The AlgoLaser Pixi Smart Laser Engraver is great starter machine for etching onto practically anything, without taking up too much desk space. The software leaves something to be desired, though.


The maker movement helped propel a new market of small hardware for producing or designing things. It helped the widespread adoption of 3D printing, while speciality hardware like Cricut is seeing massive growth.

The success of high-end tools for consumers to get creative with has also spread into the field of engraving. While you could previously try to freehand an etched design using a Dremel and some careful fingerwork, even engraving has become so much easier to do.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Meta's latest feature gives Facebook the power to continuously upload your private photos to its cloud — even the ones you never intended to share. Here's how to stop it.


In a time where internet users are goaded into giving away their data to nearly every company, Meta has decided to take it several steps further. It wants you to give Facebook access to your entire camera roll and allow it to upload your photos to its cloud.

The "feature," spotted by TechCrunch has recently begun rolling out to users. When creating a story, a prompt pops up and asks users to opt into "cloud processing."


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The FTC is handing out $126 million in "Fortnite" refunds after years of shady charges, surprise bills, and retaliatory bans. Here's how to get yours.


Nearly one million Fortnite players are getting refunds totaling $126 million. The payouts address years of unauthorized charges and access restrictions tied to billing disputes.

This round of payouts is for those who submitted a valid claim before February 14, 2025. The FTC is currently reviewing claims that were made after February 14 and will provide information to claimants at a later date.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Early Prime Day Mac mini deals continue to roll in, with a weekend sale knocking $100 off the latest model with Apple's M4 chip and a bump up to 512GB of storage. Plus, save up to $900 on upgraded models.


The $100 price cut can be snapped up at Amazon and B&H Photo, as both retailers engage in a price war less than two weeks before Prime Day.

Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

AI agents are learning to tap through your iPhone on your behalf, but Apple researchers want them to know when to pause.


A recent paper from Apple and the University of Washington explored this disparity. Their research focused on training AI to understand the consequences of its actions on a smartphone.

Artificial intelligence agents are getting better at handling everyday tasks. These systems can navigate apps, fill in forms, make purchases or change settings. They can often do this without needing our direct input.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

A new rumor claims that the iPhone 17 will have a larger screen than the current iPhone 16, making it the same size as the iPhone 16 Pro.


In May 2025, display analyst Ross Young claimed that the iPhone 17 would feature a 6.3-inch screen, compared to the 6.1-inches of the iPhone 16. Now regular, even prolific, leaker "Digital Chat Station" agrees.

"The screen size of iPhone 17 has changed to 6.27/6.3 inches," says the leaker (in translation). The first figure listed is the more precise diagonal size of the screen, but it will be referred to as 6.3-inches.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple has annoyed some users with its F1 Wallet promotion, and pleased others with its Finder icon redesign. Plus, there's news of the M5 iPad Pro, how Apple Intelligence briefly went down, and more, on the AppleInsider Podcast.


It had already seemed as if Apple had found every possible way to promote its "F1: The Movie," and yet no, there was at least one more way — and judging by social media, it deeply aggravated users. But Apple using its Wallet app to promote a Wallet offer is arguably useful, so let's argue it.

Plus this is week three of the OS 26 betas, and it's the first time that Apple Intelligence has gone down. Apple will surely never admit to a problem, but host Wesley Hilliard has figured out how on-device Apple Intelligence can possibly go down.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple has added a $350 million campus to its growing Bay Area portfolio, spending over half a billion dollars on local real estate this week.


Apple has been on a Bay Area shopping spree this week. Earlier we learned that it bought the Tantau office complex for $160 million — but it seems like Apple still had money to burn.

Its newest acquisition is a two-building campus located at 615 and 625 North Mathilda in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County. The location is just under seven miles from Apple Park.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Trump has signed a trade deal with China that will see it withdraw the rare minerals ban that affects iPhones, though it still leaves US consumers paying far more for imported goods.


Among the responses to Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs, China halted rare earth mineral exports in April 2025. Now according to multiple sources including Reuters, that ban may be lifted.

There are few details so far, and no confirmation of whether all such rare mineral exports will resume. The news broke as Trump casually mentioned "we signed with China yesterday," and officials subsequently revealed that the deal was made earlier in the week.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

While the new glass-like design may be the most visible change within iOS 26, the operating system also has five features that might be particularly appealing for business users.


iOS 26 made its debut on June 9 at WWDC 2025, in a relatively subdued keynote event. While Apple put a strong emphasis on its cross-platform "Liquid Glass" design language, there's more to iOS 26 than meets the eye.

Some of the upgrades and improvements in iOS 26 allow you to express your creativity more easily, like the new ChatGPT-powered styles for Image Playground. Other features, meanwhile, will help you get work done, and they might be especially useful for those in the business world.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

DeepSeek has been declared by German regulators to contain illegal content because of its security issues, and the local government wants it removed from the App Store and Google Play Store.


DeepSeek is the Chinese generative AI app that jumped to the top of the US App Store, was famously developed for a fraction of what OpenAI spent on ChatGPT, and has even been politely praised by Tim Cook. However, it also comes with severe security issues, and this is what has prompted Germany's decision.

According to Reuters, Germany's data protection commissioner Meike Kamp has asked Apple and Google to remove it after DeepSeek failed to meet requested security standards. She asked DeepSeek in May 2025 to meet requirements, or to voluntarily withdraw its app, and it did neither.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The latest Apple Store in Australia is in a historic Commonwealth Bank Building, and it has opened to customers with unique features to the region.


Apple's ambitious retail plans continue to be carried out unabated as a new Apple Store opens in Perth, Australia. It is technically a store that was moved from a different location in Perth and now resides in a historic Commonwealth Bank Building.

According to comments provided to The West by Apple SVP of Retail and People Deirdre O'Brien, Apple wanted to elevate the experience for local shoppers. Like other stores in historic locations around the world, Apple worked to restore and lean into attributes that make the location unique to the region.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The Aura Triple Boost 14 Pro adds three 14-inch folding displays to your MacBook Pro, for when you really need to work on the move — assuming you've got the cargo capacity.


One of the main benefits of having a desktop computer is the ability to use multiple monitors. With more than one screen at your disposal, your digital workspace increases considerably, allowing you to see and work on more things at once time.

At a desk with a Mac mini or Mac Studio, this is an environment that is easy to create. It becomes a much tougher problem when it comes to portable workstations.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

A new Bluetooth ID appeared in a database related to device syncing, and it may be a reference to the AirPods Pro 3 that are expected to launch in the fall.


Apple is fairly careful to avoid inadvertent leaks, but it isn't immune to mistakes. A couple of small flubs occurred in 2025 already, one referencing AirPods Pro 3 directly and another stating AirPods Pro 2 or later.

The latest tidbit was discovered by MacRumors in an undisclosed codebase. The codebase was updated and normally contains a list of Bluetooth IDs for accessories like AirPods and Beats headphones, but the latest update added an extra value.


Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple and Qualcomm sought to transfer the patent troll case filed by Red Rock in 2021 to California, but their appeals have been denied by the U.S. District Judge and the Federal Circuit Court.


Apple is no stranger to patent infringement lawsuits from patent trolls, and one that slipped under the radar since its start in 2021 has resurfaced. Red Rock Analytics, a non-practicing entity and known patent troll, filed a lawsuit with Apple and Qualcomm over U.S. Patent No. 7,346,313 in Texas.

According to a report from Law360, Apple and Qualcomm were denied their appeal to move the lawsuit to California by both the U.S. District Judge Alan Albright and the Federal Circuit Court. So, the lawsuit will be carried out in the patent troll-friendly Texas courts instead.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple provides parental controls in iOS and iPadOS to set content and behavior restrictions for children's devices. Here's how to get started.


