Last week, Epic Games resubmitted Fortnite to the App Store in the United States. This followed a court ruling that stated Apple wasn’t allowed to charge a 27% commission on payments conducted through external payment services on the U.S. App Store. However, when it submitted the new version of Fortnite for app review, Epic Games didn’t hear back for quite some time. Tonight, Epic Games shared a letter that it says it received yesterday from Apple. This follows this mornings announcement that Apple had ‘blocked’ the launch of the new Fortnite update globally, which wasn’t necessarily the case. Instead, Apple simply didn’t want to touch the US version of Fortnite. Epic Games had bundled the two versions together, and Apple had then suggested that Epic Games submit the US and EU versions separately. In the letter shared, Apple stated the following: As you are well aware, Apple has previously denied requests to reinstate the Epic Games developer account, and we have informed you that Apple will not revisit that decision until after the U.S. litigation between the parties concludes. In our view, the same reasoning extends to returning Fortnite to the U.S. storefront of the App Store regardless of which Epic-related entity submits the app. If Epic believes that there is some factual or legal development that warrants further consideration of this position, please let us know in writing. In the meantime, Apple has determined not to take action on the Fortnite app submission until after the Ninth Circuit rules on our pending request for a partial stay of the new injunction. You can read the letter in full here. In short, Apple doesn’t want to take action until everything is fully settled involving the dispute. As a result of this, Epic Games has asked the courts to force Apple to allow Fortnite to relaunch on the U.S. App Store under the new rules. My favorite Apple accessory recommendations: Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Following the web redesign and other changes, Google is introducing a new prompt bar for the Gemini app on Android and iOS. Gemini is going from a pill-shaped text field to a rounded rectangle (even before you enter text). Underneath the “Ask Gemini” field, you get a row of actions, starting with the ‘plus’ menu that’s now much shorter. You just get Camera, Gallery, Files, and Drive in this bottom sheet. Next up are pill-shaped buttons for “Research” and “Canvas.” Tap the three-dot icon in a circle to see those items in list form with brief descriptions, as well as “Video” (Veo 2 generation). Chips will stay highlighted upon tap. Deep Research: Get in-depth reports Canvas: Create docs and code Video: Generate with Veo L-R: Old, new, and mobile web If you open the model picker, Google has removed Deep Research and Veo 2 (for Advanced subscribers). They are better thought of as Gemini capabilities than general-purpose models, with the new chips having the benefit of being always visible. As such, the menu is now down to four models: 2.0 Flash: Fast all-around help 2.5 Flash (preview): Our next reasoning model built for speed 2.5 Pro (preview): Reasoning, math & code Personalization (preview): Based on your Search history The voice input microphone and Gemini Live button round out this prompt bar redesign. Overall, it’s not as minimalist as before, but allows Google to introduce more features and matches the web UI. As first seen on gemini.google.com, Google is being more explicit about what Gemini can do. We’re seeing this prompt bar redesign on Gemini for Android with the latest Google app beta. It’s not yet in the stable channel. Update: It’s also rolling out to the Gemini app for iPhone and iPad. Google is using this redesign to switch to standard iOS menus. Related: Google adds AI Mode to the Search bar on Android, iOS More on Gemini: Add 9to5Google to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Late Friday, Epic Games sent a letter to U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers accusing Apple of refusing to consider its Fortnite submission, calling it “Apple’s latest attempt to circumvent this Court’s Injunction and this Court’s authority.” As reported by Mark Gurman, Epic’s petition reads: Apple’s refusal to consider Epic’s Fortnite submission is Apple’s latest attempt to circumvent this Court’s Injunction and this Court’s authority. Epic therefore seeks an order enforcing the Injunction, finding Apple in civil contempt yet again, and requiring Apple to promptly accept any compliant Epic app, including Fortnite, for distribution on the U.S. storefront of the App Store. In the document, Epic also makes a point to mention Tim Cook’s testimony at trial, in which he said: It would be to the benefit of the users to have Fortnite back on the App Store. Epic also stresses that: Apple also expressly and repeatedly told both this Court and Epic that it would welcome Fortnite back to the App Store if Epic complied with all of Apple’s Guidelines. That is exactly what Epic did. A bit of context The request comes after Apple told Epic Games it would “not revisit” the decision to reinstate the Epic Games developer account “until after the U.S. litigation between the parties concludes”. Earlier today, Epic informed players that Apple had blocked its most recent Fortnite build, rendering the game unavailable worldwide on iOS until the ban is lifted. Apple countered the claims, stating that it merely asked Epic Sweden (the developer account handling the resubmission) to remove the U.S. storefront from the build so the game could remain live in other regions. What might come next Back in the very first hearing of this case, Judge Rogers said she was “inclined not to require Apple to allow Fortnite on the App Store”. A few months later, she denied Epic’s request for a preliminary injunction, effectively allowing Apple to continue banning the game. That matters now because Epic’s new motion asks the judge to go a step further and order Apple to green-light Fortnite anyway. To grant that, she would likely have to conclude that Apple’s continued refusal has crossed the line into contempt of court, despite her earlier statement that Apple wasn’t obligated to host the game. Epic’s request may be bolstered by Judge Rogers’ recent order demanding Apple comply with the court’s 2021 injunction. In the days since, Epic has tried to pressure Apple by live-tweeting the ongoing stalemate over the new app submission. But with that approach seemingly going nowhere, this new legal strategy may be Epic’s way of pressing its luck a little further. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

The base model M4 Mac mini is one of the best values in Mac computers, but upgrading the storage to the maximum 2TB significantly reduces that value proposition. That’s because Apple charges an insane $800 for the upgrade, turning the budget $600 computer into a $1400 one. In other words, you can purchase two base model Mac minis for less than the price of a single Mac mini with a 2TB upgrade. But fret not, because Expand Mac mini offers a 2TB upgrade for the M4 Mac mini for just $320 – less than half of what Apple charges. In this hands-on step-by-step video walkthrough, I show you how to upgrade the M4 Mac mini SSD with 2TB of storage. Watch my full video, and be sure to subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Mac guides and tutorials. Disclaimer: This only works with the Mac mini with M4 chip. It does not work with the higher-end M4 Pro Mac mini. Things you’ll need: Base M4 Mac mini Expand Mac mini 2TB SSD A second Mac running macOS Sonoma 14 or later for restoring macOS External SSD for Time Machine backup and restore A USB-C to USB-C cable that supports data and charging, not a Thunderbolt cable T3, T5, and T8 Torx drivers Jimmy tool Opening Pick Tweezer (Optional) Spudger (Optional) Expand Mac mini includes a multi-bit screw driver, the necessary bits, and pryer tool, but I much prefer my iFixit Pro Tech Kit, which includes higher quality parts. It’s not a requirement, but if you plan on doing any sort of DIY stuff, this kit is nice to have. Video: Upgrade the M4 Mac mini from 256GB to 2TB Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more videos Backup your Mac Before you do anything, be sure to back up your Mac’s current SSD using Time Machine. This will let you easily restore your machine using Migration Assistant once the new SSD is installed and DFU-recovered. Step 1: Connect an external SSD with free space. Time Machine backups require their own volume, so you can create a separate volume via Disk Utility, or just use the entire SSD. I recommend any manner of Samsung SSDs; I use the Samsung T9. Step 2: Open Settings → General → Time Machine and click Add Backup Disk. Step 3: Enter your administrator password. Step 4: Select your external SSD and choose Set Up Disk… Step 5: Make sure Encrypt Backup is selected, and then enter and verify a new encryption password. Apple also requires you to fill out the “hint” field. Click Done to save the changes and the Time Machine backup will start preparing. Step 6: The Time Machine backup will automatically commence after 60 seconds, or you can force it to start by clicking Time Machine in the menu bar and selecting Back Up Now. Step 7: Verify that the backup is completed by visiting Settings → General → Time Machine. Step 8: Eject the Time Machine SSD from your Mac to save for later use. Erase All Content and Settings This is an optional step, but since you’ll no longer be using the SSD that you plan to replace, I recommend deleting the drive before removing. Ensure that you have your data backed up first before proceeding. Step 1: Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset and click Erase All Content and Settings. Step 2: Enter your Mac’s administrator password and click Unlock. Step 3: Click Continue on the Time Machine prompt, since you should have already backed up your Mac. Step 4: Click Continue on the Erase All Contents & Settings page. Step 5: If you’re signed in to iCloud, enter your Apple Account password to sign out and disable Activation Lock. Click Continue. Step 6: Click Erase All Content & Settings. The SSD will be erased, and the Mac will reboot. Install the new SSD Step 1: Shut down your M4 Mac mini and remove all cables. Step 2: Rest the Mac mini face down on a flat, soft surface to avoid marring the aluminum case. Step 3: Carefully insert the Jimmy tool between the gap where the aluminum chassis meets the plastic, black bottom cover, and pry the cover to create a gap between the two. Step 4: Insert a plastic opening pick and remove the Jimmy tool. Step 5: Slide the opening pick around the cover until it encounters each of the four clips that secure the cover to the chassis. Twist the opening pick slightly to pop out each clip. Take special care when sliding around the power button to avoid severing the power button cable. Step 6: Lift the edge of the cover that’s on the opposite corner of the power button, and flip