If you owned an Apple device in the past decade, a check is headed your way
Macworld If you’ve always suspected that Siri is listening to you even though you haven’t called upon it, a new class-action lawsuit may give you some peace of mind. Apple has agreed to pay our nearly $100 million to settle a proposed class action lawsuit over Siri’s ability to “listen to, record, and share their conversations” without consent. According to the Lopez v. Apple suit, which was filed in 2019, the plaintiffs allege that Apple’s Siri-enabled devices both listened to conversations due to “accidental activations” and shared the contents with advertisers. Examples in the suit include Air Jordan sneakers, Pit Viper sunglasses, and a specific surgical treatment, all of which allegedly resulted in targeted ads on their devices. The lawsuit covers a decade of devices, from September 2014 to December 2024 and seemingly includes iPhones, Apple Watches, and any other device with “Hey Siri” capabilities. As it the case with class-action settlements, Apple has denied any wrongdoing in agreeing to the terms of the settlement. The $95 million figure is relatively low, especially since it also includes legal fees, while likely top $30 million. For example, the class-action suit over the iPhone 6 battery issue, resulted in a $500 million settlement, which resulted in an average payout of $65 per person across 3 million claims. At any rate, Reuters reports class members may receive up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, but that will be dependent on the terms of the settlement, which haven’t been disclosed.

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Top up your Apple Watch anywhere with a wireless keychain charger
Never risk a low battery again with this Apple Watch wireless charger keychain, just $18.99 for a limited time! (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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How to use a VPN on a Mac
Macworld Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) might sound complicated–they are–but setting one up and using it on your Mac is very easy. Here, we’ll show you through the entire process of setting up a VPN, step by step, from signing up for a service to installing the software and connecting to a server. A VPN encrypts the connection between your Mac and the internet and also makes it appear as though you are located where the server is. If you connect to a server in New York, for example, websites and streaming services will behave as though you were in that region, rather than your true location, which could be anywhere in the world. This is a handy thing to have on your Mac (and iPhone and iPad) if you want to be able to access content that isn’t usually available in your country – e.g. BBC iPlayer if you are in the U.S., or HBO Max which has very little coverage outside the U.S. Plus, if you are concerned about privacy the VPN will encrypt your data and hide your IP address. See: Should I use a VPN on my Mac/iPhone? and for more information on the legalities and whether it is safe to use a VPN read: Is a VPN safe for Mac? NordVPN Read our review Price When Reviewed: Basic plan from $2.99 a month for two years + 3 free months. Usually $12.99. Best Prices Today: $2.99 at NordVPN (Monthly) Before you can start using a VPN, you must choose a VPN service to use. NordVPN is our top VPN recommendation, but you’ll find a whole range of alternatives–including many that may be more affordable–in our round-up of the best VPN services for Mac. For the best value VPN right now see our Best Mac VPN deals round-up. How to set up a VPN on a Mac 1. Choose a VPN plan Foundry Once you’ve decided which VPN service to get, head to its website and choose the pricing plan that suits you best. NordVPN, which we’re using here, currently offers two-year, one-year, and one-month subscriptions. In the image above the first option is the cheapest, costing $5.29/£4.39 per month for the two years. There might be options that look cheaper, but, after the first year, you could be paying a lot more at which point you might want to cancel and look for a new deal. You can find the best deal right now on NordVPN’s website. (Nord, as well as other VPNs, often offer deals that offer a lower price per month.) Create an account and use your preferred method of payment to activate your subscription. Be sure to keep your password and username safe as you will need these. 2. Download the VPN app Foundry With your account details ready, download the app for your chosen VPN. On your Mac, you should be able to download via the App Store, which is usually faster and safe, but some VPNs might offer download links from their websites for newer or better-featured versions. With Nord, the best deals are here. You can download NordVPN from Nord’s website, as well as from the Mac App Store. 3. Sign in to the VPN app Foundry If you choose to download your VPN from the App Store, you may be asked to sign in using your Apple ID after clicking Install App. Once installed, open the app. You’ll need to sign in using the email address and password from when you created your account earlier (step 1). 4. Allow the VPN to add configurations Foundry Once logged in, you’ll see a popup that asks you for permission to allow your VPN to add VPN configurations on your machine. You’ll need to press Allow and may be asked to enter the password you use to log in to your Mac. Below, we explain how to set up a VPN that requires you to go into your Mac’s settings, but like most services, Nord’s app does all the configuration for you when you click Allow here. As long as you have downloaded a trusted VPN app from a trusted source, this should be safe. 5. Choose the location of your server Foundry To begin using the VPN, you’ll be asked to choose a server. This could be within the country you are located if you are looking to protect your privacy and aren’t trying to access blocked content. If, however, you are trying to access a service, such as U.S. Netflix from inside the U.K., or BBC iPlayer from outside the U.K., or you want to check a website, you need to choose the relevant server location. If you are using Nord, you can pick a server using the search bar in the top left corner, or scroll around the world map, or through the country list. Other VPNs will have a similar process for selecting the location of the server you will be routed via. You may encounter some alerts when you try to connect to a new server for the first time. For example, you may see a message like the one above: “neagent wants to use your confidential information stored in NordVPN in your keychain.” This will only appear if IKEv2 is set as the protocol to use, but you’re better off using OpenVPN or NordLynx (based on WireGuard) if you want a faster connection. You can type in your Mac administrator password and click Always Allow, which means NordVPN will remember the login password within your keychain for future use, and won’t ask you for it again unless you change the password. 6. Choose your VPN settings and preferences Foundry Your VPN will offer various settings. For example, with Nord you can access settings in Preferences. Click on NordVPN in the top menu and then click on Settings (Preferences in older versions of macOS). Here you will find options like “Launch the app on computer startup” and an option to auto-connect to a particular country (see: Settings > Auto-connect). That way the VPN connects to a server of your choice from the moment you launch the application. You can also access an advanced version of Nord’s Kill Switch here. Kill Switch should stop data leaks if your connection drops; the advanced settings give an additional layer of security. Other VPNs may have a similar feature you can find in the app’s preferences. You’ll be able to access the VPN settings and server lists at any time by launching the app itself or using the icon in the navigation bar at the top of your computer where you’d usually find the date and time. Once connected, you can use your Mac as normal, but in the knowledge that no one can spy on your web browsing, and you should be able to access previously blocked content. 7. Now switch on your VPN and you will be encrypted and appear to be in another country Foundry Whenever you want to surf the internet as if you are in another country, or just ensure that your data is encrypted you can turn on your VPN, select the country server you want to use, and use facilities that might not be available to you otherwise. To use a streaming service from another country you will need to be signed up for that service. Enjoy your vacation! How to set up a VPN that doesn’t have an app In some scenarios, the VPN service does not use its own app. Instead, you will need to go into the System Settings of your Mac and configure the Network settings. It can sound a little daunting but it’s simple once you know how. Hidden24 Price When Reviewed: From $4.99 a month for one year. Usually $5.99 a month. Best Prices Today: $4.99 at Hidden24 Your VPN provider should be able to offer help installing and setting up, but this example using Hidden24 should give you some idea of what to expect. As with any service, you’ll first need to sign up and create an account. Once you have a username (usually your email address) and password associated with your account, you can begin the process of setting it up. First go to System Settings (or System Preferences) on your Mac and choose Network. Press the down arrow (or small + symbol) in the bottom left corner to bring up a drop-down menu. Click on Add VPN configuration and choose the VPN type and service name specified by your VPN provider from the options. (In older versions of macOS you need to click on Interface and then choose VPN). In this instance, it’s L2TP over IPSec and the service name is Hidden24. Enter the settings for the VPN you are using. In the Server Address field, enter the server specified by your provider. Here it’s connect.hidden24.co.uk. The account name is the username you were given when you signed up, so will be unique to everyone. There are Advanced options you might want to use. For example, you can choose Send all traffic over VPN connection, to ensure all apps are routed via the VPN connection – unless you specifically don’t want this to happen. Click Create. You will be prompted to enter your password, as well as a Shared Secret which you should also have been given by your provider. Next go to System Settings > Control Centre. Scroll down to Menu Bar Only and find VPN, click on the pop-up menu beside it and choose ‘Show VPN status in menu bar’. Then click OK and Apply. You’ll see a new icon appear in your menu bar, which represents your VPN. Foundry

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Foreign smartphone sales sink in China for 4th straight month
November shipments of foreign-branded smartphones, including Apple's iPhones, to China dropped 47.4% year-on-year, marking the… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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New Year update to Apple Fitness+ adds Strava integration
In its now annual launch of new features, Apple Fitness+ has highlighted its collaboration with fitness app Strava, as well as adding strength, yoga, pickelball, and breath meditation sessions.Apple Fitness+ has welcomed in the New Year with a raft of extra workoutsIn January 2023, Apple Fitness+ added kickboxing, though the service was still being criticized for its lack of range. In January 2024, it added more workouts and meditation.Now starting on January 6, 2025, Apple Fitness+ is starting what it claims is its biggest lineup of programming, "bringing users more ways to stay active and mindful." There's now a progressive strength training program, a conditioning program using pickleball, plus more celebrities in its Artist Spotlight and Time to Walk series. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Chinese smartphone market continues to be tough for Apple and other foreign brands
A drop in foreign-branded smartphone sales in China continues to hit the iPhone, with the year-on-year dip continuing for the fourth month in a row.Apple Intelligence's Siri animation on an iPhoneChina is a major market for Apple, but the company has had trouble maintaining its position in recent years. A government-affiliated report now indicates the market is even tougher for Apple to compete in.Data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) indicates that shipments of foreign-branded smartphones in China reached 3.04 million in November. Reuters reports this is a 47.4% drop from the 5.77 million units reported for November 2023. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPhone sales in China fell for the 4th month in a row