Most of the settings for content and privacy restrictions fall under Screen Time. Introduced in iOS 12, Screen Time records how much time a user spends on their device.

It can be configured to monitor and limit the time spent on any apps, which is great for checking how much time a child spends gaming or hanging out on social media apps. Additionally, it tracks notifications received.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Right at the deadline to comply with the European Union Digital Markets Act, Apple is making changes to its developer policies. However, it may not be enough to escape the European Commission's ire.


Since the introduction of the Digital Markets Act, Apple has been under close scrutiny, with the repeated threat of fines for noncompliance. On June 26, Apple said it is implementing a plan that makes changes to its rules concerning steering and transaction fees.

The move by Apple was expected, considering that June 26 was the last of 60 days Apple had to fall into compliance. After receiving an initial $570 million fine in April, Apple faced the prospect of even higher fines as time moved on.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Leaked images reveal a small shift in the iPhone 17 Air's front camera, which may hint at internal design compromises required by its ultra-thin build.


It's almost rumor season, which means we're getting a steady flow of new leaks that may give us some insight into the next iPhone lineup. And, right on cue, we've got yet another new leak related to the iPhone 17 Air.

This time the leak consists of a photograph of a series of screen protectors designed to work with Apple's iPhone 17 lineup. At first blush, the images aren't terribly noteworthy — that is, until you look at the one for the iPhone 17 Air.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

J.P. Morgan has lowered its Apple stock price target, warning that iPhone demand may be slowing down after a wave of early purchases and weaker interest in the upcoming models.


In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider, J.P. Morgan has lowered its price target for Apple from $240 to $230. The new price target reflects tempered expectations for revenue and earnings over the next 18 months.

The firm pointed to softer demand projections for the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup. Also noted is broader economic pressures that could weigh on consumer spending.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple is marking two decades of podcasting, and is highlighting 20 standout shows across that time, that helped shape the medium.


Podcasts first landed on iTunes in 2005. To celebrate 20 years of podcasts, Apple has launched a new page titled "Apple Podcasts 20 Years, 20 Podcasts We Love" promoting its favorite podcasts throughout the years.

"This list is a love letter to the podcasts that left a lasting impact on us and the ones we continue to recommend again and again," the page reads.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Samsung's new line of smart monitors pairs well with Mac computers, and if you preorder the M7, M8, or M9 (a QD-OLED display), you can score up to a $300 Samsung credit or Amazon gift card.


The 2025 smart monitor lineup from Samsung starts at just $399.99, with preorder incentives in effect now at Samsung and Amazon. Whether you prefer a Samsung credit or an Amazon gift card, the preorder deals are worth checking out, with the devices officially launching on Prime Day (July 8).

Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

No one can say that Apple has taken a light touch in promoting, "F1: The Movie," but the film is being distributed theatrically by Warner Bros. — and Apple reportedly wants more power.


It's perhaps a sign of confidence in how "F1" is going to fare at the box office, and it's definitely a turn around from when Apple said to be cutting back on both big-budget movies and theatrical releases of them. According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple executives are now looking at moving into film distribution.

Apple does tend to prefer to own the whole stack in any field, and a lot of its iPhone success has been down to how it controls everything from the processors to the software. And unlike Netflix, Apple TV+ has also always pushed to have global rights to any production it shows.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple's expected iPhone Fold is said to be in testing, but its specifications undecided — and the latest version has a slightly smaller internal screen.


The iPhone fold is believed to have been in development for years, with Apple coming late to the party but planning to do so with a markedly better device whose folded screen does not crease. Now the latest rumor says that Apple is testing a version that would have a smaller screen on the inside than previously reported.



Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The Heybike Alpha is an e-bike that makes a good starter mid-drive e-bike for larger individuals looking to have a bit of off-road fun.


There are two main paths to e-bike ownership. You can either add a conversion kit to a bike you already enjoy or go with a purpose-built model that's ready to ride right away.

It's a tricky balance since every option comes with trade-offs. You might opt for a slim, more traditional-looking e-bike with minimal design compromises, but that usually means a higher price tag and surprisingly heavy weight.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The HDMI Forum has officially made the HDMI 2.2 standard available to manufacturers, with future-proof features such as 16K video support and an increase in maximum memory bandwidth of up to 96 gigabits per second.


On Wednesday, a significant update to the ever-popular HDMI standard was released. Seven years after the arrival of HDMI 2.1, the HDMI Forum has unveiled the full specifications of the standard's successor, HDMI 2.2.

The headline feature of HDMI 2.2 is its support for higher video resolutions and faster refresh rates, including 16K at 60Hz and 12K video at 120Hz, which represents a significant improvement. For reference, the HDMI 2.1 standard only supported 8K video at 60Hz and 4K video at 120Hz.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Buying a MacBook used to mean two things: picking your model and draining your bank account. But in 2025, that equation is changing. Apple users want more control, less hassle, and more flexible cash flow.


With WWDC unveiling major updates to macOS, including features like Apple Intelligence, improved Continuity, and deeper ecosystem integrations, there's now even more incentive to upgrade, especially for users on older machines.

That's where Upgraded comes in: Now you can pay for your MacBook over 36 months and from 0% APR, with the option to upgrade every 2 years, hassle free.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider

The T1 "Trump" Phone won't launch in time to fight the iPhone 17 release, and more than a week after debut, claims of the device being made in America have been scrubbed from the website.


The so-called "Trump Phone" was announced by the Trump Organization on the 10th anniversary of Donald Trump announcing he was running for president. It is being marketed alongside Trump Mobile, a T-Mobile-powered MVNO, and was originally called a smartphone that is "made in America."

It was quickly proven that the T1 Phone was not only not made in America, it was likely a re-skin of the REVVL 7 Pro 5G, a $169 smartphone that's made in China and that has faced recalls.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

As of iOS 18.2, Apple's Mail app features categories to help users sort through their mail. Here's what it does, how to fine-tune it, and how to turn it off if you prefer.


After updating to iOS 18.2 or later, the Mail app now categorizes incoming email into four broad categories. These are Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions.

The idea to automatically categorize incoming emails has been kicking around Apple for years. The feature was originally intended to debut in iOS 13, but awaited further development of Apple's machine learning and Apple Intelligence features in order to ensure the work was all done on-device.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The large Tantau office complex near Apple Park and the Apple Fitness Center has been acquired by Apple, though the building was already in use by the company.


Apple Park is a massive Cupertino campus with The Ring, a 2.8-million-square-foot circular building that can house 12,000 employees. However, even with that giant building, Apple still needs more space and occupies many buildings in the area around the main campus.

One of those buildings, referred to as Cupertino Gateway, is within shouting distance of the giant ring building, just off the same N Tantau Ave that leads to Apple's campus. According to a report from Mercury News, Apple has purchased the 220,700 square foot building for $160 million.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The latest version of the watchOS 26 beta is reminding Hermes owners that elegance doesn't equal stability.


Apple's second developer beta of watchOS 26 is causing major problems for owners of the premium Hermes edition Apple Watch. These issues include crashes, overheating, and pairing problems.

The company has confirmed the bug in its official release notes and is advising Hermes users not to install the beta.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Former long-time Apple employee Paula Bozinovich was among eight people who died on a Lake Tahoe boating trip over the weekend.


On July 21st, a boat capsized on Lake Tahoe, causing the deaths of eight people. Among the group was Paula Bozinovich, formerly of Apple, who was celebrating her 71st birthday with the powerboat ride.

The boat passengers were caught up in a sudden storm while on the lake, reports The San Francisco Chronicle, resulting in eight-foot waves and gusts of up to 35mph. The 27-foot powerboat capsized, killing eight people with two survivors.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

In a research study, some doctors will wear Apple Vision Pro during colonoscopies to explore how spatial computing can support real-time cancer detection.


