Apple’s Magic Trackpad is finally getting real competition (or not)
Macworld The Apple Magic Trackpad is one of the must-have Mac accessories and has been available for nearly 15 years without any real competition. However, that’s about to change as Hyper is at the Consumer Electronic Show demonstrating its HyperSpace Trackpad Pro. Hyper is showing the device with PCs, as it plans to ship with Windows compatibility at the end of the second quarter of 2025. On Windows, the device will have software that can assign sections of the trackpad for tasks (like gestures) as well as how the “click” feels. According to The Verge, Hyper will provide “basic compatibility with macOS” later this year–we don’t know what “basic compatibility” means, but it sounds like it will stop short of offering Magic Trackpad features like those you find in the More Gestures section of the Trackpad settings. Macworld’s sister publication, PCWorld. spent some time with the HyperSpace Trackpad Pro and called the experience “less than auspicious.” During their demo, the Hyper rep showing the device was “practically leaning on the trackpad to enable clicks and repeatedly clicking to perform basic actions, like moving icons around on a screen.” PCWorld points out that the product is in its beta period, so hopefully Hyper will work out the kinks before it ships. The HyperSpace TrackPad Pro measures 6.29 by 3.85 inches (160 by 98 mm) and about half an inch thick. That makes it about as wide as the Magic Trackpad but not as deep; Apple’s device measures 6.3 by 4.52 inches (160 by 115 mm). The HyperSpace TrackPad Pro is priced at $130, which is about $20 cheaper than the Magic Trackpad. So if you want a trackpad that’s a little smaller and less expensive than Apple’s, the HyperSpace TrackPad Pro could be what you’re looking for, if you can deal with its compromises. HyperSpace TrackPad Pro Price When Reviewed: $129.99 Best Prices Today: $130 at Hyper

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Apple CEO Tim Cook personally donates $1 million to President Trump’s inauguration
Apple CEO Tim Cook will personally donate $1 million to President-elect Trump's inaugural committee, sources with knowledge of the donation… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Deals: AirPods Max up to $217 off, M4/Pro MacBook Pro up to $220 off, AirTags at $17.50 each, more
Alongside a host of exciting (and weird) new tech from CES 2025, we have a fresh batch of deals to scope out today. The Burton Goods Winter Clearance sale with up to 50% off its wonderful leather Apple accessories is now live but we are also tracking M4 MacBook Pro configurations at up to $220 off this week as well as the return of Black Friday pricing on the (that’s $17.50 a pop). Those deals join the return of all-time low pricing on Samsung’s latest gray 2TB T9 flagship portable SSD, iPhone cases, and a host of charging gear, all waiting down below in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.  more…

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Disney merges Hulu Live TV service with Fubo, new sports bundle now imminent
Disney and Fubo have announced that they are merging their Hulu + Live TV and Fubo services into a single business. Here’s what that means, including why it will bring the revival of the planned Venu Sports bundle. more…

