Foxconn head predicts a surge in US manufacturing in the coming years
The CEO of Apple partner Foxconn has broken silence on President Trump's tariffs, and is predicting disruption and perhaps an expansion of US manufacturing by big tech in the coming years.A Foxconn facilityThe remarks by Foxconn CEO Young Liu during an earnings call were uncharacteristic for the executive. When asked about the impact of tariffs, the executive didn't dance around the matter."The issue of tariffs is something that is giving the CEOs of our customers a big headache now. Judging by the attitude and the approach we see the US government taking towards tariffs, it is very, very hard to predict how things will develop over the next year," Liu said. "So we can only concentrate on doing well what we can control." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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RCS messaging will get end-to-end encryption on iPhone
Apple has announced that it will add support for end-to-end encryption to RCS messaging on iOS, although there are few details about when this will happen.RCS support will be extended to include end-to-end encryptionAfter years of bizarre pressure over how Messages has blue bubbles for iOS users and green for Android ones, and maybe a nudge from China, Apple finally added support for RCS messaging with iOS 18. Its implementation, though, did not support Google's implementation of end-to-end encryption.Now as first spotted by 9to5mac, the RCS standards body GSM Assocation (GSMA) and Apple have announced new end-to-end encryption support on iOS. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPhone RCS texting to gain end-to-end encryption support this year
Apple will add end-to-end encryption (E2EE) support for RCS texting between iPhone and Android later this year. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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iBeesoft Data Recovery review
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Friendly user interface and good overall data recovery. Handy backup and video repair modules. Good price point. Cons The Crashed Mac module couldn’t be tested, as the host website was down. Some vague user interface menus. No trial period and vague 60-day money-back guarantee terms. Our Verdict Data Recovery for Mac is worth a look, and it hones in on its core features well, but the overall execution feels sloppy. This, combined with a core feature being inaccessible, demonstrates that iBeesoft’s competitors might be more worthy of your attention. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When ReviewedPersonal License: $59.95; Lifetime License for $129.95 Best Prices Today: iBeesoft Data Recovery for Mac Retailer Price iBeesoft (per year, 2-5 Macs) $59.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Sometimes, a company can offer a good product, but it falters when its departments fall out of sync. This is the case with iBeesoft’s Data Recovery for Mac, which functions as a data recovery and backup application and also includes a video repair utility for the AV nerds out there. The application, which requires Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or later to install and run, starts at $59.95 (approx £46) for a year’s subscription for one Mac or Windows PC for a Personal License and scales up, depending on the number of licenses. There’s also a Lifetime License for $129.95 (approx £100) that works on two Macs. Data Recovery for Mac is also available for free, although the free version features a 500MB limit as to the amount of data that can be recovered, along with free 24/7 tech support and free lifetime upgrades. The software, which downloads and installs easily, is based around several modules (Storage Devices, Crashed Mac Recovery, Video Repair, File Backup, and Search Records), the Storage Devices module acting as the application’s data recovery bread and butter. Once you’ve assigned full disk access to the application, you’re free to use the module to scan through your list of mounted drives, the software looking for deleted files, reconstructing and recovering everything it can, and allowing you to designate a location to save them to. This is accompanied by a user-friendly interface and helpful file categorizations, such as All Types, Pictures, Documents, Audio, Video, Emails, Archives, Others, and Unsaved Documents, and it’s easy to select specific files or all files for a given recovery to an external volume once a scan is complete. To its credit, Data Recovery for Mac’s other modules are fun to work with, and the Video Repair module allows you to drag and drop old video clips and upgrade their quality before exporting them. The Backup module allows you to specify files, folders, or an entire volume and back up a copy as a .dmg file, which can be easily restored later, both with Data Recovery for Mac or with macOS itself. The modules feature a good level of customization and configuration, and it’s simple to pick and choose the specific files or file types that you want to recover. Finally, the Search Records module offers a handy array of logs that you can pick up and work with, resuming a previous search and recovery as needed. See how this app compares to other Data Recovery for Mac solutions we have tested. While this all seems to be headed in the right direction, there are some elements to sort out. The Crashed Mac module is designed to offer an easily downloadable .dmg file to create a boot drive to use as an emergency disk to help recover data to an external hard drive, but the web server that hosted the file not working so the feature couldn’t be tested. This comes as an outright punch in the nose, and you’d think that a credible software company with over a dozen products in its portfolio would have planned for this contingency, the user being routed to an alternate server. Several gaffes, generally on the company’s side of things, also serve as thorns in the side. Spelling and grammatical errors abound on the company’s website, and in one instance, the stated minimum operating system indicated that the user needed Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or later to run Data Recovery for Mac, when the actual minimum required operating system was Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or later. The lack of a demo period for the software seems odd, and the company offers a vague list of criteria as to what qualifies for its 60-day money-back guarantee, something that I think a trial period would readily address. Should you buy iBeesoft’s Data Recovery for Mac What’s present in iBeesoft’s Data Recovery for Mac is useful, but the overall execution feels sloppy, as if the departments within the company weren’t in sync with each other and their attention was divided between an array of projects. The intention is there, but from a downed file server that made one module impossible to test to conflicting information on the website, it feels as if iBeesoft could be doing a better job with this. Yes, the company was quick to respond to technical questions via email and offered good help and tutorial materials via the application and the company website, but the other shortcomings hurt what could be a great application with a moderate amount of work and a clear corporate plan. Data Recovery for Mac is worth a look, and it hones in on its core features well, but if its parent company can’t deliver on what’s been promised, then its competitors might be that much more deserving of your attention.

