Apple's new AirTag introduces a series of small improvements, so how does it compare to the original model from 2021?


The second-generation ‌AirTag‌ arrives five years after the original, bringing improvements to tracking range, speaker output, and internal design while retaining the same outward design and accessory compatibility. At the same time, first-generation AirTags remain available from some retailers at reduced prices, raising the question of whether the newer model is worth choosing over the original, or whether the earlier ‌AirTag‌ still makes sense as a lower-cost option.

The comparison below outlines every difference between the two generations, including Apple-announced feature upgrades and hardware changes identified through teardowns. While both models perform the same core function of tracking items through the Find My network, there are some small differences worth noting:

‌AirTag‌ (first-generation, 2021)	‌AirTag‌ (second-generation, 2026)
First-generation Ultra Wideband chip	Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
Shorter Precision Finding range	Up to 50% farther Precision Finding range
Precision Finding on iPhone only	Precision Finding on ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch (Series 9 and later and Ultra 2)
Earlier Bluetooth implementation	Upgraded Bluetooth with increased range
Bluetooth identifiers rotate at standard intervals	Bluetooth identifiers rotate more frequently
Standard speaker volume	Up to 50% louder speaker
Chime note in F	Chime note in G
Works on earlier supported iOS versions	Requires iOS 26.2.1 or later
Reset without a required wait between battery removals	Reset requires battery out for at least five seconds each cycle
11g weight	11.8g weight (around 7% heavier)
Back text listing "Assembled in China" and "Designed by Apple"	Back text in all-caps listing IP67, NFC, and ‌Find My‌
Thicker main PCB	Thinner main PCB with revised battery connectors, and additional test pads and markings
Smaller speaker coil	Slightly larger speaker coil
Speaker magnet more easily removable	Speaker magnet more firmly secured and harder to remove
Wider box with flat printed text and plastic pull tabs	Redesigned narrower box with updated artwork, raised UV printed text, and paper pull tabs
Folio-style inner tray holding up to two rows of two AirTags	Redesigned inner tray with simpler design holding up to four AirTags

For buyers choosing between the two ‌AirTag‌ models, the decision depends less on basic tracking and more on how and where an ‌AirTag‌ is typically used. Both generations rely on the same ‌Find My‌ network for long-distance location updates, offer similar battery life, and work with the same accessories, so neither model is considerably better for general item tracking.

The second-generation ‌AirTag‌ is likely to benefit users who frequently rely on Precision Finding rather than approximate location. The extended Ultra Wideband range makes it easier to determine the specific location of items, while the louder speaker improves audibility in noisy spaces or when an ‌AirTag‌ is buried inside a bag or suitcase. Support for Precision Finding on compatible Apple Watch models also makes the newer ‌AirTag‌ more convenient for users who often leave their ‌iPhone‌ behind.

The first-generation ‌AirTag‌ remains a practical option for the overwhelming majority of use cases, such as tracking keys, backpacks, or household items that are usually misplaced within short distances. If available at a meaningful discount, it may offer better value for users who do not need Precision Finding at extended range, do not use an Apple Watch for item location, or simply want basic ‌Find My‌ functionality at the lowest cost.

For existing ‌AirTag‌ owners, there is certainly no pressing need to upgrade. For new buyers, the second-generation ‌AirTag‌ simply offers the most complete feature set and greater flexibility going forward, acting as a moderate specification bump over the previous model.
This article, "AirTag 1 vs. AirTag 2 Buyer's Guide: All 15+ Differences Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Following a quiet start to 2026, the final week of January has been a busy one for Apple so far. There are new versions of the AirTag and the Black Unity band for the Apple Watch, and the Apple Creator Studio bundle is now available.


Apple also released iOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1 updates, and iOS 26.3 beta testing continues.

While the launch of Apple Creator Studio would have been a fitting opportunity for Apple to unveil new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, unfortunately it looks like that proved to be nothing more than wishful thinking.

We have recapped our coverage of everything new below.

New AirTag

• Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More


• 10+ Things to Know About the New AirTag 2


• New AirTag's Improved Precision Finding Requires These iPhone Models


• AirTag 2: These Airlines Offer Feature That Helps Find Your Lost Bags


• Precision Finding on Apple Watch Doesn't Work With the Original AirTag


• Teardown Reveals AirTag 2 is Full of Hidden Changes

New Black Unity Band

• Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch Band

Apple Creator Studio

• Apple's 'Creator Studio' App Bundle Now Available for $12.99 Per Month


• Apple Creator Studio Hands-On: What You Get for $12.99 Per Month


• Apple Updates Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro With These New Features


• Apple Updates Keynote, Numbers, and Pages Apps With New Free and Paid Features


• Pixelmator Pro Launches on iPad With Apple Pencil Support and More


• Apple Stops Selling $200 'Pro Apps' Bundle With Final Cut Pro and More

Software Updates

• Apple Releases iOS 26.2.1 With AirTag 2 Support


• Apple Releases watchOS 26.2.1, Adding Precision Finding Support for AirTag 2


• Apple Seeds Third Betas of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to Developers


• Apple Seeds Third Betas of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to Public Beta Testers


• iOS 26.3 Adds Privacy Setting to Limit Carrier Location Tracking


• Warning: These Continuity Features Are Broken on Latest iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 Betas


• iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

This article, "Here's Everything Apple Released This Week" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon this week has a few notable sales from popular brands like Anker, Ecovacs, and Jackery. These include discounts on everything from MagSafe-compatible chargers to portable power stations and robot vacuums.

