Macworld

Macworld Just when you thought we were going to get through the year without a really juicy iMac rumor, in comes a report from Korean publication The Elec. According to its report, Apple has placed “Requests for Information” with Samsung Display and LG Display regarding OLED displays that could be used for a future iMac. An RFI is basically when a company asks suppliers to provide specifications and other details about a part that the company needs for product development. According to The Elec, Apple has stated in its requests that it is looking for a 24-inch OLED display that offers 218 pixels per inch density and 600 nits of brightness. That’s the same size and density as the current LED-based iMac display, but with higher brightness. However, there’s one big caveat that The Elec points out: “RGB OLED technology capable of reliably mass-producing 20- to 30-inch displays has not yet been developed.” Mass production has been for much smaller displays, so if Apple proceeds with an OLED iMac, suppliers need to develop a manufacturing process to create the displays, which will take some time. The Elect reports that Apple could complete development of the OLED iMac by 2027 or 2028. If everything goes as scheduled, the OLED iMac would ship in 2027 at the earliest (if development finishes in the early part of the year). But more likely it would be available in 2028 or 2029. It’s also possible that Apple could decide to scrap the project during the development stage. Apple has been gradually upgrading its devices from LED displays to OLED. Apple’s current iPhone lineup uses OLEDs. The iPad Pro is the only iPad with an OLED, but reports say that Apple has plans to bring it to the iPad mini and iPad Air in the next year or two. Reports have also said that Apple plans to release an OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro in the second half of 2026. @macworld.com Mac legacy #imac ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld

Macworld If you’re still looking for the perfect gift, stop right there — we know what you need. The M4 MacBook Air is down to $749 at Amazon, a massive $250 discount for one of the best laptops out there. In fact, most configurations are $250, with many still able to arrive before December 25. View at Amazon Powered by the speedy new M4 chip, the MacBook Air features a stunning 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display that makes everything look incredible, whether you’re streaming your favorite shows or tackling work projects. While we reviewed the 15-inch version, the 13-inch model offers the same features we loved, earning it a perfect 5-star rating. The excellent performance of the M4 chip is always worth mentioning, and so is the ability to connect two external displays via the Thunderbolt 4 ports. Throw in 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD, and you have a fantastic laptop. You’ll love using this laptop for video calls and Zoom meetings, as the 12MP Center Stage camera will capture all details in perfect detail. While we wish storage upgrades were more affordable, the Thunderbolt 4 ports are perfect for hooking up a speedy external drive. Snag the MacBook Air M4 for $749 before the deal runs out, so you can get it for an amazing price and have it delivered in time for the holiday. Buy now at Amazon @macworld.com Amazon MacBook Air deal#blackfriday #macbookair ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld

Macworld M5 MacBook Air: In summary M5 MacBook Air is expected to be released in spring 2026. Processor refresh with the new M5 chip anticipated. No other design or spec changes expected. U.K. and European shoppers will probably have to buy their own Power Adapter. Now that the M5 MacBook Pro is here it is only a matter of time before the M5 MacBook Air arrives. A gap of a few months between the launch of the M5 MacBook Pro and M5 MacBook Air is likely, so we anticipate that we will see the M5 MacBook Air in the first half of 2026. A spring launch seems most likely: Apple’s M4 MacBook Air was released in March 2024, about a year after the M3 version was released and Apple appears to be on a yearly cycle with the MacBook Air. We expect that the next generation of MacBook Air could be released in the spring of 2026. We can get a good picture of what to expect now that the M5 chip has arrived on the scene, with Apple describing the M5 as offering a “big leap” in AI performance. The M5 offers a new 10-core GPU architecture with a Neural Accelerator in each core, which Apple says means it can provide “over 4x the peak GPU compute performance compared to M4”. How these gains will translate to the MacBook Air remains to be seen, as the MacBook Air is usually a little less powerful than the equivalent MacBook Pro due to cooling space constraints. We will soon be running tests on the M5 chip so will get more of a picture of what to expect. This article will keep track of what’s being reported and rumored about the upcoming MacBook Air, as well as offer a perspective based on Apple’s current lineup. M5 MacBook Air: Specs With the M4 MacBook Air, Apple upgraded the built-in camera to a 12MP Center Stage camera and the ports from Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 4. With all those recent changes in mind, the M5 MacBook Air doesn’t have much else that clearly needs an upgrade. So, the new MacBook Air will likely be little more than a processor refresh. We can paint a picture of what to expect based on the existing M4 MacBook Air and the new M5 MacBook Pro. As usual, the specs of the entry-level MacBook Air are likely to include a GPU with fewer cores, and the mid-range MacBook Air is likely to match the spec of the entry-level MacBook Pro, but with half the storage. That is one specification that we’d like to see change: the 256GB SSD is on the small side. However, considering how long it took for Apple to get rid of the 8GB RAM configuration, Apple may stick with the 256GB SSD base model for a couple more generations. All models will start with the 16GB RAM configuration, as has been the case since Apple introduced it mid-way through the M3 cycle (October 2024). So, expect the following: M5 with a 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 256GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, 256GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 M5 with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4 When we benchmark the M5 chip we will include that information here, but we expect gains on the M4 chip. There will also be build to order options for up to 32GB memory. It’s not known if the 4TB SSD option that is now available on the M5 MacBook Pro will be available, we don’t expect it to be though. In the U.K. and Europe Apple has left the power adapter out of the box, so it is likely that this will be the case for the MacBook Air when it launches. In July, AppleInsider reported that the code names for the new laptops are J813 (13-inch Air) and J815 (15-inch Air).  MacRumors reported in December 2025 that references to the M5 MacBook Air appeared in a set of leaked Apple files. M5 MacBook Air: Design No changes expected The current design for the MacBook Air was introduced in 2022. Since it’s only a few years old, we don’t expect it to change with the M5 release. With the M4 MacBook Air, Apple introduced a Sky Blue color to replace Space Gray, but it is unlikely that we will see any new colors for this generation. Apple introduced Sky Blue as a color option with the M4 MacBook Air.Eugen Wegmann M5 MacBook Air: Display The rumor mill has reported on plans for the company to implement OLED displays in its MacBooks, with the MacBook Pro getting the new display first, but that probably won’t happen until 2026. The MacBook Air could follow in 2027, but it’s also possible Apple will continue to offer the standard Liquid Retina display to keep the lines separate, as with the iPhone and iPad. M5 MacBook Air: Release date Expected in the first half of 2026 Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in March 2025 that Apple is working on the M5 MacBook Air, but did not mention when it would be ready. But we can guess based on the availability of the M5 series of chips, which are now available in the M5 iPad Pro and M5 MacBook Pro. A gap of a few months between the launch of the M5 MacBook Pro and M5 MacBook Air is likely, so we anticipate that we will see the M5 MacBook Air in the first half of 2026. The new MacBook Air could appear even sooner though: On September 28, 2025, Gurman reported that various M5 models were coming between “the end of the year and the first quarter of next year,” and he listed the M5 MacBook Air as well as the M5 MacBook Pro, both of which he said were “nearing mass production”. On October 16, Gurman reported that the M5 MacBook Air is scheduled for a spring 2026 release. M5 MacBook Air: Price We don’t expect the pricing to change, especially as the MacBook Pro pricing hasn’t changed. When it launched the M4 MacBook Air, Apple also cut the price of all models by $100, bringing the entry-level model down to $999. We haven’t read any reports about the pricing for the M5 MacBook Air. Apple will likely offer similar configurations to the M4, but it remains to be seen if the new lower prices will remain. The threat of tariffs by the U.S. government is a looming issue, which could affect prices. Apple could also keep the M4 around at $999 and start the M5 Airs at $1,099 like before. Here are the prices for the current standard configurations of the M4 MacBook Air. MacBook Air modelU.S.U.K.CanadaAustralia13in, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD$999£999$1,399$1,69913in, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD$1,199£1,199$1,699$1,99913in, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD$1,399£1,399$1,999$2,29915in, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD$1,199£1,199$1,699$2,09915in, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD$1,399£1,399$1,999$2,39915in, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD$1,599£1,599$2,299$2,699

Macworld 2026 Mac mini: In summary The current M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini were released in November 2024. A report states that Apple is planning an M5 update in 2026. No design changes are expected. With its November 2024 release, Apple drastically changed the Mac mini, reducing its overall size. The smallest Mac you could buy actually got even smaller. It also features new M4 and M4 Pro chips, making the Mac mini a mighty machine. In October 2025, Apple released the base M5 chip in the MacBook Pro, but it hasn’t introduced the M5 Pro chip yet. But now that the M5 chip is here, customers could be wondering if it’s going to make its way into the Mac mini soon. This article keeps track of the reports on the upcoming Mac mini. For information on what the upgrade will include and when it could be released, refer to this page. 2026 Mac mini: Release date Possible release in the first half of 2026 The Mac mini has had an erratic release history. Apple went through periods of updating the Mac mini annually and then decided to wait as long as four years. Switching from Intel to Apple Silicon didn’t create any consistency; the M1 Mac mini was around for three years before it got its M2 upgrade. The Mac mini skipped the M3 and got an M4 upgrade (and a redesign) in November 2024. Since laptops dominate Apple’s Mac sales, desktop Macs like the Mac mini won’t see consistent annual upgrades. And with recent reports of Apple doing some redesigns for its higher-end chips, it is possible that we could see the Mac mini with the Pro chip see longer upgrade cycles in the future. The M5 is out, however, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the M5 and M5 Pro Mac mini are on Apple’s product schedule for 2026. When in 2026 remains a question, though with the M6 expected in the second half of 2026, expect the M5 and M5 Pro Mac mini to be released in early spring or, at the latest, at WWDC26 in June 2026. 2026 Mac mini: Processor Expected to have M5 and M5 Pro Apple has yet to establish a consistent upgrade cycle with the Apple Silicon Mac mini. Apple released M1 and M2 versions but skipped the M3 and went with the M4. So, Apple isn’t afraid to skip a chip cycle with the Mac mini. But it looks like Apple isn’t going to skip the M5. Mark Gurman reported that Apple has the Mac mini on the 2026 release schedule with M5 and M5 Pro chips. MacRumors reported in December 2025 that references to the M5 and M5 Pro Mac mini appeared in a set of leaked Apple files. The new M5 chip may make its way into the Mac mini. Apple 2026 Mac mini: Specs 16GB RAM (M5); 24GB RAM (M5 Pro) Thunderbolt 4 (M5); Thunderbolt 5 (M5 Pro) Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3 With the M4 Mac mini, Apple increased the base RAM from 8GB (base M chip model) and 16GB (Pro M chip model) to 16GB and 24GB, respectively. That’s the standard configuration going forward, with user options to add more memory at the time of purchase. The M4 Mac mini has Thunderbolt 4, while the M4 Pro Mac mini has Thunderbolt 5. The recently released M5 chip has Thunderbolt 4, so that’s what will be in the M5 Mac mini. While specifications on the M5 Pro have not been reported, it will have Thunderbolt 5. The current Mac mini has Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3. This didn’t change with the M5 MacBook Pro, so it looks like Apple will not upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 with the M5 Mac mini. This also means that Apple might not use its N1 wireless networking chip, which made its debut with the iPhone 17. No reports have been made about changes to the inner workings of the Mac mini. New Mac mini: Design Mac mini redesign was introduced in 2024 Apple did a major redesign of the Mac mini in 2024, making it much smaller. This design will be in place for several years to come. It can’t really make it any smaller and still have it provide the features users need. No reports have been made on whether Apple will offer new colors. Expect the ports to remain the same on the new Mac mini.Foundry The port offerings are also expected to remain the same. The M4 Mac mini has: 2 front USB-C ports (supporting USB 3 at 10Gbps) Front 3.5mm audio jack 3 rear Thunderbolt ports HDMI port gigabit ethernet port (10Gb ethernet option available) New Mac mini: Price Here are the prices for the current standard base configurations of the 2024 Mac mini for reference: $599/£599/CA$799/AU$999 M4, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD $799/£799/CA$1,099/AU$1,299 M4, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD $999/£999/CA$1,399/AU$1,599 M4, 24GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD $1,399/£1,399/CA$1,999/AU$2,199 M4 Pro, 24GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Pricing for the new Mac mini has not been reported, though pricing could go up because of the U.S. tariffs situation–the components are made overseas. The prices may be adapted to more recent exchange rates elsewhere.

