Apple rolls out watchOS 11.3, primarily focusing on bug fixes Get ready to update your Apple Watch, as Apple has just released watchOS 11.3 to the public.An Apple Watch Series 10Like the two previous watchOS releases, there weren't any significant new features in the watchOS 11.3 beta builds. This suggests Apple is concentrating quality-of-life updates, such as fixing bugs and enhancing the system's underlying stability and performance.This kind of update is crucial for maintaining the smooth operation of the devices and ensuring that new features introduced in previous versions operate at their best. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
visionOS 2.3 has bug fixes, and not a lot more Since Apple Intelligence still isn't available on Apple Vision Pro, the visionOS 2.3 update that's now available is focused on bug fixes and doesn't contain new features.Apple Vision Pro is Apple's latest platformApple continues its slow pace of updating Apple Vision Pro with few, if any, changes. It's not just immersive video and native apps that arrive at a glacial pace, it's new operating system features too.visionOS 2.3 is a bug fix update that doesn't change anything of significance for users. All of the point three updates are meant to prepare the operating systems for new Apple Intelligence features, but since Apple Vision Pro doesn't have access to AI yet, the update is minimal. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Everything new in iOS 18.3 iOS 18.3 is here for your iPhone, bringing several minor improvements and bug fixes to enhance your overall experience.
(via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
Apple pushes tvOS 18.3 public, focusing on stability and bug fixes Apple has rolled out tvOS 18.3, and as expected, it's another standard minor update focused on quality-of-life upgrades.Apple TV 4KUnlike Apple's other operating systems, tvOS doesn't tend to get many feature updates between major releases. Most of the updates to tvOS focus on improving stability and addressing any bugs that have popped up.However, tvOS 18.2 did see the introduction of new Snoopy-themed screensavers. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Image Playground improvements and notification changes arrive with macOS Sequoia 15.3 Apple has publicly released macOS Sequoia 15.3, which brings with it new features and improvements, but also temporarily takes away certain notification summaries.Apple has publicly released the new macOS Sequoia 15.3 updateFollowing the release of macOS Sequoia 15.2 in December 2024 and several subsequent betas of its followup, version 15.3 is now the official macOS and will be preinstalled on new Macs. Among the changes are bug fixes for Genmoji, and a more behind-the-scenes fix for how third-party apps could use Apple's Writing Tools.Apple Intelligence now defaults to being on unless a user elects to turn it off. While that seems obvious, previously users had to specifically choose to download Apple Intelligence. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
watchOS 11.3 now available, bringing new Unity Rhythm watch face to Apple Watch There’s a new software update available for Apple Watch Series 6 and later starting today. watchOS 11.3 is the latest version, bringing the new Unity Rhythm watch face to Apple Watch. Apple unveiled the new watch face alongside the 2025 Black Unity Sport Loop watch band this week.
more…
iPadOS 18.3 is here with bug fixes and Apple Intelligence changes Apple's latest run of operating system updates doesn't offer many user-facing changes, but iPadOS 18.3 joins the rest in enabling Apple Intelligence by default.iPadOS 18.3 has minor changes to Apple IntelligenceThe point three updates all exist to set up future products and the next phase of Apple Intelligence, but there are still a few changes worth discussing. The iPad specifically doesn't have much going on beyond updates that affect every platform.The release notes for iPadOS 18.3 contain information about Apple Intelligence changes and bug fixes. One of the more significant updates includes changes to how notification summaries work due to how it inadvertently altered key news headlines. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Apple releases tvOS 18.3, HomePod 18.3, and visionOS 2.3 for all users Apple has just launched its next software updates for its full lineup of platforms. Included among those updates is tvOS 18.3, HomePod 18.3, and visionOS 2.3. Here’s what to expect.
more…
macOS Sequoia 15.3 available now, here’s everything that’s new Apple has just released macOS Sequoia 15.3, its latest software update for Mac users. The new release brings Genmoji support to the Mac, AI notification summary changes, and more. Here’s everything new.
more…
iOS 18.3 arrives with Visual Intelligence update, notification summary changes Apple has released iOS 18.3, with the newest update few updates focusing on a few Apple Intelligence features, including how notification summaries are handled.An iPhone running iOS 18The beta testing cycle for iOS 18.3 has concluded with the formal release of the operating system update to iPhones around the world. The third major update for iOS 18, it helps push forward Apple Intelligence's features, but not to the same extent as previous releases.The first Apple Intelligence wave concentrated on basic features, while iOS 18.2 brought with it more graphical changes. For iOS 18.3, things are somewhat muted. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Apple Releases iOS 18.3 With Visual Intelligence and Notification Summary Improvements Apple today released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, the third major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 software that came out last year. iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 come six weeks after Apple released iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2.
The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iPadOS 17.7.4 for iPads that aren't able to run iPadOS 18.
For iPhone 16 models, iOS 18.3 adds Visual Intelligence support for adding events to the Calendar app and identifying plants and animals. The update removes Apple Intelligence Notification summaries for news and entertainment apps in an effort to prevent misleading alerts, plus it italicizes all summaries done by Apple Intelligence.
There are also several bug fixes, and a change to the Calculator app. Apple's release notes are below.
Visual intelligence with Camera Control (All iPhone 16 models)
- Add an event to Calendar from a poster or flyer
- Easily identify plants and animals
Notification summaries (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)
- Easily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen
- Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph
- Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes available
This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes: - Calculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you tap the equals sign again
- Fixes an issue where the keyboard might disappear when initiating a typed Siri request
- Resolves an issue where audio playback continues until the song ends even after closing Apple Music
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100
We are expecting iOS 18.3 to be followed with an iOS 18.4 beta that includes new Apple Intelligence features for Siri.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.3 With Genmoji Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.3, the third major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched in September. macOS Sequoia 15.3 comes six weeks after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.2.
Mac users can download the macOS Sequoia update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run macOS 15. Apple has also released macOS 14.7.3 and macOS 13.7.3 with security fixes for older Macs.
macOS Sequoia brings Genmoji to Macs that support Apple Intelligence, which means it's now possible to create custom emoji characters using the Messages app.
The update also removes Notification summaries for news and entertainment apps to prevent misleading Apple Intelligence headline summaries. Apple's release notes for the update are below.
This update introduces Genmoji, powered by Apple Intelligence, and also includes other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.
- Genmoji creation in Messages and other apps
- Calculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you click the equals sign again
- Easily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen (Mac with Apple silicon)
- Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph (Mac with Apple silicon)
- Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes available (Mac with Apple silicon)
Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100
More information on what's new in macOS Sequoia can be found in our macOS Sequoia roundup.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
iOS 18.3 is now available for everyone: Here’s what’s new After one month of beta testing, Apple has now released iOS 18.3 for all iPhone users. The update includes changes to two key Apple Intelligence features, as well as a handful of big fixes and other enhancements.
Head below for a deep dive into everything new with iOS 18.3…
more…
Apple Releases visionOS 2.3 Apple today released visionOS 2.3, the third update to the visionOS 2 operating system that came out in September. visionOS 2.3 comes over a month after the launch of visionOS 2.2, and almost a year after the release of the Vision Pro headset.
visionOS 2.3 can be downloaded on all Vision Pro headsets by navigating to the Settings app, selecting the General section, and choosing the Software Update option.
To install an update, the Vision Pro headset needs to be removed, and there is a software progress bar available on the front EyeSight display.
According to Apple's release notes, visionOS 2.3 includes bug fixes and security updates, and the software is recommended for all users.
More information on the Vision Pro and visionOS 2 can be found in our roundup.Related Roundup: visionOS 2Related Forum: Apple Vision ProThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple Releases watchOS 11.3 With New Black Unity Watch Face Apple today released watchOS 11.3, the third major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.3 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2.
watchOS 11.3 can be downloaded on an iPhone running iOS 18.3 by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.
The watchOS 11.3 update introduces a new Black Unity watch face for the Apple Watch, which is designed to match a new band that came out today. According to Apple, the new watch face and band are "inspired by the rhythm of humanity," with Black creatives and allies at Apple collaborating on the designs.
More of the features available in watchOS 11 can be found in our watchOS 11 roundup.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Another Studio Display alternative for Mac graphic designers [Review] With similar specs at a lower price, this Apple Studio Display alternative is a viable option. A BenQ DesignVue PD2730S review.
(via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
Apple Releases tvOS 18.3 Apple today released tvOS 18.3, the newest version of the tvOS 18 operating system that came out in September. tvOS 18.3 comes more than a month after Apple released tvOS 18.2, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and the Apple TV HD models.
tvOS 18.3 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the Apple TV. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 18.3 automatically.
There were no notable new features found during the tvOS 18.3 beta testing period, but the update adds a new notice about digital movie and TV show sales.
Apple shares full release notes for tvOS in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each new version of tvOS comes out.
Apple has also released a new version of the HomePod Software 18.3 for the HomePod and HomePod mini. HomePod software is based on tvOS.Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)Related Forum: Apple TV and Home TheaterThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Blowout deal: M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14-inch with 36GB RAM plunges to $1,649 The lowest price ever on Apple's closeout M3 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro with an upgrade to 36GB of RAM is in effect, with an exclusive $750 discount valid this week only.This upgraded MacBook Pro is $750 off.This Space Black 14-inch MacBook Pro offers a great deal of performance at the discounted $1,649 price. Enjoy an 11-core CPU and 14-core GPU thanks to the M3 Pro chip. Although it's the last-gen model, it's still capable of handling a variety of tasks ranging from business administration to photo editing. What really stands out is the upgrade to 36GB of unified memory, double that of the standard M3 Pro model and 12GB more than the 24GB of memory found in the standard M4 Pro spec.Save $750 at B&H Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
The M4 iMac with 256GB SSD is $105 Off If a complete all-in-one desktop with Apple’s fastest processor is a dream come true, then a discounted iMac would be right up your alley. Today, the 2024 iMac with M4 chip and 256GB SSD is down to just $1,194 from its original price of $1,300 on Amazon. The newest iMac offers four colors to choose […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
India requests pre-installed apps on iPhones The Indian government has suggested that Apple put government apps into its iPhones before selling them. Bloomberg reported that the idea came from government officials who discussed ways to expand state digital services to the public. The program will have manufacturers adding Gov.in apps and the app store in mobile devices sold in India. It’s […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 beta firmware update released Apple recently released a beta firmware update for the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 2. Being a beta update, the software is restricted to developers. The build number is 7E5067b and covers both AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with USB-C and Lightning cases. Release notes for the firmware update are not immediately available, […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
iOS 18 boasts a 76% iPhone adoption rate Apple has provided iOS 18 adoption statistics on its official developer page. In the report, iOS 18 is on the same adoption rate page as iOS 17, with the software being installed on 76% of iPhone models that were introduced in the last 4 years. On the iPad side, iPadOS 18 has been installed on […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
Apple is testing a Visual Intelligence Control Center shortcut, fluid navigation, ring/silent Focus toggle, and more [Video] In my latest episode of iOS Decoded, 9to5Mac investigates several new unreleased iOS features found in the iOS 18.3 beta...
Review: BenQ 27-inch 5K Thunderbolt 4 Designer Monitor is a proper Apple Studio Display competitor for $1199 Starting today, BenQ is opening pre-orders for its first 27-inch 5K Thunderbolt 4 Designer Monitor. Announced last fall, the BenQ PD2730S is a proper competitor to the $1600+ with the same pixels-per-inch range. I’ve been using the $1200 BenQ 27-inch 5K Thunderbolt 4 Designer Monitor with my for the last few weeks, and several things about it have been more impressive than the Studio Display.
more…
Review: These AR glasses show me what I want Apple to make I’ve always been skeptical of AR and VR glasses. The tech is undeniably cool—especially with devices like the Vision Pro absolutely blowing me away —but the bulky, invasive form factors have always made them feel more like toys and demo machines rather than practical tools. Even with sleeker options like the , you still deal with oversized frames and those cameras. So when I came across the Even Realities G1 at CES and tried them on, I was in absolute awe. Let me tell you why.
more…
Apple again the World’s Most Valuable Company Apple on Monday roared past Nvidia to once again retake the mantle of The World's Most Valuable Company with a commanding market cap…
The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs introduces us to the iPad On January 27, 2010, Steve Jobs unveiled the first-generation iPad. A few months later, It became Apple's fastest-selling new product ever.
(via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
New HomePod Mini Finally Expected This Year Following 2020 Launch It might be hard to believe, but the HomePod mini launched alongside the iPhone 12 series all the way back in November 2020. Fortunately, after more than a four-year wait, a new model is finally expected to launch later this year.
Earlier this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple is aiming to launch the new HomePod mini "toward the end of the year." According to his reporting, the speaker will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, with Wi-Fi 6E support. The current HomePod mini supports Wi-Fi 4, so Wi-Fi 6E would be an upgrade, enabling faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity for Siri, music playback, and more.
While there are no other firm rumors yet, likely upgrades for the next HomePod mini include a newer "S" chip, improved sound quality, new color options, and a newer Ultra Wideband chip for a lower-latency Handoff experience. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the S5 chip, which debuted in 2019's Apple Watch Series 5.
In addition to a new HomePod mini, Apple reportedly plans to release an all-new smart home hub at some point this year. The hub is expected to feature around a 6-inch to 7-inch display that can be mounted on a wall, or attached to a tabletop base with a speaker, so the device could be similar to the HomePod mini in some ways.
The home hub is expected to support Apple Intelligence, but the next HomePod mini is not. Read our HomePod mini roundup for more details.Related Roundup: HomePod miniBuyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Caution)Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto TechnologyThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple honors Black History Month with color-morphing Apple Watch band Macworld
Apple on Monday unveiled the 2025 Black Unity Collection to honor Black History Month this February. The collection includes iPhone and iPad wallpapers, an Apple Watch face, and a special-edition Apple Watch Black Unity Sport Loop watch band.
The 2025 Black Unity Collection incorporates the black, green, and red colors of the Pan-African flag in a theme of Unity Rhythm. The Black Unity Sport Loop is a woven band with a lenticular effect so that the loops in the band appear red on one side and green on the other. When the wearer’s wrist moves, yellow appears in the transition from green to red, “as if by magic.” The band is now available in the Apple Store for $49.
Apple Watch Black Unity Collection 2025 band.Apple
To match the Black Unity Sport Loop, Apple offers the Unity Rhythm watch face, which has numerals of “intertwined threads of red, green, and yellow.” When the wearer raises the Watch to look at it, the threads transform from brush strokes to numbers. Also, the watch face has a rhythmic chime for every hour and half hour.
For the iPhone and iPad, Apple offers Unity Rhythm wallpapers with red, green, and yellow letters that spell “Unity.” The wallpapers and watch face will be available in an upcoming software update. Apple recently released the iOS and iPadOS 18.3 release candidate and the watchOS 11.3 release candidate, so the OS updates with the Black Unity Collection could be released this week.
How to hack a forgotten iPhone passcode Macworld
You’ve probably been using the same passcode on your iPhone for years, handed down on your handsets from generation to generation. You most likely don’t have to use it all that often, because you open your iPhone with your face or fingerprint, but there are times when you need that code, such as when you start up an iPhone after it’s been powered down, or when you want to check a password.
This won’t be a problem if you know the code, but what if you had recently changed the passcode and didn’t note it down, or the phone belongs to someone else who has forgotten the passcode (or died, if so read: How to unlock an iPhone, iPad or Mac when its owner passed away)?
Perhaps you have found an old iPhone in a drawer and decided to make some money by selling it only to realise you don’t remember the code you were using a few years ago and can’t unlock it in order to prepare the iPhone for sale.
Panic not – it’s relatively simple to circumnavigate an iPhone’s passcode, but it will require your Apple ID and password, a PC or Mac, and some time, because doing so will essentially wipe your device back to factory settings for a clean setup on the same Apple ID.
This works for both iPhone and iPad, but we’ll also cover the use of forensic software you may see used by law enforcement agencies to ‘crack’ Apple phones and tablets on occasions where a passcode simply isn’t able to be recalled.
Finally, we cover the basics of removing or resetting the passcode once you’ve managed to access your iOS device.
Is it legal to hack an iPhone passcode?
If you’ve forgotten your passcode and you’re looking to regain access to a device you own, then you’re naturally well within your rights to do so. Things get murkier in legal terms if you want to access a device that’s not yours, and veers into “black hat” (legally questionable) tech support.
If you’re reading this page because you stole an iPhone and then discovered it was locked, however, you are very obviously breaking the law, and you will find nothing to help you in this article.
How to unlock your iPhone using Recovery Mode
Foundry
If you’ve ever change an iPhone passcode you’ll know that iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS all ask for your existing passcode beforehand, which means simply hopping in and changing it isn’t an option if you don’t have it to begin with.
It’s also not as if you can keep trying since, after a certain number of tries, your iPhone or iPad will lock you out for an increasing period of time – not ideal.
That means you’ll need to use Recovery Mode. What was once the jailbreakers best friend is also the best way to get back into an iPhone sans passcode, and works by essentially removing all personal data from the device and reinstalling latest version of iOS or iPadOS before letting you restore your data (if you have a recent backup).
It’s worth noting it doesn’t give you an entirely clean slate – the device will still be tied to your Apple ID, meaning you’ll need the Apple ID and password that were used to originally set up the device to use it, but it will reset the passcode system so you can set a fresh one (hopefully one that’s easier to memorize).
Follow these steps to restore an iPad or iPhone using Recovery Mode:
Ensure your device’s battery has 20% of charge.
On macOS Catalina or later: Open Finder on your Mac and find your device in the sidebar. (On macOS Mojave or earlier or Windows: Open iTunes and find your device. iTunes may open automatically.)
Force-restart your iPhone or iPad: The method varies depending on the model.
Select Update or Restore (in Finder or iTunes, depending on your platform): Update will install the latest iOS or iPadOS firmware, but either works.
Set up your device as if it were new, following the prompts once it reboots.
Once you’re logged back in with your Apple ID, you’ll be able to follow steps to set a fresh passcode, or operate without one. We wouldn’t recommend the latter, but if you do choose to add a passcode later, you can do so by heading into Settings, then Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode in models with a home button).
Similarly, if you decide you want to remove a passcode from the iPhone–which for security reasons we don’t recommend–go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode in models with a home button), then tap ‘Turn Passcode Off’. But you will need to know the passcode in order to do this.
Also read: How to put an iPhone into recovery mode and return to factory settings.
How to unlock your iPhone using forensic software
Every so often someone discovers (or claims to discover) a technique to bypass the Apple passcode. This is sometimes a sort of ‘finger-tapping’ trick that enables the person to access something on a locked device: typically either Contacts or Messages. This isn’t hacking the passcode, it’s merely bypassing it.
Forget the finger tricks you’ll see in YouTube videos. It is possible to hack the passcode, but you need serious software to do so. This is known as forensics software because law enforcement agencies use it when analysing mobile phones used by suspects in serious criminal cases. Software of this kind is sophisticated, complex, frequently expensive, and massive overkill (and potentially illegal) for most consumer uses. But if you feel certain this is for you, there are options you can consider.
Some years ago we tested Elcomsoft iOS Forensic Toolkit ($2,199/£2,199), and found it a reliable means of cracking an iPad’s passcode, although we have to add that this is a Russian company so we might not recommend it now. Read this review of Elcomsoft iOS Forensic Toolkit for more information about how forensics software works.
Another option is Wondershare’s Dr.Fone which has an iPhone unlocker called Screen Unlock. We have reviewed Dr.Fone’s iPhone Data Recovery tool.
You could also try Tenorshare 4uKey, which promises to bypass iPhone and iPad passwords instantly. We’ve not yet tested the software ourselves, but there’s a free trial available so it can’t hurt to try.
How do law enforcement unlock iPhones?
iPhone passcodes hit the headlines in March 2016, with the news that the FBI had obtained an iPhone 5c used by one of the shooters in the San Bernardino terrorist attack, but couldn’t get past the passcode security. The Feds managed to get a court order instructing Apple to assist them and break into the phone. Apple refused.
