It's not the flashiest system on the market, but it's very easy to justify at more than a half off.

Taking a look back at this weeks news and headlines from Apple, including WWDC dates, iPhone 17 Pro design leaks, Apples foldable iPhone, MacBook Air special offer, AirPods Pro Max upgrades, solving Apple Arcades visibility problem, and massive clean energy investment.Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Apple in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes.Apple CEO Tim Cook delivers remarks at the start of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) ... More on June 10, 2024 (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)Getty ImagesWWDC DatesApple has announced the dates for this years Worldwide Developer Conference. The annual get-together, split between physical and online events, will occur the week of June 9, 2025. Tim Cook and his team will have lots to show off and demonstrate, but no doubt the key attraction will be how he positions the weak and late generative AI offering that is Apple Intelligence:"Available for free to all developers, WWDC25 will spotlight the latest advancements in Apple software. As part of Apples ongoing commitment to supporting developers, the conference will provide them with unique access to Apple experts, as well as insight into new tools, frameworks, and features."(Apple Newsroom).Presenting The Fabricated Four iPhone 17 ModelsFollowing a leak of the CAD files, Maijin Bu has a closer look at the designs of the iPhone 17 family through the use of 3D printing. The different depths are clearly on show, with very little to tell the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max apart:The USB-C ports at the base of each phone can be seen on all the models. Apple has been considering going portless for some time, and the fashionably thin iPhone 17 Air would have offered the perfect justification to launch such a phone. Alas, Apples opportunity to innovate here has been passed over.(Maijin Bu).How The Fold Will FoldAnother iPhone is in the wings, although its unlikely to arrive in September. This is the foldable iPhone, and some more details on the manufacturing of the all-important hinge have been revealed this week. It is now expected to use metallic glass, which you'll see branded as liquid glass:"Unlike traditional metals that have a regular, repeating crystalline atomic structure, metallic glass features a disordered arrangement of atoms that is more resistant to bending, deformation, and denting. Achieved through rapid cooling techniques, its unique structure is 2.5x harder than titanium alloy. It also features a smooth, glossy finish that makes it aesthetically similar to stainless steel."(MacRumors).Apples Shadowy MacBook Air Special OfferThe launch of the M4 MacBook Air saw Apple clear out the portfolio of all other models. As a result, the totemic $999 price point is held by one of the M4 laptops. Curiously, this isn't the cheapest new MacBook Air out there Apple has continued its deal with Walmart to offer 2020s M1 MacBook Air:"With the recent M4 MacBook Air launch, Walmarts offer has been updated. While the specs remain lowthis is still the 8/256 option on the M1 MacBook Airthe sticker price has dropped to $649. The lowest-priced MacBook Air Apple currently offers is through its refurbished store. Thats an M3 MacBook Air with 16 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage for $759."(Forbes).Apples AirPods Pro Max UpdateApple has pre-announced an update to the AirPods Max, which should offer advantages for those looking to use the wireless headphones in production. Reducing latency and switching to lossless audio will smooth out the experience although it does prove that sometimes you cant beat a cable:"Lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio enable music creators to fully utilise AirPods Max throughout their entire professional workflow on Logic Pro and other music creation apps. Using the USB-C cable, AirPods Max will become the only headphones that enable musicians to both create and mix in Personalised Spatial Audio with head tracking.1 By delivering lossless, high-resolution digital audio with low latency, artists can seamlessly record and mix with AirPods Max without compromising fidelity."(Apple Pressroom).Apple Arcade Needs Extra CreditWhat should Apple do with Apple Arcade? While Apple TV+ gets all the plauditseven with its significant paper lossthe all-you-can-eat gaming service remains tucked away in the portfolio, gathering little attention from gamers, developers and apparently Apple management. Chris Brandrick has a proposal:"Discoverability is the key barrier for me. I'd suggest ripping Arcade out of the App Store and giving it its own dedicated app if TV can have its own why not Arcade? You could roll the Game Center stuff in too and have a one-stop destination for pushing great new releases in front of a ton of eyeballs. Apple's own Game Pass."(Overkill).And Finally:As part of its drive to go carbon neutral across its entire business, Apple has announced a near $100 million investment in Chinese clean energy, especially to provide this through its supply chain:"The investment will go towards the second phase of the China Clean Energy Fund, which aims to add approximately 550,000 megawatt-hours of wind and solar capacity to China's grid each year, according to Apple. The first phase added more than a gigawatt of new wind and solar projects across the country, the company said."(Apple China via MacRumors).Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Dont forget to follow me so you dont miss any coverage in the future. Last weeks Apple Loop can be read here, or this weeks edition of Loops sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.

