS. Traditionally, the way was to make a bootable copy of the macOS installer on a USB stick and then reformat your drive before installing the bootable copy onto your Mac, however, this is unnecessary for modern Macs. There is now a simple method to wipe a Mac and it is possible to use macOS Recovery to reinstall the Mac operating system over the web (we have a separate tutorial about how to reinstall macOS using Recovery). However, because on modern Macs macOS is installed on your Mac on a separate volume that can’t be touched by other apps and software on your Mac, reinstalling macOS as a means to fix problems is less likely to be the solution it once was. Should you do a clean install of macOS? There are a number of reasons why you might want to do a clean install: You might want to reinstall the operating system in order to correct problems with your Mac. Doing a clean install may be a good option if your Mac is running slow or otherwise misbehaving. Doing a clean install allows you to clear away old files that you might have been accumulating for years before installing the operating system onto a freshly formatted disk.  A clean install is also something you should do before selling your Mac or passing it on. It allows you to remove all your data from your Mac and return it to factory settings for the next person. A clean install is also something many computer users resort to when they are trying to get rid of a virus (although there is a lot of debate about whether there are viruses on the Mac). However, changes in recent years may mean that a clean install is not necessary. Since macOS Big Sur (which arrived in 2020) macOS has its own volume which is completely sealed and cannot be changed by any software you install. In addition, if you wanted to do a clean install so that no leftovers that belong to an old macOS are carried along, this no longer applies because none of this information is carried over. CleanMyMac Read our review Price When Reviewed: $39.95/a year for 1 Mac, $119.95 for 1 Mac (one time purchase) Best Prices Today: $39.95 at MacPaw (first year, 1 device) | $117.95 at MacPaw (one time purchase) Another reason to avoid a clean install is that it could result in the loss of data and settings you rely on. You may feel that you have a lot excess data and files on your Mac and that wiping your drive could be useful, just be prepared that it can be a risky business and you may end up deleting something important. Beware that a clean install can cause more problems than it fixes. You might prefer to use an application like CleanMyMac X from MacPaw, or one of the Best Mac Cleaner software we have tested. If you are happy to take the risk and still want to wipe your Mac and reinstall macOS – which you should definitely do if you are selling or passing on your Mac – read on! How to clean install macOS As we explained above, there is more than one way to wipe your Mac and reinstall macOS: Use the Erase All Content and Settings option setting and use macOS Recovery to reinstall macOS via the web. Make a copy of the macOS installer on a USB stick, reformat your drive and then install the macOS onto your Mac from the installer. We’ll start off with the simple option that works on modern Macs (all M-series Macs and the T2 Intel-powered Macs). Before you begin: Back up your Mac Before you begin we recommend that you make a backup, just in case something goes wrong. Full instructions here: How to back up a Mac. It’s entirely possible that there will be something on your Mac that you thought was in the cloud but was actually on your Mac (we speak from experience!) Note that with regard to backups, you probably won’t want to recover a Time Machine backup if you don’t want to copy over all the settings and preferences associated with your old system. You could alternatively sync all your Documents and Desktop with iCloud rather than run a full backup, but make sure that everything you need is in the cloud and be aware that you may lose your settings and applications. We have reviewed some alternative Mac Backup solutions so check them out for one that suits you. How to wipe your Mac and reinstall macOS the easy way Foundry With this method you will erase all content and settings using a setting in macOS and then install macOS. What you need: A Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 chip or later) or an Intel-powered Mac with a T2 chip. macOS Monterey or later. Open System Settings. Click on General. Click on Transfer or Reset. Click on Erase all Content and Settings. Enter your password. You’ll be reminded to do a backup with Time Machine before you begin deletion, but you can skip that step if you have another backup you are using. A window will show you what will be deleted, including Apple ID, Touch ID, accessories, and Find My