Macworld iPhone 17e: Summary A19 processor Possible new display with Dynamic Island Single rear camera MagSafe support Spring 2026 release Apple launched a new series of iPhones at the end of 2025: the iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max as well as a brand new iPhone Air, but there was no new iPhone 17e for those hoping for an update to the budget iPhone. This wasn’t a surprise: Apple released the iPhone 16e in February 2025 to replace the iPhone SE, so an update to the iPhone “e” series phones wasn’t expected to arrive until early 2026. If you’re considering buying an iPhone 17e, this is the place to keep up to date on its development. We’ll keep track of the latest reports and provide our analysis to help you decide if the iPhone 17e is the right phone for you. At a glance: What to expect from iPhone 17e 6.1-inch OLED display with Dynamic Island A19 chip Single 48MP back camera; 18MP front camera C1 cellular modem MagSafe support Black or white color options Like the iPhone 16e – and the iPhone Air – the iPhone 17e will likely have a single back camera.Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd iPhone 17e: Specs A19 with one fewer GPU than iPhone 17 MagSafe support C1X modem possible A December 2025 report in The Information claimed that Apple will add MagSafe support to the iPhone 17e, one of the features that is notably missing from the 16e. When we reviewed the 16e, the lack of MagSafe was one of its major shortcomings. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the iPhone 17e will have an A19 chip. If this is the case, it will be the same A19 chip as is used by the iPhone 17. There may still be a difference, though: Apple uses binned chips in the “e” series. The A18 in the iPhone 16e has one fewer GPU core than the A18 in the standard iPhone 16; the A19 in the iPhone 17e will likely have one fewer GPU core than the iPhone 17. In August 2025, a leaker named Digital Chat Station also reported that the iPhone 17e will have an A19 chip. Apple’s C1 modem first appeared in the iPhone 16e, and rumors suggest the iPhone 17e will use the same modem. However, it could take the newer C1X modem as found in the iPhone 17 series, which is apparently two times faster than the C1 while using 30% less energy. iPhone 17e: Display Might have Dynamic Island instead of notch. The iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch screen, which is larger than that of the iPhone 16 (6.1-inch). The iPhone 17e is not expected to get a bigger screen. It will likely sport a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, the same as the iPhone 16e. This was reported by Digital Chat Station in August, who also said that the display will have a Dynamic Island, which would be a change from the notch on the iPhone 16e. In December 2025, The Elec reported that BOE will provide OLED displays to Apple for the iPhone 17e. BOE also provided OLEDs for the iPhone 16e. Samsung Display and LG Display are expected to also provide 17e displays. The display, according to The Elec, will have thinner bezels than the 16e. The Elec said the 17e will start shipping early next year. iPhone 17e: Cameras 18MP front camera Single rear camera The iPhone 17e will likely continue to have a single 48MP camera on the back and a 12MP camera on the front, just like the iPhone 16e. This was reported by Digital Chat Station in August. However, the front-facing cameras across the iPhone 17 range have all been updated to 18MP, so it is possible that the iPhone 17e will see the same update to the selfie camera. If so, it will also include a square sensor capable of taking photos in any orientation without requiring the user to rotate the phone. The notch may be replaced by the Dynamic Island in the iPhone 17e.Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd iPhone 17e: Design & Colors Likely black and white options There have been no reports relating to the iPhone 17e’s colors. The iPhone 16e is available in black or white, and we expect the same for the iPhone 17e. No changes are expected for the design, although, as mentioned above, the new iPhone 17e could have a Digital Island instead of the notch at the top of the screen. iPhone 17e: Release date Expected to arrive in spring 2026 Like the SE, Apple started shipping the iPhone 16e in early 2025, several months after the rest of the iPhone 16 line. According to reports, the iPhone 17e has entered test production runs to prepare it for a spring 2026 release. A report stated that iPhone 16e sales are not doing as well as Apple would like. It’s not clear if this will affect the release of the iPhone 17e. iPhone 17e: Price Starting at $599 The iPhone 16e starts at $599, and Apple is expected to price the iPhone 17e at $599 as well, though no reports have been made so far. Tariffs and production cost increases may affect the price, but since the “e” series is considered Apple’s lowest-priced iPhone, the price would not exceed that of the iPhone 17, which starts at $799, and the iPhone 16, whose price has been reduced to start at $699.

Macworld As 2025 comes to a close, Macworld is proud to present our Apple awards, a look back at the best and worst of everything released over the past 12 months. It was a busy year for Apple, with new products across its entire range of products, including iPhone, iPad, AirPods, Mac, and even Vision Pro. So join us as we recognize the products that made the most impact in 2025: iPhone/iOS Emma Rowley / Foundry iPhone of the Year:  iPhone 17 The iPhone 17 isn’t just the best iPhone of 2025; it’s the best iPhone of the last five years. Apple finally stopped holding back features that should be table stakes for an $800 phone. You get double the storage, 120Hz ProMotion, 50 percent higher peak brightness, always-on display, better cameras, and speed and battery life that both exceed last year’s Pro model. All without raising the price. There’s never been a better year not to go Pro. — Jason Cross Apple iOS feature of the year:  Tackling Spam Call Screening will silently answer unknown numbers and ask them to say why they’re calling, and you can see it all right on screen. It’s a great way to eliminate spam calls without missing legit calls from numbers that just aren’t in your contacts. Couple that with new spam filtering in Messages, as well as in the Phone app and FaceTime, and Apple is finally doing something about one of the biggest pain points of using a smartphone. There’s still a long way to go, but since upgrading to iOS 26 and enabling these features, I’ve noticed a big drop in the number of times a day I pick up my phone only to immediately hang up on a solicitation message. — Jason Cross Britta O’Boyle Color of the Year: Cosmic Orange For the company that ostracized beige as the default color in computing when it launched the out-there Bondi Blue iMac in 1998, Apple has been rather tame in terms of its recent color choices. The iPhone 17 Pro’s Cosmic Orange is therefore a refreshing shock to the system and a vibrant return to form. Orange is no longer restricted to traffic cones and dodgy Seventies furniture. The Apple Store should hand out sunglasses for the crowds picking up the vibrant new iPhone and ignoring the dark blue one. There’s even a growing range of orange accessories available for the new phone. — Simon Jary Apple Oddity of the Year: iPhone Pocket Readers of a certain vintage who still fondly remember when Apple released a pair of socks for its iPod back in 2004, were rocked once again with the unexpected—and indeed unasked-for—iPhone Pocket, which the company described as “a singular 3D-knitted construction designed to fully enclose iPhone, while expanding to fit your everyday items”. Designed in conjunction with the Issey Miyake design studio famous for Steve Jobs’ trademark turtleneck, the iPhone Pocket comes in eight crazy colors, including Peacock, Sapphire, and Cinnamon. We all laughed until it sold out in mere minutes. — Simon Jary Foundry Flop of the Year: Liquid Glass Liquid Glass was Apple’s bold new, all-encompassing design language that radically changed the look of Apple’s software across all of the OS 26 software updates. Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design, tried to channel his inner Jony Ive by describing it as making “even the simplest of interactions more fun and magical.” We didn’t get that. Instead, Liquid Glass is the worst example of flamboyance over function, the opposite of Ive’s philosophy. — Simon Jary Mac/macOS Foundry Mac of the Year: M3 Ultra Mac Studio Overall, 2025 was a quiet year for Mac hardware, but one Mac made a sizable impact on Apple’s lineup. The Mac Studio was a bit of a surprise because its M3 Ultra chip was released out of sequence with  Apple’s usual cadence. Still, in the Mac Studio, it’s the fastest Mac available, leaving the M2 Ultra Mac Pro behind—way behind. At thousands less, it basically renders the Mac Pro irrelevant to everyone who doesn’t really need an expansion card. With its exnihilating CPU speed, powerful GPU performance, and robust expandability, the Mac Studio became King of the Macs in 2025. — Roman Loyola Den M5 gibt es bisher nur in der Basisversion, 2026 kommen dann der M5 Pro und M5 Max. Apple Chip of the Year: M5 To say, “Apple is on a roll,” undercuts how much momentum the company has with its chips. Apple silicon is downright killing it, and the M5 chip exemplifies why. Making its debut in the MacBook Pro, the M5 provides an ideal and unprecedented combination of processing speed, graphics power, and energy efficiency in a consumer-level chip. The M5 is so good that Apple felt that it could wait until next year to release the M5 Pro and Max variants. — Roman Loyola Foundry Disappointment of the Year: Mac Pro While every other Mac has some version of the M4 and the 14-inch MacBook Pro has an M5, Apple’s most expensive Mac still has the same M2 Ultra chip it got back in June 2023. Meanwhile, the Mac Studio with a superior M3 Ultra costs a couple of thousand dollars less, and I’m left to wonder: How can Apple charge upwards of $10,000 for a Mac with a two-plus-generation-old chip? There were plenty of opportunities to update the Mac Pro in 2025, but instead, Apple let it languish another year with the same aging processor. iPad/iPadOS Foundry iPad of the Year: iPad Pro M5 Apple updated three of its four iPads in 2025 (sorry iPad mini), but the M5 iPad Pro is really the only one that could be considered for this distinction. All three updates were essentially chip refreshes (A14 to A16 (iPad); M2 to M3 (iPad Air); M4 to M5 (iPad Pro), but only the iPad Pro delivered a noticeable boost over its predecessor. Add in 50 percent more entry-level RAM, faster Wi-Fi, and fast charging, and you’ve got an upgrade worthy of a pro. — Michael Simon Apple Update of the year: iPadOS 26 This year’s WWDC keynote was jam-packed with features, from Liquid Glass to Live Translation and revamped app designs. But the star of the show was iPadOS 26, which introduced a new interface that incorporated many of the visual and productivity elements users have wanted for years, with resizable windows, macOS-like multitasking, and a new lease on life. — Michael Simon Apple Watch David Price / Foundry Watch of the year: Apple Watch SE 3 Strictly speaking, the Series 11 was the best Apple Watch to come out this year (I find the Ultra models too bulky for everyday wear), but the SE 3 was without a doubt the one I’d recommend to a friend. It’s nearly as good and far better value. As part of the 2025 refresh, the SE gained an always-on display, a bigger and longer-lasting battery, improved scratch resistance, new health features and gestures, on-device Siri, and the option of 5G. And all that for $249! Forget the Series 11; this has everything you need from a smartwatch at an excellent price. — David Price Services Apple Apple TV show of the year: ‘Pluribus’ There’s something nerve-wracking about recommending a TV show in the middle of a run–particularly one as unpredictable as *Pluribus*. Who knows where it will go from here? But just six episodes into the debut season of this frequently funny, occasionally harrowing sci-fi drama, and even against strong competition from the second season of *Severance*, I feel (reasonably) confident naming this as the Apple TV show of the year. As you’d expect from a Vince Gilligan production, *Pluribus* flips seamlessly between slow-burn beauty and sudden shocking action, between grief and humor and mystery. And Rhea Seehorn is superb as the last unhappy woman in the world. Maybe it’ll go downhill at some point, but let’s enjoy the ride while it lasts — David Price Foundry Service of the year: News + Apple TV and Music may get all the attention, but Apple News+ came into its own in 2025. Apple’s daily puzzles had long revolved around somewhat pedestrian offerings, such as crosswords and Sudoku, but a completely original concept, Emoji Game, quickly became a unique and highly entertaining option for users seeking original concepts. And for those of us who have grown sick of the fluff and intrusive ads we come across when Googling recipes, Apple News+ added a new search function that lets you find recipes and view the ingredients and directions in a clutter-free interface. Neat, right? It gets better. You can directly set timers based on the stated durations and add the listed ingredients to your Reminders app. — Mahmoud Itani