As the case progressed, public opinion started to turn against the law enforcement officials, and the day before the Department of Justice was due to present its arguments, it was announced that actually, they didn’t need Apple’s help after all, and that a third party had agreed to do the hacking for them. A week later the case was dissolved, and the FBI announced it had opened up the phone without Apple’s help.
Apple asked how this was done–arguing that if a security vulnerability was exploited this represented a danger to other iPhone owners and needed to be patched–but the FBI refused to say, even when a Freedom of Information lawsuit was filed by a number of media organisations. A court subsequently ruled that these details were national security secrets and therefore exempt from disclosure.
It’s comforting for iPhone owners that Apple is so determined to protect their privacy that it will stare down the might of the U.S. government, but worrying that someone has worked out how to bypass the security. And we don’t know who or how. It was initially reported that the Israeli firm Cellebrite bypassed the passcode, but the Washington Post later claimed professional hackers used a zero-day vulnerability.
Can iPhones be hacked?
It was believed at the time that the method, whatever it was, would not work on later models of the iPhone: the iPhone 5s and later have superior security features (the Secure Enclave) and Apple has claimed its own engineers wouldn’t be able to break into these devices, even if they wanted to. But that’s been thrown in doubt by the news that US law enforcement later unlocked an iPhone 11 and an iPhone 11 Pro Max, yet still carried on demanding that Apple give it backdoor access to the iPhone range.
It’s all about time and money; it took the FBI two months to get into that iPhone 11, and former director James Comey has implied that it cost well over a million dollars to crack the iPhone 5c in 2016. In other words, unless the person hacking your handset is incredibly rich and/or incredibly patient, your privacy should be assured.
We discuss these matters in far more depth in two other articles: How to protect your iPhone privacy and How secure is the iPhone?
Need some help coming up with a safe and secure password? Read our tips to make your passwords even stronger and try a Password Manager – we recommend some we have tested here: Best password managers for Mac and iPhone.
Deals: iPad mini 7 $100 off from $399, most affordable M4 iPad Pro $150 off, M4 MacBook Pro $200 off, more It was a busy weekend in Apple gear deals and we have even more to highlight today. Firstly, Amazon has brought back the $100 price drops and all-time low pricing across the iPad mini 7 lineup with deals from $399. Those offers also join the return of all-time low pricing on the most affordable M4 MacBook Pro at $200 off as well as both 11-inch and 13-inch M4 iPad Pro models at up to $200 off with deals starting from $849 on the most affordable end of the lineup. Some solid offers on Find My cards, chargers, and official Apple Watch bands are also up for grabs today as well. All of that and more awaits below in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
more…
Apple Sports app updates make it even easier to follow your favorites New Apple Sports app updates in version 4.2 add soccer tournaments, swiping navigation and national TV broadcast information.
(via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
Apple TV+ wins trial that claimed hit thriller was ‘stolen’ Apple TV+ went to trial last week over a lawsuit claiming one of its shows was stolen from another source. After a few days of proceedings, however, the jury delivered a unanimous verdict.
more…
Polk Audio system brilliantly boosts Mac mini’s sound [Setups] In today's featured setup, Polk Audio boosts Mac mini sound tremendously, while even more Polk gear pumps up a fantastic home theater.
(via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
Apple brings TV broadcast info and more soccer coverage to Apple Sports Apple has rolled out a few new features to its Apple Sports app, making navigation easier and providing information on where to watch games.Apple Sports Sports fans can now find out where and when to watch their favorite national games, thanks to a new update that includes broadcast information on each individual game page.The app has also had a few improvements made to its navigation features. Now fans can easily browse leagues and teams they follow by swiping left or right. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Does .originalAppVersion store the original build number? I have been trying to verify the original app version of my users, and have been running into a plethora of issues. As of right now, here is my code: let verificationResult = try await AppTransaction.shared switch verificationResult { case .verified(let appTransaction): let versionComponents = appTransaction.originalAppVersion.split(separator: ".") let originalMajorVersion = versionComponents[0] print(appTransaction.originalAppVersion) print(originalMajorVersion) if originalMajorVersion […]
iOS 18.3: Use New Visual Intelligence Features on iPhone 16 For iPhone 16 models, Apple's imminent iOS 18.3 software update adds new Visual Intelligence features to the Camera Control button. Keep reading to learn what you can do with the new capabilities and how to use them.
New Visual Intelligence Features
In iOS 18.2, Apple's previous point update, the company added Visual Intelligence functionality to its latest iPhone 16 models, allowing device owners to point the camera at the world around them and get details about places, summarize and translate text, go to website links, call phone numbers, and more.
In iOS 18.3, Apple adds new capabilities to Visual Intelligence, including an option to create a calendar event when viewing a poster or flyer, as well as the ability to easily identify plants, animals, and insects.
Bear in mind that Visual Intelligence is an Apple Intelligence feature that is exclusive to the iPhone 16 models – if you have an older model, you won't have a Camera Control button below the Side button on the right-hand side of your device.
Activating Visual Intelligence
To activate Visual Intelligence, press and hold the Camera Control button for a few seconds. A regular press simply opens the camera with Camera Control, so the press-and-hold gesture is necessary. Ensure the Camera app isn't already active, as Visual Intelligence won't work if the camera is already in use.
The Visual Intelligence interface includes a camera view, a capture button, and "Ask" and "Search" options. The "Ask" button interacts with ChatGPT, while "Search" sends the captured image to Google Search.
To use Visual Intelligence, you must take a photo of the object or scene you're observing. Use the Camera Control button to snap a picture, then select your desired option. It doesn't support live camera views or previously saved photos.
Create a Calendar Event From a Poster
Using Visual Intelligence to add an event to Calendar was a promised function that Apple showed off when introducing Camera Control, and it will be usable in iOS 18.3.
To add an event, view a document such as a poster with a date, and then tap on the date when the feature pops up in the Visual Intelligence interface.
Identify Pets, Animals, and Insects
The Photos app is already able to provide insight into plants, animals, and insects when opting to view additional information in the editing interface, but Camera Control will now show these details in real-time.
When viewing an animal or a plant with Visual Intelligence, you may see a tappable bubble at the top of the viewfinder that lets you know what you're looking at. Simply tap it to view more information. If the output is incorrect, you can use the thumbs up and thumbs down icons below the card to submit feedback to Apple.Tags: Apple Intelligence, Camera Control, Visual IntelligenceThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
When will Apple release iOS 18.3? iOS 18.3 isn’t a groundbreaking update for iPhone users, but it does include several key changes. Here’s when to expect Apple to release iOS 18.3…
more…
Apple Sports update adds broadcast info and more Apple on Monday updated its Apple Sports app for iPhone, introducing several new features like enhanced navigation, broadcast details…
The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.
How to use Apple reseller reviews to spot and avoid scams Buying gear online can be tricky. Learn how to use Apple reseller reviews to avoid scams like phishing, used gear sold as new and more.
(via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
Video gives sneak peek at seriously redesigned iPhone SE 4 Take an early look at the upcoming iPhone SE 4 with this leaked video. Discover the significant design changes and larger screen.
(via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
Apple Watch Series 10 Hits Record Low Prices on Amazon, Available From $329 Amazon is kicking off the week with numerous all-time low prices on Apple Watch Series 10, focusing mainly on GPS models. You'll find $70 off both 42mm and 46mm GPS Series 10 models in multiple case colors and band styles, and this time the deals do not require any coupon codes.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Every price listed below is a match of the record low prices on the Apple Watch Series 10, and in some cases delivery is slipping into mid-February. If you've been eyeing an Apple Watch Series 10 as a way to help keep up with your New Year's resolutions, now is the time to purchase one at these best-ever prices.
$70 OFFApple Watch Series 10 (42mm GPS) for $329.00
$70 OFFApple Watch Series 10 (46mm GPS) for $359.00
42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10
Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (S/M) - $329.00, down from $399.00
Jet Black Aluminum Case with Ink Sport Loop - $329.00, down from $399.00
Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band (M/L) - $329.00, down from $399.00
Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Plum Sport Loop - $329.00, down from $399.00
Silver Aluminum Case with Blue Cloud Sport Loop - $329.00, down from $399.00
Silver Aluminum Case with Denim Sport Band (S/M) - $329.00, down from $399.00
46mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10
Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (M/L) - $359.00, down from $429.00
Jet Black Aluminum Case with Ink Sport Loop - $359.00, down from $429.00
Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band (M/L) - $359.00, down from $429.00
Silver Aluminum Case with Denim Sport Band (S/M) - $359.00, down from $429.00
Silver Aluminum Case with Denim Sport Band (M/L) - $359.00, down from $429.00 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2025? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple's iPad mini 7 is back on sale for $399 in month-end price war Apple's latest iPad mini 7, released in Oct. 2024, is back on sale for $399, reflecting a $100 discount at Amazon and Best Buy.Save $100 on Apple's iPad mini 7 - Image credit: AppleNumerous models are $100 off today at Amazon and Best Buy, with iPad mini 7 prices starting at $399 after the discounts.Buy from $399 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Safari web extension question: How can I open my extension app from the extension’s popup.html? I’ve implemented Universal Links. I’ve tested my universal link, if i type it into Notes and tap on it, it opens my app instantly. When I use the Universal Link within popup.html it instead opens a new Safari tab on my website with the “Open in App” banner at the top. Tapping the open button […]
Apple Sports App for iPhone Updated With TV Broadcast Info and More Apple today updated its Apple Sports app for the iPhone with several enhancements, including improved navigation, broadcast information for nationally-televised games in the U.S., and support for additional soccer leagues.
The release notes for version 2.4 of Apple Sports:• The Apple Sports soccer lineup keeps getting bigger with the FA Cup, EFL Championship, and League Cup.
• Navigating between your favorites is even faster now. Swipe left or right to browse all of the leagues and teams you follow.
• Tune in to all the national games with broadcast information now available on game pages.Launched in February 2024, the Apple Sports app shows scores, stats, standings, upcoming games, and more for a variety of leagues, such as the NFL, MLB, MLS, NBA, NHL, Premier League, and others. The free iPhone app is available in the App Store.
Tag: Apple SportsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple Sports now includes broadcast info for where to watch national games Apple has released a new version of its Sports app for iPhone with three new features.
more…
Dynamic new Black Unity Collection celebrates Black History Month Apple's new 2025 Black Unity Collection celebrates Black History Month with some cool color-shifting technology.
(via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
Apple Announced the iPad 15 Years Ago Today Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the original iPad 15 years ago today, marking one and a half decades of the company's "revolutionary" tablet.
Jobs unveiled the first-generation iPad at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on January 27, 2010. Designed to fill the gap between smartphones and laptops, the original iPad featured a 9.7-inch LED-backlit multitouch display, Apple's first custom designed chip, a 30-pin dock connector, and up to 64GB storage. With a starting price of $499, it offered users a new way to browse the web, read eBooks, watch videos, and interact with Apple's growing app ecosystem. Jobs described it as "a magical and revolutionary device."
iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price. iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.
The iPad used a version of iOS tailored for its larger display, bringing a big-screen experience to familiar mobile apps like Safari, Mail, and Photos. It introduced the iBooks app and iBookstore as part of an effort to compete in the e-reading space dominated by Amazon's Kindle. Its design was characterized by thick black bezels, a physical home button, and a convex aluminum back. It weighed 1.5 pounds and offered 10 hours of battery life.
The initial reception to the iPad was mixed. While many praised its lightweight computing and media consumption experience, others questioned its necessity and potential to replace laptops.
Nevertheless, the iPad sold over 300,000 units on its launch day in April 2010 and one million within its first month. It catalyzed the creation of a new product category, sparking competition from rivals such as Samsung, Microsoft, and Amazon. By the end of 2010, Apple had sold over 15 million iPads, generating $9.5 billion in revenue and solidifying the device as a key pillar of the company's product lineup.
The iPad has since become a tentpole device for Apple, expanding into product lines including the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro and accessories such as the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Subsequent models introduced cameras, multitasking, different display size options, USB-C connectivity, and more. See Apple's original press release from 2010 for more information.Related Roundup: iPadBuyer's Guide: iPad (Caution)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple unveils 2025 ‘Black Unity Collection’ Apple on Monday unveiled a new Black Unity Collection which includes a special-edition Apple Watch Black Unity Sport Loop, a matching…
The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Beyond the iPhone 17 Air, would you accept a portless phone to go thinner? [Poll] We’re expecting the iPhone 17 Air to be Apple’s thinnest ever phone, but with the depth of phones now constrained by the USB-C port, would you go portless to get a thinner iPhone?
Chinese Android smartphone maker Oppo has been teasing an ultra-thin model, and saying that the height of the USB-C port is preventing phones from getting any slimmer …
more…
Russia SMS Carrier Maintenance – Sotovaja Svjaz MOTIV THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jan 29, 10:20 - 13:00 PSTJan 27, 06:46 PSTScheduled - The Sotovaja Svjaz MOTIV network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 29 January 2025 at 10:20 PST until 29 January 2025 at 13:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from Sotovaja Svjaz MOTIV Russia handsets.
This MacBook Pro was too busted for even AppleCare+ to repair Macworld
Customers often debate whether it’s worth getting AppleCare+ coverage for their Apple products. This represents a substantial additional cost, but in the event that your device suffers accidental damage, the policy will cover most of the cost of repairs. On balance our advice tends to be that taking out third-party insurance instead, or simply saving your money, using a case and being careful, is a better option. But it’s really a personal decision.
Your decision may, however, be influenced by a case that surfaced on social media recently. A Redditor going by “frk1974” (possibly not their real name) says they were involved in a serious car accident in which their MacBook Pro was severely damaged: an accompanying photo shows a machine that is catastrophically bent and buckled. Worse still, when they went to Apple to ask for this to be covered by AppleCare+, they were told that it could not be replaced because it was “too damaged.”
Needless to say, frk1974 was displeased by this decision, describing it as a “sad story” and “money wasted.” It does seem odd since the entire purpose of taking out AppleCare+ coverage is to guard against accidental damage. Damage such as this, one would imagine.
I’ve just looked through the terms and conditions [pdf] for current AppleCare+ policies, and be warned that it’s 17 pages long; for this reason, as well as my lack of legal expertise, please don’t take my analysis as watertight. (It’s also possible that the Redditor has left out important aspects of the case, or is misreporting Apple’s actions and/or statements.) But while I can see a few reasons why Apple may have made this decision, none fit with the description “too damaged.”
In the T&Cs, there is a list of 14 exclusions: circumstances under which Apple will not cover accidental damage. And of these, I think two could apply here.
(d) To repair damage caused by reckless, abusive, willful or intentional conduct, or any use of the Covered Equipment in a manner not normal or intended by Apple: Being involved in a car accident where the Redditor acknowledges they were at fault (“I was the driver that caused the accident”) could potentially be argued to be reckless conduct, and certainly wouldn’t be intended usage.
(k) To repair damage caused by fire, earthquake or other external causes: It doesn’t appear that the accident caused any fire damage, but perhaps that vague phrase “other external causes” could be argued to include major accidents like this.
But the Redditor describes the conversation differently: “[They] immediately pointed me to a paragraph in the [AppleCare+] terms where they state: folded and crushed devices are not covered… This is not advertised at all of course, but it’s there.”
I’ve run a search for the words “folded” and “crushed” and can’t see them anywhere in the T&Cs I’m looking at. Perhaps this means the Redditor signed up at an earlier date and consequently has a different set of conditions. Or perhaps they, or the member of staff they spoke to, became confused at some point in the conversation.
AppleCare+ for Mac costs $299 for three years of coverage and is supposed to cost $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage or $299 for other accidental damage. Apple also sells AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss but only for iPhones.
Nevertheless, it seems that we should update our advice to say that you should carefully check the terms of your AppleCare+ policy to see if unusual situations like this are covered. And be prepared to, as one commenter suggests, “take a hammer and make it straighter.”
SMS Delivery Delays to Multiple Networks in the United States of America Jan 27, 06:50 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Multiple Networks in the United States of America. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.
25 years of Apple's innovation in selling technology To celebrate the arrival of 2025, I decided to compile a series of Apple's top ten major areas of innovation occurring over the past 25 years. Some of these revolutions are overlooked when looking back at the company's dramatic turnaround and decades of introducing world-changing products.2025 - 25 years of Apple InnovationsFollowing the Year 2000 release of Mac OS X Public Beta and its legacy of updates up to and including today's macOS 15 Sequoia (and its successor to arrive later this year), here's a look at Apple's second major initiative of innovation, both in the sequence of time and in relative importance across the last quarter century, and what it means for Apple today.This second facet is Apple's unfolding strategies in selling the technology it had assembled into products and services to its customers. It's been an unparalleled accomplishment of the company over the past 25 years, and an integral element in Apple's incredible success as a global innovator. Further, it's actually resulted in making Apple's products better. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Apple's Black Unity Apple Watch band uses a color-changing loop effect Apple has launched its 2025 edition of the Black Unity Sport Loop for Apple Watch and device wallpapers, as the company once again honors Black History Month.The Black Unity collection for 2025Apple marks Black History Month every year with an Apple Watch band made for the occasion. While 2024 involved a flower motif and a mosaic pattern was used for 2023, the 2025 effort employs a line and handwriting-based design.The new Black Unity Collection is inspired by "the rhythm of humanity," with the collection officially referred to as Unity Rhythm. A collaboration of Black creatives and allies worked on the design, which uses the black, green, and red colors of the Pan-African flag. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
iOS 18.3 Available as Soon as Today With These New Features In its press release unveiling a new Black Unity Sport Loop for the Apple Watch today, Apple confirmed that iOS 18.3 is "upcoming." According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple Stores are being instructed to update the software on demo devices today, so iOS 18.3 should be released either today or within the next few days.
Below, we recap everything new in iOS 18.3.
Notification Summary Changes
Examples of inaccurate Apple Intelligence notification summaries
Apple Intelligence notification summaries for news apps are temporarily unavailable on iOS 18.3, after the feature inaccurately summarized some news stories.
Starting with iOS 18.3, notifications that have been summarized have italicized text, which makes them stand out visually compared to regular notifications. Apple also promised that improvements to notification summaries are coming in a future iOS update.
Last, iOS 18.3 lets you easily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen.
Visual Intelligence Upgrades
All four iPhone 16 models are equipped with a Camera Control button that enables Visual Intelligence, a new feature that can provide information about items or places in a person's surroundings. For example, Apple says users can click and hold the Camera Control to bring up the hours or ratings for a restaurant that they pass by.
iOS 18.3 includes a few Visual Intelligence upgrades for all iPhone 16 models. First, you can now add an event to the Calendar app from a poster or flyer. Second, Visual Intelligence can now identify animals and plants.
Visual Intelligence is not available on any other iPhone models.
Calculator App Enhancement
iOS 18.3 reintroduces a small but useful Calculator app function that had been removed in an earlier software update. Now, when you tap the equals sign a second time, the Calculator app repeats the last mathematical operation. This functionality is useful for calculating compound interest or other repeat operations.
Black Unity
In honor of Black History Month this February, Apple today unveiled a new Black Unity Collection, consisting of a special-edition Black Unity Sport Loop for the Apple Watch, a Unity Rhythm watch face, and matching iPhone and iPad wallpapers.
The new Black Unity Sport Loop is available to order today, and the watch face and wallpapers will be available in the upcoming iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and watchOS 11.3 software updates, according to the band's product page.
More
iOS 18.3 fixes these two bugs related to Siri and Apple Music:
Fixes an issue where the keyboard might disappear when initiating a typed Siri request
Resolves an issue where audio playback continues until the song ends even after closing Apple MusicApple also added references to robot vacuum support in the Home app to iOS 18.3's code, but it seems this functionality never went live. Apple's website says the feature is coming in a future update, so perhaps we will see it with iOS 18.4.
