A Steve Jobs memorabilia auction is now live online, and items available include the desk from the famous garage where Apple started, the first check the two Steves ever signed, Steve’s bow ties from high school and much more.

The auction also includes a wide range of general Apple memorabilia with starting bids as low as $100 …

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iPhone 17e is in the works as a more budget-friendly version of iPhone 17, and according to a new leak, the launch timing could line up perfectly with last year’s iPhone 16e.

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You can get the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $799.00 today on Amazon, down from $999.00. You'll find similar $200 discounts across nearly the entire M4 MacBook Air lineup, and all of these deals are being matched at Best Buy.

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.

If you're looking for the larger model, you can get the 15-inch 256GB computer for $999.00, down from $1,199.00. You'll also find many of the 512GB models of the 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air on sale this week.




These prices are solid second-best prices on the M4 MacBook Air, and we haven't tracked record low prices since before Christmas. 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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Smart home company Aqara today debuted its latest smart lock, the U400. The Aqara Smart Lock U400 incorporates ultra wideband (UWB) technology for more precise location-based tracking and automated door unlocking.


There are few UWB smart locks on the market, but the technology uses the UWB chip in the iPhone to unlock the door right as you approach. There is no need to tap an ‌iPhone‌ on the lock with UWB, so the door can be unlocked entirely hands-free. We were able to test the lock ahead of its introduction at CES, and the UWB technology worked as advertised.

Walking up to the U400 with ‌iPhone‌ tucked in a pocket triggered the lock to unlock, but only within a foot or two of the door. It's sensitive enough that Aqara added a customization option to allow the U400 only to unlock when approached from a set angle of arrival, such as left, right, or center. Setting a specific direction can avoid accidental unlocks when you're near the door, and UWB is sensitive enough to know what side of the door a person is on.


The U400 works with the Apple Home Key feature, so it can also be unlocked via a card stored in the Wallet app. Home Key can be customized to unlock a door by holding your ‌iPhone‌ or Apple Watch near the lock, but UWB simplifies the process further and makes it more precise. There is no need for a PIN, tap, or authentication with the U400, and the ‌iPhone‌ or Apple Watch doesn't need to be explicitly tapped on the lock.

Like prior Aqara locks, the U400 offers a wide range of options for access. It supports unlocking with a fingerprint through a fingerprint sensor, NFC, an included key, or an access code with the included keypad. One-time and time-specific codes can be given to guests, and the lock can be set to lock automatically after user-specified period of time. Since the lock can be unlocked automatically if you're near it, turning on the auto-lock ensures that it doesn't stay unlocked if it's activated accidentally.


If you want to leave a door unlocked for a period of time or permanently, there is a dedicated Passage mode that can be set.

Since it is Matter and Thread enabled, the U400 can be connected to HomeKit and accessed through the Home app. It can be used in automations alongside other smart home devices, and the lock can be controlled with Siri voice commands. It also works with the Aqara app, and can be connected to an Aqara hub. Since it supports Matter, an Aqara hub is not required for full functionality, but a Thread Border Router and Matter hub are needed. The Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini work as home hubs for the Apple ecosystem.

Aqara says the U400 supports Aliro, so it is able to be unlocked with a smartphone regardless of operating system. It is also more secure than Bluetooth, because it uses time-of-flight signals instead of simply signal strength for unlocking, so there is no option for a relay attack.

The U400 is powered by a 4,880 mAh battery that can be removed from the lock and charged via USB-C, and it is supposed to last for up to six months per charge. Several Aqara locks used replaceable batteries, so the rechargeable battery is a nice upgrade. Exterior components have IP65 water and dust resistance for outdoor use.

Aqara is offering the U400 in Silver and Black. It is designed to replace a standard deadbolt, and it includes all of the necessary hardware for a swap.

More information on the U400 can be found on Aqara's website.
This article, "CES 2026: Aqara Launches U400 Smart Lock With HomeKit and Hands-Free UWB Unlocking" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The Aqara Smart Lock U400 has been launched today at CES with support for the Home key feature in Apple Wallet. This means your door can automatically unlock as you approach it from the outside, with no user action required.

