NHL referees won't need to visually scan for a clock during Saturday's Stadium Series game — they'll feel it on their wrist.


The National Hockey League (NHL) has teamed up with Apple and Presidio to introduce the NHL Watch Comms App, a real-time notification system running on Apple Watches configured specifically for on-ice officials. The technology provides haptic alerts for key in-game events like period and power play countdowns.

While the software has been in use throughout the 2024-2025 season, it will debut in an outdoor setting at the upcoming Detroit Red Wings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets match at Ohio State University's football stadium.


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Skype will be closed down in May 2025, but it really died in 2011 when it was bought by Microsoft. It's just been a death by a thousand slow-motion cuts.


You didn't know Skype was still a thing, and in a few weeks' time, it won't be. Once a revolutionary app that brought free voice calls over the internet, it was important enough and valuable enough that in 2006, eBay bought it for $2.6 billion.

If it seems peculiar that eBay would be the one that bought it, give the auction site some credit — it flipped the service and sold Skype on in 2011 for a huge profit. Five years is a long time to have it on "Buy it Now," but Microsoft eventually snapped it up for $8.5 billion.


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Apple's latest iPhone has just launched, and ESR revolutionizes protection and brings MagSafe functionality to the iPhone 16e. Here's a look at the best iPhone 16e case options available.


It's been a long time coming, but the iPhone 16e is here and it features a classic design, single rear camera, and notched display with Face ID. The device may look similar to an iPhone 14, but legacy cases won't fit.

It can be frustrating when Apple releases altered product designs, because it can mean customers will go without must-have protection at launch. However, ESR isn't leaving customers hanging by offering its latest cases and screen protectors today.


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Siri is getting worse before it gets better, Bono is getting a film, and the Apple Vision Pro is at last getting Apple Intelligence, on the AppleInsider Podcast.


The developer beta of iOS 18.4 is out and so far has none of the improvements that were promised for Siri from the very start of Apple Intelligence — and somehow Siri is even worse than it was a week ago. But there are other things to enjoy in iOS 18.4 and which will be publicly available in April, starting with the very well done Apple News+ Food.

Plus host Wes Hilliard will point out both that he said it here and that actually, despite other rumors to the contrary, it was obvious — Apple Intelligence is coming to the Apple Vision Pro. So is U2's Bono.


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Next time your Mac is too slow, or you're having to keep repeating the same steps on your iPhone, learn Shortcuts and it will dramatically improve your speed — and even accuracy.


Shortcuts take one, ten, or a hundred different steps and have your Mac, iPhone, and iPad instantly do them all for you, after you've tapped or clicked a single button. Open a dozen documents, turn them into PDFs, email them to your clients — and play some music at the same time.

It takes a little effort to learn how to exploit Shortcuts. But then they do everything you need, quickly, flawlessly, and over and over again.


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If you're planning on purchasing an iPhone 16e, make sure to grab the perfect phone case to protect your new purchase. Here are some great choices, from clear to rugged and everything in between.


No matter what kind of case you're looking for, chances are it's out there somewhere. From extreme drop protection to kickstands and a wide array of designs, there's a lot of variety in the case market.

AppleInsider has rounded up many popular cases you can buy to protect your new smartphone. The list isn't exhaustive of the entire market, as there are more expensive and unusual items, but it is a good starting point to find your ideal iPhone case.


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Apple's update to the iPhone SE adds a new design and Apple Intelligence, as well as a new name: iPhone 16e. Here's how it compares to yesterday's budget option — the iPhone 16.


Arriving just shy of three years after the third-generation iPhone SE, the newly-rebranded iPhone 16e has arrived as the new entry-level model for consumers. This is a major modernization effort, with a new design and a considerable specifications bump to match modern smartphones.

With the introduction of a new low-cost smartphone on Apple's roster, this leaves consumers wondering if they should get it instead of the slightly more expensive iPhone 16.


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The iPhone 16e is now available, with shipments of the new budget smartphone starting to arrive on customer doorsteps.


Apple's reincarnation of the iPhone SE line, the iPhone 16e, was opened for preorders on February 21. One week later, and the smartphone is now actually available.

