ConnexionApple releases iOS 26.2 with Liquid Glass tweaks, CarPlay changes, much more
Apple has officially released iOS 26.2 for iPhone. The latest version includes Liquid Glass design tweaks, new customization options for CarPlay, and much more.
more…Vue lecture
iPadOS 26.2 is now available for iPad, here’s everything new
Apple’s latest big iPad software update is here: iPadOS 26.2 is rolling out now, here’s everything new.
more…New iOS 26.4 and iOS 27 features revealed in leaked code
Leaked code from an unreleased build of iOS 26 reportedly contains references to several new features in the works for iOS 26.4 and iOS 27 next year. Here’s what the code reveals.
more…'Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen' Now Available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Well-known game developer Halfbrick this week launched Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen, an iPhone, iPad, and Mac adventure game that's currently exclusive to Apple's platforms. The game was made for children and adults who are fans of the wildly popular Bluey animated series.
Like the show, the game features Bluey, an anthropomorphized six-year-old blue heeler puppy, along with her sister Bingo and her parents. Bluey's Quest was inspired by the Dragon and Escape episodes from the TV show, where Bluey and Bingo's drawings come to life. The game uses a charming hand-sketched art style that ties into the Bluey universe while still creating a unique gaming experience.
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is a game designed for children, and Halfbrick kept that in mind when developing it. The game has no ads and no in-app purchases to trick children or their parents into spending more money. It's a free download with a demo to play before purchase, and then a $14.99 in-app purchase to unlock the full game. $14.99 is on the more expensive side for a game, but it is refreshing to see a thoughtfully designed experience for children that's not just a digital loot box cash grab.
Bluey creator Joe Brumm wrote an original story for the game, and Halfbrick made it feel like the player has been transported into an episode of Bluey. In the game, Bluey and her family are once again transported into a world of drawings, where they team up to hunt down the Gold Pen. Gameplay consists of simple puzzles, fun challenges, item collecting, and animated cutscenes, with a touching, humorous Bluey story unfolding as players progress through nine different worlds.
There are simple controls, and children can glide, fly, and skate through levels while interacting with fun characters and uncovering treasure. As in the show, there are a range of Australian landscapes, from mountains and beaches to forests. The original TV show actors reprise their roles in the game, so it will feel just like an episode of Bluey. Younger children can play alongside parents, while older children will be able to explore the game on their own. Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen offers hours of gameplay, and children will likely want to experience the adventure again and again.
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is available from the App Store for free, and unlocking the full game requires a one-time $14.99 fee. It will eventually come to consoles and other platforms, but for now, it is exclusive to Apple devices. [Direct Link]
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Like the show, the game features Bluey, an anthropomorphized six-year-old blue heeler puppy, along with her sister Bingo and her parents. Bluey's Quest was inspired by the Dragon and Escape episodes from the TV show, where Bluey and Bingo's drawings come to life. The game uses a charming hand-sketched art style that ties into the Bluey universe while still creating a unique gaming experience.
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is a game designed for children, and Halfbrick kept that in mind when developing it. The game has no ads and no in-app purchases to trick children or their parents into spending more money. It's a free download with a demo to play before purchase, and then a $14.99 in-app purchase to unlock the full game. $14.99 is on the more expensive side for a game, but it is refreshing to see a thoughtfully designed experience for children that's not just a digital loot box cash grab.
Bluey creator Joe Brumm wrote an original story for the game, and Halfbrick made it feel like the player has been transported into an episode of Bluey. In the game, Bluey and her family are once again transported into a world of drawings, where they team up to hunt down the Gold Pen. Gameplay consists of simple puzzles, fun challenges, item collecting, and animated cutscenes, with a touching, humorous Bluey story unfolding as players progress through nine different worlds.
There are simple controls, and children can glide, fly, and skate through levels while interacting with fun characters and uncovering treasure. As in the show, there are a range of Australian landscapes, from mountains and beaches to forests. The original TV show actors reprise their roles in the game, so it will feel just like an episode of Bluey. Younger children can play alongside parents, while older children will be able to explore the game on their own. Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen offers hours of gameplay, and children will likely want to experience the adventure again and again.
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is available from the App Store for free, and unlocking the full game requires a one-time $14.99 fee. It will eventually come to consoles and other platforms, but for now, it is exclusive to Apple devices. [Direct Link]
Tag: App Store
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Epic Games CEO Says Apple Should Be Paid for App Review Only, Not External Purchase 'Junk Fees'
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has said that he will never agree to share revenue with Apple for external purchases linked from iOS apps, even after a U.S. appeals court ruled that Apple is entitled to charge a reasonable fee for such transactions.
Speaking to The Verge following the U.S. Court of Appeals decision that partially modified the injunction in the Epic Games v. Apple case, Sweeney outlined his position on what Apple should and should not be allowed to charge developers as the dispute returns to the district court for further proceedings. The appeals court ruled that Apple must be allowed to collect some form of compensation for purchases made through external links in iOS apps, reversing a lower court order that had permanently barred Apple from charging any commission at all.
Sweeney acknowledged that Apple incurs operational costs in reviewing apps that include external payment links and said Epic would accept flat, submission-based fees tied directly to that work. However, he rejected outright the idea that Apple should receive any percentage-based commission on revenue generated outside the App Store.
Sweeney characterized the appeals court ruling as a decisive rejection of Apple's longstanding approach to App Store fees. He said the decision "completely shuts down, I think, for all time, Apple's theory that they should be able to charge arbitrary junk fees for access." He went on to suggest that the U.S. decision could influence regulators abroad, arguing that other countries would be unlikely to permit Apple to charge fees that a U.S. court had found to be unlawful.