We previously shared Apple's full iOS 18.3 release notes.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Should you upgrade to Matter, security system discussion, & Tonie Box review on HomeKit Insider On this episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, we step through the week's news, revisit the question whether to upgrade to Matter, and go hands-on with a kids smart speaker.HomeKit Insider PodcastIt was a busy week in the world of smart home, with a lot of news to catch up on. We started by revisiting the Schlage Sense Pro that has since confirmed it will support Aliro later this year.Another report has emerged on the timeline for Apple's smart home display. Bloomberg is saying it will be released late this year, which lines up with Kuo's prediction based on supply chain analysis. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Train for multiple IT certifications with this $40 bundle Grab this Complete CompTIA and IT Exam Lifetime Access Training Bundle for just $39.97 and dive into IT certification courses.
(via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
Apple unveils beautiful 2025 Black Unity Collection Sport Loop, watch face, and iPhone/iPad wallpapers In honor of Black History Month, Apple has unveiled its 2025 Black Unity Collection of wallpapers, watch faces, and watch straps. This year’s set is “inspired by the rhythm of humanity,” according to Apple:
more…
Apple Announces 2025 Black Unity Collection With Watch Band, Watch Face, and iPhone Wallpaper In honor of Black History Month this February, Apple today unveiled a new Black Unity Collection, consisting of a special-edition Black Unity Sport Loop for the Apple Watch, a Unity Rhythm watch face, and matching iPhone and iPad wallpapers.
Apple says the new Black Unity Sport Loop is "inspired by the rhythm of humanity."
The new Black Unity Sport Loop is available to order today, and the watch face and wallpapers will be available in the upcoming iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and watchOS 11.3 software updates, according to the band's product page. The updates are expected to be released this week, following more than a month of beta testing.Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Wall St set to open sharply lower on news of China’s ‘DeepSeek’ AI Wall Street was poised for a decline, triggered by the increasing popularity of an affordable Chinese AI model called "DeepSeek."
The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.
Judge limits FBI powers to trawl data from Apple and others; Cloudflare privacy flaw A judge has limited FBI powers to trawl through data obtained from tech giants like Apple, Google, and ISPs under FISA (the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act).
Separately, a Cloudflare privacy flaw has been identified in one of Apple’s IT service providers, which could have exposed the rough location of millions of web and app users before it was fixed …
more…
Mullvad review: A VPN that’s all about privacy Macworld
At a GlanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Privacy-focused sign-up
Great for getting around geoblocks
Great pricing
Cons
Needs more servers
5 connections is lower than some rivals
Our Verdict
Mullvad’s VPN is making waves in the tech world, and not just because it’s very good. While many VPN services are great for maintaining privacy online, Mullvad goes even further, offering a low-priced, easy-to-understand plan that lets you sign up entirely anonymously if you’d like. Pair that with good speeds and great unblocking of streaming sites and you have a very competitive VPN that just needs some more servers.
Price When Reviewed
This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined
Best Pricing Today
Retailer
Price
Mullvad
$5.26
View Deal
Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide
Product
Price
Price comparison from Backmarket
Price When Reviewed$5.26 a month (€5)
Best Prices Today:
Retailer
Price
Mullvad
$5.26
View Deal
Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide
Product
Price
Price comparison from Backmarket
Mullvad is so keen to not store users’ personal information, it doesn’t offer new recurring plans anymore. That’s the kind of privacy-first mindset you can expect, and while you may think that sounds like overkill, your account information is tied to a single account number.
That means logging into your account is done without having to hand over an email or password, and payments are handled monthly at that flat €5 per month rolling deal (so the only price change will be dependent on the exchange rate at that time).
You can even buy prepaid cards if you don’t want to log payment information, which makes Mullvad the ideal VPN service for anyone looking to leave a minimal digital footprint.
See how Mullvad compares to other Mac VPNs we’ve tested.
For that lower price you may be wondering what kind of corners are cut, but you won’t find any (outside of more servers). Split Tunnelling, multihop connections and even an AI-focused defence mechanism called DAITA are included in your membership. It also performed excellently when we hopped between different countries’ versions of Netflix.
The app itself is a little different to many rivals, accessed exclusively from the menu bar on Mac rather than having that as an option. That’s likely to be a matter of preference, but the privacy focus, geo-unblocking and low price make this well worth a look.
Features & Apps
Content Blockers: Mullvad has a more granular filter for content blocking than some other services.Foundry
Mullvad is available on Mac (which we’ll be reviewing primarily today), but it also has Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and plenty more apps. See our round ups of the Best VPN for iPad and Best VPN for iPhone.
They all work the same way, but the Mac version is restricted to the menu bar as mentioned above. That’s fine (outside of making snapping screenshots for this review a tad awkward), and it packs plenty of features inside.
iOS App: The iOS app looks identical to the Mac version.Foundry
Once you get your head around that, all versions of the app contribute to a total device limit of five. We’d always prefer more, but for this price that’s €1 per device if you use them all. Unlike some services, the iPhone and iPad apps also pack plenty of power user features, too, like multihop connections and the DAITA protection.
Sticking with the Mac version, though, and Mullvad offers a bunch of features that would be paid additions elsewhere. There’s the Kill Switch to cut traffic if the VPN drops, while a Lockdown Mode takes that step further and forces the user to reconnect via Mullvad if the connection drops.
There’s Multihop for bouncing your connection via multiple servers, and split tunnelling is available as standard so users can send some traffic via the VPN and ignore it for others, and the ad blocker is more granular than you may expect, letting you stop adult content or gambling sites, among other things.
DAITA: Mullvad is forward-thinking with its DAITA tool.Foundry
Something I’ve not seen in my testing of VPN services in recent months is DAITA (Defence against AI-guided Traffic Analysis).
As Mullvad explains, sophisticated AI can analyse data packets going to and from your device, even though that information is encrypted. DAITA isn’t supported on every server, but where it is, it’ll add ‘network noise’ so data packets are all the same size.
It’s a smart addition which feels particularly forward-thinking, and works with WireGuard at present. Speaking of which, WireGuard and OpenVPN are the supported VPN protocols here.
Performance
Multihop: Mullvad lets you further obfuscate traffic with multihop.Foundry
I’ve alluded to server counts a couple of times, and that’s the main drawback of Mullvad at present. It has almost 700 servers, which is still impressive but falls behind some of the biggest names in the game. For example, NordVPN has over 7,000 worldwide, but some are ‘virtual servers’ that aren’t always where they say they are, whereas Mullvad’s are at least all real, dedicated servers.
Mullvad also rivals the big names when it comes to getting around geoblocks. Netflix was entirely open in our testing, letting me switch between content libraries with ease. While the likes of Nord offer the same functionality, they’re much more expensive.
Still, a VPN isn’t worth its salt unless it’s relatively fast, even as traffic bounces around the globe, so what are the speeds like?
In short: good! Download speeds dropped by between 11 and 15 percent in our testing, while upload speeds dropped by less than 9 percent.
That’s really quite impressive, especially at this price and with such a focus on privacy. There are some minor nitpicks, though — I’d like to see latency noted before connecting, for example, but that’s a small issue.
Privacy & Security
As I’ve kept mentioning throughout this review, Mullvad has one eye on privacy at all times. The company is based in Sweden, and runs a no-logs policy where it doesn’t save any user information.
Mullvad has been audited multiple times to verify that policy, but given it won’t even store your email address or payment information, it’s hard not to be impressed.
Price – Every single plan for Mullvad will set you back €5 a month, or your equivalent (that’s $5.26 or £4.20 at the time of writing). That’s a big step in the right direction, with no complex add-ons or power features tied behind a paywall.
Pricing and plans
As mentioned earlier, all of this comes in at just €5 a month. That’s a steep drop compared to many of its rivals which charge around double that and lock you in for one or two years.
On the one hand, there’s an argument that you’re not getting a cheap monthly rate as with its competitors, but on the other hand you’re able to pick and choose when you subscribe without being tied into lengthy plans to secure those rates.
Should you buy Mullvad VPN?
Mullvad is a fantastic VPN service that’s about as privacy-minded as can be. It might not have the most servers, but that’s a small price to pay for the service on offer.
Apple Developing Version of visionOS for Future Smart Glasses Apple is reportedly developing a version of visionOS – its operating system for Apple Vision Pro – that will work with smart glasses, as part of continuing efforts to expand its AR product lineup beyond a cumbersome headset with something that has wider appeal.
According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the Vision Pro has so far been a flop. Many users find the $3,500 headset too heavy for extended use, expensive, and prone to overheating, relegating it to niche status. Interest in the device has reportedly waned since its launch, with sales falling short of Apple's expectations.
In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman reports that Apple's Vision Products Group is looking beyond the Vision Pro and considering launching smart glasses comparable to Meta's Ray-Ban collaboration. Executives involved in the effort reportedly don't think a product will be ready for three years or more, with plenty of research still to be done.
To that end, the company is currently conducting user studies at its offices "to gauge the appeal of features and interfaces," and is already working on a version of visionOS that will run on glasses, reports Gurman. Codenamed "Atlas," the studies are being led by Apple's Product Systems Quality team, part of the hardware engineering division.
The work continues at a secretive facility in Santa Clara, a town away from the company's home base in Cupertino. Apple laid off some employees from the site last year, while the remaining staff work on AR technology. Apple also has a manufacturing facility there to test future screens.
Apple still plans to revamp the Vision Pro headset to broaden its appeal, first by releasing a lower-end device with less expensive components. Apple is aiming to sell the more affordable model at the price of a high-end iPhone, which retails for up to $1,600. The aim was to release it at the end of 2024, but Apple is still working on a firm prototype.
Separately, Apple is also said to be working with Sony to bring support for PlayStation VR2 hand controllers to the Vision Pro for gaming purposes. The two have been collaborating for several months, and could bring VR controller support to the Vision Pro as an optional feature. Tags: Apple Glasses, Mark GurmanThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
China’s DeepSeek hits #1 on App Store, shocks AI researchers, sends US tech shares tumbling China’s DeepSeek – an AI chatbot intended to rival ChatGPT – is currently the number one download in the App Store, after its performance took US companies by surprise.
The Chinese startup appears to be rivalling the performance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT despite having cost far less to develop, and that’s hitting the market valuations of major US AI players …
more…
Apple Watch crucial to rescue of skiers who fell 1,000 feet down a mountain The Apple Watch helped save the lives of injured skiers in Washington after falling approximately 1,000 feet down a mountain, thanks to an SOS alert.A helicopter's view of a mountain rescue - Image Credit: King County Sheriff Air SupportOn Wednesday, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office in Washington were informed of an Apple Watch SOS alert. The notification from Apple's wearable came from a skier located near Steven's Pass, a popular ski resort.Rescuers didn't have much information to go on, except that a skier had fallen on the mountain, and had injured a leg. The skier reportedly fell approximately 1,000 foot in their accident, reports Fox Weather. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
The Stargate Project: A Real-Life Skynet in the Making? Rob Enderle examines the Stargate project's risks and rewards. Could this AGI initiative redefine the future of artificial intelligence and humanity? The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.
How much is my App worth ? $5k MRR Hey there, I have never sold an app before and no idea how much my app is worth. The app is a drawing app has been out for more than 14 months. Analytics: (Revenue not Proceeds) Last month: $5k Last 3 months average: $4.8k 2024: $75.3K ($6.2k per month) Impressions last 90 days: 1.05mio Downloads […]
WhatsApp to Let iPhone Users Sign Into Multiple Accounts on the Same Device WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will allow iOS users to log into the encrypted messaging platform through different accounts within the same app, reports WABetaInfo.
Previously, the multi-account ability was only available for beta testers on Android, but now TestFlight app users on iOS have access to the feature, which should make it possible to manage more than one personal or business account on the same device. Notably, the feature will eliminate the need for users to use the WhatsApp Business app to access a separate account.
Based on WhatsApp beta 25.2.10.70, users will be able to either set up the device as a primary account or by scanning a QR code to link the new account to an existing one as a "companion" account. Notifications, chats, backups, and settings will reportedly remain distinct for each account, and users will be able to seamlessly switch from one to the other without the need for separate devices.
Instagram, also owned by Meta, already lets users switch between multiple accounts within the same app, so this addition to WhatsApp will bring more feature parity across the platforms. It's still unclear when multi-account support for WhatsApp will roll out to the public, but its appearance in beta suggests we shouldn't have to wait too long. There's still no sign of an iPad app, mind.
Separately, Meta recently announced that it added WhatsApp to Accounts Center, the company's hub for managing how user information is used across its platforms. The option means users can now adjust their settings from one place and share their status updates across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Tag: WhatsAppThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
CNF (Belo Horizonte) on 2025-01-28 THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jan 28, 09:00 - 12:00 UTCJan 27, 12:38 UTCUpdate - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in CNF (Belo Horizonte) datacenter on 2025-01-28 between 09:00 and 12:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.Jan 27, 12:36 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in CNF (Belo Horizonte) datacenter on 2025-01-28 between 05:00 and 09:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.
Apple Store did not refund the money for a subscription to a fraudulent app Sorry, I understand this is off-topic for this subreddit, but you are the ones who truly understand how this system works from the inside, and I hope you can help with what to do in this situation. My friend downloaded an app from an ad without checking the reviews and decided to use the offered […]
M. Night Shyamalan beats $81 million plagiarism accusation over 'Servant' Director M. Night Shyamalan and writer/creator Tony Basgallop have defeated a lawsuit alleging that their "Servant" series on Apple TV+ stole ideas from a previous film.Apple TV+ show 'Servant.' Image source: AppleThe lawsuit was brought by filmmaker Francesca Gregorini in January 2020, although the case was initially dismissed. On appeal, it was allowed to proceed with its accusation that "Servant" stole the plot and aped certain creative choices in the 2013 movie "The Truth About Emanuel."Following a seven-day trial by jury, however, The Independent reports that the federal judge overseeing the case has ruled in favor of "Servant." The jury had been shown the film plus the first three episodes of the series at the start of the trial. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Leakers clash on whether iPhone SE 4 will have notch or Dynamic Island One of the big questions about the upcoming iPhone SE 4 is whether the display will have a notch or Dynamic Island. Two leakers have presented clashing views on this, with the latest dummy models appearing to support the notch.
The dummy models also give us our clearest view yet of what the new entry-level iPhone may look like, with high-quality photos, and a video …
more…
Oppo Teases 'World's Thinnest Foldable' With Apple Device Comparisons If you still need convincing about the tech industry's current obsession with thinness, check out these images from Oppo's recent social media marketing spree, which has been busy hyping up the slimness of its upcoming Find N5 foldable by comparing it to Apple devices, including an iPhone 16 Pro Max and an M4 iPad Pro.
Oppo Find N5 (left) compared to iPhone 16 Pro Max
The latest images shared by the Chinese company suggest that when opened up, the Find N5 is about half as thick as an iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is 8.25mm thick. The image makes the device look barely thicker than its USB-C port. Indeed, Find series product manager Zhou Yibao has suggested that the obstacle to making it any thinner is now "the limit of the charging port."
That would seem to back up Oppo's claim that the Find N5 is the "world's thinnest foldable" – a title currently held by the Honor Magic V3, which is 4.35mm thick when unfolded. Reports suggest the Find N5 is around 4mm thick. For reference a USB-C port is 2.6mm at minimum. The company has previously compared the Find N5 to two Chinese yuan coins and a stack of four ID cards. Recently surfaced images also show that the device will have a cut-down camera bump on the back.
Oppo Find N5 (left) compared to iPhone 16 Pro Max
If you've been following our coverage, you've probably heard that for the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, Apple is expected to replace the standard iPhone "Plus" model with an iPhone "Air," so-called because of its purported thinness.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the iPhone 17 Air will be about two millimeters thinner than the current iPhone 16 Pro, putting it at around 6.25mm, which would make it Apple's thinnest iPhone to date. Analyst Jeff Pu has also suggested that the upcoming iPhone will be around 6mm thick, but The Information has said it will be between 5mm and 6mm thick.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the iPhone 17 Air will be 5.5mm thick at its thinnest point, which likely means that it will have a 5.5mm chassis with a thicker rear camera bump area.
The thinnest iPhone we've seen so far was the iPhone 6, which measured in at 6.9mm. iPhones got thicker with the iPhone X and beyond, as Apple increased thickness to provide more space for the battery, camera lenses, Face ID hardware, and more.
Oppo Find N5 compared to Apple's "thinnest product ever"
Oppo has not officially specified the launch date for the Find N5, which is expected to be re-branded as the OnePlus Open 2 for its US release, but it is set to be released sometime in February. Apple's "iPhone 17 Air" will likely launch alongside the rest of the iPhone 17 series around Apple's typical mid-September time frame. Tag: OppoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Looking back at 15 years of the iPad, Apple's revolutionary tablet Announced on January 27, 2010, the iPad wasn't really an iPhone and not quite a Mac. The latest iPads blend the best of both worlds — and that's now been an evolution a decade and a half in the making.Apple's iPad Pro with Magic KeyboardWith trackpad support, revamped file systems, and no shortage of computing power, the latest iPad Pro lineup consists of serious competitors in usability for nearly every task to any hybrid or touchscreen notebooks out there. It hasn't always been that way, though. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
5 small (but still kinda big) ways your iPhone is changing with iOS 18.3 Macworld
With iOS 18.3, Apple is sort of taking a breather before it continues its staged rollout of major Apple Intelligence features. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing there but bug fixes and security patches (though there are those, too). There are plenty of small changes that are coming to your iPhone—here are the five ways your iPhone will be different after you update to iOS 18.3.
Apple Intelligence is on by default
When Apple introduced Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1, you had to choose to enable it. With iOS 18.3, it’s turned on by default. You still need an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that supports it, of course.
If you want to disable Apple Intelligence, open Settings, choose Apple Intelligence & Siri, and flip off the toggle.
Foundry
Notification Summaries are italicized
The new Apple Intelligence feature that summarizes notifications has been met with mixed reviews. Sometimes it just gets things wrong, and when you can’t tell it’s an AI summary instead of a real text from Mom, that can lead to disaster. That little tiny “summary” icon on the notification isn’t enough.
So in iOS 18.3, Apple is making it more obvious when a notification shows an AI summary. The text will be italicized, while normal notifications will have regular text.
Foundry
Notification Summaries are disabled for some apps
Even if you recognize that the notification text is an AI summary, there are some that can be very problematic if they’re wrong. The Apple Intelligence notification summaries for some news events have been wrong at times, to the point where a person reading them would think the opposite of what happened.
Of course, we all know it’s just a notification and just an AI-generated summary at that, and you should always go read the article before passing judgment, right? Just kidding! This is the internet, where you have to immediately post an opinion just from seeing a link to a headline somewhere.
To help reduce the very obvious problems this can cause, Apple has disabled Notification Summaries from all apps in the “News & Entertainment” app category for now. The company plans to re-enable it in the future when the quality of the summaries is more reliable.
The Calculator app gets its repeat operation function back
Up until iOS 18, you could continually tap the equals sign (=) on the Calculator app and it would repeat the last operation. If you said 10 x 2 and tapped = you would get 20. Tap = again and you get 40. Tap = again and you get 80. And so on.
With the new Calculator app and all its fancy features (not to mention an iPad version!) Apple seemingly forgot this popular capability.
With iOS 18.3, it’s back!
Foundry
Visual Intelligence gets new powers
If you have an iPhone 16 with a Camera Control button, you can press and hold it for a couple of seconds to launch a special camera interface Apple calls Visual Intelligence. Snap a pic of something and you get all sorts of contextual information. You can get business details, details, and books or albums, ask ChatGPT about the image, search Google for similar images, and more.
With the iOS 18.3 update, you get an instant display at the top of the screen to identify animals and plants, without needing to take a pic. And if you show something with an event on it, you can quickly add it to your calendar.
You’ll have to wait for iOS 18.4 for the new Siri
I know what you’re thinking–all this AI stuff, but when does Siri get good? The answer is: in the next update!
Or at least, Apple has said to expect the improved Siri, with personal context and lots of app intents, in the spring timeframe which is when we expect iOS 18.4. Will these new Siri capabilities change people’s perception of Apple’s AI assistant, or will it remain the subject of ridicule for another year? We’ll know more as the next round of betas get underway.
Claimed iPhone SE 4 dummy units show notch instead of Dynamic Island A new video claiming to show a dummy iPhone SE 4 unit contradicts recent rumors saying that it will have a Dynamic Island rather than the older-style notch.The video isn't clear, but the top of this dummy unit does seem to show a notch-style position for the front cameraIt's regularly been claimed that the forthcoming iPhone SE 4 will be based on the iPhone 14, which featured a notch. The most recent rumor, however, was that the iPhone SE 4 would instead feature a Dynamic Island.Leaker Majin Bu has shown off what he or she claims are dummy iPhone SE 4 units, and done so with a series of photos and one video. As it's a dummy unit, the iPhone is not working and so the screen is completely blank, but it still appears to show the old-style notch. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
On Call Engineers are Investigating an issue Jan 27, 03:11 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with Programmable Messaging. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.
Budget AI Model DeepSeek Overtakes ChatGPT on App Store A new China-based AI chatbot challenger called DeepSeek has reached the number one position on Apple's App Store free charts in multiple countries, including the US, raising questions about Silicon Valley's perceived leadership in artificial intelligence development.
Released last week, the iOS app has garnered attention for its ability to match or exceed the performance of leading AI models like ChatGPT, while requiring only a fraction of the development costs, based on a research paper released on Monday.
DeepSeek has not raised money from outside funds or made significant moves to monetise its models. The Chinese AI startup behind the model was founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfeng, who claims they used just 2,048 Nvidia H800s and $5.6 million to train a model with 671bn parameters, a fraction of what OpenAI and Google spent to train comparably sized models. For example, Microsoft and Meta alone have committed over $65 billion each this year largely to AI infrastructure. Just last week, OpenAI said it was creating a joint venture with Japan's SoftBank, dubbed Stargate, with plans to spend at least $100 billion on AI infrastructure in the US.
Investor Marc Andreessen is already calling DeepSeek "one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs" for its ability to show its work and reasoning as it addresses a user's written query or prompt. DeepSeek has also taken an open-source approach, allowing developers to freely inspect and build upon its technology.
What's particularly notable is that DeepSeek apparently achieved this breakthrough despite US export restrictions on advanced AI chips to China. The company's success suggests Chinese developers have found ways to create more efficient AI models with limited computing resources, potentially challenging the assumption that cutting-edge AI development requires massive computing infrastructure investments.
The emergence of DeepSeek has already sparked debate in Silicon Valley. While some view it as a concerning development for US technological leadership, others, like Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan, suggest it could benefit the entire AI industry by making model training more accessible and accelerating real-world AI applications.
The app's success has already impacted financial markets, with some AI-related stocks experiencing volatility as investors reconsider the necessity of extensive capital expenditure for AI development. Shares of Nvidia for example slid 10% in premarket trading on Monday on the news of DeepSeek's popularity. This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
WhatsApp for iPhone takes a big step toward multi-account support WhatsApp for iPhone is finally testing multi-account support, a feature that rolled out to Android in October 2023.
(via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)
Why doesn’t Siri know what it doesn’t know? Macworld
Kids ask questions all the time, and I think it’s important as a parent to admit when you don’t know the answer. Naturally, it’s tempting to bluff, in order to preserve their childlike belief in your omniscience, but you’re only storing up trouble for that moment when they gain access to Google and find out for themselves that the president of Cuba is not, in fact, Fray Bentos.
Not everyone, however, feels the same way about admitting ignorance. Take Siri, for example, which loves to take a swing at tasks when it isn’t even sure what you just said. Ask your HomePod to play a song in a slightly muffled voice and instead of saying, “I didn’t catch that, would you mind repeating yourself?” it just plows ahead and plays something random.
I’ve been complaining about Siri for a few years now and as far as I can see nothing has improved in that time. The arrival of Apple Intelligence is supposed to bring a new and improved version of Siri, but of course that doesn’t apply to the HomePod; and even on devices like the iPhone which do have Apple Intelligence there doesn’t seem to be more accuracy, just a greater degree of misplaced confidence about the inaccuracy.
Last week the blogger One Foot Tsunami decided to ask Siri, in order, who won each Super Bowl–a seemingly straightforward task–and received a set of answers that were hilarious and horrifyingly inaccurate. It got just 34 percent correct, and at least one of those was right for the wrong reason. (Asked about Super Bowl X, it talked at length about Super Bowl IX… which happened to have the same winner.) At one point it got the answer wrong 15 times in a row, and it gave the Philadelphia Eagles 33 wins rather than the one they actually collected.
I don’t think it’s especially important for voice assistants or the AI models beneath them to be able to answer questions about sports trivia, but there’s a principle at stake here that is important: they need to admit when they don’t know the correct answer. In this case, there was no harm done because the matter at hand was, well, trivial. But if someone asks about, say, the lug nut torque for a 2015 Nissan Frontier, being confidently given a totally wrong answer could have damaging consequences.
To admit you don’t know the answer, sadly, you first have to know that you don’t know the answer, and this is AI’s great weakness. AI doesn’t “know” anything in any kind of sense we’d understand. It matches patterns without understanding what they signify, which means it doesn’t have any way of sanity-checking a fact that a human would instantly see as nonsense. But at the same time, it would be nice if AI developers put more thought into analyzing and signaling to the user a model’s degree of confidence in a specific output: a rating of the quantity and quality of training data on that topic, for example, or the proportion of similar queries which have received positive feedback.
What won’t cut it, in my opinion, is a generalized disclaimer. Following complaints about mangled notification summaries, Apple recently agreed to tweak the way that Apple Intelligence handles that function, but the immediate changes all affect not the information itself, but the way the information is presented: there’s a clearer label that the feature is a beta and may contain errors, while the summarized text appears in italics to distinguish it from a standard notification. Initially, this may help, because the changed format will stand out. But it will quickly fade into visual furniture, much like the disclaimers on Google’s AI results intended to prevent lawsuits from incorrect torque information. We need a specific disclaimer that one result is shaky (“this product contains nuts”) rather than a blunderbuss disclaimer that all of them are (“any products made by this company or its subsidiaries may contain nuts”).
At the moment AI is in its hype cycle, and all the players are jockeying for position in the public eye. Right now, the main thing they’re aiming for is PR, and it makes sense in that context that they would want to make exaggerated claims for their products’ capabilities, and dislike the idea of signaling their limitations. But Apple of all people should understand that reputations are built up slowly and lost very quickly. It’s better to be honestly ignorant than confidently incorrect. And the phrase I most want to hear from Siri is “I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
Foundry
Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too.
Trending: Top stories
If Apple Intelligence is so great, why doesn’t Apple trust us to turn it on?
Mahmoud Itani reminds us all about 6 forgotten Apple products getting an update this year.
Team up with Apple at your own risk.
It’s Samsung’s turn to copy Apple! Here are over a dozen ways Samsung ripped off Apple at the Galaxy S25 launch.
Apple’s wild new Miami store takes carbon neutral to new heights.
U.K. iPhone users will soon be able to store digital licenses and IDs.
Podcast of the week
The rumors are heating up for Apple’s next major iPhone release. In the latest episode of the Macworld Podcast, we cover what’s going on with the iPhone SE and what we could see in the next few weeks.
You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site.
Reviews corner
Microsoft Word for Mac review: What’s new in Word 2024?
Microsoft Excel review: What’s new in Excel 2024?
Apple Passwords review: Free and simple password manager.
pCloud review: Back up your Mac to the cloud.
The rumor mill
iPhone 17 Air leak shows off new ‘camera bar’ design.
New leak changes everything we know about the iPhone SE 4.
Software updates, bugs, and problems
Hate the new Mail app on your iPhone? Here’s how to change it back.
Starting this week, you’ll need to turn off Apple Intelligence if you don’t want it.
Mac users will finally get the smarter Mail app in macOS 15.4.
AirPods Pro 2 update ‘in coming weeks’ to expand hearing aid feature.
And with that, we’re done for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, or Twitter for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.
Latest iPhone SE 4 Dummy Images Back Up Display Notch Rumors With Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE launch inching ever closer, new alleged dummy models have emerged online that give us further clarification on some of the details of the device.
Leaker Majin Bu shared these images on X (Twitter), along with a short video showing off the mockups, which are non-functional devices that case makers create based on information that leaks out of Apple's partner factories.
There have been conflicting rumors about whether the next iPhone SE will have a Dynamic Island or a notch, but the latter is looking increasingly likely. Despite the notch claims, the black and white mockups depicted show the older notch design with the selfie camera just left of center, backing up rumors that the device is largely based on the iPhone 14. There's also a single-lens camera on the back, as expected, along with a glass back and a aluminum band.
Here's what the iPhone SE 4 looks like pic.twitter.com/pEyIAJ34VR— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) January 25, 2025
Suggestions that the iPhone SE 4 could get an Action Button or Camera Control button also appear off the mark, based on these mockups, which are very similar to images previously shared by leaker Sonny Dickson.
Along with the visible features from the dummy model, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to include a faster A17 Pro chip, an Apple-designed modem chip, and 8GB RAM – the minimum amount of memory required for Apple Intelligence. The camera is expected to be the same 48-megapixel Wide camera used in the current iPhone 16.
Apple is expected to debut the next iPhone SE sometime in March or April, and it will continue to be the company's lowest-cost device. It could go up in price slightly, but Apple is said to be aiming to keep it below $500.Related Roundup: iPhone SETag: Majin BuBuyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Don't Buy)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple’s CarPlay 2 delay confirmed, company cites work continuing with collaboration from automakers Apple’s CarPlay 2 technology, which was promised in 2024, has been delayed and still needs some work. Apple confirmed the delay via its CarPlay 2 website, though the system is still undergoing development. In a statement to 9to5Mac, however, Apple said that it is still working with “several automakers” to implement the next-generation CarPlay experience. […]
Source
LIS (Lisbon) on 2025-01-29 THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jan 29, 02:00 - 03:00 UTCJan 27, 09:45 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in LIS (Lisbon) datacenter on 2025-01-29 between 02:00 and 03:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.
Cloudflare Workers AI Issues in Tokyo, Japan (NRT) Jan 27, 09:52 UTCMonitoring - A fix has been implemented and we are monitoring the results.Jan 27, 09:52 UTCIdentified - The issue has been identified and a fix is being implemented.Jan 27, 09:43 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare has identified an issue whereby customers might experience errors from inference requests to certain models using Workers AI in the Tokyo region, Japan (NRT).We are working to mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.
Google translate has nothing on this language tool Macworld
Want to learn a new language? Babbel is making it easier than ever to learn a new language with a lifetime subscription marked down to $129.99 (reg. $599).
Babbel is a full-fledged language education tool developed by a team of over 100 expert linguists and backed by research from institutions like Yale University and Michigan State. Duolingo wishes.
With over 10,000 hours of lessons spanning 14 languages, you’re covered whether you’re interested in Spanish, German, Indonesian, Turkish, and beyond.
Babbel’s lessons are intentionally designed to be digestible yet functional, with each one lasting about 10 to 15 minutes. This lets you fit language learning seamlessly into your day, from a quick practice session over coffee to a full lesson in the evening.
Speech recognition technology helps you nail pronunciation while interactive, real-life topics like shopping and dining prepare you for real conversations. And with offline access, you can keep learning on the go, even without Wi-Fi.
You only have until February 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a Babbel Lifetime Subscription on sale for $129.99.
Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) – $129.99
See Deal
StackSocial prices subject to change.
How are Pokémon card scanner apps allowed in the App Store I’ve heard that Apple takes trademarks pretty serious and also that the Pokémon company is known to sue people for trademark infringement. How is it possible that there are so many unofficial Pokémon card collectors/ searcher/ scanner apps in the AppStore. I’ve wanted to do something similar but I’m to scared of getting sued 😂 […]
Why cant I see the TabView views? I can only see them when I remove ScrollView but I need scrollview for my complex UI NavigationStack { ScrollView { VStack { if showDivider { Divider() .offset(y: isSearching ? -26 : -14) } TabView(selection: $activeTab) { SearchContentView(selectedTab: $selectedTab, category: PickerTab.all.rawValue) .tag(PickerTab.all) SearchContentView(selectedTab: $selectedTab, category: PickerTab.technology.rawValue) .tag(PickerTab.technology) SearchContentView(selectedTab: $selectedTab, category: PickerTab.sports.rawValue) .tag(PickerTab.sports) SearchContentView(selectedTab: $selectedTab, category: PickerTab.health.rawValue) .tag(PickerTab.health) SearchContentView(selectedTab: $selectedTab, category: PickerTab.science.rawValue) .tag(PickerTab.science) SearchContentView(selectedTab: $selectedTab, category: PickerTab.business.rawValue) .tag(PickerTab.business) SearchContentView(selectedTab: $selectedTab, category: PickerTab.entertainment.rawValue) .tag(PickerTab.entertainment) […]
Struggling to build IOS Swift app backend – Help for an IOS newbie Hey everyone! I would love someones step by step guidance on how to properly setup my IOS backend (server, database, etc) for a production app. Or if there's example code or file structure someone is willing to share so I can wrap my brain around this. I've done a bunch of web development but not […]
PSA: If you buy a new iPhone in the US, you won’t be able to install TikTok on it Despite the fact that you can still use the service, TikTok is still very much so banned in the United States. President Trump promised to not fine TikTok and its service providers for continuing to run the services, but that’s just a promise. He also signed an executive order officially suspending the ban, but there’s great odds that that executive order doesn’t actually hold up legally.
For one reason or another, Apple (and Google) have both decided that they don’t want to take the risk. If a court later decides that Trumps promises don’t hold up legally, Apple could be on the hook for up to $850 billion in fines. It just isn’t worth it for them.
more…
How is messages able to create different link previews than every other application? I’m working on a share extension and creating link previews via the url provided from different apps. When I came across a problem with Disney plus. If you go to share a Disney plus movie or show and use messages you get the expected result of a picture of the cover art and the title […]
Completely screwed in “app signing”: any help appreciated. Willing to pay I have an app that was working, i was able to get test builds out to connect. I was trying to fix notifications (turns out I can’t get firebase notifications in a simulator), and in this process I’ve completely bungled the app signing process. Here's where I am: App's made in FLutter App works on […]
Pick up Apple's M4 MacBook Pro for $1,399 at Amazon with coupon Month-end price cuts are in effect on Apple's latest MacBook Pro with an M4 chip, as Amazon's on-page coupon drops it to $1,399.99.Grab Apple's M4 MacBook Pro for $1,399 - Image credit: AppleThe $1,399.99 price at Amazon is thanks to a $150 instant rebate stacked with a $49.01 on-page coupon, bringing the total savings to $200 off MSRP. With the standard M4 model now including 16GB of unified memory compared to the M3's 8GB of RAM, the Late 2024 14-inch MacBook Pro offers additional value for the price.Buy for $1,399.99 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
iOS 18.4 is reportedly releasing in April, here are some rumored features According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning on releasing iOS 18.4 in April. Apple hasn’t started the beta cycle for iOS 18.4 quite yet, but there are a handful of things we can likely expect with iOS 18.4 so far.
more…
Invalid EDNS Client Subnet for IPv4 on DNS Firewall Jan 26, 19:51 UTCResolved - This incident has been resolved.Jan 26, 19:46 UTCMonitoring - A fix has been implemented and we are monitoring the results.Jan 26, 19:32 UTCIdentified - Cloudflare is investigating issues with invalid EDNS Client Subnet for IPv4 on DNS Firewall
The AirPods Pro 2 is $50 Off One of the best current AirPods is on sale- today, the AirPods Pro 2 is down to just $199 from its original price of $250 on Amazon. The Apple-branded wireless earbuds offer the Hearing Aid feature with Personalized Spatial Audio and Active Noise Cancellation. With the hearing aid, you’ll be able to pick up sounds […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
EU Apple TV+ to get more French programs Apple recently signed a partnership with the French government to add more video and audio content in the country. Apple TV+ is said to invest 20% in last year’s net sales to develop French programming and the EU, as per Deadline. In the four-year agreement, around 70% is said to be put into independent productions. […]
The post appeared first on iLounge.
Environmental Services Technician – *Apple* Hill – Evening/Night – WellSpan Health (United States) Environmental Services Technician - Apple Hill - Evening/Night Location: WellSpan Health, York, PA Schedule: Full Time Full time (80 hours biweekly) Monday - Friday
Part-time *Apple* and Peach Research Assistants- Kumar lab – Pennsylvania State University (United States) …and minimum qualifications: + Assist with planting, pruning, and harvesting of apple and peach trees + Conduct regular maintenance tasks to ensure optimal
Facilities Technician III – *Apple* Hill – WellSpan Health (United States) Facilities Technician III - Apple Hill Location: WellSpan Health, York, PA Schedule: Full Time Work Schedule: 7am to 3:30pm On-call requirements General Summary
Licensed Practical Nurse – Internal Medicine *Apple* Hill – WellSpan Health (United States) Licensed Practical Nurse - Internal Medicine Apple Hill York Location: WellSpan Medical Group, York, PA Schedule: Full Time Schedule Full Time: Monday - Friday Days
Surgical Scheduler – Oncology Cancer Center *Apple* Hill – WellSpan Health (United States) Surgical Scheduler - Oncology Cancer Center Apple Hill York Location: WellSpan Medical Group, York, PA Schedule: Full Time Schedule Full Time: Monday - Friday Days
Registered Nurse – *Apple* Hill Surgery Center (Intra-Procedural OR) – Day – WellSpan Health (United States) Registered Nurse - Apple Hill Surgery Center (Intra-Procedural OR) - Day Location: WellSpan Health, York, PA Schedule: Part Time Schedule Part Time: 24 Hours/Week
Sonographer – *Apple* Hill Imaging Center – Evenings – WellSpan Health (United States) Sonographer - Apple Hill Imaging Center - Evenings Location: York Hospital, York, PA Schedule: Full Time Full Time (80 hrs/pay period) Evenings General Summary
Bi-lingual (Spanish) Level 1 *Apple* Support Specialist – CompuCom (United States) …right people. Our client is currently seeking a qualified Bi-lingual (Spanish) Level 1 Apple Support Specialist to join their team. This role can be hybrid / remote
Channel Sales Manager – *Apple* Retail – DISH Network (United States) …large. **Job Duties and Responsibilities** Boost Mobile recently launched sales capabilities through Apple Stores and on apple .com. We are seeking a highly
Operations Associate – *Apple* Blossom Mall – JCPenney (United States) Operations Associate - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple
Beauty Consultant – *Apple* Blossom Mall – JCPenney (United States) Beauty Consultant - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple
Omnichannel Associate – *Apple* Blossom Mall – JCPenney (United States) Omnichannel Associate - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple
Hair Stylist – *Apple* Blossom Mall – JCPenney (United States) Hair Stylist - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Blossom
Cashier – *Apple* Blossom Mall – JCPenney (United States) Cashier - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Blossom Mall
Commercial Account Manager – Apple Roofing (United States) …in the greater Kansas City, MO area to service designated territory and clients. Apple Roofing is a leading name in the roofing industry, recognized for providing
Solutions Engineer – *Apple* – SHI (United States) **Job Summary** An Apple Solution Engineer's primary role is tosupport SHI customers in their efforts to select, deploy, and manage Apple operating systems and
Commercial / Residential Roofing Site Supervisor – Apple Roofing (United States) Description Apple Roofing is currently seeking a highly skilled and professional Residential / Commercial Roofing Site Supervisor to join our team. As a Site
Commercial Account Manager – Apple Roofing (United States) …in the greater Kansas City, MO area to service designated territory and clients. Apple Roofing is a leading name in the roofing industry, recognized for providing
Part Time – Student – Blue *Apple* Cafe Worker (Spring 2025) – Pennsylvania State University (United States) …to enhance your work experience. Student openings are available at the Blue Apple Cafe. Employee meal discount during working hours is provided. Job Duties +
Nurse Anesthetist – *Apple* Hill Surgery Center – WellSpan Health (United States) Nurse Anesthetist - Apple Hill Surgery Center Location: WellSpan Medical Group, York, PA Schedule: Full Time At WellSpan Health, our community of 23,000 employees,