Customers who preordered the iPhone 16e will start to receive their orders on Friday, or will be able to pick it up from the Apple Store. It will also be available to purchase without preorder from Apple, major retailers, and carriers.


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MAME is the Multi Arcade Machine Emulator for playing classic games. Here's how to get it up and running on your Apple Silicon Mac.


MAME is a well-known project that allows you to run classic hardware systems and games on modern computers. MAME supports Macs, Windows, Linux, and some Android devices. There are also third-party emulators which use MAME on iOS.

MAME dates back over twenty-five years and was originally created by Italian developer Nicola Salmoria. The project's development has changed hands over the decades, and there was an initial older version for Mac OS 9 called MacMAME.


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The camera bar seems to be all but guaranteed for iPhone 17 if the latest repeat rumors are to be believed, and some newly leaked CAD designs reinforce this.


Many leakers are talking about the iPhone 17, but there are a few pushing the camera bar rumor repeatedly. Digital Chat Station started the rumor in December in December, Majin Bu showed CADs used by Prosser, claiming it was correct, then Sonny Dickson confirmed it with case renders.

On Thursday, Dickson followed up on the case leak with CADs of his own. It seems possible that Apple will embrace the camera bar after all.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Apple collectors looking to get sealed first-generation iPhones, EVT and DVT prototypes, and piles of memorabilia like magazines and business cards can join in on an auction running through March 20.


Any time old Apple products and collectibles end up on the auction block, they can sell for thousands of dollars. Unopened iPhones and pieces of Steve Jobs' wardrobe tend to be big sellers.

The latest auction, first reported by MacRumors, has a range of Apple historical memorabilia available. RR Auction has a total of 317 lots under the "Steve Jobs and the Apple Revolution" section, which can be bid on until March 20, 7 p.m. EDT.


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For the last few months now I've been using Apple's (AirPods 4 (ANC), but alongside those, I've been testing another pair of wireless earbuds as well. The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are expensive and weird, and I kinda love them — but you probably shouldn't buy them.


Testing two pairs of earbuds simultaneously has the benefit of giving you an easy comparison at the end of it all. But for all their similarities — both are open, so you can hear the outside world — they're also very, very different.

That's something most easily demonstrated by the price. Even the ANC version of AirPods 4 costs considerably less than Bose's earbuds — $179 compared to almost $300.


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Apple has released a new developer beta firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, though there are currently no details as to what the update contains.


Thursday's developer beta increases the build number to 7E5080a, up from the previous 7E5067b update, released in January 2025. This beta software release is available for AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2, both the USB-C and Lightning models. The software won't be released for AirPods Max or other non-H2 devices.

Beta software updates are released periodically for nearly all of Apple's platforms, including AirPods. While beta updates for Apple's mobile and desktop operating systems are released much more frequently, developers still rely on beta software for AirPods to test new features before launch.


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Apple has responded to iPhone 16e critics, and says that engineering choices like a lack of MagSafe that make the device unappealing to the tech-savvy don't matter to the larger market.


There's a great line from Jony Ive, said around the time that Apple Park was first opened. There were criticisms of its design and he said he was bemused at them, because of who Apple Park was built for.

"We didn't make Apple Park for other people," he said in Dezeen magazine. "So a lot of the criticisms are utterly bizarre, because it wasn't made for you! And I know how we work and you don't!"


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Microsoft has just brought its AI chatbot, Copilot, to macOS, if you're looking for yet another AI tool to add to your arsenal.


Copilot is Microsoft's AI chatbot. Like most other chatbots, it can provide you with text, generate images (Generative AI, or GenAI), help you get organized or cook, look things up or locate things for you, play music, and even write code.

Until now, Mac users have been required to use Copilot in-browser on Microsoft's site. However, as of Thursday, a standalone app has finally landed on macOS.


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Keep your Apple gear going through any storm with Bluetti's range of portable power stations and backup power solutions. Your iPhone, Mac, and iPad can stay charged for days with these big batteries.


Winter storms, hurricanes, or backcountry adventures— when power fails, Apple users risk more than dead devices. Over 475k U.S. homes went dark this week: CPAP machines disconnected from Health app data, HomeKit cameras blinded during storms, MacBooks dying mid-Zoom.

Bluetti's portable power stations, fitting with Apple's ecosystem, turn chaos into control. Power AirTag-tracked gear through blackouts, sustain HomePod tornado alerts, or render wildfire maps offline.


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Marking the lowest price of 2025 at Amazon, this premium 16-inch MacBook Pro with Apple's M4 Max chip is discounted to $3,129.


The steeper price cut drops the Space Black model to $3,129, which provides the cheapest entry point into an M4 Max spec. This particular configuration has a 14-core CPU and 32-core GPU for higher performance. It also has 36GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage, making it a highly capable machine in the business world or for personal use.

Buy for $3,129


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Apple is launching a series of protections for children regarding the use of age-appropriate apps in the App Store, including providing verification through a developer API.


While Apple has previously announced Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) protections and then dropped them, the company says that it is now strengthening how the App Store prevents children seeing age-inappropriate content.

The new extra protections are rolling out in stages, with the first starting now, and the rest following at an as-yet unspecified time in 2025. Apple has published a white paper detail its plans, and the initial launch introduces:


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France is probably going to issue an antitrust fine against Apple in March, as the country's consumer watchdog gears up to rule on whether Apple abused its position over App Tracking Transparency.


In July 2023, the French Competition Authority, the Authorite de la Concurrence, said it would open an antitrust investigation into Apple and App Tracking Transparency. Over a year and a half later, the regulator may be concluding its probe.

Two people with knowledge of the regulator's plans told Reuters on Thursday that a ruling will be arriving in March. "The decision is expected in the spring," the regulator confirmed, but declined to comment further.


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Seven Apple Watch buyers are suing Apple over how it allegedly made false and misleading claims that certain models are carbon neutral.


Apple first made a claim about carbon neutrality with the launch of the Apple Watch Series 9 in 2023, and immediately faced criticism. First a Chinese environment research organization called it "climate-washing," and then European consumer groups agreed.

Now according to Reuters, a case has been filed by seven users of the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. They claim they would not have bought the watches, or would have paid less, if they had not been misled.


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The Democratic Republic of Congo has reportedly lost its case over Apple suppliers using conflict materials in the iPhone, at least as far as one court has decided.


For months in 2024, Apple was accused of allowing its suppliers to allegedly use the so-called 3T Materials — tin, tungsten and tantalum — from the Congo, and thereby funding violent groups. Lawyers representing the Republic first asked Tim Cook and Apple's French subsidiary for a response, then in December 2024 they took the matter to court.

According to a first and very brief report by Reuters, it appears that French authorities have dismissed the case. Specifically, a report seen by the news agency says that the Paris prosecutor has closed the case against Apple.


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HTC has declared its Viverse platform will be the YouTube for VR content, but while it doesn't support the Apple Vision Pro at the moment, users could one day turn to Viverse Worlds for new immersive experiences.


Enjoying virtual reality experiences is a somewhat nonlinear experience. While Apple Vision Pro users can easily get content from the App Store and from Apple-curated apps, accessing other online VR content requires a bit of effort.

This is not a problem just felt by Apple Vision Pro users, as each VR headset ecosystem has its own siloed content. You aren't able to access stuff made just for the Meta Quest headset line on the Apple Vision Pro, for example.


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The first real-world tests of Apple's C1 modem in the iPhone 16e say that has comparable performance to previous 5G chips, but achieves that with significantly less battery power.


Apple's $1 billion acquisition of Intel's modem business, plus over five years of development, have paid off. Following stories of Apple finding it hard to develop its own 5G modem for the iPhone — or even giving up entirely — the company's C1 is straight out of the Apple Silicon playbook.

Chinese YouTube channel Geekerwan has been testing the C1 in the new iPhone 16e using laboratory conditions and then real-world usage to check out Apple's claims. Significantly, the C1 does not support mmWave 5G as the other models do, but mmWave penetration is low in the US, and lower still everywhere else.


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Hackers have worked out how to exploit Apple's Find My network, by abusing Bluetooth on a device to effectively turn anything into a trackable AirTag.


The Find My network is considered to be an extremely useful service, allowing users to track down a mislaid iPhone, lost luggage, or even a stolen car adorned with an AirTag. However, while Apple has done what it can to make the network as secure and as trustworthy as possible, security researchers have apparently managed to work around the protections.

