facebook

Hardware

...

What can you use the HDMI port on your Ugreen NAS for?

You can use it to watch media files on the device, but you'll need to use your phone as a remote.

Engadget 20 Oct 2026 5:00 am

Robot vacuums have a major privacy problem you should be aware of

Your robot vacuum's microphone and camera are useful for more efficient cleaning, but it's vital to know how that information is stored and shared.

Engadget 20 Oct 2026 4:30 am

Meta tweaks its new terms of service after backlash against scraping

The changes have alarmed publishers and others with business accounts.

Engadget 20 Oct 2026 4:17 am

Save up to $80 on Govee

For those who are still looking for ways to step up their Halloween displays in a few weeks, you can currently find Govees Smart Curtain Lights 2 with Matter starting from $99.99 shipped, beating out the direct website pricing by $30 . This is the smallest of the three sizes available for this device, which carries a $150 MSRP, but has only climbed as high as $130 in the last three months. The price you see here now has only been beaten out this year by the fall to $90 that happened two weeks ago during Prime Day. Youre getting a $50 markdown with this deal, landing it at the best recurring price of 2026 plus, it will be delivered with plenty of time before the upcoming holiday and can be used for Christmas displays, sporting events, and more. more

9To5Toys 20 Oct 2026 3:33 am

What does MLO mean on your router and should you enable it?

Multi-link operation is a key part of Wi-Fi 7 routers.

Engadget 20 Oct 2026 3:30 am

Display your soccer pride with LEGO

Soccer fans can currently score the LEGO Editions FIFA World Cup Official Trophy down at $159.99 shipped at Amazon. Down from $200, this particular set hit the market in March, and since then weve seen it keeping to its full price until the top of this month, when it first fell to $178, then $170 through Prime Day, and now dipping lower to $160. Youre getting a $40 markdown off the going rate here, giving you the lowest price we have tracked at Amazon. more

9To5Toys 20 Oct 2026 3:04 am

Get Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office for life at $35 right now ($419 value)

TL;DR: Get Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office for life for just $34.97. Sale ends November 1. more

9To5Toys 20 Oct 2026 1:38 am

Upgrade your TV ahead of GTA VI release: LG OLED up to $2,000 off, Hisense from $208, more

We are exactly one month out from the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, pre-orders are at the ready to ensure you can pre-install it a week early, and theres also loads of notable TV deals up for grabs if the game room needs a refresh beforehand. more

9To5Toys 20 Oct 2026 1:28 am

The Best Mixbook Sale for Holiday Cards (2026)

Mixbook is the best card service I

Wired 20 Oct 2026 1:13 am

LEGO Technic recreates iconic Toyota Supra MK4 from Fast and Furious for $35 low

LEGO Technic Fast and Furious Toyota Supra MK4 set Buy for $35.50 (Reg. $48) What we love Technic and Fast & Furious fans alike can expand their collections with this LEGO set that gives you one of the most iconic cars from the franchise. Not only that, but it comes with a bunch of realistic details and movie references, like the dual NOS bottles in the trunk to boost you over the finish line. more

9To5Toys 20 Oct 2026 12:56 am

ReactOS reaches major milestone with NTFS install support

ReactOS gains NTFS install support with new driver.

Ars Technica 20 Oct 2026 12:00 am

ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan compares ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude for $60 ($619 value)

TL;DR: Compare answers from 20+ AI models in one window with a ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan lifetime subscription for $59.97 (Reg. $619) during our October flash sale. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 11:46 pm

We might finally know what's written on that mysterious plaque in Super Mario 64

The plaque's message has haunted the internet for 30 years.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 11:40 pm

Is paid antivirus actually a waste of money for your PC in 2026?

Subscribing to an antivirus suite kept you safe a long time ago, but they're much less useful for most people today.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 11:30 pm

Affordably secure doors with six entry options via Anker

Through its official eufyHome Amazon storefront, and right alongside the launch of its new S4 VR doorbell with AI tracking, Anker is currently offering the Smart Security Lock C220 down at $99.97 shipped, which matches the price direct from the brands website . While you may spy it with a $170 MSRP directly from Anker, at Amazon its only climbed as high as $110 to $120 this year, while discounts have mostly kept the price down at this rate, with some falls lower to $98, while both Prime Day events in June and October saw it as low as $90. Jumping on this deal saves you up to $20 off the going rate and $70 off the MSRP, landing it just $10 above the annual low. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 10:35 pm

Homeland Security bans DeepSeek use in federal civilian agencies

The decision comes a couple of days after the release of Deepseek's latest AI model.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 10:29 pm

At what distance does a video doorbell stop detecting motion?

Your video doorbell might see a visitor without sending an alert. Detection depends on more than distance, and some surprising factors can affect its reach.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 10:15 pm

This iPhone Duo MagSafe Power Bank with display is purpose-built for Apple

Some of the power banks out there might work with your new iPhone Duo, but even if they do, they will likely hang off the bottom due to its shorter form-factor. Thats where this new MagSafe semi-solid state battery comes in specifically made for iPhone Duo. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 10:11 pm

Get up to 46 miles of travel on Hiboy

Amazon is currently offering commuters with a budget the long-range Hiboy S2 Max Electric Scooter down at $489.96 shipped, beating out the brands direct website pricing by $100 . While it may carry an $835 MSRP directly from Hiboy, at Amazon its almost entirely kept between $520 and $490, with only occasional spikes as high as $590. Discounts have seen things drop as low as $465 this year though, which was a short-term fall during Prime Day two weeks ago. Youre getting the third-lowest price of the year with this deal, which has it $100 below the highest rate at Amazon and $345 under the MSRP just $25 above that previous annual low. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 10:00 pm

Fiber vs. cable internet: What's the difference between them?

Fiber internet is more modern than cable, but the older technology still works well for today's connection needs.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 9:45 pm

Apple is set to hold another product event on October 28

Apple's Pro and Tell event is taking place in Los Angeles and will likely feature the first touchscreen Mac.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 9:39 pm

This MacBook Pro isn

Macworld Apple MacBook Pro M5 Max View Deal (function () { document.querySelector(#sticky-promo-block a).addEventListener(click, function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest(#sticky-promo-block).querySelector(p.promo-title).textContent; const data = { event: stickyConversionUnitClick, eventCategory: Sticky Conversion, eventAction: Click, eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log(Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: , data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); If you want the best laptop you can possibly get, youd better be prepared to spend quite a bit of money. The RAM and storage crisis has forced Apple and the rest of the industry to raise prices on just about everything, with the highest-end laptops getting the biggest increases. For example, the top-of-the-line 16-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro with 36GB of RAM and 2TB of storage jumped $500, from $3,899 to $4,399, and we havent seen it dip much below $4,000 since. Until now. Amazon is selling this MacBook Pro for $3,499 , a whopping savings of $900 off its current MSRP and $400 under the price it was before the Great Summer Price Hike. Thats not just a great deal; its the lowest price weve ever seen, before or after the price hike. The best part is that this is really a pro-level laptop that can handle all your projects, whether youre editing video or working on AI models. The device runs on the M5 Max chip with an 18-core CPU and a 32-core GPU that will make video edits and 3D work run as smoothly as butter. Each GPU core has a Neural Accelerator, so AI tools run right on the laptop too. With 36GB of unified memory, you can keep dozens of apps and tabs open without issue. The 2TB SSD holds plenty of files, too, and youre unlikely to need an upgrade anytime soon. The spacious 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is stunning, hitting 1600 nits peak brightness with an impressive contrast ratio. There are three Thunderbolt 5 ports that can handle fast drives and up to four external displays. You also get HDMI, an SD card slot, MagSafe charging, and Wi-Fi 7. In short, you wont have to worry about upgrading for years. So go grab it for $3,499 while its still $900 off because this deal wont last forever. And we doubt itll go much lower, even with Black Friday around the corner.