However, the appeals court did not block Apple from charging commissions on external purchases. Instead, it said the district court went too far by permanently banning all commissions, calling that approach more like a punishment than a corrective measure. Although the court agreed that Apple deliberately violated the original injunction by making external links hard to use, it ruled that Apple must still be allowed to cover its costs and receive some payment for the use of its intellectual property.
As a result of the ruling, the case has been sent back to the Northern District of California to determine what constitutes an appropriate fee structure. The appeals court said that Apple may not charge any commission on purchases made via external links in iOS apps until the district court approves a rate.
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Speaking to The Verge following the U.S. Court of Appeals decision that partially modified the injunction in the Epic Games v. Apple case, Sweeney outlined his position on what Apple should and should not be allowed to charge developers as the dispute returns to the district court for further proceedings. The appeals court ruled that Apple must be allowed to collect some form of compensation for purchases made through external links in iOS apps, reversing a lower court order that had permanently barred Apple from charging any commission at all.
Sweeney acknowledged that Apple incurs operational costs in reviewing apps that include external payment links and said Epic would accept flat, submission-based fees tied directly to that work. However, he rejected outright the idea that Apple should receive any percentage-based commission on revenue generated outside the App Store.
Sweeney characterized the appeals court ruling as a decisive rejection of Apple's longstanding approach to App Store fees. He said the decision "completely shuts down, I think, for all time, Apple's theory that they should be able to charge arbitrary junk fees for access." He went on to suggest that the U.S. decision could influence regulators abroad, arguing that other countries would be unlikely to permit Apple to charge fees that a U.S. court had found to be unlawful.
However, the appeals court did not block Apple from charging commissions on external purchases. Instead, it said the district court went too far by permanently banning all commissions, calling that approach more like a punishment than a corrective measure. Although the court agreed that Apple deliberately violated the original injunction by making external links hard to use, it ruled that Apple must still be allowed to cover its costs and receive some payment for the use of its intellectual property.
As a result of the ruling, the case has been sent back to the Northern District of California to determine what constitutes an appropriate fee structure. The appeals court said that Apple may not charge any commission on purchases made via external links in iOS apps until the district court approves a rate.
Tags: Epic Games, Epic Games vs. Apple
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Would you accept this compromise for the 20th anniversary iPhone? [Poll]
There have been persistent rumors that Apple will be pulling out all the stops for the 20th anniversary iPhone in 2027. It’s been suggested this will be the year the company will finally achieve its long-held ambition of turning the iPhone into “a single slab of glass.”
What’s meant by this is that there will be no visible bezels and no Dynamic Island or cutout of any kind on the display. While this is already technically achievable, it would involve one significant compromise …
more…The MacRumors Show: Studio Display 2 and Pro Display XDR 2 Rumors
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through Apple's plans to refresh the Studio Display and Pro Display XDR.
Apple's next-generation Studio Display is widely expected to feature the same 27-inch screen size as the current model, but with mini-LED technology instead of LCD. This upgrade would result in increased brightness and a higher contrast ratio compared to the current model, bringing it in line with the MacBook Pro, which has touted mini-LED since 2021.
Leaked Apple code suggests that the new Studio Display will also feature an A19 chip. The Studio Display's chip supports features like Center Stage, Spatial Audio, and "Hey Siri" commands. The current Studio Display contains the A13 Bionic, a chip that started out in the iPhone 11 lineup back in 2019. The new model could also feature ProMotion for a refresh rate up to 120Hz, just like the MacBook Pro, along with HDR.
Apple released the Studio Display in March 2022, alongside the first Mac Studio. The standalone display features a 27-inch LCD screen with a 5K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, up to 600 nits brightness, a built-in camera and speakers, a single Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. In the U.S., the monitor starts at $1,599.
Reports suggest that the next-generation Studio Display will come out in early 2026, when we're also expecting new Macs with the M5 chip.
Apple has been rumored to be working on an updated version of the Pro Display XDR since 2022, adding an Apple silicon chip. As a result, the Pro Display XDR is likely to gain speakers, microphones, Hey Siri support, and a camera with Center Stage, just like the Studio Display. Further parity with upcoming Studio Display features such as mini-LED and ProMotion is also possible.
At the very least, the new monitor is expected to feature the same quantum-dot display technology adopted by the MacBook Pro. The latest quantum-dot display films have equal to better color gamut support, and offer improved motion performance, compared to the KSF phosphor film that Apple uses for the existing Pro Display XDR and previous MacBook Pro models. This means the new Pro Display XDR should have improved color accuracy and faster response times compared to the current model.
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 Samsung's new Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone and how it could compare to Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone.
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 Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, 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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Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos
Apple's next-generation Studio Display is widely expected to feature the same 27-inch screen size as the current model, but with mini-LED technology instead of LCD. This upgrade would result in increased brightness and a higher contrast ratio compared to the current model, bringing it in line with the MacBook Pro, which has touted mini-LED since 2021.
Leaked Apple code suggests that the new Studio Display will also feature an A19 chip. The Studio Display's chip supports features like Center Stage, Spatial Audio, and "Hey Siri" commands. The current Studio Display contains the A13 Bionic, a chip that started out in the iPhone 11 lineup back in 2019. The new model could also feature ProMotion for a refresh rate up to 120Hz, just like the MacBook Pro, along with HDR.
Apple released the Studio Display in March 2022, alongside the first Mac Studio. The standalone display features a 27-inch LCD screen with a 5K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, up to 600 nits brightness, a built-in camera and speakers, a single Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. In the U.S., the monitor starts at $1,599.
Reports suggest that the next-generation Studio Display will come out in early 2026, when we're also expecting new Macs with the M5 chip.
Apple has been rumored to be working on an updated version of the Pro Display XDR since 2022, adding an Apple silicon chip. As a result, the Pro Display XDR is likely to gain speakers, microphones, Hey Siri support, and a camera with Center Stage, just like the Studio Display. Further parity with upcoming Studio Display features such as mini-LED and ProMotion is also possible.
