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  • Apple offers discounts on refurbished M4 iMacs

    Apple offers discounts on refurbished M4 iMacs

    Apple recently started selling the M4 Mac mini and MacBook Pro at lower prices in its refurbished store. For a while, the M4 iMac, which came out at the same time, wasn’t included. Good news—Apple has now added it, so the whole M4 Mac family is available!

    Refurbished M4 iMacs Come in Many Colors and Options

    You can now grab the M4 iMac from Apple’s refurbished store in different colors and setups, all at nice savings (spotted by MacRumors).

    The regular price for the basic M4 iMac is $1,299 when brand new. But if you go refurbished, it’s only $1,099—and it still comes with all the matching accessories, like the keyboard and mouse.
    Since all M4 Macs now kick off with 16GB of memory, the starting model is a solid pick compared to older versions.

    That said, many people might want more storage space. Apple has several bigger SSD options to choose from. Just keep an eye on the discounts—they can change depending on how much storage you pick.

    Compare Prices Before You Buy

    If you’re thinking about getting an M4 iMac, don’t skip checking Amazon. They’ve got brand-new ones on sale, sometimes close to Apple’s refurbished prices.

    For instance, a new basic M4 iMac is going for $1,149 right now. That’s just $50 more than Apple’s refurbished version. So, it’s worth a look to see which deal feels right for you! Whether you go refurbished or new, the M4 iMac is a colorful, powerful choice at a better price than before.

  • Spotify boss slams Apple’s EU rules follow-up, pushes for tougher action

    Spotify boss slams Apple’s EU rules follow-up, pushes for tougher action

    Spotify’s top boss, Daniel Ek, isn’t pleased with how Apple is handling the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). In a chat with Bloomberg, he took a swing at Apple, urging EU officials to crack down on the tech giant soon. Ek insists it’s high time “to make sure the rules stick” against Apple. Bloomberg’s Samuel Stolton reports:

    Ek called Apple’s efforts to follow the DMA a “joke.” He accused the iPhone maker of dragging its feet and finding ways to avoid fully cooperating with the law, which puts tight controls on big tech companies.

    “Europe needs to prove it’s serious about enforcing the rules already in place,” Ek told Bloomberg on Tuesday. He also pointed out that regulators in the U.S. are starting to pay closer attention to Apple’s actions.

    The EU has already shown it’s unhappy with Apple’s first attempts to follow the DMA. Talks are likely underway about whether Apple should face bigger penalties.

    Stolton adds: “EU competition boss Teresa Ribera has promised a decision on Apple’s DMA follow-through by late March. The law lets her slap fines as high as 10% of Apple’s yearly global earnings.”

    Things have shifted a bit politically since then, though. With the U.S. President now pushing back against such moves, it’s uncertain if the EU will keep pressing Apple. Spotify and Ek have been vocal supporters of tougher rules on Apple for a while, so this latest nudge to the EU isn’t shocking. Still, Ek’s fresh complaints might stem from worries that the EU could drop the ball and let Apple off the hook.

  • iPhone 16e’s battery size uncovered in everyday use tests

    iPhone 16e’s battery size uncovered in everyday use tests

    When Apple introduced the iPhone 16e, they highlighted a fresh design inside that made room for a bigger battery. While Apple doesn’t share exact battery sizes, a popular YouTuber, Dave Lee from Dave2D, spilled the details in his latest review. He revealed the iPhone 16e has a 3,961 mAh battery—a solid jump of over 10% compared to the 3,561 mAh in the standard iPhone 16.

    Here’s how it stacks up:

    • iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4,685 mAh
    • iPhone 16 Pro: 3,582 mAh
    • iPhone 16 Plus: 4,674 mAh
    • iPhone 16: 3,561 mAh
    • iPhone 16e: 3,961 mAh

    Apple claims the iPhone 16e delivers the best battery life ever for a 6.1-inch iPhone, thanks partly to their new energy-saving C1 modem.

    How Does the iPhone 16e Hold Up in Real Life?

    Dave Lee tested the iPhone 16e by keeping the Reddit website running non-stop over Wi-Fi. The phone lasted an impressive 12 hours and 54 minutes. By comparison, the iPhone 16 managed 11 hours and 17 minutes in the same setup, making the 16e the champ here.

    Tom’s Guide ran their own test, mimicking regular web browsing on a cellular network. The iPhone 16e averaged 12 hours and 41 minutes—super close to the iPhone 16’s 12 hours and 43 minutes. The top scores? The 16e hit 12 hours and 49 minutes, while the iPhone 16 reached 13 hours and 19 minutes.

    CNET’s Patrick Holland shared his hands-on experience: “After six days with the 16e, I’ve charged it just three times. Using a 30-watt charger, it went from zero to 59% in half an hour. I’ve been pushing it hard—testing cameras, playing heavy games, and using smart features. It easily lasts a full day, and with lighter use, it can stretch to a day and a half.”

    In CNET’s video streaming test, the iPhone 16e stayed at 100% after an hour, while the iPhone 16 and 15 dipped to 97%. Holland noted more tests are coming, but the early signs are promising.
    Get Yours Soon Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e are open now, with the official launch this Friday. Curious for more? Check out our full iPhone 16e review summary!

  • Your Safari searches now pop Up in iOS 18.4

    Your Safari searches now pop Up in iOS 18.4

    With the iOS 18.4 update, Apple added a little change to Safari that might catch your eye. Now, when you open a new tab and tap the search bar, your recent searches show up right away. It’s a simple shift, but it could spark some mixed feelings.

    In the earlier version, iOS 18.3.1, things worked differently. Opening a new tab and tapping search kept your history hidden, leaving you on the usual Safari start page. You wouldn’t see past searches unless you started typing something similar, and even then, it only popped up as a suggestion.

    According to 9to5Mac, this new setup in iOS 18.4 could feel a bit awkward. Imagine handing your iPhone or iPad to a friend or family member to use Safari or another app—your recent searches would be right there for them to see. Not everyone might love that kind of openness.

    On the flip side, if you’re someone who never shares your device, this could be handy. Seeing your latest searches with one tap might save time, especially if you look up the same things often. Plus, Apple still has Private Browsing mode, which keeps your searches off the record entirely.

    Right now, iOS 18.4 doesn’t let you turn off this search history display. That said, Apple might tweak it before the update goes live for everyone, since it’s still in beta. If you want to wipe the slate clean, there’s always the “Clear All” button to erase your search history whenever you like. This small update shows how even tiny changes can make a difference—whether you find it helpful or a little too revealing depends on how you use your device!

  • Apple’s New 5G Chip: Which devices will get it?

    Apple’s New 5G Chip: Which devices will get it?

    Apple has introduced its own 5G chip, called the C1 modem, in the new iPhone 16e. This is different from other iPhone models that still use Qualcomm’s modems. Most people might not notice the switch, but it’s a big step for Apple, which has been working on this technology since at least 2018.

    We don’t have speed test results for the C1 modem yet, but it’s likely to be slower than Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X71 modem found in the iPhone 16. Apple wants to match or beat Qualcomm someday, though that could take a few years. For now, the C1 modem shines in another way: it uses less power. This helps the iPhone 16e have the best battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone, even better than the regular iPhone 16. Apple’s knack for blending hardware and software shines through here.

    Apple says the C1 is just the beginning. In a recent statement about its U.S. manufacturing plans, the company hinted at putting its custom 5G modems in more gadgets soon. The C1 took years of research and teamwork from thousands of engineers. It’s part of a bigger plan to improve modems across Apple products.

    So, what’s next? Expert Ming-Chi Kuo says the super-slim iPhone 17 Air, coming later this year, will also use the C1 modem. The iPad 11, expected in March or April, could be another fit for it, especially the versions with cellular data. Looking further ahead, reports from Mark Gurman suggest Apple might add 5G to Macs and Vision Pro devices someday.

    Apple plans years for its chips—up to four years for iPhone processors—and the same goes for modems. The company is already designing C2 and C3 modems. The C2 could bring faster mmWave 5G, while the C3 might outdo Qualcomm. All iPhone 18 models and the iPad Pro could get the C2 modem. Eventually, Apple might even blend the modem into its main iPhone chip.

    Why make its own modem? Apple wants to depend less on outside companies like Qualcomm and avoid past tensions with them. Though they settled a lawsuit and agreed to work together until 2027, Apple’s goal is to stand on its own. Years ago, it tried Intel modems, but they weren’t as good as Qualcomm’s. Now, with the C1, Apple’s dream of controlling its tech is coming true. Soon, every Apple device with cellular might run on its own modem.

  • Apple’s security update in the UK made simple

    Apple’s security update in the UK made simple

    On February 21, Apple stopped offering its Advanced Data Protection feature in the UK after the government quietly asked for a way to unlock private user data stored in iCloud—not just in the UK, but everywhere. This decision has left some UK Apple users wondering how safe their information is now. Let’s break it down.

    What Was Advanced Data Protection?

    Advanced Data Protection, or ADP, started in 2022 as Apple’s top security option for iCloud. It’s a setting users can turn on to lock more of their data—like backups, photos, and notes—with a special kind of protection called end-to-end encryption. This means only the user can unlock it on their own devices, and no one else, not even Apple, can peek inside. Without ADP, Apple uses regular encryption for things like email and calendars, where it keeps a spare key and can open the data if a court orders it.

    Not many people likely used ADP since Apple never shared numbers. Some might not know about it, while others have older devices that can’t handle it because they need the latest software.
    Who’s Impacted by This Change?

    This affects two groups in the UK:

    • New users: Since February 21, they can’t turn on ADP. They’ll see a message saying it’s no longer available.
    • Current ADP users: If you already had it on, you’ll need to switch it off yourself soon to keep using iCloud. Apple can’t do it for you and promises more help later.

    If you never used ADP, nothing changes—your data still has Apple’s basic protection, where Apple holds the key.

    What’s Still Safe?

    Even without ADP, some iCloud features stay super secure by default, like iMessage, FaceTime, passwords, and health info. These use end-to-end encryption no matter what.

    Why Did This Happen?

    The UK government used a law to secretly demand Apple build a hidden way into encrypted data worldwide. Apple said no, worried it would weaken security for everyone—like leaving a house key out for anyone to find. Instead, they pulled ADP from the UK, hoping to bring it back someday with better safety for users.

  • Apple announces iOS 18.4 launch in April with exciting updates

    Apple announces iOS 18.4 launch in April with exciting updates

    Apple recently shared that iOS 18.4 will roll out in April, bringing fresh features for iPhone users.

    What’s New in iOS 18.4

    Apple News+ Food Section

    Starting with iOS 18.4, Apple News+ subscribers will enjoy a brand-new Food section. It’s packed with thousands of recipes, plus articles on restaurants, healthy eating tips, and kitchen must-haves. Top food magazines like Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, and Serious Eats will contribute content. The first test version of iOS 18.4 is already out for developers and curious users to try. While some expected Siri upgrades—like understanding personal details or screen info—aren’t in this beta, there are still plenty of cool additions to explore.

    Key Features Available Now

    Priority Notifications

    A handy new tool sorts your most urgent alerts and puts them front and center on your Lock Screen. You can switch this on in Settings under Notifications. Note: This works only on iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, or any iPhone 16.

    Apple News+ Food

    The Food section in the News app offers subscribers tons of recipes and food stories at no extra charge. You can browse daily updates, save favorites for later, and even use a step-by-step cooking mode—all beautifully laid out.

    Ambient Music

    A new Control Center option lets you play relaxing tunes sorted into four moods: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing.

    More Goodies

    This update expands Apple Intelligence to languages like French, Spanish, Japanese, and more. There’s also a “Sketch” style for creating images from text in Image Playground. In some cars with big screens, CarPlay now shows extra app icons. Plus, EU users can pick a default maps app, and everyone can choose a translation app.

    Coming Soon

    Vision Pro App

    Later, iOS 18.4 will add an app for Vision Pro owners to manage downloads, explore TV content, and get tips—available once the update hits.

    New Emoji

    Fresh emojis—like a tired face, fingerprint, or shovel—will join the lineup, continuing Apple’s tradition of fun updates.

    With iOS 18.4, Apple keeps making your iPhone experience better and more personal!

  • All the cool Apple Intelligence features you can use now

    All the cool Apple Intelligence features you can use now

    Apple Intelligence is the name for a bunch of smart, AI-driven tools that work on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and soon Vision Pro. These features have popped up in updates like iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, making your devices work in fresh, exciting ways. Here’s a simple rundown of what’s available now, plus a peek at what’s on the way.

    First Up: iOS 18.1 Brings Writing Help, Photo Tricks, and More

    • Writing Help: Fix mistakes, rephrase sentences, or tweak your text anywhere on your device.
    • Photo Clean-Up: Easily erase stuff you don’t want in your pictures.
    • Memory Movie Maker: Tell it what you want, and it’ll whip up a video from your photos.
    • Smart Photo Search: Find the exact pics or videos you need with better search.
    • Notification Highlights: Get short, useful summaries of your alerts.
    • Siri Boost: Siri’s smarter now—better answers, a fresh look, a smoother voice, and you can even type to it.
    • Top Emails First: Your most urgent emails jump to the top.
    • Quick Replies: Get handy reply suggestions in Mail and Messages.
    • Email and Chat Summaries: See short recaps of conversations instead of scrolling forever.
    • Focus Mode Upgrade: Block distractions but let big stuff through with smarter alerts.

    Next: iOS 18.2 Adds Fun Stuff Like Genmoji and Image Tools

    • Genmoji: Create your own emojis for any app.
    • ChatGPT with Siri: Siri teams up with ChatGPT for extra smarts, or you can ask ChatGPT directly.
    • Image Playground: Make cool AI pictures in cartoon or drawing styles.
    • Visual Smarts: Point your camera at something and get info about it.
    • Image Wand: Turn doodles into pretty artwork in Notes.
    • ChatGPT Writing: Let it write fresh text for you in any app.

    Coming in iOS 18.3: Smarter Visual Tools

    • Poster to Calendar: Snap a flyer and add the event to your schedule.
    • Nature ID: Figure out what plants or animals you’re looking at.

    Soon in iOS 18.4 and Beyond

    The iOS 18.4 beta (out in April) might tweak these, but here’s what’s testing now:

    • Key Alerts: Important notifications stand out on your Lock Screen.
    • More Image Styles: Add a sketch look to your AI-made pics.
    • Vision Pro Joins In: Apple Intelligence hits Vision Pro with visionOS 2.4.

    Final Thoughts

    Apple’s just warming up with these AI goodies. Expect more surprises at WWDC in June for iOS 19. Love it or not, these tools will keep changing how you use your gadgets as they grow smarter and blend into your daily life.

  • Apple’s new ‘HomePad’ gets a cooking boost in iOS 18.4

    Apple’s new ‘HomePad’ gets a cooking boost in iOS 18.4

    The iOS 18.4 beta just dropped, and it’s got a cool surprise: a Food hub and cooking guide in Apple News. But here’s the real kicker—a new gadget I’m calling the ‘HomePad’ is on the way, and this cooking feature feels like it was made just for it.

    iOS 18.4 Brings a Fun Cooking Tool

    People thought iOS 18.4 would focus on making Siri smarter. That’s not in the first beta yet—maybe it’s coming in iOS 18.5. Instead, we got a shiny new food section that’s stealing the show. If you’ve got Apple News+, the News app now has a special Food area. It’s packed with recipes, restaurant details, and a handy cooking mode—perfect for food lovers.

    Apple’s press release explains it best:

    The Food feature lets you explore tons of recipes in a Recipe Catalog that grows daily. The layout is simple and pretty, showing ingredients and steps clearly. There’s a cook mode that zooms in on each step, and you can save recipes to use offline later.

    It’s a lot like how Apple Music shows lyrics or Podcasts display transcripts—a clean, bold look that highlights the text. The step you’re on glows, while others stay faded but readable. It works great on iPhones and iPads, but it’s going to shine on the HomePad when it arrives, probably this spring. Maybe it’ll even get its own Cook app!

    HomePad: Your Kitchen Buddy

    Mark Gurman says the HomePad will be super flexible for any room. It’ll come with parts you can swap—like wall mounts for a security panel vibe or bases with speakers for the kitchen or desk. Apple sees it helping with FaceTime calls while you cook or chat in work meetings.

    I bet there’ll be a fridge magnet option too, even if Gurman didn’t mention it.

    We’ve spotted clues in iOS 18.4’s code about this Home gadget, including something called ‘CookingKit’ that fits the HomePad perfectly. Picture this: a hands-free recipe guide where you just say, “Siri, next step,” and keep cooking.

    Cooking help is only one piece of the HomePad puzzle, but it already sounds like a fresh twist on Apple’s lineup.

  • Trump pushes Apple to drop diversity rules

    Trump pushes Apple to drop diversity rules

    In a loud, all-caps message on Truth Social today, President Donald Trump told Apple to completely stop its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) rules.

    “APPLE SHOULD DUMP DEI RULES, NOT JUST TWEAK THEM,” he posted.

    This comes right after Apple’s yearly shareholder meeting yesterday. At the meeting, most shareholders said no to a plan that would have asked Apple to get rid of its Inclusion & Diversity goals. The idea came from the National Center for Public Policy Research, a group that says it’s a fair, free-market, conservative think tank. They argued that DEI efforts could bring legal trouble, hurt the company’s image, and cost shareholders money.

    Apple told its shareholders to vote against the plan, calling it an attempt to control how the company runs. The tech giant said it already keeps an eye on its work to follow anti-discrimination laws. During the meeting, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, admitted that laws might force changes to DEI rules later on. But Trump thinks Apple should just drop them entirely. Still, Cook promised shareholders that Apple will always focus on making everyone feel welcome.

    “We work hard to build a place where everyone belongs and can do their best,” Apple shared in its meeting notice.

    Since coming back to the White House, Trump has been against DEI programs. Last month, he made a rule to end DEI in federal jobs. After that, some big tech names like Google have started cutting back on their own DEI plans. This topic stirs up a lot of opinions, so we’ve moved the conversation to our Political News forum. Anyone can read it, but only forum members with 100+ posts can join in.

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