As promised, Epic Games today submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store, and if approved by Apple, it will mark the first time that the Fortnite app has been available in the United States since 2020.


Fortnite will include options to purchase in-app currency from the web rather than through in-app purchase, which is what got the game banned to begin with. This time, though, Apple has been ordered to allow all developers, including ‌Epic Games‌, to direct customers to purchase options that are available outside of the ‌App Store‌.

‌Epic Games‌' U.S. developer account has been banned since the initial Apple vs. ‌Epic Games‌ battle in 2020, so ‌Epic Games‌ is using the developer account that it established in Sweden to submit Fortnite to the ‌App Store‌. ‌Epic Games‌ created a Swedish ‌App Store‌ account last year in order to create an ‌Epic Games‌ app marketplace in the European Union, as allowed by the Digital Markets Act.

‌Epic Games‌ CEO Tim Sweeney said that the company has "conversed" with Apple about the plan, and that Apple is aware that ‌Epic Games‌ is submitting Fortnite using the ‌Epic Games‌ Sweden subsidiary that it established for the EU. Sweeney has not confirmed whether Apple said that's okay, and it's not clear if Apple will approve the ‌App Store‌ submission. In an interview this week, Sweeney said he would be "very surprised" if Apple "decided to brave the geopolitical storm of blocking a major app from iOS."

When ‌Epic Games‌ first made a new developer account in the EU, Apple shut it down due to Epic's pattern of untrustworthy behavior. ‌Epic Games‌ complained to EU regulators, and regulators in turn started questioning Apple. At that point, Apple decided to reinstate the account after ‌Epic Games‌ pledged to follow the alternative marketplace rules.

During the Apple vs. ‌Epic Games‌ legal battle, Apple was at no point ordered to allow Fortnite to return to the ‌App Store‌, and the case in fact suggested that Apple was well within its rights to terminate Epic's account, and under no obligation to allow Fortnite in the ‌App Store‌ at all.

It's possible Apple will not allow ‌Epic Games‌ to use its European developer account to submit Fortnite given that the U.S. account is still banned, but Apple might not want to further anger the judge overseeing the case. Apple has also already approved external purchase links in Spotify, Kindle, Patreon, and other apps.

As of now, Apple is required to allow developers to add links and buttons to their apps directing customers to digital purchase options available outside of the ‌App Store‌, and more importantly, Apple is not allowed to collect a commission on these purchases.

Apple has filed an emergency motion with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to pause the "extraordinary" ruling that it argues requires it to give up "core aspects of its business operations." Apple has specifically asked the appeals court to allow it to charge fees for purchases made using external links while the appeals process is playing out, with the company also requesting control over how those links are displayed.

Apple asked the appeals court to issue a ruling by May 28, but until Apple hears back, the ‌App Store‌ link changes that are in place will stand.
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On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through how the iPhone lineup is rumored to change after the release of the iPhone 17 lineup later this year, looking at what to expect in 2026, 2027, and beyond.


Apple's recently rumored ‌iPhone‌ roadmap beyond the ‌iPhone 17‌ reveals a significant strategic shift in both release cadence and product positioning. With increasing competition, an expanding lineup, and evolving manufacturing logistics—particularly the move away from China toward production in India—Apple is exploring a staggered release schedule designed to avoid marketing fatigue and maintain focus across the six main ‌iPhone‌ models that are expected to be on sale by the end of next year.

In spring 2026, Apple may introduce the "iPhone 17e" as a refresh of the lower-cost model introduced this year. The major wave of change begins in fall 2026, with the launch of the "‌iPhone‌ 18 Air," "‌iPhone‌ 18 Pro," and "‌iPhone‌ 18 Pro Max." The Pro models are expected to introduce under-display Face ID for the first time, reducing the need for a visible sensor array and leaving only a small camera hole at the top-left corner of the display. It remains unclear how this change will affect the presence or function of the Dynamic Island.

Camera upgrades are also expected, including a variable aperture 48MP main lens and a likely new Samsung sensor for the ultra-wide camera. Other enhancements include Apple's in-house "C2" modem and an "A20" chip made with TSMC's upcoming 2nm process.

Fall 2026 is also expected to mark the debut of Apple's first foldable ‌iPhone‌. Featuring a book-style design, the device will offer a 5.7-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner display. Apple reportedly aims to beat competitors with a superior hinge mechanism crafted from titanium and stainless steel, and a display with a nearly invisible crease. Unlike other flagship iPhones, the foldable model will use Touch ID embedded in the power button instead of Face ID, likely due to internal space constraints. It will also purportedly include just two rear cameras, a high-density battery, and an impressively slim profile: 4.5mm when open, and 9–9.5mm when closed.

In spring 2027, the base "‌iPhone‌ 18" and "‌iPhone‌ 18e" models will follow. In fall 2027, Apple is expected to introduce the "iPhone 19 Air" with a larger display, exceeding the 6.6 inches of the previous two Air models. The "‌iPhone‌ 19 Pro" and "‌iPhone‌ 19 Pro Max"—possibly branded to mark the 20th anniversary of the iPhone—will feature a "bold" redesign, incorporating more glass and, for the first time, an under-display front camera. The result will likely be a true edge-to-edge screen without notches or cutouts, fulfilling a long-standing vision for a seamless all-display ‌iPhone‌.

The second-generation foldable ‌iPhone‌ is also scheduled for fall 2027, building on the first model with further refinements and enhanced durability. While plans for spring 2028 are less concrete, it's likely that the standard "‌iPhone‌ 19" and potentially "‌iPhone‌ 19e" models will arrive then, continuing the new spring/fall rollout rhythm.

Looking even further ahead, Apple's ambitions may go beyond smartphones altogether. According to remarks from Apple executive Eddy Cue this week, the ‌iPhone‌ could be obsolete within a decade, replaced by AI-powered wearables and ambient computing experiences.

The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.



You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about the updated Apple Watch lineup coming later this year.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Kevin Nether, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
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Apple acquired Canadian startup Mayday Labs in April 2024, according to a European Commission listing, spotted by French blog MacGeneration. The acquisition had not received widespread attention from tech publications until now.


Apple is legally required to report certain acquisitions to the European Commission, under the terms of the EU's Digital Markets Act.

Mayday Labs founder Jeremy Bell confirmed that his company had been acquired in a since-deleted April 2024 blog post, but he did not mention Apple at that time. Apple acquired the startup's intellectual property, and the rights to make employment offers to certain employees, according to the European Commission.

Mayday Labs had developed an AI-powered calendar, task manager, and scheduling assistant for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The all-in-one app used AI to automatically schedule your events and tasks at ideal times, and it could learn your scheduling preferences and daily patterns over time to further optimize your calendar.

Mayday's website says its app worked best when you used it with others. For example, it could automatically schedule a meeting at a time where both you and a co-worker were available. It also offered automatic rescheduling for flexibility.

The app was shut down shortly after the acquisition.

It would be reasonable to assume that some of Mayday's features and technologies could be added to Apple's Calendar app across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, under the Apple Intelligence umbrella. More than a year has passed since the acquisition, so perhaps some of these changes will debut as early as iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16, which will be unveiled at Apple's annual developers conference WWDC next month.

Apple already integrated its Calendar and Reminders apps on iOS 18, as a stepping stone.

The European Commission's website lists six other companies that Apple has acquired since September 2023, including Pointable, Betteromics, Drishti, DarwinAI, Datakalab, and Blueye. Many of these companies were working on AI technologies, for the enterprise, manufacturing, life sciences, and more. Some of the acquisitions were well publicized, but Mayday Labs and a few others went somewhat under the radar on a relative basis.
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Losing your Apple Account password can make your digital life a misery, as it can leave you locked out of the account that you use to manage your Apple devices, unable to access your iCloud data and manage your app and service subscriptions.


In this scenario, Apple can't just reset your password for you, especially if your have two-factor authentication enabled. Setting up a recovery key is one alternative solution, but in such cases you can't change your password unless you have a trusted second device as well as the recovery key.

In an effort to make things easier, Apple allows you to set up an account recovery contact that can help make sure you always have access to your account, even if you forget your Apple Account password or device passcode. Your recovery contact is someone who can verify your identity and help you regain access to your account and all of your data if you ever get locked out.

Who Should Be My Recovery Contact?

Your recovery contact should be a person you know and trust, such as a family member or a close friend. They will need an iOS device of their own running iOS 15 or iPadOS 15 or later, or a Mac running macOS Monterey or later, and they must be over the age of 13. They'll also need two-factor authentication turned on for their own account and a passcode set up on their device.

Invite Someone to Be Your Recovery Contact

Note: If you're on a Mac, you can find the same options as above in System Settings ➝ Apple Account.

1. Open the Settings app on your iOS device and tap your Apple Account banner at the top of the main menu.


2. Tap Sign In & Security.
   
   
3. Under "Recovery Methods," tap Recovery Contacts.


4. Read the onscreen information, then tap Add Recovery Contact... and authenticate.
   
   
5. Choose a recovery contact. If you're part of a Family Sharing group, eligible contacts will appear in the options. Alternately, tap Choose Someone Else to search your contacts.


