The video-streaming platform has revolutionized how we watch things. Here’s a timeline of its biggest moments.

Macworld The new iPad is already a great value at $350, but today’s deal drops the price by another $30. This means you can get the new iPad in blue or yellow for $320 at Amazon, the lowest price we’ve ever seen and a fantastic bargain. Launched just a month ago, the 11th-generation iPad is the most affordable iPad you can get right now. The tablet’s 11-inch display looks as gorgeous as ever, delivering vivid colors, great contrast, and enough brightness to make it easy for you to see anything on the screen, no matter the lighting conditions. It also now comes with 128GB of storage (twice the previous model) to use for apps, games, and pictures. That’s quite a bit and we’re particularly happy to see this is now the baseline for iPads at the same price. When we reviewed the A16 iPad, we gave it a 4-star rating and appreciated just how affordable it is, as well as its bright screen and overall strong performance. We also loved the impressive battery life, getting quite a few hours of fun out of the tablet. The only real trade-off is that you won’t be playing with Apple Intelligence with this tablet because the A16 chip doesn’t support it. Given the current state of Apple’s AI project, that’s not much of a loss. So go grab the new A16 iPad for $320 and get a great tablet at a great price. We’d suggest acting fast because these kind of Apple deals don’t tend to stick around for long. Save $30 on the iPad A16Buy now at Amazon

Macworld Rumors abound that Apple is about to redesign all its operating systems, dramatically changing the devices we use every day starting this fall. It would be a perfectly understandable reaction to wonder why Apple would focus on aesthetics while so many parts of its business seem to be in turmoil. But I’m here to propose the opposite. That a lot of the symptoms of what Apple’s done wrong lately–most powerfully represented by the disastrous update to the macOS Settings (formerly System Preferences) app–are actually reasons why now it’s past time for Apple to turn the page, design something new, and announce it at WWDC in June. Things fall apart I’ve never worked in software, but I have worked in the media business for a few decades and have been involved in numerous redesign projects, both for print magazines and websites. Every time a new design debuts, it’s trumpeted as being “cleaner” and “more streamlined,” which probably makes you wonder: Why was the old thing cluttered? Why design a less streamlined, less clean thing in the first place? Of course, the answer is that every new design starts clean, fresh, and streamlined, with every feature it needs and nothing it doesn’t. But starting on day one, the compromises creep in. Designs fall apart over time, not because they weren’t nice, but because needs have changed, and you can’t do a total redesign every time you want to add or tweak just one thing. Over the years, a fresh design becomes an ugly patchwork. The truth is, there’s never a good time to redesign anything. There will always be another pressing new feature that takes precedent. But why now? Surely Apple would be better off devoting its time to adding AI features and fixing bugs! The truth is, there’s never a good time to redesign anything. There will always be another pressing new feature that takes precedence, and that usually goes on for years as the fixes pile up, creating more and more tech debt and making the existing product that much harder to update and alter. Eventually, it reaches a breaking point–the whole thing needs to be redesigned. If not now, when? Apple’s operating systems probably reached that breaking point a few years ago. And there’s no better example, in all its details, than three years ago when Apple replaced the macOS System Preferences app with the new Settings app. Brother from another mother Introduced in macOS Ventura in 2022, the Settings app encompasses pretty much every reason why Apple needs to hit a big reset button. First, let me stipulate that the old System Preferences app was just that: old. It was a remnant of the very earliest days of Mac OS X and desperately needed to be modernized. I do not doubt that there were a huge number of reasons (and an enormous pile of tech debt ) that led to the decision to replace it with a new version based on the Settings app found in iOS and iPadOS. Even though this System Preference design is old, it made it much easier to find what you need, than it is now with System Settings.Foundry But that’s the thing. The Settings app on iOS is no spring chicken. It has also struggled to adapt and grow with the increasing complexity of iOS and iPadOS. It was never intended to work on macOS. While the decision to use it on macOS was probably expedient and made Apple’s platforms feel a little more alike, adapting an old design from an entirely different platform went exactly as you might expect it to go. Settings might be new to macOS, but it’s not new. What Settings needs, across all of Apple’s platforms, is a rethink and a reorganization. Categories and subcategories are not organized in any logical way, making the entire app so dysfunctional that you have to rely on search to find anything you need. And all that does is expose how broken a lot of Apple’s on-device search functionality feels. Not to mention that between “type to Siri” and Spotlight, it’s completely unclear what to type where on modern Apple devices. Sure, we can all probably figure out good explanations for why things are the way they are. But that’s the point–years have gone by, and the old designs have been patched so many times that they’re simply a mess. It’s time to rip the bandage off. The old college try I hear a lot of skepticism about Apple’s ability to execute a complete redesign across all its platforms. And I get it: A lot of Apple’s recent missteps have come on the software side, suggesting that they may not be up to the challenge. The fact is, we just don’t know whether Apple can execute on this, but we have to be open-minded. It could be good, or it could be bad, or anywhere in between. Apple needs to stop making macOS be more like iOS and vice versa. It needs to start with a design system that is built to the way we use each device.Apple What’s indisputable is that Apple could really use a new design, built from the ground up to cover all of its platforms and fit its priorities. It shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all design but an overall design system that is built to adapt to the very different needs of an iPhone and a MacBook Pro. As a certain famous former Apple CEO said, design is “not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” That’s another important aspect of this if Apple is going to do this right: It can’t just be about looks–it needs to be about functionality. For example, a new Settings app could be beautiful and reflect every platform’s special nature–but if it hasn’t been reorganized so that you can find what you’re looking for, it’s not well designed. The same is true for many of Apple’s back-end technologies, which need to be presented in more consistent ways, whether it’s Writing Tools and Apple’s spelling checker or the aforementioned Type to Siri and Spotlight searches. That’s the potential in a major Apple redesign. Sure, there will be gaudy flourishes that show off the power of Apple Silicon GPUs–but a successful design has to go beyond that. If Apple does this right, it will have swept away the conditions that led to sad affairs like replacing one broken Settings app with a differently broken one. A new design should be based on Apple’s vision for how people will be using its devices over the next decade, at least. And if it’s all done right, that design will inspire the rest of the company to live up to its promise. Because nobody wants to see the OS equivalent of the Settings app.

