Apple on Friday seeded revised first betas of its upcoming iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 updates to developers for testing. The revised betas came four days following Apple’s initial beta releases of the new operating systems.

Registered developers can download the updated iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 beta software using the Software Update section of the Settings app.

It’s not clear why Apple has seeded new beta updates, but there may be a bug fix required that couldn’t wait for the second beta to implement.

The seed doesn’t include any new Apple Intelligence Siri features. While Apple had been widely-expected to unveil the new Siri features in iOS 26.4, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman warned in February that the iPhone maker would be missing that deadline, due to Apple running into unforeseen problems while testing Siri. The report said Siri was having issues with improperly processing queries and also took too long to respond to requests. Gurman said we likely wouldn’t see some or all of the new Siri features until iOS 26.5 and iOS 27.

Apple engineers had reportedly been internally testing Siri on iOS 26.5, and those involved had told Gurman that the updates included all of the features Apple had promised at WWDC 2024. However, none of the new features have made an appearance, including in yesterday’s initial beta, indicating we likely will not see the new and improved Siri unti iOS 27, which will be unveiled in June at Apple’s WWDC 2026 event.

Apple continues testing secure messaging between Android and iOS devices in the betas of iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5. It didn’t make the public release of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, but the feature is back in the iOS 26.5 beta. In the Messages section of the Settings app, the End-to-End Encryption toggle is back in the ‌RCS‌ options, and like before, it is enabled by default.

As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver iPhone or iPad. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.

Repair site iFixit has shared a teardown of Apple’s new AirPods Max 2 headphones, and it reveals that are few changes inside the new headphone’s shells. The site says the ‌AirPods Max 2‌ are “basically the same” as the original AirPods Max headphones that were released back in 2020.

The site’s examination of the AirPods Max 2‌’s internal components show that when compared to the USB-C AirPods Max show the headphones are identical, and opening them up requires the same steps as the previous generation. The only difference is the updated H2 chips inside.

The AirPods Max 2 appears to share most components with the original model, with the battery, headband, electronics, and buttons appearing to match those of the 2020 and 2024 AirPods Max revisions.

It also appears that Apple hasn’t addresses common complaints with the expensive accessory, including the condensation that builds up in the earcups in humid environments. Apple has yet to provide any parts or repair manuals as yet.

The lack of updates to the ‌AirPods Max 2‌ design mean the headphones are not any more repairable than the prior-generation models. iFixit gave the first version a repairability score of 6/10.

Apple’s iPhone is going “to the moon, Alice!” The iPhone is going along for the ride on NASA‘s 10-day Artemis II moon orbit mission, not as official equipment of the spacecraft, but as the astronauts’ personal belongings.

Four astronauts are currently five days onto a 10-day mission that includes a fly-by of the Moon, allowing the astronauts to test equipment on future moon missions.

In early February, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced that astronauts would be allowed to carry “the latest smartphones” with them into space. Astronauts are now allowed to bring their iPhone (or Android devices, SIGH!).

NASA said the move was meant to give “our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world. Just as important, we challenged long-standing processes and qualified modern hardware for spaceflight on an expedited timeline.”

An Apple spokesperson said the rule change will mark the first time the iPhone has been fully qualified for extended use in orbit and beyond.

When Artemis II launched last Wednesday, iPhone’s were secured safely in crew members’ bright orange Orion survival suits.

While the crew will not be using their personal handsets for any mission critical operations they will use them to capture candid videos and photos all along the way. All critical operations will continue to rely on the spacecraft’s certified avionics and communication systems, which are hardened against the extreme environment of outer space.

The iPhones will not use their own WiFi or 5G systems to connect back home, but will instead use the Orion’s WiFi network, which will then use its own stable connection to transmit back to Earth. While that seems logical, considering the range limitations of both 5G and WiFi, AppleInsider reports that they’ve been asked about that subject on social media.

While there has been no information posted as to which handsets are onboard, pre-launch handling footage shows a device that resembles an iPhone Pro model.

Say what you’d like about United Airlines, but you have to admit that they’ve done a good job in taking advantage of new device features as Apple has made them available. They were the first airline to turn on AirTag lost luggage tracking, even integrating the feature into their app. It also quickly supported iOS 26’s new boarding passes feature, and last but not least, it offers Apple TV content on its in-flight entertainment systems.