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

Amazon has discounts on multiple Anker charging accessories, including products like the 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube for $99.98, down from $149.95 and the SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern for $169.99, down from $249.00. You can find these deals and more in the lists below, and this time around none require any coupon codes.

Anker

• 6-in-1 USB-C Power Strip - $79.99, down from $109.99


• 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $64.99, down from $99.99


• 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube - $99.98, down from $149.95


• SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern - $169.99, down from $249.00


• SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $429.00, down from $799.00


• SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $799.00, down from $1,499.00

Jackery

• Explorer 300 Portable Power Station + Solar Panel - $349.00, down from $499.00


• Explorer 1000 V2 Portable Power Station - $424.65, down from $799.00


• Explorer 1500 Portable Power Station - $898.99, down from $1,399.00


• HomePower 3000 Portable Power Station - $1,299.00, down from $2,499.00


• HomePower 3000 Portable Power Station + Solar Panels - $1,598.99, down from $2,999.00


• HomePower 3600 Plus Portable Power Station - $2,099.00, down from $3,699.00

Ecovacs

• Deebot N20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner and Mop - $161.49, down from $199.99


• Deebot T80 Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop - $499.99, down from $999.99


• Deebot X9 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop - $699.00, down from $799.00


• Deebot X8 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop - $749.00, down from $1,099.99


• Deebot X11 OmniCyclone Robot Vacuum and Mop - $1,099.00, down from $1,499.99

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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Following the launch of Apple Creator Studio this week, Apple has quietly stopped selling its valuable "Pro Apps Bundle for Education" (archived link).


"Pro Apps Bundle for Education" included one-time-purchase versions of Apple's Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps at a steep discount, with U.S. pricing set at $199.99. Purchasing each of the included apps separately costs $629.95, so the bundle provided more than $400 in savings.

While the bundle was sold through Apple's online education store since its launch in 2017, there was no student or teacher verification system in the U.S. and certain other countries, so most customers were able to purchase it.

Anyone who already purchased the bundle can continue to use the apps.

Apple also appears to be cracking down on sharing the apps included in the bundle. According to a MacRumors tipster, sharing the apps with others as a ZIP file no longer works, as the recipient will receive an error when opening the apps.

Apple Creator Studio is a new subscription bundle that provides access to Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage on the Mac and/or iPad, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. One-time-purchase versions of all six apps remain available on the Mac for now.

A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium content" in apps like Pixelmator Pro, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and later Freeform.
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Lockdown Mode is an optional security feature designed by Apple to provide maximum protection against highly sophisticated digital threats. When enabled on your Apple device, it greatly reduces exposure to complex attacks by restricting certain features and network connections. Keep reading to learn how to use it across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.


For most users of Apple devices, the standard iOS, iPadOS, and macOS security protections should be sufficient, whereas Lockdown Mode is aimed at users who could be targets of cyberattacks, such as journalists, activists, and government employees. That said, any user can enable it on their device for what Apple calls an "extreme" level of security.

Lockdown Mode Protections

When enabled, Lockdown Mode strictly limits or disables the functionality of features, apps, and websites. Lockdown Mode protections include the following:

• In the Messages app, most message attachment types other than images are blocked, and some features like link previews are unavailable.


• Incoming FaceTime calls from people you have not previously called are blocked. Incoming invitations for other Apple services from people you have not previously invited are also blocked.


• Some complex web technologies and browsing features, including just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compilation, are disabled unless the user excludes a trusted site from Lockdown Mode. This protection applies to Safari and all other web browsers using WebKit across the ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, and Mac.


• Shared albums will be removed from the Photos app, and new shared album invitations will be blocked.


• When a device is locked, wired connections with other devices/accessories are blocked.


• Configuration profiles cannot be installed, and the device cannot enroll into mobile device management (MDM), while Lockdown Mode is turned on.


• Certain network protocols and services are restricted.

How to Enable Lockdown Mode on iPhone and iPad

Lockdown Mode is turned off by default on ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌, but you can enable it by following these steps.

1. Open the Settings app.


2. Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security.


3. Scroll to the bottom and tap Lockdown Mode.


4. Tap Turn On Lockdown Mode.


5. Review the information about what features are restricted, then tap Turn On & Restart.

After the restart, Lockdown Mode will be active. You can confirm this by returning to Settings ➝ Privacy & Security ➝ Lockdown Mode, where a toggle will show that it's on.

How to Enable Lockdown Mode on Mac

1. Open System Settings.


2. Click Privacy & Security in the sidebar.


3. Under the "Security" section at the bottom, click Lockdown Mode.


4. Click Turn On Lockdown Mode.


5. Review the protections and click Turn On & Restart.

Your Mac will restart and Lockdown Mode will be enabled when it boots up.

How to Turn Off Lockdown Mode

Whether you're on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, these are the steps to follow:

1. In Settings on iPhone/iPad (or System Settings on Mac) go to Privacy & Security ➝ Lockdown Mode.


2. Tap or click the Lockdown Mode toggle to turn it off.


3. Confirm that you want to turn it off. Your device will restart to leave Lockdown Mode.

Configuring Allowed Websites and App Exceptions

While Lockdown Mode is active, some websites and certain app features may be blocked for security. Apple allows you to add exceptions in some areas.

For example, in Safari, if a site is blocked by Lockdown Mode, you may be offered an option to allow website exceptions. This lets specific sites load normally while Lockdown Mode remains enabled.

Some third-party apps may also appear in a list in Settings ➝ Privacy & Security ➝ Lockdown Mode ➝ Configure Web Browsing, and you can turn off Lockdown Mode for those apps individually. This lets an app continue to function normally if it was being restricted by Lockdown Mode's web content limitations.
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Apple's iconic Fifth Avenue store in New York City is normally open 24/7, but it will be closed overnight on some days next week.


According to Apple's website, the store will be closing at 10 p.m. local time each night on Monday, February 2 through Wednesday, February 4. The store will re-open each morning at 8 a.m. local time during this period.

Apple is closing the store to complete maintenance on the signature glass cube entrance, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Apple's explanation internally is "preservation work."

Opened in 2006, Apple Fifth Avenue features a street-level glass cube entrance, leading to an underground store. Apple's CEO Tim Cook and other company executives often attend the store for major new product launches.

The store's cube has been outfitted with everything from a giant Apple Vision Pro headset outline to colorful Siri glow in recent years.
This article, "Apple's Fifth Avenue Store is Closing Overnight Next Week, Here's Why" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple this week got sued in a New Jersey Federal court by the maker of mobile video app Camo, alleging Apple stole its technology when the company integrated its Continuity Camera feature into iOS 16 in 2022.


Released by London-based Reincubate in 2020, the Camo app enables iPhone and Android smartphones to be used as webcams for desktop-based video calls.

Apple's Continuity Camera serves a similar function within its own ecosystem, allowing an iPhone to be used as a wireless webcam with a nearby Mac that is signed into the same Apple Account.

Reincubate said the tech giant copied patented features from its Camo app and incorporated them into its mobile operating system in order to "redirect user demand to Apple's own platform-tied offering."

According to the lawsuit, Apple "actively induced and encouraged" Reincubate to develop and market Camo for iOS, then later copied its functionality and built it into iOS as Continuity Camera.

"In most of those cases, Apple has not actively induced the developer to test and build software," the lawsuit said. "Here, Apple actively cultivated a relationship of trust with Reincubate, induced the company to share technical details, beta builds, and market data, and leveraged that privileged access to inform its own development of Continuity Camera."

Reincubate called Apple's conduct an example of "Sherlocking," which refers to Apple building an app or system feature that duplicates functionality previously offered by a third-party app.

"Rather than competing with us, Apple deployed a series of obstacles to tilt the playing field, infringed our IP, and did so in service of preventing competition from rival platforms," Reincubate CEO Aidan Fitzpatrick said in a statement given to Reuters.

"Apple competes fairly while respecting the intellectual property rights of others, and these camera features were developed internally by Apple engineers," Apple responded in a statement.

Aside from accusing Apple of infringing its patents, Reincubate's suit was filed as an antitrust claim, alleging that Apple violates U.S. law by locking users into its ecosystem and preventing them from switching to competitors. Reincubate has requested unspecified monetary damages and court orders that would block Apple's alleged misconduct.
This article, "Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Continuity Camera Patent and Antitrust Claims" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has released a carrier settings update for Telstra customers in Australia that resolves the issue affecting iPhones running iOS 16.7.13, which was released and then made unavailable to download by Apple earlier this week.


The fix is delivered via a carrier bundle update, which adjusts network-related settings such as connectivity and calling features, without requiring an iOS update.

Affected users who updated to iOS 16.7.13 before Apple stopped signing it can install the bundle on their iPhone by going to Settings ➝ General ➝ About, where a prompt to update carrier settings should appear. Once installed, the Service Provider field in Settings should display "Telstra 54.1," said the telecommunications company in an updated support document.

The original issue that caused Apple to unsign iOS 16.7.13 prevented some older iPhone models from connecting to the Telstra network, including via emergency calls to 000.

As things stand, iOS 16.7.13 remains unavailable to download. It's still unclear if Apple will re-sign it, with the carrier bundle available separately, or whether it will issue a new point release of iOS with the bundle packaged in.
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Apple's iPhone 16 was the best-selling smartphone globally in 2025, according to Counterpoint Research's latest report. Apple and Samsung devices dominated the top 10 list for the fourth consecutive year, accounting for 19% of overall smartphone sales.


Apple claimed seven of the top 10 spots, while Samsung captured the remaining three.

Launched in September, the iPhone 17 series achieved 16% higher sales than its predecessor during its first full quarter, driven by strong demand in the U.S., China, and Western Europe. Counterpoint said the base iPhone 17 model was the standout performer, registering the highest growth among all devices and climbing the rankings compared to where the iPhone 16 debuted in 2024. Counterpoint attributed the growth to the iPhone 17's upgrades, such as a higher refresh rate (120Hz vs 60Hz), and larger base storage (256GB vs. 128GB).

The more affordable iPhone 16e, launched in spring 2025, also contributed additional sales with its more accessible $599 entry point into Apple's ecosystem.

In fifth position, Samsung's Galaxy A16 5G became the best-selling Android smartphone of 2025, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra secured a flagship spot for the second consecutive year in ninth. The S25 Ultra grew more than 3x year-over-year in Japan, according to the research firm.


Looking ahead, Counterpoint expects premium flagship devices to increase their presence in 2026 as rising memory prices disproportionately impact entry-to-mid-segment devices.

Apple still sells iPhone 16 models as part of its smartphone lineup. Priced starting at $699, the previous-generation device features an A18 chip that supports Apple Intelligence, a dual-lens camera system, a Camera Control button for quick camera access, and a customizable Action button.
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AI-powered browsing features have become a battleground among browser makers in recent months. OpenAI launched its Atlas browser in October, while Microsoft Edge and Opera have also introduced AI assistants and automated browsing capabilities. And now Google is upping the ante. The company has announced a slew of new AI features for Chrome, including a persistent sidebar for the Gemini chatbot and "auto browse" capabilities that can perform web tasks on your behalf.


The update moves Gemini from its previous floating window into an always-available side panel on the right side of the browser, which inevitably shrinks the browsing window. Google, however, says the redesign allows you to multitask more easily, since you can keep your main tab open while using the AI assistant for separate tasks, such as comparing products across multiple tabs or summarizing reviews from different websites.

Chrome is also gaining Nano Banana integration, Google's AI image generator. You can now transform images directly in the browser window using text prompts, without needing to download files or switch tabs.

The headline feature though is "auto browse," which is currently rolling out to AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S. According to Google, the agentic tool can handle multi-step tasks like researching hotel and flight prices, filling out online forms, scheduling appointments, and managing subscriptions. Google says it can even identify items in a photo, search for similar products, add them to a shopping cart, and apply discount codes. The company says it even does all this while staying within a specified budget.

Auto browse can use Chrome's built-in password manager (with user permission) for tasks requiring login credentials. The feature is designed to pause and ask you for confirmation for sensitive actions like purchases or social media posts, according to the company.


Lastly, Google plans to add "Personal Intelligence" to Chrome in the coming months. The feature lets the browser remember context from past conversations you've had with it and provide more personalized assistance.

Google hasn't specified a Chrome version that will include all of these features, but the company said the Gemini sidebar support and Nano Banana integration are rolling out now as a server-side service update.

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Apple has signed a deal with popular fantasy author Brandon Sanderson for film and TV rights to Sanderson's "Cosmere" universe, according to The Hollywood Reporter.


Sanderson has a large body of work, but some of his most popular fantasy books could be adapted first. Mistborn could be turned into a movie series, while The Stormlight Archive is being considered for television. Mistborn is a book series that's split into two eras, with the first three books featuring a group of magic-using metal manipulators or "Allomancers" overthrowing a dystopian empire. The second set of books follows the exploits of Wax and Wayne, two lawmen with magical abilities in a more modern setting.

There are two additional eras planned for the same Mistborn series, so Apple has access to content that could result in a dozen movies.

The Stormlight Archive currently features five epic fantasy books, each of which could easily be used for multiple seasons of a TV show. The Stormlight Archive is a classic good vs. evil tale, featuring the Knights Radiant against Voidbringers who want to conquer the world.

Sanderson has 10 total books planned for The Stormlight Archive, but the "Cosmere" universe also includes many other standalone novels, all of which are linked together. Sanderson is one of the most well-known current fantasy authors, and in addition to his own books, he finished Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time after Jordan passed away.

A TV show based on the Stormlight Archive is already in the early stages of planning. Blue Marble, a film studio run by Pachinko producer Theresa Kang-Lowe, is set to produce. Kang-Lowe has an exclusive content production deal with Apple.

Apple won the deal after Sanderson met with multiple potential partners. Apple agreed to give Sanderson unprecedented control over screen translations, so he will write, produce, and consult on any TV shows or movies that Apple makes about the Cosmere universe. Sanderson is known for having some of the most popular Kickstarter campaigns to date, raising close to $100 million by selling his books.
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Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of the popular iPhone camera app Halide, today announced that he has joined the Human Interface Design team at Apple.


"So excited to work with the very best team in the world on my favorite products," he said.

This marks a return to Apple for de With, who previously worked on things such as iCloud, MobileMe, and the Find My app. He has also completed design work for other companies, such as Sony, Mozilla, Oracle, HP, and EA, in the past.

de With is a well-known figure in the online Apple and photography communities.

Apple's design team is undergoing many changes. Last year, the company's former software design chief Alan Dye left for Meta, and Apple's hardware engineering chief and leading CEO candidate John Ternus was reportedly tapped to oversee the company's entire hardware and software design teams towards the end of last year.

Over the past several years, some Apple designers have left to work with Jony Ive, the legendary former Apple design chief. Ive left Apple in 2019 to start his own design firm LoveFrom, and he has been working with OpenAI on a new AI device.

In related news, Halide's parent company Lux today launched a public preview of Halide Mark III, the next-generation version of its flagship camera app.
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Users of Apple's latest iPhone and iPad Pro models who have been beta testing iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 may want to hold off on updating to the third betas released earlier this week, as several Continuity-related features are currently broken on these devices.


Apple has updated its developer release notes for the third betas of iOS and iPadOS 26.3 to outline the devices and features that are affected:

The following Continuity features do not work on iPhone 17, Phone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air and iPad Pro (M5) with iOS / iPadOS 26.3 Beta 3:

• iPhone Mirroring


• AirPlay mirroring to Apple TV 4K


• Using Continuity Camera wirelessly with Mac or Apple TV 4K


• Sidecar from Mac to iPad Pro (M5)

Apple has not provided any details on why these features are not working on the latest betas, but the issue will presumably be fixed in the next round of betas.

We're expecting a public release of iOS 26.3 and related updates fairly soon, as the x.3 updates typically drop in late January each year. With just a few days left in the month, it appears the release schedule may slip into early February for this cycle, but we should be seeing release candidate versions seeded to developers and beta testers relatively soon ahead of the public releases.
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Apple today announced that its hit comedy-drama series "Ted Lasso" is returning for a fourth season in "summer 2026," but it did not share a specific date.


"Ted Lasso" is one of the most popular shows ever released on the Apple TV streaming service. The eponymous character Ted Lasso, played by Jason Sudeikis, starts off as a small-time football coach from Kansas who is hired to coach a professional soccer team in England, despite having no experience coaching soccer.

In the fourth season, Apple says Lasso returns to England to take on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women's soccer team.

"Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would," said Apple.


The fourth season is currently in production, according to Apple, and fan favorites such as Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, and Jeremy Swift are all set to return in the upcoming episodes.

The third season of "Ted Lasso" was released in 2023, so there has been a long wait for a fourth season. The series has won several major awards since it debuted in 2020, with its overall positive tone making it a popular comfort show.
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Apple has set a new deadline of November 1, 2026 for all Patreon creators to switch from Patreon's legacy billing system to the App Store's in-app purchase system in the Patreon app on the iPhone and iPad, as reported by TechCrunch.


Patreon is a platform where creators such as YouTubers can receive payments from fans, which can be a valuable revenue stream alongside ads and sponsorships.

Apple initially told Patreon that its creators must move to the App Store's in-app purchase system by November 2025, or else Patreon would risk removal from the App Store, but the deadline was pushed back. Apple considers payments from supporters to creators on Patreon to be digital goods that it is entitled to receive a commission on.

Apple receives a 30% commission on in-app purchases and subscriptions, but this drops to 15% for a subscription that has been ongoing for more than a year.

Patreon gives creators the option to either increase their prices in the iOS app only, or absorb the fee themselves, keeping prices the same across platforms.

On the iPhone and iPad, Patreon users who wish to support a creator can sidestep the App Store's commission by completing their payment via Patreon's website.

Patreon said it is disappointed with how Apple has navigated this policy.

According to TechCrunch, only 4% of Patreon creators are still using the platform's legacy billing system, with the rest having already switched over.

Patreon has shared a FAQ with more details for creators.
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Apple's latest Apple Pay promotion is offering Apple users in the U.S. a discount on flowers ahead of Valentine's Day. Customers can get $20 off of a 1-800-Flowers purchase of $49.99 or more when using ‌Apple Pay‌.


The discount is available from now until February 12, and it is available when ordering flowers from the 1-800-Flowers website or app. To get the deal, use ‌Apple Pay‌ when checking out, and enter the promo code APPLEPAY.

1-800-Flowers is able to provide flower deliveries across the United States, with bouquet options varying by location.
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Apple today launched its latest subscription service, a software bundle called Creator Studio. Creator Studio provides access to Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage for one $12.99 per month fee, with a $129 per year purchase option also available.


We checked out the Creator Studio bundle to see if it's worth what Apple is charging.

Creator Studio includes Apple's pro image, audio, and video editing apps that were previously only available for one-time purchase. If you don't currently own Apple's apps and you have need for a range of creative tools, the bundle has the potential to be a good deal.

Many of Apple's apps are hundreds of dollars if you purchase them on a standalone basis. Here are the individual costs:

• Final Cut Pro - $299.99


• Logic Pro - $199.99


• Pixelmator Pro - $49.99


• Compressor - $49.99


• Motion - $49.99


• MainStage - $29.99

Together, the apps cost just about $680, so there is potentially money to be saved by paying $12.99 per month or $129 per year. Creator Studio provides full access to the apps, along with exclusive AI features that are not available in the standalone versions. Apple is even including Creator Studio-exclusive features in its free apps like Freeform, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers.

You can use Freeform, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers for free and purchase Apple's apps without opting for Creator Studio, but a Creator Studio subscription is the only way to get the new AI features that Apple has developed.

Unfortunately, there is no option to purchase access to just one or two apps at a lower subscription price. Creator Studio is all or nothing, so if you just want access to image editing capabilities with Pixelmator Pro and also the AI tools for Apple's iWork app, you have no option to pay less just for those. You have to pay the full $12.99 per month price even if you don't need some of the apps.

Apple envisions Creative Studio as a tool for creatives who need to do all their content creation and management on their own, from filming videos to creating audio for those videos to making graphics. It is a highly useful option for people who can take advantage of most of the apps, but it isn't going to make as much sense for those who just need one or two.

Creator Studio is best for people who have shied away from Apple's professional video and audio editing apps because of their high cost, or those who need tools for video creation, music making, and image editing. It would be nice if Apple could offer more specialized, affordable bundles in the future, much like Adobe does for its Creative Cloud apps.

Apple is offering a one-month free trial for those who want to try out Creator Studio, or a three-month trial with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad. Up to six family members can share a single Creative Studio subscription.

Do you plan to subscribe to Creative Studio? Let us know in the comments below.
This article, "Apple Creator Studio Hands-On: What You Get for $12.99 Per Month" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released Pixelmator Pro for the iPad, complete with a new touch-optimized workspace, full Apple Pencil support, the ability to work between iPad and Mac, and all of the powerful editing tools from the Mac version.


Pixelmator Pro is a popular image editing app that was acquired by Apple last year. There is already a more basic Pixelmator app available for the iPad and iPhone, but Apple says that app is "no longer being updated." To receive new features going forward, iPad users will need to move to the full-fledged Pixelmator Pro app.

Apple says Pixelmator Pro for iPad is compatible with iPad models equipped with the A16, A17 Pro, or M1 chip or later on iPadOS 26 or later.

Here are some of the Pixelmator Pro for iPad features highlighted by Apple:

• A full-featured Layers sidebar allows creators to use images, shapes, text, and video


• Smart selection tools for isolating and editing specific parts of images


• Advanced bitmap and vector masks


• Super Resolution for intelligently upscaling photos


• Deband for removing compression artifacts


• Auto Crop with automatic composition suggestions


• Apple Pencil support for pressure-sensitive brushing, plus hover, squeeze, and double tap

Pixelmator Pro for both iPad and Mac is available through the new Apple Creator Studio subscription bundle, which in the U.S. costs $12.99 per month or $129 per year. A one-time $49.99 purchase option remains available for the Mac app.

Some new "intelligent features" and "premium content" in Pixelmator Pro will only be available with an Apple Creator Studio subscription. For example, in both the iPad and Mac apps, Apple Creator Studio subscribers have access to a new Warp tool for twisting and shaping image layers. The one-time-purchase Mac app did not receive this feature.
This article, "Pixelmator Pro Launches on iPad With Apple Pencil Support and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today updated its Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro apps, and there are many new features in both the one-time purchase and Apple Creator Studio versions.


Here is what is new in all versions of Final Cut Pro on the Mac, regardless of whether you have an active Apple Creator Studio subscription:

Powerful Intelligence

• Use Transcript Search to quickly find spoken words or phrases in your footage by searching for exact matches or using natural language descriptions*
• Discover Visual Search, a fast and easy way to locate moments in your footage, including objects and actions, using natural language*
• Let Beat Detection analyze any song to reveal its bars and beats, enabling you to easily align your video edits to the music’s rhythm

Get Started Fast

• Dive into editing with a special demo project featuring the talented singer-songwriter Allie Sherlock, and explore the exciting new features of Final Cut Pro firsthand
• Accelerate your next edit with in-app guides on how to create a new library, import media, and add clips to a new timeline

* Requires a Mac with Apple silicon

Here is what is new in Final Cut Pro on the iPad, which is now only available with an Apple Creator Studio subscription for new customers:

Powerful Intelligence

• Use Transcript Search to quickly find spoken words or phrases in your footage by searching for exact matches or using natural language descriptions (Requires iPadOS 26)
• Discover Visual Search, a fast and easy way to locate moments in your footage, including objects and actions, using natural language (Requires iPadOS 26)
• Let Beat Detection analyze any song to reveal its bars and beats, enabling you to easily align your video edits to the music’s rhythm

Get Started Fast

• Effortlessly create visual highlights videos set to your music with Montage Maker, ready to share or use as a creative starting point for your edits (Requires iPadOS 26)
• Dive into editing with a special demo project featuring the talented singer-songwriter Allie Sherlock, and explore the exciting new features of Final Cut Pro firsthand
• Elevate your videos with dynamic titles, add a personal flair with customizable graphic elements, and set the perfect pace with countdowns and timers

Workflow Enhancements

• Streamline your workflow with multiple selection support in the inspector, allowing you to make batch adjustments and changes to several clips at once
• Keep your projects moving with background exports and track their progress in Live Activities, perfect for multitasking across apps (Requires iPad models with M3 or later and iPadOS 26)
• Extend your workspace by connecting an external monitor to view and play back your edits with ease

Here is what is new in all versions of Logic Pro on the Mac, regardless of whether you have an active Apple Creator Studio subscription:

AI Session Players

• Transform your tracks with the all-new Synth Player, and create keyboard and bass performances with intuitive controls
• Generate dynamic synth performances that play notes and manipulate instruments
• Use Simple Pad to add lush harmonic layers to your song, or add movement and dynamics with Modulated Pad and Rhythmic Chords
• Explore popular synth bass styles including 808 Bass, Pump Bass, and Sequenced Bass to dial in the low end
• Use Chord ID to identify chords from any part of your song and Session Players will automatically follow along

Sound Library

• Explore a free, expanding collection of premium sound packs with the brand new Sound Library
• Listen to audio previews of any sound packs and install your favorites
• Free up storage space by easily deleting packs you are no longer using

Here is what is new in Logic Pro on the iPad, which is now only available with an Apple Creator Studio subscription for new customers:

AI Session Players

• Transform your tracks with the all-new Synth Player, and create keyboard and bass performances with intuitive controls
• Generate dynamic synth performances that play notes and manipulate instruments
• Use Simple Pad to add lush harmonic layers to your song, or add movement and dynamics with Modulated Pad and Rhythmic Chords
• Explore popular synth bass styles including 808 Bass, Pump Bass, and Sequenced Bass to dial in the low end
• Use Chord ID to identify chords from any part of your song and Session Players will automatically follow along

Quick Swipe Comping

• Assemble the perfect performance by selecting the best moments from several takes
• Organize takes using Take Folders and quickly compare different comps
• Use Apple Pencil for even more precision when editing and selecting your best takes

Music Understanding

• Quickly and intuitively search for loops in the Browser using natural language phrases, like “dreamy electric piano”
• Pick a loop, and the Browser uses machine learning to help you quickly discover similar loops from the Sound Library

If you were already subscribed to Final Cut Pro and/or Logic Pro on the iPad for $4.99 per month, you can continue to pay that price for access to the Apple Creator Studio versions of the apps on the iPad. If you want all of the other Mac and iPad apps that are included in Apple Creator Studio, you must pay the full $12.99 per month.

On the Mac, Final Cut Pro companion apps Motion and Compressor and Logic Pro companion app MainStage were all updated today with the same set of new features across both the one-time purchase and Apple Creator Studio versions of the apps.

Two other Apple apps updated today are iMovie on the Mac, and Final Cut Camera on the iPhone. Those apps are not part of Apple Creator Studio.

Editor's Note: Confusing, we know.
This article, "Apple Updates Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro With These New Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has made a series of notable internal changes with the second-generation AirTag, according to a teardown video by Joseph Taylor.


Externally, the second-generation ‌AirTag‌ itself is effectively indistinguishable from the original and continues to use a standard CR2032 coin cell. The only visual differences are slight changes to the text on the back, which is now all in capital letters and lists IP67 water and dust resistance, as well as NFC and Find My support.

