Apple TV has just announced that it has a new most-watched film ever: the box office hit F1: The Movie has proven successful in streaming, too.

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Considering switching from Spotify to Apple Music? Now might be the best time to do so, as new Apple Music users are being given 3 free months for a limited time. Here are the details.

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Amazon this week has a few notable sales from popular brands like Anker, Ecovacs, and Jackery. These include discounts on everything from MagSafe-compatible chargers to portable power stations and robot vacuums.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Amazon has discounts on multiple Anker charging accessories, including products like the 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube for $99.98, down from $149.95 and the SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern for $169.99, down from $249.00. You can find these deals and more in the lists below, and this time around none require any coupon codes.

Anker

• 6-in-1 USB-C Power Strip - $79.99, down from $109.99


• 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $64.99, down from $99.99


• 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube - $99.98, down from $149.95


• SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern - $169.99, down from $249.00


• SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $429.00, down from $799.00


• SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $799.00, down from $1,499.00

Jackery

• Explorer 300 Portable Power Station + Solar Panel - $349.00, down from $499.00


• Explorer 1000 V2 Portable Power Station - $424.65, down from $799.00


• Explorer 1500 Portable Power Station - $898.99, down from $1,399.00


• HomePower 3000 Portable Power Station - $1,299.00, down from $2,499.00


• HomePower 3000 Portable Power Station + Solar Panels - $1,598.99, down from $2,999.00


• HomePower 3600 Plus Portable Power Station - $2,099.00, down from $3,699.00

Ecovacs

• Deebot N20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner and Mop - $161.49, down from $199.99


• Deebot T80 Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop - $499.99, down from $999.99


• Deebot X9 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop - $699.00, down from $799.00


• Deebot X8 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop - $749.00, down from $1,099.99


• Deebot X11 OmniCyclone Robot Vacuum and Mop - $1,099.00, down from $1,499.99

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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This article, "Amazon Discounts Anker's Most Popular MagSafe-Compatible Chargers, Power Stations, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Following the launch of Apple Creator Studio this week, Apple has quietly stopped selling its valuable "Pro Apps Bundle for Education" (archived link).


"Pro Apps Bundle for Education" included one-time-purchase versions of Apple's Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps at a steep discount, with U.S. pricing set at $199.99. Purchasing each of the included apps separately costs $629.95, so the bundle provided more than $400 in savings.

While the bundle was sold through Apple's online education store since its launch in 2017, there was no student or teacher verification system in the U.S. and certain other countries, so most customers were able to purchase it.

Anyone who already purchased the bundle can continue to use the apps.

Apple also appears to be cracking down on sharing the apps included in the bundle. According to a MacRumors tipster, sharing the apps with others as a ZIP file no longer works, as the recipient will receive an error when opening the apps.

Apple Creator Studio is a new subscription bundle that provides access to Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage on the Mac and/or iPad, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. One-time-purchase versions of all six apps remain available on the Mac for now.

A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium content" in apps like Pixelmator Pro, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and later Freeform.
This article, "Apple Stops Selling $200 'Pro Apps' Bundle With Final Cut Pro and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Lockdown Mode is an optional security feature designed by Apple to provide maximum protection against highly sophisticated digital threats. When enabled on your Apple device, it greatly reduces exposure to complex attacks by restricting certain features and network connections. Keep reading to learn how to use it across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.


For most users of Apple devices, the standard iOS, iPadOS, and macOS security protections should be sufficient, whereas Lockdown Mode is aimed at users who could be targets of cyberattacks, such as journalists, activists, and government employees. That said, any user can enable it on their device for what Apple calls an "extreme" level of security.

Lockdown Mode Protections

When enabled, Lockdown Mode strictly limits or disables the functionality of features, apps, and websites. Lockdown Mode protections include the following:

• In the Messages app, most message attachment types other than images are blocked, and some features like link previews are unavailable.


• Incoming FaceTime calls from people you have not previously called are blocked. Incoming invitations for other Apple services from people you have not previously invited are also blocked.