Taking a look back at this weeks news and headlines across the Android world, including Pixel 10 hardware changes, powerful Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsungs Tab S10 FE Specs, Pocos F7 Ultra launch, minimalist Light Phone 3 arrives, a new path for open-source Android, and goodbye Google Assistant.Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Android in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Apple news here on Forbes.Poco F7 Ultra Poco PressPixel 10s Invisible Hardware ChangesAs part of the Tensor Mobile chipsets move from Samsung Foundry to TSMC, Google is switching out several smaller components in the design. One of the most interesting is a return to using its own design for the Image Signal Processor, a project that was paused before the Pixel 6s move to the Tensor Mobile design:"The Pixel team will be hoping that consumers will not see a weakening of the camera due to this. Perhaps the opportunity to have a closer tie between the ISP, the CPU, the GPU and the AI routines inside the Tensor G5 will improve the resulting photos and videos."(Forbes).Fashionable Galaxy S25 Edge Chases PowerWith the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung is chasing the new market for ultra-thin smartphones. Its also choosing not to skimp on the quality of the hardware. The latest benchmarks show specs that should match that of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, all things being equal:"The chipset specifications suggest that the S25 Edge will use an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite. It has been overclocked compared to the standard Snapdragon found in the Galaxy S25. That would fit with Samsungs continued use of the customised Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite For Galaxy Processor which suggests that Samsung has leaned towards more complex trade-offs in the S25 Edge design to unlock that performance."(Forbes).Samsungs Practical TabletSamsung will be launching the Galaxy Tab S10 FE tablets in the near future, as the flurry of leaks suggests. As expected, the Fan Edition isnt about powerful performance; it's about delivering a practical tablet experience:"The specs leak notes that the Galaxy Tab S10 FE tablets will each bring an Exynos 1580 SoC with 8,000 Mah and 10,090 mAh capacities. Models consist of 128/256GB memory configurations, though a microSD slot is available for expansion up to 2TB. The tablets will be IP68 dust and water-resistant with 45W wired charging, as expected."(9to5 Google).Poco Turns Up The Graphics As It Goes UltraPoco is launching its first Ultra handset, joining the flagship race alongside its parent company Xiaomi and competition from the likes of Honor, OnePlus, and Samsung. It will be using the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite, backed up by Pocos first graphics chip:"The VisionBoost D7 chipset, built on an advanced 12nm process - takes visual effects to a whole new level. Gameplay feels incredibly immersive with Smart Frame Rate for ultra-smooth 120FPS3, 2K Super Resolution3 for exceptional clarity, and Game HDR3 for richer contrast. On the video front, Dual-core Visuals4 technology enhances resolution, frame rates, and HDR quality across YouTube and Netflix, bringing every scene to life with stunning detail."(Poco).Light Phone 3 ArrivesPromoting a minimalist approach to smartphones, stripping back the apps, and offering a monochromatic interface, the Light Phone 3 launched this week. The e-Ink screen from the second iteration has been upgraded to an OLED display, along with the addition of a camera and NFC chip. Kyle Kucharski has taken a closer look at the package and its goals"So, what can the Light Phone 3 do? You can call and text, obviously. Sound quality is good on both ends, although when it comes to texting, the learning curve associated with the small QWERTY keyboard (without predictive text) is as much a challenge as you'd expect. There are also some emojis, but they're limited. There are notes, a calendar, a timer, and an alarm, but there is no email, and this is a line that the design team at Light says it will not cross."(ZDNet).Googles New Path For Open-Source AndroidGoogle is streamlining its approach to maintaining the Android Open Source Project. It currently manages both an internal private build chain but also manages the public AOSP build. Unsurprisingly, this leads to some headaches when it comes to merging the two chains. Googles answer is to keep the private chain private, only publishing when a new version of Android is released:"This change will have minimal impact on regular users. While it streamlines Android OS development for Google, potentially affecting the speed of new version development and bug reduction, the overall effect will likely be imperceptible. Therefore, dont expect this change to accelerate OS updates for your phone..."Platform developers, including those who build custom ROMs, will largely also see little change, since they typically base their work on specific tags or release branches, not the main AOSP branch. Similarly, companies that release forked AOSP products rarely use the main AOSP branch due to its inherent instability."(Android Authority).And Finally...As Google prepares to move the Android user base to Gemini, those still relying on Google Assistant features are in for a short, sharp shock when the changes arrive. Forbes contributor Paul Monckton has advice on how to navigate the upheaval"Google Assistant is evolving into Gemini, bringing powerful new AI capabilities but also discontinuing some favorite features. If you use Google Assistant to set timers, play music or control your smart home, get ready for some significant disruptions as the company begins replacing the nine-year-old assistant with its newer, more powerful, AI-powered Gemini chatbot. "(Forbes).Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Dont forget to follow me so you dont miss any coverage in the future, and of course, read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last weeks Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links youd like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsOne kit. Total control.Skin prep and recovery, coveredWhy nows the time to buyTheres grooming, and then theres grooming with intention. If your current routine feels more like a chore than a ritual, it might be time to rethink your tools. The Chairman Pro Package from MANSCAPED is a full-face grooming system that doesnt just clean you upit sharpens your whole look. Right now, its available for $169.99 (11% off the usual $189.97), and you can drop that price even further to $159.99 when you subscribe to the Chairman Pro Package + Peak Hygiene plan. Throw in free shipping, and its a solid deal on a seriously well-thought-out kit.One kit. Total control.At the heart of the package is The Chairman Pro Electric Foil Shaver, MANSCAPED top-tier tool designed for guys who want versatility and comfort in equal measure. This isnt your dads shaverit comes with two interchangeable SkinSafe blade heads: a four-blade foil for smooth, clean-shaven skin, and a stubble trimmer that nails that 5 oclock shadow look without wrecking your neckline.Want a little definition without going full lumberjack? The included two length-setting stubble combs help dial in the perfect length. With FlexAdjust Technology that adapts to every jawline and a precision trimmer edge for hard-to-reach spots, this thing is engineered for the real worldwhere your face doesnt grow hair at perfect right angles.Its also loaded with extras that make a difference: LED spotlight to catch stray hairs, LED charge display, wireless charging, and up to 75 minutes of runtime on a single charge. Plus, the travel lock means it wont randomly turn on in your gym bag.Manscaped / ManscapedOf course, no great shave happens without proper prep. Thats where the Power Shave Gel comes in. This dermatologist-tested, vegan, cruelty-free gel is built for sensitive skin and powered by witch hazel, apple extract, and white willow bark. Translation: It helps your blade glide like butter and leaves your face (or scalp) smelling like fresh greens and light woods.Post-shave, the Face Shave Soother steps up. Alcohol-free and infused with red algae, menthyl lactate, and vitamin B3, this serum cools, calms, and hydrates. Razor burn? Dont know her.Why nows the time to buyWith free shipping and $30 in savings when you bundle the Peak Hygiene plan (thats quarterly refills of shave gel and soother at $24.99 + tax), youre investing in a system that keeps givingand doesnt lock you into anything. Cancel anytime. But fair warning: once youve tasted the high life of MANSCAPED shaving, its hard to go back.Bottom line? The Chairman Pro Package is more than just a razor. Its a reset for your grooming routine. Whether youre chasing clean-cut confidence or well-defined scruff, this kit deliversand right now, it delivers for less.Shop the deal now and see what your face has been missing.Editors RecommendationsThis is the ultimate mens shaving gift: Manscaped Chairman Pro Package

Garmin is making waves today. First things first: Garmin has just launched Garmin Connect+, a paid tier of their health tracking service that gives AI insights, more challenges, and extra features for Garmin watch wearers. Despite some community pushback, there are no deprecated features from the free tier, making this a strict upgrade. Then, weve also seen the Garmin Vivoactive 5 go on sale for up to $91 off the base price. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is typically $300, but were seeing it offered for $220. Thats a savings of $80. But, you can get a white one from Amazon for just $209, a savings of $91, or a black one from Walmart for just $215, a savings of $85. Choose your favorite retailer and tap the button below to start shopping, or keep reading for more info on the Garmin Vivoactive 5.Garmins Vivoactive 5 is a comfortable, stylish, and easy to use smartwatch. With around 11 days of battery life, youll get a good picture into your rhythms at periods of a week or more at a time. The watch analyzes your sleep and energy levels, giving you advice on when to go to sleep and when to wake up for an optimal you. And, of course, there are sports and training apps included within the watch, with special workouts made explicitly for those that need to use a wheelchair. This is a smartwatch made for a wide variety of people and is a safe gift.Lets loop back around for a moment to that new subscription service. In our Garmin Vivoactive 5 review, we praised the smartwatch for a handful of things that included its AMOLED display and great battery life. We even called it an Apple Watch alternative. But theres one more item in the Pros list that needs to be looked at again in light of recent events, No subscription needed. Thats still true and the features discussed in the review are still present. Its just that now you can pay for extras. In other words, this is still one of the best smartwatches and it is only getting better with a subscription, not worse. There is no subscription required for legacy features of the Garmin Vivoactive 5.RelatedGrab a Garmin Vivoactive 5 for less today when you tap one of the buttons below. Generally speaking, the smartwatches are marked down by $80 from the typical $300, making them $220. But, if you want a white one you can get it for $209 if you shop at Amazon and if you want a black one Walmart will fix you up with a price of $215. With such a big discount applied, however, you should probably just get the color that suits you best.Editors Recommendations