At the very least, the new monitor is expected to feature the same quantum-dot display technology adopted by the MacBook Pro. The latest quantum-dot display films have equal to better color gamut support, and offer improved motion performance, compared to the KSF phosphor film that Apple uses for the existing Pro Display XDR and previous MacBook Pro models. This means the new Pro Display XDR should have improved color accuracy and faster response times compared to the current model.
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 Samsung's new Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone and how it could compare to Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone.
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 Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, 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.
Tag: The MacRumors Show
This article, "The MacRumors Show: Studio Display 2 and Pro Display XDR 2 Rumors" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Deals: M4 MacBook Air $250 off + FREE $25 gift card, exclusive 20% off at Twelve South, leather/Nomad Apple Watch bands, more
Alongside the ongoing Amazon all-time low on AirPods Pro 3, today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is starting with a seriously notable deal on M4 MacBook Air. Now landing back down at the Black Friday price at $250 off, you can also land the 13-inch model with a FREE $25 gift card for the best price of the year. Those offers also join exclusive sitewide savings for 9to5 readers at Twelve South and on all of the sweet leather gear from Bluebonnet. Scope it all out below.
more…iOS 26.2 has four new changes I’ve used almost every day
iOS 26.2 is the next major iPhone update, and its launch appears imminent. There are lots of new features coming in the release, including these four changes I’ve been using almost every day.
more…Best Apple Deals of the Week: AirPods Pro 3 Hit Best-Ever $199 Price, Plus Portable SSDs at Samsung and More
We're already in the middle of December, and holiday deals are abundant this time of year. This week, you can find best-ever discounts on AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and M5 iPad Pro. Below, you'll also find an exclusive sitewide deal at Burton Goods and an ongoing holiday sale at Samsung with big discounts on storage accessories and more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 hit a new record low price of $199.00 this week on Amazon, down from $249.00, and they're still available today. This deal beats the Black Friday price we saw last month by about $20.
MacRumors readers can get 25 percent off sitewide this weekend at Burton Goods, with the code MR25 at checkout. Burton Goods is known for its leather accessories that include iPhone and iPad Cases, MacBook sleeves, Apple Watch bands, MagSafe-compatible wallets, and more.
Samsung kicked off a new holiday event this week, and you can find great deals on monitors, storage accessories, TVs, Galaxy smartphones, and home appliances. Many of these deals are the exact same all-time low prices we tracked during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
A new highlight of this event is Samsung's 4TB Portable SSD T7 Shield for $349.99 ($115 off), and you can still get The Frame Pro on sale for $1,999.00 ($1,200 off).
Amazon has a few record low prices on multiple Apple Watch models this week, including the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3. These have been some of the most consistent deals to stick around after Black Friday, and they're available in multiple color options and sizes.
Amazon and Best Buy opened up big discounts across the M5 iPad Pro lineup this week, offering as much as $180 off select tablets. Prices start at $899.00 for the 256GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M5 iPad Pro at Amazon, down from $999.00. All deals in this sale match — or beat — the record low prices we tracked during Black Friday.
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.
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
This article, "Best Apple Deals of the Week: AirPods Pro 3 Hit Best-Ever $199 Price, Plus Portable SSDs at Samsung and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
AirPods Pro 3
- What's the deal? Take $50 off AirPods Pro 3
- Where can I get it? Amazon
- Where can I find the original deal? Right here
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 hit a new record low price of $199.00 this week on Amazon, down from $249.00, and they're still available today. This deal beats the Black Friday price we saw last month by about $20.
Burton Goods
- What's the deal? Take 25% off sitewide with code MR25
- Where can I get it? Burton Goods
MacRumors readers can get 25 percent off sitewide this weekend at Burton Goods, with the code MR25 at checkout. Burton Goods is known for its leather accessories that include iPhone and iPad Cases, MacBook sleeves, Apple Watch bands, MagSafe-compatible wallets, and more.
Samsung
- What's the deal? Save sitewide on Samsung TVs, monitors, and more
- Where can I get it? Samsung
- Where can I find the original deal? Right here
Samsung kicked off a new holiday event this week, and you can find great deals on monitors, storage accessories, TVs, Galaxy smartphones, and home appliances. Many of these deals are the exact same all-time low prices we tracked during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
A new highlight of this event is Samsung's 4TB Portable SSD T7 Shield for $349.99 ($115 off), and you can still get The Frame Pro on sale for $1,999.00 ($1,200 off).
Apple Watch
- What's the deal? Take up to $100 off Apple Watch SE 3 and Series 11
- Where can I get it? Amazon
- Where can I find the original deal? Right here
Amazon has a few record low prices on multiple Apple Watch models this week, including the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3. These have been some of the most consistent deals to stick around after Black Friday, and they're available in multiple color options and sizes.
iPad Pro
- What's the deal? Take up to $180 off M5 iPad Pro
- Where can I get it? Amazon and Best Buy
- Where can I find the original deal? Right here
Amazon and Best Buy opened up big discounts across the M5 iPad Pro lineup this week, offering as much as $180 off select tablets. Prices start at $899.00 for the 256GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M5 iPad Pro at Amazon, down from $999.00. All deals in this sale match — or beat — the record low prices we tracked during Black Friday.
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.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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How to know when AirPods firmware is updating on your iPhone
Apple just released new firmware for AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2, but the installation process isn’t as straightforward as with other products. Here’s how to know when new AirPods firmware is actively updating on your iPhone.
more…Hit Apple TV thriller from Slow Horses author lands new season
Hit Apple TV thriller Down Cemetery Road just aired its season finale this week, but fans didn’t have to wait long to learn the series’ fate. Apple just confirmed that the show is coming back for season 2. Here are the details.
more…Best Buy Takes $250 Off M4 MacBook Air, Plus Free $25 Gift Card
Best Buy has a few new offers on Apple's M4 MacBook Air this week, including a match of the all-time low price on the notebook, plus a free $25 Best Buy gift card with purchase. You can get the 13-inch 256GB model for $749.00, down from $999.00, as well as discounts on every other 13-inch model.
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.
When you purchase one of the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air computers at Best Buy, you will get a free $25 Best Buy gift card with your purchase. This is an e-gift card that will be sent out after the eligible product is fulfilled or picked up in a Best Buy store, and a valid e-mail address is required to claim the card.
As of writing, no 15-inch M4 MacBook Air models are matching any all-time low prices, or include the $25 gift card offer. 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.
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
This article, "Best Buy Takes $250 Off M4 MacBook Air, Plus Free $25 Gift Card" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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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.
When you purchase one of the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air computers at Best Buy, you will get a free $25 Best Buy gift card with your purchase. This is an e-gift card that will be sent out after the eligible product is fulfilled or picked up in a Best Buy store, and a valid e-mail address is required to claim the card.
As of writing, no 15-inch M4 MacBook Air models are matching any all-time low prices, or include the $25 gift card offer. 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.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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Apple facing regulatory scrutiny in Switzerland over iPhone NFC chip
Apple is facing antitrust scrutiny in Switzerland over access to the NFC chip inside iPhone. The Swiss Competition Commission announced this week that they are “investigating whether Apple’s terms and conditions for granting access could raise competition law concerns.”
“Among other things, it seeks to clarify whether other providers of mobile payment apps can effectively compete with Apple Pay for contactless payments with iOS devices in shops,” the commission says.
more…Apple Pay Faces Swiss Antitrust Investigation Over NFC Access
Switzerland's competition authority has launched a preliminary investigation into whether Apple's terms for granting third-party access to NFC technology on iPhones violate its antitrust laws.
The Secretariat of the Swiss Competition Commission opened the probe on December 10 to examine whether rival mobile payment apps can compete fairly with Apple Pay for contactless payments in stores.
Android devices freely allow third-parties to use NFC technology, but Apple only began allowing Swiss app developers to access its NFC interface in late 2024. The regulator is looking into whether the conditions differ from those Apple separately agreed to in the EU last year.
After pressure from the European Commission, Apple agreed in July 2024 to open NFC access across the European Union, of which Switzerland is not a member.
Switzerland's competition watchdog has been engaged in discussions with Apple since that time. The COMCO investigation is now gathering information from market participants to decide if Apple's Swiss-specific terms do in fact comply with local competition law.
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The Secretariat of the Swiss Competition Commission opened the probe on December 10 to examine whether rival mobile payment apps can compete fairly with Apple Pay for contactless payments in stores.
Android devices freely allow third-parties to use NFC technology, but Apple only began allowing Swiss app developers to access its NFC interface in late 2024. The regulator is looking into whether the conditions differ from those Apple separately agreed to in the EU last year.
After pressure from the European Commission, Apple agreed in July 2024 to open NFC access across the European Union, of which Switzerland is not a member.
Switzerland's competition watchdog has been engaged in discussions with Apple since that time. The COMCO investigation is now gathering information from market participants to decide if Apple's Swiss-specific terms do in fact comply with local competition law.
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'iPhone Fold' Arrival Expected to Cement Book-Style Era for Foldables
Foldable smartphone panel shipments are projected to jump 46% year-over-year in 2026, with Apple's entry into the market serving as the main catalyst, according to Counterpoint Research's latest Foldable-Rollable Display Shipment Tracker.
"Apple is the key driver as it starts to procure panels for its first foldable iPhone," said Counterpoint's Guillaume Chansin. The research firm expects Apple's foldable iPhone to "reinvigorate the broader market," spurring massive growth in panel shipments next year.
Apple's "iPhone Fold," which we are provisionally calling it, is said to have an outer display and opens like a book to reveal a larger iPad mini-style internal display. The report indicates that Apple's entry into the market will see similar book-type foldables cement their position as the dominant form factor in 2026. Meanwhile, multi-fold panels, like those used in Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold, will account for only low single-digit market share.
Samsung Display stands to benefit most from the shift, with its panel market share expected to climb past 50%. Samsung is also reportedly supplying the panels for Apple's first foldable. The move toward book-type designs is also expected to drive up average selling prices for foldable panels.
Consumer preference appears to be shifting toward larger displays that offer tablet-like productivity. Counterpoint notes that Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold outsold the Flip model during the early sales window in the second half of 2025, which was a first for the series.
Counterpoint expects overall foldable smartphone shipments to grow 14% in 2025 and 38% in 2026. Apple's foldable iPhone is expected to arrive next year, around mid-September.
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"Apple is the key driver as it starts to procure panels for its first foldable iPhone," said Counterpoint's Guillaume Chansin. The research firm expects Apple's foldable iPhone to "reinvigorate the broader market," spurring massive growth in panel shipments next year.
Apple's "iPhone Fold," which we are provisionally calling it, is said to have an outer display and opens like a book to reveal a larger iPad mini-style internal display. The report indicates that Apple's entry into the market will see similar book-type foldables cement their position as the dominant form factor in 2026. Meanwhile, multi-fold panels, like those used in Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold, will account for only low single-digit market share.
Samsung Display stands to benefit most from the shift, with its panel market share expected to climb past 50%. Samsung is also reportedly supplying the panels for Apple's first foldable. The move toward book-type designs is also expected to drive up average selling prices for foldable panels.
Consumer preference appears to be shifting toward larger displays that offer tablet-like productivity. Counterpoint notes that Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold outsold the Flip model during the early sales window in the second half of 2025, which was a first for the series.
Counterpoint expects overall foldable smartphone shipments to grow 14% in 2025 and 38% in 2026. Apple's foldable iPhone is expected to arrive next year, around mid-September.
Tags: Counterpoint, Foldable iPhone
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'Dead Cells' Free for a Limited Time on Epic Games' iOS Store in the EU
Epic Games launched its mobile store for iPhone and iPad in the EU last year, and it has since established a popular program of weekly game giveaways. This week, it is making one of the most awarded indie action games of recent years free to download for a limited time.
Dead Cells is an action-platformer from developer Motion Twin that combines elements of traditional side-scrolling combat with roguelike design. Players explore a procedurally generated castle, where levels, enemy placements, and rewards change with each run.
The game is known for its responsive combat, permanent progression mechanics, and branching level paths that unlock over time. Its pixel-art presentation and soundtrack have been lauded by critics, and regular post-launch updates have expanded the game with new content, keeping players coming back for more.
Epic has reported that hundreds of millions of free games have been redeemed on its store. If you're in the EU and haven't taken advantage of previous Epic Games store giveaways, grabbing a free copy of Dead Cells is, by all accounts, a good way to start. The offer ends on December 18, and you'll need to create an Epic account if you don't already have one.
The Epic Games Store for iOS is only available in the European Union right now because alternative app stores and distribution methods are not allowed in other countries.
This article, "'Dead Cells' Free for a Limited Time on Epic Games' iOS Store in the EU" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Dead Cells is an action-platformer from developer Motion Twin that combines elements of traditional side-scrolling combat with roguelike design. Players explore a procedurally generated castle, where levels, enemy placements, and rewards change with each run.
The game is known for its responsive combat, permanent progression mechanics, and branching level paths that unlock over time. Its pixel-art presentation and soundtrack have been lauded by critics, and regular post-launch updates have expanded the game with new content, keeping players coming back for more.
Epic has reported that hundreds of millions of free games have been redeemed on its store. If you're in the EU and haven't taken advantage of previous Epic Games store giveaways, grabbing a free copy of Dead Cells is, by all accounts, a good way to start. The offer ends on December 18, and you'll need to create an Epic account if you don't already have one.
The Epic Games Store for iOS is only available in the European Union right now because alternative app stores and distribution methods are not allowed in other countries.
Tags: Epic Games, European Union
This article, "'Dead Cells' Free for a Limited Time on Epic Games' iOS Store in the EU" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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The Biggest Sports Movie of the Year Is Now Streaming on Apple TV
Acclaimed sports thriller "F1: The Movie" starring Brad Pitt is now available to stream on Apple TV.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer alongside Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton, the film casts Pitt as a veteran driver chasing one last shot at glory.
According to Deadline, the film has surged to $629 million at the global box office, making it the highest-grossing Apple Original Film to date, and the biggest sports movie of the year.
After premiering worldwide on June 27, the film's momentum was strong enough to justify a rare second theatrical run in August, coinciding with its home-release debut.
The success has reportedly gone beyond ticket sales. The film's popularity apparently emboldened Apple to bid for the U.S. streaming rights to Formula 1 itself. In October, Apple and Formula 1 announced a five-year partnership that will bring all F1 races exclusively to Apple TV in the United States beginning next year.
And in case you missed it, Apple updated the logo and name for its streaming service in November – what was once "Apple TV+" is now simply "Apple TV."
This article, "The Biggest Sports Movie of the Year Is Now Streaming on Apple TV" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer alongside Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton, the film casts Pitt as a veteran driver chasing one last shot at glory.
According to Deadline, the film has surged to $629 million at the global box office, making it the highest-grossing Apple Original Film to date, and the biggest sports movie of the year.
After premiering worldwide on June 27, the film's momentum was strong enough to justify a rare second theatrical run in August, coinciding with its home-release debut.
The success has reportedly gone beyond ticket sales. The film's popularity apparently emboldened Apple to bid for the U.S. streaming rights to Formula 1 itself. In October, Apple and Formula 1 announced a five-year partnership that will bring all F1 races exclusively to Apple TV in the United States beginning next year.
And in case you missed it, Apple updated the logo and name for its streaming service in November – what was once "Apple TV+" is now simply "Apple TV."
Tag: Apple TV Shows
This article, "The Biggest Sports Movie of the Year Is Now Streaming on Apple TV" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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F1: The Movie is now streaming for free on Apple TV, starring Brad Pitt
After a long run in movie theaters and digital buy/rent windows, the blockbuster F1: The Movie is finally available to stream for free on Apple TV. If you aren’t an Apple TV subscriber yet, you can get a seven day free trial here for new accounts.
F1 stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, an elder racing driver who comes out of retirement to try help a fictional F1 racing team called APX GP win a race to secure their future in the sport. Damson Idris plays the plucky young teammate, Joshua Pearce.
more…iOS 26 Code Leak Reveals Apple Smart Home Hub Details
Apple is working on a smart home hub that will rely heavily on the more capable version of Siri that's coming next year. We've heard quite a bit about the hub over the last two years, but a recent iOS 26 code leak provides additional insight into what we can expect and confirms rumored features.
Macworld claims to have access to an internal version of iOS 26 that references several upcoming Apple devices, including the home hub. The site said that the code hints at these options:
Other rumors suggest that the home hub will be something of a cross between an iPad and a HomePod. It will have a square-shaped screen that's around seven inches, and an optional speaker base. We're expecting the home hub to launch right around the time that the new version of Siri comes out in iOS 26.4, likely March or April.
Macworld also spotted signs of another device, identified as J229. This is apparently a "never-before-seen product" that has multiple sensors that can detect alarm sounds and capture images, but it is an accessory rather than a standalone device. Apple is rumored to be working on a home security camera to go along with the home hub. There's no word on when the camera could launch.
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Macworld claims to have access to an internal version of iOS 26 that references several upcoming Apple devices, including the home hub. The site said that the code hints at these options:
- Camera - The device will have a camera, but it will be limited to 1080p.
