Stock futures surge on president-elect Donald Trump’s sweeping victory
Stock futures surged as the 45th U.S. President Donald Trump and running mate J.D. Vance won a decisive victory over Kamala Harris… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Mac mini shows Apple can be low cost — it just doesn't often want to
The new M4 Mac mini is exceptional value, but the line holding firm on pricing is an outlier for the firm that's used to charging $700 for Mac Pro wheels on top of exorbitant RAM and SSD prices.An M4 Mac mini in front of AirPods Max — image credit: AppleThe New Mac mini starts at $599 and that's a full $500 cheaper than the next least expensive Mac, the M2 MacBook Air. It's about as low a price as Apple goes, but to use the Mac mini, you have to have accessories.A display, keyboard, and mouse or trackpad are essential, and together, they can add up. Buying Apple's lowest-cost options for these comes to $178 for a keyboard and mouse, plus $1,599 for a Studio Display. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Best Apple Watch deals this month
Macworld The Apple Watch is the best smartwatch on the market for many, offering a high-quality smartwatch experience, but it’s not cheap—starting at $399/£399 for the Apple Watch Series 10. However, you don’t have to pay full price for an Apple Watch. Right now resellers are offering some fantastic deals on the Apple Watch. The deals are likely to get even better as resellers look to clear out stock of older watch models that Apple has stopped selling since introducing the latest models at its September iPhone event. If it doesn’t have to be the latest Apple Watch, you could see some good savings by plumping for the Series 9 or another discontinued model. Another way to save money is to find a deal that bundles an Apple Watch with another device. In this article, we share the best Apple Watch deals you can get right now so you don’t have to pay full price. But if you’re trying to choose the right Apple Watch model for you, take a look at our Best Apple Watch buying guide. Best Apple Watch deals The Apple Watch Series 10 arrived in September 2024. It’s going to be a while until we start to see discounts, but when we do, you’ll find them here. The arrival of the Series 10 marks the end of the Apple Watch Series 9, which Apple discontinued. Despite that, it is likely to remain on sale from resellers for some time–and you could take advantage of some decent discounts. The Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Ultra 2 haven’t been updated. U.S. Amazon, Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm): $367 ($31 off, MSRP $399) Amazon, Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm): $410 ($19 off, MSRP $429) Amazon, Apple Watch SE 2 (40mm): $189 ($60 off, MSRP $249) Amazon, Apple Watch SE 2 (44mm): $219 ($60 off, MSRP $279) Amazon, Apple Watch Ultra 2: $735 ($64 off, MSRP $799) Amazon, Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm): $329 ($70 off, MSRP was $399 DISCONTINUED) Amazon, Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm): $330 ($99 off, MSRP was $429 DISCONTINUED) U.K. We are yet to see the Apple Watch Series 10 discounted, but we’re seeing moderate savings across the rest of the range: nothing spectacular, but well worth having. Note that we tend to prefer John Lewis where prices are equal because of its two-year warranties, but the company’s deals below are matched by Amazon and other retailers–see the price comparison tools below. Argos, Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm): £299 (RRP was £399 – discontinued) Argos, Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm): £329 (RRP was £429 – discontinued) Amazon, Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + Cellular): £769 (£30 off, RRP £799) Argos, Apple Watch SE (2022): £209, £10 off, RRP £219) Use our automated price trackers below to compare prices for the most popular models across various retailers. Best Apple Watch Series 10 deals The Apple Watch 10 (2024 model) starts at $399/£399 for the aluminum 41mm version and $429/£429 for the 44mm model. It’s an extra $100/£100 for cellular. It costs the same as the Series 9 did. Apple Watch Series 10, 42mm, from $399/£399 Retailer Price $366 View Deal $381.99 View Deal $399 View Deal 399 View Deal $399 View Deal $399.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Apple Watch Series 10, 46mm, from $429/£429 Retailer Price $392 View Deal $399 View Deal $429 View Deal $429 View Deal $429.