Now, with its latest app update, United is offering the ability to track the TSA line at the airport.

United’s award-winning mobile app will include estimated Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security wait times using data collected by the airline, a first-of-its-kind offering from a major U.S. airline^*. As part of a new pilot program, the feature provides regular wait time updates throughout the day, giving travelers timely information on airport security lines and helping them plan their travel with confidence.

In the Travel section of the United mobile app, United customers can view security wait times for the airline’s U.S. hub airports in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington D.C. United will provide estimated wait times for specific lanes – including standard security and TSA PreCheck® – throughout terminals serving United customers, allowing them to choose the option that works best for them.^†

The new feature is rolling out today to United mobile app users traveling through all of the airline’s U.S. hub airports.

That’s a feature add that comes in particularly hand in recent times, due to the partial US government shutdown that is leaving many TSA checkpoints horribly understaffed.

For its initial launch, security wait times will be available for the airline’s US hub airports in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington DC, and will include estimated times for specific lanes, both standard and TSA PreCheck.

“We appreciate the work and professionalism of our TSA agents, and while most began receiving back pay earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues and people want to stay informed about expected security wait times at our airports,” said Jason Birnbaum, United’s Chief Information Officer. “Our customers rely on our mobile app for all their travel needs, and this new feature lets them know what to expect and better plan their trip.”

United’s app now also includes turn-by-turn directions to take you directly to your gate, providing estimated walking times and information on whether the airline can hold a plane at the gate for travelers with tight connections between their flights.

In addition to the new features mentioned above, the United app also offers:

• Day-of travel features: New suite of features that include a Virtual Gate, package-delivery-style bag tracker, United Club^SM ‘closest and best’ feature and more.
• Personalized connection: Features that make catching connecting flights easier, including personalized, turn-by-turn directions to connecting gates with estimated walk times, real-time flight status updates, tips for longer layovers and a heads up if United is able to hold the plane for those with an extra-tight connection.
• Bag tracking enhancements: Integrated Apple’s Share Item Location for AirTag, so customers everywhere who travel with an AirTag or Find My network accessory can seamlessly share the accessory location with United’s customer service team to help locate their luggage in the event that it is mishandled.
• Automatic rebooking assistance: Rather than standing in line to speak with an agent or manually searching for alternatives, United’s self-service tools automatically provide travelers with personalized rebooking options, baggage tracking details, and, when eligible, meal and hotel vouchers if their flight is delayed or canceled.
• Real-time weather updates: United texts real-time radar maps to help customers understand how inclement weather in one part of the country can impact a flight elsewhere. United is the first and only U.S. airline currently providing its customers these kinds of specific messages and the airline is sending them with assistance from gen AI tools.

Apple will hold its second earnings call of 2026 on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET, according to a notice posted on the Cupertino company’s Investor Relations website.

As a publicly held company, Apple has to release its quarterly results four times a year. For the second quarter results, that will take place at the end of April.

The Apple Q2 2026 results will be released on April 30. It will be followed by the traditional conference call at 5 p.m. EDT, on which CEO Tim Cook and CFO Kevan Parekh discuss will discuss the quarter’s numbers and also answer questions about the quarter.

As usual, Mactrast will be reporting on the results, as well as any highlights of the conference call.

Apple is now sending out email invitations to developers and students that have been selected to attend the WWDC 2026 Special Event at Apple Park on June 8. While Apple is holding a WWDC keynote viewing at ‌Apple Park‌, space is limited, so invitations are issued on a lottery basis.

Attendees were selected based on a random lottery system. Apple Developer Program members, prior-year Swift Student Challenge winners, and Apple Entrepreneur Camp alumni were eligible to enter. Apple will also invite students who win this year’s Student Challenge, but that is a separate lottery.

Lucky lottery winners will have the opportunity to attend a special viewing party at Apple Park on June 8 to watch the keynote at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, followed by the Platforms State of the Union, then Apple park tours, and dinner. Attendees will be able to interface with Apple engineers and visit the Developer Center.