- Face ID - The home hub will use Face ID for authentication and to identify who is in a room.
- Profile switching - With the Face ID feature, the home hub will be able to switch to the profile for the person in the home who is interacting with the device. Apple engineers are apparently using an app to test the accuracy of the system.
- Apple Intelligence - It will support Apple Intelligence and the new version of Siri.
Other rumors suggest that the home hub will be something of a cross between an iPad and a HomePod. It will have a square-shaped screen that's around seven inches, and an optional speaker base. We're expecting the home hub to launch right around the time that the new version of Siri comes out in iOS 26.4, likely March or April.
Macworld also spotted signs of another device, identified as J229. This is apparently a "never-before-seen product" that has multiple sensors that can detect alarm sounds and capture images, but it is an accessory rather than a standalone device. Apple is rumored to be working on a home security camera to go along with the home hub. There's no word on when the camera could launch.
Tag: Apple Command Center
This article, "iOS 26 Code Leak Reveals Apple Smart Home Hub Details" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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OpenAI Launches GPT-5.2 for ChatGPT Users a Week After Declaring 'Code Red'
Just a month after introducing GPT 5.1, OpenAI introduced GPT-5.2, the next-generation model that will power its popular chatbot. GPT-5.2 is OpenAI's "most capable model series yet for professional knowledge work."
GPT-5.2 is designed to help people get more done quicker. It's better at creating spreadsheets, building presentations, writing code, perceiving images, understanding long context, using tools, and completing multi-step projects. The new model offers improved general intelligence, long-context understanding, agentic tool-calling, and vision, so it is ideal for real-world, professional use.
GPT-5.2 Thinking hallucinates less than GPT-5.1 Thinking, and responses with errors were 30 percent less common. Long context capabilities have improved, and it is able to handle reports, contracts, papers, and multi-file projects, maintaining accuracy across hundreds of thousands of tokens. It is also better at interpreting screenshots, technical diagrams, and visual reports.
OpenAI says that GPT-5.2 outperforms industry professionals at knowledge work tasks spanning 44 occupations, with the model scoring 70.9 percent on the GDPval test. GPT-5.1 scored 38.8 percent on that benchmark, and it is OpenAI's first model that performs at or above a human expert level.
For ChatGPT users, GPT-5.2 will feel more structured and reliable, and it will have a warmer, more conversational tone. OpenAI says GPT-5.2 Instant is a capable workhorse for everyday work, with improvements in info-seeking questions, how tos and walkthroughs, technical writing, and translation. GPT-5.2 Thinking is meant for more complex tasks, like summarizing long documents, coding, answering questions about uploaded files, and planning decisions. GPT-5.2 Pro is ideal for difficult questions where a higher-quality answer is worth waiting for.
GPT-5.2 Instant, Thinking, and Pro are rolling out today in ChatGPT to paid users. The API is available to all developers.
OpenAI's next-generation model comes just a week after CEO Sam Altman declared a "code red," asking employees to focus on improving ChatGPT so it doesn't fall behind competitors like Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude.
This article, "OpenAI Launches GPT-5.2 for ChatGPT Users a Week After Declaring 'Code Red'" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
GPT-5.2 is designed to help people get more done quicker. It's better at creating spreadsheets, building presentations, writing code, perceiving images, understanding long context, using tools, and completing multi-step projects. The new model offers improved general intelligence, long-context understanding, agentic tool-calling, and vision, so it is ideal for real-world, professional use.
GPT-5.2 Thinking hallucinates less than GPT-5.1 Thinking, and responses with errors were 30 percent less common. Long context capabilities have improved, and it is able to handle reports, contracts, papers, and multi-file projects, maintaining accuracy across hundreds of thousands of tokens. It is also better at interpreting screenshots, technical diagrams, and visual reports.
OpenAI says that GPT-5.2 outperforms industry professionals at knowledge work tasks spanning 44 occupations, with the model scoring 70.9 percent on the GDPval test. GPT-5.1 scored 38.8 percent on that benchmark, and it is OpenAI's first model that performs at or above a human expert level.
For ChatGPT users, GPT-5.2 will feel more structured and reliable, and it will have a warmer, more conversational tone. OpenAI says GPT-5.2 Instant is a capable workhorse for everyday work, with improvements in info-seeking questions, how tos and walkthroughs, technical writing, and translation. GPT-5.2 Thinking is meant for more complex tasks, like summarizing long documents, coding, answering questions about uploaded files, and planning decisions. GPT-5.2 Pro is ideal for difficult questions where a higher-quality answer is worth waiting for.
GPT-5.2 Instant, Thinking, and Pro are rolling out today in ChatGPT to paid users. The API is available to all developers.
OpenAI's next-generation model comes just a week after CEO Sam Altman declared a "code red," asking employees to focus on improving ChatGPT so it doesn't fall behind competitors like Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude.
This article, "OpenAI Launches GPT-5.2 for ChatGPT Users a Week After Declaring 'Code Red'" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Review: Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is a Mid-Size Power Station With Fast Charging
Anker is well-known for its charging accessories, including the Solix line of high-capacity power stations. Earlier this year, Anker came out with a new Solix C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station, which I've been testing for the last several months.
The C1000 has your standard power station aesthetic, made from durable black and gray plastic. It has two handles at the sides, which makes it simple to distribute the weight across two hands, along with fan grilles and an LED display that shows the current power level and the power draw of anything that's plugged in. Rubber feet at all four corners ensure that it remains stable.
There's no revolutionary design here, but the Solix C1000 looks and feels rugged. Curves at the corners make it feel a little more modern than some other power stations, and while it's not waterproof, you can get a protective carrying case that keeps it safe from moisture. It's 25 pounds, so it's probably not a battery that you're going to want to be lugging to the beach or the park, but it is good for all-day power if you're in a location where dragging around 25 pounds isn't a hassle. It isn't overly large, measuring in at 15 inches by 8.2 inches by 9.6 inches.