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Apple Watch Series 9 deals The Apple Watch 9 (2023 model) has been discontinued, but you may still see a deal or two. Apple Watch Series 9, was $399/£399 New Refurbished Retailer Price $379.99 View Deal $399 View Deal $399.99 View Deal $409 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Smart Watch MR953LL/A HR – Pink $249.99 View Deal Apple Watch Series 9 (2023) GPS 41 mm – Aluminium Silver – Sport band Blue $289 View Deal Apple Watch Series 9 (2023) GPS + Cellular 41 mm – Aluminium Silver – Sport band Blue $349 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Best Apple Watch Ultra 2 deals The Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023 model) starts at $799/£799. It comes with cellular. The original Ultra previously sold for $799/£849, so the U.K. price is better this time. Apple Watch Ultra 2, from $799/£799 New Refurbished Retailer Price $799 View Deal $799 View Deal $799.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023) GPS + Cellular 49 mm – Titanium Natural Titanium – Ocean band Blue $546.42 View Deal Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023) GPS + Cellular 49 mm – Titanium Natural Titanium – Alpine loop Blue $599 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Best Apple Watch SE (2022) deals The Apple Watch SE (2022 model) starts at $249/£219 (was £259) for the 40mm version and $279/£249 (was £299) for the 44mm model. It’s an extra $50/£50 for cellular. Apple Watch SE from $249/£219 New Refurbished Retailer Price $189 View Deal $189 View Deal $199.99 View Deal $249 View Deal $288.99 View Deal $299.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Apple Watch Series SE 2 (2022) GPS 40 mm – Aluminium Silver – Sport band White $154.71 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Where to buy an Apple Watch If you’re simply looking to pick up an Apple Watch regardless of price, there are plenty of stores that sell not only the latest Apple Watch Series, but older variants of the Apple Watch that aren’t available from Apple any more—some at significant savings, too. Apple Watch 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 Apple Watch from the following retailers: Apple Amazon Argos Carphone Warehouse Currys John Lewis KRCS Very Where to buy an Apple Watch with Cellular You’ve also got the option of picking up an Apple Watch with a cellular contract, allowing it to function as a standalone device that doesn’t need to be tethered to your phone to make calls and send texts. Amazon and other retailers sell the Apple Watch with cellular and you can usually find discounts on most models, though not as deep as the GPS versions. Here are the sales we’re tracking this month: All of the major U.S. carriers sell the Apple Watch and offer trade-in deals: T-Mobile Verizon AT&T Carriers in the UK that stock the Apple Watch include: EE O2 Vodafone Best refurbished Apple Watch deals One of the best places to look for Apple Watch deals all year round is the Apple Refurbished Store. There, you’ll find huge Apple Watch discounts, sometimes even on the latest models. These Apple Watches have been returned to Apple for various reasons, and then completely revamped for resale. One of the major benefits of buying a refurbished Watch from Apple is that it will come with a one-year warranty so Apple may fix or replace it for free should anything happen to it in that first year. In the U.S. you can get an Apple Watch Series 9, either generation of Ultra, or the SE for less than full price. You can, for example, save $120 on a refurbished 2nd-gen Apple Watch Ultra. Get a refurbished Apple Watch at Apple's refurbished store (U.S.) In the U.K. you can save money on an Apple Watch Series 7, 8, or 9, either generation of Ultra, or the Apple Watch SE. For instance, you can save up to £100 on a refurbished Apple Watch 9. Get a refurbished Apple Watch at Apple's refurbished store (U.K.) For more information on this topic, read Should I buy a refurbished Apple Watch? See our roundup of the best Apple Watch bands, as well as our roundup of the best stands and charging docks. Also, note that Apple has left the power adapter out of the box for the Apple Watch Series 6 and later. Read: Which plug do I need for my Apple Watch? If this is your first time buying and using an Apple Watch, we’ve also got helpful tips on how to use the Apple Watch.

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The best iPad deals this month
Macworld With the M2 iPad Air, M4 iPad Pro, and other new models 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. deals Amazon, 10th-gen iPad (64GB): $299 ($50 off, MSRP $349) Amazon, iPad mini (A17 Pro, 128GB): $400 ($99 off with coupon, MSRP $499) Amazon, iPad mini (64GB): $349 ($150 off, MSRP $499 DISCONTINUED) Amazon, 11-inch M2 iPad Air (128GB): $551 ($48 off, MSRP $599) Amazon, 13-inch M2 iPad Air (128GB): $735 ($64 off with coupon, MSRP $799) Amazon, 11-inch M4 iPad Pro (256GB): $948 ($51 off, MSRP $1,199) Amazon, 13-inch M4 iPad Pro (256GB): $1,246.33 ($50 off, MSRP $1,299) Older models Amazon, 9th-gen iPad (64GB): $199 ($130 off, MSRP was $329) U.K. deals Amazon, 10th-gen iPad (64GB): £308.97 (£20 off, RRP £329) Amazon, 10th gen iPad (256GB): £449 (£30 off, RRP £479) John Lewis, 9th gen iPad (64GB): £279 (RRP was £369, plus two-year guarantee) Amazon, 11-inch iPad Air (M2, 128GB): £559.97 (£39 off, RRP £599) Amazon, 11-inch iPad Air (M2, 512GB): £843.97 (£55 off, RRP £899) Amazon, 13-inch iPad Air (M2, 128GB): £749 (£50 off, RRP £799) Amazon, 13-inch iPad Air (M2 512GB): £1,031.97 (£67 off, RRP £799) KRCS: iPad mini A17 Pro, 128GB: £489 (£10 off, RRP is £499) KRCS: iPad mini A17 Pro, 256GB: £587 (£12 off, RRP is £599) KRCS: iPad mini A17 Pro, 512GB: £783 (£16off, RRP is £799) Amazon, 11-inch M4 iPad Pro (512GB, Wi-Fi): £1,149 (£50 off, RRP £1,199) John Lewis: 13-inch M4 iPad Pro (256GB, Wi-Fi): £1,249 (£50 off, RRP £1,299, plus two-year guarantee) Standard 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. Best iPad deals (2022, 10th gen) 10th-gen iPad, MSRP $449/£499 New Refurbished Retailer Price $299 View Deal $299 View Deal $299.99 View Deal $339 View Deal $339 View Deal $449 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price iPad 10.9 (2022) 64GB – Yellow – (WiFi) $288.09 View Deal iPad 10.9 (2022) 64GB – Blue – (WiFi) $304.44 View Deal iPad 10.9 (2022) 64GB – Silver – (WiFi) $305 View Deal $409.99 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket Best 10.2-inch iPad (2021, 9th gen) deals Apple has stopped selling the 9th-gen iPad but you may still be able to find it from other vendors. Make sure you get a bargain price: for comparison, it cost $329/£369 just before being discontinued. 9th-gen iPad (64GB, Wi-Fi), MSRP was $329/£369 but now discontinued New Refurbished Retailer Price $199.99 View Deal $199.99 View Deal $199.99 View Deal $275 View Deal $279 View Deal $329 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price iPad 10.2 (2021) 64GB – Space Gray – (WiFi) $173.58 View Deal iPad 10.2 (2021) 64GB – Silver – (WiFi) $183.73 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket 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 model has been launched for 2024, but you may still find deals on the 6th-gen model from 2021. We’ve got a separate article rounding up the best iPad mini deals, but here are the best we’re seeing right now: Best iPad mini deals iPad mini (2024, 7th gen, 128GB), MSRP: $499/£499 Retailer Price $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 iPad mini (2021, 6th gen, 64GB), MSRP was $499/£569 but now discontinued New Refurbished Retailer Price $349.99 View Deal $449 View Deal $469 View Deal $489 View Deal $499.99 View Deal $499.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price iPad mini (2021) 64GB – Space Gray – (WiFi) $313 View Deal iPad mini (2021) 64GB – Starlight – (WiFi) $317.46 View Deal iPad mini (2021) 64GB – Pink – (WiFi) $321.38 View Deal iPad mini (2021) 64GB – Purple – (WiFi) $324.31 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket 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: Best iPad Air deals 11-inch iPad Air (M2), MSRP: $599/£599 Retailer Price $549 View Deal $599 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 $690 View Deal $769.99 View Deal $799 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 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: Best iPad Pro (2024) deals 11-inch iPad Pro (2024, M4): MSRP $999/£999 Retailer Price $999 View Deal $1099 View Deal $1,154.49 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 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 $1099 View Deal $1,154.49 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 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 anymore—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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Addigy simplifies compliance for Apple devices with one-click CMMC and DISA STIG benchmarks
For managed service providers (MSPs) and IT administrators working with the Department of Defense or its contractors, staying compliant with cybersecurity rules isn’t just important—it’s essential. Yet, ensuring compliance with standards like the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) has traditionally been a time-consuming, complex process. Addigy is changing that. Today, Addigy announced the launch of its one-click deploy CMMC and DISA STIG benchmarks. With this new feature, compliance that used to take months can now be accomplished in a matter of minutes. more…

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Your iPhone could soon show how long it takes to charge
Apple could introduce a new feature in iOS 18.2 that will allow your iPhone to display the estimated remaining time for a full charge. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Budget Apple Vision Pro could be slimmer and brighter
Apple is still deciding on the displays for its expected lower-cost Apple Vision Pro, but is close to settling on a lower resolution screen that is brighter and also thinner than in the current headset.Inside of Apple Vision ProBack in 2023, it was believed that a future variation of the Apple Vision Pro would get a brighter display than the original model. Then in June 2024, Apple was reported to be looking to add component suppliers for that new headset.Now according to The Elec, Apple has two choices regarding the displays, and has a preference for one that would be slimmer than the display technology in the current Apple Vision Pro. Both options relate to how a color filter can be added to an OLED panel, but one requires a second layer. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Logitech POP Icon Combo review: Colorful keyboard & mouse with really smart functions
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Great looks Nice key feel and quiet keystroke Smart functions for AI and multitasking Long battery life Cons Slightly cramped layout Mouse is not very ergonomic Our Verdict With the Logitech POP Icon Combo, you get a mouse and keyboard with a stylish look. Both offer excellent typing and clicking experiences, high-quality build and extremely long battery life. Smart functions complete the overall picture and make some processes easier in everyday working life. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$69.99 Best Prices Today: Logitech Pop Icon Combo Retailer Price $69.99 View Deal $69.99 View Deal Logitech $69.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Logitech has launched the new “POP Icon” keyboard with a matching POP mouse that are available as a combo set or individually. Design and ergonomics As always with Logitech’s Pop series, the attractive design of the keyboard and mouse immediately catches the eye. This time it’s pastel again, as the Logitech Pop Icon Keys and mouse come in the subtle colors Graphite & Green, Graphite & White, Lilac & Off-White, Off-White & Orange and Rose & Off-White. There should be a suitable color for every setup. The keyboard and mouse feature a rounded design, which is carried through on the keys. Overall, the look is high-quality and a real eye-catcher, especially in the workplace. The keyboard is also slightly raised and therefore has some ergonomic benefits. It has a slightly glossy feel, aside from the matte keys, and those color choices really make a difference. The mouse is somewhat different, as it is rather plain and small. This is not for large hands or people who complain of wrist pain during prolonged use. Looked at a different way, the mouse is small and handy thanks to its round, flat shape and at least offers a slightly raised end for the palm. See how the POP Icon keyboard and POP mouse compare to other keyboards and mice in our round-up of the best. Logitech can certainly do great colors.Logitech Typing feel We particularly like the contoured, flat keys of the POP Icon keyboard during the test. These feel very comfortable when typing and ensure that you always find the right input and don’t slip. They respond quickly via Bluetooth and are very quiet, which is, of course, less of an attraction for fans of mechanical keyboards—if you prefer the clickety-clack, look to Logitech’s $99 Pop Keys mechanical models, pictured below. Logitech However, if you prefer it quiet, you’ll get exactly the right sound with the Pop Icon keyboard. Thanks to its slim design, the Pop Icon keyboard is also easy to position and has all the keys you need. However, the layout is also a little “cramped” as some important keys are close together. However, you will get used to this over time if you have previously used a larger keyboard. The Pop Icon keyboard also offers all the usual shortcut key combinations, such as for muting, an emoji menu or taking a screenshot. The four action keys can be customized using the Logi Options application, which is available to download free of charge. Logitech Smart clicking In addition to the keyboard, the Pop Icon Combo also includes the Bluetooth Pop Mouse, which is also comfortable to use. The SmartWheel wheel ensures precise navigation and allows fast scrolling, while the mouse sensor also reacts quickly and smoothly to movements. This makes the mouse very comfortable to use. In addition to the keyboard, the mouse has two action buttons that can be used to easily set specific commands. For example, you can open several applications by clicking on the mouse wheel, which can be particularly useful when starting work. Or you can define completely different Smart Actions that are frequently used in everyday life, for example, to minimize all applications. Think pink!IDG / Foundry Smart functions and personalization Both the Logitech Pop Icon Keys and the Pop Mouse are compatible with multiple operating systems and devices and can be connected to up to three devices simultaneously. This means you can switch between different laptops with a single click, which is very practical. According to the manufacturer, the keyboard has a battery life of up to 36 months, while the mouse lasts up to 24 months. So you practically never have to charge the two devices, which is lucky as it uses standard batteries rather than being recharged via USB. Foundry Also practical: Logitech’s “Logi Options” app, which can be installed and used free of charge, not only provides the Smart Actions already described. An AI Prompt Builder is also directly integrated, which is currently based on ChatGPT 4. This allows texts to be copied automatically and reworded, shortened or suitable responses formulated using preset commands. Foundry Verdict The Logitech Pop Icon Combo offers a successful overall package consisting of a high-quality keyboard and a small but fine mouse that is easy and pleasant to use. The workmanship is high quality and the smart functions that Logitech provides here are, for once, not a marketing gimmick but a real relief in everyday life. As the keyboard alone is available for $49.99 or £49.99, the mouse costs $29.99 or £24.99 and the combo set only has cost of $69.99 or £69.99, the set offers a good deal and price-performance ratio. However, if you tend to suffer from pain in your hand, you should opt for an ergonomic mouse such as the Logitech Lift (for Mac), as the small pop-icon mouse is not ideal for prolonged use. However, there is hardly anything to criticize about the keyboard, regardless of the application.

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Apple Watch users may get a Ten Year Celebration activity challenge
Code within the new iOS 18.2 beta suggests that Apple is planning to acknowledge the decade anniversary of the Apple Watch with a new activity achievement.Apple did not release a major redesign of the Apple Watch to mark its ten-year anniversary — despite many rumors that it would. It may now, though, be planning at least a little acknowledgement to the Apple Watch's birthday in the form of health challenge.Specifically, code within the newly-released iOS 18.2 developer beta, includes the words "Ten Year Celebration."The only other detail so far, as spotted by MacRumors, is that the feature will be an activity challenge. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPad 10th Generation on Sale at $299
An iPad is the ideal gadget to own if you’re looking to boost your daily productivity. The 10th generation iPad features the high-performance A14 bionic chip, WiFi 6 for high bandwidth tasks, and up to 10 long hours of use- whether for surfing the internet, running programs and games, watching videos, and other activities. It’s […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Apple Vision Pro may receive the M5 Chip in 2025
Ming-Chi Kuo, supply chain analyst, stated that Apple has plans to release a revamped Vision Pro Headset next year which will be equipped with the M5 chip, but is yet to be announced, with no other mentions of other changes parallel to the current headset that was released this year. Currently, the Vision Pro Headset […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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OLED may be coming as early as 2026 to the MacBook Pro
Rumors about the new MacBook Pro are emerging once more, this time featuring Thunderbolt 5 support, faster M4 Chip and nano-texture glass options, a thinner design, and an OLED Display which can be implemented on the device as early as 2026. Apple is believed to currently working on making the MacBook Pro that’s thinner and […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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Belkin head strap for the Solo Knit Band now available online at Apple
Apple is now selling Belkin head straps for the Vision Pro Solo Knit Band to add more stability and comfort when the headset is being used. This was found in a product listing that was seen by EOZ VR’s Brad Lynch and posted on X. The strap features adjustable and secure mechanisms to add to […] The post appeared first on iLounge.

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How Apple Intelligence can take over the world (or just the Apple ecosystem)
Macworld If you didn’t notice, Apple Intelligence is here. But it would be hard not to notice–Apple is marketing its new collection of AI features everywhere it possibly can, from television ads to its website to every single product announcement it’s made in the last two months. (Each video announcement Apple released last week–iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro–featured an original, extended Apple Intelligence segment.) But to say that Apple has gone all-in on Apple Intelligence wouldn’t be quite true. Yes, the Big Three are covered: iPhone, iPad, and Mac. But Apple makes many more devices than just those three! This year, understandably, the company is going to be focused on getting as many AI features up and running on the Big Three as it can. But sometime soon, probably next year, Apple is going to need to roll out a strategy regarding everything else in its product line-up. How’s it going to manage that? Apple TV The current Apple TV is powered by the A15 bionic chip and 3 or 4GB of RAM. That won’t do at all, but it’s not unreasonable to imagine that a future Apple TV could be upgraded to use either the A17 Pro chip found in the iPad mini or the A18 chip found in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. And while getting the RAM up to 8GB will cost, Apple seems to have finally accepted that in the Apple Intelligence era, all our devices will need more memory. So it seems fairly easy for Apple to build an Apple Intelligence-capable Apple TV box. The question is… what does that mean? Clearly, an improved Siri will be a winner on Apple TV. Siri in iOS 18 is still a work in progress, with an improved understanding of verbal commands but not much better in terms of results. Still, Apple says that those improvements are coming between now and the middle of next year. Every Apple TV ships with a remote with a Siri button; it would be gratifying to be able to more easily navigate the thing with a faster, more responsive, and more intelligent Siri. One of Siri’s forthcoming new features will be the ability to see what’s on-screen and act upon it, which might be a great way to let you ask questions like “What movies has that guy in the hat been in?” and actually get a good answer. And, of course, if Siri’s forthcoming ability to control individual apps were to be applied to the Apple TV, it might be easier to command apps to open and play the right episode of the show you’re watching. Apple TV also comes with a version of the Photos app, which hasn’t really been updated in the past year. But if it were to gain some of the search and video-generation powers of the Photos app on the Big Three, you could generate video slideshows from your photo libraries right from your sofa by talking into the remote. Or, at the very least, see instant results to photo search queries. The current Apple TV 4K hardware needs to be upgraded to support Apple Intelligence.Jared Newman/Foundry I’m not a huge fan of notifications on the Apple TV, but I do use them occasionally. I think it would be cool to use Apple Intelligence to be aware of alerts happening on your other devices and use the new Reduce Interruptions focus mode to decide if they might be worth showing to you while you’re watching TV. Finally, the Apple TV hardware is also a hub at the center of Apple’s smart home strategy. I could see a souped-up Apple TV using Apple Intelligence to be a better coordinator of the devices in your home. Maybe we could generate full home automation via voice command? It’s worth considering. Apple Watch It’s harder to imagine that the Apple Watch will get the horsepower to run the full version of Apple Intelligence anytime soon. It just requires too much processor power and memory, and the little Apple Watch and its tiny battery aren’t going to be capable of that for a while. But that’s fine. We should want the Apple Watch and watchOS to become better clients for Apple Intelligence running on the iPhone connected to the watch. Last year, Apple upgraded the Apple Watch to process Siri commands on the device, which was a huge boost. The next step is to update watchOS to determine if a request could better be served by Apple Intelligence and then pass those requests off to a properly smart device, whether it’s the iPhone or even an Apple server. What’s the use case for Apple Intelligence on Apple Watch? Really, I think that it’s all Siri-based, namely the ability to get better responses back on your wrist. But I’m also interested in the idea that as our iPhones get smarter, the Apple Watch could tap in on the power of individual iPhone apps without having to run those apps itself. Imagine asking your Apple Watch to grab some information from an iPhone app, or even orchestrate two apps together, to bring you a result. If you can leave your phone in your pocket–or even leave it behind at home–and have that still work, that would be pretty awesome. HomePods and beyond Like the Apple TV, I can imagine Apple building a new generation of HomePods that are properly equipped for Apple Intelligence, as well as additional HomePod-like products like a rumored HomePod with a screen. Again, these are products that are driven by Siri, so letting Siri be much more intelligent and giving it the power to summarize information found on the Web would make things a whole lot better. A device that knows it’s just a speaker and has no display, being able to reply with an answer that requires summarization and interpretation (including images!), would be a big upgrade over the fairly dumb HomePods of today. Apple Intelligence also needs to be able to build good Apple Music playlists on the fly, right? Not just on the HomePod, but everywhere. It should be smart enough that I can use my voice to rearrange playlists, remove items from the queue, and more. And as with these other devices, HomePods need to become better stewards of my entire device ecosystem. If I’ve got an important alert on an iPhone, my devices should be able to understand that the iPhone’s not with me and that I’m listening to something in the kitchen, and let me know that the important alert has come in. I know, I know, all the data being processed on my devices is part of Apple Intelligence’s appeal–but once the processing happens, I’d like my devices to talk to each other and do the right thing to get important information to me, wherever I am. Apple Intelligence could cause Apple to revamp its HomePod lineup.Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry AirPods and the future Finally, AirPods! They’re tiny, I know, and unlikely to be anything but a recipient of Siri conversations from other devices. And yet… some reports suggest Apple might be building cameras into future AirPods models. One possibility is that AirPods could become the eyes for an iPhone that’s otherwise tucked away in your pocket, feeding images to Apple Intelligence for a version of the new Visual Intelligence feature premiering with iOS 18.2. Even better, if Apple made a pair of glasses with cameras and built-in AirPods in the style of Meta’s Ray-Ban specs, your iPhone could also use those as its eyes and ears when it’s in your pocket. The future of Apple Intelligence is mostly unwritten. There’s a lot more for Apple to do just with the Big Three product lines. But it can’t leave its smaller devices and accessories behind. They will be important tools to feed data to Apple Intelligence and extend the intelligence of Apple’s platforms to the rest of our lives. I hope we’ll get a first sense of that future sometime next year after Apple’s built a stronger foundation with all of its forthcoming iOS 18 and macOS 15 releases.

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There’s a logic to Apple’s laziness
Macworld I can’t help but smile as the internet erupts with anger. The reason this time? Apple has switched its Mac accessories from Lightning to USB-C… and declined to take this opportunity to relocate the charging port on the Magic Mouse. I like to imagine that Tim Cook and the gang were sitting in a meeting and someone said, “Can’t we just troll everyone and keep the charging port in exactly the same place?” Whereupon Cook nodded his head in agreement and said in his mild Alabama tones, “I think they’re going to love it.” Don’t get me wrong, the Magic Mouse’s charging port is perhaps the silliest tech product decision since Philips tried to launch AmBX, a system that turned your desk into a maelstrom of cords, fans, speakers, and lights. But Apple chose not to correct this mistake, and I can’t help but find this rather charming. The company that strives for perfection and quality simply shrugs at the world’s worst-placed charging port and tells us to get over it. Unsurprisingly, this has not proved popular, and the internet is full of tech writers calling Apple’s decision into question. Tom Warren from The Verge wails “Whyyyyyy” on Twitter (now X). Marques Brownlee announced the move using the words “I have bad news.“ So what’s the thinking? Is it really an attempt to troll us? My guess is that Apple considers charging ports to be a necessary evil and something that should be as invisible as possible. The fact is that a fully charged Magic Mouse lasts about a month, and just 10 minutes of charging will give you days of use. Is it so difficult to charge the mouse when it’s not in use? For that matter, if Apple redesigned the Magic Mouse and put the charging port in plain sight, there’s a decent chance that the internet would now be filled with loud complaints that “They ruined the look!” How does that saying go again? Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. And there you have Apple’s biggest problem. No matter what the company does, someone will always complain. That a product doesn’t feature the absolute latest features, or that the placement of the charging port disturbs their aesthetic sense and now requires years of therapy to work through the trauma. How many companies have created the perfect product that everyone likes? I can’t think of a single one. We can’t agree on anything. If Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in the Internet era, someone would be pounding away on their keyboard right now, complaining about the taste. But it’s time for me to wind up this column. I can’t work anymore, you see. I have to charge my Magic Mouse.

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Apple acquires Pixelmator, acquires company’s apps and technologies
If you love Pixelmator, so does Apple, and that could be why they bought the company. Pixelmator released the following update late last week advising its users as to the status of the company and its progress: “Today we have some important news to share: the Pixelmator Team plans to join Apple. We’ve been inspired […] Source

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Logitech G915 X Keyboard review: Stylish and slim
The G916X is a flashy but effective low-profile mechanical keyboard for performance and RGB enthusiasts.Logitech G915 X Keyboard reviewLogitech is a major name in mice and keyboards when it comes to productivity, and Logitech G works to apply that expertise in gaming and recreation.Of course, turning a "regular" keyboard into a "gaming" keyboard implies RGB, but in practice, it emphasizes connectivity and speed more. The G915X does both well, creating a great typing experience for any user. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Kottke on the Art and Power of Hypertextual Writing
Italic and bold emphasis are information-density additives. But as Kottke observes, used deftly, hypertext links are an information-density *multiplier*.

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Apple Pay officially launches in Paraguay
Paraguay has become the latest country to support Apple Pay, according to a recent blog post from Mastercard. Here's what you need to know.Apple Pay has officially launched in Paraguay.Apple Pay makes it possible to complete payments on iPhone without the use of a physical card. While Apple's contactless payment method has been available in the United States for well over a decade, it's only now launching in Paraguay.As originally spotted by 9to5mac, Mastercard announced that cards issued by Banco Continental, Itau, and Ueno Bank can all be added to Apple Wallet and used with Apple Pay. The company revealed the move in a blog post, which highlights the user benefits of the Apple Pay launch. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Berkshire Hathaway’s tax bill on 2024 Apple stock sales: $20 billion
Berkshire Hathaway's significant reduction in its Apple holdings is expected to result in a hefty tax bill. After selling over 600 million… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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