It uses ultra-wideband technology to detect someone carrying an iPhone or wearing an Apple Watch registered with the lock …

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Apple's iPhone 17e will feature upgrades including a pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout and a downclocked A19 chip, with mass production set to begin this month, claims a Chinese leaker.


The current iPhone 16e features a "notch" at the top of the display, similar to the ‌iPhone‌ 13 and ‌iPhone‌ 14, and contains Apple's A18 chip with a 4-core GPU, instead of the 5-core GPU version found in the iPhone 16.

However, according to "Smart Pikachu," a Weibo account that has previously shared accurate supply-chain details on Android hardware, these two elements are set to be replaced on the forthcoming iPhone 17e.

Aside from Neural Engine improvements, performance from a downclocked A19 chip could be roughly comparable to Apple's A17 Pro chip, while the Dynamic Island would add the newer interactive area at the top of the screen that displays ongoing activities, incorporating the camera and other front-facing sensors. Otherwise, the ‌iPhone‌ 17e is expected to retain a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, according to the leaker.

The leaker known as "Digital Chat Station" has previously claimed the iPhone 17e could have a Dynamic Island and an A19 chip, so the assertions made by Smart Pikachu aren't entirely new. However, another rumor has claimed the iPhone 17e will continue to use the same iPhone 14-based OLED panel as the iPhone 16e, but with slimmed down bezels. If that's the case, then the iPhone 17e will still feature a notch.

Elsewhere, rumors suggest the iPhone 17e will gain a magnetic ring that will allow it to connect to MagSafe chargers, which is not an option with the iPhone 16e. To cut down on costs, the device may also be equipped with either the older C1 or C1X modem, but no N1 wireless chip, based on leaked Apple code.

Smart Pikachu says mass production of the device will begin "after CES," suggesting commencement on or after January 9. The claim is broadly in line with reports that the iPhone 17e will launch in spring, possibly around a year after the launch of the iPhone 16e in February. The $599 starting price is not expected to change.

Smart Pikachu has previously claimed Apple is testing under-display Face ID for the iPhone 18 Pro models, but so far the leaker's reputation for Apple rumors remains unproven.
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macOS Tahoe app icons came under fire late last year with commenters describing them as “terrible” and “objectively bad.” In our poll, 9to5Mac readers had exceedingly mixed views.

Software engineer Nikita Prokopov has now drawn attention to the icons used within menus and pointed out that they almost exactly mirror the approach which Apple’s Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines advised against back in 1992 …

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KEYi Tech, the company behind the Loona companion robot and ClicBot modular robot, is showing off a new take on AI assistants at CES 2026 called DeskMate, which is exclusively for iPhone.


Rather than building another standalone robot, the company has gone with a desktop charging hub that turns an attached iPhone into an AI companion, using your device's existing display, camera, and microphone to bring it to life. Apart from three USB-C ports and one USB-A port, the device features a rotating and tilting MagSafe charging stand that tracks your presence and keeps the iPhone facing you at all times during conversations. It even displays cute Pixar-style animated eyes on the screen.

The companion app automatically activates when you attach an iPhone to the charging pad. From here, the DeskMate is able to handle voice commands, manage your calendar, set reminders, and answer questions throughout the day. According to the company, DeskMate can also initiate conversations, offer suggestions, or provide updates when you return to your desk.

The AI companion integrates with workplace tools including Slack, email, and calendar apps, and it can also join video meetings to take notes or provide summaries. The idea is that it learns your routines and preferences over time, adapting its responses and suggestions accordingly.

KEYi Tech says it plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign in March for the device, which will be priced below $300, although the final costs are apparently still being finalized.
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Samsung has shown off a prototype of a new folding display, and it seems very likely that this is the one that will be used for the iPhone Fold.

Apple had reportedly waited until the company was able to produce a display without a visible crease, and this one looks to fit the bill perfectly. The crease looks completely invisible in a photo and almost so in a video …

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CES 2026 has just provided a first glimpse of the folding display technology that Apple is expected to use in its upcoming foldable iPhone. At the event, Samsung Display briefly showcased its new crease-less foldable OLED panel beside a Galaxy Z Fold 7, and according to SamMobile, which saw the test booth before it was abruptly removed, the new panel "has no crease at all" in comparison.


The existing display used in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 does an impressive job of reducing crease visibility, but crucially it can still be seen at certain viewing angles. In contrast, Samsung Display claims that the newer panel, destined for the Z Fold 8, offers "seamless text across the fold" whichever way you look at it – which is good news for Apple, given that Samsung is the company's main supplier of OLED technology.

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in July that Samsung's next-generation Galaxy Z Fold 8 will use the same laser-drilled metal display plate as the foldable iPhone, with the component to be supplied by South Korean company Fine M-Tec. The laser-drilled metal plate is responsible for dispersing the stress generated by bending, allowing for the "crease-free" screen. It's worth noting that the panel structure, lamination method, and material process used for the foldable iPhone is said to have been designed by Apple, so we should still expect differences compared to the Z Fold 8's display that was on show here.

The same goes for the dimensions of the display that Apple uses. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold 7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18 aspect ratio when open. In contrast, rumors suggest the ‌iPhone‌ Fold's display will measure in at 5.3 to 5.5 inches when closed, and 7.5 to 7.8 inches when open (rumors vary). That will make it squatter and wider than Samsung's taller, narrower design, giving it a 4:3 aspect ratio when open.

Samsung gave no reason for removing the test booth so early on at CES. Regardless, Apple's stricter crease-free requirements for its foldable iPhone appear to have raised the bar for both foldable devices. Whether those advances also translate into improved long-term durability should become clearer in the coming months. The Galaxy Z Fold is widely expected to launch this summer, while Apple's foldable iPhone is expected to enter mass production this year and launch later, around mid-September.
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Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple.

In this episode of Apple @ Work, I discuss why Apple Silicon is Apple’s greatest weapon for a local AI future and explain why our current IT tools are completely unprepared to manage it.

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Kwikset today announced the Aura Reach, a smart lock that offers Matter over Thread and Bluetooth connectivity. With Matter, the lock is able to connect to HomeKit, allowing it to be controlled through Apple Home or with Siri voice commands.


The Aura Reach supports hands-free auto unlock, proximity keypad wakeup, and a guided installation process for easy setup. It is able to be activated alongside other ‌HomeKit‌ and Matter devices using automations in the Apple Home app.

Users can set up temporary access codes for guests, track entry history, and get alerts if someone attempts to use an invalid code. The lock incorporates the Kwikset SmartKey Security, so it can be rekeyed in seconds. The lock is available in satin nickel and black color options.

Unlike some of the higher-end smart locks that have been coming out at CES, the Aura Reach does not include UWB, nor does it work with Apple's Home Key feature.

The Aura Reach is one of several Matter-enabled smart locks in Kwikset's lineup, including the Halo Select and Halo Select Plus. Compared to those locks, it lacks Wi-Fi, Home Key, and door sensing technology that's able to determine whether a door is open or closed.

The Aura Reach is priced at $189 and is available from major retailers like Amazon starting today.
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OWC today announced the launch of a fully certified 2-meter Thunderbolt 5 cable, which OWC says is the longest Thunderbolt 5 cable available for Macs and PCs.


The cable has been certified by Thunderbolt and independent testing labs, and it meets the full Thunderbolt 5 specification. It offers up to 80Gb/s bi-directional data performance, up to 120Gb/s video streaming performance for multiple displays, and 240W power delivery.

The 2-meter cable is priced at $80, and it joins OWC's other Thunderbolt 5 cables in 0.3m, 0.8m, and 1m lengths. It is available from the OWC website.

At CES, OWC is also debuting an 8TB Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD that supports transfer speeds of up to 6000MB/s, and a capacity expansion for the ThunderBlade X12 RAID SSD. It now supports up to 12 16TB SSDs for up to 192TB of storage, double the prior limit.
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Samsung announced a refreshed Odyssey gaming display lineup for CES 2026, which includes five updated models with higher resolutions and refresh rates.


The new 32-inch Odyssey G9 is a 6K 3D display that doesn't require glasses to see the 3D effect. Samsung says the monitor uses real-time eye tracking to adjust depth and perspective in response to the viewer's position, providing a layered sense of dimension with no need for a headset.

The Odyssey G9 features a 165Hz refresh rate that's enhanced to 330Hz with Dual Mode, and 1ms gray-to-gray response time for minimal motion blur and ghosting. Samsung says that PC gamers will have access to an expanded lineup of supported titles with 3D effects created in collaboration with game studios, so it's unclear if the 3D functionality will be available for Macs.

Either way, games will not natively support 3D functionality, and game designers will need to optimize their games for the technology. The first games that will offer support include The First Berserker: Khazan, Lies of P: Overture, and Stellar Blade. According to Samsung, gamers can expect added dimensionality that enhances terrain, distance, and object separation compared to standard 2D gameplay.

Samsung's 27-inch Odyssey G6 display offers a 600Hz refresh rate enhanced to 1,040Hz through Dual Mode for competitive gaming. Players will be able to better track targets and see fine details during high-speed movement. The G6 is compatible with AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync.

There are also several new Odyssey G8 displays, including a 32-inch 6K model with a 165Hz refresh rate, a 27-inch 5K model with a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 32-inch OLED model with a 240Hz refresh rate.

More information on Samsung's Odyssey display lineup can be found on the Samsung website. Samsung has not yet announced pricing for the new displays.
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Back in June, Google surprisingly brought back Snapseed but only on iOS. The app’s latest update introduces a retro “Snapseed Camera” for iPhone users.

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Twelve South today announced a new Valet tray with Qi2-certified wireless charging that combines 15W magnetic charging with a leather-lined catch-all for everyday items.


The Valet features Qi2 wireless charging, delivering up to 15W of power to compatible iPhone models and other Qi2 devices. It also includes a USB-C port capable of supplying up to 15W of power to a second device. It is concealed beneath the base of the tray to reduce visible cables. The Valet is powered via a USB-C port with a braided cable.

The tray is built around a weighted zinc alloy base for stability and is wrapped in Nappa leather. The charging pad itself is raised slightly above the tray surface, creating a defined area for phone placement while leaving the surrounding space available for other personal items.

Valet is available with black or taupe leather as standard, while the outer metal frame is removable and can be swapped independently of the main body, with options for black, taupe, brown, or ecru inserts.

There is an integrated cable management system in the base, enabling the Valet to be oriented in four different configurations. This allows the wireless charging pad to be positioned on the left or right side of the tray, or the entire unit to be rotated into a portrait orientation for narrower surfaces.

A small status light provides visual confirmation that a device has begun charging. The light briefly pulses when charging starts and then fades out after eight seconds.

Valet is available for pre-order in the United States for $179.99, with launch scheduled for January 15, 2026. International availability is planned for later in 2026.
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Apple released iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 last month, and it turns out the updates were hiding a Wi-Fi improvement. The changes mean that select Mac and iPad users might notice faster Wi-Fi speeds, file transfers, and more.

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Last week, Apple kicked off its annual New Year Sale in Japan with an array of offerings, including a limited-edition AirTag.

Now, Apple’s Lunar New Year sale has started, and it’s headlined by a limited-edition version of AirPods Pro 3 with a special Year of the Horse emoji on the case. Here’s where you can buy them…

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With the release of iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2, Apple has improved the Wi-Fi speeds for select Macs and iPads that support Wi-Fi 6E. Updated Wi-Fi connectivity specifications are listed in Apple's platform deployment guide.


The M4 iPad Pro models, M3 iPad Air models, A17 Pro iPad mini, M2 to M5 MacBook Pro models, ‌M2‌, M3, and M4 MacBook Air models, and other Wi-Fi 6E Macs and iPads now support 160MHz maximum channel bandwidth when connected to 5GHz Wi-Fi networks, the same theoretical maximum throughput supported by 6GHz networks. Previously, these devices were limited to 80MHz.

In ideal conditions, a 160MHz maximum means that iPad and Mac users should see faster file transfers, quicker uploads, and smoother streaming. Wi-Fi 6E devices can take advantage of 6GHz networks, but 5GHz networks remain far more common. 6GHz networks require new router hardware, along with a machine that can take advantage of a 6GHz network.

With the upgrade, Wi-Fi 6E devices that connect to a 5GHz network can get throughput approaching peak 6GHz speeds without having to connect to a 6GHz network. Users who have a Wi-Fi 6 or 6E setup that supports 160MHz on 5GHz networks will be able to take advantage of the bandwidth improvement. Macs that have the updated 160MHz bandwidth limit will not see improvements when connected to 5GHz routers limited to 80MHz.

Though 5GHz bandwidth has improved on select Macs and iPads, 6GHz networks still have the benefit of less congestion and more spectrum.

(Thanks, Johnie!)
This article, "iPadOS and macOS 26.2 Double 5GHz Wi-Fi Bandwidth for Wi-Fi 6E Devices" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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For the first time in five years, the MacBook Pro is rumored to get a major redesign later this year with significant feature upgrades too. I’m excited by what’s coming, but there’s one change that may not be for everyone.

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Pioneer today announced a new in-dash receiver that supports Dolby Atmos audio playback within Apple CarPlay, extending the feature into the aftermarket category for the first time.


Apple has supported Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio across much of its ecosystem since 2021, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, AirPods, HomePod, and Apple Music. In vehicles, however, Dolby Atmos playback through Apple ‌CarPlay‌ has depended on automakers integrating compatible audio hardware, resulting in availability being restricted to a relatively small number of high-end models. Pioneer's new SPHERA in-dash receiver makes Atmos-capable ‌CarPlay‌ available to a much broader base of drivers through aftermarket installation.

The system uses a vehicle's existing speaker setup rather than requiring specialized or factory-installed Atmos hardware. The company says the receiver uses an optimized four-channel configuration that works with standard front and rear speakers, allowing spatial audio playback without additional height or ceiling-mounted speakers.

Pioneer's proprietary Pure Autotuning technology is designed to address the acoustic variability of vehicle interiors, accounting for different sizes, shapes, materials, and speaker placements. It automatically adjusts time alignment, frequency response, and channel levels to place the listener at what Pioneer calls the acoustic center position.

The receiver itself features a 10.1-inch HD capacitive touchscreen and supports wireless ‌CarPlay‌, wireless Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The interface includes a split-screen mode that allows navigation to remain visible while drivers access audio controls or system functions.

SPHERA is designed for universal aftermarket installation and can be fitted to a wide variety of vehicles with minimal modification. Pioneer announced it at CES 2026 and said the receiver will be available starting in the spring, with pricing starting at $1,300.
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iPadOS 26 is a major update for productivity, but it also introduces several new iPad apps for users, my favorite of which is Apple’s Journal app.

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Apple has designed a limited edition version of the AirPods Pro 3 to celebrate Lunar New Year, and customers in select countries can purchase them starting today. The Year of the Horse Special Edition ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ feature a unique horse emoji character that's otherwise unavailable.


Customers in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore are able to buy the AirPods, and they'll be available as long as supplies last. Lunar New Year begins on Tuesday, February 17 in 2026.

Apple designs special edition AirPods with a custom engraving each year. There have been limited edition AirPods to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, Year of the Ox, Year of the Tiger, Year of the Rabbit, and Year of the Snake.

The special edition ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ are identical to the standard ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ and the pricing is the same. The only thing that's different is the engraving. Apple released the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ in 2025, introducing improved sound, better Active Noise Cancellation, an updated fit, and heart rate sensing. Orders placed today will begin shipping out to customers on January 8.

Along with special edition ‌AirPods Pro 3‌, Apple is also selling a selection of Year of the Horse-themed accessories, such as iPhone cases, power banks, AirTag covers, organizers, and travel chargers.
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LISEN has been one of my favorite recent brands that I’ve been watching. The company’s new 3-in-1 charger is a really nice addition to its lineup. One of the things I love most about it is the foldable design, which is somewhat unique for most MagSafe charging setups. It can charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch, and also includes Qi2 support. I have a new office setup, this is the one I am using next to my laptop.

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