At this point, I kind of have to feel sorry for Roblox. The company came under increasing criticism for failing to adequately protect children, and then courted even greater controversy when it started requiring children as young as nine years old to submit a video selfie for age verification.

The latest development in the saga is that the age verification process appears to be failing badly, with the company saying that you can’t expect everything to work on day one …

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Apple is confronting a newly intensified supply-chain challenge for future chips as the AI boom has created a global shortage of a key material, Nikkei Asia reports.


Apple is said to be struggling to secure sufficient supplies of high-end glass cloth fiber, a material that plays a critical role in the printed circuit boards and chip substrates used in iPhones and other devices. The most advanced forms of this glass cloth are apparently produced almost entirely by one supplier, Nitto Boseki.

Apple began using Nittobo's premium glass cloth in chips years before AI computing drove widespread demand for similar materials. As AI workloads have expanded, however, companies such as Nvidia, Google, Amazon, AMD, and Qualcomm have moved aggressively into the same supply pool, placing unprecedented pressure on Nittobo's limited capacity.

In response, Apple has taken several unusual steps to protect its supply chain. The company reportedly sent staff to Japan last autumn and stationed them at Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, which produces substrate materials and relies on Nittobo's glass cloth. Apple is also believed to have approached Japanese government officials for assistance in securing supply.

Apple is additionally working to qualify alternative suppliers, though progress has been slow. Apple has engaged with smaller Chinese glass fiber producers, including Grace Fabric Technology, and asked Mitsubishi Gas Chemical to help oversee quality improvements. Other potential entrants from Taiwan and China are attempting to scale production, but industry sources said achieving consistent quality at the required level remains difficult.

Each glass fiber must be extremely thin, uniform, and free of defects, as the glass cloth is embedded deep inside the chip substrate and cannot be repaired or replaced after assembly. Because of this, major chipmakers have been reluctant to adopt lower-grade materials, even temporarily.

Apple has discussed using less-advanced glass cloth as a stopgap, but doing so would require extensive testing and validation and would not significantly ease supply constraints for 2026 products. Similar concerns are affecting other chipmakers.
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I still have affectionate feelings about the original Macintosh I owned back in 1984, and if you feel the same, you can now give your iPhone 17 Pro a nostalgic makeover …

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The first M5-powered MacBook Pro launched in October of last year. Apple described the chip as offering “the next big leap in AI for the Mac.”

There was no update for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, however, and we are expecting this to happen soon – including M5 Pro and M5 Max options. Apple may now have hinted that the launch date for these will be January 28 …

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Apple and Google this week announced that Gemini will help power a more personalized Siri, and The Information has provided more details.


As soon as this spring, the report said the revamped version of Siri will be able to…

• Answer more factual/world knowledge questions in a conversational manner


• Tell more stories
  
• Provide emotional support


• Assist with more tasks, such as booking travel


• Create a document in the Notes app with information, such as a cooking recipe

The report said Apple plans to announce additional Siri capabilities at WWDC in June, including…

• Knowledge of past conversations


• Proactive suggestions based on information from apps, such as Calendar

Apple already announced that the personalized Siri would have better understanding of a user's personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls, so a lot of the specific capabilities that the report said are coming would align with that.

For example, Apple showed an iPhone user asking Siri about their mother's flight and lunch reservation plans based on info from the Mail and Messages apps.

The report said that the latest prototype of the more personalized Siri does not have any Google or Gemini branding, and Apple will be able to fine-tune Gemini's model to ensure that Siri responds to queries in a way that the iPhone maker prefers.

More details are available in The Information's paywalled report.

Apple first previewed the more personalized Siri at WWDC 2024, and the revamped assistant is finally expected to launch as part of iOS 26.4 in March or April. However, according to the report, some capabilities will not arrive until iOS 27.
This article, "Google Gemini-Powered Siri Will Reportedly Have These 7 New Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Nikkei Asia reports that Apple has been scrambling to solve a glass cloth shortage, with the supply crunch projected to last until at least the second half of 2027. Here’s what that means.

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The Information has published a report with interesting tidbits about Apple’s partnership with Google, which will have Gemini serve as the foundation for its AI features, including the new Siri. Here are the details.

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Apple TV confirmed today that it is working on a “multi-part documentary series on the incredible life” of tennis icon Andre Agassi. Here are the details.

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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 Stuff: Stuff helps you get everything out of your head and into a simple, elegant system—closing open loops and reducing mental stress. Use code 9TO5 at checkout for 50% off your first year.

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Since 2021, Shazam has been using its data to identify rising artists before they break, based on early song-recognition trends. Today, the platform revealed its Fast Forward 2026 lineup. Here are the details.

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A new report shows that U.S. patent activity continued its multi-year decline in 2025, with Apple dropping to seventh place after receiving 2,722 grants, a 11% decrease from 2024. Here are the details.

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Shazam has published its annual Fast Forward list, and an accompanying Apple Music playlist. The list takes a look ahead at some of the most exciting music artists who are being discovered through the song identification tool. 2026's list features more than 60 music artists who are poised to have a breakthrough year.


