9to5Mac

Latest

HomeKit Weekly: Shelly Gen4 Plug brings Wi-Fi 6, Matter, and Thread to a single smart outlet

Shelly Smart Outlet

Choosing a smart plug usually feels like a gamble on which protocol will win the war. Belkin recently ended support for its Wemo line as well. Shelly has apparently decided to stop gambling and just include everything. I’ve been testing the Shelly Plug US Gen4, and it’s great! It supports Matter, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and, in a rare move for a smart home device, Wi-Fi 6. It also includes precise power metering, a feature I think is awesome for a modern smart plug.

Expand Expanding Close

Apple Grand Central retail store closed due to special activity [U]

Update 3/13: The event appears to be for a special performance. Alicia Keys is the rumor. There’s a pink piano and Apple’s 50th anniversary signage.

9to5Mac’s Michael Burkhardt is in attendance and has spotted Apple CEO Tim Cook. Michael also spotted a set list that contains several Alicia Keys songs.


Apple Grand Central in New York City is closed today and tomorrow due to some sort of mysterious special activity.

Customers visiting Apple’s retail location in Grand Central Terminal will be turned away until normal hours resume on Saturday, March 14, at 10 am.

Expand Expanding Close

Deals: MacBook Neo $569, MacBook Air up to $320 off, Apple Studio Display XDR $100 off, Ocean Band, more

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by the MacBook launch week deals – up to $320 off Air, $200 off M5 Pro models, and more, but we have also spotted a chance to save some cash on the already affordable MacBook Neo from $569 as well. Amazon is now offering $100 off new 2026 Apple Studio Display XDR, we have this 1TB M3 iPad Air at a giant $350 off, and we also have a new Amazon all-time low on Neon Green Apple Watch Ultra Ocean Band. Head below for a closer look at everything.

Expand Expanding Close

MacBook Neo review, Apple leadership changes, iPhone Fold rumors 

Chance and Zac talk through changes to Apple’s leadership website and what they signal for the future. There’s also a pair of new Bloomberg reports focused on Apple’s delayed Siri smart display product, plus the looming iPhone Fold’s software interface. Finally, they go in-depth on MacBook Neo, discussing Chance’s review and answering some Ask9to5Mac questions.  

And in Happy Hour Plus, the pair do a check-in on Apple Vision Pro and whether there’s about to a big boom in gaming. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

Expand Expanding Close

iPhone 17e hands-on: Apple finally got the entry level iPhone right [Video]

Apple has attempted for years to give us an entry-level and budget-minded iPhone. First, we had the iPhone 5c with all its vibrant colors, then we got the iPhone SE line, and then last year Apple introduced the iPhone 16e. But these iPhones always came with compromises that made them hard to recommend, like limited storage, key missing features like MagSafe, or outdated hardware. With the new iPhone 17e, I think Apple may have finally solved that problem. The iPhone 17e is Apple’s first true budget-friendly iPhone that is worth recommending to the masses. Here is what you should know.

Expand Expanding Close