New photos offer first close-up look at A18 and A18 Pro chips
The iPhone 16 and 16 Pro have been widely available for nearly two weeks. But it’s only now that we’re getting a close-up look at the two devices’ differing chips, courtesy of ChipWise. Here are the A18 and A18 Pro chips. more…

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Apple TV+ unveils trailer for new series ‘Before,’ starring Billy Crystal
Apple TV+ on Tuesday unveiled the trailer for its psychological thriller “Before,” starring and executive produced by Billy Crystal. The… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Epic Games Store adds new incentive to try boosting developer buy-in
The Epic Games Store recently launched on the iPhone in the EU. For the first time, Epic’s own store became an option for some iPhone users, and Android too. But it seems the company behind Fortnite is finding developer royalty rates an ongoing challenge. more…

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New Apple Podcasts features focus on narrative series
Some new Apple Podcasts narrative series features focus on the long-form, multi-episode story many folks love. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Third watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1 betas arrive without iOS, iPadOS, macOS
Apple has released new third developer betas of watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1, and visionOS 2.1 for testing, but without betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, nor macOS Sequoia 15.1.watchOS 11 introduces better cycle tracking, more customizable Activity Rings, and more personalization. A new round of betas are available, but they are taking an unusual form. Tuesday's batch includes only the third builds of watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1, and visionOS 2.1.So far, it seems that the sixth round of betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are not available yet. However, given the number of beta cycles that have already passed for those versions, it may be Apple trying to catch up on beta rounds for its OSes without Apple Intelligence. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Podcasts spotlights narrative episodic series
Apple Podcasts is elevating series — narrative shows with episodes intended to be listened to in order — that captivate listeners across… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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5 ways Pebblebee Clip tracker tag is better than AirTag [Updated review] ★★★★☆
Attach the Pebblebee Clip to your keys, backpack or purse and you won’t need to worry about misplacing your item or leaving it behind. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Beta 3 now available for visionOS 2.1, watchOS 11.1, and tvOS 18.1
Today Apple has released new beta updates, but not perhaps for the platforms we were all hoping for. Developer beta 3 is now available for visionOS 2.1, watchOS 11.1, and tvOS 18.1. However, new betas for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS are mysteriously absent. more…

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Apple Podcasts spotlights top 100 narrative series
Serialized podcasts are now highlighted in a new Top Series chart in Apple Podcasts on iPhone, which also adds a new Series category, and will celebrate one such show per month.The new Top Series category in Apple PodcastsApple Podcasts has had chart playlists before, but now it intends to elevate what's perhaps the archetype of hit podcasts — the kind of serialized story that true crime shows use."Serialized podcasts are some of the most impactful shows in podcasting, featuring captivating voice talent and best-in-class writing and sound design," Apple's global head of Podcasts, Ben Cave, said in a statement. "They are the stories we can't stop thinking about and are talking about even years later." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Klarna becomes official Apple reseller with payment options and upgrade plans
Klarna, which offers monthly payment plans as a service, is now an official Apple reseller. Customers can purchase iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac and more directly from Klarna’s app or website with monthly payment options. more…

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Apple Podcasts launches new narrative series chart, ad-free windows, more
Today Apple has announced changes to Apple Podcasts designed to better spotlight a specific type of show: narrative series. A new top chart is debuting alongside other editorial initiatives, plus Series becomes its own standalone category for improved discovery. Here are all the details. more…

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Apple published a new Press Release
Apple just published a new Press Release:Apple Podcasts spotlights narrative series