Macworld 19 Oct 2026 9:29 pm

TP-Link moves to assemble routers in the US following an import ban

Routers could start rolling off a Missouri production line as soon as early 2027.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 9:01 pm

New Monarc battery configurations arrive for Tracer and Marker e-bikes starting from $1,399 ($579 off)

Monarch Bikes is offering new battery configurations for its two e-bikes, providing folks with new low prices. These new options begin with the Tracer Urban Commuter Smart e-bike (no battery) at $1,399 shipped , or you can get it with one battery at $1,649 shipped and 2x batteries at $1,899 shipped . Likewise the Marker All-Terrain Smart e-bike (no battery) starts at $1,499 shipped , or get it with one battery at $1,749 shipped and 2x batteries at $1,999 shipped . Up until now, you could only score them with 2x batteries and occasionally additional free gear at $1,899 and $1,999 rates, but these new bundle options provide the best new prices yet, depending on whether you already have batteries or just want a standard one-battery-one-bike package. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 8:45 pm

Don't throw away your old USB charging cables Repurpose them instead

The charger from your three-generations-ago phone can still be useful. Here are several ways to use old cables, both indoors and out.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 8:45 pm

M6 iMac: Release date rumors, new colors, specs and price

Macworld Apples next iMac could be just days away. Nearly two years after the M4 iMac launched, Apple is reportedly preparing to introduce a new model powered by its M6 chip, potentially at the end of October 2026. The good news is that the M6 promises a substantial performance upgrade, with a faster CPU and GPU, improved memory bandwidth and significant advances in AI processing. The less exciting news is that Apple isnt expected to make major changes to the iMacs design, although new colors could be on the way. Bloombergs Mark Gurman reported in August that the next iMac was close to launch and should arrive before the end of 2026. More recently, reports have pointed to another Apple product launch around October 27 or 28, raising the possibility that the new iMac will be among the announcements. Heres everything we know about the M6 iMac, including its expected release date, design, specifications and price. M6 iMac release date: When will it launch? Expected release date: October 2026, possibly October 27 or 28. Apple could unveil the M6 iMac before the end of October 2026. Apple has reportedly invited selected media to a product launch experience in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28. Bloombergs Mark Gurman previously indicated that another Apple product launch was planned for Tuesday, October 27, so an announcement could still take place the day before the media gathering. The M6 iMac is among the products expected to make an appearance, alongside new MacBook Pro M6 models, a touchscreen MacBook Pro , and an updated iPad mini . The prospect of an imminent iMac launch follows earlier reporting from Gurman. In the Q&A section of his August 23 Power On newsletter , Gurman indicated that the M6 iMac was close to launch and that customers should be able to buy one before the end of 2026. An earlier July 2026 report also identified two iMac models, codenamed J833 and J834, among a wave of new Macs Apple was preparing. The current M4 iMac arrived in fall 2024, making it nearly two years old. Apple appears to have skipped an M5 iMac altogether, as it previously skipped the M2 generation, meaning the next model should move directly from M4 to M6. M6 iMac design: Will there be new colors? Expected: The same 24-inch design, potentially with new color options. There are seven different colors available for iMac. Apple Anyone hoping for a completely redesigned iMac may be disappointed. According to Gurmans August reporting, Apple is not preparing a major overhaul of its all-in-one desktop for 2026. The iMac has retained essentially the same ultra-thin, colorful design since Apple introduced the 24-inch M1 iMac in 2021 . Although the M4 iMac update in 2024 introduced some refinements, the overall appearance remained largely unchanged. Gurman expects the M6 iMac to follow a similar pattern, with the new chip representing the most significant upgrade. However, he has suggested that new colors could be introduced. Apple currently offers the iMac in seven colors: blue, green, pink, silver, yellow, orange and purple. These options have been available since 2021, although Apple refreshed the shades with the M4 model. A more substantial iMac redesign could still arrive in a future generation, but there is currently little evidence to suggest that Apple is planning one for the M6 iMac. M6 iMac display: Will it have a larger screen? Will Apple ever bring back the iMac Pro with a larger screen? Foundry Expected: A 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, similar to the current model. The current model features a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, with a resolution of 4,480 by 2,520 pixels. It uses LED-backlit LCD technology and supports up to 500 nits of brightness. The M6 iMac is likely to retain a similar screen. There have been rumors about Apple developing a larger iMac with more advanced display technology. In 2023, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted a higher-end 32-inch iMac with a mini-LED display, potentially arriving in 2025. However, that product never materialized, and there is no reliable indication that it will launch alongside the M6 iMac. M6 iMac specs and performance: How much faster will it be? Expected: M6 chip, improved CPU and GPU performance, faster memory and a substantial AI upgrade. The M6 iMac may not look very different from its predecessor, but the processor could make it a considerably more powerful computer. Apple introduced the M6 chip in August 2026, with the new M6 Mac mini going on sale in September. That means we already have a useful indication of the technology the next iMac could include. You can read about how the Mac mini M6 chips compare to other Macs in our Best Mac guide. The M6 is Apples first chip manufactured using a 2-nanometer process, replacing the 3-nanometer technology used by the M4. The smaller manufacturing process allows Apple to improve transistor density, performance and power efficiency. The M6 used in the Mac mini features: A 12-core CPU. A 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators in every core. A Dual 16-core Neural Engine for AI and machine-learning tasks. 16GB of standard unified memory, configurable up to 32GB. Memory bandwidth of up to 170GB/s. Improved storage performance compared with the M4 generation. The M4 iMac currently offers an 8-core or 10-core CPU and an 8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on the configuration. Moving to the M6 could therefore bring a particularly noticeable performance improvement, especially for buyers upgrading from the entry-level M4 model. Apple claims that the M6 Mac mini delivers up to 40 percent faster CPU performance, twice the graphics performance and four times the AI performance of the M4 Mac mini in its specified tests. We cant assume that the M6 iMac will achieve identical results, but these figures demonstrate the potential benefits of moving from the M4 to the M6 generation. Improved AI performance One of the biggest improvements could be the M6s new AI-processing architecture. Previous M-series chips used a single 16-core Neural Engine. The M6 introduces a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, supported by Neural Accelerators in each GPU core. Together, these changes should make the M6 iMac significantly better equipped for demanding AI workloads, including running local language models, processing images and using AI-powered creative tools. For everyday users, the benefits may be less immediately obvious. However, the additional processing capabilities could become increasingly useful as macOS and third-party applications adopt more sophisticated on-device AI features. More memory and faster connectivity The M6 supports up to 32GB of unified memory and memory bandwidth of 170GB/s. Whether Apple offers the same memory configurations in the iMac remains to be seen. The new Mac mini also includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, so these connectivity improvements seem likely to arrive on the M6 iMac as well. Its unknown if Apple will update the iMacs Thunderbolt ports, storage options or other hardware features. M6 iMac price: How much will it cost? Expected starting price: Around $1,499. When Apple introduced the M4 iMac in 2024, prices started at $1,299 for the entry-level model with an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU and 256GB of storage. The higher-end version, featuring a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, started at $1,499. However, Apple increased the prices of the M4 iMac in June 2026 . The entry-level model now starts at $1,499, while the four-port version starts at $1,699. These price increases make it difficult to predict what Apple will charge for the next generation. Apple could retain the current starting prices, particularly if the M6 update introduces relatively few changes beyond the processor. Alternatively, the higher cost of components and memory could result in further increases. For now, $1,499 is a reasonable starting point for expectations. Should you buy an M4 iMac or wait for the M6? Our recommendation: Wait for the M6 iMac if you can. With the next iMac potentially arriving before the end of October, wed recommend holding off on buying the M4 model at full price. The current iMac remains an excellent all-in-one desktop for everyday computing, home working, students and families. Its 24-inch Retina display, compact design and M4 processor make it more than capable of handling most peoples needs. However, the M6 looks set to bring a meaningful increase in performance. The move from M4 to M6 should provide improvements to CPU and GPU performance, while the upgraded Neural Engine could make a difference as AI features become more demanding. Waiting will also allow you to compare the new iMacs pricing and specifications with those of the outgoing model. Even if you ultimately choose an M4 iMac, its replacement could make discounted older models more appealing. There are reasons to buy now. If you need a new Mac immediately and find a substantial discount on an M4 iMac, it could still be a sensible purchase. But for anyone buying a new iMac at full price, waiting for Apples next announcement is the better option.