6. Tap Next, and the following screen lets you send your chosen contact a message letting them know you've added them as your recovery contact. You can send the default message or edit it before sending. Tap Send when you're ready, then tap Done.
   

Remember to save the person's phone number so that you can contact them if you need help with account recovery.

Help Someone Regain Access to Their Account

If you are someone's designated recovery contact, here's how you can help them. They'll first have to verify some of their Apple Account account information, and then they'll contact you over the phone or in person. The following steps show how you go about generating and sharing a recovery code that they can then enter on their device. On Mac, the same options can be found in System Settings ➝ Apple Account.

1. Open the Settings app on your iOS device and tap your Apple Account banner at the top of the main menu.


2. Tap Sign In & Security ➝ Account Recovery.


3. Tap your contact's name, then tap Get Recovery Code.


4. When your friend is ready, read them their recovery code. Once they've entered it on their device, they'll be able to reset their password and regain access to their Apple Account.

Remove Yourself As a Recovery Contact

If you no longer want to be someone's recovery contact, follow these steps on your iOS device. On Mac, the same options can be found in System Settings ➝ Apple Account.

1. Open the Settings app on your iOS device and tap your Apple Account banner at the top of the main menu.


2. Tap Sign In & Security ➝ Account Recovery.


3. Under "Account Recovery For," tap the person's name.


4. Tap Remove Contact.

After completing these steps, the contact will automatically receive a message explaining that you're no longer their account recovery contact.

Note: To set up the recovery contact feature, all of the Apple devices associated with your account must be upgraded to iOS 15/iPadOS 15 or later, or macOS Monterey or later. Apple Watch models must be upgraded to watchOS 8 or later. You will not be able to use the recovery contact feature until you upgrade all of your devices or remove them from your Apple Account.
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The new 11th generation iPad has continued to drop in price all week, and Amazon today has introduced a new record low price on the tablet. You can get the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad for $277.78 in Pink, down from $349.00, which beats the previous low price by about $10.

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.

Prices have been fluctuating on the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad throughout the day, so if you're interested be sure to place your order soon before they expire. If it does disappear, the other colors are still available at solid second-best prices of $299.00.





There are also numerous discounts on cellular models, starting at $449.00 for the 128GB model. Amazon is providing an estimated delivery of mid-to-late May for free shipping, while Prime members should be able to get the tablets a bit sooner.





The 11th generation iPad is mainly a spec bump for the tablet line, now featuring the A16 chip and more storage, with the same design as the 10th generation iPad. The new ‌iPad‌ starts with 128GB of storage, and is also available in 256GB and a new 512GB configuration. The previous model was only available in 64GB and 256GB configurations.

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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Best Buy has introduced major discounts across a number of Apple products this week, including MacBook Air, iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad, and Apple Watch. These discounts coincide with Best Buy's Mother's Day sale, which features savings on a collection of tech categories like headphones, wearables, photography, and more.

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

Top Picks

• Apple Pencil Pro - $99.00 ($30 off)


• Powerbeats Pro 2 - $199.99 ($50 off)


• Apple Watch Series 10 - $299.00 ($100 off)


• iPad mini 7 - $399.00 ($100 off)


• M3 iPad Air - $499.00 ($100 off)


• M4 MacBook Air - $849.00 ($150 off)

M4 MacBook Air

Starting with the 13-inch models, Best Buy has $150 off all three of the new configurations of the M4 MacBook Air. Prices start at $849.00 for the 256GB model, then raise to $1,049.00 for the 16GB/512GB model and $1,249.00 for the 24GB/512GB model. The latter two deals are solid second-best prices on the computer, while the 256GB is a match of the best price we've ever tracked.





Moving to the larger display models, Best Buy is matching the all-time low prices on two 15-inch models of the M4 MacBook Air, but Amazon has the best prices around on the 24GB/512GB model.

iPad Mini 7

Best Buy is providing record low prices on every model of the iPad mini 7, starting at $399.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. Colors on sale at this price include Blue, Purple, Space Gray, and Starlight.





You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $499.00 and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $699.00, both $100 discounts and available in multiple colors.

Of course, you'll also find every cellular iPad mini 7 on sale at Best Buy, including the 128GB cellular iPad mini 7 available for $549.00 and the 256GB cellular iPad mini 7 available for $649.00, both $100 off.

11th Gen iPad

In terms of deals on the 11th generation iPad, Best Buy has every model on sale at record low prices, with two exceptions. You'll find better deals on the 128GB Wi-Fi and 256GB Wi-Fi models at Amazon right now, with the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad on sale for $277.78 and the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad on sale for $377.78. Both of these are $71 discounts and new best-ever prices.





Otherwise, you'll find every model available for $50 off on Best Buy today, matching their record low prices. There are also numerous discounts on cellular models, starting at $449.00 for the 128GB model.

M3 iPad Air

For the M3 iPad Air, Best Buy has $100 off every model of the 2025 tablet. Our list below focuses on Wi-Fi models, but you'll also find many cellular models on sale at $100 off right now.




The 128GB cellular 11-inch iPad Air is available for $649.00 and the 128GB cellular 13-inch iPad Air is available for $849.00, both $100 discounts.

11-inch M3 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $499.00, down from $599.00


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $599.00, down from $699.00


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $799.00, down from $899.00


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $999.00, down from $1,099.00

13-inch M3 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $699.00, down from $799.00


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $799.00, down from $899.00


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $999.00, down from $1,099.00


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,199.00, down from $1,299.00

Apple Watch Series 10

Best Buy has a match of the all-time low prices on nearly every Apple Watch Series 10 model, starting at $299.00 for the 42mm GPS device. You'll find both GPS and cellular watches on sale at Best Buy, with multiple band styles available as well.

Apple Watch SE

In addition to Series 10 deals, Best Buy is discounting the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE to $169.00 today, down from $249.00. This is the best price we've tracked so far in 2025, and it's available in Starlight, Silver, and Midnight Aluminum color options.



Additionally, you can get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE at an all-time low price of $199.00 today on Best Buy, down from $279.00. This one is also available in Midnight, Silver, and Starlight Aluminum colors, and multiple band sizes.



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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The widely-rumored iPhone 17 Air is expected to be the thinnest iPhone ever, but will that significantly impact the device's battery life?


Below, we recap rumors about the iPhone 17 Air's battery life.

Last week, The Information's Wayne Ma said the iPhone 17 Air will have "worse" battery life compared to previous iPhone models. In internal testing, Apple determined that the percentage of users who will be able to use the iPhone 17 Air for a full day on a single charge will be between 60% and 70%, according to his reporting. For other iPhone models, the report said that this metric falls between 80% and 90%.

The report said the lesser battery life is due in part to the iPhone 17 Air's ultra-thin design. According to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the device will measure just 5.5mm at its thinnest point, but the rear camera bar will be thicker.

To mitigate this problem, the report said that Apple is planning to release a battery case as an optional accessory for the iPhone 17 Air.

Apple last released battery cases for the iPhone 11 lineup, followed by the since-discontinued MagSafe Battery Pack for the iPhone 12 series and newer. The case would presumably charge the iPhone 17 Air via the device's USB-C port.

Not everyone agrees that the iPhone 17 Air will have worse battery life, though.

In March, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the iPhone 17 Air's battery life would be "on par with current iPhones." He said Apple made hardware and software optimizations to make the device more power efficient, but he did not elaborate.

There are three rumored features for the iPhone 17 Air that could aid battery life, including a higher-density battery, Apple's power-efficient C1 modem, and the lack of an Ultra Wide camera providing more internal space for a larger battery. The lower-end iPhone 16e with the C1 modem has the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone model ever, although that device is obviously not as thin as the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be.

All in all, there is a still a lack of certainty about the iPhone 17 Air's battery life, with rumors currently conflicting. The device is not expected to be released until September, so hopefully some additional reports will help to paint a clearer picture.
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Apple's former Chief Design Officer Jony Ive has given a rare and wide-ranging interview at Stripe Sessions 2025, offering new insights into his design philosophy, his time at Apple, and his current work at his design collective, LoveFrom.



In a one-hour conversation with Stripe co-founder Patrick Collison, Ive reflected on the personal and professional experiences that have shaped his career, beginning with his early exposure to Apple products as a student in the UK. Recalling his first encounter with the original Macintosh, Ive described it as a transformative moment that revealed the values of its creators.

"What we make stands testament to who we are," he said. He characterized the Mac as a "bicycle for the mind," a phrase popularized by Steve Jobs, and noted how it inspired his eventual relocation to California in the early 1990s.

Ive joined Apple in 1992 after a brief period of consulting and quickly rose through the company's ranks to lead the Industrial Design Group, where he oversaw the development of many of Apple's most iconic products, including the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and Apple Watch. He emphasized that the work of design at Apple was deeply rooted in its culture; describing a variety of internal practices intended to cultivate empathy and collaboration among the design team, including weekly shared meals.

One of the things I thought was great was that every Friday morning, I asked that one person on the design team would make breakfast for the whole team. And we took it in turns.

He also described working from each other's homes and creating informal settings where designers could build personal relationships, which he said translated directly into the care embedded in the company's products. According to Ive, these rituals were foundational to Apple's approach to creating user experiences. "Make things for each other," he said.

Ive continued to emphasize attention to detail and the belief that seemingly minor aspects of product design carry significant weight. He referenced the design of Apple's packaging an as example of how everyday experiences could convey respect and consideration for the user.

I had such a clear awareness that in designing a certain solution — for example, how we managed a cable that's in a box — I knew that millions of people would engage with this little tab.

Ive said that such design choices were not arbitrary, but instead formed part of a broader ethic of care. He quoted Jobs, saying, "You can express gratitude to the species through what you make."

Now nearly six years removed from Apple, Ive leads LoveFrom, an independent design collective he co-founded in 2019 with longtime collaborator Marc Newson. The group remains largely private in its operations but has gradually expanded its public profile. The studio's work includes product design, architecture, software, and branding. One of its most prominent recent contributions was the official coronation identity for King Charles III.

According to Ive, LoveFrom is guided by the same principles that shaped his career at Apple, but the collective's mission has evolved. Ive sees each project as an opportunity to "sincerely elevate the species." The LoveFrom team includes not only designers but also musicians and typographers.

Ive warned that designers and technologists today must remain vigilant about the unintended consequences of their work. He argued that positive intentions do not absolve creators from the outcomes of their products and stressed the importance of accountability.

Even if you're innocent in your intention, if you're involved in something that has poor consequences, you need to own it.

Ive also addressed broader concerns about the technology industry, including the rapid pace of innovation and the social implications of modern devices and platforms.

I actually think that something that I feel conscious of is that I think generally in the valley and generally in our... industry, I think joy in humans has been missing. And the products that we're all developing, they're complicated, aren't they? And sometimes joy gets confused with being trivial.

The interview marked a rare public appearance by Ive, who has typically maintained a low profile since his departure from Apple in 2019. He did not address collaboration with OpenAI on a new AI-focused hardware project.
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The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has released Bluetooth 6.1 as part of its new bi-annual update schedule. The update introduces Randomized Resolvable Private Address (RPA), a feature designed to enhance both privacy and power efficiency.


This new feature makes tracking Bluetooth devices a lot more difficult because it randomizes the timing of device address changes, instead of just using predictable intervals. It also offloads address change operations to the controller device, which should help extend the battery life of the accessory device.

The specification follows Bluetooth 6.0, which arrived in September 2024. That update brought Channel Sounding for centimeter-level location accuracy, lower latency, and faster scanning capabilities, all of which could theoretically enhance the iPhone's Precision Finding feature.

For iPhone users, the upcoming iPhone 17 series expected to be released in September will likely support Bluetooth 6.0 and possibly incorporate the new 6.1 features. All in all, it should bring improved privacy protections and better battery performance when using Bluetooth accessories.

With Bluetooth now on a twice-yearly release schedule, the next update, Bluetooth 6.2, is expected to arrive by the end of 2025 with additional refinements and features.
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Apple's chip team is working on new processors for more powerful Macs and future artificial intelligence features that will power Apple Intelligence, reports Bloomberg.


Chips codenamed "Komodo" will likely be M6 chips that will follow this year's M5 chips, while chips codenamed "Borneo" will be Apple's future M7 processors. Another more advanced Mac chip that will debut in the future is codenamed "Sotra."

Apple is designing chips that will be used for AI servers as well, and they are Apple's first processors made specifically for that purpose. The server chips will process ‌Apple Intelligence‌ requests and will be used in Apple servers, serving the same purpose as the high-end Mac chips that Apple uses for servers now now.

The server chips that Apple is working on are part of its "Baltra" project, and the chips are expected to be finished by 2027. Apple is working on multiple types of chips, including those with double, quadruple, and eight times the number of CPUs and GPUs as the current M3 Ultra.

Apple is also developing specialized chips that will be used in future smart glasses that will rival the Meta Ray-Bans, as well as chips for AirPods and Apple Watch models equipped with cameras. Those products could launch as soon as 2027.
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Apple has partnered with multiple merchants to provide three percent Daily Cash back for Apple Card purchases, and T-Mobile has participated in the program since 2019. That's going to end in July, though, and Daily Cash back from T-Mobile will revert to the standard two percent when using Apple Pay.


In its Daily Cash support document, Apple says that starting on July 1, 2025, using ‌Apple Card‌ with ‌Apple Pay‌ at T-Mobile will provide only two percent cash back, instead of the bonus three percent cash back.

‌Apple Card‌ users get two percent cash back for all purchases made with ‌Apple Pay‌, so there will no longer be any extra cash back beyond the two percent when transacting with T-Mobile, including for monthly bills.

Apple is still offering three percent cash for ‌Apple Pay‌ purchases from Ace Hardware, Booking.com, ChargePoint, Duane Read, Exxon and Mobil gas stations, Nike, Uber, and Walgreens.
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Apple Card holders are now eligible for a six-month free trial of the Uber One service, according to emails that Apple began sending out today.


Uber One is a subscription service that includes $0 delivery fees for Uber Eats orders, up to 10 percent off eligible deliveries and pickup orders, and six percent Uber One credits for Uber rides. Apple says that the Uber One benefit for ‌Apple Card‌ is worth $9.99 per month, so the free trial is a $60 value.

The six-month free trial will auto-renew at $9.99 per month after the trial period if the subscription is not canceled. A membership can be canceled in the Uber One section of the Uber app by going to Manage Membership and selecting the End Membership option. ‌Apple Card‌ owners can cancel before the six month trial ends and still get the full six months free.

To get the deal, ‌Apple Card‌ holders need to use the exclusive link provided in the email about the promotion to sign up for an Uber One monthly subscription, using an ‌Apple Card‌ and Apple Pay as the payment method. Ensuring that the ‌Apple Card‌ is associated with the account and using ‌Apple Pay‌ to check out when purchasing a subscription are key to getting the free trial.

The offer is valid for new or returning Uber One subscribers, but it is not available for existing Uber One subscribers.

The Uber One trial is available in addition to the three percent Daily Cash back that ‌Apple Card‌ owners get for Uber and Uber Eats purchases. More information is available on Apple's Daily Cash support page.
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Google today shared details on some of the new ways that it is incorporating artificial intelligence into its search products in order to combat online scams.


In Chrome for the desktop, the Enhanced Protection mode for safer browsing now incorporates Gemini Nano, an on-device large language model. Gemini Nano is able to provide instant insight to users about websites that might be risky, even if it's a scam that hasn't been seen before.

Google says that Gemini Nano is able to distill the varied, complex nature of websites, making it quicker for Google to adapt to new scam tactics. Specifically, Gemini Nano is used to protect users from remote tech support scams, but Google plans to expand it to more types of scams in the future.

Google is using AI to cut down on specific scams in Chrome for Android. Google delivers AI-powered warnings for spammy or misleading notifications, prompting users to unsubscribe. This isn't a feature available on the desktop or iOS devices as of yet, but Google could expand it in the future.
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Amazon is offering numerous all-time low prices on Apple Watch Series 10 devices today, including both GPS and cellular models at $100 off original prices. If you want to build your band collection to match your new Apple Watch, be sure to check out Woot's BOGO free sale on Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands.

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 the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for $299.00, down from $399.00, as well as the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. Both of these are record low prices on the Apple Watch Series 10, and they're available in numerous case colors and band styles, all of which you can find in the lists below.

42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10

• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (S/M) - $299.00, down from $399.00


• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Ink Sport Loop - $299.00, down from $399.00


• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Plum Sport Loop - $299.00, down from $399.00


• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Loop - $299.00, down from $399.00


• Silver Aluminum Case with Blue Cloud Sport Loop - $299.00, down from $399.00


• Silver Aluminum Case with Denim Sport Band (S/M) - $299.00, down from $399.00

46mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10

• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (M/L) - $329.00, down from $429.00


• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Ink Sport Loop - $329.00, down from $429.00


• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band (M/L) - $329.00, down from $429.00


• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Plum Sport Loop - $329.00, down from $429.00


• Silver Aluminum Case with Blue Cloud Sport Loop - $329.00, down from $429.00


• Silver Aluminum Case with Denim Sport Band (M/L) - $329.00, down from $429.00

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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Apple is working on versions of the AirPods and Apple Watch that incorporate a camera, and the devices could be ready to launch sometime around 2027, reports Bloomberg.


Apple has developed a chip codenamed "Nevis" that will be used for its camera-equipped Apple Watch, while a chip codenamed "Glennie" will be incorporated into the AirPods. Apple is aiming to have the chips ready "by around 2027," and if the chips are available early enough in the year, we could see a launch that same year.

Last year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple wants to incorporate infrared cameras into the AirPods to provide an enhanced spatial audio experience with the Vision Pro and future devices, plus cameras could also potentially support in-air gesture control, identifying hand movements. Gurman has suggested that Apple is considering cameras that would "feed data to AI."

As for the Apple Watch, a future model could incorporate a camera in the screen area, while an upcoming version of the Apple Watch Ultra could have a camera near the Digital Crown. The cameras would enable Visual Intelligence features to allow users to get information about their surroundings and more tailored directions.

The cameras destined for the Apple Watch and AirPods won't likely be used for things like capturing photos or FaceTime, but would instead provide visual data for on-device AI features.
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Apple is working on new chips that are destined for smart glasses that would compete with Meta's Ray-Bans, reports Bloomberg. The chip is in development now, with Apple targeting mass production in 2026 or 2027 for a launch in the next two years or so.


The Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses do not have augmented reality capabilities, but are equipped with a camera and AI functionality. Apple has been considering a competitor for at least a year, and has apparently decided to move forward with development.

Apple's smart glasses will include cameras, microphones, and integrated AI, much like the Ray-Bans from Meta, and they would presumably have similar functions like snapping photos, recording video, and offering translation options. Apple could also integrate a Visual Intelligence-like feature for scanning the environment and describing objects, looking up information about products, and providing directions. The glasses will have multiple cameras included, so they could also potentially record spatial video.

The chip that Apple is designing for the smart glasses is based on chips that are used in the Apple Watch. These SoCs use less energy than the chips in devices like the iPhone, and Apple has already optimized it to improve power efficiency.

While Apple is designing the Ray-Ban like glasses to compete with Meta, it is still working on augmented reality glasses, but that product will not be ready for some time.
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Apple today shared a new spatial video that's designed to highlight the Vision Pro headset, demonstrating how the device can be used to make and preserve memories.


For the video, two parents, Sam and Khulan, filmed their newborn son using iPhones that are capable of recording spatial video. Sam then edited the footage into a home video for Khulan to watch on the Apple Vision Pro, and the video shows Khulan's reaction to seeing the montage.

The video has a Mother's Day theme as Mother's Day is this Sunday in the U.S, and it was created by longtime Apple ad agency TBWA/Media Arts Lab.
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In iOS and iPadOS, Apple includes a built-in screenshot feature that also provides you with the ability to capture an entire webpage on your iPhone or iPad that you can then save or share with someone as a PDF document.


By converting full‑page screenshots into PDFs directly within Safari, you can preserve the exact layout and content of lengthy articles, receipts, or social media threads in a single, shareable file. Using the feature also eliminates the need to stitch together multiple images or rely on third‑party apps, plus the text remains searchable and any images stay crisp.

Here's how the feature works.

1. Launch Safari and navigate to the webpage that you wish to capture.


2. If your device lacks a Home button, press the power button located at the top of the device and the volume up button located on the right of the device at the same time to take a screenshot. Otherwise, press the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously to capture a screenshot.


3. A preview of the screenshot will pop up in the lower left of the display. Tap it to open up the Instant Markup interface. You'll have about five seconds before it disappears.


4. Tap the Full Page tab in the upper right corner of the Markup interface, then tap the Crop icon at the top.
   
   
5. Use the frame around the webpage to select what to capture by dragging the corners with your finger, then tap Done.


6. Tap the Share sheet icon (the square with an arrow pointing out) to bring up a panel of share options and actions.


7. From here, you can either share the captured webpage as a PDF document using the top two rows of icons, or save it somewhere (Save to Files, for example) using the Action menu options below. You can also use the Options button to name the file.
   

Note that you can always use the Markup tools to edit your PDF before saving or sharing it.
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Woot is still hosting a sale on Apple Watch Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands, with a bit of a different ruleset compared to previous sales. This time, when you buy any Solo Loop or Braided Solo Loop at a discount on Woot, you'll get up to two extra bands for free.

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

The way it works is when you purchase any Solo Loop band for the discounted price of $19.99 ($29 off), you will get two additional Solo Loop bands for free. When you purchase any Braided Solo Loop for the discounted price of $29.99 ($69 off), you will get one additional Braided Solo Loop band for free.



The catch here is that you won't be able to pick out the color of the bands. You start by selecting the size of the band and Apple Watch model, then Woot will randomly select three Solo Loop bands or two Braided Solo Loop bands to send to you.

Woot guarantees that each band will be a unique color and there will be no duplicate colors in each box. These are also in new condition and come individually packaged in their original Apple retail packaging, as well as with a one year Apple manufacturer limited warranty.

Although there's a bit of risk at play in Woot's new sale, these are massive discounts on the Apple Watch bands, and it's a great way to expand your band collection and try out new colors. This sale will run through May 9 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

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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The first iOS 19 beta is just one month away, and there are already many new features and changes that are expected with it.


Apple should seed the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September.

Below, we recap the key iOS 19 rumors so far.

New Design With Floating Tab Bar

iOS 19 is expected to introduce a new design that looks more like the visionOS operating system on the Apple Vision Pro headset.


According to Front Page Tech's Jon Prosser, iOS 19 will have a glass-like appearance, with added translucency for menus, buttons, and other user interface elements. He also expects rounder app icons, and a new floating tab bar in Apple apps.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also expects iOS 19 to have a visionOS-like design, and he believes the design changes will be the biggest since iOS 7.

Stage Manager for iPhones

Last month, a leaker known as Majin Bu claimed that iOS 19 will enable support for at least a limited version of Stage Manager on iPhone models with a USB-C port.


In a blog post citing sources, the leaker said that when an iPhone with a USB-C port is connected to an external display, users will be able to take advantage of a Stage Manager-like interface with multiple apps open at once on the screen. However, he said that there might be more limitations compared to Stage Manager on iPads.

iPhone models with a USB-C port include all iPhone 15 models and newer.

iPhones with both Lightning and USB-C ports can already be connected to external displays, but only for basic screen mirroring.

End-to-End Encryption for RCS

In March, Apple said that it plans to add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to the Messages app in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS software updates. That likely means iOS 19, macOS 16, and other corresponding updates.


Apple promising end-to-end encryption for RCS messages indirectly confirms that it will be adopting the RCS Universal Profile 3.0 specification, which also includes several iMessage-like enhancements that were originally introduced in version 2.7 of the specification. iOS 18 supports RCS Universal Profile 2.4.

Here are five new capabilities to expect for RCS conversations on iOS 19:

• End-to-end encryption, which will prevent Apple and any other third party from being able to read messages and attachments while they are being sent between devices


• In-line replies


• Edit messages


• Unsend messages


• Full-fledged Tapback support for RCS messages, ensuring they always work

iMessage conversations with blue bubbles have supported end-to-end encryption by default since iOS 5. In addition, iMessage has supported in-line replies since iOS 14, while the options to edit and unsend iMessages were introduced with iOS 16.

Apple has not indicated which iOS version will upgrade RCS, but iOS 19 or a follow-up update like iOS 19.1 or iOS 19.2 seems like a safe bet.

Live Translate With AirPods

At least some AirPods models will be getting a new live translation feature with iOS 19 and an accompanying firmware update, according to Gurman.


Here is how that feature will work, according to his report:

The capability will work like this: If an English speaker is hearing someone talk in Spanish, the iPhone will translate the speech and relay it to the user's AirPods in English. The English speaker's words, meanwhile, will be translated into Spanish and played back by the iPhone.

Google already offers a similar Live Translate feature.

He also said iOS 19 will have bolstered translation capabilities, which likely means improvements are coming to the Apple Translate app.

Revamped Health App With Coaching Feature

A revamped Health app is expected to debut as early as iOS 19.4 next year.


Apple plans to offer a new AI-powered health coaching feature that offers personalized health recommendations, according to Gurman. The information provided by the coaching feature would be accompanied by videos from health experts that inform users about various health conditions and ways to make lifestyle improvements. For example, if the Apple Watch tracks poor heart-rate trends, a video could explain the risks of heart disease.

Food tracking will be another big part of the revamped Health app, which could compete with the MyFitnessPal app, according to Gurman.

Personalized Siri

In March, Apple delayed the more personalized version of Siri that it previewed at WWDC last year. The company said it anticipated rolling out the Siri upgrades at some point "in the coming year," so the features could launch as part of iOS 19 later this year. However, they could also arrive as part of a later update, such as iOS 19.1 through iOS 19.4.


Whenever they launch, the Siri upgrades will include understanding of a user's personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls. For example, during its WWDC 2024 keynote, Apple showed an iPhone user asking Siri about their mother's flight and lunch reservation plans based on info from the Mail and Messages apps.

The more personalized Siri features will require an iPhone model that supports Apple Intelligence, so you will need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, any iPhone 16 model, or any iPhone 17 model launching later this year.

EU Changes

In March, the European Commission announced a long list of changes that Apple is legally required to implement in future iOS 19 and iOS 20 updates.


The announcement clarifies interoperability requirements that Apple is required to adhere to in the EU, under the Digital Markets Act, which has been fully enforced since March 2024. The changes will further open up the iPhone and its technologies to competing companies and devices, and Apple is not happy about it.

Here are some of the key requirements:

• Third-party smartwatches must be able to display and interact with iOS notifications by the end of 2025, which likely means iOS 19.2 or earlier.


• Apple must make its automatic audio switching feature available to third-party headphones by June 1, 2026, which likely means iOS 19.4 or earlier. This is the feature that allows most AirPods and select Beats to automatically switch connection between Apple devices, such as a Mac and an iPhone.


• Apple must make changes to iOS that allow for third parties to offer equivalent AirDrop alternatives by June 1, 2026.


• Apple must make changes to iOS that allow for third parties to offer equivalent AirPlay alternatives by iOS 20, or the end of 2026. iOS 20 is expected to be released to the general public in September 2026.

The entire list of changes can be found on the European Commission's website.

Google Gemini Integration

In court last month, Google CEO Sundar Pichai suggested that iOS 19 might include built-in Google Gemini integration.


iPhone models with Apple Intelligence have already offered ChatGPT integration since iOS 18.2. With user permission, Siri can show ChatGPT answers directly in response to questions and other prompts. ChatGPT is also an option for Apple's system-wide Writing Tools feature, allowing users to generate text and images. Google Gemini would likely have similar integration across Siri and Writing Tools, becoming a second option alongside ChatGPT.

Google Gemini is already available as an iPhone app.

Compatibility

According to a reliable source of iOS-related information, iOS 19 will be compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer.

This means that iOS 19 would not be available on the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, but those devices would continue to receive security updates.

More

Read our iOS 19 roundup for more details about the upcoming software update.
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Apple wanted CEO Tim Cook to make a surprise cameo appearance on Apple TV+'s original comedy show "The Studio"—a request that was declined by the show's creator, Seth Rogen, in favor of an appearance from Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Business Insider reports.


Episode eight of "The Studio" includes a brief scene in which Sarandos plays an exaggerated version of himself. The show's fictional studio executive, Matt Remick, encounters Sarandos in a bathroom at the Golden Globes, where Remick expresses confusion over the frequency with which Sarandos is thanked by winners during their acceptance speeches. Sarandos replies that the gratitude is not spontaneous, but required by contract.

Rogen told Business Insider that Apple executives asked if the role could instead be filled by Apple CEO ‌Tim Cook‌ instead. "They asked if we could use ‌Tim Cook‌ instead, and we said no," he said. Sarandos's appearance on a rival platform is notable given the unusual nature of such cross-company collaboration at the executive level.

‌Apple TV‌+ has already ordered a second season of "The Studio" ahead of the series finale, which will be released on May 21.
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Google Maps has gained the optional ability to scan screenshots in your iPhone's photos and save any found locations to a dedicated list.


Powered by the company's Gemini AI, the new feature lets Google Maps search for any screenshots in your photos, such as social media posts, news articles, and travel blogs, and capture them in the app under a new Screenshots List under the You tab.

The feature scans for shots that include location information like names and addresses, and the app finds associated listings in Google Maps. Users can review those captures via a carousel, and Gemini will automatically identify the associated places and offer to save them with additional details.

The feature's Auto-scan option requires that Google Maps is given the "Allow Access to All Photos" permisssions, so it's not like your photos automatically get scanned. Alternatively, users can browse their photos and manually import screenshots to review. Here's how Google describes the steps involved to save screenshots in Google Maps:

1. Navigate to the You tab.


2. At the top of the You tab, you'll see a Screenshots list with a badge that says "Try it out!" Tap the badge. This will open a video showing you how the feature works — you'll even be able to test it out alongside the video.


3. You'll see a request to allow Google Maps access to your photos. Choose when it has access. (There's also a manual option if you don't want to give Maps full access, more on that later.)


4. Next time you take a screenshot that includes location information, head to Google Maps after.


5. If Maps recognizes a place, a message will pop up telling you that it has places ready for you to review.


6. Tap "review," and decide if you want to save the image to your screenshots list or not. (You can add these images to other lists later, too, if you want.)


7. You also have the option to upload screenshots manually: When you're in the app select the Screenshots list under the You tab. From there, you can upload screenshots manually. The rest of the process is the same!


8. You'll see the saved places directly on your map or can get to the list through You tab to access while you're on the go.

The new capability has rolled out to Google Maps for iOS (in U.S. English), and is likely to extend to other languages and regions soon.
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Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone will feature a new type of display panel developed by Samsung that has never been used in a foldable product, claims a source with links to Apple's supply chain.


According to the account yeux1122 on the Korean Naver blog, the foldable iPhone will use a custom display process for which Apple will hold branding trademark rights, and that meets Apple's stringent requirements for thinness, power efficiency, and brightness levels.

The report suggests Samsung has achieved a breakthrough in thinness by integrating the touch sensor directly into the display panel, reducing overall thickness by approximately 19% compared to current Galaxy Z Fold components. The engineering advancement is said to result in both a lighter build and more rigid display structure.

According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the book-style "iPhone Fold" will have a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch outer display, two rear cameras, one front camera, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and a high-density battery. He expects the device to be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when folded.

Samsung uses a separate touch layer placed on top of the OLED in its current foldables, typically implemented using on-cell touch technology, rather than true in-cell integration. With on-cell touch for recent Samsung Galaxy Fold models, touch electrodes are deposited on the top layer of the OLED panel (under the cover film).

The new display panel for Apple reportedly goes further and uses in-cell touch, which is Apple's standard for its iPhones. Here, the touch layer is integrated within the display's TFT layer, and offers lower thickness, faster response, and no lamination gap. In-cell touch is much harder to achieve on a foldable OLED due to the mechanical stress and durability concerns at the hinge.

The display is being described as a "bar-type" design, suggesting that when unfolded, the screen will appear virtually identical to a standard iPhone, with no visible crease or hinge gap that typically characterizes foldable devices. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently said the foldable iPhone will have a "nearly invisible" crease when unfolded.

Interestingly, the report claims that Samsung's recent push to dramatically reduce thickness in the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 may have been a strategic move to satisfy Apple's manufacturing requirements as a display supplier.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is expected to be significantly thinner than its predecessors. Reports suggest a folded thickness of approximately 9.5mm (including the camera bump) and an unfolded thickness of about 4.5mm. If accurate, this would be a notable reduction from the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which measures 12.2mm when folded and 5.6mm when unfolded. It would also make the Z Fold 7 one of the slimmest foldable smartphones available, rivaling even the Oppo Find N5 – the world's thinnest smartphone – which boasts an unfolded thickness of 4.2mm.

Beyond the structural improvements, the new display technology being developed for Apple reportedly delivers significant enhancements in color reproduction and brightness performance, with gains in both peak and typical brightness levels.

• Foldable iPhone Expected Next Year: All the Rumored Features So Far

Apple plans to release its first foldable iPhone next year, according to several reporters and analysts who cover the company, and it could have a premium price tag of over $2,000.
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Apple has filed an emergency motion asking the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to pause key parts of a recent ruling that dramatically changes how the App Store operates, following a contempt finding in its long-running legal battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games.


In court documents filed Wednesday, Apple called the district court's order "extraordinary" and argued it unlawfully forces the company to permanently give up control over "core aspects of its business operations."

"A federal court cannot force Apple to permanently give away free access to its products and services, including intellectual property," Apple's lawyers wrote in the motion.

Apple is specifically seeking to halt two major provisions while its appeal moves forward: a ban on charging any commissions for purchases made through external links, and restrictions on Apple's ability to set conditions for how those links appear in iOS apps.

The emergency filing comes after Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found Apple in contempt last week for violating her 2021 injunction, which required the company to allow developers to include links to alternative payment methods. The judge determined that internal company documents showed Apple deliberately violated her earlier order.

Apple complied with the latest ruling immediately but is now asking for relief from what it describes as "punitive" measures that would cost it "hundreds of millions to billions" of dollars annually. The company wants the appeals court to issue a ruling by May 28.

"These new rules are not temporary sanctions for non-compliance that Apple can purge," the filing states. "Instead, the district court took the highly irregular step of imposing new, different, and permanent restrictions."

At the heart of the dispute is how Apple implemented the original 2021 injunction. After losing at trial, Apple created a new entitlement system that allowed developers to include links to external payment options, but imposed a 12-27% commission on purchases made through those links and restricted where the links could appear.

Epic Games argued this framework violated both the letter and spirit of the court's order, and Judge Gonzalez Rogers ultimately agreed, finding that Apple's approach "undermine[d] the spirit of the injunction by limiting competition."

In its emergency motion, Apple contends the judge exceeded her authority by essentially setting its prices at zero and taking control over how developers can present alternative payment options within apps.

Several major apps including Spotify, Kindle, and Patreon have already updated their iOS apps to include direct links to external payment methods since the ruling took effect.

Epic Games responded to Apple's emergency motion by calling it "a last ditch effort to block competition and extract massive junk fees at the expense of consumers and developers." The company added that it was "full speed ahead to bring Fortnite to iPhones and iPads in the U.S. this week."
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Google has issued a rare public statement seemingly contradicting Apple senior VP Eddy Cue's courtroom testimony that Safari browser searches declined for the first time in April 2025.


Cue's comments, made during the ongoing U.S. Justice Department antitrust lawsuit against Google, triggered a 7.51% drop in Google's stock price on Wednesday.

In a post to its blog The Keyword, under the title "Here's our statement on this morning's press reports about Search traffic," Google said:

We continue to see overall query growth in Search. That includes an increase in total queries coming from Apple's devices and platforms. More generally, as we enhance Search with new features, people are seeing that Google Search is more useful for more of their queries — and they're accessing it for new things and in new ways, whether from browsers or the Google app, using their voice or Google Lens. We're excited to continue this innovation and look forward to sharing more at Google I/O.

The dispute centers around the $20 billion agreement making Google the default search engine on Apple devices. While testifying, Cue attributed the alleged search decline to users switching to AI services like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude.

Cue added that he believes AI services will eventually replace conventional search engines like Google. As a result, Apple will need to add them as options in Safari in the future. Cue said the company had already held discussions with Perplexity about browser integration.
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When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S25 lineup back in January, it teased a "one more thing" announcement, and introduced a super thin Galaxy Edge smartphone slated for release later in the year. The Galaxy Edge is now closer to launching, and Samsung is planning an official debut event on Monday, May 12 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (or May 13 at 9:00 a.m., for those in South Korea).


Samsung showed off some limited pictures of the Galaxy Edge earlier this year, and it will be notably thinner than Samsung's current S25 lineup. It won't be as expensive as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it will have the same flagship features as the rest of the S25 lineup, suggesting it is a mid-tier device much like Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Air.

According to Samsung, the new Galaxy device is an "engineering marvel" that combines "flagship-level performance with superior portability." It will also serve as a "powerful AI companion."

This is more than a slim smartphone. Every curve, contour and component reflects a breakthrough in precise engineering to create a premium experience worthy of the S series name. The Galaxy S25 Edge not only sets a new standard for what you can achieve with your smartphone -- but it also unlocks a new era of growth for the mobile industry.

Samsung says the Galaxy S25 Edge features "the ultimate camera experience" with a mobile AI that is aimed at photography and a 200-megapixel wide-angle lens.

With Samsung set to debut the Galaxy S25 Edge in May, it will beat Apple to a super thin smartphone. The ‌iPhone 17 Air‌, which is expected to be around 5.5mm thick, won't launch until September. Rumors suggest the ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ will have a 6.6-inch OLED display with ProMotion support, a single-lens rear camera, an A19 chip, and an Apple-designed modem chip, with more information on the device available in our iPhone 17 Air roundup.

There have been rumors suggesting that Samsung will limit the first shipments of the Galaxy S25 Edge to South Korea and China due to supply issues, rolling it out worldwide at a later date.
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Netflix today announced the upcoming launch of a new Netflix TV experience that will be available in the Netflix app for the Apple TV. Netflix has been testing a redesigned version of its TV app since last year, and the new look is a notable departure from the current design.


There is a new home page that has a streamlined, modern design, and Netflix designed it to put content front and center. Shows are organized into different categories as they are now, but each section will feature a large main card that has information like release date and show or movie description. Navigating through each show will display the same information for other content in the section, without the need to click in to a show to get more details.

There's a top bar for navigation instead of the current side bar, with dedicated sections for the home page, shows, movies, games, and your saved list, along with a search interface. The top bar is much easier to see and navigate to, which makes the different options more accessible.

The new design hinges on recommendations, which have been improved. You'll see more relevant, personalized content suggestions based on your past viewing history. Netflix says that recommendations will be more responsive to each user's "moods and interests in the moment."


Netflix plans to debut the new TV experience in the coming weeks and months.

On iOS devices, Netflix is experimenting with a generative AI search feature that will let Netflix users search for shows and movies using conversational language like "I want to watch something funny and upbeat." The feature will be available as a small, opt-in beta.

Netflix is also testing a TikTok-like vertical feed filled with clips of Netflix shows and movies, which Netflix says will "make discovery easy and fun." The new mobile experiences will be available in the coming weeks.
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Google today updated its dedicated Gemini iOS app to add an iPad-friendly interface, allowing the AI assistant to take up the full real estate of an iPad display.


The Gemini app has been compatible with both the iPhone and the ‌iPad‌ since it launched, but until the latest update, using it on the ‌iPad‌ showed an iPhone-sized interface. The latest version of Gemini adds ‌iPad‌ optimization, plus it includes an option to add a Gemini Home Screen widget, and integration with Google Photos.

What's New
- Gemini now has a full-screen, optimized iPad app
- Gemini can now be added as a homescreen widget
- Gemini can now connect with your Google Photos library
- UI improvements and bug fixes

The Gemini app for ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ allows users to access Google Gemini AI. Gemini connects to Google apps like Search, YouTube, Gmail, and Google Maps, plus it has research capabilities, the ability to generate images, study tools, and an option for brainstorming ideas.

Gemini is free to use, but Gemini Advanced, a more capable version of Gemini, requires a Google One AI Premium subscription. Google One AI Premium is priced at $19.99 per month, which is competitive with similar plans from Anthropic and OpenAI.
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It's been nearly two months since the M4 MacBook Air launched, so we thought we'd take another look at the machine now that it's been out long enough to do some serious testing with it.


Introduced in March, the ‌MacBook Air‌ is equipped with Apple's latest and greatest M4 chip, so it's more than capable of handling day-to-day tasks from web browsing and watching videos to getting work done. It's even powerful enough for photo editing and some light video editing work.

All Macs have a minimum of 16GB RAM now, so the base M4 ‌MacBook Air‌ that starts at $999 is a really good deal for what you get. You can upgrade the RAM and the SSD, which may be worthwhile depending on what you want to do on your Mac.

In terms of design, Apple hasn't changed the look of the M4 ‌MacBook Air‌ compared to the M3 model, but it does come in a subtle blue shade that's new this year. The ‌MacBook Air‌ continues to be Apple's most portable Mac, with the 13-inch model weighing just 2.7 pounds. The 15-inch model is heavier at 3.3 pounds, but both models are lighter than the equivalent MacBook Pro models.

There's an upgraded 12-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls this year, which is a nice upgrade over the prior 1080p camera. The ‌MacBook Air‌ is limited to two USB-C ports and it doesn't have the port selection of the ‌MacBook Pro‌, nor the ability to support as many displays, but it's perfect for on-the-go use and it is the Mac that we recommend for most people.

With the ‌MacBook Pro‌, you're going to get a better mini-LED display, ProMotion support, and the option for nano-texture, but those all come with a much higher price tag.

Make sure to watch our review video for more on our thoughts on the M4 ‌MacBook Air‌ after spending almost two months with it.
This article, "Video Review: Two Months With the M4 MacBook Air" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you owned a Siri-compatible device and had an accidental Siri activation between September 17, 2014 and December 31, 2024, you could be eligible for a payment from Apple as part of a class action lawsuit settlement.


Apple in January agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class action lawsuit involving ‌Siri‌ spying accusations, and a website to distribute the funds has now been set up and those eligible to submit a claim are starting to be informed via email.

Between now and July 2, 2025, U.S. Apple device owners can submit a claim if they had an accidental ‌Siri‌ activation on a Siri-enabled iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, HomePod, iPod touch, or Apple TV during the relevant period. Claims for up to five ‌Siri‌ devices can be submitted, as long as the claimant pledges that each device was part of an accidental ‌Siri‌ activation during a conversation that was meant to be confidential or private.

Settlement class members that submit a valid claim will receive a portion of the net settlement amount, which is capped at $20 per ‌Siri‌ device. The amount that's ultimately awarded could increase or decrease based on the total number of valid claims submitted.

Eligible Apple device owners will be receiving an email or postcard about the settlement, but those who feel they are eligible that did not receive a claim notice can still submit a claim form.

The original lawsuit dates back to 2019, and it was filed after a report indicated that some private conversations of Apple device owners were overheard by contractors evaluating Siri when ‌Siri‌ was accidentally activated. Apple was not secretive about the fact that some ‌Siri‌ recordings were analyzed by humans, but the company's privacy terms at the time did not explicitly state that there was human oversight of ‌Siri‌, and that third-party contractors were being used.

The initial lawsuit was actually dismissed because there wasn't enough data about the ‌Siri‌ recordings that Apple allegedly collected, but it was refiled with a claim that Apple used ‌Siri‌ recordings for "targeted advertising," and it moved forward.

There is no evidence that Apple has ever provided ‌Siri‌ recordings or information from ‌Siri‌ recordings to advertisers. In a statement to MacRumors earlier this year, Apple confirmed that ‌Siri‌ data has never been used for marketing purposes.

Siri has been engineered to protect user privacy from the beginning. Siri data has never been used to build marketing profiles and it has never been sold to anyone for any purpose. Apple settled this case to avoid additional litigation so we can move forward from concerns about third-party grading that we already addressed in 2019. We use Siri data to improve Siri, and we are constantly developing technologies to make Siri even more private.

Apple settled the lawsuit in order to avoid further litigation fees, and as part of the settlement, Apple denied "any and all alleged wrongdoing and liability."

Following the 2019 ‌Siri‌ scandal involving contractors listening to accidental ‌Siri‌ recordings, Apple temporarily suspended its ‌Siri‌ evaluation program, stopped using contractors, and implemented options that allow users to delete ‌Siri‌ recordings and block them from being listened to. In later updates, Apple moved some ‌Siri‌ processing on-device, limiting the data that is uploaded to Apple's servers.

After the claim period ends on July 2, there will be a final approval hearing on August 1. At some point after that, the funds will be distributed to Apple customers.
This article, "iPhone Users Now Able to Submit Claims in $95 Million Siri Spying Lawsuit" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon has expanded its sale on Apple's 11th generation iPad, with a few models now reaching as much as $62 off original prices, and with all models across the board at least hitting $50 off. Prices start at $288.39 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, a new record low price.

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.

Additionally, Amazon has the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $388.39 and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad for $599.00, the former of which is another new all-time low price.





There are also numerous discounts on cellular models, starting at $449.00 for the 128GB model. Amazon is providing an estimated delivery of mid May for free shipping, while Prime members should be able to get the tablets a bit sooner.





The 11th generation iPad is mainly a spec bump for the tablet line, now featuring the A16 chip and more storage, with the same design as the 10th generation iPad. The new ‌iPad‌ starts with 128GB of storage, and is also available in 256GB and a new 512GB configuration. The previous model was only available in 64GB and 256GB configurations.

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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AI technology is advancing so rapidly that the iPhone could be outdated in the next decade, Apple services chief Eddy Cue said today when testifying in the Google vs. DoJ antitrust case (via Bloomberg).


"You may not need an ‌iPhone‌ 10 years from now, as crazy as it sounds," Cue said. He was referring to the way that AI is likely to evolve in the coming years, and how wearables combined with intuitive AI functionality could replace traditional smartphones.

The ‌iPhone‌ is still Apple's key revenue driver, and Apple so far hasn't been able to find its next big product that could replace the ‌iPhone‌ as main money maker. Apple canceled its car project, and its first VR headset hasn't sold well. Apple is now focusing on robotics, and is continuing to work on wearables that could eventually lead to augmented reality smart glasses that would be a viable ‌iPhone‌ alternative.

Cue was, of course, just speculating, and Apple still has multiple ‌iPhone‌ innovations that are set to come out over the next several years. Apple could debut its first foldable ‌iPhone‌ as soon as next year, and in 2027, Apple is looking to introduce an all-display ‌iPhone‌ that has no cutouts for the camera or Face ID. So far, AI-based wearables have not successfully replaced smartphones. The Humane AI Pin was a failure, and the Rabbit R1 was also lambasted for poor performance when it launched last year. Other companies are also working on AI screen-free wearables, but none have caught on as of yet.

Cue was testifying due to Apple's search engine deal with Google, which is likely to be prohibited as part of the antitrust remedies that Google is facing to address its dominance in the search market.

Cue said that AI search solutions are poised to replace traditional search engines, and Apple is considering adding AI search tools from companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity to Safari in the future as options for people to select. Apple stands to lose at least $20 billion per year if Google isn't able to pay to be the default Safari search engine.
This article, "Apple's Eddy Cue: AI Could Replace iPhone in 10 Years" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Shazam today announced the launch of its Viral Chart, which lists the fastest-growing songs of the week that were "discovered on screens and socials."


"Shazam's new Viral Chart playlist doesn't just track TikTok hits—it captures the full spectrum of songs blowing up right now, whether through streaming, socials, TV placements, or that random 2004 banger suddenly resurfacing at bars and baseball games," says Apple.

For example, Doechii's single Anxiety blew up on TikTok, while Billy Preston's Nothing From Nothing gained popularity after being featured in the season finale of HBO's The White Lotus. These are the sort of songs that will appear in the Viral Charts.

There is a global chart, along with individual charts for more than 40 countries, and all of them will be updated on a daily basis. The global chart ranks the top 50 songs of the week, while the per-country charts rank the top 25 songs.

The charts are available on Shazam's website, and as Apple Music playlists.

Shazam uses "unique signals" to identify viral songs, which are then ranked by their weekly growth in Shazam identification requests.

Apple acquired Shazam in 2018, and it now powers the Music Recognition feature built into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Shazam is deeply integrated across Apple's software platforms, including in Control Center, Siri, as an Action button option on iPhone 15 Pro models and all iPhone 16 models, as a Smart Stack widget on the Apple Watch, and more.
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Apple is looking at reworking Safari to directly support AI-powered search services, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.


Apple's senior vice president of services Eddy Cue today disclosed that Apple is "actively looking at" reshaping Safari around AI search as part of testimony in the lawsuit against Google from the U.S. Justice Department. The dispute centers on the $20 billion deal between Apple and Google that makes the latter the default search engine on Apple devices.

Cue said that searches on Safari dipped for the first time in April 2025—a change which he attributed to users switching to AI services. He added that he believes AI services such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude will eventually replace conventional search engines like Google. As a result, Apple will need to add them as options in Safari in the future. Cue said the company had already held discussions with Perplexity.

The AI options "probably won't be the default," Cue explained, but they will be added "to the list" of options. He said the services still need to improve further. He added:

You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now as crazy as it sounds. The only way you truly have true competition is when you have technology shifts. Technology shifts create these opportunities. AI is a new technology shift, and it's creating new opportunities for new entrants.

He said that AI services need to improve their search indexes, but, even if this does not happen quickly, users are still likely to switch rapidly because they have other compelling features that are "so much better." Large language models will continue to improve over time, giving users more reason to switch from traditional search to AI. "There's enough money now, enough large players, that I don't see how it doesn't happen," he said.

Nevertheless, Cue said he believes that Google should remain the default search option in Safari. He added that he lost sleep over the possibility of Apple losing the revenue share from the agreement between the two companies. The deal now includes Google Lens integration in Visual Intelligence.
This article, "Apple Working to Add AI Search Options to Safari" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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OWC kicked off a new Spring sale this week, offering solid discounts on a variety of USB-C docks, memory cards, external drives and enclosures, and Mac accessories. Some of these deals won't be applied until you add the items to your cart, at which time an automatic coupon will be applied to your order.

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

There are a few notable deals in this sale, including $120 off the popular 14-Port Thunderbolt Dock for Mac, available for $159.99, which beats last month's deal on the dock by about $20. If you purchase a qualifying new or used Mac at the same time as this dock, you can get an additional $20 off the accessory at checkout.

Docks and Hubs

• OWC USB-C Travel Dock - $34.99, down from $49.99


• Thunderbolt Mini Dock - $99.99, down from $129.99


• Thunderbolt Hub - $99.99, down from $129.99


• 14-Port Thunderbolt Dock - $159.99 when added to cart, down from $279.99


• Thunderbolt Go Dock - $199.99, down from $349.99

Memory Cards

• 480GB OWC Atlas Pro - $159.99, down from $199.99


• 960GB OWC Atlas Pro - $329.99, down from $399.99

External Drives and Enclosures

• Mercury Elite Pro Dual with 3-Port Hub - $144.99 when added to cart, down from $179.99


• 2TB Envoy Pro FX SSD - $329.99, down from $379.99

Memory

• 32GB Memory Upgrade Kit - $59.99, down from $89.98


• 64GB Memory Upgrade Kit - $119.99, down from $179.96

Miscellaneous

• 2M USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable - $3.99, down from $14.99


• 2M Thunderbolt 4 Cable - $44.99 when added to cart, down from $57.99


• Matias Wireless Multi-Pairing Keyboard - $47.99, down from $69.00

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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Apple's global smartwatch shipments declined by 19% year-over-year in 2024, marking the company's second consecutive annual drop and the fifth straight quarter of falling sales, according to new data from Counterpoint Research.


According to Counterpoint's Global Smartwatch Shipment Tracker for the fourth quarter of 2024, Apple experienced shipment declines in all major regions except India. The most significant drop occurred in North America, which accounts for more than half of Apple Watch shipments globally.

The report identifies multiple contributing factors behind the sustained downturn. Chief among them is the absence of a new Apple Watch SE model, which has historically served as Apple's most popular smartwatch in terms of volume during post-launch periods. The last SE model came out in the third quarter of 2022 and its continued absence throughout 2024 is cited as a key driver of weakened shipment growth.

The Apple Watch Series 10 was released in 2024, offering "fewer substantial upgrades" over its predecessor, which reduced consumer incentive to upgrade. The model was affected by ongoing legal issues in the United States, where Apple was required to remove the blood oxygen sensor feature from affected units due to patent litigation.

The lack of an Apple Watch Ultra 3 model in 2024 is also a contributing factor. The Apple Watch Ultra line had previously accounted for over 10% of Apple Watch shipments globally, but its share dropped to under 8% in the fourth quarter of 2024 in the absence of a new model. Counterpoint noted that this decline contributed measurably to Apple's overall shipment losses in the advanced smartwatch category, where Apple's market share fell by 8% points year-over-year.

Despite the contraction in shipments, Apple continues to dominate the advanced smartwatch segment by unit volume. However, the recent declines mark a reversal from earlier years of growth. According to previous Counterpoint data, Apple Watch shipments increased by 27% in 2021. In 2022, growth stalled and the company reported zero percent year-over-year change. This was followed by a 10% decline in 2023, which nearly doubled in scale in 2024.

The downturn coincides with stronger performance from rival smartwatch manufacturers. While Apple's global shipments contracted, all other major vendors in the advanced smartwatch category saw year-over-year growth, according to the report.

Rumors suggest that Apple is preparing to release a third-generation ‌Apple Watch SE‌ with a revamped design and potentially a lower price point, an Apple Watch Series 11 with new health monitoring capabilities and 5G connectivity, and an Apple Watch Ultra 3 with satellite connectivity. The new models should launch in the fall, likely alongside the iPhone 17 lineup.
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When it comes to the MagSafe power bank marketplace, it's largely a sea of sameness. Not this one. Kuxiu's S2 stands apart with its semi-solid state battery technology that promises enhanced safety and longevity, albeit at a steeper price than conventional alternatives.

Design and Features

The Kuxiu S2 is a sleek, compact Qi2 unit with a premium construction that has four key components: a magnetic wireless charging area on top, a power button on the side, a USB-C input/output port (braided USB-C cable included), and LED indicator lights that display battery level. The aluminum alloy frame is paired with matte Corning Gorilla Glass panels, and the pack feels like it can take a whack – though it's not impervious to cosmetic scratches, as a couple of weeks' reviewing attest.

At just 143g (5.04oz) and measuring 106 × 69.5 × 10mm (4.17 × 2.74 × 0.39in), it's impressively portable and lighter than an iPhone 16. That said, when attached to my iPhone 16 Pro, the battery extends slightly beyond the phone's bottom edge, creating a minor asymmetry that likely isn't an issue when paired with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The cameras remain unobstructed, at least.


The S2 has a handy LED indicator system, with four lights showing battery levels: 4 LEDs (>75%), 3 LEDs (>50%), 2 LEDs (>25%), and 1 LED (>10%). When battery drops below 10%, a single LED flashes. There's also a special LED pattern – four lights flickering like a running light – that indicates Small Current Mode is active (more on that below).

The Solid State Difference

In a departure from traditional lithium-ion alternatives, the S2's headline feature is its semi-solid state battery technology. This design eliminates leakage, explosion, and combustion risks. Kuxiu claims the battery can survive nail penetration tests without catching fire or exploding – and based on the company's own dramatic demonstration videos, it continues to function even after such extreme damage.


Despite some confusion on the labeling (which reads "Li Polymer Battery"), Kuxiu confirmed that the S2 does indeed use semi-solid state technology. The solid electrolyte inside can be made from various materials, including polymers – making both claims technically accurate.

Performance and Functionality

The 5,000mAh capacity power bank supports both 15W wireless charging for the iPhone 12 through iPhone 16 series and wired charging at up to 20W via USB-C. The USB-C input specs show it accepts 5V⎓3A/9V⎓2.2A for charging itself.


The manual recommends a first-use procedure: discharging the power bank completely until it shuts off (0%) before fully charging to 100%, preferably with a PD fast charger for optimal speed.

There are three main charging modes: wireless charging (with MagSafe activation), wired charging for other smartphones, and a dedicated Small Current Charging mode. This special mode is activated by double-clicking the power button, and is designed specifically for low-power devices like earbuds and smartwatches that might not draw enough power to keep the bank from auto-shutting off. I had no problems drawing power to charge AirPods Pro via MagSafe and Apple Watch via the charging port.


In my testing with an iPhone 16 Pro, the fully charged S2 brought my completely drained phone to 97% before depleting – slightly less than Kuxiu's claim of "approximately 1.2 full charges." The 16 N52 magnets provide a reassuringly strong connection that maintains its grip even when slipped into a loose pocket or bag. If your iPhone has a non-MagSafe case though, the bank is eventually going to slip off.

One particularly impressive aspect is the thermal management. Some slim power banks can become alarmingly hot during discharge (especially at low charge levels), but the S2 remained noticeably cooler in my experience.

Longevity and Value

Here's where the semi-solid state technology really shines. While the S2's $79.99 price tag is approximately 60% higher than comparable liquid-based power banks from companies like Anker or EcoFlow, the longevity benefits are substantial. Kuxiu claims the S2 will maintain 80% of its original capacity after 1,000 charging cycles, compared to just 300-500 cycles for traditional power banks. That's potentially double or triple the useful lifespan.

The efficiency is equally impressive. A full discharge offers 18-19Wh capacity power output, which is excellent after accounting for conversion losses. Looking long-term, this efficiency combined with extended cycle life makes the premium price more palatable.

Summing Up

The Kuxiu S2 feels like a genuine step forward in power bank technology. The $79.99 price tag initially stings, but when you consider the potential for double or triple the lifespan of conventional alternatives, along with enhanced safety and premium materials, the value proposition becomes clearer. For those who frequently rely on portable power, the investment should pay dividends over time.

What's missing? A kickstand would be nice. Some users might also miss the iOS widget integration that was available in Kuxiu's previous S1 model. Due to Qi2 certification requirements, the S2 doesn't offer the satisfying iOS integration that Apple's own MagSafe battery pack provided – no special animation on the lock screen or appearance in the battery widget. Don't get me wrong, it works flawlessly. It just doesn't feel as "Apple-like" as some might prefer. But these are minor quibbles against what appears to be a genuinely innovative product. If safety and longevity matter more to you than saving a few dollars upfront, the Kuxiu S2 deserves consideration.

Where to Buy

The Kuxiu S2 Qi2 5000mAh MagSafe Solid-State Power Bank is available in black or natural titanium colors for $79.99 from Kuxiu's website and authorized resellers.
This article, "Review: Kuxiu S2 Power Bank - Semi-Solid State Tech Promises Longer Life, Better Safety" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Bang & Olufsen has just launched the Beosound A1, the third generation of its award-winning portable Bluetooth speaker offering enhanced performance features.


Created in collaboration with Danish designer Cecilie Manz, the new A1 maintains the speaker's distinctive minimalist aesthetic while introducing some notable improvements to its audio capabilities and environmental credentials.

The premium portable speaker features a pearl-blasted aluminum body with over 2,100 precision-milled holes and a soft waterproof leather strap. It comes in three finishes: the classic Natural Aluminium plus two nature-inspired additions – Honey Tone and Eucalyptus Green.

Sonic upgrades include what B&O claims is the largest woofer in its class, delivering deeper bass with a Bass SPL of 64dB – 2dB more than the previous model. Battery life has been extended to 24 hours, and the speaker retains Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity with Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair support. The speaker also now comes with support for the aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec.

The A1 3rd Gen carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, so you can take it into the shower or to the beach. It also has a three-microphone array for using it as a speakerphone for calls.


The A1 features modular architecture designed for a 10-year lifetime and is the first Bluetooth speaker to receive Cradle to Cradle certification (Bronze level). B&O says the certification "aims to support a serviceable, upgradeable, and repairable approach to product design." The company offers a replaceable battery service and up to 5 years warranty with Beocare. We reviewed the first-generation model way back in 2016, and it's still going strong.

The Beosound A1 3rd Gen is available in the United States for $349 (£299 in the UK) from Bang & Olufsen brick-and-mortar stores and the company's website.

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Apple is selling refurbished iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max models to its online store in the United Kingdom, around four months after introducing the discounted models in other European countries.


The iPhone 15 is priced starting at £589, while the iPhone 15 Plus is priced starting at £759. The iPhone 15 Pro is priced starting at £869, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max is priced starting at £949. Prices are discounted about 15 percent compared to brand new models.

Several color and storage options are available at the time of writing, but availability may change as Apple updates its inventory. If you're after a specific combination, it's worth checking back regularly to see what's in stock.

Apple first introduced iPhone 15 models in Europe back in January, while the models were added to Apple's refurb stores in the U.S. and Canada this week. Archived webpage snapshots indicate the iPhone 15 models were added to the regional UK online store sometime around late April.

Apple's refurbished iPhones are unlocked, meaning they work with any carrier. Each device comes with a brand-new battery, a fresh outer shell, and a new USB-C cable—making them virtually indistinguishable from brand-new models. Refurbished iPhones also include Apple's standard one-year warranty, with the option to add AppleCare+ for extended coverage.
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Google this week targeted the upcoming iPhone 17 in an ad for the Pixel 9 Pro, mocking Apple's design plans and suggesting that Apple often copies Android features.


The ‌iPhone 17‌ isn't released, of course, so Google's ad is based on rumors that the iPhone is going to get a horizontal camera bar at the back, which is a Pixel-esque design. Dummy models and mockups of the ‌iPhone 17‌ depict a thick horizontal camera bar for the iPhone 17 Pro models, and a slimmer, more Pixel-style camera bar for the iPhone 17 Air.

Google's Pixel lineup has long used a horizontal camera bar, but it has lenses arranged in a horizontal line. Apple plans to continue to use a triangular arrangement for the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models, and will simply expand the camera bump.

In the ad, Google points out that the Pixel had a horizontal camera bar first, before delving into other features that Apple has allegedly copied. The video is positioned as a "podcast" featuring a Pixel phone and an ‌iPhone‌.

Pixel: Hi, I'm Pixel, and this is my friend, iPhone.
iPhone: Good day.
Pixel: There are a lot of rumors circulating about iPhone's upcoming redesign.
iPhone: It's crazy. Can you imagine me doing the same thing you did first years later?

Google highlights Night Mode, Clean Up, and widgets as examples of features that were available on Android first. The video wraps up with the ‌iPhone‌ copying a line that the Pixel says first: "We want to remind everyone that these rumors are just rumors."

"Please don't go repeating everything you see," reads the video description. Google has used the ‌iPhone‌ and Android ad format in the past to mock Apple's ‌iPhone‌ design decisions, most recently targeting Apple's switch to USB-C.
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