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I gave Apple Arcade a chance. Here’s why you should too
Macworld Apple Arcade is one of Apple’s more opaque services. The company doesn’t disclose any subscription figures and keeps other key data under wraps. Occasionally, specialist media manage to glean a few insights by interviewing a developer in a forthcoming mood, but most of the time we’re kept in the dark. Is it a success? Is it a failure? That’s hard to say. What we can say for sure is that Arcade has some really good games. Everything from indie classics such as Slay the Spire and Stardew Valley and current titles such as Vampire Survivors and Balatro to surprising (and surprisingly good!) franchise additions such as Sonic Dream Team and Cypher 007. On the other hand, there’s some real rubbish on there too: the kind of junk that should have died with Farmville. It’s a mixed bag, then. But I’d like to explain why I think Apple Arcade is absolutely worth your time, even if you don’t play a lot of games. In fact, people who don’t play a lot of games might be the ones who need Arcade the most. The App Store’s charts and categories can serve as a guide, but the selection is overwhelming.Karen Haslam / Foundry The agony of choice The bored iPhone owner who randomly browses for games in the App Store is likely to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. And while the Games tab is quite well organized and offers numerous points of entry–including What We’re Playing, Must-Play Games, Hidden Gems, and the charts–this only makes a difficult situation fractionally less difficult. Perhaps our iPhone owner might begin by tapping on the Top Paid Games chart. At the time of writing, Minecraft is in first place ($6.99), followed by Balatro ($9.99), and Bloons TD 6 ($2.99). Maybe you’d like to try one of them? You’ll have to pony up the cash since demo versions aren’t available. You’ll just have to look at the screenshots and hope you’ll like it. If a game turns out to be a stinker, you can try asking for a refund. But it requires jumping through several hoops to file a claim and there’s no guarantee that it’ll be accepted. You might decide that it’s not worth the effort for a few dollars. What about the free charts? That way you don’t need to risk any money. Right now Block Blast sits at number one, Tidy Up: Perfect Games in the second slot, and Township at number three. But just because they’re popular doesn’t mean they’re good. There are some decent games in the free segment, but the vast majority aren’t worth your time. Many are poorly designed, unoriginal, stuffed with ads, or a combination of all three, and the chances are that, sooner or later, you will be presented with an in-app purchase. It doesn’t cost any money to give the games a try, but you pay in time and irritation instead. If you’re overwhelmed by the agony of choice, you can rely on the recommendations of experts. (I would personally be delighted if you found what you were looking for in our overview of the best iPhone games.) But tastes differ and no editorial team in the world can thoroughly cover a library of a million games. If it weren’t for Apple Arcade, I would probably never have played Balatro.Playstack Convenience, curation, and child protection This is where Apple Arcade comes in. The games on there are curated, so the number is far lower and the average quality far higher. That’s not to say that every game is a classic, and you still have to exercise a little common sense. But the odds are a lot better you’ll find something fun and engaging in Apple Arcade. Arcade also assuages any worries about wasting money on a game without being able to try it first, because, for $6.99/£6.99 a month or $49.99 a year (or less if you subscribe to Apple One), you can try any of the 300 games completely free of obligation. Maybe you’ll come across some gems that you never would have played otherwise. If you don’t like a game, you can delete it immediately and skip to the next one without wasting a penny. You’re paying a fixed fee regardless of how many games you try, and you never have to worry about the dreaded refund form. A final huge advantage of Apple Arcade compared to games on the normal App Store is that you’re not exposed to ads or in-app purchases. This is good for privacy, as advertisers love to harvest data about your behavior. And for your wallet, you don’t run the risk of spending several hundred dollars on gems or other nonsense. Arcade games are also free from annoying restrictions that prevent you from continuing to play, while additional content that you would otherwise have to buy separately is included. This last aspect shouldn’t be underestimated, especially if you have kids. Apple Arcade games don’t expose children to predatory practices such as gambling, loot boxes, and harmful advertising. Your child won’t inadvertently spend a fortune on silly skins. And since Apple Arcade is covered by Apple’s Family Sharing scheme, you only have to pay once. There are exclusive games on Apple Arcade, but these are few and far between.SEGA When Apple Arcade is worthwhile. And when it isn’t To be clear, Apple Arcade does have its downsides. For one thing, like any subscription service, it’s easy to forget about it, leave it unused for a long time, and keep paying while gaining no benefit. There’s also the risk of a game disappearing from Arcade, taking all your saved data with it. If you buy the same game in the regular App Store, you’ll have to start all over again. Even if you actively use Arcade, you have to think carefully about whether it’s worth it in the long run. If you end up playing a lot of different games on there, or if you share a subscription with family members, then it should pay for itself easily. But even casual gamers should find enough to play to make it worthwhile. Last year, there were just four Arcade games I played for more than just a few days. Only one of these is exclusive to Arcade: Sonic Dream Team. The others are available on the App Store for a fee: Balatro costs $9.99, Slay the Spire costs $9.99, and Vampire Survivors costs a whopping $12.75 with the additional content that’s free in Apple Arcade. That’s already a total of $32.73, significantly less than the $49.99 it costs for a year of Arcade but not far off. So even if you don’t want to jump into Apple Arcade with a long-term subscription, then you should at least give the month-long free trial a chance. You might be surprised at how many excellent games are available to play. And you’ll never be prompted to put in another quarter.