Macworld 19 Oct 2026 8:38 pm

Galaxy Z Fold 8 up to $570 off at Best Buy today (

You will still find some solid $200 price drops on the latest Galaxy Z Fold 8 lineup right now courtesy of Amazon and the official Samsung site . But we wanted to take a closer look at a few of the excellent condition open-box listings at Best Buy as well you can save up to $570 off the new list prices here. Details below. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 8:24 pm

One of the rarest GameCube consoles sells for thousands of dollars today

While the GameCube came in several colors, a few of the most elusive variations command thousands from game collectors.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 8:15 pm

Treat yourself with up to 57% EcoFlow power station savings during its Halloween Sale starting from $284

EcoFlow is offering up to 57% savings treats on power stations with its newly launched Halloween Sale running through the rest of the month , complete with a bonus extra savings code to make the deals all the better. One upper-tier option is the DELTA 3 Ultra Plus 3,072Wh Portable Power Station down at $1,519.05 shipped , after using the code EFPDFAFF at checkout, beating out Amazon by $80. It carries a $2,199 MSRP, which weve seen it spike to a rare amount of times in 2026, with the price more often down at this rate recently. While the price has dipped slightly lower in past months, youre still getting a total $680 off the MSRP for one of the best prices of the year just $5 above the price we saw during the Prime Day event from two weeks ago. Head below to check out more of this spooky seasonal lineup of deals. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 8:06 pm

Official Apple iPhone 18 Pro/Max cases up to nearly 30% off, deals from $36

Just after featuring some exclusive deals on 30% off . Check them out in more detail below. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 7:56 pm

Amazon all-time lows hit 2026 Bose Lifestyle Ultra gear: Soundbar, sub, more up to $300 off

Bose updated its home theater lineup with the new Lifestyle Ultra gear $300 discount on the Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer. Details below. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 7:35 pm

Now live: Amazon

Update 10/19: The 2026 Amazon Holiday Beauty Sale is now live. Amazons Holiday Beauty Event is back for its sixth year, bringing two weeks of beauty deals from October 19 through November 1. You can save up to 40% on thousands of deals across skin care, makeup, hair care, fragrance, wellness, mens grooming, and more. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 7:32 pm

What the orange light on your PlayStation 5 is actually telling you

The PS5 shows a variety of light colors to indicate its status, and orange thankfully isn't the alert you might expect from that color.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 7:15 pm

Mouse: P.I. For Hire hits Amazon all-time low on PS5 and Switch 2 from $25

Now just one month out from the Grand Theft Auto VI release, just over two weeks from the launch of Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, and only days remaining to land a discount on the new Switch Sports Resort before release this Thursday, theres some big hitters on the horizon. However, one of the more interesting releases of the year is now sitting down at Amazon all-time lows as well Mouse: P.I. For Hire. Now at the lowest prices we have tracked on Amazon for the Switch 2 and PS5 editions, the black and white, hand-drawn rubber hose animation on this one delivers that 1930s cartoon vibe near perfectly. Its a fun play through if you ask me, and one you can score from $25 today. Mouse: P.I. For Hire Switch 2 $35 (Reg. $40) | Amazon low Mouse: P.I. For Hire PS5 $25 (Reg. $30) | Amazon low Secure you Switch Sports Resort pre-order discount while you still can, more Zelda Ocarina of Time remake pre-order discount now live at Amazon Metroid Ravenous pre-order discount now live at Amazon more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 6:47 pm

Don't throw away your old graphics card here's what you can do with it

An old GPU has lots of potential for a second life, from adding more horsepower to your current machine to crafting a purpose-built second one.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 6:45 pm

6 unexpected uses for your old PlayStation 3

The PlayStation 3 arrived in 2006 and shouldn't have any right finding a place in a modern media center. Here's a number of reasons why it should make a return.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 6:15 pm

Belkin Qi2.2 25W Pro magnetic charging stations deals live from $50 today

Amazon is kicking the week off with some relatively rare deals on some of Belkins latest UltraCharge Pro 25W Qi2 charging stations. We have the 2-in-1 foldable model as well as the 3-in-1 magnetic wireless charging station at some of the lowest prices to date. Those offers also join a 20% drop on its pop-up travel model at 20% off as well. Details below. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 6:11 pm

HomeView Ultra with robot arm may be coming next year

Macworld HomeView will probably sell just fine , partly because its a comparatively affordable $299 and partly because it has the excitement and cachet of a brand-new Apple product. But that doesnt mean its flawless. After all, HomeView is a first-gen device, and such devices nearly always suffer from problems that will be addressed in later versions. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg leaker Mark Gurman draws attention to what he thinks is an obvious shortcoming of the HomeView: its inability to turn its screen to face the user. In one commercial, he writes, a family passes the unit around Each person has to physically turn the screen toward themselves. Its an awkward demonstration for a device thats supposed to make interacting with technology in the home more seamless. This unwitting demonstration of a failing with the product, Gurman argues, practically screams for a display that can turn on its own. Fortunately Gurman has good news for anyone who is similarly disenchanted by the lack of an auto-swivelling screen on the first-gen HomeView. The next version of the product, he claims, will feature a motorised robotic arm which will enable the screen to turn through 360 degrees and (based on voice recognition software) automatically face whoever is talking to it. Imagine a FaceTime call where the screen follows you as you move around the kitchen, he explains, or a family gathered around a countertop with the display automatically turning toward whoever is speaking. The new model, Gurman stresses, is not just a sequel: its an upgrade. Aside from the robotic arm it will also boast a larger screen, up from 7 inches to 9. It probably wont just be called HomeView, with likely branding options including a Max or Ultra suffix. This isnt the first time weve heard about a robotic smart device. Last year, Apple published a paper describing research into the technology (with videos), and weve read rumors about such a device for years. Gurman claims this version of HomeView is already in development and carries the codename J595. (The original HomeView is J490.) Its planned for release in 2027 or 2028, he adds. Thats quite a large window, but the development cycle for the original device lasted so long, he says, that long-departed Apple employees popped up after its launch to boast of involvement in its creation. Hopefully we wont have to wait quite so long this time around.