Online threats are prevalent and technology is advancing at a rapid pace, making cybersecurity an urgent requirement in safeguarding the digital assets of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).  By protecting vital data, sensitive customer information, and core business operations, SMBs are able to not only defend against cyber-attacks but also harness secure internet connections as a catalyst for growth and competitiveness within the digital marketplace. The benefits of a robust cybersecurity strategy There are multiple advantages for SMBs to have a strong security posture, including: Protection of sensitive business data. By implementing strong cybersecurity measures, SMBs can shield their sensitive information, financial records, and intellectual property from cybercriminals. This fosters trust and reliability among customers and partners. Business continuity. In the face of cyber threats, businesses with secure internet connections can maintain seamless operations, prevent disruptions, maintain productivity, and uphold their reputation in the competitive business environment. Stimulation of innovation and expansion. With a secure cyber environment in place, SMBs can focus on innovation and business development, knowing that their digital infrastructure is protected from cyber threats that could impede their growth. The risks of ignoring cybersecurity SMBs sometimes believe their organizations are not targets of cybercriminals. Yet, attackers have a simple motivation: financial reward. Neglecting cybersecurity exposes SMBs to myriad risks and potential consequences, including: Data breaches. Failure to prioritize cybersecurity leaves SMBs susceptible to data breaches, potentially resulting in the compromise of sensitive business and customer information. This can lead to legal and financial ramifications while undermining client trust and loyalty. Financial losses. Cyber-attacks can inflict severe financial damage, ranging from direct financial theft to costly recovery processes and regulatory fines. The organization’s financial stability and viability can be severely threatened in the aftermath of a successful cyber breach. Reputational damage. A breach of trust resulting from inadequate cybersecurity measures can tarnish reputation. Negative publicity, customer distrust, and damaged relationships with partners and stakeholders can significantly impact the brand’s standing and long-term viability. Regulatory penalties. Non-compliance with data protection regulations and industry standards can expose SMBs to regulatory penalties and legal liabilities. Failing to prioritize cybersecurity can lead to costly repercussions and legal entanglements that may further strain resources and credibility. Future-proof with optimal cybersecurity An optimal cybersecurity approach includes a dynamic set of solutions that are designed to fortify an organization’s digital infrastructure, ensuring robust protection against cyber threats, data breaches, and unauthorized access.  For example, by leveraging innovative technologies such as adaptive firewalls, threat detection, and secure VPNs, SMBs can attain greater resilience and a strong, proactive security posture. In turn, this sets the stage for sustainable growth and innovation in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. It also cultivates a future-ready digital presence, bolstering market competitiveness and fostering customer trust and reliability. With a strategic partnership with a cybersecurity provider such as Optimum Business, SMBs can bolster their resilience, embrace innovation, and establish a secure digital foothold, thereby enhancing their market positioning, fostering customer trust, and navigating the digital future with confidence and readiness. Discover how to enhance your cybersecurity by contacting Optimum Business, and embark on a transformative journey toward a secure and resilient digital future.