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Apple’s folding iPhone is coming: Here’s everything we know so far
Macworld We’ve been reporting on the rumored “coming soon” launch of a foldable iPhone for years. There have been strong and reliable rumors of a foldable iPhone being just two years away dating as far back as 2018, at least. Back then, reliable reports from the likes of CNBC said Apple was going to have a folding iPhone on the market in 2020. That became 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025… and now it’s scheduled to land in 2026 at the earliest. So, while the rumors and reports from parts suppliers and analysts are heating up and seem to be more solid than ever, we would advise even more caution and skepticism than usual with Apple rumors. Having said that, here’s what the current rumors suggest about the release of a folding iPhone. Folding iPhone: Release date According to a series of reports, the major design and specs of Apple’s first folding phone are due to be finalized in the middle of 2025, with production targeted for late 2026. That would mean a launch late in 2026 or early 2027. So far, this timeline has been suggested by several sources, including The Information, The Wall Street Journal, and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The phone is expected to be complex and expensive to manufacture, so production volume will likely be very limited at first. A second model in late 2027 should see higher production numbers. Folding iPhone: Design In 2024, The Information reported that Apple had made a couple of prototype “clamshell” flip-phone designs, where the top and bottom of the phone fold to meet. More recent rumors in 2025 from Digital Chat Station on Weibo and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggest a “book” style fold, with a vertical fold as the left and right sides fold to meet each other. This is a similar style to the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. The hinge is said to be a titanium alloy, with a stainless steel and titanium body. Apple has received several patents for hinge designs, and it’s unclear which the company will use in the final design. The folding iPhone could be a similar size to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.Luke Baker Folding iPhone: Size and dimensions Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported on the folding iPhone’s set of proposed design details. He says the book-style iPhone will have a 7.8-inch inside display when unfolded, and a 5.5-inch outer display. Kuo says Apple won’t be satisfied until the phone’s display is completely crease-free when opened. The folding phone is said to be at most 9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5mm when unfolded. For comparison, an iPhone 16 Pro Max is 8.5mm thick, and the thinnest iPhone of all time was the iPhone 6 at 6.9mm. The upcoming iPhone 17 Air is expected to be around 6mm thick and possibly as thin as 5.5mm. Folding iPhone: Specs and features We don’t know what processor the folding iPhone will contain, but if it launches in 2026 as rumored, it will probably feature an A20 or A20 Pro—some variant of the processor found in the iPhone 18. We expect most iPhones to use Apple’s own cellular modem and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chips by that time as well. They may even be integrated into the main system-on-chip. The folding iPhone will reportedly have a Touch ID-enabled power button rather than Face ID.IDG Due to the very thin nature of the foldable iPhone, and the need for different front-facing cameras when folded up or unfolded, it will reportedly lack Face ID. Instead, Touch ID will be incorporated into the side button much as it is on the iPad Air and mini. There will reportedly be two rear cameras (likely a standard wide and ultrawide) and two front-facing cameras, one for when the iPhone is folded closed and one for when it’s open. Folding iPhone: Price Expect the folding iPhone to be a very high-end, ultra-premium model. The very first release is said to cost $2,000 or more.

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End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on iPhone coming in future software update
In collaboration with the GSM Association, Apple today announced it will add support for the new RCS specification which includes end-to-end encryption for messages sent over the protocol. This brings RCS much closer to iMessage in terms of security standards. It’s unclear as to timeline as when this support will be available. The new higher level of encryption specification was only just released today. Apple said it helped lead a cross industry effort to bring end-to-encryption to the RCS Universal Profile … more…

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Skich launches app, offers alternative marketplace for iOS, iPadOS games within the EU
If you’re in the EU and looking for an alternative marketplace for iPhone and iPad games, you might like this. Following Apple’s agreement to allow sideloading of apps in the EU through App Marketplaces, Skich has raised as a platform for discovering new mobile games within the European Union. With Skich Store, users can not […] Source

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Want to renew AppleCare+? You have to wait until it expires
Macworld My spouse’s notes indicated the AppleCare+ coverage on her iPhone was ending within a few weeks. Try as she might, she couldn’t find a way to renew coverage even though Apple’s documentation and her Apple Account said it could be extended. We finally called Apple: the answer was that until coverage expired, it couldn’t be re-upped. If you read Apple’s main support note on the topic, the company does tell us that–in anything but plain language. “If you paid upfront for an AppleCare+ plan, you might be able to purchase new coverage within 45 days after your original coverage ends.” Note that it says within 45 days after, which implies any period of time before that, but it is literal here: only from 0 to 45 days of expiration. Once AppleCare+ expires, your iPhone, iPad, or Mac starts alerting you with a badge on Settings or System Settings and a banner within settings about renewing AppleCare+. That was the case for my partner, who saw the banner a day after its expiration and was then able to renew it. She also received an email that day. You’re warned in advance about an upcoming AppleCare+ expiration (left, bottom) but can’t do anything about it. Once that date passes, you can renew (right). Read Apple’s support note in depth, as extending coverage depends on your country and product combination. Some renewals can be extended one month at a time; others, only by a year for each renewal. Coverage ends forever if you miss the 45-day window (30 days in China). To renew AppleCare+ on a device or for other hardware, including devices that lack a display: On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty and tap the name of your device. On a Mac, go to  > System Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty and click the name of your device. Log in to your Apple Account at mysupport.apple.com and click your device. Click “Show all my devices” if it’s not displayed at the top. In both places, you’ll see a list of your hardware. If AppleCare+ is active, it’s noted with a label underneath: AppleCare+ or AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss. You can use the device details above to access support options: on an iPhone or iPad, tap Open for the Apple Support app (or install and return); on a Mac, click Details, which opens the Apple Support page for the product, first having you log in if you haven’t recently done so. If AppleCare+ has lapsed, you see either Coverage Expired (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) or the serial number (Apple Support site). You can find your coverage through macOS System Settings (shown), iOS/iPadOS Settings, and the Apple Support website. Follow these steps if you have an option to renew: Click or tap Renew AppleCare+. Choose a monthly or annual renewal if the option is provided. (This varies by product and country.) Proceed to agree to terms and pay. AppleCare+ coverage will continue to renew until canceled. Ask Mac 911 We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, we’re always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to mac911@macworld.com, including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered; we don’t reply to emails, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.

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Apple Music Classical streaming service launches on the web
If you like the Apple Music Classical service, you can now listen to it on the web. The service, which launched in most countries in March 2023, allows users with a standard Apple Music subscription to stream more than five million classical music tracks at no additional cost. Apple Music Classical is based on Primephonic, […] Source