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Xes assemble Elon Musks X has a new ownerElon Musks xAI xAI buys X; deal values social network at $33 billion, $11B less than Musk paid. Jon Brodkin Mar 28, 2025 7:59 pm | 4 Credit: Getty Images | NurPhoto Credit: Getty Images | NurPhoto Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreElon Musk today said he has merged X and xAI in a deal that values the social network formerly known as Twitter at $33 billion. Musk purchased Twitter for $44 billion in 2022.xAI acquired X "in an all-stock transaction. The combination values xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion ($45B less $12B debt)," Musk wrote on X today.X and xAI were already collaborating, as xAI's Grok is trained on X posts. Grok is made available to X users, with paying subscribers getting higher usage limits and more features."xAI and X's futures are intertwined," Musk wrote. "Today, we officially take the step to combine the data, models, compute, distribution and talent. This combination will unlock immense potential by blending xAI's advanced AI capability and expertise with X's massive reach."Musk said the combined company will "build a platform that doesn't just reflect the world but actively accelerates human progress."xAI and X are privately held. "Some of the deal's specifics were not yet clear, such as whether investors approved the transaction or how investors may be compensated," Reuters wrote.The reported value of the comapny formerly called Twitter plunged under Musk's ownership. Fidelity, an X investor, valued X at less than $10 billion in September 2024. But X's value rebounded at the same time that Musk gained major influence in the US government with the inauguration of President Donald Trump.On the AI front, Musk has also been trying to buy OpenAI and prevent the company from completing its planned conversion from a nonprofit to for-profit entity.Jon BrodkinSenior IT ReporterJon BrodkinSenior IT Reporter Jon is a Senior IT Reporter for Ars Technica. He covers the telecom industry, Federal Communications Commission rulemakings, broadband consumer affairs, court cases, and government regulation of the tech industry. 4 Comments

bypass closed New Windows 11 build makes mandatory Microsoft Account sign-in even more mandatory "Bypassnro" is an easy MS Account workaround for Home and Pro Windows editions. Andrew Cunningham Mar 28, 2025 7:28 pm | 24 A PC running Windows 11. Credit: Microsoft A PC running Windows 11. Credit: Microsoft Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreMicrosoft released a new Windows Insider build of Windows 11 to its experimental Dev Channel today, with a fairly extensive batch of new features and tweaks. But the most important one for enthusiasts and PC administrators is buried halfway down the list: This build removes a command prompt script called bypassnro, which up until now has been a relatively easy and reliable way to circumvent the otherwise mandatory Microsoft Account sign-in requirement on new Windows 11 PCs and fresh installs of Windows 11 on existing PCs.Microsoft's Windows Insider Program lead Amanda Langowski and Principal Product Manager Brandon LeBlanc were clear that this change is considered a feature and not a bug."Were removing the bypassnro.cmd script from the build to enhance security and user experience of Windows 11," Langowski and LeBlanc write in the post. "This change ensures that all users exit setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account."Of course, the removal of bypassnro makes life harder for people whowant to exit Windows setup without Internet connectivity or a Microsoft Account. You might be setting up a computer in a place with no Internet connection, or you might simply prefer a local user account like the ones that all past Windows versions allowed you to use.There are benefits to a Microsoft Accounteasy access to any existing Microsoft 365 or OneDrive subscriptions, automated encryption for your local disk and backup of your drive's encryption key for recovery purposes, and syncing of certain settings between PCs. But using a local account reduces the number of notifications and other upsells that Windows 11 will bother you with. Whatever your reasoning, you'll need to find a different workaround for future Windows versions.There are still a few relatively easy workarounds to the Microsoft Account requirement, as we detail in our extensive post about removing the cruft from a fresh Windows 11 install. But the bypassnro command had the benefit of being relatively easy to explain, and of working equally well for both the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11.The bypassnro command will continue to work in the current stable versions of Windows 11, including the 24H2 update from late last year. The change has only been made in the Windows Insider Dev Channel build of the operating system, which is generally where Microsoft tests less-stable features that are further from release (for what it's worth, Dev Channel changes are also more likely to be reversed without being released to the public, though we wouldn't count on that here).Earlier this month, the Dev Channel "jumped ahead" to a new set of build numbers (in short, the more detailed version numbers that distinguish different versions of Windows 11 from one another). The new builds are in the 26200 series; the public version Windows 11 24H2 uses 26100 build numbers, and the more-stable Windows Insider channels use the 26120 series. The bypassnro change might not make it out to the normal, public versions of Windows until the 25H2 update is released sometime this fall.Andrew CunninghamSenior Technology ReporterAndrew CunninghamSenior Technology Reporter Andrew is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica, with a focus on consumer tech including computer hardware and in-depth reviews of operating systems like Windows and macOS. Andrew lives in Philadelphia and co-hosts a weekly book podcast called Overdue. 24 Comments

