Level has been building smart locks that feel like they were made for Apple users since the very beginning, and the new Level Lock Pro might be its most exciting upgrade yet. I have been testing it ahead of my full hands-on review, and it is clear that this is the direction smart locks need to go. Home key support is still the gold standard for Apple users, and Matter over Thread brings the speed and reliability that make it work extremely well with your daily schedule.

As the holiday shopping season kicks into full swing, it’s important to make sure you’re buying the right Apple product and getting the best deal possible. Here’s everything you need to know about what to buy and how to score some big savings on the best Apple gifts of the year.

Updated December 5, 2025: The latest pricing on MacBook Air, AirPods Pro, AirPods 4, and more.

Earlier this week, it was reported that OpenAI was in a bit of a tizzy over the current state of Google’s Gemini generative AI model. A so-called “code red” declaration was made, which will reportedly result in the next upgrade to ChatGPT arriving sooner than expected.

Alongside the Black Friday pricing that is somehow still live on AirPods 4 with ANC down at $99, today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is kicking off with a giant $450 discount on Apple’s 512GB M4 iPad Pro at Amazon. We also have the most affordable 24GB M5 MacBook Pro you can buy down at $200 off the list price joined by some accessory deals – Apple’s 240W USB-C cable at $18, the new Crossbody Strap at nearly 30% off,  and a series of deals on Apple Watch Ultra bands. Scope it all out below. 

A new report offers an overview of the various succession possibilities for when Apple’s CEO Tim Cook eventually steps down, including a dark-horse candidate like Tony Fadell returning.

Platonic aired its second season this summer and scored rave reviews, and Apple has now confirmed that season 3 is on the way with stars Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne returning.

Responses to Alan Dye’s departure from Apple keep coming in, and the latest from an acclaimed long-time Apple designer bodes extremely well for the new design era under Steve Lemay.

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

Sponsored by Narwal:Narwal is officially launching their Black Friday discounts, offering the record-low prices of its entire lineup up to 49% off.

Netflix has just announced a massive deal that, if it earns regulatory approval, could change the Hollywood landscape forever. Netflix is acquiring Warner Bros. in an estimated $82.7 billion deal, and will take ownership of its film and television studios, HBO Max, and HBO.

As announced a few weeks ago, Apple Arcade added multiple new titles today, including SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit 2 and PowerWash Simulator. Here’s the full list.

The legal fight between OpenAI and iyO took another turn, following a decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Here are the details.

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

Sponsored by Narwal:Narwal is officially launching their Black Friday discounts, offering the record-low prices of its entire lineup up to 49% off.

Apple’s leadership shakeup continues. Apple has announced that two more executives are departing the company: Katherine Adams, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and Lisa Jackson, vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives.

Yesterday Apple shipped RC (release candidate) versions of its upcoming 26.2 software updates. But now just one day later, Apple has debuted a revised RC build for tvOS 26.2.

Apple released today the first trailer for its upcoming series “Born to be Wild,” which premieres next Friday, December 19. Watch it below.

Live Activities have become one of my favorite iPhone features, and they recently got even better thanks to upgrades and expansions in iOS 26. Here’s everything new.

Last month, Apple announced a Christmas tree drawing competition for British iPad users, with winning designs to be exhibited “alongside trees drawn by established artists and notable figures”. Now, the selected trees will light up Battersea Power Station’s wash towers until December 24.

This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: iPhone 17e design changes, Intel producing M-class chips, and ChatGPT integrating with Apple Health. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.

Rivian’s Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid confirmed today that the .46 OTA update will bring Digital Key support to the second-generation R1S and R1T. Here’s what that means.

With Alan Dye departing for Meta and leaving a hollowed-out design division behind him, his replacement, Stephen Lemay, will have a rare opportunity to rebuild the company’s design culture from the inside out.

Apple Podcasts has announced its 2025 Show of the Year, the UK-based The Rest Is History. Here are the details.

Benjamin and Chance react to the departure of not one, but two, key Apple executives this week with the news that John Giannandrea is retiring as SVP of AI, and design VP Alan Dye is leaving for a new job at Meta. Also, Apple finally agrees a deal with Tencent over commission for mini apps in WeChat, India tries to pre-install a state security app on iPhones, and the new Apple Music Replay launches. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, an analytics report claims baseball games drive more subscribers to Apple TV than its original series. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. 

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A new report from Reuters says Russia has blocked FaceTime access in the country, with users unable to connect via Apple’s platform as of today. Here are the details.

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is loaded with some notable accessory deals alongside the ongoing AirPods 4 all-time low at 45% off – but you can also now land that same deal with a discounted 2-year of AppleCare+ as well. The entire slate of Apple’s iPhone 17 Silicone cases are down at $25 right now (49% off) and we also spotted the first chance to save on the 2025 edition black Alpine Loop. Ongoing lows on Apple Watch Series 11, the Find My SmartLock, and more are also waiting for you below.