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A $16 Mac and iPhone upgrade that makes YouTube and the web feel like it used to
Macworld Trying to watch a YouTube video? Good luck — you’ll probably get hit with an unskippable ad first. Browsing a website? Hope you like pop-ups. The internet is a mess, and that’s probably why everyone’s getting AdGuard’s ad blocker. This Mac and iOS app blocks all types of ads from reaching your eyeballs (you can use it on PC and Android devices, too). And it’s your lucky day because this weekend only, you can get an AdGuard lifetime subscription for nine devices for just $15.97 with code FAMPLAN at checkout (reg. $39.99). By blocking ads from your devices, AdGuard also protects your data from online trackers. Some companies and advertisers want to monitor your activities for targeted ads, as you’ve probably noticed, but this app stops that. See a number of how many tracking attempts AdGuard has prevented within the app. If you have children, you’ll also love the parental controls. No more worrying about which apps they’re visiting during their screen time — simply block inappropriate websites from their devices altogether. Get this mobile and desktop ad blocker for life at $15.97 using code FAMPLAN at checkout this weekend only (reg. $39.99).   AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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iOS 19 could transform your AirPods into real-time pocket translator
iOS 19 could add a handy new feature to the AirPods, enabling them to translate conversations in real-time. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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How to turn on Siri on macOS without sending your Contacts to Apple
To use Siri on macOS, there's a requirement to send Apple your contacts. Here's how to avoid handing that data over to Apple.How to enable Siri without sending your Contacts to Apple.If you have enabled Siri in System Settings in macOS, you may have noticed an alert that warns you turning Siri on will result in macOS sending your contacts, location, and voice data to Apple.This is a ridiculous requirement by Apple, and in fact it flies in the face of Apple's claims of respecting user privacy. For obvious reasons, you might not want all your contacts sent to Apple. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPhone 16e users have been experiencing issues with Bluetooth audio
It’s been two weeks since the iPhone 16e arrived in stores and in the hands of early adopters. Unfortunately, some of them have been experiencing issues with Bluetooth audio, especially when using wireless headphones. At least based on multiple reports from iPhone 16e owners. more…

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Jabees Peace Speaker review: an inexpensive way to listen to audio while you sleep
March 9 kicked off sleep awareness week, and Jabees has an interesting tool for soothing you to sleep — an under-pillow speaker.Jabees Peace Speaker reviewI have never, ever been what one would call "a good sleeper." Even as an infant, I had difficulty catching the required amount of sleep.I've tried everything. Different beds, different pillows, yoga, breathing techniques, supplements — you name it, I've probably tried it. I can't take sleep medications like zolpidem as I'm one of the "lucky few" who tend to experience a wide swath of adverse reactions to drugs. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Discount code: This weather radar app gives you real-time data you can use
Stay ahead of inclement weather events with Weather Hi-Def Radar, a weather radar app that goes beyond your phone's usual weather alerts. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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OpenAI wants the US government to legalize theft to reach the AI promised land
OpenAI may have already crawled the internet for all the world's data to train ChatGPT, but it seems that isn't enough as it wants protection from copyright holders to allow it to continue stealing everything that both is and isn't nailed down.OpenAI proposes freedom of intelligence in United States. Image source: ChatGPTThe latest manufactured goalpost OpenAI has set dubbed "AGI" can't be reached unless the company is free to do whatever it takes to steal everything good and turn it into AI slop. At least, that's what the latest OpenAI submission to the United States Government suggests.An OpenAI proposal submitted regarding President Trump's executive order on sustaining America's global dominance explains how the administration's boogeyman might overtake the US in the AI race. It seems that the alleged theft of copyright material by Chinese-based LLMs put them at an advantage because OpenAI has to follow the law. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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AirPods to get live translation feature as part of iOS 19 update
Macworld According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has a great track record for this sort of information, Apple is planning to update AirPods to offer live translation later this year. The feature will come as part of iOS 19 and necessitate a firmware update for the AirPods, too. It’s unclear which AirPods models will work with the live translation feature. It is said that Apple is preparing AirPods Pro 3 for debut later this year, but that doesn’t mean it will be limited to that model. If you speak English and someone talks to you in French, for example, your AirPods would send the audio to your iPhone where the Translate app would translate it in real time and send the resulting audio back to your AirPods. This is similar to how rival earbuds have worked for years—Google Buds have offered this feature since 2017, for example. Gurman says that Apple is “bolstering the translation technology in iOS 19, beyond the new AirPods feature” without expounding further. It’s possible that Apple will make enhanced, on-device, real-time translation a fundamental feature of iOS that can be used in any app; translating YouTube or TikTok videos, for example. We expect to hear more about iOS 19’s translation features at WWDC in June. AirPods Pro 2 USB-C Read our review Price When Reviewed: $249 Best Prices Today: $228 at Amazon | $249 at Apple

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Your existing AirPods could gain a new live translation feature in iOS 19
Apple's iconic AirPods are rumored to receive an entirely new feature that translates in-person conversations from one language to another.Apple is reportedly working on a new live translation feature for AirPods.The rumored live translation capability will make it significantly easier for speakers of two different languages to communicate. The feature is expected to roll out in 2025 alongside the iOS 19 and macOS 16 updates. Beyond that, both operating systems are said to feature major design changes.If an English speaker with AirPods is listening to a person speaking in another language, such as Spanish, the iPhone will detect the audio of the Spanish speaker and translate it into English. The English translation will then be played via the AirPods. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple preps live-translation for AirPods + iPhone
Apple is prepping a new AirPods feature that allows for live translation of and in-person conversation into another language… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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‘Metallica Immersive Concert’ arriving on Apple Vision Pro
Apple’s next immersive video features Metallica, a classic rock icon, for the Apple Vision Pro. The next immersive video comes from Metallica and is expected to be available to watch starting March 14. Apple retail stores now have previews for customers and as a way for them to consider getting the device. The concert was […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple Account Cards unlocked in more Countries
More support for cards has been added to Apple Account in Austria, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. The option to access Apple Account Card through the Wallet app has been steadily expanding since its launch in 2022, but it was limited to a number of countries. The section shows the credit balance for […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple working on new live translation feature for AirPods with iOS 19
We’re only three months away from the next WWDC, when Apple will unveil iOS 19. According to recent rumors, the update will be a big one, focusing on introducing a new design for the iPhone and iPad operating system. But it seems that Apple has other cards up its sleeve, as a new report from Bloomberg says that iOS 19 will have a live translation feature for AirPods. more…

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Rumor Replay: iOS 19 redesign, iPhone 17 Ultra hints, and more
This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: iOS 19’s major redesign, hints of an iPhone 17 Ultra, HomePad delays, and more. Here are this week’s Apple rumors. more…

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ViewSonic's new 5K monitor rivals Apple's Studio Display for half the price
ViewSonic's new 27-inch high-resolution monitor offers pro-level color accuracy for creatives without the premium Apple Studio Display price.The VP2788-5KThe VP2788-5K marks an important step in ViewSonic's expansion into the premium creative display space. While the company has long been a player in the professional monitor segment, this is its first 5K-resolution display.ViewSonic is positioning it as a direct competitor to Apple Studio Display and LG's UltraFine 5K. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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US lawmakers denounce UK's secretive attack against Apple encryption
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers are coming to Apple's defense over the UK government's attempts to get backdoor access to users' iCloud data, demanding that the UK remove the cloak of secrecy surrounding the order.Big Ben's clocktower - Image Credit: Amar Saleem/PexelsApple is in a battle with the government of the United Kingdom over iCloud privacy, with a secret hearing by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal on Friday set to consider an appeal. However, the closed-door hearing at the High Court isn't being made public at all, something U.S. lawmakers are unhappy about.A bipartisan letter from the U.S. Congress to the President of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal published on Thursday demands that the IPT "remove the cloak of secrecy related to notices given to American technology companies by the United Kingdom. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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T-Mobile is raising prices; here’s who’s affected
T-Mobile has announced a new round of price increases set to go into effect next month. This time around, the company is raising prices by as much as $5 per line for subscribers on many of its legacy plans. more…

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Apple TV+ unveils first look of season three of ‘Jane,’ premiering April 18th
Apple TV+ on Thursday announced an all-new season three of the series “Jane” which is inspired by the work of Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Brad Pitt races F1 in Apple TV+ summer blockbuster, here’s the trailer
Apple TV+ has recently gotten in the habit of sending movies straight to streaming, but this summer, Apple has a big-budget blockbuster coming to theaters: F1. Now the official trailer has just debuted. more…

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Microsoft: 6 Zero-Days in March 2025 Patch Tuesday
Microsoft today issued more than 50 security updates for its various Windows operating systems, including fixes for a whopping six zero-day vulnerabilities that are already seeing active exploitation.

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Alleged Co-Founder of Garantex Arrested in India
Authorities in India today arrested the alleged co-founder of Garantex, a cryptocurrency exchange sanctioned by the U.S. government in 2022 for facilitating tens of billions of dollars in money laundering by transnational criminal and cybercriminal organizations. Sources close to the investigation told KrebsOnSecurity the Lithuanian national Aleksej Besciokov, 46, was apprehended while vacationing on the coast of India with his family.

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Feds Link $150M Cyberheist to 2022 LastPass Hacks
In September 2023, KrebsOnSecurity published findings from security researchers who concluded that a series of six-figure cyberheists across dozens of victims resulted from thieves cracking master passwords stolen from the password manager service LastPass in 2022. In a court filing this week, U.S. federal agents investigating a spectacular $150 million cryptocurrency heist said they had reached the same conclusion.

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Who is the DOGE and X Technician Branden Spikes?
At 49, Branden Spikes isn't just one of the oldest technologists who has been involved in Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As the current director of information technology at X/Twitter and an early hire at PayPal, Zip2, Tesla and SpaceX, Spikes is also among Musk's most loyal employees. Here's a closer look at this trusted Musk lieutenant, whose Russian ex-wife was once married to Elon's cousin.