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No laughs for Billy Crystal in this horror show [Apple TV+ trailer]
The new Apple TV+ trailer for psychological thriller "Before" makes funny man Billy Crystal's new series out to be straight-up horror. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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The eero Max 7 Wifi Router is $150 Off
Need a router upgrade but don’t want to break the bank? This deal will give you faster internet speed whenever you need it for bandwidth-intensive tasks. Today, the eero Max 7 Mesh WiFi Router is down to just $449.99 from its original price of $600 on Amazon. Boasting wireless speeds of up to 4.3 Gbps, […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple's holiday quarter will again see giant challenges because of supply chain issues
Apple is again facing strong external pressures as it works to deliver a successful iPhone holiday season, but is being threatened by a factory fire, hurricane flooding hitting quartz supplies, ocean freight strikes, and also a worldwide economic decline.A pallet of iPhones being loaded onto a plane. (Source: SDI Logistics)Apple has publicly committed to donating to the disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Helene. This is unfortunately just the latest of so many cases that have needed such help, but it's also one Apple's supply chain could be severely affected.That's because while much or most of Apple's suppliers are overseas, there is a crucial quartz mine in western Northern Carolina in the US. It's so far been closed entirely for five days following the devastation caused by the hurricane. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Home Hub might feature an iPad-like screen
Apple’s rumored Home Hub might assume a square display screen, according to an online leak. The unreleased device, dubbed Home Hub and with an internal ‘HomeAccessory’ label and codename J490, is believed to have a square display and the A18 chip. In addition, the Home Hub is said to respond to gestures, recognize people using […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple accused of forcing employees to sign illegal contracts, quashed labor efforts
A U.S. labor board believes that Apple has violated employees' right to organize and forced them to adhere to overly strict standards and contracts.Logo credit: NLRB.govOn Monday, the National Labor Relations Board launched a complaint against Apple, claiming that it required its employees to sign illegal confidentiality, non-compete, and non-disclosure agreements. The complaint also alleges that Apple over-enforced social media and misconduct policies on its employees.The statement, seen by Reuters, accuses Apple of "interfering with, restraining, and coercing employees in the exercise of" their rights under federal labor law. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple launches another AirPods Pro 2 firmware update
Apple has released another firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2. Firmware build number 7A305 is for the AirPods Pro 2 in both USB-C and Lightning cases, with release notes saying that the contents are for improvements and bug fixes. It’s the third firmware update for the wireless earbuds in September, which makes it unusual […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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‘Balatro’ arrives on Apple Arcade and App Store
Card game ‘Balatro’ recently debuted on the App Store and Apple Arcade. Balatro was teased as a newcomer to the Apple ecosystem in September. It’s a roguelike deck-builder where the objective is to create a winning poker hand. However, there are special cards with abilities that change how the classic card game is played. Chips […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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The gorgeous black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 just got its first major discount
Macworld Apple might not have updated the Apple Watch this year, but it did give the Ultra 2 a gorgeous new black titanium case. And if you’ve been drooling over it, now’s the time to buy: You can get it for $732.89 at Amazon, down from its $799 MSRP. The 49mm black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 was only introduced a few weeks ago, but it’s definitely a model that we love because it looks stunning, no matter what color band you get. When we reviewed the natural titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2, we gave it a 4-star rating and appreciated the bright screen and the operating system that goes with it. The rugged watch is great for tracking sports and workouts. “Apple has broadened the variety of sports, and it’s possible to customize each one with the particular goals you want to achieve. And you can start a workout quickly by pressing the Action button if you’ve set it to do that. It all works brilliantly, especially for running, walking and cycling. The only criticism, really, is that not every kind of workout records your route using the built-in GPS,” our review reads. Of course, there’s more to this smartwatch. When you’re hiking, the Compass app helps you navigate any terrain. When you’re running, you get detailed metrics. If you want to work out, the watch can guide you through warmups, recovery intervals, and cool-downs. It’s also got incredible battery life that can stretch to 36 hours. Take advantage of this deal and get yourself the most stylish version of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $732.89 at Amazon. Snatch the black titanium Ultra 2 on saleBuy it now at Amazon

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Halide expands Camera Control tools as Lux drops iPhone 16 photography review
Halide for iPhone 16 is out today with expanded Camera Control features that bring simplicity to the somewhat complex button. The makers of Halide emphasize a desire to make their app’s Camera Control features as simple and useful as tradition shutter buttons on dedicated cameras. more…

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Visual Intelligence in iOS 18.2 will unlock new iPhone 16 powers
Apple’s iPhone 16 line is getting an exclusive and powerful new feature later this year—likely in iOS 18.2. It uses the A18 chip, Camera Control, and smarts from Apple, ChatGPT, and Google to unlock a fresh way of interacting with the world. Here’s everything you should know about visual intelligence. more…