iPhone sales in China fell for the fourth successive month, amidst a sharp decline across all non-Chinese brands. Official data revealed that shipments of foreign-branded smartphones were down 47% year-on-year, explaining Apple’s rare decision to discount the cost of current iPhone models in the country … more…

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Net neutrality protections again lost as federal court overrules the FCC
The right to net neutrality has again been lost after a federal court ruled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did not have the power to ban a two-tier internet. The FCC had acted in response to calls from Apple and more than 40 other tech companies to safeguard equal treatment for all. This means that internet service providers (ISPs) and mobile carriers will again be free to accept payments from large websites and services to prioritize their traffic over the rest of the internet … more…

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Apple published a new Press Release
Apple just published a new Press Release:Apple Fitness+ unveils an exciting lineup of new ways to stay active in 2025

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Weak iPad Pro sales prompt OLED supplier to switch to making more iPhone screens
Lower than expected sales of the latest iPad Pro have reportedly left production lines under-used, with LG Display planning to repurpose them for the iPhone.Apple's ultra-thin OLED iPad Pro fails to spark sales surgeAs well-received as the 2024 iPad Pro and its OLED screen was, it failed to spark as many buyers to upgrade as expected. Now a new report says that the low demand, and little prospect of it increasing, has prompted LG Display to change from iPad Pro to iPhone screens.According to The Elec, despite switching from one size OLED screen to another, the repurposing of the production line is a major endeavor. The work will cost an estimated $1.4 billion. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Fitness+ announces integration with Strava, new strength training program
Apple Fitness+ today announced a slew of new content to kick off the year, as well as a new integration with the popular social fitness app Strava. Fitness+ users will now be able to easily share their completed workout sessions to Strava, with rich details like episode image, music genre, and metrics. Strava subscribers will also be able to redeem a free trial of Fitness+. more…

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New Apple TV (2025) to be faster, cheaper, feature-rich, according to rumors
The Apple TV 4K has started to show its age, having been released more than two years ago. The streaming box is due for an hardware upgrade and rumours suggest a 2025 refresh release. The upgrade will reportedly be minor and not major design changes. For years, Apple has been working on designing its own […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Dockcase Smart Magsafe M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure review: Storage puck for the iPhone
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Expandable memory External power supply SSD health monitoring Robust housing Cons Relatively large enclosure You must provide your own 2230/2242 NVMe M.2 SSD module Our Verdict The Dockcase Smart Magsafe M.2 NVMe SSD enclosure offers crucial professional features, thanks to its external power connection, flexible storage expansion, and integrated SSD health monitoring. These features make the enclosure slightly larger than necessary, but the Dockcase is highly recommended for professional users. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$79.99 Best Prices Today: Dockcase Smart Magsafe M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure Retailer Price Dockcase $80 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Slip in an SSD module into the Dockcase Smart Magsafe M.2 NVMe SSD case, then attach it magnetically to an iPhone 15 Pro or 16 Pro, connect it with a USB-C cable, and the video fun can begin. The Dockcase SSD enclosure enables 4K60Hz ProRes recording directly to the SSD, an ideal solution to conserve internal storage. You can then simply connect the SSD to your Mac or iPad Pro for editing. The enclosure supports compact NVMe M.2 SSDs in 2230 and 2242 formats that you must buy separately. You can get a maximum capacity of 2TB, enough for up to three hours of recording in 4K ProRes. A 1.54-inch 240-by-240 pixel IPS LC display shows real-time details on SSD health and transfer rate. The integrated display may appear playful at first glance, but it offers a wealth of information, especially on SSD health, which is particularly relevant for professionals. A side button can be used to rotate the display by 90 degrees or switch to another display to call up information on the performance and settings of the SSD. The round aluminum housing is compact with a diameter of 59 millimeters and a height of 14.5 millimeters, and weighs just 53 grams. Ventilation slots are integrated around the housing to dissipate heat. Silicon pads on the Magsafe side protect the iPhone and ensure optimized airflow. An integrated power loss protection (PLP) protects the data even in the event of unexpected power failures and backs up the files for up to 3 seconds. In addition, a write-protected mode ensures that important files are not accidentally changed or deleted. The USB 3.2 interface offers a transfer speed of 10Gbps. On the Mac, we measured a respectable 741MBps when writing and 781MBps when reading. Mind you, this was with our very small 128GB SSD. Larger SSDs should be faster. In addition to the USB-C data port, the Dockcase SSD enclosure has an additional USB-C port for the power supply, which supports up to 100 watts. With an external power supply, the USB-C output of the enclosure delivers up to 15 watts, while an alternative version of the device even offers up to 90 watts of output power. Dockcase includes a short USB-C cable, a screwdriver, a Magsafe sticker, and a wrist strap. Should you buy the Dockcase Smart Magsafe M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure? iPhone filmmakers will love the little puck. The Dockcase Smart MagSafe M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure may not be the most compact iPhone SSD storage, but it scores with upgradeability and an external power connection–a real advantage for long shoots, as iPhone runtime can be extended with a power bank.

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After China, Apple also removing VPN apps from App Store in India
The Chinese government forced Apple to remove VPN apps from the App Store there way back in 2017, and the company is now having to do the same in India. So far, a small number of VPN apps have been removed to comply with an anti-privacy law barring anonymous use, but many more are likely to follow … more…

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Mac Virus Scan: How to protect your Mac from malware
Macworld You may have been led to believe that you don’t have to worry about computer viruses on your Mac. And, to some extent, there’s truth to that. While your Mac can definitely be infected with malware, Apple’s built-in malware detection and file quarantine capabilities should make it less likely that you’ll download and run malicious software. Apple introduced malware detection to the macOS back in 2009 with Snow Leopard (Mac OS 10.6) so it’s been around for a while. This system consists of the quarantine of any app downloaded from the Internet, the use of Code Signing certificates to verify that an app is coming from a legitimate source, and regular security updates that include databases of known malware targeting the macOS. If you want some tips to help you keep your Mac secure from any potential malware read: How to protect your Mac from malware. We also discuss How secure is a Mac and what to do if you think your Mac has a virus separately. Here we will discuss how you can check your Mac for viruses and how to run a Mac virus scan. Read on to find out more. How Apple scans your Mac for viruses and malware Before we explain what you need to do, we’ll explain what happens without you hardly having to do a thing. Apple includes antivirus software in macOS that monitors your Mac for malware, blocks malware and removes it if necessary. There are three elements to this: XProtect, Gatekeeper and Notarization. PROMOTIONAntivirus Deal: Intego Mac Premium Bundle Get Intego’s Mac Premium Bundle X9 with antivirus, firewall, backup and system performance tools for just $29.99 (down from $84.99) for the first year. Intego is Macworld’s #1 choice of antivirus for Macs. Get Deal 1. Apps are checked before they can be installed Foundry Apple makes it hard to install an app that might not be safe on a Mac. Mac users can choose to only install apps from the Mac App Store, which is the safest option as it means that the app has been thoroughly checked by Apple before being distributed. Alternatively, there is an option to install apps from the App Store and identified developers. An identified developer is one whose software has been scanned by Apple to ensure it is safe. As long as the app has passed Apple’s tests it will have a Notarization ticket, which Gatekeeper looks for before telling macOS that it is safe to open. If you only install apps from the Mac App Store, or notarised apps from identified developers, you should be safe, but sticking to the Mac App Store is the safest option as apps on the Mac App Store can’t be tampered with. If you want to make sure your Mac can only install apps from the Mac App Store these are the steps to follow: On Ventura or later: Open System Settings. Click on Privacy & Security. Scroll down to Security and select App Store below Allow applications downloaded from. On Monterey or earlier: Open System Preferences. Click on Security & Privacy. Click on General. Under Allow applications downloaded from select App Store. If you prefer to allow installations from outside the Mac App Store follow the same steps but choose App Store and identified developers from the options. If you choose to allow installations from identified developers then Apple will look for evidence that the app is notarized and it will also verify that the app hasn’t been tampered with and no malware is present. Unfortunately in the past there have been apps that slipped through this process because a certificate was present, such as the case of the Shlayer malware, but Apple has ramped up security since and changes to notarized apps are pushed out as required. If Gatekeeper detects that the app has no notarization to prove the developer is certified by Apple, a message saying the app can’t be opened because of your settings will be displayed. If you know that the software is from a legitimate developer you can override this and open the app. See: How to open a Mac app from an unidentified developer. However, you should be aware that even legitimate software has been known to conceal malware. 2. App Management stops unauthorized apps from making modifications Foundry App Management is a privacy setting that arrived in macOS Ventura. It is intended to prevent malicious software modifications by watching for attempts by software to modify other apps. If this happens, App Management blocks the modification and alerts the user, who can allow it if applicable. This means that apps can only be updated by the developer of that app. A modification from anyone else will be blocked. In System Settings there is an option in Privacy & Security for App Management. Users see details of any activity that has been blocked here and can allow the applications to update or delete other applications if they feel that it isn’t malicious behavior. 3. XProtect blocks malware from running Even if the developer is recognized by Apple, the software will still be checked against a list of known malware in XProtect. XProtect will scan an app the first time it launches and it will scan the app every time there is an update issued for it. Updates to XProtect are pushed out frequently and macOS automatically checks for updates daily–a Mac user doesn’t even need to do anything as these updates are separate to macOS updates. This means that even the newest malware should be identified by XProtect, although Apple isn’t always as fast at getting this information updated as other antivirus solutions are. See our round-up of the Best Antivirus for Mac, which features Intego as our number one choice. If malware is identified the app will be blocked and a message will appear giving the option to delete the software. To take full advantage of XProtect you need to be running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later, but we would advise that, because Apple only supports the last three versions of macOS, you will be safest if you are running macOS Monterey, Ventura or Sonoma. You should make sure your Mac is set to receive these updates automatically by following these steps: In Ventura or later: Open System Settings. Go to General > Software Update. Click on the i beside Automatic updates and check that Install Security Responses and System Files is selected. In Monterey or older: Open System Preferences. Click on Software Update. Click on Advanced. Make sure the box beside Install system data files and security updates is selected. 