Macworld 19 Oct 2026 6:09 pm

Amazon is shipping the new Apple TV 4K faster, and at a lower price

While it appears some iPhone Duo pre-orders are actually next-gen Apple TV 4K faster than Apple in most cases, but it is also selling it for less. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 5:28 pm

Even Realities G2 review: Smart glasses, stupid controls

Even Realities makes one of the best smart glasses on the market, but controlling its growing feature set is harder than it should be.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 5:00 pm

New Galaxy Tab S12 launch deals ending soon: $550+ off with trades, FREE $200 Amazon credit, more

Samsung debut its all-new Galaxy Tab S12+ and S12 Ultra earlier this month, and there might only be a couple days left to secure the launch deals. Over at the official Samsung site youll find both models at up to $100 off with code PYPL100 and PayPal checkout as well as up to $105 the official keyboard attachment. But Amazon is also serving up FREE $200 gift cards as well as the keyboard offer. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 4:46 pm

How to detect hardware tampering and protect chips against attacks by quantum computers

Software can be updated. Hardware cannot. Manipulation deep within a chip would be almost impossible to detect

Phys.org 19 Oct 2026 4:30 pm

Apple still has one more product launch this month, and it

Macworld Apple sure has been busy, huh? The folding iPhone Duo is finally here (or at least available to pre-order this morning), the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are out, as well as the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 , and the AirPods 5 . Then Apple unveiled its HomeView home hub, updated the Apple TV 4K , and released the HomePod mini 2 . Thats a lot of stuff. But the day Im looking forward to is less than two weeks away. On October 28, Apple is set to unveil its big guns: new Macs, including one Mac we thought wed never ever see. Itll be a momentous day in Mac history, one that Apple fans will need to pay close attention to. Heres what were expecting to see. Touchscreen MacBook Pro This is the reason why Mac enthusiasts will remember this day. Apple used to say that touchscreen Macs are a bad idea , but times and Apple have changed. For whatever reason, Apple believes the time is right to release its first touchscreen MacBook Pro , and its expected to debut at the end of this month. Its a major change for the MacBook. Along with the touchscreen, the new display will reportedly be based on OLED technology, which is also new to the MacBook Pro, replacing the Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) displays Apple currently uses. OLEDs offer better power efficiency and improved color quality, so it should be a notable improvement. The new laptop, which will reportedly run M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, is also expected to get a design thats significantly lighter and a little thinner. Apple is now inviting some media to an all-day product launch experience on Oct. 28 in Los Angeles. This is for the touch-screen MacBooks, iPad mini, M6 Macs. https://t.co/6r4yyWiVr1 Mark Gurman (@markgurman) October 15, 2026 Besides the hardware, it will be intriguing to see what Apple does with macOS to make it more friendly to touch input. The macOS 27.2 beta has touch-friendly elements to it, and these will be key to the success of the touchscreen MacBook Pro. Apple has refined macOS over the years to work with a cursor, so adding touch will require a change in thinking. M6 MacBook Pro Apple currently sells the M5 MacBook Pro , but now that the M6 has made its debut with the Mac mini, its time for an upgrade. If the M6 Mac mini benchmarks are any indication, we should see a 25 percent boost in multi-core performance and a 10 percent improvement in single-core speed over the M5. Apple is not expected to change the design of the M6 MacBook Pro. Foundry Apple places this 14-inch MacBook Pro with a base M-series chip between the MacBook Air and the higher-end MacBook Pro models. Apple isnt expected to make any other changes to this laptop, which will make it an ideal tweener model. Learn more about the M6 MacBook Pro. M6 iMac The base M6 chip is also making its way into the iMac, replacing the M4 model released two years ago. Like the M6 MacBook Pro, this update is expected to be mainly a chip upgrade only, but its likely to get Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 with the N1 chip as well, like the M6 Mac mini. Will Apple offer new iMac colors? Foundry Dont expect much more from the M6 iMac. Perhaps well see new colors; the company has offered blue, green, orange, pink, purple, yellow, and silver since the M1 iMac. Wouldnt it be cool if Apple made a burgundy iMac to match the iPhone 18 Pro ? Anything else? Apple still has one more little thing to release: the new iPad mini , which will get an OLED display and a chip upgrade to either the A19 Pro or the A20 Pro. And maybe Apple will also make some software announcements, but the Mac is what October 28 is all about.

Macworld 19 Oct 2026 4:30 pm

iPhone Duo Guide: Everything you need to know about Apple

Macworld Apples first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, goes on sale on October 23, but buyers who missed the first wave of preorders face a much longer wait. Delivery estimates slipped rapidly after orders opened on October 16, with Macworlds U.S. tracking showing January 25, 2027 within around half an hour. Apple continues to accept orders. Prices start at $1,999/1,999. The Duo opens like a book from a compact 5.4-inch phone into a much larger 7.6-inch device. Apple describes the internal screen as its largest-ever iPhone display, with 50 percent more screen area than the iPhone 18 Pro Max , while the outer display provides more than 90 percent of the screen area of an iPhone 18 Pro . The biggest difference is obviously the folding design , but Apple has done more than simply add a hinge. The iPhone Duo will ship with iOS 27.1 , which adapts to different positions and orientations with fold-specific interface and multitasking features. These include Split View, hands-free FaceTime and video, StandBy without charging, and layouts that move seamlessly between the two screens. Apple Pencil USB-C support is also coming later in 2026. The other major changes are the 7.6-inch nano-texture inner display , Touch ID replacing Face ID , an A20 Pro processor with vapor-chamber cooling , and a dual-battery system designed around the two halves of the phone. Apple has also introduced camera features that exploit the second screen, including Duo Preview, Smart Take, Kid Cue and Duo FaceTime. Much of the pre-launch reporting proved accurate: the Duo name, book-style design, roughly 7.7- and 5.4-inch screens, Touch ID, two 48MP rear cameras, two front-facing cameras, A20 Pro, C2 modem, MagSafe and the white/dark-blue colours were all anticipated. iPhone Duo at a glance Apples first folding iPhone , with 5.4-inch outer and 7.6-inch inner displays. Touch ID replaces Face I D, with the fingerprint sensor incorporated into the side button. A20 Pro with vapor-chamber cooling , including a new 2nm manufacturing process. Dual-battery architecture , giving up to 44 hours of video playback on the outer display. Fold-specific iOS and camera features , including Split View, Duo Preview, Smart Take, Kid Cue and hands-free use. iPhone Duo: Top 10 features Foldable design Book-style titanium design with precision hinge Inner display 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion Outer display 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion Processor A20 Pro, 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU Neural Engine Dual 16-core Neural Engine Authentication Touch ID in side button Rear cameras 48MP Main + 48MP Ultra Wide Battery Dual batteries; up to 44 hours video on outer screen Connectivity C2 modem, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, second-gen UWB Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB iPhone Duo release date: When will it go on sale? Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo on September 9, 2026 , alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, but its first foldable iPhone wont reach customers until October 23 . Preorders opened on Friday, October 16 , at 5 a.m. Pacific / 8 a.m. Eastern / 1 p.m. BST. Customers can order through Apples website or the Apple Store app, choosing from Star White and Night Sky finishes and 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB of storage. The October 23 launch covers more than 70 countries and regions, including the U.S. and U.K., with another 28 markets following on October 30 . The Duo will also be available through Apple Stores, selected carriers and authorized retailers, although availability varies by market. However, launch-day delivery allocations were exhausted quickly, and customers ordering now face a substantially longer wait. Pre-order iPhone Duo at Apple U.S. Pre-order iPhone Duo at Apple U.K. We recommend: Apple iPhone Duo Price When Reviewed: $1999 Best Prices Today: $1999 at Apple Has the iPhone Duo sold out? Initial delivery allocations sold out rapidly, but Apple is still accepting preorders . As of October 19 , Apple was quoting January 22, 2027 for delivery of the 256GB iPhone Duo in the U.S. and January 25, 2027 in the U.K. Estimates can change and depend on the configuration and delivery location. Apple described preorder demand as nothing short of extraordinary and said it was working to get devices to customers as quickly as possible. Supply constraints may also contribute to the backlog. A late-September report claimed that Apple and its manufacturing partners were experiencing low production yields. Long delivery waits therefore reflect the balance between demand and available supply, rather than revealing how many phones Apple has sold. iPhone Duo design: What does it look like? The iPhone Duo opens up like a book. Apple The iPhone Duo uses a book-style folding design . Closed, it is unusually short and wide for an iPhone, measuring 84.1mm wide, 117.8mm tall and 11.3mm thick . Open it and the width expands to 164.6mm , while thickness reduces to just 5.2mm , making it Apples thinnest iPhone when unfolded (taking that mantle from the iPhone Air). It weighs 254g . The outer screen measures 5.4 inches , while the folding inner panel measures 7.6 inches . Both are Super Retina XDR OLED displays with ProMotion up to 120Hz, Always-On display support and up to 3,000 nits outdoor peak brightness. The internal display also has a nano-texture surface designed to reduce reflections and make the crease less noticeable. The inner display also has a replaceable top cover layer . AppleCare+ lists replacement at $19, although it must be replaced by Apple rather than peeled off like a conventional screen protector. Apple has not yet published the price without AppleCare+. The frame and hinge cover are made from Grade 5 titanium . Apple uses a mirror-polished finish on the enclosure and a micro-blasted finish on the 3D-printed hinge cover. Ceramic Shield protects the rear, while Ceramic Shield 2 protects the outer display. The phone retains an IP68 rating despite its folding construction. The hinge from the outside. Apple There are just two colors: Star White and Night Sky , essentially confirming the pre-event reports of silver/white and a very dark blue. For more information read about the iPhone Duo colors. Action button and Camera Control There is Camera Control , giving access to exposure, depth, zoom, cameras, styles and tone. It can also launch the new Siri Camera mode. However, Apples Duo doesnt feature an Action button . The regular iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max retain both the Action button and Camera Control, so this is one hardware-control compromise of the folding model. Accessories Apple is also launching two dedicated accessories for the foldable: The iPhone Duo Case at $79/79 The Duo Folio with Kickstand at $129/129 Both became available to order on October 16. Face ID, Touch ID and the notch Perhaps the most surprising difference between the iPhone Duo and Apples other flagship iPhones is that there is no Face ID . Instead, Apple has brought back Touch ID , with the fingerprint sensor incorporated into the side button. It works whether the Duo is folded or unfolded, and Apple Watch can also be used to unlock the device. This confirms one of the most persistent pre-launch rumors. The internal display therefore does not need the TrueDepth sensors used for Face ID. Its FaceTime camera sits beneath the display and disappears when it isnt being used , giving the inner screen a largely uninterrupted surface. The inner camera itself is hidden below the display rather than sitting permanently in a visible camera cutout. And yet, despite this and the absence of Face ID, there is still support for Dynamic Island . iPhone Duo cameras: What cameras does it have? There are two cameras on the rear. Apple The Duo has a 48MP Dual Fusion camera system , comprising: Camera Resolution Equivalent focal length Aperture Fusion Main 48MP 26mm f/1.6 2x crop from Main 12MP 52mm f/1.6 Fusion Ultra Wide 48MP 13mm f/2.2 Outer front camera 12MP f/2.2 Inner FaceTime camera Apple does not specify resolution f/1.8 The Duo does not have variable aperture . Variable aperture is exclusive to the 48MP Fusion Main camera in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The biggest camera features for iPhone Duo Duo Preview The outer screen can show a live preview while somebody else is being photographed, allowing the subject to adjust their pose and framing. Smart Take and Kid Cue Smart Take detects when everybody is ready and automatically captures the shot. Kid Cue uses animations on the outer screen to encourage children to look towards the camera. Two-screen shooting The folding design supports unusual shooting configurations, including using the main cameras for selfies or group photos while seeing the composition on the other screen. Duo FaceTime can also put nearby participants onto the outer display. Other notable camera features include 48MP macro photography, a 2x optical-quality crop from the Main camera, an under-display inner FaceTime camera, Dual Capture for simultaneous front-and-rear video, and 4K Dolby Vision recording at up to 120fps. Rear cameras The 48MP Fusion Main has an f/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift stabilization and can shoot 24MP or 48MP images. It also provides a 12MP, 2x optical-quality crop equivalent to a 52mm lens. The 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide has a 13mm-equivalent lens, f/2.2 aperture and 120-degree field of view. It also supports 48MP macro photography and is the same Ultra Wide camera used by the iPhone 18 Pro family. That