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Notorious Malware, Spam Host “Prospero” Moves to Kaspersky Lab
One of the most notorious providers of abuse-friendly "bulletproof" web hosting for cybercriminals has started routing its operations through networks run by the Russian antivirus and security firm Kaspersky Lab, KrebsOnSecurity has learned.

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U.S. Soldier Charged in AT&T Hack Searched “Can Hacking Be Treason”
A U.S. Army soldier who pleaded guilty last week to leaking phone records for high-ranking U.S. government officials searched online for non-extradition countries and for an answer to the question "can hacking be treason?" prosecutors in the case said Wednesday. The government disclosed the details in a court motion to keep the defendant in custody until he is discharged from the military.

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Trump 2.0 Brings Cuts to Cyber, Consumer Protections
One month into his second term, President Trump's actions to shrink the government through mass layoffs, firings and withholding funds allocated by Congress have thrown federal cybersecurity and consumer protection programs into disarray. At the same time, agencies are battling an ongoing effort by the world's richest man to wrest control over their networks and data.

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How Phished Data Turns into Apple & Google Wallets
Carding -- the underground business of stealing, selling and swiping stolen payment card data -- has long been the dominion of Russia-based hackers. Happily, the broad deployment of more secure chip-based payment cards in the United States has weakened the carding market. But a flurry of innovation from cybercrime groups in China is breathing new life into the carding industry, by turning phished card data into mobile wallets that can be used online and at main street stores.

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Nearly a Year Later, Mozilla is Still Promoting OneRep
In mid-March 2024, KrebsOnSecurity revealed that the founder of the personal data removal service Onerep also founded dozens of people-search companies. Shortly after that investigation was published, Mozilla said it would stop bundling Onerep with the Firefox browser and wind down its partnership. But nearly a year later, Mozilla is still promoting it to Firefox users.

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Microsoft Patch Tuesday, February 2025 Edition
Microsoft today issued security updates to fix at least 56 vulnerabilities in its Windows operating systems and supported software, including two zero-day flaws that are being actively exploited.

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Teen on Musk’s DOGE Team Graduated from ‘The Com’
Wired reported this week that a 19-year-old working for Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was given access to sensitive US government systems even though his past association with cybercrime communities should have precluded him from gaining the necessary security clearances to do so. As today's story explores, the DOGE teen is a former denizen of 'The Com,' an archipelago of Discord and Telegram chat channels that function as a kind of distributed cybercriminal social network for facilitating instant collaboration.

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The latest M4 Mac mini discounts, get one today for up to $105 off MSRP
Amazon has new M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis discounted up to $105 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Their prices are the lowest currently available for these popular new minis: - Mac mini M4 (16GB/256GB): $529, $70 off MSRP - Mac mini M4 (16GB/512GB): $699, $100 off MSRP - Mac mini M4 (24GB/512GB): $899, $100 off MSRP - Mac mini M4 Pro (24GB/512GB): $1294, $105 off MSRP For the latest prices and sales, keep an eye on our Mac mini Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Clearance Mac Studios with Apple M2 Max and M2 Ultra CPUs on sale for $500 off original MSRP
B&H Photo has clearance Mac Studio models with Apple's M2 Ultra CPU in stock today and on Holiday sale for $400 off original MSRP, now $3599 (24-Core CPU and 64GB RAM/1TB SSD). B&H Photo has the standard-configuration Mac Studio model with Apple's M2 Max CPU in stock today and on clearance sale for $500 off original MSRP, now $1499 (12-Core CPU and 32GB RAM/512GB SSD). B&H also offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses. For the latest prices and sales, see our Mac Studio Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Amazon is offering $50 discounts on new M4 MacBook Airs
Apple's new M4 MacBook Airs are now available and arriving at retailers. Amazon is the first to offer a $50 on most of the new 13" M4 and 15" M4 MacBook Airs, reducing their starting price to only $949. Discount applies to most colors and configurations and is applicable during the checkout process. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $949, $50 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $1149, $50 off - 13" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB): $1349, $50 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $1149, $50 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $1349, $50 off - 15" M4 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB): $1549, $50 off For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker and 15" MacBook Air Price Tracker, both updated daily.

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Amazon is offering $100 discounts on Apple Watch Series 10
Take $100 off every Apple Watch Series 10 (Aluminum cases) at Amazon for a limited time. Shipping is free: - 42mm Apple Watch Series 10 GPS: $299, save $100 - 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 GPS: $329, save $100 - 42mm Apple Watch Series 10 GPS + 5G: $399, save $100 - 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 GPS + 5G: $429, save $100 These are the lowest prices available for Apple Watch Series 10 models. For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our Apple Watch Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Amazon has 14-inch M4 Pro/M4 Max MacBook Pros on sale for $220-$350 off Apple’s MSRP
Amazon is offering a $220-$350 discount on Apple's 14-inch M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) right now. Shipping is free. These are the lowest prices currently available for M4 MacBook Pros (and similar to those offered by B&H and on Best Buy's online store). Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party seller: - 14" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/512GB): $1779, $220 off MSRP - 14" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB): $2129, $270 off MSRP - 14" M4 Max MacBook Pro (36GB/1TB): $2849, $350 off MSRP For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Amazon continues to sell 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros for $200-$220 off Apple’s MSRP
Amazon is offering a $200-$220 discount on Apple's 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) right now. Shipping is free. These are the lowest prices currently available for M4 MacBook Pros (and similar to those offered by B&H and on Best Buy's online store). Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party seller: - 14" M4 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB): $1399, $200 off MSRP - 14" M4 MacBook Pro (16GB/1TB): $1589, $210 off MSRP - 14" M4 MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB): $1779, $220 off MSRP For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Amazon is blowing out 16″ MacBook Pros for up to $450 off Apple’s MSRP
Amazon is offering a $270-$450 discount on Apple 16-inch M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) right now. Shipping is free. These are the lowest prices currently available for these MacBook Pros (Best Buy is offering similar prices on their online store). Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party seller: - 16" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/512GB): $2229, $270 off MSRP - 16" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (48GB/512GB): $2591, $308 off MSRP - 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro (36GB/1TB): $3129, $370 off MSRP - 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro (48GB/1TB): $3549, $450 off MSRP For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 16-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Clearance 13-inch M3 MacBook Air (8GB/256GB/Midnight) on sale at Amazon for only $649
Amazon has the 13" M3 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage, in Midnight, on clearance sale for only $649 shipped. Original MSRP for this model was $1099. This is the cheapest M3-powered MacBook for sale anywhere. Check their site for the latest stock status, as we expect this model to sell out quickly at this price. For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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24-inch M4 iMacs on sale for up to $200 off MSRP with free 1-2 day shipping
B&H Photo has Apple's 24-inch M4 iMacs on sale right now for up to $200 off MSRP, starting at $1179. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: - 24-inch M4 iMac (8-Core CPU, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD): $1179, $120 off MSRP - 24-inch M4 iMac (10-Core CPU, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD): $1349, $150 off MSRP - 24-inch M4 iMac (10-Core CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD): $1549, $150 off MSRP - 24-inch M4 iMac (8-Core CPU, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD): $1699, $200 off MSRP For the latest prices and deals, see our iMac Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Best Buy has 13-inch M2 MacBook Airs with 16GB of memory on clearance sale for only $699, $300 off MSRP
Best Buy has Apple 13" MacBook Airs with M2 CPUs and 16GB of RAM on clearance sale for $300 off original MSRP, now only $699. Sale price for online orders only, in-store price may vary. Order online, and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - 13" M2 MacBook Air (16GB RAM/256GB SSD): $699 $300 off MSRP Their price is the lowest available for this MacBook among Apple's retailers and a screaming deal. For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Price Drop! Clearance 13-inch M3 MacBook Airs for $300 off original MSRP, now from only $799
Amazon and Best have Apple's 13-inch M3 MacBook Airs with 16GB of memory on clearance sale right now for $300 off original MSRP, with prices now available starting at only $799. (1): Amazon has 13" 16GB M3 MacBook Airs on sale for $300 off original MSRP, each including free shipping: - 13" M3 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $799, $300 off MSRP - 13" M3 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $999, $300 off MSRP - 13" M3 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB): $1199, $300 off MSRP Note that stock at Amazon varies, and be sure to select Amazon as the seller rather than choosing a third-party retailer. (2): Best Buy has 13" 16GB M3 MacBook Airs on sale for $300 off MSRP as well. Sale prices for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online, and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - 13" M3 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $799, $300 off MSRP - 13" M3 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB): $999, $300 off MSRP - 13" M3 MacBook Air (24GB/512GB): $1199, $300 off MSRP For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Price Drop! $300 off clearance 15″ M3 MacBook Airs
Amazon has Apple's 15" M3 MacBook Airs on clearance sale for $300 off original MSRP today, starting at $999. Shipping is free: - 15" M3 MacBook Air/8GB/256GB: $999, $300 off MSRP - 15" M3 MacBook Air/8GB/512GB: $1199, $300 off MSRP - 15" M3 MacBook Air/16GB/512GB: $1399, $300 off MSRP These are the lowest prices available for M3/16GB 15" MacBook Airs (along with Best Buy's) among the Apple retailers we track. Note that sale price may be dependent on color -- see their site for details. For the latest sales & prices, see our 15" MacBook Air Price Tracker.

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