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Apple acquired Canadian graph database company Kuzu last year, it has emerged. The acquisition, spotted by AppleInsider, was completed in October 2025 for an undisclosed sum. The company's website was subsequently taken down and its Github repository was archived, as is commonplace for Apple acquisitions. Kuzu was "an embedded graph database built for query speed, scalability, and easy of use." It offered Kuzu Explorer, a browser-based database that displayed datapoints as linked nodes. Apple had to inform the European Union of the acquisition owing to its significance, but there are few other details around it. Apple already owns FileMaker, a cross-platform relational database app, via a subsidiary. It is unclear what Apple plans to use Kuzu's technology for. Tag: Apple Acquisition This article, "Apple Acquires New Database App" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and support for the old architecture has now ended. As expected, the app is no longer working for some users. Users who did not update the app by the February 10 deadline now see this message: "You're running an older version of Apple Home that is no longer supported. Update now to continue using the Home app with your Apple devices and other accessories." "The members of your home will also need to update on their devices," the message adds. Apple said users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart home in the app entirely. In addition, users who do not upgrade will miss out on newer features like robot vacuum cleaner support, and they will not receive important security fixes and performance improvements. It is still possible to upgrade the app to restore functionality. Apple explains how to upgrade the Home app on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac: Open the Home app Tap or click on the three dots in the upper-right and navigate to Home Settings Tap or click on Software Update Tap or click Update Now, then follow the prompts. All of the homes that you own are updated at the same time. If you see "This home and all accessories are up to date," then you are on the current version of the app and no further action is required. Notably, the newer Apple Home architecture requires a minimum of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2. More details are available in an Apple support document.Tags: Apple Home, HomeKit This article, "Apple Home App Stops Working for Some Users as Update Now Required" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

OpenAI has updated its deep research feature in ChatGPT with a fullscreen document viewer that can be used to browse its AI-generated reports separately from the chat window. The built-in tool includes a table of contents in a left-hand column that can be used to jump to specific parts of the document, while a right-hand column can still be expanded to show a list of citations. The deep research mode has also picked up a couple of new options to help users focus research. From OpenAI's release notes: We're introducing improvements to deep research in ChatGPT to help produce more accurate, credible reports with greater control. You can now focus research on specific websites and a larger collection of connected apps as trusted sources. A redesigned sidebar entry point and fullscreen report view make it easier to start, review, and manage research in one place. Create and edit a research plan before it begins, and track progress with the ability to adjust direction mid-run.Released last year, the deep research feature takes extra time to break a question into parts, then gathers and compares relevant information from the web, cross-checks claims, and synthesizes the findings into a better-supported, coherent answer. Users can monitor ChatGPT's progress in real time and adjust the research scope, or add sources while a report is being generated. When the report is finished, it can be exported from the document viewer in multiple formats, including Markdown, Word, and PDF. OpenAI says the new viewer tool is currently rolling out to Plus and Pro subscribers, with users on its ChatGPT Go tier and free users set to receive the update in the coming days.Tag: ChatGPT This article, "ChatGPT's Deep Research Mode Gets a Fullscreen Document Viewer" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Nearly one in four active smartphones worldwide are now iPhones, according to new data from Counterpoint Research. The findings from Counterpoint's Smartphone Installed Base Tracker show that the global installed base of active smartphones grew 2% in 2025, driven primarily by lengthening replacement cycles and the continued circulation of second-life devices. Unlike shipment figures, which measure yearly sales, installed base data reflects the total number of devices currently in use, making it a key indicator of long-term platform choices. Apple now leads the global active smartphone installed base with roughly one in four devices in use being an iPhone. The firm attributes this position to a combination of strong user loyalty, integrated services, and the broader Apple ecosystem. The report also claims that Apple added more net new active smartphone devices in 2025 than the next seven leading smartphone manufacturers combined, reflecting the company's ability to attract and retain users even as global smartphone growth slows and hardware innovation becomes more incremental. Samsung ranked second with approximately one-fifth of the global active smartphone installed base. Together, Apple and Samsung accounted for 44% of the global installed base in 2025. The gap between Apple and Samsung as the two market leaders and the rest of the industry is widening. The two companies are the only smartphone manufacturers to surpass one billion active devices globally. Other brands, including Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo, form a second tier with large but smaller installed bases built largely through midrange and upper-midrange devices. Notably, Transsion Group has grown its installed base through affordable devices targeted at price-sensitive markets in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. HONOR is the most recent brand to surpass 200 million active devices, while Motorola and realme are approaching that milestone. Apple's vast base of installed devices is attributed to a number of additional trends that favor premium smartphones. For example, device replacement cycles have extended to nearly four years as hardware improvements become more incremental and device durability improves. Premium devices typically receive longer software support, maintain higher resale value, and remain in active use longer, often through to second owners. Repeat purchases are also likely. The report added that differentiation is increasingly shifting toward software and ecosystem integration as hardware innovation slows. Features such as on-device artificial intelligence, camera software, productivity tools, and cross-device integration are said to be key value drivers that help build long-term loyalty and increase usage. See Counterpoint Research's full report for more information.Tag: Counterpoint This article, "Report: One in Four Smartphones Are Now iPhones" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Last November, Google announced a cross-platform feature that allows Google Pixel 10 and Apple device users to share files directly via QuickShare-AirDrop interoperability. Now, Google has confirmed that the feature is set to expand to Android phones more generally this year. "Last year, we launched AirDrop interoperability," said Eric Kay, vice president of engineering for the Android platform, speaking during a recent Pixel Labs tour at Google's Taipei office. "In 2026, we're going to be expanding it to a lot more devices." "We spent a lot of time and energy to make sure that we could build something that was compatible not only with iPhone but iPads and Macs. Now that we've proven it out, we're working with our partners to expand it into the rest of the ecosystem, and you should see some exciting announcements coming very soon," he added.The comments were reported by Android Authority's Adamya Sharma, who attended the press briefing. The file sharing option currently works on Apple devices including ‌iPhone‌, iPad, and Mac, along with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Fold. Google has not said which specific devices are next in line to get the AirDrop interoperability via Quick Share, but Sharma notes that Kay's comments strongly suggest it will no longer be a Pixel-exclusive feature. Technical aspects of Google's implementation also appear to signal its intent. Rather than tying AirDrop interoperability to a Pixel-only system component, Google enabled the feature by turning the Quick Share extension from a stub system app into a full APK distributed via the Play Store. This change makes the feature easier to update and deploy across different manufacturers' devices, strongly indicating that AirDrop interoperability is intended to become a broader Android feature rather than remain limited to Pixel hardware. Indeed, Nothing has already confirmed that it is working to bring the feature to its phones, while Qualcomm has recently hinted that it also has Quick Share–AirDrop interoperability support in development for Snapdragon-powered phones. Google says the Quick Share-AirDrop interoperability uses a multi-layered security model, including an encrypted transfer channel, built-in platform protections on both Android and iOS, and an explicit consent step before any file is received. Currently, the feature only works in the "Everyone for 10 Minutes" AirDrop and Quick Share sharing modes, but Google says that it would like to work with Apple to support "Contacts Only" mode in the future.Tags: AirDrop, Google This article, "AirDrop-Quick Share Interoperability Expanding to More Android Phones" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

The MacBook Air is Apple's most popular laptop – a thin, fanless machine that wields quiet power thanks to the efficiency of Apple silicon. While the M4 model isn't exactly old, attention is already turning to its successor. Apple doesn't telegraph new product launches ahead of time, but we can draw a surprisingly clear picture of what to expect by looking at Apple's silicon roadmap, release cycles, and past upgrades. Release Timing and Price Apple appears to have settled into a spring refresh cycle for the 13-inch and 15-inch ‌MacBook Air‌. After releasing the M2 model in mid-2022 with an all-new design, Apple skipped 2023 and then delivered back-to-back M3 and M4 ‌MacBook Air‌ updates in March 2024 and March 2025, respectively. Indeed, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple plans to roll out M5 versions of the ‌MacBook Air‌ in the first quarter of this year. This suggests a likely March 2026 window – unless Apple breaks the cycle, of course. As for pricing, we expect it to remain stable, with the base model sticking with the current entry-level $999 price. Processor Upgrade The M5 series is expected to feature an enhanced ARM architecture and is reportedly being manufactured using TSMC's advanced 3-nanometer process technology. Apple's decision to forgo TSMC's more advanced 2nm process for the M5 chip is believed to be due to cost considerations. Recent leaked benchmarks – allegedly from a next-gen iPad Pro running an M5 chip – show single-core scores around 4,133 and multi-core scores around 15,437. That's roughly a 12-15% jump over the current M4 iPad Pro in both categories. As for graphics performance, the M5 chip appears to have up to a 36% faster GPU compared to the M4 chip. The benchmark suggests Apple has focused on modest clock speed increases and core-level efficiency improvements for the M5 chip, rather than an architecture overhaul. In other words, the M5 will be similar to the step-wise performance upgrade from M3 to M4. Expect 10-15% faster CPU speeds, a slightly more powerful GPU, and better efficiency, potentially leading to even longer battery life. As a result, the M5 ‌MacBook Air‌ will likely feel more responsive in daily use, particularly in single-threaded tasks, but it won't dramatically outpace the M4 for sustained workloads like video rendering. Display and Other Possible Changes M4 ‌MacBook Air‌ in Sky Blue, the color Apple debuted earlier this year Apple tends to stick with the same industrial design for multiple chip generations. The current ‌MacBook Air‌ design (introduced with the ‌M2‌ model) is only three years old and shows no signs of ageing. Expect the same 13- and 15-inch sizes, the same fanless aluminium unibody, and similar display technology – that means no OLED, which Apple appears to be saving for initial adoption in the MacBook Pro line, possibly later this year or in 2027. If there are any physical changes, they'll likely be subtle. Think improved webcam quality, or tweaks to accommodate the next generation of wireless connectivity (such as Wi-Fi 7 or Bluetooth LE Audio). You never know – Apple could even offer the machine in a new color, just like it did this earlier year with the M4. Looking Further Ahead According to reports out of Korea, Apple plans to release a ‌MacBook Air‌ with an improved LCD display in 2027, featuring Oxide TFT technology instead of the current amorphous silicon (a-Si) panels. The new display technology is said to be a significant upgrade over current ‌MacBook Air‌ screens. Oxide TFT LCD panels offer better power efficiency and improved performance compared to traditional a-Si displays, resulting in sharper images, smoother scrolling, and enhanced battery life. The transition to Oxide TFT technology should also mean faster pixel response times and more consistent brightness across the screen. In practical terms, this should translate to reduced motion blur when watching videos or gaming, and more uniform lighting without the "clouding" effect sometimes visible on current LCD displays.Related Roundup: MacBook AirBuyer's Guide: 15" MacBook Air (Caution), 13" MacBook Air (Don't Buy)Related Forum: MacBook Air This article, "M5 MacBook Air: Release Date, Features, and Performance Predictions" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple's next-generation C2 modem will bring support for 5G satellite connectivity to this year's iPhone 18 Pro models, based on claims made by a Chinese leaker. In a post on Weibo, the account "Fixed Focus Digital" said that Apple's C2 baseband modem – expected to debut in iPhone 18 Pro models – will support NR-NTN, or New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks. The NR-NTN standard can relate to direct phone-to-satellite links as well as the use of satellites as backhaul for carrier networks to extend coverage into remote areas. Going on a machine translation, the leaker appears to suggest Apple's implementation will allow iPhones to connect directly to satellites for internet access. This is not the first time we have heard rumors that the iPhone 18 Pro will support 5G satellite connectivity. However, it is the first occasion that NR-NTN support has been explicitly tied to Apple's C2 modem as a technical specification of its baseband stack. Last October, The Information's Wayne Ma reported that Apple plans to add support in iPhones as early as this year for 5G networks that "aren't tethered to Earth's surface, which includes satellites." This would reportedly give the iPhone full internet access over satellite. Then in November, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman referenced Ma's report and said that Apple is developing "satellite over 5G" for this year's iPhones, allowing the devices to leverage cellular towers to tap satellites for increased coverage when standard networks aren't available. Note that Gurman's report describes support for a satellite backhaul for carrier networks, not the direct device-to-satellite model that Fixed Focus Digital latest leak and Ma's report suggests. According to Gurman, Apple is also working on several additional satellite features, including an API to let developers add satellite connections to third-party apps, satellite-powered Apple Maps, and support for photos in satellite messages. Apple also reportedly aims to eliminate the need to physically point the device toward the sky, allowing satellite to stay connected in your pocket or even indoors. It's unclear what stage of development these other features are in, and there's a high likelihood that they do not relate to Apple's initial adoption of 5G satellite connectivity this year. Bringing many of these features to market will also require major upgrades to Globalstar's aging satellite infrastructure, which Apple currently relies on. Apple's existing satellite features on iPhone 14 models and newer are limited to the Emergency SOS feature, the Find My and Messages apps, and roadside assistance. These features require you to have a clear view of the sky for direct satellite communication. Previous reporting suggests that the C2 modem will be more capable than the current C1 and C1X. The C2 may feature mmWave 5G connectivity, for example, and it is likely to be closer in performance to the Qualcomm modem chips that it will replace. Fixed Focus Digital previously broke the news ahead of launch about the iPhone 16e name for Apple's upcoming iPhone SE successor.Related Roundup: iPhone 18Tags: Apple 5G Modem, Fixed Focus Digital, iPhone Satellite FeaturesRelated Forum: iPhone This article, "iPhone 18 Pro: Apple's C2 Modem to Support 5G Satellite Connectivity" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

The world of software is moving faster than ever. If you are an engineer today, you know that speed is nothing without stability. That is where Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) comes in. It is the secret sauce that keeps the world’s biggest applications running smoothly while teams push new features every day. If you want to master this balance and prove your skills to the world, the SRE Certified Professional (SRECP) is the program you need to know about. This isn’t just a piece of paper; it is a roadmap to becoming the person everyone trusts when the systems are down. Quick Snapshot: SRE Certified Professional (SRECP) FeatureDetailsCertification NameSRE Certified Professional (SRECP)TrackSite Reliability Engineering (SRE) & OperationsLevelProfessional to ExpertWho it’s forDevOps Engineers, System Admins, Software Engineers, Operations ManagersPrerequisitesBasic knowledge of Linux, Networking, and Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)Skills CoveredSLIs/SLOs, Error Budgets, Observability, Incident Management, Chaos Engineering, AutomationRecommended OrderFoundation → SRECP → Advanced SRE Architect Deep Dive: SRE Certified Professional (SRECP) This certification is designed to bridge the gap between “it works on my machine” and “it works for millions of users.” Here is the breakdown: What it is The SRECP is a comprehensive training and certification program that teaches you how to treat operations as a software problem. It moves beyond simple monitoring and teaches you how to build scalable, reliable, and self-healing systems using modern tools and cultural practices. Who should take it DevOps Engineers who want to specialize in reliability and scalability. Software Engineers who want to understand how their code behaves in production. System Administrators looking to modernize their skills with automation and cloud-native tools. IT Managers who need to implement SRE culture in their teams. Skills you’ll gain Service Level Objectives (SLOs): How to define, measure, and track reliability targets. Error Budgets: Using the remaining “allowable failure” to balance innovation with stability. Observability: Mastering Prometheus, Grafana, and ELK Stack to see inside your systems. Incident Management: How to handle outages calmly using PagerDuty and blameless post-mortems. Automation: Using Terraform and Ansible to eliminate manual “toil.” Resilience: Implementing Chaos Engineering to break things on purpose so they don’t break in production. Real-world projects you should be able to do after it Build a fully automated monitoring dashboard that alerts you before customers complain. Design an “Error Budget” policy for a product team to decide when to freeze deployments. Set up an automated incident response workflow that pages the right person automatically. Create a “Chaos Monkey” script to test if your system survives a server failure. Refactor a legacy manual deployment process into a one-click automated pipeline. Preparation plan 7–14 Days (Intensive): If you already know DevOps tools, focus entirely on SRE concepts like SLOs and Error Budgets. Spend your time on case studies. 30 Days (Standard): Dedicate week 1 to Linux/Networking, week 2 to Observability tools, week 3 to Automation, and week 4 to SRE cultural practices and mock exams. 60 Days (Relaxed): Take your time building a home lab. Install Prometheus, set up alerts, and practice “breaking” your own apps to fix them. Common mistakes Ignoring the Culture: SRE is 50% tools and 50% culture. Don’t just learn the tools; learn how to talk to developers about reliability. Confusing Monitoring with Observability: Monitoring tells you “the system is down.” Observability tells you “why.” Skipping the Labs: You cannot learn SRE just by reading. You must get your hands dirty with configuration files and command lines. Best next certification after this Certified Site Reliability Architect (CSRA): To move into high-level system design. Choose Your Path: Where Do You Fit? The tech world is vast. Here is where the SRECP fits into the bigger picture of career paths: DevOps Path: Focuses on the flow of code from Dev to Ops. DevSecOps Path: Adds security to every step of the pipeline. SRE Path (This Certification): Focuses on keeping the system running reliably in production. AIOps / MLOps Path: Using AI to manage operations or managing the operations of AI models. DataOps Path: Managing the flow and quality of data pipelines. FinOps Path: optimizing the cost of cloud infrastructure. Role → Recommended Certifications Mapping Not sure if this is for you? Find your current or desired role below: RoleRecommended CertificationsDevOps EngineerSRE Certified Professional (SRECP), Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)SRE Certified Professional (SRECP), Certified Site Reliability ArchitectPlatform EngineerSRECP, AWS/Azure Solution ArchitectCloud EngineerCloud Provider Associate (AWS/Azure/GCP), SRECPSecurity EngineerDevSecOps Certified Professional (DSOCP), SRECPData EngineerDataOps Certified Professional (DOCP), SRECP (for pipeline reliability)FinOps PractitionerFinOps Certified Practitioner, SRECP (for resource optimization)Engineering ManagerSRECP (for understanding reliability metrics), Scrum Master Next Certifications to Take Once you have conquered the SRECP, here are your best options for growth (Reference: Gurukul Galaxy): Same Track (Deepen your SRE skills): Certified Site Reliability Architect. This will help you design systems from the ground up for reliability. Cross-Track (Broaden your skills): DevSecOps Certified Professional (DSOCP). Security is the partner of reliability. A secure system is a reliable system. Leadership Track (Move to management): Certified DevOps Manager. Learn to lead high-performing teams and manage organizational change. Top Institutions for Training & Certification If you are looking for help, training, or guidance to clear this certification, these institutions are the industry leaders. 1. DevOpsSchool This is a premier institution for anyone serious about a career in SRE and DevOps. They offer comprehensive, hands-on training that covers the SRECP curriculum in depth. Their trainers are industry veterans who focus on real-world scenarios, ensuring you don’t just pass the exam but actually learn the job. 2. Cotocus Cotocus is known for its strong consulting background, which they bring into their training. Their courses are practical and often include insights from their actual client projects. They are a great choice if you want to understand how SRE is applied in large enterprises. 3. Scmgalaxy Scmgalaxy has a massive community and a wealth of resources for configuration management and DevOps. Their training programs are well-structured and very community-focused, providing great peer support while you learn SRE concepts. 4. BestDevOps As the name suggests, they focus purely on DevOps and SRE excellence. They offer targeted bootcamps that are intensive and designed to get you up to speed quickly. Their materials are updated frequently to match the latest industry trends. 5. devsecopsschool While their primary focus is security, they have excellent modules on the intersection of security and reliability. If you want to approach SRE with a security-first mindset, their training provides a unique and valuable perspective. 6. sreschool This institution is dedicated entirely to Site Reliability Engineering. They live and breathe SRE. Their curriculum is likely the most specialized, diving deep into niche SRE topics that broader courses might skim over. 7. aiopsschool With the rise of AI in operations, aiopsschool is the place to go if you want to future-proof your SRE skills. They teach you how to use AI and machine learning to predict incidents before they happen, which is the future of SRE. 8. dataopsschool Reliability isn’t just for apps; it’s for data too. If you are a Data Engineer looking to apply SRE principles to your data pipelines, this school offers the specialized training you need to bridge that gap. 9. finopsschool Cost is a major factor in reliability. You can’t have infinite redundancy if you can’t afford it. FinOpsSchool teaches you the financial side of operations, making you a more strategic asset to your company. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) General FAQs about the Career & Certification 1. Is SRE difficult to learn? It has a learning curve because it combines coding with operations. However, if you take it step-by-step—mastering one tool and concept at a time—it is very manageable. 2. How long does it take to get certified? Typically, if you dedicate 1-2 hours a day, you can be ready in about 30 to 45 days. Intensive bootcamps can get you there in 1-2 weeks. 3. Do I need to be a coding expert? No, but you need to be “code literate.” You should be able to read code (like Python or Go) and write scripts to automate tasks. 4. Is this certification recognized globally? Yes, the skills taught in the SRECP program are universal standards used by companies like Google, Netflix, and Amazon worldwide. 5. What is the difference between DevOps and SRE? Think of DevOps as the philosophy of breaking down silos, and SRE as the implementation of that philosophy. SRE prescribes specific ways (like SLOs) to achieve DevOps goals. 6. Can a fresh graduate take this course? Yes, but it helps to have a strong foundation in Linux and basic networking first. It’s a steep climb but a very rewarding one. 7. Does this increase my salary? Absolutely. SREs are among the highest-paid technical roles because they directly protect the company’s revenue by keeping systems online. 8. What tools will I strictly need to learn? You will definitely need to know Linux, Git, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, and a monitoring tool like Prometheus. 9. Is this role stressful? It can be, especially during outages. But good SRE practices (like Error Budgets) are actually designed to reduce stress and prevent burnout. 10. Do I need to know cloud computing? Yes. Modern SRE is almost entirely cloud-based. You should be comfortable with at least one major provider like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. 11. What is the exam format? It usually involves a mix of multiple-choice questions to test theory and scenario-based questions to test your problem-solving skills. 12. Will I get a job immediately? Certification gets you the interview; skills get you the job. This course gives you both, but you must practice the labs to succeed in technical interviews. Specific FAQs: SRE Certified Professional (SRECP) 1. What are the prerequisites for the SRECP? You should have a basic understanding of the software development lifecycle and familiarity with command-line interfaces. 2. How is the SRECP different from other SRE certs? The SRECP focuses heavily on practical implementation. It doesn’t just teach you the definition of an SLO; it teaches you how to implement one in a real tool. 3. Does the course cover “Chaos Engineering”? Yes, it covers the principles of Chaos Engineering and how to safely introduce failure into your system to test its resilience. 4. Will I learn about “Toil Reduction”? Yes, a major part of the curriculum is identifying manual, repetitive work (toil) and using automation to eliminate it. 5. Is there a lab component? Yes, the best way to learn SRE is by doing. The training includes hands-on labs where you set up monitoring, pipelines, and alerts. 6. How long is the certification valid? Most technical certifications are valid for 2-3 years, after which you are encouraged to upgrade your skills as technology changes. 7. Can I take this if I am a manager? Yes! Managers benefit greatly by understanding how to measure their team’s reliability and how to balance feature work with stability work. 8. What happens if I fail the exam? Check with the specific provider (DevOpsSchool), but typically there is a retake policy that allows you to try again after a short cooling-off period. Conclusion Becoming an SRE Certified Professional is a powerful move. It tells the industry that you are not just someone who can build software, but someone who can keep it alive, healthy, and scalable under pressure. In a world where downtime costs millions, the SRE is the hero. This certification is your cape. Don’t just watch the industry evolve—lead the change. Pick your path, start your training, and let’s build systems that never break. View the full article

CONTENT WARNING: The following article discusses matters of suicide A new independent forensic report is once again challenging the long-standing ruling that Kurt Cobain died by suicide, with researchers urging authorities in Seattle to reopen the case nearly three decades on. The Nirvana icon was found dead at his Seattle home on April 5, 1994, aged 27. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a suicide, caused by a self-inflicted shotgun wound, a conclusion that has remained in place despite decades of public speculation. Nirvana – The Man Who Sold The World (MTV Unplugged) Now, forensic specialist Brian Burnett and researcher Michelle Wilkins claim elements of the autopsy and crime scene raise serious questions. Burnett – known for re-examining disputed cases including the death of Marine Colonel James Sabow – reportedly joined Wilkins’ independent review in late 2025. According to Wilkins, (via The Daily Mail), their review highlights what they describe as organ damage more consistent with a heroin overdose than an immediate shotgun death. “The necrosis of the brain and liver happens in an overdose. It doesn’t happen in a shotgun death,” she said, arguing Cobain may have been incapacitated prior to the gunshot. The pair also questioned the physical mechanics of the scene, including whether Cobain would have been capable of firing the weapon if he were in a compromised state. Additional concerns raised in the report reportedly include blood patterns, hand placement, the arrangement of drug paraphernalia, and the positioning of receipts and ammunition at the scene. The researchers allege the scene may have been staged to resemble suicide and have also cast doubt on the authenticity of the note found at the property. In the independent review, veteran forensic specialist Brian Burnett reportedly reached a stark conclusion early in the process. According to researcher Michelle Wilkins, Burnett stated: “This is a homicide. We’ve got to do something about this.” NB: the comment reflects the opinion of the private-sector team conducting the review, not a formal finding by law enforcement or the King County Medical Examiner’s Office. However, authorities have pushed back. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office said it remains open to reviewing new evidence but has “seen nothing to date that would warrant re-opening of this case and our previous determination of death.” The Seattle Police Department has likewise declined past requests to revisit the investigation. Importantly, the independent report does not call for arrests, instead encouraging transparency and further examination of the evidence. “If we’re wrong, just prove it to us,” Wilkins said. “That’s all we asked them to do.” For now, Cobain’s death remains officially classified as a suicide. But as one of rock music’s most scrutinised and mythologised tragedies, renewed challenges to the ruling continue to resurface – ensuring the conversation around his final days is far from over. Further Reading Courtney Love’s Former Son-In-Law Is Suing Her For Allegedly Trying To Have Him Killed Frances Bean Cobain Pays Tribute To Her Late Dad Kurt Cobain On 30th Anniversary Of His Death Frances Bean Cobain Announces Birth of First Child The post ‘This Is a Homicide’: New Forensics Dispute Kurt Cobain’s Cause Of Death appeared first on Music Feeds. View the full article

Next week, Behemoth bring their 30-year reign of ritualistic chaos to Australian stages, kicking off February 18 at The Tivoli in Brisbane before laying waste to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Nergal has promised “chaos, fire, and a ritual like no other” – and if you’ve followed this band for even five minutes, you’ll know that’s less marketing fluff and more documented history. Across three decades, Behemoth haven’t just evolved from Poland’s black metal underground into global extreme metal royalty – they’ve done it while repeatedly staring down bans, courtrooms, government investigations and pearl-clutching outrage. Where other bands might’ve softened the edges, Behemoth sharpened theirs. Below is an homage of five times they turned controversy into pure, career-defining mythos. BEHEMOTH – ‘Lvciferaeon’ 1. The Bible Toss Heard Around Poland In 2007, Nergal tore up a Bible onstage in Gdynia, calling it “a book of lies”. For a black metal band, that’s basically Tuesday. For Poland – a deeply Catholic country with strict blasphemy laws – it triggered a years-long legal saga. He was charged with “offending religious feelings”, a crime under Polish law, and even spent time in lock-up. What followed wasn’t just tabloid noise, it was a drawn-out courtroom battle that dragged on for years. In the end, Nergal was acquitted. But the message was clear: Behemoth weren’t just theatrically anti-religious, they were willing to defend that stance under oath. Instead of derailing them, it cemented their image as genuine provocateurs, not cosplay Satanists. 2. Black Metal vs. The Court System (Spoiler: It’s still ongoing) The Bible incident wasn’t a one-off either. Nergal has faced multiple legal battles in Poland tied to accusations of blasphemy and “insulting religious feelings”. From album artwork to stage visuals, Behemoth have repeatedly been dragged into court over imagery that would barely raise an eyebrow at a European festival. Rather than retreat, the band leaned into it – becoming vocal critics of censorship and religious influence in Polish politics. Suddenly, this wasn’t just extreme metal theatrics, they were waging a culture war. And somehow, each attempt to shut them down only made them louder. 3. Public Enemy #1: When The Church Tried To Cancel Them Beyond the courts, Behemoth have repeatedly been targeted by conservative political and religious groups in their homeland. Shows have been protested. Festivals pressured. Politicians have publicly condemned them. There’s something almost poetic about a blackened death metal band becoming a recurring talking point in national political discourse. Nergal – articulate, media-savvy and never one to back down – often found himself debating morality on national television. For a band that started in the early ‘90s playing grim underground shows, that’s one hell of an ascension. 4. Grammy-Nominated Satanists (Yep, Really) When 2014’s The Satanist dropped, it wasn’t just another extreme metal record – it was a critical juggernaut. The album earned global acclaim and even Grammy recognition in Poland. There’s something deliciously ironic about a record titled The Satanist being nominated by mainstream industry bodies. It proved what longtime fans already knew: beneath the fire and corpse paint theatrics lies meticulous songwriting, atmosphere and intent. Controversy may have amplified Behemoth’s presence, but quality kept them there. 5. The The Shit Ov God Era & The Art Of Never Dialling It Down Three decades in, many bands mellow out. Behemoth? Nup. Album titles remain confrontational. Artwork still bristles with sacrilegious imagery. Live shows are closer to theatrical ritual than standard metal gig. Even as they headline global festivals and sell out theatres worldwide, they’ve never softened the edges to appease critics. That refusal to compromise is part of what’s carried them from Polish underground cult act to international metal institution. Thirty years on, Behemoth stand as one of extreme metal’s most enduring forces – not just because they provoked, but because they evolved. They survived legal battles, political backlash, illness and shifting musical landscapes, emerging each time more refined and more defiant. Now, as they prepare to “leave no soul unscathed” across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, Aussie fans are about to witness the result of three decades of outrage forged into legacy. Apocalypse pending. Grab your tickets down below. Behemoth 2026 Australian Tour Dates Supported by Nidhogg (Poland) Wed, Feb 18: The Tivoli, Brisbane Fri, Feb 20: The Metro, Sydney Sat, Feb 21: The Forum, Melbourne Sun, Feb 22: The Gov, Adelaide Tickets on sale now via thephoenix.au Further Reading NEWS FLASHBACK: Behemoth Frontman Facing Jail After Blasphemy Charges NEWS FLASHBACK: Watch Fall Out Boy’s Drummer Jam On Stage With Behemoth NEWS FLASHBACK: Behemoth On Leaking The Download Festival Lineup, Their New Album & Aussie Tour Plans The post 5 Times Behemoth Offended God (And Built A Metal Empire Doing It) appeared first on Music Feeds. View the full article

Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this year, a massive refresh is coming. Rumors suggest that there won't be just one ‌MacBook Pro‌ refresh in 2026, but two. After launching M5 Pro and M5 Max ‌MacBook Pro‌ models in the spring, Apple will do another update in late 2026, introducing the first OLED ‌MacBook Pro‌ models. The OLED ‌MacBook Pro‌ is expected to feature a design refresh, faster M6 chips, all new display technology, and, in a first for the Mac, touch screen capabilities. It's going to be the biggest update to the Mac lineup since Apple silicon chips came out in 2020. iPhones have used OLED for years, and Apple brought it to the iPad Pro in 2024, but Macs don't use OLED yet. Apple said for years and years that the Mac wouldn't get a touch screen, but times change. Multiple rumors suggest that touch capabilities are coming, making the Mac more like an iPad. Touch-based controls will be available right alongside traditional mouse and keyboard input options. The OLED ‌MacBook Pro‌ models will be the first to use Apple's 2-nanometer chip technology, and they could even be the first Macs with cellular capabilities. With so many changes in store, it doesn't make much sense to buy an M5 Pro or an M5 Max ‌MacBook Pro‌ with much better options coming just months later. OLED touch displays will be limited to the higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch models because of the cost, so the warning isn't applicable to the standard M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌ that came out last fall. The entry-level ‌MacBook Pro‌ isn't expected to get the same upgrades, though it is likely to get an M6 chip. It's also possible OLED will be so expensive that it's limited to a single, super expensive high-end model, but we're still probably looking at M6 chip upgrades and a design refresh across the lineup. Two Mac refreshes in a single year is unusual, but not unheard of. Apple refreshed the ‌MacBook Pro‌ with M2 Pro and ‌M2‌ Max chips in January 2023, and then updated the machines again with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips in October 2023. Normally a Mac refresh results in a Buy Now recommendation from us, but this year, with rumors of two updates in 2026 and so much expected from the later models, those interested in a high-end, premium ‌MacBook Pro‌ should plan to wait.Related Roundup: MacBook ProBuyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution)Related Forum: MacBook Pro This article, "Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Gaming computer company Razer today started accepting pre-orders for the Razer Boomslang mouse, which is being released to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original peripheral. The original Razer Boomslang was one of the first gaming mice, providing a wheel that boasted more precise mouse tracking than other mic on the market. The new model features a 45,000 DPI Razer Pro second-generation optical sensor, 4th-generation Razer optical mouse switches that prevent double-clicking and debounce delays, 8,000Hz hyperpolling wireless technology for lower latency, and an ambidextrous build with PU leather buttons for enhanced grip. Razer is including a Mouse Dock Pro for magnetic wireless charging, plus the mouse supports 9-zone Razer Chroma RGB lighting that can react to more than 300 Chroma-integrated games. There are eight customizable buttons that can be used for shortcuts and macros. Each Boomslang comes with a collector's LED display frame that features every element of the internal design. The newly revamped Razer Boomslang is limited edition, and it is priced at $1,337. Razer is making just 1,337 units in total, each one with a unique serial number. U.S. preorders went live on February 10 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time and have sold out. Preorders in Europe will begin on February 11 at 8:00 a.m. CET, and in Asia on February 11 at 8:00 a.m. SGT, and are also likely to sell out.Tag: Razer This article, "Razer Launches Limited-Edition Boomslang Gaming Mouse for $1,337" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Introduction In today’s rapidly evolving digital workspace, whiteboard software tools have become indispensable for collaboration, brainstorming, and visual communication. By 2026, the shift towards hybrid work, remote learning, and global teamwork has made virtual whiteboards an essential part of how organizations operate. These tools go beyond simple sketching; they allow users to ideate, plan, visualize, and collaborate in real time, regardless of where they are. Whether you’re a designer, teacher, project manager, startup founder, or enterprise leader, whiteboard software can simplify workflows, boost productivity, and improve decision-making. When selecting the best whiteboard software tools in 2026, consider the following: Real-time collaboration and low-latency performance Cross-platform compatibility for web, desktop, and mobile Templates and integrations with your existing tools AI-powered features for automation and smarter brainstorming Security, privacy, and scalability for enterprise-level use Pricing flexibility based on team size and business needs Below, we explore the top 10 whiteboard software tools in 2026, with detailed insights into their features, pros, cons, and comparisons to help you make the right choice. Top 10 Whiteboard Software Tools in 2026 1. Miro Short Description: Miro is a leading collaborative whiteboard platform designed for teams, educators, and enterprises. It’s ideal for brainstorming, workshops, agile planning, and remote collaboration. Key Features: Infinite canvas with intuitive navigation Hundreds of prebuilt templates for brainstorming, design sprints, and workflows Real-time collaboration with multiple cursors, comments, and version history AI-powered idea clustering and summarization Integration with Slack, Zoom, Teams, Jira, Asana, and more Enterprise-level security with SSO, audit logs, and admin controls Pros: Extensive template library and integrations Highly intuitive user experience Powerful enterprise-grade features Cons: Paid plans can be expensive for larger teams Free plan has limited editable boards 2. Visme Short Description: Visme is an interactive online whiteboard tool designed for teams to brainstorm, ideate, plan, and present ideas with creativity and clarity. Key features: Infinite canvas for brainstorming and mapping ideas Real time collaboration for teams in remote setting AI powered design tools for faster content creation Fully customizable pre-designed templates and visual assets Brand kit for consistent fonts, colors, and logos Integration with all-time favorite tools including Google Drive, Slack, Zoho, and more! Pros Ideal for decision makers, and creators on your team Combines whiteboard with full design capabilities Cons Advanced tools available on on premium plans No offline functionalities, always require stable connectivity 3. FigJam (by Figma) Short Description: FigJam, developed by Figma, is a collaborative whiteboard tool designed especially for design teams and creative professionals. Key Features: Infinite canvas with widgets, sticky notes, and drawing tools Deep integration with Figma for seamless prototyping Community-driven templates and plugins AI-assisted brainstorming and idea organization Real-time collaboration with commenting and versioning Pros: Perfect for design-centric teams Huge library of templates and plugins Excellent cross-platform accessibility Cons: Free plan has limitations for large boards Some features are better suited to designers than general teams 4. Microsoft Whiteboard Short Description: Microsoft Whiteboard is part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and is tailored for teams, educators, and enterprise users. Key Features: Tight integration with Microsoft Teams, OneNote, and Office apps Infinite canvas with pens, markers, and sticky notes Real-time collaboration with automatic cloud saving Prebuilt templates for meetings, retrospectives, and brainstorming Secure enterprise controls with SSO Pros: Best for organizations already using Microsoft 365 Easy to use with minimal learning curve Free for most Microsoft 365 users Cons: Limited advanced features compared to specialized tools Occasional lag during large, collaborative sessions 5. myViewBoard Short Description: myViewBoard is an interactive whiteboard platform designed for education, hybrid classrooms, and training environments. Key Features: Interactive tools for quizzes, polls, and real-time assessments Multimedia support for images, slides, and videos Accessibility-friendly features for inclusive learning Cross-platform compatibility for Windows, Android, and macOS Cloud-based content sharing and management Pros: Tailored for educators and classroom learning Supports multimedia-rich lessons Strong accessibility and engagement tools Cons: Less suitable for non-educational business use May require compatible hardware for the best experience 6. Explain Everything Short Description: Explain Everything blends whiteboarding with video recording to create interactive lessons, presentations, and training content. Key Features: Record and replay whiteboard sessions step-by-step Integrate multimedia such as videos, audio, and images Annotation and sketching tools for dynamic explanations Cloud collaboration for real-time student or team participation Export lessons for on-demand access Pros: Perfect for educators and trainers Enables reusable recorded content Highly engaging for learners Cons: Premium features can be costly Less suitable for teams seeking simple brainstorming tools 7. Creately Short Description: Creately is a visual workspace that combines diagramming, whiteboarding, and collaboration for diverse team needs. Key Features: Templates for process flows, org charts, and brainstorming boards Drag-and-drop interface with intelligent snapping Real-time collaboration with commenting and version control Integration with project management and productivity tools Works online and offline via desktop apps Pros: Great mix of diagramming and whiteboarding Easy-to-use interface for beginners Affordable pricing for small teams Cons: Limited plugin ecosystem Can lag on larger boards with heavy usage 8. Bluescape Short Description: Bluescape is a visual collaboration platform built for creative professionals, enterprises, and large-scale project teams. Key Features: High-resolution boards with advanced asset management Organize and manage large media libraries visually Real-time collaboration with video, voice, and comments Enterprise-ready security and compliance features Scales seamlessly for large organizations Pros: Excellent for creative and media-driven projects Supports high-quality asset sharing Powerful governance and admin controls Cons: Expensive for small teams Requires onboarding for full utilization 9. Limnu Short Description: Limnu offers a natural drawing experience on digital boards, making it ideal for sketching, brainstorming, and freeform visual collaboration. Key Features: Smooth, realistic pen and drawing tools Supports stylus-based sketching Real-time collaborative sessions Lightweight and fast with minimal setup Simple sharing and export options Pros: Closest experience to a physical whiteboard Easy to use and highly intuitive Affordable pricing plans Cons: Lacks advanced templates and integrations Not suitable for enterprise workflows 10. Weje Short Description: Weje is a flexible and affordable whiteboard solution for small teams, startups, and freelancers. Key Features: Unlimited boards for brainstorming and planning Real-time collaboration with smooth performance Multimedia embedding for images, links, and documents Organize boards into structured folders Simple, user-friendly design Pros: Affordable and great for small teams Clean, intuitive interface Ideal for startups and freelancers Cons: Limited integrations and enterprise features Export options are basic compared to competitors Comparison Table Tool NameBest ForPlatformsStandout FeaturePricing*Average RatingMiroEnterprises & teamsWeb, Desktop, MobileExtensive templates & integrationsFree / Paid from $104.7/5VismeBrainstorming & workshopsWeb, MobileVoting & breakout sessionsFree / Paid from $94.6/5FigJamDesign teamsWeb, DesktopFigma integration & widgetsFree / Paid plans4.7/5Microsoft WhiteboardMicrosoft ecosystem usersWeb, Windows, MobileTight Teams integrationFree with M3654.5/5myViewBoardEducation & classroomsWeb, Desktop, MobileMultimedia & assessmentsFree / Paid plans4.6/5Explain EverythingTrainers & educatorsWeb, MobileRecording & interactive lessonsFree / Paid plans4.5/5CreatelyDiagramming + whiteboardingWeb, DesktopHybrid workflow toolsFree / Paid plans4.6/5BluescapeEnterprises & creativesWeb, DesktopHigh-res asset managementEnterprise pricing4.5/5LimnuFreeform sketchingWeb, MobileNatural drawing feelFree / Paid plans4.4/5WejeSmall teams & startupsWeb, MobileUnlimited flexible boardsFree / Paid plans4.3/5 *Pricing is approximate and may vary based on features and enterprise plans. Which Whiteboard Software Tool Is Right for You? ScenarioBest OptionsWhy They’re IdealEducators & TrainersmyViewBoard, Explain EverythingInteractive features, recording, and assessment toolsDesign TeamsFigJam, Miro, CreatelyFigma integration, infinite canvas, and creative templatesSmall Teams & StartupsWeje, Limnu, LucidsparkAffordable, lightweight, and intuitiveEnterprisesMiro, Bluescape, Microsoft WhiteboardEnterprise security, integrations, and scalabilityWorkshop FacilitatorsMiro, Lucidspark, FigJamTemplates, breakout sessions, and voting tools FAQs 1. What is whiteboard software used for? Whiteboard software helps teams collaborate visually by brainstorming, planning, designing, and managing workflows on a digital canvas. 2. Which is the best free whiteboard software in 2026? For free users, Miro, FigJam, and Microsoft Whiteboard are among the best options, offering core features at no cost. 3. Can whiteboard tools integrate with project management platforms? Yes, most tools integrate with tools like Asana, Jira, Trello, Slack, and Microsoft Teams to streamline workflows. 4. Are whiteboard software tools secure? Leading platforms like Miro, Bluescape, and Microsoft Whiteboard offer enterprise-grade security, including SSO, encryption, and audit controls. 5. Which tool is best for hybrid learning? myViewBoard and Explain Everything are ideal for hybrid classrooms thanks to their interactive lessons and real-time engagement features. Conclusion In 2026, whiteboard software tools have evolved into powerful platforms for collaboration, creativity, and productivity. Whether you’re an educator, designer, enterprise leader, or startup founder, there’s a solution tailored to your needs. Evaluate your team size, industry, integrations, and budget to pick the right fit. Start by exploring free trials to test usability and performance before committing to a plan. View the full article

Amid rumors that Apple is scaling back its AI health plans, Google today expanded its subscription-based Fitbit AI personal health coach service to more users worldwide, including those who are on iOS. Prior to now, the Fitbit service was limited to Android users. The Gemini-powered Fitbit personal health coach is described as a 24/7 digital advisor that’s meant to work as a virtual fitness trainer, sleep coach, and health and wellness advisor. Users start with a 5 to 10 minute conversation with the coach to outline their motivations and goals, with the Fitbit app then providing health insights in the morning after the user wakes up, after workouts, and before bed. The app is able to generate a personalized workout plan that tracks core fitness metrics, and it offers up sleep analysis and suggestions for improving sleep. It tracks vitals such as heart rate, temperature, and blood oxygen, plus there is a built-in chatbot for asking all kinds of health-related questions. Apple was supposedly working on a similar AI health coach feature, which was going to be part of a Health+ service planned for launch in iOS 27. Earlier this month, Bloomberg said that Apple is scaling back its AI health plans. Apple is no longer planning to launch an Apple Health+ service that will give users AI health recommendations based on personal health data, but some of the components that Apple developed for the health coach could be repurposed and rolled out as other features as soon as this year. Google’s Fitbit AI health coach is now available to Fitbit Premium subscribers in the United States, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Both iOS and Android users can take advantage of the feature. Google sells several Fitbit health devices, including the Charge 6, Inspire 3, Versa 4, and Sense 2. Google’s Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch 4 also work with Fitbit Premium and the AI health coach feature. Fitbit Premium is priced starting at $9.99 per month.Tags: Fitbit, Google This article, "Google Brings Fitbit AI Health Coach to iPhone as Apple Pulls Back on iOS 27 Health Plans" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple will soon do away with iTunes Wish Lists featuring movie and TV shows, according to emails going out to customers as of today. Apple says that people who still have wish lists should migrate items to their Apple TV watchlist before the feature is removed. Each email that Apple is sending out includes a PDF with TV shows and movies that are on the individual's iTunes Wish List. Apple says that users can tap on each link and then tap on the "+" button to get items to appear in the ‌Apple TV‌ watchlist. Apple began phasing out TV show and movie wish lists with the launch of iOS 17.2. In fact, the iOS 17.2 update removed wish lists entirely, without giving customers a heads-up. People with extensive wish lists were understandably upset, and a slew of complaints led Apple to reintroduce iTunes wish lists in iOS 17.3. Apple wanted to remove wish lists because it migrated iTunes TV show and movie purchase options from the iTunes app to the TV app, and since iOS 17.2, the ‌Apple TV‌ app has been the sole place to purchase TV shows and movies on iOS devices. Apple kept wish lists around after reintroducing them in iOS 17.3, but now the feature will be going away. This time around, Apple is notifying customers, so anyone who wants to keep their wish list should make sure to migrate it to the ‌Apple TV‌ watchlist by following Apple's emailed instructions. Apple did not provide a specific date for the wish list removal. This article, "Apple is Getting Rid of iTunes Wish Lists, Here's How to Save Yours" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple's Find My feature, photos, and some iCloud services are experiencing service interruptions at the current time, so if you've run into problems, it's because of network issues. According to Apple's System Status page, there is a ‌Find My‌ outage that is causing the service to be slow or unavailable for some users. There are also issues with ‌iCloud‌ Account and Sign In, ‌iCloud‌ Calendar, ‌iCloud‌ Contacts, ‌iCloud‌ Mail, ‌iCloud‌ Web Apps, and Photos. Apple says that some users may be experiencing issues with these services, though not everyone is affected. ‌Find My‌ has been down since 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, while the other services have been having problems since 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. We'll update this article when the outages have resolved. This article, "Find My, Photos and Some iCloud Services Experiencing Issues" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Meta today announced several new AI features for popular social network Facebook. The capabilities will be available for profile pictures, photos, posts, stories, and more. Meta AI's image editing tools can be used to animate a profile picture, adding motion to a still image. Meta says there are several preset animations like confetti, headphones, wave, and heart to choose from, with more to be added throughout the year. There does not appear to be an option for creating custom animations. Text-based AI prompts can be used for creating images for Facebook Stories and Memories. After uploading a photo to Stories or viewing a memory to share, the Meta AI-powered Restyle option can be used to describe changes that you want to make to the image. Meta will also offer presets with different style options, moods, lighting, colors, and backdrops. Finally, Facebook is getting an option for adding an animated backdrop to Feed text posts to make them "more fun and expressive." When creating a text post on Facebook, tapping on the rainbow-colored "A" icon will provide multiple still and animated backgrounds to choose from. Meta plans to introduce seasonal backgrounds in the future to make posts feel "timely, festive, and a little more fun." Meta has been heavily pushing its AI products in Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Conversations with Meta's generative AI are used for ad targeting and personalization purposes, with no way to opt out. Meta AI is also used for several image editing and generation features in Facebook and Instagram, plus Meta has adopted it for search across Meta apps.Tags: Facebook, Meta This article, "Facebook Adding AI Profile Picture Animations and Story Editing Tools" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

To recognize Heart Month, Apple is launching a new February Apple Watch activity challenge. Apple Watch owners can earn a special award by completing a workout to fill their Exercise ring on Saturday, February 14, which is Valentine's Day. Close your exercise ring on Valentine's Day, February 14, to earn this award. Your heart will love you for it. Like all Apple Watch Activity Challenges, the Heart Month challenge will be accompanied by an award that can be viewed in the Fitness app as well as a series of animated stickers that can be used in the Messages app. Apple often also debuts themed Heart Month content in the App Store, Apple TV app, Apple Podcasts, and Apple Books during the month of February.Tag: Activity Challenge This article, "Heart Month Apple Watch Activity Challenge Launching on Valentine's Day" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple is aiming for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to have the same starting prices as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, according to Jeff Pu, an equity analyst with investment firm GF Securities. In a research note today, obtained by MacRumors, Pu said his firm's recent "supply chain research" indicates that Apple is focused on "cost management," in an attempt to keep the starting prices of the iPhone 18 Pro models either "unchanged" or at a "similar level" compared to the iPhone 17 Pro models. In the U.S., the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 and the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199. For example, Pu believes that Apple has been negotiating with Samsung and SK Hynix to achieve relatively "favorable" memory chip deals, amid skyrocketing prices for DRAM and NAND storage. He also expects Apple to find ways to lower the costs of some other core iPhone components, including the display and cameras. Another analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, also said that Apple's plan for the iPhone 18 Pro models was to "avoid raising prices as much as possible." He predicted that Apple would at least keep starting prices "flat" compared to the iPhone 17 Pro models. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro models in September.Related Roundup: iPhone 18Tag: Jeff PuRelated Forum: iPhone This article, "iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Prices: Here's What Rumors Say" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Thanks to Apple's Sound Recognition feature, the HomePod mini and second-generation HomePod can send you notifications when they recognize smoke or carbon monoxide alarm sounds. Keep reading to learn how it works. With Sound Recognition, HomePod can detect the sound of a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm in your home, and alert you by sending a notification to your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. It's a neat addition if you don't own a smart detector, although Apple warns that the feature should not be relied upon "in circumstances where users may be harmed or injured," or in "high-risk or emergency situations." The Sound Recognition feature is accessible in the Home app. If your Home system is connected to a smart camera, it will also display live video of your home, so you can see what's happening in real time. Here's how to enable the feature. Note that Sound Recognition on HomePods requires Apple's updated Home app architecture that was introduced in 2022 as part of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4. In the Home app, tap the ellipsis button (three dots) in the top-right corner of the screen. Tap Home Settings. Tap Safety & Security ➝ Sound Recognition. Under "Sounds," make sure the Smoke & CO Alarm toggle is in the green ON position. Toggle on the switches next to the HomePod devices that you want to enable Sound Recognition for. That's all there is to it. Note that you can also access the Sound Recognition menu via the Home app's menu cards for individual HomePods. Sound Recognition was first introduced on the iPhone in 2020 and can detect a wide variety of sounds on that device, including a doorbell, running water, a baby crying, a car horn, a door knock, a cat meowing or dog barking, and more. This article, "Make HomePod Alert You to Smoke Alarms" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple today announced four new games coming to Apple Arcade in March, along with three major updates to existing titles on the service. The four new games heading to ‌Apple Arcade‌ next month are as follows: Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow Sea: A new 3D action-adventure RPG set nearly 1,000 years after Oceanhorn 2, featuring island exploration, titan battles, puzzles, and cross-platform play on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. Pocket Love!+: A wholesome life simulator where players decorate a home and build a cozy life with their partner and pet. Flow Free+: A puzzle game centered on connecting matching colors with pipes to complete increasingly complex grids. Doraemon Dorayaki Shop Story+: A shop management game starring manga character Doraemon where players run and grow a sweetshop. All of the new games will be available on March 5, 2026. Three games are also set to receive updates this month: Disney SpellStruck: A Star Wars crossover arriving February 19 adds levels inspired by Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope and introduces Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca as playable characters. Crayola Create and Play+: A limited-time Snowy Day event featuring Paddington is available on ‌Apple Arcade‌ until February 18. NFL Retro Bowl 26: A new challenge lets players relive Super Bowl LX by competing as the Seattle Seahawks or New England Patriots and comparing leaderboard scores with friends. ‌Apple Arcade‌ is a subscription service that provides access to hundreds of games across the ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, Mac, ‌Apple TV‌, and ‌Apple Vision Pro‌. All of the games are free of ads and in-app purchases. In the U.S., ‌Apple Arcade‌ costs $6.99 per month, and it is also bundled with other Apple services in all Apple One plans. ‌Apple Arcade‌ can be accessed through the App Store and the Apple Games app.Tag: Apple Arcade This article, "Apple Arcade Adding These Four Games in March" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Electric automaker Rivian is preparing to launch a dedicated Apple Watch app that will allow owners to access and control their vehicles directly from their wrist. Rivian is planning to release a companion Apple Watch app as part of its upcoming 2026.03 software update, according to release notes posted by RivianTrackr. The update is tied to version 3.9 of the Rivian mobile app, which has not yet been released on the App Store. The release notes say that the update will allow owners to remotely access and control their vehicles from the Apple Watch, including locking and unlocking doors, venting windows, and sounding the alarm. Users can use the Digital Crown to set a target state of charge or adjust the cabin temperature. The app's customizable design allows users to choose up to four quick controls for instant access to their most-used features. The addition of the Apple Watch app effectively extends wrist-based vehicle access to older Rivian vehicles that cannot use Apple's built-in Wallet-based digital key independently. Rivian began supporting Apple Wallet-based digital Car Keys in December, allowing owners of newer vehicles to use iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock and start their vehicles without a physical key, but support is limited to second-generation Rivian models beginning with the 2025 model year. Rivian's first-generation vehicles, produced from 2021 to 2024, will gain Apple Watch digital key functionality through the new app for the first time. The app will need to be open for functionality to work on these older vehicles. For those newer vehicles, the digital key can function without requiring the Apple Watch app to be launched via a Car Key in the wallet. Tags: Apple Watch Apps, Rivian This article, "Rivian Planning to Launch Apple Watch App" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Amazon this week is taking $30 off the Apple Watch SE 3, starting at $219.00 for the 40mm GPS model. These are second-best prices on the SE 3, but it's been over a month since we last tracked record low prices, so this is a good opportunity for anyone who's been waiting for a deal. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. You can also get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 on sale for $249.00, down from $279.00. Both the 40mm and 44mm GPS models are available in Midnight and Starlight Aluminum at these prices. $30 OFF40mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $219.00 $30 OFF44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $249.00 In addition to the Apple Watch SE 3 discounts, Amazon has $100 off the Apple Watch Series 11 right now, which are record low prices on the wearables. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple Deals This article, "Get an Apple Watch SE 3 for Just $219 on Amazon" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products in the first half of 2026:iPhone 17e: A spec-bumped successor to the iPhone 16e, with rumored upgrades including an A19 chip, MagSafe, and Apple's C1X and N1 wireless chips. The device will apparently have a notch despite earlier rumors mentioning a Dynamic Island, and pricing will continue to start at $599 in the United States. iPad Air: M3 chip → M4 chip. iPad: A16 chip → A18 chip or A19 chip. MacBook Pro: M4 Pro and M4 Max chips → M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and PCIe 5.0 support for faster SSD speeds. MacBook Air: M4 chip → M5 chip. Lower-Cost MacBook: A18 Pro chip, 12.9-inch display, and fun color options. Mac Studio: M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips → M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. Studio Display: 27-inch screen with mini-LED backlighting, up to 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and either an A19 chip or A19 Pro chip. Home Hub: An all-new smart home hub featuring the more personalized version of Siri, a 6-inch to 7-inch square display, an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and more. Place it on a table or mount it on a wall. Security Camera: Apple-designed, HomeKit-enabled security camera accessory to be sold alongside the new smart home hub.Both the Apple TV and the HomePod mini were rumored to be updated in 2025, but neither were, so hopefully they will finally arrive in the first half of 2026. Here is what is rumored for those devices:Apple TV: A17 Pro chip with support for the more personalized Siri, and Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support. A built-in FaceTime camera has been rumored for a future Apple TV, but it is unclear if that will arrive with the next model. HomePod mini: S9 chip or newer with support for the more personalized Siri, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, improved sound quality, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, and potentially a new red color option.Some of the products listed above should be unveiled fairly soon. Apple reportedly plans to unveil the iPhone 17e next week, and MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips will reportedly follow as early as the first week of March. This article, "Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Docker Hardened Images are now free, covering Alpine, Debian, and over 1,000 images including databases, runtimes, and message buses. For security teams, this changes the economics of container vulnerability management. DHI includes security fixes from Docker’s security team, which simplifies security response. Platform teams can pull the patched base image and redeploy quickly. But free hardened images raise a question: how should this change your security practice? Here’s how our thinking is evolving at Docker. What Changes (and What Doesn’t) DHI gives you a security “waterline.” Below the waterline, Docker owns vulnerability management. Above it, you do. When a scanner flags something in a DHI layer, it’s not actionable by your team. Everything above the DHI boundary remains yours. The scope depends on which DHI images you use. A hardened Python image covers the OS and runtime, shrinking your surface to application code and direct dependencies. A hardened base image with your own runtime on top sets the boundary lower. The goal is to push your waterline as high as possible. Vulnerabilities don’t disappear. Below the waterline, you need to pull patched DHI images promptly. Above it, you still own application code, dependencies, and anything you’ve layered on top. Supply Chain Isolation DHI provides supply chain isolation beyond CVE remediation. Community images like python:3.11 carry implicit trust assumptions: no compromised maintainer credentials, no malicious layer injection via tag overwrite, no tampering since your last pull. The Shai Hulud campaign(s) demonstrated the consequences when attackers exploit stolen PATs and tag mutability to propagate through the ecosystem. DHI images come from a controlled namespace where Docker rebuilds from source with review processes and cooldown periods. Supply chain attacks that burn through community images stop at the DHI boundary. You’re not immune to all supply chain risk, but you’ve eliminated exposure to attacks that exploit community image trust models. This is a different value proposition than CVE reduction. It’s isolation from an entire class of increasingly sophisticated attacks. The Container Image as the Unit of Assessment Security scanning is fragmented. Dependency scanning, SAST, and SCA all run in different contexts, and none has full visibility into how everything fits together at deployment time. The container image is where all of this converges. It’s the actual deployment artifact, which makes it the checkpoint where you can guarantee uniform enforcement from developer workstation to production. The same evaluation criteria you run locally after docker build can be identical to what runs in CI and what gates production deployments. This doesn’t need to replace earlier pipeline scanning altogether. It means the image is where you enforce policy consistency and build a coherent audit trail that maps directly to what you’re deploying. Policy-Driven Automation Every enterprise has a vulnerability management policy. The gap is usually between policy (PDFs and wikis) and practice (spreadsheets and Jira tickets). DHI makes that gap easier to close by dramatically reducing the volume of findings that require policy decisions in the first place. When your scanner returns 50 CVEs instead of 500, even basic severity filtering becomes a workable triage system rather than an overwhelming backlog. A simple, achievable policy might include the following: High and critical severity vulnerabilities require remediation or documented exception Medium and lower severity issues are accepted with periodic review CISA KEV vulnerabilities are always in scope Most scanning platforms support this level of filtering natively, including Grype, Trivy, Snyk, Wiz, Prisma Cloud, Aqua, and Docker Scout. You define your severity thresholds, apply them automatically, and surface only what requires human judgment. For teams wanting tighter integration with DHI coverage data, Docker Scout evaluates policies against DHI status directly. Third-party scanners can achieve similar results through pipeline scripting or by exporting DHI coverage information for comparison. The goal isn’t perfect automation but rather reducing noise enough that your existing policy becomes enforceable without burning out your engineers. VEX: What You Can Do Today Docker Hardened Images ship with VEX attestations that suppress CVEs Docker has assessed as not exploitable in context. The natural extension is for your teams to add their own VEX statements for application-layer findings. Here’s what your security team can do today: Consume DHI VEX data. Grype (v0.65+), Trivy, Wiz, and Docker Scout all ingest DHI VEX attestations automatically or via flags. Scanners without VEX support can still use extracted attestations to inform manual triage. Write your own VEX statements. OpenVEX provides the JSON format. Use vexctl to generate and sign statements. Attach VEX to images. Docker recommends docker scout attestation add for attaching VEX to images already in a registry: docker scout attestation add \ --file ./cve-2024-1234.vex.json \ --predicate-type https://openvex.dev/ns/v0.2.0 \ <image> Alternatively, COPY VEX documents into the image filesystem at build time, though this prevents updates without rebuilding. Configure scanner VEX ingestion. The workflow: scan, identify investigated findings, document as VEX, feed back into scanner config. Future scans automatically suppress assessed vulnerabilities. Compliance: What DHI Actually Provides Compliance frameworks such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, and the EU Cyber Resilience Act require systematic, auditable vulnerability management. DHI addresses specific control requirements: Vulnerability management documentation (ISO 27001 A.8.8. , SOC 2 CC7.1). The waterline model provides a defensible answer to “how do you handle base image vulnerabilities?” Point to DHI, explain the attestation model, show policy for everything above the waterline. Continuous monitoring evidence. DHI images rebuild and re-scan on a defined cadence. New digests mean current assessments. Combined with your scanner’s continuous monitoring, you demonstrate ongoing evaluation rather than point-in-time checks. Remediation traceability. VEX attestations create machine-readable records of how each CVE was handled. When auditors ask about specific CVEs in specific deployments, you have answers tied to image digests and timestamps. CRA alignment. The Cyber Resilience Act requires “due diligence” vulnerability handling and SBOMs. DHI images include SBOM attestations, and VEX aligns with CRA expectations for exploitability documentation. This won’t satisfy every audit question, but it provides the foundation most organizations lack. What to Do After You Read This Post Identify high-volume base images. Check Docker Hub’s Hardened Images catalog (My Hub → Hardened Images → Catalog) for coverage of your most-used images (Python, Node, Go, Alpine, Debian). Swap one image. Pick a non-critical service, change the FROM line to DHI equivalent, rebuild, scan, compare results. Configure policy-based filtering. Set up your scanner to distinguish DHI-covered vulnerabilities from application-layer findings. Use Docker Scout or Wiz for native VEX integration, or configure Grype/Trivy ignore policies based on extracted VEX data. Document your waterline. Write down what DHI covers and what remains your responsibility. This becomes your policy reference and audit documentation. Start a VEX practice. Convert one informally-documented vulnerability assessment into a VEX statement and attach it to the relevant image. DHI solves specific, expensive problems around base image vulnerabilities and supply chain trust. The opportunity is building a practice around it that scales. The Bigger Picture DHI coverage is expanding. Today it might cover your OS layer, tomorrow it extends through runtimes and into hardened libraries. Build your framework to be agnostic to where the boundary sits. The question is always the same, though, namely — what has Docker attested to, and what remains yours to assess? The methodology Docker uses for DHI (policy-driven assessment, VEX attestations, auditable decisions) extends into your application layer. We can’t own your custom code, but we can provide the framework for consistent practices above the waterline. Whether you use Scout, Wiz, Grype, Trivy, or another scanner, the pattern is the same. You can let DHI handle what it covers, automate policy for what remains, and document decisions in formats that travel with artifacts. At Docker, we’re using DHI internally to build this vulnerability management model. The framework stays constant regardless of how much of our stack is hardened today versus a year from now. Only the boundary moves. The hardened images are free. The VEX attestations are included. What’s left is integrating these pieces into a coherent security practice where the container is the unit of truth, policy drives automation, and every vulnerability decision is documented by default. For organizations that require stronger guarantees, FIPS-enabled and STIG-ready images, and customizations, DHI Enterprise is tailor made for those use cases. Get in touch with the Docker team if you would like a demo. If you’re still exploring, take a look at the catalog (no-signup needed) or take DHI Enterprise for a spin with a free trial. View the full article