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP reached an agreement with Trump. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters. 2025-03-29T00:43:01Z SaveSaved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Skadden is the latest Big Law firm to strike a deal with Trump to avoid punitive executive action.The firm said it would provide $100M in pro bono legal work to causes supported by the administration.One Skadden associate said they find the firm's dealings with Trump "unforgivable."Another Big Law domino has fallen at President Donald Trump's feet.Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP agreed to provide $100 million in pro bono legal services "to causes that the President and Skadden both support," Trump announced from the White House on Friday afternoon.The firm also affirmed its commitment to merit-based hiring and employee retention, Trump said. In a copy of the agreement that Trump shared on Truth Social, Skadden agreed that it would not "engage in illegal DEI discrimination."In recent weeks, the president has targeted major law firms that have worked for and with his political opponents by revoking their security clearances and calling for a review of their government contracts. He also authorized Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to sanction law firms that file lawsuits they deem "frivolous" to this administration. In response, some Big Law firms have chosen to fight back in court, while others like Skadden have chosen to make deals with the president to avoid punitive executive actions.In a statement, Jeremy London, Skadden's Executive Partner, said the firm "engaged proactively" with the Trump administration to reach the agreement."The Firm looks forward to continuing our productive relationship with President Trump and his Admin," London said. "We firmly believe that this outcome is in the best interests of our clients, our people, and our Firm."Trump described the deal with Skadden as "essentially a settlement.""We appreciate Skadden coming to the table," Trump said.One current Skadden employee told Business Insider that they felt the deal betrayed the firm's values and represented an "unforgivable affront" to the firm's culture. They spoke with BI anonymously to speak freely about the situation, as did another who echoed their concerns but did not wish to be quoted. BI has verified their identities."In addition to arguably being the best law firm in the country, many associates, including myself, joined the firm because its culture aligned with our values marginally more than other top law firms. That culture, and its emphasis on equity and inclusion, goes back to the firm's origins," the employee said, referencing the fact that founding partners' Jewish and Catholic backgrounds barred them from holding top-level positions in the legal industry in 1948 when the firm was formed.The employee added: "There is a general consensus among associates who are politically engaged, that a deal reached with the Trump administration will mark the beginning of the end for Skadden.""Partners and associates are considering leaving, much of the firm is demoralized, and we will struggle to recruit the best talent for years to come," the Skadden employee said.Rachel Cohen, a now-former firm employee, publicly resigned from Skadden last week after she said the firm had not responded properly to Trump's threats against other firms, including Paul Weiss and Perkins Coie. She circulated an open letter among associatesSkadden is the latest firm to reach an agreement with Trump amid his administration's challenges to the industry. Some lawyers and legal scholars previously told Business Insider that these targeted attacks on Big Law by the government are"unprecedented"and threaten not just the legal field but also the rule of law itself.Paul Weiss, which was named as one of the firms Trump was eyeing for executive countermeasures, ultimately brokered a deal with the administration. Trump rescinded his order against the firm in exchange for Paul Weiss' agreement to eliminate DEI considerations from its hiring practices and the firm's pledge of $40 million in pro bono legal services to initiatives endorsed by the Trump administration.Business Insider previously reported the language in Paul Weiss' copy of the agreement did not include references to DEI that were in Trump's announcement.Other firms targeted by Trump, such as Perkins Coie, the Elias Law Group, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHaleJenner & Block was granted a temporary restraining order on Friday, blocking the Trump administration from punishing the firm.The New York Timesreported thatUS District Judge John Bates, who is overseeing the case, described the order against the firm as "disturbing."US District Judge Beryl Howell on March 12 partially blocked Trump's order against Perkins Coie. Politico reported that during an emergency hearing, the judge said that the "retaliatory animus" of Trump's order against the firm was "clear on its face" and "runs head-on into the wall of First Amendment protections."On March 21, the Justice Department filed a motion to disqualify Howell from overseeing the lawsuit, arguing the judge is "insufficiently impartial" to rule on the case.Recommended video