The main PCB inside the second-generation ‌AirTag‌ is visibly thinner than that of the original model. The battery connectors are positioned at a different angle and the new board includes additional test pads that are likely related to manufacturing or diagnostics. Taylor also noted new markings inside the battery compartment, including a QR-code-like graphic.

The speaker assembly also sees changes. The speaker coil embedded in the plastic shell appears slightly larger than in the first-generation ‌AirTag‌, while the speaker magnet is more firmly secured. In the original ‌AirTag‌, the magnet could be removed relatively easily, which enabled relatively easy modifications. In the second-generation model, the magnet is more firmly secure and requires noticeably more effort to remove.



Taylor speculated that the increased use of adhesive could be related to anti-tampering efforts. Despite the removal of the speaker coil and magnet, the device was still able to connect to his iPhone, indicating that Apple has not introduced a firmware-level lockout or alert triggered by physical modifications.

After pairing the device to an ‌iPhone‌, the sound the ‌AirTag‌ emits is a "slightly higher pitch" compared to the original. A user on X has noted that the chime has changed from the note "F" to the note "G."

Apple has also updated the ‌AirTag‌'s packaging, using a redesigned box with a narrower overall shape and updated front artwork. The printed text on the new box appears slightly raised via UV printing, and it now features paper adhesive pull tabs. Inside the box, the cardboard insert containing the AirTags is now simpler, with a single paper latch holding a lid over the tray of AirTags, which now sit as a row of four. In the original packaging, the AirTags sat in a doubled over folio in rows of two.
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Apple today updated its Keynote, Numbers, and Pages apps with many new features across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, but some of the additions are limited to users that are subscribed to the new Apple Creator Studio bundle that launched today.


Apple Creator Studio is a subscription bundle that provides access to the Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps on Mac and/or iPad, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year.

A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium content" in apps like Pixelmator Pro, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and later Freeform.

On the iPhone and iPad, existing Keynote, Numbers, and Pages users will see updates to the apps in the App Store that contain both the free new features for everyone and paid new features for Apple Creator Studio subscribers.

On the Mac, the existing Keynote, Numbers, and Pages apps were updated (to version 14.5), but only to inform users that those existing apps will no longer be receiving new features of any kind. To receive new features, including free ones, you must install the new, separate Apple Creator Studio editions (version 15.1) of the apps.

Apple also updated the Keynote app on watchOS and visionOS.

Here is what is new in the Keynote app for all users:

• Experience a new, more fluid way to work on your presentations with Liquid Glass
• Access the full set of advanced options and controls right from the new menu bar in iPadOS 26
• Make text and other objects pop with extra brightness and vibrant color using HDR on supported displays
• Add personality to your work with new editable shapes

Here is what is new in the Keynote app for Apple Creator Studio subscribers:

• Make your work stand out with an exclusive new collection of professionally-designed themes
• Explore high-quality photos, graphics, and illustrations for your presentation in the all-new Content Hub
• Find inspiration faster with collections of new Apple-curated content in the Content Hub
• Create stunning images and graphics right in your document, apply quick edits, or adjust the style using AI
• Increase the clarity and detail of existing images and graphics using Super Resolution
• Use Auto Crop to generate suggestions for how to frame your image
• Transform a text outline into a first draft of slides for a new or existing presentation (beta)
• Automatically generate presenter notes based on context from your presentation (beta)
• Quickly clean up your slide’s layout, spacing, alignment, and typography (beta)
• Collaborate on larger files shared via iCloud–now up to 4GB

Here is what is new in the Numbers app for all users:

• Experience a new, more fluid way to work on your spreadsheets with Liquid Glass
• Access the full set of advanced options and controls right from the new menu bar in iPadOS 26
• Add personality to your work with new editable shapes

Here is what is new in the Numbers app for Apple Creator Studio subscribers:

• Make your work stand out with an exclusive new collection of professionally-designed templates
• Explore high-quality photos, graphics, and illustrations for your document in the all-new Content Hub
• Find inspiration faster with collections of new Apple-curated content in the Content Hub
• Create stunning images and graphics right in your document, apply quick edits, or adjust the style using AI
• Increase the clarity and detail of existing images and graphics using Super Resolution
• Use Auto Crop to generate suggestions for how to frame your image
• Use Magic Fill to suggest data or generate formulas based on pattern recognition
• Collaborate on larger files shared via iCloud–now up to 4GB

Here is what is new in the Pages app for all users:

• Experience a new, more fluid way to work on your documents with Liquid Glass
• Access the full set of advanced options and controls right from the new menu bar in iPadOS 26
• Add personality to your work with new editable shapes

Here is what is new in the Pages app for Apple Creator Studio subscribers:

• Make your work stand out with an exclusive new collection of professionally-designed templates
• Explore high-quality photos, graphics, and illustrations for your document in the all-new Content Hub
• Find inspiration faster with collections of new Apple-curated content in the Content Hub
• Create stunning images and graphics right in your document, apply quick edits, or adjust the style using AI
• Increase the clarity and detail of existing images and graphics using Super Resolution
• Use Auto Crop to generate suggestions for how to frame your image
• Collaborate on larger files shared via iCloud–now up to 4GB

This article, "Apple Updates Keynote, Numbers, and Pages Apps With New Free and Paid Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon is continuing to discount a few models of Apple's M4 Mac mini this week, starting at $499.00 for the model with 16GB RAM/256GB SSD, down from $599.00. Discounts reach up to $130 off in these sales, and there is also a discount on the M4 Pro model.

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

In terms of the 16GB/256GB SSD model, this is a solid second-best price. You can also get the M4 Mac mini with 16GB RAM/512GB SSD for $689.00, down from $799.00, and the model with 24GB RAM/512GB SSD for $889.99, down from $999.00.






Apple last updated the Mac mini in late 2024, introducing a redesigned computer that's smaller than the previous generation and featuring the M4 and M4 Pro chips. 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, "Take Up to $130 Off M4 Mac Mini on Amazon, Starting at $499" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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WhatsApp is rolling out a new optional security feature called Strict account settings, which is designed to protect users who may be targeted by sophisticated cyberattacks.


Similar in spirit to Apple's Lockdown Mode for iPhone, the feature is aimed primarily at journalists, activists, and public-facing figures. Once enabled, the setting locks various account options to their most restrictive settings.

For example, WhatsApp will automatically block attachments and media from senders who aren't in your contacts, reducing potential vectors for spyware or malicious files. Here's WhatsApp's support explanation about other settings that are impacted:

• Account security: Two-step verification is turned on. Security notifications are turned on and locked. End-to-end encrypted backups are encouraged for users with backups enabled.


• Messaging and media: Link previews are turned off. Blocking high volumes of unknown account messages is turned on.


• Profile and presence: Your Last seen and online, Profile photo, About details, and links on your profile are locked to contacts only or to your pre-established, more-selective list of people.


• Groups: Only known contacts or a pre-established, more-selective list of people can add you to groups.

Strict account settings can be found in Settings ➝ Privacy ➝ Advanced. When it shows up for you could depend on your location, as WhatsApp says the rollout is happening gradually over the coming weeks. Bear in mind that you can't control Strict account settings from WhatsApp Web – it can only be accessed from your primary device.

WhatsApp also noted that it has transitioned parts of its codebase to Rust, a programming language known for its memory safety features. The company says this change helps protect photos, videos, and messages from spyware. More technical details are available on Meta's engineering blog.
This article, "WhatsApp Launches Strict Account Settings for High-Risk Users" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today launched the new Creator Studio that was initially unveiled two weeks ago, providing content creators with access to six Apple apps for $12.99 per month or $129 per year.


Creator Studio includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Pixelmator Pro on Mac and iPad, along with Motion, Compressor, and MainStage on the Mac. Final Cut Pro is Apple's video editing software, Logic Pro is for audio editing and creation, and Pixelmator Pro is an image editing app that Apple purchased in 2024.

Apple is still rolling out the full bundle, but links for the individual Creator Studio versions of the apps are now live and you can subscribe to Creator Studio from within them.

• Final Cut Pro


• Logic Pro


• Pixelmator Pro


• Motion


• Compressor


• MainStage

All of the apps with the exception of Pixelmator Pro for ‌iPad‌ were available prior to today, and they continue to be available for individual, standalone purchase. The Creator Studio bundle unlocks AI features that are not otherwise accessible in these apps, plus it adds new features to free apps like Keynote, Pages, and Numbers, with Freeform coming later. Creator Studio versions of those apps include:

• Keynote


• Pages


• Numbers

Accessing the full functionality of Apple's video editing, photo editing, audio editing, and iWork apps will require a Creator Studio subscription going forward, though Apple will continue to offer updates for the standalone versions of the apps. Some of the tools exclusive to Creator Studio:

• Final Cut Pro - Transcript search that uses AI to search for the soundbite you're looking for, visual search for finding specific parts of a video, and beat detection improvements that make it easier to match a video to the rhythm of the music. There are also new dynamic titles, transitions, and graphic elements to improve visuals.


• Logic Pro - There's an option to add a Session Player to a song that plays synth keyboard and synth bass parts in a variety of styles. AI can be used to analyze any audio or MIDI region to extract harmonic and chord information. Logic Pro's ‌iPad‌ sound packs and producer packs are also now available on Mac. Users have access to royalty-free loops, samples, and instruments.


• Pixelmator Pro - The Creator Studio version of Pixelmator Pro features a Liquid Glass design, a new warp tool for reshaping layers, and warp-powered mockups for apparel and products. Pixelmator Pro for ‌iPad‌ is also entirely new.


• iWork - Includes a new content hub with Apple-curated royalty-free photos, premium templates, and themes. There are also options to generate and remix image creations right in documents, with a Super Resolution tool for upscaling images. In Keynote, you can generate slides and presenter notes using AI, while Magic Fill in Numbers runs a pattern analysis model across your data and suggests table contents for missing data.

There is no way to subscribe to just a single Creator Studio app at a lower price, as Apple only offers an all-in-one subscription.

Creator Studio can be downloaded from the iOS and Mac App Stores starting today. All new subscribers are eligible for a one-month free trial, and customers who purchase a new Mac or qualifying ‌iPad‌ model with an A16, A17 Pro, or M-series chip can get an extended three-month free trial.

The Creator Studio membership can be shared with up to five family members on a linked Apple Account. Students and educators are able to subscribe to Creator Studio for $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year.

Creator Studio's full functionality is available with iOS 26 and later, iPadOS 26 and later, and macOS 26 and later. Most of the apps require macOS 15.6 at a minimum and an M1 chip or newer for Mac use, though Pixelmator Pro requires a Mac with macOS 26.

As for the ‌iPad‌, Final Cut Pro requires an A16 chip or later, Logic Pro requires an A12 Bionic Chip or later, and Pixelmator Pro requires an A16 chip or later.
This article, "Apple's 'Creator Studio' App Bundle Now Available for $12.99 Per Month" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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