At the front, there are five AC outlets, two 140W USB-C ports, one 15W USB-C port, and a 12W USB-A port. I appreciate that Anker is phasing out USB-A and only included a single USB-A port, because USB-A connectors are growing more uncommon. In the future, you may have no USB-A devices at all, so you won't have several wasted ports. 140W USB-C should also be good for years to come. There's a charging port at the side, a solar input port, and a 12V car port.
I like the port arrangement, and was fine with all of the AC ports on the front, but spacing could be an issue if you want to plug in multiple devices with large plugs. For the AC outlet, you need to turn on AC power manually, a feature that exists to prevent battery drain when idle.
This is a 1024-watt-hour battery with support for devices that draw up to 2000W, though it does support 3000W peak output. It should be able to handle almost any small appliance, including refrigerators, TVs (even large screen), heaters, portable air conditioners, lights, coffee makers, microwaves, medical devices, aquarium and animal setups, and tools that require a lot of power. I tested it up to 1500W and it worked with no issue.
It uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology, which is what you want for a power station because LiFePO4 batteries are safe and last for more charge cycles. The C1000 is able to hold a charge in standby mode for a long time, which is great if you want to have a battery on hand for the occasional power outage. I charged it to full and left it powered off for a month, and it remained at 100 percent when I turned it back on at the end of the test. It's probably better to store it at around 80 percent capacity, but the point is you can charge it up, tuck it in a closet, and pull it out months later to use it in an emergency.
The C1000's 1024 Wh capacity is enough to charge an iPhone dozens of times. Charging my iPhone 17 Pro Max from 0 to 80 dropped the battery level from 53 percent to 51 percent, which is only a two percent hit. Subsequent testing consistently used between 2 and 3 percent for iPhone charging.
You can get fewer full MacBook charges, but it's still enough to keep multiple people up and running for a couple days. Charging my MacBook Pro from 0 to 100 percent dropped the battery from 100 to 88 percent, and charging my MacBook Air from 0 to 100 percent dropped the battery from 100 to 90 percent.
It was able to run my MacBook Pro for a full 8-hour work day, doing day-to-day tasks like writing. I started at 76 percent and ended at 57 percent. It lasted almost 24 hours running my full Mac setup, which included my MacBook Pro, Studio Display, three LED lights, and a phone charger. That does include around 10 hours of time where the MacBook and display were in rest mode, but it is more than capable of supporting a full work setup for a day or two.
What's great about the C1000 is that it tells you exactly how long it will last based on the power draw of what's plugged in. On the LED, you'll see an estimated readout. It predicted around 14 hours of usage for my 67W MacBook Air, which was accurate.
It's not going to last super long when using high power devices like a microwave, but you often aren't using high power accessories for very long. It can run a mini heater, but those often range from 750W to 1500W, so it would last around an hour. For something like a mini fridge, though, you would be able to run it for several days.
The C1000 is able to charge quickly, which has the potential to be useful when you're in a hurry. It can recharge to full in 49 minutes from a standard household plug, drawing around 1200W to do so (Anker says it can go up to 1600W, but you need to enable it). When it is under that kind of load, the fans kick on, and the fans are loud.
I wouldn't be able to sleep with the fans on that high, and it's definitely a loud, irritating fan noise when going full blast. Luckily, the fans only come on at that level when it's under heavy load, and charging doesn't take too long. It also can't run high watt devices for super long, and it's much more tolerable at lower power levels. When charging small devices, it's near silent.
You can connect the C1000 to a car or to solar panels to charge it up. For solar, charging times vary based on the size of the panel, the number of panels, and the available light. It can accept up to 600W through the solar input.
For devices where you might like a backup feature that activates automatically in a power outage, the C1000 supports that. It has a UPS system with a sub 10ms switchover time. So if you plug something like a CPAP machine into the C1000 then plug the power station into power, the C1000 will come on right away when there's an outage.
Anker has an app that connects to the C1000 over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You can use the app to check power level, power draw, and time remaining when a device is plugged in. You can also turn on the AC output or car charger output from the app, and fine tune controls like charging power, device timeout, charging and discharging limits, and more. It delivers new firmware too, which I struggled with. For several days, the firmware update kept failing, but it worked flawlessly later on, so I'm not sure what the issue was.
This is a well made power station that's versatile thanks to its 1024 Wh capacity and the ability to support devices up to 2000W. It's a good home backup battery to have on hand in case of an emergency, but it also works well for camping, short trips where you need power, medical devices, and powering tools.
I keep a battery like this one in two closets in my house so they're accessible, and I also like to pull out a large power stations when I need to operate a corded tool like a sander or a bright light in an area where I don't have a plug. That's been one of the more compelling use cases for me.
The C1000 can be loud when it's charging or powering appliances that have high energy draw, but that's about the only downside I found during testing.
The Solix C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station is currently available for $372, which is more than half off its MSRP. It can be purchased from the Anker website or from Amazon.com.
Note: Anker provided MacRumors with a C1000 for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
This article, "Review: Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is a Mid-Size Power Station With Fast Charging" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
The C1000 has your standard power station aesthetic, made from durable black and gray plastic. It has two handles at the sides, which makes it simple to distribute the weight across two hands, along with fan grilles and an LED display that shows the current power level and the power draw of anything that's plugged in. Rubber feet at all four corners ensure that it remains stable.
There's no revolutionary design here, but the Solix C1000 looks and feels rugged. Curves at the corners make it feel a little more modern than some other power stations, and while it's not waterproof, you can get a protective carrying case that keeps it safe from moisture. It's 25 pounds, so it's probably not a battery that you're going to want to be lugging to the beach or the park, but it is good for all-day power if you're in a location where dragging around 25 pounds isn't a hassle. It isn't overly large, measuring in at 15 inches by 8.2 inches by 9.6 inches.