George Mason University researchers, associate professors Qiang Zeng and Lannan Luo and PhD students Chen and Xiaoyue Ma, created "nRootTag" as an attack that takes advantage of Bluetooth addresses. It does so by tricking the Find My network into thinking a device is a missing AirTag.


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A day before the iPhone 16e hits store shelves, the rumor mill is already churning about whether Apple will debut an iPhone 17e in 2026.


The iPhone SE that the new iPhone 16e replaces was only updated three times in nine years. But beginning with Tim Cook's tweet welcoming the iPhone 16e as the newest member of the iPhone family, there's been an idea that Apple may update this new model annually.

That suggestion has now been strengthened by two separate sources that say there will be an iPhone 17e released in February 2026. However, neither source has details and only one seems to have real grounds for the claim.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Scalable Vector Graphics are a common resizable image format for the web. Here's how to use them in macOS.


Modern web browsers and image apps have the ability to scale images using mathematical calculations, such as Bezier curves. This is as opposed to fixed bitmap graphics, which don't scale well and offer a blocky, pixelated appearance at times.

Scalable (or "vector") graphics use math-based descriptions of images. When an image is resized, it can be fully recalculated at the new size with no visible loss of quality.


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Initial reviews and impressions for the iPhone 16e are here, and they're middling at best as everyone misses MagSafe.


Apple discontinued the iPhone SE and introduced a whole new device at a higher price called the iPhone 16e. It has a series of compromises to make the price $200 lower than the base iPhone 16.

Reviews are out at a very odd 9 p.m. EST on a Wednesday, and there's a lot to say about this odd iPhone. While no one outright hates the iPhone 16e, it's a tough sell when used and refurbished models might offer a better deal.


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Ugreen's GaN-based power station packs a lot of juice inside a compact body with multiple USB ports and an Apple-certified adjustable MagSafe puck.


In a world filled with niche chargers, it's hard for them to stand out. Everyone's needs are different, which is why such a varied number of chargers are able to success on the market.

Recently, we've been testing Ugreen's GaN MagSafe tower that is great for our studio setup, or shared charging stations in a home.


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Analyst Jeff Pu has shared once again that he expects both iPhone 17 Pro models to have 12GB of RAM, but more reliable sources say otherwise.


Rumors are ramping up for Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, which is expected in September 2025. This time, it isn't about the controversial camera bar update, but instead about the included RAM.

According to an analyst note seen by 9to5Mac, Jeff Pu believes that both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will have 12GB of RAM. Such an upgrade would contribute to more powerful AI features exclusive to those devices.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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The South Korean government has levied fines against Apple after it was found using illegally obtained data to predict when users couldn't pay for App Store purchases — and Apple's representatives aren't in the mood to talk about it.


In January, Apple had been fined by the South Korean government for using data illegally obtained without users' consent. The fines totaled 4.65 billion won, a sum that works out to be just under $3.2 million.

During the February 25 meeting with the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), Apple representatives were asked which other countries used Apple's NSF scores. According to The Korea Herald, the representatives responded by saying "It is hard to make a public statement because we have to confer with our client. We do not know exactly."


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The AI assistant wars are heating up as Amazon announces Alexa+, an upgraded assistant powered by generative AI, while an upgraded Siri remains unfinished.


Amazon has unveiled Alexa+, an AI assistant designed to offer more natural interactions and personalized assistance. The development comes as Apple continues to enhance its own assistant, Siri, through its Apple Intelligence initiative.


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The European Union's dominant music service, Spotify, is coming for Apple once again, hoping to hit it where it hurts — the wallet.


Spotify and Apple haven't been on the best of terms in, well, ever, and that doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon. Now, Spotify's CEO hopes to sway regulators to fine Apple over alleged noncompliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

"It is time for Europe to show that we are going to enforce the law that's already been passed," Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said in an interview with Bloomberg. He went on to add that crackdowns on Apple's conduct had also become a focus for US regulators.


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The Director of National Intelligence was apparently blindsided when the UK demanded that Apple open an encryption backdoor, and says that lawyers and other agencies are on the case.