settings. Finally, you will need to log out of your Mac and all related services using your Apple ID. Before your Mac is erased you receive a final warning, so if you have second thoughts at least you can stop at this point! Having clicked the second Erase All Content & Settings your Mac will restart. Eventually, you will see a black screen while it restarts. Once your Mac restarts you can go through the steps to set it up as new. This may be sufficient for you, but if you also want to reinstall macOS you can do so from Recovery. Start up in Recovery by shutting down your Mac and then pressing and holding the power button until the Mac starts up and you see the Options icon. (On an Intel Mac you need to press and hold the Command and R buttons to start in Recovery). Click on Options and Continue. Enter the password if required. A macOS Utilities window will open with options to Restore From Time Machine Backup, Reinstall macOS [version], Safari (or Get Help Online in older versions) and Disk Utility.  Choose Reinstall macOS. In macOS Monterey the process was slightly different but the result was the same. Erase All Content and Settings was accessed from the System Preferences menu at the top of the screen. Foundry We explain how to reinstall macOS via Recovery in more detail here: How to reinstall macOS. Foundry How to clean install macOS using a bootable USB Now for the even trickier business of installing a clean copy of an older version of macOS on an older Mac. Speaking of which, if an old version is what you’re looking for, it may be worth taking a look at another article where we focus on that entirely: How to download and install old versions of OS X on a Mac. This method involves using a bootable USB with the macOS installation on it. This might also be the best method if you already have the installation files downloaded and don’t want to wait for hours for Recovery to download the files (or you are installing the software on multiple Macs). At a glance Tools required: A 15GB or larger removable USB flash drive to hold the installer file for our chosen version of macOS. (We’re going to erase it, so make sure it doesn’t contain any valuable data.) Admin privileges for the Mac. A back up, just in case something goes wrong. 1. Format the external drive Foundry We’re going to re-download the installer file for our chosen version of macOS and store it on a USB stick or external drive. But before you do that you can prepare the USB drive by reformatting it. Here’s how to format your USB drive correctly: Plug in the USB drive. Go to Applications > Utilities. Open Disk Utility. Select the drive and click Erase. (The name of the disk needs to be “Untitled”, if the Terminal commands below are to work, so rename it if necessary.) Select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the format type.  Choose GUID Partition Map from the Scheme options (if you don’t see this you are in the wrong view – you need to select the external drive, not the container below it). Click Erase. Disk Utility will create the partition and set up the drive (it can take a while). Click Done. 2. Get the macOS install file Foundry If you’re reinstalling the latest version of macOS, or installing a new version of macOS, the next step is relatively easy although the process for obtaining the installer will be different.  How to download the installer via Software Update If you are currently running Ventura and want to do a clean install of macOS Sonoma, for example, then you can download the installation package via System Settings. Open System Settings. Choose General. Choose Software Update. Download the macOS Sonoma install files (don’t install it!) How to download the installer from the Mac App Store Find the version of macOS you want to install. Chances are if you following these steps you will be using an older Mac that is incompatible with Sequoia and Sonoma. See: What version of macOS can my Mac run. However, it is possible to run new macOS on old Macs, as we explain in How to install macOS Sequoia on an unsupported Mac. First up, you need to get hold of the version of macOS you want to install. For more help read: How to install older versions of macOS or OS X. You can find Sonoma on the Mac App Store here Grab the Ventura installer from the Mac App Store here. Monterey is on the Mac App Store here. Big Sur is on the Mac App Store here. Catalina is on the Mac App Store here. You can get macOS Mojave via this link. Download High Sierra here. Sierra is here as a direct download. El Capitan can be downloaded from this link. Yosemite is available here.  (If those links don’t work close the Mac App Store and cut and paste the links into Safari. For more advice on getting hold of even older editions of Mac OS, see How to get old versions of OS X.) Once you have located the version of macOS you want on the Mac App Store follow these instructions: Hit Download or Get (depending on the version of the Mac App Store you are using). You may get a warning message at this point, telling you that this version of macOS ‘is already installed on this computer. Would you like to continue?’ Click Continue. Enter your Apple ID and password. The install files will start to download. The installer file will be multiple gigabytes. macOS Big Sur was 12.6GB, for example, so expect downloading to take a while. Don’t install yet! Whichever way you get the install file the next step is worth highlighting for what you shouldn’t do, rather than what you should do: When the macOS installer has finished downloading the installer will launch automatically, but we don’t want to use it yet so don’t click to start the installation! Press Command + Q to quit out of the installer. Find the installer file (it will be located in your Applications folder, or you could search for it using Spotlight (command + Space and start typing Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Catalina or Big Sur). 3. Create a bootable USB disk Foundry Next we need to turn the USB drive into a bootable USB disk so that we can use it to install a new copy of macOS on our Mac after we have reformatted it (that step will come later in this tutorial). We’ve got full instructions on How to make a bootable macOS install drive in a different article, but we’ll run through the basics here. We’re going to create the bootable drive using Terminal, which you can open on your Mac by pressing Command + Space bar and typing Terminal. Connect the USB drive that you formatted earlier to your Mac. Make sure it’s called Untitled – rename it if necessary (this will help you enter the correct text in Terminal in the next steps). Creating a bootable installer has been pretty easy since the arrival of Mavericks in 2013 thanks to the Terminal command createinstallmedia that arrived in that version. Here’s how to use it (note that the name of the version of macOS will depend on which version you are installing): Open the Terminal application on your Mac (find it by searching using Command + Space and typing Terminal) Now copy and paste the following text into Terminal (This text is for Ventura – we include the text needed for the other versions of macOS in this article). When you cut and paste the following text into Terminal do check that it maintains the — as we have heard of people pasting in the — and it converting to –)sudo /Applications/Install macOS Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MyVolume (where MyVolume is the name of the external drive you are using – it could be Untitled). Press Return. Enter your password (you won’t see the password appear). Press Return again. Terminal will warn that it is about to erase the drive. If you want to continue press Y and then Return. The process can take a while, you’ll see “Erasing Disk: 0%… 10%… 20%… 30%…100%… Next Terminal will spend a few minutes copying the installer file to your drive. “Copying installer files to disk… Copy complete” and so on will appear in the Terminal window. Again, this can take a while – it took our Mac ages to go from 0% to 10%… When the bootable drive is prepared you will see the word Done. It can take a while. Now you have the installer on the external drive you can use that to install copies of macOS on multiple Macs – which could be helpful if you are admin for a lot of systems. However, if you are reading this because you want to do wipe your Mac and do a clean install, read on… 4. Wipe your Mac Foundry Now we are ready to install the copy of macOS from the installer drive on our Mac. If you want to do a fresh installation (and completely wipe your Mac) it’s time to reformat your Mac’s start-up drive. If you have a recently modern Mac with Monterey installed, you would be best off wiping your Mac using the Erase all Contents and Settings option. But for those running older Macs with older versions of macOS will need to use Disk Utility to delete their data. If you are running macOS Catalina or Big Sur you will have two volumes: Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD – Data. If you want to do a clean install of macOS over an existing installation you will need to delete the Macintosh HD – Data volume. We cover how to do this in more detail here: How to reset and wipe a Mac. Macintosh HD – Data is where your data is stored separately to the macOS installation. Either click on the – button or go to the menu and choose Edit > Delete APFS volume. You will see a message warning you that this will permanently erase your data. Click on Delete. Do not choose Delete Volume Group. Wait while the volume is deleted. Then you can move on to deleting your Macintosh HD volume as above. Here’s how to do a fresh installation of macOS if you aren’t already running Catalina, Big Sur or later. Connect your boot drive. Start – or restart – your Mac while holding down the Option key (also known as Alt). This will take you to Startup Manager. Choose to install your chosen version of macOS from the external drive. Select Disk Utility. Select your Mac’s start-up disc, probably called Macintosh HD or Home. Click on Erase. Wait for your startup disk to be formatted. Go back to the main Utilities menu and choose Install macOS. Choose your startup drive as the location to install macOS. Once installation is complete, you can restore apps and settings from your backup, or download them again manually. 5. Install macOS IDG Now you can use your bootable installer to do a clean install of macOS on your wiped Mac. The process for installing the OS from the bootable installer is slightly different if you have an M1 or M2-series Mac (also known as Apple Silicon) or an Intel processor inside your Mac. We’ll run through both methods. In both cases, you will need to have your Mac connected to the Internet. It also needs to be compatible with the version of macOS you are trying to install (you can’t install a macOS older than Big Sur on a M-series Mac). How to install macOS from a bootable installer If you have an M-series Mac here’s how to install macOS from a bootable installer. As we mentioned above, you can’t install a macOS older than Big Sur on an Apple Silicon Mac. Plug in your bootable installer Turn off your Mac. Press the power button to turn on the Mac – but keep it pressed until you see the startup options window including your bootable volume. Choose the bootable installer volume. Click Continue. The macOS installer should open – when it does follow the onscreen instructions to do the clean install. If you have an Intel-powered Mac here’s how to install macOS from a bootable installer: Plug in your bootable installer Turn off your Mac. Press and hold Option/Alt while the Mac starts up – keep pressing the key until you see a screen showing the bootable volume. Choose the bootable installer volume. Click Continue. Select Install macOS from the Utilities window that appears.  Click Continue. Now follow the onscreen instructions to do your clean install. Reasons not to clean install macOS In the past, it was helpful to reinstall the system if you wanted to correct some Mac problems, but today this solution doesn’t make as much sense. Since macOS Big Sur (introduced in 2020), macOS has its home on its own volume, which is both read-only and cryptographically signed and sealed (referred to as a Sealed System Volume). This seal is stored either in the T2 chip of the newer Intel Macs or in the Secure Enclave of the Apple M-series chip (aka Apple Silicon). Each component of the system is signed in hierarchical order, and any change to a component would also invalidate the seal that represents the top level. For further security, these Macs also do not start directly from the system volume, but from a snapshot of the system–and snapshots cannot be changed, even by the system itself. So macOS itself cannot be changed by any software that you install as a user. Should a problem occur with macOS during a restart, perhaps because a storage space on the SSD is defective and thus a system component is no longer intact, this will be recognized by the startup process since the seal will now be invalid. Should this happen you will have to reinstall the system. However, if your Mac boots up without issue then it indicates that there are no problems with the system. As long as your Mac works (which can be determined on the basis of the seal), the Mac is considered to be in working order as it complies with Apple’s specifications. For that reason, even if you do encounter problems on Macs with T2 chip or Apple Silicon while running macOS, it makes no sense to reinstall the system yourself. For those who want to do a clean install so that no leftovers that belong to an old system are carried along, this no longer applies because none of this information is carried over. All components are checked after installation, then signed and finally the entire system is sealed again. Again, the seal guarantees that everything is fine and that nothing untoward has crept in. However, there is one component of the system software that is not installed on the read-only system volume. All other user-installed programs reside on the volume with the user data, including Safari. This means Apple can offer a separate update for the browser and WebKit, so that you do not have to reinstall the whole system each time. In the case of Safari and other apps there can be benefits in cleaning up your Library folder since it may still contain remnants of old applications you no longer use.

Read more »

EU cuts Apple anti-competition fine to $570 million to avoid Trump retaliation
While the European Union has now fined Apple for what it claims is non-compliance with its Digital Markets Act, the sum involved has been kept low to avoid increasing EU/US trade tensions.An EU flag with the App Store logoAfter denying reports saying that the EU was delaying fines while its member states negotiate with Trump over his "reciprocal" tariffs, the EU has now issued fines for both Apple and Meta. Apple has been fined while Meta was fined $227 million, both for claimed non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA)."Today's decisions send a strong and clear message," Teresa Ribera, the EU's new antitrust chief said in the full ruling. "The Digital Markets Act is a crucial instrument to unlock potential, choice and growth by ensuring digital players can operate in contestable and fair markets." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Everything Apple needs to fix at WWDC starts with Settings
Macworld Rumors abound that Apple is about to redesign all its operating systems, dramatically changing the devices we use every day starting this fall. It would be a perfectly understandable reaction to wonder why Apple would focus on aesthetics while so many parts of its business seem to be in turmoil. But I’m here to propose the opposite. That a lot of the symptoms of what Apple’s done wrong lately–most powerfully represented by the disastrous update to the macOS Settings (formerly System Preferences) app–are actually reasons why now it’s past time for Apple to turn the page, design something new, and announce it at WWDC in June. Things fall apart I’ve never worked in software, but I have worked in the media business for a few decades and have been involved in numerous redesign projects, both for print magazines and websites. Every time a new design debuts, it’s trumpeted as being “cleaner” and “more streamlined,” which probably makes you wonder: Why was the old thing cluttered? Why design a less streamlined, less clean thing in the first place? Of course, the answer is that every new design starts clean, fresh, and streamlined, with every feature it needs and nothing it doesn’t. But starting on day one, the compromises creep in. Designs fall apart over time, not because they weren’t nice, but because needs have changed, and you can’t do a total redesign every time you want to add or tweak just one thing. Over the years, a fresh design becomes an ugly patchwork. The truth is, there’s never a good time to redesign anything. There will always be another pressing new feature that takes precedent. But why now? Surely Apple would be better off devoting its time to adding AI features and fixing bugs! The truth is, there’s never a good time to redesign anything. There will always be another pressing new feature that takes precedence, and that usually goes on for years as the fixes pile up, creating more and more tech debt and making the existing product that much harder to update and alter. Eventually, it reaches a breaking point–the whole thing needs to be redesigned. If not now, when? Apple’s operating systems probably reached that breaking point a few years ago. And there’s no better example, in all its details, than three years ago when Apple replaced the macOS System Preferences app with the new Settings app. Brother from another mother Introduced in macOS Ventura in 2022, the Settings app encompasses pretty much every reason why Apple needs to hit a big reset button. First, let me stipulate that the old System Preferences app was just that: old. It was a remnant of the very earliest days of Mac OS X and desperately needed to be modernized. I do not doubt that there were a huge number of reasons (and an enormous pile of tech debt ) that led to the decision to replace it with a new version based on the Settings app found in iOS and iPadOS. Even though this System Preference design is old, it made it much easier to find what you need, than it is now with System Settings.Foundry But that’s the thing. The Settings app on iOS is no spring chicken. It has also struggled to adapt and grow with the increasing complexity of iOS and iPadOS. It was never intended to work on macOS. While the decision to use it on macOS was probably expedient and made Apple’s platforms feel a little more alike, adapting an old design from an entirely different platform went exactly as you might expect it to go. Settings might be new to macOS, but it’s not new. What Settings needs, across all of Apple’s platforms, is a rethink and a reorganization. Categories and subcategories are not organized in any logical way, making the entire app so dysfunctional that you have to rely on search to find anything you need. And all that does is expose how broken a lot of Apple’s on-device search functionality feels. Not to mention that between “type to Siri” and Spotlight, it’s completely unclear what to type where on modern Apple devices. Sure, we can all probably figure out good explanations for why things are the way they are. But that’s the point–years have gone by, and the old designs have been patched so many times that they’re simply a mess. It’s time to rip the bandage off. The old college try I hear a lot of skepticism about Apple’s ability to execute a complete redesign across all its platforms. And I get it: A lot of Apple’s recent missteps have come on the software side, suggesting that they may not be up to the challenge. The fact is, we just don’t know whether Apple can execute on this, but we have to be open-minded. It could be good, or it could be bad, or anywhere in between. Apple needs to stop making macOS be more like iOS and vice versa. It needs to start with a design system that is built to the way we use each device.Apple What’s indisputable is that Apple could really use a new design, built from the ground up to cover all of its platforms and fit its priorities. It shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all design but an overall design system that is built to adapt to the very different needs of an iPhone and a MacBook Pro. As a certain famous former Apple CEO said, design is “not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” That’s another important aspect of this if Apple is going to do this right: It can’t just be about looks–it needs to be about functionality. For example, a new Settings app could be beautiful and reflect every platform’s special nature–but if it hasn’t been reorganized so that you can find what you’re looking for, it’s not well designed. The same is true for many of Apple’s back-end technologies, which need to be presented in more consistent ways, whether it’s Writing Tools and Apple’s spelling checker or the aforementioned Type to Siri and Spotlight searches. That’s the potential in a major Apple redesign. Sure, there will be gaudy flourishes that show off the power of Apple Silicon GPUs–but a successful design has to go beyond that. If Apple does this right, it will have swept away the conditions that led to sad affairs like replacing one broken Settings app with a differently broken one. A new design should be based on Apple’s vision for how people will be using its devices over the next decade, at least. And if it’s all done right, that design will inspire the rest of the company to live up to its promise. Because nobody wants to see the OS equivalent of the Settings app.