At the front, there are five AC outlets, two 140W USB-C ports, one 15W USB-C port, and a 12W USB-A port. I appreciate that Anker is phasing out USB-A and only included a single USB-A port, because USB-A connectors are growing more uncommon. In the future, you may have no USB-A devices at all, so you won't have several wasted ports. 140W USB-C should also be good for years to come. There's a charging port at the side, a solar input port, and a 12V car port.
I like the port arrangement, and was fine with all of the AC ports on the front, but spacing could be an issue if you want to plug in multiple devices with large plugs. For the AC outlet, you need to turn on AC power manually, a feature that exists to prevent battery drain when idle.
This is a 1024-watt-hour battery with support for devices that draw up to 2000W, though it does support 3000W peak output. It should be able to handle almost any small appliance, including refrigerators, TVs (even large screen), heaters, portable air conditioners, lights, coffee makers, microwaves, medical devices, aquarium and animal setups, and tools that require a lot of power. I tested it up to 1500W and it worked with no issue.
It uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology, which is what you want for a power station because LiFePO4 batteries are safe and last for more charge cycles. The C1000 is able to hold a charge in standby mode for a long time, which is great if you want to have a battery on hand for the occasional power outage. I charged it to full and left it powered off for a month, and it remained at 100 percent when I turned it back on at the end of the test. It's probably better to store it at around 80 percent capacity, but the point is you can charge it up, tuck it in a closet, and pull it out months later to use it in an emergency.
The C1000's 1024 Wh capacity is enough to charge an iPhone dozens of times. Charging my iPhone 17 Pro Max from 0 to 80 dropped the battery level from 53 percent to 51 percent, which is only a two percent hit. Subsequent testing consistently used between 2 and 3 percent for iPhone charging.
You can get fewer full MacBook charges, but it's still enough to keep multiple people up and running for a couple days. Charging my MacBook Pro from 0 to 100 percent dropped the battery from 100 to 88 percent, and charging my MacBook Air from 0 to 100 percent dropped the battery from 100 to 90 percent.
It was able to run my MacBook Pro for a full 8-hour work day, doing day-to-day tasks like writing. I started at 76 percent and ended at 57 percent. It lasted almost 24 hours running my full Mac setup, which included my MacBook Pro, Studio Display, three LED lights, and a phone charger. That does include around 10 hours of time where the MacBook and display were in rest mode, but it is more than capable of supporting a full work setup for a day or two.
What's great about the C1000 is that it tells you exactly how long it will last based on the power draw of what's plugged in. On the LED, you'll see an estimated readout. It predicted around 14 hours of usage for my 67W MacBook Air, which was accurate.
It's not going to last super long when using high power devices like a microwave, but you often aren't using high power accessories for very long. It can run a mini heater, but those often range from 750W to 1500W, so it would last around an hour. For something like a mini fridge, though, you would be able to run it for several days.
The C1000 is able to charge quickly, which has the potential to be useful when you're in a hurry. It can recharge to full in 49 minutes from a standard household plug, drawing around 1200W to do so (Anker says it can go up to 1600W, but you need to enable it). When it is under that kind of load, the fans kick on, and the fans are loud.
I wouldn't be able to sleep with the fans on that high, and it's definitely a loud, irritating fan noise when going full blast. Luckily, the fans only come on at that level when it's under heavy load, and charging doesn't take too long. It also can't run high watt devices for super long, and it's much more tolerable at lower power levels. When charging small devices, it's near silent.
You can connect the C1000 to a car or to solar panels to charge it up. For solar, charging times vary based on the size of the panel, the number of panels, and the available light. It can accept up to 600W through the solar input.
For devices where you might like a backup feature that activates automatically in a power outage, the C1000 supports that. It has a UPS system with a sub 10ms switchover time. So if you plug something like a CPAP machine into the C1000 then plug the power station into power, the C1000 will come on right away when there's an outage.
Anker has an app that connects to the C1000 over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You can use the app to check power level, power draw, and time remaining when a device is plugged in. You can also turn on the AC output or car charger output from the app, and fine tune controls like charging power, device timeout, charging and discharging limits, and more. It delivers new firmware too, which I struggled with. For several days, the firmware update kept failing, but it worked flawlessly later on, so I'm not sure what the issue was.
Bottom Line
This is a well made power station that's versatile thanks to its 1024 Wh capacity and the ability to support devices up to 2000W. It's a good home backup battery to have on hand in case of an emergency, but it also works well for camping, short trips where you need power, medical devices, and powering tools.
I keep a battery like this one in two closets in my house so they're accessible, and I also like to pull out a large power stations when I need to operate a corded tool like a sander or a bright light in an area where I don't have a plug. That's been one of the more compelling use cases for me.
The C1000 can be loud when it's charging or powering appliances that have high energy draw, but that's about the only downside I found during testing.
How to Buy
The Solix C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station is currently available for $372, which is more than half off its MSRP. It can be purchased from the Anker website or from Amazon.com.
Note: Anker provided MacRumors with a C1000 for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
Tag: Anker
This article, "Review: Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is a Mid-Size Power Station With Fast Charging" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Apple lands pitch to adapt bestselling psychological thriller ‘The Teacher’
Deadline reports that Apple has acquired the pitch for a feature adaptation of the 2024 bestseller “The Teacher”. Here are the details.
more…How iPhone’s best travel companion will save you money
Planning holiday travel or a winter getaway? Your iPhone already has everything you need for reliable, flexible, instant, and global connectivity wherever you travel. You just need the right travel companion to unlock it.
Nomad eSIM is your best travel companion for seamless connectivity in over 190 countries. 9to5Mac readers can save 30% with promo code MAC30. The offer is valid only until December 16, so be sure to act quick!
more…