It’s turning out to be a huge year for CarPlay, surprising many of us after years of middling updates. Among the host of new CarPlay features just added in iOS 26, there’s a key fix for what’s long been the most annoying Messages issue for me: the lack of tapbacks support.

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Apple launched four iPhones last month, including the brand new iPhone Air. I’ve been using iPhone Air for just over a month now, here’s how that’s been going.

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Apple and Google have been designated as companies with strategic market status by the British Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which is likely to result in new restrictions and regulatory obligations for both companies. Here are the details.

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Earlier this year, I had a lot of fun testing a fairly high-end 4K projector with a $1500 price to match. So when an updated model of a mini projector priced below $300 arrived for testing, I expected it to basically be a toy in comparison. And while there is a big delta in capabilities, I’m very impressed with what something cheaper by more than $1200 can deliver.

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Kandji has been a popular choice for Apple devices management for IT teams, and now it is entering a new chapter. The company has rebranded as Iru, an AI powered IT and security platform built for the modern workforce. With this rebrand, Iru moves beyond just having Apple management focus and into a broader IT vision that unifies identity, endpoint security, and compliance automation into one platform.

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The Department of Homeland Security recently said that Chinese criminal gangs have made more than $1 billion from scams directed at US phone numbers.

While phone-based scams once relied on random number dialing, the disturbing truth these days is that they most likely bought your phone number and more from one of the hundreds of data brokers eager to sell your personal data for profit …

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Apple's updated 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro launched today, and we picked one up to compare it to the prior-generation M4 model to see how performance has changed year over year.


The M4 MacBook Pro and the M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌ models are identical, and there are no changes to the design. Everything new is inside, and even that's limited.

There's an M5 chip with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU inside, and it's built on a newer 3-nanometer technology than the equivalent M4 chip in the prior-generation machine.

On Geekbench 6 tests, the M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌ earned a single-core score of 4220 and a multi-core score of 16781, while the ‌M4 MacBook Pro‌ earned a single-core score of 3834 and a multi-core score of 15453. Apple says that M5 CPU speeds are up to 15 percent faster than M4 speeds.

As for the GPU, the M5 earned an OpenCL score of 48101 and a Metal score of 75536, while the M4 earned a score of 38023 and a Metal Score of 57822. Apple says that GPU speeds are up to 30 percent faster.

SSD speeds have also improved, and Apple says it's up to 2x faster. That proved to be correct in our Blackmagic disk speed tests.

In day to day use, you're not going to see much of a difference between the M4 and the M5 unless you're doing something that maxes out the chip like video editing or 3D rendering. Even then, it's a modest improvement.

There's no reason to upgrade to the M5 from the M4, but if you have an older M-series ‌MacBook Pro‌ or even an Intel machine, the performance improvement with the M5 will be night and day.
This article, "M5 MacBook Pro First Impressions" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Recently, ahead of its Apple TV premiere, F1 The Movie debuted on Blu-ray. Now another big Apple original film is coming to the physical medium: the Best Picture-winner CODA is getting a Blu-ray release.

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General Motors began phasing out support for CarPlay in its electric vehicles back in 2023, leading to complaints from iPhone users, but the company has no plans to back down.


In fact, GM is going further and plans to remove ‌CarPlay‌ from all future gas vehicles, too. In an interview with The Verge, GM CEO Mary Barra said that the company opted to prioritize its platform for EVs, but the change will eventually expand across the entire GM portfolio.

A lot of it depends on when you do an update to that vehicle. When you look at the fact that we have over 40 models across our portfolio, you don't just do this and they all update. As we move forward with each new vehicle and major new vehicle launch, I think you're going to see us consistent on that. We made a decision to prioritize our EV vehicles during this timeframe, and as we go forward, we'll continue across the portfolio.

When asked if users should expect that new gas cars will not support "smartphone projection" for ‌CarPlay‌ or Android Auto, Barra said "I think that's the right expectation. Yes."

GM Chief Product Officer Sterling Anderson suggested that GM's decision to embrace its own system is a "very Jobsian approach to things" that he likened to phasing out the disk drive.

But frankly, it's a very Jobsian approach to things. The removal of the disk drive, nobody liked that, everybody on the forums and Facebook was complaining about it, but to that he said, "Look, guys, flash storage really is the future. Get on board, you'll see that." That's kind of what we're saying here, in fact that's exactly what we're saying.

Anderson said that GM's in-house infotainment option offers a "much more immersive environment" and can "do so many more things" than ‌CarPlay‌.

In EVs, General Motors transitioned to an infotainment system that it previously called "Ultifi." GM said that eliminating Apple ‌CarPlay‌ gave it access to direct integrations and information that it needed for its electric vehicle line, plus the company claimed that an in-house unified solution was the better option for consumers.

Starting with the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ, GM is rolling out a centralized vehicle computing system that it says will overhaul how GM vehicles are built and how they can be updated over time. GM will share software across its portfolio, including all electric and gas-powered vehicles produced by its GMC, Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac brands.
This article, "GM to Remove CarPlay from All Future Vehicles, Including Gas Cars" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Remember Tea, the dating safety app that leaked private chats and photo IDs in July? Months later, Apple has removed the iPhone app from the App Store.

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Apple’s Wallet app got a strong lineup of new features in iOS 26, including one hidden addition you might have missed: a highly requested new setting to disable promotional notifications.

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iPhone Air demand failed to meet Apple's expectations and the company's supply chain is scaling back shipments and production, reports Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.


Suppliers are expected to reduce capacity by more than 80 percent between now and the first quarter of 2026, and some components with longer lead times will be discontinued by the end of 2025.

According to Kuo, the ‌iPhone Air‌'s poor performance suggests that the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models already "cover the majority of high-end user demand," so there is little room for new market segments.

There have been multiple reports suggesting the ‌iPhone Air‌ has failed to catch on with consumers. Last week, Japan's Mizuho Securities said that Apple would reduce iPhone Air production by a million units because of underwhelming sales performance, and earlier today, Nikkei said that there is "virtually no demand" for the ‌iPhone Air‌, and that Apple would "drastically" cut production.

Apple competitor Samsung is apparently seeing the same response to its super thin smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Edge. Reports suggest that Samsung canceled development of a next-generation model after disappointing sales.

Apple's standard iPhone and Pro ‌iPhone‌ models have consistently performed well, but it has struggled with its fourth wildcard spot in the ‌iPhone‌ lineup. Apple experimented with a smaller 5.4-inch ‌iPhone‌ mini that did not sell well, and then moved to a larger ‌iPhone‌ Plus that served as a more affordable version of the large-sized Pro Max. That too failed, leading Apple to try a 5.6mm build that compromised on features for a lightweight and thin design.

We could get yet another new form factor as soon as 2026, with rumors suggesting that Apple will debut a foldable ‌iPhone‌ as part of the iPhone 18 lineup.
This article, "Apple's iPhone Air Experiment Fails as Supply Chain Cuts Production by 80%" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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This fall, Apple raised entry prices for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air higher than their equivalent predecessors, driving an overall lineup increase. But based on a new report, we could see even more pricing changes next year if rumored A20 chip costs prove true.

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Apple today confirmed it will not be allowing customers to trade in the original Vision Pro toward the purchase of the new model or any other device.


"Apple Vision Pro is not eligible for trade-in," says Apple, in the fine print of a press release.

Some customers who spent at least $3,499 on the original Vision Pro may be disappointed to learn that Apple is not willing to offer any credit for the device.

The new Vision Pro's key changes include an M5 chip, 120Hz support, and the inclusion of a more comfortable Dual Knit Band in the box. However, the Dual Knit Band is also compatible with the original Vision Pro, and it can be purchased separately for $99.

The original model has an M2 chip, up to a 100Hz refresh rate, and a Solo Knit Band.

With no trade-in credit available to offset spending another $3,499 on the updated Vision Pro, some customers may pass on upgrading to the new model. Alternatively, customers can sell the device privately on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

The updated Vision Pro launched in Apple Stores and began arriving to customers today.

At all Apple Store locations where the Vision Pro is available, customers can now demo the model with the M5 chip, and try the Dual Knit Band.
This article, "Apple Confirms Vision Pro is Not Eligible for Trade-In" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's "A20" chip designed for next year's iPhone models could be considerably more expensive, the China Times reports.


The A20 chip is likely to be the first widely available 2-nanometer chip, debuting in the iPhone 18 lineup next year and forming the foundation of subsequent M6-series chips. The previous three generation A-series chips have all been based on TMSC's 3-nanometer node, with the upgrade to 2-nanometer promising further performance and efficiency improvements.

TSMC has reportedly told customers, presumably including Apple, to expect pricing that is at least 50% higher than 3-nanometer processors. This is attributed to unusually high capital expenditure for the new node and to the lack of discounting strategies while yields are still in their early acceptable phase.

The report further states that suppliers expect flagship mobile chips built on the 2-nanometer process to carry unit prices around $280 once volume production begins. This would make it the most expensive component in the ‌iPhone‌ and dramatically affect Apple's profit margins, if the increase is not passed on to customers.

A report from DigiTimes last year placed the cost of the A18 chip at around $45, with a total hardware bill of $416 for a model that retailed at $799, implying that the chip represents roughly 10% of bill of materials (BOM) cost and about 5–6% of retail price before logistics and development expenses. The most expensive component in that teardown was the rear camera assembly rather than the chip.

If the component cost rumors are true, Apple could limit 2-nanometer chips to only some 2026 ‌iPhone‌ models, such as the ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro Max. In September last year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo warned that "due to cost concerns, not all new ‌iPhone 18‌ models may be equipped with a 2-nanometer processor."
This article, "Apple's A20 Chip Could Be Massively More Expensive" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In March 2023, GM announced it was ditching CarPlay in all of its future EVs. Two and a half years later, the company is still breathlessly trying to convince people it made the right decision.

In a new interview on Nilay Patel’s Decoder podcast, GM CEO Mary Barra and Chief Product Officer Sterling Anderson once again really, really want you to know you shouldn’t miss CarPlay. In fact, it’s so confident in its decision that it’s removing CarPlay from more cars.

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Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is kicking off with MacBook Pro. Amazon is now undercutting everyone on the new M5 MacBook Pro, but it is the M4 model deals that are the real highlights right now – you can land the most affordable model at $300 off and Amazon just knocked a giant $364 off the 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro with 48GB of RAM. We also spotted the least expensive 11-inch M4 iPad Pro cell model at one of its best prices ever, alongside up to $50 off Apple Watch Series 11 and as much as $197 off titanium Apple Watch Series 10 models. Those offers join deep deals on leather iPad cases and Apple Watch bands, iPhone 17 cases, and more. Scope it all out down below. 

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Today’s the official release day for Apple’s trio of new M5-equipped products: the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro. Here are the details.

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The updated 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro models with the M5 chip are available to purchase at Apple Store locations and select resellers starting today.


The key change across all three devices is the M5 chip, for faster performance.

The updated 14-inch MacBook Pro base model also offers up to 2× faster SSD read and write speeds compared to the equivalent previous-generation model.

The twice-as-fast SSD speeds extend to the new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models, which also received Apple's custom N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, Apple's custom C1X modem for cellular configurations, the ability to drive external displays at up to a 120Hz refresh rate, and faster charging capabilities (up to 50% in 30 to 35 minutes).

The updated Vision Pro gained 120Hz support, up from the previous 100Hz limit, and it ships with a more comfortable Dual Knit Band with tungsten counterweights.

At all Apple Store locations where the Vision Pro is available, customers can now demo the updated model with the M5 chip, and try the Dual Knit Band.

Read our review roundups to learn more:

• 14-inch MacBook Pro


• iPad Pro


• Vision Pro

This article, "New 14-Inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro Now Available at Apple Stores" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s new M5 chip is officially here, with the M5 iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro arriving in stores today. To mark the occasion, a couple of sites have published charts that show the progress of the M-series line over time.

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iPad Pro expert and all-around good guy Stephen Robles has an awesome interview with a couple of Apple folks that’s all about the new M5 model.

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Apple has been designated with strategic market status (SMS) in the United Kingdom for iOS and iPadOS, a move that empowers regulators to impose binding requirements that could compel changes such as permitting rival app stores and direct software downloads.


The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirmed the designation today in a press release, announcing that Apple and Google both met the legal tests for substantial and entrenched market power across operating systems, app distribution, browsers, and browser engines on smartphones and tablets. The CMA said the designation follows investigations opened in January under new powers granted by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, which came into force in January.

According to the regulator, the designation does not in itself impose remedies but enables the CMA to initiate targeted interventions designed to open the platforms to greater competition. The CMA said its analysis and consultation with more than 150 stakeholders concluded that iOS and Android collectively account for 90–100% of UK mobile devices and that users rarely switch platforms once embedded. The CMA believes that developers seeking to reach UK users must pass through the companies' platform rules and distribution channels, giving the two firms a position of strategic significance.

The CMA said Apple and Google may be limiting innovation and competition through platform rules governing things like app reviews, in-app payments, storefront search ranking, browser distribution, and cross-platform switching. It also said emerging AI features are unlikely to erode the firms' market power within the five-year duration of the designation.

Apple told the BBC that users in the UK could lose access to new features, as has happened in the European Union, which the company attributes to heavy regulation. For example, some Apple Intelligence features which have rolled out in other parts of the world are not available in the EU.

Apple faces fierce competition in every market where we operate, and we work tirelessly to create the best products, services and user experience. The UK's adoption of EU-style rules would undermine that, leaving users with weaker privacy and security, delayed access to new features, and a fragmented, less seamless experience.

The CMA added that the designation is not a finding of wrongdoing. The measure simply enables regulatory action that could include requirements for fairer and transparent ranking in app stores, allowing developers to steer users to outside payments, and changes to user-experience barriers when using non-default app stores or directly downloaded software.

The CMA noted in its press release that jurisdictions including the United States, EU, and Japan are adopting similar measures aimed at mobile platform gatekeepers.
This article, "Apple Could Be Forced to Open Up App Store in the UK" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Pluribus is Apple TV’s next big sci-fi series, and easily the streamer’s most anticipated remaining premiere of the fall. Today’s full-length trailer provides the best glimpse yet at what to expect from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan’s new series.

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