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Deals: Apple Pencil Pro all-time low, new Apple Watch SE 2 configs from $189, iPad Air, MagSafe gear, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by a new all-time low price on Apple Pencil Pro that is now sitting at $99 shipped. While this might be an excellent condition open-box listing, it does include the full 1-year Apple warranty and now joins a new Amazon all-time low on the most affordable blue model M2 iPad Air as well as some of the best prices yet on the latest Apple Watch SE 2 configurations with the 2024 official Apple band updates. From there, we have accessories offers in the form of Belkin MagSafe chargers, Matter smart plugs, Twelve South gear, and much more. Check it all out below.  more…

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How to transfer every picture from your iPhone to an external drive
With the right software, it's easy to back up iPhone pictures and videos. Here's how to transfer photos from iPhone to external hard drives. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple may lean more on China after fire at Tata’s iPhone component plant in India
A fire at Tata Group's Apple iPhone component plant in southern India has caused significant damage, potentially disrupting production… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Norton Ultra VPN review
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Antivirus protections. Lots of tools are available, including Cloud Backup and Password Manager. Email tracking quarantine is an eye-opener. Cons Slower than rival VPNs. Inflexible payment options. Our Verdict Norton Ultra VPN is a solid offering from a company dedicated to securing your tech, but its pricing structure, lack of browser integration and slower speeds make it hard to recommend over others. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When ReviewedFirst year is from $39.99 Norton Secure VPN; $49.99 Norton Ultra VPN; $59.99 Norton Ultra VPN Plus. Renews at a higher price of $79.99/$109.99/$129.99. Best Prices Today: Norton Ultra VPN Retailer Price Norton (first year) $49.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Norton is likely a brand that needs no introduction, with decades of experience protecting devices from cyber threats (read our review of Norton 360). That means there’s plenty of cache in the name, and the company’s VPN service wisely leans on that pedigree. Norton’s VPN plans are, outside of the basic tier, tied into its security software to help offer real-time protection from bad actors. It comes with a password manager, dark web monitor, and cloud storage, but the VPN side of things is a little lacking. Perhaps it’s from testing so many of the best VPN services that we’ve grown used to a certain set of non-negotiables. Chief among them is browser extension options to allow for quick switching, but at the time of writing, there’s no such offering from Norton. Then there’s the option to pay monthly, but Norton demands an annual fee. While it’s a smaller amount than many charge, there’s a caveat that while Norton Secure VPN (one device) is $39.99/£19.99 for the first year, it then renews at $79.99/£39.99, and other plans only get more egregious – the Norton Ultra VPN (five devices) $49.99/£24.99 plan rises to $109.99/£79.99 for a second year, while the $59.99/£29.99 Norton Ultra VPN Plus family plan (ten devices) jumps to $129.99/£94.99. With better, and, crucially, faster options, available, it’s hard to escape the feeling Norton’s VPN offering needs some retooling. Still, if you’re looking for real-time protection it remains a good security-focused option, but with geoblocking being inconsistent in our testing, you might want to look elsewhere for your international Netflix fix. Take a look at our round-up of the Best VPNs for Mac. Features & Apps Norton monitors your app activity. Norton monitors your app activity.Foundry Norton monitors your app activity.Foundry Foundry As mentioned above, Norton’s VPN does include plenty of accouterments that other VPNs either don’t have or charge extra for. You can install the app on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and all three platforms have apps that work well and run nicely in the background. Despite the lack of a browser extension or plugin, Norton’s solution is a menu for Browser Protection, which scans sites as you browse. That means it’s not as easy to switch one browser to one region (perhaps for site testing), but does mean you get the benefit of real-time detection alerts if a site might be unsafe. The same goes for downloads, with Norton scanning files before they land on your device. It worked well in my testing, and barely added any additional time to the length of downloads. Norton’s VPN can track for a whole host of information types on the Dark Web. Norton’s VPN can track for a whole host of information types on the Dark Web.Foundry Norton’s VPN can track for a whole host of information types on the Dark Web.Foundry Foundry One thing that was interesting was how it monitors trackers on emails. As a journalist, I receive a lot of press releases and pitches, and while I’ve always assumed many of them use some kind of tracking to see when they’re opened, Norton offered to quarantine so many that I was quite taken aback. Whether it’s a little over-enthusiastic or well within its rights will depend on how much you value your inbox’s privacy, but it did well to work with third-party apps like Outlook and Spark. There’s also a password manager if you’re not already using Apple’s new Passwords app, but most of these features are tied to the middle subscription tier and above. The basic tier, simply dubbed Norton Secure VPN, will only protect one device, block ads and offers VPN functionality, but it’s a little more barebones. Considering that second-year price hike, that’s something to consider despite the low price right now. Performance Norton does a great job of offering real-time threat reporting and download scanning. Norton does a great job of offering real-time threat reporting and download scanning.Foundry Norton does a great job of offering real-time threat reporting and download scanning.Foundry Foundry VPNs naturally decrease your internet speeds as your signal is fired across the globe, and Norton has servers in 32 countries – a steep drop from the 111 in NordVPN’s portfolio – but it does offer four protocols to choose from. IKEv2, OpenVPN and WireGuard are pretty commonly found across the board of rivals, but Norton has its own Mimic protocol which is intended to be ideal for unblocking international streaming services. Sadly, testing on a 70 Mbps connection saw a consistent speed drop-off. For context, NordVPN and ExpressVPN dropped 12 and 13 percent of speeds when using them in our tests, while Norton’s offering dropped closer to 25% lower in download speeds. That’s not ideal, but not lagging behind some rivals. It just underlines how far ahead some VPNs are, and it’s worth considering when you’re locked in for a year, or plotting an expensive renewal. As for Mimic, Norton’s own VPN protocol, I was disappointed to find some international streaming services simply weren’t able to be unblocked with it. With that said, I did have more luck with more standardized protocols, and I’m pleased to see Norton at least give the option to shift between them. Privacy & Security VPNs worth their salt should always focus on privacy as their primary concern, and in this instance, Norton does a good job. While it remains a curious thing to prove a company has a “no logs” policy (where users and their session data aren’t logged), Norton underwent an audit from VerSprite, a security firm, just a few months ago. The 2024 audit passed Norton’s VPN, although, unlike some companies, it’s not necessarily easy to find the audit’s conclusions online (although that could be an indictment on the current state of Google search at the time of writing). Still, the company’s privacy policy has a dedicated VPN section that confirms what kind of data is included. Should you buy Norton Ultra VPN? Here’s the rub with Norton’s VPN offering. If the price was static year-on-year, I think I’d be inclined to recommend it more wholeheartedly. It’s not a bad VPN, and if you’re looking for an option that packs a whole host of cyber-security tools into one easy-to-use package, the $49.99/£24.99 a year deal is an easy sell. That hefty second-year price jump is always coming around the bend, though, and for that reason, I’d consider signing up for a year and potentially canceling to see if there’s a new customer deal after twelve months. As impressive as the security-minded tech behind Norton’s VPN is, whether it’s worth the trade-off of inflexible payment options and a decrease in speed will be down to you as the end user.