Macworld Life might not be entirely paperless yet, but the truth is that the vast majority of our important documents, photos, videos and other files are all now digital. This is good, as it saves space in our homes and the money in our pockets. But this also means we can lose everything if a drive fails, becomes corrupted, or we accidentally delete data. This is a nightmare, especially if you don’t have a solid backup solution in place. So, what can be done to recover lost or deleted files from your Mac or iPhone?  Check your backups or cloud accounts With devices now being so heavily interconnected, you might find that the missing files are backed up in iCloud, Google Drive, Onedrive or any other cloud-based storage service you use. So, the first step is to look there. If that comes up empty, then checking to see if you have a Time Machine backup of your files is the next step. Should this be the case, then simply copy those files onto a new drive and you’ll be back to normal. If you can’t find the files, or your drive has crashed and taken the system with it, then it can feel a bit hopeless. That’s not where the story ends though, as professional recovery software can still provide a high probability of safely retrieving that precious data. Restoring lost or deleted date with professional recovery software You’ll find a wide range of recovery software available, but we recommend you go for one with a longstanding reputation and large user-base. Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac is an excellent option, as the company has been a specialist in the sector for 30 years, with the software downloaded over 130 million times. The simple and easy to use interface means that you don’t have to be a tech expert to find and restore your lost data. Simply tell it the type of files you’re looking for, scan the drive, preview the files to see if they’re the ones you’re after, then save them to a new location. It’s all done in a few clicks. You can even pause the process at any time, so your Mac isn’t tied up with the search for the lost data. Stellar Don’t let the simplicity fool you though, as Stellar Data Recovery is incredibly powerful and can rescue data from a wide range of problems. Whether it’s been deleted accidentally or wiped out when a drive was formatted, the software has a 98.6% recovery rate, meaning there’s an excellent chance you’ll get it back. It also works with crashed and unbootable systems, corrupted hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks, SD cards, Bootcamp partitions, Time Machine backups and encrypted drives. So, no matter the media, your data could still be found. Stellar Data Recovery can be used to find a huge selection of file types, such as documents, photos, videos, emails, ZIP files and others, plus there’s also versions for iPhone, Android and Windows if you have a cross-platform set-up. Get your data back with Stellar Data Recovery You can sign up for a free trial of Stellar Data Recovery today, which will scan your system and show you which data is recoverable. Then, if you’re able to get back the files you need, Stellar Data Recovery Professional has all the tools you need for only £89.99/$89.99. That’s a lifetime purchase too, so you won’t need to worry about a subscription. Try out Stellar Data Recovery Professional today! Data disappearing can be annoying at best, catastrophic at worst. Don’t lose heart though, with professional recovery software all is not lost.

Macworld Even the most loyal Mac users recognize that Windows still rules the roost in the world of desktop and laptop computers, and there are many important apps that only run on Windows. For example, the Windows version of Microsoft Office includes the Access database that has never been available for the Mac, and there are many professional graphics and video tools that are Windows-only. And, of course, there are all those A-List games that have never even glanced in the direction of us poor, forgotten Mac gamers. If you need to run Windows software or games on your Macs then this article will reveal the best way to do so. Read on to discover the best options for running Windows, and Windows apps, on your Mac. You may also like to read our guide to How to install Windows and run Windows apps on a Mac (M-series models). We also cover how to run Windows on an Intel Mac separately. Best Virtual Machine for Mac 2026: Best VMs to run Windows on a Mac Read on for the best virtual machines for Mac. Our top choice is Parallels, but we also consider VMware and alternative options, including emulators that let you run Windows apps on a Mac without even installing Windows to Microsoft’s Windows 365 service. At a Glance Best VM Comparison ToolBest ForPriceApple Silicon SupportParallels DesktopBest overallPaidYesVMware FusionFree personal useFreeYesCrossOverWindows apps w/o WindowsPaidYesUTMGood budget optionFree/$9.99Yes 1. Parallels Desktop: Best VM software for Mac Pros Frequent updates and new features. Good performance on multi-core Apple chips. Slick, easy-to-use interface. Ability to run x86 Windows on M-series Macs. Cons Most editions require a subscription. Virtual machines require a lot of memory and processor power. Windows On ARM is expensive. Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Macworld Software Store $79.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Parallels Desktop allows you to create a virtual machine on your Mac. The software simulates the physical hardware of a Windows PC and lets you run Windows on your Mac.   One of the benefits is Parallels Desktop allows you to run Mac and Windows apps side by side, without having to reboot to switch between the operating systems. With Parallels you can keep Windows and macOS completely separate or you can use Coherence mode to fully integrate your Windows apps on your Mac–you can even add them to your Dock. Parallels also offers a Rollback mode, which is useful for experimenting developers. Nothing is saved, so when you restart the computer the VM will return to it’s original state.  Parallels makes installing Windows really easy. Since Parallels Desktop version 18 it has been possible to download and buy the ARM version of Windows 11 within Parallels. You do need to buy a license for the ARM version of Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise (unfortunately, the cheaper Home edition isn’t supported). If it’s the old x86 version of Windows you want then Parallels has been working to support this on M-series Macs. The 20.2.0 update in January 2025 introduced the limited ability to create virtual machines (VMs) that run certain versions of Windows that were written for Intel processors (sometimes known as ‘x86_64’, referring to 64-bit software written for Intel’s x86 processors). It’s important to note, though, that there are some major limitations such as a lack of sound and assigning a maximum of 8GB memory to each VM. It’s also slow. But that’s only going to apply to you if you are running an Intel version on an M-series Mac. Parallels Desktop has a regular update cycle that tends to coincide with Apple’s big macOS updates. Parallels Desktop was updated in September 2025, bringing support for macOS Tahoe and it’s new features. Parallels Desktop 26 includes technical updates that allow it to run smoothly with the new system for handling background processes that has been introduced with macOS 26. It’s also compatible with the latest Windows 11 25H2. A number of new AI-specific features aimed at developers were introduced with the September 2024 update (Parallels Desktop 20). A ‘Parallels AI Package’ allows developers to create a new virtual machine with a pre-installed set of AI tools and features, including the ability to control Parallels Desktop using plain language commands (more info here).   Read our full Parallels Desktop for Mac review 2. VMware Fusion – Free Mac VM (for personal use) Pros Fusion allows you to use it for free if it’s for personal, home and student use. Cons VMware doesn’t update Fusion as regularly as Parallels is updated. For many years, VMware Fusion was in lock-step with Parallels Desktop, with the two rivals releasing regular updates and competing for the top spot in the Mac virtualization market. In recent years, though, VMware seems to have taken its foot off the pedal and has allowed Fusion to fall behind a bit (in fact, you actually have to dig around quite a bit simply to find Fusion on the VMware website these days). When Fusion version 13 arrived in November 2022, it brought support for ARM virtualization on Apple’s M1 and M2-series chips. As is the case with Parallels Desktop, you can only run the Arm version of Windows on M-series Macs. Unfortunately, installing the Arm version of Windows via VMware isn’t as simple as it is with Parallels, VMware told us that it’s up to the user to buy a license from Microsoft (which is a challenge due to it not being available to individual users). Version 13.5 arrived in October 2023 and with it much needed support for DirectX 11 3D graphics and an easier way to install Windows 11 on Arm via a “Get Windows” button. VMware Fusion 13.6 arrived in September 2024 and brought vmcli command line support and new guest operating system support. With the arrival of Fusion 12 in 2020, VMware started to offer a free version of the program – called Fusion Player – for personal use only, for home users and students. It’s since changed this strategy and is offering the Fusion Pro for free as long as it is for personal use. You’ll need to register for a VMware account, but Fusion Pro is free to download here. While Fusion hasn’t kept up to date with the latest developments in Mac hardware and software, the availability of the free version of Fusion Pro still makes it a great option for home users and students who occasionally need to run Windows apps or games on their Intel Macs. Read our full VMware Fusion review 3. Codeweavers CrossOver: Best for running Windows apps without Windows Pros 14-day trial Doesn’t require a full version of Windows Improved interface and ease of use Regular updates, good technical support Cons Some Windows apps aren’t compatible Can be complicated to use Requires Rosetta on Apple Silicon CrossOver is based on WINE (see below), and uses a similar compatibility layer to allow Windows apps to run on the Mac without requiring a full version of Windows to be installed as well (you need to buy a copy of Windows for use with virtualization programs such as Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion). Although WINE is a free, open-source program, it’s complicated to use. In contrast, Codeweavers have developed CrossOver as a user-friendly alternative. A copy of CrossOver with a year of technical support is $74/£60, or you can pay $494/£414 for lifetime support. There is a 14-day free trial available. With CrossOver you install Windows apps in Bottles, which are self-contained files that can be launched and run on your Mac without requiring a full copy of Windows. You can create lots of different bottles for different apps, and bottles can even be configured to provide compatibility with different versions of Windows. This is useful as it allows you to create bottles that are suitable for older games and software that might require a particular version of Windows in order to run pr

Macworld Is your Mac slowing down, frequently freezing, regularly running out of RAM or just not behaving like it used to? Are you short of space on your Mac? Have you spotted the immense amount of room taken up by System Data and are now looking for a safe way to delete some of that data? What you need is a Mac cleaner app that will delete the clutter and digital debris from your system and free your RAM from memory hogs. How to choose the best Mac Cleaner Choosing the best Mac cleaner comes down to your needs, budget, and comfort level with system tools. Some users simply want to reclaim disk space, while others are looking for deeper performance optimization, malware protection, or powerful uninstall features. If your goal is a quick, inexpensive way to free up space, perhaps to install the latest version of macOS, a simple, low-cost option may be all you need. But if you want more than just storage cleanup, including memory management, system diagnostics, and virus checks, there are several fully featured tools worth considering below. Later in this article we discuss how we test Mac cleaning software and run through a checklist of things you should do before running a Mac cleaner. We also answer various questions about using a Mac cleaner. PROMOTIONMake Your Mac Fly with CleanMyMac CleanMyMac is the ultimate solution for a faster and cleaner Mac. It smartly identifies and removes junk, deletes unnecessary files, optimizes performance, and protects your Mac machine against common threats. Unleash your Mac’s full potential and enjoy a smoother experience with CleanMyMac. Try 7 days Free Best Mac Cleaner 2025 We like MacPaw’s CleanMyMac because there is the choice of a yearly subscription or a one time purchase price if you think you might want to keep it for the long haul. It’s also one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly Mac cleaners. Since our original roundup, CleanMyMac has added new features including a redesigned UI and expanded cleanup tools for cloud storage in 2025. Another option we really like is Parallels Toolbox which offers a bundle of handy tools for just about everything. There are also some cheaper options including Cleaner One Pro and Nektony’s App Cleaner & Uninstaller and free options such as Onyx and CCleaner. Ultimately, the best cleaner is one that fits your budget and requirements. For a comprehensive, all-in-one solution, CleanMyMac is a top contender, while Cleaner One Pro offers great value. For those who want deep, technical control, MacCleaner Pro is a strong choice. Below you can read about the Mac Cleaners we have reviewed. Read on to find out why we rate these options so highly. 1. MacPaw CleanMyMac – The most comprehensive Mac cleaner Pros Improved interface and ease of use Wide range of cleaning tools Subscription or one-time purchase Cons Limited malware features Some technical knowledge still needed Best Prices Today: Retailer Price MacPaw (first year, 1 device) $47.40 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Why we like MacPaw CleanMyMac: This is consistently rated as one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly Mac cleaners. It simplifies the process of finding and removing junk files and offers a wide range of tools grouped into categories like Cleanup, Protection, Performance, Applications, and My Clutter. Few cleanup apps are as comprehensive as CleanMyMac from MacPaw, which was updated to version 5.0 (and dropped the X from its name) in 2024. Version 5.0 brought a redesigned interface that simplifies things by displaying the results of its scans as a series of tiles that give you a quick summary of each scan.  2025 updates to CleanMyMac introduced a bunch of new features and a change to the pricing structure, with a cheaper Basic version and a more expensive Plus version offered. The Basic version offers a limited set of features for less technically inclined users, while the Plus version offers the full range of features. CleanMyMac’s tools fall into five main categories that focus on different tasks: Cleanup, Protection, Performance, Applications and My Clutter. A new Smart Care feature gives your Mac a quick check-up and summarises the result of its scans for all five categories. The Cleanup tools focus on deleting junk. The Protection tools can scan for malware, detecting and quarantining threats. CleanMyMac isn’t a dedicated antivirus program like those featured in our Best Antivirus for Mac round-up, but it’s a nice addition. The Performance tools help with routine maintenance, such as clearing out DNS cache, or re-indexing Spotlight and Mail to speed up search results. Version 5.0.5 added a new option Purgeable Space, which scans your entire hard drive for old files, cache files, or temporary files and downloads that you can delete to save space. The Applications tools help you delete unwanted applications and left over installation files.  My Clutter can scan either individual folders or your entire Mac drive to locate old files. Version 5 added the ability to identify duplicate files, or photos that look very similar, so that you can delete them. There are also diagnostic tools, including the ability to identify apps that are using a lot of battery power. In version 5.1 the Space Lens was revamped to provide a visual guide to the use of storage on your Mac, but this feature only comes with the Plus version of the app. A Cloud Cleanup feature arrived in version 5.2.1 (also only available with the Plus version). This allows you to use CleanMyMac to scan your cloud storage on iCloud Drive, Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. You can buy CleanMyMac from MacPaw’s own website, or from the Mac App Store, although the version sold on the Mac App Store omits a few features. You can choose from an annual subscription, or you can buy it for a one-time fee. It’s not the cheapest cleanup app, but it provides dozens of different tools for deleting old files and data.  There’s a free version available to download and a free trial version available on MacPaw’s website, but it restricts the app to only remove files up to a maximum of 500MB – and in the middle of deleting files it will demand you pay the license fee for the app. You can download that limited version and scan your Mac to see just now much space you can save before committing to buying the app. MacPaw is running a 30% discount for students – submit your university email address and receive a download code here.  You can get CleanMyMac here. Read our full CleanMyMac review 2. Parallels Toolbox – Everything you need in one app Pros Full suite of Mac tools including excellent cleaners Fully featured free trial Cons May be more than you require Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Parallels (1 year, 1 Mac) $24.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Why we like Parallels Toolbox: This is a great option if you need a Mac cleaner because it bundles several dedicated utilities designed to reclaim disk space, manage memory, and remove unwanted files and applications. It offers a suite of over 50 tools, with specific functions focused on system maintenance and optimization. Parallels Toolbox offers more than 50 tools and among them are some real gems like the Clipboard History and video download tools, but in this round up of Mac Cleaners, we are most interested in the tools to free memory and the drive cleaner, among other utilities. Mac cleaning tools provided in Parallels Toolbox include Clean Drive, Uninstall Apps, Find Duplicates, and Free Memory. The Clean Drive tool can locate unnecessary files that are taking up space on your Mac, and also find duplicate files that you may no longer need. It offers easy notifications and access as to what’s eating drive space (i.e., log files, cache files, trash, browser data, mail cache, mobile apps, iTunes temp files, iOS device backups, and old updates) and offers a nice level of control as to clearing them out. Clean Drive also offers quick access to the

Macworld It was a big year for Apple software and services. We talk about Liquid Glass, Apple Intelligence, Apple TV, and the other services and software that shaped the company’s year. This is episode 963 with Michael Simon, Jason Cross,  and Roman Loyola. Watch episode 963 on YouTube Listen to episode 963 on Apple Podcasts Listen to episode 963 on Spotify Get info Click on the links below for more info on what was discussed on the show. Code leak reveals A19 iPad, M4 Air with Apple’s N1 chip likely coming soon Leaked code spills details of mystery Apple smart home accessory Internal Apple code hints improved Siri will land next spring with ‘HomePad’ hub Apple’s next HomePod mini and AirTag upgrades surface in leaked internal code iOS 26 superguide Can’t read notifications in iOS 26? Here’s how to reduce the Liquid Glass effect macOS 26 Tahoe superguide How to reduce the Liquid Glass transparency effect in macOS Tahoe iPadOS 26 superguide watchOS 26 superguide This Week in Apple History  On December 21, 1994, Bungie Software released Marathon, a first-person shooter exclusively for the Mac. The original Marathon game trilogy is now an open-source project and is available to download for free on the Mac, as well as Windows and Linux. Check it out on the Aleph One Marathon Open Source website.  iPhone versions are available in the App Store. A modern-day Marathon is in the works, but it does not include Mac development.  Macworld Mailbag All we seem to hear about nowadays is AI and how it’s going to make life easy. But will it? Do we really need Al in our life? We don’t trust the experts and human skills anymore? Ozzy Ruiz via YouTube Subscribe to the Macworld Podcast You can subscribe to the Macworld Podcast—or leave us a review!—right here in the Podcasts app. The Macworld Podcast is also available on Spotify and on the Macworld Podcast YouTube channel.  Or you can point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader at: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/macworld To find previous episodes, visit Macworld’s podcast page or our home on MegaPhone. Apple Below is an AI-generated, uncorrected transcript of the podcast. The timecodes do not correspond to the published recording. Also, the text has not been edited or corrected, so it will contain improper grammar, misspellings, and other errors. Roman Loyola (00:00.316)we are recording. Michael Simon (00:12.534)Unscripted, unfiltered, unafraid, welcome to the Macworld podcast. I’m Michael Simon and I’m joined as always by Jason Cross. Jason Cross (00:20.123)Good morning. Michael Simon (00:21.484)and our producer Roman Loyola. Roman Loyola (00:23.819)Ahoy there! Michael Simon (00:25.876)Hold on. lost my tab. Okay. There we go. this is episode number 963. Do I have the right script here? look, I, so I said it’s unscripted, but I totally write a script for the beginning. Cause if I know it, I’m never going to be able to get, to get to like the part of the show, right? Mostly. so yeah, this is, we, we’ve reached nearly the end of 2025. So our last two shows are going to focus on Apple in 2025. You’re in review type stuff. Roman Loyola (00:31.819)three. Jason Cross (00:40.322)Mostly unscripted. Michael Simon (00:55.608)This one’s software and services and next week, which we’re also recording today. So we’re going to be probably a little bit tired after this one is going to be all about hardware. And, you know, we’ll go through what we got, what we didn’t get, what we liked, what we didn’t like, what it means all, you know, whatever, wherever the conversation takes us. But today is going to be software and, services, which is, you know, mainly Apple TV, but probably some, little, a few other things, maybe, then we’ll have a special year-end edition of what we’re watching on Apple TV this week in Apple history, which I’m actually somewhat excited about because I don’t even really know what Roman’s talking about and our reader mailbag Speaking of that you can contact us through. Roman Loyola (01:39.511)That’s not the first time somebody said they didn’t know what I was talking about. Michael Simon (01:44.174)I mean, it’s not you personally, it’s the thing, the thing that you’re talking about. other, not knowing what you’re talking about is a whole separate issue. If you want to talk to us, you can contact us through blue sky, Facebook threads, search for Mac world, look for the blue mouse logo, send an email to podcast.macworld.com, comment under a video, comment under a TikTok or real or wherever you find us Facebook. we, we scour all that stuff and we will talk about the most interesting and, don’t know, exciting comments in a future show. Cause it won’t be next week. All right, Roman, three minutes I got, this is actually Apple, Macworld related anyway. I just wanted to give a shout out to our contributor, Felipe Esposito last week. so he got, he, I’m, I’m kind of learning about all this stuff as well. He got access to a like an early build of iOS 26. He said it was actually, it was so early, it was actually called iOS 19. And so inside those, like, you know, we see the fancy stuff that’s all, you know, the code creates. Underneath that is a whole mess of text that to most people is, you know, just gibberish, but he knows enough about it where he can go through it and find what he calls feature flags and references to like code numbers, which pertain to product, which pertain to processors. And he’s able to kind of pour all over that. And he, you know, wrote a bunch of stories last week about products that Apple hasn’t released that are in development, AirTags, HomePod mini, Studio Display. There was some iPad stuff, some iOS 26 features that we haven’t gotten because Apple hasn’t really announced anything beyond what we have. And, I don’t know, I just found it really interesting. For one, it’s nice to break stuff, but for two, it’s just kind of fascinating how this whole thing works and how he’s able to dig up these scoops based on code. Jason Cross (03:55.717)Yeah, some of the, from, from what I have read, and I didn’t get this from Philippe, but, is that somebody got a hold of an internal development device that from, from the spring, just a month or two before WWDC, they apparently changed the name to iOS 26, really last minute. but, they got a hold of that device and then they just made the software that was on it like public. to people. They like released it. I don’t know where a torrent a dark web. I don’t know. But but then, you know, once you load that on a device, you can go through it. Like you said, there are most of the code is compiled code, but there are there are lots of sort of configuration files and reference files and scripts and stuff like that that are in plain text, but they just reference API names and stuff like that, you know, framework features. Michael Simon (04:23.363)Right. Jason Cross (04:52.803)And stuff and so you can just kind of pour like you said, you can go through that if you know what these things are and go, well, we haven’t seen that flag before. We’ve never seen the name for that API feature and all those sorts of things go through and find out what all those things are. And it was fascinating. A lot of this is stuff that had been rumored before, but there was never any evidence, right? It was just like some. Michael Simon (05:01.155)Right. Michael Simon (05:12.664)Mm-hmm. Jason Cross (05:16.687)Mark Erman or somebody else said, hey, they’re working on a new studio display. It’s nice to go through and say like, no, it’s got a reference number and it references like the resolution set of supports and the refresh rates of supports and stuff like that. It’s got the promotion flag. Now we have evidence that not only does this exist, but like what its features are. It’s really cool. Michael Simon (05:18.006)Great. Michael Simon (05:31.864)Right. Michael Simon (05:36.322)Right, yeah, it’s all fascinating stuff. Again, this was months ago, so we don’t know if it’s actually going to come out, when it’s going to come out. It’s just stuff that Apple was working on. But it’s just kind of like a peek behind the curtain of what Apple was working on. And Jason’s right. It was on a pre-production iPhone that, yes, somebody, either an employee or an ex-employee or a friend of an ex-employee, I don’t know, somehow generated on some server. Jason Cross (06:02.448)Right, yeah. Michael Simon (06:09.01)So Roman, you can put a bunch of those links in the show notes. There’s a whole bunch of stories. He wrote, I don’t know, six, seven or six or seven or something. Just kind of going through, breaking out things. And based on that, know, 2026 is some interesting stuff coming out. Most notably that new Siri, you know, since we’re talking about software today. Finally, maybe, hopefully, the Siri that was promised in 2024, June of 2024 is when we first heard about it. Jason Cross (06:30.651)You Michael Simon (06:37.223)finally maybe hopefully going to get it in like March of next year. Jason Cross (06:42.085)Yeah, we don’t want to talk too much about next year because we will have a whole entire podcast previewing 2026. but that’s, that’s a decent enough segue that the year kind of started out, but we’re talking about software and services. The year kind of started out really flat because the first, you know, a first iOS release is always in September. It’s got a couple more. Michael Simon (06:47.982)That’s right. Michael Simon (06:53.858)Right. Right. Jason Cross (07:09.893)follow on releases where they release a couple of little features and stuff. And then there’s usually a spring update that’s bigger. we, last year, last year’s WWDC, June, like you said, June, 2024, they announced all this series stuff. They said it’s coming in an up

Macworld TL;DR: A lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2024 Home is only $119.97 (MSRP $149.99) through Dec. 21, giving you powerful, modern productivity apps without a subscription. Sometimes you do need the latest and greatest—and Microsoft Office 2024 Home fits that definition perfectly. It’s built for the way we actually work today: faster pace, more collaboration, and more AI helping us along the way. And because it’s available for just $119.97 through Dec. 21, this is one of the easiest upgrades to justify before the year wraps. Office 2024 Home includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, redesigned with a cleaner interface and smarter tools. The updated Ribbon surfaces what you need when you need it, accessibility features jump in with real-time feedback, and the Quick Access Toolbar keeps your favorite commands front and center. Collaboration gets a big glow-up, too. You’ll see real-time edits, built-in commenting, chat, and version history—perfect for families, students, or projects. And then there’s the AI boost: features that help summarize content, suggest text, analyze data, and even generate design ideas. If you want to head into the new year with the freshest productivity tools—and without paying subscription-model prices—this offer is a solid win. Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2024 Home for PC or Mac for only $119.97 (MSRP $149.99) through Dec. 21. Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time PurchaseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld Listen, AirTags are absolutely awesome, but they do lack one feature that we see on other Bluetooth trackers, and that’s a way to easily hook them up to keychains on their own. Therefore, you have to buy various accessories to make that work, and some of the ones Apple sells can be as costly as an AirTag itself. That’s where today’s deal comes into play. Amazon’s Woot is selling a pair of Apple’s leather AirTag key rings for just $25, a heavy 64 percent discount on its usual $70 price. You can also grab s single holder for $15. These leather key rings are crafted with care, snuggly fitting over the AirTag, while the stainless steel ring can attach to a zipper in your backpack or to your actual keys. Need more AirTags? It just so happens that a four-pack of AirTags is also on sale for $70 over at Amazon, a savings of $30 a just a few dollars off their all-time low. Once paired with your iPhone, you can use AirTags to easily track lost items in the Find My app, whether they’re close by (by making a sound) or around the world (by using Apple’s global Find My network). Apple stopped making leather accessories when it introduced its FineWoven line of accessories, so once these are gone, they won’t be coming back. So go ahead and grab one (or two) of these Apple AirTag leather key rings for up to 64 percent off before the deal runs out. Buy now at Woot

Macworld When Apple launched the iPhone 17 lineup in September, it was clear that its strategy had shifted. While there were still four models, the introduction of the iPhone Air signaled the start of a three-year expansion of the iPhone lineup, with new models, a new release schedule, and a dramatic new path for Apple’s biggest product. Just this week, a report from The Information, which has been extremely accurate in the past when it comes to Apple rumors, outlined what it expects from the iPhone lineup through 2027. Here are the highlights: iPhone 17e: After launching the somewhat disappointing iPhone 16e in March with a notch, one camera, no MagSafe, and a $599 price tag, Apple will reportedly ship the iPhone 17e in the spring with MagSafe support, according to The Information. Other rumors have said it could get a Dynamic Island along with the A19 processor. iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max: At its usual September iPhone event, Apple will unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with two big camera changes, according to The Information: a left-aligned selfie camera and “a new camera image sensor that can capture more light at night while preventing washed-out photos during the day.” That sounds like the same mechanical aperture that was rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro was delayed a year.  iPhone Fold: Overshadowing the iPhone 18 Pro at the September event will be the launch of Apple’s first folding phone. The Information reports that it will have a 5.3-inch outside display and a 7.7-inch, landscape display when opened. This is somewhat in line with previous rumors, though The Information leans heavier into the widescreen aspect. iPhone 18/18e: Rather than its usual spring launch, Apple is expected to shift the iPhone 18 to the spring, with a launch alongside the 18e. We don’t have much information about either model. iPhone Air 2: While the iPhone Air’s debut made headlines at Apple’s September iPhone event, the second-gen will reportedly skip next year’s fall event and instead arrive in spring 2027 with the iPhone 18 and 18e. That could come with a price cut, according to The Information, as well as a possible second camera. iPhone XX: In fall 2027, Apple will reportedly unveil the 20th anniversary iPhone XX (or 20), some two decades after the original iPhone debuted at Macworld Expo San Francisco. According to The Information, the design will be radically different than any other iPhone, with curved glass on all four sides and “a narrow metal band running around the midpoint of the device’s edge, where the buttons sit.”  Plus, Apple will likely launch the iPhone 19 and 19 Pro as well as the iPhone Fold 2 alongside the 20th anniversary model, so we could get more than 10 new iPhone models over the next 24 months. @macworld.com Will you buy it? #iphonefold ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld

Macworld How we test Mac Antivirus To thoroughly test Mac antivirus software, we combine hands-on evaluation with data from independent security labs. We assess malware detection, usability, performance, and value for money. We start with a clean macOS installation and download known malicious software and visit malicious websites to evaluate protection against online and offline threats. We then assess performance impact and user experience. We also evaluate the usefulness and accessibility of the software’s tools, including VPNs, password managers, firewalls, and parental controls. Finally, we look at how well the software detects and deals with Windows viruses and other types of malware. Updated December 17, 2025: This article is regularly updated and we aim to assess each suite on a yearly basis or when new features are launched. It wasn’t so long ago that many users believed Macs didn’t need security software. Not only was the platform thought to be inherently secure by design, but the vast majority of computer users were running Windows, so that was where the money was for malware writers. Several high-profile attacks and a surge in popularity later, and now even Apple acknowledges macOS is a target, building in security tools like XProtect and Gatekeeper for basic protection from known Mac malware. Trouble is, it’s really not the known threats that keep us awake at night, and the dangers are not limited to malware. The most dangerous digital security threats are the ones we don’t see coming – those are the ones that will be successful in stealing our data, our privacy, our identity, and our money. See our top pick in Mac antivirus softwareView Intego Mac Internet Security X9 Investing in a decent security suite for Mac is a smart move, adding an extra layer of protection and being safe rather than sorry. We tested Apple’s own solution against a raft of malware and although it did an OK job keeping us safe, we proved that there were times when a questionable application could be installed without warning. A good analogy is to think of XProtect as the lock on your Mac’s front door, while paid antivirus is its alarm system and security cameras. With virus – also adware, spyware, trojan, and ransomware – definitions updated several times a day (far more frequently than Apple’s offering), you get real-time protection from all new and emerging threats. In our tests of Apple’s malware-protections, our only option was to wipe our Mac and return to the back up we made before the reckless behavior – and hope we hadn’t passed anything on. Apple doesn’t offer customer support or virus removal guarantees when the worst happens, nor does it protect you from cross-platform threats across all your devices. With paid antivirus software you get all this, plus more: extra features might include web and phishing protection, software updaters to patch vulnerabilities, VPNs, password managers, parental controls, secure cloud storage and backup, and dark web monitoring. Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your Apple computer from digital threats. We thoroughly test all Mac antivirus products for usability and functionality, and consult independent lab data to determine which is the most reliable and trustworthy security product for your Mac. No-one is better placed to guide you on which antivirus to choose for your Mac than Macworld, the leading authority on Mac products and products built for Mac. Best antivirus for Mac reviewed and ranked Jump straight to a Mac antivirus product for more details: Intego Mac Internet Security X9 – Best value security tool for a single Mac Norton 360 – Best all-round, multi-platform security suite Surfshark One – Best for privacy, and unlimited device protection Avast Premium Security – Best for AI-powered Mac security AVG Internet Security for Mac – Best for trialing Mac antivirus 1. Intego Mac Internet Security X9 – Best antivirus for Mac users Pros Built for Mac with simplicity in mind Easy to set up and customize Solid malware protection Cons Mac only Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Intego $24.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Intego Mac Internet Security X9 is our top pick for Mac antivirus software. It is approved by independent testing labs AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, offering solid antivirus and firewall protection. In November SE Labs gave Intego Mac Internet Security a highly commendable 98% protection accuracy rating. As the only antivirus in this round-up to be built from the ground-up for Mac, it has a simplicity about it that Apple users will appreciate. We love how easy this no-fuss Mac antivirus is to set up and use, with deep customization options, and no pushy upsells. If you have just the one Mac you wish to protect, Intego is an extremely effective security product – and also the cheapest paid option here. Who’s it for? Intego is for Mac users who want simple, but effective security, and are looking to gain peace of mind without diving into system-level configuration gymnastics. Intego’s VirusBarrier is ideal for users who have a single Mac or MacBook to protect, while NetBarrier lets them quickly and easily set up profiles for home, work or public connections. Why we picked it Intego’s Mac Internet Security X9 is a strong choice for Mac antivirus software for several key reasons. Intego offers protection specifically for macOS, this means its robust feature set is tailored to the Mac. While some rivals offer more features those apps can feel like they are a cut-back PC app running on the Mac. Only Intego offers such an easy-to-use set of security utilities for Mac users. Further considerations The basic package includes the company’s VirusBarrier real-time antivirus and NetBarrier firewall, along with anti-phishing protection. If you need additional features, the Premium Bundle adds parental controls so you can monitor internet time and block inappropriate content, optimization utilities for reducing file clutter and improving system performance, organizational tools for putting your most frequently used files at your fingertips and neatly arranging your desktop and dock, plus backup. A VPN is also available as an add-on. Because Intego is a Mac-only security suite, it isn’t suitable for users who also want to protect their iPhone or iPad, Windows PC or Android device. Most alternative antivirus products offer cross-platform protection. If unbeatable malware protection is your only concern, there are better alternatives to Intego. In September 2024, AV-Test awarded Intego a rating of 5 (out of 6) for Protection, 6 for Speed, and 6 for Usability. Then, in June 2025, AV-Comparatives rated it 97.1% for Mac malware protection, 97% for protection from potentially unwanted applications, and 100% for Windows malware detection. All four of the alternative Mac antivirus programs listed below scored a 6 for Protection from AV-Test, plus 100% for Mac malware protection and the maximum possible 99% for protection from potentially unwanted programs from AV-Comparatives. Use our link to get the best deal on Intego Mac Internet Security X9 and Mac Premium Bundle. Read our full Intego Mac Internet Security X9 review 2. Norton 360 – Best all-round, multi-platform security suite Pros Virus Protection Promise Instant reassurance for scams Includes Norton’s VPN and Password Manager Cons Some features Windows only Norton is a name with which most readers will be familiar, which is important for a tool that’s going to be responsible for your digital security. Norton’s Virus Protection Promise means you’ll get your money back if it can’t remove a virus from your Mac. Including VPN, a password manager, Deepfake protection, and antivirus, antimalware, ransomware and hacking protection, it has a more complete feature set than many of the Mac antivirus offerings here – without the high price tag to match. Norton 360 appeals for its top marks across both AV-Comparatives and AV-Test’s June 2025 benchmarks, delivering on malware protection, performance, and usability. A new feature that moves Norton up our ranking here is AI-powered Genie Scam Protection. The Genie Scam Assistant is available around the clock to answer your security questions, and can provide instant reassurance for dodgy-looking emails and texts. Who’s it for? The standard Norton 360 package is well suited to security-minded individuals who need a solution to cover all angles, and

Macworld A new report from The Information has information that, if true, will represent a huge shift in the iPhone’s iconic look. We’ve been through bezels, notches, and Dynamic Islands, but the iPhone’s front camera has always been located more or less in the center of the phone – often just to the side of the top earpiece. According to the report from Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu, Apple is going to put the Face ID sensors under the display on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. This will reduce the entire front cutout to a simple punch-hole for the camera, which Apple will then move to the upper-left corner of the display. It is unclear with this will mean for the Dynamic Island software features. Will the iPhone 18 Pro simply not have them? Will they appear in the center of the screen when needed, and disappear when not? Will they move over to the corner, where the small circular cutout for the front camera will be? The report says that, otherwise, the iPhone 18 Pro models will look very much like the iPhone 17 Pro. So expect the same rear camera arrangement and wide “plateau” on the back. The report also corroborates earlier rumors that at least one iPhone 18 Pro model will have a camera with a mechanical aperture. This will allow Apple to use a larger sensor that has better low-light performance, while closing the aperture in bright light to prevent the image from being overexposed. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in September of 2026, along with a new folding iPhone and perhaps a second-generation iPhone Air. The standard iPhone 18, however, has been rumored to be released in the spring of 2027, a significant change form Apple’s usual release cadence.

Macworld I may be a GenXer, but I’ve spent a lot of time with GenZers as a mentor, a teacher at a local college, and most importantly, as a dad. I also test a lot of iPhone accessories, so I’ve always got an eye out for something my kids will love—you know, something practical but still cool. Even if you’re not a twentysomething e-girl, you can still appreciate the Gen Z flair for bright and basic accessories. The gadgets I’ve picked out here all speak GenZ’s language loud and clear. They eschew the usual commercial vibe and instead focus on color, style, and simplicity. And of course, they’ve all got just the right amount of cool factor. So if you don’t know what to buy for the GenZer in your life, let me help. 1. Nothing Ear 3 Nothing Ear 3 John Brandon / Foundry The Nothing Ear 3 earbuds are anything but boring, even if they are a tad expensive ($179 but usually on sale for $149) compared to the many other AirPods alternatives. A standout feature is that the case doubles as a microphone, so if you are on a Zoom or FaceTime call, the audio will sound clearer when you speak—just press the Talk button on the case. I tested the Ear 3 with a few Gen Z indie favs, and the sonic quality was in the same league as Apple’s AirPods Pro. My GenZer son Josh even picked the Nothing earbuds over the AirPods Pro, saying, “They look cleaner than the Apple AirPods, and they are more comfortable to wear. For about $100 cheaper, they don’t sound a lot worse.” 2. Sandmarc Retro Filter Sandmarc Retro Filter John Brandon / Foundry Professional photographers know there is a secret to vintage photos: you have to use an analog filter that creates a distinct brown-ish tint. Digital effects don’t quite do the same thing. The Sandmarc Retro Filter ($130) includes a clip you attach to your iPhone to hold the filter in place. The filter works best when you point your camera at the sun or a bright light. 3. OtterBox X Topo Designs OtterBox X Topo Designs John Brandon / Foundry The most interesting thing about the OtterBox X Topo Designs shoulder bag is that it can replace your iPhone case altogether. The recycled nylon material offers some great cushion and protection, plus you can store keys, glasses, and other items inside. There’s a zippered pocket for credit cards and an ID holder, while the strap adjusts for your shoulder or waist. Just ask my daughter Katie, who’d “carry that and skip the case for sure.” Plus, the Otterbox X shoulder bag only costs $45, so you’re not even paying much more. 4. Gomi Power Bank Gomi Power Bank John Brandon / Foundry Forget boring business-oriented power banks, which can recharge your iPhone when you are on the go. The Gomi Power Bank ($95) is far more unique. Each one is hand-crafted and looks unique, with a colorful design that reminded me of an oil painting. The device has a normal USB-A port as well as USB-C, and can typically charge an iPhone twice. 5. Bitti Gitti Wooden Sound System Bitti Gitti Wooden Sound System John Brandon / Foundry Another trend with Gen-Z has to do with going back to basics. This wooden speaker for $89 has no electronics at all, just a box with seven layers of carved-out rings to amplify your iPhone audio. Just slide the phone in, and that’s it. Yet, the amplification sounds organic and pure. I played a variety of artists and was impressed by the sound fidelity at higher volumes. “I’d use my iPhone with that speaker every day,” said Blake, my GenZ son-in-law, who was especially drawn to its simplistic design. 6. Satechi OntheGo USB-C Lanyard Cable Satechi OntheGo USB-C Lanyard Cable John Brandon / Foundry Crossbody straps are all the rage, and I love the ingenious design of this Satechi lanyard ($30), which you wear across your chest or around your neck. There’s a small plastic strip (one clear and one black) that you first slip into your case, then through the USB-C slot for the iPhone. Attach the lanyard to the clip, and you’re all set. When you pop your phone in the case, the strip stays tightly connected. Bonus that the lanyard is actually a USB-C cable that you can use to charge your phone. 7. Instax Mini Link 3 Printer Instax Mini Link 3 Printer John Brandon / Foundry The Instax Mini Link 3 ($116) is more than just a printer meant for instant gratification. Yes, you can print photos from your iPhone to the Polaroid-like card, but it’s also a way to carry photos in a wallet or purse and show them to friends — sans your iPhone. The device comes in white, green, or pink, and spits out a photo in just 15 seconds (though you’ll have to wait a minute and a half for it to fully appear). Katie noticed the printer in my office and immediately put it on her holiday wish list. 8. Casekoo Titanium Magic Stand Pro Case Casekoo Titanium Magic Stand Pro Case John Brandon / Foundry Making a TikTok video is much easier with this unique case from Casekoo (around $40) that has a built-in titanium stand. You can see your phone on a table, and it won’t tip over during a recording. The new twilight orange color to match the iPhone 17 Pro is also attention-grabbing and functional at the same time—perfect for recording quick videos in a snap.