• Some complex web technologies and browsing features, including just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compilation, are disabled unless the user excludes a trusted site from Lockdown Mode. This protection applies to Safari and all other web browsers using WebKit across the ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, and Mac.


• Shared albums will be removed from the Photos app, and new shared album invitations will be blocked.


• When a device is locked, wired connections with other devices/accessories are blocked.


• Configuration profiles cannot be installed, and the device cannot enroll into mobile device management (MDM), while Lockdown Mode is turned on.


• Certain network protocols and services are restricted.

How to Enable Lockdown Mode on iPhone and iPad

Lockdown Mode is turned off by default on ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌, but you can enable it by following these steps.

1. Open the Settings app.


2. Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security.


3. Scroll to the bottom and tap Lockdown Mode.


4. Tap Turn On Lockdown Mode.


5. Review the information about what features are restricted, then tap Turn On & Restart.

After the restart, Lockdown Mode will be active. You can confirm this by returning to Settings ➝ Privacy & Security ➝ Lockdown Mode, where a toggle will show that it's on.

How to Enable Lockdown Mode on Mac

1. Open System Settings.


2. Click Privacy & Security in the sidebar.


3. Under the "Security" section at the bottom, click Lockdown Mode.


4. Click Turn On Lockdown Mode.


5. Review the protections and click Turn On & Restart.

Your Mac will restart and Lockdown Mode will be enabled when it boots up.

How to Turn Off Lockdown Mode

Whether you're on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, these are the steps to follow:

1. In Settings on iPhone/iPad (or System Settings on Mac) go to Privacy & Security ➝ Lockdown Mode.


2. Tap or click the Lockdown Mode toggle to turn it off.


3. Confirm that you want to turn it off. Your device will restart to leave Lockdown Mode.

Configuring Allowed Websites and App Exceptions

While Lockdown Mode is active, some websites and certain app features may be blocked for security. Apple allows you to add exceptions in some areas.

For example, in Safari, if a site is blocked by Lockdown Mode, you may be offered an option to allow website exceptions. This lets specific sites load normally while Lockdown Mode remains enabled.

Some third-party apps may also appear in a list in Settings ➝ Privacy & Security ➝ Lockdown Mode ➝ Configure Web Browsing, and you can turn off Lockdown Mode for those apps individually. This lets an app continue to function normally if it was being restricted by Lockdown Mode's web content limitations.
This article, "Enable Lockdown Mode on iPhone, iPad, and Mac" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s new AirTag comes with several improvements over the original model, one of which is that it expands AirTag’s best feature—Precision Finding—to the Apple Watch. Here’s how to set it up.

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Apple's iconic Fifth Avenue store in New York City is normally open 24/7, but it will be closed overnight on some days next week.


According to Apple's website, the store will be closing at 10 p.m. local time each night on Monday, February 2 through Wednesday, February 4. The store will re-open each morning at 8 a.m. local time during this period.

Apple is closing the store to complete maintenance on the signature glass cube entrance, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Apple's explanation internally is "preservation work."

Opened in 2006, Apple Fifth Avenue features a street-level glass cube entrance, leading to an underground store. Apple's CEO Tim Cook and other company executives often attend the store for major new product launches.

The store's cube has been outfitted with everything from a giant Apple Vision Pro headset outline to colorful Siri glow in recent years.
This article, "Apple's Fifth Avenue Store is Closing Overnight Next Week, Here's Why" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you’re planning to send flowers to anyone for Valentine’s Day, you can get $20 off your order at 1-800-Flowers when using Apple Pay …

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A new market intelligence report shows that Apple dominated the best-selling smartphone rankings for 2025, and the base model iPhone 17 stands out for its position in the top 10.

iPhones filled seven of the top ten positions, with Samsung not making an entry until #5 …

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Apple this week got sued in a New Jersey Federal court by the maker of mobile video app Camo, alleging Apple stole its technology when the company integrated its Continuity Camera feature into iOS 16 in 2022.


Released by London-based Reincubate in 2020, the Camo app enables iPhone and Android smartphones to be used as webcams for desktop-based video calls.