Those who plan to attend the viewing event will need to RSVP by April 10, and invitations are non-transferable. While the event itself is free, developers and students will need to pay for their own travel costs. Out-of-state attendees will need to purchase airfare, hotel accommodations, and transportation to ‌Apple Park‌.

‌WWDC 2026‌ will take place from June 8 to June 12. Developers and students not selected to attend the ‌Apple Park‌ event can follow along with WWDC through Apple’s developer website and app. Apple plans to share 100+ WWDC sessions.

Apple’s Little Finder Guy is proving to be quite popular among TikTok and YouTube Shorts fans. Apple is taking advantage of said popularity by releasing additional videos featuring the anthropomorphized Mac Finder icon.

Apple introduced Little Finder Guy along side the launch of the ‌MacBook Neo‌ in early March, and Apple users immediately took a liking to the character.

The short videos all promote the MacBook Neo while providing a series of Mac tips, all of which include the Little Finder Guy in cute poses (he also narrates, at least I assume that’s him talking, I mean they give the impression that, that is to say, um, okay, I don’t know if that’s him talking).

The videos include a video about journaling features the Mac Journal app, and features the character with a book and a pen, a second one about the Passwords app that shows Little Finder Guy with a magnifying glass, and a video where the mascot explains using the Messages app on the Mac.

As pointed out by MacRumors, Apple has shared nine Little Finder Guy videos this week, and in the TikTok app, the thumbnails for the videos create a Little Finder Guy mosaic on the Apple TikTok page.

Now that the all of the pieces are in place for Apple’s Little Finder Guy image on TikTok, it could mean that no additional videos starring the mascot will be forthcoming. However, Apple may keep cranking them out now that the little fella has become so popular.

Apple has announced that as of April 1 it is no longer offering payment processing for purchases made in the App Store or for other Apple services in Russia.

In a new support document, Apple said:

As of April 1, 2026, payment processing is no longer available for purchases made on the App Store or other Apple Media Services in Russia. This might affect your existing subscriptions.

New purchases, including in-app purchases and subscription renewals, are no longer available in Russia unless you have funds in your Apple Account balance.

This change affects the following services and items:

• Apple Arcade
• Apple Fitness+
• Apple Music
• Apple Podcasts subscriptions
• Apple One
• App Store purchases and subscriptions
• Apple TV purchases and subscriptions
• iTunes Store purchases
• iCloud+
• Ringtone & Tone purchases

What happens to your previous purchases and subscriptions

Apps and content that you previously bought will remain available to you. You might be able to update apps that you already own.

If you have existing subscriptions

If you have a subscription and Apple can’t bill you, your subscription will end. You might lose access to that subscription content.

If you have an iCloud+ subscription

Your data will remain accessible after your subscription ends. You can continue to manage your storage and download your iCloud photos and videos.

Apple reportedly took this action in response to an order from the Russian government.

The Ministry of Digital Development is considering temporary restrictions on payments for Apple services from mobile phone bills to force the company to return popular Russian services to the App Store, a government source told RIA Novosti.

“At a meeting with the Big Four on March 28, the agency discussed the possibility of temporarily suspending payments,” the agency’s source said.

Apple is rolling out the first firmware update for its AirTag 2. The refreshed firmware has a build number of 3.0.45, up from the 3.0.41 it launched with in January.

The update is for the AirTag 2 only. The original AirTags are still on 2.0.73, which arrived in early 2024.

Apple’s release notes for the firmware update are as follows:

AirTag Firmware Update 3.0.45

• Updates the unwanted tracking sound to more easily locate an unknown AirTag during Precision Finding.
• Bug fixes and other improvements.

There is no way to force your AirTag to update its firmware. Instead, AirTag firmware updates install automatically when an AirTag is in range of your iPhone. The process is similar to how Apple updates the firmware of its AirPods lineup.

You can check your AirTag’s firmware version, by doing the following:

1. Open the Find My application on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Items tab in the bottom navigation bar.
3. Select your AirTag from the list of displayed items by tapping on the name of the AirTag.
4. Your AirTag’s serial number and firmware version should be displayed.

Apple has updated its free Apple Sports app for the iPhone to provide additional 2026 FIFA World Cup content, adding the ability to view complete tournament groupings and follow their favorite national teams in the app.