it over to reveal the underside of the back cover. Rest something under the bottom cover so that you can access the inner plate screws without putting strain on the power button cable. Step 7: Remove all eight of the inner plate screws using a T5 Torx driver. All of the screws for the inner plate are the same, so don’t worry about remembering where each screw was. Step 8: Slide the inner plate down and away from the heat sink to loosen it. Be careful, because there is a ribbon cable that connects to the inner plate. Flip the back cover back on top of the inner plate, and then rest both the inner plate and back cover on the side of the Mac mini without putting stress on the ribbon cable. Step 9: Using the T3 Torx driver, remove the four fan screws. There are two short screws on the top, and two longer screws on the bottom. Step 11: Lift the fan and flip it over to expose the ribbon cable connection, and rest it on the edge of the Mac mini chassis without putting strain on the ribbon cable. Step 12: Remove the screw securing the SSD with the T8 Torx driver, and remove the SSD from its socket. Step 13: Insert the 2TB SSD into the socket securely, and secure it using the T8 screw. Step 14: Reinstall the fan, and put the inner plate and back cover back on without securing them down. Before securing the inner plate and back cover, it’s a good idea to test the install to make sure it was successful. DFU Restore Step 1: With the USB-C to USB-C cable, connect to the middle Thunderbolt port on the rear of the M4 Mac mini. This port is designated for DFU restores via macOS. Step 2: Plug the other end of the USB-C cable into a Mac running macOS Sonoma or later. Step 3: Hold the power button on the upgraded Mac mini, and while continuing to hold the power button, plug in the power cable. Step 4: Continue holding the power button until the Mac you’re using to perform the restore recognizes the connected Mac in DFU mode via Finder. You should also notice a flashing orange light on the front of the upgraded Mac mini. If macOS first shows an alert asking you to allow the accessory to connect, release the power button and click Allow. Step 5: Click the Restore Mac button on the Mac DFU Mode Finder window. Step 6: You’ll see a pop up warning you that your Mac will be reset to factory settings. Click Restore and Update. Step 7: macOS will download the necessary software, and then perform the restore. This works similarly to restoring an iPhone via a Mac. Depending on your Internet speed, it could take a while to download the restore file. The restore process is also somewhat lengthy, so be patient. Step 8: Once restored, the upgraded Mac mini’s status light should now be white, and you’ll see a message in macOS on the machine you used to perform the restore stating that the Mac has been restored to factory settings. Click OK. Migrate the Time Machine backup data Step 1: Disconnect your upgraded Mac mini from the other Mac, and connect the upgraded Mac mini to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Step 2: Power on the Mac mini, and connect the Time Machine backup drive to one of the USB-C ports. Step 3: Proceed through the initial macOS Setup process until you reach the Transfer Your Data to This Mac page. Select From a Mac, Time Machine, or startup disk, and click Continue. Step 4: Click Not Now on the Accessibility page, and Continue on the Data & Privacy page. Step 5: On the Transfer information to this Mac page, select your external drive, and click Continue. Step 6: If you set the Time Machine backup with encryption, enter the encryption password, and click Unlock. Step 7: Select the Time Machine icon, and click Continue. Step 8: Select your specific Time Machine backup and click Continue. Step 9: On the Transfer Your Information page, ensure that everything you want restored is checked and click Continue. Step 10: Create a new password for the user associated with the Time Machine backup, and click Set Password and then click Continue. macOS will now transfer your information from the Time Machine backup to your upgraded Mac mini’s SSD. This may take a while depending on how large the backup is. Step 11: On the Migration Complete page, click Restart Now to finish the migration. Step 12: Click Done when prompted, and macOS should display the initial Hello screen to finish the remainder of the initial setup. This includes logging back in to iCloud, setting up Disk Encryption, Touch ID, etc. Test out your Mac to make sure everything works, and verify the 2TB SSD upgrade via Finder and/or Disk Utility. Finish Mac mini reassembly If the install went as planned, you may now reassemble the Mac mini’s inner plate and back cover. Use the eight T5 Torx screws to secure the inner plate, and align the clips on the bottom cover to the holes on the inner plate and press down to lock the bottom plate back into place. Congratulations, you just saved hundreds of dollars on a 2TB SSD upgrade! 9to5Mac’s Take The nice thing about this install is that it’s totally non-destructive and can easily be reverted. It also requires no cable removals, or anything else weird. The install requires removing just 13 screws, and can be done in a matter of minutes. I wanted to challenge myself, and I was able to open the Mac mini and perform the install in 5 minutes. It’s the Time Machine backup, DFU restore, and migration that takes up the majority of the time, as the actual hardware install is cake as long as you have the needed tools. 256 GB SSD Speed Test 2TB SSD Speed Test When comparing the two drives, the performance of the upgraded 2TB SSD is predictably faster when it comes to write speeds. But I’m curious to see how the drive holds up over the long term. Are Apple’s drives that much better from a reliability standpoint that it warrants a $500 price difference, or are these drives largely the same, with Apple making insane margins for each upgrade sold? Time will tell, but I’ll be sure to report back with more info once I’ve been able to put the machine through the wringer for a few months. Would you consider this upgrade for your M4 Mac mini? Why or why not? Sound off down below with your thoughts. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Today, Apple announced upcoming changes to App Store pricing and developer proceeds. New tax adjustments will take effect immediately in Brazil, and additional pricing updates will roll out in multiple regions over the next few months. Brazil: new tax hits foreign developers As of May 16th, Apple is modifying developer proceeds in Brazil to reflect the introduction of a tax known as CIDE, which stands for Economic Domain Intervention Contributions. The new 10% levy will apply to developers based outside of Brazil and will be deducted from their earnings from paid apps and IAP. Furthermore, starting June 2, if the developer hasn’t selected Brazil as their base storefront in App Store Connect, prices will automatically update in the country to reflect this new tax. Similarly, pricing in Kazakhstan will also be adjusted due to local economic conditions. However, if the developer has either Brazil or Kazakhstan set as their base storefront, prices will remain unchanged. Apple notes that these updates won’t affect auto-renewable subscriptions, nor will any regions where developers manually manage prices instead of using Apple’s automated pricing system. Europe: consent now required for subscription price hikes Starting on August 4, Apple is introducing a new policy for auto-renewable subscription price increases in Austria, Germany, and Poland. Beginning on that date, all subscribers in those countries must explicitly consent to a price increase. If they don’t opt-in, the subscription will automatically lapse at the end of the current billing cycle. Apple will notify users weekly until the user takes action or the subscription ends. It’s worth noting that any subscription price increases scheduled before August 4 will still follow the current notification policies, even if the subscription renews after that date. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Control Center has gotten so much better over the past year, with a fully customizable toolset that’s always expanding. And my most-used Control Center feature, Background Sounds, will get even better in iOS 19 per a recent Apple announcement. iOS 19 will add three new Background Sounds features Background Sounds is Apple’s own built-in white noise-style feature in iOS. The feature has been around for years, but it got better last year in two main ways: New Fire and Night sounds were added and the upgraded Control Center toggle provided more utility than ever Because of these iOS 18 changes, Background Sounds actually became my most-used Control Center feature in the last year. Fortunately, it’s set to get even better in iOS 19. Earlier this week, as part of Apple’s new accessibility feature announcements, we learned about three upgrades coming for Background Sounds. The feature will gain: New EQ settings so you can personalize each sound Option to stop playback automatically after a set period of time (e.g., a sleep timer) More Shortcuts app actions to set up automations Background Sounds already offer some nice features, like the ability to play them even while other audio’s playing, or choose whether playback stops or keeps going when your device is locked. The three iOS 19 upgrades coming should make Background Sounds better for even more users, and likely means it will spend another year as my top Control Center option. If you’ve never tried it out, search ‘Background Sounds’ in Control Center’s control library and give it a shot. Do you use Background Sounds in Control Center? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments. Best iPhone accessories Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Based on more than 200 interviews with former Apple execs and engineers, Patrick McGee’s Apple in China – The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company ought to leave Tim Cook laying awake at night. It makes a convincing argument that the iPhone could be killed overnight should the Chinese government wish it. This is a book reminiscent of Walter Isaacson’s Steve Jobs in its careful research and the detailed inside stories it tells about Apple. The company’s official line is that it’s full of inaccuracies, but the case it makes is an incredibly persuasive one … The beginning of the story is, of course, well-known. By early in 1996, Apple was losing money on every product it sold. The company’s treasurer warned the board that the company would run out of money in around May of that year. To save itself, Apple sold its own manufacturing plants and made the decision to outsource all production. While the company tried a number of different countries along the way, it wasn’t long before production was shifted to Taiwanese companies with manufacturing plants in China. Taiwan and China offered the scale and cost structure needed for Apple products to be profitable, but what they couldn’t offer was the precision and focus on excellence demanded by Steve Jobs. Apple solved this problem by sending plane-loads of its own engineers to the country, embedding them into local factories in order to teach its fledgling suppliers how to make quality products. That wasn’t just in production lines for Apple’s own products, but those of the entire supply chain – many hundreds of companies in all. And Apple didn’t want to have single points of failure in its supply chain, so it brought its money and training to many more Chinese manufacturers than it actually needed, helping train, fund, and modernize a huge chunk of the country’s economy. Apple itself estimates it directly and indirectly trained around 28 million people, and McGee estimates that the company put a staggering $275B into upgrading the country’s manufacturing capabilities during the first five years. Effectively, Apple helped transform China from a cheap source of shoddy products into the most advanced manufacturing center the world has ever seen. In particular, what seemed like a key Apple strength would ultimately prove deeply problematic. The company’s power in negotiating incredibly low pricing meant that the iPhone maker not only taught China how to mass-produce high-quality, premium products – but also how to cut costs without affecting quality. That had three enormous impacts: On Apple On the US economy On the global economy Apple: The company invested so much money and intensive training into Taiwanese and Chinese manufacturing plants that, in time, there was nowhere else its products could be made. McGee notes that while Apple makes much of its Made In India iPhones, the reality is that only final assembly is carried out in the country. Everything assembled originates elsewhere, and in most cases that’s Taiwan or China. The US economy: That ability to conduct precision, quality manufacturing at unbeatable prices meant that China became an unstoppable production powerhouse. American companies simply couldn’t compete, and over time more and more US production moved to China. It wasn’t just Apple which was now completely dependent on China, but almost all other American companies too. The global economy: Where consumers once faced a choice between quality western products, and cheap Chinese ones, Apple had taught the country how to make cheap, quality products. That meant that Chinese brands like Huawei started competing on the global market, including in the premium tiers once the preserve of the top western brands. The most chilling claim in the book is that if China ever decides to shut the door on Apple, it can. Overnight. “They can lower the boom on you in a million different ways,” says Brady MacKay, the former US special agent who has witnessed Beijing deploy a number of tactics against other companies to make its point. “Like, raw materials- they can shut that off in a heartbeat,” he says. “Electricity—all of a sudden it’s only available four hours a day.” If China ever decides that manufacturing for Apple is less lucrative than killing the iPhone in order to create massively more demand for premium Chinese brands, Apple is dead in the water. That’s the core thesis of the book – and the argument is very well made. I highly recommend reading it. Apple in China is available on iBooks and Amazon (Kindle, hardback, and audiobook versions). Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

We are less than a month away from WWDC 2025, where Apple is set to announce a redesigned and less glitchy iOS 19 alongside what it’s been cooking over the past year for its other operating systems. While rumors abound regarding what’s to come to iOS 19, there’s one feature I hope to see make its way into the new system. Sadly, it’s probably not going to happen. HDR is excellent… Apple introduced HDR video playback support in the iPhone 8 and iPhone X in 2017, the same year Apple TV gained the feature. In a nutshell, HDR, or High Dynamic Range, is a technology that expands the range between dark and bright areas, handling both simultaneously without losing detail in shadows or highlights. It also enhances color accuracy, which is great if you’re watching a movie or TV show that really goes the distance to carefully make the most of this exciting capability. If you’ve watched the final season of Better Call Saul, you know what I’m talking about. It didn’t take long for the streaming world to adopt HDR. In fact, Apple worked with streaming platforms and movie studios to make the most of this new feature. Here’s Eddy Cue, at the September 2017 special event: To experience 4K with HDR, you also need great content. And we’ve been working with the large Hollywood studios to bring all of their 4K and HDR movie titles to iTunes. (…) In addition to iTunes, we’ve been working with leading streaming providers like Netflix to bring their 4K HDR titles to Apple TV and, later this year, Amazon Prime Video, with all of their 4K HDR titles and originals as well. When Apple introduced HDR video recording to the iPhone 12, the YouTube app added HDR playback support right away, which was great for creators who go the extra mile to create something that really stands apart. Then, in 2022, Snapchat got support for it. That’s when things started going awry. …until it’s not Today, every major social platform supports HDR, which sounds great in theory. In practice, it just means every third casually taken photo or video looks uncomfortably bright as it zips across the screen. Unlike a properly mastered show, movie, or even a YouTube video. And while it makes sense that social apps would add HDR support, since they have been trying to compete with actual streaming services, currently, having that enabled on Instagram, for instance, makes for an uncomfortably worse experience than if everything was in good old SDR. In an ideal world, Apple would allow for individually selecting which apps would get to display content in HDR in Settings. But honestly, at this point, I’d settle for a global toggle. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Last week, Epic Games announced that it had submitted Fortnite to the App Store in the United States. The move followed an injunction in which a federal judge said Apple couldn’t charge a 27% commission on out-of-app purchases initiated through in-app links. In a new statement today, however, Epic says that Apple has “blocked” this submission… In a statement posted on social media, Epic Games said: “Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the US App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union. Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it.” There’s no word on why Apple rejected Epic’s Fortnite submission. It’s also unclear why the game is no longer available via the Epic Games Store in the EU. Before today, Fortnite had been available to download for iPhone users in the EU through Epic’s alternative app marketplace as well as AltStore PAL. The version of Fortnite submitted by Epic used both Apple’s In-App Purchase system as well as an external payment option through the Epic Games Store. Fortnite has been unavailable through the App Store since 2020 when it added a backdoor payment option to circumvent Apple’s App Store Guidelines. Epic is trying to use its EU developer account to bring Fortnite back to the App Store after Apple terminated its original U.S. account. In the legal battle between Apple and Epic, a judge ruled that Apple was lawful in its decision to terminate Epic’s developer account for deliberately breaking App Store Guidelines when it added the Fortnite direct payment option. As such, Apple has no legal obligation to allow Fortnite back in the App Store. In 2021, the ruling concluded: Apple’s termination of the DPLA and the related agreements between Epic Games and Apple was valid, lawful, and enforceable, and (ii) Apple has the contractual right to terminate its DPLA with any or all of Epic Games’ wholly owned subsidiaries, affiliates, and/or other entities under Epic Games’ control at any time and at Apple’s sole discretion. We’ll keep this story updated as the situation continues to evolve. My favorite iPhone accessories: Follow Chance: Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, and Mastodon.  Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Apple is launching a brand new Home product in the coming year. I’ve been calling it ‘HomePad,’ and these are five of the core features it will bring with it. 7-inch square display Originally, Mark Gurman reported that the HomePad would have “a roughly 6-inch screen.” More recently though, in his big overview of 2025 products, Gurman bumped the expected size to 7 inches. The device reportedly looks a lot like a square iPad, and is somewhat equivalent to two iPhone 16 Pro Max models placed side by side. Smaller than some might want, but that should help keep the cost lower. Brand new OS Apple’s HomePad will come with a brand new operating system, likely dubbed ‘homeOS.’ Gurman says the interface “looks like a blend of the Apple Watch operating system and the iPhone’s recently launched StandBy mode.” It will also dynamically adjust based on how close or far away you are. For example, from far away it might display status update-type info, but if you get close it would change to offer controls. Unsurprisingly, based on Gurman’s ‘StandBy’ reference, the HomePad is expected to support widgets. You’ll reportedly be able to add these to the Home Screen, just like you can on iPhone and iPad. It’s unclear yet if third-party widgets will be supported, but there’s a good chance they will be. Apple has already built tech into macOS that lets you run iPhone widgets there, so extending that feature to the HomePad seems like a no-brainer. Accessories for fitting in anywhere On its own, the HomePad will look like a simple smart display. But Apple is building various bases and attachments that will make it fit into the different spaces of your home. Gurman writes: Apple has designed different attachments for the device, including ones that affix the screens onto walls like a classic home-security panel. There will be bases with additional speakers that can be placed in the kitchen, on a nightstand or on a desk. These additional accessories seem like another attempt at keeping the HomePad’s cost from ballooning (assuming they’re separate purchases). Importantly though, they also acknowledge the reality that different home spaces will require different HomePad setups. AI-infused Siri Apple’s current Home products, the HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K, don’t support any Apple Intelligence features. This means they’re all stuck with the ‘old’ Siri. But HomePad will offer the new, AI-infused Siri that’s more powerful already (mainly thanks to ChatGPT) but will get substantially more so this fall with iOS 19. Siri will be able to perform hundreds of new in-app and cross-app actions, understand your personal context, and more. If it works as expected, there should be far fewer times Siri has to say, “I’m sorry” on the HomePad—a too-frequent occurrence on HomePod. Apple’s HomePad is expected to offer a lot more functionality than what’s outlined above, including serving as a smart home controller, FaceTime device, and more. But the five features I’ve mentioned provide a solid overview of what to expect from HomePad’s core functionality. Are you interested in buying the HomePad? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments. Best HomeKit smart home accessories Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Today, Apple announced that veteran actor Michael J. Fox will appear in a guest role in Season 3 of Apple TV+’s acclaimed comedy series Shrinking. A poignant guest for a poignant show The news marks Fox’s first on-camera performance since his “second retirement” in 2020, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease, a condition he was diagnosed with in 1991 while filming Doc Hollywood. While there are no details on Fox’s character as of yet, his casting is particularly fitting, given that the show explores Parkinson’s disease through Harrison Ford’s character, Dr. Paul Rhoades. Fox’s involvement in Shrinking also reunites him with series co-creator Bill Lawrence, with whom he previously collaborated on the hit sitcom Spin City between 1996 and 2001. In fact, Lawrence has cited Fox as an inspiration for portraying the condition in an “inspiring rather than tragic” light. Fox’s return to acting comes after his Emmy-winning 2023 documentary, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, which was also released on Apple TV+. The documentary chronicled his career and journey with Parkinson’s disease. Season 3 of Shrinking will also feature other new guest stars , including Jeff Daniels, who will play Jimmy’s father, Sherry Cola, and Isabella Gomez. The series continues to follow therapist Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) as he navigates personal and professional challenges, with a cast that includes Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Luke Tennie, and Michael Urie. There is no word yet on when fans can expect the series’ return, but Apple has already promised “big feelings” up ahead. Apple TV+ is available for $9.99 per month and features hit TV shows and movies like Ted Lasso, Severance, The Studio, The Morning Show, and Silo. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney says Apple is keeping Fortnite’s return to the App Store in limbo, having “neither accepted nor rejected” the latest submission for review. The ongoing silence now threatens to delay Fortnite’s next major update, planned for this Friday. Judge ordered Apple to comply, but didn’t require Fortnite’s return The ink wasn’t even dry yet on Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’ order for Apple to quit it and do what it was told in the original 2021 injunction, when Epic Games confirmed it would submit Fortnite for Apple’s approval as soon as humanly possible. Which they did, on May 9th. Then… nothing. After five days without response, Epic withdrew the original submission and filed a new version to accommodate a planned Friday update. Since Apple’s own guidelines state that 90% of app submissions are reviewed within 24 hours, this radio silence is highly unusual. But here’s the thing: this may not be radio silence at all, but rather a one-sided stalemate. When Judge Rogers issued her original decision in 2021, she said Apple was not obligated to let Fortnite return to the App Store. She concluded that Epic Games had willingly broken the rules it had agreed to when creating its developer account, so the ban was fair game. So far, Apple has not given any indication whether it will actually let Fortnite back into the App Store. Which is probably why Sweeney has been very active on X about it, knowing that Fortnite fans will pile on (often, mentioning Tim Cook directly). Apple is listening Adding to this entire predicament, Tim Sweeney posted earlier today about how a Fortnite knock-off was available at the App Store. A few hours later, the app was pulled, to which Sweeney posted about yet another knock-off making the rounds. For now, Fortnite fans on iOS remain in wait-and-see mode. Sweeney has not indicated what Epic’s next move will be if Godot never comes. However, with no communication from Apple and the Friday update at risk, the saga between both companies appears far from over. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

It’s the time of year when the NFL schedule for the coming season gets revealed, and one team, the Baltimore Ravens, has gone all-out making a Severance parody video as part of their schedule announcement. NFL’s Baltimore Ravens show deep Severance knowledge in parody Severance may be on a hiatus as work continues on season 3, but the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens have just made a parody worthy of the Apple TV+ show’s high production values. The nearly 7-minute video showcases the team’s deep knowledge of all things Severance, with references to: goats watermelon busts face balloons MDR and a lot more There’s an impressive amount of detail and throwbacks that will delight any Severance fan, whether you care about the NFL or not. You can watch the video below. Apple did a great job marketing Severance season 2 before its debut earlier this year. Ahead of season 3’s arrival, considering the show’s massive success, maybe the company can get more partners in on the fun like the NFL. Apple TV+ is available for $9.99 per month and features hit TV shows and movies like Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Silo, and Shrinking. Best iPhone accessories Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Apple’s long-brewing next generation of CarPlay is finally here. CarPlay Ultra officially launched this morning. And while anyone not driving an Aston Martin may be disappointed, Apple’s announcement actually brought good news for all CarPlay users. The future of CarPlay isn’t what Apple thought Three years ago, Apple laid out its plans for the next generation of CarPlay. It’s been a long wait, but today the newly branded ‘CarPlay Ultra’ is here—first on Aston Martin vehicles, and later other automakers. Unless you’re in the market for an ultra-premium new car (or already own one), today’s announcement may seem irrelevant to you. But the details of Apple’s announcement reveal it’s actually good news for all CarPlay users. When Apple originally presented its vision for CarPlay’s future, it felt very much like a ‘CarPlay 2.0.’ In other words, next-gen CarPlay was the future, which meant the existing CarPlay would become the past. Today’s announcement, however, makes very clear that Apple’s not taking that approach. CarPlay Ultra isn’t ‘CarPlay 2,’ and that’s good news for the rest of us For anyone worried about CarPlay’s future now that something new has arrived, Apple has reassurance for you. In its press release announcing CarPlay Ultra’s launch, Apple included a key sentence near the end: CarPlay Ultra joins CarPlay, which is beloved by drivers around the world and has fundamentally changed the way people interact with their vehicles, providing a safer, smarter way to use iPhone in the car. ”CarPlay Ultra joins CarPlay”—the word choice is important, as is Apple’s naming choice. CarPlay Ultra is not a replacement for CarPlay. Apple isn’t eventually going to phase out CarPlay as more and more automakers support its new system. Through its branding, and press release, Apple makes very clear that CarPlay Ultra is not ‘CarPlay 2.’ It’s not a replacement, but rather an alternative. Current CarPlay will continue getting better, alongside Ultra Now that CarPlay Ultra has officially shipped, I’m optimistic Apple will continue investing in the current CarPlay system—perhaps more than it has in a while. We’ve seen signs of this happening already, with new features added to CarPlay in recent iOS updates. Perhaps some of CarPlay Ultra’s features will eventually trickle down to standard CarPlay too. Likely not any time soon, since Apple still needs ways to differentiate the system. But a version of widgets coming to standard CarPlay seems likely eventually. In short: CarPlay Ultra is good news because Apple no longer sees it as the future of all CarPlay offerings. Rather, it’s a new, premium option that “joins” the existing CarPlay. And hopefully before long, all CarPlay users will start to benefit. Best CarPlay accessories Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

As I mentioned recently, SmartGym has become one of my favorite apps. Anyone who uses it as a workout companion can easily see why it was named Apple Watch App of the Year in 2023, chosen as a finalist for the Apple Design Awards, and recently featured by Apple as one of the best apps optimized for iOS 18. Now, the app just got even better, with its biggest update yet. More personalization Tracking your performance and streaks is one of the best ways to stay motivated. SmartGym now offers custom goals, complete with history, targets, achievements, and detailed infographics to help you visualize progress over time. And speaking of personalization, one of the app’s most unique features, the Smart Trainer, uses AI to generate personalized routines based on your goals and available equipment. In this update, the Smart Trainer UI has been completely redesigned. Users can now group routines together, customize them more easily, and tweak individual settings with less friction. Heart rate tracking You may remember that recently, Beats released the Powerbeats Pro 2 with built-in heart rate monitoring. Now, SmartGym supports the feature, and uses it to better calculate calorie consumption during the exercise. Even more helpful: it now displays live heart rate zones during workouts, an especially useful addition for HIIT sessions or cardio training. Better UX for mid-session use One of SmartGym’s greatest strengths is its UX for mid-training interactions. It does its best to get out of the way and quickly deliver the exact information, exercise editing tools, or stats you may need. Now, it allows you to quickly find an alternate exercise for any given workout, which is great for those busy days at the gym when that chest fly machine is really on demand. The app now also features a “listen” option that reads out loud the description of its vast database of nearly 700 exercises, which will surely be very useful for when you are not familiar with a new workout routine. To top it off, the app just crossed out one of my biggest wishes for it, which is to display a persistent rest timer right on the interface. Syncing and integration Much, if not all, of these new features will now work in sync or integrate between multiple devices. From displaying custom goals as an Apple Watch complication to syncing of exercise changes between the iPhone and the iPad, this SmartGym update really packs many actually useful features for both gym rats and casual home fitness fans alike. SmartGym is free to download on the App Store, and offers a wide variety of subscription options. But the developer Matt Abras was nice enough to send five promo codes for SmartGym’s Annual Plan. If this app is for you, act fast! 9XA7P9YREA3F 364MPJRE4LKJ E7H67W6LKHWR 4Y36HW43KR6J RW7JPLERM34M Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