means the Duo does not match the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max camera system. Those phones add a dedicated 48MP Fusion Telephoto and variable aperture on the Main camera, making the Pro models much more flexible for photography despite costing substantially less. Pre-event reports were divided between a Main + Telephoto and Main + Ultra Wide arrangement. Apple ultimately chose Main + Ultra Wide , confirming the earlier reports that a dedicated telephoto could be sacrificed to save space. Front cameras On the outside is a 12MP Center Stage camera with an f/2.2 aperture . It supports Center Stage, automatic portrait/landscape framing, Dual Capture, Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5 and 4K Dolby Vision video at up to 60fps. Inside is an under-display FaceTime camera with an f/1.8 aperture. Apple does not specify its megapixel resolution. It supports Center Stage for video calls and records at up to 1080p/60fps. Its major advantage is visual rather than photographic: the camera effectively disappears beneath the display when it isnt being used. iPhone Duo video features The Main camera records 4K Dolby Vision at 24, 25, 30, 60, 100 or 120fps , with 4K/120fps also available for slo-mo. Cinematic mode reaches 4K/60fps and Action mode up to 2.8K/60fps. Dual Capture can record at up to 4K/30fps. Apples specifications also do not list ProRes or Apple Log recording for the Duo. Those remain more Pro-oriented capabilities rather than part of Apples foldable camera proposition. The Duo does support Spatial Audio recording , Audio Mix, Dolby Vision HDR and Apples computational photography features including Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5, Photographic Styles 3, smart focus tracking and Apple Intelligence-powered editing. Apple does not list conventional Spatial Video capture in the Duo specifications. iPhone Duo processor: What processor does it use? Watch video on the screen. Apple The iPhone Duo uses the A20 Pro , the same processor as the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. It is manufactured using a 2-nanometer process , a major step forward in transistor density and efficiency. Apple combines it with a new chip packaging design inspired by its M-series Mac processors. The package connects the A20 Pro directly to a custom vapor chamber to transfer heat away from the processor more effectively. The A20 Pro includes: 6-core CPU: two super cores and four efficiency cores 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators Dual 16-core Neural Engine Hardware-accelerated ray tracing A dedicated display engine capable of operating both Duo displays Compared with the A19 Pro, Apple says the CPU is up to 20 percent faster , while the GPU is up to 40 percent faster and more power-efficient . The Dual 16-core Neural Engine delivers twice the compute power , while unified-memory bandwidth rises by 50 percent . Apple also claims that the complete thermal system gives the Duo up to 35 percent better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro . That sustained-performance figure is particularly important for a folding device because prolonged gaming, multitasking and AI workloads generate considerably more heat than short benchmark bursts. iPhone Duo RAM: How much memory does it have? Apple has not disclosed how much RAM is inside the iPhone Duo . Before launch, supply-chain reports consistently pointed to 12GB of RAM , which would make sense given the demands of running two displays, simultaneous applications, Siri AI and larger on-device AI models. Apple does reveal that A20 Pro has 50 percent more unified-memory bandwidth than A19 Pro , which should help the Duo move data more quickly between the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine. Extra memory is particularly useful on the Duo because iOS 27.1 can display multiple apps simultaneously and because Apple Intelligence and Siri AI increasingly run generative models locally rather than relying entirely on cloud processing. iPhone Duo connectivity An expensive desk calendar. Apple Apple has put a significant amount of its own communications silicon into the iPhone Duo. It uses Apples new C2 cellular modem , replacing Qualcomm silicon. Apple says C2 introduces AI-powered improvements to cellular quality and reliability and supports mmWave 5G in the U.S. The N1 wireless networking chip provides: Wi-Fi 7 with 22 MIMO Bluetooth 6 Thread networking The USB-C port also supports USB 3 data transfers at up to 10Gbps and DisplayPort video output. The Duo also has Apples second-generation Ultra Wideband chip , NFC and precision dual-frequency GPS. It is eSIM-only worldwide , something that had been widely rumored before launch. Eliminating the SIM tray gives Apple additional internal space for its batteries. iPhone Handoff a feature introduced with iOS 27 makes it easier to use an iPhone Duo alongside another iPhone without needing separate phone numbers. Both devices share your number, with calls, voicemail, messages and Find My location following whichever iPhone you unlock. Only one phone is active at a time. You could use the Duos folding display for work, then switch to an iPhone Pro when you want its telephoto camera. Both phones need iOS 27, eSIM support and the same Apple Account, with Messages in iCloud enabled. Your carrier must specifically support iPhone Handoff, and your plan may require an additional monthly fee for access. T-Mobile already offers iPhone Handoff for $5 a month; Verizon and EE (in the U.K.) plan support. Fees may apply. Satellite capabilities include: Emergency SOS via satellite Roadside Assistance via satellite Find My via satellite Messages via satellite Battery, MagSafe and charging: Whats available? Instead of one battery spanning the body, the iPhone Duo contains two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries , with one high-energy battery fitted into each half of the device. Apples energy-balancing algorithms make them operate as a single battery system. Apple rates battery life at: Up to 24 hours of typical use Up to 44 hours video playback using the outer display Up to 31 hours using the inner display Up to 37 hours streamed video on the outer screen Up to 26 hours streamed video on the inner display Apple has not disclosed the batteries combined capacity in mAh. The pre-launch rumor of approximately 5,000-5,500mAh therefore remains unconfirmed. Apple says the iPhone Duo can reach 50 percent charge in around 20 minutes using a USB-C charging cable and a 60W-capable power adapter or higher. MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging are supported at up to 25W. Apples claimed 50 percent charge in around 30 minutes requires a MagSafe charger paired with a 35W-or-higher power adapter. In both the U.S. and U.K., the box includes the iPhone Duo and a 1-meter USB-C charging cable, but no power adapter. The MagSafe charger is also sold separately, so factor these accessories into your budget if you dont already own suitable equipment. iPhone Duo price: How much does it cost? The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the U.S. and 1,999 in the U.K. for 256GB. Prices are: Storage Price 256GB $1,999/1,999 512GB $2,199/2,199 1TB $2,599/2,599 2TB $3,199/3,199 The 256GB starting capacity means Apple has not created an unusually low-storage entry model simply to make the headline price look lower. iPhone Duo vs iPhone 18 Pro pricing The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199/1,199 , while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299/1,299 . That makes the Duo approximately $700/700 more expensive than the Pro Max at entry level. That premium buys the folding display, precision hinge, titanium structure, second screen and more complex dual-battery design rather than superior cameras: in several areas the iPhone 18 Pro models are actually better equipped. Reports before the launch suggested the Duo could cost anywhere from around $1,999 to $2,399 at entry level, largely because of the folding OLED display, hinge mechanism, titanium components and other expensive parts. Apple ultimately landed at the very bottom of those predictions. iPhone Duo software: Multitasking and Apple Pencil support The iPhone Duos larger inner display enables Split View, letting you use two apps side by side. For example, you could keep Safari open while taking notes, or check your calendar alongside a conversation in Messages. Supported apps can also open two windows of their own: Safari can display two webpages side by side for comparison shopping. You can save pairs of apps to return to later. StandBy also works differently on the Duo. Set the phone down and it can display a clock, photos or widgets on either screen without being connected to a charger. New Calendar and Weather faces join the existing options. Apple Pencil support is coming later in 2026. Apple has announced compatibility with the Apple Pencil (USB-C), allowing users to write, sketch and mark up documents on either display. Should you buy the iPhone Duo? The iPhone Duo is the iPhone to buy if you genuinely want a phone and small tablet in one device. Its 7.6-inch display, multitasking features, A20 Pro performance and clever fold-specific camera modes offer capabilities no other iPhone has. But at $1,999/1,999 it is enormously expensive, and there are significant compromises: no Face ID, no dedicated telephoto camera, no variable aperture and no Action button. For photography, battery life and conventional everyday use, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is likely to be the better-value flagship. Buy the Duo because you want the folding experience, not because it is simply the best iPhone . Read: When is the best time to buy an iPhone and our iPhone Buying Guide .

Macworld 19 Oct 2026 4:22 pm

Rare deal has M4 Mac mini down at $649, new M6 still up to nearly $150 off

As part of its $150 off , those are starting at $780 and the M4 mini is still a more than capable machine. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 4:15 pm

I want a HomeView. I just need a reason to buy one

Macworld Apple is very good at first impressions. The MacBook Air emerging from the manila envelope; the iPhone in Steve Jobs pocket; the first Macintosh saying Hello. Apple knows instinctively how to communicate in an instant what a product stands for, and why you should be excited about it. Which makes it all the more mystifying that senior management decided not to hold a live-streamed event to hype up the HomeView and other new home products last week. If you ask me, in fact, Apple did a decent hype job even without the benefit of a full-dress keynote presentation. Not on the HomePod mini 2 and new Apple TVthe former is virtually an auto-buy and the latter an auto-ignore at that price but on the HomeView. A simple press release and a few animations on the website have ensured that I really, really want one. Even though the rational part of my brain keeps pointing out that I dont need one even slightly. I covered this ground ahead of the launch, in a column where I said the main question would be, What is it for? I hoped that the launch would see Apple succeed in explaining the purpose of its latest foray into the smart home, or rather how that purpose is relevant to a mainstream audience. Maybe a full event would have given the company more space to explore the broader societal changes which it thinks will make the HomeView relevant to the average U.S. homeowner, but I suspect the unavoidable truth is that this simply isnt a product with broad appeal. What can you do with a HomeView? You can monitor and control a smart home, of course, but I suspect that Apple knows this is a niche concern; the clue is how far down the press release you have to go before you reach any mention of smart lights, locks, and thermostats (the 17th paragraph, by my count). In the future its plausible that we will all have HomeKit-compatible smart homes, but for now most people dont. And those who do tend to control them with their phones, while using a HomePod or Apple TV as the hub. While Apple waits for the world to catch up with the smart-home revolutiona process which will be accelerated by the launch of the HomeView, but still needs timeit has to fall back on its other functions. You can FaceTime and read recipes, talk to Siri AI, or play music with onscreen lyrics. You can use it as electronic photo frame, or an alarm clock. With the exception of superior audio youre essentially getting an iPad which is locked in one place, has a smaller screen, and cant install third-party apps. The HomeView is not an iPhone, the sort of chameleonic device that will take over the world by being relevant and useful to virtually everyone. Its not even an iPad, less portable and caught in the middle ground between phone and laptop, but nevertheless deeply versatile. Unlike those two products the HomeView is a specialist: a product capable of delivering one specific experience for a handful of purposes. And in that sense its closer to the first iteration of the Apple Watch or even, Im sorry to say, the Vision Pro. Its a luxury; a want-to-have rather than a must-have. The HomeViews saving grace is that at $299 its relatively affordable for a luxury. Thats significantly cheaper than the cheapest iPad, a product which customers have historically been willing to buy for non-essential use. (Although I suspect they were a lot more willing when it was closer to the HomeViews price earlier this year.) Its significantly cheaper than an Apple Watch Series 12, and not much more expensive than an Apple Watch SE. You can scarcely call the HomeView a bargain or an impulse purchase, but this is a price point where customers are willing to be persuaded. And when its a completely new Apple product, and you can throw in the hype factor of that seductive first impression, you can bet it will sell just fine. Foundry Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but its cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too. Welcome Home special HomeView quickly won a place in Britta OBoyles heart and her home. HomeView might look weird , but Apple was right to break the rectangular mold . The new HomePod mini 2 is a bigger upgrade than it looks . Pre-ordered the new Apple TV 4K ? Here are 5 reasons you should cancel ASAP. The new Siri Remote s best new feature wont work without a very new iPhone . Apple Home Collection is an expensive way to build your smart home. Trending: Top stories Apple just made Felipe Espositos decision to buy an iPhone Duo much easier . No, Metas Muse will not run on your Mac . We investigate how the new Apple Watch sensors affect battery life . Podcast of the week Apple held its Welcome Home event last week. On the latest episode of the Macworld Podcast, we recap Apples announcements. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on YouTube , Spotify , Soundcloud , the Podcasts app , or our own site . Reviews corner HomeView first look : Apples adorable new smart hub oozes personality. Parallels Desktop 27 for Mac : Still the best way to run Windows . Avira Prime for Mac : Strong malware protection and useful cleanup tools. Ugreen MagFlow Pro 3-in-1 25W : Fast charging with a cooling fan. The rumor mill Safari is getting ready for Apples first touchscreen MacBook . Is Siri AI coming to your big HomePod ? Maybe but probably not. Video of the week @macworld.com Are you buying an Apple HomeView? original sound Macworld Macworld Are you buying an Apple HomeView? Roman Loyola thinks an old iPad would do the same job just as well . For more short videos, follow us on TikTok and Instagram . And with that, were done for this weeks Apple Breakfast. If youd like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters , including our new email from The Macalopean irreverent, humorous take on the latest news and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You can also follow us on Facebook , Threads , Bluesky , or X for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.

Macworld 19 Oct 2026 4:00 pm

Amazon still delivering new HomeView on release day as Apple slips into December

Apples new HomeView has been popular around here and, while not quite as delayed iPhone Duo is at this point, shipments have now slid into December for most colorways. Amazon is, however, still delivering a few color options on release day still. more

9To5Toys 19 Oct 2026 3:23 pm

Google Gemini 4 agents just beat Minecraft with no human intervention

Four Gemini 4 Argon agents beat Minecraft's Ender Dragon with no human intervention by sharing tips, threats and mistakes.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 2:49 pm

Microsoft Office made for your Mac

Macworld TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home puts Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote on your Mac for a one-time $112.97 (reg. $149.99). Most of us use Mac to get away from Microsoft, but some things you just cant escape, like Word and Excel . Microsoft 365 wants to charge you $99.99 per year for that software, but the truth is you dont need their version. Microsoft Office 2024 Homehas all the apps you need to stay software-relevant without paying a subscription fee, and its on sale for $112.97 (reg. $149.99) through Oct. 20. You get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, installed on one Mac or PC. All four apps work offline, and your files sync when you reconnect. Real-time co-authoring lets a group project or a shared family budget have more than one editor at once. Office 2024 Home runs on macOS 14 Sonoma or later, and your license ties to your Microsoft account. This is the Home edition, so its for personal and school use, not business. Outlook, OneDrive storage, and Copilot arent included because this is Office 2024, not Microsoft 365. Pay once for Office and skip the yearly renewal. Through Oct. 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC on sale for $112.97 (reg. $149.99). Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time Purchase See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld 19 Oct 2026 1:30 pm

What does the orange dot on your Samsung Galaxy Watch mean?

You might sometimes see an orange dot on the left side of your Galaxy Watch's screen. Here's what is tells you.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 5:30 am

Why you should never point a laser pointer at a security camera

Laser pointers are known to damage security cameras, but do they really? Here's what damage can actually be done.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 5:15 am

How to use Google's SynthID AI detection website

It's a simple way to check whether an image has been created or manipulated, with a few caveats.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 5:00 am

An Xbox Series X can now run PlayStation 5 games, but there's a catch

The idea of PS5 games running on an Xbox Series X -- made possible by how both consoles were built around closely matched hardware -- is certainly exciting.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 4:30 am

Starlink has two $55 plans that are wildly different here's how

It's a trade-off between download speeds and data caps.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 4:15 am

What is the star button for on your Roku remote?

While the Roku remote doesn't have confusing colors or weird symbols, the star button can confuse some folks at first.

Engadget 19 Oct 2026 12:15 am

From the Royole FlexPai to the iPhone Duo: How the modern foldable phone has evolved

Apple's iPhone Duo likely forecasts a shift in the market toward foldables becoming more common. But it took a while to get here.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 11:30 pm

Should you limit your FPS in games? Here's when it makes sense

While it's natural to want to get as many fps from your rig as possible, there are reasons to limit frame output from your GPU.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 10:15 pm

How to fix scaling and app size issues on your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

If you have trouble getting apps to scale properly on your foldable, read on.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 9:45 pm

Flat Ethernet cables probably aren't the answer to your home networking problem

For the most reliable performance, round Ethernet cables are generally superior.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 9:15 pm

The reason why your drive shows less storage than you paid for

Despite showing the storage amount on the box or the spec sheet, your new device might not actually hold as much as it states. Here are the reasons why.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 8:45 pm

iOS 27's new CarPlay features are great, but only these iPhones can actually use them

With the release of iOS 27, car owners with CarPlay support can enjoy lots of cool new features. However, not all iPhone models are able to support them all.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 8:15 pm

The reason your Amazon Alexa devices are always listening

Alexa devices have microphones that are always listening, but what does Amazon do with that data? It's up to you.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 7:45 pm

Your smart TV has one big problem: It's tracking what you watch

If you don't want your TV manufacturer to know everything you watch, here's what to do about it.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 7:00 pm

How to use your Windows PC to make and receive phone calls

Windows 11 can connect to your phone to make calls, letting you manage them in one place instead of picking up your phone.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 6:45 pm

Why it's important to avoid plugging in a damaged external hard drive

External hard drives are sensitive, and what seems like a minor drop can cause major damage that should be checked by a professional.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 6:15 pm

Today is your last chance at LG Deal Days: Up to $2,000 off Mini LED/OLED TVs + $200 gift card, 10% back

Today its your last chance at the LG Deal Days sale . Effectively its ongoing Prime Day competitor sale, this is your last shot to save up to $2,000 off its 2026 OLED and mini-LED TVs, including the StanbyME 2 27-inch Portable Smart Touch Screen with the built-in 4-hour battery and its its latest Mini LED and C6/G6 OLED lineups. As we mentioned initially, not only are we seeing straight cash savings here, but various models are also shipping with hundreds in FREE Visa gift cards and youll get 10% of the purchase price back on select models. more

9To5Toys 18 Oct 2026 5:20 pm

OnlyFans Creators Are Pissed That Meta Lets Muse Talk Dirty

Adult performers are questioning why Meta allows its AI agent to sext while restricting their social media accounts.