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Apple to start assembling AirPods in India; a boost to PM Modi’s Make In India program
Apple is set to begin production of wireless AirPods in India from early 2025, according to a report by Bloomberg. It will be marked as a new milestone in the iPhone maker’s plan to diversify its supply chain. Since the COVID-19 pandemic which caused supply chain issues, major tech companies have been looking to adopt […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Triple Mac Pro rig could serve as camera network command center [Setups]
Today's power user maxes out a triple-Mac Pro setup with an array of UNVRs for massive video recording and storage. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Amazon drops M3 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD to $1,099, lowest price in 30 days
A new price drop at Amazon on Apple's upgraded M3 MacBook Air delivers the lowest price in 30 days.Grab the lowest price in 30 days on this MacBook Air.Pick up the upgraded M3 13-inch MacBook Air configuration for just $1,099 at Amazon this CES 2025 week and enjoy a $200 discount off MSRP. At press time, the Space Gray colorway is the only finish option eligible for the steep price drop — and units are in stock and ready to ship with delivery as early as tomorrow for Prime members.Get 512GB Air for $1,099 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The best iPad deals this month
Macworld With the M2 iPad Air, M4 iPad Pro, and iPad mini (A17 Pro) models all launching in 2024, now is the perfect time to grab a bargain on the iPad of your choice. As a general rule, you can find good savings on iPads at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target in the U.S., and at Amazon, John Lewis, and Currys in the U.K. But if you’re looking for the best price on each model of iPad, read on for our handpicked deals. For each one you’ll find an automatically updated price comparison tool, so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal at this exact second, and our pick of the best options. Best iPad deals Here’s our pick of the best deals currently available across Apple’s range of iPads. U.S. Amazon, 10th gen iPad (64GB): $279 ($70 off, MRSP $349) Amazon, 10th-gen iPad (256GB): $429 ($70 off, MSRP $499) B&H Photo, iPad mini (A17 Pro, 128GB): $459 ($40 off, MSRP $499) Amazon, iPad mini (A17 Pro, 128GB): $549 ($50, MSRP $599) Amazon, 11-inch M2 iPad Air (128GB): $499 ($100 off, MSRP $599) Amazon, 13-inch M2 iPad Air (128GB): $739 ($60 off, MSRP $799) Amazon, 11-inch M4 iPad Pro (256GB, 8GB RAM): $899 ($100 off, MSRP $999) Amazon, 11-inch M4 iPad Pro (2TB, 16GB RAM): $1,449 ($150 off, MSRP $1,599) Amazon, 13-inch M4 iPad Pro (256GB, 8GB RAM): $1,099 ($200 off, MSRP $1,299) Amazon, Apple Pencil (2nd-gen): $114 ($15 off, MSRP $129) U.K. Amazon, 10th-gen iPad (64GB): £309 (£20 off, RRP £329) Amazon, 10th-gen iPad (256GB): £396.23 (£82.77 off, RRP £479) John Lewis, 11-inch iPad Air (M2, 128GB): £559.97 (£39.03 off, RRP £599) John Lewis, 13-inch iPad Air (M2, 128GB): £749 (£50 off, RRP £799) Amazon, iPad mini (2024, A17 Pro, 128GB): £473 (£26 off, RRP £499) John Lewis, 11-inch M4 iPad Pro (256GB): £938 (£61 off, RRP £999) John Lewis, 13-inch M4 iPad Pro (256GB): £1,218 (£81 off, RRP £1,299) Best 10-inch iPad deals Apple’s cheapest tablet is simply called iPad, but for clarity the media sometimes refers to it as the standard, basic or entry-level iPad. The current model is the 10th-gen iPad from 2022, but you may be able to find leftover stock of the 9th-gen iPad from 2021. If so, make sure you get a big discount. 10th-gen iPad, MSRP $349/£329 New Refurbished Retailer Price $279 View Deal $279 View Deal $331 View Deal $339 View Deal $339 View Deal $349.99 View Deal $449 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price iPad 10.9 (2022) 64GB – Silver – (WiFi) $315 View Deal $Not Available View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Best iPad mini deals The iPad mini is the smallest iPad Apple sells; it sits between the 10th-gen iPad and the iPad Air in terms of price. A new 7th-gen iPad mini model launched in 2024; we’d steer clear of the 6th-gen model from 2021 unless you find a truly monumental discount. We’ve got a separate article rounding up the best iPad mini deals, but here are the best we’re seeing right now: iPad mini (2024, 7th gen, A17 Pro, 128GB), MSRP: $499/£499 Retailer Price $484 View Deal $499 View Deal $499 View Deal $499 View Deal $499 View Deal $499 View Deal $499.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best iPad Air deals The iPad Air now comes in two sizes, each equipped with a speedy M2 processor. We’ve also got a separate article rounding up all the best iPad Air deals, but here are the best we’ve seen this month: 11-inch iPad Air (M2), MSRP: $599/£599 Retailer Price $499 View Deal $499 View Deal $559 View Deal $599 View Deal $599 View Deal $599 View Deal $599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 13-inch iPad Air (M2), MSRP: $799/£799 Retailer Price $649.95 View Deal $699 View Deal $699 View Deal $749 View Deal $799 View Deal $799 View Deal $799 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best iPad Pro deals There are two kinds of iPad Pro, the 11-inch Pro and the 13-inch Pro. Following their update in 2024, both now feature the M4 chip. We also have a dedicated roundup of the best deals on a new iPad Pro, but the best deals right now are below: 11-inch iPad Pro (2024, M4): MSRP $999/£999 Retailer Price $899 View Deal $899 View Deal $924 View Deal $999 View Deal $999 View Deal $999 View Deal $1199 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 13-inch iPad Pro (2024, M4): MSRP $1,299/£1,299 Retailer Price $1,099 View Deal $1099 View Deal $1099 View Deal $1099 View Deal $1114 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Where to buy an iPad If you’re simply looking to pick up a new iPad, there are plenty of stores that sell not only the latest models but older options that aren’t available from Apple any more—some at significant savings, too. iPad buyers in the U.S. can check out the following stores: Apple Amazon Best Buy Costco Target Walmart If you’re based in the U.K., you can pick up an iPad from the following retailers: Apple Amazon Argos Currys John Lewis KRCS Very Apple Refurbished Store One of our favorite hunting grounds for a tasty iPad deal is the Apple Refurbished Store, where you’ll find iPads with huge discounts. These are items that have been returned, but in most respects you wouldn’t be able to tell. Apple replaces the battery and outer shell of every refurbished iPad, and you’ll still get all of the accessories and manuals that would come with a new model. Plus, you’ll also get the same one-year warranty as you would with a brand-new iPad. The only thing that gives the game away is the box: Apple replaces the original with a white box to prevent people from buying the discounted models and selling them as new. Apple Education Store Don’t forget students can get discounts on iPad devices as a part of Apple’s Education Discount. That concludes our guide to the best iPad deals available right now. But if you’re unsure of which model you should pick up, take a look at our in-depth iPad buying guide.