In comments to press this morning, President Donald Trump said he has an issue with Apple’s handling of the tariff policy in regard to iPhone production. Trump wants Apple to build iPhones domestically in the United States, but has clearly seen the recent news that Apple will source most of the iPhones sold in the US quarter from India, rather than China. “I don’t want you building in India”, he said … It has been reported that within the next couple of years Apple is trying to import all iPhones intended to be sold in the US, from India, rather than China, in a diversification of its production pipeline. Right now, that means avoiding the higher tariff rates imposed on Chinese exports. Indeed, on the latest company earnings call, Apple said most iPhones sold in the June quarter will have India as their country of origin. Naturally, the Trump administration see the tariff policy as a way to incentivize companies to manufacture more locally, and Apple has so far shown no signs of doing so. Cook has previously indicated it is simply unfeasible, due to the lack of U.S. manufacturing facilities and talent. Here’s what Trump said: “I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday. I said to him, my friend, I treated you very good. You’re coming here with $500 billion, but now I hear you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India.” “I said, Tim look, we treated you really good, we put up with all the plants that you build in China for years, now you got build us. We’re not interested in you building in India. India can take care of themselves, we want you to build here.” The $500 billion number refers to U.S investment Apple has pledged for the next four years, covering infrastructure projects like a new factory for Apple Intelligence servers, R&D, data centers, Apple TV+ productions, and more. It does not include any plans to manufacture Apple consumer devices domestically. For US sales, Apple’s public statements to investors indicate it will source most iPhones from India, and products like Mac, iPad and AirPods from Vietnam. iPhones produced in China will be sold locally and exported to other countries around the world that do not impose tariffs. Apple previously indicated that tariff policy would cost the company almost a billion dollars in the April – June quarter, however this was before the recent US-China trade deal amnesty. But with these interim deals set to expire in 90 days, the future impact on U.S. businesses remains very much uncertain. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Apple Card launched nearly six years ago, and in some ways it still feels odd that the iPhone maker offers its own credit card. But here are three Apple Card features that help make it my no-brainer favorite to this day. #1: Monthly installments for Apple products Apple Card automatically offers the chance to pay for new Apple products over time, completely interest free. It’s quick and easy to choose Apple Card Monthly Installments during the Apple Store checkout process, and you get benefits like: 3% Daily Cash on your purchase, all up front 0% interest, usually for 12 months Seamless trade-in experience to lower payments If you buy Apple products every so often, this could be reason alone to get an Apple Card. As someone who writes about Apple for a living, my Apple Card Monthly Installments option gets a lot of use. #2: Savings account One of Apple Card’s most recent additions is the option of a built-in savings account. The aptly named ‘Apple Card Savings Account’ launched in 2023 as an optional add-on for Apple Card users. I love this feature for two main reasons: You can set your Daily Cash to automatically get added to savings And the high-yield APY is very compelling On this last point, Apple’s savings APY is currently 3.75%, which is significantly higher than bank accounts offer and in line with other top credit cards. Several cards that offer competitive APY come with a drawback for me though: they really want to push you toward investment. Apple doesn’t offer investing tools, so it doesn’t stress that angle. #3: Apple Maps places for transactions I try to stay on top of my spending and make sure to review transactions fairly often. And in that regular scan of transactions for my family, there are of course times when I don’t recognize a vendor for a particular charge. When this happens with other credit cards, they don’t offer much help. Usually tapping to view the transaction’s extra details is futile because so little information is provided. But with Apple Card, there’s a handy Apple Maps place listing built right in. Typically the header image and map thumbnail are enough to help me remember the transaction. But if not, tapping the map brings up the full Apple Maps place listing with more details. Maps integration can go a long way toward taking the mystery out of unknown transactions. Apple Card features: wrap-up There are plenty of other reasons I find Apple Card compelling, like its elegant UI, clear communication on potential interest charges, and 2% Daily Cash on all Apple Pay transactions. But the three features above help elevate Apple Card above other options for me, and keep it in regular use in my household. What are your favorite Apple Card features? Let us know in the comments. Best iPhone accessories Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

When Netflix introduced its ad-supported tier in late 2022, it wasn’t exactly a surprise. Other mainstream streaming services had been widely adopting the strategy, much to viewers’ protests. Now, Netflix has shared some data that indicates that while many might object to an ad-supported tier, they’re watching it anyway. 20 million new monthly active users Netflix says its ad-supported tier now has 94 million monthly active users, up more than 20 million since last November. That’s a massive leap in just six months, signaling that price-conscious viewers might be flocking to the cheaper plan, which currently costs $7.99/month (compared to $17.99 for the lowest ad-free option). According to Amy Reinhard, the company’s president of advertising, the ad model isn’t just working. It’s actually outperforming expectations. “When you compare us to our competitors, attention starts higher and ends much higher,” she said. Profitability alone doesn’t merit praise. Oil companies are profitable. Health insurance companies are profitable. Vulture capital companies are profitable. Private prisons are profitable.I wouldn’t watch Netflix with ads if they offered it to me for free. View all comments Reinhard also claimed that viewers are engaging with mid-roll ads just as much as they do with the content itself, although it wasn’t clear how Netflix measured this data point. Netflix added that the ad-supported tier now reaches more U.S. viewers aged 18 to 34 than any broadcast or cable network. A clear signal to advertisers that Netflix is no longer just competing with streamers, but with traditional TV itself when it comes to this demographic. Up next Netflix’s numbers may be the clearest signal yet that ad-supported streaming actually works. At least, for streamers. With nearly 100 million users now engaging with ads, other platforms might feel more encouraged to follow suit more aggressively. Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, and other mainstream streaming services already offer cheaper ad tiers. Still, as subscriber growth slows, they might resort to a more heavy-handed approach, now that Netflix has signaled there’s a large and willing audience (and real ad revenue) waiting on the other side. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

With last year’s release of iOS 18, AirPods Pro got even better. Apple added new gestures, improvements to gaming support, and more. Head below for a recap of each of these features and details on how to use each of them. Available on AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 With iOS 18, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 users can interact with Siri and incoming notifications by nodding their heads up or down. Accept a call or reply to notifications and messages: Nod your head up and down. Decline a call or dismiss notifications and messages: Shake your head side to side. To use head gestures to interact with Siri, you’ll also need to make sure Announce Calls and Announce Notifications are enabled. Open the Settings app and choose “Notifications” and make sure the “Announce Notifications” setting is turned on. Once the “Announce Notifications” setting is enabled, here’s how to manage Head Gestures: With your AirPods connected to your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap your AirPods at the top. Scroll down and tap “Head Gestures” Toggle on the feature and choose with gesture is linked to “Accept, Reply” and “Decline, Dismiss.” Voice Isolation Available on AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 Voice Isolation is a new feature available for AirPods users that helps ensure the caller’s voice is heard in loud or windy environments. Powered by machine learning and the H2 chip inside, Apple says that this feature isolates and enhances voice quality while removing significant background noise for the listener. Note that Voice Isolation has been a feature on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac for several years. This year, however, it’s supported directly on AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4. Here’s how to enable Voice Isolation on your AirPods: While on a call, swipe down from the top of your screen to access Control Center Tap the “Controls” button at the top of the interface Tap on “Voice Isolation” Gaming improvements Available on AirPods 3, AirPods 4, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max iOS 18 also brings Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking to gaming for the first time. To ensure this feature works for you, open the Settings app, navigate to your AirPods settings, and scroll down to “Personalized Spatial Audio.” If you haven’t previously set up this feature, you’ll be guided through a process that includes a Face ID-style scan of your ears to personalize the Spatial Audio experience. This feature applies to things like music and videos, and is now applicable to gaming thanks to iOS 18. Apple also says that iOS 18 brings support for improved voice quality, including 16-bit, 48kHz audio, for chatting with teammates while gaming with AirPods Pro 2. Latency for AirPods Pro 2 users has also been upgraded. Custom Adaptive Audio Available on AirPods Pro and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation iOS 18 brings more granularity to the Adaptive Audio feature on AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4. For those unfamiliar, adaptive mode “blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode together to control the level of noise you hear in your headphones based on the changing noise conditions in your environment.” With iOS 18, you can now customize Adaptive Audio to better fit your needs and “allow more or less noise.” With your AirPods connected to your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap your AirPods at the top. Scroll down and tap “Adaptive Audio” Move the slider left to allow for “Less Noise” when using Adaptive Audio or to the right to allow for “More Noise.” Hearing Health Last year, Apple supercharged AirPods Pro 2 with new hearing health features. Now, you take a hearing test with your AirPods Pro to find out if you have hearing loss. You can then use AirPods Pro as a hearing aid if you have mild to moderate hearing loss.  