4. Malware is removed by XProtect Remediator Foundry When malware is identified on a Mac the user sees an alert suggesting that the affected app has been moved to the trash. The user is also asked to alert others to the malware, which they can do automatically. This doesn’t mean it is entirely down to the user to delete the app and remove the malware though. The removal used to involve a separate Malware Removal Tool (MRT) found in /Library/System, but it wasn’t an app users could run. However, since macOS Monterey MRT was replaced by an XProtect Remediator that scans for and removes malware. XProtect Remediator will scan your Mac at least once a day or more, and is updated much more frequently than MRT was–since MRT is no longer updated it is a good reason to make sure you are running macOS Catalina or later. XProtect Remediator will attempt to remedy or remove malware. 5. The developer loses certificate and app loses notarization If an app had been notorized by Apple but malware is identified that developer will lose the certificate that allows them to distribute apps and the app will lose its notarization. This change to the notarization is then pushed to other Mac users so that Gatekeeper knows not to allow that app to be opened. macOS checks for XProtect updates daily, but Notarization updates are issued even more frequently, so if malware is detected, or an app loses its Notarization, Mac users should quickly be protected. Is Apple’s protection enough? Foundry If Mac users rely solely on XProtect and Apple’s other protections there are limitations in comparison to other anti-malware solutions, which are updated more regularly and have teams of specialists working on identifying malware. The protection offered by XProtect is also more basic than that of third-party anti-malware apps that can also protect you from phishing, social networking scams, and they can protect your Windows using friends. We make various recommendations in our test of the top Mac antivirus apps. XProtect is updated more frequently than it was–which was one of the main criticisms–but other malware apps check for malware constantly. XProtect only checks for malware when an app is downloaded for the first time, if the app is updated and if the status of the developer signature or app notarization changes. Apple’s protections should keep your Mac free from most malicious software, but they do not make it impossible for malicious software to be installed on your Mac. If new malware is released today and you download and run it today you will have done so before Apple’s databases could have been updated. So it’s always best to be wise when downloading software from unknown sources. As we argue in a separate article: Macs do need antivirus software despite Apple’s protections in macOS. How to run a Mac virus scan macOS will automatically scan your Mac for any malware definitions that features in XProtect, you can’t force it to do this. If you wish to enhance the protection to include other kinds of malware and scan for Windows viruses so there is no danger of passing them on, then you would be wise to install a third-party anti-malware app. There are lots of third-party apps that can to scan your Mac for viruses, including some free options and many that offer a free trial period. Before you can scan your Mac for viruses you may need to visit the Privacy & Security in System Settings or Security & Privacy in System Preferences to allow access. For example, in the case of Avira we had to click on Allow to let it scan our system. You will also need to allow Full Disk Access, which can also be done in Privacy & Security. Initiating a virus scan is an easy process that usually begins with the user clicking a Scan or Smart Scan button. Expect the scan to take a while if there is a lot of data on your Mac. These are the steps we went through to run a scan with Avira Free Security for Mac (read our review): Foundry Download Avira Avira Free Security for Mac here. Find the installer in your Downloads folder. Click on it. The installer window will open. Double-click on the Avira Security Installer. Click on Open. The installer will open. Click Accept & Install. Wait while it installs. Press Command and Spacebar and start typing Avira to find and open Avira Free Security. You need to allow the software to scan your Mac (this is the case with all antivirus apps), so click Open Full Disk Access. A System Settings window will open in Full Disk Access. You need to make sure that the slider beside both Avira Scan Service and Avira Security Helper is on. Enter your password to allow this. Now you can run a scan for viruses. Click on the Start Smart Scan button and wait. You can then choose to ‘Fix issues’ and the Scan will remove some cookies and free up some gigabytes of space without you needing to pay anything. When we ran Avira it didn’t find any viruses, but it did find 487 tracking cookies and indicated that we could free up 2.13 GB of space. If you do encounter any viruses there is a free 60-day trial, so you could take advantage of the trial and then cancel it before the 60 days are up and the subscription period starts. Foundry Best free Mac Antivirus Here is our pick of the best free Antivirus options if you don’t want to pay to scan your Mac for viruses. Avast Free Antivirus AVG Antivirus for the Mac. Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac. Avira Free Security for Mac Intego VirusBarrier Scanner Each month we track the best Antivirus for Mac deals as well. Best apps to check a Mac for viruses The best antivirus protection is paid for though. We have lots of options in our round up of the best antivirus solutions for Mac, here are few: 1. Intego Mac Internet Security X9 Price When Reviewed: From $24.99 for first year, usually $49.99 a year (1 Mac) Using our link Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Intego (first year) $24.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $24.99 at Intego (first year) Intego Mac Internet Security X9 offers a useful set of security utilities that help keep your Mac safe and running smoothly and its user-friendly interface is right at home with Apple’s macOS aesthetic. Read our full Intego Mac Internet Security X9 review 2. AVG AntiVirus for Mac Price When Reviewed: Free download Best Prices Today: Retailer Price AVG Free View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Free at AVG AVG Internet Security for Mac catches an impressive amount of viral, phishing, and malware activity for a consumer package, and does its job well, all while wrapped in a bright, friendly user interface that’s easy to navigate. Read our full AVG AntiVirus for Mac review 3. Avast Premium Security Price When Reviewed: From $50.28 for first year, usually $77.99 a year (1 Mac). Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Avast Software (first year) $50.28 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $50.28 at Avast Software (first year) This suite offers a good suite of tools at a good price. The best functions such as VPN, disk cleanup, and anti-tracking tools are only available on the “Ultimate” subscription tier.  Read our full Avast Premium Security review 4. McAfee Total Protection Price When Reviewed: Single: $29.99 (1 device) for first year, usually $89.99 Essential: $24.99 (5 devices) for first year, usually $119.99 a year Best Prices Today: Retailer Price McAfee Total Protection (first year) $29.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $29.99 at McAfee Total Protection (first year) McAfee Total Protection offers some good tools with good background protection and customization as well as an easy means of keeping your devices secure.  Read our full McAfee Total Protection review

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Forget new iPhones and Macs, I want these Apple OS features in 2025
Macworld In 2024, Apple released a ton of new features in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15 Sequoia, and watchOS 12. Many of those features are the kind that I’ve ben wanting for a while, such as iPhone Mirroring on macOS Sequoia and native ChatGPT support on iOS 18. But while Apple did address the concerns of many users with it releases, there still remain several features that remain on the wish list. With a new year coming and WWDC six months away, I’m looking forward to what Apple has in store–and hopefully, the new features that the company reveals fulfill my wish list. Here is what I’m hoping Apple will introduce in its software in 2025. iOS 19 Apple Intelligence in iOS 18 has been a bit of a disappointment. The AI suite hasn’t fully materialized yet and its overall execution is underwhelming compared to the competition. With iOS 19, I hope Apple starts taking artificial intelligence more seriously. This could be through advanced photo editing functionalities beyond the rudimentary Clean Up tool. It could also port Safari’s webpage summarization feature to the News app, as that’s where millions of users read their daily dose of articles. Additionally, Apple could get more creative and add a dedicated image generator in the Wallpaper settings, letting users easily create and opt for unique looks through text prompts. It’s not like the recent default offerings are much better than AI art. AI-based image generation seems like a fit for iOS’s wallpaper offerings.Foundry The point is injecting Apple Intelligence deeply into the system, rather than offering it as a thin layer that complements the existing OS. A dedicated Siri app would also be a welcome iOS 19 addition, where users would get to view their chat history or have audio conversations like OpenAI’s Advanced Voice. A Siri icon already exists on macOS—all we need now is the app itself. Besides AI upgrades, I hope iOS 19 supercharges the Action button by letting users assign multiple tasks. While this is already achievable with the Shortcuts app, a native execution would be superior. A light click could trigger an action, two consecutive light clicks could initiate a different task, while the existing long press would activate a third option. Right now, even with Shortcuts, we are limited to the long press, which, in my opinion, wastes the button’s potential. Another iOS feature I hope we see in 2025 is a Spotify Connect equivalent for Apple Music. The former company has offered its tool for years across all sorts of different operating systems, while Apple struggles to develop a similar solution for its so-called seamless ecosystem. Handoff from iPhone to HomePod is not it. Lastly, the option to manually add QR codes to Apple Wallet would be welcome. Right now, it’s possible to generate custom Wallet cards, but that requires relying on and sending potentially sensitive data to third parties. The revival of Boot Camp would be a huge victory for Mac users.Foundry macOS 16 macOS in its current form gets the job done for me, and nothing about it actively bothers me. Nevertheless, there are some perks Apple should add with macOS 16 to further enrich it. For starters, an overhauled Launchpad is long overdue. The firm could adopt an App Library-like approach to streamline the Mac and iPhone. This would also spare users from manually organizing several pages of apps and needing to create folders accordingly. Cosmetics aside, now that Windows supports ARM, Apple should revive Boot Camp, which was killed on M-powered Macs. While excellent virtualization alternatives like Parallels exist, a first-party option would be better optimized and free to use. To simplify macOS (and boost paid iCloud subscriptions), Apple should also bring iCloud device backups to the Mac. This would let users at least back up their preferences to the cloud, and optionally include their files if they don’t outweigh the storage quota. iPadOS 19 Right now, it feels like the iPad is stuck in limbo. It neither works like an iPhone or a Mac. Despite the iPad Pro packing the mighty M4 chip, it continues to operate like a stretched iPhone of sorts. While I know it likely won’t happen during my lifetime, I wish iPadOS 19 would support installing DMG files. Or, at the very least (and to maintain its tight grip), let users download optimized Mac apps on the App Store to their iPads. Through this radical change, the flagship iPads would finally make the most out of their processors and better compete against tablets running full-fledged versions of Windows. A clearer identity for the iPad would be ideal for 2025.Mahmoud Itani iPadOS 19 should redesign the Notification Center to take advantage of the large display. One resembling the Mac’s right-side panel would complement the tablet. Alternatively, it could merge it with the Control Center, as the latter doesn’t utilize the full-screen real estate, either. Beyond that, I often wish Apple would offer a Books+ subscription service, rivaling the likes of Amazon Kindle Unlimited. Having thousands of options to read from for a fair monthly fee would encourage me to use its app more. watchOS 12 Apple has explicitly stated that it’s not interested in supporting third-party watch faces, as it fears newer OS updates would break them. Well, I have an alternative in mind. What if watchOS 12 would at least let users mix and match between multiple first-party faces by picking the font, style, structure, etc., through a somewhat basic face builder in the iPhone’s Watch app? This would preserve Apple’s control over face components and performance while letting users properly customize their smartwatches beyond their restricted looks. As a digital nomad living alone in a foreign country, I also hope watchOS 12 introduces a feature like the Google Pixel Watch 3’s ability to detect loss of pulse and automatically call emergency services. Apple often boasts about its lifesaving devices, and such an addition would make many of us feel more at ease. Third-party watch faces are a longshot, but how about expanded customization tools to make the supplied watch faces more unique?Mahmoud Itani watchOS 12 should also better utilize the data Apple Watch collects during workouts, everyday activities, and sleep. Many third-party apps already offer more advanced analysis of one’s overall well-being and body battery, while watchOS 11 continues to restrict users to a basic Vitals app. Refining the imperfections iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and watchOS have matured. At this point, they all offer the main feature sets users generally expect from them. The iPhone is one of the best-selling smartphones because it excels at what it does. Similarly, the Mac helps countless creatives, professionals, and students perform everyday tasks reliably. Despite that, there are still plenty of missing features that could complement Apple’s platforms and push them forward. None of the absent options are a dealbreaker to me, as my devices serve me as intended. However, by expanding their capabilities more and bundling quality-of-life improvements, it further refines the ecosystem many consumers fail to flee and potentially attracts those relying on other operating systems. Ultimately, we’ll find out what Apple has in store for us in June when it previews iOS 19, watchOS 12, macOS 16, and iPadOS 19 during WWDC25’s opening keynote.

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Apple to pay $95 million to settle Siri-related privacy lawsuit
$95 million may not mean a ton to Apple these days, but this is still awkward. Following a lawsuit brought against the company five years ago in which Apple was hit with a lawsuit over ‘unlawful and intentional recording’ of Siri interactions, the case has reached an end, with Apple agreeing to pay $95 million […] Source

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Apple Events 2025: When is the next Apple Event?
Macworld Apple doesn’t participate in big industry-wide events such as CES or E3. The most valuable company in the world holds its own events, thank you very much. Several times a year, Apple invites the press and industry professionals to Apple Park to hear all about its latest products and services. Apple calls these ‘events,’ and streams them live online to millions of watchers. In 2024, Apple held three events: one on Tuesday, May 7, at which it launched new iPads, a keynote to kick off WWDC on June 10, where the features coming in the new operating systems iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia were revealed, and an event on September 9 at which Apple unveiled the new iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10 and the new AirPods 4. In October 2024 there was no event, but Apple did announce new products (iMac, Mac mini and MacBook Pro) via press release. In 2023 there were three such events: WWDC in June, the Wonderlust iPhone event in September, and Apple’s second fall event on October 30 (or after midnight on October 31 if you weren’t in the U.S.). Similarly, in 2022 Apple held three events: a spring event on March 8, WWDC on June 6, and the iPhone 14 launch on September 7. In other years Apple has held four events though. Read on to find out what events and new Apple product launches the company has in store for 2025. When is Apple’s next event? It’s not confirmed, but there are expectations that Apple will hold a spring event in 2025. If it does then, based on previous spring events, we expect that the event will be held in late March or early April, although in 2024 the spring event was in May. What time will the next Apple event start? Apple keynotes usually start at 10 am PT. That translates to the following times in the countries where most of our readers live: U.S.: at 10 am (PST/PDT), 11 am (MST/MDT), noon (CST/CDT), 1 pm (EST/EDT) Canada: as above, and 2 pm (AST/ADT) U.K.: at 6 pm (GMT/BST) Europe: at 7pm (CET/CEST), 8 pm (EET/EEST) India: at 10.30 pm (IST) Australia: Next day at 1 am (AWST/AWDT), 2.30 am (ACST/ACDT), 3 am (AEST/AEDT) New Zealand: Next day at 5 am (NZST/NZDT) Sometimes Apple holds events at different times, for example, in October 2023 the event was held in late afternoon in San Francisco, which meant it was midnight in the U.K. If an October event is held around the time that clocks change it could mean that some of the above times are different because the clocks change at different times in the U.S. and the U.K and Europe. How long does an Apple event last? Apple keynotes usually last between one and two hours and feature CEO Tim Cook along with various other Apple executives. WWDC and the September event tend to be longer keynotes; the spring and late-fall events can be slightly shorter. The September 2024 event was 1 hour 38 minutes. When does Apple usually hold events? Apple holds three or four live or live-streamed events throughout the year. During these events, the company unveils its latest products and plans during a keynote address. They are usually held during similar times of the year: March/April: Spring event (in 2024 this was held in May) June: WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) September: Fall event (aka iPhone and Apple Watch launch event) October/November: Late-fall event(s) This event calendar is by no means set in stone, though, with the spring and October events being less regular. Some years, Apple doesn’t hold a spring event at all, as was the case in 2023. The summer and September events are more predictable, with software coming at WWDC in June and iPhones and Apple Watches in September. The October event often sees Apple launch new Macs, but this is another one that changes from year to year. Apple launched the new iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods Pro in September 2022.Apple What Apple events will take place in 2025? Here are the events we expect to see in 2025, and what could launch. Spring event 2025 Here are the dates of the past seven Apple spring events, as you can see, it’s not a regular occurrence, but a Spring event is held slightly more often than not. 2024: Tuesday May 7 2023: No event 2022: Tuesday March 8 2021: Tuesday April 20 2020: No event 2019: Monday March 25 2018: Tuesday March 27 2017: No event 2016: Monday March 21 2015: Monday March 9 2014: No event 2013: No event 2012: Wednesday March 7 As for what could be coming, there are rumors that Apple could launch an 11th gen iPad and a HomePod with a screen, but most exciting are rumors that Apple may update the iPhone SE. It is also probable that an M4 MacBook Air may also arrive in the spring. For more information about Apple’s spring events read: Apple Spring event: Date, time, product launch rumors. WWDC keynote 2025 WWDC 2024 took place from June 10-14 with the event, kicking the conference off at 10am on June 10, 2024. Expect similar timings for 2025. Apple uses WWDC each year to unveil the latest versions of its operating systems, so in 2025 we’ll get a preview of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16, watchOS 12, and tvOS 19, and an update to Apple’s realityOS. Apple sometimes announces new hardware at WWDC, so we could see new Macs. In fact, we may still be waiting for the following: M4 Mac Studio M4 Ultra Mac Pro M4 Pro 32-inch iMac Pro Following the keynote on the Monday, developer events and sessions will run throughout the week. Dates for WWDC: WWDC 2024: June 10-14 WWDC 2023: June 5-9 WWDC 2022: June 6-10 WWDC 2021: June 7-11 WWDC 2020: June 22-26 WWDC 2019: June 3-7 WWDC 2018: June 4-8 WWDC 2017: June 5-9 We are certain to get a preview of the new software, but what about hardware? Any of the Macs that don’t launch in October 2024 are likely to have been announced by June 2024, but if not, this is where we will see them. You can about WWDC date, times and everything you need to know in a separate article. September iPhone event 2025 Apple always holds an event in September, and almost always uses this to announce a new iPhone and Apple Watch. (The only exception in recent memory was in 2020, as a result of Covid-related production issues. That year the iPhone was announced in October, but there was still a September event.) In 2025 we expect that Apple will unveil the iPhone 17, Apple Watch 11, a new Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch SE. Here are the past few Apple September event dates: 2024: Monday, September 9 2023: Tuesday, September 12 2022: Tuesday, September 13 2022: Wednesday, September 7 2021: Tuesday, September 14 2020: Tuesday, September 15 2019: Tuesday, September 10 2018: Wednesday, September 12 2017: Tuesday, September 12 For more information about Apple’s September events read: Apple’s September iPhone event: Date, time, and what will launch. October event 2025 There was no October event in 2024, with Apple making product announcements via press release. Despite the lack of event in 2024 though, Apple has a president of updating certain Macs in the October time frame, so this may be when we see new Macs running M5 chips. In the past, Apple has held a second fall event on the following dates: 2024: No event 2023: Monday, October 30 2022: No event 2021: Monday, October 18 2020: Tuesday, October 13 and Tuesday, November 10 2019: No event 2018: Tuesday, October 30 2017: No event 2016: Thursday, October 27 2015: No event 2014: Thursday, October 16 2013: Tuesday, October 22 2012: Tuesday, October 23 2011: Tuesday, October 4 For more information about Apple’s October events read: Apple’s October Event: Date, time and what will launch.

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Apple looks to expand digital driver’s licenses/IDs to seven additional states
Apple is looking to add driver’s licenses and/or state IDs to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses and in select apps. The following are the states that are currently supported for this: The company […] Source

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Transform Your Mac With Microsoft Office’s New AI Smart Features
Macworld Tired of software compatibility headaches when switching between Pages, Google Docs, and other tools? Now’s the perfect time to upgrade to Microsoft Office 2024. With a lifetime license for just $119.97 (reg. $149.99), you’ll get all the essential apps—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote—working seamlessly on your Mac. But act fast—these discounted codes are selling out quickly! Microsoft Office 2024 brings Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote to your Mac, ensuring seamless device compatibility. Whether you’re collaborating with PC users or working solo, these apps provide smooth integration to help you stay productive. And speaking of improvements, Office 2024 introduces AI features that act like the Clippy you’ve always wanted—only this time, they actually help. In Word, AI assists with brainstorming, editing, and even completing your thoughts. PowerPoint’s AI offers design suggestions, while Excel’s AI generates charts and identifies trends in your data. Plus, collaboration tools make teamwork easier than ever. Don’t miss out—grab your lifetime Microsoft Office license for $119.97 before these discounted codes sell out!   Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time Purchase – $119.97 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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