Here is how Apple describes this year's playlist:

Every day, Shazam gets millions of requests from users around the world who are curious about the artist behind a song. These requests come from all over-TikTok videos, car commercials, overhearing something in the wild-which makes it a powerful tool for predicting tomorrow's heavy hitters. For 2026, we've assembled a playlist featuring over 60 artists-based on Shazam data and reviewed by our editors-that are poised to have a breakthrough year. From K-pop group CORTIS to Alabama country crooner Kashus Culpepper to Irish rock band Florence Road, it's a remarkably diverse group of artists hailing from all corners of the globe. Have a listen and add the ones you love to your library before the world catches on.

Some well-known music artists, including Benson Boone, Ice Spice, and Ayra Starr, were featured in Shazam's previous Fast Forward lists.


Apple acquired Shazam in 2018, and the tool is deeply integrated across its platforms.
This article, "Shazam's Fast Forward Playlist Reveals Music Artists Set to Rise in 2026" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The Apple Canada YouTube channel has published a fun (and slightly unnerving) new ad promoting the new Ceramic Shield 2 cover glass of the iPhone 17 line. Watch it below.

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Alongside the news that Pixelmator Pro is coming to the iPad, Apple has confirmed that the more basic Pixelmator app for the iPhone and iPad will no longer be updated.


From the Pixelmator Pro page on Apple's website:

Pixelmator Classic for iOS, released in 2014 as a companion app to the now-discontinued Pixelmator Classic for Mac, provides basic image editing features such as cropping, color adjustments, and effects. It remains a functional app but is no longer being updated.

The classic Pixelmator app offers more basic image editing tools, whereas Pixelmator Pro for iPad will be a fully-featured, professional image editing app.

Pixelmator Pro for iPad features a new touch-optimized workspace, full Apple Pencil support for pressure-sensitive brushing, the ability to work between iPad and Mac, and all of the powerful editing tools from the Mac version of the app.

Read our earlier coverage of the Pixelmator Pro for iPad announcement to learn more.

There is also a free Photomator photo editing app for the iPhone and iPad in the App Store, and Apple did not mention updates ending for that app.
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IDC is out with a new report detailing PC shipments for the holiday quarter. Here’s how Apple did compared with the rest of the market.

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Apple today released a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 3. The latest firmware has a version number of 8B34, up from the previous version 8B30.


Apple has a support document for AirPods firmware updates, and it indicates that the 8B34 update contains unspecified "bug fixes and other improvements."

No other AirPods models received firmware updates today.

How to install AirPods Pro firmware updates, according to Apple:

• Make sure that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is updated to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, and that Bluetooth is on.


• Make sure that your AirPods are connected via Bluetooth to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.


• Connect your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to Wi-Fi.


• Connect your charging case to power.


• Put your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid. Keep the lid of the charging case closed, and keep your AirPods in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.


• Wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update.


• Open the lid of the charging case to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.


• Check the firmware version again.

AirPods Pro 3 were released in September, with key features versus the previous generation including increased active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, longer battery life per charge, heart rate monitoring during workouts, and more.
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Apple has new firmware available for AirPods Pro 3 users today ahead of iOS 26.3’s forthcoming release. Here are the details.

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Today Apple unveiled Pixelmator Pro for iPad alongside its new Apple Creator Studio subscription. And in a new page on Apple’s website, the company has revealed the fate of its existing Pixelmator and Photomator apps for iOS.

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If you are not interested in subscribing to the new Apple Creator Studio bundle introduced today, you will officially start to miss out on some new features.


Apple said some "exciting new intelligent features and premium content" in Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Keynote, Numbers, Pages, and Freeform will only be accessible with a Creator Studio subscription. In the U.S., a subscription costs $12.99 per month, or $129 per year, while college students can pay a lower $2.99 per month or $29 per year.

This means that if you bought Final Cut Pro or Pixelmator Pro via one-time purchase, which will still be an option going forward, you will no longer have access to all new features. However, Apple promises the apps will continue to receive updates.

From the Final Cut Pro page on Apple's website, for instance:

A one-time purchase will still be available, but access to some of the premium content is available only to Apple Creator Studio subscribers. If you already own Final Cut Pro, it will continue to be updated.

There are some exceptions, as Apple says Logic Pro and MainStage will have all the same features whether they are subscription or one-time-purchase versions.

It looks like most if not all of the new features that will be limited to Creator Studio subscribers will be powered by AI, as Apple repeatedly describes them as "intelligent" features. The apps are continuing to receive other new features that do not require a subscription over time, so one-time purchasers are not completely left out.

As for Keynote, Numbers, Pages, and Freeform, those apps will remain free, but some new intelligent features and content will likewise require a Creator Studio subscription. This means these apps are now effectively "freemium."

Here are a few of the first new features coming to Creator Studio subscribers:

• Pixelmator Pro: A new Warp tool lets you twist and shape image layers.


• Keynote, Pages, and Numbers: A new Content Hub provides access to high-quality photos and graphics, and there are new premium templates and themes.

In summary, existing users of Final Cut Pro and Pixelmator Pro never had to worry about paying extra to have every new feature, but that is no longer the case going forward. And while the Keynote, Numbers, Pages, and Freeform apps never cost money, some new features will now be locked behind a subscription. These changes will undoubtedly disappoint some Apple customers, while helping to boost the company's services revenue.
This article, "These Apple Apps Will No Longer Receive All New Features Without a Subscription" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Samsung has introduced a new batch of discounts across its most popular monitors and TVs this week, with notable markdowns on products like The Frame and the Smart Monitor series. These deals have all been applied automatically on Samsung's website, and many match all-time low prices on these products.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Starting with monitors, you can get the 32-inch Smart Monitor M9 4K OLED for $1,299.99, down from $1,599.99. This version of the Smart Monitor line launched last summer, and Samsung's discount today is a match of the record low price on the display.



Other monitors on sale include the 32-inch Smart Monitor M7 4K for $229.99 ($170 off) and the 43-inch Smart Monitor M7 4K for $359.99 ($140 off). You can find even more monitor deals in the list below.


Regarding TVs, there are quite a few models of The Frame TV on sale, including all-time low prices on The Frame models from 2025. You can get the 2025 65-inch The Frame TV for $1,199.99 ($600 off), as well as The Frame Pro for $2,499.99 ($700 off).



For even more potential savings, eligible shoppers have the chance to get additional discounts through Samsung offer programs. These programs provide extra discounts for students, military, and employees of select businesses, and they provide up to 30 percent extra savings on Samsung's website, so be sure to check whether you're eligible for any of these programs.

TVs

• 55-inch QLED QEF1 Smart TV - $379.99, down from $599.99


• 55-inch QLED Q7F Smart TV - $399.99, down from $529.99


• 55-inch QLED Q8F Smart TV - $699.99, down from $749.99


• 75-inch Vision AI Smart TV - $679.99, down from $1,199.99


• 50-inch The Frame - $799.99, down from $1,099.99


• 75-inch Neo QLED QN70F Smart TV - $1,199.99, down from $1,599.99


• 65-inch The Frame - $1,199.99, down from $1,799.99


• 55-inch OLED S95F Smart TV - $1,999.99, down from $2,299.99
  
• 75-inch The Frame Pro - $2,499.99, down from $3,199.99


• 85-inch The Frame Pro - $3,499.99, down from $4,299.99


• 85-inch Neo QLED QN90F Smart TV - $2,699.99, down from $4,499.99

Monitors

• 32-inch Smart Monitor M7 4K - $229.99, down from $399.99


• 32-inch ViewFinity S70A UHD Monitor - $299.99, down from $459.99


• 34-inch ViewFinity S6 Monitor - $399.99, down from $799.99


• 43-inch Odyssey Neo G7 Smart Gaming Monitor - $599.99, down from $999.99


• 55-inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen - $1,299.99, down from $2,699.99


• 32-inch Smart Monitor M9 - $1,299.99, down from $1,599.99

Galaxy Products

• Galaxy XR - Save up to $1,140 with the Explorer Pack


• Galaxy S25 Ultra - Save up to $700 in instant trade-in credit


• Galaxy Ring - Get up to $150 trade-in credit


• Galaxy Watch Ultra - Save up to $250


• Galaxy Watch 8 - Save up to $200

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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This article, "Get $300 Off Samsung's Smart Monitor M9, Plus More Monitor and TV Deals" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today shared a new "Slide" ad that highlights the Ceramic Shield 2 cover glass on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.


The ad shows an ongoing negotiation, during which an iPhone 17 Pro with the screen facing down is slid back and forth across a long table.

Apple says the Ceramic Shield 2 above the screen offers 3× better scratch resistance compared to the iPhone 16 lineup, and it says the material is tougher than any smartphone glass or glass-ceramic mix. "Relax, it's iPhone 17," the ad concludes.
This article, "Apple Highlights Key iPhone 17 and 17 Pro Hardware Upgrade in New Ad" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Verizon has just won its FCC petition to change the rule around unlocking phones to a less user-friendly policy. Here are the details.

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Following an extended software hiatus over the holidays, Apple has returned to shipping beta updates. Today the company has released public beta 2 for macOS Tahoe 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and more.

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Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and watchOS 26.3 updates to public beta testers, with the updates coming four weeks after Apple provided the first betas to testers.


Anyone can download and install public betas, and all that's required is to sign up on Apple's beta site. Once you've opted in, the software can be downloaded through the Software Update section in the Settings app on each device.

iOS 26.3 adds a new tool for transitioning from an iPhone to an Android device. Transfers can be initiated during the device setup process, and moving data from one device to another can now be done without having to download a specific app.

The update also includes changes to third-party wearables in the European Union, with more information available in our iOS 26.3 beta 2 feature list following yesterday's release to developers.

Apple is expected to release iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to the public at the end of January.
This article, "Apple Seeds Second Betas of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to Public Beta Testers" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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