Macworld Apple is preparing to unveil a glut of cheaper products in the first few months of 2026, according to a new report. This includes the much-anticipated launch of a budget MacBook based on an iPhone processor. GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu, who has an extensive but slightly hit-or-miss track record of Apple predictions, published a research note about the company’s plans for 2026. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Back in early 2024, Google sort of merged its AirDrop-like “Nearby Share” with Samsung’s own AirDrop clone “Quick Share.” It gives Android phones the ability to directly share photos, videos, links, contacts, and other info on a direct peer-to-peer connection, just like AirDrop does. But it only works with Android phones. Until now. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Apple released the macOS Tahoe 26.2 beta 3 earlier this week and it has a couple of new features that will be of interest to AI developers. The first was actually introduced in the 26.2 beta 2 a few weeks ago and enhanced in the current beta. Developers implementing the open-source MLX framework can now leverage the Neural Accelerator in the new M5 chip. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Apple is celebrating its 40th anniversary of accessibility, and to commemorate it, the company has released a special iPhone grip. The Hikawa Phone Grip & Stand is a phone grip that attaches through MagSafe and is available in the online Apple Store (U.S. only) for $70. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Most Apple customers have learned to be cautious about messages claiming to come from the company’s support services. It’s vital to check URLs and email addresses for small discrepancies, scan the messages themselves for spelling mistakes, formatting errors, and other giveaway signs of danger, and treat everything as suspect until you know for sure that it came from Apple ...   Mac Central

Macworld If you’ve got an Apple keyboard or trackpad, the company may have a surprise in store for you. Yes, it’s time for another batch of mysterious firmware updates. As reported by MacRumors analyst Aaron Perris, Apple this week released four updates for various peripherals and accessories: Firmware version 1.4.84 for the 140W USB-C Power Adapter Version 3.1. ...   Mac Central

Macworld Just two months after introducing the iPhone Air at Apple’s Awe Dropping press event, industrial designer and rising star Abidur Chowdhury has left the company in what has been described as “the latest setback” for the company’s design team. ...   Mac Central

Adam Szabo has announced the release of Airwave. Airwave brings the essence of a truly iconic synthesizer into a modern production environment. Its synthesis architecture has been meticulously recreated and modeled to capture the depth and nuance of the original instrument. ...   KVR Audio

Managing the operational overhead of a modern project studio has become increasingly complex. Between DAW update plans, sample credits, distribution fees, and individual software licenses, the cumulative cost of a standard "pro-sumer" workflow can rival professional studio budgets. KVR Create, launched in partnership with LANDR, was developed to address this fragmentation. ...   KVR Audio

Initial Audio has updated SourceLab to version 1.2.8. This update focuses on Loop Slicer improvements and bug fixes. New Features include: Send slices as MIDI to a sequencer in Loop Slicer mode. Also drag and drop the MIDI to the DAW. Added support for loading Initial Slice loops into a Source layer and sample. Only the loop and slice positions are extracted from the Slice presets. ...   KVR Audio

Luftrum has announced the release of Twilight II for Omnisphere 2 which marks a final chapter in their Omnisphere 2 series. This sequel delivers 300 new patches purpose-built for modern scoring and crafted with a strong emphasis on tempo-driven design. Although created in Omnisphere 2.8, the set is fully compatible with Omnisphere 3 as well. Price: $59. https://www.youtube. ...   KVR Audio

apulSoft has announced the release of Opalize, a new audio plugin designed to add 2nd–5th harmonics anywhere in the frequency range - regardless of input level - without introducing harsh distortion. It's ideal for enhancing bass, adding punch to drums, and helping synths cut through a mix. The plugin is based on a novel way of generating harmonics, created by Swiss mixer Joachim Budweiser. ...   KVR Audio

Song Athletics has announced the release of Inside-Out Piano for Kontakt Player. The invention of pianist and composer, Sarah Nicolls, Inside-Out Piano is a re-shaped Érard grand with the soundboard turned upright, allowing the strings to be exposed and performed with. ...   KVR Audio

Fracture Sounds has released Compendium: Eldenvale, an expansive toolkit of fantasy-themed instruments for Kontakt that 'invites composers into a world of wandering knights, hidden forests, and secret taverns, where every instrument tells a story'. ...   KVR Audio

Sound Magic has released updates for CineGrand2, Piano One and EZVox. CineGrand2 v2.5 CineGrand2 v2.5 is a major upgrade that provides a new piano sound, improved functions and bug fix. Changes: Upgraded Cinema Blue Data, provide better HD Velocity Layer Performance. Re-designed Release Algorithm, provide detailed release change under different duration, velocity and pedal behavior. ...   KVR Audio

FSK Audio has released Bark24 | Dyn, a comprehensive 24-band dynamics processor developed in collaboration with Mark Jeffery, the original software engineer behind Pro Tools. Following the launch of ModPlay, FSK Audio has continued its focus on tools designed to simplify complex audio processes. ...   KVR Audio

Shattered Glass Audio has released updates for Phoenix 2, Eclipse, and Kompresor. Phoenix 2 is updated to version 1.3.1. This version brings: UX improvements. Peak input and output meters. Minor performance enhancements and bug fixes. Eclipse is updated to version 1.1.2. This version brings: You can now select an active element from the list of options. ...   KVR Audio

Eftilo has released version 1.1.0 of Stambecco, a Rhythmic Spectral Tremolo plugin for macOS and Windows. This update introduces improvements developed during the creation of Cratere, Eftilo's most recent plugin, including a new anti-aliasing technique and other refinements for a cleaner and more user-friendly experience. What's new in v1.1.0: Improved anti-aliasing. Minor UI adjustments. ...   KVR Audio

Sonarworks has announced the release of SoundID Reference Virtual Monitoring PRO, the latest addition to their SoundID Reference family. This new system aims to provide ultra-realistic and accurate monitoring for music creators. ...   KVR Audio

The paradox of choice is rarely more paralyzing than during the annual retail convergence known as Black Friday. For the audio professional, this period often represents a dangerous intersection of desire and necessity, where the line between a critical studio upgrade and a "nice-to-have" tax write-off blurs significantly. ...   KVR Audio

Cognitone has updated Synfire, its music prototyping studio, to new major version 3.0. Feature Enhancements: Streamlined user interface that's easier to understand and navigate. Tracks & Clips: Record and edit an arrangement in the form of tracks similar to a DAW. New commands to consolidate and simplify arrangements. Snippets: More slots, bigger grids, new playback modes. ...   KVR Audio

Antelope Audio has announced the release of the Zenith 2, an entry-level, bus-powered USB-C audio interface. Designed to bring the company's signature professional conversion and preamp technology to musicians, producers, podcasters, and streamers in smaller studio or mobile setups, the Zenith 2 is its most affordable interface yet. ...   KVR Audio