The European Commission (EC) has just imposed the first two fines for noncompliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). After more than a year of investigation, it has imposed fines of €500 million on Apple and €200 million on Meta. In the first case, the agency says that the iPhone manufacturer imposed restrictions on application developers to inform customers about alternative offers outside the App Store. In this way, according to the EC, “consumers are not able to take full advantage of alternative and cheaper offers.” In the case of Meta, the EC says it should have requested users’ consent to combine their personal data between services, something it has failed to do in its binary ‘Consent or Pay’ advertising model. With this model, introduced in November 2023, which does not fall under the DMA, “Facebook and Instagram users in the European Union (EU) could choose between consenting to the combination of data for personalized advertising or paying a monthly subscription for a service are published.” The agency says also that in 2024 the company introduced a new version of the model with an option that uses less personal data to display ads. This is being evaluated and the EC “continues the dialogue with Meta, requesting the company to provide evidence of the practical impact of this new model.” These decisions fall within a geopolitical framework of negotiations between the United States and Brussels to lower tariffs imposed by Donald Trump on certain products. However, the amount of the fines, per El País, is far from the maximum possible; up to 10% of the company’s annual turnover. Teresa Ribera, Commissioner for Competition, stated, “today’s decisions send a strong and clear message. The DMA is a crucial instrument to unlock potential, choice and growth by ensuring that digital players can operate in competitive and fair markets. Apple and Meta have failed to comply with the DMA by implementing measures that reinforce the dependence of business users and consumers on their platforms. As a result, we have taken firm but balanced action based on clear and predictable rules. All organizations operating in the EU must comply with our laws and respect European values.”

Recorded on April 23, 2025 Brain-Computer Interfaces: From Promise to Product Speakers: David Rotman, editor at large, and Antonio Regalado, senior editor for biomedicine. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have been crowned the 11th Breakthrough Technology of 2025 by MIT Technology Review‘s readers. BCIs are electrodes implanted into the brain to send neural commands to computers, primarily to assist paralyzed people. Hear from MIT Technology Review editor at large David Rotman and senior editor for biomedicine Antonio Regalado as they explore the past, present, and future of BCIs. Related Coverage Brain-computer interfaces face a critical test

We're creeping up on the five-year anniversary of Tim Cook's Apple Silicon announcement, and over a decade of rumors. Here's how the whole saga started, how it launched, and what to expect in the future.Apple Silicon is on its fourth generation in five years. After years of dealing with Intel's chip limitations, Apple introduced the move to Apple Silicon during WWDC 2020. The effort of ditching a well-used architecture would see Apple shifting to its new line of designed in-house chips for its Mac and MacBook catalog, starting later that same year.That two-year transition from Intel to Apple Silicon started a major change for the company, as well as the industry at large. Beyond claims of high efficiency designs paired with high levels of performance, which you would expect from a chip launch. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The American Academy in Rome has announced the winners of the 2025-26 Rome Prize, naming five architects as part of the 35-person cohort that will reside there in the Eternal City for a yearlong fellowship beginning in September. This year, they will be joined on the 11-acre campus by invitees to a new 1-3 month residency program. That group includes Susan Chin, Lesley Lokko, Glenn LaRue Smith, Brent Leggs, and Christine Sun Kim, among others. The architects/proposals selected for this cycle are: Akima Brackeen of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for Sonic Impressions (Lily Auchincloss Rome Prize) and Cory Henry of Atelier Cory Henry for Borders of Belonging: Rome's Public Spaces as Arenas of Democracy and Dissent. Tameka Baba of the Ohio State University Knowlton School, Sean Burkholder of the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School, and Karen Lutsky of the University of Minnesota College of Design were selected in the Landscape Architecture category. Heather Scott Pe...

Today marks the announcement of a new crop of the Architectural League of New York annual League Prize for Young Architects + Designers winners. The 44th cycle of the League Prize, as with other contests, is open to those practicing within ten years of completing their education and organized under the 2025 theme 'Plot.'Explaining the theme, the Young Architects + Designers Committee wrote: "Every building has its lore, and plots are known to thicken. Which dramas are shaping architecture’s arc today? The truth may be stranger than fiction. Despite the best-laid plans, design so often deals in circumstance. That is, while architects may endeavor to write their own stories, projects always present twists. [...] We invite young designers to chronicle that which bookends their practices and to demonstrate plot’s persistent role as main character."They join other past winners of the League Prize like Mario Gooden, who worked with Behnaz Assadi, Jia Yi Gu, and William O’Brien on the jury...

Massive Entertainment’s Year 7 Showcase for Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 offered numerous new details on Battle for Brooklyn, the next DLC. Launching on May 27th, it retails for $14.99 for base game owners, and it’s bundled with the Gold and Ultimate Edition. Returning to Brooklyn, where players began their journey in The Division 1, you’ll explore familiar locations and new areas like Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights during the Autumn. The DLC is touted to last six to ten hours and includes four Control Points (with each faction having a unique gimmick for guarding them). You can also look forward to 12 Living World Activities, ten Bounty Locations, eight Hunter Riddles, and a new collectable Bounties set. The Cleaners and Rikers are the main enemies, though they’ll harness the Purple Flame to more devastating effect, and Smart Cover returns with two variants: Precision and Fortified. You can also look forward to the new Catalyst Exotic Mask, which provides buffs when dealing and receiving status damage. As for future seasons, Massive promised more events, end-game depth, and an improved onboarding process for newcomers. Stay tuned for more updates.