To avoid having to comply with the UK government's legally binding but entirely secret demand, Apple switched off certain end to end encryption in the country. The UK's unprecedented demand for spy access to all users' encrypted data sparked controversy worldwide, including a bipartisan response in the US.

Senators Ron Wyden (D) of the Senate Intelligence Committee and Andy Biggs (R) on the House Judiciary committee, wrote to Tulsi Gabbard, the new National Intelligence Director about the issue. Gabbard has now replied, saying the US was not informed of the secret order, and expressing her "grave concern" over the UK demanding data over US citizens.


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While Apple does offer certified refurbished M4 Mac and MacBook models at a discount, you can find better offers elsewhere.


Since mid-February, Apple has been offering refurbished M4 Mac models in its online store. The models, consisting of the 24-inch iMac and the MacBook Pro, offer consumers a way to get the newer releases at a slightly cheaper rate, while still being an officially certified by Apple product.

While you can expect to save a few hundred dollars by going through Apple's refurbished store, it may not necessarily be the best way to save money on an almost-new Mac.


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While tech fans might find the iPhone 16e underwhelming, its practical features and fair price are exactly what many users need.


The iPhone 16e, initially expected to be the new iPhone SE, has instead emerged as a fresh take on Apple's budget-friendly offerings. With its $599 price tag — higher than the previous iPhone SE's $429 — Apple has positioned the iPhone 16e closer to its mainstream models.

The company's move fills the gap left by the now-retired iPhone 14 and nudges customers to consider upgrading to more expensive models. The 16e offers much of what the flagship iPhone 16 does, including Apple Intelligence and a comparable camera, but lacks MagSafe charging and accessories.


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President Trump has weighed in on Apple's "culture of belonging" with a single post to Truth Social — and it's about what you'd expect.


On Tuesday, Apple held its annual shareholder meeting for 2025. As expected, the company covered many topics, including a DEI-related proposal from conservative-think tank National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR).

CEO Tim Cook told shareholders the company would rather maintain its current diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program and its associated policies and hiring practices. The shareholders overwhelmingly voted to maintain current practices.


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U2 frontman Bono's "Stories of Surrender" show is to premiere on Apple TV+ as the first-ever feature-length film to be shown in 180 degree and 8K video on Apple Vision Pro.


Bono and U2 go back a long way with Apple, starting with their 2004 partnership that included iTunes ads and the black and red iPod. Ten years later, things went less well with Tim Cook popping U2's "Songs of Innocence" album onto everyone's iPhones in 2014, and just over ten more years later, frontman Bono is back.

Bono later took the blame for Apple pushing the U2 album onto everybody, and he did so in his memoir, "Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story". He then turned that book into a one-man show, and this is what Apple has now filmed for both Apple TV+ and Apple Vision Pro.


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There are so many MagSafe chargers now, it's hard to find the best. Here's what we've tested for your iPhone and Apple Watch.


In our roundup, we're focusing on primarily multi chargers, usually 3-in-1 designs, that are exceptional in a crowded market. They're all certified, either MagSafe or Qi2.

MagSafe and Qi2 are very similar, with the latter being based on Apple's MagSafe tech. They both deliver up to 15W of power and use magnets to hold the device in proper alignment.


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While Windows AI PCs are slowly catching up, Mac still has a considerable lead in AI-capable PC shipments.


The machine learning capabilities of Apple Silicon, including its Neural Engine, has been a massive help for Apple in capturing market share for its Mac lineup. Within the subcategory of AI-capable PCs, it's clearly dominating the field.

In a February 25 report on AI-capable PCs from Canalys, the market for computers with AI capabilities is growing quickly. In Q4 2024, such computers account for 23% of overall PC shipments during the quarter.


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A new supply chain report claims that Apple has at least significantly improved the crease problem that plagues folding displays, ahead of its expected iPhone Fold release.


While most reports still estimate that Apple will not launch a folding iPhone before 2027, it has recently been claimed that it is close to selecting a supplier for the display. Now ETNews backs up that report of a supplier being chosen imminently, but also says claims that the iPhone fold will have no or little crease.

To date, all folding screens ultimately develop creases. While a new folding phone might not display any crease initially, after repeated opening and closing, a clear crease develops.


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