Macworld Even with an entry-level M4 chip, the MacBook Pro is an exceptional laptop with a great design that’s surprisingly affordable at $1,599. But at this price, it’s practically an impulse buy: Amazon is selling the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for $1,299, a $300 discount and the lowest price ever. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Tired of your kid losing the AirTag you stuffed in his backpack? Or strapped to their wrist? Or pinned to their clothing? Sketchers has a new solution: shoes for kids with a hidden AirTag compartment in the insole. The new Find My Sketchers line are fairly typical of kids’ shoes: Velcro, machine-washable, bright colors. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Security researchers play a crucial role in software development, identifying and discovering vulnerabilities. It’s so important that Apple Security Research runs a Security Bounty Program that offers payouts to researchers for their discoveries. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Even though everyone (or nearly everyone) eventually puts a case on their new iPhone, we all stress over which color to buy. And this year, the decision looks to be more difficult than ever. ...   Mac Central

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros 14 ports Up to 4x 4K at 60Hz displays 2x 8K at 60Hz display 2.5Gb Ethernet 100W PD laptop charging 30W USB-C Cons USB-C not Thunderbolt Pricey for USB-C Our Verdict For a non-Thunderbolt dock the Wavlink USB-C DisplayLink DL7400 Docking Station (WL-UG75PD1-DH) offers a great set of fast ports and dedicated video links that allow even the most ...   Mac Central

Macworld Do you have a Mac or MacBook you want to sell? There are various ways to do it with the minimum amount of hassle. However, there is more to selling your Mac than just picking where to sell it. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Apple’s long-awaited entry into the foldables space will finally take place next year, according to the latest analyst report. In a client note seen by CNBC earlier this week, JPMorgan said the “fairly limited” iPhone 17 release will be followed by the more compelling launch of the first “iPhone Fold” in the fall of 2026. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Apple has now released iOS 18.6, which should be the last update before iOS 26 lands in September. It fixes a small bug in Photos that could prevent memory movies from being generated, and also includes two dozen security updates. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Apple’s OS 26 public betas are now out, marking another major milestone on the road to their release this fall. While all the social-media discourse has been about Apple’s new Liquid Glass design, that talk obscures some of Apple’s other interesting choices in this year’s operating system cycle. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Nothing kills productivity like software subscriptions that renew when you forget. Intuit® QuickBooks® Desktop Pro Plus 2024 for Mac offers a lifetime access for one user—no monthly fees, no surprises. Grab it for only $249.99 (reg. $699) to start managing your spending and accounting more effectively. ...   Mac Central

Macworld iOS 18 arrived on iPhones in September 2024, bringing a raft of new features to iPhones. It was the latest in a line of yearly iPhone software updates that are like getting a new iPhone without paying a penny. Since the launch, Apple has continued issuing updates to the operating system. The latest update, iOS 18.6, arrived on July 29. ...   Mac Central

Macworld The anticipation is building for the iPhone 17 unveiling this fall, and while we still have about a month until a formal announcement about an event, Apple is surely putting the finishing touches on its plans for the new phones. And if a recent sighting is to be believed, some lucky employees already have one. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Last May, we wrote about the Pico Mac Nano, a tiny, 2.5-inch (62 mm) replica of the original Macintosh. 1-bit rainbow had taken orders but has announced that it may have to stop selling the fully assembled device due to a cease-and-desist order from Apple. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Between now and September, you can expect pretty regular updates on the imminent iPhone 17 launch. It’s par for the course at this time of year. We’ll hear about specs, design, prices, and color finishes, each report getting a few things right, a few things wrong, but gradually building off the existing consensus to get closer and closer to the full picture. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Apple’s current tablet line-up includes the iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad (A16) iPad Air (M3), and iPad Pro (M4). There’s an iPad at a price to suit most budgets, but what if you want a more powerful, or higher capacity iPad for less money? Thanks to the refurbished iPad market you can find a powerful iPad without having to spend a fortune. ...   Mac Central

Macworld If you missed the Apple Watch’s all-time low pricing during Prime Day, you’re in luck. Amazon just dropped it back to once more, so you can snag an Apple Watch Ultra 2 in natural titanium for just $649, a savings of $150. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a stunning smartwatch with tons to offer, including the largest display on an Apple Watch and a rugged design. ...   Mac Central

Macworld When you first launch the Camera app after updating to iOS 26, you’ll see a splash screen telling you that it’s a new design. If you’re like us, you’ll just tap “Continue” to get it out of your way—you have selfies to take! Don’t panic at the dramatically different look. ...   Mac Central

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Magnetically clamps to your MacBook Integrated USB-C charging cable Cons Requires a magnetic base to be stuck to the laptop Forward and Back buttons don’t work with Mac Our Verdict This is a more-than-capable portable mouse with the unique ability to stick to and hitch a ride on your MacBook when you’re on the move. ...   Mac Central

Macworld People seem to either hate Liquid Glass or…well, the Macalope has yet to see anyone who says they love it. Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar comes the closest in saying “Apple’s Liquid Glass is Windows Vista done well” but admits “I can’t really convince you otherwise if you think it looks ugly, as many of my Engadget colleagues do. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Writing a book used to mean endless outlines, late nights, and half-finished Google Docs. But now you can skip the chaos and go straight to the finished product. Youbooks uses multiple AI models and real-time research to write publish-ready nonfiction books from your notes, voice, or vision — all with lifetime access and zero monthly fees. ...   Mac Central

Macworld The Apple logo was always placed front and center of the iMac, until the first M-series model was released in 2021. That M1 iMac featured an updated design that lacked an Apple logo on its “chin.” And every iMac since then has followed suit. ...   Mac Central

Macworld If you’re looking to buy a new MacBook Air, there’s really no reason to pay full price. Amazon is always running some sale, with the most recent Prime Day discount knocking $150 off the MSRP. But now Amazon has dropped the M4 MacBook Air to a new best price lower than we’ve ever seen for the latest MacBook Air: just $799, an impressive $200 off its already-low $999 MSRP. ...   Mac Central

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Portable, rugged design Supports MagSafe for use with iPhone Good performance for shooting video Competitively priced Cons No backup software included No Lightning support for older iPhones or iPads Our Verdict It’s hard to fault the Creator drive. ...   Mac Central

Macworld With less than two months to go until Apple unveils its iPhones for fall 2025, new details have emerged concerning the new handsets. According to an anonymous tip-off, the Pro versions of the iPhone 17 will get a range of surprising and unexpected camera upgrades. ...   Mac Central

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Light, comfortable design Versatile smart transmitter Good battery life Strong sound quality Cons Plastic casing could be sturdier No support for aptX Auracast is not widely support right now Our Verdict It’s not best-in-class in any one area, but the M3 provides a good all-round combination of strong sound quality, impressive battery life ...   Mac Central

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Large battery capacity Built-in retractable USB-C cable Cons Just two power outputs 67W maximum power Our Verdict This is a handy-sized, reasonably lightweight laptop power bank with a convenient and long retractable USB-C cable built-in that performed well in out MacBook-charging tests. ...   Mac Central

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros 11 ports, including four Thunderbolt 5 2.5Gb Ethernet Cons No extra USB-C ports North America only Our Verdict This is the best-value Thunderbolt 5 dock that we have tested, with enough ports for most people and offering excellent value for money for the latest performance-boosting tech updates. ...   Mac Central

Macworld With the introduction of OS version 26, Apple streamlined the user interface across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. Liquid Glass is now the company’s universal design language, borrowing cues from the Vision Pro’s operating system and preparing for a future dominated by mixed-reality gadgets. ...   Mac Central

Macworld As a Brit writing for a mainly U.S.-based audience, I tend to have mixed feelings when my homeland makes an appearance in the tech media. References to Tim Berners-Lee or ARM processors are one thing, but all too often it’s unchecked surveillance or misguided AI hype. There’s more to the U.K. than Ed Sheeran and Downton Abbey, but not all of it is good. ...   Mac Central

Macworld If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to get a MacBook Pro without having to sell your kidney, this is it. For just $549.99, you can grab a Grade A refurbished 16? Apple MacBook Pro (2019)—and it’s loaded. We’re talking about an Intel Core i7, 32GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and that gorgeous Retina display that we all know and love. This isn’t some entry-level machine. ...   Mac Central

Plugin Alliance and Brainworx has announced the release of bx_pulsar, a new creative delay plugin. The company describes it as a versatile tool designed for producers and musicians looking for a wide range of delay styles with an immediate workflow. ...   KVR Audio

Excite Audio has announced the release of Evolve Alloy, a new sample-based synthesizer and the first instrument in their new Evolve series. The instrument is dedicated to capturing the sonic essence of metal, designed for creating sounds like resonant pads, shining bells, gritty basses, bright plucks, and energetic leads. ...   KVR Audio

Dreamtonics has updated Synthesizer V Studio 2 Pro to v2.1.1. Synthesizer V Studio has long supported scripting to allow users to automate tasks and extend functionality. This release significantly expands those capabilities, bringing them up-to-date with features introduced in version 2. ...   KVR Audio

Pentacom has released ChordBloom, a free plugin designed to make playing and exploring chords effortless. ChordBloom uses the lower octave (C2 to B2) as switches to select chord types, while pressing keys from C3 upward plays full chords based on the selected root note. This setup lets you trigger rich chord voicings with simple keystrokes. ...   KVR Audio

SoundGhost has announced the release of Ekko, a cassette-inspired delay plugin that blends lo-fi charm with unpredictable sonic movement. Ekko - Scrambled Cassette Delay Plugin From warm, saturated echoes to warped, chaotic reflections, Ekko brings a nostalgic texture combined with modern sound design. But Ekko is more than a traditional delay. ...   KVR Audio

Exp DSP has released Exp Filtertable for macOS. CLAP/VST3/AUv2 formats are available, and while it was previously only available for Windows, you can now use it on macOS as well. Exp Filtertable is like a filter version of a wavetable providing complex filtering that is difficult to achieve with conventional methods. ...   KVR Audio

quietformat has released MELTONE, a software synthesizer for macOS and Windows, available in VST3, Audio Unit, and standalone formats. MELTONE - Dual-Oscillator Analog Synth MELTONE is a virtual analog synthesizer featuring two detunable oscillators with phase shaping, a smooth resonant low-pass filter, three envelopes, two LFOs, and support for MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). ...   KVR Audio

Today, 2B Played Music announced the release of BandShaper 2, a mastering-grade spectral shaping tool 'for producers who demand more from their sound'. With high-resolution spectral sculpting, true analog-style saturation, and per-band stereo field control, BandShaper 2 unlocks clarity, depth, and character that go beyond classic EQ. ...   KVR Audio

Barcode Industries has released AXIS Oblivion Mutes, a Kontakt instrument for creating cinematic rhythms and pulses. Oblivion Mutes offers an intimate tonal palette, focusing on palm-muted strings and dampened bell tones sourced from the flagship library, AXIS Oblivion. ...   KVR Audio

Native Instruments has updated Massive X to v1.6.0. The latest update delivers a clean interface, pro-level presets, and playful tools like the Morpher and Animator to spark ideas in seconds. Changes in Massive X v1.6.0: Added: Play View page with Side Pane Browser, Morpher and Animator. MX Player Library with 60 new presets. View switching buttons (Play/Edit/Browse). ...   KVR Audio

Safari Pedals has released Falcon Air EQ, a new plugin designed for 'sculpting high-end clarity with smoothness and style'. Whether you're mixing pop vocals, trap snares, or cinematic soundtracks—Falcon Air EQ delivers pristine shimmer and tames harshness like a pro. Falcon gives you that expensive-sounding top end—sparkly and defined without the bite. ...   KVR Audio

UK-based label and creative studio Tukan Dance has announced the release of its debut audio plugin: Rocket Flanger, a streamlined, tempo-driven flanger effect with a bold twist — it pushes all the way to 512 BPM. Designed by Eternal Self (whose productions have landed on Street Tracks, Electronic Groove and more), Rocket Flanger is built for speed, simplicity, and creativity. ...   KVR Audio

Musician and documentarian Alex Ball has released another fantastic deep dive into synthesizer history with his video, 'MonoCulture: The Story of the Bass Station.' The film expertly charts the journey of the iconic monosynth that found its way onto countless records. ...   KVR Audio

Dystopian Waves has released Celium, a Max for Live granular instrument designed for detailed sound manipulation. It features a dual-buffer engine with Live and Freeze modes, each supporting two audio sources. Users can blend between sources using crossfading, inter-grain transitions (where a grain starts in one source and ends in another), and per-source probability. ...   KVR Audio

Orcas Audio has announced Mac compatibility for all its VST plug-ins: Our first three VST plug-ins are now available for Mac users in addition to Windows. The complete suite, featuring Undertow, Quad Cascade, and Whirlpool, is now compatible with all major DAWs on both platforms in the VST3 format. ...   KVR Audio

Niu plusplus has updated MidiPhrase to v2.0.26. Fixes: [Important] Fixed the issue of DAW and MIDIPhrase playback synchronization. (Note: Due to the characteristics of different operating systems and DAWs, some DAWs support bidirectional sync playback with MIDIPhrase, while others may only support one-way sync triggered from the DAW). ...   KVR Audio

accSone has announced a free update to crusher-X 11.30. crusher-X 11.3 provides a new UI 'Stealth Mode'. Professionals requesting an UI mode that supports high UI element contrast and removes color distraction to concentrate on the essentials of their productions. accSone also delivers on a customer request regarding a Default Program export. ...   KVR Audio