Read more »

Apple fined 500 million euros by EU under the Digital Markets Act, forced to make changes to App Store policies
Apple has today received a 500 million euro fine (about $570 million) from the EU commission under the Digital Markets Act. The commission said the fine relates to Apple’s App Store anti-steering policies. It is being forced to make changes, or else face further fines. The DMA requires that app developers should be able to inform customers of alternative purchasing options outside of the App Store, and direct customers to those alternative payment options, free of charge. Apple’s rules currently do not allow for this … more…

Read more »

Project Magma development effort brings Bungie’s “Myth” series back to run on modern Macs
One of the greatest video game franchises and an old Bungie favorite is on its way to modern Mac hardware. Per AppleInsider, Myth, the real-time fantasy tactics game, which was created between 1997 and 2001, and available on macOS and Windows, is being remastered to run on current Macs by a group of devoted fans. […] Source

Read more »

Windows 11 demoed running on M2 iPad Air
If you’ve been hankering to run Windows 11 on your Apple Silicon-based iPad, a developer has proven that it’s possible. A developer operating under the handle “NTDev” recently shared an instance of the emulation on social media and posted a video on YouTube demonstrating it in action. The achievement relies on new EU regulatory changes […] Source

Read more »

There’s a way to get Windows 11 Pro on Parallels Pro for $15
Macworld If you like using Windows apps on your Mac through Parallels Pro, listen up. Microsoft is going to phase out Windows 10 in a few months. If you had a Windows computer, you might be able to upgrade to Windows 11 for free. Mac users, don’t worry. You can still upgrade for cheap because it’s now only $14.97 to get Windows 11 Pro, but it won’t stay that way.  Windows 11 Pro has a few upgrades that seriously improve productivity, security, and user experience. The new interface is more streamlined and user-friendly. For Mac users, it might even seem a little familiar. Features like Snap Layouts and multiple desktops help keep your workspace organized, while Windows Sandbox gives you a secure environment for testing apps without risking your main system. Security enhancements include support for biometric login, TPM 2.0, and Smart App Control, which can help protect your data from unauthorized access. The built-in AI-powered Copilot assistant is another practical tool, making it easier to quickly adjust settings, generate content, or get answers to questions without disrupting your workflow. Through April 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get Windows 11 Pro on sale for $14.97 (reg. $199). No coupon needed.  Microsoft Windows 11 ProSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Read more »

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI ready to buy Chrome from Google
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, would be willing to buy Chrome from Google if a U.S. federal court orders its sale. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

More iPhone users say yes to paying for Apple Intelligence
Survey shows growing number of iPhone users willing to pay for Apple Intelligence, with $10–$14.99 being the sweet spot. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

Driven by M4 release, Apple’s Mac shipments surge 17% YoY in Q1
Apple's Mac shipments surged 17% year over year in Q125 as global PC shipments grew 6.7% YoY in Q125 to reach 61.4 million units… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Whistleblower: DOGE Siphoned NLRB Case Data
A security architect with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) alleges that employees from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) transferred gigabytes of sensitive data from agency case files in early March, using short-lived accounts configured to leave few traces of network activity. The NLRB whistleblower said the unusual large data outflows coincided with multiple blocked login attempts from an Internet address in Russia that tried to use valid credentials for a newly-created DOGE user account.

Read more »

Funding Expires for Key Cyber Vulnerability Database
A critical resource that cybersecurity professionals worldwide rely on to identify, mitigate and fix security vulnerabilities in software and hardware is in danger of breaking down. The federally funded, non-profit research and development organization MITRE warned today that its contract to maintain the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) program -- which is traditionally funded each year by the Department of Homeland Security -- expires on April 16.

Read more »

Trump Revenge Tour Targets Cyber Leaders, Elections
President Trump last week revoked security clearances for Chris Krebs, the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) who was fired by Trump after declaring the 2020 election the most secure in U.S. history. The White House memo, which also suspended clearances for other security professionals at Krebs's employer SentinelOne, comes as CISA is facing huge funding and staffing cuts.

Read more »

China-based SMS Phishing Triad Pivots to Banks
China-based purveyors of SMS phishing kits are enjoying remarkable success converting phished payment card data into mobile wallets from Apple and Google. Until recently, the so-called “Smishing Triad” mainly impersonated toll road operators and shipping companies. But experts say these groups are now directly targeting customers of international financial institutions, while dramatically expanding their cybercrime infrastructure and support staff.

Read more »

Patch Tuesday, April 2025 Edition
Microsoft today released updates to plug at least 121 security holes in its Windows operating systems and software, including one vulnerability that is already being exploited in the wild. Eleven of those flaws earned Microsoft's most-dire "critical" rating, meaning malware or malcontents could exploit them with little to no interaction from Windows users.

Read more »

Cyber Forensic Expert in 2,000+ Cases Faces FBI Probe
A Minnesota cybersecurity and computer forensics expert whose testimony has featured in thousands of courtroom trials over the past 30 years is facing questions about his credentials and an inquiry from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Legal experts say the inquiry could be grounds to reopen a number of adjudicated cases in which the expert's testimony may have been pivotal.

Read more »

How Each Pillar of the 1st Amendment is Under Attack
In an address to Congress this month, President Trump claimed he had "brought free speech back to America." But barely two months into his second term, the president has waged an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment rights of journalists, students, universities, government workers, lawyers and judges. This story explores a slew of recent actions by the Trump administration that threaten to undermine all five pillars of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedoms concerning speech, religion, the media, the right to assembly, and the right to petition the government and seek redress for wrongs.

Read more »

When Getting Phished Puts You in Mortal Danger
Many successful phishing attacks result in a financial loss or malware infection. But falling for some phishing scams, like those currently targeting Russians searching online for organizations that are fighting the Kremlin war machine, can cost you your freedom or your life.

Read more »