9to5Mac

Latest

Apple testing new App Store design that blurs the line between ads and search results

Apple is testing a new design for App Store search ads on iPhone. Some users on iOS 26.3 are noticing that the blue background around sponsored results is no longer shown, blurring the line between what paid ad results look like and the real search results that follow.

This means the only differentiator between organic results and the promoted ad is the presence of the small ‘Ad’ banner next to the app icon. Right now, it appears to be in some kind of A/B test phase.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Mac Daily: January 16, 2026 – iPhone 18 and Apple display rumors

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.

Sponsored by Stuff: Stuff helps you get everything out of your head and into a simple, elegant system—closing open loops and reducing mental stress. Use code 9TO5 at checkout for 50% off your first year.

Expand Expanding Close

Deals: M4 iPad Pro $699 off, Mac mini $499, Apple Studio Display, AirPods Max $99 off, more

Our Friday edition 9to5Toys Lunch Break is ready and waiting below starting off with a giant $699 price drop on this M4 iPad Pro model over at Amazon. We have also highlighted up to $200 in savings on Apple’s most affordable current-generation Mac releases for folks looking towards a less pricey upgrade for 2026 starting at $499. From there, the black Apple Watch Ultra 2 with Milanese Loop is live with hundreds in savings, AirPods Max is nearly $100 off, select Apple Studio Displays are up to $237 off, we have loads of charging gear deals, and more waiting below. 

Expand Expanding Close

Security Bite Podcast: The evolution of macOS threat hunting with Jaron Bradley

apple security release page

9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Making Apple devices work-ready and enterprise-safe is all we do. Our unique integrated approach to management and security combines state-of-the-art Apple-specific security solutions for fully automated Hardening & Compliance, Next Generation EDR, AI-powered Zero Trust, and exclusive Privilege Management with the most powerful and modern Apple MDM on the market. The result is a totally automated Apple Unified Platform currently trusted by over 45,000 organizations to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple.

In this episode, I sit down with Jaron Bradley, author and Director at Jamf Threat Labs, to briefly explore the evolution of Apple security and threats over the last decade. In particular we discuss, the reason for infostealer’s historic breakout as one of the most popular forms of malware and how AI is being used in the hands of attackers (and defenders too). Jaron also shares his 2026 threat outlook.

Expand Expanding Close

Apple’s new OLED MacBook Pro might be ahead of schedule, per rumor

Apple is widely expected to release a major overhaul of the MacBook Pro later this year or in early 2027. Among the many changes expected with this refresh is new OLED display technology.

A new rumor today indicates that Apple’s partner Samsung Display has kicked off mass production of the OLED screen destined for the new MacBook Pro ahead of schedule.

Expand Expanding Close

Even with Google’s help, we should still expect plenty of New Siri glitches [Poll]

Even with Google's help, we shouldn't expect overnight miracles from the new Siri | 3D representation of an animated robot character

In the space of one week, we have seen the transformation of our expectations for the new Siri. Instead of having to wait for Apple to catch up with OpenAI and Google, we now need only to wait for the company to tweak the existing Gemini models.

While that is indeed a dramatic turnaround, we still shouldn’t expect overnight miracles from the new Siri whenever it does now launch …

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Mac Daily: January 15, 2026 – Apple Card drama, Apple’s AI servers 

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.

Sponsored by Stuff: Stuff helps you get everything out of your head and into a simple, elegant system—closing open loops and reducing mental stress. Use code 9TO5 at checkout for 50% off your first year.

Expand Expanding Close