We've been hearing about potential case uses for the Apple Vision Pro in a medical setting for a while now — probably longer than it has existed as a purchasable product.

We've seen medical professionals suggest the Apple Vision Pro could be an invaluable tool for anesthesiologists, nursing managers, and general practitioners. Surgeons are already using it for keyhole surgeries in India.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Big Tech's grip on the app economy is under fire again as lawmakers reintroduce the bipartisan "Open App Markets Act" aimed at breaking Apple and Google's app store dominance.


On Tuesday, June 24, U.S. senators Marsha Blackburn, Richard Blumenthal, Mike Lee, Amy Klobuchar, and Dick Durbin introduced the Open App Markets Act. This bipartisan bill hopes to establish enforceable rules designed to "promote competition and strengthen consumer protections within the app market," according to Senator Blackburn's website.




Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

With repeated rumors that a revised AirTag 2 is coming soon, there are also many claims about what will be different — and key areas where AirTags could be improved. Here's what to expect, and when.


There's never a guarantee when Apple will release a particular product — other than the iPhone 17 range will be in September — but launches are such a large undertaking that there are always clues. Sometimes it will be new devices in regulatory filings, or this time in code snippets spotted in the developer betas of iOS 26.

Based on those snippets and a very long series of reports from variously reliable sources, AirTags 2 look almost certain to feature:


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple has released version 3.0 of the Sports app for iOS, with the new version introducing tennis for the first time, just in time for Wimbledon.


The Sports app covers quite a few different sports types, including soccer, ice hockey, Formula 1, and others, providing the latest scores and results to its users. In a Wednesday update, the app now supports tennis.

There are two new listings under My Leagues, with Men's Tennis accompanied by Women's Tennis. Each offers users the tennis scores for major events, including the upcoming Wimbledon tournament in the UK.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple is doing even more to help you protect your battery life and overall health with iOS 26. Here's how.


Batteries are not eternal. They are a physical and chemical process that deteriorate over time, and will inevitably need to be replaced if you keep your device long enough.

For years, Apple has prioritized battery health and longevity with features built into iOS. The upcoming iOS 26 takes things even further.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The fall update adding the M5 chip to the iPad Pro is getting closer to reality, with OLED displays for the tablet reportedly entering mass production for a launch in October.


Apple's fall updates tend to include some form of iPad change. One of the rumored launches is the upgrade bringing M5 to the iPad Pro, and a report seems to indicate it is on the way.

According to report sources of ZDNet Korea via DigiTimes, mass production of the OLED display used by the iPad Pro has commenced.


Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple's CarPlay Ultra faces a long road to becoming a widely-used feature, as car makers are pushing back on supporting Apple's system in favor of their own solutions.


The shift from CarPlay to CarPlay Ultra is a big one for car manufacturers to make. Instead of occupying just the main infotainment system's screen, CarPlay Ultra spreads out to other areas of the dashboard, as well as having more direct control over the vehicle's various features.

While Apple introduced CarPlay Ultra as a concept three years ago, and finally became a reality in Aston Martin cars in May, consumers have even more of a wait before using it in other vehicles. To blame are the car makers themselves, resisting because they prefer their own creations.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple will not pre-announce when it will release iOS 26 beta updates, but over the years it has proven to has a mostly predictable schedule after the first one has rolled out. Here's when to expect new versions.


The only correct and truly sensible date for iOS 26 beta releases is to not pay any attention to them and wait for the official release in September. But as the second developer beta has just come out and the first public one is due in July, here's what is coming next, and roughly when.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple's Photos holds every image you make with your phone. Here's everything you need to know to get started using the Photos app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.


Arguably one of the most highly-used apps on an iPhone or iPad, the Photos app is where all of your photographs and videos get stored. A treasure trove of memories, it is also made to help you manage your visual history, as well as to edit it to perfection.

Due to the number of features available, not many people will use the app to its full potential. It can handle everything from adjusting photographs how you want them, to managing collections, and even the synchronization of your content across multiple devices.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums