Macworld

Macworld TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac is available for under $100 as a one-time purchase, giving you the latest Office apps without paying for Microsoft 365 every year. Mac users often assume that Microsoft Office means signing up for Microsoft 365 and paying a yearly fee just to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. That subscription can run $70 to $100 per year, which adds up. Bypass that yearly fee, and instead get Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac (or PC) for under $100. You’ll save money in the long term while still getting the latest version of the apps you use every day. Office 2024 includes the core apps: Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook OneNote This version also includes performance improvements and newer tools compared to older Office versions. Excel handles larger datasets more smoothly, PowerPoint now supports recording presentations with voice and video, and Word includes AI-assisted writing suggestions and focus mode for distraction-free writing. The interface has also been updated with Microsoft’s Fluent design system, making the apps feel more modern and consistent across Mac and PC. Real-time collaboration, commenting, and version history also make it easier to work on shared documents or projects. For Mac users who want Microsoft Office but don’t want another subscription, a lifetime license is often the cheaper option after just a year or two. Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac is available now for $99.97 (MSRP $249.99) as a one-time purchase. Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime LicenseSee Deal Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply. StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Sterling Stock Picker for just $55.19 (reg. $486) with code SAVE20 and simplify investing. Getting into the stock market can feel like walking into a room where everyone is already playing a game you don’t know the rules to. Charts, earnings reports, market trends—it’s a lot. Sterling Stock Picker can help, and it’s available for just $55.19 (regularly $486) through April 12. This platform is designed to make investing feel a whole lot less intimidating. Sterling Stock Picker uses AI-driven insights to surface opportunities that actually align with your goals and risk tolerance. One standout feature is Finley, a built-in AI financial coach. You can ask questions, analyze your portfolio, and get real-time guidance without needing a finance degree (or a friend who kind of knows stocks). It also includes a done-for-you portfolio builder that helps you create a diversified setup based on your preferences. Whether you’re just dipping your toe into investing or looking to sharpen your strategy, this tool keeps things simple, structured, and actually usable. Get a lifetime of Sterling Stock Picker access for just $55.19 (regularly $486) through April 12 with code SAVE20. Sterling Stock Picker: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply. StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld Apple Watch Ultra 2 View Deal With the Apple Watch Ultra 2 on your wrist, you can go anywhere you want, and you’ll find your way back home, whether you’re hiking, mountain climbing, or just out for a stroll, as the watch will know your location at all times and show you the right map. Even better, with built-in cellular, you don’t even need to have your phone on you. While the $799 price tag isn’t bad for everything you get, you’ll love knowing that you can get the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $300 off during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale event. That brings the price down to $499, a spectaculr savings and the best we’ve ever seen for an Ultra 2 that wasn’t refurbished. Back when this model came out, we reviewed it and gave it a 4-star rating, appreciating the bright screen, great operating system, and just how great it was for tracking sports and workouts. This model comes with 36 hours of battery life during normal use, so it’s going to be great during any outdoor trip you want This device comes with a ton of features, including accurate location tracking, advanced health metrics, custom workouts, as well as automated fall detection, emergency SOS, and vital sign monitoring. If anything happens, your watch has your back. There’s a newer model out, but other than better battery life and satellite connectivity, it’s not all that different than this one. And you won’t get it for anywhere near this cheap. So grab the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $499 before the spring sale ends.

Macworld Apple has officially released iOS 26.4 to the public, and unlike the previous update, this one brings a more noticeable set of new features. While the long-awaited AI-powered Siri is still nowhere to be seen, iOS 26.4 brings several new features and improvements to Apple Music, Podcasts, and Reminders, as well as overall system enhancements and new emoji. Read on as we break down all the major new features and changes coming with iOS 26.4. Apple Music With iOS 26.4, Apple Music subscribers are getting an important new feature called Playlist Playground. Essentially, it lets users quickly create playlists using AI. Users can simply describe what they want to listen to, whether it’s specific songs, artists, or genres, and Apple’s AI will create a playlist based on that prompt. The feature can also edit existing playlists. It’s worth noting that this feature is available only in the U.S. and works on any iOS 26.4 iPhone, even ones that don’t support Apple Intelligence. Apple Music has new full-screen artwork in iOS 26.4.Foundry Apple Music is also getting a new Concerts feature, which helps users discover nearby shows from artists in their library, while also recommending live shows from new artists based on listening habits. Another notable addition is Offline Music Recognition, now available through Control Center. This lets users identify songs with Shazam even without an internet connection. The result shows up as soon as the device is back online. Rounding out the Apple Music changes, iOS 26.4 introduces an Ambient Music widget for quick access to curated playlists focused on Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing, as well as full-screen backgrounds for album and playlist pages, making the interface more immersive. Podcasts In addition to Apple Music, Apple Podcasts is also getting some improvements with iOS 26.4. More specifically, Apple has revamped the experience for video podcasts. The update introduces support for Apple’s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology, which automatically adjusts the video bitrate during playback. This means the app will always choose the best quality based on your internet connection without you having to change any settings. Thanks to this technology, users can also seamlessly switch between audio and video while playing a podcast. iOS 26.4 includes several new Accessiblity settings.Foundry Accessibility Updating to iOS 26.4 also brings some welcome accessibility improvements.  For instance, the system now includes a new “Reduce Bright Effects” toggle that minimizes intense flashes when interacting with certain interface elements. Apple has also made it easier to access and customize subtitles and captions directly from the media player interface. Moreover, the “Reduce Motion” setting has been improved to more consistently limit animations across the system, particularly with the Liquid Glass interface. Emoji For emoji fans, iOS 26.4 adds eight new characters to the keyboard. As previously announced, they include an orca, a trombone, a landslide, a ballet dancer, and a distorted face emoji. Keep in mind that only people who have also updated their devices will see the new emojis in conversations or social media posts. You can use several new emojis once you update to iOS 26.4.Foundry Freeform When Apple announced the Creator Studio subscription, the company revealed that the Freeform app would also gain certain features exclusive to subscribers. These features are now available with iOS 26.4. Creator Studio subscribers can now access the Content Hub right from Freeform, which offers a wide variety of photos, illustrations, and graphics that can be used royalty-free. Users will also notice a new icon for the Freeform app that matches the style of other Creator Studio apps. Urgent reminders are getting an upgrade in iOS 26.4.Foundry Urgent reminders With iOS 26.2, Apple introduced a new option for creating urgent reminders, which show up as full-screen alerts at the scheduled date and time. Now, iOS 26.4 makes it easier to mark a reminder as urgent. Users can mark tasks as urgent in the Reminders app right from the Quick Toolbar or with a long press. Urgent reminders can also be filtered using Smart Lists. Family Sharing Apple is also making a major change for users who rely on Family Sharing. While the entire family currently relies on a single payment method, iOS 26.4 will allow each family member to pay for their own online purchases. “Purchase Sharing lets adult members in Family Sharing groups use their own payment method when making purchases, without relying on the family organizer,” Apple explained in the release notes. This is certainly great news for those who use Family Sharing to share their iCloud and App Store purchases. The Freeform app got its Creator Studio update in iOS 26.4.Foundry Keyboard accuracy As we reported last year, many iPhone users had been complaining that iOS 26 had reduced the accuracy of the on-screen keyboard, resulting in more typos. Although Apple never acknowledged the issue at the time, it has made changes to the iOS 26.4 keyboard that essentially admit there was a problem. The iOS 26.4 release notes mention “improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly” as part of the changes included in the update. It’s unclear exactly what Apple changed to improve the virtual keyboard, but users will certainly be pleased that Apple is working on the issue. Age verification One of the most notable changes in iOS 26.4 is related to compliance with local laws. The update introduces age verification requirements in multiple regions, including Australia, Brazil, Singapore, and specific U.S. states such as Utah and Louisiana. These measures are tied to regional legislation and are designed to ensure that users meet minimum age requirements for certain features and services. In these locations, Apple may require additional information about the user to verify their age. This includes details such as how long the Apple Account has been active or credit card information. The company has also created a new API that will anonymously inform apps whether a user meets the minimum age requirements without sharing their age, date of birth, or any other personal information. Update your iPhone now In addition to all these new features, iOS 26.4 also includes bug fixes, performance improvements, and enhanced security. That’s why it’s always important to keep your devices updated with the latest software. You can install iOS 26.4 by going to Settings > General > Software Update and tapping Update Now. The update is available for the iPhone 11 and later.

Macworld TL;DR: A refurbished MacBook Air for $199.97 delivers reliable everyday performance, long battery life, and serious value. Not every laptop needs to be a powerhouse. Sometimes you just need something that works—reliably, quickly, and without costing a small fortune. That’s exactly what this refurbished MacBook Air does. At just $199.97 (MSRP $999), it’s positioned less like a primary workstation and more like your go-to digital bestie. Think streaming shows on the couch, answering emails, online shopping, paying bills, or tossing it in your bag for a weekend trip. The Intel Core i5 processor and 128GB SSD keep things responsive for browsing, document editing, and media playback. The 13.3-inch display is sharp enough for streaming, and with up to 12 hours of battery life, you’re not constantly hunting for an outlet. You’re getting Apple hardware—known for its longevity and build quality—at a fraction of the original price. Sure, it’s not meant for heavy video editing or gaming, but that’s not the point. This is the laptop you grab when you want to get things done. Get a refurbished MacBook Air (2017) for just $199.97 (MSRP $999) with free shipping while stock lasts. Apple MacBook Air (2017) 13″ i5 1.8GHz 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Silver (Refurbished)See Deal Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply. StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld TL;DR: A $39.99 lifetime license to PDF Agile Premium (MSRP $119) gets you a full-featured PDF editor for Mac and Windows PDFs are supposed to make life easier. In reality, they’re often where productivity goes to stall—formatting breaks, edits get clunky, and simple tasks take way longer than they should. That’s why PDF Agile Premium is an excellent solution. It’s designed to simplify everything you’d normally need multiple tools (and subscriptions) to handle. Editing text, converting files, adding signatures, and even extracting content from scanned documents can all be done in one place. Conversions hold their formatting, which matters when you’re dealing with contracts, reports, or anything client-facing. It also covers the details that tend to get overlooked. You can redact sensitive information, password-protect documents, or compare files side by side without needing extra software. OCR functionality makes scanned documents editable, which is a major time-saver for anyone dealing with paperwork regularly. With a one-time payment and lifetime access, it replaces the ongoing cost of subscription-based tools. For anyone who works with PDFs more than occasionally, this is an easy workflow upgrade. Get lifetime license to PDF Agile Premium for just $39.99 (MSRP $119) while you can. PDF Agile Premium: All-in-One Lifetime Subscription (Windows & Mac)See Deal Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply. StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld What’s new on Apple TV? What are the best shows and movies? How do you sign up and what does it cost? This article will answer all of that, and you’ll also get a list of all the currently-available Apple TV content. There’s also a ton of new content in the works for Apple’s service, too. f you want to know what’s on the way, check out our list of upcoming Apple TV shows and movies. Updated March 27, 2026: The fifth season of For All Mankind is streaming now. Mentioned IN THIS story Apple TV 4K (2022, 3. Gen.) 128GB WiFi + Ethernet Read our review Latest Apple TV releases For All Mankind (season 5)Released: March 27, 2026 Wonder Pets: In the City (season 2)Released: March 20, 2026 Imperfect WomenReleased: March 18, 2026 Twisted YogaReleased: March 13, 2026 The HuntReleased: March 4, 2026 Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (season 2)Released: February 27, 2026 How to get Apple TV You can subscribe to Apple TV on Apple’s website here, or via the Apple TV app on your device. It costs $12.99/£9.99 a month, which you can cancel at any time (Read: How to cancel an Apple subscription). You can also opt for a one-year subscription for $99/£89, which essentially gives you two months free each year. Apple also offers various trials so that you can try out Apple TV before you subscribe. Take a look at our article explaining all the ways you can watch Apple TV for free, and the best Apple TV deals you can get. Students can get Apple TV for free with an already subsidized Apple Music subscription. Best shows on Apple TV There’s far too much content on Apple TV to sift through it all yourself. If you’re looking for something to watch and don’t know where to start, here are a few of the Macworld staff’s favorite shows, series, and movies. Bad Sisters Synopsis: A dark comedy about a group of Irish sisters who find themselves at the center of a life insurance investigation after John Paul–the abusive husband to one of the sisters–dies unexpectedly. Number of seasons: 2 Release date: August 19, 2022 Black Bird Synopsis: A gripping miniseries about a convicted con artist who works for the FBI to try to get a serial killer’s confession before he is released from prison. Based on the true story of James Keene and Larry Hall. Number of seasons: 1 Release date: July 8, 2022 For All Mankind Synopsis: What if the U.S.S.R. put a man on the moon before the U.S.? How would the ensuing space race change history throughout the decades? That’s the high concept behind this gripping big-budget sci-fi series. Number of seasons: 5 Release date: November 1, 2019 Pluribus Synopsis: A mysterious virus-like pathogen turns the entire human race into a peaceful hive-mind, except for a handful of individuals. Created by Vince Gilligan, of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fame. Number of seasons: 1 Release date: November 17, 2025 Severance Synopsis: A combination of dystopian sci-fi drama and workplace comedy about a company where employees are “severed”–when at work, they can’t remember their outside lives, and vice-versa. Number of seasons: 2 Release date: February 18, 2022 Shrinking Synopsis: A surprisingly quick-witted comedy about a therapist who has trouble dealing with the death of his wife and his eccentric patients. Number of seasons: 2 Release date: January 27, 2023 Slow Horses Synopsis: Gary Oldman turns in a great performance as the cranky leader of a band of misfit spies. Number of seasons: 5 Release date: April 1, 2022 Ted Lasso Synopsis: Apple’s fish-out-of-water comedy/drama about a midwestern college football coach who heads to England to coach Premier League soccer is a breakout hit for good reason. Number of seasons: 3 Release date: August 14, 2020 The Morning Show Synopsis: Big star power and a fantastic performance by Jenniffer Aniston highlight this fast-paced drama that goes behind the scenes of a fictional morning news program. Number of seasons: 4 Release date: November 1, 2019 Full list of Apple TV shows and series These are all the episodic series you can currently watch on Apple TV, including both recurring and limited series. This list is in alphabetical order. TitlePremiereSeasons / Episodes1971: The Year That Music Changed EverythingMay 21, 20218 episodesAcapulcoOctober 8, 20214 seasons, 40 episodesAmazing StoriesMarch 6, 20201 season, 5 episodesAmber BrownJuly 29, 20221 season, 10 episodesBad MonkeyAugust 14, 20241 season, 10 episodesBad SistersAugust 19, 20222 seasons, 20 episodesBE@RBRICKMarch 21, 20251 season, 13 episodesBecoming YouNovember 13, 20201 season, 6 episodesBeforeOctober 25, 202410 episodesBest Foot ForwardJuly 22, 20221 season, 10 episodesBig BeastsApril 21, 20231 season, 10 episodesBlack BirdJuly 8, 20226 episodesBoom! Boom! The World vs Boris BeckerApril 7, 20232 episodesBorn to be WildDecember 19, 20256 episodesCallsMarch 19, 20211 season, 9 episodesCamp SnoopyJune 14, 202410 episodesCarêmeApril 30, 20251 season, 8 episodesCarpool KaraokeAugust 8, 20175 seasons, 75 episodesCentral ParkMay 29, 20203 seasons, 39 episodesChief of WarAugust 1, 20259 episodesCircuit BreakersNovember 11, 20221 season, 7 episodesCity on FireMay 12, 20231 season, 8 episodesConstellationFebruary 21, 20241 season, 8 episodesCowboy CartelAugust 2, 20244 episodesCriminal RecordJanuary 10, 20241 season, 8 episodesCurses!October 27, 20232 seasons, 20 episodesDark MatterMay 8, 20241 season, 9 episodesDear EdwardFebruary 3, 20231 season, 10 episodesDear…June 5, 20202 seasons, 20 episodesDefending JacobApril 24, 20208 episodesDickinsonNovember 1, 20193 seasons, 30 episodesDisclaimerOctober 11, 20247 episodesDope ThiefMarch 14, 20258 episodesDoug UnplugsNovember 13, 20202 seasons, 26 episodesDown Cemetery RoadOctober 29, 20251 season, 8 episodesDr. BrainNovember 3, 20211 season, 6 episodesDrops of GodApril 21, 20232 seasons, 16 episodesDuck & GooseJuly 8, 20222 seasons, 17 episodesEarth at Night in ColorDecember 4, 20202 seasons, 12 episodesEarthsoundsFebruary 23, 20241 season, 12 episodesEcho 3November 23, 20221 season, 10 episodesEl DeafoJanuary 7, 20223 episodesEva the OwletMarch 31, 20232 seasons, 17 episodesExtrapolationsMarch 17, 20231 season, 8 episodesFive Days at MemorialAugust 12, 20228 episodesFor All MankindNovember 1, 20195 seasons, 50 episodesFoundationSeptember 24, 20213 seasons, 30 episodesFraggle Rock: Back to the RockJanuary 21, 20222 seasons, 27 episodesFraggle Rock: Rock On!April 21, 20201 season, 6 episodesFrog and ToadApril 28, 20232 seasons, 18 episodesGet Rolling with OtisOctober 8, 20212 seasons, 18 episodesGhostwriterNovember 1, 20193 seasons, 39 episodesGovernment CheeseApril 16, 20251 season, 10 episodesGreatness CodeJuly 10, 20202 seasons, 13 episodesGutsySeptember 9, 20221 season, 8 episodesHarriet the SpyNovember 19, 20212 seasons, 20 episodesHello Tomorrow!February 17, 20231 season, 10 episodesHello, Jack! The Kindness ShowNovember 5, 20212 seasons, 16 episodesHelpstersNovember 1, 20193 seasons, 40 episodesHelpsters Help YouApril 24, 20206 episodesHigh DesertMay 17, 20231 season, 8 episodesHijackJune 28, 20232 seasons, 15 episodesHollywood Con QueenMay 8, 20243 episodesHomeApril 17, 20202 seasons, 19 episodesHome Before DarkApril 3, 20202 seasons, 20 episodesImperfect WomenMarch 18, 20268 episodesInterrupting ChickenNovember 18, 20222 seasons, 17 episodesInvasionOctober 22, 20213 seasons, 30 episodesJaneApril 14, 20233 seasons, 20 episodesJohn Lennon: Murder Without A TrialDecember 6, 20233 episodesKnife Edge: Chasing Michelin StarsOctober 10, 20258 episodesK-Pop IdolsAugust 30, 20246 episodesKPoppedAugust 29, 20251 season, 8 episodesLa MaisonSeptember 20, 20241 season, 10 episodesLady in the LakeJuly 19, 20247 episodesLand of WomenJune 26, 20241 season, 6 episodesLessons in ChemistryOctober 13, 20238 episodesLiaisonFebruary 24, 20231 season, 6 episodesLife by EllaSeptember 2, 20221 season, 10 episodesLincoln’s DilemmaFebruary 18, 20224 episodesLisey’s StoryJune 4, 20218 episodesLittle AmericaJanuary 17, 20202 seasons, 16 episodesLittle VoiceJuly 10, 20201 season, 9 episodesLong Way UpSeptember 18, 202011 episodesLong Way HomeMay 9, 202510 episodesLootJune 24, 20223 seasons, 30 episodesLosing AliceJanuary 22, 20211 season, 8 episodesLove You to DeathFebruary 7, 20251 season, 7 episodesLovely Little FarmJune 10, 20222 seasons, 14 episodesMake or BreakApril 29, 20222 seasons, 15 episodesManhuntMarch 15, 20247 episodesMasters of the AirJanuary 26, 20249 episodesMeJuly 12, 20241 seasons, 10 episodesMessi Meets AmericaOctober 11, 20236 episodesMessi’s World Cup: Rise of a LegendFebruary 21, 20244 episodesMidnight FamilySeptember 25, 20241 season, 10 episodesMonarch: Legacy of MonstersNovember 17, 20232 season, 20 episodesMonster FactoryMarch 17, 20236 episodesMr. CormanAugust 6, 20211 season, 10 episodesMr. ScorseseOctober 17, 20255 episodesMurderbotMay 16, 20251 season, 10 episodesMy Kind of CountryMarch 24, 20231 season, 8 episodesMythic QuestFebruary 7, 20204 seasons, 40 episodesNot a BoxJune 13, 20251 season, 8 episodesNow and ThenMay 20, 20221 season, 8 episodesOmnivoreJuly 19, 20241 season, 8 episodesOne-of-a-Kind MarcieAugust 18, 202339 min.Onside: Major League SoccerFebruary 21, 20258 episodesOprah Talks COVID-19March 21, 20201 season, 13 episodesOprah’s Book ClubNovember 1, 20191 season, 14 episodesPachinkoMarch 25, 20222 seasons, 16 episodesPalm RoyaleMarch 20, 20242 seasons, 20 episodesPhysicalJune 18, 20213 seasons, 30 episodesPinecone & PonyApril 8, 20222 seasons, 16 episodesPlatonicMay 24, 20232 sea

Macworld If you are thinking of buying an older generation or used/refurbished iPhone, or wondering whether it’s worth upgrading your current iPhone to a new one, one important factor to consider is how long Apple will continue to offer support for that handset. The good news is that Apple supports iPhones for a long time. In general, you can get seven to eight years of security-related software updates, while battery and other repairs are often available on five to seven-year-old handsets, according to Apple’s own Vintage and Obsolete categorizations. More on that below. Read on to find out which iPhones are supported with the latest operating systems, and which are supported for servicing and repairs. Macworld’s advice: The iPhone XS and XR and any older iPhone should be avoided as they can’t run the 2025 iOS update: iOS 26. Update: iOS 15 and iOS 16 received updates to address security vulnerabilities in March 2026. iOS 18 also received a critical security update in March 2026. How long does Apple support iPhones with iOS updates? Seven years: Apple supports some iPhones that can’t run the latest version of iOS with security updates. Currently there is such support for iPhones from 2018. A January 2026 update relating to FaceTime and Messages on iOS 12, 15, 16 and 18 included the twelve year old iPhone 5S. Apple generally provides major iOS updates for iPhones for approximately five to six years, though security-related support often extends even longer. While Apple does not officially guarantee a specific duration, its historical track record shows a consistent commitment to long-term device viability, with up to eight years of cover in the past. It is important to distinguish between major iOS version updates (which bring new features and interface changes) and security-only updates, though. Major iOS Updates: You can expect an iPhone to be compatible with the latest version iOS typically for around 5–7 years. The iPhone 11, released in late 2019, can run iOS 26, although not every feature will run on older iPhones. Security Updates: That doesn’t mean older iPhones are not supported by Apple. The company continues to provide critical security patches for older versions of iOS for several years after they stop receiving new features. This can extend the total “safe” lifespan of a device to nearly a decade. The iPhone XR and XS, launched in 2018, did not receive the 2025 update, iOS 26, but Apple has issued security updates for those phones via iOS 18. And that support extends even further back: in March 2026 Apple issued security updates for iPhones only able to run iOS 15 and iOS 16. Device specific security updates: A key change is that iOS 18 security updates are only available iPhones unable to run iOS 26. This means that those running iOS 18 on a phone compatible with iOS 26 need to update to iOS 26 in order to get the security updates for their iPhone. Previously the security update to an older version of iOS ran on any device running that version of the software. Certificate coverage: In January 2026 Apple issued updates to iOS 12, 15, 16 and 18 that extended the certificate required by features such as iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation to continue working after January 2027. Those updates include the 2013’s iPhone 5S, and 2014’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. However, just a few days later Apple withdrew these updates after network issues that meant some older iPhones couldn’t make emergency calls. It is unlikely that Apple will issue an iOS 17 specific update because all iOS 17-compatible iPhones can run iOS 18, so Apple would encourage anyone running iOS 17 to update to iOS 18 to get the security update. The last update to iOS 17 was 17.7.2 in November 2024. You should be very cautious if using an iPhone that won’t receive these security fixes for what could be dangerous vulnerabilities. Since we can only guarantee that iOS 18 support will continue we would recommend that you should replace your iPhone if it can’t run iOS 18, which includes the iPhones X, 8 and 8 Plus and iPhones 7, 6S, 6S Plus and the 1st gen SE. Which iPhones can run the latest iOS? Britta O’Boyle The 2019 iPhone 11 is the oldest iPhone able to run iOS 26. iOS 26 is available as a free software update for all iPhone models released from 2019 onwards. This includes the following devices: iPhone 17 Series, including iPhone Air (2025) iPhone 16 Series, including iPhone 16e (2024) iPhone 15 Series (2023) iPhone 14 Series (2022) iPhone 13 Series (2021) iPhone 12 Series (2020) iPhone 11 Series (2019) iPhone SE iPhone SE (2nd gen, 2020) iPhone SE (3rd gen, 2022) Which iPhones run each version of iOS? The chart below shows each version of iOS and the iPhones it ran on. As you can see, in recent years support for new iOS versions has stretched back for around six years, while, if you include the versions that Apple supports with security updates, the cover goes back a further year. iOS support chart by model Find your iPhone here and check which versions of iOS it can run.Foundry What is the oldest iPhone still supported by Apple? iPhone XS and iPhone XR – supported by iOS 18 security update iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 6s – supported by iOS 16 and iOS 15 security updates As of early 2026, Apple is still supporting the 2018 iPhone XS and iPhone XR with security updates. While the 2019 iPhone 11 runs the latest version of iOS. However, the support on these older iPhones is unlikely to continue for much longer: the iPhone XS, XS Max, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are already on Apple’s vintage list, which, as explained in more detail below, means that repairs will be limited by whether Apple has the required parts. We don’t know how much longer Apple will continue to support iOS 15 and iOS 16 — and these iPhones. the company has already classified the iPhone SE (1st generation) as obsolete, while the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone 8 and iPhone X are on Apple’s vintage list, see below. However, as recent as September 2025 the 2015 iPhone 6S was the oldest iPhone supported with security updates, with Apple updating iOS 15 with a security update that month. Which iPhones to avoid The iPhone 5S. Remember? It’s been a while.IDG We don’t recommend the following iPhone models because they no longer receive regular updates, though some models may occasionally get a critical security update: iPhone 11/11 Pro (2019) iPhone XR (2018) iPhone XS/XS Max (2018) iPhone X (2017) iPhone 8/8 Plus (2017) iPhone 7/7 Plus (2016) iPhone SE (2016) iPhone 6s/6s Plus (2014) iPhone 6/6 Plus (2014) iPhone 5s (2013) iPhone 5c (2013) iPhone 5 (2012) iPhone 4s (2011) iPhone 4 (2010) iPhone 3GS (2009) iPhone 3G (2008) iPhone (2007) For more information, see our list of every version of iOS. When will Apple stop supporting each iPhone? Truth is we don’t know for sure, but on the basis that Apple supports phones for five to seven years after they are removed from sale: iPhone XS (2018-2019) – Approx 2026 iPhone XR (2018-2021) – Approx 2026-2028 iPhone 11 (2019-2022) – Approx 2027-2029 iPhone SE2 (2020-2022) – Approx 2027-2029 iPhone 12 (2020-2023) – Approx 2028-2030 iPhone 13 (2021) – Approx 2032 iPhone SE3 (2022) – Approx 2033 iPhone 14 (2022) – Approx 2034 iPhone 15 (2023) – Approx 2035 iPhone 16 (2024) – Approx 2036 iPhone 17 (2025) – Approx 2037 Apple Intelligence: With the arrival of Apple Intelligence AI features and their hardware requirements, the older iPhones are likely to become obsolete faster. When does Apple stop repairing old iPhones? Foundry When it comes to repairs, Apple supports iPhones (and all devices it makes) for seven years from the last time it sold that particular model. So as long as your iPhone was still being sold by Apple up to seven years ago, the company or a third-party service provider will still service it. Apple distinguishes between iPhones (and other devices) that are obsolete and vintage. Vintage Apple Products: These are products that Apple stopped selling between five and seven years ago. They are considered old, but there may be limited access to repairs depending on whether Apple has the parts available. Obsolete Apple Products: These are products that Apple stopped selling between more than seven years ago. They are considered end-of-life and will no longer be repaired by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. Obsolete iPhones The following iPhones are now considered Obsolete, which means sales were discontinued more than seven years ago and Apple has now discontinued all hardware servicing. iPhone iPhone 3G iPhone 3GS iPhone 4 (all models now obsolete from 2026) iPhone 4s iPhone 5 (discontinued September 2013, obsolete in 2026) iPhone 5c (discontinued September 2013, obsolete in 2021) iPhone 5S (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2024) iPhone 6 (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2025) iPhone 6 Plus (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2024) iPhone 6s (32GB) (discontinued in 2018, obsolete in 2024) iPhone 6s Plus (32GB) (discontinued in 2018, obsolete in 2024) iPhone SE, 2016 (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2023, obsolete 2025) Vintage iPhones And the iPhones below are listed as Vintage, which means they have not been sold for more than five years (but less than seven years). Apple will still service these products as long as it has the required parts. So you could say that the oldest iPhone still supported by Apple is now the ten-year-old iPhone 6s, but we don’t expect that Apple will have the required parts. Prior to March 2

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros New co-op mode Runs on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs Easy to play, but hard to master More variety than the first game Cons Simplistic 2D graphics and animations Rogue-like mechanics can be frustrating Few major new features Our Verdict Slay The Spire 2 doesn’t attempt to re-invent the wheel. It sticks closely to the format of the original game, but does provide lots of small changes and additions that help to keep it fresh. And people who want to play with their friends will welcome the new co-op mode too. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Slay The Spire 2 Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Who it’s for: Fans of the original. Wait if: You haven’t played STS1 yet. There are more than 2000 deck-building games listed on Steam, but only a tiny fraction of those run on Macs. Fortunately, Slay The Spire, which has been the king of the deck-builders in recent years, was available on the Mac right from its launch back in 2019 (and still runs on Apple Silicon Macs as well). The sequel has just gone on sale on Steam for $24.99/£19.99, and is already soaring up the sales charts, despite the fact that it’s actually still in ‘Early Access’, which means that it’s essentially a beta version of the game that is still being tested. Love Mac gaming? Check out the best Mac Games we’ve played. What’s new in Slay The Spire 2? Slay The Spire 2 doesn’t make any major changes to the format of the original game. The central task of the game is to fight your way through a series of rooms in order to reach the top of a mysterious spire, using a deck of cards that provide your character with different skills and abilities. It’s also a ‘rogue-like’ game, which means that dying sends you right back down to the bottom of the spire so that you have to start all over again, rather than just saving your progress as you complete each room. The Necrobinder is a new character who wields the power of the undead. Mega Crit Games What’s changed from the original? A popular feature in the first game was the ability to play as any of three different characters – the sword-slinging Ironclad, a nimble assassin called Silent, and a fan-favourite robot called The Defect. Those characters are still included in the sequel, but you also get two new characters called the Necrobinder and the Regent. There was a fourth character called The Watcher who was added to the first game in 2020, but there’s no sign of the Watcher in the current Early Access version of Slay The Spire 2. The secret of the game’s popularity was that – like many great games – it’s easy to understand the basics so that you can dive straight in and get started, but it takes longer to master the complexities of the game and understand the ways that all the different cards, skills and abilities can work together to make you more powerful. Slay The Spire 2 sticks with that approach, but it adds more of everything – more characters to play with, a wider range of skills and abilities, as well as magical relics and rare cards that provide special powers. As well as the main single-player game, this sequel includes a new co-op mode for up to four players. Mega Crit Games What’s game play like? At the start of each game, you are shown a map of the spire, with a number of different paths that you can choose as you climb to the top. Each path takes you through a different series of rooms, with most rooms containing monsters that you have to defeat. However, there are also rest rooms where you can sleep and recover some of your health after a challenging fight, or spend the time upgrading your cards instead. To add variety, there are also rooms that contain merchants who can sell you new cards or weapons, and even special quests for you to compete. I found a magic egg in one room, which could give me a powerful new card, but only if I first found a rest room where the egg could be hatched. This forced me to alter my path through the spire – as I was initially heading towards a merchant to top up on potions – but the detour was worth it as the new card gave my armour a big boost. Like its predecessor, Slay The Spire 2 also includes a daily challenge and a custom mode that allows you to modify the game settings for each run. However, it also includes one entirely new feature, introducing a multiplayer co-op mode that allows up to four people to play together as a team – although there’s no pvp mode that will allow you to compete directly against other people. You can buy new cards, as well as potions and magical trinkets to boost your powers. Mega Crit Games Where the graphics fall short My only real disappointment is that the game’s graphics aren’t terribly exciting. The 2D graphics are a bit more detailed this time around, but your character and the various monsters mostly just glare at each other across the screen, with simple effects used to indicate attacks and injuries each time you play a card. Games such as the Darkest Dungeon series have similar 2D graphics, but have a more distinctive gothic artwork style that really adds atmosphere and a sense of menace to the game. How does it run on Mac? The relatively simple graphics do mean that the game will run well even on older Macs with Intel processors, as long as you’re running macOS Big Sur (11.0) or later. Should I Buy Slay The Spire 2? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If you’re a fan of deck-builder games then Slay The Spire 2 is a must-have addition to your library. Some people have argued that it’s a fairly unambitious sequel that doesn’t make many changes from the original game. Even so, there are still enough refinements and small additions to make it a very enjoyable update for anyone that has already played the first game. And, if you’re new to the genre, the original Slay The Spire is currently on sale, making it a great place to start before moving on to the sequel.

Macworld Apple officially discontinued the Mac Pro on Thursday. While most of us couldn’t afford Apple’s most powerful Mac, it was an example of how much power a Macintosh could wield. But Apple, always looking forward, thinks its time has come and gone. The Mac Pro was first introduced in 2006, and while Macworld had a web presence back then, the focus at the time was on the print magazine version. As a way to remember the Mac Pro, below are scans of the first Mac Pro articles that Macworld published. This first article is a Mac Pro FAQ. The actual Mac Pro announcement occurred several days before the magazine was set to go to press and be distributed. Because of this discrepancy in scheduling (the magazine would hit the newsstand long after the Mac Pro news hit the wire), the magazine answered reader questions about the Mac Pro, which appeared on the cover of the October 2006 issue. Macworld followed up with a full review of the Mac Pro by then editorial director Jason Snell. It got four mice (Macworld ratings used to be mice instead of the current stars). Snell wrote, “The 3GHz Mac Pro is the fastest Mac we’ve tested—however, since the 3GHz processors cost an additional $800 and provide a proportionately slight speed increase, they’re a good bargain for only voraciously speed-hungry pros.” (This issue was also the only time Johnny Depp was on a Macworld cover.)

Macworld It’s already shaping up to be a huge year for Apple, with a wave of new products launching in the first three months of 2026 – including the MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e. And the momentum isn’t slowing. Rumors suggest dozens more devices are on the way, ranging from updated iPhones and Macs to smart home technology and even the long-awaited foldable iPhone. In this article, we explore the products Apple is expected to release next. Drawing on the latest rumors and industry trends, we break down what could be coming – and why it matters. What to expect from Apple in 2026 Biggest launches: iPhone Fold, iPhone 18 Pro redesign Most meaningful upgrades: Under-display Face ID, OLED iPad mini Apple’s roadmap for 2026: At a glance ProductExpected releaseKey rumoursShould you wait?iPad miniSpring 2026Larger OLED screenYesiPadSpring 2026Apple Intelligence supportYesMac miniEarly-mid 2026M5 & M5 Pro chip YesMac StudioEarly-mid 2026M5 Pro & Max chip YesiPhone 18 Pro & MaxSeptember 2026No notch, under-display Face IDMaybeiPhone FoldSeptember 2026The first foldable iPhoneMaybeApple Watch Series 12September 2026Blood pressure monitoring unlikely NoMacBook Pro M6Late 2026-2027Touch screenNoiPhone 18Spring 2027To launch with iPhone 18eNo Last updated March 27, 2026. Every New Apple Product Launched in 2026… so far Here is what Apple has already announced in 2026: AirPods Max 2: Improved audio and the H2 chip. Find out more here: AirPods Max 2 guide. MacBook Neo: Apple’s brand new, low-cost Mac laptop. Find out more here: MacBook Neo guide. MacBook Air M5: Now with the M5 chip. Read about the 2026 MacBook Air here: MacBook Air M5 guide. MacBook Pro M5 Pro & M5 Max: A significant upgrades over the M4 series. Read: MacBook Pro M5 Pro & Max guide. Studio Display: Finally gets Thunderbolt 5 and a better webcam. Studio Display XDR: With mini-LED technology and ProMotion up to 120Hz. iPhone 17e: The new, entry-level, iPhone replaces the iPhone 16e. Read more here: iPhone 17e guide. iPad Air M4: The iPad Air now has an M4 chip. Read more here: iPad Air M4 guide. AirTag 2: Four years on Apple updated the AirTag, read our review here: AirTag 2nd gen review. And… RIP Mac Pro: Apple has confirmed that it is discontinuing its tower workstation. Read on to find out what new products to expect at Apple’s next event and throughout 2026. Every New Apple Product Launching in 2026 In the sections below we’ve split the upcoming new products into categories including Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, Home, AirPods, and some new product categories. What new iPhones are coming in 2026 (and should you wait)? There’s new iPhones coming.Foundry Based on current industry analysis and supply chain information, Apple has some significant changes planned for the iPhone in 2026, with updates centered around the iPhone 18 series, the introduction of a foldable iPhone, and the release of iOS 27. iPhone 18 Pro & Pro Max September 2026 update expected The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to launch in September 2026. The iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to be the first to use Apple’s own C1 modem instead of Qualcomm’s. The base model may see a RAM increase to 12GB to better support on-device AI functions. A major redesign is expected, which could include under-display Face ID, a completely hidden notch and the front camera could move to the upper-left corner of the display. Read about the iPhone 18 Pro here: iPhone 18 Pro rumors. iPhone 18 Spring 2027 launch possible Apple could delay the iPhone 18 and release that handset alongside the iPhone 18e in the spring of 2027, according to some reports. Foldable iPhone September 2026 introduction possible This is a wild card! After years of rumors, Apple’s first foldable phone, potentially named the iPhone Fold, is projected to debut in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. It is expected to be a book-style foldable with a 7.8-inch inner display. Read more here: Apple’s folding iPhone rumors. What new iPads are coming in 2026 (and should you wait)? Apple doesn’t update the iPads every 12 months, but aside from the iPad Pro, which gained an M5 chip in October 2024, all the remaining iPads could see an update in 2026. Apple’s 2026 iPad lineup is likely to feature incremental upgrades focused on internal performance improvements rather than major design overhauls. Here’s what to expect: The iPad Air could get a update soon.Britta O’Boyle iPad mini May 2026 update possible The current iPad mini (A17 Pro) was released in October 2024, and Apple’s update cycle for this model is generally infrequent. Based on current reports and analysis, the next significant update to the iPad mini is not expected until mid-to-late 2026 at the earliest, with some speculation pointing toward 2027. One rumored upgrade for the 2026 iPad mini is the transition to an OLED display, which could reduce manufacturing costs and improve battery life. There is also the possibility of a slightly larger screen, with a move from the current 8.3- to 8.7-inches suggested. There is also speculation that a future foldable Apple device could potentially replace the iPad mini line entirely, though this remains uncertain. Internal code leaks suggest the future iPad mini could be upgraded to an A19 Pro chip, which would provide a significant performance boost over the current A17 Pro. A A18 Pro chip upgrade is also possible. Read our round up of iPad mini rumors. iPad May 2026 update possible When the standard iPad was updated in March 11, 2025, the biggest disappointment was that it featured a A16 chip and therefore didn’t support Apple Intelligence. Apple looks set to rectify that in 2026 with an upgrade to the A18 or A19 chip, with the latter offering 50% better performance. The release timeline for an iPad with an A18 or A19 chip is anticipated for sometime in 2026, in fact, Apple code suggest the company may be planning an update sooner-rather-than-later. Read more about the 2026 iPad in our rumor round up. Which Macs are worth waiting for in 2026? 2026 is expected to be a significant year for the Mac, with Apple’s first touchscreen Mac rumored as part of a MacBook Pro redesign. March 3 saw the launch of the M5 MacBook Air and M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro and March 4 saw Apple introduce the a new entry-level laptop – the $599 MacBook Neo. Updates to the Mac Studio and Mac mini are still expected. One Mac that won’t be getting an update is the long-neglected Mac Pro. Apple has confirmed that the Mac Pro will be discontinued in favor of the Mac Studio. Mac mini Early-mid 2026 update expected Simon Jary / Foundry The next update for the Mac mini is expected to feature the M5 and M5 Pro chips, with a possible release in June 2026. Regarding features, there isn’t much specific information about the M5 Mac mini itself, but it’s not expected to be a major departure from the current model, which was released in October 2024, and introduced a significant redesign, shrinking the case to just 5 by 5 inches and upgrading the base RAM to 16GB. Read more here: Mac mini M5 rumors. Mac Studio Early-mid 2026 update expected The current Mac Studio comes in two flavors: the Mac Studio M4 Max and the Mac Studio M3 Ultra. The M3 Ultra is a faster chip than the M4 Max, but just how much faster would an M4 Ultra, or even an M5 Ultra be. Hopefully we won’t have to wait long to find out. Based on current information, Apple is expected to release a new Mac Studio with an M5-series chip, likely in mid-2026. Read more here: M5 Mac Studio rumors. iMac Possible 2026 update The current M4 iMac was released in October 2024, so an M5 update might seems timely and could be released in June 2026, alongside other potential M5 Mac updates. The current iMac design was introduced in 2021 and is not expected to change soon. It is still considered fresh, and its components are not outdated. However, there are calls for Apple to introduce a larger screened iMac, something that has been missed since Apple discontinued the 27-inch model. Many feel that the 24-inch screen is too small. Read about the larger iMac rumors. Touchscreen MacBook Pro M6 Possible late 2026 introduction Foundry There are rumors that the M6 MacBook Pro will get a redesign including a thinner body and a notch-free OLED touchscreen, read the rumors about the M6 MacBook Pro with a touch screen. Upcoming Apple Watches in 2026 Like clockwork, expect a new Apple Watch in September.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Apple updated all the Apple Watches in September 2025. Launching the Apple Watch Series 11 a new Apple Watch Ultra and a new Apple Watch SE. In 2026 the Apple Watch Series 12 and a new Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected. Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring has been a long-rumored feature for the Apple Watch, but it is still considered to be a few years away. It is unclear if this technology will be ready for a 2026 release. Other new features could include Touch ID integration and microLED displays reaching 4,000 nits brightness. A thinner case, magnetic bands, and enhanced AI capabilities could also be on the cards. Apple Watch Ultra 4 September 2026 update possible Rumors indicate that the Ultra 4 could have a fingerprint scanner. There may be new sensors coming, but details are sparse.  Apple Watch Series 12 September 2026 update likely A chip update is likely, but beyond that little is known. Upcoming Apple Home devices Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Apple is expected to significantly expand its smart home ecosystem in 2026 with four major product categories including new devices beyond tradi

Macworld Apple’s Mac Pro was once a powerful, expandable, unapologetically ambitious machine—built for hardcore professionals doing serious work, not casual tinkering. But Apple has now put the Mac Pro out of its underpowered misery, discontinuing its tower workstation in favor of something far less imposing, the Pro-killing Mac Studio. Today, some pro Mac users seem content with a flimsy slab of aluminum like the Mac mini. Wimps. We demand something that looks like it houses a nuclear reactor. It should be bigger than a suitcase, plastered with warning stickers, hotter than a barbecue, and louder than a drag car. In other words, something like the old Power Mac G5. As we mourn the loss of Apple’s beefy, bodacious, behemoth pro Macs, it’s worth remembering the days when “pro” meant towering machines made from more metal than the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and more plastic than a nursery full of Lego bricks. What follows is a chronological look at those systems, focusing on the moments that defined, derailed, or reshaped the lineup. It’s less a trip down memory lane and more a guide to how Apple’s idea of “pro” has continually evolved. Apple I (1976-1977)  Power Computing Apple’s first computer wasn’t technically a “Mac,” of course. The Apple I’s users didn’t work in Final Cut, Aperture or Adobe Creative Suite. Indeed they would have fainted at the very thought of MacPaint. And it’s hard to call them “professional”. Some of them looked like they’d lived wild in a forest for the previous half of their lives—and that was just the guys from Apple. The Apple I was no slouch, but it wasn’t pro by today’s definition. It was invented by Homebrew Computer Club members Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs—and we all know that “homebrew” is by definition not professional. These computer hobbyists weren’t pioneering pro machines, they were turning pro machines into personal computers for the home. We’re including it here as an homage—and plus, the Apple I was certainly big enough to qualify for tower status. It was so open to user tinkering you had to build the case yourself from bits of wood. Apple III (1980-1983)   Power Computing While the Apple I looked like a Victorian dressing table, the Apple II looked like a smart electric typewriter. While used professionally, it doesn’t quite pass the grade at looking powerful enough for true Pro status. The Apple III, on the other hand, looked much more impressive and cost at least $4,000. Rather than allow users to install upgrades within its case you could buy extras that stacked on top of the computer increasing its height to the extent that you had to put extra cushions on your chair. The Apple III Plus featured a built-in clock but even that advanced feature was not enough to save it from the scrapheap. Lisa (1983-1985) Power Computing At $10,000, the pre-Mac Lisa was Apple’s most expensive computer and aimed at large businesses. So far, so pro. Sadly, that’s where its pro credentials fade away as it was a closed all-in-one system that looked like ET’s head rather than an imperial Walker from Star Wars. Just before it was driven off to the landfill, Apple rebranded the Lisa as Macintosh XL, which is certainly a more Pro name. Apple IIgs (1986-1992) Power Computing 1986’s Apple IIgs was the first Apple computer to nail the deep-box look (it had learned well from the Mac) and allowed you to swap in and out various third-party expansions, including 8MB of RAM and a processor upgrade that pumped iron at 18MHz. With an M. Mac II  (1987-1990) Power Computing The original Mac looked way too friendly to be a professional machine. It had a goofy smile and said “Hello.” We had to wait three years before we got the super-expandable Mac II that came in a case the size of a Christmas hamper. It didn’t say Hello. It barged past you, knocking you to the floor, and it didn’t look back to apologize. It boasted six (six!) NuBus slots for extra bits and pieces, such as a new graphics card that could display colors. If you wanted one with 1MB of RAM and a 40MB hard disk it would set you back $5,500. The Mac II had many iterations before it was retired. The Mac IIx and Mac IIcx were in a smaller box with just three NuBus slots but still cost a small fortune. 1989’s Mac IIici was a box so high that it was nearly a cube. If Steve Jobs had still been at Apple I’m sure it would have been. It was the first Mac to have built in-color video circuitry and despite costing $6,700 was one of the most popular Macs ever. Finally, the Mac IIfx was the Daddy of the pro Macs, costing a minimum of $12,000 and accommodating two floppy drives and eight high-speed 64-pin RAM slots. It also had a range of cool codenames, including Stealth, BlackBird, F-16, F-19 and Weed-Whacker. If that’s not pro, we don’t know what is. Quadra (1991-1994)   Apple Frank Casanova, who sported a curious Brian May-like head of hair, was the brains behind the IIfx and his Quadra range continued the pro features. This time around, the case expanded vertically in proper tower fashion, starting with the Quadra 700. The name Quadra was in part chosen from the major quadriceps muscle group to show off its strength. We’ll ignore the wimpy-looking Quadra 605/610, but bow before the 700, mini-tower Quadra 800, and mighty $7,500 Quadra 900/950 machines, which had three internal bays and stood 18.6 inches high—a sequoia among computer saplings. Mac clones (1995-1997) Power Computing Apple made the decision to allow other manufacturers to make and sell Mac hardware too late to stop crappy Windows PCs from taking over the world. And it then made the mistake of letting the Mac clone makers produce pro computers—such as the Power Computing PowerTower Pro—more powerful than Apple’s own and with a proper Pro Power name. On his return to Apple Steve Jobs took one look and quickly killed off the clones, and we were back with a not-so-brilliant range of professional Macs to choose from. (But not for long.) Power Mac (1994-1998)   Apple The first Power Macs looked much like the Quadras they replaced but packed new PowerPC processors. The Power Mac 8500 was big but, at a mere 15 inches in height, no match for the near-19-inch Quadra 900. Even the Power Mac 9500 measured just 17 inches tall, but it was the most expandable Mac yet, with six PCI slots and seven internal drive bays. Seven! Unlike today where Apple hates the thought of users tinkering under the bonnet, the 9500 didn’t even ship with a graphics card. You had to add your own. The later Power Mac 9600 came in a new-look case, which at 9.7 inches was the widest Mac tower ever, and was the easiest to get inside to add up to six drives, 12 memory chips, and six PCI cards. Power Mac G3 (1998-1999) Power Computing The Blue & White Power Mac G3 came in easy-to-open iMac-like colored polycarbonate. The Apple logo was squeezed in between the giant “G” and “3” and reminded many of a child’s toy. And it kind of was. The G3 had just four RAM slots, no SCSI, and a very forgettable keyboard and mouse. Power Mac G4 (1999-2004) Apple Predictably, Apple followed up the Power Mac G3 with the Power Mac G4. (We’ll ignore the very non-tower Power Mac G4 Cube.) Apple went a bit nuts with the Power Mac G4, launching several variations on its tower design, starting with Graphite, moving to QuickSilver, and ending up with Mirrored Drive Doors with faux air holes. However, the Power Mac G4 looked more impressive and boasted internal FireWire, two separate USB buses, and up to 1.5GB of RAM. And some models were so noisy they earned the nickname “Windtunnel”, giving it extra pro points. Finally, in 2000, it became the first PC to feature Gigabit Ethernet as a standard feature. Power Mac G5 (2003-2005) Apple The Power Mac G5 really looked the part of a proper professional Mac. Its industrial aluminum case screamed Pro and it looked as good with its door off as on. Want more Pro cred? The G5 ran so hot, that the case was divided into four separate thermal zones, each with its own cooling system—in case it melted your desk or the whole building. Its nine fans occasionally allowed you to pretend that you worked on the deck of an aircraft carrier in a state of emergency. Mac Pro (2006-2013) Apple At last, a pro Mac actually named Mac Pro. Apple had already started calling its skinny laptops Pro instead of Power, so it was long overdue for the far-sturdier desktop behemoths. The Mac Pro’s aluminum-enclosure design was little changed from 2003’s Power Mac G5 and, at 20.1 inches, was the tallest Mac tower yet. You could take the side off and use it as the roof for a small building. The Mac Pro dumped the G5 processor for Intel’s more pro-sounding dual- and quad-core Intel Xeon chips, with city-sized names such as Woodcrest, Clovertown, and Harpertown. But, aside from the speedy chips and cheese grater design, it was barely updated and lacked then-current technologies such as SATA III, USB 3, and Thunderbolt, despite some of these being available in punier non-Pro Macs. Pro Mac history: 17in MacBook Pro (2006-2012) Apple Apple had been calling its top-end MacBooks “Pro” since 2006, but it was the frankly giant 17-inch model that truly deserved the title. While all the other MacBook Pro models could be used by amateurs who hog tables at Starbucks, the 17-inch MacBook Pro was a beast fit only for the professional—specifically one with a big backpack and strong shoulders. Its “unibody” enclosure was a single piece of aluminum, roughly the size of a jumbo jet’s emergency exit door. It had an option for a matte anti-glare display,

Macworld The Mac Pro, one of Apple’s most iconic computers, seemed to have its days numbered. Earlier this month, the company had already dropped another hint with the discontinuation of the Pro Display XDR, which was replaced by the new Studio Display XDR. But the news is now official. On Thursday, Apple officially confirmed to Macworld that the Mac Pro has been discontinued. The company has also removed the product from its online store, putting an end to the last remaining desktop Mac in Apple’s lineup that still carried the “Pro” name in its most traditional sense. While the move may seem abrupt, especially with Apple’s 50th anniversary just days away, the reality is that the Mac Pro’s fate had been sealed for quite some time. A long goodbye for Apple’s most ambitious Mac The Mac Pro has always represented Apple’s most powerful and flexible computer. From the aluminum towers of the 2000s to the controversial cylindrical design in 2013 and the return to modularity in 2019, the Mac Pro was built for professionals who needed uncompromising performance. Read our Towers of Power (now) complete history of Apple’s sometimes inglorious forays into the professional workstation market. When Apple reintroduced the Mac Pro in 2019 alongside the Pro Display XDR, it was a statement. After years of neglecting high-end users, the company was ready to win them back with a truly modular system designed for demanding workflows like film production, 3D rendering, and audio engineering. But that strategy was short-lived. The Mac Studio changed everything Just a year after introducing the redesigned Mac Pro, Apple revealed its plans to shift from Intel processors to its own Apple Silicon chips. In November 2020, the company announced the first Macs with the M1 chip. The M1 was never a chip designed for high-end users, but the leap in performance was so significant that many professionals realized they could do photo and video editing, coding, and other demanding tasks on these Macs without needing a super expensive computer. Apple Silicon has made the Mac Studio as powerful as the Mac Pro.Thomas Bergbold But it was in 2022 when the Mac Pro’s fate seemed to be in jeopardy. The arrival of the Mac Studio reshaped Apple’s professional desktop strategy. While the Mac Pro was still based on an old Intel processor, the first Mac Studio had an M1 Ultra chip that outperformed Apple’s super-expensive desktop tower. Apple’s silicon roadmap has made the Mac Studio powerful enough to replace the Mac Pro for most people. For less than half the price and a fraction of the footprint, customers could finally buy a Mac that was even faster than the Mac Pro. Eventually, Apple put its own chip inside the Mac Pro, but Apple silicon didn’t have the same impact. It ran the same M2 Ultra chip as the Mac Studio, and the main difference between the Mac Pro and the Mac Studio was the ability to add internal storage and PCIe expansion cards. And it still cost thousands more than the Mac Studio. The dreams of a workstation chip or standalone graphics didn’t come to pass. For the vast majority of users, that wasn’t enough to justify the higher price tag. The signs were always there While the Mac Pro hasn’t seen an update since 2023, Apple continued to refresh the rest of the desktop Mac lineup with newer and more efficient chips. By the time Apple refreshed the Mac Studio with M3 Ultra and M4 Max, it became obvious that the company no longer saw a future for the Mac Pro. The Mac Studio powered by the M3 Ultra chip outperformed the Apple Silicon Mac Pro in pretty much every benchmark, but at a fraction of the price. The Mac Pro has been on the way out of Apple’s lineup for a while.Foundry Apple never explicitly said the Mac Pro was going away, but the signs kept piling up. The discontinuation of the Pro Display XDR, the absence of the Mac Pro in marketing materials, and the increasing focus on the Studio lineup all pointed in the same direction. Even rumors suggested that Apple had deprioritized the Mac Pro internally, with plans for future updates reportedly scrapped. Now, with the product officially discontinued, those signals make perfect sense in hindsight. It existed in the Mac lineup, but Apple couldn’t have sold more than a handful of them, if that. The discontinuation marks the end of an era for the Mac Pro. For decades, it stood as the ultimate expression of Apple’s desktop ambitions: powerful, modular, and expensive. But Apple in 2026 is a very different company from the one that introduced the Mac Pro in 2006. Today, efficiency and integration matter more than modularity. Apple Silicon has enabled the company to deliver workstation-level performance in smaller, quieter, and more affordable machines. It’s no wonder Apple just launched its most affordable laptop, the MacBook Neo, for just $599. For professionals, the Mac Studio is now the logical choice. And for Apple, simplifying the lineup likely makes more sense than maintaining a niche product with limited appeal. Still, for those who relied on the Mac Pro’s expandability, this change may feel like an ignominious end. The MacBook Pro is the last remaining “Pro” model in Apple’s Mac lineup.Foundry What’s next for pro users? Apple hasn’t announced a direct replacement for the Mac Pro, and it probably won’t. Instead, the company is betting that the combination of Mac Studio, Studio Display XDR, and MacBook Pro will cover nearly all professional workflows. For the few remaining edge cases that depend on PCIe expansion, users may need to rely on external solutions or rethink their setups entirely. The Mac Pro is gone. But in many ways, its legacy lives on in the performance gains that Apple Silicon has brought to every Mac. And for Apple, that seems to be enough.

Macworld As Apple turns 50, it’s easy to focus on the biggest hits, such as the Macintosh, iPod, and iPhone. But the company never relied on a single blockbuster. Instead, its history is paved with a series of ambitious products that arrived at just the right moments. More than the products themselves, Apple’s history can be divided into moments that took the company in major new directions, saved it from bankruptcy, and reinvented its identity. Here are the seven products that helped Apple stay relevant amid a rapidly changing landscape. iMac: The comeback Before Apple introduced the G3 iMac, the company was facing some tough times. Apple was close to bankruptcy with a bloated product lineup and no clear strategy for the future. There was also the whole leadership situation, with a carousel of CEOs after Jobs left in 1985. When Jobs returned to his role as Apple’s CEO in 1997, he completely rethought the company’s strategy. Not only that, he knew that Apple needed a killer product to win back its customers.  The original G3 iMac brought Apple bacl from the brink of bankruptcy.Jason Snell The iMac, introduced in 1998, wasn’t just a new computer. It was a whole new concept that would change Apple forever. Unlike all other PCs at the time, the iMac was made of beautiful translucent, colorful plastic and had a modern all-in-one design. Standards like floppy disk drives and SCSI gave way to more modern technologies such as CD-ROM, USB, and Ethernet. The idea was clear: a computer for the future, ready for the internet, that was so simple to use that anyone would want it. The iMac didn’t save Apple alone, but it helped the company get back on track and, more importantly, reestablished its identity as a company focused on the user experience. iPod: The ecosystem Even before the iPod, Apple had tried to reach markets beyond computers with things like digital cameras, printers, and even a game console. They all failed. But in 2001, the company finally took a step in the right direction to create a true Apple ecosystem. The first iPod was more than a pretty MP3 player. It was a device built to expand beyond the Mac. Users could simply plug them into their Mac and automatically sync their iTunes library. The iPod was Apple’s first ecosystem product.Filipe Esposito The iPod also showed what Apple did best: take an idea that was already on the market and make it even better. MP3 players were already a thing at the time, but the iPod was smaller, better designed, and way more intuitive than anything out there. The Click Wheel made it unlike any other portable music player ever made. Over time, the iPod gained support for Windows PCs, which made even more people want an iPod. It pulled new users into Apple Stores and made iTunes a platform. But more than the music, the iPod paved the way for Apple to create an entire ecosystem of products that worked seamlessly with each other. iTunes Store: The first Service What really helped the iPod become a big hit was the iTunes Store. At the time, Apple was totally focused on selling hardware to make money. But in 2003, the iTunes Store changed that. In an attempt to help record labels combat piracy, Steve Jobs partnered with major record labels to launch the iTunes Store. The idea was to let customers purchase digital versions of their favorite albums at affordable prices. The iTunes Music Store showed the world that Apple was more than a hardware company.Apple Moreover, users could even purchase a single song for just 99 cents, a groundbreaking innovation at the time. And of course, purchased songs were automatically synced to the user’s iPod. The iTunes Store marked the beginning of a new era for Apple. It was a digital service that complemented the hardware, and vice versa. One made you want the other. In 2010, the iTunes Store became the world’s largest music vendor. Now, we have Apple Music, Apple TV, and even the App Store, and it’s all because Apple decided to create its own online music store more than two decades ago. MacBook Air: The laptop of tomorrow One of the most iconic moments in Apple’s history is undoubtedly when Steve Jobs pulled the original MacBook Air out of an inter-office envelope in 2008. He wasn’t just showing how thin the MacBook Air was, but how light, portable, and versatile laptops could be. Unlike other laptops at the time, the MacBook Air was incredibly thin and light. It targeted customers who didn’t need bulky laptops. More than that, it was built with technologies that have become standard today – things like a speedy SSD, multi-touch trackpad, and of course, its all-aluminum design. The MacBook Air set the course for the future of Apple’s portable Macs.Apple Just like Apple did with the first iMac, the MacBook Air was a statement of how Apple believed laptops should be from then on. No more CD trays or legacy ports. Competitors rushed to copy it. Intel built the Ultrabook initiative in response. The MacBook Air quietly reshaped the PC industry at a moment when Apple needed the Mac to remain relevant in a post-iPhone world. Apple Watch: The next chapter The Apple Watch was the first truly new product category introduced under Tim Cook’s leadership as CEO. It was also the first major test to show whether Apple could still innovate without Steve Jobs. The first version seemed to lack a clear focus. Apple tried to promote the Apple Watch as a fashion accessory, an iPhone companion, and also a fitness tracker. It also had a very slow processor and relied heavily on the iPhone to run apps. But despite these issues, the Apple Watch was a success and showed that the company was still in good hands. Apple Watch has come a long way since its debut in 2014.Britta O’Boyle The Apple Watch was so successful that it redefined the idea of a smartwatch. The concept wasn’t new, but most of them were ugly, clunky, and cheap. The Apple Watch was launched with a beautiful OLED display, customizable bands, and a premium finish made of aluminum, steel, and even solid gold. Apple eventually addressed the biggest criticisms and refocused its efforts on making it a fitness and health device. The Watch has now become indispensable for millions of people, thanks to features such as health alerts, 5G, and Emergency SOS right from their wrist.  And perhaps more importantly, it launched Apple’s wearables and accessories segment, which now includes AirPods and Vision Pro. AirPods: The lock-in effect When Apple unveiled the iPhone 7, it was missing a port that had been on every Apple product since its first Macintosh: a headphone jack. In its place, Apple included a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter in the box and released its first pair of wireless earbuds aptly named AirPods. Few Apple products were mocked as quickly as AirPods. The truly wireless design looked strange. People were afraid that they would easily lose their earphones since there was no wire connecting them. AirPods have become as ubiquitous as the iPhone itself.Andreas Bergsman Yet, AirPods became a huge success. Once users experienced instant pairing and automatic device switching without having to worry about tedious Bluetooth settings, there was no turning back. Soon, everyone wanted AirPods. This also led competitors to invest heavily in wireless earbuds. Despite that, only AirPods offered so many convenient features for iPhone users. They served as subtle reminders of the advantages of staying locked into the Apple ecosystem, rather than buying earbuds from other brands. And without a headphone jack on the new iPhone, it was a natural accessory pairing. Apple constantly promotes how well the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods work together. Together, they become a strong reason for iPhone users not to switch to Android, or even to motivate them to buy other Apple products. Today, AirPods are a phenomenon. You see them everywhere around the world, and they have become an important source of revenue for Apple. Apple Silicon: The bet on the future Apple made a bold move when it transitioned Macs from Intel processors to its own Apple Silicon chips in 2020. With the introduction of the M1 chip, Apple didn’t just make faster Macs. It reclaimed control over its roadmap. For a moment, it was almost as if the Mac was becoming a niche product. There were computers with better performance and lower prices. At the same time, Apple relied on Intel to plan what would come next for the Mac. Apple silicon changed the direction of the Mac.Apple Apple Silicon chips have breathed new life into the Mac. These chips have enabled Apple to better integrate hardware and software, which has also enabled new form factors for the Mac. The MacBook Air is now smaller and more powerful than ever, and the new, affordable MacBook Neo runs full macOS on an iPhone chip. The Mac has once again set itself apart from the rest of the industry, not only because it has a better design, but because its entire architecture is more powerful and more efficient. The result is that more and more people have been switching to the Mac in recent years. The Mac regained credibility. Long-time Mac users regained enthusiasm. Apple Silicon Macs are now, in a way, what the first iMac represented for Apple in the late ’90s. What’s next? Looking back, it was hard to imagine that these products would become so important to Apple. The iMac seemed like an optimistic concept, the iPod was too niche, the MacBook Air had too many compromises for its time, the Apple Watch lacked a clear purpose, AirPods seemed like a gimmick, and Apple Silicon was a risky architecture change. And yet, each of them solved a specific challenge Apple was facing at the time and paved the way for the produ

Macworld The iPad is more than just a big iPhone for your lap. For many people, it’s a viable alternative to a laptop or desktop computer. There’s nothing like having the convenience of hands-free use of your iPad. Whether you’re working at your desk, streaming a film, or in the kitchen, a stand becomes an essential tablet accessory. An iPad stand will help your posture and viewing comfort, or make typing or using a stylus much easier. Two Apple technologies can further integrate the touchscreen iPad into your daily work. Sidecar lets you use your iPad as a second monitor for your Mac, and Universal Control allows you to share the same keyboard between Mac and iPad. With each, an iPad stand adds stability, visibility and ergonomic comfort to your iPad experience. For more details, see our explainer How to use Universal Control and Sidecar to augment your workflow. We’ve rounded up some of the best iPad stands out there for every budget–from the lightweight and portable, to the infinitely adjustable, to the ones that just look great, and one that will turn your iPad into a desktop workstation. Some are basic, some are stylish or super-bendy, some come with an array of handy ports, some can even wirelessly charge your iPad, and one looks like a cuddly toy. Whatever the type of iPad stand you decide on, ensure it matches your model of iPad—Apple’s iPad repetitive naming convention isn’t super intuitive—all iPads (iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro) should name their size in inches, and some are named after their processor, others just have a generation. Identify your iPad model here. Stands marked as “Universal” should fit all. Of course, those using their iPad for work may also want to pair the iPad with a keyboard—we have tested the best iPad keyboards for you. Lamicall – Most colorful range of basic iPad stand Pros Works with all iPads Affordable Wide color range Cons Not full 360-degree rotation Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The Lamicall Tablet stand is an adjustable iPad holder that tilts 270 degrees to suit the angle that you need, making it ideal for use at the work desk or kitchen table. It comes with rubber cushions on the hooks to prevent the screen from getting scratched too.  It works with any tablet (or indeed phone) from 4-inch to 13-inch, and is available in a wide range of colors, including black, silver, rose, gray, gold, green, blue and purple. This iPad stand might be basic but it’s a bargain for a well-built tiltable iPad accessory. Satechi OntheGo Foldable 7-in-1 Stand Hub – Best iPad USB-C hub stand Pros 7 ports inc HDMI and SD/microSD 4K at 60Hz 10Gbps data transfer 312MBps card readers Built-in iPad stand Foldable Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Satechi $79.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket This iPad stand incorporates a USB-C dock for added functionality. The hub includes USB-C (to iPad, at 10Gbps data-transfer speed), USB-C PD (100W), one USB-A (10Gbps), HDMI 2.0 (supporting 4K displays at a healthy 60Hz screen refresh rate), fast SD and microSD card readers, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It connects to the iPad via its USB-C port, and an 6.7-inch (170mm) USB-C cable that’s tucked into its base. That’s a short cable compared to the 450mm cable in the Anker 551 Hub Stand and the Plugable’s 500m cable—both rival hub stands also include an extra USB-A port and are reviewed below. If the iPad is always in the stand when you need the hub’s ports, the short cable won’t be a problem. If you think you might need the hub’s ports while the iPad is out of the stand, then the other hub stands’ longer cables might be worth considering. Where the Satechi Hub Stand beats the Anker 551 and Plugable Dock is its faster ports. The iPad connection and all the USB ports are rated at 10Gbps (the same as the iPad Air and fast enough in most circumstances even for 40Gbps iPad Pro users) compared to Anker and Plugable’s 5Gbps. The SD and MicroSD card readers are also faster at 312MBps compared to the rivals’ 104MBps. The card readers are an affordable way of adding super-portable storage to your iPad setup, with Amazon selling such storage cards for around $40 for 256GB. When folded it measures 4.3 x 4.3 x 0.75 inches (110 x 110 x 19mm) and weighs 6.6oz (188g). That’s smaller and noticeably lighter than the Anker hub stand. The Plugable hub is a little smaller but not as light. (300g vs 188g). The iPad can be tilted on the stand for the best height and viewing angles. This hub will work only with iPads with a USB-C/Thunderbolt charging port. Elsewhere we have reviewed more of the best USB-C hubs for iPad. Read our full Satechi OntheGo Foldable Stand Hub review Lululook 360 Rotating Foldable Magnetic iPad Charging Stand – Best rotating iPad stand Pros Rotates 360 degrees Wireless iPad charging Height-adjustable folding arm Magnetic Cons Dedicated to individual iPad models Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Lululook $99.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket This iPad stand looks similar to many others but has the useful benefit of being able to rotate 360°, which makes it ideal for sharing with groups, either at home for family video calls or in-office meetings. If you use your iPad in the kitchen for recipes, you can rotate it as you move around. This is a new release for M4 iPad Pro 13-inch /11-inch and for M2 iPad Air 13-inch/ 11-inch, and can deliver 18W fast charging via the Smart Connector on the back of your iPad. Its foldable design will help keep your office uncluttered and easy to carry. Make sure you pick the right model of stand for your model of iPad—this comes in four size options. If you can’t find yours, consider the Benks Infinityi Magnetic iPad Stand, reviewed below or the Plugable PT-Stand1 that is universal in its iPad support—although neither boasts the charging element found with the Lululook models, . Elago Magnetic Stand for iPads – Best Apple-like iPad stand Pros Makes an iPad into an iMac Adjustable Cons Expensive Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If you want a stand that’s as close to the Apple aesthetic as possible, you can’t get any closer than Elago’s new Premium Stand. The minimal aluminum stand is d

Macworld Beats Studio Buds View Deal We love AirPods of course, but the design isn’t for everyone. If you fall into that group, the Beats Studio Buds are worth a look. They’re normally cheaper than AirPods, but instead of paying $150 for them, you can get them for $59 at Amazon’s Woot, a massive savings of more than 60 percent and the best price we’ve ever seen by $20. Now, listen, we know these buds aren’t the newest, but that doesn’t make them any less awesome. When we reviewed them, we gave them a 4-star rating as we appreciated their super compact, comfortable design, and excellent music quality. That’s at their $150 MSRP, and we’d recommend them at their usual $99 sale price. But at $59, they’re practically an impulse buy. Beats Studio Pro have many of the same features as AirPods, including instant pairing, Spatial Audio, “Hey Siri,” and Find My support. If you don’t use an iPhone as your main phone, with several features exclusive to Android users. This deal is set to expire later today, so hurry up and place your order for the Beats Studio Buds for $59 before it runs out.

Macworld While Apple is celebrating its upcoming 50th anniversary and looks forward to another 50 years, there’s one major product that has come to an end. The Mac Pro, as confirmed by Apple with Macworld, has been discontinued by the company. The Mac Pro section of Apple.com has been removed from the website, though Mac Pros are still available through Apple’s Certified Refurbished store. It’s a quiet end for a product that was last updated in 2023 with an M2 Ultra chip. But it wasn’t a surprise; Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported last November that Apple had “largely written off” the Mac Pro, believing that the Mac Studio is a better product. Why it took so long to finally pull the plug isn’t clear, but Apple hadn’t done any updates to the hardware since the M2 Ultra upgrade nearly three years ago. Apple has been rumored to have an update to the Mac Studio in the works, with an announcement likely between now and WWDC26. Apple positions the Mac Studio as the machine for production environments that demand workstation performance, and seemingly feels confident that the Mac Studio can fill the Mac Pro’s shoes. The discontinuation of the Mac Pro leaves Apple without a modular tower computer, but it’s been moving away from those types of machines for a while. In response to those who think an expandable tower is a gaping hole in the Mac lineup, Apple often counters with confidence that its silicon can make up for the need for expansion cards, and Thunderbolt can handle storage needs just as well. Apple introduced the Mac Pro in 2006, the same time Apple completed its transition from Motorola chips to Intel. It had two 64-bit, Intel Xeon 5100 (Woodcrest) processors, four hard drive bays, eight RAM slots, and started at $2,499. Read our Towers of Power (now) complete history of Apple’s sometimes inglorious forays into the professional workstation market.

Macworld Now that we know that Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is set for June 8, we’re going to start hearing about what could be included in the OS 27 updates. Perhaps the most anticipated update is with Siri, which we’ve been eagerly awaiting since it’s supposed to bring Apple up to the level of ChatGPT and Claude. A new report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman sheds some light on how Apple will further integrate AI. While Apple has been working on a new and improved Siri that works like a chatbot, Gurman reports that Apple will allow third-party chatbots to integrate with Siri. It will work in a similar fashion as the ChatGPT integration currently works, with users able to send their queries to Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, etc., instead of having Siri handle it. OS 27 will reportedly let users set which service they want to use through an Extensions option in Siri’s settings. Links for chatbots will be provided if the third-party chatbot app is not installed. This also means that the exclusive agreement between Apple and OpenAI will end with OS 27. In January, Apple and Google announced that the new Siri will be based on Google Gemini, a plan that is still in place and unaffected by this report. This new development gives users the opportunity to use the chatbot they prefer. The new Siri is expected to be the marquee feature at WWDC26. WWDC is a week-long event, with a keynote on June 8.

Macworld With the release of macOS Tahoe last September, Apple introduced a major change: It removed Launchpad and replaced it with the Apps app. Many of us mourned the loss (and many of you laughed at us, based on the feedback I got from this article) and turned to third-party, Launchpad-like solutions to fill the void. However, there’s a sign from Apple that those third-party apps could be at risk, too. Developer Michael Tsai recently posted about AppGrid, a Launchpad-like app that many are using in the macOS Tahoe Launchpad void. Unfortunately, AppGrid’s developer, Attila Miklosi, is being blocked from updating the app in the Mac App Store. Miklosi has been told that the reason for this is that the app violates an Apple guideline: AppGrid looks too similar to Launchpad. Yes, AppGrid looks similar to Launchpad, but that’s the point since LaunchPad doesn’t exist anymore. With this ruling, Apple is essentially saying that the guidelines even apply when Apple deprecates a feature or an app, which is unfair. There’s an argument to be made about Apple protecting its intellectual property, but if it’s for an item that will likely never return, why bother? Miklosi has been told that updates will be allowed once AppGrid has been redesigned to not look like Launchpad. “Thousands have paid for it already, and they paid exactly for it being as similar to Launchpad as possible, so I decided not to go down that route,” he told Tsai. AppGrid (pictured here) looks similar to Apple Launchpad (pictured at the top of this article), but that’s kind of the point.Foundry To make the matter even more confounding, AppGrid is still available for purchase on the Mac App Store, but the app is basically defunct. It can’t be updated because Apple won’t allow it. But Apple continues to collect its 30 percent cut every time someone buys it. Miklosi is getting his cut for the app, too, but the app can’t be updated so that people who bought it essentially get unsupported software. In the App Store description, Miklosi promises a new version with “powerful new features, including advanced grid customization, app grouping, renaming, and more” is coming soon, but as long as Apple has its say, that won’t be the case. Miklosi has given up on trying to resolve the App Store issue and is focusing on the version of AppGrid that can be downloaded directly through his site. Apple probably won’t do anything to stop that, but who knows? Maybe Launchpad is coming back in macOS 27. If you’re interested in giving AppGrid a try, don’t get the Mac App Store version; visit Appgridmac.com and get it there. It’s actually cheaper, in fact: Unlocking AppGrid’s full feature set costs $25 with support for five Macs compared to $30 in the App Store. If you bought AppGrid in the Mac App Store, Miklosi has a way you can transfer your Pro license to the direct download version–you don’t have to pay again, and you’ll get app updates. Miklosi plans to remove AppDirect from the Mac App Store once those buyers have migrated to the direct download version.

Macworld Unsure which version of iOS your iPhone can run? Here’s a quick guide so you can find out if your iPhone is compatible with the most recent iterations of the iPhone operating system, and, if it isn’t, which version you can install on your iPhone. iPhone iOS Compatibility: At a Glance Find your iPhone in our iPhone iOS support table and see which version of iOS you can run. Which iPhone do you have?Which version of iOS can you run?iPhone 17e 2026iOS 26iPhone 17 Pro (Max) 2025iOS 26iPhone Air 2025iOS 26iPhone 17 2025iOS 26iPhone 16e 2025iOS 26iPhone 16 Pro (Max) 2024iOS 26iPhone 16 (Plus) 2024iOS 26iPhone 15 Pro (Max) 2023iOS 26iPhone 15 (Plus) 2023iOS 26iPhone 14 Pro (Max) 2022iOS 26iPhone 14 (Plus) 2022iOS 26iPhone SE (3rd gen) 2022iOS 26iPhone 13 Pro (Max) 2021iOS 26iPhone 13 (mini) 2021iOS 26iPhone 12 Pro (Max) 2020iOS 26iPhone 12 (mini) 2020iOS 26iPhone SE (2nd gen) 2020iOS 26iPhone 11 Pro (Max) 2019iOS 26iPhone 11 2019iOS 26iPhone XR 2018iOS 18iPhone XS (Max) 2018iOS 18iPhone X 2017iOS 16iPhone 8 (Plus) 2017iOS 16iPhone 7 (Plus) 2016iOS 15iPhone SE (1st gen) 2016iOS 15iPhone 6s (Plus) 2015iOS 15 Is your iPhone still supported by Apple? If your iPhone runs iOS 15 or newer, it is still receiving security updates and is safe to use The latest version of the iPhone operating system is iOS 26, which will continue to receive new features until the next major release, iOS 27, launches in the fall of 2026. Even if your iPhone can’t run the latest version of iOS, it is safe to use as long as it continues to receive security updates. Apple often releases security updates for older iOS versions to patch flaws that are being exploited. For example, in March 2026 the “DarkSword” hacking toolkit was identified as targeting iPhones running older versions of iOS 18. The security holes used by the DarkSword malware were addressed in the iOS 18.7.6 update. If you use an iPhone running a version of iOS that Apple doesn’t support with security updates, you are at risk of exploitation attacks targeting flaws in older software versions. Some updates may also be necessary to maintain certificates needed for essential services like iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation, so if you aren’t running a supported version of iOS you may find these features stop working. The good news is that all of the iPhone models listed in the table above are currently supported by Apple, although the level of support varies. Apple continues to provide security updates for the following older versions of iOS: iOS 15 and iOS 16 received updates to address security vulnerabilities in March 2026 iOS 18 received a critical security update in March 2026 Apple doesn’t need to update iOS 17, because every iPhone that runs it can upgrade to a newer version. This means that, for now at least, the following older iPhones are still receiving security updates: iPhone X iPhone 8 iPhone 7 iPhone SE (1st generation) iPhone 6s – the oldest supported iPhone We don’t know how much longer Apple will continue to support iOS 15 and iOS 16 — and these iPhones. As we explain in How long Apple supports iPhones for, the company has already classified the iPhone SE (1st generation) as obsolete, while the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone 8 and iPhone X are on Apple’s vintage list. These classifications mean it may no longer be possible to get these devices repaired through Apple. Should I upgrade my iPhone? IDG If your iPhone can’t run the newest version of iOS, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to upgrade. While you won’t get the latest features, Apple continues to issue software updates to address security vulnerabilities in recent versions of iOS. Even with the arrival of iOS 26, Apple has continued to support iOS 18, iOS 16 and iOS 15 with security updates – and, with those versions of iOS, 2015’s iPhone 6s through to 2018’s iPhone XR and iPhone XS. However, if you’re using an older iPhone, security is the key concern. Apple is still providing security patches for older devices via iOS 15 and iOS 16, but this support is unlikely to last much longer. By contrast, iOS 18 support is expected to continue for several more years, extending the usable life of the iPhone XS and XR. Once your device can no longer run a supported version of iOS, it’s time to seriously consider upgrading. We explain how long Apple supports the iPhone for in a separate article, and you can see full iOS compatibility in the chart above. As a general rule, any iPhone that can’t run iOS 26 is nearing the end of its practical lifespan. Even among iPhones that do support iOS 26, some upgrades are worth considering. In particular, newer models support Apple Intelligence features that aren’t available on older devices. If you own one of the following iPhones, upgrading will give you access to significantly improved performance and newer features — especially if you’re moving to a recent model such as the iPhone 17: iPhone 15 & 15 Plus (2023) iPhone 14 Pro & 14 Pro Max (2022) iPhone 14 & 14 Plus (2022) iPhone SE (3rd generation, 2022) iPhone 13 Pro & 13 Pro Max (2021) iPhone 13 mini (2021) iPhone 12 Pro & 12 Pro Max (2020) iPhone 12 & 12 mini (2020) iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020) iPhone 11 Pro & 11 Pro Max (2019) iPhone 11 (2019) Every iOS version supported by each iPhone To show you which versions of iOS your iPhone can run, we’ve broken down each iPhone generation in the chart below, so you can see which version it originally shipped with (as that will be the earliest it can run) and the latest iteration it currently supports – including whether that iPhone supports iOS 26. Take a look at our guide to Every version of iOS released so far for more information about the different versions of iOS. Every version of iOS and the phones it supports.Foundry iPhone Air Original iOS version: iOS 26 Does it run iOS 26: Yes iPhone 17, 17e, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 26 Does it run iOS 26: Yes iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 18 Does it run iOS 26: Yes iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 17 Does it run iOS 26: Yes iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 16 Does it run iOS 26: Yes iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 15 Does it run iOS 26: Yes iPhone SE (3rd generation) Original iOS version: iOS 15 Does it run iOS 26: Yes iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 14 Does it run iOS 18: Yes iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max Original iOS version: iOS 13 Does it run iOS 26: Yes iPhone SE (2nd generation) Original iOS version: iOS 13 Does it run iOS 26: Yes iPhone XR, XS, XS Max Original iOS version: iOS 12 Does it run iOS 26: No Last compatible version: iOS 18 iPhone X Original iOS version: iOS 11 Last compatible version: iOS 16 iPhone 8, 8 Plus Original iOS version: iOS 11 Last compatible version: iOS 16 iPhone 7, 7 Plus Original iOS version: iOS 10 Last compatible version: iOS 15 iPhone 6S, 6S Plus Original iOS version: iOS 9 Last compatible version: iOS 15 iPhone SE (1st generation) Original iOS version: iOS 9 Last compatible version: iOS 15 iPhone 6, 6 Plus Original iOS version: iOS 8 Last compatible version: iOS 12 iPhone 5S Original iOS version: iOS 7 Last compatible version: iOS 12 iPhone 5C Original iOS version: iOS 7 Last compatible version: iOS 10 iPhone 5 Original iOS version: iOS 6 Last compatible version: iOS 10 iPhone 4s Original iOS version: iOS 5 Last compatible version: iOS 9 iPhone 4 Original iOS version: iOS 4 Last compatible version: iOS 7 iPhone 3GS Original iOS version: iOS 3 Last compatible version: iOS 6 iPhone 3G Original iOS version: iOS 2 Last compatible version: iOS 4 iPhone Original iOS version: iOS 1 Last compatible version: iOS 3 If your iPhone isn’t supported by iOS 24 or 18 then you might want to consider upgrading to a newer device. Take a look at our best iPhone deals round-up where we share the most recent money-saving deals. Read our best iPhone guide for advice. How to see which version of iOS you’re running If you’re not sure which version of iOS you’re currently running, it’s very easy to find out. Open Settings. Tap on General. Tap About and look for the iOS Version number. How to see which version of iOS is installedFoundry How to upgrade iOS Now that you know the latest version of iOS that your iPhone supports, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re running on that platform. Updating iOS on an iPhone is simple, follow these steps: Open Settings. Tap on General. Tap Software Update and wait for your iPhone to check for updates. When the latest update appears tap Update Now. Enter your passcode if required. Wait while the update is applied (your iPhone may shut down and restart) How to update iOS on iPhoneFoundry See how to update iOS on your iPhone for more advice.