Apple's Continuity Camera serves a similar function within its own ecosystem, allowing an iPhone to be used as a wireless webcam with a nearby Mac that is signed into the same Apple Account.

Reincubate said the tech giant copied patented features from its Camo app and incorporated them into its mobile operating system in order to "redirect user demand to Apple's own platform-tied offering."

According to the lawsuit, Apple "actively induced and encouraged" Reincubate to develop and market Camo for iOS, then later copied its functionality and built it into iOS as Continuity Camera.

"In most of those cases, Apple has not actively induced the developer to test and build software," the lawsuit said. "Here, Apple actively cultivated a relationship of trust with Reincubate, induced the company to share technical details, beta builds, and market data, and leveraged that privileged access to inform its own development of Continuity Camera."

Reincubate called Apple's conduct an example of "Sherlocking," which refers to Apple building an app or system feature that duplicates functionality previously offered by a third-party app.

"Rather than competing with us, Apple deployed a series of obstacles to tilt the playing field, infringed our IP, and did so in service of preventing competition from rival platforms," Reincubate CEO Aidan Fitzpatrick said in a statement given to Reuters.

"Apple competes fairly while respecting the intellectual property rights of others, and these camera features were developed internally by Apple engineers," Apple responded in a statement.

Aside from accusing Apple of infringing its patents, Reincubate's suit was filed as an antitrust claim, alleging that Apple violates U.S. law by locking users into its ecosystem and preventing them from switching to competitors. Reincubate has requested unspecified monetary damages and court orders that would block Apple's alleged misconduct.
This article, "Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Continuity Camera Patent and Antitrust Claims" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Yesterday’s launch of Apple Creator Studio (ACS) created a certain amount of confusion for Mac users not planning to subscribe.

Some users of Apple’s productivity apps – Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and Freeform – were left wondering whether or not they should accept an invitation to update …

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Apple has released a carrier settings update for Telstra customers in Australia that resolves the issue affecting iPhones running iOS 16.7.13, which was released and then made unavailable to download by Apple earlier this week.


The fix is delivered via a carrier bundle update, which adjusts network-related settings such as connectivity and calling features, without requiring an iOS update.

Affected users who updated to iOS 16.7.13 before Apple stopped signing it can install the bundle on their iPhone by going to Settings ➝ General ➝ About, where a prompt to update carrier settings should appear. Once installed, the Service Provider field in Settings should display "Telstra 54.1," said the telecommunications company in an updated support document.

The original issue that caused Apple to unsign iOS 16.7.13 prevented some older iPhone models from connecting to the Telstra network, including via emergency calls to 000.

As things stand, iOS 16.7.13 remains unavailable to download. It's still unclear if Apple will re-sign it, with the carrier bundle available separately, or whether it will issue a new point release of iOS with the bundle packaged in.
This article, "Apple Pushes Carrier Settings Update to Fix Telstra Issue on iPhones Running iOS 16.7.13" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's iPhone 16 was the best-selling smartphone globally in 2025, according to Counterpoint Research's latest report. Apple and Samsung devices dominated the top 10 list for the fourth consecutive year, accounting for 19% of overall smartphone sales.


Apple claimed seven of the top 10 spots, while Samsung captured the remaining three.

Launched in September, the iPhone 17 series achieved 16% higher sales than its predecessor during its first full quarter, driven by strong demand in the U.S., China, and Western Europe. Counterpoint said the base iPhone 17 model was the standout performer, registering the highest growth among all devices and climbing the rankings compared to where the iPhone 16 debuted in 2024. Counterpoint attributed the growth to the iPhone 17's upgrades, such as a higher refresh rate (120Hz vs 60Hz), and larger base storage (256GB vs. 128GB).

The more affordable iPhone 16e, launched in spring 2025, also contributed additional sales with its more accessible $599 entry point into Apple's ecosystem.

In fifth position, Samsung's Galaxy A16 5G became the best-selling Android smartphone of 2025, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra secured a flagship spot for the second consecutive year in ninth. The S25 Ultra grew more than 3x year-over-year in Japan, according to the research firm.


