App age verification isn’t just a theoretical concept being debated in Congress. A number of laws have already passed that require platforms to verify age for users in select states.

For example, the Twitter/X alternative Bluesky went offline for me in August rather than comply with an age verification law where I live. This week, I can use the app again — as long as I share a bit of personal information with a third-party service I’ve never heard of.

This is likely a preview of what to expect for more apps in more places going forward.

There are plenty of holiday deals for AirPods shoppers this year, but the standout offer by far right now is on AirPods Pro 3.

Amazon has now dropped the price on AirPods Pro down to their lowest ever at $199, a whopping $50 off the regular price of $249. That’s an incredible, unprecedented savings on Apple’s latest-generation headphones.

Plus, we’re tracking deals on AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Max, and various Beats products. Head below for all the details.

DJI has made flying a drone feel a whole lot more futuristic. With a brand-new firmware update, the DJI Neo 2 now supports Apple Watch remote control, letting you steer, track, record, and manage your drone right from your wrist. And here’s the kicker: the original DJI Neo is getting the same Apple Watch compatibility soon, making this upgrade a big win for every buyer in the Neo lineup. If you’re an Apple user who’s been flirting with the idea of buying a drone, this is the moment DJI clearly wants you to jump in.

Apple CEO Tim Cook was yesterday spotted in Washington, D.C. during a visit to lobby against a proposed App Store age verification policy.

But the very argument the company uses to oppose the proposal is in fact the strongest argument in favour of it …

One of Apple TV’s best thriller series, Hijack, is coming back for a highly anticipated season 2 next month, and the newly released trailer reveals what to expect.

Disney characters are coming to OpenAI’s Sora video generation app — this time, with permission. OpenAI and Disney just announced a “landmark agreement” that will see some Sora content appear on Disney+.

Spotify has announced a new AI-powered feature, Prompted Playlists, under the heading “You’re in control: Spotify lets you steer the algorithm” …

Deciding to abandon one of the world’s best-known brands was one of a number of imaginative decisions made by Elon Musk when he purchased Twitter and renamed it X. Now a startup wants to revive the name, arguing that X corporation no longer has any use for the trademark.

The legal arguments could get interesting, especially given that one of those involved in the venture is Stephen Coates – Twitter’s former general counsel …

Security researchers have found that attackers are using ChatGPT to trick Mac users into pasting a command line into Terminal which installs malware. Specifically, it installs MacStealer, which allows the attacker to obtain iCloud passwords, files, and credit card details.

The attack targeted people who were searching Google for instructions on how to free up some disk space on a Mac …

After teasing in September, Google Chrome for iOS is now more widely rolling out a built-in Gemini experience.

The National Association of Attorneys General has issued a letter to 13 tech companies, including Apple, calling for stronger action and safeguards against the harm AI can cause, and has caused, “especially to vulnerable populations.” 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 Backblaze: Give yourself the gift of peace of mind. Till the end of the month, 9to5Mac listeners get 30% off with code 9to5Xmas. 

Following years of regulatory wrangling, the European Commission is reportedly using Apple’s App Store changes as a reference point in its Google Play Store probe. Here are the details.

Perfectly timed with the holiday shopping season, Apple Pay has just launched a new offer that gets you 30% off a selection of more than 600 toys from Mattel. Here are the details.

Update 5:02 p.m. ET: Apple says the outages have been fixed. The original post follows below.

Apple’s System Status page confirms that it is currently experiencing four outages. Here are the details.

MacPaw’s Mac AI assistant is now faster and more reliable, thanks to an overhaul of its underlying technology. Here are the details.

Apple Glasses are coming, with an unveiling rumored for next year. Based on the latest leaks and reporting, here is every feature to expect from Apple’s brand new wearable product: Apple Glasses.

You put a lot of effort into capturing Christmas gift ideas, project timelines, home renovation plans, health check-ups — you name it. But do your notes actually make you more productive, or make your life easier?

For most people, the answer is no. Most people’s notes just sit there. Beautiful, maybe even neatly organized, but static. We collect information, yet rarely reuse it. We save ideas, but they don’t resurface when they could help us.

“Most note-taking apps help you collect. Craft helps you create.”

The team at Craft has been working to solve this exact problem: helping you use your time meaningfully, accomplish things that matter, and stay creative, without drowning in information.

Your notes should work for you, and with the latest update, it’s closer than ever to that mission.

Discover how Craft fits into a complete productivity ecosystem through the Winter Clarity Bundle. Get four essential apps, Craft, Raycast, Endel, and Ground News for $149.99 (60 percent off) through December 31st.

Rumors have long indicated that there’s a new Apple Studio Display launching in 2026, and a new report highlights three expected features: an A19 chip, ProMotion, and HDR.

Apple CEO Tim Cook was spotted in Washington DC today where he met with lawmakers to push back against proposed App Store age policy that Apple says doesn’t protect user privacy.

Apple TV has easily had its best year ever, and as the latest evidence: a prestigious institution’s list of the year’s top 10 TV shows features more Apple releases than ever before.

Today’s 9to5toys Lunch Break is now ready to roll. We have $100 pice drops on Apple Watch Series 11 joining a $200 price drop on the 46mm Jet Black Apple Watch Series 10 and some new lows on official Apple Watch bands – black Alpine Loop, Neon Green Ocean Band, and the Sport Loop. Those offers join the ongoing AirPods Pro 3 deal at $220 as well as another chance to save at least $119 off AirPods Max (USB-C) and a particularly rare deal on Apple’s most affordable Studio Display at $230 off. Head below for much more and a closer look at today’s headliners. 

It’s been three months since Apple unveiled AirPods Pro 3, and despite a complicated first few weeks with the product, I’m happy to report that with more use it’s become an excellent upgrade.

If you’ve just purchased a new Mac, like the recently-released, you might also be looking into some of the best display options.

Here are my recommendations, covering multiple product categories, price points, and more.