Apple explains: With the incredible audio quality of AirPods Pro, the user’s personalized hearing profile is automatically applied to music, movies, games, and phone calls across their devices without needing to adjust any settings. This first-of-its-kind software-based Hearing Aid feature brings users the ability to fine-tune their experience at any time, making access to hearing assistance easier than ever at an approachable price point Learn more:  Best AirPods Pro accessories Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Sonnet’s MacCuff mini is a great way to securely mount your Mac mini under your desk, on a wall, or behind a monitor, allowing you to reclaim precious desktop real estate. I recently tested the MacCuff mini with my 2024 M4 Mac mini, and I was impressed with its build quality, thoughtful design, and ease of use. Watch my hands-on review of the MacCuff mini, and be sure to subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more videos. Specifications All metal design with no sharp edges Theft resistant wraparound design Steel locking bar and pry-resistant security ridge Easy access to Mac mini power button Doesn’t block Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas Doesn’t block airflow for air intake/exhaust Unimpeded access to front and rear I/O Included cable management clip Price: $55 Video: MacCuff mini review for 2024 Mac mini Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more videos The MacCuff mini is a super-simple product, but it’s clear that a lot of thought went into its design. The first thing I noticed is that, although it’s comprised of steel, there are no sharp edges that present a cutting risk. If you’ve ever used similar, cheaper products, your mileage may vary in terms of how much effort went into keeping the metal edges smooth. The MacCuff mini is also designed specifically for the M4 Mac mini. This isn’t some one-size-fits-all solution, as all of the cutouts and the way it fits around the machine have tight tolerances that take into account the Mac mini’s form factor. The unit also makes sure to keep all of the ports clear, and features a cutout for the power button on the bottom of the Mac mini. With its wraparound design and steel locking bar, the MacCuff mini is not only made to mount your Mac mini, but to do so in a secure way that will help prevent theft. The locking bar rests tightly across the top of the Mac mini, while the bottom of the computer fits into the mount’s recessed hole so that it doesn’t obscure the air intake or exhaust ports. Sonnet also made sure to keep the plastic bottom cover of the Mac mini free since that’s the area where the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi antennas reside. With the MacCuff mini, users can mount the M4 Mac mini underneath a desk, on a wall, or even on the back of a monitor, assuming that it has standard VESA screw holes available. Sonnet includes all of the screws you’ll need, a set of 4 non-marring stickers to place over the screws, and also includes a cable management clip to attach to the side of the mount. Yes, the MacCuff mini is a simple device, but it’s well thought out, and makes it easy to reclaim precious desktop space. The Mac mini, with its tiny form factor, is the perfect candidate for under-desk mounting, and the MacCuff mini makes it easy. What do you think? Sound off in the comments with your thoughts. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

iOS 18 brought a major change to Apple’s Calendar app: you can now see all your reminders alongside calendar events. But there’s one change that would make the feature even better. iOS 18 Calendar app’s ‘all or nothing’ Reminders integration needs more options I’ve written before about how happy I am to see the Reminders app get integrated with Calendar. It’s a feature I’ve wanted for years, since pairing calendar events with reminders means I can get an accurate overview of my day at a glance. But there’s one main shortcoming in Calendar’s current implementation. In iOS 18, you get only two options for integrating reminders: you can show all scheduled reminders on your calendar or you can hide reminders altogether For some users, showing all reminders in the Calendar app might work fine. But for me, and I suspect many others, it’s less than ideal. It would be great if Calendar let you enable or disable certain Reminders lists, that way you’re not clogging your calendar up with reminders that are irrelevant. Fantastical, an excellent third-party calendar app, lets you pick and choose which Reminders lists show up on your calendar. I really hope iOS 19 brings the same functionality to Apple’s Calendar app. Do you wish you could customize which Reminders lists appear inside Calendar? Let us know in the comments. Best iPhone accessories Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

To start off today’s best Apple deals we are once again checking back in with the M4 MacBook Air lineup as the 24GB 13-inch model hits a new Amazon low again from $1,426 ($173 off). Alongside some ongoing Apple accessory deals – USB-C cables from $7.50 and the 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter, we also have a deal on AirPods Pro 2 with 2 years of AppleCare+ as well as Yale’s Assure 2 Apple Home Key smart lock at up to $145 off and more. Everything awaits below.  Apple’s 15-inch 24GB M4 MacBook Air just dropped again to a new $1,426 Amazon low ($173 off), more from $849 While we are still tracking a particularly notable discount on the upgraded 13-inch model, Amazon has now dropped the price even lower on its 24GB 15-inch M4 MacBook Air. Most models and colors across the M4 MacBook Air lineup are still sitting at $150 off on Amazon, but it has now dropped the 24GB/512GB 15-inch model in the Midnight colorway down to $1,425.99 shipped to deliver a new all-time low. Regularly $1,599, this configuration is now $173 off the going rate to undercut our previous all-time low mention from earlier this week and deliver the best price we have tracked on any color at Amazon (or anywhere else online). As of right now, the silver model has jumped back up close to full price, the Sky Blue is at $150 off, and the Starlight variant is going for $1,427.11, or $172 off the list price. Again, folks who would prefer the more compact 13-inch form-factor can also take advantage of even lower pricing on the upgraded 24GB model with the 512GB SSD right now – it is currently sitting at $1,245.26, or roughly $200 under the price of the 15-inch model. But for those of you specifically looking for the extra screen real estate and an injection of RAM power, today’s deal is certainly worth consideration at the lowest Amazon price to date. 13-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB/256GB from $849 (Reg. $999) 13-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB/512GB from $1,049 (Reg. $1,199) 13-inch M4 MacBook Air 24GB/512GB from $1,245 (Reg. $1,399) 15-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB/256GB from $1,049 (Reg. $1,199) 15-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB/512GB from $1,249 (Reg. $1,399) 15-inch M4 MacBook Air 24GB/512GB from $1,426 (Reg. $1,599) Amazon now offering 34% off Apple’s official 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter at $39 (Reg. $59) Official Apple Woven USB-C cables up to 62% off today: One for $10 or three at $7.30 each AirPods Pro 2 with 2-years of AppleCare+ back at $180 (Nearly $100 off, Costco members only) Update 5/14: This deal is now live again for members. Details below in the original post. There is a deal right now Costco members will want to be aware of – you can score the same AirPods Pro 2 but with 2-years of AppleCare+ included with your purchase at $179.99 shipped. That’s $10 more, but actually a lower overall price depending on how much you value the extra Apple warranty protection. Details below. Okay so let’s break this down. Going with the lower-priced Amazon deal saves you $79 on the regular $249 list price of the AirPods Pro 2 with a standard Apple warranty. Costco members, can however opt to pay out $180 now and score the same $249 buds with 2-years of AppleCare+ – purchasing the discounted buds with the same AppleCare+ at Amazon will cost you $198.99 shipped right now. Both are clearly solid deals, but if you are a Costco member and value the bonus warranty protection of Apple’s official care program, it might be smarter choice to take that path. Either way, you’re looking at the latest pro-grade Apple AirPods 2, complete with the USB-C MagSafe charging case and all of the new features Apple has introduced to the package over the last year or so. Some of which include the new hands-/voice-free nod gestures (“simply nod your head yes or shake your head no when Siri asks if you’d like to hear a message, answer a call, or manage a notification”) as well as the Hearing Protection, Hearing Test action, Hearing Aid support, and Media Assist that landed last September (details on those await right here). Prefer you some AirPods 4 at a lower price instead? Amazon brought back all-time low pricing on the base model and a solid deal on the ANC this week starting from $100. Now even lower: Apple Find My-equipped mini FlashFinder keychain flashlight now $23 Prime shipped Yale’s Assure 2 Apple Home Key smart lock is up to $145 off today at Amazon If you’re looking for a full replacement smart lock for your front door, complete with Apple Home Key support, the Yale Assure Lock 2 is seeing some notable deals today. Regularly up to $320 at Best Buy, you’ll now find this model starting down at $204.99 shipped. Details below. The more universal Satin Nickel and Black Sided colorways are now down at $249.99 while the dark Oil Rubber Bronze is now selling for $204.99 shipped. These deals are also matched at Best Buy for today only. This is up to $145 off the going rate at Best Buy, although