Wired 18 Oct 2026 4:00 pm

Stop paying Apple every month and get 5TB of private cloud storage for a flat $230

Macworld TL;DR: Cancel iCloud+ and get 5TB of encrypted cloud storage with an Internxt lifetime subscription for $229.99 (MSRP $1,900). iCloud+ charges $9.99 a month for 2TB, and that bill never stops. Internxt is an encrypted cloud storage service with apps for Mac and iPhone , and a 5TB lifetime subscription is on sale for $229.99 (MSRP $1,900). Your files are encrypted on your Mac before they upload, so Internxt itself cant open them. Encryption is post-quantum, and Internxts code is open source on GitHub and independently audited by Securitum. PCWorld also gave Internxt its Editors Choice award. At 5TB, you get more than double iClouds 2TB tier, with room for years of photos, videos, and project files. Single uploads can be as large as 10GB. Internxt runs on macOS 11 or later, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and the web, and you can sync as many devices as you want. This plan is for new Internxt users only, and codes arent stackable. Internxt Mail, Backups, file versioning, and other add-ons are sold separately. Get an Internxt Cloud Storage 5TB lifetime subscription on sale for $229.99 (MSRP $1,900). Internxt Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (5TB Plan) See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld 18 Oct 2026 1:30 pm

Get three wallet-size Apple Find My trackers that recharge wirelessly for $50.99

Macworld TL;DR: Track your wallet in Apple Find My with this rechargeable KeySmart SmartCard 3-pack for $50.99 (MSRP $74.97). Most Bluetooth trackers are too thick to sit flat in a wallet. KeySmarts SmartCard is a rechargeable tracker the size of a credit card that works with Apple Find My, and a 3-pack is on sale for $50.99 (MSRP $74.97). Each card is less than 2mm thick, about the same as two credit cards stacked together, so it slides into a card slot without adding bulk. Once you add a card to the Find My app, you can play a sound to find it nearby or check its location on a map through Apples Find My network. If you leave your wallet at a restaurant, Find My sends an alert to your iPhone, AirPods, or CarPlay . Lost Mode shows a message and your contact information to anyone who finds the card. Any Qi wireless charger tops up the battery, and one charge lasts up to eight months. IPX8 waterproofing lets a card survive up to an hour in 3.3 feet of water, and a lanyard slot holds a work badge or ID. With three cards, you can put one in your wallet, one on your badge, and one in your travel bag. Any iPhone on iOS 14 or later can track the cards. Each one comes with a 2-year warranty, and shipping is free. Stop retracing your steps every time your wallet goes missing. Get a 3-pack of rechargeable KeySmart SmartCard Gen 2s on sale for $50.99 (MSRP $74.97). KeySmart SmartCard (Gen 2/Rechargeable/3-Pack) See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Macworld 18 Oct 2026 1:30 pm

What to check if your Nintendo Switch 2 isn't connecting to the TV

Your Nintendo Switch 2 is made to project its display to a TV. If it's not working, there are some things you should check.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 5:30 am

These Samsung Galaxy tablets are in their last year of software support

Samsung's latest software update commitment for its tablets is great, but older devices can't take advantage of it.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 5:00 am

Why your Wi-Fi speeds can drop in the evening, and what to do about it

Everyone getting online at the same time can slam the network, but working around these slowdowns is possible with a few tricks.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 4:30 am

How to keep your smart home running even if the internet goes down

Smart home products most often harness Wi-Fi to function. But what can you do if you lose internet frequently?

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 4:15 am

Don't throw away your old PlayStation Do this instead

Older PlayStations may be past their prime, but there are several ways you can make use of these consoles.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 3:30 am

The Tesla Roadster is far from the first car to use fans for downforce

Here are some of the other, older vehicles that use fans for downforce like the Tesla Roadster does.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 2:50 am

Leaked gameplay purports to show a canceled Assassin's Creed game set in ancient China

At least there's still Assassin's Creed Jade to look forward to.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 12:52 am

Android Auto can be used outside of your car: Here's how

It might sound weird to use Android Auto outside of a vehicle, but doing so has unexpected productivity benefits.

Engadget 18 Oct 2026 12:15 am

Anbernic's RG DDS is almost double the price of the original Nintendo 3DS

The premium handheld is expected to start shipping in December.

Engadget 17 Oct 2026 9:45 pm

Why are some locations blurred out on Google Maps?

When using Google Maps, it isn't rare to see blurred locations. Why does this happen? The answer is simple, and it has everything to do with security.

Engadget 17 Oct 2026 9:00 pm

Common problems with Amazon Alexa and how to fix them

Amazon Alexa is a very useful gadget to have at home, but it isn't exempt from having some issues. Fortunately, troubleshooting is easy as pie.

Engadget 17 Oct 2026 8:30 pm

How many watts should your Bluetooth speaker have?

If you're confused by Bluetooth speaker wattage, here's what those numbers actually mean. Spoiler: more wattage doesn't necessarily mean a louder speaker.

Engadget 17 Oct 2026 7:30 pm

Verizon will charge you $10 a month for iPhone Handoff

iPhone Handoff, which lets you share the same number on two devices, will cost you $10 a month on Verizon.

Engadget 17 Oct 2026 7:15 pm

Why Xiaomi phones have so many ads (and how to block them)

Xiaomi phone users know these phones have too many ads, and the reason is very simple. Learn how to remove them so they're not a hassle anymore.

Engadget 17 Oct 2026 7:15 pm

Microsoft really doesn't want you to buy Office here's a great free alternative

Microsoft Office used to be a suite you could simply buy and it'd just work. Now, it's largely trapped behind a subscription. Here are some great free options.

Engadget 17 Oct 2026 7:00 pm

How to create iPhone Shortcuts with Apple Intelligence (and why you should)

When it works, it works!

Engadget 17 Oct 2026 6:30 pm

9to5Toys Battlestation Weekly: Save $580 on Legion Go S SteamOS handheld, RTX 50-series PCs/laptops up to $900 off, more

Welcome to 9to5Toys Battlestation Weekly your go-to spot for the notable deals and latest releases in PC gaming at a glance every Saturday morning. There are some seriously good hardware deals to check out this week, with notable markdowns on gaming laptops, desktops, and handhelds. Lenovos 32GB/1TB Legion Go S is seeing one of its best discounts in months, and there are also some great deals on RTX 50-series machines at Walmart from MSI, Acer, HP, and more at up to $900 off. There are also some solid Copilot+ PC deals at Best Buy as well, and Samsung is offering deals on its Galaxy Book6 notebooks for the Samsung Week sale event. Head below for more details. more

9To5Toys 17 Oct 2026 6:30 pm

These common charging habits could be degrading your EV battery

EVs, with their enormous batteries, can suffer if they're charged in the wrong way. Here's what you should keep in mind when you next juice your vehicle.

Engadget 17 Oct 2026 6:15 pm

Apple updates App Store rules to ensure it doesn't offer AI nudify apps

Apple has tightened the App Store's rules against AI-generated nonconsensual intimate imagery.

Engadget 17 Oct 2026 6:05 pm

Official Apple iPhone 18 Pro/Max cases up to 32% off at Amazon, deals from $33

iPhone Duo pre-orders came and went super quickly yesterday and we have already detailed a number of case deals and new models for the popular Apple foldable, but this morning we are taking stock of the official 18 Pro options. Amazon is offering a number of Apples iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models at discounted prices right now starting from $33 shipped scope them out below. more

9To5Toys 17 Oct 2026 5:57 pm

How to check your Ethernet cable's speed

Understand the speeds your Ethernet cable can transmit at help you diagnose where the slowdowns on your network are happening.

Engadget 17 Oct 2026 5:45 pm