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Today in Apple history: Apple’s own code spills details about iPhone 4s
On October 1, 2011, the name of the iPhone 4s was revealed online. Apple's own iTunes code triggered the iPhone 4s name leak. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple launches new resources for teachers, expands education grant program
To commemorate World Teachers’ Day, Apple has introduced a suite of free education resources designed to foster creativity… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple celebrates teachers with new resources and grants
Apple has launched four brand new classroom resources geared toward helping students embrace creativity just in time for World Teacher's Day.Image Credit: AppleThe new activities are part of Apple's "Everyone Can Create" program and are available for teachers via the Apple Education Community. Educators can find sharable templates for the following new activities:Drawing: Reveal a Constellation Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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India factory fire may force Apple iPhone orders back to China
Tata's iPhone factory in India has now been closed indefinitely after a fire, and Apple may have to turn back to China to avoid a shortfall in production.Pegatron facility (Source: Pegatron)The fire at Tata's plant in Tamil Nadu, India — formerly owned by Pegatron — started on September 28, 2024, and has been put out. After authorities initially saying that it was "unlikely" that the plant would reopen soon, reports now say that because of extensive damage, the facility is closed indefinitely.According to Reuters, the factory made iPhone back panels for both Tata itself, and Foxconn. Tata officials have not commented, but Counterpoint Research estimates that there could be a production shortfall by up to 15%. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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