Looking ahead, Counterpoint expects premium flagship devices to increase their presence in 2026 as rising memory prices disproportionately impact entry-to-mid-segment devices.

Apple still sells iPhone 16 models as part of its smartphone lineup. Priced starting at $699, the previous-generation device features an A18 chip that supports Apple Intelligence, a dual-lens camera system, a Camera Control button for quick camera access, and a customizable Action button.
This article, "iPhone 16 Tops List of World's Best-Selling Smartphones in 2025" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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AI-powered browsing features have become a battleground among browser makers in recent months. OpenAI launched its Atlas browser in October, while Microsoft Edge and Opera have also introduced AI assistants and automated browsing capabilities. And now Google is upping the ante. The company has announced a slew of new AI features for Chrome, including a persistent sidebar for the Gemini chatbot and "auto browse" capabilities that can perform web tasks on your behalf.


The update moves Gemini from its previous floating window into an always-available side panel on the right side of the browser, which inevitably shrinks the browsing window. Google, however, says the redesign allows you to multitask more easily, since you can keep your main tab open while using the AI assistant for separate tasks, such as comparing products across multiple tabs or summarizing reviews from different websites.

Chrome is also gaining Nano Banana integration, Google's AI image generator. You can now transform images directly in the browser window using text prompts, without needing to download files or switch tabs.

The headline feature though is "auto browse," which is currently rolling out to AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S. According to Google, the agentic tool can handle multi-step tasks like researching hotel and flight prices, filling out online forms, scheduling appointments, and managing subscriptions. Google says it can even identify items in a photo, search for similar products, add them to a shopping cart, and apply discount codes. The company says it even does all this while staying within a specified budget.

Auto browse can use Chrome's built-in password manager (with user permission) for tasks requiring login credentials. The feature is designed to pause and ask you for confirmation for sensitive actions like purchases or social media posts, according to the company.


Lastly, Google plans to add "Personal Intelligence" to Chrome in the coming months. The feature lets the browser remember context from past conversations you've had with it and provide more personalized assistance.

Google hasn't specified a Chrome version that will include all of these features, but the company said the Gemini sidebar support and Nano Banana integration are rolling out now as a server-side service update.

This article, "Google Chrome Gets Gemini Side Panel and Agentic Browsing Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by Stuff: Stuff helps you get everything out of your head and into a simple, elegant system—closing open loops and reducing mental stress. Use code 9TO5 at checkout for 50% off your first year.

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Planning your 2026 travel? Whether you’re mapping out international work trips, family vacations, or long overdue personal getaways, your iPhone already has the technology needed for fast, flexible, and global connectivity. The missing piece is knowing how to use it effectively.

Nomad eSIM turns your iPhone into a truly global device, offering reliable data coverage in more than 200+ countries. Plan your travel this year with Nomad eSIM bundles that make global iPhone connectivity simple, flexible, and predictable.

Plus, you can use promo code MAC26 to save 26% for a limited time only for one or more eSIMs (valid until March 31st at 23:59 PT, terms and conditions apply).

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Apple has signed a deal with popular fantasy author Brandon Sanderson for film and TV rights to Sanderson's "Cosmere" universe, according to The Hollywood Reporter.


Sanderson has a large body of work, but some of his most popular fantasy books could be adapted first. Mistborn could be turned into a movie series, while The Stormlight Archive is being considered for television. Mistborn is a book series that's split into two eras, with the first three books featuring a group of magic-using metal manipulators or "Allomancers" overthrowing a dystopian empire. The second set of books follows the exploits of Wax and Wayne, two lawmen with magical abilities in a more modern setting.

There are two additional eras planned for the same Mistborn series, so Apple has access to content that could result in a dozen movies.

The Stormlight Archive currently features five epic fantasy books, each of which could easily be used for multiple seasons of a TV show. The Stormlight Archive is a classic good vs. evil tale, featuring the Knights Radiant against Voidbringers who want to conquer the world.

