The White House announced plans to recruit “an elite group of ~1,000 technology specialists” from companies such as Apple to serve two-year terms across federal agencies. Here are the details.

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.

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With the latest update, Telegram users can now create a passkey to instantly log in to their accounts without needing an SMS code or password. Here’s how to activate it.

I use AirPods Pro 3 all day, every day while I work, and there’s one hidden iOS tool that I’ve found pairs perfectly with the product: it’s a little-known feature called Background Sounds.

The first iOS 26.3 beta includes a new user interface in preparation for the EU rule that will require Apple to allow third-party devices to access users’ notifications. Here’s how it’s going to work

An update to the Apple TV app on Android phones and tablets today finally introduces Google Cast support, thus closing a big functionality gap since the launch earlier this year.

For me, Qi 2.2 is quietly becoming one of the biggest upgrades to MagSafe we have seen since it launched with the iPhone 12. Faster charging speeds, better heat management, and stronger magnets make wireless charging feel a lot closer to a wired experience. ESR is already out front with hardware that takes full advantage of it, and their new 3-in-1 charging station is one of the best examples yet.

Apple has just kicked off a new software cycle, with beta 1 now available for watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, HomePod 26.3, and more.

Just a few days after releasing macOS 26.2, Apple is now rolling out the first developer beta for macOS 26.3. Here’s what’s coming.

Apple has released the first iOS 26.3 developer beta for iPhone. One change we already expect is a joint collaboration between Apple and Google that should make switching between iOS and Android easier.

iPadOS 26.2 launched last week, and now Apple has shipped the first iPadOS 26.3 beta to developers. Here’s what to expect.

iOS 26.2 is officially here with exciting updates for Reminders, Apple Music, Podcasts, and more. There’s also a key enhancement for CarPlay widgets in iOS 26.2—but whether you benefit or not is entirely dependent on your vehicle.

Last October, Threads rolled out over 100 communities, which built on the fact that users were referring to in-app groups as “Books Threads,” “NBA Threads,” and so on. Today, Meta is expanding the communities feature to more than 200 interests, and adding a couple of beta features. Here’s what’s new.

We’re nearing three years since GM started its transition away from CarPlay. The company started by ditching CarPlay in its EVs, but recently confirmed that it will “gradually” abandon the platform on more cars in the future. Needless to say, this hasn’t gone over well with the general public.

Now, GM has one bit of good news for its owners: a new Apple Music app rolling out for select Cadillac starting today.

iOS 26.2 is here, packing a ton of new features for iPhone users, and also introducing several expansions of Liquid Glass. Here’s what’s new.

It is starting to come down to the wire for holiday shipping and pricing on Apple gear, so today’s 9to5Toys Lunch is bringing some of the best offers still live to the forefront. Firstly, you can still land Apple Watch Series 11 at $100 off with Christmas delivery joined by just about every Apple Watch Ultra 2 at $250 off as part of Best Buy’s 24-hour Tech the Halls sale. Those offers join the ongoing Black Friday pricing on M4 Mac mini from $479 as well as iPhone 16 Pro Max models at over $600 off the original list prices and what might be your last chance at holiday AirPods offers (Apple EarPods are $10 right now if there’s anybody out there that still wants those). Check it all out below. 

Apple will launch a lot of new products next year, including updated iPhones, iPads, Macs, and more. But there are two brand new 2026 products coming that have the chance to prove Apple’s “not first, but best” mantra once again.

Last week Apple released feature-packed updates like iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and more. New features for visionOS 26.2 appeared minimal during the beta process, but it turns out, the update actually brought a big upgrade for using Apple Vision Pro on the go.

Update December 15, 2025 10:35am ET: Spotify says the outage is fixed.

If Spotify is down for you this morning, you’re not alone. The streaming music service has a bit of the Monday blues. Spotify has confirmed that it is aware of problem affecting the service today and is investigating.

Apple is rumored to launch five new Home products in the year ahead, and ahead of that renewed smart home push, iOS 26.2 has just added a key enhancement to make adding new accessories easier.

One of the world’s largest automakers is preparing support for Apple’s car key platform. A new report today says that Apple’s “backend has been updated to include Toyota in the list of companies that support Apple car key.”

If you’ve ever resumed reading a book after a break and can’t remember who one of the characters is or what happened in the last section you read, or you simply don’t understand the significance of one of the plot developments, a new Kindle Ask This Book feature is here to help …

Competition between mobile carriers is now so intense that they are not only trying hard to poach customers from each other, but even fighting legal battles over their tactics.

AT&T has sued T-Mobile over its EasySwitch tool, intended to allow customers to compare rates and receive a personalized deal from the self-proclaimed “uncarrier” …

iRobot, the company which invented robot vacuum cleaners, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy some 23 years after it first launched the Roomba range.

While such company failures can often be extremely bad news for owners of smart home technology, there is reason for optimism in this case …