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India plans subsidies to promote Apple production in country
To bolster domestic manufacturing, particularly of smartphones by companies like Apple, the Indian government is considering new subsidies… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple's Shazam is trying to predict what you will listen to in 2025
Instead of telling you what song was playing just now in the elevator, Apple's Shazam is once more looking into the future at who it calculates will be your next favorite.Shazam announces its 50 artists to watch in 2025Shazam does know its stuff — in November 2024, it was announced that it had been used more than 100 billion times since it was launched in 2002. True, that figure must include all the times you get "No song found," but it's still impressive.It's also a bit like alchemy. All of those millions of songs, recognized within just a few bars. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple’s future Home devices have a key feature in common that explains a lot
Apple is working on several new smart home products for this year and beyond, including a home doorbell and video camera. Amid the flurry of CES smart home announcements, a common theme has emerged that points to a key reason Apple’s new products may exist in the first place. more…

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Aqara makes smart home splash at CES, with new touchscreen control panel and more
Smart home company Aqara has announced no fewer than nine new products at this year’s consumer electronics show. Most, however, won’t be available in the US until later in the year. These include a large touch-screen panel which performs multiple duties as a smart light switch, a controller and display for other smart home devices, a Zigbee hub, and a Matter bridge for Aqara Zigbee devices … more…

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New bot vacuum’s robo-arm makes it a sock-picker-upper
A new Roborock robot vacuum demonstrated at CES 2025 features a robo-arm to pick up socks and more. But it might cost a bundle. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple says Siri data has ‘never been used’ for marketing profiles or ‘sold to anyone for any purpose’ 
Last week, Apple agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit that alleged “unlawful and intentional recording” of Siri interactions. Apple’s settlement has led to a wave of conspiracy theories claiming that Siri is listening to you for targeted advertising, but the company says those claims are completely unfounded. more…