Apple Sports first launched in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. in February 2024, later expanding to Europe and Mexico. The app offers a personalized experience that allows users to put their favorite leagues and teams front and center. The app is now available in 80 countries.

The app shows scores, stats, standings, and more for a variety of leagues and events, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, F1, Premier League, PGA TOUR, and more. It also includes support for more than 30 of the top soccer leagues and tournaments across North America, Latin America, and Europe.

Version 3.9 of the Apple Sports app is now a free download in the App Store.

Cosmic Orange may turn out to be the new black when it comes to the iPhone 18 Pro, according to a well-known leaker. According to Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital, Apple won’t be offering its next-generation top-of-the-line models in a black color option.

Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max are both available in just three colors – Silver, Cosmic Orange, and Deep Blue – marking the first time that Apple’s high-end handsets haven’t been available in a black or dark gray color option. If Instant Digital is correct, they won’t be making a comeback any time soon.

From the Google Translate version of his post:

It seems the black version of the iPhone 18 Pro has been cancelled again, which is disappointing.

Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman in February suggested that Apple is testing a deep red finish for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as well as a couple of more traditional color options. But Gurman did not mention black as one of them.

While there have also been rumors that Apple was mulling over brown and purple finishes for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, but Gurman dismissed those color options as “just variants of the same red idea.”

While Instant Digital has a decent track record, keep your salt substitute shakers handy, as any news until the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is unveiled in September must be considered rumors and nothing more.

Apple’s vice president of fitness technologies Jay Blahnik will retire this summer, ending 13 years of employment with the Cupertino firm. Blahnik is stepping down in the wake of accusations of his creating a toxic workplace, and sexually harassed at least one employee.

Apple announced Blahnik’s “retirement” this week in an email to all of its employees. The company said that Blahnik, 57, will leave in July “to spend time with his family and make an exciting move to New York City,” reports The New York Times.

Blahnik joined Apple in 2013 following a 20 year tenure as a consultant at Nike. During his time t Apple, he played a big role in the development of the Apple Watch’s iconic Activity rings. He later headed Fitness+, Apple’s subscription video workout service, which launched in December 2020.

It was while leading the Fitness+ team that serious complaints arose. The Times reported in August 2025 that nine current and former employees had accused Blahnik of being “verbally abusive, manipulative and inappropriate.” The report said that 10+ of the 100 employees on Blahnik’s team had sought extended mental health or medical leaves of absence since 2022.

Following these complaints, Apple conducted an internal investigation, but found no evidence of wrongdoing, so Blahnik stayed in his role.

Apple has also settled one complaint alleging sexual harassment by Blahnik. The company is also currently defending him in a separate bullying lawsuit brought by employee Mandana Mofidi, who accused him of bullying. That case will go to trial next year.

Apple has yet to announce who will replace Blahnik at Fitness+.

Amazon is in discussions to acquire Globalstar, the company behind Apple’s SOS via Satellite feature on the iPhone and Apple Watch, according to a Financial Times report. The talks are said to put the value of the satellite telecommunications firm at somewhere around $9 billion.

Apple paid $1.5 billion for a 20% share of Globalstar in 2024, meaning they’ll likely have some input in the acquisition talks. Apple’s investment consisted of up to $1.1 billion to finance the construction and launch of Globalstar’s satellite infrastructure. Apple also bought a 20% passive equity interest in Globalstar at a cost of $400 million.

The acquisition is a part of Amazon’s broader push to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. Amazon is building out its its own satellite internet service, dubbed Leo. Amazon currently has over 180 satellites in orbit, which while impressive, pales in comparison to Space X’s current fleet of more than 10,000 active satellites.

In February, Amazon filed a request with the Federal Communication Commission for a two-year extension to a looming July deadline to have 1,600 satellites in operation. The regulatory filing indicates Amazon is running up against launch capability.

No matter who buys Globalstar, Apple will want to hold on to its current 85% of the firm’s satellite network capacity. The iPhone maker uses the bandwidth for its Emergency SOS, Messages via satellite, and Find My location features.

