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Apple is working on an all-new product for your home: Here’s what to expect next year

After releasing the HomePod 2 in early 2023, there have been a number of varying rumors about what’s next for HomePod. Some rumors suggest that Apple is taking a dive into smart home tabletop robotics, while others suggest that Apple is working on a more traditional smart display, one that provides Apple Intelligence for the home, while being cheaper than an iPad.

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Apple @ Work: New FIDO specifications aim to end Passkey vendor lock-in

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The FIDO Alliance has taken a big step toward improving the usability of passkeys by introducing two new draft specs: the Credential Exchange Protocol (CXP) and the Credential Exchange Format (CXF). These proposals are designed to solve a key issue slowing the adoption of passkeys in the enterprise: vendor lock-in. While Passkeys bring a solid alternative to traditional passwords, their current implementation leaves users stuck to specific platforms or password managers, making it difficult to switch between services without completely redoing the Passkey setup.

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iPhone 16 has a USB-C port, here’s what you can do with it

iPhone 16 USB-C

All iPhone 16 models feature a USB-C connector, replacing the old Apple Lightning connector. Via this USB-C port, you can connect to a vast number of accessories and peripherals. iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max support faster USB-3 speeds over the USB-C port, enabling up to 10 Gbps data transfer speeds.

USB-C makes it easy to connect displays, external storage, cameras, and charge using the same cable as all your other devices. Here’s what you can do with your new iPhone and its shiny new port …

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BLUETTI launches new Handsfree Backpack Power Stations, bringing power wherever you want to go

BLUETTI Handsfree Backpack Power Station

Every day, we’re all so accustomed to being connected 24/7. But if you’re the adventurous type—a hiker, camper, photographer or videographer, and so on—you know how challenging it can be to keep your gear charged and connected on the go. That’s why BLUETTI has just launched two solutions with its new BLUETTI Handsfree Backpack Power Stations.

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Best Thunderbolt monitors for Mac and what sets them apart from USB-C displays [Nov]

There are more Thunderbolt monitors than ever and while Apple offers two options, its displays at $1,600-$5,000+ won’t be the right fit for everyone. Luckily, there are more affordable, solid choices from LG, BenQ, and Samsung. Below, we’ll cover the best Thunderbolt monitors for Mac as well as what you get with a Thunderbolt monitor vs a USB-C monitor.

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Here’s everything iOS 18.1’s writing tools can do with Apple Intelligence

Writing tools in Apple Intelligence

iOS 18.1 is officially here, bringing a host of AI features to users. If you have a compatible device, your notifications are now smarter than ever, the Photos app more powerful, and Siri has learned a few new tricks. Apple Intelligence also introduces new writing tools across iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, and iPadOS 18.1. Here’s how AI is set to improve your writing across all your devices.

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Security Bite: Looking at the newly released Private Cloud Compute resources

apple security release page

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Private Cloud Compute (PCC), the computational powerhouse behind Apple Intelligence, was unveiled months back at WWDC24 as Apple’s new privacy-focused cloud infrastructure. At the same time, the company stated it would periodically release subsets of PCC source code for independent review. After some wait, 9to5Mac reported last week that many of its resources are now available to everyone. Here’s what’s included.

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HomeKit Weekly: These are the best Home Key enabled smart door locks

Home key locks

If you’re deep into HomeKit like me, you know how convenient it can be for home automation. One of the most exciting smart home security additions for me in the past few years is Home Key from Apple, which lets you unlock your door using just your iPhone or Apple Watch. There is no need for apps or Bluetooth connection—tap your device, and you’re in.

In this blog, I will break down the top HomeKit-compatible locks with Home Key support, highlighting what makes them stand out and why they should be at the top of your smart home wishlist for Christmas.

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9to5Mac Daily: November 1, 2024 – AAPL Q4 earnings

9to5mac daily podcast

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts appStitcherTuneInGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

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Apple deals-AirPods Pro 2-iPad mini 7, and more

Deals: iPad mini 7 hits all-time lows at $99 off, AirPods Pro 2 $180, AirTags from $18.50 each, more

It has been a more than eventful week for the Mac, with big-time trade-in and straight up cash deals now live on the next-generation M4 MacBook Pro lineup, M4 iMac, and the new M4 Mac mini, but today we are looking at some deals on AirPods, iPad, AirTag, and more. After a long drought of price drops on Apple’s item trackers, we are now seeing solid deals on AirTags, including both the singles and 4-packs. But the real highlight of today’s offers include the very best deals to date on the brand new iPad mini 7 that is now up to $99 off no matter which storage capacity you’re after. Those deals join the venerable AirPods Pro 2 now down at $180 from the usual $249 price tag alongside Apple Pencil Pro, a host of charging deals, and some early holiday events in Friday’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break

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Apple reaches deal to acquire Pixelmator

Pixelmator Pro

Apple is acquiring the popular photo editing company Pixelmator. The Pixelmator Team announced the news in a blog post on Friday and said there will be “no material changes” to its apps “at this time.” The deal is pending regulatory approval.

Pixelmator has signed an agreement to be acquired by Apple, subject to regulatory approval. There will be no material changes to the Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator apps at this time. Stay tuned for exciting updates to come.

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Apple expands iPhone satellite services deal, commits $1.1bn to expand capacity

As iPhone users can now send SMS via satellite, will Apple finally charge for such features?

Satellite services provider GlobalStar today disclosed an expansion of its deal with Apple. Apple will commit an additional $1.1 billion for upfront infrastructure prepayments, to increase the capacity of satellite services. Additionally, Apple will take 20% ownership of GlobalStar, in an equity deal worth about $400 million.

The news has sent GlobalStar stock soaring, and it hints towards Apple’s growing plans for iPhone satellite features. With iOS 18, for instance, iPhone users are now able to send text messages to friends and family over satellite, when outside of cellular or WiFi range.

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The new Mac mini will be Apple’s fastest desktop Mac, as shown by M4 Pro Geekbench scores

New Mac mini

The new Mac mini with M4 Pro will be Apple’s fastest desktop Mac, ever, eclipsing the M2 Ultra performance of Mac Studio and Mac Pro. The base M4 Mac mini will be blazing fast too, but for single core and multi-core, the M4 Pro is the new desktop king (We expect the high-end M4 Max MacBook Pro to handily beat it, of course).

As shown by Geekbench scores appearing overnight, the Mac mini with M4 Pro is reporting single-scores in the 3,700 range and multi-core scores around 22,000. This means the Mac mini will beat the previous multi-core champ, M2 Ultra, on raw CPU performance.

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PSA: Update your Mac before buying a USB-C Magic Mouse, Trackpad, or Keyboard

USB-C Magic Accessories iMac

Apple this week launched the new USB-C Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Keyboard along with the M4 Macs. While the new Macs won’t arrive until November 8, customers can already buy the new Magic accessories in stores. However, you may need to update macOS before you can pair them with your Mac.

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