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros 12 ports Compact and portable Built-in USB-C cable Affordable Cons Have to provide your own power supply No charging from USB ports Dual displays 2.5K not 4K No card reader or audio jack Windows version much cheaper Our Verdict If you don’t require 4K screens or any power to connected devices (but do need a super tidy and compact DisplayLink hub to enable your M1 or M2 MacBook to support more than one monitor and some low-powered USB devices) the Spacemate may fulfil your requirements better than other portable DisplayLink hubs on the market. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Baseus Nomos NU1 Spacemate Air 12-in-1 (Mac) Docking Station Retailer Price $139.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices The Baseus Nomos Mac Air NU1 Spacemate 12-in-1 Docking Station has a long name but a decent set of ports at affordable price. It’s a DisplayLink dock, meaning that it offers a simple(ish) solution to Apple’s frustrating multiple-display limitations for its lesser-powered Macs such as the M1 and M2 MacBooks. These excellent but non-Pro laptops are restricted to just one external monitor without help from third-party software such as DisplayLink. Using the Baseus Spacemate dock after installing the free software enables these MacBooks to run two external displays, albeit here at a 2.5K QHD rather than 4K resolution. The Spacemate seems to offer a lot but on closer inspection it lacks some functions that we’d expect of a dock. Although it seems quite limited as a full ‘dock’, it can be quite a versatile DisplayLink ‘hub’, especially when connected to a wall charger. Even without one, it’s an attractive portable dock but first study its limitations before being hooked by the price. Baseus Specs and features USB-C upstream connector to laptop (90W PD 3.0) 2x USB-C (10Gbps) 2x USB-A (5Gbps) 2x USB-A (480Mbps, 4.5W) 2x DisplayPort 1.4 ports 2x HDMI 2.0 ports Gigabit Ethernet 100W power via USB-C port (no supply) In some ways this dock is more of a high-powered hub. Although its specs let it down in places, it comes into its own as a portable hub with docking station aspirations. It connects to the laptop via its built-in braided USB-C 2.6ft cable that can carry data at 10Gbps and power at 90W to the MacBook when connected to a wall charger. You need to supply the wall charger yourself, although the MacBook’s own should suffice. The Spacemate is not the dock for you if you require data transfer at the highest bandwidth. A Mac with Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports support 40Gbps and the most recent Thunderbolt 5 Macs can handle 80Gbps, so 10Gbps USB-C is not for the professional data warrior. For most of us Mac mortals, however, 10Gbps should be fine. Power can be supplied to the dock itself using a USB-C charger and cable (note that neither is included so use your MacBooks or one of the other best USB-C chargers we recommend). Most desk-bound docks are weighed down by an external power brick, but the Baseus Spacemate is nimbler and can even draw enough power from the laptop to operate with power coming in, but with caveats. Simon Jary There are a further six USB ports: two 5Gbps USB-A and two 480Mbps USB-A ports for legacy devices, but just two 10Gbps USB-C ports. None can output any real power to the connected devices, which might put you off but it is unlikely to bother people who choose this dock for its portability rather than wanting it to sit permanently on their desk as the center of their computing setup. Four USB-A ports seem too many these days when most devices should be using USB-C, and two of the Type A ports are very limited in data transfer (USB 2.0’s 480Mbps) so good only for input devices such as a keyboard and mouse if you haven’t yet converted to wireless versions or basic memory sticks. When hooked up to a wall charger, the Baseus Spacemate can carry enough power (90W) for all but the 16-inch MacBook Pro (which prefers 140W to fast charge), but some of the things you might want to connect to the dock require power too and this dock doesn’t deliver in that way. Wired network access is standard Gigabit Ethernet, which will be fine for most people but underpowered for those users on faster 2.5GbE or faster networks, which we are seeing catered for on many modern docks. Again, the lack of the very latest and fastest ports shouldn’t put you off if Gigabit Ethernet is all you need. There is no SD card reader, which again feels like something missing compared to most docks but might not bother most users. Strangely/frustratingly the Windows version has both SD and MicroSD card readers and is cheaper! That feels like a bit of a slap in the face for Mac users who believed that the days of paying a Mac premium for accessories were over. Simon Jary Monitor options You buy a DisplayLink dock for its ability to connect to multiple external displays, and the Baseus Spacemate Air NU1 has a generous choice of dedicated HDMI or DisplayLink video ports. Connecting two displays to a non-Pro or -Max M1 or M2 MacBook is highly beneficial, but when connecting two monitors via the Spacemate the resolution is limited to QHD (2560×1440 pixels) that is also called 2.5K to distinguish it from 4K (3840×2160) which most dual-screen DisplayLink docks offer. Again, if HD or QHD is all you require of screen resolution—and it’s fine for basic productivity tasks rather than graphics or video—then this dock will give you what you need. The choice of HDMI or DisplayLink gives you options but the ability to connect monitors via USB-C isn’t possible using this dock, so you must use either video format. Simon Jary Design The Baseus Spacemate Air NU1 is a good-looking and very compact, super lightweight dock that is about the size of some vertical desktop chargers. It really can fit in one hand, and lacking an external power brick means it is way more portable than most docking stations. You can slip it in your bag and not notice it’s there on your travels. It measures 4.7 x 2.6 x 2.5 inches (6.5 x 6.5 x 12cm) and weighs just 14.2oz (402g). Most of the ports are neatly hidden away at the back, but there are a USB-C and USB-A port at the front for easy access. It’s a shame that neither can output enough power to charge a connected phone but that’s the compromise from this dock’s portability and lack of power supply. At the top of the dock is an energy-saving button that can also lock the screen. Click this button to immediately put your laptop into standby. Price The MSRP of the Baseus Nomos Mac Air NU1 Spacemate 12-in-1 Docking Station is $199.99. At the time of writing it was selling on Amazon for $139, which is an affordable price for a dual-monitor DisplayLink dock with so many ports. That said, Mac users can feel put out that the more able Windows version costs just $99.99, has two SD card readers and supports two 4K monitors, although there are two HDMI and no DIsplayPort options. At that price and with those features it’s a bargain for Windows users but in comparison the Mac version looks significantly overpriced and underpowered. Take a look at other higher-spec best DisplayLink docks but for portability focus on the hubs rather than more deskbound docks. Somewhere in that list you should find whether the Baseus Spacemate or another hub has exactly what you are after. If you just need the dual screens look at the Plugable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI Adapter (USBC-6950M), although it lacks the Spacemate’s multiple USB ports and Ethernet. The Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub has dual-4K and USB ports but has a lower 5Gbps bandwidth than the 10Gbps Spacemate. The closest match we can find that beats the Spacemate by boasting dual-4K and card readers is the 10Gbps Alogic CH2 dock. Its weakness, however, is that the USB ports don’t work when there’s no power connected. Should you buy the Baseus Nomos Mac Air NU1 Spacemate 12-in-1 Docking Station? As a portable dock, the lightweight Baseus Mac Air NU1 Spacemate has a lot going for it, but its port line-up is a little lacking for Mac users and is more a hub in dock’s clothing. There are too many USB-A ports (four) and just two USB-C data ports, and none but the integrated cable can deliver any real power to devices except your laptop. There is no card reader or audio jack, both staples on your average docking station, and crucially the maximum display resolution for two screens is 2.5K rather than 4K. If you don’t require truly high-resolution (4K) screens or any power to connected devices but do need a super tidy and compact DisplayLink hub to enable your M1 or M2 MacBook to support more than one monitor and some low-powered USB devices then the Spacemate may fulfil your requirements better than other portable DisplayLink hubs on the market.

Macworld This fall, Apple gave its new iOS 26 Live Translation feature an instant upgrade: AirPods support. Like a real-life version of the Babel fish, compatible AirPods paired with an up-to-date iPhone can now be inserted in the ear to provide instant fluency across nine languages. The earbuds listen to conversation in Spanish, for example, use AI to translate it in real time, and speak the English equivalent directly into your ear. You then reply in English, and your iPhone will translate this back to Spanish. (The translation is displayed on screen, but there’s a button to make it read it out loud.) It’s a beguiling concept. But it’s not a new one. Earbuds paired with Google Translate, such as the Pixel Buds, were capable of this function way back in 2017. They just weren’t all that great at it. As so often in the past, Apple is trying to take something that other companies have done before, and do it better. Has it succeeded? Now that Live Translation has expanded to the EU with iOS 26.2, I set up a video call with a German-speaking colleague from Macwelt and popped in my AirPods Pro 3 to test the Live Translation feature (which is still officially in beta, I should note) for myself. I was pleasantly surprised. Setup: Better in person Let’s get started. First things first. Before doing any translating, you need to download your choice of language. This takes a few minutes, so try to plan ahead rather than waiting until you’re mid-conversation with an angry French policeman. Open the Settings app on your connected iPhone and open the AirPods menu. Scroll down to the Translation (Beta) section and tap on Languages. At the top, you’ll see any you’ve already downloaded, while those that are available will be listed below. Pick one (or more) and tap to download. Once this is sorted, activating translation is relatively easy. Press and hold on both earbud stems at once, and they’ll automatically switch to Live Translation mode. The only potential hiccup is if you’ve got several languages downloaded, particularly if your last translation was to or from a different language than the one you want now. You can change these in the Translate app by going to Live and then selecting either Their Language or Your Language to switch languages. (There isn’t yet an option, as there is for the written and visual–but not conversational–functions of Google Translate, to say “Detect language” and thereby cover all bases.) David Price / Foundry So far, so good–and for face-to-face translation, activating the feature is simple and intuitive. You may, however, run into issues when trying to use the feature over an online video chat, as I did. The problem was that the AirPods were desperately keen to auto-pair with whichever device they thought I was using. I needed them connected to the iPhone for the translation. But as soon as I started up a FaceTime call on my Mac, they jumped to that. As soon as I opened Notes on my iPad to check the script, they jumped to that. So I was constantly having to apologise and fiddle with Bluetooth settings to make sure the AirPods stayed on point. It should be said, in Apple’s defence, that the company has given Live Translation direct integration with the FaceTime and Phone apps, as well as providing APIs that will let third parties do the same for Zoom, Teams and the like. So this sort of multi-device juggling shouldn’t be necessary–you can just open FaceTime on the iPhone and manage the whole thing, conversation and translation alike, from there. I simply found this integration unintuitive–and besides, wanted to recreate the experience of talking to someone on the street, which seemed best simulated by holding up my phone to words coming from a different source. Which is a long-winded way of saying that, if you really are just speaking to someone on the street, and if you’ve taken the time to set things up and test them out in advance, it should be a breeze. Just anticipate a few tech hiccups when you involve multiple devices. Understanding what was said to me With the setup finally sorted, we were able to begin our conversation. This was more exhausting than I had expected. I had prepared four scenarios: at a hotel, in a restaurant, on a plane, and in a bar, with a secret bonus round where we were going to spontaneously talk politics. But the conversations took longer than I anticipated—so long that we ran out of time and energy for the restaurant and politics chats. Why were the conversations so slow and tiring? Because of the delays. My colleague would say a sentence in German, and the AirPods would generally wait until well into the sentence, often to the end, before starting to give me the translation. In written form, we are encouraged to be punchy, but conversational sentences can have numerous subclauses, so the delay can be substantial. AirPods Pro 3’s Live translation is like having a little dictionary in your ear.Foundry I wondered if this delay might have something to do with the grammatical character of the German language and its habit of shunting crucial verbs to the end of the sentence. But a similar test with a Spanish speaker confirmed that the feature simply cannot turn around a translation in true real time, so there will be no fluency in your conversation, regardless of the language. The good news is that Live Translation’s accuracy, at least from German to English, is astonishingly good. In his role as hotelier, my colleague told me about rooms and breakfast arrangements and a special event involving 237 Christmas tree sellers, and it all came through clear and comprehensible. As a flight steward, he explained landing times and delays and a situation with a man in my seat; and, finally switching careers to bartending, he told me all the ingredients in a delicious local cocktail and named the total I would need to pay for a selection of drinks. In every scenario, I understood the overall gist with ease and virtually all the specifics. That’s not to say that the translation was flawless. The software was confused by the German term for a boarding pass, which it translated as simply a “card.” The name of a cocktail, my colleague told me, was mangled. But these were very minor quibbles that never derailed the conversation in any serious way. Apple AirPods Pro 3 Read our review Best Prices Today: $199 at Amazon Making myself understood Ideally, both you and your conversational partner would be wearing compatible AirPods so that your English is translated live by their Babel fish just as their non-English is translated by yours. For planned business meetings this may be possible. But it’s unlikely to be the case in the average tourist context, so we stuck to the asymmetric approach. Having waited for a translation of my colleague’s words, I replied in English, and a German translation appeared on my iPhone’s screen. When speaking face to face, it’s probably easiest to simply show this to the doctor/barber/policeman you’re speaking to. There’s another small delay while your words are translated, but it appears quickly enough. And again, my colleague confirmed that the accuracy was excellent. Next to each chunk of translated text you’ll see a little play button, and if you tap this it’ll be read out loud. This is a nice option, and the accent was convincing in our test, but it adds yet another delay to what is already a long-winded process. Foundry Having said his piece, my colleague had to wait for this to be translated, for me to reply, for this to be translated, for me to press the button, and for the words to be read out. Understandably, he several times began replying before my official translated response had been read out, although this should only be an issue when your partner actually does speak English, in which case you could just dispense with the AirPods altogether. Again, the translation, while sometimes slow, was very reliable. I was able to reserve rooms, request a sea view (and be denied, on the flimsy pretext that Munich isn’t anywhere near the sea), order a wide range of drinks, navigate a variety of social situations and never really have to repeat myself. My colleague was in the position to hear both English and German renditions of each comment I made, and professed himself impressed by the accuracy. Conclusion: Far better than I expected, flaws and all Okay, final quibbles. The translations are split into little chunks, and sometimes these seem quite arbitrary. I found myself tapping play on one bit, and it spat out the end of one thing and the beginning of another, rather than a coherent remark. It also annoyed me that the software deleted the chat history the second I took out my headphones. That’s particularly annoying for a journalist who would like screenshots to post in this feature, but also takes away a potentially useful note of details you may subsequently forget. (Could this be a privacy-based decision? I’m not sure.) Add in those delays, and I’m the first to concede that my tests with Live Translation weren’t painless by any means. In fact, I found the whole thing draining. But it was thoroughly impressive nonetheless. I was astounded by the software’s ability to translate with a very high degree of accuracy and comprehensibility in nearly real time. While you shouldn’t expect a fluent or socially comfortable conversation while using your AirPods, you can expect an extremely functional one. That’s a win, in

Macworld If, like many web users, you are concerned about your privacy and security online and want to ensure that the connection between your Mac and the internet is protected, you need a VPN. While Apple provides various measures in macOS that make Macs more secure, using a VPN can protect your privacy and security online, which could give you some extra reassurance. A VPN essentially makes you invisible on the web–your data is encrypted, your IP address is hidden, and you can even make it look like you are surfing from another country. This latter reason is another reason many people use a VPN: they want to access streaming services that are locked to a particular region, or, if you are based somewhere that requires age-related identification in order to use certain websites, it can enable you to surf as if you were based elsewhere. How we test VPNs We test each VPN service at three times of the day (morning, afternoon, evening) using Ookla Speedtest. We measure our internet speed before testing the upload/download speeds of the VPN service on various servers around the world over a 100Mbps ethernet connection. We also consider the number of countries a VPN offers servers in, the total number of servers worldwide, and the monthly or annual cost to connect. Additionally, because privacy is such a crucial aspect of what makes a good VPN, we research the providers to find out who owns them, their location, how they handle subscriber information, and their business practices. Best VPNs for Mac: Reviewed & Ranked There are a lot of VPN providers vying for your business, which can make finding the best one to suit your needs difficult. To help you sort out the right provider for you, we’ve committed to extensive research and testing of VPN services that cater to Mac owners in our guide to the top VPN services for Mac. Our top choice right now is NordVPN, which we feel stands out in many areas, from speed and privacy to unblocking and ease of use. Get NordVPN here However, there are other VPNs to consider and below you will find reviews of all the VPN services for Mac that we recommend based on our tests. All of these VPNs will also work on your iPhone and iPad as well, and many with Apple TV, but you might want to check out our separate guide to the best VPNs for iPad and iPhone. At a glance: Feature comparison VPNmacOS App QualityNo-Logs PolicySpeed & PerformanceStreaming SupportSimultaneous ConnectionsFree / TrialBest ForNordVPNExcellent (native, polished)Yes (audited)Very fastVery strong~10 devices30-day refundBest overall Mac VPNSurfsharkVery goodYes (audited)FastStrongUnlimited30-day refundBest value & familiesExpressVPNExcellent (very simple UI)Yes (audited)Very fastExcellent~8 devices30-day refundBest ease of useProton VPNGood (privacy-focused)Yes (audited)GoodModerateVaries by planFree tier availableBest for privacy & free useCyberGhostVery easy to useYesGoodVery strong~7 devices45-day refundBest for streaming beginnersPrivate Internet Access (PIA)Good (advanced options)YesGoodModerate~10 devices30-day refundPower users & customizationhide.meGoodYesGoodGood~10 devicesFree tierPrivacy-focused free optionFastestVPNBasicLimitedDecentGoodVariesTrial / lifetime plansBudget users 1. NordVPN – Fast, fully featured VPN Pros Easy to use Impressive WireGuard speeds Lots of servers Cons Two separate apps can be confusing Best Prices Today: Retailer Price NordVPN (Monthly) $3.39 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 5,300 servers 10 simultaneous connections NordVPN is one of the biggest and best-known VPN services. It’s a fully featured VPN option that’s secure, easy to use, and unbelievably fast compared to its competitors. There are cheaper options, with unlimited connections and more in-depth VPN features, but NordVPN is our top choice right now because it stands out in so many areas, from speed and privacy to unblocking and ease of use. There are more than 5,300 servers (none of which are virtual) available across 60 countries, which sounds great. You probably only care about the servers where you want to unblock content, but the more servers the better as it means you have a better chance of finding one that’s not overloaded. You won’t have to figure out which one to choose thanks to the handy ‘Quick connect’ feature that picks the server best suited to your needs. Connections are fast and reliable, and NordVPN unblocks popular streaming services around the world including Netflix and BBC iPlayer. You can connect up to six devices simultaneously including your Apple TV. Nord has added support for the faster WireGuard protocol in NordLynx, making it one of the fastest VPN services out there. However, it’s only available on the ‘IKE’ version of the app, which only offers a permanently enabled kill switch. To have more control, you’ll need to download the ‘OpenVPN’ version, albeit with slightly slower speeds. Nord has an up-to-date independent audit. It also has specialty servers for specific purposes. Nord frequently has deals on offer that save money on the usual monthly price if you take advantage of the two-year plan. NordVPN offers three tiers: Standard, Plus and Ultimate. You can get Plus features (data breach scanner and password manager) or the Ultimate tier adds cloud storage and insurance options. Prices change all the time, so take a look at the prices and plans at NordVPN.com. Read our full NordVPN review 2. Surfshark – Easy to use, secure VPN Pros Simple to use No device limits Great for streaming services Cons Expensive to renew Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Surfshark (Monthly) $2.19 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 3,200 servers in 100 countries Unlimited simultaneous connections Surfshark is a reliable, affordable option with more than 3000 servers spread across 100 countries. Surfshark’s network is one of the widest and most varied of any VPN. Its apps, which work with Macs, iPhones, and even Apple TV, as well as other devices, are easy to use. The macOS app offers light and dark modes, and you can opt to have it shown in the dock or the menu bar. The iOS version of SurfShark offers features like MultiHop and Dedicated IP – it’s not a watered-down versions of their desktop VPN. SurfShark offers three tiers of features at varying price points. SurfShark Starter offers VPN functionality as well as an ad blocker and the option to generate a proxy email address and personal details. SurfShark One adds email and payment detail breach alerts, as well as personal data security reports, antivirus and other malware protection. And the One+ plan adds data removal from company databases and people search sites. When we reviewed Surfshark previously we had some performance issues, but this time around things were a lot better. With WireGuard, SurfShark is the slickest VPN around, removing very little speed from my connection. OpenVPN, where we had problems previously, was much swifter this time around. Whichever protocol we used, we were able to flick between streaming libraries with ease. Those protocols also offer varying degrees of encryption to keep your data secure. The Kill Switch feature is billed as a “safety net”, It’ll shut down your connection if your VPN connection falters, preventing personal data from sneaking out to bad actors. Surfshark is is headquartered in the Netherlands and has a privacy-minded no-logs policy that’s regularly audited. Surfshark’s process means it logs a small amount of data that’s then scrubbed from its servers with 15 minutes of closing the connection. Surfshark confirmed to us in June 2025 that they had their no-logs policy independently verified again and Deloitte confirmed that they don’t monitor what our users do online and do not keep logs of thei

Macworld TL;DR: Lock in 10TB of lifetime cloud storage before discounted codes sell out! Pay $279.97 once and never worry about renewals again. Black Friday came, went, and probably left your inbox in shambles, but don’t worry — you didn’t miss every great deal. Internxt is still offering a deep discount on lifetime cloud storage, and it’s exactly the kind of tech upgrade that’s worth grabbing after the rush. The 10TB plan is perfect for most users who never want to run out of space, and it’s 90% off right now for $279.97 until December 21. (2TB-100TB plans are also available!) For Apple users who care about privacy as much as convenience, Internxt checks all the boxes. It’s built around end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge storage, and 100% open-source transparency, meaning your files stay yours — not scanned, not analyzed, not viewed. And because the cloud storage works on macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, and any browser, you can keep your files synced across every device you rely on. Upload photos, back up projects, move documents between your Mac and iPhone, or share files securely with just a few clicks. Internxt even includes post-quantum encryption to protect against future-proof hacking. Get your Internxt lifetime cloud storage now for $279.97 through December 21 (MSRP $2,900). No coupon is needed. Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB PlanSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.