Apple is also reported to be working on several new satellite-related features for its devices, including Apple Maps via satellite, sending photos in Messages while connected via Satellite, satellite over 5G, a satellite API for third-party applications, and more.

It’s not unreasonable to believe that if Amazon does buy Globalstar that it won’t continue its agreement with Apple. The two firms already have business dealings, as Apple relies on Amazon for some of its cloud services. Also, Amazon will likely put more money into Globalstars existing satellite infrastructure, making it beneficial to Apple.

As expected, Apple today released a new build of iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7, likely with a fix for the DarkSword exploit. iOS 18.7.7 was initially limited to the iPhone XS and XR models, but it is now available for other iPhones running iOS 18.

An Apple support document informs users about recent reports about hacking tools that can be used against iPhones running older versions of iOS. iOS exploit kits known as “Coruna” and “DarkSword” are being used by bad actors to take advantage of vulnerabilities in devices running older software.

Devices that have been upgraded to iOS 26 are already protected from DarkSword. However, those still running iOS 18 are vulnerable to the exploit, leading Apple to release the fix to protect iOS 18 users. Approximately 25% of all iPhone users remained on iOS 18 as of February for one reason or another, even though their device supports the latest version.

It is rare for Apple to provide a security update to protect iOS 18 users that haven’t had the urge to upgrade to iOS 26. Traditionally, Apple uses such security fixes as a way to get users to update to the latest version of the operating system supported by the device.

Apple says that the iOS 18.7.7 update is available for more devices, and devices with older versions of iOS 18 will receive an additional alert to install a Critical Security Update.

Note: We enabled the availability of iOS 18.7.7 for more devices on April 1, 2026, so users with Automatic Updates turned on can automatically receive important security protections from web attacks called DarkSword. The fixes associated with the DarkSword exploit first shipped in 2025.

Devices with older versions of iOS 18 will receive an additional alert to install a Critical Security Update.

To install the iOS 18 update, your iPhone should be fully charged and connected to WiFi. To check that the update is available and to install it, go to “Settings” -> “General” -> “Software Update.” If you have automatic updates enabled you should see the new software installed automatically.

DarkSword has been used by multiple hacker groups to hack the iPhones of users in multiple countries, including Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Ukraine, says Google.

While such toolkits are not unusual in the black hat hacker community, the availability of DarkSword makes it simple for even a script kiddie to grab the files from open source code repository GitHub, and in a matter of minutes be infecting unsuspecting devices.

Happy 50th Birthday Apple! (Apple was founded on April Fools Day, April 1, 1976.)

How It Began

Steve Jobs, Steve (Woz) Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne founded what would become one of the most successful companies in history. The company was originally founded to sell the Apple I personal computer kit to the Homebrew Computer Club. The Apple I sold for $666.66.

The Apple I was designed and hand-built entirely by Wozniak. To finance the computer, Jobs sold his Volkswagen Bus, and Wozniak sold his HP-65 calculator. Together earning $1,300.

Wozniak unveiled the first prototype Apple I at at meeting of the Homebrew Computer Club in July 1976. It was sold as a kit, which included a motherboard with CPU, RAM, and basic video chips.

Wayne sold his 10% share of the company back to Jobs and Wozniak for $800 just 12 days later. (That investment would be worth billions today.) Jobs and Wozniak hung in there, releasing the Apple I, which revolutionized the then-fledgling home computer industry.

The company’s first logo incorporated Sir Isaac Newton, due to the “Apple” connection. It was hand-drawn by Ronald Wayne and contains a quotation from William Wordsworth “Newton… A Mind Forever Voyaging Through Strange Seas of Thought…Alone.”

The Apple II

The Apple II, also designed by Wozniak, debuted in April 16, 1977, at the first West Coast Computer Faire. It offered character cell-based color graphics and an open architecture. The Apple I and early Apple II models originally ordinary audio cassette tapes for storage. Apple began offering a 5 1⁄4-inch floppy disk drive and interface it called the Disk II in 1978.

The 80s

In 1984, Steve Jobs unveiled the Macintosh, the world’s first truly successful computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). The revolutionary device used a mouse to control an on-screen pointer, offering point-and-click access to applications and documents. Most of the personal computers during this era ran character-driven operating systems, such as MS-DOS, which ran on the IBM PC and compatibles.

The price for the original Macintosh started at $2,495 (nearly $8,000 in 2026). The OG Macintosh was powered by an 8 MHz processor, had 128 KB of RAM, and stored data on a 400 KB floppy disk drive. Serial ports were used for connecting a printer and other accessories.

In 1985, Apple released one of the first mass-market laser printers, the LaserWriter.

The 90s

The 1990s was a perilous decade for Apple, as things began to go downhill after Steve Jobs left the company in the mid-80s, following the hiring of “sugar water salesman John Sculley” to run things. Jobs founded another computer c0mpany NeXT and returned to Apple in 1997, as his return was part of the company’s acquisition of NeXT. Included in the deal was NeXTSTEP, the UNIX-based operating system that ultimately morphed into Mac OS X, the successor to classic Mac OS.

This is not to say that Apple didn’t offer innovative products during the decade, as it released the innovative yet much-maligned Newton personal assistant, the Pippin video game console (based on the Macintosh architecture), and even a digital camera.

The 2000s

Many link Apple’s renaissance in the 2000s with the 2001 launch of the iPod. The portable music player proved to be extremely popular and marked Apple’s first step toward becoming a consumer electronics company rather than a computer company.

In 2007, Steve jobs unveiled the original iPhone to a crowd at Macworld San Francisco. Many of you will remember how Jobs began the unveiling by treating it as the introduction of three separate products: a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a mobile phone, and an internet communications device. The crowd went wild when they realized that Jobs was introducing a single device.

Last year, Apple announced that it had shipped three billion iPhones.

The 2010s

The 2010s say Apple products launch three new products that quickly dominated their markets. Apple’s tablet, the iPad launched in 2010, the Apple Watch debuted in 2015, and the AirPods first hit earholes in 2016.

While the iPad was basically just a large-screened iPhone designed for the consumption of content when it first launched, it has since redefined what a personal computer is, although many users are content to use the device for its original purpose.

The Apple Watch has become one of the world’s most popular fitness-related devices, with millions of users now wearing the device. Over the years, the Apple Watch has added several health and safety-related features, including ECG and blood oxygen measurement, Crash Detection, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, and other features.

Meanwhile, the AirPods have transformed from being just Bluetooth earbuds to offering on-the-fly language translation, hearing aid capabilities, and other health-related features.

The 2020s

We’re just a little more than halfway through the 20s, and Apple has continued to innovate during the decade.

In 2020, Apple began the Mac’s transition from Intel processors to its own in-house developed Apple Silicon. The first M1-powered Mac models were unveiled at WWDC 2020, where a 13-inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini debuted. Now all Macs are powered by M-Series chips, and macOS Tahoe 26 is the last version of macOS that will offer support for Intel Macs.

Apple launched its first spatial computing device in 2023, the Apple Vision Pro headset. In 2024, Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence, its first suite of Artificial Intelligence-related features. Sales of the Apple Vision Pro have been a bit underwhelming, and Apple has run into several issues with Apple Intelligence, although the company keeps on swinging.

What’s Next?

Over the next decade or so, Apple is expected to offer new wearables, including AirPods with cameras, smart glasses, and even a much-rumored pendant. And we can expect to see new and improved Macs, Apple Watches, iPads, iPhones, and more.

Stay tuned for the next 50 years!

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned in a Telegram post today that Apple is on a list of Large American companies that may be targeted, due to the country’s ongoing battle with the United States and Israel, reports CBS News.

The IRGC Telegram post reportedly accused 18 U.S.-based companies of acting as “spies” for the U.S. government, helping it to carry out strikes. The post says the IRGC sees the companies as “legitimate targets.” The list includes Apple, Boeing, Cisco, Google, IBM, J.P. Morgan, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, and others.

The IRGC said the U.S. had “ignored our repeated warnings about the need to stop terrorist operations, and today, a number of Iranian citizens were martyred in your and your Israeli allies’ terrorist attacks; Since the main element in designing and tracking terror targets are American ICT and AI companies, in response to this terrorist operation, from now on the main institutions effective in terrorist operations will be our legitimate targets.”

The post warned “employees of these institutions to leave their workplaces immediately to save their lives. Residents around these terrorist companies in all countries in the region should also leave their places within a radius of one kilometer and go to a safe place.”

The IRGC had issued a similar threat in early March, warning that the list of “legitimate targets are gradually expanding.”

Apple will on Wednesday issue a software update for iPhones still running iOS 18 to block the increasingly-popular DarkSword exploit, which can allow bad guys to take control of an iPhone simply if the user visits a website that’s been infected with the evil code.

An Apple support document informs users about recent reports about hacking tools that can be used against iPhones running older versions of iOS. iOS exploit kits known as “Coruna” and “DarkSword” are being used by bad actors to take advantage of vulnerabilities in devices running older software.

Devices that have been upgraded to iOS 26 are already protected from DarkSword. However, those still running iOS 18 are vulnerable to the exploit, leading Apple to release the fix to protect iOS 18 users. Approximately 25% of all iPhone users remained on iOS 18 as of February for one reason or another, even though their device supports the latest version.

“Tomorrow we are enabling the availability of an iOS 18 update for more devices so users with auto-update enabled can automatically receive important security protections,” an Apple spokesperson told Wired. “We encourage all users with supported devices to update to iOS 26 to receive our most advanced protections.”

To install the iOS 18 update, your iPhone should be fully charged and connected to WiFi. To check that the update is available and to install it, go to “Settings” -> “General” -> “Software Update.” If you have automatic updates enabled you should see the new software installed automatically.

DarkSword has been used by multiple hacker groups to hack the iPhones of users in multiple countries, including Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Ukraine, says Google.

Apple has also released a patch to protect older iPhones from another iOS hacking tool kit, Coruna. Apple urges all iPhone users to update to the latest iOS version supported by their device.

While such toolkits are not unusual in the black hat hacker community, the availability of DarkSword makes it simple for even a script kiddie to grab the files from open source code repository GitHub, and in a matter of minutes be infecting unsuspecting devices.

“The exploits will work out of the box,” Matthias Frielingsdorf, the co-founder of mobile security startup iVerify, told TechCrunch. “There is no iOS expertise required.”

“This is bad. They are way too easy to repurpose,” Frielingsdorf continued. “I don’t think that can be contained anymore. So we need to expect criminals and others to start deploying this.”

Apple on Tuesday added three more of its products to its “Vintage” and “Obsolete” products lists. Apple considers a device to be “vintage” once five years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. “Obsolete” products are those that were discontinued more than 7 years ago.

Apple added the MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017) to its “vintage” list, will now receive more limited service and repair support, due to now being considered vintage. The MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017) was the final MacBook Air model before Apple’s redesign of the laptop that brought a Retina display to the device in 2018.

Apple also added all iPad mini 4 and Apple TV HD (32GB) configurations to its “obsolete” products list, meaning those devices are no longer eligible for service whatsoever.

The iPad mini 4 launched in 2015, and it was discontinued in 2019. The Apple TV HD was first released in 2015 and discontinued in October 2022, with the launch of the third-generation Apple TV 4K. It should be noted that only Apple TV HD units with 32GB of storage are currently considered obsolete.

What’s Vintage, and What’s Obsolete?

Apple’s website explains the difference:

Vintage products are those that have not been manufactured for more than 5 and less than 7 years ago. Apple has discontinued hardware service for vintage products with the following exceptions:

• Mac products purchased in the country of Turkey. Owners of vintage Mac products may obtain service and parts from Apple service providers within the country of Turkey.
• Products purchased in the state of California, United States, as required by statute
  • Owners of vintage Mac products may obtain service and parts from Apple service providers within the state of California, United States. 
  • Owners of vintage iPod products in the state of California may obtain service from Apple Retail Stores or by contacting AppleCare at 1-800-APL-CARE.
  • Owners of vintage iPhone products in the state of California may obtain service from Apple Retail Stores or by contacting AppleCare at 1-800-APL-CARE.

For products purchased in France, see Statutory Warranties of Seller and Spare Parts.

Obsolete products are those that were discontinued more than 7 years ago. Monster-branded Beats products are considered obsolete regardless of when they were purchased.  Apple has discontinued all hardware service for obsolete products with no exceptions. Service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products. All Apple Retail Stores and the Canadian, European, Latin American, and Asia-Pacific operating regions follow the U.S. product list, but make no distinction between vintage and obsolete. When applied to Apple Retail Stores and these operating regions, products on the U.S. vintage list (all models) are considered obsolete.

Apple’s new AirPods Max 2 wireless headphones are scheduled to hit ears in the U.S. and more than 30 other countries and regions in early April, will have a firmware update ready to apply right out of the box. The updated firmware is version number 8E251.

The ‌AirPods Max 2‌ include the H2 chip, an upgrade over the H1. The H2 brings several new features like Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Loud Sound Reduction, Voice Isolation, and more. The new firmware likely optimizes some of these new features.

While there isn’t any way to manually update the firmware of the earbuds, the new software will be installed over the air while the AirPods are connected via Bluetooth to an iOS device.

If you place the AirPods in their case, connect them to a USB-C power source via its cable, and then pair them to an iPhone or iPad, they should update in 30 minutes or so.

How to Check Your AirPods Firmware

Here’s how to check the firmware version of your AirPods Pro earbuds:

1. Make sure your AirPods are connected to your iPhone or iPad.
2. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or ‌iPad‌.
3. Tap “General.”
4. Tap “About.”
5. Scroll down to ‌“AirPods,” and tap that.
6. Read the number next to “Firmware Version.”

The new AirPods Max 2 brings improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), better sound quality, and intelligent features.

The new headphones are powered by Apple’s H2 chip, offering features like Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation for the first time on the AirPods Max. The new headphones also provide useful features for podcasters, musicians, and content creators, with useful features like studio-quality audio recording and camera remote.

The H2 works with new computational audio algorithms to deliver ANC that’s up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation. Meanwhile, a new digital signal processing algorithm optimized for H2 and the microphone array on AirPods Max provide transparency that sounds even more natural.

A new high dynamic range amplifier provides cleaner audio, as well as Spatial Audio that make content sound better than ever, offering improved localization of instruments, more accurate and consistent bass response, and more natural-sounding mids and highs.

The new AirPods Max support 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio when connected with the included USB-C cable. Using the USB-C cable, AirPods Max 2 allows musicians to create and mix in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking.

For gamers using AirPods Max 2 and playing in Game Mode, iOS, macOS, and iPadOS games feel even more responsive and immersive, thanks to reduced wireless audio latency.

If you haven’t already pre-ordered your AirPods Max 2, you can take advantage of the Midnight color option being available for $529.00, down from the usual $549.00.

While $2o isn’t a huge score, it’s better than paying full price, and it’s the lowest price we’ve seen so far.

(The link in this article is an affiliate link, meaning if you buy, I get a small cut of the action, but at no cost to you.)

Apple earlier this month unveiled two new displays for the Mac, the new Studio Display and the all-new Studio Display XDR. Now Amazon is offering discounts on both displays during the final day of its “Big Spring Sale.”

You can get the Standard Glass Studio Display with Tilt-Adjustable Stand for $1,499.00, down from $1,599.00, an all-time low price for that model.

Additionally, the Studio Display XDR (Standard Glass with VESA Mount) also on sale at $100 off. You can get this model for $3,199.00, down from $3,299.00, another new all-time low price for the model.

The new Studio Display boasts a 12MP Center Stage camera, providing improved image quality, as well as support for Desk View; a studio-quality three-microphone array; and an immersive six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio. The display also now includes Thunderbolt 5 connectivity.

Meanwhile, the all-new Studio Display XDR is a 27-inch 5K Retina XDR display featuring an advanced mini-LED backlight with over 2,000 local dimming zones, up to 1000 nits of SDR brightness, and 2000 nits of peak HDR brightness, as well as a wider color gamut. Boasting a 120Hz refresh rate, the Studio Display XDR’s Adaptive Sync dynamically adjusts frame rates for content like video playback or graphically intense games. Studio Display XDR is equipped with the same advanced camera and audio system as the Studio Display, as well as Thunderbolt 5 connectivity.

(The links in this article are Amazon affiliate links, meaning if you buy, I get a small commission, but at no cost to you.)