Sanderson has 10 total books planned for The Stormlight Archive, but the "Cosmere" universe also includes many other standalone novels, all of which are linked together. Sanderson is one of the most well-known current fantasy authors, and in addition to his own books, he finished Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time after Jordan passed away.

A TV show based on the Stormlight Archive is already in the early stages of planning. Blue Marble, a film studio run by Pachinko producer Theresa Kang-Lowe, is set to produce. Kang-Lowe has an exclusive content production deal with Apple.

Apple won the deal after Sanderson met with multiple potential partners. Apple agreed to give Sanderson unprecedented control over screen translations, so he will write, produce, and consult on any TV shows or movies that Apple makes about the Cosmere universe. Sanderson is known for having some of the most popular Kickstarter campaigns to date, raising close to $100 million by selling his books.
This article, "Apple Signs Deal for Brandon Sanderson's 'Cosmere' Universe Movies and TV Shows" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Described as “unprecedented,” the deal spans film and series adaptations and could mark Apple’s first true fantasy franchise. Here are the details.

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Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of the popular iPhone camera app Halide, today announced that he has joined the Human Interface Design team at Apple.


"So excited to work with the very best team in the world on my favorite products," he said.

This marks a return to Apple for de With, who previously worked on things such as iCloud, MobileMe, and the Find My app. He has also completed design work for other companies, such as Sony, Mozilla, Oracle, HP, and EA, in the past.

de With is a well-known figure in the online Apple and photography communities.

Apple's design team is undergoing many changes. Last year, the company's former software design chief Alan Dye left for Meta, and Apple's hardware engineering chief and leading CEO candidate John Ternus was reportedly tapped to oversee the company's entire hardware and software design teams towards the end of last year.

Over the past several years, some Apple designers have left to work with Jony Ive, the legendary former Apple design chief. Ive left Apple in 2019 to start his own design firm LoveFrom, and he has been working with OpenAI on a new AI device.

In related news, Halide's parent company Lux today launched a public preview of Halide Mark III, the next-generation version of its flagship camera app.
This article, "'Halide' Co-Founder Sebastiaan de With Joins Apple's Design Team" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Stephen Pollard writes about how a high heart rate alert from his Apple Watch helped diagnose a potentially serious drug interaction issue. Here’s what happened.

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The new generation of Apple AirTag finally landed this week, almost five years after the convenient item tracker accessory first debuted in 2021. 

You’d be hard pressed to tell the AirTag 2 — technically the ‘AirTag (second-generation)’ — apart from the first version, by eye. But inside, it packs in some meaningful upgrades that make this tracker even better at finding your misplaced items … 

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Halide and Lux co-founder and designer Sebastiaan de With announced today that he is joining Apple’s human interface design team.

This marks a return to Apple for de With, who previously worked as a freelancer for the company on projects including Find My, MobileMe, and iCloud.

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Users of Apple's latest iPhone and iPad Pro models who have been beta testing iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 may want to hold off on updating to the third betas released earlier this week, as several Continuity-related features are currently broken on these devices.


Apple has updated its developer release notes for the third betas of iOS and iPadOS 26.3 to outline the devices and features that are affected:

The following Continuity features do not work on iPhone 17, Phone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air and iPad Pro (M5) with iOS / iPadOS 26.3 Beta 3:

• iPhone Mirroring


• AirPlay mirroring to Apple TV 4K


• Using Continuity Camera wirelessly with Mac or Apple TV 4K


• Sidecar from Mac to iPad Pro (M5)

Apple has not provided any details on why these features are not working on the latest betas, but the issue will presumably be fixed in the next round of betas.

We're expecting a public release of iOS 26.3 and related updates fairly soon, as the x.3 updates typically drop in late January each year. With just a few days left in the month, it appears the release schedule may slip into early February for this cycle, but we should be seeing release candidate versions seeded to developers and beta testers relatively soon ahead of the public releases.
This article, "Warning: These Continuity Features Are Broken on Latest iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 Betas" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s Messages app got a bunch of new features in iOS 26, including a ‘Screen Unknown Senders’ option meant to eliminate spam texts. My initial experience with the feature wasn’t great, but tweaking one key setting has changed that.

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