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India proposes nearly $3 billion in subsidies for electronics makers like Apple
India's Ministry of Electronics and IT has proposed giving component makers billions in aid in an effort to boost local manufacturing of devices like the iPhone.Tim Cook in a previous visit to India — image credit: AppleIndia is once more hoping to incentivize smartphone manufacturers to continue to expand into the region. This time the plan includes 230 billion rupees, or about $2.7 billion, in new subsidies to offset production costs.In addition to the subsidies, the ministry has also suggested that India reduce tariffs on certain electronic components, ultimately bringing down production costs, a source told Bloomberg. If approved, the details will likely be announced in the government's upcoming budget in February. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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'Works with Apple Home' badge will be easier for vendors to get
The "Works with Apple Home" logo will likely be on more smart home products in the future, because the Connectivity Standards Alliance's certification program is now assuming HomeKit support is available after devices pass tests for Matter.The 'Works with Apple Home' badge makes it easy to find HomeKit hardwareThere are multiple smart home platforms in operation, but there has been work over the years to make it easier for hardware to communicate with each other. In a new move, the CSA is aiming to make certifications for interoperability easier for device makers, and more understandable for consumers.Announced on Monday, the CSA launched a pair of certification programs, which leverage the CSA's Interoperability Testing Facility, or Interop Lab. The intention is to streamline the certification application process and to reduce costs for software updates, while still keeping performance and interoperability standards high. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Ugreen NASync DXP480T Plus review: Capable of supporting your home
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Compact dimensions Fast connections Very good performance Cons Still few applications No synchronization software for the Mac Still small bugs in the software Not all possible functions fully integrated yet Our Verdict The NASync DXP480T Plus is a network-attached storge device that is quiet, offers many connections and acts as a DLNA server. What it lacks is a selection of applications, though that could change with updates. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$999.99 Best Prices Today: Ugreen NASync DX480T Retailer Price $999.99 View Deal Ugreen $1000 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The compact Ugreen NASync DXP480T Plus network-attached storage device is built practically. This starts with the fast 10-gigabit ethernet port, which is particularly useful for large amounts of data such as videos and images. The processor is a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processor with 10 cores and 12 threads. The 8GB or RAM can be expanded to a maximum of 64GB with DDR5 modules. 128GB of storage is standard, and it has four M.2 NVMe slots so you can upgrade it with your own NVMe cards to a maximum storage capacity of 32TB. The small NAS also has a lot to offer in terms of interfaces, which is rarely found in a network storage device. For example, it has two Thunderbolt 4 ports for fast drives. This allows the storage of the DXP480T Plus to be expanded very easily. There is also a 3.5 mm headset port and a USB3 port (10Gbps) on the back. There’s also a HDMI port with support for 8K video, though it’s not in use at the moment. Easy assembly and setup Assembly is easy and is clearly explained in the instructions. The four NVMe SSDs can be accessed under a flap and Ugreen supplies thermal paste, which is also recommended for NVMe SSDs. Before integrating the DXP480T Plus into your own network, you should think about your ethernet switch. Inexpensive 10Gb switches are in short supply, so we used the tried-and-tested Zyxel XGS1250-12 for our practical test. When we tested the DXP480T, we measured an impressive 596MBps for writing and 741MBps for reading on an M1 Max Mac Studio. The look of the Ugo Pro operating system is familiar from other competitors, so it’s easy to find your way around. Important applications such as a storage manager for managing and setting up drives are also available, as are user management and folders with individual authorizations. If you use the DXP480T Plus as a media server, it comes with basic features: a DLNA server and special apps for managing photos, videos, and music. However, this is exactly where the inconsistencies of an early software version begin. For example, the media apps have access to the DLNA server’s folders, but the DLNA server does not have access to the media apps’ personal folders. Other problems are the Mac-specific “.X” files that are displayed as files in the media apps, or that you cannot manually assign a folder to the photo app. However, these are problems of an early software version. The corresponding menu items are already visible, but not yet fully implemented. As Ugreen is working diligently on improvements, this should be fixed soon. What is still missing is an app for synchronizing data with the Mac. However, the DXP480T Plus can be set up as a Time Machine backup server. For specialists, Ugreen integrates Docker to integrate Unix applications without porting. However, the whole thing is not self-explanatory and requires intensive work. Applications from other providers, such as the Plex media server or the Minim Server 2 music server, are also missing. The Ugreen NAS app The Ugreen NAS app for iOS and iPadOS is important for operation. Instead of individual applications for specific functions, the Ugreen NAS app integrates all features. For example, you get access to the storage manager, files, photos, and music. The interface is pleasantly clear and, above all, the start page can be customized. For example, you can place the hardware temperature display or music application here. There are still some issues with the Ugreen NAS app. For example, music artists are not sorted alphabetically and the album/artist section is missing. We are also missing an output via DLNA to a streaming client. But here, too, we have seen significant progress in recent months with many updates. Should you buy the Ugreen NASync DXP480T Plus? The NASync DXP480T Plus fulfills basic tasks such as providing media and data servers. It lacks specialized media servers such as Minim Server or Plex, but the simple DLNA server supplied is a start. Unix specialists will be pleased to have Docker so that they can install applications. As a Mac user, you would wish for easy-to-use synchronization software–perhaps Ugreen will provide such in a future update. The Time Machine backup works fine. The hardware is fully convincing, from the proper cooling to the connections and processor performance. It looks stylish and is also quiet. These are all important points for a network storage system that should provide many years of unobtrusive and reliable service. Its $1,000 price doesn’t make it look like a bargain, but it does have its technical features such as the 10Gbit LAN and Thunderbolt 4 for expansion.

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OpenAI thinks it knows how to build artificial general intelligence, as we await smarter Siri
We may still be mostly waiting for a smarter Siri, but OpenAI CEO Sam Altman thinks the company already knows how to create the holy grail of AI: artificial general intelligence (AGI). AGI is the term given to an AI system which can match or exceed human cognitive capabilities across a wide range of fields – in other words, AI which is at least as smart as we are … more…

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Isaac by PreEvnt uses an iPhone app to track blood glucose with breath analysis
Unveiled at CES 2025, a new non-invasive blood glucose monitoring device, Isaac by PreEvnt, aims to revolutionize diabetes management with real-time alerts via breath analysis.Isaac by PreEvntAt CES 2025, PreEvnt, a subsidiary of Scosche Industries, unveiled Isaac, an innovative device designed to monitor blood glucose levels without finger pricks. The small device, clip-on or lanyard-friendly, combines advanced sensors with a user-friendly app for convenient and less invasive diabetes management. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Scosche's new iPhone chargers provide power & practicality with style
At CES 2025, Scosche Industries showed off accessories crafted to streamline iPhone charging and enhance daily use with attractive and stylish designs.CES 2025 includes Scosche IndustriesAt CES 2025, Scosche Industries unveiled a comprehensive product line designed to address the evolving needs of tech-savvy consumers. This range includes MagSafe-compatible phone mounts, eco-friendly chargers, compact vacuums, and smart location trackers.Scosche's accessories cater to diverse needs, from efficient desk organization for professionals to reliable charging solutions for frequent travelers. Prioritizing convenience, sustainability, and aesthetics, these products ensure a seamless user experience. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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