hey have been selling for closer to $290 or so at Amazon as of late. These, by the way, are the Wi-Fi supported models that also include a keypad unit alongside the Apple Home Key tech – just wave your Apple Watch or iPhone to open the lock – as well as HomeKit support: Control your smart lock using voice commands with Siri, home automations, and more, when paired with Apple HomeKit. Controlling this HomeKit-enabled accessory automatically and away from home requires a HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV set up as a home hub. Via the Yale Access app, you can remotely “let people in, lock up, share entry codes, track who comes and goes, and receive notifications,” while leveraging the peace of mind of Power Reserve – “you can still use [Apple] home keys on your iPhone for hours after it needs to be charged.” Amazon has 8 colors of Beats Studio Pro ANC headphones down at $170 (Reg. up to $350) Today’s accessories and charging deals: Alongside the ongoing $100 price drops across the latest M3 iPad Air lineup, Amazon has now brought back its all-time low pricing on the most affordable, latest-generation iPad mini (A17 Pro). Regularly $499, you can now land all four colors down at $399 shipped on Amazon to match our previous mention and the lowest we have tracked to date. Not only are we also seeing the Wi-Fi + Cell models of the entry-level 128GB model at $100 off, dropping from the regular $649 down to $549 shipped, but the $100 discounts are also hitting the rest of the lineup, including the 256GB and 512GB variants. iPad mini A17 Pro 128GB $399 (Reg. $499) iPad mini A17 Pro 256GB $499 (Reg. $599) iPad mini A17 Pro 256GB $699 (Reg. $799) While Apple has unleashed its new 11-inch entry-level iPad since the latest mini arrived back in October, the mini is the most affordable model in the current-generation lineup that can support Apple Intelligence. The new 11-inch comes packed with the A16 chip and, while a wonderful casual machine considering you can score one at the $299 all-time low right now, the latest mini is a more powerful Apple tablet and comes in with that ultra-manageable 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display you won’t find elsewhere in the lineup. Not to mention the 30% jump in CPU power, 25% better graphics performance, and upgraded storage capacity tiers. Just for comparison’s sake, here’s how the all-time low pricing shakes out on the new 11-inch iPad right now: 128GB iPad (A16) from $299 (Reg. $349) 256GB iPad (A16) from $399 (Reg. $449) 512GB iPad (A16) from $599 (Reg. $649) New 512GB Apple iPad (A16) just hit new Amazon all-time low at $100 off, but you can score an M3 iPad Air for less Huge deals return on official Apple Solo Loops: Score 3 for just $20 (Orig. $147), more Brand new Powerbeats Pro 2 hit Amazon all-time low at $200 today (All colors $50 off), open-box units at $159 Update: The price on the “excellent” open-box condition units at Best buy have dropped back down to $158.99 shipped, or $91 off the list price. We are finally getting the very first chance to save on the new Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds in brand-new condition. We featured a few chances to score an open-box set for less on the black set, but Amazon is now offering all four colors down at $199.95 shipped. Regularly $250, this is a straight up $50 off the going rate and the first deal on Amazon. Today’s Amazon all-time low pricing marks the first time we have seem the lauded new Powerbeats Pro 2 drop in price outside of the open-box offers at Best Buy. You’ll find this same deal also available at Best Buy in brand-new condition while pricing on the open-box listings have now dropped even lower as well, but only on the black colorway – they are now down at $148.99 $169.99 shipped. That’s $79 off and the best we have seen in “excellent” open-box condition at Best Buy with a 1-year warranty attached. Here the details on Best Buy’s open-box “excellent condition” units: This is an Open Box product, which means it’s been opened and returned by another customer. Each open box item is unique, and we offer different discounts based on the product’s condition. To see a product’s condition before purchasing, visit us in store. Works and looks like new. Includes all original parts, packaging and accessories (or suitable replacement). We came away quite impressed, much like the rest of the internet, on the new Powerbeats Pro 2 after getting a chance to give them a run for their money at review. Alongside the onboard heart rate tracking and Apple Find My, they feature active noise cancellation and a Transparency mode powered by Apple’s H2 chip as well as up to 45 hours of battery life, one-touch pairing, automatic switching, Audio Sharing, and hands-free Siri action. Take a deeper dive in our hands-in review right here. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

In early 2023, Spotify launched DJ, an interesting feature that leveraged a text-to-speech LLM to deliver… traditional radio, pretty much. Now, Spotify has announced that, much like traditional radio, DJ can also take requests. Hey, Mr. DJ Snark aside, the idea for DJ is pretty cool. The incredibly convincing-sounding AI was trained on the voice of Xavier “X” Jernigan, Spotify’s Head of Cultural Partnerships (who has a great voice for the task, by the way). It “picks” the tunes it thinks the user might be in the mood to hear. Occasionally, DJ X will show up between songs to make contextually fitting comments based on the user’s listening history, which users appear to enjoy. According to Spotify, DJ engagement nearly doubled over the past year, so it decided to take it one step further and add a layer of real-time interaction to the mix. Now, users can prompt DJ X for specific songs, artists, or mood-based playlists. Here’s Spotify: DJ can handle a combination of genre, mood, artist, or activity-related requests. For example, you could try, “Surprise me with some indie tracks I’ve never heard before,” or “Give me some electronic beats for a midday run.” You could even request something like, “Play me some cry-in-the-car songs. This interactive version of DJ is rolling out in English for Spotify Premium users in the countries and regions where DJ is available. It can be found by searching for DJ in the search field, and then pressing and holding the DJ button to talk. Alas, Spotify warns that while DJ can be used to control music playback, it doesn’t work (yet?) with audiobooks and podcasts. The company explained that its AI is still in beta, and was trained to produce results for music-related requests only. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

After a years-long wait, Apple finally added RCS messaging support to the iPhone last year, and that’s resulted in over 1 billion RCS messages being sent every day in the US alone between both Android and iOS devices. Even before Apple adopted RCS, the tech was being used quite widely across Android. In November 2023, Google confirmed that its Messages app – the main portal for RCS on Android – had amassed over a billion monthly active users. Fast-forward to 2025, post-iPhone adoption, and RCS is being used more than ever. Google says that, just in the United States over a 28-day (average) period, users are sending “more than a billion” RCS messages daily. Over the last few years, we’ve been focused on improving how people connect, no matter what phone they have. That’s why we helped make RCS the messaging standard for Android andiOS. Now, in the U.S. alone, there are more than a billion RCS messages sent every day (basedon an average of the last 28 days). This means more people have been able to sendhigh-quality photos and videos, and add someone to the group chat, without it breaking.* That’s still a ways behind the estimated number of SMS/MMS messages sent daily in the US, estimated to be around 6 billion on average, but it’s still a huge figure, especially as there are still US carriers that don’t support RCS on the iPhone yet – Google Fi was only added to the list in March. Are you using RCS on a daily basis? More on RCS: Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram Add 9to5Google to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Apple’s Machine Learning team, in collaboration with researchers from Nanjing University and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, has announced an interesting 3D AI model called Matrix3D. This so-called Large Photogrammetry Model is able to reconstruct 3D objects and scenes from just a few 2D photos, but with a big difference from current pipelines. Here’s why this is a big deal. First things first: photogrammetry. It uses photographs to make measurements in order to create 3D models or maps. Currently, this process involves using different models for steps like pose estimation and depth prediction, which can lead to inefficiencies and errors. Matrix3D simplifies this by doing it all in one go. It takes in images, camera parameters (such as angle and focal length), and depth data, and processes them using a unified architecture. This not only simplifies the workflow but also improves accuracy. Even more interesting is how the model was trained. Researchers used a masked learning strategy, very similar to early Transformer-based AI systems that helped pave the way for the first versions of ChatGPT. They randomly hid parts of the input data during the training process, which forced Matrix3D to basically learn how to fill in the gaps. This technique is key because it enables Matrix3D to train effectively even with smaller or incomplete datasets. The results are impressive. With just three input images, Matrix3D can generate detailed 3D reconstructions of objects and even entire environments, which obviously could have very interesting applications for immersive headsets like the Apple Vision Pro. The researchers made the source code for Matrix3D available on GitHub, and published their paper on arXiv. They also created a website where you can watch more sample videos and even interact with a few point cloud recreations of objects and environments. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

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: Never lose a file again. Use code “9to5daily” at checkout for 10% off. New episodes of 9to5Mac Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they’re available. Stories discussed in this episode: Listen & Subscribe: Subscribe to support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock: Ad-free versions of every episode Bonus content Catch up on 9to5Mac Daily episodes! Don’t miss out on our other daily podcasts: Share your thoughts! Drop us a line at happyhour@9to5mac.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Today, TikTok announced AI Alive, an AI filter that will allow users to animate static photos through prompts. ByteDance says that this new image-to-video feature undergoes multiple checks to avoid misuse, and its output will be labeled as AI-generated. Here’s how to use it. AI Alive is accessible through TikTok’s Story Camera. After the user selects a photo from the Story Album, they see a new “AI Alive” icon alongside the traditional editing tools. Once tapped, the interface displays a text box in which the user can prompt the model with a description of what they want to happen in the photo-turned-video. As described by TikTok: Imagine capturing a serene sunset photo and effortlessly turning it into a cinematic clip: the sky gradually shifts hues, clouds drift lazily, and ambient sounds of waves crashing in the distance bring the scene to life. Or take a group selfie and bring it to life as a lively, animated memory that highlights the subtle gestures and expressions of friends or family. AI Alive unlocks these creative possibilities, taking everyday content to the next level. Addressing possible trust and safety concerns, TikTok stressed the security steps it takes to curb abuse. It also said that all videos created by AI Alive will embed C2PA metadata, currently the closest thing to an industry standard for labeling AI-generated media. Oddly enough, TikTok didn’t share a video showcasing the feature in action, but it shouldn’t take long for users to see them in their TikTok feed. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Last week, Israeli firm NSO Group, best known for its Pegasus spyware targeting iPhones and Android devices, was ordered to pay Meta more than $167M for targeting WhatsApp users. Now, TechCrunch has published an interesting report based on the 1,000+ page transcript of the trial. The aftermath As soon as the verdict was read, Meta celebrated the outcome as “an important step forward for privacy and security.” The ruling capped a legal battle that stretched over five years, with the court also ordering NSO to hand over the code for Pegasus and its other spyware tools to WhatsApp. With such a long and sprawling case, it’s no surprise that the transcript runs over 1,000 pages. Some of its contents, however, might raise a few eyebrows. One piece of information, however, goes to show the firm’s fearlessness (let’s call it that) when it comes to targeting users with its spyware. As Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai writes: Following the spyware attack, WhatsApp filed its lawsuit against NSO Group in November 2019. Despite the active legal challenge, the spyware maker kept targeting the chat app’s users, according to NSO Group’s research and development vice president Tamir Gazneli. Gazneli said that “Erised,” the codename for one of the versions of the WhatsApp zero-click vector, was in use from late-2019 up to May 2020. The other versions were called “Eden” and “Heaven,” and the three were collectively known as “Hummingbird.” The story is a quick read, but well worth your time if you are into infosec. It goes into how the attack worked and what its relationship with government customers is like. In its official statement about the victory, Meta promised to publish unofficial trial transcripts for “researchers and journalists studying these threats and working to protect the public.” NSO, on the other hand, vowed to appeal. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Since the DMA took effect in Europe, Apple has been forced to loosen its grip by allowing third-party access to its platforms, devices, and operating systems. One key example is the iPhone’s NFC chip, which was once locked to Apple Pay but is now required to support third-party payment providers. It took longer than one would have guessed, but now PayPal is taking advantage of this wider access. Enn Eff Tseh, bitte Earlier this month, PayPal announced that German iPhone users would soon start earning cashback by making contactless payments using the PayPal app in select stores. As the company explained: In the coming weeks, PayPal’s first-ever contactless mobile wallet will launch nationwide, available to PayPal consumers in Germany before anywhere else in the world. The new contactless feature will be accessed through the latest version of the popular PayPal App (both iOS and Android). Consumers will be able to choose PayPal to pay safely and easily with a simple tap of their phone at any location that accepts Mastercard contactless payments. And, for the first time, the PayPal App will bring together a consolidated view of both online and offline purchases for the consumer.  Now, the system appears to be going live. As German site iPhone Ticker reported (via The Verge), PayPal’s direct contactless system has been intermittently appearing for users, in what looks like a soft rollout or limited trial ahead of an official launch. The system works on Mastercard-enabled payment terminals, allowing users to simply tap their iPhone and pay using the PayPal app. No Apple Pay required. Back in 2022, PayPal was one of the companies that backed the EU’s antitrust complaints against Apple’s control over the iPhone’s NFC chip, and now it appears to be one of the first to benefit from the outcome. At the time, as reported by Bloomberg, the company “was one of multiple companies making informal complaints about the situation to the commission,” and “helped spur a formal antitrust complaint,” that arguably (at least partially) led to the outcome of the DMA. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Airbnb is launching an all-new version of its iOS and Android app that’s designed for more than just booking great places to stay. The new app lets you enhance each trip with opportunities to make memories and enjoy unique experiences around your destination. That’s because Airbnb’s major app redesign supports a new initiative called Airbnb Services, a modern take on hotel amenities for the Airbnb era. Airbnb Services, at your service With Airbnb Services, the company is expanding from being primarily known for connecting travelers with a place to call home for a few nights. Going forward, Airbnb aims to make booking things to do as much a part of the product as finding places to stay. No need to spend time researching local experts, sorting through recommendations, or juggling reservations in different apps. Airbnb Services offers a trusted vetting process with the same easy-to-use booking system you’re already using. Airbnb Services isn’t just an add-on to the stay booking experience either. The new app treats Airbnb Services with the same attention and care that users expect when booking a place to stay. The idea is simple: hotels offer amenities like fine dining and fitness centers, and Airbnb changed how people book stays. Now, Airbnb wants to change how people discover local experts who provide great services in photography, cooking, wellness, and more. Airbnb Services is launching today with 10 categories across 260 cities to start: Chefs – Fully customizable in-home meals from professional chefs. Photography – Personalized photo sessions from experienced photographers. Massage – Restorative massages including Swedish, deep tissue, and reflexology from certified therapists. Spa treatments – Facials, microdermabrasion, body scrubs, and other treatments provided by licensed estheticians. Personal training – Yoga, strength training, HIIT, and more, with personal trainers, including renowned fitness professionals and world champion athletes. Hair – Professional haircuts, blowouts, and more from experienced stylists. Makeup – Makeup for every day or special occasions from professional makeup artists. Nails – Manicures and pedicures from experienced nail specialists. Prepared meals – Ready-to-eat meals prepared by professional chefs. Catering – Full-service catering with custom menus, decor, and equipment, plus setup and cleanup. Like Airbnb stay listings, Airbnb Services are meant to be for everyone. For that reason, the company says that prices on many offerings start below $50. Expect the service to go live in more cities regularly over time. Airbnb Experiences and Originals, reimagined and unique Alongside Services, Airbnb is putting more weight behind Experiences, its curated lineup of activities hosted by locals, as part of its effort to provide great solutions for making the most of each trip. The company says each Experience is vetted for quality, with a focus on expertise, authenticity, and strong guest feedback. Hosts are chosen based on their connection to the location and their ability to deliver something memorable, not just a generic tour. A new addition called Airbnb Originals takes things up a notch. These are exclusive experiences created just for Airbnb, often hosted by public figures and celebrities. You can make pastries with chef Raphaelle Elbaz at the cult-favorite French Bastards bakery in Paris or play beach volleyball with Olympian Carol Solberg on Rio’s Leblon Beach. Originals also include over-the-top moments with big names like Megan Thee Stallion, who invites guests to become their anime alter-ego in her Otaku Hottie Quest. You can also join Sabrina Carpenter on the Short n’ Sweet set for a day of glam, dancing, and espresso, or hang out with Patrick Mahomes to learn how to throw the perfect spiral and eat Kansas City barbecue. And you don’t have to be traveling to take part in Airbnb Experiences. Airbnb wants Experiences to be something you actually want to book in your own city too. 9to5Mac’s Take Pairing Airbnb stays with services feels so natural it’s surprising it didn’t exist already. But the reason Airbnb Services works now is because it is built on years of product iteration and a global network of partners who make it possible. Airbnb Services, along with Experiences and Originals, turns the app into something like a world menu—not just places to stay, but things to do and memories to make along the way. The redesigned app is full of rich iconography, fluid animations, and thoughtful choice that sets the tone before the trip even begins. It adapts to what you’re doing, whether you’re planning, traveling, or reminiscing afterward in a way that should feel rewarding to use. Airbnb is making Experiences more social too. Later this year, you’ll be able to see who else is attending before you book, message the group or individual guests during the experience, and stay connected afterward. The idea is to make it easier to join with friends or meet new people along the way and stay connected. Seeing technology get out of the way and embrace human connection in a way that people want and need is so refreshing to see. For a company that’s nearly 20 years old and such a part of everyday life, Airbnb has built an app experience that’s both new and actually gives you a reason to plan your next trip. Pulling that off is neither easy nor guaranteed, yet Airbnb is doing both with a sense of fun and intention that’s delightful to see. Download the all-new version of Airbnb for iOS and Android today. Happy travels! Check out these iPhone apps and accessories Follow Zac on X. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel